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The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 1

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The Courier Newsi
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Blytheville, Arkansas
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1
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

BLYTHEVILLE COURIER NEWS THE DOMINANT NEWSPAPER Of NOttTMXAtT ARJCANCAB AND MISSOURI VOL. BIythevllle Courier Blytheville Daily News Mississippi valley Leader Blytheville Herald BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS, MONDAY DECEMBER 38, 1953 TEN PAGES SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS Army Starts Planning For Korean Cuts Plan Will Take Several Weeks To Complete By ELTON C. FAY WASHINGTON (AP) The Army set out today to carry out President Eisenhower's orders for reducing infantry forces in Korea, a dramatic first example of the "new look" military policy going into effect. A spokesman said the decision on which two of the six army divisions in Korea would be withdrawn initially from the armistice- silenced front was one for the Far East Army Command to decide. Officials of that command said departure of the divisions could not come immediately.

There were indications that a procedure used in at. the close of World War II would be followed in Korea. At that time, men whose overseas duty was nearing an end were transferred into a division earmarked for return and men in that division with short service were assigned to an outfit scheduled to say. That process takes several weeks at a minimum. The high level decision to start cutting Army ground force strength was not reached until about 10 days ago and the detailed instructions began to filter down to the working level of the Army only over the weekend.

No Overall Changes Eisenhower, in the formal statement he issued at Augusta, left out all reference to overall military manpower policy changes. But the action obviously could have eventual influence on the size of the Army. The goal of the Defense Department under Secretary Wilson is to reduce total Army strength from a present level of about IVz million men to 1,165,000 by July 1, 1958. This, Wilson has contended, can be accomplished without impairing the combat effectiveness of the Army, by reducing support and service troops. The return of two divisions from Korea can reduce some of the high maintenance 'required lor troops on foreign station.

Despite the expressed alarm of South Korean officials over the proposed U. S. ground force reduc- Hospital Opening Likely in 40 Days Blytheville's Mississippi County hospital unit is expected to open its doors for patients within the next 40 days. That was the estimate cautiously given by County Judge Phil Deer today. tion.

it was obvious that Eisenhower felt the political impact of troop withdrawal from that area would be less serious than to cut forces in Europe. There the United States is committed to maintaining current strength so as to encourage the buildup of forces by the Western European nations. New Techniques Cited Although Eisenhower's statement said nothing about the manpower reduction portion of his program, See ARMY on Page 5 Dr. Carl Harwell Of Osceola Dies Rites Conducted This Afternoon for Veteran Physician OSCEOLA Services were conducted this afternoon for Dr. Carl Mallory Harwell, of Osceola, at the Methodist Church by the Rev.

Garland Taylor. Burial was in Violet Cemetery With Swift Funeral Home in charge. Dr. Harwell died Saturday night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Phillip P.

Burks, of Bedford, where he was spending the Christmas holidays. A practicing physician in Osceola for 40 years. Dr. Harwell was born in Dyer County, and was the first president of the Osceola Rota- Demo, GOP Leaders Confer Senate Party Heads Discuss 1954 Session WASHINGTON (AP) The Republican and Democratic party leaders of the Senate ar rive in Washington today for conferences that may largely decide whether controversy cooperation predominates in the 1954 congressional session Aides said Senate Majority Lead er Knowland (R-Calif) and Sen, Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, the Democratic leader, will hold con ferences in advance of the congressional meeting date, Jan.6 It is an election year session.

Voting in November on all 435 House seats and 35 of the 6 sen- atorships will determine party control of Congress. Tension therefore is bound to be greater than in 1953, when Knowland and Johnson worked harmoniously on most legislation. Lines Drawn Public statements during the weekend by three Democratic senators marked out some of the lines along which Democrats, almost as numerous in Congress as Republi- --B-SBrti a the legislative machinery, are actually ahead in to 47 Republicans and one independent. In the House the Republicans have found in Walker Park Saturday by two Blytheville youths. The playful 'coon, quite tame, is shown with the boys who found it, Warren Davidson, (right) and Norman Shields.

