davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-12-26
Construction Is Begun
On Super AirpIane Carriers
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Construction of two of the Navy's
new 45,000-ton aircraft car
riers is underway, Navy official
said last night.
These craft, designed to serve as
bases for the largest planes ever to
operate from carriers. were promised
by Secretary of the Navy Knox In
October.
The official said that keels have
been laid at the Newport News
Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., New
port News, Va, and at the Brooklyn
Navy Yard.
Construction of a third of the
same type at NEWPORT News will be
started early in the new wear.
Evening star., 1943-12-26
RooseveIts Spend Christmas
In FumiIy's Traditional Pattern

under a tall Christmas tree-Mr
Roosevelt grows Christmas trees
commercially on his estate.
1t was just too much to expect
excited youngsters to wait until
afternoon to open their gifts, as
did the oldsters. So they soon were
busy peeking into packages, pulling
out treasures and exclaiming with
delight.
The tree was set up in the IL
brary Of the stone and stucco Roose-
velt home. 1t is a south room with
massive furniture, including a chair
Mr.. Roosevelt used when he was
Governor of New York. While it is
a library In fact, with tiers Of books
(ses ROOSEVELT, Page A-S5
Evening star., 1943-12-26
Lebanon and Syria 10 GET
SeIf-RuIe on January |
BY the Associated Press.

by tne Associated Press.
ALGIERS, Dec. 25.-Lebanon and
Syria will be granted self-govern-
me1t January l, the French Ma
tional Committee announced today
in disclosing an agreement reached
December % between Gen. Georges
Catroux and officials Of the two
Middle East states.
A spokesman for the committee
said the accord does not void the
League OF Nations mandate under
which the French directed the gov
ernments of the two states.
The agreement was reached In
discussions at Damascus between
Gen. Catroux, representative Of the
committee, and officials of Lebanon
and Syria.
The Lebanese Parliament recently
voted to cut loose from France, but
its action was voided by the French
Committee which sent Gen. Catroux
to Beirut to settle the dispute.
Evening star., 1943-12-26
18 Hurt as Five Vehicles
Pile Up in Oklahoma
By the Associated Press.

BY the AsSoclated Press.
OKMULGEE, Okla, Dec. 25.-At
least l8 persons were injured and
highway traffic blocked four hours
near here today by an accident in
volving three buses, motor freight
trailer and a private car.
The automobile skidded on an icy
overpass and was struck by Road
way Express truck. The truck was
hit by Santa Fe railways bus
and a Greyhound bus southbound
then rammed into the car. A fol-
lowing Greyhound bus hit the first
and nearly rolled OF the overpaAs.
Evening star., 1943-12-26
PoroIyzing Steel Strike Seen
As 10000 Walk Out in Ohio
No New Arrangements Yet Reached
As Contracts With 2l4 Firms Expire

steel mill towns, with many plants
idle in observance of the holiday,
while others operated normally.
But in Ohio picket lines formed
at the midnight shift last night at
mills in Cleveland and youngstown
of the Republic Steel Corp and the
youngstown Sheet e. Tube Co., and
more than $4,000 workers were idle
there. Pickets also appeared at the
Corrigan-McKinney works in Cleve-
land, and stoppage involved sew
eral thousand. Pickets withdrew
early in the morning.
Republic and Youngstown Sheet &
Tube are the largest companies
among those whose union contracts
expired Mills also were idle at the
Great Lakes Steel Corp. in Detroit
Evening star., 1943-12-26
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
HYDE PARK, N. Y, Dec. u.s.
It was an old-fashioned Christ
mas for the President and Mrs.
Roosevelt-a day to enjoy family
and friends and to observe Yule-
tide traditions which the Roose-
velts consider entirely their own.
Like most other American fam
lilies, they celebrated Christmas in
their own home, but it was the
first time they had done so since
Mr.. Roosevelt became Chief Ex-
ecutive in 1888.
The Roosevelt observance fol-
lowed a pattern set many years
ago. Seven grandchildren were up
early, eytng eagerly the presents
Evening star., 1943-12-26
Rail Strike Conferees
NAV Resume Talks
On Wages Today
Majority Of Union Chiefs
Remain in Capitol
Over Week End
BY the Associated Press.

