davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

A German broadcast said Soviet tanks and infantry had driven to within the immediate vicinity" of Berlin. The hedgehod fortress town of Muencheberg, 16 miles east of Berlin, fell after the Soviets threw 8 new tank corps into the blazing battle, the Nazis admitted.
 Thousands of Soviet guns and planes were pouring steel and ex- plosives into the devastated city in a steady rain. RAF Mosquitos joined in the bombardment with six separate block-buster raids dur ing the night.
 The untitled thunder of the bom- bardment was audible to American Ninth Army troops along the Elbe river, 45 miles west of Berlin, front dispatch from that area said.
 GA BEG braodcast said that American and Russian patrols were only 25 miles apart in an unidenti- fled sector of Germany. The re- poPt was attributed to messages reaching Moscow" A United Press dispatch from Moscow yesterday 0oAQ Rdt4O4O nA AV1Ay 4AAesy AADtV AASV1
 The Na1 Transocean Agency said the first Soviet shells were hitting the "huilt-up area of Berlin" It said Paul Joseph Goebbels as De- 5ense commissioner had ordered Berliners unable to reach their nor- nal places of work through Hack of transport" to report immediately for war work.
 The Germans freely admitted the situation was deteriorating rapidly Both their primary and secondary defense lines east of the capital had been shattered. They said the Rus- sians were vastly superior in men and material"
 From Moscow, United Press War Correspondent M. s. Handler cabled:
 "The final breakthrough is ex- pected over the weekend"
 He said great aerial battles were Swirling over the eastern approach eS to Berlin as the Germans hurled their last, hoarded aircraft into a vain attempt to halt the onrushing Soviets.
 Johannes Steel. an American radio commentator broadcasting from Paris. said an agreement had been reached that the Red Army would be the first to enter Berlin. He pre- dicted the Russians would bypass the city and enter it from the north
 Other powerful Soviet armies
 fFoufirNAd An paOn Al
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21
Superforts
 Hit Kyushu
BY FRANK TREMAINE

Guam, April 21. - (UP) - Up- wards of 300 Superfortresses today blasted the Kyushu bases of Japan csc suicide planes blamed for the sinking of some of the 15 American war vessels lost in the battle Of Okinawa and Japan during the past month.
 On Ok11awa itself, three American divisions thrust deeper into the enemys last-ditch defense line less than three and a half miles north of Naha, capital of the island, on the third day of the greatest ground offensive of the Pacific war.
 Advances of up to a mile were reported all along the four-mile line extending across the southern end of the island yesterday. Swarms Of planes and the big guns of warships joined maSSed land artillery in an unprecedented supporting lombard ment.
 GA Tokyo broadcast recorded by the FCC said Japanese planes sank (Continued on Page D
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

was getting remarkably good grasp on the situations he faces.
 For one thing, he will be brought under immediate pressure to relax the Little Steel" formula for wage stabilization. In his private con- versations he has given no indica- tion of differing from the hold the-line' policies of the late Presi- dent Roosevelt, obviously fearful that any deviation would result in a damaging inflationary spiral.
 He is being peppered with recom- mendations for filling various fed- eral vacancies. primarily judgeships, and all indications are that he is going along with what the congress slonaI delegations think about these matters.
 According to some of his close associates. he has not gotten around
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21
Truman Learning Fast About Vast Problems From Cabinet-Proues He's Man Who Means Business

Roosevelt made in profusion. h. stead the farm-bred chief execu- tive wanted to spend as much time as possible in actual contact with his official tasks.
 He was following strenuous daily work schedule-14 appoint ments where five or six were con- sidered heavy for. his predecessor.
 MT. Truman showed something of his attitude toward official life yesterday at the Blair reception for foreign ambassador and ministers assigned to Washington. He walked in to his double drawing room, was presented to each diplomat, said a few words of greeting and ended the reception by walking out-all in the space of less than five min uteS.
 He's a man who means business
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

to the point of considering In any detail basic changes in the cabinet. This attitude was based on the theory that he has a good operating team together for the time being and changes he wants to maze can come when the government has recovered from the impact of los- ing its boss.
 One thing the new President was determined to do: Stay at his desk and tackle his vast accumulation of official problems. He spurred re- peated requests to open the Jniteu Nations Conference at San Fran cisco. banking instead on the WIS., dom of the American delegation headed by Secretary of State Ed ward R. Stettinius, Jr.
 MT. Truman planned none of the weekend rest trips which MT.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21
BY ROBERT MUsEL

