The Herald-Press from Saint Joseph, Michigan • 1

PRESS EML1 Vcalhtr Phones Oeeadenal mw tooixht, changing to now flurries and mostly ekmdy Wednesday. Hljh sad low tai put 84 hoars: IS at 1 st aooa Hss-aay. NEWS ROOM TV UtSU business omci ro t-vsa FINAL EDITION 14 PAGES ST. JOSEPH, MICIL, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1958 PRICE SEVEN CENTS nnn MM JUL Bulletins Cold Here Worst Since 1871 In Michigan Record Books Ho 'Home-Town' Touch, Sparks Says Of Stores Commission Okays Free Lot Parking Plan For Holidays Mayor Tom Sparks roasted tha Good Fellows Xmas Fund Let No Child Be Forgotten in if weather In southwestern Michigan was snapped last night. Low readings reported in the twin cities last night was 10 above at the airport.

been above freezing only four days, Dec. 2-5. At the same tuns, the Weather Bureau in Washington forecast below-normal temperatures over the eastern half of the country for the next 30 days. Snow is expected to be normal or above in the Great Lakes region. A week-long stretch of sub-zero If you think this is the coldest De cember you have ever experienced In Michigan, you're right unless you are at least 88 years old.

The U. S. Weather Bureau at De troit said the cold stretch exceeds any record since 1871, when it started keep records. In the 18 days since the cold wave swept in on Thanksgiving Day, the temperature has Name Whirlpool Exec To State Future Committee Sum Asked $3,000.00 Rec'd Today 22.35 Total to Date 1,251.22 Still Needed $1,748.78 ROTARIANS PLAY SANTA CLAUS Rotarian Santa Claus Joe Carver presided at the annual gift-giving session of the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Rotary club Monday noon in the Tropical room of the Whitcomb hotel, Patricia Herring, here receiving her gift from' Santa, was one of 54 children enjoying Rotarian hospitality.

Each year selected youngsters are treated to a colorful Rotary Christmas party at the Whitcomb. (Herald-Press Photo) It's an all veteran team of Good Fellows showing up this morning. Each contributes substantially, and if the list could be lengthened in the same proportion, this would be a simple job. Total donations come to $2235. "4 This makes the current total leaving $1,748.78 to collect rit.htn m.

week's time. Mason Smith, financial vice pres ident of Whirlpool is the only area man named by Governor Williams to serve on his 100-man Committee On Michigan's Economic Future, whieh will strive to advance the state's economic status. Smith joined the company in 1953 in an understudy capacity to its treasurer, Frederick S. Upton, who was then nearlng retirement age under the firm's policy. A year later he assumed over-all control of Whirlpool entire financial set-up.

Smith has played an instrumental role in answering the complex money problems created by Whirlpool's rapid expansion in the past five years. Launches Expansion Shortly after his assuming the top financial post In the corpora tion, Whirlpool launched into Its acquislon of Seeger Refrigerator, the RCA partnership and a plant purchase from International More recent expansions in clude buying up of Birtman Elec tric and the physical assets of ser-vel. Smith 1b a nationwide authority on economics and business prac tice. He has taught at Northwest ern, Ohio State, and Georgia universities, and still lectures at the Massachusetts Institute of Tech nology. Kenned Accountant The holder of bachelor's and master's degrees in economics and a certified public accounting license in Illinois, Smith says of his aca demic background: "I had to stop when the master's degree came along and go to work.

No time left to pursue a PhD." In 1940 he became a partner in the business consultant firm of A. T. Kearney Co, of Chicago. Be fore that he was personnel di rector at the Marshall Field store in Chicago and at one time was assistant operations manager for the Kroger grocery chain. He and Mrs.

Smith make their home in Stevensvllle. Focus On Seaway The committee was assembled by William M. Day, president of Mich igan Bell Telephone Co, who the government named COMEF chair- man earlier this year. It includes a 30-man board of directors and a 70-man advisory council. Day said Monday the body's im mediate attention would be focused on opportunities offered by the scheduled spring opening of the St Lawrence Seaway, mining electronics, missiles, and tourism.

He said he hoped to call the first meeting of directors early in Janu ary. Issues Statement Williams, vacationing in Florida, issued a statement which pointed out that COMEF represents all types of business, labor, and all shades of social and political opinion. The statement added: "The aim of COMEF is a very practical one. In order to choose the proper tactical moves for the economic development of the state Michigan business, government, industry and labor must formulate a sound strategy. "This strategy must be based upon an intelligent and carefully drawn picture of state and national economic trends." Martin Luther film to be shown at Brown School of Christ.

