Panama City News-Herald from Panama City, Florida • Page 1

Observers Predict Surprise Russian Action FAMILY THEATRE Family Theatre at 8:30 this evening over WDLP presents another all-star Hollywood cast in family drama presentation. News-Herald Phones--8585--858--8587 Panama The Gulf Coast at Its Best rHerald Radio at Its Best. WDLP, 590 kc WEATHER Partly cloudy with scattered thunderthow- ers; moderate southerly winds. Vol. 34--No.

165 EIGHT PAGES PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1950 ASSOCIATED PRESS PULL LEASED WtRB PRICE 5 CENTS U. S. Infantry Position Cut Off by Red Tanks Truman Plans No Address Now On War Crisis Decision Made During Conference In Blair House White House said today President Truman has no intention of addressing Congress or the nation on the Korean war at present. Presidential Secretary Charles G. Ross said the question of whether Mr.

Truman should appear before Congress as some members have urged, was among those discussed at a secret Blair house meeting Monday afternoon. Ross said no final decision was made and added: "The president has no present intention of going before Congress or making a radio speech to the coun- II- try." NO SPECULATION Ross said he could not speculate on what developments might occur later which would change the situation, but indicated it was safe to assume there would be no speech this week. He told newsmen the Blair house conference was for a "general review" of the situation. He said there was no advance announcement of it because it was supposed to be confidential- Word of the meeting leaked out, however. Ross said the president was likely to call in people "at any time" to discuss the Korean situation.

He described the Monday meeting as "impromptu." "THROUGH CHANNELS" Asked again whether Mr. Truman has been in direct contact with Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Ross said the -president's only contacts with the general 'have' been "through channels." He" said- there were no Korean jonferences scheduled for today, although Secretary of Defense Johnson was due to make his regular Monday call noon and Chairman W. Stuart Symington of the National Security Resources board was to see the president 30 minutes later. WASHINGTON.

Senator Benton (D-uonn) today blamed the Korean war on what he said was the failure of- the United States "to shatter Russian propaganda with truth." While this country tried to help the 1 new republic of South Korea with friendship and economic aid, Benton said "the Russians fed tanks, guns, planes and fertile multiplying lies to the North Koreans." As a result of these Soviet lies and propaganda, Benton said many reans actually believe they are fight, ing "Yankee imperialism." Benton was the lead off witness before a Senate foreign relations considering his proposals a vast campaign of ideas and information to offset global Communist propaganda. He calls it a "Marshall plan of ideas." to testify in support of the idea were Gen. George C. Marshall, former secretary of state anc founder of the original Marshal plan for European recovery, and Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, wartime commander and now president of Columbia University.

STRONG YOUNG SOUTHERN VOICES sounded off lustily in front of the Nation's Capitol in Washington. D. this week, when 141 Jamboree-bound Scouts of Northwest Florida and South Alabama were greeted by three Congressmen and a Senator from their home towns. Representatives Bob Sikes and George Smathers of Florida and George Grant of Alabama joined with Senator Spessard Holland of Florida to welcome the Scout sons of their constituents to Washington. The boys enthusiastically shouted the words of "Dixie" as the legislators shook their hands.

They wound up with "God Bless America" and several Scouting and rebel yells that made Washington take notice. Ten days in Valley Forge is their objective, camping with 47,000 Scouts from all over America. The Gulf Coast Council Scouts will take three weeks for their journey, including trips to New York City, Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Roanoke, Chattanooga, Birmingham and Montgomery. Holiday Deaths Set New Record Nation Lists 739 Fatalities By The Associated Press Accidental death struck down at least 739 Americans during their four day Independence Day week end. The toll was much higher than expected, and rocketed toward the all-time high set in 1936--761 deaths.

Citizens died in traffic crashes, by drowning, and by miscellaneous accidents at a little better than one every 10 minutes during the 102 hour period 6 P. M. local time Friday and last night at midnight. Highway smashups claimed 458 lives in what was predicted as the biggest U. S.

traffic jam in history. Water deaths totalled 168. Miscellaneous kinds of mishaps killed 113. No one was reported killed in Fourth of July fireworks tragedies, but the other deaths were tied in with Independence Day celebrations. Symbol Of Freedom Gov.

