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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (March 9, 1945)
Yanks Enlarge Bridgehead, y Big Guns Blast Ruhr Heart, New Army Joins Final Push Br UNITED PRESS American forces steadily enlarged their bridgehead over the Rhine today and to the north began blasting the heart of the vital Ruhr industrial region with heavy artillery. It was announced officially that a fifth American army, the 15th, Is on the western front to Join in the final assault on Ger many. The new army, under Lt. Gen. Leonard T. Gerow, Is part of Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley's 12th comprises Lt. Gen. George S. Patton's 3rd army and Lt. Gen. Court ney H. Hodges' 1st. 250 BIG GUNS OPEN FIRE ON RUHR The bombardment of the Ruhr was opened by more than 250 American heavy guns, directed by aerial observation for accuracy. They pounded targets as far east as Essen. Two-fifths of the Ruhr was within effective range of American 8-inch and 240-millimeter , guns. Heavy howitzers and long toms dealt with targets nearer g the Rhine, such as Oberhausen, The 1st army's bridgehead over the Rhine had been extended " at least four miles into Germany ship. Supreme headquarters said being extended steadily and that 1st and 3rd armies west of the Rhine were highly disorganized in their efforts to escape. AMERICANS REACH Berlin reported that the Americans, had reached the town of Llnz, on the east bank two miles and Coblenz. A Nazi broadcast admitted that the Ludendorf railway bridge over the Rhine at Remagen had been captured intact, explaining that it had been left undestroyed Russian Front Flame The Russians were across the Odor, eastern counterpart of the Rhine in relation to Berlin's de fense, although Moscow screen ed developments on that front j with a security blackout. An a T unofficial Moscow dispatch said the whole Oder Neisse line fronting Berlin was aflame along a 175-mile stretch. Nazi broadcasts said the Rus sians had swung across the Oder behind the stronghold of Kues trin, encircling it, and were fighting inside the city. Moscow dispatches reported that other Soviet forces in the north were storming and shelling the out skirts of the big Baltic ports of Stettin and Danzig. Planes Help The breaching of the Rhine and the Oder in the two-way final assault on Germany was accompanied by another terrif ic aerial bombardment of rail way objectives in the western Reich. More than 1,400 Ameri can heavy bombers went over. One of the targets was Kassel, 1 one of the biggest rail centers between the American bridge head over the Rhine and Berlin. Kassel had already been hit during the night by British . Jieavy bombers. ... ' "" Other American" targets were railway yards at' Osnabrueck, Muenster, Rhein and Frankfurt-On-Main. In the absence of detailed ac counts of the American crossing of the Rhine, one outstanding fact was that the Germans were taken completely by surprise. DIES IN FRANCE Mr. and Mrs. Charles Q. (Jim) Branson, 309 Chestnut street, received official word yesterday that their son, Pfc. William M. Branson, had died in France on Feb. 6. He had been wounded Jan. -23 while in action in Bel gium. No further details have been received by the family. Pfc. Branson attended SOCE in Ashland for about six months prior to his induction June 8 1943. He had been iverseas two months at time of his death. Octopus Juice Is Fed Jap Fliers As Relief of Fatigue By United Press Radio Tokyo offered some thing new for tired Japanese fliers today Octopus Juice. "It has been discovered," said the Domei News Agency in a broadcast recorded by FCC moni tors, "that octopus extract, Tau rin, is an exceedingly efficacious remedy for relieving fatigue and as such will be indispensable to our flying men." Domei recommended boiling the octopus and drawing off the juice. The broadcast failed to in clude directions for catching the octopus. Divorcee Murdered . . For Emerald Ring Washington, March 8 (U.R) Police believed today that red- haired Nancy Boyei was murder ed for her emerald ring. The 45-year-old Mrs. Boyer, said to be a divorcee, was found beaten and shot to death in the kitchen of her swanky, sound proofed apartment. Police said the attractive Mrs. Boyed was killed Monday night Court Records Justice Court - Isobel Anne Davidson, cited. failure to stop at stop sign. Samuel Waldo Kein, cited, no car license. Henry Cecil Misenger, cited no tall light and driving while driven license was revolted. army group, which in