Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 40, Number 51, Decatur, Adams County, 28 February 1942 — Page 1

Must Wm the War! fjllflselsChoret! .

ql. XL No. 51.

IftLLIES SMASH JAP INVASION FLEET FRENCH COAST IS INVADED DY BRITISH

■Four Teams Still I In Running For I Sectional Title

Decatur, Hartford, I Pleasant Mills And Berne Bottle Today I In Semi Finals I Hartford vs. Decatur at 1:30. I fr itic vs. Pleasant Milla at 3:30. I Thai* the lineup for the Semite,;. <>( the sectional tournament L. afternoon at the Decatur gym. I I Tso <>f fl>* wildest game* ever t |h fW t m a Decatur sectional werCfiddet! io-'otr u (parity crowd Friday night. an the Eat it i Yellow Jacketa barely outl.tnl an unexpected ware from L, Kirkland Kangaroos and the Erm- Bears staged a brilliant teat Lu rally to none out the Monroe . Ear kail ■ Both of these tilts were decided L «n> point. Decatur winning. 30 L *9, and Herne. 41 to 40. I Pieaunt Milla' Spartans, after Eiling In the early -stages of the Line won going away from the ■Hbnon Warriors in the final Line of the long three-tilt proList. 44 to 33. j Jackets Win I Itnatni'e Yellow Jacket* were Etanate to edge their way Into E e-ml final round, an a band of Epired Kangaroos from Kirkland Lttled the seemingly over-confi-Lw Decatur lads to a standstill ■bough the entire opening game. I Ihestur took an early 6 to 1 lead Lt: Kirkland fought back to trail Lonly one point at the end of the ■nt qua. ter. 10 to 9. The battle p» nip and tuck all during the ■"und period, with three thrown Pf Troxel and Beer giving Kirkbad a IS to 17 margin at half time. I The Kangaroos elayed in front haul the cloning minute of the bird quarter, when Linn hit from ■aderneath <m a elevor paua from ■ndrew* to give Decatur a 24 to B mat gin an the period cloned I The Yellow Jackets built this pd io 1* to 25 but bankets by f»ki» and lllrachy pul: Kirkland In Ihnt at 29 to 2k. Heed than grabhId a rebound to hit from underbw'h to give the Jackets their 3o b 3 vlrtory in the closing second* ff Slay. | Decatur» scoring was wall dlvld H Lyach leading with six points wa* the bright light tor! pkland with 12 points. I Berne Rallies I The Berne Bearn staged one of' P» great eat rallies In the history M tb* Decatur so*-t tonal to nose > I** 1 'he Monroe Bearkati tn the |*™nd game of the evening, 41 to I Monroe, hitting on nine of IB atIMitt from the field In the first P»‘f built up a !!» to IS lead at I pi -lime, a margin which appear-' W inequitable to everyone in ’lw " except to those I FA(IE MX) ——ch— —— [Retreading Ruling [Received By Board Tire Ration Board Given New Rulings I Certificates for retreading truck B" will be Issued by «mnty tire rationing board. If *1 can be provided within the I W* and trucks In “Het A" can 'T*' b * "''PPlied—such was the °f « ruling received by the , county tire rationing board -.?* t*"* 1 quota of truck m,, * ,dln W for the month of ■tiau ,* M No •••of"’*«f was for passenger care, which on. m ?“’ rcr ' I** 1 ** •“< ”’"<*• »P '<» n »*nd one half ton. also. b . n, ‘ A ond * r ,h * OPA'a Hk. n r * h,c ’«» « nd ‘h« U 'lm. ’ B inclu,i *» ««ch vehicles nlciamT r,rrTln< Mtßlneera. tech<uuA*a M " ,ul ,0 war *ffort: ' k<l f *rryln» produce and “***»««D ON PAOB BIX!

