Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 52, Number 91, Decatur, Adams County, 17 April 1954 — Page 1

Vol. Lil. No. 91.

Pitted Windshields - — ... r WJEgOi CT| ' ■ BM *#^r- ;: -. ■. ■ -'•... i ■ LiL 1..r,> - PITTED WINDSHIELDS in automobiles from Seattle to Bellingham and Tacoma plagued police and autoists in a wave of cracked glass that has swept western Washington for two weeks. Jake Boehm of Seattle points to one of the holes, typical of thousands credited variously to ash from a nearby pulp mill and on to ‘'atomic material” and visitations from out of space. Excitement rivals that of the first “sighting" of flying saucers.

Gambling Loss Is Linked To FHA Scandals Report Top Federal Housing Official In Heavy Losses . WASHINGTON UP — A report that a high federal housing administration official lost heavily at gambling helped spark the administration’s housing scandal disclosures, it was learned Friday night. One source said the official, who was not identified, lost as much as |5,000 at the gaming tables in u single night— half of bis reported annual salary. , It was reported that failure of FHA leaders to take action on the report and others concerning alleged abuses in two federal housing programs led to the White House order last Monday for a sweeping investigation of the housing agency. A housing official told a reporter the gambling losses played a part in starting the investigation. He said “it’s a shame that one man’s private life has to reflect so badly on the FHA.” Under investigation are charges that-sbuilding salesmen pressured homa*bwners into taking out gov-ernmsdft-inaijed loaiurjor .’fx-pen-'Syip'repairs* and that ffihders madequick profits by obtaining excessive government-backed loans for large-scale apartments. There were these other developments in the multi-million dollar scandals: 1. Deputy commissioner Walter L. Greene, who headed the FHA under the Truman administration, retired and FHA general counsel Burton C. Bovard was placed “on leave” after he refused to “resign on request." 2. Federal housing chief Albert M. Cole scheduled a meeting today with officials of the FBI, justice department and internal revenue service to discuss the administration’s "clean-up” of the FHA. 3. Cole said in a report that the investigation has already turned up “evidence of incredible laxity on the part of officials and of aggravated misuse of FHA insurance on home repair and modernization . .. and ppst-war rental housing.” 4. Chairman Homer E. Capehart (R-Ind.) of the senate banking committee said the administration has promised to turn over secret tax records of 1,149 apartment construction firms that reaped “windfall” profits from government-back-ed loans. Cppehart's committee opens hearings Monday in its own investigation of the scandals. Cole, head of the housing and home finance agency, announced that Greene had retired at his own request and Bovard had beeh placed on leave after he refused Cole’s request to resign. He said other '• removals would follow in the next few days “as are necessary to inlure a free, swift, uniihibited injfestigation of all revelant FHA matters.” Earlier this week, Guy T. O. Hollyday was ousted as FHA commissioner and Cole took action to cancel the resignation of Clyde L. Powell, assistant commissioner for rental housing, to permit a “full investigation” of bis division. Cole has charged that hundreds of large scale apartment building firms received “windfalls by ob(Turn To Page Six)

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Scientists Study Windshield Mystery Pocked Windshields In Pacific States SEATTLE. Wash. UP — Motorists in the Pacific Northwest draped their ear fronts with cardboard and newspapers today as scientists tried to unravel the mystery of the pockmarked windshields. — Meanwhile the case of the damaged windshields took on an international flavor as motorists in Victoria, 8.C., Canada, reported pock marks had appeared on their cars. The phenomenon spread southward to Olympia, Wash., and leaped eastward across the Cascade Mountains to Spokane, Wash., where police received numerous calls from motorists whose windshields wpre scarred. The wave of pock-marked windshields first began several weeks ago in Bellingham, Wash. Since then it has hit thousands of cars in 14 Northwest cities. Gov. Arthur B. Langlie of Washington directed the University of Washington to launch a full-scale scientific investigation. fclectro-static dust collectors were placed on the roofs of some university buildings to obtain samples of atmospheric residue. Laboratory scientists equipped with chemically > treated pieces of glass collected dust samples from various parts of .Seattle for analysis. Explanations, both scientific'and non-sclentific, were a dime a dozen. Vandalism, first believed to have caused the pock marks, was generally ruled out. A committee representing five different scientific units at the University of Washington said it believed most of the windshield pitting was the result of normal driving conditions. Chemical reaction, “mass psychology” and some sort of air pollution were all advanced as possible Solutions. A University of Washington scientists said he believed the marks were caused by chemical particles resulting from manufacturing' pro- =_ (Turn To Pace Five) - Graduates Listed At Pleasant Mills Annual Graduate Exercises May 5 R. Nelson Snider, principal of South Side high school in , fort Wayne, will be speaker, for commencement exercises at (Pleasant Mills high school May_satß_p,rn in the jiigh school auditorium. G. M. Grabill. superintendent of Adams county schools, will present the diplomas to the class. Baccalaureate rites will take place unday, May' 2, .at 8 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The Rev. L. T. Norris, pastor of Union Chapel, will be speaker for this event. Closing date of the school is May 7. Gleiv B. Custard is principal of the school. The 18 members of the class to receive diplomas are- Thomas Baltzell, Jack Bebout, Darlene Fortney, ■Herman Fuchs, Allen Girod, Ruth Heiman, Marlene Hirschy, Raymond Lichtenberger, Larry Myers, Roger Ripley, Donaid Roe, Pauline Roe, Ronald Roe, Mary Sheets, Shirley "Williamson, Ross Winans, Lee Wolfe and Patricia Andrews.

