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Newspaper
Athens Messenger
Location
Athens, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Jan 08, 1942
Page
1
Logan and Millport near East Liverpool recorded 20 below zero as a deep cold wave persisted across Ohio for a fourth straight day. The statewide freeze kept temperatures below zero in all observed areas with widespread extremity.
The official low in Athens last night was 15 degrees below zero, reported by C. N. France, with many thermometers across town at 18 below. Amesville registered 22 below as the high in Athens reached 18 above and noon today stood at eight above. The cold held near zero for hours with rising temperatures expected tonight. Officials warned antifreeze shortages due to government limits, fueling station stockouts. Firemen battled furnace-related fires as buses and streetcars faced delays from the chill.
London AP reports an official spokesman said a received report states oil wells refineries and a pipeline in British Borneo were destroyed as planned prior to the Japanese occupation. Japanese reports earlier claimed some wells were already in production for Japan.
A five alarm fire in New York destroyed a Hudson River pier used by the New York Central Railroad and America South Africa Steamship Lines early today. The blaze caused extensive damage to the structure and vessels docked at the site. No injuries were immediately reported.
British Middle East headquarters report Axis forces retreating toward Tripoli after a sandstorm halted their attack near Agedabia, while British mobile columns pursue. Soviet lines claim advances toward Vyazma Bryansk with heavy German losses. Finland denies peace with Russia amid Allied talks in London. Belgrade radio notes renewed fighting between Axis troops and insurgents in Serbia.
Thousands of Civilian Pilot Training graduates were asked to join the Army or Navy air forces. Brig. Gen. Connolly said graduates should act on their pledge to apply for armed service air training if needed. The CPT program has graduated about 60,000 pilots and will rise to 70,000 by July 1. About 20,000 are in service or awaiting call, with others in civilian aviation, other industries, or college.
Senate leaders tapped Republican Senator Taft of Ohio to rally support against a farm bloc push to veto farm price levels set by wartime price control. Taft helped draft the bill in the Banking Committee and joins Democratic Leader Barkley and Senator Brown in opposing farm demands for veto power.
Ohio Governor Bricker refused to release the $13.25 million state surplus to local governments. He urged Cleveland Mayor Lausche and Columbus Mayor Green to cut expenditures to the bone and warned that revenues could fall by as much as $30 million if war conditions persist. He ruled out a special session unless the Federal Government requests aid.
The Ministry of Economic Warfare said Germany is producing more planes tanks and submarines than in spring 1941 though overall armament output remains slightly below that peak. It notes plans to increase aircraft output but submarine aims have been hindered by the RAF.
Singapore AP report says Japan uses a delayed action bomb with a rubber nose like a tennis ball. The device detonates from vibrations created by passing cars or a time mechanism.
Severe cold slows scrap metal collection as salvage circles blame weather for drops in war material drive. Increase in supply efforts hampered by harsh conditions and travel restrictions across Chicago area.
Washington report says the Office of Production Management rejected labor's proposal for equal control of the auto industry's war production program due to a management labor deadlock. A new five five committee was formed to direct conversion efforts. C. E. Wilson of General Motors warned the plan would amount to socialization and undermine America’s industrial achievements.
Congress moved ahead with President Roosevelt’s war plans, approving funds for 60,000 aircraft and preparing hearings on a vast defense program. The Senate authorized a 100000 dollar Defense Investigating Committee to curb waste, while House panels prepare budgets for 45000 tanks and 20000 anti aircraft guns and consider a 7 billion dollar tax package plus 2 billion for social security.
Police Chief Joseph B. Grogan and O. C. Bird of the Athens Defense Council visited Columbus Tuesday and Wednesday for the Ohio Institute of Civilian and Industrial Protection. Speakers covered air raids sabotage espionage blackouts bomb disposals first aid gas defense and protection of supplies.
William Shively and a committee opposed to the $39,000 bond issue to build a new school house for the Mason Aid District vow active opposition. Shively owns the land for the site and will not sell. The current building has been condemned by the state as Ohio’s worst school structure.
London AP report quotes Air Minister Sir Archibald Sinclair stating Britain did not understate Japan. He says Britain took Far East campaign risks with full confidence in US aid and cooperation.
Firemen in Struthers rescued the city alarm siren as temperatures dropped to seven degrees below zero straining the system. The incident affected Youngstown area fire response and underscored extreme cold conditions.
Vice Admiral Robert Lee Ghormley told St James Club that American British naval cooperation is at its highest and that Japanese fishing boats with a 10,000 mile cruising range patrol Northern California shores, posing a threat to the U S Pacific Fleet.
George Seman, 24, was shot to death early after demanding an apology for an insulting remark to a cafe waitress. Three hours later four men were arrested in a West Side house. a pistol with one bullet was found in a coal scuttle. No charges filed immediately.
Ohio nurserymen gathered for their annual meeting in Cincinnati where Howard N Scarff of New Carlisle stated flowers shrubs and trees prove invaluable in concealing defense works.
War den Fred Hunt has organized volunteer companies of McAlester Penitentiary prisoners for basic military drill and training.
General MacArthur said Japanese warplanes razed defenseless Luzon towns with no military value. Cities Baler Santa Rosa Calamba and Tarlac were destroyed and many natives killed. Attacks occurred on Sundays and religious holidays targeting churches.
The House military committee approved legislation allowing soldiers under 21 to win an officer's commission, lowering the minimum eligible age from 21 for selectees and volunteers. The proposed change would enable younger servicemen to pursue officer ranks.
Langley Field Va three army fliers were killed and four injured when a B-18 bomber crashed into the James River near Langley during a snowstorm last night.
The War Department said Philippine defenders brace for a major Japanese attack as reinforcements move up. General MacArthur leads U S and Filipino forces north and west of Manila Bay with high morale and resolve to resist with skill and courage.
British reports say Japan’s Fifth Division, veterans of campaigns in China, spearheads the attack aided by大量 bomber and dive bomber air support. RAF strikes reach Bangkok as Tokyo dispatches word of a Western Pacific clash. Navy comment downplays a claimed battle while noting Japan’s Philippine defense ties up naval units and troops for Malaya.
London reports say machine gun posts manned by the SS are being set up at strategic Berlin points as a precaution against a coup d etat. A British Foreign Office spokesman urged caution over claims of internal upheaval in Germany.
The Japanese drive along the Malay Peninsula threatens Singapore. Air power and Allied reinforcements from Burma are pivotal as Singapore’s defense hinges on air cover. An Allied land offensive from British soil toward Siam and Indo China could trap Japanese forces on the peninsula.
Preliminary reports from 105 of Ohio's 153 local relief areas show December relief bills near 1.3 million, lifting 1941 totals to about 16.96 million. Welfare Director Charles J. Sherwood cites armament program employment gains as the main reason for lower relief needs, with the state covering half the costs and local communities the other half. The 1940 figure for poor relief was 24.39965 million with December spending around 1.98 million. Caseload rose from 42,071 in November to about 43,000 in December, a 28 percent increase, while expenditures grew by about 82,809.
Howard C. Molsberry, 56, production manager of Truscon Steel Co and World War I Distinguished Service Cross recipient, died late Wednesday of pneumonia. As a 1918 lieutenant he led an attack at Chateau Thierry and captured a machine gun nest, later promoted to captain.
Employers seek workers as defense projects sustain employment for thousands. Some men cannot relocate to work hubs where demand is high, creating regional employment gaps and calls for local hiring or remote opportunities.
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