Hattiesburg American from Hattiesburg, Mississippi • 1

RICAf LOCAL WEATHER South Mississippi: Fair, mild Saturday; cloudy Sunday. A A VOL. LXII No. 301 Single Copy Five Cents HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, FRIDAY, DEC. 20, 1957 Associated Press end Wide World Leased Wire Report Secret' Defense Report Claims ij KJ HATTIESBURG AME (IF i i i i i State Chalks Urges Enormous Boost In Military Spending Cost Of Living Climbs Again car prices were 11.5 per cent pletely outmoded In this nuclear turcs over and above the current 38 billion defense outlay.

Another five billion a year for several i I i i I years, for a civilian shelter program, Is recommended on a prior ity basis." 2. "A sweeping reorganization of the Pentagon command system and of the current roles and missions of the armed services, both of which are regarded as com- Pentagon Shakeup Talked By EDWIN B. IIAAKINSON WASHINGTON UPl-Sen. Mans field (D-Mont) said today a Sen ate probe of missile and satellite programs should result In a dras tic overhaul of the Defense De partment to "bring order out of chaos. He said the top military com mand machinery "must be sim plified and streamlined to enable the nation to push ahead of Russia in the race for control of outer space and in development of long range missiles.

Criticism of the defense organization also was voiced by two other senators Kefauver (D-Tenn) and Barrett (R-Wyo) both mem-(Continued on page 8) WASHINGTON tfl-The Wash-ington Post says a top-secret government document "portrays a United States in the gravest danger in its history exposed to an almost immediate threat from the missile-bristling Soviet In a copyrighted story In today's editions, the Post said a study un dertaken by a board headed by H. Rowan Gaither Jr. "pictures the nation moving in frightening course to the status of a second-class power." "To prevent what otherwise appears to be an inpvltable catastrophe," the newspaper said, "the Gaither report urgently calls for an enormous Increase in military spending from now through 1870 and for many other costly, radi cal measures of first and second Six-Month Study The Gaither report Is based on a six-month study made for the Office of Defense Mobilization and the National Security Council Gilthcr, former president of the Fcrd Foundation, headed the board which surveyed the nation's defense posture. The White House has refused any comment on the report, calling it a highly classified docu-mejt. Ta meet the Soviet military threat, the newspaper said the re port recommends: 1.

"A rapidly rising military budjet throuRh 1970, reaching in the years 1960 and 1961 a peak outliy of about elRht billion dol lars a year in additional expendi- Returns Home Ike Facing WASHINGTON WW The government reported today that living costs rose again substantially In November. A month earlier, they had leveled off after a steady 13-month climb. The November rise of four-tenths of one per cent means a pay Increase for one million workers effective Jan. 1. Most of them, mainly in the steel and aluminum Industries, will get a five-cent-an-hour boost under labor contracts tieing wages to price levels.

The November Increase brought the Labor Department's living cost Index to 121.6 per cent of the 1947-49 average. This Is 3.2 per cent higher than a year ago. uiague, Bureau oi jaoor Statistics commissioner, attributed the November rise primarily to higher prices for new model automobiles although prices of clothing and services generally also Increased. Without the auto price hikes, Clague said, living costs would have risen only slightly If at all in November. The November new Christmas Briefs TAKING CHANCES SANTA BARBARA, Calif.

Wl Women walking by the Balboa Buildins this holiday season will be taking their chances. A radio station has hoisted a live-ioot-nign mistletoe wreath on Us tower atop the building. The stations call let ters: KIST. HOLIDAY SPIRIT LOS ANGELES Of Jurors found Mrs. Verna J.

Deckard, 51, guilty of failing yield the right'of way to a doI ee car. Then, apparently moved by the holiday spirit, the jurors contributed $6.50 of her $10 fine. SOMEONE'S DINNER DALLAS OB Eddie Williams thinks he may miss spending Christmas with his pet, but suspects it will show up at someone's celebration. He told police someone stole his pet turkey. SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS SAN FRANCISCO OP) It was raining and the Salvation Army worker hadn't done so well ringing her bell by her copper Christmas kettle.

