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

si TEMPERATURE 33; low 17. 44; low 17. 44; low 28. Last night's low, 41. Airport noon temperature, 50.

MI VERNON REGISTER-NEWS MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS VOLUME 79 A SQUARE DEAL FOR ALL SPECIAL FAVORS FOR NONE A NON-PARTISAN PAPER SOUTHERN lltlMOli tonight ond major change ttf, Low tonight 35 to Wednesday neor 50. MOUNT VERNON, ILLINOIS 25c PER WEEK BY ALLIES RETREAT TO NEW DEFENSE LIN LEGISLATORS GATHERING IN SPRINGFIELD Both Parties Hold Important Caucuses Tonight Before Session Starts at Noon Tomorrow. REPUBLICAN FIGHT ON SPEAKERSHIP Reed F. Cutler Leads Field But Opponents Say He is Shy of Caucus Majority. 9 By Aoecinttd 111..

lators began today tor important caiicusos tnniKlil and the oprniiiK of llu' iuih Illinois General Assenitily nl noon tomorrow. The House six-aUership and two other key jolw are to he filled at Repul)lican and Democratic caucuses. Republicans, after a two year lapse, will name llie six-aker cause they control the House 81 to 69. At. least a half dozen candidates are soekinK 'be lop House i)ositioii, with Rep.

Reed F. Cutler, (VJ-year- old veteran lawmaker, Rer.oraliy rcKarded as leadinR the fieid. Strongest challengers appeared to be Reps. Warren Wood of Plainfield. David Hunter of Rockford, Robcit J.

Branson of Cen- Iralia and G. William of SprinRfield. Spokesmen for an anti-Cutler bloc, which was tonned shortly after 'he Nov. 7 election, contend he is shy of the -K? caucus votes needed for election as The major problem of this bloc, however, was to reach agreement on a single candidate they will support. In addition to speaker, who has control over calling bills dminK the session, tlie Republicans will choose their House floor leader.

Democrats are expected to name Wiliam Connois of Chicago as Senate minority leader and either Rep. Paul Powell of X'ienna or James Ryan of Chicapo as minority leadei-. Connors has held his job since Senate Is Kcmly Senator Wallace of reelected Senate GOP majority leader in says the upper chamber is ready to RO to work at once. However, not much business can be transacted for several weeks until Republican House leaders organize the standinp; committees. The six month legislative session will get underway with a joint session, at which Governor enson will deliver a message mapping the prograin he wants enacted.

A gas tax increase is expected to top his list of recommendations. Advance guesses are he will propose a one cent increase, to four cents a gallon, with all the extra revenue going for state i-oads. ill The Democratic governor i.s cx- jwctod to put in a bid for help on his program from the Rcpuljlican dominated legislature. Stevenson is only the third governor since the Civil War to face a general assembly controlled by political opponents. Revision of the state constitution, redrawing the IT) congressional districts into 25, and realignment of the legislative districts to give Chicago more scats arc high on the list of problems which the assembly will have to decide.

Billion DoUar Budget The usual headache over money will come later when Stevenson presents his two-year budget plans, which probably will be over the billion dollar mark again. One major help in meeting demands on the state treasury is the expected drastic slash in requests for building funds. The war emergency will bo a major factor in cutting down these items. FIRST BABY OF 1951 SAY RUSSIAN GENERAL IS IN COMMAND High U.S. Militory Authority Reports Marshall Zhukov Directs Joint Russian-Chinese Headquarters.

Vickl Lynn, Mt. Vernon's Queen for po.seil for the pho- foKrnphcr at County Hospital yesterday. Vickl, of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Berst.

of 2508 Perkins Avenue, was horn at 7:20 a. Monda.v. The lucky yoiing.ster will be showered with Klffs by local merchants. (PAVLPJDES PHOTO) U. S.

PRESSING FOR U. N. ACTION OVER KOREA Demands China Be Labeled Aggressor; Truce Efforts Fait. Vicki Lynn Berst Is Mt. Vernon's "Queen for 1951 Col.

