Evening Star Newspaper, January 1, 1937, Page 1

WEATHER, (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Rain beginning late tonight or tomor- row; somewhat colder tomorrow; lowest temperature tonight about 36 degrees; gentle to moderate winds. Highest, 60, at 2 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 39, at 7 am. today. New York Markets Closed Today 85th YEAR. No. 33,848. LABOR OVERTURES ANSWER COMPANY AUTOSTRIKE STAND U. A. W. President Hopes Door Is Not Shut to Further Efforts. HOUSANDS ARE OUT; {BIG INDUSTRIES PINCHED Responsibility Must Rest With General Motors if More Quit, Says Martin. BACKGROUND— Workers in several big industries walked out last week, threatening to cripple advancing business re- covery. In general, the chief union objectives in the strikes are in- creased wages, adjustment of over- time rates and recognition of the unions as the collective dargaining agency. In some instances the United Auto Workers of America also is requesting the reinstatement of employes it alleges were dis- missed for union activity. B the Assoclated Press. DETROIT, January 1.—Homer Mar- tin, president of the United Automo- bile Workers of America, said today he hoped General Motors Corp.’s let- ter answering his request for a con- ference on labor conditions “is not intended to close the doors to further efforts to reach an understanding.” He issued a statement commenting en the communication he received last night from William S. Knudsen, execu- tive vice president of General Motors, fin which Knudsen said the corpora- tion was willing to meet with union Tepresentatives, but insisted that col- lective bargaining must be discussed with individual plant managers. The gigantic automobile industry is the largest of several feeling the pinch of labor disputes as they opened the books for a new calendar year. Execu- tives, hoping that business will con- tinue at the pace it maintained in 1936, were concerned over the possible effects of continued or. expanding astrikes on the 1937 outlook. 30,000 Out at General Motors. Thirty thousand employes of Gen- eral Motors alone were idle when fac- tories closed for an extended holiday week end. Strikes have halted pro- duction in a few auto parts plants, and in the fiat-glass industry—whose big- gest customer is the automobile manu- facturer—other thousands were out. The effect of these shutdowns was eaching other industries which fur- nish the automotive industry with materials, the largest being the steel business. With automobile and parts production curtailed, the steel trade tound one of its chief markets shrink- The tire manufacturing trade tndicates that he is not aware of the attitudes and actions of his own plant managers, superintendents and fore- men, and it seems obvious that Mr. ‘Enudsen has not yet realized that the very policies which he discusses are responsible for the present situation and have been responsible throughout the past three years for the many ac- pumulating grievances leading to the jpresent controversies. Idea Is Opposed. “We cannot believe that Mr. Knud- men’s idea of collective bargaining is expressed in his words, ‘Our plant managers are at liberty and have au- thority to meet with your representa- tives to discuss matters affecting your membership who are our employes. For, quite obviously, mere discussion without a serious attempt to correct the fundamental causes that breed this sort, of trouble is idle gossip. “We hope Mr. Knudsen’s letter is not intended to close the doors to fur- ther efforts to reach an understanding which will settle the present contro- versies and avert the spreading of strikes in General Motors plants. “Should Mr. Knudsen and his of- #fcial associates fail or refuse to join us in our efforts to head off further walkouts, the responsibility must rest Wwith General Motors. We are com- fmunicating by letter with the execu- tives of General Motors, again advis- Ing them that we stand ready to meet ‘with them at any time to work out & solution of the present troubles.” Trespassing Charged. Knudsen charged in his letter to Martin that the union had not tried icollective bargaining before striking And that the “sit down” strikers were trespassing. The automobile executive puggested that the union order its 'mbers “to vacate the plants as a dition precedent to a discussion of y alleged grievances.” Knudsen added: “With plants lo- ted in 35 separate communities in 4 States, with