Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 55, Number 86, Decatur, Adams County, 11 April 1957 — Page 4

PAGE FOUR

Serious Problem Os Air* Safety Facing Nation

By ROBERT J. BERLING United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON (UP) - The oldest commercial airliner in service today is mechanically as new as an automobile with only 6,000 miles on its speedometer. That fact exemplifies the care that goes into the construction and maintenance of America's 1,606plane commercial air fleet. New planes are tested for thousands of hours before they are officially certified as safe for carrying passengers. Airliners already in service are subjected to regular and frequent inspection. After every 8,000 hours of flight time, they literally are rebuilt. AU these safety measures, however, have never completely eliminated the "bugs” that seem to plague aU types of aircraft Almost every transport plane used by U.S. airlines since 1946 has suffered some kind of major mechanical malfunction that was undetected in aU the pre-certiflcation testing. And some of these diffi- . cultires have caused fatal crashes. For example: DC4s: The nation’s first fourengined airliner was flown for * hundreds of thousands of hours as a wartime transport. Yet all this operational experience failed to uncover a small but vital weakness —a piece of bonding tape on the tail which, when worked loose, ballooned into the wind and created what amounted to a giant air brake. This defect sent one Eastt ern Airlines DC4 to its death, killing 50 persons. The Eastern crash, on May 30, 1948, was an unsolved mystery until another DC4, almost three years later, went into a sudden dive and recovered only a few hundred feet from the ground.

, ■■ a , , , BUTTERFIELD FAMOUS ~ Tomato Juice 2 - 49( BOONE COUNTY • ~ — Catsup 2 25c TENDER — SWEET - Celery Hearts BM h 21C 1 U. S. No. 1 MAINE . A Potatoes 10 ~ 49c I. G. A. EXTRA WHIPPED Salad Dressing 39C WE HONOR CANNED GOODS EHgH iteilfor I big top K&R Home Servings | p T SPECIALS ! ■v fel * BUTTER Kidney Beang . Bed BeaM . Pißto IfclwflMPn n-w wyJJ’l’Lw, Beans - Butter Beans - Peas A PiIOC KRAFT mentos - Spaghetti - Bed Beets - COUPONS! Great Northern Beans - Irish Pota -RDER N Q W - - Easter HAMS * TENDER ROH*® STEAK 1 69 c TENDER Wu SIRLOIN STEAK 69c FROZEN 1 BONELESS PERCH 3 ■■». 99c GOODIN’S SELF SERVICE STORE OPEN WEEK DAYS ’TILL 9 P. M. — SUNDAYS ’TILL 6:30 P. M.

Examination of this aircraft rel vealed the culprit — the ripped i bonding tape. Constellation: This sleek, tripler tailed beauty was grounded tempoi rarily a few years ago when a fire and subsequent crash revealed inherent weaknesses in the plane’s I electrical system. DC6: In 1947, a United Air Lines DC6 caught fire over Utah and . crashed. Cause Os the blaze was . unknown until an American DC6 . also caught fire but managed to . land safely Investigators found a . flaw in the plane’s system for . transferring fuel from one wing tank to another. Under certain conditions, overflowing gas would . leak into the ducts of the cabin . heater and ignite. Every DC6 was , grounded for modification of the . fuel tank system. Martin 202: In 1948, one of these . twin - engined transports operated . by Northwest Airlines fell apart in a thunderstorm near Winona, Minn. One wing was found some . distance from the rest of the wreckage and investigators suspected structural failure — which had not occurred on a scheduled airliner since 1931. Examination of Northwest’s entire 202 fleet revealed fatigue cracks in the wings , of five planes. The 202 was ■ grounded until the weakness, an . inadequate wing "flange,” was corrected. Stratocruiser: Several crashes . involving this Boeing-built giant . were blamed on failure of a new . type of propellor. DC7: In its early months of service, this fastest of pistonengined transports suffered an embarrassing number of in-flight engine failures until technicians solved a fuel mixture problem. Viscount: A few weeks ago, one of these British-made turbo prop

