'..
Hm OIEGOIl STATESMAN, Salem. Oregon. TnMdor Morning July It 1943
!No favor Strays Vs; No Fear Shell Awe
from ITrst Statesman, Uarch 24, U3i -
mi !
THE STATESMAN PUBLISHING CO.
CHARLES A. SPRAGUZ. President
Member of The Associated Press
The Associated Press Is exclusively entitled to the use tar publication of all
news dispatches credited to It or not otherwise credited In-Jbla newspaper.
V . I .I'll
-.. - . r t.SJ ..: irjrx'..'.rf
They
A W UlVIVUiua
Hitler's blitx buggies are heading toward the
Caucasus. They may get there, they may not.'
It's really a bit early to discuss what may
happen if and when they do. Unprofitable too, i
no doubt What preparations for their reception
have been and will be made, none but the Rus
sians know and they won't tell. -
Still, we imagine the world already is curious
bout the Caucasus. We can say this much,
those mountains are'no molehills. -
On the map youH observe that the Caucasus
range extends obliquely from northwest to
southeast 465 miles across a 300-mile neck of
land between the Black Sea and the Caspian.'
On the west they begin with low' rolling hills
but there is ho practical gap for invasion on that
sideor the range hugs the Black Sea coast
for 120 miles with great high crags jutting
out right to the water's edge. As you may know,
some of the Caucasus peaks eclipse anything, in
the Alps; Mt. Elbrus measures about 18,480
'feet and the oil-hungry nazis already may be
able to see it on a clear day. Of course they
won't have to climb Elbrus but as a matter
of fact there are few places in the Caucasus that
can be crossed at less than 10,000 feet, and how
high that is, you can gauge upon the fact that
Mt. Hood is barely over 11,000. Most of the
way across the Caucasus' summits there is per
petual snow. You have to get up 8u00 feet to
cross the best of only two practicable passes, the
Daryal. ,
It's true that over on the Caspian side there
is a low, broad plauv with only one narrow sec
tion near Derbent that could readily be defend
ed. There used to be a fortified wall there but
a lot of invaders have- gone through, including
the Scythians some 2700 years ago.
Warfare, of course, has changed. The tallest
of those Caucasus peaks is no hurdle at all for
an air armade.
It's interesting though, in view of Hitler's
need for haste, to recall the experience of the
Russians just about 100 years ago, when they
faced the need to do a bit of conquering in the
Caucasus.
Russia annexed Georgia about 1800 but it
wasn't until 1829 when Turkey gave up all claim
to the Caucasus, that the tsar's empire really
started its program for subduing the natives,
there lived in those mountains a number of
strange tribes, of whom we need be concerned
tnly with the Circassians who dwelt near the
Black Sea, and the Lesghians who look and act
like Germans and may be descendants of the
Goths, over on the Caspian side.
At the outset that is, for more than a decade
the tsar's brave soldiers fought the Circas
sians, It was a bloody-struggle in which the
.invaders had to burn down forests, traverse
dangerous passes and sacrifice immense num
bers of lives to gain small portions of territory.
In 1842, just a century ago, the Circassians
were Weakening but just then the Lesghians
rose up under a miracle-working hero named
Schamyl. Russia sent in the renowned General
Grabbe but Schamyl handed him a decisive
defeat, and kept right on ruling the roost until
after, the Crimean war. The Russians . finally
captured him and broke the back of .the rebel
lion in 1859 but the Caucasus wasn't really
a peaceful spot until about 1864.
Conquest of this region thus required under
favorable military .odds, better than . thirty
years. Hitler will have to hustle if he plans to
duplicate the feat this summer.
Sharing State Taxes
- Judging from, the'brevity of interval between
two bulletins on the one subject from the
League of Oregon Cities, that organization like
the teachers' association is scanning the reputed
bulk' of the state income tax surplus and has
ambitions to help relieve the pressure.
' The LOC's latest bulletin asserts that Ore-
gon stands last among the 48 states in "tax
sharing with local governmental units' ac-
cording to federal census figures. - It is true that
V the state of Washington, for example, with its
property tax millage limitation and its 3 per
cent sales tax, hands back 33.7 of its state
collected tax revenue to smaller governmental
units, principally by counties and school dis
tricts. Oregon returns only, 5.9 per cent which
Includes the state school tax eliminated this
. year because income tax money took care of it
and some of the highway department revenue
which is returned to the counties for. use on
roads.- . .-. ' -
. Actually it doesn't make much difference
who collects the taxes. In order to return more,
the state would have to collect more and it all
comes out of the same pocket, roughly speaking.
