The Courier News du lieu suivant : Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 1

VOL. XLIX-NO. 236 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A spokesman said the decision on which two af the six army divisions in Korea would be withdrawn initially from the armisticesilenced front was one for the Far East Army Command to decide.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 Europe at the close of World War I 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 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 statcment he issued at Augusta, left out all reference to 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 milHon men to 1,145,000 by July 1, 1955. This, Wilson hus contended.

can be accomplished without Impalring the combal 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 for troops on foreign station. Despite the expressed alarm of South Korean officials aver the proposed U. S. ground force reduc- tion.

It was obvious that Eisenhower felt the political impact of troop withdrawal from that area would be less serious than to cut torces 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 8 Missco Men To Attend Cotton Meet Eight Mississippi County cotton men will attend an Industry Conference to held by the Missouri Cotton Ginners AssociaLion in Little Rock Jan, 4-5. They arc J. E.

Teaford of Luxora, president of the ginners association: W. Kemper Bruton of Blytheville, executive vice dent: R. D. Hughes, secretary; C. Langston, of Number E.

M. Regenold and Fred Fleeman of Blytheville, Charles Rose of Roseland and Tal Tungate of Osceola. The conference is being called by the ginners association in an etfort to better coordination of various segments of the cotton industry, according to Mr. Tenford. 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, procesaing, handling, and ing. 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 sald. The conference sessions will be conducted at the Marion Hotel.

Inside Today's Courier News Chickasaws Prepare for Defense of NEA Tournament Crown, Doran's Catch Meant $33,400 for Champion Detrait Sports. 6 and 7. Rise of New Midde Class in Russia Marks Beginning of Blondless First of a Series en Post- Russia. page 3. -Information Plan is Sensible Compromine 4...

BLYTHEVILLE COURIER NEWS to to to to ARKANSAS AND SOUTHEAST MONDAY DECEMBER 38, 1953 TEN CHINA Tsungshan DIEN HANOI LUANGPRABANG INDOCHINA VIENTIANE HAINAN Thani Nakhon THAKHEK. Phanomi Huo Phitsanulok A THAILAND LAOS Tourane Ubon 1 Pak so VIET NAM. BANGKOK 1. WHERE INDOCHINA REBELS THREATEN Arrow indicates route and objective of the Communist- led Vietminh drive climaxed with the capture of Takhek, on the Mekong River 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 (R), capitol and imporiant city respectively of the Laotian kingdom. French forces also expected a rebel drive on Dienbienphu (C) In Raging Winds Batter Atlantic Rescue Ships NEW YORK (AP) lifeboats when their ship split lantic, were aboard two rescue But raging winds still whipped the sea into such fury that one of the rescue ships was unable to proceed. Crewmen of the wrecked Swedish freighter Oklahoma, had drifted for hours in lifeboats on the rolling sea before being picked up yesterday. The freighter, split in two by sledgehammer ocenn waves, was believed to have gone lo the bottom. But the search for the wreckcontinued.

dramatic rescue operationshampered: by a heavy sea, were completed by the U. S. Milliary Sen Transport ship Bluejacket and the Finnish freighter Orion. "Hove Ta" Both ships then continued toward their European destinations. Hut the Bluejncket went only about 15 miles before huge waves made it 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 Coast 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 belleved to be Europeans.

Search Continues A message from the Bluejacket quoted the Oklahoma's skipper, Rohert Kutschbach, as saying the vessel broke in two about midships. Efforts to find the ship later were unsuccessful. Kutschbach messaged the ship's general freight agents. Furness-Wilhy af New York, that It had probably sunk. However, Coast Guard spokesman said the search would continue today.

Kulschbach gave the of the Oklahoma when she split as about 400 miles off Newfoundland. The vessel was hended from Sweden to Ballimore with a miscellaneous cargo, The last survivors were taken from the fourth life bont around 3:45 a.m. Sunday, nearly 12 hours after the Oklahoma radioed it had split. A spokesman for Furness-Withy said the Oklahoma owned by the Transatlantic Sicarn 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 weather. Big 3 Expected To Okay Delay Reply to Russia Being Considered 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 PAGES SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS By EDMOND LeBRETON WASHINGTON (AP) The United States, Britain and France are considering their reply to a Soviet proposal for I 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 the European Defense Community (EDC). British Foreign Office spokesman expressed confidence the three Western powers, which had proposed Jan. 4 for a meeling in Berlin, would accept the Russian counter suggestion that it be Jan. 25 or later. French official sources said only that the note Russia sent the three Saturday would have to he studied carefully.

