Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 March 1942 — Page 8

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1942

1anapolis

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"SECOND SECTION

Hoosier Vagabond

SAN DIEGO, March 14.—You can’t help but feel war when you are in San Diego, for this city today is existing on the by-products of war—the aircraft factories, the armed forces, and all the wartime construction that goes with them.

The streets are jammed with soldiers, sailors and marines. In some ways 1t is like a-college town, for in every hotel dining room you'll see young soldiers or sailors eating with their parents who “have come from back home for a visit. Since 1 was here last spring more housing. projects have gone up, vast new trailer camps for the workers have been established, changes have been made around

‘the plane factories, There are.

nightly, ant blackouts in certain parts of the city.

There isn't much you're allowed to tell, but you ~» can tell that this is a city living on war. It will be

a chaotic day here when the war ends and all this terrific war structure begins to crumble. Unfortunately, it probably never can crumble clear back to the good old sleepy San Diego of 10 years ago.

A Spy's Paradise

CENSORSHIP IS strict here. Occasionally a naval vessel well known to San Diego puts back in, but it ' isn’t in the papers. Only on special occasions is the

By Ernie Pyle

news of plane crashes given out. Criticism of war production has not yet appeared in the public prints. Yet all these things are discussed openly and loudly in every bar and on every sidewalk in San Diego. That seems the biggest problem in the line ‘of military. secrecy right now. I've heard it all up and down ‘the coast. You can keep the newspapers mum, but you can’t keep ihe tongues of service men still when they get a few under their belts. As. 8 friend of mine remarked, “The best way for a spy to work in California would just be to sit around the bars all evening, pretend to be drunk, and keep his ears open.

Watch Your Tongue!

IF YOU TALK over the telephone now between San Diego and Mexico, your conversation is censored. You're warned not to mention the weather, troop or ship movements, and so on. At the first word of anything suspicious theyll cut you off. | ‘ Which leads up to the experience of a sports editor, I believe it was, who was trying to talk to a Mexican radio station about a broadcast for a football game this winter. It seems San Diego has a professional football team called “The Bombers,” and every time the sports editor would mention “Bombers,” they'd cut him off. He finally had to get the chief operator on the wire and explain it all to her, before he could gst his sports information over to the radio station.

Inside Indianapolis By Lowell Nussbaum

PROFILE OF THE WEEK: Robert Bomar Cramer, concert pianist and teacher, dabbler in water colors and oils, and one of the town’s most cultured, sensitive and nervously intriguing personalities. , Bomar Cramer's, chief interest in life is the piano, and in between his heavy load of teaching he keeps managing to cram in recitals. Matter of fact, he’s giving one tomorrow at English's as a benefit for the Army, Navy, Marine Service club. At 41, he looks considerably younger and is sensitive about his age. Rather slightly built, he has what sometimes is described as a “Latin” appearance, with black hair and keen, dark expressive eyes. He has a mobile mouth, talks with his bands which appear Mz. Cramer large, and he has a nice voice which has a tendency to rise in pitch when he’s excited. L: His walk lguick and jerky, and he’s always hurrying, EE beeause he’s perpetually late for engagements. So nervous he just can’t stand still, he paces the floor like a caged polar bear (three paces this way, three paces back) even when he’s

teaching or telephoning.

Born in Mining Camp

EXTREMELY SENSITIVE, he gets his feelings hurt easily, and when he does, retreats into a dignified shell. An entertaining and willing talker, he’s the center of attraction when he enters a room. He tells one story after another and tells them well Some of his friends think he enjoys a joke on someone else much better than one on himself. . Bomar was born in a lead and zinc mining camp at Central City, Mo., where his father ran a general’ merchandise store. ‘and lumber. yard. When he was still a baby, his mother died, and ‘he was reared at Sherman, Tex., by an aunt. He studied music there —seriously from the age of 12—and, when he was 21 went to New York to study under Josef Lhevinne. In 1924, he came here to head the piano department of the Indiana College of Music and Fine Arts, He was somewhat of a musical genius even as a baby. He played the piano, by ear, from the age of 3, and by the time he was 7 could play any popular piece. As a boy of 5, he used to sing before clubs and other groups. At 6, he won a Shetland pony by singing in a contest at a movie.

