Evening Star Newspaper, September 28, 1936, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Porecast ) Rain and cooler tonight and tomorrow; moderate north shifting to northeast or east winds. Temperatures—Highest, 78, at 4:30 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 67, at 6:15 a.m. today. Full report on Page B- Closing New York Markets, Page 16 No. 33,753, BLUM AGTS TO BAR PRICE INCREASE IN DEVALUATION STEP Decides to Ask Power as He Wins First Test in Chamber. “SLIDING SCALE” PLANS T0 BALANCE PAY FOUGHT Motion to Send Franc Measure Back to Committee Is Beaten, 365-248. BACKGROUND— The European “gold bloc,” main- taining for 5 years its monetary policy against the current of cur- rency devaluation to which most of the other countries of the world, including Great Britain and the United States, succumbed, came to an end Friday with the announce- ‘ment by the Blum government of Rance that it would seek to re- | duce the gold content of the franc, under the protection of a tripartite agreement with England and | America to prevent market raids on the franc. American stablization fund of £2,000,000,N00 made available by Secretary of Treasury Morgenthau Saturday for the support of franc, pound and dollar ofter he came to the support of sterling ' with $5,000,000, buying £1,000,000 thrown onto the New York eI- change by the Moscow State Bank. He charged an attempt to raid the pound. i A | (Copyrisht, 1936, by the Associated Press.) | PARIS, September 28.— Premier | Leon Blum. winning the first parlia- mentary-test of his devaluation pro- gram with comfortable majority, de- cided tonight to ask the Chamber of | Deputies for full power to prevent | price increases by decree. The Socialist premier made his de- cision after a conference with repre- . sentatives of the Popular Front of So- cialists, Communists and Radical-So- cialists, A few hours earlier the government, striding toward currency realignment | under the protection of a tri-partite | “monetary equilibrium” agreement, | had won the initial victory of its fight | to save the franc by devaluation. | Entered as second class matter + Post office, Washington, D. C. Striking Pupt'ls Routed by Gas Fired by Police Tear Bombs Disperse Crowd Outside Ohio Building. By the Assoclated Press. CAMPBELL, Ohio, September 28.— Police threw two tear-gas bombs to- day to disperse hundreds of striking Memorial High School students, pro- testing against the transfer of a favo- rite teacher. Three youths were held on charges of suspicion. Police Chief Frank Cunningham discharged the bombs near the throng as the students refused to halt a dem- onstration outside the school and en- ter the building. A squad of half a dozen policemen were on the scene. As a breeze swept the gas clouds int6 their midst, the students took flight to a nearby hill, many of them coughing and sneezing: Classes were suspended Friday when all but about 100 of the 1,000 stu- dents refused to enter the building, in protest against the transfer of Michael Graban, a popular instructor, to a grade school. Superintendent of Schools Andrew Klinko explained that the transfer was routine, caused by smaller at- tendance at Memorial this year, which necessitated elimination of some classes. Klinko said that after he had ex- plained the matter several ringleaders (See SCHOOL STRIKE, Page A-6.) LANDON ASSALLS ‘SECRECY, WASTE Candidate Demands ‘Sweep- ing Publicity’ on All Re- lief Expenditures. B the Associated Press. ABOARD LANDON SPECIAL EN | ROUTE TO TOPEKA, September 28. —Gov. Alf M. Landon told Illinois farm audiences today that “sweeping publicity” of details of the New Deal's “extravagance” was “imperative.” “The manner in which the present administration has hidden the details of its extravagance is a measure of its waste,” the Republican presidential candidate said as he campaigned through rural areas. “The present ad- ministration has pointedly resisted . Sliding Scale Opposed. | The newest move was brought about | by iricreasing parliamentary opposition : to the government's “sliding scale” plan for balancing salaries of govern- ment employes and pensionnaires with | the anticipated increase in the cost of | living. | This plan, the premier promised to remove from the text of his devalua- | tion measures. | A new text was submitted to the | powerful General Federation of Labor, | which approved it. | The “free hand” which Blum is seeking, informed sources said, would | mean the Government would use all | its resources to fight a rise in prices, considering compensations for certain groups of people with fixed incomes only if the indices of the cost of living mount despite official efforts. Whatever means the government deems necessary would be used in the war against a climbing price scale, ac- cording to the new text