The Ludington Daily News from Ludington, Michigan • Page 1

HOME OF STRAITS STEEL WIRE CORP. VOLUME NO. 62, NO. 145 THE LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS An Independent Newspaper Serving Mason County and, Surrounding Area WEATHER: Cloudy, Little Change in Temperature LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1952 PRICE FIVE CENTS Decision Is Near in Peace Talks, Optimism Fades By JOHN M. HIGHTOWER WASHINGTON UP) The Korean truce negotiations now are moving through the most critical stage in many months.

Officials here believe that a decisive turn toward either a breakdown or an agreement may come within a few days. Results Are Cool There is much less optimism here now about the chances for an agreement than was apparent 10 days ago. The reason: Still secret allied proposals which were supposed to ease acceptance by the reds of voluntary prisoner return apparently have not had the hoped-for result. The communist attitude has been demonstrated in a new wave of propaganda attacks on the United States from the red Chinese radio at Peiping. The reds have charged America with spreading "artificially inspired propaganda" of optimism to divert attention from the real issues.

They have accused the United Nations command in Korea of committing "the grossest provocation" by allegedly collecting petitions from communist prisoners of war held by the allies stating that the signers desire not to return to communist territory. Poll Prisoners' Preference Authorities here say this is a distorted reference to an investigation reportedly made by allied authorities among the prisoners to find out how many want to go home and how many desire not to return. Previous optimism for an armistice agreement rested mainly on the belief that a solution was near on the prisoner exchange issue. The reds have insisted on acceptance of the principle that all prisoners of both sides be sent home regardless of their individual wishes. The United Nations command has declared that prisoners who do not wish to return across the battle lines should not be forced to do so.

Officials here and U. N. leaders in Korea have said repeatedly there would be no compromise on this basic principle. The POW problem has long been regarded by allied author- itiea as the key issue of three big ones talks. The other two issues are a ban on building up of red air fields in North Korea after an armistice and the communist demand that Soviet Russia participate in truce supervision as one of several "neutral" governments.

POW Key Issue American officials have felt for a long time that if the POW problem could be solved, the other two issues would be quickly disposed of. Failure to solve the POW dispute soon, some authorities here believe, could head the trude talks toward a breakdown. What would happen in event of a deadlock is anybody's guess. The reds have been building up their forces and supplies during the long months of negotiations, and it is assumed that they would be in position to launch an offensive if they wanted to do so. On the other side of the bat- tleline, U.N.

forces are reported to have strengthened their defensive positions greatly and Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway, the U.N. Qommander, is reported confident that any offensive the reds may launch be smashed. Widow Stabbed, Maniac Hunted MARINE I Iff) A "maniacal slayer" was hunted today in the brutal stabbing of an elderly widow whose slashed body was found in her ransacked home.

Police said robbery apparently was the motive for the slaying of Mrs. Mabel Poster, 73, member of a prominent Marine City family. The woman's body, ripped by 14 stab wounds, was discovered Tuesday in her Cherry Breach home two miles south of here. Officers had slim clue's to follow. It was believed the murder occurred Monday, giving the slayer more than a 12-hour start in his flight.

He apparently fled in Mrs. Foster's own automobile, which unaccountably was found in Marine City across the street from the home of her son, Earl, a druggist. Neighbors had last seen the car in Mrs. Foster's garage Monday. When some migrating- birds return north, the males often go first and prepare nests before their mates arrive.

AMERICAN LEGION MEETING TONIGHT followed by exhibition boxing patches starting at 8:30. ALL VETERANS WELCOME Supervisors Adopt Tax Report At their final session Tuesday afternoon, Mason county supervisors adopted the report of the equalization committee, which set the equalized valuation of this county's real and personal property at $24,500,000. This figure is $500,000 more than the $24,000,000 valuation as set a year ago. Ludinyton Total Of this $24,500,000 Ludington's equalized valuation was set at $12,883,049, compared with $12,670,396 in 1951, and that of Scottville $1,225,234, compared with $1,149,313 in 1951. Amber township was equalized at $832,213, the 1951 figure being $818,738.