Railroad management and
union representatives may re-
turn today to their joint search
for an accord in the wage con-
troversy which. after more than
year, is heading into a strike
deadline set for next Thursday,
only five days away.
When the conferees adjourned on
Christmas eve, they guaranteed
themselves only one-day holiday.
Bert M. Jewell, chairman of the
committee of Is incorporating un-
ions, said that although no definite
arrangements were made for today
there Imay be something doing"
A few Of the rail union leaders left
for their homes, but most of them.
including the executive committees
of three operating unions, remained
in Washington for the holiday week
end.
Confidence Prevails.
Despite the deadline, confidence
prevailed in Washington that rail-
road transportation would not be
interrupted. President Roosevelt
plans to order Government opera
tion "a hours III advance of the
deadline in the event an agreement
Is not reached. 1t is understood
that the employees would work for
the Government and a tie-up thereby
would be averted. Both sides. how
ever, expressed hope of a settlement.
The carriers and the Is unions
representing more than 100000
office, shop and track workers have
a contract for an Scent hourly in
crease. but Sterilization Director
Vlnson vetoed it. The objective of
the carriers and the unions now is
to find new formula that is not
only mutually agreeable to them, but
which also will satisfy Mr.. Vinson.
Mr.. Vinson has authorized grad
uated increases in basic wages rang
ing from 4 cents an hour up to 10
Evening star., 1943-12-26
District Prisoner Takes
Day Off for Christmas

1t was Christmas Day and George
Francis Young was lonesome.
The 23-year-old colored man is
serving time for 10y riding"
Yesterday afternoon, he was sent to
Gallinger Hospital for treatment.
On his way back to District Jail,
nearby, unaccompanied, he disap-
peared. Medical prisoners frequent-
ly make the short trip alone.
About 8 o'clock last night, the
missing prisoner knocked on the
door of District jail. His explana.
ton:
IT just wanted to have Christ.
mas dinner with my family"
Evening star., 1943-12-26
Cairo Radio Reports
Seizure Of 0rtona in
Italy by 9Th Army
Two More Hills on
Nozi Winter Line
Taken by 5th Army
BY the Associated Press.

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, Al
giers, Dec. 25.-Canadian troops
lighted the Christmas season
with "Molotov cocktails" in their
grim battle to push the Germans
out of the northwest corner OF
Ortona on the Adriatic, while
the American 5th Army stormed
and won two more hill positions
on the Nazis winter line in Italy
Allied headquarters announced
today.
The Cairo radio said the Allies
have taken Ortona, which is the last
main defense point before the
Adriatic port of Pescara.
The Germans in Ortona fighting
with utmost tenacity still maintained
their foothold against the Canadians
who used their "Molotov cocktails
bottles filled with gasoline ano
fuel oil with lighted wick attached
I-grenaoes and every kind of weapon
they could lay their hands on tc
blast the enemy out of basement
strong points.
/ Rain Hampers Activity.
Activity of the 5th Army was
hampered by rain, but American
troops did capture two hills and
other high ground two miles east OF
Acquafondola yesterday. The Allied
communique said.
1t also announced that Allied
motor torpedo boats cruising off the
Yugoslav coast put several torpedoes
into the ancient 2,3OO-ton German
cruiser Dalmacija off Silba Island
between cara and Pola. This ole
craft, built in 1899, formerly was
the cruiser Niobe, which was sold to
the Yugoslav Navy in 1926 and usee
as a training ship. 1t was thought
probable the ship might have beer
beached after damage from aeria
attack.
Rain and low clouds kept all
activity at its lowest ebb in many
weeks but American Marauders
bombed rail communications al
Cecina on the Rome-Leghorn roao
and probably destroyed a bridge ir
addition to causing great damage
in the railway yards.
Some Progress Made.
The 9Th Army made some progress
beyond the Ortona-Orsogna roac
and ran into some stiff fighting
around Villa Grande, but it wa.
at Ortona that the real fighting was
going on.
Using lessons bitterly learned or
the Russian front, the Germans ir
Ortona were using tanks sunk il
the Easements of houses as formi.
dable strong points. An Allied mill
tary commentator pointed out it was
almost impossible to blast out such
Notifications because they gel
stronger as more rubble falls or
them.
The Canadians were working then
over one by one with Molotov cock.
tails and grenades. They have beer
locked in the fight six days now.
Evening star., 1943-12-26
80 Japanese Planes,
Defending Key Base
OF Rabau|, Downed
Foe Also Increases
Activity Over Marshall
And Gilbert Islands
BY the Associated Press.

