Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 56, Number 44, Decatur, Adams County, 21 February 1958 — Page 1

Vol. LVI. No. 44.

t' ■ ■ ■ •’ \. - '•' ■ • ■:-..:‘:r B’ < • -i' AIRBORNE AID COMES TO SNOWBOUND FARMS— An Army helicopter, bound on emergency duty, prepares to alight on snow-isolated farm in the Westville area in Indiana where heavy snows have cut hundreds of farm families. Gov, Harold Handley proclaimed a state of emergency in LaPort County and surrounding areas and army whirleybirds have delivered food, medical supplies, and fuel to stranded families.

Mack Offers To Give Records To Probers Volunteers To Give Finance Records To House Cpmmittee WASHINGTON (W — FCC Commissioner Richard A. Mack has volunteered to turn over his financial records to a House investigation of alleged misconduct in government regulatory agencies, it was disclosed today. Chairman Gren Harris (D-Ark.) of the legislative oversight subcommittee told reports Mack said “we are welcome to them/* Harris said Mack will bring his financial records with him when he testifies before the subcommittee next week. He said Mack will be called to answer questions on allegedly pledging his vote in the politically-hot Miami, Fla. Channel 10 case either Tuesday or Wednesday. First, Harris said, his group-will question Miami attorney Thurman A. Whiteside on Monday. Mack has been accused of accepting $2,650 from Whiteside, who wasdnterested in winning Channel 10 for National Airlines. Deny Wrong-Doing Mack has claimed the money was for loans. Both he and Whiteside have denied any wrong-doing. Harris meanwhile summoned two more witnesses to testify. They were Jerry C. Carter, chairman of the Florida Railroad and Public Utilities Commission, and Ben H. Faqua, who has figured slightly in the current investigation. Harris said the subcommittee wants to question both about charges that Mack made a pledge to Whiteside to vote for National Airlines, which won Channel 10 in a 4-2 vote of the Federal Communications Commission. A former Miami mayor swore he couldn’t recall ever telling anyone that his good friend Mack, had “pledged” his vote. But ex-Mayor Perrine Palmer Jr., known to his many friends as “Gotsie,” stopped short of a “categorical” denial before the subcommittee. He said "my memory may not be as good as it should be.” The subcommittee called Palmer after Col. A. Frank Katzentine, a disappointed applicant for the TV channel, testified that Palmer told him Mack had "pledged” his vote to National Airlines through Whiteside. The conflicting testimony left the subcommittee with a host of loose ends as it tried to thread its way through the devious TV case. Preble Telephone Co. Asks Rate Increase A petition has been filed by the Preble Telephone Co. to increase phone rates. Hearing has been set by the public service communision at 10 o’clock, CST, Wednesday morning, March 19. The hearing will" be open to the public. INDIANA WEATHER Cloudy with scattered light drizzle north portion. Warmer tonight and in south portion Saturday. Low tonight 28 to - <35. High Saturday ranging from the 30a extreme north to the upper 40s south. Sunset today 6:28 p.m. Sunrise Saturday 7:29 a.m. Outlook for Sunday: Cloudy and continued mild with proable rain. Low Saturday night 32 to 38. High Sunday 40 north to around 50 aoufli. rfry