Branch was equalized at $385,600, compared with $373,392 in 1951. The Custer figure was $1,075,033, compared with $1,055,413 a year ago. For Eden the total equalized valuation was set at $593,869, compared with $586,489 of 1951. Freesoil's figure was set at $540,151, with $533,107 as the 1951 valuation. That of Grant was $334,331.

compared with $328,975 of a year ago. Hamlin's equalized valuation was placed at $989,033, compared with $946,007 of 1951. Logan was equalized at $205,378, with $200,411 as the 1951 figure. Meade's figure was set at $81,225, compared with $80,344 of a year ago. Pere Marquette was equalized at $1,351,700, compared with $1,311,970 of 1951.

Riverton's figure was put at $1,193,599, compared with $1,179,172 of a year ago. That of Sheridan was set at $425,383, with $420,642 as the 1951 figure. Sherman's figure was placed at $918,676, the 1951 valuation having been $906,976. Summit was equalized at $636,149, compared with $618,667 in 1951. Victory's equalized valuation was set at $829,477, compared with the 1951 figure of $819.988.

Rate Is Down The 1952 rate for Ludington will be 52.59; in 1951 it was 52.79. That for Scottville in 1952 will be in 1951 it was 4.79. For Amber, 3.40; in 1951 it was 3.41. For Branch, 1.58: in 1951, 1.56. For Custer, 4.39; in 1951, 4.40.

Eden, 2.43; in 1951, 2.44. Freesoil, 2.14; in 1951, 2.22. Grant, 1.37; in 1951, 1.37. Hamlin, 4.04; in 1951, 3.94. Logan, 0.84; in 1951, the same.

Meade, 0.33; in 1951, the same. Pere Marquette, 5.52; in 1951, 5.47. Riverton, 4.88; in 1951; 4.91; Sheridan, 1.74; in 1951, 1.75. Sherman, 3.76, in 1951, 3.78. Summit, 2.60; in 1951, 2.58.

Victory, 3.39; in 1951, 3.42. 'Assessed valuation of real estate in each of the townships and cities is: Amber, Branch, Custer, Eden, Freesoil, Grant, Hamlin. Logan, Meade, Pere Marquette, Riverton, Sheridan, Sherman, Summit, Victory, Scottville, Ludineton, $10,594,500. Personal Estate Valuation Assessed valuation of personal state in each of the 17 units in the county: Amber, Branch, Custer, Eden, Freesoil, $37,385, Grant. Hamlin, Logan, Meade, Pere Marquette, Riverton.

Sheridan, Sherman, Summit, Victory, Scottville, Ludington, $1,913,050. Following adoption of the equalization committee report, which was accepted on motion by Hugh Earner and supported by William Bacon. Charles Hubbell suggested that a change should be made in ihe system of assessment so that there will be a more equitable assessment throughout the county. "This board either should hire someone to go out with the assessor," he said, "or hire a county assessor or have the equalization committee spend a half day with the supervisors of the townships. If we go on the way we are going, the state tax commission will step in here." Elmer J.

Nelson proposed that the equalization committee be to work out some system and report at the June session. He made this suggestion uto a motion, which, on second jy Mr. Hubbell, was adopted. Mr. Earner, who is chairman of the equalization committee and also Ludington city assessor, suggested that a card system of descriptions be set up in each xwnship, similar to that used in this city.

