03 May 1940
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 31 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Somerset Daily American
Location
Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
May 03, 1940
Page
1
Jones states farmers seek high prices while addressing land takings in Somerset County. He notes the authority has settled only seven of 158 parcels. The remarks focus on compensation delays and ongoing eminent domain disputes.
Harrisburg Ma 2 turnpike officials defend a measure to pay fair prices for 158 Somerset County farms needed for the Pittsburgh Harrisburg toll highway. Walter A Jones says claims of delay stem from landowners seeking high prices. A Somerset group organized to petition within ten days or fence the route while courts back the commission against obstruction.
NORRISTOWN May 2 A 16 year old Heineman admitted shooting Edith Snyne, his Abington high school classmate, through a window to kill her as she studied at her desk. Police say the motive remains unclear as the coroner ruled the death instantaneous. Heineman remains in Montgomery county jail awaiting grand jury action set for May 20 and potential trial dates in June.
Robert Hasse a 28 year old former employee of Rom and Son Somerset faced charges of embezzlement constructive larceny fraudulent conversion and false pretense at a hearing before Justice of the Peace H S Whipperman. Pittsburgh negotiations for out of court settlement were underway with a $1000 bond he remained jailed awaiting final disposition Friday morning.
Ten year old John McConaghy was picked up by Philadelphia police after being lost from home. He wouldn't answer questions until a desk sergeant wrote the questions on paper, and he was identified as deaf and mute.
Altoona reports a railroad worker named E. G. Hostetler, 39, died after getting out to push his car from mud. A passing motorist found him in the road. Deputy Coroner C. E. Thope said overexertion apparently caused a heart attack.
Hunkin Conkey Construction of Cleveland files in U S district court in Scranton a suit to recover 463,407 from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission over added costs on the Laurel Hill tunnel and approaches. The original contract was 1,920,281 with claims of inadequate tunnel specifications and the need to install 1,900,000 pounds of steel supports rather than 500,000.
Rep. B. Frank Whelchel of Georgia won dismissal in federal court of two counts charging sale of a rural postmastership and began trial on six remaining counts. Defense said he would show money received was bona fide campaign contributions, not bribes, while the prosecution argued campaign funds were tied to postal appointments.
Police in Coatsville report a mistaken alarm when state officers located a boy’s body beside a road. They revived him. he explained he had simply fallen asleep, ending a spring fever scare with a calm admission.
SPRINGFIELD Mo May 2 A mother and two children perished when their home burned after the front door had been nailed shut for winter. The blaze prompted investigations into whether the closed door contributed to the deaths.
Washington officials disclosed that Ed win S. Smith acknowledged correspondence with Harry Bridges about selecting board attorneys to handle cases in Hawaii. He denied naming those attorneys at Bridges request. Bridges criticized the San Francisco office for red tape and urged retention of Exlises or Elwin J. Bagen for Hawaii.
Norman Zet relates a long hospital confession detailing the 1934 murders of Detectives Garvey and Monahan and Patrolman Clarius. The dying gangster claims another suspect, Joseph Lonsky, aided the killings. Zet dies after giving the confession at Yonkers Hospital with a physician present.
The business men's committee announced progress on organizing the group and scheduled a general meeting for Thursday evening May 16 at an undecided location. The financial campaign is largely complete with most local businesses contacted. representatives not yet reached are asked to contact Blair Barkman and J. Edgar Lohr to join.
More than 2000 employees of Duquesne Light and affiliates backed the independent union by an extraordinary margin. Election results show 1673 for the independent group, 234 for the CIO union, and 234 against any union affiliation for collective bargaining.
United States Ambassador William Phillips pressed Count Ciano for peaceful intentions while Britain and France announced fleets in the eastern Mediterranean. Mussolini signaled no war aims for now. Italy may delay action to gauge developments in Scandinavia and Germany.
Dominic Guadagni of Canonsburg was jailed for one to three years after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Mary Iannerelli, who leaped from his car on the Muse Canonsburg road as he refused to stop and drove away. State Trooper John Fair described Guadagni as a "ladies man."
