The Lincoln Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 31

J-aer SECTION srr TTik if if Ck ir.tr gupnuJouriMl nmifar MJHltt ''Jut Desk Has Replaced His Bridge, BuTHe Talks About Pacific War alse LZ LINCOLN 1, cism. His critics say be fell for the enemy bait, that he was a- vv; I tM I fit a i 1 -1" (s i i J-" i Dr. Cliff S. Hamilton Adopted relatlres will greet him. A Cadillac Wasn't Gopd Enough NU Chemistry Grads Provide For Reimions With 'Uncle Cliff Ten yean mgo hit name in Now things are quieter for the man tchota 3rd Fleet ttrurk lika lightning over the far reaches of the Parifit.

What does Bull Halter think now of the tear and how it fought? What were hi big mo-menu? Here, in rare interview, are his recollections. By SAI PETT TVfEW YORK GT- Fleet Adm. A William F. Halsey sat back and recalled the. titanic war that was ending in the Pacific 10 years ago.

The time they were down to their last three planes off Guadalcanal The long night racing through strange waters, worrying that an uncharted island might hit them in the face at any moment The decision to turn north off the Philippines The smiling day they sailed Into Tokyo Bay He remembered the best and the worst moments. He recalled with pride the men of his command, with sorrow the men who were lost, with confident equanimity the critics who belabored him for his action in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The man they called "Bull" Halsey, who once commanded the greatest single naval force in history, now makes his bridge behind a corporate desk in a Manhattan tower. He is board chairman of Ail-American Cables and Radio, and Mackay Radio and Telegraph Co. Still Erect At 72, the retired admiral still stands erect.

The corners of his mouth still turn down in the tough expression thousands of men came to fear and revere. His speech and opinions retain their oldtime vigor. But he is partly deaf as a result of the accumulate violence done his ear drums by the big guns. His blue eyes are heavily magnified by the thick lenses of glasses worn since a cataract operation several years ago. He can see well straight ahead but his sideward vision is gone.

The admiral Jw needs help in crowds. When he thinks of the war, what phase does he remember best? "Those early days in the South Pacific," he said. "We had nothing but a shoestring. We were told to hold on and we held on all the way from Guadalcanal to Tokyo. i.

"When I had the 3rd Fleet, I had a tremendous steamroller. I could doanythingl damned pleased. But in those early days A look at the achievements of his former students prove the success of his approach toward training young men and women. Three of his former students are now vice presidents of major chemical companies. One is a college president.

Several are research directors or assistant research directors. And many more hold other important executive, positions. At MJ Since 1923 Born at Blair, Dr. Hamilton joined the University staff as an assistant professor of chemistry in 1923. In 1929, he was promoted to professor and in 1939, chairman of the department.

Twice he served as dean of the Graduate College, 1938-39 and 1940-41, but each time returned to the helm of the department. Professionally, Dr. Hamilton has been very active ia his field. m.v L. ii in, I NEBRASKA, AUGUST 7, 1953 He was national chairman of the Organic Division of the American Chemical Society in 1940 and of the division officers group 4n 1940-41.

He has served as a mem-ben of the editorial board of "Organic- Syntheses" since 1942 and as associate editor of "Organic Reactions" and "Chemical Reviews." Ia connection with research, he has published nearly 60 papers. At present, Dr. Hamilton and bin wife are touring Europe. But even in Europe, he couldn't slay away from chemistry, last week he attended the International Congress of Chemists at Zurich, Switzerland. His future plans are still indefinite, but it would be a safe wager that Dr.

Hamilton will return to the University at the start of the second semester to resume his teaching duties. ry of finding employment fpr parolees from institutions in other states who are coming home to Nebraska but must have jobs waiting for them if they are to be paroled. Meissner also goes to bat for inmates who are finishing out their sentences and ask for help in finding work; "If it weren't, for employers who have what I call 'real heart, the parole system would i a 1 1," Meissner explained. "There are some businessmen in Nebraska who have been hiring ex-convicts during the past 15 years: men understand the ex-inmate's problem, treat them just like any other person, and aid them with their family The probation officer said that IlaUey in Wartime stroyers. All that night we moved at full speed 25 knots in waters which had last been charted in 1850.