of the devalua- tion measure. The Chamber of Deputies, meeting in extraordinary session, turned down & motion by the fiery Rightest leader, Louis Marin, to send the legislation | back to the Finance Committee, The vote was 365 to 248. Then the chamber adjourned to 4 p.m. (10 am, Eastern standard time). Observers predicted final Chamber approval of devaluation in a night eession, but said the determined op- position of Rightist deputies indicated the government might have a long, bhard fight to push the measures through the Conservative Senate. While the government majority ap- parently made speedy passage of de- valuation certain in the chamber, the (See FRANC, Page A-4.) TWO DIE, TEN HURT IN MICHIGAN BLAST One Body Is Taken From Ruins as Explosion Wrecks Tire Station. By the Associated Press. FLINT, Mich, September 28—At Jeast two persons were killed and ten injured so seriously they were taken to hospitals by an explosion today which demolished the General Tire Co’s service station in downtown Flint. The body of Albert W. Hatter, the office manager, was taken from the ruins. Firemen said they saw another body in the debris, but fire that fol- Jowed the blast prevented them from yeaching it or from searching for other possible victims. Hospital attendants said two of the tnjured might die. A partial list of the injured in- cluded: Herman Middleton, 23, skull frac- ture. Raymond Olson, 39, Evanston, Il gkull fracture. Mrs. Rose, bookkeeper, pos- gible fracture of the spine, fractured knee and facial cuts which may cause blindness. Richard Winlack, 36, shoulder frac- Bure. Byron E. Cracraft, 30, the station nanager, back injury. Leo Graf, 25, burns and shock. Pauline Sapko, 23, bookkeeper, cuts. Police were told 18 persons, some of them motorists, were in the build- ing when the blast occurred. Fire- men said they believed it may have been caused by a spark from a re- treading machine in the basement, which ignited an underground gaso- line tank. The explosion shook buildings for blocks around, broke many windows, d damaged the adjoining residence Mrs. Mary A. Cole, ] every effort to make public the pay rolls of those who conduct its relief agencies. Wants Names, Salaries. “Not only would all of us like to know, but we are entitled to know, the names of all the directors, the super- visors, the administrators, the straw bosses and the salaries they draw. 1f the administration were sincere in its approach to the relief problem, there would be no need for this demand. If it were honest with the people who, through hidden taxes must pay the in- credible bills, there would be none of this secrecy. “All my life I have been prudent with my own money. As Governo} of Kansas I have been careful with the money of the people of my State. As Chief Executive of this Nation I would consider it my first duty to exercise an equal care with the money of the American people.” Landon spoke as his train sped southward through Illinois. He board- ed his private car at Byron after an overnight stay at the 4,500-acre estate of former Gov. Frank O. Lowden of Illinois and a 12-mile motor drive to Byron. His rear platform appear- ances included Byron, Savanna, Mo- line and Rock Island. Lauds Lowden. ‘The Republican candidate said his visit with Lowden had been “delight- ful and & most instructive one, with one of the most understanding friends the American farmer ever had.” “One of the most useful servicgs rendered the people of Illinois by Gov. Lowden was the elimination of waste in the administration of your State government,” the Kansan told a crowd about his car. “All of us who urged economy in the spending of public funds are not so much concerned about saving money as we are about saving peo- ple. The men and women who work for their living are the ones on whom the burden of waste and extravagance in government weighs most heavily.” Landon was introduced by Lowden at Byron as one “eminently qualified” for the White House. _— British Tennis Star Wed. LONDON, September 28 (#).—Mrs. Edmund Owen Fearnley Whittingstall, nee Eileen Bennett, the tennis player, was married today to Marcus Marsh, race horse trainer. ah | posts ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Toening Star The only evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press News and Wirephoto Services. RN S 128,976 SUNDAY'S Circulation, 142,918 e returns not yet received.) WASHINGTON, D. C, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1936 —THIRTY-FOUR PAGES. %% LOYALIST RETREAT 0 MADRID BARRED AS TOLEDD FALLS Franco Forces Kill 300 in Rain of Shells and Bombs Capturing City. GOVERNMENT RETREAT COVERED BY ARTILLERY Madrid Admits Defeat, Calls for Mobilization to Protect Capi- tal as Battle Nears. BACKGROUND— Gradually closing in on Madrid, loyalist stronghold, Spanish rebels have been making steady gains since beginning of revolution last July. Loyalist, or Socialist-Com- munist, forces have been pushed out of the way in a victorious march up the eastern coast of Spain, across the French frontier. For weeks stanch Fascist de=- fenders of the famous Alcazar for- tress awaited the coming of their fellow rebels. Yesterday Toledo was occupied and the Alcazar de- fenders were given relief. Mean= while, the battle of Madrid nears. (Copyright, 1936, by the Associated Press.) TOLEDO, Spain, September 28.