The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 1

BLYTHEVILLE COURIER NEWS THE DOMINANT NEWSPAPER OF NORTHEAST ARKANSAS AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI VOL. 104 Blytheville Courier Blytheville Daily News Mississippi Valley Leader Blytheville Herald BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1954 EIGHT PAGES Published Daily Except Sunday SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS Big British Airliner Shot Down Planes Attack Off Red China Isle of Hainan By FRED HAMPSON HONG KONG (AP) A big British Skymaster airliner carrying 18 persons was shot down off the Red Chinese land of Hainan yesterday, and Great Britain today instructed its charge d'affaires in Pei- ping to protest the attack. "The two aircraft which attacked the plane could not have come from anywhere else than from Hainan, according to our information from Hong Kong," a London Foreign Office spokesman said. The Hong Kong government announced earlier that there was ''substantial evidence" that two unidentified fighters shot down the airliner. Eight of the 18 persons aboard the airliner were rescued.

In London, the Foreign Office spokesman said the British government acted on the basis of statements from the pilot and co-pilot of the Skymaster. He said Charge d'Affaires Humphrey Trevelyan has been instructed to draft a formal protest and it presumably would be delivered to Red China later today. One of the American survivors, Peter Shaw Thatcher, 27, of Stonington, said from his Hong Kong hospital bed that the attacking fighters were propeller-driven and made "half a dozen strafing passes." He said undoubtedly some passengers were struck by bullets and he thought "many were dead before we hit the water." Thatcher said he saw one fighter himself and the co-pilot told him he saw two. The port engine caught fire after tLe first or second strafing run, Thatcher said. After that, the big airliner lost altitude rapidly.

Thatcher said one of the fighters kept on strafing it as it went down. He believed the plane was well outside Communist waters at the outset but that it hit the water near Hainan Island. Hainan, which lies about 200 miles southwest of here, is the site of several large Communist military air bases. High government officials met today amid reports that airliners leaving this British colony would be given fighter escort. The report drew an official "no comment" and planes left at intervals with no fighters in evidence.

The pilot of the airliner reportedly said in a formal statement that he was attacked by two fighter planes whose markings he could not distinguish and whose pilots he could not see to ascertain nationality. There was no immediate explanation as to why he failed to mention an attack in 'his distress signal yesterday. Chief Stewardess Iris E. Stobart, of Cathay Pacific Airlines, said bullets were removed from two of the eight survivors at Kowloon hospital today. Two doctors said one man suffered what might have been a bullet wound, but that no bullets were recovered.

Bullets Spattered J. Thorburn, Hong Kong Bank official whose wife was rescued, said a bullet struck her a glancing blow above the ear. He quoted her as saying bullets spattered among the passengers and unquestionably a number were hit. He said his wife doubted that others were able to escape before the four-engine airliner went to the bottom of the South China Sea. An official Hong Kong government announcement said "there is now substantial evidence that the Cathay Pacific Airways plane which ditched in the sea off Hainan Islands yesterday morning was shot down by two unidentified fighter planes while on its normal route from Singapore to Hong Kong.

Enquiries are continuing." The announcement was broadcast by Hong Kong Radio. It gave no source for the report, but presumably the information was supplied by three members of the crew who survived. Newsmen were barred from talking with survivors, but an official at Kaitak Airport quoted Pilot Philip Blown of Hong Kong as saying the airliner was shot down by fighter planes. A report that Blown had identified the fighters as deadly swept- wing MIG jets could not be con- See PLANE on Page 3 4-H WINNERS Nearly 500 North Mississippi County 4-H Club boys and girls from 14 communities played, worked and sang yesterday at their annual rally at Walker Park. Winners are (top photo) James Bevil, Calvin George, Edward Lozan and (back row) Donald Middleton and Steve McGuire.

They were tops in insect identification. Junior division tractor drivers (center photo) finished like this: Jimmy Parks, Black Water; Jerry Craine, Lost Cane, and Donald West, Gosnell. In the senior division (lower photo), Donald Hodge of Gosnell took first and was followed by Jerry Cook, Gosnell, and Dickie Nokes. Promised Land. Middleton, George and Bevil, all of Gosnell, tied for first in insect identification.

