The Express from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania • Page 1

THE LOCK HAVEN EXPRESS Weather Continued cold and windy flurries; colder tonight. Not Only A Community Asset Temp. River Stefe 25 8.45 Est. Much 1,1882 AF Features LOCK HAVEN, PA, SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1943 The Associated Press Four Cents Allied Troops In Action Along Entire Front Gen. Eisenhower Inspects 8th Army; "Russians Say 850,000 Nazis Killed; "Allied Planes Scatter Jap Shipping War Map Reveals Gains At Smolensk, 0 Novorossisk (By The Auociated Press) Allied troops, tanks and guns wen reported battering the cnem; the entire 250-mile front ii Cfunisia today, and' Gen.

Dwight D. Eisenhower's headquarters announced that the British 1st Army scored new gains in its drive toward the German naval base al Bizerte. Coinciden tally. Gen. Eisenhower returned to Allied headquarters from conferences with Gen.

Sir Harold Alexander and- Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, and declared that fresh Allied forces Qvere to make safe factory progress." Gen. Eisenhower, who inspecte( the Mareth Front, said every American had a right to feel proud of the progress made in the five old campaign. Activity "Patrol activity continued yesterday on the whole Tunisian battlefront," ah Allied war bulletin said.

"Further progress was made in Oie north where, our patrols suc- cessfiilly engaged and inflicted casualties on an enemy An, Algiers broadcast said Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery's British 8th Army was again roll- north on the Gabes-Sfax road, on the. in of Marshal corps. The broadcast said new battles were flaming in all sectors.

Other developments: Armies reach eastern gate of Black Sea naval base at Novorossisk, storm within 36 miles of Smolensk; Russian command says Winter campaign cost Nazis 1,193,525 men, including lOsO.OOO Wiled. Air War. RAF night raiders German U-boat pens at Lorient and Nazaire, France; other warplanes hit Messina, Britain passes bomb-free Allied Sicily; 06 hours, but Nazis raid English south coast town this morning. Southweit Pacific Gen. MacArthur's b'bmbers scatter new Japanese warship concentration 550 miles northeast of Port attack enemy trenches in New "uinea.

On the Tunisian.Front, American armored forces were reported advancing once more in their drive toward the sea from Maknassy, aimed at chopping off Rommel's route to the north. The Americans were last reported to have thrust six miles beyond Mak- nassy, which lies only 34 miles from the gulf at the nearest point. Dispatches said the Americans attacking against heavy concentrations of enemy strength in the brown hills and passes from Fondouk to the El Guetar sector, but reported little progress. U. S.

engineers cleared a narrow gone through 'a minefield on th Guetar-Gabes road and an American tank column rumblec through yesterday morning, bu the Germans immediately counter attacked with 35 tanks and the American armor withdrew. Three Plxis tanks were destroyed artillery and the others fell back American infantry advanced a half-mile over rough terrain. In the Fondouk sector, U. troops driving toward the big Axis Gil field at Kairouan and the por ol Sousse made local assaults on high ground south of the town of Fondouk, sistance. Italian Battle was "less intense" yesterday asserted that "in successfu local attacks we bettered our positions in some parts of the front." The Algiers radio said Axis troops in the north were offering little resistance to 9.

N. Anderson's British 1st Army whose vanguards were slashing a the Germans "in the vicinity o) Mateur," only 18 miles southwest of Bizerte. In the skies, dispatches said, American and British warplanes rained explosives on Axis rear positions at a rate never before touched in the North African campaign and virtually destroyed several of the enemy's dwindling ail- Pounding harbor facilities. Allied bombers strike heavy blow on the Axis supply port of 'Sfax, Tunisia, co-ordinating with the American land force drive, toward the Mediterranean sea coast in the campaign to divide the Axis armies. independence Hall Becomes National Shrine At Last PHILADELPHIA, up to a tank driver, in Tunisia -or a red-faced sentinel in the Aleutians and tell him that dence Hall isn't a' national shrine and you might have to duck.

But, countrymen, it had Deen up until today. Today, 167 years after the historic little building sheltered the signers of the Declaration of Independence. the federal government officially takes -it over and dedicates it as a "national Heretofore, the hall and its cracked Liberty Bell, long a mecca for sightseers, had been the exclusive responsibility of the city of Philadelphia. The city and the Department of the Interior arranged dedicatory exercises in the courtyard this af- with Newton D. Drury, director of the National Park Service, speaking as the representative of Secretary.

