Editorial: Mountbatten attacks
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Ferguson: Equal Rights Amendment
By Mrs. Walter Ferguson
Behind the scenes in Washington, many political struggles go on. One of the oldest and bitterest is the fight to obtain an amendment to the Constitution which will guarantee “that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.”
The story behind this fight is both discouraging and inspiring. Certain pioneer members of the National Woman’s Party have worked constantly for it since 1913. They achieved their first victory in 1920 when American women were given the franchise. Since then, equal political and economic rights have been their objective.
A study of the situation gives some interesting sidelights on the manner in which such battles are waged, the strange forces which become unified in the lineup and the areas they cover.
One would not imagine that a stately house, a stone’s throw from the Capitol, is actually a battleground. No. 144 B St. is a landmark in the District of Columbia. The lovely ancient structure was donated as a permanent home for the National Woman’s Party in 1935. It is a charming home for the workers, among them the famous feminine leader, Miss Alice Paul. From this center, the battle for equal rights is directed.
The Equal Rights Amendment was introduced in Congress in 1923. Since then, it has traveled a rocky road. After high hopes by its sponsors for success in 1943, it was suddenly and unaccountably shelved. Powerful forces are pitted against each other in the struggle.
Stokes: Second place stirs hopefuls in GOP race
Backers capitalize on Stassen’s vote
By Thomas L. Stokes, Scripps-Howard staff writer
Washington –
The race for the Republican vice-presidential nomination has opened up again and sponsors of a whole assembly of hopefuls have begun to embroider the qualifications of their candidates.
This has come about by selection of Governor Earl Warren of California as keynoters of the Republican Convention which, under long-established custom, is regarded as a [] to nomination for either first or second place. The broad-shouldered Californian had been linked generally as a running mate for Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York.
Champions of LtCdr. Harold Stassen, ex-Governor of Minnesota, were among the first to seize the opening to push him forward as vice-presidential candidate. They capitalized upon his recent victory in the presidential preference primary in Nebraska and his placing ahead of Wendell L. Willkie in the Wisconsin primary, despite the fact that he could appear personally.
Brace of youngsters
A Dewey-Stassen ticket would be a brace of youngsters. The former was 42 in March; the latter was 37 only a few days ago.
The Midwest is now regarded as the hunting ground for a vice-presidential candidate. Ex-Governor Stassen fulfills that geographical qualification.
His chief claim, beyond his record as three-time Governor of Minnesota, would be his attraction to those – Republicans as well as independent voters – who are for a strong post-war international organization to keep the peace. He campaigned for a specific plan of post-war organization before he left for the Navy.
His nomination, it is argued, would strengthen the ticket to meet the administration’s emphasis on post-war international collaboration, and the young, forceful man would be effective as a campaigner.
Others mentioned
Another Midwestern governor who has been making the most active national campaign for the presidential nomination, Ohio Governor John W. Bricker, also has a high rating among the bookmakers as a running mate for Governor Dewey, Nebraska Governor Dwight Griswold also has his eyes on second place on the ticket.
Some observers are inclined to think Republicans might go to the House or Senate for a vice-presidential candidate because of their stress on cooperation between the President and Congress. Mentioned in this category is Rep. Everett Dirksen (R-IL), one of the able and vigorous younger members of the House who is conducting a whirlwind campaign for the presidential nomination, though creating no sensation so far.
Another being talked of is Rep. Charles Halleck (R-IN), chairman of the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, who nominated Mr. Willkie at the 1940 convention.
Michigan GOP backs Dewey
The Michigan State Republic Convention today endorsed New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, a native of Owosso, Michigan, as candidate for the GOP presidential nomination.
The highlight of the convention was Governor Harry Kelly’s fight to gain control of the Michigan delegation to the national conclave. His apparent victory in garnering at least 26 delegates out of 34 named in the caucuses, and a majority of the seven delegates-at-large, gives him control of the party, and may result in the ouster of Frank D. McKay, political boss from Grand Rapids, as national committeeman.
Cdr. Stassen rescued at sea
Madison, Wisconsin (UP) –
LtCdr. Harold E. Stassen, former Governor of Minnesota, was recently picked up in the South Pacific by a sub-chaser after his patrol boat stalled.
The incident was made public by Mrs. Harriet Bartholomew of Madison, whose brother, William Bormett, 22, was aboard the sub-chaser.
Bormett wrote his sister that while out on patrol his boat picked up a group of men from a stalled motorboat. One of the men identified himself as Cdr. Stassen, he said.
