Alton Evening Telegraph from Alton, Illinois • Page 1

ftfftlfte Mititii PAOfe 4 PAGE MARKfetS PAOfe SOCIAL PAGE 19 COMICS PAOfe 14 SPtmtS PAOfe RA6IO TV PAGfe 18 CLASSIFtBD PAGE EVENING TELEGRAPH Serving the Alton Community for More Than 125 Years CLOUDY SATtffiDAY: Low 20, High 40. (Complete Wetthtr, t) Established January 16,1136. Vol. GXXVf, No. 383 ALTON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1961 22 PAGES 7c Per Copy Member of The Associated Press.

Mudge, Hit State Liquor Body SPRINGFIELD, 111. Otto Kerner said today he it dissatisfied with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, particularly Ite chairman, Loven 8. Sackett of Morris. CHIEF TENtiEHS RESIGNATION "I don't think I've had any co operation," Kernel 1 told a new conference. "It seems to be a one-man commission, the chairman." Sackett, who was appointed by former Gov.

William G. Strat ton, has three more years to gc on his present term. The com mission members are Howarc Cartwright Chicago. Republi can, and Leo Nelson; Chicago, Democrat. The governor's comment was prompted by charges of State's Atty.

Dick Mudge Jr. of Madison County, who said that the com mission was "over friendly to the liquor interests" and it wat almost impossible to obtain tavern license revocation. Kerner said Sackett has taken upon himself the authority of the commission as a whole in the hearing and setting of cases. But the governor said he does not plan to ask Sackett to resign He said he has no objection to a Republican serving as chairman "if we can work together." "I have no basis for talking to him," Kerner declared. "Bit I'm not happy with the situa tion." Ask Probe Mudge said he believes Gov.

Otto Kerner should initiate an investigation of the commission, The state's attorney said he intends to send a transcript of the record of a Madison County case to the governor. In his judgment, Mudge said, the case reflects that the commission went against the weight of the evidence. The case is that of George's Place, a tavern on State Rt. Ill in Granite City. The county liquor commission earlier this year revoked the establishment's license on a complaint prostitution solicitation was being permitted.

The state commission reversed the local decision in spite of the testimony of an investigator from Mudge's office and two disinterested witnesses, Mudge said. Mudge appealed, the matter Circuit Court and recently the court reversed the stae commission on grounds state body went against the manifest weight of evidence. Outbreak Of Flu Hits St. Louis ST. LOUIS (AP) A fast- spreading ailment with the symptoms of a mild typo of flu today was downing Louis area residents by thn thousands.

School officials reported one-fourth of the city's 21,000 public high school pupils were absent Thursday. The rate of absenteeism was described by R. M. Inbody. assistant superintendent, as the highest in many years.

Health authorities were puzzled as to the nature of the illnesses. Most of the cases were comparatively mild. There has been no upsurge in is usually the case in a flu epidemic. Dr. J.

Earl Smith, city health director, said "There's a lot of confusion it's probably a complex of upper respiratory infections." Dr. Philip J. Hickey, superintendent of instruction of the public schools, said no thought has been given to closing the schools. "Although the rate of absenteeism is quite high, it seems to be a fairly mild type and most of the children are not out very long," said. The rate of absenteeism ranged up to 50 per cent in some schools.

Teachers also were affected. Dr. Smith said identification of the virus might not be possible until the malady spread to an orphanage or old folks' home, where a sufficient number of blood sam- and throat waslu'ngs would readily available. Seven pneumonia deaths have been reported in the city this veek, he said, but this is below normal for this time of year. Attempts to identify the highly contagious virue were made by medical schools at St.

Louis and universities but no mmediate success was achieved. Sfchools at Potosi, about 55 miles south of St. Louis, have been closed all week as flu claimed about 33 per cent of the chool systems 2,400 students. Other outbreaks were reported at Aitesville, 65 miles south- ast of Potosi and Wolf Lake, about 20 miles east of Lutesville. Roosevelt High School in St.

