Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 1

Today's Smile SrVMOIB, April 1J (AH Puana Miller, man with a art nf Paul Bunjart lunie, huffed and puffed and Mew out a lira In an automobile. Mr. Pranrlt lluettl drfvlni komt wheej her ear heeama flllrd with emeke. Bllllrr ran la Urn rar, lifted the hnnd, took a dorp areata and blew out IK flro Jus two fir trurke and a iquad ear eana arrrllna dowa tbo road. Good Morning Tha Redi Claim To Have Made Tha Ftrd Atomle Bomb And 'i Try-fail To Tell I They Did, But In This Country.

74th Year Volama tot Namber 14 Intered at leeond elan matter, Albuquerque, N. Pott Of flea under act at Congreei, 1878, Wednesday Morning, Aprfl 14, 1954 Published Every Morning 28 Pages la Two Sections Price 7c At Was a Reid omic weemi Health-Welfare Plan Postponed State's Income Passes Billion For First Time 1953 Figures Show Increase Over 1952 Level Proof Says McCarthy, mmm, iy Gov. Mechem SANTA FE, April 13 Gov. Edwin L. Mechem said tonight he would postpone the scheduled April 15 Health-Welfare consolidation at the request of the attorney general.

He did not indicate how long he would hold up action, President Orders Blank Wall Erected Between Oppenheimer And American Defense Secrets WASHINGTON, April 13 GB-Sen. McCarthy Wis.) said tonight he had affidavits that Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer had been a member of the Communist party, a charge denied earlier today by the famed A-bomb physicist McCarthy, in an interview in Phoenix, said his affidavits 'showed Oppenheimer had "recruited and hired individuals who. were Communists or at least had been Communists to handle atomic work." By personal order of President Eisenhower, Oppenheimer has been barred from all access to secret data and suspended as one of the Scientist Who Created Secrets Now Outsider Dr.

J. Robert Oppenheimer who directed the making of the world's first atomic bomb at Los Alamos has told the Atomic Energy Commission that his association "with left-wing circles" had' ceased before he moved to Los Alamos. At the same time he has declared that "I never was a member New Mexico's income crossed the billion dollar mark for the first time in 1953, according to figures released Tuesday by Dr. J. Meehan, director of the De partment of Commerce office of business economics.

Meehan listed New Mexico's income during the year as about 5Vz per cent larger than the 1952 total of $965,000,000. The rise was about average for the nation, Meehan said, but New Mexico's nine per cent increase in non-farm income was. two per cent above the national average. The state's per capita income was $1350, about 80 per cent of the national average of $1700. The 1952 per capita income in New Mexico was $1331.

Nationally, Dr. Meehan said the has come pri marily in manufacturing down about 10 per cent during the first three months of the year from the 1953 figures and "durable" goods, such as auto-i mobiles, household appliances and furniture. But he said "soft" goods, such as food, and services including utilities and rent are showing increases, and that the basic economy of the nation is holding up. Recession Mild "The recession so far has been mild and selective, and has left us at a high rate of income and expenditures," he said. "Our figures are under the 1953 peak, but they are still high when compared to anything but the peak." He said the national income so far this year is still ahead of the 1952 figures for the same months, and only approximately two per cent under the 1953 peak.

Dr. Mechem said the New Mexico income gains in 1953 represent an extension of the state's past economic growth. "la relative terms, the In crease in total income in Mexico since-1929 has been the largest of any state, and its increase in per capita income has been the second largest, exceeded only in South Carolina," he said. National Income He pointed out that in 1929, with a total income of that state's per capita in come was $383, only 56 per cent of the national average. The nation total income was Munitions Dropped To French HANOI, Indochina, April 13 () French air force planes parachuted tons of ammunition to Dien Bien Phu's defenders to day and plastered rebel be siegers on the rim with high ex plosive and flaming gasoline bombs.

French patrols sallied out to knock out new rebel trench positions. Warplanes hit heavily the eastern fringes around the fort where the Communist-led Viet-minh launched six counterattacks in the last three days seek ing to take back a dominating hill which the French captured last Saturday. The rebels need the hill as a takeoff base for a direct stab into the heart of the fortress and to link up with troops which might be able to break through from the northwest corner in the next general assault. The rebels were expected to make every attempt to recap ture the 1200 foot hill, jut 3300 feet from the fortress heart. A French army headquarters spokemman said a new massive general attack could come at any moment.

