davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-26

mum strength.
From this 60lst Parachute Bat
talon will stem, In the months
ahead. q sort OF chsin-letter ex-
pansion program TO give the Army
Of the United States an aerial
infantry corps better equipped.
better trained. and more effective
than similar troops In any other
army In the world.
That isn't q statement from
United States Army men, but
from competent observers who
have watched maneuvers and
demonstrations by Russian para
chute troops-the Russians in
vented the idea Of dropping SOL
diers by parachute behind enemy
lines Of resistance-and the actual
war-test operations Of Hitler's
parachute units.
U. S. dumping Jacks"
Will Be the Best.
Methods OF training. equipment
with which to train, and the type
Of soldiers picked for the work
give the observers the basis for
this rating OF Americas Jump
ing Jacks"
First formal announcement OF
our Army's acceptance Of para
chute troops came only on Oct. 5,
this year. when a routine War De-
partment release told Of assign
ment Of Major william e. Miley
to command Of the battalion. and
gave 1t. for the first time, its nu-
merical designation. Personnel Of
the Test Parachute Battalion,
which had worked for months pre-
viously in the Fort Benning. Ca,
area. were transferred as a group
to the new unit. and quota for VOL
unteers seeking to join the glamor-
Gus new branch Of service were
assigned for 81 regular army in
fantry regiments - practically all
OF the first line name" regiments
Of the regulars.
Generally the regiments were
held down to four on-comm!s-
stoned officers and Is privates, in
assigning the limits Of volunteers
from any one regiment. The 29th
Infantry at Fort Benning. Ga
active in the testing which pre-
ceded formal formation Of o para
chute battalion, was allowed six
non-commissioned officers and AZ
privates. The others came from
army posts scattered from New
York N California
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-26
1!!}}}@;,,i,,
J '}%|'''1b
IheStory the Army's
Most Exclusive Club

exclusive club in the nation the 501st Parachute
Battalion United States Army.
It limited to "a officers and Az enlisted men-and al
ready waiting list than five times its limited maxi
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-26
Accuracy in Landing
of Utmost Importance.

PARTICULAR etrcSS ~ l1Au On
"spilling" q chute quickly, oncs
the weight Of the man Is on the
ground. Failure to get the air out
of the chute quickly causes the
man to be dragged. and perhaps
painfully injured. Still moro i'm
portant than the injury. from .
military point Of view. Is the fact
that dragging might take the man
too far from the rest Of his squad
to permit quick setup Of q ground
defense unit.
The 501st Parachute Battalion.
admittedly, is merely the begin
ming" Just how soon the parent
organization can train enough
men to permit their transfer. to
form cadres CT similar battalions.
determines the expansion rate for
this newest and most exciting unit
Of modern infantry.
Some unofficial estimates ind
cate that the expansion rate VIII
be five to one within a year. There
has been NO indication Of how
many such battanons the Army
plans to put IN service.
But, definitely and certainly.
the best soldiers Of the army Ike
the idea, and no matter how many
jumping Jacks" are deemed
necessary under the mushroom
Ing National Defense program. the
manpower for the expansion IN
waiting. and tensely eager. to
sign UP.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-26
Waiting List
Proves Popularity.

And with all these barriers to
get over. the waiting list Is still
more than five times the author
lied battalion strength.
Just how highly the War De-
partment regards these picked men
is indicated by the pay arrange
ments. OF the total Of Az enlisted
men. 1853 can qualify as Special
lists. LIST class. which carries $50 q
month additional pay over the
base pay OF the soldier. and 81
others carry ratings as Specialists,
2nd class, with SIS a month addi-
tional pay. These extra pay rat
ings Of course, go to the men only
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-26

initiative, determination and dar-
ing"
1t was still further required that
applicants possess sufficient edu-
cation to enable him to absorf
rapidly instruction In map read
ing, military sketching. radio. de-
molitions. and other specialized
subjects.
Finally selections were limited
to men with at least one year OF
Regular Army service and with
at least one-year TO serve before
completing enlistment. Men with
less than a year to serve, but other
wise qualified, were given an OPP
portunity TO take an immediate
discharge and re-enlist for trans
fer to the Parachute Battalion.
Officers seeking assignment 10
the Battalion were required to be
less than 35 years Of age. no higher
In rank than captain. and capable
OF passing the same physical and
mental tests as the enlisted men
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
JAPANESE RELATIONS
{ (Hanford SentineD

