21 Dec 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Portsmouth Herald
Location
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States of America
Date
Dec 21, 1940
Page
1
Report outlines Defense Secretary Knudsen cites 30 percent under cost projections as assemblage lags. Fuselages and wings arrive fast while bottlenecks in specialized parts slow Navy and Army aircraft. Roosevelt wins party support but Walter-Logan bill veto persists with 153 votes against and a weakened two-thirds hurdle.
The Day's Almanac continues on page eight with standard times and reminders. It lists tomorrow's 7.10 AM preface, 4s memo in last quarter tonight, and a light for all vehicles at 4.45 tonight.
President Roosevelt names William Knudsen Sidney Hillman Henry Stimson and Knox to head a new Office for Production Management for Defense. Knudsen will be director and the board will take over many defense advisory duties. Expected to be functional by January 1 with orders to set up within ten days.
Postmaster Peter J. Hickey announced the office reached peak activity today as cards packages and postal orders flood the facility. The parcel post and stamp windows will be open 10 AM to 6 PM tomorrow for last minute Christmas shoppers with carriers urged to work late and residents asked to leave porch lights burning to aid delivery.
A 32 member Junior High glee club toured yesterday afternoon led by Ernest P. Bilbruck. They started at 1 50 pm in the principal's office, sang over the PA system, then visited Portsmouth hospital for a quarter hour, Wentworth home to sing for patients and friends, received candy from the matron, and finished with city hall greetings from Supt. Harry L. Moore and staff.
The Street department will move Wednesday collections to Thursday, Thursday to Friday, and Friday to Saturday because of Christmas. Superintendent Nat Stevens announced the changes today.
Mrs. Gertrude FH Wilson of Stratham died suddenly last night at the Andover Inn in Andover Massachusetts. She is survived by her son Richard Dickinson of Danville, employed at Kittery, and a brother Dudley W Fitch of Los Angeles, California.
Sunday December 1940 marks a dedication at Advent Christian Church with a 7 30 P M service. A Diedication of Ghia and Christmas likely featured in the event as a key moment, inviting parishioners and neighbors to attend.
Atty Charles L Griffin told Portsmouth City Council that it had no power to summon Board of Registrars members Joan Thurston and Archibald McEachern to a hearing on voting certificates. He argued notices were improper and too short, and council action was not a legal hearing. Missing Portsmouth girl Martha Berry located in Brooklyn after a long search. she will be returned home with her father.
George A. Merrill of Biddeford and Portsmouth Navy Yard employee narrowly escaped serious injury when his car skidded on Route 1 beyond Cape Neddick. Merrill’s vehicle spun thrice and stopped in a ditch. State police exonerated him, citing icy roads as cause. Four other cars skidded off the highway in the same stretch and motorists were warned to proceed cautiously.
Washington reports the army forestalled a possible ammunition shortage by expediting a new 50 million dollar smokeless powder plant. Six production lines at the New Charlestown, Indiana plant are nearing completion, with expected early spring finishes well ahead of schedule, doubling national powder capacity for army and navy.
Theodore Millett of Gable road Rye suffered head lacerations when his car skidded off Route near Straws Point and Central road, tore down a pole and rolled. He was pinned beneath the car and pulled free by police. Millers, 40, worked in Building 79 at Portsmouth Navy yard and was taken to Portsmouth hospital in stable condition.
Portsmouth Garden club invites entrants to its annual Christmas decorations contest with five classes including best decorated house, entrance or porch, living Christmas tree, large building or clubhouse, and a home window. Entries judged tomorrow night at 7 40 p.m. Past prize winners are ineligible from their previous class. call Mrs. Charles Amhoff to be added to the list.
Lewis L. G. de Rochemont, a native of Newington and prominent Boston attorney, died suddenly in Boston aged 68. He is survived by his wife and two sons Lews de Rochemont of Newington and Richard de Rochemont of New York. A Harvard AB in 1694 and LLD from Boston University School of Law. home at Cragle Circle Cambridge. Funeral services planned in Newington with details to follow.
A service of carols and lights will be held at Yew Castle church in New Castle Sunday morning at 10:30. Rev. Clarence Cossum will preach on "The Christmas Gospel." Anthems include "O Wonderful Star" sung by Meriam Juison and "Singing of Him." Frances Caswell will perform "Adoration" by Borowski as violin solo.
Concord reports from the state fish and game department show a record 5,140 deer killed this season, surpassing the 1919 record of 4,839 as reports roll in.
A dredge contracted to work in Rye Harbor will depart Ports mouth this afternoon to begin construction either tomorrow or Monday. The vessel was delayed last week due to another Boston contract.
Hal Kemp, 36, renowned orchestra leader based in Madera California, died from complications following injuries sustained in a Wednesday auto crash. The AP report states Kemp passed away today at a local hospital.
Rev Archibald Kerr selects Things to Wonder About for tomorrow morning at Greenland Federated church with Christmas music including Christmas Cradle Song Christians Awake Sleep Child Jesus and organ pieces In the Manger The Holy Boy Final played by Donald Vavehen organist and choir director The Christian Endeavor plans Community Night with a candlelight service in the evening of 7415
The Kittery chapter Disabled American Veterans hosted its annual Christmas dinner at the VFW home on Parrott Avenue. After a noon turkey feast, Santa Claus distributed gifts to attendees, with committee chair Howard P. Hutchins, past commander, leading the event.
