The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas • Page 1

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1949 Vol. 108, No. 207 Left-Wing CIO Units Get Boot Convention Moves to Drive Communists From Organization CLEVELAND, Nov. 2. (ff)--Two left wing unions were kicked out at the CIO convention today and the union's executive board given sweeping "instructions" to oust nine or 10 others.

The first to be expelled since the CIO came Into being 14 years ago were tiie United Electrical Workers --the CIO's third largest--and tho Farm Equipment Workers. Shortly after they were given the boot for "sabotaging" CIO policies and programs, the convention pushed through a special resolution aimed at covering left wing affiliates. The resolution "instructed" the CIO's 51-man executive board "immediately to exercise Its powers to take appropriate action to protect the CIO" from persons following tba line of "the communist party, and fascist organization or other totalitarian movement" Whether all the nine or 10 left wing unions still in the CIO will he expeiUd still was not disclosed, however. 60 OPPOSED Only about CO of the convention'! 613 delegates rose In opposition when resolutions to the two were put to standing In an effort to capture the bulk of the UE'a 370,000 members, the executive board chartered the International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers at a apeclal meeting between convention sessions. The new right wing affiliate will hold an organizational convention In Philadelphia starting Nov.

28. James B. Carey will head up the group, but will retain his post aa CIO secretary-treasurer. Tho UE expulsion Is expected to touch off a bitter jurisdictions! fight AMENDMENTS VOTED Constitutional were adopted which were aimed at fl- nanclng organization in the fieldi of untoni cut loose from the CIO The amendments boosted per capita tAxea to the CIO from eight ctnU per member per.month to-10 ceata monthly for the next year. Thla la to ralw an additional $1.000,000.

Three other Important constitutional changes were approved. One gives the CIO executive board power to refuse to seat or any board member found by a two-thirds vote to be a communist, fascist or member of any other totalitarian movement or who helps accomplish the program of such people. Another empowers the board to revoke the charter of any union whole "policies and activities are consistently directed toward the achievement of the program or purposes" of communism, fascism or other totalitarian movement Under another amendment, unions more than two months behind In per capita taxes will be deprived of representation on the executive board unless they are found not at fault for their arrears. PILOT IN HOSPITAL Steel Unions Raise Demands Truman Cites World Prosperity Gain Trade Interest Requires End To Imbalances President Is Hopeful of Favorable Action on Charter of ITO Erick Bios Brldoux, Bolivian pilot of the flatter plane which collided witb an airliner near National Airport, WuhlBfton, It in an Alexandria, Vm- hospital after being pulled from the Potomac river. Death toll of the crtth wai 56.

virepfcato) 'KNOW YOUR GALVESTON: Chamber Officials To See Shipyards Man, 80, Is Charged With Firing at Youths HOLLYWOOD. Nov. 2 (INS) Eighty-year-old George Roden was accused by Hollywood police today of firing a shotgun charge Into a group of nine teenaged Halloween pranksters Monday night, wounding three of them. An Inspection of the Galveston, Todd Shipyards on Pelican Spit, one of the city 1 leading Industries, will be made by Chamber of Commerce officials, directors and committee heads ThTirsday In the fourth of a aeries of local inspection toun to "know your city." Thirty-eight chamber officials have signed up for the tour, which will be launched with a luncheon at the Studio Lounge tendered by J. Lawder, vice president of the.

Todd Galvestcn division, as a compliment to the group. D. J. Sweeney chairman of the chamber Inspection Wednesday that all arrangements had been completed for the visit. SPECIAL BUSES Spevlal buses have been provided, through the courtesy of Rayburn E.

Bowen, president of the Galves'ton Transit to transport the party to the shipyards. The buses will cross to Pelican Spit on the 1:45 p. Todd ferry, following which an extensive Inspection of the Todd facilities will be made. Lawder baa arranged a program whereby the chamber members will have the opportunity to view work on seven or eight ships which will be In dry dock at the time the group arrives. The visitors will be taken aboard ship to watch repair work under way and to see operation! of the massive equipment.

