davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
CALLS ON EMPTY
STOCKING MOUNT
Charity Demands On Star
News Fund Are Greater
Than Contributions

Pathtic pleas that their children
be gwen something at Christmas
continued to roll in yesterday from
poor parents in this section.
Their requests were the same as
hundreds previously received-ask'
ing for some small remembrance
from Santa Claus, a Santa Claus
whose visit will be made possible
only through the Empty Stock
ing fund.
But the demands coming into the
Star-News offices far out-Welghed
the contributions to the fund, which
last night had reached a total Of
$671.67.
Last year more than 1000 chill
dren were cared for with the ST.
900 which was contributed, making
the cost per child slightly less than
so cents each. But unless the fund
is greatly increased in the next
few days there will be several
thousand children who will have to
be cut from the HStS.
Sponsors of the fund pointed out
that all requests for aid for chill
dren must be in at the Star-NeWs
offices not later than 6 p. m. Wed
nesday.
At the same time appeals were
renewed for more contributions,
as the need is urgent. It is the
hope that no child will be overlook
ed this year, but unless donations
come faster this hope will have
to be abandoned.
Make your contribution today
and insure some child and your
self a Merry Christmas. Con-
tributions may be made either tc
Continued on Page Two; Col. ~
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17

BERN, Switzerland, Dec. 16.-R)
Adolf Hitler sent Otto Abetz, his
Paris representative, to Vichy today
for conferences with Chief of State
Marshal Philippe Petain and foreign
observers here believed the visit
might mean life or death for the re-
organized French government -
possibly even total Nazi occupation
Of France.
What the future holds for the old
marshaIs regime, these observers
said, hinges on what explanation he
gives Ahetz, sometimes called the
unofficial king of France" regard
ing the sudden dismissal of Pierre
Laval as vice-premier and foreign
minister.
Authorized source in Berlin said
the cabinet upheaval at Vichy came
as a surprise. They said also that
not until Germany has obtained full
information concerning the purpose.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
DETAILS NOT GIVEN
Proposed Line OF Credit
Probably Involves Sc
curities And Gold

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-RN
The British government. 1t was
learned authoritatively tonight, has
made a formal request for imam
cial assistance from the United
States government.
The information came from Of
fetal sources which left no doubt
as to it's authenticity, but details
of the REQUEST were not available.
"Line of Credit"
However, usually well-informed
officials indicated that the British
had asked for a Zine of credit
probably involving their securities
and gold assets, rather than a
straight unsecured loan. The OF
fetal sources through which the
request became known indicated
that financial assistance" was a
more accurate term to describe
the request than the word loans"
This suggestion apparently fitted
what many officials have been say
ing privately for several weeks,
that the British were not so much
interested in a quick cash transac-
ton as in assurances that they
would be able to continue buying
war supplies in this country when
their present dollar assets ran out.
Some officials estimated that II
would be a year or more before
CONTINUED on Page Two; Col. a
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
Greeks Make
Gains On Both
Ends OF Front
Italian GeneralAnd Colonel
Killed In Greeks Drive
Toward Valona
200 PRISONERS TAKEN
Athens Says Fascists'C oun-
ter-Attacks Beaten Off
In The South

ATHENS, Dec. 16.-R-Smash-
ing new advances on both ends Of
the Albanian battlefront were re-
ported tonight by the men OF
Greece battling retreating Italians
in near Arctic conditions.
An Italian general and a colonel
were killed, military dispatches
from the southern front said, when
Greek forces driving toward Va
Iona, one of the three remaining
ports held by the Italians, stormed
and captured a bitterly contested
height.
"These two officers" a dispatch
said, with revolvers in hand, in.
duced their men to defend the pc.
sition. However, both officers were
hit in the breast and died. Thai
was the sign for a wholesale Ital'
ian retreat and abandonment Of
the height"
Leave Dead
The Greeks said the fleeing Fa'
cists left many dead, including 9th.
er senior officers.
A government spokesman an.
nounced the capture of 200 pris.
oners and one senior officer when
the Italians were driven from q
position in the Dvinos river valley
and said the Italians suffered
heavy losses in that sector.
1.-The Italian army always re
treats toward the sea-" the spokes
man said, IT would like to ado
as we r now entering the eight
week of var that the initiative al
ways belongs to us and in spite O.
the rough winter, the morale of oul
troops is excellent"
Referring to Italian claims O
counter = attack, the spokesman
said: "In fact the Italians have
counter-attacked with choice troop!
but all their attacks have failed il
the southern sector. Choice troop.
have tried to capture the Skivovil
CONTINUED on Page Two; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
R. WILL SEEK
ARMS SPEED UP
Returns From Caribbean,
Plans To Start Work
On Major Problems