French Build Up Forces To Face Attacks Mass Onslaught By Communist Troops Expected Shortly HANOI, Indochina UP —Volunteer infantrymen who had never jumped before parachuted into Dien Bien Phu today to reinforce the' garrison against an expected mass Communist attack. The first airdrop of its kind in French military history plummeted the daring footsoldiera right into a blazing battle between Dien Bien Phu’s defenders and Communist “mole men” who grabbed a foothold on the garrison’s main airstrip. Communist-led rebel troops of Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap anticipated the arrival of reinforcements, also. Russian-made Molotov trucks were spotted by Flench pilots sneaking down a road toward the Red Positions. Never before had France plunged her soldiers into an actual battle on their first jump. The volunteers - from French, North African and loyal Indochinese units—leaped from low-flying transports like veterans, French officers said. They received no more injuries than trained paratroopers who seized Dien Bien Phu last year. Molotov trucks were moving southward with men and ammunition for the Communist besiegers. French pilots flying north on bombing missions said the supply roads w%re crawling with vehicles. Highway 41; which extends from Red China's borders, was the busiest, the pilot said. Military authorities believed Communist Gen. Vo NguyeiP Giap was stripping his bases north of the Red River delta of every man available for an onslaught against the fortress, perhaps on Easter Sunday. Chaplains at Dien Bien Phu, awaie of the possibility of a sudden “human sea” assault on the garrison, went ahead with plans to hold Easter services in one of the battered dugouts used as a ehapel. Even though roads leading toward Dien Bien Phu have been bombarded repeatedly, squads of Communist-controlled Coolies have slipped out of the jungle to repair them at night. The heaviest concentration of Molotov trucks was reported at Sonia. 45 miles northeast of Dien Bien Phu. Each is capable of carrying 30 men or three tons of supplies. o At the time the Communists -made their first mass assault on .he fortress almost six weeks ago, their strength Was estimated at 40',000 men, but 22,000 were killed or wounded in suicide attacks. (Continued On Pace Six) Sunrise Sendee To 3e Held Tomorrow Union Service For Young People Here The annual union sunrise service for young people of Decatur hurches will be held Sunday lorning at 6 o'clock at the First Atethodist church. Miss Sandra Geppert and Sherman Arnold will address the young people at the service. They were selected by ‘.he youth committee. Both are lecatur high school students. The Decatur high school chorus, inder the supervision of Miss Helen Haubold, will sing and the offertory will be a piano and organ luet by Jerry Kaehr and Mrs. Harold Murphy. The offering will •go to Korean orphans. Following is the “ omplete program : * ' Prelude: “Easter Meditation,” selected, Mrs. Harold Murphy. Call to worship—Ralph Thomas In'the Garden—Allen Lehman Hymn sing: "O Day of Rest and Gladness,” “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” Scripture, John 26:1-19 — Bob Baker. #»<”'■» Prayer—David Wood Special music, high school choral group, Miss Helen Haubold, directing. Offertory: Duet, “The Beautiful City,” Wilson—Mrs. Murphy and Jerry Kaehr. Morning messages: “Running too Fast to See,” Shermpn Arnold, scripture: John 20:4; "Taking Time To See,” Sandra Reppert, scripture: John 20:6. Hymn, “When I Survey The Wonderous Cross.” Dedicatory statement and prayer—James Rowley. Postliide: “Recessional," Ritter, Mrs. Harold Murphy.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, April 17, 1954.

