Pittston Gazette from Pittston, Pennsylvania • Page 1

"Sales Mean JoHsy-Buy Your Hfss-bwSave-Create More Jobs For Pittston COmXTE TELEGRAPHIC SERVICE OF THE UNITED PRESS TEMPERATURE Shown by Recording Thermal meter on Gazette building. 6C, 3 p. m. 63, 6 WEATHER Fair tonight and Saturday; cool-r tonight; warmer Saturday WEEKLY ESTABLISH BD I860 DAILY EST. Bt THBtt BAM, ISM PITTSTON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1938 riPTY CENTS A MONTH SIX DOLLARS A YBAB EIGHT PAGES 89th YEAR CZECH GOVERNMENT OUTLAWS THE SUDETEN GERMAN PARTI 5udeten Danger Spot in Crisis STATE OFFICIALS HITLERS DEMAND BEFORE BRITISH AUTHORITY CLAIM HENLEIN FLED AS MRRENT ISSUED FOR HIS ARREST T0NIGH1 By REYNOLDS PACKARD CABINET MEETING THIS AFTERNOON ON CRISIS ABROAD Rallying point for Sudeten German leaders in the Czechoslovakian crisis Is the border city of Eger (Cheb), one of the first Sudeten cities placed under martial law by the Czech government.

The town's railroad stations were Jammed with German Jews and Czechs fleeing the trouble zone as Germany threatened invasion to "protect" the Sudetens. The above picture shows the market place. Washington, Sept. 16. Norman H.

Davis, former roving ambassador, said after a luncheon con-fence with President Roosevelt today that he believed the prospects for peaceful settlement of the European crisis had improved in the last 48 hours. Washington, Sept 16. Secretary of State Cordell Hull today called on President Roosevelt at the White House to lay before him the latest reports on the critical European situation. Hull's conference with the chief executive was preliminary to a full cabinet session called by Mr. Roosevelt to meet this atternoon Jor consideration of Europe war thi'Jtat and Its relation to the United Before hurrying across the narrow afreet to the White House executive offices from the old gray State Department building, Hull conierreu on mo 1(1 development with a group of international experts.

He discussed early morning reports from Ambassadors in Europe with Norman S. Davis, roving ambassador in Europe and now head of the American Red Cross, and -n irnfQt Mof nf thA division BERLIN SAYS THAT HITLER DEMANDS SUDETEN SECTION ia.y 6t European affairs of the State Department. Hull remained in conference with FOR LEGAL ADVICE Harrisburg, Sept. H. Fertig, former director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, testified before the Cohen House Committee today that the State Authority's J5.000 expenditure for opinion from a private law firm on legality of Authority bonds was proper.

He read into the records of the committee which is investigating alleged graft in Gov. George H. Earle's Administration a resolution adopted jointly last Nov. 19 by the State and Public School Employes' Retirement Boards requiring such opinion in keeping with Commonwealth fiscal practices. The two boards agreed to buy $55,000,000 of Authority bonds from their funds and have bought to date more than $30,000,000 worth.

Fertig said it was the consensus of the boards' membership that validity of all their bond purchases had to be supported by opinion of private la firms. He was a member of the State Employes' Retirement Board before his resignation from the Reference Bureau last Dec. 31. He said he voted for the resolution. "The boards are bound certainly by the opinion of the attorney general," Fertig said, "but that doesn't prevent them from getting outside opinions in support." Edward Friedman, former deputy attorney general, now a law part ner of Charles J.

MargiottI, dls missed attorney general and chief accuser of the State Administration, told the committee that the State Employes' Retirement Fund Board, purchaser of the bonds, could be bound only by opinion of the Justice Department. Fertig was called as the first wit ness today after the committee ruled on Pugliese's request for cross examination privileges. He was called to refute Friedman's testimony yesterday that the Authority illegally" expended the $5,000 for the opinion of a private law firm on the bonds. "As to the legality of the bonds we relied entirely on the opinion of the attorney general," Fertig said. "The outside opinion requested was on the form, substance and execution of the bonds.

