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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (May 4, 1933)
M The Weather Forecast: - Sh oners tonight and Fri day; temperature somewhat below normal. Hlfbest yesterday w R3 Lowest this morning 4S Paid-Up Circulation People who pay for Cbelr newspapers are the best prospects for the adver tisers. A. B. O. clrculatlcn u paid up circulation. This newspaper is A. B. O. EDFORD MAIL Twenty-eighth Year MEDFOUD, OREGON, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1933. No. 37. Roosevelt's Railroad Revival Plan Placed in Hands of Congress Tribune re rin noa flLI&yilKlla JELLS vpnnrnNrr3 n Comment the on Day's News By FRANK JENKINS. jiro 1 RED WHEAT sold in Chicago IN yesterday for immediate delivery jor antB P" buBheI On the first of April, the price was ground 68 cents. It la estimated that some 200 mil lion bushels of wheat remain In the bands of farmers. CORN aold yesterday In Chicago for 38 14 centg per bushel. The price cn April 1 was around 31 cents. According to the best figures avail able, there are around a billion and quarter bushels of corn remaining rn farmera' hands. . -.ATS eold yesterday In Chicago tor J 26 cents per bushel. The price 'on April 1 was around 20 cents. It Is estimated that a little lew than half billion bushela of oats remain In the hands, of farmers. WITHIN the past couple of daya, actual sales of wool have been made In Oregon at 17 cento. The price on April 1 was around 10 cento and a year ago It was around seven cents. WHATEVER the cause. Inflation or otherwise, the outlook for the farmer la materially more promising now than It waa a month ago. If the outlook for the farmer la better, the outlook for business In general la better, for Improvement In the farmer'a buying power will stimu late business of all kinds. That has a special meaning for us here In the lumber atate of Oregon, ' for the farmer la; the best customer the lumberman has. Up IN the Willamette valley the other day. hops sold at 40 cents s pound, with many growers refusing to sell t this figure and holding out or 42. That la quite a change from a year Br so ago, when hops were praoticaliy a, drug on the market. THE HOP MARKET, of course. 1" responding to a special and par ticular stimulus. The return of beer Is creating a market for hope at a time when aupply is extremely low, due to reduction of acreage In recent years, as a result of starvation prices. No one knows where the hop mar ket will go. FEW HOPS are grown In Southern Oregon. But the Willamette val , ley Is a part of the state of Oregon, ) and whatever helps the Willamette Talley will .help the state as a whole. Picking this year'a hop crop will provide a lot of employment, which to something to be thankful for. M HERE la something that may sur prise you: California has more aircraft than ANY OTHER state in the Union, the total number of planes In the state being 885, according to figures Just released by the aeronautics branch of the department of commerce. New Tork la second with 948 and Pennsylvania third with 537. IN NUMBER of licensed pilots, as well as in number of planes, Cali fornia leads all the states, her total number being 3581. or nesrly four pilots per plane. New York, again, Is second with f- -1748 pilots, or a little less than hall Callfornta'a total, and Illinois is third with 1134. BIO CALIFORNIA. Southern Ore gon's nearest neighbor, Is taking her plsce among the nation's leaders which please us. because California is our beat customer. The bigger California geto. the bet ter It will be for us. 44 IT TAKES big money to run big California. The stat budget Is placed by the assembly at 241.O0l.427, and this fig ure Is tilted by the senate to 24fl, (56.858. Finding the money with which to pay California's bills Is requiring Just about at murh scratching around as finding the money with which to psy Oregon's bills. Tax money Isn't easy to find any where this year. CLOSE COMPANION CALL NATION-WIDE OF KILLER TAKES STAND TOR STATE Appearance of Man Who Was With Agitating Editor at Time Murder Creates Stir at Eugene Trial EUGENE. Ore., May 4. (AP) A horrible picture of sudden death was painted by Officer James O'Brien of the state police as he described in grim detail the killing of his friend. Constable George P. Prescott In Med ford March 16. Called to the witness stand by the atate in the trial of Llewellyn A. Banks and his wife, O'Brien told of accompanying Prescott to the Banks home on the morning he was slain. "We went up on the porch to serve a warrant on Banks. I knocked on the door and Mrs. Banks opened it. What Is It?' she asked. 