St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 1

PATC POST- ON TODAY'S EDITORIAL PAGE FINAL The Teapot Tempest: Editorial. Congress Asserts Itself: Editorial. Smoke Ordinance Survives Attack: Mirror of Public Opinion. RM. S.

FAT. 0T. The Only Evening Newspaper in St. Louis With the Associated Press News Service Vol. 95.

No. 166. (65th Year). ST. LOUIS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1943 36 PAGES tot? i rcxrrc in Gur fit.

Loula SLKVy DISCLOSES CONGRESS mmYANKS RETREA TO ALGERIAN BORDER wmr colbe ENOUGH WOOL FOR CIVILIAN CLOTHES E. BY MM CH ANG OF OLD GANG FINDS HEA VY LOSS IN MEN AND EQUIPMENT New York Times Says Study Shows Talk of Rationi ing Is Absurd. Ml Gil APANESE BEING ROUNDED NEW YORK, Feb. 18 (AP). 66-MILE DRIVE BY NAZIS IN 4 DAYS AFTER HIS 1 Generalissimo's Wife oays conquests Lsive The New York Times said today that a survey of wool goods markets disclosed that all talk of clothing rationing was absurd and there would be an abundance of material available for civilian use Tokyo More Resources New American Positions in Africa Youthful Suspects Also WON RUSSIANS Than Hitler Has.

AMERICANS FALL BACK AS ROMMEL KURSK rJ Held for Questioning in Machine-gun Killing of Ex-chief of Egan KHARKOV USSE MUST CRUSH WAR LORDS, SHE SAYS PUSH ON I Lmi next fall. Growers, weavers, clothing manufacturers and retailers were covered in the canvass. Spokesmen for the various branches of the industry said they expected Government demand for cloth and clothing would drop at least 30 per cent in March and April. Some woolen mills, it was said, OCCUPIES 3 KEY WEDGES ii vt ji VMAHDIA Visitor Tells Senate Four KNOWN ASSOCIATES ORDERED ARRESTED if. rtttmr hdqjjaa pa in TUNISIAN TOWNS IN DONETS BASIN Freedoms Am Death- I 6 Zee Xtt are planning production schedules for those months which would include a sharp increase in styled goods for civilian cutters.

Knell to Aggressor Na tions. BOU In South, Eighth Army Victim Apparently Was Heavy Losses Reported Inflicted on Retreating I I a. jr mat SFAXi WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 (AP), Germans Reds Clean Reaches Mareth Line and Berlin Reports British Attack on Broad, Front. Returning From JEast Side, Where Police Believe He Tried to 'Muscle in'on Gambling.

Mme. Chiang Kai-shek told the House today that it is contrary to ALGERIA JesJ( Out Nazi Strongholds They Swept Around. the interests of the United Na tions "to allow Japan to continue not only as a vital potential threat Representatives of wool growers said their main objective at a meeting on Saturday with the Department of Agriculture would be to obtain assurances that Government control of wools would provide that domestic sorts be processed as received and not placed in storage. One of the principal concerns of the domestic wool dealer, it was said, is the growing stockpile of foreign wool in this country, estimated at one billion pounds now or in the near future. This, together with the domestic clip, comprises the largest inventory any nation ever had at one time, spokesmen said.

50 redeyef' but as a waiting sword of Damocles, ready to descend at a mo By Wes Gallagher ALLIED HEADQUARTERS STATUTE MILES ment's notice." By EDDY GILMORE MOSCOW, Feb, 18 (AP). Red Army forces are smashing westward and widening their wedges in the Kharkov and Kursk regions IN NORTH AFRICA, Feb. 13 Speaking in the crowded cham ber the American-educated wife of (AP). American armored for Associated Press Wlrephoto. Triangles indicate the approximate front behind which United States armored formations withdrew today into the mountains below Tebessa, Algeria, following the fall of Sbeitla, Kasserine and Feriana in Tunisia to a three-pronged German assault (arrows).

