Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 11

Gil Traffic Bureau Manager Arrives To Take New Job ood Stakes own SECTION TWO ST. PTERSBURG. FLORIDA. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19. 1944 ELEVEN NOTES OF OUR MEN ANDW0MN SERVICE GERTRUDE EHZ.

CAPT. TOM BAYLESS TELLS STORY SfeSx VM0 As Mews torm Ben Overton, manager of the Eruption of Vesuvius Gives Airmen Hectic Moments During Battle of Italy By AL BARKER Hesitantly at first, then with conviction and some concern, St. Petersburg yesterday turned to with a will to board up, stake down and secure most everything in sight that could be affected by a howling hurricane that even the most skeptical were finally convinced was really on the and supplied the group with sev I 1 7 i I I timber, especially lethal when driven head on by a powerful wind, were stowed inside. A particular house-tightenine SONG OF THE ARMY NURSE CORrS: Practicing their new official song is this group of army nurses at Finney General hospital, Thomasville, Ga. Lt.

Angie Roberts, standing, center, daughter of William R. Roberts, 4926 Fourth avenue south, is spending her off-duty time harmonizing with the gropp. She is a graduate of the Mound Park school of nursing. eral days' diversion relating the Italians angle on the war. Shortly after the Mt.

Vesuvius incident, Capt. Bayless' unit was transferred to Corsica and participated in the invasion of southern France. "It was remarkable," he said, "the difference between the people on these islands, Sicily and Corsica, and their mother countries. As you know, the French and Italians are a friendly people, but these islanders were a mean group. I guess they had carried on their vendettas for so long, it got to be part of their nature.

On Corsica we were met with such coldness that it was necessary to bring in Italians to perform the labor work around the camp." During his travels, Capt. Bayless crossed paths twice with friends from the Sunshine City. His group left the states in February, 1943, and in the same contingent was the bomber outfit to which Burwell Neal, former secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, was attached as a medical staff sergeant. They journeyed together, embarking from San Francisco for Australia and arriving in India via Suei, where the two groups went their separate ways at Bombay. During his sojourn in Italy, the captain met Dr.

"Booney" Gable, well-known locally. He is spending his leave at his home, 726 Nineteenth avenue northeast, with his wife and two children, Betty Ann, 13, and Tom 11-year-old student at FMA. The captain, son of Mr. and Mrs. K.

Bayless, Tampa, enlisted in the service in August, 1942. An alumnus of Culver military academy and the University of Kentucky, he was a reserve in fantry officer but selected the air forces when volunteering for active duty. After a refresher course at Miami, he was assigned to his squadron as adjutant. Comdr. Henthorn Is Transferred Tronsler of Comdr.

John Henthorn, head of the local U. coast guard air station, to Salem, was announced yesterday coast guard officials. Henthorn will take over duties as commanding officer of the coast guard air station at Salem. Comdr. Henthorn came to the St.

Petersburg station two and one-half years ago and in May of this year was made commanding officer to replace Comdr. C. B. Olsen, transferred to sea duty. A graduate of Baltimore, high school, Henthorn attended Baltimore Polytechnic institute and the U.

S. coast guard academy, graduating from the latter in 1932. He saw sea duty on cutters based at New York, Norfolk and Boston, and for two years was coach and member of the famous coast guard rifle team. Later assigned to Pensacnla, he completed training as a flier in 1936. From Pensacola, Comdr.

Henthorn served at bases in Bi- loxi, and San Francisco. He came here in 1942 as execu tive officer, He leaves on Nov. 1 for his new base. It was also announced that Comdr. Robert E.

McCaffery of Groton, would arrive here about Nov. 16 to take over duties as commanding officer of the local station. Comdr. McCaffery is currently stationed at coast guard headquarters, Washing ton. D.

C. new traffic bureau set up in the Chamber of Commerce building for service to city and county businesses, "blew in yesterday almost with the hoisting of hur ricane warnings. Unperturbed bv the disturbance, he took off his coat and began settling the office assigned to him. Though he started work at once, thR traflic expert said it would be some time before data could be pulled together on local rate and traffic problems and a program outlined. His starting schedule was hampered by the fact that St.

