davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-01-26
Bill Increasing Power
OF Commissioners
Reported FavorabIy
House Committee Votes
Unanimous Approval
Of Hebert Measure
BY DON S. WARREN.

A favorable report on the bill
of Representative Hebert, Dem
ocrat, of Louisiana to give addi-
tional administrative powers to
the District Commissioners, for
the dual purpose of centralizing
responsibilities and relieving
Congress of legislating on minor
city administrative details, was
ordered today by the House Dis
trict Committee by unanimous
vote.
The bill probably will be called up
for action in the House in the near
future, and Chairman Randolph of
the House District Committee pre-
dicted approval
Mr.. Hebert described measure as
mot a cure-all-but a step in the
right direction" suggesting a series
of other bills dealing with the pow
ers, responsibilities and organiza ton
of the city government should be
taken up later but should be treated
separately.
Asked if he agreed with the Dis
trict government reorganization re-
port OF E. A. Griffenhagen and asso-
ciates, Mr.. Hebert replied he did as
the objective of centralizing the
Commissioners authority, but added,
amid committee laughter, but 1
don't want Griffenhagen hung
around my neck-we had him down
in Louisiana proposing State gov
ernment reorganization"
Agree on Corrective Steps.
Chairman Randolph and other
members of the, committee agreed
the lack of administrative powers of
the Commissioners now causes
cumbersome procedures which
promptly should be corrected. Mr..
Randolph added:
Passage of this measure is over
due, and I am sure the membership
of the House unanimously will ap-
prove the measure. I trust further
steps can be taken through enact
ment of legislation which will more
nearly place the responsibility for
municipal administration upon the
Commissioners where 1t rightfully
belongs. A mere reading of the ad-
ditional powers now proposed to be
granted to the Commissioners makes
the need for this bill self-evident."
The District Committee also re-
ported favorably on four other
measures and voted adversely on a
bill which would waive for the wars
duration the three-day waiting pc
riod for issuance of marriage Ii
censes to members of the armed
services and the merchant marine.
The committee laid aside tenn
(See d. c. BILLS, Page A-4)
Evening star., 1944-01-26

By the Associated Press.
The Axis powers should not be
permitted to have any overseas
trade in their own vessels "for a
period of years" after the war,
Chairman Emory S. Land of the
Maritime Commission has ad-
vised Congress.
In testimony on the independent
Offices appropriation bill for l945.
made public today, Admiral Land
said proper control of the enemy's
merchant marine operations was
lust as necessary to maintaining a
future peace as is their disarming
and the prevention of their re-
arrning"
with our little yellow enemies
over there" the admiral told the
committee, everything they have
built for the past 10 years or so is
a combatant ship. Don't deceive
yourself at all about that. Every
tanker, every cargo ship, whatever
type ship they have built, has be-
come combatant ship.
"If you want to have peace in the
world for the next generation you
had better put the screws on these
boys and keep them there a while
Evening star., 1944-01-26
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

The Very Rev. Angus Dun of Cam
bridge, Mass, will be consecrated
fourth Bishop of Washington at
Washington Cathedral on Wednes-
day, April 10, it was announced to-
day by Charles F. Wilson, chancellor
of the diocese.
Arrangements for the induction
ceremony will be in the hands OF
the Most Rev. Henry st. George
Tucker, presiding bishop Of the
Episcopal Church in America.
The formal consent" of the de-
nomination at large, as represented
by the approval of the diocesan
standing committees and bishops
from coast to coast, is being obtained
and soon will be complete.
Meanwhile the British Embassy
has let it be known that the Arch
bishop of York. the Most Rev. G. F
Garbett, hopes to visit the United
Evening star., 1944-01-26
Russia Rejects U. 5.
Offer in Polish Row
Turns Down Bid to Help
Restore Relations
BY the Associated Press.


Secretary of State Hull announced
today that Russia had rejected the
offer of the United States to en-
ploy its good offices" in restoring
diplomatic relations between Po-
land and Russia.
At his news conference he brought
out that the Russians took the po-
sition that they do not feel the sit
uation between themselves and Po-
land is right for successful use of
the American offer at this time.
Mr.. Hull said the Russians began
their note of rejection with an ex-
preston of appreciation for the
offer.
What further action, If any, the
United States may take, either alone
or in cooperation with Britain,
which also had offered to seek a
resumption of relations between
Poland and Russia, remained un-
answered by Mr.. Hull.
The United States made the offer
10 days ago. At the time Mr.. Hull
expressed hope that it might be
accepted.
There was no indication here as to
what the Russians actually had in
mind by saying that conditions have
not ripened sufficiently for a hope
of success in restoring their rela-
tions with Poland, but it seemed
possible that their attitude might be
unchanged from that in their recent
criticisms of the Polish government
in exile in London.
Mr.. Hull had no comment specifi-
cally on Foreign Secretary Anthony
Eden's statement in Commons today
reaffirming Britain's policy of not
recognizing wartime changes in the
territories of European nations,
which is the heart of the dispute
between Russia and Poland
Evening star., 1944-01-26
News Writers See
Exhumution of
Bodies in Forest
BY HENRY C. CASSIDY,

