Pittston Gazette from Pittston, Pennsylvania • Page 1

i Mean JoKs" Buy Your Neeas-OwSaveGreate More Jobs For Pittston lales COMPLETE TELEGRAPHIC SERVICE OF THE UNITED PRESS WEATHER TEMPERATURE Generally fair and continued cool tonight; Friday, fair and aomewhat warmer. 8hown by Recording Thermo meter on Gazette building. 52, 6 a. m.j 64, I p. ni, oimnrT tiaTiRLlBBED 1800 PITTSTON, 'THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1938 FIFTY CENTS A MONTH 8IX D0LLAB8 A TBAK EIGHT PAGES 89th YEAR DA1LI EST.

BT THHQ. H-B7J. 1MJ HUNDRED MILLION STORM DAMAGE ON THE ATLANTIC COASI -U I I CROSS ACTS RED 296 REPORTED DEAD TOUR OF NEW ENGLAND BY OUR LEGION BAND TO BOOST ANTHRACITE GERMANS AWAIT ORDER AS HITLER CONFERS WITH CHAMBERLAIN UP TO NOON TODAY, WITH ISO MISSING Lowell, Lawrence, Boston, Brock (Copyright, 1938, by United Press.) Restored communications In storm-lashed New England disclos BRITISH PEOPLE ASKED TO HOLD UP THEIR JUDGME London, Sept 22. The go ment urged the nation toda withhold judgment on the par! ir i of Czechoslovakia until Prim ister Neville Chamberlain can the full facts." Foreign Secretary Visco fax, in a statement Issued while Chamberlain conferred at Godesberg with Adolf Hitler, urged, the public not to form a premature conclusion. He said that Chamberlain would be able later to give a complete explanation and that he was sure the entire country wished the prime minister well "in his courageous" mission for peace." Chamberlain flew this morning' to the Rhlneland to Inform Hitler that the Nazi demand for the 8 detenland had been accepted.

Paris, Sept 22. Three, member THREE MEMBERS FRENCH CABINET RESIGNED TOY Godesberg, On the Rhine, Sept 22. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Fuehrer Adolf Hitler discussed details of the partition of Czechoslovakia today while the Sudeten German "Free Corps" army and German police awaited the order to march In and take over the Sudeten area-Informed Germans said Hitler would insist that an early hour, perhaps tomorrow, must be set for the movement into Sudetenland. The conference, at the Dreesen Hotel, on the banks of the Rhine, lasted more than 2 hours. The German official news agency announced the talks would be resumed tomorrow morning.

Chamberlain came by ferry from the Petersberg Hotel across the river, where he is staying. He arrived at Hitler's hotel at 4 p. (11 a. m. and the talk started almost at once.

Hitler and Chamberlain met face to face for the second time, with the Fuehrer riding the high tide of success and the British premier trying to gain time for orderly development in turning over Sudetenland to the Reich in the bargain that he and Hitler made last week. Chamberlain, who had flown to Cologne from London, crossed the river by ferry from his hotel and motored along the bank of the Rhine to the Dreesen. It was in contrast to Hitler's triumphant arrival a few hours earlier. Crowds lining the terraces above the roadway were almost completely silent as he drove by. Hitler had been wildly cheered.

Most of the people had been on watch for hours, but as the three small cars carrying Chamberlain's party passed, few caught even a glimpse of Chamberlain. Only one small group along the road shouted "hell." Chamberlain looked tired, drawn and gray as he entered the hotel. Before his arrival a great many army officers, some of whom apparently were Couriers from elsewhere in Germany, were noted coming and going at the hotel. They were understod to have brought dispatches for Gen. Wll- Members of the American Legion Band of the John D.

Stark Post, 542, have a busy week ahead of them. Fifteen cities In New England will be visited. One whole day will be spent in Boston, where morning, afternoon and evening concerts are scheduled. Stokers and other modern coal burning equipment will be on display, so that the many people can witness anthracite stokers In operation. One day will be spent in Providence, Rhode Island, with a similar schedule.

