davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07
Astoria Survivor Tells
OF Jap Attack in
Savo Island Battle
Describes Desperate
Six-Hour Fight to
Save Doomed Ship

We knew she was done for. but
we sure hated to leave that ship"
Thus Storekeeper I'D Class J. w.
Vallery, passing through Washing
ton on his way to shore duty in
cambridge, Md. yesterday expressed
the spirit which enabled his ship,
the U. S. S. Astoria. to protect
Marine landings on Guadalcanal in
the face Of bombardment by Japa-
nese warships which, in Is minutes,
fatally damaged four United Nations
heavy cruisers in their vain attempt
to penetrate Tulagi Harbor.
Vallery, native of Natchitoches,
La, is one of many hundred men out
Of her complement to survive the
blasting of his vessel in the Battle
Of Savo Island, August 9, 1912. The
order to abandon ship came after
six hours of fire fighting by the ex-
hausted crew and, little later, the
Astoria, its decks jungle of twisted
scrap, slid beneath the surface.
Hottest Action Yet.
I'VE had been through the fight
at Coral Sea and the battle of Mid
way, but this was the hottest ac-
ton yet Vallery related. "On
August 7 transports landed Ma
rines on Guadalcanal after our force
had laid down a heavy barrage.
The Japs were having breakfast and
were caught by surprise. so there
was little resistance from that quar-
ter
Later that day, however, the first
stream of dive bombers came over.
These and later attacks were re-
PEELED with little damage to our
selves. At noon on the following
day 4S torpedo bombers came at us.
Our fighter planes got 20 before they
got to us, we shot down 20 more
with anti-aircraft fire, and the
fighters picked off the other 8 as
they were trying to escape After
this we had little rest.
That night l was standing watch
on deck. A little after l o'clock one
OF my shipmates shook me by the
shoulder and informed me that
something was cooking" Boy, was
he ever right! I ran to my battle
station at an anti-aircraft battery
Pretty soon we heard the roar of
bombers. The Japs had begun their
attack. They wheeled around Savo
Island like bunch of Cossacks.
They were coming like hell. looked
like about 80 knots. The planes had
dropped flares, and the whole area
vas so light you could read a
newspaper on deck.
Hell While it Lasted"
They threw everything at us
but their anchors We got hit so
many times YOU couldn't tell our
salvos from their hits. One jap
ship was so close we shot out his
searchlght WITH machine gun.
We were so busy returning their
fire, the fight was over before we
knew it and the Japs were out of
range.
1T was hell while it lasted. When
1t was over. we found that they
had Knocked out four cruisers, the
Canberra, an Australian ship: the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07
Wife Of PAT Rooney |
Dies al Hotel Here
After 3-Day Illness
Former ZieefeId FoI|ies
Singer Appeared With
Many Stage Stors

Mrs. Helen Rulon Rooney. wife
of Pat Rooney II and former Zieg-
field "Follies" singer, died last night
at the Washington Hotel, where
she had been living with her hus-
band. She was 33.
MI Rooney, who has been play
ing at a local night club, was at
her bedside. She had been i'll three
days.
AS Janet Reed, Mrs. Rooney
played Broadway, including an ap-
pearance in one of the last must
calls of Flo Ziegfeld. She played
opposite Eddie Cantor in his ma
sicale, "Whoopee," i'm 1929.
Mr.. Rooney. active in the show
business for 50 years, married the
singer last July 81 in Hoboken, N.
j., following her divorce from Mr..
Rooney's son, Pat III, also an en-
tertainer. The younger Rooney mar
ried her seven years ago.
Mrs. Rooney began her career at
the age of 10 in Philadelphia, her
birthplace She was first a dancer.
but made her name as torch singer.
In addition to playing with Cam
tor, she has appeared with Jack
Benny on the stage. She has been
inactive for the last 2l2 years.
Mr.. Rooney's first wife, Marion
Bent, died two years ago. The couple
with their son were prominent in
vaudeville for many years. At one
time they were paid $4,000 a week
Only other survivor is Mrs
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07

cake and have it too War bonds
will help win the war and still be
yours for savings.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07

by Motorcycle Offlcer Fred Kelly on
felony charges of flit-run driving
end drunk driving, and one mis-
Gemeanor charge Of hit-run driving.
lie was released on $500 bail.
The ofccr said he stopped Gen.
Smith on Pacific Highway, three
miles from the downtown San Diego
street wnerc Alvin J. Wilder, %.
Navy machinists mate second class,
suffered a broken leg when struck
by an automobile.
Shortly before the Marine officer
was stopped, a vehicle operated by
Cas- Rose, San Diego. was side
sWipcd by a hit-run car. Police
reported this was the basis Of the
misdemeanor charge
Capt Elmer Warner. head OF the
police traffic detail. said all evidence
had been turned over to the Dis
triCt Attorneys office for a decision
regarding filing Of complaints.
He said Gen. Smiths glasses we're
broken and he had suffered head
cuts.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07
Liquor Stocks Held
Sufficient for ; 10 5
Years CONSUMPTION
OCS Director Declares
Bedrock Report Was
Not q Recommendation

