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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 1939)
The Weather Forecast: Cloudy tonlfht and Friday with Intermittent rain, not murh chance In teinper- Try Advertising No matter what you wint, If It li to be had In Mill community, rlaMlflril Adt. .lioulil tlnd It ror jou. Try ulrrrtlilnf In the Mali Tribune If you do not find II adtertlaed In the Classified. MEDFORD Tribune Tvniueraturt Highest yetterday ; Lowest thli morning - Full Associated Press Full United Press Thirty-fourth Year MEDFORD, OREGON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, No. 222. 15) IB) rui km iu KM Off MB ss 0 ;r ' . At AtHE- Washington, D. C, Dec. 7. When heavy pressure was ap- 0 plied to President Roosevelt to recall Amoassaaor n. x, mmui Schoenfeld, from Moscow, and to abrogate the commercial treaty with Soviet Russia, the only official "consultant" he found to consult in the national capital was Oregon's Charles McNary. Advice of McNary: "Don't be precipitate." When President Roosevelt ad dressed congress at the special session called to act on neutral ity legislation in September, he suggested congress confine it self to that subject, then ad journ. During the interim be tween the special session and the regular session in January, he announced he would consult on important foreign develop ments the official leaders of congress, requested them not to go home. FORMER president Herbert Hoover, many new dealers, some members of senate and house, urged Mr. Roosevelt to demonstrate disapproval of America of Russia's conduct in Finland, by severing relations. Mr. Roosevelt decided to con sult the leaders, Democratic leader, Senator I Barkley, was in Mayo clinic for an operation; democratic house leader, Sam Rayburn, was ab sent promoting the presidential boom of Cactus Jack Garner. Republican house leader, Joe Martin, was in New England observing Thanksgiving (not Frank's giving). Key Pittman, chairman of senate committee on foreign relations, had gone duck hunting. There was no body home but republican lead er, Senator McNary. IT WAS after Maxime Litvin- off, then foreign commissar, gave Mr. Roosevelt a complete set of Russian stamps, that the president recognized U. S. S. R. The conversations leading to this were conducted in the White House late at night, some times after guests of a White House party had gone home. Commissar Litvinoff (whose wife is English-born), in return for recognition, promised Mr. Roosevelt, (A) Russia would pay its debt to Uncle Sam; (B) Rus sia would not indulge in com munistic propaganda in the United States; (C) assured Mr. Roosevelt freedom of religious worship in Soviet Russia. Com- missar Litvinoff reiterated these promises in an interview with ; the writer. j (Continued on Page Eleven EDGAR BERGEN CONFINED! BY POISON DUE TO BOIL Hollywood, Dec. 7. (JP) Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen is confined to his home with an infection, resulting from a boil on his face, but his condition today was reported improved. Yesterday, his physicians said, he was in a "serious condition." SIDE GLANCES by TRIBUNE REPORTERS Leona Kingman being in happy state of surprise over bright and shiny new radio. Ginevra Green looking like a pretty little love bird in a chapeau fashioned entirely of turquoise colored feathers and down. LaMurle Beck Witt busily knitting while waiting her turn to try out for a play. Marjory Kelly describing in a dramatic and terrifying man ner the horror of being the victim of a flu germ. Delta Deb members senourly considering presenting Leonard Smedley with a membership bid into their feminine orsanira t ion. so v.cll did he fit in wit'i the club r.ftrr crji-hiiig a meet ing last evening E NVAD1NG PLANES Ninth British Naval Loss is North Sea Trawler; Dutch Motorship Is Torpedoed London, Dec. 7. (JP) New blows were struck at the British navy and neutral shipping to day as royal air force planes turned back German warplanes in two encounters over north east Britain. The ninth acknowledged Bri tish naval loss was counted with the sinking of the 209-ton traw ler Washington by a mine in the North Sea yesterday. The admiralty said eight lives were lost. The 8,159-ton Netherlands mo torship Tajandoen was tor pedoed and sunk in the English channel. Six of her crew were