Standard-Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Score One for McNamara: the F-llVs a Sweet Plank They called the F-lll "all pur-pose plane" (formerly the TFX) a "pig in a poke" when Australia contracted to buy twenty-four of them from the General Dynamics Corporation. Enemies of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, who backed the idea of an "all purpose" model from the start, had far worse names for the F-lll. It was the "flying Edsel," it could not be adapted to aircraft carriers, etcetera, etcetera. So ran the criticisms. While the controversy was raging over the original award of the plane contract to General Dynamics (a Texas company) instead of to Boeing of Seattle, it was just one more count against Secretary McNamara.

But now, apparently, a lot of people who knocked the TFX before it became the F-lll owe the Secretary an apology as he is about to leave the Pentagon to take over in the World Bank. For the news from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada is that veteran test pilots with records of hundreds of combat hours in Korea and Vietnam have testified that the F-lll is "one hell of an airplane." According to the pilots, "the guys who bad-mouth this airplane are the guys who never got in the cockpit." With its variable wing swept back, the F-lll can strike at two-and-one-half times the speed of sound at high altitudes. But with its wings extended it can put down with piston-engine slowness on short runways. It can fly the Atlantic without refueling, it can carry six times the payload of a World War II strategic bomber (in either nuclear or conventional bombs), it can eject its crew in a self-contained capsule which descends by parachute, and its sponsors say that there will be no trouble getting the Navy version off the deck of a carrier. What all this means is that McNamara was right in believing that a single basic model could be adapted to serve as a tactical fighter-bomber, a strategic bomber, a reconnais sance plane, and a Navy interceptor.

This column has been critical of Secretary McNamara. But, its count against the Secretary is that he has been an inhibiting factor in carrying the war to the enemy, not that he hasn't known how to procure the best hardware in the shortest time for the least amount of money. McNamara's technical competence should never have been questioned: no man can come out of a successful career with a great manufacturing corporation such as the Ford Motor Company without knowing something of how scientific and technological break-throughs come about. The rule in complicated industry is that it takes eight years to go from "conception to inventory" with something new. Progress will be spotty from model to model, with "bugs" developing at all stages.

But there is no necessary reason to believe that the bugs in model fifteen won't be eradicated in the thirty-first product that is finally "configured for operational use." The General Dynamics people had to keep their mouths shut for six years about the developing F-lll, which was a hard thing to do. But a high officer of the company tells me that the enforced silence was bearable because by 1961 the "state of the art" in plane building had made a "flexible" plane entirely possible. The jet engine, the complicated modern electronics systems, and advanced weapons could all be engineered into a huge airframe. And the variable wing could be utilized to speed a big ship up or to slow it down, depending on pilot controls. Putting everything together, it was obvious to imaginative technicians that the need for basic specialization in a plane was a thing of the past.

If McNamara hadn't seen this, somebody else would have hit upon it simply because "converging technologies" (to use industrial lingo) became apparent to modem "surveillance systems." What McNamara did was' to fit the F-lll's preordained "invention" into the first "fixed price" developmental contract in the history of military procurement. Trusting to the General Dynamics engineers to "invent" the plane for him, McNamara insisted on the fixed price just in time to keep the annual military budget, big though it is, from becoming many times bigger. So McNamara deserves well of his country for some things, even though he never figured out a good way of fighting the Vietnamese War. HAZLETON Final Edition WEATHER Increasing cloudiness and snow tonight and Thursday. Tonight 12-18, tomorrow 24-30.

Sta naara VOL. 102, NO. 28,451 ESTABLISHED 1866 10c 0097 at Newnunds 22 Pages HAZLETON, PA. 18201 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1967 850,000 Galvanizing Rockets, Soldiers Wipe Out Half Of Red Battalion Plant Planned at VIP Fifteen South Vietnamese were killed, 59 were wounded, and the gunners of the crack 416th Viet Cong Battalion shot down two American helicopters and riddled several more. Giant Dip Kettle Will Take 75-Foot Pieces; Payroll of 60 Seen SAIGON (AP) South Vietnamese soldiers and rocket-spewing American helicopters wiped out half of a Communist battalion Tuesday.

The Red force of less than 500 men left 203 bodies on the coastal battlefield just below the demilitarized zone and dragged off more dead and wounded when it slipped away during the night. 111. I ii vasr Hi III 1,1 I III liri Twiw rnree u.b. helicopter crew An $850,000 plant for the hot dip eventually expanding to 60. Location of Gregory Galvanizing galvanizing of metal will be built men and an American infantry adviser were wounded, along with one Australian adviser.

