Beckley Post-Herald from Beckley, West Virginia • Page 4

BECKLEY POST-HERALD REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPER FOR. 65 YEARS PUBLISHED BUSINESS DAY BY BECKLEY NEWSPAPERS CORPORATION 339-343 Prince St. Beckley, W. Va, 25801 Telephones All Departments Beckley 253-3321 Second-class mail privileges authorized at post osAces at Beckley, and Hinton, W. E.

J. HODEL Editor Top O' The Morning FOUR BECKLEY POST-HERALD, BECKLEY, W. FRIDAY Birth Clinic Fight Still Unresolved By DONALD F. FANNIN The battle continues in West Vir. ginia over proposed establishment of voluntary public birth control clinics.

A part of the fight appears to involve a clash of personalities among public health officials. State Health Director N. 11. Dyer, at a legislative interim commitee meeting in Charleston last week, continued to argue that his department has no authority under present law to spend state or federal money to set up such clinics. This is, and has been, in direct opposition to the belief of certain individuals and agencies seeking the clinics.

They include Dr. Page Seekford, Kanawha-Charleston health director. --0- Forces seeking federal-state support for the clinics have had at least two such facilities operating in Kanawha County since last They are being paid for solely year. local funds. Another is operating in Parkersburg, we understand, and still another may open in Cabell County.

It was the desire to operate the clinics--and to obtain matching federal-state funds for them -that led to the present conflict. When Seekford and others were unable to get Dyer and the State Board of Health to agree that the state had authority to sponsor voluntary clinics they took the matter this year's Legislature. A bill that would have expressly authorized the state to participate never got out of committee. Instead the subject was referred to an interim committee for study. -0- The state attorney general's office also got into the act at about that time.

An opinion that bad been requested said there was no statute to prohibit the Board of Health and Health Department from taking a part in voluntary clinics. But the opinion also said it might be desirable to have the Legislature grant specific permission. A new consideration was developed last week by the state Welfare Department. Deputy Commissioner L. L.

Vincent said the department favors the clinics if they're voluntary and if they're available to all low-income families--not just welfare recipients. Vincent will become commissioner on July 1, succeeding W. Bernard Smith. Vincent said the greatest need for the clinics is in "low income families immediately above the welfare level. The families of welfare recipients are not as large as many people believe, it's the low income families not on welfare that have most of the children." -0- The idea of clinics open to all lowincome parents muddies the water to the extent that such operations might require a sizable upward revision in the estimated costs of setting up a network of clinics in the state.

Meanwhile it's assumed that Kanawha County will continue to operate its clinics on local support alone. And apparently any other city. county health department can do the same thing if it so desires--and if there is sufficient financial and moral support locally. -0- At one point there was sharp dispute between Dyer and Seekford over the policy of the federal government in allowing federal money to be used for voluntary public birth control services. They disagreed over apparent ambiguities in discussions of the subject by officials of the U.

S. Department of Health. Education and Welfare. But apparently this question has been resolved in favor of birth control advocates on the basis of public clinics planned or already in operation under anti-poverty programs in some other states. But at this point it's still anyone's guess as to how soon West Virginia will make up its mind officially on the matter.

Top of the morning. My Answer By BILLY GRAHAM QUESTION: For years I hare wanted to become a Christian, but I can't seem to get up the courage to make the step. What is wrong. with a person who is such a coward? L. 11.

ANSWER: Deciding to be a Christian is HO small decision. Every major decision is hard. It is not easy to propose marriage: it is not easy to volunteer for military service; and, it is not casy io weigh the political issues and vote intelligently. Why should we expect the greatest decision of all to be easy? Jesus said: "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find Perhaps one of the reasons you have not made a decision for Christ. is that you feel that if it is so hard to make your first decision.

the Christian life must be harder still. Remember, it takes twice as much power for an airplane to get off the earth as it does to fly. It takes twice as much gas to go the first mile in a car than it does the next two. The difficulty is in getting started. I remember well the night 1 made my decision.

My feet seemed to be filled with lead. and I could hardly get them to move. But. once I began to move in the direction of God's will for my life, He came to my rescue and gave me strength to live for Him. The first step is not easy: but it is the beginning of a glorious life.

