davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-12-18
A DisgrucefuI Record

Traffic conditions at Eleventh and
Pennsylvania Avenue are a disgrace
and should be remedied Immediately,
without any more such false starts
as have been made in the past.
Here is the record this year: Eleven
streetcar accidents, killing two pc
destrians and injuring five; injuring
three occupants of four automobiles;
two bus collisions, two bus-automo-
bile collisions, two automobile colli-
sions and one pedestrian hit by an
automobile The streetcar menace
is worst. Pedestrians are permitted
only twenty seconds to cross the
Avenue on a green light. Those
caught between lights must stand in
Evening star., 1943-12-18
The Buri Blow

The story of what happened on
December in the Italian port of
Bari is grim reminder that we are
up against an enemy whose sting is
still deadly and whose resourceful-
ness demands of our Allied forces
the fullest possible degree of vigi-
lance at all hours of the day and
night. At dawn. within the space
OF few minutes, some thirty Nazi
bombers sank seventeen United Ma
tions merchant ships and killed or
injured about 1000 individuals. The
raiders came in very low and very
fast-in much the same way as our
own planes have often attacked
and they were able to complete their
mission almost before our side knew
what it was that had struck.
The blow must be marked down as
an Allied defeat serious enough to
have impeded the 9Th Army's opera
tions for two or three days Appar-
emily the Nazis themselves did not
realize how damaging was the Job
they had done, for in their commun-
que originally reporting it, they made
only relatively modest claims. The
story just revealed by Secretary
Stimson must therefore please them
quite as much as it should sober us.
Until yesterday, presumably for rea-
sons of security, we had been told
merely that Bari had been raided.
Now we know the real magnitude of
the attack, and although it is not
clear whether our Allied forces were
off the alert, something seems to
have been lacking somewhere. The
deficiency, whatever it may have
been, whether a shortage of fighter
planes or an inadequate warning
system, has probably been taken
care of by now. The enemy at any
rate, obviously still packs too much
OF a punch to warrant anything less
than full Allied preparedness every
where.
Evening star., 1943-12-18
Dickens christmas Carol
Published December 10, 1843.) J

(Pnblished December 19, 1843.)
Retuting through century OF glory
Those 1Dfo decry its beauty or its art,
This 1Darnaly radiant and tender storu
Brushes the mind dside-to reach the
heart.
And there it sings to children of all ages
In StaUeS that brighten 1Dith the pass
ing gears;
Scrooge and the ghost OF Marley cross
its pages,
And Tiny Tim, seen miStily through
tears.
Its rapture overfotDs the spirit, shining
In melodies OF laughter and of noe,
The Jog OF listeners today entwining
With hedrtbeats OF a hundred years
ago:
Music 1Dtose deep and stDeet humanity
Will gladden. every Christmas yet to be.
INEz BARCLAY KIRBY.
Evening star., 1943-12-18
Mission to Aruby

The successful completion of an
American military mission to Saudi
Arabia is the latest link in a chain
of events connecting the United
States with a country just emerging
from primitive isolation into the
penumbra of modern civilization.
This evolution is due chiefly to the
masterful personality who. for over
forty years, has been welding the
scattered Bedouin tribes of the vast
desert peninsula of Arabia into the
Kingdom which bears his name
Abdul-Aziz Ibn Saud won his way to
his present eminence in a career so
full of daring and adventure that
he might have stepped straight out
of the Arabian Nights. A giant in
size, he combines tremendous phySi-
cal strength with canny statecraft,
and is now regarded as the out
standing figure in the entire Arabic
speaking world. Carefully avoiding
commitment in international quar-
rels, he has successfully maintained
his independence, which is recog-
nized by all the great Powers.
About decade ago it became evi-
dent that the rich oil deposits in
neighboring Irak and Iran extended
down into Saudi territory on the
western shores Of the Persian Gulf.
British oil interests were eager to
exploit this virgin field. but Ibn
Saud, while on good terms with
Britain, did not favor its obtaining
an economic foothold in his country.
Instead, he turned to American oil
interests, the United States enjoying
a reputation throughout the Near
and Middle East as the one great
Western Power which had no impe-
rialistic aspirations in those regions.
Before long oil was struck in
quantities which proved" the field
as Of great richness, and the Ameri-
cans got a blanket concession on a
royalty basis. For Ibn Saud this was
the golden key to political greatness.
The traditional poverty of Arabia
has always kept it extremely back
ward. But the golden streams which
oil royalties poured into his Golfers
made possible the creation of a strong
modernized army. the building of
roads and other improvements Mu-
tual benefits with no political draw
backs naturally strengthened the
American connection. The visit to
Washington last autumn of an i'm
posing Saudi delegation headed by
two of the Kings sons was an indica-
ton of this logical evolution. Now
the visit has been returned by an
American mission headed by Major
General Ralph Royce, commander Of
American forces in the Middle East
Technical experts have been left
behind covering military and eco
nomic matters, public health and
communications. Plans we're dis
cussed for sending picked Saudi
youth to our colleges and univer-
sites. The indications are that
America will play an ever larger part
In Saudi Arabia's modernization.
Evening star., 1943-12-18

