davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Thousands of Gifts Heoped
In Lobbies at ToyMotinees
Children Flock to II Theoters Bearing
Presents for Citys Needy Youngsters

have money to buy a toy for the
matinee. Grinning, boy walked in
with the doll. The woman explained
she did that every year.
Another woman sat in the lobby
of the Uptown Theater watching the
children going in. She explained
that she buys about 80 toys each
year for children to take to the Toy
Matinees and gives the children a
nickel for an ice cream cone after
the show. This is the first time,
however, that she had gone to Toy
Matinee herself.
One theater manager greeted
many of the children by name. He
commented that some of the chill
dren who had gone to the first Toy
Matinee II years ago had grown up
and we're still coming.
Another theater manager declared
the toys this year were bigger and
better than ever.
A lighted Christmas tree was sur
rounded by toys at the Ambassador
Theater and they also were piled on
the floor. Among them were toy
piano, drum, dolls, scores of different
games. Invisible under their gay
wrapping were several marked "boy,
size 8" or Merry Christmas to a
little girl.
Cash gifts, meanwhile, were being
received by The Star. AS the money
comes in, it is sent to the Christmas
Bureau of the Council of Social
Agencies for distribution to needy
families with children.
Toys to Be Sorted.
After the matinees, Star trucks
were to speed the toys to Linthicum
Hall, Thirty-escond and o streets
NV, the toy center for the Christ
mas Bureau Of the Council of Social
Agencies. There the toys will be
sorted and sent on their way te
needy boys mad girls.
At each theater where "toy matt
nee" was held, the film was pro-
jected through the courtesy Of
Washington Local, No. 224, of the
Motion Picture Operators Protective
! Union.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Far East
Continued From First Page.)

sunk in Japanese air attack off the
Malayan coast December 10.
A telegraph message this morn
ing from Sir Mark Young, Brit
ish governor and commander in
chief, that operations were pro-
ceeding, was London's first direct
word in "a hours from the be-
leaguered island.
The Colonial Office in London
issued the following statement:
THE Governor of Hong Kong re-
ported by telegraph this morning
that operations are proceeding on
the island.
THE Governor wishes 1t to be
known that the japanese story that
he left the island is entirely false"
The Berlin radio declared yester-
day Sir Mark had escaped from the
island but the Colonial Office
promptly spiked the report by an
nouncing it had been in communi-
cation with him only that morning.
The message today was the first
to be announced from Hong Kong
since then.
Of the fighting on the Malay
peninsula, a military commentator
in London said Slight further
withdrawal in Northwestern Malaga
was carried out by our troops with
out interference from the enemy"
The latest withdrawal, he said,
had taken the British we'll south
from the Krian River but the pre-
else point reached was not disclosed.
Penang Evacuated.
The commentator said the British
withdrew at their leisure" from
the island city of Penang, Malay
Straits Settlement city which had
been isolated by the japanese and
that "only those Europeans were left
who wanted to stay"
All desirable demolition and de-
struction of stores were accom-
plished before Penang was evac'
uated, he added.
Japanese imperial headquarters
announced today that Penang was
occupied last night and that the
advance on the adjacent mainland
continued.
A communique issued at Singa-
pore said the situation was quiet
and reported air force reconnais-
sance over Japanese-held territory
and the China Sea.
The communique said there was
no action except for clash in the
northeast Perka area, where British
forces killed more than go Japanese
at cost of Is casualties to them
selves.
The last Americans and many
British civilians from Penang ar.
rived in Singapore yesterday. II
the party was United States Consu
Robert Streeper of Columbus, Ohio
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Manila
Continued From First Page.)

Vigan and Legaspi areas of Luzon
island, where the Japanese have
landed troops, but no details were
given.
The first communique on the Da-
vac fighting said:
TT has been reliably reported that
the Japanese are landing in force at
Davao and heavy fighting has been
going on all morning."
Quezon Asks Quick Aid.
At a cabinet meeting last night,
President Manuel Quezon outlined
a program of civilian welfare and
defense. This included construction
of air raid shelters and formation
of labor battalions Immediately and
use Of S10,0O0,000 emergency fund
granted by President Roosevelt.
In a broadcast to the United
States President Quezon declared
that materials, equipment and sup
plies were indispensable to the de-
tenders of the Philippines and these
must be forthcoming from the
United States"
He said time is of essential i'm
portance for any assistance that
will come from the United States"
Il am sure that the Government
of the United States is fully aware
Of the situation and will give us
much assistance without delay"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Congress Votes Higher
Sugar Benefit Payments

