Republican and Herald from Pottsville, Pennsylvania • 1

Stoning GOOD EVENING THE WEATHER JH new book devoted to the "hamm side of chess." All we know about the game is that it lasts Inhumanly long-. Fair and a bit colder, lowest in the 20s tonight -Tuesday eon' tinued fair with slowly rising temperatures. 84th Year, No. 2. 10-12 South Jirdin Street Telephone 2777 SHENANDOAH, MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 1954.

30c Weekly by Carrier II .25 Monthly by Mail FIVE CENTS tfm Presents UN to Insist on Release Of Anti-Red PWs Jan. 23 Eisenhower Outlines of Ex-Soviet Code Clerk Questioned By Spy Hunters Grill Igor Gouzenko About Red Espionage In North America MONTREAL (UP) U. S. Senate spy hunters questioned former Explosion -and Fire Wreck Two Stores POTTSTOWN, Pa. (UP) An explbsion followed by a general alarm fire wrecked the F.

W. Wool-worth and the adjoining Royal Jewelers here today causing damage estimated a between $300,000 and $350,000. Forty persons were routed from eight apartments in the two buildings and four persons were injured slightly. The apartment tenants made their way to the street without confusion. Sgt.

Anthony Herman of the Pottstown police said the blast wes believed to be a gas explosion in the cellar of the Wool-worth store. To Republican Heads Fear Russians Will Block Atom Pool for Peace WASHINGTON (UP) American officials were increasingly fearful today that the Russians will try to scuttle the President's atoms-for-peace plan by demanding a preliminary ban on use of atomic weapons. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles hopes to get some solid idea of Moscow's attitude when he sees Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov at the Big Four foreign ministers meeting in Berlin Jan. 25. The diplomatic sources said Communist commands fail to agree on the release date, "We'll have to" devise some means of releasing them." Indian correspondents, aware that Thimayya's statement conflicted with Nehru's views, pointed out this disagreement to Thimayya's civilian adviser.

At the conclusion of his 90 minute commission meeting, Thimayya walked to the newsmen's work tent and said he wanted to clarify his statement. Thimayya said that if both sides fail to agree on when the anti-Communists and unrepatriated Red captives, including 21 Americans, will be released "we will have to decide what to do." "If there is a wide difference, we will hav to Discuss what to dc next," Thimayya said, Thimayya made his first statement before reading Hull's long letter which blasted as "totally unacceptable" a commission report signed by India and Communist Poland and Czechoslovakia which charged that U.N. controlled "agents" in the anti-CommUnist compound caused the breakdown in "come home explanations." Kis-Lyn Escapee Steals Car Here Two Kis-Lyn inmates who escaped Saturday are back in custody but only after each boy had stolen a car, one from a Shenandoah street. Hazleton State Police identified the boys as Sheldon Waters, 13, of Philadelphia, and Gary Price, 14, of Kenthorst. They escaped about 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, police said. Price came to Shenandoah after escaping and stole a car owned by Joseph Lawnick, of East Lloyd street, which was parked on North Bowers street. The car was recovered at Reading from where State Police contacted loca. police. The car taken by Price was a 1953 Buick.

Waters stole a 1951 Mercury from Marc Motors, Hazleton, and was injured when he wrecked the car near Brodheadsvihe. He was treated at Stroudsburg Hospital and returned to the institution last night. Price is to be returned today. Both boys said the keys were in the cars when they took them. Martz Inducted As New Sheriff COURT HOUSE, POTTSVILLE William F.

Martz, Minersville, today became high sheriff of Schuylkill County, succeeding H. Bruce Fellqws, Gilbertdn. Other county officers inducted were G. E. Gangloff, as president judge of orphans court for a third term; District Attorney Robert M.

