22 Dec 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Lawrence Journal World
Location
Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Dec 22, 1939
Page
1
Reports from Moscow and Helsinki describe shifting fronts as Finnish forces press along the Karelian isthmus and Arctic regions. Helsinki reports heavy fighting, Russian tank losses, and air raids with substantial disruptions but no decisive breakthrough.
Geneva reports urgent cables from Wayne Chatfield Taylor of the American Red Cross detailing thousands of civilians in Finland displaced with only the clothes on their backs. Medical supplies and hospital needs are vital as Red Cross societies across Sweden Norway Denmark and Spain push aid by air and ship.
Field Marshal Carl Gustav Mannerheim lauded his forces on the Karelia isthmus for holding off the Russians nearly three weeks in defense of key national values. He noted world sympathy and hinted at covert aid despite Finland's hardships.
Officials of the Shepard Steamship Co report the freighter Wind Rush ablaze in the Caribbean with suspicions of sabotage. Captain Harris M. Jones fought the mystery blaze in No 3 hold as the ship neared Cristobal after leaving Philadelphia on December 15 bound for Los Angeles and San Francisco with 10 passengers and 38 crew aboard.
Argentine officials aim to place more than 1000 crew members of the interned Admiral Graf Spee ashore within a week. They plan to regulate “restricted zones” away from the sea as they work out how to collect the $25 000 monthly maintenance from Germany.
Paris reports say the Pont Rouge bridge near Notre Dame collapsed after a heavy barge hit its central arch. Two people were killed and at least several injured as flames erupted and gas pipes were damaged.
Premier Edouard Daladier told the chamber France has met its duty to Finland and announced France’s wartime deaths through November 30 totaling 1,433. He outlined a 54.237 billion franc war budget for Q1 1940 and noted France’s lower losses versus 1914. The vote passed 536 to 0.
Winter enters Kansas with a cautious forecast of rain and possible snow. Forecasts predict moisture in the southeast tonight and tomorrow with rain or snow in the north and west. Federal Meteorologist S D Flora notes the dry fall and says a general rain would be a welcome Christmas gift.
Officials said discussions with the British air ministry have begun on a possible forty million dollar order for a new 400 mile per hour light attack bomber. The talks were reported from Santa Monica California where the firm is based.
A British news agency dispatch from France said two British and two German warplanes were shot down in a dog fight near the Maginot line. The Royal Air Force censor passed the report, which noted three British planes attacked four Germans. A proposed scholarship at Lawrence Business College was suggested as a Christmas present.
Hollywood December 22 The Motion Picture Herald annual poll places Mickey Rooney as the top box office draw with leading status for the Judge Hardy series and Babes in Armageddon. Tyrone Power Spencer Tracy Clark Gable Bette Davis Alice Faye and others follow in the rankings based on exhibitors votes. Gene Autry repeats as the outstanding western star for the third straight season.
Dean Olin Templin announced two bequests to the University of Kansas. J Florence Finch Kelly, who died December 17 in Connecticut, left 2500 dollars to KU and was noted author and alumnus. Clara Gillham left three California lots and a library fund to buy books for the browsing room, honoring her 45 years with KU library service.
Neutral estimates place Finnish combat strength at around 190000 against Russia on all fronts. Some consider the 400000 Finns in uniform the frontline total with 40-year-olds called up this week. Red forces are larger but exact numbers are disputed amid the war’s undeclared nature.
The Finnish Relief Fund totals 114 dollars after three new one dollar contributions. Previously acknowledged donors include Elsa Larson Mary Larson and Edith Larson.
The British cruiser Orion, under orders from London, pulled away from the Florida coastline after a three day vigil aimed at preventing the Nazi freighter Arauca from escaping into territorial waters. Port authorities reported Orion's fuel was low, and it was unclear whether the ship went to refuel or abandoned the chase.
The average of 60 stocks sits at 50.9 with yesterday at 50.6 as Washer Service Green Bros Ve is mentioned in the ticker notes.
More than 110 people attended the forty third annual reunion of the Sons and Daughters of New England at the Colonial tea room. Dean Raymond A. Schwegler spoke on Culture From New England and Charles Sanford Skilton was elected president, succeeding Byron Cooke. The group elected officers including Robert McNair Davis, E M Owen, D H Spencer, Edward Bumgardner, R Q Brewster, Kate Riggs and W P Ames.
Two passenger trains collided at Genthin station killing seventy and injuring about one hundred as Berlin Neukirchen Express struck an unscheduled Berlin Cologne train. The wreck involved multiple derailed cars and marked the eighth disaster since the war began with a total toll of 193 dead and over 158 injured. Genthin lies about fifty miles southwest of Berlin.
Lansing December 22 Governor Loren D Dickinson wired a New York maker to rush a six wheel switching locomotive as a personal favor for Joseph H Creighton Jr son of a Lansing political writer. The father missed a local supply and press hinted the locomotive mattered as much to him as to the son.
Topeka Kansas 64 highway patrolmen prepare for 18 hour duty Sunday and Monday in a drive to cut the holiday accident toll. Patrol Supt Mooman notes bright clear days are most dangerous for accidents with more incidents than snow or rain days.
Haskell Institute presents its fifth annual Christmas production The Nativity kept Sunday at 7 30 pm in the auditorium with doors at 6 30 pm. About 150 participants from students staff and families reenact the Saint Luke nativity with medieval French church setting and carols.
Helsinki reports more than 350 Russian planes raided Finland with 16 dead and 43 wounded. The communique says Finnish defenses forced high altitudes, downing at least 11 bombers, while hospitals and a Danish vessel near Turku were attacked. Finnish counter efforts targeted islands and the Karelian isthmus.
Wage increases averaging seven to ten percent were announced today affecting about fifty thousand textile workers in New England.
Topeka reports a grim 1940 wheat outlook as Kansas farmers planted 12.9 million acres, far below 1939, with December 1 conditions at 35 percent of normal and winter wheat at 61 percent. Western Kansas shows 12 percent fewer plantings, central down four percent, and eastern five percent, with moisture and dry topsoil delaying seeding and poor stands expected.
Lawrence churches announce Christmas services with two midnight and two late afternoon gatherings plus regular morning worship. Trinity Episcopal holds 11 30 p m choral eucharist. St John’s Catholic at midnight solemn high mass. Trinity Lutheran moves from eve to 4 pm Christmas. Unitarian plans 4 pm vespers with Markham reading. music by Irene Peabody and Karl Euerstein er. Plymouth Congregational hosts a 11 am service with children choir and special meditations. Other churches schedule similar observances.
Postmaster Roger M. Williams announced the Lawrence post office will follow a regular holiday schedule on Christmas Day with no regular deliveries Monday. Special deliveries will be handled but rural routes will not operate. Most Christmas mail will move Saturday afternoon. over 44 000 letters were cancelled yesterday.
Relatives and attorneys of Leland Caldwell, jailed in the Kansas bogus bond scandal of 1983, ask Gov. Ratner for executive clemency. Caldwell received 40 to 840 years, the harshest in the group, while lawyers argue he is a political prisoner and has earned good time. Parole official Bradfield says no decision forthcoming for weeks.
Forecast indicates increasing cloudiness in the west and north with rain in the southeast. A chilly night and Saturday expect rain in the southeast, with rain or snow in the west and north and slightly warmer conditions in the east. Temperature readings show yesterday and today with highs around 40s and lows near freezing.
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