Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 May 1941 — Page 1
FORECAST Clear 3 artly cloudy’ and continued » warm thls. GS fromoti, wonight and tinorron, temperature this afternoon’ abit 90, Ya
| SCRIPPS ~ HOWARD | VOLUME 53—NUMBER 66
"TUESDAY, MAY 27; 1941
. Ente ered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis,’ ‘Ind, -
PRICE THREE CENTS ‘|
rp
TAKENO WAR STEP? PLEA OF "ISOLATIONISTS
Group Plans National Referendum As President Extends Tonight’s Fireside Chat to 45 Minutes.
By LYLE C. WILSON United Press Staff Correspondent
~ WASHINGTON, Stephen Early indicated today that President Roosevelt will ‘outline American foreign policy in detail in his Fireside Chat tonight. The speech will be extended 15 minutes longer than previously anticipated to 45 minutes. He will go on the air at 8:30 p. m. (Indianapolis Time).
“On the speech,” Mr. Early said, “I think you can say
that by Wednesday morning there will no longer be any
doubt as to what the national policy of this Government is.” Mr. Early asked radio networks, which previously had
granted the President 30 minutes for tonight’s address, to.
give him an additional 15 minutes. ‘ He explained that as the speech was being completed, the President found that he could not compress what he wants to say into half an
May 27.—White House Secretarpl
hour. 4500 words. : /
The President cancelled all engagements today, includ-;-
ing his press conference, to concentrate on final preparation of the address, which all evidence indicates may be historically decisive. Mr. Early’s .disclosures came as congressional isolationists challenged Administration foreign policy
with a plan for national “peace or war” referendum. They also addressed a go-slow appeal to Mr. Roosevelt. In a letter they urged him to give renewed assurances that “you will take no step likely to involve this country in war.” Mr. Roosevelt was being assisted in preparing his speech by Harry L. Hopkins, Judge Samuel I. Rosenman of the New York State Supreme Court and Playwright Robert E. Sherwood. My. Early said that one factor in the preparation of the address had been Mr, Roosevelt's effort to study as much as possible the tremendous volume of letters and telegrams pouring into the White House. He said ' that ‘there were from 12,000 to 14,000 letters and tele--grams. Most of them suggesting policy for tonight’s speech. They varied over the extreme range from - full support of the President’s policies, to rabid opposition. The isolationist “war or peace” Continued on Page Five)
Entire World Will Listen
WASHINGTON, May 27 (U. P.). — Elaborate preparations / ‘have been made to broadcast President Roosevelt’s speech to the entire world tonight. All radio networks in the United States will carry the speech starting at 8:30 p. m (Indianapolis Time). The National Broadcasting Co. and the Columbia Broadcasting System have arranged : to shortwave the President's remarks around the world in seven languages — German, Italian, French, Spanish, Polish, Jugoslav, and Portuguese. Britons will be able to hear Mr. Roosevelt's own voice in rebroadcast of the speech.
and Portuguese will be. shortwaved to South America. Canada will be cut in directly. Translations will be rebroadcast by shortwave to Europe tomorrow - during periods at which the largest audiences are available.
TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES
Clapper seve 13 Mrs. Ferguson 14 Comics seeees 23 Obituaries ese 7 d see 22 Pegler sescsse 14 Editorials cece 14 Pyle ®sccsvcce 13 Financial .... 10 {Questions .... 13 Flynn 14 | Radio ° 6
In Indpls.....
Inside Indpls. Jane Jordan..
essvsen sess
3|Serial Story.. 23 13 Side Glances. 14 H Society s..... 16 4 | Sports 18,19
14 |Mrs. Roosevelt 13|¢e
As a result the wordage will approximate 4000 to
KNUDSEN Vrs ALLISON PLANT
Arrives Unexpectedly, Talks
Production and Priorities With Officials. ™
By SAM TYNDALL - William S. Knudsen, the nation’s defense production czar, dropped in unexpectedly at the Allison plant today to inspect new facilities and discuss priorities. The director general of the Office of Production Management flew into Indianapolis at 9:30 a. m. in an Army transport from Chicago. where he made an address last night. It was Mr. Knudsen’s first visit to the Allison Division of General Motors since he: resigned as General
Motors head to take charge of the nation’s defense production efforts.
