La Grande Observer from La Grande, Oregon • Page 1

folia la (Brand 111 I If.lil'l.l 111IJI1JJ BW I.IJ.I.I1 mi ESTABLISHED 1896 LA (ill AM) OKEGON, MONDAY EVENING. MAY 13, 191(i FIVE CENTS ex 0 Mi Job iners on Nation Army Service Units Are Abolished SEARCHERS PROBE FIRE-BLACKENED WRECKAGE OF PB-Y4S Wreckage oi one of two navy PB-Y4 planes which crashed near Munson, smoulders as workers extinguish lire and remove bodies oi estimated 28 killed. The crash occurred during routine flight, from Pensacola. naval air station. Marine Unions Set Strike Many Rebel Against Lewis' Order; New Strike Unlikely WASHINGTON, 1.1 (IT) Suft coal oiH'riitors aisi't-Ml today to poy approximately in disputed overtime claims.

This was the first agreement reached in the lone Htitl previously futile negotiations between operators and the United Mine workers. The union had refused lo negotiate on other issues until (his was settled. I' I Hoover Plans Journey to South America In Quest of Food for Starving Nations WASHINGTON, May 13 (UP) Former President Herbert Hoover, who has just completed a round-the-world famine survey for President Truman will go to South America to seek more relief food from that area. Hoover accepted the new assignment as he reported that the food outlook' in famine areas still is too uncertain to determine Bv RAYMOND LAHR United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON. May 13 (UP) John L.

Lewis United Mine workers (AFL) went back to ihe soft coal pits today, ending a six-week strike that carried the country lo the bring of indusrtal stagnation. At the same time. Lewis watted hero for an industry move to break the long deadlock in wage negotiations. There was a chance but no assurance that a break might come today. i An estimated miners in Pennsylvania revolted against Lewis' order and refused to return to work.

UMW district leaflets were confident these recalcitrants would be brought in line and La Grande To Vote on School Bonds Today At press time today 17 La Grande voters of school district 1 had cast ballots on the school bond proposal at Greenwood E-chool, while 35 had voted at Central school. City school superintendent Fred Patton said it indicated there may be a heavy vote. Polls are open until 7 p.m. Shipping Tie-up By Five Unions Is New Threat SAN FRAN CISCO, May 13 (UP) Five powerful maritime unions today laid plans for a nationwide strike against American shipping by the middle of next month. The strike was approved last week at a "unity" convention of seven unions, representing nearly 300.000 shipboard and waterfront workers, which also recommended formation of a national federation.

Harry Bridges, president of Ihe CIO Intel national Long shoremen's and Warehousemen's union, and Joseph Curran, president of the CIO National Maritime union, headed committees to formulate both the strike and the unity programs. 1 To Be Widespread 'M1 The strike, if called on sched-jtilo June 15, would hit shipping on Atlantic, Pacific and gulf ports and on the Great Lakes. The five unions involved would be the ILWU, NMU, lite CIO Marine Cooks and Stewards, the CIO American Communications association and the Independent Marine Firemen's union. The CIO Inland Boatmen's Union and the CIO Marine Engineers abstained from voting strike as their current contracts have not yet expired. However, they pledged "moral, financial and physical support." Jap Counsel Claims People do Not Have To Obey General TOKYO, May 13 (UP) Dr.

Ichiro Kiyose, chief counsel for former premier ilideki Tojo and 20 other suspected war criminals, asserted today that the Japanese people do not have lo obey every cider issued by supreme commander Gen. Douglas Mac-Arthur. His statement came during a general attack on the jurisdiction of the ilernational military tribunal trying the defendants and drew an angry retort from Chief Prosecutor Joseph B. Keenan. "I suggest to the tribunal thai we have heard discourse from this counsel that is very close to sedition," Keenan declared.

Shakes Glasses Shaking a pair of blaek-rim-med glasses and pounding on a table to emphasize his points, Kiyose based his argument on the point that Japan had signed a conditional surrender. "Only the armed forces of Japan surrendered unconditionally," he argued. "The unconditional portion does not apply to the government or the people. The Japanese people have lo obey the supreme commander only in matters covered by Ihe Potsdam declaration." Kiyose said that MacAilhur could issue orders and the emperor was obligated lo cany out only specific items covered in the Potsdam declaration. whether a return to food rationing is necessary here.

