davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
Don't Know The
 Gal! Says Fonda

Hollywood, July 15-(UP)-Fron. aboard a destroyer in the Pacific, Henry Fonda denied today that he is the father of Barbara Thompson's baby daughter.
 T don't even know her." said Fonda, who dropped his role of bashful film hero to join the Navy a year ago.
 Mrs Thompson, divorcee with three other children, said she went to Fonda's hotel room at Fl Centro Calif., last fall to have drink and checked out three weeks later,
 She was attracted, she said, by the simple charm of his shyness.
 Mrs. Thompson filed a paternity suit Tuesday demanding $2,000 8 month from Fonda for support o1 her month-old daughter, Sharon.
 She said Fonda seduced her while on leave from the Navy to complete his part in "The Immortal Ser geant."
 Fonda was reached for comment through the Navy public relations office at Bremerton, Wash, where 1t was stationed before shipping a sea on destroyer. He is quarter. master, third class.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
C. P. BowIes
 Gets New Job; OPAManoqer

Washington, July 15-(UP)-Price Administrator Prentiss M. Brown today named a general manager for the OPA.
 He disclosed at press conference that Chester BoWles, Connecticut OPA administrator would be gen. eral manager He said Bowles will have full authority to hire and fire, and predicted that many high rank ing employees of the agency would have to be dismissed under con- gressional mandate that only those be placed in price jobs who have had business experience.
 Brown met reporters after Lou R. Maxon, head of a Detroit advertis- ing agency had resigned as OPA's chief information officer, charging that the agency would fail unless it purged itself of young lawyers and slide rule theorists. Maxon had been considered for the general managers post.
 The administrator answered only two of the many charges against OPA made by Maxon in hotly- worded statement explaining his resignation. He denied Maxon' $ charge that OPA has no fixed food policy, declaring the one in force is "clear a&unmistakable.'
 He rejected also Maxon's state ment that a clique in OPA is pro- posing that the government take over manufacture and distribution of all commodities, saying T have never heard any such proposal by any individual and certainly there is absolutely no intention on the part of this office to undertake any such control'
 There is no present move to place ceiling on beef cattle. He said he wanted to give the industry every chance to work out the beef prob lem.
 The question of placing ceiling prices on live hogs is under discus sion between himself and War FooG Administrator Marvin Jones.
 No further rationing programs involving major commodities will be undertaken by OPA without con- gressional approval through appro- priation of funds to finance such programs.
 He has no immediate plans to re- sign, although he would pay "lot of money" to anyone who could show him how he could go back home and at the same time convince him that he had done his best in the war effort.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
Bomber Raids Hit Messina
BY REYNOLDS PACKARD United Press Staff Correspondent

(OIllCCu lCSS oGdlI SOAASSPoAANS1A'
 Allied Headquarters, North Africa, July 15. - (UP) - Allied air fleets, including 270 bombers from the northwest African and Middle East commands, struck pulverizing blows at Messina yesterday, all but completing the destruction of the key Sicilian port, communiques re- vealed today. Two hundred pombers of Lieutenant General Carl A. Spaatz's force were joined in the assault on Messina by 70 Liberators from the Middle East. More than 100000 pounds of explosives were dropped on the gateway to and from Italy.
 The massive raids on MeSsina, across a tWo-mile strait from the Italian mainland, topped another "A hours of nonstop attacks by Allied bombers and fighters blast ing out a patch of destruction across Sicily in advance of Allied troops smashing northWard and westward.
 (An Italian communique reported that Allied planes raided Naples, one of the main reinforcement ports for Sicily, and the Sicilian north west coast port of Palermo in addi- tion to Messina last night0
 The around-the-clock attacks on Messina, plus other raids on the mainland ferry termini of San Gio- vanni and Reggie Calabria, opposite Messina, and British torpedo boat attacks on channel shipping, were believed virtually to have severed that route of endorsements and supply for Sicily.
 Tanker Blown Up
 The Allied air forces also were ranging over waters north of Sicily to stem achievements from that source. British Beaufighters yes- terday torpedoed and blew up a tanker, set fire to a small tanker and probably sank freighter, boosting the number of enemy yes sels sunk in that area in the past three days to IA.
 The Allied control of the air is so complete that American and Brit ish fighters are operating from new ly-captured airdromes in Sicily. Only few enemy fighters were en- countered yesterday and of these
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
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No One Hurt In Bad Fire

