anaheim-bulletin 1955-07-11

Spectator at Drag Ra Anaheim Orange County Plain Dealer TWELVE PAGES FIVE CENTS TURNCOATS Three Ex-GIs Assert Communism is 'Hell' By WENDELL MERICK United Press Staff Correspondent HONG KONG — Three turncoat American ex-GIs headed home today to face the consequences of their actions rather than continue to live under the "hell" of Communism. The trio came out of Communist China Sunday and were scheduled to sail for the United States aboard the liner President Cleveland at midnight 11 a.m. EDT. They are due in San Francisco July 29. The three who came back to the By WENDELL MERICK United Press Staff Correspondent HONG KONG — Three turncoat American ex-GIs headed home today to face the consequences of their actions rather than continue to live under the "hell" of Communism. The trio came out of Communist China Sunday and were scheduled to sail for the United States aboard the liner President Cleveland at midnight 11 a.m. EDT. They are due in San Francisco July 29. The three who came back to the free world saying that "death is better than Communism" were William A. Cowart, 22, of Dalton, Ga.; Lewis W. Griggs, 22, of Jacksonville, Tex.; and Otto G. Bell, 24, of Hillsboro, Miss. All were former soldiers dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Army when they embraced Communism and refused repatriation at Panmunjom after having been taken prisoner by the Reds in the Korean War. They had worked for a time on a state farm and then in an agricultural implements factory in Red China before changing their minds about Communism and asking to be returned to their own country. When they crossed the border into Hong Kong Sunday they seemed happy and cheerful. They were held temporarily by the British as "prohibitive immigrants" until it had been determined by the U.S. consulate that they had not given up their American citizenship. Third Class Passage The American consulate paid for their passage and hotel room here, but the three turncoats signed promissory notes to repay the money when they could. Their accommodations aboard ship were third class. During a press conference Sunday night the three gave what they claimed were their reasons for refusing repatriation. All claimed they were disappointed at what they found in Red China. Cowart said it would "take several volumes" to tell what happened in Communist China. When asked why he had decided to stay in Red China, he replied: "A child decided not to come home; a man decided to go home." He said he had "never accepted Communism" and added that all had experiences which proved that the free world was better than Communism. "We would welcome Hitler back rather than have Communism," he said. He said he stayed with the Reds Bandit Slain as Quartette Tries Market Holdup LOS ANGELES (UP)—Police who were tipped off by a silent burglar alarm thwarted an attempted early morning supermarket holdup today with gunfire and tear gas, killing one bandit, wounding a second suspect and capturing two others. A woman clerk reporting for her first day at work was also wounded when the bandits were trapped and attempted to use her as a shield. The quartet first rammed the automobile of clerk Alman Milford, 28, Compton as he drove to work, then forced him into their car and used him as a ruse to enter the supermarket. They began rifling the office. Scores of police and detectives, tipped off to the impending stick-up, converged on the Ralsin Market with tear gas, pistols and shotguns. Trapped, the bandits barricaded themselves in the supermarket office. In the gunfire that followed, one of the gunmen, tentatively identified as Robert Robinson or Robertton, was shot to death. Clerk Jeanette Hay, 40, Long Beach, was shot in the ankle. Sylvester Jones, 30, also was wounded. Tear gas filled the store and Alfred George and Joe Wiltz, alleged cohorts of the dead bandit, staggered out with their eyes streaming tears. County's Assessed Value Hits New High SANTA AN A(OCNS) — Orange County's assessed value as County's Assessed Value Hits New High SANTA AN A(OCNS) — Orange County's assessed value as far as taxation is concerned has soared to a new high, Assessor Hugh J. Plumb announced today. Plumb said the net tangible assessments for 1955 are $608,215,590 as against $560,250,880 for the past year. That is an increase of $47,964,710. Plumb explained the totals do not include public utilities which will be assessed by the State Board of Equalization. NEWS OF THE WORLD IN BRIEF DEDICATE AIR FORCE ACADEMY TODAY DENVER — Top Air Force officials turn their fondest dream into reality today when they dedicate the United States Air Force Academy at 7 p.m. EDT. Gen. Nathan Twining, Air Force chief of staff, and Air Secretary Harold Talbott will dedicate the new academy at its interim site on Lowry Air Force Base here. Then, the first class of 306-hand-picked cadets will be sworn in. MISSING MAGAZINE EDITOR FOUND SAFE CHICAGO — Howard Rushmore, editor of Confidential magazine, has been found safe in Butte, Mont., after he disappeared for three days from his hotel room here. Rushmore told Butte authorities he made the trip to investigate possible Communist influence in a labor dispute. 