Altoona Tribune from Altoona, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Baseball Scoret NATIONAL BoiUa 4 ftttebaur (al(ki) St. Loalt 1 Philadelphia I Broakljra rhlcag Oaljr Gidm Srhedatal AMEBirAN St. Loaii 15 Waahlactoa I (nlfhl) Krw Terk 3 Chicago 1 Boston Clevrlaad Philadelphia I Detroit THE WEATHER (Forecast from U. S. Weather Bureau) Partly Cloudy and Warmer 1 a.

CENTRAL PlSNNSYLV Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Five Cents Phone 8181 Vol. 93 No. 222 Continuously Published Since Ju. 3. Wednesdf I -x mwfl iti 7 IP Pod nfepes erne Steel Industry Digs In Roving Pickets Force Truckers For Nationwide Strike Coal UMW Break Off Talks With Southern Coal Operators Over Half.Million Out Of Work As Strike Hits Nation PITTSBURG CP) Chance of an early peace in the nationwide coal strike became slimmer Tuesday as the United Mine Workers broke off contract talks with the southern coal operators.

The UMW said it will not bar Labor Govt. Faces Battle For Its Life British Government Rocked By Currency Agitation Belgium Devalues By EDWARD CURTIS LONDON CP The stampede of currency revaluation caught up Belgium early Wednesday. In Britain where It started the Labor government was threatened with a fight for its life-Tuesday day of feverish speculation in the world's gold, stock and commodity markets saw Greece join the 20 other nations who already had decided to cheapen their money In terms of dollars. Early Wednesday morning Belgium fell in line after a lengthy meeting of the cabinet. The spectre of inflationary prices went down to the roots of the Labor party.

Workers were uneasy at the thought of higher prices and the government's hold-the-line wage policy. DIVISION IN RANKS The division in British Labor ranks backbone of the govern if DELIGHTED BY MIRACLE OF SOUND Deaf since birth, Patty Wyant, 5, utters a squeal of delight as she recognizes the beat of a torn torn over the earphones of an auditory training unit at Des Moines, la. Cindy Cox, 4, also deaf, beats the drum at rear. Youngsters who have lived in a world of silence since birth are taught words like "Mommy" and "Daddy" and hear for the first time barking dogs and the sound of a train whistle. In this training session, Patty is expected to knock over a block each time she hears a beat of the torn torn.

(AP Wirephoto). Community Chest Advanced Gifts Group Starts Drive To Dump John W. Dean New Optimist Boy of Month The Optimist club named John William Dean, an outstanding Boy Scout and active student in the Altoona High school as the Boy of the Month at its meeting Tuesday evening. John. 16, is a son of Mr.

and Mrs. Harold Dean of 1315 Logan boulevard. He is a junior and h's scholastic record is above average. Known as William- to all his school mates, he plays in the school band, and orchestra besides participating in many of the school activities. DE MOLAY OFFICER Outside of school he finds time to be a member and play in the Civic Symphony orchestra.

He also holds an office in the DeMolay. He Is also vice president of the Evangelical United Brethren Youth Fellowship. Ralph O'Donnell, chairman of boys' work, in presenting William stated that he goes all out for scouting and at present is an Eagle Scout, and belongs to the Order of the Arrow, an honorary order of the scouts. Recently he won the God and Country award of Boy Scouting. This is one of the rare honors to be received by scouts.

Mr. O'Donnell in telling about this award stated that in order for a scout to receive it he must render at least 130 hours of sen-ice to his church in some definite way, in addition to possessing rather complete knowledge of the history of his church and the full meaning of its service, and creed. HOBBIES LISTED His hobbies are first music then collecting old coins, stamps and old Bibles. While music ranks first as his hobby his ambition is to major in music. The general meeting was in charge of President Carl Bruckner after the presentation of a jacket with an Optimist seal and the framed creed was presented (Continued on Page 2, Col.

S) Baby Has Pin Removed From Throat Mrs. Carl Deitz, 106 street, reported Tuesday night that her 3-month-old son, David, underwent an apparently successful operation for the removal of an open safety pin lodged in his esophagus, at Jefferson hospital, Philadelphia, Tuesday. The baby's mother and grandmother. Mrs. Harry Deitz, 212 Lloyd street, took the infant to Philadelphia, Monday, after the pin had been located by X-ray at Altoona hospital.

Mrs. Dietz said she was making the baby's formula when the baby began to gag. Going to him, she was told by her 2 1-2-year-old son: "He has a pin." When Mrs. Dietz asked: "Where did he get it?" her two-year-old son replied: "I gave it to him." Mrs. Deitz said that the hospital said it would notify her when she was to go to Philadelphia for the baby and that it would be probably from 24 to 48 hours after the operation before he would be released.

