The News-Herald from Franklin, Pennsylvania • Page 1

er and rather windy tonight and Tuesday. A few scattered showers Considerable Weather cloudiness, warm- THE NEWSlikely Tuesday. Leased Wire Service of The United Press. 71ST YEAR-NO. 20,558.

LEW Italy Record Vote is Held Favorable For Anti-Reds Elections Marred Only by Attacks on 'Ammunition Depots BULLETIN. ROME -UP- Electoral offices gave semi-official returns from 142 Italian precincts today, showing the Christian Democratic Party leading the Communist front by a wide margin, 57,691 to 32, 465. voters turned out in record numbers yesterday and today in an orderly election marred only by attacks against three government ammunition depots near Milan and loud Communist charges of fraud. Election officials estimated that 90 per cent. of Italy's 29,000,000 lots by the time the polls closed eligible voters had cast their, baland counting began at 2 p.

m. (7 a. m. EST). A beaming sun, providing perfect weather, and the fateful issue of Communism VS.

democracy helped to bring out a recordbreaking vote. Interior and defense ministry officials withheld full details of the Milan' attacks to prevent inflaming election prejudices. High ported full details, however. They military authorities in Milan 1 resaid all three attacks, aimed at seizing or exploding the depots, were foiled. Milan authorities said the attacks were part of a campaign to weaken Italy's security forces by depriving them of ammunition.

Rome led the nation in the Sunvoting with a 91 per cent. turnout, although some scattered precincts reported a 100 per cent. vote. The Rome vote was pushed toward the 100 per cent. mark during the seven hours the polls were open today.

The first unofficial trend reported election officials was a strong showing for rightwing socialists in the north. This was By EDWARD MURRAY. ROME UP Italian expected. First Results Awaited. According to forecasts, the heavy prone favored the anti-Communists.

The first results may be announced late today. Final figures are not expected before late Wednesday or early Thursday. The voting itself was quiet. About a dozen persons were arrested at the for such minor infractions as heckling and threatening. Noisy Communist charges of fraud Premier Alcide De Gasperi's against, Christian Democrat Party appeared to observers to be laying the groundwork for formal accusations if the leftists are defeated by a heavy margin.

Two of the attacks against government ammunition depots were made before dawn Sunday morning, the first at Piacenza on the Po River and second at Pavia on the Ticino River. The third attack was after dark last night against the arsenal at Solbiate Olona, near Legnano, 24 miles northwest of Milan. The attacks brought to nine the number of raids against army munitions dumps in the past two weeks. Three other large dumps have exploded mysteriously since last November. Anti-Communist charged that all this newspapers a Communist plan to reduce the firepower of public security forces in preparation for a possible Communist coup.

Lack of ammunition supplies was believed the weak point of Italy's armed forces. Milk Price Orders for Two More Areas Issued HARRISBURG-UP-The State Milk Control Commission today issued tentative orders reducing consumer milk prices in the Johnstown-Altoona and Erie milk marketing areas one cent a quart during May and June. The orders were drafted on a split vote of the regulatory agency. Chairman H. N.

Cobb voted against any decrease in prices at this time. He was outvoted by Commissioners John Snyder and Charles J. O'Loughlin. The new orders will be discussed at a conference here of dealers, dairymen and consumers Wednesday and then acted on finally. Kephart, Former State Treasurer, Dies at 83 CONNELLSVILLE UP- Harmon Mortimere Kephart, 83, former Pennsylvania state treasurer, died at his home here today after an extended illness.

A native of Frankstown, Blair County, Kephart early worked on the Pennsylvania, and Baltimore and as a fireman and then as an engineer, in the Pittsburgh division Pennsylvania Line. In 1897 he ed a hostelry and later moved into the coal and coke business. HERALD ills past Evening Rochefoucauld. and Philesophy triumph future easily over Thought ills; but triumphs preseat Exclusive NEA and Central Press Pictures and Features. Harrisburg Education State Bidy Library 6-30-48 FRANKLIN FOUND Starts Accused as Spy Robert Magidoff, NBC correspondent in Moscow, is accused by his secretary, Cecilia Nelson, 32, a former clerical employe of U.

