davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Rains Melt Yule SnoW
lRy United Pressl

Intermittent light rains will melt the Christmas snow in New Eng land today and the Weather Bureau forecast unseasonably warm tenn peratures throughout the region.
 The temperature in Boston is ex- pected to reach an unreasonable high of 50 degrees but the rains will cease here before noon.
 Southern New England will have showers throughout the day and in Maine, New Hampshire and Ver- mont light show flurries will turn into rain later in the day. Some what cooler weather is expected to- morrow with near-freezing tenn peratures.
 Snow Storm Abates
 Heavy snows and icing conditions which prevailed throughout much of the Midwest and Northeast over the Christmas holiday abated to- day. Temperatures were expected to be normal in most parts of the na- ton.
 The U. s. Weather Bureau in Chicago reported that while snow was forecast for some areas of the Midwest, a northwest wind of 20 to 30 niles an hour which piled up tower drifts had diminished.
 Slightly colder weather was pre- dicted for Wisconsin, Michigan Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, but tenn peratures were slated to remain well above zero. Minnesota will have a minimum of 5 above. Skies Clearing Clearing skies and subsiding winds eased storm conditions which deposited IS inches of snow at Mar quette. Mich, and Il inches at Park Falls, Wis.
 Sleet which hampered motoring and grounded airplanes in the Mid- west and East was melting with higher temperatures. The mercury was expected to drop slightly ir the New England states today. Lowest temperature yesterday was 8 below zero at Williston, the highest 79 degrees above at Or ] lando, Fla.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Two Priests
  SIovs Sentence CoIIoborotionists

Belgrade, Dec. A- (Delayed)- (UP)-Seventeen defendants. ln- cluding two Catholic priests, were sentenced to death today in a mass trial of collaborationists at Ljubl- jana. Y
 Sixteen other defendants were given forced labor terms ranging from eight to 20 years. Only one person was acquitted.
 The court held that Peter Kris hai, one of the two condemned priests, served as chaplain for home guard unit actually working with the Nazis and which melted and helped carry out massacres and helped torture prisoners.
 The second priest, Franz Cerkov- nix. was accused of betraying active members of the liberation move ment and helping to torture and kill them in a concentration camp
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Cardinal Visits M Bay State

Whitman, Mass, Dec. 26 (UP) = Cardinal-Designate Francis J. Spellman of New York celebrated Mass today at Church of the Holy Ghost where he served as an altar boy A years ago.
 His 86-year-old father, who operated the grocery store where his now-famed son once worked as a delivery boy, knelt in prayer as the Archbishop of New York said the Mass in memory of his mother who died seven years ago. Later, the two visited her gave in an Abingdon cemetery.
 Archbishop Spellman return cd here yesterday for a Christ mas dinner with his family and Bishop James E. Cassidy of Fall River. Later, Gov. Maurice J. Tobin paid in afternoon visit.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Trumun ToIks WithCronies
 President Locks
 FormoI Schedule

Independence, Mo-, Dec. 26-(UP) President Truman will eat the second of his now-famed three Christmas dinners" today after visiting with old friends at his Kan sas City office, 20 miles from here.
 So far as Independence is con- cerned, MT. Truman is strictly un- bothered as he moves about among his homefolks and fellow townsmen without any formal schedule. The Presidents home town is determin- ed that he shall enjoy his Christ mas vacation the way he wants 1t.
 Mayor Roger T. Sermon, one of Mir. Truman's oldest and closest friends, said that absolutely no plans had been made for his en- tertainment.
 We know that he's here to be with his family and we just aren't going to bother him with plans" and programs, Sermon said.
 To Meet Cronies
 MT. Truman planned to leave the little White House-the home he makes here with his wife and moth- er-in-law-in time to. drive to his Kansas City office by g or 9:30 a. m. His callers there were to include Sermon and few other old cron- ies.
 So indefinite was the Presidents schedule that it had not been de- termined early today whether he would have dinner later with his -year-old mother at her Grand
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Three Die m Blast

Santa Barbara, Cal, Dec. 26-(UP) Three bodies were removed from the debris today after 8 butane gas explosion wrecked the Pepsi Cola Bottling works and 20 apartments located on the second floor of the building.
 Bremen searched the ruins for additional bodies.
 The explosion occurred when a driver for the bottling works started the engine of his truck, which used butane for fuel, police said. The driver was blown across the street but vas not seriously injured.
 The building caught fire after the blast. Police said several occupants of the apartments were injured.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Franc's Value
 Cut By French

