The Independent-Record from Helena, Montana • Page 1

Examiners Criticize Handling of County Finances By Din Brown The State Hoard of Kxamlncrs has delved inlo the money affairs of Lewis and Clark County and slapped a "much lo be desired" stamp on the handling of finances in two offices. In a report duted Tuesday, Slate- Examiner Albert E. Lent-hold said, "The core of the problem appears to be centered in the offices of the treasurer and clerk iind recorder." (jinny Berg is treasurer and TON OF SAPPHIRES IN HELENA More is clerk and rec order. The stale examiner's report was addressed to Ihe board at county commissioners, and the county attorney. The study of tho county's financial situation was conducted intermittently from Jan.

IB to March 19 by George 11. 1'endcrgasf, senior deputy state examiner, and James W. Williams, deputy state examiner. Lculhold used scathing language in taking to task the book 'fin mn ur ioppnires ne orougnr ro neicna to be shipped to the World's Fair in New York for display at the Montana pavilion. The 'ton of rough stones is valued at $12,000.

Bielenberg brought trie sapphires. "Recreation is Montana's third largest industry," Baltin said, "and the naliona) trend toward move outdoor recreation will increase the value of a resource such as this Id the state." Mineral development and certain other uses would be allowed Battin said. It would involve the north half of Hie Linculn hack country of Use Helena National Korest and the Scapegoat Mountain area which is in the Lolo and Hie Lewis and Clark national forests. keeping of the county treasurer and county clerk and recorder. "Normally there is one of Iwo reasons for poor bookkeeping," I hp state examiner said.

"Either the officer in charge does not understand his duties or is using it as a cover up for self servicing. Also, the officials in charge of these two offices appear to have a lackadaisical and don't-care altitude in carrying out their individual responsibilities." "The results of this examina Asked whether this also would mean continued Communist fighter activity in the three Allied air corridors linking Berlin with he West, the officer replied: 'This is a military exercise. The air force is taking part in it, of course." There was no way of learning whether the barricades were lifted the first time during the day because of the U.S. challenge or whether the communists bnd planned only a three-hour shut down. That was the lime of Wednesday's closure.

The U.S. convoy was being processed at (he Communist checkpoints for the trip lo West Berlin when all traffic was al lowed to resume Today was the fourlh success-sive day the Communists had dosed Ihe autobahn. Backed by the Soviets, East German guards at 0 a.m. closed (lie steel barriers al each end of Ihe superhighway between West Berlin and West Germany, They lifted theui three hours later. In the inlerim at 11 a.m., a 22-vehiclc U.S.

Army convoy drove up tu the Halmstedt checkpoint, at the West German end, and ils commander demanded lo be allowed through. The Soviets held il up for 20 minutes, then waved it into Ihe half-mile-long checkpoint for processing by East German guards. Unexpectedly Vivian A. Burr, 58, State Welfare Official, Dies Vivian Burr, 58, director of public assistance for Montana Welfare Department, died unexpectedly early today al his lioinc, 604 Second. Mr.

Unrr was born Feb. 12, 1007, al Red Lodge, the son of Jiogcr and Florence Bun. He attended schools in Dulte after moving Ihere with his parents. In 1030, ho was graduated from Mount St. Charles College, Helena, now Carroll College, and was an outstanding athlete at the time.

He later taught mid coached at finite Central High School until joining the welfare department here in IflSfi. lie has heen director of the division of family service since 1944. Headed Welfare Groups He was past-president of both Die Slate Conference of Social Workers and Montana Public Employes Association lie was active on various committees of the American Public Welfare Associa tion, and was chairman of thelenn Lodge No 193 BPOE governor's committee for (he 'the Itoman Calholic' ChmW member of llel Vivian A. Burr On Nov. 26, 1047, he was married in Heleini lo Ihe former Jus tine Pfeiffer, daughter of the late Pleiffer, Montana organis and composer.

S'irwvors Mslcd Survivors include his widow, Justine, anil five children, Jerry, member of Mary Knoll Mary Knoll, N.Y,; John, Daniel. Michael and Audrey, all of Helena; two sisters, Then licBrirte, Anaconda, and Frances Nord-slrom. Olympia, Wash, and brother, Paul, New York city, lie was preceded in dcalh by his parents, and a-sister, Camllle. Herrmann and Company Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Hosary will he recited al.