The boys plan to keep it until the owner is heard from. It will be kept at Davidson's residence at 2120 Kenwood Drive. (Courier News Photo) tank and filter systems, which have held up opening of the hospital. are contingent on delivery of materials. By the same token, he said, the hospital may ready to open 8 Missco Men To Attend Cotton Meet Eight Mississippi County cotton men will attend an Industry Conference to held by the Arkansas- Missouri Cotton Dinners Association in Little Rock Jan.

4-5. They are J. E. Teaford of Luxora, president of the ginners association: W. Kemper Bruton of Blytheville, executive vice president; R.

D. Hughes, secretary; C. C. Langston, of Number E. M.

Regenold and Pred Fleeman of Blytheville, Charles Rose of Roseland and Tal Tongate of Osceola. The conference is being called Dy the ginners association in an effort to better coordination of various segments of the cotton industry, according to Mr. Teaford. Mr. Teaford pointed out that increasing competition from other fibers and from foreign-grown cottons placed a heavy obligation on the American cotton industry for improved methods of producing, processing, handling, and marketing.

The conference is the first attempt of its kind to bring together cotton industry leaders in Arkansas and Missouri to plan cooperative programs designed to further such improvements in these states, Mr. Teaford added. Representatives of gin manufacturers, farm organizations, labor groups, power and fuel companies, warehousing and cottonseed crushing associations, merchandising associations, fire prevention bureaus, safety councils, and public relations groups will attend the conference, he said. The conference sessions ry Club and a member of the Board of Stewards of the Meth odist Church. He was 74.

He is survived by his wife; son. Dr. Carl M. Harwell, of Memphis; a daughter, Mrs. Phillip Burks of Bedford.

three brothers. Aubrey Harwell of Parkin, Dr. Wilbur Harwell of ShreVeport, and L. B. Harwell of and a sister, Mrs.

of Memphis. TVo of Top AF Generals Visit Base Tmo of the Pentagon't top Air Force generals flew into Blytheville aboard a C-54 yesterday for an hour-long inspection of the base. They were Gen. E. E.

Partridge and Lt Gen. L. B. Washbourne. The latter Is head of air installa- lations.

Their visit was unexpected but Airport Manager W. A. Bickerstaff said they told him they merely wanted to inspect the base first hand. They were primarily interested in condition of runways and utilities, Mr. Bickerstaff said.

They volunteered no information on plans the Blytheville base, Mr. Bickerstaff stated. around Feb. 1. should work progress faster than expected.

The hospital has represented somewhat of a headache to Judge Deer and the County Hospital Commission since its completion. Arkansas' Health Department said the hospital would not be permitted to open using a septic tank for its sewage disposal unit. But the Health Department reversed itself several.months ago and okayed the septic tank-filter system set up. Judge Deer sewage is supposed to odorless, clem- liquid '-'l-fft into a ditch some west of the hospital. POW Issue Turned To UN, Reds By.

WILLIAM C. BARNARD PANMONJOM three-member majority of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission today turned back to the U. N. and Communist commands the question of what to do with more than 22.000 war prisoners who have refused to home. An Indian command said "We do not appear to have any legal right to hold them (the Drisoners)." The majority report was signed by the Indian chairman and by Czechoslovakia and Poland.

iwltzerland and Sweden filed a minority report saying it was "appropriate" to refer the prisoner problem back to the two commands. But the Swiss and Swedes said they could see no reason for a forma! report at this time. They refused to sign the 44-page majority document which also charged South Korean interference in anti- Communist and criticized the U. N. Command.

