Altoona Tribune from Altoona, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Blair Auto Toll 1937 Accidents 793 Injured 661 Killed 45 PRICE TWO CENTS If H'JTP CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA'S GRL ALTOONA, MONDAY MO L. Dir. Hai-risbui, Pa. Continuously Pnblitked Sine January 3, ISoo Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Worn jJead, Six Hurt, Blair, Vicinity Auto Toll; 6 30 Two Children Carried From Burning Home Today's Blair County Weather fair with riln temperature. 'DniVK TKMPERATIKES 01 Fire Damages 16th Ex-Mrs.

Barrymore In Come-Back Two Clearfield County Girls, Port Matilda And Everett Men Fatally Injured Ave. Dwelling, Razes Logan Twp. House lit litis IP IP Five Fire Companies Battle Flames With Bucket Brigade Fireman and Engineer Killed As P. R. R.

Locomotive Crashes Over 60-Foot Embankment to Busy Pittsburg Boulevard Tragedy Occurs While Two Sons Waited for Christmas Reunion With One of Victims; Motorists Have Narrow Escapes As Engine Topples Into Traffic-Laden Avenue mmmmmm. liiiiiiliiiiilJ Many Others Injured By Autos Over Holiday Weekend The traffic toll in surrounding counties was increased by four deaths over the holidays. Two Clearfield county girl companions who were returning to their homes from a theatre Christmas Day were Included among the victims. A prominent Port Matilda man died Instantly yesterday when struck by an automobile while walking near his home. Numerous other accidents also resulted in injuries to many persons, authorities in Cambria county reporting that 22 persons were patients in Johnstown hospitals, three being in a serious condition.

Justice of Peace Killed Samuel S. Osman, 56, Justice of the Peace and undertaker of Port Matilda, was instantly killed yes: terday afternoon when run down by an automobile on the highway in the vicinity of his home. He suffered a broken neck, a fractured skull and internal injuries. According to state motor police, of the Philipsburg detail, the driver of the machine which struck Osman, Bernard H. Englehart, of Johnstown reported that the man suddenly jumped in front of hia car.

Exonerated A coroner's jury impaneled late yesterday by Coroner W. R. Heat-on, of Centre county exonerated Englehart, principal in the Muncy schools, of all blame in connection with the fatality. Two 15-year old girls, both of West Decatur, Clearfield county, were instantly, killed late Christmas afternoon when struck by a truck while walking along the highway miles west Of Philips Members of the crew said the train swerved violently for severel hundred yards before the engine toppled over the stone retaining wall. Tracks were ripped up for 150 feet.

Two other coaches were dragged to the edge of the wall, but were saved when couplings snapped, There were no passengers on the express train, en route from Columbus, but only ten minutes before, the "Gotham Limited" carrying several hundred holiday passengers from St. Louis to New York had sped safely past the same spot. Injured were Jeff Harris, Robert A. Corbin, Silas M. Cohen and R.

M. Elzey, all of New York. Two motorists and a cab driver on the boulevard below narrowly escaped death as the locomotive crashed. Edward Nagel, 54, of Mc-Kees Rocks, and his wife were treated at a hospital, after their car collided with another automobile in blinding steam from the wreckage. Ralph Kincaid, 25, of Ingram, said he swerved sharply to avoid the locomotive, but was unable to see.

Lovelier than ever, here Is Dolores Costello, former wife of John Barrymore, who is staging a comeback to the screen in a new picture about to be released in Hollywood. Miss Costello, formerly a screen star, is the daughter of Maurice Costello, himself an early star of the Alms. Miss Costello retired after she married Barrymore, Fire of Unknown Origin Causes $700 Loss A six-month old baby and a three-year old girl were carried from a burning home yesterday afternoon by the father and a son, 12. The mother of the children ran from the home at 1108 Sixteenth avenue with the four. The five persons, members of the family of Joseph W.

Braddock, were interrupted as they ate supper, by a youth who knocked at the front door, saying: 'Your house is on fire!" Mr. Braddock carried out the baby and the oldest child, Leroy, carried Barbara, three. The fire started, Fire Chief Paul I Amheiser said, in the opposite side of the double house, occupied by the Joseph Evans family. It spread throughout the Evans home, doing an estimated damage of $700 to the building and completely demolishing the furniture. Flames licked across the porch roof and between the partitions to the Braddock side, burning the front door frame and front of this house.

The children were carried through the smoke and flames at the front before the arrival of the firemen. 1 A passing youth saw the fire, which had gained great headway in the Evan's home, and turned in an alarm at box 21 at Fifteenth avenue and Eleventh street. I Mr. Evans, his wife and three children were attending a Christ mas party at the Eagles home when the fire began. They stayed, as did the Braddocks, at the home of friends last night.

