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About Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 1940)
Twelve The Capital Journal. Salem, Orenon Saturday, December 21, 1940 Holiday Trade Considered Best In Ten Years New York, Dec. 31 WV-Chrlst-mas (hoppers in the final holiday buying rush made cash registers from coast to coast ring today with cheerful tunes of good business. Swelling the shopping tide In re tall trade districts of many indus trial communities were thousands of consumers who had found Jobs In recent months in war supply factories. Manufacturing employment was estimated in business circles the highest on record, although several millions remained to be absorbed in private payrolls as result of the growth of the nation's labor forces in the past decade. Overtime pay in defense-pressed industries, such as tools and ship building, contributed to the Christ mas spending splurge. As the shopping whirl approach ed Its climax In a war-time set ting of free spending mixed with misgivings about the future of con sumer goods production, trade re. ports indicated the best retail turn. over since 1929 at Industrial centers. Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., said there was "increasing evidence that con. sumer holiday buying was shaping up to the best volume In a de cade." "Store traffic was of capacity proportions in many large cities and retail turnover In units frequent. ly was found to be the heaviest since 1929," the mercantile agency added. Santa Claus had the business spotlight but the demands of the TJ. S. and British war buyers were the main topic of study among busi ness men looking ahead to the post-Christmas prospect. Washington efforts to speed war Industries and the presidential move to Increase aid to England by lend ing equipment, rather than selling it, raised the question in business circles whether civilian consumer demand would be curbed to give arms orders the right of way. Latest reports showed key in dustries, including steel, at or near capaolty. Little inclination toward usual year-end slowdown was no ticeable, although some curtailment of factory activity was expected next week for the Christmas holiday. Partly because of seasonal ad justments, the Associated Press in dex of industrial activity Jumped to a new peak for the past decade at 121.5 per cent of the 1929-30 level, compared with 119.5 the pre vious week and 111.7 a year ago. Business sources ascribed the pro duction drive partly to attempts to complete orders before the defense program and British purchases de manded a larger share of factory capacity. When these orders are out of the way, especially in steel, there would be ample capacity for defense In most lines, some authori ties insisted. Nevertheless, the Impression spread in financial circles that de fense planners would exercise wid er control over the flow of raw materials and perhaps divert some capacity from consumer goods to war production. Certain reports received in Wall Street said automobile output for the normal market may be curtail ed within the next five months to permit diversion of skilled personnel and plant facilities to armament work, especially aircraft manufac ture. Recognition of this possibility appeared to be influencing the ex ceptional demand for automobiles. Former Fliers Will be Trained Washington, Dec. 31 (IP) The ar my air corps announced today that it would train hundreds of former flyers, engineers and other qualified civilians to serve the expanding air forces on the ground as squadron engineering officers. First classes of 80 students each will enter New York and Purdue universities next month, and others will follow at three-month Intervals. After 12 weeks of study, six months additional training will be given at Chanute Field, 111. I ( X C-: j jj y1 if , "-n P . no Predlrles-70 Yean Apart-A child prodigy of 70 years ago. Morlts Rosenthal sits down at the piano wl h a keyboard prodigy of today. elght-ycar-old Kenneth Amanda, of South Orange, N. J at Kenneth debut in New York. The concert marked Rosenthal. 78th birthday. - Associated Press Photo. ' ' ' Ay .?' ' '-it v ppz M tk. ilwl r&p. &WM Four-Motored Bomber Crashes, Kills Six Here Is one smashed wing of a United States Army four motored bomber which crashed in the mountains 29 miles southeast of March Field, Calif., with loss of six lives Including Corp. Frank J. Jlrak of Salem. In foreground Is part of one of the engines,' still smoking from flames which burned part of the plane's wreckage. Hie craft apparently over turned after crashing in the trees and boulders because the underside of the wing here faces upward. Associated Press Photo. Bread and Milk Lady to Have Christmas Tree Dallas, Tex., Dec. 21 (P) The Children's Bread and Milk House has a Christmas tree with decora tions that are different. In place of the usual tinsel and lights, Its boughs are strung with white and green milk bottle tops, each bearing a name in a childish scrawl. Youngsters used the finest good will symbols they knew to decorate the tree for their "bread and milk lady," Mrs. Llda Thompson