Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 40, Number 115, Decatur, Adams County, 14 May 1942 — Page 1

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xi

Bed Slates ■lnterested lava! Views Hpeal Directly Hith Commissioner S French Island K” interfere IM, ' 1 n.uv|KV v , ,* 3 pol-ntui ■ ■ . W-detu h.-mt*-a :e*ponsaid today. |V. not mf.-re*t-MB v ,hy Frame say* W ... .»- i ,r " N,zi Ea ' |V ’ «., .-over. I! was M'". 1 •• .- dealing with M , _■ . -’.i'u’ "f M.,1 < -ti. other -onall Mr . , b .. r,. n. h (nUlle* in of r.iribbeall. but J,<;*■• lt “’” ,s ' ,l " - H"".. ..Hlltn WilO OU ■B. . ,*-■;< -Il .f’-'l iudc|Kt:y of Vichy. EH. . 1 ftl.lt SIIK f ' - * ,a rn-en IM v . .. .-fore. nothing IM . . .object of Mar- ■ "I Tu- * a » •‘l"'’' ■H 4 | -...; 1" e** Vichy dis|H.' h>d -I>' iif I'nit- - EK a.i: -is:J»* in Mar IM • ’•'■U’ralizhand French .■ to the ■ p . »iili-n> Roose|M and a uiplomat . Saturday show fiotn Vi< !iy lias been K , ■ >n policy «in< e |M>- '■ ,lia( l-aval aat ■ inself into the ..n« wa.) to ■ ■ .-na-fer* and t > - |^B| r tioti tha' |K< , protect French |M ■ * < oil >• mat ihi M- United i d tii.it French |K ... h.m" slitpp IM 1 v '•" tuin-d over foreranent. maik at the moM the Kenlai. |M a - M > apparently |M" - A net nan propoIM ' ''> w flier It Ibert inIM • - Iby\eb) '« < ounnot clear. M - <>n*id--' ■ R<»b|M " h " Pi'’dx 4 d oi. an agreement it - i- a.i.-jitalde at the asIM' ‘ 1 *•" tousiy by Mar Philippe Petain |M — 'o dl-a-MOciat-’’it |_na| dominated <>f !. eS that he has to |M * ' into: -p. opo-ar |M' i 'ii.« gove-nmeii' IM '• 1 whatever action |M * ' ,u >'a.e«uaid : •■ ■lictiMi that In any I'll t'd Sta’es would ht'"«at>ly the oecupa *' P*«» S. Column J» Bon Sees Danger ■ Western Coast M es ‘ I” Real Danger ■ f om Attack By Air M'/ r r Ms >r M - (L'P» - MB’ 7 " f »ar Henry Htlmaon “4*y that there wa* a |M **»r” of air attack oa the Ma**' ‘ n<l ,tla ’ h ** *“• * lad " lowed forrea there were Maine* It IM **4* thi, statemen’, at a |M e in reply to a reML ’’ oa the numer ta ’ : ’ 'anted 0D the we»’ M? *•*'«' ’esuhint from the *1 friendly planes Ml?' :,I<l Oo information on MJ/ rrf ,he alarm* there, he B >”• "they are on their 1 ’hl®k there • a real * r » '' he continued ML ' ' '•"’ent on report* at- . .mimentator Wai * ■ tiw mass evacuation* Planned By * '**’ s,l «aon replied Ml a. ,he d-ybate beM- ! o.*‘ ach * U * nd Ueneral ***4ar of the eaaten, M*l2 °***' t),jrT! ** r ‘ M**-*..* 0 m * M evacuations Mhw»' Mn ' h *’ r * w ‘*l 1* M*m? r mon * Jr * Dd uke * II camcladW.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Japanese Press Drive Onward On Burma Front Japan Reinforces Troops; China In Grave Situation Chungking, May H (UP) Fa»tmoving Chinese unit* have severed Japanese communication lines at three Mtrateglc point* In northern Burma, but reinforced enemy col-1 iininx have regained superiority in China'* Yunnan province, a military epokesman said today. Joined by thousand* of reinforceihetit* along the Burma road in southern China, the Japanese column had branched northward and wa* now attacking the city of Tengchung. ulmut #0 mile* above the frontier, the spokesman revealed. He said the Chinese forces there were lighting under extreme difficulties and admitted the city waa gravely endangered. The attack wa* believed to have been launched from Lungling, 50 miles above th.