davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-05-30

more toll calls on an average business
day.
2. The Washington Gas Light Co. is
supplying $4,000 more customers with
gas than in 1889 with annual sales Jump
ing billion cubic feet in that period
g. The Capital Transit Co.'S transport
tation facilities are carrying almost twice
as many passengers as in 1910.
4. The Potomac Electric Power Co..
with more than $4,000 more customers
than in 1888, has practically doubled its
generating capacity in the last five years.
Shortly after our entrance into war,
the telephone company inserted ads in
local papers entitled an emergency re-
quest which told readers that "in order
to meet the requirements of our Gov
ernment. the armed forces and those
engaged in war activities, We must urge
for the present" two things: One. that
long distance and local calls be limited
to urgent business and, second that ex-
cept where necessary, avoid calling Gov
ernment departments and agencies, par
ticularly those in war activities.
There is a story behind that ad-the
story of the tidal wave of business that
broke upon the company with the war.
Fortuna tely, the experience of the last
war and the national defense program
gave storm warnings of what would hap
pen.
New Facilities Rushed.
An average Sunday during l941 had
meant about 10000 outgoing toll calls.
Then came the fateful Sunday on which
the Japanese struck at Pearl Harbor-
December 7, 1941-and the outgoing calls
jumped to 19,80O All available en-
ployes here were called in and many,
who had heard the news over their radios,
came in voluntarily-a fact of which the
company Is proud. In the following days
other operators and telephone workers
were called in from as far away as Min
nesota and Texas to take temporary
places at switchboards, with installation
crews and other positions. Within two
weeks, IT'S of these out -toWners were
on the job.
An average business day in 1941 saw
the company handling about 23600 out
going toll calls. But on the first Mon
day of war the figure rose to 10000, then
to almost $4,000. 1t was then the COM
pany began its radio and newspaper
campaign to plead with the public not
to make unnecessary calls. Results were
forthcoming. BY Thursday the toll calls
had dropped to 10000.
Thirty new toll positions, which were
being prepared for Christmas of 1941
were rushed to completion in 18 hours,
and within two weeks IS new positions
were in service. The bombing of one
telephone building would not paralyze
telephone communica ations with the out
Evening star., 1943-05-30

and Constitution avenue over Highway
Bridge. In the morning hours, these two
lines make about 1875 trips, carrying
more than II 900 passengers.
The personnel problem has also been
serious for this company. Although more
than $500 men have been trained from
1910 to the present time, company off l.
cials admit the net gain has been pretty
close to zero. To meet this personnel
problem, the company has trained some
Evening star., 1943-05-30

200 part-time workers, and now has two
women operating buses, three are operat-
ing streetcars, half dozen more are in
training as operators and 10 women are
working as change collectors and makers
at Pentagon.
Although the company has completed
a good deal of construction work, Off
cials say it is difficult to distinguish be-
tween construction required directly be-
cause of the war and that necessitated
by the growth of the city during recent
years. Some of the more recent con-
struction includes: Streetcar tracks into
the Southwest Mall for Social Security
and Census Buildings 100000; track
Evening star., 1943-05-30

lion. This has called for additional
manufacturing equipment, which has
stepped up the maximum daily produc-
ton capacity from 10000, 900 cubic feet
before the war to l22,OOO,O00 by the end
of 1912. Since then, of course, larger
supply of raw material in the form of
natural gas has been made available by
the second natural gas line. Storage ca
pacity has been increased by 10000 600
cubic feet.
In cooperation with the War Pro-
Evening star., 1943-05-30

