The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • 1

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER TODAYS WEATHER CINCINNATI AND VICINITY; Partly Cloudy And Continued Cold Today Tonight. High, 32. Copyright, 1947, the Cincinnati Enquirer 106th YEAR NO. 318 DAILY 28 PAGES FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 21, 1947 Entcrad swoBd-claM mutter Auk. 8.

1R7. at tht Prat Otflc. Cincinnati. Ohio, Act of 1878. FIVE CENTS mm id era KPEI mm ID' BH8ET II APPB0UEB IV H00 FINAL EDITION mm 5) BIOT $6,018,111,000 i PORTALSUITS "Null And Void" DEMOCRATS tBSMSSMB-SSRSBIMSH Blocked In Move 16KILLED, Nearly 100 Hurt CAN ILLITERATE SIGN BAD CHECK? Detective Chief Amazed At Chicago Charge Against His Erstwhile Prisoner, Pursues And Returns Him To Clink Other Men Missing; Flames Leap 60 Feet Into Air, Witness Says had been instrumental in obtaining his release earlier in the day.

The newsmen asked Quitman how Leek could issue a chock and whether it was true that Leek could neither read nor write. Quitman said that, to his knowledge, the statement was true, and showed them the check Leek had given to him. The check had been made out by the attorney, scratched with an (Leek's mark) and notarized by a notary public at City Hall. Quitman had written Leek's name A half hour after ordering the release of a 32-year-old farm hand yesterday afternoon Detective Chief Clem W. Merz received a telegram from Chicago.

Scratching his head in amazement, Merz grabbed his hat and coat and sped to the bus station. When he returned, accompanied by the farm hand, who registered as Jack Leek, Knoxville, Merz displayed the telegram and explained why he had hastened to the bus terminal. The telegram reported that Leek was wanted in Chicago for issuing two false checks- totaling $790.50. Chicago police asked that he and an automobile he was driving when he was arrested here be held for them. Then Merz told why he had scratched his head.

Leek told him earlier that he could neither read nor write. How could an illiterate sign a false check? Merz was Merz explained further that he had gone to the bus station be cause "I was the only man who knew him." Leek, arrested by uniformed policemen, had not been questioned by other detectives than the Chief. Leek was arrested Tuesday by Safety Patrolmen John Wilson and Thomas Wilson when they noticed that the automobile he was driving at Fifth St. and Broadway had no license plates. When questioned, Leek was unable to show a title for the automobile, although he said he had purchased it for $700 last Saturday in Camp George, Wis.

He had driven to Cincinnati without a license tag. Police ordered him held until the ownership of the machine could be traced. Yesterday Merz, having received no reply to telegrams he had sent to police departments in Wisconsin and Illinois, ordered Leek's release. After his rearrest reporters were doubtful and, like Merz, were wondering how Leek could issue a check if, as he said, he could not r.ad or write. On the way to question Leek they encountered Harry W.

Quitmun, attorney, who At least three men were burned probably fatally early this morning when an unexplained explo-sion set off a three-alarm fire at the plant of M. B. Farrin Lumber 4322 Station Winton rlace. Two of the men, the first to arrive at General Hospital, were identified as: Mosie, 724 Millwood Avenue. James Collins, 117 Spring St.

Shortly after the arrival of the first two victims, Harry Graff, 938 Seton was taken into the hospital. First firemen to reach the "scene could offer no theory as to the cause of the explosion. Residents of the neighborhood had told Station that two or more men had run screaming, their clothing aflame, into the street a few seconds after the blast. Mrs. D.

A. Hopkins, 4411 Station said that at the height of the fire flames were shooting 60 or more feet into the air. The blast blew out one side of the lumber yard building, she said. She was of the opinion that the blast had centered in saw dust in the building. All lights in the vicinity were out of order, poles and wires having been felled by the explosion.

Still later, it was reported that other men had been in the building. It could not be ascertained immediately whether these men had escaped or had been trapped in the blast and fire-damaged building. Agents Winked At Wholesale Violations Of Liquor Laws, Former Inspector Says; Veteran Majority Leader Is Criticized Lunken Field Is Closed To Army Flying Reserves Under Orders From East Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 20 (AP) A story of wholesale violations of 1 the state's liquor laws, allegedly winked at by enforcement officials, was unfolded before the Senate's LlquoT Investigating Committee today. It came from Edmund E.