The following report of the fairgrounds and airport comm.it- was adopted on motion of William Bacon and support of Archie Stewart: "We, your fairgrounds and airport committee, have inspected the repairs which we feel are necessary on the grandstand and swine and cow barns at the fairgrounds. Estimate Repairs "We have received the following prices and estimates for replacing the wood timbers under east end bleachers with cement blocks: Replacing of 2x10 supports, replacing runs and steps in both bleachers, replac- ng of rusted out metal sheets on oarns with aluminum sheets as follows: "Cost of cement blocks, mortar, sand, labor on laying blocks, $24; labor on randstand, flooring and seats, 72; labor on barns, $36; ma- for grandstand, $250, or a total of $423.90. "We request that an appropriation allowance $500 be made to be safe on these repairs." Prosecutor Vernon R. Keiser will ask the state attorney general for an opinion as to whether the powers of a county are broad enough to allow Mason county to enter the City of Ludington's protest against increased telephone rates of Michigan Associated Telephone Co. Mr.

Keiser appeared Tuesday afternoon before Mason county supervisors who, on motion by Harold F. King and support by Charles Hubbell, authorized him to seek this opinion. The prosecutor told the board that there is no record of a similar case, thereby he felt that the attorney general should be asked as to the legality of the county participating. Vote Salary Increases The board voted to increase the salary of the clerk in the county board of education to the same amount as paid the clerk in the office of the county agricultural agent, or $1,667.58. Also included in the motion, made by Glenn Wallace and supported by Elmer Nelson, was an increase in the salaries paid the two helping teachers to $3,300 and $3,400 respectively and an allowance of $200 annually for mileage for the sheriff and $100 mileage for the friend of the court with annual mileage of $400 for the under- sheriff.

The mileage increase and the balance of the earnings for the clerk in the board of education office were to be effective as of April 1 while the increased salaries for the two helping teachers became effective July 1 The bid of The Ludington Daily News for official county printing for the coming year and that of Lakeside Printing Co. for the booklets containing the official proceedings of the supervisors were accepted, the motion being made by Mr. King with support by Bert Hall. Both of these bids were the same as for the past several years. Rites Tuesday for Pfc.

Wright Graveside services for Pfc. Jay Wright, who died in Korea Sept. 3, 1950, will be held in view cemetery a't 2' p.m. Tuesday. Pfc.

Wright, who was born in Ludington, enlisted when he was 18. He had served six months when he died. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Wright of Muskegon and a grandson of Joy Wright and of Mr.

and Mrs. William Booker of Ludington. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday from Clock funeral home in Muskegon Heights following which the body will be brought to Ludington for a military funeral. Truman Stands Firm on Seizure of Steel Plants By G.

MILTON KELLY WASHINGTON President Truman, under heavy Senate fire and facing a House move to impeach him, stuck to his guns today in the fight with Congress over his seizure of the steel plants. A powerful Senate drive to force him to cancel the seizure order fell just short of the two- thirds majority vote it required Tuesday. But its Republican backers led by Sen. Knowland of California redoubled their cries of "dictator" and cast about for other devices. No GOP No's Actually 47 senators, 11 of them Democrats, voted for the move, and only 29 voted against it.

Not a Republican voted "no." A switch of four votes would have provided the two-thirds margin needed to suspend Senate rules and permit action on Knowland's proposal to forbid the use of any fe'deral funds in the seizure 1 The Senate already had voted Monday, 44 to 31, to ban the use of any money in a specific appropriation bill to carry out the order, but its backers said this was only a gesture. The Senate banking committee ordered a new investigation into government handling of the steel dispute, which many of its members have denounced vigorously. Ready to Move Meanwhile Truman's boss of the seized steel plants, Secretary of Commerce Sawyer, was reported about to take his first official move to hand the CIO steel workers a big part of a disputed pay boost. Employers refused to grant the raise without government permission to increase steel prices $12 a ton. And Price Administrator Ellis Arnall, who submitted to a six- hour questioning by the banking committee Monday, was reported by committee members to have budged not an inch from his White House-approved stand.

He is against allowing the steel plants to raise prices more than about $3 a ton, as now permitted by tine price control law. Woodruff to Retire Because of Health Roy O. Woodruff (R-Mich), dean of Michigan's congressional delegation, announced today he will not seek re-election. A veteran of 34 years' service in the House of Representatives, the 76-year-old Bay City Republican said his health was a major factor in the decision. When ice floats in water, the portion of the ice below water level is the same volume that would be occupied by the water resulting from the melting of all the ice.