The 71 -year-old former president will leave for South America within two weeks. He will act as Truman's food ambassador, seeking to enlist more aid of the Latin American nations in the world-wide effort to feed the starving. Problem Told Following i report to the president on his world tour, Hoover told newsmen the immediate problem is to get over the hump between now and the end of the harvest in Au gust and September, He said it is entirely loo early for the various countries of the world, including the United States, to decide what steps they should take to meet the anticipated threat of a continued global food crisis next year. His statement followed disclosure thai economic stabilizer Chester Bowles was considering asking Truman to resume food rationing in this country in August unless the situation improves. Hoover said he believed the preharvest food crisis could be met under a new program worked out by his six-memncr food study group.

Jap Communists Demand Emperor Release Foodstocks TOKYO, May 13 (UP) Japanese communists today demanded that Empcrior Hirohito and the Imperial family release "stored foodstocks" for distribution to the starving Japanese people. The com munists directed a public statement to Hirohito a day after a crowd of 100 demonstrators staged an unprcccnted invasion of the Imperial palace to demand food. The demonstrators claimed they represented more than residents of the Setagaya district in Tokyo. They forced their way past palace guards and held a rally in front of the Imperial household department household office. Telephone Workers Consider Striking SAN FRANCISCO, May 13 (UP) Officials of 13 telephone unions today planned to 46,800 workers lo see if they favored a strike against the Pacific Telephone and Tele graph company.

The strike poll was ordered after the union and Ihe company were unable to come to an agreement on wage increases. The union asked a $3 weekly increase for all employes. The company offered a $3 raise for 111,000 men and $2 for the women. Parcel Embargo Off Parcel post embargoes, declared because of the coal shortage, have been lifted, according to Victor Eckley, La Grande postmaster. Parcels may now be sent under the same regulations ai they were before the embargo, he stated.

Officers Face Court-martial if Foods Wasted WASHINGTON, May 13 (UP) A rmy officers have been warned by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, chief of staff, that they wilt be subject to court-martial if they allow food to be wasted or spoiled. Eisenhower's stern directive, it was disclosed today, went lo all army commands shortly before ho left on a lour of Pacific bases. He ordered that charges be filed against any officer, who.

through negligence, permits the spoilage or waste of government property. While his order referred to government properly as a whole, war department spokesmen said it applied primarily to food. AFL Chiefs Radio Speech 'Sahotaged' ASHKVILLK, N. C. May 13 (UP) Southern AFL leaders, still mystified by the "sabotage" cutting of radio wires that stilled a nation-wide broadcast by President William F.

Green, returned home today to open their campaign for 1,000,000 new southern members. Meanwhile, Asheville police re-checked all angles of the mysterious wire-stashing incident, but police cnief Charles Dermid said there were no new developments. No arrests were made. Wires Are Cut Green's speech was scheduled for broadcast over NBC at 6:45 p. m.

(EST) Saturday night. Announcer John Hurley, of Washington, had almost completed his introduction whc.n the circuits were cut. Neither Green nor his audience were aware of what happened, but radio listeners over the country heard the program suddenly stop. Three wires carrying the program were cut cleanly apparently with a sharp-bladed instrument in the basement of the Asheville city auditorium, where Green spoke. American Carhine Used in Killings NUKHNHKKG.

May 13 (UP) Military sources said today that the shot which killed two U. S. soldiers near a Nuernberg park last Friday night were believed to have been fired from an American carbine. Criminal investigation agents were concentrating their investigation of the double murder on American soldiers billeted in the area where the two Stars1 and Slripes staff members wcr shot. The vieiuris wen- identified as T4 Paul li.

Skelton and SSgt. William Timmoiis. Their home town addresses were not listed here. Capt. Claud Nichols of Wichita, the CID's top ballistics expert in the theater, Hew to Nueinheig today lo examine the evidence.

Knterprise Man Jailed for Fight Kermit Victor, on trial in Kn-leipuse today for assault on Kd Johnson of Wallowa in a pool hall altercation December" 22, (hanged his plea to guilty before Circuit Judge It. J. Green, doing away with necessity of a trial by jury. Victor was sentenced to one in the county jail, but was parolled for all but fiO days ol the term on the condition he pay the court $0H1 for doctor bills and hospitalization of Johnson. Further conditions wer- that after his release from jail in l0 days he would refrain from drinking and remain a law abiding citizen.

