The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, January 3, 1949, Page 1

THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE “ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME” VOL. LXXIL, NO. 11,083 JUNEAU, ALASKA, MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1949 W—‘MBE.R ASSOCIATED PRESS PRICE TEN CENTS DEMO CONTROLLED CONGRESS MEETS Plane Crash At Seattle Kills At Least 14 CRAFT HITS HANGAR AT HIGH SPEED Explosion “Follows — Fire Breaks Out-Victims Eastern Students By. VINCENT HOYMAN SEATTLE, Jan. 3 (M—A transport ; plane loaded with Yale University students ‘crashed and exploded sec- onds after its takeoff last night, killing at least 14 of the 30 persons aboard. Fifteen survived the crash. One person was not accounted for early today. Thirteen of the bodies were iden- tified early today. Twenty-seven Yale students from Washington and Oregon had chart- ered the DC-3 from Seattle Air Charter, a non-scheduled operator, to take them back to New Haven, Conn., after the holidays. other three aboard were crew mem- bers. Roars Down Runway The plane roared down an icy runway just at 10 p. m. Ten feet off the ground it faltered, struck the ground and crashed into the; end .of a Boeing Airplane Com- pany experimental hangar. Lynn Brown, a Boeing Field em- ployee, estimated the plane was going 80 to 100 miles an hour when it struck the hangar revetment and burst into flames. “I ran over to the burning plane and helped some of the fellows who were on the ground there," Brown said. “Others from crashed plane were running uound crazily and I helped quiet them.” Man’s Hair On Fire “I saw one man with his hair on fire, screaming and moaning.” The impact and explosion split* ths right side of the plane. Some escaped by scrambling through the broken fuselage; others through the door. Piremen struggled to attach catles to the battered plane so it could be hauled from the hang- ar, where a new Boeing Strato- cruiser stood loaded with 2,000 gallons of gasoline. They pulled loose the tail section and rear fuselage portion, but the front part was jammed in a charred mass against the revetment. Remove Burned Bodies Hours after the wreck rescuers still were removing burned bodies and trying to identify victims. Thirteen were taken to hospitals soon after the crash, several badly burned. Some left the scene un- aided, adding to the difficulty of determining the number killed. Brave Fierce Flames Although a full night shift was . (Continued on Page Two) The Washington Merry - Go- Round Bv DREW PEARSON 1Copyright, 1948, %’M.‘).h. Bell Syndicate, ASHINGTON — A compromise solution to the dynamite-laden : civil-rights program has been wcrk- ed out by Arkansas Congressmarn Brooks Hays: It may prevent ,the battle of ‘Northern Democrats s Southern Democrats which could bog Congress down for weeks. The Hays compromise is to side- step the Federal Employment Prac- tices Commission, otherwise known as FEPC. Several Southern soldns are naw' reluctantly ready to admit they cannot block the anti-lynching bill. The poll tax is no longer a real issue, since approximately one-half the Southern states have already|® abolished it on their own initia- tive. This leaves FEPC as the real | ® sore thumb in the Truman civil- [® rights program. L4 Congressman Hay's solution is|® to substitute for the FEPC an em- [® ployment counseling service. This ’ s L AR RPN it AR (Continued on Page Four) c The | DICK GARRISON INJURED WHEN MARQUEE FALLS Richard E. Garrison miraculously escaped serious injury, possibly death, this morning when he was caught under a 40-foot marquee which crashed to the sidewalk un- der the pressure of wet, heavy Snow. ‘ Garrison was able' to duck back into a doorway in front of Fern's Portrait Studio on Second Street prear Seward, before the inner edge of the wide marquee hit him. He was taken by ambulance to i St. Ann’s Hospital where, late this ;a{temoon. his attending physician, Dr. John Clements reported that Garrison had been badly bruised in the accident. Garrison was scheduled to have {an X-ray