North Carolina Newspapers

I ■ " '— WEATHER BBBI ■ ^ Served By Leased Wires TUC %kl lUimi^. >' fel mmM MIC ASSOCIATED PRESS northwest. Monday I I ■ .UHUiHFD IN - 1^1 B W UNITED PRESS " ^TMII (F>@®T €ilirV®F jP>IS?@(8I3Egg E>lUf AgyffilfHftfr state and National New, 7 A1 IQ 1VO IQ "" " - "' . ■ ,. , . -———■ ■ ■ - — - ■ - - — - \ Ui,. in.- . IV.- WILMINGTON, N. C., SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1947 ~ PRICE-ItEN CENTS— Jet Pilot Wins Derby, Photo Finish 120,000 Witness Photo Finish With Phalnax And Faultless PREDICTIONS TRUE Cosmetic Kid’ Is From The Maine Chance Barn of Miss Arden CHURCHILL DOWNS, LOUIS - VILLE, Ky., May 3 — UP)—1The colt ho is “living on borrowed time” -husky jet-propelled Jet Pilot— von the Kentucky Derby today as his backers said he would, ol;t in front and flying, and one of ihe greatest throngs in sports h: torv saw him do it. They said the “Cosmetics Kid”, a sturdy chestnut front - runner from the Maine Chance barn of Elizabeth Graham, the Elizabeth Arden of the cosmetic world, would take to the off - footing of ihe Churchill Downs strip like he takes to his oats, that he’d come Vzzling out of the gate and the rest of this field of 13 would never catch him. And that’s exactly how it happened in this 73rd and big ■e:-t of all derbies. = But it wasn’t just as easy as that for this Kentucky-born speed artist, because coming at him at the finish Were the “ Gentleman from Virginia ” stretch - sizzling Phalanx, and Faultless, the rangy hope of trainer Ben Jones. And when they laid their noses on the wire, it was so close that no one in the vast, roaring throng esti mated by Col. Matt Winn, the 86 vear-old mastermind of this most famous of American races, at bet ween 115,000 and 120.000, could ■split them apart” until the photo finish picture had been developed. Then, the picture told the story. The Pilot—and it’s a name that fits like his racing plate's because he steered all the rest of them home—had managed to last by a bare head for the glory and the r.ecklace of roses and the pot of gold that this time amounted to $92,160 out oa a gross of $120,210. (See Complete Details on Sports P:ge Eleven.) PREDICT TRUMAN TAX BILL VETO Source Close To White House Hints President To Use His Peogative WASHINGTON, May 3 —(U.R)— A source close to the White House predicted tonight that President Truman will veto the Republican tax bill. There was however, little like lihood that the veto warning would lessen GOP determination to push through congress +he Re publican program to cut individu al income taxes. Senate Republican leaders gave nr, indication that they would be willing to compromise to avert a veto. They intend to put their pro gram up to Mr. Truman on a "take-it-or-leave-it” basis. The President opposes any tax cut now. But. he has not said defin itely that he would veto a GOP bill. Some congressmen have ex pressed doubt iha the would take what they consider the political risk of a veto. Tlie Senate Democratic leader ihip is confident it can muster enough votes to sustain a tax veto. That foreshadows a deadlock that would result in taxpayers getting no relief this year. The Weather Eastern Standard Time)) (Bv U. S. Weather Bureau) Meteorological data for the 24 hours ending 7:30 p.m. yesterday. Temperatures 1.30 a.m. 60; 7:30 a.m. 65; 1:30 p m. 74; ?:30 p.m. 66. Maximum 75; Minimum 56; Mean 66; Normal 67. Humidity 1:30 a.m. 66; 7:30 a.m. 60. 1:30 p.m. 43; "'30 p.m. 71. Precipitation To.a. for 24 hours ending 7:30 p.m. • 00 inches. TcUi since the first of the month 0-91 inches. Tides For Today tlhom the Tide Tables published by V S. Coast and Geodetic Survey). High Low Wiln.i gton 9:20 a m. 4:01 a.m. 9 :45 p m. 4:12 p.m. Ma:--, i let 7:03 a.m. 1:03 a.m. 7:32 p.m. 1:09 p.m. 5:20; Sunset 6:53; Mooiirise p.m . Moonset 5 07 a.m. 11:'vr ^tage at Fayetteville, K. C., at 8 lr Saturday., (missing) feet. CHARLOTTE, N. C-, May 3. —iylO—of ficiai weather bureau records of the temperature and rainfall for the 24 hours ending at 8:30 a.m. 5lat‘cn Max. Min. R’fali Wilmington _ t; 58 Asheville _62 46 0.07 Atlanta _~~ 72 49 Angusla _"__ 75 60 ?' "ihigham _ 74 49 i _ 42 40 1-06 j Charleston _ 80 63 Charlotte _ _ _ 73 47 Lneago_ 50 43 0.09 Columbia _ 76 54 5c”vcr _ 83 56 rtro’> - _ 61 45 0.01 L'ansvnie _ 58 48 0.15 “heston - 82 66 Creensboro . 