Medford Mail Tribune from Medford, Oregon • Page 1

11 NOR FOUR SHORTLY WW ml Weather Medford United Fresa Full Lcuea wire Barbara Graham Dies In California Prison Execution Chamber FORECAST: Cloudy and mild tonight, becoming partly cloudy Saturday Low tonight 48. High Saturday 78. Temp. Highest Yesterday 78 Lowest this Morning 54 FRIDAY, JU finally was put in the chair at 1 Influential India Newspaper's Editor Gives Information Release Expected Within 24 Hours Manila (U.R) The release of the 11 American airmen still imprisoned in Red China is expected within the next 24 hours, the managing director of the influential Times of India said tonight. The Indian editor, J.

C. Jain, who arrived here by air from Hong Kong, said his information on the probable early release of the American fliers came "from a source that Is usually reliable." In Washington, officials expressed surprise at Jain's forecast. They hoped the report was, true but there was nothing to indicate that the United States had been alerted to receive the prisoners at Hong Kong. Appears Surprised Four American jet pilots released earlier this week by Red China reached freedom at Hong Kong last Tuesday. "I was informed in Hong Kong," Jan said, "that 11 more fliers would be released, possibly within the next 24 hours." The Indian editor appeared surprised that local newsmen had not received similar reports.

He declined to give any additional information but did say he "believed" the other 11 airmen were the ones tried and convicted by Red China of "espionage" and now serving long prison terms. Jain said the release of the four fliers on Tuesday, after more than two years in Red Chinese jails, was "a good gesture." Sentenced in November The 11 men whose release he said is likely in the very near future were sentenced last November to terms of from four to 10 years in Communist prisons. The 11 airmen still held in China are: Maj. William H. Baumer, Lewisburg, Airman lc Steve R.

Kiba, Akron, Airman 2C John W. Thompson III, Orange, Capt. Eugene J. Vaadi, Clayton, N. Col John K.

Arnold Montgomery, Lt. Wallace L. Brown, Montgomery, Lt. John W. Buck, Armathwaite, Airman 2C Harry M.

Benjamin Worthington, Sgt. Howard W. Brown, St. Paul, Capt. Elmer F.

Llewellyn, Missoula, and Airman 2C Daniel C. Schmidt, Boise, Ida. above looking toward the stand graduates are seated. At the right directly behind the Medford band, is Dr. O.

Meredith Wilson, the University of Oregon, who speaker. SIXTY-SECOND ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT Two hundred and ten members of the Medford High school class of 1955 completed their high school careers last night at the school's 62nd annual commencement exercises. A portion of the crowd, estimated at Importance Stressed by Wir jc No. 64 of Mind Speaker Dr. Wilson voiced the desire that the seniors would remember well the past 12 years, and their parents whose sacrifices and hardships made the graduation a reality.

The 62nd annual commencement ceremony was attended by nearly 800 parents and well wishers of the 210 members of the class of 1955. Seniors March In Beginning with the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance" processional by the school band, the graduating seniors marched onto the commencement stand for the ceremony. The Rev. Kenneth F. Korby of St.

Peter's Lu-thern church delivered the invocation, and at the end of the commencement, delivered the benediction. Following the invocation came the senior class singers with Sigmund Romberg's "Golden Days," in which a solo by choir members Macy Overstreet was featured. School Superintendent E. H. Hedrick introduced Dr.

Wilson. Lester D. Harris, principal of the high school, announced the awards and scholarships earned by members of the class, and Mrs. Moore Hamilton, chairman of the school board, awarded the diplomas including one to her daughter, Nancy. Earn Honors Stan Culy was valedictorian of the class and Don Robinson was salutatorian, the traditional honors for high scholastic standing.

"Outstanding senior girl was Melissa Jennings, and the outstanding boy was Lorin Jacobs. The ceremonies were conducted with the singing of the "Alma Mater" song by the entire class, accompanied by the band. (The many awards and scholarships earned by members of the class are listed in a story appearing on Page 8.) rift 800, is shown where the of the platform, High school president of ws the principal At MHS Graduation 50th Year 26 Pages is MRS. BELLE LITTRELL Well-Known Woman Diet 'Mother' Littrell, Nearly 95, Passes In Rest Home Here Mrs. Belle E.

more familiarly known as "Mother" Littrell, died last night in a local rest home. She was nearly 95 years old. Mrs. Littrell, born In August, 1860, was the widow of the late E. A.