more than 200,000 em- ployes, and necessarily operating un- der a variety of conditions peculiar to the manuiacture of the products in /which they are engaged, grievances ‘of individuals or groups of individuals. ican only be handled locally, where the ‘employes and the plant management are familiar with local conditions, as iwell as with the basic general policies jconcerning employe relations. Cer- {tainly there is nothing in this com- -sense arrangement which is in- jconsistent with bona-fide collective {bargaining.” S sy | HOTEL SUITE ROBBED Dorothea Brande and Husband Lose Coat, Cash, Jewelry. Entered as second class matter post oMu wnalnmn.'lg. ©C. @h WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Foening Star WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 1937—FORTY PAGES. #» $50,000 McLean Party Paces |[FNETON BLAST Riotous New Year Eve Here Capital Welcomes 1937 With Revelry Unrivaledin 10 Years—Night Clubs and Hotels Jammed. Paced by & $50,000 revival of the famous McLean parties, Washington turned out last night from Friendship to Foggy Bottom to give the infant 1937 the loudest and merriest recep- tion of the past 10 years. The party at Friendship, Wisconsin avenue estate of Mrs. Evalyn Walsh McLean, was the most elaborate in the city, but all the hotels and night clubs ‘were jammed to capacity by Washing- tonians bent on giving the New Year a rousing welcome. For those to whom the gayety of the traditional celebrations is distasteful, there were watch-night services in many churches. Mrs. McLean wore her famous Hope diamond and the “Star of the East,” another noted gem, as well as six diamond bracelets. On hand to guard them, however, were 17 private detectives and an imposing array of Washington police, including & cap- tain and an inspector. About 325 guests were invited to dinner and more than twice that many danced later to the music of two orchestras in the rambling, cream- colored structure. Among the guests were Mary Roberts Rinehart and Jos- eph Hergesheimer, authors, and Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, wife ot the publisher. Mrs. McLean, whose father made a fortune in Colorado mines, gave the party to celebrate the coming of age of her son “Jock,” who will be 21 on January 30. During the evening the guests con- sumed 480 quarts of champagne, 288 fifths of Scotch, 48 quarts of cocktails, 36 bottles of miscellaneous liquors and 40 gallons of beer. The police, although instructed by (S8ec NEW YEAR, Page A-3.) LEWIS DEMANDS AWAKENED LABOR Organizing in Public Service Urged in Radio Declaration. BACKGROUND— Staking all on its organiaation efforts, the Committee for Indus- trial Organization is making con- certed drive for members in mass production industries. Result has been real joining of battle in steel, automobiles, rubber and electrical manufacturing industries. Plan is for so-called vertical unions, with all workers in each industry, re- gardless of craft, being in single union of that industry. In public service fleld, mentioned last night, Federal employes have been fairly well organized in nu- ‘merous craft unions, and A. F.of L. recently chartered union for State and county employes. Possibility ezists that all these groups might be brought together in industrial type public service union. BY JOHN C. HENRY, Labor's drive on industry, out of which looms widespread industrial strife during 1937, began the new year under fresh impetus of a vigorous “no-quarter” declaration by John L. Lewis and the Committee for Indus- trial Organization to establish organi- zation and collective-bargaining prac- tices in the major flelds of business, industry and public service. Specifically marked by Lewis in & radio address last night, in addition to such great mass-production indus- tries as steel, automobiles, shipbuilding and oil, was “that field of public serv- ice represented by classified employes of the Federal Government and the inferior political subdivisions of the Nation.” Pointing out there are more than 3,000,000 persons in this category of public-service employes, Lewis declared “there are obvious manifestations that the campaign of organization among industrial workers has aroused the in- tense interest and sympathy of these employes, and that they also intend to organize and become grticulate.” Lewis’ first appeal lasy'night, in fact, was directed not at the workers in steel and automobiles, where his C. 1. O. is fighting