Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 53, Number 34, Decatur, Adams County, 10 February 1955 — Page 1

Vol. LIII. No. 34.

Announce Giant Labor Merger am - □J wl " s HIU f > Ji I 1 & ' : fliw ! -\ ’' A3 WM ?. '• iLwl w W JMt .- .AA-fe-" x* Ha if H .4 ' V 1.1 *. 1 / / f r y ’JU CLIMAXING TWO DAYS of discussion and two years of negotiations, A. F. of L. president George Meany and C. 1.0. president Walter Reuther shake hands as their sub-committee hearings broke up at Miami Beach and announced a historic merger of their giant unions. Approval by unity committees of both labor groups clinched the wedding of the A. F. of L.’s 10,300,000 members with the C. I. O’s 4,400,000 membership.

Craig-Jenner Battle Looms In Assembly New Conflict Over Beer And Politics Moves By Governor INDIANAPOLIS (INS) — Another Craig - Jenner Republican f/tional battle loomed in the Indiana general assembly today. It apparently will succeed a similar struggle over the toll road issue which ia being won by the forces of Governor George N. Craig. The new conflict is concerned with measures which the governor maintains will take beer out of politics but which the Jenner faction leaders believe will revive the beer importer system of the McNuU. Democratic days. The senate Wednesday afternoon passed the Weasel naan bill repealing the anti-discrimination section of the state liquor law, but this is not) the Craig administration measure. The Craig forces are kacking the Downey-Claffey house bill which goes much farther. It would permit brewers or distillers to choose any number of wholesalers to sell their products. This bill also would penalize the distiller or brewer tor any vlolation of laws or regulations by the wholesaler. The Jenner group chiefs point out that the Craig organization could select any wholesaler to their liking or even confine the number of wholesalers to one, which would restore the importer system. Also, there is d conflict between the two factions over appeals to the courts from decisions of the Craig-controlled Indiana alcoholic beverage commission. A senate bill, indorsed by the Jenner faction, would permit appeals to the Marion county superior court from license suspensions of the ABC with stay of execution after 10 days. The Craig measure would permit the appeals but would deny any stays. This would enable the governor’s ABC to handle politic-ally-obnoxious wholesalers for many without court remedy. The senate today held a special order of business on bills to grant strict powers to save the state’s water supply and to allow the governor and attorney general to adjudicate unpaid claims against persons owing bills for treatment at state mental institutions. The senate late Wednesday, 23 to 22. failed to give a constitutional majority of 26 to a bill lessening terms of prisoners serving undeterminate sentences for good behavior after a lengthy argument among lawyers. The house, which Considered the biennial budget until the night hours Wednesday, approved a $2.7 million cut in budgets of eight mental hospitals, thereby indicating approval of slashing other items on the mental health budget ■proposals. The state board of accounts announced it will give the lawmakers an audit of the toll road commission’s books within a week, covegjng the commission activities from May 9, 1951 through Dec. 31, 1954. Court House, Bonk To Close Saturday C|ount house cpfices and <the First State bank will be closed Saturday in observance of Lincoln’s birthday. The post office and library will remain open, as will most other federal offices.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Senators Split On Military Reduction Split Over Wisdom Os Manpower Cuts WASHINGTON Senate armed services committeemen split today over the wisdom of military manpower cuts in the face of the Formosa crisis and the switc hin the Kremlin’s leadership. Sen. James Duff (R-Pa.) said after hearing secret testimony from the nation’s two top defense officials* that he supports President Eisenhower’s plan to slash the military by about 300,000 men. Duff declared: ”We have got to look at it from the long range view. Russia is going to keep the world in turmoil for a long future irrespective of events that may happen now. This will give stability for the long-range picture.” The committee, headed by SenRichard B. Russell (D-Ga.) heard defense secretary Charles Wilson and Gen. Arthur W. (Radford, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, in a day-long secret session Wednesday. ■ Russell said that Wilson indictted that if strength were added, “he did not think it would go to the army;-’ The senator said the air and navy striking forces would get the increase. Senators opposed to the cuts have protested those in the army, which gets the largest slash •— 273,000 men. i Russell said there “is no way congress can compel” the President to increase the military. He explained that more funds could be voted but the administration could “freeze” rather than spend the money. Sen. Stuart Symington (D-Mo.) said the military should "be increased. not cut” in view of testimony he heard on the world situation. Sen. Henry M. Jackson CDWash.) said that while he would not quote Radford, "I found the situation dangerous — there is a tough road ahead.” But Sen. Ralph E. Flanders (RVt.) said he found the manpower program satisfactory because additional men “could not be used immediately and probably not for some time.” Kokomo Reverting To Standard Time 38-Day Trial Is Ended At Kokomo KQKOMCL Ind. (INS)—Kokomo gave fast time back to Ohio today after a 38-day trial. The decision came pt a standing-* room-only session of the city council by the close vote of 5-4. The Wednesday night meeting lasted son three and a half hours. The resolution specifies that CST be reinstate 4 at 2 a.m. Sunday to continue until April 24 when daylight saving time—the same as EST —will be effective for the summer. When the city fathers last voted on the controversial time question, the margin had been 8-1 in favor of EST, Nov. 29. Much of the opposition to fast time came from parents who didn’t want their children to start off to school in the dark or semidark. One child was killed in a before-daybreak accident .shortly after EST became effective Jan. 2. Many eastern Indiana cities and towns bordering Ohio, and northern areas adjoining Michigan have adopted EST during the past year. Both of these neighboring states have EST. ( '