Rumbaugh Is Made Brigadier By Aiser Press SPRINGFIELD, 111., Jan. Col. Carl E. Runiliaugh of Danville has been promoted to the rank of brJKatiier general and a.s- signed as a.s.si.slant commander of the 44th Infantry Division, Illinois iWational Guard. Rambauph succeeds Col.

Sherwood Dixon, who also is iieutonant governor of Illinois. Dixon's request for voluntary retirement with rank of brigadier general was accepted last Lt. Col. Richard L. of Cairo was advanced to the rank of colonel with command of the 130th Infantry Regiment to fill the vacancy left by Rumbaugh's new assignment.

The changes were announced bv Vfvla.j. Gen. hen. M. Boyle, the adjutant general.

By Aiteclatid Prtis SUCCESS, Jan. U. N. announced today the general assembly's political committee will meet tomorrow to consider the critical Korean The en -nation body will gather at 9:45 a. m.

iCST) to hear: 1. A report from the U. three-member cease-fire committee on the failure of its truce efforts. The committee met this morning to approve its final re- I)Olt. 1'.

A demand from the United States foi- strong action against comnumisi China as a result of the new push south of the 38th parallel. American diplomats conferred with their British and French allies, seeking to establish a joint The U. S. was expected to make minimum demand that the U. N.

formally brand the Chinese Reds aggressors, thus opening the door for more stringent action. U. S. delegate Ernest A. Gross also consulted with India's Sir Benegal N.

Ran and Egypt's Mahmound Fawzi Bey over the weekend to inform tliem oJ the new U. S. Rau and Fawzi Bey hnvc been leading the Asian-Arab efforts to arrange a cease-fire either on a military basis or by tempting the Pciping Red regime with the offer of a political conference on Far Faslei'n problems. Lynn Berst is Mt. Vernon's Queen of 19.51.

The lucky little girl, daughter of and'Mrs. Earl B. Berst of Perkins was born at 7:20 a. m. at Jefferson County Memorial Hospital the fii-st born in Mt.

Vernon in the new year. The Berst family moved to Mt. Vernon recently from Scsser. Vicki Lynn will showered with a valuable array of gifts by Mt. mcichants.

Lsnn succeeds a little Kecnes girl as Queen. The fii-st bnln in Mt. in 1950 was Vcta Christine Bruce, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward O.

Bruce of Keenes. Mt. Vernon's first baby of 1951 has three and sisters. Hospital attendants reported that motile, and daughter arc "gelling along fine." By Aitoelaltd Prtts TOKYO, Jan. high authority says Soviet Marshal Grigori K.

Zhukov, 'World War II conqueror of Berlin, is directing Chinese armies in Korea from headquarters in Mukden, Manchuria. The informant is considered officially as a reliable source. He said the existence of a Russian-Chinese military headquarters in Mukden, with Zhukov as supremo commander, was reported to American intelligence on or before Dec. 24. Gen.

Lin Piao, commander of the Red Chinese fourth field army, was described as Zhukov's deputy. Zhukov, Russia's best field commander of World War II, was chief of staff in 1941 and directed the defenpe of Moscow against the Germans. WHERE REDS ADVANCE IN KOREA NORTH KOREA JNCHON. HE ran, fronsan Three large arrows show general direction of Communist offensive against TJX troop positions in Korea. Beds' first push carried them to tIijongl)u nrea (A), while other Communist forres attacked in Karangpo area (B).

WIREPHOTO MAP) 421 ACCIDENTAL DEATHS IN U. 26 IN ILLINOIS Arrest Man Who Broke in Mt. V. Building A man who broke into a Mt. Vernon business place and drove away in a truck he found there has been taken into custody in Texarkana, Texas, it was announced today by county officers.

Deputy Sheriff Bud Yearwood said that Texas authorities have identified (he man as Charles Edward- Cutright and said that he lived in Akron, Ohio. Sheriff Roy Taylor left yestajf-' day for Texas to bring the pri.soh- er to the Jefferson county Cutright is charged with breaking into the Mt. Vernon Truck Body 1S19 south last Friday night "after stealing $,34, driving away in a truck he found in the building. The truck, property of Ed Lilak of the Westville, 111., Bottling was in the building for body repairs. officers charge that the man got into the building l)y taking the Jiinges off of a rear door, He ransacked 1he office, taking $34 which he found in a petty cash box.

