davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Transit Head Denies
Buses, Streetcars
Cause Traffic Jams
Challenging SehuIte's
Claim, Merrill BIumes
Autos for Tie-ups
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

The Capital Transit Co., now
transporting 100000 fares day,
could carry more if it were helped
in moving cars and buses over traf-
flc-clogged streets, E. D. Merrill,
president, today told a House sub
committee studying the Districts
acute traffic problems.
The 1000 900 fares. he pointed out,
represent an increase of 25 to 80
per cent over the number of pei sons
who used the company's buses and
streetcars a year ago. To accom-
modate the increased load. he said,
300 additional cars and buses have
been put into service.
Mr.. Merrill testified that the ex-
iSting mass transportation system
Is carrying one-half to thirds
of the people who ride with 8 to
10 per cent the number of vehicles.
and vigorously challenged a state
ment by Chairman Schultz that
streetcars and buses create traffic
bottlenecks.
I'VE don't create bottlenecks, the
automobiles do" he declared. I'VE
were here first"
Cool to Subway Idea.
Mr.. Merrill gave a cool reception
to suggestion by Chairman Schultz
that a rail subway system through
the downtown section might relieve
traffic congestion and at the same
time provide a quick transit service
Il never did like the subway idea
if it could be avoided" declared Mr.
Merrill. 1T is not a pleasant way
to ride"
The transit head also expressed
the belief there is not yet a sufficient
volume of passengers to support a
subway system and said his COM
pany is unable to finance 1t.
Mr.. Merrill explained that a sub
way system in Washington, to be
of any material value, would have
to be fan shape, because, unlike in
New York and Philadelhia, a great
volume of persons do not travel in
any one direction.
Offers Two Solutions.
Blame for the serious traffic con-
gestion was placed by Mr.. Merrill
largely on planning authorities of
the past for failing to locate some
of the Federal buildings in outlying
areas. Had this been done. he said,
many Government workers would
now be travelling ''in the reverse, -
and there would be seats for them
on buses and Streetcars which run
(See TRAFFIC, Page A-3D
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Lack Of Scrap Steel
Closes 7 Furnaces
BY the Associated Press.

BY inc hSSOCldIeu fTcSS.
LACKAWANNA, N. Y, Oct. 18.-
The Bethlehem Steel Co. has begun
to curtail steel-making operations
at its Lackawanna plant because Of
lack of scrap steel.
A company spokesman said two
of the company's % active open
hearth furnaces have been taken
out of service and another would
be discontinued today.
Further curtailment of operations
Is in prospect unless some additional
source of scrap is found.
Operating at virtual capacity for
more than a year, the Lackawanna
plant has been cutting into its
piles Of scrap steel at the rate Of
$4,000 to 10000 tons a month.
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Germans Declared
Held at Boy on
Rest of Front

