Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 52, Number 92, Decatur, Adams County, 19 April 1954 — Page 1

Vol. Lil. No. 92.

Sen. McCarthy To Insist On Exam Rights Televised Hearings On Row With Army Scheduled Thursday WASHINGTON, UP — Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy indicated today he will insist on the right to crossexamine all witnesses who testify at the televised hearings on his row with the army scheduled to begin Thursday. - The Wdsconsin Republican went into a closed meeting with the senate permanent investigating subcommittee for a showdown on his role tn the investigation. He told newsmen he will file a bill of particulars — “whatever they want’’ — in answer to the army’s complaint that he and Roy M. Cohn, the subcommittee counsel, used “improper means" in an effort to obtain special privileges for army Pvt. G. David Schine. Schine. now stationed at Camp Garden, Ga.. was in Washington, it was learned. Presumably he was brought here for questioning by the staff of special counsel Roy H. Jenkins, hired by the subcommittee to conduct the inquiry. One big question was whether I X-('arthy will take an active part he hearings. «** 'l'Wthink it will be necessary for me to question all witnesses,’’ McCarthy said. "That includes members of my staff and Pentagon politicians, too.” Acting subcommittee chairman Karl E. Mundt (R-S. D.) has said he thinks it would be best for McCarthy to stand aside completely —leaving the questioning to "active" subcommittee members and Jenkins; “No one should worry about my questioning as long as they are telling the truth,” said. Asked if he would appear also as a witness, McCarthy said "That not been discussed yet.” Mundt said he expected Cohn ac- sad subcommittee staff director Francis P. Carr —also implicated in the alleged pressure on the army—to file statements later today giving their side of the case. Cohn said in New York that an announcement about these would be made. But Mundt said he doubts whether the statements would be made public immediately even though the army’s brief has been published. Today was McCarthy’s first meeting with the subcommittee since it picked a special counsel for the investigation. The Wisconsin Republican returned only Sunday, from an extended vacation in the southeast. McCarthy, Cohn and—to a lesser , extent —Carr, were 'accused by th&, army of using “improper means’’ to get favored treatment for a drafted subcommittee investigator. Pvt. G. David Schine. McCarthy countered that the army tried to “blackmail” him into dropping an investigation of alleged Red penetration of the military. Church Treasurer Robbed By Gunman Evansville Church Treasurer Robbed EVANSVILLE, Ind. UP — A gunman grabbed $2,90(h in Easter collections from First Baptist t church treasurer Alfred Rose as he stood on the church steps during a Sunday evening service. Rose said the bandit approached him and demanded two cloth sacks. Two church members with whom Rose- was chating had just walked off. He said he had brought the money in bills, coins and checks from an office in another part of the building where it had beer, counted. Rose said the man apparently was familiar with the "mechanics of counting collections.” and got away so quickly he had no time to call out. Rose rushed into the church for help. Two teen-agers chased a red car similar to one.in which the bandit fled but Jost the auto Jn Uaffic. Metropolitan Opera Starts Spring Tour NEW YORK UP — Some 300 men and'w-omen of the Metropolitan Opera Co. left New York on two special trains Sunday for the start of a 6,836-mile spring tour with appearances in 14 cities. Thirteen operas will be presented In 49 performances during the tour season which opens in Cleveland tonight .and will .close May 29, in Toronto, Canada.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Democrats Assail Nixon's Statement Demand Eisenhower Explain Statement ' WASHINGTON UP — Democratic congressmen today stepped up their attack on Vice President Richard M. Nixon's statement that American troops might have to be sent to Indochina if the French pull out. —-• Democrats charged Nixon encouraged the French to abandon the Indochina war and demanded that President Elsenhower tell congress if the vice-president spoke for the administration. The thundering controversy over the possible use of American troops in Indochina was certain to come up for discussion in Augusta, Ga., where secretary of state John Foster Dulles reported to President (Elsenhower today on his recent London and Paris talks. Diplomats here guessed Nixon's off-the-record but later much-pub-licized speech Friday may have an unsettling effect on Dulles’ effort to achieve a united allied front on the eve of the Geneva meeting with Russia and Red China. It already was