I
VOL. NO. XXXVI
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1942
NO. 174
American Sub
marine Sinks 17,-000-ton
Jap Liner
Thought to Have Been Used as Aircraft Carrier
in Far East; Mac Arthur Still
Maintains Bataan Fight
By JOE ALEX MORRIS
Allied fighting forces were in ac
tion today on land, sea and air I
fronts, stretching from the Atlantic
seaboard to gravely-threatened Singa
pore. American operations were con
centrated in dealing with axis sub
marines off the Atlantic coast, where
a 9.,"77-ton freighter, Norness, was
sunk GO miles from Long Island, and
in the Bataan peninsula of the Phil
ippines, where the forces of General
Douglas MacArthur fought off "ag
gressive" Japanese attacks and down
ed two or more bombers that again
attacked Corregidor fortress.
The navy department, asserting
the danger from enemy submarines
off the Atlantic coast remained "sub
stantial," said that an American sub
marine had torpedoed and sunk a
Japanese liner of 17,000 tons, a ves
sel in the Yawata Class. The Yawata
Maru. one of Japan's best ships, is
a vessel of 1G.500 tons.
But on the Malaya peninsula and
in the Ditch East Indies the battle
against the Japanese offensive to
ward Singapore was growing steadily
and more intensive and allied com
manders in Burma were considering
the counter-attack into Thailand
with the aid of Chinese and Indian
reinforcements.
The British positions in defense of
Singapore obviously was serious and
v as arousing criticism in London and
Anstralia, although aerial reinforce
ments apparently had arrived and
aided in fighting off a new enemy
bombing attack this morning. At
least two Japanese bombers were
shot down.
Axis radio broadcasts said that the
British were being pushed back
steadily as the Japanese land forces.
led by tanks and dive bombers, bat
tled to gain full control of the im
portant Malacca straits. Their posi
tion apparently was about 100 miles
from Singapore itself.
Today s war dispatches showed:
BAT A VIA Dutch lanes and land
forces continued to put up stiff re
sistance against enemy warships and
aerial attacks believed to be prepar
ing for a new invasion attempt at
Balic Fapan, on the east coast of
Borneo about 320 miles south of
Japanese-held. Tarakan Island. In
China Chinese troops reported the
capture of Iupas, north of important
Japanese communications center of
Canton, asserting that 600 enemy
soldiers were killed and that the
Canton, Hongkong railroad was cut
in two places. In the Philippines
there was no indication that the
Japanese had made progress against
American defenders of the Bataan
province, but one Tokyo broadcast
claimed the troops had landed on
Grande Island, in Subic Bay near
the U. S. naval base of Olongapo.
In North Africa, the axis forces
under General Irwin Rommel made
a surprise stand in the Mersa Brega
area. 110 miles south of Benghazi
and HO miles east of El Agheila,
where the main battle had been ex
pected. This meant that Rommel had put
up unexpectedly strong resistance in
the Mersa Brega sector, where the
axis had considerable air strength.
Axis bombardment of British forces
in Libya had been increased sharply
in the last few days.
METHODIST CHOIR
The Methodist choir will meet for
rehearsal Thursday evening, the
boys choir at 7:15 and the adult
choir rt 8 p. m.
I
THE WEATHER
Courtesy Wevrich & Hadraba
1
High. 42; Low, 25.
(Readings at 8 a. m.)
Fair and mild this afternoon and
tonight, lowest temperature tonight
24 to 29 except 17 to 20 over ex
treme west portion.
Enemy Submarine
Is Reported Off
the East Coast
Tanker Is Torpedoed Off New York
City But Reaches Port Safely
From Experience
NEWPORT. R. I., Jan. 15 (UP)
The navy was "dealing" with one
or more enemy submarines menacing
the eastern coast today as the crew
of a tanker torpedoed off New York
City arrived here little the worse
for their ordeal. One of their ship
mates was missing and presumed
lost.
The nature of the "dealing" and
of all matters pertaining to naval
operations were military secrets, but
it was no secret that the Atlantic
coast, on which border the nation's
largest cities, most busy ports, and
richest industrial districts. was
closely protcted by warplanes. sur
face ships, and submarines, and en
emy submarines operating offshore
were in imminent peril.
