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Show SATURDAY, DECEMBER TOE JOURNAL Page 2 SCANNING THE READER'S THE WEEK'S NEWS of Main Street and the World U. S. Charges Commies 5,500 American Prisoners of War Beginning this week local merchants will increase their advertising space in home town newspapers and get their Christmas promotions in high gear. If they have not already done so, stores and windows will be decorated and toy displays will be enlarged. Too many home town merchant organizations, however, miss one of the constructive possibilities of Christmas promotions. It can be more than just a merchandizing effort. If handled correctly it can and charity among neighbors, and espeg create an air of ATROCITIES- -A non-Korea- ut a general rule politicians have always been reluctant of putting down in black and wrhite definite opinions on domestic and foreign policies, especially before an important election. Sen. " ' f Robert A. Taft, at the moment ' vsleading contender for the GOP nomination for president, is an ex$1 4& ception to the rule. The senator recently wrote a book setting forth his views concerning U. S. foreign policy which he entitled, A Foreign Policy for Americans. Before next years campaign is over it could be that Senator Taft will wish he had never had the inspiration or time for his literary effort. The senator, charging that President Truman put all kinds of political and policy considerations ahead of his interest in liberty and peace, has started a cyclone in political circles that will grow as the election gets nearer. Taft also says in his book, "If the present trend continues, it seems to me obvious that the President will become a complete dictator in the entire field of foreign policy and thereby acquire power to force upon congress all kinds of domestic policies which must necessarily follow. In rebuttal, the Democrats are charging that Taft is still an isolationist and the same man who said in 1940: "War is even worse than a German victory. MEAT SUPPLY The small town housewife will resume her role as the dictator of prices of steaks, chops and roasts in the neighborhood butcher shop in the next few months. That is the opinion of prominent cattle producers and farmers in the midwest corn belt where cattle and swine are finished for market Stockmen base their reasoning on mounting livestock production in the nation with federally inspected beef plants turning out beef at a higher rate than in any November in four years. Housewife resistance to high prices is credited with already rolling back pork prices from 1 to 12 cents a pound below ceiling levels. Gross farm income is reported higher this year than last because of the large numbers of animals marketed at higher prices, but net profits are reduced because of higher operating costs. Also of concern to cattle producers is rising imports of foreign meat, some of which has not yet been placed on the market. This countrys imports of pork and beef this year are breaking all former records. Pork imports are up 60 per cent over last year. AUTO TOLL The National Safety Council, which has geared its statistical service to a weekly basis, reported last week the death figure from automobile accidents has reached 995,600. The millionth death will occur during the third week of December, the NSC predicts. "This tragic event would make a mockery of all that Christmas stands for, Ned H. Dearborn, council president said. "I appeal to everyone to drive and walk with extreme caution during the next few weeks. The millionth traffic death can be delayed if everyone does his part. POLITICS-- As s- v - Talk continued in the United Nations last UNITED NATIONS week on disarmament with the Western powers outlining details of their dusted-of- f version plan and the Russians proposing one of their own, a times. of a number West of one that has been rejected by the .Not even the most optimistic member of the United Nations believed that anything other than talk would come from the proposed plans. The rival disarmament plans are attracting a great deal of space in newspapers in all parts of the world, but the general public seems to view them as propaganda. DATE BOOK Special Christmas Promotions Can Mean Much to Community 'Murdered' wave of anger rolled across the United States with the grim announcement by Eighth Army officers that the Reds have killed about 5,500 Americans and 290 other U.N. prisoners of war. Civil ian and senate reaction was immediate and brought demands the Korean truce negotiations be broken off and use of atomic weapons against the Communists. Representative Crawford of Michigan summed up the average civilians point of view by stating: "Lets get an answer from the Communists or lets quit negotiating and get tough and push the fight to a conclusion. The atrocity report said the Chinese had killed 2,513 American prisoners, 10 British, 40 Turkish, 5 Belgian and 75 others of "unknown nationality. The remainder of the victims were slain by North Koreans before or after the Chinese entered the war. It was also estimated that n the Chinese have killed at least 2,790 prisoners and the North Koreans about 3,000. The worse atrocity was blamed on the Chinese who killed 1,250 Americans near the Yalu river boundary of Manchuria between September 16 and 18, 1950. The Eighth Army spokesman who released the atrocity story gave no reason for making it public at this particular time. One result, however, is expected to be the cementing of public opinion for a quick fight using, if necessary, atomic weapons. peace or an all-oImmediately after the story was released there were reports of investigations into whether or not the death figures were correct. Latest reports indicated they might be revised upward. There was, however, every indication that a cease PEACE TALKS in fire might be prospect for the Korean battle front and possibly an armistice by Christmas. Allied and Communist negotiators were reported nearing agreement on the latest U.N. proposal. The Allied plan consisted of four points: (1) Hostilities to continue until an armistice is signed; (2) the present battle line to be a provisional cease-fir- e line; (3) this line to become final if a full armistice is reached within 30 days; and (4) if the armistice is not reached within 30 days, line based on negotiations will start over by drawing a new cease-fir- e whatever the battle line may be at that time. The idea behind the Allied plan was to gain a cease-fir- e now, but at the same time keeping the pressure on the Reds so the final armistice agreement could be negotiated. Distrust between the Allies and Communists remains the biggest hurdle in any peace settlement. 