davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-12-16
High School Students
In National Poll Favor
Lowering Voting Age
Ry the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK. Dec. 16.-More than
$4,000 high school students want the
legal voting age lowered to 18, &C.
cording to a Nationwide poll con-
Quoted among 1888 pupils in 1900
schools by the Institute of Student
Opinion.
This Is a reversal of a similar
concensus last year, when SO per
cent of the voters opposed giving
the ballot to 18-year-olds. The chief
reason given by the students for the
change of opinion was "old enough
to fight, old enough to vote"
Girls Now Favor Change.
OF the boys and girls who voted
this year, only 43.5 per cent still
thought voting should wait until
the age of 81, and As per cent were
undecided. According to the tabula-
ton made by the institute, sponsored
by scholastic magazines, girls as
well as boys now favor lowering the
voting age.
A regional breakdown of the bal
lots discloses that in New England
both boys and girls still oppose the
proposal; in the Middle Atlantic and
Pacific Coast States boys favor 1t
while girls are opposed
The poll was conducted by the in
stitute through its membership of
more than 1900 high school news
papers.
Although most students cited the
fact that 18-year- are serving in
the armed forces as their reason,
the following is typical of other
viewpoints expressed in interviews
with school reporters:
''If you earn over $12 a week. you
have TO pay taxes regardless of age,
and If you help pay for the upkeep
Of the Government, you ought to
have say in it,
Opinions of Dissenters.
Representative of the opinions of
those who opposed lowering the
voting age were:
Fighting and voting are two dis-
ferent things. just because an 1S-
year-old Is fit physically doesn't
mean that he is equipped mentally
to vote
Eighteen -year-olds wouldn't take
the responsibility of voting seriously
enough, and that's what We need
more serious responsible voters"
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Seven Military Chiefs
| Elevated 10 Rank OF
|Five-5tar Officers

Seven Of Americas top Army and
Navy officers have five-star rank
today as the result of swift action
by the White House and Senate.
President Roosevelt signed legisla-
tion creating the ranks of general Of
the Army and four admirals of the
fleet yesterday, nominated four
generals and three adrnirals for the
promotions, and before the day was
over the Senate unanimously con-
flrmed them without even referring
them to committee.
They are:
For the new Navy rank-Admiral
William D. Leahy, the Presidents
personal chief OF staff; Admiral Err
nest j. King, commander in chief of
the fleet and chief of naval opera
tlons, and Admiral Chester w. MINI
itz, commander In chief of the Pa
clf1c Fleet and of the Pacific Ocean
areas.
For the new Army rank-Gen.
George c, Marshall, chief OF staff:
Gen. Douglas Macarthur, COM
mander in the Southwest Pacific;
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied
commander In Western Europe, and
Gen. H. H. Arnold, commander of
the Army Air Forces.
Causes Surprise.
The Presidents action in norni-
naung only three of the four ad-
mirals OF the feet was somewhat of
surprise. Speculation had been
that the title would 60 also to Ad-
mlral William F. Halsey, who has
led the forces carrying out the Pa
cific war plans laid BIZ Admirals
King, Leahy and Nimitz.
The Senate's swift action In con-
flrmlng the seven officers named TO
the new ranks followed scattered
questions on the wisdom of the
move, planned principally to give
top American officers rank equal TO
the highest in the armies and navies
Of Allied countries.
Senator Russell, Democrat, of
Georgia told the Senate he thought
1t perfectly absurd" to create a
super rank to compete with that
OF field marshal" and other high
sounding titles of top-ranking Allied
officers.
Fears Even Higher Rank.
There's no use getting into a
contest" he said. Some one might
create the rank of super -duper field
marshal"
Senator Clark. Democrat, of Mis-
souri, seconded him.
This business of creating military
ranks may ultimately become the
subject of international treaties to
permit nations to 60 so high and
then stop" commented Senator
Chandler, Democrat, of Kentucky.
All three joined in the confrma-
tons, however, asserting their views
on the need for higher ranks were
not intended to reflect on the Char
acter, courage or ability" of any Of
the seven.
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Armed Forces Hailed
As Example Of Unity
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-Military
religious and civic leaders joined
yesterday in hailing the armed
forces as "the greatest demonstra-
ton Of unity ever offered"
Speaking at the annual luncheon
of the amusement industry's divi-
sion Of the National Conference of
Christians and Jews, Maj. Gen. Fred
erick E. Uhl, commanding general,
4th Service Command, Atlanta, Ga,
said:
The Army of the United States
today is the greatest demonstration
Of unity with diversity ever offered
based upon practices which have
been in vogue so long that the Reg
ular Army men come to take them
for granted
why could not civilians take the
example of our Army chaplains and
discover that mans faith, the cut
of his suit or the color of his hair or
| lllso vi vi ShlIl lS IiOG ucCcS-
sarily personal challenge to a NOR
tai struggle because it happens to
differ from his own?"
The Rev. Daniel A. Polling, presi-
dent of the World Christian En-
deavor Union. said his visits to the
war zones convinced him 'it is cas-
ier for men to die together than to
live together"
I'VE must make the peace a world
brotherhood or victory will be
empty" he said.
Declaring tidal wave" of intol-
erance may lie ahead, Basil O'Con-
nor, chairman of the American Red
Cross, said, IF you believe in the
brotherhood of man. now is the time
to build sand dunes and dikes
against it"
Evening star., 1944-12-16
State Department
Employs Widow
OfGen. McNoir

