davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
Local Plant Alleged To
Be Hiring Young Boys
Court Officials Here Have Heard Nothing From Labor
Com. Danaler About Any Prosecutions
Against Factory Owners

Local court officials said today
they had heard nothing from
Labor Commissioner Cornelius ].
Danaher with reference to plans for
the prosecution of local factory Of
flcials on charges of employing
school boys as young as IL years
old at night in violation OF the
child labor laws.
Commissioner Danaher told the
United Press at Hartford that he
was planning to ask for warrants
for the arrest of officials of a Wa
terbury foundry on information re-
ceived by him from school ohicials.
Prosecutor Frederick l.. Palomba
of municipal court said he would
be glad to cooperate with officials
of the labor department but added
that he had not been consulted.
According to Commissioners Dam
aher's statement the boys were paid
Is cents an hour Tor stripping -
emptying molds of hot metal with
crowbars.
Parents Complained
The foundry was investigated,
he said, on complaint of a parent
of one of the boys who said he
found him at work after 10 p. m,
A state law prohibits employment
of boys under l6 years, and under
10 years In hazardous occupations.
About a half dozen OF the boys,
said the commissioner, were IL, Is
and II years old.
(Continued on Page y
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
$50 GAS CARDS
ARE RETURNED
Registrars Who Had Se=
cured * Cards Have
Turned Them Back

More than $50 gas rationing reg
istrants who secured x cards, al
lowing unlimited gas purchases, re-
turned them last night and this
morning after warnings that such
cards were only for those in speci-
fically listed cAtegories and that
those who secured them Illegally
would face federal prosecution
Chairman George J. McDuff OF the
local rationing board said that he
had no complete figures but that
the estimate Of over $50 was mot
far off,"
Ration cards issued during the
three-day numbered about $4,000.
The Democrat estimated after an
unofficial survey. Official figures
were still being tailed. The survey
indicated that total rationing reg
istration would be far below the
pre-reg; stration estimates OF 10000
or more.
Were Not Questioned
Chairman McDuff said that car
owners turning in their x cards for
cards allowing leSser amounts We're
not questioned but were simply
given substitute cards. Some OF the
x registrants, he said. received
such classification through an nrlo-
cent misunderstanding OF the ra-
tioning provision. Others, he said,
knew they had violated the regula-
tons and turned the cards IN rather
than face prosecution.
Ten field investigators OF the Or
fee of Price Administration have
been assigned to Connecticut to
probe into false statements made in
securing x and BIS cards. They
will work under State OPA D!rec-
tor Chester Bowles.
A slight, but noticeable de:iine'
was seen in trafflc today as ration
ing regulations went into effect.
From today on. motorists can buy
gas only by presenting their ration
ing books. Authorities expected
that the trafIic and parking prob
lens will be alleyiated a great deal
more when gas tanks, most OF when
are now almost full. start getting
near the empty" mark.
stations Were damned
Gas stations were literally JAM
ed with customers up to closing
hours last night. Stations which
CONTINUED on Page %
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
New Russian Offensives On
Two Other Fronts Speed Up
Edward F. Lacasse Of Plainfield
Under $4,000 Bonds AS Firebug
Eight Counts Charged
Against Him for Costly
Forest CONGREGATIONS

Putnam, Conn.,, May 15-(UP)-
Edward F. Lacasse, 30-year-old
Plainfleld volunteer fireman, was
held in $4,000 bond for superior
court trial today on eight counts
of arson in connection with dis
asterous forest fires last month
along the Rhode Island state line.
Returned from Kingston, r. l.,
Lacasse was in custody on bench
warrants issued by Superior Court
Judge Ernest A. Inglis.
Lacasse may be presented before
Judge Inglis for trial next Friday,
according to court officials.
Rhode Island State Police Sergt.
Frank N. Kenny said Lacasse prob
able would be accused on about
eight charges In that state also, IN
connection with forest fires which
caused more than 100000 dam
age last month.
Lacasse, New Haven Railroad
foreman, was not put to plea to-
day.
Seven Of the arson counts con-
cerned fires during April and May
of this year, while one dated tc
Jan. 10, 1871, when he allegedlS
set fire to building owned by the
Dayville Grain g. Feed Co., a.
Plainfield. Lacasse repeatedly helped
fight this fire with other members
of the volunteer department Of
which he was a member.
Other Specific Counts
Other Specific counts In the war
rants were:
April S, firing a building owned by
William p. Babcock, Groton, and
used as headquarters for the Plain
field Social Club.
April %, firing a barn owned by
the Plainfield Corporation.
April 80, land fire on the property
of Thomas Cannon, Sterling.
April 30, land fire on the property
Continued on Page y
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15