Broad Review Os Plans For Asia Foreseen Formosa Defense Pact Approved By Senate Wednesday WASHINGTON (INS) — A broad review of administration plans in the Far East was forecast today as an inevitable outgrowth of the senate's ratification of a now permanent “hold Formosa” policy. A leading senator who declined to be quoted by name said the administration would find itself confronted with this necessity as a result of ratification of the Formosa defense treaty. The senate approved the defense pact by a vote of 64 to 6—17 more than the required two-thirds majority—and ordered that President Eisenhower be notified immediately. Policy on trade in the troubled Far East area, the senate leader declared, as well as the more urgent one of military action in the Formosa straits must be “reexamined” in the light of the now formal commitment. The senate armed services committee alreday is taking a hard look at the Pentagon’s military manpower cuts fa view of Red China’s threat to Formosa and Russia's announced intention to give Peiping its “full support.” Before ratifying the mutual defense pact covering Formosa and the Pescadores, the senate rejected four efforts by Sen. Wayne Morse (Ind.-Ore.) to alter the provisions of the treaty. His first t,wo tries were in the forms of outfight amendments, rejected on roll call votes. Then he was beaten when he offered both as reservations. Morse's first amendment, defeated 57 to 11, would have asserted that nothing in the treaty affected or modified the “legal status or sovereignty” of Formosa and the Pescadores. The second amendment, rejected 60 to 10, would have struck from the treaty one sentence providing for extension of the pact to other territories—like Quemoy or Matsu —only bu mutual agreement. Instead of altering the treaty or the resolution of ratification, the senate foreign relations committee wrote "understandings” into tits formal report to cover the points raised by Morse —as well (Continued on Page Five) Accident Injuries Are Fatal To Man SHOALS, Ind. (INS) —lnjuries suffered 10 days ago have cost the life of William Moffitt, 77, of R. R. 1, Shoals. He suffered head and internal injuries and a crushed peivis when he stepped in front of a car driven by Robert Workman, of R. R. 1, Edinburgh, of U. S. 50, three miles west of Shoals, Feb. 1. Terrorized Girl Dies In Car Crash Girl And Kidnaper Killed Early Today • JERSEY CITY, N. J. (INS) — A terrorized teenage girl, driving with a gun pressed to her neck, smashed her car into a police roadblock in Jersey City early today, killing herself and her kidnaper. The car, racing at 60-miles-an-hour, rammed into one of two police cars blocking its path on the Pulaski Skyway and burst into flames as it overturned. The high school coed, abducted from a lover’s lane, and the crazed gunmqn were trapped inside the blazing wreck which ended a wild 30-mile chase. They burned to death despite police efforts to save them. The girl was identified as Constance Cobb, 17, of Milltown, N.J. Earlier, the man had identified himself to a police officer whom he disarmed as Leonard Pasco, 23, of Bound Brook, N. J. Police said Pasco had a criminal record and was on parole. Dick Heller Enlists In U. S. Air Force Dick Heller. Jr. enlisted in the U. S. air force and is enroute to Lackland air base, San Antonia, Tex., it was learned today. Heller enlisted Wednesday at Indianapolis for a period of four years. He resigned his job as re-porter-photographer with the Dally Democrat Monday. He previously had served in the army for three years, two years in Germany.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, February 10, 1955.