Harris, Tamaqua, and Ellsworth C. Greene, Girardville. and John Cos-groVe, Lost Creek, to second terms. The induction ceremony took Program President Ready To Report Tonight Via Radio and TV By RAYMOND LAHR WASHINGTON (UP) President Eisenhower pfesented the broad outlines of his administration program to Republican leaders todav. and House Speaker Jos-ph Martin T- picuicieu it wiu De "well received" by the country.

Martin hailed the Eisenhowe program as "dynamic and progressive." The President spent nearly 2 hours this morning going over a 15-minute report to the nation tonight at 9:30 p.m. and his State' of the Union message with GOP House and Senate leaders and the' cabinet. Martin disclosed that the State" cf the Union message will definitely go to Congress at 12:30 n.m. Thursday, to be followed Jap. 11; by two special messages outlining a new agricultural' program and suggested amendments to the Taft-Hartley Labor-Management Act.

The budget for fiscal 1955, be ginning next July 1, will be submitted to Congress Jan. 21 and on Jan. 28, the Pies dent will submit his economic report to the House and Senate. Martin called this morning's ference a "very interesting resume" of the proposed 1954 pro gram. "It is a dynamic, progressive'' program and ona that will be well received by the country," the Massachusetts Republican said.

Chairman Daniel Reed (R-NY) of the House Ways and Means committee, came out still holding to the view that taxes can be cut more. Asked whether taxes were discussed in the meeting, he replied: "I'm taking this occasion to wish the American people, and that includes th-- a happy and prosperous New Year and congratulate them on prospective tax The President reviewed the State of the Union message completely, and, also gave the cabinet mem- bers an opportunity to discuss their specific participation in the new program with the men who will have to lead the drive for laws to make -the program possible. The president will meet with both Democratic and Republican leaders Tuesday one day before the opening of the second and showdown spssion nf thp R3rrt fVm State President Visits Eagles Al Williams, Bethlehem, state president of the Eagles, lauded the Shenandoah Aerie for its programs and progress, during an official visit here yesterday. The state president was accompanied by Thomas Dunn, president of the Bethlehem Eagles Lodge, and Steve Kercamer. Delegates attended from Shamokin, Mt.

Carmel, Ashland and Girardville. A large representation of the Shenandoah Aerie No. 103 Was on hand to greet the state head. Mr. Williams offered a detailed and encouraging report on the change in Eagles autonomy rules and the return of the administration, of district affairs to the Aeries that make up-the district.

The trip here represented the 61st such official lodge visit by Mr. Williams since last September. He has covered 13,000 miles. On all his visits he has stressed membership. The state head extended the personal greetings of Grand Aerie President Robert Hansen.

In his message, Mr. Williams quoted Mr. Hansen in commending tbe "wonderful support of Eagles on the Memorial Foundation which cares for 1400 Steve Gladsky. president of the. Shenandoah lodge, delivered the warm welcome address to the state guests and all visiting delegates.

Mr. Williams paid a compliment to Frank Tragus, a former president of the local Aerie, for his activities at the convention in Minneapolis last August. Mr. Gladsky thanked the state head for the praise of Mr. Tragus and for the official The local president said: "It is an honor to have Mr.

Williams with us. It is the first such visit in many years. It is also a great honor to have o.ie of our tnembers considered an jn-portant cog in the convention proceedings." The formation of a new district meet took place with the following officers representing the presidents and secretaries of Eagles Lodges in District 19: (Continued on Page 3) Robbery Reported At William Penn The William Penn Fire Company home was entered yesterday morning and robbed of candy, cigarettes and coins. Frackville State Police said the robbery was discovered by Secretary Stephen Babinchak when he opened the building. The money, estimated at $20, was taken from a juke box.

Entrance was gained by forcing a rear window. I gress in this election vear. -S By LEROY HANSEN PANMUNJOM, Korea (UP) The United Nations Command began constructing two hug camps today to handle 22,000 anti-Red prisoners and insisted upon their release on Jan. 23. U.

