The following information is posted for the sole purpose of family research within the Yahoo Group The Court House Gang. It is not to be published to any other web site, mailing list, group, etc. without prior written permission and guidelines from the group owner, to ensure that proper credit is given to the group and all of our volunteers that helped with this project WILKES-BARRE RECORD ALMANAC 1943 RECORD OF LOCAL EVENTS Principal Happenings in Luzerne County For the Year Which Began December 1, 1941, and Ended November 30, 1942 DECEMBER 1941 1. Fred J. Andes named president of Wilkes-Barre School Board . . . John Fahey, Thomas Walsh, Andrew Nowak and John King ousted as Jenkins Township school directors by court order . . . Thomas B. Larkin, umpire of Anthracite Board of Conciliation moves office from Mount Pocono to Allentown. 2. F. M. Kirby home dedicated as new section of Bucknell Junior College plant. 3. Seven firemen escape when Dallas .Borough fire engine turns turtle enroute to blaze. 4. Food stamp plan is extended to county. 5. Warm weather causes roses to bloom . . . 10,000 men of First Army pass through valley on way home from maneuvers. 6. Howard C. Wiener elected president of Westmoreland Club . . . Striking employes of Pennsylvania Mutual Insurance Company return to work. 7. Japanese attack in Hawaii stirs valley with many of its residents serving there with armed forces. 8. State Reserve Defense Corps begins 24-hour patrol duty on river bridges . . . Youths besiege recruiting stations as valley responds to attacks by Japanese . . . Sgt. Joseph Murray elected president of Police Pension Fund for ninth year . . . Restrictions clamped on German and Italian aliens in valley area. 10. Army recruiting station gets orders that new enlistments are for iuration. 11. Interstate and interurban busses of Martz Coach Company and White transit halted by strike. 12. Rev. Henry George begins duties at Miner Congregational Church, Plains . . . Record prints full-sage of instructions on "What To Do n An Air Raid" . . . Wyoming Valley Autobus Company gets permission to run busses between Wilkes-Barre and Nanticoke. 14. Five killed in accidents on slippery highways . . . Post office reports 400 per cent increase in sale of defense bonds. 15. First group of 109th boys arrive home for Christmas. 16. City council retains tax millage of 14.5 . . . Use of mines for air raid shelters declared impracticable . . . Army engineers report flood control work in valley is 85 per cent complete. 17. Stores halt needless hoarding of flour and sugar by limiting sales . . . LaGrange Hotel, 100-year-old Sullivan Trail meeting place of hunters and fishermen, destroyed by fire. 18. Army forbids practice blackouts as valley goes on 24-hour alert. 19. American Stores strike is settled. 21. Eight Negro families routed by fire in Baltimore Lane home . . . Avoca airport plans approved by Washington. 22. City Hall studies pay roll tax as way of offsetting declining revenues . . . Rev. A. J. Sinkiewicz, pastor of St. Casimir's, Plymouth, observes 25th anniversary of ordination. 23. One company of State Reserve Defense Corps, stationed at Kingston Armory, is demobilized . . . Community Sing on Public Square draws hundreds despite rainstorm. 24. Freak storm of hurricane-like force kills one, injures many and causes considerable damage . . . Volume of mail for Christmas sets new mark. 26. Attorney Max Rosenn named assistant district attorney to replace Attorney W. A. Valentine, Jr. . . . Senator A. J. Sordoni, R. H. Levy and James P. Costello named to county rationing board. 28. Rev. Joseph Losieniecki, Wyoming, observes 25th year as priest . . . Post Office reports 18,000 aliens living in county. 29. Air raid school for wardens opens at Coughlin High School . . . Portrait of Admiral Harold R. Stark, Wilkes-Barre native, unveiled at Hotel Sterling where grand ballroom is renamed Admiral Stark Room. 31. Wyoming Valley ushers in New Year with plenty of spirit. JANUARY 1942 1. Ground broken for Roberts Clinic at Homeopathic Hospital . . . First tire rationing report allows county 804 tires. 2. Civilian air patrol formed . . . Estimated 350 car salesmen lose jobs when new auto sales are forbidden. 4. One killed, 13 hurt in Lehigh Valley Railroad wreck at Ransom . . . Rev. Samuel McDowell resigns after 36 years as pastor of Douglass Presbyterian Church, Lee Park . . . Winter's first heavy snowstorm hits valley . . . 109th leaves cancelled. 5. County, city and municipal governments reorganize . . . Harry D. Adamy named head of Pomeroy's, Inc. 7. Severe weather stops repair work on South Street Bridge . . . Hanover Township Police Department founds pension fund system. 8. Attorney Paul R. Bedford named to Middle Federal District Enemy Alien Board . . . Payroll plan to buy war bonds is proposed. 9. Due to priorities trolley cars will remain in use until after emergency . . . Hotel Redington bought at sheriff's sale by C. F. Goeringer . . . Michael Walsh named burgess of Laflin. 10. Harry M. Soley retires after 51 years of service on Lehigh Valley Railroad. 11. Coal truckers make Sunday deliveries to fill bins depleted by cold wave . . . Rev. Russell J. May resigns as pastor of Shavertown Methodist Church . . . Merger of Progressive Club and Business Men's Association of Forty Fort completed. 12. Luzerne County Institution District announces 66 per cent reduction in 1942 taxes . . . Company A, State Reserve Defense Corps, demobilized . . . All local enlistment records broken when 115 Marines are sent to Philadelphia since the first of the new year. 13. Bucknell Junior College accelerates study program for duration of war . . . Six new directors elected as valley banks reorganize. 14. Ruth Bryan Owen, daughter of late William Jennings Bryan, speaks at Hotel Sterling . . . Solomon's Creek WPA project discontinued by lack of funds . . . War Department orders recruiting office not to reveal names and numbers of enlisting men. 15. F. R. Gerard named general manager of Lehigh Valley Railroad . . . Harry K. Lear appointed local district manager of P. P. and L. . . . Osterhout Free Library interior being painted for first time since 1927. 