anaheim-gazette 1952-12-21

Death Toll in Army Survivors Tell Tale of Horror as Big Plane Crashed, Burst into Hot Flame MOSES LAKE, Wash., Dec. 20 (AP)—A huge Air Force transport plane crashed here a few seconds after taking off early today with a load of 115 servicemen going home. Christmas leave, killing 84 persons in the world's worst single aviation disaster. The official Air Force death toll raised to 84 late in the day when one of 32 men perished. Soviets Cut Loose Heavy ‘Hate-America’ Campaign UNITED NATIONS, N. Y., Dec. 20 (AP)—The Soviet bloc loosed a concentrated hate-America campaign tonight in the waning pre-holiday hours of the U. N. Assembly. The 60-nation Assembly slogged through a heavy schedule and planned an extraordinary session Sunday to wind up its business and adjourn until Feb. 24. The drumfire of the Soviet propaganda campaign cut through almost every issue in the Assembly and extended into the Economic committee. But the Soviet Bloc remained silent when the assembly voted 48-0, with two abstentions, an appeal to the Big Four to reach some agreement on an independence treaty for Austria. The Soviet Bloc refused to participate in the voting. The Soviet propaganda drive opened in the Assembly, which voted to set up a 15-nation committee to study a definition of aggression and report back to the Assembly in 1954. The U.S. abstained. The Soviet Block supported it. The U.S. has contended loopholes in a specific catalogue of aggression might protect the aggressor and punish the victim. Russia's Andrei Gromykh rapped the American stand. He declared, defining scores of servicemen who had thought they would be home for Christmas. Rose Tourney Coach To Leave Anaheim Pacific Electric will operate extra motor coach service from Anaheim to the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena New Year's morning, Thursday, Jan. 1. A coach will leave Anaheim PE Station at 6:03 a.m., arriving Pasadena at 8:08. A regularly scheduled coach at 6:41 a.m. will get patrons to Pasadena at 8:36 a.m. The parade starts at 9:15 a.m. Gen. Mark Clark Clamps Down on Gen. Mark Clark Clamps Down on Red Rioting TOKYO, Sunday, Dec. 21 (P)—Gen. Mark Clark today said the United Nations Command "will not tolerate terrorism, rioting or mutiny inspired by fanatical Communist leaders" in Allied prisoner of war camps. Clark said the command "will take adequate measures to prevent mass breakouts of those being interned." The Army said the supreme Far Eastern commander made the statement "in view of recently published newspapers accounts of statements attributed to the International committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, concerning the possible non-observance by the UNC of the provisions of the Geneva convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war." Clark also released the text of his letter June 12 to Dr. Otto Lehner, senior representative of the International committee of the Red Cross in reply to a specific complaint of mishandling of prisoners. Clark said in his statement: "The U.N. Command has respected, and will continue to respect, the principles of the Geneva convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war. It has afforded, and will continue to afford, prisoners of war decent and humane treatment. "At the same time, it will require that prisoners of war respect their obligations under the Geneva convention. It will not tolerate terrorism, rioting, or mutiny inspired by fanatical Communist leaders and it will take adequate measures to prevent mass breakouts of those being interned." In his letter to Lehner, Clark answered Red Cross assertions that the U.N. Command had violated the Geneva convention by using force and withholding food and water from hospitalized prisoners at Camp No. 10 in Pusan, Korea. The next worst plane crash world aviation history killed at Cardiff, Wales, in 1950. Today's tragedy not only toped this toll but it capped a disastrous six weeks for military aviation in which 10 planes crashed or disappeared along the North Pacific Rim from Korea to Montana. Shocked Air Force officials in Washington dispatched the child of flight safety research, Brig. Gen. Richard O'Keefe, to head an investigation. Of the crew of 10, only one survived. He was M. Sgt. Wendell Burton of the 7th Troop Carrier Squadron. Officials said he would be questioned later. The Air Force said five of the survivors suffered only minor injuries, but they were not specified by name immediately. The Globemaster, attached to the 82nd Troop Carrier Wing, scheduled the trip as a routine training flight that provided quick transportation home for men with Christmas furloughs. There was excitement and gait as each squadron on the field was allotted proportionate space. Capt. Richard Rager of Larson said most of the men aboard were