— Triumphant Fascists ruled Toledo to- day as war-weary government soldiers straggled southward, their route to Madrid blocked by insurgent troops and guns. In a rain of shells and bombs the relentless columns of Gen. Francisco Franco beat down a waning govern- ment defense yesterday and marched mto the battered city which once was the capital of Spain. The 1nsurgent high command an- nounced 300 government men had been killed and many wounded. ‘Through the night the government troops fled along the roads east and south of Toledo. The direct highway to Madrid had been cut near Olias Del Rey, 10 miles nort hof the fallen city. Government artillery covered the retreat, seeking to blast the roads over which the militia had moved. Patrol Enters City. A small patrol of 20 Fascists, led by Comdr. Muzzing, tramped through the Northern Visagra Gate into the beleaguered city at 1 p.m. shooting a path through disordered Socialist militiamen, who fell back hastily be- fore the spirited advance. Muzzing passed word back through the hard-driving insurgent ranks and | signaled a general advance. Unleashed, the Fascist Legionnaires and troops began a rushing drive against barricades and machine gun behind which the desperate Socialists tried in vain to block the victorious entry. Residents who had remained in the battle areas fled before the vicious at- | Militiamen held to their posts | tack. (See SPAIN, Page A-3) —_— SIMPSON REPORTED EN ROUTE TO U. S. But London Advices Say Husband of Friend of King Still Is There. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK., September 28.—There were conflieting reports in New York | today on whether Ernest Aldrich Simpson, husband of Mrs. “Wally” Simpson, friend and frequent com- panion of King Edward VIII of Eng- lan@§ was en route here. ‘The New York Journal reported he was expected here today aboard one of three ships arriving from England, but advices from London said he was still there. Meanwhile Mrs. Jacques Raffray, intimate friend of Mrs. Simpson, who arrived from a visit with the latter only a few days ago, said, “I haven’t the faintest idea where Mr. Simpson is. I have no idea whether or not he is coming over here.” Mrs. Raffray, wife of a New York insurance man, went abroad in March and visited with Mrs. Simpson in Lon- don until the middle of April. Mrs. Dorothea Parsons Simpson, first wife of Mr. Simpson, went to the coun- try for the week end and decided to prolong her stay there, She heads an employment agency on Madison avenue and was a girlhood friend in Baltimore of the present Mrs. Simpson. Officers See Man Kiss Wife, Arrest Him After Argument Armistead W. Gilliam, a member of the Washington staff of the Institute of American Meat Packers, kissed his wife last night in the presence of two incredulous policemen and got into an argument with the officers that re- sulted in his arrest on disorderly con- duct charges. Released after posting $5 collateral at the third precinct, Gilliam com- plained about the officers, and Capt. Arthur E. Miller of the third precinct ordered an investigation of the inci- dent. ‘The officers, according to Gilliam, walked up to his car after he had kissed his wife while parked in front of a relative’s apartment on Twen- tieth street. “What's going on here,” he quoted the officers as demanding. “Nothing’s going on,” Gilliam said he replied. “I just kissed my wife.” ‘The police then began quizzing him as to why he had Maryland tags on his car, and Gilliam explained that he had lived in Montgomery County be- fore going on his vacation. He had just returned, he said, and was stay- ing temporarily with a relative at the Twentieth street address. Apparently not satisfied, however, the officers, according to Gilliam, re- mained standing beside his car, while his wife started to cry. Becoming indignant, Gilliam said he demanded that the officers go on and leave him alone. This led to & further exchange of words, and one of the officers finally asked Gilliam if he was going to drive around to No. 3 with them. When he replied that he was not, they took him to the patrol box and called the wagon. As Gilliam got out of the car, he said one of the policeman turned to his wife with the remark: “Come on sister, we're taking you, too.” He remonstrated with them, he sald, and they agreed to release her, but with the admonition: “All right, gal. Go on about your business.” Capt. Miller said the arresting of- # OHIO MAY DIVIDE ELECTION HONORS | Republican Assured of Gov- ernorship, but Roosevelt Still in Lead. BY G. GOULD LINCOLN, Staft Correspondent of The Star. COLUMBUS, Ohio, September 28.