Warren Will Accept Liberty Bell Governor Fuller Warren, in a ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at 2 p. will accept for the people of Florida the replica of the Liberty Bell which has been on tour throughout the state during -the Treasury's Independence Savings Bonds Drive. The presentation will be made in behalf of Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snyder by V. H.

Northcutt of Tampa, Chairman of Florida's Savings Bond Advisory Committee. The Liberty Bell replica appeared in Panama City Saturday and was greeted with a parade, led (Continued on Page Eight) Apalach Crowns Holiday Queen 2,000 Attend Celebration There Apalachicola (Special) Miss Lujane Donaldson, of Bainbridge was crowned Miss Apalachicola River Valley yesterday as more than 2,000 persons celebrated the Fourth of July in this Franklin county city. Miss Dot Clark, of Marianna, was runner-up in the beauty contest. Miss Jackie Glass took third place. Miss Donaldson took first place honors over five other contestants representing Columbus, Cat- tahoochee, Marianna, Blountstown, and Apalachicola.

Fourth of July visitors yesterday made up the largest crown assembled here since the opening of Gorrie Bridge in 1935. A highlight jof the celebration was speed boat races featuring drivers from throughout the Southeast. B-29 Flight Off For Orient MARCH FIELD, undisclosed number of B-29s from the 22nd bombardment here are on their way to the far east today. Officers refused to pinpc.int their destination. The planes'" left iast Families of crewnhn were on the runway to wave taja Former Local Girl Succumbs In West Virginia Word was received here today of the death last night in Mann West, of Mrs.

A. E. Gamble, 18. Mrs. Gamble was the former Miss Yvonne Joyner of Cedar Grove.

She went to West Virginia with her husband about three months ago. Among survivors are her husband and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Joyner of Cedar Grove. The remains will be returned here for funeral services and interment.

TRADE PAYMENT Chinese National government employes, military personnel and school teachers soon will receive a portion of their salaries in commodities, the official Chinese news agency said today. Pinckney Rites Slated Today Rev. S. T. Trotter Will Officiate Funeral services for Mrs.

Lou Missouri Pinckney, 68, of Lynn Haven, will be held at 2:30 p.m. today from the First Methodist church of Lynn Haven. The Rev. S. T.

Trotter, pastor of the church, will officiate, and interment will follow in Greenwood cemetery, in Panama City. Mrs. Pickney, a long-time resident of Lynn Haven, died in a Dothan hospital Sunday night. She is survived by two sons, Buford of Warner Robins, and J. of Lynn brothers, Joe Porter of Lynn Haven and D.

R. Porter of La Jola, two sisters, Mrs. A. W. Gainer and Mrs.

Watts Gainer, both of Southport, and three grandchildren. Pallbearers are Brown Howell, Glenn Porter, Floyd Gainer, Ray Hottinger. Fred Herndori and Marvin Mashburn. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. MacArthur May Be Supreme Commander United Nations Flag May Fly Over U.

S. Troops in Korea WASHINGTON. (ff)--The blue flag of the United Nations may be flown by Americans and others fighting to stop the Communist invasion of South Korea. Diplomats who reported this said also that Gen. Douglas MacArthur probably will be named United Nations commander for the Korean area.

The United Nations flag is light blue, bearing -a polar rnap of the world flanked by twin olive branches. Since the resistance to the invasion is under a call by the United Nations, flying its flag and making the commanding general a TT. N. agent would further formalize the arrangement by which aid was sent to the South Koreans. There were indications that a resolution to effect the two steps would be offered in the U.

N. "security Council at New York within a few days. Jonn Foster Dulles, Republican adviser to Secretary of State Acheson and a former delegate to the U. said in a Fourth of July- speech la.st night that the Korean war offers an opportunity for peace. He said: "We have today a great opportunity to join with the other free societies to prove that unprovoked aggression does not pay.

