Press subsidy advocates ask House hearing
Renew drive after foes draft report
By Robert Taylor, Press Washington correspondent
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Roving Reporter
By Ernie Pyle
With the Allied beachhead forces in Italy – (by wireless)
We were due to sail for the Anzio beachhead a few hours after I got aboard our LST.
But at the last minute came a warning of a storm of gale force brewing in the Mediterranean, so we laid over for 24 hours.
Some of the sailors took the opportunity next day to go ashore, and asked if I didn’t want to go along. But I said, “What for? I’ve been ashore for three months already.” So, I stayed aboard, and just killed a full day with doing nothing.
We were tied up along the waterfront street of a small port city near Naples. All day long the dock was a riot of Italians grouped down below to catch cookies and chocolates and knickknacks the sailors and soldiers would throw down to them.
There must have been 200 people on the dock, either participating in the long-shot chance of actually catching something, or there just to look on.
Most of them were children, boys and girls both. Mostly they were ragged and dirty. Yet they were good-natured.
Call American soldiers, ‘Hey, Joe’
Every time a package of crackers went down from above, humanity fought and stamped up over it like a bunch of football players. Now and then some youngster would get hurt, and make a terrible face and cry. But mostly they’d laugh and look a little sheepish, and dash back in again after the next one.
All Italian children call all American soldiers “Hey, Joe,” and all along the dock was a chickenyard bedlam of “Hey, Joe, bis-ueet.” Each one crying at the top of his lungs to call attention to himself, and holding up his hands.
The soldier’s favorite was a stocky little fellow of about 8, with coal-black hair and a constant good humor. He was about the only one of them who wasn’t ragged, the reason being that he was entirely clad in military garb.
He had on a blue Navy sweater. Then for pants he had the biggest pair of British tropical shorts you ever saw, which came clear below his knees.
His legs were bare. He had on gray Army socks rolled down to his shoe tops. And on his feet were a pair of brand-new American G.I. shoes, which must have been at least size 8. To top it all off, he had a beguiling grin with a tooth out in the middle of it.
This youngster was adept at walking on his hands. He spent hours walking around the muddy stone street on his hands, with his feet sticking straight up in the air.
Easier to walk on hands
The soldiers and sailors were crazy about him, and every time he finished his little performance, he’d get a flood of crackers. I finally figured out that he was walking on his hands so much because it was easier than walking in those gigantic shoes.
Pretty teenage Italian girls in red sweaters would come and stand at the edge of the throng watching the fun. But the sailors and soldiers at the rail soon would spot them, and the play for them would start. Reluctant and timid at first, they would finally obey the sailors’ demand that they try to catch something too, and pretty soon would be in here battling for broken crackers.
Most Americans are touched by the raggedness and apparent hunger of the children over here. But it was hard to feel sorry for these kids, for although maybe some of them really were hungry, the rest of them were just having a wonderful mob-scene sort of good time.
It was the old women in the crowd that I could hardly bear to look at. Throughout the day there must have been a couple of dozen who came, tried for half an hour to catch something, and finally went away dejectedly.
They were horrible specimens of poverty and insanitation. They were old and pitiful, and repulsive. But their hunger most surely was genuine.
One elderly woman, dressed in tattered black and carrying a thin old shopping bag on her arm, stood at the far edge of the crowd, vainly beseeching a toss in her direction. Finally, one sailor, who had just started on a large box of Nabiscos piece by piece, changed his mind and threw the entire box toward the old woman.
It was a good throw and a good catch. She got it like an outfielder. But no sooner did she have it in her arms than the crowd was upon her. Kids and adults both tore at the box, scratched and yelled and grabbed, and in five seconds the box was empty and torn.
The poor old woman never let go. She clung to it as though it were something human. And when the last cracker was gone, she walked sort of blindly away, her head back and her eyes toward the sky, weeping with a hideous face just like that of a heartbroken child, still gripping the empty box.
It was a lot of fun watching this foreign riot of childish emotions and adult greed that day. But some of it was too real – greed born of too great a necessity – and I was glad when word came that we would sail that night.
Stokes: Political feud
By Thomas L. Stokes
Milwaukee, Wisconsin –
A human-interest drama, as old as men and politics, is being played here as an accompaniment to the Wisconsin presidential primary.
It concerns the personal relations of two prominent political figures, once staunch allies, now divided by ambition.
One is Wendell L. Willkie, who is moving about this state, like a circuit-riding evangelist, seeking to aroused the people to elect his slate of delegates in the April 4 primary so that he may continue to seek renomination as Republican presidential candidate. He is warming up. The hair is beginning to fall down over his eyes.
The other is the much younger Harold Stassen – he is 36 – thrice-elected governor of neighboring Minnesota, now a lieutenant commander on the staff of Adm. Halsey in the Pacific.
Wendell Willkie is the once-defeated presidential candidate who is trying to comeback.
LtCdr. Stassen is the younger man who, like youth forever, thinks it is now his turn.
