Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 21

Two Minute SECOND SECTION WEDNESDAY, Al'dl'ST 7, 1963 Mystery Portrait of Midsummer An Oatfield on a Lazy Day By Donald J. Sobol Expansion At Airport Opposed Sweeney Says Plan Would Leave Space Vacant at Dock A proposed expansion program of $3,567,335 by Trana World Airline at Greater Pittsburgh Airport fared continued nnnnsition vesterriav The Case of the Silver Bullets A "Now this here water hole is called Silver Creek," said the toothless guide, "on account of Big John McCoy being shot through the head with two silver bullets here In '87." Dr. HaledJIan and the other perspiring dudes on the western tour stared dully at a strip of filthy water. "Big John," the guide resumed, "bullied evervbodv in Sagebrush Springs, 'specially 1 ft He'd hang Zeke by the heels from the flagpole or slip kerosene lntuh his whiskey. "A couple times Big John caught a bullet in the dark.

But he always bragged lt'd take a pure silver bullet to finish him. "One day he sees ol' Zeke at the blacksmith getting a pure silver bullet cast. Big John roars. He says fer Zeke to be on Main Street tomorrow come sundown, and Zeke better have six bullets made 'cause he'd miss the first five the way his hand shook. "Well, sir, Zeke gets six cast, only Big John don't ever sashay fer the showdown.

A prospector finds him stretched In this here creek. "Nobody wants tub pay for a funeral. Doc Foss takes the remains behind his barber shop to clean It up some. He ain't outa sight three minutes when he's leggin' fer the sheriff. In Big John's head is two silver bullets.

"The sheriff picks up ol' Zeke, who's lying dead drunk out by the Flemming range. Zeke claims he's innocent, but the silver bullets match the ones in Zeke's gun, only the gun has just four now. "Naturally, with a corpse and a suspect, thar's nothln' fer the sheriff to do but string up Zeke to the nearest tamarisk." "That," broke in Haled jian, "undoubtedly kept clean the sheriff's record for hanging the wrong man!" HOW DID HALKDJIAN KNOW? paau ueqM pajjaui babu. pmoM uou.m 'siajjnq "ahs ajnd miM uuor 8ig joqs 3abu. aiz -jjunap sbm unS ujojj uajojs siennq J8Ais oaj Sujnjiisqns A'q sjz pduiBJj poii ssoj ooci JBlU paanpap UBfpdBj llltllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli Another Architect Takes Rap at Our City Makes Usual Bow to Jail But Doesn't Think Much of Downtown in General Pott Girfll Pholn (t Clurlrt Slurhlfil world away from the rush of city life.

It Is typical of the many studios in contrast Im-Impcii rural and industrial business scone hero. RUSTIC SOLITI DK The farmer who mowed this oatfield for harvest Is at rest. Nothing stirs, save the pillowy clouds above and the cows right. This farm belongs to Donald Is located off Route 8, near Bakerstoun 15 miles north of Pittsburgh, but a shown at Leslie. It about 'Has Face of Russian McClelland Blasts Bipartisan Judicial Deal Before Election Architects, after junketing their way through Pittsburgh, often leave singing hymns of praise for the Allegheny County Jail and deploring everything else.

It has happened again. This time it's the editor from County Aviation Director John B. Sweeney. TWA officials first presented the plan, Involving construction of a new double-deck west wing loading dock, to tha county commissioner! in January. Sweeney said if the TWA plan were approved, it would mean abandonment of the airline's present facilities in the south dock.

Other airlines, according to Sweeney, have shown no interest in occupying the south dock which would leave the airport with vacant space. Kwn Not Xetvfttary Sweeney said the other airlines Indicated construction of the west wing is not necessary at this time. He added hat It would create a corollary I'lumcni in mai woum niveri passenger traffic away from concessions. The director favored expansion of the south dock at a $1,718,310 mst. which would give TWA loading space for four Jet and three piston- operated planes.

A. J. Biough. TWA vice president In charge of property and facilities, said the south dock expansion "wouldn't fit today's need for expanded airline operations." CoiiKtmitlon of the west wing, he pointed nut, would provide the company with spai-e for seven Jets. Piston-operated craft, he added, could use Jet docks when they were vacant.

