Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 May 1947 — Page 1
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J40LS SIV
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~ government investigations that were under way at the scene and in Washington, ‘Only a Theory’
“94, Tonawanda, N. Yu said he was
2 SITRS “HOWARD |
Blamed in
U. S. Air Disaster | Tail Assembly Apparently Fell Of Plane; 53 Dead in Maryland Woods Crash
Structural Break
58th YEAR--NUMBER 70
Worst
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where the aircraft first tore| into trees on its dive to earth. ¢ An official of Eastern AirEnes—which operates the ir engined sky giants in its “Silver Fleet —said that investigators were nclined to believe a structural deRost caused the disaster. . Eyewitness accounts of the crash seemed to bear out that belief. It was given first consideration in the
What caused the tail to fail remained to be seen. Chairman James M. Landis of the civil aeronautics board said in Washington that one theory had been advanced that a propeller snapped off and wrecked the tall assembly, but it “is only theory so far.” ' He said neither the Maryland erash nor another DC-4 plane crash 28 hours earlier at La Guardia field in New York was cause for grounding of such planes. The plane—bound from New York % Miami—was sailing through a clear sky at approximately 6000 feet when it faltered and started down at a 30-degree angle. At about 2000 feet the dive apparently became steeper. All Aboard Killed All aboard the big plane were bie when it struck. There were 48 passengers—one an infant whose decapitated body was found in its mother's arms—and four crew members. Two eyewitnesses, both navy men attached to the Bainbridge naval station near where the plane crashed, gave similar accounts of the tragedy although they were not together when it happened. Seaman 1st Class Frank Welsh.
standing outside his apartment when he saw the plane going by. . “It nosed over and crashed in an inverted position,” Seaman Welsh said. “As she started to turn over the whole tail assembly started to fall off. It disintegrated into nine pieces ‘that I saw.” ‘Something Went Wrong’ Chief ‘Boatswain's Mate W. C. Gorham said he was standing outside a base building at the naval station when he saw the plane falter and nose down. He said it} sjooked like” a piece of the tail assembly flew off. “I eouldn't tell for sure,” he said
(Eyewitness story, picture ‘of plane crash on Page 2) » By DONALD J. GONZALES, United Press Staff Correspondent . i BAINBRIDGE, Md., May 31.—Evidence indicated increasingly today that failure of the tail structure caused a giant Eastern Airlines transport to crash last night in a Maryland woods. The crash killed 53 persons in the nation’s worst commercial aviation disaster. ‘ } ‘Pieces of the tail were found Scattered half A mile from
Eight Air Crashes Take 177 Lives
Peacetime Aviation’s Blackest Period
By UNITED PRESS At least’ 177 persons have been Killed. in eight airplane crashes throughout the world since Thursday night to mark the blackest period in the history of peacetime |. aviation. The three worst crashes—near | Bainbridge, Md, New York and] Tokyo—involved American planes,| and 133 persons, nearly all Ameri- | cans, were killed. Nine were ne
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jured. A fourth American plane crashed in Alaska, killing three. The latest crackup, near Bainbridge last night, took 53 lives. It equalled the worst previous airline disaster—last Feb. 15 when a Columbian Avianca transport crashed near Bogota with 53 aboard. Other crashes in Iceland, Holland and Argentina took 41 lives, and a ninth crash, in Columbia, injured 13 persons. The crash of an Eastern Airlines DC-4 near Bainbridge, in which 40 passengers and four crew members were killed, followed by less than a day the crackup of a United Airlines DC-4 at La Guardia field, New York, in which 40 were killed and nine injured—the worst previous .domestic airline disaster. Forty Americans were killed. near | Tokyo when an army courier plane crashed and burned at the base of a mountain Thursday night. Three crewmen of a U. 8. army
Alaska, late Thursday. escaped serious injury.