17,000 ACRES BURNED IN ARIZONA FIRE PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Thousands of acres of smoldering stumps and blackened earth today lay in the wake of the worst forest fire in the history of Prescott National Forest. The fire was still reported to be out of control. An air crew reported more than 17,000 acres of timber and brush destroyed. TRANSIT WORKERS VOTE ON WAGE OFFER LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Transit Line employees voted today on the latest wage proposal designed to end a transit strike which has caused city transportation for three weeks. Voting was scheduled to end at 10 p.m. g Races Killed When Tran VOL XXXII NO. 282 eim Bulletin EST. 1923 Anaheim Daily-Herald ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, MONDAY, JULY 11. ATS HEAD HOM Marine Nabb After Two H In Wild Fligh SANTA ANA (OCN year-old Camp Pendle Pfc today faced hit-aony drunk driving theft auto charges af free-wheeling escap Pacific Coast Highw day afternoon. Jalled by Newport VERISH ACTIVITY—One of the busiest places in Disneyland today is the mill where hundreds of carpenters and craftmen are hard at work turning out a myriad of wooden objects or use in Disneyland. Working on a 17-hour shift, the workmen are building many detailed parts for the finishing tonches to sections of the giant park which will open Monday. Throughout Disneyland, men are frantically working to complete everything in time for the special preview grand opening Sunday which will be televised coast-to-coast beginning at 4:30 p.m. In the atmosphere of whirling saw blades, screeching planers and hundreds of hammers, one can almost feel the tenseness of the carpenters as they race the rapidly approaching deadline. (Bulletin photo) Local Red Cross Corps Y, Chest Joint Campaign Annaheim Red Cross chapter, Community Chest and YMCA are united for an all-out campaign fund drive, according to Beth Murdoch, acting chairmen of the groups. The organizational meeting took place at The Jungle. The Red Cross approved the program at its recent board meeting, Miss Frieda Jones, present announced. Walt Taylor, president of the YMCA gave the action of this organization for united Fund Drive plan. Present at the luncheon meet was Walter Miller representer of the Chamber of Commerce, who stated that the Chamber been directing its efforts. Fear Child Kidnapped As Parents Watch TV SIOUX CITY, Iown — All available police and 20 national guardsmen were called out today to search for two-year-old Donna Sue Davis who apparently was kidnapped from her crib last night as her parents watched television in an adjoining room. Police Chief James O'Keefe said FBI agents were conferring with police today, but have given no indication whether they will enter the case. He said the police and national guardsmen were making a house by house check of the area where the girl lived with her parents in half a one-story duplex. Sheds/garages, culverts and sewers were being given special scrutiny by the searchers. The girl's father, James Davis, called police at 10:06 p.m. to report his daughter missing. A short person suffered minor injuries yesterday afternoon when two vehicles collided on Go. County Accidents Hurt 16 Persons SANTA ANA (OCNS)—A dozen accidents on Orange County rural roads between Saturday noon and 6 a.m. today resulted in the injury of 16 persons, four seriously. Two persons suffered minor injuries yesterday afternoon when two vehicles collided on Go. The Red Cross approved the program at its recent board meeting, Miss Frieda Jones, president announced, Walt Taylor, president of the YMCA gave the action of this organization for united Fund Drive plan. Present at the luncheon meet was Walter Miller representatethe Chamber of Commerce, who stated that the Chamber had been directing its efforts toward the United Fund Drive some time. At the Red Cross meeting, Robert B. Powell and Joe R. Thompson were named to join Robert Daily and Taylor from NY on a steering committee to organize for the campaign. John Fjeldy, president of the Community Chest will name representatives to the committee from this