London, April 21 (UP) = Red armies stormed the last defenses of Berlin today and Moscow dispatch said they expected to break into the burning capital the weekend
 The Russians laid siege to Berlin from the northeast east southeast At two points 18 miles apart they were seven miles or less from the city limits.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21
BREMEN ENvEL OPED, HAMBURG ST0RME[
 Reds Expected Tn Berlin Over Weekend
Hedgehog Fortress City,Muencheberg, Seized By Soviets
BULLETIN

Evening Standard said today under radio Berlin boundary at the Ring Motor city,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21
Africans In 
BULLETIN

Rome, April 21-(UP)-The American Fifth and British Armies entered Bologna today.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

Bristol, England, April 2l-(UP)
 Prime Minister Churchill said in a brief speech at Bristol Uni- versity today that he did not think an Allied proclamation of victory i'm Europe "need be long delayed"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

Continued on Page D
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

(Continued on Page 9
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

(Continued on Page D
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

Continued on Page N
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

Continued on Page O
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

Home, Final Edition Late Sport News Late NeuUs Flashes
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-21

Continued on Page 4)
Evening star., 1945-03-25
Robertson Eliminates Self
From GubernaforiaI Race

BY the Associated Press.
Representative Robertson elm
mated himself from the Virginia
gubernatorial picture yesterday.
The Lexington Democrat was one
of three men prominently men
toned as possible successors to Gov.
Darden.
Mr.. Robertson, 7th district Rep
resentative for more than IL
years, said strong pressure" was
brought to bear on him by COL
leagues here and by fr n S
throughout the State to be candi-
date.
Mr. Robertson, however, feels he
can better serve his State and Ma
ton by continuing his efforts in
behalf of the Governments recip-
rocal trade agreements, cause in
which he has long been active. He
also wants to work for the Dunn
barton Oaks security proposals.
Mr.. Robertson's action left the
gubernatorial picture apparently a
two-way contest between Demo-
Gratis William NJ Tuck, Halifax,
present Lieutenant Governor, and
Speaker of the House Thomas B
Stanley of Henry. -,
Evening star., 1945-03-25
100 Maryland Forms Face
IdIeness; Lack Machines, Labor

for in the 1945 Maryland farm
goals.
DR.. S. H. De Vault, head of the
Department of Agricultural Eco
nomics and Marketing at the Uni
versity of Maryland, said that CEN
sus figure; would indicate the cur
rent surveys preliminary data are
about three times the actual abar-
donment of Maryland farms dur
ing the 1930-39 period. There are
approximately 10000 farms of three
acres or more each in Maryland.
The AAA State chairman said
farmers needing various pieces of
farm m h hinery could contact
owners OF farmland that will not
be worked this year. He added
that arrangements could be made
to purchase, borrow or lease cer-
tain machinery which is impossible
to obtain on the market and other
wise would not be used.
Evening star., 1945-03-25

the Potomac after recommending
against power development there a
decade ago, engineering officials
pointed out yesterday that Congress
had ordered a Potomac flood control
study, and that under the law, this
called also for a power survey.
Rivers and harbors legislation for
1888. 1899, 194l and 1914, it was said,
had carried a provision that pen
stocks or other similar facilities
adapted to possible future use in the
of hydroelectric power
shall be installed in any dam" au-
thorized in waterways developments.
when approved by the Secretary of
War on the recommendation of the
Chief of Engineers and the Federal
Power Commission.
The District Engineers report said
that the generation of hydroelectric
energy is the controlling factor in
any comprehensive water-control
development in the Potomac River
baSin."
Evening star., 1945-03-25
Holy Week Services
Arranged in Silver Spring

Holy Week will be observed in
Silver Spring with special MONDAY
services beginning tomorrow and
continuing through Saturday at the
Silver Theater and at Marvin
Memorial Church, Four Corners.
Presented by the recently or
ganized Silver Spring Ministers
Association, the services at both
places will begin at 1905 pm. and
last for 20 minutes. The Rev.
Raymond C. Sorrick, pastor of St.
Luke's Lutheran Church, and the
Rev. Joseph A. Hauber, rector of
the Church of Ascension, are in
charge of arrangements.
The ministers in charge of the
services at the Silver Theater are:
Monday, the Rev. Walter w. Gale,
Grace Episcopal Church: Tuesday,
the Rev. Glenn R. Cole, Knox Or
thodox Presbyterian Church; We'd
nesday, the Rev. Mr.. Sorrick; Thurs
day, the Rev. j. Wesley Lofts, Silver
Spring Baptist Church: Friday, the
Rev. John F. McClelland, Silver
Spring Congregational Christian
Church, and Saturday, the Rev.
Philip c. Edwards, Woodside Meth
|odist Church.
Evening star., 1945-03-25
Truman 10 Be Speaker
Al Easter Services

