Mount Carmel Item from Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania • Page 1

MOUNT CAR MEL ITEM EXCLUSIVE LEASED WIRE DISPATCHES OF THE UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATIONS GOOD EVENING Don't lend to people who are so thankful they can never repay you. WEATHER Mostly cloudy and continued very cool tonight and Tuesday. VOL LVIIL NO. 181. MOUNT CARMEL, MONDAY, JUNE 4.

1945. PRICE FOUR CENTS. FDR's "Flying White House" Will Carry President Truman fflirffflre i' V-' CALLED A SLACKER Threaten Balloon Attack On America BY FRANK TREMAINE PtiARL HARBOR, June 4. (U.R) With the Okinawa campaign rapidly nearing an end, Japan converted her entire naval air force into a suicide corps to protect the homeland BEHIND THE HEADLINES 'Bull' Halsey Is U. S.

Answer To Suicide Challenge Levant Grab Laid To British By Paris BY PHIL AULT LONDON. June 4. (U.R) French Government sources in Paris said today that the British apparently are trying to seize complete control of the Levant and already have taken iover interior censorship and Thos. Steelfox Dies While In Military Service I probably outgoing cables. High quarters In Paris increased the resentment aroused among the French by Prime Minsiter Churchill's in the Levant crisis.

Gen. Charles de Gaulle already has accused the British for stirring up the trouble. In Paris, informed government quarters said French functionaries and their families and pro-French elements among the natives in the Levant still were suffering from sporadic attacks by irregular elements of the Gendarmerie. Government circles were openly resentful at reports that Syrian Gendarmes had been ordered to maintain order. They said these were the same Gendarmes who first attacked French posts in the Le vant, which by the French version of the affair touched off the whole crisis.

Foreign Office sources in Paris said that despite the Levantine troubles, the government was seeking to renew negotiations with Britain in hope of getting the release of some Iraq oil, described as partially owned by French interests. Since the start of the war, France's portion of the Iraq oil has been handled by the British, since it could not be transported through the Meriterranean to France. Now France wants her portion, estimated by the Office sources at around 80,000 tons a month, shipped direct to France. In London, Prime Minister Churchill was expted to reply in Commons to Gen. Charles de Gaulle's charge of last Saturday that British agents were responsible for the uprising in the Levant.

As for De Gaulle's assertion that Syrian irregulars attacked French troops with British weapons, a British Foreign Office commentator said any arms deliveries to Syrians were made "with the knowledge and approval of the French." A Joint statement in Cairo by1 the Prime Minister of Lebanon and president of the Syrian Chamber of Deputies accused the French of using Lend-Lease weapons in the Levant disorders. De Gaulle Saturday denied that such was the case, but added that as soon as Lend-Lease material was turned over to the French, it automatically became French. The Cairo statement also said Lebanon and Syria would not sign any treaty with the French. It was made by Abdel Hamid Minister of Lebanon; and Saadullah el Garby, president of the Syrian Chamber of Deputies. In Cairo, the Arab League of seven Middle Eastern States was meeting today to discuss the crisis.

A Cairo dispatch said all delegates were unaniomus that the French must withdraw entirely from Levant and that no negotiations with the French were possible. Beyrouth dispatches said French (Continued on Page Three) BY LOUIS F. KEEMLE V. P. War Analyst "Bull" Halsey appears to be America's answer to Japan's final gesture of aerial and naval suicide against the United States Fleet.

Admiral William F. Halsey, the Japanese-hating, hardhitting nemesis of the enemy ever since Pearl Harbor, has taken over in the waters of the home islands at the turning point of the war before invasion. Halsey strode back into action on the deck of his flagship just' as the the battle of Okinawa neared its successful conclusion. He is there for the next phase, which Is to meet the suicide challenge arid pave the way for the final assault on th: enemy homeland. Hardly had Halsey's return been announced than it was disclosed that his third fleet's carrier planes already had struck twice within 24 hours at the suicide bases on Kyushu.

