The Sikeston Herald from Sikeston, Missouri • Page 1

THE SIKESTON HERALD Volume XXXXI. Published Thursdays at 119 W. Malone Ave. Siktston. by Clint H.

Denman SIKESTON, MISSOURI, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1941 Entered as second class matter March 9. 1908 at postoffice In Sikeston, Missouri Number 51 The World This Week Matthews Boy Killed in Action James W. Ball Listed Among Casualties in Hawaii MADE SUPREME SACRIFICE The House of Representatives yesterday passed and sent to the Senate a bill making men from 21 to 44, inclusive, liable for military service. The House rejected an administration attempt to lower the minimum age at which men can be drafted from 21 to 20 years. Price administrator Leon Henderson revealed today that new automobile tires will be available after January 4 only to essential civilian users, who will be granted rationing cards by state and local boards.

The governing board of the Pan-American Union today set Jan. 15 as the date for a meet- Ing of American foreign ministers in Rio de Janeiro to consider western hemisphere problems created by United States' entry into the war. The United States Senate was told that on February 1 defense officials would order complete stoppage of automobile production for civilian use. OPM could not be reached for comment. Reports this week that Adolf Hitler has been ordered to take a complete rest to ward off a threatened nervous breakdown brought scant sympathy throughout the world.

For breaking all major league hitting records with a string of 56 straight games, Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees was voted the outstanding male athlete of 1941 in the Associated Press annual poll. The 35 million wage earners in the country must buy as many defense savings bonds as they can possibly afford, Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau said today. "Token purchases" will not be sufficient, he said. Soldiers and sailors will get their Christmas presents even though they have been shifted secretly to some new post of duty, the Army and Navy said today. If the present address of a service man is not known, packages should be addressed to his last known address and they will be forwarded.

In the case of sailors at sea mail should be addressed to them in care of the postmaster either at San Francisco or New York, depending upon whether the men were last known to be in the Pacific or the Atlantic. Congress speedily completed action today on the measure vesting President Roosevelt with extraordinary wartime powers, including- authority to impose sen- sorship upon all communication. The Federal debt jumped up Sl.579,310,551 Monday, the largest single increase since the world war, the Treasury disclosed. The increase, attributable to final recording of a recent sale of bonds for one month's defense expenditures, brought the Treasury debt to the record figure of 556,932,508,688. The Army anounced this week that married men between the ages of 18 to 35 will be accepted James W.

Ball, brother of Mrs. Dave Littleton of Sikeston, was among those killed in "naval action" at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, according to a message received early Tuesday morning by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Ball of Matthews. The message was sent by Rear Admiral C.

W. Nimitz of Washr ington, Chief of Navigation. The message gave no as to how the young man was killed but requested his parents not to disclose the name of the ship to which their son was assigned nor its location at the time of his last letter to them. Young Ball, who moved to Matthews from the LaForge community several years ago, attended the public schools at Matthews. In his junior year at high school he joined the Navy and was sent to the Great Lakes Training School and had been in service less than a year.

Beside his parents and Mrs. Littleton the young man is survived by two brothers. Green and Russell, aM two sisters, Mrs. Robert Spalding and Miss Lois Ball, of Matthews. NEW STATE TROOPERS APPOINTED BY SUPT.

GINN Leaders for Red Cross Drive Sikeston Minister Will Head Scott County Committee. JAMES W. BALL NEW TEACHER FOR MATTHEWS SCHOOLS Mrs. Willa D. Alsup, who for a number of years has been teaching the Canoy school south of Sikeston, has accepted a position in the recently completed new grade school at Matthews as one of the primary and first grade teachers.

Mr. and Mrs. Alsup own and operate the Airport Inn Cafe east of Sikeston. Among the seventeen new troopers appointed by Supt. M.

Stanley Ginn of the State Highway Patrol, are the following from Southeast Missouri: Charles T. Corbin, Cape Girardeau County, George L. Montgomery, Mad- Fson County, Orvin J. Richmond, Ripley County, and John L. Petty.

Dunklin County. Ten of the new troopers appointed were Democrats and the remainder Republicans. The appointments were made under a new statute giving the Superintendent the right to appoint troopers to replace those who have been called to military duty and other resignations. The men will be given four weeks' training before being assigned to regular duty. Christmas Sales Volumes Mount Records are being broken left and right as Southeast Missourians prepare for what will be for many the "biggest" Christmas in years.