Chief Amheiser declared that the cause of the fire was not known. The double house is owned by Mrs. Whittaker, who was in Philadelphia. Speeders' Licenses to Be Revoked HARRISBURG, Dec. 26 iP) Governor Earle stepped today into the drive against highway accidents with orders to suspend for at least 90 days the operator's license of every Pennsylvania motorist convicted of violating the state's 50-mile speed limit.

The governor, asserting that the present rate of auto deaths ''cannot be tolerated." announced last night the suspension order would become effective midnight, December 31, "in addition to any other Penalty imposed by law." "While the action may oe deemed drastic by some persons." the governor said, "it is not only justified but wholly unavoidable if we are to stop the dreadful car nage on Pennsylvania highways." During 1937, Earle said, "approx imately 2,700 of our citizens will have been killed and 60.000 injured by automobiles operated in the commonwealth an all-time high record. At the present rate one in 200 of our people will be killed (Continued on Page 2, Col. 3) Well, I'll Tell You By Bob Burns I often wonder what it is happen to them Christmas tree salesmen dur- in' the other eleven months of the year. Most of 'em are hard, fast workers and some of 'em are the best sales men I ever saw. They'll sell lt.

VI you a little, moth-eaten, wilted sprig of a tree, but they'll make you think you've bought the most gorgeous tree that's been cut that season. My Aunt Peachy Slmms was passin' one of them fellas and he says "Lady, how about a nice tree to bring cheer to your family?" Aunt Peachy drew herself up and says "I'm not married." Quick as a flash, the fella says "Well, how about a nice of mistletoe 1 Three Arrested For Motor Code Violations Here Despite adverse weather conditions which resulted in icy highways in the county over the holidays no serious automobile accidents were reported by state and city police. Six persons were injured in seven accidents investigated while three drivers, one a woman, were arrested for motor code violations. Rear End Collision Poor visibility was blamed for the rear end collision of two automobiles about one mile south of Sproul at 9 o'clock Christmas Eve. According to State Motor Police Private Joseph Y.

Mermelstein an East Freedom motorist, Frank L. Huston, was proceeding slowly because of the fog and icy condition of the road when a machine driven by Chester Musselman, of Claysburg, R. crashed into the rear of his car. No one was injured, according to the investigating officer who said that the total damage was estimated at approximately $75. Driver Arrested Edwin T.

Yingling, 31, of Altoona Star route, escaped with minor injuries when the automo bile he was driving plunged over the steep embankment near the curve on the Buckhorh highway about 5 o'clock Christmas afternoon. The machine operated by Yingling smashed through a guard rail, according to State Motor Police Private Joseph Y. Mermelstein, after Yingling for some unknown reason drove into the rear of a car driven by Gerald Ma-lonev, of-Coalport, Taken to Altoona hospital dispensary, Yingling was treated for a laceration above the right eye and discharged. He was later arraigned before Justice of the Peace A. D.

Houseman, of Logan township, on a reckless driving charge preferred by the investigating officer and fined $10 and the costs of prosecution. Two Hurt A Hollidaysburg man and his wife are patients in Mercy hospi- (Contlnued on Page 2, Col 6) U. S. Expects Japan to Keep Guarantee WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 VP) The United States government looked to Japan today to make good its written guarantee that hereafter Japriese military expeditions would observe the inviolability of American life and property in the China war zone.

Barring some new "incident," it was generally believed that Secretary Hull's note of last night to the Japanese foreign minister terminated the international affair which grew out of the bombing of the gunboat Panay. Hull told Minister Koko Hirota that the United States regarded the Japanese guarantee as "responsive" to American demands. Senator Borah veteran member of the esnate foreign relations committee, said today: "This would seem to close the (Continued on Page 2, Col. 5) Americans Subject To Jap Military Law SHANGHAI, Dec. 27.

(Monday) iP) Japanese authorities today announced new rules and regulations for Japanese-occupied areas of China which apparently raised the vital question of the treaty rights of other foreign powers. A Japanese embassy spokesman said the rules, applying to persons entering or residing in such territory, were "applicable to all persons, including the nationals of third powers." The strict regulations provided, among other things, a death penalty for commission of acts against Japan's armed The spokesman admitted enforcement of the measures would make Americans and other foreigners subject to Japanese military law. He said foreign embassies had not been informed of the regulations which partially would withhold extra-territorial rights and privileges of other nations based on present treaties with China. Under current treaty rights foreigners, except Russians and Germans, are subject only to the laws of their own nations. Five fire companies combined Saturday night to halt flames which threatened to spread from a two-story, frame dwelling to nearby homes in Logan township.

