The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, March 17, 1938, Page 1

THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIR VOL. LI, NO. 7743. “ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME” JUNEAU, ALASKA, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1938. MEMBER ASSOCIATED PRESS PRICE TEN CENTS mrme THREATEN SALMON FISHING OPERA British Cabinet Now Faces a Grave the Air Again! Arms Race Revives Debate — Bombers Versus Warships;Can An Airplane Sink Battleship? By DEVON FRANCIS AP Aviation Editor | If an zirplane can sink a bat- | tleship, defense of America's coast- | lines would appear to be a sunplc‘ matter. If it can't, a lot of energy is being wasted on that argument again. ‘ While the navy's battle wagons | conduct their annual maneuvers in | the Pacific, a tidy plan for stop- ping an invading fleet in its at- tacks is being evolved by the Army Air Corps Both Make Good Cases | Army bombers, as a new “first line of defense,” would wing far to sea to engage the fleet. At best, the invader's warships would be sunk or disabled. At worst, they would be put at a disadvantage. The Air Corps makes a good case for itself But ship; do champions of the war- tent that the navy still is the nation’s first line of defense. Little has been added to avail- able knowledge in the Battleship- vs.-Aircraft argument by the Ethi- opian, Spanish or Sino - Japenese wars. No modern bombing plane has been tested against a modern warship. Partisans of the airplane say Italy won the first air war in his- tory without firing a shot — by threatening to sink the British fleet in the Mediterranean if the Suez Canal were closed during the ins THE NAVY'S REPLY The U.S.8. Maryland WHAT IT MEANS i SN | By ALEXANDER R. GEORGE | AP Feature Service Writer | WASHINGTON, March 17—To, your Uncle Sam, this spy buslnesx‘ is an over-inflated old world cus- | tom. He recalls that the Bnhylon-: jans and the Israelites had some | THE ARMY'S ANSWER Ethiopian excursion. But the facts are not public. A Deep Seccret Still a deep secret among mili- tary men were the results of the “bombing” of the battleship Utah by army planes last year, several hundred miles off San Francisco's Golden Gate. They were impres- sive. Dropped from an average of 12,000 feet, “water bombs’ pep- pered the deck and the water near the vessel. The army argued that the direct hits with real bombs would have sunk or crippled the Utah; that aear-hits would have opened her seams. The gnswer to the planes’ ac- curacy was a new, secret bomb sight. It is all theory, of course, and the rebuttal of the navy adds up to an equally logical conclusion that for offense, the airplane is as effective as a gnat on an elephant’s hide. Battleship Protection Modern battleships, they point out, are armor-plated above the water line and that buiges or “blis- ters” below it absorb the shock of | explosions. Even the value of torpedoes against modern men-of-war is ques- tioned. At Jutland the warship Marlborough was torpedoed, but not disabled. The Spanish Insurgent battle- ship Espana was sunk by a chance hit down a funnel. The gunboat Panay, sunk in China, was meager- {ly equipped for combat. 1 Alone among high navy officials, | Admiral William D. Leahy, chief of naval operations, has conceded publicly that an airplane might be able to sink a battleship. Let’s enter a hypothetical war. An enemy is approaching our shores. A warning has been sound- ed. The Carrier's Brood Ashore are the Air Corps' heavy | boming planes, the largest cap- |able of flying 1,500 miles, unloading |several thousand pounds of ‘“eggs” and returning without refueling. s SPYING Yes, Says Army Officers; No, Replies Nrtw y FENSE SECRETS ; A FLYING FORTRESS Co-operating with the defense fleet are the navy’s slower, heavily armed patrol bombers. On cruisers and battleships of each fleet are nests of scouting and observation planes, and on aircraft carriers are several hundred combat observa- tion, and light bombing machine: The usefulness of the carriers broods can be discounted beyond 300 miles from their base. Excep- tionally vulnerable to attack, the carriers will remain far behind the zone of battle. With the enemy still a thousand miles out, a dozen Air Corps bomb- bers take off to meet him. But, the ¥vy interposes, how is the atmy ‘golng to find him? Well, runs the answer, the Utah was found in a search of 90,000 square miles of ocean; to find a whole fleet should be easy. All right, says the navy. The enemy has been spotted, but the enemy also has spotted the army, and a swarm of fighting planes is rising from every ship. A “curtain” of anti-aircraft shells is being thrown athwart the bomb- ers’ line of flight. | A New Idea Not so fast, says the army: (1) Enemy observation units are off on missions and the