The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 1

1 he PitteMi DM AIL- LATEST STOCKS res 36 Pages -5 Cents 5CRfPP5-HQWARDfl VOL. 69, No. 160 MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1952 WEATHER Slightly warmer. (o) W7 to nil IPB9 Haywood Due To Be Elected Boss of CIO Convention Opens In Atlantic City By WILLIAM JACOBS Pittsburgh Press Staff Writer ATLANTIC CITY, Dec. 1 The leaderless Congress of Indus trial Organizations Fugiil'ive CayghH' Downtown Reveals Plans Faff paje of pictures, Poje 12.

A plot for a general uprising in Western Penitentiary has been revealed through the capture of two of eight men who escaped from the prison yesterday morning. Ralph Mastermonica, considered one of the most dan gerous of the escapees, was captured shortly before noon today after a chase through Diamond Street. Warning shots were fired. "A general strike has been cooking for some time," Mastermonica told questioners after his capture. "Yesterday morning when I saw Toney and others headed for the fifth tier, I thought that the time had come.

"I didn't know any better until I gpt to the roof." The idea of the uprising, he later explained to police at Central Station, was to get Gov. John S. Fine interested in an investigation of the parole system at the big prison. "it's been bad for a long time out there," he said. He did not say so, but it was believed that the idea for a general uprising was inspired by recent riots in I I I I I i i I- I I' I 1 I f' cg Ohio, Michigan and Illinois HIS FEET WERE COLD Escaped Convict Carmac McNelis thought of little but warmth and food today when Jie was picked up by McKeesport police, in a restaurant near, the police station.

One of the first things he did was to remove his tennis shoes and his socks so that he could rub the numbness out of his feet. (Other pictures Pages 12, 13.) THEY WERE OLD NEIGHBORS Escaped Convict Ralph Mastermonica, walked into xj couple of acquaintances this morning when he met Patrolman Vince Jacobs and Dan Varlotte in Diamond Street. The second convict captured was two-time parole violator Carmac McNelis. He was arrested by McKeesport police as he washed up in a restaurant less than three doors from the police station. He, too, claimed that he did not know of the break: until it was under way.

"I saw some hell going on up. there and I joined it," he told McKeesport Detectives Steve Vadas and E. Hudson Kenny. Neither man, although labeled dangerous, offered much opposition. Mastermonica was spotted by a policeman-neighbor, Patrolman Daniel Varlotto, as the convict stepped out of a Diamond Street bar.

"I live only a few doors from his home in Brushton and I recognized him immediately," Patrolman Varlotto said. He and Patrolman Vince Jacobs, were returning from Criminal Court at the time they spotted Mastermonica. They chased the escapee down the busy street and cornered him in a camera shop. In the meantime, Ambridge police reported a stick-up, apparently by one of the convicts. He held up the Gabriel Clothing Store and got $171.

In all, 10 prisoners tried to break. Two, however, were captured at the very first, one on the roof and another on the banks of the Ohio River. They carved their way out of the big Woods Run pen Captured Con Denies Pari In Plotting Prison Escape McNelis, Whose Hunger Led to Arrest, Maintains He 'Just Went Along, Too Cold, hungry and dispirited, Carmac McNelis, escaped convict from Western State Penitentiary, was recaptured without a fight today in a McKeesport res opened its 14th annual con vention here today not knowing who will be at the helm in the future. The top policy-makers have not been able to a free on will take the place of the late Philip Murray as president. There are only two candidates for the job.

One is Walter Reuther, the "young" president of the United Auto Workers, the CIO's largest union. The other is Allan S. Hay wood, now executive vice presi dent, an old coal miner and favorite of the United Steel Workers. Chips Are Down The chips are down. The CIO vice presidents have not been able to work out any compro mise and the issue will have to be decided on the floor of the convention.

The "smart money" is riding wit? Reuther. But Mr. Haywood will be elected. Labor observers, tallying up the votes in advance, found that Mr. Haywood has a slight lead, even conceding to Mr.