Sheriff Taylor is expected to arrive in Mt. V.ornon with his' prisoner late tonight or tomorrow. The stolen truck was also being held by Texas authorities and will be driven back to Mt. Vernon. Holiday Tournament Mt.

Vernon 59; McLcansboro 34, Mt. Vernon 64; Eldorado 41. Mt, Vernon 47; Robinson 37. Mt, Vernon 48; Wist Fmnlifort 38. Slayer of State Cop's Wife Gets Parole Hearing By Associated Press WEST FRANKFORT, 111., Jan.

member of the once notorious Charlie Birgcr gang of southern Illinois has t)ecn granted a hearing for jjarolo or commutation of a life sentence for murder. The hearing before the board of pai-dons has been set for January 9 in Springfield. Charles Denham, Williamson county state's attorney, said the board'will listen to the appeal of Riley (Alabani) Simmons, convicted with others for the 1927 kidnap-murdcr of Mrs. Ethel Price, wife of a state highway policeman. The sla.sing took place along with more than a score of others during tlie bloody days of the Shelton-Birger a a in the prohibition era.

Gangland associates asserted that Birger himself led the men who murdered Mrs. Price and her husband. Birger was hanged in Benton for plotting the death of Joe Adams, 300-pound mayor of West City. National Highway Toll of 301 Is Less Than Expected Over Holiday. By Associated Press Accidents killed 421 persons in the U.

S. during the New Year's the total fell far under the near record Christmas weekend mark of more than 700. The New Year's holiday toll on the streets and showed a sharp drop from the .545 traffic deaths during the Christmas period. It also was short of the 330 fatalities predicted by the National Safety Council for the New Year's 6 p. m.

Friday to midnight Monday. During the New Year's weekend 120 men, women and children died in a var'oty of non-traffic accidents. These included fires, plane crashes and other causes. More than 1,100 Americans lost their lives in violent accidents during the long Christmas and New Year's weekends, including more than 800 killed in traffic accidents. 81 ST CONGRESS PASSES CIVILIAN DEFENSE BILL Also Votes $20 Billion for Defense.

New Civilian Defense Plan Gives Federal Gov't Dictatorial Powers in Any Area That Comes Under Attack. 82nd Congress Meets Tomorrow. CHINESE COLUMN IS WITHIN 14 MILES OF SEOUL. DESERTED CITY Another Chinese Force is Only 17 Miles from Seoul OS Reds Crash Through Allied Defenses in Suicidol Waves. Major Fullback Leaves Big Sag in United Nations Line.

False Rumors of Poison in Water By Astocintod Press BIRMINGHAM, Jan. This sleel town has learned how fast a false rumor can spread near panic. Late a tale circulated no one knows exactly how or where it began that the city's water suppl.x- had poisoned. Switchboards of the Birmingham Post-Herald, city hall, police and wale departments were clogged by thousands of telephone calls fi-om citizens. All officials-cily, county, stale and federal- -quickly assured callers there u'as nothing wrong with the supjily.

Radio 'tations tnuadcasl at In- minute a statement the city water department that "Birmingham's water is perfectly pure." But still the rumor spread in this area of over a half-million persons, reaching a peak between 3 and 7 p. m. Police officials observed, "If the rumor had boon spread communists they could not ino'e iinijcd 26 ILLINOIS FATALITIES By Associatod Press Traffic and other miscellaneous accidents caused 26 deaths in Illinois during the New Y'ear's end. Between 6 p. m.

Friday and last midnight, 16 persons were killed in traffic, half of them pedestrians. Ten others died of various causes. Five pedestrian fatalities occurred in Chicago. Others were William Szaina, 37, of Mount Olive, 51, of Belleville, killed at Belleville, and Mike Hentz, 65. of Henry, killed at White City; Elmer Beyer, struck by a train.

