La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959, August 27, 1945, Image 1

Historic Oregon Newspapers

La Grande evening observer., August 27, 1945, Image 1

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About La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 27, 1945)

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Newspaper Page TextWeather Data for 24 hours to 7 a. m. Temperature: . Maximum 59 Minium 36 Forecast: Cloudy tonight and Tuesday; slightly warmer except on coast. Job Hunters Cat Leave SJtate, Still Get Benefit From State Fund (Page 3) r "'lfcl?!!'!!!!!!!! Ill ESTABLISHED 1896 LA GRANDE, OREGON) MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 27, 1945 FIVE CENTS nt-W Ql eW x II w f- J IT "SP" Preside Army Bomber Hunted in Ground, Plane Search Parties Comb Big Area WALLA WALLA, Wash., Aug. 27 (UP) The Walla Walla army air base reported today a B-24 Liberator bomber carrying 15 ciiew members and passengers was missing about 80 miles south west of the base. Two other planes from the same group training flight, re luming from Sioux Falls, S. D., were damaged, one in flight and the other in landing at Butte, Mont. No one was injured in the latter two planes. The plane disappeared Satur day night und pilots of accom panying craft believed it went down in the rugged Blue moun tain of northeastern Oregon. Aerial and ground parties were conducting a widespread search today. Civil air patrol here at Lo Grande had not yet been asked to join in the search for the miss ing bomber, Capt. William Peare said this afternoon. The patrol is standing by however. La Grande residents returning this morning from trips into the Wallowa lake country and far ther north said the searching was centered in the Troy country. Thus far no word whatever of the bomber has been heard. Mary Bohnenkamp Takes High Post At Camp Roberts Miss Mary Gene Bohnenkamp, serving with the American Red Cross, has been assigned to Camp Roberts, Calif., where she will be a member of the staff as a recrea tion director. She has completed a several week's special training course in Wnchlnnlnn H C anA her now assignment isa part of a medical ly approved program which in cludes supervision of parties, en tertainment, distribution of rec reational facilities and games and the showing of the latest moving pictures. Miss Bohnenkamp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hal Bohnenkamp of La Grande attended Eastern Oregon college and the Univer sity of Oregon, where she receiv ed her B. S. degree in music. At the local college she was a mem ber of Sigma Alpha Chi, scholas tic honorary, and Phi Beta Sig ma, educational. At the Univer sity she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority in Nu Phi Epsilon, national music. Prior to her service with the Red Cross, Miss Bohnenkamp was supervisor of music at Irv ington school in Portland. Her hobbies are mainly in the field of athletics, including skiing, swimming and sailing. A brother, Ensign James Bo hnenkamp, is in the supply de parlmcnt of the navy in the Pa cific. A sister, Lillian Bohnen kamp is a senior in the cadet nurses' corps at the University of Oregon medical school, Port land. 21 Traffic Deaths In July instate, Reports Far fell The traffic fatality toll in Or egon for the month of July was one less than for the same month last year, Secretary of State Rob ert S. Farrell disclosed today. There were 21 persons killed in July of this year, compared to 22 for the same month of 1944 and 24 for July of 1943. Of the 21 traffic deaths in the state last month, only two occur red in urban areas, the rest oc curing in rural areas. The two urban deaths were in Portland. Traffic fatalities for-the first seven months of 1945 totaled 153 compared to 138 fatalities during the first seven months of 1944, or an increase of 12 percent. Most of this increase is due to increases in the number of pedes trian fatalities in urban areas and non-collision crashes in rural areas, Farrell said. Sixty-five per cent of the traffic deaths to date have been the result of pedes trian or non-collision accidents. inn mi mil in r" r''-" LEADS TOKYO FLIGHT Col. John H, Lackey, jr., Norfolk, Va who will pilot first Amer ican plane to alight at Atsugi airstrip near Tokyo. Lackey, who led flight of planes that dropped paratroopers on Cor regidor, will be riding the No. 1 position on a sky train that will include cargo planes pro tected by 51h and 7th air forces and by navy and marine corps. Reporter Flies Over Tokyo; Sees Prisoners Dance Bv EAHNET HOBERECHT IN A HELLDIVER OVER TO KYO, Aug. 27 (UP) American prisoners of