Mt. Vernon Register-News from Mt Vernon, Illinois • Page 1

TEMPERATURE 46; low, 22. Last night 's Noon Ml VERNON REGISTER-NEWS MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION A NON PARTISAN NEWSPAPER SQUARE DEAL FOR ALL SPECIAL FAVORS TO NONE WEATHER MOSTLY FAIR tonight and Thursday. Colder tonight. Warmer Thursday. Low tonight 17.

High Thursday 32. Low Thursday night 22. VOLUME XXXIV NO. 78. MOUNT VERNON, ILLINOIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1953 25c PER WEEK BY CARRIER INDICT SHOULDERS FOR PERJURY OK ILLINOIS MERGER OF 2 DIVISIONS Army Wirhdraws Allotment to 44th At Request of Governor As Dispute Rages.

PROTEST CLOSING RENTED ARMCIES SOUTHERNERS FIGHT OFFERS PLAN SHIFTING OF DEFENSE FOR PENSIONS WORK TO AID JOBLESS TO EVERYBODY SEVEN SISTERS AWAIT NEW BABY BROTHER Dixie Fears Loss of Contracts to Unemployment Areas In New England. Sparkman Says Ike's Plan is Like! One Truman Tried. But GOP Leader Doubts Social Security Will Be Revamped Ex Commander Claims Transfer to 33rd Makes Men Liable For Call Again. By Associated Press WASHINGTON Governor William Stratton's request that Illinois maintain only one National Guard division, the 33rd, has been approved by the Army. Maj.

Gen. Edgar C. Erfckson, chief of the Army's National Guard Bureau, announced Tuesday that the allotment lor the 44th Division has been withdrawn at the request of the governor. The general said the majority of personnel assigned to small units of the 44th while the division was being made up would be transferred to the state's 33rd Division. Meanwhile, the senior officers of the division, numbering about 12 with the rank of colonel and higher, charged that, the merger of the divisions will leave the state "with fewer troops than at any time since World War The senior officers claimed that the merger "would seriously affect national defense plans" at a "critical time in world affairs." Close Rented Armories They said in a statement which was sent to the governor and circulated downs ate that Stratton's plan to close all armories rented to the Guard will place a hardship on 39 doivnstatc communities.

will result in a loss to each community of from $1,500 to $2,000 a month in pay to the Guard as well as the loss of security felt by the community due to the existence of a uniformed body of troops immediately available in case of disaster," the statement said. Legion Chief Protests At Herrin, 111., Edward Drie- mcyer, state commander of the American Legion, said Tuesday that he would seek a meeting with Stratton to protest the merger. His announcement followed a conference at Herrin Monday night with Maj. Gen. Harry Bolen of Cairo, former commander of the 44th Division.

Driemcyer said, "Gen. Bolen explained to us that if the 44th Division is consolidated with the 33rd, members of the 44th who served in the Korean conflict again would be liable for service in case of another He said it was unfair that members of the 44th should be placed in double jeopardy. Also attending the Herrin meeting were Col. Richard Jarvis of Cairo, former commander of the 130th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 44th, and Robert Stout, 25th District American Legion commander. Would Oust Governor The commander of the National Guard at Rock Island, 111., said Tuesday night that if the merger goes through, members of the two Illinois guard divisions should work to elect a new governor.

Lt. Col. Robert E. Strupp, commander of the 223rd Field Artillery Battalion, said in an interview that "about 90 per cent of the 44 th Division are Republi cans." Stratton proposed the merger of the 44th with the 33rd Division as an economy measure. At Decatur, 40 guardsmen headed by Capt.

Ray Light of Decatur planned to circulate petitions protesting the merger. The petitions will be sent to all Illinois Congressmen. By Associated Press WASHINGTON. As Eisenhower administration plan for funneling more government defense work into areas of large unemployment ran into a barrage of heavy criticism from Southern Democrats today, lore- shadowing verbal fireworks when Congress meets next week. Sen.

Mayb'ank fD-SC) accused President Eisenhower of turning his back on his campaign promises. Sen. Sparkman (D-Ala) and Sen. Hill (D-Ala) said the program, set forth again Tuesday at the Little White Hoviho at Augusta, Ga violated pledges made by the GOP leadership in the Senate last July. And Sparkman declared it Is not true, as Presidential Press Secretary James C.

