St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 1

STOCK EXCHANGE MURDERER SHOT, Radio Listeners Alarmed By Fictional Broadcast of AttackbyMenFromMars DR. ROEMER GIVES WIFE'S $200,000 ROOSEVELT WILL HELP RAILROADS IN REHABILITATION REFORM PROGRAM MAKES RECORD OE LAST HEARTBEATS DRAWN UP BY SEC TO NDENWOOD John W. Deering Faces Firing Squad in Utah With Electrocardiograph Wires Attached to Wrists. FAIR, SOMEWHAT WARMER TONIGHT AND TOMORROW BELGIUM REFUSES FLATLY TO GIVE UP CONGO TO GERMANY President of College An-1 nounces Estate She Left to Him Will Be Used for Memorial Building. flan Adopted in New York Announced Commission Recommends That It Be Used in All Other Trading Centers.

President to Do Everything Possible to Get Reconstruction Program Jnto Law, He Tells Carriers' Spokesman. DEAD 2 1-2 MINUTES AFTER THE COMMAND I "I Associated Press Wirephoto. ORSON WELLES, PHOTOGRAPHED last night after broadcasting his radio arfapfa- tion of Jf. G. Wells' "War of the Worlds." Widespread Panic Caused by H.

G. Wells Telephone Offices Swamped, Many Persons Leave Homes THE TEMPER ATUK ES. 1 a. tn. 53 9 a.

m. 2 a. m. 52 10 m. 3 a.

m. Si 11 a. m. 4 a. ra.

50 12 noon 5 a. m. 49 1 m. 6 a. 49 2 p.

m. 7 a. m. 49 3 p. m.

8 -a. m. 51 Yesterday's high, 70 (3 p. 4S (7 a. 5S PO 68 72 72 73 72 low, Official forecast for St.

Louis and vicinity: Fair and somewhat wanner tonight and tomorrow. Missouri Fair tonight and tomorrow; somewhat warmer tonight, and in east and south portions tomorrow. Illinois: Generally fair tonight and tomorrow; not so cool tonight, except in extreme northeast portion; warmer tomorrow. Sunset, 5 :02. Sunrise (tomorrow), 6:29.

BOBGOBLIKS CAME BEFORE POST-DISPATCH WEATHER BIRD GIRL, MAN ROB BANK TWO-HOUR HOLDUP Get $10,000, Force Clerks to Serve 1 00 Customers Until Vault Opens. By th Associated Press. BROOKINGS, S. Oct. 31.

A man and a woman, the latter described as "about IS years old and cute, robbed 'the North west curity National Bank of between $10,000 and $15,000 today. For two hours, at pistol point they compelled bank employes to transact business, while they waited for the time vault to. open. About 100 persons passed in and out of the bank, unaware that guns were trained on the employes. Bank officers said the pair "cleaned out" the institution, taking even notes and personal papers of depositors.

As they fled eastward they spread tacks in the road to hinder pursuit. Employes of the bank described the man as 30 years of age and roughly dressed. Both he and his companion wore glasses. Cashier John Torsey said the man accosted him at the bank door at 8:30 o'clock this morning, prodded a pistol in his side and said "This is a holdup. Walk in as if nothing had happened." Once inside, the bandit, who carried a shotgun in addition to his pistol, was joined by the woman.

They lined up employes who were already at work and ordered them to attend to their duties as usual. Then the pair settled down to wait for the time clock to operate. Torsey estimated at least 100 customers transacted business in the bank in the two hours the bandits were there. LINDBERGH PLANS TO RESUME GERMAN TOUR IN A MONTH Flyer Writes Goering His Thanks for Hospitality During Recent Interrupted Visit. By the Associated Press.

BERLIN, Oct. Charles A. Lindbergh, recently decorated by Germany, in whose aviation progress he has shown keen interest, expects to return here in about a month to continue his interrupted visits to airplane factories and laboratories. His intention was disclosed today in a letter to Field Marshal Hermann Wilhelm Goering, German Air Minister, offering thanks for the hospitality extended him and Mrs. Lindbergh during his recent 12-day visit.