The first ship torpedoed off this
coast in the new war was the American-owned
9.377-ton Panamanian
tanker Norress. The navy revealed
that the submarine, presumably Ger
man, though it could have been Ital
ian, used typical axis "sneak"
strategy, attacking by night without
warning. It hit the Norness with
three torpedoes, yet it did not sink
her for, though awash, she still was
afloat early today.
Rear Admiral Edward C. Kalbfus,
commandant of the naval operating
base here, reported to Washington
that the vessel was "beyond tow
ing" and probably beyond salvaging.
Her exact location was not revealed,
but she was torpedoed 60 miles
southeast of Montauk Point, on the
(Continued on Page 2)
OPEN NEW HATCHERY
The Otis Hatchery of Omaha, is
establishing a branch of their busi
ness in this city and located in the
building just east of the court house.
The work oi getting the equipment
and fixtures installed is taking some
time but it is hoped that the plant
can be opened by Saturday for the
service to the public.
Mr. Harry Cook will be the man
ager of the new business and has
already moved here and located with
his wife ard five children in the
residence property at 1601 Main
street.
The new business establishment
will be operated as a modern and
up-to-date chicken store and with
a full line of poultry needs. Mr.
Cook is an authority on chicken
diseases and will be able to give this
service to the farmers without ad
ditional cost.
FUNERAL OF MRS. LARSON
Last rites wTill be conducted for
Mrs. Christina Larson, widow of
Lars G. Larson, Saturday afternoon
at 2:30 at the Sattler funeral home
at Fourth and Vine streets. Dr.
H. G. McClusky, pastor of the Presl
byterian church, will officiate. Inter
ment at Oak Hill cemetery.
Daylight Savings
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UP)
The house today completed congres
sional action on daylight saving time
legislation to advance the nation's
clocks one hour in the second week
of February.
The house adopted a conference
report on the bill by voice vote. Sen
European Front
Sees Germans'
Winter Lines
Hope to Make Stand Againsc Russians
Nazi May Seek Attack on
the Island of Malta
By LOUIS F. KEEMLE
The question of whether the Ger
mans will be able to hold the winter
line they have set in Russia appar
ently is coming closer to a decision
now that the Russians suddenly
have increased the fury of their of
fensive, particularly in the south
and the Ukraine.
German military authorities were
quoted yesterday as placing the line
approximately as follows:
From a point east of Taganrog
(on the Sea of Azov) northeast of
Kharkov. Krusk, Orel. Kaluga, Mod
jaisk. Lake Ilmen and Schulessel
burg (southeast of Leningrad).
However, the Russians were re
ported today to have landed in force
west of Tagenrog. threatening to en
circle the Germans there. Moscow an
nounced its troops were driving on
Kharkov and had encircled Orel,
midway between Kharkov and Mos
cow. This presages a critical test of Ger
man ability to hold the line indicat
ed. If they cannot, there may be
weeks of hard fighting before they
find a line farther west which they
can hold. Only then will thev be able
to settle down to preparations for a
spring offensive.
The Russian campaign dovetails
with the far eastern theater of war,
and present or future operations in
the Mediterraneon and the middle
east. The drive in the Crimea and
Ukraine is especially pertinent to
the latter.
If the Germans halt the drive for
regained ground in south Russia,
the British would., -fee prepared for
Hitler to move srauiBt the oil fields
of the near east, either through
the Caucasus or Turkey.
The incessant bombardment of the
fortress of Malta may presage an
axis attempt to reduce that strong
hold and clear the way for heavy
reinforcements to Libya. Axis foot
hold in Libya would be about a direct
threat to the near east through
Egypt and Suez, concurrent with a
drive from the north.
Britain's preparations to hold
Libya, and the near east against the
axis threat were marked today by
the appointment of Lieutenant Gen
eral Sir Claude Auchinleck, commander-in-chief
of the middle east,
British and Indian forces in Iran and
Iraq. These two strategic stations
had been under the commander-in-chief
of India. Auchinleck's command
now extends from Libya to the bor
ders of India. It will be his respon
sibility to meet any Caucasian or
Turkish attack.
From the defensive viewpoint,
the British appear strong. They are
prepared to meet an axis air offen
sive in the Mediterranean if Marshal
Timoshenko' Crimean and Ukrainian
drove succeeds and its tempo is in
creasing rather than diminishing
the gateway to the Caucasus will be
closed. A decisive axis defeat in Libya
would pave the way for allied offen
sive, perhaps a smashing attack on
Italy.
