davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
Nuns Find
 New Methods For PeniciIIin

New York, Dec. 13--(UP)-Three nuns at St. Johns University, Brooklyn, reported today they had found a new method for producing penicillin from such foodstuffs as beef extract, brown sugar, molasses and corn liquor.
 Their research was approved by Professor Edward J. Keegan, chair man of the universitys biology de- partment, who predicted that by following the nuns methods penciil- lin production would soon be as cheap as that of insulin.
 Sister Immaculate and Sister Jean Agnes of St. Agnes Seminary and Sister Anthilia of the St. Franc is Xavier Academy began their re- search eight mnoths ago. Theil first step was to innoculate food stuffs containing proteins, carbo- hydrates and buffer slats with pe- nicillin notatum, the reproductive bodies that cause the powerful an- ti-infection drug to grow in the form of mold. Brandy and corn li- quor were used to speed mold ac- ton.
 Penicillin, termed wonder drug by many. already has proved effective in fighting pneumonia stapholococculs infections. syphilis gonorrhea, and yesterday six men and seven year old boy testified at Brooklyn Jewish hospital to the drugs powers in fighting heart dis ease.
 While the word 'cure" was avoid ed all of the seven had been giv- ell up as doomed before penicillin was tried in large doses to combat an inflammation of the heart lin- ing it was reported.
 Prof. Keegan, a native of Water bury, chairman of the biology de- partment at St. Johns college, was graduated from St. Thomas paroch- ial school, Crosby high school. and Catholic university. He has been on the faculty of St. Johns for more than 10 years and is past president of the American Bacteriological so- ciety and past vice-president of the Society of American Bacteriologists.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
Reds Winter Drive Looms
By HENRY SHAPIRO limited Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Stan COrreSpondent)
 Moscow, Dec. 18 - (U.P) - The long anticipated Russian winter of- fensive, which military experts have predicted will roll the Germans back to the Baltic states, Poland and Rumania, was believed i'm rninent today as snow and sup- freezing winds swept the front from Leningrad to the Ukraine.
 An air of expectancy prevailed in Moscow and official reports of a lull in the fighting except in the Dnieper Bend indicated that the Red Army was massing strength in key sections for the first of mas sive blows promised by President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Premier Stalin against Ger many "from the east, west and South."
 German broadcasts continued to tell of strong Russian attacks and even limited break throughs in the Leningrad area and near nevel. 35 miles southwest of Velikie Luki on the central front. It appeared pos sible that the Russians already had begun their winter offensive, but were delaying any announcement until the success of the campaigns had been asSured)
 All Red Army soldiers have don ned their winter kits and trans port columns were moving over snow-c covered hills and plains on horse drawn sledges.
 Roads in the northern Ukraine which only two weeks ago were an impossible quagmire of mud and slush have hardened, facilitating tank operations and speeding the
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
German Spies PIotTo Kill
 FDR Revealed
By MERRIMAN SMITH

United Press Staff Correspondent
 Washington, Dec. 18-(UP)-Ger- man spies plotted to shoot Presi- dent Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Premier Stalin as they drove through the streets of Teheran, according to information uncovered by Russian agents and relayed to the Roosevelt party.
 Mir. Roosevelt first disclosed the plot at his news conference yes- terday. He said he did not take too much stock in it, but Stalin himself had warned him of a plot against the "big three" That was why MT. Roosevelt abruptly changed his quarters from the American lega- ton to the fortified Russian em- bassy after one night in Teheran.
 While the president went into no details. Russian officials who 1n- formed the presidents party about the plot said that German spies planned to shoot the president, the prime minister and the Soviet pre- mier as they rode through the nar- row strets of the colorful Persian city.
 When MT. Roosevelt first reached Teheran he established quarters in the American Legation, about a mile from the massive Soviet em- bassy where Stalin was living and the British embassy, adjoining the Russian compound, where Church. ill made his residence.
 That night Stalin informed the president that the Russians had found evidence of a German plot to destroy the leaders and pleaded the president used that word with the chief executive to move at once to the safer confines of the Russian embassy.
 The Soviet quarters were regard ed as the safest place in Tetheran because they were situated in a walled compound. The British dip lomatic establishment was next door and all Churchill had to do to join Stalin was to step through an opening in the walls
 The president accepted Stalin's Invitation next m rning, spending only one night at the American le-
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
Churchill
 Back On Job For Britain
BY ROBERT DOWSON