We weren't at all sure our As his flagship, the Enterprise, raced through the night, Halsey tried vamly to sleep. He read "every piece of trash around" but still couldn't doze off. Finally, at 2 a.m., he went up to the flag shack for a cup of cocoa. Suddenly his flag duty officer broke in, yelling: "I just felt sand blow in my face!" To the admiral, that could mean only one thing: They were lured into chasing a decoy fleet of carriers which actually car ried Tewplanes that he en dangered the whole Philippines invasion by leaving the San Bernardino Strait Fortunately, the enemy failed to pursue his advantage and the Japanese fleet never again proved an effective fighting force. But the criticism of Halsey continued for a long time.

What's his answer? "First of all," he said, "I still don't think that was a decoy force. I still think the Japs were liars; they just invented that stuff about the 'lure' after the event. if I were given the same information today, I'd do exactly-what I -did- Except this time I wouldn't turn back. I'd have stayed up there and finished that gang. I turned back under pressure.

That was the greatest mistake I ever made. But, all's well that ends well." Does the admiral have any regrets about the war? Does he quarrel with any of the over-all strategy? He thought a moment before answering: "Regrets? Of course, there are regrets. I always think about the fine men under me who were killed. But then you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs. "Strategy? I thought then we could have bypassed the Palaus, and I still think so.

Also, if I were invading New Georgia I wouldn't go in headon the way we did in 1943. We used 75,000 men to drive out 10,000 Japs and we caught hell. But, then, we were inexperienced. "And in the Leyte battle, I think it would have been better if either Kinkaid or I had been in over-all naval command. This would have been more efficient than the divided command we had." Good Moments What were the most satisfying moments of the Pacific war for Halsey? two actions I wasn't involved in.

The Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Coral Sea. Both undoubtedly proved turning points of the war." Today, Fleet Adm. William F. Halsey lives in a Park Avenue apartment and travels downtown for a full day at his office by car or subway. What does he miss most? "Well, I don't miss being up on the bridge before dawn or for that hour after dusk.

That was the most dangerous time. "But I do miss the companionship of fine fighting men. And I miss being boss. guess it's natural; I bossed for so long." in China We can talk and argue, and my fellow workers often ask me to them after work, and we often go out and drink beer together in the neighborhood cafes, and spend hours talking, exchanging ideas." "What about politics?" I asked. "Of very little of that," Skinner said.

"The people here aren't interested in politics." "But what about the relations of the Communist Party with the people here, and especially with the workers in the factory?" Skinner replied: 'That all depends on the people involved. If a comrade wants to join the party, he has to be very eager. Ha attends all those lectures and all' the union meetings. But if he doesn't care about politics, he can aliways find a good excuse to skip the meetings and nobody, will say anything to him. As far as I can tell, membership in the Communist Party is a matter for an enthusiastic minority, which doesn't hesitate to make every effort, but it's still a minority." 'Disturbed' Skinner went on: "We're not In any way forced to abide by the Communist doctrines.

But I can tell you, on the other hand, that I'm disturbed when I see the United States becoming more and more reactionary and totalitarian." "Then in a general way you are satisfied with your decision to stay in China and you have noWgrets?" I asked. "Absolutely no regrets," Skinner going through a wonderful experience that I could never have uTthe United States, Oh, it's true, it's not always easy. Thoughts of Home "And quite often I think about my family and my friends I left behind. But every time, I say to myself, that the education I'm getting out of my stay In China more than makes up for the little petty annoyances or the times I get the blues. "It's a big lesson for a modest American like myself, you know, to find out, little by little, that behind the regimes, beyond the governments, there are people and that heart nothing separats us except distance." He added, quietly: "When the time is favorable, I ViU return to' the United States." time.

The Japs had everything. They could have wiped us out." Anxious, Time What was his most anxious moment of the war? Halsey grinned and recalled his first offensive action, the daring strike against the Marshall and Gilbert Island in 1942. "I had to make a long, fast run to get in and out. I had one carrier, three cruisers and nine de- aiiiiiniimiiiiniiimiiniimmminmim i i Shirt and Shorts shore in support of the invasion. Vice Adm.

Thomas Kinkaid's 7th Fleet was the force to the south. Halsey was to the north. The Japanese fleet came in to attack from three directions-' south, west and north. The central or western force turned out to be the strongest. After both U.S.

fleets fcad done great damage to the southern- and central Japanese forces, Halsey turned his units north to chase enemy carriers there. Criticized It was this action which brought Halsey considerable criti- "But it's a little hard in the summertime, because I always go out for a ride on one of the factory bicycles and I buy ice cream or drink beer, or eat out and that kind of thing can get out of hand, especially if I stay out late." No Dates Skinner was warming up to his subject and I asked him if he tever had dates with girls. "No," he said firmly. "Since I've been in China, I haven't had a single date." Then he added, "Oh, sometimes we go out in a group with the girls who work in the factory but I've never gone out. with any of them alone, to a dance or movies or even lor a walk." I asked Skinner whether he had much contact with the population of Tsinan or lived in a sort of enclave with his American friends.