missing. The air ministry declared that one enemy plane "was seen to be hit" in a raid on the Firth of Forth area, site of the Rosyth naval base, and a second in vader was damaged in another encounter off the northeast coast. Eight Attempt Raid The fight over the Firth of Forth occurred at 12:45 p. m. 4:45 m. PST) when eight German bombers were reported heading for the Firth. Coastal batteries blazed into action and R.A.F. pursuit planes whizzed into the air a moment later. The second fight developed a short time later when two more German planes were engaged by the R.A.F. Both planes, the R.A.F. said "at once turned back and were pursued out to sea, one of them being seen to be hit." The air ministry announced tonight one British plane failed to return from patrol duty yes terday. Paris, Dec. 7. (JP) French advance positions withstood re peated shocks of savage German patrol attacks along the entire northern flank of the western front today after a night of ac tivity in which the French re ported inflicting heavy losses with automatic and artillery fire. A new German strategy was reported by French military re ports. After being halted during the night by deadly French fire, the German patrols, instead of retreating as usual, dug in on bare no-man's-land, The French countered by raining shells on the attackers and then dislodged them with infantry counter attacks. , ! EDUCATION BOARD MAY ANNOUNCE NEW PREXY Portland, Dec. 7. (JP) Selec tion of a new Oregon State col lege president may be an nounced by the state board of higher education at its monthly meeting here Monday and Tues day. Committees will hold separate sessions Monday with the board convening Tuesday. Finns Exact Terrific Toll In Defending Karelian Line Moscow, Dec. 7. (JP) A Soviet Russian army has smash ed the main Finnish defense line on the Karelian isthmus, the Leningrad command announced today, and is thrusting on north ward. The Leningrad communique said "Soviet troops, after artil lery preparation, broke through the main defense line of the Finns along the Wuoksi water system, known among Finnish white guards as the Maginot- Kirke line. The natural defenses of the Vuoksi water system, a chain of lakes and water courses zig zagging almost across the 65 mile wide isthmus north of Len ingrad, had been augmented, it is said, by pillboxes, trenches, wire entanglements, tank traps and mines The Finiu defended th line Kidnaper ofK F. Salesman Killed by Policeman War Bulletins I Helsinki, Dec. 7 (JP) Russian warships bombarded the southern coast of Finland today while the red army launched an attack on the central front along the north ern shores of Lake Ladoga, Finnish advices received here said tonight. Finnish coastal batteries were said to have held off the fleet bombardment direct ed at undisclosed points along the coast. Paris, Dec. 7. (JP) Infan try fire along the long-dormant Rhine river sector of the western front was report ed in tonight's communique of the French high command, which said: "A quiet day on the whole. Patrols on either side. Infan try fire along the Rhine." FINNS WILL STAKE ALL IN EFFORT TO Kirkenes, Norway (at the Finnish frontier), Dec. 7. (JP) A big engagement, possibly de cisive, is expected to take place soon on Finland's Arctic front. The finns are said to be mass ing large forces around PetsaniOj Finland's strategic port at the head of her narrow corridor to the Arctic ocean. Some reports received today said 20,000 men were being massed there with the apparent intention of clear ing out the Russian invaders at all costs and thus safeguard the northern outlet. The Russians, on the other hand, were reported to be con tinuing the landing of troops on Petsamo fjord. There were no reports of im portant fighting on the northern front today. Helsinki, Dec. J'-tt-VP) Two hundred and thi&tv Finnish Americans, some iff whom never before have been in Finland, arrived today to enlist in the Finnish army to fight against Russia. A spokesman for the group said they left New York as soon as they learned Finnish inde pendence was threatened. Rumors circulating in the capital today that Russian forces had broken through the Man neirheim line the system of de fenses on the Karelian isthmus were discounted. Reliable sources disclaimed any knowledge of sudden Rus sian gains in that sector and it