davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
AIusko Ship Strike Ends
 Butter and Meet
 Stocks Exhausted

Ketchikan, Alaska, April 20-CUPl The longshoremen's strike which has blockaded Alaskan ports for IS days causing serious food shortages ended early today with an agree ment between strikers and Alaskan shipping firms,
 The agreement, terms of which were not immediately disclosed, came after a long night session called by territorial Gov Ernest Grhening.
 U. s. officials said workers would begin unloading ships at 8 a. m. to- day.
 Prices Sky High
 The strike, called by the Inter- national Longshoremen's and Ware housemen's Union to insure inclu- sion of Alaskan dockworkers in any West coast wage agreement, had sent prices of fresh foods skyrocket- ing to heights reminiscent of gold rush days.
 Tomatoes and cucumbers were selling for $1.10 each in the few stores that had any for sale. Let tuce was 75 cents a pound. Butter and meat stocks were exhausted.
 The regional Office of Price Ad- ministration working desperately to halt the runaway imitation called on all local offices in the territory to clamp down on violators of price ceilings.
 Meanwhile, U. s. government con- ciliators failed in efforts to avert a walkout of cannery workers fin Alaska's giant salmon industry which was scheduled for today.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
 Reservoir Approved
 Senote Sanctions
 $l3O,OO0 River
 Basin Project

Washington, April 20- CUP)--The Senate yesterday approved and sent to the White House the final ver- sion Of the l947 War Department civil functions bill providing S35 900, ,000 for more than POO flood control and rivers and harbors projects The House already had approved it.
 The following projects are in- cluded in the bill.
 Rivers and harbors projects, maintenance and planning;
 New Haven harbor, Conn" $500, 900; Bridgeport Harbor, Conn, $l00000
 Rivers and harbors, construction:
 Mansfield Hollow reservoir, Conn, $l, ,445 ,0O0: Union Village reservoir Vt. $l l,3O9,000;
 Flood control, advance planning
 Blackstone River Basin West Hill Reservoir. Mass, $400o0. Thomas River Basin: East Brimfield Res ervoir, Mass, $20,000, South Coven- try Reservoir, Conn, $35, ,0oo. Conn- ecticut River Basin West River Reservoirs, Vt. $230 GOO, North Hart land Reservoir, Vt. $70,000, North Springfield Reservoir, Vt. S70,000 Housatonic River Basin, Thomas ton Reservoir, Conn. Sl30.000. Lake Champlain Basin: East Barre Res ervoir, Vt. $34,000, Wrightsyillt Reservoir, Vt, S20,0o0, Waterbury Reservoir, Vt,, $800o. Hoosie Rivei Basin. North Adams, Mass, S10,000
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Landlords
 Rent Rules Here Eosed
Chonse Permits
 Consideration of Payroll Increases

Current increases in landlords property taxes and payrolls are now being considered by O.P.A. in reviews of individual petitions for adjustments of rent ceilings, it was announced today by George J. Mc- Duff. director of the local OP.A, Area Rent Control Office
 Any adjustments in rent ceilings, however, still cannot result in fix ing rent in any individual case above the rents for comparable &C., commodations in this area, MT Me Duff pointed out.
 "The change in O,P.A, rent regu- latlons, effective April 10, now per- mits tax and payroll increases to be considered on projected l2- month basis, after such increases in landlords costs have been in ef- feet one month" he said. under the former regulations, the land lord whose operating costs had in- creased would have had to wait one year before using these increas- ed costs as grounds for a rent ad- justment.
 Must Cite Hardships
 In order to qualify for a rent ad- justment, the Rent Chief declared "a landlord must show that he iS operating under substantial hard ship due to increased costs in taxes and payroll that is, his net tIl' come for the current year must Dc substantially below his net income Continued Page 2-tLANDL0RDS0
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Ben Smi+h May Resign
 Alexander in Line
 As Food Minister