BY the Associated Press.
Soviet counterattacks were re-
ported holding the Germans at
bay in the 17-day-old battle for
Moscow today, and the Russians
were said to have recaptured two
points on the extremities of the
Nazi semicircle around the capi-
tai.
Reuters British news agency
quoted a Stockholm dispatch to
Vichy as saying the Red Army had
driven the Germans back in the Sec
tor northwest of Moscow, recaptur-
ing the strategic town of Kalinin, 95
miles from the Soviet capital.
Exchange Telegraph in London
quoted the Moscow radio as saying
Russian troops had retaken Orel,
important rail center 200 miles south
of Moscow, on Tuesday. but whether
the Red Army still held the town
was not clear.
Nazi Smash Repulsed.
The dispatch from Sweden said
the Russians had repulSed German
efforts to smash through Russian
lines at the juncture of Marshal
Semeon Timoshenko's central army
and Marshal Klementi Voroshilov's
northern flank army.
1t said some other Russian troops
in the Nazi-held pocket near Bry-
ansk had broken through to the east
and rejoined Marshal Timoshenko's s
main force.
The Moscow radio reported last
night that Russian forces had re-
captured five important places about
Mariupol, which the Germans have
claimed in a drive east along the
Sea of Azov coast toward Rostoy,
100 miles away.
No Major Change.
Neither the Russians or Germans
reported any major change in the
positions Immediately west and south
of the capital, where the gravest
peril existed for the Russians.
The German high command COM
munique today said merely that
operations on the eastern front were
proceeding according to plan. but in
Moscow it was said officially that
German divisions striking at Mos
sow's western defenses were beaten
back several times yesterday.
Fighting was especially stubborn
in the western direction. where the
Red Army beat off several fierce
enemy attacks" the Soviet Informa-
ton Bureau said in an early morn
ing communique
The bureau said at midday that
fighting continued throughout the
night and was particularly heavy in
the western direction"
German military commentators
said the action before Moscow "ap-
proaches decision" but they with
held details
The important announcement
concerning the Russian capital
which was promised two days ago
still had not been made and 1t was
emphasized that the high command
always is silent when operations are
in the critical stage.
Stubborn fighting is IN progress
everywhere along the long Russian
front, but it looks as if there is no
large movement" under way, au-
thoritative sources in London said.
These sources said their informa-
ton indicated the German surge
was partly checked and that time
gaining counterattacks were under
way. 1t was reported the German
encirclement strategy was about
one-third accomplished.
The Moscow radio acknowledged
that the situation on the outer ap-
proaches to the city and on the
southern front was still very serious.
In the direction of wanna, west
(See WAR Page Ar
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Japanese Minister
.Confers Here With
Hull and WeIIes
Negotiations With Toxic
May Continue Despite
Change Of Cabinet
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The State Department disclosed
today that Secretary Hull and Un-
dersecretary Welles had lengthy
conferences late yesterday with
Kaname Wakasugi, Japanese Min
lister to Washington.
There was a general exchange
of views" on American-Japanese
relations, a department spokesman
said without elaboration.
Some officials expressed the be-
lief that Mr.. Wakasugi, recently
returned from Toxic, informed the
department that the long-pending
negotiations looking toward a solu-
tion of differences between the two
countries would continue despite
formation of a new japanese cab
met believed pledged to a firm
policy toward the United States.
Senators Outline Views.
Senators Norris, Independent, of
Nebraska; Pepper. Democrat, of
Florida, and Gillette, Democrat, of
Iowa outlined their views on the
subject to reporters after Navy De-
partment officials here disclosed that
some American merchant ships, pre-
sumably in Oriental waters, had
been ordered to port for instructions.
1--WE can't appease Japan any
more than we can appease Hitler, y
said the veteran Senator Norris. IF
Japan wants to attack us, she'll
attack. All she is waiting for is to
try and feel certain she is on the
winning side"
Senator Pepper said that the only
way to deal with them is to draw a
line and warn them that if they
cross it there will be shooting. We
should let Japan know that we have
certain interests we will maintain
even if they meet resistance and
that the only way to get along with
us is a clear-cut and definite under
standing"
Bluff Laid to japanese.
Senator Gillette said he viewed
the Navy announcement about
merchant ship orders as an indica-
ton that administration officials
have become pretty discouraged
about our efforts to reach an under
standing with Japan"
Senator Gillette said he believed
that for months Japan had been
"blufing and trying to avoid an open
break with the United States in
order to build up her oil reserves
(See SENATORS, Page A-6.)
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Further Word of Keorny
Is Awaited in Capital

BY the Associated Press.
The Capital today grimly awaited
further word from the torpedo
damaged United States destroyer
Kearny, reported laboring toward an
undisclosed port after an encounter
with a raider $50 miles southwest OF
Iceland.
The Navy's terse official announce
ment, issued shortly after the at
tack yesterday morning, left many
important questions unanswered. 1t
did not specify whether the torpedo
was fired by submarine, surface
raider or warplane, the nationality
of the destroyer's adversary was not
made known, and the degree OF dam
age was not indicated, further than
that the Kearny was able to proceed
under her own power.
Naval men pointed out, however
that a damaged warship could harly
risk using her radio at length while
In a danger zone, and details OF the
encounter were expected to be made
clear after she reached port.
Probably the incident for which
we have been waiting" was the COM
ment of Representative Cox, Demo
crat, of Georgia. But Senator Nye
Republican, of North Dakota as
serted that there was no reason why
- rDNyyrOxy nooa A2A
Evening star., 1941-10-18

between and am, Judge Clark
said.
He and Mrs. Clark came to Con-
necticut from Washington yester-
day for the opening OF the hunting
season. and they were staying in
West Haven with Mrs. Clark's par
ents. Mr.. and Mrs. J. A. Northrup
Theodore Clark is a dairy farmer
and assistant prosecutor for the
Woodbridge Town Court. Scherer
is an employe of his.
Mr.. Clark is head of the Tax Di-
vision of the Justice Department.
where he has directed important
Government litigation. He formerly
was an examiner at the Securities
and Exchange Commission. He Is
married and makes his home at
the Broadmoor.
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Virginia Merchant, IS,
| Slain From Ambush
BY the Associated Press.

