19 Oct 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Washington Evening Journal
Location
Washington, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Oct 19, 1939
Page
1
Between 1500 and 2000 residents attended open house events at Stewart Elementary yesterday and last night. They praised the modern building, simple tasteful decor, ample lighting and ventilation, a large two story community room, and practical facilities for students and staff.
Open house at Stewart School highlights flexible, movable furniture in first and second floor rooms for grades one to six. The kindergarten has private entrance and toilet facilities. A library, club room, music and art room, and quiet rest areas exist on the upper floor. P T A and district officials, along with students, greet visitors and assist with tours.
J Lund of Ottumwa spent the day here on business. He met with local merchants and discussed upcoming commercial opportunities in the area.
Wet season winds down as drought fuels a string of grass and timber fires in rural areas. The Augustine timber blaze north of town burned 120 acres including an 80 acre clover field and timber, with forestry crews and local neighbors aiding to prevent further damage. A second fire near Glendale, started by a passing train, scorched oats stubble and spread toward a cornfield, while another blaze near West Chester damaged clover and corn rows, all under dry fall conditions with rapid spread risks.
Fire destroyed the two story eight room Hazen home four miles NW of Ainsworth yesterday afternoon. Wind 80 strong aided spread. contents mostly lost though some items saved from lower floor. Fire chief says insurance insufficient to cover losses. Hazens planned to move to Floyd Harvey home next week.
Washington and county fire units answered six calls from yesterday afternoon to noon today with five requiring action between 2 pm yesterday and 2 am. Fires included an Oral Davidson grass fire, Hazen residence near Ainsworth, and a 4:30 library blaze, plus Farmers' Mutual truck runs to George Augustine farm near Dublin and to a northeast of town fire and an Andy Augustine farm call. Secretary Bill Brown said country calls exceed last year’s 42 by noon today, with two months left in the year.
A photographer captured Washington county farmers unloading corn for government release. Cribs on the tract between the McCleery calendar factory and north railway tracks now hold 16 1000 bushel cribs with 2300 bushel additions planned. Involved are Daryl Leffler Roy Havel Delmar Miller John Bales and John Hiller. The Washington County Agricultural association oversees cribbing with Oral Norman supervising.
A large force is constructing the Troop F armory on Madison Street. Concrete floors are being laid inside while exterior walls rise on the east and west sides. Thirty four workers including bricklayers carpenters and plumbers are on site with masons finishing stables at the rear.
A small fire in the Washington public library late yesterday afternoon caused minor damage to an entryway near broom storage. The fire did not reach the library or books. it was contained quickly with minimal water damage and no library materials harmed.
Digging has started for a new sewer along the north side of West Madison Street from Sunset Park to the street end. Tom Nicholson oversees the project using six inch tile over about 1300 feet to serve properties including Denison tavern and tourist camp and the new Troop F armory on the opposite side of the road.
Representative Thomas Martin denounces political wavering on neutrality legislation. He reiterates opposition to lifting the arms embargo and criticizes senators who favor embargoes on some items but not others. Martin affirms the current neutrality act as adequate and calls for clear positions.
A group from the American Legion visited Roy Steele three miles north of Ainsworth to assist with farm tasks while he recovers in Des Moines. They sawed wood, hauled two loads of corn, and did other chores before their efforts were interrupted by a nearby fire at the Hazen Place.
Prime Minister Chamberlain announced in the Commons that Britain France and Turkey signed a fifteen year mutual air treaty. Turkey agrees to aid the allies if they go to war in defense of Romania or Greece. Negotiations with Russia were suspended due to Soviet demands, and signing was delayed to allow Turkey to consult the Soviet Union.
Berlin reports that German forces have not crossed into French territory and that the first phase of French initiative is finished. The communique says most gains since the war began are wiped out and hints Hitler will refrain from a strong thrust into France for now.
In Stockholm on Oct 19 the kings of Sweden Norway and Denmark and the presidents of Finland and their foreign ministers decided against any mediation at this time in the European war. Earlier state broadcasts had urged peace and proposed Nordic relations as a model for international friendship.
King Gustav V and the rulers of Sweden Norway Denmark and Finland with their foreign ministers spoke to Nordic nations from the royal palace urging general peace and the elimination of belligerent divides. Finland's president said Helsinki will defend independence and noted solidarity from Nordic neighbors while the king stressed Nordic solidarity.
S W Easter lists ten men George Baker Chick Swift Tom Swift D J Bromfield Jim Bean Jim Boyd Bill McGinnis Raltos Boyd Orville Thoma plus Mr Easter who aided a wood sawing and corn husking job on the Steel farm. They paused to rush to the hospital to check on Mr Steele who is improving slowly. Some Legionaires contributed a grocery basket for dinner.
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