Schuster, former ace inspector for the State Liquor Department, who testified for five hours from records and a "little black book" compiled in eight years, of checking- drink Even the name of Frank E. Wbittemore, veteran Republican Majority Leader of the Senate, was brought into the testimony. Schuster testified that Whitte- BY BOB CASEY. (The Enquirer Aviation Editor) The Air Corps Reserve unit at Lunken Airport was ordered closed late yesterday when Headquarters of the 11th Air Force, Harrisburg. announced that Army flying reserve outfits throughout the nation would be reduced from 70 to 41 for economy.

Reserve officers from the' Cincinnati "district will meet at the 446th AAF Base Unit Headquarters Building at Lunken Airport at 8 m. today to frame a protest against the measure, which, a tele type message from Harrisburg said' was taken due to increased public sentiment for economy. Joseph Moorman 3100 Victoria speaking for the Cincinnati reservists, said last night that he hoped a way could be found to avoid cessation of operations at Lunken Airport. Disbandment of the 446th AAF Generosity Is Unlimited Hut Estate Isn't, Court Finds As Will Divides Carpenter's Belongings Carefully. beside the "Maybe that check's no ood." reporters suggested to Quitman "What do you mean?" lie asked.

Reporters told him that Leek was wanted in Chicago on a charge of issuing false checks, which, they presumed, also had been signed with "Xs." Quitman, surprised, said he would hold the check until he found out more about the Chicago business. He added that Leek had told him that he had given two checks for $790 for the automobile. alien, but that the permit applicant Was Micnaci Azar, nis son. Micnaci Azar, the Senator said, actually was the owner of the business. "I wasn't mixed up in it except that Dave appealed to me to stralfjhten this agent out," Whlttemore testified.

Schuster's testimony covered tho period from 1939 to the present. He asserted that racketeers had "muscled into" several private clubs In Cleveland. He told how he was reprimanded by a former agent-in-chargeof the Cleveland district for raiding "cheat spots." He said another agont-In-charge of the Akron district told him that the operation of slot machines in liquor establishments was "one of the ways the Republican jfiirty has of raising campaign funds." The former Inspector didn't confine his blasts to any one administration or to any one party. He spread his words over the tenures of former Gov. John W.

Bricker, former Gov. Frank J. Lausche and the present administration of Governor Herbert. Governor Herbert, who conferred late today with Schuster, said afterward that Schuster's criticisms did not extend to the present admlnis- Continucd On Page 6, Column 3. Cameras Dropped From 68 Miles Up In Test Of Rocket White Sands, N.

Feb. 20 (UP)-In the first test of its kind, delicate scientific instruments, including two cameras, were released by parachute today from the war head of a German V-2 rocket at an altitude of 68 miles above the White Sands Proving Grounds. Col. Harold Turner, commanding officer at the proving grounds, said the experiment apparently had been successful and that a heli copter was being used to recover the instruments. "Some extraordinary pictures" were expected as a result of the test, Colonel Turner said.

Show Misses City But Mercury Dips Cincinntlti can expect slightly colder and cloudy weather today, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 32 degrees, J. Cecil Alter, Senior U. S. Meteorologist, said last night. Yesterday the mercury ranged from 24 to 32.

The snow headed this way bypassed Cincinnati, falling at Par-kersburg and Huntington, W. and Columbus, Ohio. At Huntington five Inches of snow had been registered late yesterday and more was falling. To Delay Showdown On Spending Program. Vote Is 239 For And 159 Against Senate To Act On Proposal Today.

Washington, Feb. 20 (INS) The Republican-controlled House voted today, 239 to 159, for a slash in President Truman's budget, despite warnings by him and foremost Army and Navy officers that such a reduction would "Invite disaster." Adoption of the Joint Congressional Budget Committee's recommendation to cut the President's over-all expenditure estimate from $37,500,000,000 to $21,500,000,000 was foreshadowed when the Republican majority smashed two Democratic test asaults. Rejected was a motion to send the budget ceiling resolution back to the Joint Congressional Budget Committee, with instruction to report by April 15 details on how appropriation bills would be kept within the proposed $31,500,000,000 overall total. Earlier, the GOP steamroller smothered, 229 to 173, Democratic efforts for defeat of the "gag" rule under which the resolution was considered. It allowed only motion to recommit.

