davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Blast and Fire Wreck
Two Storerooms at
Geological Survey
Cause Of Explosion
In Photo Quarters
Not Yet Determined
Pictures on Page BIZ

An explosion rocked the pho
tographic storerooms of the
Geological Survey Division in
the North Interior Building this
morning, razing three inside
walls and smashing 80 windows.
Although scores of Interior De-
partment employees were working
within Is yards of the second floor
rooms, none was injured. The two
storeroomS were unoccupied at the
time of the blast.
Cause Not Determined.
Cause of the blast was not i'm
mediately determined, although Of
f1cials said some old chemicals
were stored in one of the rooms
The rooms were used chiefly to store
old Geological Survey records and
these were destroyed by the expls-
sion and the resultant fire.
Firemen from four engine and two
truck companies quickly extin-
guished the blaze and were forced
to raze sections of the wall not
blown away by the explosion. Re-
porters and photographers were
barred from the scene for nearly an
hour because of the danger of crum-
bling walls.
Noise Like Plates Breaking"
Walter H. York, chief photog-
rapher of the Geological laboratory
said he was in his Office across the
hall when he heard a noise like
the sound of plates breaking" He
looked up in time to see a flash OF
lights, but he heard no more explo-
sions.
Mr.. York and another photog
rapher, H. J. Koch, rushed into the
storeroom with a fire extinguisher
and kept the blaze under control
until flremen arrived.
Activity in the inner wing of the
building where the explosion oc-
Cured was virtually suspended for
an hour as curious employees left
their desks to view the scene.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Chinese Counterdrive
Pushes Japs Back
In Loyang Area
Enemy Is Forced to
Retreat Across River
South Of Key City
BY the Associa ted Press.

CHUNGkING, May 9.-Chi-
nese troops have launched a
successful counteroffensive south
OF the ancient Honan Province
city of Loyang, which the Japa-
nese have been threatening in a
drive pointed at the heart of
China, and have driven the en-
emy back across the vi vi River,
Chinese field dispatches said
today.
Dispatches from the front yes
terday said the Japanese had
reached a point only miles south
of Loyang after advancing 31a miles
in the previous "a hours.
The vi vi River is a tributary of
the Yellow River and is within about
7 miles of Loyang.
The Chinese press also reported
the japanese had attempted to cross
the Yellow River from Shansi Prov
ince about Is miles northeast of
Loyang during the night of May 3,
but asserted the enemy had been
wiped out.
Enery Reinforced.
There was no indication, however,
whether this operation represented
an attempt to outfiank Loyang and
cut off the Chinese garrison or
whether it was merely a small-scale
patrol thrust.
Meanwhile. other reports from the
front said the Japanese had brought
up strong reinforcements along the
Peiping- -Hankow Railway about 65
miles east of Loyang and were max
ing a fresh attempt to orive the
Chinese from their last foothold on
that line.
At last reports the Chinese held
sector of the railway had been mar
roWed to about IA miles.
GA Tokyo broadcast recorded
by the Associated Press in Lon
don quoted japanese COM
munique as saying 10000 Chinese
troops had been encircled in
Honan Province
The Chinese-American wing is con-
tinuing air attacks in direct SUD-
port of the Chinese ground opera .
tions in Honan, a United States
l4th Air Force communique said
today, and American flyers on Sat-
urday bombed an airdrome and
Japanese installations at Hankow
shooting down several of 80 Japa-
nese planes which attempted to in
tercept.
The ChinSe announced that tank
spearheaded japanese troops in a
fresh westward push in Centra,
Honan were driving in the direc-
ton of 1yang, a key point IS miles
south of Loyang. Vigorous fighting
was reported around Tengfeng, 81
miles southeast of the strategic
/ Lunghai railway town
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Garner, Aged Defendant,
Died of Natural Causes

The death here last Thursday of
Elmer j. Garner. 80, of Wichita.
Kans., l of 80 alleged seditionists
now being tried in District Court,
was today declared to have been
due to natural causes by DR.. A.
Magruder Macdonald, District cor
oner.
The elderly defendant was found
dead in bed in rooming house in
the 200 block of First street Sc.
An autopsy was performed last week,
but announcement of the findings
was withheld pending the results of
a chemical analysis of internal or
gans and stomach contents, DR..
Macdonald explained.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Huge Show Of Foes Air Gear
Will Mark War Bond Drive Here