He explained that Jet planes need 200-foot spaces compared to 100 feet for piston planes. Jets, he added, can't use the smaller spare but piston planes can use the 200 feet needed for Jets. Sweeney's plan, Brough contended, was Impractical and "more suited for moles" because it consisted of a maze of corridors and ramps. Board From Waiting Room The new west dock, he continued, would permit such modern accommodations as loading bridges, permitting passengers to embark directly from the waiting room. Assistant County Solicitor Arthur McLaughlin said the TWA plan is so efficient it would allow passengers to get in and out of the terminal building without passing airport concessions.

McLaughlin observed that concession rentals made up 55 per cent of airport revenue. Commission Chair man William D. McC lelland said the county "will take a good hard look" at the TWA proposal and then reach a decision. Brough was accompanied by John W. Birch, director of TWA properties, and Commo-(lore J.

Keith, Pittsburgh district manager. Downfown Norih Hills By PAT O'NEILL Pott-Gtzett StiS Writer County Commissioner Chairman William D. McClelland yesterday blasted a bipartisan judicial deal as "having the face of a Russian ballot and the aroma of a slag heap." McClelland, running for a second term as county commissioner on the Democratic ticket, referred to a deal between Republican and Democratic leaders whereby seven Common Pleas judgeships here on the November ballot would be uncontested through the trading of endorsements. "I am definitely againt any deal to deny the people of Allegheny County the right to make a free choice of judges Drcxcl Tech Head Retires Dr. James Creese, born In Leetsdale and a graduate of Allegheny High School, is re- tiring after 18 years as piesl- dent of Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia.

During his tenure, Dr. Creese, 67, has supei vised the doubling of the school's enrollment to the present figure of fl.nOO. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Princeton University and ten honorary degrees. Dr. Creese was vice president of Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N.

for 17 years before he was named president at Drexel. In Philadelphia he is a member of the Board of Managers of the Franklin Institute, a trustee of the American-Scandinavian Foundation and the Philadelphia College of Tex tiles and Science. His retirement is effective on Sept. 1. XilllllisCI Kclltlilv Kctlllioil Is The Zahniser family will hold its annual reunion at Brandy Springs Park at Mercer, Mercer County, on Saturday.

The event will mark the 210th anniversary of the arrival in America of Matthias Zahniser, an ancestor. Matthias, a Revolutionary War veteran, moved from Philadelphia to Pcnn Township In 1700 and later moved to Mercer County. i I i Two would go to Common Pleas Court Judges Loran L. Lewis and Walter P. Smart, Democrats, who won both party nominations last spring.

Four would go to Corn- mon Pleas Court Judges Anne X. Alpcrn (Dem.) and Gwilym A. Price, Jr. County Court Judge John P. Hester and attorney Arthur Wessel Jr.

One would go to a Republican, probably attorney Albert A. Fiok. May Name McCarthy Judge Hester resigned from County Court this week. Gov. Scranton is expected to name as successor City Councilman Phnrlne MeT'arthv Dfmo.

crat, who would run with bi partisan backing for a full 10-year term on the court in the fall. MeClellanrt said he had 1 he made it known to leaders of both Darties that he was ou- posed to the deal and that he titmilH n-tnt't "nnhlif hr on would agreement to hand-pick judges." McClelland told a press conference yesterday he had informed Gov. Scranton and other top Republicans in the state of his opposition to a deal. The commissioner also expressed amazement that Republican party leaders would confer a GOP nomination on Judge Alpcrn, who sought and lost that nomination in primary, of May 21. the 1 Dip in Property Value Seen If Store Built Kaufmann's Branch in Mt.

Lebanon ol' Zeke Willis, the town drunk. fense of his city and expresses also a weariness for the obsession of visiting architects with the County Jail. "We have," he writes, "genuflected to the jail so often that our knees are a little stiff, but we yield to no man in our praise of that magnificent heap of granite." Van Trump said Watter-son's description of Downtown architecture as "cheap and mediocre, old and crummy" is "less than just, and it implies an impression based on meager examination." He seems to have a point about the "meager examination." Watterson, in his article, admits his impressions were gained "as I flit about the Downtown area on three to five days of intensive business calls." Tree Peril Cited His Advice Is Don't Go Out on Limb A local tree expert says you can repair some of your own storm damaged trees, provided you don't go out on a limb. "I would advise against working on a large tree and possibly falling off," said assistant city forester Frank J. Grecio.

According to Grecio, the homeowner can handle repairs of broken limbs on small trees and lower limbs on larger trees. All he needs is an ordinary saw and healing compound from the neighborhood garden store. Cut as close to the trunk as possible, said Grecio, but beware. Limb-removing is a technical "branch" of tree surgery. "If there's a branch broken, you have to know how to take it off so it won't fall on you," Grecio said.

