The Republic from Columbus, Indiana • Page 1

Ttpliens2 i Business offic 3392 Nws room 4424 PRICE FlVE CENTS Established 1877. 1950 No. 6. COLUMBUS, INDIANA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1950. re IE nn nZl hZ3 3 THE WEATHER Fair m4 colder ioaightj Sunday fair u4 colder emtnL Lew te-aright, Ml His Sunday, Evening i i "Republican 1 OH UE I i f)jv3jtt mm in i in mil I 1 I Km i I 1 t- i ja pjaHBJBjiajMBBSBeBBBBBBSSBBBBBBBBSSBBBBBB Aged Mental Patients White River HBuilding Continues JBrisk Merc in 1949 Falls 3 Feet i 'I I 111 1 111 IN THE RED City Building Inspector's Office Loses Money During First Year.

OHIO RIVER EARING FLOOD With the Ohio River rising at approximately six inches per hour, Cincinnati's Lower River Road resembled a stream itself. Continued rain sent the Ohio pushing closer to its flood stage of 52 feet, but no serious flooding was expected unless it rises seven feet above: that leveL Young Reeves Employe Breaks Down HDoor to Lead Her to Safety. An elderly woman, was rescued from a burning home here early Friday night by a factory office employe who broke through a door and led her from the smoke-filled living room of the house. The woman wu Mrs. Anna Ault about 75, wart of Columbus, who has been staying at the home of her sister.

Miss Gertrude Coff-man, 706 Reed street. She was rescued by Eugene Huffer, 20, Newbern. an office employe at Reeves Pulley company. Mrs. Ault did not suffer any ill effects and was abie to be up today.

Tha fire broke 'out an enclosed rear porch at the Coffman home about 6:55 o'clock while city flra trucks were on another alarm to a Third street grocery, A radio message on the residence fire was relayed by police radio to firemen. Los Set At $2,000. Damage to the home was estimated at more than $2,000. Most of tha firs was confined to the rear porch, but intense heat and IParh 30eiers Wring In $36J59 in 1949 Some Coal Dealers Out, Check Shows ''Some have, and some haven't is the story among Columbus coal firms today as the cold wave continues. Some of the companies have good supply of coal on hand, some have a small supply in the yards with freight cars on the road with additional cbal, while other companies report they have no coaL, Claud Combs, president of the Columbus Coal Merchants association, said the situation does not look very promising.

He added, "If It turns really cold for very long, there will be an acute coal shortage in town." At the high school, the coal supply is getting low, according; to Luther Lockwood, city school Superintendent A carload to have been shipped, Dec 28 was lost hut haa now been located and is expected to arrive soon to replenish the supply. The rest of the city schools have a sufficient supply, Mr. Lockwood said. Walter Rice, county school superintendent, did not know the status of tha coal supply in the county schools Water Works Okay. From the mayor's office came the report that the supply of Coal Nearly Million Dollars Worth of Construction OK'd in City.

Construction in the Columbus area continued at a high pace through all of 1949, according to the first annual report of Howard McKenney, city building inspector. Building records show permits were issued for 45 new homes in the city and 24 in the 2-mile area outside the city limits. There were 343 permit in all. with total estimated cost figuring at 1933,751. In 1948 permits were issued for 93 new homes, but 68 of these were in Dunlap's Central park: project, leaving only 35 constructed at other locations in the ciry( A total of 309 permits were issued! in 1948, with total estimated Cost figuring at $1,397,430.

Local contractors report that they see no reason for a let-up in construction during 1950, barring a major business slump. Home construction still is short of! the demand, builders report but tne Is narrowing and many of those considering flew homes already have residences and wish larger accommodations or new locations. Contractors also do not expect any great reductions in building costs through 1950. The city's new building fee ordinance went into effect last March and in the final nine months of 1949 the permits for 24 new homes in the 2-mile area were issued. A large amount of construction in the annexed East Columbus area also was included during the year.

