Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 42, Number 22, Decatur, Adams County, 26 January 1944 — Page 1

the War is Chores!

ARGENTINA BREAKS WITH AXIS POWERS

lr Vote Inounced Josevelf Bent Declares jK Bill 'Fraud' Kn In Service ■n. Jan. 26 — (UP) - lias ,|, noiineKi vol,- bill pasHt-il by IjHin December uh IK. h.i>> it was a fraud - ami sailors and )K ' anting ami tlgh'iiig. <>n the American special today on the 'll- Lin -.i«Gre« " hill now pending In ■ That bill would pro(■g- ...a of federal ballot* Ka (or absentee voting would retain the mine if the voter-. also noted that art on the soldier Huohoir a record vote. ■|..| 'h.n every member houses of congress ■ willing in Justice to be counted. Kiilnit said: "It would ■r.v' ooldier to vote with f u illty than was -prolaw 712 under ■ ,i negligible number of were cast." condemned by Mr. ■wn adopted by the ■ place of a bill which ■approved by the senate ■ and election* commit- ■>. h would have provid■lug by memlters of the, ■<’>> on federal ballots ■ttlon of a war ballot ■ now I* on the house ■after being slightly re■lb' house elections com- ■ t» tentatively elated for ■sld-ratlon early next ■ate. meanwhile. Is con■h< soldier vote Issue ■ii-ling on the floor Is a ■>- bill sponsored by ■c -enators Lucas of lilt- ■ Green of Rhode Island ■ p: o ide for distribution ■ ballots on which ser■nnel would write in the ■ their choices for presl- ■ president, senator and ■live. ■sMevelt endorsed the ■ Lin istlreen senate bill ■it set* up proper and ■ tn.iihhiery for absentee ■late, under the bill*, ■termlne for itsr-lf wtieth- ■ the voter Is qualified to ■' 'he laws of hi* state ■ lx nothing In such a pro■ttiiie which violates the ■ the states." the president ■h" federal government •" ,es quick machinery ■'« the ballot* to the ■"i back again." ■I that he spoke as ’he ■tr-'ti chief of the men in ■'< service*. and added: "I I 'hat I can express their this matter and their >n> against the disertmtna B'' h I* being praeMced ■hem." f r member of the war def has strongly urged con f adopt President Roosef "iH'Hal for national serI T » P»g* 6, Columa X) SWAB t LOAJr R nty standing L--— 51.221.600.00 M week 60,821.50 date.. 9645545 F It .... 1.125424.75 f 1«»! week * sales climbed F 'he amount to far below r r *qu!red to meet the » I*>ta Workers were ‘ ’he city and town*hips 06 PfMPKtlso buyer* and **wyhody <• key B |IM " n * o< the worker* Mid. 7“’' is nearer to Roas*, etoaar to Barlin and v* ar* to th* eonnty'a

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Berne Soldier Is Reported Missing After German Raid Mr. and Mrs. Sam Wittwer of 705 High street, Herne, have received a mes-agf- from (he war department that their son, Sgt Weldon E. Wittwer. 24, Is missing 111 action. The message stilted he was missing since January 11 over Germany. He ha.- been in England since October. 1943, and his duties were a radio technician and first gunner. Egt. Wittwer entered service Jan. 29. 1943. and received his training at the following places: Denver, Colo.; Salt Uke City, Vtah, flexible gunnery school; Kingman. Arlz., and Miami Beach, Fla Hi* family knows definitely of five missions that he had been in previous to the one in which he Is reported missing, although he may have been in others, and the last letter received by his (Brents was written early in January. He has a brother. Pvt. Laverne. al.-o in England, and a second brother. Pfc. Kenneth, marine. In Memphis. Tenn. - - o— - — Reds Capture Rail Junction Near Leningrad Germans Lose Rail Junction; Soviets Reject U. S. Offer By United Pres* The Russian* report an import apt victory on the far northern Front near Leningrad. In an order of the day. Marshal Stalin announce* that the Rua•lans have captured Kraanogvardelsk—2s •” , l“* southwest of Leningrad. Capture ,f this town gives the Soviet* control of a vital fivespoked rail line and iflean* ’he Nazi* have lost their last stronghold in the Leningrad system of fortifications. Russian military observers predict that the entire German position in the north-between Leningrad and Lake liman—l* on the verge of collapse. There also i* important news today from the Russian diplomatic -front Secretary of, «'»'»• Cordell Hull announce* that the Soviet governnfent had rejected the United Stales offer to help res'ore relations between the Polish and Soviet government* The way Rtis*la puts it conditions are not yet auspicious for such endeavor*. Hull doesn't say whether Russia rejee'ed our offer of medial ion because of it* unwillingness to recognise the present exiled Polish government—or whether the Soviet stand is based on it* insistence that • territorial question mus* be dslcussed only with the country involved. (Turn To Pag* L Columa I) —O —— Mrs. Rene Hoffman Dies This Morning Life Long Resident Os City Dies Todoy Mrs. Rene Hoffman 87. native and lifelong resident of Decatur, died at 4 o'clock this morning at the Adam* county memorial hospital Death w*a caused by com plication*, and followed a long Hines*. She had been confined tn the hospital for several weeks. She was born in Decatur December 3. 1856. the daughter of Jacob and Maria Lincoln-King. She was married to Adolph Hoff man September 25. 1887. a" d died January 1, 1»24. She was a member of the First Christian church and the Rebekah lodge. Only surviving relative ta a stater Mrs Jam*. Hain of Decatur One brother, one abter. si* halfbrother* and ffve half-staler* preceded her la death Funeral service* will be held at the Xwkk funeral home with final arrangement* not completed. Bartel will be ia the Decatur ceme tery The body m.y be at the funeral home after 7 o clock this evening

