Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, July 13, 1952, Image 1

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Medford mail tribune., July 13, 1952, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextWeather Subscribers nn-rr -rr-rr -rr-r -r-n-. FORECAST Continued fair through today, except for afternoon thunderstorms In the mountain areas south and east of Medford. High today near 90, low tonight 36. Temp. Highest yesterday 91 Lowest yesterday SS To report Improper or non-di r ery of The Mall Tribune phone 2-6141 before 6:45 p.m. daily and 16:30 a.m. Snnday. If regular delivery arrives short ly after you call jilease notify of fice, thus eliminating special mes senger service. 11UJ5UJ United Press Full Leased Wire United Press Full Leased Wire 47th Year 24 Pages MEDFORD, OREGON, SUNDAY, JULY 13, 1952 No. 97 TXZTiri TUP TAHstEffi'MVAGED by mmm 1,1 fdkes t Three Reported Dead in California Blaze, Explosions Damages May Rearh $5,000,000 Total Oleum, Calif. (U.R) A raging oil-fed fire spread by two explosions swept the Union Oil company pier here Saturday, enveloping two oil tankers in flames as they were handling their volatile cargoes. Three deaths were attributed to the tragedy. Capt. Eugene Fulton of the tanker Victor H. Kelly died of an apparent heart attack as he rushed through his flame-swept vessel warning his men to abandon ship, and a ship's wiper, identified only by the name of Yorter, aboard the Kelly, was missing and pre sumed drowned after diving over the side to escape the blaze. Radioman Misting The ship's radio operator, W. A. Liggins, was missing and pre sumed dead after crew members said he was last seen aboard the Kelly in the vicinity of one of the explosions. A company spokesman said the fire may have caused as much as $5 million damage, de pending on the extent of loss to the tankers. Thirty others were reported injured, most of whom were re leased from the company infirm ary or nearby hospitals after treatment for shock and burns. None was reported seriously in jured. The blaze was controlled three hours after it broke out at a connection point in a pipeline on the pier, apparently caused by a tremendous pressure back lash in the pipe which produced sparks and ignited the oil. Kelly Submerged The Kelly, first to catch afire and rocked by two explosions forward and aft, was reduced to a partially submerged hulk. The tanker Lompoc was pulled clear of the burning pier and marine firefighters managed to tow her to safe anchorage where her fire finally was controlled, leaving her scorched and listing but ap parently not too extensively damaged. Quick action by firefighters called in from surrounding com munities kept the fire confined to the end of the pier. The near est buildings, some half-mile away, were never threatened nor were several refinery instal lations even farther away. North Park Entrance Opened Late Saturday One-way traffic was opened Saturday afternoon on the north entrance road to Crater Lake National park, according to James G. Bromley, district main tenance superintendent forthe state highway department. Traffic is flowing over the road from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the superintendent said, behind a pilot car with one hour inter vals between north and south runs. He expected the one - way traffic to last for five or six days when normal traffic could begin. Uneasy Peace Settles Ove Scene of Eviction Battles Lapeer, Mich. U.R) An uneasy peace settled over the embattled Spencer farm home stead Saturday night after a 60-year-old widowed mother, ejected from her home during a bloody eviction fight yester day, was informed she may soon be permitted to move in again. As Sheriff Clark Gregory re vealed a move by "friends" to return the ousted Mrs. Eliza beth Stevens to her home, a 26-year-old fireman, who moved in to the Spencer home as soon as the woman was ousted yester day, packed up his .belongings and left. At first Richard Newman, a member of the Flint, Mich., fire department, was belligerent "Ive got possession of this place now and I intend to keep it," he declared. But when Sheriff Gregory withdrew the deputies he had stationed at the house to protect Newman and the property, the new tennant accepted the advice of angry neighbors to "get out and stay out." - - ' Valley Soap Slated This The 1952 Rogue Valley Soap Box Derby first to be held in this area in many years will get under way at 12:30 p.m. to day. Nearly 100 youngsters will pilot their racers built entirely by themselves down Queen Anne avenue. The winner will represent this area at the Ail American Soap Box Derby to be held in Akron, O., on August 10. Earl 'Newbry, Ashland, Ore gon's secretary of State, will be marshal of the parade of con testants and officials which will precede the actual running of the long-awaited race. The pa rade will be down the course of the race, which starts on Queen Anne avenue at Academy place. Mayors To Compete Another event to precede the actual race will be an "Oil Can Derby," in which the mayors of Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass will compete in what have been described as "very unique" cars. Today's race climaxes months of preparation for the derby racers, during which they have constructed their own. cars. It also climaxes months of work on the part of