davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Christmas Obseruance Most Joyous in Years
 Churches Crowded for Services; Many Families
 Enjoy Post-War Reunions; Absent Servieemen
 Remembered
Remembered

Waterburians yesterday enjoyed one of the merriest ChristmaseS they could remember. At Church services, at Yuletide festivities, and everywhere-people reflected that inward joy and heartfelt gratitude that the war was at last over.
 Thousands of Waterbury service men and women-home with dis charge or furlough papers, joined family groups for the first time in years around the traditional Christ mas tree.
 The city's churches-from Christ mas eve through to last evening were filled to overflowing with wor- shippers offering prayers of thanks giving for the cessation of hostili- ties.
 Midnight Masses
 Midnight Masses, celebrated in 14 Roman Catholic churches in the Waterbury area, were so well at tended many were forced to stand throughout the services. Protestant churches of the city held special candlelight services. Special musical program and sermons on the anni- versary of the birth of Christ high lighted the services.
 Traffic was heavy on Christmas eve and cars continued to tie up traffic until o'clock Christmas morning because of the large at tendance at Christmas eve Masses Lights burned until the wee hours of the morning in homes both in the city and country.
 Enchanting the beauty of the Christmas scene, brilliant moon shone on the glistening snow which blanketed the city. Servicemen re- turning from India, Burma, and the Pacific Islands were delighted to note that Waterbury was enjoying a white Christmas. Many arrived within the 24-hour period preced- ing the holiday.
 "Vacant Chairs"
 And though Christmas 1945 was marked with much merrymakipg and festivities in Waterbury homes. people remembered and remarked
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

former scout master of Troop l, Mitchell Senneth and David Ner- row. Not included in the photo, but who presided also at the cere- monies were James J. Hennessey, David Hajaah and James Hoey.
 Members of the honor com in the lower photo, with Scout master Brown Cleft) and Assistant Scoutmaster Ahearr standing in rear. Troops qualifying for first class honors included: Edward Brown, Walter Ahearn, Jr., and Joseph Gaffney.
 Second class: Bernard Dressel, Richard Leary, Richard O'Donnell, Austin Driscoll, Roland Passarel-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Air Forces .MopArctic
 For Defense
Realize Short Cut
 To Invade Continent Through AIF Route

Washington, Dec. %. CuP)-The Army Air Forces k already ai work on plans to protect this continent from aerial attack via the "ahori cut" route across the Arctic. it vas learned today
 Behind this preparation ls the realization that long range bomb erS. rockets ard other strides in aviation are transforming the Are tic into a new world crossroads ard new front line of American de- fenSe
 Plans were in the formative stage today for a rev undertaking under which flights Of B-29 Superfortresses will frequent the top Of the world, flying to the north pole 10 learn all that can be learned of the weather. land. mineral resources, ice formations, seas and sea cur rents.
 Want Weather Data
 There are still huge areas north Of Alaska about which little or nothing is known. Large unknown land masses may be found there. But the mos. immediate practical result will be to obtain weather information.
 Cold air masses which affect the weather in the Atlantic and Pacific build up in the icy yastnesses oi the north. In their general move ment towards the southeastern these air masses cause storms when they meet warmer currents moving northward from tropic or temperate areas
 Experience of the war has shown that oceans, once a bugaboo oi aviation. may be flown in safety if adequate weather information is available.
 Set Up 1000 Stations 1 During the war the Army Ar Force Weather Service established more than 300 weather stations at home and nearly TOO abroad to provide weather information. mainly to insure safety in air operations. With the wars end, many Of the observation stations abroad are be- ing turned over to foreign govern ments to operate under the inter- national program agreed upon at the Chicago Aviation Conference.
 The Air Forces, however, plan to continue weather reconnaissance operations in the North and South Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific. Ulti- mately there will be four weather reconnaissance squadrons equipped with B-29s assigned to this task the 53rd, 54th, 55th and 59th. Other units will perform air reconnais- SanceS
 One such unit will be the new 46th Photo Weather Reconnais- sance Squadron. Part of this unit probably will be based at Fairbanks Alaska, and assigned to fly the Polar route to obtain weather reports and map the huge land, sea and ice masses lying to the north.
 Cooperation Sought
 Cooperation of various foreign
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Two GIs Killed On Berlin Street

