Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 March 1943 — Page 2

A ‘Weekly Sizeup by the Washington Staff of the Scripps-Howard Newspapers

‘Rommel has met his match.

March Sinkings Feared

SUBMARINE SINKINGS in March may be double the February figure, congressional sources fear, because of spring weather. Destroyers and destroyer-escort vessels, the two. chief types of surface craft used in our anti-submarine war, are coming off the ways in good numbers—but the numbers won’t be good enough until fall. Conflicts with rubber, high-octane gasoline and airplane programs, over critical materials, slowed down D-E construction. Meanwhile, conferences of high-ranking American, Canadian and British military and naval men here recently planned for best possible use of available surface and air craft to fight subs during the ‘coming danger season. 2 : 2 # n 2 8 8 House is likely to write a new tax bill of its own on the floor. : Now that they've taken a close look at it, Democrats aren’t enthusiastic about what their ways and means committee reported. Nor "are the Republicans willing to make an all-out fight for the Ruml plan. Several substitutes are being drafted. Carlson is rewriting his near-Ruml plan. Forand of Rhode Island will offer a compromise between the committee bill and the Robertson proposal “forgiving” 1942 taxes up to 19 per cent. .(Youd pay just the same but your ~ payments would apply on 1943 taxes). ' : This is one time when house debate will really influence votes. Membership, not satisfied with what's before it now, will be looking . frantically for something better. Good bets for inclusion in whatever emerges from the melee: Forgiveness of some portion of 1942 income: ~ Hability; special concessions for service men; 20 per cent withholding - fax after July 1. 8 8 =» ® » 8 It’s even money now that de Gaulle and Giraud will reach a working agreement when they meet—as they will in a few days—in North . Africa. But if you bet, don’t bet too heavily. Reason: Gen. de Gaulle’s

entourage, if not the gallant general himself, is inclined to compromise

only one way—its own. # ” 2

_ Argentine Sentiment Explored

« AT LEAST 65 per cent of the people of Argentina are pro-ally, says a recently returned official. “But,” he adds, “don’t take that to mean 65 per cent are for breaking with the axis. Like many Americans _ before Pearl Harbor, they are overwhelmingly against Hitler but would like to remain neutral.” » ® » 8 8 = Fi State prisons and other institutions, dissatisfied with food ration- | ing rules, threaten to.raise their own, ignore OPA. And OPA threatens to ask for injunctions. 5 ® =» = ss & 8 . Rumors about Washington putting a stop to cross-country trans- | tion of food and other products probably come from program, now being worked out, to induce local governments to fill all needs from home industry, cut cross-hauling by that much. 2 Coal crisis embarrasses congressional plans to repeal $25,000 "salary limitation. John L. Lewis is sure to use it as a talking point of raises for miners. Good bet is that house appropriations committee next week will eliminate $44,000,000 Florida barge canal item from war department ~ appropriation bill, despite argument that it would ease East coast oil shortage. . Subcommittee approved it, full committee refused to approve the bill with it in. > #B # 8

OW! Races Going-Over

tp OFFICE OF WAR information is in for a going-over {rom house "appropriations subcommittee when its budget is taken up, around April 12. Ranking Republican member Taber is still peeved because OWI Director Davis called him a “Simon Legree,” is demanding elimination of many OWI activities. ‘Also slated for the ax: National youth administration. House ‘economizers are organizing to kill it off. And farm sécurity seems to have few friends 1 senate, despite its hopes for better treatment. there.

We aes : 8 8 BX , Rexford G. Tugwell’s regime : as governor of Puerto Rico will get another ‘congressional once-over this spring. House ‘insular affairs committee plans investigation of political situation there as well as social and economic, expects to report on whether the island’s governor should be elected or appointed by the president. ® # 2 un ” 8

Germans are cutting food rations of French, Belgians and other subject peoples lower and lower—and with every cut. they put the blame on U. 8. If there is hunger, they say, it’s because Americans landed in North Africa and grabbed all the supplies.

