Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 February 1942 — Page 1

ses —sowardd VOLUME 53—NUMBER 289

SINGAP

Indianapolis Times

FORECAST: Little change in temperature this afternoon and tonight.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1942

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Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis, Ind. Issued di

aily except Sunday.

CANAL ATTACK | ut tain HELD PART OF PO AXIS STRATEGY f°

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2d Pearl Harbor Blitz. Also Expected in Drive For Allied Bases.

By WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS Scripps-Howard Foreign Editer WASHINGTON, Feb. 11. —An effort to destroy the Panama Canal and Pearl Harbor is regarded as likely as part of an Axis pian to

control or neutralize all major outlying naval and air bases of the United States and the British Empire. With Singapore and Pearl Harbar out of commission, the united nations would be left without a first class naval base between San Francisco and Suez a distance of 12000 miles. There are secondary bases, at Soerabaja (Java) and Darwin (Australia) but these are now within easy bombing range of the Japanese.

The Australian Bases

At Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland (Australiasia) there are navaj facilities, but these are as far from Singapore by sea as Japan is from San Francisco. An sllied ship crippled in the Dutch East Indies would have to crawl half way around the Australian continent for repairs. If Panama were destroyed or closed, even for a few months it! would be of immense help to. the Axis, Ships from the industrial East Coast of the United States would have to go some 13000 miles around Cape Horn to reach the Southwest Pacific—or else almost as far around the Cape of Good Hope.

Explaining Pearl Harbor

These factors are of the utmest gravity. In any war with Japan, | the British had counted on the use of Singapores great $400,000.000 naval base, just as the COnited States relies on Pearl Harbor. Both nations have battleships that can steam half way around the world without refueling, but unfortunately it is not the floating fortresses that determine the effective radius of action of the fleet. The big ships must be accompanied by a whole train of other vessels some of which, such as the destroyers, are Imited to a radius of, say. 2500 miles. That is why Japan struck first and effectively at Pearl Harbor and then at Manila, Hongkong and Singapore. Soerabaja’s tum will almost certainly not be long delayed.

Brought England Greatness

There is nothing fundamentally new or surprising about Japan's strategical moves, according to military experts here. Great Britain had the same idea two centuries or so ago, and through it became the world’s greatest empire. By controlling strategic capes which ships had to go round, or straits or canals through which ships had to pass, she controlled the seas and, to a large degree, the earth

Follow British Pattern

Today there are indications that the Axis is bent on paralleling, at least, the British formula by grabbing or neutralizing Singapore, Suez, Gibraltar, Panama, Hawaii, Wake, Guam, Corregidor, Honkong, Scerabaja and perhaps some others. If the major bases are taken or rendertd useless for the allies, the job of defeating the Axis will be heartbreaking. Washington is now urging women and children in Hawaii to leave the islands. The authorities are also distributing gas masks to all civilians. This is regarded as a clear indication that officials here anticipate another attack on Pearl Harbor.

Rep. R. Earl Wilson . . . a dellar’s work for a dellar’s pay.

WILSON TO GIVE PARASITE CARD

Curfew Congressman Bares Latest ‘Crusade’ on

Visit Here.

By RICHARD LEWIS Rep. R. Earl Wilson, the curfew Congressman from Columbus, Ind. has only just begun to fight. His next move in his one-man efficiency crusade to get “a dollars worth of work for a dollars worth of pay” out of Washington war workers is the issuance of “parasite cards” to feminine employees who: 1. Come to work 30 minutes late. 2. Then disappear into the rest room to put on make-up. 3. Then migrate to the coffee shoppe for a cup of java. & Then write letters to the boy friend on Uncle Sam's time.

Reveals New Plan Rep. Wilson, Republican schoolmaster from the Ninth District who has been likened to a “Mr. Smith in Washington.” revealed this new phase of his crusade today in an interview at the Claypool Hotel. He came back to Indiana to confer with party friends and to check over the progress of the new Army camp, which is to be located smack in the middle of his district. He Gets Results

“The parasite cards would be issued to those employees who sap {the nations strength by loafing.” he explained. “In order to redeem themselves, they'd have to show up on time and work diligently for a given length of time.” It was the small, rotund Legislator with that southern Hoosier twang who launched an uproar by (Continued on Page Eight)

RETREAD RATIONING WILL START FEB. 19

Certificates Needed From Board After That Date.