Berlin, Dec. 26.-(UP)-A joint search by American and Soviet Army patrols has failed to find any trace of two gunmen who killed two American soldiers with short range pistol shots on a Berlin Street Sunday night.
 The gunmen wore unidentified Army uniforms. They halted an en- listed man from the U. s. 18th Division shortly before midnight as he walked with a German girl. The gunman asked in broken English if he was an American. When he said yes, one of them pulled out pistol and shot him thriugh the head.
 They halted another soldier of the 78th Division 20 yards down the street and killed him in similar manner.
 A citywide search has been in progress for more than 48 hours.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Union Musicians To Boost Rates

Increased rates for orchestra members have been proposed by To- cal l86, American Federation of Musicians, and are expected to be put in effect next month, it was dis closed today.
 The union seeks to increase the minimum rate from $6 to $8 night for all musicians playing up to mid night, and from $50 to $3 for every hour after midnight. The local also will ask an increase in the number of musicians in orchestras which play at clubs and Aa1ls in Waterbury.
 The City Park Department, which sponsors weekly Sunday night dances at the Hamilton Park pavil- ion, has received a notice of the proposed increase, and also has been notified that the minimum for the orchestra would be increased from 10 to 12 members.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Stranded GIs
 Get ExpIonotion

Manila, Dec. 26. (UP) - An Army headquarters public relations officer said today satisfactory explanation had been given homo ward-bound CTS who demonstrated against cancellation of ship sail ing and everybody is happy"
 The Daily Pacifician, Army news paper, reported 4,00O soldiers who demonstrated in front of the Fist Replacement Depot yesterday were told by Col. J. c. Campbell, 21st Depot commander: You're not working for General Motors. You're still in the Army"
 It was explained the ship had been withdrawn because of con- solidation of the Fist and 18th Re- placement Depots.
 Col. G. H. Krieger. personnel of f!cer of the Western Pacific com mand, said that all men in the Fist would be cleared by Dec. 28 and that men in both the Fist and 29th would be on the way home by Jan. l as there are enough ships"
 He estimated there were 15,0OO men in the two depots.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

Western Pacific commander.
 Styer, however, directed that Young's depot commander "admon- ish" him and that Young not be assigned to any future duties i'll the Information or Education division of the command.
 Young had been punished for publishing in the 24th Replacement Depot publication The Homeward Herald at Caloban, Leyte, an ar- ticle criticizing conversion and as- signment of Liberty Ships which might have carried troops home. Young reported some of the ships were being converted to transports for returning Japanese troops to Japan.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Three Accidentally Asphyxiated by Gas
 mr and Mrs. David LySns Found Dead In Home
 On Plank Road; Official Investigation Underway

