w iq~rt gatI ~ai4 vvwather warmer Saturday 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