davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
WAR UNCERTAIN l SECY KNOX SAYS
Refuses to Concur in Claim of Jap-U. s. War on
 October I7 ,. ''.'4'

Washington, Oct. 9.-(UPJ-Sec- retary of the Navy Frank Knox said today that he did mot concur" in published reports that the United States would be at war with Japan on October IT, the scheduled date for Britain's reopening of the Burma road to China.
 Do you concur in the feeling that the United States will be in war with Japan October IT as stated in a newspaper today" Knox was asked at a press conference.
 T do not concur and do not think that anybody knows" Knox said.
 Knox added that he had talked over the general situation in the Pacific with Admiral James O. Rich- ardson, commander of the United States fleet, who also conferred yes- terday with President Roosevelt. Richardson came to this. country with the first contingent of the U. s. fleet, now based at Hawaii, to take shore leave on the west coast,
 Knox said that 4,200 recruits will be assembled on the Pacific coast to accompany the first fleet contin- gent back to Hawaii. The add;- tional men, he explained, will be used to build up warship crews to full 100 per cent strength as com pared to their present makeup of only 82 per cent.
 Knox, whose press conference came as administration officials pre- pared for "any eventuality" in the Orient, declared to etaoshrdluaup Orient, declined to discuss the sit uation in detail. He also said no decision to withdraw 1000 U. S. marines in China had been made and that present fleet plans were as yet unchanged.
 He said that the Navy'S previously announced plan to mobilize 27,000 members of the organized reserves and fleet reserves of the Navy and Marine Corps was taking definite form. He added that 30 local de- fense divisions will be called up as fast as quarters become available. The fleet divisions will be nnobiiized as rapidly as ships are. obtained.
 The bulk of the reserves will be used to man converted merchant ships now serving as fleet auxiliaries. Knox said that 9 auxiliary ships ale ready have been obtained in the SIS, 900 900 program to acquire s such craft. The remaining 31 will be obtained as quickly as possible, he added.
 The phrase preparing for any eventuality" in the Far East was used by 'U. s. Commissioner to the Philippines Francis B. Sayre to de- scribe this nations advice that Americans who have no pressing business in the Orient return to the United States as soon as possible.4
 Among the preparations referred to by Sayre were:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
JAPAN AWAITING
 ECONOMIC PINCH
Living Conditions for All Americans in Japan
 Grow Steadily Worse

Tokyo, Oct. 9CUP)-American quarters and Japanese newspapers forecast today tb' state depart ment advice to AL orleans to evac- uate Japan and Far Eastern trouble zones and the British decision to reopen the Burma road indicated early and drastic Anglo American economic pressure on Japan.
 Ships sailing this month for the United States from Japan are heavily booked. and warehouses at the ports of Kobe and Yokohama are filled with American goods awaiting cargo space.
 Living conditions in Japan, it is possible to say now, have been get ting steadily worse for Americans, and inability to obtain necessities, previously an annoyance, has be- come hardship.
 In addition a general anti-for- eign feeling by anti-espionage cam paigns, has caused an uncomfort- able feeling even among old resi- dent. who say that now, for the first time, living in Japan has be- come difflcult.
 American missionaries were especially anxious because they ex- pected their activities to be rigor- ously restricted, and most, of them were without funds or connections which would permit them to op- crate under such conditions.
 The American embassy. was still undecided as to the best means oi conveying to the 6.286 registered Americans In the Japanese empire the state department advice Co e nome. It was believed that ths Americans would be circularized and that the embassy would do al 1t could to avoid any alarlnisl move. It was predicted that thl Americans would be told that sincl the whole Far East was upset Americans whose work was not e. sontiai. especially women and chil' dran, would be well advised Co ~
 Ccontlnued cn Page q
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
964 VOLUNTEER
 FOR WORK HERE
Two=thirds of Registra= tiOn Force Are Teachers;
 Registrars in Charge