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-R-
President Roosevelt returned from
a Caribbean cruise today to tackle
the problem of speeding up rearm-
ament in a situation described by
William S. Knudsen as n OF ter
rible urgency"
The chief executive came home
to find the capital absorbed IN
speculation as to whether he might
give the craftsmanship of the de-
tense commission, and with it sub
stantial powers over industry, 10
Knudsen. Many persons close to
the defense program advocated
such a step; other high officials
we're as firmly opposed to any
fundamental change in the setup
of the commission, which now has
no chairman.
To many analysts, some major
presidential move seemed fore
Swallowed by Mr.. R%oosevelt's state
ment yesterday that he hoped to
visit Warm Springs, Ca, again
next spring eff the world sur
wives"
Knudsen, former president OF
General Motors corporation, and
now production chief for the de-
tense commission, spoke grimly In
letters made public today to ma
chine tool manufacturers and their
employees.
Declaring that nothing was more
vital to the country's welfare just
now than to hasten the production
Continued on Page Five: Col. Al
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17

The county commissioners yes
terday approved plans submitted
by the board of education for the
resumption of work on three con-
struction projects in the county
school system.
The action taken paved the way
for the continuation of work, at
least for the present, on the New
Hanover High school gymnasium
and vocational building prof. ects
and at the Wrightsboro school.
A week ago the board OF edu-
cation voted to''close down tempo
rarily'' all school construction
work until further funds were
available because of an emergency
created by a shortage of skilled
laborers and the increased cost
of building materials.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
1900 Seek Jobs As Pre-
Gminary Operations Be-
gun At Large Camp
LUMBER TRUCKS ROLL
Tide Water Building Power
Line To Serve The Con-
struction Camp
nv ROD SPARROW

unrtY RIDGE. Dec. 10
Room Town played here today
with 1900 people seeking W r k
nlsving the roles of extras while
IA principals" were put to work
mIoadjng grading and other equip
mpnt from eight freight cars and
Tork preliminary to building the
army's new $40, OOO, 900 anti-aircraft
base continued at a slightly &C
celerated rate.
But Holly Ridge is not the only
place affected.
From here to Wilmington numer-
GUS new filling stations are going
Id Tourist camps are adding
cabins and dance halls. At Hamp'
stead a tent show is anticipating
te time when it can hang out the
SR0 sign.
Lumber Trucks Rolling
Lumber trucks are rolling here
from Wilmington a n d returning
empty.
A large number of creosoted
cross ties have been placed at
Noodside as the Atlantic Coast
Line railroad gets busy putting its
track into shape to bear the ex-
pected heavy freight traffic.
An overturned, smashed car
bears testimony to the increased
traffic on the Ocean Highway
which now has more northbound
than southbound traffic, something
new for the road which carries
tourists 10 Florida usually at this
time Of year.
The Boom Town" atmosphere
was enhanced this morning by the
arrival Of an unruly crowd hunt
ing work. So boisterous did the
men become that it became nee.
Nontinued on Page Two; Col. y
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
WEATHER

FORECAST
North Carolina and South Carolina
Fair and colder, much colder east por'
tion Tuesday; Wednesday fair, some
what warmer west portion.
(By O.. s. Weather Bureau)
meteorological data for the "a hour
ending 1870 p. m. yesterday
Temperature
1870 a. m. 81; 1880 a. m. SO; 1:3O p. m
60: 1880 p. m. 81; maximum 70; mini
MIN 81: mean 60; normal ~.
1.3O a. m. 100; 7:30 a. m. 100; 30 p
m SO; 7:30 p. m. VI.
Precipitation ,
Total for "a hours ending 1880 p. m
O.04 inches. Total since first OF the
month O.43 inches.
Tides Fol- Today
From Tide Tables published by U
s. Coast and Geodetic Survey.)
High Low
Wilmington ------ IL :32a 6:13s
II :49p 7:O5T
M1sonboro Inlet ------- 9:OSa 3:03a
9:32p 3:40I
Sunrise 7:12a; sunset :505p; moon
rise 8 :1Op: moonset 9:12a.
River stage at Fayetteville, N. c.,
at 8 q. M, Dec. 13, 81 feet.
CONTINUED on Page FiveJ ~. 3
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
TROOPS TAKE
CAPUZZO AND
SALUM FORTS
Italians Begin Drive
To Reinforce Morale
In Industrial Section

