Abilene Reporter-News from Abilene, Texas • Page 11

NEWS INDEX Sporfi Pogt 2 4 Comics 5 Radio 7 Church News "WITHOUT OR WITH OFFENSE TO FRIENDS OR FOES WE SKETCH YOUR WORLD EXACTLY AS IT GOES." Byron LXV, NO. 317 A TEXAS NEWSPAPER ABILENE, TEXAS, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 4, 1946--EIGHT PAGES Associated Press (API United Press (VP) PRICE FIVE CENTS BENEFACTRESS OF RACE City to Mark Negress' Crave The late Eugenia Pickard, well-to-do negro woman and outstanding civic leader among her people in Abilene, who willed her entire estate to the city for the benefit of negro schools, is to have a tombstone at her grave--to be purchased by the city from funds that have accrued through rentals on her property. Ceremonies will be held at the graveside. Eugenia, who devoted much of her time to charity and civic betterment, forgot to include in her will any provision for a tombstone. Since her death May 28, the grave has gone unmarked.

She left no immediate survivors. Though married more than once, Eugenia had no husband at the time of death and never had any children. Commissioner Tom McWhirter moved at the city commission Friday that $90 from the $165 accrued from rentals of Eugenia's houses be spent for a tombstone and that appropriate ceremonies be held in placing the marker at her grave. The commission unanimously approved the suggestion. Joe E.

Childers, administrator of Eugenia's estate, explained that after debts were paid, the only properties the city received from the will consisted of two items: one on Mcsquite street near the standpipe and containing three negro rent nouses, and the other on China including six negro residences. Eugenia, who owned extensive properties also incurred heavy debts--largely due to charities and hospital bills--Childers said. Her main interests were in the improvement of negro schools, paving of streets in negro sections and support of the war effort. She borrowed money often to buy war bonds, the administrator said. One of her fondest dreams--the paving of North 8th street past her home and on to the cemetery--is being realized.

Workers are paving the street now. Ministers lake Up Italian Problems By JOSEPH DYNAN PARIS, May 4--W)--Still unable to agree on any major questions, Ihc four-power foreign ministers shied away from the tougher items on their agenda and turned today to the relatively uncomplicated issues of the demilitarization of Daly's frontier and the status of her pre-war treaties. Conference sources said the ministers would decide whether Italy's boundaries with Franca and Yugoslavia should be- demilitarized and the manner of effecting such def militarization. No decision was expected today on the location of these frontiers. IN FOOD CRISIS Bowles Hints at Ration Return WASHINGTON.

May 4 ffi-- Chester Bowles, citinj the possibility of "some tougher" famine relief measures, said today he knows America will accept restoration 'of food rationing if it becomes necessary. "At the moment," the economic stabilizer said in a radio address over the mutual network, "I don't See any immediate necessity for that." Bowles thus echoed views expressed by President Truman. But he added that he would not hesitate to order it if there should be disastrous crop failures. Except for rationing, Bowles did not elaborate on what tougher measures might have to be taken. However, government officials Who withheld use of their names said these might include the rc- cwisitiohing of grain for shipment abroad, a cut in hog price ceilings lo discourage feeding to heavier weights, and efforts to tighten up voluntary food conservation.

In iiis radio Bowles suggested to housewives that instead of buying a loaf of bread each day, they buy one every two days. He also urged that they buy less fats and oils. Italy's old bilateral agreements, most of which are economic or trade pacts, are slated to be examined to ascertain whether any of them may be allowed to remain valid. Rome's tri-partile alliance with Berlin and Tokyo, and the multi-lateral anti-comintern pact are considered abolished and will not b.e studied. An atmosphere of pessimism has settled over the conference, party because no agreements are in sight on the troublesome Italy-Yugoslav border issue, disposal of Italian colonies, or the question of Italian reparations.