La Guardia Crash Blamed on Wind
NEW YORK, May 31 (U. P)—
Nine others
coast, A nationwide survey by the Scripps-Howard newspapers. dis-
|a prospective new car buyer being
B-29 were killed at Ladd .figld.,
Huge Racket | In ‘Used Cars Nicks Public
Trade Commission Talks of ‘Taking Steps’
By Soripps-Howard Newspapers Two years after the war's end new autos remain at such a premium in the U.S. that thousands who neéd cars most are be~ ing plucked an extra $500 to $1000 by used car dealers from coast to
closed that many cars werc being sold as “used” when they had been driven only from new car dealer to used car lot. A favorite device of many people eager to turn a fast $100—o0r maybe $500—is to get their names down on priority lists of numerous dealers, then unload at an easy profit as cars are delivered. Detroit Fights Racket
Reports told of leading citizens wi
being agreeable to such under-the-table dealing. Dealer organizations and the De~| troit manufacturers have been trying to curb the racket. But in many areas they apparently have made {little progress. " The federal trade commission |, {talks of taking steps. Instances have been reported of
advised by a dealer that his car is due in a' day or so, then going to a used car dealer to get the money to pay for it—plus a fat fee for himself. In Washington a new car buyer, told his car was ready for delivery, advertised it and sold it even before
All this goes on because the 3,114,000 new autos produced since the end of the war still aren't enough to make a dent in the huge demand. About 233,000 cars, or 7 per cent, have gone overseas. Manufacturers are sending out
it had been turned over to him, i
THE WINNERS-—Only one wiertbior of “the winning me of Lou Moors (¢ victory smile — Mauri Rose [right]. Bill Holland (left) isn't smiling. He blames rew f of the winning position. The boys hold up two fingers to demonstrate how they copped the race's 's top prizes
s Second-Class Mut at Postomes apolis, Ind. Issued daily except Sunday
ic pit ¢
+ 500-mile race or being’ edged out
checkers from Detroit who get serial numbers of new cars seen on used car lots, then check with Detroit to learn to what dealers these cars originally were assigned. About all that can be done then is to warn dealers against selling cars unless they know they are not tor be resold immediately. Some dealers’ Sanchises have een can-
their order lists to a central office wheres they are checked for ‘duplications to eliminate multiple car purchases. In Lake county, Indiana, dealers have attempted—with questionable legal basis—to hold back title to new cars for nine months. There and elsewhere attempts have been made to get from new owners
A freak change in the wind while | the plane was racing down the runway for a 100-mile-an-hour takeoff { was blamed today for the crash of a United Airlines transport at La
|
{| Guardia field Thursday night which killed 40 persons and injured eight
pledges not to resell their cars for at least six months, In Akron persons whose names long have been on waiting lists are suing for non-delivery. L Some areas report continuance of a dealer's practice in loading a
In Detroit are Rin #
Reported Sold |
State Must Approve
‘Wayne and Terre Haute; today. wis reported sold to American Buslines, Inc, for $936,000. : Before the sale is completed -the state public service commission and the interstate ‘commerce commission must approve the transaction. The company, one-time traction line ‘subsidiary of the Samuel Insull Co., is owned by Wesson CO. of Chicago and Detroit, which purehased it in 1942. Indiand ‘ Railroad ‘went into re: celvership in 1933 with Bowman Elder, Indianapolis, as receiver: The
put something went wrong with the tail” 4 The ctash of the Douglas-made DC-4 occurred in swampy woods about two and one-half miles north of the naval statiol and between Havre de Grace, the racetrack town, and Port Deposit. The shattered and burned bodies =52 of them so far—were placed in the hospital of the naval station. . Bodies Badly Mangled This morning officials began the grim task of identifying the bodies of the victims. Some of the bodies were so badly mangled that identification may be impossible. At the scent of the crash state troopers were sorting piles of bloody clothing. Nearby lay the scattered wreckage of the plane. A group of civil aeronautics board
to Washington after studying the United Air Lihes disaster at New ' York, saw the death of the E.A.L. plane,
No Formal Opinion CAB investigators, who got to the crash scene an hour after it happened, had no formal opinion | #8 to the cause of the accident, | pending an extensive investigation. | + E A. L. officials eonferred with! the CAB investigators in Washing- | ton while others visited the crash | scene and interviewed eyewitnesses. | Formal public hearings probably | will be held next week. The pilot, William Coney, one of Eastern's “top men,” had freported “all is well” over Philadelphia, Just before the crash. . | Charred, Mutilated Bodies Suddenly, the plane began a dive toward the earth at a 30-degree angle. It never came out of that dive. Prom their own plane, the horror-fascinated investigators saw ft go on down (into the swampy woodland and explode. That was all they saw until they eame back to the scene an hour later to view a tree-lined panorama of twisted metal and charred, mutilated bodies.
