The Bakersfield Californian from Bakersfield, California • Page 1

TJ 1V THE WEATHER 1 i i Hirt yesterday Low today KalnfaU Season 3.19 Continued cear today, tonight and Sunday, wanner Milk Price Goes; Up 1 Cent a Quart See Page 7 Vol.59 i -i TWO SECTIONS BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1947 12 PAGES jf No.147 Armed Services Agree on Merger President Informs Congressional Leaders of Proposed Bill for One Defense Department WASHINGTON, Jan. 18. Truman notified Congress today of the proposed army-navy agreement on unification of Uie armed services and said he will submit a i "bill to carry it out soon. The President sent identical letters to Senator Vanden- of the Senate, and House Speaker I Hi I Martin, informing them ofc Truck Hijacking Gang Broken Up as 21 Arrested NEW YORK, Jan. 18.

The FBI announced today the arrest of 20 men here and one in Miami who It said hijacked $500,000 worth of scarce goods in the past year in metropolitan New York. the arrests "struck Mow at the heart of bijeckers and motor truck thieves who have victimized New York City business concerns of huge quantities of scarce and expensive merchandise." FBI Special Agent Edward blamed, -the gang for' hijacking leather shipments, high priced women's handbags 1 and 'electrical appliances, among other dtefuC 'men were'inemBiers of the gang, he and their arrests'followed moiitus of investi- Scheldt said that among those ar, rested was "Salvatore Imperialc, 34, of Brooklyn, who used the alias "Salvatore Westo'iand directed the fang's activities the finesse of a business executive and devoted his entire time to planning operations against truck shipments." He was arrested, Scheldt said, with Jiis chief lieutenant, Romeo Garafola, alias "The Judge," 36, and Frank Gagliardi, alias "Frank the Wop," 39, both of Brooklyn. i Truman Moves to SaveBillion WASHINGTON, Jan. 18. move by President Truman fo return more than $1,500.000,000 of unspent appropriations to "unobli- gated" status in the treasury drew i a quick from Congress today.

Chairman Taber (R-N. of the Bouse appropriations committee told reporters his group will act on Mr. Truman's recommendation 'probably next week. Some of the appropriations will be canceled, removing them from the spending program for the fis- cal year ending next June 30. Authority to spend another por- of unneeded lend- i lease with the end of the 1946 fiscal year last Jiiue 30.

These funds the President is withdrawing from the hands of various agencies and placing in the treasury surplus fund. 2,700,000 Japanese Threaten to Strike 'TQKYb, Jan. 18. ment railway eoumuinieations and 'administrative workers union rep- voted today to cull 2,700,000 members out on February 1. would be the largest strike in Japanese history if actually staged.

the agreement and transmitting copies of the correspondence on the subject made public Thursday night. The bill he will submit will be drafted by representatives of the White House and the war and navy departments. Here is the text of the President's letter to -Vandenberg aud Martin: Single Department "In the state of the union message of January 6, 1947, I staled i that I would communicate with the Congress in the near future with reference to the establishment of a single department of national defense. "For many mouths, the secretary of war and the secretary of the navy have been endeavoring to Settle existing: between the. services on- this question.

'ljun gratified to advise that crowned their efforts an'd the armed services have reached an agreement on a plan of unification. I enclose herewith copy of a letter, signed by the secretary of war a'nd the secretary of the navy under date of January 1C, 1047. Con- Continued on 1'ase Two Wreck Blamed on Broken Rail 7 Dead, 80 Injured in Disaster; Hearing to Be Held Wednesday After Investigation An investigation was begun today by representatives of the Interstate Commerce Commission into (lie tragic wreck Of the Southern Pacific "Owl," which left the rails near Lerdo early Friday morning and strewed six passenger coaches along the right-of-way, killed 7 persons and injured 80 others. It was the worst railroad disaster in the history of Kern county and occurred as the BEAUTY SLAIN Elizabeth Short, 22, described as "good looking brunette" who had lived recently in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego, was identified as girl whose nude body, hacked in two by sadistic murderer, was found in a vacant lot in Los Angeles. Leading Prelate's Rites Scheduled ALHAMBRA, Jan.

IS. solmen high mass will be sung at Ramona Convent today for His Eminence Rodrigue Cardinal Vil- eneuve, leading Catholic, prelate of North America who died there Friday of a heart attack. Assisting clergy will include the Reverend Peter Hanrahan, pastor of All Soul's Church here; the cardinal's personal secretary, Monsignor Paul Nicole, and a member of the i Oblate Community of which the cardinal was a member. The cardinal, Archbishop of i Quebec, was a close friend of Win- ston Churchill and the late Presi-' dent Roosevelt with whom he was in frequent contact as Canada's' ranking Roman Catholic leader for 14 years. "Black Dahlia" Murder Trail Leads jo Marine XOS ANGELES, A complete descripttiXv "or: RU auburn-haired ex-Marine, hottest suspect in the mntiliation slaying of "Black Dahlia" Elizabeth Short, was unearthed by police'today after her father said he had no information to aid in the search.