It was the first major battle after the 24-hour Christmas truce proclaimed by the South Vietnamese. The fighting began more than 12 hours before the end of the three-day cease-fire ordered by the Viet Cong. The battle flared early Tuesday when a South Vietnamese in Valmont Industrial Park by Gregory Galvanizing and Metal here is anticipated to have a strong effect in attracting other metal industries. Meyer Machine Processing, Canton, Ohio, President T. Raymond Gregory announced today.

battalion swept out on a search- jr SiiWilHL. llilllfl SI Another CAN DO, INC. project, the announcement that ground will be broken for the plant in January got the local industrial development group off to a fast start for another record breaking year in attracting industries to the region. makers of steel poles and stanchions for parking lots, has already announced its intention of building a plant here because the metal dipping plant is to be built here. One of the features of the new industry is a kettle which will hold more than 500,000 pounds of molten zinc.

It will be 52 feet long and capable of hot dip galvanizing steel pieces up to 75 and-destroy operation northeast of Quang Tri city. The South Vietnamese caught the Red force in the coastal flats and pinned it to the coast as a sec ond government battalion was rushed up with armored vehicles to block the enemy's escape Financing of the plant is through routes. Suez Ships Will Be Freed CAIRO (AP) Egypt has finally agreed to clear the southern half of the Suez Canal and release 15 foreign ships trapped In the waterway, the semiofficial newspaper Al Ahram indicated today. Al Ahram, which often speaks for President Gamal Abdel Nasser, said Nasser's government "undertook an extensive study of the problem in all its aspects" and established that clearance of the southern part of the waterway was "feasible." The paper said the government made the study in response to repeated requests from Poland, France and Britain, which have ships trapped in the canal, and from India. Egypt turned down a similar request last September, insisting that no part of the canal could be cleared until Israeli (Continued on Page 2, Column 4) feet long.

It will be 5 deep and 4 Mi feet wide. Artillery and jet planes pounded the Viet Cong, and then the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA), CAN DO, and local banking institutions. the helicopters whirled in with The local plant will be operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of II Jsit I John J. DePierro is the archi the Canton firm, Gregory said. The plant's main bay will be 400 feet long by 65 feet wide.

It will be tect for the project. Bids will be opened at a meeting of the CAN DO board in city hall on Jan. 4 at 4 p.m. In announcing location of the plant here, the company president located on a 13-acre site in the Valmont Industrial Park area. It will be modeled after the Canton plant, rockets and machine guns blazing.

They were credited with a large part of the enemy casualties. Heavy fire rained on on the Viet Cong throughout the day and into the night, with flare-ships lighting the battlefield. By 1 a.m. today the enemy had evidently slipped out on the flanks, leaving 42 rifles and submachine guns and 10 heavier weap- (Continued on Page 2, Column 1) first in the nation with a 52 foot said he expects the long kettle. feet building to be in operation by Steel products to be galvanized in the Hazleton plant will include highway accessories such as over May 1.

The firm expects to start operation with a work force of 42, BURNED FACE San Antonio police patrolman Richard Domin-quez casts a sorrowful glance at the bandaged face of eight-month-old Rosemary Perez at the scene of a fire that killed her two-year-old brother. Rosemary received second degree burns to her face in the fire that destroyed her home. (AP Wirephoto) head signs, fencing, guard rail, and bridges, electric utility structures, and reinforcing steel. Roger Main, formerly sales man CIVIl RIGHTS LEADERS PROTEST AS 'STOP AND fISK' LAW IS ENFORCED LUCKY SOLDIER Lt. Col.

Daniel Stefanowich, a helicopter pilot from Scranton, points to holes put in helmet by Viet Cong bullets during fierce battle last September. One bullet grazed his skull, another lodged in his head, and the third was stopped by his helmet's padding. The Army, after studying damage to the helmet, gave it to the Colonel as a souvenir. (AP Wirephoto) ager of Thomas Gregory Galvanizing Works, Maspeth, N. has been named vice president and general manager of the new Gregory subsidiary.

Words Fail; Miami Cops Get Tough With Negro Thugs Main has had 16 years of exper Mayor Stephen P. Clark, who addition to regular patrols Tuesday night. "We don't mind being accused Thailand Says Reds Poised for Attack ience with the first Gregory enterprise in New York and has in recent years been active nationally in the marketing and promotion of hot dip galvanizing after of police brutality," Headley said. "They haven't seen anything yet." "Ninety per cent of our Negro morgue," Headley told reporters at a news conference. Criticism from civil rights leaders was swift even as beefed-up patrols in the Central Negro District began enforcing the city's "stop and frisk" law searching persons on the street without arrest or warrant.

