Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 August 1940 — Page 1
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VOLUME 52—NUMBER 127
Waves of 500 Bombers to Sweep Isles, British Warned
STATE CROP LOSS PASSES $1,000,000
BLOW MAY COME ‘WITHIN 2 WEEKS;
READY,” SA
SAY NAZIS
Light Troop-Carrying Ships Expected to Strike All Way From Baltic; Guns Mounted on French Coast.
LONDON, Aug. 6 (U. P.)
that they must expect that soon, perhaps within two weeks, | Germany would send bombing planes over the country in|
.—Britons were warned today
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1940
Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis, Ind.
‘Best Production Expert’
And Vice President Sent Here.
By SAM TYNDALL The high command of General Motors has taken over personal direction of the rapidly expanding Allison Engineering plant, it was learned today. R. K. Evans, G. M. vice president, 'has moved to Indianapolis and will 'supervise Allison activities “indefinitely.” Fred C. Kroeger, whom G. M. con-
waves of as many as 500 each in an attempt to force its sub- gigers one of the finest production
mission to Adolf Hitler.
In articles which were believed to have been inspired by authoritative sources, the newspapers under blazing head- Allison's manager. returns to his
the German air
lines said it was believed officially that force had nearly completed its reorganization, and that an attempt to invade the British Isles was likely to come both from Baltic and English Channel ports. (At Ghent, Belgium, a German Air Marshal told foreign correspondents “we are to strike with the unpredicta-
bility of lightning” when the Reports were published that German troops, detailed for an invasion attempt, were training in distant Baltic areas as they had done for the invasion of Norway, and activity was reported at both Dutch and Belgian ports.
It was suggested that Germany could send light troop-carrying ships all the way from Baltic ports to Britain under favorable weather conditions. The Royal Air Force was known to be keeping close watch on -ll German concentration points and
it was believed that British planes]
would be able to give timely warning if and when actual German troop movements were start. !,
Completing Work on Gums
Royal Air Force authorities were reported to be convinced that a German plan to use glider-towing planes for any attack on Britain would be feasible, But they were understood to believe that any glid-er-trailers would be used rather to supply troops who might have effected a landing than to land troops themselves. The usually well informed aeronautical correspondent of the London Times, discussing the )ossibility of invasion, said: “Those who should be in position to form a sound judgment think that an attempt may be made within the next week or two. . . . There are rumors of activity in Norway, where some Italian troops are believed to have been sent are being mounted at intervals all along the north coast of France in positions from which they could be used to bombard our southern defense or to attack British forces in the Channel. The guns are not quite ready but the work which remains to be done would not take long.” Urges Britain to Attack
Typical newspaper 1cadlines were: “Germany replacing air losses; building up resources for big attack”; “R. A. PF. stands by for mass air raids”; Five hundred bomber raids expected”; “Why Hitler has waited so long.” The News Chronicle, organ of the Liberal Party, urged editorially that Britain itself take the offensive: “Sortie: against the enemy coast line in France wouid distrac: and disorganize Nazi preparations, give British prestige a fresh lift the world over and make everyone here at home happy without disturbing defense plans. Can not it be done?”
‘We Are Ready,’ Says Nazi Air Marshal
GHENT, Belgium, Aug. 6 (U. P.). Germany's air fleet is ready ior the offensive against Great Britain and—when the word is given—will attack with “the unpredictability of lightning,” Field Marshal Albert Kesserling told foreign correspondent on a Nazi-conducted tour along the English Channel coast. Gen. Kesserling, commander-in-chief of Air Fleet No. 2, rules the German planes based on teri.tory from the Danish front to the Seine River, opposite the British Isles. Only the time ‘or the attack (Continued on Page Three)
TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES
veerae 15 . 14 10 6 11 10 10 3 10 7
[Obituaries ... 13 Pegler ... Pyle .. Questions .... Radio . Mrs. Roosevelt Scherrer .. Serial Side Glances. Society ..... 10 Sports ..... 12, 4 State Deaths. 10 Travel News..