Rocket Gun Is Devastating To Jap Detenders New Rocket Gun Is Powerful Aid In U. S. Offensives (Ry United Pres*l Th- United State* has a new rocket gun of Its own—and lt'»* no secret Weapon to the Japanese. The Japs already have felt Its devastating power. The secret weapon helped to blast out Invasion paths for our successful landings at Arawe and Cape Gloucester on New Britain. The new weapon is a multi-bar-reied rocket gun mounted on the rear of the marines’ water-going truck* known as "ducks." A United Press corrspondent saw them used for the first time In an amphibious landing He says our men found the rocket gun a great weapon able to lay down a terrific barrage. The rockets exploded in rows. They are fired usually in series if 10- like gigantic blooming flower*. They swish out in a burst of flame. And they are not mo hard on the ears a* a naval barrage. They explode when they hit th.- target. At Cape Gloucester, strongly entrenched Japanese held up our marines for two days at one point. Duck* were rushed up Six barrage* of 240 rocket* each were thrown at the enemy. That was enough. Four enemy machine guns were knocked out and 80 Japanese killed. Allied airmen have taken a toll of 80 Japaneoe aircraft In new raids on enemy defense* in the southwest Pacific. And we lost only five planes In doing it. The (Turn T* P*g« 8. Columa I) Predicts Less Food For U. S. Citizens Farm Manager Is Speaker At Lions "The American people in the future will eat ies* meats and more cereal* and potatoes and will obtain their protein* through •oyltean* and soya flour." lamter B Meyer, farm manager and rural appraiser of the Walley agricultural service of Fort Wayne, predicted at the regular meeting «< the Decatur Lions club Tuesday night. Mr. Mayer also predicted les* food In the Immediate future due to a number of factor.-, which he listed First of these shortage* will be due to the fact that the American people, as factory worker* and soldiers, are eating more pounds per person than ever before. Another reason for shortage* I* government purchases, which he said almost everybody condemns, but which may avert a serious condition in <he future W a period of normal or subnormal crop* occur*. During the last two year.-* the crop* have been above normal and there Is no reason to suspect this will continue He also pointed >-ut that housewire*. by buying up to the limit of their ration hooks, even when they do not need the food In the immediate pre-ent. help strip the grocers' shelves. He concluded with a prediction that in spHe of every Indication of leva food in the United State* In the future, th/ American people will still be the -best fed In the world. With the American capacity for food production, the United State* can greatly Influence permanent world peace terms by offering or withholding food from starving European countries - ■■■• temperature reading DEMOCRAT THERMOMETER g;-oo a» m. 10:00 a. RU-x —49 Naan — » 2:W p. RL • 1:00 ■ Ito. - ■ WEATHER Cloudy with occasional ItfM ram tonight and Thursday: mild t*mper*tur» *«copt becoming colder In north portion tonight

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, January 26, 1944.

