Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 1

I I POSLIC LIBRARY U.S. Weather Report r.i FrJ.y cold W.th 0. (Cimpt'tt rtpcrt 1IJ CST -On Guard for Over a Century- BURTON ThursdayFebruary 13, 1941. No. 285 110th Year 22 Pages Cents o) Uu fo) Jll A Kit 1 ii i Mm Ml I METROPOLITAN JriMAi IrriTTinM WW! IT F.D.R, Ready to Yield' Blank Check' on Aid Dies in Washington Aides Propose Latin Alliance Against British Seen in Parley Spanish Chief to See Petain Today en Route Home Mediterranean Move Is Reported on Way y.

I i StateYiHSign i on Rate Today habile Service broup Will Not Wait ror Attorneys Parley Jeffries Will Demand a Public Umrerence John OHara, cnairmuiui JU Commis- tn T.ansinfi Wed- nJ.r. for int lno -heating in Detroit, restoring 0UStu and rebating pay- xouid be signea inmaua, has been unable to arrange conference of attorneys repre-'nting the City and the Michigan Consolidated uas o. uu aid but added that it can be held Ifter the rate cut is put into effect fi well as before. Meanwhile, Mayor Jeffries ad-pitted after a talk with Corpora-tioa Counsel Paul E. Krause and James H.

Lee, assistant corporation counsel, that a letter had been icnt to Hara, informing him that thi City was opposed to any conference that was not open to the pUbliC. fajtlflfra The Mayor said that there should he no "secret" meetings. Krause spiked rumors Wednesday that the City might find itself taking over contracts and other obligations of the gas company, If tin voters approve the proposal to acquire the gas company property through condemnation proceedings. "Many people seem to oe unaer the false impression that the City ii planning to condemn the gas company as a going business with its ramifications," Krause said. "Already many rumors have been heard that the City would face the possibility of being tricked into assuming some mysterious lucrative contracts that might be entered into while the condemnation proceedings ae pending.

"Under the proposed condemna tion the City seeks only to obtain such physical properties as are necessary to the distribution of gas, such as mains, etc. Rumors to the contrary merely becloud th issues to be decided at the April 7 election." Deferred Until May 1 In its ruling last Wednesday the commission deferred the increase in home heating rates until May 1 and ordered a rehearing in March. Krause alio pointed out that the City was protected in its future purchases of natural gas because the Federal Power Commission had full Jurisdiction over pipeline companies. At present the City Is sold natural gas the Melvindale gate under a ten-year contract. However, the Federal Power Commis-lon even has the authority to terminate the contract for a better rate, Krausa said.

High Court Asked to Permit Texas-to-Detroit Pipeline WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 The Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co. witended before the Supreme Court today that it should be permitted to operate a natural-gas Wine from Texas oil fields to Wroit without interference from wlumbia Gas Electric Corp. Columbia Oil Gasoline Corp. Attorneys for the pipeline com-rany asked the court to permit otervmtion in antitrust proceed-'nga before the Federal District turt for Delaware.

The Federal "Strict Court had dismissed the 'intervention petition on the ground at it had not been authorized the company. Willkie Tells Jar Tat Win hum Photo from Associaltd Vrm MRS. ELIZABETH IDABELLE GRAHAM Her marriage linked Industrial families 600,000 Await Nazi Signal to Enter Bulgaria Pontoons Are Placed Along Danube as Ice Leaves River 200 Transport Planes Sighted over Hungary Br th Associated Frew BELGRADE, Feb. 12 German troops were reported by military observers to stand nearly 600,000 strong in Rumania tonight, and ice which formed the last serious obstacle to a Nazi into Bulgaria was fast vanishing from the Danube under premature spring warmth. This enormous increase in German strength was based upon new information that the German command recently has dispatched 25 fresh divisions, requiring movement of 40 trains a day through Hungary.

