Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 May 1941 — Page 1

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FORECAST:

Fair tonight; partly cloudy tomorrow and Friday: continued warm.

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"VOLUME 53—NUMBER' 67

Germans Capture Crete’s

F.D.R. MAY USE NAV ECONOMIC WAR C

RETREAT NOT

END OF FIGHT, BRITISH CLAIM

Reinforcements R Reach We: Axis Troops Retake Pass in Desert.

By JOE ALEX MORRIS United Press Foreign News Editor America was seen by European belligerents as moving closer to undeclared war to aid Great Britain today at an hour when Axis military forces claimed important triumphs on the island of Crete and in western Egypt in the Battle of the Eastern Mediterranean. In Crete, the German High Command said that Nazi forces striking from the western end of the island had taken Canea, the capital, after stiff fighting and pursued the British south of Suda Bay while Luftwaffe dive bombers “hindered” British attempts to evacuate the. island. Report Ships Sunk Germany's air force also reported sinking four enemy ships in Suda Bay, damaging another and scoring hits on a 10,000-ton British cruiser, a destroyer and tanker south of

- Crete.

London and Cairo admitted withdrawal of British Imperials to new defense pesition in the Canea area and said the situation also was serious at Candia, on the central north coast. The British however, denied stories that they were evacuating the island with counter-claims that their forces were being peinforced. In North Africa, the Axis armies again stabbed across the Libyan border into Western Egypt, taking the battered town of Sollum and Hell Fire Pass. .

Big Battle Awaited

‘ The fact that Cairo said the British withdrawal in Western Egypt was “temporary” indicated that the main test was yet to come of whether this Nazi force could be

successfully halted as previous}

drives. The British reported continued progress in mopping up Italian forces in Ethiopa, where one entire Italian division was surrendering, and said that the military fronts were unchanged at Tobruk and in - Iraq. On the sea front, Britain reported that an enemy liner of about 18,000 tons carrying probably 3000 troops to North Africa had been torpedoed and that a French tanker of 5000 tons had been sunk despite an Italian warship escort, Two other enemy supply ships of 4000 and 5000 tons also were hit and probably sunk, the Admiralty said. British bombers scored direct hits on two nearby enemy merchant ships of 8000 to 10,000 tons and set them afire.

Search for Prinz Eugen

British warships and planes were pressing the search in the North Atlantic for the 10,000-ton German cruiser Prinz Eugen, which fled when the Royal Navy closed in Tuesday morning to sink the 35,000ton German battleship Bismarck. There were no definite reports of the progress of the search. The German High Command announced that Admiral Guenther Luetjens, his officers and crew, estimated at about 1400 men, went down with the Bismarck when the big Nazi dreadnaught was sunk more than 400 miles off Brest. o In the air, the British bombers raided Cologne for the 80th - time,

_ reportedly starting big fires in the

German Rhineland industrial center, while other bombers smashed at targets on the French coast.

” s »

Today s War

‘WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1941

apital,

Virtual War"

Senator Burton K. Wheeler E-4 ”n u

FOR STIRS FEAR, WHEELER SAYS

'Isolationist Has No Fear

Of Invasion; Answers ‘Chat’ Here Tonight.

By LOWELL NUSSBAUM

AIRPORT GETS NEW RUNWAYS

History to Make It ‘Finest’ in U. S.

By SAM TYNDALL The greatest single expansion of landing facilities in the 12-year history of the Municipal Airport was announced today.

Three miles of 150-foot wide concrete runways will be added to

in America,” according to I. J. (Nish) Dienhart, airport superintendent.

The runways will more than double present runway facilities and will be constructed within next three months under two separate WPA projects, the largest of which calls for expenditure of more than $630,000 of Federal defense funds set up under WPA.

New Lights Provided

The defense project funds which will build all but approximately 2000 of the total 15,840 feet extensions, were made available by the Federal Government for the Civil

Senator Burton K. Wheeler declared here today that President

Roosevelt's address last night was

a “virtual declaration of war.” Arriving to address a meeting sponsored by the America First Committee in Cadle Tabernacle tonight, the isolationist leader accused the President of creating fear. “The President,” ” he said, “talks about cold, hard facts and fear, but no man in America has tried to create fear in the minds of the American people more than he hiss ever since March 4, 1933.