The home of Mrs. Elizabeth Mus- selman, who raises chow dogs, was leveled to the foundation. Hampered by lack of water, the WehnwDod, Newburg, Lakeniont, Duncansville and No. 1 companies of Altoona carried water in buckets from wells, and also used some 20 tanks of chemicals. Lakemont firemen laid a hose line from a creek some distance from the house.

Dogs Burn Mrs. Musseluian was not home, the six-room dwelling and all the furniture being destroyed. Firemen blamed an overheated fur nace as the cause of the blaze. Joseph Council, of Hershey, visiting at a neighbor's, broke into the cellar and carried out five pups and one mother. Five other dogs were burned.

The house is owned by Mrs. Jessie Smith, who is now in Colorado. Relative of Steelmaster Fatally Shot YOUNGSTOWN, iTP) Mrs. Cordelia Dec. 26.

Campbell, daughter-in-law of a noted Ohio steelmaster, died today of a gunshot wound in the abdomen, received at a family Christmas gathering. Authorities, holding her daughter, Louise, immediately ordered an inquest tomorrow to determine "whether it was accidental." Mrs. Campbell, 55, succumbed in a Youngstown hospital despite a transfusion of 400 cubic centim-ers of blood by her 28-year old daughter. Dr. J.

C. Henshaw, coroner, arranged an autopsy preliminary to the inquest. Prosecutor Paul J. Regan declared he was "not satisfied whether the shooting was accidental or non-accidental," and said he would not allow Miss Campbell's release from the jail in nearby Warren vuntil "the investigation is compelted." He previously had disclosed that inquiry-indicated "Miss Campbell had been drinking before the shooting." Regan described Miss Campbell, who is small and blonde, as "nervous and weak" following the transfusion. He refused acecss to her to all except officers and her counsel, Paul Hodge.

Miss Campbell was lodged in the second floor women's section of the Warren jail. On the first floor, prisoners chanted Christmas hymns this afternoon. Miss Campbell had shared their chicken dinner. The shooting took place late Christmas Eve at the estate founded by James A. Campbell, father-in-law of the victim.

The old brick mansion, surrounded by shrubs and trees, sits on a knoll (Continued on Page 2, Col. 1) Stonns Delay Clipper Bearing Panay Films SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 26 P) Reports of snow in mid-Pacific and "ice and gale conditions" off the California coast today caused Pan American airways to postpone for 24 hours the flight of the China from Honolulu to Alameda with motion picture films of the U. S. S.

Panay bombing. Pan American said the clipper would leave Honolulu about midday tomorrow and arrive at Alameda Tuesday morning. She was to have started today. Norman Alley, newsreel cameraman, was aboard the little American gunboat in the Yangtze river above Nanking, China, when she was bombed by Japanese planes. He photographed the attack.

Alley is accompanying the films, which are to be transferred quickly from the clipper to a transcon tinental plane and rushed to the state department at Washington for the initial showing. Since the Japanese government and the United States navy dis agreed as to some of the facts regarding the bombing and sinking of the gunboat, the films may prove of value in clearing up the matter, I PITTSBURG, Dec. 26 (IP) While his two sons waited at the station for a Christmas day reunion, Fireman William H. Strous, 39. of Carnegie, catapulted to his death in a 185-ton Pennsylvania railroad locomotive which crashed over a 60-foot embankment onto a traffic laden avenue, With him perished his friend, Engineer Oscar E.

Rhoads, 47, of Columbus, O. Four of 11 Negro employes in a dining car, one of seven coaches in the train, were slightly injured. The wreck occurred a scant mile from the Pennsylvania station, where Ed, 21, and Bill Strous, 18, waited to drive their father home to a Christmas dinner. Almost an hour after the crash, while they paced impatiently in the waiting room, someone had to tell them their father would never arrive. Workers with acetylene torches toiled five hours to extricate Strous' body from the wreckage.

Railroad officials said they believed a huge boulder, loosened on the hillside bordering the tracks by an unseasonable thaw, caused the locomotive to derail. Jos. Meehan Hurt in Fall From Bridge Drops 35 Feet After Auto Knocks Steps Away From Ninth St. Span One man is a patient in Altoona hospital as the result of a fall from Ninth street bridge early Christmas afternoon. The victim, Joseph Meehan, 47, of 504 Fourth street, plunged approximately 35 feet to Ninth avenue after the approach to the bridge at that point had been moved by the terrific impact of an automobile operated by a hit-skip driver.