Ey The Associated Piess.
Increased Japanese aerial ac-
tivity in defense of Rabaul and
their mid-Pacific Marshall Is
land holdings and in attacks on
American installations in the
Gilbert Islands was reported by
American commanders yester-
day.
r. At least 30 japanese fighters were
shot down over Rabaul, key enemy
base on New Britain Island, by
American fighters and bombers
from the Solomon Islands, Gen
Douglas McArthur's communique
said. Six other interceptors were
probably shot down. The fact that
30 to 36 were downed indicated the
japanese put up heavy defense
force.
Toxic radio said there were l35
planes in the attacking force. 1t
claimed SO were shot down in the
raid Friday. Gen. Macarthur said
four American planes were lost.
American bombers. setting the
pace in the mid-Pacific, were met
Wednesday by IS fighters over
Wolfe Atoll, the largest group of
interceptors ever encountered in the
Marshall Islands.
Persistent Attacks on Gilberts
The japanese followed up this
record interception with their most
persistent attack on the Gilberts-
five raids on Tarawa in the next two
nights and five on Maxim extending
up to Friday morning. Little dam
age was done.
On Christmas eve Navy Ventures
returned to the attack on Nauru
Island, japanese aerial lookout post
500 miles west of the Gilberts from
which they scout American Ship
ping movements to New Guinea and
the Solomons. Enemy installations
were left in flames.
All American bombers returned
from Nauru and Wolfe. The Army
Liberators shot down three and per-
haps four of the IS interceptors over
the Marshalls.
These raids were reported yester-
day by Admiral Chester w. Nimitz
who earlier had announced two raids
Thursday on the Marshall strong
holds of Mill and Kwajalein. This
makes Is consecutive days that
American bombers have carried the
attack to the Marshalls, where they
have destroyed or probably de-
stroyed 1873 japanese planes.
Jap TroOpship Sunk.
Gen. Macarthur announced that
a troop-laden Japanese coastal YES
sci was sunk off Gasmata, New Brit
ain, while apparently on the way
to attack the American beachhead
farther west in the Arawe sector
Toxic radio, never noted for its ac-
curacy, may have been referring to
this vessel when it reported Amer
lean positions in New Britain were
shelled by japanese warships.
A Japanese destroyer was hit in
the Vitu Islands north of New Brit
ain while $50 tons of bombs blasted
bomb-scarred Cape Gloucester. This
major link in the enemy's barge
supply line between Rabaul and
New Guinea has been hit by ap-
proximately 3,190 tons of explosives
this month.
In Pacific land actions Australians
pushed forward on Huon Peninsula
New Guinea, Americans engaged in
sharp patrol clashes and artillery
duels with Japanese on Bougain-
willie in the Solomons, and the Chi
nese continued to pursue Japanese
in Central China's rice bowl.
Evening star., 1943-12-26
Reds Cut Nozi Supply Road;
U. S. to Furnish 73 Pct. of Men
For Invasion, Senator Says
Johnson Asserts
Figure Justifies
Eisenhower Choice
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The United States will furnish
73 per cent and Great Britain 27
per cent of the troops to be used
in the gigantic European attack
on Germany, Senator Johnson,
Democrat, of Colorado says he
has been informed.
Senator Johnson, member of the
Military Affairs Committee who
maintains close touch with Army
developments, says he obtained this
estimate from what he considers a
thoroughly reliable source. He adds
that he believes the stated proper
tions justify the selection of an
American-Gen. Dwight D. Eisen-
hower-as commander in chief of
the Allied invasion forces.
Since we are going to furnish
most of the men and have to do
most of the fighting" the Coloradan
observes, II am glad that an Amer
lean is to be at the head OF the
invasion forces"
British Lack Reserves.
While noting that it might shock
some Americans to learn this coun-
try is being called upon to throw
nearly three times as many men as
the British into the fighting, Senator
Johnson did not challenge in any
way the overall strategic decision.
From other sources it was learned
that the decision calling on the
American forces to bear the major
burden of the invasion rested on
the fact that the British do not
have reserves which would permit
them to pour an unlimited number
of men into the invasion force.
Gen, Eisenhower's command of
the European assault troops, an
nounced Friday by President Roose-
welt, will put him in the practical
position of a field marshal, yet
subordinate to Gen. George c.
Marshall, Army Chief of Staff.
The fact that Gen. Marshall ap-
parently will remain as Chief of
Staff, with direction of Army
the European theater. was highly
pleasing to Congress.
Marshalrs Work Praised.
Almost to a man, the lawmakers
believe Gen Marshall has done
about the best possible job as Chief
of Staff. He is credited with a
major share in the long-headed
planning that has put American
forces on the offensive everywhere
in the world.
Congress does not want Gen.
Marshall sent to London, where he
might become engrossed in one
front to the exclusion of others. Be-
sides, a large bipartisan bloc of
Senators definitely does not want
1t. Gen, Brehon B. Somervell to
succeed Gen. Marshall as chief of
staff.
There has been no criticism of
Gen. Somervell's mammoth job of
organizing the Army's Supply Serv-
ices. However, many members of
Congress don't like him because he
is friendly to Harry Hopkins, the
Presidents adviser. Others, includ-
ing members of the Truman War
Investigating Committee, found
fault with some of his decisions.
such as that which got the Canol
oil project under way in Canada
without Congress prior knowledge.
Evening star., 1943-12-26
Hopkins Denies Note
Predicting Wi||kie
Will Be COP Choice
Sporks Hits Back With
Photostotie Copies and
Demand for Custer
photo OF letter released By Mr..
Sparks on Page Az
By the Associated Press.

