The Daily Banner, Greencastle, Putnam County, 20 February 1945 — Page 1
4 + .44444*9 WEATHER * WARMER 4 +++++++4+9
THE DAILY BANNER "IT WAVES FOR ALL"
E FIFTY-THREE
GREENCASTLE, INDIANA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1945.
NO. 107
IL PLANS R MEMORIAL REENCASTLE
STEPS TAKEN AT 1G MONDAY EVENSOLUTION PASSED
Tops In Class
i
encastle city council resolution at their Monday evening in council will take the in the formation of a t towards the building ble memorial to World en in the city, mittee or more will be the near future for the of working out plans a memorial and the s taken last night show ve action on the part of il in honoring our soldfrom these first steps lly come a worthy memwhich the entire city
jdpate.
' solution said. RESOLUTION
CAS, the young people will one day become the Itizens of tomorrow and “e of our State and Nabe in their hands and :irable that they should opportunity to develop aits which will make [ citizens, and that it is ation of the City of rtle and its citizens to them with the means and and to assist them in any slo.'i: so that they may ood and proper physical, and moral training to the they may in the future e their duties as citizens «State and Nation; and *EAS, it is the opinion ouncll that the Mayor of of Greencastle should a representative commitnrembers, citizens, community, to study and te plans to carry out the set forth above, and to the activities of young this community and them with adequate re-
1 opportunities.
THEREFORE, BE IT VED BY THE COMMON L OF THE CITY OF CASTLE, THAT the this City appoint a ee of members,
of this community, for ^ „
pose of studying and ting plans to the end that jects herein set forth be attained and that an recreational program 'loped and made available young people of this at in studying and formsuch plans the committee so consider a proper and memorial for thy Vet-
»f World War II.
Malcolm S. Rominj
Malcolm is th> son of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Romine and is r. member of the R. O. T. C. unil and a sophomore at Shortndgt h gh school. Ho stands high ir. the class and recently during the absence of his tea&.icr, he acted
as instructor.
Communists May Get Commissions
WASHINGTON. Feb. 20.— (UP)—The War Department and the House military affairs committee are headed for a showdown on the question of giving army commissions to
American Communists.
A published report here said the department had instructed all commands that persons should not be denied advancement because they were Communists. The order was described as saying that the vital question was whether the person concerned was or was not loyal to this
country. .
Committee Chairman Andrew J. May, D., Ky., said he had asked for a report from the depart-
ment.
“It they are going on with it,” he added, “I propose to have them come before the committee and explain it. I am against Communists holding commissions in the army. It seems to me that we have enough good red-blooded Americans to run
LIABILITY OF
CITY DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL CLAIM FILED BY CITIZEN BRINGS OUT A LENGTHY
INABILITY DISCUSSION
The meeting of the city council Monday evening developed into a discussion of the liability of the city towards a citizen, rather than anything else, but a few minor matters of routine busi-
ness were transacted.
During tha time the ice and snow covered the ground, west Washington street was roped off for use by the children for their sleds. Some one failed to remove the barricade at night time and as a result, a state police car hit it and in stopping suddenly, was said to have caused Carl Stevens to hit the police ear from behind, causing damage to the extent of $125 to the Stevens car and about $25 to the police car. However the police care was not involved in the city claim, but only the Stevens car. Mr. Stevens was present and ;;aid tjre fact that the barricade had no red light on it was responsible for the accident and because of that fact the city should nay the cla m. It was discussed pro and con and finally to get action on it, Councilman Bryan made a motion to allow it. Councilmen Mayhall and Bryan voted yes, but it was killed when Councilmen Graver, Fellers and Thorlton voted no. Then it was all discussed over again, and the council voted to get more information and statements on what happened from eye witnesses and bring the mat ter up at the next meeting. It
A NICE BUSINESS?
UTS OVER REICH
DON, Feb. 20 (UP)— an Flying Fortresses out from Britain for new on Germany today, daylight raids followed a RAF night assault on a tic oil plant at Bohlen, .ipzig. A smaller-scale atthe Saxon Industrial and unications center of Erfurt, iles west of Dresden, was out by RAF Mosquitoes.
