Altoona Tribune from Altoona, Pennsylvania • Page 1

V'FVTHER: Sled, Fretting Ri'ni. Snow WcdncttUy. ra Bin) a In) nn to Stop -Strikes January 7, 1947 Conciliatory Message To 80th Congress Cites Need for Cooperation President Asks Continued High Taxes, Proposes 20-Man Study Commission To Recommend Strike Legislation BY WILLIAM R. SPEAR WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (AP) Smiling and concilia-tory, Democratic President Truman today laid before the Republican 80th Congress a program to curb strikes, and asked continued high taxes.

His state of the union message, applauded frequently by the joint congressional session, called for legislation to outlaw jurisdictional strikes, check secondary boycotts and for a commission to devise machinery for the prevention of "paralyzing" nation-wide jibs IT' iW tured with her are her mother, Mrs. Fred Lafferty (left) and below, (left to right) the campaign welcoming committee, George P. Gable, W. E. Barclay and J.

C. McKerihan. I Photo by Tom Lynam). ALTOOXAS OWN MOVIE STAR-Janet Blair smilingly poses in the doorway of Pullman car as she arrived late yesterday to visit home folks and to headline the "kickoff dinner of the Altoona Hospital Expansion Campaign Thursday evening. Pic Legislature to Convene Today With New Taxes As Key Issue The message was in large part a generalized one.

It renewed only in brocd outline many recommendations previously made in specific form, leaving details this time to congress. Minimum wage, farm program, health insurance, refugee immigration and civil rights legislation were some of the issues Mr. Truman raised for congress to consider without telling it in detail what he feels should be done. Other problems, notably the rent control act expiring June 30, were not mentioned at all. ADOPTS TACK On the main courses of labor controls and taxes, where the GOP already has set sail, the Chief Executive's tack was this: Labor Mr.

Truman proposed legislation to outlaw those strikes and boycotts by which unions may seek to o'efeat rival unions or win undeserved bargaining recognition, and to provide arbitration for dispute over existing contracts. None of this would cover wage disputes. Then for the "problem of nationwide strikes in vital industries," he urged congress to provide a 20-man study commission of congressmen and rfjttosentatives of labor, management and public which he said could recommended legislation by March 15. A study commission is something Republican senators already have vetoed. Taxes Without mentioning the 20 per cent income tax cut planned by GOP house leaders, Mr.

Truman declared he anticipates a "substantial surplus" which should be used to reduce tha debt. He urged congress to continue until June 30, 1948, the wartime excise taxes which some legislators propose to slash immediately. They are slated for automatic reduction this coming June 30 under the proclamation which ended hostilities Dec. 31. CALLED STRONG SPEECH Reaction of many Republicans was that he had made an effort at conciliation, and some members of his own party called it a strong speech.

All seemed to agree that it assures some labor measure quickly, although there was criticism that his labor proposals did not go far enough. The President denounced jurisdictional strikes as "indefensible" and boycotts to further them unjustifiable," but emphasized that "not all secondary boycotts are unjustified." He used 'similar language vetoing the Case bill last June That measure would have out-(Continued On Page 8, CoL 2) Tuesday, Doctors Boost Hospital Fund Drive Total Arthur Blake to Share Spotlight At Kickoff Dinner Arthur Blake. Altoona-born Impressionist of the night club nd theater circuits, will share the spotlight with movie tar Janet Blair at the "kickoff" dinner of the Altoona Hospital expansion campaign at Jaffa mosque Thursday evening. This was announced yesterday at a report meeting of the memorial tributes committee at the Penn Alto hotel. Among the pledges reported at the meeting were four for a total of $1,400 from the medical staff, boosting the doctors' subscription total to $104,050.

This is $4,050 above their $100,000 quota. ALTOONA NATIVE Blake, who like Miss Blair was born at Altoona hospital is better known to Altoonans as Arthur Clark, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur B. Clark.

1116 Fourteenth avenue. He is here to head a stage show at the Mishler Theater this week before going to New York's Roxy theater to appear with Gracie Fields. A sensation with the movie folk in a recent appearance at Hollywood's Trocadero, Blake says "My face is my fortune' but adds that it's already taken rough treatment. Katie Hepburn slapped me thoroughly after seeing my Hepburn impersonation in Boston." Marjorie Main complained "You sound like I did before I had my tonsils out last month. (Continued On Page 8.

