The following information is posted for the sole purpose of family research within the Yahoo Group The Court House Gang. It is not to published to any other web site, mailing list, group, etc. without prior written permission and guidelines from the group owner, to ensure that proper credit is given to the group and all of our volunteers that helped with this project. 1938 WILKES-BARRE RECORD ALMANAC RECORD OF LOCAL EVENTS Principal Happenings in Luzerne County For The Year Which Began December 1, 1936, and Ended November 30, 1937. December 1936 1. East End Bridge closed to traffic preparatory to demolition . . . Pennsyl­vania Power & Light Company lops $700,000 from service rates effective after January 1. ... John P. Gibbons retires as supervising principal of West Wyo­ming Schools. 2. Harold N. Rust of Trucksville re-elected right worshipful grand master of Grand Lodge, F. &: A. M., of Pennsyl­vania at Philadelphia session. 3. Six injured as fire causes heavy damage to Strauss Furniture Store at Nanticoke . . . Dr. James G. McDonald, associate editor of The New York Times speaks at Bucknell Junior College audi­torium. 4. Court dismisses widow's appeal from Franklin B. Spry's will . . . Mickey Haslin, Plains infielder, traded to New York Giants by Boston Nationals. 6. Depositors of closed Pennsylvania Liberty Bank and Trust Company and Plains State Bank to receive five per cent 'holiday' dividend amounting to ^150,-000, on December 23. 7. John Ivor Jones elected president of Wilkes-Barre School Board, as Wyo­ming Valley school districts reorganize. 8. Rev. John J. O'Donnell installed as pastor of St. Mary's R. C. Church, succeeding late Monsignor John J. Curran. Rev. George Smith to fill va­cancy at St. Luke's Reformed Church. 9. Attorney Louis Shatter re-elected Y. M. H. A. president. 10. Census of Business report indi­cates total sales of 1,460 retail stores in Wilkes-Barre during 1935 was ^37,945,-000 Central Poor Board directors ap­prove plans for addition to Retreat Men­tal Hospital. 11. George Crowley, Harry Hodman and John J. Higney escape from Lu­zerne County Prison, and are captured 10 hours later at Oneonta. 12. Glen Alden Coal Company direc­ tors vote 50-cent dividend on. capital stock. 13. Rev. Edwin S. Tate ordained in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church . . . Rev. John P. Kelley of Exeter Borough dies at Scranton of automobile accident in­juries. 14. 'Tobacco Road' stage show draws throng to Irem Temple.... Bell Tele­phone Company's rate cut as of Janu­ary 1, 1938, to save 570,000 phone sub­scribers more than $1,800,000. . . .Late John B. Vaughn wills famous miniature railroad to Mrs. Paul Bedford, his sis­ter .... Two men killed in blast at Heid­elberg mine in Avoca. 15. Chauncey mine in Plymouth re­opens under management of organiza­tion headed by Jerome McCrystle.... Seven thousand view dedication of new Market Street Boulevard ... Goodrich Committee urges unified relief in Penn­sylvania. 16. Nine hundred lace mill employes receive bonuses totaling ^43,000 .... County court orders exclusion of non-members of the bar from compensa­tion board proceedings . .Cecelia D. Spry appeals court decision sustaining legality of will of Franklin B. Spry . . . City Council passes anti-noise ordi­nance . . . Fire damages Temple Israel . . . John F. Wolfe, former resident, kill­ed in plane crash near Salt Lake City . , . .Major General Smedley D. Butler, ex-Marine officer, addresses Wilkes-Barre Teachers' Institute audience. 17. Don Cossack Choir at Irem Temp­le ... Nanticoke honors Russ Morgan, native and orchestra leader. 18. Joseph J. Bruno, convicted of participation in Kelayres Massacre of 1934, escapes in Pottsville, . . -Treasury Department picks site at Wyoming Ave­nue and Pierce Street for new Kings­ton Post Office. 21. B. H. Carpenter publishes book on history of Glen Summit.... Plains Township obtains 25 per cent reduc­tion in fire insurance rates. 22. Pittston area electric light users benefit when Public Service Commission cuts Scranton Electric rates $660,000 . . . Ten miners escape death as cage falls at No. 2 Shaft of Alden Coal Com­pany .... Colonel George Grunert of White Haven elevated to rank of Briga­dier General in U. S. Army. . . .City Council plans no increase in 13-mill tax levy. . . .Post office cancellations reach new mark of 443,350 in 24-hour period. 23. Fifteen thousand depositors of closed Pennsylvania-Liberty and Plains State banks received total of $150,000 .... Alhambra Theater on Public Square to make way for bus station. . . . Court dismisses ouster charges against five Hanover Township school directors. 24. Change in corporate structure puts operation of Penn Tobacco Company in charge of Delaware-chartered corpora­tion after January 1 without change in officers or personnel of company.... Scranton Republican changes name to Scranton Tribune, effective December 25 ... .James Mundy named internal re­venue collector of 12th Penna. District. 25. Variety of services commemorates anniversary of birth of Redeemer.... Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Stephens celebrate 55th wedding anniversary. 27. Monsignor P. J. Boland of Pitts­ton off tor Manila as representative of Scranton Diocese at Eucharistic Confer­ence .... Record reporter assaulted while interviewing John Conlon Jr., on high­ways. 28. Ralph S. Morris succeeds late Dr. Elmer Meyers as a school director . . . .Pioneer Dress Manufacturing Com­pany employes end five-month strike by voting Garment Workers' Union as bar­gaining agent, 30. Arthur A. Bloomburg resigns as executive director of Community Wel­fare Federation . . . Banks to credit de­positors with $775,000. 31. Bank clearings up $7,856,884 in 1936 . . . Laning Harvey named county mercantile appraiser . . . Mine settle­ment deals death, halts social life in Wyoming Borough. January 1938 1. Mrs. Greenough Scott observes 99th birthday . . . State Troopers Wil­liam D. Plummer and Charles Cook promoted to captaincy and lieutenancy, respectively, with former taking charge of Reading barracks . . . Orpheus Glee Club wins first prize at Allentown Eis­teddfod. 2. Two Stofick children fatally burn­ed in shed fire at Upper Pittston. 3. Rev. Michael J. Skordinsky of Glen Lyon reads first mass . . . Norman E. Annich new first sergeant at Troop B, State Police. 4. Attorney Peter B. Turek heads Central Poor Board. 5. Dr. Leo C. Mundy honored at huge testimonial in Harrisburg with Governor Earle principal speaker . . . Attempts to retire City Clerk Harvey, Weiss after 36 years service blocked. 6. Nanticoke Branch, Luzerne County Unemployed League, Incorpor­ated, starts sit-down, protesting transfer of district relief office to Plymouth . . . Three members of Luzerne County bar, Judge W. A. Valentine, and Attorneys George L. Fenner and Harry L. Free­man celebrate 35th anniversary of en­trance to bar . . . White Haven Council agrees to choose police chief and street commissioner on bid. 7. Anthracite Committee of 12 pre­pares to meet ... 700 at youth service led by Rev. R. W. Veh. 8. Joseph P. McDonald, division freight and passenger agent of Lehigh Valley Railroad, named coal freight agent of the system . . . Doctors study case of Ruth Rorick, 14, Plymouth, suf­fering tor 13 days from hiccoughing spells. 10. John Siani elected president or Italo-American Club . . . Mayor Charles N. Loveland starts drive on chronic traffic law violators. 11. Nanticoke First National Bank declares ^1 extra dividend . . . Oscar Specht and Herbert Clymer "bid" low for jobs of police chief and street com­missioner of White Haven . . . Dr. Leo C. Mundy presents Teachers Tenure Act bill to State Senate. 12. Banks in county recognize boards of directors with but four changes . . . State Senator A. J. Sordoni granted month's leave of absence because of ill­ness . . . Major Leonard R. Gracy, 54, summer resident of Harvey's Lake, dies, 13. Mrs. Felixa Malec, 42, Larksville, dies of wounds in Mercy Hospital . . . Anthracite operators meet in Phila­delphia to study hard coal problem . . . Byron Clees Kistler, 68, station agent for Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad more than 40 years, dies . . . Charles B. Bittenbender is named mayor of Hazleton. 14. Mrs. Stanley Hall named presi­dent of Irem Auxiliary. 15. D. T. Scott renamed president of Property Owners Association of Luzerne County. 17. River recedes after rising to 12.13 feet . . . Rev. G. Elson Ruff resigns pas­torate of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Shavertown. 