Mexico Ledger from Mexico, Missouri • Page 1

Covers The Field Like The Dew Does Little Dixie Mexico Evening Ledger COUNTY MEXICO, MISSOURI, THURSDAY AFTERNOON JANUARY 5,01950. But Who Gets Up at 4:00 A.M.?Negligence, Daylight, Best Conditions Cause Accidents If you want to drive in Mexico under the safest conditions, you'll drive between 4:00 and 6:59 a. m. Monday on a wet or snowy day through the shopping and business district in a truck. But if you want to drive with en chances best for an accident, you'll drive in the residential district in a passenger car, with streets dry and visibility good, between the hours of 4:00 p.

m. to 4:59 p. m. on Saturday. These are composite conclusions based on the statistics of Mexico's 50 reported traffic accidents from September through December, compiled Traffic Officer Charles Rehmert.

Rehmert's findings revealed some interesting facts on what, where, when, how, and why fenders and grilles get bashed. Safest day is Monday, at the above stated hours, worst is Sat- 61st Audrain Fair Will Be Aug. 8 Thru 12 ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN AUDRAIN Truman Word For Allison Gets Thanks Candidate Says Presidential Nod Is 'Generous' President Truman threw his (AP) supWASHINGTON, Jan. 5. port today to Emory Allison as a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate from his home state of Missouri.

The President told a news conference he thought Allison, ranking Democrat of the Missouri State Senate, would make an excellent He said he proposes to vote for Allison in the August primary. The President declined to discuss the Democratic. prinary in Ohio, asserting he does not propose to dabble in primary politics except in his home state. ROLLA, Jan. 5.

(AP) Emery W. Allison expressed surprise and appreciation today when informed that President Truman would support him for the Democratic senatorial 'race. He received the first word from the Springfield Leader and News in a telephone call. "It is very generous of President Truman," Allison said. "I appreciate an old friend thinking of me and! I am highly honored." Asked if he had expected the President's support in the race, the state senator sald he had not expected it but had hoped for it.

Allison said he had known the President since the 20s when he a member of the. House. and Truman was presiding judge of the Jackson county: court. 'They became acquainted Truman would at the capitol before varlous committees on matters At pertaining Jefferson to City Jackson county.es Smith had 'no comment on the President's stand; The governor and Democratic State Chairman John H. Hendren talked with the President about the senatorial race when he was home the holiday's.

Later it was widely reported they had agreed Allison would be the strongest candidate to challenge the Republican incumbent, Sen. Donnell. Doctor Says Innocent In Mercy Death MANCHESTER, N. Jan. 5.

(AP)-Dr. Hermann Sander to-1 day pleaded innocent in a loud voice to an indictment charging first degree murder in the so-called mercy slaying of an incurable cancer patient. The state agreed to his freedom pending trial under a continuance of his $25,000 bond with the stipulation that he refrain from ical practice until disposition of the case. Dr. Sander's attorney, Louis E.

Wyman, said the stipulation about refraining from practice was over the protest of defense counsel because of the presumpton of innocense at this time. Dr. Sander stood erect and showed no emotion while Court Clerk Arthur: S. Healy read the indictment. Fear St.

Louis May Run Out Of Coal Soon ST. LOUIS. Jan. 5. (P)-Officials fear that St.

Louis, the nation's eighth largest city, will run out of coal unless production is stepped up. An appeal was sent to President Truman yesterday by Roscoe C. Hobbs and Scott R. Dekins, members of the Citizens Fuel Committee. "The fuel St.

supply for houscholders here in Louis is critically low," the telegram read. "Within a few days great hardship will occur. Temperature now is 11 degrees above with continued cold predicted." Baby Derby Winner Titles Are Official; Prizes Are Ready The 1950 baby derby winner titles are now official, and proud papas can pick up their stacks of gift certificates from the Ledger baby derby editor. It was the biggest baby derby in history, with more awards than any before. It, was the quickest finish on record, too.

with all three winners accounted for by New Year's noon. The winners are Joe Tom Forster, son of Mr; and Mrs. Clark Forster; Mary Lavon Rehma, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Rehma; and Charles Cheatham, son of Mra, Edna Cheatham.