Official sources said there was little prospect that the majority report would lead to settlement of the bitter prisoner dispute. The Allies hold hat the armistice provides specifically that unrepa- triated prisoners be as civilians 30 days after the close of See POWs on Pace 5 219 seats, to 215 Democrats and one independent. Sen. Kefauver of Tennessee urged his fellow Democrats to take the helm and push a program aimed at reversing what he called "the trend toward government by monopoly and wealth." Sen. Monroney of Oklahoma, taking strong exception to criticism by Republican Gov.

Thomas E. Dewey of New York of the Truman administration's handling of the Korean War, accused the GOP of "hitting, below the belt at the entire Democratic party." and said Democrats themselves could tackle hard. More Tax Exemption Sought Ber of the 'tax-writing Sennte nance-Committee, came out for an increase in income exemptions. Much of the success or failure of the broad legislative program lhat President Eisenhower haf promised to submit to the second session of the 83rd Congress may depend on personal relationships between Knowland and Johnson. One of the first problems facing Knowland and Johnson will be Senate internal dispute about important committee places for Democrats and Republicans because of the present freak situation with Re- iublicans in control while DemO' crats hold a numerical majority.

The President will spell out to Congress in person details ol his new legislative program Jan. 7. Among the major issues for the new session are the size and scope of defense and foreign aid programs, fnrm price support legislation, taxes, spending and the 275 dollar limit on the national debt. There is material for fights also in proposed statehood for Hawaii, exchange of atomic secrets to carry out Eisenhower's proposal for international pool to foster jeaceful use of nuclear energy, and mendments to existing labor laws. WHERE INDOCHINA REBELS THREATEN Arrow indicates route and objective of the Communist-led Vietminh drive climaxed with the capture of Takhek, on the Mekong border of Indochina and Thailand.

The fall of Thakhek, cutting Indochina in two. put the rebels in position to drive south toward Savannakhet (A), French-held air base, or northwest to Vientiane and Luangprabang (B), capital and important city respectively of the Laotian kingdom. French forces also expected a rebel drive on Dienbienphu (C) in north Viet Nam. (AP Wirepholo Map) Raging Winds Batter Atlantic Rescue Ships NEW YORK (AP) Forty-three persons, to ifeboats when their ship split apart in the stormlashed At- antic, were aboard two rescue vessels today. But raging winds still sea into such fury that, one of he rescue ships was unable to iroceed.

Crewmen of the wrecked Swed- sh freighter Oklahoma, had drifted or hours in lifeboats on the icy. oiling sea before being picked up 'esterday. The freighter, split in two by ledgehammer ocean waves, was elieved to have gone to the bot- om. But the search for the wreck- conUnued. rescue operations- hampered? by a heavy sea, were completed by the U.

S. Military President Begins Drafting Report Aides Called to Help Preparation of Speech On Results of 1st Year will be Hotel. conducted at the Marlon Today's Courier News Chlckawwj Prepare for Defense of NEA Tournament) Crown Doran's Catch Meant S33.M6 fo Champion Detroit and 7, Rise of New MKIde clan In Mark, Beginning of Blood- leM of a Serlei Foal-stalln 3. A-Infarmatlon Flan li femible Compromise Edl- 4... Gouzenko Thinks Hundreds Of Red Agents Operating in US WASHINGTON Igor Qou zenko, whose testimony cracked a Soviet spy ring in Canada, says he thinks there may be hundreds of Red agents operating In the United States.

And he recommended, in a copyrighted interview with the magazine U. S. News and World Report, made public today, that the government "make it worth while for some of them to quit and come out with their documents." That is what Gouzenko himself did in 1945. He was then a code clerk in the Russian Embassy at Ottawa. He smuggled out documents which led to the cracking of an atomic espionage ring.

Since that time, he and his wife and two children have been living quietly In Canada, under assumed names, and with government protection. The Sennte Internal affairs nub- committee is now arranging to Interview Gouzenko In secret, In search for leads in its search for subversion in the U. S. government. asked to estimate how many Soviet agents might be working in the United States now, replied; "I think It might run Into hundreds.

