davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
BY KARL ESKELUND

UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
With American Volunteer Flyers
in Southwest China, Feb. Ode
layed) -CUP)-American flyers rule
the air above the Burma Road but
they are short of Japanese to shoot
down.
Today I visited the American vol
unteer group-"Flying Tigers the
Chinese call them-and their COM
mander, Col. Claire l.. Chennault
Said
Eve are going to throw so many
planes and pilots against those Jap.
anese that we will blast them ou
of the sky. Our trouble now is thai
we can't find the Japs.
"They stay out of our range since
we got to them couple OF times
But we will find them and when
we do
Need More japanese
Chennault said he needed: l.
More pursuit ships; 2-More bomb
ers; 3-More Japanese.
In two months, the American fly
ers have silenced the dreaded
roar of enemy bomb explosions in
towns of southwest
China; won aerial command over
the Burma Road and driven Japa-
nese sneak raiders to cover.
(Conlinued on Page a
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
Dorothy Thompson Has Bruised Tummy,
Bitten Finger By ''Heil Hitler" Blonde

They found Miss Thompson OUT
side waiting for cab.
you ought to behave yourself"
the columnist told the blonde. The
blonde kicked Miss Thompson in
the midriff.
This was an error. Abandoning
debate, at which she is noted
adversary. Miss Thompson count
cred with thanking movement. Her
roundabout right jolted the blondes
loose jaw just as Miss Thompson's
cab arrived. The blondes escort ap-
propriated it, pushing his compan-
ion inside and urging the driver to
hurry away from there, but not be-
fore the blonde had sunk her teeth
into Miss Thompson's forefinger.
The columnist. expressing concern
about the possibility OF rabies infee-
ton, refused TO sign police COM
plant.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
MAYOR TOBIN IS
WINNER IN CASE

Boston, February II. = (UP) -
Three superior court judges today
dismissed the custer petition brought
against Mayor Maurice j. Tobin of
Boston for alleged violation of the
corrupt practices act in last falls
election. The judges said they
were dismissing the petition be-
cause it was not filed by the persons
to whom leave to file originally was
granted.
Attorney Albert West, counsel for
Marian c. Nichols, Beacon Hill So
cialite and chief petitioner, said:
I'VE will exhaust every known
legal method to bring this trial in
our courts and give Mayor Tobjn
every opportunity to p. eve he did
not commit the alleged violations. !"
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
RANCO0N BATTLE
IS NOW RAGING
British, Japanese Planes
Are Fighting 1t Out; Bur-
ma Road Fate Near

Rangoon, Feb. 12-(UP)-The ali
forces of Great Britain and japan
traded blows along the Salweer
river today in the growing battle
for Rangoon and the survival Of
China's fe-line-Burma road.
An Raj communique issued today
said that yesterday afternoon en-
envy aircraft attacked British forces
in the Martaban sector while the
Raj bombers raided enemy posi-
tions and attacked forces at Moul-
mein.
The aerial thrusts were only one
phase of the fighting, which was
mounting in intensity as the Japa-
nese, who had crossed the SalWeen1
and occupied Martaban, drove
northWestWard toward Thaton. The
British were using artillery as well
as planes in an effort to break the
offensive.
Unofficially 1t was reported that
low level bombings started fires at
Pam, which the Japanese occupied
last week and from which they were
trying to cross to the west bank of
the SalWeen.
Blenheim bomber pilots also said
they started fires on the docks at
Moulmein and then swept low over
the river, searching out and dispers-
ing the small craft in which the
enemy were crossing. Many were
machine gunned and sunk. No jap
anese planes offered any resistance
to the raids and fire from the boats
was ineffective.
Observers believed that with Jap
anese gaining n 1cothold at Marta
ban, and smashing with increasing
force and numbers to effect cross
ing at Paan, 80 miles north, the
real battle of Burma" had started.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12