., 1here are sufficient stocks of
liquor III the country to provide for
normal consumption over a period
OF from three to five wears .Josenh
l.. Welner, director of the War Pro-
auction Boards ONCE of Civilian
supply declared yesterday.
Mr.. Weiner issued a statement to
mead OF misinterpretation of a
oeorock economy report prepared
oy OCS or Sterilization Director
James F. Byrnes, which included an
estimate of the amount of LIQUOR
mat would have to be made if there
were no stocks remaining in the
country. The report placed the
minimum amount on which the
country could get by as per cent
OF 1941 consumption. This liquor
would be necessary for medicinal
purposes.
Is Not Recommended.
In no sense of the word" MI
Welner declared, does the study
represent a recommendation as to
the quantity that should be dis
trlbuted this year next year or any
other war year which is at present
visia'e Large stocks of liquor do
exist in America today: there is no
indication whatever that We shall at
any time in the discernible future
get down to rock bottom and be
compelled to distribute liquor on a
bedrock basis"
Mr.. Weinier told press confer
ence that he doubted if the Fed
eral Government ever will control
distribution of liquor to the con-
sumner. 1t is felt. he added. that
rationing should be handled by the
States, where provisions can be
made for local variances.
Although production of liquor was
halted last fall when the last of the
big distllleries were converted to
manufacture of alcohol for war pur-
poses, considerable amount of
liquor still is brought in from Cam
ada, Britain, the West Indies and
other sources, he said.
1T should be added" Mr.. Weiner
continued. that the entire bed
rock economy report submitted to
the Director of Economic Stabiliza-
ton by OCS was a study and not a
recommendation attempt to find
out what the country would have
to have in the way of goods and
services if it were pared down to
the absolute minimum. No figures
In the report represent anyones es-
innate of levels the country must
get down to. On the contrary, they
are estimates of levels below which
the economy must not be allowed
to go, 1t should also be emphasized
that all of the figures were pre-
llmlnary and tentative. and in no
sense a final judgement"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07
State Holds Up Charges
AGAINST Gen. Smith

BY The Associated Press.
SAN DIEGO, Calf, Feb. SAC
ton on hlt-Tun and drunk driving
charges against Mai Gen. Holland
M. Smith, highest ranking Marine
officer in this area, will not be taken
until Monday at the earliest. AS
slStant District Attorney Frank T.
Dunn said today.
Gen. Smith was booked Yesterday
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07

Bonds, like bombs, come in many
sizes. Even the smallest one gives a
JOLT to the Axis--if you buy 1t.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
SPANCLER MEETS
 HIGH COP HEADS

Boston, April l6.--(Up)-on e sounding board" swing through New England, Chairman Harrison E. Spangler 0f the Republican Nns tiondl committee confers ln execus tive session today with the regions governors and other high COP of- ficials.
 The day-long meeting, according to reports, will be 0 private affair devoted solely to wartime and hus- mess problems whichc Republicans face In anticipation of the leak presidential campaign.
 No general invitations were issued for the session and members oe tho conference group will be only those Republicans actually and vltall ' concerned in the COP efforts to forestall an anticipated fourth term drive.
 Among those expected to slt in with Spangler are national coz Treasurer sinclair Weeks, Chair- man George B. Powell of the Rec publican State Committee and Cows, Leverett Saltonstall of Massachuy sets, Robert o. Blood of New Hampshire, William II. willis of Vermont, and Sumner Sowall of Maine.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
SENATE FAVORS
 LOCAL MEASURE
Votes Unanimously to Re. store Rights to Two
 Former City Officials