On her way to headquarters with the kettle last night, she wished a cheery "merry Christmas to office workers hurrying for home. A man stepped from the stream of pedestrians and asked: "Have the kettles done very well today?" "No, I'm afraid the weather Is too bad," replied Mrs. Barbara Viunova. The man dropped two $100 bills Into her kettle. "Don't let this get wet he said, and disappeared.

MISSISSIPPI WHERE SLAYER DIED Bill Holland, Georce County deputy sheriff, examines the sheet used by M. L. Davis to hang himself Task Of Selling Thursday afternoon in the jail at Lucedale. Davis had tied the sheet to a vent pipe. He was charged with murder in the fatal beating last Sunday of J.

B. Hobby. (Photo by Boy Haines) George County Slayer Congress On NATO langs Himself Up November Business Gain First Increase Since July; Construction At Record Level STATE COLLEGE, Miss, tfl Mississippi's business activity In November showed the first increase since July, the Mississippi Business Review said today. Adjusted for 6eason variation, the index for November was 161 per cent of the 1947-49 level, said the monthly publication of the business research station at Mississippi State College. But unemployment also was apparently on the increase.

The total weeks of unemployment compensation claimed in November was 51,794, up 11 per cent over October and 17 per cent above November of 1956. Non agricultural employment placements fell 37 per cent below October and 10 per cent below a year ago. Although construction has been off nationally this year, construction in Mississippi on the basis of contract awards is at the highest level on record. Residential construction In Mississippi has been turning out especially well compared with national figures. In October, contracts awarded for construction in the state came to $14,303,000, or 20 per cent above October of 1956.

Compared with other totals for October, 1956, con- iracts lor puonc worics and utilities fell 52 per cent, contracts for residential construction rose 59 per cent, and for non-residential construction rose 88 per cent. Total collections by the State Tax Commission in Nov were $7,037,066, down 12 per cent from October and 10 per cent under November of 1956. Sales tax collections in November at were down 10 per cent from October and 4 per cent below a year ago, (The November total did not Include Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29 It 30). November' $39,912 in timber severance taxes were down 32 per cent from October and down 17 per cent from a year bro.

Oil severance taxes of $610,830 were about one per cent up from October and 3 per cent up from a year ago. Vcathcr Official temperature for the 24 hours ending 6 p.m. Thursday: High 74; low 87. River stage 4 88. Rainfall .92.

Mississippi: Fair through Saturday. Cooler tonight 37-46 with interior. Extended forecast for the period Dec. 20-25: Eastern Louisiana Mississippi: Temperatures near or slightly below normal. Normal minima 40-49 extreme south and 28-40 elsewhere.

Normal maxima 44-64. Cooling trend about Sunday and again Tuesday or Wednesday. Precipitation light Or none. S.Qumcy Railroad, where he wan em ployed from July 1898 to February, 1910. During this time he was stationed In St.

Joseph and Chicago. On July 14, 1902, he married Miss Ida Bock, of St. Joseph. They had one daughter, Lucile. After Mr.

Ehlers became connnecled with the Mississippi Central Railroad as auditor in 1910, the family moved to Hattiesburg, where they have resided at 1035 West Pine St. Mrs. Ehlers was well known throughout the state as a musician and composer, and was prominent in musical circles until her death last Sept. 1. During World War whrn the railroads were taken over by the eovernment.

Mr. Ehlers as an (Continued on page 6) i age. A budget study of such changes already is under way." 3. "A much increased preparation to fight limited wars seen as the more likely kind of conflict, especially In the Middle East and Asia, provided the massive offensive capability is The Post said these key recom mendations were among those presented to President Eisenhower at an extraordinary session of the National Security Council on Nov. 7, four days after the launching of Russia's second earth satellite.