- border on the Burma road. A simultaneous drive | was believed developing against i Yungi hang, 100 mile* north of the ! border. "Chinese ambusher* are still en-1 gaging the Japanese at Ch» fang <25 miles north of the frontier* ami at ; Lungling." the spokesman said "The Chinese also have succeeded in halting a Jap column on the west bank of the Salween river and have destroyed two suspension bridges across the Salween." Japanese communications lines, he said, now are ent between Lashio. in Burma, the Burma road's southern termiiiu*. and Wanting, the border town 116 mile* to the north; between iaishio and llamo (a distance of 100 miles), and be-1 dletance of lib) miles), auda thmf tween Bhamo and Myltkyina <a distance of 75 mile**. The spokesman said Chinese military quarter* were fearing a new Japanese attack in Chekiang province. He said a Japanese aircraft carrier with 3U planes recently appeared in Hangchow bay. The central new* agency reported that 30.00 U Japanese troope had launched a major offensive Monday in Chekiang territory. For the Chinese, the battle of Burma now has become the batt tie (Turn To Page S. Column 1 > —. — o - Rev. Prugh Honored At Farewell Party Pastor Leaves Soon For Army Service Rev. Charles M Prugh. for the' past 10 years pastor of the Zion {Evangelical and Reformed church, who will enter the United State* army a* a chaplain this weekend, wa* honored at a farewell party Wednesday evening by niemlwr* of hi* congregation. More than 360 member* of the church and friends attended the farewell party and program French Quinn, prominent Deca-| <ur attorney and historian, ar prin-' cipal speaker, paid high tribute to Rev. Prugh. using a* hi* theme. "Observation* " The speaker said, “we are fighting for a just cause. True religion, regardless of race, creed or color, is our watchword. There must be a resurgence of (he spirit In the heart of the- American people behind ail the machine* and ammunition to win this war“Our youth, the flower of the nation. need* guidance and encouragement. Chaplain* are called to go j with them through thick and thin to help keep their morale high »o they may come home to help restore the nation to a condition where it will be a blessed place in which to live. “Under God. this nation *ball have new faith to that the government Os the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish " In closing. Mr. Quinn paid high tribute to Rev Prugh* ministry and citUenship throughout hi* Hi year* of residence in Docatur. Rev Prugh responded briefly by detailing some of the duties of an j army chaplain. Fred Kolter. on behalf of the tfTwrn To Put’ ». Column «> Freak Dandelion Is On Display Robert Tonnelliur. «on of Mr and Mrs Ed Tonnelller. of routs two. displayed an oddity of nature this morning in a fresh dandelion The dandelion had 1« bloom* but only one »tsm.

