Medford mail tribune., March 16, 1933, Page 1, Image 1

Clean Up Paint Up Drive Planned to Mark Springs Advent
Medford Mail Tribune
The Weather
Forecast: Unsettled tonight and Fri
day, with showers tonight, No
change In temperature.
Highest yesterday 58
Lowest this morning 43
Paid-Up Circulation
People who pay tor Cbsti newspapers
ira the Dest prospect tor the adver
tlsers. &. B 0, circulation la paid
jp circulation, rtaia nawipapor is
. B. a
TweDty-Seventh Year
MEUFOUD, OREGON, THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1933.
No. 303.
KM
s Slavs i. msnm
Long Defiance of Law
Climaxed in Killing of
Policeman Doing Duty
"I shot Prescott, who was trying to force his way Into the house, the same
as any burglar would."
This statement, according to Captain Lee M. Bown of the state police,
was made by Llewellyn A. Banks, slayer of Constable George J. Prescott,
shortly after he Had entered the state police auto, that was carrying him to
the Josephine county Jail.
Cnptnln Bown said that Banks answered five or six questions freely, and
that he declnred he shot Prescott with a rifle.
Banks was handcuffed, and rushed to Grants Pass, u a precautionary
measure.
Up to mid-afternoon, no arrange-
menta had been
r t made to secure
C " an attorney for
fit S "Vl Banks. No effort
WM at
B. Banks
or Mrs. Arthur
LaDlcu. held In
the woman's
ward ot the city
prison.
Banks, ac
cording to the
o 1 1 1 c e rs, was
calm and cool,
and talkative
on the trip.
www.
.las. O'llrli'ii
Ll"ivcllyn A. Banks, 62, former edi
tor and orchardlst, shot and killed
Constable George J. Prescott this
morning, shortly aftr lO-'o'clock.-ln
resisting the service ot a bench war
rant, Issued as the result ot a secret
Indictment returned late Wednesday,
naming Banks as one ot the 20 or
more men Indicted for the ballot
theftfa and destruction on the night
ot Monday. February 20, during and
following a meeting in the court
house of the "Good Government Congress.'-
Banks, arrested nearly an ' hour
after the murder, was rushed by
stale police to the Josephine county
Jail at Grants Pass, for safekeeping
and as a precautionary measure.
E. A Fleming, orchardlst, Jackson
ville. In the Banks r.ome at the time
of, the rhurder, was also held by the
authorities.
Mrs. Edith B. Banks, wife of the
slayer, also was detained at the city
police station, as a material witness.
Sirs. l-aDleu Held.
Mrs. Arthur LaDleu. wife of the
former business manager of the Dally
News, under Banks' management,
was held In the woman's ward of the
city Jail for an alleged Inflamma
tory remark made after the- killing.
She was quoted by officers as saying:
"He got Just what was coming to
him. and you're going to got yours,
too. Joe Cave."
Mrs. Banks, when placed In the city
Jail, offered no resistance, and had
nothing to say. Officer Cave reported.
Banks was arrested at his West
Main street residence by state police,
hustled into a waiting auto, and
rushed to Grants Pass. Banks grin
ned as he left, passing near the
body of the slain officer. Banks made
no statement and did not deny the
killing.
The murder occurred shortly after
10 o'clock this morning. Constable
Prescott and Sergeant James O'Brien
of the state police l.ad gone to the
Banks home on West Main street,
to serve the warrant.
According to the police version.
Mrs. Banks opened Kr.e door. An In
stant later there -was a shot from
within. .The bullet splintered the
side of tile door end rtnick Constable
Prescott In the left shoulder, cours
ing downward through the heart,
and causing Instant death. The door
was then slammed and locked.
Mrs. Banks Calm.
Mrs. Banks, detained In the wom
an's wsrd ot the dty Jail, was calm,
and had no comment to make.
The murder stunned ani shocked
the citv and county, and was a crash
ing climax to a long period of tur
moil, of which Banks has been the
center. In his last public sppearance.
at a "protest meeting" of the "Good
Government Congress," he declared
from the courthouse steps:
"Unless J-istlce Is restored In Jack
son county, I will take the field In
revolution."
While acting as editor of the morn
ing piper, he frequently expressed
incepolary defiance ot constituted
authority, throutrh the printed word.
In rrnny articles he boasted he would
resist arrest.
rrevoll Trie to Spenk.