Guided by Emotions

“He has done more to stir up class hatred and religious and racial bigotry than any other man. He has been guided entirely by emotions and sentiments.” “While he talks about Democracy, he has done more to disregard the fundamentals of democracy in America than any other President.” The Senator's address tonight, which will be devoted largely tc answering the President’s talk, will be broadcast over a national CBS hookup from 8:30 to 9 o'clock. Presiding at the meeting will be Dan W. Flickinger, World War captain. John W. Esterline, Indianapolis manufacturer, will introtiuce the Senator. During the day Senator Wheeler was to answer questions about the aims of America First and give his views on the war situation at three {Continyed on Page Six)

YOUTH WOUNDED BY POLICE DURING CHASE

Victim and 2 Others Held in Burglary: Attempt.

When he failed to obey a-police command to surrender, a 16-year-old youth was shot and critically wounded early today. The shooting occured in a vacant lot in the 800 block of E. 11th St. The wounded youth is in City Hospital. A bullet from the gun of Sergt. John Sullivan went through his abdomen. Police were called when a watchman reported he-saw three youths attempting to break into a poolroom at 1250 Roosevelt Ave, They captured two of the youths and Sergt. Sullivan shot the third when he refused to halt. Police charged all three with vagrancy and said two of them have been identified as the gunmen in two

filling station holdups last night.

Moves

By United fies: War Experts The value of naval power as a weapon to keep a nation: secure is

being put to the supreme test President Roosevelt declared not permit Germany to dominate hemisphere by strangling Britain. point of how Hitler is going to do Hitler is trying to do it by other methods which, while a strong Navy would still be an important factor, would not be all-important. Britain has staked much on naval power. Hitler is out to prove that she has staked too much. The progress of this conflict should indicate to the United States the offensive and defensive course which it must follow henceforth. | For centuries, Britain has re ed on the fleet as her bulwark,

protection against invasion and -

ay. in his Speech last night that we will

the seas and thus threaten this

The President did not expand on the ominate the seas with an inferior navy.

distant parts. That was how the far-flung British Empire “was built. Now the old formula is being challenged by new methods of warfare. Hitler not only built up the largest army on earth, but he mechanized and made it swiftly mobile; he supplemented it with the world’s greatest air force. He staked control of land and sky against surface control of the waters. ; He has further tried to offset sea

SOR) with the surreptitous subC Two,

station at the airport. The runways will be constructed on the 26€ acres leased by the City to the CAA. Included in the allotment are funds for a new runway and airport Se Mr. Di&l : ing with CA cials . pansion plans, said that formal approval of the project is expected from Washington this week. Work on drainage installation, and grading will get under way immediately after formal notification. The increased defense importance of the CAA laboratory aircraft radio research, prompted the Government to classify the laboratory as a defense project, thus making Federal defense funds available.

Extend Port Runways

In addition to improvements on the CAA leased-experimental field on the west side of the 1000-acre reservation, Mr. Dienhart said that runways on airport property will be extended by more than 2000 feet under a former WPA project to be revised. Construction work on both prejects will be carried on simultareously. Under the CAA defense project,

nothirig. The city already has provided its sponsors contribution under the former WPA project, Mr. Dienhart said. Construction of the CAA-expan-sion will be rushed, Mr. Dienhart said with two WPA crews each working on eight-hour shifts daily. The extension should be completed in two months. The new 150-feet wide runways will be 46 feet wider than those now in use. The paved landing ways on City property will be linked with the new CAA network to complete a “master” runway plan. Four new runways, the longest of which will be 5000 feet, will be laid out on the CAA field. At present, there are four city runways totaling 12,400 feet. -.Mr. Dienhart said the completion (Continued on Page Two)

Irving Berlin Pens Pep Tune

WASHINGTON, May 28 (U.P.). —Irving Berlin who wrote “God Bless America,” has written a new song for the Army Ordnance Department to “pep up the man behind the gun.” It is called “Arms for the Love of America.” Thé Ordnance Department, according to Lieut. Col. John B. Bellinger, executive assistant to the Chief of Ordnance, may introduce the song in an “Arsenal Day” program in June, Here is the chorus: Arms for the love of America They speak in a foreign land With weapons in every hand Whatever they try We've got to reply In language that they understand. Arms for the love of America And for the love of every mother's son Who's depending on the work that must be done. By the man, behind the man, behind the gun.

