Star-Herald from Scottsbluff, Nebraska • 1

STATE LINCOLN HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEBR WEATHE NEBRASKA-Partly cloudy Friday preceded by showers northeast and extreme east in morning; cooler east portion Friday. -Partly cloudy Friday and Saturday, warmer late Friday afternoon and aight and Saturday; high. Friday 55-65. Vol. 45.

No. 276. Scottsbluff Star-Herald WESTERN NEBRASKA'S ONLY DAILY. PAPER WITH SHE MORE FULL ASSOCIATED PRESS LEASED WIRE ODD SCOTTSBLUFF, FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1946 PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING EXCEPT MONDAY Entire Rail System Paralyzed as Unions Keep Strike Pledge Lewis and Krug Talk Over Issue of Coal Trouble Secretary Makes Plain His Position With Regard to Industry's Demand for New Contracts. By Harold W.

Ward Washington, May 23. Secretary of the Interior J. A. Krug today presented to John L. the government's position on the principal points at issue in the united mine workers' contract demands.

Krug, who is running the nation's soft coal mines under federal seizure, would not disclose, the details of what he told the union leader. A hint, however, that he may have come close to an actual counter-proposition came from 8 spokesman for Krug who said the secretary "feels that long as they are in the negotiation stage" he should not discuss those details publicly. The Krug spokesman said the late afternoon conference in Krug's office lasting more than three hours had been used up "talking J. O'Leary) his position on the prinover with Lewis.and O'Leary (John cipal points and defining them." A meeting will be held tomorrow, probably in the afternoon, for further discussion of the proposition. Lewis left the session without comment or any hint as to his reaction to Krug's proposition.

The UMW chief, however, was in good spirits. He with reporters about committing himself on any subject and in leaving, offered a cheery "Good night you-all." Truce Expires Saturday Lewis would not comment on the possible effect of the railroad strike on working the mines or on the soft coal situation in general. An industry spokesman, however, estimated that the mines would close down tight within 24 hours because of a shortage of railroad cars to haul coal from the mines. A committee operators with Krug and Vice Ben Morell, the deputy coal mines istrator, after Lewis and O'Leary, the UMW vice president, departed. The operators asked for the conference to discuss the financial aspects of government operation of the mines.

With about half the nation's 000 miners already out of the coal pits, the conferences with Lewis promised to determine whether the mines will be kept running at all after Saturday. The two-week truce called by the united mine workers' leader expires then, and he has not indicated whether he will grant further for working out a contract. The coal operators, whose inability to reach a contract with Lewis led to government seizure of the mines, stood by awaiting developments. The mines were taken over by Krug and Morell at 12:01 Wednesday morning. Krug told newsmen last night that it would be unlikely that the government could keep the miners working without support from the union leaders, and he said that up to then he had not received any such assurance from Lewis.

A spokesman for the industry said tonight the coal would have to shut down within hours anyway as a result of car shortages resulting from the railroad strike. Jirdon Buys Sections Near Kimball in Deal With Railroad Firm John R. Jirdon, of Morrill, terday announced the purchase of 25 sections of Kimball county land from the Union Pacific railroad. Classifying the property as "land grant" land, Jirdon said the transaction was completed Tuesday in Omaha after 60 days of negotiation with the railroad. The Morrill grain dealer and livestock man said that 6,500 acres of the land, situated north of Bushnell, is "good wheat land" while approximately 9,000 acres are suitable for grazing.

He said tractor crews have already started a plowing campaign that will prepare a total of 5,000 acres for seeding in winter wheat by August. Jirdon said that moisture condi-1 tions are reported to be good in the area of his purchase. He added that the wheat land averaged between 40 and 50 bushels to the acre last season. Crack Train Threatened Bristol, May "The Tennessean," Southern railway streamlined train, was almost wrecked in the Bristol yards tonight by a spike placed on the rails, yardmaster R. H.

Harkleroad reported. He added there was no way the spike could have gotten on the track accidentally. "It was placed there," Harkleroad said, "and the train would have been wrecked if it had been traveling at a faster speed." Kept Fingers Crossed First Lieut. Mary E. Bond, 29, of the WAC, a former school teacher, who died with her fingers crossed in the crash of an army plane against a New York skyscraper.