MORNING, JUNE 18, 1065 Drew Pearson- AST A -TIME PRESS )MEMBER National Adverdsing Representative COMPANY, INC. York, Chicago, Detrolt, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Greenville OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Associated Press is entitled to the use for republication of ail the local news printed In this newspaper, as well as all AP news dispatches. SUBSCRIPTION RATES BY MAIL (Only where we do not bave established dellv. ery service) Payable In Advance Daily and Sunday, one year $21.50 Daily and Sunday, six months $12.00 Daily only, one year $18.00 Daily only, six months $10.00 Three per cent sales tax must be added to mall rates for all subscribers within West Virginia, When requesting change of address De sure to rive old address as well as new. DELIVERED By Carrier Or Distributor Daily and Sunday, per Week 50c Daily and Sunday, per half month.

$1.10 Daily and Sunday, per dent All carriers, dealers, distributors, are indepention is contractors, and Beckley Newspapers Corpora. not responsible for advance subscription ments made to them ar their representatives. pay. WE ARE FACED TODAY wit: the question of whether we build our American houses the future on the bedrock of freedom and Independence, or on the sands of government control. -Ezra Taft Benson, Miracles Not Likely From Head Start As a general rule, we could not be more enthusiastic about the intent behind the so-called Project Head Start that will get under way July 6 in communities across the nation.

It is aimed at helping more than 300,000 underprivileged youngsters prepare to enter the first grade in the fall. Countless teachers and other workers will do all they can to get the children ready for school so that they can enter the first grade on a par with youngsters from families with more substantial economic resources. The cost will be about $112 million to the federal government. The youngsters will receive physical examinations and medical treatment. -They'll be taught some things about -personal hygiene.

They'll be intro-duced the kind of books and they'll be using in the first Clothing also is expected to be provided through volunteer efforts. AS ONE COLUMNIST put it, of the children will for the first time have an opportunity to "draw with crayons, play in a sandbox and eat a balanced lunch." Both the plight of the children from families of the poor and the scope of the effort to be made to give them at least a fighting chance to break even in school are touching. The kind of community effort that is envisioned to help the youngsters has been long overdue. During the Head Start period, the youngsters will spend from three to six hours a day at the guidance centers. Generally, they are to be divided into groups of 20.

Each group will be supervised by several adults, including teachers, counselors, recreation personnel and others. Some of the Head Start efforts also are to be aimed at the children's homes, with personnel assigned to the task of improving family environment. ALL IN ALL. the youngsters and their families will be the objects of one of the most intensive programs ever attempted. Perhaps it is the very scope of the program itself that gives rise to thoughts of uncertainty as to whether its success will be lasting.

Will the good works accomplished in July carry over into the fall? What will be the youngsters' reactions when they actually reach the normal first grade class after they have been the object of intense personal care on the part of many, many persons during Head Start? Will there be a tendency for the Head Start youngster to fall back 1o old habits and old inhibitions when he becomes more or less, just another of the students in a crowded classroom supervised by a single instructor? We know the underprivileged children will face a tremendous impact psychologically in the Head Start program. What will be the psychological impact when after weeks of pampering, so to speak-they are then asked to carry their own load as fledgling first graders? FOR AT THAT TIME they will no longer be something special. They'll once again be the so-called "disadvantaged" children of the poor, trying to compete on an equal basis with the more fortunate. Some of them always win the battle and excel. We hope that Head Start will give even more of them the impetus they need.

It's certainly worth the effort to find out. But the uncertainty explains why at least some educators say they would prefer to try the "crash" program approach on a smaller scale and carry it over a much longer period of time. They are afraid the program as now set up simply will not be of sufficient duration and depth to work the wonders anticipated by the bureaucrats who conceived it. None of us should expect any miracles. Not Again? $.

VIET NAM NEW Andrew TullyRevision May Be Ahead For Air Mail Services WASHINGTON Postmaster General Gronouski's advisory panel on postal rates has done a wondrous thing. It has faced the fact that air mail service is part myth, and has asked that Congress merge air and firstclass mail into a single classification aimed at delivering mail by the fastest possible method. It costs 8 cents to send a letter by air mail from Washington to New York and usually it reaches its destination a day later than a letter bearing a class, 5 cent stamp. cent stamp. This because surface facilities are efficient between the two cities, if such a is permissible in reference to our lousy mail service.