— | The presidential election in Ohio is | still in the lap of the gods. But the gods have dumped the gubernatorial election into the laps of the Re- publicans. Gov. Martin L. Davey of the tree surgeon Daveys, the Democratic nominee for Governor, is out on a limb. It will be sawed off on election day. Attorney General John W. | Bricker, regarded as the strongest candidate for Governor the Repub- | licans have put up in many a year— as Davey is regarded as the weakest Democratic candidate—is due to win election by several hundred thousand votes. Davey is no asset to the Roosevelt ticket in this State. He is a liability. It may be that a good many Demo- crats and New Dealers will vote the ticket straight, and if they do, Davey will benefit by it. But even if that is the case, no one here believes that Davey will have enough votes to win re-election. One farm leader here put it rather brutally today, saying: “If Bricker committed any crime on the list short of murder before elec- tion day, Bricker would still be elected Governor.” Yet Davey is conducting & vigorous campaign. He has a radio program running daily, which, it is said, has cost $66,000, all contributed through the Democratic State headquarters. The employes of the State govern- ment, particularly of the highway de- partment, are organized like an army to work for his re-election. Davey, however, is unpopular as a Governor. He got through by the skin of his teeth two years ago in a tremendous Democratic year. He won the Demo- cratic nomination in a three-cornered | race in 1932 by the narrowest kind | of a margin. When the election was | held, he won with a lead of only 66,000 votes over a not strong Re- publican opponent while Senator “Honest” Vic Donahey was beating former Republican Senator Simeon D. Fess by 437,000. Davey is believed to be much less strong in the State this year, and his Republican op- ponent and the Republicans generally are very much stronger than tney were in 1934. Not only will the Republicans win the governorship in Ohio, but they are due to pick up a number of seats in (See LINCOLN, Page A-2.) COOL WEATHER DUE, ACCOMPANIED BY RAIN Dropping Temperatures to Fol- low Week End of Fair Skies and Moderate Mercury. After a week end of fair weather and moderate temperatures, another cool spell is expected to move in on Washington tonight, accompanied by rain. ‘The forecaster predicted rain and cooler tonight and tomorrow. There was a possibility of light rains this afternoon. The Weather Bureau explained con- ditions were rather “complicated” to- day, and the duration of the cool wave could not be estimated. The mercury pushed as high as 78 degrees at 4:30 p.m. yesterda ‘The | urday, registered ma: low was 67, reached at 6:15 am. today. Readers’ Guide Answers to Questions. Comics - Cross-word Puzzle Death Notices - Editorial . Finance . Lost and Found - News Comment Features._A-9 Radio A-14 Short Story .-... Society -_. Sports —____.......-A-12-13 Washington Wayside .___A-2 Women'’s Features .t.‘l-m ONE DOLLAR, S NMEMBERSR\PS Misdirected Letter Holds Clue To Poison Death of D. C. Man TWO CENTS. Fred Furbershaw Found Poisoned in De- troit Few Hours After Father Suc- cumbs Suddenly in Miami. A misdirected letter today held the explanation of the apparent suicide of Fred Furbershaw, 35, a former George Washington University stu- dent, who was found dying in a De- troit park this morning, only a few hours after his father had died sud- denly in Miami. Although the son may have known of his father’s death when he swal- lowed the contents of a bottle of poison, an unsent telegram in his pocket revealed he had made up his mind Saturday to take his own life. He died shortly after he was found in the park. This telegram, addressed to his uncle, Dr. Thomas L. Furbershaw, a prominent Washington dentist, said: “Letters regarding suicide sent Sat- | e to or.| The telegram was addressed to Dr. Furbershaw at 4226 Macomb street, although he lives at 4422 Macomb street. He has not reeeived the reg- istered letters, presumably because | they were mailed to the wrong ad-| dress mentioned in the telegram. " Relatives here had just learned of | the death of the father, James H.| Furbershaw, when they were informed, through an Associated Press dispatch, of the son's death. Dr. Furbershaw said the young man was an excellent student and had gone to Detroit this Summer to continue studies begun at George Washington. He said he knew of no motive for sui- | cide, unless his health had been im- paired by overwork. Furbershaw received his A. B. degree from G. W. in 1925, and last year began studying for a master’s degree. (See POISON, Page A-2.) 