As some indication, they spend several million dollars in telegrams alone." Many of these agents, he said, work through rings, perhaps with embassy contacts, and others are "agents resident who would work independently and have direct contact with Moscow by radio." He advocated a five-point program to u.r a gc defections among Red ngents. It would include '(1) prompt U. S. or Canadian citizenship, (2) lifelong protection, (3) material security, (4) help finding employment, and (5) formal acknowledgment "that his entitled him to nil assistance and help." Joiner Fires Result in $750 Damage JOINER Two fires occurring during the Christmas holidays caused more than $750 to the Fletcher Cotton Office and the home of Roy Elrod. A fire in the cotton office of Don Fletcher, caused by escaping gas Saturday afternoon, destroyed approximately S500 worth of office equipment, according to Mr.

Flet cher. An estimate of the damage caused to the building, owned by the Day Amusement Co, of Blytheville, has not been completed. Also housed in the building but receiving no damage were the Coffee Shop and upstairs apartments. The living room of the Elrod home was damaged to the extent of about 5250 when a fire from the Christmas tree swept over the furniture and gifts. There was some damage to the rest of the house caused by smoke.

The fire started when child threw a lighted sparkler Into the tree. Chief Charles Bradshaw said. In both cases, the fire department was able to confine the damage to the rooms In which the fires started. GOP Meeting Set WASHINGTON Republican National Committee will meet here Feb. 5-6 to plan for the 19S4 congressional campaign ind, perhaps, ta talk about patronage gripes and llntncei.

Sea Transport ship Bluejacket and the Finnish freighter Orion. "Hove To" Both ships then continued toward their European destinations. Bu the Bluejacket went only about 1, miles before huge waves made i pull up to ride out the storm. "Hove to due to mountainous seas and severe storm," the ship messaged the Military Sea Transport Service in New York. The Bluejacket was first on the scene after the Swedish freighter Oklahoma sent out distress signals.

The American vessel took 36 of the survivors aboard and reported all were in good condition. The seven on the Orion could also be assumed to be unhurt, a 'oast Guard spokesman said. The 43 survivors, including one stewardess, were the entire crew of the Oklahoma and the only persons aboard her. The Coast Guard said all are believed to be Europeans. Search Continues A message from the Bluejacket quoted the Oklahoma's skipper, Robert Kutschbach, as saying the essel broke in two about midships.

Efforts to find the ship later were unsuccessful. Kutschbach messaged the ship's general freight agents, Purness-Withy of New York, that It had probably sunk. However, a Coast Guard spokesman said the search would continue today. Kutschbach gave the position of he Oklahoma when she split as about 400 miles off Newfoundland. 5.900-ton vessel was headed rom Sweden to Baltimore with a miscellaneous cargo.

The last survivors were taken from the fourth life boat around 3:45 a.m. Sunday, nearly 12 hours after the Oklahoma radioed it had split. A spokesman for Furness-Withy said the Oklahoma was owned by the Transatlantic Steam Ship Co. Ltd. of Roteborg.

Although no details had been received yet, he said, the ship's crack-up was presumably due to the stormy weath- By MARVIN L. ARROW-SMITH AUGUSTA, Ga. Ifi President Eisenhower called on two speech- writing aides today to help draft a report to the American people on the administration's first year in office. The Jan. 4 address, to be carried nationwide on television and radio, also will outline the general aims of the President's 1954 legislative program with which he will deal in more detail in his Jan.

7 State of the Union message to Congress Eisenhower arranged to confer regarding the TV-radio address with White House aides Kevin McCann. on leave as president of Defiance College, and Charles Moore, another speech-writing adviser. Preliminary Draft McCann and Moore arrived yes- lerday and two more aides were coming by plane from Washington late today. Arthur Burns, chairman of the three-man council of economic advisers, and Dr. Gabriel HauRe, the President's personal adviser on economic affairs, will meet with Eisenhower tomor- morning.