BUT THE POST Office Department has no discretion in the matter. If a letter bears an air stamp it go by air, even if everybody knows it will reach its destination later than mail sent first class. Between some cities, if an air mail letter misses a plane there is a delay of several hours before it can be placed on another plane. Now the advisory panel to give the Post Office Department discretion by statute, and Gronouski is going along. The idea is to come up with a "preferential" classification at rate somewhere between the 5- cent and 8-cent stamps.

A letter mailed at this rate would be dispatched by air that was the fastest method; otherwise it would go by surface transportation. Meanwhile. Gronouski is pondering a plan whereby the Post Office Department would lease cargo planes for its air service, thus ending 2 situation which places mail delivery at the mercy of airline schedules. THERE WILL BE howls from assorted "public service" organizations over another of the panel's recommendations. This seeks legislation to discontinue all preferential rates now granted to so-called pro outfits on the ground that their mail serves a public service.

These rates now account for nearly $300 million of the Post Office Department's projected $762 million deficit for fiscal year 1965. A lot of the stuff sent through the mails at these rates is borderline phonograph records, circulars and merchandise but if Congress decides that 7 it should be subsidized by the taxpayers, then the subsidies should be paid out of the budgets of federal agencies concerned with the public welfare, such as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. MOREOVER, THERE IS 2 need for tougher supervision of these subsidy payments. The panel suggests that subsidies to preferred mail users follow the practice in the airline and maritime industries, where a license or permit is issued by the federal agency involved. Because delivery of mail is a service, the Post Office Department probably will never again be in the black.

Perhaps it shouldn't be. But the cost to taxpayer of supporting "public service" mailings has increased from $37 million in 1960 to about $500 million today. Somebody should take a look at the system to make sure all that preferential mail is legitimate. Looking Ahead'Organizers' May Profit Most From Poverty War By DR. GEORGE S.

BENSON Sen. Scott of Pennsylvania If it had not opera miserable, been funny. There in the fancy Rayburn committee room was Rep. Adam Clayton Powell. Harlem's political prince and profligate slicer of federal pork.

making been so comicit might have ringing phrases of his accusations that the poverty program 1'aS being sabotaged by local politicians. Before the poverty battle was hardly joined. the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee charged. it was turned into "giant fiestas of political patronage." The poor. his subcommittee hearings found.

were getting the worst of it. GETTING THE MOST of it was an army of job givers and seekers. who were absorbing most of the high costs of overhead in the form of salaries. Of a $67,000 grant to Monmouth. N.

for example. $52.000 was ear-marked for salaries. In big cities. witnesses said. the program was creating "fantastic" power struggles." with the poor getting little help.

Community Action programs in the big cities, spendin nearly half the poverty war budget for local plans. came under heavy congressional fire. These grab bag possibilities were said to be making oidtime political bosses "goggle. eved. SARGENT SHRIVER, chief of the Economic Opportunity Of.

fice. defended his agency 35 best he could. admitting that it wanted good people with ability and they had to be paid accordingly. Only 71 of 510 agency jobs rate more than $15.000 per year, he said. Nobody in Washington.

added. is smart enough to sit down and figure out how to poverty in every, comdefeat munity in America. is perhaps right. But he did not admit that shoveling federal cash out around the country is no solution. Gas Pipeline Explosion Report A Shocker WASHINGTON fied" report public by Commission be danger line explosions cremated slept in their toches, Some of experts believe the corroded metal in older pipelines of the should be firely if the lives people alongside safe.

A "classiwithheld from the the Federal Power indicates there may of more tragic pipeof the type that 17 people as they homes at Natchilast March. nation enreplaced of living lines are to he This column has now obtained a copy of the report gathering dust in the files of the Federal Power Commission and it reveals shocking facts. The inside story, behind its suppression is equally shocking. It shows that the tragedy occurred because Tennessee Gas Transmission was pumping gas through line at a pressure too great for the pipe. Even more shocking, the report shows that 12 hours after 17 people had been burned to death, Tennessee Gas resumed pumping gas at the same excessive rate of 765 (pounds per square inch gauge) despite the fact that only 750 psig was recommended for the pipe.

