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VOL. LII No. 100 ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, SATURDAY, FEB. 27, 1943
PRICE FIVE CENTS
Allies
Chase
Rommel
Through
Tunisia
Democrats
Appoint Two
For Regency
Voice Vote Calls for
All Meetings of Group
To Be Opened Publicly
From The Associated Press
Dr. Charles P. Nugent, Detroit at-
torney, and Dr. Ira D. McCoy, Bad
Axe physician, were nominated for
University of Michigan Regent seats
by the Democratic state convention
in Detroit yesterday which also saw a
voice vote calling for the Regents'
meeting to be "opened to the public."
Nugent and McCoy will oppose Re-
publicans Ralph A. Hayward, Kala-
mazoo paper manufacturer, and R.
Spencer Bishop, of Flint, in the April
5 election.
Nomination Declared Unanimous
At yesterday's convention, Nugent
defeated McCoy and Michael Car-
land, Owosso city city atterney, for
his nomination. Carland had McCoy's
nomination reclared unanimous when
he trailed far behind on the balloting
in their two man race for the other
seat.
After the nominations were com-
pleted the voice vote on a motion
from the floor ordered the Regential
candidates to seek to have the Board
meetings here opened to the public.
(On Saturday, Nov. 7, the Univers-
sity Press Club denounced what it
called "star-chamber" meetings of
governing boards of state institutions
and deplored by resolution the Board
of Regents' private meetings.)
By-laws Fzaznined
(At that time investigation of
Regential by-laws revealed no ruling
which would bar visitors from the
Regent's meetings. In fact, a bylaw,
passed in the 1840's, was discovered
which affirmqd that all of the
Board's delibe ations should be open
to the public
(But whe ytwo reporters, informed
of the by-lww attempted to attend the
Regents' ,meeting of the following
Friday, they were ejected from the
room by Dr. Alexander G. Ruthven,
the Board's presiding officer. He told
them that "the Regents never allow
outsiders in their meetings.")
*I * *
REID NOMINATED
By The Associated Press
DETROIT, Mich., Feb. 26.-Blast-
ing at Republicans generally, at the
GOP legislative majority specifically,
the Democratic state convention to-
day nominated a slate of candidates
for the April 5 election, and promised
to make it a fight.
Lloyd B. Reid, the incumbent State
Highway Commissioner, was nomi-
nated to head the ticket, and served
notice in a convention speech he
Turn to Page 2, Col. 3
Russians Gain
In Donets Basin
Railway Station near
Novorossisk Is Taken
MOSCOW, Feb. 26. - (P) - Rus-
sian troops advanced steadily today
through the deep snow fields west of
Kharkov and north of Kursk, shat-
tered wave after wave of German
counterattacks in the thawing Donets
Basin and captured a district center
and railway station northeast of Nov-
orossisk.
The noon communique listing these
gains told also of the destruction of
2,150 enemy troops and 29 tanks and
drew a scene of hardened German
resistance southwest of Voroshilov-
grad and Kramatorsk and in the area
west of Rostov where the Soviets are
beating along the Sea of Azov toward
Taganrog.
West of Kharkov, the Russians said
they captured a populated place with
considerable booty including a grain
depot and ammunition dump.
North of Kursk on the approaches
to Orel, another village was seized
after 200 Germans were slain and
counterattacks were crushed. .
ON THE LABOR FRONT:
Congress Seeks Absenteeism Curb
By WILLIAM R. SPEAR
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.- (AP)-
Action to stop absenteeism and fresh
demands to curb strikes developed in
Congress today following a work
stoppage at a flying fortress factory
and production tieups in other vital
war plants.
Meanwhile, the War Labor Board
told workers at the Boeing Aircraft
Company's Flying Fortress plant in
Seattle that the board does not con-
sider any case unless the workers "re-
main loyally at their jobs." Boeing
workers seeking quicker action by the
board on wage increase demands held
a protest meeting yesterday, leading
to a temporary production stoppage.
WLB to Decide Case
The WLB said it would decide the
case on the evidence, "intelligently
considered in connection with the
wage stabilization policy of the na-
tion."
1. Senator Connally (Dem.-Tex.)
announced he would introduce
Monday a bill authorizing the gov-
ernment to take over any war plant
where production is interrupted by
a "labor disturbance or any other
cause."
2. Rep. Patman (Dem. - Tex.)
moved to force a speedy House vote
on his bill outlawing conspiracies
"for the purpose of preventing,
stopping, hindering, delaying or in-
terrupting any work or service
necessary to the national defense
program."
Committee Approves Action
3. The House Rules Committee
approved for action on the floor,
probably Monday, a bill by Rep.
Lyndon Johnson (Dem.-Tex.), ad-
ministration supporter, requiring
Navy yards to report to draft
boards every three months the
names of all employes absent with-
out cause. Johnson said he had
introduced another measure apply-
ing the same provisions to all war
workers.