surprise is complete; (2) Only a few enemy combat planes are in the air, and the rest are being launched too ! slowly to worry about; (3) The carriers, looming like the broad- side of a barn, can be dispatched quickly; (4) Anti-aircraft fire is innocuous at 10,000 to 12,000 feet. Very well, retorts the navy with deadly finality, but the airplanes can't sink the battleships; and as for “harassing” the enemy, sub- marines and torpedo boats can do a better job. The Air Corps recently pulled a new idea out of its sleeve. How about laying down a blanket of deadly gas, it asks, and let the elaborate ventilating systems of enemy ships suck in the fumes? The navy, which can give as well as take, will have an answer Jto that one soon. | ON AMERICA'S DE-| 3. Popular estimates that 10,000 spies are on the job in Europe to- day are melodramatic exaggera- tions. The arms race among elbow- to-elbow nations has greatly in- creased espionage activity but nine out of every 10 so-called spies are ' sired who in the World War wheedl- ed information from allied officers she had vamped, was not a great | spy. Her crude tactics and her pas- | ision for display made detection by | the French military intelligence | comparatively easy. Even Belle Boyd, the darling of 205 CHAMBERLAIN TAKE ACTION Virtual Ultimatum Repoit- ed Given to Prime Minister FRANCE FATTENS ARMAMENTS FUND Secretary Hull *Announces Policy of War Pre- paredness (By ASSOCIATED PRESS) British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s actions today seemed to threaten a Cabinet crisis un- less he adopted a more positive stand regarding Spain and Czecho- slovakia. Informed persons said that the British War Secretary Hore-Belisha has confronted Chamberlain with a virtual ultimatum to either take a strong stand with France or resign. Soviet Action Soviet Foreign Minister Litvanoff has invited all powers other than Germany, Japan and Italy, to dis- cuss a joint action aimed at “check- ing further development of aggres- sion and eliminating the increased danger of a world IMASSAGYE. . In France In Paris, the French Cabinet has authorized staggering and extra- ordinary expenditures for arma- ments with appropriations totalling $134,000,000 over the present arm- aments creating fund. It was announced that the Cham- ber of Deputies would be asked to immediately open exceptional na- tional credits with a view to Euro- pean threats of war. U. S. Veiwpoint In Washington, D. C. Secretary of State Cordell Hull, in addressing the National Press Club, said Am- erica must hold to its rights in a quest for world peace. Secretary Hull laid down a policy for arming and for protection against “internatonal lawlessness.” The Secretary of State advocated carrying out a naval expansion program and expounded a policy of peace without alliances and colab- oration with peaceful nations in military preparedness in opposition to the seclusionist viewpoint. BLUM VOTED CONFIDENCE BY DEPUTIES Receives Loud Praise when He Boosts Arms Appropriations PARIS, March 17.—Premier Leon Blum’s new Cabinet has been given a vote of confidence with a ballot tally of 362 to 110 by the Chamber of Deputies. ‘The confidence vote followed Blum’s declaration announcing an immediate increase in France's ar- maments. [ONS MBS BOMB BLASTED | Spring Is in 1S ASKED T0 BARGELONA IS - COUNTING DEAD Horror Reigns as Insurgents rop Explosives m || City Center j .OVER TWO HUNDRED ! KILLED IN STREETS |Government Troaps Vic- | tors, However, in Bat- tle at Caspe BULLETIN — BARCELONA, March 17.—It is officially an- nounced this afternoon that deaths from the air raids has reached over 500. BARCELONA, March 17.—A tor- rent of Insurgent bombs today | rained down on the heart of this| Spanish Goverhment city in a fur- | ious Insurgent aerial bombardment, | killing 284 and wounded more |,han‘ £ 100. The' rain of high explosives caught Barcelona exhausted after a series »f air raids last night which kept the populace in a state of jittery alarm for many hours. Most of the victims of the holo- caust were caught at the entrance to a subway station while on their way to work or returning from work. *Hits Crowded Street One bomb fell in the middle of a crowded street, scattering shrap- nel through the homeward bound city workers, taking fearfull toll. Other bombs struck in the newest section of the city which includes many residential quarters. A high explosive bomb dropped from a low flying Insurgent bomber struck the largest and most luxur- ious hotel in Barcelona, which houses many foreigners. Apparent- ly none within the structure were hurt, but the lavishly decorated ballroom where many tea dances are held, was left a shambles of shattered murals and crumbled masonry. The:Associated Press correspond- ent here reports seeing the floors of the