The Post-Star from Glens Falls, New York • 1

I YORK DEC 4 1942 TRE LATEST NEWS FIRST The delivered throughout Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties within few hours of publication. XXXIX- No. 10,962 SIXTEEN POLETTI ASSUMES GOVERNORSHIP; RESIGNS Retiring Governor Leaves Albany to Talk with Hoover on New job FRIENDS JAM OFFICES Dewey Discusses. Tax Plan with GOP Leaders By WILLIAM W. TYLER ALBANY, N.

Dec. 2. (P) Lieutenant Governor Charles Polet1 inherited the governorship of New York from Herbert H. Lehman, this close friend and political menbor, today, during a brief ceremony in a crowded, hushed Capitol chamber. Friends of both officials jammed a spacious ante-room of the executive offices to stand solemn and silent as Lehman resigned to become director of foreign relief and rehabilitation and the 39-year-old Poletti took the governor's oath.

Poletti entered immediately upon the gubernatorial duties, pledging for very best of my cability." Meanwhile Governor and Mrs. 1 Lehman, waiting only for a Last handclesp with associates in his 10 year governorship, left for New York City. The retiring governor will confer on his new assignment at a luncheon meeting there tomorrow with forper President Herbert Hoover, adninistrator of relief to European thations after the First World War. He will proceed then to Washington to assume the post to which Prestdent Roosevelt recently appointed him. Resigns at 4.15 P.

M. Hands of a clock that has ticked away the gubernatorial administrations for 50 years stood at 4,15 P. M. 85 Lehman, who succeeded Mr. Roosevelt, as governor in 1933, stepped up to his flower-bedecked desk.

Using a newspaperman's pen which governors have borrowed for state occasions since 1918, he put his name to a paper which read: "I hereby resign the office of governor to undertake my duties as director of foreign relief and rehabilitation to which I have been appointed by the President of the United States. Poletti, who will serve as governot until inauguration of Republican Governor -elect Thomas E. Dewey Jan. 1, stepped forward, flanked by Irving Lehman, chief judge of the Court of Appeals and brother of the retiring executive. As the judge intoned the gubernatorial oath to Poletti, Governor ehman handed his resignation to scretary of State Michael F.

Walsh heard the latter remark: I have never received a docunent with more regret." Poletti Takes Oath Meanwhile Poletti, one of the roungest governors in New York's history, was asserting: "I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution bf the State of New York, and that will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of governor according to the best of my The new governor, in a brief roadcast. speech, then lauded Lehman's service and promised that "the wheels of the administrative departments of the state will be kept turning at full speed." "As chairman of the State War Council, I. pledge the same full speed ahead for the vast war chinery operating under the War Council in the fields of civilian defense, community war services, labor, agriculture and industry." he said. "Though splendid victories are being won in many theaters of war, there must be no relaxation on the come front." first congratulations came with a handshake from Governor ahman and a kiss from Mrs. Poretti, the state's new first lady.

Mrs. Lehman, making no effort to hide a tear, also, had a kiss for the outgoing governor as both turnur to say their last goodbyes. Dewey Discusses Taxes NEW YORK, Dec. 2 (P) Goverar-elect Thomas E. Dewey andanced tonght that a "pay -as-go state income tax collecion proposal was discussed at his conference earlier with Republican egislative leaders.

He made it clear, however, that he plan discussed did not involve ne cancellation of one year's taxes. The so-called Ruml plan, contain1g such a cancellation provision, as described by the go -elect having number of aspects hich would not make it available to he state." The conference, Dewey reported, tamined the possibility of estabishing a quarterly tax payment plan, of providing deductions in he tax law for medical and hositalization expenses and of making temptions for children over 18 ars of age who were in the cocess of completing formal eduation. Also considered, he said, was the -sibility of providing deductions a percentage "yet to be deteraned" for life insurance payents. Dewey pointed out that the entative state budget must be Jaced in the hands of the printer Wxt week. canned and apparently rested by vacation, Dewey announced that would disclose his first tomorrow morning.

EXECUTION DELAYED OSSINING, Dec. 2 (P). The exetion of Edward Haight, 17, consated slayer of two little girls, origrally set for Dec. 31, was indefinitepostponed today with the fling a notice of appeal, NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY, ALBANY. NY COMP: THE POST PAGES GLENS FALLS, N.

