davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1961-02-28
1ruck Tax Increase
Asked for Roads
Kennedys
Plan Retuins
Levy on Gas
BY GILBERT GINFBLE
star staff Writer

President Kennedy today
urged Congress to assure COM
pletion Of the 41,000-mile inter-
state highway system without
delay by approving increases in
taxes to be paid mostly by the
Nations truckers.
The program, he emphasized,
should remain on a pay.as-you-
go basis with income for the
interstate highway fund to con-
tinue to come from highway
users.
In a special message to Con-
gress, the President asked for
legislation that would:
/. Retain the 4-cent-a-gallon
Federal gasoline tax. 1t is sched-
uled to be reduced to 3 cents
July /, which would mean a loss
of 5000 million a year in high
way funds.
2. Increase Federal taxes on
tires. tubes, diesel fuel and, at
the same time, sharply raise
the annual license fee charged
operators Of large trucks. The
proposed tax increases would
provide about $500 million q
year.
Would Retain Gas Tax
Continuation Of the 4-cent
gasoline tax and the added
taxes are expected to provide
the annual 5000 million extra
it is estimated will be needed
through fiscal 1872 to finance
the interstate program. The
total network of interstate
roads is to be in use by 1875.
It is now about one fourth
completed.
The President said the road
program is in real peril be-
cause Of a threatened shortage
Of funds. He said that if the
job is to be finished on sched-
ule Federal revenues must be
increased by the $500 million
recommended each year c- the
program will take az extra
five years.
At stake in the Washington
area is progress on the Districts
$478 million share Of the inter-
state road network and the
road building programs planned
for nearby Maryland and Vir-
ginia. The local programs also
are faced with their own
revenue problemS-raising the
matching funds required for
Federal aid.
Under the Interstate High
way Act, passed in 1856, the
Federal Government provides
80 per cent of the total $37
billion cost and the localities
put up the remaining 10 per
cent.
If Mr.. Kennedy's new tax
See HIGHWAYS, Page Al
Evening star., 1961-02-28
BY LEE M. COIN
Star staff Writer

James r. Hoffa today won
his eight-year battle with the
board Of monitors assigned to
clean up the Teamsters Union.
Federal District Judge F.
Dickinson Let's, who established
the membership, authorized the
union to call Q convention,
When the convention is held,
the board Of monitors will au-
tomatically go out of business.
Mr.. Hoffa intends to run for
reelection as president Of the
IL = million member union,
along with other top officers,
and he almost certainly will
win. He thus will regain full
control of the Teamsters, free
of supervision by the monitors
and the courts.
HOffa Acts Swiftly
Moving swiftly to follow
through on Judge Let's ruling.
Mr.. Hoffa laid plans to hold
the convention in mid-May in
Miami, Fla. He told reporters
freedom from the membership
will clear the way for his union
to launch big organizing drives
in the airlines and in the in
dustrial field - branching out
far beyond the Transfers pri-
Evening star., 1961-02-28
LiViingCosts
Drop Slightly
Decline Is First
In Past Yeur

The cost Of living in Ameri-
can cities declined one-tenth Of
I per cent between December
and January. the FIRST drop In
- months.
The Department Of Labor
said Washington retail food
prices decreased two-tenths Of
I per cent. The decline was
due to lower prices for poultry,
eggs and tomatoes.
Nationally. factory workers
spendable earnings were steady
and buying power was virtually
unchanged between December
and January. Buying power
however, was below four Of the
past five .Januarys.
The cost Of living dropped to
its November level but was still
1.6 per cent above that of
January, 1860.
The drop for the month was
mainly because Of q continuing
downward trend in the cost of
clothing.
Average apparel pric e s
dropped. IL per cent from De-
cember to January. r@
Food prices declined one
tenth Of / per cent with eggs
down 8 per cent, fresh tomatos
down 1S per cent and fresh
fruit down IL per cent.
Labor Department experts
believe February, which Is
usually a low month, will show
steady prices or a slight de-
cline.
The, declining cost of living
will c9btsa million workers wage
increaSes, the Labor Depart
ment raid. These workers have
cost-oi- living contracts tied to
the January index.
Nationally, used-car prices
declined 2.5 per cent for the
month and housing costs re-
mained unchanged.
Evening star., 1961-02-28