'I have a warrant for Mr. Banks', Prescott told her. Mrs. Banks started to close the door and Prescott put his foot on the threshhold. " 'Just a minute,' he said. 'I'll read it.' Just then I looked through the window and saw Banks leveling his rifle. Banks called 'look out! I tried to pull Prescott down out of the way. but there was an explosion In my face. The bullet struck Pres cott's hand before entering his body. Splinters of bone and flesh hit my eyes. Prescott's teeth fell out of his mouth." ETJOENE, Ore., May 4. (AP) A. E. Fleming, Jacksonville otvnft'di't who was In the Banks home at the time of the Prescott killing, took the stand In he Banks murder trial Thursday and told a graphic story of the events which Immediately preceded the Med ford tragedy. ' He was brought from his cell, where he has been held Incommuni cado by the state, as ft material wit ness, and his appearance created the biggest stir of excitement In a morn ing crowded with surprises and the exchange of biting repartee between state and defense counsel. Is Key Witness Fleming was the second witness of the morning and the fourth called by the state. Ho has h-en heralded as the biggest gun in the prosecu tion arsenal, for it Is on his testimony the state hopes to convict Mr. and Mrs. Llewellyn A. Banks for the pre meditated murder of Constable Pres cott. Fleming followed Verne Shan gle, Medford photographer, who iden tified pictures presented In evidence by the prosecution. "I am being framed on the ballot charges," Fleming quoted Banks as saying. "I have written letters warn ing them( the officers) not to come. They will never take me except over dead bodies, and even then I will be carried out feet first." Didn't See Shooting Fleming did not see the shooting, according to his testimony, as Banks had warned him to leave when the officers were heard at the door. He did see the top of Prescott's head over the window, Jiowevcr, and said he could identify the officer as ho had known Prescott many years. As Fleming started out thvough the back of the house he heard Banks say: "Get out" or "Look out." and almost simultaneously he heard the Bound of a gun. Fleming said he "kept going" and was arrested by an officer as he went out the back .door. The first surprise of the morning came when Frank Lonergan of the defense staff moved that "all evi dence presented by the state be ex cluded as the district attorney's office of Lane county was not represented on the prosecution counsel and there fore the entire procedure was illegal." Would Dismiss Case Had the defense move been sus tained by Judge Sklpworth It would have virtually amounted to a dis missal of the case. While It Is be lieved the defense had no hope of the move being sustained, it wanted the legal strategy written Into the records in case of subsequent appeals. The counsel for the state and the defense, who had maintained an air of friendliness during the selection of the Jury and the opening state ments, grew hostile during today as the questions of Shangle, Medford photographer, got under way. Crowd Enjoys Clashes Several skirmishes between Moody (Continued on Page 8e7en) THREE NEGRO FARMERS ATTACK SHERIFF, SHOT LAKE CHARLES. La., May 4 (AP) Three negro farmers were shot and killed late yesterday In a field In Jeff Davis Parish after they were re ported to hav attacked Sheriff John Conner and Deputy Sheriff Dempey Cole, who hud gone to their farm with a court order demanding that they vacate In foreclosure proceedings. FARMERS' STRIKE National Farmers' Holiday Association Votes Action Demands On Congress Will Be Resubmitted, Plan DBS MOINES, Iowa, May 4. (AP) The National Farmers' Holiday as sociation today voted unanimously to call a nation-wide strike May 13 on all farm products. v The vote came upon a resolution from a committee headed by John A. Scott of Craryville, N. Y. The resolution called for (1) the declaration of a farm marketing holi day, effective May 13;- (2) resubmis sion of the association's legislative demands to congress Including the Frazier bill, Patman bonus bill and Wilier bill; (3) adoption of the strike resolution as presented yesterday by A. C. Townley of St. Paul, Minn., and the appointment or election of a committee of 16 or more to outline the plan for labor organizations. WASHINGTON May 4. (AP) Georgs Peek of Mollne, 111., has vir tually been decided upon as chief administrator of the sweeping farm measure now near final passage by congress. Peek, a farm equipment manufac turer and long a student of agricul tural problems, was one of those who participated In the White House con ference last night on the application of the bill designed to raise the price of farm commodities. statSFcall By ARTHUR PERRY, EUGENE, May 3. Suspended-Sheriff Gordon h. Bchermerhorn and Dr. w n Rwerfenhers of Ashland were added Wednesday to the list of wit nesses for the defense In the trial of T. A Ranks, and his wife. Edith Rob- crtlne Banks, charged with first de gree murder, for the slaying or ton .t.Viij rtAnra J Prescott. Dr. 8we- denberg was associated with Banks In orchard and the Black cnannei mine deals, and was his physician. Tn nntnrn of hla forthcoming testi mony has not been revealed, but It Is believed to be along medical lines. Rn.nonrierf - Rhertff Bchermerhorn visited the Banka home shortly after the murder and was witn siaie " city police during the first exami nations of the scene. Two Medford photographers Verne Shangle and B. R. Harwood have hAan .nhnnenn.d to oroduce photo graphs of the scene of the slaying. exterior and Interior. Tne pnoros wm show where Banks stood when he fired the fatal shot, the door, ana ntnVi' nnjtltlrm near the door. Shangle Is listed as a state witness, Harwood as a defense witness. Mrs. J. O. Barnes, well-known Med fn.H nmTrinn v M. Rodman, and Miss Charlotte de Ford of Tillamook, Ore., have also been called as state- wit nesses. Mrs. Barnes and Rodman live near the Banks home, and from their .inrft. .nrf twirrh wntoherf tha ar rival of Constable Prescott and Ser- ( Continued on Page Seven) RICHARD GEARY PORTLAND. May 4. P Richard Everett Oeary. 48, well-known west ern mining engineer, died Jn a hos pital here today. He had been 111 for several months. Geary was born In Medford, at tended the University of Oregon, and later was graduated from the Colo rado school of mines. He then spent several years In Mexloo as a mining engineer. He served as a lieutenant In the air corps during the world war. Oeary Is survived by his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Oeary, his widow, Elizabeth, and three brothers, Arthur M. Oeary, Portland rate ex pert: Edward A. Geary of Klamath Palls, and Roland W. Oeary of Port land. Since 1919 Geary has been Inter ested In the development of marsh land at Klamath Falls, and was maa a7er of the Geary Brothers' ranches tbeia, NEW CLUE SPURS SEARCH FOR KIDNAPERS OF GIRL A land and sea hunt was Immediately started when It was learned 10-year-old Margaret McMath, shown in these Associated Press Telephotos with her mother. Mrs. Nell C. McMath. had been abducted from school In Harwich port, Mass. She was dismissed from the classroom after a telephone message purporting t be from her father had been received. The kidnaped girl is the granddaughter of Francis C. McMath, wealthy Detroit Industrialist. s HARWICHPORT, Mass.. May 4 (AP) A report that negro had been seen with a white girl In his automobile In Mashpee, an Indian settlement about 20 miles from here. today caused the hurried ordering to that town of 20 state troopers en gaged .In tracking the kidnapers of 10-year-old Margare McMath. William Lee, business associate of Nell O. McMath. who .has acted &s llason for the father of the child who -was .kidnaped from her 'school by a negro In an automobile Tuesday, said he expected to have an an nouncement of Importance to make "in a little while." In the belief that organized gang sters from a large city might have ANN HARDING IN HORROR SCENE AS DOAT CAPSIZES HAVANA. Cuba, May 4. ff-Ann Harding, blonde star of film romance, waa shaken and broken-hearted to day by a scene of horror enacted be fore her eyes. Clinging