Hattiesburg American from Hattiesburg, Mississippi • 1

300,000 People In Our Trade Area T7 A 1T Home and Final 111 Edition VOL. XIII No. 188 HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1949 Associated Press and Wide.World Leased Wire Report MM MO HATTIESBUR AME Bans rn my. Crash Occurs Near Bloomingtori, Ind. French Army Proposed As Backbone Of Western Europe 's Defenses Thousands Expected Woods Is Recalled In 5 Inquiry Tells of Aiding Vaughan In California Race Track Deal Unification Bill Is Signed By Truman i rst Hand Report On China Awaited behind the driver when the accident occurred.

He said his impression was that the bus hit a bump in the road and went out of control. Twelve other persons were injured in the crash and are in a Bloomlngton hospital. The coroner identified one of the women through a personal bill fold found on her lap as Mrs. Dale Aik-man of Laporte, Ind. Her husband.

Dale Alkman, a soldier stationed at Camp CampDell, was burned severely. The coroner said the bodies of the two children were found in the seat with Mrs. Alkman and presumably were her daughter and son, 7 and 4 years. Alkman had told hospital at-trndants his wife and two children were aboard the bus. Positive identification of the body of Charles Ellerbrook was made later by three sons.

The bodies, removed from the bus, were placed in six ambulances and a hearse and. accompanied by a police escort, were brought to the Indiana national guard armory here Br DALE BURGESS BLOOMINGTON, Aug. 10. (IP) Fifteen persons died in the flaming wreckage of a Greyhound bus that burned after smashing Into a bridge abutment near here early today. The bus, en route from Indianapolis to Bloomlngton hit the bridge on a winding, hilly road shortly after midnight.

Seconds later lt was In flames. Coroner Robert W. Lyons of Monroe county said the task of Identifying the dead would be difficult as all bodies were almost consumed by the flames. Believes Parents Dead Two of the dead were believed to be Charles Ellerbrook, 79, of Evans-vllle. and his 67-year-old wife.

Their son, Billy Ellerbrook, who survived the era', said his parents were on the bus and were trapped. Ellerbrook said he was riding right Eye Witness Tells Story Of Flaming Horror By DALE BURGESS BLOOMINGTON. Aug. 10. (A1) Everett Miles, a Monroe county farmer living only 100 yards from the scene of the bus crash early today gave this account of the wreck: "The Impact awakened my wife and and by the time we got to the window the bus wns burning and there was also something burning on the bridge.

My first idea was that two cars had met on the bridge. "People were screaming I never heard such a sound and I never want to again. "I saw someone trying to get out of the front of the bus. At the time I thought that was the back of the bus. "I couldn't get within 100.

feet of the fire. It blocked the highway and the bus could be approached only through a field. "One of the bodies at the front end was that of an unusually large man. People who got out said some others were unable to get past him." Joseph Master, a farmer who lives 200 yards from the scene of the crash, was awakened by the noise. By the time he could get to the window, the mis was in flames.

"There was no time at all until it was afire," he said. "After I saw It there was Just one more explosion." SISTERS FILE APPEAL IN MURDER CONVICTION JACKSON, Aug. 10. (IP) A notice of appeal from the life sentence imposed1 on two Hattiesburg sisters convicted of murder has been recorded with the state supreme court Court Clerk Tom Ellis said he had received the notice filed by Mrs. Clara Mae Barclay, 22, and Mrs.

Kelon Ruth Bunton McLemore, 35. They were convicted In Forrest county circuit court July 13 of the murder of Mrs. Barclay's husband, Odls. Ellis said Circuit Clerk L. M.

Cox certified that the two women had signed a pauper's oath before filing the appeal. Thursday City Merchants Make Final Preparations For Big Event All Hattiesburg is Setting ready for Dollar Day Thursday. Merchants a.j changing price tags, have extra clerks and lull stocks. Police will Ignore parking meters. And If Dollar Day enthusiasm Is running true to from, people all over the Hattiesburg trade area are planning to be here bright and ear-ly in the morning.