73 46 0.02 n,c.fon,me_M 62 “‘“e Hock - 75 54 - Angeles _ 92 59 A-eurphis _ 73 52 0.01 - 80 48 *£‘‘ -■ - 81 73 0.43 Mob"ic ' Paul - 65 43 s», 85 57 • ' Mitchell _ 42 29 0.27 V.T Orleans - 85 60 u . ;ork - ■ _ 47 44 0.01 g 76 46 Antonio - 91 60 rIV /r*hcisco _ 70 — ! T^urg - 72 50 '•’•hlngton _ 72 52 Priest’s Assailant Gets Sanity Hearing Don L. Laurent/, 27-year-old ex-Marine, stands in district court at New Orleans at his arraignment for stabbing the Rev. James W. Courtney, Catholic priest, during com munion service in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. At the request of his lawyer, the court ordered a lunacy hearing for the prisoner. (AP Vt'i rephoto). MAY DAY CHARGE HURLED AT VETS House Group Claims Men In U. S. Uniform In Red Parade WASHINGTON, May 3, — (U.R) - The house unarrj;rican activities eommittee charged tonight that some 80 United States military officers and 1,000 men in enlisted uniforms staged a “treasonable demonstration” by marching un der the Communist banner in the New 'rork May Day parade. It said the episode provided ‘‘flagrant evidence” that the Com munists have infiltrated the armed forces. The committee urged the Army and Navy to launch an immedi ate investigation to determine the identity of the men involved. It added that any officers on active duty who participaled should be court mart.aled and any inactive personnel dismissed from the re severe corps. The demand was contained in a letter from committee Chairman J. Parnell Thomas. R., N. J.. to Secretary of War Robert P. Pat terson. Thomas said he was send ing similar letters to Secretary of Navy .Tames Forrestal and other appropriate officers. ‘‘There is no place in the active or reserve banks of our army for an officer or an enlisted man whose allegiance is to a foreign government,” Thomas wrote. I need not remind you that these men take an oath of allegience to the United States when they re ceive their commissions.” MARINE AIR ACE KILLED IN PLANE CRASH IN CHICAGO CHICAGO, May 3 —tfP)— Capt. Donald Aldrich, daring Marine air ace who shot down 21 Jap planes in Pacific warfare, was killed to day when his Navy corsair fighter plane overturned at a South Side airport. , Aldrich, a Chicagoan, was trap ped in the Corsair’s cockpit when it overturned after he attempted a landing on a small commercial field. A Navy spokesman at Glenview Naval A> station said the Marine ace was en route from Staunton, Va.,'to Glenview, but apparently “got into trouble” over C h i c a go and was forced to land at the South Side field. PLANT TO REOPEN WINSTON-SALEM, May 3—(U.R)— Strikebound plants of the huge R. J Reynolds Tobacco company were idle today for the first time since several thousand union workers walked out early Thursday, but company spokesmen said they would be reopened Monday-_ Loan Aids Electric Program FrwpPqA'Counties “ -" ^AL 296,000 More Than 90 Per Cent Of Residents To Have Ac cess To Power Special to the Star-News JACKSONVILLE, May 3 —Over 90 percent of residents of four Southeastern North Carolina coun ties will have access to electric current as a result of a $296,000 loan to the Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation, Fred Harmon, general manager, an nounced here. The loan, made by the Rural Electrification Administration, of which the Jacksonville firm is a cooperative, will serve to extend and make connections with exist ing lines in Onslowr, Duplin, Le noir and Jones 'counties, Harmon said. The manager said that no meet ing has been scheduled for action on the matter as the company has not been notified of the approval of the loan, announced in Wash ington by Senator Clyde R. Hoey (D-NC). The Wilmington Star News Washington Bureau report - ea the action as soon as it was cleared through Senator Hoey. Other executives of the 8-year old Jones-Onslow Company, man aged by Harmon include: E. L. Smith, president, J. L. Sasser, vice-president, and W. J. Harfett, secretary-treasurer. The Board of Directors is com posed of A. N. Venters, B. C. Grey, H. M. Mallard, and E. M. Philyaw', Harmon said. The lines controlled by the