The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 1

BLYTHEVILLE COURIER NEWS THE DOMINANT NEWSPAPER OP NORTHEAST ARKANSAS AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI VOL. 61 Blytheville Courier Blytheville Daily News Mississippi Valley Leader BlythevUle Herald BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1954 TWELVE PAGES Published Daily Except Sunday Cohn Claims Army Tried to Halt Probe Aide Says Stevens, Adams 'Did Best'to Block Red Hunt WASHINGTON (AP) Roy M. Cohn testified today he believes Secretary Stevens and Army Counselor John G. Adams "were doing their best" to stop the McCarthy subcommittee's investigation of Communists in the Army. President Defends His Aides Won't Discuss Army-McCarthy Senate Inquiry WASHINGTON (AP) President Eisenhower said today his administration has an impressive list of accomplishments in fighting communism and subversion.

The President made the statement at his news conference after virtually barring questions on the sharp controversy between mem- aide who war drafted into the Army bers of his administration and Sen. last fall. "Certainly you do not believe Secretary Stevens and Mr. Adams were unwilling to expose Communists," Sen. Dworshak (R-Idaho) demanded.

"Of course not," Cohn said. Then he added he believes both officials "had a mistaken noti'on that the exposure would be a reflection on them." "I don't think it was a question of them wanting Communists in the Army. Of course it wasn't." Dworshak asked whether Cohn believes the Army now would go on and press its own investigations if the McCarthy inquiries ceased. Relaxation Predicted "No," said, "I don't believe that. I believe that the moment this committee stops there will be a relaxation." Cohn, chief counsel to the McCarthy subcommittee, was in the witness chair for the fourth day at the McCarthy-Army hearings.

In the course of cross-examination, Cohn: 1. Denied he or Sen. McCarthy ever exerted any "improper" pressure for preferential treatment of G. David Schine, former McCarthy McCarthy (R-Wis). One newsman, nevertheless asked the President whether he feels that McCarthy is hurting the the McCarthy camp.

2. Expressed belief Stevens and Adams did not act "in good faith" in bringing their charges against administration's "legislative gram. pro- 3. Said he ought to be fired if the Army charges were true, but A look of sharp annoyance came declined to express an opinion over the President's face and after as to whether, if the charges are a pause he turned away from the false, officials who made them questioner and snapped out that should no longer hold their posi- he was ready for the next question, tions. Cohn said that question went In ruling out questions about the to the further of "who told McCarthy administration contro- them to do it." versy the President said that from Cohn Pressed now on he has just one to get his legislative program enacted.

Report Released And, in declaring that the the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of doing a good job in fighting communism and subversion, Eisenhower made public a report from the department listing what he called the accomplishments of the administration during its first 16 months in office. In a prepared statement, Eisenhower said "the constant surveillance of Communists in this country, is a 24-hour seven-days-a-week 52-weeks-a-year job. It is carried out by the appropriate federal agencies in conformance with due process of law. It is being done quietly and relentlessly and those who best know its effectiveness are the Communists themselves." At the outset of the conference, the President said that one word- to get more attention these days than any other. Then he went on to mention the Justice Department report and his statement on it, but he did not read the statement.

He said it amounted to an impressive list of. accomplishments. Reaffirmed Position Then Eisenhower alluded to a statement which Atty. Gen. Brownell issued last Friday and the President said it was put out at i (Eisenhower's) direction.

That amounted to a reaffirma- Army counsel Joseph Welch pressed Cohn hard about Cohn's acknowledged efforts to get a corn- mission for Schine before Schine was drafted. Wasn't he "anxious" to get a commission for Schine? Cohn never agreed with the word "anxious," but said he thought Schine was qualified. Demanding a "yes" or "no" answer, Welch asked: "and you enlisted some pretty high powered people to get one?" Cohn complained he couldn't go along with some of Welch's adjectives. But Welch said the matter of a commission for Schine first came up in McCarthy's office, with a general present, adding: "That's pretty high powered stuff." Cohn said he couldn't answer that, and McCarthy broke in to complain he know what Welch meant by "high powered stuff." But Cohn agreed when Welch suggested that a. senator is "a very important public official" and that a general is an important military official.