Public Invited. 1st. showing 7 p. m. Tues, Dec.

16. Adv. Twin City Chamber of Commerce Monday night, and declared St, Joseph needs Its own Chamber of Commerce. His statement came after- tha commission unanimously agreed to allow free parking, from today through Dec. 24, in city-owned ofl- street parking lots.

Eugene OToole. Jr, president elect of the St. Joseph Retail Merchants which is a part of tha Joint St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Chamber of Commerce, admitted the proposal sponsored by tha merchant group was frankly in answer to a free-narking during the holidays plan approved last week by the Benton Harbor commission. We are not getting a home town touch to our merchants," tha mayor declared, and suggested an imperative need for consolidated action by the merchants of tha city.

We Come In Second "The city of St. Joseph needs its own Chamber of Commerce," the mayor, said, adding "no reflection on you John" to John Chapman director of the Twin City chamber, who appeared at the commission meeting. And, the mayor said, he meant no reflection on OToole and other men working hard, like hm, to bring united action to the city's merchants. But, the mayor said, "we always come in second to Benton Harbor" on promotions, and cited the fret parking Idea. According to Chapman the chamber did not initiate the Benton Harbor holiday free parking plan.

Sparks also said he had contacted the chamber twice for help, and had not received It. He said "poor merchandising" is harming the merchants, and they are responsible for it. As examples, he cited a merchant "who fills his display window with dark mer chandise, and then turns out tha lights," and the merchants who, Saturday In a heavy snow, neglect ed to shovel their sidewalks. Parking Study Set On free parking in the city's lots. Sparks said, personally dont think its the answer to tha problem," and said a Chamber of Commerce study would be made in both St.

Joseph and Benton Harbor to determine the effects on trade, and to determine if there was any difference in activity because of differences in free parking approval. St. Joseph will allow free parking only in city lots not on the streets. Benton Harbor's approved plan includes both lots and streets. OToole, who admitted he thought the plan would fail, said the merchants were not asking for free street parking because these spots should be kept active for short-term shoppers.

Before his request was approved, the commissioners questioned him closely on whether the merchants and their clerks would be using tha free spaces for all-day parking. OToole said each merchant planned to talk to his clerks and ask them to park elsewhere, but "how can we make them?" Sparks said even if only half of the clerks refrain from free-lot parking, it would be a help. Says Plan Negative' Commissioner David Johnson, after attacking the plan as "negative," in that it was a follow of Benton Harbor's lead and wasnt expected to succeed anyway, said "if businessmen feel this is what they need, then they ought to objectively try to keep all day parkers namely themselves and their clerks out." Commissioner Martin Kaslschke made the motion to approve tha plan, as proposed, as an experiment. Cliff Emlong seconded the motion. In other action, the commission: 1.

Approved bills totalling 2. Approved the purchase, by taking no action, of 29,000 board feet of lumber for $2,263.68 the low bid. City Manager Leland Hill said the lumber was used for a number of city projects cement forms, park benches, saw horses, etc. Tha Douglas fir will be purchased from Home Builders Lumber Co, St, Joseph. btretcb.

your dough at A A 4 Cleaners, 1TO 3-6005. 1610 Lakeview. Adv. MAO OUSTER OFFICIAL WARSAW, Dec. 1 UR Red China's government notified foreign diplomats in Peiping today that Mao Tse-Tung will step down next month as the rover ment chairman, diplomatic sources said.

Foreign Minister Chen Ti was reported to have announced Mao's coming retirement from the chairmanship, equivalent to the presidency, at in informal briefing of ambassadors, minis trea and charge d'affaires credited to Peiping. He told them, however, that Mao would remain as chief of the Communist party. SPOT MISSING MEN SAULT STE. MARIE, Dec 16 Iff) A Coast Guard search plane reported today it had spotted four fishermen and their boat which had been unreported since it left Brimley Sunday. The plane, from the Traverse City base, said the steel-hulled fishing craft was aground on the Canadian side of Whitefish Bay.

The men were sighted walking en the Canadian shoreline, about eight miles north of Gros Cap, Ont PAY INCREASE LANSING, Dec, 16 () A seven percent pay increase was ordered by the Civil Service Commission today for some state employes, The increase, effective July 5, wiU cost about $11,200,000 a year, with the state paying and federal sources the rest Harry Sauerbier Taken By Death Funeral Services Set1 For Thursday Harry H. Sauerbier died at 9:80 p. Monday, at his home at 901 Kingsley ave. He was 71 years old. Mr.

