The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 1

Brooklyn Eagle Weather Forecast Br V. S. Weather Boreas Light Snows, Moderate Temperature Today Cents Everywhere DAILY AND SUNDAY 6 SECTIONS Baton In tfca Braaklra rtffltt Ciaaa Mill Malta 99th YEAR No. 362 'Carriht 1113a Tha BrMklja Dally Eafla) BROOKLYN, N. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1939 O'Dwyer Names Staff In Drastic Intra-Party Shakeup for Reform Third Red Army Flung Back in Full Rout Over Frontier, Finns Report Esquirol Maps Law To Reduce Property Taxes by 10 Percent Prepares Bill to Force Slash in Levy Rate By Eliminating 'Moribund Properties' Tthe Boss Greet Crane Bids Farewell In Challenge to Bench The fallowing table tomtaret the amount vihich the citf had expected to receive in real eiiate taxes in 1939-40 with tht amounts uncollected in each borons and the total sum for which each county is in arrears.

Lane sums in uncollected taxes, according to State Senator Joseph A. Esquirol, result in a higher basic tax rate, vihich adds to the burdens of protertu tvmeis. Real Batata Uncollected Total Uncollected Tax Lev' In 1S3S-40 Taiet, All Yeara Brooklyn $116,197,200. 46,393,997 Queens 70,493539.... 7,301,919....

47,792,681 Manhattan 239,862,612 10,408,848 38,969,584 Bronx S7.066.356.... 3,757,629.... 28,292434 Richmond 8,856,355.... 1,113,679.... 16,192,034 Says Law of Land Lacks Moral Fibre Needed for Justice Total By LESTER DAVID State Senator Joseph A.

Esquirol announced yesterday that he was Brooklyn's new District Attorney, William' O'Dwyer, wishes the only woman on his new staff, Grace Clyde, a happy New Year shortly after her appointment as an Assistant District Attorney was announced yesterday. Miss Clyde was admitted to the bar In 1922, and has been an acting confidential assistant In the District Attorney's office for the past 12 years. (Eagle Staff Photo.) Woman Prosecutor Launched Bail Probe Soviet Railway Cut by 'Suicide British Dispatches Say Helsinki, Dec. 30 GP-Fln-land's warriors of the snows today flung a third Red Russian army back onto Soviet soil in full rout according to tonight's official communique and faced the New Year exultant in the strength they have shown to the world. (British accounts of the operations at the start of the second month of northern war went so far as to credit Finnish "suicide patrols" of skiers with cutting Russia's vital railway from Murmansk to Leningrad in three places.

These dispatches said there were reports of a food shortage in Murmansk as a result of the raids on the railway. which is the main supply line tor the invading Russians.) Other Finnish armies stood fasti gainst attacks on the Mannerheim line, while this little capital, in contrast to the bloody aerial Blltr-krieg of a month ago, had not a single air raid alarm all day. REDS BOMB FOUR TOWNS Soviet bombers, however, at tacked other towns both close to Helsinki and on the Karelian Isthmus. Half a hundred bombs were dumped on Hanko, Southwest, ern naval base, destroying a hospital and four other buildings and Injuring ten patients. Vasa, In the capital area, was bombed, with three to five civilian deaths Slpoo, SO miles east of Helsinki, was raided and a little girl was killed; there were civilian casualties in raids on Kakisalmi and other isthmus towns.

The third battle in which the at tacking Russians were pushed back cross the hordes took place near Kuhuxv about-. mile north Lieksa, in lower central Finland. The Finnish command charted the course of the Russian rout as southeast, past KiekkL PENETRATE SOVIET LINES Previously, the Reds had been forced back over the border at points east and southeast of Lleska. The Finnish ski troops, moreover, have been reported in dashes into Soviet territory near Salla, further north, in attempts to shear off the Soviet rail "life line." Finland's army command detailed victorious Finnish stands on the ice of Lake Suvanto, on the eastern Karelian isthmus; at Kttalae, on the northern shore of Lake Ladoga, and on a front between Lake Ruoko and Lake Sysky. A several-day battle round Lake Kianta continued.

6HOCK TROOPS ARRIVE Helsinki, Dec. 30 U.R Hardbitten, seasoned fighters from Russia's Far Eastern Red Army were reported to have arrived today on the central front ready for an offensive across the "waist" of Finland to the Gulf of Bothnia. Continued on Pare Garners Leave Texas For Washington San Antonio, Dec. 30 CP) Vice President John Nance Garner left today by train for Washington. Garner, who announced recently his Uvalde home that he would accept the Democratic nomination for President, was tccompanied by Mrs.

