Newspapers / The Wilmington morning star. / Dec. 20, 1947, edition 1 / Page 1
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vr*r-rfTr: FORECAST: ! 4 ^ 4 > ^ v ssmp^j tlmutyimt nntuty s>tar _ -— vrvr gt xTrw~77r:— —_____ ^ _1 * • 1U4‘_WILMINGTON, N. C„ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1947 France Urged To Soak Rich Finance Minister Mayer Of fers Tightened Aus terity Bill Plans PARIS. Dec. 19. —(U.R)—Finance . Minister Rene Mayer, warning lhat fiance is on the brink of inflationary disaster, called' tonight for a “soak the rich” risis program of tightened aus ' itv ..vhich would channel idle Francs into government coffers. Ue cabinet approved his ,rced loan plan which would ’pel a'l persons earning 'ore than 750.000 Francs ($6, L, a year from any source ex t real estate to invest from 1. jo 50 per cent of net earnings jn emergency loans to the gov ernment. The plan also would levy a heavy tax on loafers and night: dub habitues who are able to work hut do not, and would in crease the tax burden of farm ers. Mayer presented the program to the National Assembly with the plea that the emergency anti-inflation measures should he “railroaded” through before Christmas to save France from |l the threat of “overwhelming in flation and economic collapse.”! The stocky Socialist financial j expert, in a two-hour speech, I warned the Assembly that, France would have to cover an i all-time record budget of. Francs equivelant to more than J7.200.000.000 in 1948. Speed Necessary "We need an energetic and' rapid effort,” he said. “France I ht' at the present moment a chance t.o recover, but that chance will no longer exist in a few weeks time.” The chief planks in Mayer’s program were. 1. A forced laon—the first in France’s history — compelling those earning more than $6,000 innuallv to put from 25 to 50 per cent of their 1947 net gains into 10-year, three per cent gov ernment bonds. I. Lvv new taxes, not yet an nounced. to squeeze another J6fi4.000.000 out of the taxpay ers. J Reorganize income tax See FRANCE on Page Two FROSTBITTEN ]MAN FOUND ON TRAIN! Imprisoned In Box Car Seven Days, “Tramp” Loses 50 Pounds FORT SMITH, Ark., Dec. 19 An emaciated, frost bitten white man was found here to day in a box car loaded with lumber and haltingly whisper ed to officers and hospital at tendants he had been locked in the car without food and water since Dec. 11. Sheriff Prentice Maddux said ^e man identified himself as Ear] Harrison, 24, as he told a story of eight days and nights of terror. The sheriff said Har rison gave this accounting: He climbed into the car at! Jells, Nevada, thinking it was hound for Ogden, Utah. The joor was locked before the trip began. As the dark hours drag led by, Harrison realized the ear was bound somewhere oth er than Ogden. He pounded •rd screamed at every stop but j lot no response, until finally he ; "as too weak to cry out. lire man was found when the ear was opened at a lumber yard FROSTBITTEN on Page Two The Weather ^RECAST___ •lS™ CAROLINA — Considerable ccimif55 Saturday and Sunday,, oc *iv rain Saturday night and Sun chan. arlng Sunday afternoon, little NOR™’ temperature cools- o CAROLINA—Mostly cloudy, Sim Saturday and continued cool day night°CCaSi0ra^ Rght rains Satur WEATHtR FORECAST •Ming 7°.lCnE’cal data for the 24 hours * t# p. ni. yesterday. I'M TEMPERATURES 11. Vw m 7:30 a- m. 36, 1:30 p. m. Marf p’ 171 52 normal'1^111 55‘ mmimum 38, mean 45, ■;30 humidity K t:30 prnrn,7,7a7:3° a- m- «>. 1:3<> P- m Total „ PRECIPITATIONS 3:‘7 inchesCe ’’’e °7 the month— trorr- „T"lES FOR TODAY 8l r !"1' Tide Tables published by and Geodetic Survey), 'filming*^ HIGH TOW gtM1 -2:57 a. m. 10:17 a. m. 3:17 p m. 10:48 p. m. SuiirLe - ,, P- m- 7:22 p. ro. Gl^PiNuimTErr) Russia May Supply Armament T o Arabs Lebanese Official raes Fear Offer Of Arms M- -epted Despite Mosk Communists - .— _ BEIRUT, LEBAi ^jec. 19 —(^)—A high Lebanese govern ment official said today he ‘feared Soviet Russia might of er arms to the Arabs for use in Palestine and the Arabs vould accept them.” The official, who declined use af his name, added that he tnew of no overtures from Rus sia ‘‘as yet.” ‘Some Western nations have already banned shipments to the Middle East. But the Arabs will take arms from wherever they can get them, even from Russia although they hate Com munism,” he added. Meanwhile, the American owned Trans-Arabian Pipeline company has halted all field | work in Trans-Jordan, Syria and Lebanon since the disorders in Arab countries which follow ed the United Nations decision favoring partition of the Holy Land. Field parties were flown by , special plane back to Beirut or to Saudi Arabia. All equipment jwas placed at depot points, one of them guarded by Arab ! Legion soldiers in Trans jordan. While the company is mark ing time from the Mediter I ranean end, work from the : Saudi ' Arabian end is continu jing, company sources said. [These informants added that no See RUSSIA on Page Two Ban On Closed Shop Held Constitutional By Court ANOTHER FIRST PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19. — WP) — A complete solemn high mass will be televised from the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul over television sat tion WPTZ on Sunday ,Dec. 21. It will mark the first time in history that the entire cere mony of the holy sacrifice of the mass will be seen and heard on the air. DEGAS WINS CONF CE VOTE Constituent Assembly Stands By Premier As Riots Are Renewed ROME, Dec. 19—U?)