Meehan suffered an injury to his back and a laceration of the scalp when he fell almost at the feet of Officer J. Clarence Crook who was investigating the auto accident. Occurring at about 3:40 o'clock, the driver, Wesly Mills, 34, a Negro, of 1217 Ninth avenue, was arrested at 11 o'clock Christmas night at Tenth avenue and Thirteenth street. He was booked as a hit-skip driver. Mills, according to police, was driving his brother's car at a fast rate of speed, when he crashed into and moved the western steps of the bridge approximately six inches in addition to moving breaking the steps away from the bridge proper about two feet.

Police said that Mills' machine skidded 104 feet before it crashed Into the bridge pillar. The driver escaped Injury. Apparently Meehan did not hear the warning cries of those standing on Ninth avenue and stepped into space and fell to the street with great force. According to reports, Meehan was carrying Christmas gift packages and failed to note the break in the bridge made by the impact. Two additional charges will be preferred against Mills, one for reckless driving and another for leaving the scene of an accident, police said.

America Speaks! Survey shows public opposed to new program of government spending. And: Mr. and Mrs. America pick the big news from the front pages of the press for the year just ending. What did they think the biggest news was? See the full page of articles and pictures by the Institute of Public opinion Page 8 Chas.

Retired PRR Foreman, Dies Recently Celebrated 80th Birthday; Served Railroad Company for 55 Years Charles W. Renner of 706 Howard avenue, retired assistant general foreman of the car shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad's Altoona works, died in his eighty-first year Christmas morning at 1 o'clock, just two weeks and two days after he had celebrated his eightieth birthday. Born in Altoona December 8, 1857, he was the son of William and Mary E. (Hawks worth) Renner. His wife, Mrs.

Sara (Mes-ereau) Renner, preceded him in death. His father, a pioneer Pennsylvania railroad passenger car builder, was injured February 4, 1861, and died within a period of 24 hours. Mr. Renner was reared by his grandfather, George W. Hawks-worth, first foreman of the black smith department of the Altoona machine shops, He was indentured July 1, 1872, as a car builder ap prentice in the car shops.

His railroad career concluded with his retirement December 31, 1927, as assistant general foreman of the Altoona car shops with a service record of 55 years and six months. Always interested in civic and community activities when a young man, he aided in organizing the Junior Grays band which gained a national reputation in the '80s. He was also interested in building and loan and various other community activities. Upon completion of his apprenticeship, Mr. Renner followed the trade of a car builder.

He was advanced to gang leader in the cabinet shop, then to assistant foreman. On December 15, 1904, he was promoted to the assistant (Continued on Page 2. Col. 1) Wild West Movie Stirs Fan to Action DU QUOIN, 111., Dec. 26.

P) It was Christmas night at the local theater and as the Wild West feature approached the climax the situation became too tense for one of the spectators. Just when it appeared the villain might dispose of the heroine the fan shouted, "Don't let him get away with it boys" then the sharp crack of a pistol threw 200 theatergoers into a panic. The bullet struck the concrete floor and was deflected against another seat. Police found no one hurt And after the man apologized for his all too keen appreciation of the drama the show Fatally Hurt In Fall Down Stairs John McConnell, PRR Engine Repairman, Dead When Taken to Hospital John McConnell, 57, well known railroader, died early yesterday morning of injuries suffered in a fall down a flight of stairs at the home of friends at 1215 Seventeenth street whom he was visiting Christmas' night. Taken ill shortly before 11 o'clock, McConnell had been put to bed, according to Coroner Chester C.

Rothrock, but arose later to go to the bath room. Apparently confused by the T-shaped hallway of the home, it is believed that McConnell on returning to his room made the wrong turn and fell the length of the steep steps. Taken to Altoona hospital, he was pronounced dead. Coroner Rothrock, who said that McConnell suffered a fractured skull and a laceration of the head, had not decided last night whether an inquest would be held. John McConnell was born in Altoona July 21, 1880.

He resided in a second floor apartment at Twelfth avenue and Twentieth street. He was an engine repairman in the East Altoona roundhouse at the time of his death. Prior to that he had been an engineer on the Pittsburg division of the Pennsylvania railroad and on the old railroad to Wropsononock. Coming from a family of rail-(Continued on Page 2, Col. 8) Find Bullet Punctured Car Used by Kidnapers CENTERVILLE, Dec.

26. (P) Sheriff Arthur Quigley announced today a bullet punctured automobile, one of two used by two men who kidnaped four persons briefly Friday, had been found abandoned. E. L. McNabb, farmer near New Lisbon, west of here, found the car in a field, the kidnapers had stolen it from John L.

