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About La Grande observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1959-1968 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 1959)
OBSERVER WEATHER Sunny Saturday; high 90 95; low tonight 43 48. 295h Itwt 63rd Year LA GRANDE, OREGON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1959 Price 5 Cants LA GRANDE Paddlewheel Hurls Into Orbit After Successful Launch WILL HELP FIND ANSWERS FOR FUTURE SPACE SHOTS CAPE CANAVERAL. Fla. (UPI) A Paddlewheel satel lite was hurled into orbit around the earth today in an ef fort to find answers to the problems facing proposed shots to Venus and Mars. The satellite, Explorer Six, was propelled into the skies at 7:13 a.m. (p.d.t.) in the nose of a huge Thor Able III rock et. Almost three hours later the National Aeronautics and Deadline Is Sought In Strike NEW YORK (UPI) Thirty Democrats were reported signed today as Co-sponsors of a Senate resolution calling on President Ei senhower to set a deadline for a voluntary steel strike settlement and to set up a fact finding board if it is not met. Sen. Stuart Symington (D-Mo.). author of the propossal, said it would remain open for further sponsoring signatures today and be submitted tonight to the Sen ate Committee on Labor and pub lic Welfare. Meanwhile Federal Mediation Director Joseph F. Finnegan said union and industry negotiators are "getting down to brass tacks" although still not talking "hard cash" as they go. into their fifth consecutive .day , of. bargaining " talks, .since -U -strike began 24 days ago. '. Despite the apparent improve ment in contract talks Finne gan declined to characterize it as definite progress both sides re stated their so-far unyielding po sitions in display newspaper ad vertisements today, a technique deplored earlier this week by the mediator. The steel " industry advertise menu said "thanks for your let ters!" to "thousands of you" who replied to an earlier request for comment "by a 20 to 1 margin. . supported our stand against infla tion." "You have already told us how you feel, the advertisement said. "Why not tell Mr, David J. Mc Donald, president,' United Steel workers of America '' Another Week On Fire Mop Up Mop-up operations are expected to be completed on the fire near Upper Perry in about a week. Forestry, officials report that there are still "hot spots" in the fire but it is under control. Sixteen men and two pumpers were working today in a continua tion of the mop up operations. The work is slow because of burning stumps and underground roots that are difficult to extinguish. RUMORS START ON CANADIAN TOUR Palace Announcement Says Elizabeth Expecting Baby LONDON ( UPI ) Queen Eliza beth expects a baby early next year, Buckingham Palace an nounced today. The expected child will be the third for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Prince Charles, heir to the throne, is 10. Prin ces Anne will be nine next week. The new child, it a boy, will take precedence over Princess Anne in line of succession to the throne. An official palace announce ment today ended weeks of spec ulation that the JJ-year-old British monarch was pregnant. The rumors had started during her Canadian tow which ended last weekend and during which the Queen at one time had to cancel part of her official schedule. Both the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh always have been anxuus to have more children I Space Administration announced in Woshingtont that an orbit had been achieved. The satellite, containing paddle- shaped fins that are filled with solar cells to recharge its chemi cal batteries, went into a long or bit that brought it within 140 miles of the earth every 11 hours. Its -most distant point from the earth was 23,000 miles. During its 11-hour flight around the earth, Explorer Six was to reach its maximum altitude at 1 p.m. P.D.T., over South America and its closest point at 7:30 p.m. p.d.t. The 142 - pound satellite was crammed with instruments for 15 major scientific experiments. "Additional information on the progress of the experiment will be reported after the data from the tracking stations are analyzed, NASA said. Solar Cells Are Used It said all further information on remaining phases of the test would come from NASA head quarters in Washington. The aluminum-covered artificial moon, nick-named the Paddle- wheel because of four paddle shaped vanes projecting from it. was the most comprehensive sci entific package the United States has attempted to hurl into orbit around the earth. Attached to the four