7 DIE AS 1500 FLEE GREAT FOREST FIRE Town Wiped Out, Oregon Communities Battle Back Raging Blaze. By the Assoclated Press. MARSHFIELD, Oreg., September 28.—The fire-seared coasts of South- ern Oregon and Northern California smoked like a battlefield today while thousands of citizens worked feverish- 1y to save their homes and themselves from the flaming disaster which devastated a town of 1,500. Typical of the grave situation fac- ing the rich timbered mountain area was the village of Myrtle Point, about 30 miles southeast of Marshfield and 20 miles inland from Bandon, the town which was reduced to ruins with & loss of seven lives Saturday. Grim-faced groups, sleepless and drawn, sought to build a wall of safety about Myrtle Point during the night. A huge tractor equipped with trench diggers, its exhaust roaring as if in challenge to the advancing flames, made circuit after circuit about Myrtle Point, gradually clearing an ever- widlening space of brush and timber. By this maneuver the residents hoped to clear such a circle about the town that the flames, burning on the edge of the village, could not leap it unless driven by a high wind. This morning the wind was blow- ing away from the village, but the vagaries of the weather could at any moment reverse the currents and drive the flames down on the village. “No one talks much. There isn't any need to. They all know that it is just an act of God if they escape the fate of Bandon,” was the way one firefighter put it. “The smoke is terrible. It starts about 10 miles east of Myrtle Point and you can't see for more than a (See FIRE, P FATHER LOSES LIFE IN SONS ‘WAR’ GAME Michael Fitzgerald, Fatally ‘Wounded in Maryland, Dies Here. By 2 Staff Correspondent of The Star. CLINTON, Md., September 28.—The unexpected realism of a cowboy-Indian “war” here yesterday resulted in the accidental shooting of Michael J. Fitz- gerald, 49, fatally wounded in the abdomen by a bullet from a .22-calibre rifle discharged by his son. Fitzgerald died in Casualty Hospital at 12:40 p.m. today, despite an emer- gency operation performed yesterday for removal of the slug. According to police, Fitzgerald was shot by his 10-year-old son, Bernard, while the youngster was maneuvering in “war” tactics with his brother, ‘Thomas, 13, at their home here. Prince Georges County police questioned the boys, ascertained that the shooting was accidental and released the pair. The victim's wife, Catherine, took him 1o the hospital. ‘ LS. AGENTS START NARCOTICS DRIVE 2,500 Officers Ordered to Open Series of Raids on Law Breakers, By the Associated Press. The Treasury today threw 2,500 nar- cotics agents and law enforcement of- ficers into a Nation-wide drive against narcoties and liquor, In scattered cities throughout the country, Treasury agents were ordered | to make a series of sudden raids in an effort to round up a large number of | suspected law breakers. Officials said several hundred ar- rests were expected to result from the raids, which was ordered by Harold N. Graves, assistant to Secretary Mor- genthau and co-ordinator for the| Treasury’s various law enforcement | agencies. Although the drive will be centered on narcotics and liquor, Treasury offi- clals reported that counterfeiting, cus- toms violations and any other illegal activities within the province of Treasury law enforcement would be included. The activities were being centered in the 50 or more cities where various Treasury enforcement agencies main. tain offices. Besides agents of the Narcotics Bureau and the Alcohol Tax Unit, the Coast Guard, Customs Bureau and Secret Service were ordered to co- operate. Treasury officials explained the drive had been ordered because oc- casionally a broad offensive was the best method of rounding up law break- ers. They added that there had been no change in the usual day-to-day enforcement activities of the various agencies, but that the drive was or- dered in an effort to round up sus- pects and stamp out illegal activities Circled by Food, Chicago Woman Refuses Eviction Camps on Porch After Making No Payment in Three Years. BY the Associated Press. CHICAGO. September 28 —Sur- rounded by her household effects, 30 baskets of canned food, 21 pounds of coffee and 31 pounds of cocoa, 43- year-old Mrs. Ruby Lucas greeted a chilly dawn today from the front porch of her former home on the far South Side with this: _ “I'm going to stay here indef- initely—until I either get back in the house or die.” She had just spent her third night of camping oui on a mattress. She was evicted Friday for faiiure to make mortgage payments during the last three years. Sheets were her only protection from the inclement weather. She spurned the aid of neighbors who said they'd take her in. She also said “no” to the offer of the real estate company which held the mortgage to | pay her hotel bill for two weeks and to move and store her furniture. It might prejudice her rights. She said she and her estranged husband, Nick, contracted to buy the bungalow 12 years ago for $7,000 and that she managed to pay several thousand, although he left her soon after they moved in. ALLIES OF BORAH TOAIDROOSEVELT Senator’s Manager in Illi- nois Will Line Up Pro- gressives. By the Assoclated Press. CHICAGO, September 28.