The Greenville News from Greenville, South Carolina • Page 1

if rf COTTON MARKET Greenville Mid. Inch Cotton ....30.25 Greenville Strict Low 28.25 Mew Orleans Spot Middling 30.25 S. WEATHER Fair and Continued Cold Today and Tonight, Thursday Fair, Slightly Warmer. (Other Data On Page 4 tttuutut tuna THE L'EADING 'NEWSPAP ER OF SOUTH CAROLINA VOL LXXIIL No. 22 GKECNVI1AI 1 f1 fAf POPULATION MIL! GREENVILLE.

S. WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 22, 1947 SIXTEEN PAGES PRICE 5c SUNDAY 10c (ADH'I URMOND ONU IQUOR CUR So South Carol ir "akes Oath Of Office Police Probe Report Tells Local Option, HigherLiquor Tax Proposed Thurmond Would Stop Dealers From Reaping, Such Rich Harvest r-r1 a3 I -mi i it Governor Asks Reorganization Of Government UI .1 'I Increased Pay For Teachers Requested Of Assembly Text 0 Thurmond Address on Page Th Nfwt Bar, Mala Stmt By WAYNE FREEMAN COLUMBIA, Jan. 21. Gov. J.

Strom Thurmond In hl Initial message to the General Assembly today presented to that body and the state at large an omnibus program which would virtually reorganize the whole state government and most of Its activities. It was a 46-page, printed document that the governor dls-' trlbuted to the legislators after his inauguration at noon today. From It, In fact, he had taken his inaugural address, summarizing in his 45 to 50-minute speech what would have been a nearly three- Of Dissension Symmes New Water Offi- inr'ci ciai i aucceeu jaic W. A. Floyd- LIST FINDINGS The public safety committee of city council which has been con 1 4iAflnrf an ivkiracHrraHrtn nf tttA Greenville police department lnce September reported to council a its meeting last night at City ball that It had found dissension In the department and was authorized by council to take steps to eliminate It and) other practices which the committee condemned.

The committee also reported that friction and dissension existed be' tween the uniformed and detective divisions and between different die, state senator, school teacher, i message. The program outlined or suggest- groups in the uniformed division, that there has been a lack of cooperation between groups and individuals in the department, that petty Jealousies exist, that there has been "enttrely too much loose talk and gossip by certain of the ll I f-K 1 CHIEF JUSTICE BAKER STROM THURMOND MRS. THURMOND of Edrefleld and former circuit la The oath was administered by 3. Strom Thurmond, 44, lawyer South Carolina' 77th governor. House at lommbla yesterday.

Mrs. hief Jtotiee D. Gordon Baker in ceremonies on the steps of the 'State Thurmond, the new governor's mother, looks on. (AF Member Photo from The Columbia Record). Plowden Ways And Means Head NftJGood Wffl Seen Thompson Spurns Talmadge Proposal That Both Resign ATLANTA, Jan.

21. U.B Lt. Gov. M. E.

Thompson today rejected Herman Talmadge's proposal that both claimants to the governorship resign pending a special primary, climaxing a stormy FEW STORES ASKED Tht Nfwi Sinn, tot Main Slrwl By WAYNE FREEMAN COLUMBIA, Jan. 21. Gov. J. Strom Thurmond's long-awaited liquor plan calls for neither prohibition nor state stores, but with its provisions for local op-, tion, strict control and high taxes it stops but little short of either of those two oft-heard proposals.

In brief, Thurmond in his message to the General Assembly recommended the creation of an Alcoholic Beverage Control board to relieve the Tax Commission of the task of regulating the liquor busi ness, reduction in the number of retail stores, stricter regulation all along the line, heavy graduated license taxes and local option for counties and municipalities, WOULD REDUCE PROFITS Governorw Thurmond said also that, hear on all sides that dealers in liquor have spent huge sums to Influence the outcome of elections, both state-wide and local, and I hereby request the Tax Commission to make an investigation into such expenditures, find out how much they were and how they were set up in the account of such dealers." In discussing his proposed tax revision he said, "I am convinced that unless something is done to curb this business (wholesale and retail liquor sales) by reducing its profits, it will become the greatest and most dangerous political machine this state has ever seen." Before taking office, Governor Thurmond had said of his program only that it would "increase revenue and promote temperance." As for the revenue angle, Thur nwmd figures that his araduated license tax would yield at least an aaaiuonu in revenue, based on the 1948 liquor sales. This added to the $10,478,589.11, which the state- realised from liquor taxes ui uie iiscai year would mean that the state would make about as much money from alcohol as Thurmond points out the liquor ucaiers tnaae in iws. MILLIONS IN PROFITS He said in his message that the 18 licensed wholesalers reaped a gross profit of $4,594,289.10 and the 790 retail stores made a gross profit of $13,178,01553 during J948. Other figures cited by the governor likewise are interesting. He points out that: one wholesaler made a gross profit of more than $1,000,000, one made more than $750,000 and another more than and that one retailer had a gross profit of more than $150,000 and that few made less than $6,000.