New York, February IL. - CUP
Dorothy Thompson. newspaper col
umnist nursed bruised tummy and
a bitten forefinger today, casualties
sustained in an attempt at gentle
remonstrance of blonde in her
cups who persisted in making loud,
insulting remarks about Jews and
shouting Hell Hitler in Jewish
restaurant
Shortly after midnight the blonde
and her escort sWayed across the
wobbly sidewalk into the Cafe
Royale, noted for its patronage by
many Jewish leaders Of the theater
and literature. The latest Broadway
hit comedy, Cafe Crown, has been
built around the restaurant and Its
headwaiter, Herman.
They sat at a table near Miss
Thompson and her escort, who was
not identified. Another nearby
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12

table was occupied by Harry Hersh-
field. comedian. and Irving Jacob
son and Isidor Cashier, actors.
Despite shushing by her escort. the
blonde took up a strain OF loud
conversation interspersed with re-
marks about these lousy Jews.
Nobody can keep me quiet, the
blonde proclaimed. Hell Hitler!"
Several patrons stood up but Miss
Thompson urged them not to do
anything about it..
Don't pay an attention to her.
she said. shes drunk"
Miss Thompson and her escort
then left the restaurant.
The blondes escort Immediately
made some remarks along the
same general lines as those Of his
companion. Cashier retorted with a
sharp right hook. The couple was
escorted from the restaurant.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
Axis Claim That $4,000 to
$4,000 Have No Way to
Make Escape
DOOM OF SINGAPORE
CONCEDED BY ALL
On Other Fronts Japs
Seem to Be Holding Best
Advantages
BY JOE ALEX MORRIS

British guns still pounded
the Japanese today in defense
of Singapore. Enemy invas.
ion forces were reported by
Axis radio broadcasts to be
pressing a general offensive
on the strategic islands at the
tip OF the Malayan Peninsula,
but it was acknowledged that
the battle which Tokyo
claimed to have won on wednesday
was not yet over.
Heavy artillery in the British for
treSs of Changi. at the northeast
corner of the island still was In
action, the Tokyo radio admitted
and fighting was in progress along
a line that indicated the defenders
held a large part of the eastern
section of Singapore island.
Radio Tokyo said that the main
Japanese army entered the city OF
Singapore this morning and that
furious aerial bombardment had
blasted or set fire to at least 25
ships in the harbor.
A number of British troops - the
Axis estimated them anywhere from
$4,000 to IS 900 = were reported cut
off as a result of the Japanese adj
vance across the island, and London
sources acknowledged that lack OF
,,,o rcI, i,,e md ,,,oroloyt ,-accaJc ~ n "a
it highly unlikely that any large
force could be evacuated from Singa-
pore even with unusual luck.
A Japanese Domei News Agency
dispatch datelined with the
japanese army at Singapore said
that the British resistance had been
broken after heavy fighting and
that the invaders, led by tank
spearheads, had thrust into the
city's streets.
The Singapore radio had not been
heard since 5 a. m. EWT, when it
said that fighting still was in pro-
yress mad that ships still were evac-
lating women and children from the
larbor. A huge cloud OF smoke hung
over the narDOr area ana over Otner
parts of the Island as result OF
the application of the "scorched
earth policy. the Calcutta reports
said, but other dispatches indicated
hat much equipment had not been
destroyed.
No official word from Singapore
aad been received by London mill
AIRY authorities since Wednesday
loon, but the Axis broadcasts made
t certain that the defenders still
we're fighting on various parts Of
he Island.
Changi fortress apparently was
he main center Of resistance as 1t
vas under heavy attack by japanese
Iirplanes which were attempting to
ilence the long-range British guns
fCoptiDuaI m page A.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
New England Fire Deaths
Show Decrease Last Year


Boston, Feb. "a CUP = New
England fire deaths decreased
slightly last year as compared with
1910, United Press survey showed
today, despite the fact that the re-
gion was the scene Of:
The nations most disastrous fire
of the year and the largest single
industrial fire in history Chat which
destroyed the Firestone Rubber 81
Latex Products Co. plant at Fall
River with loss estimated ut &11,-
000, 000).
The greatest toll Of firemen ever
killed in single fife in the United
States (the Strand theater blaze at
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
Allied Commanders Count
Both AS Possible Losses
Macarthur Has Slowed-Down Japs
In Their Threatened KNOCK Out"
Scarcity of Food Also
Throws Fear Into Jap
Forces in Philippines
BY EVERETT r. HOLES
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent


UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
Washington, February 12.-(UP)
- The continued resistance of Gen
eral Douglas MacArthur's troops and
a lessening of food supplies due to a
scarcity of Filipino farm labor, has
slowed down the invaders prepara-
tons for an attempt to deliver a
knockout" blow in Bataan, the
War Department reported today.
A communique announced that the
Japanese, slowly extending their
hold over other parts of the sprawl
ing Philippine Archipelago, have &C.
cupied the small island of Masbate,
lying between Luzon and Mindanao
and north of Cebu.
On the Bataan Peninsula battle
front, where MacArthur's American
and Filipino troops are awaiting an
about enemy assault aimed at driv
ing them from the Luzon mainland,
an ominous lull settled over the
jungle and mountain fighting lines.
But Macarthur again warned, in
his report to the War Department,
that the respite may be short-lived.
1.-THE enemy is evidently reor-
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
new CHARGES
AGAINST cox
FORTHCOMING
Chief Justice Maltbie Had
Advised POstp0nement of
Saturday Hearing
LATER CHARGES TO
BE FILED MARCH 4
Attorney Gen. Pallotti Will
Begin Studying Much
New Evidence

Hartford, Conn, February
IL. = CUP = Attorney Gen
eral Francis A. Pallotti today
began an unlimited investi--
cation" of the State Highway
Department after counsel for
suspended Commissioner Will
liam J. Cox agreed with Gov
ernor Hurley to postpone
Saturdays hearing into
charges of material neglect
of duty and incompetence.
Pallotti said that new charges
would be filed against Cox by March
4, based on certain matters" which
had been brought to the attention
of himself and Supreme Court Chief
Justice William M. Maltbie.
Justice Maltbie said in letter to
the governor that at a conference of
counsel for Cox and the attorney
general, ut developed that certain
matters not within the scope of
those included in the letter of the
attorney general =. had come to
the attorney generals attention
whi,h both he and I felt he should
investigate, and, if he believed that
they had substantial basis in fact,
present to you.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
Several Factors Enter Into
Defense of Burma; China
Has Her Say There
LATEST REPORT OUT
OF SINGAPORE BASE
Battered Forces Trying to
Stand Up; American Sol
diers in Indies
BY LOUIS F. KEEMLE
(Of the United Press War Desk,

(Of the United Press War Desk,
Singapore having been
written off as lost, the de-
Tense and delaying action OF
the United nations in the
Far East now falls back on
the Indies and Burma. Fac
ing cold reality, Allied COM
manders must count on the
possibility of losing both.
The question in that case is
how long they can be held. It
may be weeks before a clue to the
answer becomes apparent in the case
Of the Indies; perhaps sooner In
Burma.
The Japanese already are forcing
the issue in Burma. The battle for
that gateway to India and guardian
Of China's supply line is apparently
in full swing, with the Japanese
driving westward from Martaban
towards Rangoon and the Burma
Road, and trying to cross the SAL
we'll ItlVcI ldIJIlcT IlOIlll.
Several Factors At Burma
Several factors enter into the
defense of Burma. One is the size of
the force which China can throw in
to the battle. The Chinese now are
in action in Northern Burma. It is
not impossible that they can throw
in enough troops to offset Japan's
superiority in manpower. A second
factor is the amount of aid which
can be sent from India, where Cen
eralissimo Chang Kai-Shek has
been discussing methods Of cooper
alton. A third is the strength Of the
American and British air squadrons,
and whether they can be reinforced.
1t is apparent that the aerial de-
Tense of Burma is stronger than
was that of Singapore.
OF course, the fall of Singapore
will release many Japanese planes.
men, guns and machines for
use in Burma or the Indies, or both.
Java to Be Center
The defense of the Indies will
center on Java, where the remains
ing Dutch stronghold of Soerabaja
lies. After Singapore, Sumatra should
prove comparatively easy prey for
The Japanese, although there is lit
lie doubt that 1t will be contested
Java ought to be harder to crack.
It's defenses are stronger and the
main forces Of the Dutch are CEN
cred there. The appointment Of
Dutch Rear Admiral C. E. L. Helfrich
% command of the allied naval
orces suggests lively action at sea.
lie Is reputed to be an exponent OF
Intensive as opposed to defensive
lction. 1t is expected he will make
maximum use Of the combined
Dutch and U. 8. Asiatic fleets which
Icquitted themselves with such
leadly effect in the battle of Macas-
ar Strait.
If in the end the Indies have to be
the time gained while
hey hold out will be of utmost value
II building up allied defensive and
= offensive power in
australia and New Zealand. The
wo dominions would become this
NAL stronghold of the allies In the
Pacific and the basA
rom which they eventually would
ry to fight their way back.
Continued on Page 81
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
FAMOUS CHEF IS
FOUND MURDERED