Five Fire Victims Miscellaneous included five from fires. Among them were Lloyd Hathaway about 42, of Earlville, and his son, Michael, 18 months old, from a fire in their home. Mrs. Dorothy Hagedorn, 38. of Palataine, also died as a result of a fire in her home, and a fire in a railroad car caused the deaths of Arthur Picrc, 32, and Abraham Mcintosh, 50, of Waukegan.

Other downstatc deaths were: Warren D. Hughes, 16, of Mattoon, auto accident near Mattoon. Leroy Chollett, 34, of Chicago, and Sylvia Louks, 14, of Aurora, truck-auto accident in Aurora. Jimmy Eaton, 19. of Toledo, 111,, auto near Effingham.

John Ortolan, 30, of Granite City, auto near East St. Louis. Paul K. Terenback, 17. of Jerseyville, auto at Jerseyvilie.

Peter J. Connolly, 70, of Springfield, fall. Mrs. Opal Styer, 32, of Alton, auto near Danville. Mrs.

Edna May Downing, 28, Potomac, shot in a hunting accident. Five-Day Forecast By Associattd Press Five day extended forecast for Illinois: Temperatures will average 3-6 degrees above normal. Normal maximum 34 north to 43 south. Normal minimum 17 north to 24 south. Mild Wednesday turning colder over the weekend.

Precipitation will average '2 to 1 inch occurring as rain Wednesday and Friday witii snow or snow to iiave had a better reaction." remainder of period. By Associated Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 2. The 81st Congress, running out the final hours of its two-year life, day voted more for defense and also sent to President Truman a sweeping civil defense bill. The latter measure aims at (1) organizing the American people to meet po.ssible enemy attack, and (2) granting the federal govern- nient the dictatorial it might need in any area that does come under attack.

Senate approval cleared the civil defen.se and money bills to the White House. Both went through by voice votes. The House had passed them yesterday. These measures were the major before-adjournment "must" bills for a Congress that came into power 24 months ago when hopes were high for a long tei-m of world peace and gas going out in a time of tension and war threats. Tomorrow, the new elected last take over.

Even as this Congress was winding up, there was jockeying for the places of authority and power in the new session. Southern Democrats, in a secret meeting of House Democrats, broke the Administration's "slate" and elected Rep. Burr Harrison of Virginia to one of three Democratic vacancies on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Administration Democrats liad wanted Rep. Denton of Indiana to have the place.

On the Senate side, there was maneuvering by friends of Senators McFarland (Ariz.) and O'Mahonev (Wyo.) over who is to be Democratic floor leader in the new session. The new 82nd Congress, convening at 11 a. m. (CST) tomorrow, comes into being amid an acrid controversy over the nation's foreign controver.sy already resounding with charges and counter-charges of "isolationist" and "internationalist." Sharp cleavage is growing between those who want homo front defenses bolstered first, and those who insist the nation must continue to aid its foreign allies. An unusual Now Year's day meeting of the House cleared the way for President Truman to get most of his major emergency legislation from the dying Congi'ess.

Today, the House returns at 11 a. m. to wind up its affairs. The Senate, which has been in virtual recess since Dec. 22, starts its final meeting one hour earlier.

Rol )Uff to Truman The House has only one major item before it -action on the Son- ate bill restoring a portion of the old war powers act. Under it Mr. Truman would be given authority to renegotiate contracts. The Senate turned thumbs down on Mr. Truman's request for re- stoi'ing another portion of the old law which would have permitted him to reshuffle executive agencies.

The House is expected to go along with the rebuff. That and Senate failure to approve Alaska and Hawaii statehood bills ai-e the only major setbacks Mr. Truman suffered during the short election session. Billion for Defr-nso The Senate must: on a House-approved appropriations bill compromise tagging an additional for defense and related spending. It agreed to limit debate to one hour.

on a compromise civil deien.se bill which (a) will set up a new independent civil defense administration and (h) open the way for the federal, stiile and local Mrs. Kotherine Irons Dies Sunday; Rites Thursday Mrs. Katherine May Irons, widow of Dr. L. L.