As we see it, the LOC has two points in mind:
Most of the state'. tax revenue is from income
taxes; all of the revenue collected directly for
' : counties, cities and school districts is from
. - property taxes. One objective in this campaign
is to keep the income tax rates up where they
v are and reduce property taxes. With this ob
jective we sympathize up to a point. That is
certain to be a major battleground in the 1943
: legislature. A point which should be firmly
predetermined is that wherever income taxes
- are applied there must be, under the 6 per cent
Ihrltation, a corresponding reduction in income
taxes. Otherwise there will be no automatic
. . brf ke on public spending. Y Y
' - The second point is that distribution of state-
' collected tax money to smaller units is a sort
of "equalization of tax burdens.' In the case
of education, distribution on the basis of school
attendance, this is justified. But when cities
pre pose to take state tax money paid by farm
ers and devote it in part to paying for city
. dwellers' mora numerous public services they
' won't have a leg to stand on.
some other fuel though we have a notion that
they are few in number. And of course, the
winter's score has yet to be written.
Filling individual storage facilities with fuel
oil now while there is an ample supply most
assuredly is not objectionable hoarding. Every .
one who uses this type of fuel should "fill 'er
up , -'-'v:-.:
However though the warning is most un
timelythat distinctly does not mean that fuel
oil should be wasted. It should be stored, then
conserved. And one of the simplest ways to
conserve fuel is to avoid religiously that com
mon sin, overheating. If rooms are kept at a
comfortable temperature, just a little on the
cool side, every purpose involved will be served. ;
Too much heat is bad for the health as well as -bad
for the fuel supply.
Paul Halloa
Fuel OA Prospect
' fuel oil barrels in the Pacific Northwest are
goiag to be filled, greatly to the relief of house
holders, business building managers and apart
ment house owners and. perhaps somewhat to
thr chagrinof those who took earlier advice
anfl converted their burners to utilize coal or-
The importance of the swivel chair in govern-
mental operations - was apparent to Stayton
residents this week when a shipment of seven
such chairs arrived for the rationing board.
That board has three members but only one
spends much time in the rationing office, and
there is only one employe. But then, Uncle Sam
may be looking ahead and there's no question
but that rationing business is going to improve.
News Behind
The News
By PAUL MALLON .
(Distribution by Kig Feature Syndicate. Inc. Repro
(taction In whole or In part strictly prohibited.)
WASHINGTON, July 13 The only second front
which good unofficial advisers here can see, is a
straight-away military onslaught against the un
occupied European coast nearest Britain, from Den
mark to Brest
Clubroom speculation concerns other more in
teresting methods. Seizure of
Norway and Sweden for air
bases, for instance, would put
British and American bombers
right on top of Berlin.
The nazis have not well de
fended their idle northern bat
tle front Invasion there would
enlist sympathetic cooperation
of inhabitants and put the first
battlefield about as far away
from German as from British
home bases.
However, Hitler might thwart
such a step by throwing ten
divisions into Norway, and
, there is some reason to believe he is prepared to
do just that
A simultaneous thrust through the Mediter
ranean at Rommel's rear base of supplies In Libya
is likewise one to stir imaginations. The Move
ment of a strong naval fighting force to head large
convoy of American troops Into that area, fighting
its way as it went, Is good mainly for parlor
discussions.
If a landing could be effected in Sicily and at
Tripoli, in sufficient force, Rommel - could be
smashed in short order from two sides, and the
way cleared for invasion of sleepy Italy. The rub
about this seems to be acquiring the sufficient
force.
-The west coast of France, below Brest also has
been talked (all this is unofficial, of course) as
a place to strike. The idea behind this suggestion
Is that Hitler's transplanted Maginot line along
the channel coast might be taken in reverse.
But this portion of the French coast is farthest
from British bases, and the Germans would com
mand nearby airfields, while the British planes
would have to come a much greater distance. 1
, So, when all speculation is boiled down, you are
apt to come back to the simplest most difficult and
most obvious prospect an overwhelming battering-ram
blow straight across the channel, with
planes blasting the defenses and clearing the way
for tanks and infantry.