to a capsized sailboat with two companions yesterday. Miss Hard ing saw sharks kill an aged Cuban sailor who was swimming to shore for aid. "The sharks ate html" That was the cry with which Marie Lombard, the actress' secretary, greet ed rescuers who finally saved her, the actress and Alexander Klrkland, an other luminary of the films. All three, who clung to the 20-foot craft for three hours, three miles off the Jalmanttas Yacht club, are suf fering from shock and exposure. TRIAL TO JURORS BY WEDNESDAY IS GUESS IN EUGENE ,(By Arthur Perry) EUGENE, May 3. Attorneys and officials connected with the murder trial of L. A. Banks, former Med ford orchardlst and editor, and his wife. Edith Robertlne Banks, predict that the case will be in the hands of the jury not later than next Wed nesday, May 10. All the evidence In the case, it is anticipated, will be concluded by early Monday. Thg better part of a day and a half Is expected to be allotted to the attorneys for closing arguments of both state and defense. The Instruc tions of the court are also expected to require an hour or more. Closing arguments for the state will he made by Attorney Ralph E. Moody of Medford, named assistant attorney general to handle the case following the sudden death of As sistant Attorney General William 8. Levem. Tuesday, and District Attor ney George A. Codding. Closing defense argument will' be made by Attorneys Charles A. Hardy of Eugene and Prank J. Lonergan of Portland, who entered the defense at the eleventh hour, and are known as brilliant plesders and orators. Attor ney Tom J. Enriht, a personal friend of Banks and personal counsel In many matters, will also make a closing Jury address. It Is expected. The main oratorical burden of the Continued oo JP&fl our been responsible the family named Aaron Davis, New York advertising man, as a. contact for any negotia tions that might be necessary In that city. An appeal to the kidnapers of their daughter was made today by Mr. and Mrs. Nell O. McMath. The appeal, In the mother's hand writing, said: "If it Is necessary to take the child in an automobile, It would be wise to have ft supply of chewing gum, she becomes car sick. Margaret likes meat, Is fond of milk, vegetables and fruit. Bhe does not like turnips or spinach. "Her mother and father both ask iher to be a good girl and do Just what she Is told to do." "We decided to go sailing yester day afternoon," said Miss Lombard, "We got a small boat from the Jaimanltae club, manned by a lovely old Cuban, Majln Alvarez Tuero, Three miles off Jalmanltas a sudden, strong wind capsized the boat. Miss Harding fell Into the water. "The sailor cried, 'Don't be afraid; stay In the boat. We clung on. He pulled Miss Harding In. After five or ten minute the Cuban said he would try to make land and bring help.- "He had not gone far when he dis appeared. After three or four hours wc sighted a motor launch In which Capt. lslle Waggctt and George An (Continued on Page Seven) STRIKE HOLDS UP ASTORIA, Ore., May 4. P) The famous salmon fishing operations of the lower Columbia river were at an absolute standstill today. The wide expanse of liver, usually swarming with fishermen at this sea son. was practlcsJly clear, even the seining ere wa ha vlng ceased ope ra tions, the result of a strike against the price of six cents a pound offered by packers for Chinook salmon. Eight cents a pound Is demanded. SUICIDE THRUSTS HEAD BENEATH TRAIN WHEELS BAKER, Ore., May 4. (AP) Rob ert McGlnnts of Baker, 29, took his life by thrusting his head under the wheels of a Sumpter Valley Railway company freight car on a sidetrack here late Wednesday afternoon. Mc Glnnts' face and head were badly mangled by the 12 wheels that are estimated to have run over him. Pioneer Pies PORT TOWNS END. Wash., May 4. MP Mr. Sarah E. Patten, 82, a plonker of early Iowa days, was bur ied ' hem yesterday. Since 1028 she had lived In Port Townaend with her daughter and husband, Dr. and Mrs. P. I. Johnston. Arrest Ions Parmer LE MARS, Iowa, May 4. (AP) Iowa, national guard troops Invaded Cherokee county today despite pro- tests of County Attorney Jas. Smith who had threatened to halt them snd arrest two men In connection wIVj northwest low farm riot. STOCKS BOIL UP RAILS LEAD WAY