The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 1

BLYTHEVILLE COURIER NEWS THE DOMINANT NEWSPAPER OF NORTHEAST ARKANSAS AND SOUTHEAST MISSOURI YOL. XLIX-NO. 249 BlythevlUe Courier Blythevillo Dally News MIsJlsslppI Valley Leader BlythevlUe Herald BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1954 TEN PAGES SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS 60 Persons Meet Death In Northeast Snowstorm Is Worst In Five Years NEW YORK (AP) The Northeast dug out of its worst snowstorm in five years today, as clearing skies brought a forecast of increasingly cold weather. The storm, which started Sunday afternoon, caused at least 60 deaths and deposited up to a foot of snow In some sections. The Weather Bureau here said the storm was moving in a northeasterly direction along the New England coast and out to sea However, the bureau warned that a of freezing air was waiting to move in on the area from the Northwest and Canada as soon as the snowstorm is gone.

SJeet extended as far south as North Carolina yesterday. There was. snow, in Georgia. Still Snowing Some Places North of Washington, D. the sleet coated heavy snowdrifts with a treacherous icy surface, crippled traffic and brought accidents on roads, streets and sidewalks.

Add- Ing to the death toll were sledding mishaps and heart attacks as many persons bucked the snow and sleet afoot or tried 'to shovel it. Today, this was the state-by-state death toll: Washington, D. area, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 16; New Jersey, 15; New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, 6. Snow flurries still drifted down on parts of the area early today, but the Weather Bureau said it would end in the New York City area in the forenoon and somewhat later toward Boston as the etorm moved out to sea. Up to a foot of snow piled up In some places yesterday.

Philadelphia had 10 inches, its heavies in seven years. New York recorded a 9.6-inch blanket as of midnight the most since a 15-inch fall in 1949. Temperatures plunged, hitting 2' below zero in one spot in Maine SLIDE DAMAGES OREGON HOMES Some of the 30 homes damaged by a slipping hillslide in this Oregon coast town of Astoria are pictured here. Recent heavy rains were blamed for the slow slippage. The district has been declared a disaster area by the Red Cross.

(AP Wirephoto) European Avalanche Kills 100 VIENNA, Austria than 100 persons are dead or missing In a major avalanche disaster in the Vorarlberg region of Austria police at Bregenz reported today. The toll was announced as othei vast snowslides throughout centra Europe's mountainland claimed ai least 23 dead and 44 missing. Police said that more than 50 of the victims of the Vorarlberg disaster were missing in the vil- lege of Blons. The avalanches blocked the small Lutzbach river and many of the missing may have been drowned. The other 50 persons listed as dead or missing wre from scattered villeges in Vorarlberg proV' ince, police said.

The reports indicated that the sudden avalanches may add up to the nation's worst snow disaster. Only three years ago more than 124 people were buried alive in a similar catastrophe. The snowslides severed communications and Isolated hundreds of villages. Officials said it might be days before the full toll is known. Rising temperatures were melt- Ing the snow, bringing threats of more avalanches.

The foes of Europe's hardy mountain a wide swathe of death and destruction through tiny picture postcard villages in the Austrian Tyrol, the Bavarian Alps, northern Italy and Switzerland. Thousands of foreign tourists and winter sports fans were isolated. Worst hit by the fury of the snow slides, the result of the severest blizzards In several years, were western Austria and Isolated mountain villages In Switzerland. For them it was the highest toll since the disastrous winter of 51- II, when avalanches swept nearly MO people to death. Berry Again Heads Bank At Hornersville Kendall of Blytheville was re-elected president of the Merchant's and Planter's Bank of Hornersville, at the annual stockholders' meeting last week.

G. 0. Krapf and D. P. Jackson, both of Hornersville, also retained their respective posts of vice president and cashier.

Other board members M. L. Horner and E. J. Langdon.