BY the ASSoClaleo PresS.
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va, Oct. 18
John Thomas Weeks, 75-year-old
merchant of the Childress section
of Montgomery County, was shot
from ambush and almost instantly
killed last night as he closed the
blinds on a window at the front
of his store.
Commonwealth Attorney r. I.
Roop said 17-year-old Paul Dalton
Is being held in connection with the
killing Mr.. Weeks was shot in the
back, the bullet emerging in the
chest.
Police are seeking two other boys
in connection with the Staying, Mr..
Roop said.
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Il Ships Sunk Out of Convoy
In Blockade Zone, Nozis Say;
Towns Reported Token by Reds
Britoin's Situation
'Desperote,' Bevin
Tells Workers
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated PreSS.
LONDON, Oct. 18. Labor
Minister Ernest Bevin today
called the international situa-
ton desperate" and declared
that the United States and
Britain face 1.-The terrible task"
of outstripping the production
efforts of Germany.
You must not lose min
ute he told a group of Mid
lands factory workers.
You must work as hard as
you can to give every one of
our lads in the forces more
guns, more shells. more tanks
and more airplanes than Hit
Ter can provide for next spring"
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Swift Senate Action
On Aiming Vessels
Urged by Bailey
Hearings on Issue to
Be Mapped Monday;
House Books Plan
BY ]. A. OLEARY.

Chirman Bailey of the Senate
Commerce Committee today called
for swift Senate action on the bill
to permit arming of merchant ships,
which yesterday passed the House,
259 to 1873.
Declaring that Germany will shoot
at unarmed ships as quickly as she
would at armed vessels, Senator
Bailey said, Il do not see any reason
why there should be any opposition
to arming our ships and arming
them promptly"
IF we're going down a dark alley,
we ought to take our gun along"
added the North Carolinian. whose
committee helps develop the mer-
chant marine.
Since the ship arming bill is an
amendment to the Neutrality Act,
however, 1t will go to the Foreign
Relations Committee. Chairman
Connally of Texas, who is out of the
city today, has called that committee
to meet Monday morning to map
procedure for Senate hearings.
The committee is expected to start
public hearings Tuesday and con-
clude them Friday. Administration
witnesses are expected to include
cabinet officers and others, while
opponents tentatively have decided
to call Gen. Robert E. Wood and
John T. Flynn of the America First
Committee and John Cudahy, former
Ambassador to Belgium.
Plans call for beginning Senate
debate the following Monday with
q decision expected by November /.
Wheeler Sees Early Vote.
Meanwhile, Senator Wheeler.
Democrat, of Montana, a leader
among the isolationists, said no ef-
fort would be made to delay the bill
unduly, and predicted a vote would
be taken one week after it reaches
the floor. Counting time for the
hearings, that probably would mean
a minimum of two weeks before final
action.
Senator Wheeler repeated his con-
tention that "a more honest thing
would be to ask for a declaration of
war. That would present a fair
test and, of course, If it were ap-
proved every one would get behind
the Government"
Senate leaders are confident that
body will approve the bill after the
iSolationistS have made their fight.
Some opponens of the measure in
the House intimated a plan might
be under way to broaden the bill in
the Senate to repeal also the ban in
the Neutrality Law against Ameri-
can ships entering belligerent ports,
but there are no indications of such
move. That question is likely to
be raised as a separate issue later,
unless fast-mOving world events lead
to change in present plans
House approval by nearly two to
one followed quickly the defeat of
motion by Representative Tink-
ham, Republican, of Massachusetts,,
to send the bill back to committee
for further hearings. The vote
against recommittal was 257 to 1856
A group of 80 Republicans rallied
to the administrations support on
(See NEUTRALITY, Page A-3D
Evening star., 1941-10-18
East Asia Aims
Pushed by New
Toxic Premier
Axis Obligations
Are Recognized
By Gen. Tojo
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
TOXIC, Oct. 18.-Lt. Gen. Elk
TOTO, Premier and head of the Wal
and Home Ministries of Japan's
predominantly military new cabinet
pledged his government today to &c
ahead firmly with its East Asia anc
Axis adherence policies despite in
creasing tension in the Pacific.
Even as the army-trained Premier
announced his course, the news
paper Nichi Nichi told Japanese "the
attitude of the United States has
stiffened so much as to arouse great
Indignation of the Japanese nation.
1T is not too much to say that
there is being developed a very
critical situation in which any un.
expected contingency may occur al
any time" the newspaper declared
Will Follow 3-Point Course.
Gen. TOTO told the press after
his first meeting with his cabinet
that Japan would follow her three
point course: Continuing her efforts
to create a co-prosperity sphere in
East Asia, pressing for completion
of the China affair, and adherence
to her treaty obligations.
He said speedy execution of suit
able measures was necessary to over
come the crisis confronting Japan
and added he was prepared to dc
my best to dispose the affairs of
state in my capacity as Premier
An Information Board spokesman
added that lin view of the un-
precedentedly grave situation pre-
vailing at present the government
intends externally to promote cor
dial relations with friendly powers
and internally to perfect the ma
tional defense of the state"
(The German radio expressed
the Reich's approval of the new
cabinet which a Berlin broad
caster said strengthened the
position of the powers marching
into the new age under the sign
of the tri-partite pact needless of
British and American opposi-
tion.")
There were reports that Yosuke
Matsuoka might come back into
the government. 1t was indicated
that the former foreign minister
who negotiated Japan's part in the
Axis pact as well as her pact with
Soviet Russia might be named as
advisor to the Foreign Office.
The new foreign minister. Shi-
genori Togo has served Japan as
Ambassador both in Berlin and
Moscow.
New Government in Office.
The new government, said to be
pledged to a firm policy toward the
United States, took Office today I'M
der Gen. TOTO, veteran army Of
ficer and son of an officer.
BY special imperial consideration,
Gen. TOTO will be permitted to re-
main in active army service. Japan
ese law normally would require that
he be placed on the retired list be-
fore accepting political post.
In addition, Gen. TOTO also is as
suming a dictatorship of the Man
churian Affairs Board, the general
overseeing body for control of Man
chukuo enterprises.
He was War Minister in the Ko-
noye cabinet which fell Thursday
and becomes one Of the most power
full premiers in recent japanese his
tory by combining the War and
Home Ministries with his position as
head of the government.
The cabinet, sworn in before En-
peror Hirohito at the palace, in
cludes in key positions men who are
Evening star., 1941-10-18
President Ponders Ways
Of Using Swamp Lond
BY the Associated Press.