In the month of December, 13 permits were granted, including three for new homes and 1 four for industrial and business improvements. Permits for new homes; were to John Hammond, for Gunnison home on East Fifteenth street Elliott addition, estimated cost to J. D. Bar ringer, for Gunnison home at Eighteenth and Chestnut streets, Franklin O'Conner, 2490 Franklin street $9,000. Two permits were Issued to Nob-lltt-Sparks Industries, one for a new roof, 18 by 175 -feet at the Seventeenth street West plant estimated cost $1,500, and the other for warehouse facilities at the television-radio division, Thirteenth street and Hutchins avenue, estimated cost $2,000.

The warehouse is being made by enclosing a shipping dock, with steel, concrete and wood construction. The dock is on the south side of the Tirteenth street plant O. K. Tire Service, 124 Eighth street was granted a permit for an addition to its building, estimated cost $7,250. It will be of glass and concrete block 128 by 30 feet located On the west side of the original building.

The addition will provfde extra room I for the firm's operations and is slated for completion by March. The other business permit was issued to Norton E. Kennedy for an addition to his trucking firm garage at Gladstone avenue and State street estimated cost $1,200. The addition will be 30 by 36 feet and will double the garage space. It will be of concrete block.

Other December permits were issued as follows: George Golay, add room and bath, 2115 Maple street estimated cost Joe A. Swope, install two furnaces, 1904 Pennsylvania avenue; Clifford Whittington, move accessory building from 401 Pleasant street to 906 Gladstone John L. Hoseai install overhead doors. Fifth and Jackson; Dorothy Rlghthouse, add bath, 1030 Vi Hutchins avenue, $300; John Halt, construct flu and in-Stall heating plant 01 Union street $30. Roads Reopen as Flood Water Recedes from Thursday Crest.

The "Big River" White Was calling in its flood waters today and by mid-morning the river leel at the Columbus waterworks Was three feet under i the Thursday night crest. Lowell road was reported open by the county highway department. Water was still running-board deep on but the roed was passable and the water was expected to continue to recede. The state highway sub-district office here also believed that it would be' possible i to open Road 31A between here and Garden City some time today. Road 58 also is scheduled to be re-opened.

Road 46 west of Columbus remained closed, but If water continue to go down Carr Hill road may be passable within a few hours. Flatrock river fell several inches during the night, but still filled lowland areas. 23 Degree Friday. The mercury dropped to a low of 22 degrees Friday night and put another coating of ice on flood waters which have covered lowland areas of tha: county since Tuesday night Fair skies and cooler weather are predicted by the Indiana weather bureau for tonight, reducing Immediate threat of any new rise in streams. The mercury is expected to range from five below zero in the northwest part of the state to 15 degrees above in the extreme south.

Sunday also Is due to be fair and cold. The Red Cross relief center for flood refugees which "had been; in operation at Donner center since Wednesday was closed Friday night. The last of tha families went to homes of relatives or friends. One family of -ten; rssid-ingon Flatrock river; waa provided temporary quarters in the vacant house on Lincoln park. Thirteen persons were given supper Friday night.

A 9 Army tielps Vincennes Ftght Flood CHICAGO, Jan. (IP) The army rushed 80 soldiers today to battle floods tn Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, where 4,000 persons were driven from their homes. New floods arose in six other Midwest and Southern states Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas. About 500 persons were affected! in those states. Tributaries of tha mighty Ohio river were rising swiftly and a few families in Columbus and Cincinnati, fled from their homes.

A United Press survey showed that the last week's flood, blizzards, sleet, heavy rains and severe cbld Killed at least 49 persons across the nation. i A new arctic cold front was to arrive in the Pacific Northwest this weekend just las the last mass of cold air waa expected to sweep east to New York, dispelling a 'heat wave" that broke records for high temperatures four days in a row. The mercury was expected to drop to freezing in New York tonight I Fruit Crops Lost? The new cold front made southern California fruit ranchers fear that all possible hope for saving their crops was lost The ranchers were firing smudge pots in their orchards for the fourth straight day. Damage was believed heavy but the exact extent of the crop (Continued on page 1) Trapped as Blaxe envelopes Institution. DAVENPORT, Jan.

