The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 1

BLYTHEVILLE COURIER NEWS VOL. 72 Blytheville Courier Blytheville Daily Mississippi Valley Leader Blytheville Herald BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS, TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1954 TEN PAGES Published Dally Except Sunday SINGLB COPY FIVE CENT1 New French Crisis Blow To EDC Pact Treaty Poses Problem for New Premier (AP) France's current political crisis spelled new trouble today for the long delayed European army treaty. The controversial pact in turn posed a major problem for Premier-Designate Pierre Mendes-France or anyone else trying to succeed ousted Premier Joseph Laniel. Laniel and his Cabinet resigned after losing a National Assembly vote of confidence on Indochina Saturday. Mendes-Prance, whose criticism of government policy in ndochina was a major factor in Laniel's fall, accepted the mandate to form a cabinet yesterday.

He is slated to seek confirmation before the Assembly tomorrow or Thursday. His chances were considered slight. A big factor is the bad split in the Chamber over the scheduling of debate on ratification of the En- ropean Defense Community (EDO pact, which has been languishing in committee for more than two years. Any successor to Laniel needs the support of both the Catholic Popular Republican Movement (MRP) and the Union for Republican and Social Action (URAS), the latter made up of followers of Gen. De Gaulle.

The MRP wants the army treaty debated as quickly as possible; the Gaullists bitterly opposed to the EDC plan, will fight any attempt to force debate. The new Premier have to conjure up some formula to reconcile these views. Mendes-France's public statements have been more against than for the- European army, a position which will probably cost him support among the MRP bloc. Observers still can speculate whether the Assembly, if it ame to a vote on EDC, would approve the plan to rearm West Germany as part of a six-nation force. All sources agree the outcome would be close.

Advocates of EDC believed a few weeks ago they could line up a majority of 20 to 30 members. This. however, counted on the support of at least 60 of the 105 Socialists in the Assembly. A special Socialist party congress recently endorsed the treaty and threatened party discipline against members opposing the past, but there still is a large group of Socialist diehards willing to defy those orders. U.S.

representatives in Paris are exhibiting new impatience with the French delay on-EDC, which has been ratified by West Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. Some top Americans say they have strung along with French lagging as long as they can. They say they no longer can plead with the American Congress for leniency. FACES PROBLEM Pierre Mendes-France, who has succeeded Joseph Laniel as premier of France, yesterday accepted a mandate to form a new cabinet and is scheduled to seek confirmation by the National Assembly tomorrow or Thursday. His chances of succeeding in forming a cabinet are considered slim.

(AP Photo) Rev. James Pomeroy First Lutheran Church Ordains, Installs Pastor New pastor of Blytheville's First Lutheran Church is the Rev. James Pomeroy, who was ordained and installed at ceremonies in the church Sunday afternoon. The Rev. Paul Schmidt presided and was assisted by the Rev's.

W. C. Krueger and E. G. Grese, both of Memphis," and Victor H.

Grimm, Waldenburg. Special music for the service was furnished by the choir of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Memphis. On hand for the services were Mr. and Mrs. C.

J. Pomeroy of San Francisco, parents of the Rev. Mr. Pomeroy. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, ne attended school at Spearfish.

S. D. and entered the army in 1943. He entered Concordia Theological Seminary in 1949 and graduated this month. He and Mrs.

Pomeroy, the former Miss Patricia Stoller of Spearfish, are the parents of four children, Betsy, 8, Patsy, 6, Richard, 3, and Janet Lu, 15 months. They are making their home at the Churchill, Eden, Ike To Confer WASHINGTON Minister Churchill and Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden of Britain are coming to Washington? on the weekend of June 25 for talks with President Eisenhower. The President extended the invitation several weeks ago. Presidential Press Secretary James C. Hagerty, telling newsmen about their isit today, said it will be li an informal meeting between the President and his two friends" without any formality.

Hagerty said "many things, a lot of things," will be discussed. The meeting comes at a time when Great Britain and the United States, powerful allies in World War n. no longer see eye to eye on various aspects of foreign policy and the effort to check Communism. On the Indochina crisis, the two governments have been taking different approaches, particularly at the Geneva conference. The United States has stressed the importance of a Far Eastern alliance to see first whether some settlement on Indochina could be negotiated at Geneva.

