Wilkes-Barre Sunday Independent

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RUNAWAY AUTO FIRES HEIGHTS GAS STATION
A Paper 11   For The Home
SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
LEASED WIRE TELEGRAPH REPORT TO 3 A. M. SUNDAY
THE WEATHER
Fair Sunday and Monday; possible
snow    flurries;    not    much
change In temperature.
FIFTY-TWO PAGES
The   Only   Sundaj   Ktwtpaprt CoTprIng   the   Wyomint   VulSey
WILKES-BARRE, PA., SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 1937
Entered   «t   Wllkei-Barn,   Pa..
Aa   Srrnnd   Clasa   Mall   Matter
PRICE TEN CENTS
GOVERNMENT NOT TO INTERFERE
COUNTRY'S LAROR DISPUTES
Gasoline Set Ablaze After Auto Shears Pipes En¬ dangering Passing Trolley
OCCUPANTS FLEE
High Note Of Sincerity For Easter In Valley
Churches Will Be Crowded For Special Services;
Business Best In Years; Trains And Busses
Rush Folk Home; To Be Chilly
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Writs That Weren't Served
Car Of Joseph Klem, Warrior Run, Abandoned But Police Get No Report Of Theft
ONE MAN INJURED
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PoBsible heavy loss of life and cx- tensiv* property damage were nar¬ rowly averted shortly before U oclock last night when a speed- in; automobile catapulted into m HalghU service station, demoliah- ed two expensive pumps and atart- fd n fire which menaced under¬ ground gasoline itorage tanks.
Pedestrians fled in panic as gas¬ oline in the pumps ignited from a short circuit in the electric mech¬ anism and flames whipped around the automobile whose two oc¬ cupants leaped out and ran away after the terrific crash.
A crowded Georgetown trolley car which was passing at the time was rushed out of the danger zone by the motorman who applied full speed while three or four men who were m the service station office abo raced to safety.
>lay Be Stolen Car
Early today police were investi¬ gating the possibility that the auto¬ mobile, (ompletely wrecked and burned in the unusual accident, was a stolen car although no re¬ port of R theft had been made by i Joseph Klem of 498 Front street. Warrior Run, in whose name the license tags were issued.
The crash and fire occurred at the Richfield service station oper¬ ated by Robert R. Watkins of 48 Spruce street. Wilkes-Barre Town- «hlp at the intersection of East Market. Meade and Hillside streets,
Watkins, Howell Williams of Meade street. William Hibbard of Meade .street, Andrew Grula of North Empire street and Clifford Evans of Custer street, were aeat- «a in the service station office «bout 10:45 oclock last night, they told police.
Hearing a terrific crash they looked out to see a sedan careen after hitting a telephone pole itt th« corner of East Market and i^orth Meade streets and come hurtling diagonally more than 150 feet and into the main entrance to the service  station,
(iasolinn   Ignited
The car mounted a concrete plat-
mm facing Hillside street, shear-
M off one  gasoline   pump  at  the
"Me and  partially  toppled  over a
(Continued  on  Page  A-6)
"Cool—if not cold—and clear," said weather prophets last night when asked the forecast for to¬ day. There is to be no rain, ac¬ cording to report, but the East will experience one of the briskest Easters in years. Despite heavy buying of dresses and other bits of finery, especially suited for sunny, warm days, the ladies probably will be disappointed—if not cold.
The big Easter parade—rain or shine—will get underway early this morning. Residents will wend their way to the various churches, start¬ ing at 5 a. m., when special ser¬ vices will be held. Services in all valley churches will be held at various hours of the day.
Churches To Be Crowded
Many of the churches will feature special Easter processions in which little children, attired in white and carrying flowers, will participate. White is symbolic of purity and holiness.
Special singing will be heard in churches of all denominations with timely sermons delivered by the clergymen. There is every reason to believe that local churches will be  crowded,   but  not  to  such  an
extent as in other parts of the East. In metropolitan churches, tickets have been issued so that regular worshippers will not be denied scats.
Unprecedented attendance is ex¬ pected in many of the churches, based on the belief that many will make today's celebrations the oc¬ casion for Thanksgiving for the return of "Better Times." Here, mines and other industries are working better. With enthusiasm the people will sing the familiar Kyric Elcsion, Dvorak's Te Deum Laudamus, Gloria In Excelsis, the Halleluidh Chorus from Handel's Messiah.
Busses,  Trains Crowded
Thousands returned to the valley from New York, Philadelphia, Washington and other points, via railroad, bus and motorcade, last night. The holiday rush back home, to join families for the Easter festive occasion, was heaviest in years. Highways were jammed and extra highway patrol¬ men were assigned to roadways to keep traffic moving steadily.