The state Senate passed Q bill yesterday which provides for a raise in salary for all compensation com miSSionerS,
 The bill would provide all com. misSionerS $a,O00 annually and the chairman an extra $l,000, Until now commissioners received $6,50C and the chairman $7,500.
 Attached to the bill Is . provision that no commissioner may accept outside employment and this pro- vision was subject of a most cauStiC debate,
 Earlier in the Senate session . measure was approved to provide $l ,000 to the widow of any state pos liceman killed in line of duty or tC his parents if he was unmarried Tho same bill provided payment oi $l6 a month to each child of such n policeman under l6 years of age
 A unanimous vote of the Senate paSNd the bills which restore for. tcited rights to John II, Crary an6 Thomas Y, Shanahan, former Wa terhury NSSeSSorS, who lost theil civil rights following the Waterbury conspiracy trial,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
TRUST COMPANY LISTS ASSETS
Superior Court tO Recieve Statement on Merchants
 Trust Affairs

Assets of the Merchants Trust O., during the six month period ending with March Sl were $SS6,- SSV,Se, according Co the Seni~annOal statement filed in superior court, Acceptance of the report win be asked at a short calendar session before Judge william II, Comley tomorrow morning,
 Receipts listed by the bank to. taled $29,SlASO for the commercial department and $s9,7ae,S9 tn the savings division, Cash on hand for the department was listed at $2S,. Sl2,es and $2l ,S7S,sl, respectively General expenses were reported tu be $4,5al,ll while real estate eSpens- es total $7,2l0S7,
 Deposit claims made against the receiverShip in the commercial de- partmenL with Ss per cent remain ing of the original balance, is hSt- cd at $269, ,9S6,20, while the figure for the savings department, witl, 2S per cent of the original balance remaining, Is given at $S90,9lS,A2 The listing includes the figure of $S9S, ,72S,60 for interdepartmental ad. iuSt:nent,
 Gains on assets liQuidated in eN' cess oC the appraised values arC $l,27H,96 for the commercial dc' partment, all from loans and tudg' ments, while they arc $l,6ea,lS fol the savings department, all repre- Senting real estate income,
 The assets as of last October 1 were $779,249,SB,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
Birth Control Bill
 Facing Opposition
Passed House Yesterday After Hectic Debate; Local Representatives Opposed; Senate Reported Hostile

Representatives Daniel J, Mana. ney and John Membrino voted mo" yesterday afternoon when action was taken In the General Assembly on the much discussed Birth Con. trol bin. The House passed the meas ure by Q vote of l57 to 82.
 The bin goes again to the Senate, where passage appeared doubtful
 Rep. Daniel ]. Mahaney, D., Wa terbUry, principal opponent of the measure, declared there were non producers in this House who ought to be ashamed to bring n bill of this sort before this General Assem- bly. You can't cheat almighty God without paying through the nose, What we need is self-control not birth control"
 Rep. c. Willi n Janson, R., Vest port, answering Mahaney, declared We grant you the right to believe In God as you please, but you have no right to force your beliefs on others"
 Janson pointed out that there al- ways had been difiiculty to get any sort ot medical reform through the Legislature, and cited the difncul- ties experienced with vaccination, the use of chloroform, the control of contageous disease and the intr oduc- ton of preventive medicines,
 Rep, Peter A, McManuS, R., Ridge- field, told the Legislators he believed everyone should have the right Co live his own life" but wondered, what the country was coming to if the poor are not permitted to have children, and the rich will not have them"
 Rep. Curtis H. DiCkiLs, R. Brook field, declared that the people were against the anti-birth control sta tuteS because they are old laws"
 "The time has come" he said when we have to measure things by the moral law. The Ten Com mandments were old laws set down by the lawyer Moses, One of them is Thou shalt not klll."
 An amendment was proposed by Rep, Edward c, Clancy, D., Ansonia, to put the matter to referendum at the next general election, but this was defeated,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
Compensation Agreements