by the hsSONAdNtu Tlcoos
HYDE PARK. Oct 18.-The possi-
bility of retaining or utilizing some
swamp land on his 1200-acre estate
engaged President Roosevelt's at
tention today.
The small amount of routine Gov
ernment business he had TO handle
was out of the way early and he
was free to then consult F. C.
Auchter. chief of the Agriculture
Departments Bureau of Plant In
dustry, who came from Washing
ton to advise the President on the
best way of using the swampy
patches on the estate.
Another visitor at the Roosevelt
home was James Townsend, former
chairman of the Dutchess County
Democratic Committee.
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Two Destroyers
Listed Among
Victims
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
BERLIN, Oct. 18.-A convoy en-
route to Britain from North
America under formidable naval
protection was attacked recently
by German submarines after it
entered the blockade zone" and
10 merchantmen, totaling $4,000
tons, and two eScorting destroy
ers were sunk, the German high
command announced today.
(Since communicates on U-boat
action usually are issued a few days
after operations are completed 1t
appeared unlikely that the torpedo
ing Yesterday of the United States
destroyer Kearny off Iceland could
have been even concomitant with
the attack on the convoy.
Germany considers waters
around Iceland as part of her
BLOCKADE zone" The kearny was
hit $50 miles southwest of Ice
land The communique ascribed
no nationality to the merchant
men and referred to the two war;
ships as enemy destroyers.")
Text Of Statement.
The announcement said:
"A strongly protected convoy en-
route to England from North Amer
lea was attacked by German subma-
rines after entering the blockade
zone.
In stubborn attacks lasting sew
eral days the submarines sank 10
enemy merchantmen, among them
three fully loaded tankers, totahns
10000 tons.
I'm a nocturnal fight with the
protecting vessels two enemy de-
stroyers were sunk"
Kearny Case Interesting"
Authorized German sources said
they found it interesting" that the
reported torpedoing of the United
States destroyer Kearny happened
at the very moment when the neu-
trality debate was at its height in
Congress.
Saying they had no information
from the German Admiralty on the
incident and thus no official reac-
tion could be given, they added that
President Roosevelt "and his whips
In Congress undoubtedly find the
incident most welcome in order to
hasten their aggressive program"
These sources then produced
collection of American editorial
comment and excerpts from speeches
by Secretary of the Navy Knox
which they said showed that the
american official policy is hanker-
ing after just such an incident to
support the administrations pro-
gram of running after war"
Neutrality Change "No Surprise"
DEPRESSING on the neutrality law
changes proposed by the American
administration, they said the Ger
man government was not surprised
in the least.
LAS we know the aims of Roosevelt
and his Jewish wirepullers, namely,
by every means possible to bring
about involvement both to help
Britains tottering prestige and to
incite the war spirit among the
American people, this request for
repeal of certain sections of the
neutrality law merely confirms our
sizing up of the Roosevelt admins
tration."
To a question whether in the Ger
man opinion this charge means that
America will become a belligerent,
the reply was I'VE won't do Roose-
velt the favor Of telling him what
We think about that"
Evening star., 1941-10-18
British Seek AmbuIunces