Nation-wide rationing of rubber for retreading and recapping tires will begin Feb. 19, the Office of Price Administration at Washington informed the Indiana Defense Council today. “There will probably be no crude rubber available for retreading except for a small number of vehicles already eligible for tires,” the OPA said in a telegram to the council. The effective date of the curtailment was selected in order thatall persons who now have tires in retreading establishments can arrange to have the work finished and the tire delivered before that date. After Feb. 19, no retreaded tires can be obtained without certificates from county ration boards, the message said. Those eligible for retreads and recaps have been placed in two lists. List A contains the same classes as the new tire ra regulations, with the addition of clergymen, and these “eligibles” may obtain retreads only if stocks of new tires are exhausted. List B includes taxis, newspaper

On Inside Pages Spain Hungry In the Services ... Japan Unmasked ............ Today's War Moves .......... 18

‘DRAFT-MYERS CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR OPENS

Committeemen and Women Of 21st and 23d Wards

Sign Petitions.

By VERN BOXELL A “draft-Myers” for mayor movement appeared to be under way in the Democratic organization today with two wards indorsing the Criminal Court judge for nomination in the May 5 primary. They are the 21st Ward, Washington Township on the North Side, and the 23d Ward, in the Northeast section of the city. Thanks His Supporters A letter sent to all Ward chairmen by Judge Myers, who is expected to announce his mayoral candidacy soon, thanked the district leaders for their pledge of support to him in conferences with County Chairman Ira Haymaker. All precinct committeemen and women in the 23d Ward except one signed a resolution last night petitioning Judge Myers to run and recommending his nomination, “Proven Ability” Cited “In times such as exist today, it is necessary for the citizens of Indianapelis to nominate a man of proven ability and an honorable public servant,” the resolution said. “Judge Myers possesses such qualities.” Russell Dean is the 23d Ward chairman and Frederick W. Steiger is chairman of the 2ist Ward, | where a similar resolution was | signed by the precinct officials and jother voters. Judge Myers lives in | this ward. It was reported that similar peti. tions also would be presented in other wards throughout the city later, -

HAIRCUT MINIMUM FIXED AT 50 CENTS

State Sets County Shaving

Price Low at 25.

The State Barber Board today fixed the minimum prices which Marion County barbers may ch \rge for haircuts and shaves at 50 and 25 cents, respectively, effective next Monday. The Board placed the minimum prices for plain shampoos at $5 cents; medicated shampoos, 50 cents; massages, 35 cents, and lady's hair trims, 15 cents. These prices are the same as now {charged in a majority of Marion | County barber shops. | All shops in the County are to topen not earlier than 8 a. th. and | close not later than 6 p. m. on Manday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and close not later than 9 p. m. on Saturday and days pre- | ceding holidays. The holidays referred to are Christmas, July 4, Labor Day, Armistice Day and Thanksgiving. The price and hours schedule fixed here is the same as fixed for 43 other counties. The Board acted under a 1941 law which permits it to fix minimum price schedules and hours regulations following public hearings

Suits testing the constitutionality of the law have been filed in 16 counties. In Huntington and Vigo Counties judges have ruled the law unconstitutional.

REPORT 2 SUBS SUNK SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 11 (U.P). —Two of three enemy submarines attacked by an unidentified U. S. destroyer on Pacific convoy duty apparently were sunk, the 12th Naval District disclosed today. “It was the third meeting our destroyer had had with a sub since the war started,” according to the ship's log.