its bitterest battles, but rather at the “technical, profes- sional and white-collar groups” who “have come to realize that their posi- tion in business and industry is no more secure than that of the manual ‘worker.” As is always the strategy by two conflicting forces of labor and industry, Lewis last night turned responsibility for the unrest and strife on the other side, blaming “management stupidity” particularly for the strikes which have broken out in the last few weeks, “‘especially in the automotive industry.” “Employers who tyrannize over the employes, with the aid of labor sples, company guards, and the threat of discharge,” he warned, “need not be surprised if their production lines are suddenly halted.” “Huge corporations, such as United (See LEWIS, Page A-4) Deer Kills Reported. CUMBERLAND, Md., January 1 (). —Deputy Game Warden Joseph A. Minke said that between 35 and 40 deer were legally killed in Allegany County during the past season. ‘There were 96 bucks legally killed in Garrett County. POPE MAY RENEW VATICAN DUTIES Apparently Rallying From Complications of Age and Circulation. BY the Associated Press. VATICAN CITY, January 1.—Pope Pius XI was reported today recovering sufficiently from his illness to create hope he might once again take over the full administration of the Holy See. ‘The holy father slept relatively well through the early hours and Vatican sources said he apparently was rally- ing from the complications of his age which have beset the attack of circula- tory congestion. The Pope is 79 years old. Catholics hailed the new year as it rought alleviation of the pontiff’s pain and the hope he might resume the | functions taken over by a committee of cardinals. Varicose Vein Drained. The first draining of a burst varicose vein, it was disclosed, had removed the immediate possibility of death. In the background, however, was the fear the holy father's heart, weakened by the sleepless nights of the past two weeks, might fail him at any moment. ‘The Pope's doctors dubiously gave him two months for convalescence, pointing out at the same time his ad- vanced age and generally weak con- dition might upset his recovery and place him back in danger of his life. ‘The holy father himself told at- tendants he knew that he had been cured, that he felt well and knew he would recover. Intense Pain Suffered. It was the loss of his indomitable will that had previously caused at- tendants to despair for him. Intense pain had forced his holiness to realize the gravity of his condition. Easing of the pain with the re- moval of the stagnant condition in his left leg and resumption of local circulation again brought optimism to the holy father. Removal of the cause of the agony and administration of sedatives brought the pontiff a night of com- parative rest. ® The sedatives had at one time, it | was said, almost been discontinued because of the impossibility of getting one mild enough to relieve his pain and at the same time not endanger his weak heart. B. & 0. FREIGHT TRAIN DERAILED IN VIRGINIA Merchandise Scattered, Torn Up, Near Winchester—De- fective Rail Held Cause. Stecial Dispaten to The Star. WINCHESTER, Va., January 1— ‘Thirteen cars of a Baltimore & Ohio freight train were derailed between Swimley and Wadesville stations north of here today, scattering a varied as- sortment of merchandise over the right of way and tearing up track a distance of several hundred yards. The train was westbound from Bruns- wick, Md,, to Strasburg, Va. The loco- motive and tender remained on the track. Raliroad officials said a defective rail probably was the cause. No train- ‘men were injured. It was expected the line would be opened early tonight. Tracks New Year Celebrated by World Cheered by Depression Defeat BY the Associated Press. ALLS GANESTER, RS T IN EARTH Woman Shot Escaping From Powder House Blames Three Ex-Convicts. FORCE OF EXPLOSION SHAKES VAST AREA Plate-Glass Windows in Score of Stores Are Broken—Man- hunt Starts. 37 the Associated Press. SIOUX FALLS, S. Dak., January 1.