—Premier Alcide de Gasperi, hard pressed by Leftist criticism and demon strations, was given a new vote of confidence in the Constituent Assembly tonight after nine per sons had been reported hurt in Caltanissetta in Sicily’s second oubreak of violence in two days. The assembly appro-, ed an or der of the day saying it had heard and approved government decla rations of policy. The roll call of 435 deputies showed 303 for the order and 118 ommunists and pro-Communist Socialists — op posed. Fourteen did not vote. Supporting de Gasperi’s gov ernment were his Christian Dem ocrats and most u.puties of the Republican and Labor Socialist parties, admitted to the cabinet this week, and of the Liberal party and Uomo Q alunque (Common Man) Movement. Before the vote, the Commun ists and their Socialists allies criticized the government at length, and de Gasperi gave an hour-long reply. The interior ministry, report ing the trouble in Caltanissetta, said strikers blockaded the city hall and resorted to gunfire and grenades when police charged them. COUNCIL DEB E ON VETO S TED UN Security Group Votes For Discussions With Russia Opposing LAKE SUCCESS, Dec. IS.—(ff) —The Security Council decided today to discuss the controver sial veto issue again despite Russian objections that all such talk “constitutes a waste of time.” By a vote of 9 to 2, with Rus sia and Poland in the minority, the council approved a work sheet calling for debate on the question. No date was set, however. The point arose when the council was asked to agree on a discussion program which listed a letter from Secretary General Trygve Lie calling at tention to a resolution of the U. See COUNCIL On Page Two Violation Of Act Consti tutes Criminal Act, Opinion States RALEIGH, Dec. 19 — (£>)—'The State Supreme Court in an unanimous opinion today upheld constitutionality of a state law banning the closed shop and at the same time ruled that a vio lation of the law constituted a violation of the state’s criminal law. “The power of the state by general legislative act ... to condemn private contracts found to be injurious to the pub lic welfare, to declare them contrary to public policy and prevent their consumation can not be denied,” wrote Associate Justice A. A. F. Seawell. “The General Assembly felt that so far as it concerned the principle which it felt should be preserved there is no sub stantial difference between the “closed shop" and the so-called “all union shop,” the justice ad ded. “The statute protects the rights of workmen to organize: it further protects rights of workmen to express their indi vidual opinions by refusing to join unions,” Seawell wrote. Citations Upheld The court, in another case on the labor-management front, up held contempt of court citations brought against 11 Rockingham strikers as the result of disor ders which marked a prolonged strike at the Safie Manufac turing company last summer. The anti-closed shop law was enacted by the 1947 legislature. In addition to banning the closed shop, it also prohibits the union shop, maintenance of member ship, and the check-off of union dues. The test of the act’s constitu tionality came in a test case from Buncombe county sponsor ed by the American Federation of Labor, and labor leaders have indicated that if the State Su preme court upheld the law, an See BAN on Page Two GOVERNOR CHERRY FREES PRISONERS Two Former Escapees Who Made Good Have Sen tences Commuted RALEIGH, Dec. 19—UP)— Two prisoners who were return ed to prison after having escap ed and made good in civil life will spend Christmas with their families with their debts to so cety marked “paid in full”. Governor Cherry today com muted the remainder of the pri son terms of William Philpot, 34,. who escaped from a North Carolina prison camp in 1934 and who went to Gilbert. W.Va. married and became a highly resoected citizen. The governor also commuted the remaining prison time of Virgil Shipes, who escaped in 1944 and became a successful business man at Fairfax, Va. Prison denartment officials said that Philpot. who is serving his