29 Aug 1939
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 23 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Aug 29, 1939
Page
1
A German wartime briefing signals tentative approval of a British plan, sparking cautious optimism in Berlin circles. Officials indicate potential steps that could influence battlefield alignments and diplomatic signals amid ongoing hostilities.
Berlin reports say British cabinet proposals for settling the European crisis were so conciliatory that Hitler could dispatch his reply to London by a special plane. The plan centers on Danzig and the Polish corridor with continued Polish control of Gydnia, plus broader European appeasement ideas. Chamberlain told the House of Commons Britain would fulfill its obligations to Poland and that the fleet is ready if war comes.
For the second time in a week, Harvey Tobias, a junk dealer, reports a burglary at his Riverside drive office. Robbers broke in by smashing the front door lock and carried off 18 tires valued at 40 dollars during the night, according to Sheriff Herbert Evans.
Mayor P F Gillispie outlined anticipated WPA street projects funded by a 129000 grant approved by President Roosevelt. Property owners would be assessed per running foot: 40 cents for blacktop, 1.00 for 18 to 20 foot stone base with blacktop, and 1.10 for 22 to 24 foot stone base with blacktop. The mayor stressed the city cannot provide work gratis and urged citizens to contact his office after a district WPA briefing.
Adoption of an urgent ordinance will require the city clerk to present monthly financial totals at the first regular council meeting. Mayor P F Gillispie said drastic payroll cuts may be needed to stay within the budget while continuing essential city improvements. The measure aims to ensure transparent accounting and prevent further indebtedness.
Unpleasant taste and odor in city water traced to a lime feeding machine breakdown on Saturday. Mayor P F Gillispie announced a new automatic feeder costing 410 dollars from Wallace and Tiernan of Newark N J, arriving by Wednesday and to be installed at the filtration plant. The old feeder, in operation since 1929, was found worn out and unrecoverable after ex mayor E O Waugh attempted repairs. An attempt to borrow a similar unit from neighboring cities failed, prompting the rush order.
Kiwanis Club will elect two delegates to the West Virginia Kiwanis district convention in Charleston on September 24 25 and 26 at tonight’s meeting held at Debendarfer’s Cozy Rest Inn. President J L Evans Jr presides. A musical program is planned after the business session.
State police investigated a burglary at Allen DeMoss’s Demoss Store, taking note of cash, a cash register, tax money, cigarettes, cigars, and candy stolen after robbers forced entry through doors. A witness, Mrs. Elizabeth Hugg, fixed the time at midnight as she visited nearby. Eldon Brown faces a 3 PM hearing for serving beer to an intoxicated man at a Latrobe street beer parlor with three officers prepared to testify.
Charles Gillispie, held in Taylor County jail awaiting grand jury action, was found demented at a Sanity Commission hearing after tearing up his cell and clothing. Sheriff Evans had him admitted to Weston State hospital for care, following his earlier escape and return to the jail amid weekend turmoil.
Paris reports King Leopold III of Belgium and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands have offered their good offices to mediate the German Polish crisis. The monarchs reportedly requested their mediation be extended to France Britain Germany Italy and Poland. France is said to have received the communications this morning and replied with cautious consideration.
Camden Aug 29 The Rev Walter Dworecki nicknamed Iron Mike is accused by Prosecutor Samuel Orlando of hiring his daughter's suitor Peter Shewchuk to kill Wanda Dworecki 18 to collect life insurance. Wanda's battered body was found Aug 8 near a South Camden Lovers lane. Both men confessed that the murder was committed by Peter at the father's solicitation. Shewchuk, a former boarder, surrendered in Chester Pa. Dworecki was jailed hours after his arrest.
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce predicted continued prosperity for the state through autumn. July payrolls rose and retail sales gained steadily while construction showed spectacular progress, suggesting overall industry would not be immediately affected by European hostilities.
Raym ond McMahon 23 of Kenton was nabbed by an officer who spotted him fleeing into an area between two buildings with another man. McMahon identified Claude Blood 37 as the other fugitive who escaped. Blood fled toward a railroad yard while police searched 1000 box cars. McMahon faced 20 years to life for bank robbery. Blood a life term for murder.
Nine year old Charles Smallwood, son of Mr and Mrs Jess Smallwood of 1001 Nuzum street, drowned this morning at 9 30 after losing grip on a rope swung from a sycamore tree on the riverbank near West Main Street church. Friends alerted responders. John Shumaker pulled the body from the water minutes later. Resuscitation attempts by Sergeant Earl DeMoss and others failed. No inquest planned.
Asheville, Aug 29. The Federal Power Commission asks the U S Court of Appeals to block Appalachian Electric Power Co from building a dam and hydro plant on the New River in Virginia and West Virginia. The appeal targets a Roanoke district court ruling denying the commission’s request to enjoin construction.
George Washington Peeples 96 year old Confederate veteran and former railroad worker died yesterday in Huntington. He volunteered in a company maneuvering in the Kanawha valley near his birthplace Kanawha Falls Fayette county. Peeples came to Huntington in 1873 and helped close the last link of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad between Huntington and Richmond. He later worked as a carpenter for many years.
Van A. Bittner chief international representative of United Mine Workers and ally of President Lewis was the planned lead speaker for the CIO convention second day. CIO delegates, about 600, awaited his remarks likely to critique the state's administration over recent mining actions. Continued on page three.
Paris reports a cool, unified France awaiting Sir Nevile Henderson's delivery to Hitler of Britain's Poland demands. Hitler may reply today or tomorrow, with France ready to mobilize if needed and determined to avoid another Munich. Public mood remains firm, detachment strong, sacrifice anticipated if necessary.
The Nazi liner Bremen was held at her New York pier by the U S Treasury department pending a thorough inspection. The action signals a new policy of meticulous checks before clearance papers for ships of nations in the European crisis. Shipmasters recall no prior delay for a vessel of Bremen’s size. Normandie also docked after arriving the same night with over 3 000 crew members aboard.
In war time Poland a deadly blast at Tarnow railroad station killed seven people as Germans faced blame for subversive acts. Police arrested two Germans, and reports quote Adolf Hitler denying terror against Germans.
Miriam Hopkins arrived in Reno with her adopted son Michael and Kay Francis en route to Lake Tahoe. She did not comment on her pending divorce action against Anstole Litvak, the Russian screen director she married two years ago. Francis hinted at a possible marriage to Baron Eric von Burnekow but gave no timetable.
Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek declared China would fight on despite Europe’s turn, stating China would not relax its resistance to Japanese aggression and would cope with rapidly changing world developments in accordance with established policy.
Rome reports a calm, optimistic mood despite looming peace or war decisions as Mussolini may intervene to save peace if Britain and Hitler talks fail. Frontiers stay open, while other nations seal borders and limit press.
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