YESTERDAY'S NEWSREEL - LUTHER BURBANK P.G. WODEHOUSE 1930 SANTO DOMINGO HURRICANE

Television highlights of the news of yesteryear. Last years of Luther Burbank. Here at 73 is Luther Burbank at home in Santa Rosa, California with his wife and pet dog Trixie. The man from Massachusetts is younger than springtime or first shoots of one of his many experimental seedlings. Chances are it'll be Trixie who tires first. Famed American naturalist and plant breeder, Burbank develops large grained and rich yielding victory oats in 1920s, big improvement over any variety then known. This is result of years of patient work. And here Burbank examines his giant artichokes. His genius improved size, yield, and quality of many vegetables, fruits, and flowers. For example, just compare this Burbank artichoke with ordinary one. Tastier, too. Proud citizens of Santa Rosa give Burbank 40 acres of land for further experiments. So, he gets to work on it at once till his tiny neighbors pay homage, too. Old in terms of years, but ever young in heart, Burbank lives amid trees, shrubs, and flowers of his own creation, ever planning something new, ever on the lookout for some way to help nature do a better job. Here is Burbank's famed thornless cactus, developed from the prickly variety by ingenious breeding. Boon to cattle of cactus lands, it also bears fruit that far from being merely edible seems to provide a pretty tasty dish. Corn on the cob is more corn on a bigger cob after few years under Burbank's scientific care. But at 77, Burbank takes time out from his work to help citizens of Santa Rosa celebrate his birthday. Cakes big enough to be bred by Burbank, too. Say, this is slight shade better than eating cactus, isn't it? Mr. Burbank sees that every child at his party gets birthday cake. And when it comes to cheesecake, nation's leading naturalist is right there. For this 1925 search for Miss California is just nature in a bathing suit. So, Burbank is on hand to congratulate California's most naturally beautiful girl. But work much nearer to his heart has him driving first nail into grandstand prior to planting of trees along California highways. As usual, children follow this great man of nature as he improves and beautifies the world about him. Today, the highways of California are lined with gigantic trees. And here is Luther Burbank planting the first of them. As he loved life, he loved all tiny growing things. But in 1926, his life came to an end. Yet, there's no end, nor will there ever be a finish to the good he brought mankind with his amazing fruits and flowers. The eulogy by Judge Ben Lindsey will re-echo all through time for Luther Burbank, great American and man. Visiting Los Angeles in late 1920s is China's Liu Yu-Ching. Weight 325 lb, height mere 8 ft 6 in. Literally giant among men, Ching is tallest human on Earth. No doubt his clothing is designed by tent makers and his shoes manufactured by shipbuilders. Wouldn't he be nice to have on your basketball team or to get things off high kitchen shelves? Member of one of America's most prominent families, here's famed General Cornelius Vanderbilt in early 1920s. Colonel of 102nd US Engineers in World War I, Vanderbilt was made brigadier before end of hostilities, retained that rank in reserve corps. His brilliant career ended in 1942. The Larimore sisters, Stella and Francine, are on vacation in early 1920s. In 1925, Stella was star of Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man. Francine was heroine of many stage productions in both 1920s and 30s. Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, better known as P.G. Wodehouse, is an author on vacation in early 1920s. Well-known British writer of Jeeves and other stories is accompanied by his wife, the former Ethel Rowley Weyman, whom he married in 1914. Following novel The Intrusion of Jimmy in 1910, Wodehouse authored lengthy string of successful books. It's September 6th, 1930, and this is what's left of Santo Domingo, densely populated capital of this tropical island republic. Mid wreckage of flattened homes, trapped under mountains and miles of debris, a stunned people are suffering bitterly. 30,000 are homeless, 5,000 injured, and 4,000 others are dead. Total annihilation of city has virtually isolated it from outside aid. Hundreds of survivors lack proper shelter and clothing. Thousands are on threshold of starvation. But search goes on for countless missing persons, and help is on the way. From Washington comes word the Red Cross is sending food. US naval vessels are proceeding full speed ahead to bring relief to Santo Domingo's stricken people. Rescue workers on scene at time of disaster tend wounded and aid in establishment of temporary shelter for the homeless, comfort for the bereaved. In land of frequent storms, this was most destructive in the memory of man. With a perhaps envious look at Vincent Astor's newest yacht, Lucky, 3-year-old German shepherd swims last lap of 156-mi Albany-New York paddle down Hudson River. It's September 26th, 1928, and Lucky, who wants nothing but German, is some swimmer. After total of 44 hours and 52 minutes in water for a new record, Lucky is world's cleanest canine. IT'S ARMISTICE DAY, 1926, and 8 years after cessation of hostilities in World War I, Chicago dedicates its gigantic arena in Grant Park. Among speakers are Scott W. Lucas, state legion commander, Commander John Rodgers of famed Hawaiian flight, Illinois' wartime governor Frank Lowden. Tremendous stadium is named Soldiers' Field. Honored guests at inspiring ceremonies are Gold Star Mothers of the then recent European War, sad-eyed reminders of victory's terrible cost. These old eyes saw the suffering of battle in Lincoln's time, and these trimly marching youths give hope that wars will be no more as do these armed defenders of newly won peace. Thousands cram $5 stadium, and there's lighter side of dedication day. Members of Windy City's police force offer thrilling tug-of-war, and playing dangerously, others risk motorcycle polo. All in all, a truly memorable day. Illinois experiment. It's 1928, and at Scott Field, Illinois, Army dirigible E-61 leaves base for try at something new in airborne passenger service. At controls of big airship are Colonel Page Lowe in command and his chief assistant, Army Lieutenant Axmaker. They'll try unusual feat. Well, fellows, will it work? Dirigible comes in for unassisted and momentary landing with object to discharge one passenger she already carries and pick up one waiting on the ground. It's no nice this time, so a big crab takes off right on the drive. This could be boon to rescue work if idea can be put into operation. So, watch what happens now. No guide ropes pull the dirigible in or hold her in position, yet she comes to Earth, discharges one passenger, picks up another, and off she flies. The experiment, a success. Fashions for fun. It's about 1919 as anyone with a good memory for bad bathing suits can see. And on Tybee Beach, Georgia, bathing beauties try baseball. Doing what comes more naturally to the feminine, beach activity switches from running the base paths to doing the foxtrot. Not bad dancing either for the shape they're in. And of course, it's fashionable for men of the times to show off. These two-piece bathing suits must be lined with surfboards. Scoreless sport. It's St. Andrew's Day and in England, students of Eton go crazy over traditional wall game. In this mix-up called a bully, idea is to get ball away from wall and then pass, kick, shove, or stampede it to a score. In massive student humanity, there are 22 players, 11 on each side. Ancient game is so difficult for 14 years in succession, hour-long contest has ended in a nothing to nothing tie. At Rye, New York, September 26, 1928, American women poloists enter first in series of international matches against white-helmeted members of Canadian women's team. Ladies everyone, they're hard-riding polo players soon as the game gets going. In first chukker, it's the girls from Canada who have possession of the ball, but fast American blocking and the pellet is pounded deep into Canadian territory. In one of toughest of sports, girls of both teams show they can take it and give it, too. Another Canadian scoring try is foiled and here, a mallet's length from pay dirt, the Americans try to pierce the Canadian goal. Later in fast drive, Americans score. Results at finish, Canadian two, Americans five.