unemployment compensation
law and could move to amend
1t at any time.
Mr.. Mills declared. however.
that he personally was unwill-
ing to sponsor such an amend
ment in the overall law apply
ing to all the States. He said
his committee, Congress and
the Federal Government would
be open to criticism for trying
to interfere with all so States.
He explained that the unem-
ployment compensation system.
although a part Of Federal law,
is handled by the individual
States and is financed by a tax
levied on employers.
Racket In District"
Implying that Mr., Smith
seemed to- favor Federal cen
tralization at the expense Of
States rights in this case, Mr..
Mills told the Virginian:
II am much concerned by
your suggestion that we inter-
fere with so States. OF course,
the situation you mention is a
racket in the District. but ii
could be corrected by the Dis
trict Committee. The Ways and
Means Committee cannot solve
the national situation by any
simple amendment to cover the
varied laws Of all the States"
The bill approved by the
See JOBLESS, Page Al
Evening star., 1961-02-28
Si.15vVage
Gains in House
Roosevelt Group
Speeds It's Druft
By the Assoeiated Press

A House Labor Subcommittee
today approved q speeded-ur
version Of the administration
bill to raise the minimum wage
to $1.25 an hour and extend 1t,
coverage.
The subcommittee cut one
step from the three-step plar
proposed by President Kennedy,
which would have raised the
present 81 wage to $1.15 this
year, $1.20 next year and $1.2S
the following year.
AS approved by q special sub.
committee headed by Repre-
sentative Roosevelt. Democrat
Of California, the bill would
eliminate the $1.20 step, jump
ing from $1.15 this year to $1.25
next year.
COverage Reduced
The subcommittee also made
some changes in the proposed
new coverage, cutting it slightly
below the 4.3 million workers
Mr.. Kennedy requested. Mr.
Roosevelt estimated new cover.
age would be given to about
four million, most Of them II
the retail and service trades.
There was no change in the
| proposed four-step wage in.
crease for the newly covered
They would start at 81 an hour
60 to $1.05 next year. to $1.1E
the following year and ther
| to SIPS.
The subcommittee bill viii
be ready for presentation tt
the full House Labor Commit.
tee on Thursday. Mr.. Roose'
welt said.
Across the Capitol, mean.
time, a Senate Labor Subcom.
mittee opened hearings OF
See WAGE, Page A.
Evening star., 1961-02-28

STAYED off without use Of nu-
clear weapons.
Massive retaliation" as
enunciated by the late Secre-
tary Of State John Foster
Dulles, would put primary re-
hance on nuclear weapons as
means Of combating Commu-
mist aggression.
Mr.. Rusk's views were given
in a secret paper to Secretary
Of Defense Mcnamara. Mr..
Rusk's appearance before the
Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee today was scheduled
several days ago.
InformantS said Mr.. RuSk
favored holding off the use Of
nuclear weapons until q Com
See POLICY, Page At
Evening star., 1961-02-28

probably would issue q state
ment on the situation from the
State Department later in the
day.
Chairman Fulbright, Demo-
crat Of Arkansas, posing with
Mr.. Rusk for pictures before
the committee session. had
clippings of q story in yes
terday'S Washington Evening
Star which reported Mr.. Rusk
favorS q shift in emphasis.
The buildup by the United
States and its allies is said
to be favored by Secretary
Rusk to meet the danger Of
brushfire war and lessen the
risk Of q nuclear conflict. Con-
ventional forces would be used
to combat any Communist mill
tary aggression that might be
Evening star., 1961-02-28
COngOFOrces
Unite, Rebel
Threat Fades
Gizengu Troops
Heading for Home
Without Leader