He added that liquor salesmen make as much as $10,000 a year. So much for the revenue. Governor Thurmond would promote temperance not only through reduction of the number of stores, assuming this would have such an effect, but by putting the liquor offered for sale out of sight He would prohibit all forms of liquor advertising and would require the stores to be so constructed that the liquor would be hidden from the public view, instead of being arranged in bright displays on the shelves as now Is the case. "There should be no display of liquor to tempt our good citizens, especially our young people," he said. In addition, he would require the purchaser to sign a receipt for the quantity of each purchase.

Presumably, these receipts would not be public record, but they would be kept on file for inspection by the Regulatory authority. "Every county and each municipality should be extended the right of self-determination" in the matter of whether liquor should be sold with in its boundaries, the governor said. LOCAL OPTION FAVORED "Local option is democratic and it is fair," he added. "Local option would not be approved in so many states if it were not practical." As for the regulatory provisions, the governor proposed that liquor store licenses be limited to citizens of south Carolina who have resided at least a year in the county in which they propose to do business, that the dealer be required to devote his full time to his business and that neither he nor any member of his Immediate family have an interest in more than one store. Further, he would refuse a license to anyone who had ever been convicted of violating the liquor law.

or of any crime involving moral turpitude. He would provide for the revoking of the license and forfeiture of the bond of any dealer found guilty of violating regulations. He pointed cut that the volume of liquor sold in the state last year amounted to 3 .500,000 gallon, which cost the consumers about mmm I nurmonu Inaugural Is Brilliant Tha Newi Bareaa. Mala Strut By WAYNE FREEMAN COLUMBIA. Jan.

21. Lean, tan ned J. Strom Thurmond of Edge field, 44, bachelor, teacher, lawyer, soldier, and Jurist, shortly aft er 13:30 today placed his right hand upon the personal Bible he carried in World War TJ and took the oath of office as South Caro lina's 77th governor. The impressive ceremony was marked by fanfare, said to be vir tually unprecedented and by color heightened by bright, though cold and windswept, sunshine after days of rain in the state capital. BAKER ADMINISTERS OATH Chief Justice D.

Gordon Baker of the Stat Supreme court admin istered the oath after Governor Thurmond's former teacher, the be loved Dr. D. W. Daniel of Clem son, hd introduced the new chief ex ecutlve. Senator Edgar A.

Brown Barnwell, president pro tern of the upper house of the state legis lature, presided, wearin? the bright purnle robe of his office. George Bell Timmerman, of Lexinrton. also a veteran of World War took the oath of office as lieutenant governor In a separate ceremony In the chamber of the senate, over which he will preside, soon after the governor was sworn In. The new governor and lieutenant governor shook hands with well-wishes lust Inside the 6tat House lobby after the ceremonies. Several other state official whose new terms begin rolnelrientally with that of the governor also were sworn in during the ceremonies.

Senator Brown administered the oaths and Indulged In facetious remarks which brought aooreclative laughter from the huge crowd and from the officials as well. OTHERS SWORN IN The first to take the onth was Secretary of State W. P. Blackwell, who was followered In rapid succession by Attorney General John M. Daniel, adjutant General James C.

Dozler, State Treasurer Jeff B. Bates, comptroller General E. C. Rhodes, State Superintendent Education Jesse T. Anderson, and Commissioner of Agriculture J.

Roy Jones. Governor Thnrriirmd's Inauguration followed immediately after the Senate sergeant-at-arms, "Zeb" Hone, bearln" the new sword of state, and Sergeant-At-Arms, J. Henry Mills 6f the House, bearing the massive mace, had moved up to flank Mr. Brown. Governor Thurmond's mother, Mrs.