CoL 1) Mayor Issues Hospital Fund Proclamation Urging the citizens of Altoona to support the Altoona hospital fur.d raising campaign one hundred per cent in the quest for 51,000,000 in contributions. Mayor H. AUee Brumbaugh last night issued the following proclamation: "Whereas an enlargement of the Altoona hospital facilities is necessary to protect the of the citizens of Altoona. "Whereas the patient load for the Altoona hospital is far beyond its normal capacity since as many as one dozen beds are often placed in the halls of the hospital. "Whereas many additional beds will be reeded with the increased use of the hospitalization plan which benefits persons from all walks of life.

"Whereas the facilities of our hospital must be increased to combat tny disasters or epidemics which may enipilf our city. "Whereas the Altoona hospital drive committee must solicit in order to receive an additional contribution of Continued On Paje 8, CoL 3) DAV To Install Officers Tonight The Disabled American" Veterans will install the officers for '17 tonight as an elaborate program is outlined by General Chairman Pa'rick Gibbons at 5:30 o'clock in the Penn Alto Hotel. Henry Rivlin. Pittsburg, past state ccmrrander, will install the officers Les Laughlin will be master of ceremonies Angelo Ajitonueci. Philadelphia, will represent National Commander Lloyd F.

Oieson. -Ain't no sense to coast- in areas, I 1 greets the Ed. but does i I he give me a chancit to say how I was knocked down with a sled? No sir-re-eee, he pays no mind to ma limp. "Can it," he snarls. "Coasting areas are to save kids lives.

When they sled elsewhere they dart into the street That's what I'm trjin' to tell you," I shouts. Sets knocked down an' it weren't no kid on that sled What with Mr. W. forecastin" light sleet or freezing rain I foresees more sleds. An what I sez befo' still holds.

"Ain't no sense to coastin' areas if young uns and old uns ain't got sense enuf to use em." Yours, Bill Bear. Vol 9 1 No. 4 Five Cents Janet Blair Is Given Surprise Welcome Home Hospital Fund Committee, Band Greet Movie Star Janet Blair, Altoona's own movie star, cam. home yesterday afternoon and got a surprise welcome that pleased her to the utmost. Greeting the bro wn-eyed blonde beauty at the Pennsyl vania station were not only her parents, Mr.

and Mrs. Fred B. Lafferty, and a welcoming committee from the Altoona Hospital Expansion campaign, but the band from her old school Altoona High led by her old friend, Frank Krivsky. She appeared to be having the time of her life as she stood in front of the band while it played the Altoona High pep song and the baton twirlers performed their fanciest tricks. A crowd of several hundred persons hastily attracted to the scene by the music, recognized "Our and looked on with keen enthusiasm.

DEMONSTRATION The demonstration ended as informally as it started when Janet bowed out after courteous goodbyes and joined her parents and her husband, Louis Busch, i Hollywood musical arranger and conductor in the Lafferty auto-1 mobile. From the station they went to the Lafferty home. 2S10; Union avenue, where Janet and her husband will be guests the I remainder of the week. Miss Blair, accompanied by her husband, came here from New York where she appeared on a radio program Sunday eve-! ning. i HOSPITAL COMMITTEE Welcoming her as representatives of the hospital campaign were George P.

Gable and J. McKerihan, co-chairmen of the Memorial Tributes committee and W. E. Barclay, campaign secretary, who also represented General Chairman F. G.

Grim-shaw. Th latter had a conflicting appointment that could not be cancelled when word came through in the late forenoon that Miss Blair would arrive on the 5:40 p. m. train. Gracious and unassuming.

Miss Blair received her welcomers with a refreshing sincerity that pleased all-After posing patiently while the news photographers took all the flash pictures they van ted, she walked through a crowd of well wishers that lined the station platform. Her parents, the Laffertys. got her first kisses, but a surprise recipient was her cousin, Blair Dunn, city tax officer, who brought up the rear. He got a "smootch" on the cheek that brought a glow of pleased embarrassment to his cheeks. RECOGNIZES BAND Then, after a brief verbal greeting to him, she joined the high school bandsmen with a (Continued On Page 8, CoL 1) U.

