18 Dec 1954
Page 1
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Newspaper
Portsmouth Herald
Location
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States of America
Date
Dec 18, 1954
Page
1
The Toys for Tots drive collects over 3,000 toys, doubling last year’s total as Marines prepare to begin delivering about 250 gifts daily starting Tuesday, showcasing widespread community support for the Santa Claus effort.
About 50 civilian and military volunteers aided a successful toy drive to aid underprivileged children in Portsmouth. Mayor Theodore R. Butler issued a Toys For Tots Days proclamation urging residents to donate new or usable gifts. Marines and 12 groups including the Moose and Young Adults Club prepared and sorted toys at Camp Langdon and local barrels collected across the business district.
Paris Premier Pierre Mendes France faced a defeated end to an all night Assembly session as the National Assembly rejected his Indochina budget. A confidence vote was set for next Monday and may delay debate on German rearmament. The 301-291 tally reflected slim majorities on two technical points.
In predawn darkness near Dortmund main station two trains collided, one a special carrying 500 school children home for Christmas. Fourteen people were killed and thirty seven wounded, with three lightly injured. Rescuers searched wreckage for bodies and survivors as investigators sought the cause.
NATO leaders agreed that civilian governments must decide if atomic weapons would be used in defending Western Europe. The communique noted no emergency polling method and kept other details confidential while reaffirming a defense plan that reserves mononuclear weapons for repelling invasions. The council warned Soviet policy offers no constructive path to global security and emphasized the need for strong, prolonged deterrence.
Pope Pius XII, still seriously ill, took an automobile ride in the Vatican gardens in sunshine today. He was helped into a black limousine by two doctors, appeared weak yet smiled faintly, and may continue daily outings if weather remains favorable. The doctors say nourishment and sun exposure are part of a new treatment plan. He worked at his desk for two hours last night, though sleep was unsettled by hiccups.
CONCORD N H William H Riley state commissioner of labor for the past 11 years died at a Concord hospital yesterday He was 75 He had been a patient for several weeks A veteran of about 30 years with the state Department of Labor Riley had lived in Concord 68 years He joined the agency after 20 years as a Boston and Maine Railroad machinist He held many posts in the Knights of Columbus and was a 50 year member of the AFL machinists union He is survived by his widow Mrs Eldyn MacLean Riley and two sons
In Cleveland on December 18, Dr Samuel Sheppard endures anxious hours as the nine week trial record and 214 exhibits loom large. Jurors resume deliberations after 12 hours of discussion with no hint of their stance. Judge Blythin allows Sunday deliberation if needed, while Sheppard sits in the courtroom observing wary jurors.
Atwell infants Dianne David and Dennis died at six months in Leverett Massachusetts. Medical examiner Kennedy said autopsies were negative and organ specimens were sent to Boston for chemical analysis. Earlier officials cited pneumonia as a tentative cause while noting a coal gas odor at the farmhouse. The parents, Earl and wife, have 11 other children. the father was jailed for non support.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers voiced cautious approval of President Eisenhower’s plan to boost reserves while cutting armed services strength. The Defense Department outlined a program to excuse 100000 youths yearly who volunteer for six months active training and nine years reserve duty. The plan envisions a five million man reserve by 1959, costs about 1.1 billion annually, and a 468000 reduction in active forces to 2700000 by June 1959.
HMCS Granby a Canadian minesweeper docked at Portsmouth Naval Base for a weekend stay. On a training cruise from Halifax Nova Scotia it came from Yarmouth Nova Scotia with Lt. Cmdr. W. E. Williams in command. The Granby has about 75 crew, is around 160 feet long and displaces 1 000 tons.
President Eisenhower signals a policy shift toward opposing neutralism in the Cold War. In a national address from the White House Christmas tree lighting, he urged neutrals to choose sides, while reaffirming U S respect for neutral nations' self decision and pursuing common ground against aggression and conquest.
Robert H Tebbetts 29 of 85 Dodge Ave was appointed patrolman by the Portsmouth Police Commission at a special meeting. He begins duties Jan 8 to fill the vacancy created by Patrolman Joseph J St Pierre resignation effective year’s start. Tebbetts has served as an auxiliary officer since the bureau’s founding. He is a World War II veteran, employed at Pauls Market on Daniel Street, married with one child.
Two 21 year olds Dennis Grady of Barrington and Henry R Bedell from Cape Neddick admitted breaking into El mer's store on Harbor Road Kittery Point early Wednesday. They pleaded guilty to breaking and entering at York County Municipal Court in North Berwick and were ordered held on 5000 bail for Superior Court action. Police said they took food about 10 cartons of cigarettes and about $11 from a juke box after smashing a meat cleaver through a window.
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