16. Court en bance approves recommendation of Commissioners to put off until after the war the planned addition to Water Street warehouse . . . Burton F. Lewis, Wilkes-Barre native, made a colonel in U. S. Army. 17. Pvt. George T. Vrable, Hanover Township native, killed in crash of Army bomber near Pendleton, Ore. 18. Central Railroad of New Jersey announces plans for new freight station annex . . . Ohav Zedek Congregation celebrates 50th anniversary. 19. Joseph Kintzer, Detroit violinist, plays at Irem Temple . . . Judge Thomas F. Farrell unanimously chosen president of Luzerne County Bar Association . . . Enlistments in Army reach new all-time peak for single day. 20. Large development investment needed to stop greater losses, business interests told at annual meeting of Industrial Development Fund . . . Wholesale grocers reveal that panicky buying of sugar may lead to restrictions. 21. E. L. Lindemuth reelected head of Shrine . . . Building code restrictions relaxed to conserve metal for war emergency. 22. Senator A. J. Sordoni elected president of Wyoming Valley Motor Club . . . International Executive Board of United Mine Workers decides to continue assessments and provisional government of District 7. 23. ICC Refuses Lehigh Valley Railroad request to abandon Splash Dam branch . . . Soft drink output cut by rationing of sugar. 24. Dr. William Mather Lewis, president of Lafayette College, speaks at annual dinner of Northeastern Chapter, Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers. 25. Wilkes-Barre Military District, Organized Reserves, announces that local office will close on February 1 and files will be transfered to Philadelphia, 26. Luzerne County Council of Defense charges that War Department is lax in guarding defense material shipped into county to get it away from tidewater. 27. County Commissioners' order places uniformed guards on 24-hour duty at Courthouse . . . Gilbert T. Stephenson, director of trust research department of American Bankers Association addresses meeting of local branch. 28. Anthracite Economic Investigation Committee arrives in city . . . Attorney Robert J. Doran elected chairman of local American Red Cross. 29. Anthracite Economic Investigation Committee meets at Hotel Sterling and hears outline.of valley's economic plight . . . Report shows that 71 Luzerne County residents lost lives in fatal motor vehicle traffic accidents in 1941. 30. Hughes Building, Kingston Corners, purchased by Attorney George L. Fenner, Jr., and Joseph Burke . . . Pennsylvania Motor Police transfers 16 privates in Squadron 3 area . . . Adj. and Mrs. William Riley of Salvation Army are transfered to Schenectady. 31. To conserve rubber local breweries announce that deliveries will be discontinued on Wednesdays . . . Shortage of sugar responsible for removal of bowls from tables of local hotels and restaurants. FEBRUARY 1. Two killed in separate automobile accidents as district roads are covered with snow. 2. West Pittston Borough boosts wages and salaries of employes . Removal of two thousand tons of street car rails awaits city's repaving plan. 3. Cold postpones Junior League Victory Circus parade. 4. R. W. Brown, president of Le-high Valley Railroad, addresses dinner-meeting of Wyoming Valley Traffic Club . . . Boston Candy Kitchen property on Square sold for $65,100. 5. Initial Toy Library for underprivileged children opened at Dana Street School. 6. Wilkes-Barre Carriage Company announces plans for a $60,000 addition . . . Flood Control division of U. S. Army Engineers takes over entire floor in Miners National Bank Building . . . Junior League Victory Circus opens. 7. James Lehman acquitted of murder of Mrs. Myrtle Fields . . . Water supply of residents in Parsons, East End and North Wilkes-Barre tainted with fuel oil from wrecked tank car on Lehigh Valley Railroad cut-off. 8. E. L. Lindemuth and' E. L. Hoss-ler complete 36 years continuous service with Wilkes-Barre Railway Company. 9. Clement Perkins named coordinator of civilian defense work . . . Clocks moved ahead one hour as valley goes on Eastern War Time . . . Dr. E. R. Aston elected secretary of Pennsylvania State Dental Society . . . Maj. William 0. Coolbaugh celebrates 96th birthday anniversary. 10. Coal gas fumes prove fatal to four in North Main Street home . . . City Council pledges that all departments will be operated on wartime economy . . . Motor Club opens drive for 6,000 members. 11. Wilkes-Barre Railway Company sells 16 trolleys to San Diego Railway Company . . . Two WPA workers felled by shotgun blast while talking to a Duryea girl . . . Wyoming Valley Tuberculosis Society announces sale of seals amounts to $9,600. 12. Economy Stores dedicate new warehouse on North Pennsylvania Avenue . . . Robert A. Eyerman elected president of Coughlin High School Alumni Association. 13. Irem Temple's Mid-Winter Ball attended by 1,000 . . . State Rationing headquarters notifies local boards that paid employes may be hired . . . Wilkes-Barre Hardware Company safe robbed of $450. 14. Representative Ellwood J. Turner addresses annual dinner of Luzerne County unit of Pennsylvania Tax Collectors' Association. 15. Sgt. Warren J. Lewis elected adjutant of local Marine Corps League. 16. First wartime draft registration since 1918 held for men between ages of 20 and 44 inclusive—except those who have previously signed up. 17. South Street Bridge, closed to vehicular traffic since last August, opened . . . County draft boards report total of 24,000 men registered for war duty . . . Imperial Motor Corporation takes over LeGrand Mine Drill Works, Edwardsville, to manufacture war material. 18. Miss Sally Wakefield fatally overcome by gas fumes in Hanover Street apartment. 19. Navy Department reports that U. S. Marine Sgt. John Krawie, Plymouth native, and John Popson, Swoyerville native and civilian worker on Wake Island, are presumed to be prisoners of the Japanese. 20. F. E. Parkhurst, Jr., succeeds William J. Ruff as president of Board of Directors of YMCA . . . Wilkes-Barre branch of Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association organized . . . Harry E. Apgar, Scranton, appointed representative of Pennsylvania Economy League. 21. Lehigh Valley Railroad has fifth wreck in four months when engine pulling 18 milk cars leaves rails seven miles east of White Haven . . . Hotel Redington being modernized. 