central hospital, streaked with blood and lined with crimson stained stretchers. FRANCO DEFEATED HENDAYE, French-Spanish Bor- der, March 17—The Government army has rallied its forces south- east of Caspe and smashed through the Insurgent lines to relieve a beleaguered garrison that had held that medieval city for 48 hours. The surprise attack and turn of battle left General Franco’s troops holding only a few scattered build- ings on the outskirts of the city. | taled almost $22,000,000 last year. 3 MEN NAMED EDNA PILGRIM TOINVESTIGATE WINS SUITS IN T0 LOSE TRADE OF OLD AUSTRIA Germany Is to Apply Own Controls, According to Advices Received WASHINGTON, March 17. — Germany’s absorption of Austria will probably reduce the Austro- Germany trade sharply, Depart- ment of Commerce officials said to- day. The Department officials an- nounced receipt of a cablegram in- dicating Germany would apply her own trade controls to Austria very soon. Austro-American commerce to- espionage “smothies.” He also knows | amateurs whose reports are of spies never have been a serious scant value if not downright un- threat to this country. | dependable. While G-men recently got a lot| 4 The operations of a capable of publicity by arresting a U. 8. espionage agent rarely come to army deserter, an American soldier | public attention. Few of them'are and a German girl on espionage |linked with a military organization charges, seasoned military men will | pecause such affiliation would make tell you that: their detection easier and because ' 1. About 95 per cent of the so-|establishment of such a connection called military “secrets” that spies would discredit the military or- obtain, and try to peddle for aganization involved. price, are available through regular | 5 Women operatives may give channels of unguarded military in- 'a romantic touch to the secret formation — published reports and | service but most espionage agencies articles ‘in service magazines. do not rate women's services, in 2. Vital information is so guard- war or peace, in the class with ed that it's a 100-to-1 shot your | those of proficient men. Beautiful average spy can't get within shoot- | women sometimes are effective trap- ‘ ing distance of it. These secrets are | pers of smitten officers but scarcely | not accessible to lower rank of- one out of 100 officers is gullible | ficers. Few copies of important enough to be thus duped by plans are made, the officers in pos- women. session of them give receipts and THE FAMED MATA HARI }'he Confederacy, who daringly car- | ‘Bjym said Germany’s absorption }ried important mlmary‘ informa- { of Austria easily might give rise to | tion through the Union lmes_, would | much more serious developments |have been up. against a different|ang pe felt that an enlarged arms | proposition in the World War, | program was an immediate neces-| where the counter-spy system Wwas | gjty- i | highly developed. | In wartime, military spying is| |regarded as a highly honorable | profession, providing, of course, the | |spy is working for his own coun- | |try. It has been estimated there | were 40,000 spies in Europe during | |the World War but military men | say one-tenth of that number would be closer to facts. | | s { |interest in military training at the DEATH—IN WARTIME |ypivergiey of British Columbia, The pay for free lance e;pmmg,} So great was the rush of students work is higher during war, its value, |t0 take part in the annual military the danger and the obstacles bem}mamuvers at Point Works Bar- | greater. Death is the customary |Tacks, near Victoria, that a large | number of applicants had to be re- e University Speeds Military Training VANCOUVER, B. C, March 17— The threat of war has increased RAIL SITUATION Condition (_)—f—Earries Said to Be at Critical WASHINGTON, March 17— White House officials describing the railroad financial situation in the United States as critical, today an- nounced that President Roosevelt had named three members of the Interstate Commerce Commission as a special committee to formulate recommendations for immediate Congressional action. Chairman Walter Splawn and Commissioners Joseph B. Eastman and Charles D, Mahaffie were named to the committee as a con- ference attended - by railroaders laborers, financiers, and President CIRCUIT COURT Federal Court Decision Up- held with Only Slight Modifications SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. March 17. ~The Circuit Court of Appeals here has affirmed the decision of an Al- aska Federal Court in two suits over allegedly withholding of pro- ceeds of the Irishman and Wasp mines near Fairbanks. The suits were brought by Edna C. Pilgrim against O.M. Grant and also against David and John Mutch- ler. The Appellate court modified the Grant verdict and decréed that Ed- na Pilgrim has a one quarter inter- est in the Wasp lode, lateral dip there is a constant check on their | . safe-keeping. The famed Mata Hari, dancer- (Continued on Page Three) fused. | Roosevelt, held in trust for her by Grant. 