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Reporter

Chester
PUBL1SHKD BY THK STR1K1XG A. X. G. EMPLOYES OF THE CHESTKK TDIES

VOL.

CHESTER, PA.. MONDAY, DECEMBER 8,1941

1, NO. 10

"Assessments" Probe
Ordered by MacDade

READY IN CRISIS

District Attorney McClenachan


Given Unlimited Power By Judge
Who Gives Names Of Witnesses
A complete investigation of the political "assessments"
levied on county employes was launched today by District
Attorney William B. McClenachan, Jr.
The prosecutor was given unlimited powers to conduct the probe by Judge Albert Button MacDade on Friday
and after making a study the jm-ist's comments over the
week-end, McClenachan announced today that he had started
the investigation.
The court ordered probe a>ter James L. Rrankin, local
attorny, arguing for the ouster of four Upper Darby school
directors, said teachers in the township 'were coerced into
contributing to political campaigns.

THREE CENTS

res As
Nation
Navy Battles Japs
America is in the war!
Japanese dive bombers screamed clown from the morning- sky on Hawaii yesterday to begin hostilities.
The Nation awaits a special message to both houses of Congress by the President this
morning, which is expected to ask for a declaration of war.
The Nipponese government already has announced that a "state of war" exists between Japan and the United States and Great Britain.