| transportation vehicles, five other | passenger car classifications, and [trucks not included in List A No vehicle in the B list will be eligible for a retread during February. Passenger cars probably will be excluded during March also, it

was said. Clapper ...... 9|Movies .......18 re Comics .......17 Obituaries .... 5/ MOVE TO RECOVER LOSSES Crossword ....16 Pegler ........10! WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (U.P). — Editorials ....10 Pyle .......... 9 A House military subcommittee recMrs. Ferguson.l0 Questions ..9, 10 ommended today that the War and Financial .....14 Radio ........15 Justice Departments act to recover Forum 10 Mrs. Roosevelt 9 losses resulting from payment of Homemaking .12 Serial Story ..17 fees to defense brokers. The sub-| luncheon at the In Indpls. ... 3 Side Glances .10 committee said it had found no evi-| Columbia Club. Inside Indpls.. 9 Society ...11, 12 dence to substantiate ‘charges that Mr. Kelland Jane Jordan .12 Sports ..... 6, 7 Lieut. Gov. Frank Murphy of Mich- is expected ¥

Details of Fighting .. 18

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Indiana Republican leaders expect a preview of national G. O. P. tomorrow when

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

' mittee execujtive director, Speaks at an | Indianapolis { Women's Re- | publican Club

| national

GUY CANTWELL GETS FAIR POST

Republican Placed in New Job; Board Removes Dunn as Manager. (Photo, Page 3)

Paul S. Dunn, secretary to Lieut. Gov, Charles M. Dawson, was ousted as manager of the State Fair today by the Democratic-controlied Fair Board. The Board immediately named Guy Cantwell of Gosport, # Republican but a political enemy of Mr. Dawson, to a new position as secre-tary-treasurer of the Board. In | this position, Mr. Cantwell will have | practically the same duties as did Mr. Dunn: Ouster of Mr. Dunn came 4n a closed session at the State use. It was effected by adopting a resolution abolishing the office of Fair manager ‘and creating the new office of secretary-treasurer.

Salary Not Fixed

J. B. Cummins of Portland, Board president, said that Mr. Cantwell’s salary had not been determined. Mr. Cantwell, who is a Board member, will resign when he takes his new job. The Governor will fill the vacancy. Mr, Dawson, who was reported to have protested vigorously against the naming of Mr, Cantwell, declined to comment at the close of the session: Mr. Dunn still remained as secretary to Mr. Dawson, a position which pays $150 a month. As Fair manager he had received an additional $150 a month from the Fair Board.

A U. S. Navy destroyer as seen through

U. S. Blimps Prove Nemesis to Subs

the window of a patrol blimp,

Carry Deadly Bombs and Enemy Won't Fight Back

By SANDOR S. KLEIN

(Copyright, 1942,

by United Press)

A NAVAL AIR PATROL STATION, Feb. 11.—I went flying with the Navy's new airship patrol that's hunting down submarines off the coasts. In a big, helium-filled blimp—about one-fourth as long as the late dirigible Hindenburg—we covered hundreds of square miles with a crew of young men who were itching to pull the lever that would send depth

charges hurtling from the bomb bay U-boats. From dawn to dusk, the blimp cruised along at more than 50 miles an hour—watching for signs of the undersea raiders on the corrugated surface joining in the escort of a big inward-bound convoy— checking up on any surface craft that came into view.

Feared by Subs

Over other areas were sister ships of the craft on which I rode, performing similar missions. Airship patrols, organized at the beginning of this year, are being expanded as new blimps are delivered. They are one of the most potent anti-submarine weapons used in the defense of both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. Submarines don’t like them, Navy men say, and when an airskip is sighted, the U-boats prefer to crash-dive rather than fight it out. I was ordered to report at the patrol base by 5:15a. m. The squadron duty officer, a young ensign, said he was awaiting a report on weather conditions.

‘We Fly Today’

It was 5:45 when the phone rang on the officer's desk. Two enlisted men listened to dance music and chit-chat from an all-night radio station. The ensign picked up the phone. “Yes sir,” he said after listening for a moment. “We fly today.”

JAPS OCCUPY MARTABAN

CHUNGKING, Feb. 11 (U. P).—| Japanese forces driving northwest | toward the Burma Road have occupied coastal Martaban and are using rubber boats in crossing the Salween River, radio Rangoon said tonight.