"If we Fternly teach that lesson in terms of the North Korean adventure, then our own peace will be more secure than ever before." Dulles also said that the struggle with Comir.uni.sm is a grim one and "before it finished we shall all of us have to pay a price." "Already today in Korea our youth are beginning to pay the finaf price of life he said. "The rest of may have to cut down on our economic indulgence so th-H out of our productive capacity, we can help our friends to match the offensive power which the Soviet union, out of its economic poverty, supplies its friends." Munroney Leads In Oklahoma Thomas Losing In Re-Election Bid By DAYTON BLAIR OKLAHOMA CITY-- Elmer -Thomas trailed Ijtep. Mike Monroney by more than 7,000 votes today as tabulation of yesterday's Democratic Senatorial primary election neared completion. A run-off election July 25 was assured by the other five Democratic candidates who had more than 25,000 votes among them. Returns from 3,261 of 3,786 precincts gave: Monroney 167,592, Thomas 160,435.

Johnston Murray, who hopes to win the governor's office once held by his father, held a wide lead over his three Democratic opponents but lacked the clear majority to avoid a runoff. Murray, in returns from 3,273 precincts, had 195,075 votes to a combined total of for his foes. William O. Coe, Oklahoma city attorney, was second man. Former Gov.

William H. (Alfalfa Bill) Murray, lather of this year's candidate, stayed at his son's headquarters until returns proved the younger Murray was definitely ahead. The see-saw race between Monroney, fifth district congressman for six terms and Thomas, climaxed', one of Oklahoma's hottest races since the late President Roosevelt came here in Thomas' behalf in the 1938 election. Farm support prices and puglic power policies were the major issues. However, the minority Republican party furnished its share of the headlines.

Italian Bandit King Is Slain In Police Ambush By ANTONIO PETRUCCI PALERMO, Salvatore Giuliano. will-o'-the-wisp bandit who proclaimed his own Sicilian government and taunted Rome for its desperate seven-year attempt to run him down, was shot and killed in his mountain hideout, just before dawn today. The Italian government said the death of the colorful 28-year-old Robin Hood of the hills meant the end of banditry in Sicily. Commando were hot on the heels of Giuliano for the past two weeks. In the last few days they closed in.

surrounding him in his lair in the hills of Castevetra- no, 50 miles from Palermo. Georgian Drowns In Apalachee Bay TALLAHASSEE, (Jp) A wide search continued today for J. Lewis 26-year-old Camilla. man who fell from a fishing boat in the Apalachee Bay South of here Monday night. Fifteen Coast Guard Auxiliary boats and a Coast Guard plane from St.

Petersburg are conducting the search. W. S. Schley. of Pancea, Coast Guard Auxiliary commander, said a small skiff which was pushed toward Lewis after he fell overboard from the disabled fishing craft was found empty yesterday.

The skiff was found several miles from where Lewis went overboard. Chinese Reds Reported In Communist Move Expected Within The Next Month HONG KONG (JP) Diplomatic observers today predicted Soviet Russia is setting the stage for a surprise move against the United States in the Far East. They said the Russians probably would rush Chinese Communist troops from Manchuria to aid Soviet-supported Nort Korea in the Korean civil war. Such a move "can be expected any time within the next month, and probably within two they added. All demanded anonymity.

One observer gave these reasons for forecasting a Soviet offensive in the Far East: MASSED TROOPS 1. His country (and he declined use of his nationality as well as his name for diplomatic reasons) has "definite word" that the Chinese Reds have been massing troops in Manchuria, since they captured Hainan a month ago. For three days, independent Chinese newspapers here have reported intensified Communist troop movements northward from South China. My informant's word today is the first official word that this redeployment of Chinese Red forces actually has been going on for some time, and with a definite pattern. The diplomat added that the Chinese Red troops in Manchuria can be expected to cross into North Korea as Russia's answer to American support for invaded South Korea.

RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL 2. The recent withdrawal from Tokyo of high level members of the Soviet mission could be considered an "indication that something big is brewing." He declined to elaborate. Diplomatic observers agree generally that Chinese Communist participation in Korea is virtually certain. Nevertheless, they also are inclined to believe that Soviet Russia has not yet made up her mind as to how far she is ready to go in the Far East at this time. One observer, pointing out that the Korean conflict has not yet appeared as the lead story in either of Hong Kong's two pro-Communist Chinese dailies, said: "We know for a fact that the newspapers in South China have explicit orders not to comment on policy matters pertaining to the situation in Korea.