HERE IS THE STORY of what happened as first told by Dr. Charles E. Cook, coroner of Natchitoches Parish, who got to the scene of the tragedy 17 minutes after it happened: "I took some photographs of that gigantic, impressive, roaring fiery torch. The escaping gas exploded and appeared as though a giant blowtorch had been set off. The houses and garage were totally demolished as were several cars trucks; also some of the livestock were killed.

"The undertakers on the scene were instructed to label their disaster packs as to the location the bodies were discovered to aid identification. A total of two boxes of chalky bones and charred flesh were found scattered throughout three houses where the deaths occurred. We were able to locate only 16 separate bodily remains; however there were bones found at the location which could correspond with missing body, completing a total 17 victims who perished in the fire." SEN. ALLEN ELLENDER, immediately called for a Federal Power Commission investigation, a report on which was first prepared by W. Nelson of the FPC pipeline division, who had gone to the scene of the tragedy with William J.

Drescher, chief of the division; Ellery K. Johnson, supervising engineer; and Louis A. Brubaker also a supervising engineer, all of the bureau of natural gas. submitted report. Watters, When Nelson's, was chief of the bureau of natural gas, and his deputy, Louis W.

Medonsa, they cautiously rejected it. It was considered too tough. They then gave the report to supervising engineer Brubaker, who on April 15 completed a rewrite. During the rewriting of the report, Drescher, chief the pipeline division, was in frequent touch with Brubaker and, according to other FPC officials, sought to soften any fact which might reflect on Tennessee Gas Transmission. He wanted to emphasize the technical aspects of pipeline deterioration rather than the fact that Tennessee Gas was putting too much pressure through the pipe.

WHEN THE REPORT was finally submitted to the full commission, Drescher, Watters, and Mendonsa sought to minimize its conclusions. They emphasized the fact that metallurgical findings had not yet been received from the Tate Laboratories a test paid for by Tennessee Gas. The commissioners themselves, relying upon their staff and bogged down with other work, were not able to examine the report carefully. They agreed to withhold it from the public. However, here are the crucial sections of the report: On page 10, under "design pressure limitations." the report states that the American Standard code for pressure piping had set certain standards according to the density of population along the route of the pipeline and that in Class I locations "those of least density" pressures are restricted to 72 per cent of the theoretical design pressures, which in this case would be 72 per cent of 1,042 psig which is 750 psig." the even that the ON PAGE 6, THE FPC report tells of inspecting the operational log and pressure chart of Tennessee's station No.

40 near the explosion occurred. recorded discharge pressure ranged between 760 and 768 psig." the report states. "At 6 a.m. on March 4, just minutes before the blowout. the recorded pressure The most alarming fact, however, is that Tennessee Gas upped the pressure back to this danger point other lines after the tragedy.

The report further states: "Over the succeding 12 hours the discharge pressure into the three remaining in-service lines was restored to the 765 psig level." Experts at the FPC have been loath to talk about the suppressed report, but say privately that the original pipe was laid shortly after the war, when steel was scarce and the pipe wall thin; also that all gas pipelines are subject to hydronization corrosion. THE FACT THAT an explosion occurred May 9, 1955, ten years ago, just 930 feet from the March 4, 1965, tragedy, indicates that the line may require major overhaul. Drescher, who conferred with Brubaker with a view to toning down the report, is now chief of the FPC's pipeline division, but earlier was chief of the division which handled all applications for Tennessee Gas, usually assigning them to his close friend, William Prather. Later Prather went to work for Tennessee Gas on Drescher's recommendation. He is employed the firm in Houston today.

Inside reason given by some FPC officials for not publishing the report on the Natchitoches tragedy was that it would alarm the industry by calling attention to the possibility of replacing older pipelines laid during the immediate postwar years. Yesterday And TodayJack Dempsey Has sAW. Va. Background By The Sonny brought former Jack connection SHIRLEY DONNELLY recent fiasco between Liston and Cassius Clay to mind the fact that heavyweight champion Dempsey has a definite with West Virginia. Dem sey's mother was a native of Monroe County, some say.