Byrne. Mrs. Byrne Isn't wealthy but a few friends aid her philanthropy and when she rings a bell every noon ragged, hungry children come scampering. They receive only bread and milk. "It's the only food many of them have all day," Mrs. Byrne said. "If it's a good-weather day some 60 children come with spoon and glass and saucer, If it's bad-wcathor day the number drops to 20. "So many of them must remain at home In bad weather because they have no shoes," Mrs. Byrne ex plained sadly. The children will have a program around the tree Monday. There'll be recitations and an exchange of gifts. Just to be sure nobody is over looked Mrs. Byrne will see to it that there are oranges and candy enough to go around. She and the children hope It's a good-weather day. The navy has adopted electric ally-heated diving suits as stand ard equipment. Mystery Veils Inaction Of Italian Fleet By DeWItt MacKenxle (AiaocUted Presi Stiff Writer) When the British drove the noses of a fleet of warships right up into Signor Mussolini's own private fish-pond (which is to say the Adriatic) without encountering signs of the en emy, tney uncoverea one oi the most- astonishing situations of the alto gether mad battle of the Med iter ranean. If this development means what It seems to mean (and I'm not pre pared to say that It does), then good fortune Is unfolding for Britain like a rose under the morning sun. To get the full significance of this occurrence we must realize that the fleet passed through the 45-mlle wide Strait of Taranto, with two great Italian bases almost near enough to be piped up by a boat swain's whistle. It then cut tight across Italy line of communication with its beleaguered army in south ern Albania. The British also plastered the Im portant port of Valona Albanian end of this life-line with a hun dred tons of explosive without hav ing even a pea-shooter leveled at them. They steamed up the Adriatic as far as Duraazo, northern Alban ian port, and Barl on the Italian coast. And never a ripple from an Italian warship, or roar of a war- plane's propeller. The only Indication of any move ment of the Italian navy came today In a report by the high command that fascist ships had attacked the Ionian ooast of Greece, scoring hea vy hits. Details were lacking. The Implications of this mystery of the Adriatic are even more start ling than the uninterrupted cruise of the British unit. His majesty's ii I rT.i. W Msaa-iii admiralty wisely refrains from draw ing conclusions, but British com mentators say that the Italians have conceded domination of the Adriatic as well as the Mediterranean, and have sought a hide-out to their enemy. Whether those conclusions may be accurate or not, It strikes me we shall be well advised to watch de velopments a bit before making up our minds. Should It prove to be a fact that the Italians have abandon ed control of their Adriatic to the British, then we would have an en tirely new situation, something like this: With communications between Italy and Albania severed, the fas cists would have to abandon that Balkan country, and it's difficult to see how they could evacuate their already shattered army from Al bania. Thus the Romans would have written off their attempted con quest of Greece as a catastrophe, and wonid have surrendered a high ly strategic Balkan base of opera tions to the enemy. The entire east coast of Italy would be virtually under the muz zles of British guns. You could make anything you wanted out of that. First Degree Charge Filed Portland, Dec. 21 (P) A first-de gree murder charge was filed yes terday against Mrs. Julia Carlson. plump, middle-aged widow, In the slaying of her admitted lover, Paul Notzold, 52. Mrs. Carlson confessed killing NoUold with an axe and a razor. Detective John Abbott, who signed the complaint, said. Notzold's slash ed and battered body was found In a bed at the widow's home. Abbott reported Mrs. Carlson was In a stupor on the kitchen floor when the police arrived. Police quot ed her as saying she had intended to commit suicide but "lost my nerve and got drunk Instead." Tho widow waived preliminary hearing In municipal court and was ordered held for grand Jury action. Notzold, a cook, had a wife living on a farm at Battleground, Wash., police reported. Deaths from Flu ncreased to Three Portland, Dec. 31 (Pi The In fluenza death toll here was boosted to three yesterday, as 1M new cases were reported. The third victim listed by the health department was Mrs. Julia Olson. 