U. S. Coast Guard Dog Is Hero 7 y. ■: L ZJ JBbut wlhß HFy m i NORA. A CERMAN SHEPHERD DOG purchased by the I'. S. Coast Guard for 50 cent*, more than paid off her purchase price when -hirescued (’oast Guardsman Evans E. Mitchell. Chicago, right, while he was on patrol duty along a lonely stretch of North Carolina beach. Mitchell faintwl while on duty. Nora discovered him and summoned aid. which act was credi'ed with having him from probable death from expo-ure and cold. The dog is shown receiving the John I’. Haines medal at the 78th annual meeting of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal*. The presentation i* being made by Sidney H. Colmen. executive ice president ot ’hi swlety. The dug was purchased from an Oregon Inlet. N. family foi 50 cents by the Coast Guard station there

Lists Support Price For Farm Products Says Prices Needed To Boost Production Washington. Jan. 26 — (UP) — War food administrator Jone.- has anttotinccd the crop price* hr says are necessary, if farmer* are to meet record production goal* (hi* year They depend, of course, on whether congress decide- to guarantee farm prices along with subsidies. Jone* ii»t» support price* on 31 principal farm prdoucts. And he says they are necessary to enable farmer* to plan now for meeting the biggest food production goals In tho nation'* history. The acting chief of the WFA's new price office. Ashley Bellers, says some of the support price* are above OPA celling* and therefore will involve a lo** to the government He add* that they will be paid only If eongrea* votes tho money. The price announcement by Jones ha* strengthened the belief that the adminlatration ha* reached some understanding with congrea* for continuing a big part of the food subsidy program. Perhaps slgnfficatuly. Jone*. In a last minute revision of hl* price announcement, eliminated all. ref(Turn To Page 5. Column 7) Old, New License Numbers On Coupons Put Both Numbers On Gas Coupons Gasoline coupons of motorist* who have acquired 1944 llcrnse plate* must carry In Ink or indelible pencil both the new llcen»e number* and the old ones, the Indiana district offic e of price administration announced today. With Hoosier motorist* changing to complete new plate* for the flrtt time since ga»cline rationing started December 1. 1942. OPA and local war price and rationing board* have been beU.'.-ged with request* for Instruction* John E. Scott, district OPA enforcement attorney, explained that the mechanic* of ration banking, together with the delay of obtaining a complete list of aut mobile registrant*, necessitate* the endorsement tor an iadeflnlte period of coupon* with both old and new number*. "Motorist* should add “41" ia perMtheal* after the old number and "4" after the new numbers," he said "The coupon fid er* and tire examination certiflcatfls should be brought up to date In a simitar manner." be pointed Mt Mr Scott urged aatortat* to make the eudotoementa all at one tiUM M that delay* and i a co* ven fence* at Siting atati- a* would be avoided.

Say Germans Usinq Rocket Glider Bombs l-ondon, Jan. 26. — (UP) — The German* are said so be using radiocontrolled rocket glider bomba in Italy. A dispatch to the I*>ndon Dally Herald say* royal' air force Spitfires intercepted six Dornier 27's on Me nday and shot down two. The Dornier*. It adds, came from a French base and each carried a 1 ,(*OO-pound rocket bomb. o City Is Building New Coal Unloader City Workers Build New Unloader Here A city light and power department crew, under the- supervision of Phil Sauer, superintendent of the- etre-et department, is liiilldlng a IK'W coal unloader at the cilj owiiecl ground* on North Seventh street. At flrat It had been planned to mak.- the improvement under private centrad hut the need of urgency required a change in plans. Since the old silo blew over about a year ago, the street department has been hauling coal for tb<> light and water department* from an old ankmder owned by theNickel Plate railroad mar the Tile mill. The dlatance from the plant Is a mUr and two block*, while the new unloader will be cnly two blocks from the plant, thuo saving two mile* on the round trip. Aa about 25 trip* a day are now mad- by the street department trucks, this will mean an immediate saving of 50 mile* a day. The expense of the new equipment i* to be derived from money received from the Insurance , n the old silo. In addition, some material* were Mlvaged or were on hand. The work I* being done by regular city employe*. Plana and apeciflcat lon* for the Improvement were drawn by Ralph Hoop, city ■ nglneer. The plan* call for raising the t Id spur track of the Pennsylvania a foot or so An excavation will then be made under it, deep enough lor • truck to hock into. A trap door under the car will permit the coal to be dropped directly tr m the coal car Into the truck Since there will be no movable par's In the unloader, it will remain In servk-e even though more modern equipment may be Inatoll ed. ■■ It can aot get out of order Mr. Bauer said today that when completed It w uld double the amount of coal one truck could haul in • day and eliminate th* Mcesilty of the city truck* crossing railroad track* and alate highway. At the present the city la recelvIng between M and M tons a day of Indiana coal which la being burned each day a* It come* Under thl* system It la wet MceMary to atcre It. although * targe qu«n tity la piled up tn case of emerg eucie*