Where Mine Blast Took Lives of 56 Workers

- i y% i,. Bl Ml ■ -9b art'-*’ e

Thi- was the m eiie at the entrance to the Christopher No. 3 mine at Osage. W. Va . as rescue workers and friends and relative* crowded about the miue where 56 men were killed when a terrific explosion ripped through the pits.

Slavs Increase Resistance To German Hordes British Radio Says 350,000 Nazis Seek To Crush Revolts lamdon. May 14 —-tW’) — The I Axis lui* launched a "large scale offensive" with more Hiatt 24 divisions (perhaps in excess of 35U.000 ■troops), in an attempt to crush Jugoslav resistance led by Gen MikhallovHch in the Serbian mountains. tlie British radio reported today. Determined to wipe out the guerilla “aneond front" tn tffe Balkun*, the Axl* wa* reported to have sent 2t> Italian divisions, four German divisions and Hungarian and Bulgarian detachments against the guerillas" mountain lair*. A new German proclamation has threatened death for every Jugoslav aiding Mikhailovitch. An Ankara report said that Serbian patriots of Motchka engaged In a 10-day battle with regular German troops after seizing arm* and ammunitions The Ixindon Time*, in att Ankara dispatch, reported that Adolf Hitler's attempt to obtain "cannon (Turn To I’age 3, Column 3» -- - „ - ■ -O I ’east Os Ascension Is Celebrated Today The feast of the Ascension of Christ into heaven was celebrated as a holy day in St. Mary’s Catholic church today Masses were said at 5,7 and 9 o’clock, followed by benediction. i -o — — Three Are Convicted For Postal Robberies II .1... Indianapolis. May 14 (UP)—A federal jury today found Gene Alger. Dr Hnch Envart and Thoma* Alford guilty on two counts charging conspiracy in the robbery of the Lawrence and Scottaburg. Indiana post off!:-"* Federal judge Robert Bsltzell set sentencing for not later than May 23. — ——oLarge Reduction In Traffic Fatalities A large reduction in traffic fatalities in Indiana for the ftrnt three month* of this year against the same period last year has taken place In spite of a reduction of les* than two pen-ent in mile* of travel, according to the Governor's coordinating safety committee. A decline of M percent dropped the death* from 323 for 1941 to 3W for the first three months of 1942. TIMPKRATURt RtAOIMG OtMOCHAT THKRMOMffTtR •:00 a. 44 10:00 a. tn. * Noon 70 2:00 p. m. 75 1:00 P- m- — - 80 WCATHKR Thundershowers in *outh and east portion*. Scattered light showers in northwest portion today. Cooler toda, and toniOht.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, May 14, 1942.

Hobort High School Band Visits City Seventy-five member* of the H> Iwirt high school band stopped in Decatur for a few minute* today, enroute to Union City aud other cities on a concert tour. Frederick C. Ebbs, director, aud several mothers of baud members, were in charge of the group. The band played this morning at Columbia City Th> y were to play this afternoon at Union City, tonight at Bull State Teachers college in Muncie and tomorrow at Elwood. Eebool-owned instrument* and uni-, » form* of the band are valued at . 420.000, it wa* stated. .—0 1 — 31 Auxiliary Firemen Taking Instructions Soon Eligible For Firemen Insignia ! - Thirty-one men ot the city will soon Im- eligible for auxiliary fires men identification and loagnia. It , was announced today by Adrian Burke, auxiliary firemen instructor. Mr Burke stated that U men I enrolled in the course originally. t )>•>) >hat some had moved away and , some had dropped out. Several classes are still to be j held First aid Instruction la among the more important course* which ( the men must master before recelv- . Ing their insignia. E<l Hurst, city fire chief, ba* l>een assisting Mr. Burke la the organization and instruction. An effort I* to hr made to «"<-ore four more eligible men tor posts in order to meet the county's quota of f 35 men. | Those who are up to date in in- . struction*: Harvey Williams. Ed I -Hesher. Edgar Kies*. Charles Stltf »er. riurt Ralston. Edward Hower. William Huffman. John Halterman. Robert Holthouse. Lloyd Conrad, Waldo Eckrote. Orlando Brown. Marlowe Ss-hieferstein. Richard Bogner. Cletus Miller. Phil Sauer, George Rentz. Russell Acker. Rusi sell Baumgartner. Clyde Butler • Joe Brennan. Robert Ashbaui her. i C. H Deßolt. Clarence Ziner, Char- . ie» <Muiu<, Dick Macklin. Tom Vail. » William Engle. Perm Hobble, John j Belneke. Alva Lawson. o — Mentally 111 Man Creates Disturbance — A resident of Berne created a minor furore in Decatur yesterday at two «r three business houses First of all he entered a local restaurant and demanded his evening m«wl -although it was still ear- ' )y afternoon. Then he went to a 10-1 1 cal lumber <-ompany. disrobed, threw his underclothing In a corner of the building and proceeded to a barber shop and bathhouse. Finally the aid of Officer Bephu* Melcbi was enll*ted and the man was taken to the auto of another Bern resident, who pledged lo see him home safely The man la a mental case, but harm les. according to the other Berne resident Mrs. Minnie Schott Dies At Hospital Mrs. Minnie Schott. 54. of Rockford. Ohio died aT cerebral em bolts* Wednesday eventm; at the Adams county memorial ho«pital The body was taken to the Kat chnm brothers funeral home at l Rockford.