the middle Of the street full min
ute. The bus terminal on the south
side of the Avenue is an additional
menace. People run for buses, cross
against the signal, become confused
and are apt to step directly in the
path of a streetcar. 1t might be
better to turn off all the lights and
rely entirely on traffic officers. Per-
haps railings should be erected on
the curb-side of the loading plat
forms. Perhaps the timing of the
lights should be changed. Whatever
the remedy, if the Traffic Bureau
and the police cannot discover one
the Commissioners should move
promptly to find somebody who can.
Evening star., 1943-12-18
Older Groups Said to Lack
Understanding of Young People.

To the Editor of The Star:
There is much talk about DELINQUENCY.
Many Of our elders who are discussing
this problem have outgrown the ability
to appreciate the thoughts and ways of
children in early youth. Just as old
bones and tired muscles keep us from
engaging in the activity of our youth.
so do many hardened minds fail to
function in trying to understand what
youth wants to do. 1t would pay divi-
dends If the Well-wishing committees of
adults would get with various types of
young people and learn first hand what
they think
The average educator is too far re-
moved SO hemmed in by inhibitions or
restrained by the prevailing customs
that he or she understands little of the
urges of youth, One KEY to the way of
youth lies in free play, the kind of play
that cuts across race lines and the bar
riers of institutional controls.
A large city restricts every normal
fundamental muscular urge the average
boy has. He courts death If he runs
across a curb line. He has no fences to
climb. There are no more streams to
dam up and swim in. Rivers have be-
come too polluted. If he throws
stone, person, window or an auto
mobile Is in danger. At school the time
Of play is limited. The school grounds
are crowded at the recess period. There
Is little play opportunity because the
children are ordered to leave for home
immediately at the close of school. Yet
many times these children have no homes
open to 90 to as fathers and mothers
are out working. The present curricu-
lum Is so crowded with fundamentals.
and dozens of other vested interest
subjects occupy the minute -by-minute
schedule In the schools of most of our
American cities. Despite the call of the
armed forces for stronger and filter"
boys and girls school people are loathe
to break away from the programs that
over several decades have been built up.
Despite our magnificent gymnasiums,
clubs and excellent play areas, thou
sands OF children prefer to play in the
streets, alleys or forbidden parks nearer
their homes. School people and recre-
alton people should synchronize their
efforts in the interest of the child.
In city like Washington. the Police
Boys Club as an institution is missing
bet by not working with the BOYS of all
races in the neighborhoods of the sew
eral precincts. Admitting that some
good can be done by developing boys
clubs for white boys in several sections
of the city, the existence of only one
boys club for colored boys in the center
Of great, sprawling city like Washins-
ton is poor investment in the problem
OF relieving delinquency There is not
so much need in working with boys in
those areas and from those families
which are situated in the best developed,
newer parts of the city. If the boys
clubs sponsored by the police would de-
velop challenging activity for the boys,
both white and colored, in those sections
wherein they live in closest proximity
and across race lines, we could envisage
a far more satisfactory attack on de-
linquency. E. B. HENDERSON.
Evening star., 1943-12-18
American Aircraft
rom the Manchester Guardian,

We hear German complaints of their
aerial nferiority on certain sectors Of
the Russian front, and though Russia
will owe most to her own fine planes
1t may be that the fitting of the bal
ances, the actual gaining of superiority,
came with the American Airacobra. AS
a fighter it has defects, yet one Soviet
group using 1t shot down SO Germans
for the loss Of three-proof of the effec-
tive use of a fighter one-half OF whose
total production has been sent to Rus
sia.
Evening star., 1943-12-18