Into Huddle Immediately
He was accompanied by severa? Air Corps officers, and after arriving at Allison’s Plant No. 3, he went into a huddle with R. K. Evans, in charge of General Motors’ engine division, and F. C. Kroeger, Allison’ S general manager. Mr. Knulsen asked the Allison executives about the plant’s experience under the new priorities setup. Mr. Evans and Mr. Kroeger also gave Mr. Knudsen an outline of Allison’s productionfiguresand then showed the Production chief through Plant No. 4, the Division’s newest unit. Plant 4, located south of Plant 3, has not been equipped completely with machine tools, but small scale production in the new building is reported to be underway. Mr. Knudsen, who was wearing a conservative blue suit; grey homburg hat and his charteristic blackribboned pincenez glasses, declined to give a formal statement Jon his visit, other than to say he came to Indianapolis because the opportunity presented itself since he was returning to Washington from Chicago. He said the inspection was “routine.”
MERCURY CLIMBING BACK TO 90 TODAY
LOCAL TEMPERATURES 6a m...73 10 a. m.... 84 79a. m= .% 11 a. m.... 86 8a. m...7 12 (noon).. 87 9 a. m... 83 1p m...88
It's not often the the Weatherman goes way out on a limb. But at 9 a. m. today he said the jempergiure this afternoon would
Clip this out and check him up.
WINANT TO FLY HOME’
- LONDON, May 27 (U. P).—U. S. Ambassador John : G. Winant will fly to the United States before the f the week to discuss the war tion : with President Rogsevelt, it "was learned tonight. He will be accompanied by Ben Cohen of In-
Johnson:
evese
diana, Embassy adviser and New | side
\D.R. To Dispel
-
Fo repre! We're i Salles . ‘ J reas 3 . Hershey Claims WASHINGTON, May 27 (U. P.).. Brig. Gen. Lewis ‘B. Hershey, deputy director of selective service, told the National ‘Nutrition Con= ference : today-' that “we are physically in a condition of which
we nationally, should be thorough- : ly ashamed.”
men of the 1,000,000 examined for selective service have heen rejected as physically unfit. “America needs ‘whole men, not half-men,” he said. *
§ MAY TRY TODAY FOR RACE VACANCIES
3 Places Remain as Durant \ And Chitwood Qualify.
(Photo, Another Story, Page 18) -
Six drivers may take the track this afternoon for the “squeeze” play which’ will fill the last three starting positions. for the 500-mile Memorial Day classic. The qualification time was set for 3 to 7 p. m., with the possibility that
if any drivers haven’t made: their
10-mile trial runs another qualifications period may be held tomorrow. The 29th and 30th places in the starting field or 33 were filled yesterday afternoon when Joie Chitwood and Louis Durant qualified their mounts. The latter’s time of 116.152. is. the slowest. of the quali-
pushed out if the final lineup shows 33 faster. qualifiers. Chitwood’s
¥ |speed was 120.29.
SPENDING TOPS 11 BLLION
WASHINGTON, May 27 (U. P.). —Federal expenditures for the current fiscal year, have passed $11,000,000,000. Treasury figures showed today. The balance sheet for May
date at $11,002,296,053 compared with $8,481,488,378 on the same ay last year.
LANSING, KAN., May 27 (U. P.). —Five dangerous, long-term convicts escaped today from Kansas State Penitentiary, in what Warden M. F. Amrine: described as the most “amazing and ingenious” break in the history ‘of the penitentiary. They made their escape by dig-
wall of a shaft in the prison’ coal mine. ' They tunneled into ‘a concrete sewer pipe and’ after crawling 175-feet through the pipe they broke out of it and dug up 10 feet to freedom. Warden Amrine said the men
a year. Each time they
Gen Heérshéy said that 400,000
fiers ‘and he will be the first to be cause the division of ‘traffic. en-
24 listed expenditure sas of that|
ging. a 30-foot tunnel behind the|
ad worked on their escape ne men had ‘ probably a W dug in; the horizontal shaft in the 1 of the. mine they ;
SET! BRD HAS FINAL SAY
uitiamed
{Tells New: Safety Engineer
His ‘Capacity Will Be “Advisory.”
