The Daily News Leader from Staunton, Virginia • 1

FORTY-SIX YEARS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE Oldest Virginia Dally West of the Blue Ridge Wttlli'01' THE WEATHER Cloudy followed by rain In the Interior this afternoon and right; colder tonight; Saturday fair -and colder. 47th Year. No. 69 MEMBER ASSOCIATED PRESS AUDIT BUREAU CIRCULATIONS- STAUNTON, VairFRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 20, 1936 ml I DAILY KEWS rST. PRICE TWO CENTS SlORXlNO LEADER fcSTr 'T- French Pour Men To Front To Face Nazi Move NO COMMENT Li AMRY APPROPRIATION IS DENIED BY COUNCIL; NEW PLAN DISAPPOINTING 4-POWER PROPOSAL FOR SECURITY ECONOMY CONFERENCE AGREED OH it fj i rj k7 i i i NO LOBBYING IN HIS WORK, ARNOLD SAYS Provides for Consideration of Hitler's Peace Proposals; Germany Would Also Be Asked to Submit Franco-Soviet Pact to Hague.

AFTER TALK WITH CONDON WUenU rays Jaf de a "Social Caff Coodoin Silent as to Whether He Win Confer With Hoffman en Haaptmaiui Case. New York. March 19. V-At-torney General David T. Wilentx, of New Jersey, visited Dr.

John F. (Jafsie) Condon at his Bronx home today but emerged non-committal whether Condon would confer with Governor Harold Hoffman of New Jersey on the Bauptmann case. The retired educator was a principal prosecution witness in the trial of Bruno Richard Haupt-mann, convicted and sentenced tQ death for the kidnaping of the Lindbergh baby. He recently returned from a cruise to Panama. Governor Hoffman, who reprieved (Continued on Page 2, Column 3) Roada througKowt tfc aoctioa of Franc that borders an Carmany wera tha scents ot fsst-movlna mllW tary activity as FrewcS) aoldiera wtra rushed to th border to fact Nail troops sent Into tht demilitarised "Mn.

sector. TWa tfotadiNMot of Frendi was nee Metx. (Associated Press Photo) Known Flood Deaths Reach Total of 133; 200,000 Refugees Property Damage in era States Calculated at Hundreds of Mil- lion of Dollars; Pillaging, Disease, Food and Water Shortages, Disrupted Communication and Traffic Are Aftermaths. Br tao Aiodt4 rrvm Down four sreat rivers the Ohio, Totomac, Suseque. hanna, and Connecticut boiling flood waters raced Thursday night to ravage new areas.

Behind the surging nreep of thia "big four," and of other rivers now receding slowly, great sections of a dozen Proposed Seating Capacity Fails to Meet Needs; Cost Figures Revised Upward in "Vague" Plan; Bond Ordinance Introduced. Just like a bud that appears before the last cold spell, the enthusiasm of supporters of the proposed new armory for the city of Staunton was conclusively frostbitten last night when city council denied an appropriation of between $4,500 and $8,500. required under the plana last presented by WPA for the project. 1 With one member absent, council, which sat In a postponed regular session, voted unanmlously to have the city manager convey that body's decision to the WPA authorities together with the reasons for declining to appropriate city money to match proposed federal expenditures on the estimated $38,000 armory convention hall project. Favor Convention Hall Before formal vote was taken on the motion, which was offered by Oeo.

B. Tullldge and seconded by J. M. Bratton. members of council by Individual expression Indicated that the body was one hundred percent In favor of a convention hall for the city but emphasized their belief that the proposed hall would In no way fulfill the need that exists for a public assembly hall and would be only equip ped for drill purposes.

Councilman Bratton predicted an mate investment by the city of $20,000 represented In cash and property if the undertaking should be launched. The motion turning down the proposed appropriation for the (Continued on Page 10, Column 3) 0 Legislative Tasks of Regular Session o06. Almost Oyer Richmond. March 19. V-With the signing of remaining bills at the constructive session of the general assembly at noon tomorrow, the legislative tasks of the regular session of 1938 will hav been completed, except for the action of the Governor on the 257 nvasures yet to reach his desk.

