The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 1

4Umnutl SECTION 1 WH AS Page 11 Section 2 tier 14 PAGES VOL. 177. NO. 98 Associated Press, United Press LOUISVILLE, THURSDAY, APRIL- 8, 1943 AP Wirephotos, International News 26 PAGES 5 CENTS 0m u. l.

Plans British Smash Rommel's Line Higher Prices Pledged For 5 Vital War Crops -n- join Forces With ericans Troops Flee North Bankhead Bill Sent Back to Committee Churchill Tells Commons 6,000 Prisoners Taken In Tunisia Victory Farm Price Measure Rescued By Bloc From Almost Certain Defeat In Senate From Wire Dispatcher Washington, April 7. The farm bloc rescued the vetoed Bankhead bill from almost certain defeat in the Senate today with a 62 to 23 vote to place the controversial measure in-storage with the friendly Agriculture Committee. From Cable Dispatches. The British Eighth Army has smashed completely Marshal Erwin Rommel's Wadi el Akarit defenses twenty miles north of Gabes and yesterday joined forces with American troops under Lieut. Gen.

George S. Patton, in relentless pursuit of the fleeing Africa Corps, whose ranks were ripped by low-flying Allied airmen. As Axis TUNISIA STATUTE MlltS Roosevelt Asks 24V2 Billion For Navy In '44 ml New Estimates Largest In History Beans, Peas And Peanuts Are Included By ths Associated Fress. Washington, April 7. Food Administrator Chester C.

Davis announced tonight that the Government would guarantee farmers higher prices for five vital war crops dry beans and peas, and peanuts, soybeans and flax-teed to encourage greatest possible production. The higher prices will replace a $100,000,000 incentive payment program previously announced by Secretary Agriculture Wickard. Funds for such payments have not been provided by Congress because of farm bloc opposition. The Government has asked for greatly increased acreages of beans and peas, commodities now rationed, and peanuts, soy beans and flaxseed for vegetable oils and for livestock protein feed. Incentive Payments Planned.

Davis announced, however, that Incentive payments would be made on potatoes and truck crops carrots, snap beans, lima beans, beets, tomatoes, cabbage, onions and green peas at rates previously announced by Wickard. Funds for such payments were available at the time Wickard announced the incentive payment program. The food administrator said the Government would rt grower prices of the five crops at higher levels than previously announced by Wickard through purchase and loan operations of the Commodity Credit Corporation. In the case of dry beans and peas and soybeans, the new support prices are higher than present Office of Price Administration ceiling prices. The food administrator did not state whether the ceiling prices would be raised accordingly.

Officials of the C.C.C. explained that if ceil ings were not increased, the Gov ernment might have to sell the products to consumer outlets at prices which enable the latter to comply with ceilings. Such sales would involve losses to the Government. Apply to 1943 Crops. The support prices apply to 1943 crops of affected commod ities.

The support level for dry edi ble beans was set at 56.50 per 100 pounds, cleaned and bagged in car lots, F.O.B. carrier, at country shipping points, for the lollowing classes: Pea, great northern, small white, flat small white, pinto, pink, small red and cranberry. The support price had previously been announced at S5.60. The ceiling price is now $5.80. The support price was set at per 100 pounds for the fol lowing classes: Lima, baby lima, light red kidney, dark red kidney Continued on Page 8.

Column 1 Navy Dorms On Campus Buildings To House 475 Trainees Here Construction of four semi permanent dormitories and a cafeteria on Belknap Campus to accommodate 475 Navy trainees is expected to begin within the next thirty days, E. S. Jouett, chairman of the board of trustees of the University of Louisville, announced yesterday. It will cost approximately $250,000 to build and equip the five units with the university financing one-half of the cost and depending on contributions from individuals and corporations in the city to supply the remaining half, said Jouett. Facilities are expected to be ready for the initial graup of trainees on July 1.

Selected By Committee. Several months ago the uni versity was selected by the Joint Committee 'or the Selection of Non-Federal Educational Insti tutions as one of the more than 200, colleges and universities in the country suitable for training Army and Navy personnel. After weeks of investigation, the Navy notified the board of trustees in a letter dated April 2 that the school has been selected as a training site for 275 in engineering through the Speed Scientific School; 132 in the Navy's basic or general curriculum, and 67 in pre-medicine, the latter two groups to be given instruction in the College of Liberal Arts. University Willing. By formal action the board accepted the recommendations of its Committee on Navy Contract Negotiations, consisting of Lee P.