8, 1951 well-bein- cially, considerable happiness for the children. Many small towns now skip the old custom of having Santa Claus come to town because the expense DREAD DISEASE VICTIM . . . Earl does not justify the Pittsthe at researcher Vensel, return. This thinkhealth of school burgh ing is a mistake. public Of all the promosearching for cures for virus infections hitting our troops in Korea, tions this creates has fallen victim to a virus dismore goodwill than ease himself encephalitis. any other. And if it is a united effort of all the merchants, the expense will not prove too great for any one retailer. Although on a larger scale than could be afforded by the average lome town, the arrival of St. Nick n Allentown, Pa., early last month is an example of the kind of enthusiasm such a promotion can create. The Allentown event was made possible through the fforts of Max Tess, Jr., one of the citys department store owners. It was arranged 'or St. Nick to arrive from the North Pole with all the fanfare, color, and glamour of a movie star or war hero. Hess has been sponsoring the premiere for the past six years. APPOINTEE . . . Vice of the Chase National president Bank of New York, Edwin A. Locke, Jr., was appointed by President Truman as coordinator of TRUMAN technical and economic aid in near east with the personal rank of bassador. ' ' jjilllM ' .v BLOOD CIIAMP A.., . . B. II. v. am- ' lA Horton, Royston, Ga., believes he has set some sort of record as a blood donor. He is suffering from a rare disease which manufactures more blood than needed. He has given 168 pints of blood in three years of donating. . This year, Hess arranged for Santa Claus to fly into the Allentown fair grounds from the North Pole, with his three trained bears. When Santa lighted from his special helicopter before some 10,000 cheering youngsters who were Hess guests for this annual event, he had his trained bears skate, tlght-rop- e walk, bicycle ride, play ball, and entertain the children with many more tricks. Then he distributed gifts to crippled, orphaned and destitute Hldren from the various child caring and welfare institutions of the area, who were special guests of honor for the day. The Allentown fair grounds was the site of the arrival and welcome party this year. The entire city was invited. In addition to the arrival of Santa and the animal act, Hess treated the children to hot dogs, soda pop, and ice cream. Hess gets as much fun out of the event as the children. "We learn something new about welcoming Santa every year, he said after this years party. "The first time we had him come into town on a fire truck and climb a hook and ladder to reach the toyland of our department store. We were forced to abandon that stunt. "The next year, St. Nick dropped from a helicopter atop a downtown office building. That wasnt so good either, Hess explained. "For Santa got air sick and was so dizzy he nearly walked off the edge of the building. This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus flew in from the North Pole by lelicopter, and taking no chances hey landed at the Allentown fair grounds. "But perhaps even then t was a mistake for Mrs. Claus to take off a few moments later and fly back home, leaving her husband with all his young friends, Hess said. "For Santas merriment soon disappeared. As he rose from lis plush, crimson throne to take ais post at our nearby department store, he was rushed by hundreds af his youthful fans. He claimed that it was like being hit by an entire football squad with kids com-n- g full force at him from every CHINESE PUZZLE . . . Although suspended by the Chinese Nationalist government and ordered to return heme to account for $19 jTection. million In government funds, P. T. "In the excitement, St. Nick Mow was still acting us the Nationhad half of his Inn?, flowing alists legal representative here. beard ripped off, and was also painfully jabbed In the stomach with a hat pin by a curious youngster who wanted to know if Santas big bay window was real. Although he claims the kids are getting livelier each year, Hess is still going to bring Santa to town for them and make bigger and better Santa Claus reception parties annually. Max Hess is a progressive merchandizing executive who realizes that his annual party, although expensive, is building his business goodwill as well as profits. The same thing can be done in the home towns with the same results. It does not have to be on such an elaborate scale. Santa will arrive in Green Bay, Wis., this year by train. In the past he has run into considerable trouble on his visits. One of Santas reindeer died en route one year. Twice when he came by helicopter he was hampered by snow storms and almost got lost. Last year he tried coming in by boat. With the temperature 7 below, the boat got stuck in the ice on the bay, he froze his toes, and when he arrived in Green Bay, only a handful of children greeted him. This year to help assure a crowd, he will give out gifts. Christmas Seals Help Battle Against TB Sometime during the two or three weeks before Christmas, thousands of home town families will receive Christmas Seals from their voluntary tuberculosis associations. The purchase of these seals will further the constant fight against disthe chronic, communicable ease that is killing more people than all other infectious diseases combined. Since 1907 when Emily P. BIs-se- ll launched the first Christmas Seal sale millions of these stamps havj financed the NaAssocitional Tuberculosis ations campaign to stamp out the disease that killed approximately 40,000 persons in the United States in 1949. Emily Bissell got the idea for the Christmas Seal from a magazine story telling of a Christmas Stamp sale in Denmark in 1904, originated by Einar Holboell, a postal clerk. With the backing of the Philadelphia North American the first years sales amounted to $3,000. The first national Christmas Seal sale the following year brought in $135,000. (Iteleased by WNU Fefttirao.) |