Hagerly said, that "this is the first time a national administration has tried to cln something" about chronic regional unemployment. Sparkman said the Truman administration had a "positive and definite program" for cutting defense contracts into of labor surplus. In Augusta, Hagerty declined NEW YEAR'S EVE HILARITY IN N.Y. WILL COME HIGH It Will Cost $100 for Party In Swanky Night Spot Labor Surplus at Herrin, Frankfort Associated WASHINGTON One Illinois area is on the Labor Department's list of regions "substantial labor surpluses." The area embraces Herrin, Murphysboro and West Frankfort. Vincennes, also was on the Labor Department list and presidential press secretary, James C.

Hagerly, said TeiTe Haute, Ind. was on a partial list involving surplus labor areas. to comment further when asked about an official policy of the Truman administration, put into effect in 1952, to award defense contracts to other than the low bidders in an effort to. counter unemployment in some 'areas. Hagerty also said the policy was being announced for the first time, so far as he knew.

Actually, it had beeji outlined in a memorandum by Arthur S. Fleming, defense mobilization director, last Nov. 4 and made public then. At that time, Flemming named 17 large and 22 smaller metropolitan areas of chronic unemployment as eligible for aid. In itjs essentials, the policy is similar to that of the Truman administration, abandonee' last August, to give preference in the award of defense contracts to areas where there is considerable unemployment.

Fear LOBS to New England Most criticism of it in the past has come from Southerners who argued that it would rob their textile mills, for example, of government business which would be steered to New England. "Altogether a bad policy and one I have never favored," Sen. George (D-Ga) said. "It's a great mistake and will unbalance industry everywhere." By Associated Press NEW YORK Taking your best girl out for New Year's Eve will require the major part of a bill at some of New York's jssvankier night spots. But you can visit the bar 'around the corner and buy a 10 beer to watch the revelry television.

The minimum tab at (he Hotel Pierre's Cotillion Room will be $27.50 per person. For that you will get dinenr, a show, noisemakers, dancing and a cham- Ipagne cocktail. To the $55 for two, add the price of all other drinks, tips, a snack on the way borne and maybe a headache remedv. The Pierre's price includes the, 20 per cent luxury tax. At most other places, the quoted price does not.

The Hotel Plaza's basic charge will be $25 per person in its Persian Room for dancing, dinner, favors and a show. At the Waldorf-Astoria, the price will be $25 in the Empire Room, $15 in the Peacock Alley cafes, and $7.50 In adjoining cafes. The Hotel New Yorker will provide its ice show, supper, funny hats, noisemakors and dancing for $13.50, including tax. Night clubs generally will-have minimum charges, which usually can be used up either in food or drink. The Viennese Lantern, will have a $2 cover charge in addition to a S10 minimum.

Ten dollar minimums will be in force at the Embers, the Bon Soir and numerous other places. Some places will have "open house." meaning that regular prices will prevail without covers or minimums. The Edison Hotel, in the heart of New York's Gay White Way, is refusing to rent any rooms or suites for New Year's parties. Irwin H. Kramer, the owner, says such parties would disturb of travtling salesmen jwho have to be up and on the jo'o the next day.

Maybe It Was An Atomic Cap Pistol Oy Associated Press BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Edward Cobb, 4, was playing with two brothers on a street corner when he pulled the trigger of his cap pistol near a sewer opening. The blast that followed was believed to have been caused by gas. Edward's brothers Davis, 6, and Douglas, 12, beat out the fire on his burning clothes, but the boy was burned on the face, neck and His condition was described as good Tuesday night. By Associated Pre WASHINGTON Rep.

Kean (R-NJ) predicted today neither the Eisenhower administration nor Congress will adopt a key Republican colleague's plan to pay social security pensions to almost everyone over 65. Rep. Carl T. Curtis (R-Npb), chairman of a social security of the House Ways and Means Committee, outlined the far-reaching new program Tuesday. Kean, fourth-ranking Republican on the Ways and Means Committee, said Curtis' plan would undermine the social security trust fund.