She was the forIll Miss Celia Ellis who became the wife of Iyrum Dempsey. a West teacher. Virginia school- Virginia school- Celia had a brother named Simpson. They were both born in the same house in Monroe County. After Hyrum married they went to Colorado where their famed son was born.

There lived at Alderson for many years one F. E. Ellis who later was postmaster at Roanoke, Va. His half-brother, Simpson Ellis, was the father of Celia Ellis. The foregoing skelch is one version of Dempsey's parentage.

But Dempsey himself once said his mother was Celia Smoot whose lather ran store in Tazewell Countrocery His father, Hyrum. was a man with fair education, at least a year of college. Jack's ca grandfather Dempsey was at one time the sheriff of Logan County. Sheriff Dempsey once owned considerable land in Logan but it was later sold for taxes. HYRUM DEMPSEY WAS always a restless man kept his family on the move.

He would migrate from state to another. Both of Jack's parcuts were part Cherokee IndiAnd both were born in the early 1850's. Mrs. Dempsey was a small woman whose weight was never in excess of 110 pounds. Hyrum was slightly over feet tall, lean and wiry.

His less than 160. it is said. The weight was way Jack used to bob and weave and be constantly moving in the ring. he must have inherited the restless characteristic of his father who was always on the go. It was at Mud Fork.

near Logan, that Hyrum taught school. ents Jack's great-great-grandparwere and Rachel Dempsey. They came into the Logan area in 1799 with a group that was led by William Din- more than half a billion annually afterwards, not counting the cost of the public works. CONTINUING THE 50-50 program with the states is not sug. gested for the future.

The fedgovernment proposes 10 oral put per cent. but in depressed (another word will have to he found) areas it will throw in as much as 80 per cent of the cost of projects. Like other temporary cies that still thrive. ARA wants to blend into the Washingion bureaucracy with broad. ened functions and bigger appronriations.

Those who favor big spending will see that ARA achieves its metamornhosis. Unless the people speak up. and elcarly. shall have poverty spending from here on out, with lush jobs for the organizers and limited help for the poor. gess.

On a little stream there John settled and it has ever since been known as Dempsey Branch. Their son, Joseph, married Alena Vance, daughter of Abner and Susannah Howard Vance. One of Dempsey's distant relatives was D. Hatfield, former governor of West Virginia and U. S.

Senator. HYRUM AND CELIA Dempsey were Mormons. They were converted to that faith in Logan County. They had children in all. Jack's real name WilLiam Harrison Dempsey but he named himself Jack.

on June 24, 1895. One of He was born a at Manassa, his brothers. John, took his own life. Bernie, who was born in Logan County in 1875. died of silicosis.

Bruce. the last of the children. was murdered at Salt City. Some of the Dempsey brothers tried their hand at prizefighting but only Jack struck it rich. To make his face hard and tough, Jack is said to have resorted to rigorous practices.

He reportedly chewed pine tree resin for years to make his jaws strong and washed his face in salt brine to toughen the skin. IN LOGAN COUNTY, Jack worked in the coal mines for a time with the Gay Coal Coke Company of Logan. The company's 124th payroll sheet lists the name of "Harry Dempsey." That was Jack. His gross earnings for the pay period were listed as $17.16. Others on the payroll were Milliard Ellis.

Alex Shepherd, Albert Browning, Riley Browning. Raymond St. Clair, Oscar Kirk, Chas. Dempsey, and others. Jack Dempsey will be 71 on June 24.

He was a school drop-out, finishing its but the eighth grade, or equivalent. at the Lakeview School in Utah. Head Start Is Approved By Board Of Education has called attention to the high overhead, with the top 45 employees in Washington being paid nearly a million dollars in salaries. APPARENTLY THESE tremendous overhead costs are what make the unit costs of Job Corps training SO high. While the trainees are slightly more than an Army private.

the total yearly cost of putting 3 boy through a year of Job Corps training is said to come to $6.200. or more than twice what takes to send a student to Harvard. Shriver disputes this. but if a student cannon go to Harvard on $516.00 per month. he could certainly pay his war in many institutions that.