vanes were 8.000 solar cells to recharge the satellite's chemical batteries dur ong its earth-circling journey. If this method of keeping batteries alive proves successful, it will mean the U.S. has devised a power supply for maintaining communications with space probes taking months to reach Venus and Mars. The 14 other major scientific experiments aboard the satellite include devices to measure the hazardous belts of radiation sur rounding the earth and a TV scanning device designed to send back crude pictures of the earth's cloud cover. College Dance At EOC Set For This Evening A dance for all valley college students home for summer vaca tion and those attending the sum mer session at EOC will be held tonight at Hoke Hall. The dance will be from 9 to 12 p.m. with music from records. High school graduates planning to attend college this fall are also invited. and it was understood they were "very happy" about having an other. The Queen's doctors have stressed that she is in good health. This is based on thorough examinations they carried out over a period of three straight days this week. Because of the pregnancy. Eliz abeth will be unable to carry out the tour of West Africa she and the duke had planned for the fall. She also cancelled for the time being the tour to the Orkney and Shetland Islands off Scotland that she was about to undertake. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were married on Nov. 20, 1947. Prince Charles, now the Prince of Wales, was born the next year. Princess Anne In 1950. The British people were told at exactly 2 p.m. London time that their Queen was expecting anoth- BOBBIES ARE GUARDING GUARDS AT THE PALACE LONDON (UPI) London bobbies guarded the guards at Buckingham Palace Joday It was the latest move, to protect the high-stepping, red coated, bearskin-hatted guardsmen from an invading army of summer tourists. " The guardsmen always have been plagued with giggling, snickering, camera-clicking tourists. By tradition they can of fer no defense but must stand, sphinx-like and unsmiling, even when someone sticks his tongue out at them or sidles up along side of them to pose fur a snapshot , This year, however, has been especially rough on the guards and Uiey have shown the wear and tear. One recently was con fined to barracks for kicking an American woman tourist who giggled at him. "Pushed, prodded, humiliated why should our soldiers have to put up with this kind of treatment?" the Daily Sketch ask ed in an editorial today. "Guards are not there to amuse visi tors . . . after what happened to one whose boot got in the way of an American mom, they have to watch their step lit erally." "We must put a stop to these shameful scenes." Ike Gives On Labor Asks Congress To Act'F WASHINGTON (UPI) Presi dent Eisenhower threw his full personal and official prestige be hind a strong labor reform bill Thursday night in a tough-word ed nationwide radio-TV appeal for "truly effective" legislation. In the 15-minute speech, Eisen hower called on Congress to re- Champs Due Here For Big Swim Meet Four state AAU champions will be among the contestants at to morrow's third annual Eastern Oregon Swimming and Diving Championships at the Veterans Memorial Pool. The meet wljl draw upwards of 120 contestants of all age groups from the swimming clubs of Pendleton, Hermiston and La Grande. t State champions who will ap pear in various events an to morrow s 50-event program are: Bonnie Scott, La Grande, win-' ner of the women s and girls' diving titles at the 1959 Wash ington State Onpn AAU meet at Pasco. Jennifer Smith, La Grande, 1958 Oregon Open AAU title holder for the 13-14 girls back stroke. Steve Fedor, La Grande, 1958 Oregon Open AAU titleholder lor the 13-14 boys breaststroke. Mary Morgan, Pendleton, 1958 Oregon Open AAU titleholder for the 13-14 girls breaststroke. The meet will begin at 1:30 p. m. To climax the day's activities the La Grande Youth Activities Council will sponsor a teen-age dance at the Armory beginning at 8:30 p.m., Mrs. Melba Fisk an nounced floday. The dance marks the comple tion of one year of Saturday night dances for the teenagers of the area. The first dance was held a year ago at the comple tion of the district swimming championships. Members of visiting teams are invited to the affair. There will be a nominal admission charge. er child. Immediately after the chimes of Big Ben rang out over the British Broadcasting Corpora tion, an announcer , broke the glad tidings. The new baby will be the first in more than a century to be born to a reigning Queen of England The child will use the same era die used by royal infants over the past 100 years. The present Queen s great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, ordered the cra dle for her first born. Neither Frinec Charles nor Princess Anne was born while Elizabeth was Queen. The last child born to a reigning sovereign of England was Princess Beatrice, daughter of Queen Victoria, and that was on April 14. 