Louis reported 650 students ab- ent. O'Fallon Tech had 500 pupils out. The U.S. Health Service, which iredicted the outbreak some time go, said no other epidemics were ecorded except one on a island iff the Alaskan coast. UN Launches Drive Against Katangans in Elisabethville 'First Objective' Achieved, Report UNITED NATIONS, N.Y.

U.N. spokesman said today U.N. forces launched a major operation jagainst Katanga forces in Elisabethville Thursday night and that its "first objective" was successfully achieved TODAY'S CHUCKLE Not all the Christmas cards come through the mail. 'Some rum up at the office party. 1961, General Features Corp.) Fire Chief Richard G.

Houren (left) as he tendered a loiter of resignation to City Manager Graham W. Watt hi Watt's office this morning. Houren has been chief of the Alton Fire Department since Dec. 4. Photo.

Houren Resigns as Alton Fire Chief Fire Chief Richard G. Houren today tendered his resignation after only 10 days as head of the Alton Fire Department. The resignation was to become effective at 5 p.m. today. In a letter of resignation submitted to City Manager Graham W.

Watt, who appointed Houren, the fire chief expressed regret that he had decided to resign, adding that "under more favorable circumstances it would have been possible for us to develop a model nodern fire department here in Alton." Houren said he presently has two other good job offers and said it was a matter of either "living here in misery, or taking one of them." Houren told newsmen he had received a number of unsigned 'ttej-s of intimidation," and anonomyous telephone calls. He said one male caller told him that 'Alton is not big enough for both of us." The fire chief asserted that "I don't want my wife and family subjected to things like this from people of this caliber." Commenting on Houren's resignation, Watt asserted that "Alon should be proud that we could attract a man of Chief Houren's Portuguese Flee Goa; War Threatens NEW DELHI (AP) Portuguese women and children today vere reported fleeing Goa in increasing numbers as war fever mounted over India's threat to seize the ancient Portuguese territory on the subcontinent. Program to Streets Clear of Ice, Snow Improved Over Last Year's ability. I think it is a tragedy that conditions were such that we couldn't hold him." Watt said he plans to operate the fire department with Warren Grable as assistant chief in charge of operations and Paul Stilwell as assistant chief in charge of training, personnel and budget. Both men are presently assistant chiefs.

Watt' said Grable, senior man on the department, told him on four separate occasions mat he did not want the job of fird chief. commented, today "that he was "sorry this controversy had to arise." "It is unfortunate that any political criticism should be attached to any professional duty," he stated. "I would not want any promotion on any basis except the impartial judgment of my qualifications and experience. "I did inform Manager Watt that I did not seek promotion to chief but that was under the circumstances that prevailed. If the attitude toward me should be kept on a professional, unemotional and just basis, I am ready as any man to go a step higher." Watt said that, for the time being, there will be no acting fire chief the operation of the department will be in the bands of the two assistant chiefs.

In reply to queries, Watt indicated no present plans for naming a new clu'ef. Houren lias had more than 19 years of experience in fire -ention and fighting in both military and civil seivice capacities, ffe has served as fire chief in Skokie, 111., and Marslifiled, as well as on the fire departments of Chicago and Winetka. For the annual wintertime contest to keep the city, streets open for traffic during snow and ice storms, the public works department has polished and refined a routine established last year to expedite and provide quickest possible effectiveness to its activities. The revision of tiie routine, largely the work of Street Supt. Luclan Harris, was revealed to- Public Works Director P.

Griffin, who com- day by Thomas mented: "Duke Harris began work last summer to improve and refine the system for snow and Ice control, and has come up with a program that really works better and much more efficiently." First test of the revisions came under the sleet and Ice conditions that prevailed early last Monday when the season's first blizzard moved Into the area. Heart of the snow control program is a route schedule under which main streets are listed in three categories of first, second, and third priority, according to volume of traffic, each mapped out with a color code for ready reference. efficiency three groups of streets, GriWn explained. Uuted as to provide order of precedence aimed to afford maximum efficiency in the street department op. The red first priority route list, now comprises sections of eight major streets.

