Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 1950)
U i - v v - V Official County and City Paper ESTABLISHED IN 1881 Published semi-weekly, Mondays and Thurs days, at 409-411 Main Street. Plattsmoutb, Cass County, Nebraska. RONALD R. FURSE Publisher FRANK H. SMITH Editor BERNARD A. WOOD Advertising Mgr. Helen E. Heinrich, News Editor The Plattsmouth Journal Furse's Fresh Flashes I s so c tar on A l aUBSCRIPTION RATE: $3.50 per year in Cass and adjoining counties, $4.00 per year elsewhere, in advance, by mail outside the city of Plattsmouth. By carrier in Platts mouth, 15 cents for two weefcs. ntered at the Postoffice at Plattsmouth. Nebraska as second cU.ss mail matter in ac cordance with the Act of Congress of March 3. 18T9. THOUGHT FOR TODAY You never hear of a man marrying a woman to reform her. Author Unknown ........... .....W.-AWAV.W EDITORIALS EVEN IF MEN DIE With billions of dollars in military contracts to be let in the next few months, industrial leaders and governmental of ficials are somewhat concerned over the fact that there are virtually no reserves of skilled labor in the country, even though the volume of production for the armed forces is still very small. There is the suggestion that manning our war industries may be as hard a job as manning the tanks, planes and other military equipment. This is, of course nonsense. If the occasion requires, the supply of labor can be shifted from non essential to essential jobs. This will mean, of course, that some civilian pro duction will have to be curtailed. Meanwhile, the heavy industries, who will handle much of the war contracts, and other producers of war material, are looking hungrily for the contracts oc casioned by the national emergency. The scent of war profits is in the air. Every producer knows that the billions to be spent for preparedness will mean tre mendous profits to business. So far, no business man has suggested that any cor poration make a contribution toward the safety of the nation. With young men being called from -their jobs and families to be trained for war and with other young men being wounded and killed daily in battle, it is not too much to. expect that business should make some sacrifice along with the rest of the country. It is not a foolish idea to expect business corporations and individual enterprise to do something ,for the general welfare without putting the emphasis upon large and unusual profits. We do not see anything wrong with the suggestion that every producer of ar - tides needed for warfare be required to turn over a part of its production without profit. In fact, the opportunity exists for some smart corporation official to set a patriotic example by making an , offer to serve the needs of the country without exacting a profit. It would not hurt most of our producers to devote a fourth or fifth of their working time to the production of goods or equipment for war without any profit whatsoever. We are not against the corporate f orm of organization for business enterprise. Moreover, the courts of the country have ruled that corporations are persons inso far as certain legal rights are concerned. No court has yet been able to figure out, however, that a corporation owes the na tion some form of service. The only form that it can give, in times of war and -national emergencies, is to perform useful service without exacting profits. If men must die to protect the nation, its people and its economic order, it is not too much to expect the large segment .of that order, represented by corporate enterprise, to make a positive contribu tion to the national effort and in behalf of the national good. -fc AN INTERESTING DEFENSE An engineer who ran his train into the -rear of another, killing thirty-two peo ple and injuring more than one hundred "passengers, was recently tried on a -charge of manslaughter and acquitted 'because he put' up the defense that he fainted at the controls just before the crash. . . We do not know whether to scoff at the verdict, or not. Certainly, an engi neer with long cxperienco', who, tupon' an unfortunate occasion, passes ' a ; danger signal is out of his mind. It is very diffi cult to believe that an experienced en gineer would willfully and recklessly pass through a signal warning him that another train is ahead. Nevertheless, the verdict of the jury in this