was suggested the rumors prob ably originated with Russian broadcasts. Helsinki itself was quiet; the early dark ended another day without air raids. Silverton, Ore., Dec. 7. (JP) Rev. E. F. Clower, 73, retired Methodist pastor who formerly served congregations at Vale North Powder and Joseph, died here today. with artillery, machine-guns and automatic rifles. (A Swedish woman newi paper correspondent reported to Stockholm the Finns were ex acting a tremendous price for the invasion of the isthmus. (She quoted a Finnish com mander, Alexander Mcelblom as saying the Russian front line forces there, counting airmen, numbered at least 100,000 with another 100.000 in reserve. Hel- j sinki military experts have esti mated about 200.000 Russians were engaged in the campaign on all fronts. ("Whole companies advancing In line were mowed down by Finnish artillery and infantry in thousands." the correspondent wrote. "Many Russians had no leggings, only overshoes, which were tilled with straw and 1 bound with ccJrd.") CITY'S TAX LEVY L IN COMING YEAR Combined Levy Fixed at 48.5 Mills - 48.3 Mills Basis Current Payments. The combined tax levy for the city of Medford for 1940. including state and county, city and schools, amounts to 4R.5 mills, according to figures com piled by the assessor's office. The millage is two-tenths of a mill less than this year, when it was 43.3 mills. For Medford, the school levy is 16.5 mills, the city levy 18.8 mills and state and county 13.2 mills. In Ashland, the combined levy is 51.6 mills, a decrease of 1.3 mills compared with this yenr when it was 52.9 mills. The Ashland school levy is 20.7 mills, the city levy 19.3, and the state and county 11.6 mills The combined levies for other inncoprorated towns of the county are: Butte Falls Schools. 4.3 mills; city 22.4, state and county 13.2, a total of 39.9 mills. This year's combined levy was 25.8. an increas of 14.3 mills. Central Point Schools 19 mills, city 29.2, state and coun ty 13.2, a total of 61.4. This year it was 58.6, an Increase of 2.8 mills. Eajjle Point Schools 17.4 mills, city 14.6, state and coun ty 13.2. a total of 45.2, a de crease of one mill compared with this year's levy of 46.2 mills. Gold Hill Schools 19.3 mills. city 25, state and county 13.2. a total of 57.5. This is an In crease of 7.5 over this year, when it was 49 mills. Jacksonville Schools 24.2 mills, city 16.1, state and coun ty 13.2, total 53.5, a decrease of 7.4 mills under the current 60.D mills. Phoenix Schools 12.8 mills. city 15.1, state and county 13.2, total 41.1, a decrease of 4.4 mills. This year it was 43.5 mills. Rogue River Schools 22.6 mills, city 12.3, state and coun ty 13.2, total 48.1, an Increase of 1.7 over this year's total of 46.4 mills. Talent Schools 15.4 mills! city 21.5, state and county 13.2, total 50.1 mills, a decrease of 1.6 mills. This year it was 51.7 mills. SAY G O P. LEADERS Washington, Dec. 7. (JP) John Hamilton, chairman of the Republican national committee, said today many party leaders with whom he had talked felt President Roosevelt's policy with respect to the Russo-Finnish war "hag not been helpful to Mr. Roosevelt In this country." "Do you mean falling to break relations with Russia? ' a reporter asked Hamilton. "Yes," the chairman replied. Summing up the results of a meeting of the executive com mittee of the national commit tee here today, the chairman said a "definite drive" would be put on to raise X655.000 bj December 31, to pay off the party's deficit. He said an effort would be made to raise this money by $1,000 individual subscriptions, but the committee would take any amounts. Hamilton, said it would be a "pretty good thing" If his party could loo' over the 1940 Demo cratic nominees and platform before holding its own national convention. DEWEY CAMPAIGN AT 'DEFEATISM' Government Hostility, Tax ation, Political Quackery Held Stifling Enterprise. Minneapolis, Dec. 7. (JP) Thomas E. Dewey probed down to the roots of the farm prob lem today, seeking facts and suggestions to use in his drive for the Republican presidential nomination. He opened his campaign last night with a blast at new deal "defeatism," and today contin ued it with a conference with a dozen of the state's top rank ing farmers and farm organi zation leaders. The New York district attor ney announced he was eager