Petersburg has been without a traffic bureau for 10 years and figures for the intervening era will have to be collected. Overton stated his first task would be the gathering of freight tariff schedules and similar data; second, the study and analysis of them; third, the setting up of cases for their reduction or otherwise favorable alteration. He estimated three months would be required to lay the groundwork, pointing out that in the Terre Haute bureau, which he formerly operated, a file of 1,500 tariffs was built up. Overton drove here from La-Crosse, as his car is an indispensable part of his equipment for the job. His family will remain north until later.

He has a record of 20 years' activity in rate and traffic matters. City Real Estate Group to Fix Prices on Lots Weather permitting, city council's real estate committee will meet today to fix prices on some 900 lots and other properties which the city recently acquired through tax foreclosures. This will be the initial move in activating city's real estate sales department in charge of Maxwell Hunter. Hunter has been assigned offices in the basement at city hall. It is city council's plan to furnish lists of its available properties to all local real estate agencies, who will assist in disposing of it.

Councilman Ray Dugan, chairman of the real estate committee, said yesterday that it probably will take several weeks to fix the prices on all properties. Before prices are finally deter mined, a special council committee setting up machinery for a free lot distribution to return ing veterans prnbably will meet with the real estate committee and make a tentative selection of lots to be offered under the free distribution plan. Councilman Dugan estimated yesterday that the city will have acquired several thousand prop erties in all sections of the city before the present foreclosure program is concluded. Sales of properties for delinquent taxes are expected to continue for the next four months at least. In these sales, city acquires all properties on which no bids are made, or where the binding is un der sale prices f'xed by the real estate committee.

City represen tatives usually fix these prices in initial bids. SCHOOL NEVS Harris Classes Give Program At PTA Meeting The fifth and sixth grade classes at Harris elementary had charge of the program for the PTA meeting Tuesday afternoon at the school. Each child wrote and presented a report on work accomplished in one subject during the last six-week period. Announcer for the program was Jack Edgar, one of the sixth grade students. The children also sang songs they've learned since the beginning of school.

Three new enrollces at Harris school are Roland Wagner, who has entered the second grade; David Israel, third grade, and Richard Buggan, fourth grade. EUCLID SIXTH GRADE Bovs and girls of the sixth grade class at Euclid presented a program of group singing as the entertainment for the PTA meet ing held Tuesday at the school. NORTH WARD PROJECT Students of the second grade at North Ward have completed their Indian posters, which they have boon working on during the past two weeks. Mrs. Mabel Bourne, their teacher, reports, "It's a job well Pupils of Mrs.

Bourne's class have already put up their decorations of 'black cats, witches and jack-o-lanterns for the Halloween holiday. MIRROR LAKE OFFICERS Officers of the student government at Mirror Lake Junior high are: President. Tommy Tucker, vice president, Dick Cunningham, from the eighth grade, and secretary. Norma Janen, representing the ninth grade. Tucker is nlso president of Mrs.

Blanche McGrath's home room No. 32. A new job taken on this year by the president and vice president of the student body is that of planning and presenting chapel programs given at the school. Tucker takes charge one week and Cunningham the next. Capt.

Tom Bayless, former vice president of Grant-Bayless, home aftep 20 months in the Mediter ranean theatre, is properly convinced that a trick of nature temporarily disrupted his B-25 squadron more thoroughly than any of the luftwaffe's repeated attacks. The captain group, veterans of North African and Sicilian cam paigns, never- expected to be dodging an inferno more devastating than the fire of battle, but the unexpected eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, hurtling red-hot ashes upon their base was a first-hand, encounter with hades for the American airmen. "It was a good thing we were quartered in barracks, for had we been in tents, we might have had some severe casualties, Capt. Bayless explained.

"The glowing ashes, some of them as large as an adult's head, came down in a steady shower. The eruption began about 2 o'clock in the morning and so heavy was the downpour that by the time we aban-d the base at noon, the ground- was covered with a 12-inch layer of the cinders. It was loose, like sand, and the only thing that would maneuver it was a vehicle with four-wheel drive. "The air was so full of soot and flying pieces that our planes couldn't take off and we had to go back for them after it was all over, four days later, clearing the way with bulldozers. The lava never reached our field; it didn't get more than half way down.