30,000 Reported in Bulgaria (Germany has already moved an advance force of 30,000 troops into Bulgaria and it may be "only a matter of days" before a big Nazi army pushes south-. ward, according to unconfirmed diplomatic reports reaching Budapest tonight, the United Press said.) From Ruse, the Bulgarian port the Danube facing Rumania, it was reported that the river was now wholly ice-free, and German bridge pontoons were placed along Rumanian bank. Nazi Plane Reach Bulgaria These were among the incidents reported here: Groups of German transport planes, presumably those which flew over Hungary yesterday, landed at Bulgarian airports, the official Sofia explanation being that they merely formed part of a consignment which Bulgaria had bought and paid for. (The United Press Budapest correspondent reported that in the last 72 hours, 200 big German transports enough to carry an estimated 20,000 soldiers have flown over Budapest and sped on into the Balkans. About 100 of the planes passed over Hungary today.

The correspondent added that hereafter he would not be allowed to discuss such details.) IT. S. Guards British Property The United States Legation in Bucharest, which is looking out also for certain British interests, posted signs on British buildings, English, Rumanian, German Russian and Bulgarian, which read: "This property is protected by the United States Government." Dispatches from. Sofia, published pro-Axis clues in the Balkans, announced that Bulgaria "fears England is about to violate her neutrality, thus dragging Bulgaria Into the war." Concern was ex pressed that British planes might Turn to Page 3, Column 1 JA? ENVOY VISITS HULL WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 A Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, new Japanese ambassa' dor.

made his first formal call on Secretary of State Cordell Hull this afternoon and stayed only four minutes. This was believed to establish almost a record for brevity for a new ambassador making his first call. the Negative for Freedom' does not mean acquiescence to the entire New Deal. He asserted instead that the "New Deal Party" is without faith the people thouch it has "at last grasped the meaning of the international situation." Still, he continued, "it dumped the London Economic Conference, which might have saved all this world chaos. Asserting that the Republican Turn to Page 18, Column 1 Lost to Detroit JAMES McEVOY A leader In civic affairs James McEvoy Succumbs at 66 Long a President of Board of Commerce James McEvoy, sixty-six-year' old Detroit civic leader, died Wed' nesday night in Ford Hospital.

He had been ill since Saturday. President of the Board of Com merce for seven years, former president of the Detroit Community Fund, and president of the new National Bank or Detroit during its organization period, Mr. McEvoy had contributed time and energy to scores or civic under' takings. In private life he was an at torney, and had retired only last April as chief of the patents see tion of the General Motors Corp. His home was at 1771 Burns.

Early Life Spent in Baltimore Mr. McEvoy was born Dec. 12, 1874, in Baltimore, where he received his early education in private schools. He, was graduated from the University of Maryland with an LL. B.

degree in 1900, and began the practice of law in Baltimore. In 1916, he moved to New York City and joined the firm of Beek-man, Menken Griscom. He came to Detroit Jan. 1, 1920, as general attorney for the General Motors Corp. Set Record In Civic Tost By serving as president of the Board of Commerce from 1933 to 1940, he set a record not equalled by the head of any similar organization in the United States.

He headed the Community Fund drive in 1937, and two years later was in charge of the "Detroit Crusade for Jobs." He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma Fratcrpity, Detroit Club, Detroit Athletip Club, Detroit Boat Club, Essex Country Club, Country Club, Players, Indian Village and Kittansett Clubs. Surviving are his wife, Ruth Morgan McEvoy; two daughters, Mrs. Cyril H. Moore- and Mrs. At-wood Austin; two sons, James, and John and three grandchildren, all of Detroit.

Funeral arrangements had not been completed Wednesday night. G.O.P. to Shun lamented that in the United States defeated presidential candidates are retired to private jobs while in Britain defeated candidates are kept in public office. He added that he had told the British prime minister that he wasn't certain but what the American system was best. Willkie made it clear that his current agreeement with the bulk of the New Deal's foreign policy the on the in in in Knudsen's Quip Is Jones Favorite Free Tm Washinstoa Biireaa.