Heavy black line is comparatively stable front in Central Tunisia. Middle-aged ex-convicts from the underworld of the 1920s and youthful suspects were taken to headquarters today for questioning by St. Louis police in the murder of William Patrick (Dinty) Colbeck, former Egan gang leader, whose career ended in true gangster fashion when he was machine-gunned to death in his automobile at Ninth mations withdrew today into the mountains below Tebessa, at the northern end of the southern front, and other columns have 'THANKS' FROM 'HITLER' ENDS in Algeria, after receiving a U. S. LIGHT TANKS the Chinese generalissimo declared: "Let us not forget that Japan in her occupied areas today has greater resources at her command than Germany.

"Let us not forget that the longer Japan is left in undisputed possession of these resources, the stronger she must become. Each passing day takes more toll in lives of both Americans and WAR WORKERS' ABSENTEEISM pierced deeper into Donets Basin territory in drives threatening the Germans retreating from Rostov, tire Russians announced today. Some of the actions were de SERIOUS LOCAL severe mauling at the hands of Marshal Erwin Rommel's ex COMMITTEE HELD OFF NAZIS AS TROOPS WITHDREW Manpower Board's Telegram to 50 Works, Not One Misses a Day Afterward. scribed as cleaning out the rem pert desert tankmen who occupied the towns of Sbeitla, Kasserine and Feriana in a 66-mile SETBACK' EOR II. S.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 18 (AP) Small Force Repeatedly En "Let us not forget that the Jap- The regional office of the War advance since Sunday from nants of Nazi strongholds left in the rear of Soviet troops which had swept around them' for spectacular gains. (The German high command acknowledged today that Kharkov had been evacuated "after syste nd Destrehan streets at 10:40 o'clock last night. Apparently he had just driven across McKinley Bridge from the East Side gambling area, where, police believe, he had sought to "muscle in" on some of the lucrative games. Orders were issued early today for the arrest of all surviving members of the Egan Gang and all known associates of "the 52-year-old Colbeck, who served 16 years Manpower Commission sent this I intransigent people Let gaged Foe's Heavier Machines in Tunisia.

APPROVES BILL TO DEFERFATHERS Amendment Also Voted us not forget that during Faid Pass in Central Tunisia, STIMSON STATES telegram to 50 chronic absentees Straggling United States the first four and a half years of total aggression China has borne Japan's sadistic fury unaided and alone." matic destruction of its important units were fighting their way By NOLAND NORGAARD WITH UNITED STATES installations." The Russians announced its capture two days ago.) Losses in Tunisia Appar- back from behind the German FORCES ON THE TUNISIAN Speech Is Broadcast. She added that Japan's "military FRONT, Feb 17 (Delayed) (AP). ently Heavy, but Re-P8 1A.m"ic tpo.ti s- I tflhlishpii in trip Vioio-Mc oacf r9 r-to Bar WMC Plan of Seventeen American light tanks- might must be decimated as a fighting force before Its threat to valiant pygmies against the Ger verse Should Wot Be civilization is removed." She Induction by Occupa tional Groups. man machines they met fought a delaying action against a heavier Exaggerated. (Gallagher's dispatches did not brought the House members to their feet when she said that Japan must not be regarded as an of a New Jersey war plant: "Thank you very much for taking the day off.

J3y so doing you help my cause in trying to beat a decadent democracy. (Signed) Adolf Hitler." It worked, the WMC reported not one of the 50 has missed a shift since. SANTA MONICA, Feb. 18 (AP). War-plant drunks will sober up in the Army, If Police Judge Samuel J.

Crawford has his way. The Judge said he would recommend that draft boards order induction of all defense plant inebriates cited before him. He's tired of hangover absentee of a "5-year term in Federal prisons for two mail robberies, being released in 1940, and who had since "gone straight," to the extent of keeping out of any known connection with crimes of violence. Robinson, Ryan Questioned. Two of Colbeck's closest associates, David (Chippy) Robinson and Steve Ryan, both convicted with him of mail robbery, and German armored column, artillery and infantry today and permitted United States and French forces Towns near Kharkov taken.