8 8 8 ® Vice President Wallace wanted © go to South America incognito, Just as a “common man.” He was told the president and vice presi‘dent cannot travel abroad like ordinary tourists, mingle with hostile

factions in various delicately balanced nations. Even so, he left here

2 8

Communiques

EISENHOWER COMMUNIQUE (Issued Saturday, March 20)

The Tunisian front was quiet yesterda; From the eighth army front there

eport. the Gafsa and El Guettar areas where heavy rain is still falling our Moons continued to consolidate their po8 AIR: Bad weather over Tunisia limited air operations to sweeps and patrols which were carried out without loss and without encountering the enemy.

NAVY COMMUNIQUE 318

(Issued Saturday, March 20, 1943)

NORTH PAC II 1. On March 18, Kiska was attacked b army Liberator Soonsoidated B-24) an Mitonell (North American B-25) bombers, with htnings (Lockheed P-38) as esons. sults were not observed. All

gi PACIFIC returned. rch 20, a force of Wildcat a on (Grumman 'F4F) strafed Japanese positions on Munda, New Georgia. All planes returned.

; MURDER TRIAL NEAR END mid out vesorting to the | MARTINSVILLE, March 20. (U. oe niots.. subterfuges which fol- P.).—Final arguments were to be d the ministry of war trans- |heard today.in Morgan county cirorder against carrying |cuit court in the first-degree mur- | der trial of Paul B. Teague, charged ‘Iwith the axe-slaying of Estel Lee Cox. The jury was expected to receive the case late today.

British Lift Ban Against Flowers

LONDON, March 20 (C.D. N.) a= nder what has amounted to na-‘tion-wide indignation, Great Brit= ain is suspending its unpopular ban against the carrying of flowors and foliage by train. The cheers which greeted this announcement in the house of ‘commons are echoing throughout the country as the prospect brighter weather helps dim the memories of the wintry murk and dog. Starting next Thursday “for the summer months” train pasgengers again can carry flowers [Without fear of heavy fines and florists. can obtain

's - highly en racket of ar smuggling is at an end.

: stupor.

NITTI ENDS LIFE:

181.14 IN POGKET

. Kingpin of Capone Empire

“Takes Easy Way Out of - ~ Extortion Charges.

CHICAGO, March 20 (U. P.).— The remnants of Scarface Al Capone’s once mighty empire of crime crumbled today with the suicide of its ruler, Frank “The Enforcer” Nitti, and there were] whispers that the higher-ups, the men who controlled the gangsters, would be next to fall. Nitti committed suicide late yes-

federal grand jury at New . York indicted him and eight others, six

tortion. U. 8S. *District Attorney J. Albert Woll said a grand jury would convene here within 30 days to pick up where the New York grand jury left off. Nitti, who ‘dealt death to underworld enemies with a shrug of indifference, was driven to a drunken suicide when he found the federal government too- tough an opponent. He was the first big-time Chicago gangster to take “the easy way out.” Federal agents said he had “pleaded guilty” by sending a bullet into his brain. .Shortly before his death, they said, arrangements were made by an attorney to surrender him to the U. S. marshals office. Government attorneys said they knew he would plead guilty, “but not that way.” Nitti killed himself in a drunken His suicide was witnessed by three trainmen on an Illinois Central switch engine. The frain'men saw him reeling down a sidetrack as their engine approached.

Fires Two Wild Shots

Then, they said, he drew a pistol and fired two wild shots. The trainmen ducked as a bullet sped in their direction. They were not sure whether he had fired intentionally at them or not. Stumbling in a heap, Nitti sat propped against a fence, pressed the pistol to his temple and fired. The third shot ended his life. The man who had controlled millions reaped through liquor, gambling and extortion, died with $1.14 in his pocket. Police found the 32caliber pistol—less powerful than those habitually used by gunmen— clutched in Nitti’s stiffened hand. A few hours before his suicide, Nitti was indicted by the New York grand jury with eight associates, six of them former Capone henchmen, on charges of mail fraud and violation of anti-racketeering laws. They were accused of mulcting millions from motion picture executives through threats of strikes.