22. Shortage of skilled mine workers reported by Maj. William W. Ing-lis of Glen Alden Coal Company. 23. Department of Public Assistance sets up "outposts" in 10 rural regions to save investigators' tires . . . Rationing boards issue certificates for release of automobiles purchased prior to January 1. 24. Attorney Charles B. Waller elected president of Community Welfare Federation . . . County solicitors express opinion that half pay law for county employes in armed forces is unconstitutional. , 25. Airplane crashes on Plains flats but the pilot, Harold H. Hunkey, is uninjured . . . Waiting period between examination and departure of selectees is eliminated. 26. Elmer E. Matthews completes 25 years with General Hospital . . . Robert C. Miner elected to board of Wilkes-Barre ' Lace Manufacturing Company . . . Victory Book Campaign announces that 20,000 books have been collected in Luzerne County. 27. F. E. Parkhurst, Jr., succeeds K. Russell Smith as commander of County air raid warning system . . . Rev. H. O. Fichter resigns as pastor of East End PM Church. 28. Rationing boards announce that miners are eligible to get tires . . . Shortage of sugar and increased costs eliminate topping on quarts of ice cream. MARCH 1. Local rationing board rules that miners may obtain automobile tires . . . Forest fires in Hanover and Newport Townships believed to be result of sabotage . . . Unofficial totals place number of enemy aliens in county at 2,572. 2. Food stamp plan inaugurated in county . . . Fog shrouds eclipse of moon. 3. Rain and snow hamper traffic on state highways and water floods over curbs onto sidewalks in city when slush clogs catch basin drains . . . Attorney Raymond A. Livingstone appointed County Controller's solicitor. . . . City Council passes ordinance for removal of street car rails on South Washington Street,, Hazle Street, South Street Bridge and Park Avenue. 4. First war ration books of World War 2 arrive in county . . . City fireman severely burned at fire in South Main Street building . . . Lackawanna Railroad officials asked to run two round-trip trains daily to Berwick for employes of American Car and Foundry plants. 5. Mayor Loveland announces that bingo will not be tolerated after one week . . . Frank J. Chicknosky, football coach at Nanticoke for 16 years, relieved of duties by school board. 6. Four P. P. and L. employees injured by series of blasts in an underground vault, that shakes mid-city and shuts off power for 10 minutes. 7. NYA fires 100 as they eliminate all work not allied with defense . . . Eugene F. Cowell retires after 49 years with Western Union. 8. Food stamp sales total $10,000 for first week of plan . . . More than 5,000 Holy Name members of Catholicchurches in city receive communion to implore spiritual aid for President Roosevelt and other leaders in the present crisis. 9. Mrs. George Galland elected life-long director of Children's Service Center . . . Admiral Harold R. Stark assigned to post of Commander of U. S. Forces in European Waters with headquarters in London. 10. Susquehanna River reaches 20.55 feet and pumping stations at Ross Street and Woodward Colliery 50 into action . . . Glen Alden Coal Company reports that 1941 was best in 10 years with a net income equal to £2.17 a share. 11. Susquehanna River recedes rapidly after reaching a spring fresh-3t peak of 20.96 . . . Wyoming Valley Motor Club offers reward of $100 for irrest and conviction of any person :ound stealing tires off members auto-nobiles. 12. Estimated 3,000 attend three 'farewell" bingo parties in central city . . . The Hub opens new store on South Main Street. L3. Army declines Scranton's offer ror free use of large estate as induc-ion center and announces that station vill remain in Wilkes-Barre . . . Designation of Wilkes-Barre as a target irea will result in additional fire fighting equipment being sent here. 14. Government order forbidding ale of oil burners expected to boost ale of anthracite. 15. City assumes collection of gar-iage when contractor Leo Solomon urrenders contract after numerous omplaints of service. 16. Plymouth Borough presented 7ith community ambulance by mem-iers of family of late Frank Martz. . . Sugar rationing delayed . . . First electrical storm of year climaxes six-our downpour. 17. Fourth number, 441, drawn in ational draft lottery affects men in 11 county boards ... A total of 6,357, third women, register for tuition-ree defense training courses in Wilkes-Barre district. 18. USO opens information and ecreation room on ground floor of Sennett Building, North Main Street. . . James B. Hallick resigns as general secretary of lical YMCA to ac- cept a similar position in Albany . . . Wyoming Valley Industrial Fund announces that $60,000 is needed to bring the plant of a large radio parts manufacturer to the valley . . . Employes of Continental Can Company strike. 19. Usual summer price reduction of anthracite awaits of decision of Price Administrator Leon Henderson. . . . Mrs. Elsie Rubecco, Plains, slashes to death her two children and then takes own life. 20. Valley gasoline station operators announce they will be open from 7 a. m. to 7 p. m. week days and close on Sunday . . . Mrs. Mary Menchick, Wapwallopen, fined two dollars and costs for refusing to send children to Dorrance Township School when they are expelled for refusing to salute 21. Snow and rain fall on first day of spring. 22. Few stations break pledge and sell gasoline . . . Wyoming Avenue Christian Church, Kingston, dedicated. . . . Wyoming Valley Bach Society program heard by 1,000 . . . Majority of dairies in valley begin day-time delivery of milk to conserve tires. 23. State Supreme Court overrules local court in decision of ousting Jenkins Township School Board and Pittston City granted new trial in suit of policeman over discharge. 24. Formal report shows that 22,616 of 25,700 persons employed by 115 firms in valley are purchasing bonds and stamps in the total of $107,668 a month . . . City receives $1,650 for items salvaged at incinerator since January 12. 25. Federal and state agents seize largest still in this section in 10 years at plant of Big Chief Candy Company. . . . Farmers invited to apply to WPA offices for help with crops this year to cushion labor shortage . . . Florists report scarcity of lily and hyacinth bulbs as war halts imports. 26. Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company and American Legion Post, 132 jointly sponsor campaign to purchase station wagon to transport airplane spotters to Blakeslee observation post. . . . An 18-inch section of South Street Bridge falls on Lehigh Street . . . ,S. D. Ringsdorf reelected president of Anthracite Operators Association at annual meeting. 27. Rilco Laminated Products Corporation, producers of wooden trusses, beams and arches for roof construction, locates in part of old Sheldon Plant . . . Conciliation Board informs operators that mine workers will be asked to make individual assignments agreeing to deductions for assessments ordered last year. 28. Lt. Comm. Edward Burke of Larkesville takes over command of a U. S. destroyer with the rank of captain. 29. Thousands of persons crowd city churches to observe Palm Sunday . . . Valley escapes brunt of heavy snow storms which hit many sections of state. 30. Office of Price Administration orders anthracite producers to cut price 50 cents a ton for April . . . City police vote for long pants for summer duty . . . "Victory Suits" tailored without cuffs, pleats, fancy backs or other frills make first appearances. 31. Countywide survey shows that dealers have 1,430 automobiles and 267 trucks in their possession . . . Pennsylvania Motor Patrolman Michael Nasnica killed when automobile he is driving is wrecked on Wyoming Avenue, near the airport. APRIL 1. Sgt. Francis Astolfi, Plains native, mentioned as aide and bodyguard to Lt. Gen. Stilwell when he smashes Japanese lines in Burma . . . Donald S. Mills, J. Justin Blewitt and Benjamin R. Jones, Jr., named assistant district attorneys. 2. Court asked to rule if bondholders of Pennsylvania Liberty Bank and Trust Company are liable for deficiency and for how much . . . Mines report work at year's peak for last half of March. 3. U. S. Anthracite Economic Commission reports hard coal area being ignored and strongly recommends establishing war plants in this area, also submitted are two sets of recommendations, one for immediate improvement of the area and the other for long-term improvement. 4. Partial returns from income tax for 12th District shows increase of over eight millions. 5. Warm sun draws many to Easter parade . . . Holiday travel sets new peak and reports show double the volume of travel over the same holiday last year . . . Anthracite operator agree to price cut ordered by Office of Price Administration. 6. Four women appointed as teachers in city schools to fill vacancies left by soldiers . . . Temperature of 81.1 degrees reported. 7. Army engineers report that contract for Avoca Airport has been awarded to two Mid-west construction firms . . . City Engineer Guy Walker reports that South Street Bridge spans are disintegrating. 8. Amalgamated Clothing Workers win increase of 13 per cent for over 2,600 members . . . John Austrauski, son of Heights couple, rescued after vessel is torpedoed off Atlantic Coast. 9. Notre Dame Band plays at Coughlin High School . . . Jenkins Township officials report that juveniles found out after 9 curfew will be given castor oil as punishment. 10. First gas masks arrive in city as soldiers at Induction Center are equipped. 11. Capt. Samuel Bloch, Jr., commanding officer of local induction center, raised to rank of major. 12. Judge J. Harold Flannery named to head joint Community Welfare Federation-United Service Organization drive scheduled for fall. 13. Mines go on five-day week . . . Mining industry joins "salvage for victory" campaign . . . Fund for station wagon, sponsored by Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company and Wilkes-Barre Post American Legion, goes over top. 14. Strike at Continental Can Company ends ... A. P. Cope elected head of county schools for fifth term . . . ' County Commissioners take first step in securing dike for Wyoming Valley Airport. 15. Recently directed price reduction of anthracite abolished by Office of Price Administration . . . Andrew May (D-Ky), chairman of House Military Affairs Committee, requests action to maintain supply of labor in coal fields during war. 16. Canvass for bond pledges by 4,500 air raid wardens and other civilian defenders called "bang-up job" by County Chairman William ,B. Healy. 17. Lt. Col. Mitchell Jenkins named to full command of Company A of 109th Field Artillery . . . Mayor Charles N. Loveland completes ninth year as city's chief executive. 18. Due to shortage City Street Department is unable to secure oil for dirt streets . . . Each person to be allotted one pound of sugar for first two weeks of rationing which begins May 5. 19. Break in 20-inch water main floods section of Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming . . . Miss Arline Ash takes over brother's wholesale trucking route when he enlists in armed forces. 20. Rev. Stanley Lange named moderator at meeting of Lackawanna Presbytery held in Kingston Methodist Church . . . Kingston property owners told there is little relief and no redress from mine caves in borough. 21. Wilkes-Barre Railway Company sells six street cars to Sudbury, Ont., Canada traction company . . . Guy A. Smith and A. L. Strayer elected to board of directors of Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. 22. Wyoming Conference meets in First Methodist Church, city . . . Ash-ley School District again becomes an independent district . . . Nationwide demand for peak production of anthracite expected to result in deferment of mine workers in draft. 23. Rev. Paul Wert, Allentown, elected secretary of East Pennsylvania Conference of Evangelical Church at annual conference held in First Evangelical Church, Dana Street, city . . . Federal Bureau of Investigation, local and state police begin round-up of enemy aliens in valley. 24. Two volunteer firemen killed and 10 injured when dynamite stored' in shack at Cork Lane explodes . . . Rulison Evans succeeds E. C. Deal as head of Scran ton-Spring Brook Water Company . . . FBI reports 25 short wave radios and 10,000 rounds of ammunition have been cofiscated from aliens and upwards of 100 suspects have been questioned. 25. FBI reports that 350 executive warrants were served and a like num- ber of homes where enemy aliens reside visited in previous 36 hours. 