Fort Dodge Messenger And Chronicle from Fort Dodge, Iowa • Page 1

A COMPLETE NEWSPAPER For All ihe Family M. C. No. 124 FORT DODGE mid FRIDAY EVENING, NOV. 25, 1949 MESSENGER trie Edition THE MESSENOEB MTH YEAR THE CHRONIC1.E b6TH VEAR 20 PAGES PER COPY FIVE CENTS MAKE TAX VALUATIONS FOR FARMS State Department Bungled Ward Republicans Charge Demand Immediate Firing of 'High and Low' Officials for 'Spineless Performance' to Free U.S.

Consul WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (iP)--The stale department's handllnr of the Angus Ward case was under.severe republican attack today, with five Ian-makers demanding the of responsible officials high and low." The congressmen, all members of. the house foreign affairs committee, issued a Joint statement yesterday blasting, the department for its "spineless performance" in trying to get the U. S. consul ren era! freed from a Chinese communist JaiJ In Mukden.

The angry lawmakers callet it "one of the most humiliating chapters in American diplomat ic history" and declared-that "the loss of face by the United State in beyond calculation." One of the house members Rep. Judd of Minnesota, told i reporter the United States shoulc have tried "military action" ir ihe Ward case instead "ofignom inously sneaking off the battle Held." Besides Judd, the statement was signed by Reps. Chiperfield Illinois. Vorys of Ohio; Lawrence H. Smith of Wisconsin, and Jackson of California.

It bristles with phrases like unbelievable bungling" a ''mishandling and said the de- partment's "failure to take firm action" is a "by-product of the incredibly botched China policy which our government has pursued for the last four years. The stalement reserved particular criticism for Secretary of Staie Achcson's appeal to 30 na- 1 ions--including Russia--for assistance in the Ward case. "Is it to be assumed that it wii: require-the assistance 30 na- libn's to protect the lives of pur diplomatic officials under similar circumstances in the future? 1 the five Republicans asked. "If this method was the only effective one the state department could think of in the Ward case, the natural question is why didn't the department invoke it in the first place instead of irpr perilling the life of one -of its trusted diplomatic officers for all these months?" THREE INJURED IN CRASH CITY Three members of one family were injured in a collision 01 highway 20, just east of For Dodge, Wednesday evening, according to a report filed at police headquarters. Injured were-John Duckett, who suffered a chest injury and cuts and bruises; Mrs.

Duckett and their seven-year-old child, both of whom received multiple bruises the report stated. Duckett was treated at Mercy hospital arid released; and Mrs. Duckett and 'the child did not require hospjtaliza- tion, according to the report. The Duckett car collided with a Liberty cab driven by Samuel Eslick of Fort Dodge as Esllck drove from a service station driveway, onto the highway, the. report stated.

Esllck was charged with careless driving by officers investigated the entered a plea of not- guilty to the charge in police court this morning, and his case was set down for hearing Saturday evening. Two other mishaps neither of them involving personal injury, were on report at police headquarters today. At 12:50 this morning, a cai driven by John L. Griffin of Gilmore City collided with the rear of one driven by Gerald J. Dunn also of Gilmorc Cily, as "Duar stopped to avoid an accident at Central avenue and 'Fourth street.

At .6:30 Wednesday evening cars driven by Elmer A. Duncom- mun of Laurens and Harrison H. Horn's of Eagle Grove sideswipcd on highway 20 at the Duncombe curve. Some damage was reported to both vehicles. WEATHER IOWA Mostly fair tonight, colder cast portion.

Partly cloudy and warmer Saturday. High today 35 to 40. Low tonight 15 to 20 east, near 25 west. Hiah Saturday 40 to 45 east, near 50 west. FORT this afternoon with high near 40.

Clear and cold tonight wijb low 24. Partly cloudy a'ttf warmer Saturday with High 50. Temperatures Wednesday's high 35 Thursday's low 25 Snow Trace Hams Trace Thursday's high 35 This morning's low 22 Snow Trace Year ago high 42 Year ago low Barometer Reidlnri in Fort Dodre Thursday at 10 p. 28.90 Today a. 30.35 (Five-Day Weather Outlook) IOWA--Temperatures will average two to eight degrees above normal.