He said: At the beginning, we had to be off by ourselves because of the language problem. In spite of the efforts of our interpreter, it was tough to make ourselves understood. Now I've learned Chinese and the situation is different 1" mt At 4 0 i 4 refused repatriation la 1931. 11III1I1IIB lunniitmnninuitnnttiM Probation Officer Steady Finding 25 Jobs Every Month By CLARKE THOMAS Sunday Staff Writer JF YOU'VE ever had trouble getting a job, think of Richard Meissner of Lincoln who has to get 25 or 30 of them a month. What's more, as the state's chief probation officer Meissner has to get them for men who have prison records.

Because many employers are prejudiced against "ex-cons, Meissner often has a difficult selling job. "But we know from experience that the most important thing in turning a former prison inmate into a useful citizen is that he have a job and a job he can handle. This re-establishes his confidence in himself and gives him attitudes of responsibility," Meissner said. -'Applicants' From Other States The State Reformatory for Men has been able largely to work Out its own job-finding sj'stem for parolees. The State Penitentiary is cow getting such a program under way with its new "inside" parole officer, Nolan Ellandson.

But Meissner also has the wor A Day With an American Turncoat Ex-GI From Ohio 'Has No Regrets' JT HAS BECOME a not -too-un-. familiar custom in this coun-. try for enthusiastic fans to present Cadillacs to winning football coaches. And just last spring dean of student affairs fit Iowa State College received such a car from his appreciative students. But there is at least one college official for whom a Cadillac is deemed inappropriate by his admiring fans.

He is Dr. Cliff S. Hamilton, who retired July 1 as chairman Of the University of Nebraska's department of chemistry and chemical engineering. This summer his adopted nfeces'' and "nephews" former students in- his department decided to show their appreciation of the man they affectionately call "Uncle Cliff." More Meaningful than $4,000, earmarked at first for a shiny Cadillac which they planned to purchase wholesale. Bat then they decided, through committee, that it would mean tnore to Dr.

Hamilton and to themselves if they made it possible for. him to attend a "reunion" with his former students each year. With the money collected, the nieces" and "nephews" held a testimonial tinner Dr. Ham lit os at Wilmington, Dr I. At the Ulnner, they presented him a Ielca camera, complete -with a telrphoto lens, and a $2,500 check.

instructed him to ne the Camera for his hobby, bird watching. check Is to bo turd far bis travel expenses each Car to national meetings e( the American Chemical Society. JToastmaster at the. dinner was tit. Randolph T.

Major of Railway, N.J., Dr. Hamilton's first graduate student. He expressed Ihe feeling of the group by saying that Dr, Hamilton's former students wanted him to continue his trips to the national meetings Because "Ihey didn't want to miss the familiar sight of a tall, distinguished-looking affectionately called 'Uncle Cliff, greeting his multitude of adopted relatives in the lobby of the headquarters hotel." Tutored 65 Hi.P.s The gesture by his former dents, among them fi5 who had earned their Doctor of Philosophy Degrees under his tutelage, was filling climax to his 16 years as departmental chairman. A former t'recently Wrote Dr. Hamilton: "You are a symbol of a dream to the many men you have taught at least to-' such of them as are in need of symbols and are capable of dreaming.

I sometimes wonder whether the great natural teacher ever realizes how deeply his influence touches the lives of his students. Every man leaves some sort of a monument to his life work. Yours is a most enviable one your family of and The high regard held for Dr. Hamilton by students now at the I'nlverslly was demonstrated this spring when he was selected by the student newspaper as "Outstanding Ncbraskan" among the faculty. He received the recognition ffor his contribulloni toward training of undergraduate and graduate students." Working Uniform: Sport so close to an unseen island the beach sand was, blowing their way.

Halsey told the officer to double-check. He came back Only Sugar It turned out that some crew members had been making coffee in one corner of the flight deck. The wind had blown some of. their sugar onto the flag duty officer. In the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in 1944, which accompanied Gen.