Gertrude 8trom Thurmond, stood at his side during the ceremony and received the congratulations of friends after the new chief executive had completed his lenrthy address. The Inaugural ceremony started at 11 a. m. with a parade starting at the executive mansion, which gov. Randsome J.

Williams had Just vacated. Led by a 12-motor-cycle escort, the pararle Included a color guard from the Johnston State guard, an honor guard from Edgefield, a color guard, a band and a platoon of troops of the regular army, the Citadel band and drill platoon, a Clemson college drill platoon and a color guard and detachment from the University of South Carolina naval unit. PRAYER IS OFFERED Grand marshal of the parade was Col. L. Don Matthews of Rock Hill, assistant state adjutant general The actual inaugural ceremony began immediately after noon with a prayer by Rev.

J. S. Wimbish, pastor of the First Baptist church of Edgefield. Mrs. William Wise of Trenton sang the "Lord's Prayer" and A crowd estimated as high as persons pammed the steps of the State House and overflowed onto the lawn and parking area immediately in front of the edifice.

The governor took the oath on a wooden platform erected on (Continued on Page 7, CoL t) I ed in the message not only would give the state a new constitution and "streamline" the state government and iU nearly 100 department and agencies, but it would reach down into the counties and provide them with a new form of local government, eliminating the "county. manager" duties now performed by the various legislative delegation. DRASTIC, CHANGES PROPOSED would inject change and reform Into almost every field in which the citizen deals with or Is served by his stats government, Including education, health, law inforcement, public welfare, liquor control, recreation and parks, taxation and fiscal, management, public utilities, elections, and Jhe state's manner of handling it employers. It would provide oavmsnt nf a bonus to veterans. It would establish a special commission in that the state get it just share of tne urplu war property." It would give teachers a raise in the amount asked by the SCEA.

In some Instances the governor's message deals only generally with" the tople at hand in others it makes specific recommendations. In most instance it would make rather sweeping changes. While the new governor presents new thought on many issue and questions, most of It 1 not entirely nu most or jus changes and reforms hava hn -eMmi tu vuo form or another in the past. POWER FOR GOVERNOR He referred specifically at one point to the 1945 report of" the late Preparedness for Peace Commission. The significant thins- is that Strom Thurmond has drawn together in One Set Of nmnnsala anri ated the need for change and reform that others, including th re- wing uov.

Ransoms J. Williams, have recommended in the past. It is significant too that. Thur mond would give the governor a strong hand in the changes. For Instance, to reorganize the.

state government, meaning it departments and agencies, he would have the General Assembly enact legislation to set the pattern. Jpn. to be appointed by the Senate, wib jnuius 01 representative and the governor, would determine the details and the governor would be empowered to effect the changes by executive order. In another instance, the nronrweil rewriting of the constitution, Governor Thurmond would have the legislature authorize a committee. appointed by the two houses of the' legislature, and the govenor, to prepare a draft of the document to be presented to a constlutional convention.

PROPOSALS IN BRIEF Governor Thurmond's mar nif leant proposals Included: "Streamlining of the state government to "prohibit the overlapping and duplication of State agen cies and public Drafting of a new constitution, or amendments to the present constitution. Legislation to enforce the con stitutional provision prohibiting uuci oiuce aoming. Removal of the noil tax "as a vot ing prerequisite" and the putting into effect of the "the Australian or secret-type ballot in general elections." Presumably this would entail the printing of a single ballot listing the candidates of all parties, making it unnecessary for the voter to ask for the ballot he wants. Setting up "an efficient system of county government," eliminating the necessity lor handling local matters in the General Assembly. neiorms in me lax system ana unification of the state budget the earmarking of income far specific purposes has no place in a state system of taxation.

Establishment of a central purchasing agency. a merit system for state employes. Establishment of "a Commission Fish and Game to admin ister the state's fish and game laws through the Chief Game Warden to be appointed by the commission." MEDICAL COLLEGE EXPANSION A study or survey of the state's educational system, both elementary and higher, with such recommendations as the installation of an educational radio network and coordination by a commission of the Institutions of higher learning. a system 01 nospitals and health centers to make health facilities "available to the entire population at reasonable prices." Immediate expansion of the Medi cal College of South Carolina at Charleston, with provisions to reel aire doctors trained there to serve in this state for a stated period. personnel In regard to other mem bers of the department and vice versa," that there are apparently "pets" In the department, that "at least a number of the members of the department think that the amount of revenue produced by an Individual, or by the police department.