The Safety Board made it clear today that any new ideas which James E. Loer, newly -appointed City traffic manager, may have on traffic definitely will be subject 0 the Board’s approval. Mr. Loer was introduced to’ the «| Board members this morning by City Engineer! M. G. Johnson. and the theory was that .a ‘working. arTangement was to be discussed so that Mr. Loer may begin operating immediately. After the initial round of: hand-| shaking,” Mr. Loer was informed Board members that he would eo ceive all the co-operation necessary. from the Police and’ Signal Departments, but that it was up to the Safety Board ‘to say yes or no” to any recommendations he - might, make. Most of the discussion revolved about the question of whether traffic recommendations coming from Police Chief Michael ‘F. Morrissey. should be submitted first to Mr. Loer for his approval and then sent to the Board for the final O. K. —or whether the Chief should make his recommendations to the Board, which would then consult with Mr. Loer. Throughout most: of ‘this ‘debate, Mr. Loer sat silent. It also was pointed out that be-
~
gineering is not a full-fledged department, and hence was’ not created by the ‘Legislature, Mr. Loer would have no executive authority. In his capacity as traffic engineer, he would assume merely an advisory role. At the close . of the discussion, Safety Board President LeRoy J. Keach said: “Well, we certainly_are glad to have you anc it will be a pleasure to 20-onetts with you and keep you busy.”
Five Kansas Convichs Crawl to Freedom After Spending Year to Tunnel Prison Mine
shaft wall so hat rl funnel would -not bg d ‘The State Hig a ‘Patrol and county officer's throughout ‘Northeastern 'Kansas and surrounding
states worked with meagre clués in|dirt,” said. - carried it out, ie bye thet
made their break. during the night, their search. The prisoners, who
had a start of at:least sn hour. The : officers : know only that the| men had fled in a dark green auto
which belcnged to Fred Lashmet, a mine guard. , All of the men were in prison for capital crimes and all had there for mors ‘than nine years. _ They were Lloyd Sawir, murderer; robber; ‘Frank
been |
us. 5. May a Old Aluminum
WASHINGTON, May 27. a. P.). —The: Office ‘of Production Management indicated today that a nationwdie drive ‘may be: started soon to. collect wron-out. aluminum pans, pots, kettles,” washing machine parts and other household articles for use in manufacture of war materials. ~# The OPM said that a “sample” collection campaign of that na- | ture in Virginia and Wisconsin will be started Friday.
SEEK PLAN TO TEACH RELIGION IN SCHOOLS
Need Church Agreement, Official Says.
The | ‘State Department. of: Public Instruction is seeking, With: the aid of church groups, to work out a plan for the teaching of religion. in all Indiana public schools, Ellis H. Bell, assistant superintendent, _announced today. 3
“We fell that religion ought" to be taught as a way ‘of life. We think that it is just as important as teaching civics, which deals with, democracy as a way of government,” Mr. Bell said. The assistant su perintendent said that a workable Sper would have to be agreed to by all church groups before it‘ would be adopted by the department and placed into effect ; Continued ‘on Page Five)
REP. FISH: ORDERED INTO ARMY SERVICE
WASHINGTON, May 27. (w. PJ). —Rép. ‘Hamilton Fish (R. N. Y.), outspoken “critic: of the Administration, today was ordered to active duty by the Army. He holds the rank of. colonel in the specialists’ reserve. : Rep. Fish will go on duty “with his consent” on Fu 3 1, reporting to Ft. Brags, N. O C., for training. He| will be on active duty: one moth
mystery to him how they had been able to. work in the shaft and not be affected by mine damp. “Another thing that is puzzling is haw they were ‘able. to. Femove ngve the ve
pockets and - sifted «i
aun tin.
oer AMI | CRETE RETREAT
War Hits Trip-Hammer Speed; Royal Navy Loses Six Warships.
" By UNITED PRESS Blows and counter-blows on a war front stretching from the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean and on to East Africa ahd Iraq fell with trip-hammer speed today during one of the most momentous days of the European conflict. - Highlights, besides the sinking of ‘the Bismarcky included: 1. German forces still landing by air on Crete and probably using airborne tanks, suffered big casualties but smashed a deeper hole in Brit-
|ish lines in their offensive from
Malemi, on western. Crefe, toward Canea and Suda Bay, forcing the British Imperials (also. being : reinforced) to fall back to new positions. Fighting continued furiously. 2. The British ' Admiralty an-
[nounced the loss of two cruisers and
four destroyers and the damaging of two battleships and other cruisers in the battle around Crete, but asserted that no major sea-borne Axis - fsinforsements had broken the naval screen around e island and that British naval rein in the Mediterranean was relatively unimpaired. - Royal Air Force pilots attacking the Germans at Crete reported - shooting .down more than five filled air transports and the damaging of more than 100 other transports, while ‘the Navy ‘sank two small sea transports loaded with German troops and two enemy speed boats. 3. German submarines were credited by Berlin with. sinking 14 enemy merchant ships totalling Continued on Page Five)
FRANCE TO RETAIN FLEET, U.S. TOLD
Vichy Pledge Delivered to
. State Department.