SUFFERS BROKEN LEG
Miss Clara Weyrich, member of
the teaching faculty of the high
school, is suffering from the effects
of a fall sustained Tuesday while
on her way to school. She slipped
and fell near the Christian Science
church on South 6th street and as
a result sustained the fracture of
a bone of the right leg. The frae-
ture was set at once and the patient
is now doing Just as well as pos
sible under the circumstances.
To Start Feb. 8
ate approval of the report was voted
under suspension of the customary
rules late yesterday.
The measure will go into effect 20
days after it is signed by Mr.
Roosevelt, perhaps this week-end. If
he signs it next Monday, the clocks
will be advanced Sunday, February
8.
ATTEND LODGE MEETING
This afternoon Raymond C. Cook
deputy grand custodian of the A. F.
& A. M. is to 5'e at Lyons. Nebraska,
to install the officers of Pilot lodge
No. 24 0.
Thi3 afternoon Mr. Cook will con
duct the examinations for E. C. Stim
bert. former superintendent of the
Nehawka schools and make the in
siallation of the officers later in
the evening.
Ttundall Bigsby, local mortician, a
member of the Lyons lodge is taking
Mr. Cook, Carl Schneider, Warren
Scharfenberg, and William F. Evers.
up to attend the installation.
Dutch Planes
Hunt Japanese
Transport Ships
Part of Policy of Counter Attack
Has Taken Dutch Planes and
Troops to Many Fronts
By JOHN R. MORRIS
RATA VIA. Jan. 15 (UP) Nether
lands East Indies planes swept out
over the South Seas today in a con
certed hunt for Japanese warships
and transports as part of the policy
of counterattack which has taken
Dutch planes and troops into action
over or on Dutch, Philippines and
Rritish territory.
Japanese sea and air forces were
reported to be organizing for a direct
invasion attack on Bali Papan. on
the east coast of Borneo, 320 miles
south of Tarakan Island.
Japanese planes attacked the area
on the Strait of Macassar across from
etieoes with increasing fury in ap
parent preparation for an assault by
sea-borne and air-transported troops.
The Netherlands East Indies forces,
land, sea and air. were understood
to have determined on a continued
policy of counteroffeitiive action, ex
tending from the Netherlands East
Indies to the Philippines and Malaya,
in co-operation with Gen. Sir Archi
bald Wavell. new United Nations
commander in chief.
It was disclosed officially today
that a Netherlands Indies air force
unit was now based at a Malayan
airdrome and that Gen. Sir Henry
Pownall. British commander in chief
in the far east, had visited the base.
He was shown around by Lieut.
Col. W. E. Van Gulik. the Nether
lands air force commander in Ma
laya, and it was said that he show
ed great interest in the American
built Glenn Martin bombers of the
Netherlands unit and in the bomb
sights used on them.
In this connection it was announc
ed that the United States had agreed
to send a number of Douglas C-3 air
liners during the second half of this
year for use on Netherlands com
mercial air lines an indication of
the confidence of the allied nations
that Japan's successes in this part
of the world were transitory.
As Gen. Wavell organized his new
headquarters, the newspapers greet
ed him in a joint statement "as an
old friend. 1 The statement said the
people regarded him not as an idol
who possessed charms, but "as an
ordinary man like ourselves, but at
the same time an intelligentstrategist
and an inspiring leader."
It assured Gen. Wavell that the
Indies had complete confidence in
him and that Indies defense forces
were eager for action.
It was said authoritatively that
Indies munitions supply was not
only abundant but had been dis
tributed in scores of dumps, deep in
the Jungle and invisible from the air.
RETURNS TO DUTY
Frank A. Cloidt, cashier of the
Plattsmouth State bank, was back
on the job today after three days
confinement at his home as the re
sult of an attack of gall bladder
trouble. Mn Cloidt is feeling some
better and under treatment that it
is hoped will remedy his condition.
HERE FROM SOUTH BEND
J. L. Carnicle and son, Larry, of
the South Bend community, were in
this city today to attend to some
matters of business at the court
house. While here t they enjoyed a
short visit with friends and acquaintances.