Police Smash Plot to Raid Prison Arsenal at Jackson A-' HERD MICHIGAN REBELS INTO watchful eyes and ready guns of state policemen, rebellious inmates of the huge State Prison of Southern Michigan are shown (top photo) being- returned to cells after more than $2,000,000 damage had been done to the penal institution. In a single cell block, however, 174 desperadoes still held sway. They are holding 11 prison guards as hostages. In the lower photos, Ellworth Roberts (left) 'and Jerome Parmenter (right), two of the hold-out prisoners still in possession of a cell-block prison, were beaten by other rebels and tossed out of the block lor dead. Their rioting mates had accused them of trying to toss a letter out a window exposing the ringleaders to guards laying siege to the cell-block.

(International Soundphoto) Business Industry Education Day Successful as City and Rural Teachers Tour Ludington One of the most successful special days ever held in Ludington was the Business-Industry-Education day Tuesday during which teachers of 'Ludington public schools, St. Stanislaus', St. John's Lutheran day school, Scottville schools and 23 rural schools of Mason county visited 25 Ludington business places and industrial plants. The aay, which was arranged by Ludington Chamber of Commerce and school authorities, opened with a brief program at Oriole hall, during which welcome was extended by C. Lawrence Lind, secretary-manager of Ludington Chamber of Commerce, and by Donald Birtwistle, representing business and industry, and an explanation of the purpose of the day by O.

J. DeJonge, superintendent of Ludington public schools. Move in Groups Following this program the teachers were divided into small groups, each of which visited one of the 25 firms where they were given a description of the type of work done at the individual plant and then taken on a tour of inspection through the place. At noon a smorgasbord was served at Hotel Stearns where the serving table was centered with a huge bouquet of beautiful red, white and blue carnations. After luncheon the-Rev.

Fr. Boniface Winowiecki, pastor of St. Stanislaus' church, offered prayer. In the afternoon the tours ware continued, many of the teachers going to different business places from those visited in the morning. In the evening a chicken dinner was served, also at Hotel Stearns, with the invocation pronounced by the Rev.

Mr. William Opitz, pastor of St. John's Lutheran church and group singing was led by A. R. Vestling, cashier of National Bank of Ludington.

Many Compliment Event Following the dinner a program was, given with Mr. Llnd as toastmaster. Mayor H. F. King extended a greeting, in which he praised those who arranged the Business-Industry- Education day, saying that he had heard many complimentary remarks about the event.

Mrs. John C. Beukema of Muskegon, wife of the secretary- manager of Greater Muskegon Chamber of Commerce, was introduced by Mr. Lind. The two principal speakers of the evening were Dr.

Carl Horn, of the institute of counseling and guidance at Michigan State college and the originator of the Business Industry Education days, and Mr. Beukema. Dr. Horn spoke interestingly of the part education plays in these days and or the excellent results received from them. "There isn't a teacher here," he said, who will not say that this is the best teachers' institute he or she has ever attended." Dr.

Horn traced the program from its beginning in 1946, saying that the idea grew from one of the "flying classrooms" during which school administrators visited various industries in many parts of the country. He told of the necessity of developing, in pupils, proper attitudes towards work. Should Get Together Mr. Beukema said, "I am a firm believer in Business-Industry-Education day. It is a great management and teachers should get together." He said that out of these days a better understanding is developing, on the part of businessmen, of the problems of education and, on the part of teachers, of the problems of business and industry.

"We must have improved knowledge of free enterprise," he said, "and American genius, American intuition and the American school system are equal to the task." Instructive Day Miss M. Elna Hansen, superintendent of Mason county schools, speaking for rural teachers who participated in the program, expressed her appreciation for "one of the most perfect and instructive days I have ever had." Miss Kansen also said that she had been asked by Arnold O. Carlson, superintend- of Scottville schools, who had had to leave early, to express the thanks of both himself and his teachers for the fine hospitality and instruction given by ther hosts for the day. Mr. DeJonge, speaking for the Ludington teachers, said "The day has been a wonderful success in many different ways.