war, frenzied with happiness, jigged a dance in their Japanese internment enclosure today as U. S. navy planes skim med low overhead. I flew with Ensign Merrill Skinner, Rte. 4, Buhl, Ida., among the wrecked buildings of devast ated Tokyo. For six hours we dived and banked at tree-top level over the sprawling metro politan area where blazing flak once spewed skyward. The biggest thrill of our sight seeing tour was a view of Ameri can prisoners as they received parachuted bundles of food and medicine from other planes of Vice Admiral John S. McCain's task force 58. We found Japanese coastal waters dotted with small fishing craft as we streaked through Honshu skies in advance of Adm. William F. Halsey's great victory armada. Wrecked Japanese ships litter ed Tokyo bay. Mv pilot had a hand in sinking some of them. Over Yokosuka naval base I saw many gun positions which had made this area the dreaded "flak alley" for pilots approaching Tokyo. Tokyo seemed desolate and devastated. Buildings still stand ing were burned out. De Gaulle Becomes Honorary Citizen NEW YORK, Aug. 27 (UP) Gen. Charles De Gaulle, presi dent of the provisional French government, will be made an honorary citizen of New York to day at formal .welcoming cere monies at city hall. The official welcome for De Gaulle, who arrived late yester day after paying tribute to the late President Roosevelt at Hyde Park, will follow a visit to Idle wild airport. On his way back from the huge airfield, still un der construction, De Gaulle will drive through Brooklyn to the battery. 97th Doesn't Care About Seeing Japan ! S 4 Cards Thrown From Train Protest New Job Members of the 97th infantry division, veterans of the war in the European theater of operations, yesterday were actively campaign ing against, and voicing their resentment at being sent to Japan as an army of occupation, by throwing hand-printed cards from the train windows. Some of the messages picked up at the local depot, were writ ten on playing cards and some on postal cards. Typical of the wording was, "Just back from Germany. Do you think this is fair to us who arc combat vets to police Japan and once again leave our loved ones." and "Why should the draft stop now?" One stated "What about these so-called 2 B F's and 4F's? Give them a chance to see the world! We saw enough!" Japan Ready to Accept Fate of Vanquished, Says Naval Officer with U. S. Occupation WITH U. S. OCCUPATION FORCES IN SAGAM1 BAY, Aug. 27 (UP) Japan, hum- i uy ueteat ana iood and fuel shortages, is now ready ui accapu uie tate ot the van quished, a Japanese naval of ncer said today as American navy and marine forces attained through the mine fields of Sagami bay in the direction of Tokyo. The Japanese officer, Lt. Cmdr. Kusuado, skipper of a destroyer escort anchored in Yokosuka na val base, came aboard this trans port the U. S. S. Grimes at 1:30 p. m. He was ready to lead the U. S. naval flotilla to a safe anchorage, Stand By Kusuado transferred from the destroyer U. S. S. Stockham off O Shima. U. S. sailors and ma rines stood on the deck and watched as Kusuado came aboard on a breeches buoy. He grinned once, then whipped out secret maps of the Sagami channel and went into conference with Cmdr. R o 1 a d M. Smoot, Coionado, Calif. Kusuado said everything was in readiness to receive American occupation troops at Yokosuka. The Japanese people have "no particular feeling" about occu pation of their country, and have "just accepted it," Kusuado said. Both Leave Two-thirds of the personnel of Yokosuka base," including both high commanders, already have departed for Tokyo while others are standing by awaiting the Americans. Kusuado said the food situa tion in Japan is "very acute," and the remaining Japanese war vessels virtually were forced to remain at anchor because of a fuel shortage. Kusuado wore a cheap burlap type uniform. He sweated pro fusely, and clutched a pack of American cigarets, which he seemed happy to have. Death Toll Two In Fireman Plant PORTLAND, Aug. 27 (UP) Death toll in the Iron Fireman plant explosion and fire of last Thursday is set at two. Mrs. June D. KlagifSl. 27, succumbed early Sunday to serious injuries at Portland General hospital. Hospital attendants said she had suffered concussion, jaw frac ture and internal injuries when a wall of the building fell on her. Michael dKeck, 5i, was crushed to death by the same wall. Eleven other injured employes are improving. Police Search For Body of Iowa Youth SALEM, Aug. 27 (UP) State police today resumed their search for the body of William Stevens. 