Reporting on the financial condition ol the bank, Mr. Berry said the present capital, surplus and undivided profits amount to showing a steady growth dur- years of the bank's ing the exiMence. Deposit now tobl nearly two million IM said. Public Chiseled By Insurers, Doctor Charges Former VA Official Claims Many Health Policies Not Fair WASHINGTON Paul Magnuson said today there are 'many. chiselers" among companies that offer health Insurance jolicies to the public.

Magnuson, direc- or of-the Veterans Administration, nentioned no firms by name Ir prepared for a House Commerce Committee hearing. The committee is making a study of research being conducted on various major diseases. It also is seeking to find the enabling people to of illness. Headed Truman Commission Magnuson, who' headed former President Truman's-commlssion on the nation's health, said the insurance firms he criticized put fine print into their policies, excluding from coverage the big medical expenses, that "break the back of the average He praised President Eisenhower's proposal for a system of limited government reinsurance to "permit the private and non-profit insurance companies to offer broader protection to more of the many families which want and should have it." Magnuson said that, under such a system private plans would be able "to extend their services and still be protected from financial catastrophe." Most private health insurance, hfc said, "protects against minor expenses, but withdraws its protection when the going gets really rough." Post Office At Huffman To Be Closed Postmatser Ross S. Stevens said he has been notified by the Post Office Department that as of Feb.

15 the Post Office at Huffman will be closed. This action is being taken In accordance with an economy program to close post offices "where doing so will hot curtail services. Mr. Stevens said that after Feb. 5.

Huffman mall will be handled through the Blytheville Post Office as an extension of Rural Route 1. Disputed 1raffic Light MayGoUpAgainHere The much-disputed traffic light at the intersection Sixth and Park Streets may be re-installed for about the in the see-sawing debate over the necessity for it A request that the light be put back in operation was made at the monthly meeting of the City Council last nigh and referred to the Street Committee. Proponents of the light say it is needed to provide safe crossing of Highway 61 for school children. Opponents say. the light unnecessarily slows the highway traffic since the side street (Park) is little used.

After being put up and taken down some three or four times in the past three years, the light was finally put "into steady use at another intersection so a new signal must be ordered if one is again Installed. only compromise in sight was the possibility of obtaining a time-clock mechanism would operate. the lightj.for- -certain periods children were en route to and from school. Request for this iight was made by Alderman Toler Buchanan, who recommended its installation. Mayor Jackson said he felt it was necessary to replace the light.

Alderman W. L-. Walker said he had received requests for replacement of the amber warning light at 10th and Holly with a regular traffic signal. This also was referred to the Street Committee. On request of Alderman Jesse White, it was agreed to operate the traffic signal at Chickasawba and Broadway all night instead of turning it off at 9 p.m.

Mr. White cited several collisions at this intersection as necessitating a round-the- clock signal. Okays Heating System The Council approved expenditure of $677.11 for a heating system 'or the city shop in the West End Station. Mayor Jackson, who submitted the proposal, pointed out that the only heat in the shop now was provided by an inadequate coa stove. The Mayor also read a reques from residents of East Walnut for See COUNCIL on Page 3 Inside Today's Courier News Chicks Play Greene County Tech at Haley Field Gym Tonight BIytheviile Boxers Meet LMCA of Memphis here Friday Night Sports Pages 6 and 7 Quorum Court: Hores and Buggy Institution? Editorials Page 4 UN Agrees to Meet Reds on Renewal of Preliminary Korean Peace Talks Page 5 Committees Are Appointed Board Holds First Committee appointments for 1954 were made for Elytheville's yesterday when the board held its first meeting of the year in Cham- Commerce's offices, board also reviewed last Gossips Go Back to Work As Princess Margaret Steps Out By PIIILP CLARKE LONDON HV-Princess Margaret has that gay, happy look again and the gossip grapevine Is wondering If she's shaken off an old heartbeat for someone new.