Lieutenant-Governor James H. Price and Speaker Ashton Dov-ell, of the house, will affix their signature to the bills prepared atnee adjournment of the assembly on March 7, along with chairmen of the senate and house enrolling committees. Most o. the laborious part of the task has already been completed, however, and the session tomorrow will be largely a formality. Governor Peer.y will have ten days In which to act on the bills signed tomorrow, which represent more than half of those passed by the 1938 assembly.

ASSUMES DUTIES Richmond. March 19. TV-Fred M. Alexander, a former president of the Virginia Education association, today assumed his new duties ax state supervisor of Negro education with offices In the state department education. Mr Alexander, mho resigned as principal of the Newport News Hleh school to accept the state office, said his first task would be to arrange the program for Che meeting of the Jeane's agents, engaged in Negro education In Virginia, at Hampton institute on April 2 and S.

ASKED NOT TO ADD TO ACREAGES President Appeals to Farmers Cooperate With Administration's Soil Conservation Program; Opposite Coarwe May Wreck Prices, He Warns. Washington, March 19 V-President Roosevelt appead to the nation's farmers today to refrain from Increasing their acreages of commercial cash crops and to cooperate with the administration's soil conservation program. Asserting that If farmers failed to take advantage of the new program, the consequent excessive production of cash crops might result in the "wrecking of their prices and the mining of their soil," he added: This is an appeal to all farmers to cooperata for thrown, and tbel naUonal rood to help In prevent- ing excessive production." Mr. Roosevelt took note of a crop report Issued this week Indicating that farmers were planning sharp increases in acreages of many crop. He urged the farmers not to complete their planting plana until they study the new program.

Meanwhile. AAA officials said they expected to uncover details of the new program late tomorrow. Announcement was delayed pending passage of the independent offices appropriation bill which contained an allotment of $440,000,000 for subsidy payments for soil conservation. The bill went to the White House today and officials said they believed the President would sign the measure tomorrow. Mr.

Roosevelt called attention to tha tact that "congma has gone as tar as 4t ccd -within -radical limitations to enable farmers to keep the gains they have made In the last three years and to permit their buying power to continue the powerful upward lift it has given to national recovery. 0 First Amateur Program Proves Genuine Success The first amateur night program aponsored by the Staunton and Augusta County chamber of commerce, held night In the Staunton Military academy gymnasium, was a huge success from the standpoint of the attendance as over 230 persons witnessed the program which consisted of twenty-five numbers, given by amateur musicians and performers from Staunton and Augusta county. From the standpoint of entertainment, the crowd was kept in ah uproar by the antics of the "Professional Gong -Getters," the group being composed of J. Earl Jones, R. R.

Yount, H. H. Houser, and Judges of the contests were W. Brooks ot Richmond; C. A.

Arrnchteld of Washington. D. and Joe O. Peterson of Hickory, N. C.

The gong ringer was C. K. Jones and Trial Justice W. Terrell Sheehan officiated in an excellent manner as "Major Bowes." The Winners Winners of last nights contests were: Miss Mildred Wood rum. 127 N.

Jefferson St, city, piano solo (classical). Miss Marian Heath. V. S. D.

piano solo, popular numbers). Kenneth Rowe, 8. D. vio lin solo. Hubert Foster.

V. S. D. piano solo (Spanish cumbers). Miss Margaret King.

V. S. D. (Continued on Page 2, Column 5) statesthe industrial heart 133 Known deaths numbered tT to be counted. Property damage amounted to the hundreds of millions.

Refugees were more than 200,000, by Red Pillaging, disease, food and water shortages, crippled communication lines, and disrupted traffic facilities were aftermaths of the watery disaster. Looting was a particularly aerl- Sections of Dozen East- of the -nation were swamped. Dead 133: manv are vet Six Bridges in County Are Out of Commission Although about 100 state highway workers have been on the job since Tuesday nlhU Information from Resident Engineer W. W. Shields last night was to the effect that a least six bridges are out of commission and a large number of approaches and fills are still out on various secondary roads In nearby territory.