Is a true test of his or its efficiency" and that information has been withheld from members of the detective division. CONFERENCE PLANNED The report was submitted by Al- German J. Kenneth Cass, chairman of the committee, and council, ap- proved a motion of the committee that tt confer with "the directing head or heads of the department In a spirit of cooperation and assistance, if possible, to the end that the conditions and practices first pointed out may be corrected and ft discontinued." The report was signed by Cass and Aldermen James L. Love and J. Dean Isbell, the other members of the commit-, tee.

During the meeting, Fred W. Symmes was elected as a member of the city water works commission to serve the unexpired portion of the term of the late. W. A. Floyd.

Mr. Symmes and Robert Wood-1 side both submitted letters to council through Mayor C. Fred McCul-lough In which they seid they would be willing to serve. Alderman T. R.

Machen put in nomination the name of Mr. Symmes and he was elected by a unanimous vote. On the motion of Alderman J. B. Hall, Mayor McOullough named the water committee of council to draw up resolutions of regret and respect In connection with Mr.

Floyd's recent death. Following is the complete text of the report of the public safety committee on its investigation of the police department: Greenville, South Carolina January 18, 1947 TO: HONORABLE C. FRED Mo- CULLOUGH AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL: We, the undersigned, as members of the Police Committee, by virtue of the authority and duties imposed by Section 102 of the City which reads as follows: "The City Council, acting through its Police Committee, shall have direct control and management of the Police Department and the members thereof, provided, however, that the employment, discharge, promotion, demotion, and all matters pertaining to discipline shall have the exclusive right of the Civil Service Commission have conducted our own investigation of the Police Department. Each member of the 1 Department who appeared before the Committee came pursuant to notice or summons. SAY REPORT 'ERRONEOUS At the outset we wish tfc emphatically state that we are not responsible for the erroneous statements which have appeared in the newspaper to the effect that "charges have been preferred against Chief J.

H. Jennings." The Committee at no time has preferred any charges against the Chief of the Department nor any men under him. The Investigation conducted by your Committee was initiated by the Committee of their own. volition, with the sole purpose of determining the conditions and pertinent facts with the hope that any irreg-' ularities might be corrected, and that theN Department 'might be made to operate move efficiently. Much testimony was taken in an honest effort to first find the facts, then to render constructive assistance to those in charge of the Department While the testimony is conflicting as to some issues, we find that there exists in your Police Department: (1) Friction and dissension between the uniform division and the detective division, and also between different groups of the uniform division.

(2) That there has been a lack e' cooperation between groups and individuals in the Department; that petty Jealousies exist. REPORT 'PETS' (3) That there has been entirely too much loose talk and gossip by certain of the personnel in regard to other members of the department, and vice versa. (4) Apparently certain members of the Department are "pets or favorites" of their superiors, and this has tended to weaken the morale of the Department and increase (Cob tinned Page 7, CoL 4) political day during which angry Sugar Bonus Is Promised WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 U.B Householders were promised a fat increase in their 1947 sugar rations today probably 10 pounds per person by the Agriculture department's reckoning and perhaps IS pounds it certain sugar-minded congressmen have their way. That nef emerged from the opening session of a sugar supply inquiry being conducted by the House Food Investigating committee.

i One of the first witnesses was James Marshall, chief of the Agriculture department's sugar He said supply prospects are even better than they were late last year when his boss. Secretary Clinton P. Anderson, promised tentatively to raise consumers' rations in April by five pounds per person. If the Cuban crop lives up to expectations, Marshall said, it should be possible to add another five pounds later this year. The present ration is 15 pounds a year per person, plus 10 pounds of supplemental canning sugar.

Marshall said that Industrial consumers may also get a sugar bonus. He said their ration may be raised from 60 to 80 per cent of their 1941 consumption, one-third increase. But he said any additional boosts now seem be out of the question. Woman Quizzed In IBlack Dahlia' Death LOS AtGELES, Jan. 31 U.B Lynn Martin, pretty blonde model and a former roommate of slain Elizabeth Short, was located late today by police and brought to headquarters for questioning.

Because of her close acquaintance with Miss Short, known to her friends as the "Black Dahlia," Miss Martin had been widely sought by police who believed a Jealous woman may have been responsible for the mutilation murder. soldier, it shown belli awnrn in Of Inauguration By MANUEL J. ROGERS (State Editor, The News.) COLUMBIA, Jan. 31 The air was chilly but the atmosphere oozed good will at the inauguration ceremonies today. On the surface, at any rate, past differences were foreotten 11 Strom Thurmond officially became governor of South Carolina.