case offers an interesting defense to all engineers who may be accused of Our press camera has proved to us that it takes only one-fortieth of a sec ond to wink an eye. It's the fastest way we know of to get into trouble. We just read where there is some argument as to the origin of civilization. We are not interested in the origin. What we'd like to know is when it will resume operations again. Another interesting item stated that "George Washington could broad jump 23 feet a record in those days." We know a few politicians today who can sidestep farther than that. - Calm those fears of an invasion from Mars. Surely they have heard about our new taxes down here. Many a woman with a broken heart gets a big kick out of wearing it on her sleeve. In this day of cosmic, violet, and other rays, the dimmest and weakest seems to be a ray of hope. We're just about ready to put our new invention on the market. It's a portable electric blanket for walking in vour sleep. When a man says "I Do" he's done. -fc Suspenders are the oldest form of Social Security. Flipper Fanny, our dainty little con tour twister, says a little soft soap can make any man slip. criminal carelessness. All that they have to assert and persuade the jury to believe is that they "blacked-out." Perhaps, af ter all, this is the explanation of many enexplicable accidents that occur. The people who drive automobiles are familiar with the fact that they can pro ceed for miles and miles without having any very clear recollection of what they have passed on the road. Instinctively at times, they proceed with speed and get by safely. Those who fail to make it successfully rarely live to explain what caused the crash on the highways. DOWN MEMORY LANE A YEARS AGO . . . 1U Chris Lien, in charge of WPA, an nounced work on the new Central school building would start in the near future. . . The Plattsmouth American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps added another to their long string of brilliant success when they won first place in the Ak-Sar-Ben drill a ward, receiving $100 in cash, a fine flag, trophy and individual trophies to each band member. . . P. H. S. Class officers were named as follows: James Yelick, president of Seniors; Ruth Lowson, for the Juniors; Lars Larson, the Sophomores, and Pat Libershal, the Freshman. . . Mr. and Mrs. William Senf announced the forth coming marriage of their danghter, Edith, to Mr. Clifford Dasher to occur on October 15th. . . Miss Helen Porter, Cass county assistance director, Mrs. Elmer Sundstrom and Miss Frances Loma of the assistance office attended state conference on social work at Norfolk. OA YEARS AGO . . . j The Lyman Richey Sand and Gravel Company, operating their pits six miles northwest of the city shipped 10,000 cars of sand and gravel from this point last v'ear (1929) expecting to increase the a mount this year (1930). . . Miss Eleanor O'Brien entertained the ladies of the local telephone exchange at a party at her home Miss Melba Epler assisted her. . . Y. II. S. Band under the direction of B. E. Wood ward made their initial appearance at a football game adding much to the en thusiasm of the fans and players as well. (Copyright, 1949, By the Bell Syndicate. Inc.) DREW PEASON SAYS: FURTHER FACTS REGARDING CONGRESS MAN BREHM; MRS. SO LID AY KICKED BACK HALF HER EARN INGS FOR 37 MONTHS; BREHM CLAIMED MONEY WAS FOR O HIO GOP CAMPAIGN. WASHINGTON: Congressman Walter Brehm recently called me a liar for ex posing his "kickback" manipulations with his office payroll. I suppose it might be appropriate to re mind Congressman Brehm that some of his ex-colleagues referred to me in the same language, notably ex-Congressman J. Parnell Thomas of New Jersev and ex Congressman Andrew Mav of Kentucky, though they later went to jail. However, I prefer to answer Congress man Brehm by giving some additional facts in the case and letting the public decide who is really guilty of telling lies. The total kickbacks Brehm received from Mrs. Clara Soliday, a 73-vear-oId widow formerly employed in his office for three years, amounted to approximately ?7,300. SOVIET NEWS "s CAPITOL NEWS ; - RUBE MEHitNG- Here is a month-to-month ac count of how this money was paid to Brehm from the time she went on his payroll Jan uary 10, 1945. until she was sum marily discharged Jan. 31, 1948, after having