BY the Associated Press.
Congress passed yesterday and
sent to the White House a sugar
control bill whose sponsors esti-
mated it would increase benefit pay
ments to producers by s10,0O0,000.
The bill would extend quota and
processing tax provisions of the
1887 Sugar Act for three years to
December 81, 1914. Basic benefit
payments would be increased one
third-from 60 to 80 cents hun
dredweight-and extended to Vir-
gin Island producers. In addition.
the measure embodies child labor
regulations hitherto contained in
separate legislation.
Senator OMahoney, Democrat, Of
Wyoming, author of the measure,
estimated benefit payments under it
would amount to S59,000,000 an
nually, instead of the present s49,-
100000.
Funds for the payments are raised
by one-half cent processing tax
on raw sugar. This tax brought in
about s66 100000 last fiscal year,
giving the Treasury a net profit of
about $17,000000. Senator O'Ma-
honey estimated that receipts from
this source would total about $780,
600, 1000 in the new year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Transfer of Patent Office
To Affect 10000 in Capital
Attorneys, Seorehers and Clerks Depend
On Records to Earn Their Living

Most of the models submitted by
inventors in past years have either
been sent to the National Museum
or returned to inventors, it was ex-
planned. The Patent Office has few
models in its files today.
Under the law, suits filed by In
ventors against the commissioner
of patents must be tried either in
the District Court or the Court of
Customs and Patents Appeal. Trans
fer of the Patent Office to New York
would disrupt patent litigation, it
was pointed out, and make it neces-
sary for members of the legal staff
of the Office and the lawyers in
volved to commute between Wash
ington and New York.
Printing Problem Involved.
Under the law, official Patent Of
flee documents must be printed at
the Government Printing Office
Transfer of the Patent Office to
New York, officials said, would thus
complicate the printing problem.
Patent Office officials were study
ing today the problem of transfer
ring files, records, and physical
equipment to New York. 1t was
estimated that this might cost as
much as 100000.
A large part of the work of the
Office now relates directly to nation
al defense. Patent Once experts are
in conference daily with officers OF
the War and Navy departments
and representatives Of other defense
agencies, such as o. P. M. Removal
of the Office to New York, it was
pointed out, would make it much
more difficult for experts of the Of
fee to carry on their defense activi.
tjes
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20

approximately 10000 Washing
tonians will be affected, either di-
rectly or indirectly, by the proposed
transfer of the Patent Office to New
York, Patent Off1ce officials esti-
mated today.
In addition to more than 1850
employees of the Patent Office, and
600 or 200 patent attorneys, there
are many hundreds of searchers
and stenographers employed in ex-
aiming and copying records of
the Patent Office Printing and
photographing documents, provide
employment here for another siz-
able group.
Including their families, Patent
Office officials estimate that 10000
persons in the Metropolitan Area
are dependent, in part or entirely,
on the activities of this Federal
| agency.
Transfer Of the records to New
York will be big job, it was pointed
! out today. In the basement of the
Patent Office are 1900 cases of
current records. Each case weighs
$500 pounds, and each contains
approximately three tons of records.
If the Patent Office is moved to
New York City, these records also
must be transferred. -~-
The examiners records and those
In the scientific library must like
wise be moved These have a volume
approximately as large as the other
records. The Patent Once library
is the largest patent library in the
world. containing several hundred
thousand books and other printed
items. 1t contains also copies OF
foreign patents.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Soldier Is EIectrocuted
On Pennsylvania Engine

BY the Associated Press.
HARRISBURG. Pa. Dec. pa
soldier was electrocuted early today
atop an electric engine of the Penn
sylvania Railroad between PaoH,
Pa, and Harrisburg.
Identified through an Army tag
as Nathaniel Richmond, about "a,
the victim was found when the
engine was inspected here.
Engineer A. Anthony, Philadel-
phia, and Oiler E. F. Harrigan,
Gainesville, Pa, told Coroner Earl
H. Grim they noticed a momentary
break in power as the locomotive
pulled away from Paoli at Las am.
Mr.. Grim assumed a short circuit
resulted when the soldiers body
came in contact with high-voltage
wires.
The commanding officer at Fort
Bragg, N. c., informed Mr.. Grim by
| telephone that Richmond had been
on guard duty at Marcus Hook, near
| Chester. Pa, since outbreak of the
war with Japan. Marcus Hook au-
thorities reported he had widowed
mother living in Cairo, Ill.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Communique
Its. WeIch and Taylor
Are Awarded D. S. C.s