‘REALISM’ IN TRAINING

* WASHINGTON, May 28 (U. P.). —The ‘War Department notified commanding officers today to put all. the “realism”: of modern combat, including nerve-wracking sounds and noises, - into training

exercises to to en the Army “for first shocl- of battle.”

3 MILES LONG |

Largest Expansion in Field|

make the field “the finest airport

Aeronautics Authority. experimental |

the city as sponsor, will contribute |:

or to threaten it. to gain control of the seas.

attack upon the Americas,

necessity, we shall

additional measures necessary taken.

as may be needed."

au nationa nal policy, apt is:

We shall actively resist whatever necessary, and with all our resources, every attempt by Hitler to extend his Nazi domination to the Western Hemisphere, We shall actively resist his every attempt

Entered as Second-Class

at Postoffice, Indianapolis, Ind,

We insist upon the vital im-

portance of keeping Hitlerism away from any point in the world which could be used and would be used as a base of

From the point of view of strict naval and military

give every possible assistance

to Britain and to all who, with Britain, are resisting Hitlerism or its equivalent with force of arms. Our patrols are helping now to insure delivery of the needed supplies to Britain. All

to deliver the goods will be

Any and all further methods or combination of methods, which can or should be utilized, are being devised by our military and naval technicians, who, with me, will work out and put into effect such new and additional safeguards

—PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.

ped

Democratic leader, Board.

FAIR DAY INDICATED FOR 500-MILE RACE

Showers by oy Prissy Night Possible, Bureau Says, LOCAL TEMPERATURES |

". 7 10am ... 3 ...%76 11 a m. ... 36 . ... 80 po ae. 82

There is no indication. now that rain or other bad weather coaditions will interrupt the 500-mile race Friday, J. H. Armington, meteorologist, said today. He said that there might showers Friday night, but that ing the day indications are for p ly cloudy skies and no rain. It continue to be warm, he said.

be durart-

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

Inside Indpls. ordan

Jane J 17| Spo!

Charges Low Assessment on ‘Firms Democrats Represent

By EARL RICHERT [a C. R. Benjamin, Republican member of the State Tax Board, today charged that three Indiana utilities represented” by Frank McHale, Democratic National Committ;eman, and Glenn Van Auken, had been | “grossly

local under-asseéssed” by the State

Mr. McHale, as attorney, represents the Northern Indiana Public

Service Co., Hammond, while Mr. Van Auken is attorney for the Public Service Co. of Indiana and the Northern Indiana Power Co. The Tax Board fixed the 1941 assessed valuation of the Northern Indiana Publi¢ Service Co. at $43,373,910, an increase of $592,880 over the total 1940 assessment.

Values ‘Out of Line’

The 1941 total assessed value of the Public Service Co. of Indiana was fixed at $41,377,240, an increase of $360,570 over the 1940 total. The Northern Indiana Power Co. was assessed at $10,162,920, an increase of $249,050 over last year’s figure. Mr. Benjamin said he thought that these were “out of line with other utility assessments made by the Board.” He, said he did not wish to reflect on | 4 e two Democratic members of the Tax Board but that he was making a public statement concerning the assessments, ‘“because of the excessive pressure these two men (Mr. McHale and Mr. Van Auken) have put on to prevent just increases.” | He said he felt that the total assessment of the Northern Indiana Service Co., to keep it in line with (Continued on Page Two)

RILEY STREAMLINER KILLS 2 HOOSIERS

LAWRENCEBURG, Ind., May 28 (U. P.).—William Wise, 54, Weisburg, and Ernest McClanahan, 45, Aurora, were killed today when|struck by a Big Four passenger

2| train on U. 8. 50 near here,

Witnesses said the men drove their truck into the path of the

13, 19]

James Whitcomb Riley streamliner fter waiting for a freight train to

TO IEF

Matter

RICE THREE CENTS

rive Toward Suez

DELIVER’; SUGGESTED

PRESIDENT PROCLAIMS ‘ALL-OUT’ EMERGENCY, TALKS WITH HALIF AX

Reaction

Undeclared War, Claim ‘Many ; “Lies,” Cries Berlin.