LEOPOLDVHLE. The Congo,
Feb. 2S AP).-The central
Congo government today signed
q military pact with independ-
ent Katanga and the Kasai
mining state, for a united front
against the leftist rebels. But
a rebel threat to this capital
seemed to be evaporating.
AS the pact was signed in
Katangs President Noise
Tshombe's capital Of Elisabeth
vile, the United Nations re-
ported that leftist rebels had
pulled out Of the Kasai pro-
vincial capital Of Luluaboure
while their spearhead at the
frontier Of Leopoldville Prov.
ince had vanished.
The pact among the three
frequently feuding regimes
could lead to Q political fed
Grafton capable Of challenging
the Communist backed regime
Of Antoine GiEenga, the dead
Patrice Lumumba's political
heir. in Stanleyville.
No De FactO Recognition
Premier Joseph Ileo, sent by
President Joseph Kasavubu to
Elisabethville to seek Mr.
Tshombe's help. signed for the
Leopoldville government. Presi-
den Albert Kalonji signed for
his independent mining state
Of South Kasai Province. Mr.
Tshombe signed for Katanga.
The agreement avoided de
facto recognition Of Katanga
and South Kasai by Leopold
vile. The signatories attached
their names only as delegates
Of their respective areas.
One clause Of the agreement
said the signatorieS ARE deter
mined to solve their problems
themselves and will not accept
any outside intervention"
Meanwhile. Mr.. Kasavubu
had q half hours private talk
with G. Mennen williams, tour
ing United States Assistant
Secretary Of State for African
Affairs. He was said to have
told Mr.. Williams that the
Congolese government is not
waging a cold war against the
United Nations.
Mr.. Williams assured Mr..
Kasavubu Of President Ken
nedy's continued support for
the Leopoldville government
against the Stanleyville Lu-
mumbiSts. Mr.. Kasavubu was
said to have asserted his will to
cooperate with the United Ma
tions if it consults with and
works with the Congo central
government.
Tension Continues High
Tension in Leopoldville con-
tinued high following the out
break Of violence and rape by
Congolese soldiers Sunday
night against U. N. personnel.
Two Moroccan members of
the U. N. staff were arrested
on the Leopoldville = Matadi
road. U. N. troops remained on
the alert through the night.
See CONGO, Page At
Evening star., 1961-02-28


revised In one major respect by
the Ways and Means Commit
tee will come up in the House
tomorrow, Democratic Leader
Met Cormack announced.
The Rules Committee voted
quickly and harmoniously to
send the measure to the House
floor under a procedure allow
ing 8 hours of debate. but
banning amendments. The
Ways and Means Committee
vote Of 22-2 last week and its
formal report today indicated
some opposition will develop in
House debate.
Rules Committee Chairman
Smith, Democrat of Virginia,
and Ways and Means Commit
tee Chairman Mills, Democrat
Of Arkansas, figured in the
dispute over the District
problem.
Double Aid Remarked
Mr.. Smith called attention
to complaints that some re-
tired persons throughout the
country and especially in the
District are able to receive
unemployment compensation
benefits and retirement bene-
fits at the same time.
He asked Mr.. Mills why the
Ways and Means Committee
could not correct such a situa-
ton simply by inserting an
amendment of one or two lines
in the unemployment compen-
sation extension bill.
Mr.. Mills. replied that any
such situation in, the District
could be ended promptly and
simply by the House District
Committee Of which Mr.. Smith
is a member. Mr.. Mills said
the District Committee has
jurisdiction over the District
Evening star., 1961-02-28
MEET PROSPECT
FOR SPACE RIDE

AMERICAS FIRST spoeemon will
bosk in the spotlight Of history when
he rides rocket down the AtIontic
ronee. Meet one Of the three cir
men chosen to vie for this rocket
ride on Po9e AS.
Evening star., 1961-02-28
Senator'S sQuestion Rusk
On nNucIeorArms POLICY
Views Outlined in Secret Poper
To Defense Secretary Probed
By the Associated Pres

Secretary Of State Rusk questioned behind closed
doors Of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today
reports he favors shift from policy of massive retaa
ton" to a big buildup of conventional forces
Mr. Rusk declined to discuss his views with newsnen In
advance Of his testimony. But he told reporter he
Evening star., 1961-02-28
Rules Group Approves
Extended JobIess Aid
LOophOIe Allowing Retirement Benefits
As Well Stirs Dispute on D. c.
BY ROBERT X. WALSH
Star staff Writer

sharp difference of opinion how to plug loophoe
in the District unemployment compensation law today
envened the House Rules Committees otherwise unanimous
approval Of extended oblesS payments to workers who
have used up State benefits.
The bill requested by the Kennedy administration and
Evening star., 1961-02-28