Senators Concerned At Warning U. S. Troops May Go To Indochina

Europe Papers Identify Nixon As U. S. Source London And Paris Newspapers Cite Nixon As Source PARIS, (UP)—The "high administration source” who said the United States may have to send troops to Indochina was identified in two European capitals today as Vice President Richard M. Nixon. The “high administration source” said Friday in "Washington that the United States might have to move Its armed forces into Indochina if the French were to pull out. The Times *of London identified the source as Nixon. French officials and newspapers here also credited Nixon with raising the question of U. S. troop participation in the Southeast Asia conflict. A French foreign ministry spokesman said Nixon made a “gratuitous supposition" in suggesting that France might quit the war in Indochina. The Foreign Ministry spokesman backed up the belief expressed by the “source” himself who said he did not believe the-French would pull out of the war now in its eighth year. ( But the Washington statement caused a aensatloa among government officials in Paris who had not joined the mass Easter exodus from the capital. The promise of possible American intervention pleased many infuential Frenchmen opposed to the war who have been arguing for years that France should quit Indochina and let the United States finish the conflict if it wants to. ■>- , Bpt outside of Foreign Minister Georges Bidault and Defense Minister Rene Pleven there are few cabinet ministers who welcome the threat of American intervention at this time. Thus, most of the ministers believe the net effect of the statement will ba, to make the French realize that an escape from Indochina is. only an illusion unless based on really acceptable terms. Informed sources described the statement as a "natural conclusion” of the policies worked out by President Eisenhower and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles for the Far East. France-Soir, biggest paper on the continent, and the Times of London as well as others identified Nixon as the Washington spokesman who raised the question of American troops for Indochina. The Times was the only British national daily to print the story and the dispatch from the Times correspondent in Washington indicated clearly Nixon was the source of the statement. The influential newspaper led off its story with this paragraph: “What is described as a ‘high administration source’ said this afternoon that the United States (Tarn Tn Pace Six)

(By Rev. Samuel Emerick, First Methodist Church) Making The Home Steadfast! “And Jacob rent his clothes . . . and mourned for his son many days.”—Genesis 37:34. A man’s family is surely his greatest possession in presentday society, and yet how many evidences there are of the decay of real family life. So much is at stake in any home that we cannot be careless toward its preservation. A. man can change business associates if necessary, he can leave a poor job for a better one, if he fails in one job he can try again; but he cannot change sons. If we lose our children our loss is final. If we care more for our job, our car, our associates, or our sport than we care for our family, then our values must be badly twisted. We better stop to recognize life’s true priorities. Now is the time for us all to let our homes become the kiftd of institution that really demonstrates the kingdom of God. The commitment of man and woman to each other in marriage should move on to a commitment of the home to God. Then prayer will always be a center of reference where decisions can be made and differences resolved. This does not mean that we will not meet up with troubled waters, but it means that we will have ready help in navigating them. God is striving to make the world better through our lives and our homes. Let’s gfve Him the chance to do it.

McCarthy Hearing Scheduled Thursday Critical Points To Be Decided First WASHINGTON UP — Senate investigators today faced decisions on two critical questions involving the role of, Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy in the televised hearings on his row with the army. Both were expected to be settled, however, in time for the hearings to begin on schedule next Thursday. Sen. Karl -E. ,Mundt (RS. D.J, Who will preside, said there would be no delay unless McCarthy. falls 111. \The Wisconsin Republican, apparently recovered from a virus infection, was expected in Washington by plane late today at the «nd of a 10-day vacation in Arizona. and Texas. McCarthy spent Friday fishing in the Gulf of Mexico off Galveston, Tev., a sign which Mundt said was “encouraging." By Monday or Tuesday, answers were expected to the two big questions : 1. McCarthy’s role In the hearings before the senate permanent investigating subcommittee. Mundt, the acting chairman in place of 'McCarthy, said he believes it would be best If McCarthy gives up his right to cross-examine witnesses. 2. Whether an answer to the Army’s formal charges -will be filed with tbe subcommittee in ad’rance by McCarthy; chief -counsel Roy iM. Cohn and committee executive director Francis P. Carr. McCarthy and Cohn threatened to balk- at answering because of a “leak” of the army's formal complaint that they tried by ‘lmproper means” to get special favors from the army for Pvt. G. David Schlne, the subcommittee’s former consultant. Cohn angrily demanded a subcommittee investigation of the “leak” in advance of the hearings. But Mundt said Friday he did not believe it a matter of such importance as to merit a delay, ■Mundt added, however, he believed Cohn could claim “foul” justifiably because the subcommittee had agreed to release both aides’ formal charges simultaneously. iMundt said he has suggested that •McCarthy, who has already step(Tum Ta Pace Six) Decatur Churches To Observe Easter A union sunrise service for Decatur youth at 6 a.m. in the First Methodist church, a solemn high mass at St. Mary’s Catholic church at s:3tf a m.. and a 6 a.m. sunrise service at Zion Lutheran church will usher in the feast of the resurrection here Sunday. Easter Sunday, one of the most important of Christian traditions, will be marked at all churches in Decatur Sunday with special services. Commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the day has much religious significance to Christians of all denominations.