By UNITED PRESS World-wide reaction to President

| Roosevelt's speech:

ABROAD

BERLIN—“There was but/ one statement of fact—that regarding British shipping losses. Roosevelt is cramming war down the throats of the American people.” (Official news agency and radio.)

ROME—“A tacit declaration that the United States will enter the war some time.” (Officials.)

LONDON—“A. final warning that America is ready to fight for the

.|freedom of the seas.” (Newspapers.)

OTTAWA. — “Germany can now draw its own conclusions as to what. would happen if she forcibly interfered with shipment of American materials to Britain.” (Prime Minister MacKenkie King.)

O—“Roosevelt still hesitates

|. TOKY to lead his country into the war.”

(Officials.)

CHUNGKING—*“One of the most important deccuments in world history.” (Foreign Minister Wang Chung-Hui.)

CANBERRA~—“It brings tremendous encouragement to the British people in a most critical period.” (Prime Minister Menzies.)

. HAVANA—Crowds listen in the streets, few understand.

AT HOME

CONGRESS— (Pro) “He served notice on the dictators that England shall not fall.” (Senator Pepper). (Con) “Just a sop to interventionists.” (Rep. Fish.) PROMINENT CITIZENS—AIf M. Landon: “The end of democratic government in the United States.” Milo J. Warner: “All should unite and act.” ST EDITORIALS—New York Times: “A mighty blow for freedom.” Dallas Morning News: “Mr. Roosevelt declared war.”

SIX CARS READY FOR TESTS IN SPEEDWAY

Canton and Nolo Nalon Favored For Two Open Spots.

The 33-car field that will line up on the Speedway bricks Friday morning for the 500-mile race was to be molded in its final form between 1 and 5 p. m. today. This was the time set for completing qualification trials. places will go to the 33 with the best speeds for the 10-mile exami-

nations. Six cars were listed as potential qualifiers for the two vacancies, so it was quite possible that one or more of the slower cars already qualified might be eliminated. The two chief contenders for berths were the Sampson Sixteen, to be driven: by Shorty Cantlon, and the rebuilt Maserati raced by the French team last year and piloted this year by Duke Nalon. Besides these, there were the Schoof Special, ussigned to Al Putnam, the driverless Willets Special and the two French Talbots. Ted Horn, well-known Speedway chauffeur, became the 31st to qualify yesterday when he drove the sixcylinder T. E. C. Special through four laps at a speed of 124.297. Ira Hall, veteran Terre Haute driver, twice attempted to qualify the 12cylinder Kimmel Special and both times spun the car on the southeast turn, narrowly averting a crackup. Today's trials were to close activity at the track until Friday. The bricks and asphalt will be brushed and swept tomorrow, while drivers meet in the afternoon for their annual instructions.

‘BIFE BISMARCK’'—ON RYE!

BUENOS AIRES, May 28 (U. P.). --Buenos Aires restaurants served “bife Bismarck’—hamburger steak --today in honor of the British Navy’s victory over the prize German battleship. Special menus

hat the new dish| Presiden

The!"

———

Specific Actions

War News on F. D. R. Text and Proclamation Isolaticnists Want Referendum . London, Berlin, Vichy Reaction .Hoosier Delegation Comments

Interest centered on what he might have .to say about concrete plans for further U.| S. Naval action to carry out, his pledge to “deliver the

goods” to Britain.