this afternoon, .to de- termine the extent of the injuries. Garrison is radio repair man for iAlaska Music Supply, which oc- cupies a corner of the Hixson Building, to which the marquee was attached. He also maintains a number of juke boxes in the city, fand plays trombone in the Juneau City Band. With Mrs. Garrison and their three small sons—Ricky, about 5; ‘Chris, two years younger, and small Jeff—Garrison lives on Beh- jrends Avenue. This accident was responsible for the 2-4 alarm at 9:25 this morning, ‘an unknown person summoning the !Pire Department when the mar- quee crashed down. Firemen re- sponded in full force, gave aid and controlled traffic. Fotubami s oA LICNS (LUB THROW | ,PROGRAM INTO HIGH x |GEAR ATMEET TODAY The members o: :«c Lions Cl-/ started plans today to move their club’s program into high gear. Alva Blackerby, Chairman of the Lions Education Committee, directed the meeting and at his request each commm,ee presented a report. H Henry Lorenzen, chairman of the Sight Conservation committee re- ported that one pair of glasses had ybeen purchased for an underprivi- ileged chlld. This committeg is work- ing on purchasing glasses at a lower rate so more children will ke able to .benem from the program. | Routine reports were given by IP. J. Gilmore on education; Milton Furness on the budget and financ- es; Art Hedges, attendance; and Rev. Walter Soboleff and Dr. Jos- eph Rude of the Boys' and Girls' committee. January has been designated as Melvin Jones, Founder’s Month, and a membership drive will be held throughout the month. Howard An- dreson is acting chairman for the drive. President George Danner an- nounced that Mrs. Mildred R. Her- mann will discuss, “How Service Clubs Can Work with the Legisla- ture.” It was voted to send the club's re- lgards to Lion Dick Garrison, mem- Ler of the Safety Committee, who was accidentally downed by a snow- covered marquee this morning an is now recuperating at St. Ann’s. Guests at today's meeting were Max Boyer, charter member of the Mt. Edgecumbe Lions' Club, and Stewart Washburn. ——e——— e 0 0 v ® 00 0 0 00 ¢ WEATHER REPORT . (U. 8. WEATHER BUREAU }® This data is for 24-hour per- le jod ending 6:3¢ am. PST, e In Juneau— Maximum, 36; {e minimum, 25. le At Airport— Maximum, 39; e minimum, 20. ° L FORECAST (Junesu and Vicinity) Rain occasionally mixed with snow tonight and Tuesday. Little change in temperature with lowest to- night 34, highest tempera- ture Tuesday, 36. e PRECIPITATION (Past 24 hours ending 7:30 a.m. today In Juneau — 165 inches; since Jan. 1, 2.10 inches; since July 1, 76.06 inches. At Airport- — .20 inches; since Jan. 1, 125 inches; since July 1, 49.07 inches. e e s 0000 00 . PEACETALK IS STARTED, CHINALAND Nalionalisigaders Break Away - Start Parleys with Communists (By The Associated Press) Shanghai’s city council went over the Chinese National government’s head today and asked the Chinese Ccemmunists for a cease fire and peace talks. In Northern China some Nation- alist Generals appeared to be dick- ering for a separate peace with the Communists. A Peiping official hinted at a political settlement within three weeks. The fact that this was permitted through tight Chinese censorship lent weight to the hint. Hong Kong reports said Marshal Li Shi-shen, a non-Communist, has left for a rendezvous with the Communists in the north. He has said he would be available to head a coalition government. Once President Chiang Kai-shek's Chief of Staff, the Marshal'now is strong- ly opposed by Chiang. Formosa might become the seat of 'Chiang’s government if it flees Nanking. INENANA FIRE IS FOUGHT BY U.S. SOLDIERS FAIRBANKS, Alaska, Jan, 3—(® —A hundred soldiers left a south- bound troop train at Nenana Satur- !day and helped townspeople check a fire which threatened the main business block. Mayor Henry Kaiser suffered a heart attack during the fire and a plane was sent from here to bring him to the Fairbanks hospital. Fighting the blaze was extremely difficult in the 34-below zero tem- perature which made it hard to keep water flowing in the fire hoses. The fire, however, was con- fined to a residence back of the Alex Fowler's general store. 