Miller, William S. Speed, William B. Pirtle and J. Paul Druien that the university signify to the Navy Department its willingness to undertake the project. The university expects to complete the contract negotiations shortly.

Terming selection of the university as ''a successful culmination of the late President (Raymond Kent's efforts to have the school designated as a Jouett pointed out that the Navy's wffer constituted both for the universiy and city an opportunity to make a distinct contribution to the war effort. He emphasized that it likewise imposed a heavy financial responsibility which the university couldn't carry without assistance. Three substantial gifts already have been obtained and a list of the contributors will be released April 15, he added. Expect to Ask Funds. "We expect to put the proposition (of financing) before business and industrial leaders of the community within the next two weeks and I hope the executives will have given the matter some thought and be ready to respond," Jouett said.

He cited three "compelling reasons" for support of the Navy program. They are: 1. The Navy needs the facilities of the university lor its training program. 2. Without the training program the university faces a sharply declining enrollment which would bring about a serious financial problem.

3. The proposed buildings will be useful following the war, both I Continued on Page 12, Column 5 AP Wlrephoto. AMERICANS JOIN BRITISH IN TUNISIA. Piercing the flank of retreating Axis forces in Tunisia, Americens yesterday effected a junction, arrows, with advancing British fifteen miles east of El Guetar on the road to the coast. Meanwhile, British broke through Axis defenses in the Wadi el Akarit area north of Gabes.

Americans were mopping up Germans in the rough country north of Maknassy. Allied pushes threatened Axis coastal holdings and the ports of Sfax and Sousse. Glencoe Distillery Is Sold to National Price Believed to Be Over Sale Leaves Few Independent Firms Prime Minister Churchill told the House of Commons that more than 6,000 prisoners already had been taken in this new victory, which led to a quick union between the British and American armies on the Gafsa-Gabes road. The long anticipated junction of the British and Americans also merged the air forces, which were declared in a special communique to be "now enjoying common targets." Advanced troops of the Second American Corps fought through the flank of the withdrawing enemy forces and united with the British on the ridge of Cnemsi, fifteen miles east of El Guetar on the road to the coast. It was assumed that offshoots of the Eighth Army had slanted northwest to meet the Americans.

Enemy Columns Bombed. As the. Americans and the British met triumphantly on the hill where crack German troops had fought bitterly only a few hours earlier, heavy forces of American Mitchell bombers with a Spitfire escort were bombing the enemy transports fleeing northward from the area. It now can be disclosed offi cially that an American infantry division which for more than two weeks has been trying to batter through to the coast has per formed the vital role of contain ing most "of Rommel's armor in this sector, thereby weakening his defenses, first at the Mareth Line and then on the new line along the Wadi el Akarit, which the Eighth Army cracked in two hours Tuesday. When the British infantrymen scaled two hills commanding the Wadi Akarit line early Tuesday, smashed a counter-attack and began to mop up, Rommel's gamble to hold his triangular flank against the Americans was lost.

Rommel's Tanks Run. In this triangle between the sea and El Guetar and Maknassy, the Americans had waged day after day the bitterest kind of struggle to gain a few hundred yards across a rugged terrain studded with machine guns and artillery, and pitted with minefields. By Tuesday afternoon many of Rommel's crack troops, which long had been concentrated in the El Guetar area, threatening to smash any overextended American effort, began to lumber northward under a smokescreen. Harassed by flare-dropping R.A.F, bombers Tuesday nieht. the enemy's vehicles continued to edge toward the rear, and at dawn American riflemen plunged for- ward against dwindling resist ance.

Prisoners Collected. There is no official information as to whether any considerable enemy force was trapped on the south side of the I Purchase of Glencoe Distillery Company by National Distillers Products Corporation and McKesson Robbins, Incorporated, through acquisition of outstanding stock was announced yesterday by attorneys representing the buyers. A cent preferred stock and 1,000 shares of 6 per cent preferred stock. Glencoe was chartered May 29, 1902, by Phil J. Hollenbach, father of the present president, Louis J.

Hollenbach, Sr. Original capital was $60,000 in common stock. This was increased in October, 1902. A preferred issue was added in 1931. On November 3, 1927, total capital was increased to 4,000 shares of $100 par in both common and preferred stocks.

On its organization, Glencoe purchased the property of Stitzel Brothers and sold whisky under its own brands. Though dismantling its distillery during prohibition, Glencoe continued supplying medicinal whisky. Rehabilitating its distillery in 1929, Glencoe produced whisky amounts Continued on Page 12, Column 1 Quick Quotes Terror raids must be expected to become longer and heavier. German newspaper. Page 8.

