davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
HOTEL in NORTH
ADAMS HAD FIRE

North Adams, Mass, Nov. 81 =
WPO - A fireman was hurt, three
persons were carried over ladders
and rs guests escaped unassisted
today when general-alarm fire
swept the south ell of the five-story
Hotel Wellington causing loss of
$4,000. The blaze started in a. Sec
ond-f1oor closet and mushroomed
through walls of the roof, trapping
three persons in their rooms and
forcing the evacuation of six famil-
les from an adjoining apartment
house. Fireman Harry Boyer, 80,
was tossed 30 feet from the top of a
ladder to the roof of an adjoining
business block and was hospitalized
with foot, leg and hip injuries.
william Shapiro. 38. a salesman,
and his wife Honey, 30. Of (5li1
North Kenmore street, Chicago
were trapped 10 minutes In a blaz-
ing Sifth floor room and were res
cued over a ladder BY Fireman An
drew Grant and Randolph Trabold,
"a, photographer for the North
Adams Transcript. Charles Little,
10. q former clerk In the hotel. suf-
fered face and hand burns when he
fed In pajamas through q blazing
flfth-fioor corridor. Also rescued
was Jogeph Melman. II, OF Philadel-
plhin. formerly a second baseInan on
the Baltimore Orioles baseball team
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
GREAT BRITAIN
WILLBATTH ON
King George PrOclaims His
Faith in Empire-Wins=
ton Churchill Speaks

London, Nov. 21.-(UP)-King
George VI in a speech from the
throne opening the new session of
parliament today proclaimed Brit
aims determination to continue her
fight until freedom has been made
secure. The speech from the throne
was accompanied by an address by
Prime Minister Winston Churchill in
which he warned that Britain's road
to victory will be long and beset with
dangers and burdens but that ulti-
mately the loyalty of constant
hearts will bring victory and de-
lievrance to all mankind"
The King emphasized the cordial
ity of Anglo-American relations and
noted the "ever-increaSing volume
of munitions OF war which is ar
irving from the United States.
THE relations of my government
with that of the United States OF
America" said the king, could not
be more cordial and I learn with
the utmost satisfaction Of the ever
increasing volume of munitions OF
war which is arriving from that
CNoptipued IN paoe A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
Organizations of Four
Nations Implicated in
Dies Challenge
EVIDENCE SEIZED IN
RAIDS BY COMMITTEE
German Business Firms in
New York Connected
With Propaganda
BY FRANK McNAUGHTON

BY FRANK McNAUGHTON
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
Washington, November 81.
- (UP) - The Dies Commit
tee today published a White
Paper" purporting to show
widespread German propa-
ganda activities in the United
States and Immediately ord
cred seizure of records Of
pro-Nazi, pro-Fascist, pro-
Communist and pro-Japanese
organizations in eight Ameri-
can cities.
Representative Martin Dies, DEM
crat, Texas, chairman Of the COM
mittee, ordered committee investi-
gators to subpoena the records from
organiza tons located in Baltimore,
Buffalo, Boston, Philadelphia, Pitts
burgh, New Orleans, Milwaukee and
Denver. Dies, who now is in St.
Louis, Mo-, issued the order through
his office here.
Committee attaches would not
identify the organizations whose
records Dies wants and declined to
give additional information con-
corning the move.
The white paper" released by
the committee today told of pur-
ported German plan to gear large
segment of American trade and
business to the German economy
after the current war and named
Hans Thomson, charge d'affaires Of
the German embassy here. as help
ing in the propaganda efforts.
The white paper consisted Of a
50O-page report based largely on
documents seized in raids on Ger
man business firms in New York
and records Of the Trans-Ocean
News Service, which the committee
described as a Nazi propaganda
Some Of Details
The committee sought to bring
out that:
/. Some German agents believed
the strongest guarantee for keeping
the United States out of the Euro
pean war was to promote "ruffled"
U. S.-Japanese relations.
2. Some persons in this country,
close to German officialdom, be-
lieved possibility existed that the
United States might go to war on
Britain's side despite other devei-
opments.
3. German embassy officials and
German consular agents in this
country generally aided in the dis
Semination of NaI propaganda.
The report described the func.
tons of Trans-Ocean News Service
in detail as well as the activities Of
its director, DR.. Manfred zapp. The
justice department is seeking fed
eral grand jury indictment against
zapp on charges that he has failed
to register with the state depart
ment as an agent of foreign gov
eminent.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
LUMBER YARDS in
NORWOOD BURNED