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Northern Indiana Slowly Digs Out Crews Fight Snow In Disaster Area LAPORTE (UP>—Crews fighting snow in a three-county disaster area hoped today a crust formed by slight melting would keep drifts from shifting further and thus aid in efforts to clear clogged roads. About 100 national guardsmen from South Bend joined local units here last night Under the command of Indiana Adj. Gen. John McConnell, the guardsmen will handle traffic, coordinate civil defense units and remove snow. Officials believed there would be little rescue work for four Army helicopters sent to the area. It appeared the worst was over and activities . ould become routine" “ '" ” ■ **" But the Helicopters were hard at work Thursday on missions taking medical supplies to isolated farms and dropping feed to cattle. South Bend Thursday recorded at least the 28th weather-ccu-nected death in Indiana since the cold wave hit Feb. 7. Dr Albert A. Kramer, 78, South Bend, died of a heart attack shoveling snow off his roof. Authorities said Kramer had suffered other attacks and had been warned . not to exert himself. Officials hoped crust formed when temperatures climbed to the thawing point Thursday will mean roads can be Cleared and stay that way. Clearing has been handicapped all week by brisk winds which blew more drifts as fast as old ones were eliminated. Two 20-passenger H2l helicopters arrived from Fort Riley, Kan., in response to a declaration by Governor Handley calling LaPorte County and parts of Starke and St. Joseph Counties a disaster area. They joined two other helicopters which were given credit (Continued on pase four) Urge Completion Os Polio Shot Series Health Officers In Request To Public Dr. C. William Freeby, county health officer, and Dr. John B. Terveer, city health officer, requested today that aH persons who have not completed their series of polip shots to get them as soon as possible. Most of the doctors in Adams county have an adequate supply of the Salk polio vaccine, “and with the hot summer months coming up, now is the time to prepare the defense against the dreaded polio.” Dr. Freeby stated that the board of health recommends a fourth booster shot to be taken approximately 10-12 months after the third shot for full protection. In the polio shot series, the second shot should be taken one month after the first ’and the third approximately 7-10 months after the second. - 7 i- »> He also stated that the drug manufacturing companies are faced with the possibility of reduction in the production of the vaccine if it is not used. The vaccine is potent only for a certain period of time and if not used must be destroyed. Then, when the need for the vaccine arises, neither the drug manufacturing companies nor the doctors will have enough to insure protection against polio. The time is near for those persons who have completed the series of three, to take the fourth shot. All persons who have not started this series are urged to do now.

Warming Spell Breaks Back Os Winter Storm Brings Relief From Cold But Threats Os Possible Floods By UNITED PRESS The “heat's” on! A warming spell that broke the back of a prolonged winter storm siege brought relief — and new problems—to the eastern third of the nation, reeling from cold and snow and now facing possible floods. Army helicopters made new mercy runs into two blizzardstricken states, Indiana and West Virginia. New York state appealed for air drops to marooned farmers, short on food and fuel, whose situation grew steadily more severe. Hundreds of persons fled their nomes in California in the wake of a violent rainstorm. Volunteers sandbagged levees along the rainswollen Sacramento River, but authorities said reinforcements were trying to bring in canvas and burlap to line the “very spongy” levee wall. About 150 families were forced from their homes at Hamilton City. 140 miles northeast of San Francisco, and another 175 persons were evacuated from the farming community of Grimes, about 95 miles from San ciscoArmy Sends Copters Deaths mounted despite the warmup. A United Press count showed that weather - associated deaths totalled at least 553 since the start of the cold wave Feb. 6. More Army whirly-birds spun to snow - bound families, joining planes which effected more than 60 rescues in northern Indiana earlier this week. Ft. Riley, Kan., dispatched two helicopters to Indiana while authorities at Ft. Knox, Ky., ordered two helicopters into Kingwood, W.Va. But officials feared the delivery of blankets and medical supplies to Kingwood would not solve the snowbound community's problems and there was talk of removing families. The U.S Weather Bureau warned that quick thawing of the heavy snow blanket in the East would pose a serious flood threat. The upper Susquehanna River basin and tributaries of the upper Delaware basin were danger areas and the upper parts of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Youghiopheny rivers also were threats. „ _ River Jam Grows In New York, where Gov. Averell Harriman declared a “state of emergency” Thursday, snowclogged roads isolated about 150 Albany County families. 1 Snow equipment collapsed rapidly under the strain, and authorities in the eastern part of the state fought a frustrating battle against winds that piled up drifts as fast as the plows them off. Rain appeared to be the only answer to the plight of Mississippi River skippers, “beached” by a 43-mile long ice jam. Although three tugboats tried to ram a channel through the ice-choked river, their situation was conceded to be futile. At one point near Willard, 111., a 13-mile stretch of solid ice ran from the surface to the river bed. Few points escaped the warming trend. Except for parts of Montana, the Dakotas, lowa and Minnesota, there were no subfreezing temperatures west of the Mississippi. The temperature shot up from 11 below to 28 above in a 24-hour period at Grantsburg, Wis-, a jump of 39 degrees. Average warm-ups were between 15 (Continued on Fa«e Five)

ONLY DAILY NEWMPAFBR IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana Friday, February 21, 1958