Allied Planes Sink Jap Ship; Blasi Flyers ) 15 Japan Bombing Planes Smashed In Attack On Rabaul •i Melbourne. Australia. May 14 (UP) Gen. Douglas Ma<Arthur's flying fortresses and Catalina-con-solidated Wimbers, opening a new I phase of their offensive, have sunk one Japanese ship, damaged two and smashed 15 Japanese Isnubing plane* in attack* over a 1,75 u mile front, it wa* announced today. Defensive fighters, newly arrived from the United State*, shot down two and damaged one of a formation of Japanese Navy <> fighter* which vainly attempted to raid the I Allied airdrome at Port Moresby. • New Guinea. 1 MacArthur announced In a gen--1 eral headquarter* communique that hi* planes had »unk a 3,006-ton en- • cmy .nvarl*.’!! -t’lj* and cotained • direct bomb hit* on one of 3.0(h) I ton* and another of 2.000 tons in a punishing raid on Amboina, Jap- ' anese naval base 660 mile* nortii I of Darwin tn the Netherlands East 1 Indies. Bomb* were showered on the general harbor area. Pilot* aaw a 1 wharf burst into flames and it wa* ' indicated that extensive damage 1 was done to dock Installation*. • —;.j. ->. r possibility that other ships were damaged by near miso blast* , or bomb fragment* A second fleet of United States and Australian flier* attacked the I great enemy Invasion base at Rabaul. in the Bismarck i*lauds . northeast nt Australia. They swept over the fl- id to find ’ (Turn To Psge •• Column 2> O —— I j Cooking Appliances Production Slashed Limit Production To Smaller Firms Washington. May 14—4 UP) - Th" war production board today partially standardized domestic cooking appliances and oi-dered their production limited to smaller firms to pemtt other manufacturer* to convert equipment to war-time need* The order, which become* effective August 1. wa* patterned on Britain's "concentration of production" technique and is expected to , be expanded to cover other <-**ear tial civilian good* The WPB did not set definite types of cooking utensil* to be manufactured. but limited the amount of materials to be used la suc h appliance* •* ga* range* sud hot plates coal and wood ranges, combination ranges, kerosene and gasoline range*, and stove* and port whle oven*. In 39 "labor shortage areas" ia 15 state* estimated to contain 92 of the nation's 245 cooking appli ance firm* -wo appliance* of any type may be road" The WPB estimated that 26.000 employe* will be releeaed for more essential industries. The restricted area* include Ind ianepolis and itoath Bend, lad . and MUaa, MKfogaAi