Norwood. Mass, Nov. 2l-(UP)-
A general-alarm fire undoubtedly"
of incendiary origin swept the Nor
wood Lumber Co., yards today, de-
stroying more than 100000 feet Of
lumber and five storage sheds with
loss estimated at $l25,000.
Police said the fire undoubtedly
was set since 20 minutes before the
first alarm officers in cruising car
passed the scene and noticed Moth
ing. When firemen arrived, four
sheds were burning beyond control.
Ftrcbugs were known to have set
about 20 fires in Norwood during
the past three months. police said.
Two years ago an incendiary blaze
destroyed two OF the lumber firms
sheds with 100000 loss.
Norwood. Dedham. Westwood and
Walpole flremen battled the flames
which were visible IS miles away.
For two hours the fire ragged out OF
control and threatened nearby Nor
wood hospital. the municipal civic
building and many homes.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
Conspiracy Appeals
Arguments Are Ended
Attorney James D. c. Murray Had Last Word Before
Supreme COurt-AttOrney Persky Made
Target By AcOrn, Sr.

The State Supreme Court Of Err
rors today had under advisement
the appeals taken by fourteen men
convicted in the Waterbury conspir-
acy trial, and a decision is not ex-
pected to be handed down before
January at least. Arguments ended
yesterday afternoon at 4:08 o'clock
when Attorney James D. G. Murray,
counsel for Former Mayor T. Frank
Hayes, concluded his rebuttal. The
stata ended its argument at 2:45
o'clock, when Special Prosecutor
Hugh M. Alcorn declared that the
defendants had a fair trial. They
got their just desserts and ought to
serve their sentences"
During the arguments which took
the defense two days to complete,
practically every feature of the
Superior Court trial and the events
leading up to it was attacked. The
big guns of the defense were centered
particularly on the states claim of
having proved a general conspiracy;
on the appointment of Alcorn to
prosecute; on the grand jury pro-
cedure and its publicized report; and
on Judge Ernest A. Inglis'S conduct
during the trial
Arguments Answered
The state answered every defense
argument and reviewed in detail the
alleged municipal corruption which
brought about the arrests and con-
victions. Hugh Meade Alcorn, Jr.,
declared that it was not necessary
to prove the defendants knew each
other, but only that they participated
in a common design" to defraud the
city. His father proclaimed the
legality of his appointment and the
grand jury procedure; defended the
right of Judge Inglis to allow the
jury report to be made public on
the ground "that it was the judges
duty as a public servant and praised
the trial jury and the judge "for
their patience, stamina, and fair
ness"
Attorney Persky Target
With a quiet irony and sarcasm,
Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
BRITAIN TO GET
OUR BIG BOMBERS
Four Engined Long Range
Machines Are Being
Sent Over Seas

Washington, Nov. 81 - WP1 -
The Army stepped aside today to
make available to Great Britain
giant four-engined long-range
bombers in time for an anticipated
Springtime aerial offensive.
General George C. Marshall, chief
of staff, revealed that the War De-
partment has given the British pri-
GRITTY on 26 consolidated bombing
planes being built for the U. S.
Army Air Corps. In addition, nego-
tiations are being concluded for 20
of the latest type Boeing Plying
Fortresses" which the British are
eager to get.
The consolidated bombers and the
flying fortress" are somewhat SIM
liar. Both are cotton four-engined
craft, capable of flying 1000 miles
with a full bomb load. They are con-
sidered the most potent planes Of
their type in the world although
they have never been tested under
actual battle conditions.
The 20 flying fortsesses" will be
made available as soon as the ar
rangements for transfer have been
completed and the secret Norden
bombsight replaced with another
American bombsight-the Sperry-
which already has been released 10
the British.
General Marshall said that the
last Of the consolidated boinbers
should be delivered to the British
hy March three this month. three
In December and 20 more after jan
uaTy J.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
white Paper" Purports To Show
Widespread German Propaganda
Conspiracy Case Decisions
Will Come Early In 1941

Hartford Conn., 21UP)-The State Court to-
day was expected to decide the
the Waterbury municipal conspiracy
hearing before the high court
bitterness
attorneys the defendants and the state.
States Attorney Hugh said the defendants "had
their just desserts and they should the
high 10 to Is in
States prison Lieut. Gov Frank Hayes and
former waterbury Comptroller Daniel ]. Leary.
James Murray counsel for Hayes criticized AOrn for call
ing him "The criminal lawyer from New York"
The gentleman" Murray the courtesy to
refer tn me that before appel
state would have felt compelled to apologize
for lack of
yhen my burial in family plot at Wa
Attorney Hartford County to
prevent its burial" Murray is a native of Waterbury,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
FOUR VIOLENT
DEATHS in CONN.
CBy United Press)