The American flyer originally had expected to remain in Germany several weeks longer, but for some unannounced reason he left by train Oct. 20 for France, leaving his orange-tipped monoplane here. POSTAL RATE ON BOOKS CUT Roosevelt Hopes Action Will Stimulate "Cultural Growth." By the Associated Press. WASHINGTON, Oct 31. Presl-dent Roosevelt ordered the domestic postage on books reduced to 1A cents' a pound today, asserting he hoped this would stimulate "cultural growth, education and development of the American people." At present books come under parcel post rates which range from 1 cents a pound upward, depending upon the zone.

The new rate, effective Nov. 1 to June 30, 1939, Is the same, irrespective of the destination point. "We Did Not Steal II and Nobody Will Steal It From Us." By the Associated Press. BRUSSELS, Oct. 31.

Belgium replied today with a flat "No" to suggestions that it might contribute in a general redistribution of colonial territory to meet Germany's demands. Minister of Colonies Albert de Vleeschouwer, declared "We did not the Belgian Congo and "nobody will steal it from us. The Belgian Congo will remain Belgian." 4 TEMPORARY WAGE-HOUR REGIONAL OFFICES SET UP Headquarters in Chicago for Area Including Missouri; Joel D. Mason St. Louis Inspector.

By the Associated Press. WASHINGTON, Oct. 31. A staff of 22 men and women began establishment today of temporary offices for enforcement of minimum wages and maximum hour, regulations for the country's industries. They are inspectors for the new wage-hour administration, reporting directly to Arthur L.

Fletcher, assistant administrator in charge of co-operation and enforcement. Instructions given them before starting for their posts in four temporary areas Into which Administrator Elmer Andrews has divided the country, included suggestions they should establish offices in Social Security Board headquarters where possible. The temporary areas, and assignment of inspectors, include: Area 3 Headquarters, Chicago; Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and i O. J. Liebert, acting supervising inspector, Chicago; I H.

Cavanaugh, Detroit; Leo H. Erck, Cincinnati; E. F. Halverson, Milwaukee; Joel D. Mason, St.

Louis; Miss Catherine Tin-ty, Minneapolis. MUSSOLINI OPENS FASCIST RADIO PROPAGANDA CENTER Calls Station Set Up to Broadcast Italian "Thought" the Most Powerful in the World. By the Associated Press. ROME, Oct. 31.

Premier Mussolini today inaugurated a new Imperial Radio Center near Rome which he called "the most powerful In the world." He broadcast greetings to all Italians in the colonies and in foreign lands "who everywhere are proud of being Italians." The center was built for worldwide broadcasting of Fascist propaganda. Speakers said the station was Intended particularly for broadcasting "Fascist thought" to the Italian Empire, the Americas and other distant countries and to "echo faithfully the pulsing life of the new Italy of Mussolini." The station, about five miles outside Rome at Prato Smeraldo (Emerald Meadow) has eight transmitters, two of 100 kilowatts each, three of 50 kilowatts and three of one kilowatt. Antennae are strung from 14 tall towers and the station has equipment for broadcasting on 22 wave lengths. COURT ENJOINS ROCK BLASTERS FROM JARRING NEIGHBORHOOD Tower Grove Quarry Concern Also Ordered to Stop Showering Dust on Scanlan Avenue Area. The Tower Grove Quarry and Construction Co.

today was permanently enjoined from operating its quarry at 5926 Scanlan avenue in such manner as to shake neighboring property by blasting and showering the neighborhood with dust from a rock crusher. The injunction, issued by Circuit Judge William S. Connor, was in the suit filed in- December, 1934, by Charles Boersig, who complained that his home at 3141 Clifton avenue had been damaged by the quarry operations. Judge Connor, who had the case under advisement, directed that the quarry firm cease operations which cause the Boersig residence to vibrate and which threw out dust from the rock crusher. Boersig was awarded $250 damages.

A denial was made by the company that its operation, which it described as conforming with approved methods, constituted a nuisance. Train Kills 10 Nazis on Bus. By the Associated Presi. GETHIN, Germanyt Oct. 31.