for facts and well primed with questions about agriculture's troubles. He hinted at the trend his investigation would take yes terday when he mentioned the drought and southern competi tion with northern dairy inter ests as two important questions. Waits Repercussions His inquiry into the farm question coincided with , spot lighting of.the problem by Sec retary of Agriculture Wallace and Senator Burton K. Wheeler (D., Mont.), who came here to address a farmers' union con vention in the St. Paul auditor ium tonight. Meanwhile Dewey and his ad visors awaited the repercussions from his keynote speech last night, when he declared "gov ernment hostility, repressive taxation and economic quack ery have stifled American en terprise. He quoted President Roose velt as having said "Our indus trial plant is built. The problem just now is whether under ex- (Continued on Pae Three l E IN MURDER OF GERMAN New York, Dec. 7. (JP) A vengeful person with racial or personal grudge was sought today as the bludgeon slayer ( Dr. Walter Engelberg, 42. Ger man consulate secretary. Deputy Medical Examiner Manuel E. Marten said Engel berg, who had been In the con sular service nearly 20 ycarr, had been struck at least three times while asleep, and the blows, with an "ax or some other heavy weapon," were so severe the man was "practically decapitated. No weapon was found In Engelbcrg's Brooklyn dwelling, which neighbors called "Hitler house" and which Is on dead end street that winds up at a Jewish burial ground. Engelberg's battered body, clad in a bloody nightshirt, was found in a second-floor bed room yesterday. Marten said the man had been dead "about 24 hours." Walls, carpet nd ceilings were splashed with blood Police said they found 50 or 60 photographs of nude men in the house. District Attorney William F X. Geoghan said he believed Engelberg, a bachelor, had been .lain hv L "vonn,.',. m,.rHr. r .nH (h., T..i .i er, and other authorities were inclined to support this theory. Berlin, Dec. 7. (JP) The heads of two spies and trai tor fell today. All were con victed of serving the inter ests of Great Britain. Heinrich Peters was convicted of high treason yesterday. Walter Israel Becker of Vi enna, a Jewish rmigra'it, and Herman Stctcficld were behead ed as spies. Kuhn Sentenced to Prison IRflY HITCH-HIKER it rl Is li t S a a.. .wiL---;;:.;..' Frits Kuhn (right) of the is shown on his way io court In New York where he was sen tenced to prison for a term of 2'i to 5 years. He was convicted recently of grand larceny of Bund funds. Men with him are officers. Radio Highlights By Associated Press (Time is Pacific standard) Tonight: Talks, WJZ-NBC, 6, Paul V. McNutt on "Democ racy's Obligation To Its Youth;" WJZ-NBC. 6:30, A m c r 1 c a's Town Meeting, "Can Business and Government Work To gether Today?" Sen. Robert A'k Taft and others. Europe, WABC- CBS, 5:55, 8; MBS 6, 7:30; WEAF-NBC 8. Friday: Europe, NBC-chains, 5 a. m.; WABC-CBS, 5 a. m.. 3:30 p. m Congress of Ameri can Industry, WEAF-NBC 10:30 a. m., H. W. Prentiss Jr. on 'Current American Crisis." HOUCK BIDS LOW ON PAC. HIGHWAY WORK Portland, Dec. 7.P) Bids totaling nearly $300,000 were submitted to the state highway commission on seven projects today. Low bids included: Jackson county: Paving 6.31 miles and furnishing crushed rock for Siskiyou-state line sec tion of Pacific highway, Roy L. Houck, Salem, $108,244. Fourth Set of Twins Within Five Years Astounds Medic Vancouver, B. C, Dec. 7. (JP) A medical phenomenon appar ently unequalled anywhere In Canada was disclosed today through a doctor's announce ment that Mrs. Jack Dye, 32, had given birth to her fourth consecutive set of twins. All the twins, born In the period of five years, are alive and well. Dr. R. Elder, who attended Mra. Dye at the birth of her! fourth set of twins Aug. 31, said I can find no other case in Canada of such a record as Mrs. Dye has established." Mr. and Mrs. Dye came to Canada from Yorkshire, Eng land. They said today that there was no history of twins being born to ancestors on either side. Each pair of twins is com posed of a boy and girl. In each case the girl was born first. In each case doctors held little "Vir'.