Irons, died at 7:15 p. m. Sunday at Good Samaritan Hospital. Mrs. Irons suffered a stroke while shopping downtown on December 19, and succumbed without ever regain ing consciousness.

She was 78 years, three months and 20 days of age. Born September 11, 1872, the daughter of Newton and Anna (Bogan) Pace, she was married in March, 1909, to Letcher Irons a dentist, who died in 1938. Mrs. Irons was a descendant of Jefferson county pioneers on both the Pace and Bogan side of her family. She is survived by three sons Edward of San Diego, Rob ert P.

of Bethesda, and Arthur L. of New York, and two daughters, Mrs. Louie Reid of Decatur and Mrs. Elizabeth Maxey of Mt. 'Vernon, nine grandchildren and three great grand children.

All three of her sons are military officers. Arthur and Robert are dentists and Edward is physician. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian church of which she was a lifetime member. It will be the first funeral held in the new church on West Broadway. The service will be at 2 m.

Thursday, conducted by Dr. R. B. Guthrie, the pastor. Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery.

The body will lie in state at the Pulley Funeral Home after 10 a. m. Wednesday. It will be removed to the church Thursday at 12 noon to lie in state until the funeral hour. By Assocliiteit Press (1 TOKYO.

Jan. 2. Two enemy columns, striking along the main roads to Seoul, today were reported only 17 miles from the imperiled South Korean capital. The columns were in the van of six Chinese Communist armies which carved a salient in the Allied lines. General MacArthur's headquarters said one column was 17 miles from Seoul and only five miles from Uijongbu, the road hub which holds the key to Seoul.

A field report said a second column was oven closer. It was said to be 14 miles to the northwest of Seoul. It was moving do the main highway and railway from northern Korea to Seoul. (Continuvd on ilghti Motorist Killed Sleeping in Car On I. C.

Railroad By Associated Press TAMAROA, 111,, Jan. A coroner's report today said a young Chicagoan died here Sunday from injuries suffered a few hours earlier when he apparently fell asleep in his car stopped on the Illinois Central railroad tracks. He was thrown from his car when it was struck by the Louisiane, a passenger train. The vouth was George Doer- slein, Jr. of 2301 W.

Monroe Chicago. A former resident of Tamaroa, he was spending the holidaj's here with his parents. Coroner August E. Schneider said from witnesses accounts, Doerslein probably went to sleep while waiting for a freight train to pass. Bar Shipment Of Slot Machines Dy Associated Press WASHINGTON, Jan.

Truman today signed a bill prohibiting the shipment of slot nKK 'hinrs and related gambling devices acrn.ss state lines. The new law. providing fines and jail terms for violations, is expected to put a severe crimp in the multi-billion dollar annual slot machine "take." The law is an outgrowth of the attorney general's conference on organized crime last February. Federal and local law enforcement authorities heard estimates then that the slot machine racket was grossing 552,000,000,000 a year. By Associated Press TOKYO, Jan.

of six Chinese Communist Armies carved out a menacing salient today in western Korea within 17 air miles of Seoul. Outnumbered United Nations forces, after retreating up to 11 miles in zero weather, manned new defense lines and awaited the next onslaught. It was expected in a few days. MacArthur's Headquarters quoted North Korea's dictator as boasting ina broadcast that his war efforts have "support and sympathy" of Red China, Rdssia, Hungaria. Bulgaria, Czecho-Slovakia, Rumania and Poland.

MacArthur said Kim II Sung's statement indicated clearly "The general character of this war." Swift Allied Retreat The Allied nullback in South Korea before at least 42 enemy divisions was so swift that contact was lost with the main Red forces. There was little ground fighting in field reports Tuesday. Thousands of Communist dead littered the frozen and rugged battlefield MacArthur's Headquarters called their New Year's assault an all out attack "pressed by the enemy with complete disregard for his losses, which have been extremely heavy." Suicidal Waves The first suicidal waves hurled themselves on land mines, exploding them. Then succeeding waves climbed over their bodies, human bridges over barbed wire entanglements. Allied planes of all categories took a heavy enemy toll.

