davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Four-A|arm Fire Rages
In Dry Cleaning Plant

Firemen battled a four alarm blaze
for an hour early today in a four
story brick building, part of the
Howard dry cleaning plant, in the
1900 block of South Capitol street.
Flames shot through the roof OF
the building and a pail OF smoke
covered the neighborhood. The fire
apparently was confined to the top
floor of the structure.
The first alarm was sounded short
" after / am. and three more fol-
lowed in rapid succession as the
flames spread through the rear of
the building, which is used for
laundry.
The alarm was sounded by a
passerby who saw flames in the
building and notified night watch
man. The watchman said he had
inspected that part of the building
about one hour earlier and had
noticed nothing amiss. 1t was said
there was no inf1ammable cleaning
fluid in the structure.
Plant Manager L. A. Cook of "a
Colesville road, Silver Spring, Md,
said the damage appeared to be
hee-'y but would make no estimate.
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Hit-Run Victim Waits
Half Hour for Ambulance

1t took 80 minutes last night to
get an ambulance to the scene of
an accident in which a man had
been critically injured by a hit
run driver, police reported.
Victim of the accident was Will
liam S. Hodge. IS, 1910 Monroe
street NV. He was struck at
Eighteenth street and Park road
by an automobile which sped on.
Police said a call for an Emer-
gency Hospital ambulance was
placed at 9:18 pm. When the hos
pital had failed to respond Is min
utes later, the victim was ordered
moved into a house by doctor who
passed the scene.
A call was put in to Casualty
Hospital. One Casualty ambulance
broke dowE en- route and a second
was dispatched. 1t reached the
scene at $50 pm.
Mr.. Hodge was said to be in criti-
cal condition at Casualty.
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Sea Otter Not Yet Put
In Discard; Further
Study Is Planned
Designer Is Ordered
To Capital After Senate
Unit ToIks With King
By GOULD LINCOLN.

The Sea Otter, 1,250-ton steel
cargo ship of radical design, is
to have another run for its
money.
Comdr. Hamilton V. Bryan, u S.
N, designer of the Sea Otter, has
been ordered to Washington to take
charge of further studies and plans
for this type of boat If it works
out, presumably mass production of
the craft will be undertaken to fill
the greet demand for bottoms.
President Roosevelt. it is reported,
has taken a keen interest in the
Sea Otter and its potentialities.
The new design boat. however,
has not been favorably regarded by
Admiral Emory S. Land, head of
the Maritime Commission, and by
supporters of standard-design ves-
sells, either cargo or naval.
Although the Sea Otter was de-
signed originally as a cargo vessel,
the President turned the expert
ment over to the Navy Department.
An 80-foot model was constructed
with private funds. A full-size YES
sci was then turned out in 80 days
by the Livingston Shipbuilding
Corp. in Orange, Tex. After receiv-
ing some tests, 1t was sailed to the
Charleston Navy Yard and has been
tied up there since.
A subcommittee of the Senate
(See SEA OTTER, Page A-8)
Evening star., 1942-03-15

Income tax payers thronged
through the Washington Office of
the Deputy Collector of Internal
Revenue last week at rate of
10000 in excess of the same week
year ago, it was learned last night.
More than $1,000 persons called to
get help in making out their returns
or to pay at least part of their tax
on 1941 incomes before the doors
closed at $50 pm.
Procrastinators planned week
end struggle with their returns to
beat the deadline which falls at
midnight tomorrow.
Meantime, at the Treasury De-
partment, officials expect to get ST.
750,000,000 of income taxes this
month from the country at large.
This would double any previous
monthly collection. But it would be
enough to pay for only one month
of war, at the current spending
rate, officials explained.
The collectors ofiice at Twelfth
street and Constitution avenue NV.
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Allies Reported Holding
Japs in North Burma

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 14.-Gen. H. K.
L. G. Alexander's British Army in
Burma and its Chinese allies were
reported in military circles tonight
to be holding the Japanese advance
to the north on the only two i'm
portant roads in the region.
The western section of the British
forces in Tharrawaddy, so miles
above Rangoon, was maintaining a
series of strong points against the
advance of the main japanese Army
toward Prone. This main enemy
force was reported as far as so
miles to the south, but it had patrols
strung out toward Tharrawaddy.
Some of these patrols we're in the
Taikkyi area 20 miles north of RAN
COON.
A communique said operations
"are proceeding satisfactorily in the
Nyanunglebib-Shwegyn" area, 10
mile front some 80 miles above
Rangoon, and east of Tharrawaddy.
1t is here, north of Pegu, that Brit
ish and Chinese troops have made
actual contact.
Evening star., 1942-03-15
1OGerman Warp|anes
Downed in Battles
Over English Channel
British Report No Losses;
Out Of 10 Enemy Craft
Destroyed in One Fight
Ry the Associated Press.