The Geneva talks, which this country has considered all along as lacking any real promise, apparently neared the point of final collapse today. Only the barest outline of the forthcoming visit was announced. How many days the visiting Britishers will be here Hagerty was not prepared to say. Nor did he say how. Sir Winston and Eden will cross the Atlantic.

The impending visit. Hagerty said, was being announced simul- taneouslv here and in London. 2,000 Patients Fire at Fort Roots Vets Hospital Does 5500,000 Damage NORTH LITTLE Fire that routed more 2,000 patients from their beds in 13 buildings at Fort Roots Veterans Hospital here last. night did an estimated damage of more than 5500,000. Wilbur, assistant manager of the hospital, said it would cost "roughly" to replace the occupational therapy which was destroyed, and would cost about $150,000 to replace the machinery that was lost in the blaze.

The building is a total loss, except for the basement and the foundation, Wilbur said. Apparently there were no injuries. The building was used only during the day for occupational therapy shops, classes and manual training. Firemen fought a winning battle against the possibility of acetylene- oxygen tanks exploding. They soaked the basement floor, where the tanks were stored, and worked to prevent falling wreckage from setting off a blast.

The gas was used in metal working. The fire was first noticed about 9:20 p. m. By the time North Little Rock firemen arrived the blazes were licking skyward about 100 feet, and billowing over the 1,000 I persons who were watching. Four companies from the North Little Rock Fire Department, along I with the fire-fighting team, fought the blaze.

They had it under control about 11:15 p.m. about 2 hours after it broke. Virgil Kuykendall, aide in charge of 120 men in a building across the street from the burning structure, reported that one person suffered a slight heart attack when saw the flames. Eden Again Meets with Molotov 16 Allies Say Added Korean Talks Useless GENEVA (AP) British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden and Russia's V. M.

Molotov met in a hurriedly arranged private session today as the Geneva conference appeared moving rapidly toward a breakdown. The Soviet foreign minister requested the meeting as the 16 tions which fought in Korea on the United Nations side drafted a declaration saying further talks on Korean unification were useless at this time. The 16 planned to present the statement at a session of the 19- nation Korean conference this afternoon. The U.N. allies want to refer the Korean issue back to the international organization.

Authoritative quarters said the U.N. Korean allies agreed unanimously this morning that today's session would be the final one on Korea. In London. Prime Minister Churchill presided over a Cabinet meetir.g to decide British policy in the light of the apparent failure of the East-West talks. Reports from Eden and Field Marshal Sir John Harding, chief of the Imperial General Staff, were laid before the Cabinet.

Harding headed the British delegation in a recent five- power parley in Washington on the question of a defense line in Southeast Asia against further Communist encroachment. Indochina Talks Recessed The Indochina phase of the conference was in recess until tomorrow, when it will take up the Western demands "that Communist-led Vietminh forces get out of Laos and Cambodia. Western sources said Communist reaction to these demands on Laos and Cambodia would determine whether the Indochina talks will continue. British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden made this clear at a secret session yesterday. He told the nine-party meeting- that the-'lndo- china conference had made but one solid achievement in its seven weeks of start of military discussions between representatives of the French Union and the Communist-led Vietminh.

Eden was understood to have added that if the parley fails to make progress tomorrow on the problem of Laos and Cambodia, he was not sure it would be worthwhile to continue debate. He suggested that a wise course might be to suspend discussion until the military commission finishes its work of drawing cease-Mre lines. Eye Long: Internal Informed quarters said the Briton was not thinking of any overnight recess, but of a considerable interval. This was regarded as particularly significant since Eden in the earlier stages of the conference had been the most patient of the Western leaders. The Communists previously have refused to treat Laos and Cambodia separately from Viet Nam.

contending that the fighting in all three states stems from nationalist movements; France and her allies contend that Vietminh forces from Viet Nam invaded the two neighboring kingdoms. Russia's Foreign Minister V. M. Molotov made a slight concession yesterday. He said the neutral nations commission for supervision of an Indochina cease-fire might, under certain conditions, take decisions by a majority vote.

This represented a shift from his previous demands that all decisions must be unanimous, but Western delegates said his proposal was ambiguous and did not affect the basic issues. Molotov still insisted that the commission be made up of Communist Poland and Czechoslovakia, India and Pakistan. The Western Powers planned to take a strong stand tomorrow against any Red demands for discussions between the governments of Laos and Cambodia and the Communist "resistance" regimes there, which the French say exist only on. paper. Carr Decries Army Tactics To Halt Probe Methods Improper' WASHINGTON (APj Francis P.