ROME, Dec. 16.-R-An i'll
tensive campaign to reinforce
morale in industrial north Italy
began today rs the high COM
mand announced bitter fighting
in Albania and Libya against
strong Greek and British at
tacks.
CONSIDERABLE losses OH both
sides resulted, the communique
said, when Italians repulsed
Greek attacks on the Albanian
battlefronts.
Italian planes, bombing British
units in the Egyptian-Libyan
frontier offensive, were said to
have caused heavy casualties.
Meanwhile the Italian people,
told officially only yesterday Of
the fall of Sida Barrani (Which
the British captured last We'd
nesday) and retreat of the ltal-
ians into Libya, were declared
i nhigh Fascist circles to be
"unshakably decided to face any
events"
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17

normal application for the pro-
FUSED WPA armory = auditorium
Noleet for Wilmington, costing an
es'lfnated 5000, 900, will be filed
a thursday morning with state WPA
V4sials in Raleigh, James E. L.
ror1'l , commissioner of public
I'M said yesterday.
ts sie local delegation submitting
NV application will include Addi-
mneWlett, chairman to the board
81, sOohty commissioners; Commits
cbi4 les Wade; James B. Lynch, ar
aeer. c';; j; A. Loughlin, city engi-
Az and local WPA officials.
tahaa project specifications will be
IN pn before state WPA officials
abl aalelgh to work out details suit
Tim 70 the WPA and the applica-
sign. viii then be returned here for
he s'stures of the joint sponsors,
ers IIty and county commission
"" Wade said.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
COUNTY WILL PUSH
WORK ON AIRPORT
Rock Base OF One OF Rum
ways Scheduled To Be
Finished Next Week

The work of laying a rock base
for one of the runways at Bluethen-
thai airport will be completed next
week, Addison Hewlett, chairman,
informed the county commission
ers in weekly session yesterday
afternoon.
Weather conditions permitting,
Hewlett said, workmen should fin.
ish by next week the job of putting
in a rock base and top layer or
the runway, 5000 feet long and
100 feet wide, and running in a
north-south direction.
During a lengthy discussion Of
the project, the county commits.
sioners agreed to spare no efforts
Continued on Page Five; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
Work Will Be Continued
On School Projects Here

The county commissioners yes
terday approved a request of the
board of education that $4,000 be
transferred from Institutional SER
vice to the capital outlay in the
supplementary budget. .
H. M. Roland. county school SUI
perintendent, said this is in order
to make and keep ''our buildings
in shape for classroom work and
to pay some bills incurred in pre-
pairing these buildings for use."
Roland gave the county COM
missioners a statement as to the
expenses to be incurred in putting
a roof on the high school gym
nasium project and other work to
enclose the building.
Continued on Page Five; Col. A.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
Britain Asks Financial
Four Persons Killed
In Bombing Of Basel

BASEL, Switzerland, Dec. II.
-(Tuesday)- up -Four per-
sons were killed and widespread
damage done when 10 aerial
bombs exploded in the heart OF
Basel just before last midnight.
The bombs were believed to
have been dropped by British
raiders installing this BACKED
out city OH the German border
for one of their Nazi detectives.
One bomb ripped through the
Central railway station but ex-
ploded without casualties.
Another fell in Winkelried
Square, behind the station, kill
ing a woman who was running
for shelter.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
SIMPSON TO TALK
AT MEETING TODAY
Fort Bragg Construction
Ouartermaster Will Ad-
dress Civic Bodies

Lieut.-Col L. l.. Simpson, con-
struction quartermaster at Fort
Bragg, will address a joint meet
ing of the civic clubs of Whining
ton at the Cape Fear hotel this aft
ernoon at l o'clock.
He will discuss the effect the
Army's new $40, oO0, 900 anti-aircraft
base at Holly Ridge will probably
have on the city.
James E. L. Wade, chairman OF
Continued on Page Seven, Col. a
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
War
Interpretive
BY KIRKE L. IMPso

Fresh omens of disaster dog the
retreating footsteps Of italian
forces in Albania. Further Greek
advances either in the northern
sector where Elbasani is threat
ened, or in the south about Tenn
peleni could greatly increase the
gravity of the Fascist army's po-
sition.
The fall of Tempeleni is reported
imminent in both Athens and Lon
don. Even a casual glance at a
Typographical map of Albania
shows why collapse of the Italian
defense there would mean not only
loss of the Port of Valona but
CONTINUED on Page Seven; Col. 81.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
Continued on Page Five; Col. g.
Frances Life May Rest
On Petain-Abetz ParleV

intentions and effects of the change
would the Nazi press eve be per-
mitted to publish the news of Lavars
dismissal.
The special reason for Germany's
reserve, these informants said, lies
Continued on Page Seven; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
bad WEATHER HITS
|NAZI AIR ATTACKS
|RAF Conducts Overnight
Assault On Berlin And
Other War Centers