“Maybe we just picked up the next President of the United States,” Mrs. Bartholomew said her brother commented at the end of the letter, received Feb. 17.
Primer for primaries –
State to send total of 148 delegates to national conventions
GOP will elect 70 and Democrats 78; local contests are mainly Republican
By Kermit McFarland
Pennsylvania will send 70 delegates to the Republican National Convention opening June 26 and 78 delegates to the Democratic National Convention beginning July 19.
There will be 12 Democratic delegates elected at large and four Republicans elected at large. None has opposition in the Tuesday primary.
Locally, the delegate contests mainly are on the Republican side.
Delegates are elected two to a Congressional district. Each district also elects two alternates.
Write-in votes asked
In the 30th district, four names will appear on the ballot for the two Republican delegate positions, but one of the candidates, George R. Hann (Sewickley Heights lawyer) has asked the voters to write in his name for alternate instead of voting for him as a delegate.
There are no Republican candidates for alternate on the ballot in this district, so the alternates to be chosen will be elected by write-in votes.
The Republican organization has endorsed William H. Robertson (26th Ward Republican chairman and a county assessor) and attorney Hale Hill of Harrison Township, but Ralph E. Flinn, delegate to former conventions, is also a candidate with the support of some factions.
Serving in Coast Guard
Mr. Flinn is serving in the Coast Guard as a volunteer lieutenant commander. He gets no salary. He has been a frequent contributor to Republican campaign funds.
In the 32nd district, there are four candidates for delegate. Slated by the organization are James F. Malone (5th Ward lawyer) and former Congressman Harry A. Estep. Running against this combination are George F. Otto (milk company head) and Paul F. Hanzel (North Side auditor).
In other districts, the slated candidates, both Republican and Democratic, are not expected to have serious trouble winning election.
The other candidates are:
- TWENTY-NINTH DISTRICT
Democratic delegates: Mayor Cornelius D. Scully (7th Ward) and County Commissioner George Rankin of Wilkinsburg.
Republican delegates: Robert R. Work (East Liberty real estate dealer), County Commissioner John S. Herron and William P. Witherow (14th Ward manufacturer).
Democratic alternates: Katherine O’Neil Duff (wife of Councilman John T. Duff) and Helen Stotlemeyer of Wilkinsburg.
Republican alternates: Adelaide Rigby Conly (Young Republican leader) and Nelle G. Dressler (vice chairman of the Republican County Committee).
- THIRTIETH DISTRICT
Democratic delegates: Irwin D. Wolf of Fox Chapel (department store executive) and Robert C. Malcolm (Curtisville cashier).
Democratic alternates: Nellie Chillcott of North Side and Edward B. Johnson (Democratic chairman of the 27th Ward).
- THIRTY-FIRST DISTRICT
Democratic delegates: Marguerite Naughton of West End and County Coroner William D. McClelland of Mount Lebanon.
Republican delegates: Frank J. Harris of Crafton (former State Senator), George F. Lutckens (Carnegie mechanic) and William B. McFall of Mount Lebanon (bank president).
Democratic alternates: Lily Hershman (wife of David Hershman, McKees Rocks Democratic leader) and Recorder of Deeds Anthony J. Gerard of Mount Oliver.
Republican alternates: Alexander P. Craig (Ingram clerk) and Mary Leslie Hart Poling of Dormont.
- THIRTY-SECOND DISTRICT
Democratic delegates: Mario L. Bove (Oakland real estate dealer), City Treasurer James P. Kirk of Oakland, and Register of Wills John M. Huston (10th Ward).
Democratic alternates: Irma D’Ascenzio of Almeda Street and Prothonotary David B. Roberts.
Republican alternates: Anna M. Conley (Republican chairman of the 9th Ward) and Ray E. Schneider (former North Side alderman).
- THIRTY-THIRD DISTRICT
Democratic delegates: Mayor Frank Buchanan of McKeesport and Clerk of Courts John J. McLean of Homestead.
Republican delegates: C. J. McBride (Republican chairman of the 31st Ward) and Paul W. Macks of McKeesport.
Democratic alternates: Ethel C. Mullen (wife of Mayor James J. Mullen of Clairton) and Peter Maracini (Broughton constable).
Republican alternates: Thomas A. Steele (McKeesport physician), Frank Kopriver (Duquesne councilman) and David H. Anderson (Homestead merchant).