Littrell and came here from New Mexico with her husband and family more than 30 years ago. Mrs. Littrell was active in the Medford First Presbyterian church and a social room at the church is named the "Mother" Littrell room in her honor. She taught school in Missouri. Survivors include four sons and a daughter, State Rep.

E. A. Littrell, and Mrs. Ethel Chad-wick, both of Medford; .1 P. Littrell, Los Angeles; Earl Littrell.

Coos Bay, and Donald B. Littrell, River Forest, 111. Other survivors include 15 grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren. A sister, the late Miss Agnes Phillips, who died several years ago, made her home with the Littrells here for many years. Funeral services are pending at Perl funeral home.

Better Car Supply Assured Senators A seasonal shift of railroad ears from the east to the west should provide more equitable distribution, easing the shortage on the west coast, Oregon's two senators have been informed. The Interstate Commerce commission and the American Car service, told Senators Richard L. Neuberger and Wayne Morse that heavy grain loading in the northwest has complicated the situation, and that instructions have been issued to discontinue loading grain until June 8. In a telegram to the Mail Tribune, the senators said that if the situation is not eased by that time, the service will request the department of agriculture and the commodity credit corporator. discontinue the grain loading for a few more days.

reported to the senators that empty cars are being dispatched from as far away as New England in an effort td ease the shortage in Oregon. Settlement Hinted In Trucker Sfrike 'Los Angeles (U.R) Federal Conciliator John Fenton hinted today a settlement of the 15-day old Western States truck strike-lockout may be reached by the week end. Fenton said a meeting scheduled last night with both sides was deferred until today because some of the top management officials had been called out of town. Fenton yesterday met separately with representatives of the AFL Western Teamsters and the trucking industry in an effort to formulate some basis for settlement of the strike which has halted nearly all of the West's long-haul for-hire freight trucks. Knight Backs Nixon As Vice President Sacramento (U.R) Gov.

Goodwin J. Knight said today he will support -Richard M. Nixon for vice-president if President Eisenhower wants him to run again in 1956. The governor repeated at a press conference his previously announced position that he is "for President Eisenhower and whoever he wants as his running mae." MEDFORD, OREGON, Mrs. Frank Bash On Oregon GOP Central Committee Chairman Announces Other Appointments Portland (U.R) Wendell Wyatt of Astoria, recently elect ed chairman of the state Repub lican central committee, today named his appointments to the executive committee which in eluded four new-faces.

Colon Eberhart of La Grande was named to replace William Hanzen of Pendleton who re cently resigned as Umatilla county chairman; Francis Smith of Portland replaced Philip En- glehart who recently resigned as Multnomah county chairman; George Penrose of Tigard takes the position vacated when Wyatt moved to chairman, and Henry Buehner, state treasurer, takes the place of the man he sue ceeded, Lawrence Neault of Baker. Mrs. Bash Named Other members included Mrs Margaret vanLubken, Portland, state vice-chairman; Mrs. Frederic W. Young, Portland, secre tary; Mrs.

Frank Bash, Medford; L. A. Bean, Madras; Curtis I. Roseburg; Phil Bladine, McMinnville; Erline Brauti, Wheeler; Mrs. William M.

Burns, Portland; John Gallagher Corvallis; Joe Horn, Hood River; Elmer Lemler, Merrill; Mrs. Col- lis R. Moore, Moro; Donald My-rick, Grants Pass; Mrs. Vida Robertson, Molalla; Roland Rod man, Eugene; Mrs. Bess Scharf-fenberg, Albany, and Sidney Schlessinger, Salem.

Mrs. Harold D. Peterson of Dallas was reelected at a meeting here yesterday for a sec ond two-year term as president of the Republican Council of Oregon Women, Inc. Equalization Board Holds Last Meeting Members of the Jackson county board of equalization yesterday held their final meeting until after a public hearing June 10 on the proposed county budget for 1955-1956. Since the board started its sessions several weeks ago, it has met with approximately 500 taxpayers and has considered their requests for changes in valuation on their property.