We thank you of business and industry for putting on such a wonderful day." The program closed with unison singing of "God Bless America," directed by Mr. Vestling. Participants in the day and their assignments follow: Complete day: Autopulse Barbo, Harold Hope, Harold Madden, Harold Grissen, O'Neill Newkirk. At Carrom Carrom Industries Inc. Mr.

Carlson, Everett Greiner, Herman Flickenger, Elizabeth Betka, Cecile Huber, Jean Hubbard, Ada Kirke, Ethelyn Timinskis, Sister Mary Casimer, Sister Mary Paschasa. Dow Chemical C. Flood Survey At-A-Glance Record upstream flood surges past St. Joseph, and heads for Kansas City where levees are being raised to take the blow Friday. Engineers still say no serious damage expected there but flood wary lowland "residents taking precautions.

Rain pattern still threatening. River cresting near Dubuque, slightly higher than last year's record, Trains continue operating, although Dubuque railroad stations closed. Leaking dikes being plugged at Sabula, la. Mus- catme, says it's well braced. St.

Louis forecasters say no danger there. Hansen, William Warren, Ruth Stephens, Addison Miller, Harry Edwardsen, the Rev. Fr. Winowiecki, Ruth Kietzmann, James B. Reynolds, Angeline Johnson, Eunice Mueller, Marge Lugar, Mary Ewing, Robert Marsh, H.

Dean Johnston, Dorothy Morgan. Handy Things Manufacturing W. Smith, Dan Evans, Dorothy Fox, Bessie Parrott, Kathryn Hansen. Visit Tamper, Foundry Electric Tamper Equipment C. Hartman, Harry Nuckolls, Mary Kilpatrick, Evelyn Voss, Thelma Eddy.

Great Lakes Founders Machine B. Heikkila, Fred Dean, John Dunn, Arlo Shanks, Earl Keith. Star Watch Case Prescott, Harry Barnard, the Rev. Mr. Opitz, Adda Dilts, Patricia Earner, Jane Holman, Cyril Hemmer, Feme Falconer, Loretta Pankow, Marguerite Sanders, Evelyn Dostal, Mr.

DeJonge. Half day: Michigan Associated Telephone a 1 Bertha Farrar, Rose Hanlon, Katherine Newberg, Geneva Stolberg, Audrey Wicklund, Geneva Rahn. In afternoon the first four went to Abrahamson-Nerheim Co. and the second four to J. C.

Penney Co. store. J. C. Penney Anderson, Laura Garner, Beatrice O'Hearn, Alfield Beebe.

In afternoon this group went to Kroger Co. store. Kroger Co. Letts, Marybeth Penn, Martha Tonn, Ruby Jensen. In afternoon this group went to Michigan Associated Telephone Co.

Also To Phone Company Abrahamson Nerheim Ward Christlieta, Florence Huff, Emma Cooper, Helena Vredenburg. In afternoon this group went to Michigan Associated Telephone Co. Hiram Herrick Ditlow, Mabel Rosplock, Angela Hickey, Jerry McDougall, Mabel Morse. In afternoon this group went to Ludington Machine Tool Co. Atkinson Manufacturing Arthur B.

Dewey, Elsie Peter- (Pleasjt turn, to Page 8, CohJmn 7) New Judge Takes Oath of Off ice Clay F. Olmstead was sworn in as Ludington's municipal judge in a ceremony held Tuesday afternoon at Municipal building conducted by City Clerk Clarence Fonnestaeck. Mr. Olmstead, who was appointed municipal judge by Ludington city commission Monday evening, will take over his duties Thursday. Justice of the Peace George D.