S. Calls On Reds To Open Dairen Port By JOHN M. HIGHTOWER WASHINGTON. Jan. 6 The United States vigorously prodded Russia and China today with a demand that the Man-churian port of Dciren be opened to the world under Chinese civilian administration and free of Soviet military control.

The state department published the text of a crisply worded note which American diplomats delivered last Friday to the Soviet and Chinese foreign offices in Moscow and Chungking. This was the first formal reaction in Washington to the Soviet order of Dec. 20 which summarily ended the stay of a United States naval ship on a diplomatic mission in Dairen. The vessel was sent hurrying to sea under what some Americans called an out-and-out ultimatum. The ship had overstayed its leave while officers and Consul General H.

Merrell Benninghoff tried to get Soviet permission for three American civilians, a businessman and two newspapermen, to enter Dairen. Permission was refused. The note published today informed the Chinese and Russian povernments that the United States considers the present situation in Dairen to be "unsatisfactory" and believes it should be changed in Lite with a Soviet-Chinese agreement of Aug, M. 1943. i First Postwar Session to Act On Duff Program HAKRISBl KG, Jan.

6 CP) The 1M7 Pennsylvania legislature, firmly in Republican control, will convene at noon tomorrow to organize for its first postwar session with the need of new, taxes a key Issue. With GOP majority in both the senate and house already pledged to carry out the program of governor-elect James II. Duff, the new legislature will consider his blunt warnings the state is going to need more revenue if present state services are continued and expanded. Initial sessions tomorrow, however, will be confined to election of presiding officers and other officials and also to r3ceiving the final message of U. S.

Senator Edward Martin, who resigned before the end of his term as fov-ernor to enter congress. BELL TO PRESIDE Governor John C. Bell, who took over until Duffs inauguration January 21, will present it at a joint meeting of the general assembly at 3 p. m. along with a short address of his own.

"We are aiming for a short, business-like session and I see nothing now that will pi-event that," declared Rep. Herbert P. Sorg (R-Ellc), Republican house leader on the eve of the meeting of the new legislature. State Sen. Weldon B.

Hey-burn (R-Del). GOP senate leader, who will be elected president pro tempore cf the upper branch until the recovery of Sen. M. Harvey Taylor, concurred in the view. TO SWEAR IN 507 Both leaders said no action on Duff's program will come until after the inauguration Jar.uaiy 21 and then not until party leaders have a chance to study specific recommendations of the incoming governor.

Formalities tomorrow will open with the swearing in of 25 new or re-elected senators and the (Continued On Page 8, CoL S) Clay Commands U. S. Forces In ETO Shakeup WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 UP) The war department today of-fically confirmed reports of a major three-way shakeup in the army's European command. Involved are Lt.

Gen. Lucius D. Clay, raised to the top American command in Europe, and Gen. Mark W. Clark, who was called home from Austria.

Clay succeeds Gen. Joseph T. McNarney as chief of all U. forces in Europe and commander of the American occupation zone in Germany. McNarney has been named S.

army air forces representa-tive on the United Nations military staff committee, effective about March 15. EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR As McNarney's deputy, Clay has been executive military governor of the S. zone in Germany and American representative on the four-power Allied coordinating committee in Berlin stfte' last Clark, wartime commander of the U. S. 5th army in the Italian campaign and subsequently commander-in-chief of American occupation forces in Austria, will take over command of the U.

S. 6th army with headquarters in San Francisco. This command has been vacant since the death of Gen. Joseph Stilwell. Clark will be succeeded in Austria by Lt.

Gen. Geoffrey Keyes, now commander of the U. S. 3rd army in Germany. In his new assignment McNarney succeeds Lt.

Gen. Harold L. George whose retirement from active service was announced recently. BERLIN, Jan. 6 UP) Lt.

Gen. Lucius D. Clay, new commander in chief of American forces in Europe, said today he would move his "headquarters from Frankfurt to Berlin, but had no immediate plans for reorganizing the military government setup in Germany. Clay said he would confer at length with the retiring commander, Gen. Joseph T.

McNarney, before making any changes. McNarney has been named senior representative to the military staff committee -of the United Nations. Truman Urges Halt To Vets' Benefit Bills WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 iJP) President Truman proposed today that the government stop wher it is on benefits to veterans, even as a rush developed to allot more billions for them. 'Except for minor adjustments," Mr.