First this list are the hill sections of Belie Street, a state route extension, and other portions of that street that give immediate "trouble" to traffic in event of snow or ice. Other streets included are 4th, Broadway, Wash ington, College, Holman-Salu eon nection, Main, and "South" Main, formerly Cut, which has been relocated and paved since last winter. The blue, or second priority list, Griffin said, includes a large num her of streets used for traffic going to and and school It comprises 90 street sections. Because of its extent, the blue listing is subdivided into two groups of streets, those west and east of a division line approximately at Henry Street. Quickest Action Under the first priority routings all available equipment is used for quickest possible action, but the dual grouping in the blue listing permits a division in use of equipment and, crews.

For example, two or more spreader trucks or plows will work on the westerly section, and other trucks and crews in the easterly section. And the routing lists are so arranged to give priority to the most-traveled streets in each section. The green or third priority routings list 54 street sections. These are all much used streets, Grifin pointed out, but are those with lesser traffic than those of the red and blue groups. The green list also provides attention for isolated locations where hazards develop.

This list includes any attention needed on the city's off-street parking lots. A glance over the blue and green listings, as would be expected reveals that many of the sections listed are hills that generally spell difficulties for motorist in event of snow or ice. Griffin pointed out that in this year's revised reduced to final form about the first of this made particular efforts to adjust the priority listings for continuity and minimizing of dead hauling distance, thereby to expedite operations. Minimal Trip Routings are arranged so that trucks, when their loads ot salt and cinders arc exhausted, will have a minimal return trip distance to cover for refilling at the streets department material yard. This is to avoid us much as possible, time losses from the- actual operations of spreading suit or abrasives.

When storms requiring street attention occur, one truck starts out on the "red" list as quickly as the first crew reaches the city garage. Other trucks follow, as soon as they can be manned, until all needed equipment is in operation. Belle Street liills come first of all on the priority list, Griffin explained, not alone because of the amount of (ruffle, but also because It's a 2-lane street. "If just one truck gets stalled," he pointed out. usually slops all traffic because of tine lack of passing room.

The narrow pavement as well as the lujls make upper Belle the chief problem when snow and comes." DATA AT THE DAM 8 a.m. temperature Yesterday's today 18 River stage below dam at 8 a.m. 1.6. Poo! 23.0. high low Precipitation 24 lira, to 8a.m.

None. This word came as U.N. diplomats expressed belief no cease- fire is likely soon between the United Nations and secessionist Katqnga despite the intervention by President Kennedy. The spokesman said the U.N. operation was launched at JO p.m.

Elisabethville time. "Our first objective was reached successfully last night and we have suffered no casualties," said a terse message received at U.N. headquarters. The spokesman said this was the operation for which the U.N. forces were preparing to achieve its aim of restoring freedom of movement of U.N.

personnel and assuring law and order in the Katanga capital. There have been a steady stream of U.N. reinforcements pouring into the city to bulwark the U.N. force for that effort. Predict U.

S. Backing U.N. diplomats predicted Kennedy would back up Acting Secretary-General Thant's determination to continue the U.N. military action until Katanga President Moise Tshombe shows a readiness to negotiate in good faith for a anified Congo. The White House was scheduled to release today Kennedy's reply to a plea from Tshombe to intervene to end the fighting.

Tshombe said he was ready to negotiate with Premier Cyrille Adpula of the central Congo government and asked Kennedy to name a negotiator. It was understood the President had suggested a precise course for Tshombe to follow to get negotiations under way, to make sure that secession-minded Ka- Umgu would not be able to re verse his course should an agree men! to talk bring a cease-fire. Names (Jiillion The President named the U.S ambassador in the Congo, Ed mund Gullion. as his persona representative in the Katanga sil nation. (In Brussels, a Belgian senato said Tshombe had sent him wore that he is ready to meet Adoult for political talks as soon as pos sible in a neutral French Africai nation provided Senegal Presiden Leopold Senghor is mediator.