The largest public display of cap
tured Axis air-combat equipment
ever assembled in this country will
be shown on the Washington Monu-
ment grounds from June II to July
g. during the Fifth War Loan drive.
1t was announced today.
-Four acres will be set aside for
the exhibit, bounded by Fourteenth
and Fifteenth streets and Madison
and Jefferson drives.
Some of the collection is now er
route from overseas. The show will
INCLUDE MesSerSchmitt l09s. llOs and
2lOs; parts of Stuka dive bombers
radio equipment, engines, guns, pro-
pellers, oxygen bottles, demolition
bombs, pilot seats, wind shields, tail
assemblies and some personal effects
OF enemy air force members.
One feature of the display will be
JU-88 German bomber which was
turned over to the Allies by a Ger
man deserter. The ship, flown to
this country under its own power
has proved invaluable to Air Force
Intelligence.
The display will be under the di-
rection OF Col, William Westlake,
director of Army Air Forces public
relations. 1t will be placarded with
detailed information. Oficials have
promised that the material will be
displayed to permit closeup inspec-
ton as a combat record" of the
money invested in War Bonds.
A special evening preview of the
show will be sponsored June 10 bv
air raid messengers. 1t will be pre-
cedeo by a parade through down
town Washington, terminating at
the parade grounds. Admission to
the exhibit will be free and the
grounds will be open daily from 10
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Russians She'll
Suicide Squads
.AtSevastopo|
Reds Bottle Remnants
OF Z Nuzi Armies in
Full View of City
BY the Associated Press.

~ tiie hooOSlnbCG TICoS.
MOSCOW, May 9.-Russian
storm troops fought the rem
nants of two Axis armies within
full view of flaming and smok-
ing Sevastopol today as their
artillery, rolled up wheel to
wheel, poured salvo after salvo
into enemy suicide squads cling
ing to the last German hold in
the Crimea.
Fortified heights overlooking the
port city were stormed yesterday
front-line dispatches said.
tT'he German communique
said heavy fighting continued
and that Sc Russian planes were
destroyed over Sevastopol yes
terday)
The battle reached its climactic
stage, with fighting under way in
the immediate approaches to the
city, and an Izvestia dispatch de-
clared the German force in the
Crimea was definitely defeated and
pressed back to the Black Sea.
Nazis Fight Desperately.
The Germans were reported fight
ing desperately, clinging to every
inch OF shore under an incessant
artillery barrage, but with the Red
Army looking down on Sevastopols
famous panorama, the end of the
battle appeared in sight.
In the third day of the offensive
Red Starr reported that the Rus
slams had broken through steel and
concrete Notifications all along the
Sevastopol line. The Russians were
conyerging from all land sides along
an arc within miles of the city
The line extended through Meken-
zieyy Heights In the northeast
through captured Inkerman in the
east to the Black Sea coast SOUTH
west Of Sevastopol.
Hills overlooking the Black Sea
bristled with big guns, powerful for
tifications and barbed- wire entan-
clements, the army newspaper said,
leading the Germans and Roman
ians to believe their positions i'm
pregnable. Earlier in the war. the
Russians held the city 245 DAYS
against German siege.
Russians Admit Difficulties.
An old coastal defense fort covered
the entrance to the bay and behind
1t, three-storied German defense
works were carved in the rocks.
The Red Star dispatch acknowl-
edged that the capture of these posi-
tions was difficult, but said the Rus
SLAMS took the first two hills aftei
fierce battle and then moved for.
ward to seize a third hill in the
depth of enemy defenses.
The Germans were declared suf-
fering heavy losses under devastat-
ing air raids, artillery barrages and
infantry attacks. On a single hill
Red Star estimated 500 Germans
died.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
President Fit and
Ready for Fight,
Chairman Declares
BY GOULD LINCOLN.

President Roosevelt will run
for fourth term and be elected
Chairman Robert E. Hannegan
of the Democratic National Com
mittee predicted at a Thomas
Jefferson dinner in New York
last night.
Tonight I want to report to the
Democrats of New York that it is
my firm conviction that the Demo-
cratic party will win the national
election in November and that our
standard bearer will be New York s
greatest son-Franklin D. Roose-
velt,' Mr.. Hannegan said.
Stephen T. Early. White House
secretary, was asked today if the
President had read Mr.. Hannegan's
speech before it was delivered, but
said he had not discussed the mat
Evening star., 1944-05-09