On each of the remaining days at least two cities will be visited, where concerts will be played and where stokers will be In operation. Stanford, Bridgeport, Waterbury, Hartford, Springfield, Worcester, West Hampton, N. Sept. 22. Coast Guardsmen, State Police and local authorities counted a mounting toll of dead and missing today In this Long Island summer colony where a tidal wave and hurricane winds levelled homes and carried an unknown number of persons to death by drowning By mid-morning, 15 bodies had been recovered along the five mile strip of sandy beach between West Hampton and Speonk.

Twelve of these were identified; the others awaited identification at the Westhampton Country Club house. Estimates of the missing ranged from 25 to 60 Reports, which authorities were unable to verifly, were that 25 children attending a party at the home of Mrs. Norvin Greene, were swept to sea and were feared dead. Nothing re mained of the Green home except its stone and cement foundation and police were unable to find anyone who could say definitely what happened at the Greene home. Full force of the tidal wave was centered along the stretch of beach known as the "Dunes," and homes and residents here were swept away.

A situation verging on near panic prevailed as colonists who escaped the storm sought missing relatives and friends. A heavy detail of State Police, assisted by authorities of neighboring communities, maintained order and aided in the res cue work. Trusties at the Suffolk County jail were liberated and taken to the beach to aid In the rescue work. Coast Guardsmen, on water and In the air, searched Long Is land Sound for wreckage and pos sible survivors. They revealed that eight cutters, eight patrol boats and three seaplanes manned by 500 Coast Guardsmen were searching the waters of the Sound between Cape May and New Lon don, Connecticut IF SHELTER BUILT IN BASEMENT OF THE KING'S PALACE London, Sept.

22. A bomb and gas-proof shelter Is being built In the basement of Buckingham Palace for the king and queen. It consists of two rooms which formerly were the maids" resting rooms, three floors below the Royal apartments. Both are strongly reinforced with Iron girders and 100 tons of sand. One room has no window and Is intended to be made gas proof.

DEVASTATON AND DEATH AT SUMMER RE ON ISLAND ton, Providence, Fall River, New Bedford, New Haven and New York City will all be visited In the order named. Leonard Ormerod, the ace publicity man of Anthracite Institute, Is handling the publicity for the venture and will travel with the local party throughout the tour. R. H. Pusch, general passenger agent of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, an nounced that the railroad's news broadcast from Boston would keep the public informed of the activities of the band for each day.

The publicity department of the New Haven Railroad is assisting Mr. Ormerod (Continued on Pago Five) HAVOC CAUSED BY Cape May, N. Sept 22. Hundreds of persons in New Jersey were homeless today as the result of a hurricane which swept scores of coastline and inland cities, demolishing houses, uprooting trees and ripping out communication transportation and power lines. One death was reported.

John Buettner, 37, of Bayonne, was electrocuted when he stepped on a fallen electric wire. Thousands of trees were felled In the forested areas of the State, blocking main arteries of traffic. The coastline was hit hardest from Cape May northward. The Island resort of Brlgantine, north of Atlantic City, was cut off from the mainland when 400 feet tf bridge connecting the Island with Atlantic City was toppled into the ocean. Brigantine's 1,000 residents were left with no access to the mainland except by boat.

At Belmar, below Asbury Park, half a mile of boardwalk was' blown Into the ocean. Fishing piers in that area were demolished and hundreds of parked automobiles were smashed by wind and flood. Two to three feet of water covered many shore resort communities, but quickly drained Into the ocean. In Burlington county Rancocas creek and its tributaries overflowed, and the town of Mt. Holly was under two to three feet of water.

Stores, the county Jail, the municipal building and the Mt. Holly Textile mill were partly flooded. Damage was estimated at $100,000. A water main burst between North Pemberton and Camp Dix, flooding Wrlghtstown road and halting traffic. Hundreds of residents, police and firemen at Katawan spent the night and forenoon strengthening the dam at Lake Lefferts, piling sandbags upon an improvised bulkhead.

Towns in the Raritan Bay area were Inundated to a depth of two feet by waters hurled Inland by the hurricane. The flood was receding today. The South river rose to record heights, overflowing on to the streets of the town of South River. Schools and shops, were flooded. The Perth Amboy-Tottenville, St.

ten ferry was put out of commission by the wind and waves. In the central part of the state four highways were closed by the flood waters. The state's apple crop, estimated at 4,249,000 bushels this year, was considerably damaged. FINGERPRINTS TRAMPS Toledo Police are fingemrlnt- ing and photographing residents of shanty districts here in an effort to prevent a ninflux of unfortun ates from other towns, where similar purges of squatters are causing migration. HRRICAN ALONG mm QUICKLY TO HELP Washington, Sept.