A total of 964 volunteers, two- thirds of them teachers, will assist in the registration of local selective service eligibles next Wednesday, the 18th. The presiding officers in each of the 32 districts, who will super wise the work of the assistants and clerks, will meet at o'clock tonight at Crosby high school to receive their instructions.
 Mayor Vincent A. Scully, Regis trars John T. Derwin and Albert O. Taller, and Town Clerk Mary Kill martin attended a meeting in New Haven last night at which the pro- 'cedure to be followed in registration was outlined to officials of all towns in the country. It was announced by Col. Ernest L. Averill, state selec- tive service director, that the regis trars of voters in each community are to be in full charge of the regis tration of al linen between the ages of q and 36.
 The four local draft boards, whose 12 members were nominated yester- day by Mayor Scully, will begin serv- ing October IT, it was announced from Washington today.
 Colonel Averill and the members of his staff in discussing the rules and regulations for registration pointed out to the town officials that in some cities requests have been made by industries to have registra- tion boards meet in the factories There is no regulation prohibiting Ethis, and yshether4or not slicla 1at4, 4,.sssa, would be practical is entirely the job of the registrars of voters who are charged with the duty of making the registration.
 What we are vitally interested in," Colonel Averill said, lis to see to it that every young man between the specified ages is given ample oppor- tunity to register Where this can be done without los of pay if the in- dividual is employed, I believe it should be so accomplished Governor Baldwin has asked that everyone CO., operate to see to it that the registra- tion is accomplished in an orderly manner and without loss of time or time or pay to any individual.
 q believe that this has been made clear to all town officials throughout the state at the county meetings held last night. If the registration can better be accomplished right in the factories, in office buildings and other places, then I believe the various registrars will make such arrange ments."
 In each of the eight counties, the members of the selective service staff explaining the functions of the town officials and their duties under the selective service act, pointed out that the task of registration is not as
 Continued on Page 4)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
Daring Diamond Robbery At Noon
 In Pierpont Store

A tray containing nine dia- monds whose total value ap- proximates Sl.50O was brazenly stolen this noon hour from the Pierp0nt Jewelry Store, 159 Bank street. Three men were involved in the theft. The theft was discovered by g woman pa- tron, who was prevented from entering the store until the tray had been passed to two of the three men implicated. The pO- lice are working on vague de- scripti0nS of the triO..
 One of the suspects entered the store and engaged the girl in a conversation about a watch. As she was showing some samples his pals entered and stood near the doorway. One of the men reached into the window and seized the tray.
 A woman about to enter the store witnessed the act and tried to inform the clerk, but before she gained admission the three men had effected a hurried departure.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
SHIPS NEEDED
 IN FAR EAST.
Shanghai American Assn Urges More Means of
 Transportation
BY ROBERT BELLAIRE

kOutCu 1FCSS OkhAA OOAACoPVAuOAp
 Shanghai, Oct. 9.-CUP)-Leaders of the Shanghai American associa- tion cabled the state department today for ships to speed the evacu- ation of United States citizens.
 Offices of the American President Shipping Lines reported that all passenger accommodations had been engaged up to the end of the year.
 Many Americans sought passage on the President Garfield, leaving for the United States via Cape Horn October IA, rather than risk wa1t- ing here for months.
 Shipping experts said it would take many months to evacuate all Americans from China, and the like lihood that some American ships might be diverted for their use was increasingly discussed.
 There were several indications that the situation might become acute at any time, even aside from the always smouldering dispute over control of the International Settle ment and the French concession, which the Japanese have long sought to dominate.
 Japanese naval parties occupied the island of Liuking off the Shan- tung peninsula, long leased by the British government.
 Authoritative reports said that the tension between French Indo-China and Thailand (Siam) was tighten ing and that the Vichy government had rejected Thailands territorial demands despite pressure from Ja- pan to accept them.
 It was believed here that there was a secret agreement between Thailand and Japan aimed at Indo- China.
 The two Japanese army organs here, Tairku and in-Shun-Pao, re- nounced the United States bitterly
 Tairiku, blaming the United States for Great Britain's decision to re- open the Burma road for supplies to China, said that the decision was an Anglo American challenge to Japan, and to Germany and Italy as well.
 Any military interference with the reconstruction of the new order will be dealt with seriously" the newspaper said.
 'The United States high sounding policy of maintaining the present status in the Far East is an open lie," said Sin-Shun-Pao. For 60 years the United States has been instigating wars for the purpose of selling war materials, and at the same time adopting a high sound ing policy of righteousness, human ity and peace to cover it's malicious aims"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
POLICE DO GOOD JOB ALONG ROUTE
Local Force Patrols Sts.; Special Detail Escorts
 Willkie EntOurage