Thant, who has a two-day-old cease-Ore appeal from Britain called a meeting this afternoon his 18-nation Congo advisory com mittee, which is dominated bj Asians and Africans. The commit tee was expected to advise the U.N. chief to stall off any cease fire until the military campaign has achieved U.N. objectives. But Thant told the British Thursday night that he has two envoys in the Congo trying tc work out a political reconciliatioi between Katanga and the centra Congo government in Leopold ville.

They are U.N. Undersecre taiy Ralph Bunche, an American and U.N. political officer Rober Gardiner, a Ghanian. U.N. objectives in Katanga, a stated by Thant Sunday, are free dom of action and freedom carry out all U.N.

resolutions the Congo. U.S. sources U.N stressed that the United' State position is still the same as i was Undersec retary of State George W. Ball declared no cease-fire was feas ible until the U.N. objectives had been achieved.

Work on Building at Third, State Under Way Work of altering the old First National Bank building at State and W. 3rd streets was begun Thursday by J. C. Wohnlich for John Jehle, owner of the building. The altered structure will become the new location for Paul's Fabrics.

The building will be reduced to one story. The present top floor will be removed. The first floor will be dropped to sidewalk level, and the outside windows will be covered over. A new glass and aluminum front will be installed on the W. 3rd side, and an aluminum entrance be built on the State street side.

On the State street, side the present brick wall will be covered with synthetic siding. The high ceiling in the first story will make it possible to install a balcony floor for office and storage at the rear of the shop. Air conditioning, a new heating system, and a complete re wiring job are also planned. Last occupant of the lowei floor of this building was Piasa First Federal Savings Loan which now occupies its new building at State and Wall streets. For many years prior to that the structure has been occupied principally by attorneys.

May 1 has been set for occupancy date, Wohnlich informed the Telegraph today. The building was erected in 1876 for the then First National Bant, and shortly after was sold to Alton of the oldest financial institutions in Illinois. Alton National, a few decades ago, merged with Citizens National into the present First National Bank Trust Co at 3rd and Belle streets. BUILDING TO BE REMODELED Former Alton National Bank, at Third uud State streets, to be remodeled by owner John Jehle for Paul's Fabrics. Photo.

SURVIVOR OF TRAGIC CRASH GREELEY, Broun, 13, gestures with her hands as she talks to an A.P. newsman not shown in this picture taken at Weld County Hospital in Greeley, today. Cheryl suffered a broken spine in a tragic school-bus train crash at a grade crossing near Greeley Thursday morning. Mr. and Mrs.

Morris Brown, Cheryl's parents, of Auburn Community are behind her. (AP Photo) Seek Cause of School Bus, Train Crash That Killed 20 GREELEY, Colo (B Colo- lays en route from Chicago to rado officials searched today for the cause of the school bus-train collision that killed 20 children Thursday. An official of the Colorado Highway Safety Council said poor vis- bility resulting from frosted windows may have contributed to the accident. The council's executive secretary, Merf Evans, said in a report to Atty. Gen.

Duke Dunbar that "90 per cent of all school buses in Colorado are overloaded." This was not a factor in the 3reeley tragedy, however. The load was 23 passengers below ts capacity at the time of the crash. Thirteen children are in a hospital. Four others among the 37 children aboard were treated and The driver, Duane larms, 23, suffered minor injures and shock. They were in a late model, 60- rassengcr bus sliced apart at 8:05 a.m.

by the Union Pacific's 16- car passenger train, City of Den- at a rural crossing near here. The streamliner, 90 minutes late because of Christmas baggage de- Denver, was traveling 79 miles an hour. Railroad officials said that was normal speed. Herbert F. Sommers, 64, a Union Pacific engineer for 22 years, said the bus did not stop at the crossing, marked by wooden crossarms and a road sign.