At prices listed In the Hattiesburg American advertisements, a man on Thursday can buy a suit, shoes, shirt and tie regularly totaling $50.45 for $24.42. A woman's ensemble, Including dress, hat, bag, shoes and hose can be found for as little as $10.95. Duncan Phyfe dining chairs. Imported china, washtubs and fishing tackle are among the items which will be on sale here Thursday. Local people are asked to leave their cars at home so that out-of-towners can find parking space.

The carpet Is rolled back for bargain hunters. All indications are that Hattiesburg will have its biggest Ehopplng day since Christmas Eve. FREED AFTER SERVING 24 YEARS FOfl CRIME THAT NEVER HAPPENED CHICAGO, Aug. A convict who has served more than 24 years of a life sentence was freed today. A federal judge ruled that the crime of which he was convicted never happened.

Ordered released from States-ville prison was James Montgomery, 64-year-old negro, who was convicted on a rape charge In Lake county circuit court. Waukegan. on Jan. 9. 1924.

Federal Judge Michael L. Igoe held that the trial of Montgomery was "a sham" and that the negro was "unjustly and unlawfully indicted, convicted and sentenced for an alleged crime, which ever occurred." In an 18-page opinion which termed the case "shocking," Judge Igoe held that the then state's attorney of Lake county, A. V. Smith, now dead, suppressed evidence which would have proved Montgomery's Innocence. The.

opinion stated evidence supported Montgomery's charge that threats of retaliation by the Ku Klux Man were voiced by the state's attorney to cow the defendant and his attorney and Injure Montgomery's defense. Montgomery was convicted of a charge of raping a 62-year-old Waukegan woman. She died several years later In a mental hospital. At a hearing June 27 before Judge Igoe, Montgomery's attorney, Luis Kutner, produced a doctor who testified the woman had not been raped. as the bill was signed, he appointed a national defense mannKetrent committee and a management advisory group.

This new agency is to work out a program for maximum reduction of defense department expenditures and still maintain military effectiveness. Johnson named General Joseph T. McNarney as chairman of the management committee. Other membprs will be Army Secretary Gray; Undersecretary of the Navy Daniel A. Kimball, and Air Force Assistant Secretary Eugene M.

Zuckert. 0 Stone County Exceeds Blood Program Quota WIGGINS. Aug. 10. Stone county is off to an excellent start today on the Red Cross blood program.

The county exceeded Its blood quota by 25 pints Tuesday when the mobile blood unit from the Mobile Blood center made its first visit to Wiggins. With a quota of 40 pints, Stone countlans donated 65 to the blood bank. Only five persons who volunteered to contribute blood were rejected. Blood center officials who were here with the unit said this was the lowest percentage of rejections yet, in the Mobile district. Of the 70 persons who reported to the blood unit, only 18 National Ouardsmen had previously pledged to donate blood.

All of the others volunteered without solicitation. Included among the donors were two negroes. Stone county women who assisted the regular blood unit crew were: Mrs. George Barrlnger, receptionist; Mrs. Rollo Taylor and Mrs.

Joel Simpson, nurses; Mrs. Joel Blass, Mrs. Robert Reagan, Mrs. Lillian Hopkins and Mrs. Emma Pridgen, staff aides: Mrs.

R. Dancer, Mrs. J. C. Davis, Mrs.

H. C. Hall, Mrs. Ben Ferguson, Mrs. E.

R. Smith, Miss Hazel Moore and Mrs. Fletcher Miller, who is chairman of the blood program in the county, canteen workers. ML'RDER CHARGE FILED NEWARK, N. Aug.

10. (IP) A murder charge has been lodged against Mrs. Mary Corprew. who told police her husband died by knocking a glass from her hand and then falling on its broken edges. Police were told Morris Corprew, 38, stumbled against his wife, caused her to drop the glass, and fell on it.

He died at Beth Israel hospital Monday of a severed artery. Police Lt. William Wagner said yesterday Mrs. Corprew had revised her statement, saying this time that she had smashed a glass against her husband's chest during a quarrel over his late hours. ln IHpntiflrntlon.