5. the Associated Press.
Harry L. Hopkins, intimate ad-
wiser of President Roosevelt, de-
MED yesterday he had written a
letter predicting Wendell L. Will
kie would be the next Republican
presidential nominee, and c.
Nelson Sparks, former Republi-
can Mayor of Akron, came back
with the assertion he has the
original, and released what he
said were photostatic copies.
The purported letter to DR.
Umphrey Lee, president of Southern
Methodist University. interpreted by
some as an attempt to purge" SEN
ator Connally, Democrat, of Texas
with Mr.. Wilkes aid, is quoted in
Mr.. Sparks book, "One Man
Wendell Willkie."
Mr.. Hopkins said in an interview
yesterday that he had written Sen.
ator Connally denying authorship O.
such a letter. that he was in Quebec
attending the conference of Alice
leaders on August II when Mr.
Sparks says it was written, and HI
does not know DR.. Lee.
Senator Connally, who has beer
sick with the flu here for about II
days, said he had not yet seen Mr.
Hopkins letter to him but supposed
it was at his Capitol Office.
II never paid any attention tt
those stories anyway he added.
MI. Sparks book, which alst
charges Wilkie supporters attempted
to buy delegates" at the Republi.
can National Convention in 1910 anc
which has been called sheer bunk
by Mr.. Willkie, is the subject of &
proposed Senate investigation under
a resolution offered by Senator
LANCER, Republican, of North Da
kota. Leading Senators say tn,
inquiry probably will never tax,
place.
Sparks Statement.
Mr.. Sparks statement, issued will
the photostatic copies, said:
Mr.. Hopkins statement that h,
was in Quebec on August II, 1943
the date he signed the letter to DR.
Umphrey Lee, ." is unimpor
tant. I am aware of that fact
Also I am aware of the fact tina
Mr.. Hopkins was in Hyde Park OF
August 16, 1943. Let Harry Hop
kins deny his signature on the
joriginal letter to DR.. Umphrey LIE.
which I hold and of which I have
this date released photostatic copie.
to the Nations press.
Unfortunately for Harry Hop.
kins, he was falsely informed by
certain influential New Dealers tha,
the letter he had written to DR.
Lee had been destroyed. This fact
apparently motivated him to issue
a denial that he wrote the letter
or was even acquainted with DR.
Lee"
In concluding, Mr.. Sparks urgec
President Roosevelt Ito relieve Mr.
Hopkins at once of all official con.
nections with the war effort"
Quotes from the letter which Mr.
Sparks says Mr.. Hopkins wrote
August II to DR.. Lee, are published
(eeo HOPK1Ne. Pm A.2.)
Evening star., 1943-12-26

