Medford Mail Tribune from Medford, Oregon • Page 1

KILLED IN MEDFORD'S WORST PLANE ACCIDENT Russia, West Agree to Truce New York, May of the four announced today that "agreement has been reached on all of the main questions" involved in lifting of the Berlin blockade. A joint announcement by American, British, French, and Russan representatives that certain details are to be worked out. The four powers, the communique said, are hopeful that remaining matters of detail can be adjusted in a "very short period of time." Blockade End Set Earlier it was learned in London that May 12 had been agreed on as the date for lifting the Russian blockade of Berlin and the western powers counterblockade. The date for meeting of the big four foreign ministers, was dates revealed were as described May 23. as compromises.

The western powers desired May 9 for the blockade's end. Russia wanted May 12. But on the date for the big four meeting Russia was reportas compromising, accepting the western powers date of May 23 instead of in mid-June as it proposed. "If those details are speedily arranged it is the intention that a communique embodying the agreement reached will be issued simultaneously in the four countries at 8 a.m. New York time tomorrow," the announcement added that specific agreement had been reached that all Ernest E.

Scott, Central Point Mayor, Dies Here Ernest E. Scott, 67, mayor of Central Point and employe of the California Oregon Power company, died today at 12:37 m. in Community hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home last night, hospital attendants said today. Mr. Scott was connected with the city government of Central Point for the past 26 years, either as a councilman or as mayor.

He became mayor in 1944 on the death of Mayor Pearl Bonney and was subsequently re-elected, serving until his death today. The office will now be filled by Roy E. Kelly, chairman of the council of Central Point. Survivors, besides his wife. Elizabeth, were not known early this afternoon but a complete obituary, will be published is later.

Perl Funeral home in charge of funeral arrangements. Red Forces Open Drive Up Railroad Shanghai, May troops have captured Hangchow and have launched a power drive up the railroad toward Shanghai's southwest defenses, nationalist garrison headquarters admitted today. Hangchow, great seaport city and rail hub guarding the back door to Shanghai, fell at 3 p.m. when an advance yesterday, 4,000 communist troops marched in and took over with the help of a local communist fifth column. At the same time the communists threw 30,000 troops into a powerful front assault on Kashing.

last major nationalist bastion the rail line between and Shanghai. Reports from the front said Kashing's defenses were being blasted by one of the heaviest artillery attacks yet made in the Shanghai area. Kashing is midway between the two cities. 50 miles northeast of Hangchow and 50 miles southeast of Shanghai. Ashland Man Held On Assault Charge Ashland, May 4-Marvin Davenport, 40, Ashland, is held in the county jail on $5,000 bail after he waived preliminary hearing in justice court here and was bound over to the circuit court on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.

The charge was filed by Keith Dallier, 39, Seattle, who suffered severe cuts about the body. Chief of Police Vern Smith said the alleged assault occurred on North Main street here during an argument when each accused the other of attempting to force him off the road while they were driving from California to Ashland. St. Helens. May Ernest Stein of Vancouver, has won the St.

Helens Spring Salmon derby with a 39- pound catch. Weather FORECAST: Fair tonight with increasing cloudiness early Thursday and scattered light showers in afternoon. Slightly warmer afternoon. Temp. Highest Yesterday 60 Lowest this Morning 13 I MEDFORDe 8 1934 TRIBUNE Forty-fourth Year MEDFORD, OREGON USDAY, MAY 4, 1949.

NO. 37. Plane Collision Kills Two, Injures Three U.S. the two planes which collided in mid-air aJout two miles west of Medford yesterday atternoon killing two Left above is shown Cessna plane in which Warrant Officer William P. Barkley, Medford, and a stillkilled.

At right is shown the wreckage of the U. S. forest service Stinson in which Cal Ferris, San Francisco, Mel Missall, Santa Barbara, were injured. Surrounding the forest service plane can be seen the scatshed which it struck after clipping a power line. -(Baker Commercial photos).