18. Attorney Nicholas M. Curcio, city, appointed legal assistant in Un­employment Compensation Division of State Department of Labor and Indus­try . . . City awards contract for park­ing meters . . . River rises to 10.45 feet. 19. Thomas E. Roberts is reelected president, and John Jones Owen named director of Orpheus Glee Club . . . Salaries of prominent Luzerne County residents made known. 20. Daniel S. Davies, Kingston, un­animously elected illustrious potentate of Irem. 21. Martin Lavin, Hanover Town­ship, elected president of Luzerne Coun­ty School Directors Association . . . J. W. Daylida installed as president of Loyal Order of Tauras. 22. River rises to 11.74 feet . . . Patrick J. Connolly, Forty Fort, named supervisor of Northern District, Luzerne County, State Unemployment Compen­sation Fund. 24. Rev. Harold G. Keen, pastor Stella Presbyterian Church, Forty Fort, accepts call to First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Union . . . Last span in old East End Bridge razed. 25. P. G. Rimmer, president Wyo­ming Valley Motor Club, reelected for 22nd consecutive year . . . Local 1159, U. M. W. of A., calls strike at Kings­ton Coal Company, Local 1138, refus­es to join, requesting more information as to cause, reported to be rate griev­ance against sub-contractor. 26. Hollenback Real Estate Trust announces decision to raze Coal Ex­change Building, Anthracite Building, and two additional adjoining structures . . . More than a million dollars in prop­erty valuation assessments challenged by Wyoming National Bank in more than 50 appeals. 27. Women on Nanticoke sewing project declare sit-down strike . . . First scarlet fever death in current 100 cases . . . Valley liberally responds with dona­tions for flood districts in mid-west . . . Attorney Charles Waller elected to Gen­eral Hospital board. 28. E. H. Kent is elected chairman of Wyoming Valley Red Cross . . . John Kmetz, district board member. United Mine Workers of America, ratifies the Kingston Coal Company strike call . . . Federal court orders receivers of Mallow Hotel Corporation to pay ^383,533 in back rent to Wilkes-Barre Hotel Com­pany . . . Nanticoke Sewing Project strike is settled. 29. Because appointments were not confirmed by House of Representatives, Nanticoke State Hospital has been oper­ating with only two members . . . City police arrest 15 in purse snatching. 30. Valley's donations to Red Cross mid-west flood fund swells to $17,000 . . . City firemen arrive at Louisville for flood duty. February 1937 1. Controller William W. Multer recommends retaining 7.3 levy despite big drop in valuations . . . Curtis Peth-ick named lowest bidder on Hill Street School . . . Senator Leo C. Mundy's Teachers' Tenure Bill introduced in House. 3. Strike called at Dial Rock Coal Company. 4. Stanley Davies named to vacancy on Dallas school board. 5. William Gries, formerly of this city, declared legally dead in 1918, dies at Idaho. 7. Walter Oliver, vice-president of Kingston Coal Company, injured, caus­ing postponement of conferences on strike . . . Patient at Nesbitt Memorial Hospital bites off tip of nurse's nose. 8. Elsie L. Meredith, Heights, elect­ed president of Junior Cambrian Club. 9. Gift of Chase Home, South River Street, to Bucknell Junior College, an­nounced . . . City firemen return from flood duty at Louisville. 10. Clearing house for news of an­thracite industry suggested by publish­ers. 11. Kingston Coal Company gives ultimatum to union . . . Boy Scout Wali-Ga-Zhu attracts thousands to West Side Armory. 12. Dorrance Reynolds elected chair­man of Group 3, Pennsylvania Bankers Association. 14. Kingston Coal Company strike settled at Washington conference. 15. Boy Scouts move to new home on North Franklin Street. 16. Kingston Coal Company resumes operation . . . Hotel Sterling hearings before Referee David Rosenthal, end. 17. Wyoming High School students declare strike, board forbids picketing . . . Tunkhannock M. E. Church des­troyed by fire, plans for rebuilding an­nounced by trustees , . . 1,600 employes of Maxwell Colliery, Glen Alden Coal Company, declare strike. 18. District Attorney Leon Schwartz asks court to nol-pros several indictments against Ross Lloyd, former president of closed Dime Bank, Title and Trust Com­pany . . . 350 striking students of Wyo­ming High School continue sit-down in school auditorium. 19. Dr. Wilbur H. Fleck becomes president of Wyoming Seminary, suc­ceeding late Dr. Levi L. Sprague in first ceremonies of kind held since 1883. 20. Rainstorm fells trees in sections of city, interfering with lighting facil­ities. 22. Masked gunman holds up store of Mrs. Stacia Siergie], Nanticoke, es­capes with $12 and merchandise. 23. Stanley Ostroski inducted as mayor of Nanticoke to succeed late Evan J. Williams . . . Five Edwardsville fire­men injured at fire . . . Radio landing beam for Wyoming Valley Airport ap­proved by county commissioners and city council. 24. Bitter argument occurs at meet­ing of Pittston City school board . . . Wilkes-Barre's first sit-down strike ends when 50 workers leave SERB headquar­ters on North Washington Street. 26. Court slashes 1.5 mills from Jenkins Township levy . . . Public Ser­vice Commission announces rate reduc­tions of ^125,700 to be made by Luzerne County Gas St Electric Corporation . . . Lawyers argue appeal of county against award made to Helen Baring Coughlin, wife of Judge Clarence D. Coughlin. 28. Two former holders of world titles cross paths in a raid on a cock­fight at Georgetown. John B. "Bucky" Freeman, was defendant "houseman," while raid was led by Private Thomas Eshelman, Troop B, who established world record in pistol shoot in 1931. Freeman was home run king in baseball in former years. March 1937 1. Running board bandit robs Amer­ican Auto Store manager of $81 at Kingston. 2. Warrior Run's insurance rate cut to $2.50 a thousand. 3. United Mine Workers Officials frown on sit-down strikes. 4. Louis Bunoski resigns as burgess of Pringle Borough, his wife, Mrs. Mary Bunoski, named by council to succeed him . . . Democrats overflow three hotels and Irem Temple in mammoth victory celebration, expect to honor unused tick­ets on second night . . . Rev. George T. Bamford elected to pastorate of Laurel Run P. M. Church for 12th year. 5. About 500 residents of Glen Lyon meet in protest against 1,700 resident signers of petition asking town post office be incorporated with Nanticoke post office . . . Wilkes-Barre traffic safety record wins honorable mention of National Saf­ety Council. 6. Ruth Jackson, teacher at Laketon School, saves two girl skaters from Har­vey's Lake . . . Edward Klinek, 8, Avoca, dies of sleeping sickness. 8. Public Service Commission closes nine-year rate case after Scranton-Spring Brook Water Service Company with draws appeal . . . First Church of Christ, city, observes 25th anniversary of found­ing. 9. Edward Pallis, Hanover Township, indicted on charges of violating liquor laws, received suspended sentence. 10. A. J. Cole, Berwick, shoots Mrs. James S. Edwards, Berwick, then kills himself . . . Public inspects new Crisman School at Forty Fort. 11. Duplan Silk Corporation asks Journal of Commerce, Roanoke, Va., for exemption from taxes on proposed $550,000 plant near Grottoes. 12. Charged with operating automo­biles between 70 and 90 miles an hour, 10 motorists are arrested on Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton Highway. 13. Temple Israel is rededicated. 15. State, county and city forces clear streets after heavy snowfall, re­ported to be 10 inches in some areas . . . Forty Fort residents appear at school board meeting protesting against dis­missal of Miss Louella Gere, veteran teacher. 16. Adam Horowicz is sentenced to Eastern Penitentiary for 10 to 20 years on robbery charge . . . Railroaders ex­press jubilation on new retirement pen­sion plan. 17. Edwards Memorial Church has 49th annual eisteddfod, and announces plans for golden jubilee eisteddfod, to be the last, in 1938. 18. William E. Newhart is reelected president of Concordia Singing Society. 19. Frank Shiner, storekeeper at Loomis Street, tired of repeated losses in stock of store, turns out lights and waits for intruders, aind 16-year old youth who is hit on head by Shiner who wielded a broomstick, is released in cus­tody of parents. 22. Luzerne Borough School district seeks option for new school site. 23. Dike in Kirby Park started by 40 project workers . . . Police school for Wilkes-Barre city police, starts. 