A AR 12 PAGES WEATHER SLOWLY RISING TEMPERATURES VOL. 285 Smith Vetoes $5 Million Appropriations State Ought To Have Nest Egg, Governor Says JEFFERSON CITY, Jan. 5. (A) -Gov. Forrest Smith whacked $5- 545,000 out of a postwar reserve fund building bill today.

Most of the cuts were at the expense of the University of Missouri and the state colleges. His action cut the big fund bill's total from $16,273,823 to 823, counting amounts reappro priated. Left untouched was $5,000,000 extra state aid for public schools -an item that touched off a bitter last minute fight in the legis lature. The vetoes were the Governor's first major reduction in the as sembly's record appropriations. They left about $7,500,000 in the postwar reserve, which has amounted to $55,000,000 since it was established.

"I think the state is like an individual," Smith said. "We ought to have a little nest egg to fall back on in an emergency -A little for a rainy day. "All these new buildings are desirable but there is no urgent need for them right now--no For the most part, the Governor said, he cut out proposed new buildings but left standing the amounts set aside to repair state institutions. "I think it's more important to maintain the present. buildings to build new.

ones," he said Cut from the bill, among other items, were these: $25,000 for the director of mental diseases to use in arranging transfer of a senile hospital site from federal government cut to $10,000. State hospital repair and replacement funds were left intact Rites Friday For Clifton Blattner Funeral services for William Clifton (Happy) Blattner, 59, for-. merly of Mexico, will 'be held the Arnold Funeral Home Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The Rev. Philip Byron Carlisle, pastor of the First Christian church, will conduct the services, and interment will be in Elmwood cem-e tery.

Those asked to serve as pallbearers are: Curtis Blattner of Fulton, Fred Blattner and Otis of Wellsville, and Clyde Blattner, Fred Garner and Sam P. Locke of Mexico. Mr. Blattner died at his home in He St. Louis Tuesday morning.

had been in failing health for about a year, and death was attributed to a heart condition. He moved from Mexico to St. Louis 18 years ago. Son of the late Mr. and Mrs.

J. E. Blattner, Mr. Blattner was born in Mexico on November 2, 1891. He was married to Miss Alice Brashear in 1919.

She preceded him in death in 1925. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. William Shields of Kansas City and Mrs. Harry O. Richards of Wichita, two brothers, Stanley E.

Blattner of Mexico Pemberton Blattner of Chicago; and three sisters, Mrs. Kate B. Travis of Fortuna, Mrs. William E. Thomas of Ferguson and Mrs.

L. J. Ow. ings of Bowling Green. National Phone Strike Is Planned WASHINGTON.

Jan. 5. (AP)-A nationwide telephone is union for early next planned by a chartered CIO The CIO's Communications Workers of America said it will call the walkout unless the Bell mands Telephone a System "substantial" yields to de. for wage increase, shorter apprentice periods, and a 35-hour week. A.

T. Jones, CWA's vice-president, said 100,000 workers are in a position to strike at any time now. Another wave of 150,000 workers, he said, will be ready to quit their jobs by the end of February. In answer to Jones, a spokes man for the American Telephone and Telegraph company, parent firm of the Bell System, said in a statement that telephone workers are paid." Snow There Mr. and Mrs.

John Ellis of near Mexico are reported to be enjoying a fine winter Visit with their daughter, Mrs. Park Stillwell, at San Fernando, Cal. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis left Mexico Nov.

28 and plan to stay in California until the first part of March. February Health Unit Vote Opens 1950 Elections City, County, urday ditto with Friday and Wed. nesday in that order coming close. cidents Seventy occurred percent under of best the driv- acing conditions, with only 25 percent occurred during wet and snowy conditions. Fifteen percent of the 25 percent happened when visibility was obscured by rain or snow.

Seventy-three percent of the accidents indicated negligence on. somebody's part, with only 27 percent falling the so-called "no blame" class. Twenty percent of the fifty accidents were caused by following the car ahead too closely, and 16 percent were caused by failure to yield the right-of-way. Living in the city limits and being familiar with the streets and laws is no help. of the 90 drivers stating.

addresses involved in the base 50-accident figure, 54 lived in Mexico, 17 lived in the Mexico area, and only 20 came from out of town. Passenger cars took the brunt of accidents, with 81 cars involv. ed "as compared to 13 trucks. Twenty-eight accidents happened in the residential areas, as pared with 22 in the business trict. Speed statistics are somewhat misleading, with the highest number of accidents-19-in the 0 to 10 miles, an hour speed bracket.

