Altoona Tribune from Altoona, Pennsylvania • Page 1

NEWS OF THE WORLD IN PICTURES SEE PAGE 5 THE WEATHER Prtly cloudy and warmer 'Wednesday. Thuraday showers and cooler. VKSTKHIIA V'S TEMfEKA TUBES 8 A. M. 13 Noon 75 P.

M. 71 Mldnlte 50 A VIGOROUS NEWSPAPER IN A PROGRESSIVE TERRITORY I TririlWA'C Only Associated PHONE 8181 ALTOONA, WEDNESDAY Continuously fnbllahed Sine January 185 relEi II imp MM rvn IKK PAST 10 The Men with the Money For 2,344 Altoona World War Veterans Jl at 5:30 o'clock, just as they started 8 addressed for delivery here were Custodians of a fortune in V. S. Bonus bonds were the forty-odd postal carriers shown above at the postofflce building Monday evenln ihey distributed $900,000 in bonds to more than 2,000 veterans of World war service, Including ten women. More than 90 per cent of all bond during the special trip, the rest being delivered yesterday.

(Tribune pho to and engraving) Vets Besiege Postoffice in Drive to Cash Bonus Bonds Landon, Knox Confer Announce Youngest Executive Committee MORNING, JUNE 17, 1936 Traffic Reversal Opposed Merchants Against Proposed Change on 11th And 12th Avenues The traffic survey committee sponsored by the Blair County Motor club, last night voted to refer the question of the reversal of traffic on Eleventh avenue alii Twelfth avenues to the clubs represented on the committee. After a spirited discussion over the proposed measure which would change the direction of the vehicular flow while allowing the street cars to continue to use their present route, the committee took this usual step. The recommendations of the subcommittee composed of Mayor J. Harry Moser, H. H.

Edgely, Scott S. Crane, and Charles H. McVey, were read and discussed thoroughly. In addition to the members of the committee, a group of Eleventh avenue merchants attended and offered united opposition to the proposed rerouting of traffic. Evidence was introduced by George P.

Gable showing that the assessed value of the properties located on the north side of Eleventh avenue was $4,745,560 while the assessed property valuation of the other side of the avenue was only $3,735,269. He argued that such a reversal of traffic would seriously affect real estate values. It was pointed out by those opposing the rerouting that the north side of the avenue is regarded as a 100 per cent side and (Continued on Page 2, Col. 6) Huge Elephant Kills Keeper In Rage SAN FRANCISCO, June 16. UP) A six-ton bull elephant gored and trampled his keeper to death today in a savage exhibition of jungle fury apparently caused by his separation from four females, Edward Brown, 45, an experienced trainer, was the victim.

The elephant, recently named "Wally" and formerly called "Charlie Ed." was sentenced by the park commission to be shot tomorrow. "Wally," recently segregated from the female elephants at Fleishhacker zoo, had just taken his bath and Brown was leading the bull back to his pen. In a narrow passageway the huge beast seized his keeper, dashed him to the ground, trampled him and gored him with his one tusk. Charles Cook, assistant on a WPA project said he had just turned away from Brown when he (Continued on Page 5, Col. 2) TJ Jl o) PRICE, TWO CENTS House Passes New Guffey Coal Bill Smothers Opposition To Put Through Substitute for Act Killed by Supreme Court Month Ago WASHINGTON', June 16 VP) Smothering opposition, the house late today passed the Guffey-Vin-son coal control bill, designed to replace the act invalidated by the Supreme court little more than a month ago.

On a standing vote of 161 to 90, the measure was sent to tha senate where action upon it was hoped for before the end of the week. An attempt by Representative Taber (R-NY) to force a roll-call was defeated. Drawing support from some Republicans as well as Democrats, the bill was termed necessary to the salvation of "a sick and dying industry." Aimed at stabilization of the coal industry chiefly through price-fixing, it would be operative for two years. Representative Marcantonio (R- NY) told the house "nationalization" of the soft coal industry was necessary, adding he was "constrained'' to support the proposed hill as the only available a price-fixing "mere artificial respiration," the New Yorker said all social legislation was "under the damocles sword of the Supreme court." Another Republican, Crowther' of New York, argued, however, enactment of the bill meant "going back to regimentation and codes." asserted similar legislation now might be expected for other industries and predicted the measure of improvement in the coal industry would be "disappointing." Leaders of the United Mine Workers, several of whom were in the galleries when the bill was passed, have endorsed the measure as necessary to continuance of existing wage scales. John L.

