The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 11

SECTION TWO CLASSIFIED SECTION TWO INLAND EMPIRE com SATURDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 18, 1933 j.c. trustees PAIS Mayor Charges Recall Sponsors With Libel and Slander, Orders Attorneys to File $50,000 Suit Andreson Properties May Be Transferred In $1,500,000 Deal Confidence Increasing, Banker Says LIFE FIR mm FIG wmmu FOR II S. IN LEESE MURDER 'Big Shot' Gambler, Unafraid, Walks to Gallows, Expiates Slaying of Mining Man Board Takes Action as Result Of Response to 'Straw' Vote on Bond Issue Says Action Defense Against False Statements Negotiations Under Way on 3rd, St. Holdings City Hails Dollar Day As Success Red Cross Leaders Issue Appeal for More Workers More manpower is urgently needed if the annual roll call of the San Bernardino American Red Cross chapter is to be a success.

"We need 300 more workers, and we need them right away," said George C. Cooper, campaign manager, and John A. Pierce, his associate, in a statement issued yesterday. "The roll call in San Bernardino is facing a crisis, and its outcome will be determined by the response of the public to this appeal for workers within the next few days," the statement said. "The American Red Cross is everybody's organization, and the roll call is everybody's job.

We believe that there are in San Bernardino many more than 300 'public-spirited men and women who will be willing to devote a few hours daily to the prosecution of this highly-important roll call. "We now have about 200 workers, in the field. This number has been found to be insufficient. We need the additional 300 workers if we are to carry the roll call to a successful conclusion and take our place among the thousands of cities all over the United States which are rallying to the support of the American Red Cross, the mercy organization which not only steps to the fore in every disaster, administering aid to the suffering, but in addition carries on a year-'round campaign of relieving the ailing and destitute. "San Bernardino cannot lag behind in this work of mercy.

Its people can prove their sympathy with the humanitarian aims of the Red Cross by enrolling for membership, or volunteering to work on the roll call. Volunteers should apply in person or by telephone to Mrs. T. R. Carlisle, executive secretary, at 201 Piatt building." i 1 Deal involving more than a million and a half dollars of San Bernardino and Los Angeles properties may be consummated within a few-days.

Properties of the Andreson Co. at Third and streets, San Ber nardino, figure in the negotiations. 'Conferences regarding the deal have been underway for nearly a month. That the deal, however, has not teen consummated was declared last night by John Andreson, presi-'dent of the Andreson Co. 7 APARTMENT HOUSES The Pacific States Savings Co.

figures on the other 'end of the negotiations. If the Jtransfer is made the savings and loan company would become the owner of the Andreson building and the adjoining Kress building. "The Andreson Co. would become the owner of seven large apartment houses, six in Los Angeles and one, the Gaylord in San Eernardino, at :,602 Sixth street. 1 B.

Dade Davis and S. P. Reh-'wald, San Bernardino realty brok ers, represent the Andreson Co. S. H.

Price of the firm of Baruch of Los Angeles represents the Pacific States Savings Loan Co. i FIVE-STORY BUILDING Papers in the deal have been deposited with the Security Title llnsurance Guarantee and 1 i he Pioneer Title Insurance of jsan Bernardino. Final papers, how- i The Andreson building is a five- structure, modern in structure, modern in every detail. The ground floor is oc cupied by the Bank of America, ikVf'o T-lrooo Shnr. AlVlort j' tu won, I Report Hits Free County Board for City Prisoners ror has saved $3,594.37 for the county.

The accountants question the propriety of the auditor's action In charging a portion of the $9,770.66 defalcation of the former county assessor, A. E. Allen, now in San Quentin prison, to the school districts and other districts. The report includes an opinion on the matter from District Attorney Stanley Mussell, who states that Over Shoe Co. There are 72 offices lt Possible for shoppers to find on the upper floors.

It occupies Kains virtually any line of ft-nntnoo of RK fppt on Third 1 chandise. Another successful "Dollar day" has been added to the series of semi-annual bargain events sponsored jointly by the San Bernardino chamber of commerce and the Business Men's association to stimulate trade and benefit thrifty shoppers. The merchandising event yesterday brought crowds of careful buyers into the shopping zone, and lived up to its reputation as a business boosting affair, according to Chair man Leslie I. Harris of the retail trade committee of the chamber of commerce, and Secretary A. M.