N. Supreme Commander Gen. John E. Hull notified Lt. Gen.

K. S. Thimayya, chairman of "the Neu tral Nations Repatriation Commis sion, that the Allies would not permit the release date beyond the deadline fixed in the Korean armistice agreement. "We shall not accept any other proposal which amends the Jan. 22 date, the last day upon which prisoners in Neutral Nation-, Repatriation Commission custody can be denied their freedom," Hull's letter said.

Thimaya's superior, India's Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Communists object' to the release of the anti-Red Chinese and North Koreans at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 23 because the long-delayed Korean political conference has not met to debate their fate. Just before Thimayya entered a hut for Monday's commission meeting, he said if the U.N. and Celebrations End With Reluctance Business schedules and general activities return to normalcy today as the populace reluctantly conclude the Christmas and New Year's celebrations.

The holiday weather was generally pleasant. There were no storms or heavy snowfalls to mar traffic or celebrations. There were no major mishaps in the immediate area of Shenandoah to sadden the widespread merriment. Stores returned to normal sche dules today as merchants began their annual post-season sales. Counters, shelves and display win dows were changing from Yule settings to' January winter scenes.

The Employment Service Office, banks, pst office, liquor store, public assistance department and all other offices and business establishments returned to normal outihes this morning. Homes and public buildings, ad orned in Yule colors and decorations for the past few weeks, are today returning to standard ap pearances. Some, however, will continue to be adorned in the bright colors for the observance of the Ukrainian Christmas, which will be on Thursday of this week. In most instances visitors have returned to their places of employment. Highway and bus traffic, heavy for the past two weeks, Was eported returning to normal trade today.

Pleasant weather conditions throughout the holiday period kept all buses on regular schedules. There were some indications of light snow today as skies were hid-J den by thick clouds. Temperatures remained about normal for this time of the year. Park Place re ported 23 degrees at noon today while the Evening Herald ther mometer was registered at 30 degrees early this afternoon. The low reading in the area over the weekend was 21 degrees.

Some light rain, which fortunately did not freeze, fell at intervals in the area over the weekend. Today's cloudy skies resulted from a ridge of high pressure mov ing southward from the Groat Lakes combined with a low pressure storm area centered off the New England states. Pupils returned tp class today. ending' the annual Christmas and New Year's recess. Mine workers faced the New Year with hopes of steadier work than experienced during December.

Many of the regional collieries operated only one day in the final week of 1953. Cold temperatures, tradition al for January, were expected to help the anthracite market. U.S. Court Studies Movie Censorship WASHINGTON (U.R) Movie censorship vas one of the chief issues before the Supreme Court today as it ended a brief TtJliday recess and went back to work. Th; question to be decided is whether it is an infringement of free speech for a state to ban a film on the ground that it tends to promote crime or to corrupt morals? The justices will hear formal agrumems about the middle of the week in two test cases based on the pictures and "La Ronde." They planned to get in the mood this afternoon, however, by viewing a special showing of in their conference room.

The picture, produced by Superior Films is the story of a man prematurely dismissed from a mental hospital who is driven to kill small girls. Ohio banned it on the grounds it encourages crime. Tuesday the court will see "La Ronde" (The Round), a French-language movie that shows a series of interlocking love affairs. Commercial Pictures the producer, concedes that the theme is "illicit love," but denies the film is immoral as New York censors claimed when they banned it In both test cases the producers argue that showing objectionable movies should be punished after an offense has been committed, not by censorship beforehand. Reported Improving The many friends 'of James Man-ley, of South White street, wiU be pleased to know that he is improving nicely at the Pottsville Hospital following surgery.

Predicts Govt. Spending Slash WASHINGTON (UP) House Speaker Joseph W. Martin Jr. predicted today the will slPSh government spending enough to permit "some" new tax cuts this year. He said these will be over and above the cuts that went into effect Jan.

when personal income taxes were reduced about 10 per cent and the excess profits tax was wiped out altogether. The Massachusetts Republican told a reporter he couldn't predict "how much more' taxes might be cut. Nor did he say just where reductions would come. But experts of the Treasury Department and the House Ways and Mears Committee are putting the finishing touches oi a proposed major overhaul of the tax system that would provide more than a billion dollars in tax cuts. This is still a long way from final congressional, or even administration npproval.