Welch wondered whether "an ordinary little guy off a farm in my SUMMER BASEBALL PROGRAM STARTS Blytheville's rapidly growing summer baseball program for boys 8 to 15 got underway yesterday with the Little League opener between the Lions and Rotary. Lions won. (See picture and story of g-ame on Page 8.) (Courier News Photo) Summer of Baseball Starts for 250 Lads One of the major summer occupations of Blytheville lads between the ages of eight and 15 and the i'astest-growing youth recreation program in town got off to a smooth start yesterday in the Little League with promises of a summer filled with the plunk of ball-in-mitt and the click of ball-off- bat for more than 250 youngsters. state of Iowa could manage to have a conference between a sentor, a general and you." Welch is a Boston lawyer but a native of Iowa. Cohn told Welch that if a commission seeker from Iowa contacted Sen.

Hickenlooper (R-Iowa) he felt sure someone in Hickan- tion of the administration position looper's office would see that the with respect to McCarthy. In the Friday statement, Brownell said the executive branch of the government "has the sole and fundamental responsibility under the constitution for the enforcement of our laws and repsidential orders." Brownell added those laws include the ones dealing with national security, and he said further that the responsibility of the executive branch "cannot be usurped by any individual who may seek to set himself above the laws of our land or to override orders of the President of the United States to federal employes of the executive branch of the government." The Brownell statement was prompted by McCarthy's call on government workers to supply him with secret information about subversion regardless whether such action violated a presidential directive. Since application was given prompt attention. "Can't Answer" Sen. Symington (D-Mo), in questioning Cohn, alluded to McCarthy's contention that government employes have a "duty" to give McCarthy information of alleged wrongdoing in the executive branch.

the Brownell statement McCarthy again has called on federal employes to supply him with such data and he said yesterday he would not abide by a secrecy order of anyone. $40 Million in Price Prop Certificates to be Paid WASHINGTON million dollars wojth of price support certificates held by banks who helped finance price support operations on the 1953-cotton crop will be paid off by the Agriculture Department during June. Certificates to be retired this month were issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. A total of $639,000,000 worth of certificates still are outstanding. in the executive branch had charge of a document stamped "top secret" and felt his superiors were not taking proper action, did Cohn think the employe had a right to give it to a committee chairman- Symington asked.

Cohn said the question "raises some very grave issues," and he couldn't answer yes or no. "We would have to go into specifics to see just what you are talking about," Cohn said. If former Rep. Vito Marcantonio (ALP-NY) were chairman of the House Un-American Activities Committee, Symington asked, "would it be all right to give him secret information. "I wouldn't, give him the time of day," Cohn replied.

Marcantonio frequently has been linked with left-wing causes and as a lawyer has defended people in Communist cases. Symington read a part of the congressional reorganization law which states that committee files and records are the "property of Congress" and are to be kept separate from the records of individual lawmayers. Symington also read that all members of a congressional committee are to have access to the committee's files. This apparently touched on a See MCCARTHY-ARMY on Page 12 Sheridan Parents Protest Ruling On Segregation Vote to Ignore Court Decision; Communist Influence Charged SHERIDAN 300 angry patrons of the Sheridan School District voted last night at a mass meeting here to retain segregation in their schools after a speaker hinted that the U.S. Supreme Court is infiltrated with Communists.

J. H. (Pete) Duncan, a candidate or state representative from Grant Bounty, told the meeting, "The tommunists are dictating the policies of the United States." "I am wondering." he said, "if he Supreme Court justices are not 'ommunist infiltrated and if maybe sen. Joseph R. McCarthy should not investigate the Supreme Court." The meeting was called to protest the re-routing of school busses by School Supt.