"Kind o' cold," I remarks to Mr. W. "A feller kin tell fall aint fer away." "Nope, it aint," agrees Mr. W. "As a matter o' fact, th' autumnal equinox fall t' you comes in at 5:06 a.

m. daylight savin' time Friday, which makes it late this year. Forecast fer Wednesday calls fer INCREASIN' CLOUDINESS AN' WARMER WITH A HIGH OF NEAR SEVENTY SCATTERED SHOWERS LIKELY WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THURSDAY PARTLY CLOUDY AX' COOLER. High temp'ature Tuesday wuz 74, low.

53, noon, 62, wind 20 miles an hour northwesterly, humidity, 55. temp'ature at 1 a. m. Wednesday wuz 52." ingnc 0 No Progress In Government Efforts For Settlement WASHINGTON CP The steel Industry began digging In Tuesday night for a nationwide strike as no progress was reported in government efforts to stave off a walkout of 500,000 workers at midnight Saturday. Bethlehem Steel started closing down some of its mammoth furnaces in all its seven eastern plants and all other producers are expected to slow operations gradually to prevent damage to equipment which might be caused by a sudden shutdown.

STRIKE ORDER The CIO steelworkers union meanwhile gave a virtual strike order in serving formal notice on the Jones and Laughlin Steel to have its Pittsburg plant "inoperative and non-productive" by 12:01 a. m. Sunday. That is the expiration date of the 11-day truce extension granted at President Truman's request The "no progress" report came from Cyrus S. Ching, chief of the mediation and conciliation service, who has been meeting the past two days with union and industry representatives in an effort to resolve the dispute over pension plans.

STALEMATE Thus far. neither side has budded on this key point in the pro a negotiations. The union contends that since it agreed to forego its demands for a pay hike, the steel makers should accept the presidential fact-finding board's recommendation for a company-financed wel: fare fund. Steel leaders say, however, that the workers should contribute to the pension-insurance plan costing 10 cents an hour per man. Ching said both sides had agreed to meet again Wednesday.

He told reporters that CIO President Philip Murray had postponed a scheduled meeting of the union's policy committee in Pittsburg Wednesday so as to continue with conferences here. Despite Ching's gloomy report there was a slight ray of hope that some peace agreement would be reached before the strike deadline. John A. Stephens, vice president of U. Steel told newsmen "The fact that we are meeting Wednesday would seem to indicate we're getting somewhere." But a CIO leader made it clear that If the owners refuse to accept the presidential board's pension plan the steel-workers then will renew their demands for a fourth round wage hike.

This top union official, who (Continued on Page 2, CoL 1) Thief Gets $750 Loot at Jewelry Store Detectives termed the burglar who broke into the Robinson jewelry store, 908 Twenty-seventh street, "the meanest thief in town," Tuesday when reporting the theft of over $750 worth of watches and silverware and cash amounting to S50. Frank Robinson, who has spent his entire 20-some years of life in a wheel charr, learned the watch making trade in order that he might be self-supporting, Det R. C. Sell said, Tuesday night. Robinson opened his shop and little by little increased business until he was able to get some stock together.

He had not had enough profits to include insurance of the stock. Robinson went to his store to get a watch for a customer early Monday morning and when he got inside he discovered the place had been burglarized. When he notified police headquarters, Lt. Harry S. Carey sent officers to make a preliminary investigation.

Police said the door had been jimmied with a screw driver and when the burglar left with his loot, he pulled the door, snapping the lock. It was shortly after 2 a. m. that an inventory disclosed that 10 watches, valued at $75 each, an eight-place set of silver, valued at 550; and 550 from the cash drawer, had been taken. DIAMONDS FROM No Violence Re ported In Area, But Haulers, Threatened, Obey Orders From Union Men "Dump or else" orders by a sort of flying squad of pickets dotted the highways near the Cambria-Blair county line In Coupon and Dean with piles of coal and took the truckers off the roads by 1 p.

state police from Ebensburg and Deputy Sheriff V. Paul Reed said Tuesday night. Reed said that when they were in the area of the Cavalier Coal company at 4:30 p. all was quiet. William Russ, superintendent of the Cavalier Coal company, located in Blair county, told Sheriff J.

H. Summers and Reed that between 100 and 150 pickets, riding automobiles, went to the strip mine during the forenoon and ordered truckers not to take the coal out. NO VIOLENCE "There was no violence about the stripping operation," Reed said Russ reported, and the mine continued to put out coal until closing time at 4 p. m. However, truckers were told not to haul coal.