"West of Kharkov our troops continued their successful offensive, inflicting heavy blows on the remnants of routed German units," the Russians said. "The Hitlerite path of retreat is covered with the bodies of dead enemy officers and men as well as with abandoned German heavy and light arms." The Kharkov offensive carried into Bogodukhov, 36 miles to the northwest on the railroad to Sumy; to Zmiev, 22 miles southeast of aay speciucauy wnetner tile American outposts were east or west of opponent of relative unimportance. The speech was read and WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 (AP). the Tunisia-Algeria frontier.

The WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 (AP). to evacuate the plains of Thelepte near the Algerian border. By a 23-to-2 vote, the House Mlli Mrs. Franklin D.

Roosevelt ac After fighting a series of run tary Affairs Committee approved Secretary of War Stimson said to- mountains there sprawl on both day that American forces In Cen- sides of the border. Tebessa itself tral Tunisia had suffered "seri- is 12 miles within Algeria. It is ously local setback" which "should the next communications center companied Mme. Chiang to the Capitol and sat in the crowded ning engagements, darting in and both now war plant workers, Rob- today the Kilday bill to give men inson as a welder and Ryan as out of the fire of Nazi guns and the medium Mark IV tanks, the gallery to hear her speak. Speaker Rayburn greeted China's first lady with children draft deferment pri an electrician, were questioned without apparent result, and were Kharkov; and Alekseevskoe, 38 doughty little American armored ority and to put selective service miles south of Kharkov, just east not be minimized, but still less after withdrawal from the three should it be exaggerated." towns along the Tunisian border.) released in time to go to their i ism, he said; "our men on the fighting fronts are not taking time as "one of the outstanding women of all the earth the helpmeet and co-worker of one of the outstand raft quotas on a state-wide in of the rail line and north of Lozo- stead of a local board basis.

Louis Calcaterra and Dan O'Neil, iOT alconollc Pree-' Reports are incomplete, he told Axi had rted 1 4000 acinnrA mil nf trrUArv frrvm force retired without the loss of a single man. Its only casualties were one light tank which was overturned In a gulch and a scout car. Representatives Andrews (Rep.) ing figures in all the world." Mme. Chiang was dressed in a long, form-fitting black gown with HALSEY PINS KIS OLD STARS New York, and Sheridan his press conference, but the Amer- Unlted Stateg armored force, la ican forces apparently have suf- four days and sent their vanguards fered rather heavy casualties in almost to the border of Algeria. "We buffaloed them," was the a slit skirt.

Black sequins glistened Pennsylvania, were -listed as hav ing voted against the action. ON LIEUT. GEN. HARMON simple explanation of Capt. Edgar The committee wrote into the Probsfleld of Verona, who commanded the company.

bill an amendment by Representa Uses Insignia He Wore as Vice tive Elston Ohio, to make Admiral in Promotion of South Pacific Army Chief. clear that men shall not be induct 12 ARMY FLYERS KILLED at her collar and green earrings glittered below her softly waved hair. Test of Address. The text of the address follows: "Mr. President, Mr.

Speaker, and Members of the Congress of the United States: "At any time, it would be a privi the former a partner in an East Side gambling venture and the latter lately associated with Colbeck In a mldtown night club, also were released after being questioned. John Russell (Babs) Moran, former St. Louis County gunman, taken in East St. Louis; Arthur Joseph Berne, steamfitter and ex-convict; and Raymond Fishell, electrician and ex-convict, were among seven others taken into custody. One of the men was arrested in a tavern near the scene of the shooting, where his excitement caused comment; he said his ex ed by occupational groups.