London, April 20--(UP) - The critical European food shortage may cause the resignation of Sir Ben Smith. British food minister, in the first shakeup of the labor govern ment, The London Daily Mirror pre- dicted today,
 The tabloid Mirror, regarded as close to the Labor government, pre- dicted that Sir Ben would resign during the Easter recess of Parlia- ment and would be replaced by A, V. Alexander, first lord of the ad- miralty. Alexander is in India with the Cabinet mission,
 Reliable sources said Premier Clement R. Attlee will convene a special Cabinet meeting next week to consider the food crisis.
 Study Hoover Appeal
 Herbert HooverS appeal from Cairo last night for outside food to prevent widespread famine among l5O,000.0o0 Europeans and a shipment of British wheat to the continent was reported under close study by Cabinet ministers. So was President Truman's order cutting American flour consumption 9 per cent
 The reaction of the British man in the street was that the Ameri- can steps to prevent starvation of millions do not go far enough.
 Sir Ben has been under fire from all sections of the British public recently because of the continuing deterioration of Britain's food situat lion. The Mirror said he felt that the situation was beyond the control of any one man or govern ment. and that he feels he cannot hope to regain public confidence.
 Other ministers likely to be af- fected by the shakeup. the news paper said. are War Minister J. J. Lawson. Air Minister Lord Stans- gate. Pensions Minister Wilfred Failing and War Transport Minister Alfred Barnes.
 Major Problem
 Mir. Hoover teld a press confer enee ln Cairo before his broadcast that the food situation was a pFob- Continued Page 2-lBEN sAaITaIl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Claims to Chipman Estate
 To Result in Court Action

An early court airing of the claims to the three-quarter million dollar estate of the late Mrs. Sarah Chipman wealthy Highland Avenue landowner, was foreseen today as the result of entrance of the pro- bate appeal, taken by her two first cousins, on the current Superior Court assignment list.
 The two cousins, George L. Chip man of New Britain and Walter H. Chipman of Plymouth, were not mentioned in the will. Numerous beneficiarieS named in the instru- ment will be parties in the suit.
 The appeal'was recently assigned by Judge Edward J. Quinlan as privileged case, but since more than a score of other jury eases have prior place on the list, it may take number of weeks before the will contest is called for hear ing.
 CrOSsmarks
 A main issue in the trial will be the croSsmalkS made on the docu- ment which was drawn up March g, 1928. The Probate Court refused to recognize the markings, some of which were drawn over names ol beneficiaries.
 Following the listing of numcr- GUS individual bequeSts, the con- tested will named five beneficiarieS to the residue of the estate, the appraised value of which has been set at $807s77.18.
 The five named were Lulu Beere, Mary Elizabeth Kellogg, Louise Chipman, Mildred Bird, and Ella S.. Chipman. Markings crossing out the latter four names appeared on the document, however. Had the Probate Court recognized those markings the bulk of the estate would have been decreed for Mrs. Beere. 8 second cousin,
 The two first cousins, who claim Mrs. Chipman was Of unsound m!nd when her will was executed, will try to have the document set off in its entirety, and thereby. as the nearest kin, gain the entire estate.
 Among the reasons for their ape peal they state that the instru- nent was revoked by Mrs, Chipm0n by cancellation" They also claim that the document was not properly witnessed,
 Church Request
 Among the specific bequests crossed out on the document. was one for $30,000 to the Third Con- gregational Church. which is To- cated a block and a half away from Mrs. Chipman'S home. Tn e church has retained counsel and legal appearance has been en- tered in the litigation.
 Cross marks also appeared in the document after bequeSts made to Mrs. Mary Louise Chipman and Ella Chapman,
 Other bequests were made to ,he Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
ArnyCourt Proceedings Criticized
 House Recommends
 Drastic Revision
 To Curb Iniustices

Washington, April 20 = (UP) A House military affairs subcomnlit- tee, recommending drastic revision to correct "injusticeS' in courts martial proceedings, disclosed today that l42 army men have been eX- ecuted for rape, murder and deser- ton.
 An additional 33.74l have been imprisoned for lesser crimes, includ- ing two who were sentenced to life for going AWOL, the subcommittee said.
 The subcommittee 25,000-W report. based on six months of SC. cret Investigation bristled with charges that the army too often uses the system to enforce diSci- pline" instead of providing impar- tial justice for the accused.
 Excessive Sentences
 Some of tEe most striking mis- carriages of justice" 1t charged, have taken place abroad" where the army apparently hoped to im- press the local populations.
 There have been many excessive sentences. The most tragic, of course, are the death sentences not commuted and about which 1t is so difficult to obtain information.
 Competent observers, the commit tee said, agree that in general army courts err on the side of severity"
 Most professional officers re- gard the system as means of en- forcing justice" it said. and inves-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
US. Wheat Consumption Sliced 25%
 Government Decree
 Will Eose Famine
 In Shortage Areas