Sauer bier had been under a doctor's care for a year be cause of a heart condition. He was born on July 4, 1887, the son of the late Charles and Mary Sauerbier. Charles Sauerbier was St. Joseph's chief of police for many years. Their home was at the Main st.

location where the National food store now Sauerbier stands. Harry Sauerbier for many. years was a painter- and interior decorator and sold clothing and uni forms. Among his customers, he listed the Berrien Springs village police and the Whirlpool Corp. He was a World War I veteran of the U.

S. Navy. His hobby, gardening, resulted in floral displays that each year attracted the interest and envy of scores of other twin city gardeners. On Nov. 19, 1922, he was married to Bessie Jarvis, who survives.

He is survived also by a broth er, Walter, of St Joseph. A Christian Science service will be conducted Thursday, at 10 a. in the Kerlikowske chapel, with burial in the family lot in City cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home. 'I Tried, Daddy But Child Dies 'Stopping Car' INDEPENDENCE, Dec.

16 (fl "I tried to stop the car, Daddy, but I couldn't," nine-year-old Pamela Sue Fronklsr told her father yesterday. I She died in a hospital a half-hour later. The family car had crushed her against' a tree as It rolled down a driveway. Elton E. Fronkler had parked the car in the driveway, leaving Pamela Sue and two other children in the vehicle while he made a magazine subscription collection call.

He said his youngest child, Robert, 22 months, apparently released the parking gear and the car started rolling down a slight incline. Pamela Jumped out, ran In front and tried to hold the car. WSJM Irish Decatur, 7:50 tonight. Adv, MMSJSflM A moderating of the cold air, not any influex of warmer air, produced the temperature improvement here, the weatherman stated. Another factor was the absence of any fresh surges of icy air from Canada.

Some slight temperature sains are forecast for today and Wednesday, but there are no signs of a break from the eold wave, at least through Thursday. Five inches of snow were measur ed at the airport in the 24-hour period ending at 7 a. m. today. This sent the total since Deo.

7 to 34tt inches. The blustery snowstorm reached its peak late Monday afternoon slowing homebound traffic to a very cautious pace. Father Faces Family's Killer 'Blew My Top Teenager Sobs SAN DIEGO, Calif, Dec. 16 Thomas Pendergast stared at the lanky, pimply-faced youth who had just confessed slaying Fendergast's wife and four children. "Why did you do it?" he screamed.

They were aU I had in the world." Young Carl Eder slumped in his chair at the police station. His mouth opened and shut several times but no sound came out. Finally he blurted: "I I Sidnt want to, Tom." The meeting between Pender-gast and the 16-year-old runaway New Terk youth he had befriended came last night after Eder -had, been captured in a beach community few miles north of San Diego. The police had been looking for him since Friday when the bodies of Mrs. Lois Pendergast, 37, and her four children were found in their home.

The mother had been shot, the children slashed and -stabbed with a knife. The 6-foot 3-inch teenager, whose description had been widely broadcast, was recognized by a resident of Mission Beach and arrested by an off-duty policeman and a lifeguard. After a brief show of defiance the boy started crying and admitted he was Eder and that he had killed Mrs. Pendergast and the children. "I Just his captors quoted him as saying.

At the San Diego police station the police said they got a detailed confession from the youth Pendergast picked up as a hitchhiker six weeks ago and took into his home because he felt sorry for him. They said Eder told them he became angry because one of the children, Diane, 4, was making a lot of noise. He stormed into the bedroom and threw the girl on the floor, cutting her head. Mrs. Pendergast rushed up, took the child into the bathroom to bandage her and told Eder to See FACES KILLER, Page 10 Woman, 78, Found In Buchanan, Remains Critical BUCHANAN, Dec.

16 Miss Clara Sabln, 78-year-old Buchanan woman, who was found unconscious in her home at 101 West Third st, Sunday, remains in "critical" con dition in Pawating hospital, Niles, where she was admitted Sunday. Hospital aides said she has not regained consciousness. Buchanan police Sunday found the woman in her home after they were summoned by friends of Miss Sabin, who said they hadn't seen her for se vera! days. receipts from the next biggest crop on the market, peaches. Strawberry Record Set Highly favorable weather and good prices helped send the strawberry volume far beyond the pre vious record of 633,884 crates set just a year ago.

Keller reported the average price of strawberries at $4.10 per crate. Peaches, which produced $1,597, 971 for the growers, were second in sales. Tomatoes, In a clce third spot, returned $1,583,700. Apples, the only other million-dollar commodity, produced $1,182,347 in market sales. The Market News Service report, which was prepared with' statistical assistance from Market Manager Ed Cox, gave an average price of UUMIU AUi Knun UW BVWT fee SALES rage II NATO Rejects Berlin Dictum High Level Talks Still Possible PARIS, Dec.

