18 Dec 1943
Page 1
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Newspaper
Indiana Evening Gazette
Location
Indiana, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 18, 1943
Page
1
A wartime Christmas note from Tom Keene of Indiana State Daily reflects on the season amid conflict. It urges comfort, faith, and renewal, asks readers to honor soldiers, and to cherish freedom while praying for peace and a swift reunion with loved ones.
The article reports warrants issued for ten suspects in a gasoline coupon racket. Enforcement Attorney O'Leary says prosecutions and possible loss of OPA selling rights loom for several dealers who accepted illegal coupons. Ring leader Reed allegedly hoarded and moved about 60,000 gallons worth of coupons, selling them through nine accomplices at fractions of a cent to a few cents per gallon.
Dr J D Keiper aged 60 long prominent Johns town physician and surgeon died suddenly today in Johns town of a heart attack after 38 years of service. He previously led Ambrig County Sportsmen's Association and Dale School Board and Dale National Bank.
Barfly forecasts cloudy windy and warmer conditions during the afternoon, with milder evening temperatures in southern portions. Tonight and Sunday expect fair skies, rising temperatures, and increasing winds in the afternoon.
The wreck near Lumberton, North Carolina, on the Atlantic Coast Line trains left many dead and injured. Red Cross estimates the final death toll could reach 80, with 70 listed yesterday. Civilian and service members among the dead, as authorities set to identify victims and provide aid. A formal investigation will be conducted to determine crew responsibilities.
Washington reports a near settlement in the coal wage dispute as John L. Lewis and the United Mine Workers sign a two year no strike pact with most soft coal producers. The deal awaits War Labor Board approval. railroad labor upset over Vinson’s stance sparks political tension. Northern Western Alabama operators accept terms. Southern group remains cautious pending WLH and OFA conditions.
The trial centers on Morrell and three others including Mrs Wilson and farmhand McKay. The 78-year-old mother is named, with testimony detailing threats of institutionalization, strangulation, and a complex sequence of events at the Wilson farmhouse. Witnesses for the defense place Morrell away from the scene while the accuser Janice Graham testifies about alleged misconduct and defenses attack her credibility.
Allied and Soviet actions across Europe are reported in a dense clash brief. The Fifth Army seized Lagene two miles west of Filignano and repelled German assaults near Venafro, while German forces from Russia’s fifth mountain division countered. The Eighth Army fought armored battles north of the Gr sagadurjona road and destroyed 13 Nazi tanks. Fierce fighting continued around Orsosna as German parachute troops deployed from mountains. Allied strikes targeted the Bulgars area with Italian planes aiding. Berlin claimed large battles in White Russia amid the Soviet winter offensive near Nevel, with 40,000 troops and many tanks, and Moscow said Ukrainian forces tightened a ring on Kirovohrad in the Dnieper bulge, reporting 800 Nazis killed in counterattacks.
Soviet and Allied reports describe a series of advances with Fifth Army gains near San Pietro and Mount Lungo, new breakthroughs west of Massino, and air operations hitting German targets in Italy. In the Pacific, American and Australian air forces strike munitions and transport hubs from New Guinea to Bougainville, while Roosevelt meets Stalin and Chiang Kai-shek during wartime diplomacy.
President Roosevelt plans Christmas Eve speeches for overseas service members and notes leaders remain on call amid domestic issues. Berlin responds to Roosevelt Teheran report, calling it a Baron Munchausen Hollywood tale.
Lt Gen Mark W Clark halted a frontline tour to address Privat Leonard F Gebhard’s shoes. Gebhard, squatting in a foxhole, wore galoshes as no proper fit could be found. The General promised help. the aide returned with the shoes the next day. Meanwhile in Mercer, defense attorney John V Wherry charged at Janiva Graham in a murder trial linking Willigay and Albert Morrell, both 20.
A spokesman said no distinct battle line had formed as Americans fought to reduce enemy resistance. Japanese forces continued activity along the sector in attempts to counter American gains, though there was no sign of damage to American positions.