broken her arm. Mrs. Soliday was paid $232.22 for the first part month she was employed. Of this, she had to kick back $100 to her boss. In the next five months, from February 1 to July 1, 1945, she received $322.72 monthly, of which she returned $150 each month to Brehm. Her salary went up in July to $359.16 a month (net after regular income and withhold ing taxes) and so did her kick backs. From July to Decem ber 31. Mrs. Soliday regularly returned $175 of her monthly earnings to Brehm. For the first six months of 1946 Mrs. Soliday kicked back $180 a month out of a $373.86 net salary. From June 30, 1946, until she lost her job Jan. 31, 1948. her listed salary was $442 a mon'h. However, during all this 19-month period Mrs. Sol iday kicked back $240 a month to Brehm. In other words, during the entire 37 months, the lady was employed, she was allowed to keep only about half her earnings. Since a Congressman's pay roll is financed by the taxpayers it is a violation of public trust, as well as the law, for him to require kickbacks from office assistants. However, all Brehm ever told Mrs. Soliday was that me money sne gave him was needed by the GOP "Commit tee" in Ohio for "Campaign" purposes. The aged lady's troubles real ly began to pile up in late 1947. While vacationing with a daugh ter in Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs. Soliday fell and broke her arm. However, another kickback to Brehm was due and she hast ened back to Washington on Aug. 30, 1947, without stopping for medical treatment. The arm was X-rayed in Washington and found to be broken, but before it could be set Mrs. Soliday went to the office of the house sergeant-of-arms on August 31 to cash her pay check. Then she went to a hospital, where she told a daughter, Mrs. Margaret. Hiser, to get $210 from her (Mrs. Sol iday's pocketbook. She then informed her daughter to put the money in an envelope also in the pocket book. The envelope, believe it or not bore Brehm's free mailing frank, plus his return address in Wash ington in Brehm's own hand writing! In other words. Con gressman Brehm made sure thaV his office clerk wouldn't forget her monthly kickback while she was on vacation. Before Mrs. Soliday left, he gave her an envelope which he had addressed himself in which to return the money. "Isn't this a lot of cash to be sending in a letter?" Mrs. Hiser recalls asking her mother. Up to this point Aug. 31, 1947 Mrs. Hiser says that she didn't know about her mother '3 kickbacks, but learned about the payroll padding for the first time when she put the $240 in the envelope and mail ed it to Brehm. Last Kickback A son, Ray Soliday, an inter state commerce commission of ficial in Washington, personally delivered the last kickback to Brehm after Mrs. Soliday, still ailing from her accident and unable to meet Brehm's effi ciency standards, was fired. Soliday went to Brehm's of fice the first week in February, 1943, With the $240 in cash. How ever, he urged the Congressman to permit his mother to keep the final payment "in view of the circumstances" (her being discharged) and the fact that she had "no visible means of support." However, Brehm refused, say ing that the "committee" (in Ohio) expected the money and that he, Brehm. could not go back on his "arrangement" with the committee. I "I don't care what the com ' mittee thinks," retorted Soliday. , "My mother is entitled to this ' money and she should be allow ed to keep it. Finally, Brehm agreed to let Soliday return $100 of the $240 to his mother a sort of kick back in reverse but he pocket ed the remaining $140 lor the "committee." Ray Soliday didn't see Con gressman Brehm again until last July when he was summon ed to Brehm's apartment in the Methodist building and inform ed him that "Drew Pearson is after a story about me." "If Drew Pearson or any of his employees contact- you don't talk to them." instructed Brehm. Washington Snapshots A servant discreetly pulling down the old-fashioned blinds in the parlor of Blair House, where the Trumans live. . . . George Marshall's quiet smile in place of Louey Johnson's broad grin at the Pentagon. . . . Secretary of Siate Dean Ache son's eloquent mustache em phasizing a point. . . . John Steelman's long, loping walk through the lobby of the east wing of the White House . . the dazed look on the faces of young government