A long police search for seven year old Louise Wells ended when she awoke in a backyard during a nap as a fire siren called for volunteers. The May day incident sparked a citywide effort before the missing child's safe return became certain.
In Washington a strong expectation persisted that Italy would avoid an immediate plunge into the European war. Undersecretary Sumner Welles, after a White House meeting with President Roosevelt and envoy, indicated no definite action. Officials noted the presence of about 19,000 Americans in Italy and warned that Italy entering the war could disrupt Mediterranean shipping and U.S. trade, prompting many to stay cautious.
In Bucharest on May 3 1944 Romanian authorities raided a basement espionage center near the royal palace seizing a wireless set and arresting many Germans and Polish refugees. Unofficial reports say broad expulsions of Polish refugees would begin, with Romanian espionage officers detaining and expelling numerous German officers from Sibiu Transylvania.
Nazi forces in Norway push north from the Oslo district as Allied resistance withdraws in southern Norway. German troops move toward Trondheim and Glomma river valley, where Norwegian units earlier abandoned positions. Exact resistance levels unclear, but formal opposition south of Trondheim appears largely finished.
Stockholm reports confirm Norwegian authorities deny claims that King Haakon Haakon VII left Norway for Sweden. Officials insist the king remains in Norway with his government despite late night rumors.
The Norwegian government protested to the International Red Cross at Geneva, accusing German planes of bombing Norwegian hospital ships bound for northern ports and causing serious loss of life including doctors and nurses.
An audience of about 350 children and 100 adults at the Capitol theater watched a realistic forest fire scene from Shirley Temple’s Blue Bird. A balcony scream of fire caused a chaotic stampede with dozens injured, six seriously, but officials found no real danger and the film continued after the panic subsided.
In Belgrade and capitals of the southeast, German and Italian diplomats voiced assurances of no immediate peril while the British and French fleets move through the eastern Mediterranean. Greece calls up reserve officers, Egypt tightens Suez security, and Yugoslavia notes troop concentrations and Italian precautions near Trieste as regional defense measures intensify.
Paris reports that France lost a patrol boat and had a destroyer damaged in a North Sea clash, with a French submarine credited with torpedoing a German U boat. Details on the lost ship names were not released and the engagement likely occurred within the past 48 hours amid cautious optimism over European war spread. Diplomatic circles note President Roosevelt efforts and Italy’s stance in Washington but expect Mussolini’s claim that Italy will not alter its position imminently.
London reports British air force struck Stavanger airdrome with direct hits using high explosive bombs causing new havoc on the landing surface. The same day bomber command said a German mine laying plane was shot down, apparently while returning home.
In Pittsburgh on May 2 1964 Dr James F Carroll was named regent and C Gerald Brophy administrator of Duquesne University's law school. Dr Kathryn B Redman was appointed acting dean of the School of Education replacing Acting Dean Morris Zimmerman who resigned last week.
The Allies have abandoned a campaign south of Trondheim while Germany occupies most of Norway except scattered resistance. Britain remains north of Trondheim with French support around Namsos and Narvik siege efforts continue to cut Swedish ore shipments to Germany from the Arctic iron port.
Prime Minister Chamberlain told the House of Commons Britain abandoned the battle lines at Andalsnes to save troops for a new phase in Norway and England. He outlined Allied naval movements toward Alexandria and warned neutrals of expected German strikes. He stressed Norway will not be a sideshow and signaled possible operations above Trondheim and toward Narvik, with continued assault from air and sea.
Daily weather data from Somerset shows the 5:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. period with a maximum around 50 and a minimum near 36. Precipitation recorded is 0.4 inches. The note compares to last year’s maximum of 51 and minimum of 39.
West Virginia stays mostly cloudy and cool Friday with a rise to fair and warmer by Saturday. Western Pennsylvania lands mostly cloudy and cool with light rain possible Friday. Saturday turns fair. Eastern Pennsylvania cloudy and cooler with occasional light showers Friday and generally fair Saturday. Maryland coastal areas show showers and cooler Friday, with Saturday generally fair and warmer in western areas.
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