The board has requested that the state send an appraisal man to Jackson county to conduct some recheck work. County Judge Rodney Keating, a member of the board, said this morning that "It was the observation of the board that the assessment program has been extremely fair, considering all factors." He noted that the board has made few changes to date. Other members of the board are Ralph Cook and Arnold Bohnert. 1 Diamond Lake Road To Open Late Today The west Diamond lake road was to open to the public at 4:30 p.m. today, acording to J.

G. Bromley, Grants Pass, district maintenance supervisor for the highway department. The route has been plowed out to permit two-way traffic through the snow banks, Bromley said. It was being allowed to dry out before traffic could use it. Load limits will be imposed on the route until the snow is gone.

The section which has been closed is between the Diamond lake junction, just beyond Union Creek, and the lake. In Salem, R. H. Baldock, state highway engineer, said the Crater Lake Rim drive and the east entrances to the national park will open about July 4. Masked Men Hold Up Cleveland Bank, Escape Cleveland (U.R) Four masked men, operating with stopwatch precision, held up a branch office of the Cleveland Trust Co.

today and escaped with an estimated $60,000. No shots were fired, and the four sped away in the waiting car. Salem U.R Russell A. Peyton of Beaverton has been appointed fair employment practices field representative in the state buna of labor. San Quentin, Calif.

(U.R) Convicted Murderess Barbara Graham was executed in the San Quentin gas chamber today after a frantic sequence of events BARBARA GRAHAM Pays Price for Crime in which the execution was delayed twice, once only four minutes before she was to have been strapped in the death chair. The attractive mother of three Two Men, Woman, Given Sentences In Burglary Case Three men and a woman ap peared in circuit court this morning before Judge H. K. Hanna. Two of the men received terms in state prison.

Thomas Miner Spoon, 24, Min eral Wells, received the stiffest sentence, a five-year term on a charge of burglary not in a dwelling. Two others involved in the same 90 and 9 tavern bur glary case were among those appearing before Judge Hanna this morning. They were William Riley Spoon, 26, Santo, who received a term of three years and six months on a burglary charge, and Luetta Mae Spoon, 24, Santo, who was placed on probation for three years. Mrs. Spoon was charged with concealing stolen property.

Two 15-year-olds picked up in connection with the same case are still held in Jackson county jail. They have been turned over to juvenile authorities. The fourth to appear in court this morning was Wayne Harding, 19, of 229Vfc Chestnut st. Harding was on probation when he was arrested recently in connection with a felony charge. The court this morning extended his probation, which would have ended in December, for two years starting today.

France Gives Home Rule To Tunisia Paris (U.R) France gave Tunisia home rule and brought NATO troops into Algeria today in moves designed to stem nationalist terrorism. Premier Edgar Faure and Ta-har Ben Ammar, Tunisian Premier, signed treaties formally granting local government to the strategic North African territory. France retained only control of defense and foreign relations in the former colony stained by hundreds of terrorist deaths in a long nationalist campaign for home rule. Tunicia was quiet today. But violence continued to flare in nearby Algeria.

To combat the terrorism, France moved to transfer from Germany a division assigned to NATO. The government now has 100,000 soldiers in Algeria. Metiford Man Winner Of Idaho Homestead A man listed as Robert Smith of Medford was one of eight Oregonians who won homesteads for which drawings were held in Rupert, redently, according to United Press. Further identification of the winner was not available this morning. The homesteads are located on the northside pumping project, according to the Bureau of Reclamation in Rupert, which made the announcement.

A total of 63 homesteads were won in the drawings. 10:34 a.m. (PST)I The lethal cya nide pellets were dropped at 11:36 and she was pronounced dead at 11:42. Mrs. Graham was put to death for her part in the brutal robbery murder of a wealthy Burbank, widow, Mable Monohan.