Curtis called in effect for pensions now for all retired persons over 65 years old, and for an increase in the monthly minimum social security benefit from the present $25 to $45. He estimated this would add some five million aged persons, 670,000 children and 150,000 widows or orphans to the old age retirement and survivors' insurance (OASI) benefit rolls, more than doubling the present number. Curtis said the new minimum would increase benefits for more than 1,700.000 aged persons, 300,000 orphans and 100.000 widows already on the rolls. He called for tax contributions from all workers under 65, levied on all types of income. He would let the rate jump from 1 to 2 per cent in incomes up to $3,600 annually, paid by workers and employers alike, as scheduled Friday.

He estimated this would bring more than 10Vi million doctors, lawyers, farmers and others into the system. End Dual Program His universal pension plan would end the present dual program of aid to the aged. The OASI program provides retirement or death benefits based on contributions from workers and employers. A separate program has pro-: vided more than one billion dollars annually in federal welfare some million aged and dependent children, based on their need. State and local governments also contribute to this program and administer it locally.

Curtis would abolish Hie federal portion of this program, but state and iocal governments could provide welfare payments to the needy if they wished. Kean said in an interview it would be. "a dishonest approach to let the present aged population raid the social security trust fund built up by contributions from workers under the present system." He said he thought the Eisenhower administration would oppose such a move and added: "I shouldn't think it would have much chance in Congress." Governor Plans Public Reception By Associated Press SPRINGFIELD, 111. Gov. and Mrs.

Stratton will hold the traditional public reception at the Illinois Executive Mansion on New Year's Day, it was announced today. Guests will be received from 5 to 7 p. m. CHARGE COP LIED ABOUT MONEY BAGS Man Who Arrested Kidnapers Is in Trouble Over Stories About Tho Ransom. Seven Drabik sisters await, the homecoming of their new 8-pound baby brother, John Henry, at their home in Chicago.

Left to right: Mary Jan, Mary Kay, Mary Pat, 2: Beth. 11; Mary Rose 11 months; Mary Sue, and Mary Lynn, 7. The new male addition to the family was born to Mrs. Henry Drabik at the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Chicago. (Associated Press Photo) WARRANT ISSUED BOND IS $10,000 Former St.

Louis Officer Expected to Surrender Soon and to Post Bail. STATE GROUP BACKS BUFORD FOR MEA POST Education Association Meets; Favors Teaching About Reds, Fascists By Associated Press The Illinois Education Assn. has gone on record in favor of teaching American youngsters "about communism and all forms of totalitarianism" and exempting teachers' retirement income from federal income tax. The convention nominated Miss Helen Ryan of Coal City for a two-year term as National Education Association director anl endorsed Lester J. Buford, Mount Vernon superintendent of elementary schools, for first vice president of the NEA.

The communism resolution adopted Tuesday said teaching about communism "does not mean advocacy of communism" and said advocacy should be prohibited. But giving pupils information about communism, the resolution said, would be "a measure of defense against our most potent threat." Ths IEA's centennial convention endorsed a proposal Rep. Mason (R-Ill.) to exempt teach- ei-s' retirement income from federal tax. Paul Street of DeKalb. tor'of publicity for Northern Illinois State Teachers College, was elected president for a one year term.

Miss Mildred Toomey, a Wood Rover teacher, was elected vice president. TOURNEY SCORES At Centralla Pinckneyville 59; Litchfied 47. Broyles, 8 Other State Senators, Backing Meek SIMS MINISTER AND WIFE HURT IN ACCIDENT By Associated Preis SPRING FIELD, 111. Joseph T. Meek's campaign for the Republican nomination to oppose U.

S. Sen. Paul H. Douglas for relection in 1954 appeared today to be picking up momentum. Meek, one of three announced candidates for the GOP senatorial nomination, got a boost Tuesday with the endorsement of nine Republican state senators.

Sen. Everett R. Peters (R-St. Joseph) disclosed the ne backing alter a state legislative group met with Meek and dis- I cussed campaign issues with him. Meek, a resident of Western Springs in Cook County, is executive secretary of the Illinois Federation of Retail Assns.