—A wierd tale of gangland execution by 5% tons of high explosives sent police on an extensive manhunt today for three former convicts, who they said blew one member of their gang to death and attempted to kill his woman companion to prevent them from “squawking” about a robbery. Helen Seiler, 26, Sioux City, suffer- ing from eight bullet wounds, told State’s Attorney Louis N. Crill of the strange slaying and identified the vic- tim of the blast as Harold Baker, a member of a band which last week staged a $37,000 robbery of a jewelry store in Sioux City, Iowa. Baker, she told Crill, was beaten and shot, then left in an explosive store house 5 miles east of here last night while three members of the gang fired a fuse and fled after shooting her down when she tried to escape across the snow-covered fields. More than a ton and a half of dyna- mite and nearly four tons of blasting powder ripped loose in the terrific ex- plosion that followed. Plate glass windows in more than a score of busi- ness houses here were broken by the resulting concussion which was felt for 50 miles around, and threatened panic momentarily to thousands of New Year revelers. Crawled Into Roadside Ditch. Her legs and feet frozen, Miss Seiler told Crill she had been marked to die with Baker {n the blast, but that she recovered consciousness before the ex- plosion occurred and ran. She man- aged to crawl into a roadside ditch just before the blast. Passing motorists brought her to a hospital here. Although her condition was described as critical, physicians said she had a | chance to recover. Based on the woman's story, police laid & dragnet for Tom Tcbin, “Slim" Reeves and Dwane Nesbit, who, they believe, fled toward Sioux City, Iowa. D. V. Baker, police identification officer, said Tobin was recently re- leased from the South Dakota Peniten- tiary and that he belleved the two others also were ex-convicts. Miss Seiler said she and Baker were enticed into the country by their three companions to “get some soup” for a safecracking job. She said Baker was beaten and shot and that she was struck over the head with a hammer and shot. “I was not entirely unconscious,” Crill said she related. “I knew when they shot me and when they shot Baker. I saw them light a fuse and then I crawled out of the building. I don’t know how far I had gone when it was exploded.” Crater 35 Feet Long. Police today planned to scour the area around the 35-foot crater caused by the blast in an effort to locate parts of Baker's body. The powder storehouse belonged to a Sioux Falls hardware company. Windows in virtually every farm residence near the powder house were broken, but the principal damage was caused in Sioux Falls, where ‘dozens of panes of glass in downtown stores were shattered. A glass company, called to make repairs, estimated the damage at $5,000. ‘The terrific blast knocked pictures from walls, rattled dishes, started chandeliers swinging and in other ways resembled an earthquake. Down- town celebrating crowds, as well as residents in outlying districts, rushed to the streets. Deputy Sheriff E. H. Weidenbach, after visiting the scene of the explo- sion, said the blast excavated a crater 35 feet long, 25 feet deep and 25 feet wide. Signs a mile away were blown down by the blast, he said. An inven- tory of the explosive depot, he said, shows it had contained three hundred 25-pound cans of powder and 3,300 pounds of dynamite, In Dell Rapids, 20 miles away, some windows were broken by the force of the explosion. The blast also was felt in Pipestone, 51 miles away, and in Doon, Iows, 40 miles distant, P RS MRS. HEWITT CLEARED OF CALIFORNIA CHARGE Ruled No Longer Fugitive, Count Is Expunged and $2,500 Bail Returned. BY the Associated Press. JERSEY CITY, N. J, January 1.— Mrs. Maryon Cooper Hewitt was exon- erated yesterday of a charge that she was a fugitive from justice in Cali- fornia. She appeared with her counsel, Wil- liam V. Breslin of Bergen County, in PFirst Criminal Court, where Judge Anthony Bott! expunged the and returned the $2,500 bail. Breslin presented documents from the W Coast indicating that California sterilization of her daughter, Ann. No 5:30 Star or Night Final Today will be no 5:30 or Night Final of The Star today. MADRID GREETED WTH 12 BONBS Symbolic War Gesture Clashes With High Spirit and Eating of Grapes. BACKGROUND— Insurgent preparations for a re- newed campaign against Madrid were reported immediately after Christmas, and the defenders be- gan strengthening their lines. Bombing activities were not ez- pected to be continued on a large scale until mid-January, when the new drive was expected to begin. By the Associated Press. MADRID, January 1.