S. Embassy, of spying on the Soviet Union. The charge was made in a letter written to the Soviet government newspaper Izvestia, according to Tass, Russian news agency. Miss Nelson was born at Newberry, Mich. Joint Session Hears Truman Cuban Independence Is Commemorated WASHINGTON UP.

President Truman said today the hope of freedom of the plain peoples of the world should not be "flouted" by their a governments. Mr. Truman spoke to a joint session of Congress on the cbservance of the 50th anniversary of American participation struggle for Cuban independence. He did not mention Russia by name, but his words seemed a patent slap at Soviet Union. In speaking of the cordial relations between the United States and Cuba, he said: "The same harmonious rela-1 tionship can prevail among all nations, provided they possess a genuine desire for peace and a firm resolve to respect the freedom and the rights of others." The world today, he said, is confronted with the issue of whether peace and freedom is to prevail, "or whether it is to be flouted and betrayed." Must Be Calm, Resolute "The challenge of our time, like the one met so successfully by those we honor today, tests the mettle of men their institutions of government," he said.

"Our own moment of history also calls for calmness, for courage, for strength, and above all for the steadfast resolution that, come what may, we shall stand for the right." Mr. Truman met with the House and Senate to commemorate a resolution passed by Congress April 19, 1898. It declared that the "people of the island of Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free and independent The resolution was followed six days later by a formal declaration of war against war that ended in eight months with Cuban independence. Today's ceremonies included a reply to the President's address by Cuban Ambassador Guillermo Belt. The session was held with full military pomp including formal flag ceremonies and the of singing the of the national anthems United States and Cuba.

Frost Damages Orchards -UP- Freezing temperatures over week-end badly damaged apple orchards in Adams and Franklin Counties, the state agriculture department reported today. Mrs. FDR in Holland THE HAGUE-UP-Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt arrived in Holland today where she will visit as a' guest of the royal family. Grand Mufti on Way to Confer With Abdullah Meeting Designed to Show Arab Unity in Palestine Showdown By LEO JERUSALEM UP Arab sources reported today that the grand mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin el Husseini, was on his way to Amman to confer with King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan, who had said he would send his Legion into Palestine.

Arab quarters believed the purposes of a meeting between the mufti and Abdullah would be to show Arab unity and perhaps for the mufti to ask the king to assume command of all Arab forces involved in the Palestine hostilities. Only Saturday the king said in Amman that he would dispatch his tough Arab Legion to the Holy Land to fight what he called the "Russian and Jewish menace to the holy world." Arabs Seize Outpost. Beirut dispatches said Arab forces entered two strategic points in north Palestine in their incessant jockeying with the Jews for position. Arabs crossing from Lebanon seized control of the frontier outpost of Ras Nakoura when the British and Palestine police evacuated, Arab sources in Beirut reported. At the same time other units moved into Beni Yusha, an outpost north of Safad, as the British left.

Continuous small scale clashes were reported from Galilee. One report circulated without confirmation that the Jews shot down an Egyptian plane in that area. Arab Convoy Attacked. Fighting was reported to have broken out anew at Neve Yakov, three miles north of Jerusalem, where an Arab Legion convoy was engaged by Jewish fire yesterday. Official sources reported that an Arab Legion officer and three soldiers were killed yesterday when the convoy was fired on while passing the settlement and the escort replied with machineguns and other weapons.

A number of settlers were reported killed or wounded. Some pillboxes were demolished at Jewish settlement overlooking the Ramallah road. Arab sources reported that traffic on the road nad halted by the fighting. Appeals For Truce. Gen.

Sir Alan Cunningham, British high commissioner, appealed in a statement last night to "all groups and individuals" to use their influence toward the acceptance of the United Nations Security Council demand for a truce in Palestine. The statement quoted the text of the resolution, prefaced by the adjuration that Cunningham "desires to bring to the notice of terms of the resolution. GE Cuts Prices on Apparatus Products NEW YORK -UP- The General Electric company announced a five per cent. reduction today on products The of its apparatus estimated depart- the company cut, retroactive to April 16, would save consumers $10,000,000 a year. Earlier this year the company reduced prices of appliances from radios to refrigerators from three to 10 per cent.