If it fails, the French forsee the attack possi bly shining to the Red River delta around Hanoi. That area is still the key to an overall victory in the war. Man, 61, Is Found, Apparent Suicide State Police found the hoiy or an apparent suicide victim about 1:30 D.m. Mondav in an auto parked on the East Mesa1 I. ji t.

I north of the The victim was identified as Mike Donald, 61-year-old upholsterer who lived at 108 14th St NW, State Police Capt. Archie White said. Donald apparently had piped his auto's exhaust into the interior, where he was found. The car was spot ted by State Patrolman Bill mesa with binoculars. Bret rir XI of the Communist party.

1 never accepted Communist dogma orF theory; in fact, it never madet sense to me." Oppenheimer who is wells known to New Mexicans as the man who directed the makings. tt ihm first KatyiK la rtnur him. Dr. J. Eobert Oppenheimer Two Committees Will Investigate Housing Scandal 1 -A 'X $270,100,000,000 in 1953.

Dr.fLucas in a routine check of the Commission Members Assume Control of City Sanchez Is Named Chairman of Group As Tingley Resigns A new three-member City Commission majority took over the reins of city gov ernment Tuesday night before an overflow crowd of more than 200 wellwishers. The new commissioners were unanimously elected to commission offices. Maurice Sanchez was made chairman on the nomination of holdover Commissioner Dan O'Bannon; Lars Halama was elected vice-chair man and Richard iiice was named finance board chairman. In a surprise move, holdover Commissioner Clyde Tingley resigned as chairman at the outset of the Tuesday night session in which the old commission took up 14 agenda items including acceptance of a city election certificate presented by City Clerk Ida Malone. In regular agenda action, the old commission decided to keep building code requirements for rigid rather than flexible electrical conduit Commissioners approved city payment for utility extensions to Catholic parishes, although Wilson and Bat-sel were unsure whether the extensions were for churches, schools or both.

Batsel Takes Over Commissioner Paul Batsel served as chairman for the old group's final meeting. After Police Judge Alexander F. Sceresse swore in the new com missiorters, Batsel, Tony Gilbert and Don Wilson gave up the places they had held for four years around the commission 1 1 table, In stepping down early from the chair, Tingley alluded to an eye ailment he suffered when a blood vessel ruptured recently, and told the crowd, "I can't see you out there very well." He indicated he believed Bat-sel's grandchildren would like to Coatlaoed Far Twa Catholic Schools Open Easter vacation will begin at noon today at St Mary's schools and St Vincent Academy Albuquerque. Public school students will have Thursday, and Friday off. St Mary's students will report back to school on April 20, with St Vincent pupils returning the following day, Menaul students will receive what officials termed "a long weekend." They are not due back until 8 p.m.

April 19 Students of the University of classes tonight Contractor Completes Rio Grande Repaying Paving over Rio Grande sewer system construction is all re-laid, although some work remains on Candelaria and San Isidro Rds City Engineer E. O. uetts said luesday. Henry Thygesen a sub contractor for sewer contractor F. D.

Shufflebarger, finished repaying of Rio Grande Blvd. portions of the job Monday night Betts said. Thygesen was not satisfied with the Candelaria portion and planned to redo it, Betts said. All the work is expected to be completed today, ne said. and shallow water belt.

After Williams said an inquest intojtaster Holiday today annougn we au naa asKea ior a 10-day delay "The governor gays all he Is concerned with right now Is the appointment of two boards with three common members and as far as he is concerned the attorney general needs only consider that," Charles du Tant, Mechem's aide, announced. "When I told the attorney gen eral's office that, they replied that if that is all that's needed, they could probably have an answer by Friday or Monday." Problems Complex Asst. Atty. Gen. Fred M.

