davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
TEXAS EXPLOSION DEATH TOLL MOUNTS
Explosion
 Al Glance
CBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,

(By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSl
 Texas City, tense and tired, ex- perienced new explosions today as oil fires along the waterfront crack led dangerously close to tanks of high octane gasoline
 The dead--650 (estimated by Dr. Clarence Quinn, medical coordln- ator appointed by Mayor J. c. Ira han, and the Red Cross).
 The injured-3 000 (same source)
 The city--virtually deserted ex- cept for relief and rescue workers Windows shattered roofs tilted crazily, buildings cracked, a 5000 foot wall of smoke floating over the bay. No footing reported.
 The people-only 1000 residents of city's 15,000 remain, Red Gross said. Stunned and dazed, today they lined up before the schoo gymnasium to identify their dead Officials allowed them to enter a handful at time.
 The situation-several oil fires burning near waterfront; seven minor explosions since daybreak as oil tanks collapsed; flames creep ing near eight leaking high octane gasoline tanks which may explode waterfront area evacuated, and nc efforts made to fight the fires un- til danger passed; police patrolline area, but no footing reported; ma jor work of Red Cross and Salva- ton Army today Is feeding the homeless.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
ACCUSED MAN TESTIFIES 10 MOVEMENTS
Whereabouts Previous to Time Ellen Found Mur-
 dered Are Explained

Austin Nelson took the stand in U. s. District Court this morning, to testify in his own behalf on the charges that he killed groceryman Jim Ellen in Juneau December P, 1946. Nelson, who is charged with first degree murder, gave details of his activities on the night of December 21, 1946. and the morn ing of Dec. 9, 1946
 Defense Attorney Henry Roden asked Nelson first for his back ground before coming to Alaska. Nelson stated that he is 28 years old, was born in New Orleans, La, and was raised in New York City. He said that he came to Alaska in 1888 as messman on steamship He appeared to be quite nervous on the stand and later, when be- ing cross examined by U. $. At torney P. J. Gilmore, he became quite angry like wild animal at bay.
 Nelson admitted ownership of the jacket, trousers and hat intro duced yesterday as Government ex-
 fConffnued on fage EighJ
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
hazi Slave Driver Gets Life Sentence
 To Cell in Prison

NUREMBERG. Germany, April 17-LR-Fieli Marshal Gen. Erhard Milch was sentenced today to spend the rest of his life in prison for drafting slave labor into Germany's aircraft factories and using pri- soners of war in the armament industry in violation of the laws of war.
 The sentence was imposed by Ro- bert M. Toms of Detroit, presiding judge of the three-man U. s. Court which conducted the former Luft- waffle chieftain's 10week's trial as a war criminal.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
SCENES OF DE50LATI0M,
 TEXAS CITY
New Explosions, Spread ing Fires, Add to Story
 of Disaster
lBy HE nasocIArEp PRESS,

It is more than "A hours since
 the French ship, Grand Camp blew
 up in Texas City, Texas, but the
 devastating forces unloosed by that
 explosion still are beyond mans
 control.
 The devastation sorrow, and mis- | cry in the stricken Gulf port was sharpened during the night by new
 explosions and spreading fires. At
 ten minutes after this morning,
 another ship, the Liberty freighter,
 High Flyer, loaded with nitrate , the same stuff which sent the : Grand Camp and her crew to king
 dom come-Was destroyed in a
 double thunder clap. Those explo-
 sions may have carried an addi-
 tional 50 men to their doom. Twen-
 ty-five minutes after 3 this morn
 ing, there was still another blast this one on land, apparently from one of the many oil tanks which dot Texas City.
 The oil fires have turned day into night in the areas-so thick is the blanket of greasy black smcke from the uncontrolled fires. And
 only Gods mercy can save what little is left of Texas City. Off cials say. that if the wind turns tc i the south, nothing will be able tc
 stop the holocaust from devouring the entire port town.
 Eye Witness Account Here's the latest eyewitness ac- count of what things are like in 1 Texas City from an Associated
 Press correspondent who flew ovel ] the scene this morning:
 It looks. ne says, like a peace time parallel to the Rumanian oil l capital of Ploesti after it was
 bombed by the Allies during the war The fire -ravaged industrial section and the peaceful residential
 areas offer a contrast between life , and death. One is a torch, two miles wide. The other is the pat | tern of a deserted village
 | At least 20 raw-oil storage tanks each holding hundreds of thou 1 sands of gallons of petroleum. are
 blazing furioGsly. They are spotted
 amid scores of other storage tanks still intact, but which may flame l up momentarily. The waterfront
 area is carhonized ruin. Only remnants remain of the 90-million fCoHtinned on Page T3col
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17

