The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 1

BLYTHEVILLE COURIER NEWS THE DOMINANT NEWSPAPER Of NORTHEAST ARKANSAS AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI VOL. 232 Blythevllte Courier Blythevllte Dally Nem Mississippi Valley Leader Blythevllle Herald BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER, 28, 1964 TWELVE PAGES Published Dally Except Sunday SINGLE COPY FIVE 542 Are Convicted For Tax Violations Cases Closed During 1954 Up Over Last Year WASHINGTON (AP) The Justice Department's Tax Division reported today that 542 persons were successfullj prosecuted for criminal violations of the federal tax law in 1954. These convictions and guilty pleas stemmed from investigations initiated by both the present and previous administrations brought into court during the year Censure Decision Ranked High By Sen. Fulbright Senate's Action Called Year's Top Accomplishment WASHINGTON W) Sen. Fulbright (D-Ark) ranks the condemnation of Sen.

McCarthy (R-Wis) as the Senate's "greatest single accomplishment during 1954." "That action had the effect of restoring the confidence of our people- in themselves and in our democratic institutions," he said in an interview today. one of the leaders the move to censure the Wiscon-, sin senator, said a general feeling of confusion and fear had arisen in the country but was dispelled by the Senate's action. "Why," he said, "it had gotten to the point where people were suspicious of their schools, mistrusted religious leaders and had no confidence in government officials. Those are the very foundations of our democracy." Fulbright said a school superintendent recently admitted to him that, because of the general atmospheres-teachers of his staff were not allowed to discuss Communism. Fear Expressed "Once in a while an American Legion official would be invited to discuss the evils of Communism," Fulbright said, "but the teachers themselves did not give any instruction on what Communism is, how ft operates and the evils It producers.

They were afraid to lest they find themselves accused of teaching Communism and being called before an investigating; committee." He said he had also talked with religious leaders and found them fearful and confused. "When I realized what was happening." he said, "I determined to go through with this censure thing." Fulbright said he realized he was fortunate because "the people of Arkansas were back of me and the press of my state gave me at least an even my side of the matter." "I knew that my constituents wouldn't accuse me of being a Communist." he said. Fulbright said he feels fear and mistrust have weakened the country's position in foreign affairs. For instance, he said, govern- 1 nient officials in Asia were afraid school nge, but can't, go because of a A report to Atty. Gen.

Browne said that during 1954 the divisio brought to a close more than 4.15 civil and criminal tax cases, abou 25 per cent more than In any pre vious year, and received mor than 4,300 cases, about the sam as the previous high in 1953. 123 Convicted Asst. Atty. Gen. H.

Brian Hoi land, who heads the Tax Division said that of the successful prosecu tions, 123 persons were convictec after trial and 419 others pleaded guilty. He said this compared wit) 70 convicted and 423 pleading guilty in 1953 and 53 convicted anc 324 pleading guilty in 1952. About 7,150 tax cases of all type; are currently pending in the courts including 960 criminal, 3,665 civt; ind 2,525 tax lien and miscellaneous cases. In a statement reviewing the year, Holland said: "The work of the United States attorneys and their staffs in this and other tax work is most praiseworthy. Costelto in Group "Among those convicted during year were Frank Costello, New York gambler; Joseph D.

Nunan former commissioner of internal revenue; Emmett Warring, Washington, D.C., gambler; Sam 3esir, an associate of Warring; Harry Gross, New York bookmaker; Frank Erickson, New York gambler; Benny Binion, Southwest gambler; Harry J. Klein, Louis- 'ille, banker; Paul Dillon, St. Louis. attorney; J. Richard fes.

New Jersey state senator; Harold Adonis, New Jersey politi- al figure; Alfred C. Marshall, San Francisco bookmaker; Frank L. Sauiter, Oakland, nar- peddler. Fnlsoms Indicted "Among those indicted for vio- ating the tax laws were 'arr, political figure of Duval County, Carroll E. Mealey, ormer deputy commissioner of ln- ernal revenue; Hyman H.

Klein, lew York City whisky dealer; ack Dragna, Los Angeles racke- eer; Evan Dale, convicted south- rn Illinois labor racketeer; Vir- inla Hill Hau-ser, confidante of acketeers; and Cecil and Fred 'olsom, brothers of the governor- lect of Alabama." Widow, Six Children Need Food A widow and her six children living in the Double bridges area are badly in need of help, a neighbor reported to the Courier News today. i The woman lost everything she owned in a fire last spring, since that time her existence has been a bare one, the neighbor reported. AH the children are small, with the exception of one girl who is 15. The' youngest is fwo. Four are ol French Assembly Supports Premier in Opening Ballots Defense Pacts Win; Big Tests to Come PARIS (AP) Premier Pierre Mendes-France appeared Ibday to have won three fourths of his battle for French Assembly approval of West German rearmament.