Bryan, cashier of the Centerville State bank, when they made off with his son, John L. Bryan, the boy's nurse, Norma Schroy, 17; Mrs. Bryan and Julian Dunbar, a grocery clerk. Bryan, arriving as the kidnapers were leaving with their captives in his car and their own, fired at the automobiles. The car a 1936 black (Dodge) coach was found about four miles north of where Mrs.

Bryan and Dunbar were freed shortly after the kidnaping. The boy and his nurse were released later. burg. The victims, Gertrude Kelly, and Betty Cunningham, were returning from a theatre, according to state motor police of the Philipsburg detail. The driver of the truck, William E.

Kerfoot, of Philipsburg, an employe of the state highway department who was placing lanterns at various parts of the highway, reported that he failed to note the girls walking along the berm. An inquest will be conducted later by Coroner R. L. Williams, of Clearfield county, who said that Miss Kelley suffered a broken neok and Miss Cunningham a fractured skull. Samuel K.

Minnick, of Everett, was instantly killed Christmas Eve on a street of that place when struck by an automobile driven by Ivan Zonstein, of Clearville, R. according to Chief of Police Yoder, First Lady Enjoys Yule With Grandchildren SEATTLE, Dec. 26. (JP) Mrs. Franklin D.

Roosevelt, who flew here from Washington to spend Christmas her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Boettiger, enjoyed the holiday weekend in the seclusion of theii Lawtonwood home. The first lady, who yesterda) helped her grandchildren, Curtis and Eleanor Dal, open their Christmas packages, planned to continue the Informal nature ol her visit until she leaves for the east, probably in mid-week. Pilot Hurt in Plane Crash at Everett EVERETT, Dec.

private airplane crashed today while taking off from Everett, injuring the pilot, Joseph Mitchell, of Silver Springs, Md. Dr. J. W. Allwein, at the Everett hospital, said Mitchell suffered concussion and a possible fractured skull but that his condition appeared satisfactory.

Harvey S. Brown, riding with Mitchell, was only slightly hurt He said the two were en route from Washington to Chicago. Pa. Leads Nation With 37 Violent Deaths By The Associated Press Merry-making turned to tragedy yesterday (Sunday) amid the violent deaths of more than 420 victims throughout the nation over the Christmas weekend. Riding the highways, spurting from gun muzzles, creeping silently In the form of carbon death of many kinds interrupted the yule-tide festivity.

Pennsylvania led the nation with 37 violent deaths including four in railway accidents. Masons Unite For Feast Of St. John Event to Be Held Tonight at Mosque By Three Lodges For the first time in the history of Masonry in Altoona, members of the three local lodges will unite in celebration of the feast of St. John the Evangelist tonight at 6:30 o'clock at the Jaffa mosque. Mountain lodge, No.

281; Logan lodge, No. 490, and Hiram lodge, No. 616, Free and Accepted Masons, are the lodges who will participate in the event, the high light of activity each year in the organization. Karl F. Irvin will direct the musical program which will include "The New Moon" by Romberg, "Echoes From the South" by Klohr, "Poupee Valsante" by Pol-dini, "Make Believe" from "Show boat" by Kern and "Naughty Marietta" by Herbert.

After the singing of "America" by the assembly and invocation by Rev. Burleigh A. Peters of Somerset lodge, No. 358, the program will be as follows: Toast to departed brethren the assembly; selection, "Finlandia" by S'ybelius, Jaffa Chanters; introduction of the worshipful masters-elect, Toastmaster Lynn McG. Moses, secretary of Logan lodge, No.

490; address, "The Chief Masonic Light," Rev. William E. Swope of Watsontown lodge, No. 401; selection, "Deck the Halls With Holly," Welsh folk song, by the Jaffa Chanters; presentation of the past masters jewels; "Silent Night," the Jaffa Chanters and the assembly with the accompaniment of a cello, violin and piano, and "Auld Lang Syne." Worshipful masters of the three lodges are: Walter H. Smith, Mountain lodge; John Shoup, (Continued on Page 2, Col J) Mayor Urges Citizens To Shoot Sneak Thieves HOLLANDALE, Dec.

26. JP) Mayor E. W. Scott issued a proclamation today urging that every able-bodied citizen "take up arms" to check an epidemic of robberies here. "I do hereby deputize every law abiding citizen in the town of Hollandale to carry a pistol for his own protection," the proclamation read.

"When you find a sneak thief In or around your home, shoot to kill. We must break up this stealing, regardless of the cost." Hollandale is a town of about 1,200 people in the "Delta" section of Mississippi..