addition Mulheim and Dulsburg, at last reports, delayed by censor only that the bridgehead was the Germans caught between the TOWN OF LINZ from Remagen, between Cologne "accidentally.1 Rhine Sweep S3 ,-. Alsti. Almtlo Osnobuk Htnsl4 NETH. l jfe JMiptrick WfMl Dortmund COLOGNI - GERMANY (Acme TeUphato) Units of U. S. First Army haw stormed across the Rhine south ol Cologne and are advancing into thi heart of Germany against light re sistance. With U. S. Third Arms tanks loose along Rhine north ol Coblenz, Berlin reported a second American force had reached the river at Remagen to northwest. NAILED TO CROSS UNDER "L" TRACK Chicago, March 9 (U.R) A man with a crown of thorns on his head was found nailed and lashed to a cross beneath the elevated tracks today. The crucifixion victim was Fred Walscher, 44, a porter In a tavern. There were spikes driven through his hands into the cross. Blood trickled from a wound in his side. Walscher told police from a hospital bed that he was nailed to the cross by men he did not know. " . Head of Group In Walscher's home detectives found letters indicating he was the head of an organization called "American Industrial De mocrary." Authorities said they never had heard of the group. Police Capt. P. B. O'Connell was skeptical. He said Walscher might have arranged the cruci fixion as a publicity stunt for the A.I.D. Detectives questioned E. H. Bronner, a chemist, after Wal scher mentioned his name. They also began a search for Joseph Schlessinger, who was a witness when Walscher became a natur alized citizen of the United States in 1927. They found that Schlessinger left for California this morning. COYOTE BAIT PUT OUT IN LAKE CREEK AREA John Walch of Lake Creek said today he has placed poison bait near the carcasses of two dead cattle at Lost Creek in an effort to kill coyotes which have been killing livestock and deer in that locality. Walch cautioned anyone going Into that locality during the next month to leave their dogs home. TO HELP GREEKS Washington, March 9 (U.R) A 14-man nar public health unit will leave soon for Athens at the request of the Greek gov ernment to relieve sanitary con ditions and curb disease in that war-torn country, the navy dis closed today. .UXEMBOUKG .""JjMoliu C - Mitg Sor lJal v I '"'" gfroibourg a - FRAVlCE J OMwby-s Colmore J 1 Medford United Pr Thirty-ninth Year SUPERFORTS SET TOKYO ABLAZE IN 13TH MAJOR RAID Japs Report Big American Invasion Reel Repelled in Zamboanga Landing Try. WashingtonMarch 9 U.R) More than 300 Superfortress bombers the largest number ever engaged in a single mission attacked Tokyo industrial tar gets today. (Ten square miles of the heart of Tokyo were set afire by the raid; a Blue Network Broadcast from Guam said. The attack was termed an "all-out incendiary raid.") Br United Press Fifty or more American Super fortresses set fires in the Tokyo Yokohama area early Saturday morning, Tokyo radio announc ed in a broadcast made while the attack was still in progress. The Japanese report, heard by United Press in San Francisco, said the B-29's were over the Honshu island industrial area at 2:30 a. m., Saturday, Tokyo time (10:30 a. m. Friday, PWT.) - Tokyo said Nipponese fire- fighting units "are now display ing brisk activity in bringing the resulting fires under con trol." Landing fry Told The Japanese reported today that a big American invasion fleet was off Zamboanga at the southwest tip of Mindanao, sec- cond largest island of the Philip pines, and one Tokyo broadcast beamed in Italian that a landing had been attempted. The Italian-language broadcast claimed that the attempted land ing had "failed." Other Tokyo broadcasts said the 77-ship ar mada was maneuvering for landing after a 24-hour naval bombardment of the big fort. Tokyo said the American fleet included at least three battle ships, four cruisers and 20 land ing craft, and said mine-sweep ers had begun clearing a channel off the coast yesterday morning. Split Iwo Japs The unconfirmed report of the landing, which would face the Americans within 180 miles of Borneo, came as U. S. marines on Iwo drove to a 100-foot cliff overlooking the island's north east coast, virtually splitting the JaDanese garrison. Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, commander of the Pa cific Amphibious forces, toured the island and said that "it won't be long before this thing is over. Fewer than 4,000 Japanese were believed left in the north ern Iwo defenses, under steady assault of carrier planes and the bie euns of warships offshore. In Burma, fierce fighting rag ed on Mandalay Hll! inside Bur ma's historic city, with the Jap anese fighting desperately 10 stem envelopment by converging Indian trooDS. The British radio minted unofficial reports that British troops had penetrated the old walls surrounding rort ma- ferln. Just south of Mandalay Hill. Janitor Strike Brings Holiday Garv. Ind.. March 9 U.R- strike of 130 Janitors in 19 Gary schools gave 20,000 pupils a sec ond day's holiday today. The Janitors seek higher wages and a new contract. No meetings between the board of education. which has agreed to an increase aeereeatinE $14,000 a year as aeainst the $20,000 demanded had been scheduled, according to a representative of the local of the Building and Service Em ployes union (AFL). CIVIC MUSIC CONCERT NEXT TUESDAY EVENING Next concert of the Jackson County Civic Music association will be Tuesday evening of next week with Ania Dorfman, pian ist, as the featured artist. Miss Dorfman, native Russian, is rated-one of the nation's leading pianists. As usual the concert will be at the senior high school audi torium. TO BERLIN Br United Press The nearest distances to Ber lin from advanced allied lines today: Eastern Front 27 miles (from Seelow, by German re port). Western Front 288 miles (from Linz, by German re port). Italy 3S0 mile (from north ox Ravenna). -Full Leased Wire Federal Counsel To Confer Here . On S. P. Service To confer with Medford citi zens on the matter of the gov ernment's suit against the South ern Pacific railroad concerning service for this area, David S. Craig, special assistant to the attorney general, will be here the middle of this month accord ing to a letter received by Fran' Hull, manager of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, from Congressman Harris Ells worth. The suit, of great local inter est, was filed against the rail road company under the terms of the Lend Grant act of 1860 which states that the company must provide "through and continuous service over the Shasta route be tween Portland and San Francis co." According to the letter, Craig will be in Oregon between March 12 and 15 for conferences. CUT 50 PER CENT BY CIO IS CLAIM Detroit, March 9 (U.R) An automotive Industry spokesman charged today that organized la bor is cutting war production ef ficiency 80 per cent by trying to take over management func tions. The charge was one of several made by George Rcmney, man aging director of the automotive council for war production, Be fore the senate committee inves tigating war production. The committee opened 'hearings here today. Rornney, speaking for manage ment, directed blame for de clines in production efficiency against the congress of industrial organizations and its major affi liate, the United ,- Automobile Workers of America. , . . He said the CIO is "the most powerful private organization In this history of our country," and that it Is using this power dur ing wartime "to reduce the pro duction efficiency of automobile plants between 25 and SO per cent." SALVAGE DRIVE TO COLLECT TIN Robert A. Duff, Jackson coun ty salvage chairman, announced today that salvage of tin cans throughout the county will start, through co-operation of the schools, Monday, and will con tinue through March 16. Duff states the need for tin is critical since almost all of the tin now obtained in the United States comes through these sal vage drives. Most of the tin for merly brought into the United States came from the Malay Pen insula which has been taken over by the Japanese. The salvage chairman remind ed householders that cans do nated for salvage should be cleaned, wrappers removed, ends turned in and the can flattened E. H. Hedrick, city school su perintendent, will be In charge of the program in Medford schools, G. M. Green will super vise the Ashland drive and C. R. Bowman, county school super intendent, will have charge of the drive in county schools. CAN0L ABANDONMENT DECREED AFTER JUNE Washington, March 9 (U.R) Most of the army's $134,000,000 canol oil project in Canada will be written off the books by June 30. Abandonment of the project, subject of controversy 'between the army and the senate's war investigating committee for more than two years, was announced last night by the War Depart ment. It had been in operation less than a year. Only the products pipeline from Skagway to Whitehorse and Fairbanks. Alaska, will be re tained by the army after the June shut-down date. ENGINEER BLAMED Washington, March 9 (U.R) A Southern Pacific wreck near Bagley. Utah, last December 31 In which 80 persons were killed and 81 injured, was caused by an engineer's failure to obey ittop signals, the interstate commerce commission said today. MEDFORD, OREGON, L r ' .t'S jills Requested By jmmission Pass House; Job Insurance Fails. Salem. Ore.. March 9 U.R Two control bills requested by the state liquor commission were in the senate for final concur rence in house amendments to day, while the senate defeated compulsory unemployment com pensation by all employers in the state. The liquor bills (S. B.s 144 and 145) passed the house yes terday after a battle similar to the one the day before on sen ate bill 117. They came out on divided report and the house fight was over the substitution of the minority report for that of the majority. Favor 'Majority Report The minority report recom mended amendments which leave the law little changed, while the majority amendments give the commission extended powers and make compulsory iall sentences and fines for sec ond offenses in certain liquor law regulation violations. On S. B. 144 the motion to substitute the minority report for that of the majority was de feated 42 to 17: on S. B. 145 the same motion was defeated 48 to 16. Both bills passed 43 to 16 and 45 to 14. Optometry Bill Loses The house also killed a bill which would specifically per mit corporations to engage in the practice of optometry through employment of licensed optometrists. The senate voted 17 to id gainst the compulsory coverage bill for Jobless insurance. VThe committee majority (New- bry, Zurcher, Rand, Fatland) argued successfully the federal principle was meant to stop big gaps in unemployment, the var ious exemptions precluded uni versal coverage, relatively few firms under four workers' had unemployment problems, . and that small employers did not want the liberalization. Would Bar Ascap A bill outlawing operation in Oregon of Ascap was sched uled for senate committee hear ing late today. The upper house also scheduled a special order of business later today on an un favorable -committee report on the scrip liquor bill (S. B. 112) whereby a licensed club could pool its liquor purchases and serve by the drink upon presen tation of scrip. Quick action was expected in committee on a joint resolution (S. J. R. 21) and companion bill (S. B. 313) to create a 31st sena tor and give the new 25th dis trict to Crook, Deschutes, Jeffer son and Lake counties. 90 DAYS REQUIRED TO EVICT TENANT Three months must elapse as a general rule between the time a rental house is sold and action can be started under local law to evict the present tenant, E. B McCutchan, district OPA rent counsel, advised today. McCutchan restated the condi tions governing eviction of exist ing tenants by the house pur chaser in view of the increasing number of such sales in recent months. "Not only must three months elapse from the date of the sale," McCutchan added, but a certifi cate authorizing commencement of eviction proceedings may not be issued until at least 20 per cent of the total purchase price has been paid. He said the cer tificate authorizes starting of eviction action in local courts three months after the petition requesting the certificate is filed and approved by the OPA rent office. An exception cited by McCut chan is in cases where the ten ant can find equivalent accom modations "without undue hard ship or loss." Plan Dance A dance will be held at the Officers' Outpost to morrow evening between o'clock and midnight and it announced that officers visiting in the city are cordially invited to attend. Miss Joanna Wyatt will entertain, singing popular selections. Punch will be served la tbe library. FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1945 Subscriptions Frozen Because of rapidly dwindling newsprint stocks The Mall Tribune is forced to extend its subscription freeie to Include new subscribers within the county. Fpr some time no new subscrip tions have been accepted for delivery outside the county and today's action makes it impossible for anyone to subscribe ex cept as present subscribers are dropped. Those wishing to sub scribe may place their order and the delivery of the paper will start when their turn Is reached or when additional newsprint supplies permit. War Bulletin Washington, March 9. (U.R) American submarines have sunk a Japanese escort carrier, a destroyer, and 10 other craft In their latest sweeps in far eastern waters, the navy announced today. In