from the South and East. He said the Globemaster was to fly first to Kelly Air Force Base at San Antonio, Tex., then to Stewart Air Base, Tennessee, at Greenville, S.C., then on to Florida. Most of the men, the Air Force said, were from the Larson base. At the wreck scene there was confusion, terror—and heroism. S. Sgt. Charles B. Welker of Clarksville, Tenn., a survivor, said, "We all tried to help the fellows inside." Welker, seated near the tail of the $1,600,000 transport, said: "The first I knew anything was wrong, the plane started waving up and then back down." Then it crashed. "I passed out for a minute. Then I saw the fire. I was strapped in and I tried to get out." After I got out somebody yelled, let's get in there and get 'em out." Rodney Brodie Active, Talks; His Brother in Post-Operative Coma CHICAGO, Dec. 20. UP—Rodney Dee Brodie, the Siamese twin the surgeons gave the best chance to survive, perked up considerably today, grabbed for a yellow rubber lamp and asked, "What is this?" In an adjoining bed, his brother, Roger Lee, remained in the deep coma he has been in since the 15-months-old head - joined twins were separated in a 12-hour and 40 minute operation Wednesday. "Roger certainly will be in the miracle class if he pulls through," a spokesman said. A hospital bulletin tonight gave the most encouraging report on Rodney since the operation: "Rodney—is responding well. There may be some definite indictation tomorrow whether he can be taken off the critical list." "Roger—still very precarious." The spokesman said if it were not for the fact that a portion of Rodney's brain is exposed, he might be considered 'making good progress." During the operation doctors found only a single brain drainage vein serving both twins. They gave it to Rodney because he was the stronger and deemed most likely to survive. Doctors said the operation deprived portions of Roger's brain of an adequate vascular blood system—probably accounting for the long period of unconsciousness. The vital brain centers controlling heart beat and breathing still are functioning, however. Although still on the critical list, Rodney was more alert than at any time since the operation. He smiled more, talked a little, and played patty cake with his nurses. Doctors said that although both have experienced "continuous complications" requiring special attention neither has had a critical turn since Roger developed breathing difficulties a few hours after the operation. Welker, seated near the tail of the $1,800,000 transport, said: "The first I knew anything was wrong, the plane started waving up and then back down. "Then it crashed. "I passed out for a minute. Then I saw the fire. I was strapped in and I tried to get out. "After I got out somebody yelled, let's get in there and get 'em out." "We started back in to get them. I was all scared up." Ferguson said he was sitting near the parachute door. "When I came to," he said, "my parachute was hanging up and Welker was all hung up too. I helped him and some others get out. Then we tried to get back to the fellows inside." The Globemaster was demolished and wreckage and bodies widely scattered. Flames charred many bodies beyond recognition. Air Force men walked through the snow, carrying bodies to a truck. Rescue crews, who arrived too late to help, poked about in the snow and recovered an occasional broken Christmas package. Someone found two Bibles in the personal effects. They were a happy-go-lucky lot," said an officer. "Anxious to be on their way. When their names were called to get on the plane, all was confusion." Some missed the plane, and the disaster. Sgt. Bobby J. Wilbanks of West Monroe, La., was on the passenger list, but had to pass up the trip at the last minute. "I kept hoping I'd be able to go," he said, "but couldn't get away from my work." The Air Force, explaining the trip, said it was a training flight of which service men took advantage "to obtain rides to various points in the United States." What caused the crash? Army Globemaster Disaster r as Big t Flame transport plane crashed here vicemen going home on ation disaster. when one of 32 men prevlisted as a survivor succed to his injuries. number of the 31 still survive in critical condition. Many man ran or were dragged from reckage which broke into a gasoline-fed fire as the crunched to the ground. one of the survivors left the of scattered bits of metal mangled bodies in confusion rock, leading to day-long diffulty in establishing the true toll. The number at one had been given as 101 dead. was late evening before the was fixed at 83 and a short later it rose to 84 with the of the injured man. giant four-engine plane, a five-room house and able ry 200 combat troops, roared Larson Air Force Base runat 6:30 a.m. PST. It was lightly, with visibility iles. plane shook a bit, righted then went into a glide," airman 3rd Class Raymond erguson of Batesville, Ark., vor. knew we were going to so I huddled my head and prayed." line from broken wing flared instantly, searing trapped in wreckage. An after the plane smashed into field just off the runway, was left only strewn, smolwreckage and the broken ings of scores of service no had thought they would me for Christmas. 