Reuther a couple of unions like the Clothing Workers and the Textile Workers who are still on the doubtful list. Top Developments These were the late 1 The United Steel Workers delegates to the convention met and gave to Acting President David J. McDonald the authority to cast their ballots as he saw fit. 2 The executive board of the International Union of Elec trical Workers met and endorsed the candidacy of Mr, Reuther. 3 Some 28 smaller unions, under the leadership of Michael Quill, president of the Transport Workers, formed a sub stantial bloc in favor of Mr.

Haywood. 4 Both sides were working behind the scenes to win the votes of the Rubber Workers and the Oil Workers, who appear to hold the balance of power. If Mr. Haywood gets the votes of either one of those two unions, he is considered elected. Unhealthy' Atmosphere Many CIO old timers raised in the tradition of Mr.

Murray, considered the pre-convention atmosphere "unhealthy." The CIO, even a few years ago when it was wrestling with the issues of Communism, has never faced a decision like this before. The lobbies of the Ambassador and the Chelsea Hotels, whera most of the convention delegates are centered, are abuzz until all hours of the morning: with small knots of people politicking or trying to figure out what is going to happen. Tempers flare now and then. Money is being wagered. Speculation as to the winner of the contest is widespread, but usually (Continued on Page 6, Column 4) On Inside Pages Business-Finance 22 Comics 33-35 33 28 18 25 33 34 21, 28 35 26-27 34 20 22 28-32 35 24-25 Crossword Puzzle Death Notices Editorial Page Fashions Hollywood It's Your Deal Obituaries Radio-TV Programs Sports News Star Gazer Theaters-Movies Vital Statistics Want-Ads Weather Map Women's-Society Press Telephones Want-Ads COurt 1-4900 OtherSDepts.

COurt 1-7200 yesterday morning after locking up six guards and gain Other stories en Fafcs 2, 11. prisons. iron ceiling and left them sheets. getaway by waylaying a steel taken back by the daylight were lost finding just who the 1119 prisoners remain- North Side Area Searched on Tip Motorist Reports Man with Knife Two dragnets were thrown out this afternoon by police looking for the six remaining convicts who escaped Western Peniten tiary. One covered the huge area between the 45th Street Bridge, the Point and East Ohio Street on the North Side.

The other was a general checkup of the entire downtown area. The North Side check was instituted after a motorist reported man with a knife jumped into his car on River Avenue and tried to take over. Police were in such a hurry to set up the block, they forgot to get the motorist's name or how he got rid of the assailant. The man was reported, however, to be wearing green. Army-type fatigues, which would coincide closely with prison garb.

The downtown block was set up after a man with the general characteristics of escaped convict James Milk was seen walking down Market Street toward Liberty Avenue ing control of the entire north wing. As the guards related the story, it sounded pretty much like a riot. Each guard said that the convicts said they "were taking over" but didn't mention a break. After gaining control of a huge cell block, the escapees cut a hole in a sheet selves down a rope made of Four made good their bed company watchman and taking his gun and auto. Fugitive Seized By Neighbor Cops Mastermonica Tells Of Strike Plans Boiling dissatisfaction with the parole system as it applies to Western Penitentiary was blamed today for the 10-man prison break yesterday at Western Pen itentiary.

This word comes from Ralph Mastermonica, self-styled wise guy and No. 2 in the roundup of eight desperate criminals. Just how the planned strike erupted into a wild prison break and who masterminded it, he claimed he didn't know. Eats With Friend Mastermonica, "brain" of the DIPofi mob of burglar-killers, was captured shortly before noon after boldly eating lunch in a Diamond Street cafe with a friend. His own boldness and fate of bumping into two cops from his old neighborhood in Brushton ended Mastermonica's one-day flight from prison walls.

Patrolman Dannie Varlotto and Jacobs, returning from the court house after testifying in a minor case, collared the hatchet-faced desperado in the 300 block of Diamond. They recognized him living in the same neighborhood a few years ago. Convict Breaks Away After surrendering meekly, Mastermonica broke away. He dashed into Wolk's Camera Shop at 308 Diamond as Patrolman Jacobs fired one shot into the air. "They'll shoot me they'll shoot me," the 31-year-old criminal screamed at Clerk Joseph Conrad, of McKeesport.

