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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 26, 1959)
Snow Adds T Woes of Midwestern fiegiori Oevasfafed by Floodwaters I WJLJ. Wi ZI " ' ' TODAY In Oregon History (A Centennial Feature) 53rd Year Price 10 Cents Medford Tribune 7 iSBBJMJ MINE FLOOD HOLE This is the cave-in miners and trapping 12 others. Note tele hole above the coal mine at Pittston, Pa., phone pole which has dropped into the hole through which the Susquehanna river (at and is supported only by its own wires. Mine left) poured into the mine, drowning three tunnels extend completely under the river. Man's Death is Fourth Traffic Fatality in Week "William Henry Durbin, 54, of 1039 Belle Aire dr.. Grants Pass, was killed Sunday at approximately 3:45 p.m. when the car he was driving struck an oak tree on the Old Stage rd., two miles west of Rogue River, Oregon state police re ported. His death brings to four the number of persons killed in the county in 1959 in traffic accidents. All four persons were killed during the last seven days. Police said that Durbin was apparently headed east on Old Stage rd. when his car veered left, traveled 120 feet down the left side of the road and struck the tree head-on. Th impact caused the car to flip over, it was reported, and it then caught fire. Police said that two persons who arrived at the scene of the accident removed the man from the vehicle. A witness, Dennis Moore, box 279, Gold Hill, told police that the car was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the accident. Police said that the engine was driven about two feet inside the car and the speedometer was stuck at 75 miles an hour. . The body was taken to Hull and Hull Funeral " h o m e, Grants Pass, pending funeral arrangements. At least three others died In Oregon traffic during the week end, according to Unit ed Press International. Jennifer Helen Gehrig, 6, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Gehrig of Odell, was killed Sunday when struck by a car near the west Hood River city limits. Car Hits Pol Oscar Weston, 48, Independ ence, was killed shortly after midnight Saturday when the car in which he was riding struck a power pole about two miles south of Salem on the Old Sunnyside highway. Edgar Allen Gildersleeve, 49, Enterprise, was killed Sat urday when his car and a truck-trailer collided east of La Grande. Veterans Service Office Commended Jerry V. Bianconi, Jackson county veterans service of ficer, has been commended by H. C. Saalfeld, director of the Oregon state depart ment of veterans affairs, for his "superior service." The praise was received In letter from the department director to the Jackson county court. "I want to thank you for the superior service rendered veterans and dependents of your county by your county service officer, Jerry V. Bian coni," the letter stated. "Mr. Bianconi is considered one of the outstanding county service officers in the state," Saalfeld wrote. "We have re ceived many excellent reports on his assistance to a large number of people whom he has contacted. I want to thank the county court in behalf of these people for making this service available." Statehood for Hawaii May Find Clear Sailing "Washington (CPD The Ei senhower administ ration wished "bon voyage" today to a bill which would make the eight sun-kissed Hawaiian islands the 50th state of the union. The outlook for clear sailing through Congress is bright. Endorsed by Seaton Interior Secretary Fred A. Seaton, the lead-off witness at House Interior Commit tee hearings on the measure, gave the administration's endorsement to Hawaiian statehood. Congressmen who want Ha Extension of Draft Said Essential To National Security "Washington - (UPD - Chair man Carl Vinson of the House Armed Services Com mittee said today that a four year extension of the draft law was indispensable to our security. The Georgia Democrat made the statement in open ing hearings on the adminis tration's proposed extension bill. His committee called Charles C. Finucane, assistant defense secretary for man power, to testify first. Approval Predicted Vinson already has pre dicted the committee would approve the bill quickly. Very little opposition appear ed to be building up in Con gress despite protests of some religious and other groups. As the hearings began, there were these other de velopments: -The U.S. Chamber of Commerce called for a two year instead of a four-year extension. It said the bill also should be amended to bring about more drafting of men between the ages of 18V4 and 21 XA because younger men "make more efficient, en thusiastic soldiers." -The National Council Against . Conscription urged that the ' draft be allowed to expire on June 30. The coun cil appealed, signed by 58 2,000 Persons Attend Y Events More than 2,000 persons participated in activities at the Medford Young Men's Christian association during YMCA week, according to Cliff McGinty, chairman oi the week's activities. Highlights of the week of activity were an open house, annual membership meeting, YMCA camp reunion and guest day. More than 500 per sons viewed the newly paint ed YMCA facilities and watched YMCA programs in action. The annual meeting was helrl under the direction of Carl Brophy, board president, with new memoers oi xne board introduced. Dr. Robert