19 Dec 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Somerset Daily American
Location
Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 19, 1939
Page
1
The first day of the Shumack murder trial in Somerset County produced a slow jury selection. Only eight of fourteen jurors were chosen from 62 examined as prosecutors and defense pressed for impaneling a full panel. The process included two emergency pools, peremptory challenges, and clashes over death penalty questions.
Jury selection begins with eight jurors named including Edith Reed Joel Landis Emil Greybeck Charles Pile Eva Smith Dorothy Siemer Olive Stahl and Eddie Bruening from Somerset Allegheny and Windber areas. Six others remain to be chosen to complete a twelve member panel with two alternates for the Ira Stevanus case.
In Washington on December 18 a House investigating committee questioned Philip G. Phillips about reports that a city editor killed a Cincinnati Enquirer story critical of the labor board. Phillips claimed a rival editor dismissed it and cited Communist ties, drawing committee skepticism over timing and accuracy.
Major J. C. Mauk commander of the state police barracks at Greensburg underwent an appendix operation in a Harrisburg hospital. His condition was described as satisfactory today after he fell ill while visiting police headquarters. Capt. J. G. McCann will lead the barracks in his absence.
Philadelphia report: Jacopo Clawyer withdrew 500 dollars from a bank to distribute to a savings association. Two men held him up moments later and took the cash, with only 35 dollars belonging to Clawyer. Police investigation follows.
Frank N Kantner longtime Somerset resident died at his daughter’s home on South Edgewood avenue after several months illness following an August Cumberland hospital operation He was nearly 83 born January 12 1857 one mile south of Somerset He helped start Somerset electric lights and manufactured concrete blocks and artificial ice He married Lydia Horner January 13 1877 and had five children two daughters predeceased him Surviving are three grandchildren and one great grandchild Funeral by Rev J F Messenger set for Thursday at the First Christian church burial in Husband cemetery
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced six construction contracts totaling 1.4546 million dollars for 10.02 miles of paving. Projects include four tunnel ventilation buildings and plumbing for 13 ventilation structures across multiple counties, with firms Baldwin Brothers Paving Company Westmoreland Johnson, Union Paving Company Loyd H. Kline Ritter Brothers Pitt Construction Company named for specific segments and costs.
Tiny Mary Jane Kimmel born weighing two pounds four ounces has been discharged from Community hospital after weeks in an incubator. She weighed seven pounds at discharge and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Kimmel of near Frie dens.
Michael Brickner 87 of Gallitzin and last member of the St. Patrick's society found here in 1870 died today. Surviving are two children.
U S Army engineers in Pittsburgh say a Youghiogenesis flood control dam would inundate a large part of Somerfield and require relocation of routes and lines. Addison would be spared. The project, backed by Congressman Snyder, has $8.5 million in federal funds and awaits Washington approval.
Secretary Hull said the Americas would take collective action within days over the Graf Spee incident in the Pan American neutrality belt. Diplomatic talks continue as Uruguay proposes representations to Britain and Germany and antipiracy ideas are discussed. The Graf Spee matter may be within the inter American neutrality committee agenda for Rio sessions.
The Uruguayan foreign ministry said there is no legal or customary justification for the Graf Spee’s crew to blow up their ship. It defended Uruguay’s 72 hour harbor limit as set by a technical commission and stated actions followed The Hague convention.
Montevideo dispatch explains Graf Spee's demise tied to Australia's late wool clip. Capt Hans Langsdorff reportedly waited two weeks off Africa after October 10 for wool ships bound for England but none appeared, leading him to move toward South American waters and into British cruiser patrols.
President Roosevelt to chair a cabinet meeting in Washington to hear views on the scuttling of the Graf Spee and the prior clash between a German ship and British cruisers. The incident happened in the security zone set by the Americas and may prompt a protest.
The Graf Spee lies wrecked and partially submerged off Montevideo after Captain Langsdorff destroyed her to avoid internment or capture. Explosions sent water columns into the air as observers watched from planes, while crewmen sought internment or freedom from Argentina.
Captain Hans Langsdorff told the Associated Press that the Graf Spee once disguised herself as the British battle cruiser Renown, even adding an artificial stack and altered superstructure to resemble a sister ship. He recalled passing for Admiral Scheer in Montevideo, and described the sinking of the ship by self-destruction to deny it to the enemy.
Titian haired Nancy Bridges of Lebanon was named America s personality girl of 1940 in an advertising models competition. Her eyes are hazel and her measurements are height 5 feet 7 inches waist 25 14 bust 34 hips 35.
In the east central Finland fighting area and the Karelia isthmus Soviet assaults were repulsed. Viipuri port was bombed without damage while Finnish forces claim 36 Russian tanks destroyed. A two week attack on Taipale lake failed with multiple tank losses.
The master of the German ship Pinnau 1200 tons arriving at Fredrikskan reports a submarine possibly Russian fired 35 shells at the vessel in the Gulf of Bothnia. The coal carrier reached port slightly damaged and the crew suspect a Soviet fleet involvement in Finland’s blockade efforts.
London reports a swift British assault crippling German cruiser strength as submarines sank one 6 000 ton cruiser and damaged two others. Ursula sinks another Koln class cruiser near Helgoland Bight. Berlin denies sinkings amid fierce air battles with 12 Me 109s shot down.
Eastern Pennsylvania shows cloudy skies with light rain in west and north areas on Tuesday, then Tuesday night into Wednesday brings continued cloudiness and colder conditions after rain. Maryland experiences increasing clouds and rain from Tuesday into Wednesday, with colder, cloudy weather and a rain preceding shift. Western Pennsylvania has occasional light rain on Tuesday, then cooler conditions Tuesday night and Wednesday with colder, cloudy skies and light snow in the north. West Virginia remains cloudy with occasional light rain, warmer in the east Tuesday, then cooler and cloudy on Wednesday.
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