Normal high near 40, normal low 20 to 25. Little change in temperature Saturday. Turning colder Saturday night and Sunday. "Rising trend Sunday night and Monday. Turning colder again with light.

snow likely Monday night and Tuesday. Wednesday cold with snow flurries. Precipitations average one-tenth to two-tenths inches when melted. MANY HERE FOR STATE MEETING OF CLUBS Hundreds To Attend Annual State Conference Of Fraternal Order. Delegates from all over the state were assembling here today for the annual mid-winter meeting of the Iowa Elks association in session this evening, Saturday and through Sunday noon at the Fort Dodge lodge No.

308. A totali of 400 delegates is expected from out. of town with about that number.of local members atlending likewise. The biggest influx of Elks club delegates and their wives is anticipated this evening and Saturday morning. Thirty-eight state's 39 Elks lodges will be represented, according to advance reservations.

Hirhliehts Highlights of the three-day convention will'take place Saturday with committee meetings and round table discussion in the morning, a business session in the afternoon and an-evening dinner followed by -floor show and late buffet lunch. G. Tepfer, a -trustee Ihe Fort Dodge lodge, is. genera BENNETT VIADUCT REPAIRS IN PROGRESS INCREASES IN 40 COUNTIES ARE ORDERED 70 Urge Truman To Name Top-Notch Executive Head Atomic Group i i Webster County's Taxa- 1 ble Land Value Hiked to $73.17 convention chairman. Exalted will Ruler Edwin L.

Berner convention host. State i Harry Schmidt of Ames will preside the business session; The 'principal address Saturday afternooi will be delivered by. Henry Warner of Dixon, a pas grand exalted ruler of the national association. Some 19 state committees wi; hold meetings Saturday morninj Among the more important wil be the Iowa-Elks Youth Activitie. committee with Roger R.

Northrup of Oelwein as general chairman, the' War commission with Ralph Bastian of Fort Dodgi general chairman, and the Iowa Elks National Foundation committee with Jack B. White of Estherville as chairman. There was a buffet luncheor this noon at the Elks, club for delegates and their.wives'. Another luncheon will be held there a 6 o'clock this evening, followed by a floor show, dancing and late lunch. The program will close Sunday noon with a buffet luncheon at the clubrooms.

4 IOWANS DIE IN ACCIDENTS OVER HOLIDAY By The Associated Frets Three persons died accidental deaths in Iowa over the Thanksgiving holiday. One was killed in a traffic accident, one in a limiting mishap and one in a construction accident. lowan' died in a traffic accident in Kansas. The' dead were: F. J.

Bafeeman, 68, of Whltlemore. Donald Gene Hendrickion, 14, of. near Bevlngton. Donald J. Harrison, of Mus- Mrs.

Helen P. Bailey, 50, of Perry. Mrs, Balgeman. was killed in a :ollision.two miles west of Hutch- ns Wednesday night. Her hus- iand was hospitalized at Mason City with critical injuries.

W. M. Jlson of Mason coroner Cenneth Boughton said was driv- ng the other car, also was injured. Hunting Accident The Hendrickson boy was fa. ally shot while, hunting yesterday near Indianola.

He tried to ick up the shotgun of Bulls about 20, of St. Charles, and the gun accidentally dis- ihargert. A railroad boxcar, broke the guy wire to a scaffold yesterday ind dropped Harrison and two other men more than 50 feet to he ground. Glen Peterson and John Daily, both of Muscatinc; vere hospitalized with serious in- urics. The three men were work- ng on a concrete grain storage ank being erected at the (rain irocessintf Corp.

plant in Musca- ine. Lerrei Illihwij- Mrs. Bailey was fatally injured nd her husband was seriously hurt when their car left the highway near lola, Wednaday night and crashed Into embankment. The" couple was eii- routc to Bartleiville, to spend Thanksgiving with ion. and complete structure.

repainting of the The Brogan Construction company of Des Moines has contracts for repairing the pier and.super- structure and the painting. The Woodman Electric company of Fort Dodge has the lighting Work oh the pier was started about two weeks ago and will continue for some time. During the repairs Bennett viaduct will Fort Dodge Grocery Co. Sold To Hakes of Laurens New To Take Poueuion of Firm Next Jan. 1.