CALLED FOR DELAY. Rep. Clarence Cannon, Democrat, Missouri, made the motion to recommit the resolution with a view to postponing a showdown on the budget until after George C. Marshall, Secretary of State, goes to Moscow in March to attend the conference of "Big Four" Foreign Ministers. Rep.

Sam Democrat, Texas, former House Speaker, and other Democrats hammered throughout the day against a $6,000,000,000 cut by contending that it would entail slashes in the armed services and ther by weaken Marshall's hand at Moscow. Mr. Truman at his news conference indicated his displeasure with the slash in his budget estimates. He said he would deal with these cuts when they reached his desk, presumably a hint that he would veto appropriation bills that he thinks cut too deeply. SENATE FIGHT TODAY.

Congressional leaders pointed out (bat the over-all budget ceiling now fcein fixed as a guide by Congress is not subject to presidential approval. The Senate will resume its budget battle tomorrow and probably vote for a $4,500,000,000 cut. Then ths Senate and House versions will be compromised at about $5,000,000,000. Republican legislators stoutly contended that allotments for the armed services could be cut drastically without impairing the efficiency of the Army and Navy in these unsettled times. Rayburn said that a $6,000,000,000 cut in the President's proposed expenditures would compel Marshall to fly to Moscow "with a crippled wing." "WnX RUE THIS DAY." Rayburn told his colleagues: "You can't cure Communism by making speeches against it.

China, Japan, Europe do not want Communism, but I fear that these people, denied and starving, will be forced into the arm of Communism. I fear you will rue this day." He attacked the proposal as "total legislative hypocrasy" on the ground that It was "merely an expression" of Congressional contended that Congress could not inform Marshall of the definite amounts to be cut from Armv Navv and Foreign Re lief before next month's confer- ence of Foreign Ministers at Mos cow. He asserted: Tho news that troes out from this capital is sad for the people the world over. "I have talked with men from i state. War and Navy Depart ments.

They are the saddest and most disturbed men i nave laiaea to in my 30-odd years in Congress. THE WEATHER: Sometimes one has grave doubts whether God should have ever ordained weather. Washington, Feb. 20 (AP) Ohio: Continued cold with snow flurries in northeast portion Fri day. Kentucky Generally fair Fri Aav nnntlnllpri Cold.

Indiana Generally fair Friday. No important change in tempera ture. Cincinnati Weather Bureau Of fice record for February 20, 1947: Temp. Hum. Prec 7-30 a 24 71 0 30 n.

30 54 0 1947 '46 '45 Nl. ttlehest temperature 32 38 35 42 Lowest temperature 24 32 29 25 precipitation 0 foday--Sunrise 7:22 a. m. Sun Mt 6:22 p. m.

Moonset 7:02 p. m. In Electro-Plating Plant Doing Job For Army. Three Homes Demolished Windows Blown Out 70 Blocks From Scene. Los Angeles, Feb.

20 (AP) A tremendous explosion blasted a one-story brick building into toda kil11" least 16 persons, Jolting the entire downtown district and breaking windows In houses and office buildings 70 blocks away. More than 100 were injured. Shortly after the explosion, which leveled the O'Connor electroplat-, ing plant, Assistant Police Chlef Joseph Reed told reporters he. feared the death list might range from 30 to 75, but by even with the use of bulldozers an-power shovels, workers could find but 16 bodies In the debris. J.

J. O'Connor, head of the electroplating firm, told reporters late today: "We were doing something for'" the government. You can see wha happened." He declined to amplify the statement, but said that a War Department representative fron3 San Francisco was investigating. 7 THREE HOUSES LEVELED. The reverberating which also demolished three near-by residences, was followed by a fierce fire.

In a mile-square area 300 houses'-were damaged In what police de-t. scribe as the worst Southern rornla disaster Blnce the earthquake of March 10, 1933, when more', than 130 were killed. Earl H. Richardson, Chief of th City Fire Prevention Bureau, a' trlbuted the explosion to chemlcaij in tho plant. Richardson said the plant, whe inspected only two weeks ago, wa found to be virtually free of grn hazards.