Drtver Wayne Cramer of Indian apolis, one of the survivors, said a front tire may have blown out, causing him to lose control of the bus. After striking the abutment it skidded 150 feet down winding highway 37 and came to rest on its left side, blocking the emergency door. Flames Invelope It Flanges enveloped the vehicle almost immediately. The driver said he and "two or three" passengers got out the front door. A Greyhound spokesman in In-dlannpolls, who declined to permit use of his name, confirmed that there were 37 passengers on the bus when it left Indianapolis for Bloomlngton.

Glen Van Horn, manager of radio station WTTS In Bloomlngton, said one of the survivors told him he "walked through five feet of flames" to get off the bus. The survivor, Wells Richardson, 18 of Evansvllle, told Van Horn he was dozing when the bus struck the bridge abutment. The bus was fctill smoldering two hours after the wreck. The center section was burned down to a mass of twisted metal in which charred bodies could be seen. A Bloomlngton fire truck laid a line to Muddy Fork creek, near the scene, and pumped water Into the smoldering Negro Leads Way Van Horn said Edgar Davis of Indlanlapolis, a negro, was credited by other survivors with kicking out a rear window, through which most of the survivors escaped.

Davis suffered a back injury and was brought to the Bloomlngton hospital. Bloomlngton, site of Indiana university, is about 60 miles southwest of Indianapolis. TRAFFIC HAZARD BLOOMINGTON, Aug. 10. (JP) The spot where a Greyhound bus crashed and burned today is a common one for accidents.

There have been three crashes this year at the bridge over Muddy Fork. It Is on a stretch of winding, hilly road. The other crashes involved trucks. The bridge abutment which the bus struck today had recently been wrecked by one of the trucks and the pieces nad been propped back Into place with a board. By JOHN IHGIITOWER WASHINGTON, Aug.

10. (IP) Ambassador John Lelghton Stusrt arrives today from China to give a first-hand report on what the Unit' ed States is now confronted with there. He will talk directly with Presl drnt Truman and Secretary of State Acheson. Stuart's reports, following publi cation of the Truman administration's "white paper," are expected to have an Important bearing on the development of new American policies toward China. The white paper wrote off the Chinese Nationalist government as a failure.

Especially important will be Stuart's estimates of (1) the possibilities of further resistance to Chinese Communists by Nationalist generals outside the Red area and (2) the- possibility of anti-Communist forces growing up inside the Communist controlled provinces. Acheson Acheson, meanwhile, was reported ready to begin consultations with House and Senate Foreign Affairs committees on the Chinese situation. Indications are that he is especially anxious to try to build new policies on a bi-partisan basis. He had an appointment to go before the House committee today and lt was understood that he might have another closed door session with the Senate Foreign Relations group tomorrow. Stuart was due here by plane from the west coast at 2:30 p.

m. (CST). This Is the 73-year-old diplomat's first trip back to the United States in a long time. An educator by profession, he was named ambassador to China at the time that General George C. Marshall was making his unsuccessful effort to irilfy the Chinese Communists and National ists in 1946.

Because of his more than 40 years residence In China and his wide acquaintance with Chinese leaders, Stuart Is regarded by this government's top foreign policy makers as an outstanding authority on the country. In the white paper report, by which the State department announced that it was giving up all hope that the Nationalists could save China from Communism, Stu art's dispatches to Washington play ed an important part. Called The Cards In recent months he has particu larly emphasized the growing weak ness of the Nationalist regime due to divisions among its leaders, In eluding a lack of cooperation be tween Acting President LI Tsung Jen and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, the former president. Stuart foresaw at that time a "fragmentation" of the non-Communist area of China with the defense of each province Red advances falling more and more into the hands of provincial leaders. unable to suppress breaches of the peace or resistance to execution of the law.

The sheriff or circuit Judge must make the request. The National Guard must be used since there Is no state-wide police agency.) The petition charges that "certain persons" are conducting an organized effort to intimidate, threaten and assault law officers and commit unlawful acts. The effort extends to sale of whisky and operation of gambling devices, the paper charges. Jolly said gambling Is not a prob lem, but that bootlegging: is. W.

D. King, a highway patrolman, was attacked ai a lining station at Okolona July 30 and severely beaten. The four men charged with the assault will receive a preliminary hearing before Justice of the Peace D. F. Elliott today.