District and vicinity-Rain mixed with
wet snow. clearing tonight; low about g.
Fair and mild tomorrow. High and low Of
last "a hours: High. 70, at 4 pm. yester-
day; low, 80, at 2 pm. today.
Evening star., 1961-02-28

e Kennedy administration and
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02

ranchers operating in highly mech
anized agriculture who are unable
to obtain such credit elsewhere.
"The national agricultural advisory
committee which is being discussed
was used by the Eisenhower-Benson
without, however, the
benefit of any elections as called for
in the new legislation.
"The 1861 proposal gives farm
ers more voice in the development
of farm programs, and yet Con-
gress and the Administration will
still have their vital and historic
roles.
''The price support provisions are
not new; the previous Administration
used them but in manner to depress
farm prices generally while consumer
prices went up, laying the seeds for
the current recession in many rural
areas.
"And may add price supports and
government aids are not new to much
of the non-agricultural industry in
the nation because some sizeable pri-
vate enterprises farmers have to buy
CONTINUED On Page Three)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02
Despite Federal Spending
Montana Still Has Over
Abundance Of JobIess

Last Friday the Unemployment
Compensation Commission chairman,
Edgar HI. Reeder, issued news re-
lease which showed that for every
eight persons now employed in Mon
tana one must stand idle forever. To
quote the release:
GAS April ended, 1903 workers
were registered with the states %
local employment offices, Reeder
stated. Of this number, 1000 were
not claiming unemployment compen-
sation benefits, he explained. The
persistence of an overabundance of
long-term jobless workers during
periods of high unemployment is
problem which has continued to build
up during the past few years. 1t is
not unreasonable to expect that an
abnormal labor surplus will remain
through the summer months, Reeder
concluded"
Reeder's conclusion was based upon
this springs lack of job increases
which have had an average rise of
$500 each spring for the past 10
years.
The March and April. 1861, en-
ployment increase was 5000, while
in 1860 the March-April growth was
1900 and in 1859 the gain for these
two months was $500. During the
recession period of 1858 the worker
increase was $780,"
The 5000 increase brought the
total number of employees in the in
dustrial and commercial life of the
state to 163,400, excluding farm
workers.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02
kaIispeII Labor
Opposes GIMP
Merger Plan

Kalispell labor through the central
trades and labor council, last week
added it's voice to that of thousands
of other Montanans in opposition to
the proposed merger of the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific.
In so doing, the council also chided
the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
for its premature and hastily con-
sidered approval of this merger :"
In resolving opposition, the coun-
ellis resolution points out that:
1. "Such a merger will obviously
lead to abandonment of the Milwau-
kee Road facilities through Montana
+. and possibly west of ST. Paul.
2. Gwen the GIN and MP will log
ically abandon service to many Mon
tana points, thus ultimately depriv-
ing many Montana communities of
any rail service; retarding the eco
nomic development of the state; re-
moving a large source of taxes to
the various counties and to the state
as well as creating further wide
spread unemployment !.
3. "These railroads (according to
the Montana Board of Railroad Com
missions) are already operating at
substantial profit, therefore making
the merger one of advantage only to
spectators, and others in
terested in gouging the public for per-
sonal gain -.
4. "All of the circumstances sur
rounding this proposed merger and
its cumulative results are so contrary
to the public welfare and, apparently,
contrary to public policy that
the merger is now being investigated
by the u. S. Department of Justice"
In resolving opposition, the council
requests concurrence with its resolu-
ton by the State AFL-CIO when in
convention June 1919 next, in Boze-
man.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02

Construction workers comprise
300 of those now employed. This
is largely due to the start of several
multi-million dollar federal projects
and the expanded highway program.
There has been an influx of out-of-
state workers to the missile sites and
dam projects.
The open winter kept 5000 con-
struction workers employed and was
partially responsible for the lack of
March-April jump in employment.
However even the improving copper
prices have not improved job oppor-
tunities in the mining industry. Only
5000 are now employed in that field.
One thousand less than last April.
Increased exploration and drilling
for oil and gas has employed 400
more than last year, but this bright
spot is dimmed by losses in the manu-
featuring field of 1900 plus another
minus in the lumber industry of 200
and another minus of 400 in the nom
durable goods group.
Transportation is down 1000
workers. The railroads are employing
700 less than last year and the truck
ers 800 less.
Government employment is up
1000 and finance, insurance and real
estate are up 500.
Without government activity
Montana's economy would be in
really tough shape. Not that 10000
with their thumbs hooked in their
pockets is by any means a healthy
economic picture.-FS
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02

'sThere is a great urgency for ac-
ton to improve and protect farm
prices and income. AS means of de-
veloping farm prosperity the new
farm bill now before Congress de-
serves widespread support in Mon
tana where agriculture is the basic
industry. Money and credit condi-
tons are tight in rural America and
no less se~in the Treasure State. 1t
will take years for agriculture to re-
gain the income lost in the period
since the early 1950's.
"For farm families the new en-
abling legislation would offer an
opportunity for lifting depressed
income to more adequate levels;
such a development would assure
for the consumer continued ample
supplies of food and fiber at fair
prices; for the businessman it
would bring new purchasing power
into rural communities; for labor
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02