the derby's sponsors, and by many individ uals, organizations and business firms, .which contributed time, labor, "equipment and merchan dise needed to round out ' the many related activities associ ated with a youth program of the size of the derby. Many Committeemen More than 50 volunteer com mitteemen will be on duty at the derby track today," to "assist the boys in getting their cars Stevenson Headquarters Open Democratic Battle Chicago (U.R) Stevenson for president headquarters, an independent group booming Gov. Adlai Stevenson of Illinois for the Democratic presidential nom ination, said Saturday "we have no doubt he will respond to the call of higher duty." The prediction was made in letters sent to every delegate to the forthcoming Democratic convention. They were mailed as workmen here were clearing away the signs of the Republi can conclave and replacing them with the symbol of the donkey. A trash truck carted away the Taft signs including a crum pled cardboard elephant, and new posters went up demanding: "Nominate Russell." Letters Sent Out - The draft - Stevenson letters were sent out despite the gov ernor's statement, issued through his press secretary, that he "is a candidate only for re-election as governor of Illinois" and that he wants no other office. They termed Stevenson "best suited to meet the challenge of our times" and said a Steven son - for - president headquarters will be set up at the Conrad Hilton hotel on Saturday just The sheriff said the white haired Mrs. Stevens may be back "by Monday" in the ramshackle frame house where she has lived for 25 years. "The owner of the place has gone to Detroit to make a deal with a man who is buying the house and the Ziegenhardt bro thers' farm '(another scene of violence in recent eviction bat ties, the sheriff stated. . May Give House Back ' "I understand this person is paying Mrs. Grace White $50,000 for the farms and plans to give them back to Mrs. Stevens and the Ziegenhardts," be said. Newman signed a . 15- year lease on the property with Mrs. Grace White, Lapeer attorney, who bought the farm five years ago at public auction when Mrs. Stevens refused to pay a court ordered judgment of $151. The money represented her share of the indebtedness of the Lapeer County Farmers Mutual Fire Protective association which fail ed in 1935. Box Derby Afternoon down the track v on schedule. Jimmy Dunlevy, manager of KYJC, is general chairman and will be in charge of the event, assisted by Larry Barnes, Lloyd Selby, Ted Kelt, Herb Grey, Dick Phain, Clyde Fichtner, Johnny Pojetenic, Russ Peebles and Doug Talbot. Judges will be Mayors Morris Milbank, Grants Pass, chairman, Diamond L. Flynn, Medford, and Phil Stansbury, Ashland, and Mrs. Viola Turner, Medford. Paul Selby is director of the track committee, assisted by Marshall Bessonette, Les Stam per, Paul Rynning, Wally Graff, George Potucek and Vern Thorpe. Other Officials s Other derby officials will be Col. H. J. Meiring, hilltop di rector; Shelby Tuttle, heat di rector; Sam Brown, director of pits; Sam Taylor, communica tions; Bert Roberts, chief regis trar; Dick Sch ad, chief an nouncer; Jack .Walker, finish line director; Jerry Jerome, chairman of the prize awards; Dr. Charles Lemery, first aid di rector; Betty Brugman, chief clerk, and C. Lyall Fidler, pa rade director. Major prizes of which there are a number will be awarded by Fred Thompson, Portland zone manager for the Chevrolet company, who will be assisted by Frank Swanson, manager of the Eugene district. Sponsors of the derby are Barnes Chevrolet and the Chevrolet division of General Motors, Chapter 16 of the Inter national Footprint "association, and The Mail Tribune. two days before the Democratic convention opens. "We have no doubt that Gov ernor Stevenson, devoted as he is to public service, will re spond, to the call of higher duty and will accept the Democratic nomination for president," the letter said. Despite the new appeal for a' draft movement, Stevenson's statement seemed to have all but slammed the door on the possibility. There had been speculation that he might have been willing to oppose Sen. Robert A. Taft because of their deep foreign policy differences. But that incentive largely dis appeared when the Republicans nominated Gen. Dwight D. Eisen hower as their presidential candidate. Some Democrats were trick ling into town already with the rush scheduled to start later this week. Sen Richard B. Rus sell of Georgia was expected Wednesday. In addition to the former Taft headquarters in the Conrad Hilton, he has reserved a theater across the street for rallies. Three Salem Boys Here on Bike Trip Three Salem youths, on a bicycle jaunt that included stops at Diamond and Crater lakes, arrived here late Friday night. The boys, Kenneth Doughton and Harold Melby, both 15, and Jim Searcy, 14, started from Salem Monday on bicycles they had purchased new for the trip. They pedaled the first day to Oakridge and . their next stop was Diamond lake. On Friday they started to ward Crater lake, hoping to reach it by the north entrance. They found that route still blocked by' snow ' and were forced to cycle to the Union Creek junction and travel from there to their destination. After a couple of hours at the lake. they headed toward Medford. The three were on the road 16 hours Friday and. covered 