Jim Thorpe Times News from Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania • 1

THE WEATHER Good things ly fair with little change in tem- THORPE TIMES- NEWS you give Cloudy snow today flurries. with Sunday light general- snow happen when perature. JIM SEVENTY-SEVENTH YEAR TIMES-NEWS, JIM THORPE, SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1960 No. 303 Ninth In A Series Mary Ann Mfg. Co.

Located Here In '48 70 Workers Make Beautiful L'Aiglon Dresses Salute TO LOCAL INDUSTRY The JIM THORPE TIMESNEWS today continues a series of regular Saturday features in a salute to local industry. Industry, providing jobs to our men and women, represents the life bicod of the community in the economic facet of our daily existence. Our ninth story is on the Mary Ann Manufacturing Co. Watch for next Saturday's installment on NEAST AND COMPANY In a West Broadway factory building, where wire was at one time manufactured, can be found a growing business enterprise, the Mary Ann Manufadturing Company, part of a corporation headed by Peter Merluzzi, Lehighton, who immigrated to this country from Roma, Italy at the age of 16. It is one of three such ladies' dress firms in Carbon County which are owned and operated by the Merluzzi firm, representing the fulfillment of a dream by its founder who was first employed as a tailor in Lehighton on his arrival in that community, working under the late Allen Peters.

That was in 1910 when he was 20, a young man of vigor, enthusiasm and vision. Never one to shun hard work, and a man who was perserving in the face of the many adversities that confront individuals growing up amid the complex facets of the modern business world, Mr. Merluzzi eventually purchased the Peters' Tailor Shop, then located in the Hotel Lehighton building. Subsequently he opened a new and larger tailoring shop at the site of the present Mertz Jewelry Store on Bankway in Lehighton. Dedicated to progress and steadfast in the conviction that success rarely accrues to the individual who refuses to rol up his sleeves and go to work, Mr.

Merluzzi stopped making suits for men and injected himself into the realm of manufacturing, adopting the field of dressmaking. He has been joined in this work by members of his family and two of his sons, Frederick and Gordon, operate the local plant which specializes in the creation of L'Aiglon dresses, representing glamour in any wo'man's wardrobe. Progress Assn. Project Nominated for an assist in keeping this long-standing building in use and occupied is the former local Progress Association, a civic organization which worked hard to preserve local industrial structures. Here was a building which originally housed the Hazard Manufacturing a wire mill, according to the Beers Atlas of 1874.

It is ininteresting to note that its equipment was propelled by water power supplied by what was then known as the New Race. It was a branch of the Mauch Chunk Creek, starting at a point opposite the Maehrer property and proceeding in an arc behind a row of homes and through the mountainside at that point. It was located at the rear of the thenserving Mauch Chunk Water Co. reservoir and, from map readings, apparently cut through that area of roadway which now serves the Jim Thorpe Transportation Co. in it vehicular movements from West Broadway to the Heights.

In more recent years the building served the Mauch Chunk Silk Company and a section of it was utilized for a number of years the Mauch Chunk Steam Laundry Co. The silk mill was opened by the late James M. Hess, Charles Neast and Thomas Costenbader. When this business ceased to function, the building was abandoned and it eventually fell into a state of serious disrepair. Members of the Progress Association, made up of an estimated 25 business leaders in the community, contributed $100 each to a fund.

They purchased the building for an estimated $1,200 at a county sale and put additional into repairing the roof and renovating the interior, It was Death Of Mrs. Annie Duffy This Morning Mrs. Annie Duffy, wife of Stephen Duffy, 208 South Jim Thorpe, died at her home at 1:30 a. ml. today after a lengthy illness.

She would have observed her 78th birthday anniversary on June 7. Born in this community, a daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Minor Campbell, she was a life long resident. She was a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Diligent. Hose House. Co.

Surviving, besides her husband, are two sons, John C. Duffy, at home and Stephen Duffy, Elizabeth, N. four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, a sister, Miss Gertrude Campbell and a brother James Campbell, both of Allentown. A daughter, Ovelle, who was the wife of Joseph Sheehan, preceded her in death. The funeral will be on Tuesday at 9:30 a.

m. from the Ring Funeral Home. Requiem high Mass will be offered in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 10:00 a. m. and burial will be made in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call Monday evening until time of the funeral. Amputate Legs Of Weatherly Man Hit By Car Surgeons were forced to amputate both legs of a Weatherly man who was severely injured early yesterday morning when struck by a car in Beaver Meadows. Hazleton State Hospital officials last night said Paul A. Ratajezak, originally listed as critical, was slightly improved but still in a sick" condition. The victim suffered fractures of both legs when he was thrown against a parked car after being struck by another vehicle.