"I had made up my mind, however, that the bonds were not of the type that could be scld on the investment market. "There Is no permanent dedicated revenue behind the bonds only the good faith of one legislature to meet obligations incurred by a preceding one." In answer to a question read by Committee Counsel Abram Salsburg for Friedman, the witness said: "The resolution does not support the conclusion of the committee chairman that the outside opinion was requested to enhance the marketability of the bonds in event the boards decided to liquidate their securities folders." Dr. H. H. Baish, manager of the State Public School Employment Board, was sworn In as the second witness.

Yesterday Friedman said that Baish "did not ask for the opinion, did not want It and did not know what to do with it when he got it" "We were confident of the legality of the bonds," Baish said, "as an investment for our board from the attorney general's opinion, but there were a lot of other details as to leasing, land titles and other technicalities upon which we wanted an outside opinion. "We have purchased bonds from more than 4000 Issues and have always required the seller to furnish an opinion on the legality of the Investments. "The board Insisted upon an opin Ion from a reputable attorney or law firm approved by it." Baish said he was "puzzled" by Friedman's testimony, adding that "I ought to know what to do with an opinion when I get it, for we have more than 4000 of them. SENATOR HOMSHER BURIED Strasburg, Sept. 16.

Fellow legislators and state officials attended funeral services here today for State Senator John G. Horn-sher, 79, dean of the Pennsylvania legislature, who died last Tuesday. Private services were held at the Homsher hojme followed by obsequies at the "Old Mennonite Church. Rev. Francis Davis, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, conducted the home exercises, and the Revs.

Henry W. Miller, Presby terian, and Jacob T. Harnish, Men nonite, officiated at the church. A delegation of 30 senators came here for the funeral. Pallbearers, all fellow townsmen, were headed by Burgess Frank B.

Koch. DEATH OF THQS. LOUGHRAN Thomas J. Loughran, of 1135 Ridge Row, Scranton, brother cf Rev. Dr.

J. J. Loughran, pastor of the Church of the Nativity, and Sister M. Lelse, of Marywood Col lege, died suddenly last night at hie home following a brief illness. He was employed as a salesman for inanr yearn CABINET London, Sept.

16. The cabinet was called tonight to meet at 11 a. m. tomorrow (6 a. m.

edt). Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain will see the king at Buckingham Palace at 9:30 tonight (4:30 p. m. edt). London, Sept.

16. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned from Berchtesgaden today with Adolf Hitler's demands on Czechoslovakia and said that he would talk with Hitler again, perhaps in a few days, after he has consulted his ministers. Declaring that he had had a long talk with Hitler; Chamberlain said: "It was a frank talk but a friendly one and I feel thoroughly satisfied now that each of us understands what is in the mind of the other. "You will not, of course, expect me to discuss now what may be the results of that talk. What 1 have got to do now is to discuss them with my colleagues and I would advise you not to accept prematurely any authorized account of what took place.

"I shall be discussing thenf tonight with my colleagues and others, especially Lord Runciman. Later on, perhaps in a few days, I am going to have another talk with Herr Hitler. "He has told me that it is his intention to come half-way to meet me. He wishes to spare an old man another such long journey." Chamberlain said that If he had not been so pre-occupied, he would have found the journey "very enjoyable." Chamberlain's reference to understanding between himself and Hitler was greeted with loud cheers. As Chamberlain stepped from the plane, he was handed a black- edged envelope, apparently (frof the king, who is in mourning for Prince Arthur of Connaught.

The Prime Minister read the four-page, handwritten letter before broadcasting his remarks. Contrary to earlier reports. Earl Baldwin was not aboard Chamber-Iain's plane. At Croydon, Viscount Runciman, British mediator in Czechsolovakia, landed a few minutes ahead of Chamberlain. enjoyed the trip tremendously," he said.