Standley wrote Mechem the problems are "extremely complex" and warrant extended legal study. He referred to correspondence and conversations with Mechem and Acting Welfare Director Richard Strahlem and said "quite obviously" Strahlem's and Mechem's understanding of the proposed plan "are not in conformity." A day of rapid fire developments in the mounting controversy brought bitter new charges by Health Direc'or Gerald Clark, who has taken on the administration in an all-out fight against what he calls the "shotgun" merger. It also brought Clark's acknowledgement that a recording machine was used during the Monday conference which preceded firing of Health Department Business Manager Alex Armijo. Strahlem, expected to head the new agency, sent further information on the plan to the attorney general. He also differentiated between a "merger," about which he said CTark complained, and a "consolidation." In a merger, Stranlem said, one: agency is submerged and loses; its identity.

A consolidation, he told the attorney general, assumes combining two departments as integral parti of a larger department. Net a Merger Mechem said in letters to members of the exisitng Health and Welfare boards that if permitted by the attorney general he soon would consolidate the two by naming either a single five-member board or two boards with three common members each. The governor said the plan "does not involve a merger of the departments as such, and no existing health or welfare pro-! gram will be impaired or reduced. It simply means that wherever possible common administration will be carried on except for establishment of health and welfare policy." He said it is hoped that the present board members to be dropped either three or five could continue to serve as members of a contemplated advisory board. Clark Issued a statement "which referred to the tape recording incident and made accusations against Armijo, including the renewed charge that Armijo worked secretly with Strahlem and Comptroller Edward Hartman on the merger.

Clark said that Armijo had asked for a chance to deny that he had worked in secrecy on the plan, but refused to sign a statement to that effect. Ten minutes after Armijo left Clark's office, that statement continued: Demands Tape "Charles da Tant, the governor's secretary, called and de-manded a tape recording made during the course of our conference. It makes one wonder why Mr. Armijo and the governor's office were so concerned about that tape recording. "I replied to Mr.

du Tant that I would be glad to talk to the governor any time, but to this date the governor has made no effort to discuss Mr. Armljo's dismissal or the proposed shotgun merger with me or, to my knowledge, the members of the State Board of Public neaun. "The original proposal was to completely merge the two departments. It now appears that they will be satisfied with gaining complete control of our personnel and funds and what they could not obtain by intimidation will be obtained by com-promise and subterfuge." TLANT BLAST IS FATAL NAOOYA. Wednesday, Apru 14 (INS) One person was killed and four others injured Tuesday In an explosion which ripped through gunpowder plant producing material for U.

S. garrison forces in Japan. 109 HAVF. DIED on New Mexico Highways Ik 1934 Last Year at This Date 86 Had Died WASHINGTON. April 13 5 wnicn The scandal-rocked Federal).

or- Housing Administration PPpenheimer 49, thrector th. r.nt turn rnnffronnai the Institute tor Advanced Stud- Basic Health Operations To Be Same From the Journal's Santa Fe Bureau SANTA FE. April 13-Basic health and welfare operations on the district and county level will not De changed by the proposed consolidation of. the State Health and Welfare departments, Gov. Edwin L.

Mechem said today. tie said tne only changes of any Kind on tne county and dis trict levels might be that Health and Welfare offices would share a post office box, have a com bined office, and undergo cnanges not ariecting tne actual Health and Welfare functions. Mechem said that everybody knows that of the two functions, Health is the more important. He expressed a view that with money saved through consoli dating the two departments, that will provide more funds which could be applied to furthering health operations. A result of that could be eventually lessened for welfare operations, he said.

The governor said he planned to take no action as to future status of Dr. Gerald Clark, Health Department director. Clark has registered emphatic opposition to the merger plan. The governor said he had not consulted Clark in advance of the merger plan, because directly concerned were not actual health operations, but other points in which finances figured primarily. Dr.

Clark today named as act ing finance officer of the Health Department Waldo Anton who has been assistant to Alex Armijo. Clark fired Armijo yes terday after making accusations which Armijo denied. State Tax Returns Are Pouring In From the Journal's Santa Fe Bureau ANT FE. April 13- State Income tax returns are being filed fast here this week at a 40C0-adav clip by New Mex ico residents who don't want to get left behind the deadline Thursday. Someone was in such a hurry that he or she shuffled an invitation in with the tax return.