1857. She died Oct. 28, 1944. The last son born to a sovereign was Victoria's eighth child, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, born April 7, 1853. Tough Talk Reform Bill spond to an "overwhelming na tionnl disffraee" of racketeers. crooks and other corrupt elements j in labor unions. The President gave examples of "blackmail" picketing, second ary boycotts and "no-man's land" cases. After each one, he looked directly into the TV lens and de clared sternly, "I want that sort of thing stopped. So does Ameri ca. . He praised a proposed bill by Reps. Phil M. Landrum D-Ga.) and Robert P. Griffin (R-Mich.) a good start toward a real labor reform law. He also pointed out that his own recommendations still were before Congress. Senate- Bill "Weak" Eisenhower rejected as too weak a moderate Senate-passed bill and an even milder measure approved by the House Labor Committee. He said neither "will really do the job to curb the abuses the American people want to see corrected." Backers of the rival measures gave sharply different assess ments of the effect of Eisen hower's address on the House labor reform showdown expected next week. ' Chairman Graham A. Barden (D - N. C.) of the House Labor Committee, who favors the Lan- drum-Gritfin measure, said the "situation looks very good" for approval of that bill. But Sen. John F. Kennedy D Mass), chief author of the Senate bill, warned that the Landrum Griffin measure might cause a congressional deadlock that would kill all reform, legislation. He said the measure would "reck the legitimate union movement." Fire Destroys Million-Dollar Plywood Plant ALBANY (UPI) A roaring fire destroyed the Linn Plywood company plant here Thursday af ternoon. Damage was estimated at one million dollars. The blaze, reported at 4:44 p.m. was whipped by 2 miles per hour winds across the two-block long' plant. It started in the north end of the building. The flames spread to dry rub ble nearby and raced to nearby houses. One home was destroyed and at elast three others dam aged. Burning embers carried the fire to adjacent grasslands. A 40-acre grass fire six blocks away from the plant was caused by flying embers. The blaze threatened the Sunrise school and a housing division. - Units were called in from Cor vallis and Lebanon to help fight the fire. The plant employed about 300 persons. It was reported to have closed Wednesday and was to re open Monday. Thousands of dollars of stack ed plywood went up in flames that scared to 200 feet during the height of the fire. Steel boxcars buckled from the heat. Cause of the fire was not im mediately known. La Grande Police Warn Of Turning Violations Police Chief Oliver Reeve warn ed motorists that it is illegal to make turns across the double line in the middle of Adams Ave. Reeve said that motorists have been making such turns with in creasing frequency and are crea ting a hazard to the flow of traffic. K - f . . . v MISS PIONEER OREGON Helen Meek is a descendent of pioneer, Joe Meek. DESCENDANT OF JOE MEEK TO ATTEND PLAY TONIGHT By VIRGINIA ANDERSON ; Observer Staff Writer Joe Meek's-great grand-doughtor will be on hand for the production of "Doctor in Buckskin Clad" to night. Helen Meek of Portland was selected by the Sons and daughters of Oregon Pioneers to be "Miss Pioneer Oregon" and will attend the play in that capacity. She was selected as Miss Pio neer Oregon because oi ner pioneer ancestory. Her great- grandmother was a Nez Perce In dian drincess. daughter of Chief Kow-e-so-te, and niece of Chief Joseph. Helen was named after her great-aunt, Helen Mar, who. at the age of eight years, died from Food Poison Claims Life Of Ken Nelson Kenneth Nelson, a former La Grsnde resident and son of Horace Nelson of La Grande, died yester day morning from botulism poison ing. Nelson and his family contracted the poison from homemade canned beets. The family doctor reported yes terday afternoon that Mrs. Nelson was improving. The couple's 15-year-old daugh ter, Wanda, died last week. They had three children. The La Grande Jaycces are planning to donate 10 per cent of their gross ticket sales from the Grand Ole Opry to the Nelson family. The Tennessee