Sale of the Fort Dodge Grocery A.B.C. and Big 3, have been trans- --MESSENGER Photo Throueh this laree floor opening In the center of Bennett viaduct's river span the work of repairing the center pier has been started with the erection of coffer dam. Sheet steel sections for the temporary dam. were lowered into place with the larre portable crane (center) and then driven down to bed rock. Watchinr through the hole (extreme right) are I.

B. Klcven. superintendent of the construction crew, and City Engineer C. A. Boeke.

Repairirig of Bennett viaduct, low, under 1 way, was started just time to prevent the possible collapse of the river span if a spring flood had come before the of the structure, be- ieves I. B. Kleven, superintendent of the Brogan Construction company's crew here for the job. center pier is in terrible condition," declared the Minneapolis construction ex-pert, '-and think, it would have-weathered anothejy flood." Collapse ofTihevcenttrSpiefi'ilii- in vould drop pto the river waters, he explain- Heplacing this river-span at a tost of $400 U) $500 a foot-would require a city expenditure trf nearly as much as the cost of 'the' present- repair program, figured at $133,000, to Commissioner Lee G. Shannon.

"The steel superstructure itself is generally in good shape," said Mr. Kleven, "aud I heartily recommend the'type of repair'work now being done-." Coffer Dam First project.in the.repair program of the city's more than-40- year-old viaduct is reinforcing the center pier. That work is under way. A large-steel-'coffer- dam has been erected around the crumbling stone pier. Wafer will be pumped put so that cement work can done in the pier area.

A reinforced concrete sheath approximately two feet thick will be poured around the-pier, according to Commissioner Shannon, and the present cap will be replaced. The general cracking of the pier under repeated ice jams and flood, water, pressures in recent years has caused the cap to start crumbling, the councilman explained. Tills has let the downstream bearing of the bridge structure settle three inches and shift downstream about three inches. When the new cap is in place arid firmly set the bearing will be raised and returned.to its original position, realigning the bridge structure. Other Repairs Other repair work on the viaduct will include replacing some worn out steel pieces in the superstructure, laying a new floor and sidewalk across the bridge, installation of a new lighting system company, one of the city's oldest and largest business firms, to M.

and J. R. Hakes of Laurens, wholesale. 1 grocers, and produce dealers, of- the fort company building at-Central avc-i nue and Second buildr ing, which is 100x140 feet iri 'di- mension'and has four stories.and a basement, has been leased to the Hakes firm. The officers of the Fort Dodge Grocery company are Fred L.

Loomis, president; Allen R. Loomis, vice president, and Donald Vincent, secretary. The officers with Dr. Beth Vincent of Boston, comprise the board of directors. The firm is a corporation capitalized for $400,000: Since 1887 The company was founded in 1887, and has been owned substantially by the same families during those 62 years.

The firm does business in large area throughout northwest Iowa. Its territory extends north almost to the Minnesota border, west to Storm Lake and Cherokee, south to east to Iowa Falls and Eldora. Its annual volume is approximately $2,500,000. At one time the company had branches in Estherville and Sioux Falls, S. but these were closed in recent years.

The Brands Transferred two widely-known Fort Dodge Grocery company brands, ferred to the Hakes firm, which will continue. their use, it was announced. Headed by J. Lowell Hakes, the produce, house, 1 which 1926 en- grpcery.ib.usi- hes's and has ex'pahded until il now has -an annual volume of -more than $10,000.000. The firm was founded in 1880 by the late M.

and R. Hakes, is now 1 a partnership in which J. Lowell'Hakes, his son, J. R. Hakes; his nephew; M.

A. Hakes, and cousin, L. P. Hakes, are associated. Branches The.

company has grocery warehouse and a poultry, and egg 'processing plant Laurens and branches at 'Sibley, Fonda, Sutherland, West Bend, Spencer, Emmetsburg, Luverne, 'and Jackson, Minn. The grocery division of the firm serves customers in most northwest. Iowa counties and in a large area of southern Minnesota. Discussing'the purchase of the company, J. Lowell-Hakes" said it is new owners' plan to operate the local firm "substantially as an independent unit, integrating its operations as far as is practical with the other Hakes units." Announcement -will be made later, it was said, of the local firm's manager.