I'JSl Katleaai Press Buildinf WASHINGTON. Feb. 12 Defense Chief William S. Knudsen is the author of Secretary of Commerce Jesse Jones' favorite definition of "status quo." It is "the fix we are in." The commerce head, who is as large, genial and soft-mannered as "Bill" Knudsen is, paused at his press conference this afternoon to ask reporters if they had heard this definition. He then repeated it, chuckling appreciatively.

The White House is often pleased at the co-operation between the Texan and the Danish-born Detroiter, who have much in common besides physical characteristics. Another Texan says that "when Jesse and Bill get together on a defense matter they make the fur fly." Cameron Quiz Stopped Short Naturalization Legal, House Group Told BY CLIFFORD A. PREVOST Fm Prru Wnfthinrton llnrrail. Nllonl I'tfM Building WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 The proposed congressional investiga' tion of the manner in which William J.

Cameron, official of the ford Motor obtained his cit izenship was hastily dropped to day by the House Committee on immigration and Naturalization. Lemuel B. Scofield, special as ihtant to Attorney General Robert H. Jackson, was responsible for the dropping of the probe. No Fraud Found "No fraud or illegality has been found and there is no evidence that there was anything Improper in the court proceedings through which Cameron became an American citizen," Scofield told the committee.

He had previously traced every step by Cameron, who had voted in elections for 22 years before learning that documentary evidence as to his father's citizenship could not be found. There were reports also from the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization similar to those presented by Scofield, but the committee did not choose to hear them. The debate was acrimonious only because Rep. Samuel Dickstein, New York Democrat, the chairman, attempted on several occasions to shut off the questioning of Rep. Lee E.

Geyer, California Democrat, author of the resolution calling for an investigation. Data from Magazine Geyer said that his information relative to Cameron came largely from a magazine called Friday and from "a California friend who had visited Detroit." He couldn't recall the name of the friend. Daniel S. Gilmore, publisher of Friday, said that all he knew about the article he had written on the subject was that Cameron had stated, upon applying for citizenship, that he had voted in several elections. After being nat-Turn to Page 3, Column 6 Fisher Plant Shut by Wildcat Strike FLINT, Feb.

12 A wildcat strike closed Fisher Body Plant No. 1 at 4:30 p. m. Wednesday, it was revealed here Wednesday night. Seven hundred employees in the trim department walked out when a fellow employee who had been laid off for an infraction of a safety rule failed to report for work on the 4:30 shift.

The plant was closed Immediately, it was said. There was no disorder. The possibility was seen that production at the Buick Motor Co. would be affected. It was said that Buick has only bodies enough to last six hours, and depended on the output from Fisher No.

1 to continue. The third shift at Fisher reported at 11:30, and no immediate difficulty was anticipated. Leaders of the United Automobile Workers (C.I.O.) which has a contract with Fisher, said they had no knowledge of the strike. Army Will Evacuate Families in Manila MANILA, Feb. 12 (A.

Between 300 and 400 wives and children of Army officers will leave soon on Army transports for the United States. Reliable quarters said that the evacuation plan came as a surprise but high Army men said the decision was made to make use of available transportation. Vote 'for Howell las Ankea fnr i B'ard of Kdiira tirt Nnn VHriiPHn Oi'y I 1': um Tits. "ridp.v, t-1, Pol. Adv.

rvpi.iM-.ti ok for court Curnirui.a:nr ''t' Added Control for Legislators Knox Raps Willkies Plea for Transfer of Destroyers Vessels Are Needed by Navy, He Asserts BY RICHARD II. TURNER Associated Press Correspondent WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 Still seeking more votes for the lease-lend bill, Administration leaders in the Senate today offered its opponents a surprise concession which, they said, would give Congress firmer financial control over the aid-to-Britaln program. In essence their proposal, approved late in the day by a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, would require that the President obtain both "authorizations" and "appropriations" from Congress. Can Ask Authority First Senator Alben W.