Some 95 truckers were ordered to dump their loads by noon, Sgt. Elmer Schmoyer of the Ebensburg detail said that police had been informed. There were similar orders at Dean, Cambria county. Police saw no pickets during their patrol duty but were told that there were between 30 and 40 cars carrying four pickets each who were riding the highways, and some 20 piles of coal were seen dotting the roads to verify their number. In Dean township, truckers were stopped from taking coal at the Grannas Bros, strip operation mine, state police said.

"DUMPS, Ol -ELSE" Pickets also visited the small individually owned mines, known as "house" mines, using the same procedure: "Dump or else!" Dworak, who owns such a mine, told state police that he attempted to take a truck of coal out from his mine to his home, but was ordered to dump. Like other truckers, he complied. There was no violence or trucks upset, Sgt. Schmoyer said. Deputy Sheriff Reed said that he and Sheriff Summers saw six loads of coal dumped in the streets of Coupon.

One young trucker, unidentified, told the Blair county officials that as he drove through Coupon cars pulled across the highway and his truck was forced to stop. A picket came up and said: "Dump or else," and the trucker told the Blair coun-tians that although he had paid for the coal and would have to stand the loss, that there was nothing else to do but, "Back up and dump." State police said that they tried to find the pickets but were unsuccessful, as at no time did the cars pass their lines. (Continued on Page 2, CoL S) Train Hits Gasoline Truck, One Dead POTTS VILLE, Pa. LV) A train plowed into a gasoline-loaded truck Tuesday killing one man and injuring four others. The truck was split in two.

The 4,500 gallons of gasoline exploded, searing three cars of the ten-car Reading company train and setting ablaze buildings and automobiles in the vicinity. Clarence Goetz, 22, of Gap, the truck driver, was killed. Flames swept 75 feet high and burning gasoline poured down ditches, endangering two homes. Two baggage cars behind the engine were scorched. Sue passenger cars were in the rear but there were no injuries reported among passengers.

The train fireman, Kenneth Beck, 30, of Schuylkill Haven, was thrown from the train like a human torch. Three other trainmen, who escaped from the baggage car, ran to him and smothered the flames. He was reported in critical condition at Pottsville hospitaL The engineer, Charles Mover, 60, of Philadelphia, also was listed in critical condition. RICHARD DIX Richard Dix, Famous Movie Actor, Dies HOLLYWOOD Richard Dix, who spanned the shift from silent films to talkies with rare success, died Tuesday of heart trouble. Hewas 54.

An outdoor-type who laid his popularity to virile portrayals of what the average man would like to be and what the average man's wife would like him to be Dix was in pictures for more than a quarter of a century. Unlike many of his colleagues in the palmy days before high income taxes, Dix saved his money. His late years were spent on a luxurious ranch in Topanga canyon where he refused to have a telephone with his wife, the firmer actress Virginia Webster, and their three children, twins Richard and Robert, 13, and daughter, Sue, 9. HEART ATTACKS He had suffered several heart attacks in recent 4 years, spend ing months in a sanitarium after one of them. On Aug.

10, he was taken from a westbound train in Chicago, after a trip to Europe. Later he was flown here for treatment, but his weak heart wasn't equal to the strain. He had been on the critical list at Hollywood Presbyterian hospital for the past several days. Even so, he was conscious al most to the end. talking with his wife and doctor.

Born Ernest Carlton Brimmer in St. Paul, July 18, 1895, he entered the University of Minnesota Medical school to study surgery. But he didn't like it, quit (Continued on Page 2, Col. S) Foster Barr, Former Tyrone Teacher, Dies Foster E. Barr.

of 1105 Loean avenue, Tyrone, former Logan tiementary school principal, died at his home Tuesday morning at 11:45 o'clock after an extended illness. Mr. Barr was born Aue. 1 1891, at Jeannette, the son of Howard and Rebecca (Rider) Barr. On Sept.

2, 1914, he was married to Grace Lohr at Mount Pleasant. Westmoreland countv. He served as a member of the Tyrone board of education for 14 years, having been president of the board for several years. Mr. Barr was a praduat nf Pennsylvania State college and had been a representative of the Inland Steel corporation, Cleveland, O.

He was nrinrinal nf the Logan Elementary school for several years. Survivine are his wifp snn Dr. Howard Barr, Tyrone; and a brother, John of Gatesburg. He was a member of the First Methodist church, and has taught the Men's Bible class of that church for eight years. Friends will be received at the Glass funeral home Wednesday evening from 6 to 9:30 o'clock.