LONDON, March 14.-Terrific
air battles ragged over the Eng
lish Channel today, and when the
skies had cleared 10 German
planes had fallen and every Brit
ish fighter had returned un-
scratched to it's base.
The dogfghts followed by a few
hours a heavy night bombing of
Cologne, munitions center and
communications hub of the Ger
man Rhineland.
The Air Ministry told of one en-
counter in which out of 10 Mes
serschmitts, flying low over the
channel, were destroyed.
Terrific dogights in and out OF
the clouds were fought at heights
between 1000 and 1000 feet" the
ministry said.
Fight With Nine Planes.
while this fight was in progress
one section of the protecting squad
ron had a scrap of its own with
eight MesserSchmitt 109s and one
Focke-Wulf 109. One Messer-
schmitt was shot down into the sea.
When our aircraft landed it was
found that not one pilot had been
as much as scratched by a single
German bullet"
The tenth plane was destroyed in
an r. A. F. channel sweep.
Last night in the light of hun
dreds of fares" the British bombers
swooped over Cologne and dropped
a great weight" of explosives.
Many large fires sprang up in the
complex target area, returning
flyers said.
The r. A. F. stayed at home only
one night, Wednesday, during the
week. when weather kept the
bombers grounded. Besides Cologne
and Essen, Kiel and industrial CEN
ters of Paris have been struck
heavily.
The attack on Cologne, center of
a network of rail, highway and river
&C..
Evening star., 1942-03-15
By MIRIAM GUTENBERG.

The Nations No. hot potato"
dropped last night in the lap of
Federal Security Administrator
Paul v. McNutt with the disclos-
ure that the Physical Fitness Di-
vision had passed from the Office
of Civilian Defense to the Office
of Defense Health and Welfare
Activities by way of an executive
order.
o. C. D. Director James M. Lands
lost no time in making the an
nouncement that he had seen the
last of the Physical Fitness Divi-
sion.
While most officials, including Mr..
McNutt himself, assumed the long
rumored transfer was still in the
works at the Budget Bureau, Mr..
Lands came through with the an
nouncement that II have been in
Evening star., 1942-03-15
w. P. B. Branch Chief Resigns;
.Rops Lack of AHOut Effort
Two Key Assistants
Quit With Guthrie,
Effective at Once

With a graphically phrased
blast at conditions within the
War Production Board, Robert R.
Guthrie, chief of the textiles,
clothing and leather branch,
suddenly resigned his post yes
terday, along with two key mem
berS of his staff.
After rendering his resignation
effective Immediately to Donald
M. Nelson, w. P. B. chairman, Mr..
Guthrie issued this statement
through Marshall Hale, jr., deputy
chief, and George Doherty, his ex-
ecutive assistant, who also stepped
out:
Unfortunately there is still in the
War Production Board strong op-
position to really all-out effort to
speed conversion to maximum war
production.
1T is no longer possible for me to
push the conversion of all the in
duStries for which I am responsible
to full production of war materials
as rapidly as I think the war effort
demands"
Recalls His Service.
In the letter to Mr.. Nelson, Mr..
Guthrie, a director of Allied Stores,
department store chain; the White
Sewing Machine Co.. and Childs
Restaurant. recalled that he had
been chief of the textiles branch OF
o. P. M and w. P. B. since last
August, and that in January and
February he also had served briefly
as assistant chief of industry opera
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Late Income Taxpayers Throne
Deputy Collectors Office Here