Nelson Calls All Nation To
All Out Effort To Produce
Old Ideas Must Drop as Nation Girds to Provide
For a Winning War Against
The Axis Powers
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 (UP)
Donald M. Nelson promised today
that so many old ideas were going
to be junked in the next few weeks
and so many new ones adopted to
get America's production system into
high gear that it would "make your
hair curl."
Ordinarily, peacetime, even "sen
sible" methods are going to be toss
ed overboard for a system that prob
ably will bring charges of insanity
from the old leaders. The new boss
of production and supply said in
his speech, read for him last night
at Vincennes, Indiana, "we need be
bright enough, if you please, to try
to do things that sensible men would
not try to do under ordinary cir
cumstances," Nelson said. These
statements were made as Nelson re
doubled his efforts to revamp a lag
ging army, navy and OPM procure
ment and production policies. Under,
the new war production board -he
will head, he has been given com
plete authority to recommend any
steps he deems necessary to harness
industry to the huge armament pro
duction task ahead of it.
There can be no more half-way
measures, no more maybes, buts and
ifs in the war against Hitlerism, he
said. iecause: failure in this job,
let me remind you again, is equiv
alent to national death.
Every worker must be utilized for
war production or civilian neces
sities; every machine must be one
part of the old pattern in the war
effort.
Business Men's
Ad Club Holds
Annual Election
Clement Woster, President: R. W.
Knorr. Vice-President W. H.
Pals, Secretary-Treasurer
The Plattsmouth Business Men's
Ad club at their meeting Wednes
day at the luncheon at the Hotel
Plattsmouth, held their annual elec
tion of officers. The present officers
that have served so efficiently were
all re-elected to their positions as
follows:
President Clement Woster.
Vice-President R. W. Knorr.
Secretary-Treasurer W. H. Puis.
This was the first meeting of the
new year and plans were outlined
for some of the activities of the
coming year, a planning committee
being arranged to secure suggestions
as to new activities for the ensuing
twelve months.
The club will also sponsor the
King Korn Klub activities for 1942
and a committee will soon be ap
pointed to take up the plans for
making the coming event one of
the best.
CHOPS FOOT
Tuesday afternoon Frank Lepert,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Lepert,
was cutting wood in the timber and
while doing so his foot slipped,
throwing him off balance and as a
result the ax struck his right foot.
The young man, however, did not
lose any toes as had been rumored.
He was brought on to Plattsmouth
and given medical care in the office
of Dr. L. S. Pucelik. It required five
stitches to close the wound and now
Frank is forced to go around with
crutches. The foot is in a cast.
Womans Club, Note
The Plattsmouth Woman's club
will meet Monday evening, January
19 at 8 o'clock at Hotel Plattsmouth.
Mrs. H. L. Gayer will be the leader
of the program on "Things Are Not
What They Seem." Mrs. R. C. Shel
lenbarger will sing. Hostesses: Mes
dames Fred Lugsch, William Gorder,
P. Y. McFetridge, J. F. Wolff and
Miss Amelia Martens.
MECHANICAL COURSE
TO BE OFFERED HERE
The Plattsmouth board of edu
cation has received notice from the
Department of Vocational Educa
tion that federal fund? are avail
able to employ a teacher and or
ganize a course in mechanics for out
of school youths, between the ages
of 17 and 25. The board of edu
cption is anxious to assist all youths
in the community who are not in
school, if any of them are interested
in taking this course.
This course is definitely for stu
dents who are not in high school
at the present time, but only for
those who have either quit school
or graduated from high school.
The course will consist of auto
mobile mechanics and other forms
of mechanical training given under
a competent instructor. Any youths
who are interested in taking this
course are asked to call the super
intendent's office, 103, immediately
for registration.
DISCUSS RACE AND RELIGION
The Rotary club at their luncheon
this week at the Hotel Plattsmouth
had the pleasure of hearing a most
interesting discussion of the ques
tion, "Christian and Jew Better Re
lationship," presented in a panel dis
cussion by three students of the
Omaha university and H. Malcolm
Baldridge, former Omaha congress
man. The three students here were
Earl Win go. Bruce Moore, Bob Turn
er, who in their answers showed the
growth and spread of the racial hat
red in Europe that has finally cul
minated in the present war and de
termined effort to stamp out some of
the races entirely.