A. R. McKenzie and the School Board. The patrons complained that they weren't consulted in the changes. But, the session quickly became a protest movement against the Supreme Court's recent decision that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

A motion by Virge Ashcraft that the school district "leave the Negro situation like it has always been until the Supreme Court forces us to do otherwise" was adopted amid applause. Only a few hands showed in dissent. Duncan told his audience that, "I have worked out a plan to keep segregation. I have sent the plan to the Southern governors and only one wrote back that he didn't want it." Duncan, who didn't say how many of the governors approved his plan, added: "The plan would be to put the Negro children" in separate rooms, make them eat at separate tables and use separate toilets." The day following the Supreme Court's decision, officials of the Sheridan schools voted to end segregation in the schools beginning at the next school term. But a quick protest from residents of the town forced the board to reverse its decision.

Last night, the meeting authorized a committee of citizens to circulate petitions asking for the resignation of board members. This youth baseball program, since its beginning with the organization of the Little League under the direction of the Blytheville two'years ago, has now blossomed out into a huge bloom of activity encompassing three different leagues with 16 teams. The entire program has been highly organized and co-ordinated under the supervision of the five- man Blytheville Baseball League Council. The council is the ruling body for all three leagues. J.

S. Manly is chairman and each league has its representative on the council. Doyle Turner represents the PONY League, Jesse Taylor the Little League and Bill Wyatt the Pee Wee League. James Terry is a member of the council representing the boys' work committee of the Y. One of the major factors making possible the mushrooming growth in the program this year was the donation of land by the Federal Compress for use in building baseball diamonds needed by the three leagues.

J. S. Manly, manager of the Federal Compress, which had already given land for the Little League field last year, agreed this year to provide more space without charge at the compress property south of the railroad between Eighth and Ninth Streets. This area, approximately six acres, has now been groomed into four miniature baseball diamonds. The entire park has been named the Federal Compress Field, honoring the firm which provided the French Reported Ready with New Cease-Fire Plan Bidault to Propose Truce with Asian Neutrals in Top Roles By G1LMORE C.

of C. Keeps Present Base-Industry Policy New Plant Bid Forces Decision; USAF Disinterest in City Bared GENEVA French Foreign Minister Georges Bidault. was reported ready to propose to the Indochina peace conference today a plan for Asian neutrals to play the dominant role in supervising an Indochina cease-fire. It was understood to have the support of the United States and Britain. The U.

S. delegation at Geneva has two views on how the cease- fire should be policed: 1. That a country within the Soviet orbit cannot be a neutral, and therefore cannot serve on any supervisory commission. 2. Insofar as possible, the United States would like to see Asian nations policing their own backyard.

Five Considered Indian, Pakistan, Ceylon. In- land. Grown-TJps Interested The program has not been con-' fined to producing wholesome recreational opportunities for many youngsters. It also has fired the enthusiasm of a large number of grown-ups. Approximately 50 adults are connected in some direct capacity with the program.

And the rapid development of the program here appears to be only a reflection of the vast youth baseball movement throughout the nation. The National Little League Association has become the focal point for a tremendous growth in adult- supervised, regulated youth baseball activities. In 1948 there were 94 franchised Little Leagues in the United States. Today there are more than 3,700 leagues with over a million boys participating. Last year 100,000 adults worked in the program over ihe nation and attendance at games in 1953 is estimated at 20 million.

The three leagues in Blytheville are divided into age groups with registration and tryouts for any boy desiring to play held during the spring. Each team in the Little League (ages 9 to 12) and PONY League (ages 13 to 15) has a cer- See BASEBALL on Page 12 One other Arkansas city, Fayetteville, has voluntarily ended segregation, and will integrate its system next fall. So far, there's been no protest from school patrons there. $700,000 for Experiment LITTLE ROCK An additional $100,000 will be spent on the Ford Foundation's experimental program for training teachers in Arkansas during the next school year. Cancer Drive Total Is $1,509 A total of $39.69 from nine Mississippi County Home Demonstration clubs brings the Cancer Fund drive to a total of $1,509.75 to date, still shy of the goal of $2,000, according to fund chairman, Louie Isaacs.