The vaya. Russian units previously had penetrated from the east to Lozovaya which lies about 70 miles northeast of Dniepero-petrovsk. Between Kharkov and Kursk, a column apparently operating from the newly-captured base at Kursk, took Gralvoron, only 20 miles north of Bogodukhov, the Russians said, and then advanced into another unidentified city after beating back fierce Russians Cross Stream. North of Kursk a number of towns were captured and northwest of the city and west of Fatezh Soviet units forced a water crossing and stormed into another large town, it was announced. AN ADVANCED BASE IN THE purpose, Elston said, was to prevent the carrying out of a War IN CRASH IN SOUTH DAKOTA Four-Motor Bomber Wrecked Near both personnel and equipment, In, their firat "-ut armored battle of this war against the Ger- with a number of tanks destroyed mans forward field report, ndW by German dive bombers In the cated, American tank formations fighting of the last four days.

have suffered a decisive defeat. Stimson said the Axis attack which observers here likened to against the relatively lightly-held that received by the British Eighth American lines cama while the Army at Ain El Gazala, west of British Eighth Army in Tripoli- Tobruk, last summer, when Rom-tanla was occupied in reorganiza- mel began his advance in Egypt tion and the British First Army (Commenting on the American in Northern Tunisia was "mud reverse in Africa, Secretary of bound," but apparently was in- War Stimson said that the United tended only to widen the corridor States forces had suffered a 'se-along the coast between German rious local setback" and appar- SOUTH PACIFIC, Feb. 17 (Delayed) (AP). Millard F. Harmon, commander of air and ground Manpower Commission proposal to draft men in nonessential work lege for me to address Congress, regardless of dependency.

Huron Identification I Not Completed. RAPID CITY, S. Feb. 18 (AP). Twelve enlisted men and Chairman May Ken forces in the South Pacific, today was promoted from major general more especially this present august body which will have so much to do in shaping the destiny or the world.

In speaking to Congress I tucky, of the Military Committee to lieutenant general. citement was caused by the shoot said he would ask the Rules Com officers aboard a four-engine Army bomber stationed at the Rapid City am literally speaking to the Amer mittee to clear the bill for prompt action by the House, probably next ican people. The Seventy-seventh rorces in Northern and Southern ently had lost rather heavily ia Army Air Base were killed when "Under the blows of our units week. Tunisia and Tas not the men and equipment) Congress, as their representatives, enemy troops are retreating with It was opposed by Selective fulfilled the obligations and respon ning of any large scale offensive The final result did not appear heavy losses," the Russians said. Service officials and War Depart by the Axis forces.

likely to be as serious as the Liby- (Jfosstbiy the large town was Admiral William F. Halsey, of-1 ficiating at the ceremonies, pinned on Gen. Harmon the three stars he bad worn himself as a vice admiral. The promotion came a week after the Navy and Army announced the complete capture of Guadalcanal in the Solomons Islands, a campaign directed jointly by Harmon and Halsey, the latter as commander of naval forces in ment spokesmen. "A Not Unexpected Development" sibilities of its trust by declaring war on the aggressors.

That part of the duty of the people's repre ing, of which he had just heard, the victim then not having been identified. The flare-up of the almost forgotten gang wars of a quarter-century ago came on a poorly lighted corner in a neighborhood rear the bridge, highway to snd from the gambling resorts of Venice and other Madison County places. Colbeck was connected, by East Dmitriev, which lies across a tribu The bill would set up four grades their plane crashed late yesterday on the outskirts of Huron, S. the public relations office at the local base announced last night. Names of the casualties will be withheld until identification has been completed.

TUCSON, Feb. 18 (AP). tary of the Seim River. The of an battle last summer, however, because the British First Army in the north and the advancing British Eighth Army in the south both of men and provide for their in fensive in this region threatens to fashion a pincers from the south duction on a group basis, with no one in a higher category being menaced Rommel on his flanks. about Orel, the last remaining Ger fctimson began his weekly review of the war in all theaters with the statement that "a not unexpected development has occurred in central Tunisip where our forces have suffered a sharp reverse." In four days of heavy fighting, with armored units engaged on called for induction while quali (A Berlin broadcast quoted Capt man stronghold on the line from fied men in lower categories were Continued on Page- 7, Column which they launched last summer's available.

offensive. Five employes of Consolidated Aircraft Co. were killed and 11 injured yesterday in the crash and burning of a B-24 bomber shortly Continued on Page Column S. The order of the groupings place sentatives was discharged in 1941. The task now confronting you is to help win the war and to create and uphold a lasting peace which will justify the sacrifices and sufferings of the victims of aggression.