girls each time handsome Stuart Symington strides by. ... the worn carpet and sedate atmosphere of the Connecticut Avenue mansion which houses the Republican National Committee compared to the brassy moderism of the Democrats down the street. . .. the smile of Sen. Margaret Chase Smith of Maine a con trast to Bob Taft's persimmon grimace. Real Estate Transfers Gerald V. Fleming & Pearl V. Alt a M. Young L. 4 B. 16 Lat ta's 1st Add. to Murray, $4000.00. Gerald V. Fleming & Pearle V. Leon Gansemer & Evelyn E. 30 A. N'i NWi 20-11-13,'$6000. Mary E. Inman Ira Inman & Rose '2 int. L. 28 Louis, $1.00. Ira Inman & Rose Ira Inman & Rose L. 28, Louis, $100. Elizabeth Miller & Homer E. James E. Wiles & Ogla O E SE'i Ex. L. 1 14-11-13. $12,500.00. Dale Long et al James E. Wiles and Ogla O. W!- SE'i 14-11-13. $14,720.00. Allan D. Boswell & Delia A. Bovd W. Bronn & Luclla M. N'2 SE'i & SE'i SE'i 31-11-9, $14,000.00. Wm. Miles Eloe & Marcella John W. Stones & Margaret L. 36 Oakmont, $8,600.00. Hans J. Schroeder Dorothy K. Nessen & Clarence W L. 473 Louis, 1.00. Home Owners Loan Corp. Ordell L. Hcnnings & Cecil A. N 87' Ls. 1 to 4 Platts, $1.00. A. E. Johnson & Irma M. Donald L. Boldra & Christa So. 50' Ls. 1, 2, 3, B. 54 Ex W12' of 3, $5,250.00. Minnie A. Johnson Lewis F. Johnson Und. 2 int E' j NWU & W',2 NE't 14-12-9. $1.00. Franklin E. Womack & Wilma A. Wm. F. Nolte & Nettie L. 11 B. 138 Platts., $1.C0: Joseph M. Hoenshell & Jessie Harold C. Neill Grace E. Ls. 346- 347, 343, 349, 350, Green wood. $1.00. Phyllis B. Slraub James I. Fitzpatrick & Eva NEU & roadway N'.b SEU 21-10-13, $1.00 Mary May Troop & George Holly D. Mickles & Evelyn Max ine L. 4 So. 32.75' L. 5 & L. 6 B. 84 Platts. & L. 1 & No. 20' L. 2 & 3 B. 1 Y&H Add.. $S50.00. Wm . Obernolte & Bessie Nebr. Masonic Home L. 12 B. 5. Nehawka, $1.00. I A classified Acl in The Jour i nal costs as little as 33 c. LINCOLN Support for Gov. Vai Peterson's hignway program was being offered Irom an un expected source this week. riery Terry Carpenter, the weanny bcoitsbuitt Democrat, wno nas been snarply critical 01 Peterson's administration and wno iued as a candidate ior governor in the August 8 pri mary, wrote to the governor: "Tnis letter is written to otter you my supporc in your road program ana me two amend ments that you have sponsored to raise luncts to make tne ne cessary improvements in our state nignway system, both as a citizen and a reasonably large operator 01 commercial and pri vate trucks in the state. -The simple iact is that to have highways you must have money no one up to tnis tune nas offered a workable substi tute, and 1 don't want to be a party to an attempt to kill a lactual program in exchange for a remote imaginary one. The trouble with the trucking indus try in Nebraska is that we are aiways against something per taining to our trucking industry and never for anything. "If in your judgment I can be of any service or assistance in your program I request that you call upon me to serve in any capacity that in your judgment I can fill." The governor who said he was "very pleased" to receive the let ter, added that he thought "Terry has put his finger on the important thing in this pro gram. All the opponents have taken an utterly negative ap proach." THE BOARD OF CONTROL does not expect its budget re quest for the next biennium to be more than ten per cent high er than for the current two year period. That's the opinion of Mrs. Mary Prince, vice chairman of the board. It's based on an in complete study of requests for funds which are now being re ceived from the various institu tions run by the board. The current budget is about $16,500,000. The board two years ago trimmed the institutions re quests from $19,468,000 to $16. 