The newspaper said Eisenhower Indicated then, and in later conversations, "a nagging fear that the American people would balk at paying the bill' 'for tht recommended outlays. Tax Hikes Possible The report makes clear, the Post said, that there can ba no thought of a tax cut, that the present 275 billion dollar celling on the national debt will have to be lifted quickly, and that possible tax increases will have to ba explored. Other members on the Gaither board included William C. Foster, former deputy secretary of defense and foreign aid chief; Paul E. Nitze, former director of the State Department's policy plan ning staff; James Phinney Baxter III, president of Williams College; Robert A.

Lovett, former secretary of defense; and Robert Chapman a president of Sprague 1 1 North Adams. Mass. Pledges It appeared to officials that Eisenhower's major difficulty would be in trying to get congressional approval for more money, greater sharing of atomic data, and lower trade barriers. Eisenhower and his chief aide, Secretary of State Dulles, will have an opportunity Monday to lay their case before the American people. They are scheduled to make a half-hour report at 8:30 p.m.

Monday over nationwide radio-television facilities of all the major networks. 8 STREETS WILL BE ONE-WAYED LATER Mayor Carlisle said today that it will not be possible until after Christmas to complete work necessary to make one-way streets of the following; Brunie, Hemphill, Railroad, Short, Batson, Market, Jackson, Melrose, College and McLeod. There was a slight delay In getting necessary signs and the mayor said that in view of the traditional Christmastime traffic load it appears inadvisable to make the change at this time. The one-way streets are expected to speed the flow of traffic. order: Home Mrs.

I. M. Culpepper, 701 South 21st Mr. and Mrs. R.

B. Dtxssett. 2910 Mamie St. Doorway Mrs, Tom Hartman, 1105 Mamie Mr. and Mrs.

M. Shaffer, 803 Myrtle St. Novelty Mr. and Mrs. R.

E. L. Bowdon, 1110 Arledge Mr. and Mrs. John M.

Tatum, 116 Adeline St. Mrs. Joseph E. Sarphie Jr, Short Bay St, won first place among club members. Honorable mention went to Miss Sarah Gillespie.

500 Walnut St, and to Mrs, R. E. Schwartz, 29th Ave. Judges were Walter J. Lok, head of the art department of Mississippi Southern College; C.

E. Ambrose, his assistant, and Mrs. Wayne McClure of Carey College. Mrs. Claude Fields, club publicity chairman, today called special attention to the following.

places: Public Library, decorated by the (Continued on page 8) nap wr FIGHT -f feOY CHlgTMAS SSXCI above those In October. Prices of food declined by three tenths of one per cent, reflecting seasonal declines In prices of pork, fresh fruits and eggs. Clague said living costs for De cember will show little change from November, and that he anticipates a slight decline In January. He said the consumer price level beyond January will depend on the business situation generally and how this Is translated into prices. Hoffa Trial Ends In 11-1 Deadlock NEW YORK Ofl-The Federal court trial of James R.

Hoffa, president-elect of the Teamsters Union, and two others ended today in a hung jury. The panel of seven men and five women re ported it was hopelessly dead locked, 11 to 1 for conviction. On trial with Hoffa were Owen Brennan, president of Detroit Teamsters Local 337, and Bernard Spindel, a professional wiretapper. They were charged' with con spiring here to tap illegally telephones in the Detroit Teamsters building to find out what Information union subordinates were giving to official racket Investigators. Conviction carried a maximum penalty of one year in Jail and a $10,000 fine.

The Jurors began their deliberations at 4 p. m. Wednesday and were dismissed at 12:50 a. m. today.

The trial began Nov. 22. U. S. Atty.

Paul W. Williams told reporters: "There certainly will be another trial of this case and I shall try to have It brought to trial at the earliest practicable time." Bulletins BRITAIN OKi U. S. MISSILE BASES LONDON VP) Prime Minister Macmillatt tonight won parliamen tary approval for establishment of nuclear missile sites on British soiL By a 289-251 vote, the House of Commons supported decisions taken by Maemillan at the NATO meeting In Paris decisions which Involve the basing of American-made missiles in Britain. SEEK EXTRA BILLION FOR NATO BUILDUP WASHINGTON VP) Defense Secretary McElroy said today the Pentagon will ask for about a billion dollars In addition to current funds.