The present manager is E. M. Calho'un. Call On President to Use Careful Judgment in Making Choice to Replace Lilienthal On AEC By OLIVER W. DE WOLF FOR WEBSTER WASHINGTON, Nov.

25 Wj--President Truman, reportedly (till Webster county's farm land val- TM Mng a Dl il1 Lilienthal as the nation's atomic chief, nation, for lax purposes, was In- was urscd by ehoose no one but top-notch creased from the 1918 figure of executive. $56.77 per acre to S73.17. a boos stood that Mr. Truman had not yet picked a new AEC chairman to replace Lilienthal, whose resignation was announced Wednesday. Senator Edwin C.

I A liich official of the atomic cncrfy commission said he iindcr- of S16.40 per acre. National Commander of Amvets In City Monday Harold Ruisell, Famed Crippled Veteran, To Visit Fort Dodge- Post. National Commander a Russell of the Amvets will visit the post of the World war II veterans organization Monday morning, Herbert Bennett, post commander, announced today. Russell, who lost both hands in World war II, won fame through his portrayal of the crippled war! veteran in the "The Best of Our Lives," a performance that won for him two Academy awards. His recently published autobiography, "Victory In My Hands," is a best seller.

Russell will arrive in the city by plane early Monday morning, and will be honored at a breakfast at the Hotel Warden at 9 o'clock. All Amvets are urged to attend, and planning be be.closed motor traffic par- at tne ore akfast were asked tially or completely. At present make reservations at the post the west end is closed, but traffic can move over the cast end and Ihe ramp leading to southwest Fort Dodge. This portion of the viaduct will remain open until the west end repairs arc completed. Then for i time It will be necessary to close the whole span 'the ramp and the section near It are repaired.

When that Is done traffic will be allowed to cross the west end and the ramp until the remainder completed. Pedestrians may cross the bridge on one sidewalk. book. SPAIN AGAIN MAKES BID FORJJ.S. LOAN WASHINGTON, Nov.

25. m-- "pain again has approached the ixport-import bank to inquire bout the possibility of an Amer- can loan. Bank President Herbert E. Oas- on tbld conference today hat an official of the Tranco jwv- rnment had talked to bank offic- ali within the 'put moritH. clubrooms Saturday evening.

Russell will speak briefly after the breakfast, and will visit with those present. Russell's story is truly American and one of the most interesting to come out of the last war. He has packed a lifetime of accomplishment into a-few busy years. He is 35 now. He is best-known of course for his performance in "The Best Years of Our Lives" and for his Crippled In Exploslpn His story really begins with his enlistment in the army a few months after Pearl Harbor.

A sergeant in the paratroopers, he was about to go overseas when an explosive charge he was preparing went off prematurely because a defective fuse, and he lost both hands. It was during his long conva- escencc in Walter Reed hospital in Washington, D. Dial Harold was selected by the army for a part In a documentary film. The licture dramatized his ovcrcom- ng of the handicap of the steel looks that had replaced his hands, ind was ihown to amputees in Hollywood, and Russell was of- DES MOINES, Nov. 25-(AP)--The Iowa tax commission announced today it has made increases in the valuations of farm lands and auildings in 40 of the state's 99 counties.

The commission also has reduced the valuations in 24 counties. Those figures riiean valuations were left un changed in 35 counties. The changes were made in connection with the commission's annual task of equalizing valuations as be- counties. The revis- are from valuations set county assessors or boards of review. The figures represent average land values )er acre.

They are the 60 jercent taxable portion actual values. The reductions ranged up to -Ms per cent on buildings alone Poweshiek county. The increases ranged up to 25 per cenl on lands and and also 25 per cent on buildings alone. The Merest increase on lands and bulldlnss was in Dickinson county. -The tamest increase' on bulldinis alone was in Louisa and countiw.

TliB.biittit Increase on lundi alone' 15 per cent In' Audubon county. The largest reduction on both lands and buildings was 18 pel cent in O'Brien county. The biggest reduction, on lands alone was 12 per cent in Winuebago county Compared with the 1948 valuations, those of Hamilton anc Wright counties were increased about $26 an acre. Sioux county's figure, was increased about $24 an acre compared with 1948. The per acre valuations of numerous counties were increased over 1948 by $18, S17 and $16.