22. President Roosevelt today Issued orders' to all Federal agencies to give every possible assistance to flood and hurricane damaged areas in New York and New England. He directed the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Civilian Conservation Corps, WPA and Red Cross to fur nlsh their full facilities to aid in relieving distress in stricken areas, His orders were issued by telephone from the second floor study of the White House where he had received reports of the disaster. Even before his orders were is sued, the Coast Guard had 2 500 of its 9,000 men in the stricken area and the Red Cross had mobilized disaster relief forces. The Works Progress Administration was in action and had promised additional aid.

Acting to expedite movement of supplies into stricken areas, the Interstate Commerce Commission suspended all rules and regulations for railroad car and freight service in New England. The ICC termed the situation "an emergency which requires immediate action." Already on an emergency basis with relief workers in the field, the Red Cross prepared to broaden its activities as reports from New England indicated a grave emergency. The Coast Guard had 2,500 of its full personnel of 9,000 assigned to rescue and relief work. The Works Progress Administration was organizing to assign its employes to assist in relief and re habilitation. A report to Red Cross headquarters from the New Bedford, chapter said that 30 persons were believed dead in that area, 100 were homeless, martial law was in effect and New Bedford, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Wareham and Marlon were "badly crippled." Perry B.

Duryea, superintendent of East Hampton, L. reported several lives lost, 'Utilities In' a state "of collapse," and conditions "desperate." Washington, Sept. 22. U. S.

weather bureau officials said today that reports from affected areas indicated the tropical storm which swept Long Island and New England yesterday was unprecedented. Forecaster Charles L. Mitchell Fald the storm increased in Intensity as it moved northward from Cape Hatteras yesterday. He regarded this as phenomenal because past tropical disturbances always diminished In force as they moved northward. NO EARLT ACTION BY Washington, Sept.

22. President Roosevelt encountered delay today In his latest attempt to inject new life into the railroads. Less than 24 hours after he announced appointment of a joint labor and management committee to draft a railroad legislative program, the six committee members adjourned their first meeting without taking action and without fixing another meeting date. One railroad representative said he did not see how the committee could possibly meet again before November despite the president's expressed hope that the group would have a report for him in a month or six weeks. PEOPLE ALONG THE HUDSON MOVING OUT Albany, N.

Sept. 22. The Hudson river was rising rapidly In upstate New York and was expected to continue rising until 2 a. m. tomorrow.

Hundreds of persons ire evacuated, from river front sections of Troy, Waterford, Albany and Rensselaer as the stream ris ing a foot every four hours, climbed toward the record peaks of the disastrous 1936 flood. WORK SCHEDULE OF COLLIERIES THE PITTSTON CO. All idle. SULLIVAN TRAIL CO. All idle until Monday.

PAYNE COAL CO. Idle Friday. KEHOE-BERGE COAL CO. Both working Friday. VOLPE COAL CO.

All dle Friday. JERMYN-GREEN CO. Idle Friday. STORM SUF RER FLOODS ADD TO I Hartford, Sept. 22.

The Connecticut river poured over Its banks into the central and cast side business districts of Hartford today, forcing hundreds who had Just gone through a hurricane, to evacuate. Twenty-six were known dead in the State as result of the hurricane, which hit late yesterday and damaged the State. Hundreds of families were being evacuated in taxicabs, trucks, buses, and any other conveyances at hand. The Park river, which runs through the center of the city, becked up and began flooding principal business houses. The telephone building put barricades in front of its first-floor windows and began piling sandbags in front of the doors.

The water lapped at the doorstep. The National Guard was called out to maintain order. The Mayor's Emergency Relief committee sat continuously. The Red Cross opened headquarters in the Old State House. The city slowly was being lso lated.

The bridge to the entire eastern section of the State was closed. Southward find northward the riv- er was closing in. Only to the west were the roads open. Special refugee stations were set up. Great areas In East Hartford were under water and evacuations were general there.

Trucks backed up to all business concerns in the stricken areas, taking stocks away to higher land. Many of. them were wheel-deep in water, so fast was the river rising. Schools were closed. Many business houses shut down at noon.