Additional local draftees will
leave for the army very soon. To-
days group was from Board 15-A,
while Boards 15-B, 16-A and 16-B
have preparations completed for de-
parture Of their groups. The 15-A
continent today was approximately
equal to the largest number OF in
ductees ever sent by single local
board.
Formed On Field Street
Assembling at the City Hall, the
inductees formed ranks on Field
street and marched to the City Hail
behind the consolidated high school
band. Brief farewell exercises were
held, with Mayor Vincent A. Scully
praising the inductees as "a grand
bunch. He urged the men to write
home often, to see their chaplain
regularly, and to remember that
the folks at home will have them
always in their minds.
In contrast to other departures.
when there were no flags at the
station, today there was a flag
floating from atop the new pole and
another on the wall over the ticket
windows inside the station.
Service kits were distributed to
the draftees by Francis w. Orencole.
chairman Of the Servicemen's Com
mittee, assisted by Frank McGrath,
RAYMOND Burke and Mrs. Frank
McGrath of local community clubs,
and Mrs. Arthur L. Edmonds Of the
American Legion auxiliary.
Well Known Inductees
One member Of the contingent
John L. Donnelly of Orange street,
Continued on Page ~
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
MADELINE WEBB
IDENTIFIES GAG
Her Own Scarf Was Used
to SuffOCate Woman in
Murder Case
BY MARTIN KANE
United Press Staff Correspondent

@@s~N~
New York, May 5.-(UP)-The
detective who arrested Madeline
Webb testified today that the Okla
hona dancer had identified as her
own a Woman'S silk scarf which
formed part OF the gag used to
suffocate Mrs. Susie F. Reich, who
was slain in hotel suite occupied
by Miss Webb and her paramour.
Detective John Kaiser, who ar
rested Miss Webb and Eli 6honbrun,
her sweetheart, in Bronx boarding
house, six days after the murder
OF Mrs. Reich, also identified a dia-
mond which he said he had found
concealed In a pillow case IN the
apartment where the arrests were
made.
Kaiser was the first detective to
arrive at the scene of the Staying
on March 5, when lile body was dis
covered In q Sutton hotel suite
which Miss Webb and Sborbflxi
had occupiea Ior two weeks as "Mr'
and Mrs. Ted Leopold"
Witnesses have testified that Mrs,
Reich went 10 the Leopold" suite
about noon on March : TO keep
Continued on Page ~
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
YOUTH ESCAPES
AFTER Is HOURS
Imprisoned Under Boulder
ia Tunnel; Brave Kid
Said RescUers

Portland, Ore, May lb-tUPl-,,
Rescue squads pried l6-yeaF'old
Jimmy Harper out from under .
/ ,6O0-p0und Boulder IN . remote
tunnel OF Poglland's Rocky Bulls
early today, finally ansgsElss ms
Oft-repeRisd query OF How soon
you g0Da get me out Of bsreT'
The rescue ended l5.bollF im'
prisonmfnt during which Harper 7
Hill military academy cadet, le'
mained conscious and cheerful ne'
spite the crushing weight o. ule
rock On bis legs, lie WIS pinned
against the wall OF the tunnel about
q o'clock last night
The EAseleFs brought Harper lo
the surface on an lmpf0Vleea
stFeteher, and waiting phyklelahs
immediately administered anaeb'
thelics. A. Providence hospital, at
tendanls said u probably would not
be necessary 10 arnDniaie his legS,
Throughout the long night, HaFs
per, . resident of Yakima, Wash,
smoked cigarettes, drank black cot :
GC0ntlnned On Page %
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
GAS RATIONINC
BEGINS TO WORK
Officials Are Watching to
See Just How Much of
II Was 'Chiseling'
ny KILLER KRIEGHBAUM