Two Die In Crash INDIANTOWN GAP trailer truck collided into the rear of an automobile on U. route 22 near here Tuesdav. kill. ing two Los Angeles motorists ana 'njunng two others. Victims were identified State Police Pvt.

A. .1 TVAntreln as Mrs. Keve l. Bernstein, about 50, and Benny Thomas, about 45, both of Los Aneeles. Injured were Keve Bernstein, o3, husband of the dead woman, and Joseph Straka, 48, driver the truck.

of gain further on a new wage con tract with the southerners until they make up past-due payments to the miner's welfare and pension fund. The ultimatum was given by UMW Secretary-Treasurer John Owens at a press conference at Bluefield, W. where negotiations were resumed with the Southern Soft Coal Producers as sociation. It rame aa the two-day old strike ate Into the nation's fuel stockpiles at better than a mll-lion-ton-a-day rate. There are about 60,000,000 tons of coal above ground.

The number of workers made Jobless by the walkout passed the half-million mark. Included are UMW workers and more than 28,000 employes furloughed by coal hauling railroads. The miners walked off the jobs voluntarily Monday under a slogan of "No pension, no work." CONTINUE TO PAY The strike apparently was touched off when Lewis ed Friday that welfare; fund trustees had voted to suspend pensions and other benefits because of dwindling income. Although northern coal companies continued payments to the fund, their miners, like others since the contracts expired, were working only three days a week. Owens, who heads Lewis' bargaining team in southern contract talks, made it clear the UMW will do no more bargaining on contract terms until the royalty payments are resumed.

As to what that leaves for discussion by negotiators, Owens said: "The only thing we're discussing is when they're going to pay up." Lewis didn't attend the Blue-field' sessions. He is scheduled to resume contract Wednesday at White Sulphur Springs with northern and western commercial operators. He also is slated to meet separately with representatives of mines owned by United States Steel corporation. So far Lewis hasn't made specific demands on what he wants in a contract to replace the one which expired in June. Tuesday northern and steel company soft coal operators poured $3,000,000 into the welfare and retirement fund.

The northern operators said it was a regular monhly remittance and definitely not an appeasement move toward the UMW. (Continued on Page 2, Col. 2) Stockholders Approve PRR Lease Change PHILADELPHIA P) Stockholders of the Pennsylvania Railroad Monday approved modification of leases between the com pany and 22 of its system subsidiaries. The modifications, approved at a special meeting, will result in reduction in federal income taxes and materially increase the company's net income, the stockholders were told. The railroad estimated the reduction in taxes of around a year equal to about 15 cents a share.

Stockholders of the lessor companies already had approved the modifications. Following the formal meeting, President Walter S. Franklin emphasized the seriousness of the coal strike and the pending developments in the steel industry to the PRR. Asked if the railroad would be able to trim expenses sufficiently to offset its losses from coal and a possible steel strike, Franklin expressed the hope that the railroad could do so. He added a lot depends on how long such strikes last and how much effect they have on other industries.

The PRR previously announced it was furloughing 15,000 shop and maintenance men at the close of business Tuesday. Franklin said the Pennsy has about a 60-day supply of coal on hand, ment was reflected when the general council of the trades union congress was unable to come to an agreement on devaluation policy after a meeting of nearly four hours. A council statement said only that the representatives of union workers were sure the government had not devalued the pound from S4.03 to $2.80 "without a careful assessment of all the factors involved." Italy and western Germany seemed likely to devalue their money in a few days. Already Britain, France, Canada. Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia.

New Zealand, Ceylon, India. Burma. Malaya, Egypt, Israel. Iraq, Greece and Belgium have put cheaper dollar tags on their currency. The Labor government is expected to call parliament back into session in response to a demand by Winston Churchill for a debate on devaluation.

TRADERS IN FRENZY While a frenzy seized traders in London's stock exchange and on South Africa's gold trading floor and uncertainty reigned in American commodity markets, these developments' marked the devaluation scene: Greece devalued the drachma to 15,000 to the dollar and 42,000 to the pound. The old value was 10,000 to the. dollar, 32,000 to the pound. The Netherlands announced (Continued on Page 2, Col. 3) ABC Will Change Name Of Camp The Boy Scout camp at Pleasant valley, sponsored by the Altoona American Business club, will hereafter be known as the ABC Scout and Youth camp, it was decided by the members Tuesday evening at a lengthy business session at the Penn Alto hotel.