Martz   bus   terminal,   on   Public (Continued  on  Page A-6)
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CONDUCTOR, DIES
Former Kingston Resident Passes While Taken From Train To Home Of Son
mm DELAY PAYING 15 DEBT
HAD 40 YEARS SERVICE
Mathew J. p-lanagan, prominent Lackawanna Railroad conductor and one of the best known em¬ ployees on the Northumberland division, passed away last night of a heart attack.
Mr. Flanagan took his train from Northumberland to Scranton late yesterday afternoon and, after com¬ pleting his work at that terminal, started back to the division point, where he resided at 260 Northway street. While on the passenger train he was stricken and com¬ plained to a companion, another railroad employee. His condition was so serious that it was decided that he would get off at Kingston, to go to the home of his son, Harry, at 412 Schuyler avenue.
A car was waiting when he ar¬ rived in the West Side borough, but he died before reaching his son's residence. The physician called in the case stated death was due to a heart condition. Lived In Kingston
Mr. Flanagan was born in Kings¬ ton and spent most of his lifetime there.    His position on the Lacka- (Continued  on   Page  A-6>
Terrible Squalor Found in Shickshinny Shack Of Man Ending Grudge With Gun
DOG KEEPS VIGIL
announce decision after White house conference
I No Agreement At Night Gathering ! Robinson says No condition But Chrysler Accord Seems Nearer \  ^ Adio*n"undJr°Laws';
Miss  Perkins  Optimistic
Lansing, Mich., March 28 (Sun¬ day)—Walter P. Chrysler and John L. Lewis, described as "in accord and working hard," worked through the night on several col¬ lective bargaining proposals Jesign- ed to end the prolonged strike that has held 60,000 Chrysler workers idle and tied up $50,000,000 worth of properly.
At 12:30 a. m. today (Sunday) the automotive manufacturer and the head of the Committee for In¬ dustrial Organization recessed their deliberations with the announce¬ ment that they would meet again this afternoon at 1 oclock. Earlier Gov. Frank Murphy, suffering from a. heavy cold but obviously pleased that negotiations were con¬ tinuing, had admitted that he did not believe a tii^l agreement pos¬ sible at the all-night meeting.
The session, which ended early this morning, began at 10 oclock last night after the leaders had recessed their conference for dinner at 8:35 oclock. They had been in discussion all afternoon.
Neither group would comment upon the progress of strike neKoti-
ations but Murphy, smiling broadly. told newspapermen that sessions might continue into the week in efforts to iron out the only con¬ troversial point—that of the union's demand for sole collective bargain¬ ing rights among Chrysler workers.
"Are the conferees any closer to an agreement?"
"No comment," the Governor said. "Everything is satisfactory. They are still in accord and work¬ ing hard."
Peace Believed Closed
Persons close to the Governor more strongly emphasized the ap¬ proach of industrial peace in the Chrysler strike. They said that both Lewis and Chrysler, who had planned to return to Detroit Satur¬ day night to begin the eastern journey to New York, had can¬ celled reservations, indicating that they were nearer a solution.
It was learned that at least three proposals embodying collective bar¬ gaining provisions have been dis¬ cussed by the conferees; that none has been accepted. It was said that none had been flatly rejected (Continued  on  Page  A-6)
REPORT TO PRESIDENT
Sheriff Thomas  C.  Wilcox,   left,  and  Undersheriff  Bernard   McUraili of Detroit with some of the 6,000 writs prepared but not served against the sit-down strikers  in the Chrysler plants.   Through  the  efforts  of j Governor  Murphy  and  other mediators  the  strikers  readily  left  the plants after a series of peace parleys.
VOLUNTEERS KEPT! PRESIDENT TAKES
POPE PIUS RENEWS PLEA FOR WORKERS
Christmas Is Slightly Mixed
With Easter Season For Joe
Most people are celebrating ^*»»ter this morning, but Joseph ^''''ivits, 8 Slattery street, Georgc- w*", turns his thoughts to Christ- «•»¦ Last December he cut down "ome Christmas trees at Bear ^r»ek township, without liist gct- ,„. required  gypsy  moth   in-
'Peciion and certifications, not to "jcniion permission for the "George "Mhington" act.
arVlT^f""' ^^^ sworn out for his moth „«-^ ^- F- t-'a-^Pbell. a gypsy ,"?,''. °"'C", but repeated summons
Brlv. }" '"''"8 'I'm lo Alderman SV °*^'"' '«"• » »iearing. Last Johr, .* *** arrested by Constable 1°, ¦* ."-aranci, 137 South Washing¬ ton street, who located him at the Jm.L °t Justice of the Peace •""'Ph Falchak, Georgetown. saui/*"" •'"' ^'^ prisoner left the but ii' " * •"'¦'>' '" '•''« evening, lon».. Tl.*' "•""• ^'""e 'ater, much th,v "" " "»ua"y takes, when ^«y arrived at Wilkes-Barre police CUo r. A^'v'^K «t Main street, ^ofgetown, Mislivita  leaped from
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the automobile, dragging Constable Carancl with him when the latter grabbed his arm.