 ELECTION IS
 APPROVED

ANCHORAGE Alaska. April IT -tR-The recent election of a may CT and five city councilmen was approved in effect in ruling by District Judge Joseph w. Kehoe quashing contest action by U. s Attorney Ray Hummer
 Judge Kehoe upheld the con tention of City Attorney Ed Ar nell that a 1894 city ordinance under which the election was pro- tested, was unconstitutional since it deprived persons of vested right to vote.
 Hummer contended tfe ordin- ance was violated ty 653 sworn in" voters.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION

TEXAS CITY, Tex, April IT, R--Gov. Beauford Jester issued a proclamation declaring state of emergency in explosion shattered Texas City today. even as reassur- ed residents who had fled the city began returning to their homes.
 The Governor, in his proclama- tion issued at Austin. outlined steps to be taken to keep the situation under control in the stricken city.
 Meanwhile, firefighters massed to smother flames in oil tanks which still threatened to ignite other tanks of high octane gas.
 J. H. Hill, Deputy Mayor appoint ed by Mayor J. C. Trahan, to keep down wild rumors,' said water and light facilities were back in operation He said there was no further fear of water contamina- ton.
 No Estimate Damage
 He would not estimate the dam age done to Texas City by the five terrific explosions yesterday and today. He said it was too early to attempt it.
 Hill said four major fuel stor- age tanks had been extinguished, but even as he made the report to Hal Boyle, Associated Press writer, there was fresh shower of smoke and flame soaring skyward Reports circulated that a new tank had collapsed and caught fire.
 Hill said the city would be spray ed with DOT by planes as pro tective measure.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
STEAMER MOVEMENTS

Tongass, from Seattle, is due to arrive 4 this afternoon.
 Alaska, from Seattle, due to ar rive Sunday p. m
 Sailors Splice scheduled to sail from Seattle April Is.
 Princess Louise, scheduled to sail from Vancouver April 19
 Northern Voyager scheduled to sail from Seattle April 24.
 Aleutian scheduled to arrive from westward at p. m. April 19.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
EXPLOSION TODAY

TEXAS CITY. Tex. April IT, Rt-The explosion of the freighter High Flyer early today was describ- ed by some as even greater than yesterdays death dealing blasts.
 Reports were that it was felt as far as Baton Rouge, La, 235 miles away.
 The ship was reported to have been loaded with ammonium ni- trate fertilizer, he said It was be- ing lowed into the channel at the time.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
STATEHOOD ARGUMENTS
 CONTINUE
Pros and Cons Are Given on Subjelt-Fdulkner
 in Opposition