A policeman In the store tried to trip him, but missed. Mastermonica finally was (Continued on Page 6, Column S) Little People's Christmas There's excitement in the land of the Little People as they prepare for Christmas. -You'll enjoy watching them In this new strip starting today and appearing every day on PRESS COmC PAGES Fire Razes Store In East Liberty Two Buildings Damaged by Flames A four-alarm fire destroyed one building and damaged two others in the East Liberty business district this afternoon. All traffic at the busy intersection of Penn and Frankstown Avenues was tied up as flames from the blazing structure shot out over the street. The fire apparently started in a display sign at 6213 Franks-town Avenue occupied by the Jolene Millinery Shop.

Flames Spread The flames roared through the upper two floors of the building which were devoted to storerooms. Before firemen were able to bring them under control, the flames spread to an adjoining building occupied by. P. Lude-buehl's shoe store at 6209 Franks-town and to the S. S.

shoe store at 6215 Frankstown. Police at the scene said the fire seemed to "explode" through the building. Two Firemen Hurt Flames spurted from the se ond and third floor windows and thick clouds of smoke blanketed the area. Two firemen were cut when struck by flying glass. The first alarm was sounded at 1:35 p.

m. and three additional alarms were turned in within the next five minutes. Low water pressure hampered the first firemen at the scene. A number of firemen narrowlv escaped injury when the upper two noors of the building collapsed, dumping tons of brick and rubble to the street. Traffic Delayed The entire interior of the building was swept by the flames.

Nearby businessmen said the structure could be counted as a total loss. Damage also was reported heavy at the two adjoining shoe stores. 4 Six trolley car routes were de layed for more than 30 minutes before Pittsburgh Railways Inspectors were able to re-route them around the fire scene. Firemen Treated Fire Chief Stephen Adley estimated damage at about $35,000. He said an investigation would (Continued on Page 8, Column 2 Council Passes FEPC Ordinance Measure to Become Effective Jan.

1 By unanimous vote. City Council today passed the Fair Employment Practices Commission law. The ordinance will go into effect on Jan. 1 after it has been signed by Mayor David L. Lawrence.

"We have passed the ordinance after a year and a half of delib eration, said Councilman Patrick T. Fagan. "Nobody in Pitts burgh has appeared in opposi tion to it." Referring to a recent public hearing, Mr. Fagan said "all religions of the Citv and oreanized labor appeared, as well as busi-jness. Everybody spoke in favor of the passage of the legisla tion." He said serious consideration had been given to the FEPC proposal by himself, Councilman A.

L. Wolk, the Civil Unity Council and representatives of organized labor and all religious denominations during the. past 18 months. The ordinance -prohibits discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or place of birth. Council ruled out a last-minute attempt by several women's groups to assure the rights of women to seek jobs in higher echelons of business and industry.

The Commission will be administered by a five-member group, appointed by the Mayor and serving without pay. Violators will face penalties of $100 and costs or 30 days in jail. THE WEATHER Moniar. Dec- 1 tocal Mostly lunn? and warmer toda. Tncreadng cloudiness tonlfht.

Tuesday, cloudy and warmer with rain or snow likely. Low ton ant 38. High Tuesday 40 decrees. Temperatures at Pitts burrh 34 hours end-In' at 7:30 a. m.

today HKrhest 33. lowest 2f. mean 28. Highest and lowest temperature a year aro. 59 and 32.

Foirry. Downtown temperature readinri reported by the United States Weather Bureau: 1 a. 38 9 a. 24 3 a. 38 10 a.

37 3 a. ra 34 11 a. 39 4 a. m. 34 13 SO Sa.

m. 33 1 p. m. SI a. m.

30 3 p. m. 34 7 a. m. 31 3 p.

m. 34 MMnlrht 38 4 p. 33 8 a. 33 Hlfhett temperature this date met 1874. 65 In 1881.

Lowest temperature this data sine 1874. 8 In 1939. Barometer reading at 3 p. 30.44. fallinr.