Ten Storm Troopers were killed yesterday when the bus In which they wers traveling crashed into a train. TO HOUSE MUSIC AND ART DEPARTMENTS Lillie P. Roemer Hall to Be Completed Before June Commencement Under His Plan. The Rev. Dr.

John I Roemer, president of Lindenwood College, St. Charles, announced today that the $200,000 estate of his wife, Mrs. Lillie P. Roemer, which was left to him on her death Aug. 19, will be given by him to the college for a memorial building.

The building, to be known as Lillie P. Roemer Hall, will be the home of the music and fine arts departments of the college. Dr. Roemer said his plans for the building had been approved by the trustees of the college, and that LaBeaume Klein, St. Louis architects, have been comissioned to design the building, which it is intended to complete before the next June commencement.

Mrs. Roemer was dean for 24 years of Lindtfnwood College, an institution for young women, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Roemer has been president for the same length of time. In the period of their service, the college has been built up to a standard four-year course, the student body has grown to 350, and nearly $4,000,000 has been added to the college's assets of buildings, equipment and endowment.

How They Built UpT College. When Dr. and Mrs. Roemer went to the college In 1914, they did so with the understanding that the board in charge of the institution would put it on a sound financial basis. Dr.

Roemer was previolsly pastor of Tyler Place Presbyterian Church at Russell boulevard and Spring avenue, St. Louis. Leaders of the college's board of trustees at that time were the late Rev. Dr. S.

Niccolls, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, and the late Col. James Gay Butler, tobacco manufacturer and philanthropist. Col. Butler's announcement as to the plans for the college was: "Dr. Niccolls will do the praying, Dr.

Roemer will do the work, and I will do the -paying." Dr. Niccolls, who died two years later Col. Butler, who also died in 1916, are now commemorated by buildings bearing their names, on the Lindenwood campus. Col. Butler's Donations.

Col. Butler's lifetime donations to Lindenwood amounted to about $250,000. He left a bequest of stock to the colelge, and Mrs. Butler, who survived him by two years, added a $250,000 gift. She left a $1,000,000 bequest to Lindenwood.

Mrs. Butler, by a trust agreement made in 1916, provided that a salary of $6000 a year should be paid to Dr. Roemer from her estate, so long as he should continue to be president of the college. This was in addition to his salary paid by the college. Mrs.

Roemer, before her marriage in 1892, was Miss Lillie Peck-enpaugh of Morgantown, W. Va. The first ohem of the Rev. Mr. and Mrs.

Roemer thereafter was in a cattle-raising district of Kansas and Colorado. The ylived in St. Louis from 1905 to 1914. BONDHOLDERS BUY IN HOTEL CHASE FOR $370,000 They Make Only Bid. e5 Foreclosure; New Corporation to Be Formed.

Hotel Chase was sold at the Civil Courts Building today under foreclosure -o i bondholders committee for The sale was mad- on behalf of the bondholders by Special Comis-sioner Thomas E. Mulvill. Thomas N. Dysart, president of the Chamber of Commerce, who represented the bondholders'- committee, made the only bid. Suit for a foreclosure sale was filed in 1931 by mortga-e trustees, and 90 per cent of the holders of $1,955,000 in first mortgage, bonds approved.

A new corporation is to be formed with authority to negotiate a $400,000 first mortgage to provide funds for operating capital and rehabilitation expenses. The new corporation will pro rate shares of common stock among the bondholders. Hotel Chase has been in the hands of former Mayor Henry W. Kiel as receiver. 3 CHANGES VIEWED AS "MAJOR STEPS" Under One, Depository Will Be Set Up to Segregate Capital of Brokerage Business and That Used in Banking.

By RICHARD L. STOKES Jl Staff Correspondent of the Post-Dispatch, WASHINGTON, Oct. 31. Chairman William O. Douglas of tie Securities and Exchange Commis sion, at a press conference today, made public an "intermediate" program of reforms which has been elaborated, as a result of the Richard Whitney case, by the New Tork Stock Exchange in co-operation with the commission.