9 mother Spring is obviously in the air again at Miami Beach where pretty Vivian Faulkner, dance starlet, took advantage of the sunshine to: do some cavorting on the beach Income Tax Collectors Get Theirs in Different Ways; Humorous,Other Incidents UNITED STATES | By PRESTON GROVER WASHINGTON, March 17.—Prob- ably income tax collectors would develop headknocks if it were not for the letters and comments of tax-payers who get tangled in their returns Take this one: A lady wrote in to the. Bureau of Internal Revenue asking if she could claim $800 exemption for her “two darling dogs” since they were wholly dependent upon her. Be- sides, she added, “one of the dogs is a facsimile of my husband.” A Maryland farmer got a break when a tax agent dunned him for taxes on the income from his ac- count in a bank. It was the first time the farmer had heard that his had deposited $10,000 for him in 1900. She had died without telling him. Interest, compounding through the years had swelled it to $30,000. BAD NEWS The bureau publishes each month a News Letter containing informal notes from employees out in the field, together with personnel re- ports. Most dreadful section in the News Letter is a page devoted to “Disciplinary Action.” Almost every month several of the lads who take in the taxes are popped off for trifling with Uncle Sam'’s money. Quite a fair number are caught hazing taxpayers. Re- peatedly the News Letter records that one or two or three agents were “separated from the service” for “soliciting and accepting” bribes from nervous taxpayers. Offsetting that was from a breezy citizen: “One question I got a great laugh out of was, ‘Were you during the taxable year supporting in your household one or more persons closely related to you?’ Boy, that's a honey. Say, Mr. Secretary, there are so many persons closely related to me staying at my house that I am what you would call surround- ed. Only the other day three, more distant cousins of my wife's blew in, making a new high for the movement.” An alcohol tax agent, rummag- ing through a whisky manufactur- this letter (Continued on Page Six) Crisis NEGOTIATIONS NOW STALLED, WAGE SCALES \Canneries in West Alaska District May Not Be Opened This Season OPERATORS’ OFFER REJECTED BY UNION Packers Explain Why Re- trenchments Necessary at Present Time SEATTLE, March 17.—Com- plete suspension of salmon fish- ing operations in the West Alaska district, with a possible spread to the entire industry, involving 25,000 men, is threat- ened as wage negotiations are stalled between operators and the union fishermen. Louis Mostad, Alaska Fisher- men’s Union agent, announced that the union has rejected the operators’ offer which he said called for a 10 percent cut in the monthly wages and 10 to 20 percent reduction in the fisher- men's percentages of the catch. Arthur I Ellsworth, Secretary of the Canned Salmon Indus- try, said today that many pack- for the season in the West Al- aska district, and are taking a similar action in other districts if the fishermen take the same stand. Mcstad said the union is ask- ing for the same catch per- centages and the same wages as last year except for $10 a month increase for captains and engineers on tenders, net foremen, hammermen and pile driver foremen. The representatives of the packers said the salmon market has suddenly dropped and a large inventory made retrench- ments necessary. Early movement to the north of men and equipment is held up pending outcome of the dispute. SHRIMP STRIKE ADJUSTMENT IS STILL PENDING Petersburg Labor Problem in Hands of NLRB Officials PETERSBURG, Alaska, March 17—~The adjustment reached at a | hearing here yesterday between the shrimp packers and the CIO Can- nery Workers Union over charges of discrimination on the part of em= ployers, is still in Washington. | Because nothing has been heard of the adjustment arrangements, pending the decision of the Nat- ional Labor Relations Board, a hearing scheduled for today postponed until tomorrow morning. B was “ STOCK QUOTATIONS — NEW YORK, March 17.—Closing quotation of Alaska Juneau. mine stock today is 9%, American Can 85'2, American Light and Power 4%, Anaconda 307%, Bethlehem Steel 55%, Commonwealth and Southern 1%z, Curtiss Wright 4, General Mot- ors 33'z, International Harvester 62, Kennecotf 35%, New York Cen- tral 14%, Southern Pacific 13, United - States - Steel- 51%, ~ Cities Service 1%, Pound $4.97. DOW, JONES AVERAGES The following are today's Dow, Jones averages: industrials 12203, dowh 83; rails 2454, down 57 _ utilities 18.15, down .22. B