The Times Herald from Port Huron, Michigan • Page 1

HURON TIME FINAL EDITION RALB WEATHER (V.S Burvaa PwmmI) COLDER TONIGHT RAIN' TUESDAY SffiKia vol xl, no. 87 FOURTEEN PACES TODAY PORT HURON, MICHIGAN, MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1949 Entered As Second Cass Mail Matter, Post flf lee, IV rt Huron, Mich. Fubhshed Pally, Jvjr.ilay, by The Tune Co. PRiCE FIVE CENTS pi ID JV JV PORT fid fl 9 l) (j (:) TO First Methodist Church Clears Debt, Burns Mortgage Second Highest Louis Johnson Assumes Defense Post Duties Rescue 11 Men from Plane wr- .1, Milwaukee Youth Stands Mute On Murder Charge Accused Slayer Of Sister-ln-Law Denied Bail (By The United Press) Milwaukee. March 28 Milton Babich, 19, was arraigned in four minutes today on a first degree murder charge in the slaying of 16-year-old Patricia Birmingham, sister of the girl he married after the killing.

A preliminary hearing was set for April 12. Babich was denied bail and his pretty, brunette bride, who has indicated she will stand by him, wept. THE ARRAIGNMENT was rushed through District Court before Judge Harvey L. Neelen. District Attorney William McCauley read the charge against Babich.

Babich confessed Saturday that he shot Patricia twice in the head and dropped her weighted body into the Milwaukee river Feb. 10 because she made 'wisecracks" over the pregnancy of her sister, Kathleen, 17. Babich eloped to Kalamazoo, with Kathleen March 18, two days before her sister's body was found in the river. Babich did not enter a plea today. He is expected to do so at the preliminary hearing.

He was brought into the court room with regular prisoners in a line at 10:15 a.m. and then taken into the hall while the usual group of Monday morning prisoners was handled. He returned to the jammed courtroom at 10:30 a.m. and the District Attorney began reading the charge. BABICH, WITH a clean sport shirt on for the first time since his arrest, showed no emotion.

His attorney, Arthur Richter, asked for an immediate preliminary hearing. The State asked for a continuance of two weeks. Neelen said that a maximum delay of 10 days was all that could be granted unless both sides agreed and he set the April 12 date. Neelen refused the request for bail and Babich was led from the court room. Babich's bride was standing near a courtroom wall with her family.

She cried softly, "Milton," and waved to him. Then she walked down the aisle, hoping to meet him in the jail bullpen. Timet Herald Staff Photo Mortgage burning rites in First Methodist church Sunday marked the end of a 23-year period of indebtedness for the church. Representatives of the various church organizations took part in the ceremony. Left to right in the front row are Mrs.

George Owen, Thomas Anderle, Thomas Jones, Miss Beverly Dentel, George Owen, Herbert L. Ashley, Robert Porter, Charles T. Babcock, Charles A. Hill, Dr. Marshall R.

Reed, presiding of Michigan, T. S. Scupholm, C. E. Winchester, Mrs.

David Vos, Floyd Mortimer, Dr. E. Ray Willson, superintendent of the Port Huron Methodist district, Mrs. V. J.

McManus, A. R. Mc-Vety, Mrs. John Kerr, Mrs. Silas Bell and Ted Southerland.

In the center, left to right, are Dr. William C. S. Pellowe and Arthur L. Lane.

In 5 Elections On School Taxes Record Turnout May Be Reached; Polls Close At 8 p.m. As of noon today, 706 persons, a comparatively heavy turnout- had voted on whether taxes in Port Huron should be increased $5 a thousand on equalized valvar for five years to create a pinking fund for school construction. Polls will close at 8 pm. A fairly large total vote is Indi cated. Ideal weather is expected to boost the turnout.

Some 9.500 persons are reglsUred and eligible to ballot, some 700 above any previous total. THE NOON VOTE of 706 Is th second highest recorded here In elections on school tax boost proposals in the last five years. Highest noon vote was 1.012, In the April 30, 1946, election. The three other noon vote totals In school tax elertiona were: May 8, 1944 211; June 1944411; Oct. It, 1947 387.

Total votes in the four previous1 elections, 'in which mill increase proposals were defeated, were: May 8, 1944 2.384; June 12. 1944 2.941; April 30. and Oct. 14, 19473.169. THE NOON vote today by precinct voting places is.

No. 1, City polling place at 703 Lakeview street 80. No. 2, East Quonset hut at Junior College 143. No.

