01 Jan 1944
Page 1
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Newspaper
Somerset Daily American
Location
Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Jan 01, 1944
Page
1
German efforts to sow chaos in the United States falter as reports show limited impact on American morale. Propaganda warns of collapse under domestic strife but analysts deem the United States steady, with scarce evidence of effective disruption.
Washington reports say Allied hopes of German collapse before spring fade as German propaganda claims chaos in the United States. Observers say rail and steel disruption may push peace talks and prolong the war, with leaders blaming the administration for delays.
The year 1943 saw the loss of many distinguished individuals. Notables include Leslie Howard, Frank M. Andrews, Eric Knight, King Boris of Bulgaria, Edsel Ford, Dudley Pound, Ben Bernie, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Kermit Roosevelt, Allan Roy Dafoe, Max Reinhardt, Daniel Roper, William Lyon Phelps, Stephen Vincent Benet, George Washington Carver, and Frank Crumit.
On Friday morning Judge Norman T. Boose administered the oath of office to most county officials for a new four year term. Re-elected commissioners W K Walker Dalton J Beachley and Ernest C Johnson plus other incumbents were sworn with two new auditors absent due to bereavement and illness. Additional oaths were set for Monday including County Detective William P Dively and deputies Clifford Saylor and Harry Jacobs.
Cairnbrook residents Mr and Mrs Jacob Yania report the death of their nephew and foster son Pfc Casimer Pevinski 26 killed in action in Italy on October 8. Born July 28 1917 in Cairnbrook he was raised with cousin Pvt Stanley Yania who was killed in action in the southwest Pacific. Pevinski trained at Fort McClellan Alabama and Camp Edwards Massachusetts before being sent overseas about 11 months ago. The two youths grew up as inseparable companions and entered the service within days of each other.
Deputy Coroner Fred Manship ruled death by self inflicted action in the Compass incident. Cyrus Miller, 43, a steel worker, was found dead in bed at his residence near Coatesville just after midnight.
James Byrnes, director of wartime mobilization, warned 1944 would be crucial and hard. He praised 1943 as US production year, noted Allied gains and territory recaptured, and urged unity at home to sustain war effort and avoid complacency. He cited victory in Europe as the aim and stressed continuous effort.
A six alarm blaze at the Metalcraft Products seven story building in Philadelphia burned for nearly 11 hours. Damage was estimated at 150000 by the fire marshal. The fire fed by paints and lacquer damaged the top floors of adjacent Haines and Jenkins Bros. plants. Rescue efforts included action battalion chief Joseph Vivian who severed an artery and fireman Joseph Murray who collapsed from exhaustion.
In Coatesville Lukens Steel 350 open hearth workers including 200 who walked out and 150 idle protest bonuses under an incentive plan. The company seeks War Labor Board intervention calling the strike a Smith Connally act violation and pledges to review premium earnings.
Washington dispatch reports 1.1 million non-operating railroad workers rejected arbitration under President Roosevelt over overtime pay. Operating unions Firemen Conductors and Switchmen also balked, accusing the administration of bungling and delay. Roosevelt warned he would move toward final decision if unions did not respond by 10 a.m. today.
Leaders of 15 non operating railroad unions withdraw wage demands from arbitration and blame War Mobilization Director James F. Byrnes for blocking a settlement. They claim Byrnes has thwarted President Roosevelt’s efforts to end overtime discrimination against railway workers.
The New Year opens quietly at the Root Garden with clear skies and a 20 degree chill. Residents welcomed 1944 after Old Trinity chimed as people prayed in churches and buses carried loved ones home as others began a week of vacation. May it end war and bring peace soon.
London report quotes the Yugoslav government in exile saying Tito’s partisan army has been driven from major towns and broken into disintegrating groups due to faulty tactics. It notes Tito claims liberation of over a third of the country and an army of about 250,000. The Dalmatia region is seen as a focal point for renewed German efforts.
Three opinions prepared by the late Justice Joseph Stadtfeld of the superior court were issued today as court opinions. The opinions had been adopted by the court prior to Justice Stadtfeld's death on December 12.
The War Production Board authorized its regional offices to handle construction project applications costing up to 25000 dollars, removing the prior 10000 dollar cap. The change aims to speed up processing for small scale buildings by avoiding Washington delays.
Allied communique from New Guinea reports all Japanese counterattacks repelled at Cape Gloucester New Britain and Cape Gloucester gains solidify. Air and naval actions hit targets from Arawe to Kavieng as Halsey reports limited patrols and ongoing PT boat harassment in the Solomons.
Admiral William F. Halsey on New Year’s Day promised staggering blows in multiple theaters to hasten Japan’s defeat. He said Bougainville is no longer an effective base and noted a pincers advancing on Rabaul as part of an early phase of a broader campaign for Pacific freedom.
The Office of Price Administration filed complaints against 21 people in Pittsburgh area including McKeesport police officer Thomas R Dixon and seven war plant workers for illegal purchase possession and transfer of gasoline ration coupons.
Russian first Ukrainian army drives toward Poland and Romania as Zhitomir falls. Vatutin forces widen the breach to 200 miles, seize 150 more towns, reach 35 miles from the Polish border and 90 miles from the Romanian frontier. Baltic and third Ukrainian armies push past Vitebsk and toward Lat via, while Malinovsky drives toward Nikopol across the Dnieper. Over 800 German dead, 22 tanks destroyed, 30 guns captured in northern White Russia.
Allied forces report heavy fighting east of the Mayu range in northern Burma as Japanese troops attempt to push back the Ledo highway advance to supply Chiang Kai-shek. RAF fighters and bombers claim success over Burma Bay of Bengal area with multiple enemy losses.
Moscow bulletin reports Soviet tank and infantry assault near Zhitomir broke German counterattacks. Dozens of smashed German tanks and guns left in streets as Russians seized 42 guns 200 trucks and many prisoners after heavy losses. Farther south Pogrebischche fell with about 2,500 Nazis killed and Emelyanovka captured near Korosten.
Temperature for the 24 hour period ending 5:30 p m Friday shows a maximum of 29 and a minimum of 24. Data recorded by David Grove U S Weather Observer. Temperature a year ago ranged from 30 to 24.
Weather forecast: Maryland and Pennsylvania expect fair skies with moderate temperatures Saturday and Sunday. West Virginia shows partly cloudy conditions with similar mild temperatures through the weekend.
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