New York, Feb. 12-UP)-Louis
Bost, 81, one of the country's best
known chefs. was found slain in
his apartment early today. His
tiancee, Miss June Oldeman, 36, of
Dorchester, Mass, was arrested by
police and charged with homicide.
Miss Oldeman knocked at the door
of the apartment house superin-
tendent at a. M, and, when he
responded, said: Something has
happened to my friend He went to
Bost's apartment and found him
sprawled on the bed. dead, his ches.
lacerated by several knife wounds.
Miss Oldeman told police she ar
rived yesterday from Dorchester for
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
BRITAIN ROCKED
BY DISSENSION
Singapore Disaster Has
Hit Body Blow at Cabi=
net of Churchill
BY SIDNEY J. WILLIAMS
United Press Staff Correspondent

London, Feb. 12.-CUP)-The Sin
gapore disaster rocked Britain to-
day and brought demand that
Prime Minister Winston Churchill
establish a government of national
union" in which the dominions and
empire would be represented.
The political and parliamentary
repercussions of Singapore were SO
fs!-reaching that Churchill was
said to be contemplating a radio
address to the nation Sunday.
A spreading revolt against the
government, as presently construct
ed and against war policy blamed
Continued on Page ~
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
FIRE LIEUT.. is DEAD

Abingdon, Mass, Feb. 12-(UP)-
Fire 1t. James F. Donahue, 60, OF
Abingdon died at Weymouth Hos
pital early today of injuries suf-
fered half hour EARLIER when the
automobile in which he was riding
knocked down an electric light pole
and plunged this town into dark
ness for 80 minutes. Uno Johnson,
the driver, and Lawrence Thayer,
a passenger, were unhurt.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
American Flyers Are
Seen In Secret Base
Visit Them in Their Camp, That Protects
Burma Read

Editors Note: Karl Eskelund,
United Press staff correspondent,
who escaped from Shanghai while
the Japanese were taking over, is
the first reporter since the war
started to visit the secret base of
American volunteer flyers pro-
tecting the Burma Road. He re-
ports from this base, Somewhere
in Southwestern China" in the
following dispatch.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
GUNS HIT
AT AXIS FORCES

Cairo, Feb. 12.-tUP)- British
general headquarters reported to-
day that British artillery engaged
Axis forces, including tank units
near Mekili desert crossroads 100
miles southwest OF Derna.
The communique said that the
Axis forces n the Mekili area were
scattered.
Other mobile forces. said the
communique, were observed but could
not be brought 10 battle by the I'M
perial troops.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
ALLOCATES MONEY

Hartford, Conn.,, Feb. 12-(UP)-
Gov. Hurley disclosed today he was
allocating several thousand dollars
to the university Of Connecticut to
continue study of milk transport
tation and distribution in Connecti-
cut during wartime.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12

Manchester, Conn.,, Feb. IL. (UP)
Funeral services will be held Sun
day for F. Ernest Watkins, IS, for
mer state representative and presi-
dent of Watkins Brothers furniture
store, who died yesterday at St.
Petersburg, Fla, after brief illness
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12

Brockton where 10 firemen per-
ished.
A total of 204 persons died in New
England fires during 1941 eight
fewer than in 1910.
The sharpest decrease was shown
In Maine. New Hampshire had the
same number as the previous year.
Only Rhode Island and Vermont
reported increases. The breakdown
by states follows:
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
TREASURY BALANCE

Washington, Feb. 12-(UP)-Gov-
eminent expenses and receipts fol
the current fiscal year through Feb.
10th, compared with a year ago:
Ihis Year Expenses Last YeaX
sl6,lOO,OOS, 742.S7 1O,017,53S.13
War Spending
81, o65, 13S.9o214 s2,54s,ss3.Os5.U
Receipts
8 5,o54,s7s,ss0.Ss ss,446,12o, 4sAss
Net Deficit
S s,s71,ss2,sO1.ss ss.e22.sOI. essAy
Cash Balance
s 2,s3G.9Ss.s5e.03 s2,O4s,s1s,7ss.7t
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12