Cut Last Axis Link In Americas; Action Hailed In Washington, London

Nazis Stiffen Resistance On Front At Rome Showdown Fight Is Expected To Start Within Two Days • IBy United Press I German reslatance I* Increasing below Rome and both the Germans and the Allies are preparing a showdown tight expected to atart within 48 hours. Londcn military experta say the Nfizi* won't give up Rome without a fight. They believe the curtain will ring up on that battle before two day* have passed. A* these expert* see It. the Germane must either hurl the Allies into the sea. or get out of southern Italy altogether. A British broadcasting correspondent rep. rt» from Naples that Adolf Hitler told German soldiers two day* ago to hold their threatened line in southern Italy "at all costs." But so far the Nazi* have yet to throw a powerful counter attack at the new Invader*. However, they are putting up a gradually stiffer light. The latest eeadquarters communique dlspo*-* of the Rome front with these few words: “British and American troops have continued to pres* forward against gradually Increasing resistance." The Nazi* have trouble on their hand* In Rom- ItaelL Frontier report* recelvi-d in Hwltierland say Italian patriot* have begun a reign of terrir in the capital, which has been placed under u state of siege. Italian frontier reports to Switzerland say the German li‘gh command Intends to defend Rome and has started digging trenches and i setting up strongholds in key postj tion* in tin- city. ” Headquarters stiii is keeping detail* of our progress in the new beach-head secret. But the Cairo radio say« the /Giles have captured Velletrl. a strong point on the Appian way 19 miles southeast of Rome If this I* true, it m>ana the main highway ami railroad supplying Nazi troops on the old front to the south have been cut. Presumably the invaders also are driving tie ward the < nly remaining direct highway to Rome from the old battle area the Via Casilina (Turn To P*g* «. Column 4) Appeal To Citizens To Aid Paper Drive City-Wide Drive To Be Held Saturday An appeal was directed by Phil Baser, city *tr*o* <-ommi**toner and chairman of the waste paper drive, to cltliens of Decatur, to participate 100 percent In the citywide waste paper drive next Saturday. Mr Bauer said ’hat the efforts of the Boy fleouts. the city and coutHy governments which donate the trucks should be rewarded by a gathering of at least 10 ton* of old paper and magazine*. "Last month when the pick-up was held only about half of the home* put out their old pspe,« ■nd magaxines." Mr. Saner said. “If they have saved their old papers they should tie them in bun dies and place the package along the curb In front of their house ■o we can pick it up." A vital need exbl* for old paper, magaxiues wrapping*, carton*, cor ruga ed container* and other material* made from pulp wood sad fiber* Proceed* from th* waste paper go to the Boy Scon**, or the indivWusl may sell the material and receive the payment. Mr Seuer expis’ned

OPA Is Assailed By Kansas Oil Men 'Kangaroo Court' Hearings Lashed Wichita. Kun., Ja 26 — (IT) — Kansas oil men want to abolish what they call the "kangaroo court hearings conducted by the OPA." When the Kansus oilmen's aaaociatli n last night closed its 3'*th annual convention in Wichita, it adopted n solutions calling for, abolition of sti< h hearings and for adoption of a "checkbmik" method <f rationing off lhe highway gasoline. They *lmo call for increase In the price of crude oil, for Increase* in gasoline prices to compensate for loss of profit on the sale of ethyl grades and for adjustment of transpc rtation cost** to permit importation of West Texas and Wyoming oil Into Kansas. And they want to make certain that government control over tlrek and gasoline is removed a* soon as the need for regulation pas*e». Several < llinc-n expressed fear that "bureaucrats" would want to continue such regulation merely to provide Jobs for themselves. Warren C. Platt, editor of the National Petroleum New*, lashed at the OPA and federal handling of the oil problems In the headline speech. He questioned whether the government ever would return tlie oil business to the oil men. And Platt says that the price const rot act of the OPA lias not been carried out In the oil Industry. • -o Studies Successor To Sen. Van Nuys Peru Attorney May Be Possible Choice Indianapolis. Jan. 26 (UP! — Governor Schricker is studying a growing list of Hoosier* eligible to appointment a* interim successor of Senator Frederick Van Nuys. Some political observer* believe that the governor will step outside the capital political ranks in making the sele<tion. Peru attorney Harvey Cote is thought to In- a likely appointee should the chief executive ignore his clo.-e advisors In tho choice The appointee will serve until next November 7 when voters will •elect a person to fill Van Nuy*' unexpire*! term. Incidentally, the record* »how that since 1916 Indiana governors have made two United States senatorial apfw»lntmeiits to replace men who died In office Governor Samuel Raloton appointed Thoma* TaggaC to replace Senator Benjamin Shively in 1916 And Gov. Edward Jackson seleeted Arthur Robinsmi to fill the vacancy when Senator Ralston died in office In 1925. Blame* War Tension Washington Jan 26 —• lUPI — Dr George Calver — called the (Turn To Paas 1 Cola*** l» Wanted 10 Tons of Scrap Paper Your waste paper •• needed and all you have to do is tie it in bundle* or put it in carton* and place it along th* curb in front of your house Saturday morning. The oty wide pick up will atart *ariy. City and county truck* will be uoed and th* Boy Scout* will help. Do net put out your tm can* thi* Saturday. Th* latter co'iection will be made later. The appeal ia mad* ta every family to part,e<pat* in thia w**t* paper drtv*. Rh,l Sauer, chairman, *ay* Decatur should deliver at least 10 ton* of old paper* and magazines