Nebraska Gets Big Blow as Railroads Stop Regular Runs Servicemen Crowd Hotels at North Platte as Main Line Stops. By the Associated PressNebraska's strikebound railroads were attempting tonight to operate a few with makeshift crews as trainmen and engineers hewed to the strike line. a Bus stations were jammed and airlines offices flooded with calls about schedules. filled At North Platte, the hotels were to overflowing with passengers, mostly servicemen and dischargees, who were aboard two passenger trains which halted there when the strike deadline was reached. An effort was being made to move eastbound section 88, with a full crew of assistant conductors signed up but without an engineer immediately obtainable.

Conductors were being asked to go out as assistant conductors, a union man said. The Clinch Flying in North Platte was ready Service. service. Telegraph wires were kept busy with messages from the stranded passengers. Foremen Run Trains At the Chicago and Northwestern's eastbound No.

12 left at 4:50 p. m. with the road foreman engineers, Lee Ditton, at the throttle and the roadmaster, serving as rear a brakeman and baggageman. Division J. R.

Cantwell and agent R. C. Logan threw the switches. At Long Pine it was to get a similar crew for the run into Omaha. Four Union Pacific fast trains sped out of Grand Island this afternoon, all operated by road foremen.

Three trains, Nos. 27, 9, and 7 tied up at Sidney. In Omaha were the Columbine and the Pacific Limited. servicemen at North Platte, contemplating hitch-hiking, sought One sailor said he was "just standing around being disgusted. My leave is running out fast." At Lincoln trains stopped on the zero hour, with the exception of troop train which went on.

The situation in Omaha was, calm after last Saturday's al. Switchmen, trainmen gineers went off the job promptly and headed for union meetings in Council Bluffs and Omaha. Stations were nearly empty. Thousands of baby chicks, destined for North Dakota and Wyoming, were taken off a Burlington train and officials said they would bel all right for 72 hours. Bus depots were full, but officials said they didn't have the equipment to handle everyone.

Post office officials planned to use trucks, airplanes and cars get first class and airmail service through. P. J. Lynch, vice president of operations for the Union Pacific railway, called for men with engineering, braking and switching experience to go to work. He these men to contact the division superintendents immediately.

Cook Plant May Close If Rail Men Stay Idle that a continuance nationJohn B. Cook reported, last night wide rail strike would "undoubtedly result in a complete stoppage of packing" at the Cook Packing Co. here. "All our are moved out by rail," products, "so we would be forced to cease operations to prevent the piling a large surplus at the plant." The packing plant official said that today's program would be' "operations as usual," but that no plans could be made for the future. Petiot's Appeal Denied Paris, May 23.

(P) -Pres. Gouin denied today an appeal of Dr. MarPetiot, convicted slayer of 27 persons. He is scheduled to die on the guillotine at sunrise Saturday. Chinese Government Proclaims Recapture of Capital in North.

Scattered Resistance Offered to Troops Entering City, According to Report; Reds Failing to Offer Own Picture of Deal. By the Associated PressMukden, Manchuria, May Chinese government communique announced today the recapture of Changchun, Manchurian capital. Defending communist forces withdrew eastward after putting up only weak and scattered resistance within the city. The communists to took Changchun on April 18 after a fiery four-day battle. This was strikingly contrasted today's government announcement easy reconquest, at 11 a.

four hours after the first government troops entered. No communist report on the situation had been received here. Changchun has been a source of the bitterest military and political contention, with the government insisting that the city must be restored to its hands before nationwide peace negotiations could continue. There was no immediate indi-! cation what the government cess would mean to the Bradney House Leveled in Blast Home and Furnishings in Gering Demolished. Mrs.

Elwood Bradney, 1240 street in Gering, miraculously caped almost certain death yesterday afternoon when her home was totally demolished in an explosion that occurred several minutes after she had gone to a neighbor's house to notify the gas company about a leaky pipe in the basement. Witnesses told Carl Robertson, Gering fire chief, that the roof of the Bradney home was blown "as high as the electric dines" in the explosion that levelled all four walls and demolished furniture and fixtures. Robertson said the Gering fire department arrived on the scene shortly after the explosion and was able to extinguish small flames in the basement before they could spread throughout the wreckage. He said he believed the flames were being fed by gas escaping from a basement pipe. Mrs.