At night it made the mountain look as if it had a huge neon light encircling it. I never got back to see our base, and as far as I know, it has never been reclaimed. Our planes had all the rubber burnt off them and their wing tips were pretty badly bent up." His squadron particularly regretted the evacuation of their base at the foot of the mountain, as it had been especially constructed for them by the British Colonel Hamilton, Local Resident, Killed in Crash LT. COL. J.

K. HAMILTON Lt. Col. Joseph K. Hamilton, 34, local resident and director of ad ministration of the Third Bomber Command.

MacDill Field, was killed Sunday night when the plane on which he was one of five passengers crashed 20 miles out in the gulf, somewhere be tween Cross City and St. Peters burg. Authorities notified his wife. Mrs. Barnelle Hamilton, 1908 Twentieth avenue north, that Colonel Hamilton body was found Tuesday, but the bodies of the other officers still are missing.

Others aboard the plane were Lt Col. Frank K. Clarke, 40, head of statistical control station at Third Air Force headquarters; Maj. Frank E. Rokusek, 42, special service officer at Third Air Force headquarters; Capt.

Ray I. Sher bourne, 26. pilot, and Flight Officer Ward F. Wilkinson, 24. co pilot, whose wife resides at Dun-edin.

In addition to his wife. Colonel Hamilton is survived by two daughters, Barbara Nell and Beverly Ann. and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.

H. Hamilton. 544 Boulevard. Athens. Ga.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at Athens. Weather Delays Demo Meeting Because of the weather hazard, Democratic county headquarters last night announced indefinite postponement of the meeting scheduled tonight at the residence of Attorney and Mrs. James Booth. It was to have been attended generally by Democrats of southside precincts. STORM KAYOES JEFFERSONIANS Because of hurricane weather the scheduled meeting last night of the Jcfforsonian club was postponed till tomorrow night at the Suwannee hotel.

A report of the nominating committee headed by Al Werly is to be heard. way. While taking all possible precautions regarding its business and residential property, it turned to with- a will and within a few hours had housed an estimated 4.000 men, women and children advised bv the coast guard and other authority to evacuate the Gulf beaches, where, it was predicted, if the hurricane held to its course, the tide might surge at least eight feet above any normal level. In midevening George M. Dunn, general chairman of the Red Cross disaster and relict committee, in whom housing ar rangements centered, estimated that far more than half the residents of the beach had left.

On the final trips of the Pass-a-Grille busses, Driver George Marsic estimated there were fewer than 50 left on Pass-a-Grille and most of those were prepared to leave in their own cars when convinced conditions would really be severe. Highlight of the preparatory period was the response to a call issued by the Red Cross early last night over the radio for private residents and hotels to take in individuals, couples and families evacuated from the beaches. Within a few minutes the switchboard at Red Cross headquarters, 810 Fourth street north, was swamped, Ten hotels md some 100 residences were on the list in a little more than half an hour. HOTELS CROWDED Hotel and residence placements through this means, and the tak ing, in of hundreds by private arrangement with friends and acquaintances, so quickly eased the situation that the announced opening of Senior and Disston high schools to evacuees was temporarily abandoned. Through midevening those who had not been able to make hotel or other arrangements generally women and children clutching suitcases and bundles were being sent to the dormitory of the Salvation Army citadel, which early had ottered its space and services.

At 9 o'clock the Suwannee hotel, typical point of refuge, reported that it was jammed and 'phoning around to other hotels to place applicants. It re ported that only a small proportion of its guests were local people or "regulars." When darkness fell, scores of children were packed away upstairs sleeping soundly, while their mothers congregated in the lobby to talk it over. "Full up" reports also were turned in from the Magnolia, Dennis, Royal Palm, Detroit and other hotels. The Ritz management phoned to report it was opening up to take care of all comers. Early evacuated, guests of the Tides hotel at Redington beach were taken care of for the most part at the Pheil, and the hotel's transportation facilities were turned into the beach evacuation pool.

Hot spot in preliminary arrangements so far as the affected public was concerned was the Red Cross headquarters on Fourth street, and 8183 was one of the city's busiest telephone numbers. A second to it was 8193, in the Defense building on Fifth street north, where emergency commit tee meetings were held and where those evacuated without prior arrangements taken to be placed. AWNINGS REMOVED Much of St. Petersburg's pre paredness, however, rested on private initiative. Every occupant of a residence had his problem and so did every store proprietor.