Two adjoining Hall, where George Washington delivered his farewell address in 1796, and Old City Hall, home of the Supreme Court when Philadelphia was the seat the federal government, also pass into federal The city retains title, but the federal government will help finance the upkeep. Philadelphia civic and patriotic interests have campaigned for years for ths government to share in the stewardship and hope some day to see a plaza replace the commercial buildings to the north of the shrine, but no such plans definitely are being made. Independence Hall, situated at Fifth and Chestnut Streets a few blocks from the Delaware River, was started in 1732 and originally housed the Pennsylvania Assembly of the Colonial government. Increased Jap Activity Seen; Another General Lost In Air (By The Associated Pr'fss) Allied warplanes have scattered another concentration of nearly 20 Japanese ships in the islands above Australia, Gen. Douglas MacArthur's headquarters, nounced today, amid signs other enemy that vvaKh lowar but met stubborn re- headquarters said the ases in the south.

(reck Sfax Airfield Front-line correspondents said an attack by nearly 100 Allied Bombers on the El Maou Airfield See WAR (Page 2, Col. Mines Dep't Supports Stevenson Plan For Flushing-Old Mines HARR1SBURG, State De- jartment of Mines support for legislation to control mine cave-ins in the anthracite belt was reported by Senator George B. Stevenson (R-Ciinton), chairman of legislative commission which studied the problem. Bills before the General Assembly would place a two cents a ton tax on hard coal, set. up a permanent Anthracite Subsidence Commission and fix a time limit of six years for claiming damages due to Anthracite operators have announced opposition to the proposed tax and Stevenson declined to predict what action the legislature would take on the measures.

The tax would be used to finance program of mine of mine voids with waste the direction of the commission. The bill provides for a $50,000 appropriation and i the appointment of three commission Stoucks Present Stretcher For Flemington Ambulance FLEMINGTON A stretcher, formally presented this week to the Good'Will Hose Co. by Vinson M. Stouck and Clyde A. Stouck, further adds to the equipment of the hose company's new ambulance in this community.

Last Fourth of July the local firemen proudly displayed their first ambulance, a re-finished G. M. C. panel truck which was the gift of Harry H. Martin.

Recently this ambulance was traded-in on a much superior ambulance, upholstered inside practically a new automobile in point of use. The firemen have answered several calls for the use of the am- aulance, free of charge to anyone in the community, and re-iterate that a call at any time to 2016 will find them willing to serve. They are now sponsoring a series of square dances at Mill Hall to raise money to keep the ambulance in good condition. members', at a year by the Secretary of Mines. ips may be thrusting anew'toward American- held Guadalcanal in the Solomons.

Two actions suggested the new enemy threat to Guadalcanal: 1. A Japanese communique, braodcast by the Berlin, radio, asserted that Japanese fleet planes had shot down 47 Allied aircraft off the Russell Islands, 50 miles northwest of Guadalcanal. Nine Japanese planes were listed lost. 5 Jap Destroyers 2. Tokyo's claim followed issuance of a U.

S. Navy announcement yesterday that American bombers attacked a force of 5 Japanese destroyers on the night of March 31-April 1 near Kqlorri- bangari Island, 190 miles northwest of Guadalcanal. Concurrently, the navy said, American fighters shot down 16 out of 30 to 40 Japanese Zeros in a violent air battle northwest of Guadalcanal. Allied headquarters said United Nations airmen pounced on 13 Japanese ships, including destroyers, in the harbor at Kavieng, New Ireland, 550 miles above the Allied base at Port Moresby, New Guinea, and half a dozen others in nearby Steffens Strait. on Transport A communique said the raiders scored probable hits on a ton Japanese transport and on a cargo ship, but darkness prevented obsrevation of.

further results of the attack. There was somber news in an other headquarters announcemen that 47 year old Brig. Gen. How ard K. Ramey and his crew wer lost on a recent bombing mission Gen.

Ramey was'commander the Fifth Bomber Command of th Fifth United States Air Force. was the sixth United States gen eral to be killed, listed as missing or wounded in the war. He was the successor to Brig Gen. Kenneth M. Walker, wh was lost on a bombing mission over Rabaul last January.

Other Allied planes bombed the enemy bases at Kavieng; Madang New Guinea; and Gasmata anc Cape Gloucester, New Britain; carried out low level bombing am machine-gun attacks on Japanese trenches in the Mubo sector in Northern Guinea. U. S. Flying Fortresses and Liberators also pounded the harboi and airdrome at Finschafen on northeast coast of New Guinea. Burma Front Action On the Burma front, RAF Blenheim bomber? set fires at the Japanese-occupied rail town of Kan- bau and bombed enemy targets on the Mayu Peninsula along the Bay of Bengal, where Field Marsh? Sir Archibald P.