Back in the car, the two again started their trip, Caranci upbraid¬ ing his passenger. The ride was resumed, but not for long. At East Northampton street, Mislivits again tried to bolt from the car. Con¬ stable Caranci made a grab and for the second time was dragged from the vehicle. This time he was peeved.
A Wilkes-Barre township officer came upon the scene and he as¬ sisted in getting the Georgetown resident to the city police station. Arriving, Mislivits feigned uncon¬ sciousness. However, officers re¬ fused to take him seriously and promptly removed him to the '4lotel" division of city hall.
Mislivitz will be given a hearing before Alderman Frank Brown to¬ morrow morning at 10:30. Despite trouble caused the representatives of the state can.'tabiilary, he will be arraigned on the original charge.
An aged man's faithful dog crouched mournfully last night in front of the little shack that was their home on a Shickshinny farm as his wounded master struggled for life in the Nanticoke State hos¬ pital.
Since yesterday morning, when Joseph Benscoter, 65, was shot down by Robert Culver, 75, to climax a grudge that had its in¬ ception in a two-day delay in pa^'- mcnt of a $5 debt. Benscoter's friendly collie dog has maintained constant vigil at the door of the abode where he was always sure of "three squares" a day.
He remained unmoved even while investigating police officers sought and found the discharged shot-gun shell which for several hours balk¬ ed coi\iplete solution of the shoot¬ ing.
I^st night Police Chief John White of Shickshinny and Chief County Detective Richard Powell were satisfied that all angles of the attempted murder had been cleared up with Culver's confession that he fired, from a distance of about five feet, while Benscoter was  chopping wood.
Trapped  By  QucNtion
A "shot in the dark" question was attributed by police as respon¬ sible for breaking down Culver's insistent denials of guilt.
"I guess you threw the empty shell away." one of the interrogat¬ ing police officers asked Culver suddenly during a grilling that had been so far fruitless despite the wealth of circumstantial evidence against him,
"No I didn't. It's in the shack where I . . ." Culver answered, caught  off guard.
Police immediately went to Cul¬ ver's miserable hut, about 100 yards from where Be oter's dog crouched in sorrow, and after scouring the interior discovered the discharged shell, wedged behind a piece of sheet iron.
Confronted with the shell and by statements of several persons who saw him leave his shack with a shotgun and return shortly after Benscoter was felled by a charge of buckshot that struck him in the abdomen, Culver admitted to police that he had shot down the man who had been a friend for years,
III  feeling  which  had  its  incep¬ tion when Benscoter failed to pay off promptly a fS loan on the stip- (Continued on Page A-6)
Easter Encyclical Again Seeks Adequate Living;! Directed To Aid Of Mexico
HEROIC FAITH PRAISED
Vatican City, March 27 (UP)— Pope Pius XI, in an Easter ency¬ clical today, renewed his recent plea for social justice and adequate living conditions for workers.
He coupled the plea with an ex- hojlalion to greater sanctiflcation of the clergy and co-operation of Christian laymen in providing ma¬ terial assistance to the lower and needier classes.
The encyclical was the Pope's third within ten days, written with vigor despite his recent grave ill- nes.":. The Pope plans to appear in public after Easter mass tomorrow for the first time since his illness.
The encyclical was addressed to the Me:cican clergy. It followed clo.sely the lines of his recent en¬ cyclical on Communism, in which he also came to the defense of the working  man.
Warns   of   Violent  Changes
In discussing the application of the principles of justice and char¬ ity, the encyclical said these should be emphasized, "in ord to assure to all at least that minimum of this world's goods which is indispens¬ able for the safeguarding of human dignity and elimination of abuses, at the same time guarding against violent changes which could only cause  harm instead  of  good."
The encyclical began by saying that the Pope's heart "is greatly saddened by the conditions afflict¬ ing the church in Mexico," It added that efficacious means of restoring church life in Mexico consist not only in sanctiflcation of the clergy, but collaboration of the laity in apostolic work.