Only two counties got reductions over 1948 per acre valuations. They are Lee, with a reduction of 18 cents, and Warren, will a cut of importance, of equalization this year assume? greater magnitude due to the fac that the slate will- allocate nearly $30,000,000 of special tax revenues to local taxing bodies under standards which have a direct connection with the valuation of real and personal property in each taxing district," the commission said. It added: "The amount of real ami personal properly valuation in each taxing district directly affects the share of each district in distribution of homestead credits, airrlcultur.il land credits, supplemental school aid, military tux credits and farm to market roads on a need basis. "In any county as a whole, if it is assessed higher, than it should be in relation to the other counties of the slate it. will receive less than its proper allocation of agricultural land credits ami supplemental school aid.

More Slate Aid "By the same lokcn if a county Is assessed on a lower basis than it should be. it will receive more money as state aids for these purposes than it is entitled to." The commission ranked Hamilton county as having the most valuable farm land of any county in the state. It placed Sioux county in second place, Calhoun in third. Grimdy in fourth, and Wright in i There follows a county-hy- counly table for northwest "lowa showing Ihc 1948 valuation acre in the first column, the sessor's recommended per acre valuation this year in the second column, and Ihc commission's do- RUSSIAN PEACE PACT IS VOTED DOWN IN U.N. By George Palmer LAKE SUCCESS, Nov.

25--The Jnited Nations today rejected Russia's Big Five peace pact pro- aosal that incidentally accused the Jnited States and Britain plotting a. new war. The soviet measure was defeated by lop-sidec votes in para graph-by-para graph jalloting of the general assembly's 59-nation political commit' The so-called peace move from Moscow was the keynote of Russian, policy at the current assembly, Jt was submitted Sept 23 by Toreign Minister Andrei Y. VI- shinsky, who remained in New York more than two months to prosecute Prime Minister Stalin 1 soviet version of how peace am atomic energy control could be achieved. EMMETSBURG WOMAN INJURED IN AUTO CRASH Culver, 67.

of Emmetsburfi, seriously Injured In an aUto acclden southeast of Clarion Thursday, is being' treated in an hospital for severe spinal ant chest injuries, Mrs. Culver, who had been visiting a son, Robert Culver, anc family in Des Moines, was en- route home with her son, his wife and their two children. Mr, Culver was driving. He lost control of the car when the machine hit some slush on highway No. 69, went into the ditch.and turned over.

The driver and other three occupants of the car were only shaken and bruised. Mrs. H. R. Carr, a niece of Ihe injured woman, lives in Clarion.

Thanksgiving An Enjoyable Holiday For Fort Dodgers Traces of rain and snou' and temperatures in the thirties greeted Fort Dodgers yesterday as they observed Thanksgiving day. Despite the chill air and cloudy' skies, the holiday was observed in radiiional manner here with lundreds of family dinners and marking the day. Churches which conducted spc- Thanksgiving services were irowded with worshippers and lundreds attended the union services at the First Methodist church sponsored by the Fort )odgc Ministerial association. The day was not marred by any crious accidents and firemen vere not called out to fight any loliday blazes. The day dawned- dark and iloudy and a chill north wind added to the discomfort of the lay.

Some rain fell early in the norning and later turned to snow lurries. Dropping temperatures caused freezing nnd there were patches of ice on streets and sidewalks. High temperature of the tlay was 35 decrees and during Bcr Ihe night the mercury skidded to ns- Partly cloudy skies and warm-1 ci' weather is the forecast for Sat, cision on value per acre this year in the third column: 1948 Recom. Val. Bucna Vista 02.84 Calhoim Carroll Clay Dickinson Emmet Hamilton Humboldt Kossulh Palo Alto Pocahontas Webster veteran in Lives." 1 Russell interrupted his educa- Wright tion at Boston university to make the picture, and then went back CHURCHILL IMPROVING C5.00 59.94 58.75 45.37 49.80 58.46 58.34 51.70 50.32 58.16 SB.

7 7 53.67 for'4 9 67.GI 82.2!) 65.50 61.64 45.47 74.70 73.20 72.67 72.38 57.80 73.83 71.27 70.84 Final for '49 73.02 82.20 68.84 65.05 56.84 65.74 84.18 72.57 68.70 61.27 73.83 7.1.17 79.84 Lo school. He has continued FROM A SEVERE COLD courses since, except for personal LONDON, Nov. 25. (IP) A appearance and lecture tours. Helsppkesman for Winston Churchill became national commander of the Amvets at the Des Moines conventiorS in September.