. Unofficial surmises are being made of a change
to come, sooner or later, at the top of the army.
Some of these suggestions have reached print and
radio circulation.
The most common speculation is. that General
George C. Marshall will be elevated to head this
second front or take unified command of all allied
forces outside of Russia, and that two of Harry
Hopkins' right-hand men will take over in the
war department
Mentioned for Marshall's post as chief of staff
has been General Brehon B. Somerxell, who served
four years as WPA administrator of New York,
under Mr. Hopkins, after a notable army engineer
ing career.
To replace Sommervell as chief of supply, Gen-
eral James H. Burns, the Hopkins assistant , in
charge of lend-lease reports, has been suggested.
No confirmation of official talk along this or other
similar lines has been offered. It Is unlikely there
would be any until an announcement is made.
Both General Sommervell and Burns have had'
long army administrative careers, but a comment
on their appointments would center around their
close friendship with Mr. Roosevelt's most intimate
" associate In the government the man who has
been referred to frequently as "assistant president'
Sommervell was an engineer in France in the
last World war, and distinguished himself as a
peacetime engineer .on Mississippi flood control
and other projects before entering the WPA relief
organization. He is classed by his associates as a
, strong new dealer. c
General Burns, while associated with Hnnkin,
Is less identified with the social nolitiral reform
aspects of acmunistrauon policy.
. With Somervell as chief of staff, the army would
be only one degree removed from the White House,
bringing it closer even than the navy.
The printed suggestions that Marshall might
head a unified command reflects the urgent need of
a single-headed military control of all allied armies
In the field.. .
Tactics now must be decided by negotiation.
Plans of attack and defense grow out of consul ta
' tiona between us, the British, the Canadians, the
Chinese and the Australians. Separate army lead
ership is functioning In Australia, Egypt, India,
China, Britain, the United States and Russia.
'. Quick daring decisions are hardly' possible under
such a setupl :-- '
We are fighting against, single-headed military
systems which bring to bear sensational and unor
thodox innovations, possibly only when one man
makes decisions ;-',..;.:...
f if If u I SABOTTUR I I M Z
I
n0 ww
Wide World War Analyst for The Statesman i
" By KIRKE L. SIMPSON
With a widening nazi wedge biting southeastward through
Rugyfan defenses toward, the Caspian sea and lower Volga, com
plete Isolation of the Caucasus from the rest of Russia within
days or weeks is a grin possibility.
, What is more, forbidding developments came far to the
north where still another German "-
offensive in the Rzhev area, 139 and atraightening his line from
miles northwest of Moscow, push- Rostov northward across the
ed the Russians back toward their Donets-Don gateway if his armies
capital.
. Maeeews adsntetott thai Be
geehar. Just east of the Dea and
140 miles seatheast ef Vorenesh,
has been lost defines the front
la that sector. A similar an
nouncement mt KassJaa evacaa
tion ef Lisich&nsk en the Donets,
lit miles southwest of Born-
char, completes the picture.
are not to be cut apart clear to the
Volga.
The main Russian hope of avert
ing a German break-through to
the Don-Volga line, however, must
lie in second-front possibilities,
not Anglo-American, , but Russian
"second front major operations
from the north against the Orel
Vomonezh flank of the German
it indicates the direction of the position. It Is ' more than ques-
gigantic nazi offensive has defi- tionable that v?n an Anglo
nitely shifted now from eastward American attempt to cross the
to southeastward. The probable - English channel to invade the
objective is to throw Russian continent could develop in time to
forces back behind the DoniVolga pressure off the Russians
line dear to the Caspian sea, thus m ixm-uoneu area.
Hie War Should End in 1942 (For Some People)
Bits; for Breakfast
By R. J. HENDRICKS
More of theHobson 7-14-12
family prominent in
the history of pioneer
days of the Oregon Country:
m V S
(Concluding from Sunday:)
"From that time until 1874 he
enjoyed a general trade at Stay
ton in partnership with Uriah
Whitney. After disposing of this
store he and his former partner
bought another in Aumsville.
After disposing of this in 1878
the partners built the Gardner
grist-mill at Stayton, and in
connection therewith operated a
general store. Mr. Whitney with
drew from the association in
1883, after many years of amic
able and satisfactory , business,
and thereafter Mr. Hobson took
as his partners Messrs. Shaw
and Simms. The building was
afterward enlarged to meet the
demands of an increasing trade.