Seventeen occurred in the 11 to 20 m.p.h. bracket, and 11 in the 21 to 30 m.p.h. bracket. The extremely low speed number was brought about by driverless or parked vehicles involved in the accidents. Incidentally, 10 per cent of the total vehicles involved were driverless.

In the age brackets, the highest accident ratings went to the 20 to 30-year bracket, anyway by number: Ten drivers were in the bracket; 23 were in the 20- 24. bracket; -23 were in the 25-34 age bracket, and 12 in the 45 to 54 bracket. However, Rehmert pointed out, in percentages the teenage bracket rates as most accident prone. note of all--in the 50 accidents, only 14 persons were injured, and none of those seriously. Mrs.

Akeman, 80, Centralian, Dies Thursday CENTRALIA-Mrs. Zellah Watson Akeman, 80, died Thursday morning at 5 o'clock at the Hulen Nursing Hmoe here. She had been a patient there for several weeks after a fall when she broke her leg. The body will remain at the Ballew Funeral Home until taken to the Parker Funeral Home in Columbia for sevices Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The Rev.

Lee Shepherd, pastor of the Baptist church in Columbia, will conduct the services, and interment will be in the Columbia cemetery. Mrs. Akeman was born May 15, 1870, near Midway in Boone county, and was married to G. M. Akeman, who preceded her in death 30 years ago.

Survivors include a son, Brown Akeman of Centralia, with whom she had been residing; two daughters, Mrs. Shannon Palmer of Columbia and Mrs. W. B. Elley of Hot Springs, S.

seven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. 3 Break Jail At Rolla; Are Caught ROLLA, Jan. 5. (AP) Three prisoners from Detroit broke out of the Phelps county jail early today but failed in a dramatic attempt to free the wife of one of them from the city jail. In fact, their daring try led to their arrest a short time later near Union, east of here.

First reports from Deputy Sheriff James Yerger said five prisoners had escaped from the county jail. Hours later; however, two prisoners were found sitting calmly in their cells. Capt. Thomas E. Whitecotton of the Highway Patrol here identified the escapees as Fred E.

Stulhman. 23. John Edward Miller. 28, and Thomas A. Clark.

32. All three have prison records in Michigan. Whitecotton reported. Quantico Road Subdivision Is Newest Addition to City The latest subdivision to be add-1 ed to Mexico is the area north ofW. Boulevard and west of S.

Fairgrounds. in Lawrence M. Barnes subdivision No. 1. The plat of the addition.

filed in the recorder's office. shows 37 lots along a new street named as Quantico. Road, constituting the first street west of and parallel to Fairgrounds avenue and running Tornado Precedes Heavy Rains, Ice This house at Spanish Lake, was torn from its foundation and thrown into the gutter by a tornado which struck through eastern Missouri into parts of Illinois. No one was injured but communications were delayed many hours. Following the wind, heavy rains flooded parts of St.

Louis, stalling traffic. Freezing rain laid a 200- mile carpet of ice across Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahema and Texas between St. Louis and Fort Worth, Texas. (NEA Telephoto). 0 9 Not Much Relief In Sight For Weather-Plagued State KANSAS CITY.

Jan. 5. (P)-! Floods, ice coated roads and low temperatures continued to plague Missouri today. Hardest hit appeared to be the southeast section where the mer. cury dipped below the 20 mark after two inches of ice and sleet.

Highway conditions were ported hazardous in the area. The Black River. swollen by torrential rains before the freeze, reached a crest of 17.6 at Poplar Bluff. It blocked U. S.

Highwav 53, and at was Poplar Bluff inches Highway 60 under six of water. Not much relief appeared in sight. The Weather Bureau -forecast "occasional light- snow or sleet for the extreme 'southeast portion this afternoon. Elsewhere road conditions had not changed much. The highway patrol reported that temperatures were too low for thawing and the coating generally too thick and I hard to be moved by snow equipment.