"Before enlarging on this subject, I should like to tell you a little about my long and vividly interesting trip to your country from my own land, which has bled and borne unflinchingly the bur (In London the offensives in single men in the first category, single men with collateral de Today's War News after its takeoff. Continued on Page 8, Column 4 30 to 34 Tonight tnese areas were regarded as a race for the upper reaches of the Dnieper River with the Red Army this area. Gen. Harmon said: "The three stars I have on my collar now have been worn previously by Admiral Halsey before he was elevated to the rank of full admiral. If I can carry these three stars with the same effectiveness and efficiency that he carried them over the ocean wave, I will be pendents in the second, married men without children in the third ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH AFRICA Americans in Central Tunisia retreat Into striking from Kharkov to Kiev, 260 miles west, In an effort to turn any German defenses based on the and married men with children in the fourth.

THE TEMPERATURES 1 a. m. 3S 9 m. m. 31 2 a.

m. 3 10 m. 3. 3 a m. 31 11 a.

m. 38 4 a. 32 12 noon 44 Bathroom for Churchill's Plane Draws Some Steam in Commons den of war for more than five and In effect, no married man with mountains below Tebessa, Algeria, after 66-mile German tank drive river. Southward, it was consid children could be drafted while ered likely that Zaporozhe, 45 miles Continued on Page 2, Column 2. very happy." In four days that threatens Allied south of Dnieperopetrovsk and 120 positions to north; XJ.

S. forces said there were available within his State single men or childless married men. 5 a. m. 32 1 m.

ow 6 a. m. 32 2 p. m. 7 a.

m. 31 3 p. m. 55 a. m.

30 4 t. m. Normal maximum thli dale, 44; normal minimum. 27. Y.at.rday'f nlnh.

SO (5 p. low, 28 (5 a I Weather Id other cltle Paga 11A. miles west of Stalino, would be the target for the southern clamp to have lost so much of tank strength as to he unable to coun Smoke Now Defends Panama Canal; The committee overwhelmingly on the river valley.) New Gains In Donets Basin. terattack In near future; Berlin turned down an amendment of radio says Nazis have entered Al able and learned gentleman state for whom the luxury air liners are being built?" Smith asked for the third time. Wiith a this-is-where-I-came-in geria southwest of Gafsa.

Screen Blots It Out in Few Minutes fered by Representative Stewart Oklahoma, to have automatically put in Class 1A, available In the Donets Basin, the Russians announced the recapture of Slavyansk, a rail center about 30 miles north of the positions where Lay on, LAHEY! CAIRO British Eighth Army reaches Mareth line on north and for immediate induction, men engaged in strikes. air, Cripps said: "For those concerned in the higher direction of the war." south after 45-mlle advance In tw suited to the terrain and air cur U. S. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, LONDON, Feb. 18 (AP).

"Should Prime Minister Churchill be allowed to take a bath in the sky?" remains among the war's unanswered questions but it looks as if he will get the equipment to so use if he chooses. The Prime Minister's comfort and right to air-borne plumbing were defended in Parliament by the serious-minded Minister of Aircraft Production, Sir Stafford Cripps. Laborite Ellis Smith fired the Russian units previously had thrust to Kramatorsk. Other towns also "Only two or three voted for my days; Germans report British are rents. Smoke is generated at the instant of lighting and in almost Panama Canal Zone, Feb.

18 (AP). Smoke a billowing, blinding attacking on broad front were taken in the Kramatorsk sec amendment," Stewart told report ers after the executive session. no time the canal seems to dis tor, extending an encircling drive on Stalino, which is 60 miles south MOSCOW Russian armies widen wedges beyond recaptured Khar Laborite Emanuel Shlnwell intervened to ask if the Minister accepted Smith's "luxury liner" description. Sidestepping, Cripps said: "It depends on what is mean by 'lux appear. CHURCHILL CONFINED TO BED of Slavyansk.