Clubs making the donations were Lone Oak, Dogwood, Boynton, Box Elder, Leachville, $10; Brown, Blackwater, JPairview, 39 1 cents; Number Sixteen, $1.32. donesia and Burma were reported under consideration for the supervising job. The position on other questions before the Geneva conference was described in authoritative quarters as follows: U. S. feels that the Communist and non-Communist points of view on United Nations supervision are irreconciliable and there is no chance for a settlement.

Military talks on Indochina cease-fire assembly zones The U. S. believes the Vietminh will try to draw a line across Indochina, which might result in partition despite the assurances of Molotov that no dismemberment of Indochina is contemplated. Laos and action Is required there except the withdrawal of Communist forces. Political can be no political settlement until tranquility is restored.

Supervision At least 15,000 troops will have to be sent in by the supervising nations to provide the police force. The American delegation, it was learned, completely rejects the Russian proposal Tuesday for a supervisory group made up of India, Pakistan, Poland and Czechoslovakia. Informed sources said if the Western diplomats could agree on a plan for a commission dominated by Asians, they would submit it to the nine-power Indochina parley as a counter to the Russian proposal. Western experts felt there was little chance the Reds would accept such a proposal, but backers of the plan felt i twould have a powerful propaganda impact on the Asians. They considered it would give a telling answer to Red Chinese Premier Foreign Minister Chou En-lai's "Asia for the by putting the Communists in the awkward position of rejecting a body made up largely of Asians.

It was not known whether the Western Powers would be ready to submit the plan at the resumption today, after a one-day recess, of the full secret sessions on Indochina. Also on today's program at the Palace of Nations was the first meeting of high-level military representatives of the French and Vietminh commands in Indochina to After wrestling for an hour and a half with the knotty problem of air base vs. industry, the Chamber of Commerce board of directors yesterday afternoon voted to continue its support of reactivation rather than launch a move to get the base land returned to the city. The stand voted by the board so included a decision to increase efforts in pressing for reactivation of the base. Discussion of the problem indicated that this will include efforts to get flat yes-or-no answer from the Air Force as to its intentions.

Revealed at yesterday's meeting: some information which had never heretofore been made public but which has been the nucleus of numerous rumors here. This included the statement by board members who had talked to Secretary of Defense Wilson last year thai the Air Force "has never wanted Blytheville for a base, doesn't want it now and never will." Blytheville's base is too small, the city is too small and the field is not strategically -located, these directors quoted Air Force officials at the Pentagon as saying. However, the fact that design work is under way and funds have been designated for the base tended to Confuse the picture. Along this line, it was brought out that a Blytheville architect now has plans for some of the base construction in connection with a design contract awarded him and that he has snid bids are scheduled to be taken early in August. A theory advanced during the meeting was that Blytheville may get a "token installation" a small, non-permanent military establishment placed here to satisfy local demand but much smaller than the large base that has been anticipated.

Industry Wants Hangar Yesterday's board meeting was called, C. of C. President W. J. Pollard said, for two reasons: 1) Numerous rumors that the Chamber was attempting to "railroad" a move to block the base by getting the land back.

2) Appearance of an industrial prospect who wants to set up a welding plant in one of the large hangar buildings at the base. This prospect, it was pointed out. has said it needs a building of this size and that there is nothing else available here it can use. The firm would use about 250 men at first and might expand its employment to as much as 500 men, it was announced. Since the firm wanted to get into production as soon as possible, the board was told, an answer was needed as soon as possible as to what the Chamber intended to do about the base.