A lieutenant said six 3-man task force cars and five K9 cars were in the district in MIAMI, Fla. (AP) Police Chief Walter Headley says that community relations programs in the city's Negro district have failed so his officers are under orders to combat with shotguns and dogs "young hoodlums who have taken advantage of the civil rights campaign." "Felons will learn that they can't be bonded out from the Robert A. Porter, former special BANGKOK (AP) Thai population is law abiding and filter down that when the looting starts, the shooting starts," the chief told newsmen. "These are my orders: Not three days after, but now." "This is war," he said. "I meant it, every bit of it." Headley, 62, who joined the force as a patrolman in 1937, became chief Aug.

11, 1948. He successfully fought moves to replace him in the past. When a reporter asked what reaction he expected, Headley said: "I don't care how anyone project coordinator at the Canton land's army commander said plant, will be plant superintendent at Hazleton. Herbert N. Meyer, today three Communist battal ions that include North Viet former Canton plant superintendent, becomes assistant to the pres wants to eliminte our crime problem' Headley said.

"But 10 per cent are young hoodlums who have taken advantage of the civil rights campaign." Headley, chief of the department for 19 years, said he took namese are poised on Thai was not present at the news conference, said later, "I am confident Chief Headley and his police force will take the proper steps to combat crime on the streets. When you deal with murderers you have to deal on common terms. Felons, especially people who take life in their own hands, will be treated in like kind." Marvin Davies of Tampa, state field director for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said, "We will do all we can to get him (Headley) to resign. If necessary, we will get a lawsuit to keep him from enforcing this type of arbitary action. I'll be before the City Council trying to get him suspended until his attitude changes." land's northern border and one ident for liaison between the Ohio and Pennsylvania plants.

Gene A. is trying to cross. In neighboring Laos, the government declared it faced a general North Walton moves up from assistant his action after the Christmas holiday weekend in which there reacts. My job is to enforce the superintendent to superintendent at Canton. Vietnamese offensive.

were 58 violent crimes in the Officers of the new Hazleton Brubeck Quartet in Farewell Appearance The battalion trying to cross peace and I'm going to do it to the best of my ability. I hope I have the support of the whole city, including the city leaders." into Thailand totals some 600 area, including three murders. "In only three, white criminals were involved; the rest said in a communique late Tuesday that "reports arriving from various fronts confirm a general North Vietnamese offensive." It reported attacks over the weekend on government army posts at Nam Bac, in Luang Prabang province, and at Pha-lane and on the outskirts of Nong Boualao, both in Savannakhet province, in southeast Laos. "Our forces have been able to contain all these attacks," the communique said. The communique also said that two North Vietnamese battalions had been ordered to move from Mahaxay toward Thakhek, a town on the Mekong River opposite Nakorn Phanom, a Communist hotbed in northeast Thailand.

The Laotian post at Nam Bac, north of Luang Prabang, the Royal Laotian capital, is within (Continued on Page 2, Column 2) men and includes Thai insurgents drilled in North Vietnam, men of the Communist Pathet were Negro men," Headley company, in addition to Gregory, are Roger Main, vice president; Gordon Shutts, treasurer; and Judge E. M. Baar, secretary. Directors are Gregory, Judge Baar, John B. Root, and Thomas C.

Sprung, vice president of the parent firm. settled on drummer Joe Morel- Lao movement in Laos and Meo News Index tribesmen, said Gen. Praphas lo and Bassist Gene Wright six years later. In the 11 years the four improvised together with counter Page Gregory Galvanizing and Metal Processing celebrated its 10th an said. "Community relations and all that sort of thing has failed," Headley said.

"We have done everything we could, sending speakers out and meeting with Negro leaders. But it has amounted to nothing." Headley's statement was in contrast to recent comment by Freeland McAdoo niversary last month with the opening of a $250,000 plant expansion Nuremberg 6 point over shifting but insistent rhythms, they rose as a quartet and individuals to the tops of the nation's most prestigious jazz polls. Playboy and Downbeat magazines put Brubeck in their PITTSBURGH (AP) The members of the Dave Brubeck quartet went their own ways today after straddling the jazz world like a colossus for more than a decade. The four performed their music spiced with unorthodox, varied rhythms for what they said would be their last time together Tuesday night in the Pittsburgh Hilton before a sellout crowd of 1,700. It had been nearly 17 years since Brubeck combined his piano with the alto sax of Paul Desmond in San Francisco's Black Hawk.

