20 Dec 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Amarillo Daily News
Location
Amarillo, Texas, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1939
Page
1
Russian bombers raided Helsinki for the first time in weeks while Finnish fighters attacked Russian troop concentrations along the border. At least four Russian planes were downed and about 32 bombs, many heavy 600 pounders, were dropped on the Helsinki area, mostly in the suburbs with limited damage reported.
Reports from Reuters and British sources say the Russian battleship Oktiabrskaya Revolutsiya was sunk by Finnish coastal batteries with 1125 crew aboard. Other vessels reportedly destroyed include a Russian destroyer and a patrol ship, while the Finns claim success in air attacks and a north Ladoga offensive ongoing.
William Dorris Mendenhall 22, a miller worker, died in a hospital after being struck by Norman Elmer Mason 20 and Robert Cline on North East Eighth Avenue. Mason said he did not see Mendenhall until moments before impact and took him to the hospital. The accident occurred near Grand Avenue. Mendenhall’s ear was nearly severed and he suffered crushed head and chest injuries. Mason and Cline were questioned by police. Mrs. Earl Mendenhall, walking with him, described not hearing the car and that his shoes were ripped off by the impact. The car reportedly passed other witnesses before stopping. Continued details noted on Page 13.
A public appeal asks Amarillo residents to turn on lights Christmas Eve from dusk to midnight to symbolize freedom and resist darkness. The message cites Bernarr MacFadden and calls for broad civic, religious, and organizational cooperation across Protestant Catholic Jewish groups.
A Finnish immigrant, Mr Impola, pledges to aid Finland amid Russian aggression, saying Finns are tough and must be strong. He notes a Dallas donor gave 200 dollars and reports Finland has allies in Norway and Sweden possibly joining next spring. He recalls Nicholas II as a bad ruler and mentions his family in Amarillo, Texas, as he discusses relief funds and civilian rehabilitation.
The Panhandle Water Conservation Authority marked its fourth anniversary with strong sponsorship and support from related groups. Officials elected and reappointed include John McCarty as president and James Hale as third vice president as about 300 attendees discussed dam projects on the Canadian River and tributaries.
The forecast for Amarillo and vicinity calls for Wednesday fair and slightly warmer conditions. West Texas areas west of the 100th meridian may see fair skies with rising temperatures. An outlook shows fair weather Wednesday with mild to warm temperatures continuing.
The German liner Columbus, third largest in the Nazi Merchant Marine, was found sinking after being scuttled by her crew to avoid capture by a British warship. The ship, en route from Vera Cruz to Europe, lay about 400 miles off the U S coast between Norfolk and New York. Approximately 400 survivors were reported by the US cruiser Tuscaloosa which picked up some crew members and directed their internment at Ellis Island.
A German freighter outran a British cruiser and slipped into Port Everglades after a warning shot off Florida. The Arauca, about 5000 tons from Tampico with oil, crossed the U S line and entered territorial waters to seek refuge. Captain Stengler claimed the ship was within two and a half miles of shore when fired upon. President Roosevelt said few details were available and the incident occurred within the neutrality zone.
The Allied supreme war council decided to provide Finland with all possible racial and material aid without weakening the Western Front. The meeting included Prime Minister Chamberlain and Premier Daladier with diplomats and war experts. France pressed for war funding for 1940 while coordination with the League of Nations sought to mobilize aid, materials and credit for Finland.
House investigators told of alleged efforts by early National Labor Relations Board officials to entrap Inland Steel into facing Wagner Act charges by coordinating with CIO leaders before formal jurisdiction. NLRB secretary Nathan Witt confirmed the Pittsburgh trip and denied pre judgment, saying the aim was to end the strike and prepare a prompt formal complaint. Toland questioned legality and impartiality after seven days of hearings. Fahy defended conferences as necessary for effective Wagner Act administration.
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