82 YEARS OF DEVOTION TO ALL THE ANAHEIM ORANGE COUNTY, OLDEST NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN MOSES LAKE, Wash.—SCATTERED WRECKAGE—day. Over 100 person Only the tail section of C-124 Globemaster looms above plane disaster. the scattered wreckage after plane smashed here MOSES LAKE, Wash. — SCATTERED WRECKAGE — day. Over 100 persons Only the tail section of C-124 Globemaster looms above plane disaster. the scattered wreckage after plane crashed here early to Drenching Rains Give Anaheim .66 of an Inch Rain storms which drenched Orange count Friday night, reaching cloudburst proportions at Huntington Beach, left .66 of an inch precipitation in Anaheim. The season total was brought to 5.95 inches as compared to 3.37 inches for the same date last year. Huntington Beach had 1.20 inches, high point of the valley rainfall. Modjeska canyon reported 1.80 inches, while Santiago Park (Saddleback) received only .54 of an inch. Rainfall measurements at various points Saturday morning were: | Storm | Season | Year | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Anaheim | .66 | 5.95 | 3.37 | | Brea | .50 | 5.61 | 4.28 | | Buena Park | .50 | 4.93 | 2.94 | | Fullerton | .59 | 5.20 | 3.52 | | Garden Grove | .68 | 5.41 | 3.99 | | La Habra | .40 | 5.20 | 3.98 | | Los Alamitos | .50 | 5.19 | 2.01 | | Orange | .61 | 5.72 | 3.84 | | Placentia | .66 | 6.38 | 4.17 | | Santa Ana | .74 | 5.38 | 3.58 | | Yorba Linda | .58 | 5.94 | 5.36 | Stalin Observes 73rd Birthday By The Associated Press Today is Joseph Stalin's 73rd birthday. As the Soviet prime minister enters his 74th year, there are no reliable reports on his health, a closely guarded state secret. However, there is ground for speculation that he is alluring, greatly slowed down and less active in the government over which he has wielded dictatorial powers. Less fuss has been made about Southland Gets Rain, Ha San Francisco Basks un SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20 (AP)—Northern California day's heavy rains, but the southern part of the state rises sunny skies flooded the San Francisco Bay area nationally sunny clime of Los Angeles. In one part of the scattered wreckage after plane crashed here early to We Look Up At this time of year we once again BOW our herds in complete humility for the blessing of a man who lives for 33 years among us to give us the greatest blessings that we ever had...that MAN was the SON OF GOD. Because of the inspiration HE gave us WE LOOK UP and say THANK YOU. LET'S DO IT EVERY DAY. Ex-Sheriff’s Officer Proves too Tough to Handle for Holdup Men Stealing an automobile in Long Beach Friday night, attempting to hold-up a service station attendant at Capistrano Beach early Saturday morning, and then crashing their car against the wall of San Juan Capistrano Mission in flight from the robbery attempt, Elmer G. Graham, 21, Paramount, and Frank Diggs, 22, Long Beach, were captured a mile from the mission and are being held in jail at San Clémente. They stole a car belonging to Early C. Hays of Long Beach at 11 p.m. Friday. At 4:30 a.m. Bey of Tunis Gives in to French TUNIS, Tunisia, Dec. 20 (AP)—Bey of Tunis gives in to French Saturday they pulled into Capistrano Beach service station, where they ordered a car serviced with gas and When this was done, they fused to pay and ordered attendant Ben Broecker to “get out the way.” One of them drew gun. Broecker, who had been deceived sheriff and undersheriff of A county, Mich., for 16 years, did get out of the way. “I’d met lots of tough customs with guns,” he said later. He took the gun away from bandit, and both of them jump into the car and fled, undoing shower of bullets fired by Broecker from their own gun. Three lets hit the car. Fleeing north on Highwv 101, the pair missed the S cu By The Associated Press Today is Joseph Stalin's 73rd birthday. As the Soviet prime minister enters his 74th year, there are no reliable reports on his health, a closely guarded state secret. However, there is ground for speculation that he is ailing, greatly slowed down and less active in the government over which he has wielded dictatorial powers. Less fuss has been made about the birthday this year than in any since the bang-up celebration when he reached 70 in 1949. Last year, when he was 72, a few statues of him were unveiled here and there in satellite Communist countries, and in Hungary there was a report that the