davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Indian Corps
 Take eHongow Near Myebon

Randy, Ceylon, Feb. 1e--(UP)-- Troops of the 18th Indian Corps captured the enemy strongpoint of Kangaw near the base of the Mye- bon peninsula to reach within less than mile of the important Myo- haung-Taungup highway, last es- cape route for thousands of Japa- nese in the Arakan coastal sector of Burma, 1t was announced today.
 Chinese sources predicted today that the mounting American air offensive against Japan may force the Japanese to move their capital from Tokyo to more remote part of Honshu or even to the island of Hokkaido, to the north.
 They pointed out that additional heavy bombers will be within range of Honshu when new bases on Luzon are put in operation.
 world capital for construction of air raid shelters, the Chinese said. Located in low lying coastal basin, large areas of the city are subject to minor floods. The water level is only a few feet under ground. AS a result, air raid shelters sui 1iciently deep to offer protection against bombings must be construct ed at a heavy cost of reinforced concrete and even then are subject to heavy water seepage The same situation forced Toyko to build It's subway system barely beneath the surface.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Loss or Berlin May Not Put Germany Out or War

western fronts.
 Belief was growing in military circles that even the loss of Berlin would not knock Germany out of the war, although it's capture would leave the Germans only a i00-mile wide area of narrower. The NaZis were believed preparing to attempt a Stalingrad-like stand. using Berlin as the bastion of line on which they would attempt to halt the Rus Sians.
 Travellers arriving in Stockholm from Berlin reported that the flash of guns on the eastern front occa . sionally is visible in the German capital. but they attributed reports that gunlirc was audible to the overstrung nerves of the citizens.
 The Volkssturm was said to be mining buildings in the eastern sections of the city, preparatory to blowing them up when the Red Army reaches the outskirts.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Peter Chionosky
 Burned To Deuth

Boston. Feb. 1-(UP) Three more fires in this area early today in- creased New England's fire death toll to 19 and total damage to morG than $350.OO during the past 2$ hours.
 Peter Chianosky. 40. of Boston $ South End was burned to death and fellow lodger was hospitalized as result of smoke inhalation wher fire damaged lodging house thIs morning.
 Meanwhile. a three-alarm fire vir- tually demolished the Malnatti block in South Quincy. causing $30.- 900 loss. Aid was summoned from Boston for the blaze in the 46- year-old structure at Liberty street and Brooks avenue.
 The third early y-morning fire dan- aged block Of stores near Ed. ward Everett Square in Dorchester.
 The previous fires were as fol lows: Auburn. Me. l6 babies and one adult killed. $l0.0O0 damage; Nort.: AttlebOrO. one killed. $200.000 dam age; Wellesley. two Ares. $5O.0OO an6 SiO.O00 damage; Mexico Me, $30,00c damage: and Woonsocket. R. L. s2O,OOO damage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Meat Problem
 To Be Worse

Washington, Feb. 1.-CUP)-The government is getting ready to take still more of the already slim meat rations of civilians. War Food Ad- ministration officials revealed today.
 The officials said that neither the Army nor lend-lease has been getting enough meat under the pres ent purchase program and warned that an upward revision was i'm mincnt in the amounts of beef and pork that packing plants must re- serve for government purchase.
 The government already buys about 70 per cent of all pork pro- duccd
 As Q result of the pressure Of civilian demands Tor meat, WFA said, an increasing number of small plants have sprung up outside fed eral inspection. These have pulled more and more meat animals from packing plants which suply non- civilian requirements.
 To head off this tendency. WFA yesterday placed top on the num- Der of cattle and hogs that small slaughtererS may kill and still re- ceive the government subsidy.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
SpinSter Sisters
 Discovered Dead

