Fitchburg Sentinel Newspaper Archives
February 17, 1937 Page 1

Fitchburg Sentinel (Newspaper) - February 17, 1937, Fitchburg, Massachusetts Distinction n the consequence, never the object, of a great ington Allston. THE WEATHER WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 Forecast for Massachusetts: Fair, continued cold tonight; Thursday, increasing cloudiness and warmer VOL. LXIV. NO. 240 FITCHBURG, MASS., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, PAGES TWO CENTS Hisses Mark Boston Hearing As Speaker Calls Statement By Dr. Lowell "Gibberish State A. F.' L. Treasurer Watt Attacks Educator's Stand On Child Labor Amendment Quotes From Harvard President-Emeritus' Predecessor To Show He Declared Himself in Favor of Change; Declares Step Way to Keep Democratic System in America r BOSTON, Feb. 17 Robert j. Watt, secretary-treas- urer of the Massachusetts Federation of Labor, today, branded .as "gibberish" a statement of President Emeritus A. Lawrence Lowell of Harvard on the subject of child labor. L.- -Hisses-broke out in the crowded state housfr auditorium-as Watt made the statement at a legislative committee hearing on the fedez-ation's bill for the ratification of .the federal child labor amendment. .Lowell has been one of the out- standing opponents of ratificati6n. Watt made his statement because he said he would not have an op- portunity to answer Dr. .Lowell's argument. The committee chairman. Senator j John D. Mackay (R., de- clared "you don't mean to character- ize the utterings of that distinguished i schplar as For answer Watt quoted from i Lowell's precedcssor at Harvard, the late President Charles W. Eliot, who in 1924 declared he was "surprised at the illogical character of the argu- ment set up by intelligent persons against the child labor Watt said that Eliot declared him- j self in favor of the child labor j amendment as "absolutely indispen- able to the correct, sound and or- derly management of the subject of child labor." Taking up the argument for the 1 amendment, which would give 1 Fights Removal Minium......miiiiiiiMmimiiiimiiiimimiimiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimimmiir federal government power to reg- ulate and prohibit the labor of per- sons under 18 years of age, Watt asserted: "You have got to abolish oni'd labor if you want to keep the demo- cratic system we nave in America. "The best way to develop and breed whether communism or fascism, is to deprive the great mass of workers of ah opportunity to live We must taken children out of industry. Don't forget the pro- ducts of. youngsters in Tennessee and Mississippi are being, sold over the bargain counters in New York city in competition with the pro- ducts of Massachusetts mills." Watt quoted from the national: platforms of the Republican party of 1916, 1920 and 1924 as showing j that party then favored the amend- nl ;nt. He said the Democratic party had also favored the amendment and then took up the assertion which. he said opponents of the measure (Continued on Page five) HOWARD H. MURPHY Massachusetts Commissioner pi Agriculture MurphyWill A. Fight Removal From His Post Golden Gate Bridge Catwalk Collapses; Men Drop Into Sea Jt 7 or 8 Workers Believed to Have Taken 200-Foot Drop as Give Way and Plunge Through Safety Net; Mass of Debris Falls Into Waters Russell Stresses Appeal To Council To Beautify __ _ High School's Approach SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 17 construction catwalk of the vast Golden Gate bridge collapsed today and several men were believed to have plunged into the ocean. The walk, used .in building the giant span, crashed through part of the safety nets. "We .don't know how many men were carried' the .engineer's office attendant at the scene re- ported. "The men were stripping away the timbers when something gave way suddenly with a loud noise." Seven or eight men were believed to have fallen about 200 feet to the waterrbut this could 'hot-be" ver'-fied until the roll was called. It was re- ported later that 10 men were be- lieved to have been killed. Friends Rally nuituiiiiiiiiiuiitiititmimniniiminiiiimminiimiiiiiiiiiiiniuitiiiniiuiif: The catwalk, for men to traverse the bridge while working, ran be-i neath the two giant suspenion' cables. The safety nets were placed. be-, neath the long span to prevent men from toppling off into space. They have saved lives of eleven workers. Witnesses said the timbers and materials from the catwalk suddenly "fell nets. The nets were ripped loose and the mass of; debris fell into ths water. City Hall Reports Predict Armistice in Battle Between Mayor and Tax Collector Greenwood, However, Says Progress Being Made on Naming New Treasurer; Choice Said to Be "Non- Petition for Discharged Girls Not Filed Aged Man Beamed hy Fireman