Em ployes were unable to get home. The flood was approaching the level of the great flood of 1936 the worst In history. Gov. Wilbur L. Cross rode to Hartford from New Haven and said he was appalled at the damage caused by the hurricane.

was extremely distressed," bis secretary said. STRUCK BY FULL By HENRY MINOTT United Preps Staff Correspondent. Boston, Sept. 22. Rhode Island reported late today jover patched wires that it had borne the brunt of the tropical hurricane yesterday.

As reports from Vermont indicated that flood waters were subsiding, Rhode Island communities came through with the first reports of its own disaster. At Providence, the capital, citi-rens watched flood waters rise three feet above building marks designating the flood levels of the great flood of IS 5. From other cities and villages of the state came reports of mountain death tolls and widespread destruction of property. Rhode Island reported 13S deaths. These included 25 at Warwick, 20 lit Watch Hill, 18 at Charleston, 10 at fashionable Newport and at East Providence, eight at Middle-town and six in the capital.

At Portsmouth, flood waters engulfed the Island Park resort. I sweeping away amusement and concession stands. Approximately 850 summer cottages at Conlmicut Point and Oakland Beach were washed to sea. Large sections of Galilee, a small fishing village, and Mantunuck, a summer resort on Rhode Island's south shore, were levelled along with Block Island, 15 miles off the coast. News from the north Indicated that the Connecticut, Winooskland White Rivers all flowing through Vermont were subsiding after they had boiled over their banks and had driven lowland dwellers from their homes.

STORMDAMAGEIN HARTFORD ODAY RHODE LAND FORCE OF STORM of Premier Edouard Daladier's cab- inet put their resignations In hit hands today In protest over th partition of Czechoslovakia, butao- ceptance of the resignations waa delayed. Letters of resignation were left with Daladier by Georgo Mandel, minister of colonies; Paul Rey- naud, justice; and Augusto Cham-peller De Ribes, pensions. The ministers conferred with the premier after they and several other cabinet members reluctant to i accept the Czech deal had discussed the advisability of resigning, Daladier did not accept the re-slgnations pending the outcome of today's conferences between Adolf Hitler and Neville Chamberlain at Godesberg. The three cabinet members declared their opposition to further concessions to Hitler and demand- ed that their resignations be acVv. cepted If the German Fuehrer de- clares the present British-French deal for solution of the Czech crisis is not sufficient or if further dls- memberment of Czechoslovakia Is sought to meet the demands of Hungary and Poland.

INTO SUDETEN By ROBERT H. BEST United Press Staff Correspondent. Vienna, Sept. 22. German police are ready at a moment's notice to march into Sudeten It was revealed today when many auto bus loads of police from Southern Aus tria rolled Into Vienna.

The troops will enter Czechoslo vakia, when given the order, to preserve order in the same way they moved into Austria from the Reich on March 12. The public appeared ready to hold the second victory celebration within a little over six months. Al most everyone was convinced that it Is now a matter of only a few days before the Sudeten country in effect becomes a part of Germany. It would necessarily be a few weeks before Sudetenland becomes a legal part of Germany. A majority of the population of Austria believed that the taking over of the Sudetenland will be comparatively bloodless, but others feared that the extremist pro Soviet faction of the Czech army might at the last minute gain an upper hand and precipitate a civil war.

In such an eventuality, there was speculation as to whether Britain and Franco wculd approve a march by Germany into Czechoslovakia to prevent what was viewed here as a possible "massacre" on Sudctens by unorganized rioters. By REYNOLDS PACKARD United Press Staff Correspondent. Prague, Sept 22. President Ed- ouard Benes tonight announced for mation of a new coalition government and appealed to the nation to ivoid disorders that might give a foreign power reason for interven ing in Czechoslovakia. The new cabinet was formed after "foreign" Influence had forced Benes to abandon his plan to name Gen.

Jan Syrovy, leader of the Czech Legions In Russia during the World War, as premier and to se lect instead Jan Cerny, governor of Moravia. Cerny concentrated on a broad coalition with army support. The cabinet of Premier Milan Hodza had resigned earlier while thousands of demonstrators pro tested the surrender of Sudetenland to Germany and cried: "Give us arms." The German army was poised across the frontier and police In the Austrian area were being con centrated as Benes spoke. Cerny decided to seek the support of six parties in a coalition government In which the military would be an Important element Benes had made Gen. Jan Syrovy, one-eyed veteran of World War fighting, his first choice for the premiership but pressure from "foreign" sources forced him to abandon selection of the general.