Householders, wise in the ways of tropical storms, either removed their awnings or secured them against window frames with battens. Those with shutters closed them tight. Others, especially at the beaches, took the added precaution of boarding up especially vulnerable openings, seeking to cloge any possible gap through which a 100-mile wind could enter and pry. The most common precaution taken by residents, however, was removal of all objects on meir premises that might suddenly sail through the air with the greatest of ease- -and perhaps through a window or a building wall. For the first time in years garbage buckets and lawn furniture had an honored place in the garage.

Loose boards and which in turn was Isolated from all other areas of western Cuba over which the storm passed. First estimates of property damage totaled several hundred thousand dollars in Havana alone. Government officials expressed apprehension that other commun ities in western Cuba would be found tc have suffered even heav ier casualties and damage, and said it would be days before the full storm toll would be known. Five bodies, including two chil dren, were pulled from the water near Alcoy bridge, leading from Havana to suburban Guanabacoa. Approximately 3.000 persons took refuge in the huge national capitol, where they- slept and rested on the marble stairs and in the stately hallways.

The building escaped damage, but the hurricane uprooted ornamental trees surrounding it and destroyed svmmetriea plantings along the famous Prado. problem was faced by the trailer camps, unusually full for this season of the year. Most of it was settled by the simple process of removing window and "porch" awnings. Trailer dwellers in slickers and sweaters could be seen scurrying around at the added task of securing all outside loose objects and stowing thm sometimes lashing them under the trailer. Despite these precautions, the evening was not very old before a rising wind and lashing rain persuaded several trailer families that they'd rather weather the storm under a raftered roof.

They turned up at the Defense building, where they were rapidly taken to more secure housing. Central avenue and other busi ness streets got away to a slow start on boarding up, for the pub lic was well aware that a hurricane romping off Key West might well change its mind and miss Tampa bay. But as reports of steadfastness on the part of the storm continued to pour in. squads of carpenters and sign men appeared in the commercial section along with loads of lumber. In the by nightfall, most stores with show windows large enough to be menaced by the direct pressure and vacuum suction of a high wind not to mention flying objects were either under boards or braced by padded two-by-fours.

SIGN CREWS BUSY Busiest of all crews, however. were those thrown into the emergency by the sign companies, which, in a few hours, practically denuded Central avenue of its heavy hanging or bracketed neon signs. These wore stored away where they could neither take harm nor do harm in falling. The waterfront also produced a busy scene as owners of boats rushed down to secure their craft with extra mooring lines or removed them to less exposed berths. They had to count not only on the force of wind and wave, but on a probable tide several feet above the new moon course, Scores of fishermen and yachtsmen, and at least two government 50-footers, a st through Bayboro harbor to take refuge in Salt creek, mainly between the opening and the Third street bridge, a stretch sheltered from any prolonged sweep of wind.

Other boatmen decided to take a chance on Big Bayou, whose waters are mainly sheltered from Tampa bay. As the twin red and black hurricane warning flags streamed forth from the flag tower at the foot of Central avenue, Comdr. John Henthorn. commanding officer of the coast guard station, reported that all personnel had been readied for emergency service to the community and the PBM Martin bomber and PBY Catalina patrol bomber had been evacuated to Pensacola. Smaller planes, however, were retained for scouting and emergency flights.

At Albert Whitted field most of the small training planes, which it was not feasible to fly to re mote fields, were snugged away in the hangar. Military fields in the area generally had evacuated their big planes to safe fields as far away as the Mississippi valley and the Carolinas. Evidence of the spirit of community co-operation was profuse on every hand. J. Allen, post commander of the local American Legionnaires, stated the Legion home on lower Central avenue would remain open throughout the storm and that those seeking Legion aid could call 5332.

Legion members visualized the home as a haven for local brothers serving with the emergency forces. Al Strum, secretary-manager of the St, Petersburg Yacht club. announced the club would re main open on a U4-nour oasis 10 accommodate boatmen watching over their craft moored in the waterfront basins. Hot coffee, he stated, would be on tap without charge. WEBB'S OFFER HAVEN Closing at 8 p.m., Webb's drug store announced that Us caieteria would be held open all night to anv or ail wno wisncci 10 lane reluge there.