26. Wyoming Conference concludes with the announcement that 41 changes have been made in pastorates . . . Score of forest and bush fires devastate many acres in scattered points of county. 27. City teachers receive five per cent pay increase . . . Millage remains at 17% . . . War Department officially lists Sgt. John Krawie, U. S. Marine, Plymouth native, as taken prisoner by Japanese at Wake Island . . . Sugar sales stop for one week when rationing becomes effective. 28. Rents in Wilkes-Barre area are frozen at level of March 1 by OPA order . . . County draft boards report total of 42,310 men from 45 to 65 registered on 27th . . . J. H. Godtfring named general secretary of local YMCA . . . Total of 4,700 properties sold at third annual County Treasurer's sale. 29. Because of low maximum established by OPA for fabrics one manufacturer reports that they may be forced to curtail work or close . . . Barons victorious over Scranton by 1 to 0 in opening day game at Artillery Park . . . Routine examination of finger prints show that Henry Stalls-worth, New York, held at County jail on minor charge, is wanted for strangling two children . . . Avoca conducts own blackout. 30. Idle miners from Shamokin area may be brought to this region to offset acute labor shortage . . . New x-ray equipment, valued at $10,000, is installed at local induction station. MAY 1. Maj. G. N. Fluegel named in charge of Medical Officers Recruiting Board with offices in Philadelphia . . . Some gasoline stations temporarily closed when they exhaust quotas . . . Last half of April reported best for coal companies in three years as 30 collieries work a total of 334 days. 2. Philip W. Roll succeeds Harold Sporer as manager of Wilkes-Barre central office of Bell Telephone Company . . . Maj. Gen. Edward Martin speaks at rally at Hotel Sterling, jured when a 37-mm shell a soldier brought home as a souvenier rolls off table and explodes. 4. Registration for sugar rationing begms . . . Pennsylvania Grocers Association opens convention in city . . . Seven from valley on first official casualty list of World War II. 5. Boake Carter speaks at closing dinner of Grocers Association convention. 6. Selective Service Headquarters announces that "needed" mine and railroad workers will be deferred. 7. Sign atop Miners National Bank is declared obsolete and is to be removed to be used as scrap . . . City Council rules that licenses of pin-ball machines expiring on June 1 will not be renewed. 8. Smallest trial list in history of county with only 40 cases requiring three days is announced . . . Rationing board rules that clergymen must live three miles from church to obtain tires. 9. Charles Havira fatally injured when car he is repairing is struck by another car and he is crushed against a parked truck . . . Tests reveal that flood cables are faulty. 10. Drivers crowd highways as they have last Sunday splurge before rationing of gasoline goes into effect. . . . Rev. Alexander Rodger announces his resignation as assistant minister of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. 11. Office of Price Administration's ban on asphalt halts city's paving program . . . Shawnee Choral Society sings at Madison Square Garden in New York. 12. Dr. W. W. Waters retires as moderator of Wyoming Baptist Association . . . Reports show that 10 million pounds of scrap were collected in the county during April. 13. Dr. James F. Bogardus, state price administrator of OPA, tells audience that "price ceiling success rests with the consumer." 14. Cards for unlimited amount of gas being returned by holders as government officials indicate check of all registrations . . . Reports show that shipment of anthracite for April rose 71 per cent over like period in previous year. 15. County registration figures show that Republicans have a majority of 39,568 over the Democrats . . . McKinley Council, Daughters of America marks 25th year of founding. 16. Howling wind and rain storm strikes valley and 1.48 inches of rain falls in 24-hour period. 17. St. Patrick's Church, White Haven, rededicated . . . Gasoline rationing responsible for considerable cut in Sunday traffic . . . Thousands join in patriotic "I Am An American Day" programs. 18. For first time in history of county all 73 tax collectors have filed land returns for uncollected taxes on time . . . City Council officially rules pinball machines out of operation. 19. County voters turn out in small numbers for spring primary . . . .City electorate approves bond issue by vote of two to one. 20. Avoca stages separate blackout . . . U. S. Treasury Department reports that as of May 9, 71.9 per cent of a possible 78,062 employes in Luzerne County are buying war stamps and bonds. 21. Ashley Draft Board grants more than 90 deferments to selectees on plea of Glen Alden Coal Company. . . . Final report shows that 19,000 passenger car owners in county failed to register for any type of gasoline rationing card. 22. .Flash floods stop railroad traffic, wash out bridges and inundate scores of residences in Wirkes-Barre and surrounding communities . . . Announcement made that no GAR Memorial Day parade would be held for first time in 50 years. 23. Flash floods responsible for 24 deaths in Wayne County. 24. Forty Fort Colliery of Harry E Coal Company renamed in honor of General Douglass MacArthur . . . Thousands of residents pay tribute to war dead and soldiers in service. 25. County Commissioners decide to check all voting machines on Flood-Miller contest . . . Official announcement on 35-minute blackout and incident exercises is "better than expected". 26. Luzerne Anthracite, Inc. restrained from mining under certain sections of Kingston by a preliminary injunction . . . Henry E. Horvat, Swoyerville, named assistant superintendent of county schools. 27. City School Board adopts budget providing salary raises totaling $67,000 but tax rate remains same . . . United Mine Workers at Huber Colliery oppose blankket deferment of their members to Army service . . . American Airlines plane service to valley suspended by government order. 28. John J. Burke, plain clothes-man on Wilkes-Barre Police force, resigns and Patrolman Frank Flynn is named to fill vacancy . . . Recount of all voting machines in county gives Thomas B. Miller, Republican, a lead of 217 votes over Daniel J. Flood, Democrat, in special election to fill vacancy in Congress. 