09 Dec 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Charleston Gazette
Location
Charleston, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 09, 1939
Page
1
Japan's cabinet approved a 1940-41 general budget of 10.36 billion yen the largest in history for the undeclared war in China. About 6.77 billion yen goes to army and navy, with new levies on coffee meals and pet goldfish. Financial circles accepted the sizable budget calmly amid protests from the army.
In Rome on December 8 Pope Pius XII, pale and tearful, prayed for peace at Santa Maria Maggiore for fifteen minutes. He invoked God's aid to restore peace in a world afflicted and divided and asked Protectress Virgin Mary for those in danger. More than 10,000 gathered as King Alfonso, Queen Ena, and the prince of Asturias attended.
AMBLER PA Dec 8 J Harvey Gravell paint manufacturer who paid all debts of his 100 employees two years ago died today at 63 It cost Gravell 100000 to pay the debts He called it a Christmas gift and on another occasion he gave the wives of his employees 300 each saying the wife is the homemaker
An investment of 500000 will fund an eight story streamline office building at the southwest corner of Quarrier and Dunbar streets across from United Fuel Gas. Tucker and Silling are the architects with financing by Michael and Hyman Cohen of Charleston National Bank. The plant will include air conditioning, double glazed windows, under floor ducts, two high speed elevators, and 6000 square feet per floor. Granite facing on the first floor with tan brick upper floors, terrazzo floors, marble walls, and limestone coping. The lot is 73 by 120 feet adjoining Medical Arts. sidewalk on Dunbar will widen to six feet.
In Brooklyn court, James McDowell aged 39 and his wife Melissa 35 and mother of a four month old baby were arraigned as vagrants after living 11 days in New York subways. Magistrate Charles Solomon said the vagrancy law targets the victims of society not the homeless.
London reports a fresh Allied sea clash with German submarines and a damaged British destroyer. RAF planes sank a sub with bombs, depth charges followed, while 84 men are feared dead from attacks on shipping including five British merchant vessels amid a stormy blackout sea route to London.
Huntington reports a cab driver, Robert Newton, was held up at gunpoint by two well dressed young women who took $4.50 and his cab keys. They forced the car to coast downhill before escaping. Police note it may be Huntington’s first armed robbery by women.
Firemen recovered Lloyd Mayes and searched for a third victim after the Steamer J C Rawn boiler explosion on the Ohio River. Assistant Secretary of Commerce J Monroe Johnson appointed a board of inquiry including Lucien Roy Capt J L Ahearn and Harry Layfield to investigate. Jesse Plants died, Fred C Geddardt was the third victim, several injured as three federal inspectors began debris dig.
Former President Herbert Hoover announced a nationwide drive to rush American relief to war torn Finland. He cited hundreds of thousands of homeless, refugees, and needy women and children enduring a northern winter. Funds will aid medicines, hospital supplies and garments via the American Red Cross. cooperation with the two relief funds will be full. He urged Americans to help while balancing needs of Polish relief and domestic programs.
The United States challenged Britain's right to seize German exports via neutral ports and warned Russia would be held liable for losses to Americans from the Finland blockade. Secretary Hull said the U S would reserve rights to damages for any injuries to American interests and condemned belligerents' actions as violations of international law.
Governor John W. Bricker charged that President Roosevelt cares more for votes than welfare as he defended local relief control. He blamed political manipulation of WPA jobs for Ohio’s relief woes and said state economies would invite federal guidance only after Bricker’s changes. Dr. Carl Watson denied manipulation, noting WPA caseload fell from 74,000 to 30,000 after the 1938 election amid a recession.
Forest B. Poling assistant attorney general of West Virginia and department commander of the American Legion was admitted to Mt. Alto hospital for observation of an abscess on the right lung lobe. Poling has pneumonia at his Charleston home and was taken to the diagnosis center of the U S general hospital by Mrs Poling. Doctors said his condition is serious.
Scandinavian merchant fleets retreat from Finnish ports after Soviet Russia declares a blockade of the Finnish coast. The action, coupled with land sea and air pressure, speeds seasonal ice closures in Bothnia and Finnish gulfs. Neutral vessels have until noon tomorrow to depart the blocked zone, after which waters are deemed dangerous for shipping.
In Geneva diplomats prepare the first act of the League of Nations trial of Soviet Russia for aggression against Finland. Finland and South American states act as prosecutors seeking conviction and expulsion, while Britain and France face pressure to push Russia out.
British officials disclosed an apparent bombing attempt on the Firth of Forth bridge at Edinburgh. A Dundee to Glasgow train crossing the bridge was halted after a bomb shaped object was thrown from a car and ignited on the structure. Experts examined the remains to determine if it was incendiary.
Budapest reports swift fortification works in the Carpathians as Hungary braces for a possible spring push by Soviet Russia after Finland. Southeastern Europe watches Finland, fearing Russia may turn west. Bulgaria expresses sorrow yet supports Russia’s Baltic moves, while neighbors worry about renewed Russian influence and territory.
The University of Pittsburgh reports November business in the Pittsburgh district rose to 130.6 percent of the 1923-25 average, an all time high. Previous peaks were 125 percent in March 193? and 126.4 percent in July 1929 when the index reached new highs.
Pennsylvania Democratic Chairman David L. Lawrence was acquitted of blackmail and conspiracy to favor a gravel company on state contracts. Lawrence, once secretary of the commonwealth, faced charges of pressuring the company’s president for 5000 dollars and not reporting it as a political contribution. The 21-day trial concluded with a five hour, 33 minute verdict.
Finnish forces armed with Swedish anti tank guns claimed to have disabled 100 Russian tanks and repelled a Soviet drive on the Karelian Isthmus near Summa 20 miles from Viipuri and 40 miles from the border amid heavy artillery on both sides. Col Mellbloom said the advance was halted and a new assault feared as brutal weather slows mechanized units.
Helsinki dispatch reports Prime Minister Risto Ryti declaring Finns will fight to the end despite Soviet pressure. He says Russian calculations of Finnish weakness failed and the Finnish people remain united, ready for sacrifice to preserve independence under leaders including Otto Kuusinen.
Helsinki declares no war against Finland, denying legal justification for the Soviet naval blockade. The Finnish communique says blockade in peacetime could only stand against a nation that violates League covenants, noting Russia has not due to Gulf of Bothnia conditions.
Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy publicly urged President Franklin D. Roosevelt's reelection, inflaming the draft Roosevelt movement. He stated only Roosevelt could lead the nation through wartime and domestic troubles, energizing New Deal backers eyeing a third term and fueling persistent London return rumors for campaign leadership.
Readers are reminded that wartime censorship and propaganda shape reporting as both sides claim progress. The piece contrasts restraint with fears of massive slaughter if battles turn indecisive, reflecting tensions from the broader conflict.
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