Comics Crossword Editorials .... Fashions .... Financial .... Flynn Forum ..eeees In Indpls..... Inside Indpls. Jane Jordan.. Johnson ..... Movies ...... Mrs. Ferguson
Crane
11
“en
a 9 Story.. 15 10 8, 1 13 13 7
Guns |
p {Tern products.”
word is given.)
ITALY LAUNCHES
|
“DRIVE IN AFRICA
Attacks on Somaliland and Egyptian Frontier Hint Big-Scale Operations. By JOE ALEX MORRIS
United Presy Foreign News Editor Italy struck at the British Empire in Africa today and Germany claimed continued success in attacks lon British shipping. Fascist armies on Sunday began an invasion of British Somaliland— an East African desert land of burning sun and widely spaced water holes—but faced well-organ-ized British land and air forces, a British communique at Caire stated. The Italians also reported they haa stabbed into the Egyptian frontier from Libya and defeated
which seemed to hint that big-scale
|attacks bv the Fascist forces were [imminent on several African fronts {in an effort to establish communi{cation with Italian Ethiopia and (eventually to control the Suez Canal. | Everywhere from Norway to | Gibraltar and on to the Red Sea, (there were further indications that | big-scale military operations would soon be In progress, but as yet dispatches from the war fronts re- | ported only preliminary operations. | A general offensive by the Axis | Powers directed at the British Isles for perhaps at the British Empire generally was the subject of speculation in London dispatches. Although British speculation appeared inspired by the Government {to keep the people alert and the German threats part of the Axis propaganda campaign, there was a general tendency to belief that the period of suspense could nct be maintained much longer by ether
(Continued oh Page Three)
WILLKIE ASKS FARM GAINS BE RETAINE
Opposes Change Unless a Better Way Is Found.
—Wendell L. Willkie, Republican nominee for President, said today he would favor retention of the present national farm program “unlege a better one is evolved gradu- | ally.”
executives in the country, has become general manager. Otto T. Kruesser, for three years
specialty—experimental work and [training—as a special assistant to both Mr. Evans and Mr. Kroeger.
Comes From Delco-Remy
Mr. Evans came here several weeks ago to direct the person el changes and Mr. Kroeger, who for 11 years has been head of G. M.'s Delco-Remy plants throughout Indiana, arrived yesterday to assume his new duties. Dozens of important production executives from the various Gener..1 Motors subsidiaries in other parts of the United States, have been joining the Allison division during the last
eight weeks.
All of «this, it was understood today, signals a giant speed-up campaign to produce Allison warplane motors in mass quantities. Allison's production has been bottle-necked at various spots and these difficulties are rapidly being ironed out, it was reported.
Expansion Unconfirmed
|side. The time, place and methods |
DES MOINES, Ia., Aug. 6 (U. P)).|
Part of Allison's difficulties have ‘been traced to the precision work necessary and the delays inherent jin such work. Another phase of | Allison's difficulties has been in its construction work and still another lin an acute lack of trained ma|chinists. Rumors that Allison plans to ex\pand its present plants here re\mained unconfirmed. Allison's investment now is more than $15,000,[000 in plants and equipment. The British and American Governments already have more than {local concern. Each motor costs 1 $25,000. Additions Under Way
There are three separate plants at present. The main production unit on W. 10th St. is the newest And nearing completion at this plant is a $2,000,000 addition. | Additions also are being made to
{the two other plants, which sit on |
|opposite sides of Main St. in Speed(way City. | What Allison intends to de in {plant expansion “depends upon the |War Department,” said Mr. Krues(ser today. “That, of course, is what |we are preparing for.” “This has now become General | Motors’ most important unit.”
Praises Successor
He said that Mr. Kroeger was«an expert in mass production. “I am nnt as well qualified,” he (said. "I can do far more good in my specialty.” Mr. Kroeger, he added, has 28 years of production experience. The Allison plants now employ 4500 workers. Work on the motors started experimentally several years ago and the factories have mush{roomed from the first small experimental plant to the present $15,000,{000 cluster of modern factories—one of Indianapolis’ major industries.
EX-PREMIER OF BURMA HELD RANGOON, Burma, Aug. 6 (U. P)—Dr. B. A. Maw, Burma's first Premier under the existing Constitution, was arrested today under the defense of Burma regulations.