Volume of sales in retail stores is going up and up, and on all sides is heard the same story--people are buying more and spending more money when they do buy than ever before. The Sikeston post office and express company are experiencing beginning of what is expected to be their most rushed period in many years nad have made provisions for it with increased personnel and additional facilities for collecting and delivering the mountains of Christmas packages, letters and cards that will be sent and received by Sikestonians. Far from lessening Christmas plans for Sikeston people, tho outbreak of war seems to have given the Christmas spirit added impetus, as the need for ho'ciing tight onto the customary things in the midst of a world gone mid makes itself apparent. Another point stressed by mrtr.y holiday shoppers this year is that Sikeston stores have as good merchandise, as wide an array and at as reasonable prices as are POST OFFICE TO BE OPEN SATURDAY AFTERNOON In order to accommodate patrons who have not been able to mail Christmas cards and pack-, ages as yet, the Sikeston post, office will be open Saturday afternoon. December 20.

it was announced this week by Postmaster Pleas M. Malcolm. American Forces Hold Positions In Philippine Sector of War PUBLICATION OF DEATH NOTICES URGED for enlistment if their wives are I to be found in other surrounding self-supporting. cities. Advertised in The Herald I this week, you will find many Widows of the fighting men suggestions for Christmas gifts, who died at Pearl Harbor will I items for the holiday meals and receive six month's pay and other merchandise to make pension for life, it was announced season enjoyable and this week.

pleasurable. County Defense Leaders Named Harris D. Rodgers of Benton, county defense director. this week named members of the Scott county defense committee who are to serve as a unit of the State Council of Defense during the war emergency. John H.

Wolpers, Bluff newspaper man, is district director. Members of the committee for this county are as follows: Lee Bowman, Sikeston--enumeration of all usable war resources of man power, materials and industries. Mrs. Ben O. Matthews, Sikeston--consumer interest affecting the -pocketbook of the citizenship in the present and more acute times of stress upon living conditions and living standards.

Milbum Arbaugh, Sikeston--enlistment of volunteers and training for emergencies such as air- raid warning's, extra home euard and police, fire fighting and community and inter-community fire protection, first aid in all contingencies, traffic congestion and control. Otto Bugg, Vanduser food production and nutrition and conditions bearing upon the production and transportation of food supplies. "Food will win the war." Dr. W. O.

Pinney, Chaffee-health and hygiene, precautions against epidemics such as occurred in the previous wars and took such a heavy toll of life. J. F. Nunnelee, Blodgett-migration of labor from towns and farms, dislocations caused by suspensions of building operations, difficulties of small business rising from priorities and restriction incdent to war. T.

M. Scott. Benton--precau- tons against sabotage and subversive activities which may be undertaken to undermine morale and cripple the nation's facilities for power and transportation. W. D.

Hartner, Illmo extra burden at cantonments. The problem of recreation for soldiers and conditions surrounding camps. Mr. Rodgers states: "This is America's war and every shoulder should and will be to the wheel. 'V is the only letter in the alphabet now." Definite plans for carrying out the various phases of work under the supervision of these committee members are expected to be made within the near future and the entire program put into effect.

John A. Sutterfield was named chairman of Red Cross Wai- Relief drive, it was announced yesterday by the county chair- nan, Rev. Jos. J. Read of Sikeston.

Sikeston's quota is $2500. In the county as a whole, quotas totaling $6205 have been set by Rev. Read. This is slightly over the original figure of $5900 requested from Scott county, but a letter received Monday from the National Red Cross stressed the importance of oversubscribing the goals, as the money is need drastically for war relief work. A deadline of January 31 has been set for 'the completion of the drive, which is to be got under way at once as the various sections of the county are organized for the solicitation.

O. F. Anderson, county superintendent of schools, has be appointed chairman for the rural sections of the county, for which the following goals have been assigned: Richland township, $280; Morley township, $170; Sylvania, $180; Moreland, $170: Sylvania, $225; Commerce, $60: Sandy- woods, $115, and Tywappity. $45. Goals by towns are as follows: (M.

H. Stubblefield, chairman.) New Plans for the campaign in the rural sections will be made at a meeting of all rural school boards of the county in the court house at Benton Saturday. The Christmas rush at the post office started with a bang this week, with the lobby crammed before the opening hour and lines of waiting patrons in front of the various windows at most hours of the day. And not only are postage stamps being bought and Christmas mail dispatched--one of the busiest windows at the post office is that through which defense stamps and bonds are sold. The volume of this business has multiplied several times since the outbreak of war, postal officials report.