m. to 10 pm. Air WACS will act
as guides
In addition to the display, part oI
the grounds will be set aside for out.
door entertainment. Daily programs
Will be held on a stage.
The exhibit is under Joint auspices
Of the Army Air Forces, District Wal
finance Committee of the Treasury
Department, Department OF the In
terror and Welfare and Recreationa
Association
1t. Col. H. E. Roberts, post engi-
neer, Boiling Field, and John A
Reilly. chairman of the District Wal
Finance Committee, officiated TO-DAY
at ground breaking ceremonies for
the exhibit
Meanwhile, Mr.. Reilly announced
that quotas in the drive for Wash
lhgton corporations employing 1OC
or more persons have been set at
SlO0 per employe.
This marks the first time quotas
have been fixed for individual cor
porations, Mr.. Reilly said, explain
ing that such action was in con-
Iofmlty with the national policy es-
tabllshed by the Treasury Depart
ment. Previous goals were set vol
unfairly.
The chairman also announced
that so committee chairmen of the
War Finance Committee had re-
ported their groups ready for the
campaign, scheduled to begin June
II, after meeting at the American
Security & Trust Co, yesterday.
The committee will emphasize in
dlVldual purchases during the drive,
he added. Individual quotas have
been set at SCI 100000. which is 20
per cent more than for the previous
drive.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Testimony Ends
lnLaugh|inCdse;;
Burns Sums Up
Eicher Is Excused as
| Witness After BEING
Summoned to Court
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.

Testimony in the contempt
proceeding against James j.
Laughlin. defense attorney at
the mass sedition trial, was
closed today before Justice Jen-
nings Bailey in District Court
after the accused lawyer, de-
Tending his attempts to disqual-
ify the presiding judge in the
sedition case, charged Chief
Justice Edward C. Eicher with
showing constant bias against
the defense and being COM
pletely under sway" of the pros
ecution.
The contempt case was to be SUBJ
mitted to the court this afternoon.
The sedition trial. already delayed
eight days by the contempt case, was
called and put over another "a hours
today. Justice Eicher reset 1t for
10 am. tomorrow.
Burns Sums Up Case.
Special Prosecutor Joseph w.
Burns, who represented Justice
Eicher at hearing of the contemp6
citation which the. Chief Justice
signed on motion of the Govern
ment, summed up the case. He had
not completed his argument when
the MONDAY recess was taken.
Mr.. Burns told Justice Bailey that
Mr.. Laughlin had not shown the
slightest justification for his charges
against the Chief Justice. The pros
ecutor added:
ITO charge justice of this court
with wilfully wanting to convict a
defendant in a criminal case and
with accepting bribe in the form
OF promise of promotion is, of it
self, without explanation or proper
evidence, contempt of court
When Mr.. Burns asked Mr.. Laugh
lin II he had not prepared motions
to summon as defense witnesses
Harry L. Hopkins, presidential ad-
wiser, and David Niles, administra-
tive assistant to the President, only
for newspaper publicity, the wit
ness denied this.
Then why didn't you file the
motions?' the prosecutor demanded.
Wanted to Check Files.
Mr.. Laughlin explained that he
wanted to check further.
"One of my colleagues" he added,
had advised me that Judge Eicher
had participated in the attempted
purge of Senator Gillette in Iowa in
1888, with Mr.. Hopkins and Mr..
Niles, and wanted to check the
files at the, Congressional Library,
but I hadn't had time" (Justice
Eicher is a former Representative
from Iowa.
At the close of Mr.. Laughlin's tes-
timony, Mr.. Burns offered to call
Justice Eicher, explaining that he
did not known whether the Laugh
lin charges should be dignified by
denial, but perhaps in the public
interest the chief justice should be
given the opportunity.
| At first Justice Bailey consented.
and Justice Eicher was summoned,
entering the court room in a busi-
ness suit without his judicial robes.
Charges Held Not at Issue.
After considering the matter, JUS
tice Bailey held that the charges in
the affidavit were mot at issue" and
he did not think the Chief Justices
testimony was necessary.
Il thought that in the public in
terest," Mr.. Burns began
Justice Bailey said he was not
See SEDITION. Page A-12l
Evening star., 1944-05-09
cy the Associated Press.