proper telephone arrangements are in
service for the reporting of incidents
during air raids to designated control
centers to insure dispatching of protec-
tive and relief services. AS for the every
day protection of the company's own
property, military guards were thrown
around the toll Offices the day after war
broke out, while local police were sent
to the other offices. Such patrol duties
have now been taken over by company
recruited and trained guards.
Solving Gas Company Problems.
Although war Is no new story to the
gas company-the city's oldest utility
this war has brought unprecedented
problems. Like other utilities, it has
had the general problem of keeping pace
with demands of swollen wartime
population in the face of restrictions and
manpower problems. Extensive prepara-
tons have been made by the company
TO meet the emergency of an air attack
Its manufacturing plants and auxiliary
stations are in widely scattered locations,
Its distribution system spreads over hun
dreds of thousands of acres.
Total destruction by the most dev-
astating air raids is therefore unthink-
able officials say. IF one of it's two
production units were completely wiped
out the city could limp along on the
output Of the other, across town"
With the recent completion of a second
pipeline into the city the company now
has dual delivery as we'll as production
Even if the big leader line from one
manufacturing plant were shattered
officials report that connecting mains
from the other plant would compensate
in part until repairs could be made. 1t
is emphatically denied that there is any
danger of explosion surrounding a gas
tank. 1t is pointed out that number of
tanks have been hit in England by ex-
plosive and incendiary bombs, but that
none of them has exploded.
Fire Control Training.
1t Is admitted, however, that the $500
miles OF mains and service pipes are ex-
ceedingly vulnerable with some mains
standing tWo-to-three chance of being
hit. specific training program has
been held for such emergencies. when
it would be necessary to snuff out fires
at the end of broken mains confine the
effect within as small an area as possible,
and take other steps necessary for re-
sumption of service. A spot map, keyed
to card index, permits immediate loca-
ton OF all such trained employees within
a given area.
Manpower Shortages.
terials are cached at 10 strategic spots
where emergency crews report in the
event of raid. Repair trucks, dis
persed to outlying stations-partly for
safety purposes-are available to the
service personnel. At the heart of the
company's defense structure is an air.
raid control center, where supervisory
group reports when the alarm sounds.
Open telephone wires maintain a close
contact with subcontrol centers of the
District and Montgomery County, Md.
civilian defense units. In the manu-
featuring plants, methods have been
devised for speedy repair to punctured
gas tanks. Special fire. fighting equip
ment includes an oil tank fire protec-
ton unit.
Population growth during recent
years have added $4,000 new customers
since 1899, increasing annual sales from
II billion cubic feet to more than II bill
Evening star., 1943-05-30

flict with 730 and now has a maze of
1900 circuits to carry messages to far
flung parts of the continent.
Worlds Largest Switchboard.
One of the major undertakings of the
company was the installation of the
worlds largest private branch SWITCH
board at the War Department Penta-
Evening star., 1943-05-30

to more than 100000 OF the 460 600 tele-
phones in service. To meet this incrase
in business, it has been necessary for the
c. and P. to make gross additions to
its plant here of more than S43 100000
The result of all this expansion is that,
while the Government went to war last
time with less than $50 long circuit lines
out of Washington, it entered this con-
Evening star., 1943-05-30

Building, in the concourse of the Penta-
gon Building and at Connecticut ave-
nue. drugstore.
The Chesapeake & Potomac Tele-
phone Co. has developed it's own civilian
defense organization, with auxiliary po-
lice, firemen, repairmen and wardens.
One of the highly important jobs of
the c. & P. Co. has been to see that
Evening star., 1943-10-13
KaIorama Citizens Favor
Amended Suffrage Bill

The Kalorama Citizens Associa
tlon last night went on record in
favor of national representation and
a vote for presidential candidates
tor residents of the District.
Discussing the pending McCarran
bill, which would set up a system
of home rule for Washington. the
association suggested an amend
ment which would require candi-
dates for the proposed board of
seven commissioners to have lived
in the District for at least five years.
The present bill contains a three
year residence requirement.
The group, meeting in the John
Quincy Adams School. voiced hope
that proper measures would be
taken at Gallinger Hospital for
the care and treatment of patients,
but withheld comment on condi-
tions there.
The association also decided to
make further contacts with the Ma
tlonal Capital Park and Planning
Commission for safety improve
nents in the park at Nineteenth
and Columbia road NV, the claim
being that child safety could be
increased lE better lighting and that
a revision of landscaping would give
better vision to motorists.
George Hodgkirfs and Fletcher S.
Tilton were named delegates to the
Federation of Citizens Associations
by Monte Sanger, presiding officer.
New officers will be elected at the
next meeting, second Tuesday Of
November, and new place and date
Of meeting will be considered,
Evening star., 1943-10-13
Truck Drivers Union
Seeks End Of Strike
Following Conference
BY the Associated Press.


