26 Jan 1961
Page 1
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Newspaper
Lawrence Journal World
Location
Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Jan 26, 1961
Page
1
Capts. John R. McKone and Freeman B. Olmstead, long held in a Russian prison after the RB47 shootdown, head home to reunions with wives. President Kennedy announced their release at a news conference, with arrivals planned in Washington and Goose Bay overnight due to conditions.
Two RB47 crew members Capt Freeman Olmstead and Capt John McKone entered the U S Embassy in Moscow wearing baggy Russian suits to avoid attention. Ambassador Thompson disclosed their departure arrangements and noted Olmstead’s back injury seems healed. They later flew out after delays and spare tires were arranged.
President Kennedy credited Moscow with freeing Captains John R. McKone and Freeman B. Olmstead as a positive signal for a possible Kennedy Khrushchev meeting this year. He noted obstacles remain and announced no resumption of U2 flights. Kennedy outlined no Cuba talks, Laos control plans, and pledged larger food aid to Congo.
The Lawrence area endures more cold with a one inch snow on Wednesday night and a forecast of continued snow tonight and Friday. Temperatures ranged from 2 to 15 degrees with roads treacherous in spots but no serious accidents reported.
President Kennedy disclosed that two U S reconnaissance crewmen, Capt Freeman Olmstead and Capt John McKone, were freed by the Soviet Union after almost seven months. They were released at 1 a m CST and flown to Amsterdam before heading to the United States while Kennedy kept the ban on espionage flights.
The Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. plans expansion as Lawrence grows, with 20 Western Electric technicians adding 33 frames to the central office to serve about 2,000 more telephones by May 1. Lawrence now has 15,600 phones, contrasting with the 1878 beginnings when two phones arrived and the city was just starting telephone service.
Pressed by immediate crises after six days in office, President Kennedy appeared serious at his first news conference. He showed timing authority and a nimble mind as he fielded questions, announced key actions, and noted the release of two American pilots.
Lawrence residents will fund a permanent KU student loan fund named the Lawrence Higher Education Loan Program KU or Lawrence HELP KU. Olin Petefish chairs the effort with an executive committee and a board drawn from the KU Endowment Association and the Greater University Fund. Solicitation may begin in early March with a goal of at least $100,000 in coming years.
Snow began Wednesday evening but caused only one non injury car crash at 10th and Maine Streets with $400 damage. Neil Hall and Roy McCallop were drivers. Officials cautioned that freezing streets could raise danger later as snow remains dry for now.
Partly cloudy tonight and Friday with snow likely late Friday. Below freezing tonight with lows around zero to 3 above, highs Friday near 20. Forecast notes show continued cold and frigid conditions, with varying humidity and temperature readings across the region.
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