THURSDAY MORNING, Treasury Issues Rules To Limit High Salaries Regulations Are Intended to Hold Pay Down to $25,000 Net termined on Oct. 3, 1942." Contracts Allowed WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. (P) The treasury today, issued detailed regulations designed, generally speaking, to limit ton salaried to, amount" of $67,200 starting in 1943 and to hold salaries of most other white collar workers at about present levels. Although the regulations, issued in accordance with presidential orders, ran into many thousands of words, officials freely acknowledged that they left many questions unanswered, and advised interested persons: "When in doubt, consult the nearest stabilization office." Except for farm workers, the regulations cover all salaries over $5,000 a year and those under $5,000 which are paid to unorganized executive, administrative and professional persons.

Dealing with the Higher salaries, the regulations start off by saying that no salary may be paid which after reduction of federal income taxes would exceed $25,000. But for the purpose of the regulations, the phrase "income taxes" is defined in such a way that the "basic salary" allowable is $67,200. Allowances Permitted In- addition, higher salaries may be paid under certain circumstances. Allowances. over and above the 200 will be permitted to permit the employe to "maintain his customary contributions, to charitable, educational or other However the employe must establish "to the satisfaction" of the government that he cannot maintain these contributions from his other: Income, without "undue hardship." Similarly allowances may be made for insurance premiums, provided the employee cannot pay them from other income "without disposing of assets at a substantial financial loss resulting in undue hardship." The same kind of allowances are permissible for fixed obligations which are defined as any enforceable lability of the employe the amount of which liability was fixed and de- Also, if the employe cannot meet his income taxes due on past income without sacrificing assets and suffering undue hardship, he may be allowed sufficient additonal salary to take care of the taxes.

Thus, it was apparent that in many cases the gross salary allowed would be far about $67,200. With regard to 1942 high bracket salaries, the regulations provide that 811 employe can receive the same amount he got in: 1941, but cannot get increases beyond figure of $54,428 unless his salary is fixed under a bona fide contract in effect on Oct. 3, 1942. The contract, it was added, may consist of a resolution by a company's board of directors. Concerning other salaries, raises and decreases will be possible, but most of them must first be approved by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Some Bonuses AllowedBoth employers and employes will be held responsible for enforcement of the program and in cases of multiple employers all will be, expected to see to it that their combined payments to the employe involved do not exceed the limit. The regulations made clear that bonuses, gifts, loans, commissions, fees, additional compensation and any other remuneration in any form would be considered as falling within the concept of salary or salary payment and therefore subject to provisions of the stabilization order. However, the Bureau left loophole for payment of customary Christmas bonuses provided they do not exceed those paid last year. "A bonus or other form of additional compensation which does not exceed in amount the bonus or other additional compensation to such employe for the last bonus year ending October 3, 1942, does not require approval by, the commissioner," the regulations said. Laval Reported in Berlin BERN, Switzerland, Dec.

2 (P)- French chief of government, Pierre Laval has arrived in Berlin for discussions on formation of new Vichy government, a Swiss dispatch from Milan, Italy, said tonight. Laval already has announced formation of volunteer African. Falance" of Frenchmen to fight beside Germany against the United States and Britain. Revolving Door in Boston Night Club Cost 200 or 300 Lives, Probers Hear BOSTON, Dec. 2.

(P) -An assertion that a revolving door cost two or three hundred lives in the Cocoanut Grove fire and testimony that originally fireproofed decorations required annual re proofing were given to a board of inquiry today as the toll of lives in the fire disaster reached toward 500. While law enforcement officials passed their plans for presentation of evidence for action by a Grand Jury, possibly next week, church bells tolled for more than 100 funeral services in various New England communities, some of them marking the burial of two or three persons in the same family. James H. Mooney, Boston building commissioner, told an investigating, board that on the basis of the building laws Cocoanut Grove provided normal egress for 1,397 persons, and when asked how many exits should be provided for a panic crowd, he answered: don't believe panic crowd could be handled even if more exits THE WEATHER Snow flurries- colder and rather windy are predicted for today. 20 above zero at 2 A.

M. at Airport Weather Station. DECEMBER 3, 1942 SIXTEEN PAGES PRICE FOUR CENTS Yanks Smash Nazi Counter-attack in Bizerte Region; British Cut Coast Road Between Capital, Naval Base; Reds Forge Ahead in Rzhev Area, Kill 3,800 Germans Russians Capture Stalingrad Height; Berlin Admits Red Gains By HENRY C. CASSIDY MOSCOW, Thursday, Dec. 3.