Columbia River Flood Effort To Revamp Threat Is Minimized Taft-Hartley Law Portland, May Saturday and fall .5 of a foot The lower Columbia river inundated scattered lowland farms in western Washington and Ore gon today, but weather bureau minimized the flood threat on the basis of new river readings. Weather bureau forecasters "stepped down" their predictions of unusually early high water. River To Fall An official forecast issued Wednesday said the Willamette will crest at 18 feet Saturday and will fall .5 of a foot Sunday; and the Columbia at Vancouver, will crest at 17.7 feet 'Wreckage' Found To Be Melting Snow May believed to be that of private plane missing four months with three California and Oregon lumber executives aboard turned out today to be nothing but a patch of halfmelted snow and bare ground. A ground rescue party reached the spot in the mountains miles west of Yreka where Hamburg, Postmaster George Martin reported he sighted the wreck of a missing Beechcraft. The party reported back that what appeared to be a fuselage of a plane hanging in a tree about four miles from Hamburg was an illusion caused by a curiously against patch of back- bare a snowy drop.

The plane being sought disappeared last December in the general area carrying Paul D. Starr. new president of the P. D. Lumber Southgate, his brother, Robert, 34, and Miss Ruth Meyer, 34, Portland lumber broker.

17 Organizers Of CIO Ordered Out Of Town Charles City, May Floyd County Sheriff B. F. Atherton and his deputies today escorted 17 CIO United Auto Workers union organizers out of town. organizers had asked a guard, saying they were threatened by rival unionists. Two car-loads officers escorted the nine car-loads of UAW men out of town east toward Chicago.

There were no disturbances as the caravan left. Street Superintendent dent At Ashland Approved Ashand, May 4-A new street superintendent for Ashland was appointed by Mayor Thomas Williams, and approved by the city council last and first steps were taken to acquire a new fire hall for the city. Albert N. Day, Ashland, was named to the street job over a number of other applicants, after A. A.

Powers. Hilt, recently turned the job down. Building Approved The council voted to make a down payment of $5,000 on a building for the new fire hall, after title insurance is arranged. The building is of concrete, and according to Fire Clint Baughman is "ideal" for the purpose. The building is reportedly owned by former city attorney William Briggs, with a mortgage held by the G.

S. Butler estate. Balance of the total price of $8.000 would be payable in installments. The council decided to approve $600 worth of crushed granite for a privately owned airport. on condition that facilities of the port be opened to private fliers, including gasoline service and phone installations.

The contract will run for nine and OFFICER AND WOMAN DIE; THREE INJURED AS PLANES COLLIDE of the restrictions imposed in Germany would be "mutually lifted." This referred to the Soviet blockade of Berlin and the western The communique was issued following a one hour and 30 minutes conference between U. S. Ambassador at Large Philip Jessup, Soviet delegate Jacob A. Malik, British delegate Sir Alexander Cadogan, and French delegate Jean Cahuvel. The communique was read to reporters, by officer Porter for the McKeever, American delegation to the United.

Nations, on behalf of all four powers. It said: representatives of the four, powers have discussed all of the problems arising in connection with the situation, which as you know has been under discussion. Agreement Reached "Agreement has been reached on all of the main questions of principle. "There are certain details which are still under consideration, but it be said specifically that agreement has been reached that all of the restrictions imposed on Germany which have been the subject of these conversations will be mutually lifted. of the "After council an of interval foreign a meeting minis- ters will be held.

The council of foreign ministers will consider questions relating to Germany and the problems arising out of the situation in Berlin, including also the question of currency in Berlin. "The four representatives are hopeful that the remaining matters of details can be adjusted in a very short period of time. If those details speedily arranged it is the intention that a communique embodying the agreement reached will be issued simultaneously in the four countries at 8 a.m. New York time tomorrow. "If it proves necessary to have a further discussion of the remaining details, such a discuswill held in the near future- probably Two Suspects Held In Grants Pass Burglary Grants Pass, May 4-- Robert Crockett, 21, and Raymond Lawrence, 19, are being held by Josephine county authorities in connection with the burglary March 25 of the Farmers' Market in Grants Pass and the post office sub-station in the market building, according to Sheriff Loyd Lewis.