WAR SONG WRITER DIES

BRIGHTON, England, Feb, 11 (U.| P)—Felix Powell, composer of) World War I song, “Pack Up Your) Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag,” died today a few hours after he was found in home guard headquarters! with a rifie wound in his stomach. |

LOCAL TEMPERATURES

Gam ... 25 4 Tamm. ..2 1am ..B 33 Sam ... 24 12 (noomn).. 20 Sam ... 2 p.m ... 28

10 a. m. .

House and its stand on national issues in a Lincoln Day talk. The famous author and creator of “Scattergood Baines” is Arizona committeeman and rerecently was named executive and publicity director by National Chairman Joseph W. Martin Jr. A capacity crowd, including G. O. P. leaders from all over the state, is indicated by advance reservations, according to Mrs. Arthur R. Robinson, club president. The event is open to the public. Republican State officers, party

to Johnson ......10/Stage ....... 13 gan had received compensation outline tbh

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officials, representatives of the Indiana Republican Associa«

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(Continued on Page Eight)

75 MORE ALIENS HUNTED IN ROUNDUP

MONTEREY, Cal. Feb. 11 (U. P). —Federal agents, who arrested 25 Japanese including three Buddhist priests and seized truckloads of contrabrand in®*the Ft. Ord area, searched today for 75 more aliens suspected of espionage. Only 25 of 100 warrants issued for arrest and search were used in raids yesterday at Watsonville, Monterey, Salinas and Chualar,. which encompass the largest military concentration in the West. Nat J. T. Pieper, chief of the San Francisco FBI office, directed the 50 FBI agents and 100 local officers who conducted the roundup. Material seized, Mr. Pieper said, included newspaper clippings decribing troop movements.

Kelland's Talk Here Tomorrow Expected To Give GOP Preview of National Issues

cipate in a reception for the author preceding the luncheon. This will be Mr. Kelland's first visit to Indiana since he has taken over his new duties. His talk is expected to be of nation-wide importance — an unofficial opening shot for the Congressional ‘campaign. He will be followed here Feb. 21 by Rep. Martin, who will officially launch the Hoosier G. O. P. campaign in a speech before the Republican Editorial Association and its guests. Indiana is regarded as a key state in the party's drive for

down on one of the many marauding

HART ILL, QUITS POST IN PACIFIC

‘Dutch Admiral Replaces American as Chief of Far East Fleet.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (U. P). —Admiral Thomas C. Hart of the U. S. Navy has besn relieved of command of the united nations

naval forces in the Far East at his own request and replaced by a

announced today. Meanwhile, the land defenders of the Philippines braced themselves for a Japanese “knockout” assault, a War Department communique said. The surprise replacement of Admiral Hart, for reasons of ill health, was announced only four days after the Navy formally had stated that the 64-year-old naval commander had been placed in. charge of the combined allied naval forces in the southwest Pacific area.

Dutch Leader in Command

Thus the decision to relieve him, at his request, must have been somewhat sudden. Named acting commander in Admiral Hart's place was Vice Admiral C. E. I. Helfrich of the Royal Netherlands Navy, The united nations’ naval forces in the southwest Pacific include those of the United States, Britain, the Netherlands and Australia. The War Department communique, issued simultaneously with the announcement of Admiral Hart's (Continued on Page Eight)

On War Fronts

SINGAPORE: British defenders fighting "to last man," but Japs admittedly near complete control of island.

BURMA: British admit Japs cross Salween River in thrust at Burma Road; Chunking reports Japs occupy Martaban.

RUSSIA: Fierce fighting raging at Rzhev and Kharkov as Russians extend fierce drive from Karelia to Crimea.

EAST INDIES: Vice Admiral C. E. I. Helfrich of Royal Netherlands Navy replaces Admiral Thomas C. Hart of U. S. Navy in command of united nations naval forces in southwest Pacific; Jap invaders drive forward in southern Celebes and Borneo in thrust toward Java.

PHILIPPINES: Gen. MacArthur's forces brace for Japanese

Netherlands naval chieftain, it was]

FINAL HOME

PRICE THREE CENTS

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ORE RESISTS SAVAGEL

BRITISH SHIPS DEFY AIR RAIDS TO SAVE ARMY

Hope for a New. Dunkirk So Troops Can Fight On; Night Comes; Battle Still Raging Though Base’s Doom Is Sealed.