—Edgar J. Cook, manager of the Illinois cam- | paign for Senator William E. Borah when the Idahoan was seeking the Republican presidential nomination, announced today he and some of his Borah allies had decided to sup- port President Roosevelt. Cook said headquarters for the “Progressive Republican League for Roosevelt” would be established here today to line up progressives of the State for the Democratic nominee. At the samé time Cook made public @ letter to Senator Borgh in which he outlined his reasons for changing | his politics, “I believe that the nomination of Gov. Landon is not a step forward, but a decided step backward, for our sorely distressed Nation,” the letter said in part. “I believe today more firmly than I believed in 1912 that behind the Republican party ‘sits enthroned an invisible power owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.’” In his letter, Cook, a Chicago at- torney, expressed the opinion it was | time “to put the public welfare in first place,” adding, “This will not ! be accomplished with an ‘invisible power’ in control of the Government.” Cook said he was preparing a list | of “between 4,000 and 5,000 pro- gressive Republicans of Illinois who | would be affiliated with his league. | He said Charles E. Merriam and Paul Douglas, University of Chicago pro- | fessors, were among those who formed | the league. as treasurer. Cook took a leading part in Senator Borah's presidential preferential pri- mary campaign in Illinois. The Sen- ator was defeated by Col. Frank Knox, A. J. Tierney was listed Chicago publisher and Republican vice | presidential nominee, who received 491,575 votes to 419,220 for Borah, Farley anm gner On Adir Today From Democrat Session By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, September 28.—Politi- cal broadcasts for today include: Republican New York State Con- vention—WEAF and New York State network, 1:05 p.m., Martin B. Little- ton; also WJZ State network at 9:30. Democratic New York State Con- vention—WEAF, WJZ and New York State network, 2 p.m., James A. Far- ley; WJZ and New York State net- work, 10:30, Senator Robert F. Wag- ner. All Republican~WEAF, N. B. C, 4:30, Landon Radio Club; C. B. 8, 7 east and 11 west, William Hard and George N. Peek. WEAF, WJZ, WGY, WBEN, WSYR, WHAM, WABY, 7:30, Col. Frank Knox. New pProgressive series—WABC, C. B. 8., 10:30, general theme, “Roose- velt Progress,” Senator Robert M. Lafollette. Also sponsored by Labor's which could best be crushed in this way. Non-Partisan League and Good Neigh- bor League. Blind Peanut Vender Is Fined For White House Park Sales ‘While Steve Vasilakos, with White House blessing, continued to sell pea- nuts from his “private” corner, blind Felix Desdrito, 29, was arrested in the park behind the Executive Mansion t"Al:d.ly and fined $5 for vending peanuts ere. Meanwhile park police awaited con- firmation of the letter Mrs, Franklin D. Roosevelt sent Commissioner George E. Allen requesting that Vasilakos not be molested. Both Mrs. Roosevelt and Allen were out of town. Desdrito, who lives at 35 Poplar avenue, Takoma Park, Md., was ar- rested by Park Policeman Arthur D. Cook this morning, and a few hours later was arraigned before Judge Isaac R. Hitt in Police Court. Led into the court room by a bailiff, the blind peanut and ice cream vendor told Judge Hitt lu,u the sole support & of seven children. He had ttied selling in unrestricted places, he said, but found selling in the park the only way he could make a sufficient living. Desdrito lost his sight prize-fight- ing. He was known in the ring as “Young Agenalda.” From 1921 to 1925, he served in the Navy and fought under the pseudonym of “Little Demp-~ sey.” He has newspaper -clippings and photographs which tell of his fighting experience. Desdrito said his “eyes” were Car- melits Kruse, 13, and Patricia Kruse, 12, nieces of his wife. He feeds, clothes and sends them to school, he said. They guide him only after school hours; he added. Policeman Cook Desdrito made virtual slaves SIMPSON GUILTY; GETS THREE YEARS INGERMAN PRISON U. S. Seaman Is Convicted After He Admits Red Propaganda. SMUGGLED LITERATURE OFF