Coritah'.e Prescott toppled to the
front porch floor, tergeant O'Brien
bent over him. as h- gasped; "Tell
my " The sentence was never
finished.
Lieut. 0"Brlen. reUr.ln; that Banks
was dangerous, stepped out of range.
I
(Continued on Page Five)
FEHL DISAPPEARS
AND POLICE TAKE
TRAIL, IS REPORT
The district attorney's office this
afternoon' said It had an uncon
firmed report that County Judge Earl
H. Fehl was held In the county jal
at Grants Paw. The district attor
ney's office said it has been unable
to confirm the report up to three
o'clock'. -
Fehl la alleged to have boon ar
rested at Grants Pass, where he went
by auto with his wife, for a confer
ence with Thomas li. Brecheen and
C. W. Davis, held there for ballot
destruction complicity.
State police and other authorities
had no comment to make on the re
port that Fehl was a fugitive, but
admitted a search was underway but
"we have been unable to locate him."
Fehl could not be located in this
city today, and did not make an ap
pearance at the courthouse.
While rumors were prevalent
throughout the city this afternoon
that County Judge E. H. Fehl, .hon
orary member of the Good Govern
ment Congress, closely associated
throughout the political turmoil here
with L. A. Banks, had been placed
In jail, no verification for the state
ment could be obtained from offi
cials. Fehl could not be located at
his home nor at the county court
bouse.
In a telephone interview with a
woman, who stated that she was
Mrs. Fehl's mother. It was learned
that Fehl and his wife had left home
at an early hour this morning and
had not returned. The woman stated
that she did not know where they
were going nor when they would re
turn. The secretary to the county court
said that Fehl had not been in his
office at any time this morning. Va
rious officials Interviewed at the
court house stated that they had not
seen him at any time today.
State police were looking for Fehl,
they admitted this afternoon, on a
warrant Issued following the return
of a secret Indictment by the grand
Jury yesterday afternoon relative to
the theft of ballots from the county
court house vaults.
Fehl was arrested by officials short
ly after the ballot theft on . charge
of burglary not In a dwelling and re
leased on ball of $5000.
The substance of the indictment,
said to obtain 31 names, returned by
the grand Jury last night has not
been revealed. Officers stated this
afternoon that Fahl apparently knew
he was wanted today by officials.
Yesterday was a big day for Med
ford banks and today was starting
out to be another one, when bank
officials were Interviewed this morn
ing. Signs of restored confidence
were expressed in the steady line of
customers visiting the banks and de
posits for the city of Medford yester
day totalled 9269.859.64.
Many new account were opened.
It was stated, and no accounts closed.
The First National Bank alone took
in deposits amounting to $101,000.
Checks totalled S85.000.
The substantial Increase In busi
ness was welcomed by hankers as an
expreton of the confidence Jackson
county people have in their bank,
which they stated la deserved and
valued.
SI EH EST fiTTEKMEl
I I II I I -.-.. I... II ------ I II - 1,1 III I I I sail .
F
HEAD CRACKED BY
L. E. Pitch, prominent member of
the so-called Good Government Con
gress arrested a short time ago on
a charge of "riotous and disorderly
conduct" for alleged participation in
flogglhg. with a buggy whip of Leon
ard N. Hall, editor of the Jackson
ville Miner, was in the Sacred Heart
hospital this afternoon receiving
treatment for head injuries Inflicted
this morning, a short time after the
slaylny of Officer George Prescott by
L. A Banks, honorary president of
the congress.
Fitch, according to his own story.
was struck over the head several
times with a gun. The attack oc
curred on West Main street near the
Methodist church. Onlookers who
arrlvfd on the scene few minutes
later, ' stated this Afternoon that
Fitch had contested the right-of-way
of an opponent of the Good Govern
ment" Congress, who was walking to
ward Banks' home, where the slaying
of Prescott occurred.
Fitch Is also accredited with calling
his assailant "stool pigeon" and other
uncomplimentary names. After which
the man, whose name had not been
revealed to officers this afternoon,
reached for his gun and cracked
Fitch several whacks on the head.
Tha Good Government congressman
was taken to the Jackson county
health unit In the county courthouse
for first aid treatmen and later re
moved to the Sacred Heart hospital,
where he gave 'his name as "L. L.
Fitch of the forest service.'
His physician could not be con
tacted this afternoon', but It was
understood that his Injuries would
not be parmanent.