(P) -The Red army punched more holes in the German lines between Velikie Luki and Rehev on the central front yesterday and captured a strategic height southwest of Stalingrad in a continuing joint offensive that left more than- 3,800 dead Nazis in its wake, the Russians announced today. The toll- of Nazi killed and. captured in two weeks has mounted to more than 166.000 on the basis of Russian announcements: Hundreds of tanks have been knocked out, and vast piles of equipment captured in drives that slackened somewhat in some sectors so the Russians could consolidate their positions on the SHOW -covered steppes. The hilltop stormed and captured southwest of Stalingrad was not identified in the regular midnight communique, but earlier the newspaper Red Star said that Yuzhnaya height had fallen to the Russians. That hill had dominated the southern approaches to Stalingrad and the Germans Had used it for weeks both for valuable artillery and observation posts.

Reds Seize Much Booty Several -inhabited localities were reported seized by the Russians, but their names were not disclosed. The Russians again spoke of "stubborn enemy resistance" on both fronts, but said that 2,500 Nazis fell, yesterday in two battles between Velikie Luki and Raher where the Red Army again "forged ahead." Nineteen enemy tanks were crippled, and 12 guns, eight tanks, eight mortars, several hundred motor vehicles and other material were captured, the communique said. (The German radio acknowledged Russian successes" at Bely, well inside the Velikle Luki-RzheyVyazma triangle on the central front, and also at Demyansk, southeast of Lake Ilmen, a sector thus far not mentioned by the Russians: The Germans also suggested another powerful Russian offensive was brewing southeast of Voronezh. between the present active theaters. The Nazis told of 8 heavy concenfration of Russian forces and equipment.

in the Pavlovsk triangle below Voronezh and said Nazi airmen already were attacking there.) The Russians said they had knocked, out or captured a total of 42 German tanks yesterday, and that the Red air force destroyed another 20 on Tuesday as well as 150 trucks with troops and supplies. Nazi Attacks Beaten Off Northwest of Stalingrad where the Russians are fighting their way down the eastern bank of the Don River behind the Nazi siege army that has been stalemated for 100 days before that Volga city, the communique said the Red Army was methodicalW destroying enemy gun emplacements, dugouts and blockhouses. One tank unit was said to have killed 200 Germans, crippled seven tanks and captured ten mortars with their stockpiles of ammunition. In another sector of this salient between the Don and Volga, Rivers, the communique said Russian troops beat off German counterattacks and wiped out 600 Nazis. Southwest of Stalingrad more than 500.

Germans fell, the Russians said, and the Red Army also destroyed eight enemy tanks, 31 guns, 18 trucks and 16 ammunition wagons. Red and Blue Coupons To Guide Meat Rations OPA Explains How Its Program Will Be Run WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. (P) -We'll all have a new ration book early next year, filled with prettily colored red and blue coupons by which OPA will guide and limit the kinds and quantities of meat that we eat. There will be red coupons stamped A-1, A-2, and so on, and others marked B-1, B-2 and on up the scale.

The whole alphabet will be used. This is to be repeated with a set of similarly lettered and numbered blue coupons. The numbers represent "points." A point represents so much meat. The letters stand for the period in which it is bought. Its all very indefinite as yet, but OPA officials say it would work out this way: For February, by way of -illustration, OPA would designate red coupons bearing the letter It also would limit each individual to so many "points" of meat.

Simultaneously, it would fix the equivalent of a "point" or "points" in various kinds and grades of meat. The value of the points has not been established yet but (again by way of hypothetical example) A pound of hamburger might be made the equivalent of one point. while pound of bacon, a scarcity, would be the equivalent of 5. A -pounding of porterhouse steak might be set at eight points, a pound of Jamb chops at three. After that it's up to us.

We'll get just the equivalent of 48 points in meat and no more. We can eat 48 pounds of hamburger or six of porterhouse steak in February. Or we can, by careful planning, vary the meat menu to make it come out to some of everything. But 48 points is the limit. French May Throw Dakar Open for Use of Allies LONDON, Dec.