will be open from $50 am. tomorrow
to midnight. The calendar day for
filing returns on 1941 income is
today, but because it is Sunday, the
limit is extended another "a hours.
Income tax returns from the Dis
trict may be sent by mail to the COL
lector of internal revenue at Balti-
more, who is in charge Of the COL
lection district including Maryland
and the District.
M. H. Magruder, collector, came
over from Baltimore yesterday after
noon to supervise the big rush of
business in the Office of the local
deputy, A. P. Rasin. He expressed
himself as we'll pleased with the
manner in which the crowds were
being handled by the local staff.
George ]. Schoeneman, deputy COM
missioner of internal revenue in
charge of collectors offices, con-
ferred with both Mr.. Magruder and
Mr.. Rasin late in the day.
At the Treasury Department 1t
(See TAXPAYERS, Page A-3)
Evening star., 1942-03-15
10000 Nazis Killed
In 5 Days in South,
Russians Claim
Vast Supply Stores
Declared Seized or
Destroyed by Reds
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MOSCOW, March 14-Soviet
armies of the south and south
west have killed 10000 Germans
and captured or destroyed vast
stores of food, clothing and war
supplies in five days of savage
fighting over battlefields churned
into quagmireS by thaWing snow
and ice, the Russians announced
tonight in a special communique.
Nazis were slain at the rate OF
1000 a day in the area extending
from the Ukraine to the Crimea be-
tween March 7 to II. said the an
nouncement, which followed by "a
hours another special communique
telling of the annihilation of $4,000
Germans in Is days of fighting on
the northwestern front.
The ferocity of the fighting was
emphasized by the statement that
only 539 Germans were taken pris-
oner.
Tonight,s announcement said
booty captured by Marshal Semeon
Timoshenkos men included more
than 1000 guns and pistols. 10000
shells, nearly 100000 cartridges,
%, 500 mines, 1000 grenades, q radio
stations, Is caches of tank and in
fantry mines, 10 ammunition dumps,
u clothing and IA food depots.
Listed as destroyed were AZ block
houses, AZ tanks, 686 trucks and
wagons loaded with supplies and 260
machine guns and trench mortars.
Toll In Northwest Stressed.
Front-line dispatches stressed
particularly the heavy toll being
levied on the invaders northwest of
Moscow. The area in which the
army communique listed $4,000
Nazis dead was identified by au-
thoriative sources as the Staraya
Russa zone where the battered Ger
man 10th army is held in the
teadily-tightening jaws of a steel
trap.
One Soviet detachment alone was
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Physical Fitness Unit of 0. G. D
Is Transferred to McNutt

formed that the President has ap-
proved the agreement between Mr..
McNutt and me transferring activ-
tiles of the Physical Fitness Division
from this Office to the Office of De-
fense Health and Welfare Activ-
tiles"
The President chose the exact
moment when the Physical Fitness
Division, which bounced into the
news on the dancing feet of Mayris
CLANCY, since resigned, was drawing
concerted fire from Capitol Hill.
Said Mr.. McNutt:
Until I have had an opportunity
to study the Physical Fitness Once
and its budgetary requirement, I
will have to withhold comment on
its operations"
Apropos OF "budgetary require
ments," Senator Byrd, who. as
sea ANnTC paop A.2O
Evening star., 1942-03-15

tions supervising the food supply,
consumer durable goods and furni-
ture branches.
1T had been my conviction that
the objective of each of these
branches was and is to effect a suf-
ficient supply of materials to meet
the requirements of the war ef-
fort" the letter said.
In the execution of these duties
as branch chief and assistant bur-
eau chief, I have always attempted
to attain this objective, as quickly
and as fully as possible. without re-
gard for any special interest, and
to apply to the problems of these
branches the principles of uncom-
promising devotion to the, war ef-
tSee GUTHRIE, Page ABB
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Sales Tax Favored
In Poll Of Senate
Finance Committee
Approval Is Qualified,
But Only Lo Toilette
Is FIotIy Opposed
BY the Associated Press.