The two are said to have signed detailed statements admitting the crime and several others committed in the Roseburg area. They are Myrtle Creek youths and the arrests were made by police in that city, Sheriff Lewis said. The statement, assertedly signed by Crockett, states that he and Lawrence took the safe from the market, kept about $800 in cash and then dumped the safe and the rest of its contents off the Rogue River bridge. Government bonds and other documents were found along the banks of the river shortly after the burglary occurred. Release Suspect In Cornell Murder Case Alfred A.

Gillette, who has been held on suspicion. of the murder of Mrs. Margaret Cornell for the past two weeks, was released from the county jail today, Sheriff Howard Gault has reported. Gillette pleaded guilty to the vagrancy charge that had been against him in Jackson county justice court and the balance of a 60-day jail sentence was suspended by Judge W. P.

Tucker. Frank L. Bell, alias Augustus E. Boquet, Central Point, is still being held by authorities here. Slot Machines Seized In Raid At Roseburg Roseburg, May Sheriff sdeputies raided four clubs last night and confiscated 16 slot machines in a broad sally against the one-armed bandits.

District Attorney Robert G. Davis said the raids were conducted at the Elks lodge and the Country club. BASEBALL By United Press NATIONAL Cincinnati 1 7 0 Brooklyn 5 10 0 Fox Burkhart, Fanovich, and Howell: Hatten and Campanella. Losing pitcher, Fox. Home run -Hermanski.

AMERICAN Cleveland Philadelphia 3 11 0 Fowler, Keliner, and Guerra: Bearden, Benton and Hegan. Winning pitcher, Bearden. Losing pitcher, Fowler. Home runs -Gordon (2), Mitchell, Vernon. Washington 8 11 0 Chicago.

7 8 0 Hudson. Candini, Masterson and Evans: Pieretti, Groth and Tipton. Winning pitcher, Masterson. Losing pitcher, Groth. Home runs Michaels, Baker, Robertson, Stewart, Christian.

Three forest service employees were in a "fair" condition at the Community hospital today following a two plane crash which killed two other persons yesterday afternoon about two miles northwest of Medford. It was the worst airplane accident In this area's history. Warrant Officer P. Barkley, commanding officer of the 1905th AACS detachment at the airport, and a woman whose identification is still indefinite, were the victims of the mid-air collision which made tangled wreckage of the two ships. Occured About 3 P.M.

Shown above are persons and injuring three. unidentified woman, were Tom Biglow, Yreka, and tered boards of the farm 3 Persons Killed, 15 Others Hurt In Truck-Bus Crash Stanfield, May Umatilla Indians dead and 15 bus passengers were hospitalized today after a Greyhound bus bound for Salt Lake City collided headon with an automobile, one mile north of here. The dead were William Elk. 40. and David Halfmoon, 30, and a third unidentified Indian.

All were riding in the automobile. Bus driver Oliver R. Taylor, Beaverton, taken to a Pendleton hospital with both legs fractured, said the bus was rounding a curve when the car shot into view at high speed on the wrong side of the road. He said the car skidded on the shoulder and then hit the bus. List of Injured The injured: Mrs.

Elizabeth Anderson, Union, Mrs. Vallie Taylor, 58, Portland: James Thompson, 57. North Powder, Kathryn Anderson. 3. Portland: Mrs.

McIntosh. 52. Portland: David. 11, and Ida Hoke, 46, Alexander Beaton. 28, Windsor, Mrs.

Laverne Beane, 48. Salt Lake City: W. B. Ely, Grand Junction, A Mr. Degnest, Victoria, B.

Muriel Dawe, 21, Eleanor Price. 23, both Vancouver, B. Arleen Goodnight, 26, Midvale, Blanche Smith, Tacoma, Wash. Besides Taylor, Mrs. Laverne Beane, Salt Lake, was reported seriously injured.