Economic freedom is as important as political freedom. Wendell Willkie. Page S. The nation that can feed Europe will be the nation that will make the peace. Dr.

Charles E. Mad-dry. Page 3, Section 2. The kind of peace that we wish to see constructed can only be achieved if there is some type of practical world organization and our own country accepts its full share in that responsibility. Sumner Welles.

Page 2. If the people want to see tight rope walking, they should go to a circus, not the Senate. Senator Barkley. Page 1. Warm Ajjain Furnished by U.

S. Weather Bureau, Kentucky continued warm Thursday and Thursday evening, scattered showers and thunder storms extreme west portion. Indiana Warmer in north and continued mild in rest of state Thursday. Temperatures Bowman Field Readings 8 P.M. 69 9 P.M.

66 10 P.M. 64 11 P.M. 64 12 P.M. 61 1 A.M. 59 8 A.M.

44 2 P.M. 75 9 A.M. 48 3 P.M. 79 10 A.M. 54 4 P.M.

78 11 A.M. 64 5 P.M. 77 12 M. 68 6 P.M. 76 1 P.M.

73 7 P.M. 75 I Year Ago High. 78; low. 63. Weather in other cities on Page 14 I The farm group thus beat down an administration effort to kill the bill outright, and, in keeping it technically alive, raised a threat that it will be brought up again if any blanket wage increases are granted that pierce present economic controls.

The measure, which would force price control officials to disregard Government benefit payments in fixing farm price ceilings, was vetoed by President Roosevelt because he said it would stir up an inflationary tornado. Two-thirds Vote Needed. It can be enacted only by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, but the Agriculture Committee can pick any time during the remainder of this Congress for such a test. There was no doubt that the administration had the votes today to prevent approval of the measure by the two-thirds vote necessary to override a veto, and Democratic Leader Barkley of Kentucky fought with every available weapon to get an outright test and so defeat the bill for this session. But sponsors advanced the argument that the bill ought to be kept around handy in case somebody John L.

Lewis and his United Mine Workers were mentioned in the debate succeeded in winning wage increases. Senator Vandenberg Mich) said plainly he wanted it stored with the committee until it became certain that Roosevelt was going to hold the lines against inflation on other fronts. Barkley Tells Strength. Twenty-seven Republicans and a Progressive joined with thirty-four Democrats in support of the motion by Senator Bankhead author of the bill, to send it back to committee. Fifteen Democrats and eight Republicans voted against the motion and, by inference, to kill the measure now.

Barkley said the twenty-three votes were at least seventeen fewer than the administration could have mustered to sustain the veto, and that while he was not surprised at the size of the vote to send it to the committee, he regretted it. "It means that a threat will hang over efforts to fight inflation," he said. Bankhead said, on the other Continued on Page 12, Column 4 $23,288,244 in passenger revenue represented travel by military and other governmental personnel. The total was 159.4 per cent increase over passenger receipts in 1941. The 1,500,000 meals served in dining cars were 200 per cent more numerous than in 1941.

All other revenue totaled $8,846,783, which was $2,316,731 or 35.5 per cent more than in the preceding year. Mail revenue was 8.1 per cent larger and ex press revenue, giving effect to an increase of 10 cents per shipment, was 32.6 per cent greater than in 1941. Half of Freight Is Coal. The carrier hauled 71.021,454 tons of freight in 1942. This was 12,517,042 more than in the pre ceding year.

Bituminous coal accounted for 35,536,784 tons or 50.04 per cent of the total. Although this classification gained 4,113,582 tons over 1941, other classifications gained more as a whole. Coal had accounted for 53.71 per cent of L. ton hage in 1941. Second largest gain in tonnage was miscellaneous manufacturers with 6,334,133 tons against 4,036,892 a year earlier.

Gravel, sand and stone with 3,801,922 tons was 1,576,493 tons greater than in 1941. the heavy demands of war Continued on Page 12, Column 5 Gafsa-Gabes road when the Americans and British spliced their common front, but the Eighth Army still was collecting prisoners along the coast. Patton's Wing Advances. Patton's northern wing driving beyond Maknassy advanced in a northeasterly direction and occupied the strategic height, Djebel Maizila, clearing th enemy out of the high ground dominating the left flank of the road to Sidi Bouzid and Sfax. This thrust threatened to skirt the northern flank of the Axis stronghold of Mezzouna, last mountain barrier on the path to Graiba, less than twenty miles east.