At that time, ne said, th4 company was told to have a small fire extinguisher recharged. theorized that the firm's large su; ply of acid caused the blast. The blast happened in an IncY trial district only a mile from He Civic Center. LIKE ATOMIC SMOKE. William Tynan, Battalion who witnessed the said the area "seemed lo go up smoke similar to the pictures we've? seen of the atomic bomb explosions." Elevators In buildings severp'' blocks away were jammed in theli shafts by the terrific force of thA blast.

A Catholic priest, Father Luia Antllz, said he administered the', last sacrament to 13 of the dying. 1 Police said looting of wrecked; homes in the neighborhood started soon after the blast, and extra of- fleers were called to patrol the area. Several of the injured were struck by metal helmets which were. being nickel-plated in the establishment, and rained from the air after the explosion. A hasty check by police Indicated that 300 homes in a mile-square area were more or less damaged.

In the entire area firemen and police ordered office buildings and other business establishments vacated in the fear they might collapse. QUAKE IS RUMORED. Earthquake-conscious Los Angeles at first thought that a first-rate temblor had struck, and in a few seconds lines into newspapers, police and fire departments were clogged. Police said many of the bodies were burned so badly they never would be identified. One of those critically hurt was Mrs.

Olive Wafer, 73, who was brought home from a hospital only yesterday. The blast struck through her cottage where she lay In bed, attended by a neighbor, and inflicted injuries from which she may die. Hamilton Burke was almost buried under debris from a collapsing build ing next door, he said, bnt despite superficial injuries helped carry eight Injured from the wrecked structure. ELSEWHERE: Page About Town 10 Amus'm'nts 18-17 Brain Food 19 Page Kibitzer Lindsay 4 Luke McXuke 4 Markets 18-13 Pegler Radio 20 Readers' Views 4 Real Estate 16 Society News 10 Sports 14-15 Star Gazer 12 Suzanne II Vital Statistics 16 Winchell 7 Woman's Club IS Woman's Pse Your Mind Class. Ads .22 36! Comics 27 Court News 12 Crossword 19 Editorials 4 Fix It 22 Food News 11 Garretson 2 Haworth 11 James 4 Journey's End 32 Keep Well 6 Kent 4 In Bill Approved By Senate Subcommittee.

Measure Would Prohibit Future Claims Issue Given Top Priority. Washington, Feb. 20 (AP) A bill declaring "null and void" the $5,785,000,000 nationwide accumulation of portay pay claims and barring any in the future was approved today by a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee. The bill may go (before the Senate next week. The full Senate Judiciary Committee immediately went into closed session to consider the proposal.

Alexander Wiley, Republican, Wisconsin, Chairman, forcast approval by Monday. Republican leaders have stamped the issue "urgent," and have given it top priority. The subcommittee, acting unanimously, declared Congress should act promptly to "cure the situation" which, it said, threatens "financial ruin" of many employers and seriously effects Federal, state and local revenues. The bill would outlaw present claims arising from activities per formed outside the working day as understood by contract, custom or understanding, and bar such claims in the future. RULING IS MINIMIZED.

The nationwide wave of suits, many of which were filed with the aid of Congress of Industrial Organization unions, resulted from a 1946 Supreme Court decision holding that 'pay might be required un der the Wage-Hour, i Act for productive activities performed on time controlled by the employer. In a separate report, the sub committee, headed by Sen. Forrest C. Donnell, Republican, Missouri, minimised the effect of the recent dismissal of the basic portal-pay case by Federal Judge Frank A. Plcard in Detroit.

Picard, in carrying out the Su-' preme Court's decision, found that walking time and other preliminary activities of the employees were not enough to require compensation. He noted, however, that he was not holding that all other suits should be dismissed. The subcommittee said Picard's decision "is (1) limited to the facts of that case and (2) not a final decision and doubtless will not be accepted as such but, in our judge ment, will be taken to the Supreme Court." "WINDFALLS" ARE BARRED. Besides prohibiting what it calls windfalls," the bill would require that all claims for wages and over time under the Wage-Hour Act must be instituted within three years after the claims arise. The bill is in two main parts: (1) Barring the portal suits.