WILL SEE SHOPS The group will be taken for a tour of the various Todd shops. An Inspection of the administration building will also be made to familiarize the group with this phase of the operational effort, Lawder said that the novelty of the ferry construction should also appeal to the group. a officials expressed appreciation of the co-operation of Todd officials In making the tour possible. i The group will be headed by David C. Leavell, chamber president, and Sweeney, committee chairman.

The party will return to the city on the 3:15 p. m. Todd ferry. Adm. Sherman Coffee Prices Leap In Galveston Stores A cup of coffee for as little as a dime may become as rare as a nickel beer in Galveston, with coffee prices going up steadily, island grocers said Wednesday.

In Galveston food stores, as over the nation, coffee has averaged a five-cent pound jump within tho lost week, The more popular brand were spiling Wednesday at About 64 cents, compared with last week's 69 cents. Grocers predicted that a pound of coffee may be no gift around FAIR, WARMER (Offlclil U. 8. Uurwu Rfport) Forccnat Galvciton and vicinity: Fair and slightly Thursday with moderatn variable, mostly wlndi on coast. TEMPBRATUREH reported from othtr up to 6:30 p.

Nov. 2, 1949, 70 39 Amirlllo 69 .16 A ui In ftl 41 Brownivitli 7ft 4K Chrlltl 70 44 Kl 72 4.1 Worth Kf ClALVKflTON OB Houston 78 44 BM Antonio 81 43 Olhfr flUtlont Hlffti Hlfth to 6t .19 Knnsm Ctty AO 4 A Hunt Cn 39 New York SS 4 ChlcflKO 4fl 40 Nnrllt i Innvrr fin 30 Oklalinmn City A3 4 Undue City ftn anil City .1 Do Molnei .17 Hi 8fM tin 6.1 3 JltlcnA An 24 HherMmi 17 2 Muroa 40 28 Wlllliton 6i 3 Christmas time either. It may rise to $1 per pound. One grocer said that coffee may take another four-cent jump by Monday, which would make a pound retail at around 70 cents. Another grocer said coffee has been going up i price for Home time.

Recently two advances were made by manufacturers. They explained that this commodity Is not kept in quantity by retail stores, because "little If any profit Is mnde off of coffee by the grocers." And In order to insure freshness, coffee Is purchased for consumer consumption only In relatively small quantities. "A lot of other food stuffs are coming down in price, so this ought to make up the difference," one local Rrocer said, "if that's any consolation." The major factor In the price rise la the fact that Brazil, the world's number one producer which has been supplying more than half the total consumption of the globe, is growing far fewer coffee beans today than in the pnst. This shortage has tilflo been coupled with a recent drouth In thf plantation area. At the same time, a report snld that consumption In the United States has grown In "lonpn nncl in recent yprvrs." Thn ralso In price locally wnn not pvidont In rcstiiurr.nts, which snrvo ft ctip of coffoe nt price ranging from cents to 10 cents.

Denfeld Offered Foit in European Waters WASHINGTON, Nov. 2. (UP)-Standing before 40 admiral! who henceforth will be his subordinate! Adm. Forrest P. Sherman wat sworn In as chief of naval operations today and received a "toot luck" wish from the man he succeeds ousted Adm.

Louis E. Denfeld. Present was none of the bitterness which brought about Den feld's dismissal the inter-service row over whether the wil go along with Pres. Truman's unl fication policies as administered by Sec. of Defense Louis Johnson The oath was administered by Sec.

of the Navy Francis P. Mat thews only few after he disclosed he had offered Denfelt the post of commander of States naval forces In European waters. Denfeld asked and received 60 days' leave during which he wiil decide whether to take it or retire. Denfeld, who wai fired because he stded with the admirals in the unification rebellion, stood besid Sherman, a pro-unification man during the ceremonies and the first to his hand and wish him luck. Denfeld was saluted and cheerei by some 300 naval officers and civilian employes he left afte: the ceremonies.

FEWER MARRIAGES LISTED FOR 1948 WASHINGTON, Nov. 2. (UP) Fewer people married last year than any year slrce the war, and the divorce rate dropped even more sharply, government statistics showed today. Figures compiled by the United States public health service showed 1,802,895 marriages In 1948, a drop of about 10 per cent form 1M7 and nearly 20 per cent under the 1946 postwar pcnk. The service estimated 403,000 divorces were granted in 1948, compared with 483.000 in 1947.