Three children and an elderly wo-
man died violently in Connecticut
Wednesday, compilation showed
today.
Robert Plouffe. 4. Hartford, son
OF a fireman. was burned fatally
last night when he placed his gloved
hand into the ash pit Of furnace.
John Daley. 8. Thomaston. was
drowned when he fell into Crystal
Lake while walking on thin ice.
Joseph May, 4. Bridgeport. was
killed when q pile Of planks being
used OH a federal housing propect
fell on him.
Mrs. Anna MinaSSian. rs. West
Hartford. vas injured fatally when
she tell from q second story window
Of her home.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
WATERBURY NOT
in CELEBRATION
Conn. Not One of 81 States
That Are Observing
Thanksgiving

Most of the country observed to-
day as Thanksgiving but in Water
bury and Connecticut it was mostly
business as usual" Banks, courts
and federal offices were closed, and
the post office operated on half :
day schedule, but schools, stores
factories and city and state offices
followed their regular hours.
Despite the lack Of general OBJ
servance, there were Thanksgiving
turkeys on number of local tables
today. This happened in homes
where members go to work or school
in states where today is Thanksgiv-
in and who have holidays from their
classes or jobs. Trains and buses
from New York and other points
had extra coaches last night and
today.
Because Of the banks being closed
today, many factories which normal
ly pay on Thursday distributed pay
checks to their employees yesterday
Connecticut is one of the 16 states
which declined to follow President
Roosevelt in observing Thanksgiving
on the third rather than the fourth
Thursday of November. This was
also the case last year. The Presi-
dent changed the date to allow a
greater span of time between
Thanksgiving and Christmas, there
by aiding retail store trade by max
ing possible a longer Christmas shop
ping season.
Christmas lights, already erected
in the downtown streets, were tested
night. A new feature this year is a
by light company employees last
big, holly-wrapped, gaily-l Lighted
sign across the east end of the
Green, reading "A Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year" 1t was
erected by local merchants, who also
pey the cost of the holiday decora-
tionS on the business section streets
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
Italian Flyers Seize
British Air Marshal

Rome, Nov. 21.-(UP)-British Air Vice-Mar-
shall o. T. Boyd and six members of the crew Of a
British Wellington type bomber forced to land in
Sicily have been made prisoners, official COM
munique said today. None of the crew were injured
in the landing. The afternoon newspaper La Trbuna
said that the British bomber damaged by Italian
chasers and that Immediately after landing the plane
burst into flames. The plane was completely de-
stroyed, the paper said.
Just Given Big Command
It was confirmed here that VceMarsha Boyd recently
appointed chief of all British air forces in the Near East
and his way to take his command when his
plane forced down in Sicily Italian chaser planes
overlook the big British bomber in mdar and forced to
land major and three noncommssioned officers also
aboard the plane rom London reported that
Boyd recently had been promoted to air marshal and
appointed deputy to the command in chief in the Middle
East Boyd formerly commanded the Royal Air Force Bal
loon Force)
Was Enroute To Malta
Boyd enroute from Gibraltar to Malta when his
plane sighted by Italian chasers the Medter-
and forced to land in Sicily, reliable Rome reports
said The British air chief said to have left Britain
only few days ago for Gibraltar The capture was
regarded of utmost Importance in Rome where it
understood that Boyd had been named the Near
command primarily to- intensity British air commandments
against ItaIian positions in Albania and Greece He
reported here to have been eroue to base in Greece
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21