By JOE ALEX MORRIS United Press Foreign Editor

British defenders of Singapore were reported still fights ing their last man battle against overwhelming odds tonight as darkness—split by the flashes of high explosives—closed down on the besieged city. All day the battered defense forces battled against an overwhelming Japanese offensive on the little island that once symbolized the might of empire in the Far East. Hour after hour in the tropical heat and under relent« less bombardment, they held out while women and children were rescued by British and Dutch naval and merchant ships from Singapore harbor.

Offer Stubborn Resistance There appeared to be some hope in London that a cone siderable number of the defenders could be evacuated in a Far Eastern version of Dunkirk. Japanese broadcasts reported that the city area of Singapore had been penetrated, but acknowledged that the defenders were offering stubborn resistance. The Singapore radio, heard at intervals, made it clear that the battle still was in progress. The eventual fate of the island bastion already had been decided by thousands of Japanese troops pouring in from the north and by virtually unquestioned air superiority, But blows still were being struck by British forces, dee termined to take the greatest possible toll of enemy strength,

Rescue Women, Children : Dispatches said the British and Dutch naval forces and merchant ships were working heroically and in defiance of air and submarine attack to remove women and children from Singapore harbor, presumably to the Dutch East Indies. Axis broadcasts said there still were 24 American citie zens in Singapore although a number had been evacuated, Thefe was no word of the evacuation of troops and the Japanese claimed that they had some 30,000 British soldiers surrounded. A dispatch pubiished by the London Evening News said the British defenses had been ordered to “fight to the last man.”

May Save Defense Forces

But it was indicated ‘elsewhere that with the coming of night the defense forces might he rescued in considerable number to fight again against the Axis. The British had frustrated the Japanese hope of smashe ing into the city during daylight hours on the 2602d annie versary of the founding of the Japanese dynasty—the great est holiday of the year in Japan. Dispatches said the scorched earth policy had been applied in Singapore, but failed to make absolutely clear how much of the great $400,000,000 naval base and its dee fenese zone had been rendered useless.

Merciless Bombardment Huge clouds of smoke close to Singapore city indicated. that extensive demolition had been carried out, althéugh the anchorage for enemy warships presumably will still be available to the Japanese. British defense forces—apparently without any air sup port—were subject to merciless and continual bombardment by high level and dive bomber planes, but they fought for every foot of ground as they fell back on the city.

London military informants said they understood it (Continued on Page Eight) ”

Last Word From Singapore: 'Darkest Hour Is at Hand"

trols. Sine) Aeavasly Enemy planes are over the fore the United Press staff who indicated Ward lines in large numbers and leaguered "city" I was ‘sont atter the emphasize the repeated plea of ime evacuation by sea of Harold Guard, | perials for air support. Jurca anager; aa other: statf m I could see the glow of fires and the flash of guns, especially intense to the north where the enemy ape parently had launched new operae tions.

is the last | a member of |

By W. K. WEE (Copyright, 1942, by United Press)

SINGAPORE (9 A. M.), Feb. 11

(U. P.).—The battle is moving ever closer to Singapore. Overhead, hour after hour, are the enemy planes—striking at the railroad station and the harbor where men and women and even children are showing that they can be heroes even as the darkest hour is at hand. (Other dispatches said that evacuation of women and children and apparently of some troops was being carried out by British and Dutch ships in deflance of the most terrific Japanese aerial onslaughts and the danger of submarine attack.)

The fighting at close quarters outside the city (apparently in the

It was evident that the decision could not be put off long. “But at dawn, when black clouds of smoke (possibly from burning eil at the naval base) drifted along the. northern horizon, the city of Singae pore itself was not tremendously confused. Many people went about their business, app.rently resigned to ree maining. But the activities in the harbor were intensified. The radio continued to broadcast at intervals although it gave only official statements. : Communications are such that I will be unable to answer some of your messages. Give my regards to Guard,

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