Jacksonville company are scatter ed over four counties, and the money will be spent to complete the present proposed program, Harmon said. All of the lines are in rural areas, it was said. According to Harmon. $65,000 of the loan will be used to complete payment on a project now under construction, costs of which have risen to this amount since the original estimates, because of fluctuating material prices. Harbon said that 157 miles now under construction to serve 737 customers will be paid for under the loan. The company now controls 350 miles of established lines; 240 un der construction, and the addition al 157 miles will give it a total of 747 miles, Harmon said. Construction is badly hampered by shortages of materials now, Harmon said. “We are not now able to make progress we would like on the in stallations, but we look for some let up on the material shortages soon,” Harmon said. SENATOR HOEY DEFENDS LABOR Would Protect Unorga nized As Well As Or ganized Groups WASHINGTON, May 3 —(A*)— Senator Hoey (D-NC) said today legislation should be passed to protect organized labor and added that bills now before congress would approach that objective. He said that much of the criti cism of the controversial legisla tion stemmed from “misinterpre tation. Hoey continued, in a statement: “I think the congress will pass a good labor bill. 1 will support a measure that will be fair to la bor and to management and that will give major protection to the public.” Hoey disputed contentions that the pending bills would destroy unions, saying “this statement is absolutely false.” Hoey said that 15,000,000 work ers belonging to unions are en - titled to protection by law. but de serve no more consideration than the 43,000,000 unorganized work ers. “This is a free country and m order that freedom be extended to all. a monopoly should not be granted to any group to prescribe or prevent others from working unless they yield to the demand that they join a union,” the form er governor said.____ No Active T.B. Found Here Among Students In Survey A report received from the North Carolina sanatorium by Dr. A. H. Elliot. New Hanover health officer, indicates that none of the school children X-rayed here during the recent survey show any signs of active tubercu l0“l'am happy to report that none of these films showed any evi dence of reinfection type tubercu losis, either in white or colored children. Further than this, no evidence of childhood type tuber culosis of clinical significance was found in the films. ‘‘Among the white children sev en cases of hea’ed childh..od type tuberculosis were definitely made o„' on the films. Four well de-in ed cases of healed childhood type tuberculosi* were noted among colored children,” Doctor Elliot said. The percentage of positive reac tions from the tuberculin test, in dicating contact with a case of ac tive tuberculosis, were unusually high this year, according to Doc tor Elliot. X-ray examinations in dicate that no active infection exists among any of the students X-rayed. The 11 cases noted of healed childhood type tuberculosis would indicate that these children should h a v e a routine check at least every second year to be on the safe side. Doctor Elliot said that it was extremely valuable to these child ren to know of the existence of this healed condition , since they (Continued on Page 13, Col. 1) Telephone Workers Back On Job A truck load of maintenance employes of the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania leaves a company depot in Philadelphia en route to work after settlement of their part in the telephone strike The agreement, providing wage increases of $3 to $4 weekly, was the first major settlement in the strike. (AP Wire photo) . ____ Price Cuts Success Here But Merchants Have Mixed Feeling Food uts Prove Worth In Added Business But Other Lines May Not Join Program, G. F. Hunt Announces By CARLTON RHODES Star-News Staff Writer While more than 20 Wilmington grocers have announced their in tentions of continuing — for the present—their adherence to the Nevvburyport Plan whereby they have cut prices 10 per cent one grocer last night declared “it is purely an advertising scheme and it is unfair