The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 1

000 MUAL GHT8 ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME PART 1 LIBERTY UNDER THE LAW TRUE INDUSTRIAL FREEDOM VOL. LXXI IN FOUR PARTS CC FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 14, 1951 72 PAGES DAILY, 10c ban Bennett Sees Jealous Mate; Walter "Wanger, Shoot Agent Murphy to Join Corruption Quiz Alger Hiss Prosecutor Reported on Truman Inquiry Commission Nw York Times News Servic WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 Judge Thomas F. Murphy, who, as New York's Police Commissioner, led the cleanup of a major police scandal, was reported, tonight to have been selected by President Truman for membership on a special Presidentiaf commission which will investigate corruption charges against Federal officials and employees. Actress Denies Any Romance Reports of Murphy's selection came com well-informed sources a few hours after Mr.

Truman, at a news conference, pledged what he called contin ued drastic action by the Exec utive to rid the government of scandal and wrongdoers. To Name Commission The President indicated to newsmen that he will name soon, perhaps within a day or two, a special commission of nationally known personages with broad powers to clean house. Murphy was said to be slated for a key role in this inquiry, bringing into play the talents that first won him fame when, as Assistant United States Attorney, he successfully prosecuted Alger Hiss for perjury and later led to his selection as New York Police Commissioner, from which he was promoted to a lifetime post as United States judge for the Southern District of New York. "Hard-hitting, conscientious, impartial and fearless" were the words used by New York's Independent Mayor Vincent R. Im-pellitteri in 1950 when he named Murphy Police Commissioner.

These qualities will be tested severely in the new job to which the President reportedly has summoned the 45-year-old jurist. Accepts on Conditions Judge Murphy was said in informed quarters to have accepted the President's bid to serve in the special investigation on condition it would not be necessary for him to resign from the bench. He is expected in Washington soon for a White House conference at which detailed plans for the inquiry will be made. There was no solid informa tion available here tonight as to the identity of the other members of the commission to be named to serve with Judge Mur-Phy. There have been recurring reports that J.

Edgar Hoover, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, would be a member. He accompanied Atty. Gen. McGrath to a secret White House meeting with Mr. Truman yesterday, at which the corruption issue was discussed.

There also have been reports that Hoover might replace McGrath as Attorney General, but Mr. Truman denied these today, saying he did not anticipate any changes in his Cabinet. Truman Prepares to Clean House WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (JP) President Truman indicated today he will soon set up a special house-cleaning agency to sweep out corruption in government and oust wrongdoers, "no matter who they are or how big they are." But the President said emphatically he is not going to dismiss Atty. Gen.

McGrath or Chairman Frank McKinney of the Democratic National Committee, both of whom have been under fire. Chides Woman Reporter Mr. Truman hit strongly at government officials having outside interests such as a law practice which might conflict with official duties. Something is going to be done about that, he said. Discussing the nationwide tax scandals at a news conference, Mr.

Truman said -his administration has always taken dras- Tnrn to Page 6, Column 1 Vo xjw IsN iz, PRODUCER AND ATTORNEY Film Producer Walter Wanger, left, is shown with his attorney, Jerry Giesler, -at Beverly Hills Police Station after shooting of agent. FOUR DIE TANK BURSTS OPEN Destructive Torrent Floods Town's Streets; Mystery Deepens Oyer Cause of Disaster TUCUMCARI, N.M., Dec. 13 (JP) A big steel water tank burst open before dawn, today, loosing a destructive torrent through downtown streets. Four persons died and three others were injured. inn ulc iairx Allies Report Believed Waiting for Instructions on Prisoner Exchange MUNSAN, Dec.

14 (Friday) (JP) An allied spokesman said the Communists appeared to be stalling today in the dragging armistice talks. "They could be waiting for something on Item 4 (exchange of prisoners), waiting for instructions, waiting for' word from (North Korea's chief negotiator) Nam II, waiting for any one of a dozen things," a pooled dispatch from Panmunjom quoted the spokesman as saying. Beyond that, there was nothing to report on the morning session of the truce supervision subcommittee, he said. A second subcommittee meeting on the exchange of prisoners question also made little progress at a morning session. Disparity Exists Another allied spokesman said a considerable disparity exists between the U.N.

command and Reds on the number of prisoners held by both sides. The spokesman quoted Chinese Col. Tsai Cheng-Wen as saying that if prisoners were ex changed on a' man-to-man basis the "great majority" of prisoners held by the allies would not be released. This could be interpreted as indicating the allies held considerably more prisoners than the Reds, a pooled dispatch from Panmunjom quoted the spokesman. The fate of about 100,000 al lied prisoners of war still was as great a mystery as it 'was more than five months ago when the talks began.