Two Business Houses Robbed During Night Over SI,OOO Cash Obtained In One Os Robberies Here Two Decatur establishments were victims of burglaries early this morning, police records reveal. One thousand and fifty seven dollars in cash and (300 in bonds were taken from the safe of Vic’s Frozen Food Center, 719 West Jefferson street, and $14.90 was stolen from a cash drawer at Kelly Dry Cleaning plant, 427 North Ninth street. Entrance was gained at Porter's by forcing the rear door with an iron bar. The double-door sate was punched open and no tools were left at the scene. Victor Porter, operator of the frozen food plant said that in addition to the cash, three government bonds valued at SIOO each were taken. Porter said that he did not leave his establishment until 10 o’clock Friday night. The burglary was of the same pattern as four others In Adams county in the last 10 days. No fingerprints were available at the Porter establishment and indications are the burglars took time so wipe the prints 'off, because Porter said he liad closed the safe before leaving last night and there were not even traces of his prints. The burglars obtained much less at Kelly’s. There is no safe at the plant, and only sl4.9ff was left in the cash drawer. Roger Kelly, owner of the establishment, told police that he left the plant at 9:20 o’clock Friday night. Entrance was gained at the dry cleaning plant also by forcing open the rear door. State police have joined Decatur police and the Adams county sheriff's department in pooling their resources to track down the burglars and several clues are being investigated today. One Adams county resident has given officials a description of an automobile seen in the vicinity of Adams Central school early Friday morning prior to the burglarizing of that place. No statements were available from authorities today except that the three law enforcing groups were joining forces In an all-out 'effort to stop the burglaries and capture the offenders. Annual DAV Flower Sale April 23-24 Forget-Me-Not s To Be Sold In County The annual forget-me-not sale sponsored by Adams county chap ter number 91, Disabled American Veterans, proceeds of which arc used by the Adams county chap ter for rehabilitation work, wll be held next Friday and Saturday April 23 and 24, it was announced today by ‘county chairman Victor Steiner, first junior vice command er of the chapter. All factories of the county will be canvassed and street sales ol the flowers will be held in Berne Monroe, Geneva’ and Decatur, Steiner said. Chapter members. auxiliary members and Girl Scouts will join in conducting the Friday and Saturday sale of the flowers. Rufur Somers is in charge of sales at Geneva: James Halberstadt is chairman of the Berne sale and Gordon Brodbeck will supervise the sale at Monroe. David Smith, ■ commander of Chapter 91, issued a statement asking renewal of the cooperation of all citizens of Adams county In purchasing the flowers to assist in the work of the local group.