unit. Present from the Chest at the recent meeting were Steffy, Hardoch, Mrs. Allen Koch and Mrs. Yater. Representing the outcome of the meeting to the Red Cross board, Ms Janss indicated that the initiative goal of $100,000 could be reached through this United Aid campaign effort. O. L. Sandler, head of the 1955 fund campaign reported that the $13,000 goal had not been reached requested that people of Antrim send in their contributions to the Red Cross headquarters on North West Street immediately. Four Youths Nabbed On Dope, Liquor Counts SANTA ANA (OCNS) — Four Anaheim-Fullerton youths were arrested by Santa Ana police yesterday on marijuana and liquor charges. The quartet aroused suspicion of patrolling Santa Ana police when officers saw them sitting in their parked car, sipping from paper cups. Officers found a quantity of mixed alcoholic beverages in the car. Because one of the youths was 16, officers charged the three adults with furnishing liquor to minors. The minor was charged with consuming alcoholic beverages. While police were shaking down the quartet, they found a quantity of bulk marijuana in the 16-year-old youth's pocket. Police identified the group as Ramiro Valdivia Lopez, 21; 204 East Truslow, and Henry Arce, 19, of 234 E. Truslow, both of Fullerton; and Ramon Saldana Martinez, 21, of 10791 Harcourt, Anaheim. County Accidents Hurt 16 Persons SANTA ANA (OCNS)—A dozen accidents on Orange County rural roads between Saturday noon and 6 a.m. today resulted in the injury of 16 persons, four seriously. Two persons suffered minor injuries yesterday afternoon when two automobiles collided on Garden Grove Blvd. 400 feet west of Highway 39. Anne Ruhl, 44, of Long Beach, riding with Arthur L. Ruhl, 36, and Rose White, 17, Borrego Springs, a passenger in a car driven by Raymond G. Sharpless, 19, of Julian were to seek doctor's treatment. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Holcomb, 34, 12272 Haster Pl., Garden Grove, received minor injuries when their car collided with one driven by James H. Rosson, 39, of San Diego at Highway 39 and Katella Ave. early yesterday. A two-car mishap Saturday afternoon at Manchester and Ball Rd. resulted in the minor injury of two Los Angeles residents. Taken to Orange County hospital were Dorothy Jacques, 12, and Romona Jacques, 32, they were riding with Jose L. Escabedo, 35, also of Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. George Ritzman, 57 and 59, of Compton were taken to Santa Ana Community Hospital with minor injuries after their car collided with another Saturday on Stanton Ave. 500 feet south of Orange Ave. Fred G. Unmark, 30, 11591 Arlington Lane, Anaheim, was behind the wheel of the other car. Weather Low clouds late night and morning hours but mostly clear afternoon and evening hours today and Tuesday. High today near 77. Slightly warmer Tuesday. Presbyterian Hospital ment of a broken leg minor injuries, accord patrol. Woods had slight injury. The car Ridalls was reportedly was stoken d T. Campbell o Beach. Ridall's adventure sudden termination car tangled with one by Herbert G. Taska Norwalk. Taska sustained mriles and his passen Doane, 18, 416 Poppy major injuries. Both to Hoag Presbyterian Hospital. Fullerton Man Knives In Freeway Accidents FULLERTON (OCN) Lee Longley, 76, of 116 son, was killed in a fire pileup on the Santa Ana yesterday. The accident occurred Carmenita turnoff west According to officers en by Myron E. Trifon (1201 Columbia Pl.) o halt at Carmenita was slowed before him. Trifon was struck by a second by Jack H. Weinberg Ave., Santa Ana. Then a car operated Hall, 20, with Longley senger, struck Weinbern Hall's car was hit by car operated by Roy Los Angeles. Both the Minsk cars were swept It was believed the Hall car was ruptuLongley was a resilient arrangement have made. Transmission Explodes Piece of Flying Metal Kills Visitor to Anaheim SANTA ANA, (OCNS) — A spectator was fatally injured by a piece of flying metal late yesterday afternoon when the transmission of a speeding racer exploded on the Orange County Airport drag strip. Deputy Coroner Wally Fox identified the dead man as Drew Williams, 44, of Seneca Falls, N. Y. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Hoag Presbyterian Hospital. The body was removed to Backs Campbell and Kaulbars Mortuary in Anaheim. Driver of the death-dealing car was Eugene Ryssman, 25, of 939 West Knepp, Fullerton. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Westminster Medical Center. Ryssman was operating a rail-type speedster - wheels, frame motor and bucket seat for the driver. There was no cowling on the vehicle. The car, which reportedly was owned by Douglas Hartell of the Post Body Works, Orange, featured a V-8 engine with huge supercharger. Rare Accident Fox said a hunk of metal ripped through Williams' body at the middle of the chest. He explained, "There will be no inquest. This thing wouldn't happen once in a thousand years." Williams was visiting at 1021 Laguna St., Anaheim, and attended the racing with his nephew John A. Gratton, 17. They were standing in front of Gratton's vehicle. Another spectator, an unidentified woman, as Place Orders Now For Big Disneyland Special Edition A special color edition of Disneyland will be published Friday by the Bulletin, featuring 16 pages of travels through the delightful, imaginative worlds of Walt Disney's fabulous playground. Heavy demands received already for the Bulletin's color preview indicate that persons desiring extra copies must place their orders NOW to assure receiving as many copies as they desire. Five copies of the Disneyland edition will be available for $1. Single copies will sell for 25 cents. Argentina Takes Over Possession In Wild Flight SANTA ANA (OCNS)—An 18-year-old Camp Pendleton Marine Pfe today faced hit-and-run, felony drunk driving and grand theft auto charges after a wild, free-wheeling escapade along Pacific Coast Highway yesterday afternoon. Jailed by Newport Beach Police was Harold W. Ridallis, whose home address was listed as Moses Lake, Washington. Beach police arrested Ridallis on a felony drunk driving count after he was involved in a crash at Poppy Ave., and the Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. The Highway Patrol asserted the suspect stole a Pink Cadillac in Lagune Beach, barreled north on Coast Highway, attempted to run down a pack of motorcyclists, striking two of them, and wound up in the Corona del Mar crash. Cyclists Hurt Cyclist Alton Gardner, 30, of Long Beach was quoted as telling the patrol his group was motoring north on Coast Highway. He said the suspect's car kept running up on them and slamming on his brakes. The cycles going about 50 miles per hour pulled over to the right, according to Gardner. Gardner said the speeding car swerved into his machine, belting him to the pavement, and then tried to go around on the road shoulder. The driver apparently changed his mind and started threading his way among the cycles, striking another rider, Dean W. Woods, 22, of Long Beach. Two of the cyclists took out after the meeting car, but were unable to collar it. They said speeds ranged up to 95 miles per hour. Rushed to Hospital Gardner was rushed to Hoag Presbyterian Hospital for treatment of a broken leg and other minor injuries, according to the patrol. Woods had slight injuries. The car Ridallis was driving reportedly was stolen from Mildred T. Campbell of Laguna Beach. Ridall's adventure came to a sudden termination when his car tangled with one operated by Herbert G. Taska Jr., 25, of Norwalk. Rare Accident Fox said a hunk of metal ripped through Williams' body at the middle of the chest. He explained, "There will be no inquiry. This thing wouldn't happen once in a thousand years." Williams was visiting at 1021 Laguna St., Anaheim, and attended the racing with his nephew John A. Gratton, 17. They were standing in front of Gratton's vehicle. Another spectator, an unidentified woman, assertedly was grazed by another piece of the exploding metal. Just Shifted Ryssman was quoted as telling the Highway Patrol he had just shifted into second gear when the transmission exploded. The victim was standing about 150 yards south of the starting line. Ryssman told the patrol he was traveling about 75-miles-per hour when the mystery blast occurred. He said he noticed nothing out of the ordinary previous to the explosion. One observer described the freak accident as "like a burst of shrapnel". Most of the metal particles landed on the west side of the strip. The patrol said the entire transmission from the flywheel to the drive shaft was disintegrated. One cluster of gears on the end of the drive-shaft was all that remained. Williams was a native of Pennsylvania. He and his wife Winifred, have guests of Mrs. Williams' brother, J. W. (Continued on Page 2) Permits Issued for New Restaurant, Market Two building permits, totaling nearly a million dollars, were issued today by City Building Inspector, Homer Wallace. They went to Jack Wrather, for an ultra-modern restaurant at 1441 S. West street, and to Market Basket of Los Angeles for a retail food store on Los Angeles at Ball street. The permit for the restaurant, which is being built in conjunction with the Disneyland hotel, in reality will be several restaurants, one of which will be a cocktail