Notes on Daily Local News articles from May 1931 by Jim Jones, copyright 2006

Disclaimer: These notes on articles from the West Chester, Pennsylvania Daily Local News were collected for specific research projects related to industrialization and the Depression of the 1930s. They do not include all of the articles in any issue, nor do they contain all of the information in any particular article. While every reasonable effort was made to insure its accuracy, information on this website is presented AS IS without warranty, either expressed or implied, as to its accuracy, timeliness, or completeness. It is intended as a resource for historians, and nothing more. To report an error, make a comment, or submit notes on additional articles, please contact Dr. Jim Jones.

James Sutton and Wallace Bowman were the two black men found guilt of assault and battery charges filed against them by seventy one year old Thomas Pitt of Matlack St.

Pennsylvania railroad officials purchased land in Paoli where steam trains from the West will stop. They will then board an electric locomotive that will transfer them further into Pennsylvania or New York. This is exciting for the townspeople of Paoli because the railroad will provide many more jobs.

Mitchell Tyndell, a black man from West Chester, was found guilty of stealing coal at various times from his employer, C.C. Hipple & Son. He has to now pay $100 in fines and serve 7 1/2 to 15 months in jail.

121 children are being cared for by 197 women at the Children's Aid society because the number of stray children is high this year due to prevailing long time unemployment.

Three women have been arrested and charged with participating in an immoral stag party in Pheonixville, as well as one hundred fifty men. The three women were each fined $300 and must serve two months in jail.

The Pennsylvania State Highway Department opened bids on fourteen road projects yesterday. The roads will be partly financed by the emergency federal aid fund and will create more jobs.

Twenty five year old negro, William Weatherly, plead guilty to shooting his forty five year old neighbor, William Simmons. The shooting was a result of an argument over money more than several weeks ago.

A seventeen and eighteen year old boy were charged with taking $150 from a locker in the caddy house.

The Coatesville Airport stockholders will hold a meeting next Monday evening to determine the future management of the airport.

Lin Iverson of Kennett Square plead guilty to the illegal possession and sale of illegal booze. He was fined $25 and must serve 2 1/2 months in jail.

William Cornish of West Chester plead guilty to assaulting two black women with the intent to ravish.

Freemon Carter was charged with the sale of illicit booze. Later he was released when his alibi was held up by his brother.

All teachers employed on Paoli road consolidated schools in the West Goshen township were re-appointed.

Headlines: William Strawbridge left $25,000 in his will to be used to keep up and repair the church he belonged to as needed.

James Liedo was set free yesterday on slaying charges. He was aquitted of the charges against Benny Albertidue because of self defense.

Chairman O'Connor of the Shipping Board announced the sea section of the Board's Bureau of Operations will make efforts to find work for the men. Ninety two percent of the seamen are American citizens.

Although this was not an article, this was an advertisement for the National Bank of Chester County and Trust Co. persuading people to put part of their estate into a trust fund. They also encourage readers to let them hold onto their money as a form of protection against stock promoters.

Margaret Foreman was fined for being in violation of the liquor laws. She was also fined $50 and costs.

In the case of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Miss Abbie Taylor, Miss Taylor was found guilty of forging two names in order to receive a $160 loan. Taylor also sold liquor to William Watkin, a negro, who was charged with killing a Franklin township farmer.

Bernard McGinty was drinking and driving when he killed Amos Burton. He was however, found not guilty by a jury because the defendant claimed to not be drunk when he was arrested. The jurors called it "an unavoidable accident."

State scholarship exams were held this week at the West Chester High School library. The boy or girl who wins will receive a $100 a year for four years.

Three Hundred residents of Marple Township, Delaware Country, took preliminary action toward the closing of roadhouses that allow liquor law violations.

"$12,000 Fire Sweeps Barn Near Lenape"

"Spaniard Freed On Two Charges Of Manslaughter"

Ralph Pomiaba was stopped by the Paoli Chief of Police for drunk driving. When the police inspected the car they found a .38 revolver along with four quarts of whiskey. The arrest lead the police to getting a warrant for a Cedar Hollow house. At the house they found four stills, twenty five gallons of whiskey, seven barrels of mash, and new quart and pint bottles intended for distribution. Pomaiba was charged with possession, sale, and manufacturing of liquor.

Frank Coffman, former Vice President of Paoli Bank & Trust Company, was charged with fraud and embezzlement. The warrant charged him with obstructing and misapplying $6,900 of the bank's money for his own use. He was found not guilty.