The program was adopted by the Board of Governors of the Stock Exchange on Oct. 26, and was announced for the first time1 by Chairman Douglas this morning. Three of the proposed measures of the program were described by Douglas as being kma jor steps" tad "achievements of the order." One is a proposal to set up a central securities depository, or else separate corporate affiliates, for the purpose of segregating capital employed in the brokerage business proper and that used by brokers in their function as bankers. Such trust institutions would be subject to the same Federal or State supervision which now applies to commercial banks. As to Marginal Trading.

The second is a rule prohibiting stock exchange registered firms and their partners, doing business with the public, from using their own capital or that of other registered firms for trading on margin for and maintaining marginal accounts. The third establishes a ratio of 15 to 1 between a broker's indebtedness and his capital. The present ratio on the New York Stock Ex- ii cnange is 20 to I While recommending that secur ity markets and over-the-counter houses throughout the country adopt the New York Stock Exchange program, Douglas announced that for the present only three of the reforms would be made nationally mandatory. After Jan. 1, 1939, the ratio of 15 to 1 between indebtedness and capital will be enforced upon all brokers in the eountry.

Regulations will be put into effect prohibiting the rehypothecation of customers' safekeeping securities, limiting the extent to which customers' margin securities may be repledged, and placing restrictions on the co-mingling of customer securities. A third regulation will establish rules requiring such keeninc of hooka records as nrnvps osspntlal "to jvthe proper conduct of a brokerage Regarding the proposed trust institutions for segregating1 brokerage and banking functions, the chairman said that in the beginning they would remain permissive, out that if such depositories or affiliates are not voluntarily set up, Jhe commission will be compelled ask Congress to enact legislation aklrig these separate bodies compulsory. Second Whitney Report. attributed the second installment the commission's three-part se-on the Whitney case. The third taction, entitled "Conclusions," probably Will Ho' t.j.j.

I yarding the New York Stock Exit Nuance nrnrrini V.i niA Un complishments of the last four nths show that its new manage-ft and the commission "are go-H to town." its broader implications," Douglas, "this report indicates aat live-wire and progressive busi- ess men can achieve in round-teble collaboration with the Government. In accordance with my itement of last winter, the Stock change has received an oppor-ity to regulate itself, under the Pncipies of self-determination, tn the Government in a residual Continued on I ge Column 2. ASKS FOR ATTITUDE 1 ON WAGE DECISION Operators Silent on ReporS -Labor and Manage ment Committee to Frame Legislation to Rebuild Systems. By the Associated Press. 7 WASHINGTON, Oct.

31. John Pelley, president of the Association of American Railroads, said today President Roosevelt had. promised him he would do everything possible to get a constructive program, for rehabilitation of the carriers enacted into law. Roosevelt expressed the hope, Pel-ley said, that such a program would be drafted by the informal committee representing railroads and rail labor which the President named several months ago. Pelley said the President had asked him to ascertain the attitud of the railroads toward the factfinding board's report recommending cancellation of the proposed 15 per cent wage cut.

Pelley said he agreed to do so, adding his "best guess" was th management would hold a meeting in Chicago next week to outline their stand on the report. Iabor Leader at White House. George M. Harrison, chairman of the Railway Labor Executives'- Association, who conferred with th President, a short time later, repeated virtually what Pelley had said. He said the President "wants railroad labor and management, recenU ly appointed as a committee, immediately to take up the problem of developing a program of legislation for the general rehabilitation of the railroad industry." He added he had assured the President labor would be "happy to co-operate with the railroads and the Government to fulfill his request in that direction." Harrison said a meeting of th six-man committee may be held within the next week or 10 dayiu Members of Committee.

He is a member of the group. Others are Carl R. Gray, vice-chairman of the Union Pacific; M. W. Clement, president of the Pennsylvania; Ernest E.