29. All transportation facilities taxed as people begin to pour into valley for holiday week end . . . Route 115, closed for a week because of washouts caused by floods, is reopened. 30. Valley halts work in midst of various war activities to pay sincere and fitting respect to deceased . . . Gasoline and tire ration have profound effect on cutting holiday vehicular traffic. 31. Rev. John J. Balberchak, Kingston, ordained into priesthood of Roman Catholic Church and reads first mass in his parish church of SS. Cyril and Methodius. JUNE 1. Attorney Howard E. Kennedy resigns post as, City Solicitor to accept a lieutenancy in U. S. Navy . . . Rationing of gasoline and automobile tires held responsible for drop of $641 in parking meter receipts for month of May as compared with same period in previous year . . . Two armed bandits hold up Holland Theater messenger with theater receipts for three days at Old Forge and escape with $331. 2. Cole Brothers Circus visits valley . . . Msgr. Fulton Sheen speaks at St. Nicholas' auditorium . . . Thirteen men leave valley to seek commissions in Army Air Corps . . . Census reports show that there are 20,887 dwelling units in Wilkes-Barre. 3. Name of Crystal Ballroom at Hotel Sterling changed to General MacArthur Room . . . C. S. Joslyn, area engineer in charge of flood control construction, named major in U. S. Army . . . New contract at West Pittston Iron Works includes clause that company shall supply workers with vitamin tablets . . . Eight hurt when two Larksville street cars collide at Jackson and Main Streets, Ed-wardsville. 4. Attorney Hopkin T. Rowlands named city solicitor at a salary of $2,000 yearly . . . Injunction restraining Luzerne Anthracite, Inc., from mining under certain sections of Kingston, responsible for the dismisal of 116 employees of company . . . Christian F. Baiz reelected chairman of executive committee of Wyoming Valley Council of Social Agencies . . . Carpenters granted a 12-cent per hour raise. 5. Alfred Ravert, 13, Plymouth, fatally burned when playing near powder storage plant of Powell Squib Factory which explodes . . . Survey by Office of Defense Transportation reveals that 60 per cent of cars carrying workers to American Car and Foundry plant at Berwick, carry only one or two passengers . . . District 1, UMWA, announces that miners will forego vacations for pay this year as a contribution to the war effort. 6. Gasoline chiseling so widespread in county that OPA agents are sent here for check-up . . . Pennsylvania unit of National Association of Power Engineers conclude two-day convention in city. 7. Fifty-two men sworn into U. S. Navy to avenge Pearl Harbor . . ., Service on both Lehigh Valley and Jersey Central railroads interrupted by landslides . . . Lt. John D. Mainwaring, Forty Fort native, reported in thick of far Pacific war by (AP) writer. 8. Breweries cut beer deliveries to four days each week in effort to cut use of trucks by 25 per cent . . . Miss Celia Cohen, retiring after 45 years as a city school teacher, is feted . . . Peter D. Clark wins by two votes the Republican chairmanship of the Sixth Legislative District. 9. Governor Arthur James addresses Wyoming Seminary graduates. . . . Reuben H. Levy is elected president of Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce for third consecutive time. City Council takes out liability insurance. 10. War Labor Board in Washington grants Noxen tannery workers a pay increase of three cents an hour retroactive to April 3 ... City electricians idle as negotiations for pay increase continue. 11. YWCA announces that swimming pool will be open on Sunday for those hit by gasoline and tire rationing. 12. Pennsylvania Motor Federations opens two-day convention in city . . . City's inability to obtain chlorine may delay opening of swimming pools. 13. Representatives of all branches of organized labor in Wyoming Valley open two-day "Labor In Wartime Institute" . . . Record publishes mercantile list . . . Bucknell University Junior College offers special summer courses in aeronautics for school teachers. 14. Wyoming Valley Autobus Company and Wilkes-Barre Railway Company reduce number of night time busses and cars because of lack of business and to conserve materials . . . Bottled beer output ordered cut 40 per cent by government order to conserve metal in crowns. 15. Campaign for scrap rubber is started locally . . . Thomas B. Miller takes seat in U. S. Congress . . . Express commuter service starts to Harvey's Lake. ^16. Electricians end walkout . . . 105 donors give blood to Red Cross mobile unit . . . Council fills four vacancies in Fire Department. 17. Vacation token pays aggregating close to a million dollars paid to miners . . . E. B. Wagner reelected president of Wyoming Valley Boy Scout Association. 18. Pennsylvania Historical Commission reports that the Wilkes-Barre Record will be one of the papers used in preparing the history of the state during the present war. 19. David C. Vaughn elected for second time as county chairman of Republican Party. 20. Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus draws capacity crowd at two performances. 21. Mrs. Anna C. Meehan honored at a dinner by AOH Auxiliary. 22. Fire destroys abandoned wash-ery on Alden Mountain when firemen are unable to reach blaze with hose. 23. Civilian defense workers successfully cope with night-long dimout and half-hour blackout. 24. Luzerne County receives $152,999 as its share of the liquid fuels tax for the first six months of the year. 25. War Production Board announces that it is considering a 100-acre site near Harding for the erection of an aluminum plant. 26. WPA and NYA lay of 100 at court house as federal agencies confine activities to war effort . . . Two Wilkes-Barre soldiers are in company lunching with King and Queen of England. 27. Local 898, UMWA, defies rule to cut vacation period and members remain away from work . . . Regional draft board rules that blanket deferments will not be given. 28. Nearly 25,000 attend Italian Day at Rocky Glen ... 531 women dismissed from various county WPA projects. 29. Letter from India reveals that many boys from Wyoming Valley are serving in that country . . . Shortage of fibre for brushes curtails city street cleaning program. 