Believe Oppenheimer Is Loyal American High Official Says Oppenheimer Loyal WASHINGTON UP —A high administration official has expressed confidence in the loyalty of Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer but conceded government files indicate on the surface he Is a “security risk.” The official said that on the evidence he has seen and on the basis of personal contacts with Oppenheimer in recent years, he l» sure the scientist is a loyal American. But he said the file on Oppenheimer “makes a prima facie case of security risk.” The official, who refused use of his name, has access to the ad-' ministration's innermost secrets. He has seen the data which led President Eisenhower to suspend the prominent atomic physicist from high-level advisory duties with the government. He said Oppenheimer's case raises a question whether a man who once may have had bad associations should forever be barred from employment in a sensitive government job. “I do not believe it should," he said. “Each case must be considered on its own merits. We must retain the principle that a man has the right to change his mind.” The official’s views appeared to be in conflict with those expressed by defense secretary Charles E. Wilson who told a news conference Wednesday he sympathized" With "anyone who made a mistake and reformed. But 1 think they ought to be reformed somewhere else than |n military services.” Wilson made the statement when questioned about the Oppenheimer case. Oppenheimer has been suspended from high-level advisory duties with the government pending a review of his case. A special threeman panel under the atomic energy comtnhislon is hearing charges against the famed “Mr. Atom” and his replies. . • * 100 Massacred By Reds In Cambodia Massacred After Train Is Wrecked PNOM PENH, Cambodia, UP— The Communists massacred more than 100 men, women and children aboard a train derailed by their saboteurs in the jungle near here this week, it was announced today. A communique protesting the "barbaric atrocity” said some of the victims were "doused with gasoline and burned alive.” Others were mowed down by hand grenades, tommy guns and rifles or hacked to death with jungle knives. So far as was known, all the victims were Indochinese. The train, on the 'way from Pnom Penh to Battambang, was dynamited Monday between two ’rural stations some 50 miles northwestof here. The blast derailed some coaches, and others piled up or overturned. The tangled pile of wreckage caught fire. ' As survivors scrambled, put of the burning coaches, somd 500 Reds swarmed out of the jungle and attacked them with grenades and small arms, the communique said. Frantic passengers who survived the first attack—including old people, children find priests—were hacked with axes and knives. The wounded were drenched with gasoline and set afire, the official announcement said. The government of this jungle kingdom called on “the conscience of the civilized world” for "justice (Tarn To Pace Six) INDIANA WEATHER Fair and warmer tonight except partly cloudy and turning cooler extreme north late tonight. Sunday partly and cooler. Low tonight 40-45 north, 45-50 south. High Sunday near 65.

Price Five Cenb

Key Senators Speak Against Such A Policy Oppose Suggestion From Administration Source On Troop Use WASHINGTON UP — Key senators spoke out today against the suggestion by a high administration source that U. S. troops tony have to take over the battle lines in Indochina if the French pull out. Two influential Republicans — Sens. Leverett Saltonstall (MassJ and Bourke B. Hickenlooper (Iowa) — said flatly they are opposed to such a policy, at least for the present. Several senators said the administration should take a firm stand for complete independence for Indochina before raising the possibility that American soldiers would have to be thrown into the seven-year-old war. France has promised independence to the Indochina states of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, but within the framework of the French union. The official, who is privy to the administration's innermost secrets emphasised that he did not think the French would quit their long fight against the Communist-led rebels. And he said he thinks the Red menace in Asia can be stop* ped without the use of American troops. But he said if American forces are needed to avoid Communist domination of Southeast Asia, the Eisenhower administration would have to make that politically unpopular decision. He said he would support such a decision. There has been much private discussion within administration circles about the possibility that U. S. troops would have to be thrown Into the gap* if the French'forces withdraw. But the official’s statement Friday was the first time it has been put officially before the public. Some senators were openly critical of the way the possibility of ■direct U. S. intervention in Indochina was broached —by a high official who refused use of his name. But it was regarded as a significant trial balloon., Saltonstall, chairman of the senate armed\ services committee, said "from the information that has been given me thus far, my opinion is that we should not send men into Indochina.” He would not say, however, whether his view would change if the French pulled out. Hickenlooper, a member of the senate foreign relations committee said “I have no knowledge that that is United States policy. So far as I'ni concerned, I have no reason at this time to favor such a policy.” 'Hickenlooper said he has ‘constantly been against the use of troops in Indochina and have had no reason to change my mind.” Democrats were generally critical. Some have warned that the nation is drifting toward war in (Tur* To Pace Six) Annual Easter Egg Hunt At Elks Home Chlldrefi of Decatur will be treated at their annual egg hunt sponsored by the Decatur BPO Elks lodge 993 Sunday afternoon. The event will begin at 2 p.m. Divided into three age groups, youngsters up to and including 11 years of age wiU search for the lucky eggs which will earn for them a stuffed rabbit. . Emblem club members are busy preparing the 600 dozen eggs which will be given to the children. Os the eggs that are hidden in the Elks lawn, 50 will be lucky opes. In case of rain, the party will move Indoors and Instead of hunting for the lucky eggs, the youngsters will receive bags containing the eggs and candy.