20 Apr 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Location
Bluefield, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Apr 20, 1939
Page
1
Berlin marked Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday with two days of oratory, military displays, and fanfare as crowds filled Wilhelmstrasse. Goebbels praised the Fuehrer’s leadership while foreign delegations arrived and bombers rehearsed for a grand parade.
Rosa Lee Banks of Fayetteville pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of her husband and Adele Hall. She received a sentence of one to three years in prison. Hall died at the Hall home while Banks survived.
Former diplomat Breckinridge Long urged the cash and carry system as a means to keep the United States from entering conflict. He warned against aggressor nation or universal belligerent bans and said the plan could prevent wartime enemies from buying here while preserving U.S. neutrality. Senator Johnson and the House Foreign Affairs Committee heard similar testimony from various witnesses during hearings.
A 30 foot section of the Kanawha boulevard collapsed in Charleston on April 19, an hour after workers left the site to bolster the pavement. A cavity created by a broken sewer main caused the subsidence near Truslow Street, with city crews stating completion could take at least two weeks.
Britain rejects encirclement as a policy aim while pressing for arms and allies. Foreign Secretary Halifax asserts no such idea and notes ongoing talks with Soviet Russia on an air pact. Russian policy hints emerge after Maisky report and Anglo-Poland Romania defense staff talks are urged. Kennedy hosts opposition leaders at luncheon.
In Columbus Ohio on April 19 three partners in crime a father, son, and friend were executed after a deadly slaying. Peace officer Chapman, 37, was first to be executed as the first to enter the penitentiary. The report lists Harry and associates among those executed.
A congressional committee moved to block Grover Cleveland Bergdoll from returning to the United States from exile in Germany. War Department opposition surfaced as lawmakers aimed to bar any deserter who fled to avoid punishment, while the State Department signaled no objection to the legislation. Secretary of State warned the bill would hinder military justice by preventing punishment of desertion.
In Rome four European powers, Germany Hungary Poland, meet in round robin talks to discuss Rome Berlin policy after visits by ministers and observers. Hungary and Romania seek closer ties while Italy and Britain monitor tensions as Hungarian ministers prepare to move to Berlin.
President Roosevelt told a Junior Jackson Day gathering that Democrats must subordinate their prejudices or quit the party if it turns conservative. He warned a reactionary regime would doom the party and urged loyalists to stay the course, noting independents would abandon the Democrats if betrayed.
Former Mayor James J. Walker has been signed by a sponsor as a radio news commentator. The National Broadcasting Company announced he will broadcast three times weekly starting Friday.
Mexico City reports a second oil barter agreement with Italy to swap about 2 million dollars worth of petroleum for rayon yarn and machinery.
Matewan West Virginia April 19 twelve year old John Robert Ashley died after stepping from a school bus and being struck by a Mingo County bus. Driver Robert McCoy aged 23 faces manslaughter charges as McCoy and County School Superintendent C O Batson were suspended. Bond posted for a later hearing. Sheriff W Burke stated the second bus sped by witnesses careening into a field after the collision. None of the children on the second bus were hurt.
The AP reports a six week stalemate between miners and bituminous operators risks worsening railway unemployment across eight states. Conciliators Dewey and Steelman urged quick compromise as B&O and New York Central warn of service and revenue losses, with coal supplies dwindling and three weeks’ fuel reserves remaining.
John L. Lewis ordered a complete shutdown of the nations soft coal industry unless Appalachian region operators reach a new contract with the United Mine Workers CIO. Fifteen day notices were sent to terminate special district agreements affecting about 150,000 miners in 14 states, with 338,000 Appalachian workers idle since March. Federal mediators entered negotiations in New York as areas outside Appalachia prepare 15 day notices to end temporary terms and end work pending district agreements.
The Senate quickly authorized 66.8 million dollars for naval air base development, adding 17 million for a Jacksonville base and a Banana River seaplane base. The plan mirrors naval committee recommendations and heads back to the House for action or amendments.
Daniel Witt Hancock 69 longtime Bluefield Furniture Co executive dies after long heart illness. Funeral services at his Jefferson Street home at 3 pm followed by burial at Maple Park Cemetery. He earlier served as general manager and treasurer and was active in civic and religious groups. He died at Bluefield Sanitarium after a lingering illness. He and Bernard McClaugherty were two Bluefield notables who passed within 48 hours. Hancock came to Bluefield in 1900 after earlier work in Lynchburg Christiansburg. He married Mattie Roach in 1902 and lived at 2001 Jefferson Street. The notice directs flowers be omitted.
A 14 year old boy, grandson of a mine operator, was wounded on a coal laden truck in Tazewell county. The shooting occurred after trouble at a Bogen mine. The boy was hit in the thigh and taken to a Richlands hospital as investigators from Russell County followed leads.
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