Dr. H. G. McClusky was the leader
of the meeting.
AILE TO SIT UP
Frank R. Gobelman, local paint
and wall paper dealer, who has been
confined to his home for the past
week, is now able to be up a part
of the time. He was confined to his
bed the greater part of the time but
is now slowly recovering from the
effects of the flu and cold.
SHOWS IMPROVEMENT
The many friends will be interest
ed to learn that Mrs. J. W .Crabill
is showing marked improvement at
the Methodist hospital at Omaha
where she has been for the past
two weeks. She is responding to the
recent operation in fine shape that
that is most gratifying.
LOCAL SCHOOLS CO-OPERATE
WITH DEFENSE PROGRAM
Arrangements are being made to
give all of the teachers instructions
in first aid under a certified Red
Cross instructor. All of the pupils
in the Plattsmouth schools will be
given first aid lessons a half hour
each week.
ANNOUNCE BIRTH OF BABY
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Roelfsz of
Alvo are parents of a daughter
born at Lincoln General hospital
Wednesday. Mrs. Roelfsz was for
merly Josephine . Hargleroad.
One-fourth of the world's 200,
000 known vegetable species are to
be found in Brazil, according to the
Department of Commerce.
We're selling a lot of rubber stamps
these days and the reason is the low
prices. Get your stamps at the Jour
nal office.
.".-"." v
Thomas Walling Company v
Abstracts of Title ?
4 Phone 324 - Plattsmouth
0seoseco99osoaeoaooesoooo
Buy DEFENSE
BONDS
All Yon Possibly Can
THE
NEXT
BEST
INVESTMENT
IS
Clothing at the present
prices. Believe it or not
WE SCOTT'S
Where Quality Counts
n
eooiQiOiosBieseeieeosoavQe
Nehawka Masons
Install Officers
Wednesday Night
Otto K. Ehlers Worshipful Master;
Rev. W. A. Taylor Completes
30 Years as Chaplain.
Wednesday evening Nehawka lodge
No. 24C A. F. & A. M. held their
installation of officers with a very
large attendance of the members at
the ceremonies.
Raymond C. Cook, deputy grand
custodian of the grand lodge of Ne
braska, was the installing officer and
assisted by W. F. Evers, marshal
and W. A. Robertson, past grand
master as the chaplain for the cere
monies. In addition to the installing party,
J. R. Reeder and Roy O. Cole of
the Plattsmouth lodge were in at
tendance. The officers of the lodge installed
comprised:
W. M. Otto K. Ehlers.
S. W. W. A. Ost.
J. W. Dr. R. R. Anderson.
Treasurer Charles Adams.
Secretary James M. Palmer.
S. D. Leonard St. John.
J. D. Sheldon Mitchell.
Chaplain Rev. W. A. Taylor.
S. S. Oren Polla d.
J. S. Roy F. "Eecker.
Tyler James Pollard.
One of the striking facts of the
installation was that thirty years
ago on the same date Rev. William
A. Taylor, of Union, had been named
as the chaplain of the lodge and has
filled that position continuously
since that time. Rev. Taylor is
feeling very well now and received
a fine greeting from his brethren on
his notable anniversary.
The evening was closed with the
serving of a delicious oyster supper
that all thoroughly appreciated.
ENTERS AIR CORPS
Charles H. Warner, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Wallace Warner, of near
this city, departed last evening for
Fort Leavenworth', Kansas, where
he will enter the induction center
of the United States army.
Mr. Warner has enlisted ir. the
air corps of the United States army
and after the preliminary entrance
at the Kansas post will be assigned
to training at one of the air train
ing fields.
Mr. Warner is a graduate of the
Plattsmouth high school in the class
of 1937 and since completing school
has been assisting at the Warner
farm near this city. With the na
tion at war the young man decided
to do his part in the conflict and
entered the air service where so
many are now doing their service.
For a Short Time
Wo DISCOUNT
on
KODAK REPAIRS
Bring in your Kodak or
Brownie, no matter what
model, it can be made to work
as good as when new, or we
will make you an offer in
trade. All work guaranteed.
P.S. Watch for announcement
of new color film for popular
sized cameras, prints too!
Weyrich & Hadraba
Authorized Kodak Dealers
t