WASHINGTON, April 17.-lR- Rep. George P Miller R-CaliD, urged a House subcommittee today to approve statehood for Alaska, saying the Territory's present sit uation parallels that of California" before California was admitted to the Union.
 He said the United States took hurried possession of California when the Russians were moving in and the British were threatening from the north.
 And California was not contingu- ous to any other state when it was granted statehood Miller told a House Public Lands Sugcommittee. He said arguments against state hood for Alaska are without sub stance and Alaska is prepared and ready to meet the expense of state hood
 Rep. Mansfield (D-Mont) and Rep. Bennett CR-Mo) also testified in favor of the statehood legisla- ton,
 Faulkner Opposes
 H. L. Faulkner, of the Alaska Miners Association, appeared ill opposition. He said he represented voters who opposed statehood at an election last fall.
 Mansfield told the committee Montana was farther away from Washington when it was admitted to the Union than Alaska is today" He said his states population in- creased rapidly after statehood was granted
 He agreed with Rep. Crawford (R-Mich), Chairman of the Sub committee that Congress and the United States cannot move too rapidly in establishing adequate defenses in Alaska. Crawford asked if it should not be done lin light of what is occurring between the United States and Russia now"
 Location Cited
 My impression is" Mansfield said, we should have the best of defenses. Any attack might come from the north if there is another war and Alaska and Canada might be the Belgium of that conflict Bennett said Alaska's geographi- cal location is of great moment" to the United States from a mill itary standpoint and that state hood would increase population and industry and benefit the entire nation.
 Rep. Arthur L. Miller CR-Neb), !, Committee member, advanced the argument that because about 80 percent Of Alaskas 90,000 popula- ton lives in southeast Alaska only that part Of the Territory should be made a state.
 Admit Territory
 Mansfield, Bennett and Miller of California said they believed the whole Territory should be admitted to the Union.
 Faulkner said that at the time of the statehood election last fall, the voters of Alaska were dissatis- fled because of strikes which tied up steamship transportation; with the handling of public land by the Interior Department, and general ly with the irritations caused by Territorial status.
 The voters of Alaska" he said, were naturally in despair at elec- tion time and it was natural for them to vote for statehood"
 The Committee adjourned when the members were called to the floor of the House to vote on labor legislation. It plans to resume the hearing tomorrow Faulkner was excused until Monday.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
 FROM POLARIS-TAKU

Frank Macpherson, general man. ager of Polaris-Taku Mines at Tul- sequah, B. C., flew down to Juneau Tuesday with Mrs. MacPherSon and with S. F. Fraser of Vancouver. B. C., stockholder ill the company. They registered at. the Baranof
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
STANDARD OIL MAN

P A. Steele, Standard Oil Com pany representative, registered over last night at the Baranof Hotel, and checked out this morning.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
HERE FROM ANCHORAGE

Perry E. Hillery, with the Veter- ans Administration office at An chorage, arrived in Juneau yester- day by air and registered at the Baranof Hotel. Hillery was formerly in Juneau, as manager of radio station KINY during l943 and 1914
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
DEATH TOLL

AUSTIN, Tex, April 17.--tR-Gov Beauford H. Jester said today the American Red Cross has given him this estimate of the Texas City casualty toll:
 Embalmed dead, 364
 Positive dead, total 400.
 Estimated dead in addition to above, 200 to 250
 Inured hospitalized, $50 to 400. many in serious condition.
 Estimated injured 5000.
 These estimates were based on the Red Cross am. count. Jester said
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
OVER SEVEN
 HUNDRED I5
 BLAST TOLL
Estimated Three Thousand red-Emergenly
 Proclamation

WASHINGTON, April l7--tR National Headquarters of the Red Cross reported today TIA were known dead in the Texas City, Tex, explosions.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
TEDDY ROOSEVELT AND
 RECLAMATION

The Oregon Republican and other western colleagues then pointed out that the reclamation and irriga- tion program had been fathered by the Republican party in the days
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17
AT GAsTINEAU

Ronald Heilman from Detroit, Michigan, and John F. Longworth from Petersburg are registered at the Gastineau Hotel.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17