Waterbury's smoothly working po- lice force, under the personal di- rection of Supt. William J. Roach, and augmented by Is state police patrol cars and 50 state motorcycle troopers, encountered no difficulty in clearing the way for the motor cade of Wendell L. Willkie, Repub- lican presidential nominee, when it arrived in Waterbury today more than an hour behind schedule.
 The crowds were tremendous all along the Naugatuck valley and thousands Of Waterburians jammed the curbs along South Main street Bank, and Grand streets. The crowd in front of the city hall was enor- nous. and about 1000 persons crowded their way into Library park where MT. Willkie spoke.
 When MT. Willkie's car reached the city hall, the party was greeted by Mayor Vincent A. Scully. Charles DeBisschop, prominent in Republi- can circles, presented Mrs. Willkie with huge bouquet. The aspirant to the position of First Lady waved the bouquet at the crowds which cheered wildly.
 Long before the m Jtorcade ar- rived at city corners, hundreds of cars were lined on Platts Mills road and along South Main street. Traf- fic was directed by Capt. William Duggan and Supt. Roach, and the crowds at the city limits was order ly throughout with no sign of a disturbance. The crowd became im- patient at the long delay of the mo- tor caravan, but the monkey shines of some of the spectators relieved the tension.
 One youth climbed on tree and hung suspended over the highway at the city limits but was ordered down by Supt. Roach to the amuse- ment of the crowd. A small dog fight on bank over the roadway also provided entertainment, and loud were the cheers that greeted a horse and buggy which chanced to pass by shortly before the arrival of Willkie's party.
 The efficiency of the local police was aided greatly by the radio, which kept the official local well coming party informed of the prog ress of the motorcade through the valley. Patrolman William Dwyer was at the radio, receiving dis patches from headquarters. When Willkie's motorcade arrived at city corners, Officer Dwyer immediately ''beamed" the news to headquarters, which relayed the message to the
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
HURLEY IN MOVE
 FOR LABOR VOTE

Hartford, Conn, Oct. 9.-CUP)- Robert A. Hurley, Democratic can didate for governor, made bid for the votes of labor today, promising, if elected, to set up a state labor relations board that will guarantee the rights of collective bargaining. !"
 Attacking the Republicans as never having been friendly to the demands and normal aspirations of the American wage earnerS," Hurley said he favored liberalization of ex- isting unemployment services, ade- quate provision for care of injured workmen's children, and T pledge myself to advocate sound legislation for the purpose of securing for wage earners fair share in the fruits of industry and enforce all measures appropriate for the continued protec- tion of employees in industry against exploitation. and to oppose the op- pressive and discriminating applica- tion of punitive statutes against workers participating in bonafide labo rdisputes."
 Additionally, he said, i've should give heed to the sincere demands of labor for the progressive reform of certain aspects of the state gov ernment with labor's coopera- ton, the Democratic party will ef- feet these reforms to the greater benefit of the entire state"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
CONGRESS NOT TO
 RECESS THIS WEEK
Leaders Abandon Efforts; ROll-Call May Be Held
 Every Day

Washington, Oct. 9.-UP)- House leaders today abandoned ef- forts to recess Congress this week.
 Speaker Sam Rayburn said at a press conference:
 We will not make any effort this week to adjourn congress to a cer- tain day. We have come to, that conclusion for reasons sufficient to us at the present time."
 He declined to explain the asuf- ficient reasons" but the inference was that the administration lacked votes to pass a resolution for a re- ce=s until Nov. IS, as proposed.
 "There has been no determines ton to agree on three-day recesses," 1" Rayhurn added. we are going to stay in session from day to day and see what happens"
 Asked whether there would be . roll call every day to put mem bers on record as being present or absent, Rayburn replied;
 q have heard some gentlemen say them intended to demand Q roll call every day"
 Democratic Leader John w. Mc- CoFmaek, D., MaaB.. sald the House would work today on minor bills.
 4 new appropriation request Of eiOOo0.000 for river and hafboF inc
 tcontlnusd on Page a
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
U. s. WILL SPEND
 MANY BILLIONS
Five Times Treasury's An= nuaI Income; Spread
 Over Several Years