"In 1888 the partners and Lee
Brown went to Mill City and or
ganized the Santiam Lumber
Company, in connection with
which they built a large sawmill
and engaged in a flourishing
business. In keeping with the de
mands of that somewhat isolated
section' they started a 'general
store and logging railway, and
their combined energies resulted
in the establishment, of a very
remunerative Industry.
S
In 1898 these combined Inter
ests were disposed of to the Cur
tis Lumber Company, after
which Mr. Hobson returned to
Stayton and resumed the con
duct of his merchandising busi
ness. In 1897 he sold out and es
tablished a dry goods business at
Salem, continuing the same for
four years. Subsequently he
started a similar enterprise at
Stayton, which concern he still
owns and manages.
"Mr. Hobson's first marriage
united him with Ella Gibson,
who was a native of Marion
county, and a daughter of Hon.
Guyon Gibson. She died January
10, 1878, leaving a daughter.
Pearl, now the wife of E. C.
Peery, of Scio, Ore. December
12, 1880, he married Annie
Thomas, who was born in East
Portland, the daughter of Mrs.
Arminda Thomas, of Stayton,
Oregon. She is the mother of
, two childreivAlta and Everett
"A staunch supporter of Re
publican principles, Mr. Hobson
has been prominently before the
public for several years as a pro
moter of his party's Interests,
and has held important offices
within the gift of his fellow
townsmen and the citizens of the
county.
"In 1894 he was the nominee
of his party for the state, senate,
was elected, and upon the ex
piration of his term was reelect
ed Joint senator for linn and
Marion counties, both terms of
service giving the greatest satis
faction to all interested. During
the first session he was a mem
ber of the committees on claims,
commerce, navigation and fed
eral relations.
S '
, "Fraternally Mr. Hobson is a
member of Santiam Lodge No.
25, A. F & A. Mn of which he
is past master. In the Grand
Lodge he has filled nearly all the
offices, Including that of Grand
Master in 1897-98. He is a mem
ber of Multnomah Chapter No.
1, R. A. M., and De Molay Com
mandery No. -5. He Is also a
member of Stayton Lodge No. 84,
I.O.O.F, and has passed all the
chairs In the grand lodge.
"Mr. Hobson has well inter
preted and acted upon the possi
bilities at hand in the great
northwest and his various com
mercial enterprises have con
tributed beyond the possibilities
of estimating to the general up
building of the localities in
which he has operated.
S S
"He is a man of strict integrity.
No question as to the motives
which have actuated him in any
of the undertakings has ever
arisen. In his public life he has
always aimed to conserve the
best interests of his constituents
and the state at large. Probity,
broad-mindedness, liberality of
views, good fellowship, and a
sincere and unselfish desire to
assist in the promotion of all
enterprises looking to the better
ment of the public welfare, are
the most pronounced traits in his
character, as understood by
those who know him best
"The record of his life, both
public and private, has been
above reproach. The outline of
the principal events in his career
presented here shows how close
ly he has been identified with
the rise and progress of the state
of Oregon, and forms, In itself,
an interesting chapter in the an
nals of the northwest."
S
(Some further comments on
peculiar pioneer practices and
conditions In the Oregon Coun
try will appear in future Issues
of this column.);
completing t h e isolation of the
Caucasus and its defenders.
The Usichansk-Boguchar south
eastern face of the nazi wedge
corresponds exactly to the gate
way between the Donets and the
Don. -
The Moscow announcement that
the nazis had broken through the
red army at Voronezh sharply in-'
tensified the danger hovering over
the soviet forces standing before
the Caucasus. J
A a 1 push through the
Donets-Don gateway to Stalin
grad and tfie lower Volga would
Moscow has said little ef de
velopments north: and north
west of Voronezh. Berlin re
ports continuous bat fatUe Kes
slan ; attacks fat that area. It
seems clear, however, that de
spite the availability of a web
of Inside communication lines
leading oat south and south
westward front the Moscow hub,
the red" armies of the center
have not yet been able to muster
strength for Jieavy counter
Mows at the north flank of the
nazi drive.