Since the stamps and bonds were first placed on sale May 1, 1941, a total of $2100 in stamps and $43,500 in bonds has been handled through the post office, it is stated by Assistant Postmaster Randol Wilson. Defense bonds having a maturity value of $53,800 have been sold at the Bank of Sikeston. Offer Homes for Christmas Dinner Rumania has declared war on the United States, it was announced Sunday. A Labor Department survey shows that half a' dozen strikes in progress or set for this week had been called off as soon as war was declared and that many THE WEATHER Grey, foggy weather, with temperatures slightly higher than ia usual at this time of year characterized Southeast Missouri weather this week. "Fair and somewhat cooler" is threatened walkouts likewise had i the forecast for the coming been averted.

week-end. Previous Training For New Cadets The new class of aviation cadets entering the Missouri "Institute of Aeronautics this week, the first such group whose number and names have not been released for publication, is also the first to have preliminary training before reporting to the Army Air Corps Training Detachment here. Compared to the usual new cadets, these boys will present a smart appearance, having received uniforms and five weeks of preliminary ground school instruction at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, before reporting here. To these boys, Army life is already an old story, and it is expected that a larger percentage of the class will successfully complete the course here. The committee of women who are securing homes for the entertainment of air school cadets at Christmas dinner report that a goodly number of people have volunteered their homes and that a systematic calling by telephone will be made today and tomorrow.

It that calls be made to the committee as soon as possible and thus relieve the committee members of the necessity of doing the telephoning. The committee having this matter in charge are Mrs. J. Wm. Foley, Mrs.

Sayers Tanner and Mrs. H. E. Dudley. It is reported that some folks want to have the cadets at an evening meal.

This plan will not coincide with plans already made by the general committee. The plan is to have the cadets for the noonday meal. Then, from 3:30 till 6 o'clock, tne cadets will be entertained at the Country Club, after which they will return to their barracks. The committee urges that the people of Sikeston cooperate with those plans so that all Sikeston people who will can have a cadet for Christmas dinner and all cadets will have a place to enjoy such a dinner. It is also urged that those who are to entertain the cadets also call for them at the air school and then take them to the Country Club at 3:30" in the afternoon.

The committee engaged in securing dance partners for the cadets and in making other arrangements for the Christmas entertainment feature report satisfactory progress. Residents of the Sikeston area who receive official notification from the navy department or the war department that relatives in the Nation's armed forces have been lost in action or injured are requested to call The Herald. The office number is 1240 or 1241. The army and navy recently announced that no more casualty lists will be issued, but President Roosevelt has said it is permissible for newspapers to print the fact that persons have been notified of casualties among their relatives The only way the names of those who gave their lives for their country can be made known is through information furnlsned by the next of kin. OLD AGE PENSION MEETING HERE MONDAY A meeting of representatives of Southeast Missouri counties, to be 'held at the Dunn Hotel here at five o'clock Monday afternoon.

December 21. has been called by J. S. Wallace, Scott county representative, and George Munger. representative of Stoddard county.

"The purpose of the meeting is to give impetus to the statewide movement lo make available more money to help the old people whose pensions were reduced 30 per cent by the last Legislature," Wallace and Munger said. Officers at Pearl Harbor Replaced Following Report by Knox. TO" WITHHOLD DETAILS OF DRAFT PROCEDURE ANOTHER BRIEF SESSION OF CIRCUIT COURT AIR SCHOOL REQUESTS COOPERATION OF PUBLIC Officials at the Missouri Institute of Aeronautics have requested the public to cooperate with them and refrain from attempting to visit the air school. In peace time, it was pointed out, all of the personnel at the Missouri Institute of Aeronautics were more than glad to have citizens and other friends inspect the school, and will be glad to do so again when a more favorable time arrives. ADDITIONAL SOLDIERS TO LOCAL AIR CORPS On temporary duty at the Missouri Institute of Aeronautics since Sunday are a of soldiers, sent here from Fort Leonard Wood, who are serving to increase the guard at various parts of the Air Corps Training Detachment.

The new soldiers are attached to the command of Major Ralph C. Rockwood, commanding officer. To house the soldiers, ten tents, of the type used in Army camps such as Camp Robinson, were erected this week at the rear of the cafeteria building on the air school grounds. Grounds of the air school, and the fences bordering the property, are being patrolled regularly by the soldiers. Scott county circuit court, in another of the brief sessions that IiAi'e characterized the November term, on Tuesday disposed of a number of cases and i Saturday, January 10, 19-12.

The case in which R. E. Patterson is suing Harry Warron ar.d D. Clayton for dissolution of pattnership, and which was i from last week, was asrain considered by the court, additional testimony submitted and I the case reset for Saturday. Other cases heard Tuesday included John R.

Cowell, embezzling- sentenced to two years in the penitentiary and paroled on gpoil behavior. Star-1 Publishing Company vs A. J. Craig et al--judgment for $192.50 for the plaintiff in an action for bond case. Flavia Paschel vs.

Walter Paschel--divorce granted. Clint H. Denman who is with the Air Activities in Corsicana. Texas. 5s expected home the first of the week to spend the Christmas holidays with his parents.

Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Denman, SIKESTON MARKETS Wheat.