Products affected by the price cuts announced today are fractional horsepower motors, switchgear, conventional transformers, lightning arresters, feeder regulators, cutouts and power capacitors. Truman Switches From 'Catching' to Pitching By ERNEST BARCELLA. ators in 1947. Both are right- WASHINGTON President Truman, who has been catching it from the left and the right, will do some pitching today. With 35,000 upper-case and just-plain fans watching at Griffith Stadium, Mr.

Truman will pitch inaugurating major throw out the "first" ceremonials league baseball season. There will be all the trappings -a band, a parade to the centerfield flagpole, peanuts, soda pop and hot dogs. There also will be a baseball between the world champion New York Yankees and the humpty-dumpty Washington Senators. And professional pitchers-big Allie the Yankees, a operat-19-game winner last year, and Early Wynn, who pitched 17 victories for the seventh-place AND OIL CITY, MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1948. GUILTY Ballot New Atomic Weapon Is Tested Secretly By U.S.

At Eniwetok OF Count FIVE CENTS CONTEMPT Jail Sentence For Mine Chief Hinted By Goldsborough Senate Group Throttles Air Force Spending ably an improved atomic bomb, has been tested in great secrecy, at Eniwetok atoll in the far Pacific, it was antoday. The Atomic Energy Commission announced that the test had been made. For security reasons, it said the date of the test is not being announced. The test was carried out secretly in the remote and heavily-guarded Pacific Island under conditions in contrast -UP-An atomic weapon, presum- (Chiang Elected China President First Chosen Under New Constitution NANKING-UP-Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, who has guided China's destiny since the death of Sun Yat Sen, today was' elected by an overwhelming majority as the country's first president under its new constitution. Over-riding the generalissimo's own appeal that "someone else be given the honor," delegates to National Assembly cast 2,430 votes Chiang and 269 for Chu Chenyg, president of the judicial Yuan.

The Balloting generalissimo was the nation's new chief executive as Communist armies were reported deplying for a new and possibly decisive Manchurian offensive. The Communists were moving troops from the Changchun area south toward Mukden, and neutral military observers in Peiping expected the big push to start soonpossibly in May. Voted Emergency Powers. Only yesterday the same men who elected Chiang passed a temporary amendment to the new constitution giving the president power "to take emergency measures" to prevent dangers to the state. It allows the president to by-pass restrictions of the new constitution and practically gives him carte blanche for the duration of civil war.

Chiang had been president pro tempore since Sept. 13, 1943, when the central executive committee of the Kuomingtang elected him to serve until the designation of a constitutional president. He was re-elected Oct. 10, 1946. Today's voting, in which 2,779 ballots were issued, was orderly and quiet in contrast to some earlier sessions in the National Assembly, Each delegate received a card measuring five by eight inches on which the names of the two candidates were printed.

They marked them in 50 closed booths and then deposited the ballots in 12 boxes. Thirty-five votes were cancelled because the ballots were not executed properly. No Party Candidates. U. S.

Ambassador J. Leighton Stuart was an interesting observer. Chiang did not run as a Kuomintang candidate. He proposed a successful resolution that the party nominate neither a presidential nor vice presidential candidate, leaving the matter entirely in the hands of the Assembly. Since establishment of the Chinese republic in 1928, Chiang has been the country's top figure, serving both military leader and premier prior to attaining the presidency.

3 Nations Agree On Resolution to Curb Communism BOGOTA UP The United States, Brazil and Chile were understood today to have agreed on terms of an conn ference resolution strongly condemning Soviet Russia and calling on western hemisphere nations to "curb Communism." The resolution, which is stronger than the one anticipated before the recent revolution here, will be presented to the conference today or tomorrow. Shooting again broke out here yesterday in Santander Square and near the presidential palace, where the ruinous riots began 10 days ago. Unconfirmed reports said that deaths in the two incidents ran as high as 12, with seven civilians and five soldiers killed. However, the war ministry denied there had been any deaths. Firing from the ruins of an office building overlooking the square, snipers fought a fierce two-hour gun battle against soldiers.

Near the palace only scattered gunfire was heard. Those were the only incidents to disturb an otherwise quiet Sunday. A five-man subcommittee consisting of members from the U. S. Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Cuba met for three hours on the proposed anti-Communist resolution.