Negroes To Train At Freeman Field
Greencastle police were called to a local theater Saturday evening shortly after ten o'clock, when the manager found two small children there alone. They had spent the evening in the theater. Their parents and two still smaller ones, wer. found in a tavern where the parents had spent the evening. Needless to say they were taken out and all sent home, but not until the husband had remonstrated ab.mt his freedom as an American to do as he wished. He was warned that if the action was repeated, charges of child delinquency would be pushed against him by the office rs.
MANILA JAPS HERDED INTO SMALL POCKET
END OF BATTLE FOR MANILA IN SIGHT AFTER 17 DAYS MANILA, Feb. 20 (UP) — American big guns were pulverizing Manila's 400-year old wail today for a f.nal assault on a one-square mile pocket of stubborn Japanese defenders south of the Paaig river. With the heavy artillery blasting a path through the thick wall around the original Spanish city, the end of the 17-day old battle of Manila was ,n sight. Units of the 37th Infantry Division were firmly entrenched around the dwindling Japanese 1 pocket and 11th airborne troops
BLOODY BATTLE IS PROGRESSING ON IWO ISLAND
J. S. MARINES CUT JAP ISLAND IN HALF IN HEAVY FIGHTING ADMIRAL NIMITZ'S HEAD-
steep terraces onto a mountain plateau against steadily-increas-ing Japanese resistance. The airfield has three airstripe, the longest totalling 5,025 feet. The advance along a 2^-mile-long beachhead front carried nearly half way across the narrow southwest tip of the volcanic Isand and theratened to seal off 546-foot-high Suribachi. in whjse crater* were emplaced artillery, mortare and machlne-
yt'AllTEKS, GUAM, Feb. 20—, K una -
(UP)—U. 8. Marines have cut Iwo in two with a drive to the west coast, a communique announced today, and radio Tokyo •tald other forces seised a nesv •irachhead In a landing farther north.
were rapidly cleaning up Fort
was passed, but almost suddenly | McKinley on the southeast out Councilman Thorlton brought it ! ' k rts of tho city-
up again near the end of the meeting and another discussion
resulted.
The firemen have painted a big sign which they have erected over the front of the fire department, telling the world that | it is THE fire department. The council, being in the friendly mood, voted to have it taken down, but in all probability the record of their vote was soon
The final phase of the Muni,a campaign came as paratroops and infantry slowly dug out fanatical Japanese holdouts from the caves and tunnels of m-wly-invaded Corregidor. Other American forces also were clean ing up enemy remnants on
Bataan peninsula.
Desp.te the impact of the heavy artillery fire, the Japanese were fighting back bitterly from
lost in the maze of the liability! their Iast positions inside Manila
WILL HELP U. S.
HINGTON, Feb. 20 — Prime Minister Winston hill told President Roosca recent meeting that Britain “was determined w everything it had at the as soon as Germany has defeated.’’ White House today disthat the President and Minister conferred on th3 c war at Alexandria, after the big three meett Yalta in the Crimea.
SEYMOUR, Ind., Feb. 20 — (UP) Reactivation of Freeman army air field as a base for Negro bombardment groups and the transfer of activities at Camp Atterbury airfield to the installation here was announced
'.»day.
The announcement, made at Washingtop, said that Col. Robert Selway of Godman Field, Ky., be commanding officer. I Some units of his former bas<also will be transferred to Freeman field. Freeman field was placed on temporary inactive status Jan. 24. Trior to that, it was in the eastern flying training com-
mand.