\ good many words could be written
about this subject, but they are best sum-
married. by the brief caption above.
llanford has long been proud of the
fine citizens Of foreign descent who make
up a substantial part of our thoroughly
American community. In every group
they are industrious, hard-Working and
truly a credit to a thriving city.
SO it is with the Chinese and Japa-
naSe people whom we are fortunate to
have with Us. 1t is no fault of theirs
that Japan marched into China the last
decade, and it is not their responsibility if
relations between Uncle Sam and the
Rising Sun have led to war Hanfords
people are AMERICANS who live in
America, enjoy American freedom and
appreciate its blessings.
When W. hear talk Of war in the Orient
on the radio, and when we read the head
lines in our daily newspapers, we must
remember that nations are run by power
full minorites in 1941-and we should
be thankful that our Chinese and Japa-
nese friends in IIanford are the fine
citizens they are.
Perhaps they too regret the unhappy
conditions that exist in the Orient and
even though they cannot help but have
definite feelings and beliefs regarding
the picture as it is today they know it
is not Of their doing
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
bOXSCORE

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. (UP)-The boxscore of the
battle of the Pacific today showed the following losses
BY the Japanese-SiX warshps eight troopshps anG
two nOn-combatant vessels. Total-16.
BY the United States-Four warshipS antaircraft
training ship and a mineayer. Totals.
By the BrtsF-Two warships
The Japanese lost the 10000 ton batteShp larna,
bombed by L. S. Army fliers off the Philippines light
cruiser and destroyer sunk by Marine fers at Wake
island; two submarines sunk and third captured at
marines and the remainder by u S Army fiers; and
freighter and tanker, sunk by Dutch submarines.
The l. S. Navy admits the loss of the bateship Arzo
which being used antaircraft training craft
the deSroycrs CasSn, DoWnes and Shaw; the former
battleshp Utah which being used antiarcraft
training craft and the mneayer Oglaa, converted pas
senger vessc-all at Pearl harbor
The British suffered the loss of the battleShp Prince
of Wales and the battle cruiser Repuc sunk by Japanese
dive bombcr5 off Malaga.
In addition, the Navy said the bateship Oklahoma was
capszcd in the attack Pearl harbor but that 1t can be
righted and put into service again
The Navy also claims its fliers seriously damaged d
Japanese bteshp Of the Kongo class off Luzon island
The Army claims have damaged five other japanese
troopShips by aerial action.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
Reverses for Axis
Encourage French
In Stronger Stand

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 cUPD-
United States entry into the war
and Germany's rcverses on the Rus
sian front have encouraged beaten
France to put up strong opposition
to renewed axis demands for mill
tary concessions, informed Wash
ington quarters believed today
Secretary of State Cordell Hull.
reply to a press conference queS-
tiCn, said he firmly believed the
French people were mindful of the
sincerity of traditional American
friendship and would know how
to meet their responsibilities in the
present situation"
His optimistic statement, in con-
traSt with recent gloomy reports
that the Petain government hau
capitulated to axis demands for
surrender of the French fleet anC
strategic African bases, was taken
by some diplomats to mean that
this country had received reaSsur-
ing new reports from its ambaS-
Sador at Vichy, Admiral William D
Leahy.
This speculation appeared to be
supported By the disclosure that
Leahy will remain at Vichy, at least
for the present. 1t had been reportet
the year-old Sailor Diplomat
would be summoned home to a
high defense post.
Private adyices from Europe, un-
confirmed as yet, indicate Leahy
already may have received from
Vichy a formal possibly written
assurance from Marshal Henr
Philippe Petain that France will
refuse to give direct military aid tc
Germany and Italy.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
COWARDICE, SECOND
COUSIN TO TREACHERY