It is difficult to conceive of any
cut them off completely. A vast other Russian move that could
Russian retreat oa the ' south
flank to avert a mass encircle
ment may already be In prog
ress. That is the implication of
Ksosian surrender of XJsish-Chansk.
ease pressure on Timoshenko. Nazi
reports from . occupied France,
otherwise unsupported, tell of a
German advance . eastward along
the coast of the sea of Azov, aimed
.directly at Rostov. If that has not
Just south of that Donets town yet developed, it is to be expected
lies the industrial heart of the as Is -a German thrust from the
lower Donets; basin with its web Crimea via Kerch strait to take
of railroads Interconnecting such Rostov and the lower don line in
important cities as Slavyansk, the rear before retreating Rus-
Bakhmut Lugansk and many les- sian forces even reach it
ser. centers. With -German foroes That the grand strategy involv-
coming down the Donets east of ed in the nazi attack is aimed at
his lines in the Slavyansk sector, establishing a front along the Don
Marshal Timoshenko may already and Lower Volga to the Caspian
be withdrawing on a wide front sea, thus amputating the Caucasus
south and west of Lisichansk. He for subsequent' conquest, seems
has urgent need for shortening virtually certain.'
Kandoimi IHIairvest
By JAMES HILTON
E3ac9io Programs
KSLaf TUESDAY UOt Ke.
Kise n sum,
a News m Brief.
5 Rise n Shine Cont'd.
JO New.
:45 Your Gospel Program.
i Bert Hiracn Novelty Band.
JO News Brevities.
35Mahlea. Merrick's String Xn-
eemble.
.-00 Pastor's Cell.
:15 Dick Mclntyre's Bawailans.
JO Henry Klne'i Orchestra.
To the Ladies. " '
.OO World in .Review.
S Jiramj Cash, Tenor.
30 Women in the News. ;
:35 Langworth Hillbillies.
.00 Bert Hirsch Presents. .
30 Hits of Yesterday.
IS :00 Orcanalities.
News.
:30 Hillbilly Serenade.
35 Willamette Valley Opinions.
55 Interlude.
.00 Lurn 'n Abner. f "
:15 Johnny Long's Orchestra.
:30 Milady's Melodies.
AS Radiating Rhythms,
:00 Isle of Paradise.
as Salem Art St Recreation
Center. ,
M Sing Sons Time.
:3 Tune Tabloid.
.00 Old Opera House.
M Harry Owens Orchestra.
:1S News.
:30 Teatiroe Tunes.
: 45 Sundown Serenade.
30 American Folk Singers.
:1S Newscast. .
30 Golden Melodies.
0 Tonight's Headlines.
:1S War Commentary, .
M Singing Strings.
:45 Hit Tunes.
0 News in Brief.
OS Shep yields Orchestra.
30 Willamette Valley Opinions.
:50 Alvino Rey Ac Buddy Cote.
AO war Fronts in Review.
:10 Hollywood Quartette.
30 Let's Be Neighbors. ;' '
:45 Bible Quia.
0 News. .
:1S Freddy Na lie's Orchestra.
30 The Roundup.
-00 Popular $ahit. .
30 News. .-
as Claude Tbornhurs Orchestra.
rOO Symphonic Swing. .
30 Last Minute Mews,
, V-
KOLlf CBS TCKSDAY STS .
0 Northwest Farm Reporter. .
:15 Breakfast Bulletin. -
20 Koin Ktock
tfO VS Employment Service.
Oi Koin Kolck. ;
:1S Wake Up Jews. ' "
30 Bob Garred ReporQne, -
:45 Nelson Prtopte News.
0 Consumer News.
15 Fletcher Wiley.
30 Valiant Lady.
.-49 Stories America Love
AO Kate Smith Speaks - - . :.,
Taese scfesdeles ere seppUee py
Cs respeeuv irstlens. , Any varia
tJeas aete ky listener are dec te
Changes ssade y the statlsni with- -nt
settee te tat newspaper.
AO vasUe statteas asay be ent frees
Che air at any ttsae ta the Interests
C mtiensl dszi
as Big Sister.
1 30 Romance ot lelen Trent
9:45 Our Gal Sunday.
10 OO Life Can Be Beauttnu.
10:15 Woman ta White- .
1030 Vie tt Sad.
10:45 Mary Lee Taylor. '
11 00 Bright Horizon.
