The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, December 22, 1934, Page 1

HE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE - “ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME” VOL XLV., NO. 6838 JUNEAU, ALASKA,; SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1934. MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS TWELVE PAGES OVIET SOLDIERS INVADE MANCHOUKUO 8 HALIBUTERS SNATCHED FROM DEATH'S JAWS Captain and Cibw of Pét- ersburg Craft Saved by Canadian Vessel KETCHIKAN, Alaska, Dec. 22.— Capt. John Molver and crew of seven of the halibuter Excel, of Petersburg, are safe here after es- caping possible death off Egg Is- land, in Queen Charlotte Sound. The crankshaft of the Excel broke and the men were prepared to abandon the vessel in a dory but high waves prevented. ! Flares attracted the Canadian halibuter Lyskil, enroute to Van- couver, B. C., which went alons-I side the disabled Excel, got a line aboard and towed the Petersburg craft to this port. The Excel was enroute to Peters- burg, home port, for Christmas, when the accident occurred. The Excel was less than 100 feet off the breakers, anchors drag- ging freely in the storm, when the | Lyskil got a line aboard. e - NORTHLAND HAS 39 PASSENGERS | ===~ FOR CITY TODAY Vessel Is to Make South-. bound Trip at 8 o'Clock Monday Morning With a passenger manifest that |« Chrlstmas Shlp" Amves included 39 passengers and Santa Claus, himself, the M. 8. Northland arrived at Femmer’s Dock from Seattle and Southeast Alaska way ports at 3 o'clock this morning. The vessel sailed for Douglas late this morning and, from' that port | was to leave later for Sitka. The Northland is due to leave Juneau, southbound, Monday morning at 8 o’clock. The complete passenger way bill: | From Seattle—E. H. Mason, Mrs. Claude Watson and child, Mike Paskovich, 1. Johnson, E. M. Pow- ers, W. L. Baldwin, Miss M. John- son, Miss A. Sunde, Miss N. E. Sunde, A. Sunde, R. Fujas, Mrs. M: Fujas, M. Anderson, Mrs. R. E. Davis, Mrs. R. Carlson, Capt. James Davis, Mrs. J. Davis, E. Brown, A. Kraavaarkson. From Petersburg—Thomas Wind- sor, Pastor Woods, T. H. Sweat, L. Anderson, Miss Impi Aalto, Hans ‘Wick. From Ketchikan—Miss Lila Blod- gett, Miss M. Miller, Frank Klein, Dr. T. J. Pyle, Olaf Johnson, By- | ron Miller, Mrs, I. N. Hoguenwood, F. Apsch, Mrs. F. Apsch, Miss D. Frisch, M. Sumara, Charles Conte, G. LaFrombie. STOCK PRICES MOVE SLOWLY NEW YORK, Dec. 22.—Holiday apathy hit the Stock Exchange to- day. Trading was dull at the short session. There was some profit tak- ing, some issues went up and oth- ers down. Today’s close was irregu- lar. CLOSING ' PRICES TODAY NEW YORK, Dec. 22.—Closing quotation of Alaska Juneau mine stock today is 18%, United States Steel 36%, American Can 108%, American Power and Light 3%, Anaconda 10%, Armour N 4%, Bethlehem Steel 29%, Calumet and Hecla, no sale; General Motors 31%, International Harvester 38%, Kennseott 16%. — oo — FREIGHTER EXPECTED ‘The freighter Depere is' due in Juneau December 29 from Seattle, Alaska Steamship Company offi- cials said today. ———t —— Call Issued By Roosevelt For Meeting WASHINGTON, Dec. 22. — President Roosevelt has issued a call for the Cabinet, Emergen- cy Council and New. pDeal Chiefs to meet with him next Thursday to chart a legisiative 'NORTHLAND CALL Singer Visits U. S. ; Kira Kazarinoff, the Russian| singer, was an attractive subject for the ship photographers when| she arrived in New York for her first visit to the United States. (As-| sociated Press Photo) DECORATIONS ON FOR HIGH PRAISE with Santa Claus for Morning Visit Flanked by a most attractive set- ting of appropriate Christmas dec- orations, Santa Claus—the North- land Transportation Company's Santa Claus, if you please—wel- comed Juneau children and visitors aboard the M. S. Northland for two hours this morning at Fem- mer’s Dock. The second “Christmas Ship” to arrive in port within the week, the Northland was berthed at 3 o'clock this morning, but Santa Claus didn’t begin to give his sacks of candy, cookies, oranges and apples | away until 9 o'clock. From that time, until the boat left for a sim- ilar celebration at Douglas, later in the morning, a steady stream of visitors passed up and down the Northland's gang-plank. The social hall was transformed into a veritable Christmas garden. Distinctive of the decorations in this room was a “life-like” snow- man. The dining hall also was most attractive, with Christmas colors used effectively in panels on the walls. Cedar and holly wreaths added to the atmosphere of holiday cheer. Special music provided entertain- ment for the adults who brought youngsters to visit Santa Claus. —— e WHAT ABOUT UNEMPLOYED ~ IN ENGLAND? LONDON Dec 22.