Frederick. M, Feb. 1.-(UP)-A weird twist of fate launched q tragic chain of circumstances yes terday that ended in the death of three elderly spinster sisters here. The exact story may never be known but police, who found the bodies Fannie Finn and her sister Lille inside their house after a grocer4 clerk discovered sister Ellen frozen to death in a snowbank outside, figure it must have happened this way:
 Fannie, IS suffered fatal brair. hemorrhage.
 Ellen, 88, rushed to summon aid but slipped and fell on the icy path Unable to get up she froze to death in the seven above zero temperature
 Meanwhile. in the house the un- attended fire died down and weni out and sister Lillie, 75 and bed ridden, stiffened with cold and died Her body clad only in an under garment. was found on the floor of a second floor room.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
By BRUCE MUNN

London, Feb. l--tUP) Brussels reports attributed to ''unimpeach- able military authorities" said to- day that the German government is leaving Berlin and that the Reich capital is rapidly being organized for street-by-street and house-by- house defense.
 The Brussels reports did not in- dicate where the German govern ment might take refuge. However, for months 1t has been known that many German government offices had been transferred out Of Berlin to escape the devastating Allied air bombing
 The most likely site of the gov ernment was believed to be Munich because Of it's associations as the birthplace Of the Maxi party. it's proximity to Adolf Hitler's retreat at Berchtesgaden and its relative distance from both the eastern and
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Com promise On Wallace
 issue Fails
(NEA Telephoto)

Washinton, Feb. l = CUP) - The fight over Henry A. Wallace's nom. nation to be Secretary of Commerce went to the Senate floor today after attempts to compromise the issue apparently had 4ai' d. Wallace's supporters planned to try to delay vote on his nomina- ton pending enactment of the George bill to strip the department of its lending powers, heretofore eX- ercised through it's cont over the federal loan agencies. Opponents, however, said they would seek an immediate vote on confirmation in expectation that they could defeat Wallace in this way.
 After a two-hour conference of Senate Democrats, Senate Democra- tic leader Alben w. Earkley an- nounced that he hniself had sought no agreement on action but had sought unsllcceSSfully to postpone the vote on confirmation.
 T wanted to postpone the Wal lace nomination to day certain in order that the Senate, the House and the President will have an op- portunity to act on the George bill" ," Barkley said.
 Barkley, wearing black patch over the infected eye which has kept him hospitalized for several days said he had called the conference to discuss the nomination without any intention of attempting to bind any Senators.
 But Chairman Josiah w. Bailey O. the senate commerce committed which voted IA to against the nom- ination, reaffirmed his intention of pressing for immediate consideration of the nomination today, Barkley added.
 Barkley sad he proposed his course so senators who wanted to approve the nomination without giving Wal lace control over the lending agen- cies could avoid being forced to vote on the double-barreled issue.
 He told reporters he had aSsur- aEce of early House action if the Senate approves the George bill and saio the Senate then could await approval or a veto by the president before proceeding with the nomina- tion Barkley said he wanted the nomination held on the -Ate cal enCar and not sent back to the com mittee.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
|NoNew Taxes
 Sovs Baldwin

Hartford, Conn. Feb. 1-(UP)-A total budget of $130,040, ,490 for the biennium beginning July l, was pre- sented today by Gov. Raymond E. Baldwin to the general assembly. The total included $73,816,227 for the general fund. $40,231,054 for the highway fund, and $15, 5,993, ,209 for special funds.
 The general fund appropriation proposed was $5,511 less than for the current biennium, the war bud- get of $1 ,272,518 was $2,940, 900 less than the present war budget, and the highway fund appropriation represented an increase of nearly $13,000,000.
 The budget included an estimated surplus of $4,43l, ,432, which, the governor said, could be used by the legislature in appropriating for spe- cial items not included in the bud- get. He reported that the postwar purposes fund was $13.O00,000, and that funds had been set aside to amortize all building and funding bonds issued by the state eight years ago.
 We have worked to keep increases at minimum and to see to 1t that the funds appropriated are effec. lively and efficiently spent. We should adopt policy of no new taxes to meet expenditures from the general fund.-" the governor said.
 Items not included in the budget but expected to be acted upon by the legislature included: Proposed increases of from two to 15 million dollars in the soldiers, sailors and marines fund
 Appropriations to equalize grants to town schools: funds to continus the Danbury traffic court. a pro- posed $l ,O00,0G0 grant to towns fer
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
By LOUISA FORD