"When I see men like Mr. Johnson,
so close to the throne as I know him
to be, sponsoring legislation like this,
-Associated Press Photo
BOEING WORKERS JAM SEATTLE STREETS
I take heart," observed Rep. Cox
(Dem.-Ga.) of the committee.
Rep. Smith (Dem.-Va.) caustically
inquired whether "Mr. William Green
and Mr. Philip Murray will let you
pass this legislation."
"I haven't discussed it with them,"
Johnson replied.
"You'd better, you know," Smith
said.
Absenteeism Sinks 42 Ships
Johnson offered his measure with
the assertion that "absenteeism sank
42 liberty ships in December alone,"
explaining that "the man-hours lost
through absenteeism would have pro-
duced that many ships."
Patman's bill, introduced Jan. 6,
would make conspiracy to cause an
interription of war work punishable
by five years' imprisonment and
$5,000 fine and would authorize fed-
eral agencies to revise wages, hours
'and working conditions found unfair.
Patman filed a petition to discharge
the judiciary committee from further
consideration of the measure; 218
signatures are required.
While the Senate was in recess,
Connally said in a statement that the
principles of the bill he plans to offer
Monday had been effective in settling
labor disturbances.
Strike Threatens
"The threat of strikes in national
defense plants and the threat that
the coal mines may be tied up by a
strike in April," he added, "renders
it imperative that the government
assert its authority to. see that there
is continued production in national
defense plants and in the mines."
He referred to possible difficulties
arising from the demand of the Unit-
ed Mine Workers union for a wage
Turn to Page 2, Col. 7
Aid to Spain
Is Attacked
By Congress
Shipment of Oil, Cotton
And Foodstuffs Called
'A Damned Outrage'
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26-Disclos-
ure in Barcelona today that the
United States has been exporting
stores of oil, cotton, food and other
products to aid Spain in the develop-
ment of a peace economy drew widely
divergent congressional reaction.
Chairman Robert R. Reynolds,
North Carolina Democrat, of the Sen-
ate Military Committee, termed the
exportation of large quantities of oil
"a damned outrage," but Senator
John A. Danaher, Connecticut Re-
publican, said that he thought it "is
most essential that we maintain the
economy of Spain as a necessary ad-
junct to the war effort."
Envoy Bares Action
Their comments to reporters came
after United States Ambassador Carl-
ton J. H. Hayes had disclosed the ex-
ports in an address at Barcelona ear-
lier in the day. Hayes said that pe-
troleum products were available in
Spain in amounts "considerably
higher than the present per. capita
distribution" to people on the Atlan-
tic seabord of the United States.
At the State Department, in clari-
fication of Hayes' speech, it was said
that oil from the Caribbean, but none
from the United States, is reaching
Spain in Spanish tankers.
Spain is able to obtain more oil
proportionately than the eastern sea-
board of the United States, an of-
ficial explained, because German and
Italian submarines refrain from at-
tacking her tankers.
Trade in other commodities Oe-
tween the United States and Spain
was described unofficially as part of
a good-will policy to keep Spain out
of the war.
Praises Spain
The Ambassador, speaking on the
twenty - fifth anniversary of the
American Chamber of Commerce in
Barcelona, praised Spain as having
effected a vigorous economic renais-
sance under "wise direction of the
Government which, while fostering
works of peace at home, has held
aloof from war abroad."
Commented Reynolds: "It is a
damned outrage that we are shipping
to sunny Spain fuel so badly needed
to warm the people in this country in
winter weather. The time has come
when we must consider not only the
preservation of American principles
but the preservation of American
health.
"It's not going to be up to Spain
to say what she does in this war, but
up to the Axis nations. The more oil
we ship, the more Germany will seize
when she gets ready to invade Spain."
County Farmer Is Jailed
For Letting Flock Starve
Emanuel Hertler, 37-year-old coun-
ty farmer, was sentenced to 30 days
in jail and fined $60 by Justice Jay
H. Payne yesterday for allowing 60 of
his flock of 75 sheep, a bull, cow and
calf to starve to death because he
"didn't have time to feed them."
Deputies reported that the yet liv-
ing sheep were feeding on the car-
casses of the dead animals and that
two horses were guawing on chunks
of wood.
' _
Speaks
Two Leave for
Chicago Parley
Borman and Cole at
Manpower Conference
Representing Michigan today at a
war emergency conference supervised
by OPA officials at Northwestern
University will be Mary Borman, '44,
Manpower Corps head, and Dick
Cole, '44, Corps publicity chairman.
More than 150 colleges are expec-
ted to send delegates to the one day
meeting which will consist of a series
of panel discussions and exchanges
of ideas. Students representing the
various schools in attendance will
lead the panel debates.
