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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 1942)
Let YOUR Answer Te Bomb Be bONDSI Buy Wat Boada aa llaaipa TODAY Cantrlbula ta tha ar rcart of roar aalloa. Patriot lam. jaor asm arir-protortloa. Sanianda that SOU fa our part KOWI Dm Tha MAIL TRIBUNE Want Ad Way Quick Raaults At Small Coat Medford RIBUWE United Prasa FuU Leased Wire United Praia Full Laased Wlra Thirty-seventh Year. MEDFORD, OREGON. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1942 NO. 243 i ' - Kelly's Comment From Washington, D. C. Concrete Floors A WPB Mystery Fuel Oil Users In Narrow Escape Security Program Due Next Year - , Br John W. Kelly Washington, D. C, Dec. 31. It has never been discovered why war production board ord ered concrete for floors when there was an ample supply of fir flooring in sawmill yards of the Pacific northwest. WPB, for some unknown reason, insisted on the use of concrete, which warmed the hearts of cement manufacturers. Very recently a northwest mill had an order for 130,000,000 feet of Douglas fir flooring for a government con tract. Just as delivery was about to start someone in WPB issued an order that concrete be used and the 150,000,000 feet of flooring is still on the dock at the mill. This thing has been going on for some time. Members of the congressional delegation made a protest; asked the whyness of the concrete and the exclusion of lumber in a land of lumber. Now WPB has waived the order for the Pacific coast from the Rocky mountains to the sea, and government housing and build ing may use siding and floor material from the sawmills. In passing, it may be observed that the forest service informs western members of congress that cutting timber for war pur poses, where everything is slap bang, is very destructive. The forest service estimates that the destructiveness amounts to 75 per cent. This statement by the service may be challenged by the timber operators. a a THOSE residents of Washing ton and Oregon who use fuel oil in their heatinz Dlants had a narrow escape from being rationed. The danger is not en tirely passed, but that area will probably now get by without further annoyance from the gov ernment. A questionnaire will be sent to those with oil burn ing plants asking for certain in formation, but it will not be a complicated form. The ques tionnaire is issued "in case" and will provide the oil administra tion with statistics In the event (Continued on Paga Four) Famous Sculptor Killed by Toxical New York, Dec. 31 (U.PJEn rico Glicenstein, 72, famous sculptor and artist, was killed last night when struck by a taxi cab near his home. Glicenstein, born In Poland, lived for years in Italy and won decorations in many countries. He was the only artist ever to achieve the honor of a joint ex hibit with Sculptor Auguste Rodin. FAVOR GRAPE PAYMENT Sacramento, Dec. 31 OJ.PJ State Director of Agriculture W. J. Cecil today approved a recom mendation of the grape prora tion zone No. 2 program com mittee, authorizing a program payment of $3 per ton to be paid approximately 6000 grape grow ers who in 1938 delivered grapes for manufacture into brandy and high-proof alcohol under the marketing program . then in effect. SIDE GLANCES Br TRIBUNE REPORTER City "Supe" Frank Rogers tak ing time out from his duties to tell two pretty young women where to find the courthouse. Maurice Spatz hanging around a bank in the hope of manipul ating an unwary victim into a small football wager. Len (Mayhem) Mayfleld al most scaring a body out of his wits with a sudden, booming greeting from extreme prox imity. Imogene Barry submitting a charming picture to tha art WILLAMETTE PASS Worst Inundation Since 1927 in Willamette Valley River Still Going Up. Eugene, Ore., Dec. 31 OJ.PJ The Willamette river today swept out of its banks near Eu gene, forcing evacuation of hun dreds of suburban residents and inundating thousands of acres In its worst flood since 1927. The river reached 16.5 feet early today, with the peak not yet sighted. Flood stage is 12 feet. Buildings Crumble Buildings in Glenwood and West Springfield, south of Eu gene on the Pacific highway, were beginning to crumple un der the impact of the surging waters. Most of the evacuees were from that district, and In cluded one pneumonia victim and several other stretcher cases. No deaths were reported. Weather bureau officials In Portland predicted the river, flowing north to the Columbia through the fertile lowlands west of the Cascade mountains, would rise to an average of more than five feet above its flood stages until it reached the lower re gion near Portland. At Eugene, the rise was