The reason for the change in name designation, it was explained by Dr. Walter Roth, was to permit all types of youth organizations, properly supervised, to use the camp location for meetings, parties and other purposes. However, it was brought forth in the meeting that physical improvements would be necessary in order for the camp to be in good working order. This is the foremost prqblem which the members have to face, it was disclosed, and a vote of confidence in the fulfillment of this project was asked and unanimously received by President Tony Reck. Relative to this matter, Past President Joseph Orr submitted an estimate of the" cost of placing the camp in the best possible shape for more extensive use by the various youth organizations throughout the Altoona area.

It was decided to appoint a committee to investigate and submit its recommendations at a meeting in the near future. Also, it was recommended and passed that a financial report be drawn up twice each year and submitted at a regular business meeting. The 1949 Community Chest campaign was launched at a meeting of the advance gifts division Tuesday evening at the Franks-town Hunt club when members were given subscription cards to be used in eliciting funds from prospective large donors. This is the initial phase of the drive and will net a considerable portion of the campaign goal, set at $197,009 for 1949. Mayor J.

Laughlin addressed a few remarks at the start of the meeting and reminded the workers that their job will be especially difficult this year in view of the slump in employment. He said, however, that the goal is not a large amount when placed against the amount of good done through it. EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE Chest President George P. Gable expressed confidence in the outcome of the drive. He said there is more money at this time in the city than ever before and that savings- are considerably higher in the city than during the same period last year.

He said the solicitors must be determined to meet their individ ual goals. 'The Chest agencies need this money," Mr. Gable said. 'They must have it; it is an absolute necessity." He announced that the deadline for the advance gifts drive will be Oct 6. Mr.

Gable introduced campaign Chairman William H. Haller who said he had accepted the leadership of the drive for the fourth consecutive year "reluctantly." He accepted the "challenge" again, he said, "because it is a responsibility we can either shake or accept." Mr. Haller said he felt that the pubb'e appeal of the Chest has been greatly enhanced by the addition of the recreation program as a Chest agency. He paid tribute to recreation Director David M. Langkammer who, with what he has to go on, has been doing a magnificent job." O'CONNOR SPEAKS Richard S.

O'Connor, executive-director of the Altoona Community Chest, delivered a "pep talk" to the members of the advance gifts division and told of the favorable Impression he has gathered pf Altoona Chest workers. "In my 20 years of experience into every conceivable phase of health and welfare worx, I must definitely say that I have never seen two men with as much zeal and understanding as Mr. Gable and Mr. Haller, he said. He praised the industrial worker for his "noble record of giving." The.

Chest director said (Continued on Page t. Col. 1) Claysburg Man Faces Stolen Cattle Charge Hughey P. Weyandt, of Claysburg R. D.

1, or Bulls Creek, posted $3,000 bond before Alderman William C. Stevens for a hearing Wednesday morning on charges of receiving stolen cattle in Cambria and Bedford counties. Weyandt was arrested by Corp. Donald Harris and Pfc. A.

A. Verbitski, Tuesday on three charges of receiving stolen goods. Prior to Tuesday's arrest, he was held under $2,000 bail on two similar charges in Blair county for action by the grand jury for the October term of criminal court at a hearing before Alderman Stevens. The, day's informations charged that on July 7 he received stolen property, two Holstein heifers from.Earl Naugle, Richland township, Cambria county, that were valued at $300. On July 10, he was charged with the receiving of a stolen Guernsey heifer belonging to Eugene Hillegas, Conemaugh township, Cambria county, valued at $100.

On July 9 the information charged that a Jersey milk cow was stolen from Harold Isaac Blackburn, Napier township, Bedford county, and received by Weyandt. These were alleged to have been received by Weyandt from James R. Miller, and his sons, James Raymond, and Paul, who are held in the Blair county jail awaiting disposition of their case on a guilty Park H. Loose, assistant to District Attorney J. Calvin Lang, will represent the cortjmonwealth at Wednesday's hearing and the defendant will be represented by Attorney Abraham Big Truck Wrecks On Railroad Tracks -1 A tractor-trailer hauling a Diesel power shovel caromed off a utility pole near Brookville Tuesday afternoon and dropped 25 feet onto a one-line track of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The driver, Paul Workman of Uniontown, reportedly fled immediately following the crackup and state police had not located him late Tuesday evening. The accident occurred around 4 p. m. and wreck crews had the track cleared by 6:10 p. m.

Damage to the trailer and equipment was estimated at SIMMS NOW FEATURING COLUMBIA 49.50 SIMMS JEWELERS, 1125 ELEVENTH AVE..