Borman will speak in and lead a
panel discussion titled "Collegiate
Manpower." He has been asked by
the OPA officers to especially stress
the accomplishments of his organiza-
tion in farm activities, since, the offi-
cials stated, "Michigan leads all other
schools in this field."
The purpose of the parley, accord-
ing to Borman, is "to establish better
and closer contact between govern-
ment agencies and colleges as far as
war activities are concerned. It will
serve as a clearing house and ex-
change office for ideas and programs
now being used or planned in colleges
all over the country."
Here Today
Nazis Blow
'
CHICAGO, HERE WE COME:
Wolverine Track ment Crush
Ohio State in Lopsided Win
By ED ZALENSKI
Daily Sports Editor
"Chicago here we come!"
This was the general reaction of Captain Dave Matthews and the Wol-
verines as they trotted into the locker room after routing the defending in-
door Conference champions, Ohio State, in a dual meet last night at Yost
Field House, 75% to 28%, before l -
CHARLES P. TAFT
. . * F*
Bomber Area
To Be Studiled
In Conference
Disclosure of Facts on
Willow Run Conditions
May Be Made Today
Important facts on housing condi-
tions, education, land use, health,
and family and child care of the Wil-
low Run defense area are expected
to be disclosed in an all-day Bomber
Area Conference opening at 3:30 p.m.
today in Kellog Auditorium.
Charles P. Taft, assistant director
of health and welfare services of the
Federal Security Agency, will give
the principal address on "Commun-
ity Problems in War Production" at
8 p.m. in Rackham Lecture Hall.
Dr. Otto K" Engelke, director of the
Washtenaw County Department, will
report on housing conditions, sani-
tation and health of the Willow Run
arek in one of three afternoon for-
ums. Union, county, and medical
officials will offer special comments
on the situation from personal ob-
servation.
Afternoon discussions will deal
with the problems of education and
family and child care. Prof. Arthur
Moehlman of the University, will pre-
sent the educational aspects of the
bomber area problem. Included in
this forum are Ernest Chappele, Sup-
erintendent of Schools, Ypsilanti,
Willard Martinson, Educational Di-
rector, Local 50, UAW-CIO, and Jul-
ius Haab, Superintendent of Schools,
Washtenaw County.
Four state and county authorities
will deal with the problem of com-
munity organization for family and
child care in a forum discussion.
Turn to Page 2, Col. 1
- BULLETIN -
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN
AUSTRALIA, Feb. 27, (Saturday).
(R)- A Jap merchant vessel has
been bombed and damaged off the
New Guinea coast, the Allied high
command announced today.
The vessel, of 5,000 tons, was hit
with one 500 pound bomb and two
others exploded close enough to
cause damage In an attack at low
level by heavy Allied bombers off
Wewak, on the north New Guinea
coast.
The bombers alseo delivered a
big attack on the Wewak airdrome.
Still another heavy blow was
dealt Gasmata, New Britain, where
two waves of Allied planes
"bombed the airdrome runway and
dispersal areas, dropping 10 tons
of bombs, causing wide damage."
Up Airdrome,
Burn Stores
Advance Units Enter
Kasserine Fast on
Heels of Axis Legions
LONDON, Feb. 27, (Saturday)-
(A')- The News Chronicle said to-
day that advance Allied units had
entered Kasserine on the heels of
Marshal Rommel's retreating Tu-
nisian forces, and the Daily Mail
.said the Germans were blowing up
the airdrome at Sbeitla and burn-
ing stores at Feriana.
By WES GALLAGHER
Associated Press Correspondent
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN
NORTH AFRICA, Feb. 26- Ameri-
can and British troops striking out
beyond recaptured Kasserine Pass
were carrying forward a general ad-
vance today, smashing at retreating
Axis columns which were headed
back toward Gaf sa, 75 miles south-
east of the farthest westward pene-
tration made by Marshal Rommel in
his broken offensive to the west.
Northeast of the Kasserine, other
Allied forces had advanced 10 to 15
miles in the area of Sbiba.
Heavy Attack Launched
The retreating Nazis were under
heavy and unending attack from the
Allied air arm; Allied headquarters
announced strong raids on both Gaf-
sa and Sbeitla, the latter in the Sbiba
region. British forces at last report
had advanced to within nine miles of
Sbeitla.
The French also were active in the
Sbiba sector, the French command
announcing that its troops, in close
liaison with the other allies, had ad-
vanced 12 miles -south and east of
Sbiba in pursuit of an enemy who
offered no serious opposition.
There were indications that fok-
mel planned to withdraw to a line
running northeast from Gafsa
through Sened and up the secondary
dorsal through Faid, leaving the pla-
teau between two mountain ranges
as a no-man's-land patrolled by tank
forces.