The other two avowed GOP aspirants for Douglas' seat are Edward A. Hayes of Chicago and Deneen Watson of Winnetka. Pledge to Support Sleek Peters told reporters that these state senators besides himself sat in on the session with Meek and pledged their support of him: David Davis, Bloomington: Merritt J. Little, Aurora; Paul Broyles, Mount Vernon; John P. Meyer, Danville; William J.

Walsh, Chicago, and Clyde C. Trager, Peoria. Sens. Frank Johnson of Kewanee and Egbert Groen of Pekin did not attend but sent messages promising to join with their colleagues Peters said. Sen.

Arthur J. Bidwill of River Forest, known to look with favor on Meek's bid, was present but decided not to commit himself in advance of a slate-making gettogether with Cook County GOP committeemen set for today. Peters said Meek gave satis- REP. VURSELL IN RACE AGAIN FOR CONGRESS Salem Republican Announces His Candidacy for Reelection Car of Rev. and Mrs.

John Hits Ditch East Of Kell The Rev. John Baker, a Sims minister, and his wife, Edna were seriously injured at 9:00 o'clock last night when their cat- crashed into a ditch on a blacktop road live and one-half miles east of Koll. The Rev. Mr. Baker, 57, was in critical condition from head injuries today at 'Jefferson Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Baker, 52, was described as in "fair" condition at the hospital. State police who investigated the accident said that the Baker car crashed into a ditch at a deadend of the Kell road. The east-bound road ends at the location of the accident and is intersected by a north-south road. Officers said that Mr.

Baker apparently failed to notice the deadend of the roi.ri. The Baker car. a 1953 model, was heavily damaged. factory answers to inquiries about his stand on agriculture, investigation of communism in government and whether labor would support him. IT HAPPENED IN 1953 IN JEFFERSON COUNTY Salem Motorist Killed In Crash With Own Truck By Associated Press SALEM, 111.

James Cruise, 43, owner of a Salem construction company was fatally Injured today when the car he was driving collided with one of his trucks. The accident occurred 6n State Route 37 south of Salem. Henry E. Williams, 35, a Cruise ploye, told police the truck's front brakes locked as he, attempted to stop and Dulled him into the path of the'oncoming auto. Williams was not hurt.

Cruise died jn Salem Hoepital about hours after the accident. Highlights of news of Mt. Vernon and Jefferson county, from the files of The RegisterNews: JANUARY news came to Mt. Vernon at the beginning oC the New Year. The T.

J. Moss Tie Company has been purchased by a group of prominent oil men and Mt. Vernon- citizens who have banded together as tho Creosoted Products Inc. to continue operation of the plant as one of the cities steadiest industries. The purchase price was $300,000.

Carta Jane Gutzler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl 'Gutzler of Bluford, Is Jefferson county's first baby of the ne.w year. Carla's father is serving on the front lines in Korea. Five hundred and one babies were born at Good Samaritan Hospital during 1952.

3 -rThe 44th Infantry Division, of which "Mt. Vernon's Company is a part, is settling down in its new home at Fort Lewis, after a 1200 mile jaunt from Camp Cook, by sea. Vernon's building boom continued in Construction during the year cost almost a half million dollars. Fire loss in Mt Vernon rural and suburban areas in 1952 totaled $239,337. Evangelist Lavton L.

Hall is the new minister of the Church of Christ, 2416 West Cherry. out of nine Mt. Vernon drafted into the Army to- 'day were married. Arch Whitlock has been appointed superintendent of the new sewer department. sheet of ice covered Mt.

Vernon today. Seven hundred and 74 babies were born in Mt. Vernon during 1952. During the same period 378 persons died. raged through the Midwest Dealers Supply Company warehouse at 17th and Perkins last night.

Damage was $85,000. Dr. Andy Hall celebrated his 88th birthday. Art Laird was installed as president of the Jefferson County Shrine Club. Garbers was installed as president of the Kiwanis Club.

water company put its new pumping station into operation at the first north reservoir. candidates entered the race for Mt. Vernon city offices in 15-minute period. The primary is March 3. is going full blast at the new Creosoted Forest Pro-.

ducts plant, the former T. Moss Tie Co. 4 county's first pofto case in 1953 was reported. IllneM of Gary Smith, age 7, was diagnosed as infantile paralysis. Mt.