Bradney told neighbors that she had noticed the odor of gas in her home shortly before 4 o'clock: Her husband, works at his father's service station in Gering, was not at home so she went to the basement to inv tigate, she said. Finally, she decided to go to the home of a neighbor to call the gas company. That decision saved her life, neighbors said. Robertson reported last night that he had notified the state fire marshal's office at Lincoln of the explosion. Officials there promised that a representative would be sent to Gering to conduct an investigation.

The Bradney home was less than two months old, Robertson said. Jury Convicts Mother in Slaying of Famous Haskell Indian Athlete Denver, May 23. (AP)-A jury of seven women and five men victed Mrs. Fannie Stabler, 37, con- of voluntary manslaughter tonight in the knife death Jan. 21 of John Levi, 49, one-time famous Indian athlete from Haskell Institute.

Attorneys for Mrs. Stabler, an American Indian and mother of three children, were given 10 days to prepare a new trial motion. The voluntary manslaughter sentence would range from one to eight years. Levi, who came here last December to a job as a laborer in a packinghouse after many of coaching in Indian schools, was stabbed fatally in Mrs. Stabler's hotel room.

On cross-examination today, Mrs. Stabler said she stabbed former athlete in self-defense. In response to a question by Joseph A. Myers, deputy district attorney, she said: "I don't think anyone should take another's life, but I do think one has the right to protect one's own life." Communist Meeting at Rio de Janeiro Is Riot Rio de Janeiro, May 23. (AP)One person was reported killed and at least 26 others wounded today when mounted police fired into crowd of several thousand persons a assembled for a communist mass meeting in Largo Carioca plaza.

The crowd had assembled in defiance of a police order to celebrate the first year of legality of the communist party. Truman to Run Again? New York, May 23. Secretary of Commerce Wallace declared today that "Pres. Truman is going to run for president in 1948 and I am going to support him." He, made no further comment on the subject, Stirred by New Strikes, Senate Snipes at Lewis Byrd Proposal Approved to Split of Welfare Funds Over Management, Labor. Washington, Friday, May 24.

(AP) -A senate stirred by rail and coal strikes early today smashed a talkfest by members and voted to outlaw John L. Lewis' No. demand. By a vote of 48 to 30, it approved a proposal by Senator Byrd, Virginia Democrat, prohibiting employer contributions to welfare funds unless they are administered equally by management and by unions. Lewis is demanding a fund financed by the coal operators but handled solely by his united mine workers union.

After long hours of debate, in which Senator Pepper, Florida Democrat, held the floor with a speech inveighing against restrictive labor legislation now, Senator Taylor, Idaho Democrat, took the floor for what looked like another time-consuming speech. But when Taylor remarked that some of the senators had been "actlike of Senator Hickenlooper, Iowa Republican, figuratively pounced on him. Hickenlooper announced that he was objecting to the language, whereupon Senator Hoey, North Carolina Democrat, presiding, ordered Taylor to take his seat. Need Other Action A roll call on the Byrd followed immediately and it was adopted. It is in the form of an amendment to a "mild" labor disputes bill approved by the senate labor committee.

Other amendments to the bill (have yet to be acted upon. It passed the whole legislation will go to the house- The vote came after the senate turned down a substitute by Senator Green, Rhode Island Democrat, to legalize health welfare funds operated under rules laid down by the federal security administrator. A petition to limit senate debate and hasten a vote on labor disputes legislation was introduced by Senator Knowland, California Republican. tition was Knowland signed said by the 27 cloture senators, far more than the 16. required for a vote on it.

The petition, which would require two-thirds affirmative vote to be effective, proposes that beginning at 1 p. e. s. Saturday, senator shall be limited to one hour's debate on pending labor legislation and any amendment. Byrd Makes Demand The attempt to invoke the seldom used gag rule came as Senator Pepper, Florida Democrat, made a lengthy speech against amendments restricting labor unions.

Pepper angrily denied a charge by Senator Reed, Kansas Republican, that he was filibustering. Knowland asked whether Pepper would yield and when he did the young former army officer offered the petition. cloture, immediately questioned Knowland's right to do so without unanimous consent but the petition was accepted. Senator Byrd, Virginia Democrat, demanded that Pres. Truman appear before congress and recommend "the sternest measures" to combat the railroad strike.