Agriculture Commissioner. Issues Statement; Farm: Groups Opposed to Him BOSTON, Feb. 17 setts Commissioner of Agriculture Howard H. Murphy declared today he would "fight any attempted re- moval proceedings." His statement came after a request from several farm organizations that City hall waited and watched today as mayor and ex-mayor con- tinued their struggle. Department heads, many of them holdovers and consequently "in a spot" themselves, anxiously awaited the outcome of the Green wood- Fellows contest. who have been charged with too frequent "refreshment in- terludes" in. their daily duties also kept eyes and cars open, some of them uncertain and others resentful. Mr. whose collector- treasurer office has been attacked by the mayor, had nothing to say today but, be .mereb -but -appeared ...to-be.. awaiting the outcome pi the mayor a statement that a'successor" would be appointed.. Mayor .Greenwood, however, in- dicated that the selection of a suc- cessor .was progressing satisfactorily. Also current in city hall was a report' that an armistice would" "be reached which would result in the principals patching up their dif- ferences. Another subject for conjecture JOHN B. FELLOWS was the special council meeting, scheduled for tonight, for considera- tion of the budget. It was generally believed that unless an agreement is reached before then, there is a possibility of the appointment of a successor being submitted by the mayor. Although political observers view Anticlimactic Announcement Made by Mayor Won't Seek Reelection If "Suitable Candidate Pre- sents Himself" Mayor Robert E. Greenwood to- day refused, to elaborate on his statement to reporters last night that "In the event that a suitable candi- date presents himself, I do not pvo- j pose to be a candidate for re-elec- tin Special Committee Appointed To Study Pro ject He Estimates Will Not Cost Over Councilor Tells Colleagues They Have "Rare Oppor- tunity to Stand on Own McBride and Dudley Indicate Opposition; Sponsor Cites Low Tax Cost U. C. Russell last night presented to the council a .plan whereby for the city might beautify the new high school grounds by taking property on'Prichard street on both sides of. the Wallace .way.- Following his motion that a'.special committee .be appointed to study the matter he told the members of the council they had a "rare opportunity to stand on their own feet" if they had the courage to take a united stand on the question in the face of criticism. President William L. McBride ap- pointed Councilors Russell, Alfred Woollacott and Philip J, Lynch members of the special commutes, but warned Dr. Russell not to ex- pect too much from the council on the project which he declared Dr Russell had underestimated by at least Dr. Russell said: "Fitchburg became a city in 1872. Since then there has been consider- able construction of. public build- ings but until the high school .none was .built -with the New England tradition of Colonial architecture in mind." He recalled the criticism aimed at Washington for his plan of the cap- ital city which only the passage of years could prove was a wise move. Federal Grant Possible? He pointed out it was possible that an additional federal grant might be secured, so that the cost to the city, of beautifying the grounds would be nothing. He motioned for the appointment of a special com- mittee and Councilor Everett H. Dudley seconded. At the request of Councilor Mayor Robert EL Greenwood, present at a council meeting for the first tune since Jan. 4, spoke briefly. He pointed out that architects had drawn plans of the proposed takings and mentioned the possibility of a federal grant, the odds oh obtaining which were about 60-40 against, he said. Russell continued: "On the basis of cost, I have prepared a table of costs to the average taxpayer. If we paid for the entire -project in one year it would cost the owner of a home exactly If we borrowed over a period of 10 years it would cost him a year or a total of (Continued on Page thirteen) Cone ti tut tonal Amendment From Third Story Cupola As Smoke Nearly Overcomes Him Chief Shea Blames Hot Ashes, Placed in Paper Carton, as Cause for Damege at 295 Blossom Street; Family Driven Out by Flames Ho'tashes in a paper carton starte'd a .brisk fire in a three story house: at 295 Blossom street early last night, caused damage estimated at trapped Luther Crocker, 82-year- old owner of.the block, in a cupola and drove Mr. and Mrs. John Cartin, their son, Lawrence, four years old, and daughter, Marie, three years old, and Roy a brother of. Mrs. Cartin, to the street. Mr. Crooker, who conducts a grocery store in the basement of the block, left the building before the firemen arrived but during the height of the fire returned to the third floor where he lives alone. He