The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 1

BLYTHEVILLE COURIER NEWS THE DOMINANT NEWSPAPER OP NORTHEAST ARKANSAS AND SOUTHEAST MISSOUBI VOL. 236 BlythevlJle Courier Blythevilto Dally Newi Mississippi Valley Leader Blythevllle Herald BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 1955 EIGHT PAGES Published Daily Except Sunday SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS McClellan Takes Over Joe's Job Arkanson Says Lone Sessions Are Out Now WASHINGTON Sen McClelian (D-Ark) pledged un remitting efforts by the Sen ate Investigations Subcommi tee today to expose any Com munists in government, bu he ruled out any one-mar hearings. McClellan will succeed Sen. Me Carthy (R-Wis) as chairman of th sub-committee in the new Demo cratic-controlled Congress that con venes next week. At a news conference, McClellar said the subcommittee under Demo cratic control wlll.be Just as in terested in uncovering any Com munist infiltration of governmen as It was under Republican con trol.

Change But he said that when he takes over as chairman, he will recom mend a change In the present sub committee rule permitting one-mar hearings such as McCarthy fre quently conducted. "I shall insist that at least twi members be present for closed and public hearings," Me Clellan said. Emphasizing his determination in this respect, McClellan said tha irrespective of whether such a rule Is adopted he will require, as subcommittee chairman, that hearings be held without at leas two senators present. McCarthy has opposed any rule barring one man hearings. He has taken thi position thot other subcommittei members could attend the he has conducted If they wished Plans Told In outlining his plans for the in vestigatlons subcommittee in the new congress, McClellan said: 1.

That he intended to consu with the chairman of Ihe Senate Internal Security Subcommittee and the House Unamerican Activities Committee to avoid duplication and waste in Communist probes. 2. That, in his judgement, "hard and rule" could be set on whether to permit hearini to be televised he said he thought th subcommittee would have to determine in each case "If the public interest would best be served" by TV coverage. 3. That he wouldn't think the subcommittee could operate on budget of less than $150,000 allotted to It in the past year.

He said he hoped the subcommittee could "economize to some extent," bul he added he wouldn't hesitate to asfc for more money if he thought it could be spent Judiciously. 4. He favors continuation of the present subcommittee rule under which the minority members are entitled to counsel approved by the subcommittee. McCarthy is expected to ask that this Job go to James now subcommittee, staff chief. To Carry Out Duties The investigation subcommittee, prior to McCarthy's chairmanship, had not been active in communist field specifically assigned to Ihe Internal Security Subcommittee.

McClellan, asked if he felt the Investigations unit should continue its activities In this field, replied that "it should carry out all Its functions with which it is charged under existing Senate rules." "The rules under which it operates now with respect to studying economy and efficiency at all levels of government is ly broad to require this committee to take Jurisdiction of and Investigate Communist infiltration of any agency of the executive branch." he added. He said the internal security subcommittee has an even broader Jurisdiction in this field since it is not limited to subversion in government agencies. "It covers the whole 'he saicl. McCiellan made plain that he still favors, as he proposed in a resolution introduced In 1949, a Joint Senate-House committee to conduct all investigations of Communism. He said he may reoffcr such a resolution in the new Congress, but he also emphasized that as long as the Investigations subcommittee has jurisdiction In this Meld, he feels'It should fully carry out its Job.

Revelry, Reverence Keynote New Year Celebrations in US. By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Revelry and reverence were the keynotes today as Americans greeted 1955 in churches, homes and night clubs. In New York City's Time Square half a million persons jammed the area, ushering in the new year with shouts, cowbells, horns and other nolsemakers, and tons of confetti. Contrasted to this was the scene In lower Broadway and Wall the great bell of Old Trinity Church chimed at Russia Is Said Set to Release Its U.S. Captives But State Department Has Little to Say Regarding Report By WARREN ROGERS JR.