Byrd made this proposal in a formal statement as the senateheld in a late session for possible action on labor disputes legislation -heard assertions that the country rail walkout continues and the coal faces "economic paralysis" en if the controversy is not settled. Strike Measures Offered Senator Brewster, Maine Republican, interrupted a lengthy speech by Senator Mead, New York Dem-! ocrat, to ask when what he termed the "legislative paralysis" was to be ended in the senate. Mead replied- that he was ready for vote but said had been informed there was little chance of reaching any point immediately. Senator Capehart, IndiRepublican, sprang to his feet with a plea that Mead yield to permit him to introduce a bill which he said would "end the railroad and coal strikes." Mead declined to yield the floor for this purpose. A -few minutes later Capehart got an opportunity to introduce his bill, however, and had it read.

Similar to an amendment offered by Senator Lucas, Illinois Democrat, to the labor legisiation, it would have the president issue a proclamation asking a return to work when any strike threatened the public health and welfare. It work was not resumed, the president could seize the struck facilities. It would then become the statutory duty of unions to seek return of their members. Workers who did not return would lose the rights to their jobs and forfeit under the labor relations act. Capehart asked unanimous sent for its immediate consideration but Democratic leader: Bark(ley of Kentucky, calling that "preposterous," objected.

These Two Tied Up All U. S. Rail Traffic Alvanley Johnston (left), president of the motive Engineers, and A. F. Whitney, president Railway Trainmen, study papers embracing for settlement of the rail strike at their Government Takes Transportation; Penn Station Deserted as Wheels Grind to Halt Throughout Nation.

By the Associated PressNew York, May since the day the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor had Penn station been so deserted, old timers on the station staff reported--little more than an hour after the nationwide strike of engineers and trainmen went into effect. New of the striking train crews found themselves lackIng a train to ride home but union authorities had chartered buses to, solve their problem. New -Marianne Grande, Ashbury Park, N. couldn't get on a train and a bridegroom, Frank Cannoro, WAS left waiting at the altar in Herkimer, N. until the bride arranged for an automobile to take her to her own wedding, 250 miles away.

"I just don't want to be left waiting at the church," she gulped. -Half an hour after the strike started there was just one customer at the ticket windows in Union station here. A. R. McCumber of West Lanham Hill, bought a ticket to Boston -for Sunday night.

"Yes, that's being optimistic," he said, "but life is built on optimism." Knoxville, Tenn. -The Smoky Mountain Railway four trainmen plan on the job, despite the strike, but clack of business may force a shutdown. day the between KnoxThe company, runs one train a ville and Sevierville, haulins, Mrs. express J. P.

goods. Whaley, Knoxville agent, said the trainmen are members of the brotherhoods but were called out. However, she explained, the road depends on other lines for express and may have to shut down. Passengers? The line averages four a week. Columbus, railroad strike was not without for rail officials as well as the average passenger.

T. W. Cunningham of Savannah, president of the Central of Georgia, traveling in his private car with a party of five, was among those stranded here. -To conserve its sup-ply of newsprint during the rail strike, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reduced its edition size to 12 pages, eliminating all advertising except death notices, brief theatre listings and "matters deemed of public importance." St. -The St.

Louis GlobeDemocrat announced that it would accept no advertising, except death notices, for the duration of the railroad strike because of a newsprint shortage. Las Vegas, -It looks like this year's Helldorado celebration may last longer than Sunday night, its scheduled end. Forty thousand saw the parade opening the annual revival of the old west, and hotels reported they were swamped with reservation requests for later than Sunday, by visitors who feared they would be stranded by the rail strike. Tucson, Ariz. When the westbound Golden State rumbled into the Southern Pacific depot here on time, the loudspeaker squawked, Track 3, the Golden State the departure of this train is uncertain." As the train stopped the engineer tossed his bag to the fireman on the platform and commented, "Let's go fishing." Hope for Rapid Settlement Past as Officials Spar NE tion efforts of Gen.