But the last quarter may be the most difficult of all. PREPARING FOR 1955 TAG SALE U. W. Mulllns, Blytheville state revenue inspector, is shown above checking over the stacks of 1955 automobile tags received by his office In the city hall. Sale of the tags will begin at 8 a.m.

Monday and continue through Jan. 31. (Courier News Photo) 7955 Arkansas License Tags On Sale at City Hall Monday The 1955 automobile license plates will go on sale in the State Revenue Office in the City Hall Monday, according to U. W. Mul- llns, Blytheville state revenue inspector.

Regular sales end Jan. 31. Requirements for obtaining the 1955 car tags will be the same as last year, he said. In order to buy a new state tay each applicant must have the following items when he applies at the revenue office: or "pink" slip. or title number.

personal property tax re- eipt (paid in 1954). assessment slip from county tax assessor. If Uie applicant bus a new ve- liicle which has not previously seen registered he will not have title number or a "pink" slip. Therefore, the conditional stiles contract or invoice on the car must be presented, Mr. Mullins said.

Drivers licenses will also go on sale Monday. To purchase a new one the applicant must present the old drivers license. If he is applying for license for the first time, the applicant must contact the Arkansas State Police for tests or permit. Truck licenses will go on sale July 1. Owners who have purchased new trucks may buy a half-year license In January and then obtained a full year tag In July.

Gene Mabry, slate policeman, cautioned truck drivers that they must buy drivers license In January as they do not run concurrent with the truck tags. Car tags not purchased before Jan. 31, will have a penalty added to the co.st, Mr. Mullins added. The revenue office will be open from 8 a.m.

to 4:30 p.m. and will stay open during the lunch hour in January. Claims 3 Witnesses The Assembly by a 289-251 vote gave preliminary approval las night to a third of the four Paris rent IPS, this one to admit Wes' Germnny into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. France had made the issue question of confidence in his government, hi.s Cnbinet's life on its passage. The Premier still must win from the reluctant lawmakers two more confidence votes on the interlocking accords to free Germany and enlist 500,000 West German troops In Western defense.

Both ballots are scheduled tomorrow. Key Pact at Stake Still at stake Is the key pact setting up seven-nation West European Union with power to control the arms and armaments of member countries. It Is this treaty which actually provides for West German rearmament. The Assembly stunned Mendes-France and alarmed Washington and London last Friday by turning down this accord 280-259 on its first reading. The Premier early today submitted a revised bill calling for its ratification as a confidence question.

The second confidence vote tomorrow will give final ratification to the admission of West Germany into NATO. Last night's vote came on the separate paragraphs of the ratification bill, not the measure as a whole. Its approval tomorrow is considered a certainty. The Assembly's preliminary approval of the NATO agreement cheered U.S. officials.

A statement from the holiday White Mouse in Augusta, said President Eisenhower wr.s "gratified." Several senators in Washington hailed the vote but high administration figures refrained from Joining th until after tomorrow's balloting. New Hurdles The action meant, that after more than a week of debate and parlla- en la ry maneuvering, the Assembly now has given at least tentative approval to three of the four treaties. The deputies lust Friday okayed a French-German accord on the future of the disputed Saar and the pact giving West Germany almost complete sovereignty. The NATO vote came during it 13rhour night session, marked- by involved parliamentary maneuvering as opponents of the pacts threw tiji new hurdles for the government at every step. The Premier's 2H9 supporters fell 25 short of a majority of the (527- -scnt chamber fur under (he 350 he had asked as a clear sign of French del er in (nation to preserve the Atlantic Alliance.

But the number of abstentions allowed" him lo win without gaining a majority of all the deputies. Pierre Mendes-France Mendes-France Voted Man-of-Year in Poll Ily SHEKHY HOtt'EN AP Newsfciiturcs Writer When Pierre Mendcs-France was confirmed June 18, he seemed just another in a long line of rapidly changing French premiers. When he said he Would quit if there was no Indochina peace by July 20, it Was predicted freely that his tenure would be even shorter than some of his predecessors. to show any imagination in recommending ways to deal with the Communist threat. They were fearful, he that they might be accused of being soft on Communism, called a security risk or summoned before a committee to explain.