Asked when he Is likely to return to Prague, he replied: "That Is in the lap of the in England probably know much about things as I do." Lord Runciman was accompanied by Frank T. A. Ashton-Gwatkyn, his chief colleague on the mission. As Chamberlain arrived, the British people began to realize that they are about to be called on to agree to cession of the Sudeten (Continued On Page Three.) SETTLE DISPUTE Rome, Sept. 16.

The possibilities of a four-power settlement of the German-Czech crisis were understood to have been discussed during a long conversation tonight be-tween Count Galeazzo Ciano, for eign minister, and Sir Noel Charles, British charge d'affaires. British quarters conceded that the conversation dealt with "the general situation and British- Italian relations." It was generally assumed Sir Noel arranged the meeting to inform Count Ciano of the main lines of the Chamberlain-Hitler talk and to sound out the Italian attitude towards joint efforts for a peaceful Sudeten solution. Fascist sources reported that Premier Benito Mussolini already had been Informed of the result of the Berchtesgaden meeting In long distance telephone conversations with Hitler. Sir Noel met with Count Ciano in the absence of Lord Perth, who is In England. It was reported Lord Perth would return here on Monday, cutting short his trip to England.

That was generally Interpreted as meaning the British are endeavoring actively to interest Italy in some general solution by the big powers. SHOPMEN OPPOSE CUT One hundred and sixty employes at the Dunmore shops of the Erie Railroad Company voted 100 per cent against the proposed IB per cent wage reduction which Is to become effective on all railroads In the country Oct 1. OUR POWERS MAY CZECHS AND EYSTON REGIS THE SPEED TITLE? WITH 357 MILE! Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, Bep 16. Oeorge E. T.

Eyston, retirJ British army captain, regained th world's land speed record toda when he drove his big racing car at an average of 357.50 miles an hour over the glistening white salt beds! here. It was the third time the record! had been boosted toward" the six-1 miles-a-mlnute clip considered the ultimate in land speed In two weeks. Captain Eyston's run today was, the latest in the rivalry between, him and his countryman John Cobb, London fur broker, for the speed title. Both came to the Salt Flats this season with their queer look-, ing power plants on wheels, Eyston to defend his title and Cobb to lift if, if possible. The run today ended for this year the contest between the two Englishmen for International land speed supremacy.

Cobb saii he would not run again this win' because his car would have "worked over" to get more out of It. "It would take two weeks I the adjustments," Cobb haven't the time to stay ha long." A Eyston made the first reev 345.47 miles an hour. Testi Cobb finally got his Ralltonl working to perfection and ro 360.2 miles an hour. When, Cat Eyston got tbfe news he feaaieo-. horsepower Ifhunderbolt for ttiday's runs and won the tltls back.

Mayor Kenneth J. English day Issued a proclamation caf upon all residents of Pittston join tomorrow in observance! Constitution Day. His Honor quests that the American Flag! displayed on business places homes In commemoration of day. 1 The mayor pointed out that thf will be no formal Constitution program presented in Pittston, oV citizens joining in the county-wioV observance of the day-at the county' seat Wilkes-Barre. There will be a general community meeting, non-polltlcal In character, at Irem Temple tomorrow evening at 7:43 o'clock with Col.

Ben F. Evans as chairman. Significance of the sign-, lng of America's charter 151 years ago and what it means to Amer: leans will be the theme of the program and the mayor requests, that citizens attend and participate. Service clubs and similar clvlo and fraternal groups will observe the occasion with special programs and the various Legion poets of the county are planning for the event. Attorney Mitchell Jenkins heads a sub-committee whieh la ar ranging for speakers to talk In- formally at schools and before various civic and business groups.

and service clubs. CUBS-GIANTS GAME OFF New York, Sept. 16. The sched' uled game between the second-place Chicago Cubs and the New York Giants todaj' was postponed because of wet grounds and threat- eying weather. It will be played in a double-header tomorrow.

WORK SCHEDULE OF COLLIERIES THE PITTSTON CO. All Idle. SULLIVAN TRAIL CO. All idle Saturday. Idle Saturday, working Monday, KEHOE-BERGE COAL CO.

eoin worK eaiuraay. VOLPE COAL CO. All Idle Saturday. JERMYN-GREEN CO. Saturday.