List Refused United Nations negotiators yesterday declared there was something "sinister" in the Communist refusal to produce a list of U.N. soldiers they hold as prisoners. Lt. Col. Howard A.

Levie, official U.N. spokesman, said stalling" by the Reds on the questions of prisoner exchange and means of supervising the armistice might be because the Communist delegates were wait ing for new instructions. Levie said the allied nego tiators were still trying to obtain the names of prisoners held by the Reds in the interest of the "families of husbands and fathers." It is believed, Levie said, that some of the 85,000 South Korean soldiers who are missing, as well as 12,000 American and 3000 other U.N. soldiers unaccounted for, may be imprisoned in camps on the east coast near Hungnam. Additional Korea News on Page 10 and 11.

Part I. Waxey Gordon Gets Life Term NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (U.R) Waxey Gordon, 63, notorious beer baron of the prohibition era, was sentenced to 25 years to life in Sing Sing Prison today as a narcotics peddler by a judge who described him as "a malignant cancer in the community." The possible life sentence was handed down by General Sessions Judge Francis L. Valente because Gordon, whose real name is Irving Wexler, is a fourth offender. FEATURES INDEX 10 College Presidents Vote 'No Bowl Games' Ten college presidents, meeting in East, vote unanimously to recommend abolishment of all postseason bowl football games.

Story on Page 1, Sports Section. On Other Pages -AMUSEMENTS. Page 11. Part 3. ASTROLOGY.

Page 30, Part 1. BRADY. Page 7, Part 3. CLASSIFIED. Pages 13-23, Part 2.

COLBY. Page 5, Part 2. COMICS. Page 8, Part 2. CROSSWORD.

Page 23, Part 2. FINANCIAL. Pages 10-12, Part 2. HOPPER. Page 10, Part 3.

M'LEMORE. Page 12, Part 3. POLYZOIDES. Page 22, Part 1. RADIO-TV.

Page 26, Part 1. SHIPPING. Page 12, Part 2. SOUTHLAND. Pages 6-7, Part 2.

SPORTS. Following Page 28, Part 1. VITAL RECORD. Page 12, Part 2. WEATHER.

Page 12, Part 2. WOMEN. Part 3. QUICK VOTE SEEN ON HOUSING PLAN'S END Film Producer Walter Wanger twice shot and wounded Jennings Lang, well-known Hollywood agent, yesterday before the horrified eyes of his wife, Joan Bennett "I shot him because I thought he was breaking up my home," Wanger told Chief of Police C. H.

Anderson, of Beverly Hills. Miss Bennett told Anderson her husband had been unhappy and distraught recently because of severe financial reverses. She said he is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "But if Walter thinks the relationships between Mr. Lang and myself are romantic or anything but strictly business, he is wrong," raven-tressed actress declared.

Producer Booked Lang, 39, and the father of two children, has been Miss Ben nett's agent for 12 years. Taken to Midway Hospital he under went surgery for an hour and a half. His condition was described as "fairly Wanger was booked on suspicion of assault with intent to commit murder. He remained In a Jail cell during the night He is scheduled to appear for arraignment at 9:45 a.m. today before Superior Judge Thomas Cunningham.

If he Is admitted to bail, the District Attorney's office said last night there probably will be no objection. Actress Driven Home Miss Bennett was driven to her Holmby Hills home after being questioned at the police station. Jerry Ciesler, attorney who appeared as Wanger's counsel, declined to make any statement. Police said. Lang was shot soon after he drove into a parking lot at Santa Monica Blvd.

and Rex-ford Drive across the street from the Beverly Hills police 6tation with Miss Bennett Yesterday afternoon Lang and Miss Bennett met to talk over a new television show. Lang, onetime vice-president of the Sam Jaffe agency, now heads MCA's West Coast television operations. Parked Car In Lot Miss Bennett parked her car in the lot located in the back of the MCA offices. She and Lang drove away in his car. Meanwhile, Wanger noticed her Cadillac convertible parked there as he drove past the lot about 2:30 p.m.