America today needs men and women
with the kind of courage which set up
the greatest country in the world. 1t has
no place for weaklngS and towards. nor
any niche for hystcria and fearful weep
ing.
The country would be better off with
out the kind of men and women who flee
at the first sign of danger. Specifically
il would be better off without the COVER
ing, little-soued ones who. today, are
leaving California for the middle-weSt
because they believe they will be safer
there.
They came here because they wanted
to enjoy the good things California has
to offer them They run. like yelping
puppies, when they could in their turn
offer something to California. Their
cowardice is below disgust; it is beyond
understanding. California is better off
without them We can only pity the
middle-western states to which they flee.
California. and the whole nation needs
men and women today who will do their
part whether it is in the fighting ranks,
in the factories or in the fields. Only
with such men and women can this coun-
try survive the crisis which faces it;
only with such ones can we achieve the
dom for the world, and for ourselves.
We have only sympathy for the person
who is afraid but we have only condem-
nation for the one who lets fear drive
him from the post he could fill to the
greatest good. Fear is not cowardlce;
it is cowardice only to let fear conquer.
There are many in California these days
who are as fearful as those who run
from danger-but thank God there are
many, too, who subjugate fear in the
knowledge that their country needs
them, here and now.
Today the individuals life. the individ-
ual's welfare, must be as nothing to the
need of America. The man who runs
away when there is vital work to be done
is as truly traitor to freedom and de-
mocracy as the one who sells his cOun-
try's military secrets.
America was born in the minds and
the minds and the hearts of those who
faced danger and conquered it. Shall we,
today, shame their memory by doing less
than keeping their nation, and our ma
ton, alive?
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
LOOK FOR
BERLIN S HAND
(ChriStian Science Monitor)

Japan attack has all the earmarkS of
d2spcration-the desperation Of weak
ness. ANY temporary advantage won by
this treacherOuS aggression will be more
than offset by the immediate galvaniz-
ing of American morale No enemy of
the Axis could have devised a surer way
OF destroying the last remnants of Amer
lean iSolationiSm and diSunity.
The NaZiS may expect to gain by a
diversion of American effort. But if
Americans respond as we think they will
that effort will soon be doubled If for
time There is a concentration of the
mted States attention on the Pacific
it should not be such as to give the Nazis
very much comfort. For America had
to deal with two oceans. The threat of
Japan has already been keeping much
of the fleet and air force out of the At
Iantic. Soon or late the Axis presSures
had to be met on all fronts.
This War has always had one unifying
purpoSe-to halt aggression and anar-
chX. But without japanese bomberS over
Hawaii some Americans might have been
many more months learning it. Now all
know what they have to do.
The immediate task is to repel Japan's
attack But Americans will not forget
that japanese aggression would be a mere
sideShow without Nazi aggression. Ber-
lin may not have directly commanded
this suicidal assault. but surely it is the
most obvious beneficiary. What sense
does an air raid on Pearl Harbor make?
a few score planes could not hope to
capture the strongest naval base in the
world. They cannot have decisively de-
layed or crippled the fleet there. Why
then bring the United States in full
power for the sake of small surprise?
Americans might have been slow to
take offensive action had Japan limited
its attack to British or Dutch territory
But the NaziS wanted the United States
to turn toward the 9acifc. Let no AM
erican fail to perceive the sinister shadow
Of the SWaStika behind Tokyos Rising
Sun-Which history will show beginning
to set on December Z, 1941
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
By LEICESTER WAGNER


- The Pacific coast, which may
become Americas western 'front.'
if enemy activity persists, today was
launched on an all-our production
effort that brought assurance Of
vital labor peace.
Air raid precautions were speeded
and blaCkOut WardenS engaged in
specialized training. Emergency acts
bolstered police powers for emer-
gencies. Sports events were cancell-
ed because the Army froWnS on
concentrations of crowds and the
resulting jamming of vital high
ways.
The Pacific coast Waterfront En-
ployerS association accepted a far
reaching plan for speeding up the
loading and unloading of U. S.
merchant vessels the all-important
link with Americas fighting forces
in the Far East
The plan was proposed by Harry
Bridges, California CIO director
and head of the International
Longshoremens and warehouse
mems union IN accepting it, Frank
p. Foisic president of the employ
ers' council declared:
I'VE want to give Bridges every
credit due hIm for his plan to Sc
cure maximum production on the
docks. He's entitled to it,
The New Years Day football game
between Oregon State college and
Duke University at Pasadena, and
the simultaneous Tournament of
Roses already has been transferred
to Durham, N. c.
Jerry Giesler, chairman of the
California horse racing board ord
cred cancellation of the Santa Anita
Park turf meeting. scheduled to
start Dec. 81 at the Request Of
Coy CultNrt L. Olson.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
New S.P. Chief Was
Among Defenders