The Japanese chose this moment to announce that their entire naval air force had been converted Into a suicide squadron and to intimate that their remaining surface units would come out on the same desperate mission. Halsey's reaction to the latter was typical: "I wish the would." Halsey is dreaded by the Japanese and revered by the men of the Fleet as a tough battler who doesn't always go by the rule's of the book. He has smashed the Japanese from the Gilberts and Marshall to the Solomons, the Philippines, the China Sea and their own home waters. It was Halsey who commanded the task force from which Lt. Gen.

James H. Doolittie led the first bembing attack on Tokyo on April 18. 1942. It was Halsey who administered their first naval defeat to the Jap anese earlier in the same year. His naval task force was at sea when the Japanese struck at Pearl Har bor.

For weeks he prowled th seas on the defensive, but in less (Continued on Page Three) Ickes Warns Of Coal Shortage WASHINGTON, June 4 iu.B -Solid Fuels Administrator Harold Ickes issued today his weekly warning that there will be a coal shortage next winter. Ickr-s said that the consumer stockpile on May 1 of soft coal was the lowest since July 1, 1941, with 43.819,000 tons in stock. Production of soft coal for the year up to May 26 was 20.714,000 tons less than the 258,714,000 produced last year up to the last week in May. At the same time total production of hard coal up to May 26 was 20.616,000 tons, a 'decrease of tons under production year at this time. Ickes urged consumers to buy and store coal whenever it is available this summer, to install insulation, storm sash, weather stripping, heat controls and to clean and repair heiting equipment.

These moves, he said, will enable consumers to get along on lower coal supplies next winter. Extra Charge Off Coal Deliveries WASHINGTON, June 4. U.R The Office of Price Administration an nounced today that dealers no long er may charge consumers the extra 25 cents a ton allowed by government order for one-ton deliveries of coal or coke. OPA warned that this extra charge, authorized Feb. 8, should not be confused with normal charges for small-lot deliveries.

The order was in effect in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Indiana, Massachusetts. Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, District of Columbia and portions of Virginia, West Virginia and Missouri. from the rampaging Amer-, rampaging ican Fleet today. Other developments in the Pacific, war included: 1 Radio Tokyo said Japan intends to attack the United States with piloted, bomb-' carrying balloons in the "near 2 American troops fanned out along the south coast of Okinawa after sealing off thousands of the enemy on the Chinen Peninsula. Tokyo quoted an unconfirmed report that American units had landed behind Japanese positions on Chinen Peninsula from the sea.

3 The American 37th Division drove along Luzon's Ca-gayan Valley against light Te- sistence. Japanese casualties in the Philippines reached 385,480. i.u-rican and Filipino casualties were 225 killed and 657 wounded. 4 Units of the American Mars Task Force were revealed to be operating in China after helping to reopen the Burma Road. 5 Chinese troops re-captured Chienkiang, 90 miles northeast of Nanning, and pursued the Japanese toward Liuchow.

6 British troops seized two towns on the east coast of Burma. 7 Radio Tokyo admitted that American and Allied spies were becoming increasingly active in Japan. A Japanese spokesman said the present attacks on the United States with pilotless balloons were only the forerunner of larger-scale raids "with death-defying Japanese airmen maiming the balloons." The spokesman complained that the United States had not divulged the extent of damage caused by pilotless balloons, but surmised they were "creating havoc." He said hundreds of this type were being launched daily. Another Tokyo broadcast said every Japanese naval plane will be ordered to crash itself against an Allied warship in a suicide attack. "If this tactic is successful," the broadcast said, "victory is assured for Japan.

If otherwise, the Navy will have many heroes for our shrines." The broadcast followed one last week in which Tokyo said all brandies of the Navy would be trained in suicide tactics. Admiral William F. (Bull) Halsey, whose Third Fleet sent carrier planes against suicide-plane bases in Southern Japan Saturday and Sunday, welcomed the enemy an nouncement of suicide attacks. (Continued on Page Seven) Japs Fail To Flee Okinawa. PEARL HARBOR, June 4.

(U.R) Japanese soldiers attempted unsuccessfully to escape from a die-or-surrender trap on Southern Okinawa by putting to sea in small boats, it was disclosed today. The escape effort was made as five American Divisions converged on remaining enemy positions. Small groups of enemy soldiers, some of them naked and carrying only hand grenades, were captured by American patrol craft off the southern tip of the island. The Japanese troops obviously were trying to escape the beating being administered their disorganized forces by U. S.