Half an hour later, according to Capt W. W. White, he again noted her car there and stopped to wait for her return. Miss Bennett and Lang drove into the parking lot about 5:30 p.m. As they got out of the car and walked toward Miss Bennett's convertible, Wanger, waiting, approached them.

Not a word was exchanged according, to Capt W. W. White. Fired Pistol Twice Wagner took a 38-calibcr pistol from his pocket and fired twice at Lang, standing close to Miss Bennett's car. Investiga-tors established that at the time the shots were fired Lang had both hands raised to his shoulders.

One bullet wounded Lang in the right thigh, near the hip. The other penetrated his groin. While Sid Holtzman, 42, manager of a nearby service station, drove Lang and Miss Bennett to the agent's physician, Wanger remained at the scene. He was taken into custody within a few minutes by Lt D. R.

Beckwlth and Sgt A. J. Gebhart Admitted Shooting The shots were heard In the police station across the street. Although Wanger admitted shooting Lang, he could not direct investigators to his victim. Lang was sent by his physician to the Midway Hospital, where he was located an hour later by police.

Mrs. Tarn Lang, wife of the Turn to Page Column 3 0U An official vote on a resolu-i tion to abandon $100,000,000 worth of proposed Federal public housing projects in Los Angeles probably will be taken in the City Council early next week. This was indicated yesterday when Councilman John Holland, chairma of the Finance Committee and foe of the subsidized housing schemes, said that his committee will meet this afternoon to pave the way for bringing the resolution in next week. Another Battle Holland's announcement on the floor of the Council immediately precipitated another par liamentary battle between pro and antihousing groups in the city legislative body. The resolution, written under supervision of the City Attorney's office and prepared as a part of a carefully outlined pro gram to "junk" the housing deal, was introduced a few days ago by Councilman Ed J.

Davenport and was referred jointly to the Finance and Veterans' Affairs and Public Housing Commit tees. Holland said yesterday that he had invited Councilmen Lee Warburton and L. E. Timber lake (both strong supporters of the public housing program) to attend the meeting today in the WITNESSES HORRIFIED Times photo AS WATER Mercury Ranges From 47 to 62 as Skies Clear A new storm reported building up offshore moved on toward Southern Nevada yesterday, leaving clear skies in the Southland. The Weather Bureau expected mostly clear weather today, with some fog near the coast.

It will be colder this morning than yesterday's minimum of 47 but temperatures should rise during the day to a predicted 68 as against yesterday's maximum of 62. The Southland received a thorough wetting from the storm that Tuesday and Wednesday brought. .62 inch of rain to Los Angeles and some hail and lightning. The storm also brought new layers of powder snow to the mountains that promised fair to good skiing at most winter resorts this week Motorists Cautioned Motorists were cautioned by the California Highway Patrol to use chains from Red Box to the end of the' Angeles Crest; Highway and for the last fourj miles on State Highway 39 in San Gabriel Canyon. Partly cloudy and cool weather is expected in mountain areas over the week end with temperature ranging from 35 to 45 degs.

afternoons to 10 to 20 at night at 5000 to 6000 feet. The latest storm brought the Los Angeles rainfall total to 4.37 inches for the season as com pared with 1.68 last year and a normal of 2.97. $12,000 Mink Coat Reported Stolen Theft of a mink coat and cape valued at $12,000 was reported to police last night by Mrs. Hoyt Mitchell of 455 June St Mrs. Mitchell reported that entry was gained by prying open a French door.

The burglar also knocked the combination from a wall safe in an unsuccessful attempt to open it. ACTRESS AT POLICE STATION Actress Joan Bennett, wife of Producer Walter Wanger, enters Beverly Hills Police Station. Her agent, Jennings Lang, was wounded. Tlmei photo I ndustrial Investments i in County Break Records Damage is expected to run into many thousands of dollars. There was a deepening mystery over what caused the disas ter.