War Department communique No
19, issued late yesterday, tollo1Ds::
|. Hawaii-The War Depart
ment today announced awards OF
the Distinguished Service Cross
to Second Its. George S. WEIGH
and Kenneth M. Taylor, Air
Corps, United States Army, for
extraordinary heroism IL. action
during the Japanese attack on
the island of Oahu on December
7, 1941.
These awards are the first of
number to be given for herolsm
In Hawaii and the Philippines
during the present conflict. The
others will be made in the near
future.
1t is the policy of the War De-
partment to award decorations
for gallantry in action as prompt
ly as possible.
2. Philippine theater - Enemy
patrols increased their ground
operations.
The teri of War Department com
nuniQue No. 20, issued Just betor
noon today, reads: -
Philippine theater-No details
are yet available concerning the
reported landing operations Of the
japanese at the port of Davao
on the island of Mindanao in the
southern extremity of the Philip
pine archipelago.
Under authority recently grant,
ed him by the Secretary of War,
the commanding general of the
United States Army forces in the
Far East has awarded the Dis
tinguished Service Gross to Is
officers and enlisted men for ex-
traordinary heroism in action.
There is nothing to report con-
corning enemy operations in
other areas.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Letter From Troops
Thanks Roosevelt
For Draft Law

BY the Associated Press.
KEESLER FIELD, Miss, Dec.
20.-A wartime letter to the
White House:
Dear Mr.. President:
"A lot of us, a year ago, might
have done a lot of gripping about
service in the Army. We were
slightly confused. But we want
you to know that December 8,
l941, is an important date to
us. : We are determined, set
for business. We want to do
our part. And we will. . We
also want to thank you, sir, to
man, for the Selective Service
Act. We thank God we have
had training. - We are happy
that Pvt. Joe, 194l variety, has
an opportunity to earn, a
chance to prove, his birthright.
1--WE know we'll win.
"(Signed
THE MEN OF KEESLER
FIELD"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Cream Of Society
In Japan Serves
In Air Forces
Most of Pilots Speak
English; Navy Outronks
Army Socially
BY FRANK L. MARTIN
Wide World News.

NEW YORK, Dec. 20.-Japan's
youthful flyers are the cream OF
Nippon society.
Nearly all the japanese pilots have
been educated in colleges in Japan
or abroad. Most of the members Of
the air force speak English.
They receive the best equipment
the Japanese Navy has to offer.
They are better fed and taken care
of than members of any other
branch of the service.
The air force is under the navy.
The army has but few old planes
that seldom have taken part in
action even in the four years Of
fighting in China.
Navy Outranks Army.
Socially, the japanese Navy out
ranks the army in Japan. A
japanese soldier seldom is seen in
the company of naval men in pub
lie.
Only high army officers are in
vited to naval gatherings. Even in
the ports of Southern China and
French Indo-China, far from home,
the men in the two services do not
fraterniZe.
There also is a distinct differ
ence between members of the Jap
anese air force and army and naval
personnel. Japanese boys who are
flying and navigating planes are
modern and much like college boys
in America.
Many Attended U. S. Schools.
They often have brought their
bombers down on military field
after an attack on some Chinese
city, make a hurried report, then
stripped off their coats for a game
of basket ball or baseball, their
favorite sport.
Many of the pilots attended
schools in America and England
and have returned to Japan in re-
cent years. They found business
slowing down and found it hard to
fit into Japanese ways of life after
living abroad. Forced to join the
army or the navy, they chose the
air arm of the navy because it was
more modern and offered the great
est opportunity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Army Will Rush Call
For Younger Troops,
Reynolds Predicts
Legislation to Broaden
SeIective Service Goes
To White House