I planes crashed in England. The accident was caused by faulty bolts in the wing flaps. Later models of the airliner, used in this country by Capital Airlines, were immediately inspected to make - sure they did not have a similar flaw. They didn’t. “We could test every new type of plane for 200,000 hours or more to see what bugs develop,” a Civil Aeronautics Administration official said. "But such lengthy testing 1 would be the economic ruin of every airplane manufacturer who has millions tied up in tooling. Every certified plane must pass difficult tests and meet or surpass rigid performance specifications—such as ability to climb safely even when an engine fails on takeoff. The public never hears about the hundreds of so-called bugs that are eliminated by these tests.” In addition to this elaborate precertiflcation testing, the government requires every carrier to follow certain maintenance standards. These include: —Visual inspection of a plane after every landing, with emphasis on correcting complaints reported by crews. —Basic inspections performed every 130 hours or sooner, including installation of new spark plugs and opening up engine nacelles for a closer check than in step 1. ‘ —Regular overhaul of engines. Newer types must be pulled out and overhauled after every 800 1 hours of operation. Older, more 1 proven engines may go as long as 1 1,900 hours between overhauls. —Every 8,000 hours, an airliner is taken completely apart and lit--1 erally rebuilt. This involves not '■ only brand-new engines but may even mean new wings, new fuse- , lage and other major parts. That is why the CAA can say ’ "There is no such thing as an old airplane.” Next—Jet planes will be safer. Trade in a good town — Decatur

- THE DECATUM DAILY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA

St. Lawrence Seaway Costs On Increase Report Estimated Construction Cost Is Nearly Doubled WASHINGTON (UP)—Rep. John A. Btetnik (D-Minn.) said Thursday that the St. Lawrence Seaway may have to be refinanced once it begins operations because the estimated cost of its construction has nearly doubled. Blatnik is a member of the House Public Works Committee which will resume hearings next Wednesday on why the seaway’s estimated costs have spurted upward. The committee will call back for more testimony Seaway Administrator Lewis G. Castle: Maj. Gen. C.U. Hoile, top Army engineer on the project, and Dr. N.R. Danielian, chairman of the Users Committee on St. Lawrence Seaway Tolls. Blatnik predicted the Seaway Corp, will be granted its request for an increase in its 35 million dollar bonding limit. But he said the committee wants to know more about why earlier cost estimates have risen. Castle said Tuesday the Seaway Corp, believed until mid-1956 that it could complete the American portion of the joint U.S.-Canadian project within the 105-million-dollar borrowing limit set by Congress in 1954. But since then, he said, construction costs have risen far above the original 1952 construction estimates and the Seaway Corp, has been saddled with a number of jobs not included in the original plans. The result was an increase from 66 million dollars to 133 million dollars in the estimated construction cost of the American sections of the seaway. He said the Canadians are having similar troubles. Danielian said his group is afraid the new estimates will force tolls so high once the project is operating they will discourage use of the seaway by ocean-going ships. He said it might be necessary to cut the interest paid to the U.S. Treasury on seaway bonds, lengthen the 50-year payoff period for the project, or deduct some of the construction costs on which the tolls will be computed. Blatnik told the United Press after the hearing that he doubted any action would be taken at this time to either stop the project or change its organization. But he said the project may have to be refinanced once it is in operation. “Nothing can be gained by trying to blame someone for this,” Blatnik said. He said the 1952 estimates could not have included 1956 prices, nor anticipated all of the additional construction work the corporation would be handed. Joint Farm Bureau Meeting On Friday A joint meeting of the Preble, Root and Union township Farm Bureaus will be held at the Monmouth high school Friday evening at 8 o’clock. Speaker for the evening will be Anson Thomas, of the Indiana Farm Bureau. The public is invited to attend. Logansport Man Dies Os Old Injuries LOGANSPORT (UP) —Bruce B. Babb, 77, Logansport, died this week of complications from injuries sustained in a traffic accident last August. His motor scooter collided with an automobile near Logansport.