One board member pointed out that the existence of this definite prospect placed the city in the best bargaining position it has been in to date in the drawn-out base proposition. However, his suggestion that Blytheville attempt to force the Air Force's hand on this basis was modified to a move to unearth the Air Force's intention. Reluctant Support Members of the board said trank- ly they did not like the action taken yesterday. One man termed it "weak, evasive, appeasing" action and others agreed. However, all said their concern for "unity and harmony" among the C.

of C. membership prompted them to support the stand. It was pointed out that the C. of C. membership was divided as to Another Proposal Offered on Sewers Memphian Claims Cost-Savings But Fails to Produce Definite Plan Irby Seay of the Irby Seay Engineering Memphis, offered his company's services to the City Council meeting last night for the construction of a sewer system at what he claimed would be a lower cost than any proposed plan offered thus far, but.

declined to give any information as to how the construction would be carried out. Vietminh Bases Hit By French HANOI. Indochina The French high command announced French Air Force had destroyed a "string of bases" of the Communist-led Vietminh 12 miles eust of Hanoi. A command spokesman said 30 fighters mid 20 bombers blew up huge arms depots nnd rebel caches of ware material in villages they had occupied near the vital highway and railway linking Hanoi with the seaport of Haiphong. The high command spokesman described the situation elsewhere in the Red River Delta as "calm." Five Vietminh were reported killed and 18 captured in mopups.

As Viet Nam celebrated Jts "fete Vietnamese troops paraded through Hanoi. Asked point blank as to what type of "secret weapon" he would use to construct the system at a lower cost without sacrificing: quality, Mr. Seay said that standard engineering methods would be used. Using a figure of $125,000 for the estimated savings in construction work "by using less material to do a better job." he said that he had been looking over the problems of building a sewer system in Blytheville for a couple of years. No reason was given as to why his company had waited until now to present their plan for a sewer.

A detailed survey of the city has not been made by his company, Mr. Seay said, and he is only using information already established about the conditions here. He did state that he would not use the same pressing for reactivation and trying See AIR BASE on Page 12 CMA to Elect New Officers, Board Friday Civic Music Association has scheduled a Friday night meeting for the purpose of electing new officers and board members, out-1 going president Mrs. C. G.

Redman announced today. On hand for the session, which begins at 7:30 in City Hall, will be Ramsi P. Tick, New York representative of Civic Music. The meeting, Mrs. Redman See CONFERENCE on Page 12 pledged, will be limited to one hour.

Huge French Munitions Dump Explodes in Saigon SAIGON. Indochina Huge stores of explosives blew up today In a French munitions dump near Saigon's main residential section. One person was killed and several injured. Authorities feared the explosions might go on for two days. It was not immediately determined whether the explosions resulted from an accident or sabotage, by the Communist-led Viet Minh, many of whom are known to be in Saigon.

The French command put the Saigon garrison on an immediate alert and troops were ordered to return to their billets at once. Exploding mortar and artillery shells sent thick colums of smoks spewing from the depot. Tracer shells lit the predawn sky. Jones to Open Governor's Race LITTLE ROCK Sen. Guy Jones of Comvay, who is opposing Gov.

Francis Cherry's bid for renomination to a second term, said yesterday he will open his gubernatorial campaign Saturday at Jonesboro. Jones said he would speak from the Craighead County court house lawn. Jones had said previously that he would open at Jonesboro, but at the time he was uncertainof the exact date. Oppenheimer Loyal But a Risk, Says Board By WARREN ROGERS JR WASHINGTON ffi The Atomic Energy Commission had before it today Dr. J.

Robert Oppenheimer's plea for quick action on a special board's split recommendation to bar him from the atomic secrets he helped unfold. The three-man security board set up by the commission found, after six weeks of secret hearings and deliberation, that the 50-year- old "Oppy" is a "loyal get back the cleared-for-secrets status he lost last Dec. 23. Contributed to Delay As disclosed yesterday by Oppenheimer's attorneys, the special board ruled 2-1 that the noted physicist and atomic pioneer had contributed to delaying a "con- with Communists for years. In a minority opinion, Dr.

Ward V. Evans, chemistry professor at Loyola University of Chicago, said of Oppenheimer: "He did not hinder development of the H-bomb and there is absolutely nothing in the testimony to show that he did The Oppenheimer attorneys, headed by Lloyd K. Garrison, said in a letter to AEC General Manager K. D. Nichols that allegations by the majority were old hat charges which the commission had thrown out seven years ago.