—Just before the House of Commons adjourned for the Christmas holiday, David Lloyd George, who intends to in- stitute a New Deal for Great Britain, with a “brain’ trust” all selected, made a short address say- ing two and one half million were unemployed in England. He then asked: “What are you waiting for?” Religious Trouble _Started, Japan Isle TOKYO, Dec. 22—Incited by rumors of an alleged case of In- ternational espionage for which Catholic fathers are blamed, several COUNCIL KEEPS City Fathers Hear Faulk- ner’s Report—Do Not Rescind Contract As far as the City of Juneau, through its City Council, is con- cerned, the tax exemption contract between the city and the Alaska- Juneau Gold Mining Company will not be rescinded. This decision was taken at a meeting of the Council last night in the City Hall. Hearing a detailed report on the tax exemption question, raised two weeks ago by Judge James Wick- ersham, former delegate to Con- gress, the Council was unanimous in deciding to keep the terms of the contract. Councilmen William Reck, Wallis George, George Rice, A. F. Mec- Kinnon and R. H. Beistline voted “aye.” Henry Messerschmidt was absent. Questioned Legal Rights The issue, as raised by Judge Wickersham, was: Did the city, in 1913, have the legal right to allow !the A.-J. tax exemption on certain properties for 30 years in return for services, such as a water pump- ing system for fire prevention and | free use of mine tailings for road fills? City Attorney H. L. Faulkner, in a complete and detailed report read to the Council before it took action last night, agreed with Judge Wickersham on his legal gbjections but pointed out the question was one of policy as well as law. City Attorney Faulkner first cited examples which proved that the legality of *the contract might be questioned successfully in a court. However, he then showed where courts had upheld similar con- tracts between private companies and municipalities on the ground that the services given by the com- pany often amounted to as much or more in indirect cash benefit to the city as the taxes, if collected, would have been. Contract Upheld Following the report reading, Councilman Rice introduced a reso- lution which called for the city to abide by the contract. George mov- ed the passage and McKinnon sec- onded the motion. It was passed without a dissenting vote. Judge Wickersham, when ques- tioned this morning as to what his next action, if any, would be, had nothing to say. He had said, in his original petition, that, if the City Council did not oppose the contract, an individual taxpayer could bring suit in court. Complete Resolution Here is the complete text of the approved resolution: Whereas, It has been suggested to the Council that it take steps to rescind the contract entered into between the City of Juneau and the Alaska Jupeau Gold Mining Company, on March 7, 1913, under the terms of which a portion of the Company's property was ex- empted from taxation for the pe- riod of thirty years in return for certain consideration mentioned in the contract, and ‘Whereas, such contract was au- thorized by a unanimous vote of the Council at the time it was made, and it has been acquiesced in by the City and every City Council for the period of 22 years, and the City during that time has been accepting the considerations mentioned in the contract, in lieu of taxes on the portion of the Company’s property which was ex- empted, and ¥ Whereas, the matter of taking steps to rescind the contract has been submitted to the City Attor- ney for an investigation and an opinion, in order that the Council may have proper legal advice for its guidance; and the City Attor- ney, in a written opinion filed with the Council this day, has advised scission of the contract, for the reasons contained in said opinion, Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Common Couneil of the City of Juneau, that the report and opin- ion of H. L. Paulkner, City Attor- ney be received and placed on file, and that the :Couneil accept the advice and recommendations there- hundred inhabitants of the Ama- miohsima Island, destroyed several churches. News dispatches received here said a boycott has been started against Catholics and foreign Cath- olic priests and missionaries are evacuating the island for safety. in contained with reference to the contract between the City and the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Com- pany; and that the Council con- FAITHWITH A, - ), ONTAXQUESTION The latest air defense unit of San Francisco bay s the completed $4,» Army Field Occupied by Army Bombardmofit Grol—i i; AIRVIEW OF TECHNICAL AREA HAMILTON -FIELD (ABOVE) A GROUP OF COMPANY OFFICERS QUARTERS (BELOW) 874,302 base In Marin county, north of San Rafael which will become the base for the seven bombard- ment troup and training ground for this technical branch of the army air corps. Sheltered from gunfire from an enemy fleet by coastal hills, Hamiiton Field provides ac- commodations for more than 800 officers and men In a Spanishvil. lage type of settlement. The field, Including residential buildings and shops, covers w acres. IF SALARY WAS RAISED BY CITY Council Boosts Pay Last Night, But Mayor Says Isn’t Legal City Police Department members, today, are pondering this question: “Did we, or did we not, get a xalse\ in pay last night?” The City Council said, to the tune of an unanimously passed res- olution, that Juneau’s “finest” had, indeed, a raise in salary. But May- or Isadore Goldstein, toting the “Compiled Laws of Alaska” and quoting freely therefrom, said to-| day that there most certainly is no pay boost for the policemen. The discussion was one of the features of a busy Council meeting held last night in City Hall. The' other important feature, the tax exemption question between the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Com- pany and the City of Juneau, is treated separately in another ar-, ticle in this issue of The Empire. Debate Started Mayor Goldstein started the whole pay debate when, near the end of the session, he suggested that it would be nice if the Police ' Départment should be uniformed. ‘The question, which immediately | followed, was, “Who will pay th.e taflor bills?” 8o Councilman William J. Reck| moved that the salary of all the officers be raised ten per cent, but that they be required to purchase their own uniforms. The Mayor didn't like that. In fact, he said it wasn't even legal. But, the Council thought other- wise, and Reck’s motion was passed unanimously. The motion called for the following monthly salaries: Po- lice Chief, $220; Assistant Police Chief, $175; Patrolmen, $165. | Mayor Objects BUT—the police in their pleasure ' over the raise, figured without Mayor Goldstein. For the Mavor got busy the first thing this morn- piled Laws of Alaska,” that city salaries cannot be raised or low- ered during the term of a City Council. Mayor Goldstein said that such salary changes must be made at the first meeting of the new Council. The next “new” Council will not meet here until April, 1935, Mayor Goldstein did not know what action he would take when tinue to abide by the terms of the Passed and w this 21st day of December, 1934 the vouchers, with the raised pay, are presented to him for his sig- wonnnued on Page Two) ing and discovered, in the "Cmn-! PflucE W[]NBEH Chnstmas Edition of The 'NO CHANGE IN Emplre Issued Tomorrow 6.0.P. LINE-UP The annual Christmas Edition of The Empire will be issued to- morrow (Sunday) and will be dis- tributed by carriers to all regular subscribers on Gastineau Channel. The issue will appear on the streets early in the morning and be for | sale by newsboys and at all news- stands. The edition will contain greetlng> from the merchants, last mxnutc tips to shoppers, etc., and the lat- | est world news received up to 10 o'clock tonight by The Empire, from the Associated Press. ‘The edition will be six sections ; of eight pages each and also a four | page comic secuon 60LD OUTPUT IN COLORADO ON INCREASE DENVER, Col, Dec. 22.—Colo- rado miners produced fifteen mil- lion dollars of gold this year, an increase over last year. Silver produced jumped to one million two hundred thousand dol- lars from twelve thousand dollars last year. ‘The figures have just been re- leased by Mark A. Skinner, Super- intendent of the United States mm ‘here. —_—— et KRUPPS REPORT BUSINESS GAIN BERLIN, Dec. F. BANNISTER | FOUND IN BED, BULLET WOUND KANSAS CITY, Dec. 21.—Fred- erick Bannister, aged 65 years, for- mer President of the Long Bell Lumber Company, is in a eritical condition with a bullet wound in his abdomen. He was found in bed in his room, a small revolver near- by. . Bannister has been ill for the past year. M SEATTLE MAYOR AGTS AS CHIEF 22—The famous OF POLIGE DEPT. Krupp works at Essen, Which used- to make cannon (and some say they still do), has announced “a | general business imprevement af-| ter a long period of considerable | losses.” ‘The company made a “moderate | wprofit,” the directorate declared, but the Krupp family, the princi-| pal stockholders, decided not to pay a dividend, but to use the money for improvement. ———.e High Death Rate Is Combated in Chile| SANTIAGO, Chite, Dec. —| President Alessandri has approved an appropriation of nearly $3,000,- 000 for repairing Chilean hospitals and $2500,000 more to build new ones in a drive on tuberculosis, ty- phus, Influenza and other diseases which have put Chile's death rate | near the top of the world list. o The Times Square subway sta- George Comslock Qusted | —Probably Be Sent to | Sticks After Vacation ‘ SEATTLE, Dec. 22.