The 32-year-old woman walk. ed into the death chamber dress ed as though she were going on a shopping trip. She wore a trim beige suit, dangling earrings and crimson lipstick. A wedding ring was on the third finger of her left hand. Mrs.

firahnm'c cV.i-.rf hair naa neatly done. She had a black i uuuuiuiu over ner eyes as she entered the air-tisht rhamhar door, assisted by two guards. Accompanied by Priest Father EriurarrI Ouentin's Cathnlio vuuiiutu av companied her to the door of the i i ucaui cnamoer. Three euarris but with their hands shaking nervously, fixed the Mrs. Graham's arms and body ana plugged the stethoscope attached to her chest.

When the chamhpr Ann cIqim. med behind the Pliarrlc lemHnrr Mrs. Graham alone in the chamber, she stared straight ahead with her lips moving constantly When the first cyanide pellets reached her nostrils her head slumped on her chest. A moment later she strain- ea against the straps and threw her head as far back as it would go. She remained in that position lur me rest of the time except for the last moment of life when ner race dropped slowly forward.

More Than 1,600 Elks at Convention Ashland More than 1,600 Elks have registered for the annual state convention, which started here yesterday. Today's activities include a banquet for Elks official, anrf guests at the Tally Ho at 6:30 p.m., and a concert by the Eugene band at the Lithia park at 7 p.m. A golf tournament started at the Oak Knoll course at 6:30 a.m. today, and the opening business session started at 9:30 a.m. Afternoon activities included a ladies fashion show and entertainment at the armory and bowling tournament which started at 2 p.ni.

The convention parade will be tomorrow afternoon, followed by a Buffalo barbecue at the Ashland High school stadium. The grand convention ball will be in the Ashland lodge ballroom tomorrow night with Baldy Evans' band. Radioactive Minerals, Iron, Listed in Claims Two quartzlocation notices, one for radioactive minerals and the other for iron, were filed yesterday in the office of. the Jackson county clerk. Redioactive and "other valuable minerals1 were specified in" a location notice filed by Carl Love and Robert E.

Welch, Box 515, Jacksonville. The claim is located in the Trail Creek area. W. D. Whittle, Reba Whittle, Archie Haskins, and Carrie Has-kins, all of Ashland, filed a location notice on a claim listing iron and other minerals.

The claim is located in the Lilly Mountain mining district on the Oregon-California state line near Perks Pasture guard station. Tillamook Man Heads Highway Interim Group Salem (U.R) The Legislative interim committee on high- way study held its organizational meeting here today and elected Sen. Warren McMinimee, Tillamook Republican, as chairman. Rep. Robert L.

Elfstrom, Salem Republican, was chosen vice-chairman and Rep. William Bradeen of Burns as secretary. U.S. Might Triple Formosa Air Strength Taipeh, Formosa (U.R) Unofficial reports said today that the United States might triple its air srength on this Nationalist Chinese island bastion. The reports arose coincident with a Far East Air Forces Head quarters announcement in Tokyo last night that the 13th Air Force, under command of Gen.

William L. Lee, had been eiven responsibility for defend. ing Formosa from tha air. (Brainerd photo) Firemen Complete Home Inspections City fire department truck crews have completed regular route coverage of Medford in their residential inspection program, Fire Chief Gordon Barker reported today. He said that a fireman will be detailed next week to make requested call backs for home inspection.

Total number of stops, inspections made and other data were being tabulated today by the department. Crews called at 106 homes yesterday and found 36 free of hazards." No one was home at 50 and six occupants rejected the offer of inspection. For 14 homes a total of 27 recommendations for improving fire safety were made. New Issue Injected in Portland Milk Strike Portland (U.R) Milk-hungry Portlanders today, learned of a new issue injected into two-day-old dairy strike and lockout that could prolong the city's fresh milk famine for several days. Teamsters employed at dairies where no labor dispute existed announced they would refuse to go back to work until paid for the time lost while locked out of their jobs by employers.

All dairies in Portland closed their doors and sent workers home after AFL Teamsters struck the Mayflower Milk plant in a dispute over working schedules. The dairies contended a strike against one of their number was a strike against all. Emergency milk shipments were being made to hospitals but Portland schools, now near the end of the school year, made no such provision and substituted orange juice and chocolate made with powdered milk for school lunches. friendly attitude toward Yugoslavia which until recently has been treated as a Communist traitor and outcast. Khrushchev addressed a mass meeting of thousands of cheering Bulgarians who were ordered into Sofia's September Ninth Square minutes after the Soviet delegation's plane landed.