kicking up a fuss at home. In press, radio, and television interviews Sunday, Democratic congressmen attacked the statement and Republicans tried to sqft-pedai it. Denjocratic Sens. Paul H. Douglas (UI.R Estes Kefahiver (Tenn.) and Albert M. Gore (Tenn ) all called Nixon’s remarks unfortunate. They said it would encourage the French to quit the war and urged Mr. Eisenhower to make a frank statement to congress about the whole Indochina crisis. Rep. Walter H. Judd fiMinn.), a Republican expert on Far Eastern affairs, said that In spite of what Nixon may- have said the administration has promised to ask congress” permission before sending any troops to Indochina. Mrs. Anna Munson Is Taken By Death Mrs. Anna Munson, 91, of Lancaster township, Wells county, died Saturday afternoon at the Davis nursing home at Bluffton. Surviving are two sons, Fred of Paulding, 0., and Harry of Craigvllle; a daughter, Mrs. Myrtle Cadwallared of Payne, 0.; eight grandchildren and 15 great-grand-children. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Jahn funeral home in Bluffton, the Rev. R. W. Jackson officiating. Burial will be in Elm Grove cemetery. $75,000 Fire Loss At Kendallville Saturday KEKayy>VILD§, Ind. UP — A stubborn fire at the Holmes Lumber Co. caused about $75,000 dagp; age, authorities estimated today, but firemen in a night-long battle saved a million feet of lumber. Owners David Holmes and’ David Holmes, Jr., said the blaze,' which broke out Saturday night, was confined to the sawmill and log storage portions of the firm. A south wind helped firemen contain the flames. Probe Interlocking Financial Giants Senate Committee To Hold Hearings WASHINGTON, UP —Chairman William Langer of the senates anti-monopoly subcommittee announced today that the group is investigating “interlocking directorates” of the nation’s financial and industrial giants. "We are gbing tbhold hearings.” said the North Dakota Republican who also heads the parent senate judiciary committee. Langer said information received in reply to questionnaires already mailed out on behalf of the subcommittee will determinethe type and extent of the hearings. “We want to get at this matter of Interlocking directorates," Langer said. Aides said Langer’s" questionnaires have been mailed out to some 30 or 40 large corporations Including investment -banks, railroads, and insurance companies. The questionnaires, they said, mainly sought information oh Jfye membership of the corporations’ boards of directors and other directorates held by corporation officials. The" questionnaires also asked whether various officials of corporations' held directorships in two or more other companies which were engaged in competition against one another, aides said.

Dickenson's Court Martial Opened Today Charge Informing On Prisoners And Causing Brutality WASHINGTON, UP-The army today accused Cpl. Edward S. Dickenson of informing on fellow prisoners in Korea and causing them to be brutally beaten by their Communist captors. Specific charges concerning alleged beating administered to Pfc. Martin Christensen were made in a “specification of charges” offered at the start of Dickenson’s court martial. The 23-year-old soldier from Cracker's Neck, Va., returned to the United States after repenting an earlier decision o refuse repatriation and stay, with the Communists. The trial opened before a court of nine officers ranging from a first lieutenant to senior Col. Walter J. Wolfe as court president. But the panel was reduced to eight i by a defense challenge against Ist Lt. Andreas J. Moller, the lowest ranking member. Guy Emery, civilian counsel for Dickenson moved for a dismissal on the grounds Dickenson has been denied due process of law because his pay and family allotment were stopped pending the trial. The motion was denied by Col. Richard F. Scarborough, law officer for the trial. Scarborough also denied a defense motion to throw out an allegation charging Dickenson with unauthorized communication with the enemy. The defense argued unsuccessfully that the charge was vague and that it was not intended to apply to a war prisoner who obviously must communicate with his captors. Dickenson sat clasping his hands in his lap during most of the preliminary proceedings. His slight, blonde wife occupied a seat in the third row of the spectator section from which she could exchange occasional nervous glances with the prisoner. The specification of charges accused Dickenson of telling the Communists about escape plans of Gaither and of the fact that Christensen had in his possession a 45calTbre pistol with ammunition. Emery, a retired colonel, said the defense will meet the charges “head on.” Somber Warning To World From Pope 0 Urges Banishment Os Atomic Weapons VATICAN CITY UP — Pope Pius XII warned 250,000 