Cop Gets Still Back But Continues Search For Guy Who Took It Yelm, May 4- (U.P.) Police Chief Dan Carew had his still back today, but was still looking for the fellow who took it. Carew had found the 85-gallon "distillery" in nearby hills and polished it up to present to the state historical society. But someone stole it from the local city hall, coils and all. Late yesterday, Carew spotted a suspect and began a wild auto chase on winding roads in the Bald hills nearby. He caught up with the car.

But the man inside dumped the copper still out on the road, and fled. stopped to pick up still and I didn't catch the fellow." Carew said. "But I'll get him vet." Sunday. The crests now predicted for Saturday were one foot lower in Portland than forecast Tuesday, and one and one-tenth feet lower in Vancouver. The new forecast lessened the anticipated danger of flooding along the lower docks of the Portland riverfront.

Colder weather in the snowfields of the Snake river watershed abruptly halted the sudden rise in the Snake. The Snake had gone up 2.5 feet at LewisMonday, but it fell eighttenths of a foot in 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. today. The upriver crest of the Willamette did not come up to early expectations. Instead of reaching the predicted 17-foot crest at Salem, it steadied at less than 15 feet morning.

At Eugene the Willamette dropped three feet. Dikes Said Stronger Col. O. E. Walsh of the corps of engineers said flood control dikes were stronger than last June, when a record deluge wiped out Vanport City, caused erosion losses estimated at 000 and brought death to 52 persons throughout the northwest.

The Willamette reached 16 feet today and was expected to lift another three feet within the next three days. A 19-foot flood would be 10 feet below the Willamette's level last June. Pact Repudiation Could Bring War Washington, May 4 (U.P.) Republican foreign policy expert John Foster Dulles said today he believes "war would be highly probable the United States repudiates the North Atlantic pact. If the senate refuses to confirm "in view of all that has he said, other signatory nations might change their plans. In that event, he said, "it is quite likely that there would come a war." Dulles told the senate foreign relations committee that the present form of the pact is not so "imperative" as its ratification.

because of the effect the signing already is having on western Europe. He made that statement when Sen. Bourke B. Hickenlooper (R. la.) asked if war would be "inevitable" if the United States did not ratify the pact.

"War is highly probable if we do not go into the pact," Dulles replied. Prisoner Appeals For Help From Oregonians Portland, May Harvey Bugg, known in Oregon as "Cowboy Jim" Williams, has appealed to his Oregon friends to help get him out of the Missouri State penitentiary. Bugg was arrested at Gearhart. last summer when children recognized him from a description broadcast over a radio program. He was wanted in Missouri for armed robbery, kidnaping and auto theft.

Bugg was A riding academy instructor. He said he could have his job back if he were paroled. Klamath Indians Reject Constitution Klamath Falls, May 4- (U.P.) Returns from Monday's election showed today that Klamath Indians rejected a proposed constitution for their tribe by a vote of 102 to 309. It was believed that one explanation for the heavy "no" vote was a provision which would have permitted collection of taxes and fees from members of the tribe. Shelved In House Washington, May 4 (U.P.) The house today shelved indefinitely all efforts to revamp the Taft-Hartley labor law.

It did so by voting to send the Wood bill back to committee. The decision was taken by a hair-line vote announced as 212 to 209 in favor of recommital of there Wood action bill. left the Taft-Hartley law on the books, with no apparent prospects of any new labor legislation being acted on by the house at this session of congress. Defeat For Truman The vote to recommit the issue of Taft-Hartley law repeal to the house labor committee was represented as saver" for the democrats who didn't like the Wood bill. Actually, the voting of the past two days in the house was a major defeat for President Truman who campaigned last year on a promise to wipe the TaftHartley law off the statute books if elected and given a democratic congress.

The motion to send the Wood measure back to the house labor committee was offered by Rep. Richard J. Welch, (R, who had voted against the bill yesterdayte on the motion seesawed narrowly all the way, On the final results, 193 democrats, republicans and Rep. Vito Marcantonio, ALP. N.

voted to send the bill back to the committee. Against recommittal were 62 democrats and 147 republicans. House Dealt Crusher Mr. Truman lost his chance yesterday to make good on his campaign when the house first defeated a compromise- -which had the blessing of the democratic leadership, if not of the president. Then the house dealt a crusher by voting to substitute the Wood bill for the administration's original outright repealer.