16 W) The foreign ministers of the Atlantic Pact coun tries today flatly rejected Russian pressure on Berlin but held out the possibility of high-level talks with the Soviet Union on East-West problems. The western leaders agreed, how ever, that such talks could not be successful under the threats of any Soviet ultimatum on West Berlin. TJ.S. Secretary of State Dulles told his colleagues in the North Atlan tic council that Soviet Premier Khrushchev will not risk, war over 1 "Therefore we can proceed with confidence," Dulles asserted. He added: "We must not give an appearance of success to a bold and reckless move.

In this respect he (Khrushchev) is like Hitler if we give him an inch, he will take a mile' A 'NATO spokesman said the majority of the 15 foreign ministers agreed with Dulles position. He des cribed the broad lines in this way: "Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev's proposals are unacceptable. The West must stand firm not tolerate the unilateral violation of international agreements. The West is agreed that it is always ready for discussions on the reuni fication of Germany." "The allies are strong enough not to be frightened by threats of So-viet propaganda," Dulles said.

The outcome of the short opening meeting was greeted jubilantly by the West Germans. "It was a first rate meeting," said German press spokesman Felix Von Eckhardt. The ministers decided there would be further consultation by the Big Three after the NATO sessions to determine how to frame replies to the Berlin notes from Khrushchev. Preliminary consultations have already begun. The keynote of the morning session, the NATO spokesman See REJECTS DICTUM, Page 10 MASON SMITH Katzbach Hurt In Crash Hear Berrien Sp'gs Theodore Katzbach, Bridgman, 69-year-old superintendent of the Berrien county hospital, was in Mercy hospital today under treat ment for chest and back injuries he received in an auto accident Monday afternoon.

Katzbach was reported in "fair" condition by attendants at Mercy today. The' other driver, Miss Bonnie Jean Nutt, 24, Berrien Springs, nurse at Watervliet Community hospital, received a head cut She was treated at the county hospital and then released. Katzbach and Miss Nutt were hurt when their autos collided on Deans Hill one-half mile east of Berrien Springs, Berrien county sheriff's officers said. Sgt. Murvin Merrill Jr, and Deputy Jerry Casserly said the cars were approaching each other.

Miss Nutt's auto into a skid on a hill. Her car hit the side of the road, glanced back out, spun around and hit Katzbach's auto. Supt. Katzbach told the officers he could see the collision coming. He said he stopped his car and shut off the motor to await the impact.

Little Train That Couldn't Wait Witt "The little train that couldnt wait" will. A few weeks ago, children from Mrs. G. B. Koch's class at Oard school and from Mrs.

Richard Crook's class at Brown school waited. And the school bus that was to take them to Watervliet to catch the train waited. But the train couldnt. And it didn't. And the children missed the train trip.

Only they wont. Because the train is going to come again. And the children will be there on time. We hope. Chesapeake St Ohio's Benton Harbor agent, H.

J. Southland read the Herald-Press story. He's a very nice man and a good agent. Mr. Southland sent a clipping of the story to the railroad's division superintendent in Grand Rapids, Paul E.

Brammer. Mr. Brammer, a very nice man and a good superintendent, wrote he was sorry the students missed the train trip. He said he will get the train to come again when the students come again. And the students will and the train will.

And tha itnrw hii get to ride the train, just as they cwai ana every one. wuiu; avery Rotations Fete Kids For Yule Replete with 54 laughing children, a monkey and crow, and many, many gifts to hold the smiles on the children's faces, the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Rotary club held its annual Christmas party Monday noon in the Tropical room of the Whitcomb hotel. After tickling the inside of the children's ribs with a turkey dinner, they tickled the outside with music and the performing monkey and crow of Lewis Topp, whose acts have appeared on network television programs. "Where's all your relatives today," Topp demanded of his monkey.

Im mediately the monk trotted out to the edge of the table he was stand' ing on, put both hands over his eyes, and jutted his head out as far as it would go, peering and jabbering at the audience as much as to say, "There they are." Both the children and their hosts were delightfully startled when Topp told his crow to introduce him' self. "What is your name?" "Ros-ko," the bird replied. Every year children are selected from the twin cities area to share Christmas with the Rotarians. This is one of the more colorful of their many service activities in the com' munity. Pope Okays Meaf Friday Dec.