Anderson, Salem, was guest speaker. During guest day YMCA young people were reported to have taken their friends to the Y for a day of swimming, gymnasium activities and movies. Other activities held Includ ed a volleyball clinic, square dance lessons for beginners, skin diving exhibition, exhi bition volleyball, adult square dancing, family potluck din ner, teen-age and young "adult social dances and a church league basketball game. DOW-JONES AVERAGES United Press International New York - (CPD - Dow Jones closing stock aver ages: 30 industrials 592.37. off 3.70; 20 rails 161.12. off 1.54; 15 utilities 91.70, off 0.29; 65 stocks 206.31. off 1.31. Sales today were about 3,980.000 shares compared with 3,600.000 shares Fri day. waii to follow Alaska into the union were confident of early success. They have set up a tentative timetable call ing for House approval by Easter. March 29. Opposition Expected The stiffest opposition was expected from Chairman Howard W. Smith (D-Va.) of the powerful House Rules Committee which temporarily sidetracked action on Alaskan statehood last year. Other Southern lawmakers also were expected to fight against statehood for the Pacific territory. churchmen, educators and other leaders, said new emphasis on space age weapons made even a stand by selective service law of questionable value. Endorsed by Bridget -Sen. Styles Bridges (R N.H.), ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, endorsed the extension. He said that if the draft had not been in effect when the United States entered "World War H, "we'd have been in a very serious position." The administration's bill would extend to July 1, 1963, the draft of eligible men be tween the ages of 18V and 26 for two years of service. It also would continue until the same date the draft of physicians and dentists up to the age of 35. Discussion Set On Dog Control Members of the county court will meet with repre sentatives of . the i Southern Oregon Humane society at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, to discuss the dog control problem, County Judge Earl Miller said today. Mrs. Perry Duncan, secre tary of the humane society, invited the county court by letter to attend the meeting. The county court received a complaint from E. L. Cun ningham, manager of the Bar View ranch in Eagle Point that dogs had killed 11 sheep there. He told the county court that he had been paid for the sheep but was con cerned over the dog problem in the area. "I feel that basic control of this dog situation is needed at the source," County Judge Miller said today. "In this county now there are more dogs than there are people to control them." The county court has dis cussed the possibility of rais ing the license fee of un spayed females to double what it is now. However, County Commissioner Ralph James discovered that state law limits the fee to $3. Centennial Party At Capital Planned Salem -DPD- Arrangements for the Centennial celebra tion in the capitol here Feb. 14th have been worked out by a bi-partisan committee. The day will open with an inter-faith Centennial prayer breakfast . A parade is scheduled for mid-afternoon with Vice-President Richard Nixon in the line of march. Following the parade, there will be an assembly of both chambers, open to the public, in the capitol rotunda for the purpose of receiving the greetings of the United States government from Nixon. A Centennial ball and a chefs buffet will conclude the birthday party here. UP Traffic Agent Receives Promotion Robert D. Toomey, general traffic agent for the Union Pacific Railroad in Medford, has been named assistant to the traffic manager in Port land, according to an an nouncement made Saturday. Toomey, who has been here since 1956, suceeds Richard West. "West is retiring Jan. 31 after 47 years in railroading. Leland J. Ziesmer, Port land, will replace Toomey as general traffic agent for southern Oregon. Toomey will report to the Portland office Feb. 1 and his wife and son, Dennis, will move to Portland early next month. JAN. 26. 1935 Jacksonville, scene of some of Oregon's earliest gold mines, has been taking on a weird appearance as 40-year-old mine timbers have given way under the strain of heavy rains. The city government is con templating action against property owners held re sponsible for tunneling un der the streets. Legislative Groups Work on Major Problems Salem-TOPB-The Oregon Leg islature rolled smoothly into its third week today. Some 401 bills already have been introduced and the Leg islature is doing committee work on major problems like finance, unemployment com pensation and government re organization. The Joint Ways and Means Committee has been exploring a request from the Oregon Centennial Commission for $2,046,000 and is expected to act this week on the request. Budget Studied Budget proposals made by ex-Gov. Robert D. Holmes are being studied by the House Tax Committee, but no major bills will be released until Gov. Mark Hatfield has a chance to present his pro gram. Hatfield's program Is ex pected about Feb. 15. Hatfield and Joint Ways and Means Committee Chair men Alfred Corbett (D-Port-land) and Keith D. Skelton (D-Eugene) are expected to issue a statement on the cen tennial budget Tuesday. Sen. Ward Cook D-Port-land) has suggested an amount of about $1,790,000. Cook is