BY INT Associated PreSS.
A majority of the Senate
Finance Committee expressed
qualified approval yesterday Of
a sales tax as a means of raising
part of the s70OO,O0O,O00 addi-
tional revenue being sought to
aid in financing the war effort.
While most members said much
would depend on prior House &C
ton, an informal canvass by the
Associated Press showed IA Sena-
tors were willing under certain con-
ditions to impose general sales levies.
Six of these made it plain, however
they were prepared to follow such
course only if they became con-
vinced that present methods of tax
alton would not yield sufficient rev.
enues.
Against this, only Senator La Fol-
lette, Progressive, of Wisconsin,
among the q members fatty op-
posed a sales tax under any circum-
stances. Senators johnson of Colo
RADIO, Guf1ey of Pennsylvania. Gerry
of Rhode Island and Bailey of North
Carolina, all Democrats, refused to
commit themselves and Senators
Lodge, Republican, and Walsh.
Democrat, of Massachusetts could
not be reached.
House May Favor Levy.
There have been indications re-
Gently that members of the House
Ways and Means Committee might
turn to a sales levy as partial sub
stitute for the stiff increases recon-
mended by the Treasury in in
dividual and corporate income taxes.
Taking cognizance of this trend,
Chairman George of the Senate
group said that if the House COM
mittee voted for sales tax he would
support it, although he personally
favored a direct tax at the source
on wages, dividends, interest, rents
and other income.
IT think it will be necessary to
go to some form of special tax such
as sales levy or withholding tax
in order to obtain the entire $1,000
100000 in new revenues the Treas
ury has requested" Senator George
added
Vandenberg Favors Plan.
Senator Vandenberg, Republican,
of Michigan said he was enthusias-
tically in favor of a retail sales tax
and estimated that per cent gen.
eral levy, with per cent on food.
would bring in approximately
$4,000, 100000. Similarly. Senator
Herring, Democrat, of Iowa said
he regarded a sales levy as the
fairest kind of tax, adding that it
would go long way toward pre-
venting inflation-a view Treasury
officials have disputed.
Senator Brown, Democrat, of
Michigan proposed a graduated levy
similar to the English system. with
small tax on necessities, a sleeper
levy on semi-necessities and dras-
tic taxation on luxuries. Senator
Smathers, Democrat. of New Jersey
said he intended to urge the Senate
committee to explore the possibili-
ties of the sales tax thoroughly.
adding that he hoped it would be
adopted.
Opposing steep income tax boosts,
Senator Taft, Republican, of Ohio
said he believed the necessary
money could be raised more equi-
tably by sales or withholding levies.
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia said he would be for a sales
(See SALES TAX, Page A-3D
Evening star., 1942-03-15
JapP|anesRai
Isles 80 Miles
Off Australia
Attack by Bombers
May Be Prelude to
Invasion Attempt

By the Associated Press.
MELBOURNE, March 14-Jap-
aneSe bombers raided islands
only 80 miles off the north
eastern tip of Australia today
in a possible softening-up pre-
lude to an invasion attempt
against the commonwealth
mainland from neWly-Won bases
in New Guinea.
The attack, on a small scale, was
aimed at islands in the vicinity of
Thursday Island which lie like
stepping stones across the l00-mlle-
wide Torres Strait between Australia
and New Guinea.
The raided islands lie opposite
Port Moresby, on the Southwest
New Guinea coast. which has been
the target OF repeated japanese air
attacks 1t is some 270 miles across
the Coral Sea from Cape York,
northeasternmost tip of Australia.
The japanese have gained foot
holds at Salamaua and Ale, on the
Southeastern New Guinea coast,
about 400 miles from the Australian
mainland and today's raiders may
have come from those bases.
Australians Pound Bases.
The Australians, keeping sleepless
vigil along her threatened shores,
themselves struck back at japanese
springboard positions in the Com
monwealths outer defenses.
Bombers inflicted heavy damage
on grounded aircraft in an attack
on the Japanese-held airdrome at
Rabaul in New Britain, destroying
probably three planes and damaging
10 others with a heavy explosion
in their tightly packed concen-
tration.
Port Moresby was attacked
by Japanese flyers using cannon
and machine gun fire yesterday,
but the only casualties cited in the
r. A. A. F. communique was a leg
wound suffered by an Aussie flyer.
Looking to America.
The sparsely settled continent
looked more and more to the United
States for a decisive tip of the
scales against Japan.
tOfflcial Washington and Aus
tralian reports of the preliminary
battle for Australia have dis
closed that United States bomb
ers are in the forefront of the
aerial counterattacks against
the enemy. There also has been
unmistakable evidence of a gen.
eral and even pictorial nature
that other United States effec-
tives, both military and naval,
have arrived since mid February
in various parts Of Australasia
and that the United States Pa
cific Fleet is hard at work eStab-
fishing and holding the long sea
communications between the
continents)
Prime Minister John Curtin spoke
last night of the United States, in
stead of Great Britain, as the para
mount factor" for the democracies
as far as this country is concerned
His address was interpreted as
a sharp reminder of the growing i'm
portance of the United States war
effort in this critical theater.
Now that the war no longer is
remote and this country has become
invasion conscious, high officials
were resorting to a keen argument
(See AUSTRALIA, Page A-4)
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Friendly Planes Cause
Honolulu Ruid Alarm
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
HONOLULU, March 14-Friendly
airplanes approaching the Hawaiian
Islands today precipitated the fourth
afraid alarm in Honolulu since the
war began.
The alarm came abruptly at 9:46
am. (3:16 pm. Eastern war time).
About an hour later, the all-clear
signal was sounded when the ap-
preaching aircraft were identified as
friendly. It was the third alarm In
three weeks.
Evening star., 1942-03-15