Benson Flatly Refuses Demands By Republican Farm Leaders To Quit

Churchill Is Reported As Improving Doctors Announce British Statesman Definitely Better ROQUEBRUNE, France (UP) —Sir Winston Churchill’s doctors announced today that "there is a very definite improvement” in Ms condition. The 83-year-old British statesman has been battling an attack of pneumonia and pleurisy since last Tuesday. A medical bulletin said: “There is a very definite improvement in Sir Winston Churchill’s condition. There are signs that the pneumonia is resolving. After a good night he is more comfortable and his progress is so far satisfactory.” The bulletin was signed by Lord Moran and Dr. David M. Roberts, the two physicians who have been treating the doughty old warrior in his latest illness. Tne wording of the bulletin—the third issued since Lord Moran flew here from London to take charge of the case—bore out the optimism expressed earlier in the day by Lady Churchill Sne faia tnen mat her husband is feeling “very well.” Earlier, sources close to Churchill’s physician v said he had passed a good night and was quite comfortable this morning. The sources said Lord Moran and Dr. David Roberts, a local physician, were examining Churchill this morning. ( Physicians were carefully watching Churchill’s heart as he entered the fourth day of Ms fight against the pleurisy and pneumonia which struck him down Tuesday. Oxygen equipment including an oxygen tent arrived today at a Nice airport, consigned “just in case” by the British company which supplied Churchill previously with such equipment. It was not necessary and was not needed at the moment. It was still unclaimed at the airport several hours after it was unloaded and Dr. Roberts said there were no plans to use it now. Neither Moran nor Roberts has given any details of the treatment they are using. They also would not identify the specific type of pneumonia from which ChurcMll is suffering. This was believed to be on Churchill’s own orders The former prime miniter was said to have been appalled by the great detail in wMch President Eisenhower’s bodily functions were discussed in the newspapers and accordingly is personally passing every word given out for publication. So far this has totaled 49 words —a bulletin reporting Lord Moran's diagnosis of pneumonia and pleurisy and one Thursday saying the famous patient had not shown any .great improvement although Ms fever was slightly lower.

Lenten Meditation (By Rev. John D. Mishler, paster Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren) ’ — .. < “THE BIG MOMENTS” - Luke 9:29—And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was alerted and his raiment became dazzling white. x The big mortients of many a man’s life occurred when he least expected the unusual, but was willingly laboring in a common responsibility. When Jesus invited Peter, James and John to accompany him to a nearby mountain on a spiritual retreat, they did not know Jrf the exceptional experience which lay ahead. They were stricken with amazement and fear when the Lord was transfigured before their very eyes. Jesus was praying when the disciples noticed that his face shone like the sun and his garments became white as light. They saw two outstanding persons from history appear and talk with Jesus Not realizing what he was saying, Peter stated, “Lord, it is certainly good that we can be here for such an event.” None of us know when the great moments with God will come into being. Thus is it uttermost important that we live under the name and in the spirit of the Son of God. We are more likely to hear God say, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him ”

Favor Additional Soil Bank Funds House Committee Votes More Funds WASHINGTON (UP)—An Agriculture Department official predicted today Congress will provide enough soil bank funds to cover applications of all farmers who wish to participate in the acreage reserve program this year. The official made the prediction after the House Appropriations Committed! recommended Thursday an additional 175 million dollars for the soil bank acreage reserve. Last year Congress voted to limit acreage reserve- payments in 1958 to ’SOO million dollars. The department did not ask for the additional money. Officials had said they would parcel out the original 500 million dollars through state Agricultural and Stabilization Committees. But farmers signed applications more readily than the department thought they would and the original funds were committed about two weeks before the signup period ended. The House committee then recommended the additional 175 million dollars. Department officials said they believed the Senate Appropriations. ..Committee will act accordingly and up the amount to cover all applications. Through Feb. T applications had been received to retire 16,731,811 acres from the production' as eorrt, cotton, wheat, rice and tobacco. If all are approved the government payment will total 974The signup period for corn, cotton and spring wheat ended Thursday and tobacco and rice signups will close March 7. It will be several days before all applications are processed. Officials predicted the total may run more than 700 million dollars, somewhat heavier than the 1957 acreage reserve paynients of 614 million dollars. District Governor Os Lions Here Monday William H. Gingher, of Fort Wayne, district president of the Lions clubs, will make his official visit to the Decatur club Monday evening, M. C. Sieling, club president, said today. Ladies are invited to attend with their Lion husbands for the annual visitation, Sieling said. The dinner will be at the usual time, 6:30 o’clock at the Decatur Youth and Community Center. Wilbur H. Blakey Is Trustee Candidate Wilbur H. Blakey, 43, a native of Union townstop, announced this morning that he will be a candidate' for trustee of that township, subject to the decision of the voters in Democratic primary May 6. This is Blakey’s first candidacy for public office. He has served several years as Democratic precinct committeeman. He is married and the father of two children, June, 13, and Charles, 6. A veteran of World War 11. Blakey is a farmer, and a member of the Immanuel Lutheran church.