United Press Staff Correspondent
 London, Dec 18-(UP)- Prime Minister Churchill has passed the danger point in his bout with pneu- monia in the Middle East and has resumed the direction of at least some of Britain'S state affairs, 1t was reported today.
 GA British broadcast recorded by U. s. Government monitors said that Churchill passed "a better night last night)
 InformantS said the three attend ing physicians were permitting Churchill to study some state doc uments. It also was learned that the Prime Minister gave strict or ders that his illness not cause any delay in the work of implementing the Cairo and Teheran decisions, including the mounting of offensives against Germany from the east, west and south"
 Mrs. Churchill was revealed to have arrived at her husbands bed- side after flight from Britain. An announcement from 10 Downing street of her departure said she would remain with Churchill during his illness and "convalescence'- another indication that the Prime Minister was lover the hump toward recovery.
 Churchills son, Capt. Randolph. and daughter, Sarah, already were at his bedside, but two other daugh- ters, Mary and Diana, still were in Britain.
 A bulletin from Lord Moran, his personal physician, and two other well-known British specialists on Thursday disclosed that Churchill had developed a patch of pneu- monia on his left lung" following the historic Cairo and Teheran con- ferences, but another bulletin yes terday said the patch had not spread and his general improvement" had hoor, ,noipt oiY,ad
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
Oxford Former
 Frozen To Deoth

Boston, Dec. 18-(UP)-Fair and warmer weather was forecast today for the weekend after week-long cold wave which took IS lives in New England.
 In this area. the weather bureau said. the temperature will range from a low of 26 to high of 40- plus today and tomorrow.
 Latest deaths attributed to the cold wave were those of John Kopce, 69, farmland whose frozen body was found yesterday in the shack he occupied at Oxford, and 3-month- old Richard Weiner. who died of exposure in his baby car- riage in front of his Brockton home.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
Eisenhower As Invasion Boss Likely
BY REUEL S. MOORE United Press Staff Correspondent

|
 Washington, Dec. 18. (UP)- Washington was speculating anew today on the question of who will command the anticipated Allied drive across the English Channel after responsible sources said the choice has fallen on General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
 Washington had understood for weeks that General George c. Mar shall would assume the invasion command" this winter or ill the early spring. This understanding was shaken rudely last night when the responsible but unofficial Army and Navy register said Marshall would remain in Washington as chief of staff and Eisenhower would take the London post instead.
 Gondon was lacking in official confirmation of the reported switch today, but it was stated that there was reason to believe that the re- ports are true.")
 Marshalls present whereabouts was unknown, but it was noteworthy that his name was not among those mentioned as having returned with President Roosevelt.
 The presumption was that he stayed on to study and inspect the preparations in Europe. This does not signify, however, that he will remain there permanently as many had anticipated.
 Eisenhower was considered an ob- vioLs alternate to Marshall if the latter was not going to take the joint Anglo-American command. He has had more than a year of ul- broken successes in the Mediter- ranean, commencing with the Allied landings in North Africa November ', 1942.
 Throughout the various cam paigns in the Mediterranean Eisen- hover has kept everything function ing smoothly. British and Americans alike paid tribute to him for the team work and cooperation he en- gendered between the armed forces of the diffrent Alice countries in that theater.
 Acceptance by the British of all American commander over opera tions based in Britain, in which the British might be expected to carry the biggest part of the load, would constitute fullest recognition Of EiSenhoWer'S genius.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
Y rain Grass Toll Now 72
By RANDOLPH HANCOCK