SOUTHEAST ASIA HEAD
QUARTERS, Handy, Ceylon, May
9.-Allied troops have advanced
in all sectors around the I'M
phal Plain of Eastern India, Ad-
miral Lord Louis Mountbatten' S
headquarters announced today,
but Japanese forces are attack
ing in the Fort Hertz Valley of
Northern Burma, where the AL
lies are driving for the major
enemy base of Myitkyina.
A communique said japanese
troops left more than $50 dead in
the Kohima area northeast of I'm
phal, between May and s, and
that further heavy casualties had
been inflicted in sharp fighting since
that time.
The Japanese attack in the Fort
Hertz Valley was reported taking
place northwest of Nsopzup, which
lies about IS miles northeast of
Burmese forces fighting
for the Allies were last reported
about As miles north of Myitkyina.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
May and June Quotas
Are Due 10 Be Filled
With Younger Men
LAS Moy Be Divided
Into Those Likely and
Unlikely to Be Indicted

District Selective Service an
nounced today that the inven-
tory OF men under 26 here indi-
Gated the supply is large enough
to fill at least May and June
calls for the armed forces with
younger men.
The District reported that a sur
vey OF draft boards showed 5000
men under 26 registered here and
placed in la as of May l. OF that
group, 1900 already have taken their
preinduction physical examinations
and have been found physically fit.
In addition, approximately 800
Washington youths become l8 years
old each month and can be added
to the Districts draft pool.
Size of Calls Not Revealed.
A District draft spokesman
pointed out that some of the 5000
men will be lost to the draft as
physically unfit, a few will be rec
commended for occupational defer
ment, while some others will have
their induction delayed by appeals
The spokesman declined to reveal
the sizes of present draft calls on
the District, but said the May and
June calls were about the same size
as the April calls.
Since April 10, the District has
been filling its calls exclusively with
men under 26 and older volunteers
and delinquents.
Meanwhile, Selective Service Di-
rector Hersheys concern over the
2,250,0O0 men in Ia was interpreted
In informed quarters as an indica-
ton. that the new draft policy. ex-
pected later this week, will set up a
system of dividing men in the Ia
group into two classes-those who
can expect call to the armed forces
in the next few months and those
who are reasonably safe from a call
for longer period.
Three Day Meeting Opens.
Opening a tnree-day meeting of
State draft directors yesterday, Gen.
Hershey commented:
"One of the questions selective
service must decide is whether it is
wise to keep so many men alerted-
If one can use military term-in
view of the size of present calls
This recognition of IA jitters"
is expected to take the form of a
new policy giving IA men a definite
idea of when or whether they will
be called
The State directors also are dis
cussing the supply of men under 26
available to fill draft calls, the size
of present and future calls, the draft
situation as it applies to men over
Is and the standards of occupational
deferment.
Unofficial Estimates.
Unofficial estimates put the MAY
call for the armed forces at be-
tween 100000 and l75,000 men, as
compared to about 100000 in April.
The June call was expected to be
reduced to perhaps l25,000 men.
In his discussion of manpower
needs and the supply of available
men, Gen. Hershey told the confer
ence approximately 2,250,000 men of
all ages are now in Ia. Of these,
about 100000 are under 26.
The selective service director said
last week that the supply of younger
men probably would meet the re-
quirements of the service until fall.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Roosevelt to Seek Fourth Term
And Win, Honnegon Declares
State COP Control
At Stake Today in
West Virginia
BY the Associated Press.

A battle for control of the Re-
publican party organization in
West Virginia, indirectly involv-
ing some delegate candidates
who have announced support of
Gov. Thomas E. Dewey of New
York for the presidential nomi-
nation, added heat to a torrid
primary election in that State
today.
Chief protagonists were Raymond
j. Funkhouser, wealthy Charles
Town manufacturer, who is one of
three candidates for the COP guber-
material nomination, and Walter S.
Hallanan, national committeeman
and chairman of the National Con-
vention Arrangements Committee.
Mr.. Funkhouser repeatedly had
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Allies Follow Up
Nazis' Withdrawal
In Central Italy
Toke Up Positions
9 Miles Beyond Lost
Announced Front Line
BY the Associated Press.