Wayell's British forces have been driving towarc the Japanese base at Akyab. Meantime, the War Departmen in Washington disclosed that U. Army fliers have shot down seven Japanese planes for every one they have lost in the last three months destroying 384 enemy aircraf against 54 of their own. Farm Bloc Will K- Tfy To Override Veto On Parity Administration Seeks Votes To Sustain President; Senate May Sabotage Bill Teacher Pay Rise Expanding Work Will Be Pared bf Red Cross Is By Senate WASHINGTON With Congress in recess lor the weekend, administration leaders on Capitol Hill worked feverishly today to 526,776,000 cost-of-living increase Governor Feels Bill As Approved By House Is Too High To Be Met By Tax Change HARRISBURG, The administration urged paring down in I the Senate of the House-approved' Subject Of Meeting Local Chapter head'off a farm bloc revolt that threatens to override President Roosevelt's veto of the Bankhead bill. The test will come on Tuesday wheUjthe lawmakers will decide whether to sustain or reject the president's contention that the measure, which prohibits deduction, of government benefit payments in calculating agricultural parity prices is inflationary.

Test on Anti-Sabotage Another legislative battle is Esconoba, Iron Ore Port, Free Of Ice ESCANABA, (ff) This port on Northern Lake Michigan, released from the Winter's ice blockade, was open to the iron ore carriers of the Great Lakes new shipping.season. Navigation became possible when a tug completed its job of battering out a. through miles of two-foot ice. The first of the big ore boats vcre not expected here until to- lay, however Easton Man Killed, Hit By Ambulance Winter Here Again After basking in 80-degree temperatures Wednesday, Winter re- again yesterday as the thermometer fell and flurries of snow early last night and again this morning covered the ground. A sharp, cold wind this morning nade Curb Market and other shoppers uncomfortable.

Change Visiting EASTON, Milton Gruver, 72, of Easton, was hit and killed i HOUTS At Hospital last night by an ambulance of Easton Hospital. Coroner D. F. Bachman quoted Luther Gaston, of Raubsville, as saying he felt a slight bump while driving. He found Gruver on the street and took him to the hospital, where he WHS pronounced dead.

Mrs. Myers 83 Mrs. Ida Myers of Flemington Due to the increased nursing load at the Lock Haven Hospital, the result of a shortage of nurses, the afternoon visiting hours have been changed from 2 lo 4 p. m. to 2 to 3 p.

Malcolm L. Hudson, manager, announced today. In view of the nursing situation, Mr. Hudson asks the cooperation of the public in limiting their visits to the one-hour period. An evening visiting period, 7.30 will celebrate her 83rd birthday to 8.30 o'clock will on Monday at her home.

Isame. remain the brewing over the anti-sabotage bill whichithe House passed yesterday on a voice vole. Opponents of the measure, which provides a death penalty for a group of proscribed hostile acts, claim it could be used to curb freedom of the press and speech. They look to the Senate to kill the, bill. Meanwhile Senator Ellison D.

(Cotton Ed) Smith, South Carolina Democrat, made plans to lay some tangible evidence before his colleagues that retail prices are out pf proportion to what the farmer receives for his products. The colorful legislator said he intends to send his clerk out next week to make some purchases anc bring back the sales slips to show what they cost. Investigate OPA On.the other side of the capitol the small business committee prepared to start an investigation of OPA to determine if i has exceeded its authority. Chairman Patman expressed belief it had. The OPA also is due for some probing by a specia House committee investigating actions of federal-agencies to determine whether they exceed authority granted, by Congress.

General improvement in mea' slocks during the past week brought a new problem to the free" sales by the butchers to avoid spoilage of stock on hand. The OPA said its regulations provide ample protection for al butchers whose supplies are being threatened warned that be dealt with sternly. Reshuffle Petroleum Other developments on the Washington front included: Petroleum Administrator Harold Ickes ordered a drastic reshuffling of the petroleum supply and distribution system in 15 midwest- ern states to expand the flow of oil to the east coast. Secretary Knox disclosed a fleet of huge floating drydocks, built to follow the fighting and speed warships back into action, soon will provide a new navy punch in forthcoming Pacific battles. Dormitory Fire PITTSBURGH, which did only $200 damage forced 50 students to flee the men's dormitory at Carnegie Institute of Technology.

for Pennsylvania's school teachers to fit its 1943-45 fiscal Governor Martin disclosed the plan at a press conference yesterday. with spoilage and 'point free" sales will Western Pennsylvania Cities Want Shift Into Other Gas Area MEADVILLE, Mayor Fred S. Whipple has invited the chief executives of 27 western Pennsylvania cities to a conference next Wednesday to press for removal of the entire area from the eastern jasoline rationing zone. Whipple suggested the meeting after hearing an OPA announcement from Washington that an order will be issued within a week placing Sharon, Farrell, Wheat- and and Sharpsville in District 2 vhere gasoline coupons are worth 'our gallons each. The Mercer iounty communities had requested He also boosted his estimate of the commonwealth's tax reduction for the next two years from $41,600,000 to 544,725,000 and said an additional cut would come later if tax receipts justify elimination the one-cent emergency gasolin levy, which in the bien nium brought in an estimated 000, 000.

