Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 57, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 July 1934 — Page 1

: I ■ aad 1

TERRE HAUTE KING POLLUTER ALONG WABASH City Pours Deadly Wastes Into River Famed in Song and Story. BATHERS DARE DISEASE Sewer Outlets Send Eddies of Bacteria at Edge of Beach. BY ARCH Ci. STEINEL Tim** Staff Writer The kingdom of pollution, ruled by the king of polluters, is the one river in Indiana known outside its borders in song and story It is the Wabash. And on the banks of the Wabash straggles Terre Haute, gripping the Wabash with a strangle-hold of sewage wastes and pouring into its waters the equivalent to sewage from a city of 2 500.000 persons, when all factories are running at capacity. Terre Haute, king polluter of the Wabash, is but a city of 70,000 persons. but per capita sewage wastes, determined by the oxygen demand of the water, shows that the city's population is boosted to above the million mark by industrial residues One firm alone, the Commercial {solvents Corporation, if operating |ull-time. pours into the river sewIge, according to biochemical oxygen demand, the amount equivalent to 2.000.000 persons C'hildivn Swim in River Just across from a memorial boulevard. Dresser boulevard, in honor of Paul Dresser, who wrote the popular song, ‘On the Banks of the Wabash." children swim in the Wabash river. Two mam sewer outlets of the city send eddies of bacteria at their beach. Scarcely a half mile from this beach is the Commercial Solvents plant with its menacing possibilities in the event of full-time operation, of pouring sewage into the river. In a survey, sanitary engineers of the state health board estimate the I Commercial Solvents is operating at one-eighth capacity, or unloading on the Wabash the equivalent of the sew age of 150.000 persons on a basis j of oxygen demand in the river's water. This is twice the population of Terre Haute. Plant Being Enlarged The solvents corporation is enlarging its plant. It is .eported to be readying up in order to manufacture whisky. With this report both engineers of Terre Haute and the state shake their heads and view with fear the Wabash river and its possible condition m the future. Cities lower on the Wabash such as Vincennes have objected on several occasions against Terre Haute polluting its drinking supplies. One test taken of bacteria by The Times at the foot of the Canal street sewer showed 1.000.000 colon bacilli < human waste* being emptied at the rate of each 100 cubic centimeters Carp, with a few hardy catfish, who have lived in sewage wastes since fmgerlinc days, are the only fish that inhabit Terre Haute below sewer outlets and for several miles downstream. Fishing Goo Near Club A comparison of the bacteria stages of the river shows at the Elks' Ft. Harrison Country Club, above the sewage outlets of the city, a B. colt count of but 100. In a flowing river this count might he expected to give that point in the river a clean bill of health for swimmers. Fishing is good near the club. Fassing the 1.000.000 bacteria count at the Canal street sewer the next test shows 10.000 B. coli on the west bank of the river. Swimmers frequent this pool. A count of sewage bacteria of 10.000 is dangeriTurn to Page Three) SOUTHWEST STILL IN GRIP OF HEAT WAVE Eighth Death Is Reported From Blaring Sun. By I Pr,ss KANSAS CITY. July 17.—The southwest sweltered again today under a smothering heat wave which has caused deaths of eight persons since last Friday. The eighth death from the 100degree temperature occurred at Jefferson City, where Mrs. Maggie Brockman. .58. died from an attack of heart disease attributed to the heat. Government meteorologists predicted temperatures would not reach those of yesterday in which most readings were near 110 degrees. Times Index Bridge 8 Broun 11 Comics 17 Crossword Puzzle 18 Cunous World 17 Editorial 12 Financial 13 Hirkman-Theaters 15 Let s Oo Fishing 15 Lippmann 11 Pegler 11 Radio 6 Serial Story 17 Sports 14. 15 State Naw* 10 Vital Statistics 13 Woman'a Pages 8,9 Hourly Temperatures Ba. m 73 10 a. m 79 7a. m ... 74 li a. m 82 8 a. m 74 12 moon).. 83 9a. m..... 74 Ip. m..... 85

NR a; W vi do our *rr

VOLUME J6—NUMBER 57

Bulletin

By I mited l’rr* HARTSDALE. V Y-. July 17 Robert Connor. 2. missing since last Thursdav, was reported found alive today in the woods near his home. The child had been the object of a wide search by hundreds of police, firemen. Boy Scouts and volunteers since he wandered to a sandpile hack of his home last week to play with a little neighbor girl. The girl later went home, hut Robert could not be found. A peddler who had been in the neighborhood was questioned by police, but protested that he knew nothing of the baby.