OPEN FRIDAYS till 9:00 P.M. ’’’■H aMTUmi « APRIL 12th and 19th DLAUnVICLLU 4 it-; ... . . - SMART, NEW EASTER TOPPERS DUSTERS, THREE-QUARTER and FULL LENGTH COATS at BARGAIN PRICES! ' ■ , ... . I 100% Wool Tweeds, Suedes, Fleeces and Cashmere Blends. I p 1 if | SHORTY and NOW s fl A.87 $ 1 0.87 THREE-QUARTER COATS—Reg. $14.95 to >24.95 to FULL LENGTH SIA 87 S *9O.S7 COATS — Reg. $24.95 to $39.95 __2— NOW A Jto w * SHOP and SAVE at BLACKWELLS OPEN WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS ’TILL 9:00

Third Class Mail Controversy Rages Involved In Debate Over Postal Rates By LOUIS CASSELS United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON (UP) — Third class mail Is government-subsi-dized form of advertising that fills your mailbox with unwanted Junk, slows the delivery of regular mail and drives postmen nuts.” “Third class mail is an indispensable postal service which pays its own way, stimulates retail sales totalling 16 billion dollars a year, and indirectly provides employment for upwards of four million workers.” Choose between these definitions and you will be taking sides in one of the hottest controversies involved in the current debate over postal rates and services. Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield fanned the flames when he threatened to embargo third class mail starting April 29 as part of his war of nerves with Congress over postal appropriations. But the question of whether this kind of mail is a national need or a national nuisance arose long before, and doubtless will continue long after, the present crisis in postal operating funds. Third class mail is many things. It is the unsealed greeting card you send with a 2-cent stamp at Christmas. It Is, by ancient law, the low postage rate applied to garden catalogs and seed packets. It is any small parcel weighing less than 8 ounces. About 10 per cent of it consists of unsealed letters (news bulletins, fund-raising appeals, etc.) sent out by churches, colleges and charity organizations at a postage rate of 1 cent. Bulk Mailing Rate But the vast majority of third class mail consists of advertising circulars, brochures and samples sent out by business firms. The amount of advertising matter distributed through the postal system—at a bulk mailing rate of Ift cents a piece—has grown more thhn 300 per cent in the past 10 years. It has changed third class mail from a relatively insignificant phase of the postal service to the second largest category of mail, surpassed only by first class letters. Whether this rapidly expanding use of the mails as an advertising medium is good oir bad depends on your point of view. Rep. William W. Broomfield (R-Mich.), who has legislation to abolish third class mail, summed up the argument against it in these words: “The post office says it is losing about 170 million dollars a year handling third class mail. This means that the government is subsidizing a highly profitable advertising industry. “Great numbers of the American people don’t want this ‘junk mail’ cluttering up their mail boxes. It Is not fair to force them to pay, through their taxes, part of the cost of advertising solicitations which are a nuisance to them.” Defends Low Rate Harry Maginnis, executive manager of the Associated Third Class Mail Users, a group of business firms which sell by mail, challenged the post office claim that it loses money on this type of service. He said a different system of pro-rating postal overhead costs among various types of mail would show that "they are actually making a profit on third class mail.” “If the post office is subsidizing anyone," he said, “it is not third class mail advertisers, but the newspapers and magazines whose second class mail goes through at an annual deficit of about 230 million dollars.” Maginnis said there are two