"He stepped on the gas and drove right hi front of the train," Sommers said. Harms, a school bus driver since last September, said "I think I did (stop). Well, I'm quite sure, because I usually do." Contract Awarded for Three New Police Cars Following a review of five proposals, submitted Thursday afternoon by Alton dealers, contract was awarded to Cordes Motor Co. as low bidder to furnish the city with three new cars for the police department. Ah 1 bids were subject of a trade-in allowance for two old police cars.

The Cordes firm bid a net of $5,970.56 supply three Studebaker Lark patrol marshal models, which Harold Cordes, head of the company, said were especially designed for police work. Delivery was promised within 30 days. Christmas Post Office Rush Above Last Year's Alton Post Office's Christmas mail volume for the opening half December is running about 1 cent over lust year's. Postmaster Harold Klinko to- ay announced that regular window hours will be bserved Saturday at the main ost office, at the parcel post nnex on Street, and at the Jpper Alton station. A regular mail delivery is cheduled Sunday, he sukl.

By actual count. Klinke re- orled, some 1,800,000 pieces of nail have been processed irough the Alton post office In le first 14 days of this month. "At this time of year," Klinke bserved, "we will have about ight times over the normal vol- me of mail to handle," lie said much of the Yule vol- me is 3rd class advertising latter. This type of mail always tu-reuses during December, he aid, and boosts the volume 'hen comtnned with Christmas urds. First class mail comprises 50 liO par cent of the December olume, the postmaster said.

Sales circulars triple in vol- ume during this last month of the year, Klinke said. These Include the circulars plugging after-Christmas bargains. A maximum of 60 extra em- ployes lias been authorized by the Chicago regional postal authorities for the Alton area post office. Starting Thursday, 30 additional clerks were put to work in the sorting room at the main office. Klinke staled the policy of the post office here is to try to give the regular carriers enough overtime to take care of the in creased Yule delivery.

But there are several "ifs" that could change this plan. The regulai crew can do the job in the time prescribed "if" weather behaves, and if the volume continues with steady increase and no sudden upward fluctuation. Weather like last Monday's ice, ruin, temperature drop -would make necessuiy the hiring of 15 or 'JO extra carriers to meet the deliveries deadline, Klinke said. The Alton post office is a distribution point serving 35 smaller post offices of the area, City Manager Graham W. Watt, who opened the bids, said the purchase will provide ttje police department with one additional car, with one to be used for traffic and accident work.

Specifications had been set for the type of cars and equipment needed, and bids were subject to the trade-in of two old care that are being replaced. Other bids for three cars received were: Hoefert Bros, on a Dodge municipal patrol model, Chuck Diering Ford Soles, Galaxie main-liner model, Reilley Chevrolet Biscayne model, and Walz Motor Oldsmobile 88 model, $8,715.41. The several bids were reviewed in connection with the city specifications by Police Chief John M. Heafner, Equipment Maintenance Supt, Eugene Richeson, and Assistant Comptroller Thomas E. Weber, after which issuance of a purchase order to Cordes Motor Co.

was authorized. The city must pay sales tax on the new cars, because of a change last summer in the state sales tax regulations, said Watt, but lu exempt from the federal luxes because it is a municipal corporation. The net bids taken yesterday included the sales tax involved which in the case of the low bidder, Conies Motor Co. was $229.64. The city now must pay sales tax on all its purchase es of equipment and materials.

Initially, the city had proposed to trade in a used motorcycle Of the police fleet, no longer needed with the additional new car. However, this motorcycle recently wrecked, and auto firms then were notified the trade In would be limited to two caw. the Cordes bid, $900 was offered as a trade-in allowance. The police department now will operate with two fewer motorcycles than formerly. One other motorcycle of its fleet was ruined some time ago by fire, and was not replaced..