Theoretically, the vote to recommit gives the democratic leadership another chance to redeem Mr. Truman's campaign pledge. practical purposes. Taft Hartley repeal efforts in the house appear dead for this session. This means that the Taft-Hartley law, bitterly denounced by organied labor as a "slave labor law," stays on the books.

Police Summoned To Plant At Portland Portland, May were summoned today to the Bushong and company plant after striking CIO lithographers tightened their mass picketing "squirrel cage." No violence was reported. The union tightened its close lock -step picket line in front of the plant after a meeting at which unionists voted to continue the strike until management grants a welfare payment of $2 a week for each worker. The welfare fund would be used for a sickness and hospital program. James Lowman, president of the local, the union rejected a management offer of $1.07 for the welfare program. Willamette Missionary Convention Scheduled Silverton, May The Willamette district missionconvention will be held here ary Thursday and Friday at the First Christian church.

Orville F. Mick of Albany will be the presiding officer. Other leaders will include the Rev. George Richardson of Jefferson, the Rev. Harold Lyman of Salem.

the Rev. A. C. Bates of Silverton and the Rev. Kenneth Johnston of Dallas.

Occured About 3 P.M. The crash occurred at about 3 p.m. yesterday, as the Cessna flown by Warrant Officer ley collided with a U.S. forest service plane at an altitude variously estimated between 800 and 1,500 feet. In the crash the tail: assembly of the Cessna was almost severed from the rest of the plane, and it plummeted down to graze the roof farm shed and strike the ground on the property of Dr.

D. I. Drummond, on Ross lane. Wing Damaged The other plane, piloted by Cal Ferris, San Francisco, had a wing damaged in the collision, according to eye witnesses, but managed fly at a decreasing altitude toward Central Point for nearly two miles before it cut through a power line and clipped the edge of another farn shed on the property of John Sedelmayer on the JacksonvilleCentral Point highway, near Central Point. Neither plane burned.

Beside Ferris, other occupants of the forest service plane were Tom Biglow, Yreka, and Mel Missall, Santa Barbara, Calif. They had left Yreka in the morning, flying to Cave Junction on forest service business, and were approaching a local airport for a landing at the time of the accident, according to information pieced together by the state police, the county coroner and the forest service. Cause Not Known What actually caused the crash has not been determined. J. T.

Feeney, civil aeronautics inspector from Eugene, arrived in Medford last night to begin an investigation. County Coroner Carlos Morris and state police officers were today attempting to obtain definite information as to the identity of the woman who was killed. It is believed, however, that she is a Mrs. Mary A. Thompson, of Willow Ranch, although she was known casually by Medford residents as Mary White, Patricia Davis, and Patricia Price, and it was thought that she was an army recruiting officer in the WACs.

A state police officer is today en route to Willow Ranch in an attempt to make the identification definite. Stationed Here Warrant Officer Barkley has been stationed in Medford for about three years. He was only recently promoted from master sergeant, and assumed command of the air force and airways communication station here. He will be succeeded in command temporarily by James R. Price.

He is survived by his widow. Jessie, and by two children, William and Douglas, Medford, as well as another child previous marriage, Patricia Anne, who lives with grandparents in Ohio, according to Coroner Morris. Other survivors are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.

L. Barkley, Boynton Beach, Fla. The plane flown by Barkley was owned by Aeronauts, local flying club. Eyewitness accounts of the crash itself differ in some respects, but all agree that the came together and the Barkley ship fell almost straight down, killing Barkley outright. The woman died en route to the hospital.