Cecil French, 23, of Bakersfield, as "Owl," famed night train from San Francisco to Bakersfield and Los Angeles, was I speeding at 60 miles an hour and due in Bakersfield at 3 a.m. A broken rail, technically fie- i scribed as a transverse fissure, was tentatively blamed for tlio wreck, i The locomotive and throe cars passed over the broken rail. whiHi apparently pave way after the fourth car struck it. i Railroad officials said tlio I. C.

C. had ordered an investigation into the wreck, after which a formal hearing will lie conducted Wednesday at 10 a. m. Five Identified Five of the seven (load are now identified. They arc: LeKoy Hall.

Oil- ham Road. Kansas City. Private Joseph R. Bernavich, Richmond: Jtfrs. Bessie Piles, 3348 Batterv Hospital Staff, Rescue Workers Praised for Aid street.

Richmond: Erma Duvnll. Beaumont Mrs. Texas; Mrs. Madonna Quinlivnu. (11.

Southe Hauser Boulevard, Los Angeles. Two of the dead arc still unidentified. They are a Negro, believed questioned after he was picked up to be a navy seaman, about 30 vears for assertedly molesting women at i and a woman old. 18 Hospitalized Sixth and Los Angeles streets, was freed from city jail and eliminated from the case. The description of the suspect, one of many admirers of the girl but known only as "Red." WHS provided by Mrs.

Vera French and her daughter, Dorothy, of Pacific- Beach, who saw him with her January at San Diego. Last Time Seen said insofar as they were concerned that was the last socn i of the "Black Dahlia," the Continued on Page Two about iiO years nick- Adams Gets Life for Sodel Slaying LOS ANGELES, Jan. IS. (U.P)— Albert (Tony) Adams, convicted of the murder of State Highway Patrolman Steve Sodel. today gratefully accepted a life prison sentence with a recommendation against parole.

PROOFREADER ROBBED "1 am a very lucky guv," he said OAKLAND, Jan. IS. i after jury nine women and Philena Rudisile, 5ft, of Oakland, a throe men returned the verdict proofreader for the San Francisco against him. News, was slugged and robbed early His attorneys, who snid "we won today by a man as she was en route what he asked us for." sail, they home from work. would not appeal.

Legislators Fiddle Around While People Die on Highways: Warren Eighteen of the scores of injured persoi in the tragic wreck mained in hospitals today. There 13 at Kern General Hospital, 2 at Mercy Hospital and at White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles. Most seriously injured is 2-year- old L. Jackson of Route 1, Rox 51, Doylene. who suffered a traumatic amputation of his right i leg.

His mother. Mrs. Carrian Jackson, 21, received multiple contusions but was dismissed from the hospital following treatment. Hospital authorities this morning reported that the child's condition was "critical." Stephen A. Leonard.

5fi. of 236 San Jose avenue. San Francisco, who suffered a traumatic amputation of his right arm. was reported by officials at Kern General Hospital to ho in "poor'' condition today. Two "Boarders" Also admitted to Kern General Hospital as ''boarders" were Donald Lee Perkins.

2. and CM nil Ann Perkins. 1. They were traveling aboard the train with their grandmother. Mrs.

Stella Porrer. of 70S Fairlawn street. Santa Ann. who was admitted to the hospital with body injuries. Of the persons receiving emergency care at Kern General Hospital.

41 were dismissed following treatment. The complete lisr of accident victims in hospitals, with their conditions as reported this morning, follows High prnise for the unselfish efforts of scores of persons who helped remove and care for the wounded in Friday morning's wreck of the Southern Pacific Owl was expressed today by railroad officials, hospital authorities and law enforcement officers. "The Southern Pacific Company i is deeply appreciative of the full co-operation of everyone who helped from the time of the accident until the last injured person was treated." said J. W. Corbett of I San manager of the rail company.

Hospital Lauded Mr. Corbett paid special tribute to nurses and doctors and all the staff at Kern General Hospital ''for the efficient method in which they handled accident victims." Ho also pointed out that the sheriff's office, city police, California Highway Patrol, tnxi drivers, ambulance drivers and passing motorists all did a "splendid" job in helping alleviate the suffering of the wounded rush them to hos- re- i pit.q is. Sergeant Max Williams of the highway patrol, which had officers at the scene a few minutes after the accident occurred, also expressed high admiration for those who aided the wounded. "The city police motor men de- Contimied on Pnpe Two lifornian-NEATelephom RAILROAD DEATH view sliows Sdnthfern Paciifiic's Owl train which was derailed in a Lerdo potato field, killing'7 persons and injuring of the, injured remain in hospitals. SACRAMENTO.