—Twelve Fas- cist shells exploded in Madrid on the | 12 strokes of last midnight, a greet- ing from insurgent artillery to the new year. The symbolic gesture was not lost on Madrid’s inhabitants, whose cus- tom dictates they eat 12 lucky grapes as the ebbing year is toled out and the new year in. Militiamen ate their grapes dis- | dainfully as the shells burst in the center of the city. With each explo- sion they shouted: “Long live the re- public.” Public Expectancy Tense. The new year was ushered in on the long-besieged capital in comparative silence, but in an atmosphere of tense expectancy. The last day of the old year saw little military activity. Mud-soaked trenches were quiet despite fair weather, but government leaders pre- pared for new Fascist onslaughts.soon. New Year eve was noticeably drab and dispirited as compared with other years. Only groups of militiamen and foreign residents greeted 1937 in the Puerta Del Sol and ate the 12 tra- ditional grapes. Usually the great square is thronged with New Year eve celebrants. Meditatively, government sympa- thizers reflected on 1936 as the year “which brought the people happy tidings of a new Spain to be built over the ruins of old anti-democratic Spain.” 1936 Year of Sacrifice. Newspapers characterized 1936 as s “year of sacrifice” and resolved 1937 “will bring us our yictory through arms as we won the electorate fight last February 16.” (That election, resulting in the resignation of the government headed by Premier Manuel Portela Valladares, brought Manuel Azana, now Presi- dent of Spain, to thc premiership in & Left-Republican cabinet.) ‘The newspaper Informaciones charged the f{nsurgents possessed everything they needed but support of the people. The newspaper Clari- dad reiterated its attacks on Prance and England “for not aiding a legiti- mate government.” R — STORM VICTIMS SOUGHT IN MOUNTAIN STATES Family of Four Believed Caught by Blizzard in Lake Tahoe Region. B the Associated Press. PHOENIX, Ariz, January 1.—Bliz- zard-marooned victims were sought in three Western States today. A family believed caught by snow- storms in the high Sierra Mountains was hunted in California’s Lake Tahoe region. Phe four were Carl A. Deisen- roth, 35, Oakland chain store execu- tive; his wife and two sons, who left Saturday on a mountain outing. One of the most severe blizzards in recent years handicapped more than 100 Indians seeking two lost Indian girls in the remote Keams Canyon country of Navajoland in New Mexico. Little hope was held they had survived. In Northern Arizona snow plows battled 5-foot drifts near Fredonia, seeking to rescue James Pointer, & ; today eondition “continuec satisfactory.” B JANUARY 1, 1937. The only evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press News and Wirephoto Services. (P Means Associated Press. W DR LAWY SRR ' '.‘lm}ii N Man Shot Dead As Year Is 2 Minutes Old Police Seize 2 Youths in Maryland Tragedy. By the Associated Press. ESSEX, Md., January 1.—The first two minutes of 1937 brought death to 64-year-old Joseph Lynch, Essex resi- dent. Lynch sat on the side of his bed preparing to retire. It was 12:02 am. A .45-caliber pistol slug passed through his body, killed him and lodged in the wall. Sergt. James W. Guy and Patrolman investigation. Guy and Lawson said | the boys, attending a New Year eve | party next door, admitted they fired two shots each fromi a .45-caliber Distol. QUSTING OFFIGERS ROUSES CITIZENS Daytona Beach “Clean Up” by Governor Includes Woman Mayor. By the Associated Press. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla, January 1.—Wholesale removal of city officials here by the hometown lawyer who be- came Governor, Dave Sholtz, caused widespread excitement today, but there were no disorders. Deputies took over municipal of- fices pending the actual change of ad- ministrations. Gov. Sholtz’s removal orders were served by deputies on Mayor Irene Armstrong, Commissioners Eliza Rob- inson, Lyle C. Ramsey and Ralph W. Richards; Clerk-Collector Francis R. Mills and City Manager Milton S. Couch. Ousted Members Silent. None of the five would comment. Mrs. Armstrong, middle-aged house: Wwife, who succeeded her husband as Mayor December 10, said she would issue a statement later. The former Mayor, Edward H, Armstrong, re- ported his wife was ill. “If I had been mayor,” Armst; declared, “I would not have lfl.mfi g:flltln (the deputies) in the City The removal order ousting Mrs. Armstrong said Harry Wilcox had been nppmnu;' mayor. Wilcox has been on the State pay roll as a deputy in the auto theft bureau. & Wilcox's appointment, Armstrong