Only one state--Virginia--reported a rise In divorces. It granted 7030 in 1948 compared with 7018 in 1947. The largest numbers of divorces were Granted In California Texas (39.5R7), Ohio (25.800), and Florida Nevada, desnlte Pieno's fame, granted only 11,000. New York figures were not reported officially. EN TODAY'S NEWS Amusements Classified ads Comlrs Court news Editorials Marine news Markets Wcathrook Pcglcr llfldlo log Hcciety news Sport.i Earl Wilson Page 2 17-19 1 6 ...19 4 ...19 19 4 19 6-7 15-18 NEW YORK, Nov.

2. noted tonight "encourag-l ng developments of the past 12! months" marking "advances toward' prospering world society." In a message to the national foreign trade convention, read to the world trade dinner at which Sec. of State Acheron was the speaker, the president enld: "We know that we can not sell unleu we also buy. We know that ve imbalances of trade and Productivity, and widespread underdevelopment, persist In this world and that these must be remedied. We are recognizing our responsibilities as a creditor na- ion and we are seeking to remedy unbalances In the joint in- of ourselves and of others.

1 GAINS LISTED Gains in the last 12 months, the president said, included: "With the aid of the Marshall plan, western Europe has now emerged from the critical relief stage and la in- the process of reconstructing 1 and expanding its productive ability. "The fourth point of the policy program -which I proposed In January--to assist the development of the handicapped areas with technical 'know-how' and capital investment--appears on the way toward cnactm t. The president also named: "The new tariff negotiations recently concluded at Annecy, France, and the renewal by our congress of the reciprocal trade agreements act a. healthy readjustment of currencies In many of the world trading Several European countries nerve substantially llber- tbtlr Import rwtrlctfbiii." FOR ACTION Mr. Truman said he was "hopeful that the congress will act favorably on the charter of the International Trade Organization early next session." The national trade council recently came out against United States acceptance of the ITO under the charter drawn at Havana.

But the president referred to ITO as "an aid to the orderly and early restoration of an expanding multilateral world trade." LADDER TRUCK GOES AMUCK ON FIRE RUN The biff aerial ladder truck of the Galveitton fire department went out of service, considerably damaged, and two other cars were crushed In collision when the. fire equipment went out of control responding to an alarm Wednesday afternoon. A 1949 sedan, belonging to Charles B. Osteen, 1016 parked between 12th and 13th streets on was almost totally destroyed In the crash. A piece of apparatus from the fire truck flew off the fire truck upon Impact witt Os- teon's car and damaged a sedan owned by William Henderson Jr.

Henderson Is no relation to William J. Henderson, chief of the Galveston fire department. The American La France aerial Udder truck, driven by Fireman Newton McKlnney, 58, was going east on avenue en route to a burning gas main when it hit a rise in the street and bounded out of Three other firemen, In addition to the driver, were on the truck, but none was Injured. Osteen, who was poHshlnr his car at the curb, watched the truck plunge into his automobile. The bell from the truck came off and hit the car belonging to Henderson, wbo was Inside a relative's house at the time.

Fire Chief Henderson said he did not know when the truck would be In operation again, as repair parts must be sent here from Elmira, N. Y. TC Employes Given Raises to Ntwi. TEXAS CITY, Nov. 2--Raises for molt city employes and a f50 monthly expense account for commissioners were voted at a lengthy meeting of the city commission Wednesday night Increases granted on a motion of Commissioner C.

L. Vance were: Laborers, cents an hour; truck drivers, 7H cents an hour; drag- line operators, $10 a month; foremen, $15 a month; firemen, $20 a month; policemen, $10 a month, and office girls, $10 a month. The commission decided to consider raises for department heads separately. Commissioners William Tarpey and W. P.