Funeral services have been ar- tangec for three persons who acci- ceniaily lost their lives by inhala- tion Of Illuminating gas, it was re- vealed today. Charles Chambers, 60. Of it9 South Main street, was Uncovered shortly after noon Mon- Gay, lying on couch in the kitchen Of his apartment: and David l.. Lyons. Sa. and his wife. Anna May Clark Lyons. 64. were discovered dead in the bedroom Of their Plank road home about II a. m yesterday.
 Medical Examiner pr. Edward H, kirSchbauin pronounced all three deaths due to accidental asphyxia- ton by Illuminating gas. Coroner Frank T. Healey has been notified.
 Explanations Given
 Dr. Kirschbaum said that the Lyons couple had been dead since Saturday. He said that one of the knobs on the kitchen gas range probably had been turned on when someone accidently brushed against tt. A fox-terrior was also discov- cred dead alongside the stove.
 Mir. Chambers, Dr. Kirschbaum said, probably thought that he had ignited the gas oven used to heat the apartment. The man was dis covered by police after they had been notified by Jerry Sullivan, janitor of the building. when he detected an odor of gas.
 Fire Marshal Eugene Legge said that the Lyons couple was discov- cred by firemen after George Neal, Morse avenue, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Lyons, called the Fire Depart ment when he received no response to several phone calls he had placed since Saturday.
 Marshal Legge said that in order 50 avert possible explosion, he ordered all those present at the scene to retire to safe distance. He then entered the building by breaking a rear window and after shutting off the gas at the meter in the cellar, went upstairs where he found the dead couple.
 Jet Found Open
 The marshal said that one of the gas jets in the combination, oil-gas stove, was open. The oil burner was not lit, he revealed A kettle of water on the stove was frozen, and water that had dripped from a kitchen faucet, was also frozen.
 Neighbors reported that the cou- pie was last seen Friday night when they lit a Christmas decoration on their front porch.
 Mrs. Lyons was the daughter of the late George M. and Florence kBaxter) Burnop. She was born tn North Adams, Mass, and was a member of Christ Chapel, Naomi Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. She was a past matron of the Evergreen Court, Order of Amaranth.
 Surviving are two sons, Ray snond J. Clark, California, and Irv- sng Clark, U. s. Marine Corps; two brothers, William and George Burnop, both of Waterbury; three
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Siohrir Fired Atin ButoVio
BY UNITED PRESS

The Netherlands News Agency Aneta said today the Indonesian Republican Ministry of Information had reported an unsuccessful at tempt to assassinate Sutan Sjahrir, Premier of the so-called Indonesian Republic, as he drove along road in Batavia.
 The assailant was described as a young Eurasian, one of five occu- pants of car which pulled along side Sjahrir's car. He was said to have fired repeatedly at Sjahrir but the bullets went wild.
 The Republication statement said all of the occupants of the car were in Netherlands uniforms.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

governments. including Canada, Russia and the Scandinavian coun- tries, will be sought in charting polar weather and probing the secrets of the north, because of their common interest in the po- tential communication lanes across the Arctic.
 Experts say once adequate weather information is available, flying over the pole will be no more hazardous than flying elsewhere in the world.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
OPA Promises Action on Wool

Washington, Dec. 26.-(UP)-The Office of Price Administration promised early action to make woolen clothing available to re- turning servicemen at price they can afford, Sen. Joseph c. O'Mah- oney said today.
 He disclosed that OPA General Counsel Richard H. Field had writ ten him that OPA was now plan ming a conference with the industry advisory committee early next year to discuss the problem.
 Field said it would be determined
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

Three candidates qualified for ratings as first class scouts and eight for second class at investi ture ceremonies held recently in the auditorium of St. Margaret's Parochial School Congratulations were extended to Scoutmaster John J. Brown and Assistant Scoutmoster Walter Ahearn, Sr., for the efficiency manifested by members of their unit, Troop g, which is rated as one of the most progressive in the city.
 Remembers of the honor com mittee pictured above are left to right) Frank J. Kenney, Robert Croft, scoutmaster of Troop Il, Alfred P. Hessel, neighborhood committee, Harold E. Manville,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

what effect OPA's wool maximum price order was having on wool clothing production. O'Mahoney had asked that the order be thor oughly investigated"
 T can assure you that we are now examining the problem with greatest care. Field wrote, "and will take, immediately, any further steps that appear necessary"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26
Serviceman Gets Rank, Loses Job

Manila, Dec. 26.-(UP)-Robert w Young, service publication edi- tor, who was denoted to a private for criticizing redeployment, was re- stored to his rank of IFS today by order of It. Gen. w. D. Styer,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-26

lio, David Nerrow, George Hajjar, John Delaney. Tenderfoot class. John Deadly, John Campbell, and George Norman.
 It. Colonel William Deadly re- gently returned from three years service in the South Pacific and Judge John L. Gaffney of City Court were among the many fathers in attendance for the eX- ercises.
 Luncheon was served by mothers of the scouts. The committee of arrangements was directed by Mrs. John Brown and Mrs. Walter Ahearn.
 Rev. Francis F. Mclaughlin, curate at St. Margaret's, is chap lain of the troop.
Montana labor news., 1945-03-01
WDL OFFERS REWARD
in FIGHT AGAINST
PEONAGE in FLORIDA

