20 Dec 1940
Page 1
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Newspaper
Portsmouth Times
Location
Portsmouth, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1940
Page
1
President Roosevelt said at a press conference that no decision has been made on revising the defense commission setup. He declined to specify whether any announcement on the subject is expected later and emphasized he is not ready to speak on it. Barkley pledged speed in Congress on related matters.
President Roosevelt spoke at a press conference about a Chicago seizure of a ledger from a German American band listing members as armed forces of the United States. He said the matter had not been brought to his attention otherwise.
The president dismissed talk of a three man “high command” overhauling defense policy as mere newspaper stories and said options including a small “high command” are under review. He noted a four or five plan set and denied plans to request RFC funding for munition construction. He also commented on Danish ships in American waters and other funding questions for the war effort.
The Associated Press reports brisk shopping in Ohio during December with shoppers humming as Christmas sales rise above last year. Retailers note strong demand and higher customer activity, while surveys indicate a 9 to 25 percent lift in purchases as stores approach year end.
A fragmented notice hints at a Saturday event with cold weather expectations and a bow related activity. The readable items name a Saturday date and a sea or coastal context. No further details are clear from the fragment.
In Santa Rosa California FBI agents thwarted an extortion plot against the Count and Countess De Tristan whose 3 year old son Marc was kidnapped last September. An elusive suspect wearing a black overcoat attempted to retrieve money at a cabbage patch near Santa Rosa but fled when the phony payment box contained only paper. The case against Wilhelm Muhlenbroich who hijacked the boy and is serving a life term continues.
An earthquake centered in New England rattled from southern New Jersey to Montreal, waking thousands as buildings shook for about 30 seconds at 2.27 am. Harvard Observatory’s L Don Leet said the strongest motion occurred near Lake Ossippe New Hampshire with New England bearing the brunt. Damage was mainly cracked plaster and broken windows. some beds were disturbed and telephone lines clogged with calls.
A Riverton man, John George Ivell, 74, died after being struck by a car driven by Don Crum of Warland in Greenup Thursday night. Funeral services are planned for Sunday at 2 PM at the Vesdesce with Rev. Hamilton Bartel to follow.
Judge E S Young of Adams county common pleas will hear an election contest in Scioto county Monday. Gladys Davis of New Boston filed suit challenging Orin Graves election as state representative claiming a 100 vote error in tabulation after a recount of 40 precincts. Graves seeks dismissal arguing lack of court jurisdiction, with the issue to be settled by the house of representatives.
Scioto county set a corn acreage allotment of 20 734 acres under the 1941 AAA program announced by Daniel Oakes, county AAA chairman. Farmers staying within their allotment earn 9 cents per bushel on normal yield and a parity payment to be announced later, with discussion of corn reserves and potential impacts on commercial corn stocks.
Albert Zoellner, veteran Portsmouth jeweler and prominent local businessman, died at 4 30 p m at 832 Second street from a heart ailment. Born March 27 1859, he built a lifelong career starting in his father’s shop and later expanding to Third and Chillicothe streets. He served as a director of the American Building & Loan and helped found the old Board of Trade, later the Chamber of Commerce, and lent support to the Korn Karnivals era. He was 81 and remembered for his congenial personality and devotion to Portsmouth.
Observer Schirrman reports today at 11 a m the high 50 and low 41 with yesterday’s high 44. One year ago today the maximum reached 52 and the minimum 3.
The Associated Press reports Washington ministers urge car plants to begin test production of bomber parts. An initial 20 million dollars of orders aims to train managers for 3 600 two and four motor bombers costing about a billion dollars. Buick and Studebaker engine deals are tied to building a future aerial force for the United States and Britain.
Washington reports rising consumer protests as hog prices surge amid farm production declines. Government officials consider relaxing self restrictions to ease shortages while urging farmers to boost output and curb price spikes.
Berlin reports that the Laval removal in Vichy unsettles French German rapprochement hopes. German officials claim Laval’s fall exposes counter forces around Petain and that Laval’s release was tied to German efforts, with Ambassador Abetz racing to Vichy for clarification.
Bern Switzerland dispatch reports French Chief of State Petain weighing removal of part of his Vichy cabinet after ousting Pierre Laval as vice premier and foreign minister. Rumors of another purge circulated as Fernand de Brunen, envoy in German occupied Pers, was said to be negotiating with Laval’s faction.
Allied action intensifies with British warships shelling Valona on the Albanian coast and RAF raids hitting Valona Krionero and Brindisi. In Libya the Bardia siege deepens with 20 000 Italian troops under pressure as Rome and Berlin offer no confirmation on reports of German planes ferrying Alpine troops. Churchill says the desert offensive continues while British forces maneuver near Tobruk awaiting a decisive clash.
The Greek freighter Potaro dispatched an SOS from a position about 750 miles east of Porto Alegre Brazil on December 20. Coast guard and rescue services were alerted as the call prompted an immediate search and relief response.
Report cites Egypt boasting 1500 planes 425000 troops and 500000 tons of warships while Fascist sources deny German troops in Italy or en route to fronts. British forces pound Bardia as Wavell tightens the trap with land mines and machine gun defenses. Royal Navy sinks Italian supply ships near Bardia as fires rage in the town since December 15 amid ongoing air war between Britain and Germany.
Two ships were attacked by submarines about 450 miles west of the Irish coast. The two vessels reported similar positions, suggesting a coordinated strike. The incidents follow a pattern seen in recent months as submarine activity increases off the European coast.
British sea power struck the Albanian port of Valona sinking no Italian ships in a 50 mile Straits of Otranto raid. The operation extended British control toward the Adriatic while Libyan base Bardia saw three supply ships sunk in a five day bombardment.
A German military court condemned two Dutch citizens to death for sabatoge in connection with cutting military communications wires. The names were not disclosed in the communique announcing the execution as a deterrent decision for mercy, approved by General F. R. Christiansen.
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