Norris, president of the Southern; D. B. Robertson, chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engine-men, and Bert M. Jewell, president of the railway employes' depart ment of the American Federation of Labor. Pelley said the President "1 ecla quite hopeful that through this committee he will get recommendations that will result in a con.

structive program for the He said the President indicated that the committee, would have to be expanded before Its work is done. Questioned by reporters, Pelley said it wnt without saying that Roosevelt would be "very muca pleased" to have the wage controversy settled "on a peaceful basis. Asks About Attitude. Asked If the President requested him to have the railroads accept the fact-finding board's report, Pelley said he did not believa the President went that far. "The President asked me" ha said, "to find out the attitude of the railroads regarding the decision of the board and to let him know, and I told him I would" He added he would let the President know after the Chicago uHAcalled attentIon to the fact that the board's report spoke of the possibility of Individual settlements by separate roads, rather than on a national basis.

He said he probably would issus the call for the Chicago meeting late today, after conferring with the carriers' conference committee, headed by H. A. Enochs. This committee met this morning. Urges Calm Judgment.

Enochs said that "we are all disappointed" with the report, "but must give it calm and deliberate judgment." "We're all lsw-abldlng citizens and have had this case heard by a very high type of men," he said. Enochs declined to predict wht action the railroads would take. He said he had received no communications from any road indicating; Continued on Fage 2, Column Condemned Man, Who In-sis ted That State Take His Life, Leaves Body for Scientific Purposes. By the Associated Press. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct.

31. John W. Deering, murderer, was executed by a firing squad in State prison at dawn today, The five-man squad was given the order to fire at 6:46 a. m. At 6:48 a.

m. Deering was pronounced dead in ex piation for the holdup murder of Oliver R. Meredith, Salt Lake City business man. May 9. An electrocardiograph recorded, perhaps for the first time, the action of a human heart stopped by bullets.

The condemned man, who had sought in every way to speed his execution and participated willingly in the experiment, was calm to the end. Electric wires attached to Deer- ing's wrists carried his heartbeats to a delicate machine. Scientists began an immediate study of the record but said it would be some hours before any findings could be announced. The five marksmen who acted as executioners were recruited by Sheriff S. Grant Young of Salt Lake County, their names kept a secret.

They wer taken to the prison in a closed car, given rifles and assigned positions behind a euriaijw QjtSb- Kas loaded with a blank cartridge. As soon as they fired, they left as unobtrusively as they had come. Four Bullets Pierce Heart. Dr. Stephen H.

Beesley, State prison physician, said four bullets pierced the heart and observers noticed marks in the wooden screen behind death chair were confined to space no larger than a half-dollar. Convinced there was no place in society for him after half his lifetime had been spent in prison, Deering demanded- that the State take his life. He had served prison terms for arson at San Quentin and for burglary at Folsom, both in. California. He sought to make restitution by giving his body to the University of Utah.

He willed his eyes to the State that any blind person might obtain the corneas for transplanting to restore sight. No one' has asked for them. Deering was captured in Detroit Aug. 1 following an Intensive search throughout the West and Mid-West, A pistol he pawned for three dollars at Reno, brought about his identification and ultimate capture. In Detroit he told officers "I want to talk to you fellows.

I'm wanted in Salt Lake City for murder. I want to go back there and die." Trial In Salt Lake City. Returned to Salt Lake City, he told of planning the holdup, of shooting Meredith when "he reached into his pocket." He said he had a companion. but refused to give his name. "I didn't mean to kill him, but any rat that would shoot a harmless old fellow deserves to die," he said.

"It's the least I can do. I'm ready. I hope they make it fast." Throughout his trial he fought almost desperately for the death sentence. He cursed the court when it entered a plea of not guilty for him, mandatory in murder cases. He argued with his attorney and against the attorney's counsel took the witness stand to tell of his crime.

When sentence was pronounced he said gruffly; "Okay." Utah is the only state in the Union now using a firing squad. Convicted men are given the alternative of this or hanging." HALLOWEEN ORDER TO POLICE Innocent Fun All Right, But Not Disorder and Violence. Chief of Police John II. Glassco, in a letter addressed to all commanding officers, asks for "a united police front to establish an all-time low tonight in Halloween disorder and violence." The police do not want to Interfere with "innocent fun-making," but that category, the letter states, does not Include soaping of windows, damage to vacant buildings, destruction of real estate signs, re moval of garbage cans and damage to street lights. In regard to false fire alarms, "the half-wits who indulge in this are to.be arrested and prosecuted." By lis Associated NEW YORK; Oct.