persons standing silently in St. Peters Square Sunday and millions more by radio that they face “total extermination” if world rulers pursue "designs of hatred and death.” In his first official public appearance in nearly three months the 78-year old Roman Catholic pontiff called for the “banishment of atomic, biological and chemical warfare’ weapons and pledged that the church would “tirelessly endeavor to bring about . . . international agreements” to that effect. The Pope, in a 10-minute, 1,000 word message beamed to both sides of the Iron Curtain, defended the principle of legitimate self-de-fensnse, but said new weapons of war had raised fears of a third world conflict and a dreadful future. The (Pope’s somber note of warning stilled the Easter throng which had come from many lands to cheer him at his first official public appearance since he fell ill with gastritis last Jan. 25. Worship 'ln Jerusalem JERUSALEM UP — Hundreds of Christians crossed a no-man’s land of war ruins past stiffly saluting Jewish and 'Moslem guards Easter Sunday to worship at the site of the first Easter 19 centuries ago. Quiet descended on the 400-mile truce line dividing Jewish Israel from Moslem Jordan and no major incidents were reported to mar the Sabbath calm. The little band of worshippers walked under a bright sun into Jerusalem's old Arab - controlled city for services at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher—the exact spot, according to legend, where Christ rose tram the dead. The same bright sun shone on moiß of Europe, from Rome where Pope Pius XII called for international agreements to outlaw the atomic and hydrogen bombs to (Turn To Page Two)

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, April 19, 1954.

Open Investigation Os Multi-Million Dollar r- i * * ——. Scandals In Housing

Petrov's Wife Hustled Aboard Plane For Home Soviet Diplomat's Wife Marched Into Plane By Russians SYDNEY, Australia, UP — The petite blonde wife of Soviet diplomat Vladimir Petrov, whd renounced his Red homeland, was marched aboard a plane here, shoeless and sobbing “Save me save me.” for a one-way trip to Russia. Hundreds dr angry Australians grabbed at and jostled the two Russian guards who hustled Mrs. Petrov aboard the plane. Several refugee White Russians in the crowd shouted in Russian “Don't go home! Don’t go home!” Mrs. Petrov lost her shoes in the angry, struggling melee. Her guards marched her straight on to the' plane, ignoring her protested cries “My shoes. I’ve lost my shoes.” Enraged spectators at one point rolled the gangway stairs away from the plane in an attempt to prevent the Soviet guards from boarding. They threatened the Soviet diplomats who escorted tbe. Petrov party to the plane. But through it all, the sobbing woman did not make the appeal to Australian security guards that would have saved, her—an appeal to join her husband in political exile here. She was obviously tired and worn to the point of near exhaustion as ehe walked to the plane. Several among the Russian spectators insisted her actions indicated she had been drugged before being brought to the airfielff. Mrs. Petrov charged last week that her husband had been kidnaped. She said the Australian government lied in saying he had abandoned Communism and exposed a spy ring. « After the plane left, William Charles Wentworth, a Liberal member of parliament, took at least a dozen statements from Russian-speaking eyewitnesses. One witness, W. Pawluk, said he (Turn To Pane Three) No New Clues To Wave Os Robberies .I . . Continue Probe Os Recent Burglaries No new clues have turned up to the recent Decatur and Adams county burglaries, according to city and county officials. There were no new break-ins over the week-end in the county. Authorities are still working on several clues and several persons have been questioned. All those questioned have been able to provide alibis, however. The wave of safe cracking is not limited to Adams county, officials report; Several burglaries have been reported in the last 10 days in various parts of Indiana. Police in Decatur are taking every possible precaution to guard against more break-ins, city officials said today. The iron bar, believed to have been used to pry open a window at the Arnold Lu lll ' ber Co. office last week in a burglary, was found and turned over to police. The bar was located on the lumber company property where it had been bidden. It is not believed there were any finger* prints on the bar. All local police, state police and the sheriff’s office have joined forces in an effort to solve the thefts. INDIANA WEATHER Cloudy with scattered showers north, mostly fair south tonight. Tuesday partly cloudy not much change in temperature. Low tonight 43-48 north, 50-58 south. High Tuesday 5666 north, 72-82 south.