Times Index
Amusements .. 5 | Inside Indpls.. 7 Eddie Ash .... 6 Ruth Millett.. 7 Books ........14 Movies . ...... § Carnival ...... 5/J. Ex O'Brien. 6 Mr. Childs .... 8/ P. ©. Othman. 7 Churches . 4 Radio ........ 13 Classified ..10-12| Reflections .... 8 Comics .......13| Serial .... Vie Crossword ....14| Side Glances.. 8 5 Editorials ene 8 Sports rorya e 6 Yorum ........ 8 Teen Talk ... 9 Gardening: .,. 7| Weather Map.10 ‘Hollywood .... 7| Women's News §
, odiana. Saga. 8! World Affairs.
today.
others. The 40th victim of the crash died He was Charles J. Shannon, 27, New York. Officials of both the civil aeronautics board and the airline agreed after a preliminary that the wind change, from a 19 m. p. h. south wind to a northwest wind of 23 miles velocity, probably prevented the four-engined plane from getting into the air after a normal run. George Gay, chief of the first region of the CAB, said in his report that there was ‘positive evidence wind shifts occurred during takeoff run.” “the pilot was advised of approaching wind shifts prior to takeoff.” The plane burst into flames al-
investigators, who were flying back | most immediately, turning the fuse- |
lage into a pyre. rescued died.
However,
{car up with accessories—radio, seat covers, heaters—and forcing buyers to take them with the cars. With each accessory, of course, goes its own profit. Indianapolis reported a widespread “new used car” racket resulting in operation of a factory “secret service” leading to franchise cancellations. Recently an Indianapolis sports figure, after badgering a dealer for months, drew a $1400 car, reputedly sold it two days later for $1850 to a second-hand dealer who, added his own $100 profit, His name now is on a “blacklist.” Evansville dealers have agreed to use a pledge form before delivering new cars, the purchaser agreeing he does not intend to sell his car within six months, or that if he must sell it the car will be offered
investigation
he. added,
receiverghip ended in 1941. in addition to the intrastate lines the company operates the cily bus systems in Richmond, Muncie and Anderson.
Cloudy, Warmer
Forecast Here
Partly cloudy weather with a rise in the mercury was predicted for the holiday week-end. Temperatures were expected to move into the high 60s late today with a slight drop scheduled for tonight. Tomorrow will be cloutly, the weatherman said.
LOCAL TEMPERATURES
Three of those tq the original dealer at 10 per cent {under purchase pr ce.
6am..... 51 10am... 64 Ta m..... 52 1llam..... 67 $a m..... 56 12 (Noon) » 9a m..... 61 1pm.
Indiana Railroad Tractor Falls on Youth As 5 Play "Tank Warfare'
Youngster, y, Pinned an Hour Under | ‘Borrowed’ " Machine | Is lufured Seriously
the youth ‘underneath. Sheriff's. Deputies Melvin Byrode and Garrett Berry called a wrecker to haul ‘the overturned ‘machine from Robert’s body after their efforts and those of Robert's companions failed to budge it. Robert, who was pinned beneath the machine for more than an hour, was rushed to the hospital
{with. a * broken left leg and ‘a probable broken pelvis.
taken the tractor from the Standard Materials Co. on Kentucky ave. near the creek and had driven it to a gravel pit to practice “tank warfare.” ; Three of the injured youth's companions were held for juvenile aid authorities while a fourth who ran away was being sought.
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Difference in Ages
‘No Bar to Romance LONDON, May 31. (U. P,).—Disparity in age is no obstacle to romance with Robert Jones, 38, and Mrs, Lillian Frost, 60, who will marry June 14. “There is a slight difference in our--ages, but that doesn't really matter to us,” Mrs. Frost said.
tor behave like a ven The tractor overturned as Robert steered it up s steep embankment near State Road #7 and Bagle creek and pinned
The deputies said the youths had |
ously Irjiee in
{
Lewis Rejects 15 Offer; Parley Off
WASHINGTON, May 31 (U.P) — Negotiations for a soft coal contract between northern operators and John L. Lewis collapsed today:.when the United Mine Workers leader rejected an offer of . a . 15-cent-an-hour wage increase. Mr. Lewis demanded 35 cents. Charles O'Neill, operators’ spokesman, announced the collapse and blamed it on ‘‘the unreasonable demands” of Mr. Lewi Mr. O'Neill said that in addition to the 35-cent increase Mr, Lewis wanted: An increase in the royalty for the health and welfare fund, from § to 10 cents a ton. Language which would exempt
Br Amscrittion today denied the ohly protest filed in connection with the maning of the 3ist 500-mile Decoration day race ‘at the Tridian-
apolis Speedway yesterday. Chief Steward Jack Mehan said the board denied the protest of Robert Flavell, entrant of car No. 38, which was disqualified because it was given a push start after a pit stop éarly in the race. Car No. 38 was a Flavell-Duffy Special driven by Mel Hansen, Los|’ Angeles, Cal. ? Mehan said there were no other protests filed “before the deadline” =24 hours after the start of the race. Flavell's protest was believed ‘to have been made because fifth-place winner Jimmy Jackson of Indianapolis | was penalized one lap for having his car towed by a wrecker after a spin on the 88th lap. Flavell's. protest was believed to have been made because his car was disqualified while another was penalized one lap ‘for what some drivers considered to be similar vio-
his union from the responsibilities of the pending new labor bill.