But as the plan now stands, there would be substantial tax benefits for corporations, mothers who work, people with heavy medical expenses, and fathers with income-earning de pendents. Rep. Daniel A. Reed (R-NY), chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, is expected to urge Congress to vote a sharp new slash in personal income taxes but this woulc almost certainly meet administration opposition. Sen.

Homer Ferguson (R-Mich) and some other Republicans were wary Sunday about predicting any tax cuts beyond those already in effect. Some Democrats also were skeptical. Sen. John J. Sparkman D-Ala indicated Sunday night that because of continuing defense costs taxes are now about where they ough" to be.

5 Children Die In Flash Blaze OLD ORCHARD BEACH. Me. (UP) Five children four broth ers and a sister perished today when a flash fire from a defective oil heater demolished their home at this beach resort. It was the econd such fire on same street. Four children per ished in a similar fire 10 years ago.

Victims of today's blaze, chil- aren of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Whitcomb, were: John 9, Howard 5, Allan 4. Irving 3, and their sister Diana 7. The children's bodies were found in the upper floor of the Hi story bungalow where their mother, Theresa, herself was trapped by the flames.

Mrs. Whitcomb was spotted by a neighbor Vincent O'Connor, who persuaded her to leap from a win dow. She suffered only minor cuts. Police said the fire started when ai space heater exploded. The blast occurred a few minutes after Whitcomb had left for work on a school construction project in Kittery.

He was summoned back by telephone. Mrs. Campbell Dies; Lived Here 60 Years Mrs. Mary (Butler) Campbell, a resident of Shenandoah for more than 60 years, died Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr.

and Mrs. Charles Zuppert, 910 Walnut street, where she had made her home for the past three years. Although in failing health for some time, she was able to be about and her sudden death came as a shock to her many relatives and friends. Born in England, she was the former Mary Butler a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs.

John Butler. She came to this country when a child and settled in Shenandoah. While a resident of Shenandoah, she was a devout member of the Annunciation Church and active in church affairs including the BVM Sodality. She enjoyed a wide circle of friends and for many years served as treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary of the A.O.H. Society in town.

Her husband, Michael, died 13 years ago. She was also preceded in death by a son, Patrick, and a daughter, Margaret. Surviving are two sons, John, of Mahanoy City, and Michael, of Harrisburg; two daughters, Theresa, wife of John Monahan, Bristol, and Mary, wife of Charles Zuppert, Ashland; nine grandchildren; a Lister, Mrs. Francis Donlan, town, and two brothers, William Butler, of town, and James Butler, Cleveland, Ohio. Funeral services will take place Wednesday morning from the Flaherty Funeral Home, 130 South Jardin street.

A -ilernn Msfs of requiem will be celebrated a 9:30 clock in the Annunciation Church. Viewing will be from tonight until time of funeral. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Flaherty Funeral Service has charge. Russian code clerk Igor Gouzenko today about Soviet espionage in North America.

Atmosphere of the rendezvous was as clandestine as the confines of the Russian embassy in Ottawa from which Gouzenko fled in 1945 with documents that led to spy arrests in Canada, 'he United states ana Britain. Sen. William E. Jenner (R-Ind), chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Internal Security, Stn.

Pat McCarran (D-Nev), former subcommittee chairman, acting counsel Jay. Sourwine and a reporter arrived from Washington Sunday to conduct the quiz. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police named by the government to supervise the interrogation, seemed disturbed that even the senators' presence in Canada had leaked out. This "break" came from Washington. An RCMP station wagon took the Americans from Central Station to the Windsor Hotel where two suites nad been reserved by R.

