23 Dec 1943
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 32 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Athens Messenger
Location
Athens, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1943
Page
1
An unnamed high official warns Washington that U S war casualties may triple in the coming three months, potentially lifting the toll above 500,000. The claim, made in an off the record talk, sparked urgency but lacked official substantiation.
President Murray of the Congress of Industrial Organizations appoints Ted F. Silvey as liaison between the CIO and the War Production Board, effective February 1. Silvey previously served as secretary treasurer of the Ohio Industrial Union Council from 1937 to 1943 and resides in Columbus.
Washington report notes the CIO United Steel Workers petition for retroactive pay raises under contracts was denied by the War Manpower Board. President Roosevelt informed Paul V. McNutt that federal workers will receive same draft exemptions as fathers in private employ. Burns prove fatal in Cincinnati as Jo Focks, 49, dies from burns from a clink furnace incident.
Democratic leaders eye a southern speaking tour after the January 22 national committee meeting to set dates for the national convention. Frank C. Walker may head south for Jackson Day dinners to boost party finances, while officials deny linkage to anti rebel rumors. Some speculate Roosevelt could seek a fourth term and resign later to lead a peace delegation, though such resignations are unprecedented.
In New Haven Connecticut a local Christmas tree merchant who also sells chickens set his entire stock on fire claiming he had too many trees and needed space for chickens. Residents watched as the blaze consumed the display as he offered trees for free.
The Ohio Bell Telephone Co urged the public to curtail out of state long distance calls on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to keep lines clear for service members and their families. The note cites government agencies and war plants also operating on Christmas Day needing telephone facilities.
A street collision in Elyria killed Ambrose Garman, 78, of Penfield, according to police reports from the scene. Officials said the accident occurred during a clear afternoon, with responders pronouncing him dead at the site.
Soviet War and the Working Class accuses AFL leaders Matthew Woll William Hutcheson Isadore Nagler and David Dubinsky of anti Soviet acts. John L Lewis is labeled that Fascist sectarian for splitting the AFL and moving mine workers back from CIO. Article cites others as reactionary leaders and praises AFL progressives at Boston Congress.
Washington AP reports minute progress as carriers and five operating brotherhoods near an accord on wages a week before a potential rail strike. Government watches while 1.1 million non operating workers contemplate Dec 30 actions. Union demands shift from about 3 a day to 64 cents with extra concessions.
Allied air power pounded Japanese targets from China to the Solomons as bombers attacked enemy positions and U S fighter planes claimed 16 kills near Arawe on New Britain. In New Guinea, officials denied MacArthur plans to travel to Washington while Arawe forces expanded their foothold. Catalina planes sank a 6,000 ton cargo ship off Kavieng and a heavy bomber damaged a destroyer.
In San Francisco the Pacific Coast joint committee reports CIO machinists Local 1304 Oakland refused to work for higher pay on a war ship. Sailors were brought in to complete the vessel, with some crew members reassigned to perform the formerly stalled repairs.
The Lorain plant of National Tube Company a United States Steel subsidiary closed one of five blast furnaces in a major production cutback. The furnace had produced about 24 000 tons of pig iron monthly since 1937 due to falling orders.
Fifteen year old Thomas Sours son of Hal G. Sours Columbus highway director and his wife is ill with influenza and a sinus infection The U S Army authorized a limited quantity of penicillin from Boston for this case due to the drug's scarcity
New York New Jersey metropolitan area industry advisory committee asks War Food Administration to reconsider permission for heavy cream sales under medical prescriptions after a 25 percent jump. The request targets continued access amid rationing and health concerns.
Fred Gramm, 74, a farmer, was struck and killed by a car while crossing Route 16 at Columbia Center last night.
Edwin Colville a 90 year old retired river boat captain and pilot native to Fronton Montgomery West Virginia died. The obituary notes his long career on river trade and his Lronton origins with local references.