17-year-old Iowa youth, who dis appeared while swimming in the Willamette river near the Wheat land ferry landing yesterday. Police dragged the river for five hours yesterday. Two un identified young men told inves tigating officers the three were swimming to a log raft when Stevens was caught in swift water and was sucked under. The youth bad been working on the ranch of Charles Knupp near Salem. ir . . '. v . i i V KYUSHUVSHIKOKUJ ' CHINA -..Mm 'MUUZON Utfui '- MUIA EHILIMINIS .SS,';4.'. VJmindanao ,?iv' . -. -MIAU 'V' ' PatllkOttoi JOURNEY'S END Map above showi the long road back tra versed by General MacArthur from March, 1942, when he left Corregidor, declaring. "I will return," to hii triumphal entry into Tokyo ai mpreme -commander of the allied occupation forcei. Puny Destroyer Greets 100 Miles of U. S. Navy in Bay By FRANK H. BARTHOLOMEW ABOARD BATTLESHIP IOWA IN SAGAMI BAY, Aug. 27 (UP) Every gun on the Iowa was pointed at a dingy little Japanese destroyer. '''.'. It was the Hat Uzakura, which brought 21 Japanese . emissaries to a conference aboard Admiral William F. Halsey's flagship. Men stood at battle stations through out the conference. We approached thq shores of Japan, 400 ships strong, strung out for 100 miles. This show oi sea power was met by one' little destroyer. Described We had been watching the coastline for an hour. Every man aboard was alert.. The U. S. destroyer Nicholas ' broke from formation and approached the enemy ship. We saw-Halsey's flagship, the Missouri, signal to the Nicholas and ask if 'the Japanese- had depressed their guns as ordered. -: V; , . ' ,. '' - ( The Nicholas said yes.. We crowded the starboard rail to watch. The Nichblas : laun ched a vihaleboat flying the American flag. The loudspeaker told the men in the gun turrets what was happening. Transfer . The fleet sailed along at re duced speed. It took two trips by the whaleboat to complete the transfer of the envoys. Then with the 21 emissaries, two com missioned Japanese officers, 13 Legion to Discuss Help for Veterans PORTLAND, Aug. 27 (UP) The American Legion of Oregon convention will tackle the prob lem of rehabilitation and employ ment of world war II veterans when it convenes in Portland Sept. 8 to 8, department adjutant Fritz Nissen said today. Approx imately 500 delegates arc- expected. BlueMou Chief Lund Asks Drivers to Be Careful Over Labor Day Chief of Police C. C. Lund to day warned motorists planning Labor '.day trips to be on the alert ' for congested conditions and to drive safely to avoid mar ring the first post-war-Labor day holiday with- traffic fatalities. "Unquestionably, highways of this state will carry heavier vol umes, of traffic than In recent war" years," Chief Lund declared. "Further, we may expect the average traffic pace to be high er,' due to the relaxation of the 36-milo wartime speed ceiling. Unless, every driver is alert, these conditions may well result in serious accidents during the holiday period." ' Greater Danger 1 The chief emphasized the fact the average age of Cars today is twice .what it . was in pre-war years and atht tires, particularly, may not be capable of withstand ing sustained driving at high spe-eds. . Consequently, he said, the accident hazard attendant to thoughtless ; driving is propor tionately, greater. .' "Figures- ' released-' from the office of Robert S." Farrell, secre tary of state, show traffic vol umes'incrcase three or four times that of normal days during the Labor day period," Chief Lund pointed out. "Drivers must take this heavier volume into consid eration in their driving if they are to avoid accidents." Precautions The chief suggested these safe ty precautions for Labor day dri ing: 1. Hold speed to a pace rcas- harbor pilots and six interpreters aboard the Nicholas steamed to deliver them to the Missouri. Cmdr. Harold Stassen, flag secretary to Admiral Halsey and former governor of Minnesota, now took up the story. He said the Japanese were passing between two lines of 16 stalwart marines headed by First Lt. A. E. Kelly of Oakland, Calif. The little two-stack destroyer, holding a position on the star board flank of a fleet extending farther than the eye could see, had the appearance of a small boy on a bicycle pedaling along beside a giant, parade. More Subscribers To Oregon Papers Than Voters .. EUGENE, Aug. 27 (UP) Ore gon's newspaper industry can claim more subscribers than there are registered voters in the state, it 1 Was disclosed today in an article written by Carl C. Webb, assistant professor of journalism and secretary - manager of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers' association, for the August issue of Oregon Business Review. In