Adenauer Sees Acceptance But in Bonn yesterdny Chancel. lor Konrad Adennuer of West Germany, whose future would be high among the subjects discussed at any Big Four meeting, predicted the proposal would be accepted. And the Soviets, in broadcast yesterday that could be a propaganda prelude to the conference. blasted away again at the Western plan for frce all-German elections. Moscow radio, heard in London.

aired an article from the official pubilcation Izvestia saying "false talk about 'Tree elections' is needed by the Adenauer clique and Its patrons to screen their endeavor to get full control of Germany for their aggressive alms." The article repented the Russian Iden of East and West German Parliaments joining in temporary German government vio supervise elections--a plan which the West says offers 10 guarantee of freedom the In the Communists Enst gives. undue influence. Problem for France France, deeply divided for and against. ralification of the EDC treaty which would create a unified West European army, faces the touchy problem of organizing new government after Jan. 17, when its new President takes office.

Any hope thnt Russia might reduce international tension presumably would encourage French hesilation on EDC, which Against this background, the Stale Deparlment commented Saturday that it seeins "sonewhat curious" that the Soviets now say more lime is needed "for appropriate preparation." It pointed out that the Western invitation lot the Soviet Unton to join in meeting has been outstanding since July. The Soviet note referred to the importance of assuring "proper conditions for participation in this I conference all the govern ments." Oppose Site The State Department remarked, 4 Soviel Union presumably has solicitude for other participating Two Pemiscot Firms Entered Grocery's Stock Almost Cleaned Out CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. Twoburglaries which occurred lust night reported to the Pemiscot County sheriff's office this morning. The Tom Lewis grocery near Cooter Was almost cleaned out ol stock, according to reports received by the sheriff's office. Entrance was gained through a window and exit was made I the back door.

An estimate of the stock loss has not been completed. A service station al Braggadocio operated by Charles Hamlett was entered last night and $30 in change Laken along with merchandise, conalsting of 75 boxes of assorted sholgun shells. The burglars entered the building through A window. County officers arc investigating both burglaries. Holiday Fatalities Reach 681 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Christmas holiday deaths took A total of 68 lives but dwindled in the final hours of the three-day weckend, to lessen possibilities of new records, Leading the death parade for the 78-hour weekend beginning Thursday at 6 p.

m. and ending Sunday at midnight were 495 tralfIc fatalities, Another 76 persons, died in fires. Miscellaneous accidents caused 110 deaths. Figure May Swell Belated reports were expected to I swell the figures and the 5:0 traftic dentha estimated by the NAtional Safety Council remained within Blytheville Courier Blytheville Dally News THE DOMINANT Mississippi Valley Leader Blytheville Herald PET 'COON FOUND A pet raccoon was 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 Hospital Opening Likely in 40 Days That was the estimate Judge Phil Deer today. cautiously given by County Blytheville's Mississippi County hospital unit is expectled to open its doors for patients within the next 40 days. 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 Swill Funeral Home in charge. Dr. Harwell died Saturday night; at the home of his daughter.

Mrs. Phillip P. Burks, af Redford, where he was spending the mas holidays. A practicing physician in Osceola for 40 years. Dr.

Harwell born in Dyer County, and was the first president of the Osceola Rowry Club, and a member of the Board Stewards of the Methodist 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 Memphis; and a sister, Mrs. W.H of Memphis. Two of Top AF Generals Visit Base Tmo of the Pentagon't top Air Force generals flew into Blytheville aboard a C-54 yesterday for all hour-long Inspection of the hase. They were Gen.

E. E. Partridge and Lt. Gen. L.

B. Washbourne. The latter is head of air installalations. 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 121 condition of runway's and utilitics, Mr. Bickerstaff said. They voluntecred no informalion on plans for the Blytheville base, Mr. Bickerstaff stated.

Judge Deer was quick to point out that completion of the septic 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 be ready to open around Feb. 1, should work progress faster lhan 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 seplic tank tor its sewage disposal unit. But the Health Departinent reversed itself several, months ago and okayed the septic. tank-filter system set. up. Judge Deer said the treated sowage is supposed.

to clear liquid into A ditch some northwest of the hospital. POW Issue Turned To UN, Reds By WILLIAM C. BARNARD PANMUNJOM 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! g0 home.