competition.” N. A. Merritt owner of a store at the corner of Chestnut and Fourth streets was referring to an article on the front page of Sat urday morning’s Wilmington Star in which it was indicated grocers were falling in line with the 10 per cent reduction plan. “I say they are not right in pub lishing it,” the storekeeper de clared emphatically” as he opined he had already readjusted his prices on food and produce without benefit of fanfare.” ‘‘We have records to prove where we have made adjustments and to show that prices have bean cut by the adjustments.” he’ added. Merritt also hastened to add “I started in the grocery business 10 years ago with $350 and no ex perience.” In a period of four months he said “we have adjuste dall of our prices and markups are from five to 15 per cent lower than OPA markups during the war. He quoted the following ex ample. “During the war salt was selling for nine cents and now the boxes are two for 15 cents. Comparing Merritt’s prices with the Newburyport reductions of J (Continued on Page Two; Col. 2) BV BOB KUNE Star-News Staff Writer As Wilmington retail grocers last night declared they intended to continue their trial of the New buryport Plan—reduction of prices by 10 per cent—the picture on the other side of retail trades in the community appeared dark. G. F. Hunt, Jr., local furniture dealer, and president of the Wil mington Merchants association, in dicated discussion of the "across the-board reduction” plan has been, "tabled” and declined to say whether or not the plan would be discussed at the association’s board meeting next Friday. "If it is discussed,” he said, "the five board members can vote either in favor or against endorsing the plan. If they vote to endorse it, we will have to submit the proposal to all 150 or more members of the associa tion.' The individual members will be the ones who will finally de cide whether or not to adopt the plan.” Hunt said that if the associa tion decides against the plan, it should give its reasons for doing so. Meanwhile P. Franklin Bell, sec retary of the association, and act ing secretary of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce said, "we will appreciae your cooperation in giving the matter as little pub licity as possible.” At least two local merchants indicated, however, that they (Continued on Page Two; Col. 3) CATHOLIC LAYMEN CONVENTION TODAY Goldsboro Man Is Candi date For First Presidency —Bishop To Speak RALEIGH, May 3—W—Catho lic laymen from this state will meet here tomorrow afternoon at Cathedral Latin school in the first convention of the North Carolina Laymen’s association. The Most Rev. Vincent S. Waters, bishop of the Raleigh dio cese, will speak. There are six candidates for the presidency, but the Bishop’s of fice stressed that other nomina tions for this and other offices can be made from the floor. Candidates for president, as chosen by the nominating com mittee: Col. W. F. Kernan of Highlands; Edward J. Murphy of Salisbury; William K. Guilka of Asheville; Leo J. Kelleher, Sr., of Greensboro; J. G. Redmond of Goldsboro, and Edward MacCle ments of Charlotte. 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL HITS NEIGHBOR’S CHILD, DISAPPEARS GASTONIA, May 3—(U.R)—Police today sought an 11-year-old adopt ed girl who ran away from home in fright because she beaned a neighbor’s child with a rock. The girl, Kathryn Belk, left a note for her foster parents say ing, ‘‘I hate to do this, mother, but I have to do it, goodbye.” • Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Belk said Kathryn became alarmed yester day afternoon after she hit the neighbor’s four-year-old daughter with a rock, inflicting a scalp wound. She was gone when Mrs. Belk returned home after rushing the injured child to a doctor. Eelk who operates a brick yard at Kershaw, S. C., said Kathryn took an extra dress and shoe*. ROTARY CLUB WINS AWARD Organization Given Presi dent’s Citation During Convention The Wlmington Rotary club re ceived the President’s citation for “The Ideal of Service” during the two-day district' convention at Morehead City which ended Fri day it was learned last night on the return of Wilmington delegates. Making the award was Rich ard