lost his way in the smoke and was nearly overcome when discov- ered by Firemen Harold Slade and Charles. Rivers in a cupola on top of the building. The firemen smashed a window leading to the cupola arid carried him down a ladder which had just been placed against the house at that window. Mr, and Mrs. Cartin and. their children were at the supper table" when they heard a crackling sound at the rear, of the house. Upon in- vestigating they found flames en- tering the kitchen from a rear shed. a good start, quickly filled the house with smoke while -the flames broke through the rear of the shed. They were easily visible from Depot' square. (Continued on Pane Eleven) Awards Mother Boy's Custody; Dismisses Suits A cross action divorce libel, filed by Manda Jamsa and John Jamsa of Westminster, was dismissed in probate court this morning by Judge Frederick H. Chamberlain. Mrs. Jamsa, represented by Atty. Paul G. Gearan, was awarded cus- today of a son, William; Following a series of hearings which extended over three (Continued on Page Eleven) .Following- the regular session of the council last night, the finance committee and Mayor Robert E. Greenwood considered the various items of the budget in a. three-hour session. It was understood that the com- mittee and mayor reached an agree- ment. The committee recommenda- tion is expected to be approved by the council at its special meeting tonight. iHiniinillllllllllllllllllllllllllllN I F. L. PRURY and SONS CO. I I 89c SPECIALS 89c SPECIALS i Finance Group, Mayor Discuss Budget 3 Hours 9 Tins Red Label TOMATO JUICE K Tins Red Label GRAPEFRUIT JUICE S Tins Red Label SUCED PINEAPPLE, 5 Pkgs. Pennant FIG AND BRAN GRAHAM CRACKERS B Tins Red Label OVEN BAKED BEANS 7 Tins Red Label APPLESAUCE 1 Gallon DHURY'S MOLASSES......... 5 Tins El Leon PEAS 8 Tins Red Label CLAM CHOWDER 6 Tins Red Label GOLDEN BANTAM CORN ........_____. 89c 89c 89c ?D 89c 89c 89c 89c 89c 89c 89c 2 Ibs. FRESH CALVES' 5 Tins Libby's CORN BEEF 3 Doz. OYSTERS IN THE SHELL 3 Ibs. THICK RIB CORN BEEF 3 Ibs. EXTRA TENDER POT ROAST......... I FANCY NATIVE BROILER 5 Pkgs. Armour's Start' Rite SOAP POWDER, 8 Tins S. S. P. DICED BEETS or II Cakes ABMOMTA SOAP................ C Red Label BROWN BREAD 89 c 89c 89c 89c 89c 89c 89c 89c 89c 89c Murphy for incompetence! At the same time it was learned that former State Auditor Francis X. Hurley would represent Murphy and send to the governor's execu- tive council today a communication on -Murphy-'s Murphy is a former Hyannis grocer. Former Auditor Hurley also rep- resents Frank Kane, associate com- missioner of public works, whose resignation the governor requested more than a month ago. Kane re- fused to resign. Gov. Hurley turned over to his executive council for consideration, today letters from a number of farm organizations protesting the continuance in office of Agriculture Commissioner Howard H. Murphy- Hurley' said the letters, which which called Murphy would be referred to the council 'in order to be fair to the councillors." He added he would not seek-the for- mer Hyannis grocer's resignation. He said a conference with Edward Shattuck, member of the state milk control board, whose removal also was asked, concerned only routine matters. Critics Open Fire on British Arms Program .LONDON, Feb. 17 and liberal party critics opened a par- liamentary battle today against Great Britain's huge rearmament program. The government's attempt to float a arms loan and raise the other by taxation in the next five years launched a debate by opposition leaders that was expected to grip Parliament for two days. Leaders of the fight against the vast peacetime defense measures, announced in an official white pa- per, charged the program was in- flationary and would skyrocket the cost of living. Included in the consequences of the greatest expenditure for war that Great Britain ever has' con- templated in peace, they declared, would be increased speculation and an exaggerated boom, with its at- tendant bad economic effects. Other, critics ..opened fire on the program as lacking coordination. (Continued on Pago Eleven) Hold Body of Man Resembling Mattson Slayer QUINCY, Calif., Feb. 17 W) Authorities today held the body of a man, who, they said, resembled descriptions of the kidnap-slayer of Charles Mattson of Tacoma, for ex- amination by department of justice agents. Coroner John Moody said the man, Found dead in a railroad freight car Monday night, apparently had at- tempted to destroy 'the identifying whorls of his fingertips with acid. A coroner's jury held the1 man had died of starvation and exposure. The coroner said he had been dead about 48 hours. Fellowsi-it-is generally believed that Mayor Greenwood will avoid, a council fight by making the appoint- ment non-pQlitical. He is known to