United PreSS 6taW GOEhespVnue~V
washington, May is - lU.P0 =
Gasoline rationing began today IN
the east coast states as ofticials
worked on a tabuIation expected to
show the extent of "chiseling" en-
ployed by motorists in getting their
ration cards.
once of Price Administration
oficials said final returns on the
gasoline registration were needed
before they could decide on what
action, II any. to take toward re-
ducing the value OF the basic weekly
rationing unit, now three gallons.
Early returns showed q heavy de-
mand for TX" cards which permit
the unlimited purchase Of gasoline,
and for "B" cards which permit rel
atiyely high purchases. There were
some grounds for suspicion that
many entitled only to "A" or three
gallons-a-week cards had represent
ed themselves as Essential" TO get
higher ones.
Tle OPA decided that the three
Rall0n.h-Week ration could be met
(Contlnued on Page -
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
German Command Hurls
More Forces Into Breach
But Were Beaten Off
NEW AMERICAN TANKS
ARE in THAT FIGHT
German Forces Making
Strenuous Fight to Take
Kerch in Crimea
BY HENRY SHAPIRO
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent,

A~~A@~~NA - WV A1SeSAA SVAAN0AsWAAeASAAStt
Moscow, May IS. - (UP)
The Red Army has driven
across a water barrier before
Kharkov, POSSIBLY the Do
metz River), in a fierce battle
of tanks that opened big
holes in the German defense
line protecting the city, ac-
cording to military advices
reaching Moscow today.
New Russian offensives were re-
ported developing to the north
along the 1,800-mile front, between
Leningrad and Moscow, as the bat
tie for the narrow Kerch Peninsula
in the Crimea continued.
A large-scale battle Of tanks, per-
haps including new triple-turret
American tanks which the Russian
are using, was said to have occur
red along the water barrier outside
Kharkov.
After breaches had been driven in
the German line, the enemy rushed
up infantry reserves and mechan-
lied units supported by dive
bombers and attempted to counter
attack. The attack was thrown
back. however. with the destruc-
ton OF 20 Nazi tanks, it was said.
"a British broadcast recorded by
CHS, perhaps referring to the same
action, said the Russians had forced
their way across the Donetz River
and driven westward seven miles
toward Kharkov).
Front line dispatches to the Army
newspaper Red Star reported the
Russian forces ripping through
German fortified villages, smash
ing knots Of resistance and con-
tinuing their advance over fields and
along road strewn with the bodies OF
hundreds Of German dead, tanks and
guns.
Fresh Troops Repulsed
The German command threw
fresh troops into its lines into .
vain attempt to save the situation
by counter-attacks, it was said, but
the Russian drive steam-rollered
over them.
Bitter fighting continued through
out the night on the Kharkov front
and in the Kerch peninsula of the
Crimea.
Tanks, flame throwers, infantry.
Cosact 2yalry, under an umbrella
of yrmovik dive bomber and
fighter planes, swept through pill
boxes, earthworks and entrench-
ments before Kharkov.
Dispatches from the front re-
ported the Germans In disorderly
retreat, in some sectors. abandoning
huge stores OF equipment, gathered
for an offensive of their own.
The noon communique said two
Russian units, attacking On . nags
row sector, killed more than i,76o
Germans, captured $50, and took
eight German field guns, six ma
chine guns, two mortars, a radio
transmitter and . large quantity OF
assorted materials which are now
being counted.
In another sector, In a grim battle
of tank against tank, the Russians
forced O water barrier and wedged
into the enemy defense line.
Desperately, the Germans threw
q force Of light infantry tanks into
the breach,
American Tanks There
The great Russian tanks, possibly
including the new American triple
turreters, raked them with cannon
fire and knocked out 20 before the
lcontlnned on Page u
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
~ JOHN ", MECkLlh
United Press star Correspondent