This article tells readers that the cost of building is extremely low right now, but will go no lower. It tells them is they do not act fast they will loose their opportunity because the price is set to rise again soon.

J. Lewis Benton, the General Secretary of the National Association of Manufacturers, said a "permanent and continued gain in unemployment was reported today," after a survey of twenty three basic industries. He continued, "In spite of the depression, eighty five of the companies continue to increase their forces, one hundred four stayed with the same number of employees, and five hundred fifty eight , because of the depression, decreased their labor force".

Men from the Pennsylvania railroad imply that Parkesburg is being considered as a possible terminus of the electric system from New York.

Two local colored men, John Smothers and George Mitchell, were charged with holding up and robbing a South Matlack grocery store.

Harold F. Secor of Philadelphia was found guilty of participating in an immoral show in Pheonixville and was found guilty.

Representatives of the State Unemployment Committee in Harrisburg will visit West Chester this week. At the time, it was expected a definite solution will be reached.

International Chamber of Commerce held a conference yesterday to talk about the "conflicting views" America and Europe have over the war debt. The US wants to have debt reductions with the opposition of the Hoover Administration. The Germans are upset because they are paying more reparations than called for in the Young Plan.

Governor Pinchot carried out his promise to veto the bill of Representative Sterling, which will increase the city of Philadelphia’s borrowing capacity from two thousand to eight thousand. An executive stated that there is more than enough time to pass a bill authorizing a three thousand dollar loan for unemployment relief.

Twenty one year old Paul Finnegan of West Chester was arrested at the local police station a month ago. Finnegan was charged with being a deserter and had turned himself in to be returned to Fort Howard, Maryland, from where he had deserted this past July.

At a training school for teachers in Cheyney yesterday, three speakers took time to discuss art education as well as music appreciation. Mrs. Maude B. Coleman of the State Welfare Department, was cited as making unusually significant remarks during the communities days of "financial depression and unemployment".

Twenty six people plead guilty Tuesday night and received sentences. The charges ranged from fornication, bastardy, conspiracy, and drunk driving. One man was even charged for playing the piano at a "girly show".

Mr. and Mrs. Pierre DuPont donated a new wing to the Chester County Hospital.

The First National Bank of West Chester, acting as guardian to seventy seven year old Robert F. Taylor, has instituted an equity action. They charge that the man lacked the "mental capability" when a deed in Westtown was "fraudulently executed." The bank is asking the transfer to be declared void.

Pope Pius of Rome told Cardinal Mundelin of Chicago he approved of building activity to relieve unemployment.

The Will of Sarah Dallett Stotesbury left two thousand dollars to the Chester County hospital.

An emergency meeting was held Saturday by the Chester County Committee for the relief of unemployment. The committee is taking a look forward into possible ways to reduce the unemployment numbers. The Chairman of the committee spoke of how we are an agriculture county, and how as a result we have not suffered as badly as other counties, including Coatesville and Parkesburg. He also stated there are around three hundred unemployed people in West Chester.

The National Director of Prohibition, Colonel W. W. Woodcock, announced the formation of the "prohibition advisory research council", composed of ten college professors. The group will meet in Washington in May to find what is wrong, if anything, with prohibition by researching the field of sociology and political economy.

President Hoover’s weekend conference resulted in the pairing down of army expenses and the re-organization of the War Department. A result of the growing treasury deficit, this is the first of many meetings to come.

The Warren Theatre on North High Street was the setting for the opening of the Daily Local News Cooking School. The class is being taught by miss Margaret King if Wisconsin.

"Man Killed in Highway Crash Near Malvern"

"Senator Davis In Coatesville Dedication"

"Reception Plans at Valley Forge About Complete"

"Coroners Jury in Coatesville Blames Railroad"

National Guardsmen have said that they have not joined the war game because they can’t afford to gasoline supply when so many planes need to fly in formation.

The South High Street church was completely remodeled this year. They also built on a new garage for the church.

"Glenside Woman Seeking $20,000 loses suit here"

Twelve girls received their diplomas last night making them nurses, after graduating from the Chester County Hospital Training School.

Pierre S. DuPont, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Association Against Prohibition, and O.G. Chistgau, superintendent of the National Anti-Saloon League, planned an outline for liquor control. They received a loud applause from the five hundred people in attendance at the Mayor John C. Groff Memorial Armory.