Thereby, income tax division workers today found themselves notified of a "Ham and Turkey Buffet" scheduled. It wasn't an effort to butter them up, tax workers figured The buffet notice gave date of the spread as April 3 a little too late to attend now. No place was specified for the feed, either. A bigger phenomenon than the Invitation has been observed in recent weeks by William Malloy, head of the State In come Tax Division, and espec ially this week. "We have noticed a marked increase in the number of persons voluntarily paying three four, and five years in back taxes at once people who have never filed before," he said, "and we are extremely gratified." Since April 1, state tax pay ments have reached a total of $448,000 for the month to date, Malloy said.

President to Augusta WASHINGTON, April 13 (INS) President Eisenhower took off by plane today for an Easter vacation in Augusta, Ga after witnessing the Washington Senators defeat the New York Yankees. The President was accompanied on his trip by the first lady and several aides. He sat through the entire 10-lnning baseball game after throwing out the first ball. Police Hunting hale Irucker F.IGF.NE. April 1J (INS) rolice are looking today for a trurk driver who took direct action tfalnst a motorist who did net dim her lights.

Mrs. Ida Lewis et Fort Lewis, said the truck driver blocked the highway with his truck a few miles south of Eugene to mike her stop and then smashed the headlights of her ear with an Iron bar. Mrs. Lewis complained to state police, who said they could understand the truck driver's feelings but declared that he ustd the wrong method. me Beam wm De conducted this morning at 9 at Garcia Morta ary by Peace Justice George weizei.

The mortuary said survivors, including Donald's wife, were notified. Funeral arrangements were to be announced later. Showers Spot Parts of State investigations tonight and Pres ident Eisenhower put a new man in charge of the agency. Senator Capehart lnd.) announced that the Senate Banking committee would open nation foremost atomic de- fense advisers pending a check of 16 FBI-gathered charges against him, an nounced today by tha Atomic Energy Commission. McCarthy added, significantly, that Oppenheimer was not tha only individual attached to AEC that his committee was interested in.

The noted physicist has been charged with fighting and de laying development of the n-bomb. Other allegations linked the world famous scientist with known Communists and Communist activities, even after ha took charge in 1942 at the A-bomb development program at Los Alamos. N.M. In a 43-page reply to the AEC allegations Oppenheimer said he never has been a Communist. He readily acknowledged working for Communist causes in tha past Long Overdue McCarthy said the suspension of Oppenheimer was "long overdue it should have been taken years ago." In Augusta, Maine, Sumner T.

Pike, a former member of the Atomic Energy Commission, said the charges seem the same as those studied by at least three government groups. "Personally, I never had tha slightest question of Dr. Oppen-heimer's devotion to the United States," Pike added, "I may be what they are calling 'political ly naive' or 'soft toward Com munists but I don think so. In Norwalk. Gen.

Les lie R- Groves, wartime head of the Manhattan Project who picked Oppenheimer to work on the atomic bomb, said he thinks his choice was "sound" and that security regulations were far different than now." The Atomic Energy Commis sion announced that a special three-man panel headed by Gordon Gray, president of the University of North Carolina and former secretary of the Army, has been named to weigh acknowledged working for Com munist causes in the past he said his wife is an ex-Commun ist and agreed that in 1949-50 he opposed making an all-out et es Answer But he said In a 43-page reply to the AEC allegations that (1) he never had been a Communist and long had been out of sympathy with the party, and (2) once ex-President Truman ordered the H-bomb work started, he dropped all opposition and helped develop it man alive, he feel? he has some times acted unwisely but "what I have learned has, I think, made me more fit to serve my country." AEC said the charges against Oppenheimer raise "considerable question" whether he is a danger to national security. Public disclosure of the case tame in the wake of an earlier charge by Sen. McCarthy (R, Wis.) that U. S. development of the hydro- CanUatwd aa Faca Ftva Airman Charged In Gallup Murder GALLUP, N.

April 13 W) Dist Atty. Bert Prince today filed a general murder charge against James W. Hutchins, accused of murdering Bruce Wei-bell, 32, Dallas, in New Mexico last Friday. Hutchins, an AWOL airman of Forest City, N. Cy yesterday admitted the slaying, saying he shot and killed Weibell after the Texas truck driver had threat-, ened him.