17 Men Injured In Train Crash lack of food and clothing. She needs clothes, bedclothes, blankets any sort of stove and, worst of all, food. This morning she had a little flour in the pantry, and that was all. Anyone who can help with clothing and feeding may leave articles at, the Courier News office or at Flowers Store in (he Double Bridges area. Lawyer Says Fuller SuspectinMemphis MEMPHIS (AP) A lawyer says he has three witnesses to show Billy Ray Willingham was here at.

the time police say he murdered a miles away. J. S. Gib.son hist night he thinks his "new information" will convince police his 19-year-old client didn't kill'Mrs. Milton Fuller at her home la.st Dec.

12. Mrs. Fuller, 25, was slugged with a heavy piece of wood as she lay bed. She died at a Brinkley hospital without regaining con- pretty housewife in Brinkley, Ark. 70 Stopped in 1.4 Seconds DUNKIRK.

N. Y. men were injured early today when a 65-car Nickel PlrUe freight train smashed into standing six-car wrecking train. Seven of the injured men were hospitalized but reported to be in good condition. The other 10 were treated at the hospital for minor injuries and then released.

The wreck tore up hundreds of j- yards of track and piled up at I discovenng what is safe for this nation's airmen has again least eight cars in a mass of flam-! set a world speed record for travel on land this time 632 m. p. h. Lt. Col.

John Paul Stapp, 44, aero medical scientist, set the mark during an air survival test In a rocket-propelled open sled New Land Speed Mark at 632 mph in Sled LOS ANGELES (AP) A doctor who risks his life ing wreckage. Firemen from Dunkirk and nearby Fredonia were summoned to battle the flames. Inside Today's Courier News Kentucky Clings to No. 1 Spot fn Basketball Poll Scix- as and Trabert Brinff Davis Cup Back to U. S.

Determination Paid Off for Osceola's Donald Watson Sports Pages 8 and 9 McCarthy Fight with Army and Censure by Senate Makes Year's Biggest Headlines: Review of Top Xews Stories of 1954 Commodity and Stock Markets Page 3 Blytheville High School Band Has Another Successful Season Courier News Photo Feature PaRCS 4 and 5 Behind the Camouflage Editorials Page 6 roaring along rails of a 3.500-foot track. There was no windshield to protect him from the terrific rush of wind. He wore a plastic helmet and visor. Eyeballs Uncaged "My eyeballs became uncaged, but there was no Impairment of thinking," he said in a telephone Interview. Although he made his rapid Journey at Holloman Air Development Center, N.M., on Dec.

10, the Air Force didn't disclose details until yesterday. The speed record came only as secondary part of the teat. Stapp's ride was taken to simulate pressure that airmen would encounter out of a supersonic plane flying 1,000 m.p.h. At an al- of 35,000 feet. Asked if he is convinced a pilot can safely ball out at supersonic speeds, tht bespectacled said he wants to make another test before giving an answer.

Results will determine the best type ciousness. To Present "Evidence" "These witnesses will state that Willfngham was in Memphis at 6:30 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 12," said Gib.son, "and that is about the time that the doctors have estimated that Mrs. Fuller was killed." He planned to drvie to Clarendon Willingham Is jailed under a charge of first degree present his "evidence" to Sheriff H.

K. McKenzie. Willingham. 19, of Onkmmi, picked up as a vagrant in the i police dragnet set up after Mrs. Fuller's death.

Police said he admitted slugging her and displayed top last year's all-time record suspicious knowledge of details A 'll Rift packages wore delivered generally known. "Weak, Illiterate" nterview home and the parcels could not be left with neighbors. During the rush period no log jam occurred because patrons took advantage of slack hours for mailing, he said, and stamps were avail- Sigh of Relief From PO Here It Handled 500,000 Pieces of Mail In Christmas Rush Christmas mail handled by the Blytheville past office over the holiday period reached the highest mark of nnv in remit years, according to Ross S. Stevens, postmaster. Total amount of mail handled, both incoming and outgoing, reached half-million pieces, it was reported.

"I wish to.thank all of our patrons for cooperating with us In the early mailanK of their cards and parcels," Mrs. Stevens "It enabled the postal employees to handle a very large volume of mall more smoothly and with lens effort than any past years." The peak day saw 00.000 pieces of first class mull being sent out througn the post office. For UK- holiday period gross stamp were $1,500 which is estimated to of ejection apparatus for high- speed airplanes. On the Dec. 10 run collected two black eyes and was blinded minutes but reported no other ill effects except for some small blood blisters from dust particles in the air.

Stopped by Water During the five seconds of acceleration, he was subjected to about nine Gs, or nine times the pressure of gravity. It blacked out his eyesight for about two seconds. From speed to a complete stop took 1.4 seconds, subjecting the rider to an average pressure 27 times the force of gravity for more than a second. "I saw bright yellow and then vivid red," he said. "The pain was intense.