Mrs. Lesley J. McNair, widow of
Lit. Gen, McNair. chief of the Army
Ground Forces, who was killed in
France last summer during an acci-
dental bombing of American posi-
tions by American planes, has taken
a part-time job at the State De-
partment.
DR.. E. Wilder Spaulding, chief of
the Division of Research and Pub
lication, SAID today she was working
there afternoons helping to organ
ize information so that people can
put their fingers on it when they
want it."
Mrs. McNair, whose only son, Col.
Douglas McNair, also was killed in
this war, was said to have taken a
civil service examination and ap-
piled for half-tim work. I'VE need
help so badly we were glad to take
her on any terms" DR.. Spaulding
said.
Evening star., 1944-12-16
$4,000, 900 Melted by Yonks
In Vast Air Smuggling Trade

manufacturers and British, Indian
Chinese and other civilians. The
Army withheld the names.
Big Profits Made.
The records showed some Ameri-
can officers and enlisted men made
staggering profits. Some officers of
one American troop carrier squad
ron. including the commanding off,
Ger. amassed an estimated $4,000
before the authorities stepped in.
A staff sergeant cleaned up over
$4,000 by smuggling gems and gold
money in a few months flights to
China and by selling Government
property in China's black market.
One plane which crashed in the
Burma jungle en- route to China was
found overloaded with loot. The
crew members involved used every
available space on the plane to hide
contraband
Plane crewmen often concealed
gems in plane instruments and in
their underwear. The authorities
found 500 cartons of British issued
cigarettes under the floor boards of
a China-bound plane.
One American soldier and four
Chinese aides were caught in Kun
ming with $1,000 worth of sulfanili-
mide pills in suitcases. In most in
stances, the drugs were Government
property.
Started in Small Way.
Most of the Americans involved
started In a small way by carrying
into China only such things as Gig
arettes. Later, wealthy organiza-
ton Of Chinese, Indians and Greeks
with British citizenship enticed
some American Air Force men and
civilian pilots to enter their plans by
painting "get-rich-quick" schemes.
Smuggling and black market ac-
tivities are continuing and the
Army's criminal investigation divi-
sion is working on many more cases.
However, the large-scale operat tions
are believed to have been wiped out.
The Investigations are being direct
ed by the theater provost marshal,
Col. Harry Cooper of Baltimore.
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Chicago 10 Add Women
To Holiday Postal Force
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, Dec. is. - Chicago
women are going to help carry the
mail-for the first time in the his
tory of the post Office.
Chicago's first woman mail truck
driver this week began her job of
collecting mail and Postmaster
Ernest j. Kruetgen said this has
worked out so well'' he planned to
have several women deliver mail
during the Christmas holidays.
Mr.. Kruetgen said he had scraped
the bottom of the manpower barrel
Among temporary employees are
more than 1900 soldiers and sailors
from nearby service stations,
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Chinese Drive Deeper
Into Kwongsi Province
By the Associated Press.