Gallup Sheriff Kelsey Presley and State Police Capt. h. Scroggins today left for McAles-ter, to return Hutchins to New Mexico to face the murder charges covering first and sec-end degree murder and manslaughter. Hutchins has waived extradition. Weibell's body was found under a bridge 13 miles east of Gallup yesterday at almost the same time Hutchins was reported admitting the shooting.

An autopsy established he hud been shot thre times Just above the eyes 'iruh a JU caliber gun. tomorrow a "full and 10 duuh an n-wma wiaeiy scattered thunder-jAew Mexico will begin a six-storms occurred over the statejday vacation following evening mauirv int charcei that house holders were fleeced by high pressure home repairs salesmen, and that apartment house promoters reaped millions by getting government-guaranteed loans far in excess of the cost of their projects. Senator Byrd vaj an- nouhced that a hearing would! self under a cloud of distrust He had much to do with pry-1 ine loose the secrets of the atom, And now he himself is denied access to those secrets. In a report from Washington (he Associated Press outlined the principal allegations cited by the AEC in ordering a security re-View for Dr. Oppenheimer, together with his answers.

Beeruitinc Program 1 Those concerning his period at Los Alamos included the AEC sllegaUoruthat Oppenheimer said in 1943 he had no objection to ex-CommunistB working at Los Alamos bomb project The AEC added that in "1942-45 he was responsible for the employment on the atom bomb project at in dividuals who were members of, the Communist party or closely associated with activities of the Communist party." Oppenheimer is quoted as writing back: "It was hard to recruit able scientists for Los Ala mos and "past Communist con-, nections or sympathies did not necessarily disqualify a man from employment if we had confidence in his integrity and dependability He said he never brought anyone to the New Mexico project who was not subject to usual security clearance. Information Asked Another AEC charge was that Oppenheimer was approached by his friend, Haakon Chevalier, at the behest of a Soviet embasssy representative, on the possibility of getting "information regarding work being done at the radiation laboratory for the use of Soviet scientists." The AEC said Oppenheimer refused but did not report the approach to proper authorities. Oppenheimer said I knew of no attempt to obtain secret infor- Caltaae4 aa fat FIT Sen. Anderson Regrets Oppenheimer Action HOBBS. April 13 WV-Sen Clinton P.

Anderson (D, NM), member of the joint Senate House Atomic Energy Committee, said tonirht he "regrets very much the cancellation of clearance" for Dr. Robert Oppen heimer. Anderson, attending a Demo cratic fund raising dinner, said the wartime director of the A- bomb program "did fine work on development of the A-bomb, but I know something of the circumstances which moved Admiral Strauss to the action taken." 'I still hope we can find a way so that a man of Dr. Oppen-heimer's great talent can continue to serve this country." Anderson did not elaborate on his knowledge of circumstances surrounding the action. Anti-McCarthy Group Says-Morrow NEW YORK.

April 13 UH CBS commentator Edward R. Murrow said tonight that ac cording to Sen. Joseph McCarthy anyone who opposes McCarthy's methods "must be a Communist." "If that be true, there are an awful lot of Communists in this country," Murrow said in re ply to charges made by McCar thy on Murrow's "See It Now" television program last week. 11 The Weather Al.nr QVERQl atil VtCTVtTIt rt- IT cloud jr and Tbureday, Briefly liutitr winds at time! thie afternoon. Moderately wtmtv tomihl and early Thura- day.

Utile change In temperature. Hun i 74. towt 40 Valley, HeliMi, 44 Airport. SEW MRXlCOr Partly aloud? today and Widely eoe.tt.re4 liht ehre and Uiimderetorms todty. Warmer eoutiMMt corner title afternoon.