Jan. 18. Governor Warren in effect today accused legislators seeking a recess in the special session on highways of fiddling around while people got killed. He insisted that they had had plenty of time to study tax increase and construction proposals. The governor pointed but that he and snid nient to met union demands or face tlie'walkout-They demonstrated in plaza facing the Imperial Palace.

EATH INTERRUPTS CHAT Jao. 18. I salesmen were chatting in a 'telSrooni-iFriday night when one them, William Manderville, 50, of Klchmond, 111., died of a heart Henry over his that; he, too. died heart attack a V. 600 persons hnd been killed and 12.000 'injured in highway accidents.

Now is Time "It just, seems to me that if the Legislature desires to remedy oiir highway situation, which is tragic because of the loss of life, now is the time to do something about it," he said. There has been agitation in both houses of the Legislature for a recess. Senator W. P. Rich.

(R-Marysville), said he believed a 30-day recess ought to be called to give the public time to study the bills introduced to the gasoline tax and to change the split of highway funds among the state, counties" and cities. Warren, however, stated that the tax increase had been before tlie last session of the Legislature and that since then the Collier interim committee has inside an exhaustive: highway study. For Tax Inrrease He repeated his conviction that a lax increase would he necessary I to finance highway improvements. And he dismissed a proposal that some of the estimated S200.000.000 i surplus expected to be in the state treasury June 30 could be loaned to highway uses. "If we are going to build high-' ways and pay.

for them eventually out of the highway fund." he said, "we've got determine now how to pay for them." I The governor also announced that! a health insurance bill will be introduced "very soon," under his sponsorship, and said a compulsory program could be built around principles approved by a Senate; interim committee. The committee proposed insurance only against serious illnesses, and said general health coverage should be delayed until shortages of doctors and medical facilities are relieved. on. no. -931 Floradora street.

Fresno, injured hip. condition "fair." Soledad Anderson. L'l. Smith Avenue L'0. I.os Anjreles: possible and internal injuries, condition Sophie Andorsiin.

Smith Avenue L'O. Los Ansoli-: hurratioJis on Six Chinese Reds Refuse to Reopenjalks XAXKIXG. Jan. IS. Communist headquarters today rejected a government hid to reopen truce talks ami authorized sources said that killed the possibility of further American mediation "at least for a few months." The Communists charged the emment with ''pure deception" in offering to send an emissary to party headquarters at Venan without first meeting two conditions the Communists long have said were prerequisite to a resumption of negotiations.

Woman Missing in Cleveland Fire CLEVELAND. Jan. 1ft. explosion and flash fire today demolished the aS-room Knickerbocker Jin nor. and one body was found in the ruins of tlio cast sido rooming house.

-Mrs. Lillian Sinners. was reported missing as police sought to identify the body. At loasr 12 persons wore injured as they escaped from the three-story brick, stone and frame structure. So riuii-kly did the flames roar up through the structure that Acting Fire Chief E.

Nimmo pro- nouneed the building and all its contents a loss. Residents saved little but the clothing they wore. An explosion in the furnace room, which tore a huge hole in wall of the building, started the fire and the flames spread quickly. Many persons saved their lives hy jumping from the first floor or crawling through the hole ripped out by the blast. Marshall Takes Oath as Secretary of Stale WASHINGTON, Jan.

18. (U.P.)—The White House announced today that General George C. Marshall will be sworn in as secretary of state at 11 a. m. Monday in President Truman's office.

Chief Justice Fred Vinson "will administer the oath. Retiring Secretary James F. Byrnes, a score of high government officials, and Democratic and Republican congressional leaders will attend the formal ceremonv. Marshall will hold his first conference with Mr. Truman on state department affairs immediately after the ceremony.

White House Press Secretary Charles G. Ross said Marshall tentatively is expected to arrive in Washington early Monday morning from Honolulu where he has been resting on his return from his mission to China. Ross snid that in preparation for his new post Marshall hns been retired from the army and is now a civilian. The 5-star general went on terminal leave said. Ross emphasized that Marshall will draw no double salary.

He may choose between his salary and allowances as a retired officer and the Slo.OOO animal salary of a cabinet member. It was unofficially reported that Marshall Will elect to draw his army pay. 400 CHINESE REPORTED DEAD IN SHIP COLLISION SHANGHAI, Jan. Four hundred Chinese were reported drowned today when a small passenger steamer, the Cliekiang. collided with a tug and sank in the Yangtze river off Woosung, near Shanghai.

The Cbekinng carried 1000 passengers. Relatives of victims immediately began demanding compensation from the Chinese shipowner, charging that the vessel had been dangerously overloaded. The disaster occurred as the crowded Chefciang, bound from Shanghai for the lower Yangtze port of Xantung, collided with one of two steel lighters being towed by a tug. Witnesses alleged that the tug ignored signals to change course. Windsors Leave N.