Marines and soldiers, who fanned out along the south coast of the island. The Yanks' objective was the envelopment and annihilation of the last 15,000 to 20,000 Japanese on Okinawa. The seventh Division split the Japanese toehold in two in a drive to the southeast coast, on the Pacific slope of the Chinen Peninsula. This push effectively sealed off whatever enemy troops remained on the peninsula, which forms the southern arm of Nakagusuku Bay. From its new.

positions south of the peninsula, the Seventh wheeled both left and right in quick movements designed to eliminate further resistance. Around the Naha peninsula, massed Marines were believed preparing to open their own offensive in the air field area, where the enemy showed signs of holding his Navy Declares Mount Carmel Sailor Dead Paul W. Smith, 24, Missing Since April In Okinawa Action Machinist's Mate First Class Paul W. Smith, 24, son of Mrs. Kathryn M.

Smith, 400 west Avenue, Mount Carmel, today had been declared dead by the Navy after having been listed as missing in action since April 16. His mother, who was notified in early May that he was missing, received the following communication from Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, Chief of Naval Personnel, over the past week-end: "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that a careful review of all facts available relating to the disappearance of your ward, Paul Winfleld Smith, Machinist's Mate First Class, UJS.N.R., previously reported missing, leads to the conclusion that he lost his life as result of enemy action on 16 April 1945 while in the service of his country. If additional information is received it will be forwarded to you promptly. Sincere sympathy is extended to you in your great sor- (Continued on Page Three) Joseph Knauff Is Killed At Gap Colliery Squeezed Between Derailed Cars And Gangway Timber Joseph Knauff, 57, of 125 north Grant street, Shamokin, was killed on Saturday morning at 9:30 o'clock when squeezed between derailed cars and gangway timber inside at Locust Gap colliery. Well known here, Knauff was a brother of Mrs." Marie Hollister, of Washington, D.C., Wife of the late Judge Joseph Hollister, of Locust Gap.

According to a report from the compensation office of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, Knauff's body was crushed when caught between the moving but derailed trip of mine cars and the gangway timber. Knauff was born in Ashland on July 22, 1888, a son of the late John and Louise (Maler) Knauff. He was a veteran of the first World War, serving for two years overseas. He moved from Ashland to Sha mokin several years ago to live with his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs.

Michael Reiland, 125 north Grant street, from where the funeral will be held tomorrow morn ing with services in St. Edward's church at 8:30 o'clock. To survive, Knauff also leaves two brothers, Frank Knauff, of Ashland, and John Knauff, of Long Beach, Miss. Kulpmonl Soldier Is Wounded On Okinawa Mrs. Rachel Rovito, 608 Spruce street, Kulpmont, was notified Sat urday by the War Department that her son, Pfc.

Albert "Lefty" Rovito, was slightly wounded May 4 on Okinawa. He is hospitalized on Guam, ac cording to a letter received by his mother directly from him within the past week. Pfc. Rovito, a volunteer in 1939, has been overseas five and a-half years. He has participated in num erous Island campaigns, Including the invasion of the Philippines and the subsequent fighting on Leyte.

He has two brothers in the Army, Pfc. Frank, in Germany, and Pvt. James, in North Carolina. Free operations were offered as prizes at a benefit dance given for a hospital in Los Angeles. Teddy Powell, above, of New York, popular dance band leader and author of "Boots and Saddles" and other popular songs, has been indicted as a draft dodger by a New York federal grand jury.

FBI charges that he bribed John F. Wilson, New York draft board clerk. Wilson committed suicide last year after being indicted for bribery in connection with another draft evasion 'case. Two Brothers Are Graduated At Albright Cecil And Orlan Pottieger Receive Their Degrees Two brothers, both preparing for the Christian ministry, were among 43 Albright College seniors who were graduated yesterday at commencement exercises on the Reading campus. They were Cecil P.

E. Pottieger and Orlan D. E. Pottler, sons of the Rev. and Mrs.

W. E. Pottieger, of 129 north Hickory street, Mount Carmel. Both received their Bachelor of Arts degrees from Dr. Harry V.