13 PASSENGERS, ALASKA COASTAL, NEW YEAR'S DAY On New Year's Day, Alaska Coastal Airlines brought 13 passen- gers,into Juneau and carried ten passengers to nearby towns. On Sunday, the Airlines made no pas- senger flights. From Sitka to Juneau, passeng- ers were D. H. Andrus and C. P. Nevin. From Pelican City: Annie Grant, Mrs. A. J. Raatikainen, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce McKechnie, Mrs. John | Heversen. From Petersburg: John Enge, Betty Brown. From Wrangell: Grace Tom Coe. From Tulsequah: C. J. Mona- han, A, D. Bell, To Ketchikan: Leo . Saarela. To Wrangell: Leo Osterman and Bert” McCoy. ! To Petersburg: Katherine Elle. To Sitka: Lucrecia Aldemar, Mrs. Leven. . To Fish Bay: Tom Baldwin, Bob Murray. To Skagway: Lucy and Edward Sakamato, Frank Stine. ‘To Tulsequah: Mr. and Mrs. St. Laurent. —— o King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan was hailed as king of Arab Palestine yesterday by Palestine -Arabs who cheered him at Ramallah. His par- liament has approved if Abdullah wants to proclaim Arab Palestine his own. Wiley, TAFT IS | BACKON OLD JOB ‘0ld Guard’ Rallies, Gives| Ohio Man Party’s Pol- icy Leadership WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.—®— The Senate’s Republican “Old Guard” today crushed a rebellion by self-styled “liberal” GOP Sena- tors, paving the way for re-election of Senator Taft of Ohio at the party’s policy leader. Senator Tobey (R-NH) told re- porters the vote was 29 to 13 to change the rules and permit Taft’s re-election. The rule reported to have been changed prevented the Ohioian’s continuance as policy leader be~ cause he has held that post tour| years. Taft was opposed for the post in advance of the meeting by Senator Lodge of Massachusetts. Lodge's candidacy has been sponsored by a group of self-styled “liberals.” Sl i L HOUSERULES | CHANGEWILL BE OPPOSED WASHINGTG =, Jan, 3| House Republicans decided today to} fight Democratic-backed changes in} House rules. They hoped to form a] coalition with some southern Demo- crats and test President Truman's influence in the new Congress. The big rules change proposed by - the Democrats would clip the pow- ers of the Rules Committee to “bot- tleneck” legislation. (CEASE FIRE ORDER, JAVA (By The Associated Press) | The Dutch commander * has is- jsued an order of the day to his ;troops on the Island of Java which | is interpreted as a semi-official cease fire. The Dutch soldiers were told their {only job now is to mop up against pockets of Indonesian reputlicans. | ‘The Dutch hold all important points ¢ in Java and almost all in Sumatra. An order is expected socn on the neighboring island. The Dutch still Irefuse to allow 43 United Nations military observers to visit areas tak-| en from the republic. - e 'WEATHER DELAYS ODOM TAKE OFF HONOLULU, Jan. 3.—®— Bill Odom said today the present weath- er outlook would delay his take- off on a projected Hawaii to New York City non-stop flight until Tuesday morning. Odom will try the 5010 mile hop in a Beechcraft Bonanza class plane —the smallest ever to attempt a flight of that distance. el SNOWDRIFTS BLOCK WHITTER TERMINAL ANCHORAGE — Drifting snow pushed by high winds halted all rail traffic into the port city of Whittier, the Alaska Railroad an-! nounced today. Drifts blocked the mile-long road- bed between the tunnel and the waterfront docks. A rotary snow plow was dispatched from Anchor- age to restore the service. Snow removal equipment has |also been active along the northern end of the railbelt, the ARR sald. PHILIP R. BRADLEY PASSES AWAY AT BERKELEY HOME Engineer Who Helped Make Alaska Juneau Mine Producer, Dead 11l onlp (hree months, Philip Read Bradley, 73, passed away at his home in Berkeley, Calif., laSt il-“riday according to brief advices received Saturday by J. A. Williams, General Manager of the Alaska Juneau mine in Juneau. He was Chairman of the Board of Direc- tors of the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company. Bradley