The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1941-09-11


necessary to a realistic defense
program"
Navy Ships
The Navy reported that during
the first eight months of 1941
total of 213 Naval vessels were
completed-including one battle
ship, one cruiser, eight SUBJ
marines and eight destroyers-
and keels were laid for 436 ships,
including two battleships, Is
cruisers, 18 submarines, two air
craft carriers and 81 destroyers.
Merchant Ships
Maritime Commission Chair
man Land announced the Com
missions building program will
place in operation 1853 new ships
Of approximately 12,41O,0O0 dead
weight tons between July l, 1941,
and the end of 1913. He said
production is running Is percent
ahead of estimates made in May,
and that from 100 to 1874 new ves-
sells will be completed this year
instead of the los estimated in
May. Admiral Land said an addi-
tional 80 vessels will be delivered
in the first three months of 1912,
146 in the second quarter, 154 in
the third quarter, and 1874 in the
fourth quarter. BY the beginning
of 1943. the program will yield in
three months more than the l.
100000 lightweight tons of ships
constructed in the entire war year
Of 1918.
Army
The Second and Third Armies
and 1000 planes of the Second
and Third task force, including
Navy and Marine air units, began
moving into the oLuisiana man.
euver area for combat practice
September IS to 80. The War De-
partment said it expects to work
out under actual conditions of a
major battle the role of combat
aviation in support of mechanical
and armed ground forces.
To improve the efficiency and
stamina of the Army, the Depart
ment set age limits for field Off
GERS ranging from 80 years for
Second Lieutenants to 81 years
for Major Generals. Officers over
age will be given desk duty.
Air Raid Defense
The Army announced that ii
will conduct exercises during
October to test the alertness and
effectiveness of Eastern seaboaro
throughout areas 125 to $50 miles
defense against hostile aircraft
inland. Approximately $4,000
civilians will act as spoilers.
Aid to Russia
A Russian mission to study pro-
curement of planes for the Rus
sian armies arrived in the U. S
Pres. Roosevelt named w. Ave
rell Hartman to head the u. S
mission to confer in Moscow with
the Soviet Government and {
British mission regarding supplies
to Russia.
The Maritime Commission an.
nounced the first American tank
er carrying aviation gasoline tc
Russia had arrived safely a
Vladivostok. State Secretary HUI
issued four export licenses to per
NIT movement of British and La
tin American shipments to the
Soviets through the U. S.
Aid to- Poland
! The President authorized Lend
Lease aid to the refuge Polish
Government in the form of wea'
pons and other supplies for the
/ Polish Legion training in Canada
for overseas action.
Prices
Labor Secretary Perkins re-
ported widepread increases in re-
tail prices of Is staple foods ir
Is large cities in the last two
weeks of August. The Department
of Agriculture reported prices are
now 131 percent of the 19O9-14
; parity average, highest level in II
years. OCD Director LaGuardia
acting as President of the U. S
Conference of Mayors, recon-
mended revocation of municipal
licenses of retailers in cases o.
persistent violation of Fedora
price ceilings fixed by Price Ad'
ministrator Henderson.
Oil, Gas
Acting Oil Coordinator Davie!
announced all commercial, agri
culture and emergency gasoline
needs will be met in full during
September but there will be ;
10 percent cut in deliveries OF