The ministers are reported to be as fa'r; apart on these matters as they were at the beginning of the conference a week ago. Edward Kardelj, Yugoslav deputy premier, urged the ministers yesterday to give Trieste and virtually all of the Istrian peninsula to Yugoslavia. This request was identical with the Russian recommendation. Premier Alcide De Gasperi of Italy asked that Italy be allowed to retain Trieste and that the Halo-Yugoslav border be along the old "Wilson line." Meanwhile, a committee of naval experts appointed by the ministers heard claims ships --and the total number of claims exceeded the ships which Italy has afloat. Itw as learned authoritatively that the Russians had asked for more ships than her one-fourth allotment, after Italian, Yugoslav and Greek awards are made.

The ministers were reported last week to have decided that Italy would be left a basic fleet, and that the remaining units would be divided among Britain, France, the United States and Russia, Freeman Davis Is Rifle Shoot Leader Freeman Davis shot a perfect 100 last night to lead the .22 rifle firing of the Abilene Rifle and Pistol club at the state guard armory. Other scores were: J. C. King 98, E. H.

Buch 97, Jimmy King 97, Pete Gooch 97, Bob McFall 96, G. Q. Bush 95, J. 0. Buster 94, Andy King 91 and Arthur Swan 88.

Finance Body Names Head, Ranks Needs Abilene civic leaders move rapidly Friday toward selection improvement projects and finam plans for the city, when Mayc Will Hair's advisory and financ committee selected B. H. (Roscoe Blankenship, ranchman and bus ness man, for permanent cha: man, and the executive committe selected six projects on whic hearings and investigations are be conducted. Other permanent officers named are S. M.

Jay, vice chairman; and W. G. Swenson, secretary. Following the general sessio in the chamber of commerce fice, the executive committee wei into a huddle and emerged with a agenda on which six projects wer listed for investigation as to need suggested improvements and was in which financing should done. The projects--listed in the order which the executive committee will follow--are: 1.

public school system, 2. water and sewer extension, 3. airport facilities, 4. street paving, 5. parks and playgrounds and 6.

storm sewers. Investigation of the publi schools program will be starte early next week, Blankenship sair when representatives from th school board, Classroom Teacher association, and Parent-Teacher association will be invited to pre sent their verions of the schoo needs before the executive 5ate and place of the meeting be announced later, Blanfcenshi The executive committee wi! velcome suggestions from all cit zens, Blankenship added and aske hat suggestions be submitted i writing, addressed to him or lef with the city secretary at the cit hall. Facts gathered by the executiv committee will be aired in genera committee meetings before an formal recommendations are mad to the mayor and city commission The chairman will call the gen eral meetings. On the executive commitee ar S. M.

Jay, W. G. Swenson, Henr James, Malcolm Meek. Sterlin -JV. J.

Sr.y Price Campbell arid Blankenship. Farmers Seek to Oust Anderson WASHINGTON, May 4 -The tumult over continued price control for meat waxed hotter today as the national farmers union called on organized labor to joii in a drive for the ouster of Secre tary of Agriculture Anderson. President Truman's emphatic de claration that the administrate still stands firmly for continued price controls on meat and live stock apparently had no dampening effect. The farmers union claimed that Anderson had encouraged a "Ire mendous campaign" against meal price controls, and said further lie was "principally responsible' for the country's current food shortages. Kin of Abilenions Dies at San Antonio Mrs.

Georgia Fagan, 873 Amaril lo, was informed today of the death last night of her brother- in-law, Dr. R. II. Harkcy, at San Antonio. Mrs.

Harkey is a sistei of Mrs. Fagan and Mrs. E. Baker, also of Abilene, who is in San Antonio. Mrs.

Fagan left this morning for San Antonio, where funeral will be held at Porter-Lorin funeral home. Time of the service is unset PONDER HIS FATE It Tickled a Says Negro Saved by Faulty Electric Chair ST. MARTINSVILLE, May 4 --W)-- A 17-year-old negro who survived being strapped in the electric chair and having the switcli thrown, said that "it lick' led a little bit but didn't hurt much." The 140-pound youth, Willie Francis, today was in a death cell in the Iberia Parish jail at New Iberia while state legal authorities wondered whether another attempt could ever be made, under law, to electrocute him. The negro was strapped in Ihc chair yesterday and the current was turned on. He squirmed and (hen astounded attendants by yelling under the hood, "take it off! Take it off!" Francis said "The Lord was with me" when he was taken from Ihc faully chair, and later in a death cell interview said that lie was "thinking of going to heaven" the switch was thrown.