King is recuperating from his injuries at his home in Oulfport. He will not appear at today's hearing. Events U. S. Military Chiefs Present Their Findings WASHINGTON.

Aug. 10. General Omar N. Bradley made clear today that the French army will be the backbone of the North Atlantic defenses. The Army chief of staff told a Joint meeting of the Senate For eign Relations and Armed Services committees that the bulk of American miltary aid proposed for Europe will go to the French.

Bradley urged quick approval of President Truman's $1,450,000,000 arms program. But at the same time he wrote off any prospect of an effective military program for China. "This (the arms program) is an effective way to give aid to Europe," Bradley said, "but there is no immediate effective way to give aid to Asia." Bradley, speaking for the three Joint chiefs of staff, testified after Secretary of Defense Johnson told the committee he Is willing to accept 60 per cent In cash and 40 per cent In contract authority to launch the arms program. Proposes Cut Senator Vandenberg (It-Mich) yesterday proposed a 50-50 split, with the contract authorization to be paid out of next year's budget. Johnson said It is agreeable to the military department to spread the Initial cost of the arms program over two or even three years.

Another congressional proposal to delay the major part of the re- arming program until the proposed Atlantic pace security council araits an overall defense plan met a rebuff from Bradley. "The program should not be delayed," Bradley said in answer to a question by Chairman Connally (D-Tex) of the Foreign Relations committee. "Whatever strategic concept Is agreed upon, this equipment will all fit In," he said. Bradley did not expand on his reference to the plan to give the bulk of the military aid to France. He said details have to be given in secret.

The Army chief of staff and his Navy and Air Force counterparts, Adm. Louis Denfeld and Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg, were called Into a closed door session with the committee this afternoon. In putting forth his financing proposal yesterday, Vandenberg said the split would make it easier to get the program through Congress this session. Need 60 In Cash But Johnson said his staff has advised him that 60 per cent of the $1,600,000,000 for Western Europe must be in cash.

The remainder can be in authority to make contracts which will be paid for in cash later, he said. Congress is wrangling over the amount of military aid that should be given to the North Atlantic pact nations, plus Greece, Turkey, Iran, the Philippines and Korea. In addition to the Senate hearing, Secretary of State Acheson is scheduled for a closed-door meeting of the House Foreign Affairs com mittee. the 30th president of the United States from 1929 to 1933. At 75 he is, as always, a hard worker, usually putting in a 16-hour day.

-His chief concern for many MR. HOOVER years has been for national and International affairs. Even when on fishing trips or at the annual encampment of the Bohemian club on the Russian river, he usually works at least part of the day. At his New York hotel resi-(Contlnued on Page Fif teen). 'A Xs, ll- ii WASHINGTON, Aug.

10. (iP) President Truman today signed the new armed services unification bill. He said that this will permit the United States to progress toward "a balanced and effective national de. fense." Mr. Truman signed the measure in a ceremony in his oval room office.

Senators and representatives who handled the legislation, the heads of the defense establishment and top ranking army, navy and air force "brass" looked on. The legislation, which strengthens Secretary of Defense Johnson's con trol over the entire military setup, drew one criticism from Mr. Truman. "It Is unfortunate tnat in this generally progressive legislation, at least one provision represents a backward 6tep," the president said in a brief statement. "New and cumbersome restrictions are placed on the member hip of the National Security council whereas the desirable course would be to follow the recommendation of the commission on organization of the executive branch and remove the statutory restrictions on the council's membership." As a whole, however, Mr.

Truman said the bill "represents a great advance" and will lead to "increased efficiency and economy and greater coordination of our military forces." Johnson urasted no time. As soon Bulletins URGE RECALLL OF GEN. MacARTIIl'R WASHINGTON, Aug. 10. UP)-A group of 10 senators today "urgently requested" Secretary of Defense Johnson to recall General Douglas AiacArlhur from Japan.