Played for Hula Dancers

He learned to play the steel guitar while he was in high school. One day a Hawaiian troupe arrived in town for a week's vaudeville engagement. The steel guitar player was ill and the troupe borrowed Bomar from high school, dressed him up in Hawaiian costume and for a week he played the guitar for the hula dancers. His heavy schedule of teaching and practicing— he’s never stopped studying or let down on his own practicing—doesn’t leave him time for amusement. He does, most of his practicing at night in his. stuido on Monument Circle—not in his Spink Arms apartment. He doesn’t care for bridge, seldom sees a movie, and doesn’t play golf any more. One of his relaxations is driving his car. He drives around at all hours of the night, particularly when he has a problem on his mind.

An inveterate smoker, he doesn’t look natural without a cigaret in his hand. He’s immaculate in appearance, goes in for colorful sport clothing. He doesn’t like to wear hats, went bareheaded for years, never has a hat ne likes and often walks with one in his hand.

Likes Popular Music

He has a ravenous appetite, will eat most anything served him, except cabbage. A big grin lights up his face when he sees a T-bone steak He’s fond of flowers; enjoys the radio, especially Baby Snooks and Henry Aldrich; likes popular music and always has played. it and played it well. He has a habit of saying “You see?” He speaks Spanish well; in fact, he spent three summers in Mexico working at his hobby—painting— and while there not only spoke Mexican but dressed in Mexican costume, from sombrero to huarachos. He has done some excellent water colors depicting Mexican scenes, -and also some. oil portraits. His water colors run to vivid coloring. One wall of his apartment is covered with a "Mexican mural which he painted. He’s mechanically inclined and when he sees something he can’t buy, gets busy and makes a copy for himself. He has a candelabra he made out of a barrel stave and dime store pie pans that looks like a valuable antique. Bomar has quite a few pet peeves. But probably his “pet. pet” peeve is to be invited t6 some function as a guest, and then be asked to play.

Raymond Clapper is on his way to Cairo, by plane. His column will be resumed, by wireless or cable, shortly.

The New Front

WASHINGTON, March 14.—All signs point. to an allied offensive against Japan through China, unless India prevents. Appointment of an American—Lieut. Gen. Stilwell —as Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek’s chief of staff indicates that other allied forces will soon be used in China. American, British and Chinese units already are fighting together near

the Chinese-Burma frontier, where .

Chiang and Britain's ace, Gen. © Wavell, hold frequent war coun- . cils. Prime Minister Churchill’s renewed pledge of -dominion freedom for India after the war, and dispatch to India of his chief deputy and negotiator, Sir Stafford Cripps, are for offensive as well as de2 fensive purposes. India’s manpower and potential pro- ~ ductive capacity make her the logical supply base for the coming Chinese campaign. To speed up India’s production, President Roosevelt is sending a mission of industrial experts under the sparkplug Louis Johnson, former assistant secretary of war.

Supplies the Problem

NOBODY QUESTIONS the superior advantage of China as the offensive point for attack on the enemy vitals in Formosa and Japan proper. It is the closest point to the major enemy hases and supply lines, and it already has on the battle line the largest, besttrained and most experienced allied army in the Far East. ; One thing—and one only—prevents that vast Chi-

My Day

WASHINGTON, Friday ~—Yesterday I finished

‘

‘John Steinbeck’s new novel, “The Moon Is Down.”