Vernon bus company has paid $1,452 in back taxes and penalties and two buses tied up by the county have been released to the Company. The bus company abandoned its servise here December 27. started wrecking the first brick building ever built L. Jefferson county the former Good Samaritan Hospital on north 12th street, homestead of the pioneer Pace family. The Good Samaritan Hospital began its 10th year of service to the sick.

was both hot and cold in Mt. Vernon, with a high of 63 degrees and a low of 16. Marion Dreon of Benton died from injuries suffered at the Waltonville coal mine. C. Wayne Highsmith was installs 1 as commander of Turner Roehm Post No.

4 AMVETS. Four persons were killed and 86 injured in Mt. Vernon traffic accidents in 1952. A total of 524 traffic accidents occurred. L.

Hooper, well known Mt. Vernon resident died suddenly, 1952 assessed valuation of Mt. Vernon Township was $42,505,651, an increase of $149,343 over 1951. The assessed valuation of the citv of Mt. Vernon was $35,903,917.

In 1951 it was $35,803,508. Thr? assessed valuation of Jef- refosn county was $82,089,923 a decrease of $56,910 from the previous year. The first robin of the new year was reported in Mt. Vernon. drought has hit the Mt.

Vernon water supply. At present there is a 150-day supply in the reservoirs. Mt. Vernn police arrested 696 persons during 1952. B.

Gott, Jefferson County Circuit Clerk, was named Mt. Vernon's young man of the year. The Dix grade school was closed down because of sickness Forty of the 204 children were absent. Illinois Brokerkre reopened its new building the public square. The building was destroyed by fire December 17, 1950.

The number of. telephones in Mt. Vernon has almost doubled since the There are now 8500 phones in Mt. Vernon; Pressed Steel Car Company will operate the Big Rockford, 111. Ordinance plant, Hopkins was killed in ai accident at 20th and Broadway.

Edwin of Dix, retired, is heading back overseas as a civilian in the I). S. State Department Foreign candidates entered the race for four positions on the Mt. Vernon city council. Electric is increasing production of transformers and will step up output at its Mt.

Vernon plant. The City of Mt. Vernon paid $48,000 worth of debts. The money vv a.s raised by judgment bond issue afer creditors sued the city and were awarded court Judgments. Community Chest distributed $13,757 among seven participating agencies.

loss in Mt. Vernon during 1952 was only $21,073. Murphy, former Jefferson county sheriff and treasurer, was appointed warden of the Illinois state farm at Vandalia. FEBRUARY new record was set in the March of Dimes, with donations totaling $17,823,37. Sutton, fifth ward alderman, resigned from the city council.

The water company will both bill and collect the monthly sewer charge for the City of Mt. Vernon; The city council approved the collection method. 4 new 360-foot long bridge over Casey creek south of Mt. Vernon was opened to traffic. county filed five suits to collect delinquent personal taxes.

It was the first of a series of suits to be filed, county officials said. Jane Cole of 110 north 14th cast the first ballot in Mt. Vernon's primary election, by absentee ballot. county's greatest March of Dimes was officially ended. The total collection was $23,330.21.

10- Mt. Vernon residents received their first sewer bills. Steel Car Company of Mt. Vernon shared with two other firms an order for 2,000 freight cars for the and N. Railroad young Mt.

Vernon and Jefferson county men were drafted into the Army. Vernon Boy Scouts took over the city government. coldest blast hit Mt. Vernon. The thermometer dropped to 12 degrees above zero.

The city council advertised for bids for the paving of Second street. Rolla Finn was seriously hurt in an accident while helping to build the new Mt. Vernon treatment plant. of pilfering (Continued oa Page Six) Congressman Charles W. Vur- sell (Rep.) of Salem, today announced his candidacy for reelection to Congress from the 23rd District, subject to the April primary.

Congressman Vursell said, "I deeply appreciate the confidence of the citizens of this district, who have extended to me the honor and responsibility of representing them. I have done my best to keep faith with them. "If it is their wish that I represent them for two more years during these critical times, every effort of which I am capable will be put forth in their interest and in the interest of our nation." The Congressman continued, "We made a tremendous progress during the past year. The Appropriations Committee of which I am a member, working in cooperation with the President, cut the cost of government by over 14 billion dollars, which will make it possible to grant a tax reduction to every taxpayer for the year 1954. We expect to reduce the cost of government for the following fiscal year by another six billion dollars." The Eisenhower foreign policy, he said, "has stopped the stalemate Korean war and is driving hard for a sustained peace.