United States Drafts Plans To End Split Secret Proposals Designed To Solve Tunisian Dispute WASHINGTON (UP)—The United States has drafted secret preliminary proposals designed to promote a solution of the French Tunisian split before a new series of incidents makes the situation worse, it was disclosed today. A dispatch from Tunis said relations with France had taken a sharp turn for the worse and that tempers were rising on both sides over two incidents Thursday. Tension was reported on the increase in Tunisia. The Tunisians closed five French consulates by force Thursday night, sending in troops who ordered the diplomats to pack up and leave within ten minutes. The consulates were ordered closed before but France kept them open. , ml France regarded this as a violation of existing treaties and said the government would treat it as a “grave” development. In the other incident the Tunisians accused French troops of "kidnaping” three Tunisians in .the southern village of Remada, near the Libyan border. France denied the charges and said the French had only “invited’’ the Tunisians to check on an incident in which a French jeep hit a land mine. » Officials said the US. proposals will be.outlined privately in Paris and Tunis by American troubleshooter Robert Murphy, scheduled to leave Washington today for a quick trans-Atlantic trip. Murphy, deputy undersecretary of state, planned to talk in New York with United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold before leaving tonight for London. Murphy is stopping off in London to swap ideas with the British before beginning separate talks with the French and . Tunisians. Diplomats on all sides of the effort to heal the French-Tunisian split wtre tight-lipped about strategy. Murphy talked separately Thursday with British Ambassador Sir Harold Caccia, French Ambassador Herve Alphand and Tunisian Ambassador mongi Slim. Alphand reflected the prevailing secrecy, saying as he left Murphy’s office, “If we want suc„ci.unued on p n<e Five) C.C. Membership Drive On March 3 Employment And Payroll Gain Shown The Chamber of Commerce . membership drive is scheduled for the week of March 3. Louis Jacobs, president of the C. of C., stated that the present dues are now paying the fixed charges of the organization, including salaries, rent and heat, but leave too little for promotion. Since the costs remain relatively static, each new member an additional $25 which can be spent toward improving the service to the membership and to the community. Money is also needed to promote Decatur and the 32-acre industrial site. The popular Merchant’s Showcase will be improved and lengthened to a three-day show this year from May 6-8. Earl Sheets has been named general chairman, with a committee including Paul Uhrick, John Brecht, Ray Fager, Bill Mansfield, Harry Schwartz, and L. R. Zintsmastej. Space priority Will be given to paid-up Chamber members. The spring opening promotion Saturday, March 15, will be a ladies affair, with Evelyh Kingsley as chairman, along with Bessie Teeple, Kay Alberson, and Mary Elzey. .■the Chamber's business barometer shows that employment for January of 1958 is less than (Continued on page four)