company will perform here September -S, at 7:30 p.m.. in the high school auditorium. Tickets may be purchased from any Jaycee member. President Will Take To Camp David For Private Talk WASHINGTON (UPI Presi- dent Eisenhower is expected to take Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev to his secluded Camp David retreat in Maryland for in formal talks at some point during the Russian leader's visit next month. This was reported today by well - informed officials who said tentative plans for the Camp Da vid talks are emerging from U.S. Soviet negotiations on arrange ments for the Khrushchev visit, which begins Sept. 15. Officials said Eisenhower and Khrushchev would have a much better chance to get down to brawi tacks in a discussion of cold war problems in the relaxed, private atmosphere of the moun- measles and exposure during the Whitman Massacre. . Uer gown was. designed and made at Charles F. Berg in Port land. It was adapted from 1858 styles and required 18 yards of antique ivory taffeta, called crystal charm, and is edged with 15 yards of lace. Helen will be a senior this Fall at Washington high school in Port land. Her main hobby is dancing and at present she is with the Park and Recreation Work in the Theatre Workshop group. " ; In the play which she will see. Jack Rye plays the part of Joe Meek. '. The play runs for the last time this weekend, and it begins at 8 p.m. in the college coliseum. ' The cast of "Doctor In Buckskin Clad" will travel to Independence, Oregon, August 15 to put the play on there in conjunction with the arrival of the Centennial Wagon train. They are being co-sponsored by Independence and the Advance ment Association. Youth Dance Planned For Saturday Night ' The Youth Activities Council will sponsor a teen-age dance lor tne youth of the area and members of visiting t"ams participating in the Eastern Oregon Swimming and Diving Championships Saturday evening at the Armory, Mrs. How ard Fisk announced today. Dancing will start at 8:30 p.m. and last until 11:30 p.m.. The series of teen-age dances held throughout the year began last August with the district swim ming championships. Visiting teams for the afternoon swim meet are Pendleton, Hermiston and pos sibly Milton-Freewater. A nominal admission charge will be made. tain retreat than at White House meetings. The President and ' British Prime Minister Harold Macmil lan went to Camp David, which is in the Catoctin mountains about 75 miles from Washington,- last spring for several days of con ferences. The disclosure that Khrushchev might be invited to Camp David came amid these other develop ments in connection with his visit to this country: Vice President Richard M. Nixon and Secretary of State Christian A. Herter .were to re port to the President's cabinet this morning on their recent deal ings with the Soviets. - Defense Secretary Neil H. Mc- Death Toll May Hit 25 In Disaster Area ROSEBURG. Ore. (UPI) A truck loaded with six tons of explosive chemicals and dynamite blew up here early today, devastating a large area and damaging nearly every building in the downtown pan oi mis cy oi o,uw. Police Chief Vernon Murdock said there were 11 dead. ' The coroner, Dr. C. H. Babbitt, counted and that the deatn least 50 persons were injured. The truck belonged to the Pa cific "Powder Company of Seattle. Officials there said it contained four tons of solid ammonium ni trate fertilizer and two tons of dynamite. , The ammonium nitrate was tne same type of cnemicai wmco blew up in a ship in 1947 at Tex as City. Tex., resulting In 561 deaths, Property loss here was expect ed to run into the millions of dollars. Murdock said many business es tablishments were destroyed. Sev en or eight houses near the blast scene also were lost and at least 30 damaged severely, he said. I would say the entire down town area has damage to build ings," the chief added- Truck Parked For Night The truck was parked for- the night near a building supply com pany. It blew up after a fire broke out in the supply firm. The truck driver, George Ruth erford. 