degrees.
Streets began getting slick as early
as pm. and District trucks moved
into action about two hours later.
The District Government main.
tains supply of sand at the North
west Garage for sudden freezes, but
at the garage it was said last nights
freeze was unexpected and that
rain had been anticipated instead.
The garages supply was exhausted
quickly and there was some delay
until the sand wharf of the Smoot
Sand & Gravel Co. could be opened
to furnish additional supplies.
Early in the evening radio stations
interrupted regular programs to
broadcast police department plea
to all motorists to remain off the
streets unless they found it alb
solutely necessary to use them. At
that time police said 80 accidents
had been reported.
Hospitals Jammed.
BY 10 o'clock the number of ac-
cidents was estimated between $50
and 200. Hospitals reported record4
breaking jams of accident victims
and all scout cars were pressed into
service as ambulances.
A scout car brought three women
into Emergency Hospital. Two had
been injured in the sudden stop OF
the bus in which they were pas
sengers at Fourteenth and K streets
NV. The scout car had picked up
third ice victim at Twelfth and
New York avenue NV, where she
had fallen and broken her arm. The
same scout car had run a fourth
victim to Georgetown Hospital.
Venita Hinkle. 3d. of BIS Eight
eenth street NV, was another VIC
tim of an accident caused by the
weather, in the 1900 block of Nichols
avenue Sc. She had stopped her
car, and as she got out to clean of
her ce-coated windshield, a car,
which police said was operated by
Charles B. Arneson. so, of 226 Port
land street Sc, struck her. She was
removed to Gallinger Hospitalu
where she was found to have suffer-
ed possible fracture of the left leg.
Rooms Filled at Emergency.
John H. Mintzer, 81, of 1917 Alli-
son street NV, was admitted to
Garfield Hospital with a fractured
pelvis. and George Borreson, "a, of
l435 Chaplin, was admitted with a
fractured left arm. George c. Hill,
! "a. of 1916 Varnum street NV, also
was admitted to Garfield with a
fractured knee cap. All three were
victims of falls.
Every bed at Emergency was filled
and the injured were arriving so
fast near midnight that doctor in
formed one of the victims he
couldn't get around to examine her
for almost an hour.
BY II pm. Casualty Hospital had
treated 25 people, most of whom had
slipped on the pavements. Three
cases were serious enough to be
admitted to the hospital.
Louis Atcha, 48. of 25O4 Tenth
street NE, received a fractured
skull when struck at Ninth and E
streets NV by a car which police
said was operated by Russell j. Cecc-
hini, 81, of 426 G street NE. He
was admitted to Emergency Hos
pital.
Providence had treated seven VIC
tins, including 5-year- old Dorothy
Ford and her grandmother, Helen
Muse, AZ. both of 242 K street S.W.,
who had both been knocked down
fCoo JXYE A ATrJTD 49,
Evening star., 1943-12-26
Earth Tremors Recorded