Lewis, president of the union, testified at hearings that his organization was prepared to "shut down" the industry if wage-cutting started as a result of failure of the coal bill to pass at this session. Representative Fish (R-NY) said "the soft coal industry, stricken almost to death, issued a Macedonian cry for help and we can't ignore it. This bill isn't a Republican or Democratic bill and it's our duty to pass it regardless of party." Senate Passes Three of Earle's Key Bills HARRISBURG, June 16. (Pi-Three "key" bills in Governor Earle's new deal social security prog! am were given swift approval by the big Republican majority in the Pennsylvania senate- today. The house agreed to minor changes in one of the bills which deal with mothers' assistance and old age pensions, but cried, "petty politics" regarding another in which it refused to concur, and withheld action on the third.

The first of the bills to reach the governor would bring eight counties under the system which heretofore had not shared in the mothers assistance fund. The amendment provides that the. act becomes invalid in the event the supreme court declares the federal social security law unconstitutional and the administration fund would revert to the present state act. The other bill. t0 make Pennsylvania's mothers assistance system conform with the federal act, ran into trouble however and was sent back to the senate with an unapproved -amendment.

The amendment would have enlarged the board which would administer the fund. Anna Brancato, Philadelphia Democrat, the sponsor, charged the attempr to enlarge the board was one of the most disgraceful examples of petty polices ever played in the stale (Continued fife 3, CoL 1) Defendant Weeps As State Asks Death )efense Declares other Knew lothing of Plan to Kill Baby; Offers 13 Point Case Defense counsel for Mrs. Margaret Karmendi, charged with the murder of her own baby, last night opened its case to save her from the death in the electric chair the prosecution demands by declaring that she took no part in the slaying and actually tried to stave off the death blow. Roy Lockard, Altoona VVPA worker whom the prosecution contends was her lover, was convicted by a jury Saturday and condemned by its verdict to the death chair for his part in the child's murder, described by prosecution attorneys as the most brutal in Blair county's history. Displaying a noticeable calmness at first, the 23-year old mother broke down several times yesterday and wept although as evidence was offered in her favor, she became very emotional and exhibited great sighs of relief.

With the commonwealth terming her story as "weak and unbelievable." the defense offered 13 points by which they are going to prove that the woman is innocent. In a brief but forceful address to the jury in opening the defense side, Attorney Frank Warfel cited the defense case based on the following 13 points: 1 Mrs. Karmendi wag not connected with the crime. 2 That she did not plan the crime. 3 That Lockard had known the woman for approximately nine months to the present date.

4 That Lockard always left Mrs. Karmendi about a block away from her home. 5 Never had any motive for the crime. 6 That the mother did not know of the crime and made a dive to protect her child as Lockard had his arm upraised-ready to strike "Sonny." 7 That Mrs. Karmendi did go to the Williams home but only as far as the corner.

8 That Peter Gomez had the child weighed and that Mrs. Karmendi never left the child out of her sight at the railroad station that fatal night. 9 That the mother cried (Continued on Pace 2, Col. 4) Mrs. Karmendi Mingles Tears And Defiance Margaret (Berkheimer) Karmendi entered the courtroom yesterday with an air of defiance, and left at 9:35 o'clock last night displaying the same attitude, although several times throughout the day she broke down and wept at times bitterly.

Whether it was the boldness of innocence or the brazenness of guilt was a matter of conjecture with most of the audience that jammed the courtroom. Attired in a red, white and blue cotton wash dress with a fluted collar of white organdie, the accused mother sat hunched in her chair, with her browned, muscular arms resting on her chair or folded in front of her. She- wore little make-up besides a touch of rouge and some powder. There was no lipstick on her mouth and when, during the testimony when evidence was given to the effect that she had written with her lipstick on the hand of her murdered baby, she unconsciously gestured with her hand and ran her handkerchief over her lips. Her face for the most part was expressionless with the exception of some vital evidence which caused a gamut of emotions to pas over her countenance like a movie flashed on a screen.