It was reported that Manila too had been bombed. How-

"The school board in Upper


ever, this was later denied.
Darby is using the same method
The U. S. S. West Virginia, huge battleship, has been
of collecting money as the politireported sunk at Pearl Harboi% while the U. S. S. Oklahoma
cal machine in Delaware County is
using in the Courthouse," Rankin
The Domei (official Japanese) News Agency an- was said to be burning.... Both reports were unconfirmed.
More than one hundred soldiers were killed in their
said.
nounced that the battleship Oklahoma has been sunk
barracks at Hickman Field, near Pearl Harbor. Fires were
Judge MacDade Instructed the
in Pearl Harbor.
district attorney to talk with J.
seen, risin g f rom. Ford Island, Navy-base,. and :the air -was*
' Harvey- Smith,' a county employe
~ ;: The Army and Navy were ordered to be on the alert filled with the fire of anti-aircraft guns. Several planes
for more than thirty years, who
One Victim Has Ear
and put on a full war footing by Government order.
bearing the Rising Sun insignia of the Japanese Empire
was fired as deputy clerk of .the
Badly Slashed, Other
__courts four years ago by Fred
All aliens in Hawaii and the Canal Zone are being were reported shot down.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose, special message on the
The attack came as a complete surprise. The Japanese
Is Blackjacked
Duke, Clerk of the Courts, when
rounded up by police and soldiers.
Japanese attack on Hawaii to a joint session of Congress Is awaited by
he refused to pay an. "assessment"
planes,
probably based on an aircraft carrier, swooped down
the entire nation.
to the political organization.
Chester detectives are seeking
The Japanese-controlled Shanghai radio announced near the important harbor fortress in the early morning
"After Smith was dropped from the "twin brother bandits" who
that Army and Navy bases at Manila have been heavily hours, sending their bombs hurtling down on Army and Navy
his job, I appointed him clerk in
beat and'robbed two pedestrians
bombed by the Japanese.
bases.
my courtroom" Judge MacDade
yesterday
morning.
One
of
the
vicIn the Pacific, a U. S. Army cargo ship, loaded with
said. "I am sure if you talk with
A "state of war" exists between the Dutch Governtims nearly lost an ear when a
Smith he may enlighten you."
With the nation on the verge of war, I call upon
ment-in-exile and the Japanese, the Dutch announced lumber, was torpedoed and sunk. Another sent out distress
The court also suggested that knife was slashed viciously across
signals.
the citizens of Chester to remain calm in this crisis.
in London.
McClenachan talk with Mrs. Mary his head.
On the West Coast all Naval leaves were cancelled and
Our local Council of Defense is on guard against
Reith, a janitress employed in the
Thomas Dostiliq, of 710 West
General
Douglas
A.
McArthur,
commander
of
men ordered to report to their ships and stations.
courthouse who was threatened
any eventuality. Air raid wardens are standing by,
Third street, told police he was on
American forces in the Philippines, ordered all women
with dismissal two years ago beSecretary of War Stimson ordered all Army officers
ready
for
duty.
There
is
no
cause
for
alarm,
however.
cause she refused to contribute his way home at 1.30 a. m. and had
and
children
evacuated
from
Manila
and
moved
inland.
and
men
to report today "in uniform" to their bases.
The city authorities are redoubling their efforts
to the coffers of the organization. almost reached his home when two
News of the attacks came while Japanese envoys Kurusu
to forestall any attempts to damage or sabotage local
A Japanese aircraft carrier was reported sunk by
Intervention by some of the judges young Negroes, %vho appeared to be j
and
Nomura were in the State Department with Secretary
twin
brothers,
held
him
up
opsaved Mrs. Keith's job.
defense plants. It is vitally important now that these
U. S. Navy ships off Honolulu.
of
State
Hull.
The assessment system used for posite a vacant lot.
plants be guarded so that they can turn out the tools
One of the bandits shoved a gun
The
War
Department
reported
from
Washington
decades by both major political
The
envoys had come to the State Department with the
of war and defense against aggression. All possible coparties has been flourishing in the against his stomach while the other
last
night
that
104
soldiers
are
dead
and
304
wounded
long awaited answer to the U. S. note to Japan. Such was
brandished a blackjacked and a
operation is needed from the public.
courthouse for many years.
in the bombing of Hawaiian bases. This figure does the answer that Secretary of State Hull told the envoys
knife,
Dostilio
said,
while
they
took
A local man, who occupies a
We are all Americans. Today we should join benot include civilians or Navy personnel.
that "never in my 50 years of service to my country have
$3,000-a year post, is the "col- S20 from his pockets. The one
hind
our Government to see through the job we find
with
the
knife
slashed
his
right
I ever seen infamous distortions and falsehoods on a scale
lector" and every employe is reThe first Latin-American country to declare war
before us.
quired to "voluntarily contribute" ear nearly off, it being necessary
on Japan was Costa Rica. The tiny republic's action is so huge. I never imagined any government on this planet
MAYOR CLIFFORD H. PEOPLES
3 percent of his salary if he makes for physicians at Chester Hospital
expected to be followed by other countries in South was capable of issuing them."
53,000 or under annually. If his to insert several stitches.
Meantime at the Japanese msalary exceeds that figure, the A few minutes earlier Joseph
America.
bassy, officials were seen In the
I
Colonna,
of
10-4
Franklin
street,
percentage is much higher.
embassy garden burning secret
The Governor of the Dutch East Indies formally
On paydays it is a common sigh t i was beaten and robbed bv the twin
documents
so that they would
to see the county employes stand- thugs in front of 229 Penn street.
declared war against Japan late yesterday and
not be seized by the United States
Colonna
was
on
his
way
home
ing in line outside the collector's
ordered immediate mobilization of troops.
in the event of war.
office waiting to pay. As the pay- from work and was walking down
The attack on Hawaii was made
Penn
street
%vhen
the
Negroes
apment is made, a check mark is
Canada last night declared war on Japan, it was
P. T. C. Plans To Use at 2:25 (E.S.T.) yesterday afterAnticipating the largest volume [ vorable comments on the lighting
peared out of the shadows and held
placed jjgainst his name.
announced in Ottawa, capital of the Dominion.
Plot On Sixth Street; noon it was announced by Stephen
Many of the workers pay on the him up. After taking $4.70 from of holiday business in many years, J this year. Ropes of twined laurel
Chester's
merchants
will
keep
their!
are
suspended
across
the