Graiba is a vital junction of the Tunisian coastal railroad and highway with rail and road lines from the west. Its quick capture would cut off all but one route of Axis retreat to Sfax. Chronologically, it was the Eighth Army's successful storming of the Akarit line which led to the union of the British Continued on Page 12, Column 1 Eisenhower 'Surprised At Statement By tha Associated Press. Algiers, April 7. Gen.

Dwight D. Eisenhower today expressed "surprise" over a French National Committee statement that he had asked Gen. Charles de Gaulle to postpone his visit to North Africa, thus indicating that a new misunderstanding had arisen to plague the delicate negotiations for union of Giraudists and de Gaullists. Expressed Regret. The headquarters statement did not flatly deny that Eisenhower had asked de Gaulle to delay his trip, but said cryptically that since the communique was issued in London, Eisenhower "has no doubt that a full statement of the circumstances will be made in London." The national committee statement in London Monday said in Continued on Page 8, Column 4 ri is Dora With Bit of Shell In Hin oi oiicii in xup April wn neports from Leningrad today said a young mother wounded there in an air raid had given birth to a baby with a shell splinter in its hip.

The splinter was removed and both mother and child are doing well, said the reports. a Little More By the Associated Press. Washington, April 7. A $24, 551,070,000 appropriation for the Navy for the fiscal year 1944 the largest amount ever sought for the nation's sea fighting forces in one year has been requested qf Congress by President Roosevelt, it was learned tonight, Included are $3,476,800,000 for the Bureau of Ordnance, $4,286, 211,000 for the Bureau of Sup plies and Accounts, $1,887,000,000 to finance the shipbuilding pro gram, $1,640,000,000 for the Bu reau of Aeronautics, and $9,024, 000,000 for increase and replace ment of naval vessels. The total compares with 630,000,000 appropriated last year for the Navy, but that figure covered supplemental, deficiency ard emergency appropriations as well as the regular 1943 allotment of approximately $14,000,000,000.

Estimates Largest In History. Chairman Cannon Mo.) of the House Appropriations Com mittee, terming the new esti mates tha largest in history, said a subcommittee would begin con sideration of the various allot ment? Saturday. The request offered new indication of the Navy's determina tion to build itself into un matched power. That aim recently was outlined in executive ses sion before the Appropriations Committee by Navy Secretary Knox. He estimated that the Navy's personnel strength would reach 2,500,000 by the end of the year as new ships came down the ways, with a resulting need to man them afloat and service them ashore.

Anti-Sub Vessels to Lead. Chairman Vinson Ga.) of the House Naval Committee said approximately $10,000,000,000 of the amount would go for contract authorizations, to pay the cost of projects already approved by Congress for which no funds have been appropriated. This is part of our long-range program to meet the challenge of the Axis on the high seas and to drive them back to their shores as we press forward to victory," de clared Vinson. While Vinson declined to divulge details of the new con struction program, it was re garded as certain that a consid erble part of it would be ear Continued on Page 12, Column 3 Big Labor 1943 War Creates 'Deficit' Of 71,078 Men By tha Associated Prei. Washington, April 7.

Labor turnover in shipyards has become so serious that it threatens this year's goal of 18,000,000 deadweight tons of merchant-type vessels, small aircraft carriers and escort vessels, the Maritime Commission said The turnover in the first quarter of the year averaged 11.2 per cent a month, with only 2 per cent represented by withdrawals of men to enter the armed forces. As a result, the commission said, a "deficit" of 71,078 workers was created. The figures cover only shipyards working on commission contracts and do not include yards working on large aircraft carriers and other naval vessels under Navy contracts. Rear Admiral Howard L. Vick-ery, in charge of the commission's shipbuilding program, said the situation was so critical "as to indicate that it is 'imperative to reverse the current manpower trend if we are to insure the completion of the scheduled program on time." Co-operation Acknowledged.

Vickery said the commission was receiving full co-operation from other Government agencies. L. N. Revenue Jumps 41.2 Per Cent During '42 $168,824,355 Pours Into Railroad's Coffers; Taxes Up to $28,715,835 All-Time Records Set Turnover Threatens Shipping Program By DONALD McWAIN, inancial Editor, The Courier-Journal. Weighty testimony as to the South's contribution to the war effort was offered yesterday in the annual report of the $600,000,000 Louisville Nashville Railroad Company, released at the 1943 meeting of stockholders held in the company's general office building, 9th and Broadway.