Nye of the association. These "Dollar days" are companion events to the semi-annual "San Bernardino Sales day," celebrated in mid-summer and mid-winter, with the difference that the former is more of a local bargain event, while the latter Is staged on a more elaborate county-wide scale. Throughout the day a crowd of shoppers, dominated by bargain-seeking housewives, trooped into the stores to take advantage of low prices. One of the important factors stressed in these bargain events is the offering of sound values, and honest representation of wares in advertising and displays, according to "those in charge of the "Dollar day" for the two civic organizations. Practically every important store in San Bernardino took part in the campaign to boost business, making Various welfare agencies of San Bernardino and Colton have received checks from E.

E. Duque, general manager of the California Portland Cement as that company's contribution to the activities of the two communities. Th money was distributed to organizations of San Bernardino that participated in the last community chest. The company's extensive plant is maintained at Colton and many of the employes reside in San Bernardino as well as Colton. The company has supported various community projects of the two cities for many years.

Youth Arrested as Wreck Hurts Officer Charged with violating right-of- way rules, fiarry isecK, 10 years oia, 640 street, driver of the machine which was involved in an accident to Henry F. Moore, city motorcycle officer, was arrested last night by police. Moore suffered injuries while riding his motorcycle to a fire. Elementary Teachers Will Convene Today Lewis E. Adams, superintendent of schools will preside at a meeting of all elementary school teachers today.

The session will begin at 10 a. m. at the Jefferson school auditorium. The conference is one of the regular institute sessions. wm AIDS WELFARE I H.

A. Nater, vice-president of the Bank of America, who spoke to bankers of two counties last night. Organization of a San Bernardino-Riverside County Clearinghouse association will probably be effected at a meeting to be held Nov. 28 at the Riverside chamber of commerce A. H.

Brouse, of San Bernardino, chairman of the committee, told bankers from the two counties at a dinner meeting here last night. The gathering, at Mapes' cafe teria attended by nearly 200 bank- i (Continued on Page Nineteen) A large audience gave its approv al to the opening of San Bernar dino's amateur theatrical season, last night, at the presentation of Noel Coward's "Hay Fever" by the Pastorale Players under the direction of Jodi Lugo in the social hall of the San Bernardino valley junior college. A near-capacity crowd witnessed the presentation of one of the outstanding modern farce comedies performed by an experienced cast. The story of "Hay Fever" is one of an eccentric family made up of an ex-actress, her author husband, two temperamental and rude children, and their guests for the weekend. Each guest was heartily disliked by all of the Blisses excepting the one giving the invitation.

The manner in which the group worked through and out of the difficulties is the basis of the plot. Miss Hilda Spittler carried off the major honors in the role of Judith Bliss. As the over-theatrical and conceited ex-actress, she kept the audience in constant amusement. Sorrel Bliss, played by Miss Irene Crabbe, was one of the highlights of the performance, and Jean Cameron as her brother, also assisted greatly in the success of the play. Meredyth Savage and Frank Dav-ey gave fine presentation of their role3, Myra Arundel and David Bliss.

Margaret Mclnerny, with Malcolm Youngs and Richard Mclnerny, gave the audience a full evening of entertainment during their various episodes on the stage. Lorena H. Doig presented a fine interpretation of Clara, the maid of all work, and ex-dresser for Judith Bliss. The staff for the production was: director and set designer, Jodi R. Lugo; business manager, Lorena H.

