Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 January 1943 — Page 1

< 8nd bad. On the dark side of the

: The is no serious dissension be-

FORECAST: Considerably colder tonight; continued cold Tuesday forenoon.

FINAL HOME

MONDAY, JANuany 41943

It’ s No Wal away in Africa...

aL ORAN, Algeria (By Wireless) Men who bring our __eonvoys from America, some of whom have just recently arrived, tell me the people at home don’t have a correct _ impression of things over here. : Merchant marine officers who have been here a couple

of days are astonished by

the difference between what °

they thought the situation was and what it actually is. : They say people at home think the North African * campaign is a walkaway and will be over quickly; that our losses have been practically nil; that the French here Jove us to death, and that all German influence has been

cleaned out.

IF YOU THINK that, it is because we newspapermen here have failed at getting the finer points over to you. Because this campaign at first was as much diplomatic as military, the powers that be didn’t permit our itchy typewriter fingers to delve into things internationally, which were ticklish enough without that. I believe misconceptions at home must have grown out of some missing

part of the picture.

i would be very bad for another wave of extreme optimism to sweep over the United States.

So maybe I can explain

a little bit about why things

over here, though all right for the long run, are not all strawberries and cream right now.

IN TUNISIA, for instance, we seem to be stale: ed for the moment. The reasons are two.

Our army i

Entered as Second-Class Matter at ) tofticey Indianapolis, Ind. Issued dally exc:p: Sunday.

PRICE THREE CENTS |:

By Ernie Pyle

green army, and most of our Tunisian troaps are in act 1al battle for the first time against seasoned troops and «( -

manders. It will take us months of fighting to gain

experience our enemies start with.

In the second place, nobody knew exactly how nuic

resistance the French would put up here, so we had > b

set for full resistance.

That meant, when the French capitulated in *- days, we had to move eastward at once, or leave the cn

mans unhampered to.build a big force in Tunisia.

ree

SO WE MOVED several hundred miles and, with the British, began fighting. But we simply didn’t have enough stuff on hand to knock the Germans out instantly, Nobody is to blame for this. I think our army is doing wonderfully—both in fighting with what we have and in getting more here—but we are fighting an army as tough in spirit as ours, vastly more experienced, and more |

easily supplied.

So you must expect to wait a while before Tunisia is cleared and Rommel jumps into the sea. Our losses in men so far are not appalling, by any means, but we are losing men. The other day an American : (Continued on Page One, Section Two)

| GERMAN HOME FRONT SHOWS SMALL CRACKS

{ Civilians Feel F Pinch ‘but { Blame Subordinates Rather Than Hitler. -By JOE ALEX MORRIS

(Copyright, 1943, by United Press): | LONDON, Jan. 4.—Little “cracks

are beginning to appear in the| of the German home|

as the Reich finds itself in fourth winter of war. ‘Those cracks can be widened by allied victories and by additional hardships which the German civilfan population must undergo, but it would be false optimism to say that the structure is in imminent danger of collapse. German civilfans. still are capable of withstanding additional hardships and it must be remembered that condi“tions on the home front were much worse in 1918,

The Dark Side

From the allied standpoint, recent ts in Germany can be divided into two ' categories—good

position | i the Comin people seems seA woman who worked in a MPAA Lattory fd itos

mans blamed all the military . economic blunders that Hitler has committed on: his subordinates. The gestapo, she said, maintains an

en grip on the civilian popu-}

atic particularly in the factory

Actual conditions within Germany are still beclouded { by secrecy and purposeful | distortion. But in recent . | weeks, the United Press staff | in Europe has culled every | available source about the ~ | enemy country with a view § to making a report to the ‘outside world, ~The first installment of this report begins today in the ‘accompanying dispatch by ‘Joe Alex Morris, United Press foreign ‘editor now stationed in London. It willbe followed by others covering other phases of German life.

