The Mercury from Pottstown, Pennsylvania • Page 1

COMP BOOK 8 I 0 7 WASH I NOTON 3 Serenade Backfired Sex Last Laugh R. and MRS. GEORGE SOVIA. 1157 Cherry street, were accorded a tin can serenade by 30 ployes of the Spicer Manufacturing company last night at 8:30 Refreshments were served and everybody had fine time until WEATHER FORECAST Rain today; fair and warmer tomorrow, Page One Column One) Pottstown Mercury and THE POTTSTOWN NEWS SMART FASHIONS Smartly simple and simply smart fashions are ail extremely popular, (Details, Page Column One) VOL. 4.

NO. 226. ALL TIMES IN THE MERCURY ARE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIMES POTTSTOWN, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE 19, 1933 Telephone 2263 TWO CENTS COPY TEN CENTS A WEEK about 11 when the serenad- ers decided to go home. Then they found someone had turned the tables on them and tied all the tin cans to the rear of their automo- les. They made plenty of noise going up the street, it was said.

Girls generally may be accepted as the weaker sex but from an educational standpoint in Pottstown junior high school they had it all over boys during the past year. A trio of girls maintained the highest averages for the year in the various departments. They were: Gertrude Shock, academic: Virginia Stetler, commercial, and Ruth Neiman, vocational. Took Charge! UTH STICHTER, young daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Raymond Stichter, North Franklin street, played the role of caretaker yesterday afternoon to still-younger Arlene Mensch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Mensch, Franklin and Oak streets. Arlene, who is about three years old. missed her mother for a moment and thought she had gone to a grocery store.

Attempting to find her. she walked from the yard and up the street to the store That was strict orders she never was venture on the other side of the ience unless accompanied by someone older. Ruth, who knew the orders saw the child walking away from her home and immediately took charge. She brought her home with the stern promise she would her if she ever saw her cross the street by herself The women had the last laugh. In the second match of the season between the women and the low average men of the college bowling league, the women gained revenge for a previous defeat.

Last night's battle went to the women. 2126-2090, a margin of 36 pins. Mrs. Stella Bovnton, bowling anchor for the victors, had the highest score of the night, 503. Short Shavings! treet SCENES: The fellow with white shoes and white trousers trying to avoid being splashed by passing motor cars The two little newsboys huddled in a doorway seeking shelter from the rain Earl Kummerer dodging back and forth trying to obtain a dress from a showwindow for a salesgirl Twila Hartenstine Hunter with her arms loaded down with groceries Maurice Seasholtz watching the thermometer and explaining the farmers need warm weather as well as rain The girl driving a green coupe receiving plenty of glances from the boys on the curb yesterday afternoon The dips and bumps in the macadam covering at High and Hanover streets, caused during high temperatures when heavy trucks stopped suddenly and pushed the tar forward Sheldon Antrim offering a friend a half-eaten Ice cream cone Pedestrians staring when police escort Negro shooting suspects into Borough hall.

Wea SENATE PASSES ONE CENT TAX ON GASOLINE loe Weatherman dodged brick- ts and threats of bodily harm when he issued the forecast of climatic conditions He said more rain was scheduled for today and added temperatures would con- Munieipalities To Vote Sunday Movies After 2 on SABBATH BOWLING BILL HOUSE to remain cool, and perhaps 10 below the low readings of last light. Tomorrow, he said, will be and warmer. Local temperatures yesterday and this morning were: 7 a.m. 8 a.m. 9 a.m.

0 a.m. 1 a.m. .2 m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m.

3 p.m. 4 p.m. 5 p.m. 77 78 83 84 85 84 76 70 68 66 65 6 p.m. 7 p.m.

8 p.m. 9 p.m. 10 p.m. 11 p.m. 12 m.

1 a.m. 2 a.m. 3 a.m. 3un sets tonight 8:34 p.m. Showdown on State Consti Revision Due Today Showers Of Votes for Vermont Trip Pour Into Mercury Office Daily Convicts Threaten to reck Mine HARRISBURG, June proposal to the gasoline tax one cent was approved by the Senate tonight to help pay $60,000,000 relief bill for the next year.

1 he vote was 29 to 1 5. The Legislature agreed to let voters decide whether they want Sunday movies Under a bill passed by the Senate, 29 to 20, voters in each municipality with theaters will determine next Fall whether thsaters may open after 2 p. m. on Sundays. Rep.