Cooler aortiieaM Thureday. Bttft today 10-ao aver the Mat; kwi tontanl JS-M tmtitf eta BwuaiaiDa, ii-ii Botti, mla. a be held next Tuesday by his All in all, said Oppenheimer, joint committee on the reduc-ia tall, chain-smoking man who tion of non-essential federal ex-jcarrjeSj probably, as much atomic penditures. He said he had in hjs any iwsaay, out only one station recorded any measurable preci pitation: Zuni Traces were recorded in Al buquerque, Grants and Hobbs. More scattered showers are forecast today, but the Weather uureau didn't believe Albuquer que would get any moisture.

Monday's night sprinkle here amounted to only a trace. Temperatures Tuesday ranged irom oj ai modds to 8U at Glen-wood. Because of the rains which raked the east side Sun day and Monday, temperatures in that area were cooler than in northwestern New Mexico. Sample temperatures: Carlsbad 64, Farmington 75. Albuquerque maximum was 74 and about the same is ex pected today.

Meehan said. That is about three and a half times the national in Ceatlaaed oa Fata Seres Meek Appears Illinois Winner CHICAGO, April 13 Jo soph T. Meek claimed an apparent victory in the Republican race for U. S. Senator tonight on the basis of an impressive, steadily growing lead in the Illinois primary.

Edward A. Hayes, running second in what once was a nine man race in the nation's first primary, wasn't giving up at well past the half-way point. Meek was leading by then by 39,000 votes. But the man in third place, Austin L. Wyman, former chair man of the Chicago crime com mission, aqd Chairman Edward Moore 01 me took county (Chicago) Republican central committee, called Meek the winner.

Meek calls himself an "unhyphenated Republican, not Taft-Republican nor Eisenhower Republican." He heads an association of some 60,000 Illinois merchants and before has tried for public office. The Republican senatorial nominee will take on Illinois' Democratic senator, Paul H. Douglas in the November election in which control of congress is at stake. Douglas was unopposed in the Democratic primary. With returns in from 4391 of the state 9805 the standings were Meek 89,723, Hayes 70.319.

Convicts Offer Warden Pav Hike FLORENCE, AprU 13 Convicts at the Arizona state prison offered today to help pay the warden's salary if. he will stay. Ted Mullen, who took the warden's duties on an acting basis several months ago, wants to quit because the pay is too low. The legislature has refused to raise it from $4,800 to $7,200 a year. Petitions signed by 500 inmates and requesting permission to "chip in money every month" were sent Gov.

Howard Pyle. Tha convicts asked if they could contribute from their prison athletic fund enough to maka the difference apparent $2400 a year. mea" 10VINGT0N Mi lookinff into alleced housing ir regularities for a year and that last July he called a housing of ficials' attention to "unconscionable profits" being made. Lumber Man Named Capehart the banking com mittee chairman, said "we have repeatedly warned" housing officials of alleged conditions. Eisenhower named Norman f.

Mason, lumber dealer from Massachusetts, to serve as ioa commissioner while the execu tive branch presses ita own in quiry. Mason replaces Guy T. O. Hollyday, former Baltimore mortgage banker, as FHA chief. Hollyday resigned last night, reportedly at the request of the White House.

Housing Chief Albert M. Cole said FHA apparently had been lax, although he called Hollyday "a good Christian genUeman." Administration spokesmen said Hollyday quit to clear the way for investigation. He proved he held no grievance by issuing a 'statement saying it had been a "privilege' to work one year for Eisenhower. But developmsnts were still crackling. They included; Denounces Action 1.

The Mortgage Bankers Assn. denounced the "forced Hollyday as "unwise and unjust" A statement by President W. A. Clarke, New York, said: "We are Indignant at his abrupt dismissal This move reflects discredit not only upon Mr. Hollyda-r but upon the administration.1 2.

The mortgage bankers' gen eral counsel, Samuel A. Neel, long-time friend of Holiday, said Hollyday resignation was announced before Hollyday him self kntw ce was on the way out CwU af ltwt ilaMlhal''1 kit. SHALLOW WATER CENTER: The official scenic historic marker on the south side of Lovington certifies that the city is me -center 01 nvesiocx, on Mondays flash rain and hail floods, the sign stood in more than two feet of water-pointing the way to like conditions in the heart of the southeastern New Mexico city. The flood resulte4 front the first anajor rain since 1950. (Additional Pictures oa Page 13).