3, Washington School 243. No. 4, Harrison School 20. No. 5, Lincoln School 20.

IF THE VOTERS approve the tax increase today, Howard D. Crull, Superintendent of School, has stated that the Board of Education will advertise this week for bids on the first of three construe- See SCHOOL VOTE, rage 2 Driver Escapes Train Rams Car Stuck In Tracks A car with its wheels caught In railroad tracks and a train bearing down the track! That was the situation Alex F. KoDiwoda. 29. Emmett, found himself in Sunday morning at tm? Grand Trunk crossing on O'Neil road near Emmett.

MR. KOPIWODA got out of the vehicle in time to escape injury, but the engineer wasn able to stop the train in time to prevent ramming Kopiwoda's car. The motorist told Deputy Sheriffs he drove onto the crossing, but stopped because the road ahead appeared too muddy for safe travel. In trying to turn the vehicle around on the crossing. Kopiwoda said the car wheels became caught between the railroad ties and the tracks.

HE BOUNDED out of the ma chine when he heard a warning toot from the train and tried un- successfully to catch the engineer attention by waving hLs arms. Apparently he seen, or if he was, the engineer couldn't halt in time. The train piled into the 1936 model car and carried it 100 feet along the tracks before stopping. Deputies said the train crew pushed the vehicle oft the tracks. The train then continued on, dicers said.

TUNE IN ON THE RADIO STATIONS OF THE TIMES HERALD DAILY NEWS SCHEDULE FM 6:30 a.m AM FM 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12 Noon 1 JO p.m. 4:30 p.m.

5 :45 p.m. 5 min. 5 min. 15 min. 5 min.

15 min. 10 min. 5 min. 15 min. 5 min.

5 min. 15 min. 5 min. FM 9:00 p.m. 10:00 pjn.

1 1 :00 p.m 12 midnight WTTH 13G0 On Tour Radio Dial WTTH-FM 09.1 On Tour FM Radio Dial Down In Pacific None Injured; Engine Failure Forces 'Ditching' Th United ress) Hlulu, March 28 A rescue today saved 11 Navy men who irifted in the raciuc ior nours jilr their Catalina Hying boat 3S forced down. The freighter Grainger, one of ships that raced to the sinking ne. radioed Pearl Harbor that landing ship LSM-448 had taken all the survivors aboard. Eiere was no immediate word of eir condition. XBt FLYING BOAT, enroute from Kwajalein to Johnston Island, tag forced down some 650 miles jouthwest of Johnston Sunday after engine failed.

The names of the crew were not released. The LSM 448, under com-Band of Lt. Floyd McDaniel farr, of Rock Hill, S. was ft first surface vessel to reach scene. It arrived about 4:15 ml EST, nearly seven hoars titer Its radio operator over-jeard a message asking all ships to speed to the rescue of the stricken plane.

The Grainger arrived about two hours later. One of the two rescue planes at the scene was a B-17 Flying' Fortress which earlier had parachuted life raft to the Catalina. The raft was smashed when it hit the water. However, the flying boat was believed to have life rafts of its own. THE CATALINA, which was en-route to San Diego for decommissioning, first reported it was in it difficulty at 12:45 p.m.

(5:45 p.m. EST) Sunday. The pilot radioed then that one engine had failed. Fifteen minutes later he radioed his position and said: "I am ditching" Soon afterward came another message reporting that plane down in the open sea and apparently undamaged. But at 7:20 n.m.

(12.20 ajn. Mon day, EST) came another message from the pilot reporting that the plane was taking water in the ramo compartment amidships. He estimated the plane would stay afloat for three hours. Rites Held For Soldier Killed In Korea Accident Pvt Thomas E. Frazer.

16. son of Mrs. Velma D. Spencer, 7640 Sparling road, who died Feb. 19 in Korea as the result of a vehicle aces cident.

was buried today in the- AHiw V0u it ivtnaus 11 tTIIJUi Cemetery after funeral services in St Joseph's Catholic church. Members of Smiths Creek post -funerican region, conducted military rites. John ori, ssieve Nomckt. Clarence Davis, Leo na uanJeI Knisley were pallbearers. The color i a i-i-l 11.4.

a stevenson and Jonn coior Dearers were Wil-Humphrey and Arthur Knis- Glenn luil. was cnapiain and Ad F. Lenart was the officer in Malmedy Slayer's Sentence Commuted 'arcn za up Gen. SSte -tantlyom-SiJK fe lmPsonment today death sentence given a Nazi SSr1 officer eonvicted of JJT American prisoners in the tm aia ne as con- theiJlr massae. But he said tk, j- suPPorung the convic-enSentenCe was adequate alleSed to have been JJJ-Jd under duress was ex- Weather Hcarlr Xcmpcratarr Today o.