The annual White Gift service of the Advent Christian church will be held next Sunday at 7 30 p m for the 18th consecutive year. A pageant titled A Legend of the Christmas portrays giving over receiving. Classes will lay White Gifts at a gleaming cross to aid needy families and sick and shut-ins with baskets of cheer, and funds for education and missions. The cast includes Louise Wood Helen Brooks Garolyn Procter Wilma Alvey Robert Procter Pearl Garland Priscilla Marshall Stanley Morrison and Grace Parmley.
Mitchell-Safford PTA met at Mitchell school to discuss school lunches and the buying of a sound mine. Philip Hines won the largest representation of parents present. Program included piano duets, readings, vocal and flute solos. Mr Judson Hannigan of the Kittery school board spoke on National Defense Housing impacts and urged informing parents before town meetings. Refreshments and Christmas gifts followed.
The People's Baptist Church choir will sing Thee We Adore by Lorenz and Hosanna is the Highest by Wilson during Sunday morning services. The pastor's sermon is The New Born King. Church school will hold its Christmas tree and exercises Wednesday night at 8 o'clock.
Mr and Mrs H W Lucas of Kittery announce the engagement of their daughter Eleanor Eames to James C Rogers son of Mr and Mrs Minor P Rogers of Cromwall Conn.
Portsmouth New Hampshire Rotary directors voted to cable 50 to the Portsmouth England Rotary Club as a Christmas greeting to be fed where most needed, replacing the customary exchanges.
Fortsmouth city council members old and new met last night with the new members observing. Mayor Goldsmith and most councilmen were present as the new faces attended as guests. A claim from Mrs Bart Dalla Mara for hospital and medical bills tied to a Pine street playground injury was referred to the committee on claims after an investigation found no city fault.
Athletic director James M Culber announced a six game hockey schedule for Portsmouth this winter the first time in eight years the Clippers have been represented by an ice team Includes two games with the New Hampshire Wild Kittens The schedule lists Jan 7 at New Hampton Jan 17 New Hampshire Jan 22 at PEA jayvees Jan 24 at Dover Feb 8 at PEA jayvees Feb 14 at Dover
Miss Rosamond Loveday Grenfell daughter of the late Sir Wilfred and Lady Grenfell wed Wyman B Shaw of Strafford N B at Trinity church in Shebourne VI. The ceremony was small due to the funeral, with immediate family present. The bride attended Wykeham Abbey school and McGill University 1939. the groom, a Tufts Medical School graduate and Gulf Oil associate in Boston, hails from New Hampshire.
Christmas exercises were held at Whipple school for grades one to six with a program by the children for parents. The kindergarten Christmas party featured Santa Claus, with trees decorated and candy novelties distributed as a Parent-Teacher Association gift.
Second Lieut Charles H Thyng of the Coast Artillery Reserve assigned to Fort Constitution has been ordered to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge to serve as an instructor in the ROTC coast artillery unit.
An official German foreign office spokesman in Berlin labeled a British plan to shift shipping to involve the United States as urging America to wage war. The British minister Ronald Crass proposed spare ships and attack enemy vessels in American ports, while Berlin claimed Germany has shown exceptional restraint amid ongoing provocations. The report also notes Allied and Axis actions across France, Greece, and Italy, including bombings and occupations, with diplomatic protests and recalls shaping the wartime tone.
Boston reports scientists split on whether New England will see another quake after yesterday's tremor. Harvard geologist Mather suggests a possible series in six to eight months with limited damage. Harvard seismologist Leet says forecasting is impossible and cites crust shifts since the ice age. Portland businessman Arringdale notes damaged chimneys and walls in Lake Ossipee region.
The third round of PHSAA basketball has Creek AG at the Junior High gym seeking its first win against Quellettee Cardinal Five while Navy Yard Apprentices face Naval Prison. Creek will play the same unit from last night but Alble Craig will be unavailable.
Canterbury New Hampshire may postpone its Christmas celebration after doctors warn of a possible scarlet fever outbreak. All services and exercises were canceled to prevent spread, with plans to hold events later if safe.
Portsmouth high school has terminated an 11 game football series with Laconia high, announced by Athletic Director James M. Culberson. He wrote Coach Paul Kinney that perenne of Concord made the action necessary, regretted by local fans who valued Laconia as a drawing card. The junior varsity from Phillips Exeter Academy played this fall and will return next year, but did not draw enough through the turnstiles.
The Loyal Order of Moose held its annual Christmas party for children at Moose hall. Santa Claus visited, spoke with the children, and distributed gifts from a Christmas tree. Ralph Berry headed the committee that served lunch.
New York dispatch notes wartime mood as Italy is urged to field a stronger army while Germany hones its Parisian winter base. Propaganda quips target Mussolini and Hitler, with references to RAF strikes from Turin to the French coast and Tojo’s empire. Petain and Weygand hold roles in North Africa as Axis tensions rise.
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