The Pope recommended that re¬ ligious and economic assistance be given to industrial land workers "in order that we may reach their souls." He appealed to Mexicans "to set aside personal differences In order that they may under¬ stand the necessity of forming but one body,"
Praises   Heroic   Faith
He expressed satisfaction at the affection shown by the Mexican clergy and Catholic laymen "under circumstances in which the open profession of faith can require really heroic conduct,"
The encyclical highly praised American bishops "who have come to the aid of their brothers of the Mexican hierarchy by providing tot
Lives But Has No Jugular Vein
Painesville, Ohio, March 27. (UP)—t Physicians today pro¬ nounced seven-year-old Ralph Norman jr., whose life they saved by an extremely delicate operation, normal in all respects -except that he has no jugular vein.
Lack of the jugular, however, will not prevent Ralph's early return to school or jeopardize his health in the future, the doctors said.
For two weeks a mastoid in¬ fection kept the boy in the shadow of death. Then a blood clot began forming which physi¬ cians feared would spread to his brain. Surgeons removed a section of the large vein and tied the ends. They gambled that smaller veins would be able to carry the blood which nor¬ mally flows through the juglar.
Today the boy played out of doors with all the vigor of normal health. He will go back to   school   within   a   few   days.
the creation of a seminary for Mexican students in the United States,"
The Pope urged all to obey direct instructions from the Holy See and the bishops, and imparted to all the Apostolic blessing after "laying my prayer for the welfare of the Mexican nation at the feet of the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe."
Issuance of the encyclical, writ¬ ten like the other two while the world thought that he was In n dying condition, served to empha¬ size the physical and mental vigor of the Pope despite his age and illness.
To Join  Easter Services
He will further emphasize it to-' morrow by appearing at the Easter mass in St, Peter's basilica, and then appearing in the central loggia facing the square to bless the multitutle assembled there— perhaps as many as 200,000,
It will be the culmination of a Holy Week which has been ob¬ served with all the traditional cere¬ mony of the Roman Catholic church.
After the sorrowful services of I Good Friday, the final masses of the week were held this morning and Lent ended at noon. The joy¬ ous observance of the Feast of the Resurrection, however, does not start until tomorrow morning.
After  the   Holy  Saturday   ma.ss, priests made the rounds of homes .(Continued on Page A-6>
FROM SPAIN lEN
Found On French Boat; Aid Of Nazis Shown British; Expect 100,000 Italians
REBELS ATTACK AGAIN
Port Vendres, France, March 27. (UP)—France demonstrated her in¬ tention to prevent landing of volun¬ teers in Spain by French vessels today when the French Coast Guard vessel La Cerbere fired across the bows of the French fishing smack Sans Pareil and turned it back from Spain.
The fishing boat was alleged to have been carrying 25 volunteers for service in Spain. They were escorted here and turned over to French   gendarmes.
A later report said the party included 13 Americans, five Canad¬ ians and others of Irish, Hungarian and Roumanian origin, although equipped with American passports.
British Show Fascist Aid
London, March 27. (UP)—The British press, despite diplomatic efforts to hush the issue, continued to insist today that Italy is still sending troops to Spain, in viola¬ tion of the non-intervention agree¬ ment.
The Italian Embassy denied giv¬ ing new assurance to Britain that Italy would refrain from sending more "volunteers" to fight for the Rebels.
The embassy declared that Italy already is bound to prohibit the departure of fresh contingents to Spain, and consequently any re¬ newed promise on those lines would convey the impression that Italy'.- adherence to the general European ban on men and supplies which came into effect on Feb. 20 was never seriously intended.
LEADERSHIP FOR FIGHT
Still Determined Against Compromise Though His Friends Seek A 'Formula'
AWAIT LABOR DECISION
Washington, March 27. (UP) — President Roosevelt resumed lead¬ ership of his campaign for judi¬ ciary reorganization tonight in the face of a renewed attempt to unite congressional opposition behind a constitutional amendment to achieve the same objectives.
The Administration began put¬ ting new steam behind the court plan through a conference by con¬ gressional leaders at the White House and a series of speeches by four Southern State Governors and two Senate leaders-^Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas and Ken¬ neth McKellar of Tennessee. Still   Seek   Compromise
But, at the same time, two cau¬ tious "feelers" were put out from Capitol Hill in an effort to:
1. Sound out' the President on whether he would be amenable to selecting a "formula" for solution of the court controversy through one of the constitutional amend¬ ment proposals advanced by mem¬ bers of the Senate Judiciary Com¬ mittee.
