27 Dec 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 27, 1939
Page
1
Helsinki reports say Russian air force struck Tammerfors and Turku with bombers, dropping many bombs and causing one death and one injury. A lone plane hit Helsinki area with no bombs. raids disrupted by low ceilings. Army notes continued land attacks with no clear progress.
London reports a 500 mile charted mine belt from the Orkneys to the Straits of Dover to guard coasts from German mines laid without notice. The line, 30 to 40 miles wide and offshore, serves as an inner screen for safe passage and to shield ships and ports from submarine threats. Estimated mines exceed 200,000 with coastwise fields already active since September.
Henry L. Doherty, 69, head of Cities Service, dies of bronchial pneumonia at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. Wife Grace and W A Jones attend him at his bedside. The once-poor boy turned oil magnate had long promoted research, ending his career with notable efforts. Continued on page five.
Two men, C. H. Self an emplorer and Albert Wren proprietor of the Peerless on Latrobe street, pleaded guilty in municipal court to city liquor violations after a raid by city county and state officers. Self received a $100 fine plus costs for possession of liquor in excess of one gallon. Wren was fined $50 and costs for permitting liquor to be sold at his establishment.
State police warn December could bring the greatest monthly highway deaths yet as reports push the 1939 total toward 450. The Grafton Sentinel invites a list of 1939 fatalities. the prior high was 381 in December 1938, with 37 killed that month and 43 in October.
President Roosevelt approved 24 United States housing authority contracts worth 47.957 million for 41 slum clearance and low rent housing projects in 12 states and two territories. Williamson, West Virginia, received 404 thousand dollars.
Washington December 27 authoritative sources say the Dies committee is split over the draft report on un American activities to be presented to the House next Wednesday A committee draft favored emphasis on references to Communism while one member objects The dispute also covers whether to include legislative recommendations to curb subversive activities and register aliens and public records of groups and members Continued on page five.
Charleston December 27 The Workmen's Compensation Commission announces the resignation of Ralph M Hartman as secretary He will become compensation agent for Bethlehem Mines a Bethlehem Steel subsidiary in Bethlehem Pa The change takes effect January 12 Hartman a Tunnelton resident joined the commission in 1933 after leaving West Virginia University He served as secretary for several years The vacancy will be filled from department personnel
National defense funds face a new record spend, with President Roosevelt urging more than 2 billion dollars for the army and navy for the coming year. House Naval committee heads Vinson sets Jan. 8 for hearings as proposals to build a mightier fleet unfold, possibly including super battleships.
A nine year old boy Willis Ball of Reedsville was injured after falling from a machine near Blueville on Route 119 yesterday. He was rushed to Grafton City hospital by ambulance with cuts and bruises to the head face and hands. He was treated by Dr. Paul P. Warden and taken home by his parents.
Sunbury Pa December 27 Forced feeding was considered to break the six day hunger strike of condemned slayer Andrew J Schurtz in the Northumberland county jail. Warden Robert Minnick reported the 47 year old man even passed up a Christmas turkey dinner. Dr George A Deitrick said forced feeding would be necessary if he does not eat within a few days. Schurtz was convicted of fatally shooting Lieut Edward C Fisher of the Pennsylvania National Guard last spring. He is held under 24 hour guard awaiting the state supreme court actions on his appeal.
DETROIT December 27. Nash-Kelvinator plant officials asked police to eject about 1,400 workers after report that members of the Mechanics Educational Society of America began a sit-down strike at the factory. The action followed a complaint of industrial disruption and reflected rising labor tensions in Detroit.
Washington December 27 Senator Clark Idaho endorsed Wheeler Meritt for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1940. His statement followed Burke Nebraska backing Garner, stirring political talk as Congress members arrive for the session. Dewey plans a February 22 campaign address in Oregon, his first western stop as a Republican hopeful, with Salem cited as a likely venue.
Charleston dispatch reports governor appoints two women to fill unexpired terms after the deaths of two legislators. Jane Dice of Lewisburg will succeed Democrat William N Jasper. Virginia R Kurtz of Weston is named delegate from Lewis County to replace Republican Kenneth S Kurtz. Dice is widow of John C Dice, former C&O railroad official.
Coroner Dr. Paul P. Warden stated from the state police laboratory in Charleston that no report has yet been received on the analysis of Grover Poe Thortoh’s stomach contents. An inquest will resume once the chemists’ findings are revealed, after a jury is sworn and the hearing is adjourned.
Waterford New York rush hour blast claims five youths near a metal covered trailer where 200 pounds of dynamite were cached. State police theorize a rifle bullet ignited the charge as identification of the five bodies was completed. The victims are Frederick Deeb 15 Roger Murray 18 Russell Prescott 14 Bentley Fogarty 16 and Arthur Perras 15.
reports from Finnish headquarters say 300000 Soviet soldiers under Stalin's allies are marching to reinforce central and Arctic fronts. Finnish forces claim to have repelled 4000 Russian losses over three days of subzero fighting as bitter weather aids defense and plans focus on Kemijarvi and Salmijarvi regions.
Fourteen Taylor county youths will be enrolled in the Civilian Conservation corps on January 3. County Director Fred Lewin said enlistments will occur in Clarksburg under the direction of Quinn Oldaker, Morgantown CCC camps, with the Harrison county courthouse assembly room used. Youths from Gilmer, Doddridge and Lewis counties also will enlist that day.
Sweden sends volunteer troops, medical supplies, and about 2 million dollars in cash to Finland while neutrality limits official recognition. Hundreds of Swedes reportedly crossed the border under General Ernst Linder to aid northern and central fronts. Finnish observers note growing Swedish support and calls for winter field training to prepare for possible broader involvement.
The Commonwealth of Australia designated Richard Gardiner Casey as its Australian minister to Washington in a groundbreaking diplomatic first. Casey has held several senior positions in the Australian government.
A major snow storm blankets West Virginia slowing traffic to near standstill. Snow totals reach up to a half foot in the north with more possible. State road crews deploy plows and cinders to keep routes passable despite treacherous conditions. Temperatures hover around 28 degrees in northern counties and rise in the south turning snow to slush. Bluefield reports three more inches of snow and Wheeling four to six inches as travel remains hazardous.
Rome dispatch notes journalist Giovanni Ansaldo, close to Foreign Minister Ciano, urging collaboration between the Italian government and the Holy See to promote peace and oppose communism. The suggestion follows Pope Pius XII's forthcoming visit to King Victor Emmanuel III and Queen Elena, a historic meeting.
Berlin reports the Genthin railway collision worsened with 196 dead and over three score injured. An unscheduled passage of trains at Genthin station sparked the disaster, with 70 killed outright and the day’s total rising to 132 dead and 109 injured.
A powerful earthquake centered on the Black Sea coast shocked northern Anatolia with four tremors in Ankara from 2:00 to 5:00 am. Officials report widespread damage from Ordu to Yozgad as towns flee for open fields and relief agencies rush to the affected area.
Snowstorms blanketed large areas nine to eighteen inches deep from the plains to the East. Midwest and Southwest faced cold, while parts of Michigan set December heat records. Utah ski events were postponed due to insufficient snow. Ohio and West Virginia reported widespread disruption with stalled trucks and impassable secondary roads.
The Grafton Sentinel invites Mrs. Harry Andrew of 109 East Main Street to tonight's double feature. Lucille Ball stars in Panama Lady and Johnie Mack Brown with Bob Baker perform in Desperate Trails at Late 1 Opera House starting at 8.
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