celebration of the day would replace that of Christmas. This year east Germany is presenting its praises with the unveiling of a Berlin based television system. There will be speechmaking to Stalin in the dedicatory exercises. As yet, only the top Communist officials have receiving sets. None Hurt in Tokyo Bay Crash TOKYO, Sunday, Dec. 21. (UP)—An air force C-47 crashed into Tokyo bay near Haneda airport today. The air force said four crewmen were picked up immediately, suffering only minor injuries. The four were sole occupants. The plane was coming in for a landing in heavy fog when it splashed in the bay 200 yards from the south end of the runway. Water there is only three or four feet deep. A Japanese fishing boat picked up the crew. AMALEI, Italy, Dec. 20. (UP)—A Small fireworks factory blew up here today, killing four workers and injuring two. Bey of Tunis Gives in to French TUNIS, Tunisia, Dec. 20. (UP)—The Bey of Tunis capitulated today to pressure from Paris and finally rubber-stamped a couple of French reform decrees. These provide for election of village and town officials—jobs he has been filling by appointment as the nominal ruler. The action by the 71-year-old Bey, Sidi Mohammed Al-Amin, appeared to have eased at least temporarily a tense situation between France and this north Africa protectorate, which wants more self-government. German Commies Sentence Seven For 'Spying' BERLIN, Dec. 20. (UP)—Communist-controlled East Germany, where a widespread purge is under way, today sentenced seven Christian Democratic Party members to prison terms ranging from eight to 15 years on charges of spying for the West. The Christian Democrats have been collaborating with the Communist-controlled government and have members in the East German cabinet. The Communist charged the defendants worked inside their party against further cooperation with the Socialist Unity Communist Party. The prosecution also claimed that the members of the alleged ring were employed by the West German republic. Broecker, who had been deprived of her salary and undersheriff of A county, Mich., for 16 years, did not get out of the way. "I'd met lots of tough customs with guns," he said later. He took the gun away from bandit, and both of them jumped into the car and fled, unhindered by bullets fired by Broecker from their own gun. Three letts hit the car. Fleeing north on Highway 101, the pair missed the S curse at the mission and wrecked their car against it's wall. They went on foot another mile, trying to hitch a ride, but were pickled up by Officer H. E. All of the California Highway Patrol, on the tip of a truck driver who had seen the two hitikers. They were jailed at San Claude, where they at first referred to give their names, but later swerved questions. Buena Park Pilot Unhurt in Two Flying Mishaps FULLERTON, Calif., Dec. 20. (UP)—Two separate plane accidents today left Pilot James Montijo of Buena Park a bit jittery uninjured. The light plane he was flying over nearby Santa Ana lost a pilot tip and he made a forced landing at Cypress airport. Later he took off from the low airport in another light aircraft. His engine iced up after he landed the runway. He had set up a plane down in a celery path where it flipped over. Montijo walked away without scratch. Phil McAtee, goaltender for Buffalo Bisons in the American Hockey League, served with the 4th Armored Division of the Canadian Army as a captain. He was wounded in action. Disaster Reaches 84 TO ALL THAT IS GOOD IN ANAHEIM ORANGE COUNTY'S OLDEST NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1870 MIA. SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 21, 1952 5 Cents per Copy 50 Cents per Month No. 297. Ike to Present State of Union, Inaugural Talks NEW YORK, Dec. 20 (FP) — President-elect Eisenhower will meet Monday with four key officials of the new administration and representatives of an organization created to alert America to the threat of Communism. Eisenhower headquarters today announced plans for the conference as aides reported that the general has started drafting two major messages which will set forth in general outline his domestic and foreign programs. The first is the speech the president-elect will make inauguration day, Jan. 20. The other is the state of the union message he will give to congress shortly after he takes office. He probably will go before the lawmakers to deliver that message personally. The inauguration speech is likely to deal mainly with Eisenhower's general philosophy of government and the broad objectives of the first Republican administration in 20 years. The message to congress will contain his legislative programs. Over 100 persons were killed in nation's worst plane disaster. (NAP WIREPHOTO) Rain, Hail While Basks under Sunny Skies (NAP)—Northern California had a