Doig; publicity manager, John Bright; assistant publicity manager, Stuart Lott; stage manager, Paul Stoudt; assistant stage manager, Charles Steele; property manager, Fred Suverkrup; make-up, Monte Weeks; prompter, Mildred Bradley; pianist, Dorothy Jane Tetsall; usherettes, Barbara Mulligan, Mildred Bresslin and Maureen Mclnerny. Insurance Plan Gets Approval Approval of the proposed group insurance plan recently suggested was voted by members of the San THRDNG RAILS COWARD PLAY Acting to defend himself against what he asserts is a malicious misstatement of facts, Mayor Ormonde W. Seccombe yesterday ordered his attorneys to prepare a $50,000 damage suit against both the circulators of recall petitions and the signers of the petitions. The damage action will be filed in the courts when, and if, the recall petitions, which have been circulated throughout the city for the past week, are filed with the city clerk, according to the mayor. In the complaint, Mayor Seccombe -will charge that he has been libeled by the circulating of a written statement that he has by "his reckless financial policy" depleted the city treasury and that the city "for the first time in history faces a treasury deficit which will injure our municipal credit and do great damage to the business interests of our community." DENIES "DEPLETION" The charge is contained in the petition, which recall sponsors drafted in their attempt to remove Mr.

Seccombe from office. Mr. Seccombe, in reply, issued a financial statement last week showing, he said, that the city treasury is not depleted, that the city is not facing a deficit in its treasury and, moreover, that his administration in its first six months expended $11,000 less than the previous administration during the corresponding period. The circulating of the petitions containing the statement which Mr. Seccombe's attorneys informer him is clearly libelous has "damaged Mr.

Seccombe's good name, business and reputation both individually and in respect to his said office as mayor of said city in the sum of $50,000," according to the complaint. DEFERS FILING The charge that Mr. Seccombe has through his asserted reckless management of financial affairs depleted the city treasury is one of a series listed in the recall petitions. The sponsors of the recall petitions claim that more than 2,300 residents of the city have sighed the petitions. Mr.

Seccombe's complaint may also ask slander damages from the petition circulators who, It is as-continued on Page Nineteen) Fruit Act Violation Is Charged by State Charging two violations of the state deciduous fruit dealers' act, a complaint was signed yesterday by Inspector Paul G. Robertson of the state department of agriculture. against Jake asserted Ontario fruit dealer. District Attorney Stanley Mussell issued the complaint, which was filed in court of Justice F. Hamilton of Ontario.

Haydis is charged with doing business without a state license and with purchasing Nov. 15 from W. T. Carpenter his crop of apricots without paying the full purchase price when the fruit was delivered. 'Duck Soup' Guest Ticket Winners Will Be Announced in Monday's Sun and Evening Telegram Read Classifi every day fc Use them fc TURKEY DINNER TODAY A Complete Turkey Dinner from Soup To Dessert 35 Evm-v day we nerve 25' complete meal.

Indudei suup and TOWNE-ALLISON FOUR SODA FOUNTAINS John C. Fleming, "big time" gambler who shot to death Amos Leese, a mine superintendent, in a bar room at Red Mountain a year ago, was executed on the gallows at Folsom penitentiary yesterday. The trap was sprung at 10 a. m. and Fleming was pronounced dead 15 minutes later.

Calm and apparently unafraid, Fleming walked to. the gallows unassisted by the guards but accompanied by Father Patrick Cronin, the prison chaplain. As the guards adjusted the noose and black cap, Fleming expressed regret for "causing the warden so much trouble." In the death room of the prison were 18 witnesses. Leese's widow, Mary Leese, was denied permission to witness the hanging. CAREER OF CRIME Fleming's death ended a coreer of crime that began when he was but a youth.

Twice he was committed to reformatories and twice he served penitentiary sentences as a burglar and gunman. Fleming's killing of Leese, a widely respected miner known through out the desert, was particularly bru- tal. Intoxicated and quarrelsome, Fleming and a dance hall girl, Peggy O'Day, were in the Red Mountain bar when Leese called to buy tobacco. Miss O'Day insisted that he "buy a drink," and Leese, with his wife waiting outside in his automobile, spurned her advances. Fleming intervened, knocking Leese down with a revolver.

Unarmed and on the floor, Leese rose to his knees. Fleming then pumped four bullets into his body, killing him instantly. STORY UNSUPPORTED Fleming pleaded self-defense after his arrest, maintaining that Leese attempted to strike him with an automobile crank. His story was uncorroborated. Fleming, by his own words a "big shot" gambler dealing games on one of the gambling ships off the Southern California coast, was in the desert for a "holiday" when the quarrel with Leese occurred.

Miss O'Day was one of the girls who frequented the bars in the mining district. Fleming made a plea for commutation of his sentence to life imprisonment. The state supreme court, however, refused to act and, because, of his prior convictions, Gov. James Rolph was powerless to grant him clemency. 4 Accident Fatal To Rail Worker William N.