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Daring Drives By MacArthur Surprise Japs Daring Offensive May Delay Japan's All-Out Assaults Washington. Feb. 2*. — 4UP I Gen. Douglas Mat Arthur's daring offensive tactics against overwhelming Japanese forces on Ba lean peninsula may have accomplished the twin objective* of delaying a threatened all-ont drive by the enemy and gaining valuable military Information on Japanese strength, military experts believed today. The complete implication* of the maneuver, which apparetilly t aught the Japanese napping, are not yet known, but a war department communique reported that MacArthur's small force had made gains "along the entire front." Hy getting in the first punch agamst the eatimated 3M.6M men under Lleut.-Gen Masaharu Homma. the Filipino and American troops, outnumbered 10 to one. occupied "advanced positions" ranging from one to eight kilometers (a kilometer la .63 of a mile). The war department made no claim that MacArthur's forces had penetrated, or even had attempted to break through the main Japanese defen**). The greatest galM were made on the right wing of the 13-milr line about half way up the peninsula. coNTiMt'WD on panic mgssi - Legion Adjutant Points To Duties Eugene Wells Speaks At Legion Meeting Duties to the community, state and nation were stressed by Eugene Wells, fourth district adjutant, speaking last night at the American Ix-glon home before a joint meeting of Adain* Post No. 48 and auxiliary member* Mr. Wells urged observance of the preamble of the Legion constitution hy all members of the organisation. The speaker was/fot reduced by A. K. Vergales, fourth district commander, who also spoke briefly. They appeared during the program. following the fish fry dinner attended by approximately l«o members of the legion and auxiliary. Mrs. Dallas Goldner entertained with a vocal number and O. N. Smith of Berne outlined the Important historical events of 1941. Pictures of the bombing of Fsarl Harbor were also shown. The Legion committee In charge was composed of Lloyd Krelacher, chairman'; Joe Rash and Clark Haugh Members of the auxiliary In charge were Mr*. Ed Voder and Mrs. Ralph E. Roop Announcement wa* made of an auxiliary district meeting at Fort Wayne March 12. Local member* planning to attend are to make reservations with Miss Ireta Miller before March 10. The fourth district oratorical contest to be heiS at Fort Wayne March 10, also was mentioned Retail Gas Dealers Meet Monday Night The retail ffsaoHsie dealer* association will meet at the city hall Monday at » 9 m

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Sub Fires Tanker 5 Miles Off New Jersey Shore ■ML ~ UM aßgjfe VW? *»r' 1 Th* 35th victim of enemy submarines In Atlantic coastal water*, the 7.451 -ton tanker Reeor is pictured aflame after a torpedo flrs-d Ila oil cargo. Only two members of th>- 43-man crew were rescued, the fate of the othet belug unknown. The attack occurred five miles off the shore of New Jersr-y

German Resistance To Reds Weakening Attempt To Drop Food From Planes Moscow, Feh. 29. — (UP) — German plane* attempted to parachute munitions and food to the beleaguered 16th Nail army at Staraya today as Russian troopa speeded their offensive from the Baltic to the Crimea Military dispatches from the northwestern front said Nasi resistance at Staraya was weakening rapidly in the face of battering Soviet attacks. The Russians were said to be chopping off Isolated enemy units and slowly pounding the Germans Into submission. The government newspaper Ixvestla reported three German air groups had been rushed to the battle scene 14t» miles south of Leningrad. ixvestia said "active interference" by Soviet planes and antiaircraft batteries prevented most of the supplies from reaching the encircled German troops by parachute. Another Ixvestla dispatch report ed that a German battalion of the southwestern front was almost annihilated In an unsuccessful effort to stem the Russian advance. "The German battalion carried out a psychological attack and advanced at a marching pace with liayonets forward while shouting Conti Ninon nt* ’paob tErmd o Sugar Ration Plans Involve Much Work Heavy Printing Job For U. S. Government America's grant sugar rationing program, like other measure* vital to embattled democracy, began as a Job of printing. It was the greatest single jqh ever tackled by the government printing office, a job which called for more than 700.mm.mm forms and cards and booklets, and between II and 12 million pounds of papers. These forme and cards and booklets include the wsr ration book Itself (190.000.000 copies I. consumer appllcntlon forms, trade registration forma, cards upon which retailer* are to mount ration stamps taken In exchange for sugar. Instructions to local boards. Instructions to consumers and registrants. Sugar for Canning A. B. Bowman, chief of the sugar (OONTINUBD ON FAOB KX)

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, February 28.1942.