7 p.m., Friday in St. Helena Cathedral, Requiem Mass will bo celebrated al 0 a.m., Saturday in the Cathe-dm). Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, tion reveal much to be desired in effecting efficient county government," Lculhold said. Cited as the "most disturbing factors" were what the examiner called the failure to maintain county records and account books In an accurate and eurrcnl manner, the practice of the county treasurer and other officers bor-rowing money from the county by placing IOUs in the cash drawer, and issuing of license all found in Montana, to Helena in crorh sacks to be transferred tD two-gallon cans for the trip to New York, The gems will be displayed in a clear tucitc tube seven feet long and 22 inches in diameter, Bielenberg said. (Staff photo by Kim Lorsen) Halt US.

Convoy German Reds Close Berlin Autobahn Twice Today Hy John 0. KoeJiIer Berlin The Communists closed the Rcrlin autobahn for a second time today after reopening it on the challenge of a U.S. Army convoy. After the U.S. convoy sped the 110 miles eastward from West Germany to Berlin, the autobahn was shut down again.

A Soviet officer said the road would be closed for five hours. The shutdown earlier in the day was for-Ihrcc hours. Shortly after Ihe second shutdown, a joint U.S. British convoy of three vehicles showed up at llelinstedt, the Soviet checkpoint at the western end of the autobahn, lo'jelt tin- order. In the convoy were two British military ears and American sedan.

The five-hour shutdown announced by the Sovicl officer was the longest yet in a week of Communist harassment or communications with West Berlin, The officer also said joint East German Soviet maneuvers would continue until April 11 and that therefore more interruptions nf traffic on the autobahn could be expected. Battin Bill to Add Lincoln District to Wilderness Area About acres in the Helena National Forest and' in the adjoining Scapegoat Mountain area would be added to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area under a bill introduced by Rep. James F. Qattln, li-Mont. In a statement from his Washington, D.U.

office, Battin called (lie area "one of Montana's favor-ite hunting and camping areas offering a type of recreational resource unique lo a few sections of tho Rocky Mountains. lie said various wildlife and wilderness associations hail surveyed the area and fnund il un liable for UN Secretary Welcomes LBJ's Plan United Nations, N.Y. Thant today sent President Johnson a 'personal message welcoming his Vict Nam. speech as constructive and statesmanlike. Thaul told the President he believes the statement wilt prove helpful.

A UN spokesman said the secretary-general described the President's willingness enter into unconditional discussions on a Viet Nam settlement as in line wilh his own position. Thant assured Johnson th.il will continue his own efforts toward a peaceful solution. The secretary-general's note to the President was sent through the U.S. Mission lo the United Nations, The UN spokesman said Thant had listened wilh very grcDl interest lo Johnson's speech, which was telecast from Baltimore Wednesday night. The spokesman did not indicate whether Thant had accepted Johnson's suggestion that Thant initiate the planning for use of the proposed si billion U.S.

aid fund for developing Southeast Asia. Cuba Arrests Spies Miami. Fla. fan Uadio sairt inrrm. i.v,i„i security politc arrested 53' mem- tiers of an alleged spy ring, including an American Baptist Church executive and scveril Baptist clergymen.

The name of the American sounded like Herbert Cowdill on the broadcast monitored in Miami, others ar. rested were not named. Sen, Olin D. Johnston Undergoes Surgery Columbia, S.C. (yPi Olin D.

Johnston, under- fieart artery. Dr. Leon Khory, the senator's physician, reporlcri there was no of malignancy from (he tumor. Stale, National Weather Forecast, Helena and vicin Considerable cloudiness showers tonight and Friday, tonight 35. High Friday 54.

The official Helena tempera (lire at 1 ji.m. was nrlgrjdo 4t 33 C.ilcarj- Ilronflus to 32 Chlc.tio liutlf AS 3J Denver Out Hint SO 21 Hi Havre llfltn.1 Knhsprll P'llaiHt. 1 st JM cny 35 Scatllr plates and labs without author lia-tion. "Lest I hey fall in Iheir responsibilities, the county commissioners and the county attorney should take immediate steps to institute corrective measures on tho recommendations and those matters enm-menlcd on by the examiners," Lculhold said in the report. I'cndergasl and Williams found JO instances where Iho treasurer's office allegedly had been Helena, Thursday, April 8, 1965 U.S.