Although the sale price was not revealed, it was estimated by one source close to the deal that the consideration was well in excess of $3,000,000. A compilation by Louisville Trust Company and Liberty National Bank Trust Company showed that the distillery had 37,858 barrels of whisky in its warehouses as of December 31, 1942. Restriction of production as a result of the war has turned bulk whisky into "liquid gold," as one trade source described it. Facilities of the distillery are being utilized exclusively for production of alcohol for war purposes. The purchasers said that Louis J.

Hollenbach, would continue as distillery superintendent. Firm Chartered In 1902. Largely controlled by the Hollenbach family, Glencoe recently had outstanding capital as follows: 745 shares of $100 par common stock, 748 shares of 5 per vital importance of such vessels, particularly escort vessels" his statement added. "In addition, of course, is the increasing need for more and more Liberty ships as our forces must be supplied in ever-growing numbers in foreign lands." Delivery of vessels built under Maritime Commission direction reached a rate of 18,000,000 deadweight tons a year in March, but the commissiQn pointed out that the manpower shortage would not be reflected immediately, since much of the work on vessels currently being delivered was performed in the previous quarter. In addition, the commission said, some "cushion" also will be provided by greater productive efficiency in the shipyards.

Needed 200,000 Workers. During the first quarter, shipyards holding contracts required more than 200,000 workers to replace those separated from their pay rolls. This turnover, plus an estimated additional workers required because of the expanding program, brought total "intake" requirements to 333,695 for the first quarter. Only 262,617 workers were hired, leaving a deficit of 71,078. The Pacific Coast, with a shortage of 60,854 workers, accounted for most of the deficit.

Separations for all causes in shipyards with more than 2,500 Continued on Page 12, Column 5 War At a Glance JOINING FORCES Americans fighting eastward from Gafsa join British Eighth Army units fifteen miles east of El Guetar, and communique says, "Our air forces now are enjoying common targets." In day of greatest aerial activity yet in Tunisian theater Allied planes sink or damage seventeen Axis ships, destroy twenty-seven enemy planes and lose only five of their own aircraft. Six thousand more prisoners taken as Eighth Army hotly pursues Marshal Rommel's northward-fleeing Africa Corps. RETREATING General Wavell's British and Indian troops withdraw thirteen miles from advanced positions in Burma to avoid being trapped, and further withdrawals are expected. RUSSIA German shock troops, tanks and planes, after ten days of furious but vain attacks in Izyum sector of Donets River front, draw back and allow Russians to consolidate positions. ANOTHER PLAN Britain proposes world credit institution designed to expand postwar world trade; plan differs from Secretary Morgenthau's stabilization scheme in that it places little stress on gold and would not allow any one nation veto power over use of funds.

ALONG THE HOME FRONT Roosevelt asks Congress for $24,551,070,000 for Navy for fiscal year 1944, largest sum ever sought for Navy in one year. Senate farm bloc rescues Bankhead Bill from defeat and sends it to Agriculture Committee. Food Administrator Davis says Government will guarantee farmers higher prices for five vital war crops to encourage maximum production; plan will replace incentive payments proposed by Secretary Wickard. Labor turnover in shipyards so serious it threatens this year's goal of merchant-type ships, Maritime Commission warns in announcing "deficit" of 71,078 workers. April 8.

1943. i rf 4 In a joint statement, Lyman Delano, chairman of the board, and J. B. Hill, president, told stockholders that wartime conditions produced new records of traffic and gross revenue in 1942. As its part, the railroad handled this heavy volume of freight and passenger traffic with increased efficiency.

During the year, 101 industrial plants, geared to the production of war material, were located either on or adjacent to L. N. rails. At the same time, eighty-five new business operations were established, including manufacturers, food processors, wholesalers and coal, timber and lumber operators. The railroad observed an increase in the number of families and persons in its territory with prospects favorable for increased immigration.

Operating Revenue Up 41.2 Tct. The area produced in operating revenues for the railroad, increase of $49,254,978 or 41.2 per cent over 1941. Of this, freight contributed which was a gain of or 31.4 per cent over the 1S41 total. A key to the carrier's improved efficiency was the performance on merchandise traffic, less than carlots. This type of traffic increased 10 per cent in 1942, but 32 per cent fewer cars were used to haul it.

The management estimated that 40 per cent or $9,300,000 of the ADMIRAL II. L. VICKERY. Says situation critical. shipyard managements and organized labor, but "unless the situation changes, the ships to be most seriously affected will be tankers, aircraft carriers, troop transports and escort vessels because the greatest shortages appear in yards on such construction." "There is no need to stress the Your Newsboy Will Call Today for the Red Cross Give All You Can If You've Donated, Give.