ex pected to reach 17 feet by night fall. U. S. army engineers re ported several revetments along the Willamette in the flood area were washing away. Highways Closed Two major highways closed, according to a highway department bulletin, and all sec ondary routes were covered by flood waters. High water and slides blocked the highway over the Willamette pass east of here, while the Pacific highway also was flooded at Harrisburg, north of Eugene, as well as in the West Springfield district. Southern Pacific railroad of ficials in Portland said traffic had been resumed In the Cas cades following two new slides yesterday near the scene of an avalanche Sunday, at the head waters of the Willamette, which derailed eight cars of .a north bound train, killing one person and injuring several others. Engineers expected the flood crest to move downstream, past Corvallis. Albany and Salem, by tonight. They believed the flood would begin subsiding before causing serious danger at the mouth of the river, 10 miles north of Portland. IN 01 VALLEY: Br United Press Flood swollen rivers at the head of the Ohio Valley water shed began a slow recession to day after making more than 10.000 persons homeless, inun dating cities, highways and homes In a dozen states and clos ing many war plants. The first abatement of the principal flood waters, which had been rising for three days, came at the Juncture of the Allegheny and Monongahela with the Ohio at Pittsburgh and meant the De ginning of tha end of the second worst flood In Western Pennsyl vania history. The crest was still to be reached down river later today in hard-hit Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, but the recession at the headwaters promised re spite for evacuees and resump tion of production for the halted or curtailed war Industries. The flood waters extended from the Alleghenies In New York State as far west as the Missouri and Mississippi rivers above and below St Louis. The American Red Cross mobilized in the stricken areas to care for the homeless. 7.500 of whom were evacuated from Wheeling Island In tha Ohio alone. - a i majanan ia - " ' "; iiiiM.i !' -275r "" '-" c, tS-.t; fv 4cm Ttltphotu Two of the country's most-sought public enemies, Roger Touhy, left, and Basil ("The Owl") Bang hart, are shown in Chicago after their capture by G-men, who had previously killed two companions of the desperadoes. The entire Touhy gang, who escaped from Statevula Penitentiary at Joliet. 111. last Oct. 9, wen either dead or captured. 175,000 Germans Killed In Red Winter Campaign Moscow, Dec. 31 (U.R) The Red army has killed 175,000 Ger mans and taken 137,650 prisoners since the start of its winter offensive on Nov. 19, special Soviet announcement said tonight. SYSTEM OF CITY The exceptionally heavy rain fall of the past several weeks has increased the work of the city street department manyfold and members of the department are working day and night in an effort to keep up with the calls, according to Frank Rogers, city superintendent. All drains and storm sewers of the city are overloaded," Mr. Rogers said, "and continuing rain may bring serious trouble. Mr. Rogers pointed out that the ground is thoroughly soaked and any additional rainfall drains directly into the storm sewers. The problem was complicated early last fall when the heavy rains began before the curtailed street cleaning force could make the annual fall clean-up of leaves. The combination of leaves, water and dirt plugged many sewers and it has been constant struggle on the part of the crews to keep them operat ing ever since. "The city appreciates the co operation and patience we have received from the citizens dur ing the rainy weeks, Mr. Rogers said. "Every effort Is made to handle calls as quickly as possible." Mr. Rogers was re cently able to bring tHe crew back to normal numbers which has aided materially in handling the Increased work. Ahyab Attacked by R.A.F. Wellingtons New Delhi, Dec. 31 U.R RAF Wellington bombers last night attacked Akyab, Burmese port toward which the East In dia British army Is moving down the coast from the Indo-Burmese border. A Joint Army-RAF commu nique, reporting the raid, said that bursts were observed in the Satyoga creek area. No planes were lost in daylight bombing yesterday of Kyauktaw, on the Kaladan river, 40 miles upstream from Akyab. Banker Sentenced One Year in Jail Sacramento, Dec. 11. UP) Federal Judge Martin L Welsh today sentenced Albert Henry Becker, 48, former Sacramento bank vice president, to one year in the county Jail on the first two counts of misappropriating funds of a national bank. He was granted two years probation on another