Bridgets washed out and yet unrepaired: Iron tructure at Brands; Concrete span just south of Calvary church; Iron bridge between White Way service station and Stokesville; Abutment out on bridge over Little Oow Pasture river between Fordwick and Cralg-svllVe. which will be repaired today; One concrete slab down on bridge on Route 43 near Augusta Springs, which has been temporarily repaired permitting travel; Span washed out near Deerflold. The engineer stated that Innumerable CHS and approaches are badly washed out In many sections but said that travel in many In stances may be negotiated Due to the heavy storm and previous thaw low roads in the mountain sections are next to tmpass-ab. Mr. Shields said.

Ramsey on Bond; Faces Truck Charge R. V. Ramsey is out on $500 bond VkT, rioUun section 4455 of the Vir guua rode, dealing with the operation and disposition of automobiles not ha vg a clear title of ownership. The chaise against Ramsey involve a two-ton track and the alleged offense occurred in November. IMS.

accordmg to C. E. Painter, complainant In the warrant for Ramsey's arrest. Ramsey, who was arrested yes-terday by Sergeant Russell Lively, rUl be given a hearing Monday. BULLETIN R-chawnd.

March 19. vV-The Wastaa bridge over the James river Just above Richmond, was cameo: atfiy by Jaznes river flood waters tonight The bridge, a steel structure on stone piers, connected the Henrico and shores and was an important link between the north aad jguia backs of tLt river, -v- Questioned About 'S acker list," He Holly Calls Group a Pole Cat" Committee; Three More Publisher May File Telgram Suits. Washington, March 19 (JPtJ. A. Arnold, who says he made the na tion especially the Bronx tax conscious, told the senate lobby committee today that hard times had descended upon the business of soliciting funds for promoting a public liking for low taxes.

Andrew W. Mellon helped his organization the American Tax payers' league to the extent of $1,000, and two or three duPonts chipped In $10 apiece, but Arnold said he couldn't "get a rise" out of J. P. Morgan. Revenues have slumped from $200,000 a year to $45,000..

No Lobbying The witness said his work did not involve lobbying. Use of that word distressed him rirentv. He was engaged, he insisted, in mould lng public sentiment. He called the group a "pole cat committee," when Senator Schwellenbach suggested that he had a "sucker list." New Deal legal difficulties loom ed for the committee as the result of its practice of subpoenaelng telegrams. It was learned that suits of William Randolph Hearst to end such activities might be supplemented by Injunction suits.

broueht bv three other nubllshers, The Western Union company, fa an answer filed today to the first Hearst suit, said the committee had recalled, revoked and cancelled" the subpoena involved, and that therefore it had Jialpjentlon to produce the telegram originally re- quesiea. Representative McSwain (D-SC) yesterday read a copy of a tele gram given him by the committee. In it, Hearst suggested a aeries of editorials calling for McSwaln's impeachment to his chief Washington editorial writer, James T. Williams Jr. (Continued on Page 2, Column 6) Hisey Guilty of 2nd-Degree Murder; Plans No Appeal Washington, March 1.

-MJV- Charles F. Hisey. fifty-two, Washington printer, was convicted today by a District of Columbia supreme court Jury of second degree murder for the fatal shooting of Virgie Rceua Lyttle, twenty-slx- was a roomer in the Hisey home. The Jury returned Its verdict after deliberating about an hour. Defense attorneys said they did nor expect to appeal The penalty for second-degree murder is twenty years to life Imprisonment.

Government attorneys argued that Hisey had an "especial Interest" in the girl and that she was shot when she refused to accept a loan of $200 to "repay a boy friend" In Hopewell, Va. The defense contended that-Hlsey had Intended to shoot himself in a mood of despair preceded by heavy drinking. Other discussion leaders included Herbert Cochran. Judge of Juvenile and domestic, relations court, Norfolk, who appealed to "the more privileged people," to set the right example for the less privileged. He spoke on the topic, "Some Factors In Juvenile Delinquency." Speaking this morning, Mr.