Mr. has laid the scene in a small conquered country, but, of course, it is pertinent to any

By Ludwell. Denny

nese army, with its American fliers and technicians, from taking and keeping the offensive. That is supplies. Before loss of the Rangoon port for the Burma road, and severance of our Pacific sea lanes, most of those supplies could have been shipped from the United States. Now only those which cannot be produced in India can be sent in the shrinking American tonnage around the long Cape Town route. Hence the crucial importance of India. Unfortunately, Britain’s failure hitherto to settle the dangerous internal situation in India has left that country a paradise for Jap and German fifth

* columnists. The speed with which Thailand, Malaya

and Burma went over to the Japs is grim notice of what can happen in India unless Cripps and Nehru, the Nationalist leader, get together quickly.

“The Four Freedoms”

BUT THE FACT that Cripps is a trusted friend of Nehru—and of Chiang Kai-shek, who is pressing for Indian freedom as a basis for an Asiatic offensive— brings light into an otherwise black picture. A Tory minority in Britain and a Moslem minority in India, who have blocked a settlement for so many years, continue obstruction regardless of Japan's easy conquest of India’s neighbors. That Japan already is within striking distance of Calcutta, center of fifth columnists, does not seem to disturb these die-hards. By urging and accepting direct Chinese and American aid for defense of India, the British government has increased its responsibility for giving India the four freedoms. This is one place that Britain no longer can afford to give “too little and too late”—not if Japan is ever ‘to be defeated.

By Eleanor Roosevelt

the souls of free men, and says, “You see, sir, nothing can change it. You will be destroyed and driven The people don’t like to be conquered, sir, and so they will not be. Free men can not start a war, but once if is started, they can fight on in defeat. Herd men, followers of a leader, cannot do dial, 0.1 is SlWays ile Dierd Hen; WhO Win | and the free men who win wars.”

.. today to bring me casts

Nigeria. The originals =

FULL STUDY OF WAGE CONTROL

Congress Also will Check On Ways to Curb Profits,

"War Plant Strikes.

WASHINGTON, P.) —Oongressional leaders laid plans today for thorough hearings

to workers, and control of ‘strikes in war production industries.’ Shortly after President Roosevelt revealed at his press confer-

sideration to the problem of controlling wartime wages and profits: 1. Chairman Frederick VanNuys (D. Ind.) of the senate judiciary committee announced that a -subcommittee soon is expected to explore the subject of wages.

May Probe Lagging Output

2. Chairman Elmer Thomas; (D. Okla.) of a senate military appropriations subcommittee indicated he would begin an inquiry Tuesday into the cause of lagging production, including - operation of the 40-hour week and “exorbitant high prices being paid for labor and the prevalance of strikes in defense industries.” 3. Senator Prentiss M. Brown (D. Mich.) suggested that overtime work be compensated for in nonnegotiable government bonds—a form of compulsory saving. Mr, VanNuys said a subcommittee of his group is planning to hold hearings on a bill by Senator Clyde M. Reed (R. Kas.) to ban the closed shop on government contracts for the duration and that he expected it also would go into the question of wage controls.

Wages Called Factor

“My idea has been,” he said, “that while we are fixing the prices of commodities, and rationing them, wages enter very materially into the entire setup. “I think wage control has to be taken into consideration along with the whole labor situation, and I anticipate it will arise in the public hearings before the subcommittee.” Mr. Thomas plans to call a galaxy of witnesses before his group and has written letters of invitation to the secretaries of war, navy and labor; Chairman Donald M. Nelson of the war production board; Chairman Emory S. Land of the maritime commission, and the heads of the A. PF. of L, C. I. O. and railroad brotherhoods.

Public Asks Questions _.

He said his office has received 1054 letters on labor and production problems demanding answers to such questions. as: Why are men not drafted for work in defense . industry? Why does the government permit the policy of requiring men seeking jobs in defense plants to pay fees to unions? Why aren't all defense plants on a 24-hour production basis? If boys are drafted for $21 a month, why is it necessary to pay overtime and double time to get production?