Ludwlg voted agalnal the motion. They gave as reasons a lack of time to study the surprise proposal and a lack of equality in the raises. Commissioner Eert Conely voted for the raises and Mayor Robinson cast the deciding ballot. The expense account for commissioners was passed over the objections of Commissioners Ludwlg and Tarpey. They said that they took the office with the understanding of a $50 a month salary and saw no need for the raise.

The expense account motion was made by Conely and seconded by Vance. A proposal by Conely to give Mayor Robinson a $100 expense account was not passed, A new garbage ordinance with strong enforcement features was passed by the commissioners. A discussion was held on the city airport, reported to be $12,000 in the red. Bids were asked on the old hangar at the field. Approval of a liquor bill of $171 In the entertainment costs at the League of Municipalities convention held In Galvoston brought protests from Ludwlg.

Mayor Robinson and Conely defended the bill as necessary in their duties as hosts. An ordinance restricting parking trucks on city streets between 9 p. m. and 5 a. m.

except for purposes of Immediate unloading was passed. Tentative permission was given Dr. Henry A. Schmidt to go aher with plans to place an awning over an alloy near the Twldwcll-Schmidt Hospial to rcnch new quarters oi the hospital. Permission was granted South crn Bell Telephone Co.

to Instal underground conduits Drinking Fatal To Schoolboy Spree af Gang Party- Is Cited in Death BNIONTOWN, Nov. 2. (UP) An 8-year-old schoolboy who want ed to be 'Hike the big kida" died of acute alcoholism after he drank a half-tumbler of bonded rye whisky during a gang party, the Fay ette County coroner disclosed tonight LHtle Clarance Wood of Mason town, was with a gang 01 Jigger boys that looted a home ol 15 fifths of whisky and staged a 'party" afterward. District Attorney Fred Broth ers said the Wood boy drank hal a tumbler of the stuff, staggered drunkenly to the merriment of thj older boys then made his wa; home. Clarence became sick at home and died a few hours later.

Brothers said one member the gang has been arrested and held for questioning. He did noi disclose the youth's name. Coroner W. Ralston McGee list ed cause of death as "acute al coholism" after Pittsburgh path ologists examined the victim's stomach and found "heavy traces' of alcohol. Detectives investigating the case said they were looking for a man beleived to be a member of the gang and who reportedly sold some of the looted whisky for SI a fifth.

POLL TAX REPEAL ASHED BONHAM, Nov. 2. (UP)--House Speaker Sam Rayburn today advised Texans to repeal the pol tax at next week's special election If the state's don't repeal the pol taxes, Rayburn warned, the con gress will do it Transit Strike Hits Houston; Talks Continue Motorists Permitted to Collect Money for 'Jitney' Rides HOUSTON. NOT. t.

(UP)--A CIO spokesman said tonight It would be impossible" to avoid a strike of at least two hours here, starting at midnight, since the union must ratify any walkout settlement terms at a meet- at I a. m. tomorrow. HOUSTON. Nov.

2. (UP)--Houston's city council today passed an emergency ordinance permitting private motorists to go Into the 'jitney" business If the city's 1150 bus drivers 'and mechanics go on strike. The strike, over a wage dispute, was set for midnight. RIDERS WARNED The negotiations committee ol the Transport Workers Union, CIO warned the 200.000 dally bus riders of Texas' largest city not to count on service after 11:59 p. m.

The followed a meeting with transit officials In Mayor Oscar Holcombe's office at noon. The meeting recessed at 6 p. until 8:30 p. with no progresi reported. Carl A.

McPeak, assist ant state director of the CIO, said "The situation does not look any better. Discussions at 8:30 p. should result: In something def Inlte, one way or another." Committee spokesmen said a strike at midnight was "almost a certainty." The city council enacted the emergency ordinance almost Immediately after negotiations collapsed CHARGE FARE The temporary ordinance would permit private citlxens to offer the use of their cars, trucks, or taxis as "jitneys" and to ch passenger a maximum of 29 cents per ride. operators, however, were adtlsed to jet temporary licenses as "emergency carriers" from city public service Director Clinton Owlsye. City Transportation i Thomas E.