lounge, and will be managed by Gormet of Beverley Hills. A Disneyland Hotel source said this morning that about 180 sons desiring extra copies must place their orders NOW to assure receiving as many copies as they desire. Five copies of the Disneyland edition will be available for $1. Single copies will sell for 25 cents. Argentina Takes Over Possession Of Two Churches BUENOS AIRES (UP)—The Argentine government today, over the protests of churchmen, took possession of two Roman Catholic churches damaged in the June 18 revolution and said they would be rebuilt and protected by the state as national shrines. The government move was the latest in a 48-hour resurgence of tension between the government and church authorities. Government officials said today that leaders of yesterday's anti-government Catholic riot in Plaza de Mayo will be charged and tried for violation of state security. Some 60 persons were arrested in yesterday's outbreak which followed 11 o'clock mass. Police used fire hoses, clubs and chemicals mixed with water and a brown dye to break up the demonstrators who massed in front of government house shouting anti-government and anti-Peron slogans. Churches seized today were San Francisco and Santo Domingo. Catholic sources predicted that two others, Our Lady of Mercy and St. Ignatius, also would be taken over by the government. Easter Week Crash Basis of Huge Suit SANTA ANA (OCNS)—Heart-breaking details of a tragic Easter week accident in Newport Beach will be brought out in an $850,000-plus damage suit to open in Superior Court here this afternoon. Four plaintiffs are seeking the judgment against Armour Oil Co. of San Diego and its tank truck driver Charles A. Bennett. Two teen-agers were killed and another gravelly hurt in a Presbyterian Hospital for treatment of a broken leg and other minor injuries, according to the patrol. Woods had slight injuries. The car Ridalls was driving reportedly was stoken from Mildred T. Campbell of Laguna Beach. Ridall's adventure came to a sudden termination when his car tangled with one operated by Herbert G. Taska Jr., 25, of Norwalk. Taska sustained minor injuries and his passenger, Carol Doane, 18, 416 Poppy, suffered major injuries. Both were taken to Hoag Presbyterian Hospital. Fullerton Man Killed In Freeway Accident FULLERTON (OCNS)—William Lee Longley, 76, of 116 S. Thompson, was killed in a fiery four-car pileup on the Santa Ana Freeway yesterday. The accident occurred at the Carmenita turnoff west of Norwalk. According to officers, a car driven by Myron E. Trifonoff, Orange, (1201 Columbia Pl.) came to a halt at Carmenita when traffic slowed before him. Trifonoff's car was struck by a second car driven by Jack H. Weinberg, 49, 628 Fifth Ave., Santa Ana. Then a car operated by David Hall, 20, with Longley as a passenger, struck Weinberg's vehicle. Hall's car was hit by the fourth car operated by Roy Minsk, 25, Los Angeles. Both the Hall and Minsk cars were swept by flames. It was believed the gas tank of the Hall car was ruptured. Longley was a resident of the Fullerton area for 33 years. Funeral arrangements have not been made. BANK DEBITS Bank debits Friday totaled $191,011.97 according to a compilation made today by local banks. SAN FRANCISCO (UP)—A manacled muscleman-laid claim today to blasting the legend of "The Rock." He was Jack LaLane, a former Mr. America who swam yesterday from Alcatraz Island to a point near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Wearing handcuffs, LaLanne had to battle a strong ebb tide in San Francisco Bay. He covered the two mile distance in 56 minutes. When he emerged from the ice waters, he did 30 pushups just to show he "wasn't tired." LaLanne's feat demolished the myth that it is impossible to escape from the Island Prison by swimming. Two prisoners, Theodore Cole, 23, and Ralph Roe, 29, disappeared from Alcatraz in 1937. Guards presumed that strong tides swept them through the Golden Gate into the ocean. Alcatraz Warden Paul J. Madigan said he was not in the slightest worried about the possibility of any of the convicts on the Rock getting any ideas. "LaLanne must be in very fine condition," Madigan said. "I'm not worried that any prisoner who's been here a year or two could do it. The water is too cold." Actually, LaLaine did not start out from Alcatraz itself. Madigan refused him permission. Instead, the manacled muscleman made it a bit harder on himself—"Just so no one will call me a sissy"—by starting from a point slightly beyond the island. As the crow files, the distance to shore is only about one mile. But LaLanne had to swim two or two and one-half miles because of the strong tide.