sentence at the Guilford county No. ane prison camp, and. Snines, who is confined in the Durham camp probably will be realesed tomorrow. Blackie Quits Guardhouse For Doghouse Via Pardon FT. McPHERSON, Ga., Dec. 19—(U.R)—Blackie, an aged “pot hound” with a tail so long it was hard to tell which part of him was wagging, left the guardhouse under a full pardon today and took up respectable residence in a doghouse. The military pardon was read to Blackie as he slouched on a jeep hood. It lifted a life sen tence imposed by court martial 11 years ago when Blac’ >m mitted “Felinicide” on a colo nel’s cat. Col. G. M. Halloran, dignified infantry officer, clipped off the message in the pardon as a master sergeant armed with a riot gun stood over Blackie un til he should formally be pro nounced a free dog. “As befitting the spirit of this holiday season, and because of his exemplary conduct,” gener al pTisoner ‘Blackie’, ASN D— 0000, is honorably restored to duty,” Colonel Halloran read. “The unexpired portion of his life sentence is hereby remitted. See BLACKIE on Page Two Congress Adjourns After Passing $540 Million European Aid Bill; Peace Far Distant, Marshall Says Soviet Policies Scored In Speech Secretary Blamds Molotov For Break Of Big Four Conference WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 — (#)— Secretary of State Marshall said tonight that because of Soviet “frustration” policies, a lasting European peace settlement is yet distant. It probably will have to await the outcome of Western Eu rope's efforts — with Ameri can assistance — to “restore a healthy society,” he predicted. In a radio talk to the nation, timed for 10 p.m. EST, Marshall reported on the break-up of the Big Four Foreign Ministers Conference at London. He said that until the struggle between Russia and the West ern powers is decided even a “paper agreement” would be difficult. “The Soviet Union has recog nized the situation in its frank declaration of hostility and op position to the European recov ery program,” Marshall contin ued. Placing the blame for failure to reach agreement on Russian Foreign Minister Molotov, Mar shall said that at London the Soviet spokesman displayed “no apparent will to reach a settle ment.” Molotov, he charged, used the conference “as an opportunity for propaganda declarations which would be pleasant to Ger man ears.” Outcome Disappointing Despite the outcome, which he termed disappointing, Marshall asserted that no real ground was lost or gained, except to make clearer the outlines of problems and obstacles to a lasting peace. “We cannot look forward to a unified Germany at this time,” he advised. “We must do the best we can in the area where our influence can be felt.” His reference presumably was to the 16 nations of Western Europe, including the Ameri can-British occupation zones in Germany. It was for their eco nomic recovery that President See POLICIES on Page Two PESSIMISM RULES STRIKE PARLEYS Union Spokesman Says Western Union Walkout Appears Certain WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.—(jR— The government continued to night its efforts to settle the wage dispute between AFL unions and the Western Union Telegraph company but a spokesmen for the workers said a strike Tuesday morning ap peared “inevitable.” The strike date was fixed earlier this week by the execu tive committee representing the AFL Commercial Telegraphers Union, the Telegraph Employee Union of Atlanta, and the Tele-’ graph Workers Union of Dallas, Texas. Together they represent 50,000 employees in the Wtstrn Union system outside metropolitan New York where the Ameri can Communications Associ ation (CIO) has offered to join in the walk out. The AFL has not yet accepted the CIO union’s proposal for joint action. The AFL union spokesman said a strike seemed inevitable after a three-hour meeting of government conciliators and representatives of the company and unions. Working Hard See PESSIMISM on Page Two SANTA CLAUS VISITS BRIGADE BOYS CLUB — Over 200 boys attended the annual Christmas party at the Brigade club last night. Santa is shown above as he passed out presents to all the boys attending. Awards for the recent Santa Claus parade poster contest were made by James Copeland, executive director. (Staff Photo by Roy Cook) Defense Rests In Fritz Case; To File Non-Suit Motion Today MOVING CHRISTMAS TREES MOVE POLICEMAN TO ACTION PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19—W—Mounted Patrolman Harry Hoffman glanced at the erect-looking Christmas trees today, turned away and then suddenly looked back again. It seemed as if they had moved. “No, couldn’t be,” he told himself and again turned his head. , But once more Hoffman turr^d his head—and then this time the trees were galloping down the street. His horse