18 Dec 1962
Page 1
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Newspaper
Raleigh Register
Location
Beckley, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 18, 1962
Page
1
Federal grand jury impaneled to hear evidence in the Aug 14 Plymouth mail truck hijacking. No arrests yet, but investigators know the bandits identities. Loot totaling 1.5 million remains missing after the Cape Cod to Boston shipment. The abandoned truck was found in Randolph.
County officials scrutinize a proposed recodification of West Virginia election laws crafted by the State Election Commission the Joint Committee on Government and Finance and the Commission on Interstate Cooperation. Raleigh County Circuit Clerk C Harold Hanks predicts passage with minor changes and urges rules for removing names after ballot printing. He cites earlier primary issues and backs expanded absentee rules and earlier ballot printing deadlines to improve efficiency and voter access.
Angered parents accuse school officials of banning Christmas trees in classrooms arguing if trees are restricted then other festive symbols like turkeys for Thanksgiving rabbits for Easter and hearts for Saint Valentine should face limits too. Frank Condon of a citizens group urges equal scrutiny of holiday symbols. A public hearing is set by School Committee chair Richard Hosmer for Wednesday night.
Weather bulletin says mostly sunny and mild with highs 45 to 50 in the north and 50 to 57 in the south. Fair tonight with lows in the 30s and maybe upper 20s in the northeast. Wednesday looks fair and a bit warmer. Beckley highs around 48 yesterday, Oak Hill 51, Greenbrier River conditions normal and clear, Lake normal and clear, with 3.2 gates open and Hinton gauge at 2.4 ft.
London writer Sir Wolstan Dixie declares no objection to Southern U S use of his family name and lineage. He recalls ancestor John Dixie as a respected employer whose workers sang of Dixie's land and traces roots to 1100 with landowning Dixie family.
In Tullahoma, Air Force crews search a 250-foot rocket testing chamber for four men buried when wet concrete and steel form collapsed during pouring. No life signs found. rescue shifted to careful removal as fears of further collapses grow.
A note contrasts metallic tempering with human resilience, stating that while Little II temper strengthens steel, it is not known to enhance people. The remark highlights limits of material treatment as a metaphor for human character.
Dr. Mildred Bateman is named permanent director of the State Mental Health Department after serving as acting head since July 24. She succeeds the late Director Charles A. Zeller, who died June 16, and lauds Gov. Barron’s leadership while pledging to continue modernizing care and programs. This confirms Bateman’s continued work with Barron to advance public mental health services.
The Kanawha County Court filed suit in Federal Court to force the upcoming Legislature to reapportion the House of Delegates to reflect the state constitution. The complaint argues current methods favor smaller counties. Gov. Barron and other state officials are named as defendants with Judge Field asked to intervene if session delays occur.
Governor Barron announced he will ask the 1963 Legislature to study West Virginia Sunday closing laws to determine if they meet modern-day needs. He cited enforcement confusion during Centennial year and urged swift action to clarify regulations amid recent blue law raids in Huntington, Parkersburg, and Weirton.
Williamson UPI reports Phelps Collieries mine president Don C. Dotson was shot in the face at John’s Creek Pike County Ky. amid ongoing UMW royalty dispute over 40 cent per ton fund payments. Three men Glen Stump Bob Hatfield and Herbert Stevens were arrested on illegal weapons charges and released on bonds.
Washington based United Press International reports Postmaster General J Ed day urged sending Christmas mail within the next day or two to ensure delivery before the holiday. He warned a record breaking load could delay local mail and that distant mail may require air service. current workload expected to top 70 million pieces, beating the prior record of 74 million.
West Virginia Health Director N H Dyer argued the state can meet its medical needs without lowering licensing standards. He urged giving WVU Medical School time to contribute, opposed loosening rules, and suggested rural scholarships to keep doctors in home areas.
Senate Majority Leader William Moreland of Morgantown accused the West Virginia Medical Association and State Health Director N H Dyer of setting themselves above the AMA in licensing physicians. He charged doctors push control over fees and questioned licensing changes, as Dyer opposed lowering standards to let foreign doctors practice.
President Kennedy arrived in Nassau for crucial talks with Prime Minister Harold Macmillan aimed at easing U.S. Britain nuclear missile tensions and exploring new Allied diplomacy after Khrushchev’s Cuba shift. Talks at Lyford Cay focus on Skybolt and other issues, with defense chiefs in attendance. Kennedy stressed U.S. stance as Skybolt project ends with $350 million spent by the United States.
President Kennedy labeled Red China as this decade's greatest threat to world peace in a wide broadcast interview. He ranked China above the Soviet Union, citing China’s expansionist aims and warned that a Chinese-dominated Communist bloc would be far worse for global stability. Kennedy expressed caution about Khrushchev but urged focus on supporting freedom worldwide. He emphasized the danger of Communist plans and the need for responsibility amid a volatile sixties era.
Beverly Hills California Thomas Mitchell famed character actor and Oscar winner died of cancer at 70 after a 50 year career largely in film with notable TV work. He won the 1939 best supporting actor for Stagecoach and appeared in The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Charles Laughton. His wife Susan and daughter Anne Lange were at his bedside.
The national assembly voted to establish a presidential form of government and abolish parliamentary immunity shielding outlawed Premier Mamadou Dia. All 55 attending members urged a popular referendum to reform the constitution while Senghor denounced Dia as an outlaw for seizing gendarmes to block a censure motion.
Geneva based report that the Soviet Union called on all nuclear powers to halt testing from January 1. Western spokesmen rejected an uncontrolled halt, insisting any moratorium must include strong safeguards to deter cheating by the USSR.
Longshoremen across East and Gulf coasts threaten a Christmas walkout over gang sizes as Dec 23 negotiations stall. Cuba hostages reportedly to be freed before Christmas with Miami mass-rescue plans under way. U S Steel donates to miners’ families fund after fatal blast at Robena No 3 mines. Cardinal Spellman arrives in Japan for Christmas with U S troops. Joey Naples gets 110 years and $5000 fine for numbers game and stolen goods. brothers tied to past Youngstown gangland killings.
Secretary General Thant proposes authorization to fund U N Congo and Middle East peace operations through June 30. The General Assembly budget committee opened review as Thant’s current mandate expires December 1. President Kennedy in a Christmas address described modest gains toward world peace after a perilous year.
Los Angeles United Press International reports John Factor known as Jake the Barber, 70, faces deportation to England after a 1952 immigration law change. Factor convicted of multiple counts of mail fraud in 1943, linked to a bonded whiskey scheme, prompting action amid a Costello precedent. He pledges to fight, noting decades of philanthropy including over 38 million dollars given to clinics and nonprofits.
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