Only Uruguay and Cuba were undecided whether to sponsor it. Their delegates decided to seek instructions from home, which may hold up the presentation until tomorrow. Appropriations Bloc Holds Up Fund Bill To Buy New Planes WASHINGTON UP The Senate Appropriations Committee today throttled down sharply the drive for a 70-group Chairman Air Force. Styles Bridges, N. said the Senate's check-writers won't act on a House bill to buy more planes until they get a recommendation from the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He said the Appropriations Committee also wants from the military experts a "definite, specific, overall manpower figure for the whole defense plan." Awaits Forrestal Statement. Chairman Chan Gurney, S. was unable to say how fast his armed services group could comply. But he promised to hurry. Gurney hoped to get from Defense Secretary James Forrestal today a statement on demands of the Army and Navy in event the Air Force is boosted from 55 to 70 groups.

The committee chairman said once he gets this, the committee will make "as fast as possible" a policy decision on strengthening the air arm. The group will not act on the draft and universal military training, he said, until the Air Force issue is out of the way. He estimated that a 70-group force would require 502,000 more than now authorized. CIO Opposes Draft. In the House meanwhile the CIO labeled the draft "at this time" both unnecessary and harmful.

Nathan Coan, the union's legislative director, outlined the CIO position in testimony prepared for the House Armed Services Committee. The committee is expected to vote out later this week a measure to draft men 19 through 25. Chairman Walter G. Andrews, N. said more than 700,000 men would be inducted over a two year period.

Cowan, one of a half-dozen opposition witnesses scheduled for today's hearings, said the CIO is keeping an open mind and would reconsider its anti-draft stand "should open warfare appear probable or imminent." Contracts for Polk Awarded State School Work Will Cost $487,266 HARRISBURG-UP-The state property and supplies department today awarded contracts totaling $487,266 for improvements at Polk State School. Frank Kukurkin Sons, Wilmerding, received $179,715 contract to alter the water supply system. These contracts were awarded for construction of a new laun- dry Wilson building. on Construction Johnstown, $183,500, general construction; Bruce Merrilees Electric New Castle, $24,475, electrical work; Harry Dougherty Son, Freeport, $28,350 for heating and ventilation and $17,660 for plumbing; Thomas A. Merkis, Valencia, $35,172 for service, tunnel; Bessemer Construction Erie, $8,724 for piping, and Northwest Electric Construction Erie, $9,670 for electric wiring.

-UP-John L. Lewis and his United Mine Workers Union today were judged guilty of criminal and civil contempt for failing to end the recent coal strike "forthwith." The guilty verdict was handed down by Federal Judge T. Alan Goldsborough, who hinted that he may be considering imposing a jail sentence on Lewis. The judge deferred passing sentence until 10 a. m.

tomorrow and announced he would ask for government's recommendations as to the nature of the penalty. At least some of the federal attorneys in the case are reported to oppose a jail sentence. -who fined Lewis and the union 000 last year-gave a clue to his own feelings when he said a fine would only "transfer the fine from the union treasury to the United States Treasury-from one class of people to all the people-and wouldn't solve any of the problems." "The court is firmly convinced," Goldsborough said, "that this has gotten beyond the bounds of expediencythis issue must be met." The judge said the disposition of the case was being watched "by not only every lawless person in the country but also by every lawless person in the world." After Goldsborough handed down the verdict, the defense asked that he set it aside on grounds the court had with the great publicity given the previous tests at the island of Bikini. Here is the brief statement by the Atomic Energy Commission on the new test: "There has been a test of an atomic weapon at the proving grounds of the Atomic Energy Commission on Eniwetok atoll in the Marshall Islands. For security reasons, the date of the test is not announced.

Plan Report to Congress. "A classified report of the test results is being made to the joint committee on atomic energy of the Congress. "The test was conducted under full security restrictions of the atomic energy act 1946, and pursuant to the provisions of the act, the public issuance of further information concerning the test is not permissible at present." Thus it was not known whether the new test was the long-planned deep water test of a or a new experiment over The commission announced last July 22 that the Eniwetok atoll had been set aside as a the proving ground in the Pacific for test of atomic weapons. On Dec. 1, the commission announced that construction had been started on the installations necessary for carrying the test of the atomic weapons.