YOUTH GROUPS PLAN APRIL VARIETY SHOW

The youth councils of the Keystone and South side community centers will sponsor a variety show, “The Junior Citizens’ Review” at the Fountain Square theater April 7, 8 and 9.

finance recreational activities at the two community centers.

‘More than 60 boys and girls will have parts in the show. The first rehearsal assembly will be held March 21 and the final dress review will be April 6.

Members of the executive committee planning the show include Dr. A. C. Harvey, A. B. Good, Dr. Frank OC. Otte, Mrs. Martin Carr, Mrs. Arthur Miller, Mrs. Walter Mallory, C. S. Montgomery, Mrs. Paul Burton, Mrs. Ora Conrad, Mrs, Mel R. Shaw, Mrs. R. K. Buckner, Mrs, William O’Connor and Miss Betty West.

WAGGENER ASSIGNED TO NEW STATE UNIT

Marc G. Waggener, publicity director for the state conservation department for the past several years, has been named director of the new division of public relations of the department. Mr. Waggener’s duties will be to co-ordinate the department’s educational, publicity and public relations

WELCOMES INQUIRY, PINZN'S WIFE SAYS

PLANS MAPPED

ence that he is giving general con-| -

stores. in the days to come. of defense transportation is urging The proceeds will be used to|stores to pool their facilities.

U. S. Requisitions Scrap at Valpo

U. S. Marshal Al Hosinski (left) is shown yith Frank Shumak, Valparaiso, Ind., junk dealer, as the government took over 100 tons of metal serap that Shumak allegedly refused to sell at prevailing rates, It was the first federal .requisitioning of war materials from an individual,

The War and You—

SUGAR RATIONS A PRECAUTION

Supply Adequate, but OPA Fears Artificial Shortage Without Curb.

DALE M'FEATTERS Times Special Writer WASHINGTON, March 14.— There is no actual sugar shortage in this country—but without rationing there would be. That is why, in April, 35 million American families will be given ra-

tion books limiting their sugar pur-

chases to either eight or 12 ounces a week per person. Rationing will be instituted, not

because there isn’t enough sugar to

go around, but to assure equitable

distribution to household, industrial

and military customers, the office of

price administration reports.

Tire Changes Likely Without distribution control, the

OPA believes consumer runs, hoarding and dissipations would create lan. artificial, but nonetheless dis-| tressing, scarcity. :

Other civilian war notes:

TIRES—State and federal tire rationing administrators today were

considering quota revisions which would care for needs of war-boom-ing communities and war-expanded

industries and still would conserve vitally needed rubber. While new tires are available to “essential” civilians, industrial or

cornmercial users, OPA is seeking to

distribute them to obtain the best contribution to war production.

OPA disclosed that it already has

made a special allocation to Pacific coast lumber concerns from the national reserve of tires, a special pool for emergency adjustments between states and territories.

« The Delivery Problem

DELIVERIES — The kind from There'll be fewer of these The office

JEWELRY—The non-tarnishable

finish on inexpensive jewelry is out for the duration. Rhodium, a platinum metal which has that hn ty, is needed to coat reflectors in anti-aircraft - searchlights.

HOGS —Furnish bristles for

brushes. We used to get them from Russia, China and India where hogs live longer and hence have stiffer bristles. Now the wants stiff-bristled American hogs.

WPB

COFFEE AND COCOA—Recalling Brazilian ships to port won’t cause shortages. WPB said only small percentage of these commodities are hauled to this country in Brazilian ships.

HOLD EVERYTHING

Robbed Once, He Foils 2d Holdup

PERHAPS you can rob Robert Alspaugh, R. R. 1, Box 337, filling station attendant at 320 E. Michigan st.,, once, but not twice. A month ago he was held up . and robbed at the station. Last night the same thief “walked into. the station and waited for Mr. Alspaugh to finish serving a patron. Mr, Alspaugh recognized the man and told his customer: “Get out of here and

| call the police.”

