Altoona Tribune from Altoona, Pennsylvania • Page 1

'10 Blair Traffic Tull '39 18 Accidents 39 65 Injured 33 2. Dead 1 THE WEtTHER SNOW SMVAl tS. FAKTl.Y CI.OVDK AMI SLK.HTLY COLDtR 1ST KB A TKM1' A TV KM H1GH-W LOW-S State -1K CT -1 bra CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA'S GREAT MORNING NEWSPAP-. ALTOONA, THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 15, 1940 0i cmlcr of the THREE CENTS VOLUME 84 NO. 38 PHONE 8181 Bureau of ClreuUtiiiD TUT a EAT Winter's Blockade FieinSo WitHi Backs To Wall 20-Inch Fall Predicted Record Snow Cripples Traffic, Closes Schools Half Day; Many Meetings Cancelled Gains Admit By Russians 'Monte Cristo' Plan Fails: Prison Break Plot Foiled As Guards Find Tunnels The heaviest snowfall in 20 years 1 1 16 inches at 6 clock swept over Altoona yesterday afternoon and evening, crippling traffic, and sending many pupils of the grade schools home.

But the worst does not seem to ba over. Francis J. Socey, Altoona weather forecaster, predicted the snow depth to reach 20 inches this morning. He also indicated the temperature would drop to possibly 16 degrees above zero. The last great snow in Altoona was experienced February 4-5.

1920, Forecaster Socey pointed out. when a depth of 23 inches was noted. MERCTRY DROPS The temperature yesterday ning dropped to 23 11 decrees under that of Tuesday. The highest temperature was cited at 35 degrees. Socey also revealed the pressure yesterday, noted at 25.45.

was the lowest in many years. Mayor Charles E. Rhodes yester- i ICE MOUNTAINS Ohio river continues to pile up mountains of ice, after cold snap froze river more widely than in years. This view is near Madison, with river men contemplating what will happen when ice melt. P.

R. R. Keeps Trains One Of Worst Blizzards Of Century Lashes State Roads Blocked. Thousands Snowbound As Snow Nears Record Depth By The Associated Press One of the worst blizzards of the twentieth century held the greater part of the Keystone state firmly in its grasp today. Snow, which fell steadily througout most of Wednesday, blanketed the ground from six to 20 inches deep.

The previous record of 15 inches established in 1902 was exceeded by about five inches. Deaths of half a dozen persons were charged t0 the storm, either c'vrectry or indirectly. Hundreds of thousands of school children PUPILS MAROONED In Somerset county, which has been plagued for a month by heavy snows, 45 rosy-cheeked pupils were marooned for a time in the Shade Township High school, then given a night's lodging at private hotues. in Cairnbrook. Ernest R.

Dlnkle, il, an engin eer on the state's all-weather highway, died in a Laurel Hill mountain camp, apparently of heart disease, and neither doctors nor an undertaker was able to get through to the site. To thousands of men the snow-meant extra employment. The state highway department called out 14,000. put all of its equipmeat into service and rented 365 trucks equipped with snow plows. ft5, 1 Most of the eastern the state had a foot of snow, Schedule Despite lower temperatures and dav issued instructions to AStoon-1 an's to shovel snow off only half i the width of sidewalks.

Relief em- n'nvables were being used by the.H Oi-IlUUl continue snow, the Middle divi- took or were given holidays, sion of the Pennsylvania railroad i which in numerous instances will kept trains moving close to sched- extend until next Monday. All vesterday. Superintendent E. flc was tied up. in RUS- City mg3wa mertinr the department's regulai 5 for-r- --n clearing away snow from thorouehfares in the business dis-: trict and heavily traveled streets.

Depth of rain in the snow, Fore- Socey said, reacneo. iot ncrn IWO STiit nu.iu, Sta'e motor police reported frni 0 to '4 Inches of snow In Cam- bria count. Several rural routes ave been rendered completely bv larze snowdrifts Thev "announced routes 154 and 553 were shut down to uthhc; r-c-m mountain highway I 5 somewhat police said, but ers go to their schools at the usu-1 thrown over the ice to make walk-ae h'zwav forces are now mat-1 time. He said grades 1 and i )nr safe. Moving Close Open Hour Later Today According to an announcement i ovi rtilh r.