addition to the two warships, a large tanker, four cargo transports and five cargo vessels were sent to the bottom the communique reported. These sinkings brought total enemy craft sunk by U. S. subs to 1.057, Including 112 combat vessels. With American Third Army In Germany, March 9. (U.R) The Germans today blew up the Rhine railway bridge at En. gers, mid-way between Coblens and Andernach, to prevent a crossing by the American 3rd army. The only other bridge standing In this sector Is the Hermann Goering bridge in Coblens. London, March 9. (U.R) Marshal Stalin announced to night that the red army had captured Stolp, biggest German stronghold in the northeastern tip of Pomerania and an "im portant center of railways and highways, and powerful bas tion of the German defenses." Paris, Marc 9. (U.R) The allies have captured 1.009.063 prisoners since D-day, supreme headquarters officially an nounced today. The bag Included one colonel general, 37 other generals, five colonels commanding divisions, and five ad mirals. , The total accounts for an estimated 58 German divisions. FAILED TO PROVE An opinion handed down Thursday by Circuit Judge H. K. Hanna, in the suit of Charles R. Ray and others, against Frank H. Ray and others, held the plaintiffs had failed "to sustain the burden of proof devolving upon them by evidence produ cing moral certainty in an un prejudiced mind." The opinion favors the defendants. As basis for the appointment of a receiver for and dissolution of the Gold Ray Realty com pany and the Gold Ray Invest ment company, the piainmi had charged the managements of the corporations were "gross ly incompetent;" that they were "Insolvent," and alleged "fraud" against the defendants. All liti gants are related and have large Interests in the Tolo-Gold Hill district. The opinion cites that book keeping and accounting meth ods employed by the defendant Frank H. Ray were necessary and proper, ' disclosed the true financial condition of the two corporations and that the evi dence "failed to disclose any falsification of the records, or any deficit or defalcations." The opinion holds the methods used by Defendant Frank H. Ray reveal "efficiency rather than inefficiency." The uprooting of the McDon- ough orchard, tearing down of old buildings and sale of cattle to Vern Brophy are also upheld In the opinion. They were points raised by plaintiffs. The case has been pending for several months and at the equity hearing a mass of testi mony and documentary evi dence was introduced, with ex pert testimony by Leland Knox, accountant, Clarence Pankey, orchard authority, and Dick Richardson, stockman. Attorney George M. Roberts representing Frank H. Ray, said a decree and findings in the case would be filed next week. SCHOOL GRANT Washington, March 9 (U.R) The federal works administra tion today announced grants in cluding Portland, Ore., school buildings, $98,000. MISMANAGEMENT Americans On Luzon Now In Trap Boasts Japan's "Tiger of Malaya" By United Press Gen. Tomoyukl Yamashlta, the conqueror of Singapore and commander of Japanese forces in the Philippines, still Insists that "the Americans on Luzon island have been entrapped by our strategy," Radio Tokyo cheerfully announced today. The broadcast, heard by Uni ted Press in San Francisco, said that Yamubita, with big wide Tribune United Press Full News of Release Of Son Welcome News For Ryalls A wire from the prisoner-of- war bureau Wednesday to Theo dore L. Ryall. Sr.. Route 2, Ash land, stating that his son, Theo dore. Jr.. had been released from a Japanese prison camp in the Philippines was welcome news Indeed for the Ryalls had re ceived no direct word from the young man since Deo. 31, 1041 Young Kyall, zi years oio ibsi January, was in the merchant marine and was taken prisoner when his shlD was seized in Ma nila Bay. The Ryalls were in formed that he was first at Santa Tomas prison and later at Los Banos camp. The wire said his physical condition was good. Double-Talk In Jap Paper Reflects Nip Fears of Invasion By United Press The Japanese habit of double- talk made the Tokyo newspaper Asahi look a bit silly today. Radio Tokyo, In a broadcast recorded by the United Press at San Francisco, quoted the paper as editorially declaring: "In case the enemy attempts to land on Japan proper, he will be crushed in the waters. And if any part of the foe manages to reach our shores, they will be wiped out at the shores. If then remnants of the enemy forces penetrate into our land, they will feel the weight of