Meanwhile the official com.
munique reported a heavy italian
raid on the British fortress-islanc
of Malta, with hits scored on the
airf1eld at La Venezia and on mill
tary works and the arsenal at La
Valleta, where a violent fire was
said to have been caused. All
italian planes were said to have
returned from this raid.
The official war communique to-
day said that several Greek attacks
launched in the Koritza sector were
broken by strong italian resistance
Italian planes bombed the Greek all
base at Prevesa and military objec-
tives in the Koritza and Trikkala
zones" the communique said, add
ing that four italian planes hao
failed to return.
British forces were admitted tc
have shelled Italian positions near
Gallabat Con the Sudan Ethiopian
border) heavily. Attacking British
troops We're reported to have reached
the italian lines but were repulsed
leaving their dead and some wal
material on the battlefield.
The communique described an ali
battle in northern Africa between a
big formation of British chasers'
and italian squadronus, in whcih
the British were said to have lost
seven planes and the italians three
Italians Hit British
italian bombing planes, striking at
British positions in North Africa
were reported to have bombed rail-
way lines between Alexandria and
Cairo, as well as bombing Alexan-
dria, Marsa Matruh british base
in northwest Egypt. and the Brit
iSh airport at Biz Abu Batta south
of MarSa Matruh.
The communique reported an
italian bombing raid ON British
troop encampment between Marsa
Matruh and Biz Ken Avs.
British bombing raids on Assab in
Eritrea were said to have caused five
dead and nine wounded among the
native population. Tobruk also was
bombed by the British, although the
communique said no damage was
caused.
A British warship attempting to
recah Chisimaio (KismayW an i'm
portant port in southern Italian
Somailand. was forced to Withdraw
as the result of attacks by italian
warplanes, the communique said.
London, Nov. 21.-(UP)-The all
ministry said today it had learned
that Air Marshal Owen Tudor Boyc
was a prisoner of war in italy.
Continued on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
Industrialists Of City
Helped COP Campaign
Waterbury Area Accounted for GOOdly Portion Of
$35l,OOO Sent in to State Committee; Others
Around Here Helped

Local industrialistS were among
the heaviest contributors to the Re-
publican state finance committee,
which acted as the Embarrassing
agency for the COP. state central
committee, according to the report
filed with Secretary of State Sara
B. Crawford at Hartford. This year
virtually all campaign contributions
went to the state organization
rather than the local town COM
mittee, the practice being to allo-
cate funds to each town as needed.
The Waterbury area accounted
for a good portion of the 1851 900
contributed to the state finance
committee. Expenses amounted to
about 1927 900, leaving the state or
ganization with a balance Of $24, 900.
Other Contributors
In addition to factory officials,
other large contributors from this
section included several bankers,
doctors, court officials and candi-
dates for Office. A number of those
listed from this area made more
than one contribution.
George A. Goss, of the Scovill
Mfg. Co., gave $3.50 to the state
fund. John H. Goss, president and
general manager of the same firm,
gave $500. John A. Coe and Will
liam S. Fulton gave $500 each, while
Austin L. Adams, local banker and
Middlebury resident, gave $1,000.
The same amount was contributed
by John P. Elton.
Carl A. Lundgren, of AnSonia,
foreman of the extraordinary grand
jury here, donated 500 to the Re-
publican cause. Judge T. E. Con-
way and Prosecutor Michael Galullo
Of the city court gave $3.50 each,
while Court Clerk Albert Bronsky
Continued on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
Hans Thomson Involved in
Plot to Throw Our Trade
Into Nazi Hands
GERMAN CONSULATES
IN NATION HELPING
Members of Board to Help
Germany After War
Ends, Named
BY FRANK McNAUGHTON
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent

tOniteu freSS starr correspondent
Washington, November 81.
- Cup - The Dies Commit
tee reported today that it
had uncovered a German
plan for gearing American
trade and business to the
German economy after the
war, and presented evidence
purporting to link Hans
Thomson, charge d'affaires
Of the German embassy here, with
Nazi propaganda efforts in this
country.
Tue charges were contained in a
500-page report compiled by the
committee. The report was based
largely on documents seized in raids
on German business firms in New
YORK and records Of the Trans-O Ocean
News Service, which the committee
described as propaganda medium.
H9he German embassy and vari-
Gus German consulates throughout
the country took a lively interest In
spreading the work Of the Trans
Ocean News Service" the committee
said. ~ass-a
The committees charges against
Thomson were based on correspond
ence between him and DR.. Manfred
Zapp, director of Trans-Ocean
Most Of the correspondence, seized
in committee raids, went back to
1888 and 1899. In 1898 Thomson
was counsellor Of embassy.
The committee produced one let
ter, dated August 30, 1888, and at
tributed to Thomson, in which
Zapp's pending visit to this country
was discussed. The letter said that
II shall be most entirely at your dis
posal in order to facilitate your get
ting acquainted with your work. =.
1t is of paramount importance that
a crossing Of wires with the work of
the DNB (official German news
CONTINUED on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
.NAZI BOMBERS in
new NIGHT DRIVE
Industrial Midlands Struck
Again-British Flyers
Pay Visit to Germany
BY NED RUSSELL

