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THURSDAY MORNING. DECEMHER 31. 1931

PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING EXCEPT MONDAY By CHARLES P. SQUIRES. Editor and'Publisher, at the AGE BUILDING 411 Fremont Street, Las Vegas. Nevada, and entered in the Postofflce at Las Vegas as Second Class Matter. MEMBER OF— THE ASSOCIATED PRESS — UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION

The Associated Press Is exclusively entitled to the use for republica- tlon of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and also all ther local news published therein. All rights of republication of special dispatches herein are also reserved.

EASTERN REPRESENTATIVES William H. Stockwell. People's Gas Bldg., Chicago. Charles E. Miller. Times Building. New York Citv.

PACIFIC COAST REPRESENTATIVES Stypes-Allison, Inc.. 306 Sharon Bldg., San Francisco: 911 Western

Pacific Bldg., Los Angeles, and 224 Security Building. Portland, Ore.

LOOKING BACKWARD T'ODAY IS the last of 1931. Many of us

breathe a sigh of relief that the trials of this year of general fear and widespread distress is past.

It would be good for us, however, on this day when the old year is fading into history and the new, vigorous, hopeful young year has not yet quite reached us, to count some of the blessings of 1931.

For Las Vegas it has been a year of busi- ness activity, growth and general prosperity. Not such great prosperity, perhaps, as some of us hoped for, but nevertheless, a year of definite and steady advance. With whatever of distress we may have suffered because of the general depression of the business world, we have generally come through in good shape with a material advance along all lines.

Some of the best and most important de- velopments in and about Las Vegas have been carried out during the past year. In point of building we have excelled the volume of any two years in our previous his- tory. Civic improvements have been inaug- urated which will have a marked influence on the future of the city. Bonds for a large ‘extension of the sewer system have been vot- ed and the contract let. The federal building is under way. Several good business blocks have been added, several new hotels are un- der construction, and a fine hospital has been completed.

There has been a reduction in the number of those employed by the railroad but this has been to some extent offset by the in- crease in building activities.

The most important thing in the history of Las Vegas occurred in 1931—the begin- ning of active work on Hoover dam project. Less than eight months the work has been under way and marvelous progress has been made.

There have been some disappointments in connection with the relations between the reservation and the county and some fears that the benefits to Las Vegas would be min- imized.

Perhaps some of us had our expectations too high and thereby suffered some disap- pointment. Nevertheless, if we admit the truth, we have profited greatly through the Hoover dam payroll.

We are apt to forget that the world has been in a state of dark distress compared with which Las Vegas has been the heigiit of glory. In truth 1931 was a mighty good year to us and already we have almost forgotten our little troubles in the memory of the great changes that we have seen wrought in our city.

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OUR OWN FAULT

G INCE THE AGE has been discussing the matter of sidewalks the past few days, we

have been asked why people did not insist on having them built and why the city board did not order the work.

The main reason is that it was one of those things which is everybody’s business, conse- quently, nobody’s business. Everybody knew we needed the walks and everybody expect- ed somebody else to take the trouble to bring ihe matter before the city board.

It is just as certain as can be that if those who want more sidewalks will let their wants be known, the city commissioners will take

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ENVOY DENIES PART IN RED

INTRIGUE Bv FREDERIC K Kl H

il'nited Press Staff Correspondent | BERLIN, Dec 30. — Carl

Wanek, a youthful, curly -halted Czecho-Slovakian diplomat who was expelled from Soviet Russia on charges of plotting an attack on the Japanese ambassador, told the Un.t- ed Press today that he is "innocent before my conscience, and before my government.-'

'"The thought o fkilling an ordi- nary citizen is gruesome enough, but the suggestion that I was instigating a political murder to bring about war is unspeakable.-' Wanek said. He referred to the charges of po- litical police tnat he had attempted to persuade a Russian to shoo: or shoot at Ambassador Koki Hirota to provoke war between Russia and Japan.

Wanek and the correspondent ar- rived in Berlin on the same train from Moscow. Wanek was nervous and apparently struggling to hold back tears as he discussed his ex- pulsion. He stammered and spoke with an effort as he explained that it was the first time he had dis- cussed the case with a newspaper- man.

"Do you believe the story?" he asked repeatedly with an aimless wave of his hand.

“I had been in Russia as a diplo- mat for almost six years and never was anything said against me. I was well-informed regarding conditions in the Soviet Union, but that is nc crime."

Asked why the Soviet police ac- cused him. he shrugged and said he had his own theory but was no. at liberty to divulge it. at least not until after he discusses the case with his government tonight at Prague.

He revealed that the mysterious "Mister G," who was named as Wanek's accuser, was an employe of the central box office of the Mos- cow theaters. His name is Goditzki.

Wanek recalled that Goditzki was arrested by the political police after he had informed them of the al- leged plot. !

"I was acquainted with Goditzki about three years." Wanek said. "He was a minor employe of the Soviet committee for homeless children but my only association with him was to secure theater tickets or pur- chase antiques occas.onally. It never would have occurred to me to dis- cuss high politics with a youth of 24. nor was the name Hirota ever mentioned between us.

"The story that I attempted tc persuade Goditzki to perpetrate a real or feigned attack on the Japa- nese ambassador is horrible. Isn't it striking that I was not accused of offering Goditzki money?"

He branded as grotesque the in- sinuation that Czechoslovakia could desire war between Japan and the Soviet.

VEGAS VERDE NOTES _

At the meeting Tuesday night of the Vegas Verde council, it was an- nounced that there might be a pos- sibility of a new post office in Vegas Verde soon. Some objection was made to residents of "Hoover City" using the new post office but was soon quieted. There was a motion favored which would change the name Vegas Verde to North Las Vegas.

Bob Atherton was a Los Angeles visitor Wednesday.

Carson Phipps and family have moved to Vegas Verde to live. Phipps has made several trips to Las Vegas i and says ho sees more future in Vegas Verde than any other place in the west. He comes here from Nampa. Idaho, where he was in the | wholesale meat business.

Mrs. J. V. Wilson entertained a: group at a bridge party in her home ; in the Williams tract Wednesdav.

TERRY DESKINS’ PLEA, NOT GUILTY Terry Deskins police character,

charged with assault and battery upon the person of his wife, pleaded net guilty in city court yesterday. Hs case was continued by Judge Morse until this morning.

COSTELLO NAMED I RANCHO MANAGER

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Leavitt Costello has been named as manager of Rancho Grande, it j was announced yesterday.

I EVERYDAY MOVlST "Hi ____ ._

“Call up my office, Talbot, and wish everyone a Happy New Year for me.”

MOAPA VALLEY NEWS NOTES

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F. Edgar Mincer left early in the week for Los Anteles. Calif., to take several Virgin valley ’chil-

idren there for medical care. Among them is the small sen of Mrs. Lottie Hansen, who lest both feet in an accident several years ago, and the small daughter of Mrs. Mary E. Houston for treatment for her eyes. The Las Vegas Rotary (Sub has sponsored medical care for these children for several years. Arnold and Woodruff Miller ac- companied him

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} Robert Wells has returned re- cently from eighteen months spent in the southern states mission. Mr. Wells returned home by auto from Florida, where he labored the

| latter part of his mission as cpn- ference president.

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Elmer Hughes of Mesquite was .here on business Tuesday.

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A basketball tournament is being held here on Tuesday and Wednes-

! day afternoons and evenings.

Mr. Everett E. Johnson and family are spenciing the holiday with friends in San Diego. Cal. I

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Robert Bunker and Fenton Whit- ney. of St. Thomas, were speakers at L. D. S. church services in Overton Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Leavitt’ of Bunkerville are visiting at the home of Mrs. Leavitt’s parents. Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Cooper.

John A. Lytle and Ralph Leavitt visited in Mesquite Sunday.

Milton S. Earl and Warren H. Lyon spent Sunday in Littlefield. Ariz. Mrs. Nettie Leavitt visited in Bunkerville. returning with them the same evenin'-.

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Miller and son Woodruff of St. Anthony, Idaho, are here to spend the week visiting at the home of their son in law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. F. Edgar Mineer.

Mr. and Mrs. Leonidas Hickman of St. George, Utah, visited here on Monday, guests of Mr. and Mrs. Dee Hickman of Kaolin.

Mrs. Bernetta Johnson of Wil-

steps to see that they have them. There is an even easier way than that—

the way the first considerable frontage of sidewalks was built in Las Vegas. That is for , property owners to get together and have the work done by private contract. The only drawback to that plan is the fact that occa- sionally there is a fellow who refuses to co- operate, leaving a gap here and there. But in such case the board has plenty of author- ity to force the reluctant ones to meet their j obligations to their neighbors if they wish to do so.

Las Vegas needs sidewalks and needs them now. There is nothing to be gained by waiting but the distress and annoyance of wading in the mud. i

mington. Calif., is here, the guest of her grandmother, Mrs. John Thomas.

The University of Washington crew has halted its training for three weeks because of bad weather. Rowing practice will start again after the holidays.

GANDHI HOME; RIOTS START

BOMBAY, India, Dec. 30. (ll.Ri —' The Mahatma M. K. Gandhi, re- turning to his homeland amid a tu- mult of rioting and thunderous cheers, warned his followers today to be prepared to sacrifice their lives in India's struggle against British rule.

The welcome for Gandhi, who

came back "empty handed" from the London round table conference which was supposed to frame a new Indian constitution, was even great- er than the demonstration at the docks when he departed last sum- mer.

But it was marred by anti- Gaijfihi demonstrations in which at least 25 persons were injured, two of them seriously, and by the tur- moil and unrs« in many parts of India, including the northwest fron- tier where eleven have been killed in clashes in the last three days.

Prior to the arrival of the S. S Pilsna. a mob of several thousand

untouchables" led by Dr. Bhlmrao Ramp Ambedkar. champion of the depressed classes of India, held a hostile demonstration at the pier, protesting against Oandhi’s refusal to concede special representation for their class Armed with sticks and knives they roamed around the district, tearing down decorations and attacking supporters of Oandhi.

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The San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast baseball league have added a physician to their training st.ifT to provide full time to helping care for the players.

Every Dealer In Las Vegas Large or Small—Credit or Cash—Vendor of Merchandise

—Or of Service SHOULD BE A MEMBER OF

VEGAS CREDIT BUREAU BECAUSE

It Minimizes Waste Through Credit Losses. Hastens Payment of Accounts. Stabilizes Business.

Aids Dealer and Purchaser Alike.

MEET ME at the

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This business of

celebrating the New Year demands more than whoopee!

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The approaching year is going to find many of us getting the most out of our pennies possible.

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That spare room that might be rented .. . that old furniture to sell... anything you don’t need and someone else can use . . .

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Let thousands know about them for a few cents. Use the . . .

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