Washington. April 20-( (UP)-The government decrees that Americans must eat at least 25 percent less bread and other wheat products for a while so this country can be sure of meeting its food pledges to hungry peoples of the world.
 Coupled with this sweeping or der was an offer of a 30-cent-a- bushel bonus to farmers who VIII make precious wheat and corn available for immediate shipment overseas. This was designed to draw out large grain stacks now stored on farms.
 There dramatic actions ebpha- sized the Administrations deepen- ing concern with the spectre of glo- bal starvation, concern under scored by President Truman when he told an international radio au- dience last night that America could not turn its back on the worlds misery.
 Hard d-Fisted Plan
 It also was warning that the government was, shifting from 2 completely voluntary program of food conservation to more hard lasted plan to control the flow of food to the retail market at the pFocessor level.
 The new plan will permit millers to process only 75 percent of their flour output for the corresponding period of 1945. Any flour in excess of that quota must be sold to the government, for export. The result will be that food manufacturers must cut the use of wheat 25 per- cent.
 The order Is effective Monday and will continue in force until June 90 unless extended,
 As a result of the orders, bankers planned to ask the O.P.A. for a retail price increase of one cent per pound on bread.
 Critical situation
 MT. Truman asked the people to step up the!r voluntary efforts. He suggested that Americans 80 on a European starvation diet" two days a week to avert "the greatest threat of mass starvation in the Continued Page 2-E(U. 5. WHEAT
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Sunrise Services omoFroW
 Lenten Season
 Ends-FIorists
 Enjoy Big Business

Waterburys first peacetime Easter Sunday in five years will be observed tomorrow. Special services in all Catholic and Pro- testant services will attract thou sands of worshippers. Good weather will bring Easter strollers in the latest fashion 'decrees fiocking to the downtown area in the late morning and throughout the after noon,
 The greatest day of rejoicing in the Christian calendar will be ushered in with two sunrise services, one at Bunker Hill and the other at Warner Gardens. Special musi- cal programs will be offered in all churches.
 The Lenten season ended at l2 noon today. In the city's Catholic churches, the annual ceremonies were held this morning for the blessing of the Paschal candle, Easter Water, the New Fire, and holy oils. Good Friday services yes terday were attended by large con RreBHtlOIlS,
 Florists Beselged
 Easter shoppers thronged the business district today. Many cars ried plants and flowers. and florists found 1t difficult to keep up with the demand for their wares. Candy was another 1avorite purchase, but the supply available was far less than normal, ,.
 Housewives for the most part will have to feature chicken or turkey as the main dis for the Easter dinner What little supply of ham was available had been ordered far in advance, and the amount of beei and lamb available was even less than during wartime rationing,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Boycott Of Ships Probable
 Spanish Sources
 Feor Action
 In World Ports

Madrid, April 2O-- -tUP)-Well in- formed Spanish sources said today they feared that opposition to the Franco regime may lead to an inter- national labor boycott against Span ish ships in world ports.
 A boycott against loading and un- loading Spanish ships would be serious blow to Spain, informants said, because of the country's strain ed economic situation and food shortage. Such action would cut sharply Spanish imports and e%- ports
 The same well informed quarters expressed fear that opposition to General Francisco Franco inside Spain--a and outside. too-may be in tensified greatly if the Polish pro- posal for diplomatic action against Spain is defeated by the LIN Secur- ity Council.
 Proposal Opposed
 Spanish government officials, however, expressed considerable satisfaction over the speech by Sir Alexander Cadogan of Britain at the Council, opposing the Polish proposal,
 Officials claimed that Spain holds a stronger position now before the LIN than it did at earlier meetings, where only a few South American countries spoke up in Franco's be- Continued Page 2-(BOYCOTT)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
.A.B.C. UNION AIRING
 PLANTS PROPOSAL
By RAYMOND J. FITZPATRICK