24. Jury acquits Theresa Diana, Hazleton, who said she slew father to protect her honor . . . Pierce Street, Kingston, residents ask street be closed nightly to eliminate noises caused by trucks and automobiles hitting potholes . . . Announcement is made that West Knitting Mills, closed many years, will again operate. 25. Nanticoke School Board auth­orizes $100,000 loan. 26. Mrs. Antoinette Finarelli, city's oldest resident, dies at 104 ... Jewry marks Passover fete . . . Luzerne Bor­ough road fight revived. 27. Joseph Benscoter of Koonsville wounded by gunshot in dispute over ^5 loan . . . Six members of a family of nine made ill by escaping gas in Harris home at Forty Fort. 28. Easter promenaders look chilled as thousands gather to celebrate resur­rection . . . Three men killed in auto­mobile collision at Shades Glen . . .Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Engler of Dorrance Township wed 52 years . . . Army en­gineers prepare to use machinery on dike digging. 29. Rev. Martyn D. Keeler named new pastor of First Presbyterian Church . . . Mine union leaders insist operators live up to contract , . . WPA plans to dismiss married women working on pro­jects . . . Income taxes in 12th Internal Revenue District double that of 1936 . . . Four upper county youths, Benellis, McGuinness, Kolmansperger and Koslowski, receive sentences of 11 to 22 years on charges of robbery and larceny. 30. John L. Lewis urges Tom Ken­nedy for State Governor at dinner in Harrisburg . . . Monsignor Joseph V. Miliauskas of Duryea transferred to North Scranton parish . . . Boy Scouts obtain new headquarters on North Frank­lin Street ... 39 collieries complete 429 working days during March, biggest since February, 1936. 31. Stegmaier Brewing Company to build $200,000 addition to plant . . . Annual report of County Controller pub­lished . . . New $100,000 theatre to go up shortly at Forty Fort. April 1937 1. Motorists begin using parking meters in central part of the city . . . Mercy Hospital receives delayed State appropriation. 2. German mining experts visit val­ley operations . . . Little Theatre Arts Ball held at Elk's Club . . . Congress­man Hamilton Fish, Jr., of New York speaks at Meyers High School. 3. Bucknell University Board of Trustees meets in Wilkes-Barre . . . Rep­resentative citizens discuss legislation de­signed to consolidate Kingston with Wilkes-Barre. 4. Parsons P. M. Church marks 25th anniversary . . . Six County Firemen's delegates meet in Kingston . . . Michael J. Kosik, president of District 1, UMWA, charges coal is paying "Pullman" freight rates. 5. Pennsylvania Conference on Soc­ial work opens in city . . . Reopening of No. 14 Colliery at Pittston brings many requests for jobs . . . Improving of Pierce Street, Kingston, begins after con­siderable agitation. 6. CIO announces plans for textile drive in Northeastern Pennsylvania . . . S. P. Longstreet returns as district en­gineer of State Highway Department. 7. Model home opened on Academy Street . . . North Scranton Catholic Church protests transfer to it of Monsignor Joseph V. Miliauskas of Duryea . . . State Senator Mundy offers King-ston-Wilkes-Barre consolidation bill in State Senate . . . Mrs. Margaret Sanger, pioneer exponent of birth control, lec­tures at St. Stephen's auditorium. 8. William B. Healey elected presi­dent of police chiefs' association . . . Retrial in bombing of Valentine auto­mobile denied, Emerson Jennings and Charles Harris sentenced to serve 5 to 10 years in penitentiary . . . Pearl Margorovicz of Conyngham Township wins county spelling bee . . . River re­cedes after 15-foot crest, ending threat to dike work. 9. Mines begin distribution of $2,225,000 in pay . . . Miss Elizabeth Slattery, colorature soprano, reveals great beauty and promise of voice in debut at Irem Temple . . . Inadequate facilities bar to Federal Court sessions in Wilkes-Barre Post Office Building. 10. Little Theatre presents "Liliom". 11. Valley flood control, anti-pollut­ion needs, reported to President Roose­velt by National Resources Committee . . . Pasquale Adonizio, Attorney Frank Pinola and Thomas Newton lease William Penn colliery at Shenandoah. 12. Howard E. Kennedy and Albert L. Anselmi admitted to Luzerne County law practice . . . Jonathan R. Davis of Kingston appointed to succeed late Dr. Lewis Edwards as a County Commission­er ... John R. Roberts appointed to Nanticoke City School board in place of Mayor Stanley Ostroski . . . Shick-shinny Borough to ask court approval on high school building proposed by will of Forrest L. Garrison. 13. David Melson of Forty Fort new leader of The Alexander Band . . . Nat­ional Commander Harry W. Colmery of American Legion guest at dinner in Hotel Sterling . . . Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania holds 85th annual ses­sion at Weatherly. 14. Methodist leaders gather at Bing-hamton for annual Wyoming Confer­ence sessions . . . City School Board voices opposition to female teachers re­taining jobs after marriage . . . Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Hanover Township and Edwardsville ask State for $700,000 to help pay dike damages. 15. Dr. Jacques P. Gray arrives from San Francisco to assume post as Kirby Health Center manager . . . Depositors of five closed banks in valley to recover from 55 to 100 per cent of money. 16. Dr. Frank Kingdon, president of Newark University, hits nationalism in address . . . Thomas F. Heffernan elect­ed president of Wilkes-Barre Deposit &; Savings Bank Board. 19. Valley chapter, American Red Cross, launches campaign for members . . . George F. McGuigan, Michael H. Sheridan, Charles A. Shea, Jr., Nicholas Degillio, Philip Gargold and Dominick Mack admitted to Luzerne County Bar . . . Reelection of District No. 1, UMWA, administration candidates assured . . . Wilkes-Barre City School Board retains 16.5 millage . . . Court appoints three trustees to carry out provisions of Martha Bennett fund to establish home for poor children . . . Wyoming Conference of M. E. Church makes appointments for Wilkes-Barre district. 20. Nine new Chamber of Commerce directors to take office May 1 ... City permits reflect boom in building operations . . . Mrs. K. Morcum of Wyoming wins $125 in Record Bible Game. 21. Seward C. Simons of Flint, Mich., named executive director of Community Welfare Federation . . . Million dollar dike at Firwood damaged by heavy cur­rent of Susquehanna River during last few months. 22. Trolley track removal on two West Side lines wins Kingston Borough Council approval. 23. Woman's Missionary Society of Wyoming Baptist Association holds 57th annual convention in Wyoming. 25. P. F. Kielty retires after 45 years' continuous service with insurance com­pany . . . Rival unions active in valley industries. 26. Allan P. Kirby one of three young financiers to purchase Van Swer-ingen railroad empire for reported $6,375.000 . . . Elonzo Keller leads three children to safety as fire destroys Luz-erne home . . . Stockholders, creditors approve plan for reorganization of Hotel Sterling . . . Kingston Borough School Board retains 23-mill tax. 27. Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, wife of the President, boards train at Wilkes-Barre after speaking in Scranton . . . Dr. Francis B. Haas, president of Blooms-burg State Teachers' College, speaks at dinner dance of alumni association in Hotel Sterling. 28. Cadwallader Evans, Jr., of Scran­ton, new vice-president and general man­ager of Hudson Coal Company . . . Pittston School Board rehires 148 teach­ers, adds two to staff. 29. Mercy Hospital staff sponsors fourth annual post-graduate conference . . . Senator Leo C. Mundy and Rep. John C. Bohn, sponsors of Teachers' Tenure Law, guests at testimonial dinner. 30. Martz interests 0. K. union as bargaining agency, averting strike . . . Engineer William Layman retires after 51 years' service with D. & H. Railroad. May 1937 1. Court upholds in part claim of Mrs. Clarence D. Coughlin and sister against county for damages to Harvey's Lake beach caused by improvement of highway. 2. Louis Pagnotti sublets Monarch-Anthracite Colliery at Parsons . . . Iris Stevenson, 3, drowns in Harvey's Lake . . . Mrs. Mary Morgan Ayres to leave kindergarten work in city schools after 32 years. 3. Wilkes-Barre Rotarians attend 12th annual district conference at Buck Hill Falls . . . Detroit firm leases Terminal Hotel . . . Superintendent Alien E. Bacon recommends to Wilkes-Barre City School Board erection of 22-room school building in East End section . . . All city school teachers reappointed . . . Communities of Wyoming Valley present "Coronation of Queen Jadwiga" in Irem Temple . . . Forty Fort School Board debates application of Mundy Teachers' Tenure Act in case of Luella Gere, dis­missed school teacher. 