Louis Schwartz, Philadelphia Republican and author of the bill, described its passage as a victory for The House, however, discarded a bill to permit bowling on Sundays, postponed final votes on Senate bills for Sunday tennis and polo and advanced a bill for a 20 percent tax on Sunday amusements and sports admissions to a final vote to a final vote tomorrow. The House quickly agreed to Senate changes in the measure to provide local referenda and a mandatory $50 fine for persons operating theaters before 2 p. m. Sundays, then sent the measure to Governor Earle, The bill originally proposed a State-wide referendum on the question. Liberal Tendency Approval of a bill to permit Sunday movies may have boosted the chances of other legislation before the General Assembly including a bill to legalize horse racing and pari-mutuel betting.

The horse-racing bill passed the House. Senator Max Aron, Philadelphia Republican, chairman of the law and order committee, said his group may decide soon whether to report the bill favorably and place it in position for final action. On six occasions, Senate Democrats today lost efforts to force Governor labor and utilities bills to the floor for action. All have been passed by the House and deadlocked in Senate committees. A Republican bUl to revise the compensation law also was passed in a busy night session as the legislative jam was broken in the drive for Friday.

Appropriation Bill Cut The general appropriation bill, allocating $148,457,059 to pay governmental expenses in the next two years, also was reported favorably from committee and placed in position for final action Thursday. The total is an increase of approximately $1,000,000 over the amount recommended by the House, but Senate leaders said they were assured the House would agree to the changes. If this occurs, it will be the first time in many years that such a bill passed both Houses with- The wonders of great vacation land in Vermont continue to thrill Pottstown boys and girls as hundreds of votes come pouring into the ballot box at 1 he Mercury every day. Vermont is the goal of 33 cantifr dates who are saving votes distributed by 75 co-operating stores with each purchase of 25 cents or more. The four boys and four girls who accumulate the greatest number of coupons will be given a nine-day vacation at Lake Morey, Vermont, with all expenses paid.

Swimming, boating, fishing, ten- 1 8 nis, golf, horseback riding, hiking, i camping and dancing are but a few of the diversions lined up for the eight winners, all of whom will come from the Pottstown area. There is unusual interest in the campaign because eight winners will be picked instead of one, every candidate enrolled thus having a great chance to go on the vacation. Grosstown road enrolled a c.andi- Wed 60 Years Mr. and Mrs. William Quinter Observe Anniversary Today THREE NEGROES SENT TO JAIL FOR SHOOTING Gives Blood (Continued on Page Three) Defying tear gas and bullets, 347 rioting convicts in the smoke-filled Kansas penitentiary coal mine early this morning threatened to up the damn unless their demands for better food and a new prison physician were granted.

Communicating by telephone with the warden, who was seated in the mine tipple, the raging mutineers rejected an to come out with their 11 hostages and name a committee to present their demands before the State board of administration. The above picture is an air view of the penitentiary. (Story on Page Two). GUN FOUND IN WEEDS PRODUCED AT HEARING Going downgrade on the pathway of life, Mr. and Mrs.

1 William Quinter, R. I Le0n VlC- D. I. today will celebrate the' Critical; Guardsman 60th anniversary of their marriage. No pretentious celebration has been arranged to mark the occasion.

but ail their descendants will gather in their home to wish them The couple had five children but Arthur Williams, Accused Trig- two sons have predeceased them. Their three daughters, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren will be there to help them celebrate their three score years of married life. One person will be missed sadly at the family reunion, Mrs. Quinter said last night. He was their first grandchild, William Charles Quinter, who was killed in action while serving with American forces during the World war.

He enlisted at the age of 19 in Company A. National Guards of Pennsylvania, of Pottstown, and met death while (Continued on Page Three) Cobb and Grander Seek RELEASE 318 Junior High Seniors Commutation of Sentences ACCUSED Bid Adieu to Schoolmates ger Man, Has To Say (Continued on Page Three) County to Oppose Grant Before State Pardon Board at Harrisburg June 28 CHEST CHECKS GO TO AGENCIES Allocations of $9018 From Late Campaign To Be Received Today lights on at 9:04 p.m. Bun rises tomorrow 5:28 a.m. Showers Break Backbones Of Heat, High Humidity Frank Cobb and Howard F. Grander, former officials of the closed Eoyersford Trust company, now serving prison terms, will be given hearings on their petitions for commutation of sentence by the State pardon board at Harrisburg Friday, June 22.

Another man from this area will seek commutation of his prison sentence while a fourth will attempt to have his death sentence changed to life imprisonment. The Royersford men are serving prison terms of five-to-ten years each. The two bankers were sentenced by Judge George C. Corson, in Montgomery county court, March 24, 1933, to make restitution to the defunct bank, pay fines of $10 each and the costs and serve the prison terms. Cobb now is in the Montgomery county prison while Grander is in the Eastern penitentiary in Phila- deelphia.