Blast Itcalli Lifts Town's. OI' A Ceiling MOBRIDUK, S. May 13 'UP) It gional office of puce administration officials blush when iliey look up. A small gasoline tank exploded at the rear of 'heir building. No one was hurt, But from one end to the other of the roof over the Mobridge UPA runs" a long, wide, gap where tl.

OPA ceiling was lifted by tlWblast. WASHINGTON. May 13 (UP) The war department today announced a major reorganisation of the army, with emphasis on streamlining the major commands and strengthening research. WASHINGTON, May 13 tVF' President Truman has signed an order for abolition of the nine army service commands In the United States, it was learned today. Functions of Ihe service commands will be consolidated with those of the various army area commands.

The executive order, signed Saturday, also will abolish the army service forces as one of the three basic divisions of the ermy. Its functions will he distributed among other existing division of the war department. Reorganise Army The order carries out purt of the recommendations for reor-. ganization of the army made by a special board headed by Lt. Gen.

William II. Simpson, lt was understood, however, that numerous other recommendations of the Simpson hoard were not approved at this time. During the war period, the war department had three basic divisions ground forces, air forcos and sorvice forces. The service forces handled supply, construction and personnel matters. Details of the new set-up werj not learned immediately, but it was understood that service command functions would be handled in the future by the supply, personnel and other divisions of the general staff organization.

Had Nine Commands In this cuunlty tu ttuvicu forces a nine service Esdif; ci-w-ed a geogr-v phlcal area. At the same time thcro were several army area commands, which were concerned with operational and training activities as distinct from the supply and "housekeeping" work of the service commands. Under the new system, tha army area commands will take over these activities. Thus the army in each part of the nation will have one administiativc organization instead of two overlapping ones. Missing Body in Air Crash Sought HOZKMAN, May IS (UP) A rescue unit today searched for the sixth and last victim in a crash of an army C-45 transport which plunged head-on, into peak May 5 en route from Billings, to Seattle, Wash.

Three of five bodies recovcrcfl on the mountain were identified but their names were withheld pending notification of next of kin. Former King Starts Self -I posed Exile Alexaiuli ia, May 111 (UP) Victor Kmmanuel III of Paly and former Queen Helen, i began their self-imposed exile today as guests of the Egyptian government. They arrived yesterday aboard an Italian war ship and were greeted by King Farouk. Victor Kmmanuel and Ins queen will stay in the royal palace at Antoniades while a large villa is being prepared for litem near Alexandria, according to official circles. ChiAtx Communists Encircling PeiMitg NANKINCi, May (UP) Nationalist press reports claimed today that Chinese communist fortes are deploying in an attempt to encircle Peiping and Tientsin, linking up their north China armies with those in Manchuria.

Jaycees to Name New Com mil lees 0 New commixes for the year will be named at the regular meeting of the La Cirande junior chamber of commerce at 7:30 p.m.. tomorrow night in Dorothy's Tea loom. Chairmen of 11(5) committees have already selected by the boardKf directors, but will not be announced until the meeting. La Grande voters of school district number 1 started going to the polls at 2 p. m.

today to vote in the bond and serial school tax levy election held by the La Grande board of education. Polls will remuin open until 7 p. in. in Central and Greenwood school-houses. Two major issues confront voters: Issues Tested 1 Whether to authorize a special bond allotment of for the purpose of providing funds with which to acquire and improve a site suitable for construction of a new high school and for alterations to the existing hign school plant to Rccommrvjfij the Central school" system.

2 Whether to authorize a levying serially for a period not tJ exceed 10 years beginning with the new fiscal year July 1, an annual tax of five mills upon the assessed valuation of all real and personal property in the district to raise S21.0U0 annually for the same purpose. Livestock Show To Be Discussed A preview of the Eastern Oregon livestock show to be held tinion next month will be shown In La Grande chamber of commerce members Thursday noon at the second in the current series of forum luncheons. The luncheon will be held at the Stein Coffee ship, according lo Charles Reynolds, program chairman. Heading the Union delegation will he Tony Smith, G. I.