Douglas MacArthur's return to the Philippines, Halsey's 3rd was one of two fleets standing off est grade, "mechanic eighth class," which is roughly equivalent to shop foreman. No Break Skinner's shift works from 8 a.m. to 4 p.rn. with no break for an outside lunch. He has his lunch in the shop which it is brought from the factory canteen.

"There are two kinds cf dishes on the menu," Skinner explained to me, "the deluxe ones, which cpst 15 Chinese cents (about 5 U.S. cents) and the cut-rate ones, which cost between 5 and 8 Chinese cents (about 2 U.S. "I always eat the cheap dishes and at the end of the month my canteen bill is never more than 8 or 9 Chinese dollars (less than 4 U.S. dollars). 30 Yuan a Month "I'm a mechanic second class and I earn 30 yuan (Chinese dollars) a month.

I get 20 or 25 yuan more every month from the Red Cross. Skinner added: "Since I started my job here I've managed to put away 105 yuan in the bank, but I'll have to save up quite a bit more before I can buy myself a motor-bike (price 600 yuan). 1 't ii 111 Jit 1 of the other turncoats when they 1 v. 1 How does an Amertian lire iri has turned his hack on his men land to make new life in Hed China? In the following exclusive story you get jor the first time en intimate picture of young fellow tche started es grocer's hoy in Akron, Ohio, became a CI end prisoner in the Korean IT er end now is mechanic's apprentice in Communist Chinese paper fectory, The story is written by Jec-ques Locquin only representative of the Western press in Red Chine. By JACQIES LOCQl iy Correspondent For Agence France-Prene Written for the Sundey Journal end Star end the Chicago Daily Aeiri Service.

pSINAN, China LoweU D. Skinner, the ex-GI fom Akron who "chose China" after three years as a prisoner of war in Korea, turning his back on the United States, told this correspondent he had "absolutely no regrets." Skinner for 15 months has been living and working happily, he says, in the heart of Communist China here in Tsinan, a typically Chinese provincial city of about 700,000. The former grocer's boy from Akron is an apprentice mechanic in a Chinese paper factory earning the same salary as a- Chinese workman and sharing the sam Spartan life. Day With Skinner I have spent 24 hours with Skinner talking frankly not onjy with him but also with his interpreter, his factory foreman and his fellow workmen. I listened in on his conversations with Chinese colleagues, relaxed with him in cafes, strolled the streets and window-shopped with him.

My conclusion Is he has been living a life somewhat similar to millions of other American factory workers with three notable, exceptions: 1. 'He is about 12,500 miles from America. 2. His buddies are Chinese instead of American. 3.

Tsinan has absolutely nothing in common with an American city. Paper Factory Skinner's job is in a plant mak RICHARD MEISSNER Must sell employers. 'Y ing light-weight paper for -typewriter use and ultra light paper for cigarettes. The factory equipment is remarkably well maintained by a machine shop crew of "about 40, including Skinher and three other Americans. As is frequent with most unmarried workmen in China, Skinner lives in a factory dormitory building sharing a big room with three other workers.

Up Early Skinner's day begins at 7 a.m. when he rises and gets his breakfast in the factory co-operative-provided free to him by the Chinese Red Cross: Half a pint of milk, two raw eggs and some French-type crusty bread, which he prefers to the Chinese steam-cooked crumbly type. At 8 a.m., he checks in at the apprentices' shop and works under an experienced workman who is teaching him mechanics. Every four months the apprentices take an examination. Skinner is proud of having passed v-both he first and second stage tests in record time.

He is now a "mechanic second class," first stage along the road to the high- fekinner (arrow) with three more and more firms are "breaking tha ke" and hiring ex-prisoners. As much as possible tries to line up employment with a firm inmate says he would like to work for. This comes in interviews with the Inmates in determining whether or not they are ready for parole. This has been one of Meissner's duties 4n the past, although a change hag now been made In the classification system at the State Penitentiary, i Looking for jobs for parolees, of course is from being all of Meissner's job. He also supervises about 250 parolees all over the 'state.

Some Work Out, Others Doirt Finding work for parolees often becomes discouraging because it doesn't work out. Or the parolee gets into trouble and his parole has to be revoked. The rate of revocations the past five years has been 20.3 per cent for the and 17.3 per cent for the jMen's Reformatory. But Meissner said he finds compensation in the many cases where ex-inmates nave found happiness and stability in Jheir work. In lot of cases ex-inmates have been working for the same employer for 10 years or more, advancing upward through the 1.