72, who died last Monday. As the epidemic showed no signs of letting up, several churches and other organizations cancelled sche duled Christmas parties. The average amount of salt In seal water U 3 V percent. I Music Program At Art Center On Sunday An informal program of music under the direction of Mrs. Walter Denton will be given at the Salem Art Center Sunday afternoon be tween the hours of three and five. Music as well as gallery exhibits and decorations are in keeping with the spirit of the holiday season. Mrs. J. A. Wonderllck has assisted In arranging a program on which many well known musicians will be presented. The public Is Invited to attend. At 3:30 William Dunville, tenor, will sing "Star of the East," by Ken nedy, and traditional carol "The First Noel." Floyd Young is Mr. Dunvllle's accompanist. Following this Nellie Jane Pearmlne, repre sentative student from the Mary Schultz Duncan studio, will give two violin solos, "Spanish Dance" by Burleigh and "Rondlno" by Kreisler, with Ruth Bedford accom panying. , After a short Intermission in which guests may enjoy the gallery exhibit of photographs and sketches grouped under the general title "Ecclesiastical Architecture" Buth Bedford will sing a group of Christ mas solos accompanied by . Alice Crary Brown. She has chosen "No Candle was There" by Leman, and "Mary's Manger Song" by Salter. At 4:30 Salem high school stu dents, under the direction of Lena Belle Tartar, will be in charge of the program. Marjorie Walker, pianist, will play Christmas carols, Rosetta Trlcker, Jean Barham and Joyce Ogden will sing solos and ap pear as a trio in carols. Louise Kammage, accompanied by Gladys Edgar, will sing Max Rogers' "The Virgin's Slumber Song," one of the beautiful, though less known solos, appropriate to a Christmas program, and Carol Seagrove will close the program with "Jesu Bam bino" arranged as a violin solo. Both Major Parties Early To Get Busy Washington, Dec. 21 VP) Al though it is nearly two years until the next congressional election, nei ther major party is letting any grass grow under its feet. With republicans talking of a full time permanent staff here, it was announced last night that the dem ocratic national headquarters would move the first of the year into a luxurious 25-room suite in the May flower hotel. National Chairman Edward J. Plynn of New York, it was learned, will move into an apartment in the hotel and spend most of his tune here after January 1. Flynn has been paying only occasional visits here since he succeeded James A. Farley last fall. Coincident with this news came word that the democrats would not hold their customary Jackson day banquets on January 8. Because this date comes close to inauguration day on January 20, it was thought best to have a "victory dinner" in February or March, as was done aft er the 1936 election. The republicans are holding up reorganization of their headquarters until a new national chairman is selected. Wendell L. Wlllkie, the party's 1940 presidential nominee, is represented by associated as desir ing for that position a man who could represent the "back home" el ement. Republican offices occupy several floors In a building across Lafayette Square from the White House, while the democrats nave been housed in eight cramped rooms in the nation, al press building. Both national committees are pre paring their final post-election ex. pendlture reports for submission to the house. The last reports showed that the republican national com mittee received $2,093,901 and spent $2,313,400 between January 1 and October 30, while the democrats re ceived $1,917,213 and spent $1,848,727. Flynn has said that the democrat ic national committee final report would show expenditures below the $3,000,000 limit fixed by the Hatch act. Navy to Boost Enlisted Strength Washington, Dec. 21 (PV The na vy, rushing construction of a two ocean fleet, was reported authori tatively today to be planning to ask congress for a substantial increase in Its enlisted strength. The expanded navy will reaulre between 400,000 and 500,000 seamen, exclusive of the marine corps, but spokesmen declined to say whether congress would be asked at the com ing session to authorize the entire number. Some congressional sources said, however, that ranking navy of ficials favored getting the necessary legislation enacted so as to save time in event of an emergency. On December 1 the navy had 166,- 388 of Its 191,000-llmit of enlisted men, and officials said the total was rising every day. I CANDY Give Spa Chocolates Fresh Dally Canadian Official After Rescue Canadian Munitions Minister C. D. Howe, one of survivors of British liner Western Prince, don ned a bathrobe after his rescue. The Western Prince was attacked by a submarine off the Irish coast. Sixteen persons were reported, lost. Survivors were brought to a "western British port." Asso ciated Press Photo, Iff y t'n II I " fT "II Mj'pdp Co-Ed Mechanical Engineer First co-ed to receive a mechanical engineering degree at Ohio State unlvereity in 40 years, Mary Lee Wilkerson, 22, of Middletown, O., tests a big boiler although air plane designing is more in her line, she says. Associated Press Photo. Silverfon IEU Elects Officers Bllverton. Ore. Hpr. 91 nurrnrA Eklund was named chairman of local No. SO. rikt.rtr.r. 1 nr. r.Vta TTCTT reorganization meeting last night, createo to take the place of the old local 28 which was dissolved Thurs- dav nieht. The new lrtpnl Vto. n charter membership of 187, nearly an ui wnuiii are employes oi tne cniver ans Timber company. Other Officers are .Turk Rrnt.r. vti. chairman; Ed Lambert, secretary- treasurer; joe LaRue, Oscar Bent son, George Christensen, Joe Clancy and Randall