Marshall, special American envoy in Nanking. As scotch in advance any suspicion that Changchun might have changed hands in a "deal," the communique from the government military headquarters in Mukden said communists seized within the city bore orders from their commander, Gen. Lin Plao, to defend the capital "by all means." The communique, issued by Gen. Tu Li- Ming, government commander for the northeast, added that despite fighting, the populace streets to cheer entry of the government forces. The commun-1 ists similarly had claimed public support when they took the city.

a Government dispatches reported the communists retreating towards Yungki, 60 miles eastward. This is in the swampy headwaters of the Sungari river, with rugged country still farther eastwardterrain in both instances much more easily defended than plainsituated Changchun. More Than an Inch of Rain for Region CAA officials here reported at 10:30 o'clock last night farming lands in the immediate Scottsbluff area were soaked yesterday with rains that amounted to a total of 11.04 inches of moisture, while other areas in the North valley were receiving less dant falls averaging between .03 and .05 of an inch. The CAA observers said that most of Scottsbluff's moisture fell in steady showers that began late yesterday morning. and continued through the afternoon and evening.

Only .03 of an inch was recorded prior to 11:30 yesterday morning, they reported. Temperatures during the day ranged in the nigh 40'8 and low 50'8 and wind velocities were reported as low. At 10:30 o'clock last night the weather station reported a temperature reading of 46 degrees, accompanied heavily overcast skies. Deadly New Weapon Is Rumored Before House Washington, May 23. (P) -A new American weapon described by a congressman as "far more deadly than the atomic bomb" played a brief and guarded part in house debate on naval appropriations today, then was snatched back behind 1 secrecy curtains faster than it came out.

Rep. Albert Thomas, Texas Democrat, told the house about it with no detail. Chairman Sheppard, California Democrat, of the appropriations subcommittee which wrote the bill under discussion, corroborated him but gave even less detail. The navy said absolutely nothing. Burlington Is Halted The eastbound Burlington train, to No.

32, Alliance, enroute was from halted Casper, Thursday at Guernsey, the nearest terminal, railroad officials here reported. The train was due at Guernsey at 4 p. ordinarily leaves five minutes later and arrives in Scottsbluff at 5:45 p. m. The eastbound Union Paciifc train, No.

54, which runs from Cheyenne to North Platte. and is due in Gering at 2:05 p. halted at North Platte, officials reported. Tragedy on Bride Ship Mrs. John Battenfield, French war bride of a Norman, doctor, is shown with daughter, Miriam before child- became critically ill enroute to the United States aboard the transport, Zebulon Vance.

The deaths of six babies were charged Ito "bad sanitation" by the parents, Thousands of Persons in Major Cities Stranded Away from Homes; Big Lines All Shut Down. Brotherhood of Locoof the Brotherhood of their "final proposition" headquarters in Washington. of Nearly All Lighter Side on Shipping Are Food Given Top Priority. Gardner Bridge May 23. transportation (AP) -Virtuand sea--were thrown government control tonight.

and shipping permits immediately as fedstrove to keep essenmoving. brief, la the picture and shippers: planning railwere advised by the ODT home until the situa- ODT, taking connation's airways for the forbade any commercial passengers or freight specified in a priority reservation holders must intercity operators pool equipment and their schedules for maximum movement. Army Planes Used Control Strike Has Priorities Invoked; By Washington, ally all public -air, land under Priorities were invoked eral agencies tial goods Here, in travelers Railroads--Persons way trips to stay at tion clarifies. Airlines--The trol of the first time, line to carry except 88 list. All yield to Bus lines--All ordered to coordinate Motor trucks--All carriers rected to observe priority lists, coordinate schedules, exchange shipments, and pool equipment.

Pri-1 vate truck owners ordered to 'ease their idle vehicles to common carriers or others for the hauling priority goods. Waterways--All carriers on the Great Inland waterways and coastal and intercostal routes quired to give priority to essential shipments. ODT reserves the right to reroute vessels. Mail--Apparently to be moved by any means available--by plane, trucks and whatever railways kept operating. Food holds top priority on travel lines, followed generally by fuel, medicines and other essential commodities.