As of Monday (May 18th, five men from the US Department of Agriculture will talk with farmers from different sections of the western half of Chester County. They want to get the details of the operations of their farms from the 1930’s. The survey will help determine the most profitable organization and operation methods as well as determine changes in the practice of milk production.

Pope Pius IX promised a new charter for the Catholic world that would elevate the working man’s status. The promise was made over the radio.

A gym at the Teacher’s College in West Chester was dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Clyde Ehinger of Iowa. They are also the founders of the physical and health education department as well as retired faculty.

"Second Circus Employee Dies in Coatesville"

President Hoover convinced the Interior Department that they can save up to $17,000 over the next three years. This was a result of the plan to eliminate some department activities and defer work which will eventually have to be done.

The Coatesville city council opened for bids on oil, stone, and chips that will be used in the repair of the cities streets. Many firms are competing for the bidding.

The West Chester tax rate for the 1931-1932 year will remain the same as it was the previous year. The budget for the upcoming year was also approved. The Head of the Commercial Department, Burns F. Best, was also made principal of the Lower Merion grade school.

Secretary of Labor, William N. Doak, feels that any wage reduction would be a "violation of confidence by industry, releasing employees to demand wage increases." Hoover had not received and revocation of the agreement from the labor and industry.

Andrew Carter of North Walnut Street was arrested for disorderly conduct Monday morning. After the hearing , Carter told officials a boarder at the house, Laura Wilson, sold him the intoxicating liquor. She was later arrested.

"Teachers college to award degrees in class of 378"

"Bryn Mawr Man Seeks Damages From Paoli Man"

Governor Pinchot had two victories in the House of Representatives yesterday. The first was to get reconsideration of a bill that would tax gross receipts of bus and taxi cab operations. The second, a capital stock tax bill.

Fifty three army posts are be considered to become abandoned by the War Department. According to General Douglas McArthur, the abandonment will contribute not only to military economy but also efficiency.

Pennsylvania’s union labor legislators and leaders organized today in hopes to oppose the approval of the amendment to the Musmanno Coal and Iron Police Bill by the House. Labor forces claim the bill is not satisfactory to them.

Commissioner of the Labor Department, Ethelbert Stewart, attributes the depression the world is experiencing, to an insufficient supply of gold.

"West Grove and Media men Give Testimony Here"

"Hoover Praises Red Cross Work"

State Secretary of Welfare, the Honorable John L.Hanna, announced that a new economy program will be introduced this upcoming year. Hanna presided over the meeting of the Association of Trustees and Medicinal superintendents of the Pennsylvania State and Incorporated Hospitals.

Retired head of the Federal Farming Board, Alexander Legge, claims the only way for farmers to get out of the depression is through co-operation and organization. He also emphasized collective bargaining and mass distribution.

"Alumni Plans Bye Memorial at Darlington"

"Robbery Suspect Along Mainline finally caught"

President Hoover plans to save $38,000,000 this fiscal year after approving plans to embellish the Post Office Economy Program.

"L.K. Stubbs, Local Banker, Dies Suddenly"

"Favors Razing Of 150 Schools"

Over 124,000 volumes have been distributed this past year at the State Teachers College. This is two times the amount as last year.

"Farmer Dies in Fall From Corn Drill Near Home"

"Miss Channell, who taught for fifty years dies"

James M. Farrell, chairman of the Foreign Trade Council, told those at the National Foreign Trade Convention the country has profited from the depression because they have been practicing self discipline.

West Chester Association decided unemployment is still a large problem in West Chester. An average of twelve men a month come into the associations headquarters looking for work.

"County Bankers Golf And Enjoy Big Dinner Here"

Three West Chester men, ages twenty one to twenty six, were charged with robbing a grocery store on York Street in Philadelphia . Police found the register in one of the men’s automobiles.

President Hoover is considering creating a council to examine any taxation problems resulting from a suffering economy. The Treasury deficit exceeds one billion dollars to date.

State Highway Department getting ready to finish construction and open up a new bridge in Caln.

The College Board of Trustees approved a program that will make improvements to grounds and buildings at the college. This is one of the largest programs for construction at the college in recent years.

Governor Pinchot approved the Aron Senate Bill, allowing Philadelphia to receive three million dollars for unemployment relief. The loan will also allow the cities Department of Public Welfare to resume helping others, after its relief work was forced to stop work due to the large deficit. The Philadelphia agency also said it will no longer give aid to 22,509 families anymore, because of it’s lack of funds.