With the economic temperature arti-
ficially maintained at S150,0OO 900 900,
the philosophy of rugged individualism
opens out like an American Beauty rose.
It was almost dead. But now everybody
is working Ours is the cosiest crisis
that ever was. We can afford anything.
We can afford $50 for a pair of theater
seats. = 1t is only little more eXtrava-
CANT to tell ourselves that the age of
much government is over Damn the
Evening star., 1943-12-18
And Now New Britain

Ihe news that our troops have
landed on New Britain came as no
real surprise. 1t was logically in
terrible from the terrific aerial
pastlng of all japanese positions on
the island during recent weeks. to-
gether with our control of the Huon
Fenlnsula in New Guinea, just across
the Vitiaz Straight that separates
new Britain from the vast island
continent.
yet, though not unexpected, the
news is no less welcome. On New
Britain stands Rabaul. the kew JAP
aneSe base in the entire Southwest
faclf1c, with it's magnificent harbor
ana elaborate airfields. Rabaul is
the strategic goal toward which all
Allied offensives in New Guinea and
the Solomons have been directed for
more than a year.
however, the quick capture of Ra-
paul should not be anticipated New
britain is a big island, shaped like
olunt crescent, some 300 miles
long and averaging so miles wide.
The foothold we have Just ACQUIRED
at AraWe is near the islands western
eho' while Rabaul, at it's eastern tin.
IS 2o0 miles away. Furthermore, an
overland advance is impossible. New
Britain is a tumble of rugged VOL
canlc mountains covered with dense
oroplc jungle. Its interior has never
oeen explored and there are no
loaoS or broad valleys through which
trails could be blazed But this has
prevented the Japanese from or
ganlzlng any connected system of
land defense. They are strung alono
llle coasts IN a series of garrisons
located mostly at harbors or places
Where airflelds have been carved
out OF the jungle. Our naval con-
trol OF the waters around the is
lana, except for the vicinity of Ra-
paul. and our overall air superioritv
tend to isolate the japanese earri-
sons from one another and render
Chem liable to reduction in detail.
Inc campaign now begun should
thus be visualized in terms of orr
operations on Bougainville, though
on much greater scale. The tacti-
cal pattern on those large islands is
10 establish bridgeheads and con-
sVruct alrflelds from which the
enemy bases can be pounded and
lsolated until the japanese there are
heIplesS and must either evacuate
Or be ultimately worn down bv lack
Vi relntorcements, munitions and
1000 ms sort of campaigning is
RADICALLY different from that in the
small coral atolls of mid-Pacific
where concentrated attack and COM
plete conquest at a stroke is feasible
Inc reduction of New Britain
eliminating in the taking of Rabaul
may be prolonged operation. The
japanese are supposed to have some
oo'oo0 ground troops on the island
besides air and naval personnel
Inc bulk of the japanese forces are
presumably concentrated in or
around Rabaul, and we may expect
them to fight to the death unless
oelloera'ely evacuated Since evac-
u2tlon would be a costly business.
IN view OF our air and sea SUPERIOR
lty' the Japanese high command
may we'll view them as "expendable"
more usefully in taking the maxi
mum OF Allied effort and lives. The
local japanese garrisons along the
coasts can likewise be expected to
resist as tenaciously as their COM
rades on New Guinea. MacArthur's
men have their work cut out for
them
Evening star., 1943-12-18

old struggle against cancer. Credit
for the development belongs to both
British and American science, with
special honors going to Professor
Charles B. Higgins of the University
of Chicago for his pioneering exper-
iments-first reported in 1941 and
since hailed professionally as "one
of the most important medical ad-
vances of modern times"
Evening star., 1943-12-18

who took a pleasant
h o lid ay, fishing,
hunting and enjoy
ing himself and then
returning to his
home to find a large
collection of overdue
bills, his cook gone,
his wife and chill
dren i'll and no
money in the bank.
All the Presidents
assistants who were
left in Washington
are anXiously wait
ing to get as much
time as he can snare
Evening star., 1943-12-18

of the political situ-
alton to the West
Virginia Republican
Women, m e e t i n &
this week in Fair
m o n t. Admitting
that the Republi-
cans seem to be in
wild conflict in their
choice of leader
ship" Mrs. Luce in
sisted that an agree
ment on their ideals
of government has
brought the Repub-
lican Party in t o
closer harmony than
Evening star., 1943-12-18