The customer did and before the suspect could draw his gun, which was later found in a holster, a police squad car skidded into the drive. The suspect is being held on a vagrancy charge.

HERE'S LIGHT ON:

ANKARA RIDDLE

German Attack Likely After Nazis Stage Typical War of Nerves.

SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE, March 14—The calling to the colors today of all Bulgarians abroad and the visible military preparations in Bulgaria, combined with rumors of German troop concentrations in the southern part of the Balkans, throw once more a crude light on the riddle of Ger-man-Turkish relations. As Bulgarian preparations can be directed only against Turkey there are only three possible explanations. First, Germany once more is staging one of her warnerve games in which she has undisputed mastery. Second, she is preparing to attack stubbornly neutral Turkey. Third, and the one that sounds the most likely, she is preparing to combine the second with the first.

Relations Strained

Hitler's fondness for the month of March for invading friend or foe may be indulged against Turkey in order .to effect a junction with his Jap allies in the Indian ocean, unless Ankara breaks with Russia and joins the tripartite anti-Communist pact. German-Turkish relations since the attempt on Ambassador Franz von Papen’s life have followed tortuous ways. As the inquiry developed, the Nazis hinted at diplomatic difficulties between the Turks and the Soviets. Some agencies friendly to the axis went so far as to announce the departure of Ambassador Sergei Vinograndov to Moscow. When the inquiry revealed that the would-be murderer really was a Communist, the Nazi press simply raved. Its tone lost its sharpness, however, when the Soviets did not oppose having their consulate searched and handed over in the

gentlest way the fugitives in it.

ALLIED ATTACK

BASES JAP GOAL

Seek Also to Cut Supply Lines Before Offensive

‘Can Be Seized.

WASHINGTON, March 14 (U.P.). —Japan today appeared engaged in a twin-edged move to gain: speedy control of northern Australia and to block American supply lines in the southwest Pacific before the united nations can seize the offensive. Informed quarters here believed the Japanese soon will be forced “take time out” to consolidate their initial gains and are striving to wipe out all possible bases for an allied counter-drive while they are engaged in such operations. Already in control of major approaches north and west of Australia, the Nipponese recently have successfully landed troops in New Guinea off the northeastern coast. The drive apparently is aimed at occupation of Port Moresby, guarding the strategic Torres straits, which thus would give Japan control of all allied communications to northern: Australia.

May Consolidate Conquests

Far Eastern dispatches also report Nipponese naval operations off Buka island in the Solomons, located further to the eastward. Some observers saw this move as a further extension of Japan’s northern arc over the island continent as well as an attempt to obtain a base closer to the American supply line. If the Japanese can accomplish these objectives, these sources believed, they may call a temporary halt to consolidate their conquests and “dig in” before the united nations can organize for a counteroffiensive. .

If such were the case, they said, the Japanese probably would depend upon the vast desert distances in Australia to shield them against allied forces until the consolidation could be accomplished.

They point out that Nippon'’s troops have been “traveling light” on both food and supplies thus far in the war and contend that the stretching out of their supply lines over thousands of miles undoubtedly leaves their air, sea and land power fairly thin, in many spots.

Hold Rice-Growing Lands

Military men have noted that virtually all of the Japanese-conquered territory is rice growing—the principal food necessary for supporting the invaders. Hence, it may be that they are attempting not only to consolidate thinning transport lines, already under attack by allied submarine, surface and air forces but to get sufficient food stocks to continue later operations.