898.000. The legislature reduced this by about $500,000. One encouraging factor, Mrs. Prince said, is that nine insti tutions have asked for no in creases and some have even ask ed for less. This is particularly true of the penitentiary and York reformatory for women, where building programs com pleted during the current bien nium do not reouire similar funds durine 1951-53. OMAHA is probably the onv target in Nebraska on which an enemy mishit droD an atomic bomb. Governor Peterson said last week, therefore, the state's civil defense job must be ap proached from the angle of heloing the Gate City. There are 50 or more target? in the country with priority hisher than Omaha. Peterson said, "but that doesn't mean we can let down." And. according to the gover nor, cities in the Cornhuskor state must be in a position to speed help to centers likp Kan sas City. Chicago and Denver and perhaps even to the west coast. NEBRASKA could build an other $10,000,000 canitol with the money lost in traffic ac cidents last year, according tr the traffic engineering section of the state highway depart ment. In a comprehensive unalvsis of the state's 19.412 traffic ac cidents in 1949. the department calculated that th 2rH fata) ac cidents cost '$4,659,200: 3.645 non-fatal accidents $2,405,000 and 15,276 property damage ac cidents $2,444,000. Drunken drivers accounted for only six percent of the fatal accidents. This ranked behind speeding, failure to erant right-of-way, on wrong side of road di.sregardins: stop sign, and im proper passing. "Drivers who had been drink ing," the report said, "were in volved in only three percent. or the total number of accidents. However, their period of de struction is concentrated at the week end." J FINAL APPROVAL for four Nebraska airport construction projects is hoped for this week. Stale Aeronautics Director James D. Ramsey said final pa pers are being prepared for con struction of administration buildings at Stuart-Atkinson, Hartington and Wahoo and for landing facilities at Harrison. The three buildings will cost about $12,000 or less and the Harrison project will cost about $32,000. he said. The federal gov ernment will pay half the cost with state and local funds mak ing up the difference. A CUT in the cost of adminis tering the agricultural gasoline tax refund has been announced bv Governor Peterson. Starting this week, two percent, instead of three percent, of the refund will be held back by the state as a fee for administering the program. The 1941 legislature set uo the program under which the farm ers would be refunded money on Trie. PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, Stmi-vvttKLY uGuKraMt? PAGE FOUR Monday, October 9, 1950 "Do Unto Others ..." THE FOLLOWING STORY originated a number of years ago, A and Oliver Simms, New York City, says he has had ample ume to prove the benefit of what he learned. He had been given the responsibility of di recting the work of several men and women. The nature of the work was very exacting; even a small mistake could cause considerable trouble and be the means of creating a good deal of ex pense for the employer. He was rather young and, as le says, possibly a bit over-zealous, and since he himself was a conscientious worker, more or less of a "perfectionist," he soon devel oped into a rather strict man. Everything had to be done just the right way, and in- Carnegie variably the right way was the way he wanted it done. He allowed no leewaj-. When a mistake occurred, he didn't hesitate to let the perpetrator know how he felt about it and how the company officials would feel about it. He always ended his remarks with "and we don't want it to occur again." Then he went about his own duties with no thought of how it affected the em ploye. v It wasn't long before he was recognized as a very unpopular person. Naturally! , 4 But, fortunately, it wasn't long either before Oliver Simms realized his lack of popularity. He didn't feel he had a real friend in the place. He was an intelligent man; he knew that no one can work long among a group of people if they are not his friend:.-. He began to take stock of himself. Then he recalled the golden rule. Remember it? In case you don't, here it is: "Do Unto Others as You Would Have Others Do Unto You." Was he treating his fellow workers the way he would want to be treated? He, too, had made mistakes; he, too, no doubt, would make others, no matter how conscien tious he was. - ... i-. It took a little time to correct the rituation he had created, but not so long as maybe you would think, for people are quick: to respond to kindness, understanding and sympathetic interest. gas they used for agricultural ; purposes. But the senators said j the program must pay for itself. ! The state began by holding back ' live percent. This was later cut j to four percent and five years ago was reduced to three. 