Reports from Brussels say RAF Group Capt, Peter Townsend, rumored No. 1 In the princess' affections last year, has found a new romantic Interest in Dutch Jountess Alwina Van Limburg Stlrum. And the 23-year-old sister if Queen Elizabeth II recently has leen buzzing about with not one mt three men. highly eligible young The countess has denied rumors if any engagement plans with Townsend but acknowledged to re- sorters she often goes riding with he handsome wartime air hero. We are just good friends," Kid.

Townsend was transferred from London to Brussels as air attache ast summer amid persistent spec- lation that Princess Margaret wanted to marry him. Some church officials and gov- rnrnent higher-ups reportedly worried over the possible the 34-year-old Townsend, who Is divorced. Good friends of Princess Margaret say the slim, violet-eyed girl is heart-free again and the Townsend problem has receded quietly into the background. Despite the "heart-free" talk, three names have weighed heavy recently In the perennial gossip sweepstakes for the princess' hand. The newest Is, that of 30-year- old Lord Plunket, tali and handsome captain in the Irish Guards and a temporary equerry to Queen Mother Elizabeth.

to the royal escorted Margaret often to the theater and spent last weekend with the princess and her mother at the royal 1 lodge Sandrinjjham. Still a frequent companion of Margaret Is Mark Bonham-Carter, publisher's assistant and son of Sir Maurice and Lady Violet Bonham-Carter. The gossips really twittered when they were out together three nights In a row recently. And the princess Is being Been again with Billy Wallace, polo- playing stepson of Herbert Agar, former Louisville, newspaper nlon between UM prloceM Midi editor. He's long-time escort, ber The year's program and budget.

Nominated by President-Elect Gilbert Smythe and approved by the board as presidential directors were Harvey Morris and H. A. Haines. Following Is a list of committees, with chairmen named first: Boys' Work James Terry, Roland Bishop, Hnrman Taylor, Wilson Henry, P. D.

Poster, E. Wilson. Girls' Work Mrs. Jess Horner, Mrs. H.

P. Willinghom. Mrs. G. B.

Holiman, Mrs. Carl Lay. Finance Jack Owen, Ray Hall, Joe Evans, Roland Bishop, John Caudill. Publicity H. A.

Haines, E. B. Thomas. Fred Sandefur. Personnel C.

L. McWaters, Ross Stevens, Worth Holder. Properly Harvey Morris, R. A. Nelson.

C. M. Smart. Religious Emphasis Mrs. Glenn Lad'd, Rev.

E. C. Brown, Rev. James Rainwater, Todd Harrison, J. W.

Adams. Negro Work Miss Winnie Virgil Turner. James Manly, Mrs. C. L.

McWaters, Timmie Young Adult Work James Gardner, Bill Williams. World Service W. H. Wyatt, Dr. Alfred Vise.

Membership Toler Buchanan. C. L. McWaters (co-chairmen), James C. Guard, Dr.

Alfred Vise, 6. E. Knudsen, W. J. Pollard.

Building Plans Alvin Huffman, James Terry, Kendall Berry, Russell Phillips. C. L. McWaters, J. W.

Adams, John Caudill, W. H. Wyatt. Weather ARKANSAS Increasing cloudiness and cold this afternoon and tonight; lowest 12-18 north and south tonight; Wednesday cloudy and cold occasional rain south and snow north beginning Wednesday night. this afternoon followed by increasing cloudiness tonight and Wednesday; not quite so cold extreme west tonight and over the state Wednesday.

Maximum Minimum this 8unxt Precipitation 34 hours (o 7:00 ft. m. tempcrtturc (midway high ana Precipitation Jan. 1 to Dale Year Mxlmum Minimum Freclpiuuon 1 Democrats Balk at Farm Plan; GOP Tactics Called 'Dictatorial' Fast Action On T-H Law Draws Blasts By ROWLAND EVANS JR WASHINGTON (AP) Re publican plans to speed con sideration of President Eisen bower's proposals for revisin the Taft-Hartley labor law to day drew Democratic cries ''dictatorial and steamrolle tactics." The Republican majority of th Senate Labor Committee, heade by Chairman H. Alexander Smit: of New Jersey, moved to dispense with hearings and to bring the El senhower program to an early vote in the committee.