, BANKS TELLS
OF THREATS BY
HUSBAND TO KILL
Mrs. L. A. Banks, who opened the
door this morning through which her
husband shot and killed Officer Pres
cott, Is quoted as stating that ahe
handed two letters to Officer Pres
cott, revealing Banks' reasons for re
sisting arrest and confirming his pre
vious stand that he would not be
taken and that there would be blood
shed if officers tried to come In. The
letters, according to he statement,
were addressed to Chief of Police Mc
Credle and Captain Lee M. Bown.
She Is also said to hare Informed
officers that Banks was ready to meet
them, that he had done no wrong
and that plans were afoot to railroad
him to prison.
Mrs. Banks Is also claimed to have
announced that she would remain In
Medford and carry on the fight
against the "gang."
SILVERTON PUTS
IA GRANDE OUT
SALEM. ' Ore., March 18. (AP)
The La Orande high basketball team
wm eliminated from the state tour
nament by a 42 -to-33 defeat from
SUverton in a consolation game this
afternoon.
While- SUverton played a close
checking game. La Grande was un
able to stop the .heavy attack of the
rangy Stiver Poxes who dropped the
ball through from all ancles. Silver
ton will meet Benson high tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock In the conso
lation semi -final
Publisher Makes Good on Death Threats NEW PEACE PLAN
t-r-r- .- .j f? : ALLOWS GERMAN
F'fN i " s iV' "'X 1 TO DOUBLE AW
h- USPS ' Tfc
l M't ?H
in.
4 a- ;
OF
WAS AN ARSENAL
POLICE DISCLOSE
That the Interior of the Banks
house was a miniature arsenal' was
discovered when state police Investi
gated the dwelling following the fatal
shooting.
There were rifles, revolvers, shot
guns, quantities of ammunition and
what appeared to be a home-made
portable machine gun.
All the fire arms and ammunition
were carted away and placed in safe
keeping, but at press time no in
ventory had been made.
That the tragedy was not unex
pected in the ranks of the Oood Gov
ernment congress was indicated by
the actions of the ringleaders, at least
one and possibly two of them being
in the house at the time, and many
others In the neighborhood. It Is also
known that some of the leaders, lack
ing the nerve to face what was des
tined to be a show down, left town
late last night and early this morn
ing. It is considered probable that there
will be many accomplices Involved In
the atrocious murder, many of whom
will be arrested before the day is over.
The heavy hand of the law Is expected
to extend In many unexpected direc
tions. There was a virtual stampede of
Good Government congress members
to get out of the lawless organization,
before It was too late. But the of
ficials of the organization either had
disappeared' or could not find the
membership cards. Local lawyers
were appealed to and advised mem
bers to publicly announce their with
drawals In the press.
4
Memorial For
Slain Officer
is Legion' s Idea
Contributions were already be
ing received this afteronon to erect
a permanent memorial to Con
stble Oeorge J, Prescott, who
wa. this morning killed by Llew
eMyn A. Banks. The move la be
ing carried on by the local Amer
ican Lesion post. le C. Oarlock
ntntd thii nfwnnon.
... - a -O
Llewellyn A. huhk. wrouw m
nresldent of tha Good Oovernment
V ...
h s many previous inreais 10 n-nm
. .. . ... . -
are going to destrov me phyMralty or I
. - , .
munty. nomeone 1 romir i vj j -
hi hlrt newspaper, that he "would refuse to submit to arrest." Mrs. Henri-
etta B. Martin, nrcftKient or tne tooa
. . ....
has Deen tin evponenv or ins imanuc nnwnntnn.. n -
County Judge mrl II. Fehl wan niinlt' candidate for the office nnd n
honorary meinucf 01 ine congrewt.
RESIDE!
FOR ECONOMIES
WASHINGTON, Mar., 16. (T) PlnM
conftrf-ssional approval was given to
day to President Roosevelt's request
for authority "to trim governmental
expenses (S00.000.000 by slashing vet
erans' allowances and federal pay.
The measure car.-ylng the author
ity, the second administration pro
posal to be acted upon by the extra
session, now goes to the White House
for President Roosevelt's signature
that will make It law. . .
On motion of Representative Mc
Durfle of Alabama, chairman of the
special economy committee, the house
today concurred In the senate amend
ments. All the amendment adopted were
for the protection of veterans.