Capt. Ben R. Jones, local Sal vation Army commander, an nounced earlv in the day that the Army afits Citadel. 318 Third street south, and the Self Help building, 1001 Third street south, would welcome any who had to leave their homes. lie also placed at public disposal the entire local Army staff and its three trucks.

Army help, he said, could be had merely by calling 8427. Among other places of refuge made available in the area was the Gulfport school. By nightfall 11 evacuated from the beaches were being housed there under the supervision of Mrs. Ethel Burns. In most cases the "refugees" had brought blankets and food.

The school was admirably equipped for the purpose because of the establishment there by the Gulfport community of a first aid room, with cots, medicines and other emergency supplies. Disabled American Veterans, under direction of Comdir Bert Bryan of the local chapter, had five men and five cars available for all-night emergency calls at their home, 208 Nineteenth street south. CAPT. TOM BAYLESS and was the first time the airmen had lived in permanent shelters. They were veterans of the des ert and had been quarkrd mostly in tents.

The group supported Gen. Montgomery's Eighth Army throughout the African and Sicil ian campaigns and for a short while in the Italian invasion. In recognition of their outstanding achievements in Tunisia and Sicily, the squadron was cited by the president and also by the British. Their missions were flown over many targets in the Balkan countries and also included participation in the Allied bomber and fighter-bomber attacks that helped break the stalemate on the Adolf Hitler line below Rome. Another of the captain's indelible memories is the surrender of three very high Italian officers, who landed on his squadron's field in a Fascist plane they'd stolen.

The prisoners became very talkative when they were sure they weren't going to be shot, Judge Delays Ruling In Gcmdy Bridge Action Another chapter in the govern ment's condemnation battle for Gandy bridge was heard in fed eral court in Tampa Tuesday as the government moved to strike two parts of an amended answer bv the company, but Judge Bar ker postponed his ruling on the action. Throughout the several months of legal arguments in the case since the bridge was freed of tolls under condemnation procedure on May 27, no mention has been made of the amount which would be paid for the bridge. Judge Barker said that the date of the trial for the case was still Dec. 4 and at that time the only case involved would be a settlement on the amount the government should pay for the bridge. Tuesday the government, rep resented by W.

J. Jones of Jacksonville, special assistant to the attorney general, asked the court to strike two portions of an amended answer submitted by the company Sept. 28 because "these allegations present no matter- of defense herein and said al legations are not responsive to the sole issue present in this cause, which is the determination of the amount of just compensa tion that shall be paid by the pe titioner for that which is taken from the defendant." Paul D. Emmert and TjeRoy Al len, attorneys for Gandy Bridge company, argued for their amended answer because it brought out that the government was without power and authority to acquire the bridge, the princi pal point in the entire case, they maintain. Jones reiterated that the amount of compensation due the company was the only point involved.

Accidents Blamed On Wet Pavement Slippery streets and poor visibility were blamed for two accidents yesterday evening involving four cars. No injuries or arrests were reported. At 5:08 p.m. a coupe driven by J. K.

Cleghon, 17. 4701 Eighth avenue south, collided with another coupe driven by R. D. Russell. 20, Seventeenth avenue south at Fifteenth street and Seventh avenue north.

An similar accident occurred at 6:15 p.m. when a sedan driven by Tony Martinez. Tampa, collided with a sedrm driven bv T. Howell, 1010 Twenty-fifth street north, at Twenty-fifth street and Fifth avenue north. Argentina Bans Axis Propaganda BUENOS AIRES (UP) The Argentine government last night took steps to neutralize the last strongholds of Axis propaganda in South America and announced the closing of the German language newspaper La Plata Zeitung and of the Italian daily Mattino d'ltalia.

The order closing these pro-Axis newspapers was contained in a decree issued after a cabinet meeting and signed by all ministers. All propaganda in favor of Ger many and Japan was prohibited. Simultaneously informed quarters reported that the decree also will be applied to cuib anti-Allied propaganda carried out by several local newspapers. 1 Underseas Fighter 6 ARTHUR L. WARING Having completed basic training at the submarine school, New London, Arthur L.

