Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 51, Number 296, Decatur, Adams County, 17 December 1953 — Page 1

Vol. LI. No. 296.

Russia Orders) Beria To Stand’ Trial For life) Treason Charged Tp | Beria; Confession | c Reported By Russia MOSCOW. UP—The Soviet government today ordered the former No. 2 man in Russia’s government, * ousted secret police chief Lavrenti to stand trial for hispife on treason charges. J. Six former aides of the once powerful and feared deputy premier will be tried with bim.|by Russia's highest court. The state prosecutor’s offjce, which made the announcement, said all seven men have confessed their guilt; [.j . No date was fixed in the nouncement for the sensational trial to begin, but western observers believed it would be esrly next year. \ Beria was accused of “the gravest crimes against the state,* 1 ! ot plotting to undermine the government in the interest of foreign capital, and of conspiring Ito wreck the Soviet defense structure and its economy. I • has been committed sfor wal on the charge of high tieaSOI X of having organised an ajitiSoViet plot, committing acts ?of terrorism, of an active struggle against the working class and the revolutionary workers’ movemeat,” the announcement said. The announcement eaid Befria had confessed to his crimes which , began as far back in 1919, but elid not disclose his whereabouts —-presumably a well-guarded jail —lor the trial date. f -4 na l n^ Beria’s co-defendafits. the government disclosed for |he first time that L V. Merkulovj a key figure In the secret police . minister of state control, has been < removed from office Sept. 17 as| a f i result of the disclosures. J .7 Ip addition to Beria and Merjru- ■ Jov, th? announcement named 4ie Xi following conspirators who are Ito be -tried: - V. G. Dekanozov, former head of one of the secret police’s administrations and lately milnster of internal affairs] in Georgia, » home state of Stalin and Berlaj B. Z. Kobulov former deputy people’s commisspr fqr a internal affairs in Georgia, Mnyier depyty member of and tll recently deptitW minister lof internal affairs off the USSR.j S. A. Goglldze, one-time people’s commissar of Georgia's internal affairs and later a high secret police administrate?. P. Y. Meshjk, former secret police sub-division administrator and recently minister of internal Affairs of the Ukraine. — L. E. Vlodzlmirsky, an investigative specialist for the secret police. 1 \ The government announcement said the investigation into the Beria case had been completed and covered a career of treachery ] . that started in 1919 and ended After Stalin’S death last March. J The prosecutor’s office said thiat - Beria and his accomplices h|d been exposed during the inveati<T»rw T« Paar* rivei T I Two Appointed To 1 City Police Force Wolpert And Seitz Appointed To Force ? ■ Mayor John Doan has announccd the appointment, effective Jan. fl of two men to the Decatur police department, bringing to 11 ( tfe Strength of the local law arm. f They are: \ il Ed Wolpert, 35, of 1115 Monrot street, a native of this city Wc saw four years’ service with t&c U. S. army andi received three cofo bat stars white in battle in tfo European theater of war. Wolpigr ' ? was educated here, graduating fran: Decatur Catholic high school. Wolpert, a .partner in the Belli mont Restaurant for the past seven years, said he intends to retain Ifir interest in the business while serv Ing the city of Decatur. He is i|hmarrled. The second appointee is Raymond W. Seltt, 23, of 215 West Jefferspn street. Born in Putnam county, <). Seitz received his education in Van Wert and Decatur, graduating frtftn Decatur high school. The new patrolman moved here with l|is , . family in 1947. Seitz is presently employed as? a salesman for Bears and Roebuck jin \ Fort Wayne. All applications were considered by the city board of works wfth recommendations by police chief James Borders. |

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

N. Y. Bus Crash Injures 20

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SCHOOL BOOKS and papers litter the interior of this New York City bus, wrecked when the tailgate of a truck It was following flew pff, struck a window and caused the bus driver to lose control. The bus crashed into an elevated pillar, injuring 20 of its load of high school students. One of the stqdents was reported in serious condition at a hospital where injured were taken.