Over Half Os Chinese Nationalist Troops Taken From Tachens

Red Violations Os Armistice Under Study Diplomats Os U. N. Study Charges Os Korea Violations WASHINGTON (INS) — United Nations diplomats moved today towards a possible showdown with the Communists oyer Red violations of the Korean armistice. U. S. and Republic of Korea officials were described as "frankly fed up." and strong sentiment was developing for a move to disband the half-Communist neutral nations supervisory commission. Late Tuesday afternoon, deputy undersecretary of state Robert D. Murphy outlined the problem to diplomats from Korea and the 15 other nations which contributed fighting forces to the UN command in the Korean war. The diplomats were shocked by the fact that the Communists blandly announced that North Korea now has an air force with jet fighter planes. The armistice prohibited either side from introducing any new types of weapons into Korea, and the North Koreans had no jet fighters or any other planes operating on the poaiaeala when the war ended in July, 1953. The North Korean announcement came in explanation of the aerial battle last Saturday when American Sabrejets shot down two Russian built MIG-15 jet fightersover international watess west of Korea. At the Tuesday afternoon briefing, Murphy concentrated on two paints. One was the armistice violation which gave jet fighters to the North Koreans. The other was the operation of the supervisory commission made up of representatives of. non-Com-munist Switzerland and Sweden and Communist Poland and Czechoslovakia. The Swiss and the Swedes submitted a long report nast May charging that the Communists had made it, impossible for them to effectively carry out their mission of inspecting all military shipments to and from North Korea and make certain armistice terms were not being violated. Included in the charges against the Communists is one that they (Continued on Page Five) Four Children Die As Home Destroyed Apartment House Gutted By Flames WHEELING, W. Va. (INS) — Four of the five children of a ■Wheeling taxi-driver perished today in attire which gutted a fivefamily apartment house and an adjoining home. -The mother of the children. Mrs. Mary Stewart, 34, suffered first degree burns of the hands and face and was knocked unconscious when a gas range in her kitchen apparently exploded. Mrs. Stewart revived and tried in vain to save her children. — A fifth child, seven-year-old Roy Stewart, was believed at first to have been trapped with his brothers and sister, but later was found The victims, all children of James Stewart, 35. were: George, five; John, three; Patricia, two; and Edmund, three months. One fireman was overcome by smoke while fighting the blaze, but was revived at a hospital and returned to help as eight companies worked for an hour and a half to control the flames. r Fire Chief William McFadden estimated damage to the home and the apartment house at $20,000. The four families who occupied the apartments with the Stewarts and the occupants of the private home all were forced to flee into the street.

State Bankruptcy Warned By Peters Treasurer Os State Feuds With Craig INDIANAPOLIS (INS) — State treasurer John Peters was sworn into office today for his second term on the heels of a wordy exchange with Gov. George N. Craig over Indiana's financial status. The oath of office was administered at 11 a.m. tocay in the statehonse by Appellate Court Judge Dewey Kelly.. Peters said Wednesday that the 1675 million biennial budget approved by the house of representatives would put Indiana "on the v4rge of bankruptcy.” His remarks were made at a session of the senate finance committee, while Craig’s retort came from the gubernatorial office. Peters said the proposed budget would cut the state’s surplus to sl3 million. Before the general assembly started, the surplus was SB2 million, which peters has suggested be refunded In part, to the taxpayers. But at the finance committee appearance. Peters proposed that a budget be approved only three months beginning July 1, and that a special session of the general assembly be called after a more detailed stddy of the budget. , i r Craig asserted that Peters’ statements wertf*' “so inaccurate they require a frank answer.” He and Peters "re of opposing segments of the GOP. T1 governor asserted that the would not bankrupt the state, nor would it even require new taxes at this session. Craig said the state budget is the work of a bipartisan legislative committee, and represents many weeTtsdfsfryahdeffort. One source of difference for figures cited by Craig and anti-Craig groups is the s2l million left in the World War II bonus. The administration is figuring this sum will be transferred to the general fund. One Defendant Is Released On Bond One Os Burglary Defendants Freed Charles Johnson, 22. of Decatur, one of three men who ’face burglary charges in Adams circuit court, was released Wednesday afternoon under a $3,000 bond. Sureties for the bond are Ralph Gantz, Kenneth E. Hlrschy and Josephine Baumgartner. Johnson’s bond wag posted the day after his arraignment when attorney Robert Smith was appointed pauper attorney to represent him, Johnson is charged with an affidavit on three counts, automobile banditry, accessory before-the fact to entry to commit a felony and accessory before the fact to first degree burglary. . Johnson and two others were arrested Sunday night following a breakin at the Arthur Bertsch home in St. Mary’s township. The other men are Robert Grimm, 21, of Decatur route six, and Raymond Fair, 26, of Van Wert, O. They are being held at the Adams county Jail. Their' bonds were also set at $3,000. Heavy Snowfall In Northern Indiana INDIANAPOLIS (INS) — The Indiana highway commission reported today it is snowing heavily in the northwestern part of Indiana as far south as Rensselaer and east ot a line through South Bend and Plymouth. It said roads in this area are extremely slippery and visibility is poor. Roads in the balance of the state are said to be normal.