is survived by two sons and two daughters—P. R, Jr, of San Francisco, President of the Pacific Mining Co., and member of the board of directors of the A-J; Henry H., of Pascadero, Calif,, the twins, Ruth Bradley Sarrach of West Yellowstone, Mont., and Mrs. Frances B. Messinger of Milwaukee, {Wis. Mrs. Bradley died in 1946. Mr. Bradley came to Alaska in 1914 as General Superintendent of the Treadwell Gold Mining Co., suc- ceeding R. A. Kinzie. In 1915 he also became General Superintendent of the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Co., which was then in the de- velopment stage. In that capacity he continued until 1822, at which time he became consulting engi- neer and the late L. H. Metzgar be- came Superintendent. Mr, Bradley became President ot the A-J on the death of his broth- er Fred Bradley in 1933. He con- tintied in this capacity until the mine was forced to suspend opera- tions in 1944, after which he te- came Chairman of the Board of .Directors. This position he held untll his death. ontinued on JAPANESE SENTENCED T0 PRISON TOKYO, Jan. 3.—(®—Fifteen Jap- anese, including the war time mili- tary police chief:and several former generals, drew heavy prison sen- tences today for killing 45 captured American fliers: Twelve others were acquitted by a U. 8. Eighth Army cymmission. The trial lasted tive months. Among these who drew the heav- iest sentences—life in prison—was Lt. Gen. Sanji Okida, commander o: the mmmry poll"e hendqufll‘!?ls QUEEN MARY GOES AGROUND; REPAIRS REPORTED MINOR IDNDON Jan. 3.—M—The sailing he Queen Mary for New York hn been delayed until tomorrow. ‘The big 'liner was scheduled to sail from Southampton today, following an inspection of damage done in Saturday’s grounding in Cherbourg harbor. Officials now say that repairs will hold up the departure until ‘Tuesday—although the repairs are of a “minor nature.” The giant liner was driven ashore by a windstorm and kbeached on Sandbanks Lasaline, a small town west of Cherbourg. Five hundred passengers are tooked for New York. STOCK QUOTATIONS NEW YORK, Jan. 3.—(®—Clos- ing quotation of Alaska Juneau mine stock today is 3, American Can 81, Anaconda 33%, Curtiss- Wright 7Y%, International Harvest- er 25%, Kennecott 53%, New York Central 12, Northern Pacific 16%, U. 8. Steel 69%, Pound $4.08%. Sales today were 980,000 shares. i Averages today.are as follows: industrials 175.03, rails 51.87, util-| itles 3340, H claims; DELEGATE HAS MANY MEASURES| Barflett fo Puf in Sfate- hood Bill Again with Hopes of Action By CHARLES D. WATKINS WASHINGTON, Jan. 3—(#— Delegate Bartlett of Alaska, a Democrat, announced plans to in- troduce today a new bill to grant | statehood to the Territory. He said the measure will be iden- tical with that approved by the House Public Lands Committee last session. That bill died in the Rules Committee. Bartlett sald he hopes for quick' House approval of the measure and that he believes the Senate will endorse statehood for the Territory this year. Has 28 Bills The Delegate also expected to present today or tomorrow 28 other bills affecting Alaska. These include turning over to the - Territory control of its fish- eries and :llotting to it half of the government’s share of revenue from the sale of Pribiloft Island sealskins. Another bill will provide that Federal judges in Alaska ke ap- pointed for life as 4n the etates. They ‘now 'serve’ for_four years, Compensation Laws Other bills seek to: Apply workmen’s compensation laws of Alaska to those working on Federal projects and construc- tion; abolish 80-rod shore space reservations in the National Forest land in the Territory; increase funds for extension service work; increase funds for experiment sta- tions; grant priority to Alaskans in fisheries employment. Gov. Must Be Resident Provide that the Governor of Alaska be a Territorial resident; increase by 25 per cent veterans’ subsistence allowances under the GI training .law if they are not studying in Alaska; extend the farm credit law to the Territory; establish a national