Mess and l.es Hramwell, who will present a variety program of acts and i-nteitainment from the three day Union show. Elgin Mill Worker Hurt in Accident Clarence Taylor, employe of the Pondosa Pine Lumber company of Klgin, is recovering from cids and bruises he received when a steel door of a freight car left its track and fell on him. The accident occurred just before quitting lime and as the injured man was getting the car of pine products ready for shipment. Taylor was conveyed to a La Grande hospital for treatment and observation, but examination revealed that his injuries were not serious. He was released from the hospital 24 hours later and is recovering at his in Klgin.

back to their pits before the end of the week. Many Go Back Reports from other soft coal fields showed the remainder of the striking UMW members had returned to work. Production was expected to be normal by tomorrow. Although Lewis' back-io-work order provided only a two-week truce in the strike, it was evident that government officials from President Truman down would be demanding an agreement which would avert another walkout. The resumption of work insured uninterrupted operation of vital services and offered some iclief for other industries.

There would be little net improvement in industrial prospects, however, it the miners struck again in two weeks. Contract Asked Truman has asked Lewis and the operators to bring him a contract Wednesday, a week and a half before the truce expires. Government officials, refusing to predict whether the Wednesday deadline could be met, admitted that no progress had been made since the president made his request Friday. The negotiations have been stymied by Lewis' demand that the miners be paid back overtime claims before bargaining proceeded on a new contract. The dispute involved more than which the union contended the miners should receive because they were paid at straight time instead of overtime rates for four Saturdays after idle holidays.

Experiment Proves Fighters Improve In Arctic Circle WASHINGTON, May 13 (UP) The joint Canadian and American Muskox expedition to tin. Arctic proved conclusively that the military forces can operate above the Arctic circle, American military observers said lo-day. The observers returned from Ft. Nelson, Canada, where they paiticipated in the closing phar 's of the Bl-day trek above the lie circle. The health of the 50 men who made the rigorous trip was "slightly improved" at the end of the trip over what it was at the start, an army medical observer said.

Tanker Breaks in Two; Crew Rescued SKATTI.K, May 13 (UP) Preparations were being made today recover the drifting sec tions of the lO.OiNMon tankei Kort Sumter which broke in two in heavy seas 720 miles south of Allu Friday night, the 13th naval district reported. Navy officials said 44 officers and crewmen of the striken tanker were saved by two freighters which answered distress calls. There were no casualties. Fourteen Wootfhum Hoys Make Escape SALEM. May 13 (UP) Fourteen youths today were missing from the Oregon state training scho)l for boys at Woodbuiri.

Supt. M. D. Woollcy reported. Twelve walked away from tin-school playground in one buncn late yesterday and three others escaped Saturday night.

ROCKETS AWAYI Belching flame and smoke amid cloud of dust, a Gorman 2 rocket riset from iis platform at White Sandi proving ground. where army ordnance ii letting the doadly Gorman weapon. Toiling of this huge 46-foot, 28,000 pound missile, will allow scientisti lo study the tlratos-phore at an altitude of 100 milos, Iran Believed on Civil War Brink As Parley Fails TEHRAN, May 13 (UP) Negotiations bolween lho Tehran and Aierbaijan governmenti collapsed today and the visiting delegation left bf plan' lor quarters refused lo say whether the break in the negotiations was final or temporary, or whether Iran was on the brink of civil war as appeared certain if the rupture was complete. Civil War Throat Jaafar Pishevary, leader of Acrhaijan, and tils colleagues silently hoarded a Russian plane and departed for Tabriz without signing the agreement premier Alumni Ghavam had sought to avert the threat of civil war. The afternoon newspaper Ete-laat sairl that "official circles still are not unhopeful that the result will be good.

We believe the road to a settlement is not yet closed. Sailors Jailed in Honolulu Rioting HONOLULU, May VI (UP) Scores of sailors were in jail today following a series of clashes between servicemen and local youths in the Waikiki area. Witnesses said nearly were involved in fierce battles at Kiihio Beach after a sailor and a tfioiip of youths in an altercation over a surf board. The shore pall ol said no one was known to have been seriously injured hut a number of sailors were in with niinoi l.icei at ions on their faces. Popo Broadcasts VATICAN CITY.

May (UP) Pope Pius XII in a special broadcast to Portugal said today I hat "all must now fifth the piesent world tendencies toward materialism and no one can remain neutral in this sti ule. The Pope spoke briefly in connection with ceremonies -mcmoratinu the sanctuary of Falirna. Did You Vote? Havo you voted in the school district No. I bora issue election? If not, you will probably desire lo express your views in lho maf tor. Condition of La Grando district schools and rileir future is of great import-ance lo evory taxpayer and citizen, 4 If positive action is not taken on the situation today, it is a certainty that positivo action of perhaps far more costly nature will become mendalory in the near uturo.