Due to the President's strong foreign policy, another world war is much less imminent. The President has taken away the initiative which Russia has had for years, and Russia has been greatly weakened and damaged before the bar of world opinion. This is tremendously importantt. The goal of world peace is more little nearer reality." With respect to the task ahead, the Congressman said, "our big job on the home front is to make the transition from a wartime economy to a peacetime economy and prevent a serious recession or depression. 'To do this we will have to keep the farmers and business men fairly prosperous, and expand our economy to keep labor fully employed.

"I feel certain, big as the task is, that with the confidence and cooperation of all the citizens who are tired of war, we can and will revert to a peacetime economy and avert a depression. "I would like to be permitted to help finish the job we have begun, and strongly believe it can be accomplished by this administration. "From my experience in government, I am confident that under the sound business policies adopted by this administration, we are making great progress on the right road for a better future for our country." By Associated Press KANSAS federal grand jury says Louis Shoulders, the veteran police officer who nabbed the Greenlease kidnapers, lied in his testimony about the handling of $300,000 ransom money recovered at the time of the arrest. The jury indicted Shoulders Tuesday on a charge of perjury. Robert C.

Greenlease, millionaire Kansas City automobile dealer whose 6-year-old son Bobby was kindaped and killed last Sept. 28, paid a record $600,000 ransom. Approximately $300,000 was recovered with the arrest of kidnaper Carl Austin Hall and his alcoholic paramour Mrs. Bonnie Brown Heady, who were executed in the Missouri State Prison gas chamber a week before Christmas. other half of the ransom is still missing.

Shoulders, aided by Patrolman Elmer Dolan. arrested Hall in a St. Louis hotel room Oct. 6. The veteran officer, who testified before a grand jury that indicted Mrs.

Heady and Hall, told the jurors the suitcases containing the money were taken promptly to the police station. In its indictment Tuesday the grand jury said Shoulders' testimony "as he then and there well knew and believed, was untrue and false in that the suitcases mentioned therein containing ransom money were not taken into the police station at the time and in the manner alleged." Dolan. who was indicted on a charge of perjury two weeks ago, also had testified the suitcases were brought to the Newstead police station along with Hall. Other witnesses, who were in the station at the time Hall was booked, testified they saw no suitcases brought in with him. Shoulders Resigns Shoulders, a member of the force for 27 years, resigned in anger after a St.

Louis police board began an investigation into the handling of the money last October. He received his tip that Hall was in St. Louis from a taxicab driver, John Hager. Hall had hired Hager's cab during a free- spending spree. Both Hall and Mrs.

Heady claimed they knew nothing about the missing ransom money and Hall said he had more than $590,000 in his hotel room when arrested. Shoulders, in testifying before the grand jury, said he used precaution in bringing the suitcases into the police station because he knew he was on an important case. "I knew good and well the fact that Dolan and I come in and used the precaution was going to cause them gassy policemen to become suspicious that we had something big and I didn't want that because I didn't have the woman (Mrs. Heady)," the officer testified. Mrs.

Heady was arrested after Hall had told officers where to find her. Shoulders said Dolan took in one suitcase and placed it in his office in the station. He told the jurors he brought In the other suitcase. "I got it in the back of my FRENCH PLANE MISSING By Associated Prisi A French military plane with 11 persons aboard was reported missing today on a flight from Algiers to Mont-de- Marson in southwestern France. (Continued On Page Two) WORLD HEWS REVIEW On Paget 7.

Internal Revenue Office Open Here To Aid Taxpayers E. H. Vaughn, District Director of Internal Revenue, Springfield, Illinois, made the following announcement today in regard to assisting taxpayers during the current filing period at the local Internal Revenue office, 1306 Broadway. The Internal Revenue will bo open Monday through Saturday of each week for the period January 4th through March 15th. The office will be 8 a.

rh. through 5 p. for the period January 4th through February 27th; m. through 6 p. for the period March lalLthrough March 13th 8 a.

m. "through l'i midnight 10th..