I know about and live quite royally on the balance. Up at Willow Run. on the poverty front. a government study costing $188.000 recommends not a job-producing program but. a "cultural center" and federally sponsored town meetings for local self-expression on social.

political. and economic affairs. A federally subsidized newspaper (supervised partly by labor officials) was recommended. so as to keep the public properly informed. THESE IDEAS SEEM TO lean toward replacing enterprise with federal government action and control.

with eventual socialization. How this would eliminate pockets of poverty is not disclosed. but it would certainly put aside lax paying private enterprise. And so it goes with other fed. eral programs related to improving the economy.

The Area Redevelopment Administration. which has committed so many unhappy blunders in the name of "distressed" areas. is due to expire June 30. Like other bureaus that fail to die. it wants a new lease on life as the "economic Development Administration" under the Commerce Department.

11 spent some $435 million in four years and supervised twice that amount of public works spending. Now. it wants to start off with $400 million 2 year and use LEWISBURG (RNS) Project Head Start will begin June 28 and run for eight weeks as approved by the Greenbrier County Board of Education which met Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with all members present. Resignations accepted were Miss Denece Sarver.

Mrs. ArIeta W. Smith. Miss Sandra Phillips and Ellsworth Buck. Requirements approved were Miss Gretna Hedrick, Mrs.

Allyne Shisler, Hugh Johnson, Ralph Fasick and James Utterback. The following teacher appointments were made: Miss Linda Marie Henry. White Sulphur High School: James Frederick Nestor. Lewisburg High School; JIrs. Jeanne Newell Runion.

Renick Junior High: George T. Aldridge. Ronceverte Elementary. and Sirs. Elizabeth K.

Aldridge. appointed but not placed. Alvin Sykes was transferred from Caldwell Elementary to Williamsburg Junior High and Elementary as principal. Mrs. Margaret C.

Stone was placed at Caldwell as principal. The board considered the bids submitted for purchase of oil and lubricants for the 1965- 66 school year. The contract was awarded to Texaco. the low bidder. at a price of 15.24 cents per gallon.

The service contract on typewriters was awarded to Business Supplies. of Beckley at 3 unit price of four dollars and fifty cents inclucing parts. The board approved the sale of two school buses to the State Road Commission to be used in the Neighborhood Youth Corps program. The superintendent and staff explained the recent report from the Fire Marshal and reviewed the letter condemning nine buildings now being used for school purposes. These buildings cannot be used for purposes of any nature beginThe ning with the next school year.

board discussed the disposition of these buildings and directed the superintendent to start planning for their disposition at a public auction later this summer. The superintendent reported to the board that a representa- I tive of the Insurance Rating Bureau has asked that these condemned buildings be removed from insurance coverage. Approximately 4,000 children who now had access to lunch programs will be without hot lunch next year because of the condemnation of these buildings. Additional quarters for approximately 15 classrooms must be found in churches, vacant buildings or other quarters adjacent to schools. In some cases it may be necessary to run split sessions or cut out some programs now being offered.

The School Bond Elections June 26 provides moncy for replacement with approved buildings. Accident Reported PRINCETON (RNSN) No one was injured in a two-car collision at the intersection of McNutt Avenue and Prince Street in Princeion Tuesday night. city police said. Officers said a 1955 model car driven south on McNutt by Robert F. Hurley, 30.

of Princeton was involved in a collision with a 1961 model car being driven west on Prince by Betty Roberts, 24, of Route 4. Princeton. No charges were filed by Patrolmen Jay Pettrey and Guy Harmon, who investigated the 9:10 p.m. mishap. Matheny Shorts MATHENY (RNS) Guests during the past week of Mr.

and Mrs. Frank Lambert were Mr. their sons and daughters-in-law, and Jirs. Frank Lambert Jr. and son.

Robert. and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lambert Ronald. of and son, all Chicago.

Mrs. Lambert's sisters, Mrs. Lois Richardson and Mrs. Gracie and Belnap, Mr. both of Columbus, Ohio.

and Mrs. J. Runyon of Premier. Mr. and Mrs.

Roy Lambert and son and Mrs. Frank Lambert and daughter. Donna Faye, were Monday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Dol Maze of Premier.

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