Health department, survey Ol
officials disclosed yesterday.
Health Officer George C. Rutland
and other members of the Health
Department staff expressed conf
dence that a large percentage of
defects of coming generations of
soldiers and civilians can be rene
died by an extended program of
school medical inspection and fol-
low-up of defects noted.
Educators of the country have
been told bluntly by military au-
thorities that increased emphasis
Evening star., 1942-03-15

on physical fitness is essential to
put the American boy on a physical
par with his Axis opponent.
The Office of Civilian Defense is
beating the drums for physical fit
ness all over the country. Despite
all this. only one District public high
school is operating a full-fledged or
ideal" physical education program
and the average high school boys get
only about two periods a week Of it.,
according to Hardy Pearce, acting
(See PHYSICAL FITNESS. Pg. A-8.)
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Capitol of California
Surprised by Snowfall

By the Associated Press.
SACRAMENTO, Calf, March IA.
Snow, hail and sleet fell on Cali
fornia's surprised capital city for
more than an hour and a half today.
It. was the first snowfall since
January, 1892. Excited children
threw snowballs and made snow
men. The fall totaled two inches.
Evening star., 1942-03-15
For q Stronger America
For q stronger America
Schools, Not O. c. D., Called
Best Physical raining Agency
Officials Urge Broader Program to Put
Nation on Par With Axis Foes
By JOHN w. THOMPSON, Jr.

Why physical training schools where
it belongs, and forget the O. c. D.?
Army rejection of District for any of dozen physical
defects bad teeth disease. be materially
reduced stepping the physical education in the
expanding school medical services of the
Evening star., 1942-03-15

(See JAVA, Page A-40
Evening star., 1942-03-15

The Evening and Sunday Star is
delivered in the city and suburbs at
75c per month. The Night Final
Edition and Sunday Morning Star at
85c per month.
Evening star., 1942-03-15
Weather Forecast

Somewhat warmer today with gentle
winds. Temperatures yesterday-High-
est, SO, at pm; lowest, Al, at 1880 am.
From the United States Weather Bureau report.
Full Details Pase Al.
Evening star., 1942-03-15

tSee RAIDS, Page A-3D
Evening star., 1942-03-15

(See RUSSIA, Page A-7D
Evening star., 1942-03-15

(see TAXPAYERS, Page A-30
Evening star., 1942-03-15

(See GASOLINE, Page Aid
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-16
DRIVERS IN RUSH
FOR REGISTRATION
II Temporary Offices to
Be Opened Tomorrow to
Relieve Congestion

| Although drivers of this area APP
piled for registration renewals num-
bers today than In any day of the
current period. Mrs. Alice Bradley,
manager of the local sub-office of
the state motor vehicle department,
reiterated hr belief that the last
minute rush will be terrific unless the
tempo is increased during the next
couple of days.
Tomorrow morning twelve tenn
perary offices will be opened
throughout the state for the con-
venience of car owners who live at
a distance from the regular sub
Offices, according to Commissioner
John T. Mccarthy. The latter point
ed out that present. registrations
expire at midnight February 30
Mail application should be address
ed to the main office at Hartford.
Sub-branches for this area are
Bristol, city hail., Canaan, Garfield
inn; and Torrington, state armory.
The following towns are covered
by the Waterbury branch: Thorn
aston, WATERFOWL, Waterville, Oak
vile, Bethlhem, Middlebury, South
Middlebury South Britain Oxford
Woodbury., Naugatuck, Beacon Falls,
Union City, Cheshire and West
Cheshire.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-16
TWO YOUNG GIRLS
HELD BY POLICE
Apprehended in COnnec:
ton With House Break
on North Main Street

Two girls, ages IA and Is, were
turned over to juvenile probation
authorities for later hearings after
they were taken into custody Fri
day night by Detective Lieut.. Joseph
Bender who investigated the house
break at 2046 North Main street
which is occupied by Arne Nilsson.
Lieut.. Bender said that Mr.. Nil
son left the apartment Friday after
noon during which time the two
minor girls apparently entered.
The two girls, who had previously
left their home, were sleeping at IS
Center street in a vacant apart
ment, Lieut. Bender reported.
About $3.50 in defense stamps
and a Bulova watch was taken
from the apartment in addition to
other articles, which were found
when the two girls were picked up
Friday night. Total loot came to
about $40, Lieut. Bender said. The
detective said the defense stamps
and watch were not on the posses
sion of the girls when he picked
them up.