132 miles with their bikes. The boys are - spending the week-end at the home of Dough ton's sister, Mrs. Richard Jewett, 921 Winchester street. They will head back to Salem on Monday. All three will be sophomores at Salem high next falL ' " " Steel Strike Believed Hearing End; Leaders Continue Conferences Pittsburgh (U.R) The most promising peace talks in the 41-day steel strike recessed late Saturday as government stabil izers pondered an industry ap peal for higher prices. CIO President Philip Murray and his top aides waited in a hotel conference room for an expected meeting with U. S. Steel officials, when the session was called off. Murray announced that "there will be no further meeting to night" and that whether talks Stafford to Report On County's Part In Skywatch Plans Col. Charles E. Stafford, Jack son county civil defense director, said Saturday that he may re port early this week on plans for the "Operation Skywatch" pro gram in Jackson county. Institution by the Department of. Defense of an around-the-clock civilian air warning ser vice along both coasts of the country is scheduled for Mon day, July 14. Work Yet To Do Colonel Stafford indicated that he has some field work to accomplish before outlining the program here. He said that the watch in Jackson county may not be on a 24-hour basis but that he did expect partial cover age. He expressed the opinion that "Operation Skywatch" will start on a modified basis; State civil defense agencies are selecting the air watch post personnel and the Air Force is conducting the training. Three Attend Meetings :; , ; ColeiieTt Staff ord and: 'three other Jackson - county men at tended air watch orientation ses sions last week at McChord field, Tacoma, Wash. The others were Ralph E. Pierce, Medford air port manager, representing the city; Fred M. Bruegger, Eagle Point, Columbia Utilities comp any manager, and Howard Mil lar, civil defense director in the Rogue River area. Bruegger was particularly interested in tele phone communication procedure. About 100 persons from Oregon and Washington attended the meeting. . The Department of Defense has pointed out that the coun try's radar network can be evad ed by low flying planes but that these planes can be detected by ground watchers. No Water Rationing Slated for Medford There will be no water ration ing in Medford this year, Water Superintendent Robert Duff said Saturday while noting that the amount of water brought in to the city reservoirs is nearly twice the amount brought in last summer. Duff said 34 cubic feet of water per second are carried in to the reservoirs. The winter was a good one for water sup plies, he said. 'Although water use probably will not be restricted this sum mer, Duff reminded that there still is a city regulation outlaw ing use "of an open hose for lawn sprinkling. Ari open hose, he said wastes water and reduces the pressure. Because new trunklines are not yet operating, the water distri bution system is inadequate and pressure is low in the west and southwest sections of town, Duff added. New 'Tip' Reported In Search for Dunkin State police investigated an other "tip" yesterday in a cease less effort to track down George Baker Dunkin, wanted for . the murder of Officer Phil Lowd. This was the second "tip", in the past few days, police said, and though nothing developed, it was in line with the procedure of following through on every possible lead to the whereabouts of the' 67-year-old miner-trapper who is still believed to be in the Upper Elk creek area of northern Jackspn county. The search was continuing to day, police added, in the tireless efforts of the party seeking Dunkin. - will be resumed Sunday "is con tingent upon developments." Hear Report As Murray waited, U. S. Steel officials heard a report on a White House conference between top executives of the company and Acting Defense Mobilizer John R. Steelman. The govern ment was reported considering granting the steel industry price increases averaging $5 a ton $2 over the permitted ceiling. The temporary break in the talks did not dim the high hopes for settlement which have pre vailed since the talks were opened at the industry's request here Thursday. Murray refused comment on the Washington developments. He said he had "heard nothing" concerning them. A U. S. Steel delegation met for four and a half hours with Steelman and Economic Stabil izer Roger L. Putnam. Following the conference, a White House spokesman refused to comment on the discussions. Murray Meets Steel Men Murray had held a two hour and 15 minute meeting with Bethlehem Steel officials Satur day afternoon and had announc ed he would "probably" meet with U. S. Steel last evening. Murray stayed at the confer ence hotel for his dinner and was reported ready for an all night session with U. S. Steel, if necessary. A settlement was believed at hand. A formula for resolving both the wage and union shops demands of the union was on the conference table, according to reports. The price question ap peared to be the only hurdle in the way of settlement. Democrats Prepare To On GOP Policies Washington ' (U.R) The Democrats wound up Saturday for a major attack on the for eign policy plank in the new Republican platform. Informed sources said the Democratic National committee already is hard at work bringing the Republican