CONSTITUTION DAY KNrUlAN UUUL.ll I niiui. iu KtUULSItU Ms United Press Staff Correspondent Prague, Sept. 16. Tho Czech government outlawed the Sudeten German party today, ordering the disbandment of its storm troopers and seizure of their property. The government moved decisively to crush the entire Sudeten movement, in defiance of the support and sympathy given to it by Nazi Germany and of Fuehrer Adolf Hitler's promise to aid the Sudetens.

Earlier a warrant was issued for the arrest of Konrad Henlein, leader of the movement, who has taken refuge in Germany, on charges of treason. In the wake of the rebellions uprising of the Sudetens, which entailed the loss of many lives In widespread fighting, the government maintained rigid martial law in approximately half of the Sudeten German area. In addition, the government decreed that inhabitants of almost the entire Sudeten area must surrender all arms and ammunition In their possession within 24 hours or go to prison for terms of from one month to five years. The decree was first applied to the 63 Sudeten districts in the Bohemia area, on tho north west bordering Germany. Then It was extended to the 33 districts of the Moravia-Silesia district east of there, making a total of 96.

The decree applies to some Czech districts as well as those with heavy minority populations. The double blow at the Sudeten Party, calculated to enrage Fuehrer Adolf Hitler, was delivered soon after Viscount Runciman, British adviser, issued an appeal for an informal armistice during the British-German negotiations and left by airplane for London to report to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. The warrant for Henlein's arrest was issued this morning by the State's attorney at Eger, in the Sudeten area. It was announced that the warrant would be circulated to criminal police authorities throughout the world. The government started last night the machinery for Henlein's arrest, Intending to prosecute him on treason charges for Issuing a proclamation announcing that Sudeten Germans wanted to "go back home to the Reich" Germany.

There was no compromise about the government's attitude today, It not only ordered the arrest of Henlein and the suppression of Storm Troop activities but, through the Governor of Bohemia, in which Is the German area, ordered all possessors of weapons and munitions in the German or mixed-Ger man districts to surrender them within 24 hours. Failure is punishable by imprisonment for from one to five years As It moved to smash the dis orders in the Sudeten area and make plain its Intention of fighting, Jf necessary the government took action to present Its case to the world. Votja Benes, brother of Presi dent Edouard Benes, left for the United States to give Americans a picture of the situation as Czechs see It -There were only isolated, minor incidents in the Sudeten area last night Two Czech soldiers were re ported killed at Butzengruen, near Falkenau This morning all was reported aulet. As to Henlein, there was little belief here that he would be arrest ed. It happened that just before the order for the warrant for Henlein was issued, the German language radio had announced that Henlein, Karl Frank and other Sudeten Ger man leaders had left Czechoslovakia within the last few hours.

Only a short time before, Sude ten leaders said they would remain in their towns, depending on their followers to rise In their support. The government made every ef fort to prevent outbreaks of ill feeling. All ordinary football games ana other atnietic contests ana to morrow's Hungary Czechoslovak International football match were canceled In a blanket ban, But the situation was tragically dangerous and, on the response to Runclman's appeal alone, It appeared, hinged the question whether civil war or a larger war could be averted In the Sudeten area. BUND MEETING BLOCKED Elizabeth, N. Sept.

16. A hostile crowd estimated by police at 3.000 took over the inside and outside of a hall last night and prevented the German-A i a Volksbund from holding- a scheduled meeting. Special At Penneys 400 Street Dresses $1.77 Davis and Moffat until a few tnlnutes before going to the White House. Secretary of Treasury Henry MorgfcJthau, joined Hull and Mr. Roosevelt in the White House conference.