Vice President Truman will be
the speaker at the annual Easter
sunrise services on Shooters Hill
in Alexandria, the Rev. Cliff john
son, pastor of the Westminster
Presbyterian Church and chairman
of the Ministerial Association Com
mittee planning the services, said
yesterday.
The services will be held at am.
and worshipers of all denomina-
tions are invited. Music will be
furnished by the George Washing
ton High School Band under the
direction of Philip H. Lester, who
also will lead the congregation in
singing.
DR.. Francis McPeek, director of
the department of social welfare of
the Washington Federation of
Churches, will assist in conducting
the services.
In addition to Mr.. johnson, DR..
Hawes Palmore Clarke, rector of
the Washington Street Methodist
Church, and the following pastors
will take part: the Rev. John Blake
more, Trinity Methodist Church,
the Rev. B. B. Conner Lille, Christ
Church, DR.. Ernest Frederick Camp
bell, First Baptist Church, and the
Rev. Augustus Gysan, Good Shep-
herd Lutheran Churcn.
Evening star., 1945-03-25
1t. Respess Appointed
First Male Probation
Officer in Alexandra

The appointment of 1t. Benjamin
r. Respess, 1900 South Washington
street. Alexandria, wounded veteran
of this war, as the citys first male
probation officer was announced
yesterday by Judge James Reece
Duncan of the Alexandria Juvenile
and Domestic Relations Court.
1t. ReSpess, whose medical dis
charge will become effective April 9,
will assume his duties tomorrow and
will work with Miss Clara Norfleet,
woman probation officer.
The son of Mr.. and Mrs. A. D.
Respess of 4 East Linden street, 1t.
Respess was born in Alexandria on
Armistice Day. 1918.
Wounded Three Times.
Holder of the Combat Infantry
mans Badge, the Presidential unit
citation and the Purple Heart, 1t.
Respess was wounded four times
during the Normandy invasion, the
first time on the beach on Q-day
and the last time June Is, at ST.
Mere Eglise when a bullet pierced
his helmet and lodged in his head.
Volunteering for service in Janu-
ary, 1941, 1t. Respess attended OFF,
GERS Candidate School at Fort Ben
ming, Ga. He was sent overseas with
the Goth Infantry Division last
Maych.
He led three platoons of Ranger
trained infantrymen in the invasion.
At one time, he and his men were
cut off for four days while raiding
behind enemy lines and spent their
time wrecking German equipment
while their own ammunition was
running low. After he was wounded
and unable to move forward with
his platoon, 1t. Respess was cap
tured, but in a few hours American
forces drove the Germans back and
rescued him.
Played Professional Sports.
A graduate of George Washington
High School in Alexandria and the
Dewitt School here, It. Respess was
an outstanding athlete and was a
professional basket ball and foot
ball player after graduation. He
also has had considerable experience
coaching younger boys.
Judge Duncan said 1t. Respess was
certified to him after he took the
necessary examinations and was ap-
proved by the Department of Public
Welfare in Richmond.
1t. Respess was married in De-
cember, 1912, to Miss Jean Evans
McEldowney, Philadelphia They
have daughter, Alice McEldowney
Respess, three months old.
Evening star., 1945-03-25

Mr.. Hall, a native of Loudoun
County, is the son of the late Mr..
and Mrs. John w. Hall. He has
served as member of the County
School Board and as examiner of
records for this judicial district.
He has been clerk to one of the
committees of the House of Dele
gates.
Mr.. Hall saw military service in
the World War. A former news
paperman, he was editor for num-
ber of years of the Loudoun Times,
a publication that was later merged
with the Loudoun Mirror. He re-
manned with the combined Times
Mirror for eight years.
Mr.. Hall previously was employed
in bank here. He is a member
of the Leesburg Rotary Club.
Evening star., 1945-03-25
Arlington Boy, 10, Injured
In BicycIe-Truck Collision