cemetery at Juneau. Repeal the Alaska Rallroad Re- tirement Act and substitute for it the benefits now extended to Fed- eral Civil Service workers; allow old wage claxms of Alaska Railroad employees to be settled by the U, 3. Court of Claims; authorize a puhlic works program for the Terri- ory; increase the minimum allot- ment under the Hospital Con- struction Act to $250,000 for each state and territory. Tax On Claims Alaska to tax mining allow the Alaska Legisla- ture to authorize the Territorial Housing Autherity to build, sell and rent housing projects; author- ize the Interior Department to construct and operate power plants in Alaska; empower the same De- partment to build a mental hospit- al in the Territory. Permit the Territory to enact its own local tax laws instead of having adopt them; authorize government loans for acquisition and improve- ment of farms; authorize construe- tion of an Arcnc Health Institute. FORMOSA WILL BE CHIANG'S SEAT OF Permit GOVT., IF HE FLEES| NANKING, Jan. 3.—(®—Formosa may become the seat of Chiang Kai-shek's government if the Na- tionalists flee from Nanking. There is talk that Chiang is ex- pecting war between Russia and the United States and plans to sit it out on Formosa. Observers point out that Chiang's son has been named head of the Government party's activities in Formosa. Navy and Air Force per- sonnel have been moved to the is- |land, Families of several govern- ment officlals also have arrived on "the island, the Federal government ; Juneau Gefs WeatherSwal And No Joke Snow and gusty weather hit Ju- neau during the past 24 hours, the snow falling to a depth of one foot to one and one-half feet and the gusts piling up drifts from three to nine feet. Highway tratfic was partially blocked this morning and only with difticulty did those who must come to Juneau do so. The school buses did not operate but Supt. Edwin C. Clark announced at 2 o'clock this afternoon buses on the highway and to Thane would probably operate tomorrow. In Juneau, the snow began fall- ing and gaining in depth. Early last evening taxis refused to accept calls above Sixth street and only kept service up on the level streets and at that with difticulty. Early last evening the wind hit from 25 miles per hour up and kept it up through the night and gusts prevailed today. And the snow kept falling, people mushed. Shortly after m Might the city snowplows and tractor snowplows fell into action. As the snow plows hit the streets there was nowhere else to put the snow and onto the sidewalks it piled. Streets were in passable condition this morpin~ bt they were lcy and trucks with chains were operating cautiously and taxis answered few calls, if any. As sidewalks were covered with {snow, people came to work slushing along the streets over the slippery thoroughfares. Many had to wade through snow from side streets to main streets that had been plowed. Walking conditions were dangerous and continue as the rain that has ‘been falling since early morning left pools in some places over one foot deep, and 1n other sppts over shoetops. In spite of the terrible weather this morning, nearly all the students of the Juneau schools trudged back to school. Floyd Dryden, principal of the Juneau Grade School, re- ported that attendance was atout 75 per cent and L. E. Avrit, high school principal, said that 70 per cent of his students were in at- | tendance. A majority of those absent re- side cn the Glacier Highway or the Thane Road. None of the school buses was able to operate this morning. Children residing in Way=- {nor District were also unable to {reach school. A medal of honor should be given to all little tots who managed to make it to school this morning through snow drifts that were high- er than the youngsters are tall. Gus Gissberg, director of the Ter- ritorial Employment office here, re- ported that men had been report- ing for work as snow shovelers all morning. By 11 o'clock 20 men were on the job clearing the streets, side- walks and roofs. A general warning |has Leen given for all to take a look