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Newspaper
Lawrence Journal World
Location
Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
Date
May 20, 1943
Page
1
Floods across the southeast quarter of the state crest and move downstream leaving heavy property and farmland damage. Coffeyville levee breaks flooding 500 homes and 2,000 people evacuate as relief workers battle the rising Verdigris River.
Army engineers clash on the fate of Mississippi levees from St Louis to Cape Girardeau as flood crests climb. Vern Alexander warns they will be wiped out, while Lt Col Adams doubts total failure but concedes some levees will be topped. Thousands displaced, deaths rise to ten across six states, with Red Cross aiding 12,000 Indiana homeless and Illinois relief workers assisting 2,000 of 10,000 homeless. 50,000 acres of crops ruined and 500 houses damaged.
The county treasurer reports 8815 of 1943 automobile tags sold by today, ahead of last year’s 6593. truck tags near last year’s pace with 1470 sold. A $2 penalty applies to late tag purchases rising to $2.50 on June 1. Roy Flory urges immediate title and vehicle registration to avoid penalties.
American troops sealed off the remaining Japanese on Attu in the western Aleutians after capturing a partially built airfield and pushing inland under sea and air bombardment. Maj. Gen. Eugene M. Landrum led the assault with navy support, two-pronged landings at Holtz and Massacre bays, and cooperation with Col. Frank L. Culin Jr. The operation faced dense fog and heavy machine-gun fire but achieved strong beachheads and captured war matériel including an anti-aircraft battery.
Strikes by soft coal miners protesting no working contract idle over 6,000 men and close 14 mines across Pennsylvania Ohio and Kentucky. In United Mine Workers District 2 eleven pits shut. 900 workers at another mine vote to return. District 5 in Pittsburgh sees a 380 worker mine shut. Leaders blame war labor board delays, though a contract truce runs to month end.
Allied forces boast of destroying 73 axis planes in aerial raids over Sicily and Sardinia. Twenty eight aircraft shot down in air battles and 44 destroyed on the ground at Milo and other airfields. Four allied planes lost. Milos field saw direct hits on at least six grounded planes. Beaufighter engages junkers 88s. several explosions reported near Cagliari and Villacidro.
Eastern Oklahoma towns faced a rising Arkansas river flood with a 49 foot crest forecast. The Grand River Dam stabilized its lake near 754.58 feet as waters threatened Chouteau Ordnance Works and isolated communities. Camp Gruber evacuated about 1,000 at Fort Gibson and 700 at Webbers Falls.
Secretary Ickes said further gasoline reductions are needed before the crisis ends. A nationwide ban on driving has been reimposed in the east and may extend to the middle west as supplies are redirected from west to east. A 20 inch pipeline break near Little Rock causes a daily east oil loss of 200000 barrels until floodwaters subside and repairs are completed.
Margaret Hurley county superintendent announced the county common schools commencement program to be held in the Liberty Memorial High School auditorium at 2 p m Saturday. It features processional by Marguerite L Phillips invocation by Rev Lou H Griffith several musical selections by Naomi Schellenberg Ruth French June Robison Irene Lathrom and James Harmon with Clinton Graduates chorus and a diploma presentation by Hurley address by Rev Alfred J Bell and the diploma awards list top averages for eight and nine month schools led by Robert E Whaley Betty Jean Brunk Rita Lee Bidinger Antonette Plumb beck Martha Boles Naomi Schellenberg Bennie Lee Trutcher Jean Beadleston Vivian Bonyay John Altenbernd Jacqueline Lee Hill Maxine Dennison.
Robert Bigsby 17 a Lawrence high school graduate tonight receives Kiwanis Victory Farmer award after 62 vocational agriculture peers nominate him for war effort leadership. He farms 180 acres north of Lawrence with landlord E C Bussing, cultivating 144 acres and planning wheat oats corn peas alfalfa sorghum and future sheep purchases.
Joseph E. Davies arrives in Moscow for a busy day that includes a late afternoon visit to the Kremlin. He will meet Foreign Commissar Molotov and personally deliver Roosevelt’s letter to Premier Stalin, with the Russian press noting his arrival and without speculation about his mission.
Roger P. Meyers of the War Production Board Kansas City office conducted interviews at the Chamber of Commerce rooms today. He spoke with individuals seeking clarification on procedures under the controlled materials plan and on general priorities.
Floods close about 25 federal and state highways in southeastern Kansas with roads inundated from Fort Scott to Winfield. State officials L. L. Marsh and Will K. Zurbucken oversee relief efforts and plan air surveys to map remaining closures.
Topeka May 20 The Kansas legislature set its agenda for the next two years focusing on civil service salary adjustments and state office space needs. Sen Kirke Dale proposed uniform eminent domain procedures and a study of salaries redistricting and retirement of district judges.
London May 20 Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden praised Winston Churchill as the greatest Englishman of our time and forecast a rising allied air offensive against Europe. He told a Conservative conference that months ahead would bring ceaseless air raids until victory and promised Mussolini would not be forgotten.
Postmen today distributed application blanks for War Ration Book No 3 to homes in Lawrence and rural routes. Williams urged residents to ink or type responses and mail to the OPA Mailing Center in Kansas City. Cards must be filled with name and address, and family groups submit one form.
Rain and flood conditions eased across Kansas with southeast areas still waterlogged. Weatherman S D Flora noted a finish to the rainy spell and a warming trend as temperatures rose statewide. Precipitation totals included Goodland .16 inch and Concordia .30 inch with lesser amounts at Phillipsburg Dodge City Wichita and Geneseo. Flood peaks neared near the Oklahoma line on Neosho and the Marais des Cygnes rivers showed slow rises. The west saw near freezing lows and Phillipsburg reported a high of 63.
Must Act Fast Washington May 20 reports Senate Finance Committee Chairman George of Georgia warned that if a joint conference committee cannot agree within three days on a compromise PAYGO bill, he will abandon pay-as-you-go tax legislation this session.
The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce board urged the city to expand hangar facilities at Lawrence Municipal Airport to support growing navy training and University of Kansas aero nautical programs. The plan notes current 15 planes, eight more to arrive, and a goal of 28 planes with facilities to host 90 navy cadets and associated staff.
The index of 60 stocks averages 50.8 points after yesterday’s 50.9 reading. Diplomat framing and Keeler’s Adv noted in market chatter.
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