News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 1

7CE lie fiisoa fcfcft I fort Mer htm frro Um Cut a rawnal and is epea to the pobiw VOL. LXV No. 272 65th Year FORT MYERS. FLA, SATURDAY, AUGUST 20. 1949 5c DAILY, 10c SUNDAY lhomas limn Said THr only oh fort Mrara ad SO aullioa peopkt an (ning to find it oat." TO TTft Srp if Ok 1 YE ESS MEWS A Boy Comforts Father Ccsilildl mAo-wie I Slot Machine Operators Draw Miami Business Leaders Battle State Sales Tax F1 mm i ri ti ni program wmm Order i Ifc' jr 1 1 if- Merlin Hartman, 13, comforts his father, Clarence, who collasped from shock shortly after the boy was rescued, along witft another teenager, from a water tank in which they were trapped.

His mother is shown reassuring them both. Merlin and another youth, Frank Morelli, 14, entered the tank via a drain pipe for a swim. As the water line receded, cutting off their escape, the bovs swam around taking turns screaming for help. Their cries were finally heard and Los Angeles firemen climbed to their rescue. Senator Asserts White House Sources 'Tattling' on Vaughan Fines of Enter Pleas of Nollo Contendere In County Court Fines of $250 each were levied yesterday in county court against John Martin and Jim Galloway for possession of four of the five slot machines seized last week at Fort Myers Beach in a raid by the state beverage department flying squad.

Martin, owner of the Deep lagoon, and Galloway owner of the Mermaid Club, pleaded nolo contendere (no' contest) to charges of possession of illegal nickel and quarter "one-arm bandits." The slot machines will be destroyed. Walter Jenkins, owner of Jenks' Place, arrested on the same charge in the. raid, is out of town at present and will be tried when he returns. Judge Hiram Bryant ordered Martin and Galloway to pay $250 to include costs each or serve six months in jail. Further sentences, which might include another $250 fine or six months, were withheld during good behavior.

The judge ordered Sheriff Thompson to demolish the four confiscated machines Monday morning. Jackpots and other coins in the slots will be placed in the county fine and forfeiture fund; Other Actions Pending Still pending is beverage department action against the three places for violation of department rules against gambling in places holding liquor licenses. Preliminary hearings are scheduled in Sarasota soon and the cases will then be referred to the department director for a final hearing and decision. Eleven other bars at the Beach and in Fort Myers received department summons for allowing operation of one-ball pinball games which pay off in free plays. Their owners received informal hearings in Sarasota Monday and their cases were then referred to the director.

is The one-ball machines were licensed by the county and state on the understanding they made no return to the player. All such machines have been banned in the county since the raid. Twenty-two members of the fly. ing squad made the raids with blueprint precision using typed lists detailing locations of the ma chines. The raids came after several of observation of the places, squad members said.

Red Cross Too Lax, Embezzler Thinks New Orleans, Aug. 19 (JP) A former Red Cross bookkeeper held here in a $25,000 embezzlement at the Tampa office waived extradi tion today and told newsmen: 'I hope this will make the Red Cross more strict with their funds." Six-foot 225-pound James T. Hoigens, 46, was identified by Criminal Sheriff John J. Grosch as the man wanted by Tampa authorities. Grosch said Hodgens, traced to a restaurant here and arrested yesterday after a three day search, told officers he took the cash and blamed gambling loses in dog races and bolita.

"It took the money over a three- year period," Hodgens was quoted by Grosch as saying. "I don't believe it- was $25,000, but it was a pretty big amount." He said he would agree to re turn to Tampa to face the charges. Hodgens, who appeared relieved at his capture, added: "My conscience has been wracking me." The prisoner said he was released by the Red Cross April 18 when the staff was reduced for economy reasons. MERITS OF SPONGES Washington, Aug. 19 (JP) Rep.