Base Pacts To Be Let On Monday To Restrict Attacks HANOI, Indochina (AP) French and Vietminh delegates to the peace village of Trung Gia agreed today to limit military attacks on each other to regimental strength until the cease-fire goes into effect July 27. Burglars Take $1.50 from Club Burglars took about $1.50 in change from the cold drink machine in the Jaycee Club building Thursday night after crawling into the building through the exhaust fan, according to Police Chief John Foster. The burglary was reported to the city police yesterday by one of the club members. Nothing else in the building disturbed, polict The agreement to stop, large- scale fighting during the three-day interim was announced today by the French command. It specifies: 1.

Neither side will use battle forces bigger than a regiment in North Viet Nam and limit them to battalion strength elsewhere in Indochina. 2. Both sides soon as mining roads, sa- botating railroads and cutting communication lines. 3. Both sides will order their troops to stop damaging property or harming civilians in North Viet Nam.

4. The French air force will not bomb Vietminh territory or bases, will use warplanes only to support ground troops and will not use the napalm bomb under any circumstances. Gen. Rene Cogny, commander oi French Union troops in North Viet NJMII. told newsmen two days ago Ac would not push any against the Vietminh.

French forces put that into effect yc-sterday making no attacks any- Avhere in the Red River Delta, but only defending themselves against harassing Vietminh attacks. Inside Today's Courier News McClellan's Replies Put McMath Charges in True Light Editorials Page 4. Is Tribe Really Serious About Its Pennant Race? Old Pro, Rookie Lead Cards to Win Sports Pajtc 5. Wheat Growers Vote to Accept Controls on '55 Crop Paye 3... Youny Folks' Page 8...

Contracts for about $208,000 worth of work on Blytheville Air Force base are scheduled to be let Monday, Little Rock District of Corps of Engineers stated today. The contracts, the Little Rock office stated, are being prepared for signature and it is hoped they will be signed Monday. First bids on the $12 million Tactical Air Command base were opened in the Engineers' office yesterday afternoon. Oklahoma Firm Successful A. and A.

Construction of Muskogee, was apparent low bidder on three phases of utility work. The firm submitted bids of $24,808.79 on extension of water distribution system; S15.795 on rehabilitation of a sewer treatment plant, and $15,580.55 on extension of sewer lines. Fraser Construction of Ft Smith was apparent successful bidder on construction work. It bid $111,859 on construction of a crash and fire station and $40,855 on construction of a guardhouse. Accordinfi to conditions of contracts, contractors have 10 days in which to begin work following awarding of contracts.

This would mean that work may be getting underway sometime prior to August 7. Blytheville firms submitting bids included S. J. Cohen, Farr and Allen, Pride and Usrey, and Ben White and Sons, the latter bidding on the crash station and guardhouse. A-Energy Act Gets Preliminary But Decisive Victory in House Rep.

Camp Of Georgia vVASHINGTON tf) Rep. Albert S. Camp, Democrat of Georgia died at Bethesda Naval Hospital early today of a liver ailment. Married and the father of two children, Camp would have been 62 years old Monday. He had been under hospital treatment a number of months.

The congressional- veteran first elected to the House in. 1939 and has served continuously since then. He was the sixth House member to die since the present Congress chosen in November, 1952. His death, together with the res- was ignation last Wednesday of Rep. Louis B.

Heller (D-NY), leaves the House lineup at 219 Republicans, 213 Democrats and 1 Independent. All other vacancies except these two have been filled. Indochinese Truce Okayed By Assembly PARIS French National Assembly approved the Indochina cease-fire last night by a sweeping 471-14 vote. An Assembly resolution, expressing satisfaction at the outcome of the Geneva conference, said the cessation of hostilities was "due in a large measure, to the decisive action" of Premier Pierre Mendes-France. During debate the Premier clashed with ex-Foreign Minister Georges Bidault, who attacked the Indochina settlement as another Munich the 1938 agreement which split Czechoslovakia and paved the way for Nazi aggression.

Bidault had headed the French delegation at the three-month Geneva conference during the early unsuccessful stages of the negotiations. Mendes-France took over the premiership from Joseph Laniel with the pledge he would bring the Indochina war to an end by July 20 or resign. HARRIED TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS Mr. and Mrs. J.

M. Mathews of Fort Worth, Tex. are pictured as they busily computed scores in the Northeast Arkansas Sectional Bridge Tourna- ment at Hotel Noble last night. Eager players crowded about the two officials to learn their scores. (Courier News Photo) McMaikStartsTalkingofHisOwrL McCleilan.