2 (P) The Allies appeared tonight to be on the verge of acquiring Dakar without bloodshed for use as An anti-submarine base and of obtaining a valuable part of the French fleet on the bulge of West Africa, which once was considered a potential dagger pointed at Brazil. The decision throwing Dakar open to 'Allied use. was expected to come out of conferences in Algiers among Pierre Boisson, the one -legged governor-general of French West Africa, Admiral Jean Darlan and the Allied Army and Navy "commands in French Africa. Conferring with Darlan, as head of the new imperial council set up to rule French Africa and Boisson as a member, were: Lieut. -Gen.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, American commander in FEAR 14 SAILORS ARE LOST AT SEA Nary Boat Capsizes Off of Newport, R. Tug Is Lost in Lake Erie NEWPORT, R. I. Dec.

2. UP A Navy Liberty boat, filled with men returning from shore leave, capsized in Narragansett Bay early today and between 14 and 21 sailors were feared Two sailors, J. B. Kelly and L. J.

Hinsen, both seamen second class, were known to have survived. Navy officers at Newport said they were not sure, but that they believed the boat had carried 16 men. Earlier. however, one of the survivors was quoted as saying he thought 23 men were aboard. Jamestown firemen recovered five bodies and the boat itself.

a motor whale boat. was found wedged between rocks on Conanicut Island on which Jamestown is, located. Its bow and stern were stove in The Navy Public Relations Office at Newport said it would examine a roster th an effort to determine exactly how many men were aboard. Manuel L. Machado, 67, a Jamestown farmer, said he was awakened at 3:15 A.

M. by the shouts of one of the survivors, whom he found at his door, soaked to the skin and weak from exhaustion. Machado said the sailor told him the boat had capsized after filling with water in the heavy seas, and that he clung to the side of the boat until he felt it strike something. next thing I remember. I found myself lying on shore near the boat," Machado quoted him as saying.

The other known survivor spent the night in a haystack. He was taken to Newport Naval Hospital this morning after he was discovered by Norman Caswell of Jamestown. Rescue workers expressed the hope that some of the sailors might be drifting in their life belts. Lake Erie Tug Sinks CLEVELAND, Dec. 2 -In the worst: disaster on treacherous Lake Erie since 1936, the 94-ton tug Admiral plunged beneath icy windswept waves today, drowning her crew of 14.

Hampered by adverse weather, Coast Guard cutters sought meanwhile to rescue the 19 crew members of the 250-foot barge Cleveco. The barge was under the Admiral's tow when the tug went down A dozen miles northwest of Cleveland and not far from Avon Point -the same area where the Canadian sel Sand Merchant carried 18 to their deaths six years The Cleveco. drifted all day in stormy, well-below freezing temperatures. as the Coast Guard track of the barge. Loaded with 24,000 barrels of oil, she was enroute from Toledo to Cleveland when the tug plunged under.

The tug's crew probably had no chance to escape because the swiftness of her sinking, said Otto Wanek, assistant manager of Cleve land Tankers, subsidiary of Allied Oil owner of both vessels. North Africa; Lieut. -Gen. Mark W. Clark, his second in command; Admiral Sir Andrew.

Browne Cunningham, head of the British and Allied naval forces under Eisenbower: Gen. Henri Honore, Giraud, and others. Informed sources belleved the use of Dakar by the Allies was a certainty, with only the extent to be determined, and naval quarters were quick to point out the advantages. In Dakar's excellent, harbor, they said, small craft such as corvettes, destroyers and motorboat submarine chasers could be based and serviced, since naval facilities first-class shape. Furthermore, Allied control of Dakar would change the entire balance of sea power in the South Atlantic, where U- boat activity is expected to increase along African supply lines.

U.S. UP TO NECK IN WAR--KNOX Navy Secretary Asserts. Jap Losses 250,000 Against 50,000 for America NEW YORK. Dec. 2 (P) -We will be "up to our necks" in the war in the year ahead as "more and more homes in this land display service flags with stars of gold," Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy, told a three-day war-time convention of the National Association of Manufacturers At the same time Representative Melvin J.