w NSSSA IL AAA w.
Nothing could be
more greatly to the
German advantage.
No doubt many Ger
man h opes ar e
pinned on this pos
sibility. They know
they are beaten-but
If only they could
win a bloody victory
first, t h e n t h e y
might be able to get
a negotiated peace,
and a chance to try
again later on. They
observe with great
Evening star., 1943-12-18

while seated on silk
en- cushions, and
having our backs
strokeG by scratch
er5 of ivory in the
slim hands Of serv-
ing maids. We seek
for realitv. but it is
hard to get the per .
fume out of our
noses.
In this hothouse
climate, a kind OF
bloom forms on
ideas which have
been stale and with
cred leaves for 6
doco no st
Evening star., 1943-12-18
Raises Question About Date
For Aviation Students Reporting.

Can some one explain why aviation
students transferring from one stage of
training to another, and from one part
of the country to another, must report
to college on December % without
days furlough in between? Would
several days after Christmas make much
difference in the schedule? 1 can see
why they could not visit their homes, if
they already are stationed at a college,
but when the move comes at Christmas
why should they have to report on the
2ard, and have no time to visit their
families? l. M 6
Evening star., 1943-12-18

Herr Doktor Goebbels tells his
fellow countrymen that the Reich
is being welded by the hammer of
fate falling upon iron and thereby
hardening it." What crew of busy
blacksmiths John Bull, Uncle Sam
and Ivan 1vanovitch have turned out
to be.
Evening star., 1943-12-18
Invasion Problems

1t is quite likely that much of the
enemy propaganda and maneuvering at
this time is intended to tempt the Allies
to deliver a premature offensive in
Evening star., 1943-12-18

Mrs. Glare Boothe Luce, Represent
ative from the Fourth Congressional
District of Connecticut, with flare for
pungent expression, gave her estimate
Evening star., 1943-12-18

We are all operating In the warm and
luxurious atmosphere of a national
income of $3.50 900 100000 So in sense,
Evening star., 1943-12-18

Some of President Roosevelt's inti-
mates compare the chief executives re-
turn from his triumphal trip across
three continents with that of q man
Evening star., 1943-12-18

One nice thing about Christmas
this year is that it will be followed
by Sunday to rest in.
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20
Camp Wolters,, Texas
Dear Dribbles

Dear DrlobleS:
I receive The Smyrna Times
every week and l certainly do en-
joy it. In previous issue you
mentioned that there was no one
around Camp Wolters, except my
self, from the home town area. In
view of this fact, 1 would like to
tell you that Camp Wolters is an
Infantry Replacement Training
Center. We are getting very
good workout under some excellent
officers and non-coms. Camp VOL
ters located in rather hot part of
the country, but there is very good
terrain around here. The weather
is clear most of the time. In our
camp we have all kinds of amuse-
ments. This includes games staged
between the different Battalions.
Besides drilling eight hours daily,
we have course that shows us a
number of training films. We get
number of good pointers from
these.
The closest town to us is located
four miles distant. 1t is called
Mineral Wells. Our camp has a
bus running into town at stated in
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20
Leslie

Well Leslie! Looks as if you
were moving along rather fast in
the Service to have made the rat
ing of Storekeeper Third Glass SO
quickly. It really don't seem very
long since you Joined up in this
mans Navy. May we congratulate
you upon your rapid Advancement.
Keep up the good work and you will
get places. The same attitude you
must have shown to have made the
grade will carry you still further.
Good going Leslie, and be sure to
keep in touch with this column as
changes take place. In fact, just
write in whenever the wish occurs
to you. You know your letters will
always be welcome. The very best
wishes for your future my friend.
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20
Thank you
Clarence Blendt

That's the right spirit Clarence.
The desire to have your friend re-
membered is very much to your
own personal credit. We are only
too glad to have put Earl's name
on the Service Honor Roll. Please
keep us informed on any further
change of address that Earl may
have. In this way his friends
around this area, and in the Service
may know where letter will reach
him. Right at this moment this
may not seem SO important, but a
bit later it will have much differ
ent worth. Keep up the good work
Clarence.
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20
lenlaln

Thanks for the change of address
Louis. Always glad to hear from
you since we look upon you now as
one of the regulars. Here's hoping
that the 339th Infantry will remain
over on this side for sometime
That report on maneuyers does not
seem to indicate it. however. No
matter where you are, or where
you go Louis, always keep in touch
with us. Well be pulling for you
strong-all of the way. Wishing
you the very best of luck and all
the good things that goes with it
Corporal Steller. Be seeing you
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20