Burns and Hauge were bringing along a preliminary draft of the economic report which will go to a'few days later in the State of the Union message. Eisenhower also is working on that message here. Later In the week Budget Direc- or Joseph M. Dodge will arrive or conferences on the annual budget message, another document See IKE on Page 5 Big 3 Expected To Okay Delay Reply to Russia Being Considered By EDMOND LeBRETON WASHINGTON (AP) The United States, Britain and France are considering their reply to a Soviet proposal for postponement of a Big Four foreign ministers' conference, amid signs they will agree to the delay and keep pressing for the meeting. The State Department indicated this Is the U.

S. attitude, even though it implied the Russians might be maneuvering to lessen the chances of France joining th European Defense Community (EDO. A British Foreign Office spokes man expressed confidence the three Western powers, which had proposed Jan. 4 for a meeting in Berlin, would accept the Russian counter suggestion that it be Jan. 25 or later.

French official sources said only the note Russia sent the three Saturday would have to be studiec carefully. Adenauer Sees Acceptance But in Bonn yesterday Chancellor Konrad Adenauer of West Germany, whose future would be high among the subjects discussed at any Big Four meeting, predicted proposal would be accepted. And the Soviets, in a broadcast yesterday that could be a propaganda prelude to the conference. Luxora Raises $245 for Scouts LUXORA A total of $245.50 was raised here in a campaign for unds for the Eastern Arkansas Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Mayor Moses Sliman, drive chairman announced today. The recently-completed drive was was the first held here to raise noney for Boy Scout work in this blasted away again at the Western )lan for free all-German elections.

Moscow radio, heard in London, red an article from the official jublication Izvestia saying "false alk about 'free elections' is needed the Adenauer clique and its latrons to screen their endeavor get full control of Germany for heir aggressive alms." The Izveslia article repeated the Russian idea of East and West German Parliaments joining in emporary aU-Genrran government to supervise plan vhich the West says offers no uarantee of freedom in the East one and gives, the Communists ndue influence. Problem for France Prance, deeply divided for and against ratification of the EDC reaty which would create a unified Vest European army, faces the ouchy problem of orgvmizing a ew government afler Jan. 17, vhen its new President takes of- ice. Any hope Unit taiks with Rusia might reduce international ten- ion presumably would encourage Drench hesitation on EDC, which Against this background, the Itate Department commented Sat- irday that JL seems "sonewhat curious" that the Soviets now say more time is needed "tor appropriate preparation." It pointed out that the Western invitation to the Soviet Union to join in a meeting has been outstanding since July. The Soviet note referred to the importance of assuring "proper conditions for participation in this conference for all the govern ments." Oppose Site The State Department remarked, "the Soviet Union presumably has solicitude for other participating governments and assumes that it is better qualified than the governments of France, the United Kingdom and the United States to decide what best suits their own interests." Diplomats read in this wording a message to Frenchmen: You See BIG THREE on Page 5 Cotton Exports Said Retarded By Uncertainty Clarification of U.S.

Price and Trade Policies Needed Two Pemiscot Firms Entered Grocery's Stock Almost Cleaned Out CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. Two mrghu'ies which occurred last night were reported to the Pemiscot County office this morning The Tom Lewis grocery nea looter was almost cleaned out stock, according to reports receive! by the sheriff's office. Entrance was gained through window and exit was made through back door. An estimate of stock loss has not been completed A service station at Braggndoc operated by Charles Hamlett wa entered last night and $30 in change was taken along with merchandise consisting of 75 boxes of assorted shotgun shells. The burglars en lered the building through a win dow.

County officers are investigating both burglaries. WASHINGTON of iotton is being retarded by uncertainty regarding U. S. price and trade policies, the Department of Agriculture said yesterday. Cotton is one of this country's mnjor surplus commodities.

The department's Foreign Agricultural Service said an additional 500,000 bales or more could be exported if the S. cotton price outlook were clarified in the near 'uture. Declining cotton has resulted in a surplus, necessitating rigid production controls on the L954 crop. Extent of the outbade lasn't as yet. The possibility that Congress may up the acreage allotment for next yen has tended to cloud future arice prospects.