Douglas Stuart, U.S. ambassa dor to Canada. They left the hotel With Stuart in a U.S. consulate li mousine at 4:30 p.m. and "van-J jshed" in a snowstorm.

It was 'jiilieved the limousine took the investigators to a rendezvous point anc" that the questioning would begin today. It was impossible, however, to pinpoint the location; it could be in the Montreal area, or across the border in Ontario. Jenner himself told reporters at the railroad station that he didn't know where the interview would bt held. 9 Prizes Await First 1954 Baby TJnless other entries are received in the Evening Herald Baby Contest before the deadline tomorrow, one submitted today by Mr. and Mrs.

Daniel Ushock, 20 North Carbon street, town, appears like a winner. A son, named William Michael Ushock, was born to the couple in the Locust Mountain Hospital at 10:50 a.m. on New Year's Day. Dr. William A.

Schmidt was the attending physician. The child weighed seven pounds, 14 ounces at birth and is the couple's first child. The mother is the former Elizabeth Thompson. rn onalifv for the orres it is necessary to file an entry, which includes the names the parents, and attending physician. The deadline to file is Jan.

5. Anothe. qualification in the Herald Baby Contest is that residence- must be in the Shenandoah trading area. A son born to Mr. and Mrs.

Anthony Suzevich, just five seconds UllCl. MIC OUH.1 V. qualify since the parents reside in Mahanoy City. However, this infant does qualify in the Schuylkill -County Baby Contest. Seven prizes are offered the infant in the Herald Contest and two additional prizes mother.

It is important to ote that the winner will be decided from entries received ai me neraia omce aim not from' reports of births from other sources. The list of prizes, offered by Shenandoah merchants, consist of the following: Baby prizes: Jacob Goodman offers a Carter's infant's sleeping bag. Nesbitt's Cut Rate a Walt Disney Pluto stuffed toy with a zipper compartment for carrying baby essentials. 3. J.

Newberry a three-piece nylon bootie set for txvy or girl. Frank's Shoe Store a pair of baby bedroom slippers. Weiss a satin bound baby blanket. Stiefs Drug Store a complete Even-Flo nursing outfit Childtogs an Infant's hand-blade batiste dress. prizes for mother: Ruth V.

Supowit Shop Foundation garment made by a nationally-lamous manufacturer. Sunshine Corner Cotton house iress. IN TODAY'S MONDAY, JAN. 4, 1954 Anniversaries Page 8 Babson Column Page 12 Birth Announcements 8 Children's Story Page 6 Classified Columns Page 9 Comics Page 8 Crossword Puzzle Page 6 Editorials Page 4 Frsikville News Page 2 Funirals Page 9 Girafcdville News Page 12 Necrtalogy of 1953 Page 2 Obituaries f.Page 9 Personal Mention 9 Radik-TV Programs 6 Ringlpwn News Page 7 Serial Story Page 6 Theatres 5-11 Weddings of 1953 Page 6 West Mhh. Twp.

News 5 WomenV Page 8 The explosion, heard for several blocks, blew the store windows out. Flames and smoke poured from the building in a matter of minutes, lerman said. Woolworth store manager PauL A. Thomas had just stepped out of a rear door of the building when the blast occurred. His eye glasses were broken and he suffered face lacerations.

Yvonne Waileigh of Douglass- ville, a store employe waiting out side on the pavement for the store to open, was ciit by flying glass. Merrill Brown, delivering fuel oil, also was injured slightly and Leo Nestle, manager of the jewelry store, suffered slight burns. Traffic Deaths Pass 300-Mark By UNITED PRESS A tabulation of New Year's holi day traffic deaths passed the 300 mark today, but the nation's motorists got a pat on the back from safety experts for safe driving anyway. A United Press tabulation showed a least .809 persons were killed in traffic accidents between 6 p.m. Thursday and midnight Sunday.