Barkley, of Kentucky, Democratic leader, explained that first the President could ask for authority to enter into contracts for the manufacture of supplies and their delivery to Britain. Later he would have to ask specific appropriations, listing the number and kinds of equipment. The modification, its backers said, would remove any basis for charges that the lease-lend bill itself was a "blank check" to the President to spend unlimited amounts in supplying defense Items to countries whose defense he deems vital to the defense of the United States. Knox and Wlllkle Differ Downtown, meanwhile, there was a sharp repercussion from Wendell L. Willkie's proposal that five or 10 destroyers be transferred to England each month.

Secretary Frank Knox bluntly told reporters that the Navy could "spare no more destroyers" and still maintain a "balanced fleet." As Secretary of the Navy, he said, his position was "against depleting our Navy further." The Willkie suggestion was, nevertheless, reported to be receiving serious consideration in some Administration quarters, and there was much speculation whether it might not. have been discussed at last, night's meeting between Willkie and President Roosevelt. Surprised' by Statement In fact, Willkie told reporters in a telephone message from New York late today: "I was surprised to read Col. x's statement. Information given to me by high authorities in the Government after my testimony yesterday confirmed my views that we are in a position, without any injury to our Navy or national defense, to give Great Britain Immediate effective assistance by furnishing to her additional destroyers." The Senate Foreign Relations Committee met in the morning, and with Administration forces in Turn to Page 2, Column 6 Roosevelt Curbs Jap Oil Exports By the Associated Press WASHINGTON.

Feb. 12 President Roosevelt has placed a control on all oil and gasoline exports to Japan in a roundabout manner, it was disclosed tonight, by requiring export licenses for the shipment of metal containers of more than five gallons' capacity, regardless of whether they are empty or contain a product. Informed sources reported that since Japan lacks sufficient tankers, it has been importing considerable gasoline and oil in large containers. Several Japanese vessels are understood to be loading in that manner now in West Coast ports. In an executive order Feb.

4, President Roosevelt listed a number of articles and products which would require export licenses after Feb. 15, including metal containers. Pending further instructions, the administrator of export control, modifying the original order, has ruled that no license will be required for containers of less than five gallons capacity, filled or unfilled. YUGOSLAV SHIP SUNK DOEROVNIK. Yugoslavia, Feb.

12 (A.P.) Shipping authorities learned today that the Yugoslav steamer Duba, 7,200 tons, had been sunk by an unidentified submarine while en route from Durban, Union of South Africa, to North America. The fate of the crew of 24 was not known. ISAlii.L, OSi SljiCJOL, DOAED Vol. Air BY RALFH E. HEIXZEN sited Press tor respondeat VICHY, Feb.

for creation of a "Latin bloc" challenging Britain's Mediterranean conquests were reported to have been discussed today at a secret conference of Premier Benito Mussolini and Generalissimo Francisco Franco of Spain in Italy. Tomorrow Franco, en route back to Madrid, will confer with Marshal Henri Philippe Petain in the Languedoc region of Southern France and perhaps seek a solution of several points of French-Spanish friction standing in the way of Petain's collaboration in such a Latin bloc. Communique Issued In Madrid (An official communique issued In Madrid revealed that Franco and Mussolini held two separate talks in the small Italian town of Bordlghera and reached "a complete identity of views on European problems of historic consequence." Bordighera is near San Remo, about 12 miles across the French frontier on the Riviera. (The Spanish communique contained no suggestion that any German representative had participated in the talks.) (Some observers saw significance in the fact that the communique referred to "European problems." It was thought that this might mean that no agreement had been reached concerning possible Axis use of Spain's African bases.) Topics Probably Discussed Vichy observers believed that Franco's consultation involved three major topics: 1 The status of Italy. Spain and France as result of Britain's Mediterranean victories, carrying the British close to Tripoli and the French-Spanish North.