Sumner Pike Backs Oppenheimer Loyally Declares Loyalty Doubts Incredible WASHINGTON UP — Sumner Pike, former atomic energy commissioner, insists there was never any indication Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer tried to slow up “developments” and arguments about facilities. ! , Pike, a Maine Republican busi- ■ nessman and AEC member from • 1946 to 1951, said doubts cast on i Oppenheimer’s loyalty were “in- . Credible." \ ‘ almost wonder if there 1 Isn’t some other motivation behind the apparent one in bringing these i charges at this time,” he said. i Oppenheimer, one of the nation’s • top atomic scientists, is under susI pension by the AISC on security 1 charges. A special, three - man board is investigating the case. Chairman Harold H. Velde of the house un-American activities committee said it is "entirely possible” 1 that Oppenheimer' “contributed” to a delay in construction of the Hbomb. He said the AEC should develop that point fully in its investigation. The Illinois also re- ' vealed in a televisloir* l mterview 1 Sunday that his committee is "con- ' sidering” the public release of seVpret testimony given b»- Oppenheimer in 19i9. ! Oppenheimer has allegedly been [ accused of naming a fellow scien- . tist as a former Red at the Velde committee hearings in order to protect himself. (Turn To Page Two) Predict Pigeonhole For Labor Revision Taft-Hartley Law Revision Unlikely (WASHINGTON UP — Informed sources predicted today the house labor committee will pigeonhole President Eisenhower’s plan to revise the Taft-Hartley law. Chairman Samuel J. (McConnell Jr, (R-i Pa. still had hopes of getting a bill through after the Easter recess, but he conceded the vote will be “very close.” Other committee sources said the group is so sharply split over revision proposals that only a “no bill” motion is assured of passage at this time. The senate opens .debate on the issue next week. Cause of the trouble in the house committee is a highly controversial proposal, already given tentative approval, to transfer unfair labor cases from the national labor relations board» to the federal courts. The committee sources said they expect the proposal to be stricken from the bill when the group resumes its meetings; April 17. McConnell previously said the provision must be included to obtain abill because halt a dozen members sponsoring it could be expected to vote with committee Democrats against reporting any bill at all. ——-• Schumm Infant Dies Early This Morning Bonita Sue Schumm, two-month-old daughter of Fred and ’Rosemary Fisher-Schumm, died at 3 o'clock this morning at the home in Willshire, 0., following a day’s illness of pneumonia. Surging in addition to the parents are a brother, Thomas Allen, and the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Schumm of Willshire and Mrs. Richard Baker of Decatur. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. EST Wednesday at the home and at 2:30 p.m. at the Willshire U. B. church, the Rev. E. O. Thomas officiating. Burial will be at Willshire. The body will be returned from the Zwlek funeral home to the home of the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Schumm, where friends may call after 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Vishinsky Says Soviet Russia Has H-Bomb Baruch's Plan For Disarmament Is Rejected By Reds UNITED NATIONS, N. Y. UP— Andrei Y,__Vishinsky said today the- Soviet Union “has built the hydrogen bomb" and will not accept the western-backed Baruch plan for atomic and thermonuclear disarmament. “It has been said.” Vishinsky told the United Nations disarmament commission, “that our proposals are mere propaganda. This is not true. “We proposed prohibition of the atomic weapon when we did not have it. We are no less emphatic now when we do have it. We demand prohibition of the hydrogen bomb, although? we have built the hydrogen bomb.” Vishinsky said Russia's plan was a “genuine, real, practical proposal.” “But we cannot acquiesce to I proposals which are based on the notorious Baruch plan,” he said. "We cannot accept a plan which been discussed at length and which doesn’t hold water." Vishinsky referred to the west-ern-backed atomic disarmament plan, repeatedly approved by overwhelming majorities In the U. N. general assembly, as “the