Whatever you aentimenls pro or con it is your duty and privilege to exercise your right of ballot today. Polls do not close until 7 o'clock. Votel Fifty-eight Nazi Camp'Hands Get Death Sentences DACHAU, May 13 (UP) An American military tribunal today sentenced 58 Mauthausen ton-centration camp workers to be hanged for atrocities. Three other defendants convicted Saturday were given life Maj. Gen.

Gay B. Prickett, head of the seven-man tribunal, announced the sentences of the 61 defendants, reading the verdicts first in English and then in German. Two of those given death sentences had to be helped from the courtroom. Most of the defendants snapped to attention to hear their fate. August Eigrubcr, Gauleiter of upper Austria, where Mau thnuscn was located, wore a gay Bavarian costume when he was sentenced to death.

ickett said it was impossible for anyone who worked at the concentration camp to have escaped knowledge of the criminal practices enforced there. Crash Victims' Conditions Are Held Unchanged Conditions of Mr. and Mrs. Mho Vernon Churchill and Keith Clinton victims of the automobile accident Saturday near Imbler which killed Mrs. Mary Sibbetl of Elgin, are marked by very little change, according to authorities of Grande Hondc hospital.

Mi's. Churchill was reported to have slept better last night, but no change was announced for either Churchill or Reed. Schiz, the Mouse Weather Prophet, Predicts Shower "It was warmer. Boss, just like I was telling you it would be," boasted Schiz smugly. "Yesterday's maximum was a toasting 84, and the lowest recorded tem- perature was 40." "Will it continue warm?" we asked.

hedged Schiz, "Not so "warm as yes terday. ToJiy cloudy and rrow will be a littW cloudy with perhaps a few' showers tonight." "But it won't rain hard enough to keep Walter Young. La Grande, from picking up those two free tickets 'Leave to Heaven' at the State theatV." Autos Figure in Local Collision One accident and one arrest occupied city police ovi'r the weekend, according to police reports. The ear of J. W.

Tumble, I.a Grande, assertedly was hit by a car driven by Krcd Trar hsel of I.a Grande Saturday. Trimble said he was backing his car from the curb on Fourth street when the collision occurred. Damage estimates asserteflly ranged from $10 for Trimble's car to $50 for Trachsel's car. Adell William. I.a Giande, was picked Up by police officers G.

Dacon and K. Milhert Saturday night in Ihe Union Pacific yards for intoxication. Williams was released to raise $10 bail. More Sugar lor Canning Likely WASHINGTON. May 13 (UP) Sufficient sugar inav be available to give housewives a larger allowance of home canning sugar this year, the commerce depait-ment said today on the basis of estimates that civilian supplies will be 341.000 tons giealcr than last year.

It said the annual household ration of 15 pounds per petron probably can be maintained. Last year's canning sugar allowances totaled seven pounds jkt application. Hog Injured in Fall From Tree Charles Knight, H-yeai-oId son of Mr. and Mrs. IJouglas Knight of Alice), was admitted a Grande Ronde hospital Hfciurday for treatment after falling out of a (roe near his home.

According to Dr. J. G. Stialle, 'he boy's physician, he is suffering from an injured abdomen. Mavericks' Beverly Smith Leads Held Of Queen Candidates for Stock Show Miss Beverly Smith, sponsored by the Maveiieks club for queen of the Eastern Oregon Junior Livestock show to be held in Union June 6-8, is leading the field by number of votes cast for hci through purchase of tickets from the Mavericks, according to the first official vote tally announced today by Mrs.

Mae Taylor of Union. Miss Smith has 39,000 votes in her favor for queen of the show, representing a total sale of adult tickets. Second hi(h candidate is Miss Shirley Miles, sponsored by the Grande junior chamber of commerce, with .15,0110 votes caht. Scores for the other four candidates are as follows: Miss Doris Miller, Cove, 31.000; Miss Iris Vogel, Union. 25.000.

Miss Adelaide Huffman, Union. lS.OOO; Miss Dorothy Boswili, Elgin. 4.500, Queen candidates will be feted at a cowboy dress dance Saturday night in the high school gymnasium in Union sponsored bv the livestock show association. The dance will mark the beginning of an active promotional campaign for the show and all members of the sarsociation will don cowboy dress for the affair. From then until after the stock allow cowboy dress will be the daily garb of members.

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