Reactivation personnel primarily will be composed o f j Negroes who have completed preliminary and trans.tion fly ing. Crews will receive final instruction with B-25 bom here preparatory f,or overseas service. Approximately 3,000 officers and enl sted men will be stationed at the field, the announcement said. There will be 1,300 Negroes in a bombardment group, about 650 Negroes in s service unit and 300 Negro officers. Base squadlon personnel will be 500 white officers and 300 Negroes.
discussion and the sign will remain intact. R. E. Storm was given permission to repair a sewer at 605 cast Seminary street, providing he posts the usual $25 street cutting fee which is required under a city ordinance. The garbage contract was renewed on the basis of ten cents per 100 pounds, said garbage to be weighed over the city scales. The meeting closed with the formation of the council into a Board of Finance, In which Cecil Fellers was named chairman and the public funds handled by the city were distributed for deposit during the coming two years between the city banks.
ADM. NIMITZ HEADQUARTERS, Guam, Feb. 20.—(UP) — U. S. marines attacking Iwo Island have driven across the southern end of the island, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz announced today. Resistance in the southern end of the island in the Mount Suribachi area has ceased, Nimitz added. The marines cut off the enemy’s strong point in the Suribachi volcano from other JapanWASHINGTON, Feb. 20.— (UP)—Radio Tokyo told the Japanese people today that they must expect an American invasion of their homeland. The warning came as the Japanese high command formally acknowledged that American troops were ashore on Iwo Island, 750 miles south of Tokyo, and the capital itself smouldered from the largest B-29 raid yet on Japan.
BULLETIN ADMIRAL NIMITZ'S HG., Guam, Feb. 20 (UP)—American murine* captured the main air field on Iwo .lima today on the sneoad day of their invasion of Japan's doorstep Island and heat hack a Japanese counterattack aimed down Its runway.
NAZI DEFENSES IN EAST PRUSSIA NEAR COLLAPSE REDS HAMMER GERMANS ALL ALONG THE VAST EASTERN FRONT
POST OFFICE TO CLOSE The Poet Office will be closed all day February 22. Mail will be dispatched as usual.
Years Ago
IN GREENCASTLE
INVITATIONS ISSUED
The Women’s Committee ol J Indiana State Symphony Society has issued Symphony invitations to all members of the Greencastle branch to attend the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
broadcast from 2to'3 o’clock Sat- from unanimous,
urday afternoon, Feb. 24th in the
ord delivery truck, belongFred Todd, local grocer, was stolen from the public
was found near Bloom- j Murat Theater, Indianapolis, i by officers. Deputy ( Auditorium doers will close at f Dave Braden returned the ; 1.50 o'clock. Following the broad-
Curfew Ban On Amusement
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.— (UP) — Government agencies piepared today for the job of enforcing what may become th; most unpopular nation-wide order since prohibition—a midnight curfew on bars, theaters and other amusement places. Curtailment of the nation's night life, beginning next Monday, was decreed by War Mobilization Director James F. Byrnes late yesterday in the hope of saving coal, transportation, and
manpower.
In announcing the midnight curfew, Byrnes said it should “impose no real hardships” and that he was “convinced people
will gladly comply.”
But immediate reaction by Congress, cafe owners, and the public indicated that support of
the diastic order would
The pocket, now shrunk to l-14th of the charter city area, comprised the northern Ermitn, the walled city of Intramuroa and the port district. Heaviest fighting was reported from the bayfront, where the 37th infantrymen pushed three blocks west fro.n the IFhilippines general hospital and began attacking : nemy pos tions on the university grounds. Japanese pillboxes at the university were being destroyed systematlcfilly by artille,-y nnd mortars. But the Accrlcans were meeting considerable f re from Japanese guns around the high comm ssloner’s home, which already was In ruins. In pushing to the university grounds, the 37th rout-.-J strong enemy defenses and captured Santo Theresa college and the German club. The assault on the 16th century wall was con rcr-tralcj on . the east side of Intrumurous. I Front reports sa d th.- big guns were tearing a hole in the masonry and no signs of life appeared within the walled city. Most of the buildings, including Fort Santiago and I he Spanish garrison, were believed to have been destroyed or badlj damaged by the barrage. Observers described the lapanese Inside Intramurous as In desperate plight. BANKS TO CLOSE Greencastle Banks will be closed on Thursday, February 22, In observance ..of .. Washington’s
birthday.