uk- last evening Altoona schools wi.K open this morning one hour later than usual, but should weatner i conditions continue to get another announcement will fce broadcast this morning at a- from radin station FB I uuoert assea tnat an leacn ---i Drtrl fViof Vi i cri sphnn i i dent3 should mmediately to Because of the heavy snowfall, students in the city grade schools erB e- ue-u nu cj.ci- day afternoon, The children yesterday morning demonstrated their hardihood and determination by arriving in good time at the buildings throughout tne city, ir.e senior ana two junior nign scnooi on.c:a.s reportec tnai three-ou: ths of their students ar- Over.E.xertion In SllOlC takin2. exercise as w. M1U- ne auuea beside the physical exertion, con- i i i Alleged Ringleader Hangs Self In Cell With Bed Sheet; Tunnels Were 33, 38 Feet Long PHILADELPHIA. Feb. A carefully planned scheme of 10-long term convicts to a wholesale break at Eastern penitentiary was disclosed today witn discovery of two freshly-dug in nels and the suicide of one of ihe alleged ringleaders.

Several hours later reports of new trouble circulated as detectives were summoned to the prison. IRONY PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 14 vPi-Entranee to one of two tunnels dug by Eastern state penitentiary inmates in an escape attempt was hidden beneath a case piled with books. One was Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here." Warden Herbert Smith said, however, that he had asked for the police to check houses at en1 of one of the turlrfels and that 'eviji-thing is quiet." HAXGS SELF Guards found the body of James Wilson, 25, of Williamsport, ing in his cell by a sheet soon after prison officials discovjrel the tunnels, one 33 and the othjr 08 feet long, extending from a cell lock on the first floor towtH the prison wall.

The tunnels had not been dug far enough to make escape possible. TWO FEET TO GO One, however, had been carried almost to the outer edge of the prison wall and two more feet of digging would have taken it through the ground surface outside. Completion of the two tunnels, prison officials said, would havs opened a way of escape for 200 inmates of two cell blocks. 'Ihe tunnels led toward opposite waits. Wilson, serving 7 1-2 to 15 yais for robbery, and the other alleged plotters were placed in solitary confinement after their identity was learned through a finished Warden Smith.

Some are serving life sentences. Smith said prison officials traced the plot to the attempted escape Monday of William Coleroff, a Philadelphian serving 15 to 3J years for armed robbery. He wa (Continued on Page Col. 4) Many Report Advanced Chest Gifts Advanced gifts to the forthcom ing Community Chest fund appeal are on a par with those made in previous campaigns, reports given at a meeting of the advanced I gifts committee at the enn-Alto hotel yesterday afternoon indicat ed. Seventy-five per cent of the mem bers reported ind all said that they have been received favorably in their solicitation work.

The contrib -tiens received during the- pre-campaign work will be dis- l-'-toot drifts reported Susque- coum? and eight-foot ones! lilt. I lf.StntP in Lackawanna Snmp RorVa nH V-J. Finland Calls More Men To Colors; Will Tight To Last Says President By WADE WERNER HELSINKI, Feb. 14 Finland, calling more men, aged 42 and 43, to the colors and still holding an unbroken Manncrheim line against the greatest assaults since the World war, has no choice but to fight on, regard less of how the buttle goea, Prcsi dent Kyosti Kallio declared tonight. "Everyone knows we are out numbered fifty to the veter chief executive told news correspondents in an informal chat the presidential residence.

WANT MATERIAL HELP "But the issues at stake 1110 clear. We appreciate the sympathy shown us by Americans in our struggle to be free indeed to live at all but we really hope our cause might stir onlookers abroad offer us material help. 'For after all we are defending the interests common to all civilized peoples. "If, however, such help does not arrive we cannot change our course. Regardless of the overwhelming odds we would still carry on our fight if it must be alone.

EXTINCTION IS ALTERNATIVE "The alternative is extinction for our nation. "If the world ignores us in our need, -3we- hav -no choice-but- to light to the last man." Viipuri, Finland's Karelian city, was bombed repeatedly today by-Soviet Russian planes, which also raided other Finnish civilian centers Hamina, Lapeen a among them. GAINS CONCEDED Russian gains in the Karelian snows tossed up into dirty red by the steady churning of concentrated Russian artillery fire an! stained by the blood of thousands of soldiers were conceded by a Finnish army communique today after 14 days of battle. The communique said "a fev foremost positions" had been captured but that "at all other points enemy attacks were repulsed with heavy losses." There was no indication that the Russians were letting up in the terrific pressure they were exerting against the outnumbered Finns. Ousted Police Chief Starts Legal Fight READING, Feb.

H-(Pj Walter S. Schearer, dismissed to day by city council as chief of police, indicated tonight he would institute court proceedings witn. the help of the Pennsylvania po lice chiefs' association to combat the ouster. Mayor Harry Menges, Democrat, introduced the resolu tion dismissing Schearer, ap pointed under the Socialist re gime. He contended Schearer was a temporary appointee, and never took the civil service examination.