Nine Republicans and one Demo cratSenator Byrd of Virginia said In a letter to Johnson that the pending $1,460,000,000 foreign arms which is global in character." Noting that the chiefs of staff have visited European countries but are not likely to have time to go lo the Pacific the senators aald they want the views or MacArthur and Vice Adm. Oscar C. Badger, naval commander In that area, before voting on the arms measure. ALBANIA CHARGES GREEK TROOPS WITH INVASION LONDON, Aug, 10. Albania said today she is being Invaded by Greece and that fighting Is In progress along a 30-mile front.

A broadcast by the official Tirana radio said bloody clashes with Athens government troops began four days ago. It added that hundreds of Greek soldiers have been killed or taken prisoner, WEATHER 7 a. m. reading. 77 degrees.

Tem perature for the 24 hours ending 7 a. m. today: High 95; low 69. River stage 6.78. No rainfall.

Hattiesburg and Gulfport Partly cloudy this afternoon, tonight and Thursday; scattered afternoon and evening thundershowers. Highest temperatures expected Thursday, u-. Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and extreme Northwest Florida Partly cloudy this afternoon, tonijrtit and Thursday; scattered afternoon and evening thundershowers; gentle to moderate mostly southeast winds on the coast. Extended forecast for Mississippi today through Saturday: Temperatures will average 1-3 degrees above normal with little day to day variation. Normal maximum 91 to 95; normal minimum 69-73.

Precipitation moderate to locally heavy from scattered thundershowers throughout period. 0 PRIZES PLANNED FOR FIRST BALE OF COTTON The first bale of cotton ginned In Forrest county will bring prizes amounting to more than $150, it was announced today by the agriculture committee of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The Jaycees have been notified by a number of local merchants they will make these prizes available to the farmer who gins the county's first bale. Other merchants who would like to participate are asked to contact the Jaycee office immediately. BASEBALL AMERICAN LEAGUE New York 3, Boston 2.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10. (IP) Housing Expediter Tighe E. Woods said today he recalls that MaJ. Gen.

nary h. vaugnan asked him to "hurry" along a construction permit for the Tanforan race track. Woods told a senate investigations subcommittee that Vaughan, President Truman's military aide, came to his office Jan. 12. 1948, to make the plea.

He said Vaughan was accompanied by Eugene Mori of Camden, N.J., listed as Tanfo-ran's president. Woods previously had told the subcommittee only of being called to the White House Jan. 9 last year by Vaughan to discuss the Tanforan matter. He quoted Vaughan as telling him at the White House meeting that "some of my friends" were interested In the case. Woods said that at the meeting three days later he believed that Vaughan asked him to "please hurry" along the permit because there was "something" before the California race track commission which would make Tanforan lose its franchise if the construction work could not proceed.

Woods sent letters to the Justice department the next day urging modification of a court order issued against the former owners of the track to stop construction. Committee Chairman Hoey, D-NC) said his group is especially Interested in getting all the details as to why the Tanforan track finally got government blessing for the construction after approval had been denied repeatedly, The committee is checking on whether improper Influence had figured In the administration of federal regulations and in the awarding of government contracts. In that connection the group Is looking Into the activities of "five percenters" persons who charge a fee for help In getting government contracts for others. After hearing Woods the committee pftins to call to this witness stand: 1. Albert W.

Lewltt, a public relations counsel here. Until late In 1947 Lewitt served as secretary to former Senator Albert Hawkes of New Jersey. The investigators said Hawkes has nothing to do with the situation they want to question Lewltt about. 2. Clarence H.

Oehler, former supervisor of the War Assets administration's storage warehouse division in Chicago. The committee said Oehler now Is with the American Industrial Development corporation of St. Louis. Committee officials said they want to quest! Lewltt about a transaction in which the government sold the Lido Beach hotel on Long Island (N.Y.) back to its original owners after taking over the property during the war. $102,500 Fee The subcommittee already has heard testimony that James V.

Hunt, a key figure in the five percenter inquiry, collected a $102,500 fee for handling that deal fo rthe owners. Paul D. Grindle, a Massachusetts manufacturer, told the senators Hunt Informed him lt was his big' gest fee as a management counselor. Hunt once was a lieutenant colonel In the Army Quartermaster corps. Later he worked for the War Assets administration.