The money will be used for missiles and other arms in con nection with the NATO buildup. Thomas Hal Phillips, 35, Is the author of five novels, has lectured at colleges and writers' conferences, and has won a number of literary awards, including the O. Henry award in 1951 and the Guggenheim award in 1953 and again in 1956. Born on a farm In Alcorn Clun-ty, the new commissioner is a graduate of Alcorn Agricultural High School at Kossuth and attended Hinds Junior College from which he was graduated in 1951. He received his B.S.

degree from Mississippi State College in 1943. During World War he served in the amphibious forces, making the invasions of Anzio, Elba and southern France. Scholar He received his master's degree from the University of Ala-bamae in 1948 and taught two years at Southern Methodist University. In 1950 he received a Ful-bright award from the State Department for a year's study and research in France. In 1951 and 1952 he was a member of the Uni versity extension service faculty.

In 1953 he was employed for six months on the news staff of the Memphis Press-Scimitar. In re- jcent years he has devoted his time to farming in Alcorn County and writing, with occasional lectures. Rubel Phillips said in a formal 'statement the ofler to Join the law firm "has been under consideration for several months." Rubel Phillips was elected to the commission in 1955 and in 1956 the Legislature, in a major overhaul, gave the commission wide regulatory powers over elec tric power, natural gas and other utility services. The governor said of his p-(Ccntlnued Oa Pag S) undersecretary ef Kate! Harold Stassen, disarmament aide; and George V. Allen, head of tht U.S.

Information Agency. Elsenhower's plane, Columbine III, flew at a maximum altitude of 13,000 feet both ways across the Atlantic. The pressurized cab-In was kept at the equivalent of sea-level pressure. The 15-nation NATO conference agreed on plans to equip European bases with American range missiles and nuclear warheads. This was linked with arrangements to keep the way open for fresh talks with Russia on disarmament, and perhaps other issues.

Eisenhower must go to Congress for authority to implement som of the pledges made at Paris. And already there is grumbling among some congressional Democrats that the Paris meeting was Inconclusive at best. A communique, la-sued yesterday by the 15 government chiefs of the Atlantic Pact nations, made three major points: It dtplored Soviet behavior, pledged to talk softly and carry a big stick, and declared NATO now had a "new significance" stretching worldwide in scientific and economic fields as well at the military. i Both Davis, a resident of Crossroads Community, and Hobby were employes of Ingalls Shipyards at Pascagoula. Both were white men.

A preliminary hearing had been scheduled this afternoon for Davis. Sheriff Charles Holland said Davis wife visiod him from about noon to 1:30 p.rr,. Thursday and apparently was the last person to see him alive. When deputy Holland found him, Davis was hanging from a vent pipe inside a small sleeping cell. Officers said he apparently fashioned a short rope purposely, since he was a tall man, over six feet and weighing about 175 pounds.

He had removed his shoes. The sheriff said his uneaten dinner still remained on the tray. Deputy Holland cut down the body. A physician who was called said Davis died of a broken neck. The coroner's Jury headed by coroner R.

C. McKay returned a verdict of "death by hanging, self-administered." Services will be held Saturday at Crossroads Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. In addition to his wife, Davis is survived by two small children. Phillips Resigns As PSC Chairman Charles Ehlers Dies; Services Saturday Charles Ehlers, retired auditor fontheran school In St. Joseph, Mo.

the Mississippi Central Railroad, he joined the accounting depart Christmas Lighting Winners Announced By WARREN ROGERS JR. WASHINGTON President Eisenhower returned to Washington at 9.33 a.m. today after a week's trip to Paris where 15 NATO allies drafted a blueprint for coping with the Communists In the missiles age. Elsenhower's plane was delayed more than three hours by 80-mile headwinds. It made refueling stops at Ke-flavik, Iceland, last night and at Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland, this morning, A delegation of about 50 U.S.

and foreign officials greeted Elsenhower on. his arrival in a light drizzle. Vice President Nixon led the American group at Washington National Airport. The delegation also included Christian A. Herter, First Baptist To Have Special Service Dec.