So Intense that- I recall very little of the pressure in stopping." Waler brakes stopped the sled 32 feet from the end of the rails. I I it was reported, with the exception of two. The receivers were not at But Willingham, in an with Associated Press Reporter Ray Stephens, later denied the slugging. He said he agreed to the statement because officers slapped him around. Then Sheriff McKenzic said Willingham had retracted his denial and signed a new statement admitting guilt.

A.sked why Willingham should admit the slaying, Gibson his client is "a very weak, illiterate, good-natured boy who would confess to anything he was accused of after 30 minutes of questioning" Willingham's arrest and what police called "confession" was a surprise break In the baffling case. Octopus Got Lost able at the parcel post windows. Extra employees at the office were chosen from veterans. Trucks loaned b.v the National Guard helped speed delivery. He missed his peace deadline by a few hours, but no one seemerl to mind.

He went on to negotiate an ngrecment for rearmament of Germany, including a touchy plan to compromise on control of the Saar. He worked to make peace In the riotous French-con trolled areas North Africa and recently proposcc that wine-drinking France turn to milk But as the year drew to a close, he WHS still beating off all to unseat him. Although inside France out were willing to bet heavily on ils continued success In solving his country's puzxling problems, his accomplishments (a months eiirn- him the vote as Man of tlif Year in a poll of editors of Associated Press member newspapers ami radio stations. He won over sucl domestic figures as President Eisenhower and Sen. Joseph H.

McCarthy, in vote which annually designed to determine which Individual has had the greatest Impact on world affairs timt year. Elsenhower won the title In 1953 find 1952. Other In tfn? piixl decade have Included Gen. Doug- Ins MoeArthur, President firry Truman, Gen, George C. Judge Harold Medina and John Lewis.

John Fn.stur DuMes, S. secretary of was voted iniiii of tin- year In foreign affairs for the sec nnd consecutive year. He also gained Uie vote of the editors In 1051 when he was working with tin: Democrats In foreign negotiations. It wns a strenuous job. Dulles loufiht the cold win- iill yciir- often in the air.

He commuted buck find forth it cross UK; Atlantic, to South America, t.o Miinlln, to Formosa in a series ot tionfi. included were Berlin four-power conference; the Geneva that settled the Imlndilna War, at least for a time; the; treaty to ami Germany, and the Asian treaty, He also involved in negotiations on (he settlement of Ui'j Trieste dispute', the civil war in Guatemala and took part Uir agonizing reappraisal" of the military situation, Son of a Dulles has close connection with Protestant affairs all his life. For the man of the year in religion, the editors picked Blllj Graham, the evangelist who hus MENOFTHEYEAR IK It I) KS- FRANCK, man of the year. JOHN FOSTER DULLES, foreign affairs. HILLV GRAHAM, religion.

KOIIEKT YOUNG, husi- nu.HH. WALTER REUTIIEH, Itor. UK. JONAS M. SALK.

science. ST HEMINGWAY, literature. It A I 1' sporlH. (ilL()lt(ili; GOHKL, rnti-r- (alnment. Two-Inch Rain To Aid in '55 it'll Help Restore Ground Moisture Hurt By Previous Droughts Two days of rain was soen hrn a "step In the dlrortion" far n.s next ynir's crops are con co-nod.

Up until 7 o'clock this morninR ,70 inchf-s hud bcm recorded b.v uflkial weal her observer R. HUiylnek. County Arci'Mt Kdlh Hilbrey sai( the rainfall, third appreciable precipitation of this month, was jus another step in restoring Kroum moisture, which hus been plfjtccj by three years of drought He reported one farmer who. lasi wock, while excavating for a reported soil moisture to a depth of only about niches, Below lie said Kro powder dry. A very county small will he bcnt-fitted by the show- TS, too, Mr.

Bflbrey stated. Rartay HII Increase While wheat, acreage was cut bj electrified both America and Eur-, controls record size barley acre- ope with his powerful sermons. "America today Is marked for doom unless the people come to made up for many of the acre: lost to wheat. Small grains us a whole, hn.ven'1 Christ," he tells his audiences. His done too well up to now, he report- most spectacular program this year ed cited luck of moisture as was 12 weeks of successful revival! a prime reason.

This should help meetings in England. He went on to visit other European countries Including Sweden, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. Some of the British were openly lot, the County Agent, said. Today's rain will put the Decem her precipitation total over the five-Inch mark for the month. This compares with a total rainfall of Sec MENDES-KHANCE on Paipc 3' 3.68 for last December.