The forest service Stinson flew on in the direction of Central Point. Regains Control After the collision, Ferris apparently gained temporary control of the ship, and eyewitnesses said they thought he could have brought it down safely except that it struck the power line, throwing the plane off balance. It then crashed into the shed, which "looked as though it had exploded." Observers believe that the shed cushioned the crash sufficiently to permit the occupants to survive. When the power line was out, electric service was cut off ternporarily from a large area northwest of Medford, including the transmitter of Radio Station KMED. which was off the air for 47 minutes, from 2:59 to 3:46 p.m.

Jacksonville was without electricity for a few minutes, according to the California-Oregon Power company. A number of persons crowded the area near the two planes within a few moments after the accident, and late into the evening. Five state police officers were on hand to assist the injured, who were taken in two -Morris ambulances to the hospital. No Pity Shown For Lone Portland Camel Portland, May Portland city council took no pity Tuesday on the lone camel in the city's 200. After a long and hard fight, it eliminated a $1,500 request in the park bureau budget.

The money was to have purchased a mate for the zoo's lonely camel. -U. S. Air Force photo, W. P.

Barkley Bond Election For Swimming Pool Set For May 27 May 27 was set by the city council last night as the date for a special election on a proposed $75,000 bond isue for city swimming pool project completion and park improvements and on a one mill continuing levy for operation and maintenance of all city park areas. Residents in the four Medord wards will be asked to go to the polls between 1 and 8 p.m. make proposed ordinance that would keeping of stands or hives of bees unlawful in Medford after January 1, 1950 passed its first reading by the council. The legislation must pass three readings before it is law. Penalty for violation of the ordinance would be a maximum fine of $100 or 50-day jail sentence or both.

Attorney Otto Frohnmayer, representing Kenneth Teeter, Medford distributor for Texas company, submitted for council consideration legislation that would limit to 2,000 gallons the that may be Medford amount of inflammable, liquid by tank truck and trailer for local deliveries. Modeled after a Hood River ordinance, then regulation would safety measure, Frohnmayer, pointed out. The proposition win be reviewed by the safety committee. The council last night took action assuring John Atkins, airport cafe proprietor, the sole food dispensing concession at the municipal airport during the period of his lease. Mayor Diamond Flynn announced that a League of Oregon Cities district meeting will be held at Rogue Valley Country club on Wednesday, May 11.

A 7. p.m. dinner will be followed by the business session. Cities and towns in Jackson and Josephine counties are in the district. Councilman Harold Frye reported that a $10 donation to the swimming pool fund has been received from J.

W. Cook, route 3. (See story on page 3) Mike De Cicco Beaten By Five Assailants one-half years. A council committee report on the progress of the Resthaven Mausoleum was approved. A letter addressed to council from the owners of the Mountain View mausoleum was read.

which indicated that they wished no further additions made to the existing structure. Other Items Other items of business included appointment of a committee to investigate smoke ance in the city; approval of a motion to pay the balance due on city parking meters; approval of the applications of the Warner and Clyde Beatty circuses to perform in the city; approval of 800 for the city recreation fund to be included in the new budget: record approval of a request for $2.500 for the advertising budget of chamber of commerce and referral of the request to the budget committee--and approval of several bills. The council also approved a request from the Ashland Realty Board to approve their petition that rent control be lifted in the Ashland area. The request was forwarded on to the MedfordAshland rent advisory committee for action. Astoria, May De Cicco, Portland, newlyelected treasurer of democratic central committee, was beaten up Monday night in his cottage at Gearhart, it was learned here late Tuesday.

De Cicco told authorities the beating was administered by two sailors and three civilians. He was injured about the head, but his condition was not serious. courthouse observers said. District Attorney Garnett Green said De Cicco had filed no complaint against his assailants. Informants in the county courthouse said De Cicco had blamed the beating on friends of "a girl he had discharged." Italian Air Crash Claims 31 Persons Turin, Italy, May 4 (U.P.) Thirty-one persons, including the entire Turin football team returning from Portugal, were reported killed today when their plane struck a church tower in Turin and crashed.

The passengers included 27 football players, trainers and Italian journalists and four crewmen. plane was circling Tgtedbznding at the air field at the base of the southern Alps when a wingtip was reported to have brushed against the spire of the cathedral,.