The governments of Canada and
British Columbia were expected to
start damming the Columbia River
next autumn Instead, they have been
dannning each other with SO much en-
thusiasm that North Americas great
est international hydro-power scheme
is stalled indefinitely.
At its beginning this quarrel con-
cerned only some technical questions
of finance, engineering design and
electrical prices. But lately it has
broadened out to involve one of the
nations fundamental policies, the
control of an invaluable public re-
source and the future of western
Canada's economy.
Until a many-sided dispute is set
tied the Columbia treaty between
Canada and the United States, which
was proudly acclaimed as the latest
symbol of their ancient friendship,
remains at the mercy of Premier w.
A. c.. BENEFITS unilateral veto. On
the other hand, Benefits plans,
stretching all the way from Alaska
to California, can (and in at least
some respects willy be vetoed by the
federal government.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02
Three Powers Haggled
Over Power

Whether the pieces of vast jig
saw puzzle can be put together in
time to satisfy the impatient Ameri-
cans and save the treaty no one yet
knows. At this writing Bennett is
jubilant, the federal government fit
to be tied, and the United States ut
terly baffled by the family row in
the house next door.
The Columbia story, as published
in confusing fragments over
period of some three years, is quite
incomprehensible. Taken as whole
it has elements of melodrama,
tragedy and farce-a political
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02
Proposed Agricultural Act Would
Help States Depressed Economy

MOntanas economy, based large degree agriculture
would be generally benefited should Congress the Agr
cultural Act Of 1861 proposed by the Kennedy Administration
Leonard Keneld president of Montana Farmers Union stated
this week reviewing the proposal it's principal provisions
The act would not only of ample supplies
food and fiber but would also the downward trend
agricultural income provide increased rural purchasing
help Montana business and employment and would
at the time cost less than the programs of the
Eisenhower-Benson period, according to Kenfied.
Kenfields statement is follows:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02
whodunit of improbable plot and
unknown ending.

whodunit of improbable plot and
unknown ending.
It's opening can be roughly dated
as the year 1914 when Canada began
to consider seriously the exploitation
of the Columbia, north of the inter-
national boundary, in partnership
with the United States, where most of
the river system lies. Last autumn the
negotiations between Ottawa and
Washington produced a treaty ap-
proved by the Canadian, British Co.
lumbia and American governments.
This triple agreement was essential
because the Canadian government
controls the flow of Canadian rivers
across the boundary, the British CO.
lumbia government must approve any
Canadian dams on the Columbia, and
the United States must feel the down.
stream effects of such works.
Canada agreed to dam the Column.
bia system at three points: the Arrow
Lakes, swelling in the main stream
near the border (due north of Spo-
kane); Mica Greek, on the Big Bend
north of Revelstoke, and Duncan
Lake, on tributary in the West Koo-
tenay valley. Since these dams would
tame one Of Americas widest rivers,
creating gigantic reservoir on the
Arrow Lakes and second on the Big
Bend, uncontrolled water now wasted
at freshet times could be fed evenly
throughout the year into American
turbines south of the border. AS a
result, their output of electricity
would be greatly increased, at Can
ada's expense.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02
.RE-ENACTS WOOL ACT

'Tt re-enacts the popular wool price
support act, for a three-year period
this time. 1t re-enacts and enlarges
the agricultural trade development
and assistance act, otherwise known
as Public Law 480, measure of con-
siderable interest to wheat growers
among other producers. 1t amends
the well-known and largely self-sus-
tanning Farmers Home Administra-
ton to bring credit services of the
more nearly to meet the
credit needs of those farmers and
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02
AGREEMENT REACHED AFTER
A DECADE OF HAGGLING"

After a decade of haggling, the
United States reluctantly agreed to
share these downstream benefits"
with Canada on fifty-fifty basis for
the sixty-year life of the treaty. This
Continued On Page Four)
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-06-02

it would bring hundreds of thou
sands of new jobs; and it would
lower the cost of farm programs.
'The bill contains very little that
is new procedure; as matter of fact,
the measure largely amends and re-
enacts much existing federal farm
law.