Masters, president of the college, who presided at the ceremonies. They will enter the Evangelical School of Theology, Reading, to continue their studies for the ministry. Orlan is pastor of the Ackerman-ville-Saylors'ourg Evangelical charge and Is president of the Zeta Omega Epsilon social fraternity on the Albright campus. He also was treasurer of the Y.M.C.A. Cabinet and was a member of the Student Council and Kappa Tau Chi, pre-ministerial fraternity.

Cecil also is a student minister, serving Zion's Evangelical Church, New Berlinville. He is president of the Kappa Tau Chi, vice president of the Y.M.C.A. Cabinet, vice presi dent of the Philosophy Club and vice president of the senior class. He was a sports writer on "The Al-brightian," college weekly, and was recognized In the 1945 edition of "Who's Who In American Colleges." Both brothers sang in the "Sons of Albright" quartet. Maj.

Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, di rector of the S. Selective Service system, was the principal commencement speaker. large number of auxiliary Japanese ships were in an achorage behind a protecting screen of escort vessels which were concentrated on every logical approach.

The water was so shallow that an attacking submarine would have to remain sur faced during its approach and for at least an hour afterwards. Anchored there in the harbor was' one of the best targets ever presented by the enemy. Flucky decided to attack. He would have the advantages of surprise and his plan. This involved flight through uncharted waters filled with mines and rocks and a route packed 'with fishing He figured the Japanese escorts would hesitate to make a run through the rocks and would find the fishing Junks a handicap.

The Barb moved inside the screen of Japanese escorts. She let go with all the torpedoes she could In the time available, gave right rudder and moved toward the rocks at full speed. From the bridge of the surfaced These are the first pictures released of the specially-built Douglas C-54 plane used by the late President Roosevelt, and now to be used by President Harry S. ruman as his "Flying White House." Top photo shows the plane, its side adorned with the flags of the 44 nations over whl ch it has flown. Below it is a view cf the presidential stateroom.

A bottom are crew members, who are (rear) Col. Henry T. Myers, Tifton, left, pilot, and Capt. E. F.

Smith, Clearwater, o-pilot; Maj. T. J. Boselli, New York navigator (center), and (front), MSgt. C.

A. Horton, Gra-netta, and TSgt. R. W. Robitarille, flight traffic clerk.

Mount Carmel Soldier Expires In Guatemala, Central America Pfc. Thomas Steelfox, 27, oi the U. S. non-combaiant Engineers, died on May 30 in Guatemala, Central America, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and.

Mrs. Thomas Steelfox. 30 north Locust street, this city. Well known throughout the community, Pfc. Steelfox worked for the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Jersey City before he entered the on April 29, 1943.

He trained at Fort Leonard Wood, and left the United States in late October, 1943. Pfc. Steelfox was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church. His mother was formerly Robins. Besides his parents, Pfc.

Steelfox leaves the following sisters and brothers: Emily, wife of Louis Lorn-, bardi and Mary, wife of Charles Maliha, Brooklyn, N. Donald, Lois, Gerald and Richard, at home. M.O.C. Opereffa Great Success; 41 Graduate Rev. J.

J. Skibinski Presents Diplomas To Members Of Class The Mother of Consolation graduating class of 1945 made its final bow last night in the School Auditorium before a most appreciative and generous audience in it second presentation of the rollicking historical operetta, "Hats Off!" The characterization of the Naval hero, John Paul Jones, was given by Joseph Feifer. Edward Andru-lewicz played the role of little Jimmy Gray, who despite his youthful years sailed wtih the crew of the "Ranger." Lt. Dale (Sylvester Jusz-kiewicz) and Marion Jurkie-wicz) as well as Sylvia with Deborah and Priscilla played by Elizabeth Bielat, Charlotte Feifer and Genevieve Siedlecka respectively) numbered among the merrymakers during the few short hours allotted to the men prior to sailing. Eleonor Victor as Anne Court-leigh and Edward Drapiewski as her brother, Captain William Court-leigh, furnished the adventurous side of the plot.