2. End the committee's public hearings on the court bill in about two  weeks.
It   was   generally   believed   that (Continued  on   Page  A-6)
Washingtoit. March 27, (UP) — After canvassing the national strike situation with President Roosevelt tonight. Democratic Sen:ito Leader Joseph 7', Robinson declared that no condition had arisen which would w.irrant federal action in th« current l.ibor disputes.
"The sit-down strike situation generally seems .to be improving," Robinson said.
He explained that under present laws, the »ederal government can< not take direct action in connection with strikes "except in instances where interstate commerce hal been interfered with or federal law violated." He said neither of these conditions had arisen. No state has asked for help to preserve law and order.
New Legislation Possible
Robinson's statement made n« mention of the possibility of neW federal labor legislation. Speaket William B, Bankhead, another par< ticipant in the series of conferences that began soon after Mr. Roose< velt's return from his Georgia va« cation, said "there might be" some such legislation later this session. He would not admit that any pro- po.sals for new bills had been dis¬ cussed with the President. Other conferees indicated no legislation was impending.
Secretary of Labor Frances Per¬ kins opened the discussions, meet¬ ing with Mr. Roosevelt less than an hour after his return from an in¬ vigorating Georgia vacation. Sh« presented to him a last-minute re¬ port on the critical Michigan situa¬ tion and forecast early settlement of the Chrysler automobile strike.
Mr. Roosevelt then called in his Capitol Hill leaders for lengthy discussion of national affairs, in¬ cluding pending legislation, his judicial program, relief problems and  the  labor situation.
Robinson and Vice-President John N. Garner, the last conferees with whom Mr. Roosevelt met, emerged from the executive man¬ sion shortly after 7 p. m.
Garner refused to elaborate on the  statement  made  by  Robinson.
Robinson's declaration strength¬ ened the remarks of Miss Perkins that the conferences were intended to explore national labor conditions rather than to initiate any immedi¬ ate  action.
Federal  Action   Uiscudsed
The President centered his at¬ tention  on  four  problems:
1. The labor situation, with em¬ phasis  on  sit-down  strikes.
2. The progress of his judiciary reorganization fight.
3. The relief budget for the 1938 fiscal year. '
4. Developments in the tense European situation and thei* effect on America.
National attention was centered on the sit-down strike discussions but the White House made plain this was only one of the several topics brought to Mr. Roosevelt's attention.
Cabinet officers and congression¬ al leaders filed in a steady stream (Continued  on  Page  A-6)
Heavy Losses Reported
Valencia. Spain, March 27, (UPi — The Spanish Rebels, hard-pressed by a Loyalist drive in the Pozo- blanco region 160 miles southwest of Madrid, struck back in a fierce counter-attack   today,
Advices reaching the Loyali,sl capital here from Andujar said the counter-offensive collapsed and the Rebels, reported to include 10,000 Italians, were driven back to their former positions with heiivy losses. Expect   100,000   Italians
Newspapers here meantime re¬ ported from an "absolutely reliable source" that Italy is planning to send 100,000 men to Spain and that arms are being assembled at Turin, Milan and Genoa to equip them. They also alleged that Port Pillau, East Pru.ssia, is being used i,Continued on Page A-6).
Schmitt Brick Yard To Be Razed; Making Way For Dike Alonq River
Established more than a genera-1 tion ago, the thirty-two acre brick yard  of John  A.  Schmitt  &  Sons on   Simpson   street   is   to   be   dis  j mantled, it was learned last night, ' The   plant   is   one   of   the   Wilkes- Barre  landmarks  that   will  disap¬ pear as construction  of  the  city's flood control dike changes the ap¬ pearance  of river-front  properties. At one  time  the yard  had a  pro¬ duction   capacity   of   30,000   bricks per day.
News of the plan to dismantle the Schmitt yard became public through the sale of machinery on the premises to Max Hurwitz, local scrap iron dealer. Although the plant has not been in operation for the last four years, various types of machinery remained there. After Hurwitz removes the ma- cliinety, other workmen will begin'
the t.?sk of razing the kihis and other buildings on the thirty-tw» acres.
The yard was established in 1914 and was known as one of tht largest brick plants in Wyoming Valley. Most of the time a force of 30 men was employed. In th« early days of the depression, build¬ ing activity slumped and with the demand for building materials at a low ebb, the yard was closed in  the  year  1932.
Owners of the ground were In¬ formed recently that the proposed flood control dike will extend prac¬ tically to their boundary line. Rather than interfere with the work on the dike and to permit proper arainage of water accum<i- lating there, the Schmitt firm de¬ cided to raze all the remaining buUdingi and scrap the macblneiXt