Truman said in his annual message to congress, "I believe that our program of benefits for veterans is now complete." But members pf congress are tossing in bills and starting campaigns for such things as a soldier's bonus, immediate cashing of terminal leave bonds, and big-) gCr government payments to vet-i erans attending school or learn -i ing new jol while working at thorn. The president cited what tlw government is doing already for former servicemen schooling, job-training, hospitalization, disability payments, loans, insurance. Aside from terminal leave and mustering-out pay, he said, the program for veterans of all wars is costing more than a year a fifth of the government's budget. 'In the Jong run," he said, "the success of the program will not be measured by 1 he number of veterans obtaining financial aid or by the number of dollars we spend. Bill To Cut Excise Levies Is Introduced By FRANCIS M.

LEMAY WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 LT A bill to end immediately the special war-time excise taxes-estimated at $1,500,000,000 a year was rushed before congress today even as President Truman urged a year's extension of these levies. Rep. O'Toole (D-NY) introduced the measure to' roll back the excise levies and a strong Republican move was afoot for similar action. Rep.

Knutson (R-Minn chairman of the tax-writing ways and means committee, said the excise subject would get quick consideration. These are war taxes on liquor, telephone bills, furs, luggage, cosmetics and some other so-called "luxury items." As the law now stands, the taxes will drop back July 1 to pre-war rates. The liquor tax, for instance, will slide from $9 to $6 a gallon, that on furs from 20 per cent to 10 per cent. ASKS CONTINUANCE Instead of letting them end on July 1, Mr. Truman asked their continuance for 12 months after that.

Congress members who want (Continued On Page 8, CoL 1) First Coasting Mishap Draws Police Warning Sled-riding in a non-coasting area, four year old Ronald Nipple, 1303 Third avenue, reportedly rode into an automobile operated by Wayne Glasson, 619 First avenue at Fourteenth street and Second avenue alley yesterday afternoon. Nipple was coasting out of Second alley when he struck the automobile. The child was treated by a private doctor and although he had no apparent injuries the doctor advised an (Continued On Page 8, CoL S) The informants said complete unanimity exTed among the conferees on the necessity of restoring law and order in Palestine. They pointel out that Britain would have to act swiftly if she wished to liquidate the Jewish Extremists before the resumption Jan. 21 of the London conference on Palestine.

She also must decide whether to create separate Arab and Jewish states within Palestine or to surrender her Palestine mandate to the United Nations, the sources added. A war office spokesman, meanwhile, described the movement over the weekend of a troop-train from Egypt to Palestine as "normal." Whitehall informants said this was one of the reinforcement trains. Eleven soldiers were injured when the train was bombed 25 miles north of Cairo. SIMMS DIAMONDS 6 True Bills Are Returned By Grand Jury The January grand jiffy that convened at the court house Holiday sburg yeUerdey morning to separate the wheat from the chaff, returned six true bills in the course of the day and will resume its labors this morning with 16 cases remaining for investigation. Judge George G.

Patterson, who also presided over a session of miscellaneous court, appointed J. Milton Patterson of Altoona as foreman of the grand body. District Attorney J. Calvin Lang and assistants, Fark H. Loose and Frank B.

Warfel, are in charge of the work. Robert Carper, the first of several defendants to waive action by the grand jury in favor of a plea of guilty to a morals charge, was sentenced to pay the costs of prosecution, plus expenses of $131.74 and make a $3 weekly payment until further order of the court. PLEADS GUILTY William M. Myers, who pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle after suspension of license was sentenced to pay a fine of 5100 and costs. Roy David Lynn, 53, of Huston township who submitted to charges of burglary, larceny and receiving stolen goods was sentenced to pay a fine of $25 and costs and make restitution.

District Attorney Lang told the' court that the theft was committed. October 6 at the Longenecker farm. When visiting the Lynn heme, state police found two chickens being prepared for dinner, elong with evidences of their recent killing. Lynn confessed enroute to the police barracks, but in court denied previous depredations as by his employer and benefactor. He is the father of six children.