Providence, R. T., July 15.-(UP) Three alarms were sounded early today when a $l50,000 fire accom- panied by two explosions swept a downtown business building.
 The first alarm was sounded by a passerby who saw smoke pouring from the rear of the fourth floor of the building which houses the Charles H. Robinson, Inc, furniture store.
 The blaze rapidly down through the building shooting flames into the sky. Thousands of merrymak- CTS left nightspots to watch the fire spread to an adjacent build ing.
 No one was injured though ten ants in a building behind the burn ing plant were evacuated as a pre- cautionary measure.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
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Breok-UpOf Fleet Feared

Mystic, Conn.,, July 15-(UP)-A breakup of the fleet of the New England Fishermen's association was feared today by President Capt John w. Smith as some of the crew applied for jobs in war factories in protest of the OPA's price cell ing of four cents a pound on their catches.
 Smith said that while some of the larger boats might be able to show a profit under the new ceiling, smaller boats might as well give up.'
 Those people in Washington think we can fish every day." he said, but We have to be idle during bad weather. I've been in this bus mess 40 years and while some cap tains would take their boats out in almost any weather hoping for a better price. they'll not be inclined to take chances for four cents a pOund'
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
Ally Success Brings Swell Repercussion
By HARRISON SALISBURY United Press Staff Correspondent

London, July 15. (UP)-The suc- cess of the Allied Sicilian operation which now is increasingly believed to be assured-already is causing far-reaching political reperucssions which should materially ease the allied cause when the Italo-Balkan phase of the war is reached.
 It has been said repeatedly that the best propaganda for any side is victory and the Allies are rolling up an impressive list, starting with Stalingrad and running through the African landings and the Russian winter successes to the Sicilian in- vasion, not to mention the air bat tie of western Europe which switched from nip-and-tuck fight to a one way Allied bomb path.
 For eight months the Allies have established an unbroken record ot successes. Even the battle of the Atlantic has changed from a grim struggle for the covnoys to strug- gle by the U-boats for survival.
 Can Cash in Now
 The Allies are getting to the point where they can cash in on their record. The effect upon the Turkish attitude has been emer- gence from strict neutrality to friendly non -belligerency. There still are strong doubts that the Turks ever will participate actively with the United Nations but there might be a good many ways in which friendly Turkey could aid operations in the Dodecanese and the Balkans.
 It also is certain that once the island approaches are cleared, the Turks under the MontreauX con- vention will find no objection to the passage of Allied conveys to Rus sia and the Black Sea. This would shorten the supply lines to Russia.
 Spain already and almost osten- tatiously has shifted from a strong ly pro-Axis attitude. The question may soon arise whether Gen. Francisco Franco can hold on in view of his lengthy record of in- timacy with the Axis.
 The Italian will outright obvious ly has been effected by Allied vic- tories. It may be weakened further, if, as suggested in some quarters, President Roosevelt and Prime Min ister Churchill addresses a joint ap- peal to the Italians as soon as Sicily is cleaned up, calling on them to overthrow Mussolini and oust the fascists.
 Nowhere Is 1t believed that such an appeal would cause actual revo- lution but it probably would con-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
Success In
 Sicily Sure

Washington, July 15-UP)-Act- ing Secretary of War Robert P. Pat terson said today that the success full conquest of sicily is assured be- yond doubt.
 "There is no doubt about the out come of the Sicilian operations" he said at press conference.
 Patterson revealed that the in vasion has proceeded far more rap idly than Allied leaders expected and that casualties are ia rfeWer than anticipated.
 Thus far Allied forces have over come all resistnce without difficult ty," he said.
 Patterson warned that hard fight ing was in prospect against Axis forces numbering upwards of 300,- 900 which can stubbornly defend po- Sitions in the northern part of Sici- ly. Axis defenders include about 60,- 900 Germans.
 Good Forth Captured
 Patterson noted that the Allies in the first few days of the campaign have penetrated deeply in the southern and southeastern portions of the islands and have captured several good ports and airfields which are now being used.
 Our fighter planes are now using captured airfieldS.
 Patterson said successful outcome of the Sicilian campaign is assured beyond doubt. Success was due, he said, to thorough training and care full planning.
 Decision to undertake the offen- sive was reached at the CaSablanca conference between President Roos- evelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill in January. The exact date was decided by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower before the end of the Tunisian operations.
 Lieut.. Gen. George s. Patton, Jr., who then commanded the Second Army corps in Tunisia, was relieved and assigned to the task of creating and preparing the seventh U. S. Army for the invasion. His forces include veterans of the TuniSian
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
NAzI ATTACKS LESSEN UNDER
 RED COURAGE
BY HENRY SHAPIRO United Press Staff Correspondent

lOhIcu IECoS SIdAI NVIICSPOuuchtJ
 Moscow, July IS. - (UP) - Russian troops have rout- ed the Germans from several more towns north of Belgo- rod, a communique an- nounced today, and front reports indicated that the soviets gradually were re- gaining the upper hand all along the 165-mile front un- der assault in the now-flag- ging Axis summer offensive.
 Though fighting continued at a violent pitch, German attacks around Belgorod were reported di- minishing in proportion to the growth of Russian counter attacks. At the northern end of the front, around Orel and Kursk, the enemy did not make a single attack yes- terday. the high command an- nounced.
 First Failure
 GA London dispatch pointed out that the halting of the Germans between Orel and Belgorod marked the first time that the Germans have failed to achieve decisive break through in any summer of fensive anywhere in Europe since the start of the war)
 The strategic importance of the Soviet Stonewall stand against 10 days of some of the heaviest arm bred attacks ever launched against an army was reflected in newspaper reports quoting Adolf Hitler's order of tfe day to the German army on the opening of the offensive July 5.
 The order, as reported by First lieutenant Hans Frankenfeld, com mander of the 7th Company, 11th
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
ALLIES SMASH GERMAN ATTACK
Reversals Suffered
 Earlier Wiped Out; GunsHitF Rear
BY VIRGIL PINKLEY

United Press Staff Correspondent
 Allied Headquarters, North Africa, July 15. - UP) - Allied Forces fought off a powerful Axis counter-attack led by crack German units in the Augusta sector of Sicily and struck back today in increasingly heavy battles | toward Catania on the east coast and Agrigento on the south coast. What appeared to be the fist major enemy counter blow vas struck by strong forces, including elements of the reformed Hermann Goering Divls- ion, in a drive that penetrated Allied lines to the Augusta harbor before being repelled.
 For several hours after dawn Wednesday while heavy fighting ragged on the Augusta sector the British were cut off, but they ral- lied and restored the situation and hammered their way back beyond the town of Bruccoli, about four miles north of Augusta on the road to Catania, where Allied warshlps and airplanes continued to pound the enemy rear.
 Gn Washington, Acting Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson said the conquest of Sicily was now as- sured and operations were ahead of schedule, while casualties were below the figure expecteO.
 The Axis used heavy tanks Ill their counter attack but a number were destroyed.
 Air Borne Troops
 American and British parachute and Air Borne troops carried out successful operations, but Axis re- sistance was stiffening on most sec- tors and was especially strong on the edge of the Catania plain north o1 Augusta. A major battle for Ca tania was expected.
 (The NEG correspondent on British cruiser of Sicily said that the British had captured Lentlnl and Carlentini, which are close to- gether about 10 miles west of Au- gusta, and had isolated an Axis division there. The capture was made by paratroopers and com mandos who landed in the enemy rear.
 (The Axis said that two Allied paratroop operations had been launched in this sector, apparently in an effort to wipe out the Axis forces guarding the edge of Catania plain, but that both had been foiled.)
 Heavy Casualties
 Axis artillery was in action against the British north of Augusta but Italian prisoners said that the enemy was suffering heavy casual ties, including many due to mov- ing back through their own mine fields.
 (NBC reported that a British cruiser squadron heavily shelled Catania last evening for 35 minutes and broke up enemy efforts to move a big gun train south of Catanla.
 The British occupied Melilli, which had been by-passed near Augusta.
 The commanding general of the famed Italian Napoli 54th Division and his entire staff were captured by the British.
 American forces on the south
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
MAXON QUITS
 0PA SLAMM|NG
 ITS WORKINGS
BY EULALIE MCDOWELL United Press Staff Correspondent

Washington, July 15. - (UP) - Price Administrator Prentiss M. Brown holds one of his rare press conferences today and may use it to an- swer charges by resigned Deputy Administrator Lou R. Maxon that OPA is in danger of collapse because of it's own internal weakness - confusion, indecision, com promise, red tape, young lawyers, professors and slide rule theorists"
 Maxon resigned less than six months after he had promised, when appointed chief information officer to clean up" OPA in six weeks.
 He asserted in a statement issued late yesterday by his office that he could neither accept the job as OPAs general manager" nor con- tinue with OPA. He said that OPA needed "a drastic reorganization, a strong, clear direction, an da liberal transfusion of common horse sense.
 He denounced the type of think ing" within OPA and cited specific ally the drive fer grade labelling which he said presents the great est threat to American industry and our way of life that ever existed, be- cause it is without question the spearhead in a drive to eliminate brands, trade marks, and eventually free enterprise"
 Maxon is president of large ad- vertising firm in Detroit which bears his name and whose customers included large food processors. He led the drive against OPA's proposal to grade label the 1943 canned food crop.
 No Free Rein
 Maxon's resignation climaxed weeks of speculation whether he would become OPA's general man. ager, a job he said he wanted so that he could direct OPA with hard boiled business methods. Brown apparently offered him the job, but without free rein.
 Brown may answer MaXOn s charges by announcing the appoint ment of someone else as general manager, but if he has found some one to accept, it has been a we'll kept secret.
 It will be Browns first press con- ference since OPA was challenged by Congress and only his third since he succeeded Leon Henderson as price chief last January. There is
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
Driving On Into Sicily
BY JOSEPH w. GREGG United Press Staff Correspondent


 London July 15. - (UP) - Axis broadcasts reflected great concern today over use of Allied paratroop- CTS in establishing new positions be- hind Italian and German lines in Sicily and over tank-supported in- fantry attacks.
 Military observers said the Allies were advancing powerfully along an 80-mile front from Catania west ward to Arigento.
 The Berlin radio said an entire regiment of Allied parachutists landed in sector near Catania de- fended by the Germans and then resorted to a trick to gain an ad- vantage. The broadcast claimed that several paratroopers preterded they were surrendering but when the Germans advanced to disarm them, other paratroopers attacked with grenades.
 The Axis version added that all of the paratroops were killed.
 Another Berlin radio account said that Allied parachutists had landed near COmlSO and south Of Caltagl- rone. The British radio reported that Allied parachute and glider troops had been landed north of Lentini in eastern Sicily.
 Although official Allied announce ments said operations of the air borne troops had been successful, both German and Italian commit niques insisted that all had been killed or captured after landing.
 The German high command said Allied tank attacks had been re- pelled. The Axis claimed it's planes and submarines had sunk five Allied destroyers and damaged eight cruis- CTS and two destroyers in the last 48 hours, and that 59 Allied planes had been shot down over Sicily and Sardinia.
 The Italian communique said that buildings had been damaged and
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
Low wVenereaI Disease Rate

Hartford, Conn, July 15-UP)- An all-time low record of only Is cases of venereal disease to every 1000 soldiers in the First Service Command area was attributed in part today to the cooperation of New England civilian social agen- cies, according to National Director Charles P. Taft of the Office of War Community Services.
 Speaking at a joint meeting of the social protection committee of the Connecticut War Council and the assembly of municipal court judges, Taft said "the New England area has the lowest venereal disease rate in the entire country"
 State Supreme Court Chief Jus tice William M. Maltbie said that compulsory examination of every person arrested on morals charges had played an important role in the fight against the spread of social diseases.
 However, he said there has been a startling increase in commitment of women to the state farm,' 334 having been committed during the biennium ended June 30, whereas during the previous fiscal year there were only 180 commitments.
 This increase, he said, was due to failure of the courts to order transients to move out of the state within 21 hours after they were picked up.
 Governor Baldwin, stressing the part judges could take in maintain ing close control on the growth of venereal diseases, said he hoped for a large scale program for the re- mobilization of inebriates. He pro- posed they be put to work in the open, rather than confined in jails and said the legislature had pro- vided, at its last session, for correc- tive and curative treatment of habit ,,o1 Sr,IOkardc
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
More Gas Available Brown Says
By JANET MADISON

United Press Staff Correspondent
 Washington, July 15- CUP) - 7rico Administrator Prentiss M. Brown requested the new investiga- ton of the petroleum situation which War Mobilization Director James F. Byrnes began yesterday, it was learned today.
 Brown was said to believe that Petroleum Administrator Harold [ckes had not allotted as much gas- oline as possible for civilian pur- poses.
 Bernard M. Baruch, who as chair man of three-man committee in- vestigated the rubber situa tion last year, is expected to be consulted in the preparation of final findings of the investigation in his capacity as adviser to Byrnes. There is no in- dication, however, that the three man committee of last year will be reconstructed, as urged by eastern congressmen.
 Opinions Conflict
 It was understood that Byrnes wants to learn what the petroleum situation actually is, particularly in light of various conflicting claims. The petroleum industry itself and Congressional bloc constantly have maintained that gasoline re- strictions can be relaxed consider ably, while Ickes and military au- thorities insist that the picture steadily is growing more dismal.
 Leaders in the petroleum industry last night held out hope for addi- tional gasoline allotments for east coast motorists. Steady improve ment in transportation facilities, they said, indicates there would soon be no justification flor any Sharp differences" in gasoline ra-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-15
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Circus Train
 Greeted Here ByHundreds

The most impressive spread of canvas ever hoisted to the tops of giant spars of Oregon fir dominated the vicinity of West Main Street today. The Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus was in town, for one performance tonight at SIS and twice daily at 2:15 and 8:15 Friday and Saturday.
 The long steel trains of The Greatest Show on Earth rolled into Waterbury this morning from Bridgeport over the New Haven railway, with their cargo of 1900 people, 50 elephants, hundreds of ornate cages and Ringing red wagons, prize blooded horses and MT. and Mrs. Gargantua the Great in their air-conditioned cell block.
 On hand as unofficial city greet CTS were the usual number of sleepy eyed, frowsy-headed boys who did their share toward putting up the mushroom city of 41 tents.
 Under the active management of Robert, Aubrey and Mrs. Charles Ringing, the Big Show this season combines the best of the old with the new. No Ringing show has gone on the road with more detailed planning, nor greater care in pro- duction.
 The performance, staged by John Murray Anderson of the New York theater, takes its cue from the open ing number, a happy reproduction of the circus street parade of 1898. There is all the old-time circus flavor in the striking spectacles: "Let Freedom Ring, which honors the United Nations; "The Changing of the Guard,' in which the Ring ling elephants and 50 pretty girls portray the famous Coldstream Guards; the aerial ballet, with a new stra in Lalarge, blonde French Swiss girl, and 60 more blondes and brunettes in emerald; and the cll- max, a patriotic rhapsody in blue,