Cut Sugar Rations To 8 Ounces Weekly .JU— —. Washington. Feb 2* <UPt — Housewives who have been expect Ing to get 12-onnce weekly sugar rations for each member of th>family will have to amend their plans to get along on only eight ounces a week, war prodmihm Ixurd officials said today. The reduction la Itelng math- liecause of the packaging problem and liecause of unexpected shortages resulting from serious ship losses, it was said. — o - -I Central Sugar Co. Contracts Acreage 12,500 Acres Are Now Under Contract Sugar beet acreage contracted to date totals 13.M0 acre*, or 13$ percent, ot the amount writ'en for the same period last year. H. W. McMillen, president of the Central Sugar company, announced today. Company executives are gratified over the response from farmers and predict that the 16.000-acre goal will Ire reached before sewing season next April. Mst year, due to government reslrittlon* and regnhilions of the agricultural department, beet acreage in the Decatu; territory, was limited to 11.900 acres. Mr. McMlNen said that some territories covered by the fieldmen. requests for growing contracts exceeded the estimates. Farmers generally are anxious to grow sugar beets thia year because of the government's request to produce more sugar In the United Btates. It la estimated that th* additional acreage this year will produce beets sufficient to 4xxN*t the sugar renNTTNUrt) ON PAGE THRKIO

Lenten Meditations (Rev. Carey R. Moser. First Baptist Chttrcht "Inatmuch aa ye did It not unto one of the least of these—ye did it not to me." Mt. 26:48. In many, the sin of omission is more glaringly apparent than the sin of commission We all know better than we do. Possibly the moot, dangerous sin for most folk la the refusal to act upon what they know to be right and proper. We must be willing to sacrifice many doubtful things we want to do. and rather perform those things which we know please God. Only those things are right. That which pleases Him also benefits others and blesses ourselves. In this, aa In all things. He Is our supreme example and encouragement. The tenor of His whole life la summed up in these words: "For the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister; and give His life ■ ransom for many." After such example are we yet so selfish, as to omit everyone hut ourselves and our own. In helpful service? If ever there was a time to forget self and live for men everywhere. It la the present. Yes. "Inasmuch as yet do not GOOD to all men right NOW, ye shew your willful opposition to your Blessed laird and His will for you and them "

Company Farmers Are Given Awards Central Sugar Co. Presents Awards Award* tor agrlci’iltural achievements mad*- during the past year by tenants on the 31 farms of the Central Sugar company, will lamade this afternoon at Ihe K. of P. Home, fidlowing a dinner at noon and a speaking program by rumpany executives of Indiana's only beet suaar Industry. Emile Reldenbach and son Carl, tenants on a 36v-a<re farm near Monroeville, will re*elv>- a SSO cash Master Farmer award. This Is the highest award made by the farm management department, of which Ralph McMillen Is the manager Other valuable awards will Inmade to eight other farmers, several of whom will lie given two or more prises. Electrical appliances and household articles will be awarded to the winners. In the Master Farmer group, three other awards will lie made. The winners are: Clifford Perry. Convoy. Myles Lhamoii. Van Wert, and Glen Adams. Fort Jennings. Ohio. Other awards will be made as follows: Higgest average beet tonnage: Henry Btnitley, Van Wert; V. B. Evans. Convoy; Homer Murphy. (Amvoy. Highest average cash return: Henry Hmltley. John ITunsacker, Middlepoint. Ohio; V. B. Evans. Best soy bean yield: Henry Brnltled by Joe Heabold of Bluffton. largest yield of corn: Henry Hmltley. largest yield of wheat: Clifford Perry. lairgest yield of oflta: John Hunsacker. About 160 persons will attend the mNTtwttED on’pagr thrb»<