The king snake has been known to kill and eat rattlesnakes, but it does not hunt the poisonous snakes.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17

fContinued on Page FourJ
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17

fContinned on Page Ticol
The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-04-17

fCmffnued on fage Eightj
Evening star., 1947-05-11

when he thought of Nom now,
he felt a lot better.
And then he was on his feet,
for Betty was floating down the
stairs in a white dress that fell
from the shoulders where her
dark hair tossed, and was all
little scallops. She looked quaint
and small, like a girl on a Valen-
tine. She looked beautiful.
Dannywet his dry lips. Hello"
he whispered, here -" and he
thrust the box toward her.
HE HELD his breath as she
opened the wrong-shaped lid,
pulled back the tissue paper.
Would she laugh? Would she
look disappointed? Or would she
murmur something polite and
exchange glances with her moth
er? His fists clenched defiantly
at his sides. He was shaking all
over. But whatever she did. he
resolved, he wasn't going to
apologize, no more than he'd
apologized for Nom. Not ever.
OH Betty gave a little
gasp. She lifted her eyes. "Oh,
Danny, how perfectly right! An
old-fashioned nosegay for my
old-fashioned dress. l might
have known you d do something
like this, something really diff
ferent. But flowers like these
just don't grow in shops - Who
ever did you find to make it,"
Why =" For a minute he
was taken aback, before he saw
she wasn't kidding; she was hon
estly delighted. He lifted his
head and there was a proud high
surging in his throat as he said,
My mother. She raises lots of
flowers, and when it comes to
corsages she's - we'll, she's al
most professional"
"BETTER hang onto him,
Betty" smiled Mrs. Landness.
Most boys can afford corsages
only for special occasions. But
this sounds as if Danny could
provide them often"
Why - he could too, Danny
realized. as with shaking fingers
he helped Betty fasten on the
flowers. Nom would want to
help him keep a girl like this.
Nom would love to. For Nom
was better than professional -
Nom was wonderful. The End
Evening star., 1947-05-11
BOUQUET FOR BETTY
Continued from page seren

almost st-professional" offering
than make that substitution.
Better to 60 empty-handed than
betray Nom like that. Either
way would be behaying Nom,
he realized wretchedly; but this
seemed the lesser disloyalty.
There didn't seem to be any
likely place to ditch the flowers.
however, not on all the long way
back to Betty's. His perspiring
hands were clutching the box
when he turned in at the long
white colonial house with the
lighted windows. He'd have to
get rid of it quick - now, if ever.
Why not the hedge? On sudden
trembling impulse. he knelt and
thrust the box among the BUSH
es. Then he hurried up the steps
and pushed the bell.
Even as it trilled its inescap-
able summons, panic struck him.
How could he explain to Betty?
All girls expected corsages for
such an occasion - what would
she Think And Nom - how
could he face her, answer her
eager questions later? His heart
began to pound at the hushed
approach of footsteps. Oh, he'd
acted like an idiot, and it was
too late to get the flowers back
now - or was it?
HELLO, Mrs. Landness," he
blurted to the woman who
opened the door "a tall, gra-
cious woman with diamond
drops in her ears. "1'm Danny
Jacobs, calling for Betty. And
if you'll excuse me a minute, l =
l guess l dropped something"
To her amazement, he turned
and raced off briefly into the
darkness, and came back brush
ing off a white box.
1t was scratched and slightly
battered, but surely the flowers
were still all right. As right as -
they could ever be. Despite his
dread, he felt a kind of hot pro-
tective tenderness toward them
now as he sat, painting and per-
spring, on the edge of a striped
silk chair. He felt a little like a
mother who's abandoned an un-
wanted child, and then snatched
it back before she's been discov-
cred: That no subsequent humil-
iation can be quite as bad as
what was almost lost. At least
Evening star., 1947-05-11

DUNBAR electric kitchen clock, at
tractively designed. Self-starting.
Tilted dial makes. Dunbar easy to
read. Choice of finishes.
See Westclox before you buy
that electric! Alarm and time
clocks for every room. Spring
wound beauties, too, headed
by Big Ben, famous alarm.
WESTClOx. IA sAlIE-PERU. lIlINOls
Evening star., 1947-02-07
FIenming' Calls U. 5.
Good Employer in
Junior Board Talk