sald, “is just the same as appointment of Mack Roth as mayor.” Roth, & merchant, has been a leader (See OUSTING, Page A-2.) Summary of Page. Amusements B-20 Finance ..._A-16 Lost & Found A-3 Obituary ...A-12 FOREIGN. Pope's recovery gives hope he may re- sume full duties. Page A-1 Fascists greet Madrid at stroke of 12 with 12 war bombs. Page A-1 NATIONAL. Excitement at Daytona Beach followed removal of officials. Page A-1 New fears arise for kidnaped Mattson boy. Page A-1 Vimalert Co. sold motors back to U. 8., Baltimore Sun says. Page A-1 Lewis adds Government service to field of organisation efforts. Page A-1 Woman’s Pg. B-16 Heavy New Year traffic results in only three accidents. Page A-3 Commission to suit on | Bowl grid games give New Year good | Marble, L e tepites 3 Page A-13 | champion, died at her home here yes- One-man cars. Page A-3 Joseph Lawson jailed two youths for | RESALE OF MOTORS 10 0. § REVEALED Vimalert Got $4,500 for! 100 Engines, but Did Much Work on Them. By the Associated Press. BALTIMORE, January 1.—The Bal- | timore Sun, in a Washington dis- | patch, says the Vimalert Co. of Jersey City bought airplane motors from the Army Air Corps for $100 each and later sold them to the Coast Guard for $4,500 each. The Vimalert Co., headed by Robert Cuse, several days ago received a li- cense from the State Department to export $2,777.000 worth of airplanes and engines to the Loyalist forces in | Spain. The Sun, in a story by J. Pred Essary, chief of its Washington bu- reau, says: “The Vimalert Co., it was learned, has sold airplane engines to the Gov- ernment as well as bought them from Federal agencles. The transaction * * * involved the purchase of a large lot of Liberty motors from the Army Air Corps at not more than $100 apiece and their later sale’ to the Coast Guard for around $4,500 | each for use in harbor patrol boats. “Several years after the close of the World War, it developed, the Vimalert Co. bought from the Army a large number of Liberty motors, which had been manufactured during wartime, but had never been used. The motors were offered for sale as sur- plus stock, having become obsolete for Army purposes as the result of new developments in engine manu- facture. * * * “About a year and a half ago the Coast Guard advertised for bids for (See MOTORS, Page A-5.) $3,000,000 IS GIVEN . CHICAGO UNIVERSITY Unrestricted Gift From Board Established by Rockefeller Is Announced. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, January 1.—President Robert M. Hutchins of the University of Chicago announced yesterday the university had received a $3,000,000 unrestricted gift from the General Education Board of New York, which was established by John D. Rocke- feller, sr. Hutchins said it was the largest unrestricted gift the university nad ever received. He said the money would be spent for the development of the medical school and the improve- ment of the university generally dur- ing the next five or six years, The university, supported entirely by gifts from private sources, has re- ceived a total of $75448407.73 from Rockefeller, John D. Rockefeller, jr., and Rockefeller established boards, Hutchins said. Today’s Star . | Central High alumni to honor four of ‘members. Page B-1 Vandenberg favors increasing U. S. pay in lower brackets. Page B-1 Mrs. Norton sees “square deal” for D. C. bills. Page B-1 Schools, health and welfare big 1937 needs. Page B-1 EDITORIAL AND COMMENT. ‘This and That. Page A-10 Answers to Questions. ‘Page A-10 Washington Observatiéns. Page A-10 Pertinax. Page A-11 Paul Mallon. Page A-11 Constantine Brown. Page A-11 Jay Franklin. Page A-11 Headline Folk. Page A-11 MISCELLANY. Traffic Convictions. Page B-9 Page B-9 Page B-16 Page B-16 Page B-6 Yesterday’s Circulation, 133,765 (Some returns not yet received.) TWO CENTS. NEW FEARS ARSE FORKIDWAPEDBOY: FAMILY GLOOMY Official Believes Abductor Unable to Return Child Safely. FATHER DENIES WORD RECEIVED FROM SON Dr. Mattson Injects Pessimistic Note in Case in Reporting No Message Sent. BACKGROUND— Last Sunday night @ masked, bearded man leaped through French doors of living room at Dr. W. W. Mattson’s home in Tacoma, terrified four children with a pis- tol, snatched Charles, 10; dropped a note and disappeared into dark- ness with his captive. The note demanded $28,000 ransom. Since then rumors of ransom has ap- peared, but Charles has not re- turned. Thus 1936 record of no kidnapings in United States was blemished, and the Mattson kid- naper pits his wits against @ United States record of all major kidnapings of recent times being solved, with death or imprisonment to the abductors. By the Associated Press. TACOMA, Wash., January 1.