The amputations were made above the knees. Fuazios Seek Lease On LCN Coals Lands There is hope that some mining operations might return to the Panther Valley with today's announcement by C. Millard Dodson, president of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, that he had been contacted by Fauzio Brothers, Nesquehoning, concerning the possible lease of company land and the Coaldale breaker. Frank Fauzio, Nesquehoning, an official of the firm, confirmed the report, but said his company was not interested in a partial lease. He said it is interested in taking an option from the on all of the land from the Schuylkill River in Tamaqua to Nesquehoning.

He added, "it's an all or nothing proposition," pointing out the area is dotted with deep mines, many long since abandoned. It also has ideal locations for "stripping." There's a million dollar breaker at Lansford being dismantled and the only other breaker capable of handling a large operation is the Coaldale plant. Fauzio said his firm is not primarily interested in deep mining. The expense of strip mining 'S much less than deep mining. Dodson said he wasn't free to comment on the Fauzio proposal.

He said official announcement might be made on Monday. Fauzio, likewise, declined to elaborate on the plans as he feared premature announcements might injure the negotiations. CLERICAL TRANSFERS Announcement was made today of these clerical transfers in the Catholic Standard and Times: Rev. Jeremiah J. Leary, from assistant rector, Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Secane, to assistant rector, Church of the Holy Cross, Springfield.

Rev. Philip A. McArdle to assistant rector, Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Secane. Father Leary served as assistan't rector at the Church of the Immaculate Conception here al number of years ago. Father McArdle served here in a similar capacity on a temporary basis more recently.

Olympian School Notes By Ronnie Jackson Hi, everyone. Are you all ready for the evaluation? Yes, on Monday of this week the evaluation committee arrives here to evaluate our schools. However, the actuai evaluation will be from Tuesday to Thursday. Well, let's see what happened this week at JTSHS. First of all, the answer to last week's "Teen in Rhyme" is Pamela Moore, a very friendly Junior gil.

Now for this week's: This Sophomore lad is a friendly guy, On him you always can rely. A straight student is he, His first name begins with Student Council vice presidential candidate, With his fellow students he will always rate. A football and V. basketball player, too, His last initial is It was announced on Monday that anyone wishing to run for president or vice-president of Student Council must secure a petition with the names of 20 registered students. Presidential candidates must be Juniors and vice presidential candidates must be Sophomores.

On Monday there was band practice during the activity period as well as after school. On Monday night there was rehearsal for Miss Neast's home-4 room assembly. She has been chosen to present her assembly for the evaluation committee. There was Student Council on Tuesday afternoon. Petitions were circulated during the activity period.

School was dismissed at 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon because of a faculty meeting. There was band practice on Thursday afternoon during the activity period. There was dance band practice after school. School Evaluation Project Has 4-Pronged Purpose PRINCIPAL L. B.

soon occupied by the Greenberg a Mt. Carmel concern which specialized in the manufacture of women's house dresses, but this was also short It remained empty until February of 1918, when Mr. Merluzzi took it over. Many notable improvements were made. In fact they were a 'must' before the building could be advantageously used in the manufacture process.

Today it represents a specious and well-lighted building, providing employment for 68 people, eight of whom are males. Other Merluzzi Operations Other dress factories operated by the Merluzzi firm 'are Wilmer Fashions, Lehighton, operated by Mr. Merluzzi, his son, Carl, and Frank Deis, Nesquehoning, whose wife is the former Helen Merluzzi, Mr. Merluzzi's daughter; and mer Mfg. Bowmanstown, headed by another son, Franklin, and his brother-in-law, Nick Bishwaty.

Another son, Richard, was formerly a member of the Lehighton plant but 'is now affiliated with the Jonathan Logan dress manufacturing firm in Spartansburg, South Carolina. The three county plants, in combination, employ an estimated 225 workers. While Gordon directs the cutting department on the first floor of the plant, Fred has charge of the second floor, where the sewers, pressers and finishers are employed. All cutting of materials for the three plants is accomplished locally. While the Mary Ann and Helmer plants make L'Aiglon dresses, the Wilmer mill produces Dorothy Hubbs creations, all being beautiful and vogueful in these days of smart women's fashions.

The West Broadway plant opens daily, Monday through Friday, at 7:15 a. continuing until 3:15 p. m. The men in the cutting department stay on until 4:30 o'clock in preparing the lovely materials for the next day's operations in the three plants. In the sewing section are found seventy machines, 60 of which an standard stitchers, the others be ing ten specialty units, and the women so engaged operate on 2.

piece rate basis in production stages. The dresses in the Junior sizes are from 5 to 15 and sell at retail ficr $19.95 and $29.95, being in steady demand because of their lovely feminine appeal and general excellence as to material and workmanship. Mr. Merluzzi can trace his start in this business to a mangerial role he first held in Frank Drumheller's Peerless Mills in Lehighton. This firm is still in operation there.