2 Contrary to published reports,

tween Nazi party leaders and the generals. An authoritative Source, - discussing the recent removal of Gen. Franz Halder as chief of staff of the German high ~ command and the appointment of ~ Gen. Kurt Zeitzler to post, said, “scapegoats had to be :found for ‘the failure of Hitler's intuition and the German inability to take Stalin- . »

Termed Good Officer

- That change, it was added, was Io an attempt to put an ardent in command of the armed for Zeitzler—again contrary to only not a close, personal friend of Hitler. He is a capable, bitious general and is known to ilitary wen as an excellent staff

a neutral source comes the tortion that there are at least ‘two schools of thought among Ger‘man officials and military men on - to ‘conduct the war, but the of opinion has not broken

en ty. : ‘the contrary, such bitter ene-

TIMES FEATURES oN INSIDE PAGES

#'e os

Our governor is going to have with those big white hats of his.

We ‘picked up: that fashion: tidbit this morning at the merchandise mart which the Indiana Men’s Ap~ parel club is sponsoring at the Claypool hotel this week. A representative. of one of the better known manufacturers said] this morning that those lightcolored fur felts come from Australia and the shipping space they formerly occupied is now being occupied by things “kept under the ha ” Hat Brims as Usual

As for those brief hat brims (the two and two and one-eighth inch kind) they just somehow didn’t “catch on” :despite their sponsorship by Bing Crosby in all of eight colors. No, as we got the story this morning, brims will be about as usual, two and five-eighths, two and three-fourths, etc. Many do have wide bindings that introduce a new note. As for the gayness of sweaters and ties, gentlemen, it will be: all the gals can do to refrain’ from whistling. They're gayer than all “get out.” One line features a scarlet sweater with a bright red, white and blue casual hat to match. And there is a plethora of those Norwegian ski sweaters in gay designs. The show throughout reflects the trend to sportswear. It seems to be the line in which the manufacturers have most easily covered up (Continued on Page Five)

ICE CREAM OUTPUT CUT TO SAVE BUTTER

Month’s Supply to Be Half

That of October.

® WASHINGTON, Jan, 4 (U. P)— The war production board gave some reassurance today to those who like to drink their beer out of bottles, but the outlook for ice cream lovers was not ‘so good. The WPB announced that it

is . 6|Jane Jordan.. 12 Fens 14 Millett assesses 10 tess 9 Movies .. : «sassss 17] Obituaries ... wOI'( Bh Pegler essveee 10 census 10

socacdoe

| would permit the continued use of

no-deposit glass beer bottles, manuto have

The board’s order affecting the commercial ce cream, custard, milk sherbet and other frozen desserts, was for an additional 10 cent reduction in January.

fess hah foal Brodin WHI be s

Gay Sweaters for Men

with tei demands for casual ars»

Apparel Clab ety

~ Schricker Hats. are: Scarce

By ROSEMARY REDDING | . ° ..

to be mighty careful from Tow on

Yes, sir, he’s going to have to stage a ‘little hit cotibervation: program of his own for there just “ain’t” any more where those: come from. Or if there are any of those big white hats left, there worst oe for long for pastel hats are out for “the duration.’ »

BUCHMANITES ASK DEFERMENT

Use “Big Names’ in Plea ‘That Group Bolsters Nation’s Morale.

Times Special NEW YORK, Jan. 4—Names of a number of senators and representatives and of several top officials of selective service have been involved in maneuvers which for 20 months have sought to gain draft deferment for workers of the moral rearmament movement—the so-called Buchmanites—the New York WorldTelegram disclosed today. Currently the cases of 28 aliens —classed 1-A by local authorities— have been ordered reopened for possible further deferment by Brig. Gen. Ames T. Brown, state draft director, despite a letter in which the head of the city draft system called the cases “most detestable.” Twenty-five of the aliens are Eng-

lishmen, one is g Canadian, one a|

Norwegian and ohe a Dane. The MRA move¢ment claimed deferment for thes¢ workers, seeking to have them classified 2-A, not primarily on religious grounds but on the claim of “essential endeavor.” The men were “necessary,” it was contended, because they produced patriotic revues and prevented war plant strikes by converting labor leaders and. industrialists. * (Continued on Page Five)

FIND LEGAL LOOPHC BEEKER IN AS

E TO PUT

COUNTY POSTS ARE RETAINED BY DEMOCRATS

Many Workers in Key Jobs Kept as Republicans

. Assume Offices.