Wllller ordered all traf flc lights retimed to give north south, traffic priority tomorrow to avoid jamming of the Increased automobile traffic. The union committee said tba bus drivers would al trips started before midnight and would not leave any passengers stranded. The union also promised to return all buses to their barns afte: the runs were completed. Hill, Leading Oilman, Dies in South Carolina HOUSTON, Nov. 2.

George A. Hill one of the nation's leading Independent oilmen, diet In a Greenville, S. hospita today. The 57-year-old Houston man hac been president of the Houston Oi Co. and Houston Pipe Line Co since 1932.

Only a few weeks ago his name had been mentioned prominently as a possible nominee for president of the American Petroleum Insti tute, which meets next week In Chicago. From 1934 to 1941 he was API's vice president for production. Since 1945 he had been chairman of the University of Texas development board. UNWELCOME Or. Ervln Munk, Ciecho-Slo- vakla's consul general at New York smiles after the United States state department demanded that he and Jan Horvath, housekeeper of the Czech embassy In Washington, be recalled Immediately.

The action was In apparent reprisal for the recent ousting of two American attaches from the United States embassy at Prague. wire- photo) Two Indicted For Murders Grand Jury Holds Segmen in Killings Two "seamen" were" charged 'ffi murder indictments reported by the October grand Jury to Judge Charles G. Dlbrell in the 56th district court Wednesday. Pat Hall Is.charged with murder with malice, in the death of Joseph Pehnke, Galveston fisherman; and Peter Step Keaulana, a Hawaiian, is charged with murder with malice in the death of Helen Garcia, County Attorney Raymond E. Magfie revealed.

FOUND IN ALLEY Pehnke's body was found 'in an alleyway at the rear of Trinity Episcopal Church on the morning of Oct. 21. At Hall's examining hearing, Dessle Hencey, a waitress, testified that Pehnke was drinking with Hall and her, and that she later saw Hall walking down Tremont street with Pehnke. In her room she said ehe later saw Hall with wallet identified to Pehnke. as belonging Hall Is held In the county jail without bond on the murder indictment.

He was also Indicted for robbery by assault upon Pehnke and his bond was fixed by Judge Dlbrell at on this Indictment Keaulana is also held without bond on his murder indictment. Helen Garcia was found dead In a room on West Market street last Aug. 2. She had been badly beaten. FOUR OTHERS INDICTED Four Indictments were returned by the grand jury against Charles R.

Thomas inthe theft of several automobiles on Stewart Beach. Eighteen other indictments were also reported to Judge DlbrelL Names of defendants charged In the other indictments wiil be re-' vealed as they are taken into custody, the county attorney said. Murray Drops Board's Plan For Pensions Partial Settlement Sought by Workers to End Walkout CLEVELAND, Nov. 2. (UP)-CIO Pres.

Phil Murray tonight scrapped the recommendations of a special presidential fact-finding board and Indicated that It would ke a better offer to settle the at U. S. Steel Corporation, and other big producers. Murray said on a nationwide radio program over the Mutual Network that the Bethlehem pension formula would set the pattern for settlement of the 33-day steel strike. Before the broadcast, Murray told the United Press that the Bethlehem pension formula was "better" than the settlement suggestions of the special presidential board.

And, he added: 'The union wants the Bethlehem settlement applied to the industry and It will try as best It knows how to establish a uniform contract settlement" -v DEPARTURE FBOH POLICY On the program, Murray dodged direct question on whether his union would call for the rest of its steel strikes for settlement terms providing company-paid pensions and insurance plans costing about 10 cents an hour for each employe, as recommended by the board. This was a sharp departure from Murray's position last- September when be demanded that thi steel industry accept the presidential board's as the only settlement formula in the steel pension dispute. Tonight, with the "better" Bethlehem formula safely, signed, Mur- fity'sald and not the presidential board's was the pattern for the steel industry's 1949 labor contract WANT WORKERS BACK Earlier today Murray -said steel union negotiators were trying ti work oiit "tentative agreements" to offer strike-bound to get the workers back in the mills while non-contributory pension details are worked out. The union has held conferences with Jones Laughlin, Republic, Inland and Great Lakes Steel and has held telephone conversations with Youngstown Sheet A Tube. Details of the Bethlehem settlement were so Involved that steel companies were taking plenty of time to study them.