Armand Theodore MERCER, who
took his first job as a tranSitman
with the Southern Pacific railroad
in Los Angeles 38 years ago, re-
Gently was elected president of the
railroad to succeed the late A. D.
Mcdonald.
He is familiar with Imperial VAL
ley. In 1906 he was made an as
siStant engineer and actively par
ticipated in the huge project under
taken by the railroad at the re-
quest of President Thodore Roose-
Velt to save Imperial Valley and
Yuma from Colorado river flood
damage.
In 1921 he became general man.
ager of the San Diego and Arizona
railroad and in 1888 was elected
Vice-president in the executive de-
partment, a position he occupied
until his recent advancement.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
Coast Moves to
Total Production

Olson issued his request on the
advice of Lieut.. Gen. John L. De
witt, commanding general Of the
western defense forces. who ha,
enunciated a policy of preventing
concentration of crowds Of over
10000 persons.
While Giesler expressed hope thc
Santa Anita meeting might be per
mitted to resume, Gen. Dewitt in
dicated the spring meeting at Bay
Meadows near San Francisco alSc
would be banned. Olson also askeC
Los Angeles to cancel professional
All-Star football game scheduled.
Jan. a.
Olson prepared to call the Cali
fornia legislature into special ses-
sion. probably Friday, to appropriate
perhaps $40, 100000 for wartime de-
fense needs. The agenda will en-
brace only an appropriation for
the State Guard on active duty and
increase the states emergency fund
but the exact amount must be work.
ed out with legislative leaders.
Already Olson has proclaimed a
state of emergency to give civil au-
thorities the power to enforce orders
of state and local defense councils.
The San Francisco board of su-
pervisors passed an ordinance to
enforce air raid warnings ant
blackouts, with fines up to $500 an6
Jail sentences up to three months
for violstors.
Los Angeles called in motion pic
ture technicians to consult on the
installation of at least so sirens to
cover the AL square mile city. May
or Fletcher Bowron moved to st"
dardize city. county and Army
blackout signals.
The San Diego city council met
to decide about extinguishing red
airport warning lights, traffic sig
mails, street excavation lanterns and
railroad switches during blackouts,
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16

mentS for a formal war alliance
He said Great Britain'S total
war expenditures to date, after
81 years of fighting, had reach
ed the colossal figure of G8 300,-
900 33,2000 0000 000-, compared With
G9.593 100000 t$38000,372 ,000) for
four years of tnc iaSt war.
Thus continued expenditure UP
to four years in this war at the
present rate would mean a total
expenditure cf nearly 100000 900 000
There wat general expectation
here that important moves toward
unifying grand strategy among all
major anti-AXis powers. including
China were imminent
Special Importance was attributed
in diplomatic quarters to the forth
com.lg Moscow negotiations, de-
signed to result in closely CO-ordi-
mated strategic plans and an aG-
greement on political collaboration
as we'll
InfCrmantS said it would not be
surprising if as one result of the
Moscow talks, British forces, as we'll
as Polish, would be found fighting
alongside the Russians on Russian
soil.
A foreign office commentator. Dis
cussing the Far Eastern diplomatic
situation. said a British declaration
CT war on Thailand now allied with
Japan and a base for japanese
troops, was obviously in the cards. ="
The foreign office, it was learn
ed, had not heard from its minister
at Bangkok, Sir Josiah Crosby since
Dec. 0, SO that most Thai news re-
ccived here had come through jap
ancSc sources.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
OUT OF STEP

So now our senator's need research
assistants at $4,000 a year each.
Or do they?
How about the business men. whose
employees are giving up their Jobs-the
jobs which, in some instances, only they
can fill adequately-to go to war? How
about the men and women who are Civ
ing up their cash for defense stamps
and bonds, and who are looking forward
smilingly to paying sky-high income tan
es, because America must win this war?
How about the sacrifices every American
is making, and is going to make? How
about the hours-long overtime in fac
tories and stores and other establish
ments, the nerve wracking drive of half
of America S population to do two jobs
where one was done before?
Yes, how about it?
Aren't the senators capable OF putting
in some extra effort Themselves and call
ing upon their present StaffS for some
extra effort, to parallel the sacrifices Of
other Americans?
Research assistants,
We say, let the senators do their own
research We don't feel like paving $500
per senator into the treasury for that
sort of thing-not these days.
We'd rather buy defense stamps.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16

ters that informal discussions al
ready were in progress in London
Moscow and Washington on grand
strategy to be pursued in the world
wide war against the Axis powers.
Britain AID Russia were prepar-
Ing to inauguratc formal discussions
at Moscow soon on their Joint war
efforts MS allies
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
Allies Really Allied i'm
New Strategy is Claim