reasons why a reduced postal rate is justified on third class mail: 1. Tb qualify for the Ift cents per piece rate for bulk mailings, the sender must bring his mail to the post office already sorted, bundled, canceled and ' placed in mailbags ready to be put on the 2. Third class mail is a “deferred" service, which the post office handles when clerks have time on their hands between peak periods of first class mailings. This “fill-in” operation enables the post office to make more efficient overall use of its manpower. Congressional Tour To Kentucky In May - * Mistake In Tying In Trip To Derby WASHINGTON (UP) - Rep. James E. Van Zandt (R-Pa.) said Thursday the Army has a fine show in store for touring congressmen at Ft. Knox, Ky., bpt that “they made a big mistake” tying the trip in with the Kentucky Derby. W 1 . 1 "HR* Van Zandt said the military demonstration planned for the lawmakers the week end of May 3-4 is well worth the cost of flying House and Senate members from Washington to Louisville and back. “But they made a big mistake when they told members they could stay over to see the Derby and come back the next day,” Van Zandt said. “People will get the idea the whole thing is a Derby junket.” To The Races? Van Zandt said he fears also that some members not really interested in the Army demonstration will take advantage of the free round trip flight plus free room and probably free meals as well. Rep. Frank T. Bow (R-Ohio) said the trip sounds all right to him unless the Army spends extra money on the members who elect to stay for the Derby. According to Army plans, this will entail an extra night’s lodging and presumably extra meals. Bow said it’s not true though that the military always picks up the tab for the congressmen’s meals on such trips. Sometimes members pay their: own food bills, Bow said. In any event neither Van Zandt nor Bow will be able to accept the Army’s invitation. Tbe Army said it had no idea yet how many others would be able to accept. A spokesman declined to say in fact just how many were being invited. Downs Nearby Quarters will be provided at Ft. Knox, which is conveniently close to Louisville and Churchill Downs. Army Secretary Wilber M. Brucker’s letter of invitation did not mention food, but other sources said free access to the officers’ mess customarily goes with the quarters. “Dates for the running of the Kentucky Derby were not, of course, considered when plans for the Ft. Knox demonstration were originated last December, an Army spokesman said. However, Brucker said return transportation would be arranged for congressmen who wish to stay over an extra night. “I regret that I am not in position to make arrangements for seats at the Derby,” he said. COURI NEWS Estate Cases A final report in the Thomas H. Baltzell estate was submitted, showing that $107,214.19 in cash and land had- been distributed, eight heirs receiving one-ninth portion each and eight heirs receiving one-seventy second portion each. *

Juror Excused Calvin H. Hamritk was excused from petit jury duty by reason of being over 65 years of age. Amended Claim Fllbd An amended claim in the complaint of W. L. Linn, Washington township trustee, against the estate of Homer Smitley, for $965.83, was filed. * Summons Issued A summons was issued to the Fort Wayne Orphans Home of the Reformed Church of the United States, returnable April 25, in the complaint to quiet title of Frank and Myrtle E. Garwood vs Eldora I. Butcher, et al. Complaint Filed A complaint for damages and for accounting by Ivan Fox against Marian G. Murphy and Harry Murphy, with summons returnable April 26, was filed. The complaint alleged that under a verbal agreement for leasing farmlands on a crop-sharing basis the defendant owes the plaintiff $750 for work and services plus interest. Trade in a good town — Decatur

WEEK-END SPECIALS TENDERLOIN ...... !b. 79c SMOKED HAM . lb. 69c RIBS A BACK BONES, lb 39c PURE LARD 2 lbs. 29c SMOKED JOWL lb. 19c PORK PATTIES .— lb. Ssc FRESH SIDE fb. 29c MINUTE STEAK .... lb. 59c FRESH SAUSAGE .. fb. 29a ROUND STEAK —. Ib. 59c GROUND BEEF .... tb. 29c T-BONE STEAKS ... Ib. 55c BMOKED BACON .... Ib. 49c SIRLOIN STEAK .... Ib. 55c SUDDUTH MEAT MARKET 512 South 13th Street Phone 3-2706 ■W I » — 11 1 ' 1 11PREBLE RESTAURANT come Out and hear the HAMMOND ORGAN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY EVENING FUN FOR ALL ALSO: Serving Sunday Dinners From 11-7 CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY Over a century of fine tailoring experience in those | MAM-MADE * SUITS I T IK®® These are no ordinary suits. The f ||l distinguished tailoring, luxurydr ® quality’ l 'sDrinq-weight worsted | fabrics and superb styling proi'll Ilk claim them to be MARX-MADE... I* I -W' ! a * r uly famous name in clothing, fI ‘ DrO P m an< * ,ry on one t * iese * MEoJi handsome suits and see why It MW? lakes more than a label to ochieve a reputation . . . of fine tailoring As advertised in LIFE 5 49-5 O BEGUN'S CLOTHING STORE OPEN FRIDAYS, APRIL 12 & 19 ’till 9:00 P. M. OPEN EVERY WED. & SAT. NIGHTS

THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 195?

For Everyonc You Know EASTER CARDS Many religious, traditional, ~ and humorous designs. Choose yours from our - complete selection. SMITH DRUG CO.