chairman of a subcommittee studying the budget. Met Again Today His subcommittee met again this afternoon to consider final recommendations on the centennial budget. Set for committee discus sion Tuesday are bills recom mended by the Legislative In terim Committee on Judicial Administration. Among other things the In terim committee recommend ed changes in the juvenile code. The bills would give juvenile courts exclusive jur isdiction over juveniles who had violated any law or ordi nance. Fruit Growers Schedule Meetings Medford pear growers are scheduled to meet in the courthouse this afternoon to hear various talks on research work performed locally and on a state basis. The peach growers are scheduled to meet tomorrow afternoon, ac cording to the county exten sion agents' office. Talks this afternoon will be on various work done both on local and state levels with Oregon State college re search men and Jackson county horticultural agents speaking. The peach meeting, also sponsored by the county ex tension office, will start at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday in the Jack son county courthouse audi torium. Featured talk will be that of Grant Merrill, former farm adviser in California and now a large orchardist and peach breeder in Red Bluff, Calif. Merrill has developed and in troduced several new peach varieties which are being grown locally, according to Don Berry, county horticul tural agent. Warning Signals Reported Damaged Seven electric traffic warn ing signals placed along con struction work on Corona ave. by R. A. Heintz company, Portland, were damaged by air rifles during the week end, according to a report made to Medford police. Ole Orsen, 806 West Main st., told investigating officers the portable signals were lo cated on Corona ave. between Morrow and Roberts rds. Salem-flJPD-Gov. Mark Hat field has indicated he would axe legislation lowering the compulsory school attendance age from 18 to 16. 16 Pages Porter Talked Like Dutch Uncle To Castro; Changes Suggested By A. ROBERT SMITH Mail Tribune Washington Correspondent Washington "I went to Cuba because I wanted to talk like a Dutch uncle to Fidel," said Rep. Charles O. Porter Friday upon his return from a 48-hour trip to Havana. Porter and Castro had their talk Thursday night over din ner. Chiefly, he urged that the trials now in progress in Ha vana not be conducted as spectacles and that civil judg es replace the military judges who are conducting them. Staunch Defender One of the few members of Congress to rise to Castro's defense during a spate of crit icism on the floor earlier this week, the Oregon congress man returned a staunch de fender of the bearded revolu tionary leader if not a de fender of Castro's beard. Porter said he told Castro some of his American critics are "really friendly critics, such as Wayne Morse, who was against Batista but is con cerned about due process in the trials." "The critics are well inten tioned, but uninformed," said Porter. Porter said in his talks with seasoned newspapermen on the scene and other Amer icans he found no evidence of any "miscarriage of justice, that is where a man was un Education Board Asked To Curb School Standards Salem-(DPD-The Oregon Sen ate today adopted a resolu tion requesting the State Board of Education to take no action on enforcement of school standards until the Leg islature resolves the question of constitutionality of the law permitting the board to im pose standards on Oregon schools. The Senate resolution is similar to one introduced in the House. Sen. Carl Francis (R-Day-ton) said that a number of attorneys and the legislative counsel had questioned the constitutionality of certain sections of the standards law. Yardstick Needed Francis said that Legisla tive Counsel Sam Haley had nninted out that the State Su preme Court had ruled the Legislature cannot delegate powers to regulate on state aepneies until a definite yard stick on which standards can be based is provided. The Judiciary Committee will meet with members of the State Board of-Education later to study the law. The Senate oassed House bill 1075 providing $1,250,000 to cover legislative expenses of this session as well as ex penses of interim committees. Eva Hamilton Confirmed Appointment of two men, Douglas McKean and Allan Hart, both of Portland, by ex-Gov. Robert D. Holmes, to the Board of Higher Educa tion was confirmed by a unan imous vote. The Senate also confirmed the appointment of Ralph B. Stuller, Coquille publisher and Mrs. Eva Hamilton, Med ford, as members of the State Board of Education. Both have been serving several months. WEATHER FORECAST: Generally cloudy with occasional light rain in the valleys and snow above 4.000 feet through Tuesday. Patchy valley tog Tuesday morning. Low tonight 38. High Tuesday 50. TEMP. Highest Yesterday ... 