An Indinn command spokesman said "We do not appear to have any legal right to hold them (the prisoners)." The majority report was signed by the Indian chairman and by Czechoslovakia and Poland. Switzerland and Sweden filed minority report saying it was "appropriale" to refer the prisoner problem back to the two commands. But the Swiss and Swedes said they could see nn reason for a formal report at this time. They refused to sign the 44-page majority document which also charged South Korean interference in antiCommunist compounds and crilicized 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 unrepatriated prisoners be freed as civillans 30 days after the close of Sce POWs on Page 5 Gouzenko Thinks Hundreds Of Red Agents Operating in US WASHINGTON (P) Igor 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 wilh the magazine U.

8. 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, be and his Rite and two children have been living quietly in Canada, under assumed names, and with government protection. The Senate internal affairs nubcommittee is now arranging to terview Gouzenko In secret, in NEWSPAPER OF NORTHEAST BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS, Demo, GOP Leaders Confer Senate Party Heads Discuss 1954 Session WASHINGTON (AP) The Republican and Democratic party leaders of the Senate arrive in Washington today for conferences that may largely decide whether controversy or cooperation predominates in the 1954 congressional session. Aides said Senate Majority Leader Knowland (R-Calif) and Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson af Texas, the Democratic lender, will hold conferences In advance of the gressional meeting date.

Jan.6 It is an election year session. Voting in November on all 435 House seals and 35 of the 6 senatorships will determine party con1rol 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 Republicans, intend to press the majority party.

In the Senate the Democrats, although not in control of the legislalive machinery, are tually ahead in numbers-48 to 47 Republicans and one independent. In the House the Republicans have 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. Munroney of Oklahoma, taking strong exceptinn 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 K0 a' mel ber of the tax-writing Senate nance Commiltee, came out for an increase in income tax exemptions. Much of the success or fallure of the broad legislative program that President Eisenhower has promised to submit to the second session of the 83rd Congress may depend on personal relalionships between Knowland and One of the first problems facing Knowland and Johnson will be Senate internal dispute about 1m- portant committee places for Democrats and Republicans because of the present freak situntion with Relublicans in control while Democrats hoid a numerical majority. The President will spell out to Congress in person details of his new legislative program Jan.

7. Among the major issues for the new session are the size and scope of defense and foreign ald programs, tarm price support legislaLion, taxes, spending and the 275 billion dollar limit on the national debt. There is material for fights also in proposed statehood for Hawail, exchange of atomic secrets to carry out Eisenhower's proposal for an international pool ta foster peaceful use of nuclcar energy, and amendments to existing labor laws. Joiner Fires Result in $750 Damage JOINER TWo fires occurring during the Christmas holidays caused more then $750 to the Fletcher Cotton Office and the home of Roy Elrod. A fire in the catton office of Don Fletcher, caused by escaping gas Saturday afternoon.

destroyed approximately $500 worth of nifice cquipment, according to Mr. Fletcher. An climate of the damage caused to the bullding, owned by the Day Amusement Co. of Blytheville, has not been completed. Also housed In the building but receiving no damage were the Colfec Shop and upstairs apartments.

The living room of the Elrod home was damaged to the extent of about $250 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 A child threw a lighted sparkler into the tree, Fire Chief Charles Bradshaw said. In both cases, the fire department was able to confine the damage to the rooms in which the Ares started. GOP Meeting Set WASHINGTON (P)-The Republican National Committee will meet here Feb.

5-6 to plan for the 1954 congressional campaign and, perhaps, to talk about patronage gripes and finances. MISSOURI Forty-three persons, forced to apart in the stormlashed Atvessels today, President Begins Drafting Report Aides Called to Help Preparation of Speech On Results of 1st Year By MARVIN L. ARROWSMITH AUGUSTA, Ga. IA President Eisenhower called on two speechwriting Hides today to help report to the American people on the ndininistration's first yent 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 legisInlive program--a program with which he will deal in more delati in his Jan. 1 State of the Unian message to Congress. Eisenhower arranged to confer regarding the TV-radio nddress with White House aides Kevin McCann. on leave as president of Defiance College, and Charles Moore, another specch-writing adviser. Preliminary Draft McCann and Moore arrived yesterday and two more aides were coming by plane from Washington late today.

Arthur -Burns, chair. man of the three-man council of economic advisers, and Dr. briel Hauge, the President's personal adviser on economic affairs, will meet with Eisenhower tomor. row morning. Burns and Houge were bringing along a preliminary draft of the economic report which will go to Congress a few days later in the State of the Union message.