24 A solo-play, "Lo A Child Was Born," will be presented at the Christmas Eve service at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 24 at the First Baptist Church. Amy Andre, noted monologist of New York, will present the play. Mrs.

Andre has presented "Lo A Child Was Born" in churches throughout the nation and also over NBC-TV, New York. Rev, Clyde C. Bryan, pastor of the church, said today: "Christmas is the time for worship, We have prepared a service of special beauty and worshlpful-ness for Christmas Eve. Amy Andre's solo-play, "Lo A Child Was Born" has been received with highest acclaim throughout the nation. Tliis service is open to the entire community.

We Invite you to make it a family affair, and bring your friends to share this worship period with us." Mrs. Andre, with her husband, M. O. Aiidre, and son, Don Andre, of Long Island, N.Y., are holiday guests in the home of another son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs.

Keith Andre, 1705 Hardy St, Mrs. Andre will appear on WDAM-TV at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. rrTi A TC ion liAV ICU MAI DIE IN CHRISTMAS TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS CHICAGO Traffic accidents may kill 180 persons during the short Christmas holiday period, says the National Safety Council.

The Council said if motorists are extra careful and considerate, the iChristmas toil could be held close to a non-holiday level of 80 for the 30-hour holiday period. "But if the extra holiday danger isn't met with extra care and consideration for others," the Council said, "the holiday toll of Immediate deaths may reach 180." The Council figures some 45 million persons will travel on the streets and hichwavs during the holiday period from 8 p.m. Tues day to midnight Wednesday, LUCEDALE M. L. Davis, 30, who had faced a preliminary hearing today on a murder charge, hanged himself Thursday afternoon in his George County jail cell.

Deputy sheriff Bill Holland found Davis' body hanging from about 14 inches of sheet which had been plaited into a rope and tied around a pipe. This was about 4:05 p.m. Davis was charged with first de gree murder in the death of 40-year-old J. B. Hobby of Bexley, father of 12 children.

Hobby was beaten to death with a shotgun at a Negro "Joint" at Merrill early Sunday morning. Storm Batters Clarksdale Area By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A twister-like storm destroyed three or four homes and a barn south of Clarksdale last night in the midst of thunderstorms which covered almost all of Mississippi. No one was reported Injured In the storm which blew down tenant homes and a barn on the New Africa Road three miles south of Clarksdale. Heavy rains flooded the area and it was necessary to use boats to remove marooned residents. High winds and heavy rains also occurred in Clarksdale, where rain totaled 3.71 inches, flooding streets and stalling cars.

Severe lightning during the storm hit util ity lines and transformers in Clarksdale and some telephone lines were put out of commission. Pays To Keep Mouth Shut GREEN BAY, Wis. (A) Soma-times it pays to keep your mouth shut. Ronald King, 19, a parolee from the state refoimatory, and Walter Kalk, Menominee, had been accused by a Green Bay woman of taking $20 from her. King told police he was innocent.

While sitting in the Jailer's office, however, he fell asleep and his mouth opened, displaying a moist crumpled $20 bill. Authorities recommended that his parole he revoked. Oil Review A review of the oil and gas developments in Mississippi this year appears on page 2B in today's paper. HARD LUCK SAN PEDRO, Calif. While Dr.

Jack M. Matthews was doing his Christmas "shopping someone stole his medical bag containing worth of druxs and medicine Ifrom his car. While he was In the jpolice station making out a report, (someone stole $100 worth of the fChnstmas presents he had J't jboht. and a resident of Hattiesburg forjment of the Chicago, Burlington almost a half-century, died at o'clock this morning at Methodist Hospital. He wag 80 years of age, and had been in ill health for some time.

Services will be held at 2:30 p. m. Saturday at Hulett Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. J. Leucett, Jr, pastor of Main Street Methodist Church, and Rev.