52 Lowest This Morning 40 Prec. to 10 a.m. Today Trace Our Skies Tonight Sunset today Sunrise tomorrow Moonrise tonight 5:16 p.m. 7:31 a.m. 7:54 p.m. Jan. 31 Last Quarter PROMINENT STAR Regrulus, leads the Moon. VISIBLE PLANETS Venus, sets 6:21 p.m. Mars, high in south 7:14 p.m. Jupiter, rises 3:10 a.m. Saturn, rises 5:53 a.m. MEDFORD, OREGON, MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1959 justifiably convicted and exe cuted, or where there was a lack of elementary due pro cess in the trials." By elementary due process, Porter said he meant the ac cused were confronted by their accusers, were allowed to testify in their own behalf and to have defense attorneys. He pointed out that instead of the jury system, which is an Anglo-Saxon legal practice which has not been used in Latin America, they try the case before a panel of judges. No Blood Bath "This is no blood bath," Porter said. "A blood bath is when people are lined up and killed wantonly. There is nothing wanton about these executions. In these trials they are taking only those charged with murder and tor ture." Porter said he had earlier urged Castro to hold trials in public so newsmen could ob serve the procedures, "but he went too far, holding them in a stadium that seats 17,000." He said he suggested a smaller place where a pool of news men, but not all of the 300 or 400 newsmen now in Cuba, could cover the trials. Porter was one of two members of Congress to go to Havana at Cuba's invitation. Rep. Adam Clayton Powell (D-N.Y.), also went. Others, in cluding Sen. Morse, rejected "Be Glad He's Hibernating There's Been Talk That He Was Dead" Congress Warned Not To Over-Insure On War Washington (DPD Adm. Ar leigh Burke, Chief of Naval Operations, warned Congress today not to "over-insure" the nation against the "remote possibility" of a general war. Burke and Navy Secretary Thomas S. Gates Jr., stressed the continuing threats of "limited wars" in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Under conditions of nuclear parity, Russia and the United States have reached a point where each knows the other can inflict "unacceptable dam age on the other," Burke said. He said that as long as this country maintains its ability to retaliate, general war is only a remote possibility. "We can expect that limited wars will be instigated by or exploited by the Soviets to further the policy of constant probing and pressure which characterizes their expansion ist efforts," he added. Both Burke and Gates stressed the need for sea power in their closed-door testimony, a censored version of which was made public. Other congressional devel opments: Housing: Mayors of six ma jor cities urged Congress to similar invitations. Some 350 U.S. newsmen also went on what was called "Operation Truth" by the Cuban govern ment. Porter said he made these additional points in his talks with Castro: He asked why there are two governments - that of Castro and his military men who are only supposed to be performing police duties, and that of the Castro-appointed provisional president, Manuel Urrutia? He asked Castro when hew as going to leave. He suggested Castro with draw for about a month of rest and reflection and permit the provisional government to function. Works 20 Hours a Day "As it is now, everybody comes to him for decisions. He works 20 hours a day," Porter said. "I told him 'If you want your government to work, you've got to withdraw. You must refuse to inter vene." He urged Castro and his forces to shave or trim their beards and take off their fa tigues, the uniform of the reb el fighters who descended from the hills of Oriente prov ince to overthrow the Batista dictatorship. He urged Castro to confer with the other democratic leaders of Latin nations such as Colombia, Venezuela, Cos ility enact a 10-year, $6 billion slum clearance program. They told the Senate Banking Com mittee that the administra tion's six-year, $1,350,000,000 program would not do the job. Airports: The Federal Avia tion Agency told the Senate Aviation Subcommittee the nation will have to spend $1,299,695,000 on airport con struction during the next four years. It recommended that the administration pay $200 million of this bill. Annual Dinner Set Wednesday Evening The annual Medford Junior Chamber of Commerce Dis tinguished Service Award dinner will be held Wednes day, Jan. 28, at the Rogue Valley Country club. The award dinner will be an nounced at that time from a list of six area men who have been nominated by valley groups. Salem-(UPD-A bill is being prepared for introduction to reimburse legislators for act ual out of pocket expense in curred in the performance of legislative duties during the interim between sessions. No. 264 ta Rica and of the American commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Porter, long an advocate of a change in American policy which would express friend liness for Latin democracies and only cool correctness to ward dictators, said he is con fident Cuba is on the way back to democracy. It is al ready a democracy in the sense that civil liberties have been restored, he said, but self-government will take a little longer until the citizens have been registered for vot ing and parties have been re organized to play their custo mary role in democratic pro cesses. For Democracy "It's not a case of being for Castro or for Batista, but for democracy. I think the terror and thievery used by Batista are not the way to run a gov ernment. There is no evidence of atrocities committed by Castro. His men didn't shoot prisoners, as Batista's forces did. I am confident his proce dures are just. There have been some acquittals. And one of Castro's men who shot a man unjustifiably is now In jail awaiting trial," Porter said. Porter said he plans to re turn for another visit with Castro next