Rommel Vulnerable
He was ina poor defensive position
in an open area with the Allies threa-
tening him from the mountain pas-
ses.
It was disclosed that Rommel had
used in his unsuccessful thrust not
only the 1st German armored divi-
sion and parts of the tenth armored
division but the 15th armored divi-
sion as well.
The claim of the German com-
mand in today's communique that
nearly 4,000 Allied prisoners had been
taken in Rommel's earlier offensive
is exaggerated. It was regarded as
significant that the Germans pre-
pared the way for an acknowledge-
ment of their retreat by telling the
German public that the offensive had
been "concluded."
'Heavy' Nazi Losses
Rommel had lost the initiative
which he had held ever since he
broke through Faid Pass nearly two
weeks ago. He was suffering heavy
losses.
American and British infantry
blasted out the last enemy foothold
in the Kasserine yesterday by attack-
ing from the mountains on each side.
Allied Planes Pound
Nazi U-Boat Lair
LONDON, Feb. 26.--(P),-American
Flying Fortresses and Liberators
pounded the German docks and U-
yoat lairs at Wlhelmshaven today
whilethe British hammered the Nazis
thrice at Dunkerque before dusk to
pound out 20 hours of what compe-
tent observers said was one of the
;reatest sustained aerial offensives
of the war.
Weary, grease-smeared crews of
the U.S. precision bombers said the
results were good at the northwest
German naval base and submarine
,enter despite intense fighter and
ground fire opposition. Seven U.S.
bombers were lost, equalling the heav-
iest toll yet paid by the Eighth U.S.
Air Force.
The heaviest British attack in the
20-hour cycle was in 20 concentrated
minutes before midnight at Nuern-
more than 1,000 fans.
The rampaging Maize and Blue
trackmen set themselves up as sure
shots to tear the Big Ten meet at
Chicago March 5-6 wide open, and
unseat the 1942 Buckeye titlists.
In accomplishing the"upset victory
and rout of Ohio State, the Wol-
verines grabbed nine first places, tied
the Buckeyes for two more, and gave
up the running broad jump to the
invaders. Michigan slammed four
events and took unexpected firsts in
the shot put and high jump.
Ufer Is Hot
"Bullet" Bob Ufer blazed through
to a new meet and Field House rec-
ord in the 440-yard dash, snapping
the tape 15 feet in front of the Buck-
eyes' Russ Owen in :49 flat- The
time eclipsed the meet record held by
Ufer since 1941 of :49.7, and the joint
Field House record of Ufer (1942)
and Johnny Woodruff of Pittsburgh
(1937) at :49.1.
Turn to Page 3, Col. 3
Michigan, Co-op
To Close Sunday
The Michigan Wolverine dining
room closes tomorrow.
After ten years of service, the'
Michigan Wolverine, cooperative
club, will serve its last meal with
Sunday's dinner. The combination
of decreased membership and in-
creased costs have caused the action.
The co-op will continue to main-
tain their building and the Club
Wolverine for evening dancing and
refreshments. A faculty board of
five will act as trustees as long as the
organization is closed.
Treasurer, Ted Theodoroff, '44BAd,
said that the Wolverine's financial
status was "in sound condition" and
that this year the co-op had a $100,-
000 turnover.
'I SAW NAZI GERMANY BLASTED TO BITS':
Eye-Witness Story of Heavy U.S. Air Attack
By GLADWIN HILL
AT A U.S. BOMBER STATION
SOMEWHERE IN ENGLAND,
Feb. 26.-(P)-From the cockpit of
a plane which led an American air
armada in its third attack on Ger-
many today I watched bombs from
flying fortresses and liberators
blast the docks at Wilhelmshaven,
na of tf- 1 , NA,.r ,nrinniol-nn,, l
of flak
of the
for nearly two hours.- one
longest battles the for-
tresses have yet encountered.
Some of our ships went down,
Others were shot up badly and we
encountered handicapping clouds.
Your first view of an attacking
German fighter has the odd im-
personal quality of watching a vis-
tacking planes like tennis balls-
although actually going 2,700
feet per second-that you realize
it's war.
Do you get scared going on a
raid? The answer is no. You may
have qualms if you reflect on the
possible hazards, but while it is
happening there is too much to do
, n can
breath in the oxygen mask, put
ting it out of commission and
switching masks and plugging in
the new one was a struggle like
running in a dream.
Yet the fortress men take an-
noyances like that in stride every
trip.
The first kick-up came after
hrO,.- ..ash n i +h n _ n'._
going, we're going, we're going,"
as we zoomed off the runway.
It seemed like an age until we
covered an expanse of England to
the North Sea.
The first fighter swooped up as
we spotted a large convoy plowing
along the Frisian Islands.
"Enemy aircraft at 2 o'clock,"
fh n. _il l _n 4 ,._t-_ ' _- 'A