respite today from Friar part of the state more than made up for it. In Francisco Bay area and a hailstorm flooded the traditional city. In one part of the southern city, the hail was the heaviest the residents could remember in a decade. Some streams in Downey and Van Nays wavy flooded. Custy winds grounded two boats at Redondo Beach. A freak twister ripped off a roof and uprooted a tree in Panorma City near Los Angeles. Dozens of cars were stalled by high water, and a 61-year-old Burbank motorist, William McGonigal, was nearly swept into a storm drain. He managed to cling to the curbing until rescued. A new storm had appeared to be moving down from the Gulf of Alaska, but the weather bureau said a high pressure ridge building up over northern California would successfully block it off. Yesterday's downpours brought 1.91 inches to San Francisco, 1.52 to Red Bluff, and 1.25 was registered at the Sacramento airport. The snow was getting in its licks in the mountains. Over six inches of snow fell on the High Sierra, with more expected from the new storm. Motorists were warned by the California State Automobile association that chains were required on US 40 over Donner Summit, US 50 over Echo Summit to Nevada, and UP 99 to Oregon over the Siskiyous. The national park service reported roads to the Wolverton and Badger pass ski regions were temporarily closed but work was progressing rapidly to clear them. The other is the state of the union message he will give to congress shortly after he takes office. He probably will go before the lawmakers to deliver that message personally. The inauguration speech is likely to deal mainly with Eisenhower's general philosophy of government and the broad objectives of the first Republican administration in 20 years. The message to congress will contain his legislative programs. On Monday Eisenhower will lunch at his Commodore hotel headquarters with members of "The Committee on the Present Danger," headed by Dr. James B. Conant, president of Harvard university. Sitting in with Eisenhower and Conant will be John Foster Dulles; secretary of state-designate; Herbert Brownell, who will be attorney general; Harold E. Stassen, director of the Mutual Security agency in the new administration, and Roger M. Kye, General Motors executive, whose selection as deputy secretary of defense was announced yesterday. Kye will represent Charles H. Wilson, the secretary of defense-designate, at the conference. Ammo Rationing Impedes Allies' Battle Progress TOKYO, Sunday, Dec. 21 (AP)—Rationing of artillery ammunition in Korea—believed to be one of President-elect Eisenhower's prime concerns—adversely affected the bloody battle for the Kumhwa ridges in October. It resulted in the Communists outshooting the Allies by 21-1 on some days with devastating consequences. U.S. front line officers said in November that the hold-down order, in effect for several days, was one "of the few real boners" of the Allied command during the Kumhwa action—particularly in the South Korean infantry's losing fight for Triangle Hill. Maj. Gen. William O. Reeder, an Army logistics expert, said in Washington Friday that Eisenhower obviously meant ammunition when he mentioned "certain problems of supply" that need correcting in Korea. But he added that, although there still is rationing of ammunition in Korea, the problem was not entirely one of supply. The Army doesn't have enough Daily Living for Peace of Mind Editor's note: This is one of a series of daily articles by Anaheim ministers and is published by the Gazette in the interest of the kind of daily living that leads to contentment and happiness in troubled times. How Do I Know that God Cares? By FARNK E. BUTTERWORTH Pastor, White Temple Methodist Church Do you ever wonder if God really cares a fig what happens to you and your loved ones? When illness and misfortune come cascading upon us, it is easy to doubt that the Creator has time to bother with tiny mites like us. But wait a minute! Look at that cut on your finger. It's gradually healing over, isn't it? Cell-division is taking place, and scar tissue is building a new roof over the gash. Those whiskers you shaved off yesterdy are reappearing. Your nails continue to grow, and haircuts become periodically necessary. Even that virus infection that laid you low seems to have been overcome by the antibodies developed within your bloodstream. Maybe the will of God is "life and live more abundant" after all. Now look at the earth. Has the Creator forgotten that apricots tree in the back yard that has lost all its leaves? Or is its winter slumber preparing it for a more fruitful spring? Did God ever forget to awaken the earth to a new life each morning, and each spring? Neither will He forget you. The universe testifies to life, not death; to care, not carelessness.