LONDON. Dec. 16. up, - All
necessary steps have been taken or
are being taken to concert war
plans of the major allied powers, an
official spokesman said TODAY.
1t would not be helpful to have
detailed public discussion at pres
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16

cnt,' he added. but statements
will be made from time to time
in parliament regarding the CO.
ordination of allied effort
AS the statement was made it
was reported in we'll informed quar-
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16

EDITORS NOTE: The following edit
0rfdtS are presented as interesting 0sin-
ions uOiced by editors elSeUhere. They
do not necessarily reflect the opinion of
this paper.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
Famous Sayings

There is remedy in human nature against tyranny
that will keep US safe under any form OF government
Samuel Johnson
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
ALLIANCE PLANNE

Further. it was understood that
preliminary negotiations were be-
ing held at present between the
British and Netherlands govern
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
MEMBER

MEMBER
American Newspaper Pub
fishers Association. Nation
al Editorial Association.
California Newspaper Pub
fishers Association.
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
WAR BULL'S-EYES

Japanese embassy in Washington
offered its passenger cars for sale
a few days before the war A tipoff?
One U. S. Indian out of every 10
Of military. age has joined the
armed forces. War has some bless
ings, anyway, for so great is the
demand for steel the number Of
pins in new shirts will have to be
reduced. And pencil factories can't
get those metal bands you break
your teeth on when chewing eraSers.
Census Bureau reports the country
runs on 100000 wholesale houses.
Office of Price Administration :
latest worry is about "camelback"
which isn't what you might think,
but the stuff they'll use to retread
your old tires in case you have
them retreaded. Increase of more
than million in our population
during the past year is due not to
increased immigration, but just more
babies. The stable of Undersecre-
tary State Sumner Welles was turn
ed down as a possible home for
emergency government workers be-
cause it would accommodate only
900 girls. The stables will therefore
be used as claSSroomS,
Imperial Valley press., 1941-12-16
Thought for the Day

For where no law is there is no transsrcsson-Ro-
lis.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-02-13
Jam Session

JOAN LESLIE gave all her
friends on The Warner lot jars OF
Jam which she put up herself.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-02-13
Death Valley Fails
First Screen Test
ADJUSTMENTS

ERNIE HALLER, ace Warner
Brothers cameraman. says Death
Valley doesn't look enough like
Death Valley
Halter is shooting location Sc
quenees there for THE Bride
Came c. O. D." starring James
Cagney and Bette Davis.
Death Valley sunlight. which
sometimes heats the air TO 100 fe-
grees, wasn't bright enough for
Halter. He sent to Hollywood for
more lamps.
Death Valley sand didn't pho
tograph like Death Valley sand.
He sent to Hollywood for sand.
Death Valley cactus wasn't
green enough. He sent for studio
cactl.
And Death Valley clouds were
unsatisfactory Halter sent a mes
sage to the camera department
Send me some Clouds he said.
The clouds, on Tim, arrived next
day by plane.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-02-13
rs Top

Amazing what one year has done
f. Walter Wanger Last year he
eidn't have one picture that
r7erited consideration from the
asedefay and within = months he
Los become top producer with
TWO films in the running, Foreign
CORRESPONDENT and Long Voyage
Home. Mary Pickford his co
producer at L. A. couldn't be more
thrilled over his success than i
two Of her pictures were up anc
SHE'S urging Walter TO make more
f'r7s.
Interesting. in view Of this. that
Y anger has Just made a deal with
Director Henry Hathaway of
s2eneal LaneerS and Johnny
Ouol'o" fame. Henry's first for
Walter will be Shutdown the
current magazine story by Barre
LYNDON a romantic adventure
sorry with an African locale