To Broadcast Come Home Plea To Prisoners Three Americans Are Reported Wishing To Return Home J PANMUNJOM, Korea UP — Allied sources disclosed today the United Nations will broadcast' “come home” appeals by sound truck next Tuesday or Wednesday to 22 unrepatriated American war prisoners. The sources said the broadcast will be made-rif interviews arq not conducted before then —with the hope that Indian guards will patrol the compound and protect any man who wants repatriation. A South Korean who escaped from the pro-Communist compound Tuesday night identified three Americans as Ufftwllling qtay-backs and named twb more who were doubtful. The Korean, Kim Mun Zo, revealed In an interview at Seoul that most of the Americans are armed with daggers and the wavering prisoners feel ' a “constant threat” of death hanging over their heads. The army refused to release the names of the "men identified by Kim, but through a concidental Indian announcement one was identified as Cpl. William A. Cowart of Monticello, Ark. Kim had told Allied authorities following his escape that one of the Americans desiring repatriation was in the prison camp hos- ■ pitaL The Indians’ announcement said Cowart had gone to? the hospital for treatment. The South Korean said one of the Americans, whom he did not Identify, refused last week to sign a prisoner petition and later showed a willingness to face interviewers. This prisoner changed his mind when he heard about 40 other prisiners debating, “Should we kill his guy?" Kiip said. \ Kim said the compound boss vas a South Korean and identiied the leader of the Americans is Sgt. Richard G. Corden of Pro'idence, R. I. Corden takes orders rom the South Korean, Kim said. The escaped South Korean said he two Negroes among the Ameri•ans, Cpl. Clarence C. Adams of lemphis, Tenn., and [Cpl. William 3. White of Plummervllle, Ark., »nd the lone British marine, An’rew.Condron, were “firm” Reds md never would return. Kim said he was udable to tell whether Pfc. Richard R. Tenneson if Alden, Minn., wants to go home. Tenneson’s mother, Mrs. Portia Howe, now in Tokyo, received a ’etter from him in which he rejected repatriation. An informed source said six of the Americans are wanted for orison camp crimes, mostly murder, and will be court-martialed If they return to the United States. The source said the six men mostly are “squealers” or "rats” who informed on their buddies in prison so as to get better treatment from the Communists. As a result, many fellow prisoners were killed. s*

Auction Graduate Exercises Friday 54 Will Graduate Tomorrow Fifty-four students of the current session of the Reppert school of auctioneering will graduate at exercises to be held in conjunction with a banquet at the K. of P. home Friday morning at 11 o’clock, following whi.ch thew will travel out of Decatur to 18 states, it was announced today by Col. Quentin Chaffee, dean <*’ iMtruction. During the accelerated threeweeks* sessions the students attended and took part in six auctions: at the Noble school. Jay county; four at the Dodge garage at Portland; and the Hi-Way Sale Barn on U. S. highway 224, said Col. Chaffee. Following an address to be gicen by Dr. Roland Reppert, director of the famous school, a talk will, be given by Col. Chafee, using as a theme remarks from writer and philosopher Henry Van Dyke. The song session will be led by Col. Guy L. Pettit. Instructors present will include Ray Elliott, C. B. Drake, H. W. Sigrlst, Homer Pollock, C. M. Wilson, besides those already named. Preceding the graduation banquet here in Decatur, the class will attend its last session at the school, taught by C. B. Drake. T’hey will then make Individual goodbye talks before the rest of their classmates, where the spirit that has been imparted in them makes itself evident. Col. Chaffee said the summer 1954 session will be held earlier than usual but the exact date has not yet been decided. £ ’ — Seven-Year-Old Girl Is Killed By Auto ’ GRIEIENWOOD, Ind. UP — Diane York, 7, Greenwood, was killed Wednesday when She darted in front of an auto after getting off a school bus on U. S. 31 a hall miles south of here. State police said the car was driven soy Charles iMoQueen, 17 Columbus, who was not held. The girl was the daughter of Clarence York. Northern California Is Jarred By Quakes SAN FRANCISCO UP — Northern California was jared >by shatp earthquakes for the second successive day Wednesday. No damage was reported bu r four temblors, recorded from 3:10 ip.m. until 9:14 p.m.j, -were (felt as far south as Hollister, some 90 miles distant. Good Fellows Club Previous Total $527.10 S. E. Hite 5.00 Women of Moose 10.00 Pythian Sisters 10.00 Mr. & Mrs. Emery Hawkins 2.00 Work & Win Class, Trinity E. U. B. Church 3.38 Mr. & Mrs. W. A. Klepper 5.00 Mr. & Mrs. Al Beavers 10.00 Change in boxesL— 7.05 Business & Professional Women’s Club 10.55 TOTAL $590.08

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMB COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Thuhday, December 17,1953.