It was in Summit Hill some years later that Mr. Merluzzi opened the Loom Togs factory. This is known as the Summit Hill Manufacturing Co. He returned to Lehighton and took over the top floor of the Baer Silk Mill, where his Wilmer plant still operates today. It was in 1938 that he first launched himself in the manufacturing phase of the business after his period of managerial experience.

Seven Children His wife is the former Helen Swartz, a native of Lehighton. The father of seven children, Mr. Merluzzi instilled into them early in life the essential ingredients of a successful business life, and the greatest tribute they can pay to him today is their recognition of his tremendous talents and his dynamic personality both as a businessman and father, being as hustling and bouyant as ever in carrying out his day's chores. He 'has also been greatly interested in the civic life of Lehighton. He was among the prime movers in the establishment of the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital and served for a time as president of the board of directors.

Gordon Merluzzi is married to the former Betty Dillinger of Lehighton. They have three children, G. Leslie, Merritt and Rex. Fred's wife is the former Marie Miko of Lehighton and their children are Fred and Anne. Serving as the official office secretary at the Mary Ann mill is Miss Joyce Dunkle, Lehighton.

Limited Work Will Be Resumed On Dam Project Work on the $11,7000,000 Bear Creek Dam project on the Lehigh River was resumed on a limited basis yesterday, it was reported by Barney Schwartz, resident engineer, Army Engineers. Personnel and equipment of a sub-contractor, Aycock, New Cumberland, arrived Thursday and yesterday began erection of steel for the bridge from the center of the dam to the control tower on the west bank. Full scale construction by the general contractor, Nelo L. Teer, Durham, N. is scheduled to begin as soon as weather and ground conditions permit.

By April 15, Schwartz expects the project to be in full swing with 'an estimated 200 men and millions of dollars worth of equipment swarming all over the site. Major work remaining to be done is the completion of the control tower and the bridge leading to it from the center of the dam. The project was started in May, 1956, and is scheduled for completion in January, 1961. Finished height of the dam will be 234 feet, with 44 feet remaining to be completed. The top of the dam will be 1,474 feet above sea level when completed.

The Army Engineers this week proposed revisions that would raise the dam by 31 more feet to increase its storage capacity for water supply purposes. Primary purpose of the dam will be flood control. It will be the largest earthful dam east of the Mississippi River, with a total volume of more than four million cubic yards of rock and eanth. At flood level, it will hold 36 billion gallons of water or 108,000 acre feet. (An acre foot is one acre of water one foot deep).

It will be able to control up to 23 per cent of the water in the Lehigh River to control flooding from here to the Allentown Bethlehem area. Secondary objectives will be conservation of water supplies and supplying recreational facilities. It is also expected to become a major tourist attraction. Athletic Assn. To Improve Local Field At a meeting of the Jim Thorpe Community Athletic last last night in the Diligent Hose house, further improvements on the North Street Athletic Field were planned for the coming outdoor season.

They include installation of bleacher seats, blacktopping the basketball court and completion of the ice skating rink. It was decided to finance the jects with a block party with the tentative date set for July. Fred Zanders was appointed chairman of the committee to plan the party. TO TRY 2 OF 7 IN LUZERNE COUNTY The State Supreme Court Thursday ordered Robert Goves and William Receski, two of seven defendants charged with conspiracy in connection with the death of 12 miners in the Knox Coal Mine disaster, be tried first in Luzerne County Quarter Sessions Court. Chief Justice Charles Alvin Jones, who signed the order, further directed that after the indictments have been disposed of, records should be transmitted to Northampton County, where five other defendants are to be tried.

59TH WEDDING DATE Mr. and Mrs. John E. Herring, Tamaqua, are observing their 59th wedding anniversary today. They are the parents of nine children including, Mrs.

Joseph Novak, Jim. Thorpe. They also have grandchildren and 30 great-gandchildren. OBERSON'S STORE WILL BE OPEN TONIGHT TILL 9 MORRIS SUPERVISED COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY FIRST STEP in the production of dresses at the Mary Ann Manufacturing plant on West Broadway is cutting of material. So engaged in the photo above is LaMar Mertz, whose father, attired in work apron at right, is also a member of this department.