Reds Smash Germany’s First Line Defenses At Kharkov; Fight Continuing In Crimea

Violent Earthquake In City Os Ecuador At Least 60 Killed By Violent Quake Guayaquil, Ecuador. May 14. —- (UP) —A violent earthquake rocked Guayaquil and surrounding territory last night, killing at least 6# persons, smashing three large buildings and disrupting electric and communication* line* over the metropolitan area. The tremblor last one minute in Guayaquil, a city of *6.000 in southwestern Ecuadot. Heaviest damage was observed in the downtown area where the three relnforc-ed-concrete building* were wrecked. A four-story building at the intersection of Pichincba and Sucre streets tumbled within 10 eei-onds after the first shock. The quake was followed by num- < sous fires throughout the damaged area, but most of the blazes were soon brought under control. The civilian isipulatlon rushed wildly through the streets for several moments after the first shock. First reports indicated several statue* of historical value were destroyed. Cities In Interior Ecuador reported lees-vlolent shocks. Book cases and filing cabinets In I the Unted Press bureau toppled over and the electric light* temporarily fulled Equipment for receiving and sending news wa* not damaged and service soon was restored. The temblor war. felt at the United Press radio station in a Guaya- : quit suburb. Earthquakes are not uncommon along the west coast of Houth Ami erica. On May 23. 19<0. 350 persons were killed at Callao, Lima land Chorrlllos, Chile. On Jan 24. | 1039. n quake in central Chile killed 25.000 and caused property de- • struction estimated at 450.000,000. o Stress Cooperation Os Defense Units Joint Meeting Held Wednesday Evening "Cooperation not competition" wa* stressed last night by all uni* leader* in addressing a crowd of approximately 150 air raid wardens, auxiliary firemen and auxiliary policemen who jammed into the assembly room of the local lagion I home last night for the first joint meeting of the organization*. Italia* Brown, emergem y corps commander and county air raid warden; police chief Janie* Borders, auxiliary police leader, and Adrian Burke, auxiliary firemen leader. in their respective talk* to the meti stressed the importance of a congenial spirit ot cooperation between the units. They warned against the inevit»l>le overiappning at time* of their ' respective duties and the necessity I of perfect harmony in sharing the assignment.s "We must work fast- We must be ready," Mr. Brown asserted. "Fort Wayne may *ecure a blackout permission any day and under present plan* the area within a 50 mile radiu* must also be "blackled out.' thus Decatur must be ready." Arrangement* were made for the showing of a film next Wednesday night, dealing with civilian defense, and member* of all three units are : to be given training credit for attending The exact time and place of the showing will be announced later. The public may be invited. It Is also planned to demonstrate war ga**e* with a ”ga* kit" at thl* s meeting Mr Brown statedEach of the speaker* explained the duties of hi* respective unit. Various handtMiok* and report blank* were also dirtributed to unit I member*. Plans wen- mad" for joint meetI lag* of the three organization* to be held beginning May 26 in which unit member* will receive tlrwt aid instruction*. Thi* loerse 1* among those necessary for each uni* mem•her before he receive* hi* identificatkin and arm bend insignia. Sheriff Ed Miller, fire chief Ed Hurst and other official* were among those present at the meeting, in ad It ion io unit members and leader*.

Study Plan To Tax All Persons Filing Returns House Committee tn Favor Os Reduction Os Tax Exemptions Washington. May 14 — l UP) Secretary of treasury Henry Mor genthau said today that the treasury i* studying a proposal for a small tax on everyone who files an income tax return, regardless of the amount of the income. The proposal, suggested by chairman Walter George. It . Ga.. of the senate finance committee, would conslHt ot an examination tax to pay for the cost of examining all return*. "Thi* would help us a great deal in examining the great number of new taxpayer*,'' Morgelithau said "If we can do thi* legally we'll recommend it. Something like this would be very wholesome Morgenthail said the treasury also Is considering action to prevent evasion of corporation taxes through sudden and excessive salary raises for corporation officials and employe*. Morgentbau said ths.l such "padding" of salaries would be disallowed in the computation of corporate taxes The new personal exemption* voted by the house ways and means committees are so low that many housemaids and part time workers would have to file returns next year. Even buck private* In the army i If the pending pay raise to 15" • a month I* finally voted — would • have (o pay an income tax The committee voted, 17 to 7, late yesterday Io reduce personal exemption* from |1,500 to 41.200 for married person* and 4750 to 4500 for single person*. That reaches down to single person* who earn only 49 62 a week and to married persons whose weekly wage is only 423.0* Actually people earning that little would not have to pay taxes because of other deductions allowable contributions other taxes and the 10 percent earned income reduction. But a soldier under the pending pay schedule would get 4600 a year. If he were single and had no allowable deductions to make other than the 10 percent earned income deduction, he would have a taxable income ot 440 On this year’s rates which probably will lie hiked next year this hypothetical soldier would pay a 44 income tax -41 60 regular tax and 42 40 surtax. The committee's reduction of exemption* was a blow to the advocate* of a general sale* tax. al (Turn To Page s. Column *» — ———O~ Block Rationing Os Gas To Congressmen No Extension Os Ration Area Likely Wanhington. May 14 — (UP) — Sen George W. Norris, I. Neb., today blocked consideration of a resolution asking the senate to pledge itaeif to waive any special privileges under gasoline for other rationing program* The resolution wa* offered by Sen Sheridan Downey, D, Calif.. and provoked » minute* of angry debate during which no one but Downey spoke in favor of it. Nunerou* member* denounced what they interpreted a* newspaper criticfaini of their right to have "X" gasoline ration cards, permitting unlimited purchase*. Many charged that It was part of a campaign to "undermine the faith of the people in congress." Price administrator I-eon Henderson ruled yesterday, after newspaper* disclowed that around 200 congr> sstoMl "X" card* had been issued that members of congress were entitled to such ration ticket* if they used their automobiles on official businea* For other use*, he said. congres*men were to be treated the same as anyone else. Unanimou* consent was needed I Tur a To Pag* K Columa 1> I