galloped faster anr1 he stopped the trees and the man who was holding one in each arm masking his body be tween them. The man, identified as Wallace Alexander, 50, was held on a larceny charge. BRIGADE BOYS ATTEND PARTY Annual Christmas Event At Club; Rev. W. B. Freed Program Speaker Over 200 boys, members of the Brigade Boys club attended the annual Christmas party at the club, second and Church streets, last night. James Copeland, executive di rector of the club, was in charge ot the program. He was assisted by Harold Culler, physical direc tor. The program was opened with the youngsters singing Christmas Carols. “The Christmas Story” was told by the Rev. Walter B. Freed, pastor of St. Paul’s Luth eran church, and a member of the Brigade board of directors. Copeland presented prizes to the winners of the recent Santa Claus parade poster contest. Adrian Brown and Sherrol In man were first place winners in the prep division. Arvin Davis won the junior class award and Burl Murray was winner in the senior class. A special prize was presented Sonny Boyd for his unique and original poster. The refreshments were pre pared and served by the mem bers of the Senior Fraternity See BRIGADE on Page Two Along The Cape Fear MORE ABOUT WACCAMAW —A second contribution on the history of the Waccamaw has come to the column from Col. W. N. Harriss, whose me mory reaches back into the days when the Cape Fear river was navagible only for ships which drew less than 12 feet o water. Col. Harriss says that the “first captain of „ the steamer Waccamaw was W. J. Potter, who was the grand father of Capt. W. C. Manson of this city. He was succeeded by Capt. J. R. Chadwick, who resides in this city. “This steamer was licensed to carry 600 passengers and dur ing the dull summers she often ran family excursions to Smith ville ( now Southport). “During the hey-day of her career and while Wilmington was the largest naval stores market in the world, there were 12 tug boats engaged in towing on the Cape Fear in addition to the Waccamaw and of that num ber the Blanche, which came here in 1878, is the only one now afloat. “The Waccamaw was comple tely destroyed by fire while laid up on the west side of the river opposite Ann street. “The names of the tugs on the river other than the Wacca maw were William Nyce, Brandt, Alpha, Blanche, Italian, Laura, Tecumach, Argonan ta, Confidence, Douglas, Marion, and Marie. Two large barges, the Washington and Modoc, were used to lighter cargoes or part of cargoes to Smithville where it was transferred to the ships. RIVER DEPTH — The river “was gradually dredged until gee CAPE FEAR on Page Two RUNNING RED LIGHT WOULD GET MEMBERS OF BAND IN COOLER WOODWARu, Okla., Esc. 19—(jP)—Orchestra members had better watch their stop signs here on New Year’s Eve. The police department had everything arranged — it thought — for its annual New Year’s ball the whole town awaits. Then yester day someone remembered they had forgotten to hire a dance band. Phone call after phone call brought the same answer: Booked solid. “Let us catch some musi cians messing up our traf fic,” said the boys at the sta tion today. “We know one place they can work out their fines COMMUNAL RIOTS TAKE MANY LIVES Hindus Battle Moslems In India Settlement; Cas ualty List High l - NEW DELHI, Dec. 19—UP)— New communal rioting has of Ajmer and three killed and more than 15 injured in the old citv of Delhi, it was announced today. The disorders shattered the relative peace that had prevail ed in India since the bloody See COMMUNAL on Page Two Defendant Remains Calm Under Gruelling Cross Examination LENOIR, Dec. 19 —W—T h e defense and the prosecution rested their cases at 5:55 p.m. today in the trial of R. L. Fritz, Jr., former Hudson schools prin cipal charged with obtaining some $1,600 on false pretense from the state. The defense immediately an nounced that it would file an other motion for non-suit when court convenes tomorrow morn ing. The trial began Monday. Today’s session was highlight ed by the appearance in the witness box of Fritz and his wife. Fritz, remaining calm from the time he took the stand at 10 a.m. until he was called dov/n at 2:20 p.m., was subjected to detailed cross examination by the prosecution. Question after question was tired at him by W. H. Strickland, a state-appointed prosecutor. The cross-examination of the defendant, 1 a s|t i n g more than two hours, was directed chiefly to a check for $123.75, which has been mentioned frequently *ee DEFENSE on Page Two ALLIES MAY LEAVE BERLIN Soviet Organ Makes Sug gestion For Second Time BERLIN, Dec. 19—W—For the second time a Soviet-licensed Berlin newspaper today suggest ed that the Western allies may be asked to leave Berlin. This time it was the official Soviet newspaper Taegliche