Baruch plan.” The plan calls for creation cf an international atomic control organ, with the right of continuous inspection of atomic plants, to be followed by prohibition of atomic weapons. Russia wants “simultaneous” insitution ‘of International controls and atomic weapons prohibition but has not explained how this can be achieved “simultaneously.” To Register New Students Tuesday Registration for children who will be six years old on or before Sept. 15 will take place at St. Joseph’s grade school Tuesday. Hours will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Leo J. Miller Dies Suddenly Saturday Native Os Decatur Dies At Fort Wayne Funeral services for Leo J. Miller, 67, retired restaurant and cigar store owner of Fort Wayne, a native of this city and a brother of two Decatur women, will be conducted Tuesday at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic church, Fort Wayne.' Burial will be in the Cathartic cemetery. Mr. Miller died of a heart attack Saturday afternoon while watching a baseball game on television. He collapsed in his chair and had not been previously ill, members of his family stated. . Born in this city, Mr. Miller went to Huntington where he operated a barber shop for several years. He moved to Fort Wayne in 1926 and opened a cigar store. Later he engaged in the restaurant business and was owner of the Mfller Lunch until he retired in 1941»--' He was a member qf, St- Peter's church and the Fort Wayne Knights of Columbus. Surviving besides his widow, Lydia, are two sons, Bernard J. and Thomas E. Miller, of Fort Wayne; four daughters, Mrs. Virgil Church, Mrs. Merle Elkenberry and Miss Eleanor Miller, all of Fort Wayne, arid Mrs. Robert Roesener, Norwalk, Conn.; three sisters, Mrs, Anna Nichols and Mrs. Maggie Kohne of this city and Mrs. Theodore Damion of Akron, O. A son preceded him in death. Friends may call at the Getz and Cahill funeral home, Fort Wayne.

Economic Picture Reported Brighter Forecast Decrease In Unemployment WASHINGTON UP—Auto sales, heavy consumer buying and record new construction were cited in government reports today as among the brightest spots in the economic picture. Labor secretary James P. Mitchell forecast a “decrease in unemployment” before the end of the year because of “very hopeful signs which tend to make me optimistic." And Harold C. McClellan, president of the national association of manufacturers, said in a television. interview Sunday night that business conditions will be better by fall. A lot of people being laid off in one,,industry are finding jobs elsewhere so they are not really unemployed, he said. A commerce department report said the auto industry expects 1954 to be its third best year in spite of a lag in sales during the first three months of the year. Government economists hope sustained auto production will help pull the steel industry out of the doldrums. Steel production last month was down 28 percent comJ pared to 1953 and last week the mills were estimated tc be operate Ing at only about 67 percent of capacity. The industry’s opetimiatte outlook for 1954 was bolstered by an estimate by Ward’s reports last week that auto output for the first six months will reach 2,966,000, as against 3,255,772 in the first half of last year and 3,108,000 in the corresponding period of the record production year of 1950. Dry goods merchants shared the optimism pf auto manufacturers for 1954. A survey by the national retail dry goods association showed that a majority of merchants expect better sales and profits this year than even during boom 1953. Their predictions were (Tare To Page Six) No Easier Sunday Fatalities In State No Hoosier Traffic Fatalities Sunday By UNITED PRESS Police reported no Hoosier traffic fatalities Easter Sunday, but earlier accidents brought the holi-' day weekend death toll to at least five. An Indiana state police radio operator, Freeman Shepherd, 26, Milroy, was killed Saturday night in a wreck which injured his brother, John, 23, and another passenger, Joseph Woods, 26, both of Milroy. Authorities said the accident occurred at the intersection of Franklin road and U. S. 52 when an unidentified car entered the intersection as Shepherd attempted to pass a truck. -- — ' •••- Authorities said the Shepherd car swerved off the highway, skidded 62 feet and rolled completely over. In a multiple fatality wreck late Saturday, a father and son jvere killed and four persons injured critically when three cars crashed on U. S. 35 north of Knox. The victims were Edward C. Lubbers, 38, Chicago, and his 9-year-old son. Thomas. Injured were Lubbers’ wife, Eunice, 34, and sons Ronald, 4. and Edw-ard, Jr., 2, and Pearl Collins, 37, Knox. Police said the Lubbers car and one driven by Pearl Collins collided, and a third auto rammed Into the wreckage. It was driven by Ronnie Campbell, 22, North Judsom who was unhurt. Frederick D. Loomis. 