his article entitled "Oregon's 13 million dollar newspaper in dustry," Webb said a survey had shown that there were 127 news papers of general circulation, all locally owned, in the state, which placed Oregon's newspaper In dustry in a comparatively uhique position. Although the industry has suf fered during the war years for lack of help and paper rationing, only 18 newspapers had suspend ed publication or been consoli dated. All of these, Webb said, except one, were weeklies. As for the future, Webb re ported most newspapers were planning new buildings, remodel ing, new mechanical equipment, photographic improvements and air deliveries. nttiins onable in light of traffic condi tions. 2. Avoid passing on curves or at hill crests. 3. Avoid jockeying in and out of a line of traffic. 4. Never drive when fatigued or sleepy lot someone else tuke the wheel or stop and take a nap. ' 5. Observe traffic regulations at all times. . Rulon Smith Gets Legion of Merit In POW Activity Lt. Col. Rulon E. Smith, form erly assistant manager of the La Grande branch of the United States national bank, has been awarded the legion of merit and the bronze star for exceptionally meritorious achievement in pri soner of war activities, it was an nounced from U. S. army head quarters In Manila. The citation stated Colonel Smith "displayed initiative, or ganizational ability and leader ship of a high order in organizing and operating the USAFFE pri soner of war information bureau." The citation added he "coordin ated with tact and effectiveness the bureau's activities in relation with the Australian prisoner of war and internee bureau for the detention of United States pri soners of war at a time when American facilities were not available." He was assigned executive of ficer of the provost marshal sec tion of USAFFE after serving in the Buna and Papuan campaign as assistant intelligence officer of the forty-first infantry division. Colonel Smith served as an en listed man in World War I and was commissioned in the 18Gth infantry, Oregon national guard, in 1934, and was called to active duty in September, 1040. Colonel Smith was formerly as sistant manager of the U. S. Na tional bank here. Admiral Returns To Japan; Hasn't Yet Received 'Thanks' WITH ADM. HALSEY'S THIRD FLEET IN SAGAMI BAY, Aug. 27 (UP) The occu pation of Yokosuka naval base will mark the second eventful visit to Japan for Rear Adm. Os car Charles Badger, command er of task force 31 of the third fleet. The 55-ycar-old officer first went to Japan in 1023 when his ship, the armored cruiser Huron, entered Yokohama after the earthquake. For a fortnight, Badger, then a lieutenant com mander, labored amidst terrible devastation to save the Japanese. When his job was done, Badger did not get so much as a thank you. Farmer Settles Wheat Damage for $20 . Flier Glad to Find Field to Land Upon An altercation, arising because the city's electric power was temporarily shut off Friday evening, was settled, if not to the sat isfaction of all concerned, at least settled, with the payment of $20 to an irate farmer by an incensed airplane pilot. Because he couldn't see the field while the lights were out (due to the power stoppage,) a Mr. Potter, flying from Bremerton to Joplin, Mo., spotted a wheat field behind the radio station, and proceeded to make an emergency landing. The disturbed farmer received payment for damages to his grain crop, the pilot had his landing gear and a few minor cuts to the fabric of the craft repaired, loaded his dog in the plane and continued on his way. I " I llirMmi-i ii CAMERA DEBUT Denlie Hedwig Loder, daughter of Hedy Lamar and Hohn Loder, makes her camera debut with her famous mother, in bid to compete with Hedy as Holly wood's most photogenic subject.. More Housing Work Uncertain Only housing projects which are 95 percent completed will be fully completed from now on. Raymond Gray, president of the chamber of commerce here, was informed today by G, M. Conger, representative of the housing authority atSeattle, upon Gray's request for Infor mation on the status of the housing project here. Even those which are nearly finished will not be completed unless the need for them is de finite right now. 1 Gray said the chamber board will meet next week to discuss what further steps are to be taken in the matter. The de cision which apparently ends the construction here and in similar projects over this area comes from George W. Cope land, regional supervisor in Seattle. There will be ' still plenty of lime to take action before removal of the buildings here is siartod. Conger assured Gray. Texas Hurricane