1 Clay Wright is director of th.2 : program. Better administration : methods were credited with the 1 reduction. Nebraska Casualties in Korean Area Department of Defense today announced the following casual- ties in the Korean area: Killed in action. Marine Corps: Private First Class Jack Howard Shramek. son of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Shramek, 2718 South 16th St., Omaha. Air Force: First Lieutenant Jack A. Light- i ner. son of Mr. and Mrs. George ' P. Lightner, St. Edward. (Pre-; viously reported Missing in Ac tion . ! Wounded. Armv: Private First. 1 Class Paul William Johnson, son ! of Mrs. Elsie Johnson. Macy. i f irst, Lieutenant Dorsey Max Labart. husband of Mrs. Em ma M. Labart, Box 95, Bradshaw. Private First Class Wendell D. Hines. husband of Virginia Hines, 2022 Charles Plaza, Oma ha. Missing in actoin, Army: Pri vate First Class Robert C. Wright son of Mrs. Dora M. Maring. Route 1. Atkinson. (Notifica tion made to Maywood, Nebras ka). Private First Class Harold J. Galloway, son of Walter C. Galloway. 417 East 6th Street, Hastings. GLASS IN BEEK, SHE SUES Toronto (UP) Mrs. Winni fred Butt has sued a local brew ery for $737. claiming she was unable to work and felt weak in the legs since she found glass in a bottle of beer last Septem ber. IT WAS A MILD WINTER Burlington. Vt. (UP) For the first. time in 16 years, Lake Charnplain has remained ice free throughout a winter. Use Journal Want Ads! CECIL KARR ACCOUNTING Income Tax Service Bookkeepiner Systems Installed Ph. 6287 Donat Buildin? Automobile Insurance Covering State Law $4.50 Semi-Annual Renewal Kate Farm Car Harley M. Burdick 34G Ave. A Tel. 3123 Plattsmouth TTAVE you ever noticed how often adopted children resemble their foster parents? Of course, undor modern agency procedure the physical and mental characteristics oi each child and adopting couple are as carefully matched as possible. But beyond this, mannerisms, attitudes, spon taneous reactions often make uni formed observers exclaim. ''Why, he's the image of his father, isn't he'.' " This capacity for imitation leads us to expect that children vriil be like their parents even in deficiencies. We shrus; our shoulders at Jane's low spell ing grade and say, "Well, her mother ne-er could spell cither." Jane has probably heard these words many times, and it may be this pronounce ment rather than any inherited inability that is responsible for her difficulty. Some parents csnsianiiy underrate their chil dren, forgetting that just as a son grows in height to tow er over his father, many sons eventually surpass their par ents in mental growth. It's just as danscrous,;of course, tor overrate a child. Imagine how tcrrifvinc it must be to a mediocre s'.udcnt to know his irarrr.'.s have already registered h;m in a tip. , ntrr.e college and chcrich hepes of j saeinr him srciuale with honors. I Not cent-Tit with normal family l:i:e!ic?;e5, we make subtle efforts to maUe our child rt-i more like our selves. A men v. ho is n-.vchsmcuUy inclined is apt to try to pry a qui si son away from constant book read ing. Conversely, a scholarly father cannot help feeling bis boy is. wasting time puttering with wires and screws. These disapproving at titudes on the part of the parents won't change a child's nature, but they can be damaging to his sccu- rity. Teen-agers, especially, are apt to feel crushed when the weight of parental disapproval is added to overly harsh self-condemnation. A school teacher overheard an adoles cent girl telling her friend. "The trouble with me is that I'm the kind of person my mother doesn't want me to assoicatc with." This does not mean that en- : thur.iasms and worthwhilrness of certain human relationships cannot be communicated by example. The pleasure Mother and Dad get from reading aloud to each other after dinner is the best possible learning: stim ulus to the children. And father who bounds eagerly up the walk to be welcomed by Mother's "How good to have you home," accomplishes more toward giving children a healthy, joyously reverent at , tiiude , tow ard., marriage; than i - "would' any number I lectures cn the subject. V.'e r.ll kr.cw homes which fairly buzz with hobby activity. It. is in ri.ch an almojphcrc thai, children develop cxc.'.irg new interests ar.d often rev:al totally unsuspected gifts. But don't be dijpppoirted if they bear iutle rere'.r'c'ance to those talents you hoped your child would have! 1 .1 Be inn