U.S.-Dutch Forces Rout Japan Fleet - Britain Reports Great Success In Raid By Commandos

Full Scale Invasion Raid By British Is Complete Surprise To Nazi Defenders IxHMfon. Feb 2S tl’l’J- -British J parachutist and commando infantry landed on the const of northern France anti < arried out a success fill attack on a specific objective In the first full scale Invasion raid on French occupied territory since Dunkirk 3# months ago. It was announced today. In a combined navy, army and] air force operation parachute troops of a specially trained iiir | borne division were dropped on the French coaal during the night by iHtmlting planes They attacked an Important German poal. center for an Important radio locator by which the German.* detected the approach of airplanes. and were re-embarked siittessfully by ships of ib«- navy while tbe commando Infantrymen held back lierm&n reinforcements and the warships' guns covered theta. First reports said the raid had lieen a big success. A military commentator descrlle ed the raid as "small but very spectacnlar” and ns a complete success. As Britons heard of this first British challenge io the German army in France since Frames collapse. Nir Archibald Nimlair. air minister, said In a speech: "We must take Germany by the throat and shake the strength out of her. We must start not in It'll, not In 194.3 but In 1942." It was undersl.yod in well informed quarters that the parachutists opened the invasion raid, landing al »|»eeified ground objec fives, and that afterward the Infantry lamled on the coast and (CONTINttEIi nN PAGE THRK*) Designate Decatur As Defense Area' To Give Priorities For Housing Needs Arthur E. Voglewede, secretarytreasurer of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, today received notification from the Indiana stale Chamber of Commerce that the city of Decatur hae been designated a* a "diNense artsi." Decatur Is listed with Fort Wayne and New Huven a* one of the 11 defense housing critical areas In the state, a designation by the federal housing authority. Technically, the designation of terltory as a "defense area” I* made by President Roosevelt, although the Itasic Information and supporting facts are furnished hy the FHA. The primary purpose of this designation is to pave th- way for the operation of Title VI loans which enable contractors to tinance defense housing project*. Under this designation, 'he war production board gmnt* priority assistance on material* needed in property qualifying as defense housing. With the housing shortage in Decatur very apparent and likely to become acute within a few month*, this designation u* a "defense area" will boos great benefit In obtaining materials for badly need(Continued on Page Three) Berne Man Served Under MacArthur Henry Yoder of Berne II one of the few men from this vicinity who served under Gen. Dough* MacArthur In the First World War. when the tatter held the ’ank of colonel, it Is reported from Berne. Yodar was In the famed Rainbow division.

Japanese Report American Attack On Wake Island ■ Reveal U. S. Naval Attack On Island On Last Tuesday By t'nlled Press Japan reluctantly revealed today thni the United Btatea navy had attacked Wake island where a small band of heroic marines held out for weeks against almost continuous Japanese aerial and sea I assaults. The attack occurred last Tuesi day. the Japanese communique i said. It revealed that It had Iwen | carried out with considerable force. For days. Japanese propagandists I had hinted that there had been a clash between United Btates and ■ Japanese armed forces, presenting ’ a number of contradictory claim*, t Only today was It acknowledged that American force* had awpoped I down on the scene of the valiant i and hopeless battle of out number i e<l America fighting men • The Japanese <-oininnni<|tie ark I milted only that a Japanese patrol ‘ Ismt had been sunk, that military i facilities on the l*lan<l had b*-«-n •I "slightly" damaged, that there had I been a "few" casualties, Its claims of successes against ' the American force* represented a - decided diminution of the soarinr claims of the propagandists II ' alleged that one attacking cruiser I was set afire and one destroyer heavily damaged by a stern hit by shore artillery It claimed that another cruiser wa* damaged and five planes were shot down by Japanese-planes when the American force -fled" It said the attacking force wa* composed of one aircraft carrier, two cruisers and six destroyers A detachment of fewer than 4<»<t marines under Major James P. N Devereux held out at Wake Island from Dec 7 Io D»-c 22 despite everything the Japanese could bring to hear. Befora they were finally overwhelmed by vastly superior numliers. they destroyed or severely damaged one Japanese cruiser, four destroyers, a gun 1 __ fX»NTINtIRn ON P»or thhkm> —_— 0 — — —— Four Bids Received On Blue Creek Drain I Low Bid Submitted By Fort Wayne Firm Four blds were received this morning by Whiter 11. Gllliom. engineer. for the dredging of the C. 8. Stengel, commonly known as the Blue Creek drain. The Green Construction company of Fort Wayne submitted the lowest total bid. The bid was |48.<00. The other three blds: Yake Excavating and Welding Co., Decatur, ' MX.t193.911; General Dredging Co. tee., Fort Wayne. $49.711.HD and Yoat Bros , Decatur, $52,319.24. Engineer Gllliom did not award the contract for the dredging wtatIng that the award would be made after the blds are tabulated and firm questionnaires checked. The blds today were received for the dredging of the main ditch only. The main ditch Is described as being 74 stations of 100 feet to a station or a total of 74.000 feet. Itemised in the bids Were th* stone, to be used, coat of earth excavation, grubbing and clearing Blds for the dredging of the six laterals connected to the mam ditch are to be received later.