at their roofs, especially those that are flat. Frank A. Metcalf, chief of the Alaska Highway Patrol, issued a warning this morning to all motor- sts. “Stay off the Glacier Highway,” he said, urgently. “It is glare ice and drifted snow. Just don't drive lunless it is absolutely imperative. Even then, think it over first.” At 2 o'clock this afternoon the Juneau Airport was cleared enough to allow the planes to land, but be- cause of low visibility, no planes were expected Two snowplows, a blade, and ro- tary plow started on the job early this morning and by this afternoon a strip measuring 75 feet wide was cleared along the entire length of the fleld. The CAA stated that the visibility has been up and down all day with a ceiling of 1800 feet at 2 o'clock >-os - STEAMER MOVEMENTS | Baranof scheduled to sail from Seattle January 7. Denali scheduled to sail from Se- attle January 8. Princess Norah scheduled south- bound about noon tomorrow, and C(ONGRESS CONVENES ATNOON House Chafig?s Rules of Rules Com.-McKeller in Senate’s Chief Chair WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.—P—The new Democratic-controlled Congress met today. Administration men promptly rammed through the House a new rule aimed to ease the way for President Truman's leg- islative program. Although there were squawks from Republican leaders and some Democrats, the rule went through on voice approval after 275 to 142 test roll call vote. Voting for the rule change were 225 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one American-Laborite. Against it were 111 Repuclice s and 31 Den:- ocrats. The test was generally regarded among the legislators as a measure of Mr. Truman’s increased power oi |cnp“ol Hill since his election vic! | tory. i SWAT FOR COMMITTEE The Rules Committee decides what measure shall be considered by the House. Under the new rule— in 21 days after a legislative com- mittee approves it, the chairman of the legislative committee can move on the floor to take up the bill. A majority vote by the members present then would place the bill before the House. Some Republicans grumbled that the power to recognize committee chairmen would make Sam Ray- burn of Texas, the newly-installed Democratic speaker, a “czar” over what legislations is considered. RAYBURN TO BE BOSS Rayburn, when taking office, in- dicated he will go down thé line for what he considers to be the Demo- cratic party’s mandate from the election. He told the House that Congress would be united on matters of in- ternational affairs but— “On many Democratic issues we will divide. “The Democratic party has teen called to solve them. We'll miss our mark if we do not live up to the expectations of the American peo- ple.” ADJOURN TO WEDNESDAY Both House and Senate adjourn- ed until Wednesday when President Truman will deliver personally his “state of the union” message. The gavel for the opening Senate session also fell at 12 noon, sharp. Senator Vandenberg (R-Mich.) called the session to order at 12:00 noon as President pro tem of the old Senate. McKELLAR HONORED The slate of Senate officers chosen by the Democrats at a party meet- ing last week was promptly elected. A Republican motion to continue Senator Vandenberg as president pro tempore was defeated 50 to 40. Then Senator McKellar (D-Tenn) was elected to the post by voice vote. McKellar took the presiding officer's chair. e LARGE MAIL LOAD ARRIVES ON NORAH Doubtless due to the fact that the C.P.R. Princess Norah left Vancou= ver before any sailings were sched- uled out of Seattie, the ship brought an unusually large load of mail last night. For Gastineau Channel, there were 48 pouches, 733 sacks and 114 outside pleces. (With pouches and sacks averaging 32 pounds, that is a heavy load, too.) In addition, there were 318 sacks and 55 outside pieces totaling 13,- 801 pounds, for Sitka, and 19 sacks and one outside piece, totaling 440 pounds, for Yakutat. According to Mrs. Crystal Jenne, postmaster, the mail for Sitka ¥akutat will be considere! in the emergency categzory, and will be there by alr,