In the past two years, Russell las visited more than 200 veterans' hospitals, inspiring the ill and disabled with new hope. From lecture platform, he preaches Ihe gospel of tolerance. said today the conservative partv leader is "progressing favorably" in his recovery from a severe cold. urday with 50 degrees. predicted high of I Temperatures will Johnson (D-Colo) and Rep.

Kilday (D- members of the senate house Atomic Energy. Committee--called on the president to exercise careful judgment in making the choice for one of the nost important jobs in the world. Would Stay On Johnson has' been highly critical of many of cies in the past; Kilday has been a strong defender of. the contro- versial atomic official. In accepting Lilicnthal'l resignation with "reluctance and the, utmost regret," Mr.

Truman expressed confidence that his atomic lieutenant would stay on if really needed beyond tile December 31 date on which he now plans to quit. Despite this indication that the president might not be in a hurry to find a successor, there was speculation that Mr. Truman may act swiftly in order give the new man plenty of time to familiarize himself with the complex and secrecy-cloaked ation before Lilienthal steps, out. Johnson coupled his call for a top executive for.the year job with a barbed, indirect thrust at Lilienthal--a public ad- yocate of less secrecy in the atomic operation. "I hope the president fills this long anticipated vacancy with a hard driving executive.

who will be 'more interested. m( pushing the development hv.prppngnndtt,'!: ti son told a reporter. He 'would not elaborate. FEWER G.I. STUDENTS LOWER COLLEGE ROLLS 25.

()-A sharp drop in the number of GI students has brought an enrollment decline in Iowa's colleges and universities. The stale's schools of higher learning had 44,045 men and sludenls this fall, compared with a year ago. The off of total enrollment is mofe'than accounted for jy the big reduction in veterans, from 19,056 in 1948 to 14,056 this fear, says a report issued by the J. S. office of education.

IOWA MAYORS TO PLAN FOR LOST TAX REVENUE DES. MOINES, Nov. iroposul that Ihc reimburse owa cities for taxes lost on in- ome property of private colleges nd universities, will be discussed a mayors' conference hgre Dec. Mayor Heck Ross of Des Moines Vedncsdny invited mayors of 22? owns where sucli educational in- titutions are located, to nttcnd the. onference.

The law now exempts from tax- lion income-producing property if private colleges and imiversi- circp near the 24 mark tonight and it will be clear and cold. BURLINGTON MAN TO GOP I A POST FRANCE'S GENERAL STRIKE J-IZZLES PARTS, Nov. 25--tfP)--France's wo biggest labor unions called a 4-hour general strike today but iie demonstration Tor i vages failed to shut down French nonomic life. Transportation was disrupted. Jines and most big industries i vere closed.

But reports from throughout the ountry showed that large groups. workers insisted on staying on. le job. Hundreds of thousands of walked or rode bi-" ycles in a determined effort to et to work. LATE BULLETIN! DES MOINES, James Schramm Nov.

of Burlington, Des Moines county republican- chairman for two years, todny named chairman of the Iowa re-- publican party finance cnmmittce.JROMANIANS GET DEATH LAKE SUCCESS, Nov. 25. Andrei Y. VI- sliinsky told Ihc United Nations today the soviet delegation will not take part In the case brought here by nationalist China on charges tbat Rui- sla helping in the victories, of red China over klnsr government. Republican a Cluiirmaiii Whitney Gillilland announced thej appointment of Schramm to succeed W.

Harold Brenton. Des Moincs, who resigned earlier this week. SENTENCE FOE SPYING BUCHAREST, Romania, Nov. 25 ur Romanians, one-of them reportedly a member of the army's general staff, have been sentenced to death on charges of ipyini for the United States. what you have left," be says--and; on that theory has dedicated life to the cause of helping vet-' crans.

both able and disab' vet- ilctl. to "It's not what you've lost but world. adjust themselves to a changed CITY SUBSCRIBERS If ehimte or discontinue subscription I a notify tht Mtsjcneei Circulation W.lnul 2121. Cat on backyard''ftnct: hoes are killing mel.