ReligiousRightsTreatyAwaitsOkay WASHINGTON (fft The Air Force says a formal agreement detailing the religious rights of Americans stationed In Spain must get Pentagon approval before it is This wa.s announced last night after Washington was advised that GRAFTON Va Four I th6 military mission in Spain boys found a -strange-looking ls "working toward an under- turc three feet In diameter wig- standing with the Spanish govern In a creek here yesterday. They took it to the county jail, where a crowd of sightseers gathered after officers Identified it as an octopus. There was no explanation how it got In the creek. ment which will assure all of our people here, the traditional American right to worship according to the dictates of their conscience." Air Force headquarters said It was awaiting receipt irom Madrid of unsigned drafts of military agreements beinK negotiated prior to the setting up of military aid and American bases In Spain. Maj.

Gen. Charles I. Carpenter, chief of Air Force chaplains and a Methodist, was -said in published reports to have approved a religious marriage agreement for Americans In Spain. In response to Inquiries, Carpenter said he would have no comment until he had seen the final draft of the proposed agreement. Preliminary negotiations on the religious agreement were handled by Lt.

Col. Raymond M. Stadia, a Roman Catholic chaplain. Maj. Gen.

August W. Klssner, chief of the U.S. military mission in Spain, reported the agreement would give American military chaplains full responsibility for the religious needs of servicemen and their dependents. He made no reference to the regulation of marriages between Catholics and non- Catholics. Informed sources said that in such cases Catholic rites would be used and the non-Catholic partner would have to agree that any children would be baptized anu reared as catholics.

Ike, Staff Cautious, Watchful Await Vote On Big German Arms WASHINGTON Eisenhower and other top administration officials cautiously withheld today any vigorous applause for France's preliminary move toward accepting Western Germany as a full partner in the West's defenses against communism. While several senators enthusi- fuslfcnlly hnilcd lust night's favorable French Assembly vote, Elsen- hower and Secretary of State Dulles awaited new balloting expected tomorrow before joining publicly In the rejoicing. Some high officials felt that even If Premier Pierre Mendes-France finally persuaded French legislators to approve German rearmament, his government faced an unpredictable future which might cause a new crisis. In Close Touch Elsenhower, who had expressed concern over the French Assembly's earlier defeat of the German rearmament proposals, was reported keeping In close touch with Dulles. ThroiiRh his press secretary fit Augusta, holiday head- his quarters, the President said only that he was "gratified at the turn the proceedings have taken." He referred to the 28D-251 vote by which the National Assembly Inst night approved entry of West Germany Into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Dulles canceled his usual Tuesday news conference, obviously becaiiuc he wanted to avoid discussing publicly the German re- urmamont outlook until the French have made a firm decision. But a number of congressmen fore-saw last night's vote as clearly pointing to formal French approval of Germany's partnership with the West. Sen. Monroney (D-Okla) said the first vote "murks the high water point of Russian influence in Western Europe," and he added: "The grave danger will be in Asia but that is not comparable to the grand prlxe of world domination that the fall of Europe would represent." Caution Urfjcd Sen. Kefauver (D-Tenn) employ- Ing almost the same language in a interview, agreed that the French Assembly decision, if sustained in later votes, means "the high point of Russian influence in Europe will have passed." Within minutes after Inst night's first vote.

Chairman Wiley (R-Wis) of the Senate Foreign Relations committee termed it "welcome news of the greatest historic importance," but cautioned against new Russian efforts to sabotage German rearmament. "The Soviet Union is not going Idly to accept the Assembly's decision," he said. Sen. George (D-Ga), who is in line to replace Wiley in the foreign liitions chairmanship next week, said from his home in Vienna, "The vote is extremely gratify- ig and reassuring and heartening, It indicates that the free world can hold together, mid it certainly strengthens the free world to have Franco come along." Soviet General Dies MOSCOW Soviet armed forces newspaper Red Star today innomiced the death of Lt. Gen.

Feodor Anclreevich Volkov, who icld the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union." Volkov served as assistant army commander during World War II. Weather ARKANSAS Occasional rain his afternoon and east tonight ome freezing rain or snow ex- rcme north tonight; much colder vlth lowest 22-32 tonight; VVednes- lay partly cloudy and cold. Minimum ihls Maximum Sunrise Sunset Mnnn Precipitation Insi 24 hours to 7 a.m. FrcclpUhtlon Jan. 1 to this date 4.12.

This Date Last Year Maximum Minimum this Precipitation January 1 to date 2.50..