Eisenhower Calls For - ■ ? ' J . ' ■' ' ■ , ■ ■ - ■ - L \ Progressive Program By Congress Leaders

17 Killed As < I Plane Crashes Guam Houses Bomber Crashes In < Housing Project; 15 Others Injured AGANA. Guam UP —A crippled B-29 bomber crashed into a U.S, air force officers’ housing project today, killing 17 men, women and children as it ploughed a half-mile swath of destruction before breaking into pieces. An air force colonel, his wife and their three children were among those killed in a shower of flaming gasoline and debris hurled by the plane. Their home was reduced to ashes. Eleven others were injured in the accident and three firemen were hurt fighting a series of blazes in the project. * \ All of the casualties were Ameri-' cans — six children, two w6men and one officer who perished in their homes, and 8 of the 16 airmen aboard the plane. Eight other persons aboard the plane were saved. Two were in critical condition. Two officers and one child who lived in the were also hurt. \ Minutes after the big bomber, carrying 6 military passengers and a crew of 10 to the United States' on a rotation flight, had left Andersen Field here, the pilot report ; ed trouble in one of the four engines and headed back for an emergency landing. - The plane made one apparently successful approach to the field,•: but did not land. On the second attempt the pilot lost control, perhaps because of a fire in the cockpit. The plane veered a quartermile to the right and slammed into the housing area. - The skidding wreckage knifed through officers’ homes, ( throwing flaming gasoline and chunks of burning debris Tn all directions.' Eight houses and all of the plarie except its tail section were de-; stroyed, 2 houses were partially demolished and 3 .were damaged by fire. Two survivors were thrown clear of the wreckage and 6 were snatched from the burning debris by rescue workers. The names' of the casualties were withheld by air force authorties until their families had been notified, but Iff persons who escaped death by narrow margins; <Tvra To Paste Eight)

Kidnap-Killers Begin Last Full Day Os Life

JEFFERSON CITY, <Mo. UP— Carl Austin Hall and -Bonnie Brown Heady will meet for a last visit in the Missouri penitentiary tolay and then await their trip to the gas chamber to die side by Side at 12:0(1 a.m, Friday for the Bobby Greenlease kidnap-murder. Prison officials said the kidnapers, who had not seen each other since they entered “death row” it the prison Nov. 20, acted calm and resigned as they began thellast full day of life. Hall and Mrs. Heady were to be allowed to talk to each other today in the presence of guards and ministers. Then they will eat a last meal of fried chicken in their wide-ly-separated cells and Will not see each other again until they meet late tonight in a small cell adjoining the gas chamber. At one minute after midnight, baring delays, deadly fumes of cyanide gas will painlessly and swiftly end the lives of the dissolute pair, who plotted and carried out one of the most heinous crimes in memory. Hall, ®4 and Mrs. Heady, 41, were sentenced to die under the Lindbergh law for kidnaping six-year-old <BoVby Greenlease last Sept. 38, killing him within an hour and demanding a record $690,000

Indiana Toll Road Bond Issue Is Sold 280 Million Dollar Issue Sold Today INDIANAPOLIS UP —lndiana’s toll road bonds, one of the largest issues of its kind, was sold to the only bidder today for $273,700,000. ; The state toll road commission sold the 280-million dollars worth of bonds to Smith, Barney and Co., New York Investment house representing a syndicate of 479 banks and financial houses. Interest rates .on the bonds were set at 3% per for 40 years. ; The brokers thereby were -guaranteed a tax-free income of $9,800,000 [a year for possibly as long as 40 [years, commission members said. ] It was figured interest would -amount to about $26,835 a day. The difference between the bond ;issue and the sale price—s6,3oo,ooo b —is the amount the brokers will earn when they sell the to |the public at par. \ 1 I The syndicate offered to buy the [bonds for cash at a price 97.75 Iper cent of their face value. The commission was given a check for [55,600,000 to bind the deal until the bonds are delivered, probably soon safter the first of the year. > The bond Issue will finance construction of a 156-mlle toll road [across northern Indiana. . Observers, said the toll road bend i: issue was second in amount only ito a 326-million-dollar issue floated [by Ohio in 1952. It was the biggest [lndiana state venture in history. Just 24 hours before the scheduled* sale, a court suit was filed to ?halt construction of the road. It was aimed at forcing the commission. relocate the project. | The plaintiff was J. Ray Hilnt, (editor of the weekly “Record” at rSouth Bend. He sought a temporary injunction restraining the commission from building on it proposed route which would pass a 2% acre tract of land pn which Hunt’s home is located. *; The commission was fearful tnat such suits would increase cost of the project because every delay will result in the commission paying more interest on the bond isMue. It was estimated interest tntght run as high as $25,000 a day, depending on interest attached to the accepted bid. ? At a Wednesday meeting, the Commission met with an East Chicago delegation protesting routing of the superhighway through that city. State highway chairman Klbert J. Wedeking said no. decision was reached. 14 PAGES