7 (TJP) A flash fire swept a women's mental ward building at Mercy hospital early today and at least 24 women burned to death. Thirteen other women were missing and presumed dead. All of the known dead were patients except for a nurse's. aide, Mrs. Anna Neal.

who give' her life trying to save her charges. The count of dead was announced by Scott county coroner C. H. Wlldman who said that from 00 to- 65 persons were in the building at the time of the fire. At least ten of the persons, he said, were still unaccounted for.

Hospital officials said at least 62 persons were in the building. The exact count couldn't be given because it was not known how many attendants may have been absent on duties in other buildings of the sprawling hospital. ToU Rises Rapidly. The death toll rose rapidly after dawn as the embers cooled and firemen were able to enter the smouldering ruins to bring out the bodies of victims. Most of the bodies were burned so badly that identification was almost impossible.

Witnesses said the flames swept the structure so quickly that vie tims were trapped in their rooms, behind windows that had bean barred to prevent their escape from the institution. The patients screamed and yelled in agony as the flames roared around them. Three men were patients In the ward, but all of them were accounted for. Most of the dead were elderly persons under treatment for senility. The flra was discovered' by nurse Ellen Hildebrand who was on duty on the fourth floor of Mercy hospital's mala building about 250 feet away.

From a window, she saw tha lames shoot-, ing out of the mental ward build lng. By the time firemen raced the two-mile distance from Davenport, the three-story brick building was a mass of flame. Firemen could do little, except to try to rescue the inmates who screamed and writhed among flames as the rescuers tried to reach them. Whipped By Wind. The fire was whipped by a high wind.

With temperatures standing only 14 degrees above sero, pa-. tlents were led from the building' in their bare feet and night clbth-lng to the main building. One fireman suffered frost bite. All available policemen were called to the scene to prevent any dangerous mental patients from escaping. Two nurses aides, Mrs.

Gladys Oostendorp and Mrs. Willis Bennett, saved 12 patients before firemen arrived. Despite the raging flames, they calmly walked into the building and led the patients out speaking soothingly to them all tha while. Joe M. Coles Dies at His Home in Attica Word has been received here of the death of Joe M.

Coles at his home in Attica. Coles was bom in Bartholomew eounty In 1858 and moved to Attica in 1888. Relatives include a brother, Charles L. Coles, and two sisters, Mrs. Mary L.

Scofield and Mrs. Alice Guthrie, all of Bartholomew county. i Mrs. Orbom Files for i-Divorce from Husband Divorce papers were -filed Friday by Mrs. Irene Orbom by her next friend, Nancy M.

Gates, asking a i divorce ffom her husband. James Orbom. The couple was married Oct 27, 1947, and separated July 17, 1949. She charges cruel and inhuman treatment E. J.

Morrison is attorney for the plaintiff. Bandits Get $1,700 in Indianapolis Holdup INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 7 IF Police today searched for two bandits who lined seven' clerks against a wall in the F. Hohlt department store and escaped with $1,700. The men entered the store during a lull yesterday when no custom-, ers were present They brandished guns, cleaned out the safe and cash drawers, and made their escape in a waiting car.

Mrs. Gaston's Rites To Be Held Monday SHmitral rltAM for Ifra. Elisabeth R. Gaston, 81, who died Thurs day, will be held at 1:30 o'clock Monday afternoon at Hathaway funeral home. Dr.

Alexander Sharp, Indi anapolis, wlH be in charge of rites. Burial will be at City cemetery. The casket i open at the Well Water Treatment Residents of areas where wells have been flooded urged today by Harry Rice, city sanitary officer, and the Indiana State Board of Health office here to treat drinking "water from their wells. The following bulletin on treatment of the water was released: 1. If the water is not clear, allow it to stand until as much as possible of the sediment settles out Then draw off the' clear watef.