Garner. Feminine Aide UltS Political Posts Complies With Hatch Act to Take Over Job of Postmaster Acting Postmaster Frank J. Quayle named by Postmaster General Farley as retiring Post master Francis J. Sinnott's successor, complied at once yesterday with the provisions of the Hatch Act enacted by Congress to exclude political activity by Federal officeholders. Mr.

Quayle resigned both as the Democratic executive member of the 1st A. and as a member of the Kings County Democratic committee. His post as executive member Involved the exercise of duties as Democratic leader of the southern half of the 1st A. D. in Brooklyn's downtown section.

Scores of congratulatory telegrams and letters flooded Mr. Quayle's office on his appointment. Mr. Quayle sent his mandatory resignation from' the Kings County Democratic Executive Committee to Frank V. Kelly, the executive committee chairman and county leader.

He submitted his resignation from the district committee to former Assistant Attorney General William J. Mahon, the district committee chairman. Downtown Democrats said that a meeting of the district committee probably would be summoned in a fortnight to elect Mr. Quayle's leadership successor. Prominently mentioned as possibilities for the post were Walter D.

Madden, Joseph F. Dooley, now treasurer of the 1st A. D. Demo cratic Association; Chairman Mahon and William Lewinthal. Mr.

Quayle's appointment becomes effective after midnight, tonight, when Postmaster Slnnott retires to assume his duties as the new county clerk of Kings. Quayle Moves to Keep Pledge to Oust Politics-Rivals Praise Choices By JOSEPH H. SCHM ALACKER A new administration, pledged to divorce politics, stood on the threshold of power before the District Attorney's office of Kings County last night after having Court Job for Bell Two Democratic district leaders became prospective apppolntee to new offices last nirht. James A. BeO, Democratic State Committeeman of the 1st A.

received worl that he would be named as the new deputy chief clerk of the County Court at $6,750 a year. Bell, now a deputy clerk in charge of the Marriage License Bureau, will be succeeded by James B. Allen, leader of the 11th A. D. The batter's salary will be (4,140.

subjected the law enforcement agency to the biggest intra-party shakeup of officeholders in its modern history. County Judge William O'Dwyer, retiring from judicial life at midnight before assuming his duties as the new prosecutor tomorrow, swung into action by naming a staff of 33 appointees, carrying a salary total approximating 1160,000, and in one broad stroke put into effect the first of a series of reforms, long promised by himself but never expected to materialize fully by the leaders of his own party. PARTY LEADERS HIT Hoars after the list of appointments; had become widely heralded, leaders; of the party which nominated and helped to elect him to office, swallowed hard to hide their disappointment, while rival candidates who fought his election to tho last ditch la November came forward with approbation of his actions. -t In moving to fulfill his campaign pledge that politics would be kepr out of his administration of the law enforcement machinery of Kings County, the incoming prosecutor chose a list of appointees of whom many were almost entirely unknown to the Democratic leaders. All represented his own selection of aides upon whom he would rely for vigorous prosecution of the county law-breaking element.

HANLEY MAKES SACRIFICE For the chief of his assistants the new prosecutor chose Joseph F. Hanley, robust Army captain of World War days and one of the city's leading attorneys engaged in private practice. The new chief assistant, slated for a salary of $12,000 a year In public life, was given time to adjust his affairs in private practice before assuming his public duties and relinquishing a lucrative law practice reputed to yield several times the income which he would receive as a member of Judge ODwyer's staff. While Democratic leaders scanned the list of Judge O'Dwyer's appointments and found that clubhouse connections had lost their Influence, the two rival party candidates who opposed Judge O'Dwyer's election voiced their views in statements to the Brooklyn Eagle. WINS BA1ES' APPROVAL Chief Special Sessions Justice William R.

Bayes, the Republican-City Fusion runner-up in the November campaign, listened as the list of Judge O'Dwyer's selections was read to him. "I know a great many of them," he said. "I think it is an excellent staff. And with such a staff as this the administration of the District Attorney's office should function to everyone's satisfaction." Magistrate Charles Solomon, of Continued on Page I He expressed pleasure at the appointments by his successor of six members of his staff. As he left the building he waved to a group of his former associates nd called "Happy New Year." His step was us ne The Brooklyn Eagle will not be published tomorrow, New Year's Day Newt to You! If' Charles E.

Hirsimaki named Magistrate by Mayor La-Guardift in surprise move. Mr. Hirsimaki DoesnHKnoiv: He's a Judge! La Guardia Springs -Fast One on Boro Finnish Leader It is the very pleasant duty of this story to inform Assistant Corporation Counsel Charles E. Hirsimaki, leader of Brooklyn's Little Finland, that he will be given the New Year's gift of a seat on the magistrates' bench tomotfow. He may claim the office at City Hall, where he will be sworn in.