Washington, October g. - CUP) - This session of Congress has voted since January 3 to spend ap- proximately $25, $50, 100000 over a period of years.
 That sum is approximately five times the average annual income of the United States Treasury. But in voting so much directly, indi- rectly and by commitment, Congress neither intended nor expected all of 1t to be spent in a single year Some of the spending - especially for the Navy will be over a per- iod of six or seven years.
 Total money appropriations by Congress, including funds for na- tional defense, were 100000, ,OOO' There was an additional item Of ap- proximately &4.000, 100000 covered by congresslonal authorizations for ma national defense and other agen' cles Of government to sign con- tracts for future expenditure.
 Beyond that there was Q eon- grossional authorization for the Navy to expand. That authorization was for el,Be0.000.000. Another aus thoFization = no money voted but c formal congressional commitment to provide it in the fhtuFe-.wai
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
ROOSEVELT CRITIC
 NOW BACKING HIM
Dorothy Thompson Says He Is Only Man for Coun=
 try in Crisis

New York, Oct. 9-(UP1-Colum- mist Dorothy Thompson, consist ent critic of President Roosevelt's policies, announced in her column in the Independe Republican New York Herald Tribune today, that she was supporting him for re-elec- ton. &
 This column" she wrote, "has often criticized the Roosevelt ad- Ipinistration, and sometimes very sharply. On the issue of the Su- preme Court bill, the manner of the spending program, on the silver pol icy and the production versus pur- chasing power theory, and on some of the tax measures and the argu- ments and means used for enforc- ing them, this column has not seen eye to eye with the administration ... The means used have sometimes been erroneous and the spiri ttoo oftn punitive and bitter.
 But here we are in the year of 1940. We have behind us eight ter- rible years of a crisis The working classes are not clamoring for MT. Browder (Earl Browder, Communist presidential candidate) and the industrialistS are lnot de- manding a man on horseback
 T have known his Republican Presidential nominee Wendell L. Willkie) for several years, he Is a very good human being He has courage and idealis mand sincerity and spiritual grace. Whatever the outcome he has rendered his coun- try service
 But I shall support the president because I think he has assets on his side that nobody can match. The president knows the world. He knows lt better than any other living Democratic head of Q state or ex-head of 0 state. The range and precision Of his knowledge military. naval. political; his understanding of conflicting social forces; his grasp Of prog-ams-ali these im- press every person whose life has been spent In foreign affairs with whom he talks. No new president could acquire this knowledge in weeks or In months or In four Miss Thompson h the wife q novelist Sinclair Lewis.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
NEW TAX BILL
 SIGNED BY FOR.
Excess Profits Tax in Ef= feet Now; Low Insurance
 for COnscripts

Washington, Oct. 1CUP)-Pres- ident Roosevelt has signed the Ex- cess Profits Tax-Amortization Bill designed to raise $1 900 100000 more a year for defense, prevent the growth of "war millionaires," and ease repayment of defense plant expansion costs.
 The White House announced to- day that the bill was signed at Il o'clock last night.
 The bill, including an amend anielits providing l0w-eest insllTalice for men serving Ill the armed forces, including conscripts and Na- tional Guardsmen, goes into effect immediately
 The measure sets up a 25 to 50 per cent extra tax on profits roughly i'll excess of what are con- sidered normal corporation earn ings, and will affect approximately 5O,0O0 firms throughout the country.
 The tax provisions are expected to raise $1,000, 100000 annually after the first year of the laws operation. Estimates of the eX- pected revenue increase for the current fiscal year are not avail able immediately.
 In it's final form the law differs in some respects from the version approved by the treasury. One provision, permitting firms to com- pute their normal earnings rate by the average earnings" method, without mourning penalty, was opposed by that department.
 A penalty clause in the original House version was deleted by the Senate in favor of fiat 3.1 per cent increase in normal income taxes for corporations making more than $25,OO0 net annually. This raises the total rate of taxa tion on such corporations to "A per cent-including the permanent rate and temporary national de- fenSe taxes.
 Other details of the bill:
 EXCESS PROFITS
 Corporations required to pay a graduated excess profits tax on all net income in excess of theor- etical normal income. Corpora tions can compute theoretical nor nal" income by two methods:
 Use average earnings in the
 Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
Rescuers Labor FuriOusIy to Get Victim Out of
 WrecRage ELDERLY MEN, WOMEN
 BURIED IN DEBRIS Whole Wing of Hospital Is Torn Off By Direct
 Hit
BY WALLACE CARROLL