By RAYMOND J. FITZPATRICK
 Union negotiators repre- senting striking employees of American Brass Company plants in Waterbury, Ansonia and Torrington were in session this morning, to decide whether coEn- pany proposal provides sufficient basis for a resumption of bargain ing parleys. The company's offer was made verbally to State CLIO. Secretary John J. Driscoll after he had declined to agree to a renewal of negotiations until the manage ment made a specific proposal.
 U. S. Conciliator Walter Maggi- ole stood ready to hold confer ence with management and the Mine, Mill & Shelter Workers Union committee. He still had the conference tentatively scheduled for 10:30 a. m. Tuesday.
 A.B.C. yesterday notified Com missioner Maggiolo of its willing ness to meet, following action by the OPA to authorize a further in- crease in the price of brass prod- ucts. As The Democrat disclosed yesterday. the new increase will average l3 cents per pound, and is being granted to meet pay in- creases granted or pending in the brass industry. Added to the 1a cents per pound increase which became effective April 1 to makA up for operating losses after V-t Day means a total increase of 28 cents per pound in the price of brass since the industry's Big Three" were hit by strikes early in February.
 MT. Drlscoll yesterday was un- willing to agree to 8 ny "blank check renewal of negotiations with the company, claiming the union had gone into previous ne- gotiations on the assurance that satisfactory offers would be made. Instead. he said. the company had advanced impossible proposals, and the union was unwilling to be the goat" and receive another dis appointment.
 The union seeks wage increase of IS l-2 cents hourly, with no strings attached. It also wants, , said MT. DriscolT 6 tohBFAcT ht least as strong in non-wage claus es as the persent one.
 A company spokesman said A,BC., with the assurance of price increases received. Is prepared to bargain on all points at issue"
 Five Conditions Listed
 Negotiations between A.B.C. and the union have been broken of twice since the start of the strike. In March. Commissioner Maggiolo brought the parties together after the OPA had authorized brass price increase of Is cents a pound. The American Brass advanced proposal which called for an in- Continued Page 2-(A. B. C.)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Real Estate Initiation Nationwide
 Survey Reveols
 Situation Worse
 Thon Anticipated

Washington. April 20-tuPl-- Housing Expediator Wilson W, Wyatt reported today that infiation In real estate Is far worse than anticipated" with homes that sold for $6,0o0 or less in l940 up an aver age of 65.l percent,
 The increases have been Sharpest since V-J Day, Wyatt said. Prices on low cost which were af- fected the most-haVe jumped l7.7 percent since September. Homes built for war workers have jumped 3O5 percent since their ceiling pr- ces were lifted last fall.
 A survey by Wyatt's National Housing Agency showed the Pa cific coast states hardest hit Homes in the under-$6,000 class there have risen 963 percent since l940,
 Every Section Hit
 Imitation hit every section, Wyatt'S report showed, but the North Eastern states-from Maine to Wis consin-suffered slightly less than the national average.
 Since V-J Day, medium priced homes-$6,O0O to $l2,O00-cl!Wbed l48 percent; raw land, 2S percent; building lots, 23.3 percent.
 Increases since l940-topped by the 65.1 percent rise in low cost homes-reached 57 percent on medium priced homes, 60.1 percent on raw land, and 6l8 percent on building lots.
 All Regions Surveyed
 Wyatt's representatives surveyed every region. including 469 cities
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Policeman, Through Fzuke, Lands Self on International Radar Hookup

When Kennedy explained it was an ordinary telephone, it was Me- Carthy's turn 10 be fiabhergasted.
 I just cant figure that one out" he said.
 They chatted back and forth for 8 while and Mccarthy said if he eve. came eas. ne would look up the officer Kennedy told him he would buy him a good dinner. if he did. and the converse .ion--with half Of tlie world listening in. end- ed.
 MIxup Guess
 Police radio technician said it was his guess that the mlxnp might have been caused by a skip effect in the short wave feed oi the police pickup receiver" whlsh was located In the basement of police head- quarters.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20

Windsor, Conn, April 20-tUP)- Officer William Kennedy picked up the telephone at police headquar- ters to make fiye-cens call to Hartford, and through some fuke found himself on an international radar hookup. talking with stations in Europe, South America and the Pacific.
 While waiting for the operator to put through his nickla call, a voice came over the wire, -speatlng: san Francisco. number one. San Francisco, number one"
 No Joke
 Kennedy. thinking 1. a Joke. in- quired:
 And what c3ss san Franciso want?"
 The voice snapped back: Who are youa"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20

