Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 July 1944 — Page 1
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—By Martin GULL. AND ONY A PRACT\CE - SCENE
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VOLUME 55—NUMBER 110
i 3
FORECAST: Partly coludy with little change in temperature tonight and tomorrow,
TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1944
Entered ss Second-Olass Matter st Posteffice Indianapolis 9, Ind. Issued daily except sunday
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PRICE FOUR CENTS
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This huge chunk of a ship's deck plate was found embedded in
the concrete sidewalk more than two miles from the scene of the Port-
Chicago, Cal., munition ships explosion.
(CALL ON WALLACE TO LEAD BATTLE
Iowa Chairman Urges Vice President to Come to Convention to Direct His ‘Own Sagging Campaign.
BULLETIN CHICAGO, July 18 (U. P.).~Vice President Henry A. Wallace anounced, today he would come here to direct personally sagging campaign for renomination in the face of entrenched opposition by conservative delegates to the Democratic national convention.
By LYLE C. WILSON United Press Siafl Correspondent .
CHICAGO, July 18.—Jowa State Chairman Jake More today summoned Vice President Henry A. Wallace to speed to this Democratic national convention city to direct his own sagging campaign for renomination.
By EDWIN EMERY United Press Staft Correspondent
SAN FRANCISCO, July 18.—Two 6500-ton ammunition ships being loaded at the U. S. naval depot at Port Chicago in
upper San Francisco bay
night, erupting into a brilliant sheet of white flame visible for 100 miles and caus-
ing “heavy casualties” and e
age, 12th naval district headquarters an-
nounced today,
“Casualties. will be heav severe as early unofficial reports indicated,” the navy said. Early estimates had ranged as high as 650 dead and injured.
Reports on the casualties were frag-
mentary, but it appeared
mately 300 persons were killed and missing and at least that many injured. The navy
_announced that 250 enlisted
officers" were missing and presumed dead. Four coast guardsmen were reported miss-
ing and four civilians killed.
“ber said 70 men were aboard one of the blasted ships. The known injured included more than 200 civilians and about 100 naval
personnel,
YOUNG MENTAL CASES JAMMED INTO INSTITUTE
State School Has Waiting List Due to Lack of
Room" and Help.
By NOBLE REED
Deplorable conditions at the state school for feeble-minded children at Ft. Wayne were revealed today following the disclosure that a seven-year-old boy had been kept tied up in a cage at the Children's Guardians’ Home here for nine months, Dr. W. F, Dunham, ent of the Ft. Wayne school, ed that there are 218 other of children'in serious mental condition over the state who cannot be taken into the school because of overcrowded conditions and insufficient personnel. “We now have a totalsof 293 applications for commitment of children that we cannot accommodate,” Dr, Dunham said. “Some jof the applications have been on {file for as long as four years and
Wallace told More in a telephone conversation that he Of that number 218 are active cases
would “consider” coming to the convention. More urged him to be here tomorrow when the convention meets
at 11:30 a. m. (Indianapolis
HOOSIERS EYE
| demanding immediate care.” Funds Withheld
Despite a state government treasury balance of some $43,000,000, Dr. Dunham said the state legislature
exploded last
xtensive damNot a sign
y but not as
that approxi-
men and nine under control.
the Quinault, A crew mem-
BULLETIN
WASHINGTON, July 18 (U. P.), —War Food Administrator Marvin Jones has directed the office of price administration to remove all lower quality beef steaks and beef roasts from the ration list but to end the point holiday on hams and pork loins, it was learned today,
Nazis Kill 33 More Airmen, British Claim
LONDON, July 18 (U. P) —War Minister Sir James Grigg told coms! mons today that 33 British and allied airmen had been killed in or near German prison camps, in addition to the 50 previously reported
| slain in what the Nazis described as an attempt to escape. .
{a bloody, swaying battle which for
| sheer verocity outdid the earlier!
remained of the two vessels.
Cause of the blast remained unknown. An Associated Oil Co. barge was anchored between the two ships and was reported destroyed, along with" several other small ships anchored nearby. - No accurate estimate of the number of dead and injured will be available until musters are held later today, the navy reported, adding that, the situation “is now
A crew member of one of the vessels,
said 70 members of her 200-
man crew. were aboard when the blast occurred at 10:20 p. m. P. W. T, (12:20 a. m. Indianapolis time). Two hundred Negro sailors
(Continued on Page 3—Column 5)
were re-
.
Pa American Victory Cracks Nazi - Defenses.