Cerny began negotiations with party leaders after Peter Zenkl, lord mayor of Prague, announced that It was impossible for him to form a cabinet by breaking away from the old coalition parties. Premier Milan Hodza and his colleagues presented their requests to President Eduard Benes at his palace as the crowds tramped back and forth outside, demanding that they be permitted to fight against the dismemberment of the republic. The cabinet ministers asked the president to form a -national government representing all elements of the rational life, including army officers, to steer the country through its crisis, to fight against further encroachments by Its neighbors, and to' form a new united "second Czechoslovakia." Ministers agreed to continue In office until a new government was formed, probably within a few hours. Gen. Jan Syrovy, one-eyed Inspector general of the army, looked as the strong' man of the new government, which was" expected to be a military dictatorship.

Circles close to the president said Syrovy, a Czech World War hero, was almost sure to be either premier or minister of Interior the law and order authority. GERMAN POLI READY TO MARCH ER A' PRAGUE CABINET RESIGNED ODAY ed today a major disaster resulting from yesterday's unprecedented hurricane and tidal waves. By mid-afternoon the number of known dead in New England was 261. Another 35 were added in New York, New Jersey and Quebec, making the total 296. With flood waters rising toward record-breaking heights in the populous three-State Connecticut River Valley, authorities feared the death toll would mount even higher before the waters receded.

Death totals by States at 2 p. (EDT.) Rhode Island 138. Massachusetts 72. Connecticut 42. New Hampshire 9.

New York 32. New Jersey 1. Quebec (Montreal) 2. The full horror of the storm as it swept northward over Long Island and New England did not become apparent until telephone communication was re-established between Boston and Rhode Island, the State hardest hit by the worst disaster of the region's history. The New England toll had been recorded at 134, but the figure rose to 250 within a few minutes after reports started pouring in from Rhode Island and short time later to 261.

Huge tides piled up by the 100- mlle-an-hour hurricane accounted for most of the destructon. Walls of water descended upon Providence and other coast towns and rolled inland as far as one-fifth of a mile. In addition to the known dead in the hurricane's path, hundreds were missing thousands were homeless and other hundreds were Injured. Property damage estimates rose from $90,000,000 early today to $150,000,000 and higher by mld-aft ernoon. Whole communities were devas tated, many remained cut off from the outside world.

rne numoane struck first on Long Island, ripping south shore resort communities to pieces. Fif teen of the island's dead were kill ed at Westhampton, where luxur ious homes built upon sand dunes were blown mto the sea. Bodies were found for miles along the beach. The 90-mile-an-hour wind piled up a 40-foot tidal wave which de molished everything In Its path, The hurricane swept across the island and struck Port Jefferson with full force. The "Park City, a steam ferry operating between Port Jefferson and Bridgeport, was blown off its course and was unreported for more than six hours with 20 passengers and a crew of five.

The vessel was found nine miles off Stratford Shoals and was taken in tow by the Coast Guard harbor tug Manhattan. All aboard were reported safe. The storm, accompanied by torrents of rain, ripped across the Sound, kicking up raging surfs which pounded the Connecticut coast. The hurricane followed by flood and fire, wreaked upon Connecticut the worst disaster In that State's history. The Connecticut river and tributary streams rose to levels higher than those of the disastrous 1936 flood, the worst on record.

The State estimated its damage at more than $30,000,000. In New York State the Hudson river was rising toward 1936 flooa levels. U. S. Weather Observer Gustav LIndgren, at Albany, said the stream would reach a crest at 2 a.

m. tomorrow. Tidal waves, floods and wind created similar havoc in Massa chusetts, isolating Cape Cod from the rest of the State and leaving scores of communities desolated. Providence was one of the chief sufferers In Rhode Island, tremen dous tides sweeping 1,000 feet Into the city and flooding streets eight to 25 feet deep. The storm roared through New Hampshire and struck as far north as Montreal.