4-H Adult Leaders Attend Conference Rotary Club Host To Adult Leaders The Decatur Rotary acted as host to the 19th annual 4-H adult leaders training conference at the Decatur Youth and Community Center Thursday evening, with J. Ward Calland as the speaker. Robert Smith, president of the Rotary club, presided, and the speaker was introduced by Avon Burk, one of the club’s charter members and its first president. Calland congratulated the Rotary club for its sponsorship of the conference, and explained that there were 24 similar Rotary meetings throughout Indiana to train the leaders for the 90,000 4-H members in the state. The speaker outlined the three phases of a revolution which has taken place in Indiana agriculture during the past 100 years. He explained that a century ago nine farm workers could provide the necessary food for themselves and only one additional person. Today, one worker can provide food for 20 people. Farms have become much larger, Calland stated. Today, 25 per cent of the farms produce 75 per cent of all the crops. This trend will continue and it' is predicted that by 1975, there will be still fewer farms, averaging from 400 to 500 acres, representing an Investment of about $200,000 each, and employing about two to two and one-half workers per unit. Calland recommended to the 4-H leaders that they encourage their young club members to become interested in higher education, particularly in scientific agriculture, Russia has only half as many students in college but it has two and one-half times as many students in scientific agricultural courses. Before closing, the nominating committee submitted its recommendations for next year’s club officers. Additional nominations may be made during the coming week, and the annual election will be held Thursday, March 6. There were 122 4-H adult leaders at the training conference, with 56 from Allen county, 12 from Wells, seven from Jay, and 45 from Adams. The leaders opened their (Contlnuea on Puce Five) Ex-Teamster Head Given Prison Term Beck Sentenced On Embezzling Charge SEATTLE (UP)—The defense attorney for deposed Teamster leader Dave Beck said today he planned an Immediate appeal of Beck’s sentence on an embezzling charge. Beck was sentenced to a maximum of 15 years Thursday for embezzling $1,900 obtained from the sale of a Teamster - owned Cadillac. The prosecuting attorney recommended that the State Board of Prison Terms and Paroles set the elder Beck’s minimum sentence at three years. Charles S. Burdell. Beck's defense attorney, said the conviction will be appealed to the State Supreme Court “as soon as possible.” Judge George H. Revelle passed sentence on Beck about an hour after Dave Beck Jr., was placed on probation for three years, also for embezzling union funds. He was convicted of pocketing $4,659 received' from the sale of two Teamster-owned Cadillacs. The younger Beck received a deferred sentence with a threeyear probation term, was fined , $2,000 and ordered to return the $4,650 he was convicted of embezzling. Burdell said both convictions will be appealed to the State Supreme Court "and even higher if necessary'.” Beck Sr-, is scheduled go on trial in federal court at Tacoma, Wash., May 5 on charges of evading federal income taxes.,

Six Cents

Demand Benson Quit For Good Os Own Party Secretary Benson Flatly Refuses To Resign Position WASHINGTON (UP) — Farm belt Republicans told Secretary of Agriculture Ezra T. Benson in so many words today that he should resign for the good of the party, but Benson flatly refused. The new move to get Benson out of government was made by two midwestern Republicans on behalf of a group <>f GOP farm state congressmen who feel Benson’s departure would help the party hang on to some of its seats in the November elections. The two spokesmen—Reps. A.L. . Miller (Neb.) and Walter H. Judd (Minn.)—were closeted with Benson for 40-minutes in his own office downtown. Miller said they did not ask him directly to resign but left little doubt that he should. They indicated that if Benson did not quit, the/ would take their pka for Benson’s (ouster to the White House. Promises to Help Farmers Benson issued a formal statement saying he ihtends to stay on the job and fight for President Eisenhower's program of flexible , price supports“I will continue to pursue a course which I believe is best for our farmers and fair to all our people,” Benson said. “I believe farmers and all America want and are entitled to such a program... “I have a responsibility which I take seriously. As long as God gives me strength I shall continue to do all within my power to help our farmers through this severe struggle to a better and brighter future." A Political Liability About the time Benson issued his statement, a GOP informant told the United Press that if the Miller-Judd visit “doesn’t get results” they would go direct to the President. This source said GOP congress? men from the farm belt “mean business this time” and that Miller and Judd are merely "carrying out their instructions.” Miller said Benson was told that “right or wrong he has become a symbol of low farm prices” and consequently is a serious political liability to his partyBenson promised to give the views of the GOP congressmen the most careful consideration,” Miller reported. Benson also was told during the 40-minute meeting in his office that Democrats are “using aim as a weapon to beat Repubdcans,” Miller said. ■j Miller was chairman at a group jf 25 GOP farm state legislators who met secretly at the Capitol Thursday to discuss GOP prob.ems in the farm belt. Republican National Chairman Alcorn, House Republican Leader Joseph W. Martin (Mass.) and Rep. diehard H. Simpson (R .- Pa.) aairman of the GOP congressional campaign committee, also attended Thursday’s conference. Miller said he and Judd presented to Benson “the views of the group that met Thursday with as much kindness as we could.” A special congressional election in Minnesota in which a Democrat came within less than 700 votes of capturing a traditionally Republican district has thrown a scare into the farm belt Republicans. Benson's office said only that the secretary discussed farm and political problems with Judd and Miller. There was no other comment immediately, but an aide said the secretary, as of right now, stands on his statement of last December that he intends to remain in the CabinetDemocrat Eugene Foley came within 700 votes out of 87,000 cast, in the unofficial count,'of capturing the traditionally GOP seat of the late Rep. August H, Andresen, in Minnesota’s Ist District Tuesday. Andresen won In 1954 by 25,000 votes—in his last off-year election. '