Politicians galore were on hand for the event and in the large crowd that shivered throuch i on the north steps and lawn of the capitol was about as representative a bunch of citizens as you could find. MOTHER HAPPY Possibly the happiest nerson hern was Mrs. Eleanor Gertrude mother of the new governor. She walked down the capitol steps to the temporary platform with her son. sat beside him during the preliminaries and then stood beside him as he took th nath nf nffir.

She remained at the Capitol during ww post-inauguration event and then went to the governor' man. sion, where she will remain for a iew aays or weeks. Mrs. Thurmond would like to re main here with her bachelor son but Edgefield is her home, hu Wn her home for many years, and that is where she will live after a brief period in the state capital. governor's sister.

Miss Gertrude Thurmond. Will remain at t.ha man. sion as first lady. White-haired Mrs. Thurmond graciously nosed for news nhotner- raphers today, but she was glad when that part of it was over.

She prefers a quiet life. iwo of the men who were termed 'cunning, conniving" member of the "Barnwell ring" by Thurmond when he was runnine for sovernnr last summer had leading parts on the program today. There was no animosity on the part of anyone concerned. Sen. Edgar A.

Brown of BarnwelL as president pro tern of the State senate, presided during the cere mony, swore in other state officials and enlivened the proceedings with frequent Jests. STRONG, VIGOROUS' Then the time came for the new governor to be presented, Senator Brown declared this was a "great day for South Carolina, as we come after a terrible war to resume our peaceful Wavs." and referral in Thurmond as "strong, young and vigorous." That he may be Dronerlv pre sented to you, I will introduce Dr. D. W. Daniel of Clenuinn mlleue the presiding officer said.

sen. r. m. Jefferies of Colleton county, named by Thurmond last summer as one of the "Barnwell ring," was chairman of the General Assembly committee on arrangement for the inauguration and a such, he stood with the new governor and the new lieutenant governor, George Bell Timmerman. Jr Las they shook hands with) one and au immediately inside the front door of the capitol after the ceremonies were over.

The crowd thinned out and at the request of a photographer, the three men stepped outside for a picture. "This Is your last chance for a picture," Senator Jefferies remarked in jest to the photographers, "I'm getting ready to take them away." Governor Thurmond disclaimed any ill feeling in his Inaugural address. I hold animosity toward no (Corttinaed on Page 1, CoL 8) I ary Committee COLUMBIA, Jan. 31 (JO Ap pointments to 24 01 tne 31 standing committees of the House of Representatives were announced today by Speaker Bruce Littlejnhn, with the Ways and Means committee electing Rep. Charles N.

Plowden of Clarendon lt chairman. Rep. Calhoun Thomas of Beaufort, senior -member of the House with 18 years continuous service, was omitted from the Judiciary committee of which he had been chairman for the last 14 years. The committee chose. Rep.

J. Perrin Anderson of Greenwood its new chairman. TUTEN LEFT OFF Likewise, Rep. Morrison Tuten of Hampton, for the past four years chairman of the Ways and Means, was ommitted from that committee. Recent events in connection with the administration at the Univer sity of South Carolina brought forth a proposal from Representative Wise of Charleston for an investigation of that institution by a six-man House committee.

Wise's resolution said that "ac cording to reports in the press cer tain inction apparently exists be tween certain officials and certain students at the University of South uarcuna, indicating that certain conditions probably exist at that in stitution which interfere with the orderly and successful operation of the lnstiution." Wise, who has not yet finished a law course at the university, was Joined by Representative Poliakotf of Spartanburg in offering the resolution, which, if adopted, would provide for a committee report in 10 days. Representative Blatt ef Barnwell, a university trustee, sought to have the resolution referred to the Ways and Means committee but it was sent, by a 54-28 vote, to the Judiciary committee. Blatt was a member of a trustees' sub-committee which last week voted full confidence of Rear Admiral Norman M. Smith, university president, after an investigation of what it said were of his administration. PRE-MARITAL EXAM BILL Wisev youngest House member, was also the author of a pre-marital examination 'bill.