LAWYERS CLASH AT COHN TRIAL Admissability of Ledgers Debated as Jury Is Excused. Charges that Meyer-Kiser bank officials were in conspiracy to help out a failing realty company with funds of their depositors were made today bv Floyd Mattice, chief deputy prosecutor, in the trial of Melville S. Cohn, former bank vicepresident. on embezzlement charges. The charges came on the heels of a forecast by Frank C. Dailey, defense attorney, that "this trial will be going on until Christmas.’’ Mr. Mattice explained that he wanted voluminous records of the banks introduced as exhibits because "in reality, they will show a conspiracy on the part of the former bank officials to help out a realty company that was on the rocks." The arguments continued throughout the morning, so intense at one point that Special Judge Alexander G Cavins sent the jury’ from the room. The defense objected to the introduction of any exhibits except those ledger pages referring specifically to transactions revolving around the Fralich Realty Company. "If all these books are introduced,” asserted Mr. Daily, “the defense will have the burden of proof put upon it and be forced to prove that all transactions of the bank with other companies are legal. Instead the case should be that the state must prove the illegality of the specific transaction in this case.” Articles of incorporation of the bank as well as the $37.50 check which is alleged to have been paid to Albert Blue as a dividend from the Fralich Realty Company through the bank were admitted as exhibits. Thomas Garvin, receiver for the bank, was the state's first witness. Aided by two men he brought approximately fifty books into the courtroom. When Mr. Garven attempted to identify the books as bank property, the defense objected on the grounds that he had no knowledge of the entries made in the books. Mr. Garven said he was told the books belonged to the bank by former officers of the Meyer-Kiser institution. An impasse was reached over the books and ledgers with, the result that Judge Cavins spent several hours of the morning listening to the admissability of the exhibits.

CITY MAN ENDS LIFE BY POISON Daughter Sees Retired Druggist Fall Dead. Alarmed at hearing a groan, Mrs. Adelaide Long, 26, of 3024 Ruckle street, early today rushed into the bedroom of her father, Charles L. Bowlin, 56. retired druggist, saw him dash a drinking glass to bits on the floor and then fall back dead. Dr. John A. Salb. deputy coroner, declared that Mr. Bowlin had taken poison. It is believed that Mr. Bowlin was despondent because of ill health. Last rites will be held in Mr. Bowlin's birthplace, Tipton, at 10 Thursday morning. He was a member of the Scottish Rite. Murat temple and the Gattling Gun Club. He is survived by his father. M. L. Bowlin, Indianapolis; a sister, Mrs. Bertha Knee, Washington. D. C.; a brother, Fred Bowlin. living in Texas; three daughters, Mrs. Long. Miss Anne Bowlin and Miss Avalon Bowlin, and a grandson. Charles Long, all of Indianapolis. 5500.000 SEWAGE PLANT APPROVED BY RICHMOND City Council Vote on Project Is Unanimous. By Timet Special RICHMOND. Ind.. July 17.—8 y unanimous vote, the Richmond city council approved last night a $500,000 sewage disposal plant and interceptor sewer system. A bond issue will cover $360,000 of the cost of the plant and the federal government will advance the balance of $140,000

Impersonation Here by Evangelist Amuses Capt. Brown , Famed War Ace

Now it can be told— At breakfast today Indianapolis thought it was being honored by the visit of Captain Roy L. Brown. D. S. C.. Canadian war ace, who downed Baron Manfred von Richthofen. German eagle of the air. during the World war. An itinerant evangelist, in city hospital with mysterious injuries supposedly suffered in an auto wreck at Effingham. IIL. thought so too—for he led police to believe,

The 1 ndianapolis Times Partly cloudy tonight and tomorrow; probably showers and thunderstorms; not much change in temperature.