African possessions. 2 A possible early change In the Spanish Government which may give Foreign Minister Ramon Serrano Suner active direction. 3 Food supplies to carry Spain over the winter and spring. Unconfirmed reports persisted in Vichy that Franco had sounded out Mussolini on a proposal whereby the Spanish leader might attempt to serve as an intermediary in bringing about peace between Britain and Italy. Accompanying Franco In connection with the proposal for the Latin bloc Italy, Spain and France to safeguard their Mediterranean and African positions, there were persistent reports that Spanish Foreign Minister Ramon Serrano Suner, who is accompanying Franco, might soon become the master of Spain.

Serrano Suner, advocate of closer Bpanish collaboration with the Axis powers, is Franco's brother-in-law and a leader of the Spanish Falangist (Fascist) organization. British Scoff at Report of Italian Peace Move Br the raited Press LONDON. Feb. 12 The British Government today exploded rumors or an impending armistice between Italy and Britain and asserted that the war against Benito Mussolini's battered forces will continue with crushing blows unless Italy sues for peace. It was pointed out that Italy would hardly be likely to seek peace talks at the moment when there was high hope of a German offensive in the Balkans, which would enable the Italians to turn the tables on Greece as well as offer more effective resistance to the British in the Mediterranean region.

Informed persons said that a report that Greece had received peace overtures through Germany and had rejected them "quite possibly might be substantially true." Official British sources, however, declined to confirm or deny that Britain had received information to this effect HANNAH WILLIAMS BETTER NEW YORK. Feb. 12 (A.P.) Jack Dempsey'i estranged wife, Hannah Williams, was reported recovering tonight from a serious attack of intestinal flu which required two blood transfusions. Start the Day Right with the Free Press British Step Up African Attack Reinforcements Help in Drive on Cheren Bf the. Associated Press CAIRO, Feb.

12 British reinforcements were reported pounding down the northern coastal plain of the Italian East African colony of Eritrea today for an assault on the besieged rail center of Cheren. Forces advancing southward from the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan now are well past the captured Red Sea port of Mersa Taclal and are within 120 miles of Massaua, chief Eritrean seaport. The Middle East Command announced that these troops yesterday captured Elgena, inland town 25 miles southwest of Mersa Taclai and 30 miles south of the Sudan border. Two Units Close In Operations of besieging Scotch and Indian forces already around Cheren, 42 miles northwest of Asmara, the capital, are "developing well," today's war bulletin said, while a second column below Cheren was said to have "penetrated still farther into hostile territory." (The United Press carried an unconfirmed report from Bengasi that Marshal Rudolfo Gra-ziani, commander of Italy's North African forces, had left for Rome by plane, perhaps on orders of Premier Mussolini. (It also was reported in Cairo, the United Press said, that the crack Italian liner Conte Rosso had struck an Italian mine in the Mediterranean while en route to Sicily with Turn to Page 2, Column 4 FIGHTER FINDS REST Death Takes the Daughter of Firestone Free Pros.

Washington Rnreaa, 1TSI Press BuUdiof WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 Mrs. Raymond Graham, daughter of the late Harvey Firestone, died here tonight in Women's Hospital. She was 27 years old. Her marriage to the son of the founder of the Graham Paige Motor of Detroit, took place at the Firestone home in Akron, Sept.

4, 1938. Graham's home was in Roslyn, L. I. Mrs. Graham was the youngest of the six Firestone children.

Her mother, Mrs. Idabelle Firestone, was from Jackson, Mich. Her father, Harvey Firtone, founded the vast Firestone Tire 4 Rubber Co. in Akron, O. The wedding of Elizabeth Ida-belle Firestone was a simple affair.