Peterson (D-Fla) today in troduced a bill calling for a study of the merits of natural and synthetic sponges. 259 Bearded Bookie Kindly looking Harry Zideman, 72, who has gone about Boston's West end for years resembling a man of the cloth was arrested in Boston, on charges of being a bookie when police found number slips and horse bets tucked away under his beard. City Will Get Another Complete Mosquito Spraying Work Will Start Monday; Legal District Proposed The mosquito control committee last night authorized another complete spraying of the city, to begin Monday morning. A Royal Palm Flying Service plane will again spray DDT solution in a three-day campaign, The same schedule used in the first aerial dosing, begun Aug. 9, will be followed next week.

An area from the Tamiami Trail west to McGregor Bouhvard, north to the Caloosahatchee River, south to Whiskey. Creek, and east over Dean Park to Billy's Creek will be covered Monday, with East Fort Myers and Dunbar Heights receiving spray Tuesday and North Fort Myers Wednesday. After hearing a report from Ben Plummer on thd Round Table's resolution to appoint a committee to formulate plans for a legal mosquito control district, the mosquito committee agreed to give all assistance possible in any plans made by this group. Plan Legal District A legal district could be established through circulation of petitions to be signed by freeholders. If enough voters request it, a special election similar to that held recently at Fort Myers Beach would be held to 3et up a special tax district.

Any money left from the original $1,300 fund for spraying after next week's operatioa is completed has been earmarked by the committee to help the Round Table group in plans for forming a mosquito control district committee also authorized continued weekly sprayings of the Edison Estate, the Yacht Basin and the Softball diamond for the rest of the summer. The Royal Palm Flying Service has offered (Continued Pngt Two) X'V $5,970 Added lo Original Estimate; Hearing Called A revised tentative budget of $924,743.70, up $5,970 above the or-iginal estimate, was adopted last night by the city council. The budget is subject to any changes which may be made at a public hearing to be held Aug. 31 at 7:30 pm. Largest additions made last night were appropriations of for new public works department trucks and $2,500 for re-, moval of trees, which endanger sidewalks and water lines.

To balance these the council dropped a $1,702 item for completion of the Youth Center, which was found to have been paid under the last budget and cut $200 from the $1,500 appropriation for a pickup truck for the Edison Winter Home. One major change in department heads was made in the probationary appointment of Courtney Payne, city construction foreman, as building inspector and superintendent of sewers at a salary of $3,000. Payne takes over duties formerly handled by Tax Assessor Bert Pinkston and receives a salary increase of $140 a year. Eventual Economies Couneilmen agreed the appointment would give Pinkston full tima to devote to assessments and would result in eventual economies by reducing extra help now needed in order for Pinkston to handle both positions. Another possible increase, in the $4,000 appropriation for the Chamber of Commerce advertising fund, was forecast by council members.

"I would recommend such an increase," said Councilman John Schultz. "Their summer program has helped us indirectly by bringing people to Fort Myers Beach." "In the past I've been against them," said Councilman Fred Skinner, "but after seeirg the wH they've done4 lately I'm in of them." Favor New Typewriter The council approved addition of a $300 item for an electric typewriter for the clerk's office. Mrs. Sara Nell Williams explained the present machines must be used to type 10 to 12 copies of many pieces of material. The electric machine would do the work without strain or the necessity of retyping to get the copies.

The revised budget is still below that estimated for last year but is $2,950 above the amount actually spent last year. By departments the figures last year and this are: administration last year $53,508.90, budgeted $20,763.04, recreation $22,508.30, golf club $23,437.81, Edison Winter Home $29,591.74, police $54,326.20, fire $54,601.08, unchanged; public works heaUh $3,847.36, charity, $1,300, publicity $4,000, unchanged; street lighting: $14,000, $15,000. Additions and betterments tax discounts $9,000, debt service unchanged; water $62,623.28, gas $92,658.88, sewer $24,289.52, $22,275 debt service, utilities bonds $57,567.25, $54,517. PERU IRKED Lima, Peru, Aug. 19 (IP) Peru today broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Peru and Cuba have exchanged ay series of notes in connection with the recent escape of two members of the outlawed Pemvian Aprista party from the Cuban embassy here, where they took refuge several months ago. THE WEATHER In Fort Myers yesterday, Aug. 19: high 92, low 75; humidity 87 per cent at 6:30 am, 60 per cent at 1:30 pm. Forecast: Scattered showers. Winds: Light variable.