2. Add three drops of a chloride laundry bleach (such as Roman Cleanser, Chlorox, Pur ex, B-K, and others) to one gallon of water. Chlorine bleaches are cheap and can be secured from most grocery tores. Walt thirty (30) minutes after chlorine has been added before using the water. 3.

If this: treatment does not give the water a taste of chlorine, the 'above quantities should be doubled, or still further increased, until taste is produced. The taste of chlorine is not particularly unpleasant, and it will be -evidence that the water Is safe to drink. 4. This treatment should be continued until water of unquestioned quality can be secured. I 5.

The water may also be purified by boiling. In that case, all that is necessary is to bring the water to a boil and boll at least five (5) minutes. Then cool. DEATH CLAIMS MRS. COX, 87 Aged Resident Dies at Home on Elizabethtown Route 1 This Morning.

Mrs. Victoria Cox, 87, died af 2:45 o'clock this morning at her home on Elizabethtown route 1. She was the widow of John M. Cox, who died Feb. 28, 1934.

Funeral rites will be held ait 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at Sandcreek Friends' church, con ducted by Rev. Marshall Tolls. The casket will be open from noon Sunday at the Hathaway funeral home until time for services. Mrs. Cox was a member of the Sandcreek Friends church and of the Home Study club.

I She waa born in Bartholomew county two miles east of Azalia tft Phineas and Martha Elliott Parker on Feb. 12, 1862. Surviving: are two daughters. Miss Orpha Cox, Elizabethtown route 1" and Mrs. Ira Leatherock, Hartsville rural route; two sisters, Mrs.

Linnle Comfort Tecumseh, Mich, and Mrs. Alice Davis, Azalia. Orphie Bridges On Kiwanis Program Orphie Bridges, superintendent of radios and television at'Noblittt-Sparks Industries, will be the Speaker night at the regular meeting of the Kiwanis club to be held at Donner community cent-ter. Mr. Bridges will discuss the progress of television.

L. i W. Mellencamp 14 program chairman for the meeting. SEARCH FOR FLIERS. I EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE.

Jan. 7 (IP) The search for two i missing crewmen of an Air force B-50 bomber was resumed today, but nine others were safe after the plane plunged into a Gulf; of Mexico bay. said they did not see. Mr. Wilson get out of the truck and were not certain he had been driving, Mr.

McAlliser also stated that in his opinion Mr. Wilson was not drunk. At start of the afternoon session Prosecuting Attorney William M. Lienberger moved for dismissal on grounds of insufficient evidence. Mr.

Wilson was defended by attorney Edward Morrison. Selection of a Jury was not com pleted until c'olock Frid morning. Jury Members, The jury composed of Tempest, Putnam Davis, Elmei Calvm, Orvy Barr, Harry Emb: Dawson MbKim, Philip Pugsley, Fred Gillespie, Clifford Folgeit, Leonard Essex, Robert Sullivan and i James A. The prospective members were set off by the state. Mr, Morrison accepted the jury without excusing anyone.

Russell Marr and p. Frasee were set off by Me. Lienberger. The new office of city building inspector here closed the year 1949 in the "red," but better things are expected next year, according to Columbus officials. The office, under Howard McKenney, was in operation for eight and one-half months during 1949 and collected $1,107.96 in fees under thejjiew building permit ordinance.

At the same time expenses were $1,287.47, but included costs of office furniture and other equipment for putting the new office into operation. As part-time building inspector, Mr. McKenney receives $100 a month and his salary amounted to $850, or $257.96 less than the income during the same eight and one-half months. With initial cost for furniture and equipment paid, it is expected that during 1950 the office will break even or perhaps show a profit. At the time the new building ordinance was put into effect there was some concern among officials whether the office could pay its own.

way. A fee schedule was decided upon which it was believed would meet actual costs of inspections and at the same time would not make a profit at the expense of the permit applicants. MRS. CARTER, 76, SUCCUMBS Columbus Native Stricken at Home Friday Night Funeral Monday. Mrs.