party's four year foreign policy record "up-to-date." "We are preparing to point out at our convention exactly where the GOP votes in Con gress don't jibe with that plat form plank on foreign policy, one key Democrat said. Issue "Plenty Lively" Party officials admitted the issue may not be as heated with the Republicans campaigning under Gen. Dwight D. Eisen hower rather than Sen. Robert A. Taft. But they predicted it still will be plenty lively. They said they are ready to go "right down the line" in re plying to GOP platform charges dealing with administration pol icy on Eastern Europe, China, the Atlantic Charter, Yalta, Korea, European defense and half a dozen other questions. Expect Red Charges Administration officials were convinced Sen. Richard M. Nix on's presencw on the GOP ticket would mean emphasis on the old charges of "Communists" in the government, especially the state department. The vice-presidential candidate played a key role in putting former department official Alger Hiss behind bars for perjury. Administration strategy is said to call for launching a for eign policy counterattack at the Democratic National convention opening in Chicago July 21. . Secretary of State Dean Ach eson, favorite whipping boy for the Republicans, will be urged to stay away from the political arena letting seasoned political warriors do the fighting. LATE SPORTS San Francisco (U.R) Carl (Bo bo) Olson, rugged Honolulu and San Francisco middleweight, pounded out a 10-round split decision over France's Robert Villemain at the Cow Palace Saturday night. . Sacramento, Calif. . (U.R) A rookie righthander from Stanford held Hollywood in check for six 'innings Satur day night but the Stars blast ed him during a four run serenth and went on lo an easy 8-1 victory over Sacra mento. Dick Cole's two homers were the farthest of 14 Holly wood nits. mf PARTY -HEADS SEEKIHC-HABEaOHY fMMssssn ijtl THE WINNERS Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and California Sen. Richard Nixon are shown above after being named the Re publican party's candidates for president and vice-president, . re spectively, Friday at Chicago. (International). Republicans Threaten To Get Vote of South Chicago (U.R) The mild Republican stand on Civil Rights plus Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhow er's popularity challenged the Democrats Saturday to settle their . sectional scrapping or in vite trouble in the Solid South. Democrats,, who already have begun to replace Republicans in this convention city, face two problems' at their convention be ginning July 21 .which could af fect party fortunes in Dixie. 1. The possibility that large numbers of rank and file south ern voters will desert to the Republican, party attracted y Eisenhower's sex appeal and the softness cf the GOP Civil Rights plank. 2. The open threat of some top southern political leaders to bolt Summerfield New National Chairman For Republicans Chicago (U.R) Arthur E. Summerfield, a champion Re publican fund raiser in Michi gan, was elected chairman of the GOP national committee Sat urday and said he would take personal direction of the Novem ber election campaign. Summerfield, a sparkplug in the drive which won Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower the Republican- presidential nomina tion, received the new post with the general's heartiest approval. A short time later Eisenhower had his first conference with the committee and promised to work hand in hand with them to achieve "complete success" in the November election. Summerfield told a press con ference he would consider ap pointing a campaign chairman and other aides but made it plain that he intends to be the actual directing head. "As long as I have the respon sibility I am not going to relin quish it," he said. "In my con ference with General Eisen hower he indicated he would leave that (appointment of a sep arate campaign chairman) pretty much up to me." He said he would be happy to have the help and suggestions of others who led the pre-con-vention efforts, such as Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., of Mas sachusetts and Gov.. Thomas E. Dewey of New York, and those who backed Sen. Robert A. Taft for the nomination. But, he added, it would all have to be coordinated with the efforts of the national commit tee he now heads. FIRE DANGER Vacationers in the timbered areas of southern Oregon we're warned today to be careful of fires as the continued low hum idities of 25-30 degrees, plus the near - 90 temperatures, would make the fire situation "ex tremely dangerous," according to the weather bureau. Fair weather is forecasted for today with afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains to the south and east, r ! the Democratic party if the can didates and platform are ''un acceptable." Southern Republican leaders have promised an intense cam paign to carry some of the South for Eisenhower. They think their chances are brightest since 1928 when five southern states supported Former Presi dent Herbert Hoo.vr.