Governor Jinimie Davis granted a six-day reprivc. Sheriff Leonard Resweber said lie would attempt to have the execution carried out next Thursday. In the interview Francis, who was convicted of slaying Andrew I. Thomas, a St. Martinville druggist, answered questions readily and even discussed the slaying.

He said he thought "it would hurt a little" when the switch was thrown and that he iiad difficulty in breathing with the straps and hood over his face. Asked whether he considered the chair's failure an act of God, Francis replied, "I sure don't know, but I am sure glad about it." He said he felt "perfectly all right" after he was removed from the chair and that he was sorry "I killed a man." Ik said "maybe I'll go to heaven," and'then added, "I wonder how it is in hell." He described Thomas as "a swell guy," and said he had once been employed by the slain man. The negro said he didn't know why he shot Thomas "because I wasn't after money." lie showed reporters an inscription he had made a month ago on the wall of his cell. It said: "Practically I killed Andrew by accident. It will happen once in a lifetime.

Look where Andrew is today he's in a lonely coldly grave. Of course I'm not a killer. Andrew is dead. Murder by Willie. Murder at midnight.

Willie Francis, 800 Washington street, St. Martinville. Sorry at myself." In Baton Rouge Attorney General Fred S. Lcblanc said there was one "line of authority" holding that if a death sentence was not carried out on the dale set, it could not again he attempted, lie added, however, that he could not attempt an off-hand opinion in Francis' bizarre case. ALCATRAZ REBELS FACE NEW ATTACK Riot Goes Into 3d Day; Break Seen lexarkana Mystery Death loll to Five TEXARKANA, May 4--(AP) --Sheriff W.

E. Davis of Miller county, said today he believed a "sex angle" was involved in last night's slaying of Virgil Slarks and the wounding of his attractive 30- year-old He said he believed the man who stood at their window and shot them with a .22 calibre gun was the same who has killed four others near here in the past few weeks. Sheriff Davis said the motive obviously was not robbery, for money was lying in plain sight on a living room table. TEXARKANA, May a man's footprints as clue, officers of two states toda pressed an intensive search fo slayer of Virgil Starts, 36-yeai Chiang Turns Tables on Reds By The Associated Press Chinese army headquarters tlukden said today governmen orces have routed 60,000 Com munist troops in a two-day battl or Plain. 'Communis trorigfiord.sbutneast' of Mukden said national troops inflicted 5 300 to 7,000 casualties.

Gen. Tu Li-Ming, governmen iommander at Mukden, said the battle began Wednesday and tha iccupation of Penhsihou was com ileted yesterday. He said the na ional forces had thrust northwan rom Liaoyang. Meanwhile, Gen. Chou En- Lai, number two Chinese communist, reported in Nanking that the Russians had withdrawn their diplomatic and railroad representatives from Manchuria, recognizing the futility of attempting to operate the Changchun railroad jointly with China while the civil war was raging.

A Communist spokesman executive headquarters i Peiping reported that five American news correspondents, in hiding Tom Masterson of the As ociated Press, were scheduled to evacuated from Changchun to norrow. The spokesman said that Gen eh Chien-Yin, Communist com nissioner, had been advised that he Changchun airport could not put into condition to land a escue plane earlier. The corres ondents have been held in pro ectivc custody since Communists aptured Changchun April 16. Chou today held his first press onfeernce in Nanking, where he 'ill resume peace conferences 'ith General Marshall, American nvoy, and Generalissimo Chiang "ai-Shek. He said the withdrawal the Rusisan representatives rom Manchuria "worsen rela- ons" between the Soviets and hincse.