I S-m. m. m. 68 69 69 68 62 55 49 .47 46 45 44 69 1 2 3 am. .42 ...43 ...43 ...43 .4.1 ...42 .43 ...44 am a 4 a m.

Sam. 6 a.m. 7 am 8 a m. 9 a m. 10 a m.

11 am. N'oon Lowest 4ti 43 51 53 42 Fart Bureau iSr'1- Forecast nd colder 2: cloudy wnh 2 taU Moderate southwest to od mild hv .7.5 Hssh Tnnn wr Vr.i mas. toni.i.rfn: Fair and uie Ui rT cloudy Tues- Mos5iy cloudy tonight ciouay tonight Hot much change in tem- LOUIS JOHNSON Washington, March 28 AP Louis Johnson was sworn in today as Secretary of Defense in the most elaborate installation of a cabinet officer the Capital has ever seen. Johnson, a 58 year-old Clarksburg, V. attorney, succeeded James V.

ForrestaL a New York banker. Forrestal had held the office since it was created by passage of the Armed Services Unification act in June, 1947. The swearing in ceremony, colorful with military pomp, was held in the open five acre court of the Pentagon. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Fred 31. Vinson before a crowd estimated at about 15,000.

Mrs. Johnson sat in the front row of spectators, appearing very proud and smiling. In the audience were of the cabinet, including Attorney General Clark, Secretary of the Treasury Snyder, Secretary of Interior Krug. There also was a large delegation from the American Legion which Johnson at one time headed. All around the Pentagon headquarters of the frequently squabbling Army, Navy and Air Force, the brass and semi-brass were asking: How tough will he be? Is it true that he intends knocking heads together? Will there be some new faces about the council table? Those who know Johnson said he held no thought of belligerency or of immediate wholesale changes in the personnel of the national military establishment.

But they advised strongly against any continuation of the interservice quarreling. Police Use Tear Gas On Pickets Cleveland, March 28 UP Police sprayed 200 unruly strikers with tear gas today as violence broke out again on the picket lines at the Fawick Airflex corporation. Two workers who attempted to go through the picket lines were cut by flying glass from shattered auto windows and one of the pickets was arrested. The rouble started when a procession of 15 autos carrying an estimated 50 non-strikers headed for the plant with a' police escort. The cars were intercepted about 100 feet from the plant gates by a gang of some 30 persons.

Bricks, rocks, nuts and bolts were hurled by the massed sympathizers, and Cleveland police turned loose tear gas. 4 The procession worked past the first group but was stoned a second time by another group of about 150 persons massed opposite the gates. Deputies under Sheriff Joseph Sweeney hurled more tear gas grenades as mounted Cleveland police dispersed the pickets. Car windows were smashed in the procession as the non-strikers huddled in the autos, frantically trying to ward off injury. Police arrested Joseph Wurmlin-ger, 36.

an employe of the Wesling- house Electric company. He was described as a sympathizer attracted to the scene. A score of members of the striking United Electrical Workers (CIO) were due in court later today to face contempt hearings. They have been accused of violating an injunction limiting picketing to three persons at each of the plant's three gates in the three week strike. Fined $100 For Drunk Driving- William Gardocki.

57. of 35S6 Dove road, pleaded guilty today before Municipal Judge George T. Mclnnis to drunk driving and paid SI 00 fine. Gardocki was arrested Sunday morning by Police after the car he was driving collided at Seventh and Griswold streets with a car driven by David A. Kobb, 1012 Garfield street.

Borrow for enierjcenries by niln: -r or life insurance security- at National Bank. Open dailr Jubilant Miners Return To Pits Peace May Be Short-Lived However Pittsburgh, March 28 Production resumed in the nation's coal mines today as John Lewis' United Mine Workers returned to work at the end of a two-week memorial shutdown. The miners were jubilant as they began blasting out coal for the first time since Lewis ordered all mines east of the Mississippi closed March 14. But operators and miners alike feared a "war of nerves" for the next 90 days when the union opens its fight for new concessions from the industry. ONE MINER at Harwick, spoke for many Sunday night when he dusted off his safety helmet and said, "I'm going to get in every day I can.

because I think we'll be back out again." The mine holiday was widely viewed as the opening salvo to the UMWs 1949 contract battle. Lewis himself warned the miners in his notice ending the work stoppage that they "would have to fight again during this year of 1949." The UMWs 200-man policy committee will meet in Washington next month to discuss union strategy in seeking its chief aims a six-hour day and an increase from 20 to 50 cents a ton on the retirement fund "royalty." The operators already indicated they would resist any "improvements" because of falling coal prices. LEWIS BILLED the walkout as a protest against the now-confirmed appointment of James Boyd as director of the U. S. Bureau of Mines and as a mourning period for the "slaughter" of miners during his tenure in office.