4. Lieut. Arthur Reed electrocuted, four other firemen burned when aerial ladder hits power line during drill . . . Supervising Principal Joseph H. Finn of Swoyerville Schools to retire after 43 years service as teacher. 5. Duncan J. Kerr elected president of Lehigh Valley Railroad . . . 1,600 employees of Prospect and Henry Col­lieries of Lehigh Valley Coal Company idle in dispute over starting time under seven-hour day, five-day week arrange­ment . . . Mrs. Emma Guffey Miller, national committeewoman, speaker 'at state convention of Pennsylvania Feder­ation of Democratic Women . . .King­ston Township fails to rehire Super­vising Principal J. A. Martin as Secre­tary of Commonwealth Lawrence lashes at Luzerne School units' interpretation of tenure act. 6. Tom Mix and his circus delight two audiences at Miner Park . . . Start­ing time dispute ties up Ewen Colliery of Pittston Company. 7. J. Q. Creveling resigns from State Game Commission . . . State officers guests of motor club . . . State Depart­ment of Mines report shows Glen Alden chief anthracite producer in 1936 with 7,021,338 tons. 9. Sixteen hundred men vote to end strike at Prospect and Henry Collieries . . . Explosion in Pringle power plant station interrupts electric service to 20,000 in Kingston for short time. 10. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Lewis of Plymouth wed 60 years . . . Wilkes-Barre String Sinfonietta presents first concert . . . Forty Fort business men and bank accepting or issuing script designed as Old Home week souvenir . . . Tri-district mine board protests proposed hard coal code drafted by Secretary of Mines Hart-neady. 11. George F. Lee of Glen Summit named director of St. Louis-San Fran­cisco Railway Company . . . 1,800 strik­ing Susquehanna Collieries Company em­ployes to return to work. 12. Wyoming Baptist Association hears U. S. Mitchell of Philadelphia at opening of 95th annual convention in First Baptist Church . . . Court holds married women employes of Penn To­bacco Company cannot be discharged from union because they are married . . . Y. M. C. A. elects nine directors. 13. Rising costs, low coal prices cause Kingston Coal Company to suspend 1,100 men. 14. Chamber of Commerce retains A. Harden Coon as president . . . Hard coal hopes rise as fuel oil prices soar; mines active. 15. Rev. David J. Jones of Nanticoke named moderator of Northeastern Penn­sylvania Welsh Baptist Association at close of 82nd annual conference . . . Two Nanticoke men drown in Sylvan Lake while fishing. 16. Wilkes-Barre Railway Corpora­tion substitutes busses for street cars on East Side line to Pittston . . . Trains de­lay, endanger Scott Street traffic while bridge is under construction. 17. City Council awards contract for City Hall elevator . . . 790 city high school seniors recommended for gradu­ation . . . Severe electrical storm affects power service . . . London J. Wallick named manager of Hotel Sterling . . . County's valuation for 1937 decreases $11,871,267 with eight millions anthracite valuation drop. 18. WPA Administrator Harry L. Hopkins inspects Wilkes-Barre Airport . . . John B. Middleton resigns as execu­tive secretary of United Charities . . . Luzerne Borough citizens go looking for councilmen when only half of the mem­bers presented themselves for meeting. 19. Rebekah Lodges fete Mrs. Myrtle Kresge . . . Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Kutney of Wilkes-Barre observe 50th wedding anniversary . . . Retailers delay six weeks in passing on coal cut. 20. Seventh State Department con­vention of Disabled American War Vet­erans opens in Hotel Sterling . . . Court disbars Attorney C. C. Devers of Avoca from practice in Luzerne County . . . Kehoe-Berge Local of mine union in near riot at union meeting . . . 42nd annual convention of King's Daughters and Sons held in Grant Street Presbyterian Church. 21. State crew obtains data for tax-, ation and preservation of Harvey's Lake front under new legislation . . .51st annual meeting of Congregational and Christian Conference in Puritan Con­gregational Church . . . Five Luzerne County men among 27 to be ordained priests at Scranton. 22. Annual May Day program at Wyoming Seminary sees Helen Beaver of West Pittston crowned Queen. 24. Ground broken for new Forty Fort theatre . . . Wilkes-Barre Airport designated as an air mail terminal by United States Post Office Department . . . City School Board renames Hill Street Building after Director W. E. Doron . . . Closed People's Savings and Trust Company Bank of Duryea to pay $23,833 on June 7 ... Forty Fort School Board orders demolition of Durkee Street Building. 25. Mountain Top Presbyterian Church celebrates 50th anniversary . . . Percy A. Brown and J. B. Zimmerman elected directors of Pennsylvania Retail­ers Association . . . Employes wrecking Coal Exchange Building strike for higher wages . . . Dr. Leo J. Brown elected State deputy of Knights of Columbus . . . Civic organizations reaffirm support of by-pass and Main Street paving fot Luzerne. 26. Rev. Martyn D. Keeler installed as pastor of First Presbyterian Church . . . Dennis Coyle and Michael Walsh, both of Wilkes-Barre, steal show at nat­ional folk festival in Chicago with sing­ing of mine ballads. 27. Secretary of Mines Michael J. Hartneady dropped from membership in U. M. W. of A. by failure to remain in good standing . . . County gains additional member in State House of Rep­resentatives through reapportionment bill passed by Legislature . . . Dr. Bertil Ohiin, Swedish economist, explains co­operative movement in Sweden at com­munity forum . . . Henry German bakers on strike for less than one day. 28. Coal companies appeal valuation of properties assessed by County Assess­ors . . . Wilkes-Barre Record receives first prize for general excellence of ad­vertising columns in State competition. 29. Auditor General Roberts names John Kehoe, John Malinowski and Enoch Thomas as County Assessors under leg­islative act abolishing old boards in third class counties . . . Court removes Emory Wasko, Michael Pello and John Cebula from Dupont Council . . . Han­over Township School Board sues State for ^81,500 owed under Zeiscnheim Act. 31. Kingstonians to protest consoli­dation bill through motorcade to Harris-burg . . . Charles H. Rhenard only Civil War veteran in Memorial Day parade in Wilkes-Barre. June 1937 1. Proposed bond issue of $400,000 approved by city voters in special elect­ion, 3,850 to 1,157 . . . Federal Court decision ends long litigation over Hotel Sterling . . . James Morpeth completes 50 years' service on Delaware & Hudson Railroad. 2. New county assessors take office as board retired through Mundy 'ripper' prepares to test bill's constitutionality . . . Seven Great Atlantic &: Pacific Tea Company stores closed at Scranton as protest against passage of graded tax on chain stores. 3. State Department of Health re­ports expenditure of ^376,827 in rid­ding Pittston area mines of flood waters . . . Detour established as initial step in construction of 34-foot highway on east side of river from General Hospital to Lackawanna County line in Duryea. 4. Governor Earle threatens to ask Federal Government to lease hard coal lands unless operators "settle the bootleg problem by January 1." 5. Mundy consolidation bill provid­ing right of referendum on consolidation upon petition of voters killed in State House of Representatives . . . Newspaper publishers and printers sign new con­tract . . . Major B. F. Evans assigned to 28th Division, PNG, as adjutant general. 6. College Misericordia graduates class of 55 ... Wilson & Company opens new plant . . . Rev. George Donnelly of White Haven ordained to priesthood in Maryland. 7. Dr. Theodore M. Johnson starts 60th year as practicing physician . . . Forty Fort Old Home Week celebration opens with industrial parade . . . Busi­ness men seek provisions for seepage in flood control . . . D. & H. Railroad obtains temporary injunction against full crew railroad law. 8. Robert Super wins fellowship at Princeton University. 9. Anthony Wozniski drowns when canoe upsets at Harvey's Lake . . . Forty Fort Borough Building dedicated. 