Smith, who introduced legislation to carry out the 14-point program right after it reached Capitol Hil yesterday, said lengthy ast year fully covered the issues involved. But committee Democrats, led by Sen. Murray of Montana, charged Republican speed-up strategy amounted to "dictatorial and iteamroller tactics." Murray, senior Democrat on th, committee, said in an interview that Secretary of Labor Mitchel should be called to explain the recommendations. If the Republic ans refuse to do this, Murray con iended, it would mean "they are trying to ram this down oui May Hold Brief Bearing Murray also demanded that top management and labor officials be nvited to discuss the proposals in public session. Smith reportedly might be willing only'to ask Mitchell to brief the committee informally behind closed doors.

On the other side of the Capitol (B-Pa), chairman House Labor Committee 'the Elsenhower tiohV ft "moderate approach" to lie problem, but he did not immediately Introduce legislation to iarry them out. Murray and other Senate Democrats said the Eisenhower labor iroposals contained "some gooc and some bad." Sen. Lehman (D- Lib-NY), a committee member, aid the controversial law needs far more revision" than suggested iy the President. A major point in the Eisenhower irogram was a recommendation nat Congress require a govern- nent sponsored election among rarkers to determine whether they pprove of a strike. The President's proposal was ouched in general terms and did ot specify when such a secret allot should be taken.

Vote After Strike However, when Smith introduced mplementing legislation, he pro- osed that such a vote be taken nder National Labor Relations ioard (NLRB) supervision after strike had begun. Under Smith's bill, a majority all eligible just See LABOR on Page 3 Victoria Mason Jies; Services be Tomorrow Services for Mrs. Victoria Mason, 1, of Blytheville Who died yester- ay at a nursing home in Caruth- rsville, Mo, will be conducted at 0 a. m. Tomorrow at Holt Funeral ome Chapel by the Rev.

W. J. itzhugh. Burial will be in Memorial Park emetary. Mrs.

Mason has made her home i Blytheville with her son, E. R. for the past 18 years after ovlng here from Marshall, he was preceded in death by her usband, W. E. Mason, who died 1 1945.

Pallbearers will be Kendall Berry, V. Gates, Charles R. Newcomb, E. Atkinson, Ernest Roe and John iTcDowell. Besides her son, she is survived by sister, Mrs.

Sarah James of Dals, and two 'grandchildren, ary Mason ot Blytheville and Lsr- B. Phillips of Shreveport, La. udbury School Close One Day or Repair Work Sudbury Grade. School will be closed tomorrow for emergency repairs to the building's heating system. Superintendent of B.

Nicholson said today. Work will begin this afternoon id Is expected to be completed tomorrow. School will resume on regu- schedule Thursday mornlnf, he Mid. Apnrcntly worn out steam lines developed Icnks nnd must be replaced, Mi. Nicholson Mid.

Senate Considers Cotton Acreage Today By GORDON BROWN AP Special Washington Service WASHINGTON (AP) With echoes of west-south differences still rumbling, the Senate today takes up the problem of fixing the 1954 national cotton acreage allotment. The Senate was to have considered the bill yesterday, but It recessed early because of snow and icy streets. Before the senators is a bill to set at 21.379,000 acres the.area which cotton farmers can plant this year under production controls. 25 Million Last Year This compares with the 17,910,000 acres set by Secretary of Agriculture Benson last year when he invoked controls. Cotton fanners slanted more than 25 million acres last year.