With that idea his friends entered him in this primary against the older man he helped four years ago, despite the fact that he had removed himself from politics to go into the service.
Perceptible coolness develops
The story begins back in the spring of 1940 when the strapping Governor of Minnesota became interested in the aspirations of Wendell Willkie to become President. Mr. Stassen had been selected as keynote speaker of the 1940 convention and he became a figure in the convention.
At the appropriate, dramatic moment he came out for Mr. Willkie. His skill as floor manager of the Willkie campaign was quite a factor, it was generally recognized, in the victory against some of the shrewdest political operators in the party. In the campaign, that followed Governor Stassen did yeoman service.
He was reelected governor. There began to be talk of him for 1944. A perceptible coolness developed between the two men. Mr. Willkie never for a moment gave up the idea of renomination and he worked at it constantly. But the young man had ideas of his own. He let Mr. Willkie know that he was now on his own.
Governor Stassen’s stature grew when he was reelected a third time, revealing vote-getting ability which the party so needs. He announced during the campaign that he was going to resign after his legislature adjourned and go into the Navy, which he did.
Meanwhile, with the aim of building up a national reputation, he made speeches and wrote magazine articles. He developed a plan of post-war world organization, with a very specific blueprint, that attracted national attention. It was reflected in the Ball-Burton-Hill-Hatch post-war resolution in the U.S. Senate. Then he left for the service.
Gives lift to campaign
His friends did not give up their dreams of him as President, nor, it seems, did he, for just the other day he put himself into the running by his letter to Secretary of the Navy Knox, saying he would accept the nomination, though he is not a candidate, and he would ask to be retired to make a campaign if the convention picked him. this gave a lift to his campaign here.
Mr. Willkie resented this show of ambition by his one-time ally, and revealed it in his statement of reaction.
Likewise, LtCdr. Stassen’s friends here resented Mr. Willkie’s demand that the young man withdraw from the race, since he could not be here to discuss the issues. They point to his record and his fulsome discussion of national issues before he went away.
The irony of this rivalry between the older man trying to come back and the young man who wants his chance, is that both attract the same sort of support here, and each probably will hurt the other by splitting that vote.
It recalls, too, another famous political feud, between an older man who wanted to come back and a younger man who wanted his chance. The name of one was Alfred E. Smith. The name of the other was Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Willkie scores primary foes
Kenosha, Wisconsin (UP) –
A few years in public office does not necessarily qualify a man for the Presidency, Wendell Willkie told an audience here yesterday in an attack on three of his opponents for the Republican presidential nomination.
Mr. Willkie aimed his remarks at backers of New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Ohio Governor John W. Bricker and former Governor of Minnesota LtCdr. Harold E. Stassen.
Measure personalities?
Mr. Willkie said:
I hear it said that the Republican Party should sit down and measure personalities and then select a candidate on the basis of his experience in public office.
It is suggested that some man who may have served one, two, three, four, five or six years as a governor is qualified for the Presidency, irresponsible of his stand on issues.
If followed to its logical conclusion, such an argument would require the reelection of President Roosevelt because he has already held three terms, Mr. Willkie added.
Too much experience
He said:
No one has ever said as much experience as Mr. Roosevelt and I hope no one ever again has as much.
Mr. Willkie, making a statewide tour on behalf of his slate of convention delegates at the April 4 primary, spent the remainder of his speaking time criticizing anti-Willkie forces which claim he “is in league with President Roosevelt.”
Roosevelt aides alarmed by left-wing activities
By Lyle C. Wilson, United Press staff writer
Washington –
High administration figures were described today as alarmed by the current prominence of left-wing laborites and Communists in the campaign to continue President Roosevelt in office for a fourth term.
The New York newspaper PM, which loyally supports Mr. Roosevelt, raised the question of administration anxiety in a Washington dispatch which was, in part, as follows:
This fear has mounted as a result of the intensive drive recently undertaken by leading Congress of Industrial Organizations left-wingers to rally public support to a fourth term.
It is now felt that such efforts give the Republicans a valuable propaganda theme… They will undoubtedly cite pronouncements of left-wing CIO leaders, echoing the line of The Daily Worker and demanding that labor extend unconditional support to the President.
Reply expected
Some move to rectify this situation may be expected shortly. There is no question that the White House is alert to the dangers involved in an exclusive left-wing campaign and that, as the campaign gets warmer, steps will be taken to broaden the base of the drive.
The situation causing most of the anxiety mentioned by PM evidently is that developing in New York where the American Labor Party is engaged in the bitterest intraparty political row this country has seen since the Alfred E. Smith and William G. McAdoo forces battled over religion, Prohibition, and related issues in the 1924 Democratic National Convention.
The opposing ALP leaders are saying things about each other that scarcely can fall to damage Mr. Roosevelt’s cause if the Republicans make the expected use of them.
Loyal to Roosevelt
Both ALP factions shout their loyalty to the President.