30. Exeter and Truesdale miners killed under falls of rock . . . Miss Dorothy Dunsten, Kingston, wed to Hoot Gibson, screen cowboy star. 31. Maj. Gen. Omar N. Bradley placed in command of 28th Division at Alexandria, La. . . . Fifth draft registration falls far short of anticipated total in this area. JULY 1. Stegmaier Brewing Company contributes fully equipped fire engine to city for civilian defense use . . . Valley's civilian defense units stage parade to aid sale of war bonds . . . Registration of 18 to 20 year old youths totals 7,475 . . . Post Office rushed with motorists securing the $5 Federal automobile use stamp. 2. Walter S. Buda named head of Swoyerville schools succeeding Henry Horvat who became assistant superintendent of County School District . . .Miss Anna Bernatitus, Exeter, only Navy nurse to escape from Bataan, arrives in New York . . . Atty. Benjamin R. Jones, Jr., Gov. Arthur James and Lee Bausher elected trustees of Wyoming Seminary. 3. Clark Lumber and Supply Company, West Main Street, Plymouth, destroyed by fire . . . Pagnotti Coal Company purchases old Liberty Bank Building on North Main Street, city, for $45,000. 4. Valley celebrates safe and sane Fourth as motorists take final fling at pleasure driving and fill parks and recreation places with record-breaking crowds. 5. Transportation companies report return to normalcy after record-breaking week end passes, 6. Widespread and heavy damage from hail and two rain storms in Wilkes-Barre . . . Wilkes-Barre School Board grants military leaves to four teachers. 7. Judge W. A. Valentine installed as president of Rotary Club . . . Estimates of hail storm place damage at $350,000, with truck farmers bearing the brunt. 8. 600 volunteers canvass merchants in valley on OPA price regulations. . . . Strike on Laurel Line averted when wage dispute is referred to NLRB. 9. Eleanor Kane, 15, West Pittston, asphyxiated by gas at home of her aunt . . . Report shows that valley has contributed more than 40 million pounds of scrap in past three months. 10. Most persons registering for gasoline are taking supplemental forms but ration board warns that few will receive extra fuel . . . Two German-born Wilkes-Barre men arrested when they voice preference to die for Hitler . . . Treasury Department men coming to region to investigate thefts of federal use tax stamps for automobiles. 11. Reports show that 15,000 ton of anthracite coal is lost daily by labor shortage . . . Inability to obtain priorities for copper holds up the completion of Solomon's Creek Outlet pumping station. 12. Five die in accidents as toll for week end is heaviest in more than a year . . . County organization of boroughs formed at Exeter. 13. Total of 9,275 persons register for gasoline books in Wilkes-Barre. . . . Priority order granted city to paving of streets may continue . . . Ernest Peter Burger, convicted Nazi spy, identified as having worked at South Wilkes-Barre Colliery. 14. Seventy-five priests of Innsbruck Alumni hold conference in city. . . . John Husak, Jr., Nanticoke, drowns in water-filled cave when stricken with cramps . . . Production of anthracite reported at five year high . . . City swimming pools jammed as withering heat continues. 15. Famous Hanover Green halfway house destroyed by fire with a loss of $15,000 . . . Councilman Robert Rogers claims city acted hastily in floating recent bond of issue of $330,000 because city cannot buy materials . . . Roy Stauffer, West installed as governor of District 177 of Rotary International. 16. Facilities of Kirby Park picnic ground in great demand due to tire and gasoline rationing . . . Kenneth Hildebrand elected president of Lutheran Leagues for three Eastern states. . . . Survey by U. S. Employment Service shows that 83 mining companies need 3,313 men to meet demands. 17. International Color Printing Company and Central Bindery open new plant in old Sheldon building to print comic books . . . Sgt. Jack Roberts, Kingston, given Purple Heart for action in New Guinea on April 12. 18. Last link of three-lane highway between Luzerne and Harvey's Lake completed with opening of stretch from Dallas to the lake . . . Charles F. Bond of Lewisburg appointed to faculty of Wyoming Seminary . . . Serious mine cave in Little York section of Avoca. 19. Soaring temperature sends motorists on final fling of driving to escape heat before strict gasoline rationing begins . . . Fate of Avoca airport hangs in balance as one Federal agency says construction must wait until after the war and another appropriates $1,300,000 for its construction . . . Three are drowned in nearby lakes. 20. Bodies of Joseph Wysocki and Sgt. Joseph Burian, both of Miners Mills, drowned in Harvey's Lake on Sunday are recovered . . . Atty. George Loveland, city, establishes his case as conscientious objector and leaves for work camp at West Campton, N. H. 21. Stanley Closky chosen city health officer . . . City council denies permit to Mike Vital to establish junk yard at extreme southern end of South Main Street . . . Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association opens two-day convention in city . . . Drivers rush to valley gasoline stations on eve of permanent rationing to fill tanks and exhaust dealers' supplies. 22. Meat shortage hits valley butcher shops and forces at least one owner to close doors . . . Fewer slipups reported in test blackout . . . Lehigh Valley Railroad seeks to discontinue train service between Freeland and Ashmore. 23. State police and rationing officiate take steps to punish borders of gasoline . . . Seriousness of East Coast fuel oil shortage has prompted many big New York City apartments to turn to coal for heat. 24. Lt. Col. George Seneff, Bear Creek Village, raised to rank of colonel with 28th Division in Louisiana. . . . Banana splits among war's casualties in valley fountain rooms . . . Counterfeit gasoline rationing books make appearance in valley, reported selling for as low as $1 per book. 25. Despite plenty of huckelberries in region price soars as pickers are scarce . . . Seventeen men from valley pass mine foreman tests and receive certificates. 26. Summer travel reaches all-time low with highways being used by about 50 per cent of normal capacity. . . . Fraternal Order of Eagles induct 120 members into a "Victory Class". 