Review Asked They asked, on Oppenheimer's behalf, that the customary review by the commission's personnel security review board be waived. certed" start on hydrogen bomb i Instead, they asked the commis-. sion itself to take the case "under immediate consideration." They asked permission to file a written brief by Monday and to argue at some later date before the commission, which must make the final decision. Oppenheimer, now director of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, N. was at his home there today, but his secretary, Mrs.

Katherine Russell, said the doctor "would have no further comment at this time." Mrs. Russell said Oppenheimer felt that since he had made public the board's ruling, the next move was up to the AEC. When Oppenheimer was suspended last December, many persons rallied to the side of the thin, chain- smoking scientist, Vice President Nixon called him "a loyal American" who should be kept in government work if not a security risk. Former ABC member Sumner T. Pike said he never doubted Oppenheimers patroit- ism.

Chairman David Hill of the Federation of American Scientists expressed "full confidence" in Oppenheimer's integrity. Was Advisor Until suspended, Oppenheimer was a member of the President's consultant to the AEC and adviser to the Departments of State and Defense and the National Security the board's majority report said he devoted only 2 days to these tasks during ail of 1953. The two members of the security board who voted for suspension were Gordon Gray and Thomas A. See OPPENHEIMER on Page 12 Missouri Gets Storm Warning KANSAS CITY A weather warning saying isolated tornadoes may be expected in eastern Missouri this afternoon was issued today by the regional weather bureau here. The warning specified the area is along and 50 miles on either side of a line from Columbia to 30 miles east of St.

Louis from noon to 4 p. m. who have been hired by the city make on-the-spot surveys at costs of approximately $6,650. Without showing what his plan would be or how it would be carried, out, he said that he would use a central disposal plant and what he called "tried and proved engineering methods." His reason for coming forward to present his proposition, he said, was on the request of his uncle, T. I.

Seay of Blytneville. The City Council decided that Mr. Seay was not placing a definite plan before them, they would consider the proposal and discuss it with him at a later date if he had a concrete plan to lay before them at that time. Okay Appointment The Council approved the appointment of R. C.

Farr as a commissioner of the south improvement district to replace W. C. Higginson, who resigned. They also approved the leasing of the Walker Park swimming pool for a five-year period, with an option by the Fair Association to W. L.

Moxley. First reading of the resolution calling for the closing of North 20th Street north of Main and south of Chickasawba. Action will be taken on the resolution after the next reading. Mayor E. R.

Jackson asked the Street Committee to look into traffic congestion at Ninth and Ash Streets caused from the flow of children to and from the Little League ball park. It was agreed that the committee would report their findings to Police Chief John Foster with instructions to take immediate action. The Council was informed that a property owner had offered street right of way to the city to extend Brawley Street for a distance of about two blocks through to 21st Street for $1,500. The property owner would assume the responsibility of moving the existing houses from the right of way. In the past it has been customary for the property owner to furnish the first coat of gravel on a new street and then the city takes over the maintenance of the street.

Toll Road Studied Blauvelt, a New York City engineering firm, will study feasibility of constructing a toll road from Little Rock to West Memphis, the Arkansas State Highway department said yesterday. The study will cost about $20,000. Inside Today's Courier Hews Lions Club Opens Little League Title Defense with Win Over Rotary Second in Stan Musial Scries Spurts pages 8 and 9. Osceoia News and Features page 7. Hensel and Carr Dismissal Has Public Hanging in Air Editorials page 6.

Gloom of a Funeral Tides United Nations Headquarters 3. Weather cloudiness, local thunderstorms this afternoon and east and south tonight turning cooler tonight and northwest this afternoon; Thursday partly cloudy and cooler. and thunderstorms today, locally severs southeast and east central; cloudy tonight occasional showers Thursday decreasing cloudiness posaibly lifht ahowtn.