By VIRGIL PINKLEY United Press Staff Correspondent
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS, A.E. F., July 18.—The American 1st army captured bitterly defended St. Lo today in a triumphant climax to its toughest battle of the Freneh|
campaign which cracked the Ger-| man ring of iron around the allied! beachhead in Normandy. Henry T. Gorrell, United Press! war correspondent, reported the | conquest of the ancient citadel an-! choring the center. of :the German defense line in a dispatch filed from | the battlefront at 6:30 p. m. “St. Lo fell this afternoon.” Gorrel] said in his flash disclosing the significant American victory after |
time). More's recommendation was interpreted variously,’ but anti-Wal-
and the state budget committee . has turned down repeatedly his re-| to have been shot while they were quests for funds to expand the attempting to escape.” Grigg said in
“In 27 cases, the men are alleged |
In Service veer 8
lace leaders said it indicated realization by Wallace's supporters that the vice president rapidly was being counted out as a nomination contender, More insisted, however, that Pres{dent Roosevelt had given Wallace 8 “positive indorsement” and that the battle was on, ‘1 Think You Should Come’
*I think you should come to Chi-
cago,” More wrote to Wallace be-
fore their telephone conversation today. “Many of your’ old friends wish to see you.” Tp IT— “I told him to be here Wednesday," More said, “because this isn't & Roosevelt conyention—it is a Wallace convention.” Nobody here {s talking about who is going fo be the presidential candidate; Wallace is the whole story.” More said Mr. Roosevelt's letter to the convention expressing personal indorsement of Wallace but withholding official support went *further than I expected.” The letter was released last night and generally was interpreted as reading Wallace out of the race. or at least going far toward sending him back to private life. Meantime, anti-Wallace leaders said that War Mobilization Director
4 Letter Released Last Night
James FP. Byrnes of South Carolina and Senator Harry S. Truman of Missouri were foremost in consideration for a compromise candidate. Truman, who went to congress under sponsorship of the Tom Pendergest organization in Kansas City,
(Continued on Page 2—Column 1)
“TIMES FEATURES |
ON INSIDE PAGES
: Amusements ..14 Daniel Kidney, 12
Eddie Ash .... 8/Ruth Millett .%.12 Comics “.......18 {Movies ........14 Crossword ....18!Obituaries .... 7 Ludwell Denny 12 Pegler .......12 Editorials .....12 Ernie Pyle, ...11 Fashions .....15 Radio Financial ..... 8 Ration’ Dates..13 Forum ........12 Mrs. Roosevelt. 11
. Gardening ....13,Side Glances.,12
Meta Given ...15 Sports ........ 8 In Indpls. ..... 3|State Deaths.. 7 Up Front enna dl
11 {War Living ...13 s News
15 Sage a
* SECOND PLACE
Vice President Nominee
From State. By EARL RICHERT
Times Staff Writer
seeing a show with local talent on
“Fernor Schricker, were arriving here
{today for the party's national con[vention which opens tomorrow. Hoosier interest in the convention will be divided between the performance of Senator Samuel D. Jackson as permanent chairman of ithe convention and the dealings for {the vice presidential nomination in {which a Hoosier might possibly {draw the best hand. Sure to be sitting around the vice presideritial table are Manpower | Commissioner Paul V. McNutt and | Federal Judge Sherman Minton. Mr. Jackson might take a seat [if he has enough urging and Secre{tary of Agriculture Claude Wickard
(Continued on Page 2—Column 2) (HOOSIER HEROES— Die Invading France, Another Killed at Saipan
more Hoosiers and three Indianapolis fighting men have been wounded in combat,
KILLED Pfc. George E. Greene, 603 Lord st. Pvt, Willlam E, Wade, 1148" W. 28th st. Pfc. Jack Hart Mershon, Bloomington.
(Continued on Page 3~Column 1)
LOCAL TEMPERATURE
6am... 68 10am... 80 7a m.... 68 iL.a. m.... 84 ‘8 a M..... 13 12 (Noom)., 87
Delegation Sees Hope of
CHICAGO, July 18.—Assured of
the stage, about 500 of the state's ip leaders, including Gov-
-ACTION—IN—-FRANCE and on Saipan has claimed the lives of four
feeble-minded institution. Also he said emergency action is necessary to provide adequate personnel to manage the institution, “Normally the institution had a staff of four physicians,” Dr. Dunham said. “Now there is only one doctor and myself for the whole institution which is ttying to care for 1918 patients with facilities for only 1500.” Case Explained County welfare department officials, under whose jurisdiction the guardians’ home’ is operated here, said they had been trying for nine months to get the 7-year-old boy to the Ft. Wayne school without success. “The only thing we could. do was
(Continued on Page 2—Column 5)
PROMISE OF RAINS RAISES CROP HOPES
Scattered thundershowers promised by the weather bureau for tomorrow, Priday and Saturday raised the hopes of Indiana farmers today as parched crops and brown pastures cried for more rain to ease drought conditions. Farmers were benefited slightly by rains last night with Marion re-
cording the greatest rainfall in the state, ,10 inches. ' Indianapolis will have partly cloudy weather tonight and tomorrow, according to the local forecast, with little change in temperature.