31.A story of war waged on the United States by space-conquering men from Mars frightened part of a nation-wide radio audience which heard it last night. The fiction of a Columbia program became realistic that hysteria prevailed among listeners throughout the United States and Canada. There wasn't a Martian in sight and the hysteria subsided almost as quickly as its started. The broadcast was an adaptation of H. G.

Wells imaginative "War of the Worlds," further dramatized and enacted by Orson Welles, the 23-year-old Broadway actor. Welles Americanized the. locale and situations. Demands for investigation and correction were made today. Senator Clyde L.

Herring Iowa, said he would introduce in Congress a bill "controlling just such abuses as was heard over the radio last night." "Radio has no more right to present programs like that than someone has in knocking on your door and screaming," he added. He said the bill would provide for a censorship board. Attempts Suicide. Some apartment houses in New York were emptied hurriedly by frantic radio listeners. A woman in Pittsburgh tried sui cide, saying "I'd rather die this way than like that." At a high point In the program the electric power failed at Concrete, town of 1000, and the lights went out in most of the homes.

Many thought the invasion had reached the West Coast. Wom en fainted and men prepared to take their families to the mountains. Switchboards in newspaper offi ces and police stations were swamped with calls from terrified people, many of them weeping. Some reported they could smell the gas and see the flames started by the attackers. People gathered in groups to pray for salvation.

All over the New York area, pan icky persons jumped into automobiles and headed for the open spaces to escape the fancied bombing of New York. At Fayetteville, N. people with relatives In New Jersey went to a newspaper office in tears, seeking information. The Boston Globe told of one woman who said she could "see the fire" and that she and many others in her neighborhood were "getting out of here." Minneapolis and St. Paul police switchboards were deluged with calls from frightened people.

It finally got so bad in New Jersey that the State police put reassuring messages on the State teletype, instructing their officers what it was all about. Newspaper switchboard operators quit saying "Hello." They merely plugged in and said: "It's just a radio show." The Kansas City bureau of the Associated Press received inquiries about "meteors" from Los Angeles, COMMUNICATIONS BOARD INVESTIGATING BROADCAST THAT CAUSED HYSTERIA By the Associated Press. WASHINGTON, Oct. 31. THE Federal Communications Commission began an Investigation today of a dramatic radio broadcast which led some people to believe last night that men from Mars had attacked the United States.

Chairman Frank P. McNinch asked the Columbia Broadcasting System to furnish the commission with an electrical transcription of the" broadcast, a dramatized version of H. G. Wells' imaginative story, 'War of the Worlds." McNinch said: "Any broadcast that creates such general panic and fear as this one is reported to have done is, to say the least, regrettable." McNinch told reporters he had received many telephone calls last night about the broadcast, but that the commission had received only 10 telegrams, all protesting, this forenoon. Salt Lake City, Beaumont, and St.

Joseph, Mo. One telephone informant said he had loaded all his children into his car, had filled it with gasoline, and was going somewhere. "Where is safe?" he wanted to know. Residents of Jersey City, N. telephoned their police frantically, asking where they could get; gas masks In both Jersey City and Newark, hundreds of citizens ran into the streets, In Birmingham, Ala people gathered in groups and prayed, and Memphis had its quota of weeping women calling to learn the facts.

New York police were unable to get the CBS studios by telephone, so swamped was its switchboard, and a radio car was sent there for information. "The End of the World. A woman ran into a church in Indianapolis screaming: "New York destroyed; it's the end of the world. You might as well go home to die. I just heard it "on the radio." Services were dismissed immediately.

Five boys at Brevard (N. College fainted. Many students fought for telephones to inform their parents "to come and get them. The panic gripped impressionable Harlemites and one man ran into the street declaring it was the President's voice they heard, advising: "Pack up and go North, the machines are coming from Mars." A man entered the- Wadsworth Avenue Police Station and said he heard "planes had bombed Jersey and were headed for Times Square." A rumor spread over Washington Heights that war was on. Four times during the program, Continued on Page 3, Column 5..