War on S
Mr. Willkie conferred yesterday with about 60 Midwestern agricultural leaders from 10 states pre- =
paratory to writing the farm sections of the acceptance speech he
will deliver at Elwood, Ind., Aug. 17.! He boarded a plane today for his
| return to a Colorado vacation, | “I wish to repeat what I said privately at the conference yesterday: That if elected President I will not take away any of the benefits
gained by agriculture during the
past few years.
“I do not favor changing the o | present farm program unless a bet- TE
ter one is gradually evolved. In
addition, I recognize, as farm lead- |:
lers have recognized, that the wel- | fare of agriculture requires indus[trial recovery, too. I shall, therefore, exert myself to the utmost as President to create new jobs in the
|cities and thereby produce more
purchasing power for
a
American |
BACKS FBI WIRE-TAPPING
| WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (U. P.).— The House today passed and sent to (the Senate a bill authorizing wire {tapping by the FBI as a national |defenge measure.
It was 140 degrees Fahrenheit—and no shade—along the Egyptian frontier today.
R. K. Evans... in general charge.
=
Fred C. Kroeger ... plant manager.
Otto T. Kruesser , . trains experts.
TWO PCT. CLUB WILL CONTINUE
Jackson Says He Was Told Contributions Are 0. K.
If ‘Voluntary.’
By DANIEL M. KIDNEY Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.— Two Per Cent Club collections will con-
tinue at the Indiana State House
| “on a voluntary basis” despite the Hatch Law, Frank Finney, president, announced here following informal conferences on the subject with Justice Department officials. { Mr. Finney is one of eight :se-
i iected by Governor Townsend to
| represent Indiana at a two-day | meeting of State and Federal offi-
(a British unit in a patrol action, $30,000,000 in orders placed with the | cials to discuss subversive activities.
| The méeting was called by Atty. Gen. Robert H. Jackson.
Supports Minton's Stand
Although the Two Per Cent Club was not listed among the “subversive activities” to be discussed, both | Mr. Finney and Samuel Jackson, | Indiana Attorney General, did dis- | cuss the matter privately. . “Of course the Federal Attorney General could give us no official opinion in the matter,” State Attorney General Jackson explained. “He is bound by law to render such opinions only upon requests from Federal officials. “But from both Mr. Jackson and his deputies we have gathered enough information to know that contributions can be made to any political party without violating the Hatch Law.” Both Mr. Jackson and Mr. Finney emphasized, however, that such contributions must be made in a “voluntary manner.”
Situation ‘Summed Up’
Senator Sherman Minton (D. Ind.), who repeatedly has defended this installment plan of making party payments on the Senate floor, always has contended that they were “voluntary.” Senator Carl A, Hatch (D. N. M) has said that if such is truly the case they certainly are not banned by his law. Summing up the situation, one of the visiting Hoosiers said: “All we have to do is to force the State employees to make these voluntary contributions.”
hifting.
Is U. S. Taking
Simms Finds Many South This is the second of a series is just back from a tour of South Seripps-Howard
home and at the same time protec muda, the West Indies, Mexico, "Ce
in Too Much
With Its Monroe Doé¢trine?,
Americans Resentful Over
Implied Need for Further ‘Protection.’
of dispatches by Mr. Simms, who American capitals by air.
By WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
Foreign Editor
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.—Can Uncle Sam defend himself here at
t Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Berntral and South America, likewise
| the Philippines and the open door policy in the Far East?