United Press Staff Correspondent
 Rennert, N. C., Dec. 18-(UP)-- The engineer of the Atlantic Coast Lines Tamiami East Coast Cham pion, who was ill with influenza when his train crashed into sister train and killed at least 72 service men and civilians, said today that he did not have "Chinaman's chance" to avert the wreck.
 Frank Belknap, 67, veteran of 46 years of railroading said there were no warning signals set up to notify him of the earlier derailment of the southbound West Coast Champion, three cars of which sprawled across the paralleling tracks of his Speed- ing northbound train.
 Wrecking crews still were search ing the twisted mass of steel cars, two of which still had not been pried apart more than 50 hours after the wreck, for the bodies of 10 WAVES listed as missing and believed pinioned in the wreckage.
 The known victims included 51 servicemen and q civilians, includ- ing & month -and-a-h -half-old baby.
 Major s. s. Snider, MaXon Air Base officer who directed the recov- cry of servicemens' bodies, said he believed the 10 Navy enlisted women had been trapped and killed in the two cars which were smashed into one tangled mass.
 Belknap, who gave his version of the accident at his home in Rocky Mount, N. C., where he is ill with the flue, said he was unable to see the three derailed cars because of the glare of the ether engines headlight.
 q did not know that part of No 91 (the southbound train) had been derailed." he said. But when we passed the engine and got past the glare of the headlights, I suddenly saw man near the tracks trying to flag me. Then I saw 2 second man waving something. By that time I saw the obstruction and ap- piled the emergency brake but 1t didn't take effect.
 T don't know why they didn't come down the tracks and put a
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
Spencer Avenue Soldier Drowned

Private Arthur R. Burns, S2, husband of Mrs. Charlotte Egan Burns of 42 Spencer avenue, was one of 25 United States soldiers drowned yesterday while on maneuvers on Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans.
 Official word of Private Burns death was received here this morning.
 The soldiers lost their lives when a 6O-foot cruiser type boat capsized.
 Private Burns was 8 native of New Jersey. Prior to his join ing the army he was Eastern representative of the BOrax Company. His marriage to Miss Egan of this city took place seven years ago. An infant son also survives.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
43-Mon Crew Still Missinq

Boston, Dec. 18--lP)--Hope Vlr- tually was bandoned today for the 43-man crew of the heavily laden 470O-ton Boston Collier Suffolk be- lieved to have foundered off Mon- tauk Point, L. I. in last Saturdays ripping gale.
 The rusty and ancient veteran of the coaStwide trade, enroute from Virginia with 690O tons of bitumin- ous coal for the Boston Edison Go. Plant at South Boston, sent out two distress calls about noon a week ago.
 The first sos came about 11:30 a. m. and was followed a half-hour later by a second call for help that gave the ships position as 9 miles south of Montauk point. There was no indication as to the type Of trouble.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
House: DeIays
 RoiE Action
BY RAYMOND M. LAIR
United Press Staff Correspondent

united Press Staff Correspondent
 Washington Dec. 18-(UP)-The House interstate commerce commit tee virtually threw the railway wage controversy back to the White House today by delaying a"tion on 6 pro posal to raise the pay of 1000 900 incorporating employees eight cents an hour.
 It appeared that direct interven- tion by President Roosevelt would be necessary to resolve the conflict between economic StabiliZation di- rector Fred M Vinson and both the operating and operating rail brotherhoods.
 The incorporating case was link ed closely to the wage dispute in- volving 350O00 operating employees. vi oSe leaders have ordered q strike Dec. 30 In protest against a wage award of four cents an hour. The non operating unions also conduct ed a strike vote but have made no further plans for walkout pending congressional action on the Ruman
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
CITY SPENT .$5,3S3,495
 UP TO DEC. 1