Continued on Page ~
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12

Continued on Page a
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12
FORMER REP. DEAD

Continued on Page ~
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-12

Continued on Page A.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-01-02
Mrs. Herman kerSey
SuCCumbs, Rites to
be Conducted Tuesday

Mrs. Jessie Kersey, So, wife os
Herman Kersey, 81 First Ave.
died about 2 a. IN. today In st.
Joseph's Mercy Hospital, Ann Ar
Dor, following an illness OF approx
mately three weeks.
Funeral services will be conduct
ed at p. m. Tuesday in the A. NJ.
E. Church chapel by the Rev II. G..
Simmons, pastor. Burial will be IN
Stony Greek Cemetery.
Born Aug. %, 1886, in Chatham.
Ont. the former Miss Jessie
Reeves, she was married to M.
Kersey In Chatham Aug. %. 1903.
after living for seven years in Dan.
Vile, H.. Mr.. and Mrs. Kersey came
to Ypsilanti In 1915. and had since
made their home here.
A member of the A. NJ. r. Church
for many years. Mrs. Kersey was
an active member OF the Willing
Workers Club and the Social Ten
Club.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Ker-
sey Is survived by five sons, Serg-
cant Kenneth Kersey FIT. Ord,
Calf, and Oryille. clyde. Maurice
and Herman Kersey. Jr, all Of
Ypsilanti: two grandchildren; tgo
sisters, Miss Mary Reeves, Chat
ham. End Mrs Ethel Smith. Detroit,
and brother, Ole Reeves, St
Louis, Mo.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-01-02
BULGE 7

CONTINUED from Page One)
and because Of numerous other tech
nical. and financial differences.
Stacked against reyenues. the pro-
posed spending plans call for more
than SO Of expenditures for every
~ OF taxes. The Treasury has esti-
mated that existing taxes will raise
about S16,000,00O,000 in the coming
fiscal year, but II seeking huge
new taxes which may alter the fis-
cal outlook later.
The budget may also mean a
100000, 100000 national debt I'm
the next fiscal year. The Treasury
obligations now are s57,750,0 900
and are expected to come close TO
the existing S65.000.000,00 statu-
tory debt limit in the next six
months. Even with new taxes. the
deficit In the next year may be as
much as s35.000.000. 900, which
would bring the debt TO the $780,
100000. 900 level--a mark which dis
tinguished bankers at one time
thought impossible.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-01-02
CAR BAN

Continued from Page One)
that used car sales will be placed
under the rationing ban.
Lose Positions
Affected also by the OPM order
are statesmen who have been
been dismissed from local estab-
lishments. Dealers say that some
of these men are top notcher'
statesmen and have been for years
Many are too old to enter defense
plants and others have no other
trade. The lay offs will affect the
employment situation in Ypsilanti
considerably, dealers aver.
Service station dealers, some of
whom also sell automobiles, are
looking with askance at the curtail-
ment and possible rationing ord
ers. For some, this service to the
motoring public is the last source
Of income. AS one dealer aptly
puts it, when the motorists run
out of tires and cars we can't sell
them gasoline"
Ypsilanti firms which manufac-
ture automobile parts are affected
by the OPM order but most of
them have been curtailed in this
production for some time.
At Central Speciality, $50 men
in the foundry department were
laid OF for indefinite periods on
Dec. "a because of the severe slash
of automobile production in the ma
ton. Olin c. Eckley, personnel
director, said today that no other
changes in the plant employee list
is anticipated because of the OPM
order.
IN Production
In the Ford Motor Co. plant
here. where starters and generators
are assembled, officials said they
had received no orders to stop pro-
duction.
The drop Of $40 men last summer
to so men this winter on Motor
State Products Co. employment
lists speaks for itself as the effect
of automobile curtailment.
George l.. Ennen Co., manufac-
turers of auto stampings, have
been shut down 10 days and prob
ably will be until February, firm
officials say.
Employment lists at Hammond
Electroplating Co. have risen the
past, year because of increased ord
ers but because of the prioritles on
materials the plant cannot operate
at full blast" year around.
Restrictions on materials have
considerably lowered employment
lists and production at Amesbury
Seat Manufacturing Co.