Tides at Fort Myers beach today: high 8:58 am, low 5:40 pm; tomorrow: high 10:06 am, low 6:22 pm. Sun rises 6:03, sets 7:02. Moon rises 1:58 am, sets 4:42 pm. TEMPERATURES ELSEWHERE ffsn i inn Chi Shoots Husband Barbara Harper, 16-year-old exr pectant mother 'ho shot her husband during a quarrel over heather or not he should carry a gun, now prays that he will recover. No charges have been placed against her.

The shoot ing occured in Birmingham. British Woman Flier Completes Hop Around Globe To Stay Home and Cook, Relieve Hubby Of Baby Sitting London, Aug. 19 (IP) Mrs. Richarda (Dikki) Morrow-Tait, a red-haired ex-artists model and mother, completed hft 'single-engine plane ride around the world early this evening. It took her a year and a day to fly the long way from London back to London 25,000 miles but she is the first woman to girdle the globe at the controls of an airplane.

The 26-year-old aviatrix set down her tiny silver Vultee two- seater at 6:40 pm. With her was her nevigator, Michael Townsend, 26, of Cambridge. Her husband, Norman Morrow- Tait, an engineer living in Cam bridge and doing the dishes and baby-sitting these last 366 days, rushed to Croydon airport to greet her. He took along their daughter Anna, now nearly three years old. Richarda phoned him from Prest- wick, Scotland, where she had landed to ga3 up after the over-water hop from Reykjavik, Iceland, earlier in the day.

Only a few people were at Croydon to greet the pretty flier when she ended ihe last three-hour lap. Smacked by Husband Wearing a red plaid shirt, brown slacks and black flying boots, she jumped out of the cockpit into the arms of her husband and Anna. Morrow-Tait kissed her fervently. When she made a motion of protest lit up by a smile, he said ''damn the lipstick." Richarda then picked up her little girl who was scared by the propeller noise and was sobbing. The aviatrix looked tired but was full of plans to keep on flying.

She told reporters at Croydon she is going to join the women's arm of the royal air force. "That's the only flying I intend to do from now on," she said. Asked if she would go on any more jaunts if someone put up the (Con tinned ob Pasr Two) received into the Catholic Church, it was learned here. "The priest involved refused to discuss the case in any way. However, it is known that several attempts had been made to free the boy of the manifestations.

"A Catholic priest was called upon for help. When the boy expressed a desire to enter the church, with the consent of his parents, he received religious instruction. Later the priest baptized him and then successfully performed the ritual of exorcism. The parents of the afflicted boy are non-catholics. The ritual of exorcism consists of the saying of mass, special prayers, psalm singing and the sprinkling of holy water.

The ritual can only be employed with the permission of an archbishop. Names of the priest and of the boy were withheld, but the boy was reported to be no longer troubled. fulfil Willi VI Of i i I I Speakers at Hearing Urge Appropriations Be Reconsidered Miami, Aug. 19 (Business men lined up against a general sales tax today during a public hearing before a legislative committee considering ways and means of raising added revenue. They emphasized such a tax would drive business out of the state and work a hardship on the little people.

Paul Sher, secretary of the Key West Better Business Bureau, suggested the appropriations bill be reopened and studied before any action wastaken. Horace F. Cordes, a member of the legislative committee of the retail merchants division of the Miami Chamber of Commerce, also advocated further study of the present bill. "We're willing to spend time and money to work out the problem," he said, "but before we consider new taxes we want to be sure you really need the money called for in the $240,000,000 appropriations act." Anti-Gambling Plea The committee also heard a plea by Juvenile Court Judge Walter H. Beckham "to save our children and our homes from further legalized gambling." "I have seen the devastating effect of such gambling on little children and I firmly believe a big majority of this county would oppose legalized gambling," he de clared.