Fires took another 33 lives. 15 persons died in plane crashes and 81 in miscellaneous accidents for a total of 438. Texas led all the states with 26 highway deaths, and New York followed with 24. Illinois had 23 and California 22. Tragic as the new figures were, they still represented an encouraging performance in contrast to the bloody Christmas weekend which saw more than 700 persons die in accidents, .532 of them in traffic alone.

Although a final tabulation probably cannot be made until afternoon, National Safety Council President Ned H. Dearborn said "We believe we can be safe in saying the final figure will be well below our original estimate of 360 traffic "We congratulate the motorists who proved us wrong," he said. Less long-distance travel traditionally keeps the New Year's accident toll below the Christmas figure, but Dearborn said another "major factor" was the publicity given to the appalling Christmas total. List 21 Holiday Deaths in Penna. Accidents in Pennsylvania during the long New Year's weekend claim.

ed 21 lives, including 18 persons who died in traffic mishaps, one of them a Pottsville woman. Regional roads, too, had a heavy toll but no deaths or severe acci dents were reported. Of the three non-traffic fatalities, two died in a fire and another was the victim of an accidental shoot ing. Icy roads in the eastern part of the state accounted for most of the deaths Sunday when 10 persons were killed. It was a fatal skid on ice near York that resulted in the death of Mrs.

John Samm, 32. of 412 North Second street, Pottsville. who was dead on jrrival at York General Hospital at 1 p. m. yesterday.

The woman was fatally injured when her husband's car skidded on a patch of ice and rammed head-on into a bridge abutment on Route 111, Ave miles north of York. Samm, 32, a sports announcer on WPAM. is in critical condition in York Hospital with face and head lacerations and a possible skull frac ture. Mrs. Samm's injuries were listed by the coroner's office as a skull fracture and internal injuries.

Two state troopers of the York barracks witnessed the accident as they investigated a previous accident in which a car left the highway and plowed into an open They said Samm's car appeared to skid and move sideways down the highway and then it righted itself and smashed head-on into the abut ment. Mrs. Samm was thrown partially (Continued on Page 8) Telephones Sad News, Collapses and Dies WESTVILLE, N. J. (UP) Mrs Sue Duckworth, 63, collapsed and died Sunday moments after she telephoned the news of her grand daughter's sudden death to the young woman's mother.

Mrs. Duckworth, a widow, was as her daughter, Mrs. Vivian Rosell, hurried from Philadelphia after completing the phone call. She was dead befcre Mrs. Rusell ended the 12 mile trip.

Mrs. Suzanne Arceo, 21, daughter of Mrs. Rosell, died Saturday at Pittsburg, while visiting relatives. Mrs. Duckworth took their phone call to the Westville home informing the family of her death.

there now is growing apprehension that the Russians will use the private talks to push thei proposed atomic ban and to block the atomic pool for peace. The free world has never agreed to the Soviet proposal because it fails to provide for international inspection without which Allied officials feel a ban would be meaningless. As a matter of tact, it was part-1; tc get around this very impasse that Mr. Eisenhower submitted his pool plan in a speech to the United Nations Dec. 8.

He suggested that the atomic powers of the world lay the groundwork for future cooperation by pooling some of their atomic materials for peaceful purposes. Russia replied Dec. 21 with a statement saying it was Beady to take part in "confidential or diplomatic talks" on the proposal. But it coupled ihe statement with a renewal of the familiar Communist demand for an "unconditional" ban o.i atomic weapons. Charles E.

Bohlen, U.S. ambassador to Moscow, explored the problem in a 30-minute conference New Years Eve with Molotov. Boh len said the session did not cover the question of negotiations but only "how to get started." There was no possibility Dulles would agree at this time to a ban on atomic weapons as the rice for launching the Chief Executive's proposal with Russian participation. Editor Collapses, Dies on Street James J. Lawler, 59, managing editor of the Tamaqua Courier, was fatally stricken Saturday night at 8:30 o'clock on the sidewalk about a block from his home at 215 Rose street in that community.