Looking on are Gordon Merluzzi, head of this department, Francis Bilsak and Leo Maier with Willard Christman, an 18-year worker with the Merluzzi firm looking on approvingly from the rear. SEWING MACHINE workers are Miss Ruth Klotz and Mrs. Elizabeth Shanfelt, seen at the left of the bench, and Mrs. Anna Barachie, who is supervised by Fred Merluzzi, one of the plant managers who learned the sewing phase of the business in early years. HAPPILY ENGAGED in the work of pressing the lovely L'Aiglon garments at the Mary Ann mill are these women in the pressing department.

At the left is Mrs. Marjorie Sorber. To the right of the table are Miss Rose Shutack and Mrs. Mildred Tesosky, forelady, who is seen holding one of the finished dresses which feature luxurious embroidery work. a Purposes of an evaluation such as will be conducted next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Jim Thorpe Jr.

Sr. High School are four-pronged. The first is to determine the characteristics of a good secondary school; second, to find practical means and methods to evaluate effectiveness of the school in term's of its objectives; third to determine means and processes by which a good school develops into a better one; and, to devise ways by which regional associations can stimulate an assist secondary schools to continuous growth. "Evaluative Criteria," a book published by the Middle States Assn. of Colleges and Secondary Schools, formed the basis for preevaluation work that was necessary and which required two years to complete.

Lawrence B. Morris, principal of Jim Thorpe Senior High School, supervised the comprehensive survey and was assisted by the school's 26 teachers and Mrs. Louise Thear, office secretary. The group, following the book, answered questions, filled in charts, made surveys, checked records, inquired into educational and occupational status of parents, the mental IQ of students, made a study of former graduates and checked with members of the present graduating class to find out what they will do after graduation. To give one an idea of the scope of the evaluation survey, it went into pupil population in every phase of school life.

It required information on the town's churches, museums, libraries, industries, recreational facilities, clinics and service clubs. Nor was the physical side of the educational picture taken lightly as the survey progressed. The SUTvey required a complete inventory of the high school plant with asides on its condition, furniture, paint, fixtures and housekeeping in general. Every book in both libraries had to be counted from a standpoint of classification. A financial report on how much was spent for the various types of books and magazines was necessary, The guidance department of the system furnished the answers to no less than 185 questions on the needs of young people and how they are met.

Janitorial work came in for study a's did the expenses of running the "school, a total of 194 questions being asked on the latter category. Complete educational backgrounds of faculty members were called for in the survey together' with transcripts of records. It inquired into the professional organizations of teachers, what nonschool work they were engaged in and their activities in the community. The teachers were asked to evaluate themselves in how welt prepared they are, to specify whether they are getting across to the youngsters and whether they are enhancing themselves by further study. One copy of the survey will be given to John K.

Barrall, principal of Media High School, Media, who is chairman of the committee. A loose leaf section will be given to the committee to pick up section after section. Other copies will be available in the school office. Recommendations of the committee will be available within six months. There was a special assembly on Friday morning.

Nancy Brogan read from the Bible and led the students in the Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Then Mr. Morris talked to us about the importance of getting the best marks possible. He said that too often people come back to the school and tell him that they wished that they had worked harder when they were in school. There were clubs as usual during the activity period.

The Seniors sent 15 more pages into their yearbook company. They only have two more pages to send. Today the basketball and football players will go to Harrisburg to the Class A PIAA state basketball championship game. The gym teams are hard at work preparing for the Gym Exhibition which will be held in another couple of weeks. Also, the baseball team started practice this week.

Seniors of the Week: My first Senior this week is Nanette Rowe. Nan is in the Academic Course. Her hobbies include dancing, lisltening to WARM, reading and watching television. Her activities include working in the canteen, intramural volleyball and chorus. After school she wants to study to be a nurse.

Good luck to a very nice Senior girl. My second Senior this week is Ronald Jackson. Ronnie is in the Academic Course also. His hobibes include raising tropical fish, and collecting stamps. His activities include high school play, 2nd Lieutenant in band, dance band, vice president of Senior Class, Co-Editor of yearbook, Service Club, Hall Patrol, National Honor Society oratorical representative, weekly newspaper column and basketball manager.

After school he plans to go to Pennsylvania State Uni-24 versity to study Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. Well, I guess that's it for another week. See you again next week. FUNERAL OF MRS. SLABY IN COALDALE ON MONDAY The funeral of Mrs.

Slaby, who died suddenly in her home, 144 E. Water Coaldale, yesterday, will be held on Monday at 9:30 a. m. from the home with solemn requiem Mass at 10 a. m.

in SS. Cyril and Methodius Chuch. Friends may call tonight until time of the funeral. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters two sons, four brothers, three sisters and seven grandchildren. WILL BE OPEN TONIGHT 134L 9 OBERSON'S STORE.