NEW WORTHWHILE an adver-
tisement in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Daily News, the Workers Defense League
announced that it would pay $1,000 re-
ward "for information leading to the
arrest and first conviction" Of persons
for "peonage or Involuntary %servitude" in
Florida.
The advertisement, placed by Rev
Aron S. Cilmartin, chairman Of the Ma
tional Executive Board Of the Workers
Defense League, will be carried in Miami
daily papers, paid for by Miami citizens
who heard Rev. Gilmartin report on the
mass arrests, on vagrancy charges, and
filming without trials Of responsible Negro
citizens of Fort ~Lauderdale. These arrests,
Gilmartin declared, were part Of an ef-
fort to force Negro workers to accept
any employment offered regardless of
wages or conditions new form of slav-
cry"
Replying to the advertisement, Sheriff
Clark of Broward county declared he too
would welcome violence of peonage.
we are just enforcing vagrancy
laws" the sheriff said. with American
soldiers working under terrible conditions
at the battle fronts, we have no inten-
ton Of permitting idleness and lettering
here"
Migrants when arrested are entitled to
and are given, all privileges under the
law, including habeas corpus and jury
trial, if they are demanded, CLARK said.
At variance with Sheriff Clark's state
ment, the WDL again pointed out that
its investigation had shown facts which
warrant federal indictment:
l.. Fourteen people, 8 men and 6 wom.
en-, were arrested by Chief Deputy Sher-
if Robert H. Clark of Broward county
at the farm of Mayor Dewey Hawkins Of
Oakland Park, Fla, on February 9, 1914,
they refused to accept employment
picking beans in a field which they as
certained had been picked twice before.
They we're charged with vagrancy and
fined amounts ranging from $40 to $35
by the sheriff. None Of the prisoners
were tried in court.
2. Seven men were picked up in the
business district Of Ft. Lauderdale
on Friday, March "a, about II a. m.Nby
Sheriff Wittkamp and City
Policeman Joe Smiley and lodged in the
Jail where they were charged with
vagrancy. At least two Of the men
regularly at night jobs at Port
Continued on Page Three
Montana labor news., 1945-03-01
MINERS Get WAGE
BOOST IN COLORADO

Grizzly men working underground
muckers and miners employed by the
United States Vanadium Corporation,
Rifle, Col, have been granted wage in
creases of from three to seven cents an
hour by the Nonferrous Metals Commits
sion Of the National Val Labor Board,
Chairman j.. Glenn Donaldson an
nounced today.
The United Mine Workers Of America,
District so, representing the employees
in a dispute with the company, had de-
manded wage increases Of from6 cents
to 10 cents an hour for 76 employees.
The commission, however, denied all re-
quests for reclassifications except for
grizzly men, muckers and miners, as no
specific evidence was introduced to JUS
tify increasing the rates.
The company was ordered to increase
the base rate for muckers from IS cents
an hour to 80 cents an hour; miners
were increased from 81 cents an hour to
80 cents an hour. The muckers rate will
apply to grizzly men when working n
foreground, but the surface rate of rs
cents an hour will apply to grizzly men
working on the surface. The new
rates will bring these classifications up
to the sound and tested going rates
established by the commission.
In line win the policy Of the National
War Labor Board, all wage adjutments
were ordered retroactive TO February %,
1914, the expiration date of the last con-
tract.
Montana labor news., 1945-03-01
Use of War Prisoners
Might Cause Sabotage,
Rail Union Head Saws