Charles Piggott, assistant pastor, officiating. Mr. Ehlers was born on January 22. 1876 in Victzen, Mecklenberg, Germany. He was a ton of Wilhel-mina and Carl Ehlers.

He came to America in 1881; later was graduated from Addison College, a teacher-training institution at Addison, III. After several years spent in teaching at a German-English Lu- By TIM PARKER JACKSON, Miss. Chairman Rubel Phillips resigned today from the Mississippi Public Service Commission and at the same time took himself- out of the 1959 race for governor. This is expected to give a major boost to the stock of Lt. Gov.

Carroll Gartin of Laurel, an almost-certain candidate for governor. Gov. J. P. Coleman appointed Phillips' 'brother, Thomas Hal Phillips.

Alcorn County farmer, novelist and former newspaperman, to succeed to the vacancy on the commission. Rubel Phillips told reporters he will not run for any public office In 1959, Including governor. He said he will continue active in politics, however, and declined to foreclose the possibility he will seek some office after 1959. Joining Law Firm Phillips, a 32-year-old former Alcorn County circuit clerk, will join the Jackson law firm of Wright, Overstreet Kuykendall and Perry, The firm was organized by the late Gov. Fielding Wright and has a general practice.

Coleman met newsmen in his office to Introduce the new commissioner. "I want to make It clear that I feel Rubel Phillips has made an excellent chairman of the Public Service Commission," Coleman said. "At the same tome, knowing and loving the law as I do, I certainly cannot blame him for his decision." Thomas Hal Phillips told reporters he w.U not be a candidate for chairman of the commission. The agency names Its own chairman. Other members are Norman A.

Johnson amd W. E. (Bucky) Moore, McComti, Winners In the annual Christmas lighting contest sponsored by the Original Home and Garden Club are announced today following Judging Thursday night. First place and honorable mention in the classifications follow in that Petal Area Lighting Contest Winners Named Chlrbtmas lighting contest winners in the Petal area were announced today. The contest was sponsored by th Cosmopolitan Club of Petal.

Judging was Thursday night." Winners are: Doorway Mrs. R. D. Butler, first, and Mrs. J.

W. Net-terville, second; window Mrs. H. D. Kirkpatrick, first, and Mrs.

J. L. Garrett, second; religious Mrs. John Watts, first, and Mrs. Dan McLemore, second; novelty or miscellaneous, Johnine Cooper, first, and Mrs.

Q. H. Dkkerson, second. The Petal High School outdoor decorated tree won honorable mention. Judfces were Mrs.

Joseph E. Sar-phie Jr. Mrs. Louis Zehnder and Mrs. Charlie Bell.

They were entertained at a supper party at the Forrest Hotel prior to Judging. The lighting contest committee was composed of Mrs. L. L. White, Mrs.

Mitchell Curry, Mrs. R. E. IJames. Mrs.

Hardagt and iMn Thomas Ford. Current Events TFtE OF HOrE The Tree of Hope, erected In front of the First National Bank on Main 6t, is for the purpose of securing funds to help the needy with Christmas baskets and the necessities of life. Donations may be put in a receptacle under the tree or may be sent to Rev. Garland Mclnnis, 700 Bernice Ave. The Junior Chamber of Commerce sponsors the project.

CHRISTMAS KETTLES The Salvation Army invites contributions to its Christmas program for the needy through kctti' i now located in the downtown area. DOLL AND TOY PARTY The annual Lions Club Chris'mas Doll and Toy party for underprivileged children will be held at 8 a. m. Christmas Day at the Kaenger Theatre, CHRISTMAS BASKETS The Christmas Basket Clearing House office is open from 8:30 a. m.

to 4 p. m. at the Community Center. Telephone 3-1234 to obtain the name of a needy family to whom a basket can be sent. BASKlTBALIMivjKMppt Southern plavs Northwestern Louiini 'a'e at I p.

m. fcaturday la the Southern sport arena..