WASHINGTON W) Russia was reported today to have a free three Americans held prisoner for years inside Soviet Union. The proposal, according to in- ormants, was put forward yesterday in a note handed the U.S Embassy at Moscow. Except to acknowledge receipt, the State De- mrtment has been unusually reticent about this note. Secretary of State Dulles, asked ibout it at his news conference yesterday, said he was not yet aware of the note's subject or its content. Later, when enough time lad elapsed to allow for transmit- fng its text to Washington, depart- nent spokesmen refused to discuss t.

AWOL GI's The three imprisoned Americans ire William Marchuk, 38, Brack- enrtdge. William A. Verdlne, Starks, and John H. Noble, 31, Detroit. Marchuk and Vcrdine, AWOL ram the Army in West Germany, Vere picked up by (he Russians at Dresden in February 1049.

Noble, taken as a boy back to Germany in 1938, has ben a prisoner of the Russians since 1945. This week the Soviets released 5 Austrians they had held as World War II prisoners. One imong these told Vienna newsmen IB had seen the three Americans a prison camp southeast of Moscow. He said all three ap- icared in good health and spirits nd expected to be released hortly. Eifiht Queries The United States has made ight official queries this year con- erning their whereabouts.

The a test was In October. And like others made before by U. S. nbassador Charles E. Bohlen or is aides, it got no response.

Then came the note yesterday rom the Soviet Foreign Ministry. was understood to have offered release the three Americans and have suggested that the United tales do something in return. There wns considerable on about what that could be. One heory was that it had to do with 15 to 20 Russian sailors nterncd nn Formosa and reported ecking asylum in the United tales. midnight with a small group looking on.

Peace Prayer Started In churches throughout the nation reverent thousands attended Watch Night servies to see the old year out and the new one in. And a year-long prayer for peace was started in the churches ol 11 communities across the country. The "chain of prayer," organized by the Board of Evangelism of the Methodist Church, will be taken up by other churches and denominations during the year. President and Mrs. Elsenhower greeted 1955 with an informal dinner party in the Trophy Room of the Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club.

There was no special guest list. Many of those present were the chief executive's golfing companions and their wives. Fearful of the toll usually taken on holidays, the National Safety predicting that 240 persons would die In traffic accidents during the this challenge to motorists: "We cordially invite you to start the new year by making a bum out of the National Safety Council and its preholiday estimate." Lighter Side But the lighter side of the celebration held sway in thousands of homes, night spots and restaurants throughout the Jand. It was a time for making merry, and millions made the most of It. In Boston, thousands milled through the theatrical district long after midnight, 'but it was a good- natured crowd and one police officer summed it up this way: "Everybody's happy and there's trouble." One of the first 1955 babies was born in Great Falls, at one second after midnight, local time.

The infant is a a -pound daugh- born to Lt. and Mrs. Lowell W. Voscs. Voses is stationed at he Great Falls Air Force Base.

At Philadelphia, the annual celebration, is always topped by he great Mummers' parade down Broad Street during the daylight hours. Malenkov in Favor Of East-West Talks On Far East Issues MOSCOW (AP) Premier Georgi Malenkov sidestepped a diftrt answer today on whether he would welcome Big Four talks to settle world problems. Sort he did say he favored diplomatic negotiations to settle Far East differences. Replying to questions submitted by an American newsman, Malenkov repeated tha Soviet theme that efforts to rearm West Germany, the arms race and a "network of American military bases around the Soviet Union and other peace-loving ttates" were the chief reasons for existing tension. The six questions were from if- Jf jp Charles Edward Shutt, Washington bureau chief for Telenews.

His queries and Malenkov's answers published today in all major METER CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY Hank Harris fright) Blytheville farmer, pulls one of the Blytheville Kiwanis Club's expired parking meter envelopes from under the windshield wiper of his truck while Kiwanian Arthur S. Harrison inserts a coin in the expired meter. It's all a part of a new fund-raising campaign being carried on by the Kiwanis Club for the club's underpriviliged children. (Courier News Photo) Tile Kiwanians starting a "parking meter watch" campaign to raise funds for their underprivileged children work. Members of the club are going to keep a shart lookout in the business district for expired parking "meters.