Bailev. nrmfpronr-A com mittee members and Edgard Huddle- ston, D. P. starrett and Louis Saw yer, trustees. With a niaioritv of mill pmnlnvM signing, cnarter was issued by H. W. Burton, Portland, executive secre tary of the IEU The Silver IV11 Timber company will deal with the uku as Bargaining agency and the conference commltttee was Instruc ted to demand full recognition of the new local by the employers. A new source nf nnllrnl calMf indispensable in all mlarlzlnr in.' struments. has been discoverer! in the San Pedro mountains, north west oi santa Fe, N. M. Home Loans Long Terms Easy Payments Also FHA Loans Hawkins & Roberts 402 State St PHONE 410S Robber Held To Grand Jury Portland, Dec. 21 (P) Loyal Mc Cready, 48, Los Angeles, charged with robbing a branch bank of $664 last Wednesday, was ordered held for federal grand Jury action yes terday after he waived hearing. His ball was set at $25,000. McCready was shot In the hand by police after they overtook him In the car of George B. Lampro, 24, which he commandeered. Lampro was shot through the body and gravely wounded. The accused robber said that Lampro, an innocent victim, "never should have been shot." "He kept his hands In the air all the time after being stopped by the cops and never once acted like he was grabbing for a gun," McCready stated. Officers said they shot McCready when he brandished a gun and Lampro when he let his hands fall as though reaching for a gun. Carnegie hall in New York is cel ebrating its 15th anniversav this season. $ PAINTS WALLPAPERS mm ffuqA & Carpet I 375 Chemeketn R. L. ELFSTROM CO. Phone 9221 A la.iai..v...,J-.-.-,..1...,. , . -unrt1 Kew Set-up to 1 Speed Defense Program Washington. Dec. 21 UP) Four men personally selected by Presi dent Roosevelt as a defense "high command" shouldered the concen trated responsibility today of arm ing America. To the new organization to be known as the office for production management for defense the pres ident late yesterday named William S. Knudsen and Sidney HUlman of the present defense commission, War Secretary Stimson and Navy Secretary Knox. Knudsen will be director. Although the present defense advisory commission will be re tained, it was expected that te new board would take over most at its duties, leaving the seven de fense commissioners to coordinate the civil life of the nation with the activities of the new board. Mr. Roosevelt's decision to cre ate the new office, under authority of the 1939 government reorganiza tion act, followed widely-voiced de mands for a greater centralization of authority in defense matters. Prospects were that the new set up would be functioning by Janu ary 1. The president said that about 10 days would be required to perfect executive orders necessary for Its establishment. The board, Mr. Roosevelt said, will represent all three of the ele ments involved in every process of production labor, management, and the buyer-user. Big, Danish-born Knudsen, one of the nation's outstanding produc tion experts, will represent man agement. Hlllman, a union man for 30 years, will handle labor problems, and will be assistant director of thK board. Secretaries Knox and Stimson will present the viewpoint of the buyer user the army and navy. Contracts Let For 31 More War Vessels Washington, Dec. 21 m-Secre-tary Knox announced today the awarding of contracts to private shipyards for 31 additional mine layers, tenders and other naval ves sels estimated to cost $265,765,500. Additional contracts totaling $8, 600,000 were awarded at the same time to expand facilities at the widely-scattered shipyards receiving the orders. The vessels Will be built on a cost-plus-fixed fee basis. Detailed breakdowns and delivery dates were not disclosed. The shipyards, num ber of vessels, and limit of cost on expansion of facilities included; The Willamette Iron and Steel corporation, Portland, Ore., two minelayers, $1,000,000 for expansion of facilities. Lake Washington Shipyards, Seatle, Wash., six small seaplane tenders. No expansion of facilities provided. Associated Shipbuilding company, Pascagoula, Miss., four net layers; $2,000,000 for expansion. Moore Dry Dock company, Oak land, Calif., two submarine tend ers and five submarine rescue ves sels. No expansion. Sun Shipbuilding company, Ches ter, Pa., three destroyer tenders and three seaplane tenders; $2,500,000 for expansion. Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Dry Dock company, San Diego, Calif., two repair snips; $400,000 expansion. Pauline Saalfeld Named Delegate Pauline Saalfeld, teacher of the fifth grade at Mt. Angel, has been appointed delegate of the Inter mediate Teachers' association of Marlon county to the Oregon State Teachers' association. Mrs. Jack Kennedy, primary teacher at Hayes ville, is alternate. By experience and capacity as a teacher, Miss Saalfeld is considered capable of filling the position in a highly cre ditable manner. llpj Make Merrier Christmas with Flowers & Vlants PHONE 9592 LUTZ Flower Shop 1216 N. Liberty J Open Evenings St Sundays I WE DELIVER ROOFING LINOLEUM YOU HEAR IT EVERY WHERE... "rs Elfstrorris for