"Diplomatically, it is deplor- )le," he said, although the Rus- ans had promised to attempt to iplement their treaty with China at another time." 'air Charged in ostal Burglary Charges of forcibly breaking in- a building, used in part as a ostoffice, with intent to commit rccncy, and stealing postage amp stock and postal funds noiinting to approximately $686.1 were filed against Arthur adison Fulton 35, and Lloyd Bray- it Fulton, 42, this morning before i S. Commissioner Ida M. James. The brothers arc being held in county jail in lieu of bond, at $2,000 each. The burglary of the Smith- Drug store, 8th and Hick- occurred Wednesday night, rtliur Madison Fulton, arrested Lampasas Thursday, signed a atenient Friday morning, confess- to the burglary of the sub- atlon, J.

E. Caulcy, postofficc spector, reported. Loyd Bryant Fulton was ar- sted here early Thursday. Both en, ex-convicts, are from Austin. old farmer, whose death last night brought this area's unsolved murder toll to five since March 24.

Two bullets fired through a window killed Starks about 9 p. m. Friday as he sat in the living room of his farm home, 11 miles northeast of Texarkana, and two other shots critically wounded his 30 year-old wife, who survived a nightmare of horror to sound the alarm. After shooting Starks, the assassin boldly went up to a window of the house and shot IMrs. Starks twice in the head.

She left a trail of blood in the house, but successfully fled the scene and found her way to the home of neighbor. Three weeks ago, Paul Martin and Betty Jo Booker, teen agers, were shot to death in the Texan kana area and three weeks before that, on March 24, Richard L. Griffin, 29, and Polly Ann Moore, 17, were shot to death here. Ranger Captain M. T.

Gonzaullas, who has been investigating the previous murders here, was called in on the latest case last night by Sheriff W. E. Davis of Miller county, Ark. Meanwhile the Texarkana Gazette reported that residents of this border city were fearful of fresh attacks, as word spread of the latest slaying. Details of the Stark slaying were reconstructed by Sheriff Davis who headed the majihunt which included officers from Texas and Arkansas.

to Sheriff Davis, this is- ly committed: About 9 p. m. Friday, night two shots were fired from an outside window in front of the Starks' liome, some 11 miles northeast of Texarkana. Starks, who was resting in a chair, his back toward the window, was hit by the bullets and immediately died. When the shots were fired, Mrs.

Starks rushed to the room, lifted the head of her dead husband, and dashed to the telephone. Vainly she attempted to contact the telephone operator, and as she was doing so, the assassin shot at ler twice, both bullets entering the head. The wounded woman made her way into the kitchen, where, Davis reported, she saw a man looking hrough the window. She fled the house, leaving a trail of blood and bits of broken teeth lehind. Mrs.

Starks attempted to 'ocate the nearby home of her sis- er, Mrs. Jeff Allen. Failing to find ler sister, the woman went to the neighboring home of A. V. Prater.

Upon learning of the shooting, Prater grabbed a shotgun, fired it once to attract the attention of his neighbor. Elmer Taylor, and together the pair made their way lo the scene of the slaying. Mrs. Starks fainted while dc- icribing the shooting to her neigh)ors and later was rushed to a Texarkana hospital, where she was reported by attendants to be in a condition. AHS Play Wins irsf in State The one-act play.

Our Town, resented by Abilene high school Indents, won first place in the talc Friday at Austin in the In- erscholastic league. Jcanettc Griffin of Abilene was named best ctress. JAMES A. JOHNSON Alcatraz Warden City Votes McM Area Annexation Two spirited disputes among visitors occupied the attention of Abilene city commission in its regular meeting Friday-- the topics being: the proposed annexation of an area east, west and south of McMurry campus and the recent salu by the city of a strip of property originally dedicated for an alley in the 400 block of Kirkwood. Despite the protests of half a dozen opponents of annexation, accompanied by a petition which they said contained 117 signatures, the commission passed on first reading an ordinance to annex and in residence, -pps the puted territory, blocks and lying being about 16 east, west and south of the McMurry campus.

Passage at one more regular meeting will be required to enact the annexation. The commission voted on the matter in response to a petition for annexation, signed by approximately 200 persons, represented as a majority of the residents and qualified voters in the section. Ernest W. Wilson, attorney and resident of the area, led the fight of a group who oppose annexing that portion of the area which lies east of Saylcs boulevard: He charged that the annexation petition bears signatures of some persons who are not residents and not qualified voters. "Abilene has a record of the best financial management in this part of Texas," declared Wilson.