Washington, May 10, - luP)
Half OF the men In the United
Blaies between ~ and 66 years VI
age viii be IN the armed forces ~
IN war Industries before the end Of
this gear u present plans progress
NJ scheduled, manp0weF 0ttlelalf
said to-day,
The task of moving 1880, 00l
workers lD 10 war production JOBS
to double the present number OF
war WogkeTs--is proceeding ~ an
average rate Of 2s000 . Day, they
said.
Achievement ~ the present goal
VIII leave only . few million Of The
adult male population IN Ta0ll"ess
senlial activities, and a great poFs
ilOn Of these will be- those ineligible
for armed service ~ war production
work
10 viii mean that hundreds OI
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
MEXICO ANCERED
BY AXIS BOMBING
Mexican Flag, Plainly
Marked on Vessels Side,
Hit First Shot
BY JOHN b. McDERMOTT
United Press STAFF COrreSpOnde

UNITED Press Stan Correspondent
Miami, Fla. May l5(UP)-An Axis
submarine that sank a medium-sized
Mexican freighter OFF Miami last
night aimed at a brightly illumi-
mated Mexican flag painted on the
vessels side, survivors said today.
TT was no mistake that torpedo
hit our ship" Julio Benavides, 80,
of Tampico, Mex, said. '"They must
be good shooters for they split our
flag ingoI They made a target OF
our flag"
Thirteen men were lost when the
vessel, the Portrero de Llano, burst
into flames and sank within sight OF
the Florida coast. Twenty-Five crew
members were saved. All deck Off
GERS were believed to have gone down
with their ship,
1t was the 18th torpedoing an
nounced by the Navy since May IN
which survivors have been landed at
Florida ports, TWenty-siK OF q crew
CONTINUED on Page ~
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
Yankee PLANES
HIT JAPS AGAIN
Two Key Enemy Bases in
Australia Are Smashed
By Our BOmberS
BY DON CAsWELL

UNITED Press STAFF Correspondent
Melbourne, Australia, May Is -
CUP. y United States planes in
new, heavy blows at two key enemy
bases have given Japanese invasion
preparations another setback and
administered a humiliating blow to
Japanese fighter planes which tried
to interfere, General Douglas Mac
Arthur said today.
The Allied planes, piloted by
Americans and Australians, dam
aged Japanese transport in an at
tack on shipping in Rabaul Harbor
New Britain Island, and shot down
seven of an interceptor feet of II
enemy fighters, without loss to
(Continued on Page ~
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15

recorded OuCSl0c enemy CerEhCOEyIs
Berlin, May 15-(UP)-(German
Broadcast Recorded by United Press
in New York)-TIle high command
said today that German warplanes
In a battle with "a United States
squadron" along the Allied Arctic
supply route to Russia sank 9.l00-
ton American cruiser, a destroyer,
an ice breaker and at least one
merchant ship.
The, attack against the Allied con-
voy enroute to Russia's Arctic port
of Murmansk was said to have been
carried out yesterday between North
Cape and Spitzbergen.
1.-THE German air force sank a
cruiser of the Pensacola class of
9,lO0 tons as we'll rs destroyer"
the high command said in a COM
munique. I'm addition, an icebreak-
err of 5000 tons and a merchant
ship of 1000 tons were destroyed.
A merchant ship OF 10000 tons was
so severely hit that it was left
burning from bow to stern"
LoY-fiying German fighter planes
were said TO have destroyed four
ships to.aling 1900 tons In "some
ports of EngIand's south coast" In
an attack Thursday evening, dodg-
log violent anti-aircraft fire and a
balloon barrage.
The high command said that only
Luftwsffe planes participated In
the attack on the convoy In the
Arctic.
Bombed TO Destruction
Several destrOyers, presumably
American, accompanied the cruiser
m, nanO
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
More City Youths
Leave Waterbury
For Training Camp
SeIective Service InduCtees in First Units of May
Quota Greeted By High School Band as They
Babe Farewell to Relatives