10. U. S. Senator Guffey informs Record he has no plans at present for Federal regulation of anthracite indus­try . . . Agnes Stout of West Pittston killed in accident at Sunbury while rac­ing to bedside of dying sister in Pittston Hospital . . . Neil Chrisman elected president of Community Welfare Fed­eration . . . Thirty thousand attend Ringling Brothers &: Barnum &; Bailey circus at Miner Park. 11. City and county agree to pur­chase Garrahan holdings to enlarge air­port landing field . . . Nine graduated at Wilkes-Barre Institute . . . Five 50-year members honored at golden jubilee dinner of Askam P. 0. S. of A. Camp. 12. Knights of Columbus obtain per­manent camp at Trout Lake in Poco-nos . , . High School bands warned by State not to take part in Forty Fort parade. 13. St. Mary's High School gradu­ates 34 ... One hundred fifty officers and men of Fifth Reserve District, CMTC, in maneuvers at Kirby Park. 14. New York Federal judge declares Lehigh Valley Coal Company handicaps Coxe Brothers K Company, Incorporated, by allegedly levying high royalty charges . . . Fifteen hundred cleaners and dyers in Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area get wage increase and 40-hour week . . . Three Pringle councilmen furnish bail on charges of accepting "kick-backs" from former employes of borough. 15. Wilkes-Barre Railway Corporation and Wyoming Valley Autobus Company employes obtain 20 per cent pay boost . . . Complaint against rates charged by anthracite-carrying railroads filed with ICC by 40 anthracite companies . . .City Council obtains option on new market site near East South Street Bridge . . . Wyoming Seminary graduates 245 at 92nd annual exercises . . . Pennsylvania Power & Light Company begins refund­ing cash meter deposits under new utility commission regulation. 16. Deed recording sale of Sheldon Axle & Spring Company property in Second Ward for ^200,000 filed in court-house . . . President Fred P. Corson of Dickinson College scores human parasites in address to 246 graduates of Meyers High School . . . Pittston Hospital Board retains John A. Allan as president. 17. Mr. and Mrs. Albert F. Post elected heads of Sons of Union Veterans of Civil War state departments . . .Harry F. Miller killed in automobile crash six hours after graduation from Meyers High School. 19. Two-day Junior League horse show opens at West Pittston . . . West Hosiery Mills of Plymouth resume oper­ations after six years' inactivity with Army contract for 600,000 pairs of stockings. 20. Busses replace street cars on King­ston line . . . Mr. and Mrs. James Clement of Wilkes-Barre observe golden wedding anniversary. 21. Torrential rain floods streets, im­pedes transportation . . . Senator A. J. Sordoni takes over Hotel Jermyn in Scranton . . . School board retains all employes . . . Peggy Anne Landon, daughter of Alt M. Landon, former presidential candidate, visits Wilkes-Barre. 22. C. S. Puckeys of Nanticoke wed 50 years . . . Chamber of Commerce unit supports coal in rate fight . . . Vail trophies presented to Bell Telephone Company workers for flood service. 23. Howard Strong resigns as ex­ecutive secretary of Chamber of Com­merce, effective December 31. 24. Congressman Dewey Short, R.- Mo., indicts New Deal as "fake fraud" in address at regional conference, North­east District of Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women, in Hotel Sterling . . . Capt. William A. dark of Troop B, State Police, assigned to take charge of State police patrolling Johnstown steel strike area. 25. Lieut. A. L. Flick new second officer in command of Troop D, Pennsyl­vania Highway Patrol, at Kingston . . . Close to 9,000 WPA workers laid off until further notice pending relief bill passage in Congress . . . Court upholds tenure act in Forty Fort .and Kingston Township School Board cases . . . Sergt. Frank P. Redington resigns after 23 1/2 years service on police force. 26. Wilkes-Barre delegation among anthracite boosters to attend formal sign­ing of $835,000 contract for anthracite for Philadelphia's municipal buildings. 27. Grand Lodge Order Sons of Italy in Pennsylvania close quarterly conference with dinner. 28. State Supreme Court orders State to pay costs of prosecution in Jennings-Harris case. 29. City Council opposes operation of taxis in city by outside firm .... County controller holds up pay of new county assessors pending State Supreme Court decision on legality of "ripper" act . . . Creditors of Mallow Hotel Cor­poration to get $25,000 . . . Federal agents probe activity of WPA in Luzerne County. 30. Confusion, delay attend first day enrollment of voters . . . Luzerne County gains additional seat in House of Repre­sentatives as result of reapportionment bill signed by Governor and effective after 1938 . . . Hanover Township School Board awards contracts for con­struction of $60,000 stadium . . . Game Protector Harry Meiss transferred from Wilkes-Barre to Somerset County, resigns later. July 1937 1, American Airlines inaugurates pas­senger and air mail plane service at Wilkes-Barre Airport, first plane piloted by Phil Reynolds of Trucksville and Elwood Goeringer of Wilkes-Barre . . . Twenty-five cent increase in prices of large size coal. 3. Mine union accepts proposal of Louis Pagnotti to reopen No. 9 Colliery of Pittston Company, closed since March, 1936, floods . . Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols speaks at exercises commemorating 159th anniversary of The Battle of Wyoming. 4. Fireworks take toll in injuries de­spite ordinances. 5. Bus and train travel best in years . . . Pittston-Jenkins Township Poor District tax levy cut 1 1/2 mills to 3 for coming year . . . Scranton firm tells city council it could halve taxi fares in Wilkes-Barre. 6. Body of John F. Wolfe of Chicago, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, killed in airliner crash December 15, 1936, re­covered from snow near Salt Lake City . . . Election calendar announced by Bureau of Elections fixes primaries for September 14 and municipal election November 2. 7. State Supreme Court rules out new county assessors by declaring "ripper bill" unconstitutional . . . Court also rules lands less valuable if coal demand declines in decision slashing assessments in Carbon County . . . Five thousand railroad employes in this region to re­ceive quarter million dollar rebate from pension funds through pension system inaugurated July 1 by Congress. 8. Local ownership of Bucknell Uni­versity Junior College is visioned by Arnaud Marts, president of university . . . German Bakeries, Incorporated, plans $50,000 addition to plant. 9. Boy Scouts return from jamboree at Washington . . . Comerford Theatres, Incorporated, receives permit to replace Hazle Street Theatre. 10. Betty Ellis, 19, of Kingston, killed in automobile accident at West Nanticoke . . . Delegates arrive for State con­vention of United National Association of Post Office Clerks. 11. City abandons seepage control in new flood plan which would elevate North River Street pave, with wall to 1936 level dividing River Common on South. 12. Wyoming Barracks to remain headquarters under temporary Pennsyl­vania Motor Police setup announced by Admiral Percy B. Foote, commanding officer. 13. Seven Nantieoke residents, five of them children, wounded by shotgun pellets discharged from firearm carried by George Marinchik, 48, of Nantieoke . . . Dr. James F. Bogardus, Secretary of Forests and Waters, tells Meyers High School audience State will aid in flood control . . . City Council passes ordin­ance to increase bonded indebtedness of $400,000 approved in special election. 14. City Council refuses request of Col. Clarence Chamberlain to promote scenic flights from airport . . . Report circulated Continental Can Company to leave Wilkes-Barre . . . Old Forge mother and daughter severely injured when bomb explodes in bed . . . City Council sells $400,000 bond issue at 2% per cent interest rate and $2,315 premium . . . WPA workers seize Plymouth office. 15. Citizens Anthracite Committee meets with operators' committee in Wilkes-Barre to discuss fight for reduced anthracite freight rates . . . Glen AIden shuts down collieries for remainder of month due to lack of demand . . . State Highway Department allots $250,000 for Luzerne by-pass project. 16. Lightning kills mother and son in Plymouth during electrical storm. 17. Gasoline $5 a gallon as inde­pendent service station proprietors fight attempt at regimentation . . . 109th Field Artillery leaves for Indiantown Gap training . . . Sixty-five from valley with high WPA, NYA pays included in State list made public by U. S. Senator James J. Davis. 18. State Highway Department to spend $1,500,000 on Luzerne County road construction and repair. 