Preeldent Roosevelt submitted the
program to congress lat Friday In a
apeclal message, it was passed by
the house Saturday.
The five amendments put In the
bill were accepted by the house after
word came from the White House
tha- they were acceptable to Presi
dent Roosevelt.
4
IN
POLICEJRAGNET
A score of peace otltcors this alter
noon were making arrests In the bal-
lot theft and burning caee. Joseph
Croft, familiar "Oood Oovernment
Congress" figure, known as "the man
In the cowhide coat." was arrested
thla afternoon with two others whose
names were not divulged.
State police said this afternoon a
search wss under way for County
Judge Fehl, but he had not been lo
cated.
Authorities expect to have all 31
men Indira for ballot destruction
in ouatod; .j early tonight.
Ik. alailfnrJ Tin 11 V VatTB tinrf honOrUtT
n.w . . -
congreiw, who carried odt this morning
I., lit. na.ianmWf Ff-hrtlflrV 10.
nrim.. , ..v",.-,
f nionn liiiftlnpMi. Either you
am going to drive you out of Jackson
Chrimrv A Rflllbl Stated
umi'nimrm, w"'"-". "
nnlttlrnl nurfnrit here.
, . . .
WILL GO TO WORK
BRIGHTENING CITY
Following a recommendation by tme
Chamber of Commerce board of di
rectors, a committee has been or
ganised by J. O. Carle to conduct a
cleanup and palntup campaign In
this city In the near future.
The members of the committee
are: Mrs. A. E. Reames, president.
Garden club: Mrs. O. R. Satchwell,
president, 'Oreater Medford club;
Colonel W. H. Paine, Tarney Steward,
Colo Holmes, Ed White, Tire Ohief
Roy Elliott and Chairman J. O. Carle.
A meeting of the group was held
this afternoon to perfect plans and
makfr the necessary arrangements for
the campaign.
Interviewed this morning regard
ing the work- of this committee In
the future, Mr. Carlo made the fol
lowing statement: "A iuccMfu1
clesnup and palntup campaign la be
lieved to be of the utmost Import
ance at this time: more so, perhaps,
than has been the case with similar
campaigns held In years past. Condi
tions warrant such a campaign at
this time, and the msny benefits to
be obtained now, which did not pre
sent themselves In the past, . ara the
motives which "have prompts the
Chamber of Commerce board of di
rectors to requeet that the matter be
given Immediate attention."
"In the first place, the campaign
should put a lot of money Into cir
culation; money which has been in
hiding for a coruJderable period.
While perhaps hoarding has not been
as p'evslent In Medford as has been
the case In Isrger cities. It is believed
that a great amount has been hosrd
ed and kept out of circulation. The
(Continued on Page Four)
WASHINOTON. March 1. (API
President Roosevelt and Senator Rob-
........ Irlf.n... th. IT, T- M .
I leader, considered today a program
j which would keep congress In session
i without in trte hope of com
pleting all business ewiy in May,
IS
Ramsay MacDonald Pre
sents Scheme at World
Disarmament Confab
Others Would Be Reduced
WASHINGTON, Mar. 16. Jpy Nor
man H. Davis today was named as
chairman of the American delegation
to the disarmament conference, with
the rank of ambassador. Davis, a
Tennesseesn, a Democrat and experi
enced diplomat, has been a member
of the delegation under the Hoover
administration.
GENEVA, Switzerland. March 16-
(AP) Prime Minister Ramsay Mac-
Donald of Great Britain, presenting
a new pi tin for peace and security to
the world disarmament conference to
day, proposed an army of 300,000 men
for Germany doubltng the maximum
limit set by the treaty of Versailles,
The armies of Italy and France
would be reduced' to the same nu
merical strength, but Prance would
be permitted an overseas force of
200.000 and Italy of 50.000.
Thla would reduce the French army
about one-third paralleling the pro
posal of President Hoover.
No maximum wan suggested for the
British army, nor does the plan in
elude any attempt to Itmlt non-Eu
ropean forces.
Austria's effectives would be fixed
at 60.000, Hungary's at 60,000 and
Bulgaria's at 60.000.
The French "allies would be lined
up: Poland 300,000, Rumania loo,
000, Czechoslovakia 100,000.
Half Million for Riisala.
Russia would be given a haft mil
lion men.
The plan would extend the London
naval treaty to Include France and
Italy. It also would extend the naval
holiday on capital ships to all powers
except Italy, which would be, per
mitted to build one ship to balance
the new French cruiser. Dunkirk.