When one is found, a nickle will be placed the meter and an envelope bearing the following note will be placed in the car: "While you were shopping your meter expired. One of the members of our committee placed a coin in the meter so you would'not be given a ticket If you desire to make a contribution to our work in any amount, you may do so by putting ihe same in this envelope and mailing to Underprivileged Children's Committee, Kiwanis Club of Blytheville." The campaign was explained to Kiwanians by Arthur S. Harrison, chairman of the club's Underprivileged Vhildren committee, at the weekly meeting of the club. In the committee's annual report to the club at the meeting, it was reported the club spent a total of $1,763.93 in its -work with underprivileged children in the Blytheville vicinity during 1954. ome of Those Texas oiks Don't Dig 'Sooey' DALLAS of Arkansas fans here for today's Cot- Bowl football game with Georgia Tech made entertainers a night club wince last night.

The entertainers thought the customers were hollering, "Phoney! Phooey!" at The Arcansas folk were just showing heir pleasure by yelling, "Soo-e! Soo-e!" in their best hog-calling Weather Mild Across Nation At New Year's Nation's Accidental Death Toll Mounts By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Violent deaths resulting from accidents mainly traffic mishaps mounted New Year's Day Two Die On State Soviet newspapers. Asked if he would welcome "diplomatic ncsotiations leading to a between the heads of ".12 of France, Great Briton, the U.S.S.R. and the United Stn'es," Malenkov indicated he thought the Wstern were gnngimr up on him in advance of any such 'As is known," he said, "the three Western Powers are trying to solve separately most important iHernatior.nl questions, and in the first place, questions relating to Germany A conference of the heads of the governments of France. Great the U.S.S.R. and the United States should not be faced by the accomplished fact of these and other decisions on questions which demand examina- lion at a four-power conference." Many European leaders, most notably British Prime Minister i Winston Churchill, have urged top level four-power talks in hopes of easing world tension.

On the question of Far Eastern talks, Malenkov said: "Negotiations between the interested powers with respect to settlement of Far Eastern questions must be welcomed." Asserting that "the danger of war is growing" as a result of efforts to rearm West Germany, Malenkov repeated the Soviet demand for prohibition of atomic weapons. A British government official predicted yesterday that the Soviet Union would ask for talks with the West, probably over "some Eastern as Formosa, or Ko-j rea," after sulking for a while because of the French Assembly's ratification of the Paris agreements rearming West Germany. The official indicated his opinion was based on diplomatic reports but declined to give any further details. British Cool Toward Asian Conference LONDON (AP) Britain turned a cold shoulder today to Soviet Premier Georgi Malenkov's suggestion for East-West negotiations to settle Far Eastern differences. The British said they weren't interested unless Malenkov had a specific issue in mind.

The British Foreign Office Issued a formal statement on Mal- enkov's suggestion, made yesterday in reply to questions submitted him by an American newsman. Foreign office officials took the view Malenkov's statement amounted to a proposal for East- West talks. They said their statement amounted to a turndown for any general discussions but left the door open for an agreed specific issue at the proper time. Malenkov said yesterday he would welcome negotiations between interested powers on settlement of Far Eastern 'The experience of the Geneva conference In which the Chinese Peoples' Republic took part togeth- Senate Group To Investigate Defense Plans Ridgway to Be Called In Inquiry Into Army Cutbacks WASHINGTON (D-Ga) said today Gen. Russell Matthew "We can he fairly sure," he said.