He warned homeowners to stay clear of larger tree repairs, such as bracing of split trees or removal of limbs from larger trees. Greclo's arboreal advice: leave those jobs to the tree surgeon. they were arrested and fined $25 each for blocking sidewalk space. Since that time they have been using only 18-inches of sidewalk space under an unwritten agreement among themselves until they could plead their case. The present ordinance does not specify what if any sidewalk space may be used by merchants for sales.

By custom and tradition vendors have been permitted to use the sidewalk without interference by police except on complaints of blocking pedestrian traffic. i 9 Would Hurt Township, Appraiser Says Opponents of a proposed $4 V2 million Kallmann's branch in Mt. Lebanon continued their arguments last night that construction of the store would lower residential property values in the township. Patrick McGrath of 1019 Firwood Drive, of the Journal of the American Institute of Architects, Joseph Watterson, who expresses his dismay in a recent issue of the nationally circulated magazine. Borne of His Barbs After paying architectural tribute to the jail, Watterson looks around regretfully.

Here are some of his barbs: "Mellon Square, splendid effort as it was, is like a Japanese pebble garden at the bottom of a well." "As for the Golden Triangle itself a fine conception, a noble clearance project, but 6uch mediocre architecture." "Poor old Fort Pitt, the nucleus and raison d'etre of the Golden Triangle. It is now a tiny and forlorn little triangular plot of ground, sunk down and surrounded by looping expressways and bridge approaches truly a pit." Praises IBM Building "It would appear that the tip of this triangle was designed entirely by the highway men, with no regard for the very historic site the city was trying to restore." "The new IBM Building is the only fine and daring piece of new architecture I saw in the Downtown. Everything else is either cheap and mediocre or old and crummy." "Although Pittsburgh's surrounded by bridges, one is seldom ever aware of the rivers except when scurrying across one and except from an upper window in one of fho f2sit-wnv Ponlor KnilH. ings. From there, the view is stunning a stunning display of wasted opportunity." Watterson did not go as far as the late Frank Lloyd Wright, who maligned Pittsburgh by observing: "In all probability, Pittsburgh will have to' be abandoned some day, a rusty ruin to tumble into the river, keeping the river waters still stained with oxide of iron for another half century, meanwhile serving at least to mark the spot where a once great phase of human endeavor, centralization, ended." Charette In Defense In the July edition of Charette, the magazine of the Pittsburgh architectural fraternity, its editor, James D.

Van Trump, comes to the de Ballot He Says at the November election," McClelland said. Says He Can't Stop It "I am not and will not be a party to such a deal. It would only degrade the judiciary; it has the face of a Russian ballot and the aroma of a slag heap." At the same time McClelland said: "I don't see where I can do anything to stop it (the deal)." The deal attacked by McClel land would fill the seven judge ships three of which were created by state law only last week as follows: property values all over the township, he said. Broker Sees Dip A real estate broker, James W. Stevenson who is also president of a company which owns land near the Kaufmann's site, estimated that construction of the proposed branch would cause a 10 to 20 per cent drop in home owners' property values.

The Board of Adjustment will continue its hearing on the appeal at 7:30 p. m. tomorrow when Kaufmann's spokesmen will present their arguments. Hill District Man Mugged An elderly Hill District man was knocked down while walking in the 1500 block of Center Avenue early yesterday by an assailant who stole $33 and his watch, police reported. The i victim, James H.

Lamb, 71, of 533 Junilla was treated at Mercy Hospital for a face cut and rib injuries. outspoken critic of the coroner's office. Wecht and Stalter have charged the coroner's office is outdated, lacks adequate laboratory facilities, and is costing taxpayers more than it's worth. The Citizens Committee, Dr. Stalter said, will be made up of leaders in business, industry, education and religion.

Dr. Stalter said he will urge Coroner Dobbs to help choose the citizens' committee so it will be truly impartial. "The members of this committee," according to Dr. Stalter, "would be selected only after preliminary exploration had shown them to be acceptable to both parties." He added: "Mr. Dobbs should know that if he does not choose to participate in the selection of the members of this citizens' committee, we will feel free to proceed unilaterally In this process." Some Storm Loss Blamed On Tornado Reports Convince Rockwood Twister Visited Saturday By HENRY W.