{safety code in the contract. Continuation of the present provision granting the union bargaining rights for supervisory workers where they win an election.
| Inclusion of the federal mine,
lations of A. A. A. rules. . A. A. A. rules say an engine must be restarted only by a mechanical starter or crank.
WOMAN REPORTS ATTACK A 28-year-old woman told police that a burglar entered her Boulevard pl. home early today, attacked
Six paid holidays; Six paid holidays.
her and ransacked the house.
—r
i #
WEDDING TRAGEDY — This wrecked auto near ‘Munster marked the most tragic Memorial day traffic accident. Just married, Juanita Brock and Chelso Graham and four members of the bride's family were killed when the car was siruck by e Chicago-bound Pennsylvania reine, train, : ¥
’
Leth
salenhi
nation’ 'S
DEAD COUPLE—Smiling after their ‘wedding at Highland, Ind., Juanita Brook and Chelso Graham posed for a snapshot hat before the auto trip.
highway deaths.
sign lay amid the wreckage. First victim of traffic the day after the holiday was Edgar E, Granger, 25, Ft.’ Recovery. Mr. Granger was killed early this morn- | ing when struck by an automobile! near Portland. He was standing behind his parked car. No road deaths were reported in Marion county, but James low, 27, of 3106 College ave, was injured seriously in the 8000 block of U. 8. 52, north, when he swerved into a guard rail trying to change lanes. Throughout the nation, 93 persons were killed in two of the worst airplane crashes in history; 76 personf died in trafic accidents, 75 perished in miscellaneous mishaps and 21 were drowned. This was only a partial total of the Memorial day casualties, which may set a record when they are fully tabulated. The Munster tragedy happened two hours after the wedding yesterday of Juanita Brock, 17, and Chelso Graham, 20, of Dyer. The bride and groom were killed,
entire family—her parents, Mr. Ana
Newlyweds and Bride's Family Die in Crash
At Munster; Indianapolis Man Auto Victim
Indiana led the nation in Memorial day traffic fatalities with 11 California was next, The Hoosier deaths included what was perhaps the nation’s most ‘tragic ground fatdlity of the day—the death of six persons, including a bridal couple, in a train-auto crash at Munster, v where a "Just married"
P. Pari-|
instantly along with the brides)
with 10.
| mond. to have a wedding picture (taken. Other members of the bridal | party who had been following the car in which the bride and groom were riding, watched in horror as it mounted the crossing and was struck by a Chicago-bound Pennsylvania railroad train.
yards down the track before the !train could be halted. Other dead were: Walter Richardson, 65, of 517 N. Delaware st., killed near Connersville as he was walking on the Country Club road.
fatally injured when he fell asleep en route to the Indianapolis Speed-
| way. - The car overturned near, Noblesville. ig
The automobile was carried 400
Olin E. Ring of Ypsilanti, Mich.,|
could have won “the richest auto classic,
pit crew held up’ the Youd ih \ ‘0. K. written on it,” Holland
read “Ezy” (meaning. take it e AY) Holland, who finished : he ‘waved to Rose as Rove 1h ASSe him on the back stretch. ! wouldn't wave fo the ma
thousand dollars,” Holland said. Lou Moore, owner and builder of oars sud Holla gars Md fhe :
11 Indiana Deaths Top Nation's Holiday Highway ee
heavy traffic on the straights several times and went into.the:
crackup.” Holland said . he at peak speed at the that-there was nothing wrong his car.
“I could have gone 10 ml hour faster,” he said. “But thers was no point to it when I thought I was in the lead.” nl ‘Holland sald the first indication he had that he was second !
at the wheel of his automobile while | fron