—New fears today surrounded the search for Charles Mattson, 10-year-old kidnap victim, as the father, Dr. W. W. Matt- son, said he had received no direct word frem1 the boy since his abduction Sunday night. The fears replaced an attitude of confidence previously noted in mem- bers of the family, close friends and officers. An official active from the start in the search for Charles was the most pessimistic. Offering no explanation, he asserted he believed the kidnaper never answered overtures begun by the family Tuesday afternoon. He ex- pressed doubt the kidnaper would be able to return Charles safely even if the $28,000 ransom is paid. Believes Kidnaper Is Amateur. ‘The official expressed the belief the kidnaper was an amateur. No pro- fessional kidnaper would ask a rane som so low as $28,000, he pointed out, and no seasoned criminal would take the chance of seizing the boy before witnesses, as this man did. William and Muriel Mattson and Virginia Chatfield all were present when Charles was seized and all three have | asserted they could identify the kid~ naper. An amateur, the official reasoned, would be much more likely to harm his captive than a professional would be, simply because he might not une derstand the severe punishment ate tached to such an act. A second official predicted the boy would not be returned in less than 48 hours no matter how well negotiations progressed. Dr. Mattson Pessimistic. Dr. Mattson himself injected the pessimistic note by saying he nad heard no direct word from his son. The physiclan’s flat negative came in the face of persistent reports, well established, that the family had madj contact with the kidnaper. Observe:! were quick to point out Dr. Majtson's statement did not deny he had re: ceived word from the kidnaper. Dr. Mattson, former University of Washington and Pennsylvania foot oail lineman, remained with his family on the eve of the New Year and his fifty~ first birthday. The kidnap hunt apparently is at a standstill. Actions of purported intermediaries yesterday led to belief a contact wita the kidnaper had been completed. Both the Tacoma News-Tribune and the Seattle Times asserted they definitely were informed of the contact. “Intermediary” Silent, Paul Sceva, manager of the Rainier National Park Co., was most often mentioned as a possible intermediary. He made several trips to the Mattson home. There was no confirmation ol the rumor he might have paid the ransom yesterday. Chief of Police Harold Bird said no atiempt has been made to have Wil- liam or Muriel Mattson or Virginia Chatfield identify pictures in the police rogue’s gallery. “It would be a shot in the dark,” he commented. United States District Attorney J. Charles Dennis, who had a part in the prosecution of William Mahan, Harmon Waley, Margaret Waley and Edward Fliss for the kidnaping of little George Weyerhaeuser here, in 1935, announced he was ready to ask special grand jury action should the Mattson kidnaper be captured. Prosecutor Ready to Act. Prosecuting Attorney Harry Johns- ton of Pierce County announced he is ready to “ask the death penalty” if a case is brought against the kidnaper in State courts. Under Washington law, the death penalty may be asked for simple kidnapigg. Under the Fed- eral law, such a penalty is possible only if the victim is harmed. Dr. Mattson indignantly refused offers to buy “exclusive” stories or broadcasts on the kidnaping of his son. “Commercialize my boy's life? Une thinkable!” he said. At Seattle court records were found showing a maid, Anna Mogen, 42, be« came insane as the result of kidnap- ing attempt at the home of George Franklin, two blocks from the Matt~ son home. Police have expressed the theory the same man who attempted to kidnap the Pranklin boy last No- Page B-6 Page B-14 Page B-2 District golfers are satisfied with 14- club limit. start in sports, vember committed the Mattson ab- duction. Miss Marble’s Mother Dies. SAN FRANCISCO, January 1 (#).— Page A-13 | Mrs. Jessie B. Marble, mother of Alice national women’s tennis New Year day record'as White House | Only one day remains in Star’s annual | terday from a heart allment. She was pin tourney. Page A-14 | 59 and widow,of Harry B. Marble.