Humidity at 3 p. 80 4k. Kunrlse. 7:33 a. aunset, 4:54 t.

m. River state at 3 p. 16.8. pool. MJ- AND DETAILED REPORT ON FACX SB fore had arrested McNelis.

a Clairton resident, on a larceny charge and recognized him immediately. Offers No Resistance But McNelis offered no resistance. He was wearing a Navy pea coat and blue dungarees, two pairs of socks and tennis shoes. The double stockings apparently were of little use, how ever. He was treated for frozen feet by County Nurse Ann Mo Hugh.

Police searched his pock ets. They found a sharp knife similar to those found outside the walls yesterday where they had been discarded by the convicts In their dash to freedom. McNelis knife was homemade a blade of steel honed to razor sharpness. Its handle was fashioned from hospital tape. He also carried a writ of habeas corpus McNelis vs.

Dr. John W. Claudy, warden. It was written in pencil in long hand resembling legal petitions which somehow fall into the hands of inmates seeking freedom through the courts. It charged "unlawful internment." Captive Is Sullen McNelis was sullen and dis-piritetd when questioned in the police station.

He talked as if he were in a stupor. McNelis, whose freedom lasted less than 24 hours, removed his socks and tennis shoes and rubbed his feet while talking with detectives. "Why did you come back to McKeesport of all places where you certainly would be recognized?" police asked. "I just wanted to get some money to get something to eat," McNelis said. "I tried to trade a pack of cigarets for a trolley check, but it was no dice," he said.

He said he walked all the way from Pittsburgh roughly 18 miles and had walked all night long. So far as the actual break, McNelis had little to say. "I saw some hell going on so (Continued on Page 2, Column 8) taurant. If McNelis knew anything about the other desperadoes who fled yesterday with him, he wasn't saying. All he was Interested in was getting something to eat and some warm clothes.

Police Receive Tip McKeesport police found McNelis in a restaurant washroom at 312 Market St, only a few doors from the police station at Fourth Avenue and Market Street. They had been tipped off that a man resembling one of the escaped convicts had come to the restaurant. Detective Sgt Stephen Vadas and Detective Hudson Kenny, with Patrolmen Frank Leonard and Don Ludwick, raced into the restaurant with drawn guns. All police had been warned to use caution that the convicts were armed and probably would fight Patrolman Ludwick once be- Snow or Rain Likely Tomorrow A cold Saturday night hangover still gripped the City today. Any change for the better will be just a matter of a few degrees.

More snow or rain is "likely" tomorrow, the Weather Bureau said. The Automo bile Club of Pittsburgh reported all major roads open, but the Pennsylvania Turnpike was ice-covered and treacherous In spots. From the Gateway Interchange to Blue Mountain, only the right-hand lane was clear, but the superhighway was completely ice-covered for 16 miles west of Laurel Hill Tunnel. Donald Dingbat, suffering with his public, passed along the forecast: "Mostly sunny and warmer today. Increasing cloudiness tonight.

Warmer tomorrow, with rain or snow likely. Low tonight, 28 degrees. High tomorrow, 40." Prison officials were so break that almost three hours had skipped. Guards had to count all ing in the North Wing. The list of escapees still at large reads like the first page of Who's Who in Crime here: Virgil Toney, leader of the notorious Toney gang, who was serving lu years ior roDDery and the stabbing of another con vict behind prison walls.

Nick "The Torturer" Derem- beis, who once gouged the eyes out of a robbery victim, serving 26 to 72 years- for other robberies. Melvin Robert Loveland, Army deserter, jail breaker and robber. Serving 12M to 30 years on 31 separate charges, one for each of his 31 years. Andrew Lee White, burglar who once tunneled out of the Western Penitentiary. Serving 15 to 35 years for burglary.

James Milk, strong-arm bandit who broke out of his first jail at the age of 16. Serving 10 to 20 years for assault and robbery. Leo I Stiles, forger and bur glar who escaped from Rockview Penitentiary In 1941. Serving two to four years for burglary. Detective Superintendent Adam Geisler said late today that he suspects the six remaining escapees are still in the city.

He said that his investigation definitely showed four of them were in an all-night eating place on Market Street last night and that they talked of going to Oil City. of a "But they're still here. And (Continued on Page 2, Column 1) 1.