ATLANTA, Oct l3.-Union off,
cials asked striking truck drivers in
six Southern States to return to
work today and end a week long
walkout that has tied up millions
Of pounds of freight-much of it
war material.
The request was made after rep
resentatives of striking drivers re-
ceived written assurances from
truck line operators, the Army and
United States Cancellation Service
officials that they would lend all
possible assistance in obtaining an
early decision from the War Labor
Board in the drivers wage increase
case
The IA representatives Of the
Brotherhood of TeamsterS, Chauf-
feurs, Warehousemen and Helpers
Union. AFL, carried the proposal to
their locals after a lengthy confer
ence here yesterday.
Union SpokeSmen said the drivers
quit work because of dissatisfaction
with the WLB delay in acting on a
pay AMY AAlSi CooC IL
months ago. Robert Borden of Bir-
mingham, heading the union repre-
sentatives at the conference, esti-
mated $500 of the unions 10000
members in the South were involved
in the strike.
The regional Office Of Defense
Transportation estimated more than
$4,000, 900 pounds of freight is tied
up in Memphis, Atlanta Nashville,
Birmingham, Knoxville and Jackson,
Miss. because of the strike.
At ST. Louis, 500 members of local
unions voted to haul war materials
today, but decided to stay on strike
Cancellation Commissioner John
Lacy, at the parley here, presented
to union representatives a telegram
from A. Ewing Greene of Nashville.
chairman of the Southeastern Area.
Operators Committee, in which the
carriers pledged to lend every as
sistance possible in securing an early
decision from the War Labor Board
Operators were not represented at
the meeting.
Union representatives were given
Photographic copies OF Mr.. Greene's
telegram, and of written promises of
assistance from the 4th Service Com
Evening star., 1943-10-13
Pope Refuses 10 Move
From Vatican Even if
War Strikes Rome
BY the Associated Press,

STOCKHOLM. Oct. 10. Pope
Plus XII apparently intends to re-
main in Vatican City even if Rome
becomes battle-ground, reports
from Italy indicated today.
The Pope has been continuing his
usual activities, these unconfirmed
sdvices continued, and, although
the papal guard of the Holy See has
been increased, the Vatican's defense
remains purely synbolical as the
Swiss Guards are ordered never to
use their rifles.
The Germans, with three divisions
in Rome, have taken the Vatican
under protection" but German
soldiers have not stepped inside the
Catholic religious center nor has
any move been taken to interfere
with the Pope, dispatches from
Rome said
With the war zone drawing closer
to Rome. however. the Stockholm
newspaper Social Demokraten said,
It was learned privately that the
Pope had refused a German offer
Tor safe refuge in Liechtenstein.
A correspondent of the paper
stockholms Tidningen said that
despite all rumors Vatican and
German authorities say no clashes
have occurred. German soldiers are
extremely curious to know what goes
on behind the Vatican gates. They
expressed great surprise when TOLD
the Pope had no panzer troops or
aircraft"
The German minister to the Vat
;can was understood, the Social
Oemokraten said to have told the
Pope that Rome would soon be a
battle center and Germany could
not guarantee the safety of the Holy
See. He was said to have offered
to provide the Holy Father with
haven in little LieChtenstein be-
tween Germany and Switzerland.
The Zurich correspondent of the
Swedish newspaper Dagnes Nyheter
reported that foreign legations still
in Rome had been advised by the
Germans to prepare to evacuate if
the Allied armies continue to ad-
vance. He said they would be moved
to the winter ski resort of Cortina
D 'Ampezzo. 20 miles from the Ger
man border.
While Vatican City is an almost
sufficient state, it is dependent F.
on Italy for water, gas and elec~ !
trlcity. There are normally about |
100 inhabitants, including foreign !
diplomats
Evening star., 1943-10-13
Argentine People Resent
Pope's Imprisonment