month when he has been invited to speak in Santiago. Pope John Calls New Offensive To Unite Churches Vatican City-fflPD-Pope John XXIII launched the Roman Catholic world today on a new offensive to win back the Eastern Orthodox and West ern Protestant churches into the church of Rome. He called t n e church's 1,800 cardinals, archbishops, bishops, patriarchs and other top spiritual leaders to the Vatican for the first ecumeni cal council in 89 years. An ecumenical council is the most important meeting of church leaders in Roman Catholic dogma. Only 20 have been held in the history of the church and ecumenical de crees passed with the Pope's approval are considered in fallible. No Dale Set The Pope did not set a date for the council, but Vatican sources said it probably would be held this year. They said several months of intense pre paration would be needed be fore the gathering could take place. Pope John announced the forthcoming council in a speech to 21 cardinals Sunday during" a visit to the Rome Basilica of St. Paul outside the Vatican. In addition to calling the council, the Pope, as bishop of Rome, summoned a dio cesan synod for the city to discuss the "grave problems" and "increasing menaces" to the spiritual life of the faith ful. New York-fljPD-Leaders of Protestant and Orthodox Christian churches expressed deep interest today in Pope John's announcement that he will call a council for church unity. Belgian Congo Residents Arm in Wake of Uprising Matadi, Belgian Congo-rtlPD- European residents began buy ing revolvers today and po lice blanketed the area with strict control in the wake of a surprise demonstration by Africans demanding independ ence from Belgium. Three Hospitalized Two Africans and one Eu ropean police officer were hospitalized following Sun day's riot by nearly 1,000 per sons led by members of the A b a k o political movement which sparked the Leopold villa riots three weeks ago. Pennsylvania, Ohio Sections In Storm's Path Snowfall Extends To New England By United Press International A snow storm swept out of the Midwest into the East to day, bringing new woes to residents of flood devastated sections of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Up to five Inches of snow was expected at Meadville in the hard-hit northwestern Pennsylvania flood region. Three to five inches of snow blanketed western Pennsyl vania Sunday, including four inches at Erie, and one to three inches fell in the south portion of the state. Although floodwaters reced ed rapidly in Ohio and Penn sylvania after four days of de struction, the new snow ham pered utility workers trying to restore power and plug breaks in gas and water lines. Lesser snowfall amounts hit northern Ohio and rain fell in some southern areas, slowing the efforts of flood victims in their struggle to clean up properties and re sume normal living. Close Mine Hole Rescue workers at Pittston, Pa., closed a gaping hole in the Susauehanna river through which floodwaters poured into an anthracite mine, trapping 12 miners un derground. There was little hope the miners would be found alive. Damage in the seige of snow storms and floods which began last Tuesday climbed to more than $100 million. Flood waters forced more than 25, 000 persons from their homes and more than 100 persons died in weather connected ac cidents. Snow amounts ranging from two to 12 inches pushed across the northern tier of states from the Rockies to New England Sunday, and a band of freezing rain slicked highwaysin Missouri and Kansas. Cold Air Moves East A cold air mass following on the heels of the snow sent the mercury plunging to 17 below zero early today at Lone Rock, Wis., and 15 be low at Wausau, Wis. Temper ature drops of 20 degrees or more were common in the Central Plains, upper Missis sippi valley, the Great lakes, the Ohio valley and parts of New England. Snow ranging from six inches to a foot or more rang ed through western Nebraska into the mountains of western Wyoming. Two to three inches of new snow made driving hazardous in Chicago and forced a plane carrying Presi dent Arturo Frondizi of Ar gentina to circle the city for an hour before landing at snowswept Midway airport. Milwaukee officials declar ed a second snow emereencv within a week as five inches of snow fell on the city. Pendleton Lawyer Mentioned as Judge Portland - (UPD - The name of John F. Kilkenny, Pendle ton attorney, popped up today as a possibility for the vacant federal judgeship position here. Kilkenny was reported to have been checked recently by the FBI, a routine step in conection with federal ap pointments. Earlier, Cricuit Judge Charles Redding of Portland, who finished first in a State Bar poll, also was reported to have been check ed. Robert Mautz, Oregon GOP national committeeman, had no comment on how the ap pointment might go. The position pays $22,500 a year. ne port population re turned calmly but uneasily to work today. A curfew which kept citizens off the streets all night was lifted at 4:30 a.m. All Africans entering the Eu ropean section of the city or the dock area had their iden tity cards checked at road blocks set up by police. Dockers Fail to Appear Those who could not prove they had business or work in the areas were turned back. About 10 per cent of the Afri can dockers failed to show up for work at alL