The ODT anounced that army planes and pilots will be available to haul essential supplies where they are needed. 'Freight Has Embargo Non-priority passengers and cargo may use any leftover space. Effective at 4 p. local standard time, ODT directed truck, bus, air and water carriers, and railroads still operating, to pool their equipment and dovetail their schedules to achieve maximum movement of needed goods. The ICC ordered a general bargo on railroad freight ments, also effective at 4 p.

with some exceptions. The order applies to carload, less-than-carload and express traffic consigned to any destination the United States, Mexico or Canada except under permit issued a general permit agent. The railway freight and express embargo was re-imposed by ODT. It bans all shipments except when permits are issued for perishable and essential goods listed on priority scale like that drawn for the coal strike. Water carriers and commercial airlines were made subject to drastic controls which were tantamount in many respects to government In both cases, ODT may direct destination of goods and order the chartering of planes or vessels to operators other than their owners.

The mails apparently will handled by commercial airlines such rail carriers as are able haul No provision has been made for army or navy flying of the mails or other items. Strike Paralyzes Meat Chicago, May 23. (AP) -A railroad strike "will just about paralyze the meat George A. Eastwood, president of Armour one of the big meat packers, said today. Chronology of railroad dispute: July, 1945-20 brotherhoods serve demands on carriers.

Negotiations are held. Jan. 18-18 brotherhoods agree to arbitration, trainmen and engineers refuse and call strike for March 11. March 8 Pres. Truman names fact-finding board under railway labor act, delaying strike.

April 3-Arbitration board reports. Eighteen brotherhoods acbut start cases for additional demands." April 18-Fact-finding board reports. Two brotherhoods of engineers and trainmen reject its Inge and call strike for May 18. May 17-Government seizes railroads. May 18-Two brotherhoods postpone strike five days at president's request for further negotiations.

May 22-President offers settlement plan; carriers and 18 hoods accept; other two take it under advisement. By the Associated PressA virtually complete tieup of the nation's 227,335 mile railroad system crippled the transfer of passengers, freight and mail Thursday night. Hopes for an immediate settlement of the strike were abandoned as Pres. Truman's aides adjourned until today a conference with representatives of the railroads and the brotherhoods of railroad trainmen and locomotive engineers. Shortly after adjournment of nefor gotiations, Presidents Alvanley Johnston and A.

F. Whitney of the striking brotherhoods made public a letter they president as "unacceptable" his offer of an an hour wage increase. It added that union demands "could not be abandoned or disregarded." The strike effects were apparent immediately in the nation's largest cities 4 p. m. (local standard time) deadline--postponed from last Saturday--passed without from the White house or brotherhood leaders.

Large City Picture This was the picture in some of di- the nation's largest cities: Chicago--The midwestern rail hub, the greatest rail center, reported transportation virtually paralyzed with only a few through trains leaving the city of after the strike deadline hour passed. These trains were manned by supervisory employes. Only the Illinois Central-exempt from the strike by the brotherhood re- because it had been under government months--reported normal operations. Commuters were stranded by the thousands, hotels and bus depots jammed and at least one hotel in are Chicago- -the Drake resorted to stringent food rationall ing. New York- a million out of town commuters were left without means of going to their homes after work as all rail service out of the city, halted.

Thousands of other travelers were stranded in the city's giant terminals. Airlines Are Alerted The Pennsylvania railroad moved one train out of Penn station for Washington and announced plans for other operations, using any supervisory personnel. Air lines were alerted for emergency calls, with food and medicines placed high on their priority lists. About 9,000 extra policemen were ordered em- to remain on duty. Grand Central terminal was ported crowded with shoving, fighting commuters.

San Francisco Engineers and trainmen walked out at 7 in e. S. which wag the 4 p. m. local time strike deadline on the by coast, paralyzing the network of far western railroads.

The Southern Pacific, operating 15,251 miles of track, was the first carrier to report operations strike-bound, the Western Pacific and Santa Fe soon followed. a Municipal transportation in Los up Angeles already had been crippled with a street car and bus strike which started May 3 and affected a million and a half daily riders. Spotty Capital Service Kansas City--The last train to leave the city pulled out of Union station at 3:30 p. c. S.

and the conductor said it would be halt'ed at Des Moines if the strike was not called off. A half hour after be the strike deadline a railroad trainand man official, D. A. MacKenzie, to said it "looks like a complete tieyet up." He said the brotherhood would have crews at Union station to bandie troop and hospital trains. Minneapolis--The Great Northern Empire Builder, the Northern Pacific Northcoast Limited, completed eastbound runs Twin Cities A.

with supervisory employes operat-; ing the controls. Other cancelled. (Continued trains were: on Page. Fourteen).