The appointment was announced to the press yesterday by Mayor La-Guardla, who thought he would skip telling Mr. Hirsimaki and leave it all a big surprise. "I hope he will read the papers," said the Mayor calmly, "and that he comes in on Monday for his swearing in." His Honor added that his new appointee "is a man who has shown ability ana cnaracier. HE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW The Brooklyn Eagle thought It would help matters along by telling Mr. Hirsimaki of tne big event a little in advance so that he wouldn't go away for the weekend with Mrs.

Hirsimaki and their two lovely youngsters. Mr. Hersimakl said very politely that he hardly believed it, although he would be very much pleased if the news turned out to be true. He added modestly, that he preferred to make no statement until Continued on Page 11 said today in a discussion of the British-German air war that "when the German air force counter attacks it will make an assault such as world history never has experienced." "No land in the world is so vulnerable from the air as the British Island," Goering wrote In the newspaper Voelkischer Beobachter. He said that "only the command of the Fuehrer is required to bring a destruction-dealing load of bombs instead of an insignificant load of cameras," stating that so far Germany has been satisfied with reconnaissance flights.

Goering, most outspoken of the Nasi leaders, disclosed officially for the first time that Germany Is employing mine-laying airplanes. Pre viously German officials had declined to affirm or deny British reports that such tactics were being used. "Following the old rule that at tack is the best defense, the Ger man air force together with the navy has shattered the British pre sumption of being sole master in the Nortn Sea," Goering wrote. 'Ship sinkings and damage through mine-laying airplanes speak in clear, unquestionable language before the world." a Chief Judge Frederick E. Crane, who brings to a close today the sec ond longest career on the Court of Appeals bench in its history, de clared in his valedictory yesterday that "the law of the land has not yet reached that high standard of justice demanded by ethics and morality." 'in more hopeful vein he added that "more and more we are ap proaching it." "We have changed materially and we have done great deal of work in the Judicial Council in simplify ing our procedure," he said.

"If there is any one thing today which needs simplification, it is the method whereby you can come to the place, where you seek relief or remedy. When we speak of the law we think of a place where wrongs are righted or where the rights which we possess are preserved and secured. DECRIES LAW'S DELAY "What are you going to do when you can't get to the place where this Is done? Isnt that simple enough? Our procedure Is the means whereby we seek relief. What is going to happen if the procedure is so complicated and technical that you never reach the merits of a case?" Judge Crane observed that "the older we grow the more impatient we become with the delays in the courts and the technicalities of pro cedure. "Law Is rough business at the best," he continued, "and Is not synonymous with Justice.

The law of the land has not yet reached that high standard of Justice de manded by ethics mad morality, but more and more we are approaching it. What was Justice 40 years ago when I went upon the bench? SEES JUSTICE IMPROVED "According to law it is no longer Justice to the working man, to tenants, to the poor and unem ployed has improved tremendously, and what were protected Tights in my early days have given way to the demands of society." The Judge, who will go into private practice with his son, Frederick Ralph Crane, at 61 Broadway, Manhattan, pointed out that no one has ever given a satisfactory definition of law "so far as we are concerned as citliens and not as philosophers." "The law," he said, "is a decree of the courts a decision of the courts based upon the statutes of the Legislature or Congress. Philosophers will tell you all sorts of things. As Blackstone says, 'You can read them all summed up and no one knows what they mean; they are But with law you can Just see what Continued on Page 2 Troop Train Crash Dead Put at 40 Naples. Dec.

30 OP) A cold wave sweeping Italy was blamed today for the collision of a passenger train and a troop train. An official announcement said 14 were killed and 40 Injured, but rescue workers declared about 40 bodies had been taken from the wreckage and that ISO persons were lnjuree. A special train loaded with troops had been ordered to proceed to the next station, the announcement said, when snow and Ice prevented opera tion of a switch which would have sidetracked the troop train to clear the track for an express. A signal was fixed but the express ran through, ploughing into the rear of the special. Among the soldiers were many high-ranking officers.

Two inches of snow and intense cold hampered the rescue work. L.I.R.R. Train Rerouted After Tug Hits Bridge Traffic over the Jamaica Bay Branch of the Long Island Railroad was disrupted yesterday, when the drawbridge at Hammels was struck by a tug passing through the draw and knocked out of line. Officials of the Long Island Railroad said the bridge could not be closed until it was put back in alignment, and added that this was "a considerable job, which will take until late today (Saturday) at least." The line affected runs from the Pennsylvania station In Manhattan, railroad officials said, over Jamaica Bay to the Rockaways. About five trains were affected by the accident, they said, adding that aU traffic to the Rockaways is being routed by way of Jamaica until the bridge is repaired.