Meantime, united nations’ big bombers have been attacking Japanese airdromes and bases in New Guinea, apparently in-an effort to blunt the Nipponese*spearhead. The war department reported yesterday that five flying fortresses smashed the Jap-held airdromes on northern New Guinea of Salamaua and Lae. They also shot down five Japanese fighters that attacked them,

2 IN GOUNTY FILE FOR LEGISLATURE

Miller L. Keller, 5643 Norwaldo ave, and Carl W. Ross, Beech Grove, today filed for the Republican nomination of state representative from Marion county. Others who. filed for state offices were: For State Representative—Everett E. McDaniels (D), Madison. State Senator—Ben H. Kerr (D), Lake; H. Curtis Bennett (D), Ripley and Jennings; Russell R. Handy (D), Henry, Hancock and Madison. Congress—Floyd PF. Cook (D), Monroe; Cecil F. Whitehead (D). Circuit Judge—Cecil E. Haupt (R), Warren;

man (D), Dearborn; W. Lynn ParkTippecance; Howard L.

inson (R), ; (R)

| Welch Defends Long-Term

Agreement With Airlines On Airport Lease,

By NOBLE REED

Daes Indianapolis want to continue having regular airline service? That, according to Leo F. Welch, board of works vice president, is the main question to consider in the dispute over the city’s proposal to sign a 20-year contract lease of the: airport with three airlines. The board of works recently approved the lease with three airlines using Municipal airport with a provision that the airlines advance $30,000 in rentals to help finance construction of an addition to the airport administration building.

Six On Council Balked

However, last Monday six members of the city council, which must ratify the contract before it can become effective, rejected the proposal at an informal caucus, Three weeks ago the council, without a record vote, referred the con~ tract back to the board of works for revision. The board refused to revise it and the caucus w. Joseph G. Wood, leader of the opposition, and five other coun cilmen opposed the lease on the ground ‘that 20 years was too long to tie up the city on any cons tract and charged that the ropes lease was “monopolistic.”

Called a Protection

Mr. Welch and other board mem=bers denied that the lease was monopolistic, contending that any other airline can use the airport facilities under the same contract.

for the city against rival airports taking the airlines away from Municipal airport,” he said. “The

Indianapolis wants to contihue hav ing airline service.”

airport leases all over the country.

He pointed out that under short term leases, other airports could’ offer longer term leases to the airlines and the city would lose out.

Record Vote Sought Works board members indicated

posed lease, and will leave the present contract up to the council for final approval or rejection by record vote, i “Its all up to the council now. whether we have a contract or not,” Mr. Welch said. The council is scheduled to take up the contract again at its Monday night meeting. : The councilmen ppposing the lease besides Mr Wood are Ernest C. Ropkey, Guy O. Ross, Harmon A. Campbell, Dr. Walter E. Hemp= hill and Ralph F. Moo: F. Moore.

SEEK INSURANCE ON COUNTY PROPERTY

County commissioners will submit to the county council next week a request for a $48,000 appropriation to buy fire insurance for all county buildings and equipment. , No fire insurance has ever been carried on county property and Re= publican Commissioners William T. Ayres and William Bosson said to= day they will not assume responsi bility any longer for failure to have insurance on county property. “We will ask the council for the money and if it refuses to make the appropriation it will be the council’s responsibility and not ours if a fire destroys $350,000 worth of voting machines, * MF. Ayres said.

AUSTRALIA'S LOSSES HEAVIEST IN MALAYA

SYDNEY, March 14 (U. P).~— Army Minister Francis M. Forde announced today that Asutralian casualties 1n the Malaya-Singapore campaign exceeded those of Libya, Greece, Crete and Syria combined. He estimated on the basis of re vised reports that 287 men had been killed in Malaya and that there . were 16,744 killed, wounded or

land, a total of 17,031 for the came paign. Casualties in the Middle East, in- i cluding prisoners, totaled 13,335, he said.

* WAR QUIZ

1. If you saw this insignia on the blue sleeve of a sailor's arm, you might. properly expect him to know the answer to ; which question: What's cooking, chef? Are the engines in perfect condition? Is the ammunition hoist working? What is that ship sl 2. If you met Jimmy Se Oe aT, on. the

Morris W. McMana-|

held. Councilman

“The 20-year lease is a protection

whole question is whether or not =

He said the contract is similar to i

they will not offer to revise the pro~

made prisoners on Singapore is- i