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Newspaper
Graettinger Times
Location
Graettinger, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Apr 01, 1943
Page
4
Analysis notes Congress weighing deferral of farm workers as Allied forces close on Rommel. Editorial observes manpower shortages worsening amid Tunisia campaign pressures. Western News Union commentary presents analysts’ view, not the paper’s.
Congress moved to ease farm labor shortages by approving a deferment for essential farm workers from military service. The Senate backed deferrals for those chiefly employed in producing foods and fibers, despite War Secretary Stimson's opposition. The House also advanced a separate bill to recruit and train 3.5 million workers as a "land army" with $261 million in funding.
Evidence mounted that Allies planned a joint push to end the North African campaign. Patton’s American forces pressed on after Gafsa and El Guettar toward Gabes, while Montgomery’s Eighth Army struck Rommel's Mareth Line, signaling a coordinated squeeze on Rommel’s army.
East coast A book holders saw gas ration cut from 3 to 1 percent weekly while pleasure driving was restored. Industrial workers with A books were allowed supplemental gasoline for commuting. The basic ration was halved due to only 235000 barrels daily available for civilian and industrial use in April.
The War Manpower Commission designates 36 US sections as critical labor shortfalls and imposes a 48 hour week in South Chicago and Northern Indiana steel districts. It estimates 2.8 million essential wartime jobs must be filled this year from less essential classes including service workers. Experts urge hiring older workers, more women, under18s where safe, and using the handicapped for light duties. Patterson calls for conscription authority to assign men and women to war factory work as needed.
Henry J. Kaiser announces large scale shipbuilding expansion with twelve Vancouver Washington shipways to produce medium size aircraft carriers and air transport ships. Production targets six ships monthly by end of 1943, with carriers 487 feet water line length and eight decks. Standard carriers extend 761 feet. DDT Director Eastman orders freezing of nearly 200000 buses and streetcars to prevent migration of vehicles between regions. Regulations cover 93000 school buses, 20000 intercity buses, 44000 city buses, 10000 rapid transit cars, 3500 trackless trolleys, and 3000 suburban rail cars. OPA to supply additional Pearl Harbor and Victory tires to lower mileage car owners.
The week’s items include Detroit discussions on steel tires and rubber workers, with Dr. Stan London cited. In London, more than 30,000 Germans were estimated among wartime figures, alongside 7,200 German prisoners awaiting results from October into November.
Reports describe continued Soviet offensives toward Smolensk and Staraya Russa while German counter-attacks intensify from Kharkov to Kursk. Russian forces reportedly seized many settlements south of Bely as fighting rages west of the Dnieper. German communiques claim encircled troops near Kharkov eliminated except for small remnants. Northwest of Kharkov and toward the Donets basin, German reserves push to hold narrow Russian lines.
Three months of secret prep culminate in Giraud and De Gaulle meeting to bridge the rift between the North African regime and the Fighting French. Giraud decrees nullify Vichy laws, aiding Jews, unions, and Freemasonry while French Guiana joins Giraud. OWI accused of partisan propaganda. Davis defends war-focused mission. Japan warned by Tojo. Knox notes heavy shipping losses as Allied air forces target Dutch New Guinea and near Australia.
On Capitol Hill 19 second term Democrats dined in Speaker Rayburn's private room to console each other for not being invited to the White House party. Edward Hebert criticized White House dictation as Sam Rayburn urged unity amid jostling and loyalties. American bombers are deemed more effective than British planes, with US air strength being rebuilt for a future invasion. Mexico imposes a temporary ban on recruiting farm labor in the United States, with Mexico reserving rights to restrict labor areas and the Farm Security Administration awaiting approval to recruit about 6,000 workers.
A sweeping delayed column notes wartime film censorship and distribution battles in Washington. It mentions Walt Disney projects, Bill Stout aircraft designs, spy ring antics, peanut promotions, cigar rations, and Hollywood personnel across the war effort, with musings on radio, NBC, and Pravda reports.
The army chemical warfare service unveils colored smoke grenades as a new signal device. They are visible over two to three minutes, come in vivid colors and black, and can be deployed on ground or from planes with time fuses for air bursts. They aid units needing supplies, medicine, or ammunition and help observers locate targets for bombers.
Domestic fats and oils production in 1942 is estimated at 11.7 billion pounds, with 1943 goals seeking more flaxseed and peanut acreage and near record soybean acreage. Cotton goals drop to reallocate to peanuts and feed grains, while vegetable oil output could reach 4.3 billion pounds in 1943, up from 4.2 this year. Weather in 1942 was unusually favorable, and the rise in lard tallow and grease may continue though butter output could fall.
The southern slopes of Santa Isabel Island offered a grandstand for thousands of natives to watch recent action between American and Japanese ships. Santa Isabel, one of the largest Solomons, spans about 110 miles with width up to 25 miles and is densely forested. Mount Marescot rises 3,900 feet. The island sits in the northern half of a 900-mile double chain of Solomon Islands, with settlements only at the ends.
Article notes U S Steel reports 1942 production up about 28 percent over World War I levels. It describes wartime expansion, government ties, and large investments across facilities as part of the national war effort, highlighting technical capability and decades of research.
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