CITY WOMAN HEARS STATE DEMANDDEATH Murder of Carl Thompson Premeditated, Cries Prosecutor. INSANITY MAY BE PLEA Mrs. Sandstrom ’Suffered Enough,’ Will Remy Tells Court. By 7 'mrg Special | CHARLESTON. 111.. July 17.—A ' figurative rope of romance, alleged to be illicit, was dangled before a jury's eyes today and coupled with a demand for the death penalty as the state began its first-degree murder case against Mrs. Anna Sandstrom, Indianapolis woman. "She was at the end of her rope. It’s too bad she didn't have enough left for herself,” thundered J. V. Dilsaver, state's attorney. Mr. Dilsaver repeatedly scored Mrs. Sandstrom for her alleged slaying of Carl Thompson, Indianapolis casket salesman, in a hotel room in nearby Mattoon, 111. In his opening statement to the jury, he charged that the murder was premeditated and pleaded for electrocution for the woman who, he said, killed when her alleged lover told her that their romance had ended. The state's attorney charged that Mrs. Sandstrom followed Mr. Thompson to Mattoon from Indianapolis in an effort to effect a reconciliation. • Plea May Be Insanity Replying to the state's plea for the death penalty, William H. Remy, defense counsel, and former Marion county prosecutor, said. "This woman has suffered enough. She was suffering untold mental agony as a result of her failure to bring about a reconciliation when the murder was committed." This w'as interpreted as meaning that Mr. Remy's defense would be an insanity plea. First witnesses for the state were three men who w'ere guests in the hotel at the time Mr. Thompson allegedly was slain. Joseph Rice testified that he saw Mrs. Sandstrom toss the gun at the feet of the slain man after firing five shots. Mrs. Sandstrom's eyes lifted occasionally as the prosecutor spoke and then dropped to study the pattern of her brown cotton ensemble, or to glance at the flamboyant bathing girls that decorated the back of her cheap pasteboard fan. Shooting Occurred May 9 She is alleged to have shot and killed Thompson on May 9 in the U. S. Grant hotel, at Mattoon. twelve miles from Charleston. The tragedy climaxed three years of a ' behind-the-curtain” romance, according to both defense and prosecution. Harvey M. Thompson, secretarytreasurer of the Indianapolis Casket Company and father of the slain man, entered the courtroom as the trial began yesterday. Mrs. Sandstrom deferentially bowed her head to the father. He returned the courtesy. Charleston is apathetic toward the trial The barber shoo gossipers, unacquainted with the persons involved, pass it off with a wave of the hand as "just another murder” Mrs. Sandstrom's son. John, 15, was expected to arrive in Charleston today to aid his mother. He has been making his home with his father. Claude Sandstrom. Indianapolis. from whom his mother has been estranged for the last four years. Defendant's Sister Present Mrs. William H. Lacker, Indianapolis. sister of the defendant, sat near her throughout today's sessions. Mrs. Sandstrom is defended by Mr. Remy and Francis M. Hughes, both of Indianapolis. The real local interest in the trial arises from the injection of politics into the picture through the refusal of Cole county’s board of supervisors to give the state’s attorney additional counsel to try the case or to appropriate money to defray expenses of bringing witnesses to Charleston.

NEW SERVICE READY AT SHELTER HOUSE Cafeteria Customers to Be Given -More Efficient Attention. New services at the Shelter house for the Transient Service bureau. 222 East Wabash street, have been announced by J. H. Quire, office manager. An arrangement has been made in the self-serving cafeteria whereby a line of 400 men may be transferred from the recreation rooms to the dining hall in less than one-half hour.

through clippings in his possession and through conversation, that he was the famous Captain Brown. It developed, however, that the real Captain Brown is vacationing in the province of Quebec. His home is in Toronto, Ontario. He disclaims knowledge of the Hoosier “war ace” and denies that Evangelist “Brown” handled the stick of the ship that downed Richthofen, the Red Knight of Germany.

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1934

20,000 MORE JOIN FRISCO STRIKE; FIRST FOOD TRUCK RUNS BLOCKADE

LACK OF GASOLINE DOESN'T STOP YOUNG ‘TEAMSTER’

v ft

When teamsters joined the strike movement in San Francisco, any and every sort of vehicle was pressed into service, and that lad at the left tried to and o his bit to see that his mother had bread at home. t But gasoline stocks quickly ebbed, and most gas stations could give only a shrug, as the fellow at the right is doing to an anxious motorist.

