31 Oct 1961
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 21 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Raleigh Register
Location
Beckley, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Oct 31, 1961
Page
1
United Press International reports a global outcry over the Soviet Union's largest nuclear test. Leaders and publics from Japan to Italy condemn the blast, with fears of fallout and calls for precautions and disarmament.
Rep Gordon Scherer of Ohio calls for an investigation into West Virginia North South highway inclusion in the interstate system. He accuses the Kennedy administration of rewarding WV Democrats and wasting funds by placing a 285 mile segment from a held reserve mileage into the interstate network. He urges the Public Works subcommittee to condemn the move and seek reversal.
Premier Nikita Khrushchev told the 22nd Soviet Communist party congress that Soviet scientists exploded a multi megaton nuclear bomb larger than the planned 50 megatons. Western observers noted estimates ranging from 2.5 to as high as 3 megatons TNT, with officials cautioning about power control.
Queen Elizabeth II announced plans in a ceremonial speech that could double Britain's army, outlining manpower measures affecting about 50 000 national service draftees and 140 000 reservists. Active duty for some draftees may extend by six months with recall options for reserves.
Huntington beauty Jo Ann Odum visited Governor Meyner in Trenton seeking a photo. Meyner refused after a brief meeting and accused the press agent of not clearing it, citing a crowded schedule. Press secretary Farley noted he learned of the visit only 15 minutes prior. Odum’s party compared the incident to her meeting with Vice President Johnson.
Miami UPI reports Hurricane Hattie tore into the British Honduras coast near Belize with 150 mph winds, huge waves, and torrential rain. Belize town of 17,000 lost communications before 8 a.m. EST as hurricane winds and 10 to 15 foot tides threatened Belize to Chetumal. Heavy rain and saltwater floods were expected inland as the storm moves westward over British Honduras and northern Guatemala. The rough terrain could weaken Hattie by late today.
Partial clearing this afternoon with cooler highs in the 60s. Tonight will be partly cloudy with lows 45 to 55. Wednesday remains partly cloudy. River conditions show Greenbrier normal and clear. Lake normal and clear with 1.4 gates open and a new gauge at 1.9 feet.
Wire dispatches report Sam Rayburn to leave Baylor Hospital for Bonham to die with dignity as family ends experimental cancer care. Tshombe in Geneva to consult heart specialists. Mrs. Kennedy to open Christmas seal campaign November 8. Salinger to meet Evans in London on US UK announcements. Benedict Porum beanu dies at 77 in New York autopsy shows heart attack. Kennedy planned to spend day in office no appointments. Nixon declines 1964 GOP choice between Rockefeller and Goldwater. primaries determine nomination. Admiral Burke elected to Newport News Shipbuilding board. Kennedy to host Senghor at stag lunch. United Auto Workers hope a new Chrysler offer leads to a contract. Times to print Western edition in LA in 1962. Mack Trucks closes engine plant.
At about 9 45 a m today members of Beckleys a C departed by convoy bound for Fort said to be part of a long awaited load up. The action signals mobilization amid tense times and reflects readiness of local forces.
Lorenzo E. Armstead aged 71, the oldest active mortician and the first Negro mortician in Beckley, died at 1:55 a.m. after a short illness at Beckley Hospital. He began his Beckley career in 1923 in the Deepwater building and figured in the Eccles mine explosion of 1926, the Stanford mine explosion of c. 1928, and a 1920s railroad crossing crash that killed four. His business operated at several city addresses, most recently at Beaver Avenue and South Fayette Street since 1946. Armstead was a 33rd Degree Mason and member of Beckley Lodge 27 Blue House Free and Ancient.
In Wheeling the government began its case to claim $125,000 held in Canadian banks belongs to William Big Bill Lias and should reduce his tax bill. Lias contends the money is family property and not subject to seizure. A jury of nine men and three women was seated to hear the case.
Former President Eisenhower campaigned in San Antonio urging Americans to support President Kennedy's foreign policy. He defended selling planes to Yugoslavia, called for Texas Republican freedom from one party rule, and criticized Kennedy over fiscal integrity and domestic spending. He said he saw no appeasement toward Russia and supported Ike's aide Goode in the Texas race.
Helsinki reports cabinets of Sweden Denmark and Norway met to review a Soviet proposal for Finland to join talks on joint defense against West Germany and allies. Officials cautioned calm handling while speculation lingered Finland’s relations with the West and possible bases in Finland were debated by press and government circles.
The piece notes that some television programs rely on canned laughter and stale jokes as a crafted effect. It discusses audience reactions and the lasting impact of laugh tracks on perceived humor and pacing.
The State Commerce Department through the Road Commission will stage a year long study in Pocahontas County Marlinton. Four groups of workers will man highways into Marlinton to check cars and learn why occupants are in the area. The aim is to determine needs for lodging and eating facilities and replicate the study if successful.
A car owned by a Daniels gas station operator was found abandoned on Sixth Street Parkersburg today. Police search Wayne L. Reed 51 Beaver after he disappeared Sunday from Kayo Station Daniels amid fears of robbery kidnapping or death. Reed’s two tone 1950 car pistol and $626 were taken from a safe. Police checked downtown parking and Baltimore and Ohio yards but fingerprinting yielded no results. Charlestown Kaye district manager said Reed was a former employee and a good businessman with ties to the Daniels station.
The Labor Department reported brighter employment in October across 10 major markets. Baltimore, St Louis, Seattle and Flint no longer show substantial unemployment. Washington DC Richmond and Madison moved to low unemployment, the first major market in this category since January.
A 40-year-old Sun man, Edward Gunnoe, shot a neighbor and set his house ablaze before killing himself about 8 am today. Neighbor Eva Helton was wounded in the stomach and neck. she is hospitalized but not believed seriously hurt. Oak Hill State Police investigators traced the sequence, noting Gunnoe had recently left a failed relationship with Wanda Holley.
Russia detonated a 50 megaton underground like blast near Novaya Zemlya, triggering calls in the United States to resume atmospheric nuclear testing. Nixon urged testing in the atmosphere. Jackson warned of growing Soviet sophistication. Seaborg said Kennedy would decide after world opinion and Soviet performance are studied. USIA noted broad opposition to testing.
Moscow UPI report states the 22nd Soviet Communist congress re elected Premier Nikita Khrushchev as first secretary and endorsed his new program to raise Russia to the world’s highest living standard within 20 years. The congress also affirmed current leaders in their posts for four years.
In Moscow crowds gather around Stalin's tomb as discussions erupt on his removal from the Lenin mausoleum. Citizens debate his terror legacy and wartime conduct, with both praise and condemnation expressed amid police presence.
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