- CANDIDATES-AT-LARGE
The Democratic candidates for delegate-at-large include U.S. Senator Joseph F. Guffey, his sister Mrs. Emma Guffey Miller, County Commissioner John J. Kane, Postmaster General Frank C. Walker of Scranton, CIO President Philip Murray, Attorney General Francis Biddle of Philadelphia, Democratic State Chairman David L. Lawrence, Meredith Meyers of Lewiston (former Democratic State Chairman), and William C. Bullitt (former Ambassador to Russia and France).
Republican candidates for delegate-at-large are Governor Edward Martin, G. Mason Owlett (president of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association), Republican State Chairman M. Harvey Taylor and Marion Margery Scranton (Republican national committeewoman).
Debate gets hot, personal –
Weekly papers put on ‘real heat’ to get subsidy bill revived
Congressman tells Rules Committee hearing measure was once ‘deader than doornail’
By Robert Taylor, Press Washington correspondent
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Roving Reporter
By Ernie Pyle
With 5th Army beachhead forces, Italy – (by wireless)
Lt. Eugene Tousineau of Detroit is the official greeter for the new Anzio Chamber of Commerce. He visits every ship as soon as it drops anchor in Anzio waters, and “extends the key to the city.” Most of his guests would prefer being ridden out of town on a rail.
He’s the guy who checks the cargo of every incoming ship and checks daily on the progress and the quality of their unloading.
All day long he rides around in an LCVP (EDITOR’S NOTE: Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) climbing rope ladders up the sides of ships, snaking back down on single ropes – just holding on with his hands while his bouncing steel boat below tries to crush him. “I’ve got $10,000 insurance,” he laughs.
All day he is out there on the water with shells speckling the whole area. I wouldn’t have his job for a million dollars. But he enjoys it.
I rode around with him one day seeing how the ships unload, seeing how it feels to be sitting there at anchor aboard a ship full of explosives within range of enemy artillery. It doesn’t feel too good.
Lt. Tousineau has been on this job for six weeks. He is an ebullient fellow who insists on enjoying whatever he does, regardless.
Rank means nothing
He goes aboard ships and serves notice to ship’s officers. He bawls out some people even though he’s only a second lieutenant, and commiserates with others who have been bawled out by somebody that matters.
If things aren’t going well enough on a certain ship, he’ll say to the Army officer in charge, “No excuse for this, sir,” and never bat an eye. But that’s the way wars are won.
Riding around with us that day was Lt. John Coyle of Philadelphia, who is learning the game. Our supply shipping has become so thick that the checking job is too much for one man, so the two will divide it between them in the future.
Lt. Tousineau has had dozens of Hairbreadth Harry escapes. Shells explode in the water, bombs drop beside his house at night. He has even climbed off a ship just a few minutes before it was hit.
Before the war, Lt. Tousineau was a nightclub manager, a sandhog and numerous other things. He is tall and dark, has a very long and narrow face and a little pencil mustache, and looks like the Anzio edition of Cesar Romero.
He calls himself the “bad boy” of his regiment. “I get a commendation one day and a reprimand the next,” he says. “The colonel will commend me for good work under dangerous conditions and then I’ll go to Naples and get ticketed for having my hands in my pockets.” But that’s the Army, and Lt. Tousineau can take it.
Crew not nautical
The lieutenant has a crew of four soldiers who run his boat. The former crew, according to the lieutenant, got “Anzio anxiety” and took off, so he picked his own men.
Volunteers for the boat job were called for. Nobody volunteered. So, four men were assigned. Now that they’ve got the hang of it, everybody else in the company is mad at himself for not volunteering, for it’s a soft job. All they do all day long is ride around in this boat and dodge a shell now and then.
None of them knew anything about boats before Anzio. They learned by trying. Pvt. James Davis, a farm boy from Covert, Michigan, said:
We didn’t know nothin’ from sour apples about a boat, but we went along.
Later, as we lay alongside a British ship, I heard Pvt. Davis say, “Let’s go ashore onto that boat.” Such nautical sabotage as that would turn Adm. Dewey over in his grave.
When these soldiers first started learning how to run a boat, they sometimes got seasick, but they don’t anymore. And they have become fairly indifferent to shells too.
They don’t even wear their steel helmets half the time. When shells begin coming too close, Pvt. Davis will remark:
For a month I’ve been telling that fellow to take a furlough and go to Rome and have himself a time. But he doesn’t seem to get my message.
Yank prisoners used as coolies on Jap waterfronts, visitor says
By Walter Rundle, United Press staff writer
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Doughboys sneak behind Nazi lines
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Turks heed Allied warning, halt chrome export to Nazis
Britain, U.S. win diplomatic victory in drive to stop neutral aid to Germany
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Stettinius visits U.S. bomber case
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