Kennedy told him and said he was calling from Windsor. Conn.
 The voice identified himself as William Mccarthy, 3 We'll !abora- tory engineer. located at radar station in a desert 325 miles from san Francisco. Mccarthy told Ken nedy to hold on while he plugged in stations in the system for test.
 They began calling in from Ar genuine, Alaska. Honduras. Guata- mala. Pearl Harbo-. Guadacanal, Scotland and other places too num- er0us for Kennedy to remember.
 T never thought I'd be on an international hookup," said Ken- nedy.
 Brother. you're on one now. re- plled Mccarthy, who then Inquired what kind Of a set Kennedy was using.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Communists Consolidate Capital Grip General Marshall
 Trying to Bring
 About ArmiStice

Chunking, April 20 -- tUP) - Communist troops today consolida- ted their grip on the Manchurian capital of Changchun, first major Communist conquest of the Chinese civil war, while Gen. George C.. Marshall tried to bring about an armistlce.
 Fears were increasing about the fate of 10 Americans-five corres- pondents and five U. s. Army men who were in Changchun during the final days Of street fighting and have not been reported since the city fell.
 Mai. Robert Rige Of Chicago, as- sistant military attache, and his staff Of four were with the cor- respondents, observing the fighting. Reynolds Packard of the United Press was one of the missing cor respondents.
 Details Unknown
 Details of the final hours of the Changchuh battle were unknown The final Nationalist radio bulletin, apparently sent from the barricad- ed post office building, was heard in Mukden at p. m. Thursday.
 Communist officials in Chung chun announced that Communist troops had captured the city, and Nationalist sources indicated con- firmation.
 A Nationalist reconnaissance plane which dashed over Chang chun Friday reported the city si- lent. without artillery fire or street fighting. The police headquarters in Tatsung Square, one of the final government strongholds, was in flames
 "A Communist broadcast from Changchun. heard by the govern- ment monitor in San Francisco. re- ported that the Communist army captured Changchun at ' D. m. (Manchurian t!me) Thursday, one hour after the last Nationalist broadcast. The Communist broad cast said a local democratic gov ernment" had been set up)
 Among the government forces in Changchun were 100 Chungking officials who had entered the city to take over authority from the Russians, whose evacuation precipi- tated the Communist attack.
 Gen. Marshall has been holding conferences with Chinese political leaders and his own military assis- tants since his return to Chung king from Washington, two days ago.EIIe has been obtaining up-to- date details and views from all sides, including Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek, and is seeking to negotiate an arlnistice.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Stolen Army Plane
 Found. Pilot Skips

Walnut Rridge, Ark, April 20. (UP)-An Army basic training plane that was stolen in Columbia, Mo-, Wednesday by an escaped prisoner has been located in a rice field near here, police releaved today.
 Vernon B. Simpson, object of a nationwide search since he flew away in the ship following his escape from Jefferson City police, is still at large.
 The plane was not damaged in landing.
 State Highway PatrOlman Wyatt Patrick said the plane landed Thursday on the farm of Clyde Knight, It was identi- fled later by it's number, NC 57577
 Patrick said he learned that the pilot taXie6 the plane into nearby woods and walked up lane toward the Evergreen, Ark, school house. Pupils at the school saw the plane land'
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
 Unrotioned
Rv E Q. OTHMAN

London, April 20- CUP)-About the only thing a tourist can buy for himself in London today without taxes, ration orders or other war borne mumbo- jumbo IS a walking stick.
 Unless, of course, he'wants a high silk hat
 7 All over this town are walking sticks for sale, and I've got my eye on one with an ivory knocker at one end in case any of those New Workers make remarks a couple Of weeks hence.
 I'm trying to be l!ght-hearted about it, like the British, but the situation is more tragic than comic. Join me in a constitutional from Knightsbridge to the Strand for a look at what I mean.
 Shirts Costly
 Take shirts. Beautiful white shirts such as no American has bought in months. I couldn't help stopping at window after window to admire and at every one was Lon doner admiring. too. He mus spend SO many ration coupons for shirt that he's as short as we are at home. Maybe he's worse of; we aren't tan
The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-20
Weatherman Says
 Very Sunny Easter

Boston, April 20 tUP) The sun will shine tomorrow on New England's Easter parade, the Wea- ther Bureau said today
 "A very pleasant. sunny day, with temperatures near or a little above normal" was the forecast. Strong winds today are expected to dimin- ish ytomorrow. Normal tempera- lures for tomorrow range from an early morning 41 to mid-afternoon maximum of 58.