Emma K. Carter, 7, died Friday night at 10:55 o'clock at her home, 1825 Newton street. Funeral rites will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Flanigan and Reed funeral home. Burial will be at Garland Brook cemetery. The casket will be open after 10 o'clock Sunday morning.

Mrs. Carter was born and reared in Columbus, and lived nearly all of her life here. She was married to George Carter in 1900. He died in 1941. Mrs.

Carter had been ill two years and bedfast three months. She is survived by a brother Marshall Rothrock, Columbus; a sister, Mrs. Rhetta Chapman, Columbus, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Case of Man Accused of Beating Epileptic Tried NEW CASTLE, Jan. 7 (IPi Judge John H.

Morris today con sidered his verdict in the assault and battery trial of John Wicker, 51, accused of beating a nine-year-old patient at the state village for epileptics. Wicker was discharged as an attendant shortly after the alleged beating of Stephen Watson was made public. Morris did not indicate when he planned to announce his verdict after listening to testimony yesterday during Wicker's trial. men who demanded further government Intervention were Sen. William R.

Jenner, and Reps. Lawrence H. Smith, and Ralph E. Church, 111. All three called for a congressional investigation of Lewis' methods.

Smith said the 'crisis in coal" requires congressional action "in view of the president's refusal to act Mr. Truman has said repeatedly he would invoke the anti-strike provisions of the Taft-Hartley act only when he is convinced the coal crisis constitutes a national emergency. So far, however, the. White House has kept hands off the dispute. Demanding Action.

The recent cold snap in the Midwest has increased the demands of retailers and citizens groups for governmental action. In Illinois, where stocks are far below normal, there were unconfirmed reports that the miners would return to a five-day week to forestall any court order against their short-week schedule. Operators representing more than half the industry's annual production have asked the National Labor Relations to seek such a court order. NLRB general counsel Robert N. Denham is expected to decide next week Whether to comply with the request Over 2,000,000 Coins Dropped in Machines During Year.

Columbus' parking meters clicked to the tune of $36,159.60 during 19491. In order to ring up that amount motorists dropped in two million, fifty-four thousand, two hundred and thirty-two individual coins in the meters, records in the city clerk-treasurer's office show. Two thousand, three hundred and eighty-nine dimes were put in the meters although they are not designed for dimes and give only 12 minutes' time, the same as a penny. The city also received $3,070 in $1 parking meter fines. The 3,070 persons fined in 1949 compared to 3,153 fined during the 9V4 months the meters were in operation In 1948.

The principal reason for the reduction waa change-over of the meters from 1-hour 4br 'tfie 2-hour type. The! meters Xere changed during November and there were sharp reductions in fines In that month and In December. 333 Fined In. August. The worst month waa August when 333 motorists were penalized.

The low month until November was June 249. In November when the 1 2-hour meters were installed the total fines dropped to 171. In December, the busiest shopping month of the year, theret were only 100 fine. Decemher was the first full month oi operation under the 2-hour meters and results Indicate that during 1950 total fines will not run much over 1,000. Motorists bought their parking time with 1,541,798 pennies, 510,045 nickels and 2,389 dimes.

BIKE RUN OVER, RIDER UNHURT Car Runs Over Bicycle Seconds After Boy Gets to Feet Following Spill. A young bicycle ridejr narrowly escaped injury at 7:25 clock Friday night when his' bicycle sild on ice and was run over by a car just as the boy got to his feet- The bike rider was Melvin Stitla- bower, 9 years old, 511 Second street He was not hit by the car. City police reported the boy fell on Fifth street just west of the Franklin street intersection, but got to his feet as a car driven by Dr. Marvin Hawes, North Lawn addition, turned the corner off Franklin street from the south and ran over the downed bicycle. The car halted on top of the bicycle.