Staffing and organizing of the proving grounds was announced on Dec. 22 and eight days later the commission announced that a defensive ring had been thrown around the grounds. The commission said that "hazards" would exist within a certain area around the grounds. Construction at the proving grounds was completed in the "late winter months" by units of the Army, Navy and Air Force which made up joint Task Force 7. Rail Freight Rate Boosted ICC Grants Increase Averaging Four P.

C. WASHINGTON -UP- The Insterstate Commerce Commission today granted the nation's railroads additional freight rate increases estimated to give them $300,000,000 more revenue a year. The carriers are authorized to make increases effective after 10 days' notice to the public. The increases were ordered by regions. Carriers in east and northeast received the largest boost.

Commission sources estimated the average increase at about four per cent. The commission said it made the further temporary increase because current reports of railroad operations "reflect increasingly unfavorable results and unfavorable trends because of recent severe winter conditions, work stoppages and like adverse causes. carriers late last year were authorized two temporary increases, totaling about 20 per cent. The railroads have been an over-all increase of seeking per including the 20 per cent. GOP Keynoter to Be Selected Today PHILADELPHIA -UP- Members of the Republican convention arrangements committee met today to select the keynoter and other to officials for the national convention here in June.

The committee's 32 members, headed by Walter S. Hallanan, met in a closed session. They will pick the or temporary chairman, secretary, sergeantat-arms and other officers and make a recommendation for a permanent chairman. The selections probably will not be made until late today at the final session of the two day meeting tomorrow. House Speaker Joseph W.

Martin, of Massachusetts, was heavily favored for the permanent chairmanship despite mention as a possible compromise presidential candidate in the event of a convention deadlock. The race for the keynoter post was wide open. Most prominently mentioned were Senators Eugene D. Millikin, Raymond E. Baldwin, Kenneth S.

Wherry, Henry Cabot Lodge, and Gov. Dwight H. Green, of Ill. Miners Return Before Verdict Reaction to Guilty Finding is Uncertain PITTSBURGH UP Soft coal production continued to pick up today as thousands of miners returned to work in advance of the decision in the John L. Lewis contempt case.

District presidents of the United Mine Workers refused to comment on the decision of Judge T. Alan Goldsborough that Lewis and the union are in contempt of court for failing to end the pension strike. They also refused to "guess" what the miners would do tomorrow if the judge fines Lewis heavily or sends him jail. John P. Busarello, president of UMW District 5, Pittsburgh, asked what he thought the miners' reaction to the Lewis decision would be, said, "I have no idea.

We'll have to wait until temorrow evening to Mark, president of UMW District 2, Clearfield, said, "I have no idea what the miners will do. I haven't heard of any planned action." Production in Western Pennsylvania which had been the "core of resistance" to the back-to-work movement spurted to 90 per cent. today in advance of the Lewis decision. At least 92,000 of Pennsylvania's 100,000 soft coal miners were back on the job; 50,000 in the western area and 42,000 in the central region. There were still 12 mines idle in the state.

U. S. Steel Corp. reported that all but one of its "captive" mines were operating. The only mine still out was the National in Fayette County, which employs 1,000 men.

However, company officials reserved action on restoring curtailed steel operations until hearing the Lewis decision. A meeting of company officials was scheduled for later today. More than 98,000 of West Virginia's 113,000 miners were back to work today, but the 12,000 miners in the Logan Field stayed out, awaiting the Lewis decision. Production in state approached 80 per cent. of normal.

New Comic Begins Today If you like to be entertained you'll like "Little Mary Mixup," a new comic that begins in The News-Herald today. Glorious day-dreams and inglorious dates-Mary has plenty of them. She's just at that age, the age at which mother has to be pretty stern about seeing that she keeps her home work up and her hair-do down. Read Little Mary Mixup daily in The News-Herald. Scientific Gamblers Return to Las Vegas LAS VEGAS, Nev.

UP.Albert Hibbs and Dr. Roy Walford were back at the Nevada roulette wheels today and again were winning with the scientific system they invented in college. The youths were weary and bearded this morning after days of almost solid gambling. But they were still still winning. Early today they had run their $300 ante high enough to count $700 in profits.