Conversely, industry sources said Lewis' real aim in calling the holiday was to trim the nation's above-ground coal supply and thus strengthen the union's hand in the May negotiations. The Bituminous Coal Institute estimated the work stoppage cut the pre-strike 67.000.000-ton stockpile by some 16,000,000 tons. The back-to-work movement of the 463.000 idle miner was expected to proceed without a bitch viewing that Lewis told the UMW members to make themselves "available' for work. Bishop Reed Joins In Rites To Climax Victory Celebration Climaxing a Victory Week celebration that marked the end of 25 years of indebtedness, First Methodist church conducted a mortgage burning ceremony at worship services Sunday. DR.

MARSHALL R. REED, presiding Methodist Bishop of Michigan, preached the sermon, "I Bring You during the service, in which representatives of the various organizations of the church participated. T. S. Scupholm, the only person now a member of the board who signed the mortgage in 1925.

applied the candle to the mortgage during the rites. Records show that the church's indebtedness dur-in the 25 year period rose as high as $96,000 in the depression years. THE SERVICE concluded with the congregation rising and singing "The Doxology." Dr. and Mrs. Reed, accompanied by local Methodist pastors and their wives and trustees of the church and wives had dinner with the Victory committee in the Harvard House.

Sunday afternoon Dr. Reed left f6r Roseburg to dedicate a new addition to the church there. THE ORPHEUS and Junior choirs furnished the musical portion- of the mortgage burning services along with Alfred S. Cudlip. soloist.

Dr. E. Ray Willson, superintendent of the Port Huron Methodist district, and Dr. William C. S.

Pellowe, pastor, took part in the service. Bridge Work Goes On Without Use Of Heavy Iron Ball Work on dismantling the Military street bridge over Grand Trunk and Chesapeake Ohio railroad tracks continued today despite an injunction which prohibits the contractor from using a heavy iron ball to break up the bridge roadway. L. W. Lamb, Holland, Mich contractor for the work, was forced to substitute hand methods of tearing out the roadway Friday after three property owners in the area got a Circuit Court injunction against the iron ball method.

They charged that the use of the iron ball was jarring putty from windows in their homes and was cracking plaster and a chimney. The Lamb company's construction superintendent today declined to comment on what legal action, if any, will be taken in the matter. Roger Seccombe, resident project engineer for the State Highway Department, which let the contract for the wrk, said today that the dispute is an issue "between the contractor and the complainants." The Highway Department contract calls for tearing out the present bridze and replacing it with a new $88,000 span by Aug. 1. The contractor planned to have the job finished by July 1 but the construction super intendent said Friday that the injunction against the faster wrecking method may delay completion 30 days or more.

Wolcott Blasts Truman Bill Charges 'Socialism' In Detroit Speech (By The Associated Press) Detroit, March 28 A republican Congressman from Michigan today denounced President Truman's economic stability biH'as a "direct approach to socialism." Representative Jesse P. Wolcott leveled his criticism in a speech before the Economic club of Detroit. He charged the President and his advisors who prepared the bill "advocate virtually a change in the form of American government." "PROPOSALS to reinstate the price, allocation and priority controls," Wolcott declared, "have as their purpose the socialization of all basic factors which control the American way of life." The bill pending action in the House first was advocated by the administration to prevent inflation, the Michigan Congressman said. "Now," he added, "the administration contends controls are necessary to prevent depression." The iPort Huron republican pointed out that under terms of the economic control measure the President may contract for plant construction, research and the purchase of metals, minerals and other raw materials. In addition, Wolcott went on, it gives him the power to make loans up to 75 per cent of cost.

However, he said, the President's "proposed panaceas for the ills of our economy should be studied in the light of our past painful but enlightening experiences." As a "short cut back to confi-See WOLCOTT, Page 2 Prisoner Casually Strolls Out Of Detroit Jail Detroit, March 28 AP The elevator operator at Police Headquarters recognized the prisoner he was taking down from the ninth floor Sunday night. He asked the man where he was going. "I'm going out for a drink, but don't tell anybody about it," answered George J. George. 34-year-old ex-convict being held as a police witness in connection with a hotel holdup.