Paris, Dec. 26- UP) The French government has decided to lower the value of the Franc to rate of 11910 to the U. s. dollar and 480 to the British pound, it was announced last night.
 The official rate had been 50 t othe dollar. The devaluation was expected to increase French exports.
 The Finance Ministry also announced that the Paris bourse and provincial stock ex- changes had been ordered to remain closed today.
 Finance Minister Rene Eleven and Francois Billoux, minister of national economy. were scheduled to discuss the gov- ernment's devalution project before today's session of the constituent assembly.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Joponese Executors WiIIHong 1 Woke Commander Vents Justice
 For Atom Bomb

Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, Dec. p6-(UP)-Two high-ranking Japa- nese naval officers and nine CO., defendants were sentenced to death by hanging by U. s. Naval Court today for executing 96 American civilians on Wake Island in 1943
 Five other Japanese were sen- fenced to prison terms of five years to life.
 Rear Admiral Shigematsu Sakai- bara, former Japanese commander on Wake, and his executive officer, It. Comdr. Soichi Tachibana, stood at attention as interpreters read the sentences.
 Before the verdict was an- nounced, Sakaibara defiantly de- manded that Americans who con- ceived and carried out the atom bomb attack on Japan be tried.
 Wants Justice, Too
 "As we are about to receive a de- cision by an American court" he said through interpreters, T would like to request that the people who planned and carried out the drop ping of the atomic bomb on Japan should be regarded in the same light as we"
 The IS Japanese were convicted of machine-gunning the Americans on lonely beach of Wake Island the night of Oct. ', 1943. The vic- tims, employees of Pan American Airways, had been forced to work for the Japanese for 9 months after invasion of the island.
 The Japanese claimed the Ameri- cans had become menace be- cause they had outside radio con- nections with U. s. forces.
 It. William P. Mahoney, USNR, in summing up for the prosecution, branded the executions as "every bit as loathsome as those that took place on Bataan."
 Execution Described
 Describing the executions, as pieced together from testimony of Japanese witnesses, Mahoney said:
 Continued on Page 4)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Girl First
 Yule Baby

The first Christmas Day baby. born at St. Marys Hospital at 4:23 a. m., was girl. The parents are MT. and Mrs. Eugene Roselli of 49l North Main street.
 Four other holiday babies. also girls, were born at St. Mary's. The parents and time of birth for the babies follows: MT. and Mrs. Joseph Martino, of 62 Alder street, born at 11:32 a. m.; MT. and Mrs. William Chiswell of Market street, Nau- gatuck, born at D. m.; MT. and Mrs. Michael Lombardo, of 45 French street, born at 5:25 p. m, and MT. and Mrs. Richard Platt, 40 Farnham street, born at g p. m
 Waterbury hospitals first Christ mas Day baby, boy, was born at 8:11 a. m. The parents of this in- fant are MT. and Mrs. Harry Car ney of 19 Park street, Thomaston. Two other boys were born at Wa terbury Hospital on Christmas Day. The parents are MT. and Mrs. Paul Maietta, 321 Walnut Street Extension, born at 107 p. m, and MT. and Mrs. Paul Gensheimer of 66 Lockhart avenue, born at 500 D, m.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

would not live until Dec. 25. But they beat death to see the real holi- day.
 Christmas, 1945, brought only sor- row, however, to many homes where premature emergency Yuletide ob- servances had been dying child s last one after all
 For a few, the repeat holiday was as gay as the first, crowded with traditional year-end festivities. But in most of the illness -saddened homes, parents forced themselves to treat it as just another day. They wished to arouse no curiosity on the part of the youthful patients.
 May See More Holidays
 At Rochelle, H., four-year old Bonnie Johnson went downstairs on crutches yesterday to open his presents and revel at the brilliant ly-lighted tree.
 Bonnie, suffering from bone can cer which followed the amputation of his right leg, lay on couch in the living room when Santa made his first trip to the little home Dec. 13. Now the doctors say he may live to see many more Christmases.
 In Houston, Tex, a 10-year-old boy named Tommy was too weak to participate in even quiet family gathering. Tommy, whose parents have shied from publicity, was born with a tumor of the spine and never walked.
 Real Holiday Unnoticed
 He became suddenly weaker about month ago, and his parents de- cided to hold a premature Christ mas celebration in case the end should come before the holiday sea- son rolled around.
 The actual holiday went virtually unnoticed in the Lundquist home Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Port of Boston Closed to Vets