19. Kingston Coal Company to re­sume operations first week in August after RFC approves plan of operation agreed upon by company officials and miners' union . . . Kingston Post Office plans, calling for expenditure of $127,000, revealed . . . Continental Can Com­pany delays plan to vacate North Wilkes-Barre plant pending study as to profit­able operation . . . Twelve hundred Record Birthday Club members attend baseball game . . . Attorney Thomas F. Farrell candidate for judge. 20. County Commissioners move to eradicate alleged registration frauds . . . City Council names four policemen. 21. Wilkes-Barre's 1936 traffic record recognized as one or best in country for cities of its size . . . Open air ceremonial attracts 2,000 Shriners to Irem Temple Country Club . . . Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Laufer observe 50th. wedding anniver­sary, . . . Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, war ace and airlines' executive, stops off at airport. 22. Produce men protest city action banning sidewalk displays . . . Mrs. Thomas Maloney, widow of mine leader, and daughter depart with intention to take up residence in Germany . . . Destrucrion of Nesbitt Memorial Stadium stands at Wyoming Seminary under­taken. 23. Attorney William L. Pace to file for judge. 24. Richard Scoval drowns in Sus-quehanna River at West Pittston. 25. Herbert Cooley of Pittston drowns at Yatesville . . . Edward Hoff-man of Glen Lyon, colliery night watch­man, mysteriously slain at Glen Lyon. 26. Close to 2,500 petitions filed by candidates for offices in party primaries . . . Republican Party Chairman John D. M. Hamilton visits Scranton . . . George H. Brown and William Kear not to aspire for new terms as school direct­ors . . . Cleveland Indians defeat Wilkes-Barre in exhibition game, Bob Feller, youthful mound star, pitching ninth in­ning. 27. Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Coburn of North Wilkes-Barre wed 50 years . . . Pasquali "Tony Rose" Adonizio announ­ces intention of leasing two collieries in Shamokin District . . . Anthracite Conciliation Board recommends appoint­ment of Dr. Thomas F. Larkin as um­pire . . . H. F. Goeringer chairman of 16th annual Community Welfare Fed­eration drive. 28. Chamber of Commerce picnics at Fox Hill Country Club. 29. Max Lyons of Scranton tells Pub­lic Utility Commission examiner he can operate taxicabs in Wilkes-Barre for 50 per cent less than rates of local concerns . . . Federal Government plans to con­fiscate 35 properties on which unregis­tered stills were uncovered. 30. Rev. George H. Phillips of Oneonta, new pastor of First M. E. Church . . . Donald J. Meier of Forty Fort escapes injury in Chesapeake Bay steamer fire. 31. 109th Field Artillery returns from Indiantown Gap . . . Harvey E. Zimmerman of Kingston retires after nearly 47 years' continuous service as D. L. & W. Railroad employe . . . Three valley firms among purchasers of Demo­cratic Party's convention books. August 1937 2. Civil War veteran Charles H. Rhenard is 94 ... William A. Gallagh-er appointed to State Motor Vehicle Dealers' Commission . . . WPA re­trenchment makes Joseph G. Schuler branch office manager ... Joe McCracken signs new contract as Kings­ton coach. 3. George Brehm, former Hazleton night club owner, injured in fight des­cribed as first open warfare between low­er county gangs in 'numbers' racket . . . County Registration Commission hears testimony of 49 witnesses in registration inquiry . . . Michael Fugmann, convict­ed of Good Friday bombings, ends seven-day water diet. 4. Valley railroaders benefit in na­tion-wide wage increases announced by National Mediation Board . . . J. E. Newhart receives blanket contract to col­lect garbage and rubbish in city . . . Fourth class school districts receive $204,670, or half of annual state ap­propriations for salaries. 5. Anthracite CIO Council organiz­ed by union representatives . , . John Aponick backed for judgship. 6. Chamber of Commerce and An­thracite organizations to protect agree­ment between United States and Rus­sia permitting importation of 400,000 tons of Russian anthracite tax-free . . . Two killed, one injured in plane crash at Beisel's Corners, near Hazleton . . . Stephen Bashar of Ashley fatally shot by Lehigh Valley Railroad police at Mountain Top . . . Edwardsville School Board bars teachers who wed. 7. Philip S. Sloan of Elk County takes charge as game protector in Luzerne County area. 8. Conference between manufactur­ing companies and TWOC for CIO fails to rescind call for county-wide textile strike on August 9 ... Wyoming Valley Kennel Club's fourth annual dog sKow held at 109th Field Artillery drill shed. 9. Several silk mills suspend opera­tions to avoid labor trouble as TWOC opens two-state strike . . . Two Lehigh Valley Railroad employes killed in en­gine derailment at Harleigh . . . Langcliffe breaker at Avoca leased to Orchard Coal Company. 10. Silk strike closes all but three mills as disorder grows . . . W. A. Val­entine, Jr., succeeds B. R. Jones, Jr., as assistant district attorney. 11. Eighteen hundred miners call holiday at Collieries No. 5 and 7 of Susquehanna Collieries Company . . . Samantha J. Mill will leaves practically entire estate of $125,000 to Nanticoke City for library and park. 12. Rabbi Herman Glatt resigns as spiritual leader of Temple Agudath Achim, Pittston, to accept call at Niag­ara Falls . . . Mary Reedy of Pittston drowns near Falls . . . CIO director re­ports three silk companies signed con­tracts. 13. John L. Lewis advises committee representing 1,800 Susquehanna Collier­ies Company miners to end strike and prosecute grievances through proper channels. 15. John J. Gallagher, cafe owner, killed in auto crash . . . John Kelly of Wilkes-Barre drowns in Harvey's Lake despite rescue attempts of sister, brother. 16. Caesarian operation performed on body of Mrs. Paul Sweet of Wilkes-Barre after death at Contagious Disease Hospital; baby boy dies three hours later . . . Social Security Board opens Wilkes-Barre office . . . Twenty-one nuns take vows at Villa St. Therese Chapel of Sisters of Mercy. 17. Court appoints Joseph Dills to vacancy on Avoca Council; William H. Ridgely named to fill Wyoming Borough School Board vacancy . . . Representa­tives of Wilkes-Barre firemen inform city council of their unwillingness to wait until January 1 before taking one day off each week under new State law . . . Rev. P. C. Seiber, O.F.M., replaces Rev. Walter Hammon as pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Georgetown. 18. Pour midwestern gunmen cap­tured in Scranton absolved of Broske slaying . . . Acrobatic talent of Joseph Ferchie of Warrior Run attracts atten­tion . . , State refuses Edwardsville School Board financial aid. 19. Two Susquehanna Collieries com­pany operations resume work after sus­pension of week . . . Brig. Gen. John Colt Beaumont, son of former Wilkes-Barre resident, takes charge of Marines assigned to Sino-Japanese battlefront in Shanghai, China . . . Kenneth Guest of Plymouth named Central District vice-commander of American Legion . . . Seventy-fifth anniversary of formation of Schooley's Independent Battery of Civil War action. 20. Public Utility Commission holds certain freight rates on anthracite are 'unreasonable,' proposes reductions in tentative report . . . Three hundred ad­ditional parking meters installed in cen­tral part of the city . . . Silk operators and TWOC reach agreement at Harris-burg conference to end silk strike, pro­viding vote for bargaining agency and arbitration of grievances not settled in 30 days. 21. Pringle Borough teachers threat­en to strike unless they receive back pay before September 8 ... Rev. James J. Hally, Wilkes-Barre native, killed when automobile hits train in Arkansas. 22. State Police capture Joseph J. Bruno, escaped prisoner and alleged leader of Kelayres election day massacre, in New York City after an eight-month chase. 23. Federal Court approves appoint­ment of Dr. Thomas Larkin as umpire of Anthracite Conciliation Board. 24. State Milk Commission desig­nates Wilkes-Barre as headquarters of District 3 ... Thomas M. Lewis with­draws as candidate in judicial fight . . . Unemployment Compensation Board opens civil service examinations at Meyers High School . . . PWA grants Nanticoke $168,678 toward construction of high school addition. 26. Ground broken for new rectory at St. Aloysius' Church . . . Hundred civic and business leaders leave on two-day trip to Toronto to boost anthracite . . . Wilkes-Barre Railway Corporation reveals intention to use trackless trolley service . . . Dr. Jacques P. Gray resigns as principal health officer and manager of Kirby Health Center to accept relief post in San Francisco . . . Robert Pritch-ard of Kingston named assistant foot­ball coach at Susquehanna University. 