LONDON, Dec. 16.-LP-Bad fly
ing weather handicapped German re-
taliatory raids on Britain tonight fol.
lowing the RATS heavy overnight
assault on Berlin and three other
Reich "a %centers.
One bomb struck a theater in a
northwest town, killing and injuring
an undetermined number of persons,
and high explosives shattered six
homes in one western midlands town.
Several persons were believed trap
ped in the wreckage.
Sheffield was again heavily raided
last night, but the number of dead
Continued on Page Five: Col. g.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
us. WATERWAY
CONTROL UPHELD
Supreme Court Decision
Sanctions Extension OF
Governments Power

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16- Up -
lhlorlc supreme court decision to-
Jay sanctioned far-reaching ex-
'eAslon Of federal control over the
aaaon's waterways, despite the OBJ
!se'ons of Al states which con-
Saefed their sovereignty invaded.
Inc ~ decision, by Justice Reed
maze two major points:
l. Inc federal governments au,
~ullVy over streams and rivers
Iuef the interstate commerce
s'ause Of the constitution is not
alll'ed merely to considerations
~ navigation. Flood protection
%a'efshed development, recovery
he cost of improvements
unnf;n.- -
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-17
FBI REPORT SAYS
BRIDGES IS RED
Hoover Predicts Attorney
General Will Call Pub
lie Hearings On Case

MIAMI BEACH, FLA, Dec. is.
LIZA 3,00O-word report declar-
ing that Harry Bridges. West coast
labor leader, is a communist and
that the communist party advo'
Gates the overthrow of the United
States government has been SUBJ
mitted to the attorney general,
FBI Director ]. Edgar Hoover said
here today.
Hoover declined to divulge the
exact nature Of the ''factual evil
dence" about communism he said
the report contained, and he would
not predict what action would be
taken in Bridges case.
Bridges, head Of the CLIO Long
shoremen's unions on the Pacific
coast, has been the center of a
controversy in and out of congress
for many months and the status
of his citizenship has been in
vestigated by the labor and justice
departments.
Hoover said the Federal Bureau
of Investigation had no authority
to order Bridges deportation. Mel
Their can it arrest any person for
merely holding membership in the
communist party, he explained,
adding that only congress can out
law any group.
1--WE are an investigating agency
and all we can do is investigate
and report" Hoover continued.
The attorney general probable
will call public hearings on the
report, Hoover predicted.
"EXPECTED"
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 16.-RN
J. Edgar Hoover's report that Har-
ry Bridges is a communist "was
to be expected" the Bridges de-
tense committee said today, for
it is entirely in keeping with the
hatred of organized labor which
has animated him for more than
20 years."
1.-The FBI has operated extern
sively in San Francisco and else.
where during the past few months,
said Estolv Ward, chairman of the
defense committee.
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1940-03-08

luton Bill passed the House in a
much changed form from the origin
al measure as received from the
Senate. The biL was rewritten by
the House Committee and during
consideration on the Floor of the
House the Mundt amendment, spon-
sored by sportsmen's organizations,
was included in the bill, which now
goes back to the Senate for con-
sideration of House amendments.
Pronounced as the most forward step
ever taken to end pollution of the
streams and rivers Of the nation, the
bill provides for Federal cooperation
with states and their political subdi-
visions, and with private industries,
through the extension Of financial
aid in correcting present conditions,
!! While word has gone about Capt.
tol Hill that President Roosevelt has
advised Congressional leaders that
he wants Congress to complete the
/ present session by May 18th, without
! the consideration of any new cpntre-
versial legislation, i is 4 pretty safe
wager that Mr.. Roosevelt will not
have his way on either matter Po=
litical wisacres feel certain that the
actual adjournment Of Congress will
come much nearer June 18th than
the Presidential request date. That
Congress will give consideration te
drastic amendments and changes II
Il the National Labor Relations Boare
law, in spite Of the Administration
endeapor to smother such action, nov
seems certain, A special House
committee investigating the MIR B
I, will submit reeomendations and leg
islation for House consideration
!. within the next two OF three weeks
| Congressman Cox of Georgia, Leader
Of large bloc Of independent south
ern congressman, and member Q.
the powerful Rules Committee, ha
annouased shat il the leaders ut
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1940-03-08
BY FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS
(for ANPl