Boston, Dec. 26.-CUP)-Move- ment of returning troops through the Port of Boston was due to end Monday.
 Army officers announced yester- day that homeward boundn troop ships will use the port of New York and that cargo ships only will continue to dock at Boston.
 Meantime, four transports dock here today with 3,141 returning troops.
 The Wheaton Victory is returning ] .55l from Marseilles; the Lincoln Victory, 1,535, from Le Havre; the Belgian Liberty 29 from Antwery and the John N. Maffitt g from Barry, Wales.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
End YuLe Peace
Mayor Calls For Curbs
 On MHation

The citizenry of Waterbury was called upon today by Mayor John s. Monagan to exert watchfulness and to aid in the fight against in- flation.
 In proclamation released today, the city's chief executive calls at tention to the threats of imitation and to the need of stabilied econ- omy, and asks for "whole-hearted community effort to prevent further threats.
 The proclamation reads as fol- lows:
 "A STABILIZED ECONOMY is vital to the prosperity of the citiz- ems of Waterbury, Connecticut and to the merchants who serve us. We know that military victories do not mean immediate victory over the threat of imitation, and we know that watchfulness is necessary dur ing the transition from war to peace until supplies of goods that war has made scarce can be large enough to meet the demand that our citizens are making for these war-scarct goods.
 q BELIEVE that the people oi this community will not be willing to lose the security and way of life that our armed forces have fought for so hard and long, and yet we know that imitation will continue tt threaten these things for some time to come.
 T am ealing on all citizens of this community to join together to par ticipate in a whole hearted effort both individually and through or ganizations with which they are af. filiated, to bring the dangers of in flation home to every one of us, ane to learn what each of us can do tc prevent inflation."
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Man of Year
 Tajiildeen Leads POU

Joseph Tajildeen, East Main street merchant, continued strong in the lead among the polling today for Man of the Year now being con- ducted by The Waterbury Demo- crat. Secured among top leaders to- day, as result of strong public sup port, is John P. Kinney, popular Crosby High School teacher.
 Nominations will close Friday De- cember 28. On New Years Day the name of the Man of the Year as chosen by the editors of The Demo- crat, will be made known.
 Receiving substantial additional support today also were Rev. John w. Dial, pastor of the Sacred Heart parish; Frank Green, executive sec-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

mo and os fuf.dUs3.U ul zsusInfuI3 -xs sTJI Q pscdosp ssznu ES5fuSd a blazing Christmas tree and lied the building. leaving an outside door open. and causing the flames to be driven into the upper floors by the draft of air.
 The nurse discovered the fire IT, the hospital office. he said. and immediately took one Of the four available fire eXtinguishers. all Of which were in working order.
 She lost her head" said Hickey. and dropped the container. turned and fled.
 Flames Whipped Upward
 When she went cut the front door she left the outside door open and that draft Of air from the out side just whipped the flames and smoke up the stairway and the peo- pie upstairs were suffocated before help could get 10 them"
 Hickey's disclosure came as an of- ficial investigation into the fire which caused the deaths of IT aged men and women, was interrupted by a summons from Gov. Raymond E. Baldwin who said that he had talked with Hickey and State Health Commissioner Stanley H. Osborn about what steps we could | take to organize statewide sur vey and study of safety regulations and precautions
 The governor. said we will work with local authorities to stimulate interest so that precautions could | be taken against disasters of tnls kind"
 State to Offer Aid
 However, the governor said that "the matter of safety and health regulations is primarily local con- cern," and that the state would lend it's assistance in an endeaVor to obtain more uniform regulations.
 Hickey said that an inspection of the Niles Street Hospital had been made Dec. and. that conditions were found to conform with all ex- isting regulations.
 He said that the doors had been changed so as to swing outward and that all four fire extinguishers were in good order.
 A stairway in the rear, leading from the third floor to the ground level, he said, was enclosed enc provided the best kind of a firt escape"
 Depends on Developments
 Hickey made these disclosures after conferring with the governor and before a three e-pronged investi- gation into the fire was continued at his office.
 What action would follow the in quiry, he said, depends upon Wha' we develop"
 Members of the Hartford City Building Department, who recent, inspected the four-story wooder building, converted into a home fol the convalescent and chronic, were among the witnesses.
 (Continued on Page 1S)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
British Fleet
 Admiral Dies