Tarkio again was the state's cold spot with one below. Kirks. ville had an even zero; Columbit and Marshall had one above: Chillicothe 4. and Kansas City and Clinton New Florence St. Louis 10 and West Plains 13.

Mexico had 2 degrees above zero. At. St. Louis motorists and nedestrians found the going still hazardous as a result of yesterday's ice storm. Service of six street car lines still was disrupted.

A light snow fell this morning. Lows tonight are expected to range from 10 above in the north to 10 to 15 above in the south with Friday's high in the 20s. The State Highway Department today reported these highways blocked by high water: Route 3. north of Clifton Hill; Route 94 in St. Charles county south of Matson; Route 8 in Crawford countv, west of Steelville; and Route D.

south of Alba in Jasper county. Cold. floods. rain. sleet and snow dealt damaging blows to wide area's of the nation today: from southern California into Dixieland.

Freezing weather has caused some damage to the mutli-million dollar citrus and vegetable crops: of southern California despite all night orchard firing. Further damage is feared. although predawn temperatures today were a little above yesterday's lsws. Scores of families were made homeless by floods in parts of Illinois and Indiana. Several roads were blocked by rising 1: creeks and rivers in western.

Kentucky. Bitter cold continued in most of the midwest. Drowns When I I Flood Waters Sweep Car GERALD. 3. Charles T.

Hardy, 10, apparently drowned last night when his ear was swept off a highway and into Lthe. Bourbause civea by. flood. wa. ters last night." The accident happened seven miles south of here.

in Franklin county. Farmer Dewey Scheer, who wit. nessed the mishap, said Hardy climbed to the top of the machine after it was swept. 100 yards downstream and caught on a submerged object. Scheer reported that Hardy lost his grip and disappeared a few moments later in the flood waters.

The badly had not been ed. STEELVILLE. Mo. Jan. 5.

(h Searching with Hashlights in near zero temperature, volunteers from two communities today found the body of a woman drowned Tuesday night in the icy Meramee River. The body of Mrs. William J. Phelps, 25, of Lebanon. was discovered snagged in debris oniv a short distance froin where her husband last saw her clinging to a tree.

Volunteer from Strelville and St. James spotted the body ahout 3 a. m. The temperature ranged from 5 to 8 degrees above zero. Mrs.

Phelps' husband collapsed when he learned of the discovery. He and his wife were washed into the flood -swollen stream when their rar was swept from a bridge as they were returning to Indiana after a visit in south Missouri. Mrs. Bertha LaForce Dies Here Thursday Mrs. Bertha LaForce.

63. of Stephens died at the General hospita! 'Thursday morning at 10:20 o'clock. She had been a patient there since October. Survivors include two sons. Hollis and Preston LaForce of Stephens, and a daughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband. Winter's Worst Hazard: SKIDDING When the road is slippery and you want to slow down, pick dry spots on the pavement and apply the brake evenly. To reduce speed, let two wheels run on road's shoulder, provided it's solid and you aren't rolar too fast. US Hands Off On Formosa, Says President Says US Won't Become Involved In China Conflict School and State Votes Scheduled Dates for the 61st Audrain County Northeast Missouri Fair were set for Aug. 8-9-10-11-12 at a meeting of the Board of Directors at the Mexico Savings Bank Wedensday.

night. The meeting was presided over by B. Turner Williams, Fair president. It was announced that the sewer line near the Fair Grounds will be completed well before the 1950 Fair. The directors discussed various ways to raise the needed for toilet fixtures.

"one of the most sorely needed addimoney tions for our fair." It was announced that the election of -officers for the new fair year will at the next board meeting. Name First Baptist Church Officers Officers of the First Baptist church were elected Wednesday evening at the annual business meeting presided over by the church pastor, Dr. C. Spurgeon McClung. Deacons named to serve for three years were Smith Black, Maurice Maze, Robert Scott and Rupert Singleton with H.

Crews and O. F. Rohlfing named to fill unexpired terms to serve with the other six deacons. Other officers elected to serve for one year were Mrs. E.

R. Jackson, organist; Mrs. George Koen, assistant organist; Miss Fannie Edwards, secretary; Miss Reita Allen, church auditor; Capt. Ivan Bidewell, local treasurer; Mr. Scott, building fund treasurer; Miss Mildred R.