London reports weather may determine the pace of All Wedland bombings on Nazi industry. Favorable conditions could extend massive raids, deepen enemy production cuts, and hasten a possible land assault if key targets are weakened and Berlin fights to recover.
State Treasurer G Harold Wagner announced 9 628 unemployment compensation checks issued during the week ended December 17 1943 totaling 54 294 05 with disbursements including 185 for Indiana.
The Altoona District Office of Price Administration warns the public to use Airplane Stamp No 1 in Ration Book No 3 for buying rationed shoes. Four pages of military stamps appear in War Ration Book No 3 and the airplane stamp page sits beside the brown food stamps. The stamp shows a flying airplane and is marked Ration Stamp No 2b. It became effective November 1 and remains valid indefinitely along with Stamp No 18 in Ration Book No 1.
Kansas City notes reveal 12 000 Missourians without ration books due to wrong addresses and 237 000 books issued to newborns with 6 868 returned for deceased holders. A local woman reportedly lost 43 ration books within four months in this era.
Stockholm reports Karl Erikson describes a large explosion near Berlin’s Babelsberg munitions factory during the Thursday Knight raid. He notes fires lighting streets and windows shattered at the Hotel Excelsior, with a later claim the plant was destroyed by a delayed action bomb.
Harrisburg reports continued whiskey rationing likely beyond January with details of a permanent system to be announced by the State Liquor Control Board. Chairman Gelder says the experimental six week period for residents 21 and older ends December 31 and demand will guide future allotments.
Market notes list many stocks with varied gains and losses including Am Can 4 Am Distill lath 4, Anaconda 24, Boeing 54, Chrysler 81, General Motors 51, IBM not shown, US Steel 31, West Un Tel 43, North Amer Ca 16, Packard 358, Tex Co returns mixed. Names: Anaconda Copper, Bethlehem Steel, General Electric, General Foods, IBM absent, Nike.
The Treasury reports receipts of 385,782,699.02 and expenditures of 265,355,660.53, leaving a net balance of 12,247,999,644.10. Total debt stands at 28,620,019,037. decrease from the previous day is 192,994,576.50.
A broad walkout blueprint was issued today by union heads for five operating brotherhoods. The plan calls for a staged work stoppage starting Dec 30 on major lines and expanding to smaller routes and additional railroads by Jan 2. The National Mediation Board is seeking to avert the strike with a Chicago conference next Monday.
Walston's only schoolhouse and the Mary Smith home adjoining it were wiped out by a Friday morning fire. Damage runs to several thousand dollars. Central Fire Co. of Punxsutawney battled the blaze hampered by a poor water supply. Sixty seven eighth grade pupils were fed to safety by Principal Paul Snyder and teachers Pauline Meyo and Geraldine Tronzo, all of Punxsutawney, as flames forced students to endure freezing conditions without coats or footwear.
Erie reports a string of fires within a three block radius causing extensive damage. Walter Gibbons of the State Police probes the blaze that damaged the 14 story Evie Trust building with an estimated five thousand dollars in losses. A week earlier fires damaged two clothing stores totaling over five hundred thousand dollars. Seven other minor fires of undetermined origin have followed.
Washington December 17. Social Security payroll taxes will continue at current rates for at least two months after year start unless President Roosevelt vetoes. House and Senate rushed stopgap action to freeze collections for this period under Senator Vandenberg leadership to avoid automatic increases from the original law.
Elizabeth Braker wife of Jacon Stone Braker of Marion Center R D 1 died at home at 1 19 pm Friends will gather at her son in law and daughter Mr and Mrs T V McQuown Sunday afternoon Services set for 3 00 pm Tuesday at Shiloh Baptist Church An obituary will appear in Monday’s issue Victor Termin died at 11 00 pm Friday at his home in Melny syre The body was moved to Robinson Funeral Home Funeral arrangements are incomplete
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