London, Dec. 26 = (UP) - Ad- miral of the Fleet Lord Roger Reyes, founder of the British Commandos, died peacefully in his sleep today. He was 73.
 Lord Reyes, one of the Royal Nays most colorful figures, led daring naval actions in both wars. He entered the Navy in 1885, when only 13. and commanded the famous Dover Patrol that kept the Straits of Dover open during the last war. He led the British naval action against Zeebrugge and Os- tend, Belgium, in 1918. When he was created a Peer in 1043, he took the title Baron Reyes of Zee brugge and of Dover
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
.Zukouskos Will Hear
 Date Jan. 8
Two Routes Open For Mon to Escape Goinq to Choir

Francis F. zukauskas, condemned former supernumerary policeman, will return to Waterbury Tuesday, January 8, to hear himself re-sen- tenced to death for the staying of Mrs. Stephanie Plungis.
 The special hearing. set today by Chief Justice William M. Maltbie of the State Supreme Court oi Errors, will take place in Superior Court exactly II months after the former Alder Street resident first heard the death sentence imposed last Feb. g.
 Judge John s. King, one of the murder trial judges, and Judge Edward J. Daly were designated to sit with Judge Francis A. Pallotti presiding jurist for the winter term
 (COntinued on Page q)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Big 3 Farley Of Ministers Nearing End
 FinoI Communique
 Expected Today;
 Peace Treaties Set

Moscow, Dec. 26-(UP)-A final communique listing the achieve ments of the Big Three foreign ministers in their lo-day discussion of the atomic bomb and other ur- gent international problems prob ably will be issued late today.
 Conclusion of the conference ap- peared at hand after James F. Byrnes, Viacheslav NJ. Molotov and Ernest Bevin met in the Spiridon- ovka Palace for six and three quart CTS hours Christmas night, their longest session to date. They Sched- uled another. probably final meet ing, today.
 The final communique was ex- pected to cover a wide range of sub jects. The results it discloses, how
 * * ;. * j; *
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Representative Luce Slips in Race
 For 45 Title Of Best Dressed Woman

New York, Dec. 26 - (UP) = Mrs. Stanley Mortimer, sister of Mrs. John Hay Whitney and Mrs. Vim cent Astor, was named the best dressed woman of the year today.
 The title was bestowed by the New York Dress Institute on Mrs. Mortimer for the second consecutive year as the result of it's annual poll.
 Rep. Glare Boothe Luce, CR., Conn 7, Arcpned from fifth place to
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

retary of the Chamber of Con- merce, Eugene Oviatt, local merch- ant and musician entertainer.
 Some of the latest nominating let ters and coupons received today are: The Waterbury Democrat,
 JOSEPH TAJILDEEN Gentlemen:
 am indeed pleased to nominate Joseph Tajildeen as Man of the Year. Joe is an American Legion man and is always right on top when a civic drive is conducted. Re- gardless of color, race or creed, he gives his all. The very fine work he did through all the campaigns of War Bond sales should, alone, make
 /NAx.t{n.,nL Ay1 pana
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

10th in this years balloting. She changed positions with the Duchess of Windsor who was in 10th place last year.
 The institutes 10 best dressed wo- men: ,.,,-
 Mrs. Mortimer.
 Mrs. Byron Foy, daughter of the late Walter Chrysler, in second place for the second straight year.
 Mrs. MiIHcent Rogers of New
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Ministers InUited

Washington, Dec. Z6.-tUP)- Secretary of State James J. Byrnes has invited Soviet Foreign Commissar V. M. Molotov and British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin to come here for the next foreign mini sters' conference. it was dis closed today.
 If Molotov and Bevin accept, and if the schedule agreed upon at Yalta is maintained, the next Big Three Foreign Mini sters meeting would take place in Washington about March 15.
 * a: * * * * ever, may not equal in importanc the Christmas Eve announcement that the Big Three have reache, agreement upon plans to draw u peace treaties for Romania. Hun gary, Bulgaria, Finland and Italy.
 Speaks Of Cooperation
 A Radio Moscow commentator said the peace treaty agreement speaks eloquently for the possib- ility of overcoming the difficulties standing in the way of Anglo
 (Continued on Page 4)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