Eisenhower also 1s working on that message here. Later in the week Budget Director Joseph M. Dodge will arrive for conlerences on the annual budget message, another document See IKE: on l'age 5 Luxora Raises $245 for Scouts LUXORA A total of $245.50 was ralsed here in campaign for funds for the Eastern Arkansas Area Council of the Roy Scouts of America, Mayor Moses Sliman, drive chairman 'ere, announced today. The recently-compleled drive was was the first held here to raise money for Boy Scout work in this ArCA, By early Sunday the traffic toll, Georgia 12 0 Idaho 1 0 Illinois was moving at A rate of seven 26 2 2: Indiana 12 0 Iowa 13 0 deaths an hour and experta be- Kansas 2 0 Kentucky 20 7 lieved the final figure would ex- Louisana 3 1 ceed the three-day record of 545 Maine 3 0 0: Maryland 9 5 1: Ma5deaths set in 1950 and possibly sachusselts 9 3 Michigan 23 5 that of 1952 when 556 traffic deaths Minnesota 0. Mississippi 5 5 resulted In a -day perlod.

Missouri 18 0 Montana 2 0 1: Nebraska 3 0 Nevada 1 0 New Survey Ry States Hampshire 2 0 New Jersey 31 4 A pre-holiday survey 78-hour by The As- 4: New Mexico 5 0 0: New York 34 socialed Press for a period 2 5: North Carolina 20 2 Ohio 22 Including A weekend listed 310 3 6: deaths the and miscellaneous. highways Oklahoma 8 1 Oregon 4 1 1: on streets 33 by fire and 89 Pennslyvania 19 3 Rhode Island The toll by states traffic, fire, mis- 0 1 South Carolina 4 2 1: South collaneous: Dakota 2 0 Tennessee 16 4 2: Alabama 14 3 8: Arizona 6 0 0: Texas 21 8 7: Utah 1 0 0: Vermont Arkansas 6 2 California 41 4 13: 4 0 0: Virginia 4 0 Washington 5 Colarada 2 0 0: Connecticut. 8 1. :0 0: West Virginia 17 1 WisconDelaware 2 0 Florida 12 0 11; sin 12 1 District of Columbia 0 1 0. governments and assumes that it is better qualified than the ernments 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 Refarded By Uncertainty Clarification of U.S.

Price and Trade Policies Needed WASHINGTON -Exporting of totton Is being relarded by certainty regarding U. S. price and trade policies, the Department of Agriculture said yesterday. Cotton is one of this country's major 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 pear future. Declining cotton exports has resulled In a surplus, necessitating rigid production controls on the 1954 crop. Extent of the cutback hnsn't -determined: 28 yet. The possibilily that Congress may up the acreage allotment for next yenr has tended to cloud future price prospects. Minimum Exports Expected The Agriculture Department report said that "In nearly all importing countries, cotton stocks are now below the low levels reported on Aug.

1. There is a strong polential export demand for United State Cotton in 154, but the actual volume of exports will depend on how soon uncertaintics. resolved." adding: "Minimum exports of about three million bales can be expected for the current year. The department said the fact that prices of most foreign cotton were lower than those far U. S.

cotton contribuled the decrease of cotton exported this year. In a separate report yeslerday, I the department noted (hat exports of U. S. farm products during the July- 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 660,000 Inst year.

Although collon exports were down for the period, that commodlity still was the nation's most important agricultural expor, he deparmen sald. Sales of abrad were valued A 3 9million dollars. Exports of milled rice also were down for the July-October period. U.S., Pakistan Sign Agreement KARACHI, Pakistan (P) tan and the United States signed An agreement today which will bring this country pto 22 million dollars worth of American technical assistance for various new projects. The technical Rid pact has no connection with the proposed mliltary al subject of bitter protests by neighboring India.

for leads in its search for subversion in the U. S. government. Gouzenko, 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 Leiegrams 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 encourage defections among Red agents.

It would include '(1) prompt U. 8. or Canadian citizenship, (2) lifelong protection, (3) matertal security, (4) help in finding employment, and (5) mat acknowledgment "that his service entitied him to all assistance and help." I Weather ARKANSAS Mostly cloudy and turning colder this afternoon, considerable: colder tonight with low. est 22 extreme northwest to 32 extreme southeast. MISSOURI Clear or clcaring this afternoon and tonight; colder southeast Tuesday; purlly cloudy, windy and but turning colder northwest by evening.

Maximum Minimum saturday-32. Maximum yesterday-S3, Minimum this morning-38. Sunrise tomorrow Sunset Precipitation last 48 hours 10 7:00 n. m. Mean temperature (midway between high and Precipitation Jan.

10 This Nate Last Year Maximum yesterday-45. Minimum yesterday -29. Precipitation January 00 dale 41.42..