16 May 1938
Page 1
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Newspaper
Kingsport Times
Location
Kingsport, Tennessee, United States of America
Date
May 16, 1938
Page
1
Flames erupted from a basement kitchen at the Terminal Hotel killing 25 people, injuring 13, with many missing. Reported for 50 to 75 guests registered, as debris was cleared by city crews and engineers estimated two days to finish removing wreckage after walls proved unstable.
NEA reports a deadly terminal hotel blaze claiming James C Bones of Knoxville and Willand Howard Snider of North Carolina among the dead. In all, victims and listed survivors include L A Bunn, McBean, Gordon Johnson, Carl E Roberts, W J Morris, R B Luttleworth, Jimmy and Jean Overstreet and family members from Knoxville, Atlanta, and Florida. Authorities identify other names and locations across Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee as the tragedy unfolds.
Police estimate 19 or 25 more bodies may be found in a mass of charred timbers and steel that collapsed from the roof as flames swept through the building. Witnesses marveled at the rapid spread and smoke, while officers at five blocks away reported the fire veiling the structure before arrival. Mayor Will B. Hartsfield’s hotel, of a nonconforming construction, had been remodeled though still ticketed by the city code.
Cloudy with showers in west Tennessee tonight and Tuesday and in east portion Tuesday. Slightly warmer tonight in east. Virginia fair with increasing cloudiness and warmer in west tonight through Tuesday. Kentucky cloudy with showers in west tonight and slightly warmer in cast portion.
London Kentucky May 10 government lawyers promise new sensations as Harlan County coal industry figures face a federal court trial on a blanket indictment. They stand accused of terrorizing miners to deter union activity under Wagner Act and Civil War era protections for southern voters. The case centers on deputies, sheriffs and coal operators tied to the Harlan County Coal Operators Association with testimony from civil liberties hearings. The defense highlights Deputy appointments and payrolls by coal companies amid new Kentucky law taking effect May 40.
A Farmingdale New York village will darken for 30 minutes tonight in a mock blackout to dramatize wartime civil defense. A squadron of bombing planes will fly over the town as sirens scream and searchlights sweep the sky. Light will be quenched within a two and a half mile radius from 9 30 to 10 p m EST, as part of army air maneuvers along the north Atlantic seaboard.
Shanghai May 16 Japanese spokesmen say Nippon's vast forces are tightening the ring around Suchow. About 200,000 troops, heavy with tanks and artillery, advance from multiple directions toward the vital east-west railway crossing the Tientsin-Pukow line. Chinese forces are listed as 40 divisions, with fighting extending toward Linghualn and Tangshan region as the battle for central Chinghatti intensifies.
Prime Minister Chamberlain reshuffles to replace Viscount Swinton with Sir Kingsley Wood as air secretary moves away amid criticism that Britain's air defense lags Germany. Malcolm MacDonald becomes colonies secretary. Lord Stanley takes Dominions post. Lord Harlech resigns. Col. Ian Colville earns cabinet rank as Scotland secretary. Swinton cites House of Lords speakership constraints. Chamberlain praises his spirit and public duty.
In Castel Gandolfo on May 18 the Vatican news service said the Holy See and Franco’s Spanish insurgent government plan to exchange plenipotentiary diplomats, formalizing recognition. Don Jose Maria de Yanguas y Messia is named ambassador. Gaetano Cicognani named Apostolic Nuncio. Diplomatic ties had been via chargés d affaires for months.
Nashville May 16 The Tennessee Congress of Labor Farm and Progressive groups endorses the wage hour bill as is with no southern differential It calls for passage of federal measures and congratulates President Roosevelt on including wage hour legislation in his platform The group plans annual meetings and supports child labor amendment cash relief and abolition of WPA wage differentials The survey cited argues living costs are similar across regions and condemns lower southern wages as unfair
May 14 441 The Supreme Court upheld that workers striking over unfair labor practices by their employer are protected under the National Labor Relations Act. May 16 16 Mexican students clash in Mexico City as Socialist Youth occupies University buildings. May 18 4 Court rules TVA power program review is within Supreme Court jurisdiction. May 16 pi London Kentucky officials extend search for firearms in Harlan County terror case. Federal Judge orders searches of suspects before court entry.
New York May 16 AP Postmaster General James A Farley warned the Pennsylvania political situation imperils the Democratic party’s November hopes. He urged nominating Tom Kennedy for governor and George Earle for senator in local primaries as the sole path to unity amid intra party battles.
The Supreme Court may act today on cases affecting government labor policy. Key questions include whether striking workers are protected as employees under the National Labor Relations Act and whether the National Labor Relations Board may recall offers to adopt new procedures after circuit court challenges. The Mackay Radio case seeks reinstatement of five San Francisco workers who struck. The dispute arises as the circuit court refused enforcement, ruling the workers had voluntarily severed employment.
May 16 21 Washington. Democratic and administration allies press to revive the government reorganization bill before adjournment as House members survey sentiment among opponents. Rayburn says he would be glad to see passage if revived but is unsure of support. Senate subcommittee opens hearings on a $35.15 billion relief bill with aim to move to the floor this week amid election-year pressure.
Welfare Commissioner George Cate said he likely will ask Governor Browning to seek federal loans to improve Tennessee charitable and correctional institutions if Congress approves the lending-spending bill. He noted greatest need at juvenile correction homes mental hospitals and homes for feedie-minued. A citizens committee will draft a preliminary report for him, to shape his recommendations, with six committees to meet in September and final reports due by October 15 proposing legislation for 1939.
Judge Shelburne Ferguson charged the Sullivan County circuit court to keep the grand jury in session up to three weeks to investigate the primary election scandal. He condemned the distribution of about 2000 bogus poll tax receipts as a blot on the county’s name, urging a sweeping inquiry to uncover facts and indict guilty parties. The process targets C. W. Huddle and W. C. Pectol on charges tied to fraudulent receipts, with trials set if true bills are returned.
New American ambassador to the court of St James, Mr Joseph P Kennedy, provoked debate by barring presentation at court to visiting United States women not resident in Britain. The move sparked controversy across the United States, seen as democratic reform challenging long standing royal court customs. The incident highlighted Kennedy's approach to diplomacy and public expectations of ambassadors.
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