The first unit of Waterburys May quota OF Selectve
Service inductees left the Union Station for an army
reception center this morning relatives sweethearts and
friends waved farewell and band the first one on hano
in several months played patriotic airs Inougn tne
departure hour earlier than for past groups large
.I-zon- AZ hnaA
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
AIRuNES UNDER
CONTROL OF GOVT,
Half Of Their Planes Are
Ordered Into Military
Service Of Nation
Nv sAND0R 3, KLEIN

IUFNE#N FFFh8 WNWR aEWFFNNEEHIlHNWFT
Washington, May ID - W,PD -
CIVILIAN travel on commercial air.
lines was subjected 70 drastic cur.
tailmant today ~ the army assumed
virtually complete control over ~
alFllnss and ordered approximately
hall ~ their planes Into military
service, :.
The civil AeF0nRutles board Will
son announce o new route ana
service schedules that VIII eliminate
an Operations not considered eEsells
tlal 10 the war EFFORT
AIR mall service, the army said,
Wtll not be affected IL present on
iC0nlinund q, Page -
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15

gnselaI 6mmmee Sessions feg col
leee afaAenls and graduates, Post
gamier College et GemmeFee,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15
American Ships Sunk
Says Nazi Broadcast
Cruiser, Destroyer, Two Other Vessels in Allied Con
vOy Struck By Nazi Planes in Arctic; Ger
mans Nearing Kerch in Crimea

please note that the following
was not written or filed by a
United Press correspondent but is
an enemy government broadcast
recorded outside enemy territory.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15

CONTINUED on Page y
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-15

tcontinped on Page ~
Evening star., 1942-06-03
Purdue Eleven to Meet
Soldier, SuiIor Gridders
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LAFAYETTE. Ind, June 3.-Pur-
dues 10-game 1912 football schedule
was completed today with the
scheduling of a Thanksgiving Day
tilt with the Camp Shelby team at
Hattiesburg, Miss.
The Boilermakers also will play
the Great Lakes Naval Training
Station eleven. The game will be
played here.
The card:
September 26, Fordham here; Oc-
tober 3, Vanderbilt at Nashville,
Tenn; October 10, Northwestern at
Evanston; October IT, Ohio State
at Columbus, Ohio; october "a. Wis
consin here: october 81. Iowa at
Iowa City; November 7. Great Lakes
here; November IA, Michigan State
at East Lansing; November 81. In
diana here; November 26, Camp
Shelby at Hattiesburg, Mis-.
Evening star., 1942-06-03
Mexican Naval Personnel
Ordered 10 Stand Ready
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MEXICO CITY, June 3.-All
Mexican naval personnel was or
dered today to stand by for a call
to duty at any hour, while peasants
living along the nations sparsely
settled coastlines were instructed
to be on the alert against any
suspicious activity.
The country's second day at war
also found the government arms
plant working at full capacity, a
continued roundup by police of all
Axis nationals and further arrests
of persons charged with spreading
anti-war propaganda.
Meanwhile the nation awaited to-
nights radio address by President
Manuel Avila Camacho. Scheduled
for pm. I'll pm, E. w. t.. he
will outline Mexico's role as bel
ligerent.
Evening star., 1942-06-03
Masked Bandit Slain
Attempting HoIdup
OF Big Chicago Bank
Two Guards Wounded
As Guns BIuze in
Continental Illinois
By the Associated Press. .