The City of Waterbury spent $5, ,383, ,495.13 up to December l, according to a summary of the general fund issued by City Control Ter Cornelius F. Maloney to- day. Encumbrances as of December l totaled $1O8,- 116.48, which means the city had a balance in its general fund of $877.212.39 available for appropriation for De- cember.
 The budget for this year was originally $6,368,824.
 On the basis of average expenditures to date the city has more than ample with which to conclude the year, ;, Controller Maloney reported and indicated that 8 sizeable sur plus should be left after all bills for the year are accounted for. How ever. as this will not be until one month after the close of the fiscal year on December 31, an accurate figure on the same will not be really provided until the end of January.
 Good sized appropriations stlll re- main in the budget of the control Ter. General Financial, $63 ,80l; Le- gal Dept, $33, ,279; Engineering Dept. S19,26l; Fire Dept, $69,784; Police Dept, $71, ,894; Public Work Dept, $l27 ,499; Public Welfare Dept, $84,675; Education Dept, $272, ,334; Park Dept, $20,512; and WPA item $21 ,677.
 Up to December 1, the controller, General Financial, had spent to- tai of $1,289,3 1858; Fire Dept, $569,- 465: Police Dept, $492, ,766; Public Works Dept, $483,218; Public Well fare Dept, $177,125; Education Dept, $1,599,311; Egineering Dept S79,e93; and Park Dept, $l33,62O.
 Checking over individual items m the several departmental budgets it was noticeable that in the emer- gency appropriation, originally set up a1 $30000, but later increased 10 $45,OoO through a transfer, an amount of $9,559 was available for December expenditures. The entire revaluation survey figure of $l0,0OO remains unexpended as this work has not yet been started and un- doubtedly won't until 1944 now.
 Remaining in the State, Military and Old Age tax items are $3,959, S1.3Gi and $1,722, respectively. All will remain untouched unless used for transfers. Set up in the l94S budget was an item of $l32,360 for old age taxes. but the states Dill only came to $130,637. Similarly the state tax was less than the figure set up in the budget.
 The contingency item, which may only be expended with the approval of the Board of Finance, showed 8 balance of $3O,751 at the beginning of the month.
 For snow removal through the remaining days of 1943 the city has an unexpended balance of $3,9l9 available for truck hire. Welfare Department items showed good bal ances at the beginning of the month, particularly those relating to care of children in homes and institutions, as well as charity cases in similar circumstances.
 An item of $14,400 for removal of trolley rails remains untouched and probably will, as city officials plan no such projects so long as condi- tions make repairing of streets practically impossible.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
Constonce Worth CoIupses On Set

Hollywood. Dec. 18.- (UP)-Con- stance Worth. 29, former wife of actor George Brent was resting at her Hollywood home today aftel collapsing on a studio set. Mis- Worth, who married Brent in Mex ico and divorced him Dec. ', 1887 became i'll at the studio and fainteC in her car while on her way home
 Studio officials said they did not know when the blond, Australia born actress, would be able to re- turn to work.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
ALLIES ROUT
 ARAWE ENEMY NEAR JUNGLE
BY BRYDON c. TAvES United Press Staff Correspondent

NOHOCW AACSS OS%AA NVAAOokNNAV
 Advanced Allied Head quarters, New Guinea, De- cember IS. - (UP) - U. S. invasion forces have wiped out the last enemy pockets on the Arawe peninsula in a three-m mile advance that car ried them to the neck of the narrow strip of land jutting out from the southwest coast of New Britain, an official spokesman announced today.
 Front reports said Sixth Army patrols already were thrusting into the jungle north of the Peninsula in what appeared to be the prelude to an advance across the rugged back of New Britain to the north coast in an attempt to cut one of the few remaining supply lines to Rabaul, keystone of Japan's de- lenses in the Southwest Pacific.
 GA Japanese commumique, issued more than 48 hours after the Am erican invasion, acknowledged for the first time that the Sixth Army had established & bridgehead on New Britain and said that heavy fighting was raging. Japanese na- val planes were credited by the communique with damaging cruis- CT and sinking five transports and at least 55 landing barges in at tacks on the invasion fleet.
 A spokesman for Gen. Douglas Macarthur said Brig. Gen. Julian w. Cunningham's Sixth Army had reached the neck of the Arawe pe- ninsula, three miles from the orig inal beachhead on House Bremen Beach, Friday.
 'The entire peninsula is now in American hands," he said.
 Japanese bombers and fighters tried repeatedly Friday to break Through the protective curtain of Allied fighters to attack troops fighting their way up the Amalut plantation on the south shore of the peninsula, but each time were driven off.
 Initial reports indicated the Sixth Army suffered neither damage nor casualties, the spokesman said.
 The spokesman also revealed that Australian forces on New Guinea's Huon Peninsula, some 90 miles southwest of Arawe, had forced the Sanga River and were engaging the Japanese on the north bank after capturing Lakona, 15 miles north of Finschhafen.
 The Americans on New Britain, after clearing out troublesome snipers on Arawe Peninsula, quick ly threw up Qualifications and dug trenches and gun supplements against any enemy counter-attack.
 Patrols famed out over a net work of native trails, the most i'm portant of which runs 40 miles across the rugged backbone of New Britain to Rein Bay, one of the main trans-shipment points on the barge line from New Guinea to Ra- baul, some 250 miles northeast of the Arawe beachhead
 Lightning and Thunderbolt fight CTS provided a protective cover over the invasion army and beat off spasmodic Japanese air attacks de- signed to disrupt preparations for an advance. Nine Japanese bombers
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18
San Pietro Fall To Allied Units Nearing Reality
BY c. K. CUNNINGHAM United Press Staff COrresp0ndentl