'that the Kremlin's threats that ratification of the Paris agree- Ridgway would be called before the Senate Armed Services Committee in a "very careful inquiry" into administration defense plans, including a projected sharp cutback in Army strength. Sen. Monroney D-Okla endorsing the idea, said he hopes as chairman of the armed services group in the new Democratic-controlled Congress will conduct full-dress study of military manpower and defense needs." Russell voiced no opinion on the planned manpower reductions, but he said Ridgway, Army chief of i staff, and other armed service menis on German Rarmament and i Western defense will spoil chances of an East-West meeting are a bluff." chiefs would be summoned to give 'a complete briefing on our defense plans." By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Two persons died on Arkansas A survey since 6 p.m. Friday showed 66 lives lost in accidents across the country. Automobile crashes accounted for 59: fires, 3, and miscellaneous causes, 4.

Two highway accidents in widely separated points in Indiana killed six persons. Three teen-agers on their way to a New Year's Eve skating Las Vegas Club Flings Fabulous $700,000 Ball LAS VEGAS. Nev. Sands Hotel parly today a party died when their automobile cu no mers 'a $100,000 happy u-as struck by a Xeu- York year j-i nE up a tabs for food drink. First word of the house's gener- opitv came at midnipht when a streamliner near Baiavia.

N. 2IO Deaths Predicted The National Safety Council esti- ann Protests Reported Senators Kerr of Oklahoma and Mansfield of Montana said they wanted to hear what Ridgway had to say about plans to reduce Army strength by 243.000 men to a new level of by June 30. Largely through sharply trimming draft calls. A further paring of Army men is projected for the year following. Yesterday the unofficial Army- Navy-Air Force Journal reported that' Ridgway had pretested the Army cuts in a letter to President new Eisenhower.

In move toward thinning ranks, the Army announced yesterday er with other powers shows that such negotiations bring beneficial results," Malenkov said. The British statement declared: 'We agree the Geneva conference was useful. It was summoned to deal with specific problems (Korea and Indochina) and on one of them agreement was reached. It is unlikely that a conference to discuss Far Eastern affairs in general wouJd make progress at this stage. "Her Majesty's government 1 policy has throughout been to reduce tension in the Far East.

And as soon as all concerned are agreed that a specific question is ripe for further discussion, a conference might prove useful once again." A Foreign Office spokesman refused to elaborate on what Far Eastern problems Britain might be willing to open negotiations upon immediately. Reds Ask For Peace, Formosa TOKYO The Communist hopes next-May and June radio at Peiping issued a New Year's By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Relatively mild weather welcomed the new year across most of the nn.mti-tr tnHiu i iwo persons niea on Ancansas me isaiiuiuii oait-iv Council esn- I country today. highways last bringing to 13 mated that traffic mishaps would ty rhronie announced from the stage much HS two months before their breath Temperatures below the 20-degree lhe toU1 number of violent dea ths cause 2-10 deaths during the holi-; of the a Ro0m that every thing discharge 44.000 draftees statement today, calling in the for "libera Eion of Formo- mark were restricted to a belt alon; the Canadian border extending from the Rocky Mountains to New England. Here a new push of Canadian air was slopping across the border. It was in the 40's from southern Virginia westward into Oklahoma and In the 50's In the Southwesi during the early morning hours.

Rain fell along the Pacific Coast from central California northward through Oregon and Washington. Inland, toward Idaho and northern Nevada and the mountains, the precipitation turned to snow. Rain also fell in an area from the lower Mississippi Valley into South Carolina. Elsewhere in the nation skies were mostly fair. in the state since last Sunday mid- any.

somewhat less than the 392 nsght. killed during the Christmas week- Clifton W. Points, 20, of El Do- end. rado was killed instantly in an The survey extends from 6 p.m. automobile accident at Smackover i local time to midnight Sunday, as Creek west of Smackover.

Troy I did the Christmas period, durine was on the house. The "50 patrons that room. who had already paici $25 a head for and show starring Lena didn't believe the news at first. Walker, 19, driver of the car, was Another Gala Event for Coo5f Waikei Investigating officers said Walkers' car ran off a bridge. At Little Rock a 29-year-old nurse, Tommy Hamilton of North Little Rock, died when the car in which she was riding ran off the rond.