INDIANAPOLIS LIVESTOCK Hogs 7.500; generally steady; 160-400 lbs., $14.80; 100-160 lbs., $13.50-$14.80; sows mostly $14-
$14.05.
Cattle 3,200; calves 600; steers and heifers opened steady to weak; cows about steady; load good and choice steers $15.75;
be far jgood grade $14.25-$14.50; med-
I ium to near choice heifers $12I $14.75; low good and choice
MARRIAGE LICENSES
this city. Hillla was
dale.
Alma Ralnea spent
Terre Haute.
Virgil E.
j cast there will be a reception In I and Mary visitor in the Murat Temple for members castle,
j of the audience to m’eet Dr. and the ' Mrs. F&bien Sevltzky and mem-
I bars of the orchestra.
castle.
Lewis A. and Haxel j bridge. ••
Lanning, Mitchell, Browning, GreenBales, Roachdale, A. Darnall, Bain-
$15.25; medium and good cows $10.75-$13.25; cutters and common $3-$10.50; canners $6.50$7.75; vealers steady to $18. Sheep 500; generally fully steady; bulk good and choice lambs $15.75-$16.50; medium and good mostly $13.50-$15.50.
ese forces in the north, Nimdtz communique said. Resistance in (he area was moderate and the marines occupied about 1,000 yards of the western beach of (he island. During the afternoon of the first day of fighting, the communique added, advance units of elements attacking the island's southern airfield expanded their hold slightly but were meeting heavy opposition there and on the northern flanks of the beachhead. Casualties in the south were light but on the open slope east of the airfield our forces were bitterly resisted and casualties were numerous,” Nimitz said. The marines, nearly a halfmile inland from seven invasion beaches in southwest Iwo, were fighting their way across the airfield with flame-throwers, tommy guns, grenades and baycnets in one of the bloodiest engagements of the Pacific war. The southern end of the trinngular field already was in American hands, but most of the remainder was a no man’s land of shells, bullets and bomba as the invasion went into its second
day.
Front reports said American casualties already were “substantial,’’ but progress was continuing. The Japanese garrison of perhaps 15,000 were resisting stubbornly from some of th-. best natural defenses in the
world.
Radio Tokyo claimed tha( 1 500 of the Invaders had been "wiped out,” another 2,000 wounded and 30 tanks “blasted.” But the same broadcast conceded that 20,000 marines already had landed and noted that there were 150 tanks ashore In one
sector alone.
“Despite heavy damages, the enemy is constantly bringing up reinforcements,” the enemy
broadcast said,
units are violently intercepting them from both sides, the east and the west, as well as on the
direct front.’’
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the Pacific fleet, promised an invasion of Japan itself in a message of congratulations to the forces storming Iwo, only 750 miles south of
Tokyo,
“The same courage, skill and teamwoi k which enabled our carrier planes to destroy the enemy In bad weather over Tokyo are now being displayed by the forces which are taking Iwo Island, only 660 nautical miles from Tokyo," Nimitz said. “They will also bring success when our troops', land in Japan itself, covered’and supported by the ever increasing power of our air forces and of the guns of the
fleet.”
The Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions reached Motoyama Airfield No. 1—also caUed Suribachi Airfield---after fighting up
The Japanese were sweeping the Invasion beaches and beachhead area with murderous crossfire, from caves, p.llboxes and other long-prepared defenses. Carrier planes and salvo aftesalvo of shells from American warships completely ringing th? island joined the invasion troops ip answering the enemy fire. Vice Admiral Rjghmond Kelley Turner, commander of the amphibious assault, told United i.-ress War Correspondent Mac R. Johnson on the invasion flagship that Iwo was "as well a defended fixed position as exists in the world today.” “It is small, but better defended and better organized for defense than any island with which I am acquainted.” he said. Soft sand on some of the lieaches tended to slow down the landing of equipment for the troops, but this rapidly was being overcome. Must Comply To Secure Tires Failure of commercial motor vehicle operators to comply with regulations requiring periodic tire inspections will adversely affect the claims of these operators for new tires, District Manager Geo. F. Burnett of the Office of Defense Transportation announced here today. District Manager, Geo. F. Burnett, warned truck, bus and taxicab operators that ODT General Order No. 21A requires all commercial motor vehicle operators to have their t.res checked after each 5,000 miles of operation. or after every six montlis of operation, if operated less than 5,000 miles. The Office of tFrioo Administration action l.fting t}»is requirement for passenger car tires in no way affects compliance of commercial motor vehicle operators with OUT tire inspection requirements, Mr. Burnett pointed out. Inspections nay be made by any agency designated by OPA. Truck, bus and taxicab operators are also informed that ODT representatives on tire rat'oning panels are giving close consideration to records of regular tire inspect on in making recommendations on applications for
new tires.
Dr. Workman To Speak Thursday Methodist men will be addressed at their February meeting in Community Hall at Gooin Jhureh, Thursday night, by Dr. James Warthrn Workman ot Chicago. Dr. Workman has 'need since 1940 Assoc.ate Secretary of the General Board of Lay Activities ,of the Methodist Church. He has had wide ex perience as a public speaker, both in church and civic affairs He has been active in the American Legion, Rotary, and Knights Templar Masonic Fraternity as well as a member of numerous other organizations. His church activities have been largely Methodist Churches. He has been brought to Ch cago to serve In the Gi-neral Board. As is customary, the meeting Thursday evening will be a dinner affair at 6:30. All men interested in Gobtn Church ar< urged to be present. Dr. Workman is a man of engaging personality and abll ty. His challenge to laymen Is real. Those who cannot bo present for the dinner will bo welcome to hear his odlress nl about 7:30.
D. A. R.’s Cancel All Conferences All state and national conferences of the Daughters of the American Revolution have been cancelled for this year it has
been announced.
FINAL CHAPTER BRAZIL, Ind., Feb. 20 (UP) A tax sale today was the final chapter in the story of a 41-year old railroad, which never had a single tie or rail. Shortly after the turn of the century, John P. Walsh purchased a 200-foot right-of-way acrosa Clay County. Before he had a ehance to lay a single tie or rail, his creditors throw him into
bankruptcy.
The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad became the owners. It paid taxes on the property until recently, but finally allowed it to go delinquent. Owners of property abutting the right-of-way purchased the
‘Our garrison land at Yesterday s sale.
CHINESE CORRECT ABOUT JAPS—HALSEY WASHINGTON. Feb. 20.
—(UP)—Adm. William F. Halsey. Jr., was asked today If he had any message to
send back to the Japs. “Yes,” he said, "tell ’em
that I still believe in the Chinese theory of the origin
of the Jap race.’’
Then he explained the
Chineae legend:
Many years ago, a benevolent Chineae ruler banished all Chineae criminals to eastern islands (Japan). The criminals destroyed all the male apes on the island. They mated with the female apes. After a number of years, the apes lost their tails and dropped out of the
trees.
That, according to Halsey’s explanation of the Chinese legend, was the origin of the Japanese.
LONDON, Feb. 20 (UP) Soviet front dispatches reported today that Russian troops had captured the main supply base for Koenigsberg, with th-.- final German defenses in East Prussia on the verge of being crush-
ed.
LONDON, Feb. 20. (UP) - Nazi broadcasts reported today that Marshal Ivan S. Konev's First Ukrainian Army hail torn a gap in the German line some 75 miles southeast of Beilin in the bitterly contested sector north of Sorau. Berlin reported that German ounter blows were getting stronger and were slowing down the Red Army. Berlin also claimed that at one point in Silesia west of beleaguered Breslau the Russians had been edged back an unspecified dis-
tance.