Y. for Florida Vacation NEW YORK, Jan. 18. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor left New York by train Friday night for a Florida vacation. They will be guests of Mrs.

George F. Baker in Tallahassee, the duke's secretary said today. Chinese Girl Names Marine in Attacks PEIPIXG, Jan. 18. Shen Chung, 19-year-old Chinese college student, today identified Corporal William Gaither Pierson as the United States Marine whom she accuses of attacking her Christmas eve.

The incident touched off anti-American demonstrations by students throughout China. The girl told the court that Pier son criminally assaulted her twice and futilely made a third attempt. Slowly turning her head to look around the court room, the girl paused suddenly, pointed to Pierson who blushed to the roots of his porcupine hair, and said angrily: "There he is." Miss Shen was the. first of 11 Chinese witnesses called thus far who has identified the accused Marine. She told the court that Pierson and another has not been identified her while she was on her way to the movies and dragged her to the Polo Grounds.

She said the other Marine held her while Pierson attacked her. of Battle in Lieutenant-Governor Sworn in; Decides to Contest Talmadge ATLANTA, Jan. 18. Ellis Arnall quit as governor of Georgia today, but Lieutenant-Governor M. E.

announced that he considered the acting governor and would carry on the fight with Herman Talmadge for the executive office. Thompson tolrf an Associated Press reporter he asking the attorney-general at once to carry on the suit "in my name" which Arnall had instituted to oust Talmadge from the -governor's office to which the Legisature elected him. Thompson said he was confident the "law is on side." Arnall's announcement that he had ended his battle with Talmadge over the governorship was made to newsmen a conference shortly after Thompson took office of lieu- Submits Resignation Arnall handed bis resignation to the secretary of state effective immediately, after qualification of the lieutenant-governor." In his statement to newsmen, Arnall said "the procedures clearly enable the lieutenant-governor to jecome acting governor, vested with" he full, absolute powers of government until the people of Georgia -an elect a governor to fill the un- spired term." Arnall's statement said he con-, idered his resignation, effective as 10:50 a. m. today, the! hour that Thompson took the oath; of office an almost empty Georgia Senate bnmber.

His prepared statement also said was "confident that this action 'ill meet with the approval of a ast majority of the people of the I am "certain that le court will uphold the constitu- ion of Georgia-and that elections Continued on Two 500,000 Police Guard Polish Polls as Pre-Election Slayings Pass 100 WARSAW. Jan. 18. government mobilized 500.000 security police and regular and volunteer militiamen today to guard the polls in Sunday's parliamentary election. since the Germans marched in September 1, 1939, and starred World War II.

Colonel Roman Romchowski of the ministry of public security said slayiugs of election commission members and militiamen had passed the 100 mark. He reported that 38 chairmen, vice-chairmen and members of local district election commissions were killed in pre-election terrorist attacks by the "underground organization and bands allied with Anotlier 25 were kidnaped and presumed killed, he said, adding that the attacks were continuing in widely scattered sectors of the country. The opposition has charged that' victory for the Communist-dominated government bloc in Sunday's voting is pre-determined. Mikolajezyk Opposition The big fight will be between the government bloc under Premier Edward Osubka-Morawski, Socialist, and the opposition Polish peasant party (P. S.

under Vice- Premier Stanislaw Mikolajezyk. The government has accused Mikloajcz'ylc. followers of a tienp with the murderous anti- govermnent underground, while Mikolajezyk has charged the government with mob and security police suppression of his party. 11.0. Challenges Portal Legislation WASHINGTON, Jan.

18. The C. I. O. today challenged the constitutionality of legislative proposals to outlaw its claim "for $4,000,000,000 in portal-to-portal 1 pay.

The challenge came as part of a broad C. I. counter-attack before a Senate judiciary 'sub-committee holding legislation. C. 1.

O. Counsel Lee Pressman, who has master-minded the lawsuits for portal-to-portal pay, led a procession of witnesses into, the Senate caucus room to present the O. case. Mi-Jet Bomber ii SAN 18. of America's first all-jet-propelled heavy bombers 'is Hearing completion at Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation and" prohablyxwill be test-flown within the next 90 it was learned today.

Officially designated, as the XB- 4G, the all-jet bomber wilt be powered by four giant turbine jet engines, slung under the wings with the exhaust tubes pointing directly back. The engines are now in place and are being Elevator Fire LossjmOOO RICHMOND, Jan. 18. Operators of the California Milling Company counted their loss at 5150,000 after flames had swept Jirough a grain elevator here today. Sparks threatened the homes of housands of persons in the, Richmond housing project, nearby, but he fire was confined to the elevator structure..