(2) Making them unprofitable. The second part was written, Wiley explained, as insurance against the first part being knocked out in court. It would be inoperative otherwise. But if it is invoked, the second section would: (1) Bar collection of extra damages. (2) Require that suits be filed by workers individually, rather than in groups.

(3) Relieve the employer of paying the claimant's attorney. (4-) Shift the burden of proof to the employee. (5) Recognize past settlements and permit future ones. The subcommittee, which also included Sens. John S.

Cooper, Republican, Kentucky, and James O. Eastland, Democrat, Mississippi, said it believed the retroactive section would stand the test In court. i Oil Strike Postponed By Tentative Truce; Traffic Tieup Folds Los Angeles, Feb. 20 (INS) An oil strike which would have para lyzed transportation in five West Coast states was postponed indefinitely today when Congress of Industrial Organizations oil workers and the Standard Oil Co. of Cali fornia reached a tentative agreement.

The twice-postponed strike against Standard and other major oil companies was set for 10 a. m. today, but a tentative agrement was reached after an all-night confer ence. Following expiration of their con- tract last Saturday, union leaders demanded a flat pay boost of 25 cents an hour. Standard officials countered with offers for an increase between 20.2 and 22.5 cents an hour.

Other major oil companies were scheduled to meet with union offi cials, but it was believed that any agreement reached with Standard would be adopted by the others. Approximately 17,000 workers in California alone were ready to strike if necessary. India To Be Freed In 1948; Mountbatten To Be Viceroy In Wavell's Place Meanwhile Base Unit would force 3,700 reserve officers and enlisted men in the Cincinnati district to travel to Cleveland, Louisville or Indianapolis to continue reserve training. Weather permitting, 300 active reserve pilots have been averaging 400 flight operations daily at Lunken Airport since the 446th was activated November 15. 1 The unit consists, of 16 permanent officers and 63 enlisted men.

The Army has 18 single-engine AT-6s and five twin-engine AT-lls based on Lunken Airport No order disposing of personnel or planes had beetj received by the Cincinnati headquarters last night. As news of the "cease operations'' order reached Lunken Airport there was conjecture among private operators whether the decrease in total flights would influence retention of the Civil Aeronautics Administration control tower at the Cincinnati field. the powers of central government in British India should be handed over on the due date whether as a whole, to some form of central government for British India, or in some areas to the existing provincial government, or in such other way as may seem most reasonable and in the best interests of the Indian people." Winston Churchill, Conservative leader, showered Attlee with questions, especially on the replacement of Lord Wavell, but Attlee refused to be drawn into an extended discussion pending a full dress Commons debate, which he promised soon. It was learned authoritatively that Wavell, during his visit here in December, told the Cabinet he wanted to get out. His term would have expired in September, 1948.

During the last two weeks Wavell again raised the question, saying his position was untenable because of differences between Hindus and Moslems. Maybe 0ave fotertsi Wines, liquors, coal, money the late George Cartier, 60, 1423 Republic had plenty of all of them when he drew up his will May 19, 1943. Facing an operation at the time, he was not suro that he wasn't facing death itself. And the kindly Over-the-Rhine carpenter-watchman had cherished personal effects that he wished toj leave in the right hands his clarinet, his music, his collection of tax stamps that might be redeemed for some charity. There were especially the children.

A radio "amateur hour" fan, Cartier had made friends' with many of the young entertainers. "It is my desire," he wrote, "to remember my little children friends, whose association with me hat added many happy hours to my life." He directed that 19 savings bonds (they were War Bonds at that time) be nur- chased from his estate to be dis tributed among 14 children. Car-tier had no known relatives. But the will was not as Cartier originally wrote it when it was filed yesterday with Probate Judge Chase M. Davles by David V.

Attig, at torney. For in the three years before his death the friend of children had seen his estate fading away. And he had made penciled notations on the will, giving numbers to each of his beneficiaries. "Inasmuch as my estate has shrunk considerably, only those per- more "put pressure" on him seven! years ago to alter an uniavomu.B. inspection report on an applicant for a night club liquor license.