Ground observers estimated that 6,000 Red casualties were inflicted Monday by air action alone. Planes Strafe Reds Pilots of one group of F-80 Shooting Star jets said they an nihilated an entire company of Communists six miles east of Ko rangpo. That is 28 miles north of Seoul. Fliers of Navy Skyraider bomb ers from the U. S.

aircraft car rier Valley Forge reported their deadly low level attacks forced Red troops to retreat from a ridge six miles south of Hwachon. That is 50 miles northeast of Seoul. Big Sag In Allied Lino. The Communist wedge driven into the west flank was described in a field dispatch by A. P.

Correspondent John Randolph as amounting to "A major puUback and a big sag in the defense line across South Korea." MacArthur's Headquarters said that, in addition to the thz'ust sounth of Tonduchon. Red forces had penetrated to nine miles northwest of Uijongbu and to Kapyong. The penetration northwest of Uijongbu is within 20 miles of Seoul. That to Kapyong is at a point 35 miles northeast of Seoul. 300,000 Red Attackers Between nine and 10 Chinese and North Korean Ai-my Corps Reefs Agree to Big Four Talks By Associatod Press I ONDON, Jan, Soviet Union has agreed to a preliminary conference of Big Four representatives to prepare an agenda for a four-power foreign ministers meeting.

Moscow's position was broadcast tonight in response to a Western power suggest that such a preliminary meeting be held. The Soviety reply objected to holding the preliminary meeting in New York, and suggested Instead the talks take place "in Moscow, Paris, or London, since the holding of such a conference in one of the above-mentioned capitals without doubt represents a practical convenience for the majority of those taking part." ATOMIC CHIEF up to 300,000 on the battle line. MacArthur said there were six Chinese Red Army Corps last known in action around Hung- nam in northeast Korea. That is the area evacuated on Christmas Eve by the U. S.

10th Corps, Three North Korean Army Corps also were listed by MacArthur's Headquarters at the front. These forces, backed by reserves adding up to a total of more than 1,000,000 drove the menacing wedge into the west flank and also punched a big dent in the east- central sector. The lattsr thrust was aimed at cutting off Seoul's defenders from their road of retreat southeast to the old Pusan beachheads. Serious, Not Critical The Eight Army spokesman said the Red threat on both flanks was serious but not critical. No estimate of Allied lo.sses during the Red offensive's first phase 7 p.

m. New Year's to 3 a. m. New Yeai''s permitted. A-BOMB Answers Senator Brewster's Doubts on Truman's Explosion Report.

By Associated Prest WASHINGTON, Jan. 2. Atomic Commission Chairman Gordon Dean said flatly today that "Russia does have" the atomic bomb. He gave that answer to a news conference question based on recent public discussion of whether the Soviets actually did explode an atomic bomb in the summer of 1949, President Truman announced in September, 1949. that there had been an "atomic explosion" in Russia but he did not specificially say an atom bomb had been exploded.

The question was brought up again recently by Senator Brew- sters (R-Me) who said there were "grave doubts" that Russia had the bomb. Dean also was asked whether atomic bombs are being made anywhere except in the United States and Russia. He said that question should be addressed "to the other countries." Asked whether Mr. Truman has yet ordered the AEC to deliver bombs to the armed forces for possible use. Dean replied he didn't think he should answer the question.

"How to Get More" One questioner asked if the cost of atomic bombs was now an important factor governing the strategic use of the bomb, whether we "have to be frugal?" "Even if you had much larger numbers you would have to be frugal," Dean replied. "Arc you worried about not having enough?" "No," Dean answered, "just about how to get more." President to Deliver Message Next Monday By Assoclattd Press WASHINGTON. Jan. Truman will deliver his state of the union message in person to a joint session of the new Congresf at noon (CST) next Monday. The time and date were announced as definite today by the White House.

The message which customarily starts off a new session of the national legislature is still unfinished. The President made considerable progress in Its formulation during a four day ci-uise on the' Potomac ending late yesterday. On returning from the weekend: cruise aboard the Presidential Yacht Williamsburg, Press Secre- Joseph Short said Mr. Truman is "buoyant he readv to take os the ties that arc bound to upon him during this new year.".