Thwarted by Congress in It's plan
for drafting men under 20, the Army
will rescind recent orders against
volunteer enlistments and go after
the younger men, an informed SEN
ator predicted today.
THE Army has made it plain that
1t wants younger men," said Chair
man Reynolds of the Senate Military
Affairs Committee, land I am sure
that 1t will begin recruiting them
Immediately"
His comment was given reporters
as final preparations for drafting
men from 20 through A years old,
approved by both houses yesterday,
awaited President RooSevelt's sigma
ture on the enabling legislation.
The presidential signature, officials
said, will set in motion the ma
chinery for registering-probably at
separate times-of men 20 and 81
who have not yet been listed, and of
men from So through A.
Registration Plans.
This registration probably will not
take place for several weeks, selec-
tive service heads said. 1t will be
followed by registration Of the 18-
through-19 and the 45-through-64
age classes, groups which are not
subject to compulsory military serv-
ice under the Draft Extension Act.
This general enrolment of the
younger and older men was recon-
mended by the War Department
and accepted without opposition
by Congress for two reasons:
To make available a complete in
ventory of the Nations man power,
and for the psychological advantage
of emphasizing that the Nation as
a whole is part OF Americas battle
against Axis aggression.
Counting the 17,500,OO0 men who
already have registered between 81
and IS, the new bill will result in a
total registration Of 100000 men
between 10 and "a.
The exact number who will be
found available for active military
duty between 20 and "A depends on
the number who will have to be de-
ferred for physical reasons, essential
employment, or because of depend
ents. It is believed, however, this
age range will provide a pool from
which an Army of more than $780,
600 could be raised if the exigencies
of the war require it. Recent con-
gressional hearings place the pres
ent number under training at 1,800,-
600, and the Third Supplemental
Defense Appropriation Act, just
signed, carries maintenance funds
to bring the enlisted strength Of the
Army up to 100000.
Have Air Needs in Mind.
In giving swift approval to the
new selective service plan, men,
bers of Congress had in mind also
the need of building up Americas
flying forces to man the Nations in
creasing output of plane production.
Brig. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, d.
rector of selective service, empha-
sized in his testimony that there is
no thought "in the selective service
system to rush Historically to clas-
sify everybody in Glass l."
The purpose in fixing broad regis
tration limits was to give the War
Department q framework around
which it could plan in advance for
any contingency that may develop
to insure victory in the present
struggle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Defense Plant Wrecked
By Fire; Suspect Held
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEWARK. N. j., Dec. 20.-A three
alarm fire today destroyed the plant
of the Steel & Alloy Tank Co, and
seriously delayed a 100000 Govern
ment defense contract for large
stainless steel tanks.
A company spokesman expressed
doubt of sabotage, but police took
into custody a North Bergen man
after motorist had reported seeing
three men run from the plant, one
carrying a can, and get in an auto
mobile.
Five firemen and two hitch-hiking
soldiers were injured in col
lision between a hook-and-ladder
truck and a truck-trailer after the
fire. One fireman was in critical
condition.
Charles P. Vincent, vice president
of the tank firm, estimated the prop
erty damage at 100000.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Hitler
Continued From First Page)