C. Hedke, president of Rotary International. The award was given for the local club’s efforts .in the 188th district in matters pertinent to de veloping a strong club; promoting high ethical standards in business and professions; in benefiting the community and its people and in advancing international under standing and good will. Leon M. Gibson, Fayetteville, w’as voted district governor for 1947-48 and Shelby Cullem, Fay etteville, ' was named district treasurer. W. Eugene Edwards, . Wilming ton, was chairman of the prizes and awards and Adam Smith, Wil mington was chairman of the Ser geant-at-arms committee. Attending the two-day session were Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Marks; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rogers; Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Grist; Mr and Mrs. Smith; N. A. Avera, Daniel D. Cameron, Blackwell Bugg, Wil liam Hendetrson, John Nucktor. and Edwards. SEABOARD EARNINGS NORFOLK, Va., May 3—(JP)— Earning prospects for the year 1947 are favorable, and earnings !or the first quarter of the year have been generally up to ex pectations, Legh R. Powell. Jr., president of the Seaboard Air Line railroad, stated in a letter ac companying the company's an nual report to its stockholders and security holder* released today. ] HINTS OF CIVIL WAR HEARD BY ITALIANS PROTESTING DEATHS HARBOR CONGRESS HONORS R.B. PAGE _ Publisher Named Director Of National Rivers, Harbor Group By FRANK VAN DER LINDEN Wilmington Star-News Washington Bureau ' WASHINGTON, May 3. — R. B. Page, Wilmington, chairman of the North Carolina State Ports Authority was elected a director of the National Rivers and Har bors Congress today. Page, who publishes the Wilmington Star-News, will rep resent North Carolina on the di rectors’ board for the ■ coming year. The Congress, a private organi zation of groups interested in River and harbor development, makes recommendations to the Federal Congress. Page said he was “very well satisfied” with the recommen dations favoring North Carolina projects, including one for deep ening the Cape Fear river to 35 feet. In classifying the Cape Fear proposal as “meritorius” rather than urging immediate action, the Congress recognized that the dredging for a 32-foot channel has just started and the Army engi neers have not yet filed a report on the 35-foot survey, Page said. “I got everthing I asked for,” he declared. Also receiving meritorius com ment was the. Manteo project which calls for the deepening of the Oregon inlet channel to 10 feet. “Meritorius” was indicated by the project committee as being “The next thing to a complete recommendation.” The committee fully endorsed the Buggs Island project on Roanoke River since the project was already underway. In its recommendations the committee requested United States Army engineers to hasten surveys on the proposed Cape Fear river resurvey as pertain to flood control above Fayetteville. Other projects, requested by Page, which received favorable comment and on which the com mittee declared surveys should be made included: Enlargement of the Southport yacht basin. Increasing the depth of the in land waterway from Beaufort to the Cape Fear river. Construction of a waterway from Jacksonville to the ini a n G waterway. Increasing the depth of the in land waterway to Carolina Beach. Neuse river flood control. Deepening of the channel from the ocean to Morehead City harbor- • STORM LASHES ENGLISH COAST Queen Mary Narrowly Es capes Damage As Tugs Battle 40-Mile Gale .LONDON, May 3.—(U.R) A spring storm lashed Britain’s coastline last night and today. It rammed a merchant ship into a dance pier in Wales, forced vessels in the English channel to take shelter during “the wildest night in years and almos t crocked the liner Queen Mary into a haroor wall. At Penarth, Wales, the 7,000 ton Canadian steamship Port Royal ParK crashed against a dance pavilion pier, but several hun dred dancers escaped. The ship was only slightly damaged, but the pier was virtually demolish ed. . n The giant luxury liner Queen Mary was almost blown against a Southampton harbor quay wall by a southeasterly gale when she was being shifted from Jting George V dry dock to a berth at the new docks. Seven tugs transferring the Mary battled 30 to 40-mile an hour winds which caught the ship broad side for an hour before the gale veered slightly from the southeast and ended the stringle. The Cunara-White Star liner is being convented from a troopship to trans-Atlantic passenger service and is expected to be ready within a few months. Labor Leaders Warn Government Against Violence Repetition Six Million Workers On Protest Stoppage In Every City And Big Town In Italy Attend Rallies ROME, May 3.