This most probably means that the Russians themselves have not yet reached a policy decision in this matter." Calls For Improvements Snyder Gives Limited Okay To Tax Cuts WASHINGTON--(AP)--Secretary of the Treasury Snyder today gave a limited endorsement to the House-approved bill cutting excise taxes by $1,010,000,000 and raising levies on big corporations. St. Joe Street Monument Avenue Will Be Widened PORT ST. JOE (Special) -The first work on a project of widening and repaving Monument avenue from First to Ninth streets here has been started. During the past week, men and equipment have been coming into town to begin the work.

The firm of Coggins and Deermont, of Chipley, was awarded the contract several weeks ago. The job calls for a 60-foot pavement, a six-foot sidewalk on each side, and storm sewers. In addition, provisions be made for water (Continued on Page Eight) COL. W. K.

HORRIGAN receives promotion Horrigan Made Full Colonel His Promotion Announced Here Promotion of William K. Horrigan of Tyndall, active locally in the Kiwanis Club and in other Panama City organizations, to the rank of Colonel, was announced this week at Tyndall Air Force Base. Col. Kerrigan, director of Instruction at the Air Tactical School, has been at Tyndall for the last three years. Veteran of the first bombing mission of World War II, a prisoner of the Japanese for three and a half years, Col.

Horrigan narrowly escaped the atom bombing of Nagasaki, having been moved from the prison camp there to another base in Japan just before the bomb was dropped. Stationed in the Philippines at the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Colonel Horrigan then was a pilot with the 19th Bomb Group and took part in the first U. S. bombing mission of the war when planes from his group bombed a Japanese task force making a landing in the Philippines. CAPTURED BY JAPS Shortly thereafter, while assistant operations and training officer of the Far Eastern Air Force he crash- landed a bomber on a beach in Java.

After three days of freedom, Col. Horrigan, then a Major, and the other seven members of his crew were reported by natives to the Japanese Army which took them captive. From the time of capture in March 1942 until December of that year, Col. Horrigan stayed in several east Indies prison camps. He was then transferred to the Nagasaki, Japan, prison camp, and made camp commander, a position he held during the two and a 'half years of imprisonment there.

Shortly before the atomic bomb i Continued on Page Eight) He told the Senate Finance Committee, however, that improvements should be made and recalled President Truman's recommendation for increased taxes on oil and gas producers. The House turned that down. Snyder read to the Senators a prepared statement in which he discussed the world situation in general terms as well as taxes. He implied there is nothing in the Korean situation so far to require dropping the tax revision plans, but remarked that "increased disturbances to world peace" could force tax increases rather than cuts. Snyder said he understood the Senate committee had decided to hold hearings on the House bill with the understanding that they would be halted "if conditions later Indicated that it would be unwise to go through with the legislation." APPROVES HEARING "I am in accord with this view of the committee and will present my testimony on the basis of this understanding." At another point, Snyder commented: "I am sure that the future course of world events is very much in your minds, as it is in mind.

Increased disturbance to world peace would involve increased demands upon us which would require additional fiscal measures. "The effect of recent international developments on our expenditures will become clearer as events unfold." He added that if it appeared defense spending would have to be increased sharply he would advise the committee. Lightning Bolt Kills Three In Connecticut HAMDEN, Lightning striking unexpectedly yesterday out of a sultry but almost cloudless sky killed three persons and injured seven. The victims, gathered around a large tree in the back yard of Mr. and Mrs.

Leonard Borman's farm home, were holding a holiday picnic and birthday party when the tragedy occurred. Killed were the Dormans' daughter, Arthurina, 16; her brother, Otis, 22, and his girl friend, Elizabeth M. Lyons, 18, of Hamden. Besides Mi', and Mrs. Dorman, the injured were: their sons, Harold, 32, and Leonard, 20 years old yesterday, their daughter, Lillian, 18, and Mr.

and Mrs. Frank Warner of Hamden, 26 and 28 years old. All suffered burns and shock. NEW ROMANCE DENIED HOLLYWOOD, (jp) Bettie Davis, home from Juarez with a Mexican divorce from artist William Grant Sherry, says the stories of her romance with Actor Gary Merrill are part of the folklore of Hollywood. U.