1105 Aunt Jenny.
1130 We Love & Learn.
115 Goldbergs. 1
12 Carnation Bouquet.
12:15 Knox Manning News.
13:30 Joyce Jordan
U:45 Keyboard Concerto.
1 OO Vera Barton. Songs.
1:15 Sara Hayes.
130 Living Art
lS-Take it Easy.
0 News.
t:lS Siesta.
S 30 William Winter.
S .45 Ben Bemie.
S:00 Melody Weavers.
S:15 Voice of Bruadway.
J 30 Jerry Wayne, Songs.
' S:43 News -
4410 Second Mrs. Burton.
4:15 Young Or Malone
4 JO American Melody Hour.
80 Newspaper of the Air.
gas America's Home Fronts.
30 Brown Williamson.
I r45 Boh. Garred. News.
' 125 Cecil Brown.
' $M Tommy JtiRgs., Betty Lou.
S:1S State Traffic.
30 Cheers for the Camps.
T 30 Talks. ' , . ..
T:45 FraJder Hunt
0 Amos "n Ancry.
:1 5 Glenn Miller.
30 Are Yew a Missing Bdrl '
Melody Time.
OS Alvino Key Orchestra.
30 Leon F. Drews.
:55 Dave Lane, Songs. t
10300 Five Star Final.
1S-15 Word Today.
IS 30 Wartime Women.
1035 Air-Flo.
10:45 Spotlight on Victory.
11-00 Bobby Sherwood Orchestra.
1139 Manny Strand Orchestra. . r
115 News. , M
li-S30 m. -(ua1c St News. :
- - v e '":;;v"'t
KKX fBC TCESDAT 11M iK.
O0 Moments ot Metody.
' S.-1S National Farm end Homo,
g 5 western Agriculture.
1:00 Clark Dennis. Singer. r
"7:15 Breakfast club. . ;- -.
15 Remember?
830 rages in Melody. -"
s -45 Keep Fit Club With Patty Jean
4)0 Children in War Time. . , - ,:
f:19 Jimmy Blair Singer.
30-Breakfast at?Sardifa.
10 .00 Baukhage Talking.
10:15 Second Husband, '
! 30 Amanda of Honeymoon HilL '
10:45 John" Other Wife.
11 AO Just Plain BUI
11:15 Between the ' Bookends.
. 1130 Stars of Today.
115 Keep nt With Patty Jean.
11 300 News Headlines and Hlghliahta
11:15 Livestock Reporter.
1130 Golden Gate Quartet.
1130 Market Reports.
1139 Men of the Sea.
' 11:45 News Headlines and Highlights
1O0 Club Matinee.
1:55 News
1O0 The Quiet Hour.
130 A House to the Country.
1:45 Chaplain Jim. USA.
SOO Stars of Today,
las Kneass With the News.
130 Stella linger.
135 Milt Berth Trio.
" 1:45 Beating the Budget
S:45 Wartime Periscope.
40 Easy Aces.
4:15 Mr. Keene, Tracer
430 Earl Wrightson. Singer.
4 :45 Sea Hound.
SOO Flying PatroL
as Secret City.
30 Cleto Roberts. News.
5:45 Dr. H. H. Chang. Commen
tator. O0 The Green Hornet
30 James Abbe Covers ft News.
:45 Nova time.
. f:55 Ramon St Tune Twisters.
TOa Air Base HI Jinks.
730 Rod Ryder.
OO Earl Godwin. News.
:19 Lum and Abner. .
30 Information Please.
00 Down Memory Lane.
30 News Headlines and Highlights
:45 Master Singers. . -
35 News. . ..
1SO0 BN. ;
1030 Broadway Bandwagonj
10:45 Ambassador Hotel Orchestra. :
110 This-Moving WorUL '
11:15 Organ Concert.
1130 War News Roundup. .
? : - ' : e -, e ; l- 'J.'J- ; :
KGW Tees Say S2t 5 e
4O0 Dawn PatroL
30 War News. -
! SOO Sunrise Serenade
tJ30 News Heedhnesand
, T:15 Musie of Vienna.
' 7:49 Sam Hayes
00 Stars of Today. ,
. :! James Abbe.
:30 Symphonic Swing.
8:40 LoUa Noyes.
45 David Harumt
OO Bcsa Johnson.