47. Chehalis, Wash., was reported to have been injured by flying glass while staying at a nearby hotel. State Police Lt. How ard Benninghoff said Rutherford haofreceived permission from the Gerritsen Building Supply Com- pany to park his truck near their warehouse and had checked the truck at midnight. The fire alarm was turned in at 1:15 a m. One of the victims was identi fied as Assistant Fire Chief Roy McFarland. Another was a man named Harry Carmichael. A po lice officer, Donald Desues, about 34, was reported missing, The blast tore a hole 50 feet across and 10 to 15 feet deep. The hole was tilled with three or four feet of water from broken mains. Murdock said an area of three blocks by three blocks was burned out by the fire. Like Bombed Out Art The police chief said the de stroyed businsses included three or four automobile agencies, ser vice stations, garages, a soft drink plant, the Gerritsen Supply Company, the Farmers Cooper ative Building and others. Firemen managed to keep two propane tanks located near the disaster area from exploding They had ordered a seven-square block area evacuated as a pre caution. The area near the center of the blast looked as if it had been bombed out. The explosion oc curred about three blocks west of the main downtown business sec tion as firemen and police arrived to answer the alarm. Dave Coron, news editor of ra dio station KRXL, rushed to the scene and saw two persons lying in the street. "Both were still alive but were bleeding badly,1 he said. "There were hot wires down all over the place. The blast broke windows up to at least a mile away. State ef Emergency Business in this southwest Ore- eon lumber center was at a stand still today. The National Guard was called out and a state of emergency declared. Fire departments from Eugene and Springfield. 75 miles to the north, were called to help. The fires finally were contained after See ROSEBURG On Page I Khrushchev Elroy said he would welcome a chance to show U.S. military hi saltations to Khrushchev. He said it would be "constructive" for the Soviet leader to see that "the military- strength opposing him is sizable, effective and competent to carry out its' mission." Sen. Albert Gore D Tenn.) suggested that Eisenhower Invite Khrushchev for cruise on the atomic submarine Nautilus. Gore said it would be an "enjoyable, invigorartag, and challenging ex perience" for the Soviet leader. European nations concerned over the prospect of a "Big Two" approach to world affairs began a round of talks today designed to Insure that their interests will be protected. said nine bodies had been ion may go as rugn as zd. At t . Kesidents Take Loss In Stride j ROSEBURG (UPI) The stur-i. dy people of Roseburg have be-f gun the long process of cleaning! up after the disastrous explosion and fire that devastated a part of: this city of some 13,000. Although the city was in a state of emergency, it's not In state of shock. The people have taken theiri loss and misfortune in stride. : Much of the town's business. district was closed to all but those persons carrying police per-! mils. Most of the buildings bave been damaged, and few have" windows left. , Cas Lines Leak Gas lines as far as six blocks! from the blast center were leak-, ing and some areas were closed' to all persons because of the. leaking fumes.. No smoking bans have been, placed on much of the disaster area. ' But still the people steadily coo-1 tinue their monumental cleanup' task. ; C. H. Patchett, owner of Pat' Tavern, one of the few business operating in Roseburg today pointed to deep pock marks on the hard top of his bar made by flying glass and softly exitaimd, "It's unbelievable!" - "It happened real quick," Pat chett said. "It was like being un der a jet blasting off." "We have a lot of fine people in this town, and they're all work ing real hard to get it going again," he said. v Loses Diamonds- One jewelry store owner said he lost diamonds valued at $25, 000 to $30,000. The diamonds and diamond rings were blown out in to the street from window show cases and mixed with the shat tered glass. A young woman stood behind the framework of another jewelry store front without windows. She had been sweeping, but now she leaned on her broom and wept . softly as she looked at the broken chinaware and chrystalware litter ing the floor. Mrs. Nettie Myers, proprietor of Myers Shoe Repair was at home, some nine blocks from the explo; sion. L "My land," she exclaimed, "it knocked me right off my feet.'- " "It was like you would think the end of the world would be." There was a small green stra,w basket sitting on the counter In side her store. She bad no idea where it came from. It blew in when the windows blew out. FIREMEN ANSWER CALL Firemen were called to X703 Spruce St. early this morning to put out a fire. The" department was called at 2:40 a.m. when grass, was burning along the side of ft' street. A wood pile also was burn- ing. WANTED Wallowa Correspondent for the La Grande Observer Generous Allowance. Complete Details at Observer Office or Contact Bill Bebout Ph. WO 3-3161