The former inspector, who resigned this week with a blast at alleged corrupt practices in the Liquor Department, told the committee that he advised against Issuing a license to the applicant because the true owner of the club was an alien. Senator Whlttemore took the witness stand to explain that tho man to whom Schuster referred was Dave Azar of Akron, for whom Whlttemore had served a attorney for 20 years, Whlttemore said Azar was an sons who have the higher numbers shall be entitled to participate in the original wil" he wrote, dating his notation October 16, 1946. That was shortly before his death. The clarinet was to go to No. 40, the other instruments and music to No.

41, a ring to No. 39, coal and other materials to John Heitz, a neighbor, No. liquors other than wine to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 142, No. the wine to Lawrence Burns, a friend, num-' ber not evident the tax stamps to St. Francis Hospital, No.

6. The children's numbers ranged from 18 to 37. It was not clear, Attig said, just what Cartier meant by "those persons who have the higher numbers," for ordinarily the lower numbers would have first considerationNo. 1 would be first in line for the benefits, and so on. But the question was only academic anyway, Attig explained.

Cartler's notations meant nothing to the law they were not part of the original will as witnessed and signed. The original constitutes the only legal document, regardless of the later notations on it. It was not known how much the estate would amount to perhaps as much as $1,000 to $1,500, it wai estimated. But the court will have to apportion the estate. And Attig revealed: That there was no coal-No liquor And very little wine.

REV. RUSSELL G. BISNETT. 7 London, Feb. 20 (UP) Clement R.

Attlee, Prime Minister, announced today that Great Britain would hand over its power in India to Indians not later than June, 1948, and that Adm. Lord Louis Mountbatten, cousin of King George, would succeed Fielf Marshal Viscounts Wavell as Viceroy. In the House of Common Attlee said Britain would transfer its rule over "The brightest jjpel in the British Crown" to Indian hands" regardless of whether Hindus, Moslems and the rulers of the Indian states settled their dif ferences. Pointing out that British inde pendence plans called for a con stitution to be written by a rep resentative Indian constituent As-sembly, Attlee said: "But if it should appear that such constitution shall not have been worked out by a fully repre sentative assembly beore the time mentioned, His Majesty's Govern ment will have to consider to whom Executive Secretary Named For Cincinnati Presbytery; West Coast Pastor Chosen INSIDE THE ENQUIRER: Engineer helps rescuers after he is trapped In wreckage of overturned locomotive. Page College Hill estate Is bought for Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Archbishop John T. McNicholas reported planning to move residence. Page 13 The Rev. Russell Gregg Bisnett of Bellingham, has been appointed executive secretary and slated clerk of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, the Rev. Lowell H.

Palmer, Moderator of the Presbytery, announced last night. Rev. Mr. Bisnett, who is to as sume his duties here March 3, suc ceeds the Rev. Dr.

Earl R. North who died November 28 after serving as executive secretary since 1925 and as stated clerk since 1933. Born in 1905 in Norton, Kans. Rev. Mr.

Bisnett was reared in Washington and California. He received his B. degree from Seattle Pacific College in 1928, then continued his theological studies at Sat Francisco Theological Semi- ruttr, from which he obtained an M.A. degree in 1932 and a B. D.

defkee in 1934 After doing graduate work at the Continued On Fage 6, Column S. City's wastelands, river banks are. ripe for landscaping, UC alumni are told. Page 2 GOP leaders wait for Judge Charles S. Bell, Cincinnati, to resign before choosing successor to Mayor James G.

Stewart. Tage 12 Jury taken to Dayton, Ohio, for light on drive-in movie which 63 Glendale. residents oppose. Page 13 Ohio Assembly sessions brief; House bill proposes board to predict state finances. Tage 20 Livestock growers are urged to hold independent trade as 20-year leader retire.

Page 20 i OUR SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER REPORTER, Mr. Dave Roberts, is mixing plenty of business with pleasure on his swing around Central and South America, On the business end, he's digging into the foreign trade situation with an eye to passing along to Cincinnati businessmen a great deal of useful and current information on these important Down-South-America-Way markets. On the pleasure end, he'll have plenty of information for vacation-dreamers about beauty spots, travel and hotel facilities, prices and such. Dave will airmail an article from Guatemala, soon. You won't want to miss it.

Nor subsequent articles which will appear regularly in the Daily and Sunday Enquirer. The Cincinnati Enquirer. WEATHER OBSERVATIONS ON PAGE It.