WITHDRAWS CHARGE On a motion by the district attorney, Judge Patterson agreed to a nol pros in the prosecution of John Rhodes of Logan town-continued On Page 8, CoL 4) Man Sought In Camera Gun Shooting Slain GRAND GORGE. N. Jan. 6 LT) Alponse Rocco, hunted since New Year's eve in the "camera shooting" of his former wife, was shot to death tonight by police as he crouched in a sleeping bag under a spruce tree on a lonely hill in Patchin Hollow. Under a full moon In this isolated Schoharie county country Rocco fired a German Walth- er automatic as state police and New York city detectives trap-i ped him about a mile up the (Continued On Page 8, CoL 1) 3 Teachers Elected By School Board Election of two teachers for the elementary grades, one for Roosevelt.

High school, the reinstatement of a former teacher, and the election of two janitresses and cafeteria employes were among the business handled at a meeting of the school board of the Altoona District last night. J. Lester Laughlin, president, conducted this the first meeting since the board's reorganization in December. Joan Gramley, 207 Second street, who will be graduated at mid-year from the Pennsylvania State college, and Deka Anne Maddocks, 124 Ruskin Drive, who will at the same time com-plete her course at the University of Pittsburg, were the elementary teachers elected. Clair Chevalier, a substitute teacher at the Roosevelt Junior High school in trowel trades, was elected, and Anthony Lamont, former teacher in Altoona Senior High school, was reinstated.

SECRETARY RESIGNS Ruth E. Miller, high school secretary to the vocational di-, rector, sent in her resignation, which was accepted. She began her work at Altoona Trust company Dec. 16. Helen Fag-ley was transferred to the Vocational office from the superintendent's office, and Thelma Copenhaver was elected stenographer In the office of the superintendent.

Dorothy Soyster was elected janitress for Senior High, and Beatrice McCloskey for Keith Junior high. For the cafeteria staff, Suzanne Sutton, who has been head cook two years, and Olive Eichelberger who had been baker for three, were elected. David Getz reported on the (Continued On Page 8, CoL 2) Prime Minister Attlee presided today over the first of four critical cabinet meetings on British foreign policy. The Palestine question was said to be slated for consideration either tomorrow or Thursday. The" government sources predicted that the cabinet would reach a final decision on Pales-i tine some time during the week.

Besides determining whether to take "energetic" action against th extremists, the ministers also will decide the long-term policy of Palestine's future, informants said. The Holy Land proposals were formulated last week In conferences attended by Gen. Sir Alan Cunningham, high commissioner Palestine; Field Marshal Lord Montgom ery, chief of the Imperial General staff; Attlee, Foreign Secre-jtary Ernest Bevin and Colonial Secretary Arthur Creech Jones. HAPPINESS WEAR British Troops Await Green Light To Launch Offensive In Palestine Legislation Asked To Bar Portal Suits By The Associated Press The flood of portal to portal pay suits inched toward the mark Monday and a Wisconsin senator asked congress to bar all pending suits. In one of the lightest day totals to date, $26,750,000 in new claims were filed Monday to bring to 53,283.935,000 the overall total of specified claims sought of employers by workers.

Senator Wiley in sponsoring legislation, said 'It has become absolutely urgent that congress promptly enact leg- iclatinn whirh will nrpsprve the Uery foundations of American in-I dustry by relieving it of the many billions of dollars of portal to portal pay suits which recently have been filod." Another bill, introduced by Senator Capehart (R-Ind) would define terms under which work ers could qualify for portal pay. The suits stem from a supreme court ruling that workers are entitled to pay for time spent on company property preparing for work. CIO unions have filed most of the suits thus far, although some were sponsored by AFL unions and a few by individual employes ho mentioned no particular union. By ARTHUR GAVSHON LONDON, Jan. 6 iJP Tanned veterans of desert campaign- ing rolled into Palestine from Egypt today as British army of- ficers awaited cabinet permis- sion to launch a full scale of- fensive against Jewish extremists.

Government sources said the offensive, if approved by the cabinet, would be the greatest in Palestine's modern history and would smash underground groups which have killed and flogged British troops, bombed public buildings and mined highway and railroads. 100.000 ON DUTY They added that the reinforcements were reaching the i i no: ianu uy ruaa ana rail, to i join nearly 100,000 Tommies al-! ready on duty there. lCI SIMMS DIAMONDS INVEST IN.