They played continuously, with each man alternating on six-hour shifts. Hibbs is from Chillicothe, and Walford from San Diego, Cal. They are the same pair that gave casinos at Reno a hard time last year by running their $300 original stake up to $12,000. Hibbs and Walford were using the same system today that they used last year. They worked it out while they were students at the University of Chicago.

no jurisdiction in the case. Goldsborough promptly overruled the motion. Lewis sat staring out over the courtroom during most of Goldsborough's statement, but he looked at the judge when the verdict was announced. And as usual, he had no comment afterward. Allowed to Make Statement.

The judge said the miners' chief could make a statement to the court tomorrow before sentence is imposed. Goldsborough is the same judge who 17 months ago fined Lewis $10,000 and the UMW $3,500,000 for contempt for refusing to obey a court order to call off a November, 1946 strike. The Supreme Court later reduced the union's fine to $700,000. This time, Lewis and his union specifically were held in contempt for failing to respond more quickly to an April 3 court order directing them to call off the recent coal strike "forthwith." Goldsborough's voice showed traces of anger as he delivered his long extemporaneous opinion to a crowded courtroom that hung on every word he uttered. No Doubt About Guilt.

"There is no difficulty about deciding that the evidence shows beyond all reasonable doubt-practically beyond all doubt--that the defendants are guilty of criminal contempt," Goldsborough said. Then he said they also were guilty of civil contempt. Hinting that a jail sentence may be slapped on Lewis, Goldsborough said: "This is a particularly important matter. There is a tremendous responsibility resting on the court. What the court does- will doin assessing punishment is a matter long watched by not only every lawless person in the country but also every lawless person in the world." Regards Letter a Signal.

Goldsborough held that Lewis' March 12 letter to his miners notifying them that the contract was "dishonored" could only be interpreted as a "signal, a nod or a code" to strike. Then, in hard-hitting language, (Continued on Page 6.) Nod, Wink, Code Mean Only Strike, Goldsborough Says The men start their play by watching a particular wheel for a long period, noting the frequency of numbers in a little black book. Then they apparently bet on the number which turns up most often. They continue to note number frequencies as they play. They started their play this weekend on the same number which won for them last yearnumber nine.

Their $300 stake climbed to $1,200 before the number nine played out and most of their winnings dwindled away. After hours play, the pair held a conference and checked the little book in their hotel room. Then they went back to the Golden Nugget casino and began play again with $200 in chips. This time, however, they alternated between the one and zero. Once more they began winning and early today had built the $200 up to $254.

They said that gave them a total profit as of that time of $700. WASHINGTON -UP- Federal Judge T. Alan Goldsborough today made a big thing out of three little words-nod, wink, code. He said that so far as John L. Lewis and the United Mine Workers union are concerned, the three little words mean just one So saying, Goldsborough ruled Lewis and the union guilty of criminal and civil contempt for letting the recent coal strike continue SO long.

Mr. Lewis listened and heard, but hardly arched an eyebrow as' Judge Goldsborough spent 28 minutes getting to the pointguilty. The judge, speaking slowly and clearly, said that Lewis and his coal diggers had contended there actually was no strike. Goldsborough, putting on and removing his spectacles between sentences, said he guessed he was making history. This business of using a nod, wink or code "to avoid responsibility" was something brand new in the books, he said.

His honor said he was going to throw the three little words out the window and go back to a single one everybody understands. The word "strike." Up to now, Lewis had not looked at the judge, just staring ahead. He'd scarcely moved a muscle, except to lick his lips-once. Then the judge delivered the haY said Lewis and the union were guilty. Big John stiffened.

His jaw tightened. But not a word. The judge said he would pronounce sentence tomorrow. That was all for today -but tit was more than enough for Lewis. Big John clamped in his hat and stomped out the back door.

He be back tomorrow. handers. Mr. Truman is a natural lefthander. But he hasn't been called a southpaw since his recent political difficulties with the South.

Today the President will throw right-handed. A civil right, his political hecklers call it. An insult to the left wing, according to some Henry Wallace followers. Republicans said they don't care how Mr. Truman throws: They'll be sending him to the showers in November, anyway.

But Mr. Truman said last week that he will be in there for four more years. Mr. Truman is the only switchpitcher in the 36 years since William Howard Taft started the custom of presidential "first" pitches. years ago, Mr.

Truman threw left- Last year, he was ambidextrous, let throwi two and one right-handed..