Two cars, one pulling a house trailer, were in an accident at 12:30 o'clock Friday afternoon at the intersection of East Seventeenth street and Road 31. The trailer came lose from the car and overturned on its left side, but no one was inside. Authorities reported the accident occurred as both cars were going south and one pulled to the left to miaa the rear of a county road grader as the other car attempted to pass. The grader was being used on Seventeenth street and the rear extended a short distance over the west lane. James A.

Russell, Buchanan, Mich, driving a 1947 Ford coupe and pulling the house trailer, turned to the left to avoid the grader. At the same time' Mrs. Robert Pittman's car went onto the soft berm on the east side of the road, then whipped back and hit the left rear fender of the Russell car. which spun around In the road. The came loose and turned over on its side.

The Pittman car then went back to the east berm and halted sideways, Damage to the Russell car and trailer was estimated at (100 or mora. The right door of the Pitt-man car was The accident was investigated by Deputy Sheriff Earl Hogan and State Police Officer; Jack Curry. COMPLAINT ON NOTE; A complaint on note was filed in the county clerk's office Friday by American Security company. Defendants in the case are Wood-row Schamel and Alta M. SchamaL smoke damaged contents and woodwork through most of the house.

There also was heavy smoke damage In an apartment of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kershaw In tha north part of tha home. The loss was believed covered by Insurance. Miss Coffman and Mrs.

Ault were In the kitchen when Miss Coffman notice the smoke. She aid that when state opened Due door to tha rear porch she foVhd it filled with smoke. Mrs. Kershaw was home at the time and ran across the street to telephone tha flra department after finding tha "phone at the Coffman home was dead. Workers tn tha upstairs office action at Reaves plant also saw the flames and Edward Dugan, head of material control department, turned in an alarm at tha plant, box.

i Heart Woman Vole. Mr. Huffer also went from tha of flea to tha scene and upon learning there was a woman still Inside broke through a door from tha sun porch to the living room. Mr. Huffer said he could hear Mrs.

Ault. calling for help and urging him to hurry. All the lights in tha house were out and rooms were black with smoke. I just happened to run Into her in the living room and then helped her out," Mr. Huffer said.

"I don't know how she stood the smoke so long. It almost was too much for me." The fire burned through to a part of the kitchen and ate its way into the attic. It was brought under control by firemen, however, within a few! minutes. Third Flra in Bow. The alarm which tapped in from Reeves Pulley company at 6:56 o'clock was the third received by the flra department in a row.

At a truck was sent irom station No. 2 to extinguish an automobile blase at Seventeenth street and Central avenue. The car was a 1934 Dodge of Wilbur Thomas. The engine caught fire and burned the heater hose. Loss was estimated at Jlp.

While" No. 2 firemen were answering this call the Interna- tional truck was sent to No. 2 station to be ready to answer any other alarm. At 6:92 o'clock an alarm was received from the Gutberie and Son grocery Third street. There was smoke in the building, but no fire.

While firemen were there the alarm was received from the Coffman home. Cause of the fire at the Coffman home was not Immediately determined, firemen said. However, the blaze was believed to have started near the electrical switchbox on the rear porch and resulted In al the lights going out. 450 Guard Officers to Be at Winter Meeting INDIANAPOLIS. Jan.

7 (W More than 450 Indiana National Guard officers were expected to attend an annual mid-winter meeting hen Jan. 14, to make the meeting tha largest In tha ING association's history. Lt Col. Howard 8. Wilcox, Bloomington, president of -the association, and Lt.

Col. Wendl C. PhilUppi, Indianapolis, general chairman for tha meeting, said speakers would include Governor Schricker; Maj. Gen. E.

A. Walsh, president of the National association, and i Maj. Gen. Kenneth E. Cramer, chief of the National Guard bureau.

Man Injured Fatally In junction Accident INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 7 OPV Christopher Taglia, EL Chicago, waa injured fatally last night when his car was hit at a road junction. Taglia told police he was not injured in the accident, but he died en. route to a doctor's fries at nearby Plalnfield. State police said Taglia tried to cross U.