Glandon, librarian; and ushers, Roy Mayhew, Charles P. Mayes and Mr. Singleton. Committees appointed to serve during the year were Mrs. McClung, Mrs.

Loren Baker and Miss Edwards. librarian; Harold McLane, Mrs. Ralph Ward, Thur. man Mayes and H. V.

Holcomb, hospitality; Mr. Mayes, chairman, Mrs. John Beckley and Mr. Holcomb, house committee; Mr. Koen, chairman.

Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. McLane and Mrs. Bidewell, music; Mr. Maze.

chairman. Mrs. M. T. Myers.

Mrs. Luke Brown and Mr. Holcomb, recreation; Mrs. Robert Adams and Mrs. Leonard Earle, decoration: Mrs.

Frank Farrah, industrial; Mr. Mayes, camp member; and Frank Arnall, executive board member. The meeting followed a covered-dish supper. Dr. Walter Maier Reported Recovering ST.

LOUIS. Jan. 5. (P) Dr. Walter A.

Maier, conductor of the International Lutheran radio hour, was reported recovering today from a heart attack he suffered last Thursday. Attendants at Lutheran Hospital described his condition as "satisfactory" and "improved." Dr. Maier, 56 years old, has a leave of absence from Concordia Seminary here to devote his full time to his radio work. While national 1950 elections come in for study and comment, Mexico and Audrain county voters are preparing to vote in several local elections this year. The even-numbered year brings the biennial county and state primary general elections for county and state officers, but in addition several other elections Pare set for the year.

to bring citizens to the be the special county election called for Tuesday, February 21, proposed county health Petitions filed with the county court by 8 county-wide committee asked the election be called for the vote to decide on establishing the health unit with a 10 cent tax and building bond levy. The election date was set in order to allow time for necessary action in the event of passage. March Mexico 21, in may the vote annual city Tuesday, primary. Under the city manager state statutes, candidates will file ten days or prior to the primary. If more than twice the number to be elected file, then the top two candidates in the primary will go into the general election Tuesday, April 4.

If no more 'than twice the number to be will be elected file then no primary held and the candidates will be voted on at the general election. One councilman is to be elected for a three term. The oneyear term to which Councilman W. Jim Hoffman was named last spring expires in April. Next year two councilmen will be elected, and the same number in 1951, with one to be elected in 1952.

Tuesday, April: 4, will ly bring the city election, bat school district voting and a speciel state election. on the road program. In the Mexico school district. the levy will be voted on, and two members of the school board will be elected for three terms. I Members whose current terms are expiring are Mrs.

P. Ekern. vice-chairman of the board. and James F. Cooper.

Other members are Sam Groff, chairman, Mrs. Florence Moc, Denver Hudson, and Jackson Wright. The state-wide voting April 4, for which County Clerk Glenn M. Barnes has received instructions from secretary of state, will be on the referendum petitions filed by opponents of the road program urged by Governor Smith and passed the legislature. Those who opposed the bill circulated petitions for a referendum vote, and the law, including a 4c gas tax and apportionment of 1c to rural roads, has been suspended pending the vote.

The primary will come on Tuesday, August 8, and in this traditionally Democratic Little county, candidates named in the Demomratic primary have been unfailingly elected. On the ballot will be the fices of county, clerk, circuit clerk, probate judge, collector, recorder, treasurer, representative, prosecuting attorney, presiding judge of the county court, judge of the county court from the eastern district, and judge of the county court from the western district. The attorney, representative, prosecuting and associate county judges' terms are for two years, the others for four. The general election, in which Missouri will elect a United States Senator and auditor, comes on Tuesday, November 7. Wellsville Inventor Needs Info Benjamin H.

Clare of Wellsville would sure like to know how many people worry about the fire hazard of parking their car be. side their house, or in a garage in or attached the house. reason he'd like to know is because he now has a patent on a dashboard switch which could be flipped and "presto," the entire electrical system of the car would be disconnected. And it Mr. Clare had some idea of the number of people wanting to make sure isn't a fire hazard of this kind, he'd have some idea of just how far to go in putting his "safety cutout switch" on the market.