Agreement By AFL, CIO To Merge Unions Unite 15 Million American Workers Under One Banner BULLETIN MIAMI BEACH (IN8) — The executive council of the American Federation of Labor today unanimously approved the historic merger agreement uniting the AFL and CIO. MIAMI BEACH (INS) — The first step to seal the agreement for a historic merger of the AFL and CIO was to be taken today when the AFL executive council meets to ratify the amalgamation. The merger formula announced Wednesday in Miami Beach after two days of "showdown talks” means that 15 million workers will enter 1956 with American labor united for the first time in nearly 20 years. AFL President George Meany will become top officer of the merged labor group, while the ClO’s Walter (Reuther will be named a vice president of the new federation. The agreement though reached In top-level talks bet weep the two groups, must <o through the following steps before merger becomes final: 1. It must be approved by the AFL and CIO executive councils. 2. Each organization in separate conventions must ratify it. 3. A joint AFL-CIO convention then must give final approval. The AFL executive group is expected tp approve the move today. The CIO executive board will vote on it Feb. 24. The AFL executive group is expected to approve the move today. The CIO executive board will vote on it Feb. 24. The AFL convention will be in Chicago in September and the CIO meets in October at Buffalo. The agreement, culminating two years of unity talks, brings to an end the bitter split between the two groups which began in 1935 when the industrial unions left the AFL. Under the pact, the executive officers of the new organization would be elected at conventions held every two years. The initial president and secre-tary-treasurer must come from the AFL, but the agreement does not stipulate that the post be rotated between former AFL-CIO officials nor does It specify whether officers must step down at the end of the two-year terms. (Continued on Page Five) 11

Booher Trial Set For February 15 Hartford City Man To Face Trial Here Tlte trial of William H. Booher. Hartford City man who faces a charge at grand larceny in Adams circuit court, has been set for Feb. 15 at 9 a. m. Booher was arraigned in December when he was charged with the theft of a check from Dorsey Bisel in Geneva. During his arraignment he entered a plea of not guilty and Hubert McClenahan was named pauper attorney to represent hjm. James Gates of Wells county, pleaded guilty to charges arising from the same offense and is now serving a one to 10 year sentence. 'Prosecuting attorney Lewis L. Smith stated that a subpoena had been issued to the superintendent of the Indiana reformatory at Pendleton for Gates, who will appear in the Booher trial as a state witness. Prosecutor Smith and sheriff Merle Affolder were at Pendleton Wednesday afternoon to confer with Gates and to issue the subpoena. ,

Eisenhower Report Assailed By Reuther Labor Head Lashes Economic Report WASHINGTQN (INS) — CIO President Walter P. Reuther charged today that President Eisenhower's economic report to congress merely continued its “past policy of digging its head in the sand when confronted with economic problems.” Reuther, in testimony prepared for delivery before the Joint congressional committee on the economic report, also argued that the “administration’s obligation” under the 1946 employment act was not fulfilled. In a 6,000-word statement, the labor official contended that the President failed to present a positive program for “maximum employment, production and purchasing power,” which he said is a requirement of the 1946 law. The CIO chief also urged a congressional investigation “of the economic and social implications of automation (automatic machinery)” to help guide America "through the transition to the world of abundance that the new technology is bringing forth." Reuther said in his statement that Mr. Eisenhower’s economic report failed to “analyze and discuss” 'the stagnant unempioyment problem; avoided a discussion of "automation.”’ and neglected to mention the decline In farm income and problems of smalt business. He told the committee, headed by Sen. John J. Sparkman (IlAla.) that he was disturbed by what he called the administration’s “complacency” over unemployment and by the government’s “constant preoccupation with inflation some 40-odd months after the peak of the post-Korean inflatlon has passed." - ' ■ f ' | ' Reuther continued: ”... I firmly believe that the administration • is selling the American people short; that its petty, half-hearted economic programs are based on an hypnotic preoccupation with statistical indeexs of the long-run (Continued on Page Five)