 United Press Staff Correspondent)
 London, October 9.-UP) British fighter planes oper- ating at high attitudes broke up German bomber forma- tions today while rescuers labored to remove victims from the ruins of a bombed hospital and an air raid Shel- ter in the London area. One huge bomb tore three com plete wards from suburban hos pital building containing 108 aged men and women, helpless chronic in- valids, and an unknown number of doctors and nurses.
 Another scored a direct hit on an air raid shelter containing 150 men, women and children.
 Return Visit
 The German aviator who bombed the hospital returned to drop a "bread basket which showered in cendiary bombs on rescue workers and started fires in homes, ware houses, offices and shops in the vii cinity.
 The first big bomb smashed through the hospital roof and bur jed patients, doctors and nurses deep under faster, beams and bricks.
 Surviving members of the hospital staff were at work before rescue squads arrived. Some of them had been severely wounded but refused to leave.
 They worked in the light of flares and the flames of a burning ware house next door, smoke choking them,
 Sang Songs
 An elderly man among the vic- tins, pinned under wreckage, sang popular songs to those who worked to extricate him. Surgeons and nurses were guided to other patients by their screams. and quilted them with morphia injections.
 Eight persons were known dead in the bombed air raid shelter. Rescue squads worked in relays to tunnel in to the people trapped, because gas was escaping from a broken main nearby. Eight rescuers overcome by gas were revived only after long treatment.
 Reaching the victims through their hastily cut tunnel, rescue workers found those insiie had been buried as they sat. The workers tried to quiet them by talking to them until surgeons could arrive to ad- minister sedatives.
 Three Die
 Two women and boy died while were being dug out. Some of the men and women in the bombed hospital were more than 80 years old and had been helpless for years.
 As rescue workers dug in the ruins, water tank on the hospital burst and thousands of gallons of water poured down to impede them. Three complete floors of the hos pital building were wrecked two wards for men, one for women.
 German planes had bombed Lon- don and many parts of England with unprecedented ferocity throughout the night, dropping bombs of every description on town, village and countryside, and ma chine ,gunning civilians in streets.
 Daylight Attack
 After the second longest night
 Continued on Page 4)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
LONDON CASUALTIE HIGH AFTER RAIDS
| Hospital, Air-Raid Shelter F lit In Fierce Nazi Attack
Painy,1os Are
 Daytime Attire

Washington, Oct. 9.-UPl- Dutch officials in London have adopted pajamas as daytime attire and as working clothes because of the continued Ger man bombing raids, according to cable received by the Netherlands legation here.
 Time bombs dropped by the German air force, it said, force hurried evacuation of hotels.
 Rarely does anyone care to risk death by waiting to dress or even to assemble clothes to take with him. Pajamas have been made acceptable as day time attire among Dutch off, cialdOm."
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
FATAL STABBING
 BEING PROBED

Greenwich, Conn. Oct. o--(Ur)- The fatal stabblng of Q cook at the home Of Gregory Mason, aFchelosoIst and explorer, was being investigated today by police who held William Hall, 4e, an unemploy- ed New York negro porter for questioning.
 The victim was Adeli Bynurn. a. negroes. Police said Hall came here from New York yesterday and the Otabbing followed an argument ln the kitchen Of the Mason home. Hall was found nearly a mile from the houae after authoritles were summoned by a chauffeur.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-09
WAR IN EUROPE A YEAR AGO,
 OCT. g, 1889
(By United PressD

tby UnIted FreAsl
 German artillery doubled its fire On Western Front.
 IEvestla, Soviet government newspaper, seconded peace mos ton made by Germany, declar. Ing continuation of the war eventually VIII lead Co . throw back Co Che Dark Aseh
 Germany began svaeuallng nil. noElllse from Baltic states, elieot- ing og.eoe ln I.atyia and 1b.ooa ln kslonln.