The Senate bill would provide a aasic allotment of 21 million acres plus 315,000 acres as a national reserve. Half of the reserve would to California, Arizona and New Mexico and half to the 15 Southern cotton states. The measure also would provide that no state should )e cut more than 34 per cent under its 1952 plantings. This would give 59,000 more acres to Arizona and California. Southerners generally object to this last allocation to the west.

They contend the western states haven't "earned" that acreage on the basis, of past plantings am the ultimate result will be smalle: allotments for the south. The west has contended tha without the extra acreage stipu lations growers in that area would be forced to make drastic cuts this year. While the bill represents a com promise, there were some report, that southerners in the Senate ma; attack the western features of the bill. In any case, southern members in the House have organized to alter the bill more to their liking if the Senate passes it in its ent form. May Rewrite Flexible Price Program McCarthy Probers May Form 2 Units WASHINGTON (AP) Sen.

McCarthy (R-Wis) said to day his Senate investigations subcommittee may divide forces and run separate, simultaneous searches for Communist and non-Communist skullduggery. He said he plans to start tomor- secret hearings launching an nvestlgation of alleged graft and corruption in government spend- ng in Alaska. He has declined give "details' or to' name' witnesses in advance. But he did say he inquiry has "no overtones at point of Communist activity." Still planned, but with no date set, he said, are further hearings his search for evidence of Communist Infiltration of industrial in New York state which lold government defense contracts. He said he or some other mem- rer of the all-Republican subcom- nittee may sit as a one-man sub- ommittee at Albany, Schenectady, iyracuse or Buffalo, and lerhaps in all four cities to coin- ilete that phase of inquiry.

He mentioned a possibility of moving riese hearings to Washington. He ad presided at hearings in Buffalo ate last year and recessed with announcement he would return- reopen them. Increased Activity He released a staff summary he said, showed a spurt in ctivlty by the subcommittee In 953 as compared with 1952. He sted 70 public hearing! held in 953 at which 208 witnesses compared with a 1952 total 20 public hearings at which 39 'Itnesses were heard. The summary said there also 123 closed-door hearings at hlch 320 witnesses testified in 953, as against 6 closed hearings 1952 at which 9 witnesses were eard.

The Government Operations Com- ilttee, parent of the subcommittee nd also headed by McCarthy, oved yesterday to seek a legal pinion on his attempts to curb right of witnesses to refuse answer questions on constitu- onal grounds. The committee asxed the Justice leparlmcnt for opinions on: 1. May a witness who denies See MCCARTHY on Page 3 City's Religious Census Set Survey to Be Held Afternoon of Feb. 7 Blytheville's annual religious census is to be conducted the afternoon of Feb. 7, the Rev.

E. C. Brown, the Ministerial Alliance's for arrangements for the event, announced at an Alliance meeting yesterday. Committee chairmanship appointments announced yesterday by the Rev. Mr.

Brown Include the Rev. James Rainwater, assignments and zoning; the Rev. Harvey Kidd, transportation; Miss Hazel Brannon, assisted by Mrs. W. W.

Peek, returns processing; Mrs. Paul Pryor, food service. Lunch' will be 1 served all workers at First Methodist Church immediately following morning services on the day of the census. In other action at yesterday's Alliance, meeting, the Rev. W.

J. Fitzhugh, Alliance president, appointed Rev. Joe L. Bean to represent the Alliance on the Y's board of directors and the Rev. W.

H. Cook, new pastor of Trinity Baptlsst Church, became a member of the organization. February Draft Quota Here Is 6 Blytheville Draft Board will furnish six of the 201 men to be inducted into the armed forces in February, according to informa- released today, by the State Selective Service Board. This is four less than the 10 called from Mississippi County ast month. By JACK BELL WASHINGTON (AP) Balky congressional Democrats threatened some Republican rewrite President Eisenhower's program of flexible farm price supports.