Several witnesses reported a fireball Dluneed to earth beside the round, tank, which towered 30 feet nign. Within moments they heard the tank collapse. The Federal Bureau of Inves tigation was asked to help check both this angle and the possibility of sabotage. 15 Homes Devastated Rolling waist deep at its peak, the water devastated two business houses, the city warehouse and about 15 adobe homes in a section occupied mostly by Spanish-American residents. It also damaged a motor firm.

Pieces of -inch-thick steel were scattered over a city block. Witnesses said the immediate vicinity "looked like a small bomb had hit." Water rushed over an area three blocks wide and flowed a quarter mile to the Tarn to Page 16, Column 2 Ballot Box Stuffing Voids UG Election BERKELEY, Dec. 13 (P) Stuffed ballot boxes and classroom cheating was the talk of the University of California campus today. Tuesday's student body election was nullified after the students' governing body discovered 2646 ballots were cast but only 2353 voters registered. Prof.

John Hicks lectured his American history class on the subject of cheating, saying: "I know of my own knowledge that cheating exists in the university." The vote in the student election, for representatives on the student executive committee, was nullified at a postmidnight session. The election is rescheduled for tomorrow. Swiss Elect President BERN, Dec. 13 (Reuters) Karl Kobelt today was elected President of Switzerland for 1952. hope of getting a joint commit tee report prepared but that Warburton and Timberlake declared that' "other commitments" would keep them away.

Right Challenged Warburton and Timberlake promptly challenged Holland's right, under Council rules, to conduct what would amount to a joint hearing of the two com mittees without a majority of the Veterans' Affairs and Public Housing Committee agreeing. Holland replied that he would not mind postponing the hearing until next Tuesday (regularly scheduled meeting of the Fi nance Committee) but that he had been informed that the City Housing Authority, despite previous Council action indicating a desire to abandon the projects, was proceeding with its activi ties, nevertheless. "If the plan is to make the expense of abandoning the projects prohibitivelv hish. I think we should act with all expedi tion to get this resolution passed," said Holland. Condemnation Suits Ed J.

Davenport recited that he had been called on the telephone Wednesday by attorneys in a proceeding where the Hous ing Authority was pushing con Turn to Page 14, Column 2 Death in Sea Quirin, San Francisco, who was married on Nov. 19 in Reno to George Patran. The body was recovered after a search by a Coast Guard boat and a helicopter. THE WEATHER U.S. Weather Bureau forecast: Mostly clear today and tomorrow but patches of early morning fog near coast.

Slightly warmer afternoons with high today near 68. Highest temperature yesterday, 62; lowest, 47. ord, exceeding the previous rec Bride Drives Off Cliff; This year's investment in new industries and the expansion of existing factories in the county has been more than three times last year's valuations and almost double the previous record totals of 1943. The monthly industrial report of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce yesterday showed that at the end of November the area's industrial development had surged to unprecedented valuations of This compares to the of year-end 1950, and the previous yearly high of 1943 $161,953,996. November High November's for 11 new factories and expansions at 30 other plants was the third highest monthly valuation total in history, ranking only behind October, 1913, and July of this year.

During the Initial 11 months of the year, 107 factories had been newly started while 427 existing plants had added Improved production facilities. The latter figure was also a new rec ord 417 expansions in 1947. The year's Industrial development through November cre ated 35,543 opportunties for em. ployment, according to Chair man F. Marion Banks of the Chamber's industrial develop ment committee.

"Thus," added Banks, "for every new job created this year, industry has spent more tnan $8440 in added facilities and equipment. Finland Pays on War Debt WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 VP) The Treasury announced today Finlarid has made a $254,052.18 payment on its World War I debt two days ahead of schedule. The balance of the loan now stands at $7,463,436.72.. The payment, by law, will be made available to the State Department for educational benefits to Finnish citizens in the United States and for Amerl cans studying in Finland.

Wades to SAN MATEO, Dec. 13 (JP) A young woman drove her car over 350-foot Devil's Slide today, stumbled from the wreckage and waded another 150 feet to her death in the Pacific Ocean. Papers in her purse indicated she was a bride of less than a month. Horrified witnesses saw her drive off the Coast Highway 20 miles south of San Francisco. The smashed car didn't fall all the way to the water, but the woman got out and staggered the rest of the way.

Dep. Sheriff Al Ludwig said a purse in the car contained the marriage license of Lucienne i.