Marvin West, l0-year-old son OF
Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe West, $500
South Glebe road, Arlington, was
injured critically yesterday when
the bicycle on which he was riding
collided with truck on the Shirley
highway near darlington. He was
taken to Arlington Hospital
Arlington police identified the
driver of the truck, owned by the
Goldenberg Co., as Ed Cominger, 54
colored, 453 New York avenue NV
They said no charges have been
placed against the driver pending
outcome of the boys injuries.
Evening star., 1945-03-25
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Approximately 1,100 farms total
ing $4,000 acres may not be oper-
ated in Maryland this year because
of machinery and labor shortages,
Joseph H. Blandford, chairman Of
the State Agricultural Adjustment
Agency estimated yesterday.
Mr.. Blandford based his estimate
on survey of 81 of Maryland's
% counties.
Besides those which may not be
operated at all, Mr.. Blandford said,
there are an additional 4,100 farms
totaling about 13l, 900 acres which
will not be operated fully for the
same reasons.
The AAA chairman pointed out
that acreage of Maryland farmland
not to be operated or fully
operated this year just about equals
the extra acreage Of crops called
Evening star., 1945-03-25
Silver Spring Petition
Urges Veto Of Bill
For Parking Area Tax

A petition signed by more than
100 Silver Spring businessmen, urg-
ing veto of a bill authorizing the
Montgomery County commissioners
to acquire land for establishment of
off street parking facilities in the
Silver Spring business district, has
been sent to Gov. OConor, it was
learned last night.
Under the measure, which has
been passed by the House OF Dele
gates and is now before the Senate,
a Accent tax would be levied on all
improved real estate used for COM
mercial, industrial or general busi-
ness in a special taxing area to be
set up in the Silver Spring business
district.
A similar tax would be levied on
the assessed value of tangible per-
sonal property in such commercial
buildings with the exception of tan
gible property on sites or in build
ings zoned for industrial use.
Unimproved property zoned either
for commercial or industrial use
within the district would be sub
ject to a 20-cent tax. Commercial
and industrial establishments which
already provide parking facilities
would be exempted.
The petition charges that it would
be unjust and discriminatory and
against the principles of good gov
ernment and proper taxation to levy
such taxes on the property of few
individuals for the purpose of pro-
viding free public parking space for
the use and benefit Of the entire
community"
In protesting the proposed exemp-
ton Of industrial property owners
from the Accent tangible personal
property tax, those signing the Pc
tition also said they believed the
right OF condemnation of property
for public use should not be ex-
tended to the granting of such a
right for the purpose of taking it to
establish free parking space for
automobiles"
Roy Coffman. Silver Spring real
estate dealer, q leader in the fight
against the bill, said that If police
would enforce parking laws in the
area. there would be ample space for
everyone.
He declared that he was against
any interference with private en-
terprise, adding that in his opinion,
privately-owned lots would be OPP
Grated more cheaply than county
owned d-and-operated lots.
Evening star., 1945-03-25
Fire Started by Two Boys
Sweeps Over 100 Acres

A brush fire, which was started as
a prank by two 8-year-old boys,
spread over approximately 100 acres
of woodland between Riverdale, Md,
and Paint Branch yesterday before
it was extinguished.
Fire companies from Riverdale,
Riverdale Heights, Hyattsville and
Bladensburg fought the blaze for
more than two hours. Their efforts
were hampered by a high wind,
which famed the flames. Firemen
could not estimate the damage.
Riverdale police said the boys ad-
mitted setting fire to some brush
Just for fun" They said the boys,
both of whom live in Riverdale,
have been released to their parents.
No charges have been placed against
them
Evening star., 1945-03-25
Residents Protest Dams
ON Cocopon, South Branch
By q Staff CORRESPONDENT of Th,, Star