The program, which went to Congress yesterday with 14 proposed Tatt-Hartley labor relations act amendments, was backed, staunchly by Republican leaders. There was some opposition, however, and some suggestions for changes. If Democrats could muster most of their members, as seemed likely, they would need only a few GOP votes in the closely divided Congress to retain the rigid, high- level price props Eisenhower proposed to abandon in favor of a flexible scale of supports. The forthcoming farm battle apparently will revolve largely around this point, since Eisenhower's other principal "Insulation" of existing crop surpluses from the regular markets gained rather widespread backing. Ike Charged Mindful of November's elections to determine control of Congress, some Democrats made It clear they believe they have an Issue on which they can blast the Republicans in the nation's farm areas.

Sen. Humphrey (D-Minn) who Is UP for re-election, said in a statement Elsenhower had "broken faith" with the farmers by a program likely to prove little more than "an expensive dud." "It is now apparent that Congress will have take into its own he formulaion of an improved farm program," Humphrey declared. "All he President is now proposing is the same old disastrous sliding-scale idea of 1948-49 which farmers have overwhelmingly disavowed." That was a reference to the fact that Congress once put a flexible support system on the books, but has delayed permitting it to go into effect. Instead, it has maintained the war-born program of rigid )rice supports for basic crops. Mundt Dissatisfied Among the Republicans, Sen.

Mundt of. South Dakota, a Senate Agriculture Committee member, said he was dissatisfied with the lexlble price support provisions urged by the President. He said: "I do not believe the flexible price support provisions suggested the President's message are vorkable device for maintaining he present price levels of 90 per cent for basic products." Rep. Rayburn (D Tex), the House minority leader, said do not think Congress will give up the 90 per cent of parity ir basic farm products." Parity is a calculated price said by law to be fair to farmers in 'elation to prices they pay for leeded items. Sen.

Sparkman (D-Ala) put It his way: "I don't believe Congress will approve any legislation that vould produce a greater economic hock to the farmers, and undoubt- dly that is what this program would Eisenhower evidently avoided ome Democratic opposition by ecommending that the present ilgh-level supports on tobacco be eft intact, a proposal likely to be opular in Kentucky, where one of he major battles for a Senate seat See FARM on Page 3 Touring Farm Leaders Believe lexible Supports Will Be Rejected ENID, Okla. (AP) Touring congressional farm leaders indicated today they believe both the House and Senate will reject the flexible price support features of President Eisenhower's sweeping new farm law proposals. Members of the House Agricul- Committee, scheduled to hold a hearing today In their nation-wide tour to sound out 'arm sentiment at the grass roots, found themselves squarely at odds with the President's proposals. They said Congress would favor continuing the 1 current rigid price supports for several more years. The President recommended the gradual abandonment of price iupports 90 per cent of parity of a system of flexible supports at between and 79 per cent.

Under a flexible pro- government guarantees would be high In time of ihortages to encourate production. But they would be low In times surplus to discourage production. Chairman Hope (R-Kan), a key figure in any future farm legislation, said only that "there are wide differences of'opinion over this proposal," but he is known to favor continuation of rigid supports. Most members declined to be quoted by name but left little doubt of their attitude. Rep.

Mclntire (R-Mc) summed It up when he said the administration's "long-term planning will have to square with short-term realities." With an election coming up this fall, some Republicans contend that the present political and economic "climate" it not favorable for a sudden shift to a new price support system. They also remember 19M, when the 80th Congress compromised on price supports won. There was no doubt where all or most committee Democrats. stand on the President's proposal. "We don't favor a flexible system," declared Rep.

Gainings D-Ark), "Farmers are going to need at least 90 per cent parity for basics commodities. So far as anyone I've talked to Is concerned, the opinion is that Congress Is going to continue rigid price supports." After today's hearings, the committee will fly to Waco, tomorrow and to Memphis Thursday before returning to Washington. Members said that although they have covered miles in their coast-to-cout tour no committee member waa by the President's farm adlsen on the drafting of the special mcMnge sent to Control yesterday..