Associated FreSS war correspondent.
SMOLENSK, Jan. ga party
of American and British cerre-
spondents were taken today to
Katyn Forest, 10 miles outside
Smolensk, and shown the scene
where special Soviet investi-
eating commission charges the
Germans shot thousands of
Poles, one by one, in August and
September, 1941.
The German story that the Poles
were shot by the Russians in March
and April, 1910, was described by the
as "provocation
A special train took the cor
to the scene where they
were shown bodies in mass graves,
medical experts at work making
post-mortem examinations and the
(See CASSIDY. Page A-4D
Evening star., 1944-01-26
III, 7,OOOMussocredPoIesVic
OF Nozis, Soviet Probers Say
Commission Charges
Germans Shot
Kotyn Prisoners
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Jan. 26.-The Mos
cow radio announced today that
a special Soviet commission had
found 1000 bodies in Polish
uniforms buried in the Katyn
Forest, 10 miles from Smolensk,
and charged that they were
Polish war prisoners shot by
the German invaders"
The broadcast, recorded by the
Soviet monitor, said the special COM
mission began its inquiry Septem-
ber 26, l943, when 1t Gen. Nikolai
N. Burdenko of the Peoples Com
misSariat of Health and other men,
bers and experts arrived at Smo-
lenSk.
1.-The experts made a thorough i'll
vestigation of the bodies, documents
and factual evidence found on the
ICno p0DTTc po0o AI
Evening star., 1944-01-26
Nuzi Resistance
Increasing in
Rome Area
MAP on Page A-5.)
BY the Associated Press.

0S Inc AoSOClAteQ tTeSS.
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS,
AlgierS, Jan. 26. American
troops in Italy are advancing
through minefields north of
Casino after storming across
the Rapido River, it was an
nounced today shortly after
field dispatches said American
patrols had penetrated into the
town.
Allied headquarters said it had no
information that Casino had yet
been taken. The Rapido runs north
and south, and Casino is on its
western bank.
Meanwhile, on the new 5th Army
invasion front below Rome, the Al
lies have speared deeper against
increasing resistance" it was an
nounced
Remaining Highway Threatened.
The Nazis apparently were pull
ing units back from the Casino
front to meet the great threat to
their rear.
1t now seems certain the invasion
thrust has at least cut the Appian
Way and seriously threatens the
remaining CaSsino-Rome highway,
perhaps having it under artillery
fire.
French troops north of Casino
were forced from Mount Groce by
bitter Nazi counterattacks, with
close fighting continuing.
While the Germans threw in
creasing opposition against the in
vasion troops who landed in the
Nettuno-Anzio areas, an Allied off,
Ger said this resistance still was
comparatively light"
Cairo radio said the Allies
were 10 miles from Romeo
Clark Visits Troops.
The troops we're spurred by an
other visit from 1t. Gen. Mark w.
Clark, 5th Army commander, who
expressed satisfaction with their
progress.
German planes struck at the sea
arnadas, and an official announce
ment declared Nazi bombers had
attacked three hospital ships well
outside the invasion zone, sinking
one of them. All three were lighted
and carried Red Cross markings.
Allied planes in powerful numbers
concentrated on slashing at enemy
supply routes and troops between
the 5th Army front and the new
beachhead, and the main line be-
tween Florence and Rome, which
the Germans must use to get REIN
forcements to the Rome area.
The Allies flew 1,l00 sorties over
the beachhead yesterday, compared
with so by the Nazis. An American
naval officer said the enemy at
tacks were causing some trouble" +"
however.
Warships Shell Road.
He disclosed that Allied warships,
including French, had heavily bonn
barded the road between Terracina
and Formia by daylight Monday, and
made diversionary bombardments
along the coast Sunday night, AL
lied motor torpedo boats attacked
a German lighter convoy northwest
of Rome. setting an escorting E.
boat afire.
The heavy German counterattacks
which drove the Americans back
from their first Rapido River bridge
head last week end apparently had
slackened. Reinforced American in
fantry then surged over the stream
at an undisclosed point.
British troops on the western
coastal end of the 5th Army line
attacked and occupied Mount Cera-
cole, 2 miles west of Castelforte.
1t was considered likely that the
A z y z 8
Evening star., 1944-01-26
7 Camp Pickett Men Killed, /,
5 Hurt When Car Hits Truck
BY the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
ASHLAND, Va, Jan. 26.-Two
Camp Pickett soldiers were killed
and five others injured last night
when the car in which they were
riding was in a collision with a
lumber truck on Route /, miles
north of here.
State police identified the dead
as Alfred T. Novino, Philadelphia,
and Otlie M. Williams, Upper Darby,
Pa. The five injured men were
taken to the Medical College of Vir-
ginia Hospital in Richmond. The
extent of their injuries was not de-
termined immediately.
Evening star., 1944-01-26
Eden Reaffirms Policy
Of NOT Recognizing
Partition Of Poland
Britain Leaves LoophoIe
If Parties Consent to
Changes in Border
Ey the Associated Press.