Carr testified today he thinks Secretary of the Army Stevens and Army Counselor John used ''quite improper" tactics in efforts to block Sen. McCarthy's investigation of Reds in the Army. Carr, LEACHVILLE BEAUTY TITLISTS Patsy Taylor, 17, (above center) was crowned Miss Leachville of 1954 last night at a beauty pageant in Leachviile. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

H. C. Taylor of Leachville and a graduate of the Leachville High School. Her attendants are Betty Swihart (left) daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

J. L. Swihart. and Joan Towell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

L. Towell, all of Leachville. Taking the Junior Miss Leachville title was Donna Sue Keith (below, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.

K. Keith. The Junior Miss maids are Almedia Hudson (left) daughter of A. E. Hudson, and Carol Swihart, daughter of Mr.

and Mrs. J. L. Swihart. Carol Jane Wilson, (picture at right daughter of Mr.

and Mrs. D. G. Wilson, was crowned Little Miss Leachville The review, sponsored by the Leachville Chamber of Commerce, saw 32 girls competing for the three titles. Miss Taylor will enter the Miss Arkansas contest at Searcy and the White River Carnival at Batesville.

(Courier News Photos) Expell McCarthy, Fulbright Urges SEWANEE. Tenn. (AP) Sen. J. William Fulbright said here last night that Sen.

Joseph R. McCarthy should be ex- staff director of the McCarthy Investigations subcommittee, expressed that opinion under questioning by Sen. McClellan (D- Carr declined, however, to ftpprai.se whether the conduct of the Army officials could be described as contrary to "the security of our country." Carr was in the witness chair for the second day at Senate hearings on the row between McCarthy nnd Army officials, ve.sterdav that both pelled from the U. S. Senate.

The Arkansas senator added he hoped the Senate "gets a chance to vote, on that issue this summer." Fulbright made comments to newsmen here after his delivery of the commencement address at the University of the South. Fulbripht told the graduates the United States has lost the respect of its allies because of McCarthyism" and the administration's foreign policy. And, he amplified by saying: "Allowing the junior Senator from Wisconsin to remain unchecked has done more harm to our foreign relations than any other single factor." The Arkansan was the only senator to vote against granting appropriations to the McCarthy Investigating Subcommittee earlier this year but he said he doubted if he would be the only senator to vote against appropriations the next time a vote is held. "I had contact with him on committees before. Therefore I had the opportunity to recognize him a long time ago for what he is.

He should not be in the senate. He should be expelled. And I hope we get a chiince to vote on that issue this summer," Fulbriqht Jn his address yesterday to the 101 graduates, Fulbright said "a bitterness, a suspicion, a kind of primitive ruthle.ssness quite alien to our traditions has taken roots and is spreading 1 "Our department of state, the Protestant churches, the public schools, our own Army all have been charged with the coddling of Communists, with being permeated by disloyal citizens." Fulbright said If people are to govern themselves, they should have the "knowledge and capacity to think clearly, to discriminate between that which Is false and that which is recognize a charlatan and a demagogue when they see one." Fulbright was awarded an honorary doctor of civil laws, with the university citing the former Rhodes scholar and former University of Arkansas president as the "foremost educational-statesman of our time." Escaped Guatemalan Officials Say Most of Army on Verge of Revolt TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Two former Guatemalan defense officials who fled their Communist-tinged land say most of Guatemala's army is on the verge of revolt. Draft Board Sends 14 Men To Little Rock 517 Registered For Red Cross Swimming Gloss A total of 517 youngsters have registered for the Red Cross swimming classes at Moxley Pool, Chickasawba Chapter officials said yesterday. Because of the large number registered, they said, no more can be taken.

They explained that this was for the protection of the children since the class load is now all the instructors can safely supervise. Swimming classes for adults will begin at 6 p.m. June 27, Ten lessons will be given, from 6 until 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Registration is now open at the Red Cross office.

A final registration will be made at the pool when classes begin. Instructors for the adult classes will include Worth Holder, Fred Boyett, and Barbara Carter. Fourteen men left today for pre- induction physical examinations from Mississippi County Draft Board No. 47, according to Rosie M. Saliba, clerk.