Roosevelt Message and Bet ter Business Reflected in Wall Street Mart Wheat Moving to Higher Levels NEW YORK, May 4. T) Stocks boiled up l to more than M a share in an active market this afternoon. Sales exceeded 4,500.000 shares. Rail Issues were particularly strong. both in advance of and following President Roosevelt's message to con gress and the Introduction of a bill embodying his recommendations. With the rest of stocks went an adv&nco of a cent or more a bushel in wheat at Chicago. Steel shares also displayed marked strength, aided by word the Pennsyl vania railroad was planning to buy between 20,000 and 26,000 tons of rail, involving expenditure of about 1,000.000. Although markets again had In- fl at tons ry aspec ts, seve ra 1 fa vorab le items of business news were reported April automobile production was esti mated as the largest for any month (Continued on Page Pour) Preparations are being made by the retail mercHante" committee of the Chamber of Commerce to participate In National Cotton week, May 18 to 20 Inclusive, and complete announce ment of the local plans will be made next Sunday. As a means of creating Interest in the local cotton event a poster con test has been arranged for through the courtesy of Miss Louise Hollen beck of the high school and Mrs. Arthur Schoenl of the Junior high. Students of both schools who desire to enter the co ntest will submit posters to the Chamber of Commerce by Thursday. May 11, and a com mittee of retail merchants will Judge them In order to determine the win ners. Prizes offered are $3.00 first, $2.00 second and $1.00 third. The posters will be Judged for originality, neatness and design and It Is ex pected that many novel Ideas will be suggested. SENATE PASSES R. F. C. RELIEF FOR INSURANCE WASHINGTON, May 4. (AP) The senate today passed and sent to the house the Fletcher bill to permit the reconstruction corporation to Increase its borrowing power by $50,000,000 to purchase or lend on preferred stock of Insurance companies. Loans to any corporation paying salaries In ex cess of $17,600 were barred. Tragedy at Banks Home Relieved by Prosecutor In Opening Declaration Defense Points to Stormy Career in Move To Show Slaying Result of Strain; Wife Depressed in Court By ARTHUR PKRRV BUOBNE, May 4. The state of Oregon, through Its assistant attorney general. Ralph E. Moody of Medford, In the opening atatcment in the trial of L. A. Bancs and his wife, Edith R. Banks, charged with first de gree murder for the slaving of Constable George .1. Prescott, last March 1. pictured the former editor, orchardlst and agitator, as a "murderer who laid In wait for the coming of Constable Prescott, fired through a narrow opening in the door, opened by his wife, and slew him. It was deliberate snd premeditated,. It was the culmination of a series of clev erly dramatized plots." "The defendant, after the commis sion of the crime, admitted It. In press Interviews, seemed proud of It, and said he would do It again." The prosecutor, near the close of his 4 mlnute address, pictured the Banks home on the murder morning. For the defense, Attorney Joseph n. Hammersly of Portland aald In part: "Dofendant Banks had been under a severe mental strain for months. He had packed his hunting pars phernalUi for a hunting trip. He wanted to get away from the Jack son county turmoil. For ten daya before t&e unfortunate climax. De BASEBALL 1 National First game: R. H. E. Chicago 18 2 Now York 2 6 0 Tinning. Richmond and Hartnett, Taylor; Pitsimmons and Mancuso. R. H. E. Cincinnati 4 12 0 Boston .. ., 0 10 Batteries: Johnson and Hemsley; Mangum and Hogan. R. H. E. St. Louis 6 11 3 Philadelphia - 2 8 0 Batteries: Mooney and Wilson; Bcrly, Elliott, Llska and Davis. Second game: R. H. E. Chicago 4 8 4 New York ft 8 2 Bush, Nelson and Hartnett; Tarm clco, Hubbell and Manucso. American Philadelphia 1 5 2 Chicago 2 8 0 Cain, Freltas and Cochrane; Jones and Grube. R. H. E. Washington .... 5 0 1 Cleveland 6 11 3 Crowder, Thomas and Sewell; Har der and Spencer. R. H. E. New York ...... 