Maas (Rep. whose recent charges of a lack of unified command in America's Pacific war raised a Congressional storm, said: "Real victory can come only if we destroy the causes that produced Hitler in Europe and the rise of the war lords of Japan in Asia. We cannot hope to accomplish this objective if we fight. or if the peoples of the world fear that we fight, only to preserve and restore the British empire or create a new. American empire." Jap Losses Exceed Ours Calling "this "America's best run war to date." Knox said our intelligence services estimated Japanese losses in men killed and manently injured in all theatres of war.

since Harbor were approximately 250,000 against about 50.000 killed or missing "in all operations" by the United States Army and Navy. "Private companies and government yards which are building comcate ships anything are now setting being records achieved equal in the production of merchant Knox told his audience of 4,000 industrialists which included many of the great shipbuilders and steel manufacturers of the country. He warned, however, that "operations in North Africa have tremendously increased the Navy's task" and added "we may have to pay a price for it (African progress) and we would do well to prepare ourselves for losses at sea from submarine attacks in the next four. or five months." The French fleet scuttled at Toulon. he said, had evaded Hitler's clutching fingers, "but now we can and do say to the French: "Take heart, the aid you asked for is at hand; are coming and we are very French Given Comfort Ferdinand Eberstadt, vice chairman of the War Production Board reinforced the words- of encouragement to France when he told the manufacturers earlier in the day: may it is to be hopedhave the privilege of supplying a rejuvenated French army.

which, though it would cause a change in our calculation (of necessary production), would be a very agreeable burden indeed." Maas said "the greatest mass movement the world has ever known" would be behind the cause of the United Nations if they could convince the depressed and subject peoples of the world that they offered peace, freedom and opportunity for everyone, but said these peoples "were not yet convinced. Yanks Begin Mopping Up Japanese In Guadalcanal, Capture 3 Guns WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 Fighting through the jungle on Guadalcanal, American troops are carrying on a mopping up operation against scattered enemy groups, the Navy reported today. In one day of what the Navy describes as "patrol operations" soldiers and marines knocked out at least three enemy installations, kill51 of the Japanese, capturing three light artillery pieces and taking six machine guns. A Marine corps patrol fighting along the supper reaches of the Lunga River, had the best bag.

These marines killed 25 of the enemy and captured two field pieces- a 75 millimeter and a 35 millimeter gun. Lunga River, west of the Henderson airport, the prize of the battle on Guadalcanal, leads to the sea on the northwest coast of the island Allied Bombers Keep Up Heavy Assault on Tunis, Bizerete Airports ICKES TO RATION GAS AND FUEL OIL: Interior Secretary Is Given Power to Act in Areas Where Shortages Exist WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 President Roosevelt gave Secretary Ickes sweeping new powers over the petroleum industry today, plus special authority to control oil and gasoline rationing in areas where there is shortage of those supplies. The announcement apparently signalized the final abandonment of any plans to shift Ickes to the Labor Department and make him administrator pi manpower, Some said Ickes was loath to take that double post. Remaining as secretary of the interior, he will also have the title of petroleum administrator.

Explaining the President's order, Ickes said he would have power to issue and enforce necessary orders and directives regulating call operations of the vast petroleum industry. Ickes, for sometime has been coordinator for war" but his powers will now be considerably broader. Ickes to Rule in East However, the scope of his authority over rationing will not extend to the areas in which gasoline is, rationed as a means of conserving rubber tires. That AUthority, is left with the rubber administrator William M. Jeffers.

Gasoline is, however, rationed in It eastern states and in the District of Columbia because It is scarce along the eastern seaboard. And the rationing in that area very definitely falls within Ickes' new domain. The President's order, a legalistic document prepared by Harold D. Smith, the budget director, said on this point that Ickes should be consulted on all civilian rationing of petroleum and: "In those instances where tioning is for the purpose of maintaining adequate supplies of petroleum for war and essential industrial and civilian requirements, (he shall) determine, after advising with the War Production Board, the areas, and the times within which such rationing should be effective and the amount of petroleum available for such purpose." This power was formerly wielded by the War Production Board, with the Office of Price Administration supervising the actual rationing, OPA will continue to handle this phase of the problem, but under Ickes' direction. Some suggested that the new order would prevent the recurrence of a recent situation.

Ickes, as petroleum coordinator, but powerless to act, pleaded with WPB to cut eastern civilian consumption by 139,000 barrels daily. WPB ordered a study, and later the weekly eastern ration was cut from four to three gallons. Under the new setup, Ickes could have ordered the reduction at once: Allies Bag 22 Zeros GOVERNOR POLETTI ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN AUSTRALIA, Thursday, Dec. 3 (P) Allied airmen have downed 23 Jap Zeros and driven off a naval convoy which attempted to reinforce the entrapped Japs at Buna on the northeast New Guinea coast, the high command announced today. VASSAR PROF DIES POUGHKEEPSIE, Dec.

