07 May 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Somerset Daily American
Location
Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
May 07, 1940
Page
1
A man abducted 13 year old Violet Rigger on a road near Evans Manor outside Uniontown, paused as a farmer arrived to investigate the cries, then fled. Police report the girl was returning from a store when seized.
Somerset borough school board, in regular session Monday evening, adopted the 1920-41 budget with a 15 mill tax and continued a $5.00 per capita tax. The installment plan of payment will again be used. James O. Courtney was chosen to present diplomas at the June 4 commencement exercises where a pageant will be presented by the graduating class.
Jesse Carr, 55, of Johnstown, was committed on burglary and larceny charges for the Morris Thaler store theft in Windber. He links to a five man gang and allegedly confessed to another member in a prior trial, which he later denied as coerced. The robbery totaled about $4,000 in goods a year ago.
Governor Arthur H. James asked Pennsylvania lawmakers in special session to approve 71,850,000 for relief through the year, to be financed by transferring idle funds without new taxes. He argued highway money would not be affected and urged a brief, harmonious session to pass his 11 points.
Harrisburg May 6 The balance sheet of Governor James recommendations to the legislature shows funds proposed to obtain 73 369 000 and the purposes for which it would be spent Estimated unappropriated general fund balance May 31 1940 7 9 000 000 Please Turn To Page Three
Governor James spoke at the opening of the legislature to raise relief funds. He argued the administration has money but aims to move funds from one pot to another and maintain a lean budget. He noted highway funds could support relief after repayments and highlighted prior 20 percent cuts and a $71.5 million mortgage. He claimed staff cuts and uncertain relief needs, predicting shrinking tax needs and improving conditions as Pennsylvania marches up the hill.
Gov curbs crisis relief with a push to pass 16 administration bills drawn from his proclamation. A $71,890,000 relief package heads to the Senate as lawmakers convene after the joint session.
Democratic National Committeeman Howard Bruce conceded renomination of Senator George L. Radcliffe in Maryland’s Democratic senatorial primary with Radcliffe leading in poplar returns. Former Gov. Harry W. Nice led the Republican senatorial primary against William F. Broening amid a bitter contest and split anticipated in Baltimore city.
John Robinson of Philadelphia police leased a homing pigeon in 1936 for a race to Bedford Virginia as part of the city program for the Democratic national convention. The bird failed to reach its destination at the time but last night it arrived home after four years.
The annual drive began Monday at Somerset Community Hospital with visits to housewives and business people. Participants are urged to contribute 50 cents to support the Senior Auxiliary's work furnishing needed appliances for the new hospital and aiding charity cases.
In Wilmington Delaware a fireman from a federal building will swap positions with a Fairbanks Alaska post office guard. Samuel Gillespie 27 will depart May 17 to exchange places with William Wiggers who advertised his willingness in a federal employees publication. Gillespie said he wants to travel and broaden his experience.
Mrs. Maud B. Trescher of Greensburg, a trailblazer as Westmoreland county’s first newspaper woman, the first woman in the Pennsylvania legislature, and the first woman on a county jury, died suddenly at about age 63.
Prime Minister Chamberlain readies a two day dress debate in the House of Commons to defend Britain's setback in Norway. Reports say Allied destroyers Afridi Grom and Bison were sunk. three British trawlers overdue. Narvik siege tightens as German forces face encirclement.
Somerset Garden groups led a beautification drive with the American Legion Hall hosting a weekly meeting. The campaign aims to improve streets and alleys, with cash awards over two hundred dollars and ads in the Somerset American to promote participation. The Junior Garden club, county officials, and Chamber of Commerce back the efforts as Pennsylvania Turnpike traffic rises.
Alexandrian authorities display new Allied cruiser squadron in harbor beside British warplanes as tensions rise with Italy. British officials say the test of readiness signals a naval demonstration for potential war, with Italy’s actions in the Dodecanese and Aegean under scrutiny by Allied circles.
British and French soldiers recently bombed in the Trondheim sector of Norway returned to England after the loss of three destroyers defending troop convoys. General Ironside praised the troops for their discipline and noted French troops were landed in Scotland. A Scottish private reported 40 German bombers dropping 400 bombs overhead.
Four inmates from the Larned State Hospital crime ward escaped with knives taking two attendants as hostages. Attendants Bill Barnes and Jack Rush were released unharmed south of Ashland near the Oklahoma line. Escaped men include Grisco, Luster, Trittle, and Holzclaw with varied prior convictions.
Francis Shunk Brown, attorney general of Pennsylvania from 1915 to 1919 and a prominent Philadelphia lawyer, died at his Overbrook home after a month of illness. He would have turned 82 on June 9. Brown, known as “the general,” came from a line of Pennsylvania governors and public servants, including great grandfather William Findlay and grandfather Francis Rawn Shank. He began law practice in 1897 and served as special counsel for the state tax commission before his attorney general tenure. Brown shifted from Democrat to Republican in 1900 and was an early ally of the Vare brothers.
Harrisburg May 6. The Pennsylvania World's Fair Commission offered Adolf Hitler 3000 for a replica of the Liberty Bell donated to Czechoslovakia when it became a republic. Richard P. Brown cabled Hitler stating bronze articles are likely melted and asking delivery in good condition to Pennsylvania bulld ies at World's Fair in New York.
Rome reports Italy has delivered the second of four 35 000 ton battleships, amid precautionary Yugoslav border measures and allied naval movements. The Littorio joins Vittorio Veneto in active service, with Roma and Impero under construction while Britain and France adjust their fleets in the Mediterranean.
Budapest reports Romania ordering censorship of foreign correspondents and mobilizing civil and military defense for air raid exercises. Romanian Propaganda Minister Giurescu demands verification of news and threatens jail terms for inexact reports as Bulgarian King Boris reviews units in Sofia.
London reports that Squadron Leader Kenneth Doran, first British air hero of the war, is missing since a daylight raid on Stavanger Norway on April 30. Doran had led a raid on German war ships at Kiel on Sept 4 earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and promotion to acting squadron leader.
Judge Norman T. Boose sentenced Hobart L. Pritts and Joseph J. Miller for issuing checks without funds. Each faced counts totaling 14 and 13 respectively, with restitution paid and costs due. Both were ordered to post $500 bond for the September session, where remaining costs must be settled.
German forces advance 300 miles from Namsos through northern Norway toward Narvik with aim to free Arctic garrison, mop up Allied detachments, and establish an air base at Bodo for Stukas.
A storm darkened the Stonycreek township high school building delaying a series of agriculture contests. Judging will occur Tuesday morning in farm mechanics corn potatoes and insect and plant diseases with state college finals possible next month.
Daily weather record by David Grove notes a 24 hour period ending 5 30 p m with a high of 80 degrees and a low of 30 degrees. The report compares current readings to last year showing a previous maximum of 41 degrees.
Scattered showers over West Virginia Tuesday and Wednesday with cooler temperatures. Western Pennsylvania and Maryland see partly cloudy conditions with cooler air, while eastern Pennsylvania remains partly cloudy and cooler. Maryland has early showers followed by mostly cloudy skies and cooler conditions.
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