Minimum Exports Expected The Agriculture Department report said that "In nearly all im- jorting countries, cotton stocks are now below the low levels re- loi'tecl on Aug. 1. There is a strong lotential export demand for United State Cotton in 154, but the actual volume of exports will depend on iow soon uncertainties. re- olved," adding: "Minimum exports of about three nillion bales can be expected for the current year. The department said the fact that prices of most foreign cotton were lower than those for U.

S. cotton contributed to the decrease of cotton exported this year. In a separate report yesterday, the department noted that exports of U. 5. farm products during the July-October period this year were 4 per cent higher in value than for the corresponding period last year.

The shipments were valued at $873,37,000 compared with GGO.OOO last year. Although cotton exports were down for the period, that commodity still was the nation's most important agricultural expor, he de- parmen said. Sales of coon a brad were valued a 3 smillion dollars. Exports of milled rice also were down for the July-October period. Holiday Fatalities Reach 681 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Christmas holiday deaths took total of 48 Hives but dwindled In the final hours of the three-day weekend, to lessen possibilities of new records.

Leading the death parade for the 78-hour weekend beginning Thursday at p. m. and ending Sunday at midnight were 495 traffic fatalities. Another 76 persons died in flrei. Miscellaneous caused 110 deaths.

Finn May Swell Belated reports were expected to the and the traffic estimated by the National within Safety Council remained By early Sunday the traffic toll was moving at a rate of seven deaths an hour and believed the final figure would ceed the three-day record of 545 deaths set in 1950 and possibly that of 1952 when traffic deaths resulted In a four-day period. Survey By A pre-holiday survey by The Associated Press (or a 78-hour period Including weekend listed 310 deaths on the streets and highways 33 by fire and 80 miscellaneous. The toll by states traffic, fire, miscellaneous: Alabama 14 3 Arizona 00; Arkansas ft 2 California 41 4 1.1; Colorado 200; Connecticut Georgia 12 0 Idaho 1 0 Illinois 26 2 Indiana 12 0 Iowa 13 0 Kansas 200; Kentucky 20 7 Loulsana 3 1 Maine 3 00; Maryland 951; Mas- sachussetts 931; Michigan 23 5 Minnesota 6 ft Mississippi 5 5 Missouri 18 0 Montana 2 0 303; Nevada 1 0 New Hampshire 201; New Jersey 21 4 New Mexico 500; New York 34 2 North Carolina 20 2 Ohio 22 3 Oklahoma 811; Oregon 4 I Delaw Pennslyvanla 19 3 Rhode Island 0 1 South Cirolina 421; South Dakota 200; Tennessee 16 4 Texas 21 8 Utah 1 Vermont 4 0 Virginia 400; Washington 5 0 (1; West Virginia 17 Wlscon- 200; It 11; i sin 1 Dlttrict ol Columbia II1 0, U. Pakistan Sign Agreement KARACHI. Pakistan (ft Pakistan and the United States signed an agreement today which will bring this country pto 22 million dollars wcirth of American technical assistance for various new projects.

The technical aid pact has no connection with the proposed military a) dsubject of bitter protests by neighboring India. Weather ARKANSAS Mostly cloudy and turning colder this afternoon, considerable; colder tonight with lowest 22 extreme northwest to 32 extreme southeast. MISSOURI Clear or clearing this afternoon and tonight; colder southeast Tuesday; partly cloudy, windy and warmer but turning colder northwest by evening. Mfl-xinnim Minimum Mnxtmum Minimum this Sunrise Sunset Precipitation last houra ta 7:00 m. Mean temperature (midway and Precipitation Jan, 1 to Thin Date List Yrtr Maximum Minimum Precipitation January 1 43.42..

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About The Courier News Archive

Pages Available:
164,313
Years Available:
1930-1977