George W. Shuck was promoted from lieutenant to head the de partment. Names Blair Justices Of Peace HARRISBURG, Feb. 14 (iP) Governor James today appointed H. A.

Motter of Duncansville and C. Guy Barley of Martinsburg to fill justice of the peace vacancies in Juniata township and Martins burg borough, respectively, both. in Blair county. THE UNSEEN ADVISOR 1 Jnjj popular psychologist commentates on love, mar riage, and the vital problems that most of us are called upon to face during our life time. Write your problems to the 'Unseen Advisor' let him help you as his sympa thetic, kindly, common sense advice has helped thousand of others.

pifC I rnOt British Sink Two More U-Boats i Britain Legalizes Recruiting Of Volunteers For Finland IjONDON. Feb. 14. Destruction of two more German U-boats, one of which had sunk a big meat-laden freighter half an hour before, was stamped on the credit side of Britain's sea warfare ledger by the admiralty tonight. In British eyes such a triumph against undersea marauders making four submarines announced sunk within five days overshadowed the government's action in giving formal approval to recruitment and enlistment of thousands of British volunteers for Finland.

40 SVBS SUNK The British now claim to have sunk more than 40 German submarines since the war started. Three British ships t-o tankers and the 12.306 ton freighter Sultan Star, bringing 6.000 tons of Argentine chilled beed for British dinner tables, went down along with their tw0 undersea attackers. Bolstering Britain's defense against Nazi Germany's bomb blockaders, the government today pledged new ffun protection for her merchant marines against air attack. VOLUNTEERS FOR FINLAND At the risk of a new strain on Anglo-Russian relations, already bad, government announcement was placed on the records of the house of commons that, in the spirit of December League 0f Nations resolutions calling for aid for the Finns, "general license has been granted to British subjects to enllft in the Finnish force and license has been granted to a recruiting organization which has been established in London." The Finnish legation, which is behind the recruiting organization, reported the flow of volunteers here as totaling betweea and 3,000. Five hundred "blue riooon ngnting Englishmen are already receiving special training and 300 "deathshead" Hungarians, sworn to kill ten Russians apiece, are awaiting transportation to Finland.

Most of those accepted will be trained in Finland. A new appeal from he legation, (Continued on Pae Col. 5) Court Fight Seen In Soft Coal Rates WASHINGTON, Feb. 14. (JP) A fight in the courts against pro posed minimum prices for sale of soft coal at the mines was inducted today by operators who once before carried their battle against the Guffey act to the supreme court and won.

The statements by Herbert lac-obi, vice president and general counsel for the Carter Coal company and H. R. Hawthorn, of the Pocahontas corporation both opponents of the Guffey act were made before examiners who will fix the minimum prices. PRR Inspector Injured In Chicago J. E.

Emery, 39, of 916 Millville road, a well known Pennsylvania railroad inspector working out of the local test plant, suffered a he was struck by an automobile near the Union depot, Chicago, Illinois. Attendants at the Cook County hospital, according to the Asso was serious. Emery, whose first name was given as Joseph in a wire dispatch but is listed as Julius In the city directory, was struck by a car driven by a beer distributor, Tony De Mantino, De Martino was charged with reckless driving and is to appear in safety court at Chicago tomorrow. Railroad officials here notified Mn Emery of the accident. She prepared to leave at once for Chi cag0 to with her husband.

Emery, it was understood, was on duty at the time he was injured. an at to it traversab.e tne proce I of plowing ines against anC cmdenng. am- auto travel were is- ued in AHegheny and other coun-' ,5 O-i'v minor vehicle accidents ranorttd on S.ate hlShwaVS in 'this section. None were report- ed in the city attributed to slip- i oerv condition's. Pennsylvania Edison officials 'm'ed lat nizit they were ex-; nerler.eing considerable trouble but refused to announce the ex-; nf it was known, however-1 at least one section of dorado was without lights inter- -nittently.

for a while last night Bell Telephone service attend-l ants said the'r company had ex- rjerienced only slight trouble with touse lines. Street car and bus, Geger.heimer, Passenger Trainmaster H. B. Stetson, Road Foreman of Engines M. L.