Griswold of Scottville has been conducting municipal court in Ludington since the death of Municipal Judge Peter R. Von- Sprecken. The appointment is effective until the spring election in 1953 when a municipal judge will be elected to fill the next three un- expired years of Judge Von- Sprecken's six-year term. Taxes Total $362. for Each Person The government collected more taxes last year than ever about $362 for each man, woman and child in the nation.

The internal revenue bureau announced Monday that 1951 collections totaled $56,093,339,426.69, an increase of 40 percent over 1050. It was 28 percent most 44 billions collected in 1945, the last year of World war H. Individual income and social security taxes last year totaled about 30 billions in 1950. Corporation income and excess profits taxes jumped to $16,564,712,955 last year. Various other taxes took in about 10 billion more.

JACKSON Armed state police smashed a plot of riot- torn southern Michigan prison's mutineers to break into the prison arsenal today. The barricaded felons, using the lives of 10 prison guard host tages as a bargaining weapon meantime demanded that Gov' G. Mennen Williams enter peace negotiations. State police upset a plot of mutineers to smash into a tunnel leading from their fortress cell block 15 to the prison administration building. The administration building contains the prison's big arsenal.

Tipped off By Noise The convicts were reported to have ripped off a metal cover over a tunnel entrance within block 15. A sound of banging and clattering gave them away and a score of rifle-carrying state police and guards rushed in to the tunnel to nip the escape attempt. Negotiations resumed after a midnight peace bid to the holdout convicts from Warden Julian N. Frisbie. There were signs that prison heads were willing to go along with some of the mutineers' demands.

Subsequently, came the demand for Gov. Williams' participation. Earl Ward, insurrection leader, made the demand in a telephone talk from besieged block 15 to deputy Warden George Bacon. Ward demanded the governor's signature to any agreement. For ten minutes this morning Ward talked through a barred window with Dr.

Vernon Fox, assistant deputy warden prison psychologist. Afterwards, Dr. Fox went to the prison kitchen, presumably to get food for the 173 block inmates, now going into the third day of their fierce holdout. No Comment from Williams At Lansing, Governor Williams said he could not comment on the prisoners' request for his participation in negotiations until he receives some official word "to find out what its all about." Frisbie talked on the phone at midnight with, one of the mutineers' Earl Ward, psychopathic robber. The warden said he expected Ward to call him back this morning.

The holed-up convicts accused the prison system of "brutality" and demanded reforms in a number of phases of prison administration. "The demands are not unreasonable," Frisbie conceded, "but there are no grounds for some." He made the statement to a reporter as he waited for contact with cell block 15. Frisbie sought to conciliate the mutineers' spokesman in an attempt to save the lives of 10 prison guards held as hostages. The convicts say they will put the hostages to death if any attempt is made to rush their by a force of 600 state police and guards concentrated at the prison. In flaming rioting Monday that caused $2,000,000 damage to the "big house," one convict was killed and at least nine were injured.

State police had to fire volleys to get equipment into ttie prison yards to put out fires. Troopers Injured Before the worst of the rioting was quelled, four state troopers were injured and three prison guards were beaten. Sporadic outbreaks in various cellblocks heightened tension Tuesday. Violence broke out among the mutineers themselves as they purged their own group of dissenters and "stool-pigeons." They reportedly quarreled over whether to prolong the mutiny and what to do with the hostages. The Weather (U.S.

Weather Bureau Forecast) Lower Michigan: Mostly cloudy with little change in temperature tonight and Thursday. Low tonight 40-45. Highest temperature one year ago today, 57; lowest, 34. Highest temperature this date 1872, 88 In 1925; lowest, 25 In 1875. The sun sets today at 7:22 p.

m. and rises Thursday at 5:38 a. m. The moon sets today at 7:08 p. m.

and rises Thursday at 5:22 a. m. Temperature at the U.S. observation itatiou for 24 hours ending at 12 noon: Maximum. 53, minimum 39.

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