count. He had pleaded guilty previously. Becker had paid back about 120,000 of tha 139,000 be misappropriated Earlier the special announce- ment had revealed that in oper ations around Stalingrad alone the Russians had killed 95.000 Axis troops and taken 72,000 prisoners. (CBS said the Moscow radio had announced that "the Ger man forces before Stalingrad have now bean completely liqui dated.") Thirty-six Axis divisions In cluding six tank divisions have been routed, the specal an nouncement said, and heavy losses have been inflicted on seven other divisions. . - The announcement came as ths Russians reported that a steady, 48-hour advance had put them in position to start a drive on Elista, capital of the Kalmyk republic. Seventeen German divisions and one Rumanian division have been surrounded as a result of the Stalingrad offensive, the an nouncement said. NEWSPRINT CUT 10 PER CENT BY ORDER OF W.P.B. Washington, Dec. 31. (U.PJ The War Production board, act ing on a recommendation of its newspaper advisory committee. today ordered 1943 consumption of newsprint cut back to the amount that was used to meet net paid circulations In 1941. This will have the effect of re ducing consumption an average of 10 per cent below current levels. The curtailment was specifi cally recommended by the news paper industry through Its ad visory committee in view of a prospective shortage of pulp wood and manpower In Canada and the United States. A similar reduction was ord ered for the magazine industry, which also had recommended lt through an advisory committee. Both orders are effective to morrow. WPB spokesmen said there probably would be further cuts later. W. G. Chandler, director of the WPB printing and publish ing division, in announcing the newsprint cut, emphasized that the 10 per cent figure was an overall estimate for the indus try and by no means meant that each publisher would be cut 10 per cent. He said that under the order some publishers will have to cut more and some less. Radio Highlights The Rose Bowl football game In Pasadena, Cal . tomorrow. New Year's day, will be broad cast by KM ED, starting at 1:43 p. m. The University of Georgia and the University of California at Los Angeles are tha opposing teams -, British Navy Battles E, my Force Fl AXISATTRIPOLI Long-Missing Desert Unit Reported Advancing From South Well Into Libya. London, Dec. 31 (U.R) A long-missing French desert force reported today that it was ad vancing from the south on the big German base of Tripoli, add ing to the peril of Axis forces in North Africa which now have the sea at their back and are under pressure from three direc tions. General Leclerc, commander of the French column, reported in his communique to fighting French headquarters here that he was well inside Libya and that his planes had attacked the airdrome at Segha, about 300 miles east of the Algerian bor der. Started Near Chad Reports of the French expe dition, said to have started from the region of Lake Chad, were heard several weeks ago. Then there was a long silence until today's announcement. Announcement of tha new bulwark to the allied cause came during a day of increased mill tary and political activity In the African theater ol war. Other developments: - - ' 1. Radio Morocco reported that Axis planes raided Casa blanca last night for the first time In the war. There were casualties among the Moroccan population but antiaircraft fire permitted the planes to drop only a limited number of bombs. 2. The German official news agency admitted that patrols from the British Eighth army were operating south of Tripoli, Indicating Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery might have execut ed another flanking movement (.round the retreating Afrika Korps. The Germans claimed the British unit was defeated and its commander captured. 3. An American tank and mo torized Infantry unit was re ported to have cut to within 40 miles of Gabes, In Tunisia, threatening Axis communica tions between Tripoli and Tuni sia. There was no confirmation of the action here, and observers were inclined to believe lt might be nothing more than a scouting expedition. 