26 VATICAN CITY, Dec 16 UP) Pope John XXIII has granted Catholics throughout the world special dispensation from the rule of abstinence from eating meat on Friday, Dec 26, the day after Christmas. A Vatican announcement said the dispensation was grandted, at the request of Bishops of many -lands, because of the Christmas festivals and celebrations. The job of assessing, Feather said, still falls with the local assessing officer. But technical help from trained county personnel and a uniform approach to the problem will tend to Dimg assessments into a more equitable focus, Feather Indicated. Feather visualized a oard system on au county property.

He emphasized he thought super visors ought to think about the problem so it will be done locally and it will be under local control. Feather drew a second for his resolution from Supervisor Harold Nelson, Chikamlng township: The See ASSESSMENTS, Page 10 1 Dont forget- -Tonight is Family nim at Houya ui. lAavj So, hurry; hurry, hurry, all you Good Fellows sun to neara from! Heading oft this morning's report Is the upper junior department at the First Congregational church. As in the past the youngsters put on a special collection Sunday and brought it down to Santa's office. This year's offering is $555, and most gratefully received.

The Pollcettes of St Joseph voted a dividend for good work which makes the Fund richer by $5. The girls arc wives of the St Joseph policemen. The family of Joel Bum sends $2 in his memory, A Friend from around the corner skipped in with a $5 bill from where he works (The Peoples State), but said to' keep his name out of it He's been lending a hand for quite a long spell. The Amvets Auxiliary, Post No. 88 of St.

Joseph, has given this column assistance ever since it was organized after World War II. This morning their repeater performance is chalked up. Thanks, girls, for the $5. That's the show for today. Let's make it longer for tomorrow.

Following is the complete list of Good Fellows to date: Sanitary Dry Cleaners 10.00 Nancy Burtzlaff LOO Blair, Robert, Teresa, Brian and Heidi Knaak 5.00 Kappa Theta Chi sorority 10.00 Progressive Child Study club 5.00 Miss and Master Child Study club 5.00 In Memory of David Jones $.00 White, Klute and White, attorneys 4.00 Lakeview Auxiliary, No. 425. F.O.E. 5.00 Kathy Lynn and Beth Ann Wennerberg 2.00 Bridgman Auction House: John Glassman, Auctioneer 10.40 John D. Horon, 4 Sales Mgr 1035- 20.75 The Herald-Press 100.00 Troost Bros.

20.00 Richard and Robert Lower 2.00 Washmoblle Car Wash. St Joe 15.00 Charles H. Goff in memory of Harriet Bourhton and Cynthia E. Goff 4.00 The Gladstera Club 5.00 Jolly John of Watervliet 1.00 Cxechoslovak Beseda Club of Stevensvllle 5.00 Producers Creamery Driven Association 15.00 Bonnie and Jackie Schmalts 1.00 A Friend t.OO Niles Avenue Friend 5.00 Friend from Baroda 10.00 Ray Myers 2.00 Bashful Friend 50.00 George Bodtke Family 5.00 Keil Wilson i 5.00 American Lesion Auxiliary. No.

163, St Joseph 8.00 Dr. Clayton 8. Emery 10.00 Fraternal Order of Police, St Joseph Lodge No. 96 i 50.00 Denis Lockwood, GaUen 1.00 Mrs. Ralph L.

Bardies, Berrien Springs--In memory of Mr. Bnrdlck 6.00 I James LaMunlon Electro-lux Sales Servioo LOO St Joseph Amvets, George E. Jones Post 88 5.00 Royal Neighbor Circle M0 St Joseph Emblem Club jBse GOOD FELLOWS, Fag 10 Fruit Market Sales Down Little From Mark In '57 Supervisors Start Work On Uniform Assessments I PAY TlUS3fct Cash sales for fruits and vegetables over the twin city market this past season amounted to the third highest sales volume in the history of the market. A summary of the marketing prepared by R. E.

Keller, head of the Federal-State Market News Service office here, showed this year's sales were just slightly under the recorded in 1957. The all-time record sales amounted to $9,767,666 in 1950. The 10-year average (1948-57) of sales Is $8,218,565. Strawberries proved the biggest money-maker of the year at the world-famed trading lot. This commodity alone accounted for over three million dollars in sales.

Keller's report show the sale of 778.233 crates of strawberries returned Berrien county supervisors laid the ground work Monday for an assessing department which may eventually produce uniform property valuations throughout the entire county. If the program la approved, the Impact will be felt by school districts as well as county government. The initial step was support of a resolution which called for appointment of a committee to study the idea. Supervisor Robert Feather, Or- onoko township, Introduced the resolution. Feather said the legislature pro vided in 1950 that a county could hire an outside appraising firm, or establish its own department to re view and aid In assessing.

ij wmrt-tfuwo vim nkru.j wv-f anouia nave a happy ending. jney was virtually double' tha cash).