It is easy to imagine the plight kov and Kursk and drive deeper Into Donets Basin, threatening corridor of Nasi retreat from Ros Elsewhere on the arc drawn about the Donets Basin Russian of any enemy aviator who might succeed in penetrating the canal's outer defenses: Some people would regard curtain of dense vapor that hides the Panama Canal and its vital areas in a very few minutes has become a primary line of defense in the protection of this strategic waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The smoke screen has been under development for Official forecast for St. Louis and vicinity Somewhat warmer tonight and tomorrow fore noon; lowest temperature tonight 30 to 31. Missouri: Somewhat warmer tonight and tomorrow e- roon. Illinois: Warmer tonight and tomorrow e-BOon.

Sunset, sunrise (tomorrow), 7:47. Stage of the Mississippi at St. Louis. 10.4 feet, a first shot when he demanded to Washing as a luxury, others would know why skilled laborers were not." United States interceptor fighter troops took 11 villages southwest of Voroshilovgrad, and guerrilla units were aiding the regular army in flank attacks on the retreating being used to convert a plane into "Does my right honorable and Prime Minister Reported Suffering a Feverish Cold. LONDON, Feb.

18 (AP). Prime Minister Churchill is suffering a feverish cold and is confined to his bed, it was announced today at No. 10 Downing street planes would be climbing up to meet the enemy and would have the advantage of home surround learned friend in that facetious re German columns in the Rostov months and at present is reaching ply which if I may say so is quite unusual for him suggest that or its maximum effectiveness. the Russians said. One of the towns taken in th dinary men traveling in troop carriers do not wash and this ablu- Voroshilovgrad sector was Slavy- Today, for the first time, correspondents were permitted to write about the screen, although anoserbsk, on the west bank of the tov.

WASHINGTON Secretary Stimson announces arrival of Lieut. Gen. Walter Krueger in Australia to take command of a new field army to be formed of units already in the Southwest Pacific; Gen. Douglas MacArthurs command not affected by move. ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, AUSTRALIA Allies bomb Japanese bases in New Guinea and New Britain, while troops press along at heels of retreating Japanese forces near big enemy base at Salamaua.

tionary privilege is left to those POST-DISPATCH WCATHERBIRD mm pat of many important details naturally Donets River 55 miles east of Slavyansk. The Russians also cap "a luxury air liner." Cripps replied that in view of the long journeys which "those concerned in the higher direction of the war are frequently called upon to undertake" the arrangements were being made to provide more om-fortable planes. "In view of the baths ar a all manner of utensils of that kind which are being fitted on le aircraft and in view of the wy ordinary men of the armed forces have to carry on, can the right honor- concerned in the higher direction of the war?" Shlnwell asked. ings. A vast concentration of anti-aircraft guns would be sending up a curtain of exploding shells around all possible targets.

And the enemy would be busy trying to locate his targets, which would be obliterated by smoke. The enemy would know that promiscuous bombing would have little chance of causing any serious damage of the type his mis still must remain secret. tured Rovenki and Sverdlovsk At the first sign of danger a rise of 1.4; the southeast of Voroshilovgrad on the Fortress Takes Dog on 26 Raids. HONOLULU, T. Feb.

18 (AP). A Flying Fortress crew has carried its mascot. Skipper, a dog, the special pet of Sergt. Joseph S. An-gelini of Philadelphia, on 26 bombing raids, in which the Fortress has shot down five Zeros and sunk an enemy cruiser.

Cripps had the final word: concerned with the higher direction of the war require a cer Missouri at St. Charles, 12.9 feet, Likhaya-Gorlovka branch rail line, At Rovenki, an effective Soviet siren sounds. The men assigned to the smoke generators rush from their huts with flaming torches in hand. They touch off the burners which are set out in patterns tain degree of comfort on long spearhead was aimed at the cen a fall of 0.5. AU weather sata, IneliMinir forecast nri temperatures, supplied by U.

E. Weather Bureau. distance journeys if they are to sion called for. Continued on Page Column 4. perform their duties properly.".