By Staff Correspondent Of The Star
ROMNEY, W.. Va, Mar. 24.-The
IA dams proposed for the Potomac
River basin by the Army Engineers
at an approximate cost of S235, 900, =
600 would be self-liquidating from
power sales. but would only reduce
maximum flood waters about so per
cent at Washington, representatives
of the District Engineers Office told
meeting of Hampshire County res
idents here today.
AT the meeting, which packed the
county court room, 258 residents of
the valley along the South Branch
OF the Potomac who face the loss
OF their land were joined by more
than 500 other county residents in
filing a unanimous protest against
the project.
According to the Engineers plan,
a dam across the South Branch at
Springfield would back the river As
miles through the valley to Romney
where the water level would rise
more than so feet above the bridge
on Route so at the outskirts of the
town.
Another dam proposed for the
Cacapon River at Edes Fort in an
adjoining county, would result
principally in damaging agriculture
land in Hampshire.
S1,263,860 Loss Seen.
r. E. Stewart, clerk of the county
circuit court, estimated that IL per
cent OF the assessed property in the
county would be destroyed by the
project. He said Springfield and
the Edes Fort dams would flood
52,l94 acres of Hampshire County
land, would displace 258 farms and
would destroy public utility property
assessed at $494 500. The total value
of the land and utilities DESTROYED
he said. would amount to $1,263 800
State Senator George Williams
chairman of the meeting. esti-
mated that the power project alone
would eliminate the yearly use
of 1000 ,000, 900 tons of coal, which
In turn would injure labor on a
State wide scale. He described the
project as "the most awful thing
that ever has confronted the
county"
Public Service Agency Objects.
Asserting that the West Vir-
ginia State Public Service Conmis-
sion would file a protest at the
April 3 hearing before the Army
Board OF Engineers in washington.
E. H. Morris. commission engineer.
said he doubted If the Baltimore
q Ohio Railroad could afford
maintenance costs on new road
beds. since these costs are greater
for new roads.
From the power angle, Mr.. Morris
said that as soon as the war load
Is removed there will be an excess
OF power in the area.
Edwin A. Schmitt and Donald
Birrell, representing the District
Engineers Office, said the need of
regulating the flow of the Potomac
tributaries has been increasing dur
ing the last 80 years, They said
that following a request from Con-
gress for q flood control plan that
would be self f-liquidating. the engi-
neers had found a system of multi
pie purpose dams the only feasible
answer.
Evening star., 1945-03-25
Bond Authority
Approved for
Montgomery
Maryland Senote
Sends 5-MiIIion
Measure to O'Conor

Issuance by the Montgomery
County Commissioners of up to
s5,000000 worth of bonds before
December l, 1916. is authorized in a
bill passed yesterday by the Mary
land Senate and sent to Gov.
O'Conor.
Other Montgomery County mea-
sures approved by the Senate and
sent to the Governor would estab-
lish merit system for county en-
ployes and create the Offices of pur-
chasing agent and public utility
agent.
The proposed bond issues would
be used to build schools and roads
and to purchase airport and park
sites. The bill also authorizes the
county commissioners to grant
funds TO the Maryland-N National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission for erection of community
buildings in Bethesda, Silver Spring
Takoma Park, Gaithersburg or
Rockville or any other locations.
Thinking of Postwar.
In support of the recommends
ton, the bill points out that postwar
conditions may require the partici-
patton by the county commissioners
in program of reconstruction, i'm
provement or expansion of munich
pal and public works.
In addition. according to the bill,
the growth of Washington has re-
suited IN corresponding increase in
the population of the county, neces-
stating an unprecedented" eXpan-
sion in municipal and public serv-
ices
The merit system bill provides for
appointment by the county commits
sioners of civil service commits
sioner for a four-year term begin
ming August /, 1945, at an annual
salary to be determined by the COM
missioners.
Some Exceptions.
All county employees would come
under the civil service system ex-
cept the following:
County supervisor. county con-
troller, attorney and assistant at
torney to the county commissioners,
county purchasing agent, police
chief, county engineer and his as
sistants, county road supervisor,
clerks and assistant clerk to the
county commissioners, the clerk in
both the Bethesda and Silver Spring
County Building, deputy and as
sistant county treasurers and SAL
aried deputies to the trial magis-
trates and the sheriff.
Evening star., 1945-03-25
Meeting to Explore
Denny Report Effects

Reports on how the Alexandria
school system would be affected by
adopting certain recommendations
for curriculum and plant improve
ments contained in the Denny
School Commission report will be
given at meeting of the Park
fairfax group of the Arlington
Alexandria League of Women vot-
ers at 8 pm. tomorrow at the home
of Mrs. Herbert Stats, 1904 North
Ravensworth place.
Members of the group have in
terviewed leaders of all Alexandria
school activities to determine how
the proposed State program will
affect the citys schools.