The operator didn't tell anyone, thinking George must have been released. The prisoner strolled through headquarters lobby and out the main door to freedom. Red-faced police who began a search for George puzzled as to how he managed to unlock two doors one leading from his ninth floor cell block to the visitors room and the other into the building corridor. They theorized he must have picked up a master key during the confusion of Sunday visitors hours. George was on parole from querte State Prison when he was arrested Feb.

8. He was permitted considerable freedom in his cell-block because he gave police inior-imation in the $1,500 hotel robbery. Coalition Beats Reds, De Gaullists Paris, March 28 AP France's middel of the coalition swamped its De Gaullist and communist opponents in the cantonal (county) elections which ended Sunday. The parties making up the present government won 1082 seats to 389 for the De Gaullists and 37 for the communists. Ninety-nine seats went to independents.

The election was for general councillors who help run the departments roughly equivalent to American states. It has no effect on parliament or the cabinet, but was important chiefly as an indication of popular feeling. However, there was no voting in Paris, where the communist vote is generally large. It is difficult to compare this balloting with the last cantonal election in 1945. At that time the communists were included in the government and the De Gaullists had not yet formed their own party the rally of the French People.

Sunday's voting was the second round in the electioa The first was March 20. Between the two rounds many candidates withdrew. In numerous districts the issue simply became one of communism and anti-communism. Ordinarily the councillors who have strictly limited powers campaign on local issues. In the first round an absolute majority of votes was needed to elect.

On the second round a simple plurality of votes won. So the week between rounds was filled with scurrying among candidates and parties to make deals principally at the expense of the communists. Voters in many districts therefore could not vote for the party they favored but only for the party they disliked least. Last Rites Thursday For St. Clair Soldier Killed In Typhoon St.

Clair, March 28 Reburial services for Lt. Howard F. Simons. son of Mr. and Mrs.

Floyd 5a Simons, Hudson, formerly of St Clair h.lH at 2-3fl p.m. Thursday in the T. R. Bower funeral home. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery under the auspices of the Charles J.

Fulton post No. 382. American Legion. The remains will arrive Tuesday night at the funeral home. Lieutenant Simons, whose mother is the former Miss Ethel Balfour.

St. Clair, was killed in the typhoon of Oct. 9, 1945 near Okinawa. He was second in command on the ship USS Southern Seas. He was born Jan.

28. 1920 in Northville and was graduated by Lapeer High School in 1936. He was graduated by Albion College in 1940. Survivors include his parents, his wife, Mrs. Evelyn Simons, Detroit, and two brothers, Harold Simons, Detroit, and Donald Simons, at the V.

S. Naval Academy, Annapolis. RICHTER, FORMER DEAN of the Marquette University law school, said he would fight the case "to the bitter end'' if the State attempted to prosecute Babich for first degree premeditated murder. Richter indicated, however, that he would have Babich plead guilty if the State re- duced its charge against the youth. Wisconsin law provides two lesser degrees murder and four of manslaughter.

The case broke dramatically this week end when Babich, confronted with a mounting stack of evidence, suddenly broke down and confessed that he killed Patricia while attempting to divert her from telling that her sister was carrying his child. He insisted the shooting was accidental and Richter appeared to be mapping his defense on that contention. Walking Sticks Back, President Blamed New York, March 28 Fashion designers hinted today that the well-dressed American male might blossom out with a walking stick in the Easter parade. Its President Truman," one style expert said. "If he keeps carrying hLs walking stick, they may become as popular as they were in the early 1900-s." Many Groups In United Appeal The agencies affiliated with United Health Welfare Fund, for which money will be solicited during the campaign ire St.

Clair County division, Cancer Services: Michigan Heart association; Leader Dog League for the Blind of Michigan: Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation: National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation; Michigan Society for Mental Hygiene: American Epilepsy league; American Hearing society; American Social Hygiene association and National Organization for Public Health Nursing. In addition to these national welfare agencies and the USO, the United Fund will retain money from the campaign for local organizations dealing with these diseases. Where To Find It All In A Day Dr. Brady Business Paee Cotr.ics District News Dorothy Editorials David Lawrence Local News "arine News "Market? Drew Pearson 6 4 14 11 12 4 6 6 7 12 12 6 11 Rad: Society 8 Sports 10 to 43l p.m. -a;.