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, June "a white
masked gunman as grotesquely
garbed as a clown was shot dead
today and two guards were
wounded in a brazen daylight
attempt to rob the Continental
Illinois National Bank & Trust
Co., fifth largest bank in the
Nation.
Hundreds of patrons witnessed the
heavy gunplay in the high-vaulted
marble lobby of the bank, situated
in the La Sale street financial dis
trict. 1t was a foredoomed attempt,
the first in the long history of the
Continental, which employs hum
dred guards, all excellent marksmen.
The slain man carried draft card
bearing the name Harry Karstens,
A, and showing that he registered
last February in Wasco. Greg. Other
papers he carried bore a Kansas
City, Mo, address
Guard Not Critically Hurt.
The y-fngered guards were
Thomas Lyons. shot in the left side
of neck, and John Whelan, wounded
in the right jaw. shoulder and back.
Mr.. Lyons condition was not re-
garded as critical.
Witnesses agreed the gunman
made an eerie appearance as he
stalked into the bank.
A white stocking cap. slitted for
the eyes, covered his face; white
gloves covered his hands; from his
neck was strung an overnight bag;
underneath his long topcoat was a
hunters coat. Valise and pockets
we're stuffed with $50 shells and
bullets. His weapons were shot
gun tucked under his arm, pistol
and a knife.
When the mask was removed after
the mans death his face appeared
to be heavily powdered.
Guards sprang to action when the
strange figure appeared President
James R. Leavell said the bank
sometimes carried as much as ST.
900 900 in cash ''in various places"
and that the wicket which the gun
man approached usually carried
from $4,000 to s75,Ooo
Unagreed on Details.
Witnesses could not agree on exact
details of the shooting, but it ap-
peared that one guard sighted the
gunman and approached him Aim
ing his shotgun at the guards vest
the gunman commanded:
Drop your gun"
The guard half drew it from the
holster, then jamned it back and
retorted. Il won't"
From the gunman's rear a second
(See ROBBERY, Page 2-XD
Evening star., 1942-06-03
CuItists Picket Jail Here
In Draft Arrests Protest

A group of more than Is colored
persons claiming to be MoSlemS were
picketing the District Jail today,
where several members of the faith
we're being held for failure to reg
lister under the Selective Service Act.
1t was said at the Jail that the
group, which wanted to be locked up
along with the other members, were
respectful and orderly" 1t was ex-
planned to the group that they could
not be locked up without a court
commitment order.
Latest word from the Jail, how
ever, was that the group decided
to continue the picketing.
Evening star., 1942-06-03
Five Charged With AduIterotion
OF Extracts for Service Posts

in interstate commerce. conspiracy
and conspiracy to defraud the Gov
ernment by obtaining payments on
fraudulent claims.
Named in the indictments were
the Plantation Extract Corp. New
York; Leon Juster. officer and part
owner; Albert Lind of Brooklyn,
another officer and partner of JUS
ter; Abraham Albart Hochman, a
Brooklyn chemist, in charge of a
testing laboratory at the Brooklyn
Army Base; Thomas Calvin, Rye.
n. Y, an inspector employed at the
Naval Clothing Depot. Brooklyn.
and Arthur C. Herbert, New Ro-
chelle N. Y. formerly the nominal
president of the Plantation COM
pany, who left small-salaried job
with the concern to manufacture
and sell extracts of his own.
Evening star., 1942-06-03

!. Only few days ago, Secretary
OF War StimSon warned the Ma
ton that japanese attacks on
the West Coast were inevitable
because the Japanese would have
to attempt to save face by max
ing as complete replies as pos
sible to the Toxic bombardment.
The House was told in December
by Delegate Dimond of Alaska that
an air and submarine base we're
being constructed at Dutch Harbor
which is located at Unalaska Island.
one of the largest of the Aleutian
chain, which project 1000 miles
westward from the Alaskan PENN
sula.
The eastern tip of the Aleutians
extend within about $50 miles of
Japan's Northern Kurile Islands.
Since the mid l930S these islands
have been closed to white men. but
it is believed that the Japanese have
established plane bases and naval
facilities there.
UnalaSka is about 1000 miles from
San Francisco and the same dis
tance from Honolulu.
Although the Navy had not given
any account of our defenses or stores
set up at Dutch Harbor within re-
cent years, an announcement TO
friendly shippers in 1888 said there
n
rels and Diesel oil storage of $500
barrels maintained at the point by
the Alaska Commercial Co. Gasoline
and coal storage also were main
tanned.