BOSTON - (FP) - Reaffirming his
unions opposition to the use Of war
prisoners on American railroads, Act
ing Chairman Michael E. Shinnick Of
Brotherhood of Maintenance of way
Employees (AFL) said his union had re-
fused to permit italian service units to
help clear snow from Boston & Maine
railroad yards.
After a railroad spokesman had
charged that the unions position had
hampered the lines recovery from a
blizzard, Shinnick issued a statement
which said: THE danger of using pris-
oners in such work is apparent. There
is danger of sabotage inasmuch as the
majority Of freight being moved is vi
tally concerned with the war effort.
Also there is the danger Of dissension
between war prisoners and domestic help
over the issues still fresh in e%veryone's
mind"
shinnick said the use of U. S. service
men now helping to free the snow
clogged yards was 'the logical solution
Of the problem"
Montana labor news., 1945-03-01
NEXT WORLD LABOR
CONFERENCE
TO MEET in PARIS

CONGRATULATIONS Of spokes-
men for world labor at the coming in
ternational parleys where the future Of
the world will be shaped was assured by
decisions of the combinations committee
Of the World Trade Union conference
Feb. 20.
The committee set a meeting Of its
l3-man administrative committee for
Washington in April, from where the
committee members will undoubtedly
proceed to San Francisco in time for the
April 25 world security conference Of
the Allies.
The committee also decided that the
next world labor conference would meet
in Paris in September to ratify the con-
stitution of the new world labor organ
ization which the committee is now blue
printing.
The time and date were picked to CO.
incide with the next meetings of the
International Labor office and the IN
ternational Federation of Trade Unions.
This is aimed at facilitating the presence
of delegations at the world labor CON
ference and easing whatever gestures Of
|friendliness may be undertaken by then
by the AFL. which will be Represented
as usual both at the uO and FTU.
The committee had been instructed by
the conference, which adjourned Feb. II,
to call the next world meeting mot later
than the end Of 1915
The combinations committee has
smoothly concentrated its main tasks in
the hands Of the administrative com
mittee, which will tackle the key job of
drafting the proposed constitution OF the
new world labor organization.
Members of the administrative COM
mittee are r. J. Thomas and Sidney
Hillman of the CLIO, Sir Walter Citrine
and E. Edwards of the British Trade
Union Congress, VASTLY Kuznetsov and
M. Tarasov Of the USSR, Louis Saillant
and B. Franchon for France, H. T. Lieu
Of China. Walter S%chevenels and j..
Oloenbrook of the International Fedora
ton of Trade Unions and Vincente Lom-
bardo Toledano and another delegate
from the Confederation Of Latin Ameri-
can Workers.
The progressive viewpoint is well
represented on the committee with prob
ably only Citrine, Edwards, schevenels
and Oldenbrook likely to attempt to
make the new organization merely an
version of the IFTU or to I'M
duly delay starting the actual machin- !
erv of international labor unity.
Montana labor news., 1945-03-01
BLACKSMTTHS HOLD
ANNUAL SOCIAL

Officers of the Butte Blacksmith
. union were installed at ceremonies held
in Carpenters hall Monday. A program
featuring musical, vocal and dance selec-
tons followed the installation. Joseph
Lind, president Of the organization. was
master of ceremonies for the program.
Officers installed, in addition to Presi-
ident Lind, were:
Tom Merkle, vice president; Jack
Laughery, recording secretary; Luke
Hasley, financial secretary and business
agent; Phil spratt, treasurer; Henry De
lonias, conductor; Ed Roberts, sentry;
Sam Farabee, delegate to the Silver Bow
Trades and Labor Council; Bill Whalen.
Joseph Lind and Jack Laughery, dele
gates to the Metal Trades Council; Tom
Sullivan, Bert Rundell, Ben Fisher.
trustees; Tom Sullivan, Albert Hebert
and Tom Hoon, executive board menu
bers.
Sheriff Al Mcleod spoke to the union
members on early-day blacksmith work
in the Mining city.
Participating in the program were
Miss Betty Whalen. vocalist: Miss Lii
liam Merkle, tap dancer; Henry Cote.
vocalist; Mrs. Henry Cote. pianist: Miss
frankie Louise Reardon, ballet dancer.
accompanied by Miss Eleanor McTucker:
Irene Duckham, vocalist: Mrs. Helen
Davis, vocalist, and Fred Harvey, pianist.