Attorney Wellington H. Rosenberry filed the petition on behalf of Cobb, May 8, while on May 18, Attorney Joseph H. Essick, Reading, filed Grander's request. County to Oppose Grant It wfas understood yesterday the district office would oppose granting of the petitions at the hearings before the board. Benjamin J.

Levinsky, Conshohocken, convicted of robbery and sentenced on April 9, 1930, to ten- to-20 years in the penitentiary, is the third man to seek commutation of sentence. A hearing on the petition, filed by Edward Opalack, 1143 Cherry street, Pottstown, will be held by the pardon board next week. Attorney lor John D. Jordan, sentenced to death in the electric chair for the shotgun slaying of Harvey L. Emery, Chester Springs farmer, will file a petition with the board today or tomorrow, seeking to have changed the death verdict to life imprisonment, Guss to Appeal The appeal to the board will be made in behalf of the Phoenixville ex-convict, sentenced the past week, by Attorney John N.

Guss, West Chester. Jordan, shot dowrn Emery in the barn the past Fall, is now a prisoner in the Rockview penitentiary, Bellefonte, but has not been transferred to the death house. The appeal to the pardon board will be the last move to save Jordan from the electric chair. Several weeks ago a new trial was denied the ex-convict and he was sentenced to death by Judge W. Butler Windle.

FITORTIflN Presented at Promotion Exercises; Class I A I II I I 11 Presents Funds For Amplifying System Norristown Man Maintains Innocence; Stopped To Repair Tire Amid a setting of flowers and with the actors brilliantly costumed 318 seniors of Pottstown junior high school bid adieu to their school- First payment of $9018.76 to wel fare and social agencies deriving support through the Community Chest will be made this morning, Ralph H. Spare, secretary of the Chest, announced last night. Checks, based on 75 percent of the budget since the campaign netted only $40,000 of $54,000 goal, were placed in the mail last night and will be received by the various agencies this morning. The payments, which represent the first quarterly allocation of the funds from the past campaign, will be distributed as follows: American Legion $150.00 Boy Scouts 281.25 Emergency Fund 937.50 Family Welfare Society 1125.00 Goodwill Ambulance Pottstown hospital Homeopathic hospital Salvation Army Y. M.

C. Y. W. C. Library Visiting The Salvation Army, in addition to receiving its quarterly appropriation, was granted $200 several wreeks ago for special welfare work.

That payment was made from the emergency fund. Leonard Leaf, treasurer of the chest supervised the distribution of the checks. 150.00 1781.25 1218.75 375.00 1687.50 843.75 375.00 93.75 Backbones of Old Man High Temperature and Oscar Humidity were broken yesterday when showers swept across the hjrough shortly aftei 1 and continued intermittently through the night. Eighty-degree temperatures and 77 percent humidity were sent flying with the advent of the rain. The mercury dropped to 56 degrees by 3 this morning to come within six degrees of equaling the all-time low record for June 19.

established in 1909 when the temperature sank to 50. On top of all that, the weather bureau said more rain was in store for today and casually mentioned still cooler temperatures for this section. ARE YOU PATRIOTIC Prove it by attending the Strawberry and Ice Cream Festival On the Owls Lot Tonite Camp 5, Patriotic Order of Americans Serve 2205-J Yesterday morning dawned clear and the thermometer mounted steadily. By 11 a. m.

the mercury had reached the 85-degree notch and residents began to think they were in for a day similar to Monday, when 90-degree readings were attained. As noon rolled around, however, the skies began to cloud and the temperatures started receding. With heavy showers from 2 to 3 1 yesterday afternoon the mercury skidded from 84 degrees. From noon to 2 the mercury dropped 14 degrees. Tomorroiv, the weather bureau announced, will be fair and will be marked by rising temperatures.

Rain and low temperatures are far from local, the weatherman said. The disturbance covers an area from the upper Ohio valley all the way to the South Atlantic states. BRAKO Walnut St. Four Door Prizes CONDITION IS CRITICAL Cheerful Gardner, elephant trainer for Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, who was admitted to the Pottstown hospital the past Friday morning with pneumonia, last night was in a critical condition, according to his physician, Dr. Paul D.

Hanley. The elephant trainer was taken from the circus train when the show' arrived early Friday morning to play at Mill Park. He was stricken Tuesday in Harrisburg and his condition rapidly became wrorse. FEIGENSPAN 224 UNCONSCIOUS THREE DAYS Edna Borneman, 20, Schwrenkville, entered her third day of unconsciousness this morning in Pottstown hospital. The girl suffered a fractured skull early Monday morning when the car in which she was riding overturned.