Representatives from Dade and Broward Counties came out in fav or of the sales tax and State Rep. Grant Stockdale disclosed some members of the legislature were considering including hotel rentals in the coverage of a tax plan. Stockdale's comment came after Charles Helmly, a Miami mer chant, said while opposing a sales tax that he felt a hotel tax would not hurt that industry. The committee, headed by Senator W. A.

Shands and Rep. Richard Simpson, did not indicate what plan they will recommend when the legislature convenes in Talla hassee Sept. 7. The 'Painless' Way I. D.

MacVicar, a member of the Dade County commission, said he favored a general retail sales tax as a "painless method of let ting' tourists pay for roads, parks and other facilities they use on vacation here." MacVicar said the sales tax should be divided with the cities and counties who should use their share to reduce the tax burden on real estate. Paul E. Turner, chairman of the board of public instruction of Broward County, introduced a resolu tion favoring enactment of a general sales tax and suggested it be adopted at the special session of the legislature. Opposition to the sales tax later came from Barco Bishop, legislative chairman of the retail merchants division of the Miami Chamber of Commerce; Dave Lieberman of Miami, Kenneth Sherouse of Miami who identified himself as a teacher speaking as an individual; and Albert Rosenberg, chairman of the progressive party of Dade County. Judge Beckhams attack on leg alized off-track betting was sup- ported by Rep.

William C. Lantaff who said he didn't want children to grow up "in an atmosphere like that of Reno, Nevada." Ray A. Perry, secretary of the interim committee of the Council of Churches in Miami, also spoke against legalized gambling "in any torm. The small group who spoke, for legalized off-track betting was Headed by Abe Aronovitz, a Miami Continued on Pmce Two) An aircraft mechanic who worked with Caldwell on strange craft back in 1936 1937 declared Caldwell was the and 10 years ahead of his times in developing the planes. One of the planes had a small fuselage something like a conventional plane, with a rotating di3C and propller blades above it.

The other looked like a big, round cheesebox. It had propellers above and below and seated four. Caldwell made a splurge with them back in 1939 and 1940. The one with the disc made a demonstration hop in Washington, but crash landed. Caldwell got into legal difficulties in Maryland, New Jersey and New York about the same time for selling stock in two coroorations he set up to develop his inventions.

Iwo officers from the air force inspector general's special investigating staff brought about discovery of the old planes, now falling apart. They had a tip Caldwell worked on the gadgets in the Glen Burnie area. State police couldn't find Cald well. They had a rough descrip tion of the farm and by process of elimination finally located the abandoned tobacco barn. Broadcasters Plan To Carry FCC Edict to Court Washington, Aug.

19 (IP) The Federal Communications Commission today moved to throw most of radio's prize give-away programs off the air waves and broadcasting interests promptly announced a fight. The commission announced adoption of new rules, to be effective Oct. 1, designed to end most of the big money and merchandise offers, vcurrently running to more than $3,500,000 a year. It acted under the anti-lottery statutes, forbidding use of radio to promote games of chance. American Broadcasting whose Sunday night "Stop the Music" broadcast runs into important dough weekly, retorted quickly that it will take the matter to court, challenging FCC's right to act against the programs.

"No changes will be made in the ABC programs as a result of the FCC regulation," the network asserted. To Seek Injunction ABC plans, to ask an injunction against the rules, presumably in the U. S. court of appeals for the District of Columbia, which reviews appeals from orders of government agencies. Justin Miller, president of the National Association of Broadcasters, said he hoped the matter would get a quick court test Miller said the NAB' felt the commission had overstepped its authority in view of the law prohibiting the commission from censor, ing program content.