5rNFNNNN@Aes - A4aF
 The following agreements for weekly payments to be made during disability were approved today at the oftlcc of CoMpcnSNtional Com- missioner John J, oConncll
 Emn Spino of 22s Platt street, Waterbury, against Chase Brass X Copper Co, of Waterbury, $9S,96 be- glnning March l, back strain,
 I, CaaraSty of Bucks Hill, Watcr- bury, against Chase Brass X Cop per Go, of Waterbury, $2S beginning March 10, lacerated wound in left foot,
 Charles Shepherd Of 22 Warner Place, Waterbury, against Chase Brass x Copper Co, of Waterbury, $25 beginning March (, injury to right wrist,
 N, Williams of IS Warmer Place, Waterbury, against Chase Brass & Copper Co, Of Waterbury, $25 begin- ming March 90, lip bruises,
 John Mason of l20 Meadow street, Waterbury, against Chase Brass x Copper Co, of Waterbury, $2S be- ginning March 2S, deMatitis ot neck and face,
 r, Daddona of Oakville against Chase Brass x Copper Co, Water- bury Mfg, branch, $2S beginning March 6, ls4S, decoration of right palm,
 Ralph Daddona of 100 Fairfax street, Waterbury, against Chase Brass & Copper O., Waterbury Mfg, branch, $2S beginning March l6, pain in back,
 Charles w. Joy of 74 Ives street, Waterbury against Chase Brass & Copper Co, (WOterhury Mfg, branch) $2S beginning March 70, steel chip in right eye,
 Francis J. Valerie of 3il North Main street, Waterbury, against Chase Brass & Copper O., Water bury Mfg, branch, $l6,20 beginning March 2, confusion and fracture Of right large toe.
 Lawrence J, Winty of Torrington against Torrington branch of Amer ican Brass Co, $25 beginning April S fracture of left foot.
 Max Kennedy of 92l Cooke street, Waterbury, against Waterbury Tool Co, $l8,20 beginning March i4, frac- ture of fourr lbs,
 Herbert Coleman of West Che shire against Waterbury Tool Co.,, $25 maximum beginning March 28, abdominal hernia.
 Mrs, Mary A. Uffendale of Wa terville against Rev, Robert II, Falls of Waterville, $7 beginning Feb. 20, fracture of forearm,
 Catherine Dunay of Torrington against the Torrington Co.,, $i26T beginning March a, partial ampu- tation of left fourth finger,
 Lincoln Fries of 77 Virginia ave- nue, Waterbury. against Read Spe- cialtieS, Inc, of 48 Watertown ave- nue, Waterbury. $7 beginning May 20, l942. laceration of third and fourth fingers,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
Tagged" Parkers Offer Variety OF Explanations Police Instructor Offers Suggestions to Autoists to Avoid Needless Battle Over the Pay
 ment of Dollar for Violation
 of Ordinance.
of Ordinance.

itself so read them and be sure you are doing the right thing, ln- sert the coin, turn the handle slow ly, and the coin will drop into the carrier and the meter will function properly. Don't turn the handle too fast or bang the meter, this may throw the coin out of the slot, Then look and sec fl 1t has reRiS- tered, don't go away and leave your car parked at meter that does not work properly, Some drivers 20 back to their meter when the time is up and insert another coin which is a violation, You may only occupy lawfully the parking meter space during the period of parking time prescribed for the part of the street In which said parking or space Is located. If such vehicle shall re- main parked in any such parking meter space, such parking shall be In a violation of these regulations, Then too you defeat the very pur. pose of the meters, which are placed there to facilitate the movement and parking of vehicles. So VIC ask the drivers to please cooperate with the police department In their efforts to serve the public, and keep our rela- tions with each other in a harmon ious vein.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15

once went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to speak at breakfast meeting, Twice her speeches were dramatic ally interrupted by blackouts. She has appeared on the same platforms with former Ambassador Joseph F, Davies, Mme. Litvinov, Lady Marly and many other no;ables, This is my war work" she said. Tt is my contribution to the joint efforts of my own country and that of my husband Russia and America"
 She no longer feels alone in America, she said. T have met so many wonderful people and not all of them are in the big towns, I think what most lmpresses me about Americans is their generosity, their kindliness, and their friendli. ness"
 "In Russia we had expected and prepared for this war for long time, The day that fighting began, the Russian women were organized
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
INJURED FIREMEN
 TO BE PENSIONED

A hearing opened in superior court before Judge William H. Comley this morning in the $5OOO civil action brought by Jake Zim- merman of Waterbury against Mac Dermid. Inc. also of this city. The plaintiff claims he sustained severe burns to his right foot when he stepped on a pile of burning rubbish on premises of the concern.
 The accident occurred when the plaintiff was delivering a shipment from the A. M. Larson Co. The rub bish pile contained chemicals. catis- ties and acids which burned deeply into hIs foot. the plaintiff claims. He was unloading metal barrels from his truck when he stepped into the sweepings. the complaint states.
 Negligence is charged against the chemical company for leaving the material in the open. and for fail- ing to give . warning.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15