Morgenthau's presence was requested to allow administration study of possible fiscal repercussions of the European crisis. Huge sums of foreign gold are entering the United States as c.ncan. transfer their cash balances here for safe keeping. Entry of the huge gold store into She United States was believed to present complications in American fiscal policy. Other treasury problems raised by the war scare include the op-" eration of the tripartite monetary agreement between the United States, Great Britain and France.

rnnriHnation of stabilizaatlon op- 'eratlons of the three nations is established by the agreement. White House Secretary Stephen T. Early said the chief topics of discussion were operation of the U. S. neutrality act in the event of war and the effect of an interna tlonal conflict upon American trade treaty agreemtns and Inter- national fiscal arrangements.

AFTER SENTENCING Police Chief Fred Kingston and UNCERTAINTY IN STOCKS TO DROP By ELMER C. WALZER (United Press Financial Editor) New York, Sept. 16. New uncertainties in the European situa tion brought a decline in stocks and bonds today, while the so- called war commodities gained. 'Trading in stocks dwindled and losses were narrow in 1 most in stances.

Short sellers remained aloof, having been made cautious by recent sessions in which the market swung up sharply, with heavy losses for the bears. There were several bright spots in the business news, including best showing in retail trade, as compared with a year ago, since February; improved demand for steel scrap; steadiness in steel operations; new high on the movement for export copper; and ajjre-diction of better business for 1939 by Alfred P. Sloan, Jr, chairman of General Motors Corporation. Market operators however paid little attention to domestic news, except in the instance of Nickel Plate issues. Indications that the road would be able to avert reorganization under the bankruptcy act sent its bonds up as much as ,9 points and common stock more than 2 points.

Other railroad shares followed the general trend to lower ground. Chrysler touched 69 early, fell to 67, U. S. Steel ranged between 55 and the latter off 2M net Chesapeake Ohio lost 2 points and Union Pacific more than 2 points. Case dropped 3 points, while International Harvester had a Bmall gain.

Utilities lost small amounts. Gold shares were down and coppers lost fractions to a point Oils eased. U. S. Gypsum lost more than 2 points and Johns Manville more than a point.

A feature was a 34 point drop in Fairbanks Morse preferred oh its first appearance this years. GAS STATION OWNER ADMITS VERSION OF ROBBERY IS FALSE State Motor Police of Wyoming Barracks announced today that William JSweppenheiser, proprietor of a gasoline service station near Berwick, had admitted his report that he had been robbed of $30 In a holdup yesterday was false. Sweppenheiser had furnished "descriptions" of the two bandits he said held him up, starting a search throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania by 100 state troopers. Motor police said further questioning of the gasoline station operator had disclosed discrepancies in his story, and that he finally admitted he; had lost the $30 to "punch board racketeers" rather than bandits. HOBSON'S SON WEDS New York, Sept 16.

Felice Har-riman Rosen and George Hobson, son of the late Rear Admiral Richmond F. Hobson, Spanish-American war hero, were married last Monday In Elkton, Md. The bride Is the daughter of Felix Rosen, philanthropist and music patron, and of Mrs. Pierre Xecomte Du Nouy, the former Mary Rishop Harrlman. CAUSES FEAR CIVIL WAR SUDETEN REGION Haberspirk, (Sudeten area) Czechoslovakia, Sept.

16. Soldiers in the streets, blood on the sidewalks and bullet boles In buildings attested today to the spirit of revolution flaring among the Sudeten German minority and threatening at any moment to break into civil war. It was quiet today too quiet for comfort in this town on the Czechoslovak-German border where Wednesday occurred the worst of the riots since Chancellor Adolf Hitler promised aid to the 3,500,000 Sudeten Germans in their struggle for "self -determination." Sudeten leaders had fled or had gone into hiding, but from Eger. their unofficial capital, they broadcast today through their news bureau an appeal for Sudeten parlia mentary deputies, district organiz ers and storm troopers, "to resist arrest by all means." Konrad Henlein, the German minority leader, whose arrest had been ordered by the government. left his home in the border town of Asch and crossed the frontier into Germany, the German language radio announced.

The radio indicated that Henlein sought safety with many of his followers who fled after fighting with soldiers and gendarmes. PEACE RESTORED Detroit, Sept. 16. The executive board of the United Automobile Workers today accepted in modi fied form the proposal of John L. Lewis to bring peace into the union's factlonally split ranks.