By me ASsOClated PTeSS.
CHUNGKING, Dec. 16.-Chinese
troops outf1anking Hochih on the
south have driven deep into Kwangsi
Province to a point 18 miles south
east of that Japanese-held city, the
Chinese high command announced
today.
Hochih, strongpoint on the Kwei-
chow-Kwangsi railroad along which
the japanese developed their re-
cent threat to the Burma Road
town of Kweiling, also was threat
ened from the north and west by
other Chinese columns. Hochih is
95 miles northwest of Liuchow, for
mer alvance American air base.
Evening star., 1944-12-16

oil and gasoline enforcement and
has been successful in keeping down
black markets in gasoline here.
A native of Texas, Mr.. Berueffy
practiced law in Boulder, Colo, be-
fore coming to Washington as an
appellate attorney with the national
OPA.
He is a graduate of Colorado Uni
versity, where he received his A. B
and LII. B. degrees. He is married
and the father of two children.
Mr.. Laskey is resigning to return
to the private practice of law with
his father, John E. Laskey.
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Continent-Wide Strike
Urqed in Lutin America
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CALI, Colombia, Dec. 16.-The
Latin American Confederation OF
Labor yesterday unanimously adopt
ed resolution calling for a CONT
nent-wide one-day protest strike
next January 25 against the present
regime in Argentina.
The resolution demanded freedom
for Argentine political prisoners and
a cessation Of the tortures of which
they are the victims"
Another resolution called fol-
measures to end purported racial
discrimination in the Panama Canal
Zone
Evening star., 1944-12-16

tratlon was an
nounced today
by District OPA
Director Robert
K. Thompson.
Mr.. Beruefy
a s S | S tant en-
forcement attor-
ney since May,
1912, will sue
ceed j o h n l..
Laskey, W h o S e
resignation be-
comes effective
January !.
Mr.. Beruehy
h as specialized
in District fuel
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Woman Rescues Purse
But Loses Her Car

BY tne Associated Press.
SULLIVAN, Ind.-As a freight
train bore down on the automobile
Iof Mrs. Harry Banther, stalled on
a crossing near here, she Jumped
from the machine. but left her purse
/ in the car.
She climbed back into the car,
recovered the purse and jumped
again just before the train smashed
the auto into small pieces.
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Pope to Celebrate
YuIe Midniqht Mass
By the Associated Press.

zsSsUCIdItu
VATICAN CITY, Dec. 16.-Pope
Plus XII will celebrate midnight
mass Christmas eve in st. Peters
for the first time since he became
pontiff in 1899, the Vatican an
nounced today.
st. Peters will be open to the pub
lie and Rome streets, ordinarily dark
because of the shortage of electric
ity, will be lighted.
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Two Prisoners Hitchhike
|Wuy Back Into Custody
Nv the A.soci.t.d pr.s.

BY the Associated Press.
MISSOUL.A, Mont.-Two of three
prisoners who escaped from Fort
Missoula, Mont, hitchhiked their
way back into custody.
The two escapes thumbed ride
Ill miles south Of Missoula, but
ended up back at the military de-
tention center.
Their benefactors: Montant high
way patrolmen.
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Berueffy Appointed
0PA Attorney in D. {.

Appointment Of Carl w. Berueffy
33, Of 6220 Thirty street
NV, as District enforcement attor-
ney for the ONCE of Price Admins
Evening star., 1944-12-16

The dove Of peace hovers near.
DO your part toward Christmas
eheer. Buy one extra War Bond.
Evening star., 1944-12-16
Western Front
Continued From First Page. J