Woosley, 54 years old, Santa Fe employe, who fell from an engine tender at the roundhouse in San Bernardino late Tuesday night, died Thursday at the Santa Fe hospital in Los Angeles. A basal fracture of the skull was the cause of death. Mr. Woosley was a native of Texas and had lived in California six years. He made his home at 1031 P'ifteenth street.

Surviving relatives are his widow, Mrs. Mabel Woosley, a daughter, Miss Laurine, a son, J. G. Woosley, and a sister, Mrs. J.

L. Rice of San Bernardino. Funeral rites will be conducted at 2 p. m. today from the J.

W. Wood-house chapel. The body will be cremated at the Mountain View crematory. Autoists Cited for Defective Lights Capt. C.

J. Boone and his squad of state highway patrolmen last night stopped 467 automobiles In front of the National Orange Show building and found 78 cars with defective lights. The violators were cited to report at the San Bernardino office of the patrol within five days with headlight adjustment certificates or for inspection if the offense was for no taillight lamp burning, one headlight out or illegal auxiliary liBhts or spotlight. I Brake tests were conducted at the same location yesterday after- were cited to appear within five days for retest or show certificates of adjustment. Former Riverside Editor Succumbs Frederick F.

Forbes, assistant managing editor of the San Fran- Cisco Chronicle and former editor of the Riverside Enterprise, died yesterday at his home at Berkeley after a brief illness. Mr. Forbes at one time was managing editor of the Philadelphia North American. He entered news paper work 40 years ago at Scran-ton, Pa. He disposed of his interest in the Riverside Enterprise about eight years ago and joined the staff of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Formal application to the Federal Government for a loan of $350,000, to be used in a proposed building program at the San Bernardino valley junior college was ordered by trustees of tthe institution at their meeting yesterday. Although results of a "straw" vote, taken in an effort to determine the attitude of the district's taxpayers toward the proposal, indicated the people polled are approximately three to one in favor of it, the actual calling of a bond election was deferred until the application has been granted. $105,000 GRANT Of the $350,000 loan, $105,000 will be granted outright to the junior college by the Government, providing the remaining $245,000 is furnished by the district. The application, to be filed with the Federal emergency administration of public works, is to be drawn immediately by Chairman Frank H. Binney of the board of trustees, and Dr.

Nicholas Ricciardi, col lege president. It will be sent to the Los lgeles office of the organization and then forwarded to Washington, D. C. Members of the board discussed the proposal at length, and, in the light of the "straw" ballot, tentatively agreed to call the bond election if the application is approved. "Our credit already has been established by our representatives in Congress to the extent of $3,300,000," said C.

J. O'Connor, Colton representative of the board, "and it is up to us to see that we get our share of that amount. VOTE RESULTS "In other words, this money has been appropriated by the Govern ment for public works, and we, as taxpayers, will contribute our share. "It is no more than right that some of this money should be expended in this district, and it is up to us to see that we get it." Results of the "straw" vote, to date, reported at the meeting of (Continued on Page Nineteen) W.H7c7steele's Mother Passes Mrs. Anna H.

Steele, 80 years old, mother of W. H. C. Steele, well known San Bernardino business man, died yesterday at the home of her son at 773 Twenty-sixth street. Her death followed a heart attack suffered early yesterday morning.

Mrs. Steele was born in Indiana, and had resided in San Bernardino 12 years. She was the widow of the late Henry M. Steele. In addition to her son, she is sur vived by three daughters, in Long Beach, Visalia and South Dakota, a sister in Illinois; two brothers in Oregon and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. today at the Mark B. Shaw Co, memorial chapel, with burial in Mountain View cemetery. County Farm BureOU Insurance Men Meet Twenty-five agents attended a meeting of the San Bernardino county farm bureau insurance department yesterday afternoon at the farm bureau headquarters in San Bernardino, and heard a talk on "Salesmanship and Finding Prospects" by -A. M.

Stanley, dlrec- tor of the insurance department of the farm bureau for California. Mrs. Dolores Bentson of San Bernardino reported on the state in surance coi.ference held Nov. i in Berkeley. A.