Throughout the stricken region at least 5,000 were homeless and more than half that number were sent to hospitals for treatment of Injuries. Militiamen went on 24-hour duty in dozens of towns evacuating Inhabitants of lowlands along the Connecticut river and tributary streams in Connecticut and Massachusetts. DELAWARE IS RISING Trenton, N. Sept. 22.

The weather bureau predicted today that the Delaware river would rise 11 feet above normal by midnight At that level, the river wculd pour over the seawall protecting the rear Of thp Atntfl ffl.nltnl fl.nd wnnM flnnd Stacy Park fronting; the State helm Keitel, chief of the high com mandnf the armed forces, who is a member of the Fuehrer's suite. Informed Germans said Hitler will tell Chamberlain that an early hour, possibly tomorrow, must be set for the march of the Sudeten "Free Corps" and perhaps some army units into the Sudeten area from Germany. Czech police and troops were re ported to have begun to leave the Sudeten area last night. It was em phasized that when the German forces march, they will not attempt to go father than the Czechs have withdrawn and would not attempt to drive the Czechs into the inter ior. Hitler met Chamberlain at the entrance of the hotel and immediately conducted him upstairs to a private living room.

There, they conferred with only Dr. Kurt Schmidt, the interpreter, present. The Germans remarked that Hitler and Chamberlain were conferring "under four eyes" an old expression meaning that they were alone but Schmidt was nec essarliy present, as Hitler does not speak English and Chamberlain knows no German. As at Berchtesgaden, there was no Inkling of the nature of the talks. The two men conferred In Hitler's sitting room alone except for Dr.

Kurt Schmidt, Hitler's interpreter. Neither speaks the other's lan guage. The general line of the conver sation was however. There was the matter of the details of occupation, which Chamberlain would like to be accomplished with out haste and with perfect order. Hitler wants the whole thing over with at once.

Then there was the knotty prob lem of the demands of Poland and Hungary for cession of those parts of the Sudetenland Inhabited partly by Poles and Magyars, a demand with which Hitler has expressed sympathy. GOVERNOR EARLE SIGNS EXPENSE BILL Harrisburg, Sept 22. Governor George H. Earle today signed bills appropriating for expenses of he special session and $50,000 lor the house committee graic investigation. A bill removing Thomas B.

Smith and Richard Weglein as members 1 of the Delaware River Joint Commission also was signed by the governor. Smith and Weglein, Republican members of the commission, were sustained by the Supreme Court In on appeal from an attempt by the governor to remove them. SETTLEMENT OF NANTICOKE STRIKE HAS AILED AGfr Another wove to end the two- month strike of 2,000 miners at operations of the Susquehanna Col lieries Company at Nantlcoke failed today with announcement that Lo cal 898, of the United Mine Worlw ers of America, had rejected set tlement proposal by District President Michael Kosik. The walkout resulted from a dispute over rates. The miners have refused to return to work until grievances are adjusted, while eol, Ilery officials Insist that the strlk.

ers comply with their contract that negotiations cannot begin nntil they are at work. Local 1167 was to vote on the Kosik proposal tonight Hunting Licenses Issued Allan W. Smiles 114 N. Main Pittston Now Playing At Local Theaters (With starting time of Feature Picture) AMERICAN "Always Goodbye with Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall 30, 3:30, 5:80, 7:80 and :0 ROMAN 1 Go Chase Yourself with Joe Penner and Lucille Ball 1:52, 5:62, 7:62 and BANDITS ROBBED TRAIN OF 81,890,000 IfJ GOLD Marseilles, France, Sept. 22.

Ten pandits robbed a train of 168 gold bars valued at $1,890,000 today. The bandits attacked the Marseilles-Avignon freight train neairt. Barthelemy and held the crew at revolver -express agent attempted to draw his gun and was wounded. The bandits then unloaded, the gold, contained in express packages, from a car into their waiting trucks and escaped. An accomplice aboard the train apparently stop ped it by pulling the emergency cord at the point where his confederates were waiting.

STATE LIQUOR TAXES Harrisburg, Sept 22 Receipts fjfpm malt and hard liquor taxes tntnlot itthl AH ,4, i. uuwufi AUgUBl, bringing the biennium receipts to Revenue Secretary J. Ith Boardman announced to- 'House bulldinaT..