Chaplain Colonel Claude EF Harkey, 62, assumes chief of the chaplain branch at the Army Fifth Service Command in Columbus. He succeeds Lt. Col. Myron D. Merchant, transferred to San Francisco port of embarkation after a year at Fort Hayes. Harkey, with 26 years in service, served at Schofield Barracks during Pearl Harbor attack.
Governor Christian Laigret of New Caledonia sharply criticized American troops and their administration in a prepared statement. In reply to questions he cited the behavior of American Negro troops, highlighting concerns in the South Pacific territory.
James W. Collett a 60 year old prosperous farmer pleaded innocent to first degree murder in the Thanksgiving Eve triple slayings. Common Pleas Judge Harry M Rankin set February 14 as the trial date.
Allied officials tell The Reader’s Digest Allan Michie the German rocket secret weapon is real and not a bluff. Refugees and agents report a rocket type projectile about 50 tons that could be fired from the French coast into England. After a recent RAF raid at Pennemund, 5 000 workers were said killed with blueprints and machinery destroyed.
Manpower Chairman Paul V. McNutt said returning veterans must be given help to find jobs of their choosing and that they are not required to take war jobs. He stated officers of the U. S. Employment Service should refer veterans to any job they are qualified for on request, regardless of local war plant priorities.
Cleveland officials explain Executive Order 9240 sets time and a half pay for Christmas and New Year work. The rule covers five designated holidays with double time only after seven consecutive days in a scheduled work week, and a holiday counts as a work day even if no work occurs.
Vatican radio announced Pope Pius XII will celebrate Christmas Eve Mass privately at noon tomorrow instead of 7 p m due to Rome curfew under German occupation. NBC and CBS will air the papal message at 7 15 a m Eastern War Time with an English summary. US rebroadcast status unclear.
Soviet forces reported holding all sectors as massed Russian artillery and big field guns battered a major German offensive. Ninety-five German tanks were destroyed and nearly 3,000 troops killed as Bagramian’s First Baltic and Vatutin’s First Ukraine Armies press forward toward Vitebsk and Gorodok amid Allied bombing across the English Channel.
Allied air forces waged a multi day campaign with RAF heavy bombers and American aircraft striking Northern France and Northwest Germany. Losses were heavy on both sides as bombers and fighters clashed amid fierce weather. Berlin damage reports suggested substantial destruction, while British and colonial units reported successes against German targets and Berlin factories.
Six men described as members of Al Capone's Chicago gang and a Newark AFL official were convicted of attempting to extort 1 million dollars from the motion picture industry. A federal jury of nine women and three men found them guilty. each faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
A brief 10 Downing Street statement today says Prime Minister Churchill continues to make steady progress. The note emphasizes ongoing wartime leadership and persistence amid global conflict.
Chicago reports a record egg surplus as hens and pullets boost output. Prices fall beneath OPA ceilings while wholesalers accumulate stocks. Factors include early pullets reaching laying age, lack of a dried egg buy program, and a nine percent rise in potential egg layers at December 1.
Rep Sparkman disclosed a new super bomber during a return from a 10 000 mile inspection tour of aviation plants and air force installations across eight states. He said it would surprise and hurt the enemy and go into large scale production though no details could be given.
Washington reports the Senate Finance Committee said its tax bill aims to raise less than a quarter of Treasury demands and ties the reduction to the Budget Bureau slash of 11 billion dollars from this year's deficit. The committee formally reported the 2.2756 billion measure during holiday recess and noted the inflationary gap may shrink with reduced war materiel orders and boosted civilian production.
Percy Hemus aged 65, a longtime radio actor, died suddenly in the NBC studios first aid room shortly after the program he was to join went on air. His role as Mr. Brink in the serial Brave Tomorrow was filled by a substitute.
About 1,000 AFL craft unionists at the American Shipbuilding Co. largest side yards in Cleveland ignored a War Labor Board ultimatum and did not return to work.
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