R. Brown of Chino, special agent for this county spoke on "Safety Measures in Automobile Driving." develops the Issue of whether he was legally entitled to file the pe tition if he werenot a qualified registered voter. If the council holds that Gray is not a registered voter the petition will be declared invalid and thrown out. On the contrary, should the council rule the petition is valid another legal question arises: Are the recall sponsors then required to file their petitions within 10 days or drop the entire movement. Mr.

Osborn's certification of the names on Gray's petition follows: "(1) That the total number of votes cast for all candidates for the office of mayor at the last preceding general municipal election was "(2) That 30 per cent of that (Continued on Page Nineteen) A recommendation that the county charge cities for police court prisoners held in the county jail was contained in the annual audit report filed with the board of county supervisors yesterday by W. H. Eadie of Fuller, Eadie Co. The report shows that prisoners convicted of violations of city ordinances in city police courts are kept in the county jail without charge to the cities. The auditors advised the supervisors to collect from the cities for this service.

The auditing company was em ployed by the board of supervisors to make the audit which covers all county offices handling funds. The report consists of 101 pages of comment and explanation, and voluminous exhibits and schedules. The report states that the county auditor made an erroneous apportionment of taxes to the elementary and high schools which resulted in an overpayment of $3,594.37, which will be recovered from these school districts. The county-wide school tax has been discontinued, effective with the 1933-34 tax levy, due to the assumption of a portion of the school costs by the state from the proceeds of sales tax, and therefore the discovery of this er STATE HEALTH Although the depression has been blamed for almost every evil In existence, nevertheless, for some un-explainable Teason, California has had a lower mortality rate and fewer deaths from illness during the past few years, according to Dr. Giles S.

Porter, director of the state department of public health. Dr. Porter addressed both the afternoon and evening sessions of a health conference'held at the California hotel yesterday, sponsored by the county health bureau and the Parent-Teacher associations. "However," said Dr. Porter, "California faces one of the most trying times ahead, insofar as health is concerned.

Due to the weakened condition of many persons and the number of persons from other (Continued on Page Nineteen) the distribution of this loss should be held in abeyance until a pending suit for recovery from Allen's surety company has been settled. Whether the county treasurer should pay the county the commissions paid him by the state for collecting state inheritance taxes, a matter discussed by the grand jury this week, is discussed in the Fuller-Eadie report The sum In question amounts to $2,583, subject to a possible offset on account of the fact that the supervisors set the treasurer's salary at a lower rate due to the collection of these fees. A special report shows the status of collateral held by the treasurer as security for county funds de- (Continued on Page Nineteen) Three men and a girl were In the county jail last night in the investigation of what authorities declared was the kidnaping of Mrs. Margaret Littlejohn of Colton, leader of an orchestra in a San Bernardino night club. The four are Robert Hollowwa, 27 years old; his wife, Esther Hollowwa; Charles Pennington and Wilbur Whitaker, all of San Bernardino.

Mrs. Littlejohn said Hollowwa, whom Chief Criminal Deputy Sheriff J. W. Stocker and Deputy Ira B. Caster described as a former bootlegger, first accosted her in the club early yesterday morning, accusing her of being a "stool pigeon." When she left the club after 1:30 a.m.

two cars followed her, and she was crowded into the side of the road and stopped on Mt. Vernon (Continued on Page Nineteen) to "come and get his pet." Mr. Gentry declined to do so, reiterating his statement that the black California bear is a harmless creature and to leave him alone. Johnny Rieggan, young schoolboy, was the first to report seeing the bear. He arrived at his Cucamonga home breathless and In the van of a group of fleeing youngsters.

His father, John Rieggan, fared forth in quest of the animal and saw it disappear in a citrus grove. Deputy Sheriff Jack Brown was notified and led a posse in pursuit of the animal. They tracked it to the Santa Fe right-of-way where the trail disappeared. It is not known what they would have done had they found it, as It Is illegal to shoot bear in Southern California. "I don't see why people are so worried about these bears," commented Mr.