for his “safe” return. I Less than half the ransom money ■|ra3 recovered whqn Hall and Mrs. Heady were arrested Oct. 6 at St Louis, Mo. A grand jury in Kansas City, No., this week began an investigation to find out what happened to the missing $300,000. j The kidnapers neared the hour |f death in what was probably the best physical condition they have -|»een in for years. Without the II quor and narcotics which they blamed for their downfall, they have ‘both gained weight under the prison routine of regular meals and long hours of sleep. f The prisoners ordered identical ’Hast meals” to be served about 5 p.m. today. They asked for fried ehlcken, mashed potatoes and gravy, combination - salad with ftoquefort dressing, rolls, and grange or pineapple ice. j At 8 p.m. the scores of news* foen who flocked to Jefferson City B cover the executions will be en a final briefing by prisdn Iclals. Only three reporters, representing the United Press, Associated Press and MternationaJ News Service, actually will witness the executions. One will describe (the executions to the other newsmen afterwards. f * ■ i 9

Al Least Two Killed In Skid Row Hotel Fire ■ Fear Four Or Five Firemen Trapped In Chicago Hotel CHICAGO, UP—A predawn fire, possibly set by an arsonist, collapsed a skid row hotel today and firemen dug through smoking debris in a fight to save their trapped buddies. At least one fireman and one resident of the three-story brick building Were killed. Eighteen persons, 17 of them firemen, were injured and taken to hospitals. Nine firemen were dug from the charred ruins alive. The Rev. William Gorman, fire department chaplain, estimated that four or five remained inside. At least some of these were alive, for their voices could be heard. The hotel resident who was killed was identified as John Tybor, recently released from Manteno state hospital for mental cases. A confused and wandering note found on his body said he had set other fires. An estimated 40 persons fled into the street In sub-zefo temperature when the fire broke out. Firemen brought the blase under control and were pulling in their tire hoses when three walls of the dilapidated building, collapsed with a roaring crash. Firemen, risking their own lives in the shadow of the fourth flameweakened wall, dug frantically through debris, spurred by the voices of the trapped. “I’m fine,” called out fireman Ray Nowicki through a hole in the rubble that trapped him. “Just take it easy.f f < \ His head and arms were pinned beneath the wreckage. Rescuers dragged him out and he asked for a cigarette. “I don’t think I got any broken <Twn T« Was* Ptvei \ \ ■■ .111. Ml I 1,1 Make Inspection Os Slate Institutions Rep. Luther Yager On Inspection Team State representative £L. Luther Yager of Berne and seven other members of the Indiana general assembly, this week completed un inspection of the Richmond state hospital and the Fort Wayne state school. Except for an overcrowded condition gt the Richmond hospital. Yager said conditions generally were improved at that place. The normal capacity at the state hospital is 1,500 and 1,800 persons are patients at the institution. He said that he was impressed with iDr. Klepfer, the new superintendent of the hospital, who came to Indiana from Wisconsin. He said that it appeared that the patients were receiving good care and that the help situation was improved. The Fort Wayne state school has 1,900 patients, but the place is not overcrowded, Yager said. He was impressed with the cleanliness of the Institution and apparently all patients were receiving proper care and treatment. On the 800-acre state farm northeast of Fort Wayne, an old building is used to house ♦be patients. \ Yager said that he' thought a fireproof floor should oe placed in the building. He also recommended that a sprinkler system be installed at once. Patients from thia school. are* engaged in farm \chores and reside in the old farm building.. Yager Mid that the chairman ol the committee would report the committee’s findings to the legislature next year. Members from th«* house and senate formed the inspection committee.