"However, there is a move on foot now to hire a city manager; and we don't want to come in as long as that matter and others are hanging fire. Most of (he people who talk to me don't want the dictatorial, city manager form of government." Wilson claimed the residents of lis area already have a line elementary school at Wylie and bus service for the children. He Please see CITY, P. 2, Col. 6 SAN FRANCISCO, May Prison guards strengthened their battle line with reinforcements today and prepared to blast rebel convicts out of their cell block entrenchment at Alcatraz if they refuse a "surrender or die" ultimatum.

The choice for the desperate criminals was to face the blistering fire of assembled guns and grenades or to surrender and face charges of murdering two guards and wounding 14 others in the blazing mutiny, now in its third day. Marines, local police and guards from other prisons bolstered the officers of the island federal prison as the besiegers tensely awaited the desperadoes' decision. The cell block of the three-story concrete structure atop the rocky sland was quiet as the doomed men considered their choice. The cornered criminals were reported to have ammunition, but 10 shots were heard from the embattled blockhouse since last light, and police reported at 6 a. m.

(8 a. CST) that all was quiet on the island. One of the convicts yesterday elephoned Warden J. A. Johnston .0 bargain for surrender.

"We'll make a deal when you out your guns and ammuni- Johnston snapped back. An informant at Alcatraz said at 5 a. m. (7 a. CST) that probably would be no developments until after a boat load of reinforcements guards -the.

j.ielijfisland Police, guards from other prisons and Marines who spent, the night in San Francisco are expected at Alcatraz about 8 a. m. (10 a. CST). There was no certainty how many of the convicts remained alive.

A Marine officer estimated 24 were involved, on the basis of wounded guards' reports. It was presumed that some were killed and wounded in the fierce battling with ma- chineguns, rifles, pistols, hand grenades and tear gas that raged for hours, then slackened into last night's calm. Alcatraz guards, reinforced by guards from other federal prisons rushed here by airplane, and heavily-armed Marines rested last night, prepared to renew the assault today. The unprecedented escape attempt, perhaps the most spectacular in the history of federal prisons, was a complete failure. Warden Johnston said it initially had been planned as a mass break.

Not one convict ever got beyond the cell block. After many hours of firing, the convicts stopped shooting. Except for a brief flurry of gunfire late yesterday, all was quiet from the cell block. Warrant Officer Charles L. Buckner of Memphis, who led a detachment of Marines to the island for guard duty, volunteered to join the fight.

He mounted the roof, and cut holes in it with an electric drill. He dropped 150 fragmentation grenades into the cell block. Screams were heard from the trapped men, and then a rifle shot. No more screams were heard. In San Francisco, thousands of persons watched from the the the bleaTt island, set at tfiiS-' ranee of the bay.

Contrary to Thursday night's spectacular show, the island was silent. Only great searchlights played over the walls. SATURDAY SESSION CALLED Senate Presses For Loan Vote WASHINGTON, May 4 on pressure to speed a shoriown on the British loan, the administration today summoned the senate for an unusual Saturday session, with a formal move promised to curtail urther debate. The move to cut further talk after three weeks of general debate originated not with the administration but with two Republican senators, Ball of Minnesota and Smith of New Jersey, both outspoken advocates of the long- term credit arrangement with Great Britain. Within an hour yesterday afternoon they accumulated 22 signatures to their petition for "do- THE WEATHER U.

S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WEATHER BURKAL' ABILENE and vicinity: Generally fair xcept tar some high clouds and We change in temperature today, tonight na Sunday. EAST TEXAS: Partly cloudy with not inch change in temperatures this a tonight and Sunday, except lostly cloudy with scattered showers ind thunderstorms extreme south poron: gentle variable winds on the coast. WEST TEXAS: Partly cloudy Pan- andlc and South Plains, mostly cloudS' ilh scattered thundershowers Big Bend otmlry. El Paso Drrt Hio.