Her Hps protruding sullenly, her glance shifting from qu tionr to wit- crtiiif4 rt ci. Vets' Removal From Relief Rolls Seen Local Relief Heads Await Bonus Decision From State Authorities Hundreds of Blair county veterans who have received or are eligible to receive a bonus will shortly be removed from the relief rolls unless instructions to the contrary are received from the state relief board at Harrisburg, William J. Jones, director of the Blair-Bedford area said yesterday. Mr, Jones pointed out that it will be necessary to apply the routine procedure in all such cases. He stated that when a person on relief receives a legacy or Is the beneficiary of a life insurance policy he is immediately removed from the rolls and Is not reinstated until he proves a need for aid again exists.

"An average family of four persons will be expected to live on $500 for six months," said Mr. Jones. Veterans on relief who receive bonuses which are larger or smaller than the above amount or with families larger or smaller will be expected to make their funds last accordingly. The relief director stated yesterday that reports now current that ex-soldiera receiving a bonus would be retained on the relief rolls have no foundation. He em-phasizvl that he has no choice but to remove them from the rolls unless authorized to retain them by the state relief board or by some act of the legislature.

Boosters to Mark 18th Anniversary The eighteenth anniversary of the founding of the Altoona Booster association will be celebrated today with a mammoth merchandising event known as Progress day- Anticipating that an enormous crowd of persons will visit the city today to partake of the spectacular values offered by this city's leading merchants, members of the organization yesterday reported that their stocks were well above maximum requirements in any case. Progress day replaces what has heretofore been known as the annual anniversary sale and it seems only appropriate that the new designation be given to the season's leading sale. In the 18 years which the or-(Continued on Page 5, Col. 3) out on a special delivery in which placed In the hands of addressees Governor Earle Wreeks Plane. Escapes Injury MIDDLETOWN, June 16.

(T) Governor George H. Earle wrecked his autogiro in landing at the U. S. army airport late today but escaped injury. He received a cut on the left arm.

The governor flying solo landed at the field after flying over the Harrisburg territory for Jin hour but applied the brakes too quickly in coming to a stop. The plane nosed over, damaging the propellor and pinning Earle in the cockpit. He was extricated -by soldiers at the airport. "I feel like a million dollars physically," the governor said after his return to Harrisburg. "It was entirely my own fault.

I put the brakes on too quickly. I should have known better with 50 hours in the air. I feel like a goat with ears. "The plane turned over and landed with its nose in the air. The plane rolled over a couple of times end left me hanging half in and half out of the cockpit.

"Fortunately I had the presence of mind to cut off the switch when I saw the gas line was leaking. My hand is all swollen up and I can't use it." An army automobile brought the governor to Harrisburg. It had a blowout on the way. With his arm bandaged, the governor left the executive manjj sion a short time later to keep a dinner engagement at the home of A. M.

Chandler, securities advisor to Guy Swope, budget secretary, at nearby Mechanicsburg. Earle drove his own car to the dinner engagement. Circus Musician Hurt In Parade Archie Majors, Negro drummer with the Cole Beatty circus, had both legs broken during the circus parade yesterday morning. One of the animal wagons containing three lions got out of control and in descending the Twelfth avenue hill between Thirteenth and Twelfth streets. The horses were unable to hold or check the descent of their heavy load and faced with this possible disaster, the thousands of people who lined the street nearby scrambled for safety.

They fled in every possible direction as soon as they sensed the danger of their positions. Fortunately the marshal of the parade, mounted on a horse, was (Continued on Page 2. Col. 5) Police Arrest 21 For Drunkenness Twenty-one drunks were arrested by local police yesterday. John Ll Davis, 27 year old Pittsburg Negro, was arrested by Officer Tobias at Eleventh avenue and Bridge street at 9:40 o'clock I yesterday morning and is being held On a dangerous and suspicious charge.

Otis R. Daugherty was taken into' custory on a drunk and resisting charge at 12:40 o'clock yesterday afternoon. TOPEKA, June 16. UP) Gov. Alt M.