2 (P) Alan Porter, 43, associate professor of English at Vassar College, died last night after a long illness. IL DUCE PLEDGES FIGHT TO FINISH Mussolini Wheezes Defiance at Threat to Bomb Italy Out of the War PREMIER MUSSOLINI By The Associated Press LONDON, Dec. 2. -Benito Mussolini, coughing and puffing defance through a long speech in answer to Prime Minister Churchill's threat to bomb Italy out of the war, admitted to his countrymen today that Italy had been de into the conflict by "the belligerents" but assured the people that they now would fight on to the end. "I -have a vague impression that the Italian people want to hear me," he said.

Then he told them that the Germans "have beaten the Russians," that "victory cannot fail to come to the Axis" and that he "was not surprised by the (Allied) invasion of North Africa." Urges Exodus From Cities Of the imminent Allied threats to Italy from North Africa, the continuing bombings of the country from British home bases and the added raids promised by Churchill from newly acquired airfields across the Mediterranean, Mussolini said: There now is no longer an external and internal front; there is but one front. "All who can leave must leave our cities. A nightly exodus must also be arranged from cities SO only fighting personnel remains. "We have spent. hundreds of millions of lire on shelters that can resist the biggest bombs.

"Churchill asks Italians, 'how long will this Mussolini, answer in a most solemn way: 'Forever until we have achieved complete "It I had listened to that hyena Roosevelt, he would have thought me a chump. Churchill says my empire has gone. I reply that the last word has not yet been spoken." At this point the Italian premier read passages from Churchill's appeal to the Italian people to quit the war lest they be bombed -into subjection. Flays Roosevelt, Churchill In his longest speech of the war and the most urgent, apparently, since the Italian stab in the back of France on June 10, 1940, he spoke bombastically of the exploits of the Caesars and said for Italy it now is the question: be or not to be The Italian premier flayed President Roosevelt and took Prime Minister Churchill to task as one "intoxicated" on tobacco and liquor, but he got around to agreeing with Mr. Roosevelt's charge of long ago that Italy had stabbed France in the back.

"Let us admit that we stabbed France in the back," Mussolini said, "but this is only one stab in the back, compared to a hundred stabs France has made on Italy in history. France always has been arrogant In his 81-minute speech to the applauding Chamber of Corporations and to millions of bombconscious Italians huddled about loudspeakers in the squares of the threatened land, Mussolini ranged from justifications of Italy's entry into war to a rather lightly considered determination to see it through. Mussolini complained that none "ever really understood. Italy," a statement that conceivably could have included Germany, and added that a neutral Italy would have been maltreated by both belligerents, an inclusive statement certainly embracing Germany's pressure. He even acknowledged that the German high command had dictated postponement of impatient Italy's (Continued on Page 6, Col.

1) 20 Years Ago In The Post-Star December 3, 1922 Prince Andrew, brother of the former King Constantine, has been banished for life by the Greek military court and deprived of his rank. His command of the army during the recent fighting with Turkey was termed I incompetent. John Wanamaker is recovering from a serious illness in his home in Philadelphia. Patrolman St. John seized a still in the Fourth Ward and took it to police headquarters.

George Fox, Thomas Rider and George Liddle gave A dancing party In Parish Hall. George Williams will soon open a roller skating rink on the third floor of the Adirondack block in Hudson Falls, By BLAKE SULLIVAN LONDON, Dec. 2. (P) Superblyequipped and desert toughened American streamlined armored forces spearheaded Allied action today in hurling back the heaviest German counterattack of the Tunisian campaign AS Allied troops pressed forward on Bizerte and Tunis under the, protection of increasing serial forays. A dispatch from Wes Gallagher, Associated Press correspondent at the headquarters of the Allied forces in North Africa, quoted a headquarters spokesman as saying that the Americans "played a big part in repulsing the German counterattacks at Tebourba," a rail Junetion within 35 miles of Bizerte.

American medium bombers, escorted by P-38 fighters, assaulted the Tunis airdrome in the fifth Allied raid on that field in 44 hours. At least 12 Axis bombers and transports were destroyed on the ground, the pilots reported. With the decisive battle for Bizerte and Tunis thus joined, Allied headquarters reported the Germans had suffered "heavy losses" in their unsuccessful counterattack. In the continuing action. United States P38 pursuit planes were reported to have knocked out a number of German tanks in the Djedeida area near Tunis.