Khrushchev's explanation of the trip to Belgrade to woo Tito and a description of his reception in Sofia were broadcast by the Sofia radio and were monitored here. The Soviet leader' went straight into an applanation of "Institutions are but the width and breadth of the shadow of man," Dr. O. Meredith Wilson, president of the University of Oregon, told the graduating Medford High school class of 1955 last night in the Medford High stadium. Dr.

Wilson emphasized that institutions are man made, and that any member of the graduating class could easily change or create- institutions that would help or hurt mankind. Cites Historical Figures Citing several famous and infamous historical figures, such as Caesar, Napoleon, Marx, and Einstein, Dr. Wilson pointed out that each "although but one" had dramatically changed the outlook of the world by the use of their minds. He asked the seniors to realize that the modern world calls for "people who use their minds." Hells Canyon Dam Decision Delayed Washington (U.R) A Senate Interior Subcommittee today delayed until next Wednesday action on a bill to authorize a high government dam in Hells Canyon on the Idaho Oregon border. Chairman Clinton P.

Anderson (DN.M.) said the delay was caused by the absence of Sen. Arthur V. Watkins (R-Utah), who is in Utah, and by a decision to have printed a staff report on the bill. The staff report deals with questions raised during public hearings on the bill, Anderson said. It information on whether there is an adequate flow in the Snake river at the dam- site for operation of the project, he said.

County Court Orders Load Limits Removed The Jackson county court this morning signed an order removing load limits from the entire length of five county roads. The order becomes effective immediately. Included in the order were Medford-Climax Butte Falls-Fish Lake Dead Indian Cobleigh and Geppert rd. Klamath Falls (U.R) Mayor Paul Landry says work on the west side highway by-pass in Klamath Falls is scheduled to begin around August 10. Salem (U.R) Rose Week is scheduled for June 6-13, "whether the roses are in bloom or not," Gov.

Paul Patterson has announced. London (U.R) India's roving ambassador, V. K. Krishna Menon, said today the United States could contribute to Far Eastern peace by permitting Chinese students in the United States to return, their Communist homeland. Me'non arrived there today from Reiping and New Delhi en route Washington where he will report on his discussions in the Red Chinese capital of prospects for a cease fire in the war threatened Formosa Strait.

Menon said Red China's release of four American fliers "opened the door" to settlements of Far East questions. Timber Price Report Service Aim of Bill Washington Senators Richard L. Neuberger (D-Ore.) and Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn.) today introduced a bill which would provide for a government price reporting system on timber products. Senator Neuberger said the system would be similar to the service now provided for agricultural crops, and would protect sellers of timber and lumber who "now often are unaware of prevailing conditions of supply and He added, "The bill should be of great importance to Oregon, which is the No. 1 lumber state." Pendleton U.R) Building permits for Pendleton in 1955 surged past the million dollar mark during May.

Total for the five-month period reached $1,106,000. Satellites Moscow's reasons for forgiving Tito, despite Yugoslavia's seven-year defiance of the Cominform. For one thing, Khrushchev said, Tito steadfastly refused to surrender Yugoslavia's sovereignty to other presumably Western powers, in spite of the nation's difficulties. Western experts on Soviet affairs said Khrushchev and the delegation that includes Premier Nikolai Bulganin and Deputy Prime Minister Anastas Mioyan probably will visit other satellite capitals to forestall the dangers of a new "Titoism" in the satellite empire. Forgiveness Strengthens; Campaign for Peace, Khrushchev Informs London U.R) Soviet strong man Nikita Khrushchev told the Soviet satellites today that Moscow's forgiveness for Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia has strengthened world Communism's campaign for "peace." Khrushchev and the star-studded Soviet delegation stopped off in Sofia, capital of Communist Bulgaria, en route back to Moscow from the talks with Marshal Tito in Belgrade.

The Bulgarian visits was interpreted here as a move by the Soviets to sooth satellite tempers frayad by tfa Kiamlin's.