Eagle 'ass area, and Pecos valley eastward its afternoon tonight and Sunday; not Tiuoh ernoon a change In temperatures. a i temperature 24 hour ndlng at 0 a. 79. i i temperatur ndlng at 6 for 24 hours 57. a Tri-Snt Fri-Thiirs AM Hour PM 62--6fl 65--71 68--73 72-- 7B--75 79--74 77--74 73--73 --70 10 R2- 60--83 1 2 i' 60--g3 Sunrise today tonllhl 7:22.

Late and Brief MONAHANS, May and Mrs. E. S. Scrimshlre were temporarily out of the clothing business today, but they were still healthy. Their dress shop caved in yesterday, one wall barely missing them and several customers.

Damages were estimated at between $15,000 and $18,000. The collapse was attributed to a shift of the foundation as the result of excavation for a new Masonic temple lo be erected on the adjoining lot. AUSTIN, May cotton production hit a 46-year low last year, the United States Department of Agriculture has reported. Revised estimate placed production at 1,794,000 bales, smallest of any year since 1889, and was made after final ginnings for the season. The 5,900,000 acres harvested from the 1915 crop is 18 percent below the 7,185,000 acres harvested in 1944 and the smallest acreage of cotton harvested in Texas since 1895.

DALLAS, May, police identified a man found dead here yesterday as Herman J. Horry, 31, local resident, from personal papers in his pocket. An autopsy is being conducted on orders of Justice of (he Peace W. L. Stcrrctl.

Police found the man near the downtown section, and suid he suffered a gash on the temple and two small cuts. Slcrrctt said these cuts were not serious enough to have been fatal. PHILADELPHIA, May Institute today reported a "tremendous quake" recorded on its seismograph. Dr. Roy K.

Marshall, institute director, said the tremor occurred aboiit 5:25 p. Eastern Standard time yesterday about 12,000 miles from here in the South Pacific. "It apparently was a tremendous he said, "and resembled a trace of the quake about 1931 that did a lot of damage it Napier, N. At Washington, Father Sohon, scismotologist at Georgetown university, said a "very strong, very distant" earthquake was recorded yesterday. He said it began about 5:30 p.

m. Eastern standard time, and lasted until about 10:30 p. the greatest motion at 6:30 p. m. He said the distance and direction could not be estimated.

ture," a seldom invoked' senate rule for limiting debate to one hour per member. Only 16 signatures are necessary to force a vote on the petition. They planned to file it today and bring it to a vote Tuesday. It requires tivo-tliirds majority to prevail. Ball and Smith started circulating their petition after two roll calls to establish a quorum had consumed nearly an hour of the senate's time.

Ball told reporters the quorum calls smacked of "filibuster tactics" and he thought the senate ought to start voting after three weeks general debate. Mjority Leader Barkley (Ky) said the same thing with even more vehemence out on the senate floor. Barkley told the senate he would "resist with all the power and influence I possess' any attempt to lay the loan legislation aside for any other measure. And that went, he added, even for legislation to extend the draft law, which will expire a week from next Wednesday unless congress acts. Steer Wrestlers Feature Rodeo There were a lot of fast opera- lors in the steer wrestling contest at the Sheriff's Posse rodeo last night.

Before a capacity crowd of 3,000, Roycc Scwalt of Brownwood set a new low record of 4.8 seconds in the event. Four others contestants were under 10 seconds. Jan Dickcrson of Big Spring, Hardin-Simmons university student, set the pace in the cowgirls' contest with 14.6 seconds. Last night performance will be tonight at 8:30. The rodeo ends a five-day stand Sunday afternoon.

Wife of Snyder Blacksmith Dies SNYDER, May Funeral for Mrs. J. D. Dickie, 42, wife of a 'local blacksmith who died Thursday evening in a local hospital, was held Friday afternoon, at Snyder First Baptist church. Mrs.

Dickie is survived by the husband; five children, Georgia Dell, Curlisstine, Bonita Fayc, Pearl and Earl; two brothers, three half brothers and two listers..