-,- M German - American Bund, fame. LOCAL ATTORNEYS Salem Artioles Ore., Dec. 7. (U.P.) of Incorporation filed today: Tip Top Mining Co., Inc Medford. H. D. Duncan, G. A. Codding and Victor Tengwald. Mining. Capital stock 100 shares NPV. filed by Duncan, atty., Medford. H. B. Duncan explained to day that the mining property, embracing 160 acres and seven claims, was located In Josephine county above Holland and near the Oregon California line. Three Los Angeles persons, whose names can't be revealed at present, "are backing the mine," ho stated. ' He said there had been con siderable prospecting on the property and that "prospects looked fairly good." A meeting of the corporation officers will be held soon, he said. hope the boy would live, but all gained strength rapidly and soon were normal. Mrs. Dye doesn't find It very difficult, she says, to look after the twins and her 10-year-old daughter, Marion. "We manage somehow," she says. "They arc all so good, and the babies are perfect." The new arrivals are Edna and Edward. Frances and Frank ; are now a year and five months old; John and Joan two years and five months, and next old est are Donald and Dorothy Dorothy is the only one not at home, Dr. Elder said he has found no record of a similar phenome non in his 30 years as a physi cian. "It Is extremely difficult to account for this phenomenon," he said. "There are about one set of twins to every 100 births, but consecutive girl-boy twin births are exceedingly rare, T IN EFFORT T0.AV01DARREST 0. W. Spiker, Locked In Rear of Own Auto, Makes Escape on Eugene Street. State police here said today they had no Information con cerning the time the automobile passed through Medford, nor the) location where It stopped while the owner was forced Into the trunk. Albany, Ore., Dec. 7. (JP) A youthful hitch-hiker who turned robber, with the man who be friended him as his victim, lay dead in the county morgue to day, his escapade ended by a state patrolman's gun. The youth, described as be tween 18 and 20 years, was fa tally shot In a brief gun battle last night with state patrolman Wallace Hugg, who said the youth fired as he drove along side of him. State police Captain Walter Lansing said the car had been stolen from O. W. Spiker, Klam ath Falls sawmill equipment' salesman who had picked up JYie Wiaki-clad . eitch-hiker 2S miles east of Ashlnnd. Spiker said the youth, brand ishing a gun, locked him in the car's rear trunk near Medford. He said he finally freed himself at Eugene by removing the trunk lock with screw driver. Hugg spotted the youth short ly after Spiker unfolded hie story to police. Eugene, Dec. 7. (JP) A 54-year-old Klamath , Falls sales man, O. W. Spiker, owes his escape, and perhaps his life, today to tool placed In hie hands by the hitch-hiker who locked him Into the trunk of his automobile near Medford af ter threatening him with death. He tumbled to the pavement of Eugene street four houri later, gaining his freedom by a screw driver which his captor knocked from the trunk and re placed before he locked the own er of the car Into the small space for his wild 200-mile drive, nortnward. other contents of the trunk, however, were dumn. ed. As soon as the car was In mo tion, Spiker, who had picked up the youth on a highway east of Ashland and had been forced to drive to a lonely spot near Med ford where his machine was taken at the point of a gun, be gan the difficult task of remov ing eight screws which fastened the lock. It took him two houri but It was not until two hours later that he gained the deter mination to take a hance and roll from the moving car to spread the alarm. The youth, evidently not knowing his captive had es caped, drove on north to Shedd where he was shot and killed in a gun battle with a state po liceman. Spiker found it difficult to talk with his kidnaper, even be fore the gun was pulled. "Don't open your mouth or I'll plug you," he was told. I have miles to make and I'm going to make them. All the law is on me." "Yes, I picked up a hitch hik. er, but it's the last one," Spiker observed today. "From now on even my grandmother will walk." RED CROSS TO ACCEPT Washington, Dec. 7. (JP) . Norman Davis, chairman of the American Red Cross, disclosed after a White Houso call today that the organization had au thorized Its 3,700 chapters to ac cept contributions for the relief of the Finnish people. Davis aid also it had 80,000 surgical dressings ready to send to the war-ravaged country.