—(UP)—Hints at the possibility of civil war were heard today as Communist leaders harangued meetings of an estimated 6,000,000 workers who struck throughout the nation in protest against the May Day shooting of eight peasants in Sicily. BEACHES EXPECT MANY VISITORS Fishermen Have Been Tak ing Advantage Of Cool Nights To ‘Angle’ Local beaches are expected to play host to a large crowd today if the “fair’’ weather predictions hold true. Fishermen especially have been taking advantage of the cool nights and fair weather that are ideal for the popular sport. Auto mobiles with fishing rods sticking out the back window have been moving almost every hour of the day to local waterways for salt and fresh water fishing. Last Sunday it was noted that many of the amusement centers had flung open their doors to a large pre-season crowd that was enjoying swimming as well as basking in the sun. Not all of the concessions were open, but it was especially noticed that rides, bingo games, and theaters florished with the pleasure-seeking crowd. Business enterprises, antici pating a large tourist season here, are springing up along the high ways leading to Southeastern North Carolina pleasure spots and much building has been going on at the resorts. Noting the second season since the end of the war, and with the availability of scarce goods, in cluding new cars, beaches are ex pecting many out-of-town tourists as well as out-of-state travelers. GOP ATTEMPTS TO DELAY LOAN Republicans To Aim Dozen Amendments At Bill To Restrict Its Scope WASHINGTON, May 3 — <U.R) — Opponents aimed a dozen or more amendments at the $400,000,000 Greek-Turkish aid bill tonight in the hope of restricting its scope— if they can’t kill it outright. But Ms supporters were confi dent the measure embodying Pres ident Truman’s program to quar antine Communism would pass the house next week, perhaps with minor changes but in substantial ly the form approved by the sen ate a few weeks ago. Republicans opposed to the bill, however, may demand a confer ence of all GOP house members to argue that the party should take no stand in favor of the measure. Twenty-four Republicans held an informal meeting last night and appointed a delegation to call on Speaker Joseph W. Martin, Jr., today to discuss the situation. Members of the delegation re fused to be specific about the re sults of their meeting with Mar tin, but one of them said, “there may still be a conference.” Balky Automobile Blamed For Death HICKORY, May 3 — (U.R) — A balky automobile engine was blamed today for the death of Lloyd Lynell White, 44, of Hilde bran, who was drowned last night when his car rolled into Lake Rhodhiss in Burke county. Officers said the automobile rolled into the water while White was trying to start the motor. Telephone Workers File Unfair Labor Complaint ATLANTA, Ga., May 3—(U.R)— The Southern Federation of Tele phone Workers said tonight it had filed charges of unfair labor prac tices against the Southern Bell Telephone Company which earlier had issued an ultimatum to strik ing employes to return to work or lose their jobs. Negotiations in the 27-day old telephone strike were stalled again late last night on the heels of a Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph company disclosure that the company’s latest offer to the- Southern Federation of Telephone Workers committee in Atlanta had been flately rejected. O. G. Bain, manager of the Wilmington telephone office, ported H. S. Dumas, president of Southern Bell, had made a wage proposal to the striking un ions which contemplated salary hikes of from $1 to $3 per week. Bain said the union refused to consider the offer, and countered with demands