have contacted men with back- grounds of banking experience, if not.in actual employment.in banks at the present. Of those whom ha has approached, none is closely al- lied with any political group. (Continued on P.tge Eleven) Italian Ship Sinks in Gale After Crash Collision With Freighter Occurs iii Columbia River; Crews Safe Acetylene Torch Ignites Fumes, Sets Man Afire It 'was pointed out to him by a reporter that there had been numerous predictions that he would resign before that time to accept a federal post, and that his announce- ment was merely anticlimactic. To this the mayqr.replied: "As 1 said before I ani not ,going to resign. I have not attempted to se- cure any federal position and none awaits me. I intend to serve until my term expires, and, if a suitable candidate does not present himself it is possible that I might run for re-election." Proposed by Two Senators As Court Reform Compromise PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 17 The Italian motorship Feltre and the American freighter Edward Luck- enbach collided in a gale on the Columbia river early today, the Feltre sinking up to her promenade deck and .the Luckenbaeh ground- ing on lonely Cottonwood island. All hands were saved ori both vessels. The Edward Luckenbach had a crew of 38 and the Feltre had about 26. Neither .boat was reported to have carried any passengers. Cause of the collision, 40 miles j down-river from Portland, could not be ascertained immediately, but it may have been the work of win- ter's worst storm over the broad Columbia. The Luckenbach was reported grating into the sands of Cottotir wood island after the crash, her bow stove in. (Continued on Page Eleven) "Not Coming to Seek Loan" NEW YORK, Feb. 17 Georges Bonnet, new1 French am- bassador to the United States, said On his arrival here' today thai he was "riot coming to seek a loan" and had no specific instructions for negotiating a settlement of the French war. debt to the United States. Bonnet succeeds Andre de Laboulaye. Bullion Unloaded BOSTON, Feb; 17 ship- ment of in gold bullion was unloaded from the Steamship Taronga today under the alert eyes of heavily-armed police and private guards. The gold was placed in an armored truck which started for New York. The shipment, com- prising 22 boxes of bullion, weigh-: ing approximately two tons, was consigned to the federal reserve bank. The Taronga cam? here from Australia. Lowell Girl Disappears BOSTON, Feb. 17 CW-Search was begun today for 15-year-old Nancy Moran of Oak street, Low- ell, believed by Lowell police to have come to Boston seeking work. She disappeared from her home last Feb. 9 with clothing and in cash. B. A. Knowles Suffers Pain- ful Bums While Dis- mantling Auto Fumes from a vacuum tank be- came ignited by an acetylene torch held by Benjamin A. Knowles, 32 years old, of 295 Water street, about 11.30 today, at Barman's automobila i and iunk yard at 54 Jackson ave- nue, Mr. Knowles sustained first and second degree burns about his hands and back. He was rushed to Burbank hos- pital in a police cruiser car by Pa- trolmen Walter E. Holden and Law- rence H. Frye.. His condition is re- ported good this afternoon. Mr. Knowles was engaged with Joseph Goewey, 21 Normal road, in dismantling an old sedan; While working with the torch around the vacuum tank, the gasoline drainings in the tank burst into flame and Mr. Knowles was immediately enveloped in fire. His zipper jacket used in outdoor work was burned up-the front.-The sleeves were destroyed and the legs of his- overalls were also badly burned. Mr. Goewey, Mr. .Herman and others hastened to his assist- ance. Burbank hospital, meanwhile, was notified. The hospital attendant relayed the message to the, police station. Patrolman Edward H. Chalney detailed Officers Holden and Frye to the scene. Lindberghs Overdue On Trip From Baghdad Feb. 17 officials awaiting the arrival of Col. and Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh ex- pressed anxiety today when the American fliers were half-an-hour overdue on the trip from Cairo. The officials said a sandstorm was blowing in the desert between Damascus and Baghdad. Named Clerk Miss Elizabeth Gruener has been employed by City Clerk Sanford E. Worthington to succeed Miss Claire B. Persons who retired Saturday. Miss Gruener will assume her new duties Friday. Oppose Roosevelt's Proposals CLEVELAND, Feb. 17 Cleveland Bar association's execu- tive committee opposed today President Roosevelt's proposal to reorganize the United States su- preme court, Druggist Denies Love To H.S. Teacher Wheeler and Bone Predict Plan Will Be Adopted; W ould Empower Congress to Reenact Federal Laws Invalidated by Decisions NORTHAMPTON, Feb; 17 W) Vehement denial that he had "hugged, kissed and made love to" Miss Florence