The call today was lor 25 men of which 13 reported, six transferred to other boards, six failed to report and one transferred from another board. The next call will be for 20 men on July 1 for physical examinations. Those leaving today were: Willie Cannon, Woodrow Wilson, Charles Mullins, and J. B. Meacham, all of Blytheville; Harlan Dunlap, Gordon Miller and Bobby Curtis, all of Leachville; Scott £u- banks, Vernon Fletcher and Joe R.

Threlkeld, all of tvl-aiiiia: Arthur Mooring of Tyronza; Jeu Wing Fay Hong of Joiner: Howard Covington of Lepanto; and James Petty of Burdette. Those listed as failing to report were: Naif Moore, of Blytheville: Elton Bledsoe of Osceola; Bill Crawford of Chicago, Lee F. Welch of Pine Bluff; Leon Thomas, of St. Louis, and Hubert Tucker of Willow Springs, HI. "All we have to do is put the spark that will blow out all the Reds," former Defense Under Secretary Miguel Angel Mendoza told reporters last night.

"I think there is a greeiL aivision the army and I am sure that when the moment comes most of them will take the course for which we are fighting." Official quarters in Washington received a report last night that Guatemala's army had given Pres- ported growing teasion and many army desertions. There was a recurring rumor that Gen. Carlos Sarti, army chief of staff had disappeared. The U.S. Hig Commission nn- nounced in Germany yesterday that six tons of Swiss antiaircraft ammunition consigned to Guatemala had been held up in Hamburg at the request of American authorities.

Revenue Office Set for Move Blytheville's Internal Revenue Service office will change locations as of July 1. The office, which has been in the Lynch Building, is scheduled to be moved to the Farmers Bank building on that date, it was announced. GENEVA Red China today told the United States that China will consider the "early release" of American military and civilian prisoners who have records of good behavior. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras Eighty army officers have handed a questionnaire to Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz Guzman about Comunist influences in that country, and demanded a satisfactory answer by the end of the week. ident Jacobo Arbenio Gunman an ultimatum to quit sometime today.

The report, which was described as lacking full official confirmation, said Arbenz had agreed to get out provided the army guaranteed not to molest any Guatemalans. Observers generally concede that Arbenz himself is not a Communist. But his regime has had strong backing from the Reds, and in return he has made numerous concessions to them and given them key government posts. Reign of Terror Mendoza and his brother, former air force chief Col. Rodolfo Mendoza, arrived here Sunday.

They told reporters a "reign of terror" gripped their homeland and at least 600 persons were in jail. They said the situation in Guatemala appared to be nearing a Three Verdicts From Circuit Court Juries Action was taken on three cases in the civil division of Circuit Court in Blytheville this week before Judge Charles Light of Paragould recessed court yesterday until Wednesday. The jury awarded damages of 4SO to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil E.

Graves and daughter, Eva Lee. They were seeking S4900 from Mrs. AH. Webb for damages from an automobile accident last December. Tom A.

Little, received $765 damages from Planters Hardware Co. for damapes to a building the company leased from Mr. Little. He asked damages of $1,600 in his complaint! The jury gave a verdict, to the defendant, Jewell Lee, in the case in which Mrs. J.

L- Lewis sought $375 for a real estate commission. 186 Are X-Royed At West Ridge One-hundred, eighty-six persons were recipients of free chest X-rays when the mobile X-ray unit visited climax. They said Guatemalans West Ridge yesterday, county TB were convinced revolution would explode at any moment. Press dispatches from Guatemala have been subject to a strict censorship since Arbenz suspended civil liberties a week ago and charged a plot against the government had been uncovered. Association offices reported today.

Volunteer registars included Mrs. Holland McKinnon, Mrs. Gene Herring. Mrs. R.

E. Tettleton, Mrs. T. A. Morgan, Mrs.

Albert Miller, Mrs. Charles Ellison and Mrs. Mae Hammond. The mobile unit was to be in Os- Travelers arriving in Honduras I croln today and tomorrow, going from the Guatemalan capital re-1 to Luxora on Thursday. 16 Charges In Hoffman Shortages TRENTON, N.

J. OP) Sixteen charges of misconduct, including a false bnnk deposit of $300,000 in state funds, were made today against former Gov. Harold G. Hoffman, who died 11 days ago. Democratic Gov.