SANTIAGO, Chile. Oct. l3 (P0.-
Recent developments have made it a
foregone conclusion that Argentina.
her people largely Catholic and pro-
Allied, will sever relations soon with
Germany diplomatic source said
last night.
This assertion followed publica-
ton of an article in the newspaper
Hora, owned by the dominant
Chilean Radical party that advices
from Buenos Aires indicated the Ar
Centlne government was indignant
over the Nazi attitude toward Pope
Plus XII and probably would end
relations shortly
The diplomatic source said he
drew his conclusion from the fol-
lowing:
l. imprisonment" of the Pope an
gered the Argentinians.
2. That. coupled with American
and British notes frowning on Ar
sentlna's neutrality, solidified the
peoples wish to avoid unpleasant
isolation, economic difficulties and
gradual weakening of military power
through the lack of lease-lend
equipment (Which has been re-
fused Argentina).
g. The Argentine foreign minister
conferred Monday with the Am
bassadors from Chile, Brazil and
Mexico
4 1t is understood that Argentine
PRESIDENT Pedro Ramirez has won
to his side the most recalcitrant
army colonies. whose nationalistic
and in some cases pro-Nazi leanings
lad caused them to oppose such a
break.
These colonies, meeting regularly
70 discuss government policies. re-
Gently have become groWingly SYM
pathetic toward a break with Ger
many, it was said.
Evening star., 1943-10-13
Procedure ARRANGED
To Check Reflections
Of Psychiatric 4-Fs

In move to release to the armed
forces some of the men rejected at
induction stations for psychiatric
reasons, selective service has ordered
draft boards to gather detailed medi-
cal and social histories of men COM
ing up for induction.
The War Manpower Commission
IN announcing the directive to draft
boards, said yesterday it expected
that "a substantial number of men
who might otherwise be rejected
will be found acceptable for service
If their records do not show positive
cause for rejection" while men not
physically or mentally qualified will
be protected from military service.
Thousands Rejected.
Reflections for mental reasons
have been responsible for the loss
OF thousands of men to the armed
forces In recent testimony on Capt.
tol Hill. Selective Service Director
Hershey made it clear that he be-
heved acceptance or rejection of a
man for mental reasons depended
largely on the psvchiatrist making
the examination III many cases.
Medical field agents. it was an
nounced Yesterday, will be attached
TO each draft board and will submit
reports to the induction stations on
school and work records. health his
tory and the social adjustments of
registrants in civilian life when the
men report for induction.
The information will not be used
by local boards in classifying regis
trants, but will be made available
to examining doctors at the induc-
ton stations.
Procedure Established.
Procedure also was established for
the review of the records of men
rejected at induction stations or dis
charged from the armed forces for
psychiatric reasons. If local board
is OF the opinion that such rejection
or discharge was erroneous or the
causes for such rejection have
ceased Gen. Hershey instructed
the board may refer the registrant
to the medical advisory board at
tached to the draft board.
VINO said secondary schools would
Evening star., 1943-10-13
Ma|oneY Opposes Giving
Diplomats Blank Check
By the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
HARTFORD, Conn. Oct. 13-
Senator Maloney. Democrat. of
Connecticut in talk today opposed
any congressional action which
would give blank check to post
war treaty makers.
Il am, indeed. in favor of inter-
national machinery to insure
peace" he declared to the Sales
Managers Club of Hartford, but
l feel we should know what is in
our Allies minds before we COM
NIT ourselves"
Senator Maloney also opposed
what he called the so-called edu-
cation bill, under which Federal
money would be given to States to
help defray the expense of edu-
eating their populations"
Evening star., 1943-10-13

provide educational histories on per-
sons about to be graduated and on
graduates classified as immediately
available for induction. The in
formation, VINO said, would be held
in "strictest confidence"
Evening star., 1943-10-13

mand Of the Army and the Concilia-
ton Service.
They demanded these copies before
agreeing to ask their men to return
to work.
Evening star., 1943-10-13
Tobacco Trade Shrinks

Sweden expects that production
OF cigars. chewing tobacco. and
snuff will be so per cent less in 1943
than in 1912, and will decline to
IS per cent of prewar.
Evening star., 1943-10-13

War bonds are just as much 4
weapon as a war plane or 4 long
range gun; how many bonds do you
own? Back the attack with War
bonds"
Evening star., 1943-10-13
Deliveries Increased

Motor and horse vehicles Of one
British railway are collecting and
delivering Is per cent more mer-
chandise than before the war.
Evening star., 1943-10-13
Paper Foctory Planned