S. ON THE MOVE --U. S. ground forces moved north from their Taejon headquarters (flag), as armored North Korean Reds, breaking through the Han River line, (light arrows), threatened to outflank Suwon and push south where a major battle appeared shaping up. East of Suwon, the Reds claimed capture of Yongpoyang and Wonju as South Koreans admitted abandoning Han River, U.

S. Air strikes at North Korean military installations continued, and British Naval units, aiding in the U. S. sea blockade, sank 5 torpedo boats northeast of (NEA Telephotol. South Korean Troops Reported Also Stranded U.

S. and British Navies Strike With War Planes By the Associated Press. ADVANCE U. S. POSITION, KOREA--Communist tanks isolate American infantry position ia swift maneuver after IT.

S. artillery knocks out two tanks in first American ground forces battle action. More Red concentrations move southward in offensive drive. TOKYO--Headquarters reports Korean Communists lost 11 planes destroyed or damaged and suffered heavy losses in rail and road equipment from U. S.

air blows. Rain hampers U. S. airmen on, battlefront. Inchon reported fallen to North Korean pincers.

Carrier planes of massed naval might may strike soon. SPOKANE, B-29s take off for 'Pacific theater, many manned by battle-tested war veterans. Other planes ready to leave. WASHINGTON--Americans and others fighting in Korea may carry United Nations flag. Washington gives top priority to protecting sea supply lane from Japan to Korea.

Communist tanks in a swift maneuver cut off a U. S. infantry position south of Suwon today after the Americans knocked out two Red tanks with artillery fire in the first U. S. ground forces battle action of the 11-day-old Korean war.

An undisclosed number of South. Korean troops also were reported perilously stranded between tank- led infantry and their own defense lines in an area where the North. Korean Reds were making their first massed offensive drive against combined and South Korean, forces. TWO TANKS DESTROYED An advanced American headquarters spokesman said there was a chance the Americans could punch their way out of the Communist pocket and make a safe withdrawal. The Americans, setting up a position south of Red-captured Suwon, had met a Red spearhead of eight tanks with artillery fire in which two Communist tanks were knocked out.

Front dispatches said the surviving Red tanks wheeled suddenly and rammed themselves between the infantry position and its supporting artillery and supplies. Maj. Gen. William F. Dean, U.

S. commander in Korea, hurried to the front after failing to hear from the American forces after the reported tank-artillery engagement. Tens of thousands of opposing soldiers were reported arrayed on the South Korean battlefields, and a U. S. liaison plane reported new Red forces of undetermined strength moving southeast from Suwon, taken by the Communists yesterday.

3 DIVISIONS Gen. MacArthur's headquarters estimated the Communists have between three and four divisions (normally 10,000 men to a division) south of Suwon and the Han river, which had been the South's defense line. Apparently the Reds were trying to make an enveloping action near the American positions. South Koreans were reported to have fallen back to their new positions in good order after losing Suwon, and to have set up a new line near the spot where the U. S.

artillery engaged the Red tanks. MacArthur's headquarters in Tokyo announced that U. S. planes have destroyed seven Red planes and damaged four. A communique said the Communists also lost eight armored cars, 119 trucks, 22 locomotives, 18 boxcars and seven tanks.

(Continued on Page Eight) iss Kites Businessman Died Of Gunshot Wound MARIANNA (Special) Funeral services for Oscar Martin Justiss. 47, prominent Marianna ness man, were held at 4 p. m. yesterday from the First Methodist church. Mr.

Justiss was found dead of a gunshot wound early Monday. County Judge Robert McCrary adjudged it a "clear case of suicide" and said no inquest would be necessary. The Rev. Charles A. Corbitt, pastor of the church, officiated and" interment was in Riverside cemetery.

Mr. Justiss is survived by his widow, Mrs. Betty Dial Justiss; son. Martin; one daughter, Mary Lou: two brothers, Amos and Justiss: and three sisters. Misses Blanche and Evelyn Justiss, and Mrs.

Charles Welch, all of Marianna. Active pallbearers were: A. C. Billingslea, J. W.

Kelly, P. L. E. E. Qrady, W.

D. Clifford, and Hubert-Hodges..