Moses, Mt. Vernon, N. Y., high school teacher, was voiced on the stand today by Louis Levin; Northampton druggist. Levin was the Jast of three wit- nesses to take the stand and cpm- plete the taking of testimsny in Miss I Moses' breach of promise 'suit. As court -recessed temporarily, Jesse A. D. Andre, counsel for Levin, Northampton druggist, charged by Miss Moses with breaking a promise to marry her, said he planned to file a motion for dismissal of the suit; Mrs. Ruth Wolfson, whose sister, Mrs. Elsie Blanc, married Levin af- ter, "divorcing her first husband, his former partner, was the first wit- ness to testify. She said Miss Moses confided to her during a theater party in New York in February, 1934, that Levin told her he did not intend to marry her. Neil Blanc, Springfield druggist and Levin's former partner, then took the stand and testified that Miss Moses told him Levin never asked her to marry him, but that she had proposed twice to the de-. fendairf. Blanc said his divorce occurred a short time later in 1934, and that his 'wife then married Levin. WASHINGTON, Feb. 17 Senators Wheeler and Bone (D., Wash.) proposed today a constitutional amendment which they predicted would be "accepted as a compromise" by .both oppo- nents and supporters of President Roosevelt's judicial reorganization program, Their after the "Madison amendment" original- ly considered during the constitu- tional empower Congress to fe-ehact by a twp- thirds vote any federal law in- validated by the supreme court. No action would be how- ever, until a new Congress had been elected following the supreme court's decision. opponent of the. president's request for authority to increase the high. court's member- ship unless justices how over 70 re- that the amendment might be speedily ratified by sps-: cial conventions called in each, state, a method provided in the constitu- tion but rarely used. Senator Norris (Ind., and other so-called "liberals" who .have criticized the president's plan were (Continued on Page Honolulu Case Details Cabled To Washington HONOLULU. Feb. 17 W mysterious case of a naval officer's wife who-insists she was criminally assaulted- after a party caused Hawaiian officials to act swiftly to- day to forestall possible congres- sional criticism. Recalling the. rebuke of the island's administration after the sen- sational Massie attack case in 1931, Atty. Gen. Samuel Kemp and Police Chief W. A. Gabrielson asked Gov. Joseph Poindexter to cable all de- tails to yteshington, D. C. They requested that the Hawaiian delegate. Samuel King, be supplied (Continued on Pagt ficven) Jews Should Be Thankful They Live in United States, Hadassah Leader Declares Stating that Jews in cen- Europe have neither life, nor death because of extreme persecu- Mrs. Einanuel Halpem of New York city, member of the national board' of Hadassah urged those attending the first annual donors' dinner.of the Fitchburg- Leominster Hadassah at Brooks' restaurant, last night, to. "thank God that we are living in the United States where all peoples are free." The dinner, first of its kind in this part of Worcester county, was marked by an announcement that the chapter had raised for con- tributions to a. national fund which is used in the rehabilitation and re- settlement of Palestine by Jewish people. An impressive, convincing talker, Mrs. Halpern congratulated the chapter for the cohipletion of a suc- cessful year; following- her intro- duction by Miss Florence Chitoff, toasrmistress, of this cityv "This is a joyous time for Hadas- sad all over the he said, "for on Feb. 25, the 350 chapters celebrate the 25th- anniversary of then- work in the rehabilitation of Palestine. U. S. "And we should be thankful we are living .in the United States where our people are not subject to the persecutions that they are in other lands. President Roosevelt in his inaugural address four years ago''..-; spoke a word of vital meaning to all people of this land when'he said he would never permit a law to be en- acted which would force any citizen of the United States to become su- perfluous. (Continued on Page Eleven) Postmaster Cooper Green, of Birmingham, Ala., still rates the dog a postman's ..enemy. He says five Birmingham letter carriers were' bitten by "dogs 'in a" period.. yiiiiiiniiimHUiiiiiiiiiimHiiiiiitntiiiiinimiiitiimiiitiiiiiimiiiiiiiiinuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinininiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiE We invite you to come in and discuss your real estate problems with us. Let's Talk It Over! Fitchburg Co-operative Bank 298 Main Street Tel. 212 5 i i wiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiniiiiiMiiiiHiiiiiiuiinnniniiHuiiiiiiniimiiiinHiniimiinniHtHiinniiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiunniHniiniii