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MANHATTAN BEACH DOINGS
INTERNATIONAL HUNT FOR BUNCO GANG ENDS HERE
"Messrs. Kellogg and Keller do not live here any more," you are told at 221 West Thirty-eighth street, Manhattan Beach.
Messrs. Kellogg, forty-seven, and Keller, fifty, were such pleasant gentlemen—always having a cheery work for the street car conductor, the milk man and others—evidently retired capitalists, or something. Maybe "G-Men." Anyway, they were well and favorably known citizens of Manhattan Beach—had been for four years. Neighbors knew Kellogg as an auditor for an auto supply store.
But today they are behind the bars—after an eight-year search conducted by authorities throughout the United States and Canada. Police believe they are the central and leading figures of a notorious gang of bunco swindlers, wanted by federal, state and city governments up and down the coast, in the east and throughout the middle west.
More specifically, they were arrested last Saturday afternoon by detective sergeants W. C. Wright and W. J. Sibley, of the Long Beach bunco division, and sergeant E. C. Patmore, of the Manhattan Beach police department, who braved possible gun fire to place the men in custody.
The arresting officers carried with them a complaint signed by Mrs. W. G. Mahaffy, of 60 Lime avenue, Long Beach, who claimed they had swindled her out of $8,900 on a bunco horse race deal. Keller, she said, courted her, proposed to her and was accepted, and was taking her to Yuma for the marriage rites when some thing happened. Kellogg arrived on the scene with a "hot tip" on a horse race. Keller thought it was a sure thing. Mrs. Mahaffy turned over $8,900. She never saw it again. Neither did she ever see Keller or Kellogg—until last Saturday in the Long Beach jail, where she identified them.
Kellogg had been hunted by police since 1927. Something about a stolen car. Then in 1929 federal warrants were issued for both Kellogg and Keller for a $50,000 bunco theft in Vancouver, B.C. Their real names, police say, are Martin J. Doud and Charles E. Hardin. Rewards totaling $1500 had been posted for their arrest. Another reward of $10,000 has been offered for six years for return of the fifty grand.
Similar escapades have been reported throughout the length of the land—on the coast from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego. Following their arrest Saturday, other officers of the law moved in on others of the alleged gang—in Santa Monica, Sawtelle, Venice, Pasadena and Los Angeles. Two weeks ago federal authorities also nabbed "Dutch" Miller, believed to be yet another member of the gang, in North Carolina. He is being held now by the federal post office inspector at New York.
Also taken into custody Saturday was Mrs. Myrtle Kellogg. Police believe she had nothing to do with the crimes. But they are not taking any chances. She was held to prevent her from tipping off other members of the gang—just in case she should know what it was all about.
Also entering into the picture was "Madame X"—a mysterious four-year-old girl, known only as "Evelyn," found in the Kellogg house. Evelyn did not know who her parents are or from where she came. Mrs. Kellogg denied all knowledge of her parentage—said she was a neighborhood girl who came to play in the yard. Police at first believed she was a kidnap victim, or possibly belonged to one of the gang. She was held in the house, with Sergeant Hurley Goodwin and Deputy Police Matron Morgan keeping vigil—waiting for some relative or friend to claim her.
Later, on being released from custody, Mrs. Kellogg admitted that "Evelyn" was Virginia Lee Roberts, whose parents reside in Westwood. Police, in releasing Mrs. Kellogg, said she had no connection with the criminal records of Kellogg and Keller.
Police Chief Sights also questioned "Evelyn" and the girl said her daddy brought her to the Manhattan Beach address.
Keller and Kellogg will be taken to San Diego, the scene of the Mahaffy swindle, for trial.
EDISON COMPANY SEEKS REDUCED ASSESSMENTS
Application for a hearing to equalize the assessment for local taxation purposes of their property within the city of Manhattan Beach, as fixed by the state board of equalization, was filed with the city council last week by the Southern California Edison company.
In the application for hearing of evidence which the Edison company believes will warrant establishment of a lower assessment of its property, E. W. Cunningham, assistant counsel for the utility company, claimed the present assessment, as fixed by the state board of equalization, is excessive.
The council referred the application to City Attorney Woodworth.
At the last session of the state legislature, utility properties were returned to the assessment rolls of the various cities and counties, Manhattan Beach benefiting by an addition of about $376,000 in increased assessed valuation on which the utility companies must pay local taxes.
Five new pupils were received into the Manhattan Beach school this week, transferring from Los Angeles, Newport Beach and Glendale.
CITY COUNCIL CHATTER
Water Plant Gates
Four gates for the municipal water plant, which when installed will completely fence off the plant from public entry during the closing hours, was ordered purchased by the city council at a cost of $70.50.
Tennis Courts
It will cost from between $470 and $688 to properly re-surface two of the tennis courts located behind the city hall, City Engineer Jordan reported to the Manhattan Beach city council last week. The matter was taken under advisement.
Repair Fifth Street
Accepting an offer from the owner, Marshall Kuhn, the council voted to re-surface Fifth street for a distance of two blocks east of Sepulveda boulevard. The city will furnish the materials, costing $190, and Kuhn will do the grading free of charge to the city.
Health Complaints
Receipt of more complaints that the condition behind a market at Thirty-third place and Highland avenue constitute a menace to public health, the council referred the matter to the county health department, the police department and the street department in the hope of correcting the situation.
Want Trees Removed
A request from Miles P. Walton, city school superintendent, that a row of acacia trees, located on Pacific avenue adjacent to the main school building, be removed, was referred to the street department. Walton said many of the trees are dead and that their removal would give the class rooms better natural lighting.
Change Truck Plans
With two new Dodge trucks already purchased, the city council last week decided to buy a third heavy duty truck in preparation of its contemplated $170,000 road improvement project in the soil section. A new tractor is also to be purchased. Use of federal funds make it possible to purchase trucks now at no extra expense, the council stated.
"Negligence Manifested"
Claiming that "negligence was certainly manifested," Councilman Wedler in a memorandum to his colleagues called attention to the fact that not a tax assessment had been levied on lot 3, block 33, in Peck's Tract No. 2, a piece of land 50x40 feet, although a two-story house was situated on the site. The memo was referred to City Attorney Woodworth.
Buy Copper Tubing
Pointing out that the anticipated Italo-Ethiopian war is bringing about a sensational rise in the cost of copper, W. E. Malcor, city water superintendent, recommended that the city immediately purchase 1000 feet of three-quarter-inch copper tubing, and 300 feet of one-inch, for use by the water department in making its service connections. The purchase was authorized, the cost being $206.
County Tax Relief
Notice was received by the Manhattan Beach city council last week that the county board of supervisors had appropriated the sum of $19,929 to aid the Sepulveda boulevard special assessment district. The boulevard was constructed under the Mattoon Act and the pyramiding taxes have placed a heavy burden on the property owners in that district. The county's appropriation will be deducted from the amount of the levy to be made against the property owners in the district for the fiscal year 1935-36.
Against Slaughter House
City Clerk Crandall informed the city council that some Redondo Beach business men were contemplating the opening of a slaughter house in the Manhattan Beach district, and that inasmuch as the present city ordinance does not ban this type of business and would require only the payment of a $12 city license fee. The council immediately instructed the city attorney to draft an amendment to the business license ordinance to require a prohibitive fee. Councilman Thurmond suggested $1000 a day as the proper fee.
Bank Granted Easement
Because the building now housing the branch Bank of America in Manhattan Beach, encroaches of six inches on all sides on city property, the council voted an easement for the life of the building to the bank, thus permitting the bank to complete its plans for purchase of the structure. The purchase will involve about $12,000, which will be paid to the receiver of the defunct State Bank of Manhattan Beach. The payment will mean a five per cent dividend to savings depositors of the closed bank, and a ten per cent dividend to commercial depositors, Mayor Lockey stated.
Action Demanded
Complaining that for several months they have been unable to rent their two-story brick residence at 401 Ninth street because a house being constructed next door in violation of city building ordinances constituted a fire hazard, a menace and a "breeding place for rats and termites," Mr. and Mrs. Herbert M. Hoodman, owners, asked the council last week to take immediate action toward having the structure razed. The building inspector had previously reported to the council that the house was being erected in violation of the building code. The council again referred the complaint to the city attorney with instructions to act.
ANGELUS TEMPLE AID DIES IN MANHATTAN
Rev. J. W. Arthur, sixty-nine years of age, president of the board of elders of Angelus Temple and a charter member of the church founded by Aimee Semple McPherson and her mother, Mrs. Minnie Kennedy, died on Sunday morning at his home, 208 Thirty-eighth place, Manhattan Beach. "Brother" Arthur, as he was familiarly known, had been in ill health for several years, suffering from a cancer of the upper stomach opening.
A native of Goderick, Ontario, the Rev. Mr. Arthur came to the United States as a young man and settled in North Dakota as a general merchant. His association with Angelus Temple began with the founding of the church in 1923, and has held various executive offices in the church since that time, serving as book-keeper, auditor, and assistant pastor.
Survivors are his widow, Mrs. Edith L. Arthur; two daughters, Mrs. Ruth H. Hersberger and Miss Jessie E. Arthur, and one son, William S. Arthur, all of southern California.
Prior to funeral services Wednesday afternoon, at which Mrs. McPherson officiated, the body lay in state under the great dome of the temple. Over the casket was the Four-Square Gospel flag, the temple's shield, the Cross of Calvary and the Crown of Thorns being pictured in floral pieces.
Burial was in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
COUPLE WANTS PAVILION FOR ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Hall, of 516 Second street, Manhattan Beach, will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary on Thursday.