- -r As proof of Eisenhower's popu larity in the South, these lead ers point to public opinion polls which rank the General higher than any other Republican in the South and to the interest in his candidacy. Southern Republicans, who fought bitterly over the party's nominee, say they have closed -ranks and .that all hands will pitch in and attempt . to break the Democratic held on the solid south. Platform Bid The GOP platform appears to be a bid for southern support. It does not call for a compulsory FEPC and makes recognition of state's rights two stands which should meet with approval in Dixie. Gov. James F. Byrnes of South Carolina, a leader of southern anti- "Fair Deal" forces, has hint ed at the possibility of support ing the Republican party. He has said that if the south does not receive "sympathetic considera tion" from either the Republi can or Democratic party, the south may turn to a third party. At least four southern states South Carolina, Georgia, Mis sissippi, and Texas have sched" uled meetings of their Democrat ic conventions or executive com mittees after the national con vention to decide what course they will take in November elec tions. A fifth state, Louisiana, auth orized its national convention delegation to bolt the conven tion if the nominees or platform are unacceptable. Elderly Bike Repair Man Leaves $1,000,000 Estate Kansas City, Mo. (U.R) The folks, white and b 1 a c k, who populate the dingy lofts, the dil apidated shacks and the dreary tenements on the east fringe of Kansas City's business district learned two things Saturday about the wizened and bent old man who was their neighbor in termittently for years. They learned he died July 4 and that he left more than $1,000,000. Few, probably, had noticed his absence. For 80-year-old Ralph George Baldwin had little to say to anybody, even the rela tives, bankers and the few friends who will share in his estate. Will Reveals Wealth ' His will, filed for probate Fri day, revealed he had $75,000 in cash in a Kansas City bank and huge holdings in industrial stocks. Hjg attorney, Charles Whitak er, said he parlayed that for tune from $12,000 obtained from sale of a Nebraska farm he in herited about 40 years ago from Nixon, Taft Meet Following Session With Eisenhower Party Heads Express Confidence of Victory Chicago (U.R) Sen. Rich ard M. Nixon, Republican vice presidential nominee, announced Chicago (U.R) Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower re signed from the Army Satur day to "crusade" for the pres idency and weld clashing Re publican factions' into a smooth-running team that can score a "quick and complete victory over the Democrats in November. He surrendered his five-star rank and gave up all Army ties so that be will be free to campaign in the coming election without em harassment to himself or the armed services. He had prom ised previously to take the action if nominated on the 1 GOP ticket. Saturday after a meeting with Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and other party leaders that he would meet with Sen. Robert A. Taft. Nixon did not disclose the nature of the conference with the Ohio senator, whom Eisen hower defeated Friday for the GOP presidential nomination, it was believed to involve party hcrmony. He announced the meeting following a huddle with Eisen hower, Arthur E. Summerfield of Michigan, new chairman of the Republican National com-, mittee, and Gov. John S. Fine of Pennsylvania. Meantime, Nixon was trying to nail down" his exact role in the forthcoming campaign. Nixon told the national com mittee that "there is no question we have a winner on our hands provided we do the job." He asked the committee to "con sider me one of the team" which will work for a Republican vic tory to "give America the kind of dynamic new leadership it needs, and which all Republi cans and most Democrats want." The GOP vice presidential nominee stood with Eisenhower on the platform and shook hands with the committee members as they filed by. Once he slipped from the 30-inch high platform but was unhurt. Nixon said he had been in politics only a little longer than Eisenhower but he said after listening to the gen eral he realized "there isn't much he needs to learn about politics that he doesn't already know." His aides said he was fitting his schedule to Eisenhower's and didn't know where he would be from inute to minute. Whether he returns to Washington Sun day as he had planned was still up in the air. The campaign, Nixon said in his first press conference as the vice presidential candidate, will be a "fighting crusade." The two big issues, as far as he is con cerned, will be "The Truman record" and "communism at home and abroad," he said. his mother, who had got it from her father. To that money Baldwin, a semi-invalid most of his life, added little sums earned in the bicycle repair shop he used to operate in Kansas City's disre putable north end. He put it all in stocks and when the crash came in 1929 he held on to what he had and. bought more at prices lower than rock bottom. Rich Even Then "Even then, he was rich," Whitaker said, "but he never changed his way of living." "He had a peculiar considera tion for money. He just didn't believe in spending any of it." Like his poverty-stricken neighbors, Baldwin lived in a single room, frying hamburger for himself and making coffee on a two-burner gas plate. His worn clothes he patched and re patched, doing the sewing him self, and his own laundry. In late years he indulged in one extravagance. He spent the winters in the south. He drove to Florida, or California, or south Texas, in a wheezy old car.