Germany would be freed legally
from the naval restrictions Imposed
by the Versailles treaty, hut actually
(Continued on Page Eight)
Between three and four hundred
peopio were today attending the an
nual Invitational basketball tourna
ment In Ashland being conducted by
the Southern Oregon Normal school.
Scores In today's games were: Port
Orford 37, Riddle 18: Oold Hill 38,
Paisley 8; Central Point 35, Rlverton
30; Chlloquln 71. Prospect 4; Butte
Falls 3S, Lakevlew 0.
Tomorrow morning at 8:30 o'clock,
Chlloquln will play butte Falls In the
ohamplonshlp flight, and Prospect
will play Lakevlew at 14:30 In the
consolation.
VOTE ON BEER IS
FORECAST TODAY
WASHINOTON, March 16. (AP)
The senate was headed toward rote
day with Democratic leaders promls
on the 3 a per cent beer bill late to
lng a recess over the week; end after
its passage.
2-CENT POSTAGE
WASHINGTON, Mar. 16. (P) The
new postmaster-general, Jamea . A.
Farly, may ssk congres lo restore
the two-cent rate on first-class post
age.
He Is having a survey made now,
he told newspapermen, to see what
can be done about tne postal deficit
If the study shows the reduction
would Increase volume sufficiently,
he will request the legislators to "re
store the two-cent stamp" in place of
Ui present three -center.
ROOSEVELT WILL
BE GIVEN POWER
TO CUTVET PAY
Opposition to Drastic Reduc
tion Will Be Overridden
by Congress Is View
Bank Optimism Reigns
By ROBhKT D. HEINL
(Copyrighted by McClure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
WASHINGTON, Mar. 16. Despite
the vociferous opposition to the pro
posed drastic cuts In veterans' com
pensation. President Roosevelt -will be
granted the extraordinary powers he
seeks from Congress.
Through caucus rule the party will-
back htm to the hilt.
The' legislation- designed to aid In
balancing the budget will not oe
privileged to the extent of the bank
ing act, which was almost -unprecedented
It will be put through the
committee routine.
Nevertheless, the President has the
whip hand. In view of the sound
ness of the measures he has thus far
proposed, It la safe to say he can
have anything he wants from con-
At the capital It was predicted that
certain objectionable features In the
banking bill-would nave to-be Ironed
out. Tills had been expected. .
It was said at the White House If
every bank doesnt open the first day
It doesn't mean it won't open the
next, or the next after that.
A bank not opening its doors im
mediately need not convey the Idea
It isn't 100 per cent solvent," the
assertion continued. "It will take
time to make the necessary examin
ations," . s '
Th Reconstruction Finance Cor
poration has been helpful to banks,
railroads and in liquidating institu
tional payrolls, but the criticism has
been made that It has done nothing
to directly assist or put to work the
13.000,000 unemployed.
President Roosevelt has Indicated
that unemployment relief Is one of
his first objectives. In his approval
of dew enterprises, calling for an ap
propriation of $500,000,000 to begin a
public works program which will em
ploy 500,000 persons, he starts the
New Deal on that side of the table.
A lucky break and one uninten
tionally of his own making is the
President's being allowed to work un
disturbed largely because visitors can
not cash checks. Those who were in
town for the inauguration had to get
out quickly. Money shortage has
kept others at home,
This column slipped unhappily In
noting that Mrs. Roosevelt received
0,000 for each of her radio perform
ances and that Mrs. Dall would get
$3.00t for her talks.
Cwe of the very few who know the
facts has been kind enough to In
form us that the actual figures were
$000 for one appearance weekly for
Mrs. Roosevelt and will be $300 a
week for two appearances for Mrs.
Dall.
In radio, as has been the case with
the stage for many years, the amount
actually received In the pay enve-
(Continued on Page Pour)
WILL . .
ROGERS
SANTA MONICA, Cal., Mar.'
15. I don't know what addi
tional authority Roosevelt mar
ask, but give it to him, even if
it's to drown all the boy babies,
for the way the grown-up ones
have acted he will be perfectly
justified in drowning any new
ones.
So viva Roosevelt and ban
zai everything. It just show
you what A country can do
when you take their affairs out
of the hands of congress.
Tours,
1 lIIMJ'JMl.lrSa'.l-
10