Trumfower and other officials worked until earlv this morning checking the movement to keep the main line clear. On the mountain some trouble WM experienced because slip-1 perv Switches were kept! deap gnd protected. Forces of men were at work all dav shovel-, nQW on the roadbeds. Toward Twelfth street oriage oecarne a gutter or ice as temperatures fell. Sand was i as a rising wir.d yesterday arter- noon blew off the wet snow on commuRication lines.

the water be gan freezing around them, threat- ening breaks and causing signal- men and linemen to keep alert constantly for any interruptions, It was reported vesterdav the excnar.ge oi tne eea leie- phone company was isolated, with no calls going in or coming out. It was expected that service would be restored by this morning. Drifts Block Many Roads In State even main rniltaB HriffA'4 AaxmA ha rtt Tnnu- The department issued this sum- 20 inches, temperature 22 de.ree, driftin' roule 322 one- lSeen ite CollegH ram1Pnn mk. twppii 1 rnrL hi ifuuuniu tfitncau, counues- Potter and Clinton I 14 to 30 degrees, blowing ani driftinS- SoUth-Central Juniata, Lancaster, leoanon ac- i 1 i Tori, i i ri mow Hurries By The Associated Press) King winter handed Pennsylva nia a comic valentine lacea wun snow Wednesday. Even the weatherman was snowbound.

Government Observer S. Brotzman who had predicted light snow, dug out of his Brook-side farms home but his street car stalled in a snow drift. Like thousands of others he arrived for work three hours.ilate. Courts were closed in Pittsbu Jurors, witnesses, lawyers vxn judges couldn't get to the citv. The federal grand jury investigation of building costs recessed un til Monday.

Not enough jurors jr a quorum. Dr. Elmer Magee, burgess of Carnegie, spun the wheels of his car so long in a snowdrift, the tr.es caught The fire department put out the blaze. LEWES, Feb. 14.

(P Fourteen shivering children ws' marooned tonight in a school bus stuck in virtually impassable snjw drifts near midway and the state highway department reported rescue trucks unable to reach them through the storm. 'at 'n hingf I James Plans Addresses i HARRISBURG. Feb. 14 IV) Governor James, regarded as pres- xlential timber by party leaders In Pennsylvania, announced today he is considering making a series of out-of-state addresses some of them prior to the Republican national convention in June. Back at his desk after a Lin-toln's day speech at Grand Rapids.

James said he has re- ceived speaking Invitations t0 go 1 to a dozen other states. He observed that none had asked him to "speak as a candidate, but some said I had been men- and the PeoPie of would be glad t0 see and hear me The governor declined to specify 1 the state. He said the invitations! from people not 0nly high in party buf in government circles." (Continued on Ptge 2, Col. 5) iDav For Potoffice rur umuiucc Cupid Dan Valentine might give some people a real thrill each year but it only caused Altoona Postoffice employes added work on one of the worst days of the year. Officials said valentines caused the heaviest mail cancellation oi the year outside of the Christmas season which is always the highest.

Over 70,000 pieces of mail passed through the cancellation machine at the Altoona office February 13, and the employes were hard pushed to make deliveries due to the heavy snowfall which blocked walks and streets, impeding the carriers in their rounds. Deliveries they said were being made slightly behind schedule but all mail was being delivered before the end of the day. Air mail deliveries were cancelled yesterday by the company servicing this section at the Altoona Airport at Duncansville. The plane which made the west-bound flight Tuesday had soaie difficulty locating the Duncansvill? a'r I Port, but was finally able to make connections. Lancaster counts- school districts Were rlosed and viUap-M vrara lated except for telephones.

A 45 to 60 miles-an-hour wind whistied through Lancaster. XO FLOOn thrf Weather forecasters joined in saying there was no flood threat unless a heavy rain follows. The precipitation in Pittsburg was placed at slightly more than one inch. The great St. Patrick's day flood of 1936 came when some five inches of rain fell as snow and ice cneited.

Train service generally was un- interrupted, but most bus, street car and airplane traffic was bad ly disrupted. (Continnrd on Pge t. Col. 5) iirov. IaK I Here Fell 21 C1 A A nesda February 21.

at the. 76th service, on the Logan aUe Lne. ca through were reported progressing s- be dUaitrolls HARRIsBLRG. Feb. U-.

factorily. with tie-ups a omo- Herbe intendent tJ High winds drove a steady snow traffic the only incidental bureu heslth an. fall into deep drifts blocking acuity. i noUnced lMt evening. many country roads throughout Meanwhile numerous meetings Fatai from sudden exep Pennsylvania tonignt, the high-scheduled throughout the day had i th ways department reported, and siaeration snou.o: oe given to tne mary 01 cona.t.ons in us mam- ff.fetl0V.he fZl.0! LXo Momance In Valentine cold and wind when overheated.