Auburn, Me, Feb. 1-(UP)-An- droscoggin county and state officials opened an inquest today into a flash fire which burst through a private nursery for war workers children and killed 16 babies and an attend ant in the gray hours before dawn. Four city and state agencies also were conducting separate investiga- tons of the holocaust which left the rambling 1-2 story frame house an ash-StreWn shell and trapped all but eight of its occu- pants in probably the worst tragedy in Down East history.
 Last of the victims to be identified was Constance Theberge, l3 months old whose body still was unclaimed early today. Several other bodies were held awaiting the arrival of parents or relatives expected later today.
 County Atty. A. F. Martin said the inquest will investigate every angle of the fire, search for evil dence of criminal negligence" and fix responsibility.
 State Health and Welfare Com missioner Harry O. Page revealed that the nursery, operated by Mrs. Eva La Coste. had not been granted q renewal of it's state license.
 However, the permit was to be re- newed, he said, if the Auburn fire department certified that the one time farmhouse met certain safety requirements.
 Though no inspection had been sought. Auburn Fire Chief Ralph E. Harndon said, fire officials would have approved the nursery which he added contained sufficient fire
 Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
End Embargo A Possibility
By United Press

Furloughed soldiers and mobilizcd State GuardSmen were working on the railroads III upstate New YorK today to move vital fuel and foo0 supplies to winter-bound consumers and an appeal was made for "every qualified man not engaged in wal production" to help them.
 Communities throughout New York continued their stringent coal conservation measures which have closed schools stores and public buildings in many places as raj! transportation was threatened with another tie-up from severe winds. snow and cold in the western por- tion of the state.
 Railroad SpOkeSmen said freight movements had improved greatly since the weekend tie-up which caused a three day embargo on all but essential war goods. but admit ted the possibility of another em- bargo if weather conditions worsened.
 The fuel crisis was critical in Phil adelphia also, and Mayor Bernard w. Samuel banned deliveries to all amusement places in an emergency proclamation.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
ual-Office Bill
 Presented Senate

Hartford, Conn, Feb 1--(UP) )- Bills intended to eliminate the county government system and to prohibit members of the general as- sembly from holding any other pub lie office, were introduced today in the Senate.
 The county government bill de- clared that the present system is largely, if not entirely, obsolete, ex- travagant and dominated by parti- san politics and patronage" and suggested that an investigation might show the need of radical curtailment and modernization and complete elimination of many of it's functions which are duplication of work done by the town or state"
 The measure proposed appoint ment of commission Of five to study the county government meth ods and recommended $15,000 ap- propriation. The commission, to be composed of members. not more than two of whom would be aSso- ciated with one political party, would report to the governor not later than Jan. 1, 1947.
 The ddual-office bill stated that its passage would eliminate the notorious and costly practice of men seeking election to the general assembly in order to secure for themselves appointments to judge ships, commissions, etc"
 Other Senate bills provided
 Appointment of Harold Finch of Danbury as Fairfield county com missioner.
 Appointment of Joseph J. Zone as senior judge of the Stamford city court.
 Exempting Red Cross property from taxation.
 House bills recommended:
 Raising the salary of the Bridge port mayor from $500 to $3OO0 a year.
 Setting up the citJ of Bristol as a new senatorial diStrict-the 7th.
 Establishing the town of North Coventry, by dividing the town of Coventry.
 Appointment of Samuel E. Fried man as judge and Herbert L. Cohen as deputy judge of the Fairfelid town court.
 Establishing a division of concilia- ton in the State Labor Department.
 Prohibiting coercion of employees to join any union.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01