Fires Back By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS For the first time in the campaign, Sid McMath yesterday turned his sights from the record of Sen. John McCleilan to what he called a "positive program" of his own. And McCleilan, meanwhile, continued to fire back at McMath charges as he jockeyed with the former governor and with Paul Chambers of Helena for top position in the Tuesday Democratic primary. Airplane 'Runt Over' Pick-Up Truck on Road Near Big Lake An airplane "ran over" a parked pick-up truck in an unusual accident yesterday afternoon, according to Deputy Charlie Short. The accident occurred when a plane owned by Paul Lloyd made a forced landing on a gravel road near the Big Lake bar pit.

After refueling at a country store the pilot attempted a takeoff but hit loose gravel and crashed into a pick-up parked off to the side of the road. Deputy Short said. Heavy damage was caused to both vehicles, he added. The unidentified pilot was en route to the Blytheville air base from St. Louis when it ran low on fuel, he reported.

McMath advocated a $400 increase in income tax exemptions 5600 to $1,000 per person. Social Security for all eligibles over 60 instead of 65, and an expansion of the Veterans Administration hospital program. Heretofore McMath has concentrated on blasting McClellan's 12- year record in the Senate, his votes on Tidelands oil, the German bond treaty. Social Security extension and Congressional pension votes. McClellan's answer to each has been a cry of and last night at Fort Smith he charged McMath with presenting a "doctored picture" to the voters of Arkansas.

Speaking at Batesville, McMath raked the Republicans for their "economy above all" policy and ailed for additional' VA hospital beds. He quoted anonymous reports that "men who fought for our ountry and who needed medical care have been turned away be- ause there is no room for them." The former governor took issue with McCleilan for taking credit 'or keeping open the Army-Navy Hospital at Hot Springs. He said the institution is only partically open. Wants Tidelands Back On other issues, McMath plugged for return of title to all of the tidelands to the federal government, 90 per cent of parity price supports on basic farm crops, for a strong army and navy and defense, for the reciprocal trade program, for international control of atomic and hydrogen weapons, for increased federal aid in road- building 1 and for hydro-electric and navigation development of the Arkansas River Valley. Chambers advocated that the National Guard and reserve be permitted to receive retirment pay after 30 years of service as regular army personnel do, instead of waiting until they are 60 years old.

Chambers topped the day with a television appearance in Little Rock after taking his "questio- thon" radio question and answer program to Benton, Hot Springs, and Arkadelphia. One other candidate for the Democratic Ellis, a Little Rock garage not campaigning. Utility Rate Increases Enter Governor Race By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Recent utility rate increases yesterday turned into the most bitter issue of the campaign for Arkansas' governor. Gov. Cherry's two most vocal opponents for re-nomination July 27 placed the blame for the increases with the governor.

McCleilan Replies to 'Evaluation' FORT SMITH, Ark. Sen. John L. McCleilan said here last night, that "if I ever am repudiated by 100,000 votes I'll not only crawl in my hole but also pull that hole in after rne." He was replying to an assertion of an opponent for Senatorial re- nomination, former Gov. Sid McMath, that he had been rated near the bottom in an "evaluation" of U.

S. Senators by two sociological students. McCleilan, MCMatn, Democratic National Committeeman Paul Chambers of Helena and Leonard Ellis of Little Rock are candidates for McClellan's job at the first, Democratic primory next Tuesday. The "100.000 votes" referred to McMath's defeat for a third term nomintion as governor by Gov. Francis Cherry two years ago.

McMath has told his listeners that "if, after 12 years in the Senate, I'm no higher than 78th in Senate rating, I'll retire and you'll never hear from me again." McCleilan, whose 12-year seniority has been one of his talking points, said he wore is as "a badge of honor" that "some people low rate me because I don't wane to give America away to a Socialistic regime." But Ike Proposal Remains Stalled In Senate Debate WASHINGTON (AP) President Eisenhower's atomic energy law revision won preliminary but apparently 1 decisive victory tfee House 1 early today, but remaiaed stalled ia a Senate debate which continued into fourth day of r-cmnd-ths-clock sessions. No break was fc sigfat in Senate despite efforts ot administration leaders to limit foe tftHc. Republican leader Knowland of Calif crnia said he -wouJd keep theses- sion going until midnight Saturday before recessing until Monday. House action, subject to formal and final roll caH votes on Monday, was taken in a marathon session of its own which stretched hours until a.m. (ED19 today.

The House went the way through the 104-page biM, voting changes here and there, but Rep. Murray (D-Tenn) forced postponement of the final voting nnt.il Monday by a parliamentary maneuver. The Senate debate entered its 10th and its fourth of nearly continuous sessions at 10 a. m. (EOT).