The Federal Government Is 9
good employer with an unearnec
evil reputation, Civil Service Com
missioner Arthur Flemming told the
Junior Board of Commerce yes
terday at a meeting in the An.
napolis Hotel. =,
He said the Government COM
pared favorably with private in
dustry in salary paid for lower and
middle income groups, in methods o1
hiring and job classification and In
Irewarding the efficient and punish
ing the inefficient.
The commissioner suggested tc
the Junior Board that they "dis-
cover and recognize" an outstanding
young career man in Government
as they do in business. Such an
action, he said, would help make
the career service Of the Federal
Government more esteemed than
it is today.
He condemned the $4,000 salary
limit on top civil service jobs as
limiting the number Of first-rate
workers to those who are willing to
make the financial sacrifice neces-
sary to work for the Government.
Some people think the limit
should be raised to s15,000," he said
Obviously anxious to avoid any
controversy with Congress, Mr.
Flemming said he had no comment
to make on how large the Govern
Evening star., 1947-02-07

ment should be or how many en-
ployes 1t should have.
Mr.. Flemming contrasted the gen.
eral attitude OF Americans toward
their Government with that Of
Communists, as revealed In the re-
cent report of the Canadian Royal
Commission.
"The Communists he said work
In season and out of season to
achieve their goals. Why cannot we
do the same?"
Evening star., 1947-02-07
Gen. Code Is Honored
By French LEGION

Maj. Gen. James A. Code, jr.
USA, retired, today Was made or
officer Of the French Legion oi
Honor In ceremonies at the French
Embassy.
Gen. Code Is vice president Of the
Automatic Electric Co. and chair
msn Of the board Of directors oi
Telephone Services, Inc. During the
war, he served as assistant CHIEF
signal officer Of the Army.
The award was made by 1t. Gen
Maurice Mathenet, French military
attache here. Gen. Code holds the
Distinguished Service Medal and
the Bronze Star.
Evening star., 1947-02-07
De Gurney to Give Talk

DR.. Ashley B. Gurney Of the Ag-
riculture Departments Bureau Of
Entomology and Plant Quarantine.
viii speak on his war experiences
in the Pacific at meeting Of the
Biological Society of Washington at
8 pm. tomorrow in Room 43 OF the
National Museum. DR.. Gurney was
an Army malaria control officer In
the Solomon Islands and Philippine
campaigns.
Evening star., 1947-02-07

lisferins Aniisspiie reaches
way back on shroat kills
: surface germs by millions.
Don't play around with the
sore throat that 50 often accom-
panies a cold! The time to strike
at any germ infection is at its very
outset. So 60 after throat surface
Evening star., 1947-02-07
Hoirdressers to Hear Reek

Jacob Reck, counsel for the Beauty
and BARRIERS Manufacturers Associa-
ton, will discuss the effects Of
excise tax on the beauty industry
before the Washington Hairdressers'
association at . pm. Monday in the
Mayflower hotel. AL beauty shop
owners have been invited.
Evening star., 1947-02-07
SORE THROAT !?

germs before they 60 after you.
Gargle full-strength Listerine An
tiseptic right away!
In actual tests over a 12-year
period those aho gargIed Listerins
Antisept;c tsciee a day had fesrer
colds, and usually had milder colds,
and fewer sore throdts, than those sCho
did not gcrgle Listerins Antiseptic
Evening star., 1947-06-22
HOUSES FURNISHED lcon..,