TROOPS SENT TO MINNEAPOLIS Militia Is Called Out to Cope With Strike of 6,000 Truckers. By United Press MINNEAPOLIS. July 17. National guardsmen with glistening bayonets marched through Minneapolis today to protect food supplies and cope with threats of 6.000 striking truckmen to paralyze the city's market places. The troops, a battalion of the One hundred fifty-first field artillery of the Minnesota national guard, were called out by AdjutantGeneral E. A. Walsh after a conference with Governor Floyd B. Olson. The streets were lined with sullen strikers and workers in sympathy with the strike, but there was no show of resistance. The guardsmen w'ere hooted and jeered. Governor Olson announced he proposed to “use every resource at my command to protect the citizens of Minneapolis.” The guardsmen marched to a headquarters used during the May strike of the General Truck Drivers’ and Helpers’ union. Two policemen were killed and 300 persons wounded in bloody rioting during the previous strike. The new strike of the truckmen resulted from differences in interpretation of the agreement which ended the strike. The union contended it was given the right to bargain for inside workers who became members of the union after the strike. The employers’ council, representing 177 employers, claimed these inside workers were not included in the May agreement and therefore could not be represented by the union. Efforts of the regional labor board to effect a settlement were unavailing. 18.000 Strike in South By United Press BIRMINGHAM. Ala., July 17. Approximately 18.000 textile workers —more than half the workers employed in the state—went on strike in various parts of Alabama today. In the large textile centers upstate. the strike appeared to be completely effective. The strike was called when negotiations for increased wages and better working conditions collapsed. MESSENGER BOYS AT NEW ORLEANS STRIKE Sixty-Eight Quit Posts in Protest Over Zone Ruling. By United Press NEW ORLEANS. La., July 17. Even the messenger boys are striking. Sixty-eight boys, employed by the Postal Telegraph and Cable Company, went on strike when the company yesterday announced new zones that curtailed the boys’ earnings. Bolt Kills Child By United Press HALIFAX N. S., July 17—One child was killed by lightning and eight persons were injured during a severe electrical storm.

From Chicago came a United Press report that a mission to which "Brown” said he belonged had never heard of him. Evangelist “Brown” was found in the home of a Negro woman at 4344 West Twenty-sixth street, last night. Police say he attempted “conversions” through liberal tipping c.f a barber and ardent lovemaking to a woman. A c.ty hospital psychiatrist examine'! him this afternoon.

In A Nutshell

By United Press Striking labor’s ranks were swelled today with the total passing 100.000. Developments were: San Francisco Bay Region— General strike spread to Oakland; state troops guarding waterfront; first food brought into city under guard. Portland, Ore.—General strike in sympathy with maritime workers feared. Alabama—lß,ooo textile workers walk out. Minneapolis—6,ooo truek drivers strike. One battalion of guardsmen called out. Kohler, Wis. Approximately 1,500 workers of Kohler Manufacturing Company, picket plant: strike breakers barricaded inside. Cleveland —Taxicab strikers reject peace proposals; violence feared.

STRIKE FLARES IN INDUSTRIAL UTOPIA’ 1,500 Picket Plant After Violence Yesterday. By United Press KOHLER, Wis., July 17.—Strike breakers were barricaded within the Kohler Manufacturing Company's plant today, fortified by several days’ supply of food, as 1.500 pickets continued their blockade around the only factory in this "industrial Utopia.” Special policemen were placed around the plant to prevent another outburst of the violence in which two men were beaten yesterday. Tear gas bombs w'ere used in an attempt to halt the strikers from dumping coal from six railroad cars.

CITY MAN ATTACKED IN DOCK STRIKE AREA Physician Battles Assailants Until Police Arrive. Dr. Francis T. Hodges, formerly of Indianapolis and now physician on the steamship Maui, held at a San Francisco dock by the longshoremen's strike, had a narrow escape from the strikers a few days ago, according to word received by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher Hodges, 3160 North Pennsylvania street. Dr. Hodges and two companions were attacked and he was bitten on the wrist, but he and his companions succeeded in defending themselves until police arrived. The ship’s physician, his assistant, Walter Jensen, and a clerk on the Maui, John Pratt, left the ship to obtain medicine for a sick seaman when they were set upon by ten strikers. Police arrested one of the assailants. POSTAL PROBE ORDERED Roosevelt Directs Farley Inquire Into Foreign Contracts. By United Press WASHINGTON, July 17.—President Roosevelt today directed Post-master-General James A. Farley to investigate foreign air mail and ocean mail contracts made before June 16, 1933. The executive order dated July 11, was made public today at the White House. 100 PERISH IN FLOOD Huge Area in Poland Inundated t>y Cloudbursts. By l nited Press WARSAW. Poland. July 17.—One hundred persons were estimated today to have died in the greatest flood in the history of south Poland covering 15.000 square kilometers < 3.706.500 acres>. The flood resulted from cloudbursts, which were followed by thirty-two hours of rain across the region from the Carpathian mountains to Cracow.