Construction of paper factory
on the east coast of Nicaragua is
planned for next year.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-02-14
SAvORY VEAL STEW

by Weekly Britain Rights Reserved
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-02-14

fore fuel is used for the same
purpose. This point applies par
ticularly TO the preparation of
dried legumes, beans, peas, etc,
now once again so much TO the
fore; also TO dried or dehydrated
vegetables, of which many new
forms are seen on our dealers
counters; and 10 dried fruits, of
course.
Take the excellent yellow
split pea" which provides such
a tasty. nourishing soup base.
You can soak il all night and all
day before starting it to simmer
in the soup pot.
Many dried fruits can be
soaked from 4 TO hours; even
rice can be covered with hot
water and allowed 70 stand an
hour, then drained and the cook
ing begun. Oatmeal and other
cereals, too can be thus aided in
their way TO tenderizing by the
soaking or water route.
Many vegetables and
foods now cooked in large por-
tons or pieces can be cut,
shredded or diced in such a man
ner as 10 greatly reduce the
usual standardized cooking time.
AS an example, let us take
cabbage as ii was universally
cooked in Grandmother's day,
when the entire head was quar-
tered into four large, equal
chunks. In this bulk form the
cabbage was dropped into boiling
water and boiled from IL to 2
hours And a fine reddish mass,
or mess, tasting like snuff, it
was when il was thus boiled!
But not today: the modern
housewife shreds her cabbage
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-02-14

thin and fine, omits all the hard
core, and rs ready to cat delicate
white cabbage in about II min
utes flat from the instant IT was
lightly sprinkled into boiling
water.
So, too, with many other
vegetables; why is il that par
SHIPS are always cooked whole,
or at least sliced lengthwise in
half, so that they require from
40 to 90 minutes TO render the
thick, dubious end tender? If
carrots can be pared and diced,
why not the parsnip? And it
can! Thinly pare with sharp
knife. remove all center core,
and cut into thin crosswise rings
These will cook in from 10 TO Is
minutes,
Still another familiar vege-
table which can be so prepared
as to save much fuel time is the
lowly beet Here again. why
always boil the whole beet for
As minutes Why not pare Il,
too, dice or slice or shred, and
quick-cook in 10 minutes? Save
the cooking liquor 10 make cock
tail or delicious beet soup, and
not a vitamin will have been
lost, but the housewife will
have saved some 80 minutes Of
precious gas.
Sixth Use a power mixer or
offender, or similar mechanical
device and prepare soups. broths,
and vegetable juices which re-
guire no cooking, or only a five
minute "het up" as the old lady
called il. Instead of cooking
soup vegetables for the two or
three hours so invariably de-
manded in the cookbooks. drop
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-02-14
How to Save Fuel in Cooking

in the vegetables, turn on the
power and reduce them 20 slivers
and shreds.
There's your soup, delicious
soup. and no fuel needed! It's
the greatest trick of all Carrots
alone, or celery and carrots, for
example, can be so blended"
and with tomato juice added,
and a dash of salt and pepper,
presto, there's your soup Of the
day!
Seventh-Cook double portions
of long-cooking foods whenever
possible, and divide their use.
Thus, cook a double portion of
any beans, candied sweets, baked
apples, any green vegetable, too;
use part nj once, hot, and save
the second portion for re-warm-
ing or TO use cold as salad.
Try this 1ong-short" cook
ing method more frequently.
Eighth-Use the right cooking
utensil, and special heat savers.
The most outstanding example,
often mentioned, is the top
burner potato baker-oven which
fits on but one gas ring, yet
which bakes 3 or 4 potatoes as
effectively as the whole gas oven.
Then, if you are lucky enough
to have one, there's the top
range pressure cooker pot, which
cooks beans, carrots, what you
will. in literal 6-minute timing.
Or, there's the old-fashioned
"waterless cooker" still going
strong, with its extra heavy
false bottom which retains the
heat after the fuel is turned off
Or. there is the three-tiered
steamer. another old utensil,
which cooks a separate food in
each of its several stories, and
which was advocated by the
food folks back in the 1900s.
And now a few last words
about the care and handling of
the gas burners themselves. 1t is
taken for granted that they are
rightly adjusted, that they burn
with a clear bright blue flame;
that the burners are never, never
choked with spilled foods, and
that the operator knows the
meaning Of the words high, :"
medium" and low" and espe-
cially of the simple little term:
Ito simmer"
For "simmering" is the answer
to the fuel conservationist's
prayer to save gas. 1t can be
done by simmering, rather than
by boiling or frying.