London, Nov. 21-(UP)-German
bombers pounded again at England's
industrial midlands last night and
early today and as showers of incen-
diaries followed by determined
bombing with high explosives blast
ed a number of towns throughout
the section.
During the early morning hours
the attacks centered on west mid
lands town which was hammered by
waves of raiders. After the first
waves. however, the tempo Of the
attack Slackened and only occasion
al single planes carried on.
Slight damage and comparative
ly few casualties were reported, in
dicating that the raids nowhere ap-
preached the ferocity of Tuesdays
hammering attacks. The air and
home securities ministries charac-
terized the nights raids as wide
spread but desultory intermit-
tent and on a minor scale"
The all-clear sounded in London
only few minutes later than usual
ending a night of ghost like" raid
ing-long, quiet lulls interrupted by
bursts of anti-aircraft fire as lone
bombers droned over and dumped
a few bombs on outlying districts
For the first time since midday
Monday London had daylight
alarm during the morning. The
alarm was brief and no planes came
over. Shortly after the all clear
however, the second alarm of the
day was SOUNDED.
Meanwhile the Royal air force
struck at airdromes, freight yards
and submarine bases on the CONT
Ira~4:..,o, -. nooo A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
AUDET'S EX-HOME
SOLD FOR $4,000

The former home OF DR.. Charles
H. Audet on East Main street, OPP
posite Hamilton park. has been sold
to Mildred Perugini. according 10
papers filed at the office Of Town
Clerk Mary G. Kilmartin.
A warranty deed transferring
ownership was filed several days
ago. Today a mortgage deed from
Mrs. Perugini TO Dr.. Audet was
filed, In the amount OF $500.
The total amount involved In the
sale Of the property Is said TO be
over $4,000.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
FINANCE BOARD
TO BACK BUDGET
Members Meet Tonight to
Decide Tax Rate for
Coming Year

The board OF finance tonight will
approve budget calling for a tax
rate of 81 mills in 1941, a reduction
of one and half mills from the
present rate. 1t will be the boards
last meeting on the budget and it
will be drafted In final form for
submission to the board of aldermen
Monday night. Aldermanic approval
must be given next month before
the budget becomes official.
Included in the budget will be a
$4,000 appropriation for a new East
End gymnasium at Anderson school.
It will be built as a city project,
the WPA being unable to aid be-
cause of the lack OF skilled help.
Stricken out of the recommended
budget Is the request for IL addi-
tional firemen, and the fire depart
ment appropriation will be about
the same as it was this year, $685.
600.
Largest Increase
The largest increase in appropri-
alton will be had by the department
of public works, which is being
allotted about $560,000 in 194l, a
gain of $4,000 over this years APP
preparation OF $480, 900. Though the
public works department figure is
less than had been requested, it
will allow the purchase of much new
equipment, provide a large fund
for snow removal, and make pos
sible pay raises for five classifica-
tons of employees. A raise from $50
to $50 q week is being given Frank
Cassin, assistant superintendent of
water.
The budget provides a pay in
crease also for Purchasing Director
Martin j. Sweeney. his salary going
from $500 to $4,000 year
Revised Figures
The final revised figures as
drafted today by Budget Director
Thorvald e. Olsen at the request OF
the board OF finance, SHOW that the
budget will allow a $4,000 emer-
gency fund, available for use In de-
tense or for any unforeseen purpose.
The exact amount OF this fund may
vary slightly. since II may have
10 be changed 10 allow the tax rate
10 be fixed al 81 mills even.
Mott city departments VIII have
'contInued on Page q
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-21
GREEKS PUNCTURE
ITALIAN LINES
Shock Troops Smashing
Holes in Ranks; Retreat
Is Becoming ROut
BY BEN AMES
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent


UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
Athens, November 81. - CUP) -
With Greek shock troops smashing
new holes in the Italian lines north
of the Kalamas River and the Ital-
ian retreat repeatedly turning into
disorganized rout. military observ-
ers here believed that even the key
southern Albanian port at Sante
Quaranti CPorta Edda) might be
threatened.
Italians were reported retreating
so rapidly that Greek troops were
forced to use cavalry 10 pursue them
In the north, Greek troops took
the last heights before Koritza and
by last night had advanced on the
Koritza Plain 10 within rifle shot u
the city itself.
Apparently shelving attempts u
storm Italian positions on Mt. WAR
and other heights. the skirted Greek
Eyzones we're reported advancing
around these key points, isolatine
them from further supplies and 81
tc0nfinued on Page A.