Both Moscow and Berlin broad~ casts reported that the Soviet Van- guard had crashed the gates of KuStrin, at the confluence of the Oder and Warthe Rivers, where the trunk line from Danzig crosses the Oder and runs straight to Berlin.
 Moscow dispatches also said the Russians were believed to have reached the east bank of the Oder opposite Frankfurt east and Slight- ly south of Berlin.
 A German communique reporting that Zhukov's forces have ad~ vanced as far as the Oder north- west of KuStrin" said fresh Ger- man reserves had been thrown into battle in that sector indicating the defenders of Berlin might make their supreme effort at the Oder. the city's last outlying defense line.
 The angle of the river northwest ward from KuStrin in relation to the distance from Berlin made it uncertain exactly how near the Russians were to the richest single prize of the war in Europe.
 The NaM command said reserves also had been engaged against So- viet tank Spearheads that had ad- vanced as far as the Sternberg- zielenZig area east-southeast of | Berlin.
 Moscow dispatches said scores of Soviet air squadrons were defying snoWstormS and generally bad weather to hammer the enemy day and night on the eastern front. Neutral sources said the rumble of guns already could be heard in Berlin and from an "unimpeachable military authority in Brussels came a report that the German govern ment was leaving the capital, ''prob- ably for Berchtesgaden," Adolf Hit- lers BaVarian home.
 The Brussels informant said, however, there was no indication that Hitler himself was leaving Ber- lin. Rather, he said, Hitler prob"
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Coffee Rotioning Very improbable

washington, Feb. 1-CUP)-Gov- ernment food officials. alarmed at an increase in scare" buying oi coffee, declared emphatically today that "coffee rationing is not in sight"
 The War Food Administration said there was nearly half agaiT. as much coffee available as theru was when rationing was dIscontin ued in July. 1043. making a totai of some 9,OOO,000 bags either or hand or cn route from Central ana South America.
 Tn addition officials were optl' mistic as to the outcome of current negotiations with coffee producing countries to assure Q continued steady How of coffee to this cotiIi. try.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Zukauskas' Confession
 Admitted As Euidence
(BY ANN ZEMAITIs)

An alleged confession made No vember by Francis Zukauskas to the staying of Mrs. Stephanie Plum gis on November was admitted as evidence in superior court shortly before l o'clock today, after the ac- cuSed took the witness stand in a dramatic and vain effort to keep his statement out of the case.
 The three judges, Frank J. Mo- Evoy, Howard Alcorn, and John H King, ruled the statement was ad- missible, following lengthy testi- mony by the accused, and shortly before the lunch recess Coroner Stephen Homick began to read the confession.
 It was in that confession that Zukauskas disclosed he knew details of the disappearance of Mrs Plum gis, whose bullet-ridden body was later found in a shallow grave near Middlebury bridle path. And 1t was in that statement that ZukauS- kas revealed his frame of mind be- fore and after the shooting, and gave investigators leads on further details of the shooting.
 ZukauskaS in his efforts to pre- vent introduction of the confession tried to show the statement was given involuntarily and while un- due pressure was eXerted.
 Not a sound Was heard ill the courtroom when the defense at torneys motioned to Zukauskas to take the stand. after the three judges ruled they might produce special testimony in the midst oi the states case.
 Zukauskas walked rapidly to the witness stand, raisde his right hand high, and answered in a loud and clear voice when Superior Court Clerk James E. Mcknight admins tered the oath.
 Before the accused took the stand Attorney w w. Gager. defense counsel, sttaed the testimony would be the kind given in the absence of jury in cases where JurieS SIt
 FaIters for Words
 Zukauskas faltered for words as Attorney Carmody presented simple questions on what Zukauskas did starting with the afternoon of Nov. 2.
 Many times he asked his lawyer to repeat the queries and in numer- ous instances said he did not under stand the questions. His nervous ness was obvious from his con- stant inability to grasp the exact meaning of the interrogations.
 T didn't sleep a wink" Zukauskas answered 4 one point when he was taken into custody.
 He told of the uncomfortable con- ditions in the jail cell and of re- peated questioning by investigators, as the defense evidently tried to show statements were elicited from him as result of physical and psy- chological pressure.
 Before the defendant took the stand, the state called Alderman Edward J. Lasky. who testified he was a close friend Of the former policeman and helped him get his job on the police force.
 He said he talked to the accused on the evening of Nov. at the
 (Continued on Page 4)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Potton's S Men Overrun Four Nozi Towns
By BOYD ID. LEWIS