After trying out an assortment of sidemen, the pair Charusathien, who is deputy premier as well as commander in chief of the army. To check the threat, Praphas said, helicopters whirred into Nan province carrying government troops from Chiengrai, in northern Thailand and units from the 3rd Army Headquarters. The area where Thai troops and the Communists were reported facing each other is 350 miles northeast of Bangkok. The Laotian Defense Ministry Dade County Sheriff E. Wilson halls of fame.

Purdy who has credited his de in Canton. In announcing the new Hazleton facility, Gregory pointed out that galvanized steel tonnage increased 50 per cent at the Canton plant in the last 24 months. In the company's 10 years of operation, it has achieved a tenfold increase in tons of steel galvanized after The State Department sent the quartet on a goodwill tour to partment's community relations programs and special training Ringtown 6 Tamaqua Area 6 Mahanoy Area 6 High Schools 8 9 Editorial 10 Social 14-15 Comics 16 Theaters 17 Sports 18-19 Stocks 20 Classified 20-21 Deaths 22 Russia. Their "Time Out" al projects with successfully pre-venting civil disorders. bum sold in the millions.

"Take Five" played in difficult 5-4 time rose to a lofty perch in "We haven't had any serious problems with civil uprising and looting because I've let the word (Continued on Page 2, Column 3) Taxpayers' New Year: Bad News Outweighs the Good Wallace Wins Bid to Have Name on California Ballot WASHINGTON (AP) For-'retary of state, said Tuesday a merGov. George Wallace of Al-: certified total of 51,206 Caiifor-abama appears to have won his nians have registered to date as bid to qualify for California's 1 American Indenendents in the That tax amounts to 55 cents earning $7,800 or more during surcharge the year. corporate on individual and income taxes and officials hope for Parents Lose 3 Sons In Christinas Crash GATESVILLE, N. C. (AP) Grief-stricken parents made plans today to bury three sons killed when a station wagon plunged through a bridge railing into a mill pond near Gates-ville Tuesday.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lassi-ter Jr. of Stratford, were visiting relatives for the holidays when three of their sons took the station wagon to visit an uncle Christmas night. When they failed to return, Lassiter began a search.

The car was found in 25 feet of water and inside were the bodies of Thomas Lassiter III, 18, Dennis Lassiter, 16, and William Lassiter, 15. A fourth son had decided at the last moment not to a with his brothers. President Johnson has not yet; Treasury for each $500, or fraction, of a real estate sale and means between $60 million and $70 million each year to the Treasury Department. It is one of the fees collected from the home-buyer speedy passage. In addition to higher income 1968 presidential ballot.

Wallace, whose drive to get state's nine major counties. With Jan. 2 the deadline for registrations, said Sullivan, "It taxes, that package also would postpone drops scheduled for signed the Social Security bill but is expected to do so shortly. Increased Social Security taxes and repeal of the federal stamp tax on real estate are the only two changes in the tax law which take effect Jan. 1.

the 66.059 California registrants CHRISTMAS BUNDLE This infant, found in a public toilet wrapped in Christmas gift paper, has become Britain's newest television star and has touched the hearts of millions. More than 300 persons have offered to adopt the blond, blue-eyed boy named Nicholas by police who found him at Rayleigh section of Essex. In an effort to find his parents, wide TV and newspaper use of his picture was tried in the hope the eight-months-old child might be recognized. The publicity brought a shower of toys and gifts. (AP Wireohoto when he signs his settlement WASHINGTON (AP) New Year's Day will bring both good and bad news for the American taxpayer.

One tax will be erased from the government's books on Jan. 1 while another will be increased for many persons. Higher Social Security taxes to be paid during 1968 will more tl offset the repeal of the federal stamp tax on real estate IE which was voted in 1965 but doesn't take effect until next week. April 1 in the 7 per cent manu needed to qualify his American looks unofficially like he will Independent party was pro-'make it facturers' excise tax on automobiles and the 10 per cent excise papers. Although the Social Security tax rate won't increase for 1968, Another 1968 candidate, Sen.

Congress returns; tax on telephone service. But when next month, the House Ways The present Social Security the amount of salary on which it is levied will from $6,600 to nounced almost certain to fail by state election officials just two weeks ago, already has better than 77 per cent of that total in just nine counties. H. P. Sullivan, assistant sec- tax rate of 4.4 per cent on the Lugene J.

McCarthy, meanwhile called contemptuous a federal agency's handling of his request for equal television time (Continued on Page 2, Column 2) and Means Committee is again scheduled to take up President $7,800. This will mean an addi first $6,600 income means a to- tional tax of $52.80 for a person Johnson's proposed 10 per cent continued on Page 2, Column 4) by cable from London).