Many South Americans are asking this question. club nessmen and others down there who were born in the States. today | beginning to wonder if perhaps Uncle Sam isn't icluding a lot of terri- |
0. K, FOR GUARD BILL EXPECTED
Senate Is Ready to Act While Debate on Draft Becomes Intense.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (U P). —The Senate was expected to give quick approval today to a bill empowering President Roosevelt to mobilize the National Guard and the military reserves for extended training, probably for one year. The Senate met to act on this national defense measure as the de-| bate on conscription grew more in-| tense. Meanwhile, the House Military Affairs Committee after a heated session voted 11 to 10 against hearing further witnesses on the conscription bill. A motion was offered to hear testimony from Gen. John J. Pershing, former Secretary of War Harry Woodring, former Assistant Secretary of War Louis Johnson, Gen. Hugh S. Johnson and Lieut. Gen. |Hugh A. Drum, commander of the First Army. Rep. Charles I. Faddis (D. Pa.), a former Army officer, denounced | those favoring the motion as Fifth | Columnists. Rep. Dewey Short (R. Mo.) retorted that “our patriotism |is just as good as yours.” | Majority Leader Alben W. Bark- | ley said he saw no reason why the| | mobilization bill couldn't be passed | | by night. There was a possibility of | it being approved without a record | (Continued on Page Three) |
replacing tans, invaded Somaliland and battled British soiiers like these on the blistering desert sands.
»
fog
co hd on
Also many busiThey are
tory in his defense plans. And some of them, at least, are convinced that it might be wise to reconsider the problem raised by the Monroe Doctrine. These point out that the whole
PRICE THREE CENTS
every additional day without This was the estimate who said that the situation is
G.M. High Command Takes Over at Allison, G. M. High Command Takes Over at Allon, EYPERTS FEAR
DROUGHT CRISIS MIMILAR TO "36
Yields of Corn, Soybeans, Apples, Potatoes And Vine Crops Curtailed; Milk Flow Reduced; County Tomatoes Hard Hit.
By JOE COLLIER The heat and drought already have reduced Indiana’s farm income this year by more than a million dollars and
relief adds to the total. today of agricultural experts
approaching the drought cisis «
of 1936 when Hoosier farm losses finally were computed by, Purdue University experts at several million dollars. Yields of field and sweet corn, soybeans, tomatoes, ap= ples, potatoes, vine crops and beans already have been definitely cut in most sections and the milk flow in heat and drought areas is both reduced and inferior.
un ” ”
NO COOLER, NO RAIN FOREGAST
Feeney and Firemen Watch Grass Fires, Fearing Property Loss.
LOCAL TEMPERATURES Ga.m. ...." 13 1am. .... “am .... 9% 1am 8a.m.... 78 12 (noon). 9a m..... 9 1 p.m...
No rain was forecast today by the | Weather Bureau as the danger of grass fires in the City and County reached a critical stage. | ‘Tomorrow will be about the same | temperature as today, the bureau
In some sections of the state, including Marion County, farmers already are cone sidering cutting the corn ‘green for silage and probably 'will begin this work by the first of next week if there is
Ino rain in the meantime. | There are, however, some couns Ities in the state which have no$ felt the drought at all, but have been visited occasionally by local thundershowers. In these fortunate counties, farmers report crops in good shape and holding up well under the heat. Purdue observers said that ju the drought areas much of the corn probably will not' ear out at all, and much of the remainder will produce only nubbin ears. In Marion County [the yield has been reduced already |by 10 bushels to the acre, accounting [for a cash loss of $200,000, Horace | Abbott, agricultural agent, estie | mates. :
Tomatoes in most sections are sun
international setup is a vastly dif-|said, and tonight and tomorrow will |scalded and afflicted with blossom=
ferent thing from what it was in 1823 when Canning and Monroe brought forth the Monroe Doctrine.
Then a powerful and going Britain |the grass fire menace, which so far]
be fair. | city firemen and Sheriff Al | Feeney gave increased attention to
end rot and cannot be harvested for the canning. Under good weath« er conditions future pickings may
|be salable, but the year's pack rle
was interested in maintaining the has resulted in no property loss but ready has been definitely .ecuced,
status quo in the Western world. Then, too, the Latin American states were young and helpless. Today several of these states have grown up. They resent any suggestion of “protection” at the hands of the United States. I pointed out to an Argentine friend that this protection is tendered without any quid pro quo. “Heck,” he said, or words to that effect, “we never asked you for protection, free or otherwise. Moreover, it is seriously to be doubted that the United States ever could have protected us from any real threat of aggression or that it could do: so now.” Observing my look of (Continued on Page Three)
3 OHIOANS KILLED. IN CRASH AT MARION
MARION, Ind, Aug. 6 (U. P.).— Three Columbus, O., residents were killed and a fourth ically, near here today when their car crashed into a heavy truck transport at the junction of State Roads 9 and 22. Dead were Henry Igell and his wife, Mary E. Igell, and William B. Buck. Matthew Loney, 31, son of Mrs. Igell, suffered a fractured skull, fractured leg and possible internal injuries and was not expected to live.