There also were reports of heavy action around Mateur, 12 miles southwest of Bizerte, as the Allied column drove on toward the coast to. cleave the naval base from Tunis, the capital. Airfields Are Bombed The headquarters communique today said Allied bombers were keeping up their assaults on the airfields at Tunis and Bizerte. Light bombers and fighters also were operating in support of the forward troops, the communique said. It acknowledged, the loss of five planes but declared that seven enemy aircraft were destroved.

A hint that the British Navy soon would be heard from in the seashore action was contained in the communique, which said briefly but significantly that "the Royal Navy is assisting in the provision of cover for the advance of our forces." London: newspapers published A report, attributed to the Morocco radio and unconfirmed from any other quarter, that the British First Army had cut the coastal highway between the strongpoints, thus freeing its hand for a drive on Tunis, already less than 12 miles away from Allied advance units and within artillery range. The railway already is severed. Eight Nazi Planes Downed American P-38's and British Spitfires swept widely over the French protectorate, shooting down eight Germans and losing only one plane in the last 24 hours, headquarters said. Flying Fortresses have virtually wrecked the Aouina airdrome at Tunis, as well as the air base at Bizrete. The Berlin radio said the British, American and French forces "have reached Axis defense lines before Tunis and Bizerte," indicating that the decisive battle either was joined or imminent.

A French and American column previously was reported to have breached the eastern coastal road between Sfax and Gabes, severing Axis communications with Tripoli. Thus the 20,000 to 30,000 Germans and Italians were loosely wedged into isolated positions around Bizerte. Tunis and Gabes for reduction in detail. Tunis, Tripoli Raided Bombers continued non-stop raids on Bizerte, where huge fires were set at the waterfront, and on Tunis and Tripoli. Others raked Sicily from one end to the other, seeking to immobilize the fountain-head of enemy supplies, reinforcements and air power.

"Both German land and air forces are still fighting hard and making no effort to pull out," an Allied headquarters spokesman said. He reiterated that A hard fight was ahead. that there was no evidence of a German withdrawal. The Morocco radio said Allied troops were fighting a sizeable Axis force between Gabes and Sfax on the east coast of Tunisia. Patrols have been active there several days and the main enemy troops.

were believed to be Italians. Germans are concentrated at Bizerte and Tunis. were provided. I think there would have been a great loss of life." Asked how accounted for the great loss of life at the night club, Mooney said: "I don't believe most of the people reached the exits." Meanwhile, revised figures of the Boston committee on public safety showed 490 lost: their lives in the holocaust and 174 other persons were in hospitals. Only three unidentifed bodies remained in Boston mortuaries.

Ruben O. Bodenhorn of Boston, a designer of night clubs here and in New York, told of the fireproofing of the Cocoanut Grove. He said. the decorative materials were fireproofed when installed but required re-flame proofing at least once a year. George J.

Hayes of Quincy, a patron, told the inquest: MIL it wasn't for that revolving door two or three hundred persons could have gotten out." Fire Commissioner William Reilly interjected: 41 think you're right." Rommel Line Shelled Lunga Point, where some Japanese landings have been effected. At the same time an Army patrol seeking out the enemy located another artillery implacement and captured 70 millimeter gun. In that engagement 11 Japanese, were killed. Machine guns were the objective of another Marine patrol. This group captured six of the gunswhether in a single nest or scattered in the thickets was not disclosedand killed 15 Japanese, Meantime Army planes continued strafing and bombing enemy installations on the island in what has become a regular job of finding.

then endeavoring to eliminate, enemy installations. On the most recent flight reported the planes located and attacked four enemy positions, the Navy said. Results of their attacks were not announced. CAIRO, Dec. 2 (AP) -British Artillery was wheeled into attack position before El Agheila today and already German field guns while Eighth had "successfully engaged" Army patrols probed the enemy strength on the border of Libya and Tripolitania, a communique said.

Air combat increased to a moderate scale over the forward ATER where three enemy planes were destroyed and others were damaged. The increased pace in the air and on the ground, coupled with the presence of the famed British 25-pounder guns, suggested that Gen. Sir Bernard Montgomery had solved his difficult supply problem and that a new and perhaps decisive smash at Rommel was not far off. Much of the Eighth Army's air strength was directed at Sicily and Bizerte in Tunisia in support of Allied troops stabbing at the Germans..