27. Dr. A. J, Heffernan appointed to State Dental Examining Board. 31. Two thousand young members of Record Birthday Club attend picnic at Sans Souci Park . . . Comerford Theat­res, Incorporated, discloses intention of erecting theatre on Carey Avenue, near New Alexander Street . . . Labor Board examiners begin polling silk mill work­ers to determine collective bargaining agency. September 1937 1. Women's 44-hour week, 50-mile limit on highways become effective . . . Chamber of Commerce committee on local industries submits first of series of reports on ways to improve valley busi­ness conditions . . . American Airlines, Incorporated, inaugurates an expanded plane service to Wyoming Valley with 14-passenger planes. 2. Chamber of Commerce protests to Mayor Wilson of Philadelphia against proposed use of natural gas for public buildings . . . Rev. James V. Lewis re­signs as pastor of Meade Street Baptist Church. 3. John Kehoe, Pittston politician, defends right to vote in Pittston City at hearing before registration commission­er. 6. Ten thousand from two counties celebrate Lithuanian Day at Sans Souci Park . . . Faustin Wirkus, Dupont native who became emperor of La Gonave Is­land in West Indies while a Marine ser­geant, turns to securities. 7. Threatened strike of the Pringle Borough school teachers averted with State promise of back pay . . . Registra­tion figures for four third class cities give to Republican Party lead of 12,112. 8. Benjamin Charnecki, Sr., Plains, held by police when dynamite trap in chicken coop kills son . . . Rev. George H. Phillips takes up residence as pastor of First M. E. Church. 9. State Anthracite Coal Industry Commission sees need for unified mar­keting if industry is to survive . . . Rev. Harold C. Buckingham of West Pittston M. E. Church accepts charge at Oneonta . . . Bureau of Air Commerce report in­dicates valley will remain on airmail route. 10. Seventy-three indicted in voting list purge in West Side towns . . . Motor Clubs of two counties unite to get super highways on each side of river. 11. Court denies retrial to Michael Fugmann. 12. Anthracite Commission upholds 'rights' of bootleg miners to earn honest living . . . Plymouth host to Holy Name Society of Scranton Diocese in annual convention. 14. Primary election held under new Pennsylvania election code . . . Voipe Coal Company reported ready to re­open No. 6 colliery of the Pittston Coal Company . . . Three former National Slovak Society officers ordered by Alle­gheny County court to pay $212,135. 15. Attorney Peter E. Turek and S. W. Warakomski retained as president and secretary, respectively, of Polish Union of United States at Detroit con­vention. 16. ICC orders freight rate reduc­tions on coal shipped from Wilkes-Bar­re and vicinity to Rutland, Vt. . . . Nine hundred Legionnaires prepare to attend national convention in New York City . . . Michael J. Kosik, UMWA district president, asks U. S. Attorney General for ruling on legality of pact allowing tax-free Russian coal imports. 17. Dallas Borough schools close as protective measure against infantile paralysis . . . Valley commemorates 150th anniversary of signing of U. S. Consti­tution. 19. Anthracite Coal Industry Com­mission urges State ownership of excess anthracite deposits. 20. Gov. George H. Earle addresses 1,500 delegates to 42nd triennial national convention of Polish Roman Catholic Union of America in Irem Temple . . . Department or Justice dodges opinion on legality of Russian coal pact. 21. Rev. J. Rolland Crompton named pastor of West Pittston M. E. Church . . . Valley posts in huge American Leg­ion parade at New York City . . . Con-cordia Singing Society invited to sing at 1939 World's Fair in New York City. 22. Kingston police test two-way radio . . . State notifies city it stands ready to aid in local flood control plan but will not deviate from original plan of an embankment two feet above flood level of 1936. 23. Employes of White Transit Com­pany, Martz Estate and Martz Coach Company call surprise 20-hour strike . . . Dentists attend fall meeting of Third District Dental Society at Hazleton. 24. Wilkes-Barre's first Community Day draws 50,000 to stores in the cen­tral part of the city . . . U. S. Marine band electrifies two audiences at West Side Armory . . . Wilkes-Barre & East­ern Railway seeks JCC permission to abandon 54 miles of track between Suscon and Stroudsburg . . . Fall meeting of Welsh Presbytery of Pennsylvania in Plymouth. 25. State Department of Aeronautics selects old Exeter Fair Ground for site of radio range station for airport . . . 313th Infantry revives war memories at dinner to Maj. Gen. A. J. Bowley, com­mander of Third Corps Area. 26. Treasury report reveals federal tax revenues up 29 per cent in Middle District of Pennsylvania during past fis­cal year . . . Rev, Michael Knapik of Wilkes-Barre celebrates first mass. 27. Miss Jane German of Hazleton pleads guilty to charge involving em­bezzlement of almost $(60,000. 28. Hanover Township schools clos­ed for day pending check of alleged dy­sentery epidemic. 29. Gomer E. Davis of Wilkes-Barre made honorary member of 33rd Masonic degree at Detroit . . . Wyoming Valley Homeopathic Hospital graduates class of 10 ... Henry Graham of Wyoming re­places Walter P. Townsend as execu­tive director of relief administration in county. 30. Rev. Robert D. Coward called to Ashley M. E. Church from Plains M. E. . . . One killed, 15 injured at Truesdale Colliery when two cars carrying 20 men hurtle 200 feet to bottom of slope . . . Marcel Dupre, famous French organist-composer, plays at First Presbyterian Church. October 1937 1. Announcement made of appoint­ment of Most Rev. William J. Hafey, Raleigh, N. C., as Bishop Coadjutor of Scranton Diocese to assist Bishop Thomas C. O'Reilly . . . Jury finds Horace R. Bowers guilty of murder of Trooper Broske in first degree, fixing life im­prisonment. 4. Pleading guilty to a charge of first degree murder in the slaying of John J. Broske, state trooper and fire marshal on August 14, Victor Andreoli, 22, Philadelphia, is remanded for sen­tence until court examines testimony . . . Luzerne High School football squad, striking because of non-issuance of pass­es to parents, returns to field when school board grants demands. 5. Robert L. Safford resigns as bur­gess of West Wyoming Borough, council names John Hiznay to office. 6. Michael Fugmann is sentenced by Judge Samuel E. Shull to die in the electric chair for murder of Thomas Maloney . . . Child killed and grand­mother, Mrs, Mary Donnelly, 65, King­ston, injured in automobile accident at Kingston, car driven by Walter Donnelly, 27, son of Mrs. Donnelly. 7. Eight law students from Luzerne County pass State examinations . . . Nellie Loftus, nurse, shot from ambush at Kirby Health Center, taken to Mercy Hospital where one slug was removed . . . Victor Andreoli receives life penalty in murder of State Trooper John J. Broske . . . Mrs. Mary Donnelly dies from injuries suffered in automobile ac­cident, son, Walter, driver of car, re­covering. 10. Edmund L. Moodie, aviator, burned to death when plane crashes near Tunckhannock. 11. Horace Bowers and Victor Andre­oli, sentenced to life imprisonment in the slaying of Trooper John J. Broske, taken to Eastern Penitentiary . . . Drivers at J. B. Carr Biscuit Company strike. 12. Rev. Roswell W. Lyon transferred from Courtdale M. E. Church to Plains M. E. Church . . . About 225 inside em­ployes of J. B. Carr Biscuit Company strike. 14. Youth smothered to death and another narrowly escapes when tunnel they had dug at Courtdale caves in. 18. Registration of 400 electors chal­lenged at Board of Registration meeting . . . Approximately 1,200 Parsons and Miners Mills citizens petition city school board for high school in that section of the city . . . Tri-District Convention of United Mine Workers opens in Scranton. 19. Rev. Robert F. Wilner; valley native, named Suffragan Bishop of Phil­ippines by Episcopal Church . . . John Phillips, State Federation of Labor presi­dent, asks United Mine Workers to sup­port CIO-AFL amalgamation. 21. Federal Court appoints receiver for Monarch Anthracite Mining Com­pany of Scranton . . . Harry L. Magee wins control of two Bloomsburg factor­ies in settlement of $4,000,000 estate left by mother. 22. Warrant issued for Earl B. Hess, assistant cashier of Nescopeck Bank, wanted for explanation of a shortage of more than $80,000. 23. Employes of several coal compan­ies notified concerns will not abide by provisions of amended Workmen's Com­pensation Act. 24. Fifteen-hour downpour sends river to 15.35 foot crest. 