Two others injured in the crash also are patients in the hospital. They are: Francis South Pottstown, driver, and Betty Yarnall, 18, 511 North Evans street. Their conditions were reported improved. Alfred Warren Eagens 28. West Elm street.

Norristown grocery clerk arrested by department of justice agents and county detectives during the springing of an elaborate trap to catch an alleged extortionist, was released by federal authorities in Philadelphia, late Monday afternoon, it w-as revealed yesterday, Eagens. in Moyamensing prison since the time of his arrest, Thursday night, May 23, in default of $12,000 bail following a hearing before U. S. Commissioner William S. Wacker, was freed on his own recognizance to be produced by his attorney, James Herbert Egan, whenever he is wanted.

Eagens arrest came as he picked up a package which had been tossed out of a passing car on Whitehall road, near Germantown pike, East Norriton township. Family Threatened The package was supposed to contain $12.000 money demanded by an extortionist in letters sent to Albert Alexander Garthwaite, Kincraigie, North Lane, near Conshohocken. vice president of the Lee Tire and Rubber company. The letters carried threats against the Garthwaite family if the money was not. paid.

Federal agents and county authorities then planned the trap to capture the sender of the letters. They used car, followed the plan for placing the money at a spot where a white marker was placed. Behind the Garthwaite car, containing detectives, came other cars, carrying federal and county sleuths. Near the spot marked by a white piece of canvass, Eagens was repairing a tire of his car. The package was thrown out, Eagens picked it up and detectives swooped on him.

Maintains Innocence Ever since his arrest Eagens maintained his innocence. He said he had finished work in a North singing In six young mates last night in pageant form in the junior high auditorium. The pageant entitled: brought out the theme that wisdom w'as greater than riches. Under the direction of Miss Helen V. Purnell, the pupils portrayed their parts in excellent manner and won high acclaim from parents and friends who filled the auditorium.

Each member of the graduating class took part in the play. Those w-ho did not have parts in the pageant constituted a chorus. Play in Six Parts The play was presented parts. The first showed Aladdin finding the lamp of wishes. After the geni appeared Aladdin wished only for gold.

Succeeding acts portrayed the fallacy of such a motive with the youth finally awakening to the fact that wisdom was the key to happiness. Several groups of dancing choruses depicted various incidents in the experience of Aladdin and their wrell-executed numbers were received with applause. At the close of the pageant the singing choruses presented songs in which words of farewell were set to music of two popular numbers, of and I Grow Too Old to Scores Discontent for God and Harry Ginther, past commander of at the annual promotion exercises EAGLES' TEAMS WIN 2 PRIZES Degree Aggregation Takes First, Ritual, Second At Convention (Continued on Page Three) TWO CARS COLLIDE AT HIGH AND HANOVER (Continued on Page Three) KIDDIES TO BE GUESTS OF SANAT0GA TUESDAY Two cars were damaged slightly last night shortly before 11 in a collision at High and Hanover streets but no one was hurt. The machines were operated by Elmer Stufflet, 619 State street, and Charles F. Wannish, Rattlesnake Hill.

According to Stufflet. he was proceeding on High street while the other driver was travel- Pottstown Aerie of Eagles rose to new heights in State circles yesterday when the degree team, captained by William Wagner, won the State championship at the convention now being held in Wilkes- Barre, The local ritual team was awarded second place in competition in that branch. The degree team won $100 first prize and the second prize money for the ritual team was $35. While honors were being heaped upon the degree team of 35 men for its supremacy over many other teams, its captain won a singular honor in that it was the third team he has led to a State championship in as many years. Wagner, a member of the George A.

Amole post, American Legion, captained the drill team of that organization to the State championship in 1933 and 1934. Ritual Team Members of the local lodge taking part in the ritual competition were: Daniel S. Drumheller. Charles Erb, Joseph Barkel, Daniel Brunish, Harold Reitnauer and Wilson H. Stetler.

The first ritual prize of $50 was won by the York team. Lancaster third. In the degree team competition McKeesport won the second prize of $50 and Lancaster also was third in this contest winning $50. A number of Pottstown Eagles at- the convention. The de- ing north on Hanover.

The Wannish machine lost its bumper and dam- tended aged its fender while car 1 gree team members returned home was dented. last night. While their victim hovered! between life and death last night, three Negroes, accused of shooting Leon Shaner, 39, Cedarville World War veteran, early Monday morning, were committed to the Montgomery county jail. Arthur Williams. 54, of 662 Jefferson street, who was alleged to have fired the shot into Shaner's abdomen after an argument, was arraigned before Justice of the Peace Grant Koons on charges of aggravated assault and battery with intent to kill.