our slash ing attacks which will decide the victor. "If any of these handfulls manage somehow to reach our populated areas, they will Do properly dealt with in our own way. IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE MEMBERS SLATE MEET Membership applications for the Jackson County Chapter of the Izauk Walton League receiv ed before March 7.0 will entitle the applicant to attendance at the March meeting to be held on that date at the Hotel Medford, was the announcement today by Dr. C. H. Paske, president of the league. Colored moving pictures taken on the Salmon river, in Idaho, will be shown and an "outdoorsmen's snack" will be served. Applications can be made to William Lingass, secretary, Aubrey Norrls, Dr. Paske, Law rence Duff, Cliff Chord, Med ford, Bert Peck, of Central Point, or any other member of the league. smile on his sunburned face, told a press conference in the Philip pines today: "The American Invaders have been lured into the Luzon plain and Manila in exact accordance with our plans." The newspaper Malnlchl Shim bun put It this way: "The tiger of Malaya adjusted and contracted at lightning speed our front lines in the area west ' of Manila, . . ." Leased Wire NO. 295. F. R. RENEWS PLEA FOR STRONG LAW TO F0RCELAB0R Voluntary Manpower Control System Has Failed, Chief Says In News Conference. Washington, March 9 (U.R) President Roosevelt today re newed his plea for enactment of strong manpower legislation backed by government author ity to assign men to war Jobs. The voluntary manpower con. trol system, he told a news con ference, has failed to produce sufficient work force to supply the necessary materials of war. Spur to Compromise His discussion was viewed as a stimulus to congressional con ferees who will start work soon on their efforts to write a com promise bill acceptable to both house and senate. The house passed a bill soma weeks ro which would provide fines and penalties for men 18 to 49 who refuse to stay In or take essential Jobs. The senate passed a bill yes terday which would give statu tory backing to the War Man power Commission's orders lim iting the number of persons an employer may hire. The senate provided penalties against re calcitrant employers, but none for workers. Mr. Roosevelt made lt clear today that he preferred the house bill; LOG TRUCK-RULES Salem, Ore., March 9 U.R) Oregon already Is more liberal in trucking weights than other western states and the highway commission is opposed to further liberalization for logging trucks, the senate roads and highways committee was told last night in discussion of house bill 27S. Commission representat 1 v e said granting another 6,000 pounds under a graduated fine system would benefit wilful vio lators of present laws and break down highways and bridges more rapidly. Under War Pressure ' Fred Packwood, representing logging Interests, said his Indus try was trying to curb deliber ate violators and sought to pre vent dumping of overweight logs at weighing stations. Ha said the proposal would permit trucks to continue to their desti nation and that overloading; would not be profitable because of fines. - The logging Industry Is under war pressure for more logs and seeks to get the limit load on trucks, Packwood said, "but even the honest operator can't estimate correctly all the time.' He added the commission and local boards have power to closa or restrict certain highways to logging trucks. . The commiteee took no action, 300,000th Jeep Rolls Off Lines Toledo, O., March 9 U.R The 300,000th Jeep has rolled off the assembly lines of Willys- ' Overland Motors, Inc., it was announced today. Company President Charles E. Sorenson said "this milestone" in Jeep production dates from June, 1941, when the vehicle was selected as "standard" by the U. S. army. SGT. MYRON MEEHAN WOUNDED IN ACTION Sgt. Myron Meehan was re cently wounded in action and has been hospitalized according to a wire from the War Depart ment received this morning by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Meehan, Route 1. No further details were given. Sgt. Meehan, with a medical unit of the Seventieth, or Trail Blazer Division, had been In the Saar Basin area, his parents re port. The sergeant was stationed at Camp White with the 91st Di vision for a time and later was transferred to the Seventieth for special training w'th the medi cal unit, After training at Camp Adair and in Medford, Sgt. Mee han was sent overseas last No vember and has been In the Eu ropean theater since. m