PIERCE Poit-CMtte SUM Wrltfr Weatherman Henry Rock-wood said yesterday he is becoming "more and more convinced" at least some of the damage in Saturday night's storm was caused by a tornado perhaps more than one. Rockwood based this on eyewitness accounts of the storm, which did $14 million worth of damage in Allegheny County and lashed through Glassport, Carnegie and Northside areas. Canoe Through Window Here are reports Rockwood had received by late yesterday: A canoe which had been resting in the owner's back yard in Robinson Township, was blown through his front window, suggesting a circular wind of the kind found in tornadoes. An employe of Allegheny Air Lines, who has flown ex- tensively in Texas and seen tornadoes and tornado damage, reported trees in Sewick-ley had been blown down In opposite directions again suggesting a twisting wind. Seats in Carnegie High School stadium were reported twisted by the wind.

Photographs by t-Gazette cameramen showed beams and planks from a building at Raskin's Lumber and Supply Co. on 2nd Carnegie, had blown in a direction opposite to that in which a tree was lying on 8th less than a quarter of a mile away. Two different motorists on Route 51 near the Southland Shopping Center, Pleasant Hills, reported a "freight-train" roar characteristic of tornadoes. Not Conclusive Rockwood said he still does not consider the evidence conclusive. He noted that hurricane-force winds could account for much of the damage.

He added, however: "I am more and more Inclined to think a tornado or two did at least some of the damage." Although hurricane winds can be highly destructive, records show tornado winds are many times more powerful. Weather men call a wind a "hurricane" if it is blowing faster than 75 miles an hour. Saturday's winds were measured at 85 m.p.h. at the airport. Tropical hurricanes and those that sweep up our Atlantic Coast attain speeds of 120 to 150 m.p.h.

The strongest hurricane ever recorded was measured at 212 m.p.h. on top of Mt. Washington, New Hampshire. But tornadoes beat even this. Weather observers who have flown over tornadoes and dropped wind instruments into the funnel-shaped clouds have recorded wind speeds of 400 to 500 miles an hour.

Mercury Capsule Model to Ke Shown The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will exhibit a full-scale model of the Mercury capsule Sept. 2 through 30 at the United Steelworkers Hall, 501 Franklin Allquippa. The free exhibit will be open from 1 to 9 p. Sundays and from a. to 9 p.

weekdays. Mt. Lebanon, a real estate ap praiser, told the township Board of Adjustment that the proposed branch "would take the teeth out of the strict zoning that makes Mt. Lebanon one of the finest communities in the Rezoned in 1961 The site for the proposed store, at Washington and Gil-keson Roads, was rezoned by the Mt. Lebanon Board of Commissioners in 1961.

A group of property owners has appealed to the Board of Adjustment for a reversal of the zoning change. McGrath said he felt that lights, noise and extra traffic at the store would lead to deterioration of the property values of nearby homes. Also, he contended, the Increased volume of traffic to the Kaufmann's branch would encourage merchants to build otiier businesses on the roads leading to the Kaufmann's store. These smaller businesses would weaken residential Coroner to Be Asked To Aid Study of Office Medical Group Wants Him on Committee To Find If System Should Be Changed Reprieve Given Produce Vendors in Downtown Council Takes No Action on Street Sales But Sets Hearing for Sept. 16 Coroner Joseph B.

Dobbs will be asked formally today to help choose a committee that would judge his own office. Dr. Ralph J. Stalter, chairman of the Allegheny County Medical Society's Committee for a Medical Examiner System, said yesterday he will ask Dobbs to join a proposed citizens committee that will try to find out whether "a person would get away with murder relatively easily here" as the medical examiner committee contends. The medical examiner committee advocates replacing the coroner system, under which the coroner is an elected official who can be a layman, with a medical examiner system headed by an appointed physician.

Formation of the citizens' committee was proposed July 11 by Dr. Cyril Wecht, an Fashionable "Small Fry" will adore our bleached White Mink collared black wool "Cover Goats" from a new collection. 4 to 6xf '35 7 to 12, 39.95 Six Downtown produce merchants who display and sell merchandise oji sidewalks along Forbes Avenue and at the site of the old Diamond Market, got another reprieve yesterday from police interference. City Council decided to take no action on an ordinance restricting sidewalk vending until after a public hearing which was set for 3 p. m.

Sept. 16. Under a moratorium recommended by City Solicitor David W. Craig, the dealers have not been bothered by police since mid-July when.