4. A middle eastern command communique issued In Cairo said aerial activity in Tripolitania had increased and that allied fighters attached to the British Eighth army had shot down eight German Messerschmitts without loss. CIA RECALLS P Washington. Dec. 31 (U.R) President Roosevelt conferred today with Lieut. Gen. Hsiung Shih-Fel, head of a special Chi nese military mission a major ity of whose members have been recalled by Generalissimo Chi an Kei-Shek. Chiang summoned Hsiung home. It was believed, because ha was dissatisfied with the quantity of military aid China has been receiving from the United Nations. Hsiung's appointment with the president, the White House said was arranged at the request of Secretary of State Cordell Hull The general wa accompanied by an interpreter, (.apt. KoDert im. Bomber Wreckage Eyed by Rescuers March Field, Cal., Dec. 31 (U.R) Rescue crews today exam ined wreckage of a B-24 bomber which crashed In the Mojave desert near Ludlow, Cal., yes terday. Public relations officials at March Field said It was believed nmc mmmhttm rt tha frmvr nf aloe parachuted to safety. i WITH LAST FLING Heavy Supply of Spending Money Promises to Spur New Year's Eve Festivities By Unitad Praas Celebrants with more spend ing money than at any time since the gay twenties made plans today for their largest and gayest New Year s Eve In years tempered only by wartime pre cautions in coastal areas. A survey of the nation s 12 largest cities indicated that de spite high prices, gasoline ra tioning and shortages, the public has decided to take one last fling before rationing clamps down on food and liquor sup plies. Expect Record browas Police in all of the cities made arrangements to handle record crowds. Taxi cab companies cancelled their annual "escort service" for Intoxicated cele brants because of the rubber shortage. Most of the large cities placed curfeys In effect and, remember ing the disastrous Boston night club fire, ordered special fire precautions In night clubs and restaurants. A mlgnlght bar curfew will be enforced In San , Francisco and Los Angeles and throughout the western defense command and package liquor sales were ordered stopped at 8 p. m. New York City had a 4 a. m. curtcw order for the first time since reDeal of the 18th amendment. Celebration plans or leading cities included: New York The great white way was blacked out but police exDected the usual jam oi nun- dreds of thousands of celebrants In Times Square and assigned 1,600 patrolmen, 500 detectives and 1.000 city patrol corps mem bers. Night clubs and hotels an ticipated the biggest celebration in recent years. S. R. O. In Chicago Chicago Night club and ho tel proprietors hung out the standing room only signs and said they expected the largest and gayest New Year's Eve since the fabulous '20's. Coffee will be rationed to customers but liquor will not be. Taverns must close at 3 a. m. and restaurants at 4 a. m. Los Angeles A drier New Year's Eve expected because of a recent ruling closing liquor stores at 8 p. m. and bars at midnight. Washington All indications point to a gay, wet New Years Eve In the nation's capital with niaht clubs expecting one of the biggest sprees In District of Columbia history. Two leading hotels required purchase of war bond for each couple as cover charse. San Francisco Police chief nrohiblted parades of autom o biles, congregation of crowds and nolsemakers. Private house parties and service men's parties are expected to predominate with an 8 p. m. curfew on pack age liquor sales and a midnight curfew on all bars. Department Stores Show Business Hike San Francisco. Dec. 31 (U.PJ Sales In western department stores Increased 18 per cent this year over last, the Federal Ke- serve bank reported today. Surveying stores In the area of the twelfth district of tha Fed eral Reserve system, research statisticians reported greatest In creases In Seattle and Salt Lake City where sales were up 30 per cent. During December, sales In Portland and Seattle Jumped 34 per cent over last year. EARLY PAPER FRIDAY In order to permit employes to enjoy a partial holiday un New Year's day, tha Mail Tribuns will go to press at noon. Army Whittles Negro Moniker Van Alstyne, Tex., Dec. 31 (U.PJ A Negro soldier from Van Alstyne, Tex., has turned up with the army's longest name. That's what his com manding officer said when the Negro began giving lt. When he finished,- an officer listed him simply as "D. C. Murphy." His full name, however. Is: "Daniel's Wisdom May I Know, Stephen's Faith and Spirit Choose, John's Divine Communion Seal, Moid' Meekness' Joshua's Zeal, Win the Day and Conquer All Murphy, Jr." His father calls him "Jun ior." IDORAT Somewhere In New Guinea, Dec. 30 (Delayed) (U.R) Amer ican forces established tonight a strong corridor between the Japanese at Buna Mission and other enemy forces to the south east against whom light tanks and veteran Australians were making steady Inroads. In the fighting today and yes terday, the Americans widened the wedge they started last week and took a firm hold on the beach between the mission and Galropa Point. -The operation- put the Japanese at the mission under allied attack from two sides, for another American group had a strong beachhead between the mission and Buna village. 