BY C. K. CUNNINGHAM
 United Press Staff COrrespondent9
 Allied Headquarters, AL giers, December IS. - (UP)' - Allied troops have fought their way into the outskirts of key Gerlnan-held towns on both ends of the Italian front, it was announced to- day, and American capture of San Pietro, only a mile from the main road toward Rome, appeared imminent.
 British Eight Army forces knocked out 13 Nazi tanks and captured two more in advancing to the edge of OrSogna, island anchor of the broken and collapsing German defense line.
 Across Italy on the Fifth Army front at the edge of the Casino plain through which runs the priIl- cipal road toward Rome, American troops nearly completed 6 move ment to encircle San Pietro, wler' a hand-to-hand struggle was in it's third day.
 An Allied commentator disclosed that the Naz fifth mountain divi- sion had been rushed to Italy iron the Russian front and thrown into action against the Fifth Army.
 For the first time yesterday, sev. eral Italian fighter planes went into action with Allied ar forces, attack ing German-held airfields in Jugo- slavia and damaging several grounded planes.
 The Germans were resisting strongly the Allied bids at both towns. At San Pietro they lined the approaches with mines, snipefs and gun posts while at Orsogna, from which they had driven Eighth Army forces some time ago, picked paratroopers were put in the fight ing inc.
 Headquarters reports compared the fighting to the recent storlning of the Sangro river in eastern Italy and the Fifth's struggle to blast the Germans from the Camino-Mag- giore heights just south of the Cas- Sino plain.
 While the small advances were boing made in bitter battles, ele- ments of Lieut.. Gen. Mark ". Clark's Fifth Army was forced to withdraw slightly at one cslls., Italy point before a fierce Germ Il | counter attack. ,..
 Around San Pietro. Fifth foreeG held dominating heights to tine 1 north. east, south and southwest, part of them on high Mount Lungo. North of the San Pietro position. American troops captured the vil- lage Of Lagone, two miles west of Fflignano in 2,000-fooG heights. Counter attacks northwest of Filig- nano were beaten of.
 Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgom- eiy'S New Zealand wing of the Eighth Army front also repulsed several German attacks. The Nazis were putting paratroopers into the line as infantry trying to stem the British advance.
 Official reports showed Eighth troops were beyond the Ortona- Orsogna road at several points, wheeling up armor to blast the Ger mans The enemy was losing heav- fly in men and materials.
 Bad weather across Italy limited air operations, keeping heavy AL lied bombers on the ground for the first time in four days, but fighter bomberS and fighters damaged har' Dor facilities at AnZio. 20 nlile. southeast Of Rome, and battered the German front positions.
 Near Ploca, Jugoslavia. three German planes were shot down ard four more were destroyed over the Albanian coast. One Allied plane was missing from all operations.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-18

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