25. Lease trouble stops work of 1,400 employes at Wyoming Valley Collieries Company operations. 26. Dr. Nathaniel Ross honored in retiring as president of Men's Bible Class of Central M. E. Church for more than 30 years. 27. Depositors of four Wyoming Valley closed banks to receive ^259,436 . . . Award to disfigured girl cut to $471 from $943 by State workmen's Compen­sation Board. 28. Bandits rob South Main Street liquor store of ?84, druggist shot in holdup in Nanticoke . . . Turbine trouble halts service on Laurel Line for two hours . . . Mayor of Wrexham, Wales, sends greetings to Welsh of valley through Daniel F. Williams . . . Art Foster, Princeton aviator, forced down on Hughestown Hill without damage or in-ury. 29. Four-lane concrete Plainsville highway opened for traffic . . . Christ­mas savings clubs' members to receive $457,500 . . . Patrick J. Judge of Exeter receives Carnegie medal for rescue of child from third rail . . . New Dodson School Building dedicated . . . U. S. Senator Guffey speaks at Democratic rally. November 1937 2. Democrats elect two judges and entire county ticket in sweep of Luzerne County . . . Wilkes-Barre Newspaper Guild calls strike at Wilkes-Barre Record plant. 3. Old Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge between Port Griffith and Kingston to be dismantled. 5. Wartime mining rates upheld by Dr. Thomas Larkin, Anthracite Con­ciliation Board umpire . . . John Kehoe challenges Ambrose Langan to debate . . . Wyoming Valley Collieries Company employes plan salary suit . . . Obstetrics Institute attracts 160 nurses to General Hospital. 6. Two women instantly killed when automobile hits pole in Plainsville . . . Charge of perjury against James Hry-cenko in bombing case ignored by grand jury . . . Seizure by Government agents of Hanover Township house containing an illegal still in 1935 upheld by Federal Court jury . . . Lance Colliery, Glen Alden Coal Company miners, idle when 1,100 men declare Saturday holiday un­der new contract. 7. Stanley Gorkiewicz and John Puznok captured in Plains Township nine hours after escape from Luzerne County Prison. 8. Newspaper Guild strike at Wilkes-Barre Record plant ended . . . Mine fire endangers 1,500 Scranton pupils . . . Governor Earle declares that if anthra­cite operators favor Federal control of hard coal industry it is because they want no control . . . Official count of General Election published . . . Closed Nescopeck National Bank to settle with 25 per cent of depositors. 9. County approves plan for Luzerne by-pass without binding self . . . Federal Bureau of Investigation men capture Earl Hess, fugitive Nescopeck National Bank cashier, in Binghamton. 10. East End Bridge opened . . . State rejects Army plans for city dike, Water and Power Resources Board call­ing flood protection inadequate' . . . Joseph Kennedy of South Wilkes-Barre appointed district statistician of UMWA. 11. Susquehanna Collieries Company asks $1,880,000 of Scranton-Spring Brook Water Service Company for stock or Nanticoke Water Company sold to Susquehanna Coal Company in 1908 . . . Parades dramatize scntimsnt for peace and preparedness . . . Wilkes-Barre Choral Society wins first prize at First Welsh Presbyterian Church eistedd­fod . . . Stabilization of anthracite min­ing discussed at meeting of miners' tri-district executive board in New York City with John L. Lewis . . . Frank Krachewski, 21, rescued after three and one-half hours in coal hole cave-in. 12. Central Poor Board audit pub­lished . . . Doron School Building dedi­cated. 13. Joint committee of anthracite op­erators and mine workers appointed to plan stabilization of industry. 14. Chauncey Colliery Local rejects reduced rate proposal in Grand Tunnel Section . . . Don Cossacks Russian male chorus presents matinee recital at Irem Temple. 15. Superior Court hears arguments in Philadelphia for new trial for Emer­son P. Jennings . . . Hearing on man­damus action to compel City Controller Murphy to pay city street department employes for first half of September gets under way in court . . . Mrs. William Kronin of Trucksville offers to don gloves with principal who would let her sons, students, swap blows . . . Coadjutor Bishop William J. Hafey assumes new duties in Scranton Diocese . . . Com­munity Welfare Federation drive for $400,000 opens . . . Jose Iturbi, Spanish pianist, gives concert . . . Attorney Robert J. Doran scores 'peace* organiza­tions in post-Armistice address. 16. Anthracite contract to be extend­ed for one year . . . James Hurrey of Exeter dismissed as chief deputy sheriff . . . Hundred thousand unemployment census cards distributed to valley homes by mail carriers . . . Dr. Howard W. Haggard, Yale professor, speaks at Westmoreland Club on development of per­sonality . . . American Airlines inaugur­ates 21-passenger plane service to Wilkes-Barre, now on main line from Newark to Chicago. 17. J. Arthur Bolender named acting executive secretary of Chamber of Com­merce . . . Relief Board announces re­covery of $49,551 of $165,000 fraudu­lently accepted by relief 'chiselers' in two years . . . United States Senator James J. Davis addresses 250 members of Senior Cambrian Club. 18. Albert Santos and Patsy Tiexiero killed in mysterious explosion in cellar of Swoyerville home . . . Equity pro­ceedings to restrain Central Poor Dist­rict directors from building reservoir at Retreat, thereby testing validity of new Goodrich Act, instituted in Luzerne County Court. 19. Jane German of Hazleton sen­tenced to five years in county prison on charges of fraudulent conversion and forgery . . . State studies Luzerne by-pass plans. 20. Two young bandits rob gold buy­ing company of $380 ... Lehigh Valley Coal Company proposes plan to extend maturity for five years at 6 per cent of certain notes scheduled to mature Janu­ary 1. 21. Many vehicles ditched along ice covered highways. 22. Four memorial bells in St. Steph­en's Church tower heard for first time . . . Pittston City Council slashes tax rate 10 mills . . . Community Welfare Federation campaign ends with $333,719 or 83.9 per cent of $400,000 goal raised . . . County, city fix $120,000 for air­port site . . . Women clash over distri­bution of clothing made by WPA work­ers in Duryea. 23. Negotiations with Canada to re­move tariff of 50 cents a ton on hard coal reported backed by Secretary of State Hull . . . Bennett Home for chil­dren nears reality . . . Central Poor Board to shift relief cases to State under Goodrich Act provisions . . . Councilmen for city collection of garbage . . . Luzerne County Court to decide whether Tom Evans or Tom Flannery are to serve on City Council, latter charging election irregularities in certain North Wilkes-Barre districts . . . Checks totaling $87,222.44 mailed to Dime Bank Title and Trust Company depositors . . . Four thousand attend annual firemen's ball . . . Pittston Community Welfare Fed­eration raises $101,482 of $115,448.09 goal . . . State stops pumping at Kehoe-Berge mines after removal of 1936 flood waters. 24. Dr. J. Harold Beckley, Nanti-coke physician, discloses extortion plot against him. 25. City traffic lights to burn all night in effort to curb accidents . . . Greyhound bus stalled at Wilkes-Barre terminal as drivers strike . . . Lieut. Charles S. Cook of Wyoming Barracks assigned to be executive officer of State Police School at Albright College . . . Largely attended church services open Thanksgiving Day observance. 26. Dewey Shrader appointed by Forty Fort School Board to succeed Dir­ector Oliver B. Pettebone, who resigned after 16 years' service. 29. County asserts Central Poor Board owes it $146,316 . . . Mayor Love-land and Attorney Robert J. Doran de­bate peace organizations at Kingston Bus­inessmen's Association dinner . . .Coun­sel for Michael Fugmann take fight to State Supreme Court . . . Swoyerville fire fighters go on short strike in com­plaint against non-payment of bills by borough council . . . Wilkes-Barre String Sinfonietta features Charles Henderson, harpsichordist, in opening concert of second season . . . Realty owners to ask council for part-time paid, volunteer fire department . . . John J. McDevitt seeks statue, relic of his "Millionaire for a day" era. 30. Miss Anna Mackin of East End with Boston Store 50 years . . . Edward J. Rowan retires from Delaware &; Hud­son Railroad after 40 years service . . . Verdi's colorful opera "Aida" presented at Irem Temple . . . Wyoming Valley Collieries Company blames financial plight on an anthracite price war.