16, Angola, was killed Saturday night when a truck veered out of control on near Angola and struck a car? injuring five other , persons. ~ , A two-car collision near Bluffton ; claimed the lite of Obe Billings, 40, Van Dyke, Mich. Mrs. Dorothy ( Nelson. 49, Bluffton, was injured seriously.

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Ousted Head Os FHA Defends His Practices Hollyday Is First Witness As Senate Group Opens Probe WASHINGTON UP — Guy T. O. i Hollyday, ousted federal housing administrator, told senate investigators today he acted to prevent "improper practices’’ and the “defrauding’’ of homeowners on Improvement loans. Holtyday, who was fired when ihe irregularities were first disclosed, was the first witness at the senate banking committee's investigation of the multi-mtlllon dollar housing scandals: He testified as President Elsenhower issued an executive order at his Augusta, Ga., vacation headquarters giving the committee access to income, excess profits and gift tax files for the years 1942 through 1953. The fact that Mr. Elsenhower planned to issue the order was announced here last week. Clyde L. Powell, Hollyday’s assistant, had been scheduled as the . opening witness. But he refused to ■ testify except under subpena the committee voted to sctosw ■ date him. An aide was dispatched to the sergeatit-at-arms oft P’s, where Powell was waiting, to serve the papers. Chairman Homer E. Capehart (R-lnd.) cautioned in an opening statement that the “unfortunate happenings" uncovered in the FHA must not be permitted to scuttle the .entire housing program. He said the investigation will deal primarily with “past abuses," but the committee is anxious to determine whether the pending administration housing bill contains any loopholes that would permit ' similar abuses in the future. Hollyday submitted a formal statement defending his efforts to "Improve FHA procedures during his one-year term in office. “I look back on these steps with a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of pride,” he said. “I know that every one of them strengthened the FHA and improved Its functions ...” Hollyday confined his prepared statement to alleged {regularities in home improvement loans, noting that excessive mortgage loans which also are under investigation were made under a law that expired three years before he took office. He said the improvement loans were among the first problems he tackled on taking office in April, 1953, and amended rules he issued went "a long way toward preventing Improper practices and the defrauding of home owners.” "As of four months ago,” he said, “the specific measures which 1 had taken as FHA commissioner had the approval of the trade and of the President’s advisory committee on housing, and were regarded as sufficient to correct the abuses.” Capehart told the committee Powell had telephoned 20 minutes before the hearings began to say he "preferred not to appear without a subpena.” He then suggested that the subpena be Issued and it was voted without dissent. Powell, in charge of rental housing for the FHA, tried to resign when the White House ordered an Investigation of the FHA last week. Hia resignation was rejected pending outcome of the investigation. FHA commissioner Guy T. O. Hollyday was ousted at the same time. Powell and Hollyday were scheduled as the first witnesses. Capehart said they would be asked some blunt questions. He said in an interview he would demand to know why they didn’t stop the irregularities, why they , didn’t mention them to testifying jbefore his committee before, and why they didn’t ask for legislation to deal with the problem. "Our alm at the moment is to (Continued on Pag* Four)