Desert Sands—at 140 Degrees
Even so, Italian troops, with the Libyan camel corps
injured |
injured crit-|
[threatens to do so. The situation had become so serious today that Sheriff Feeney is seeking the loan of some makeshift apparatus to be on call from the county garage, and the County Commissioners have promised him they will try to buy some secondhand apparatus.
City Unable to Help
Two grass fires in the county nearly got away from deputy sheriffs and neighbors yesterday and a church and several homes were threatened. One fire started at Ray- | mond St. and Arlington Ave. and had made considerable headway when deputies arrived. They called for aid but the City Fire Department said it was not authorized to go into the county to fight a fire. Sheriff Feeney ‘went to the scene and discovered that a | frame church was in the direct path {of the blaze. | He called Mayor Sullivan at his ‘home and told him of the situation, then called Leroy J. Keach, Safety Board president. By the time a township pumper had arrived, eight (Continued on Page Three)
SHIP RADIOS SOS; GULF STORM SHIFTS
150 - Mile - an - Hour Wind Turns to Northwest.
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 6 (U.P) .— The 3475-ton Greek freighter Oropos, caught in a severe tropical storm ,sweeping northwestward across the Gulf of Mexico, reported early today she was “out of command” and was in urgent need of assistance, The vessel, with 30 men aboard, had been unreported for many hours and the Coast Guard had dispatched cutters to her last reported position—about 65 miles south of Southwest Pass to the Mississippi River. In what the U. S. Weather Bu-~ reau kere said was an unofficial report, the center of the storm was located today at Grand Isle, west of the river mouth. Winds were reported still 50 to 60 miles an hour, end the report said the storm may hit in the Morgan City, La., sector. The Bureau said the center of the storm had switched from Burwood to Grand Isle, a distance of about 90 miles, in five hours. The storm had been moving northeastward across the gulf, put last night it shifted suddenly northwestward. Storm warnings were ordered west of Morgan City, La. to Galveston,
Tex.
the_ experts say, Marion County's annual cash income from tomatoes in around $350,000.
Berry Vines Damaged
Soybeans are holding up better than the corn, but the growth of this crop has been stunted and weeds now are beginning to overe haul them in growth with a tene dency to smother them out. Lima and green beans intended for packing have been damaged, Some blossoms have fallen off withe out setting the fruit with a resultant material reduction in yield. Sweet corn is reported firing in drought and heat areas and the vine crops—cucumbers, pickles, etc.—are sun scalded and not salable to packers, and late gardens were reported badly affected. Even potatoes, which have held up well until now, are now reported to be damaged. Their development is arrested and they probably will be |smaller than normal. Likewise, the growth of apples {has been arrested and there prob |ably will be a reduction in the size lof the crop and the size of the fruit, Drought damage has even exe tended into next year. Gardeners report that strawberry vine runners have been stunted in growth with the result that the yield next year will be cut,
Some Bright Spots
| The volume of milk from dairy herds has been reduced, some places as much as by one half, and the butter fat content has slipped, Pure due observers reported. There are bright spots in the pice { ture, however. Farmers who have | sedam grass and other drought- | resisting pasture crops have had | better milk flow than those having
{only the ordinary pastures. .
| Also, hybrid corns have proved much more hardy and, if worst | comes to the worst, will make more and better silage than the open | pollenated varieties. Those farmers who did not cut their alfalfa and clover probably will realiza -ome cash income from their : 2d, since conditions have been very favorable to the seed crops.
GOVERNOR BECOMES
GRANDFATHER AGAIN
Governor M, Clifford Townsend was a grandfather again today. A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs, Max Townsend yesterday at Cole= man Hospital and was described by the Governor's son as “the finest baby ever born.” The Governor went to the hos«" pital today to verify the description and returned to the State House
| saying “it certainly is a fine baby.” three other . £ .
The Governor has grandchildren.
3