By NOBLE REED

Democratic workers continued today to operate most of the county government business despite the

publican officials three days ago. Although no announcement was ‘made, ‘Fabian W. Biémer, cnief

nd 0h nist

into his old job. Other Democrats Remain

replaced. In.the county clerk's office, one;

ty government, workers, including Chief Deputy Cletus Seibert, were nanning the records. Considerable confusion prevailed) in the clerk’s.office with newly appointed Republican clerks trying to: iearn office routine with long lines of customers waiting to be served in legal matters.

Fails to Report.

the alimony counter of the clerk's

after half a day of work. County|. Clerk Jack Tilson, Republican, had|: not: moved into the office today, leaving his private office, barren .of fixtures. . In one department in the clerk's office where work had not yet been organized, four stenographers were doing typewriter exercises. Nearly all of juvenile = court élerical, desk and probation work was being operated by former Democratic employees who ‘were: retained by Judge Mark Rhoads, Republican. Fifteen of the 20 or more jobs in juvenile court were held, by Democrats. J * Retain Key Posts In the county recorder’s - office where Paul Brewer, Republican, took office Friday, three Democratic key workers remained to conduct the business of the office. Newly-clected Republican officials indicated, however, that they will replace the Democratic = workers with “deserving” Republicans, if and when any of the latter can be found who can qualify for the jobs.

LOCAL TEMPERATURES

m..... 26 10.a. m..... 24 .+ 26 11 a. m..... 24

a. m. a. M..... 26 12 (noom)... 22 a. m.. 25 1p m..... 22

inauguration of newly-elected Re-| |

deputy auditor under the last two) # tic

4% ; last Friday and that he was sworn i

‘Along with Mr. Biemer ‘were four} other Democratic key workers still : on the job in the auditor's office]: with no indication that they will be

of the key spots in the ‘entire coun-|! ‘four Democratic] |

A new Republican. appointee at : office failed to show up at her desk|:

Local Option Low Urged By Indianapolis Pastors’ Group|

The Indianapolis Ministerial asso-)

NAZI CAUCASUS ARMY PI PERILED-

Fourth ‘Big a Rilssian Victory In Six Days Nearly Splits Enemy. :

MOSCOW, Jan. 4 (U. P.) —The Red army, driving the Germans back from the gateway to Russia's vast store of Caucasian oil, developed an, attack from two directions today on the axis base at Prokhadnaya, 28 miles west of Mozdok.

sians were closing in on Prokhadnaya, a strategic rail center, and the fall of the city appeared imminent. Mozdok, threatened by the Germans for three months, fell to a lightning week-end assault by the Red: army. In taking Mozdok, their fourth major victory in six days on their 1100-mile. battle front, the Russians also took Malgobeck, 20 miles to the southeast, and Elkhotovo, 40 miles to the southwest. If the Germans lost Prokhadnaya, they would face the choice of a general retreat or the risk of annihilation of an army split in two. The fall of Mozdck had removed, apparently for the winter, if not forever, the axis threat to the richest Caucasus oil fields.

PT-BOATS SCORE

Front dispatches said the Rus-|

OFF GUADALGANAL

‘Feed Starving Troops.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (U, P)—| U. S. motor torpedo hoats have hit one Japanese destroyer and scored three possible hits on two others in ‘what appeared to be a keep|

The ‘business district of Marietta, Ou is shown as seen from an Huds o phetograplie-tut of the Obie :'-

~ High Waters Soak OF i

On the War Fron's

+ (Jan. 4, 1942)

RUSSIA—<Soviet army. safegu 1 ds

oil ‘fields by- "seizing

~ pushes on toward Prokhadn: SOUTHWEST PACIFIC ~ An:

Mor

can-Australia army pushing J nese off last toehpld in Pa

* New Guinea; - attack six Jap

two others.

flying. fortre attack Rabaul. ‘American PT=-bo: Gs destroyers Guadalcanal, hit one and poss

38 4

NORTH AFRICA—Rommel apy: ‘-

ently to make stand Zem Zem,

170 miles east ‘Tripoli. Allied planes bomb T1:

at Wail

and Sousse; 28 axis planes dow d

in Tunisia in one day.