The measure would extend the present waiting period for altar-bound couples from 24 hours after they applied for an application to three day and both parties would be required to take physical examinations and be certified free from communicable diseases. Representative Welborn of Anderson proposed a Joint resolution to provide for the lieutenant governor-elect to become governor in event of the death of the governor-elect. He was the author also of a bill to require textile plants to maintain "comfortable air conditions." Mandatory Jail sentences of from 10 to 30 days vould be imposed on drunken automobile drivers under terms of a bill introduced by Representatives Butler and Miller of Spartanburg. The bill would also require reports to the highway department of drunken driving convictions and mandatory suspension of drivers' licenses in these cases. Butler and Miller introduced another bill to prohibit the use of fireworks except in public displays.

JOINT SESSION TODAT Senators and representatives agreed to meet Jointly at noon tomorrow to elect six members of the seven-member state public service commission. Terms of Commissioners John C. Coney of Reevesvllle, Rufus M. Newton of Anderson, (ConUnaed on Page 4) students hanged Talmadge In effigy on the Capitol lawn. In a brief but exultant statement noting Talmadge's "receding" position, Thompson said that if he made a "trade" with Talmadge it "would be insulting to the people of Georgia." PROPOSAL IS DECLINED "My agreeing not to contest Herman Talmadge's claim would pot render his acts as governor legal," Thompson said.

"To delay the legal adjudication of the cage (seeking Talmadge's ouster) now before the courts would only create more confusion end damage to the state because the legality of every act performed by Talmadge as governor would be questioned." Talmadge had made his surprise offer In a speech to the Legislature, making his resignation contingent on Thompson's simultaneous step- Eing down and the passage of legis-ition to insure an all-white primary for the governor's office. But Thompson struck back with Insistence that the issue go through the courts. Talmadge made his offer to an applauding joint session of the Legislature in a hastily appended addition to a prepared speech. Even as he spoke, students from seven Georgia colleges and one high school were marching down Peachtree and Whitehall streets on the capitoL HANGED IN EFFIGY They marched six abreast end carried In front of them a stuffed, life-sled caricature of Eugene Talmadge's 33-year-old son and political heir. More than 3,000 students were in the march and Atlanta citizens fell in by the hundreds toe-hind them.

Arriving at the Capitol lawn, they strung up the effigy from the arm of statesman Tom Watson's statue Just outside the window of Talmadge's executive office. The dummy dangled grotesquely in the cold, high wind whipping the lawn. The students had daubed it with red swastika markings. The effigy wore the Talmadge political hall-mark, red suspenders. At the same spot, University of Georgia students had hanged Talmadge's father in effigy five years ago after he fired two state educators for their racial policies, resulting in temporary discreditization of the state university system.

University of Georgia student were in the vab this time. vlnyardist. vice-president Of Amfcrl can Fruit Growers, with headquarters in Los Angeles. Persons who said they had knowledge of the case reported that the girl had an appointment with a young roan who represented himself as a feature writer for a magazine, who wanted to interview and photograph her. She left her home by cab, and was seen to get into another automobile and drive away.

A short time later, these informants said, a note was tossed on the front lawn of the Devine's big two-story white-shingled house oh Lodi's Locust street, about five blocks from the center oj town. 17-Year California Girl Kidnaped, Ransom Asked Capone Near Death STOCKHOLM, Calif, Jan. 31 00 The Stockton Record said today that hpniltiflll Slip rktaYi rtevina 17, WM kidnaped from her Lodi home last night and that a ransom demand was made on her wealthy lamer. There was no official confirmation from any police source. The FBI refused to discuss the case.

From other sources, however, there was word that the kidnaper demanded tlO.000. There was one report that the deadline for payment was set in the note at 24 hours. The high school senior disappeared at 7 o'clock last night. Her father is John Edward. De-Vine, prominent fruit grower and MIAMI BEACH.

Jan. 21. V.Pj Scarface Al Capone, the onetime Coney Island barkeep who rose to the head of Chicago's bootleg empire during prohibition, suffered a stroke of apoplexy today at his Palm Island estate and tonight was reported near death. Dr. Kenneth Phillips, Capone's personal physician, said that the former gangland csar's condition was critical.

He suffered the acute apoplectic stroke at 4 o'clock this morning. At 6 a. m. he was administered the last rites of the Catholic church. "He is very critically.

111," Dr. Phillips said. A source close to the family said at 5:25 p. m. that Capone appeared to have been mortally stricken but "he has not yet passed away." He said that death was expected at any hour..