—Mayo~ | Charles L. Smith is today holding ".he job of Chief of Police after | ousting George Comstock who was | elevated to the position during the umgshoremens strike after direct- ‘mg the gas bombing of hundreds | of pickets. Comstock will probably be sent to the “sticks” after his return from a short vacation. e Many Boy Babm Are Born, England LONDON, Dec. 22.—More boys | than girls are being born in Eng- }hnd and Wales, the registrar gen- eral’s report for the second quar- tion is the busiest point in New ter of 1934 showing 1,057 boys York's rapid transit lines, figures for every 1000 girls. ‘The births show. | totalled 165,636. IS INDICATED Liberals Are Gwen Rebuff, by Those in Control— | Fletcher’s Stand WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.—Re- ‘puhuum Liberals today planned |to continue to insist upon reorgan- ization of the Party despite the | rebuff from those in control. Renewed demands made by Unit- | ed States Senator William E. Borah of Idaho, for an immediate over- hauling of the Republican National Committee was met by a state- ment from Henry P. Fletcher that the present organization “is going to stay in the saddle and fight.” Senator Borah and Senator Ger- ald P. Nye, of North Dakota, both said they were opposed to waiting and demanded immediate action before the 1936 campaign. They both seek xevamping of the Na- "tional Committee along more Lib- eral lines. In reply to direct questions Chairman - Fletcher, of the Re- publican National Committee, said he had no intention of resigning and also he sa wno necessity for a meeting of the National Commit- ee for some Mme BRITISH ARMS INDUSTRY WILL BE PROBED NOW Royal Commission to In- vestigate, Declares Prime Minister LONDON, Dec. 22.—Prime Min- ister Ramsay MacDonald told the House of Commons that a. Royal Commission will investigate the arms industry. Several weeks ago the United States Senate Munitions Commit- tee, now conducting an investiga- tion at Washington, D. C., informed the British Government it would turn over important documents, etc’ relative to the arms muni- tions, that have been presented to American probers. ., United States Weather Bureau records for 65 years show the aver- age winter snowfall in Norfolk, Va., is eight and a half inches. ARMED FORCES ' CROSS BORDER FROM SIBERIA 'Russian Infantry Reported ! to Have Set Up Mili- tary Equipment IACTIVITIES ARE | QUICKLY RESENTED | pEeaet (Amicable Solution of Inci- dent Is Requested— Tokyo Moves TOKYO, Dec. 22.—Invasion of Manchcukuan territory by So- viet infantry from Siberia, in the vicinity of Tungning, a bor- der town 50 miles couth eof Suifenho, is reported in news dicpatches from Harbin. The repert caid the Russian infantry commenced installing military equipment. Manchoukuan troops are re- ported to have surrounded the Soviet soldiers and cut off their ccmmunicaticn: in an effort to check further military activi- ties. As a result of the nwve, the Soviet authoritics have re- quested Manchoukuo to permit the Ructians to evacuate the area without dicarming them, simultaneously propcsing an amicable coluticn of the inci- dent. JURY ACQUITS - MARTIN INSULL, EMBEZZLEMENT Deliberatior: Take Nearly Five Hours—Freed Man Gleeful CHICAGO, Iil, Dec. 22.—A jury [in the Criminal Court acquitted Martin Insull of embezzlement charges made by the State. The jury was out six hours and forty-five minutes. Insull gleefully scrambled into the jury box and shook hands with all of the jurors DR, TOWNSEND WORKING FOR OLD AGE PLAN Pension forTll Over 60 Is Scheme—Opposition Is Expected NEW YORK, Dec. 22—Dr. Fran- cis Everett Townsend, Californian, who believes prosperity will return with the adoption of his old age pension plan, is here in the inter- est of the scheme. He says he has already fifteen million signatures to the plan. ‘The plans offer $200 a month to everyone over 60 years of age who will agree to spend the money within the month. The plan is to be financed by a two percent sales tax. Dr. Townsend contends the re- volving pension plan is neither ‘So- cialistic nor Radical, merely good business. In Washington, William Green, President of the American Federa- tion of Labor, called the plan éco- nomically impossible. ‘The Administration, while taking no stand on the plan, apparently is unfriendly toward it. Dr. Townsend recently opened of- fices in Washington to work - for the enactment of his old age pen-