Landon and Col. Frank Knox teamed today for the Republican presidential race with a hearty handshake and a huddle on how to put a winning punch in their, campaign. To a crowd that cheered them under a flaming sun It was 99 degrees the two men bespoke their confidence. With a picked group of party leaders the nominees for president and vice president talked and listened in Gov. Landon's private study to plans for starting their drive "right now." When it was all over, John D.

M. Hamilton, red-haired chairman of the Republican national committee, emerged with a broad public outline of the discussion. Pointedly, he refused to divulge any details but he readily acknowledged that the agenda had covered virtually every campaign subject. Hamilton gave out the personnel of the new executive committee a committee within a committee and he made It plain that the problem of finance had figured prominently in the conference. The new treasurer will be C.

B. Goodspeed, Chicago, retired steel executive. Hamilton will hurry by plane to New York tomorrow to discuss money raising. "The committee authorized the chairman to employ a secretary on a full-time basis, something that has not been done before." Hamilton said. "No selection has been made." Describing the new executive committee as having "the youngest personnel we've ever had by far," Hamilton said: "The picture of youth at the controls of the party will be more apparent tomorrow with announcement of some of the division heads." Asked if the committee was younger than the average national committee, Hamilton exclaimed: "Oh, my yes, the youngest we've ever had by far.

I'm 44. Bob Burroughs, the youngest, is 36. The average is away under the ordi-na ry. New executive committee members named are Robert P. Burroughs, Manchester, N.

Rep. Joseph W. Martin, North Attle-boro, who will have charge of eastern headquarters in New York; J. Will Taylor, Knoxville, Mrs. Horace Sayre.

Ard-more, Mrs. John Wyeth, St. Joseph, Ezra Whitla. Couer d'Alene. Idaho; and Earl Warren, Oakland, Calif.

"The new general counsel of ths committee will be Henry P. Fletcher, retiring national chairman." Hamilton said. "We have just swanped jobs," (Continued on Page 2, Col. 2 Caterpillars Win Bout with Train FORT WILLIAM, June 16 UP) Caterpillars, who have been besieging this section in great numbers, won a victory today over a train. They crawled on the tracks of the Canadian National railway yesterday In such thick masses thatsthey stopped a mixed train en route to Mackie and it had to return here.

Other trains made only half speed because of the slippery condition of the tracks. Railway officials think they have found a solution, however. They are equipping an engine with a steam jet blowe- hich will emit steam at a pressu ft of 200 pounds per square inch-This engine, beginning Thursday, will be given the job of blowing the caterpillars from the tracks. Victorious in their long "Battle of the Bonus," World war veterans of Altoona yesterday laid siege to the local postoffice in a final drive to mop up the entire bonus situation by converting their bonds into hard cash. More than 500 of the city's 2,344 eligible war veterans, including ex-soldiers, sailors, and nurses, had at the close of business at the postoffice late last night turned in their certified bonus bonds for negotiable treasury checks.

Approximately 200 treasury checks for amounts averaging more than $500 each were placed In the mails late in the evening after being signed by Postmaster Arthur B. Clark. Aided by a strong corps of certifying officials, conversion of the adjusted service bonds into ready cash will continue at the postoffice today and throughout the week, Postmaster Clark promised last night. The spacious second floor workroom at the postoffice has been thrown open for the benefit of bonus postal workers and World war veterans cooperating in the task of identifying and certifying veterans asking payment of their bonds. Postmaster Clark expressed keen appreciation of the cooperation extended by the veterans' organizations in identifying the applicants for payment, pointing out that the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars had delegated representatives to keep the crowd in order and to identify men not known personally to postal employes.

Through the cooperation of Mayor J. Harry Moser, several uniformed police were also present to assist in maintaining the waiting lines. Eighteen employes of the post-office were detailed by Postmaster Clark to act as certifying officials. Only three postal employes, however, are qualified to sign the treasury checks in the absence of Postmaster Clark, these including Assistant Postmaster Jesse C. Brallier, Superintendent of Mails Simon S.

Stonerook, and Miss Sarah Fox, secretary to the postmaster. To date Postmaster Clark has kept pace with the certifying workers, and last night expressed confidence in his ability to continue. Discussing the difficult task of making the bonus payments last night, Mr. Clark said. "One day of this kind of work is equal to a whole week of the annual Christmas rush, principally because of the much heavier responsibility attached to cash transactions.