:19 Bachelor's Children.
30 Melodies at Midday.
Radio Programs Continued
On Pae 6 -
Lighbghv
Chapter Ten
A short while later we dressed
and dined in the vast room that
would have seated fifty with
ease, instead of our four selves.
Mrs. Rainier, I noticed, was
particularly gracious to Woburn,
whom she probably felt to be
shy in surroundings of such un
accustomed grandeur, There was
talk of how he would set about
the library-cataloguing job; most
of the books, it appeared, had
been taken over from the Wes
tondales along with the bouse.
"My father was not a gifat read
er, but he had a curious knack
of reading the right things. "One
day he read that some pine for
ests In Hampshire were supposed
to be healthy to live amongst so
he promptly bought several hun
dred acres of them on which
. part of Bournemouth now stands.
Quite an Interesting man, my
father. He played the cornet, and
he also cried over all Dickens
deathbed scene Little Nell and
Paul Dombey especially. He
liked to have them read to him
for preference, and his favorite
reader was an old governess of
mine named Miss Ponsonby, who
hated him and used to come out
of one of those tearful seances
muttering The old humbug!' But
be wasn't altogether a humbug
at least no more than most of
us are. Pm not quite certain
what he was. . . . Somebody
' ought to write a really good .bi
ography of bun some day. He
did have one written just before
he died, but It was a commis
sioned Job and made him into a
not very convincing plaster saint
end, of course, it would be easy
to write the other sort, showing
' him as a sinister capitalistic vil
lain. . . . But In between, some
where, is probably the truth
if anyone thought it worth while
to make the search."
Why shouldn't Mr. Woburn
try?" asked Mrs. Rainier.
"Not a bad idea, if "ha wants
to. But let him finish the cata
loguing first. Ever write any
thing, Woburn? - .
"A few stories, Mr. Rainier.
You read one of them probably
you've forgotten it
"Ah yes, of course, the one
bout the unfortunate Russian?"
Woburn nodded, and the some
what, mysterious reference was
not explained. After coffee Mrs.
Rainier said she was tired and
would go to bed; Rainier men
tioned letters he had to write; so
there seemed nothing- left for
. Woburn and me but to pass the
evening together somehow or
other.
Sheldon suggested the library,
ushering us into the fine sombrt
room witli a touch of evident
pride, and obligingly switching
on a radio in time for the hews
summary of a Hitler speech de
livered in Berlin earlier that day.
We listened awhile, then Wo
burn snapped off the machine
with a gesture the meager resi
duum of protest to which mod
ern man has been reduced. "I
hope there isn't a war this year.
he remarked as one hoping the
weather would stay fine. "You
see, as soon as I finish -mis-job
I have another with the Kurtz
mayers they have a big collec
tion at Nice and I daresay I
shall spend all the autumn there
unless," he added with a half
smile, "Mr. Hitler's plans inter
fere with mine." I smiled back
with a touch of the uncomforta-
? bleness that afflicts me when
ome facetious travel-film com- ,
men ta tor refers to "Mr. and Mrs.
Hippopotamus" and waits for the
"laugh. I was thinking of this
and also wondering how a
youngster like Woburn (at least
ten years my junior) had man
aged to establish this cataloguing
racket amongst the rich and
eminent, when he disarmlngly
told mt all about it "It was the
Bainiera who gave me an intro
duction to the Kurtzmayers
they've been rather good at put
ting things in my way.",
I asked him how long be bad
known the Rainiers. '
"Only a few months. And
you?"
"About two years. I met him
Erstquite by accident In a'
1 tram.".. ; -
J1 mEl -P to Public
library."
"By accident?" '
"No, I bad a job there and be
came to see me. Mrs. Rainier
sent him."
"Mrs. Rainier?" -
"Yes, I met her before him. It
was her Idea I should do thar
Stourton Job that's why she
sent him to see me."
"I should have thought she'd '
bave asked you to see him." ,
"So should I, but it seems he
bad a queer idea h wanted to
see me first without either of us
knowing who the other was, so
that if he didnt like me the
whole thing could be dropped.!
, "X see."
"Havent you ever noticed that
for all his glib speech and ease
of manner he's really shy of
meeting new people in rather
: odd way?" - ,i
; I said perhaps I had, and asked
bhn how his own meeting had
happened.
(To be continued.)1