of flat $11 a week increases, plus increased pen sions, shortened hours, and re lated labor costs. Bain said the union's latest demands amounted to an average weekly cost to the company of over $18 per em ploye. The company rejected the union proposal. E. C. Drinkard,, % chairman of Local 615 in Wilmington, confirm ed Bain’s report, but denied hav (Continued on Page Four; Col. 1) Typical of the threats was the speech of Nazzareno Buschi, sec retary of Rome’s Chamber of La bor, speaking before a mass meet ing of some 50,000 workers at the Basilica Massenzio. “Workers do not want civil war,” he said, “but our enemies and above all the government must be warned not to allow a repetition of this violence.’’ The strike was far from gener al. Essential workers, such as em ployes of the railroads, public util ities, telephone and telegraph sys tems, were not called out. Nor did it last for the rest of the day after 11 a. m., as the Com munist-dominated general confed eration of labor had ordered. In the industrial north Milan, Turin and Genoa—workers stayed out only 30 minutes. They struck for varying periods in Rome and Pal ermo, in some cases up to 8 p. m. Public services were shut down briefly in Palermo, but that was the only place where this occurred. The massacre, in which eight were killed and 33 wounded with ma chineguns by a few men on horse back, occurred 18 miles from Pal ermo. Some restaurants were open in Rome, but everything else, in cluding the black market, was closed for a few hours. Demonstrations were reported in every city and big town in Italy. The confederation had ordered them to be peaceful, and special confederation squads mingled with the crowds to preserve order. Cav alry, troops and carabinieri were out in force at strategic points. Union leaders in their speeches stressed that more violence such as that in Sicily, will be answered with violence. They blamed “Agra rian lords, capitalists, bourgeois monarchists and the Uomo Qual unque (common man) party” for the killings. Generally, it was believed that the Communist idea was to try to draw a deeper distinction between the workers—all of whom are not Communists—and those they blame for the killing. The government, which has 75 suspects under ar rest, insists that the guilty are members of the black hand. PALERMO, Sicily, Sunday, May 4—(U.R)—Police, after a 30-minute machine-gun battle, last night cap tured 26 bandits, including sever al, believed to have participated in the May Day massacre of eight persons. CHINESE RICE RIOTS REPORTED Astronomical Rises In Cost Of Staple Diet Cited As Cause Of Disorders SHANGHAI, May 3 —(A3)— Ac counts of a violent series of rice riots today in Hangchow, coupled with astronomical rises in the cost of China’s staple diet, overshadow ed news of seesaw operations in the interminable civil war. The Shanghai Evening Post said more than 300 rice shops were looted in Hangchow, 113 miles southwest of Shanghai in the heart of the rice producing area. Later reports said martial law had been proclaimed in the city and the government was frantical ly dumping large quantities of rice on the open market in an attempt to depress prices. Shanghai rice sellers feared similar disturbances and cut the black market price slightly to 2,400 dollars a pound or 20 U. S, cents at the official exchange rate. On the civil war fronts, semi official government reports said two nationalist forces were con verging on Communist held Taian from points 36 miles southeast and 36 miles northwest. The official Central News Agency said another government army captured S u i t e h, last important Communist stronghold in northern Shensi Province. FORTY PERSONS ARE ARRESTED FOR BOOTLEGGING DURHAM, May 3—(U.R>—Liquor law enforcement officers tonight reported that 40 persons, 13 of them women, had been arrested in a two-day drive against bootlegging in the Durham area. Carl Pollard, head of the Dur. ham county Alcoholic Beverage Control board’s enforcement divi sion, said a total of 66 charges of illegal possession and sale of whis key had been made against the ar rested persons. All of the 40 were released on bonds ranging from $200 to $800. Pollard said the drive wouid be continued.