lIOE AM y
Put dswn -lSaeise Son" by the
brilliant young Richard Wright, pub
iished March i by Harper Brothers
and current Book OF The Month club
selection, as the greatest novel 10
come frsm tile pcn Of in Anne lean
Neglo, Iii fact, it ranks with the best
work of any modern American and
is likely to prove as controversial as
Steinbeck' Grapes Of Wrath with
which it is going to be quite gem
eraIy compared.
Chief character in this realistic
psychological story is Bigger Thorn
as. 20, who for five years has lived
in Chicago with brother sister and
mother in a one-room kitchenette.
Born in Mississippi, reared in the
midst Of this nations color preju-
dices, ringed by white restrictions, he
is anti-social in a society hostil to
him. White people he hates and
fears. His outlet is petty crime.
Forced to work or be cut off relief,
he becomes chauffeur for the Dali
tons, rich philanthropists who have
given millions to Negro education
and who own the kitchenette build
ing where Bigger Thomas pays ex-
0rbitant rent.
The Dalton daughter, Mary, is
pro-Communist First night there
he drives her to meet Jan, he. sweet
heart, a Red organizer, who tries to
get Bigger interested in the Com
munist party. Mary becomes dead
drunk, Bigger takes her home, is
forced to carry her to her bedroom.
Mrs. Dalton, blind wife of the PHI
anthropist, enters the room. Think
ing only Of what it would mean to
be found in a white girls bedroom,
Bigger places a pillow over her head
to keep her from talking to the
mother and accidentally suffocates
her. Knowing that none would be-
lieve his story of accidental death
he takes the body down stairs, burns
it in the furnace, and tries to blame
Jan for the disappearance, knowing
the public attitude toward Reds a.
CLEANED from the daily press. Bigger
also tries to collect ransom, but af
ter the murder is discovered he flees
killing his gal, Bessie, to keep hel
from telling. Restricted to hiding
on the Southside, he is soon caught
tried and sentenced to die.
Certain sections of this book have
an all too-familiar ring to Chicago
ans. Not long ago white woman
was killed and after i strenuou
manhunt two Negroes were arrestef
and executed. In his novel Mr.
Wright has copies Of newspape
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1940-03-08
LEGAL NOTICE.
William O. Stokes, Atty.

Howard Oldham, whose last known
place OF residence was Detroit, Mich.
will hereby take notice that on the
18th day Of February, 1910, Louise
Oldham, fled her petition against
him in the Court of Common Pleas
Division Of Domestic Relations, Of
Montgomery County, Ohio. being
case No. 22705 DIR. on the Docket
of said Court praying for decree
Of divorce from him on the ground
OF Gross Neglect of Duty and that
said case is entitled Louise Oldham,
Plaintiff VS.. Howard Oldham, De-
fendant.
Said Howard Oldham VIII. further
take notice that he IS required te
answer said petition before the ex-
piration Of six weeks from date of
the first publication Of this notice
to-wit. February %, 1910,
Louise Oldham, Plaintiff
William O. Stokes, Atty.
Fifth and Sprague Streets
Dayton, Ohio
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1940-03-08

d y upward trend OF fluid milk
IL ssles IS indicated BY final re.
psf, .n daily average sales for
1879 conl.ared with 1888 accnrding
10 the Milk Industry Foundation.
These reports also give further
support to improved consumption
trends as indicated by figures com.
piled from official on industry
sssrces in a number OF cities.
Comparison of daily average sales
OF 'ln.d ,nilk far the IL months OF
1889 With 1898 shows an increase
OF 2.Ss per cent for 1899. The month
|. MIL. sales reports reflect changes
In l2e markets as reported by lead.
Int distributors.
Tha increase III December marked
the thnth consecutive month for
which daily average sales showed.
Improvement over 1898, following a
downward trend for l6 months
which began IN November. 1887.
Improved consumption Of milk as
The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1940-03-08
With a Buckeye
In Congress.
~ CLARENCE J. BROWN
Member es Cnngrsss. ytA OAis District

As predicted last week, the Lill
increasing the funds Of .ae Export
Import Bank has been passed, thus
permitting loan Of twenty million
dollars to the Finnish government for
the purchase of non-military sup
Lies. The bill authorizes the Re-
construction Finance Corporation to
loan the Bank one hundred million
dellars. Numerous attempts were
made from the Republican side Of
the House TO reduce this amount to
the actual sum to be loaned Finland.
However, the Administration forces
he'd firmly and the Export-Import
Bank now has an extra eighty mil
lion dollars, above the amount prom