French Parliament Seeking President ; First Ballot Fails To Name President VERSAILLES, France UP — Socialist candidate Marcel-Edmond Naegelen today led a field of eight candidates in the first balloting by the French national assembly and senate for a new president of France. ’ -'a But Naegelen fell far short off winning the absolute majority, 462 votes of the 823 ballots cast. The official tabulation of the first ballot gave Naegelen 160 votes to 155 for premier Joseph Laniel. Foreign minister Georges Bidault came third with 131. Several additional candidates are expected to come forward for the second ballot. The winner of the presidency, which carries a total of salary, maintenance and office expenses of sl2B,ooff yearly, will lead France through one of the gravest crises to confront the Fourth Republic. The balloting will continue — much in the manner of an American presidential nominating convention —until one candidate wins the required majority. There are seven official candidates for the 128,000-a-year job. Other contenders are expected to enter the race after the first ballot, unless it results in the election of a new chief of state. i Tn ordinary circumstances, the president of France is a semi-fi-gure-head resembling a constitutional monarch more, closely than an American chief executive. The current situation, however, has lent unusual importance to the presidency. One of the first tasks of the president will be to choose a premier to press for a decision on (Ters Ta Paar* Ptv«) Mrs. Oelberg Red Cross Secretary Mrs. Joseph Oelberg Appointed Secretary Mrs. Joseph Oelberg, 1327 Master drive, will become the executive secretary of the Adams County Red Cross chapter .Saturday, succeeding Mrs. Max Schafer, who will move to Terre Haute next month. Mrs. Oelberg has been serving in the Red Cross office the past month acquainting herself with the many duties in this service center. Mrs. Schafer served as executive secretary of the 'Red Cross since March, 1949. She also was a volunteer assistant in the Junior Red Cross and served as a member of the production corp* and a nurse aide. The regional blood program was established in February, 1951 and Mrs. Schafer largely directed the organization of this department Directors of the local chapter and officers of the Fort Wayn« regional Red Cross office recognized her outstanding service as executive secretary. The Adams county chapter ranks high in Red Cross service, officials stated. The Schafers have sold their home, Homestead 19, to Mr. and Mrs. Newell Wright, who are moving here. Wright is the personnel director at Central Soya-company. The Schafers have purchased a home near Terre Haute. \ A former member of the Indiana industrial board, Max Schafer is now the administrator of the health and welfare fund for the Hod Carriers & Common Laborers of Indiana, with general offices in Terre Haute. Mrs. Oelberg will continue the same office hours at the. Red Cross, she announced. INDIANA WEATHER MOSTLY fair and continued cold ton I pht Friday fair wltn slowly rising temperatures. Low. tonlpnt zero-10 above. High Friday 26-30 north, 3035 south.

Price Five Cents

Confers With Party Leaders On Legislation Plans Radio And TV Report To Country Night Os January 4 WASHINGTON UP — President Eisenhower today opened a threeday series of legislative confer- * ences with Republican qpngressional leaders with a call for enactment of “a forward-looking, progressive program” in 1954. Mr. Eisenhower started the conferences with an early morning meeting of the cabinet and house and senate Republican leaders. From this conference came these announcements: 1. Mr. Elsenhower, the night of \ Jan. 4 and prior to the opening of congress, will make a radio and television report to the nation on the accomplishments of his administration to date and the “aims and purpdseE” of the administration' program to' be submitted to Congress three days later. 2. The President will deliver his state of the union message to congress in person Jan. 7, the day after congress convenes. > 3. Mr. Eisenhower at the end of today, Friday, and Saturday, will issue a personal statement sutaming up the ground covered during the day in his meetings with GOP leaders and committee chairmen of the house and senate. The President’s statement late today will be in written form. But Friday afternoon he will make his statement on television and radio, by recording. The Saturday statement will be written. GOP congressional leaders were prepared to attempt to persuade Mr. Eisenhower to strip his 1954 legislative program of any controversial items —such as a new farm program—and that might split the party in an election year. Mr. Eisenhower told the group: “I am very happy to see and have your cooperation at this time. “With it we can all look forward to another successful, sound and productive session of congress. I am convinced —as I know you are —that the people of this country are looking to the Republican party to continue to enact a forwardlooking, progressive program that will serve the welfare of 160 million people, and I know we shall succeed.” Mr. Eisenhower then looked r backward at the first year of his administration and mentioned, among others, these accomplishments: Stopped the shooting war in Korea, cut 13 billion dollars off the Truman administration’s ai> prqpriation estimates for the present fiscal year, “cleared the way for* 1 ’personal and excess profits tax i cuts, freed the economy from “stifling controls” and “stabik ized” the dollar’s purchasing power and “stopped inflation,” and removed security risks from the government. The chief executive concluded his opening remarks by saying thst the American people had vested in the GOP “the responsibility of government.” “With that responsibility we have a great opportunity to advance, the welfare of our country,” he said. “Now let’s go to work.”