LONDON, Jan. 26.-Cautiously
sidestepping a showdown on the
ticklish question of Polish terri
torial sovereignty. Foreign Sec
retary Anthony Eden today re-
affirmed Britain's policy of not
recognizing wartime changes in
the map of Europe.
However, he left a loophole by
quoting the statement of Prime Min
lister Churchill that no changes
would be recognized unless they
take place with the free consent and
goodwill of the parties concerned"
Mr. Eden reiterated two previous
statements of British policy. Mr..
Churchill's words just quoted and
Mr.. Eden's own statement in 1941
that his majesty's government do
not recognize any territorial changes
which have been effected in Poland
since August, 1889"
The combination was interpreted
here as meaning that Britain, while
not taking sides in the Russian
Polish wrangle. would accept any
mutually agreed solution reached by
the Soviet and Polish governments.
Atlantic Charter Principles.
Referring to a statement on nom
aggression of Polish territorial
changes which he had addressed to
the late Premier Gen. Wladyslaw
Sikorski in 1941, after Russia and
the Polish government in exile had
signed a pact, Mr.. Eden told Com
mons:
This remains the position. His
majesty's government, of course,
stands on the principles enunciated
in the Atlantic Charter"
Russia recently proposed that the
Polish-Soviet frontier be adjusted
on the basis of the Curzon Line pro-
posed by an Allied commission after
the World War. This line would
(Sae EDEN Dooo AdN
Evening star., 1944-01-26
Soviet Drive in North
Cuts Main Railways
From Leningrad Area
Nozi Force Of 100000
Must Use Secondary
Lines for Retreat
BULLETIN.

LONDON (Py.-The capture
of Krasnogvardeisk was an
nounced today by Premier
Stain in an order of the day.
The special order said the
town had been transformed
by the Nazis into a fortress
with a developed system of
permanent fortiflcationS. The
town, once known as Gatchina
and renamed by the Russians
Krasnogvardeisk-Red guard
ian-was won in a night as
sault originating from the
direction of Pushkin, IA miles
to the northeast.
Ey the Associated Press.
MOSCOW, Jan. 26.-The great
Russian northern offensive has
reached the two main railroads
running west and south of Len
ingrad, cutting off approx
mately 25O,OOO Nazi troops from
direct communication with the
rest of the German Army.
A Soviet war communique an
nounced last night that Gen
Leonid A. Govorov's Leningrao
army had fought its way into the
strategic rail hub of Krasnogvar-
deisk, 80 miles southwest of Rus
sia's second city, to sever the i'm
portant trunk line running west tc
the Estonian city of Reval. Kras-
nogvardiesk also is the northern
terminus of a railway running
southwest to Luga and Pskov.
Gen. Govorov's troops stormeo
into Krasnogvardiesk from Pushkin
IA miles to the northeast, and front
dispatches reported that the town
already outf1anked from the east
and west, was expected to fall mo-
mentarily.
Junction Point Taken.
Vladimirskaya, miles east OF
Krasnogvardiesk on a branch line
to Tosno, junction point on the
Leningrad-Moscow main railway
line, was captured in this drive
while other units of Gen. Govorov's
forces moved across the Leningrad-
Moscow line between Tosno and
Chudovo.
CA British radio broadcast, re-
corded by CHS, said today that
Tosno's capture was expected
soon.)
The Germans were reported bat
Ting violently to hold their grip
on these main rail arteries, but
their use of them already has been
by Gen. Govorov's swift
advance and the Nazis have been
forced to fall back on two secondary
lines running south to a junction
with other railroads serving Luga
and Pskov.
Simultaneous Threat.
These lines, however, were simul-
taneously threatened by the west
ward advance of Gen. K. A. Me-
retskov's Volkhov army from Nov
gorod, which already is reported
close to the junction points so vital
to German escape plans.
The main Moscow-Leningrad rail-
way was preached in a swift drive
(See RUSSIA, Page A-5.)
Evening star., 1944-01-26
Smith Group Charges
WLB Exceeds Powers
In Debating Contracts
Asserts 1t Is Violating
Constitution in Rulings
On Union Membership
BY the Associated Press,