Raise The chief executive also sai legislation will be offered change the method of computin the corporate net income tax an reducing the rate from seven four per cent to provide $20,000,00 in additional revenue for th teacher salary With the capitol closed for th weekend, a lull came in Richar J. Beamish's fight to retain mem bership on the Public Utility Com mission in defiance of a law ending his term on March 31, PUC Chairman John Siggins declined say what move the commission will make next. It withdre' Beamish's secretary yesterday. Meanwhile, department of mine support for legislation to contro anthracite mine cave-ins was re 'ported by Senator George venson (R-Clinton), chairman of the legislature's Anthracite Sub sidence Commission which mad a two-year study of the problem Oppose Interference On another issue affecting Penn sylvania mines, Governor Martin opposed federal interference in miner's wage negotiations now un der way in New York, asserting he knows Pennsylvania miners "wil not exercise the right to strike a this time." In his review of the commonwealth's fiscal program, Martin explained levying cf the state corporate net income tax before deduction of similar federal taxes instead of afterwards as at presen' is expected to bring in "a considerable sum to be made available for increasing teacher salaries." Asked if the pay boost would be cut to the estimated $20,000,000 return from this tax, Martin replied "Not necessarily so." The House measure now proposes increases ranging from. $200 to 5600 for two years at a cost of $26,776,000.

It was sent to 'the Senate this week. "I think everybody agrees that las to come down," Martin added. 'I'd say it will be necessary to amend it in the Senate to provide smaller amount. We want to take care of the teachers in the ower salary brackets." Other Tax Cuts The additional tax reduction will come, he indicated, from elimina- ion after Dec. 31, 1943, of six mills of the emergency 12 mills added to the gross receipts tax, a of $3,125,000.

Previously he recommended elimination if the mercantile license tax and he emergency state four-mill personal property, bank stock, shares and corporate loans levies. "Still another part of the financial program," the governor added, 'is to review the estimate of reve- OVER THE TOP! FUND MARCH 1943 Eastern Clinton County Goal $11,600 Contributions up to today $14,228.31 Percentage of goal attained 122.8% lues for the 1943-45 biennium ifter the middle of April when nore information will be available about receipts during the present biennium. If at that time he ng mergency liquid fuels tax of one will- not he re-enacted." information justifies increa's- the estimate sufficiently, the Monoski Inquest Monday fhe recent death of John Mon- iski of Rcnovo will be the subject coroner's inquest Monday at he transfer because of their prox- j7.30 p. m. at the Borough Building mity to Ohio.

Renovo. Whipple, Mayor Hugh J. Ryan of Bradford and Mayor Charles R. I I Barber of Erie discussed the situa-1 ion with Mayor Cornelius Scully pf Pittsburgh and then is- ued this statement: concensus is that placing if Meadville, Pittsburgh, Titusville and other cities oil tanea are surgical patients at the he western Pennsylvania Haven Hospital, and Mrs. Miss Maxine Mayes, Avis, To Wed Theodore Washburn Mr.

and LeRoy Mayes Avis have announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Maxine Mayes, to Pfe Theodore Washburn, 'son William W. Washburn of Oneida, N. who is now stationed in Panama with the Marine Corps. Miss Mayes, a graduate of the Avis High School in 1937, is employed the Woolrich Woolen Wills plant at. Avis.

Dr. R. B. Mervine Dies At Home Former Sheffield Physician Succumbs To Heart Condition Dr. Robert B.

Mervine, 62, died arly this morning at his home, 60 Susquehanna Avenue, of a icart condition which caused him give up his medical practice at Sheffield arid move to this city hree and a'half years ago. A brother- of Dr. Graydon D. Mervine, local physician, Dr. Robrt Mervine'was a native of Milon, attended public schools there, nd' was graduated from Jefferon Medical College in Philadel- ihia.

He practiced for seven in Hillsgrove, Sullivan County, and for 28 years at Shef- before. his health made re- irement'-neces'sary. His wife, the former Anna Jewar of this city, survives him, do two sons and a daughter, Dr. Ned D. Mervine, a first lieuten- nt in.

the Army Medical Corps, Donald S. Army, and Miss ane Mervine, a teacher at Clear- eld; also two grandchildren, his rother and two sisters, Mrs. Josph Shultz of Trenton, N. and Mrs. Charles K.