"Christmas cards, for example, are of no intrinsic value, having only a sentimental appeal, but the service bonds represent a heavy financial responsibility. "Our task is especially hard in view of the necessity of maintaining regular business of the post-office. But we are trying to serve the public, and will devote all our energies to that end." Lost Bonus Bonds Returned to Postmaster The number 13 even when referring to coveted bonus bonds was unlucky for Otis R. Daugherty yesterday. Thirteen bonds having a total value of $650 were lost by Veteran Daughertv the morning after he received them by registered mail in a special delivery by local postmen.

They were found by an honest man, however, and have been turned over to Postmaster Arthur B. Clark. Mr. Clark stated last' night that Mr. Daugherty may reclaim his bonds by railing at th postoffice and establishing his identity.

Claysburg Boy Drowns In Plant Dam Robert Cowher, 10-year-old Claysburg lad, was drowned yesterday afternoon in a dam behind the General Refactories plant at Claysburg. His body was located by divers in nine feet of water about 10 minutes after he jumped into the pool. His chums said that he was unable to swim. They were unable to state whether or not he knew the depth of the "swimming hole." According to his parents, Mr. and Mrs.

Emory Cowher, of Claysburg, he left home shortly after breakfast this morning to go to the home of his grandmother, (Continued on Pafre 2, Col. 7) Prison Guard Killed In Futile Jail Break RICHMOND, June 16. (IP) Powhatan D. Bass, a guard at the Virginia State penitentiary, was killed, and four prisoners and another guard were injured in an unsuccessful break attempt at the state penitentiary late today. Eight prisoners seized a truck parked in the penitentiary yard for repairs, forced two guards to stand on the side of the truck, and drove toward the entrance gate, which was locked and barred.

A guard on the penitentiary wall fired a charge of buckshot to halt the break attempt, but the prisoners in the truck paid no notice. Guards then trained a machine-gun on the truck, mowing down the occupants and halting the break attempt. U. S. Punishes Steel Halts Order WASHINGTON, June 16 P) Acting at the request of the national labor relations board.

Secretary Ickes today withheld from the Jones and Laughlin Steel company a contract for 1.438.560 pounds of steel for use on the Imperial dam In Arizona. The interior department chief said the stopping of contiact negotiations was ordered because the steel company had been found "guilty" by the labor board of unfair labor practices. Ickes insisted, however, his decision had been reached before the fif'h circuit court of appeals at New Orleans handed down its decision yesterday denying the right of the labor board to force the Jones and Laughlin company to re-hire a number of employes at the Aliquippa, plant. The suit was brought by the board in New Orleans because the company has an office there. Four steel companies including Jones and Laughlin, presented identical bids of $40,086 on March 17 for delivery of the steel to the bureau or reclamation at the site of the dam which will head the All American canal on the Colorado river about fifteen mMes north of Tuma.

I am glad to take advantage of a case of identical bidding to throw additional weight behind the gov ernment'. effort to nhHin pr.rl en- (Cntiaiie4 Psje cl. I LATE BULLETINS ITALY. GERMANY' FRIENDS ROME, June 16. UP) Italy, from sources close to Premier Benito Mussolini, sounded a strong note of friendship for Germany.

LEGISLATURE TO BREAK DEADLOCK WASHINGTON, June 16. UP) Senate-house conferees terminated a three hour night session tonight without a solution for their deep-set differences over the controversial tax bill but gave renewed intimations that they were approaching a break In a long deadlock. BANKERS HIT TAX RAISE HARRISBURG, June 16. Pennsylvania bankers warned tonight the administration's proposal to increase the state personal property tax from one to four mills and two companion measures would cause removal of securities to other states with lower tax rates. UNITED FORCES OPEN FIGHT CHICAGO, June 16.

ft The Rev. Gerald L. K. Smith, leader of the late Huey Long's Share-the-Wealth hand, marked opening of his joint speaking toor with Dr. FTanris K.

Tnwnsend tonight by nwUring their force and two others had united to swing "twenty million otes" atalnat common antagonists..