The War Labor Board was ac-
cused today by the Smith Com
mittee of the House of violating
the Constitution by requiring
maintenance-of union member
ship clauses in contracts between
workers and employers.
The committee, set up to investi-
gate "acts of executive agencies be-
yond the scope of their authority, -
declared in a blistering report to the
House that the Constitution cannot
be suspended by the President or
his agents merely because state
of war exists"
If the boards "autocratic chal-
lenge to constitutional authority re-
mains unanswered and unremedied, -
the report said, "it will imperil our
present economic system and will
mark the transition Of our Govern
ment from one of law to one of
men"
Five Of Seven Sign Report.
Five of the seven committee men,
bers, including Chairman Smith,
signed the report. A dissenting opin-
ion was filed by representatives
Voorhis of California and Delaney
of New York, Democrats. who held
the board has not exceeded au-
thority duly granted to it by Con-
gress itself"
Signing the majority report with
Mr.. Smith were Representatives
Peterson, Democrat, of Georgia;
Hartley of New Jersey, Jennings of
Tennessee and Hoffman of Michigan,
Republicans.
The majority listed these policies
as highly dangerous and menacing
to the system of private enterprise
and the constitutional right of ju-
dicial review of administrative de-
cisions"::
81. The board has adopted the
policy that financial staus or ability
to pay of the employer is irrelevant
and imrnaterial and that any en-
ployer whose business does not JUS
tify the payment of what the board
in its judgment or generosity re-
CARDS as decent standard of wages
is economically inefficient and ought
not to be permitted to remain in
business.
New Legal Doctrine.
"2. The board takes the position
that it has the right not only to fix
future wages but to render money
award for back wages for services
already rendered and paid for
without affording the employer an
effective right of judicial review.
IS. The board has promulgated
and enforced a new legal doctrine
to the effect that it has the power
and authority to compel the parties
to execute a contract to do any
thing that the parties might volun-
tarily do, irrespective of whether
there is any legal or contractual
obligation on the parties so to do
80 To order an employer against
Evening star., 1944-01-26
DJ the Associated Press.


BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 26.-Ar.
gentina severed diplomatic rela.
tions with Germany and Japar
today to complete belatedly E
solid stand by the Western Hemi.
sphere against the Axis.
The last of 81 republics in tn.
Americas to break off relations with
Germany and Japan, Argentina an.
nounced the action after a Ions
night of conferences among leader.
OF the government of President
Gen. Pedro Ramirez.
While these discussions were ir
progress, it also was revealed today
police were busy rounding up many
persons-some reported to be mem
bers of Argentine society-in an ex.
tensive espionage ring which ha!
been operating in the country. L
was said sensational revelations
concerning the spy ring would bt
made.
Ramirez to Go on Air.
President Ramirez himself ar.
ranged to broadcast his govern.
ment's decision to the people.
(Gen. Arturo RaWson, who led
the June revolution, but later
gave up the presidency to Gen.
Ramirez, asserted today that the
break with the Axis fulfilled
the fundamental objective of the
revolution" Gen. Rawson, who
made his statement in Rio de
Janeiro, is now Argentine Am
bassador to Brazil)
Following Gen. Ramirezs signin,
OF the decree ending relations it wa
announced that the German ant
Japanese Ambassadors would b,
handed their passports Immediately
The action today, two years afte
most other Latin American coun
tries had cut their connections will
the Axis, followed an announcement
last week Of the arrest by the British
Iof an Argentine consul when hi
boat stopped at Trinidad en- rout,
to Europe.
Charged With Spying.
The consul, Omar Alberto Hell
muth, was on his way to Barcelona
Spain, when he was removed from
the boat and charged with spying.
Acting on evidence supplied b,
British authorities, Argentina begal
rounding up numerous persons i'm
plicated in the ring.
(Montevideo dispatches said
the espionage ring had been
working in close touch with the
German and japanese Embassies
in Buenos Aires.
(SubverSive activities, appar-
emily originating in Argentina,
were held responsible by the
United States, Britain and other
countries for the overthrow of
the Bolivian government in De-
cember. Argentina alone has
seen fit to recognize the new
Bolivian regime headed by Mai.
Gualberto Villarroel.
(Montevideo reports said Ar
SSllolild Va can Will lllt fthlS Was
interpreted there as a last-min-
ute attempt to regain good stand
ing among the American nations
: and forestall possible stern ac-
ton against it by the rest of the
hemipshere)
u. S. Ambassador Informed.
Gen. Ramirez signed the decree al
$40 am. G:10 am. Eastern wal
time) and Foreign Minister Alberto
Gilbert Immediately went to thu
Foreign Ministry where he awaited
the Chilean Ambassador, Rios Gal
lardo.
After informing Rios Gallardo
Gilbert telephoned the United States
Ambassador, Norman Armour.
Rios Gallardo expressed great
pleasure at the Argentine decision
asserting that Argentina now stooe
(See ARGENTINA, Page A-l60
Evening star., 1944-01-26
Yanks Advancing Above Casino
After Storming Across Rapido;
Argentina Cuts Ties With Axis
Police Round Up
Many Suspected
Of. Espionage
BULLETIN.