8. 36 and his car was struck by one driven by Earl Cline, 12, Danville. at the water works was ample. Miss Olive Murphy, superintendent of the Bartholomew county hospital, reports that the supply of coal at the hospital is adequate for approximately three and a half weeks, unless the cold becomes very severe. There is an adequate supply the nurses' home, she said, and more coal is due in before the present supply runs out One coal fhjm stated that a shipment ordered since early September had not yet arrived.

The governor's coal' coordinating committee will notify schools short of coal to close and save scarce fuels for hospitals, it has been decided. Committee chairman Thomas R. Hutson, who also is state labor commissioner; said after a conference with the governor, that no schools would be supplied with coal Hutson said requests for fuel from Taylor university and the superintendent of schools at Pendleton brought to "at least 20" the number of distressed communities and institutions which wanted the state group to allocate coaL "We're picking up some coal here and there, Huston said, "mostly from truck mines which do not have fail connections." Columbub Township Pet And Holbby Club Meets Columbus township Pet and Hobby club met Friday night at Clifty memorial hall. Mrs. Louis Sitterding, leader, gave devotiona Paul Schwartzkppf was named president; Joe Doup, secretary; Nancy Lou Miller, sons; leader; Karen Keesllng, reporter.

Pet and h6bby certificates were given to Nancy Jo and David Allen -Doup and Nancy Lou Miller. The htory "Sally Forgets" was read by the leader. Pictures of squirrels jwere drawn and cut out jj After the meeting the members joined the Farm Bureau meeting to watch a safety movie. i Rotary Members to Hearj Wray Fleming Wray E. Fleming, Indianapolis, general counsel for Hoosier State Press Association, will be the speaker Monday noon at the luncheon meeting of the local Ro tary club todte held at the Cham ber of Commerce.

Mr. Fleming will use for his topic, "The People's Right to a Free Robert N.f Brown la program chairman for the meeting. WILLIAMS HELD. DETROIT," Jan. OP) Police at suburban River Rouge said today they, were holding Merrill (Doc) Williams, yeteran Indianapolis Speedway race driver, as a burglary suspect Truman IPressed ta i End Coal BPeadlach JVa IEviderice9 UPmrih BDriwing Trial lEtinds WASHINGTON.

Jan. IP President Truman came under mounting pressure today to move into the soft coal deadlock. The heaviest pressure came from Democratic leader Scett W. Lucas of Illinois. He is one of four Midwestern congressmen who have demanded White House action to relieve coal shortages.

Lucas told newsmen after a White House conference yesterday with presidential assistant John R-Steelman that he would "protest as vigorously as I know how" unless the miners give up their three-day work week and return on a full schedule. Steelman, he said, promised to "lay all the facts" before the president today. John L. Lewis has managed to negotiate a new coal contract with only a small segment of the industry. In the meantime, the three-day work week of his United Mine workers is shrinking the nation's coal stockpiles.

Train Cut Due. i In order to conserve i railroad supplies, tha Interstate Commerce commission has ordered all coal-burning railroads With low coal stocks to curtail passenger operations by one -third. The directive is effective at 59 p.m., EST, tomorrow. i Besides Lucas, other congress The first of 111. drunk driving trials set for1-Bartholomew county circuit court between now and Feb.

2 came to a sudden halt Fri day afternoon when tha state found it couldn't prove the de fendant had i been driving. One of the state's witnesses also said that in his opinion the fendant waan drunk. The trial was that of -Amos E. Wilson, 47, of Z9 i Wast Fourth street and was the first jury case since start of the new term: of court this month, i Mr. Wilson was slated by city police on Aug.

8 after his truck hit the rear of a car in line of traffic on Third street between Lafayette avenue and Franklin street He entered a plea of not guilty. Not Drunk or Driving. I Luther McAllister, 807 Reed street, driver of the cap involved in the and Mrs. McAllister were the first witnesses called by the state. They told of tha accident, but funeral home.

it I.