Bates said crime generally' is most prevalent among those who have inadequate Incomes and Improper social guidance. Faulty thyroid glands sometimes enter into the crime causes, he adding that prison officials today are bring to get at the root of the trouble and to send men back to society equipped to make their way In the world. "You can deal out mass punishment." he concluded, "but you can? deal out mass reform." Group conferences were held today at the First Baptist church and at Hotel Patrick Henry. Tonight at the first session open to the public, William H. Schwarxs-chiid.

chairman of the conference, and Mr. Bates were the speakers. The session, was held at the- National Bosiaess college. London, March 4 19 The British cabinet agreed tonight to a four-power proposal for an international security and economic conference to consider Adolf Hitler's peace proposals. (Tht French cabinet approved a report of the plan submitted by Foreign Minister Pierre-ruenne Flandm, and semi-official sources asserted this meant full approval of the four-power plan formulated In London.) Under the plan, Germany also would be asked to submit the Franco-Soviet mutual assistance pact to the Hague court, which would decide whether the treaty violated the Locarno agreement and thus give Germany the right to remilitarize the Rhineland.

Weald Withdraw Deviant 'gtBn-- quarters discloaed that if this plan were carried out. France had agreed to withdraw demand for evacuation of German troops In the Rhineland The plan was formulated by delegates of Britain. France, Italy, and Belgium. The British government was expected to make a full statement on It at about three-thirty p. m.

tomorrow la the house of congress. A white paper, containing details of the plan and the procedure, also will be published. Formally Indicted This development, the major one of six days of negotiations and bickering among worried European powers, overshadowed a formal indictment of Germany by the League of Nations' council today as a violator of tht Locarno and treaties. a- State D.A.R. to Meet in Norfolk Richmond.

March 19. (Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution ended their fortieth annual conference here tonight, pledging foil cooperation In efforts "directed toward the better development of future cittsenry." An invitation oT the Norfolk-Portsmouth chapters to meet in Norfolk next year was accepted, this morning. MUs Margaret Edwards, of Matthew Whately High school, drew the honor of representing the state on the "good citizenship pilgrimage." Her sponsor was the Williamsburg chapter. Miss Emma Groot, of Cherrydale High school, sponsored by tht Francis cWaUis chapter, and Miss Betty Drean, of New London academy, sponsored by the Peaks of Otter and the Blue Ridge chapter, vert choten arr--nsies. Mrs, a Speaker An address by Dr.

H. J. Ecken-rode and a program on Doily Madison, presented by members of the Elizabeth Zane chapter, C. A. Mrs.

V. A. Swarm Sinclair, national president ot the Children of the American Revolution, and Mrs. J. J.

F. CasseH. state president, featured she closing program tonight. The convention subscribed $300 for restoration ot the King George county record book, after hearing an address by WUmer Hall, of the state library. 0 auto or riRE Answering the second alarm of the day.

firemen last night shortly after seven o'clock hastened to the corner of Frederick and Augusta streets where they extinguished a small automobile fire. Little damage was reported. During It. Culver said. Whlttaker shot him three times in the arm, causing him to fire involuntarily at Mrs.

Whlttaker with a SCO pistol her husband allegedly bought for Culver. Whiiiaker denied Culverts story of a faked holdup but admitted firing six times st Culwr. Four buliet wounds were found In Mr. Whittaker's body. PoUre Mid Culver's pistol had been fired ory three times.

The coroners Jury four-J WhUUkert wounds were irJtictel either -by Culver or Whit taker or by Deputy D-strict AUorry O. Emerson said the grand jir? tll he asked next to fad.ct botli mea far murler. TRAYEL IN STATE STILL CRIPPLED Floods Sweep Away Bridges at Various Points; Record IIlB Water In Many Places; Shenandoah Division of N. A W. Discontinue Service.

Richmond, March 19 T) Railroad and highway trawl through Virginia continued to be disrupted at many places today as flood which swept away bridges on the upper -reaches of rivers broadened out to swamp others lower down with record high waters. The state highway department reported most of Its through routes open, though a detour was necessary on Route 1 tor traffic going into Alexandria and Washington. The only bus service ire ported can- eeUedwM between Columbia and Buckingham. The Seaboard Air. line ran no traina'clther north or south out of Richmond tonight as the flood rendered unsafe Its bridge across the James river here.