Paris, Feb. - (U.P.) - Lieuten- ant General George $. Patton's Third Army assault forces overran four German towns today and broadened their front inside the Reich to four and half miles.
 U. S. First and Third Army divi- sions were fighting flank to flank into the outposts of the Siegfried line along 40-mile attack front winding through Belgium, LuXem- bourg and Germany.
 At the southern end of the west ern front the French First Army opened a new attack in Alsace that appeared to have broken the Ger man threat to Strasbourg.
 Dispatches from Patton'S front said his vanguard had thrust two l and a half miles into Germany within eight miles of Prum, the biggest transport center in the bor- der area south of Monschau. The Third Army attack was re- ported gaining momentum despite thaw and heavy rain on top of two feet of snow, turning the battle ground into a quagmire.
 If the momentum continues Pat ton should be well inside the main Siegfried positions by the end Of the day" a dispatch from the Third Army front said.
 The captured towns were 1hren, five miles southwest of St. With and half a mile inside Germany, Win terspelt, is southeast of St. With and mile inside the Reich; Engelsheid, seven southeast of St. With and two and half from the border; and Eckhalenfeld, little over six miles southeast of St With and half a mile in Germany.
 The Third Army push had gained three to four miles since the at tack opened west of the Our river. Neither side was using armor, but the Germans were trying to hold strong points with mortar artillery and small arms fire.
 Field dispatches from Alsace re- vealed that Nazi Gestapo Chief Heinrich Himmler's prestige drive on Strasbourg was collapsing swiftly under a succession of hammer blows
 (COntniued on Page 9
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01

New York, Feb 1. CUP)-News- week Magazine reported today that five German prisoners of war who killed a fellow captive because they said he was a traitor to the Reich are in federal penitentiary await ing execution.
 Tn the first American court mar tial involving a capital offense by enemy powers. the Magazine said the guilty prisoners all non-com- missIoned officers proudly admitted their part in staying German Cpl. Johann Kunze with sticks and bot ties on Nov. 5, 1o45. in . camp at Tonhawa, Okla.
 The slayerS accused Kunze of give inR American Army ofsscavs infnFTna~
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Fiue Nazi War Prisoners Auditing Execution Here

ton the Germans believed had been of great value to the Alles in bomb ing Hamburg where the homes and families of some of the prisoners were destroyed" the Magazine said.
 Newsweek said the prisoners were tried from Jan. IT to Jan. 28. 1924 by a court martial that leaned over backward" to be fair to them. and had no choice" but to sentence them to death when they insisted that their sworn testimony Of guilt be heard and proudly admitted their part in KunzeA liquidation"
 The i've doomed Germans were idenAlfled as Walther Beyer, Berth old 6eidel, Hans Demn1e. Willi ScholS and Hans @nhnlnap
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
Fifth PenefT0teS Monte Rondinoio

Rome. February 1. - CUP) - A big combat patrol of the U. S. Fifth Army thrust deeply into the German lines near Monte ROndinaio. six miles east of the Serchio river. and fought five-hour skirmish. Allied headquarters revealed today.
 The patrol returned without the loss of a man. The Germans suf- fered casualties. and Aix prisoners were taken.
 The daily communique said pa- trols were active all along the Italian fyn1at.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-02-01
STRIKE VOTE

Detroit, February 1. - (UP) - Approximately 900 powerhouse em- ployeS of the Detroit Edison Con- pany have voted in favor of strike which would cripple war production in Detroit and 42 other Michigan cities. the National Labor Relations Board announced today after count ing votes.