Joseph Giejzman as that' scoundrel traitor, Capt. Lan-dais, and Andrew Wargo as his (Continued on Page Eight) Launching Honors Shamokin Air Hero HTNGHAM, June 4. U.R The high speed destroyer transport Francovlch, named for an heroic Shamokin, naval airman, will be launched tomorrow at the Bethle hem Steel Co. Shipyard. The craft will honor the memory of Aviation Machinist's Mate 1C Albert Francovlch 22, who was Silled September 6, 1942, in the Solomon Islands campaign.

The vessel will be sponsored by Fran-covich's sister, Mrs. Mary Edmunds, also of Shamokin. Francovich had been awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart posthumously. He was a native of Scranton and saw more than four years service in the Navy, having enlisted at Philadelhia, March 1938. The Francovich will be the 27th ship to be launched at the Bethlehem Company's Hingham yard.

Winter Pays Return Visit BY UNITED PRESS Winter played a return engagement in the Midwest today. Extended cool air masses whipping down from the Hudson Bay region gave Chicago an all-time low temperature for June 34.7 degrees in' the wake of a week-end six-inch snow at Virginia, Minn. Minnesota was hit early yesterday by the lowest temperature in 48 SUB SNEAKS INTO JAP HARBOR, WRECKS SHIPPING, ESCAPES IN THRILLING DASH Moscow's Reply On Veto Awaited BY R. II. SHACKFORD SAN FRANCISCO, June 4.

U.RV-The United States, Britain, France and China today abandoned any Idea of resorting to an immediate showdown vote on Russia's proposal to let a big power veto discussion of disputes by the Security Council of the new peace organization. They waited Instead for Moscow's reaction to their vigorously stated opposition to the Russian interpretation of the Yalta voting formula and hoped It would reveal Soviet willingness to solve the issue by negotiation. That change of attitude plus Big Five agreement on 14 out of 17 major controversial Issues eased the week-end apprehension which was caused by the unexpected Russian Interpretation of the voting formula. The decision to wait new word Irom Moscow in no way changed American determination not to compromise on this issue. It will continue to oppose the use of the veto by a permanent member of the Security Council to prevent discussion of a dispute.

Russia is not asking for the right to "gag" discussion of her own disputes with other countries. She agreed at Yalta and still agrees that a big power should give up its Security Council vote during all phases of peaceful settlement, including discussion, when it was a party to a dispute. They are now asking, however, the right for all big powers to have a veto over dis years as a chilling 30 degrees was marked at Duluth. The mercury was down to 34 in Minneapolis, and at Ely three inches of snow fell Saturday. Light frost assailed victory gardens In some parts of Chicago and its suburbs, government forecasters said, but Northwestern Illinois was even harder hit.

Coldest temperature in the Midwest was reported In the cranberry bogs of Northern Wisconsin. There the temperature dropped to 20 degrees last night. But growers were warned in time, In most cases, to (Continued on Page Three) Centralia Soldier Aids Filipino Stork MANILA, June 4. U.R Staff Sgt. John L.

Sweet, of Centralia, Pa.J of the 11th Airborn Division on was checking guard posts when he heard a Filipino woman calling for help from a nearby house. Investigating, he found the woman in labor. He assisted In delivering triplets. BY COURTENAY MOORE WASHINGTON, June 4. (U.R) The Navy revealed today the daring exploit of a U.

S. submarine that sneaked at night Into a harbor Jammed with Japanese ships, surfaced under the muzzles of enemy guns and torpedoed vessels all about it, then got away in a miraculous exhibtion of broken-field running. It is the sort of thriller with which boys' series books about war are filled but which sound too incredible really to have happened. This episode was eal enough, how ever, and earned Comdr. Eugene B.

Fluckey of the submarine Barb the Medal of Honor and his entire crew the Presidential Unit Citation. The Medal of Honor award was pre viously announced but the citation was granted today. Here is the story: Fluckey had long suspected the existence of a geographically con cealed haven, otherwise unidentified by the Navy, which hid a large number of Japanese fighters, tankers and munitions ships. On a dark night, with poor visi bility, Fluckey found his target. A continued on Page Three) (Continued on Pare Eight).