Hull street station, terminus of the Southern railroad, was under water, and trains to the southwest were started from Sixth and Perry streets, South Richmond. The Chesapeake and Ohio railway reported its James river division blocked by high water at several points and out of operation. Main line trains were reported getting through to Cincinnati and the West, after some Interruption of service on Wednesday. Broad street station reported both Atlantic Coast line and Richmond-Washington trains running on time, with no Interruption of north and south traffic. Trawlers to the West were being routed by Norfolk tt Western to Roanoke and Cincinnati as reports from Washington indicated that all Pennsylvania and Baltimore Ohio trains to the west were blocked by floods In the Potomac and Ohio valleys.

Dbrontinae Service The Shenandoah division of-the Norfolk. Western, which serves a number of Valley towns, was forced to discontinue service. Telephone communications were maintained fairly well through the state, though many lines were down. Columbia, Monterey, and Hardy were the only points that could not be reached at all today, although Lynchburg. and Winchester were difficult to reach.

Arthur Brown, Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone company district manager, said about ten percent of the circuits through the state were down, while toll calls were about twenty above normaL; Telephone service to the Pitts-bush flood area was disrupted. The state highway department reported considerable damage to bridges and fills today as most of Its roads were reopened to traffic In the wake of storms and floods. It was thought that losses might run up Into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Rosds still closed late in the afternoon were: Route 3 between Front Royal and Riverton where 350 feet of the approach to the South fork of the Shenandoah river bridge mashed away. Route all along the James river from Richmond to Columbia Water wa over the road In a number of places.

All bridges west of Richmond except the high new bridge at Brerna were closed. South approach spans ot the bridges at ScoiisviUeand HowardsriHe were carried away. Route 1 south and north of Alexandria. The Hunting creek bridpe Is blocked by high water, and north of Alexandria both Route I and the Mount Vernon boulevard were reported flooded. Traffic was being routed around to the west ot Alexandria by Route 241.

the old Mount Vernon highway. Military road, and Key bridge. The Fourteenth street bridge was cloned. Alexandria was accessible by detour. Route 4 east of Hirrisor.burg was (Cor.tlr.ued on Page 2, Coldsn.

5) Fight to Block Potomac Flood from Buildings Washington. March 19. yP-With straining muscles and roaring power shovels, the national capital fought tonight to dam a yellow Potomac flood from government buildings and famous thoroughfares. Nightfall and the crest of the flood, arriving together, found do damage to Important public structures. But an army of workers, tolled on to build higher a dike thrown across the Mall between the river and Pennsylvania avenue, Two thousand storm-drenched and tired relief worker and COO enrol lees with a night of labor under the glare of aircraft wurrhllff hLa and a dar of unrelent ing effort behind them pushed on with the Job of adding last minute shovelsfull of levee dirt.

Hundreds of residents, including many government employees permitted to go to their cross-river homes bridges remained open, tarried to watch the raging river and the protective operations. Deepite rears by some mat me foundations of the Washington monument might be endangered If the water crept to Its base, hundreds waited to go to the top for a oiKfcreve view of the river. Other hundreds climbed to the capltol dome and the new supreme court building roof. Spectators on one bridge spanning the river saw the bodies of two persons, apparently men. driving down from the flood-wrecked uDland country.

i The water swept in a ait-niiea title uier the Tidal baain. washing at the roots of the Japanese cherry trees whose blossoms attract thousands each spring. Park officials feared If the water reached tne branches this year's blossom crop would be ruined. The loiu dike of 100.000 sand- burnt oiled from the Washington monument grounds, between the river and the navy and munitions (Continued on Page 2. Column's) Smith Is Facing a Double Charge O.

Rlggs Smith, route 5. was ar rested here yesterday afternoon by Sergeant R. Lynn on charges of operating an automobile with improper licenses and having a "skip" car. Smith is out on $100 bond pend ing his appearance In police court Monday. Witnesses summoned to appear In the case are A E.

Bramble and Lester Dixon. Smith's bail application was en dorsed by A. H. Almond. 0 ERRONEOUS REPORT GOT THIS CITT IX VERY DEEP WATER- While Staunton's flood of Tues day afternoon was certainly serious enough and resulted In con siderable damage and some close calls irora drowning, erroneous reports emanating from an source painted the picture fan darker than It really was.