She had attended Smith College, while Graham had graduated from Yale. He also studied law at the University of Virginia. Mrs. Graham's mother and brother, Harvey Firestone, were at the bedside when she died. Blood of 75 Mascots Offered to Aid Laddie MONTEREY, Feb.

12 (A. The 75 dog mascots of companies at Fort Ord were offered today by the fort's 20,000 men for blood transfusions to help save the life of Laddie. The ten-year-old Airedale, so broken hearted over being separated from his master. Private Everett Scott, that he had refused to eat, has been recovering slowly since he was brought by plane from Kansas City. One blood transfusion helped.

A huge St. Bernard is standing by. two sons, W. G. Thompson and Frank L.

Thompson, both of De-troit; a sister, Mrs. Daniel Sulli van, of Detroit; Twenty-three grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. The funeral will be held Saturday morning at SS. Peter and Paul's Jesuit Church on E. Jefferson.

The hour had not been chosen Wednesday night. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The former mayor was born here, March 10, 1860. He became active in public affairs as a youth, and grew to leadership in the Democratic Party of Michigan.

He FI.ECT JKHV A. HtMII.TOX Common I'aa Judge, i r-ferr-i. Ailr. and Back Britain's 'Fisht Patriarch of Detroit Politics, Ex-Mayor Thompson, Dead Golden Gloves Semifinals and Finals Tickets are ON PUBLIC SALE TODAY Br the tailed rrru Jf Y0RK- Feb- 12-Wendcll who returned Sunday wn personal examination of tu at war- tonight challenged Republican Party to preach positive doctrine and warned its laPsinS into a mere itlmnggatW' ive" nIy 2 nm here'" he 8aid at Liri-p ay dinner of the National "Nblican Club, "to challenge fr'jL fate than compro-negation and death." R-tM-at Plea for Aid I "1ade but brief reference in nationally broadcast speech to recent Bum "'ms irans-Auanuc EritW in Ampriran aid to make victorious, nf those fighting men tit la'rt'H the equipment to win," mcv we cn make of democ- he doctrine. we j-rJl the abator tt-ho can de- iLi-iaiea ma can ior that there shall be a ir'r all mm live under il l' 1 -in prpsidpntial car 3 'hst Winston Churchill.

Ijfe' nbrd "thp great-! tne world," had William Barium Thompson, twice mayor of Detroit and for years one of the most active and honorable figures in the city's political and business life, died at 8:30 p. m. Wednesdayat his horn 4223 Trumbull. A native Detroiter, he would have been 81 years old next month. He had been ill about a year.

Mr. Thompson was Detroit's mayor in 1907-08 and again in 1911-12. In addition, he had served three terms as alderman of the Eighth Ward and five terms as city treasurer. He leaves six da'iehters. Mrs.

I Knrrv C. Rvan. Mrs. M. F.

Gaemer. Mis. E. FitzrfetaiU. Mrs.

S. W. Sorenson, of Detroit, Mrs. W. E.

a 1 rf juginvr. gnd Mrs James Young, of Orlando, Tickets for boxing's best bargain of the year, Friday night's 32-bout semi-finals program at the Naval Armory, may be obtained at Public Relations Office, first floor. Free Press Building, and at the Naval Armory. Tickets for the Finals at Olympia on Friday, Feb. 21, may be purchased at the Free Press, Olympia and Collins Cigar Shop in the General Motors Building.

PRICES: C1C, ri.i;flr.ls (Naval Arnsnry, Friday), $1 and R5 I'nreM-rved, 41 rent. Final (Olympia, Feb. 21), J1.75, $1.25, 85 cents and 50 cent. Page Amusements 16 Around the Town 10 Clapper, Raymond 4 Crossword Puzzle 10 Editorial My Day 8 Obituaries 1 Radio Programs Society State Walter Lipprr.ann 4 F.eport 11 fnr :ii.CUIT Jt Poi. Adr.CArAEi-L, LIE RAU Pol.

A4f..