S. S. MANHATTAN | Prosecutor Calls Him American | With No Opportunity of Learning Benefits of Third Reich. BACKGROUND— Taken from an American vessel in @ German port when Nazi ine spectors found literature in his cabin which they interpreted to be anti-Nazi, Lawrence Simpson, American sailor, has been lan= guishing in a German jail for many months await:ng trial. When State Department intere vention was ineflective, indepen= dent American eflorts were made to have the man freed or have his trial hastened. Last week Secre- tary of State Hull denied that the department had failed to exercise sufficient vigor in the case and criticized those who have made blanket accusation of negligence against American representatives abroad. «Copyrisght. 1936, 0y tne Associated Press.s BERLIN, September 28 —Lawrence Simpson, American seaman, was cone victed of sedition by the People's Court today and sentenced to three vears in prison—less the 14 months he already has served Simpson, a sailor on the 8. S. Mane hattan, was convicted in a swift one- day trial, during which he admitted without reservation that he and three German Communist friends had tried to set up a popular front governs ment in Nazi Germany with three small balloons and packages of antie Nazi propaganda. In pronouncing sentence, the pre- siding judge warned the slight, some= what-deaf sailor that leniency was being observed this time, but that | the next foreigner caught attempte ing to spread Communistic doctrines |in Germany could expect “harsh treatment.” | Simpson’s German co-defendant, Bruno Rietz, was sentenced to four | years in ‘prison. | In his frank witness-stand narra- | tive, Simpson said his ambitious prop=- aganda venture failed because one of his associates proved to be & spy for the Gestapo (German secret po- litical police). Admits Smuggling Literature. He admitted freely that he repeat- edly brought Communist propaganda into Germany aboard the S. §. Man. hattan, on one occasion smuggling 60,000 “Death to Fascism” stickers | into the Reich. He testified that when one of his German associates asked if he could get them some balloons for distributing handbills from the sky, he offered to obtain the balloons in New York and, in fact, brought in three equipped with a fireworks contraption for ree leasing the handbills. Simpson, however, disagreed with a previous witness who told of seeing some one hand him data on submarine and aircraft construction. He ex- plained that the data concerned a radio which some one had wanted him to bring from New York. The only conversation on the sub- | ject of submarines, he said. was in- | spired by articles in an anti-Fascist | German language newspaper published | in New York. “Being seamen. we always talked | about sea ships.” he told the court. Says 200 of Crew Speak German. Simpson explained much of the | Communistic material found in his possession aboard the Manhattan was | intended for use aboard ship, rather | than in Germany. | “But you just told us these hand- | bills and stickers were in the Ger- man language,” interposed the pre= | siding judge, “and that the Manhat= tan is an American ship.” “Yes,” the defendant answered, “but German is the language of about 200 of the crew.” Asked if it was not illegal to dis- tribute Communist propaganda in ary language aboard ship, Simpson re- plied: “It's against the ship's regula- tions, but otherwise there is no trouble.” The seaman said he joined the Communist party in 1923. Material which he brought to Germany was put aboard the ship in New York, he added. He was not questioned as to his New York source of supply. Simpson told his story to a court consisting of one presiding judge, ons assessor, one high ranking police of- ficer and two brown-uniformed Nazi party functionaries, one of whom wore a furiously bristling grenadier moustache. » Small of build and hollow-cheeked, the defendant, who awaited trial for more than 14 months, stood clutching the back of a chair while he testified. Frequently he leaned forward to hear the judge's questions. He spoke in fairly fluent German, but had dif~ ficulty at times in grasping the proe cedure. At the close of the testimony the prosecuting attorney recommended the espionage charge be dropped, as unsupported by evidence. Defense attorneys asked for clem- ency for Simpson, pleading that as an (See SIMPSON, Page A-S5.) e FIRST FROST HARMLESS By the Associated Press. CUMBERLAND, Md., September 28 (). —Pall's first frost in Western Maryland apparently did no harm to crops or flower gardens. Light frost formed in Allegany, Gar- rett, Prederick and Washington Coun- ties when the temperature dropped below the frost line for the first time this season. ‘The formation was too light to nip crops or flowers, although ice formed in the high -1&1: of Garrett County,