He said programs which FCC seeks to classify as lotteries "are not in fact illegal." Similar comment came from other sources in the industry. Miss Freida Hennock, only woman member of the commission, announced a dissent to the rules. She said FCC had greatly broadened previous legal definitions of a lottery and tn 1 th jackpotsit-mation was one with which congress or the justice department, not the FCC, should deal. The new rules give the commission's "understanding of what congress itself has found to be contrary to the public interest" in forbidding lottery advertising on the air. To Bar Licenses The FCC said it would refuse renewal of license to stations if they follow a policy of broadcasting programs which it regards as violating the lottery prohibition.

A radio lottery, the FCC announcement said, is generally one involving a prize awarded as a result of lot or chance, where the contestant contributes something of value, or is required to be listening to or viewing the program over a receiver. Radio folk said this appeared to be broad enough to cover' nearly all prize programs on the air, with the possible exception of those in which prizes are given only to members of the studio audience. Time is Money Noting that legal definitions of a lottery involve a "consideration" contributed by the participant, the commission indicated belief that the time required in listening to a program constituted such a consideration. It asserted: "Where such a scheme is designed to induce members of the public to listen to the program and to be at home available for selection as a winner or possible winner, there results detriment to those who are so induced to listen when they are under no duty to do so. VAnd this detriment to the mem.

bers of the public results in a benefit to the licensee who sells the radio time and 'circulation' to the sponsor, and to the sponsor as well. who presents his advertising to the audience secured by means of the scheme. "When considered in its entirety, I continued on Page Two) Tenants Declared fosy to f'md How "I believe that anyone can find tenants for their house or apart ment without running an ad in the News-Press," said Mrs. John C. McEwen of 1727 McGregor Blvd.

when she called to cancel her ad the morning of the first day of its run. "Simply placing a sign on the property will rent it eventually. The reason I use classified, ads is because they save me loss of rent money. Now, for instance, I placed this ad yesterday, today the apartment is rented, and otherwise I might have been Weeks finding tenants. And not only do classified ads speed results when time is costly, but they are easy to use.

To place your ad, phone 94S today, and ask for an ad taker. She will help you word your ad for greatest results. Then say "Charge it." An accommodation memorandum will be mailed you when your ad has completed its tun. UL. Dealer Asks If He Can Give Truman Television Set Washington, Aug.

19 (IP) "Sources close to the president," Senator McCarthy (R-Wis) said today, are feeding information on Maj. Gen. Harry Vaughan to sen ate investigators. McCarthy wouldn't say who is doing the alleged tattling on pre sident Truman military aide. His statement, made to report ers: "We are getting leads and information on Vaughan in the White House." He said the information was un solicited and was adverse to Vaug han.

The senate investigations sub committee, of which McCarthy is a member, has been prying into the activities of "five percenters" people who try to land government contracts for businessmen in return for a percentage fee. The Freezer Stir In another development, Sub-committee Chairman Hoey (D-NC) said today that the story of the home freezers, which went to Vaughan and other Washington notables, "has heen magnified out of all proportion." He expressed his view in a telegram to a Kansas. City appliance dealer, John A. Passler. Passler had told the committee that he wants to give Mr.

Truman a tele-vision set. In light of the stir over home he asked Hoey whether this was okay. Hoey said public officials fre quently receive gifts "without the desire or expectation of receiving any favors or rewards in return." His advice to the appliance deal er: uo ahead and make the eift The subcommittee has recessed until Tuesday. It had no direct connection with the five percenter hearing, but a check with the District of Columbia traffic bureau today showed that John Maragon, prominently mentioned in the inquiry, has been charged with 56 traffic violations over the past 15 years. Inspector Arthur E.

Miller, head of the police traffic division, said 50 of them were for illegal parking, one was issued when Mara gon got in the wrong lane, and four were given out after he had been in minor accidents. The other one was for jaywalking, Negro Beach Road Delay Is Reported Progress of construction of the new road to the negro beach southeast of Punta Rassa has been delayed by lack of bridge material, it was announced yesterdy by the state road department. The local office of the deoart- ment said if bridge material can be obtained at once the road can be completed in about two months. The new road is one and three-quarter miles in length and runs from below the Iona school to a point on San Carlos Bay. With the exception of the bridges, the road is near completion.