Leaves Six Dead HOUSTON, Aug. 27 (UP) U. 5. weather bureau reported at 12:30 p. m. today the tropical hurricane lashing the Texas gulf coast area was centered about 20 miles south of Palacios, and mov ing slowly northeastward. The storm, which already had cost at least s i x lives and un counted thousands of dollars of properly damage, between Port lsaljol and Corpus Christi, was attended by winds upwards of 100 miles an hour over an area 30 miles wide near the center. Re ports of wind velocity of more than 100 miles an hour were re ceived from Corpus Christi and Palacios. Tides 10 feet above normal were causing great property dam age all along the central coastal area. All interests north of Gal veston to Lake Charles, La., were warned. Identified dead included Mr. and Mis. Charles Reeves of San Antonio und their two children, John Michael, 3, and Charles, jr., 6, who were killed in a head-on collision near Corpus Christi yesterday. Police said the acci dent was caused by bad visibility. Glenn Smith of Arkansas and Joe Green of Port Isabel drowned Saturday when their fishing boat capsized near the Port Isabel ship channel. To Limit I Terms To i M Two Years 1 WASHING-TON, August 27 i (UP) President Truman, i urged congress today to conx ' tinue selective service induc Itions of men 18 through 25,; , but with a two-year limit on ; their period of service. ; Truman said "The situation In the Pacific continues to have many, elements of danger" arid emphasized the danger in "a too early unqualified formal termln-. , ation" of the war emergency. Come Home '"' I "Tragic conditions would re suit if we were to allow the per iod of military service to expire by operation of law while a sub- . stantial portion of our forces has not yet been returned from over seas," he said. "I am confident that congress will take no action which would place the armed forces in such a position." On the day he announced Jap an's agreement to surrender, Tru man said 50,000 men a month will be drafted for the army in definitely, primarily as replace ments. . The president suggested con gress take additional steps to furnish inducements which will stimulate voluntary enlistments. The president said he wished It were possible for him to recom mend immediate cessation of the draft. . In pointing out world condi tions will require during the transition period the maintenance of "a real measure of our mili tary strength," the president de clared our occupation forces in Europe, as well as the Pacific, must be held "at safe levels." ' Need 300,000 He said most recent studies In dicated 300,000 will be the maxi mum number of volunteers to be expected by next July and that inductions, if continued at the present reduced rate, for the same period would produce ap proximately 600,000 men. This figure, the president said, was certain to be insufficient to meet 0 v e r - all requirements. Estimates from Gens. Eisenhow er and MacArthur alone totaled 1,200,000 men, exclusive of the numbers required for supporting troops. The president said it would be "an unforgivable discrimination" to keep war veterans separated from their homes and families in 'favor of those who have had no military service. Rainfall Here On Weekend Helps To . Hold Down Fires Rainfall in La Grande over ttie weekend has been recorded at 21, with 12 falling Sunday, and .09 Saturday. The temperature has taken a sharp downward turn, going from 96 degrees maximum for Friday to 80 degrees maximum for Sat urday. Maximum temperature Sunday was 5!) degrees, With a minimum 30. The rain helped foresters and others to keep the fire on Robb"s hill and the grass and sage brush fire in Hog valley under control and to speed the "mopping up" process. Repairs to the Eastern Oregon Light and Power company line from Baker, made necessary by the Hog valley fire, were pracT tit-ally completed today. - Government A sks ' '," Citizens Still To Observe Orders WASHINGTON. August 27 (UP) A message from the office of war Information! ' The government needs and asks its citisens in this second week of peace to: 1. Use the nearest of 4.000 U. S. employment service of fices to locate a job or a worker for a job. By using these cleat-, lng houses you will avoid turn over, duplication and lost time 2. See the counsellor in your military separation center or assembly area about your vet erans' rights to medical or dental training. Twolve thou sand students for medical and dental schools are needed. 3. Eat and store potatoes to avoid spoilage of this nourish ing, cheap and plentiful food. , 4. Postpone your pleasure travel a few months longer. 5. Continue to save tin.