Buy War Savings Bonds And Stamps

Price Three Cents

'Enormous Losses' Inflicted On Nazi Forces; Ridicule Claims By Axis Moscow. May 14 — (UP) —-Red army shock troop* smsshed through the German first line defenses before Kharkov and inflicted “enormous losses" on the enemy in an offensive that is gaining momentum aaulnst hastily summoned Axis reserve*, official di* patc hes repor'ed today. The Russian troop* hammering toward Kharkov were said by th> official news agency. Tas*. to be holly pursuing the Axis forces, which were "thrown back a coni siderable distance" and forced to i abandon many big gun* and other I equipment. Front line reports said the fam ' ou* Russian Rtormovlk planes dom- ’ inated the air and led tank units * and infantry driving deeper Into ’ the enemy defenses around Khar- * kov. The reports added that "considerable" progress had been I made- after the first break through, f It was pointed out, however, that the’ German hedgehog defense I system around the city wa* a »er- ' les of fortified point* rather than solid lines snd that the front wa* * therefore extremely fluid ' The Red army spearhead toward ’ the Kharkov industrial sector was regarded a* of greatest Importance * in connection with the fierce fight Ing still In progress In the Kerch * sector of the Crimea, where the * Russian communique acknowledg- * <-d a retirement to Improved positions due to temporary numerical * superiority of the Axl* attack * force*. The MOSCOW newspapers, led by the Red Star said that the intense K German onslaught on the Kerch peninsula had made some progress f but ridiculed Berlin's claims of a ® victory and said, "our Crimean 1 troops can and will halt and beat thc« enemy." ' (The Russian drive against the ( important German held hose and communication* center of Khar- ’ kov was designed to threaten the rear of the Axis forces in the ’ Crimea, where the Nazi high command admitted fighting was still ' In progress on the Kerch peninsula although Vichy reports claimed the Germans had reached that 1 town ) t Hlsp.itdies to the Red Star -aid . that the Soviet forces were widening the breach (hey had made In , the Kharkov defenses and were ‘ "dealing heavy blows to the enemy I who Is sustaining enormous losses . In men and armaments." I "The Soviet troops are contlnu- ( ins. to develop their success,*' the ( dispatches said I "Operation* of the attacking . troop* were so vigorous that the * enemy was forced Info hurried rei treat without lime to evacuate artillery ammunition and other f war material*, large quantities of which were abandoned " German reserve* were calleu up. It was added, but they failed to check the Soviet advance and a number of center* of resistance and fortified place* were captured. On the Crimean front. 320 mile* to the south, massed Russians and German* fought a nightmare battle under sky blackening swarm* ot Stormovlk and Stuka dive bombing plane* In the Kerch peninsula. Marine* of the Russian Hl.uk sea fleet Joined the land forces In their stand and the gun* of the ship*, steaming off the coast and fighting off attacking German plane*, rained death on German troops and communication line* On the Moscow front, the Russian*. defeating the dramatic German attempt of airborne troop* to relieve the 16th German army, long encircled at Staraya Russa, have shot down 229 German transport plane* and 37 fighter plane* within the last few days, dispatches *aM. Stubborn fighting continued throughout the night in the Kerch peninsula. Moscow's noon communique said the German* sought desperately to break their tTurn To !*»«» «. <’oli»m« 1) - ———■' W - Complete Remodeling Os Welfare Offices Worker* ia the county court house were guaot* of Mrs. Faye Smith-Knapp Wednesday afternoon during "open house" at the county department of public walfare atnct9 Remodeling and revamping of the off bee were recently completed. The department personnel now has five separate office* a- | vailable for use.