One faction is led by Rep. Vito Marcantonio (ALP-NY) and Sidney Hillman, a long-time political associate of Mr. Roosevelt and now head the CIO Political Action Committee. Mr. Hillman and Mr. Marcantonio seek to ally the Political Action Committee with the ALP. Theirs is known as the left-wing movement.
Right-wing leaders, who oppose the Hillman-Marcantonio plan to merge CIO political effort with the ALP left wing, are Dean Alfange (last year’s ALP gubernatorial nominee), David Dubinsky (who, like Mr. Hillman, is a garment trades labor leader) and Alex Rose (ALP secretary).
ALP vote important
From the average Republican or Democratic standpoint, both wings of the ALP would be considered radical and the left wing is supported actively and effectively by Communist leaders.
The ALP itself is of major importance in New York because without its support this year it is not likely that Mr. Roosevelt would be able to carry the state against a well-managed Republican candidate.
Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia of New York, whose fortunes are tied to the ALP, is trying to compose the party differences. In a statement yesterday he absolved Mr. Hillman and several others of the left-wing clique of ever having been members of the Communist Party. His absolution, however, did not include Mr. Marcantonio who represents a Harlem district in the House.
Switched after invasion
Mr. Marcantonio voted against all national defense proposals before Germany attacked Russia, but thereafter became one of the foremost advocates of U.S. preparedness and opposition to the Nazis.
The Mayor’s peace bid was spurned by the right wing, however. In a statement signed by Mr. Rose, Mr. Alfange, Mr. Dubinsky and Dr. George S. Counts, state chairman, the right-wing leaders described the peace plan as an evasion of issues and an attempt “to confuse the party’s enrolled voters.”
Wanted! Bald, thin man to play Ernie Pyle
Director of movie on roving reporter at front needs 112-pound star
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Frisch sets tentative Buc lineup
Squad awaits Sunday’s test with Indians
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Bluege confident Senators will capture 1944 pennant
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Music for the boys –
Bernie Armstrong show recorded for AEF
Discs go overseas to OWI stations
By Si Steinhauser
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The New York Times (March 24, 1944)
Eruption of Vesuvius appears to be ending
But Naples plans prayers as ash falls far from volcano
Torre del Greco, Italy – (March 23)
The worst of the most awesome show provided by Mount Vesuvius in 72 years seemed over tonight. This coastal town between Naples and Torre Annunziata bore the brunt of the last day of the eruption, which began Sunday.
Great clouds of lava dust rolled down the southern slopes of the volcano and virtually blotted out the community. Lights were required on automobiles traveling to Naples in the daylight hours and the faces of military policemen on traffic duty were lined with grime.
At the Allied Military Government office here, Maj. Jesse Cantor of Syracuse, New York, regional executive, said that today’s display probably was the volcano’s “last gasp” for the present, though he hastened to add that it would be foolish to make a flat prediction.
The possibility remained that huge chunks of the periphery of the crater might fall in the caldron, with disastrous results, but this was believed to be unlikely.
While ash and red mud were reported to have fallen as far away as Bari, Cardinal Alessio Ascalesi of Naples ordered three days of special prayers in the Naples Cathedral to invoke protection of the city’s patron saint against further eruption.
U.S. Navy Department (March 25, 1944)
CINCPAC Press Release No. 325
For Immediate Release
March 25, 1944
Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Wake Island on March 23 West Longitude Date). Petroleum storage tanks and barracks were hit. Antiaircraft fire was intense.
In the Marshalls, four enemy‑held atolls were bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Liberator and Mitchell bombers of the 7th Army Air Force, and Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
In the Carolines, Mitchell bombers of the 7th Army Air Force bombed Ponape on March 22 and 23 (West Longitude Dates). Ant Island was bombed on March 23.
Approximately 115 tons of bombs were dropped in these operations. All of our planes returned.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 25, 1944
Two U.S. destroyers in Mediterranean sink German submarine
A German submarine was sunk, stern first, in the Mediterranean recently, after a ceaseless pounding by gunfire and depth charges from two U.S. destroyers. Several aircraft took part in the search for the U‑boat, with three U.S. destroyers, but the destruction was accomplished by two of the destroyers in the darkness of early night.
The New York Times (March 25, 1944)
CASSINO NO CLUE TO INVASION FATE
Town’s many caves, cellars tunnels more impregnable to bombs than a fortress
Other factors in battle; bombing, far under that planned, saturated target, but its rubble aided foe
By C. L. Sulzberger
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Vesuvius quits erupting
Dust and ash problem, however, continues to plague traffic
Naples, Italy – (March 24)
Mount Vesuvius continued to pose a serious dust and ash problem for all communities and transit facilities along its south and southeastern slopes today, but the lava flow appeared definitely to be over.
The volcano was still spectacular with its enormous, thick cloud of lava dust fixed in the sky over the crater just as if it had been painted there.
The Allied Control Commission is still closely overseeing the situation, and Lt. Col. James Kincaid, provincial executive, maintained his emergency headquarters at Cercola.