ASUNCION, Paraguay P.-
The government announced
1t frustrated an attempted
revolution at dawn today. A
communique from the Min
iStry of Interior said units of
the disbanded Liberal party
and allied organizations tried
to take possession of police
headquarters and barracks.
Evening star., 1944-01-26

(See BRIGGS, Page A-2)
Evening star., 1944-01-26
New Legal Doctrine.

(See WLB, Page A-5.)
Evening star., 1944-01-26

(See RUSSIA, Page A-5O
Evening star., 1944-01-26

(See BODIES, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1944-01-26

(See ITALY, Page A-5.)
Evening star., 1944-01-26

(See ARGENTINA, Page Ais. )
Evening star., 1944-01-26

(See D. c. BILLS, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1944-01-26

(See EDEN, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1944-01-26

(See CASSIDY. Page "A
Evening star., 1944-01-26

| (See APPROPRIATIONS. Pg. A-16.)
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-12-24

he could use. while setting a new
high" In ruthless cruelty toward
those who were recalcitrant. His
methods surpassed anything the
Malta itself had ever done and while
he used the executions of these politi-
cal rivals as the peg on which to
hang his phony claim TO stamping out
crime, he didn't dare to tell the pre-
execution details, because they were
too awful. One of the customs of the
old Malta was that Ii marked its vic
Tins with knife slash on the cheek,
usually a hook-shaped cut.
He or his secret police invented
three forms of torture so the victim
was unmarked. These were:
L. Solitary confinement in total
darkness for several months, so that
when the man was suddenly taken
out in the sunshine, he went stark
blind, yet with no mark or mutilation.
2. Wrists and ankles dashed to-
gether behind the back, so that after
a month or two, the released victim
was left a cripple for life.
3. Forcing the victim to kneel for
interminable periods, which left no
marks other than minor bruises.
In 1913, another lovely story
broke, this time not a phony. to the
effect that a smart Italian-American
corporal, Louis Bassi of Stockton,
Calf, detective in civilian life, had
succeeded in stamping out the Malta,
with the aid of our military secret
police and England's Scotland Yard
Indeed Corp Bassi, who proved him
self first grade detective, did a
splendid job of suppressing the Malta
and liquidating quite a number.
The trouble now seems simply TO
be that the Malta didn't stay sup
pressed. 1t never has.
THE AMERICAN WEEKLY IL
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-12-24

United States along with the first
great immigrant wave from Italy
around 1860. They called themselves
the Stoppaghera and were the first
secret Malta lodge" in the western
hemisphere with headquarters in New
Orleans. BY 1890, they had become
SO powerful that New Orleans Chief
of Police David Hennessy called in
Government law officers to help
stamp them out. Hennessy was muir
dered. and the band then scattered.
That was the set-up In March,
1920, when big Jim Colosimo slunped
to the floor OF his cafe in Chicago
with bullet in his brain.
Al Capone, who emerged supreme
as bootleg car in 1927, had been an
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-12-24

humble bouncer for Johnnie Torrio,
who organized the Chicago liquor
racket. With machine guns and
tommy guns, Capone virtually took
over the big Chicago suburb of
Cicero. His machine gunhers roved
greater Chicago. assassinating up
start bootleg rivals as well as saloon
keepers who refused to buy his beer.
When the rejuvenated Malta
really got going again in Italy at the
height of Ii Duce'S glory, in the
early '30s, Mussolini staged an elab-
crate phony cleanup which fooled
even the smartest American journal.
lists. AS matter of fact IL Duce, him
self the supreme gangSter, took over
and protected the Malta chiefs whom