NATION’S LABOR CHIEFS SILENT Government Is Depending on Mediation Board in Frisco. By United Press WASHINGTON. July 17. Events in Washington today indicated more clearly that the government is depending entirely upon the President’s mediation board to bring peace in San Francisco's strike crisis. Administration labor experts w'ere tense, but uncommunicative. Labor Secretary Frances Perkins canceled her regular press conference. It w'as understood she was unwilling to make any public utterances which might be misconstrued and aggravate the critical situation on the west coast and other industrial cities. The government men, P. A. Donoghue, chief examiner of the national labor relations board, and Charles S. Myers, labor department conciliator, were speeding by air to San Francisco. They wiil offer their services to the mediation board there. Reports that they would act for federal officials were denied. The conciliation service of the labor department was in close communication with E. H. Dunnigan, government conciliator in Minneapolis, where truck drivers are striking. The strike of the Kohler Manufacturing Company workers at Kohler, Wis., was explained as being exclusively in the hands of the Wisconsin regional labor board. The cotton textile board, established under authority of the textile code, has jurisdiction in the Alabama textile strike. Many Go Hungry By United Press is SAN FRANCISCO, July 17.—Announcements from Washington to the contrary—the food shortage was becoming acute in San Francisco today. There were many in the city who were hungry'. They were not in danger of starvation, but they were missing meals and those they didn't miss were scanty and obtainable only at the cost of great effort. It was true there is plenty of food in the San Francisco area. But the trick is to get it. With restaurants and food shops closed and no deliveries, either wholesale or retail, warehouses bulging with flour and butter and eggs did the populace little good. PACKING STRIKE ENDS Salt Lake Workers Win Wage Concession From Cudahy. By United Press SALT LAKE CITY. Utah. July 17.—Salt Lake City's Cudahy Packing Company strike ended today. Sixty employes returned to work after being guaranteed a wage adjustment within ten days, the right to select their own representatives to negotiate with the company, and assured they would not be discriminated against when back on the job. MASS FLIGHT DATE SET Bombers Leave Washington Thursday on Alaska Hop. By United Press WASHINGTON. July 17—Ten army bombing planes will take off from Washington at 10 a. m. Thursday on a scheduled flight to Alaska, the war department announced today. Police Get Ten-Gallon Still A raid on an unoccupied house at 546 Blackford street today netted police a ten-gallon still, a gallon of corn whisky and a sack of corn.

Additional Strike News, Pictures on Page 10

Entered as Second-Class Matter at PostofTiee. Indianapolis. Ind

Governor Ready to Declare Martial Law, He Warns, at Moment Situation Gets Out of Hand in Area. 24 PUT UNDER ARREST BY POLICE Worried Citizens Flee to Resorts Away From Region as Trouble Grows; Cases Unable to Cope With Demand. BJ L SAN FRANCISCO, July 17.—An estimated 20,000 union men in Oakland and adjoining cities joined the San Francisco bav region general strike today, making a total of piobably 75,000 men striking in the bay area. The Oakland strike was in accordance with agreements made by the various unions and the San Francisco strike committee. In addition to the 75,000 men now on strike, a like number, it is estimated, has been forced out of employment by the closing down of industries employing the union men. Anticipating the walkout, the national guard placed 200 men on duty on the Oakland waterfront. The One Hundied Forty-third field artillery, with its 75mm guns and full equipment, was in the city for duty wherever called.