1st Army had buried 1903 Ger.
mans since D day.
Allied planes spotted heavy Ger.
man transport movement In the
Ruhr by road and rail, presumably
indicating strong efforts to rein.
force that great industrial area.
German patrols seeking informa.
ton raided a British outpost east
of Venray in the southeastern cor
ner of Holland
Ninth Air Force planes support.
ing the Sd Army wrecked or dam.
aged ITO railroad cars and Z loco
motives. Black Widows at night
punished a road convoy between
Saarbrucken and Homburg.
Gen. Patch's 7th Army became
the sixth Allied army to break down
western door to German soil.
The 7th Army's attack was 8
major peril to the Germans since
a breakthrough in this sector coulc
outfiank Germans facing the Sc
Army on the Saar front.
In compelling the Nazi command
to move an armored division into
the Palatinate, the 7th Army already
has lightened the load of Allied
armies pressing in elsewhere along
a great arc.
Seek to Divert Yanks.
The Germans in another counter
measure are reinforcing troops in
the Alsace pocket around Colmar
and counterattacking in efforts to
divert 7th Army elements from
Northern Alsace.
In the Bitche area west of the
7th Army's border crossings, Ger
mans still battling on French soil
continued tough resistance, using
Maginot Line forts to good effect
Here they have turned about the
Maginot's disappearing guns which
swing on revolving turrets.
The French 1st Army scored an
additional small gain near Selestat
north of Colmar.
The German radio asserted today
the United States 30th Division had
been SO badly mauled by a German
counterattack northwest of Colmar
on the 7th Army front that it had
to be withdrawn.
Latest supreme Allied headquar-
ters announcements placed the 30th
Division on the Cologne plain as
part Of the United States 9th Army.
However, field dispatches two days
ago said the 36th Division had been
engaged In heavy fighting in the
Colmar area.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-03

in our futuer concept of Christian ity. They represent many roads, which satisfy various types of mind. But our spiritual goal is the same, and we must help each other along the way.
 During the war years, help has been going out from the Geneva headquarters through the chaplain cy commission which reaches into the prison camps, through the refu< gee commission, which has cooper ated in the care of thousands of homeless wanderers from all parts of occupied Europe, through the com- mission on literature, which has helped make the comfort of the Scriptures available to many an afflicted victim of war, and through the Central Bureau for Inter church Aid, which has sent food packages (and sometimes even packages of coaD to stricken parsonages, so that the minister, in turn, might help the suffering people of the parish. J
 Dr. Horton stressed the fact that the churches in America do not wish to impose ideas upon their European brethren in the process of helping them. Dr. A. l.. Warnshuis, long known as one of Professionalism s outstanding statesmen, is now on his way to London as representative of American churches, to confer with Dr. Visser t'Hooft,. general secretary of tn eWorld Council at Geneva, as to just what help will be most need- ed and desired. They will meet, with other church leaders, in Lon don, and from there Dr. Warnshuis will if possible, go on to Geneva to meet other leaders. Later 1t is planned to send a representative of the American churches to each of the countries which have been oc- cupied, for similar consultative pur- poses. Dr. Robert Anthony is already under appointment to go
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-03

The Christian Church is at last getting the vision of what it can acc Complish by its many denominations really working together" says Dr. Douglas Horton, chairman of the newly constituted American Com- naittee for the World Council of Churches. This committee will take oyer and continue the work which up to now has been carried on by the s'Joint Executive Committee of the American Sections of the Life and Work and Faith and Order Movements.
 This Joint Executive Committee was set up in 1887, following the Ok ford and Edinburgh Conferences of church leaders, to carry forward in America the ecumenical program which they had projected. It has long been referred to as the World Councir' but this is really prema- ture, Dr. Horton pointed out, since the present war intervened to pre- vent completion of the World Coun- Gil of Churches organization. How ever, the World Council in Process of Formation has maintained head quarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and has carried on full program. 85 communions in 29 countries are now members. 27 Orthodox and Pro- testant groups have associated them selves with the American organiza- tion, which has its headquarters at 2s7 Fourth avenue, New York City. Dr. Henry Smith Leiper has been the executive secretary from the be- ginning, and will continue in that capacity with the reorganized com- mittee.
 Tn order to implement its work more fully into the ongoing life of the people of the world who con- Stitute the many cooperating com- munions, the American committeee immediately set up a Commission for World Council Services, which will channel help from the churches in America in a united effort to re- store and resuscitate the battered
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-03

to Italy to consult with Waldensians and other Protestant groups there as soon as conditions permit. Many churches plan to send denomina- tional representatives to Geneva, where they will work. in close CO., operation with the Reconstruction Department of the World Council office.
 Appointments which have been announced so far to membership on the Commission for World Coun- ell Services include: Dr. Theodore A. Greene, chairman (Cngrega- tionaD; Dr. George Emerson Barnes, vice-chairman (Presbyter- ian, U.S.A0; Dr. Howard Brinton (FrienO; Dr. Ralph E. Diffendorfer (Methodist); Dr. Thomas Pace Haig (Reformed in America); Dr. William B. Lipphard (Northern Baptist); Dr. Homer J. McMillan (Presbyterian, U. s.; Mrs. Henry Hill Pierce Episcopal; Dr. George w. Richards (Evengelical and Re- formedD; and Bishop John s. Stamm (EvangelicaD.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-03
.WiIIkie Friend Out For Dewey

