12 Feb 1943
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Daily Mail
Location
Hagerstown, Maryland, United States of America
Date
Feb 12, 1943
Page
1
WPEB chairman in testimony on February 4 warned that manpower shortages could curb civilian industry and retail employment even as officials insisted no current clothing shortage exists. He urged avoiding excessive curtailment of civilian services to prevent harming war production while noting the need for 6.4 million more workers.
The War Manpower Commission outlines plans to draft 4.3 million extra workers from industry and farms. It calls for 2.7 million from less essential industries, 1.9 million from women who never worked, 0.8 million from youths and retirees, 0.5 million from the unemployed, and 0.5 million by extending the work week to 48 hours. Agriculture Secretary Wickard adds about 3 million more workers needed for food production.
The widow of Harry Houdini died after months of illness and a life full of spiritualist pursuits. She traveled on a stretcher to the train with oxygen aid, weighing 77 pounds, as she faced heart failure. Her sister, Marie Hinson, accompanied her.
Commercial vehicle owners with War Necessity Certificates who received a full year's gasoline are now required to present certificates and gas books at the ration office to adjust their allotment to a quarter year. The change follows a January reorganization and corrects past overissuance. gas rations are issued quarterly and renewed on expiration.
Army air raid alert signals will be tested in Maryland Pennsylvania and Virginia by Third Service Command for public familiarization. Daytime commentary by radio stations Feb 17 followed by a night test later. Blue red blue signals detailed along with fire and siren alarm adjustments to avoid false alarms. Mayor Sweeney and C L Mobley attended the briefing.
Local debate centers on a bill allowing killing skunks only after they nuisance crops. Sportsman notes difficulty distinguishing nuisance skunks from breeding ones. Proposal by Delegate New comer would ban keeping pet skunks except with propagation permits.
President contemplates a war society program as he prepares a speech on home front issues. High level talks with American Chinese and British leaders aim at coordinating anti Japan drives and the response to Germany's detention of diplomats. Labor, price and wage controls, manpower allocation, rationing, and postwar planning are examined.
City traffic officials consider changing conditions to pace signal control and ease waste, urging elimination of unnecessary lights. Eastman notes drivers prefer fewer signals to save gas, while material shortages and reduced municipal crews already trim signals. Captain Peters says no lights in Hagerstown should be removed and supports more lights at North Avenue and Potomac Avenue for Fairgrounds traffic.
Government guidance explains ration points for excess canned goods, with half the points removed and half kept for current use. The exact points per period will be announced mid month, similar to coffee and sugar stamps. Stores will not close entirely. only sale of rationed canned foods stops during the freeze starting February 20. New War Ration Book Two allowances begin after the freeze ends. shortages favor fresh and unrationed foods in the interim.
Readable portions describe a U S Navy victory on Guadalcanal with estimates of enemy losses and a massive encircling campaign beginning January 10. Maj Gen Patch credits his staff, including Brig Gen Robert Sprags, with planning. Forces pushed through jungles to Kokumbona, capturing it January 24, after heavy fighting at Mount Austen. About 6,000 Japanese killed in the drive. reinforcements by January 17 last reported.
The article notes Moscow hints at retaining Bessarabia and Baltic territories as German forces retreat in World War II. It references Pravda editorials reprinted by the Soviet embassy bulletin and ties to statements about future status of eastern Europe. It also covers Allied landings in North Africa, Tunisia, and strategic positions at Bizerte and Mareth Line.
Local police said an investigation is underway to determine if a sharp boost in taxi rates, as reported locally, is legal. Chief William H. Peters cited complaints of charges described as exorbitant, including a 0 cent two-block ride. The Office of Defense Transportation was seeking guidance, with a ruling expected soon. Operators claim higher rates are needed to retain drivers who might seek defense work, and Peters noted one operator reports drivers averaging about $50 weekly.
Herbert R. O’Conor Jr., son of Governor O’Connor, will enlist in the United States Army as an enlisted reservist. After graduating Loyola College on February 1, he notified the Army and received orders to report to Fort Meade for active service tomorrow.
Washington reports a very slight improvement in the east coast oil situation. Deputy petroleum administrator Ralph K. Davies said stocks continued to fall in the week ended February 7 but not as much as expected. He cautioned the situation remains serious and warned against optimism.
Allied plans call for a major Tunisian offensive in 1943 led by French forces under General Alphonse Juln. Withdrawal from the front strained Allied manpower but individual reports assume Axis forces will be outnumbered when the offensive begins in Tunisia.
Maryland accelerates a $10.6 million roads program to improve access to war plants and military sites with major funding from the Federal government. State contracts total $3 million plus another $2 million awarded, bringing certified road work to $16.79 million, with Virginia leading defense road expenditures.
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