Autoists tagged for illegal park ing have a standardized brand of "alibis" which they offer to the police in lieu of payment Of the dollar penalty. So frequent are the protests over the tagging practice that Patrolman William Dwyer Of the departments safety department comes to the aid of the street pa trolmen by showing autoists that the customers" are not always right and the cops wrong. Time and again drivers insert coins In the wrong meter.
 P. s. Occasionally the alibi works, but to avoid waste of time argu- ment, high blood pressure, etc.. au- toists are advised to read the ac- companying article on the "art of parking.
 Every day at police headquarters there are many motorists who have been tagged because of illegal park ing at a meter. Some for overtime, more because they forgot to insert the coin into the meter, others who tried to put Q penny in nickel slots and still others who put a coin into the meter at the back of their auto mobile. The excuses and alibis arc as many and varied as the weather in March. Some of course have legitimate complaint and after in vestigation are not compelled to pay the usual dollar fee. Ofioer August Rinaldi who has had charge Of the parking meters in Waterbury since their inception into the police park ing department gives a few hints on how to use your penny or nickel wisely and possibly save yourself dollar. First of all be sure you know what type meter you have stopped at. a penny or nickel one. Put the coin In the meter at the front of your car, and have your front bump CT about even with the meter. They can be identified by their color. Ftt- teen minute meter posts are painted red, thirty (3O minute posts are painted copper. sixty (60) minute q hour) are gray, and the two hour meter for Q nickel is painted green. All posts have been stenciled as to what coin to insert, with the ex- ception of posts which are put in to replace broken ones.
 The instructions are on the meter
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
Russian War Relief
 To Benefit By Forum
Second Congregational Receipts Sunday to Aid Fund;
 Mrs. NIa MagidOff to Discuss War in Russia

sAn Eye Witness Account of the War in Russia will be told to the forum of the Second Congregational church this Sunday evening at 7:S0 o'clock by Mrs. Nila MagidoR, wife of the MEG. radio news core: spondent in Moscow A young and energetic representative of Russian womanhood, she will speak on be- half of Russian War Relief, Inc.
 pr. John c. Walker, pastor, also announced that the anthems will be sung by the choir of St. Mary's Russian Orthodox church led by Valery F. Ivanoff. Dr. Walker asked that those who attend bring gift in the form of medical supplies desperately needed by our allies on the Russian front; or in lieu of that, an offering of money which will be used by the local committee for the purchase of such articles as sheets, pillowcases, soap, towels, and bandages.
 Mrs. Magidoff, whose home this summer will be in Torrington, Conn. has until recently lived her life in the Soviet Union. At the very outbreak of the German invasion in June 194l she plunged into war work, serving as an air raid warden, building sand bag projections for buildings, and guarding roof tops from incendiary bombs. Most of her nights during the blitz against Moscow were spent in the subway raid shelters, But the rules govern- ing Americans abroad require that wives and children Of American war correspondents be evacuated, and Mrs. Magidoff, despite her desire to participate in the defense of her native land, had to submit to the regulations. The Russian govern ment granted her permission to leave for the duration of the war, and she set out for the United States via the Pacific.
 Although she had many American friends, through her husbands as- sociations, Mrs. MagidoR at first felt Host" in this country. In Mos- COW she had ben Q student of lit- erature at the Moscow University then a writer on the staff of the Literary Gazette, later an associate editor of the French language news. paper Journal de Moscou. Before joining the National Broadcasting Company, her husband had been correspondent for the Associated Press, and in addition to her other work, Mrs. Magidoff used to help him write his dispatches from Rus
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
DELAY ACTION ON
 PRICES OF MEAT

New ceiling prices for beef, veal and lamb, which were scheduled tc take effect today have been put of until May l7, 1t was announced yesterday by the OPA with the ex. planation that further study will be conducted and further cut in prices may be ordered. The dollars. and-cents ceilings set on pork and in effect since April will continue in force, however,
 Under the new ceiling program, the prices of meats at all markets will be uniform. At the present time owners are allowed to sell beef, lamb, and veal at the price they obtained in March, l942.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-15
NO DECISION IN
 NEICHBORS' SUIT

Decision was reserved by Com- mon Pleas Court Judge Raymond Devlin yesterday in the litigation in- volving Harry Wolk and Domenlc Davino both of Waterbury. The suit was based on collapse of Q wall between properties of the two parties.
 The plaintiff sought $l,000 for damages to his garage, while the defendant, MT. Davino, asked $200 damages. Each claimed the other was responsible for failing to make repairs. One wall was erected by the plaintiff and the other by the de- fendant, with the plaintiffs wall alleged to have served as support for the other.