(Photos, Page 2)
A soldier, believed to be absent without leave, was being Sought by detectives today for questioning in connection with the slaying last night of Albert’ Lee Goffinett, 46, while he ‘was working at the Gaseteria filling station, 1702 W. Washington st. ’ Mr. Goffinett, night attendant at the station, was found in the men's tollet room with ‘his feet propped
Soldier Is: Hunted in Murder ‘Of Filling Station Attendant
| reporting the killing of the 33 air{men, the nationality of whom he; {did not fix beyond the designation “British and allied.” He gave no details df the new j cases, which, in general paralleled the earlier killing of 50 air officers, of whom none were Americans,
BOARD FAVORS GUNN REHIING
Finds No Evidence Ousted Welfare Head Failed to Co-operate.
1 Phote, Page 5)
Reinstatement of Miss Helen Guynn as a Marion county welfare supervisor was recommended today by the state personnel board following a warmly-debated review of her dismissal May 31 by Arthur E. Wooden, newly-appointed county welfare director, The personnel board found “no evidence of Miss Guynn's failure to co-operate,” as charged by Mr. Wooden. It also failed to detect any indication that she had been ousted “as a result of religious, racial, "political or social views.” . * Under the state merit law, however, the Marion county welfare
(Continued on Page 2—Column 4)
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The victim had been shot through the head. There was one bullet hole ‘just below the right eye and another on top of his head. Detectives said they believed he had been shot twite. An autopsy was to be performed to determine whether the wounds were made by one or two bullets. : Detectives were seeking the soldier on information that he had been seen hanging around the filling station: several weeks and
h
that he had been heard to have,
fight for Cherbourg. General Withdrawal
Coincident with their grudging surrender of St. Lo under the heaviest American pressure, the Germans carried out a general withdrawal along most of the line between a little more than a mile and nearly two miles, Gorrell reported. The Germans appeared to be straightening out their lines preparatory to taking up defense positions along the east-west ridges in Normandy, Gorrell said. The German air force turned out in strength over Normandy today,
[a field dispatch reported. Nine-
teen American fighters took on more than 100 Messerschmitts in a wild, 15-minute battle in which 15 enemy planes were destroyed and six damaged against a loss of five for the U. S. 9th air force,
Knock Down 10 More
Eight patroling Mustangs knocked down 10 more German planes for a loss of one in a separate action. Just as the Germans were reforming, Thunderbolts returning from an attack on a rail bridge swarmed into the battle and destroyed five more. Heavy fighting still was going on around Noyers and Evrecy, hotly contested strong points on the rim of the British salient below Caen, and latest ‘reports to headquarters said the British still were holding the Noyers rail station.
Tornadic Onsurge
There was no word from the Periers and Lessay sectors of the U. 8. front. A German broadcast, however, said that the “expected American attack against Lessay has started,” indicating that the storm-
‘ling of the western anchor of the
Nazi defenses had begun. ¢
SHUTDOWN LOOMS — AT PULLMAN PLANT
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind, July 18 (U. P.)—Officials. of the PullmanStandard Car Manufacturing Co. said today that a shutdown of the main assembly line impended unless 120 riveters and roofers from the steel erection shop returned -to their The workers started the walkout last Friday, a company spokesman revealed, and the balance of the
Premier Gen. Hideki Tojo, ousted
ROBOT BIRTHPLACE | BOMBED BY HEAVIES
Other Yank Planes Smash At Nazi Aircraft Plants.
BULLETIN ROME, July 18 (U. P.).—American heavy bombers attacked an aircraft factory at Friedrichshafen and an air base southwest of Munich today.