Railroad officials said they had not ascertained the identity of the tug which struck the bridge. to the Legislature when it convenes next month, offering a "concrete solution" to the real estate assess ment problem in New York City through which realty owners may be spared at least 10 percent of their property taxes. The proposed law, Senator Esqut rol declared, will set up proper ma chinery to force the city adminis tration to purge its assessment rous of the innumerable parcels oi mon. bund property which "cling like leeches and cause the taxes of owners of real property to go up and stay up." WOULD LOWER INTEREST Climaxing a series of demands by Brooklyn realty, business and civic associations that immediate action be taken to relieve the tax burden borne by holders of real property, Senator Esqulrol's move will be tne first definite action to force a re vamping of the system. Outlining his proposal, senator Esquirol, who represents the 8th District In the Upper House, re vealed an entirely new approach to the problem.

Instead of urging an overhauling of the present high values placed by the Board of As sessors on real estate, he seeks a solution through towering of the basic tax rate by reducing to a mlnl- Continued on Page 11 Greeters Jump Preview Parties Held As 2,200 Bars Get Ready for Big Night Celebration of the New Year started in a nice, quiet way last night and will be continued with energetic and traditional hurrah tonight and on into the wee sma' hours tomorrow. Like the 1939 Thanksgiving, but for other reasons, it is thus a double celebration. Also, all indications were that it would be the rambunctiousest convivial New Year's celebration, double or single, since the mad, mad days of "29. In and around New York, 5,200 bars were prepared in taverns, restaurants, night-clubs and such centers of alcoholic dispensation to make it the wettest New Year since repeal. The State Liquor Authority Issued that many permits for mass drinking, and Commissioner Valen tine assigned 1,500 of the "finest" to mix with the good-natured crowd that will jam Times Square and keep it good-natured and Jammed.

That will happen tonight. SOME STATISTICS Other statistical matters In re the gayest ever New Year's celebration follow: Number of extra cots put up in Bellevue Hospital alcoholic ward 100. Paper hats to be worn by normally dignified celebrants, making them look silly but satisfied many hun dreds of thousands. Notsemakers to be blown In people's ears, making latter jump but in a good-natured way may be millions. Curfew hours 5 a.m.

for cabarets, a.m. for restaurants paying $10 all-night llcens efees. Prices of New Year's Eve celebra Continued on Page 11 Amen to Submit Probation Report Edward L. Rae, administrative assistant to Special Assistant Attorney General Amen, announced today that the report of Amen's investigation of conditions In the Probation Department of the Kings County Court would be sent to Governor Lehman In Albany sometime this weekend. The report, about 100 pages long, will not be made public in Brooklyn, Rae said, and all information about it must be obtained from the Governor.

All Quiet, Says Paris Paris, Dec. 30 OJ.B French War Office Communique No. 23t said "There was less activity by contact element (patrols)" on the Western Front tonight. preparing a measure for submission Aids Realty Owner Senator Joseph A. Esquirol Borough legislator who ts preparing a law seeking to bring about reductions In taxes on real estate.

Crescent A C. Will Cater to The Petticoats Club to Welcome Ladies to Functions As Part of New Deal "To the ladies, God bless 'era! That is the oft expressed saying at the Crescent Athletic Club these days, for the ladles are going to play large part In the future of the ciuo. No more will petticoats be barred from tne sacred, masculine pre. clncts of the club at Clinton and Plerrepont Sts. And not only will the women be welcomed on more occasions, but fashion shows will be held at the club In 1940 to attract the feminine legions I All this is but part of a new deal which has been Instituted, a new deal which Includes better athletic facilities and an improved program to attract new members, of which there were onlr about 350 when the rlub was reorganized last May.

MORE IMPROVEMENTS The bowling alleys are slated for a face lifting at a cost of $3,400 per pair. The swimming pool has been redesigned and the locker facilities vastly improved, with a separate dressing booth for each member. The rifle range has been reopened after a three-and-a-half year shutdown, and a team Is being formed under the tutelage of Dr. Lloyd G. Rea, chairman of the rifle committee.

A practically new gymnasium awaits the muscular pleasure of members who like to keep their weight down or who want a little limbering after a physically inactive day at the office. All this since last May. And they want new blood in the club, which is about 179 members short of the the club has set for itself. The women guests, who will consist of wives and lady friends of the members, will hold card parties and other activities at the club. Right now they are going great guns In the bowling alleys.