The superintendent pointed out that care' should be ta'ken in the which may affect the heart. First death reported in Altoona i due to over-exertion was yesterday morning at 7:10 o'clock when John Elmer Watson. 50. of 1514 Pleasant Valley boulevard, died aftr he rnnrtrf fnr wnrV at- the Ea3t Altoona roundhouse. RANDALL'S REAL FIRST NAME WAS PHIL i i which begins Tuesday, ending Sat urday, it was announced yesterday.

A committee of the societr fprrpd cumulated depth 6-11 inches, all ance of the state chief here Thurs-main roads open, Bedford, Blai-, day. Washington's birthday, but the Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and governor "had alreadv made ar-Mifflin counties depth 12-2 1 for that day. (Continued Col. 5 Rotary Hobby Show Slated Mar. 28.

29 Plans for the annual Rotary club Hobby show and Achievement fair were discussed at a meeting of the fair committee, held last night at the T. M. C. A. with Chairman G.

Hewitt Knode presiding. The dates for this year's show were set for March 23 and 29. Special attention will be given tnvrarrl intprMtir. the voungsters of Altoona in exhibit- ing their hobbies, and it was decided last night that the judging will be made with the varying ages of the contestants in mind. The Rotary Hobby fair which last year attracted over 12,000 visitors, again promises to be one of the outstanding affairs of its kind in this vicinity.

The Rotary club in particular this year, desires create aa interest among the youngsters of school age, as well as adults in entering the show. Information regarding the shoar will be presented to school chil dren through the omce 01 fcuper- intendent of Schools Levi Gilbert tne puwie scnoo and tnrougn diocesan parochial schools. En 1 i tributed among the various teams fracture of the left leg and a pos-after the fund appeal gets under I sible guii fracture last night when greea, high wind, drifting, all main But from his Annapolis days roads open, travel difficult. his friends had called him i Beau, for his addiction to ro-FDR Heads South mance. So when Joyce Ham-' For Fishing Cruise mond met him at the June ABoard president roose-Weelc dance she tried not to velts tralx heading take him seriously.

And she i SOUTH- Feb- -President ,1 Li 1 ii Roosevelt traveled southward out thought she had succeeded of swiriin? snow storm tonieht bur- nf The program Wednesday evening will be a dinner at the society home on Ninth avenue for members who have been with the organization 25 years or more. There are 14S members in the class, eight of them beim with the organiza-tinn nt least 50 years. Other guests at the celebration, it was announced, will be Justice Marion D. Patterson of the state suo-eme court, Judee George G. Patterson of the Blair county i "urtl- Congressman James E.

i Members of the reception com- mit.tee who V1 meet the governor anf asrw htm Via hall a nl sidt Ketlev. R. A. Henderson. Dr.

Daniel Bonn. Don Craine. Robert Clark. Arthur Hirt. Frank B.

War-fel. Morgan J. Sheedy. Leo C. Mul- en.

George P. Gable. John k. Schombers. Oorge A.

Klesius and I Dr. Proctor Miller. I inches, temperature 16 to 27 de- 1 toward the tarpon waters of the Hia immediate destination was I Pensacola, Fla, where the cruiser Tuscaloosa and two destroyers. a r. w.itinrr tt E.

M. Watson, his secretary and militarv aide, and Rear Admiral i Ross T. Mclntire, his physician. way. John H.

Dillen, committee ch man. woo pismea. introduced the general campaign chairman, Dr Levi Gilbert, who made a brief address in which he urged the committeemer. to exert their ut most efforts in solicitating for large gifts. Dr.

Gilbert also offered suggestions to expedite the committee's Tvc-k. Further reports of the advanced gifts committee will be made at a meeting next Monday noon at the Penn Alto hotel. All of the mem- hBrs ar emppipA tn he nresent. Names of captains, co-captains and team workers for the large field organization committee headed by ft. H.

DSouza. were announced at a meeting of the divisional ehai'Trx-n on Ti'day. (Caatiaaed Faxe t. Col. 3) Until She Saw him kissing an- Other girt I his IS the be ginning of Joseph Lewis Qhadwick new serial, NAVY oc All BCrtU, a gionous ana Slam beginning tomorrow in the iTrib une.

tries will also received from orOUS love story. It will be With the President were his cus-the Hollidaysburg district. 1- J.lL. 1 tomarv fishine cronies. Brig.

Gei. (C.ntime. Pmre CI. 4 SIMMS, FOR ANNIVERSARY GIFTS.