The office said the first four miles of the Immokalee road have been completed except for shaping and surfacing. The actual date of completion cannot be estimated until spring. High water is slow ing construction at present. East End Pier Will Be Backed By Round Table Committee to Study Plans for Raising $1,500 Needed Members of the Round Table lined, up yesterday behind a fund raising program to supply $1,500 for the completion of the fishing pier in East Fort Myers. Lee O.

Daniel, presiding vice president of the Round Table group was authorized to a com mittee of five members to study plans for raisning the money need ed to buy decking for the 700-foot pier. Pilings have already been driven with $1,000 and free labor contributed by townspeople. Pat LeMoyne suggested a fish fry to raise funds. He observed: "The tourist season is approaching and the pier will ba a great draw ing card for winter guests and a source of enjoyment for local cit izens." Daniel said he would refer the suggestion to the fishing pier committee. Pier Objectives R.

L. Williams, chairman of the East Fort Myers pier group, told Round Table members, "The ob ject of the pier is not only for the people of Fort Myers to go fishing but also for the attraction of tourists who would increase local trade by one third." He added that he had supervised the work up to the present time on his own time and that will continue to do so until the project is com pleted." Williams said that the pier will reach 700 feet into the Caloosa hatchee River with the first 400 foot section being six feet wide and the remaining 300 eight feet At the end a T-section, 16 feet by 24, will be constructed with a roof over it along with tables where lunches can be served. The pier will be lined with railings and with catwalks on the eact side. Places to moor boats will also be provided. The entire $1,500 will be used to buy decking, and under structure, Williams said, "and the work will be done by free labor at absolutely no cost." LeMoyne complimented Wil liams for contributing $300 to the project along with hi3 labor.

"I think it is a grand spirit on the part'of the people of East Fort Myers to do this work without expecting help from anyone else," he added, but now has come to a point where all of the people of the town must pitch in and help or the project will bog down." Bird Dog Spends 45 Days in Well Shreveport, Aug. 19 (JP) A small boy crossing a field heard a whimper and found a bird dog missing 45 days in the bottom of an old well. The three-year-old setter, named "Shag," had wasted from 65 to 10 pounds. His legs were so wobbly he couldn't stand. Owner Red Ashley believes "Shag" will pull through.

Early Flying Saucers ound in Baltimore Boy on Swaying Bed Is Rescued by Church Baltimore. Aug. 19 (JPU Th Baltimore Sun tonight quoted an air forces officer as saying that two Dauered old aircraft found near here are "definitely the pro-totype- of the flying saucer." The Sun quoted the air forces official as saying that he believed greatly improved models of the two planes found in an abandoned barn are flying now, and are the source of the flying saucer reports oi two years ago. State police found the old ma chines, now largely collection of junk, the barn near Glen Burnie, about 11 miles south of Baltimore. Their inventor, Jonathan E.

Caldwell, dropped out of sight about 1941. The official declined the use of his name, the Sun said, but declared air forces authorities had given him permission to make a statement concerning the Glen Burnie discovery. The officer explained tfcat the air forces uses the term "prototype," to denote the first model from which an airplane develops. The Sun then went on to quote him as saying: personally, think the inventor went to some other part of the country and that he or someone else developed new planes along these lines and is sending them up." Washington, Aug. 19 (JP) A Catholic newspaper says that a priest has successfully freed a 14-year-old boy of reported possession by the devil.

The boy. a resident of nearbv Mount Rainier, is said to have had a number of eerie experiences early this year. His bed swayed, he was tipped out of a heavy chair arid a blanket on which he was lying on the floor slid under a bed in unexplained fashion. His family said that he was possessed by an evil spirit and his case was referred to clergymen and various organizations, including the Society of Parapsychology, which made a report on last week. The Catholic Review, weekly newspaper of the archdiocese, carries the following additional account: "A 14-year-old Washington boy whose history of diabolical possession was widely reported in the press last week was successfully exorcised by a priest after being H.

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