One of the chief spark plugs of the club Is Eugene F. Kerwin, chairman of the entertainment committee, who has many plans to attract new members. James T. Re Id, tne athletic director, has Instituted many novelties, among them treatments with sunray lamps on the rubdown table where the "muscle-men" hold sway. The women, who will be permitted the use of certain of the club's fa cilities, will merely have to sign their husband's names to slips and the gentlemen will receive the "tab" later In the week.

Mr. Kerwin explained that this Is a very special privilege. Regular contract bridge matches will be sponsored by various women's clubs. Up until this year only about two or three feminine bridge sessions a year were held. New club membership rates are from $25 a year for men under 25 vtTK nf cr iino rr annum tar members over 35 years of age.

First Bond Forgery Was Discovered By Grace Clyde By KATHERINEBLANCK The brown eyes of the new "lady on District Attorney- elect O'Dwyer' new staff twinkle brightly, sweetly and intelligently behind their rimless glasses. They shine with so much friendliness, humor and feminine charm that you might never suspect them of having a Hawkshaw keenness which started a long, devious train of events events which rocked Brooklyn to its foundations, caused consternation In many different circles and kept the front pages blazing with headlines for the past several months. All the time that the Amen in vestigation and prosecutions have been going on, Grace Clyde, the new Assistant District Attorney and the only woman on the new prosecutor's staff, has been sitting quietly be hind her desk in the District Attorney's office, where she has been a clerk for the past 12 years, never letting out a single public peep about the fact that her's were the eyes that launched a good many investigations, subpenas and trials. For it was she who, going through the bail bonds Dart of her regular routine in the District Attorney's of fice SDot ted a forgery on a bond. She notified her boss; in due time Jacob and Rose Kassman and Jacob I Nathanson were arrested, and the first thing anybody knew the wheels were in motion which led to the appointment of John Harlan Amen as a special prosecutor and an InvesU- Contlnued on Page I Kid '40 to Freeze As Mercury Dives The old year will go out in a series of snow flurries today, the Weather Bureau predicted last night, and the New Year will come In cold about 15 above zero at midnight or within a Jew hours thereafter, tm Monday, or New Year's Day, said the weather proph ets, it will be partly cloudy and cold.

The light snow early yesterday morning left slippery streets last night, and In Manhattan late yes terday afternoon a Sanitation Department employe working on a truck spreading sand to reduce the danger from a slippery street was himself seriously Injured. He was Frank Damato, 41, of 1275 Nostrand helper on a sand truck parked near the top of a steep hill at Wads-worth Terrace and Falrview uptown Manhattan. He accidentally released the brakes instead of the sand-spreading apparatus and when the truck began to roll down the sharp Incline he leaped off, suffering a compound fracture of the right leg. He was removed to the Jewish Memo rial Hospital. The truck continued, with accelerating speed, west on Falrview Ave.

toward Broadway, striking a fire hydrant which it snapped off at the base, smashing into a picket fence, 32 feet of which It tore up. and coming to a halt with the front wheels on the edge of a 100-foot precipice, Nazis to Unleash Greatest Air Attack, Goering Warns Geoghan Jovial in Farewell But Aides Are Near Tears Berlin, Dec. 30 (P) Field Marshal Goering, Germany's air commander, In Sunday's Eagle 8ECTION A Brooklyn Faeti 10 Lane IaUni Caaaal'a Cartaaa-10 National Gaara It Editorial 1 Saiaa Fraternal Tucker 10 Oaeat le I Lindkr 1 1 SECTION AntUMi Helen Warren Brian 1 1 Helen Worth Croiiweri Beaoria 1 Dr. Bradr Soeletr Heffaraaa 6 SECTION TREND BEVIEW OF ACTS SECTION I-S I Oli Tlrnen Sparta SECTION I Sekoola I-S Wall St. Want Ada Financial Uadla Real Eatata SECTION I1GHT FAGES COMICS District Attorney Geoghan, whose term expires tonight, was at his office for what he expected to be the last time yesterday.

He arrived at 10:30 a.m. and spent most of the time until he left at 1:30 pjn. accepting farewells from members of his staff and court attaches. And whereas all of those who entered his private office to bid him goodbye were serious, some almost to the point of tears, Mr. Geoghan was in a jovial mood.

Mr. Geoghan told reporters he was going to "take a little rest which I need" and that he was glad he was to have the opportunity. First I going to rest, then 1 11 decide what to do." he said. "Of course, I won't stav Idle. The future will take care of Itself.".