He was committed to jail without bail. The other two, Desdee Rogers. 24, of 726 Beech street, and Isaac Tutt, 31, Pottstown R. D. 1, were jailed as material witnesses.

A fourth man, Oscar White, who resides at 662 Jefferson avenue with Williams, was freed. Shaner. was reported having been on a party with the Negroes prior to the brawl, last night was in a time Monday, Dr. T. Edmund Wills said.

The veteran was confined to the Pottstown hospital. Blood Transfused The war veteran, who gained considerable renown for his chauffeuring services to the late President I Wilson, underwent a blood 1 fusion shortly before 8 p. m. yesterday. Almost a half pint of blood was pumped into body from that of Fred Hinton.

32. Chester county, a National Guardsman. Dr. Wills said more transfusions may be necessary. When the four Negroes were taken before the magistrate, Williams refused to say anything but Rogers and.

Tutt both placed the blame for the shooting on the older man, commonly known as because of a wooden leg. The revolver which Williams was alleged to have used to fire pointblank at Shaner was produced at the hearing by Patrolman Paul Gumpert. It was said the weapon, which wras fully loaded and which still had the one fired shell in the chamber, was found among weeds at the rear of the house yesterday. Patrolman Testifies Gumpert testified to receiving a call that a man had been shot on Jefferson avenue shortly before 5 Monday morning. Patrolman James Laughead and he went to the scene, Gumpert said, and found Shaner lying in the street.

Rogers was the first to testify at the hearing which was attended by a group of Negro friends of the prisoners. He related how Tutt, who was employed as chauffeur for a Chester county resident, offered to take Shaner home after spending several hours at a Negro social club in the north end of the borough, Rogers, Tutt, Shaner and Williams went to home, Rogers said. They all had been dr hiking, it was reported. The Negro said he went to the door to rouse White, who was asleep. When Rogers was on the door (Continued on Page Three) With several thousand pairs of hands eagerly outstretched, trolley tickets for transportation to Sanatoga park for the annual day next week, will be distributed to school children today and tomorrow.

The park will play host to the youngsters Tuesday with a program of athletic events, peanut scramble, penny scramble and other events The athletic contests will be under direction of Irvin L. Keener, high school athletic coach. Tickets to the various amusements as well as other prizes wall be awarded winners in the contests. Ralph Garreth, manager of the park, last night announced arrangements were made writh the traction company so that ample cars would be run to and from the park, assuring the children of speedy transportation. A first aid tent with a trained nurse in charge will be a new feature this year.

Governor Earle Calls Schuylkill a Disgrace Governor Earle yesterday termed the Schuylkill river a to and told Federal authorities he heartily approved of the plans to reclaim the stream. The chief executive was visited by Col. John Lee, U. S. engineer, and members of the Association of Schuylkill River Municipalities, with which Pottstown is associated.

Colonel Lee went to Harrisburg to learn the attitude toward federal plans to reduce flood damage, eliminate culm content in the stream and carry out general reclamation work. Dr. R. S. Nester, Chiropodist, 113 King St.

Off. hrs. Tues, Fri. Sat. 9-12; 6-8.

Ph. 1801. AUX. FESTIVAL Tomorrow night at Fire Hall. SCHEIDTS 221-J The engineer explained the work on the Schuylkill river would be done with federal funds.

He said the work of erecting culm pile buttresses and the building of banks along the stream would give employment to thousands of men. Governor Earle, after hearing an outline of the plans for the work, told the engineer he would do everything possible to aid in the project. Colonel Lee now is preparing recommendations for the improvements which will be presented to the public works administration for approval. Strawberry Social Tonight By Presbyterian S. S.

on C. S. lawn, 1000 N. Char. St.

Guaranteed Watch Repairing E. K. Weikel, 10 N. Hanover St. SUNSHINE 40-J ON THE MAIN DRAG Informal Little Snapshots of Goings, Comings, and Doings RAYMOND STYER in a paint bucket.

JAMES KERR the power of an engine. FRANK SWINEHART after walking up a hill. WILBUR MAUGER his wife about a circus. DAVID HARTMAN a new bowling ball. RUSSELL KEIM in a baseball score.

CLARE CLEMMER a bright-colored hat. MICHAEL BADNARUCK to see his brother, MARVIN KNAUER a speedy trip to Pottstow'n. BOYS! GIRLS! USE THE ENTRY BLANK ON PAGE 8 TO GET INTO THE POTTSTOWN MERCURY-MERCHANTS FREE TRIPS CAMPAIGN.