Gentry last night. "They wouldn't harm anyone." FOUR HELD IN KIDNAP PROBE EJ BlLCCl. The Kress building, also owned by the Andreson has a frontage of 69 feet on street. The build-i lng is three stories and is under lease to the Kress company, Financial details of the proposed deal, other than the property figur-, ''ng in the exchange, have not been mnounced. Negroes Plan Thanks Recital Scheduled for Friday evening next, Nov.

24, the Colored Com-! munity chorus announces aThanks-' giving recital as "an expression of thanks in songs, Negro spirituals." Earlier this month perhaps 2,000 people gathered in the auditorium I to enjoy the first program offered by this group of San Bernardino colored people, and admittedly it was one of the thoroughly en- joyed entertainments of recent years. The next program, to be given during Thanksgiving week, 'l will have something of the flavor of the season, and be made up of plantation and spiritual melodies. There is no admission fee, but people who enjoy the music are asked to contribute, to cover the j' necessary expenses, and If there is any surplus, it goes to purposes in which the colored people of the city are interested. The directress of the chorus is Mrs. A.

C. Bil-i, brew, of Los Angeles, but the membership and direction of the business of the chorus is wholly controlled by the colored people of San Bernardino. Damage Suit Filed In Accident Death Seeking $6,116.50 damages for the death Aug. 19 of Hervey O. Divine, 78 years old, Anna A.

Brown yesterday filed suit In superior court against the Blue Diamond corporation Ltd. and two of its employes, Victor M. Medina and Lionel Lopez. Mrs. Brown, who is administra trix of the Divine estate, said the aged man was caretaker at a flower bed on the Ocean-to-Ocean highway at Bloomington avenue when struck by the corporation's truck which was in charge of the defendant employes.

The accident occurred Aug. 11, and the caretaker died eight days later. The administratrix is represented by Attorney E. C. Grldley of San Bernardino.

Jenner, Yinger New Rustic Inn Owners I The management of the Rustic at Forty-sixth street and Arrowhead road, has been taken over Ray Yinger and W. H. (Doc) it was announced yesterday. They acquired it from H. O.

'Fischer, who has been operating inn for a number of years, The dining room will be under management new orchest will pla: finger, itained every flight. 'Who's Afraid of the Big Black Cucamonga Council to Determine 'Recall' Papers Validity Bernardino County Employes' asso- noon for 408 cars, and 36 had de-ciation last nieht. According to fective brakes. These motorists Another of the state fish and game commission's migratory bears made its appearance in the valley yesterday. This time the animal, a big black one, ambled across the Intersection of Archibald and Mc-Kinley avenues in Cucamonga, to the consternation of a group of children on their way to school.

The animal was either one of 1 four released In Bear valley early thia or one of another ouar- tet freed ganta Ana canyon two or three weekg ag0 In either casei he was 40 or 50 mlleg away from nome) whch is qulte a wak even for a bear Tne other ap- pearance of a bear in the valley was at Yucalpa some 10 days ago where one climbed a power pole and for several hours declined all invitations to descend Residents at Cucamonga notified J. Dale Gentry of San Bernardino, president of the state fish and game commission, and asked him San Bernardino's city council must determine whether the "recall" petition filed by Frank Gray, a municipal employe, is valid. The question of the validity of the petition, obviously filed by Gray in an attempt to force the recall sponsors to file their petitions within 10 days, developed yesterday when a check of the petition's signers showed that Gray's address, as listed in the petition, Is not the same which appears opposite his name on the great register of voters. This fact may be interpreted as failing to establish him as a qualified elector. Acting on the advice of City Attorney William Guthrie, the city clerk, John H.

Osborn, yesterday certified the signatures on Gray's petition but passed along to the city council the question of whether Gray's petition is legal because of the variance in his addresses, which Paul Nichols, president of the asso ciation, representatives of the com- pany from which the insurance is to be obtained will begin a survey immediately to obtain the required registration of 75 per cent of the employes, Tentative plans were outlined for a Christmas party to be given by the association next month. It was suggested that each member Diing toys ror a Christmas tree, which will later be donated to the Red Cross to be distributed "among the children of the needy. A definite date for the affair will be arranged by the social committee. Following the discussions W. O.

Bottorff, fi; expert for the sheriff's office, entertained the group with motion pictures and a talk describing how identification of criminals is established..