The German high command conceded that Konev’s forces scored new gains in several sectors between Sorau, between the Bober and Neisse rivers, and Gubcn, on the Neisse 28 miles to the northwest. Col. Ernst von Hammer, Nazi military commentator who often j icflccts the information of the ! high command, said that north of Sorau the Germans "closed a gap which the enemy had torn In the German barrier line.” Von Hammer also said that in the southern sector of the Breslau defense belt, the Russians scored a penetration of the fortifications around the Silesian capital, but added that it was ironed out. The daily German communique said 64 Russian tanks were destroyed in defensive battla against strong Soviet forces compressing the remnants of 200,000 troops trapped in East
Prussia.
Soviet dispatches said the Russians had captured the main .supply base for Koenigsberg and the final defenses of East Prus-
to collapse.
The Soviet army newspaper Red Star said the base, located inside a big forest south of
The local chapter discloses that the state project for the year waa furnishing books for Wakeman Library at Camp Atterbury. They also are sending
gifts and letter, for men on L.) sia wt>re Hbout
C. I. boats having a membership of 6000 by the end of the year. They are also making and filling i
5000 Buddy Bags which are to be Koenigsberg. was taken by units
of Marshal Konstantin K. Rokos-
sovsky’s 2nd White Russian
Army.
Other forces of Rokosaovsky’a army at the same time pushed around the western ends of East Prussia to reach a point within 45 miles of Danzig at the head
of the Polish Corridor.
With the Soviets increasing pressure against the Koenigsberg pocket, the Germans were reported throwing panzer units of 15 to 20 tanks 'into strong counterattacks in an attempt to
sent to men overseas and in hos-
pitals in this country.
Three new projects which the organization is sponsoring nationally arc interesting. One is it wired program distribution system costing $60,000 which Is to be in Mayo General Army Hospital at Galesburg, 111. When installed, every service man in this hospital with 2,000 to 2,500 bed capacity, will have head phones beside his cot. A gadget with a row of five buttons will
give him choice Of five programs j bolster the shrinking flanks and including the main speaker ays-, retain the lust highways to the
tern of the hospital. The sys-j sea.
tern will also have loud speakers | for general entertainment and: IMPKOVE POSITIONS educational purposes covering | the entire hospital. 1 ROME, Feb. 20 (UP) Another project will provide • American troops-if the Fifth Armoblle X-i’iy units for six new | my improved their wt: t flank hospital ships. These X-ray units | positions in the mountainous can be moved to various parts - country west of the Plstoiaof the ship and they are so con-1 Bologna highway, headquarter ) structed they can be taken | said today, while patrols conashorc. Each unit will cost'tinued active elsewhere on the $15,000. | F fth and Eighth army fronts. The third project will piovido! The doughboys encountered another type of portable X-rny I strong defensive fire near Mont • unit for use on navy hospital | Oipp*-lbuso but they ovricame ships. These may be moved on | mortar and mac bin - gun oppo.sithe ships and each will cost $900 | tion tc strengthen their hold on . . a ridge running southwest of th-
I Pak.
GENEROUS NAZIS
MOSCOW, Feb. 20 (UP, f ® £ Nazi guards at one German pris- ' Todays Weather © on camp butchered one cow a ® &lld O day, kept half of the beef for ® Local Temperature ® themselves and distrubuted th- '0999999999
' among *
other half among 803 Allied prisoners, one of the prisoners who escaped when the Russian army rolled into the Reich d.a-
closed today.
BURNS FATAL WARSAW, Feb. 20.—(UP) —' Burns received when her clothing caught fire from an electric heater resulted in the death of Mrs. S. J. Humbley, 82. Milford, yesterday. Miss Maude- Me Laughlln suffered minor burns on her hands trying to beat out the flamea.
Cloudy with rain t'auth, light snow north today, drizzle or light rain tonight; Wednesday partly cloudy; little change in temperature today and ton ght;
warner Wednesday.
Minimum
32
6 a. in
33
7 a .m
33
8 n. m
32
9 a. m
33
10 a. m
34
11 a. m
33
12 noon
36
1 p. m
37
2 p. m
37