Rundschau, which gave a veiled warning that if a Western Ger man government is set up the French, British and Americans might be asked to leave the form er German capital. Two days ago Berlin Am Mit tag, a Soviet-licensed newspaper, said it would be “logical” for them to withdraw if t^e four See ORGAN on Page Two Tobacco Treatise Tells Tallest Of Texas Tales RALEIGH, Dec. 19. —Ud— As the leading advocate of cut plug in a tobacco-minded state, Gov ernor Cherry has seen and heard a lot about tobacco, but a letter from Washington—from the Texas embassy—today had even , the Department of Agriculture wondering. | “Dear Governor Cherry,” the j writer began, “in the more di I versified sections of Texas, ex 1 periments are under way to grow tobacco.” % From that, the writer went on: “I have begun several experi ments in my back yard, but they have proven unsuccessful. One plant is self-igniting, and during the humid summer days bursts into flame, smokes itself up and sets the surrounding fo liage ablaze. Another variety grows so tall it is impractical to harvest, and during heavy wind storms, the top of this to bacco plant bends down with See TOBACCO on Page Two Industry “Check” On Prices Okayed Lawmakers To Return Jan* uary 6 For Regular Session Duties WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.—(P— Congress adjourned tonight. Ending a 33-day special session which enacted a $540,000,000 foreign aid program and a plan for voluntary industry checks on rising prices. The Senate quit first, adjour ning at 7.T8 p. m. (EST). The House followed at 7:32 after listening to a song by an impromptu quartet composed of Representatives Plumley (R VT), Worley (D-Tex). Jones (D-NC), and Morris (D-Okla). They alleged that they sang ‘ I been working on the rail road” but other members said they didn’t recognize the tune. In the closing hours, the legis lators sent to President Truman two measures dealing with the subjects he put before them when he called the special ses sion to meet Nov. 17. But neith er was just what he asked for. On foreign aid, Congress voted $540,000,000 for France, Italy, Austria and China. Mr. Truman had asked $597,000,000 for the three European countries. Economic Fnont On the home economic front, it approved a Republican bill based on seeking voluntary agreements from industries to hold down prices, together with contniued export and transporta tion controls. The President had pleaded for power to resume price and rationing con trols if he decided they were required to keep the cost-of-liv ing within bounds. The legislators will return Jan. 6 for the regular session See INDUSTRY on Page Two YEN AS BIG SHOT LEADS TO MURDER Pennsylvania Man Confes ses Killing Used Car Dealer At Berwick BERWICK, Pa., Dec. 19 — UP) —A man who told police he shot a used car lot employe to death and threw his body in the Sus quehanna river because “I wanted to be a big shot” was held without charge tonight at the Berwick police station, Dis trict Attorney W. S. Sharpies* reported. Sharpless said that police are holding 40 - year - old Alex Agoston, Jr., “pending further investigation.” He added he would be charged with murder when the body is recovered from the river “and maybe be fore.” The district attorney said that Agoston made an oral statement to State Policeman Karl Gnrea describing the death of Russell Balliet,. 36, who had been mis sing since Dec. 9 when he with drew $1,525 from a bank to pur chase a car for the man who employed him. Gures said Agoston told him he shot Balliet twice on Dec. 9 after luring him into his car un der the pretext of selling it and then deliberately attempting to get him drunk. “I thought I could get away with it,” Gures quoted the pri soner. “I wanted to be a big shot and I didn’t care how many peo ple I killed to be one. I’m not sorry for what I did.” Blood Stains Found Police said they found blood stains in Agoston’s car, a bullet See YEN on . Page Two And So To Bed After a recent robbery at a local grocery store lo cated in the eastern section of the city, it was decided to install a burglar alarm system in order to foil any future break-ins. Last night it was learned that the alarm works per fectly. A couple of city police men made a routine check at the store to make sure that no one had broken in to it and to be sure that the alarm was in working order. As one of the policemen shook the front door of the establishment, as is the cus tom of officers, he was sur prised when the burglar alarm proved itself in good working order, all right, ringing loudly and insistent ly. The officers were unable to do anything about the sit uation until they had sum moned aid to open the store and eut off the alarm. k
Dec. 20, 1947, edition 1
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