Some observers believed that Murray's insistence on the other companies matching Bethlehem's agreement was holding up settlements because that formula would cost some companies more money than the ten cents recommended by steel board. strike non- Voters of Texas Will Decide On Poll Tax Repeal Nov. 8 The stftte Carllol Conwpondwit (Editor 1 Nntr: This the fourth In ft mrtlclM on the vnmdmcnlfl to be voted on NOT. By STUART LONG AUSTIN, Nov. 2--A "state's rights" answer to a portion of the federal civil rights program Is the basis for the fourth proposition on the constitutional amendment election Nov.

8--repeal of the poll tax as a prerequisite for voting. The late Gov. Beauford Jester made poll tax repeal a part of his 1948 campaign platform, and the Texas democratic party wrote It into its 1948 platform. In his opposition to congressional action on poll tax repeal in federal elections. Jester contended that the regulation of elections la a state matter.

The amendment would not remove the poll tflx. If the legislature wants, later, to set up machinery for collecting a poll tax, It can do so. But it does remove the requirement that you must have paid a poll tax or hold an exemption to be eligible to vote. The poll tax requirement was adopted In Texas In 1903, with strong support from school people who looked on its $1 levy as a source of revenue for public schools. Passage of the Gilmer- Alkin law has removed its importance as a school revenue measure.

The Gilmer-Aittin appropriation for state aid to schools Is automatic. If the poll tax amendment is adopted, the loss In school revenue will be made up automatically by a transfer from another fund. Opposition to the poll tax re- pealer. In organized form at least, Is very light. Organized support for the repealer Is very strong.

All major veterans organizations, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Jewish War Veterans, and American Veterans Committee, have endorsed the Idea. Both the democratic and republican state chairmen testified for it In legislative hearings. Many church and women's organisations are giving the amendment active support The proposed amendment provides for the same registration period, Oct. 1 to Feb. 1, as the poll tax law.

It alio provides that the legislature shall provide a registration system. That has already been done. A new law by Rep. Frank Oltorf of Marlin will take effect only if the repeal amendment Is adopted. It provides virtually the same registration machinery as the present, with these exceptions.

A registration fee of any amount up to 50 cents may bs levied by the court In each county. This is not required, but is left entirely to the commissioners. 2. Voters will register their party preference. Primary and party convention activity will be restricted to members registered in that party.

Voters who pay their poll tax this year, between Oct. 1 and Nov. 8, will be automatically transferred to the registration lists. But most county tax collectors are suggesting that taxpayers wait before they pay the $1.75, since It can not be refunded if tho repeal amendment is adopted. The arguments against repeal of tho poll tax fls a requirement Turn to 2.

See ONE Bethlehem settled Monday by agreeing contributory pension guaranteeing a minimum $100-a-month pension for workers 65 years or older after 25 years' service. The Bethlehem formula, based on a worker's earnings, could provide a pension as high as $250, including federal snciai security, according to the union. Index of Food Prices Down NEW YORK, Nov. 2. (UP)--The Dun Bradstreet wholesale food Index, which shot up 14 cents last week, dropped 3 cents today to $5.69.

Until the last two weeks of October, when the index climbed 15 cents, it had shown a fairly steady decline from $5.85 on Sept. 13 to $5.57 on Oct. 11. Last week's sharp advance was the largest since July 33, 1948. Only six of the foods used in compiling the index, which represents the price per pound totaled, showed an advance this week, but the sharp rise in coffee prices kept the decline down to 3 cents.

The index Is the total price per pound of 31 foods in general use. THIEF GETS $50 FROM TC FIREMEN Special to Newi TEXAS CITY, Nov. 2 While four firemen slept In their bunks on the second story of the Texas City Fire station, early Wednesday, a sneak thief, gaining entrance to the open first floor, prowled around until he found $50 in cash and disappeared la the night. The burglary and theft was disclosed by Fire Chief Fred Dowdy, Wednesday. He said ths money, all In charge, was accumulated from the station's "echo box." The Texas City fire station lies in the shadow of police headquarters next door..