CARIBBEAN U-BOAT THREAT IS REVIVED

WASHINGTON, March 20 (U. P.).—The Germans may be sending some of their submarines into waters far away from. the north Atlantic in an effort to divert allied escort strength from the vital convoy routes to Britain, Russia and North Africa. That possibility was ‘suggested today by the appearance of an enemy submarine in the Caribbean area for the first time in more than three months. A small Honduran merchant vessel was sunk there during the first half of this month, the first in that area since December. Why a submarine should be operating in the Caribbean at a time when the main hunting ground appears to be in the North Atlantic aroused speculation over the possibility that the enemy is feinting. The Caribbean already is the graveyard for 154 merchant ships sunk by submarines since the start of the last year. Of this number, 71 were sent to the bottom during May and June. The German submarine campaign appears to be gaining momentum. Elmer Davis, director of the office of war information, in a radio address last night said that the bombing of submarine bases and submarine factories continues, “but there are still plenty of U-boats at large and plenty more in reserve, and they are going to keep on giving us a lot of trouble.”

OHIOAN KEYNOTER OF TOWNSEND RALLY

Charles W. Wetterman, Cleveland, O., will be the keynoter for the eleventh district Townsend club convention, Odd Fellows hall, Hamilton ave. and Washington st., tomorrow. Mr. Wetterman is the Ohio' Townsend plan manager. Delegates from Marion county clubs will select a district council. George Beard, president of the eleventh district council, temporary chairman, will open the convention.

Baker will serve as permanent chairman. The Fountain Square Townsend club choir, directed by Mrs. w. E, Williams, will sing,

WOMAN, 103, DEAD FT. WAYNE, Ind. March 20 (U. P.) —Funeral services were scheduled for Monday for Mrs. Caroline

November, celebrated her birthday. She died last night.

103d

RELIEVE EXTERNALLY CAUSED propasston conaree PIMPLES GEESE RASH | EEE ECZEM

terday when he learned that a|

of them his henchmen, as a result } of a $2,500,000 labor union’ ex-|{

atl.

Indiana state manager, Arthur E.|

Strasser of Ft. Wayne, who, last].

Fremont Power, former Times s = «

s | niceties around this joint. Drop in before going off to save America.

GERMAN NERVES ON RAGGED EDGE

Goebbels’ Admission on Luftwaffe Decline Seen As Symbol.

By HARRISON SALISBURY United Press Staff Correspondent LONDON, ' March - 20.—Widening Nazi nervousness regarding allied offensives for 1943 was indicated today despite the momentary lull in big news from the active fighting fronts. ~ The concern does not appear centered on any single theater, but is diffused in the form of fear of events to come, not only in Tunisia, the gir offensive in western Europe or in Russia, but for the whole outcome of the war. It was typified by the signally significant declaration of Dr. Joseph Goebbels in Das Reich, wherein for the Hrst time since some years before the outbreak of the war the No. 1 Nazi propagandist conceded that Germans no longer hold first place in air power and admitted allied superiority in that vital factor of modern warfare. Indications ‘that the Nazis—probably at Hitler's personal bidding— now place the chief reliance for defending themselves from the allied offensive upon submarines’ also was implied by Goebbels, who attempted to assert that Nazi dominance in submarine warfare balanced allied air superiority. The strain of Nazi nervousness is cropping out constantly in German

Nazis never have indicated to the home folk any hopes of permanently defending Tunisia. It also is noteworthy that they have not beaten the drums, as on former occasions, in connection with their recapture of Kharkov. They also have betrayed lack of confidence in holding off the allied invasion of Western Europe with repeated inspections of their western sea forts and warnings to the populations of occupied countries of what they will do to them when, as and if the allies land.

CHURCHILL TO WARN SATELLITES OF AXIS

LONDON, March 20 (U. P)— Prime Minister Winston Churchill, in a forthcoming radio address, may tell the axis satellite nations that there still is time for them to get off a sinking ship and save themselves from drowning. There never is any information available in advance on what Churchill will say and the hour of his broadcast is closely guarded for securify reasons.

That, of course, is the way city editors are. more than a couple of minutes before they come forth with some

propaganda. It is notable that the|

toma'y editor, interviews himself.