The committee is known to be trying to find out who suggested that the Lido Bach hotel people get in toucn with Hunt. At yesterday's session Woods tes tlfied that Hunt was dubbed "king maker" by rhose who knew him because, as Woods put lt, he always was claiming credit for getting friends appointed to good federal jobs. Woods said Hunt made lt clear he felt he was responsible for Woods being named rent control director and later housing expediter. Woods, on the other hand, said he felt he won advancement on his merits. SEEK TO FREE JAILED GOLD STAR MOTHER SALT LAKE CITY.

Aug. Officials In Salt Lake City and Washington sought legal means today of freeing a Gold Star mother from jail. Mrs. Nettle W. Capps chose to serve a 30-day Jail sentence rather than abide by a district court ruling.

Her son, Jacob L. Capps, named her beneficiary of his National Service Life Insurance policy. The court ruled she must give lt to a tructee for the benefit of her son's three children. Through an Intermediary Mrs. Capps clarified her stand.

She said she was refusing to permit the insurance payments to go to Mrs. Maurine Stam, mother of the three children, because she feels it would not be used for the benefit of the children. Chickasaw Countians Ask State To Battle Bold Bootleggers OKOLONA, Aug. 10. UP) I Guard to aid law enforcement In Th hootiPBffintr traffic has got cases where civil authorities are Nation Pays Tribute To Herbert Hoover On His 75th Birthday Chickasaw countians crying for help.

Sheriff Hal Jolly says he'll accept all he can get. Jolly confirmed today that a citizens committee is circulating a petition requesting Gov. Fielding L. Wright to intervene. Approximately 1,500 persons already have signed.

Jolly said he told a committee headed by Frank Blac, a former groceryman, that he would welcome inv Kid furnished by the chief executive. The committee met with him, the sheriff said, to get his approval before drawing up the petition. Countv Attorney w. W. Brand and District Attorney Abb Patterson are also cooperating.

Jolly said. No specific action is sought or the governor. The petition merely asks for "whatever assistance you are empowered to lend under the constitution." (State law provides that the gov ernor may call out tne rationai Current fX i 'V iVv STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Aug. 10. (IP) Herbert Clark Hoover is 75 years old today, and tributes for the country's only living ex-president poured in from all over the world.

Late today Stanford university will honor Its most illustrious graduate in the Frost amphitheater. A crowd of 12,000 to 14,000 was expected. The program will be climaxed by a major address by Mr. Hoover, beginning at 5 p. m.

PST (7 p. CST). His topic will be "Think of the Next Generation." Even Mr. Hoover, who once said, "I have had every honor to which any man could aspire," probably was surprised by the stir created by his birthday anniversary and by the congratulatory letters by the thousands." "Hoover Day Two states, Arkansas and Maryland, proclaimed today "Hoover Day." Governor Earl Warren of California issued a proclamation in which he said: "Few men anywhere have lived more useful lives, and none with greater devotion, both at home and throughout the world." The governors of New Mexico and Vermont extended greetings to Mr. Hoover in proclamations, and personal congratulations were sent by the governors of Idaho, Alabama, Virginia, South Dakota, Kansas, New York and Washington.

Mr. Hoover, born in Iowa and a member of the first graduating class of Lei and Stanford university, tu The following events of general Interest art scheduled here: SOFTBALL Jaycee league Softball games scheduled tonight at Kamper park are: Donavan-Lane vs Woodmen of the World, Fowler Butane vs Southern Bell, o'clock. SOCK SUPPER The Petal Eastern Star chapter Is sponsor-ing a "sock supper" at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Petal Grammar school to start its building campaign. The public is invited, with women asked to bring a pair of men's socks and a box lunch for two.

BASEBALL The Hattiesburg American Legion Juniors play a Poplarviile Junior team at 1:30 p.m. today at Kamper park. SLAYING SUSPECT CAUGHT IN GULF This aspect (center) hi brutal attacks on two families has Just been captured by officer while Ashing for scallops on the Gulf of Mexico near Oaana, Fla. Sheriff Todd Tucker (left) Identified the prlioner as Jim Sullivan, alias RuaseU. The sheriff said he Is held for questioning about the attacks Sunday in which one person was killed and four others were wounded.

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