Incidentally. It caused persons at distant points who have relatives business interests here considerable undue anxiety. For example, one report appear ing In certain Washington newspapers said that patients at the Western Bute hospital had beed herded into rooms on the top floor of the "various buildings because of the rising flood of water In the grounds. As a matter of fact, the lawn of the institution was under sev eral feet of wateras is always the we when Lewis croek' leaves Its (OocUnaexi on Pagt 2, Column 3) ous situation at Vandergrift. Pa, and at Springfield, Mass.

In the little Pennsylvania city northeast of Pittsburgh the national guard commander reported the situation out of hand and sent for additional troops. In Springfield, uniformed sailors assisted national guardsmen and police to halt rob bers in boats and plundering along miles of inundated streets. Disease Rife Disease was rife in many areas where residents were without shelter and water supplies were contaminated. Johnsttwn and Sun- bury, Pa, faced epidemic, and stringent disinfectant measures were taken In Binghampton, N. T.

But the watera relied i spread new perils. The OKI KItvt Beautiful no longer a dangerous torrent instead the Ohio carried its crest from the Industrial upper valley into the agricultural regions below. The river's worst stage since 1S94 was due in Marietta before dawn. In Cincinnati by Sunday, eight feet above flood kveL People who live along the Ohio. West Virginia and Kentucky borders waited apprehensively.

The river was convulsed by the waters that overflowed Pittsburgh with a death toll ot approximately thirty and a propeity loss of some $25,000,000. thai inundated Wheeling. W. Va taking seven live there and four elsewhere In the state. The rVtaaaae Rhrer A yellow Potomac flood battered at dikes which relief workers hastily threw up to protect government buildings and famous avenues.

In the vaSey which the crest had swept, at least four were dead, seven towns inundated and practically Isolated nearly aU bridjrs washed away. More than 1.000 were homeless in CumberUndP i a al one, second largest Maryland city. The SasqarAMi Rirrr The Susquehanna surge continued its smashing sweep south through the center of Pennsylvania afier devastating many cities in Its northern valley WUHamsport Lock Haven, and Sunbury were particularly hard hit. At least nineteen were dead along it coarse. 50.000 homeless and water, food light and heat supplies cut off.

WilUamsport was laid waste by fire and flood The Wyoming ta3ey anthraci region was flooded to depths of twelve feet in spots. Governor Earle proclaimed that "a serious emergency exists because ot flood conditions- and ordered all state liquor stores and liquor establishments closed throughout the flood area tmtil further notice. Tae Caueetirwt Hartford and other towrs in the state of Connecticut and southern Massachusetts began to fee! the fury of the flooded Connecticut riT-(CccUaued on Page 2, OoiaTia SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS TOLD YA, COUNTY JAILS ARE' BREEDING PLACES OE CRIME TWO HELD IN FAKED HOLDUP IN WHICH WOMAN WAS SLAIN; INSURANCE PAYABLE TO MATE Roanoke, March 19. Three hundred social service workers gathered here today In group discussions of child welfare, delinquency, education, and recreation, family welfare, mental hygiene, and public health, and medical care, as the opening program of the Virginia conference of social work. The meetings will continue through Saturday morning.

Outstanding in the day's program was the assertion by Sanford Bates, director of federal prisons, that the county Jail system should be abolished because tie Jails are breeding places of crime." Mr. Bates, who spoke before the delinquency section of the conference, deplored the "filthy condition," of county Jails generally, saw little hope for Improving them so long as the fee system is in operation. He estimated that about persons pass through the Jails annually. C. L.

Scott Jr, director of public works, Danvie, described the work of the prison farm and said It had served to reduce the cost of prisoners at Danniie about LiVy. percent Los Angeles, March 19-h An amaring story of a faked holdup, during which Mrs. Ethel Whlttaker, forty-four, was slain, caused her sixty-year-old husband and an Itinerant Kentuckian to be booked today on suspicion of murder. Detective Lieut. Thad Brown said three Insurance policies on Mrs.

Whittaker's life, paring til -000 double indemnity for vfcent death, named her husband, Samuel Whlttaker, retired organist, as the chief beneSciary. James Fagaa Culver, twenty-three, transient from Henderson. Ky. testified at an Inquest that Whlttaker offered him $10Q to fake the holdup at the Whlttaker apart-atzl early Tuesday ssomlng,.