Mervine of Palmyra, N. J. The body will be taken today to iheffield' where services will be Monday afternoon at the Mervine residence, 412 South Main Hospitals Miss Iris Champion of Kittanning and James Workman of Cas- it. Interment Sheffield. will be made at iroducing section in the No.

2 per coupon area is just Vital to the war effort as similar ction the OPA promises for Shar- Robert Barton of Flemington is a medical patient. At the Private Hospital Miss Anne Pcckbwyck of Bellwood, re- Farrell, Whcatland and Sharps-1 siding locally" at 34 South Jones ille." had her tonsils removed Underwood Promoted J. Allen Underwood, who has been forester stationel at Renovo for the past seven years, has been promoted to district forester of the Cornplanter Forest district with headquarters at Warren. The forest area covers Erie, Warren, Forest and Crawford Counties and parts of Mercer and Venango In March Meeting At City Hall; Drive Exceeds Goal Reports of the increasing activities of the Eastern Clinton County Chapter of the American Red Cross were presented Thursday afternoon at the meeting of local chapter at City Hall. Possibly the most highly-favorable report of all was that of Hartman B.

Herr, chairman of the War Fund drive for this area, who announced that Eastern Clinton County has not only reached, but considerably exceeded its goal of $11,600, with a possibility of reaching at least $16,000. Today 514,228 was reported in the March drive which is now being concluded. Mr. Herr was given a rising of thanks by the members for his splendid handling of the campaign. Nurse's Aides Frofressins Mrs.

Calvin R. Armstrong, beinj on duty at the Lock Haven Hospital as a Nurse's Aide, sent a report of the activities of this group of 22 women who are now being taught the fundamentals of nursing Mrs. M. C. Eckert.

Tha class was organized Feb. 14, members were working in the wards at the hospital by March 24, and tha Aides will complete their studies on April 9. The class will then on duty.for a minimum of 150 hours, either at the city hospital, or working with the Community Services or at local-clinics. Mrs. Armstrong said the members of the present clasi are nob confining themselves merely to 150 hours, but are planning to work regularly a certain number of days a week, for as long as the present need exists.

Surgical Dressings Sent Mrs. Reagan I. Hoch gave a report from the surgical dressings unit which in March made 26,681 dressings as compared with 19,417 in February; During March 948 workers were present at the City Hall work rooms, averaging 22 workers each afternoon and 39 each evening. The average attendance has decreased in recent weeks, the report showed, and Mrs. Hoch urged greater interest in this important work.

The Castanea surgical dressings unit turned in 500 dressings on Feb. 18 and 1.000 dressings on March On March 23 the first shipment of finished dressings was made. Eight cartons were shipped, made up as follows: Four cartons, 9,000 each of 4x4, or 36,000 dressings; two cartons, 900 each of 8x10. 1,800 dressings; two cartons, 3,600 each, 4x8, or 7 200 dressings, making a total of 45,000 dressings shipped. Bills for the surgical dressings unit during the month, sent by Mrs.

Hoch to Mrs. Brown Elliot, treasurer, totaled $30.97. For the present there is little to report about Red Cross Home Nursing. The chapter is anxious to have more home nursing classes started, however, and any persons interested are asked to call civilian' defense headquarters to 1st their names for future classes. Many Garments Made Mrs.

A. T. Kolsdonk presented production report for Mrs. Samuel M. Bickford, production chairman, who was unable to be present.

A large number of garments were made in February by the. women who volunteer their services for sewing and knitting for the Red Cross. The list includes: 74 hospital pajamas; 110 operation gowns; 70 children's bed jackets; 15 girls' night gowns; 92 women's dresses; 142 girls' blouses; four comforts made from scraps; one donated afghan. 15 children's wool dresses; 10 women's wool skirts; four children's rompers; eleven children's sweaters; 26 men's sweaters; six pair of mittens and caps and two children's knitted sweaters. In addition, the production workers are also preparing an order of more than 100 soldiers' kits, containing 14 oronore articles such as razors, books, cigarettes, play- ng cards, the whole cost of which is expected to be in the neighborhood of 5150 for the kits.

First Aid in Industry First Aid activities, particularly local industrial plants, continued vigorously during February and March, Mrs. R. Kenneth Griffith's report showed. One class 'or the general public was started vith Mrs. H.

T. Cornell as teacher. A Junior First Aid class was See RED CROSS (Page 2, 5)..