WASHINGTON, May 27 (U. P.) — French Ambassador Gaston HenriHaye delivered to the State Department today a note from the Vichy government renewing pledges that France would not surrender her fleet or her colonial empire to the Germans. Henri-Haye said the note was intended to assure the. United States
such had been the stand Vichy hy Soreminent during
-(can win wars.
.|sent the Bismarck io
HALF OF F LEET “OCEAN BA 11 )
~ In France After U. S.-Built Plane Spots Fleeing Ship. War News on Inside Pages Gas May Be Nazi Tool. : Drafting of New 21-Year-Olds.
‘Tension High For F. D. R. Talk.......... eo. Crete Eye-Witness Story ses sssensse testes ¥eusssaetastseansn eens
Page 37 3] a LW
Ca » A
Peevesesggrrsiiteieee cesar drs vnenevalivesserss wavs vert ovian ee
By JOE ALEX MORRIS ‘ United Press Foreign News Editor
The British Navy squared the account of the sunked battle cruiser Hood today by sending to the bottom the : pride of the German Navy, the Bismarck, possibly the most powerful dreadnaught ever built. The Bismarck, working: her guns to the end, went down] : 400 sea miles west of Brest, 1750 miles and 72 hours afte” the 42,100-ton Hood had vanished in a magazine ‘explosion | in the Straits of Denmark, between Greenland and Iceland, Death of the 35,000-ton Bismarck came at 11 a. m, today (3 a. m. Indianapolis Time). Fate of the crew of 1500 or more was not known. - Prime Minister Churchill made the announcement § : ¢ House. of Commons ons. and personally told how E tisk L: [sea and naval power fi ily: closed in upon the gt ‘German battleship and brought her to her end. ; It was a crippling loss for Germany’s high seas fleet of : capital ships, leaving her with oly. three dreadnaughty against Britain's 15. The British victory was an achievement for British | air and naval co-operation in which an American-made plane, : 3 a two-motored Consolidated bomber played the leading role:
Planned Raiding Expedition The Admiralty’s story of the naval conflict which hie torians may christen the Battle of the Denmark Straits began about a week ago when a British Hudson plang. spotted the Bismarck leaving Bergen, Norway. : ‘Big Sunderland seaplanes trailed the Bismarck and a escort, the 10,000-ton cruiser Prinz Eugen, north towards Iceland. A strong British battle force was ordered out to; ; meet and fight the Bismarck. > The Bismarck presumably had set off on a great raiding ; expedition against the rich British convoys which follo the northern route from Halifax, skirting Greenland and Iceland en route to the northwest passage down to- the: British Isles. ; The British cruisers Norfolk and Suffolk, both of about’ 10,000 tons, sighted the Bismarck Friday within about & miles of them in the Denmark Straits. They shadowed th great Nazi warship all night, while other British shi hurried to the scene. I ~~ -Saturday morning the Hood and -the new 85 000-tor’ Prince of Wales, as new as the Bismarck; contacted : Bismarck and. the battle began immediately.
Set Afire Once . The encounter was sharp but brief: The British shi sol the Birmarck afire. The Hood, however, was struck. an “unlucky hit” in her powder magazine and hte Prin of Wales was slightly damaged and forced to break off thé encounter. > "The great Hood, the heaviest dreadnaught afloat sinc her launching in 1920, vanished under the sea ina single lexplosion that is believed to have cost the lives of alme all her 1341 officers and men.
But that was only the beginning of the battle. ~The Norfolk and. Suffolk resumed their shadowing of
Birmarck and the Prinz Etigen. The German ships’ s (Continued on Page Five)
Today s War Moves
gi By United: Press War : ne mel ay Tr a Bet The loss ‘of the Bismarck is a severe blow to the inferior Ge fleet, far out of proportion to Britain’s loss of the Hood. What the engagement. between the. British and German dernonstrated is that surface sea power has not been made “ok J by the development of air power, but that the two are now inter as essential partners. ‘Neither alone :
It was gunfire from the Bismarck that sank the Hood.’ It was.the fire
"We Say Goodby Now | of British warships. Inat Sveniually
Jo the Land We'Ha
Known ..."
Turn Now To
Raymond Clepy 0! Page. 13
ths and that.