A short time later Sen. Morse (Ind-Ore) completed longest single speech yet made on the measure after holding the floor for eight hours and four minutes. Except for a 25-minute break early Friday a technicality involved in the effort to limit debate the Senate had been in session continuously for more than 72 hours. The record unbroken session of 54 hours, 10 minutes was set in 1915. Hits Single Spokesman Morse sought to strike from bill a provision which would designate the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission as official spokesman for the AEC a compromise which ended a long fight in committee before the measure reached the floor.

He said all five commissioners "should function on the basis of equal responsibility." Many persons, he said, are "fearful of designs" of the present chairman, Lewis L. Strauss. A time-consuming quorum caH was demanded in advance of vote on Morse's amendment. Sen. Humphrey (D-Minn) a.ppea.red ready to take the floor to carry on what Knowiand has called a "full- fledged filibuster.

Morse opened up after Sen. Sparkman (D-Ala) had held the floor 5 hours, 12 minutes. Sparkman, another member of a determined band of opponents composed mostly of Democrats, asked a change in the bill to allow a longer gc-vernment holding period on atomic patents. Sen. Knowiand of California, the Republican leader, spoke determinedly both to the Senate and in an intehview.

He said he plans to press Monday his cloture petition Orval Faubus of Huntsville and State Sen. Guy Jones of Conway made their charges coincide with the first bills charging the new rates. Cherry has boasted of the hands- off jtttitude he has taken toward state commissions and boards and Jones yesterday said Cherry has to limit debate, unless he gets an been attempting to evade reespons- earlier agreement to shorten the ibility for the actions of a com- talkfest an accord he has been been attempting to evade respons- unsuccessful in gaining in repeat- ibility for the actions of a commission he appointed. Faubus said the governor should have intervened with is Public Service Commission to prevent the increases. Blasts Back Cherry blasted right back.

He told a TV audience during a broadcast from at Memphis station that the rates had not been approved by the commission. ed attempts so far. Xo Cloture Likely Nor were there indications his cioture move, already introduced with the signatures of 38 GOP senators. was likely 10 gain the 64- member approval needed to take effect if he presses it to a vote. Most of the 47 Democrats and some Republicans were reported opposed to the cloture attempt.

In the House, where strict de. bate-limiting rules are the normal Cherry said that according to a course administration forces held law, passed before he became gov- solid sway yesterday and into the AnlAT fho vunc A rIro noa I wee hours of the morning as they went through the complicated bill. The measure in general would See ATOMIC on Page 3 India Takes Truce Job NEW DELHI. India Indian government spokesman said today India has formally accepted membership on the international cormnrsion to the Indo- chineet cease-lire. First Open Cotton Bolls Reported First open cotton bolls of the season in Mississippi County were reported today by J.

C. Ellis, bar-) field planter. Mr. Ellis said the booLs opened; Wednesday on land north of Barfield farmed by Ollie Hollis. The cotton is of the Fox variety.

ernor, the companies Arkansas Power and Light and the Arkansas Louisiana Gas Co. were allowed to begin collecting the higher charges anyway after posting a bond to insure payment of any refunds. "One of my opponents," the governor said, "was a member of the state senate during eight years of the time the law was effective," "Do not be deceived by false statements of men who the lust for office has made little and cheap," Cherry said. Jones campaigned in Pine Bluff yesterday. He called the Cherry- sponsored 100 per cent tax assessment amendment a "frankenstein travesty of taxation." Faubus appeared on KATV, Pine Bluff television station continuing to take Cherry to task on the points of utility increases and of treatment of the aged at the Confederate Home.

Weather Forfeit Speeding Bonds C.urrie Parr forfeited 519.75 bond in Municipal Court this morning on a charge of speeding while Queen and was planted on April 9, accor-j Gaddis and Clyde Winey both fording to Mr. Ellis. I felted $10 bonds on similar Partly cloudy this afternoon, tonight and Sunday with widely scattered thundershowers mostly in north portion, No important temperature changes. Partly cloudy this afternoon, tonight and Sunday with scattered local thundershowere mostly in southwest and extremt west; slightly warmer Sunday; low tonight 68-75, high Sunday erally near 90. Minimum this morning 7i.

Maximum yesterday 92. Sunset tomorrow 5:05. Sunset today 7:08. Mean temperature (midway high and 85. Precipitation last, houn a.

m. Precipitation Jan. I ttttt datfl 26:32. This Lut Maximum yesterday 9t. Minimum this Precipitation Jinuirjr 1 M.21..