That is the phase of the program which held the greatest potentialities of developing into actual hostilities. The Axis has threatened to use force against American naval ships or planes protecting cargoes bound for Britain. Mr. Roosevelt’s proclamation of all-out national emergency opened the way for him to invoke new executive powers. He said that strikes and lockouts must cease, : Widens Aid Program He abruptly enlarged the scope of the aid-to-Britain program and supported it with bristling threats of armed force to deliver the goods to the fighting men. “The delivery of needed supplies to Britain,” said Mr. Roosevelt, “is imperative. ‘This can be done; must be done; it will be done.” His pledge went far beyond convoys, which the Administration considers an obsolescent method of protecting shipping, and placed no restriction on the extent of naval action that might te required to make good on it. White House Secretary Stephen T. Early promised that there would be some clarification of the naval situation at today’s press conference. Sees Halifax Today

Mr. Roosevelt summoned British Ambassador Lord Halifax to the White House, presumably to discuss with him the details and scope of the proposals which he outlined to the nation and the world last night. Mr Early said that public response to the message was tremendous. It was so large, in fact, that up to early afternoon it was impossible to tabulate the volume, let alone the sentiments expressed, he added.

Times Fore!

called the leaders of Congress to the White House and. acquainted them with -what was to come.

His pronouncements, therefore, are regarded as being as close to a declaration of war as it is possible for a President to go under the American system of government. -American policy is now described as being as clear as an ultimatum —which, in effect, the President's speech could be called with no great exaggeration,

The President is considered to aave gone President Monroe one better by enunciating what, in the future, might be called the Roosevelt Doctrine. Mr. Monroe said it would be an “unfriendly act” for an overseas power to interfere with the status quo in the Western Hemis-

phere. nt Roosevelt last

it}

American ships

Meaning May Quickly be Clarified as 25

are Considered;

Mail Floods White House.

Inside Pages

" By LYLE C. WILSON United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, May 28.—President Roosevelt soon may create a “ministry” of economic warfare as an impor tant step in his emergency program which brings the nation near the limits of undeclared hostilities and places our econ omy virtually on a wartime footing. This was learned today as Mr. Roosevelt summoned a special press conference for 4 p. m. to clarify various aspects of his new aid- -to-Britajn and domestic emergency policies outlined last night in his fireside chat.

economic warfare

Creation of machinery was-regarded-in authoris

tative quarters as one of the ims | tat objectives of the new proe

gram. Speculation centered on the. possibility that the “ministry” | headed by Assistant Treasury Sece retary Herbert Gaston or Will Clay= ton, close friend and assistant ie Federal! Loan Administrator Jessy H. Jones,

. 23 Actions Studied

The “ministry” would have broad authority to deal with internal as well as external economic matters connected with defense. Both Mr, Gaston and Mr. Clayton have done

considerable groundwork in connece .

tion” with economic warfare plans. Informed officials said, however, that some work still remains to be done on the plans and that ape pointment of the setup may not oce cur immediately. They said also that several of the President’s advisers have placed hefore him recommendations for early action on nearly 25 matters affecting defense plans. These ace

tions would be taken in a general

way under his proclamation of an unlimited emergency, although if was understood few of them would be based on specific statutes that could be brought into use under the proclamation.

Psychological Angle Biggest

The main objective of the proclae mation was described authoritae

tively as. to give a psychological

shot-in-the-arm to stir Americans out of what some Administration advisers regard as their come placency. Secretary of State Cordell Hull told a press conference that reace tion to Mr. Roosevelt's address generally had been excellent. Ha said this among the Latin American diploe mats who were guests at the broads cast last night. Mr. Early said he estimated that his chief’s job was only about 80 per cent complete with the delivery of the fireside chat—that 20 per (Continued on Page Six)

ign Editor

WASHINGTON, May 28.—Foreign envoys here have warned their Governments that the United States is now awaiting only an “overt act” on the part of the Axis to come into the war and come in shooting. The effect of President Roosevelt's words and actions was tremens dously enhanged, according to diplomatic observers, by reason of the fact that, before issuing his unlimited emergency proclamation, he

areas. anywhere in the Atlantic or on the west coast of Africa whem such areas could be used as spring=

boards for aggression against the Americas. If anything more were needed to . make it clear that the United States is now ready, if necessary, to enter

the conflict, it is observed, its re= '

turn to the doctrine of freedom of the seas would do it. This part of the President's

speech, it is pointed out, is all the

more significant because only day before yesterday Germany’s Grand Admiral Erich Raeder warned the United States not to make use of naval “patrols” to give warning of Nazi raiders. He said he would s carrying aid : Britain, and fire on American ships acting as spotters. But the President did more

was particularly true -

FDR Goes Beyond Monroe |

By WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS