davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-03-23
Small Business Units
Given New Status 10
Aid War Production
Two Agencies Made
Quosi-Independent
By Nelson's Order
By CARTER BROOKE JONES.

Virtual separation of the Gov
ernment's machinery to help dis
tressed small business - the
Smaller War Plants Corp. and
the Smaller War Plants Division
from the War Production
Board and the conversion of
these organizations into quasi
independent agencies was dis
closed to The Star today. They
remain only technically attached
to WPB, it was indicated.
This unexpected development, not
yet announced officially; was reported
authoritatively to have been brought
about under pressure from Capitol
Hill, which assertedly felt that WPB,
led mostly by big business men, did
not appreciate the plight Of small
business.
Donald M. Nelson, chairman of
the War Production Board, signed
an order Saturday giving both
agencies complete authority over
their activities, it was learned, and
regional leaders of the SWPC were
in session today working out details
of reorganization.
Requested by Col. johnson.
Col. Robert w. Johnson. chairman
of the SWPC and vice chairman of
WPB IN charge of its smaller war
plants division. was said to have
requested more authority over his
personnel and over policies.
He had indicated when he took
over direction of the Federal small
business setup about six weeks ago
that he was satisfied with the exist
ing organization and only wanted to
speed up the wide distribution of
war contracts.
Attorneys pointed out that the
Smaller War Plants Act attached it
to WPB. and it could not be COM
pletely divorced without an amend
ment to the act. There was some
talk on Capitol Hill today of urging
such an amendment.
Was Lending Agency.
Under the setup since the SWPC
was placed under the wing of WPB
last September, the corporation, as
specified by Congress, has been en-
tirely financing agency, lending
money to distressed small plants to
enable them to take on war con-
tracts.
The Smaller War Plants Division,
a branch of WPB until Saturday,
has exercised general supervision
over efforts of field officers and en-
glneers of the WPB Production Serv-
ice Department to place contracts or
subcontracts with distressed small
factories. But the fieldmen have had
the dual function Of placing orders
not only with distressed plants, but
with firms that already had war
orders.
The Washington Office of the
SWPD, housed with the SWPC, has
been concerned largely with carry
ing on liaison with the Government
procurement agencies in an effort to
see that holders of prime contracts
broke them down for distribution to
small subcontractors as far as
feasible.
Certain changes in the small busi-
ness organization were being worked
out today as its Offices were moved
from the Raleigh Hotel to the old
HOLC Offices at Indiana avenue and
First street NV.
Evening star., 1943-03-23
WPB Reorganized,
Nelson Leaves for
Brief Vacation
Agency Is Considered
In Shape to Permit
Few Days Of Rest

Donald M. Nelson, chairman of
the War Production Board, was
away today on a brief vacation.
Associates said he felt he had COM
pleted his reorganization of the big
agency and it was working smoothly
enough for him to leave for few
days of rest.
1t was not disclosed at WPB where
Mr.. Nelson went, but it was said he
would return next week.
Mr.. Nelson reorganiZed WPB from
top to bottom after ousting Vice
Chairman Ferdinand Eberstadt sew
eral weeks ago. Charles E. Wilson
was made executive vice chairman
and given general control over vir-
tually all departments, leaving Mr..
Nelson free to devote himself to
general policies and to smoothing
out kinks in the production pro-
gram.
An exception was made in the
case of Rubber Director William M
Jeffers. At first it was announced
that he was subject to Mr.. Wilson's
orders. Later he was told that his
status had not been changed-he
would continue to report directly to
Mr.. Nelson. Mr.. Jeffers has enjoyed
practically an independent exist
ence within WPB. because, it is un-
derstood, Mr.. Nelson does not inter-
fere with his decisions. The rubber
director was reported to have OBJ
jected to being under Mr.. Wilson.
Mr.. Nelson also is said to have
decided to retain control over the
office of executive secretary. the gen.
eral counsel, the War Utilities Office,
the Smaller War Plants Corp, and
the Smaller War Plants Division,
though no announcement has been
made.
Evening star., 1943-03-23
Knox Warns Calm in Pacific
May Be Prelude to Storm

Mr.. Knox said things are getting
"a little tight" at the French car
rinoean Island of Martinique because
supplies from the United States are
cut of. There is local resentment
over the situation - resentment
against Admiral (Georges) Robert
Tor being 50 stubborn" he said.
The Secretary said that Judging
from what Prime Minister Churchill
had reported, he would say I'VE are
now on the move" in Tunisia.
Mr.. Knox had no current report
about the wars progress In the At
lantic. Asked whether the Navy wa.
able to confirm German claims OF
(See KNOX, Page A-l6.)
Evening star., 1943-03-23
Steel Official Denies Aides
Knew of Plate est Fukino'

quality steel for the war effort and
deeply deplores what has been dis
closed at today's hearing"
These disclosures concern nom
compliance with this company's es-
tablished procedures for the testing
of plates produced at Irwin works,
he said.
THE higher management of this
company is in no way involved in
these deviations from such proce
dures, which were unknown to such
officials and never permitted or con-
doned by them.
"A thorough investigation is under
way, and changes in personnel will
be made, wherever required, In order
to insure full compliance in the fu-
ture with these prescribed testing
procedures.
"Regrettable as these occurrences
have been, 1t IS reassuring to know
that the plates furnished by Irwin
(see TRUMAN. Page A-l6)
Evening star., 1943-03-23
II 0PA Aides
.HereDroppedin in
Economy Drive
RondoII's Position
As Assistant Director
Is Abolished
BY NORMAN KAHL.

Eleven members of the Dis
tricts OPA administrative staff,
including Thomas K. Randall,
senior administrative assistant
to the director, have been re-
moved from their positions in an
economy drive instituted by the
OPA regional office in New York,
it was learned today.
Altogether, about 100 persons have
been dismissed from local Offices
throughout Region (fve States
and the District of Columbia) in
what was understood to be an effort
to strengthen the local boards with
out incurring further costs. Funds
saved. it was said, will be used to
employ more technical assistants
for the boards themselves.
Heath C. Norman, chief ration
ing officer for the District, who is
also acting as director due to the
illness of Director Robert K. Thomp-
son, said it had become necessary
here to reduce the administrative,
legal and price control staffs, but
he emphasized that none of the per-
sonnel of the ratloning division had
been cut. Funds thus saved, he said,
will be used to increase the services
OF the rationing boards to the public.
Randall Position Abolished.
Mr.. Randall, who came to the
District OPA as the senior admin
lStrative assistant to Whitney Leary
in January, 1912, said he had turned
IN his resignation yesterday after he
was informed Saturday that his po-
sltlon was being abolished. Since
the resignation of Mr.. Leary sew
eral months ago, Mr. Randall has
remained as aide to Mr.. Thompson.
Before joining the OPA. Mr..
Randall had been associated for 20
years with the H. B. Leary, jr., and
Bro. Co., automobile dealers, as
general sales manager Mr.. Randall
said he had no plans for the i'm
mediate future. He said he intends
to rest awhile.
Its been pretty tough pro-
gram he said. In my job, I've
had to take quite a bit of the
punishment off Mr.. Leary and Mr..
Steuart Il. P. Steuart, former chief
rationing officer"
1t was reported that Mr.. Randall
was the only staff member in an
| executive capacity who was affected
| by the economy wave.
Evening star., 1943-03-23
'C|0 Leader Attacks
kanpower Draft Bill
As Employer Weapon
Thomas Tells Senators
Measure Would Hold
Wages at Low Levels
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The Austin -WadSWOrth bill to
draft civilians into war produc-
ton Jobs was described by the
president of the CLOS largest af-
filiate today as "a weapon forged
by and for employers who wish to
keep wages at depression levels. "
Appearing before the Senate Mil
itary Affairs Committee, r. j.
Thomas, chief of the United Auto
mobile, Aircraft and Agricultural
Implement Workers, declared that
the chief bottleneck to maximum
war effort is lack of a national pro-
duction program.
In instance after instance where
manpoWer shortages have been
blamed for production shortcom-
lngs, as in the case of the airplane
industry he testified. "closer exam
lnation has revealed defects in pro-
duction planning.
Bill Forged by Employers"
1T appears to me that this meas
ure is a weapon forged by and for
employers who wish to avoid un-
necessary wage adjustments, who
wish to keep wages at depression
levels by freezing substandard labor
on farms, in the forests and in the
factories. They want to do this
even if it is done at the expense of
the production effort
William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor, pre-
viously has opposed the legislation
as calling for involuntary servi-
tude."
Mr.. Thomas attributed what he
called the impetus for compulsory
labor legislation to large-scale en-
ployers of agriculture, who. he
said, want surplus of workers to
whom they can continue to pay sub
standard wages"
The JAW leader said that a few
weeks ago the Glenn L. Martin
plant in Baltimore had laid of
scores of people" including skilled
mechanics, and while the dismissals
were described as a step against
absenteeism, he said the greatest
absence was not in men, but Sin the
full utilization of the men and ma
chimes III the plant due to lack of
(See MANPOWER page A.161
Evening star., 1943-03-23
B! the Associated Press.

J. Lester Perry, president of
Carnegie Illinois Steel Corp, tes-
titled today that "the higher
management" of his company
was in no way involved in a
failure to carry out prescribed
testing procedures" on steel plate
ordered by the Navy and other
war agencies from the firms Ir-
vim (Pa) plant.
Mr.. Perry appeared before the
Special Senate Committee Investi-
eating the War Program, which had
introduced in evidence signed state
ments from company employees de-
claring that tensile strength tests
and chemical analyses Of the steel
plates had been faxed.
Mr.. Perry said his firm, a sub
sidiary of the United States Steel
Corp. has been devoting its best
efforts to the production Of high.
Evening star., 1943-03-23
| Pilot Sets Record
ByFHing Atlantic
Twice in Day
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MIAMI, Fla, March 23.-Capt.
Joseph H. Hart of Pan American
Anyways set a record last week when
he flew his clipper across the South
Atlantic twice in "a hours.
Pan American officials said it was
the first time a commercial plane
had made the round trip in a single
day.
Capt. Hart and his crew flew the
Boeing boat from Natal. Brazil, to
a West African port and returned
to Natal In % hours and SO minutes.
The mark was made possible by
the ground crew at the African
terminal, which refueled and serv.
iced the plane in so minutes.
Twice before Capt. Hart has es-
tablished transatlantic records.
Early in January he landed his Clip
per at La Guardia Field, N. Y, after
having flown the Atlantic IL times
in 13 days and IS hours.
In March. 1912, he set the preW-
GUS record for commercial crossings
when he made six South Atlantic
flights in 8 days and Is hours.
Evening star., 1943-03-23
Reds Push Back
All Nazi Efforts
ToCross Donets
Russian Drive
Toward SmoIensk
Goes Forward
MAP on Page A-4.)
BY EDDY GILMORE,

NASooSiobSu 1 400 w al SolACSpOlluclIl
MOSCOW, March 23.-Battling
numerically superior forces of
Germans who continue to pour
up to the front in long columns,
the Red Army of the Northern
Donets pushed back every Ger
man effort to cross the waterway
IN force, while on the central
front the Russians continued to
drive toward Smolensk, it was
announced today.
The Chuguev and Belgorod Sec
tors still were the centers of the
most violent fighting in the Donets
area, the Germans employing in
creaslng numbers of infantry be-
hind their mass tank and plane
attacks, but there was no serious
denting of the Soviet line. Along
the long river front the Soviets
continued to hold several positions
on the western bank.
Inc noon communlque said Soviet
artillery fire dispersed one enemy
concentration in the area of Chu-
guev, which is % miles southeast
OF Kharkov, and that the Germans
were hurled back with heavy
losses" when they attacked in one
sector of that battle.
Tanks Are Wiped Out.
SIX tanks and 25 troop trucks we're
wiped out in one sector of the Bel
gorod district fighting, and IS sup
ply trucks and two German bat
terles were destroyed in another.
The Germans have been depend
Ing largely on trucks for commune
cations between Kharkov and Chu-
guev and the Russian heavy artillery
which commands several roads lead
ing to the front, has been pouring
showers of steel into marching COL
umns and troop-loaded trucks. as
well as blasting the heavy German
tanks.
The Soviet guns have been inflict-
ing similar punishment on the trucks
carrying troops into the Belgorod
sector. but advices from the front
indicated the Germans were bring
ing up reserves for heavier assaults
from Belgorod down through the
Donets below.
Nowhere along the line. however
was there any indication that the
Red Army defense was weakening.
Reds Hold Above Bryansk.
The Russians were holding, too
north of Zhizdra, above Bryansk
where violent German attacks were
reported thrown back again and
again with losses of more than 5000
men in the last five days-without
any hint of German success.
The invaders activity in this Sec
tor was held to be a measure to
try to save German positions at
Bryansk and Orel. endangered by
Russian troops driving westward
from several bases.
CThe German high command
communique. broadcast today by
the Berlin radio and recorded by
the Associated Press, referred to
this sector and said German
troops finally had frustrated a
Soviet offensive started in Janu-
ary and aimed at cutting off the
Orel area from other Nazi-held
portions of Western Russia.
On the course of this eight
week offensive, the German
broadcast claimed the Russians
lost l0,594 captured and 10000
killed and that 1.0Sl tanks and
(See RUSSIA. Page A-16D
Evening star., 1943-03-23
Pownull British Chief
In lron and Iroq Area
BY the Associated Press,

BY the Associated Press.
BAGHDAD, March 23.-Appoint-
ment of 55-year-old Gen. Sir Henry
Pownall as British commander in
chief in Iran and Irag was disclosed
today with the announcement that
he would arrive here shortly to take
up his new post.
He will succeed Gen. Sir Henry
Maitland Wilson, recently named
commander In chief In the Middle
East.
Evening star., 1943-03-23
Red Cross Workers
Battling TO Collect
Last Third Of Quota
Campaign Has Yet to Lost
Momentum, Despite Lag
In Pledges Yesterday

Further progress in the $685.
400 District Red Cross War Fund
campaign was expected to be re-
ported today by the Government
and general business divisions
Through yesterday 165,326 con-
tributors had given $1,04O,314
or 66.8S per cent of the quota.
Despite the small amount OF
money turned in yesterday, Resi-
Dental Division Chairman Clark G
Diamond and City Unit Chairman
Barnum L. Cotton said the "en-
| couraging thing is that no stalemate
has been reached, the drive has not
lost momentum, and the interpreters
of the Red Cross needs are working
, hard"
They conceded, however, that
raising the last one-third of the
amount sought would be the hard
est part of the battle.
Totals Raised to Date.
To date the totals raised by the
various divisions are: Government
| S433, ,496 of s635, ,256 quota; general
business, $259,243 of $311, 400; city
| $l00,219 of S200,O00; residential
Sl45,482 or 63 percent; Arlington
County, S9,124 or IS per cent; Mont
gomery County, $4,000 of $47 500;
Fairfax County, S18,773 of $23,355
and Prince Georges County, $14,147
of $21, ,798.
The money is out there, and it is
the job of all friends of the Red
| Cross to bring it in," said Mr. Col
! ton in addressing his area chair
men.
For the first time. all divisions
i will meet Thursday to submit re-
ports. Monday booths will be
opened, with 1000 volunteers goine
direct to their booths following {
1890 am rally at the United State:
Chamber of Commerce. Addresse.
are scheduled by Eric Johnston
president of the chamber, and Rita
Johnson, movie actress.
Servicemen's Real Friend.
Comdr. Wilbur Kellum, Navy
Medical Corps, who spoke yester.
day, said the Red Cross is not only
real friend of servicemen, but as.
sists them after. they leave the
armed forces. He related how mer
disabled and invalided out of the
service were placed in rehabilitation
centers Or private employment by
the Red Cross.
He was in Hawaii but not at Pear
Harbor when the Japs attacked the
morning of December 7, 1941. "Oul
hospital station was separated from
Honolulu by high mountain
range" he related. That morning
our commanding officer saw planes
approach and was peeved wher
he saw them coming in from a bad
angle for landing purposes. His sol,
said. Daddy. those are Jap planes.
They destroyed our facilities with
their bombs. We had nothing te
(See RED CPnCC DoCo AEI
Evening star., 1943-03-23
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 23.-Squad-
rons of the RATS big bombers
smashed at the German subma-
rine base at st. t.,Nazaire last night
in the wake of a heavy assault
on Wilhelmshaven by American
Flying Fortresses and Liberators
yesterday afternoon.
British Whirlwind fighter bomb
ers also blasted railway targets in
Brittany during the nights opera
tions, which cost the loss of one
plane, an Air Ministry communique
said.
The assaults on St. Nazaire and
Wilhelmshaven represented a re-
sumption of the Allied air Often
sive against the nests from which
Nazi underwater raiders have been
striking at vital United Nations
supply lines
st. Nazaire has been a repeated
target of attacks not only by the
Raj but by the United States Air
Evening star., 1943-03-23
YuqosIav GuerrilIas
Reported Driven Back
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
BERN, March ga Budapest
dispatch to the Neue Zurcher lei
tung last night said Yugoslav guer-
rillas opposing Axis troops in Bosnia
had been forced to retreat SOUTH
ward into Herzegovina and we're
making stand at Konjie, some 80
miles north of Mostar.
In Bosnia where Axis troops were
reported to be "mopping up" the
dispatch said authorities were faced
with the problem of caring for 10000
orphaned children. 1t said "col-
lection" camp for orphans was being
established near Sarajevo.
Evening star., 1943-03-23
BY the Associated pres6

BY the ASs6CIateC PfeSB.
Secretary Knox said today the
Pacific is very quiet at the mo-
ment, but this may be the calm
before the storm"
'The war is still on out there
very much,' the Navy Secretary told
press conference.
The subject OF the Pacific came up
when Mr.. Knox was asked about the
fact that a Navy casualty list Is
sued last night contained only nine
names.
His only direct comment was,
Don't make any deductions from
that; the total of casualties changes
constantly as you know"
Evening star., 1943-03-23
Pope Confined to Room
with Mild Influenza

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, March 23.-The Rome
radio said today that Pope Plus XII
was confined to his room after suf-
fering slight attack of influenza,
but his condition was giving no
cause for anxiety.
1t said both private and public
audiences for today and tomorrow
had been Cancelled.
Evening star., 1943-03-23

CAPETOWN, Union of South
Africa, March % tP,.-An American
lease-lend mission to South Africa
consisting of Charles Gage. Frank
lin S. Pollack and John B. Richborn
has arrived in Cacetown. The mis-
sion will visit all provinces of the
union to decide the best application
of leaSe-lend to South Africa.
Evening star., 1943-03-23
leuse-lend Mission in Africa

(See RED CROSS, Page A-5.)
Evening star., 1943-03-23

(See MANPOWER, Page A-l6
Evening star., 1943-03-23

(See RUSSIA, Page A-16.
Evening star., 1943-03-23

Gen. Montgomery coastal drive,
the correspondent added met with
a deep and difficult wadi defended
by complicated trench system and
machine-gun posts which had to be
mopped up. However, this obstacle
was reported crossed, and the Brit
ish were said now to be attacking a
strongly-held ridge
The German communiuue claimed
the Allies were repulsed "at several
(See AFRICA, Page A-16.J
Evening star., 1943-03-23

(See AFRICA, Page A-16.
Evening star., 1943-03-23

Late news and sports are covered on
Pages Tx and 2-X Of this edition of
The Star, supplementing the news Of
the regular home delivered edition.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-10-20
Book HOnOrS
Frank Cody
BY MARGARET DAILY

BY MAhUAhEI DAILY
The telephone rang in the superintendent
office. Frank Cody answered. womans excited
voice came over the wires
my daughter" she breathed, Smokes She
says she picked up the habit from the girls at
high school. WhatlI I do"
Does she chew" Cody inquired.
There was a gasp. Don't tell me they do
that, tOO?"
That's what hear"
Thank the Lord" observed the mother "she
hasn't started that vet"
In his % years as superintendent of Detroit's
public schools. Frank Cody had ample opportu-
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-10-20

story of the growth of educa-
ton in Michigan,
Admired, respected and loved
by all his associates, Cody's fell
low workers have paid the great
educational leader high
tribute in the publication of a
book. Frank Cody: a Realist
in Education, written by MEM
bers of the public school staff.
Cody's story begins in 1890.
the year when John l. Sullivan
laid away Jake Kilran and the
girls and boys were singing
Little Annie Rooney and
Where Did You Get That
Hat
ENTERED NORMAL
This was the year Cody
entered Michigan State Normal
College TO become. the follow
ing year. the proud poSSeSSor of
a state teachers certificate.
An appointment In Delray
saw Cody embarked on his
career. Immediately attircd
In a Prince Albert coat round
rubber cuffs and sporting
"warlike mustachio." he walked
down the streets Of the little
saloon town of 400 inhabitants
and half as many dogs, TO the
village school.
The gang was waiting for
him, Bets were laid on how
long the new dude would last.
But Cody was ready. too. From
his pocket he pulled a yard of
rubber hose School had begun.
There followed some of the
most terrific battles in the war
like history OF Delray
OTHER BATTLES
In later years. 10 sometimes
became necessary for the teach
cr'S authority 10 b. reasscrtcd
but his position was firmly
established
IN COdy'S years OF service he
frequently became embrolcd .n
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-10-20

nifty to exercise all his powers OF
diplomacy, tact and good fell
lowShip.
Superintendent at a period
when Detroit was growing from
a horse-and-buggy town 10
great industrial city, when
education was developing from
a three r curriculum TO high
powered system, the story OF
Frank Cody Is essentially the