0RTLAND MARKET TO CLOSE DOORS TONIGHT Portland, Dec. 31. (U.PJ Portland's million-dollar public market will close its doors to morrow night after nine years of operation and tenants will be obliged to find new locations. The sprawling market, which opened in 1933, was forced to discontinue operation after the city refused to take it over as a municipal project. Hitler's Baggy - Explained By German Radio By Robert Dowson London, Dec. 31 (U.R) Ger many began broadcasting Its year end reviews today, and they explained why recent pic tures show that Adolf Hitler has acquired an unhealthy, baggy eyed bloat and Benito Mussolini has sloughed off many pounds from his rotund body. An official German news agency military expert, review ing battle fronts, admitted that the fighting in Africa "distinctly favors the allies." All the expert could say about Russia was that Germany had conquered enormous areas London. Dee. 31 OJ.PJ Adolf Hitler In an order of tha day told the German armed foreas today that "tha year 1943 perhaps will be a diffi cult one but certainly It will be no more difficult than tha past one." The order oi tha day was broadcast. "God gave us the force to overcome last winter," Hit ler's order said, "and there fore wa also will overcome the present winter and tha coming year still better. On thing is certain! la thia strug gle thera can be no compro mise." and "the positions as well as the strategic materials captured so far give every reason to be cer tain of a final German victory there." Denies Alt Power Lost On the aerial war, tha expert said the allies had not yet won air supremacy over Europe and "it can be assumed that bomb damage Is still greater in Eng. land as compared to the damage British bombs have been able to Inflict on the continent." Wllheln. Weiss, editor oi tha HITS SCORED ON British Communique Gives No Hint of Location Size of Units In Conflict. London, Dee. 31 (U.R) Th British navy, in a sea battle that Is still continuing, has damaged an enemy cruiser and destroyer In northern waters, an admiral ty communique said tonight. The destroyer was hit severely, and last was seen in a sinking condition, the communique said. The communique gave no in dication of the size of the naval units involved, nor did it give a precise location for the seen of the engagement. It was recalled that tha pow erful German battleship Tirpltz has been reported in Norwegian fjords recently. ' Jackson county sent group of men to Fort Lewis, Wash.,' tha first of tha week, where they reported for active duty in the U. S. army, according to se lective service board No. 2. The list Included: Glen O. Watson, Dee O. Parker, Howard W. Payne, Walter H. O'Toole, William L. Peterson, David M. A. Barker, Chester Lind, Gerald J. Verschoor, Clarence C. Camp bell, Hugh Glass, Simon D. John son, Perry A. Polk, Harvey C. Maxson, John E. Jacobs, John R. Hamaker, David C. Betchel, Roy K. Byrd, Donald R. Shough, Clyde L. Ashcraft, George Slade, Donald M. Case, Harold K. Park er, Charles V. Boatwrlght, Wil liam E. Acord, Harry L. Oliver and Jesse L. Groves. Eyed Bloat Nazi party newspaper Voelk lscher Beobachter, wrote that Europe had become "on con solidated bulwark of strength from Norway to Tunisia and from the Pyrenees to Stalin grad." Ths allies may think they have the initiative, Weiss held, "but the new year of fighting will prove the error of our op ponents and their plans will re sult sooner or later in complete failure." Paul Joseph Goebbels, Ger man propaganda minister, wrote in the weekly Das Reich: uermany nas more or teas succeeded in overcoming certain military difficulties which have arisen from time to time without too much expenditure of re serves ... even counting tha changing luck In such a gigantle battle as that in Russia we can look with confidence Into tha future. If our enemies baa their hopes on the cracking of Ger. man moral they will be disap pointed. During the whola war no such sign of Inner weakness has appeared." Hitler Frowsy Now The ministry of Information released pictures of Hitler, taken when he mad his last speech Nov. 8. It revealed Hitler as bloated, with a double chin and baggy eyes. His hair, which he used to keep Immaculate, la tousled The) Nazis grouped behind him, ap parently bodyguards, are look ing not at Hitler In their wonted enchantment but at th audi ence, watching for trouble. So astonishing was th change in the one rosy cheeked fuehrer that a Briton who knew him well said at first that th pic tures must have been faked, that it could not be Hitler. editor