Pinay Gives Up On Forming Cabinet Cites Urgency Os Government Need PARIS (INS) — Antoine Pinay gave up trying to organize a new Ffench cabinet today, but predicted a new premier-designate will be selected by President Rene Coty very soon. Emerging from a 25-mlnute conference with Coty in the Elysee Palace, the conservative independent said France “urgently” needed a new government in view~of: impending international confereces, an apparent reference to the Bangkok conference. Coty w-aa scheduled to confer with assembly leaders this afternoon and approach a new candidate this evening. * Pinay said that he would support the new candidate "regardless of personal animosity and hostile attitude” some parties displayed toward him during his negotiations to end the slx-day old crisis. France has been without a cabinet since Premier Pierre MendesFrance’s government — the 20th since the liberation — was overthrown last Saturday. INDIANA WEATHER Cold wave tonight with temperatures falling to zero to 5 above north, 5-10 above south. Snow north accumulating to 2 to 4 inches this afternoon, diminishing to flurries tonight and rain changing to snow with brief period of freezing rain south this afternoon diminishing- to flurries early tonight Friday mostly cloudy north with enow flurriee extreme north, cloudy south and quite cold. High Friday 5-10 above zero north, 10-15 south.

Five Cents

No Difficulties From Reds Over Troop Removal First Nationalist Troops Withdrawn Under Fleet Cover TAIPEI (INS) — More than half of the estimated 15,000 Chinese Nationalist troops alatea for withdrawal from the Tachen Islands arrived safely at Formosa today without any trouble from the Chinese Communists. These were the first Chiang KaiShek soldiers evacuated from the Communist-threatened islands under the protection of the powerpacked U.S. seventh fleet. Two Nationalist ships carrying a total of 7,524 soldiers and 579 civilians docked at the North Formosa port of Keelung. Three American ships carrying more of the estimated 15,000 Nationalist troops scheduled for evacuation were enroute to Keehing and expected to arrive this evening. 1 . Reports from the Tachens said the military evacuation was proceeding smoothly under the guidance of United States Marines and Sailors who landed on the Commu-nist-menaced islands to speed the so-called operation pullback. Officers with the American military assistance advisory group in Taipei said that they estimate the evacuation Will be finished by Friday noon., o INS Far Eastern director Marvin Stone reported from the Tachens that Rear Adm. Lorenzo Sabin, commander of the mighty amphibious force in the operation, expects that the evacuation will be completed in "the next couple dt days” weather permitting. . Sabin told Stone that no further incidents were reported following the loss of an American Skyraider attack bomber Thursday. The plane was shot down by Communist anti-aircraft fire near the Tachens. All three men aboard were rescued. Admiral Sabin said there was “no reason the Communists should interfere with the evacuation,” adding: “They are getting what they

want.” Under President Eisenhower’s redeployment plan for the defense of Formosa, Nationalist troops are being withdrawn to the south of the Tachens to set up a tighter line against possible Communist attacks. Evacuation of 17,000 civilians from the Tachens, some 200 miles north of Formosa, was carried out under the redeployment plan. The Nationalists were carrying out a “scorched earth” policy in regard to the Tachens, leaving the Communists nothing of military value. Big guns and ammunition were loaded aboard avacuation ships to prevent them from falling into Communist hands. The Reds are expected to move in and take the islands in a bloodless landing as soon as the military evacuation of Nationalists is completed. The Communists have made no serious attempts to Interfere with the evacuation and several incidents including the shooting down of the Skyraider have been declared “non-hostlle” and not subject to retaliation according to the highest U.S. navy authorities. Nationalist authorities were cooperating fully in the evacuation even though some high military figures had opposed it. The Nationalists received with gratification the news from Washington of the U. S. senate’s overwhelming approval of the Formosa—U. 8. mutual defense pact. One high source saia ratification of the treaty was "a positive long range step" adding: “This serves to lessen the adverse effect on morale caused by the Tacben pullout.”