Three other persons in the vehicle were injured when the car plunped off the road and into a The injured were identified by Little Rock police as Don Pack. James Willnrd, and Vivian Ford. which 515 deaths by violence were listed, a record for 54 hours. Ihen owners Jake Preedman and i our strength for perimeter warfare Jnrfc Entratter came onstage and of tne tvpe that the Communists dome. 33! deaths were reported years." in an AP survey of a nonholiday stretch of 54 hours Dec.

10-12. 24-month hitches are up. This sa and "maintaining peace in Asia still must get final approval. Also and the tabbed for early release would be! The messaEe was in gree to about 3.400 reserve i ine Chinese people from Ku Mo-jo, one of the Red government's highest spokesmen and chairman of the "Peace Protection Committee." Monroney said, "I've been protesting this cut since it was first announced. It appears to weaken All food and drink throughout the U.S.

Population Aliens Make Escape Man Injured Weather ARKANSAS Partly cloudy today, tonight and Sunday. Rain mostly In cost portion today. Cloudy with occasional light rin or drizzle In the southeast and south central sections today nnd in the southeast tonight. Sunday nartly cloudy with not much change In temperature. Minimum tills Maximum Sunrise Mean Precipitation laat 24 to 7 a.m.

Precipitation (or Date Year Maximum Minimum tilts Precipitation January 1 bo data As Rose Parade Unfolds Today lWhen Dvnomite Charge Ignites PASADENA, Calif. Wl Sixty-one floats built of millions of blossoms nnd depicting "familiar sayings in flowers" move along Colorado Street today in the sixth annual Tournament of Roses. Chief Justice Earl Warren is grand marshal. The earliest and hardiest of hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered, by annual custom, even as float constructors hurried Inst-minute touches. line-up for the parade included 34 jingling equestrian units, a score of bands and numerous drum majorettes and clowns.

For feminine beauty there would be, In float No. 1, Tournament Queen Marilyn Smullln and her court of six princesses. Nenrby Long Beach, which won the sweepstakes prize last year, entered a float titled "A Thing of Beauty" In this year's two-hour procession. About 200,000 fresh blossoms on the float blend Into a backdrop for 21-ycor-old Miriam Stevenson, the Wlnnsboro, S. blonde who won the 19M MLss Universe Beauty Pngcunt In Long Beach last summer.

Other entries Include: The Marine Corps float, "The Marlnei Linded," ibowlag a combat radio team In action in a jungle setting of red carnations, Mue delphinium and white chrysanthemums. Erie, shell-torn ship with cannons emitting smoke to depict "Don't Give Up the Ship." The Portland, entry, "Beauty Is Where You Find It," has four uniU, an artist at work on the first and the following three a trio of framed pictures. San Diego entered an actual delta-wing research jet fighter covered with roses, sweet peas and chrysanthemums. Nenrby Olendale's "Say It With Flowers" showed an old-fashioned garden with three levels of stair steps and two pairs of lovers. The U.

S. military band from Weal Point wai ready to make Us tint West Const nppearnnce, the 105 musicians wearing dark blue with btu. blouses, llfiht blue trousers white stripes and full-dress Andrew Conley, farmer of near Hermondale, was reported in satisfactory condition at Blytheville Hospital today where he is suffering from injuries received yesterday while he was dynamiting stumps on his farm. Mr. Conley is suffering from bruises and abrasions about the face and shoulders and injuries to his eyes.

Dr. Owens snld this morning that extent of injuries to his eyes is not known as yet. Mr. Conley was injured when a charge of dynamite placed under a stump exploded after he had gone near tho stump examine the charge after it first had failed to explode. Spellmon on Formosa TAIPEH, Formosa Francis Cardinal Spellman arrived from Okinawa today nnd offered Mass at the Hau Shan Church In downtown TalnoK Liter he was a dinner guest ol President and Mrs.