Hanover. N. H., Nov. 3-CUP)- President Ernest Martin Hopkins of Dartmouth College, close friend of the late Wendell Willkie, announced today that he will vote for Gov. Thomas E. Dewey in Tuesdays pres- idential election because he is op- pose dto fourth term
 Though Republican, Dr. Hopkins once voted for President Roosevelt, and his endorsement of Dewey to- day followed published predictions that he again would bolt his party this year.
 NO election was ever more iyn-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-03
Church Unity Among
 Denominations Pays
Christians Vision Harmonious Accomplishments; SO
 Million Needed for European Reconstruction

church life and church people Of Europe, and make the churches of the continent once more havens Of refuge and well springs of power In their communities.
 It is estimated that at least fifty million dollars will be needed to re- construct church life in Europe.
 Many American churches Will naturally want to give special help in funds and personnel for the aid of their sister churches in Europe" said Dr. Horton. But along with broadened geographic and political horizons, Christians are getting 8 broader vision of the meaning and responsibilities of their faith, and are determined to see the theory of Christian unity and brotherhood put into actual practice. AS visible proof of this, American Protestants vii lsend at least $500,000 during the current year to help the churches of Europe. It will go as a united gift from American Protest ants and will aid churches overseas, regardless of denomination, to re- establish their programs of service both physical and spiritual-to the people of their parishes, many of whom will be in desperate need of care and comfort"
 Dr. Horton pointed out that the communion of Christians within occupied countries has been greatly strengthened by their common re- sistance to Nazidom. "On the other hand" he said, men of many faiths have worshipped together in mili- tary and in prison camps, and have discovered that they have One God. They have met Christians of other lands and other creeds and have discovered that the ties which bind them together are stronger than any influence which separate them. No narrow concpet of Christianity vii lever again satisfy these return ing soldiers. Denominations will have their place, and useful one,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-03

and ridicule and urging the sup port at the polls next Tuesday of the candidates nominated by the so- called Democratic party, both in the nation and in the state."
 Governor Baldwin declared ev6ry man is entitled to his own opin- ion 'but likewise SO Is each man entitled to the opportunity to stand up and point out the fallacy, the weakness of principles, Communis- tic principles in which I do not be- neve.
 we did not become great peo- ple," he added, through the prac- tice of Communistic principles here. We became a great people by the practice of American principles, by deep religious conviction and by abiding faith in our American way of life"
 Long, long ago people came to Connecticut seeking freedom" he said. They braved the rigors of an unknown land for the sake of opportunity opportunity to make their own way in nfe-opportunity to give full play to their talents and to their ambitions. Freedom to them meant opportunity. And opportunity to them meant free- dom. The two go hand in hand"
 Governor Baldwin declared that the early folks in Connecticut knew that, if freedom was to be pre- served, and if opportunity was to be the rule of life, then the govern ment of the state and the nation must be peoples government. And so, so long ago, the first early con- Stitution of Connecticut was or dained upon this framework. The principles have been challenged many times, not only by Germany and Japan, he said, but by other nations and other forces.
 Have you ever stopped to think of this?" he asked. Twice in the lifetime of most of us living today g. great free nation, not warlike, not miiltaristic, has twice risen in its strength to save tottering civil- ization from falling back into a black valley, from whence it couldn't climb again for more than @ thousand years"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-03

portant to the future of America than that of next Tuesday," said MT. Hopkins in a prepared statement. T have waited until this late date be- fore declaring myself because I wanted to be perfectly assured in regard to my convictions. am cer- tain in regard to these now.
 Nothing seems to me more vital to the country's longtime welfare than to establish a limit to the number of terms president shall serve. I am confident of the right ness of Governor Dewey's thinking in regard to international relations. I shall vote for him because I be- lieve much would be gained by his election and onthing would be lost. |"