It will always be pleasure to
serve you Mrs. Hufschmidt. Furth-
ermore, we want to congratulate
Charles on his promotion. Good
going son, keep up the fine start
that you have made in the Service.
and you'll soon be going places.
Both Mother and Dad are quite
proud of your success. Write in
soon and give us the low-down on
the way things are progressing.
Meanwhile, the very best of luck
Charles.
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20
The Smyrna Times
Phone 1921 SMYRNA. DELAWARE

Published Every Thursday Morning by
E. d. HOFFECKER, Owner and Propri-
etor.
Founded by Robert D. Hoffecker. July s..
1854. Editor and Proprietor until Feb
ruary 10. 1907.
Owned and Published by Robert d. Hoffeck-
er, Jr. from February 10. 1907 to Decem-
Der "a. 1889.
ADVERTISEMENTS - The Smyrna Times
is the business medium not only for the
town It represents, but fer the outlying
district OF which il is the center. en-
bracing the towns of Clayton, Kenton,
Cheswold. Townsend, Deipsic. &c. A rate
of SO cents per inch an insertion charged
for transient advertising. Season or
yearly display advertising rates quoted
on application. For Sale, For Rent,
Lost and Found advertisements occupy
inc one inch space or less, n minimum
charge of so cents per insertion. In
nnemoriam articles, 10 cents per linz per
issue. s
THE SMYRNA TIMES is an independent
paper devoted TO the welfare of the town
it represents and the State of which 1t
Is n part. 1t also gives the items Of
Importance of the Eastern Shore Of
Maryland.
Entered at the Post Office at Smyrna, Dell
aware. as Second Class matter.
Subscription price. s1.5o per year. strictly
IN advance.
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20

When we replied to your mother
under the date of April 22nd, little
did Dribbles dream that you would
come back so promptly Paul. Well.
One thing very definitely proven
son, we all of us know lot more
about Camp Wolters than We ever
otherwise would = so do your
friends now in the Service. That's
the way this ball is meant to roll.
You tell the other fellow how you
are making out, and he comes back
and tells you how the world is
treating him. In this way the ball
keeps moving along from week to
week. Dribbles now hopes that you
will make it point to keep in
touch with this column throughout
the entire time you are in the Ser
vice. Whenever you have change
of address, pass it right along, and
write whenever you feel that you
have something of interest to relate
to your friends. Your letters will
always be welcome. Make your
mind up to be one of the regular
contributors to this column. Mean
while, the very best of everything
to you Paul. Don't forget to write
back to mother real often. She
will treasure all mail received from
you while you are away from her.
Remember that always Mothers
are mighty hard to beat.
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20

tervals which affords good trans
portatien facilities.
This description of Camp Wolters
has taken in about everything that
occurs to me at this time.
l will close by wishing everyone
in the Service the very best of luck.
Yours truly,
Pvt. Paul c. Biekling
A. S. n. 32754S10
Co. A. 53rd Battalion
Camp Wolters, Texas
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20

c Postmaster. Shreveport, Louis
lana.
We have been down here for
about two weeks and are now en-
joying a fourday Test period to give
the Boys time to get their uniforms
and clothing cleaned up. It's be-
ginning to feel like Summer down
here. We had one big rain so far
that almost washed us out of our
tents during the night. Outside of
that everything has been o. K.
Well, there is not very much at
present to write about that has not
already been covered, SO I'll close.
Wishing you all the best of luck, l
remain
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20
Smyrna Delaware

Dear Dribbles:
would like to inform you of my
sons advancement in rank. Charles
is now Technical Corporal, and I
would appreciate it very much if
you would note this change under
your address column in this weeks
issue of The Smyrna Times. It is
as follows: T.-Cpl Charles Huf-
schmidt, Hq. Bly,, 199th Sep. C. A.
(A.A.-, Camp Ham, California.
Thank you very much,
Mrs. Hilda Hufschmidt
Smyrna times., 1943-05-20

Thank you very much for your
letter Mrs. Griffin. We entered
your sons change of rating in the
May 9th issue of Dribbles; immed-
lately upon its receipt. 1 know
that you were pleased to hear the
good news both from James and
Vaughan, It has been very
friendly for you to share this with
our readers. Dribbles feels that all
information relayed in this manner,
reaches the most numbers of
friends both in and out of Service.
We trust therefore, that you will
remember us the next time you
have something to contribute to
this column.