NEW YORK, Dec. Is [P.-Two
earth tremors about 1900 miles
southwest of New York were re-
corded at 4:24 am. and 4:29 am,
today on Fordham University's seis-
mograph. The Rev. Joseph Lynch
said the distance and direction
would place the shocks off the
Mexican coast.
Evening star., 1943-12-26
YuIe LuH Settles
Over Air Front
After Big Raids
Germans Fighting
BIozes in Berlin
In Wake of Assault
PHOTOS shouting damage in
Berlin on Page BIZ
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 25.-An omi-
nous Christmas lull settled over
the air front in Europe today
after yesterdays great all-day
Allied assault on Berlin and on
secret objectives at Pas de Calais.
There was no announcement OF a
holiday truce, and Germans still
were fighting fires in what was left
of their capital and YEARLY survey
ing the wreckage of their defense
installations on the point of land
closest to Britain. They were left
to wonder where the next crushing
Allied blow would fall.
In the only aerial activity report
ed, RAF Typhoon fighters on a
holiday patrol over Brittany shot
down a long-range German bomber
iSee RAIDS pape A-30
Evening star., 1943-12-26
Robert H. Munson Dies

NEW YORK, Dec. 25 (P1.-Robert
H. Munson, 81, financier and lum-
herman, died yesterday at the Co.
lumbia- Presbyterian Medical Gen.
ter. Munson, who had homes here
and at York Harbor, Me, was born
at Bradford, N. Y, and was grad
uated from Yale University in 1879.
Evening star., 1943-12-26

thin coating of ice spread District streets and
nearby Maryland and Virginia roads last night paralyzng
with than 200 persons injured in falls and in traffic
accidents
The same weather conditions prevailed far south as
Atlanta and Memphis making driving hazardous through
out the area
Thousands of homeward-bound persons were left
stranded in all sections of the city buses and taxcabs
halted and private automobiles found the streets too slip
perry to travel Hundreds of out-oftown visitors including
scores OF servcemen forced to remain in the city
nterurban bus transportation stopped when roads leading
into washington were transformed literally into ice rnks.
The suburban bus lines maintained service itoriss
basis but schedules completely disrupted and buses
unable to complete their
Rain May Melt Ice.
The freeze came in the wake Of powdery that barely
covered the ground followed by seet freezing
The Weather Bureau forecast that the streets would be slick this
morning freezing expected melt the the
temperature rises The remained just
freezing late the night after high yesterday of 80
Evening star., 1943-12-26
I Thousands Stranded,
Hospitals Jommed
As Ice HoIts Traffic
More Than 2OOTreotedHere
For Accidents Growing Out
Of Freezing Roinstorm

FATHER OF 10 killed in D c. traffic. two other Christmas
eve fatalities in this area-Page B-1
Evening star., 1943-12-26

(See WEATHER, Page A-6.)
Evening star., 1943-12-26

(See RAILROADS, Page A-8J7
Evening star., 1943-12-26

(See RUSSIA, Page A-9)
Evening star., 1943-12-26

(See RAIDS, Page A-8)
Evening star., 1943-12-26

(See STEEL, Page AID
Evening star., 1943-12-26

The Evening and Sunday Star -
delivered In the city and suburbs at
SOC per month when Sundays; 90c
per month when Sundays. The
Night Final Edition and Sunday
Morning Star at 90c when Sum-
days; $1.00 when 5 Sundays.