Waring, pharmacist's mate 2c, son of Mrs. L. G. Sutherland, 2350 First avenue north, will soon be wearing the twin dolphin, insignia of the submarine corps. His final phase of training will consist of six months service aboard a sub marine on active patrol duty, during which he must demonstrate to his commanding officer that he is fully qualified to carry out the duties of his rate.

Waring was home last week on a delay en route to his new sta tion on the west coast. He spent his leave with his wife, the for mer Miss Martha Hanchey, who is living with her parents at 711 Eleventh street south. A graduate of Senior high school in June, '40, with varsity letters in boxing, football and swimming, Waring was attending Tampa university at the time of his enlistment in February, 1942 He formerly delivered The Times to Bradenton for several years His step-father, MSgt. L. G.

Sutherland, is now stationed in Nebraska, following his return to the states after two years over seas. Bqsed in ftaly LT. WILLIAM A. MOREE Commissioned April 1, of this year, at Victorville, Lt. William A.

Morre is now with the AAF in Iialy as a bombardier, according to word received by his wife, a resident of Clrarwatcr. The licu'pnanl at'ended learwater schools and was an assistant store manaeer in St. Petersburg prior to his entrance into the service Jan. 8. 1912.

as an aviation cadet. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Moree of Clearwater.

Three Stripes Down It's now master sergeant for Howard E. Warner home on furlough with his wife at their residence, 1020 Melrose avenue south. Warner, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.

E. Warner 105 Elev enth avenue northeast, enlisted in the army in February, 1941, and is a member of the ordnance department stationed at Atlanta. Ga He played on the Grec Devils football team in 1925 and 1926 and attended University of Flor ida. '3 I fx i id "if -A i Flew on Three D-Days 1 V. i LT.

LEO A. ALLEN Shortly before H-IIour for the airborne invasion of Holland, 1st Lt. Leo A. Allen, 24-year-old son ef W. E.

Allen, 3534 Sixteenth avenue south, pilot of a Flying Fortress, participated in an Eighth Air Force bombing attack on gun installations near Rotterdam, helping to guarantee the success of the invasion by our airborne troops, according to a recent public relations release. This attack marked the third invasion of Occupied Europe assisted by the heavy bombardment group of which Lt. Allen is a member. On historic D-Day in Normandy, the group attacked marshaling yards at Lisieux and in August, during the Allied landings along the Riviera, struck at the Angou-lene marshaling yards in Southern France. Commanded by Lt.

Col. Elbert Helton of San Antonio, the unit is a part of the Third Bombardment division, cited by the president for its now historic England-Africa shuttle bombing of Messer-schmitt plants at Regensburg, Germany in August, 1943. Lt. Allen, a graduate of SPHS. entered the AAF Nov.

5. 1940, and received his commission in November, 1942. He is a former member of the local National Guard unit, and was stationed at Grenior Field, Manchester, N. with the anti-submarine command before leaving the states last spring. At Home Port A.

JIM TSACRIOS Former Crimson Tornado football star, James Tsacrios is home on a 30-day leave after two years sea duty with the navy. He participated In the invasions of Sicily and Southern France and has returned with a boatswain's mate, 2c, rate. On one occasion his ship went into shore and laid down ft barrage for eight minutes before the first wave of infantrymen established a beachhead. Son of John Tsacrios, Clearwater, he has a brother, Mike, also In the navy. A youngpr brother, represents the family on the Crimson Tornado ieam this year.

i 4 Six Killed, Damage Heavy As Hurricane Rips Havana HAVANA (') A tropical hurricane, lashing western Cuba with exceeding 110 miles per hour, killed at leapt six persons and injured more than 100 in the Havana area yesterday before crossing into the Florida straits and eastern Gulf of Mexico. Disrupted communications delayed damage reports from elsewhere. The Cuban capital was battered for more than five hours by the storm. Store fronts were smashed, and insecure buildings crushed, while automobiles on the streets were hit by falling trees and flying debris. The presidential palace, the American embassy and other principal buildings were flooded when debris smashed windows and high winds prevented immediate repairs.

Virtually all Havana was without power last night. The national observatory was out of contact with downtown Havana, i.