Avoiding a break with President Homer Martin, but veering from his wishes, the board accepted an agreement which provided for settlement of future UAW disputes and which placed the recent expulsion of high officers before a special committee for arbitration. The agreement eliminated the immediate possibility of open conflict between Martin and Lewis and assured at least temporary peace to the union which has been split since Martin last spring expelled four high officers and suspended an other. Nine points were contained in the agreement drafted with cooperation of Sidney Hillman and Philip Mur ray, C. I. O.

officials sent here by Lewis. Martin opposed Lewis' original proposal, but after it was reported that the board would accept the C. I. O. plan despite his opposition, acceded to the modification.

The special committee that will arbitrate the cases of the suspended officers will be composed of Hillman and Murray only. On all other such cases, however, and for any other matters before the committee, Martin and R. J. Thomas, the only remaining vice-president, will sit with the committee. Next Sunday In the Rotogravure 8eetion of The Scrantonian Scenes of The Holy Name Society Convention in Pittston showing part of the big parade and orowi en River ANY MOMENT IN By FREDERICK C.

OECHSNER (United Press Staff Correspondent.) Berlin, Sept. 16. Fuehrer Adolf Hitler hold Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain at Berchtesgaden that union of Sudetenland with Germany, is. an Immediate necessity, all informed sources agreed today. It is well-known that the eventual Nazi program towards Czechoslovakia envisages absorption of the Sudeten territory.

The Czech State then would be closely allied to Germany, prob ably by a customs union, tut there was no evidence so far that Hitler went that far in his talk with Chamberlain. The conviction is general In Berlin that, before acting, Hitler doubtless will await the result of Chamberlain's conference with the cabinet and an early communication from Chamberlain announcing whether he is returning to Germany and if so, when. The position of Nazi circles is that there must be union, and soon, possibly before the end of September. EXPECT STRIKE OF Washington, Sept. 16.

Chairman William Leiserson, of the National Mediation Board, said today after a conference with President Roosevelt that he was hopeful the rail wage dispute would be settled without a nation-wide strike. Leiserson said that he and his two colleagues on the board, George A. Cook and Otto S. Beyer, reported to the president on the situation. They would not say what Mr.

Roosevelt's attitude was. READING MHJ1 HELD FOR POSTAL ROBBERY Harrisburg, Sept. 16. John H. Lutz, 40, Reading, was arrested here today by Post Officer Inspector A.

J. Harkins and charged with robbing the rafe of the Woolrich, post office Dec. 15, 1936, of stamps and money amounting to $8,000. Lutz was given a hearing by U. S.

Commissioner Sidney E. Friedman and committed to jail in default of $5,000 bail pending trial at the October session of federal in Scranton. CHARLES O. HOWLEY DIES SUDDENLY Charles O. Howley, of Scranton, general field agent for the Milwaukee Mechanics' Insurance Company In this area and one of the best known men in the Insurance field died suddenly this morning at Pa.

Mr. Howley was making a trip through the territory under his control. Prior to the time he assumed his position with- the Milwaukee Mechanics' Insurance Company, Mr. Howley had charge of the Scranton Exchange. He had been employed by the Milwaukee company toe ten years.

I) patrolman John O'Malley, of Laurel i Run, convicted of charges of as-I saulting Burgess Joseph O'Malley, 1 were sentenced to six months Im prlsonment and to pay court costs iiuuaj rY.iiwirn Countv court. The court suspended the sentences, however, when both police promised to resign within 30 days Burgess O'Malley and the Laurel Run-police department had been at odds for several months. Special Saturday Night Chicken. Supper Jim Redington 110 8. Main St, Pittston Now Playing At Local Theaters (With starting time of Feature Picture) AMERICAN "My Lucky Star" with Sonja Henie, Richard Greene and Joan Davis 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 and 9:80 ROMAN "Six-Shootln' Sheriff" with Ken Maynard and Hie Wonder Horse Tarzan 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00 and 10:00.