AIR FRONT—-R. A. F. night attacks on axis, hitt: industrial Ruhr, following we | end U. S. bomber raid on

resuri:

S gi &

Nazaire, with loss of seven fly 1 3 fortresses, biggest loss so far.

BURMA—R. A. F. raids Rathed: ‘Monywa >and :Meiktlila : areas.

(U. 8. Communiques, Page 15)

U.S. ASKS STATUS

OF NATIONAL BANK:

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (U. P) The controller of currency toc issued a call for all national ber | to report their condition as of ID

31.

The Indians department of fin: cial institutions has issued a ¢ for all state banks to report to

condiiion as of Dec.” 31.

Japs Seem to n ioBe Trying to Rubr '‘M oderc’

< a.

L- (Farm Youth Di Drowns

1tmy plane from Wright field which er Hood area. “

COLD MAY END FLOOD MENACE

in Wabash; South Indiana

Area Isolated.

Colder weather was expected today to hasten drainage and end the flood menace along. the Ohio river after swollen waters claimed their

first Hoosier life yesterday. Barnet Loehr Jr,

‘its junction with the rampaging

‘Ohio late last night. He and two

other boys, Virgil and Herbert Baldwin, 18 and 16, respectively, were removing ' hogs to higher ground

“".. when their boat capsized.

The Baldwin brothers clung to trees for three hours before their cries attracted help.

Union Township Isolated

. Fiood-weary citizens, feeling more | inconvenience than danger, viewed the official forecast for colder | weather as promise of relief. . Evansville reported the river at a

‘i 41-foot stage, only four-tenths over yesterday, but nearby Union town“|ship was completely isolated and] . the corn crop was further dam- " aged.

HIEF EF TUESOAY

QUICK CHANGE

IN PROMOTION METHOD MADE

New Board Clears Way To Elevate Him to

Lieutenancy.

(Read = the editorial, “Stop Them, Mr. Mayor,” and’ “Frankly _Speaking,” Page 10.) By EDWIN C. HEINKE : Clifford Beéker, until Sat

Afurday a patrolman in the In-

tue s of skillful legal recasting of existing merit regulatios

The new police promotion board has elevated Mr. Beeker to the

rank of lieutenant and the safety

board temorrow is expected to promote him to chief. ; This action followssthe confusion of last week when the safety board then. announced that Mr. Beeker was ineligible for promotion to. a lieutenancy and would have to go to a competitive merit school to qualify himself, a procedure Wil= liam Remy, president of the board said would take about a month.

~ Change Method Swiftly The method by which Mr. Beeker was promoted to lieutenant was simple, Under rules which have been fol-

15-year-old is Posey , county farm youth, was {drowned |in the Wabash river near

lowed since 1935, examinations have | been held for both sergeants and es coming: ‘Mr. Bees ker ‘never’ took a lieutenant’s ex: amination, but- he did take a sergeant’s examination and passed 12th in a list of 24 men. The new promotion board, meet ing Saturday, rephrased the depart= ment’s rules to read: ‘

“All police officers of the city of Indianapolis who attended t h e promotion school for a period of two weeks and at the conclusion thereof took an examination for promotion and who passed this examination in May, 1940, with .a final grade of 75 or better are now declared fo be eligible to be promoted to any and all ranks in the Indianapolis police department up to and including the rank of lieutenant in such department.”

Action Within Law

This action ‘at once legalized examination which Mr. Beeker ti (under existing rules, the police | partment operated under a s) which voided all eligibility one year) ,and made him for immediate promotion. This promotion the new p

At Cincinnati the Ohio, lashed adjourned

by heavy winds, reached a near-

crest of 60.8 feet as approximately |

| 1000 families, principally in the | Kentucky lowland across the river, | {Continued on Page Five)

aly’ Bombed:

= St. Nazaire Docks Set Afire

LONDON, Jan. 4 (U. P).—T:c aire un the Prench west coast tn royal air force attacked the incu;

trial ‘Rubir in western

Germ:

small force, po: in 60 or 70 plan;

daylight yesterday. It was une ican four-eingine bombers had

time that Amer-

ful reading of the act, nas (Continued on Page Five)

HIGH COURT RULE

tempt in a rangement worked out in 19 the