Other developments of the morning in the strike situation were: The first truckload of produce to r< ich San Francisco since Thursday, came in from Stockton, Cal., this morning and was unloaded in the wholesale produce district where militiamen stood guard. It .marked the first dent in the food blockade. Street railway service was resumed without the use of guards and apparently on normal schedule by the municipal railways of San Francisco. Employes of the Oakland street railway system walked out, tying up the key system ferry on San Francisco bay. Other ferries continued to run. Mayor W. J. McCracken of Oakland appealed to citizens to register at the city hall for emergency duty. He was anticipating the coming of the general strike to his city, set for 8 a. m. Several more restaurants were preparing to open in San Francisco under permit from the general strike committee, the nineteen previously allowed to remain open proving pitifully inadequate. Two hundred natiohal guardsmen, who moved into Oakland yesterday, went on duty on the wharves of the outer harbor this morning, the first active service of guardsmen in that area. Organize Block System Oakland residents organized “block system” distribution of food, under which committees in each neighborhood will see that food supplies are distributed equally. The teamsters union in Oakland was providing convoy and safe passage for a limited number of food delivery trucks. Police reports showed twenty-four arrests yesterday afternoon and last night for strike offenses —refusing to move on when ordered, disturbing the peace and the like. There were a few cases of men being beaten and of intimidation, but nothing of major importance. Heavy pressure was being brought upon Governor Frank M. Merriam to replace civil government, desperately striving to cope with a situation growing more serious by the moment, with martial law. 4,000 Troops in City Looking forward to the first critical day, San Francisco spent an uncomfortable but reasonably quiet night. Soldiers, in full field equipment, stood guard over the wholesale district and the Embarcadero. Barricades and machine gun emplacements blocked streets in that area. Light artillery and even a few tanks were held in reserve. More than 4,000 troops were in the city. They occupied only a fraction of the city’s area, but their presence was alike dramatic and effective. Strict military rule was in force in the occupied area. Only properly certified passes would let any one through the sentry lines. Scores of citizens found themselves challenged by khaki-clad men with convincing bayonets. All of the California national guard is under arms, and more than two-thirds of it is on actual duty. Before night it was believed most of the remainder will have received its orders. Governor Merriam met the pressure for matial law with assurances that he was prepared to act, without hesitation, the moment he was convinced the situation demanded it. He received reports constantly. His national guard officers maneuvered their troops so that they could take over the entire city of San Francisco within an hour after receiving the order. Few People on Streets The same preparations were made regarding the east bay communities. The One Hundred and Forty-Third Field artillery and some additional troops were in reserve, there. San Francisco was a strange sight during the night. Lights in restaurants, on movie theaters and many shops were out, giving the feeling that the city was in darkness —although it was far from that. Throngs were around the nineteen restaurants permitted by the strike committee to remain open, until late in the evening. These

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

restaurants fed thousands, but only at the cast of long waiting and a hard struggle for the customers. There were few people on the streets. Automobile traffic during the evening was light. Night clubs were closed. Some effort was made by the strike committee to stop the sale of liquor, but most liquor stores continued to operate. There was increasing drunkenness. Leading hotels were under heavy guard. The St. Francis, one of the most famous of the city’s hostelries, had three men, heavily armed, on the one door which was open. It had turned away all but permanent guests. The management said there was five days supply of food on hand. Lights were dim in the famous lobby and only a few, bewild-ered-looking people were to be seen. Much the same condition existed at the Sir Francis Drake. Hotel men plainly were badly worried. Governor Merriam, in a statement, laid full blame for the strike upon the activities of “outdde and alien counsels.” He referred to “a n alien” directing the strike. Harj Bridges, longshoremen’s strike lead er, is an immigrant from Australia. He is an admitted left winger, although he never has avowed himself publicly as a Communist. Navy Officials Confer The Governor reiterated his appeals for calm. “I propase no hasty, no unjust, no unnecessary action,” he said. “But under the authority vested in the Governor I shall act with utmost vigor and decision. . . Public interest is first and must prevail.” At Vallejo, where the great Mare Island navy yard is located, Rear Admiral Y. S. Williams conferred with navy and marine corps officers as to means of meeting possible emergency. Twelve hundred sailors and 200 marines are stationed at the navy yard. Half a dozen instances where Communists were handled roughly w r ere reported. Police raided two different congregating places of know’n Communists. They reported confiscating an armament of pick handles. Food Situation Critical The general food situation in San Francisco w’as worse during the evening. Householders in most cases had full larders. But one article after another w>as disappearing from stores. Cigarets were being rationed by dealers. No meat could be purchased. Bread was getting more scarce—and stale. Good fruit was becoming a treasure. People were still leaving the city in considerable numbers. Papers began carrying advertisements from resorts. “No food shortage here," was the general tone of the advertising. Some added “No gasoline shortage.” Profiteering Reported By United Press SAN FRANCISCO, July 17. Huge financial losses, sabotage, profiteering, disorder —and even, death—spread to many sections of northern and inland California today in the w r ake of San Francisco's devastating general strike. From many towns and cities, which should be enjoying the profits of crop harvesting, came distressing stories of unrest and agitation. George Sehlmeyer, master of the California State Grange, a fraternal organization of farmers, protested to Governor Frank Merriam at Sacramento, that “certain retailers” are taking advantage of the strike situation to increase prices on necessary footstuffs. Three extensive agricultural valleys—the Sacramento, tne San Joaquin and the Santa Clara, felt the pinch of the strike and feared that crops worth millions of dollars were in jeopardy as harvest approached. Reports were current that 3.200 members of the Vegetable Packers* Association in the Salinas lettuce region were ready to stage a sympathy strike for San Francisco unions. There was danger that the applegrowing section near Watsonville also would be affected. At Turlock the deaths of two persons were attributed indirectly tn the strike. They died when a gasoline container, in which they were carrying extra fuel, exploded.