Robert B. Meyner announced the charges at a special press conference today on the heels of a disclosure by Hoffmnn's daughter that her father had admitted embezzling $300.000 to finance his political campaigns and to pay off a blackmailing state official. Hoffman, a Republican, who served as governor of New Jersey from 1935 to 1938. was under suspension as director of the state's Division of Employment Security at the time of his death. The division had handled a billion dollars in unemployment, funds since Hoffman took over the post some 15 years ago.

Covers Many Activities The charges covered many of Hoffman's activities as employment security director, Meyner said. Atty, Gen. Grover C. Richmnn told newsmen Hoffman falsely certified to the state treasurer in 1951 and 1952 that $300,000 in state disability fund money was on deposit at, the South Amboy Trust which Hoffman headed. A total of $1,200,000 in slate funds was listed as deposited in the bank in Hoffman's hometown.

Three top division employes were suspended as a result of the probe of the division, the governor announced. A fourth employe resigned. Meyner. Richman and State Commissioner of Banking and Insurance Warren Gaffney said they have not yet determined how the 1949 deposit affects S300.000 Hoffman confessed he embezzled prior to 1938. Richman said the three persons suspended would face public hearing before Meyner or someone designated by him Aug.

16. They were: William Lutz, chief fiscal and personnel officer of the eivision of employment security. Jean A. Chianese, chief accountant of the division. Thomas B.

Faherty. supervisor of purchase and stores. The name of the man who resigned was not disclosed. Richman said he was reported to be ill. Hoffman died of a heart attack in New York June 4 at the age of 58.

His daughter, Mrs. Ada Hoffman Leonard of Madison, disclosed to state officials a letter Hoffman had written her revealing his embezzlements some 20 years ago to pay for his election to Congress in 1927 and for his successful 1934 He testified Stevens and Adams fried to stop investigation and, in doing so, talked of favored treatment for Pvt. G. David Schine. drafted former consultant to the subcommittee.

In response to questions from James D. St. Clair, one of the lawyers representing Stevens and Adams, Carr said today that Adams tried to block hearings on alleged Communist infiltration of secret radar laboratories at Ft. Monmouth, N. even before hearings started.

"No Need" He said Adams told him "there was no need for any hearings." The majority of hearings, subcommittee is aiming for a wind up of the hearings on Friday, but continued feuding between Sen. Mcarthy and Sen. Svmington (D-Mo) could delay- that. McCarthy and Symington have tangled repeatedly during the hearings. Their feud flared anew late- yesterday with McCarthy accusing Symington of a "smear" against his aides and Symington retorting I hat secret information in McCarthy's files has been handled laxly with respect to security regulations Symington put it.

At the start of today's hearings, Chairman Mundt (R-SD) ordered a. Capitol police officer to place more men on duty. He publicly directed police to be "particularly 'to remove from the room promptly anyone applauding or otherwise audibly expressing- his feelings. McCarthy made a brief reference t.o his scrap with Symington soon after the hearing got underway but Symington made no reply. Would Protect Them McCarthy said he felt "very strongly that I must protect these young men who are digging up Communists" from what he called "smear" attacks.

McCarthy asked Carr whether it wasn't true that he had warned Carr when he came to the subcommittee 11 months ago "that you would be smeared completely if you had any success" in rooting out, Communists. Carr said he had received such a warning, agreeing that McCarthy had said this would be one of the "penalties" for working for the subcommittee. Carr, tinder questioning by Mc- Clcllan. said the McCarthy camp's charges that the Army tried to blackmail the subcommittee out of its probe for Reds in the Army would have been filed sooner or later under any circumstances. He agreed with McClellan, however, that release of the Army's charges against McCarthy and his extreme pressure for favors for Schine brought about the "prompt exposure" of the Army officials' actions.

Under questioning by Sen. Jackson (D-Wash), Carr said he and the McCarthy subcommittee staff first went work in a big way on an investigation of alleged sub- See MCCARTHY on Weather See HOFFMAN on Page 14 130.4*. thunderstorms northwest this afternoon and tonight otherwise partly cloudy and warm with scattered showers and thundershowers this afternoon, tonight and Wednesday. cloudiness through Wednesday with showers and scattered thunderstorm! west and north this afternoon and east and south tonight; cooler northwest this afternoon and over north and extreme weat tonight. Minimum this Maximum Sunset Sxmrlse Mean temperature (midway high and Precipitation last I'M a.m.

Precipitation Jan. 1 to M.M. This Date Uit Year Maximum Minimum this II. Precipitation January 1.