CHEVY CHASE, Md, West Leland St
0 rms, bath, garage, new-house condition
throushout; near bus. stores and schools;
e Co. ehssassn fse wo g. Ssoo gs5s EDw H. JONES 9
122s MASS. AVE, N.W.-4-story house
with beautiful furnishings for private resi-.
library library, ' / master sk bedrooms' s 4 master
ception hall. powder room. dining room,
en-; otisseievator; i or = year lease; oPA
ssli DEi. Ss$o, M Mon. u thru Fri. to : g4:$o;
BETHESDA, MD.-completely. furn.. de.
tached brick home with 2 bedrms and 2
kitchen, den. sunrrn and recreation rm !;
sIsiIisy 81 isng lease; sIss PEI, T, mo: :sss 4.
M4Er9M IEoMhs sRsrsasp Hsor r WI bunsa sss
sSW sweeper, .'1Gs lovely furniture. dishes and
si.chen utensils s5 bs bath aoa oa a.
sass ssar lease s ~ff cs Tx f fs5s Box a7o-J star
furnished fi house: Steam heated by oil; large
lawn; coolest place in city. Phone CHI
ehEvS einS Sstsfss cHasE B. 6nd e. ssoe % 1nsomar
bone hogssfssDiRgo o fasilties Sui for adg5ts
GEoRGEToWN.small house semidet. i. 2
until Sept. is. MI. O3s4. Box 3o3,M,
WANTED-Young, settled couple, with
after 8 pm, s61O Cunningham dr., Ber-
SMALL FURN. BUNGALOW. in nearby
Nd, for rent to couple from July IS to
October IS. Box 392-M,. Star.
GEORGETOWN H0UsE-Cool and charm :
Ing, with garden, terrace. fountain;
BEDROOMS, 3 baths; laundry. summer rent
al, S275 mo. CO. o325. Box 16SsM,
Evening star., 1947-06-22
HOUSES FOR sALr-lor.hwes..

SILVER sPRING-Three, 3-bedrm homes.
different designs, lavatortes frst floor;
side porches. slate roof, hot-water heat
Priced $1s,500 to S19T50. Unusually fne
homes. CRANE & HELAN, Realtors. Sligo
CHEVY CHASE, D. c., near Chevy, Chase
Circle-Priced reasonable. a real buy at
n few dollars over $4,000; detached. cozy
white frame home on beautiful Ri,ssns
lot. size about 81 IT. fronting on Ritten-
house St: with depth The Of aeoat l!5 4, t.:
Convenient to shopping center, schools,
churches ysry enioyaSls ,, poEeh ,h sI across IS
your comfort during the hot summer
months. frst-aoor plan. hytns I'm: dining
fm.. kitchen, den. reception hall and dre-
place; End floor, large hall, 2 bedrooms
and | bath; full basement, laundry tubs
and toilet: garage; owner is leaving city
and very anxious to sell For appointment
to see, call McGIVERN CO., EN-. 1892; ex-
700 BLOCK OF QUEBEC PL. Nw.-Two-
story, Groom brick, full basement, garage
and back yard. See Mr.. HENRY, 900 goth
. NV, RE. 0STT.
Evening star., 1947-06-22
HOUSES EXCHANGED.

HAVE 4-BEDROoM. 2-bath house in N.
Arlington, will exchange for 3-bedroom
house In Boiling Field area. Gil. 75a2,
FOREST HILLS, Chevy Chase. D. ,c.-Rent
$3.50, will exchange for 1-bedrm. apt;
upper 10th st. or upper Conn. ave. Call
N@oRFoLK, @ VA. Riyerview-s-rms; t4-bed-
rms;) tile bath. Ven: blinds newly ,ae decor IT.
Exchange. for 6-rn in 2 g. nearby My, or
OKLAHOMA CITY owner wishes to trade
S-bedroom brick for like home il Virginia,
EXcHaNGE HoME-Arlington. Va, for
properly in Southeast Florida. preferably
Fort Lauderdale. NO. 567S evenings.
Evening star., 1947-06-22
HOUSES FOR SALE or RENT.

ARLINGTON, VA.-Lee. T-bedrm. 3-bath
house. redecorated: lge. living and dining
rms. library. spacious newly equipped kit,
screened porch, full bsmt, oil heat; I "a
acres OF eround. beautiful view; $4,000.
terms: rental. $3.50 per month. MeCAY
a McCAY. Realtors. GL. S675. -G2
Evening star., 1947-06-22

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