Officials Say 200 Viet Cong Are Killed ily Maleom W. Browne Saigon. South Viol U.S. officials claimed lodav Hint up to 20O Viet Cong guerrillas were killed Wednesday night in a major ballle with Vietnamese marines in Binh Dinb Province, about 320 miles northeast of Sai-gun. Five Sou Id Vietnamese were reported killed and 25 wounded.

There were no American casuat- Americans said, Second Success was ihe second major suc-elaiined thii ground war against the Commu nists. U.S. officials reported Wednesday thai 270 Vict Cong were killed and 31i captured in three-day battle in Ihe Mekong of Saigon, Americans and IB auiun Vietnamese soldiers died in that ballle. Navy Officers Mutiny In Saigon, young naval offi cers staged a mutiny against their commander, Adm. Chunc Tan Cang, but 1he revolt ap peared to have the approval of me government and the Dllier South Vietnamese armed forces.

Sources in Ihe jroverjinieiit said Cang, a close associate of ousted srrong man L.L, Gen. Nguy Kbanh, had ignored icneatnd quests to resign. The mutiny therefore was not surprising, and government was not worried, the sources said. Air force Skyraiders were, cir-(Continued on rage 7) Communist Party Chief Says Reds to Aid Viets Warsaw, Poland Wi Charging thai the United States used poison gas in Viet Nam, So viet coinmunisl party chief Leonid I. Brezhnev declared to-day "Ihe Soviet Union is ready lo give the Democratic llopublic ol North Vic Nam all necessary to repulse tnc American im-perialists' aggression." "We have never stalled our aid and wc never shall." Brezhnev declared at a celebration marking today's signing of new 20-year Polish-Soviet friendship treaty.

The treaty replaces one signed, in Moscow April 21, 1945, before: the end of World War If. Text (he treaty was not release im-1 mediately. 11 IJlfee S3 AO w. i ntone an D.C. a aine Tircclpllitlci: Belgrade, it- I 01: ivlriiton tracer Wem Ytllowitone, Nallnn.il precipitation A nuclei, Paul, tfftce; Ntv Vers Salt Like c'Ur, .05: Sin franslsco, .3) BEAUTY QVKFK Billings A 31-year-old brown-eyed brunette from Helena was chosen Hiss Fastem Montana College.

She Is fiiooU Niculc Farrar Eveland, a junior at (he Killings unit of Montana's university system. Sihc nuw competes for tho title of Montana, She is Ihe daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Eve-land at Helena. conducting affairs In violation of state laws or in an undesirable manner.

"The supervision arid control exercised over cash items could hardly be described as adequate," Iho investigators said. The reporl said in detail: "An sctual physical count of cash and casli items on Dec. 31, lftli-t, revealed lhat ihcy contained IOUs of the county treasurer of other county slaff mcm-hcrs. Tho handling of public 24 Poget, Two Sections Air Force Commander, State Native, Dies of Injuries In Germany Parachute Jump Vi' psbnden, Germany Maj. Cen.

John K. Hester, com. mandcr of Die 17th Air Force. Ram5tein, fiormany, (lied early today of a brain injury suffered during a parachute jump id Marnheim April 2. He was 48.

Hester landed with ,1 partially inverted chute after jumping from an altitude of 1,230 feet. He had been in a coma ever since. Doctors performed an ciner Ueiicjy brain operation to relieve pressure and remove a clot from the brain's surface. As commander of the U.S. 17th Air Force, Hester had (0 jump school to heller understand the Air Force's role in providing support for Die Army.

Hester fell he should be a qualified jumper. The ill-fjLciI jump in the U.S. training area of liauinholdci" was his last in a series of five. An Air Force spokesman said Hosier's chute apparently failed to unfurl properly. A nalivc of Plains, Hester was the sc-n of the Eicv.

John K. and Anna Hester. A high point of his military career came during World War II when he flew 50 combat missions against (be Japanese from bases in China. He won the Distinguished Flying Cross, the llrmiiu Star and Air Medal. In 1949, Hester joined Ihe Armed Forces Special Weapons Project al Sandin Base, N.M., as executive of the operations division.