Alhtough ailing for some time, he was able to be about his work and was walking toward his home when he collapsed on the street. Dr. Harry Bailey was summoned and listed coronary occlusion as the cause of death which occurred about Id minutes alter he was stricken. Rev. Philip McArdle ad ministered the last rites of the church.

Born in Frackville.March 19. 1894, Mr. Lawler was a son of the late John D. and Mary Jane (Murphy) Lawler and was a graduate of Frackville High School. Later the family moved to Philadelphia.

Prior to World War I he accepted a position at the Courier. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted and served with the U. S. Army in France. He maintained a keen interest in military affairs, particularly in connection with Schuylkill County's traditions.

His paternal grandfather was killed in action with the 96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the celebrated "Upton's Charge," May 10, 1864, at Spotsylvania. Va. Following his discharge from th? armed services, he worked for a time with the postal department in Philadelphia. He returned to the county and for a time was employed as a court reporter for a number of regional papers. In early 1936 he returned to the Courier as a news reporter and advanced to city editor and lateT managing editor.

(Continued on Page 8) prison fare at cow's lung, said he was partially paralyzed from the waist down as a result of living in cramped juarters on a cement floor. He said his weight dropped 'from 195 pounds to about 90 pounds dur ing his first year in prison, but later the Communists gave him more. food. He now weighs 160 pounds. Kiehn said the Communists put him in handcuffs for long periods and frequently placed him chains.

He said, however, he never was beaten while a prisoner. Kiehn said he knew nothing of the whereabouts of Richard Apple- gate, a former United Press war correspondent who was seized by the Communists while sailing on his boat between Hcng Kong and Macao with International News Service writer Don Dixon and merchant sea Capt. Ben Krasner. They were jailed on "espionage charges. Applegate, Dixon and Krasner have been reported in various jails, including Shanghai and Pel- ping, by travelers arriving in Hong Kong from Ked China.

Kiehn, son of missionaries who now live in Formosa, said he had lived 2Q years in China. When ar rested he had been in the process of divorcing his wife and did not know whether he now was married or not. place immediately after the opening of the January session of criminal courts. The oaths were administered Joy Judge James Curran and Prothonotary Herb Noakes. A recess was declared after the induction with receptions being held.

The court room was gaily de corated. There -were numerous floral tributes to the officers from their friends and admirers. Schuylkill County's new sheriff comes into county office after serving as tax collector for the borough of Minersville since 1937. He has long been identified with the Republican Party and is a member of the Executive Committee. Coroner's Report The annual report of Dr.

W. T. Fedko. county coroner, discloses that 406 sadden deaths were reported to his office from this county during 1953. Of that number, more than 40 percent of the sudden deaths were attributed to various diseases of the heart.

A total of 176 deaths were found to have been caused by heart diseases. Twenty-nine persons met death as the result of automobile accidents last year. Mine accidents took the lives of 13 persons. The number of suicides at 14 is surprisingly high. These deaths i tconunueo on rage ji Ex-PW Reunited With His Wife TOKYO (UP) Cpl.

Claude Batchelor spent two blissful hours tr.day with the pretty Japanese wife whose letters won him back from Communism. The 24-year old Kermit, soldier also spent several hours an swering questions asked by Army intelligence officers. Army sources refused to reveal whether the former Communist captive offered concrete hopes that any more of tht 21 Americans still with the Reds will return to free dom before the Jan. 23 deadline Batchelor told newsmen that more than one of the self-exiled Americans may desert the Reds but he refused to identify them or give reasons for possible wavering lr the bleak Communist camp. The Texan, who quit high school to drive a dump truck before he enlisted in the Army at the age of 17, refused to answer many questions asked by reporters and his few replies were bleak and sketchy.