Buy War Savinas Bonds And Stamps

Price Three Cenh

Argentine Leaders Accuse Germany And Japan As Guilty Os Aggressive Actions By United Pres* Argentina broke with Germany and Japan today cutting the last Axis link with the western hemisphere. Argentinti president Ramirez and foreign minister Gilberto took to the radio to explain 'he break. Both a, , used the German* and Japanese of aggression against Argentina of insulting the Argentine people — and exposing the nation to great risk by organizing a huge espionage network on Argent inn soil. The Japanese and German ambassadors in Buenos Aire* are being handed their pas-port*. Scores, perhaps hundred*, of Nazi agents of various nationalities are Iteing rounded up and thrown in Jail. And Jubilant crowd* *r<» thronging the street* of Bueno* Aire* hailing the break. There are repercu-slon* all over the world The Germans are glum —broadcasting the announcement of the break without comment. Washington and laindon are Jubilant. In Asuncion, capital of Paraguay, there has been a sudden attempt at a revolutionary coup. But whether It has any real bear. Ing on the Argentine situation, or was a mere coincidence. isn't clear. The Paraguayan government says the uprising was crashed easily and that one revolutionary was killed. The coup was attempted by ait outlawed liberal party, described as supporting strong hemispheric solidarity. Another matter that may be a coincidence or may be connected with Argvirtlna’s decision is tho formal apology to Britain made today by Spanish dictator Franco’d ambassador to London forth« Valencia orange incident. That's the case in which time bomba were found In a shipload of Spanish orange* arriving in England—placed there by Axis -abotenr*. The Spanish ambassador, the Duke of Alba, says Spain will take every prei aution to prevent a n* currence of such act*. • The duke adds that suspected lalHtleiirs including — have been arrested. And he promises that German national* will ln> made to leave Spanish (tor's where sabotage to ship* iHttind for England could Im- attempted. In Washington, secretary of state Hull said he was glad to hear Argentina had broken with Germany and Japan Bu* he parrled a question as to whether the United Stales might relent now and recognize the new Bolivian (Turn To Pag* X. Column >» Five Women Burned To Death At Chicago Five Bodies Found In Plant Washroom Chicago. Jan 26 —(UP! — Firemen found the bodies of five women war worker* huddled In a washroom of the Lion Manufacturing company early today A Ore drove 400 worker* from the plant late last night. But tho dead women were not discovered until flrrtnen and police entered the charred ruiu* of the oaoqfforF building to Investigate the blase Five other women escaped ft out the washroom when the Are brok<* out. Th«-y ged to the roof and were roacued by flremen The other Eve apparently were In an adJoining locker r<xm and found their escape blot -bed by flame* The victim* were: Mr*. Mildred Gabriel. Mm Ella Covey. Mr* Vk. tori* Gorke. Mr* Anna Golkk aud Mr*. Valerie Kurdl* Oflkiala oatitoale damage <• th* war plant a* 525.M* FBI ageats are Inveatigattng the raw of the •re Worinn any a vat of alt burst into flame*, which spread rapidly to other ci! vat* and then • wept thrvsflh the building.