He became Air Force assistant vice chief of staff three years ago, a post he held until lasl September when he was givrn command of tlir 17th Air 011 1'agc 7) monies in this manner is in tion" of stale laws. "The treasurer is wilhoul express authority to extend bf creilit or ban the use of motor vehicle license plates or tabs." There was no elaboration on this polnl. "After normal collection efforts have been exhausted, non-sufficient fund checks should be promptly referred to Iho office of the county attorney for whal-(Conllnued on Page 1) Price Ten LBJ Says US Is Ready For Viet Peace Talks $1 Billion Aid Plan Proposed For Asian Area By narry Srhwciil Washington President Johnson says the United Stales is ready without pre-conditions to sit down al the bargaining table with tho Communists to try to negotiate an end to (he war in Viet Nam, And even before any peace tnlks start, the President said Wednesday night in a major for- policy address, the United States is prepared to initiate a massive co-operative economic development program for all of Southeast Asia, including Commu nist Vict Nam. American Investment As a starter, Johnson told the nation by radio and television from Johns Uosihins University in Baltimore, ho will ask Con-gress to authorize a $l-bUlion American investment in the program. He proposed that UN Secre-lary-Gencra! Tliant launch Iho plan, invited all industrialized countries including (he Soviet Union to join and said he is naming a special team of prominent Americnns headed by Eugene Black, former president of the World Bank, to guide U.S.

par ticipation. But while showing the Commu-is( world lite carrot, (he Presi dent did not forget the stick. Will Not Withdraw He said of U.S. involvement in Ihe war nl the side of South Viet Nam: "We will not withdraw, either openly or under the cloak of a meaningless agreement." And while he said tho United States is unconditionally ready to discuss peace, he said: "Such neaci; demands an independent South Viet securely guaranteed anil able lo shape its own relationship lo all free from outside tied to no a military base for no country. "These arc the essentials of any final settlement." Many Approaches Jchnson said there are many approaches to a peaceful settlement of the war, thai old agreements may have to be reaffirmed or strengthened with new ones.

"We have stated this position over and over again 50 times and more to friend and foe alike," he said. "And we remain ready (Continued on Page 7) After Midnight Shooting Louisiana City Prepares To Avert Race Trouble llogalusa, This rueial-: At ISafon Iiouge, John tense mill town, jolted by a Kuithm said he talked with Uoga-flurry nf midnight gunfire, ginletl llusa authorilics and nas told today to ward off trouble. I there was no gun batlle. A block of Main Street, targcl "II obviously an effort by for civil righls pickets, was har-jt'lcie paid, professional agitators ricaded. All vehicles were routed' fronl the North and the East to around the area.

IVdvsli i re into our slate and creale not affected. jan incident where they can gel publicity and raise more monev," No 0lle iMcKeithcii lold newsmen. The gunfire came shorlly after midnight a' a Negro residence1' 31 where white civil rights work- 1,1 Vales' version, groups of ers have been billeted. Apparent- sW(l bV house, with men I)' no one nas hit. inside shouting al the house William J.

Yates, 37. of Buffalo. Ihrough car windows. Congress of Racial Kqua His iiosl, Hobe Ihtkv lty project director, described the Nt'Ht'0. saw things dit-shonting as a clash with the Klux Klan, which has been active; 'Tnis anti this southeast Louislann area thrcw a bricl: through Ihe 1 bark window of the station wagon Klghl Shnls T'lrcd piukcil in trout," lie said.

"1 ran Uoualusa inilire said about mil on the and blam. there eight shots were fired, all from was a shot from the car. I Ihe Negro home. No bullet holes Isnalched Out mv gun and fired I were found in (he house. twice, "Some the other men fired." "But it was dark," he added.

'I don't think anybody was hit. I hope nobody was hit. I don't want to hurt anybody." KKK Rally Due lie said there were several armed men on hand because Irmi-ble was expected due to a "Ku Khix Klan rally." No bullet holes could bo found in the Hicks cottage, parked cars or nearby homes. The barricades were part of an elaborate show of police strength preceding toitisht's civil rights rally. James farmer, COKE'S national director, was scheduled lo address an audience at a Negro high school In addition lo the 34-man cily police force, 12 auxiliary policemen were called out to assist 111 patroling tonight.

State polu-o and sheriff's deputies will help swell the total.