ON BRINK OF DISASTER

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1930, Page 9

ON BRINK OF DISASTER

CHICAGO FINANCIAL CRASH MAYOR THOMPSON’S APPEAL BOMB OUTRAGES CONTINUE By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Chicago, Jan. 20. The Mayor, “■Big Bill” Thompson, has admitted publicly for the first time in a statement that Chicago was “broke” and was tottering on the brink of financial disaster. As a remedy and the only hope for relief for thousands of city employees, who, without wages, are existing on loan meney, the Mayor demanded that the State legislators should be called into special session to deal with the city’s 300,0-00,000 dollar debt. In the meantime Chicago's reputation for bombing, continues unabated. An attempt was made to put a bomb in the car of one of the State attorneys who.has been active against the gangsters, while a bomb last night blew up a-building on the fashionable Michigan Avenue, and two structures in other parts of the city were also damaged.’

PLIGHT OF UNPAID OFFICIALS. EVICTION FROM HOMES FEARED. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 7.5 p.m. Chicago, Jan. 29. The police are concerned by the proposed Communistic demonstration against unemployment to-morrow. The city’s financial difficulties have resulted in the fear by the unpaid official employees that they will be evicted from their homes owing to their inability to pay the rentals. Landlords to-day sought to evict 11 families and hundreds of others fear similar treatment. The firemen’s pension fund has failed in an attempt to raise 97,000 dollars due to dependents on February 6. The board of education possesses/21,000 dollars and owes 972,423 dollars and has been unable to pay for its free text books.

MESSAGE FROM CHICHESTER.

On arrival at Darwin, Mr. Chichester telegraphed t'he Shell Company as follows: —“Darwin —Excellent trip, thanks to confidence in Shell organisation and high standard of Shell products throughout. — (Signed) Chichester.”

solo hours’ flying. He said it. took 12 I instructors to teach him to fly, and he i had 25 hours’ tuition before making i the solo attempt. i Mr. Chichester stated emphatically that he would not attempt to fly the ; Tasman to New Zealand, as his Moth : plane which, incidentally, is the first I Moth ever flown from England to Aus- ' tralia, has a range of only 1500 miles, and as the distance to New Zealand is | 1450 miles the margin is too small, and it would be suicidal to make the at- , tempt, but if someone supplied him ' with a suitable machine he certainly would try. i Asked what provisions he carried the aviator said he had a four course meal ; aboard. He went on to explain that ' this comprised biscuits, under the petrol tank, sandwiches under the compass, beer and wine.

Questioned as to his future plans he said he supposed he would have to work. He will take his plane to New Zealand with him. He had not decided when to sail for New Zealand, but he expects to leave to-morrow week. Mr. Chichester was taken int.o the city by Mr. Blow in his car and will be the guest at several welcoming functions during the week. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. H. Scullin, telegraphed congratulations to Mr. Chichester, stating: “Your efforts to eclipse Hinkler’s record, although unsuccessful, are none the less valuable to aviation. I compliment you on your pluck and determination.” TRIBUTE FROM THE PREMIER. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Wellington, Jan. 30. Sir Joseph Ward sent the following message to await Chichester at the Mascot aerodrome:—“Tihe Government and your fellow citizens in the Dominion send their warmest congratulations on the splendid feat you have accomplished in flying single-Oianded from Englnd to Australia. The fact that your previous aviation experience certainly was not extensive, and indeed much less than your distinguished predecessors on this long ail’ trail, constitutes a signal tribute to your skill and courage, and ensures a lasting place for your great achievement in the annajs of outstanding flights. Moreover, your successful venture will be a valuable stimulus to the air sense of the Dominion.”