LONDON, July 18 (U.,P)—An American air fleet of 1250 planes struck at Peenemunde, birthplace of Germany's robot bombs, another Baltic experimental tion today in twin raids that may have interrupted Nazi work on huge rocket projectiles which Stockholm newspapers speculated may be hurled against the United States: Nearly 750 Flying Fortresses and an escort of 500 fighters sent a great weight of - blockbusters and incendiary. bombs crashing down on laboratories, and other buildings at Peenemunde, 60 miles northwest of Stettin, and Zinnowitz, both on the Baltic sea coast. Other unidentified targets in Northwest Germany also were hit. German broadcasts said allied warplanes from Italy simultaneously struck into southern Germany. German fighters challenged the Americans over the Peenemunde area, precipitating # fierce battle in ‘which one group of Mustangs commanded by Col. Joe L. Mason of Slums, 0., shot down 20 of about 100 attacking planes. g : “We t the farget”
assembly “line. depended on theirisaid 1st Lt.
work if produ
stock were to be continued.
and | sta-
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as head of Japanese general staff.
me ¥
’
Gen, Yoshijiro Umesu, successor to Tojo.
SOVIETS DRIVE 116 MILES FROM WARSA
‘Are Near Artillery Range Of Brest Litovsk.
By M. S. HANDLER United Press Staff Correspondent MOSCOW, July 18.—Soviet tanks and mobile , infantry plunged to within 116 miles of Warsay today in a mile-an-hour advance that carried almost to within artillery range of Brest Litovsk, ‘gateway to the Polish plains, and threatened to outflank that key fortress from. the north, 2 (Berlin radio’said- today that
the
pinters offensive aimed up from the Kowel area of old Poland toward Brest Litovsk.) . . While Marshal Konstantin K. Rokossovsk¥'s 1st White Russian army was speeding through Vidoml,
. this pr
16 miles north of Brest Litovsk, two
Ships Explode In Frisco Bay
(Norman Montellier, a United Press staff correspondent, was among the first newspapermen to reach Port Chicago after the blast. He reported that Deput Sheriff John Long said he had made a survey of the disaster scene and would estimate the dead at 350, mostly naval personnel. Long said he believed that between 650 and 800 persons had been injured.)
ca
The entire Side. wal of this Port Chicago, Cal., theater was blown in by the force of the munition ships ex. plosion. The theater was filled, but only two persons in the audience were injured
T0JO OUSTED AS JAP WAR CHIEF;
SI. LO SURRENDERS TO YANKEES
Staff Shakeup by
Tokyo Hints at Crisis.
By UNITED PRESS Premier Gen. Hideki Tojo, who led Japan to war against the United States, by the sneak attack on-Pearl Harbor, has been relieved as chief of
the Japanese general staff, | Radio Tokyo announced today in a { broadcast heard by United Press at San Francisco. Coming on the heels of the res|ignation of Adm. Shigetaro Shimada ‘as navy minister yesterday, the re=- : tmoval of “the razor” from control of the Japanese army indicated a major crisis in- the Nipponese empire. The broadcast, which gave no in. dication that Tojo had relinquished iership or other govern= mental | posts, said Gen. Yoshijiro Umezu had succeeded Tojo as chief of the general staff.
Admit Loss of Saipan
Earlier today Tokyo had quoted Tojo as saying that the American conquest of Saipan; 1500 miles from the Japanese capital, had. thrust upon Japan “an unprecedentedly great national “crisis.” Loss of the key Marianas island was admitted by Japan only a few hours before Tojo's removal was announced, and apparently prepared the way for the statement. Tojo's declaration on the Saipan crisis was contained in a special statement broadcast to the home empire and recorded by FCC monitors. The loss of the Central Pacific stronghold in Japan's inner defenses had caused Emperor Hirohito “concern,” Tojo said, and as a result “we are simply filled with trepidation.” , Tokyo's announcement of Tojo's removal as chief of the general {staff was made in an English {language broadcast beamed at North America.
In the Usual Manner
The broadcast said in the usual Japanese manner. of announcing changes in military posts: | “It has just been announced that | Gen. Yoshijiro Umezu, commander jin chief of the Kwangtung army, has been appointed chief of the general staff in succession to Gen. [Hideki Tojo, who has been relieved of his concurrent post.” Use of the word “concurrent” ape parently referred to the fact that Tojo is premier of Japan, war mine ister, minister of commerce and ine dustry and munitions minister, Tojo, who became premier in the fall of 1941 and led the group of men who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor, took -over the post of army chief of staff from Gen. Field Marshal Sugiyama last Feb, 21, after an earlier military shake up in the face of continued Amerie can Jidtories, 2 : Gen. Umezu was.one of the orige inal organizers of the crack Kwang«
| {
Russian army had opened a new! bas
‘Japanese navy press ‘