Mr. Clare spent a part of the last seven months inventing the 1 switch and getting a patent on it. He has not made any arrange mets for its production, yet. His place of business in Wellsville is Clare's Garage, his -home address is Hudson Street, Wells ville. Mr.

and Mrs. Clare have two children, Warren, 13, and Verdic Julius, nine months. WASHINGTON, Jan. 5. (APT President Truman today declared an American hands off policy toward the Chinese island of For.

mosa. In a news conference state. ment, he said the United States has no desire to use its armed forces there or become involved "in the civil conflict in He made clear the only help Chiang Kai Shek's government in Formosa can expect from the United States is continuing economic ald. Mr. Truman said: "The United States has no predatory designs on Formosa or on any other Chinese territory." "The United States has no de.

sire to obtain special rights or privileges or to establish military bases on Formosa at this time. Nor does it have any intention of utilizing its armed forces to interfere in the present situation. "The United States government will not pursue a course which will lead to involvement in the civil conflict in China. "The United States government will not provide military ald or advice to Chinese forces on For. mosa.

In the view of the United States government, the resources of Formosa are adequate' to able them to obtain the Items which they might consider necessary for the defense of the island. "The United States government proposes to continue under existing legislative authority the present ECA program of economic assistanco." Mr. Truman's declaration. followed weeks of growing ersy ward at the Formosa. capitol Some over Republicans to-among them former.

President Herbert Hoover and Senator Taft of Ohio have urged that the finited States use its Navy, If necessary, to kcep the Chinese. communists from gaining Formosa. The big island. lying about 100 miles off the Chinese mainland, Is the last stronghold of the Chinese nationalists. WASHINGTON, Jan.

5: (AP) President Truman sald today he is working on a program to provide the whole country with publie power wherever it is feasible. The President told a news ferenre that he is anxious to velop the St. Lawrence Seaway andpower project. But he will never agree to. deI velop the power project as a Hie separate said he wants the whole program, he emphasized.

to get the beneflt of the country St. Lawrence project. New Canton And Auxiliary Officers In A joint installation service for recently elected officers 41 and of: Can- the I ton Ladies' Craighead Auxiliary. No: Patriarch ing tant, the regular meeting at the was Wednesday evenTOOF hall. Brig.

General and ly. state president of the AuxilMrs. Roy Featherston of Moher. iary. were installing officers assisted for the evening.

and were by Dr. A. H. Domann of vasse. adjutant, Mrs.

Cleve Lip? and Mr. Featherston. Canton officers include: Cleve Lipp, captain; Carl Cleeton; tenant; Leonard Snvder, ensign; Ben Langenbach. clerk; Walter Crowder. accountant; Charles F.

chaplain; Leo Hall, banner bearer: Scott Rankin, guard; J. Edwards. sentinel; and Dr. Domann. picket.

Mrs. Harry Van Noy of vasse is president of the Auxiliary with Mrs. Rankin, vice-president; Mrs. Burr Crawford, secretary: Mrs. Homer Martin, treasurer; Mrs.

William Wilson of Auxvasse. chaplain; Mrs. Leo Hall. musician: Mrs. Langenbach.

color sergeant; Mrs. Domann. sentry: Mrs. Snyder. officer of the day: ard Mrs.

Thomas UnderI wood of Auxvasse, officer of the guard. Other officers include Mrs. Cleeton and Mrs. Lipp. aides to nresident: Mrs.

Crowder and Mr3. Violet Weist of Centralia, aides to vice Mrs. Bourbon Esteppe of Centralia and Mrs. James White. aides to the chaplain; Mrs.

Leland Crews and Mrs. Charles Styles, aides to past pries. ident. Mrs. Roy Maddox.

In behalf of the Auxiliary, Mrs. Featherston presented Mrs. Mad. dox a past president's pin, and Mrs. Featherston was given.

a gift from the group. Mr. Styles is retiring captain. Janice Lee Hayes A three pound, ounce daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs.

Ralph Hayes of 609 E. Holm street Wednesday evening at 5:13 o'clock. The baby has been named Janice Lee. Mr. Hayes is ployed by the Wabasir railroad.

north of the Boulevard. The subdivision includes 18 lots on the west side of Quantico and 19 on the cast side. The addition includes an extension. slanting to the of W. Buchanan street.

crossing the new Road. The area, outside the city limits prior to December 6. was included in the annexation which extended the.