'Chiang Kai-shek. hotel was free from midnight on. JThat included a champagne break- I scheduled for 1.000 persons. CHICAGO Eleven aUens EvPn and ci arettes were held for riepcrtntion, escaped bs: Frmimn and Entratter said it was night from the U.S. :1 act of apiireria tion for detention home.

Immigration Mfi- tnc pood business the swank hotel cials said eight Mexicans and three. nas enjoyed since its opening two Canadians cut through a wire casei yenr5 xhev estimated-the cost in which they were held, then at better than" $100,000. walked out a rear door of the build- "Only thing not on the house to- ing. Their absence was discovered 1 night 'tire the slot machines and by guards making a routine crnp added Entratter. Stands at WASHINGTON 17.

population grew last year by some 2.700.000 persons and" now stands at an estimated 163,900.000, including those overseas in the armed services. Reporting this yesterday, the Census Bureau said the nation's population has grown by more than' 12 million persons since the 1950 census. The broadcast, monitored here, also urged the Red Chinese to join with renewed determination "to achieve the national construction program 1 and "clean out the enemy both inside and outside the country." Kuo accused the United States of meddling in China's internal affairs by signing a defense pact with the Nationalist regime of President Chaing Kai-Shek, and by supporting Japanese and West German rearmament. He demanded that the United States '-withdraw its forces from Formosa and its strait, and stop violating the independence and territorial rights of China." "We do not seek peace in the sacrifice of part of our territory Formosa," he said. Western Europe Goes on Biggest Trinity church New Year Binge Since Before War LONDON 1 Western Europe ushered in 1955 today with its gayest spending spree since prewar times.

But above the popping corks could be heard the warning rumbles from both sides of the Iron Curtain. Thriving: Business Riding the crest of a new prosperity, most Western nations greeted the new year with the biggest, gayest celebrations since the 1930s. Paris nightcrlcs offered champagne nt $15 per bottle nnd did a thriving business. London restaurants laid out their first ratten-free New Year's meal in almost 15 prices ranging up to 5 pounds Before daybreak even the Rus-, sians had caught the convivial spirit. Britain's Prime Minister Church-1 ill sounded ttic general sentiment, declaring: "For the first time in many years the world finds itself free of major wars, whilst record unity of Western Europe assures strength tc the alliance of free peoples." From Theodor West German President Heuss came a warning that the big powers split up Germany after World War II "must help to end this division in their interest us well as in ours." And the Vatican's newspaper L'Osscryfttore Romano found th world without "a Christian sense of peace," Wanting from Hcuss From the East, to the echo of Kremlin chires, Soviet President klemcntl Voroshilov predicted the new year would see "further strengthening of pence throughout the world." But he said Western plans to rearm West Germany were "complicating the situation and intensifying the danger of new war." Malenkov Sends Greetings Russia's Premier Georgi Malen- kov sent the American people "hearty greetings." But he sidestepped a direct answer whether he would welcome Big Four talks to settle world problems.

Moscow radio reflected the festive spirit, broadcasting New Year's greetings to Britain from Russian personalities. Ballerina Raisa Struchkova urged the British to "bring Old Vic to Moscow." Chess player Snlo Flohr wished British chess fans "lots and lota of luck." Thc new year lound West Europe booming with full employment almost with an undercurrent of industrial unrest, ooUbly in Dedication services for Trinity Baptist. Church's new annex will be held during the church's regular Sunday morning worship tomorrow. The Rev. John Gearing, County Baptist missionary, will deliver principal talk during dedication services.

The new wing to the church WM recently completed and is to be used also for educational The new annex also includes a bap- tistry, minister's office and kitchen. Radford with Reds TAIPEH, Formosa Adm. Arthur Badford, chairman ot the U. S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, today continued his Informal UlkB with Chinese Nationalist President Chalng Kai-Shek.

Radford tomorrow for South Korea and a tatt with nwOdeot.