Buy Defense Savinas Bonds And Stamps

Price Two Cents

First Jap Attempt To Invade Java Is Defeated As Fleet Flees To Northward Allied Headquarters. In Java, Feb. 28—(UP)—American and Dutch naval and air forces smashed back the first power fol Japanese sea invasion thrust toward Java with severe lasses and mustered allied flighting piwer today against expected new attacks on Soersbaja noval base. (London reports said that the Japanese were reported to have loat several warship* and five transports in the naval action off Java.) Allied llemlqiiarters, Java. Feb. 2* tl’Pi United Ulates an>l Netherhitid* navnl and air force* defeated a Japanese Invasion fleet ill the Java sea. in the first direct attack on Java, ami sent It fleeing northward in retreat, the Nether tends Hast Indies command said today. The United Nations forces struck with all their force al the Japanese fleet which numbered "seve*.-«l i tens" iff ship*, one of the lantost ! the Japanese have used Extent of damage |<> the enemy fleet was tint Immediately known, but it was Indicated ihat the first attempt by Japan to Invade this rich, densely peopled Island, heart of the Netherlands Indie* and the outpost of the I'iilliml Nations, had lieen definitely defeated. The coiniiiuniqne, plainly Implying an Important victory, said tha) up Io I p in (42-3 o.i tn. t WTI there had been nu J.ipatu-se landings hi Java. It was Indicated that I'nlted RtaJes flying fortresses and illve bombers, which took part with such succcaa in the Iwittle of Hall, were used hi the engagement between the United Nations und Japanese forces. The crmtninniqtie admitted that there had lieen hits on Allied as well as on Japanese warships, but again it said that no details could yet be given The Japanese Invasion fleet, for which Allied warship* and rec nt nalssattce planes had lieen watching for days, was sighted yesterday afternoon Allied ships and planes raced Into action and engaged the enemy. Fighting continued fiercely until after dark, the communique said As the Japanese Invasion fleet was Iteatett luck. Japanese air fleets renewed with great farochy, their raid* on key (toints in Java, apparently to cover the landing of Invasion forces which the Japanese high command had believed already on the island At least five enemy bombing planes were shot dowu by the Allied defense planes and the biasing Dutch guns whose crews had been standinc by for the crisis hour. The Japanese planes rained bombs on the harhor and nn alr» port in the Batavia area of wc«N ern Java, and one of them crash* I and another was damaged. Four more big (tombing planet crashed in a gecond raid. Japanese plane fleets attacked the naval base of Boerabaja at H e eastern end of Java time and again, only to be driven back by the (nONTINI'Ri* nn PAGV VfXt — - — 0 TEMPERATURE READING DEMOCRAT THERMOMFTER 9:00 a. m. 28 10:00 a. m. ... 30 11:00 a- m. 30' WEATHER Not much change In temperature this afternoon and tonight. NOON EDITION