NEW YORK, Oct. 18 R.-Mem-
bers of the American field service
have revealed the British war Office
has called for 400 ambulances and
1000 drivers for the Middle Eastern
front and that the first contingent
of drivers would soon depart by
whatever means of transportation
is available"
Evening star., 1941-10-18
B. & O. Representative Dies

WILMINGTON, Del, Oct. 18 tP)
George w. Bumpas, Sc, of Will
mington, district freight representa-
tive of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road, died last night in Delaware
Hospital. He was stricken with ap-
pendicitis Monday and underwent
an operation.
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Nazis Doom More Czechs.

BERLIN, Oct. 18 (P).-A D. N. B
dispatch from Prague said today the
leading departmental adviser in the
Agricultural Ministry of Bohemia
Moravia, Franz Frolik, and several
other" Czechs, including five Jews.
had been sentenced to death on
charges of economic sabotage.
Evening star., 1941-10-18
18 Communists Are Shot
In DaImatia, Italy Says
BY the Associated Press.

by lHt hSSuCl8leu Press.
ROME, Oct. 18.-Eighteen alleged
Communists have just been shot on
conviction by special military courts
in Dalmatian territory annexed by
Italy after the war with Yugoslavia,
1t was announced officially today.
The announcement said these were
OF group of about 80 found guilty
Of grave crimes, killings and sabo-
tage." The sentences for the others
were not announced.
Evening star., 1941-10-18
Proposed Non-Defense Cuts
,v the ASsociated Press

BY the eASociat
following the reductions which would result
ecommendedby the Budget Bureau pu
effect
Evening star., 1941-10-18
5 Killed in Train Wreck.

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Oct. 18 (P.-
Five persons were killed and 40 in
jured in the wreck of a passenger
train between Mis- and Leskovac,
Serbia, last Wednesday night, it was
reported today.
Evening star., 1941-10-18

(See JAPANESE, Page A-6)
Evening star., 1941-10-18

(See CONVOY, Page A-3J
Evening star., 1941-10-18

(See WAR, Page A-3D
Evening star., 1941-10-18

(See TRAFFIC, Page ABB
Evening star., 1941-10-18

(See SENATORS, Page A-60
Evening star., 1941-10-18

Late news and sports are covered on
Pages TX and 2-X of this edition OF
The Star, supplementing the news Of
the regular home delivered edition.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-06-28
BY BILL CUNNINGHAM

An Imagination as elastic as
Herr Hitlers conscience cant Dc
stretched TO cover the sending Il
80 Young Americans % their
deaths in an antiquaied sardine
can such a. that rIckety Suhmo-
rinc 90 which dropped INTO that
deep hole off Portsmouth. y. 4.
We're vie-a-vis with crisis &c
cordng 10 a lot o. gents VINO
ought 10 know. and the navy my
have 10 move in and do the pre-
lminary body punching but even
If actual shooting were on. the
crisis still wouldn't BE- acute
enough 10 Justify that sort OF
performance.
That primitive relic Of the last
war had about as much business
in deep water as an electric light
bulb in a pressure machine II
they were going TO dive II al all.
they should have chosen the BED
a some not-too-deep river or
some shallow inlet such as the
closer reaches Of Buzzards Bay
Of Cape Cod
We've got 10 train m en- 81
course. but that's not training
tncm that's drowning them.
We of New England are pretty
sensitive 10 that type Of mar'na
horror story. They seem, unltr.