Times Tomato Editor Home. On Merchant Marine Leave

" By FREMONT POWER This is what happens when you try to practice a few of the social

to say howdy to the boys and they

put you to poking the same old decrepit typewriter you wrestled with

They can’t be nice

screwball idea that a guy should sit down and start to work. Having offered my frail body to the U. S. maritime service. last November, I returned from Sheepshead Bay, N. Y., to find the city’s pigeon citizenry getting along fine at the circle. Come to think of it I met up with a fellow from Virginia and when I told him of my native grounds, he replied, enthusiastically: “Oh yea, those pigeons! They ever do SnyRung about those?” I'm happy to see they Davart, for from what the home folks tell me, the poor civilians of Indianapolis may have to start looking around for extra victuals before long. Actually, it hurts me every time I sit down to a big steak, with three big mugs of coffee on the side. I can’t help but think of you poor folks back here. Of course, we're tryimg to ook out for you. In the mess hall, there’s a sign which goes like this: “Don’t take more than you can eat. The folks back home may need it.” But ‘just in case you find: this doesn’t entirely solve the ration ‘problem, here’s my parting. tip .to the ill-fed: I'm told that the pipe I raised a tomato with last summer is still up there on the Central library lawn. The apparatus is all there for you. All that’s needed is a new plant. And anybody who says you can’t

up there is probably the kind of a guy who hasn't been around the library for years because of tleat book he never brought back. Cheerio, all. We know tough back home but we're w on it. {

are rking

— Smoke Removed By New Furnace By Science Service URBANA, Ill, March 20.—Saving fuel and giving & more even heat, the furnace of the future developed at the University of Illinois can burn soft. coal without smoke, Prof. Julian R. Fellows announced today. Ceramic tiles replace the strategic alloy metal ordinarily. used for grates and fire Box linings.

ing coal in by the bucketful through the firing door which is placed at an agle leading down to the fire pit. Si. Smoke must pass through glowing coals, where it is burned, resulting in a saving of heat; only the smokeless burned gases .escape up the chimney. A special vent supplies pre-heated air that improves combustion efficiency.

r

ARE STILL

FHA Loans

Frozrar regulations still permit the making of FHA Title T Loans for essential property improvements and'repairs: We make ‘these monthly payment, low-rate loans to : responsible individuals owning dwelling or business pwpenty; No. mortgage in required.

Call at Main Office or Any Branch

Fletcher Trust Company

NW. Cor Penmayivanie ond Market Shs. sores CITY. wine BRANCHES, -

AVAI LABLE

raise a whopping big tomato plant}

Stoking is simplified by dump-. 1

ON HOSTAGES

Bern Reports arts. Nazie: Warn

* Alsatians of 10-to-1 ~~ Reprisals.

LONDON. March 20, (U. P.)—The Nazis were reported today to bee]

announced that they would shoot

10 hostages for every German soldier killed in the French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, where sabotage and acts of violence against occupation forces ware on the rise. Swiss reports said a military court in Strasbourg had sentenced 13 Alsatians to death and 14 to prison for maintaining “united nations connections” and plotting to overthrow the new order. A Strasbourg newspaper reack-

ring Bern, Switzerland, said all the

plotters had German names. They were said to include a prominent district court counselor, a Nazi government counselor, a police secretary and “prominent members of other influential professions.” Say Many Youths Arrested Radio Dakar broadcast a report that the Germans have mobilized 45,000 Frenchmen from Alsace and Lorraine and scattered them through several German regiments on the Russian front. Other Alsatians were said to have been forced into war industries in the Ruhr. : Radia Morocco, reporting from Bern, said the patriots entrenched in the Savoy alps still have not acceded to Vichys demand that they lay down their arms. A great many you iths, according to the Morocco radic, ‘have been arrested while atiempling to join the patriots. Some patriots were said to be returning singly and in small groups to their homes in Haute Savoie. The only new development report ed in the Swiss press was the posting of German announcements in Haute Savoie towns declaring that in case of an allied landing in Europe all able bodied men would be placed in concentration camps. Nazi and Vichy announcements insisted that the trouble had been “grossly exaggerated,” claiming no lives had been lost and that there had been no violence. Radio Paris, however, said the largest police raid in history was made in Tarbes, about 30 miles from