YOrk.
 Mrs. Lawrence Tibbett, wife of the opera singer.
 The Duchess of Windsor.
 Mrs. George Schlee, fashion de- signer who is known professionally as Valentino.
 Mrs. Harry Hopkins.
 Rosaljnd Russell, the film actress. Mrs. Robert Sarnoff, the former Esme O'Brien. Mrs. Luce.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Mars OUner Dies

La Jolla, Cal. Dec. 26.--(UP)- Requiem high Mass will be said tomorrow for Mrs. Ethel Veronica Mars, River Forest, H., president of the Mars Candy O., Chicago, and horse racing enthusiast, who died here last night after a long illness. She was 6l.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
(continued on Page 4
CENTURIAN DIES

Bridgeport, Dec. 26.-(UP)-Mrs Amelia Helmerick. who recently observed her 102d birthday anni- versary, died Christmas Day at the home of her daughter.
 She leaves more than a score of descendants
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Others Cheated
Others Cheafed
 Some Youths Beat Death to HoHddv
(By United Press)

There some U. S. children who glowed today the handwok of Santa Claus for the second time this year. They celebrated early Christmas when doctors said they
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
.U s. Counts 46ODead
 EoHoving YuLeH Holiday
Bulletins
TO OPPOSE FRENCH

ANNAMIIES 1O UPPUSE FKENIH
 New York, Dec. 26-(UP)-COl. Stephen l.. NOrdlinger who recently returned the United States from Frenchn do China said today that the leader of the Annamt Inde pendence there had told him that the Annamtes prepared to fight for independence from the French and that nothing less than complete independence would satisfy him."
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
JEWS LAND NPALESTINE

Haifa Dec. 26-(UP)-Leafets signed by the Hebrew" Resistance Movement" said today that several hundred Jewish immigrants landed this morning from small motor vessels the beaches of northern Palestine and scattered without incident.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Ihree-prong Probe Begun Into Hartford Holocaust
Frightened Nurse Famed Fire When
 She Left Door Open

Hartford Dec. 26-(UPl-State Fire Marshal Edward Hickey said today that the flames driven into the upper floors o the Niles Street Hospital Christmas Eve when
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
U. s. ACCEPTS PROPOSAL

Washington Dec. 26-(UP)-The United States has al cepted French proposal for conference of the Britis American and French to study future relation with the Franco government of Spain.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

New Glasses. Jan. 2. Day and Night School. Send for bulletin. Post Jr. College of Commerce.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
The Weather
Clearing

PuH wsaaAsr R-ssrs Fave 2
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

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The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1945-07-19
Two Local Boys Fly
Back From Overseas

Miami, Fla. Florida looked
mighty good the other day to two
Hagerstown fighting men = First
Sgt. Ralph E. McCarty, of Gil
George street, and Pvt Herman S.
Hawse, of 1924 Corbett street-but
they both agreed that Maryland will
look better.
Flown to Florida by Air Trans
port Command from overseas war
fronts, their first glimpse of the
United States was when their big
transport plane glided over Miami
Beach on its way to ATC's Miami
Army Air Field.
From this ATC Caribbean Division
hub the Hagerstown veterans will
go by rail to Camp Blanding, Fla.
From there they will be taken to
reception center for separation or
burroughs prior to reassignment.
First Sergeant McCarty spent rs
months in Italy with an Ordnance
unit. He wears five battle stars and
shared in two Distinguished Unit
citations.
Pvt. Hawse spent IL months in
Italy with the 91st Infantry Di-
vision.
The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1945-07-19
70 John II. Sharar
Reported Missing

Flight Officer John Henry Sharar,
son of Mrs. Blanche |. Sharar, 824
West Washington street, has been
reported missing over Dakar and
Liberia since July 8.
He is member of the veteran
321st BIS Mitchell Bomb Group of
the 18th Air Force, recently based
in Italy, and was evidently enroute
back to the United States when re-
ported missing, since the head
quarters of the 18th Air Force had
already issued news release advis-
vising that he was returning to the
u. S.
Flight Officer Sharar served three
months overseas as a bombardier
with the 321st His group sent out
more than 10000 B-25s to attack
the enemy in more than two years
of combat throughout eight major
campaigns and was twice cited by
the War Department for distinguish
ed service in battle.
Before entering the Army he was
employed as craftsman at the
Pangborn Corporation.