6 8 0 Detroit 2 2 0 Gomez and Dickey; Bridges, Sor rel 1 and Desautela. Hayworth. AGED MAN ROBBED OF IN BED CLOT ROSnBURO. Ore.. May 4. (yP) J. H. Morrison, 77. a realdwit of Myrtle Creek, was lut night beaten and robbed by a burglar who aecured M,500 which the elderly man had hidden In hla bed clothing Mr. Morrlaon withdrew the money yesterday from the Myrtle Creek bank. He had hidden the currency In the covers of hU bed. Shortly after he and hie wife had retired to their separate rooma about 9 p. m., Morrison Informed offlcora. he was awakened by a man who ap parently came through the front door of the home and flashed a light on the sleeper. As Morrison awakened he waa struck several blows over the head with the clubbed flashlight. He was stunned snd helpless, but was not unconscious, and told oflcers that his assailant ripped the covers off the bed until he found the packet of currency. Officers declare that the burglar was apparently familiar with the ar rangements of the home and the habits of Its occupants, and knew or the presence of the money. The crime Is being Investigated today by Sheriff Percy Webb and state police officers. Oregon Weather. Showers tonight Bnd Friday; tem perature somewhat below normal; tresh west winds offshore, becoming northwest. fendant Banks never left his home. He even had a barber come to ehave him. People came to him. many of them, telling him of threats against him and his property. This man Fleming came, and told him things. Told him he would be arrested for Inciting a revolution. Mr. Banks then dictated two notes, addressed to . ttt officers. He waa ready to leave. He wanted to get away from the trouble. Then the officers came He saw Mrs. Banks, who had answer ed the knock, atruggllng to keep the officers out. She was trying to keep the door shut wltft all her might. (Continued on Page Nlne) Appointee Would Require Action by Carriers to Avoid Duplication, Pre vent Waste, Aid Refinance WASHINGTON, May 4. tJPi Pre!. dent noosevelt sent to congress to day hla emergency proposal for ap pointment of "a federal coordinator" to guide railroads through a reor ganization. Congressional advocates of the leg islation had it ready at the capltol, snd planned to expedite It through committee to the senate and houss for debate and passsge. The President also asked for Imme diate repeal of the recapture of prof- jw, cmuae in tne interstate commerce commission act nun fnr fri.ai ..il lation of railway holding companies. no nam ne wouut suDmit later a 'comprehensive nlan for MmMmlt legislation." He outlined the duties of the co ordinator, "to encourage, promote or require action on the part of car riers, in order to Bvold duplication of service, prevent waste, and en courage financial reorganizations." Copies of the bill were not avail able at the capltol, a final draft hav ing Just been sent to the printing office. ELKS TO WARBLE OLD BEER SONG Hath music charm enough to bring back those "good old days when.?" At least it will be tried out tonight at the Elks' "Dutch" feed, according to Leon Hasklns. past exalted ruler, In charge of the program for the evening. ... A chart of the old "Schnltzelbank" aong has beor. located and an at tempt will be made to revive the song and the good fellowship that goes with It. The Elks bsnd will pro vide tne music and all that Is lacking Is a leader. It has been suggested that tf a better one cannot be found Ole Alenderfer will be asked to fill the bill. Elks who can recall the "Oood Old Days" will not miss this feed. WAR DEBTS BARRED LOITOON, May 4. (AP) Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald told the house of commons today that war debts have been barred from the pro gram of the world economic confer ence and that Britain Is asking for special "safeguards" in connection with the American proposal for a tariff truce. WILL ROGER? NEW YORK, May 3. Welt, lot's bpc what Hvandal the eve ning papers have here that will hear repeating. The house of representatives is going to limit debate on in flation to five hours. I wish to goodness there was a way to limit individuals that try to ex plain it to j-ou in five hours. We thought technocracy wus a tough bird to get the low- down on, but it's only a first reader compared to hearing a guy explain ''inflation." I am going down to Washington to morrow and hear the congress men bite into it. There is one thing about it, it's made every man's intelligence equal, . Yours, a) lU VtNi.uM jraJKtte. to