chances of victory were on the Axis
side, but implied that the chances
of any further lightning marches
were ended.
Long War Forecast.
Zone day the hour will come when
the adversary gets groggy," DR.
Goebbels wrote. When that hour
will arrive nobody can tell
The article dealt with the Far
Eastern conflict and the Axis
chances against Britain and the
United States.
References to a long war have
been frequent in most of the Ger
man press in the last few days,
some saying the conflict would last
from to 10 years.
I'VE do not underestimate the
remaining possibilities of England
and America" the propaganda min
lister wrote.
I'VE have frequently pointed out
that the colossal extent Of both
these world empires cannot be
broken in days, weeks, or even
months. We must compose ourselves
for a hard and bitter battle.
Sees Certain Reverses.
an this battle there certainly Will
be an eternal up and down in which,
under the circumstances, we will not
be able to avoid certain reverses.
But that is not the deciding issue.
The decisive issue is that by far
much better chances lie on the side
of the Axis and that their leader
ship will not hesitate to use them
GA Berlin broadcast quoted the
commentary Dienst aus Deutsch-
land as saying clear evidence OF
the cooperation of the European
Axis powers and Japan was al
forded by Italian-German &C
tivity in North Africa to keep
large British forces engaged)
DR.. Goebbels declared that British
and American leaders had under
estimated Japan.
He said Germany was in better
position than in the third year OF
the World War, since France is
conquered, the Balkans are nc
longer a danger and former enc
mies-Italy and Japan-are now
allies.
Civil Difficulties.
Civil difficulties are equal on both
sides, he said, contending that if 9
potato crop is poor in Germany il
is also poor in England; that Eng.
land also has queues before cigar
shops.
Certain foodstuffs can still bt
bought freely in England, he &C.
knowledged, but he asserted the
prices were prohibitive.
From a military point Of view,
he wrote, invasion is of course 9
difficult task. An English invasion
of the continent is still more diff
cult"
He commended that supply diff
culties favored Germany, since SHE
had a railway network over the
continent while England's channel.
were the sea.
Events are moving quickly anc
are ever changing" he warned
High watchfulness is necessary ant
leaders as well as the people mus
be constantly on guard"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Philippine Resistance
Is Being Smashed,
japanese Declare
Invaders Of Hong Kong
Reported Continuing
To Gain Ground
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
TOXIC, Dec. 20 (Oficial Radio
"A joint Army and Navy COM
munique announced today that Jap
anese troops had landed on the
Island Of Mindanao in the Philip
pines and declared they were
smashing enemy resistance.
The landing was effected at dawn
today and the situation is rapid
" turning in favor of the Japanese,
the communique said.
Domei News Agency reported that
British troops defending Hong Kong
still were offering resistance at varl-
GUS points around Victoria City and
that the guns on Victoria Peak were
replying internationally to japanese
batteries which have been ham
mering them for "a hours.
Huge fires, the news agency SAID
are raging in many parts OF VIC
toria.
Advances Reported.
japanese troops which LANDED on
Hong Kong Island yesterday were
W 6oAAA
and to be hopping up BRUSH
forces defending a chain OF fortl-
fications extending eastward from
Mount Davis.
Reporting on operations agalns'
the Philippines, naval communl-
que said that four japanese fighter
| planes had raided American all
bases at Delmonte yesterday, shoot
ing down six large planes and set
ting five others afire on the ground
(Gazeteers of the Philippines
fail to list Delmonte or any town
of similar name)
Two more American planes wer'
DESTROYED. a hangar was blown VI
and an oil depot fired in an attacl
the previous day on Iloilo, Pana.
Island, the communique said.
Full Conquest Expected Soon.
Domei indicated that full conques
of Hong Kong was expected toda
or tomorrow.
Exchange Telegraph, British
news agency, quoted a Toxic
broadcast in a declaration that
the remainder of the British gar
rison had been encircled on
Mount Victoria and that the rest
of Victoria had been occupied by
the Japanese
Domei forecast the rescue within
few hours of 40 japanese resident
of Hong Kong, including Consl
General Seiki Yano, who are believe
to be safe in British custody.
The Toxic newspaper Nichi Nici
said that guns of the Mount Dav
Fort as well as other British arti
lery positions were put out of actio
last night.
: Oil Tanks Burning.
Large oil tanks near the Take
docks have been burning sine
Thursday afternoon. it reported. dt
veloping huge clouds of smoke.
Nichi Nichi said fires also ha
largely destroyed the main office {
the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank
ing Corp.
Many trucks flying Japanese CO
ors are carrying disabled BIRTHS
troops through city streets from tn
fighting zone, the newspaper said.
Domei was quoted as saying ths
) the japanese in Hong Kong ha
captured % large oil dumps, mol
than 500 vehicles and supplies {
rice, -four and medicine.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-12-20
Edwin W. Preston Dies;
Was Advertising Official
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press.
BOSTON. Dec. 20-Edwin Wes-
ley Preston, SO, general manager OF
the Herald Traveller Corp, died to-
day in Beverly Hills, Calf.
A native of Wisconsin, Mr.. Pres
ton was a graduate of Wisconsin
Teachers College. In 1918 he took
up advertising work for the New
England publishers and two years
later became head of the automobile
advertising department of the Her
ald-Traveler. A year later he adj
vanced to advertising director OF the
papers.
He was elevated to general man.
ager in 1927. Ill health forced him
to relinquish active duties IN 1910
when he went to the West Coast.