Army officials scheduled a news conference for Batchelor. But news man frankly doubted he will be permitted to give a revealing pic ture of the Communist camp. Batchelor's wife, Kyoko Araki, was permitted to spend three hours with him in his hospital room Sun day for their first reunion in more than three years. She returned to the hospital to spend another two hours with Batchelor Monday and was expect ed to return again for the two hour visiting period Monday night. Kyoko and Batchelor were mar ried in a Shinto cerernony in Tokyo July 29, 1949 but the Army must approve the wedding before he can take her to the United States.

She prefers to live in Japan. Save Christmas Cards- What do yon do with your Christmas cards when the holiday season is over? If you are one of those person' who discard them, here is a suggestion you might follow this year: Send your cards to the Wharton Settlement, 1708 North 20th street, Philadelphia, or the United Cerebral Palsy Associa-' tion, 50 West 57th street, New York, N. for children who are learning to use their bands again. Here the cards are put to good use In educational projects for young folk. It's sura way to keen the real "'rl of Christmas cards alive throughout the year.

Later in January, and possibly extending into early February, Mr. Eisenhower also plans special messages to Congress on housing, (Continued on Page 8) Debate Rages Over Economy WASHINGTON (UP) The Demo- cratic-Republican Jebate over the economic outlook for 1954 raged unabated today on the eve of the second session of the 83rd Con- gress. Republicans forecast "generally good times" ahead and said they were prepared to take any action -necessary to head off a depression. But Democrats warned that the country is in a "recession" now and government action is needed quickly to prevent the situation from getting worse. Senate Republican Leader Wil-liEm F.

Kniwland (Calif) warned against talking "ourselves into an economic sag." He said there "cer-. tainly will have to be an adjustment from the wartime high but I think the fundamental American economy is sound." However Sens, John J. Spark- man (D-Fla) and Paul H. Douglas (D-Ill) said the United States is in a recession and the government hrd better do something fast to keep it from spreading. Sparkman said in a television interview Sunday night that farm- ers and small businessmen have been hit hardest.

He said "they are in considerable chaos" and should be helped through extended government credit. Douglas said on a radio broadcast there is "some danger of a vicious downward spiral developing unless further steps are taken." He said the Commerce Department may have been a million too low when it estimated November unem-i yiuymciiL ai On another program, Sparkman said he does not think therc will b- a "deep depression thanks to Democratic measures of the past 2, years." He said bsnks "are not going to collapse because of in- sured deposits and workers can collect six months of unemployment compensation benefits." Sen. Robert S. Kerr (D-Okla). who appeared with Sparkman on the television program, said he, thinks the nation is "in the midst of a dawning depression." He added it is "certainly" in a "recession" and by Jan.

15 "the Republicans will admit there are 2-million unemployed Colliery Working Time Working Tuesday Hammond, Packer No. Mammoth, Oakland, St. Clair, Sheridan Washery, Dodson and Coaldale Colliery. i Ann nnn Says 15 Inmates Died Daily In Infamous Shanghai Jail By WENDELL MERICK HONG KONG, (UP) An businessman, jailed for 34 months in Red China, said today an average of 15 inmates died daily in Shanghai's infamous Ward Road Prison du.ing one winter. Arnold M.

Kiehn, originally of Santa Barbara, Calif, was released Sunday by the Communists. He said he had been" imprisoned on trumped-up charges of illegally possessing firearms. Kiehn, 41, said he preferred not to talk about his treatment at the hands of the Communists because "I must think about those still up there." "I would not want anyone to suffer because of something Kienn said. He revealed, however, that prisoners kept track of their fellow inmates and estimated that at least 15 persons died every day during the winter. "We never knew for sure, but that's what we figured," Kiehn said.

"That doesn't count those who died outside the prison. And likely the figure was higher but we never could be sure. "I'm only talking about foreign- ers," he added. "But I don know for sure how. many, if any, were Americans." Kiehn, weak-looking and of beri-berl which he con- I traded from, subsisting on such.