No. 2, per bu $1-19 Corn, white. No. 2, per bu. 69c Corn, yellow.

No. 2, per bu. 65c I Hens, per pound loc Roosters 8c Leghorn Hens lOc Another of the many restrictions of war with which Amci.uui people are becoming familiar was made evident this morn.ng whtn Scott County Dra Clerk Wayne Buckhannon received instructions not to release the number of selectees called from this county nor the date of the draft calls. All Scott county registrants are being classified as quickly as possible in anticipation of greatly- Increased drafts early next year. No more calls are expected until after Christmas.

35th Division To New Camp The realities of war were brought closer to Sikeston people Sunday when word went out through this section calling back to their posts at Camp Robinson Southeast Missouri soldiers who were home on week-end leave. Ordered to report to camp as soon as possible, the local soldiers, members of the 140th Infantry, and the two other regiments at Camp Robinson "stood by" for orders to vacate camp. Phone calls clogged the telephone wires as soldiers called mothers, wives and sweethearts to say. "We're leaving, but we don't know for where. As soon a.s we can, we'll let you know." So far, that time has not come.

Units of the 35th Division are still rolling out of Little Rock to an undisclosed destination. AIR SCHOOL COMMANDER A I THIS WEEK Miss Modest Hensley of Leslie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hensley, became the bride of Major Ralph C. Rockwiod.

commanding officer of the Missouri Institute of Aeronautics. a ceremony performed at Searcy. Saturday, December 13. it was announced here this week. Mrs Rockwood was employtd as .1 teacher of commercial suo- jects in the high school at Searcy preceding her marriage.

Major Rockwood, who received promotion to his present grade two weeks has been connected with the local air school since, its opening here in September, 1940. His home is in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Major and Mrs. Rockwood are making their home in Sikeston at 609 Sikes avenue. As the American-Japanese war swings into its second week, reports from the War Department today are -that the.

"situation is well in hand" in the Philippine theatre, scene of the most severe conflict during the past several It was admitted passible, however, that Japan has slowed up her attacks on the Philippines to concentrate on the drive of Japanese expeditionary forces on British Borneo, Malaya and Hong Kong. Imperial Tokyo headquarters report that sea-borne Japanese troops, buffeted by a gale, had succeeded in gaining a foothold on the coast of Borneo, which lies within 600 miles bombing range of Manila, largest American city in the Philippines. The American and British situation in Malaya, where "very heavy fighting" is reported, is admittedly grave as the Japanese continue their march on the 400- mile road to Singapore. Destruction of more than 70 Japanese airplanes and heavy- loss of life is reported in the attacks to invade the Philippines. Twenty-six of these planes were shot down, and fuel supplies fired in an attack Tuesday night on the beach head which the Japanese established last week on Luzon's west coast, 200 miles from Manila.

Apparently having been fought to a standstill in the first phase of their thrust at the Philippines, the Japanese returned to the attack by air only yesterday, with a raid on the Olongapo naval base northwest of Manila Bay. "There is no change in the situation on the ground," a succinct communique said. Knox Reports. Secretary of the Navy Knox reported Monday that the Battleship Arizona and five other warships were lost in Sunday's Japanese raid on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii. He said 91 officers and 2,638 men were known dead.

The known Japanese losses. Knox said, included 3 submarines and 41 aircraft. The Secretary emphasized that the majority of the Pacific fleet was intact, with lofeses other than that of the Arizona consisting of old type ships. Knox said flatly that the "United States services were not on the alert against the surprise air attack." Following the report of Secretary Knox the Army and Navy ousted yesterday the ranking officers of the Hawaiian area from their commands, pending a special investigation of why the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor caught the United States forces by surprise. Swept out of charge at the naval, land and air base were the three commanders in charge when more than 3000 casualties were caused by the sudden bombing of the island.

The officers replaced were the commander of the Pacific fleet. Admiral Husband E. Kimmell, who was replaced by Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz: Walter C. Short, who was replaced by Delos C.

Ernmons as commander of the Hawaiian Department of Unite 1 States Army. and Frederick L. Martin, is succeeded as commander of the Hawaiian branch of the air forces by Gen. C. L.

Tinker. In making the announcement. the War and Navy departments did not pass judgment on the replaced officers. Of fix responsibility for their alleged lack alertness at Hawaii. That will be done by a boar-1 of review appointed by President Roosevelt.

Members of this board are Owen (Continued on Page Four). Contest Winner: The Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation announced this week plans to put all war operations on a seven-day 21- hour basis. Prize-winners in this week's Christmas contest are as follows: Virginia Ruth Hambrick. Mary Ann Walker, Blodgett. Jane Nix.

Roy Holdman. 1 If tho prize-winners will call 'at The Herald office, their prizes 'will be readv for them..