streets,
Early, secretary to the President
him,
one
of
the
pair
struck
him
installment plan "contributing" a
Japanese have bombed cities and Army and Navy
Budget Introduced
stores
open
tonight
and
every
night
with
large
illuminated
stars
in
the
Later reports said that the atover
the
head
with
a
blackjack,
certain amount out of each pay.
bases and air fields in the Philippines. However, no
center and colored lights spaced
tacks were continuing. Bombs had
If the payment is overdue the then slugged him on the jaw. until Christmas.
In a move designed to eliminate
bombs have fallen on Manila. A Japanese aircraft carfallen on Hickman Field, Army air
The holiday schedule actually be- from curb to curb. Laurel also
employe is sent for and repri- Colonna was also treated at Chestraffice
hazards incident to the base; Ford Island, Navy base, and
ter
Hospital.
an
Fridav
night,
but
downtown
stretches
along
the
curblines,
with
rier
is
said
to
be
near
the
lands.
manded.
1
loading ant unloading of bus pas- j Pear! Island Navy Yard, Pearl IsJudge MacDade gave the dis- Descriptions given by the two establishments are normally openi ^ at intervals.
Singapore
and
Hong
Kong
were
undergoing
bombvictims
tallied
in
most
respects,
in one of "the strongest harsengers
on Sixth street, near Welsh,
Friday and Saturday nights any-j
trict attorney full power to subbor
especially
the
"twin"
brother
part.
(Chester
City
Council
has
approved
i
fortresses
in the world.
ing
attacks.
Japanese
have
attacked
Malaya.
way so the real Christmas rush be-'
pena any witnesses he may need
Thfc
planes
which made the atto conduct the investigation and it The yuths were described as being gins tonight.
a plan whereby Philadelphia TransFour
Japanese
submarines
have
been
sunk,
it
is
tack
have
been
based on aircraft
was indicated that if the evidence about 20 years old, of medium
Sales forces have been augment-!yll 11}
A i
portation Company buses will no
reported.
warrants it, the December Grand height and build. They were dress- ed to take care of the extra busi-JklHeQ Dj AUlO
longer have to use the street itself carriers, it was reported, as Hawaii
ed exactly alike, according to both ness, stocks have been renewed!
is 3,800 miles from Japan, too far
Jury may be recalled.
as a loading station.
Japanese-American
naval
battle
reported
in
Pacific.
for an
Dostilio and Colonna.
At an adjourned meeting Satur>" Japanese bombers to fly.
and replenished with up to the Ii A 54-year-old West End Ice dealFleet steams from Pearl Harbor to meet the enemy.
SUIT STOLEN
day the city solons adopted a reso-|The attacking planes were dive
minute merchandise and stores re- j er was killed by an automobile
Silas Jones, Jr., of 1602 Provimodeled and decorated for the 1941
lution authorizing the sub-leasing j bombersDESERTER HELD
|
early
yesterday
as
he
attempted
to
Nicaraugua
also
declared
war
on
Japan
last
night.
dence avenue, notified police yes- Francis J. Bonner, 21, of the 1400 Christmas shopping season.
Smoke could be seen hi Honolulu
of a 285-foot strip of ground on the
1 cross Second street, at Wilson.
terday that a thief had stolen a block Willison street, was held for
lower side of Sixth street, just east rising from Ford Island. Anti-airThe first Christmas trees haves
lap, who arc making an Investiga- of Welsh, to the P. T. C., for use craft fire filled the skies as the
suit and an overcoat from a doset the military authorities Saturday as been put up for sale in the do%vn-| The victim, Frank Peciuch. of j Embryo Goodmans
wnen
in his bedroom.
tion, learned that Wilson Morris, Of its buses so they can drive in planes bearing Rising Sun insigniaa deserter from the U. S. Marine town district, adding the final touch ] 111 Wilson street, was dead
!cj.__l Clarinets
ireal
of the Japanese Empire came divof 520 East Twenty-second street, i off the streetV,ianneia
Corps after being arrested on a to the gala Yuletide air that h a s j h e reached Chester Hospital at 3.30|
charge of failing to pay for a meal been prevalent in Chester for the: a. m. His body, witnesses said,j ^.Qm clarinets, valued at a total! saw a mysterious man of foreign j The city has already arranged for ing from the morning sky.
Unconfirmed reports said that an
i was badly mangled.
i in a restaurant on East Ninth! past few days.
of 5272 have been stolen from a j appearance in the room shortly
unidentified
battleship bombarded
Railroad.
Thc
tracks
will
I street. Bonner admitted deserting
The outdoor lights were turned j The driver of the death car was
thc clarinels wcre discovei
" be removed and the ground resur- the Naval base. "Fifty to one
I from the Marines on November 17, on in their entirety Friday night, j listed by police as Stephen Im- | closet in the tnusic room at Ches-j^
ed missing.
faced to make a suitable loading hundred" planes made the attack.
i having enlisted last July. He was transforming Market street, Edg- j burgia, 28, of 3 Boothwyn road, ter High School.
Several were shot down. First restation.
I fined $5 for failing to pay the ret- mont avenue and Third street into j Boothwyn. Imburgia took Peciuch, "The instrument's were the propports said that at least five were
It
was
stated,
that
the
move
to
erty
of
Rudolph
Pompilli.
1218
LEAGUE
OP
G.
0.
T.
WOMEN
' | taurant bill, as were. three friends gleaming lanes of red, green, blue (who was married, to the hospital in
who were with him, Edwin Miazza, and yellow incandescence. Over his automobile and was placed un West Third street; Emil MatysJ At a Friendly Neighbor Meeting, j take the buses off Sixth street when killed and "many" wounded by the
:
j,
1122, of the 600 block East Fourth this rose the tinkle of bells at the der arrest by Detective Rogozinski 3031 West Third street; Theodore tonight, at the Bcllcvue-Strat- j loading and unloading was in. bombs.
,1 Ii street;, Joe Lanahan,
. . . . 21,
_ . of
.- the 800 Salvation Army Christmas kettles: and Patrolman Toole. Imburgia I Middleton, 2910 West Ninth street, ford, Mrs. Eleanor Evans, County | stigatcd by the Safety Council and Police and firemen were ordered
Sjblock East Seventh street, a n d j a n d the soft notes of .carols from j was held in $2,000 bail for a hear-|and Joseph Valzone, l l l o West! Vice-Chairman, in charge of plans, the traffic bureau of the Chester to the Pearl Harbor district bywill talk on "Office of Recorder of Police Department. A small shel- radio shortly after the attack. It
Michael Bullick, 21, of Third street j several of the stores.
ing before Magistrate Michael A. Ninth street.
(Continued on Page 2)
(Continued on Page 2)
jji j and Concord avenue.
Detectives Rogozinski and Dun- Deeds."
j Shoppers have passed many fa- Honan.

FLASHES

"Twin Brother"
Bandits Hold Up
And Beat 2 Men

Proclamation

Official Xmas Season


Marked by Merchants

West End Man

SHOPPING
DAYS
'TIL
CHRISTMAS

City Approves
Bus Terminal

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