bs tiit ASsttldttt FtSnS.
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS,
Naples, May German forces
have withdrawn in the noun
famous sector of Central Italy
and Allied troops have followed
to positions approximately 9
miles beyond their last an
nounced front line, Allied head
quarters announced today.
1t was probable. however, that Al
lied troops had been operating far
beyond the announced battle line in
recent weeks.
A headquarters statement did not
make clear how far the enemy had
pulled back, but it was said that
the Nazi troops had demolished
bridges, houses and a tunnel as they
moved.
Withdrawal Near Palena.
The withdrawal occurred near the
hamlet of Letto Palena, about 2
miles northeast of the town of
Palena, Is miles inland from the
Adriatic on the 9th Army's left flank
and directly south of the Maiella
mountain pass.
On the 5th Arny's main front, the
Germans yesterday increased the
tempo of their shelling south of
Casinos railway station and sent
a patrol across stream to probe
Allied positions near San Appoli-
naire, miles south of Casino.
American guns shelied motor
vehicle movements in the lower
Garigliano valley west of Minturno
1t is in this sector that the Ger
mans are said to have evacuated
all civilians for a depth of 20 miles
In the same sector Allied oboetva-
ton posts reported an uneXplain ined
explosion near AuSonia.
Enemy Howitzers Silenced.
Allied artillery on the Anzio beach
head silenced an enemy howitzer
and the enemy reversed the process
by shelling Allied rear areas.
After three days of solid day-and-
night pounding of Balkan targets,
all heavy and medium bombers were
grounded yesterday by poor visibil-
ity, but fighter -bombers claimed de-
struction of 80 German vehicles and
two tank carriers and damage to
80 vehicles in straf1ng attacks south
of Rome. They also sank a launch
and barge in the Tiber.
Spitfires demolished a German
headquarters at Crebie in Yugo-
slavia and also attacked shipping
off the Yugoslav coast and high
way traffic in Albania. Two AL
lied planes were missing.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
81 Frenchmen Reported
Massacred by Germans

BY the Associated Press.
BERN, Switzerland. May 9.-The
Gazette de Lausanne reported today
the recent "Nazi massacre of 81
Frenchmen at village near Lille
as the result of multiplied sabotage
in Northern France"
The killings occurred month ago
in reprisal for the derailment of a
troop train killing 20 German SOL
diers, the dispatch said.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
1000 Enlisted Men Apply
For Transfers 10 Infantry
BY the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
More than 1000 applications for
transfer to the infantry have been
received since the Armys announce
ment last month that enlisted men
under 80 in this country could make
the switch in order to join the
doughboys in fighting the enemy at
close quarters.
A War Department announcement
said bids are running at the rate of
zoo day Transfers are made in
grade, with no loss of pay,
Evening star., 1944-05-09
OPA Renews Appeal
For Fats and Oils
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Despite removal of point values
from all meats except beef steaks
and roasts, housewives who save
kitchen fats still will be paid in both
red points and cash, the Office of
Price Administration said today,
emphasizing that the need for fats
| and oils continues.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Poll Tox Bill Called Up

The Senate agreed by a
voice vote today to take up
the controversial measure to
ban payment of State poll
taxes as a prerequisite to vot-
ing i'm Federal elections, thus
setting the stage for a stream
lined filibuster.
Earlier Story on Page A-3.)
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Overseas Age Limit Reduced

LONDON, May 9 Britain has
reduced the age limit of troops
eligible for overseas service to l8
years 6 months. The previous limit
was 10 years.
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Late Bulletins
Medical Care Bill Passes

The Senate passed and sent
to the White House today leg
islation apprOpriating $6,700,-
600 for grants to States for
medical and hospital care for
wives and infants of enlisted
men i'm the armed services.
Evening star., 1944-05-09

(See LINCOLN, page A-4.5
Evening star., 1944-05-09

(See POLITICS, Page. A-43
Evening star., 1944-05-09
Guide for Readers

An Associated Press Newspaper
Evening star., 1944-05-09

(See SEDITION, Page A-12.)
Evening star., 1944-06-28
Foreign Trade

We assure American farmers, live
stock producers, workers and indus
try that We will establish and main-
tain fair protective tariff on COM
petitive products so that the stand
ards of living of our people shall not
be impaired through the importa-
ton Of commodities produced
abroad by labor or producers func-
tioning upon lower standards than
our own.
If the postwar world is to be
properly organized a great extern
sion of world trade will be neces-
sary to repair the wastes of war and
build an enduring peace. The Re-
publican party, always remembering
that its primary obligation, which
must be fulfilled, is to our own
workers, our own farmers and our
own industry, pledges that it will
join with others in leadership in
every cooperative effort to remove
unnecessary and destructive bar
riers to international trade. We
will always bear in mind that the
domestic market is Americas great
est market and that tariffs which
protect it against foreign competi-
ton should be modified only by re-
ciprocal bilateral trade agreements
approved by Congress.