Savage Sovie

{perate bid for bridgeheads on the

MOSCOW, March 20 (U. P.).—A savage Soviet counter-attack wiped out a German advance in the seesaw battle of the upper Donets

river today, but the Germans were stepping up their assault in a des-

north bank before the spring thaw. Tens of thousands of axis troops and hundreds of tanks were battering ‘the Soviet lines in continuous waves, seeking to force the Donets in strength and drive, the Russians back toward the Don river. . The Germans hurled 3000 infantrymnen and 25 tanks against a single narrow sector of the front today and, at heavy cost, drove the Russians back slightly, the mid-day communique reported. The Soviets then regrouped and drove the enemy back to his initial positions in # counter-attack,

# Thrust in 7 ; Donets Slows Nazi Drive

wrecked vanks and seven anti-tank guns were left on the battlefield, the communique said. Howszver, the Russians yielded two hamlets to'the Germans yesterday ih their second withdrawal in 24 hours.

Soviet drive toward Smolensk on patches reported that the Russians

the upper Dnieper in the entire region north of the Vyazma-Smo-

other. six miles along the railroad itself from Izdeshkovo to within seven miles of Dorogobuzh, 48 miles east of Smolensk, Marshal Semyon Timoshenko’s northwestern armies stormed into

man stronghold in a continuing advance toward Staraya Russia, axis

Nearly 500 German dead, five

bastion south of Lake Ilmen.

Electronic Lab

prime importance. And it seemed that most of the employees were working too hard and too long to take time to balance their menus or soak up too much of nature's vitamins.through fresh air and sunshine.

But he thinks the daily vitamin pills will solve the problem nicely. Mrs. Blanche Jackson, plant nurse, puts up the capsules in packages of seven each, one for each day of the week including Saturday and Sunday. Each Thursday the week’s supply is distributed, and most of the workers take theirs during the morning rest period. The project is on a purely voluntary basis, but so far the employees are 100 per cent vitamintreated. One day there was a slight delay in distributing the vitamins, and employees kept the office

waited for their week’s allotment. The company is engaged in 100 per cent war work. A pioneer in the engineering of “black light” in aviation, it has supplied American airplanes since 1938 with this

the Spanish frontier. Paris did not give the reason.

el lighting. . In addition its specialty is the

phone wires hot as they anxiously|

fluorescent lamp for airplane pan-)

Employees

Taking "Vitamins for Victory’

(Continued from Page One)

design and manufacture of vibrator power supplies for the operation of equipment used in communications,

ligthing and other military applica=tions. Some of the products are used in planes, PT boats, walkie-talkies, tanks, jeeps, peeps and other mili. tary vehicles. . : Already the army-navy B flag flies proudly from the front of the company’s offices at 123 W. New York st. But neither employees * nor officials are ready to rest on their laurels. If it takes vitamins to do fit, Electronic Laboratories employees are well on their way to greater war production and victory.

CULVER FLIER DIES

BATON ROUGE, La.,, March 20 (U. P.).—Second Lieut. Ralph W. Thornburg of Culver, Ind., was killed yesterday when his plane crashed into a swampy section one mile north of Harding field here. Lieut. Thornburg was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph D. Thoraburg of Culver.

DAILY

(Also One at 7 P. on Monday, March

% Slides.

culturists,

men, ete.

let.

PLAN NOW

10 A. M. and 2 P.

Pn

2 SHOWS

M. 22) .

% Moving Pictures in Technicolor; lowell Thomas, narrator. + Sound Film .. “You Can Too” . . . first run of a complete course in home canning by Ball Bros.

. v Talks by Scientists, Gardeners, HortiCollege Professors, Nursery-

% Free Garden Book

* EXHIBITS *

Growing Landscape Garden by. Eagle. Creek Nursery

Also exhibits by Bell Bros. Co. . . . Ferry-Morse Seed Co. iu a Rootone-Transplantone Factory. .

TO BE HERE og

All next week « « « «» Monday through Sat- * wurday.

. American Agricultural Co, .. Smith Agricultural Chemical Co. « « + Robinson Pottery Co. « « « and the Indianapolis Public Liatary. :

Mud and slush was slowing the the central front, but field dis- ° now had reached the east bank of

lensk railroad and had pushed an- °

another town and smashed a Ger-

IN LOUISIANA CRASH

&

L