27. City has salvaged 1,255,355 pounds of scrap since first of year and has bsen paid $4,863 for it ... Secretary of Commerce Mark S. James reports that anthracite mines are working 100 per cent of capacity. 28. Lithuanian Catholic Priests League holds two-day convention in city . . . Operations for enlargement of Georgetown Silk Mill to house Georgetown Industries Company, manufacturer of radio parts, begins. 29. Mohawk Brewery Building in Pittston to be converted into modern distillery for industrial alcohol . . . Public Utility Commission recommends South Street Bridge be reconstructed after the war . . . Wildcat strike of maintenance workers at American Car and Foundry Plant at Berwick. 30. Movie Actress Gloria Stuart sells $542,140 worth of bonds at breakfast in Hotel Redington . . . Direct telephone appeal from President Roosevelt ends Berwick strike. 31. Councilman Robert Rogers urges that council puts $200,000 idle from bond issue into war bonds . . . Wyoming Valley Public Service Company redeems $80,000 in bonds . . . Flag pole atop courthouse removed when discovered rotten by 30 years exposure to elements. AUGUST 1. Relief grants increased to cope with rising cost of living . . . Leon Schwartz elected president of District Attorney's Association of Pennsylvania. 2. Approximately 350 trucks tied up when members of Teamsters' Union strike for higher wages . . . Mrs. Antoinette Walutis, Pittston berry picker, found after being lost 63 hours in Poconos. 3. Local rationing boards of Plains, Ashley, Kingston and Plymouth are ordered to consolidate with County headquarters on North River Street. . . . U. S. Bureau of Mines reports that miners' pay has risen to $33.31 and that output of anthracite is up seven per cent over last year. 4. District 1, United Mine Workers, discloses they will seek wage increases to meet rising cost of living. . . . WPB reports from Washington that the Harding site for an aluminum plant is "under serious consideration." 5. Time of traffic lights in central city shortened to 21-second cycle for trial period . . . Anti-aircraft units from New York arrive at Tobyhanna for practice . . . Fire destroys a two-car garage on Willow Street. 6. Wilkes-Barre School Board makes 16 appointments, four as teachers . . . Monoxide gas seeping from automobile parked in garage under summer cottage blamed for deaths of Joseph Mangione and Mary Pechalonis, both of Pittston, who have been missing since July 14. 7. Somerset County firm receives contract to construct three bridges and grade the route of the Ashley bypass . . . County rationing headquarters reports that tire quota for August will be absorbed by applications from previous month. 8. Lehigh Valley cut-off is closed for eight hours when several freight cars are derailed . . . Mercantile tax bureau reports that 100 gasoline stations have gone out of business since gas and tire rationing began. 9. White Haven plant of Atlas Powder Company takes over the air raid warning system at that place. 10. Office of Price Administration inspectors and business specialists arrive in valley to check on enforcement of ceiling prices. 11. Helen Whitman, Old Forge, drowned while swimming in Susque-hanna River near Harding. 12. Strike of Teamsters' Union ends with increases ranging from 10 to 12 per cent for truckers. 13. Luzerne County's 19 rationing boards report that they have granted 50,737 basic "A" gasoline cards since system started . . . War Production Board finds that the Harding site for the proposed aluminum plant is unsuitable due to quicksand. 14. Greater Wilkes-Barre Council of CIO indorses the War Chest campaign of the Community Welfare Federation. 15. R. J. Bartow, executive director of Luzerne County Board of Assistance, joins Army Air Corps . . . Lawrence J. Casey, Forty Fort, appointed court tipstaff . . . First daytime test of air raid alarm system termed a "dismal failure". 16. Members of Old Company B, Ninth Regiment, hold reunion in Poconos . . . Employes of Pressed Steel Company one of first to enroll 100 per cent in 10 per cent war bond purchase plan. 17. Street cars and busses inaugurate skip-stop plan to save equipment in line with government's war policy . . . Charles F. Terry, Kingston, named administrator of Luzerne County Rationing Board . . . U. S. Circuit Judge Herbert Goodrich speaks at Plymouth bond rally. 18. County's first surprise blackout held at 9:30 p. m. . . . Columbia Engine Company, Kingston, buys an ambulance for that borough's use. 19. Local drive for the enlistment of nurses in the Army and Navy is gaining speed. 20. City School District appoints three more teachers to staff . . . Dr. Elmer T. Williams, Plymouth, named commander of Northeastern Pennsylvania District of American Legion at State Convention. 21. Delegation from Scranton, Pittston and Wilkes-Barre are told in Washington that the rejection of the Harding aluminum plant is considered finished business by the government but WPB officials pledge that every effort will be made to bring industries to the region . . . Anthracite Subsidence Commission holds hearings at Courthouse. 22. Abbott and Costello, screen comedians, tour valley and attend luncheon to spur war bond drive . . . Wilkes-Barre choosen for the site of the 1943 convention of State American Legion convention. 23. Luzerne County Association of Borough decides to demand immediate payment from county commissioners for refund on State liquid fuels tax. 24. Rationing boards will review all "C" and "S" gasoline ration books. . . . An unidentified 41-year old woman attempts suicide by jumping off Market Street Bridge. 25. Temperature drops to 36 degrees . . . Eclipse of moon lasts for three hours. 26. Mrs. George Bobalko named tax collector of Edwardsville to succeed her late husband . . . Duplan silk mill at Hazleton stores large amount of anthracite coal to offset any shortage that may develope, 27. Bootleg gasoline makes its appearance at a reported 50 cents a gallon . . . 4,300 properties sold at courthouse by commissioners for back taxes . . . Strike at Ewen Colliery ends. 28. City purchases dehydrated bananas for Kirby Park monkeys when shipping shortage makes fresh fruit unobtainable . . . Neilson Andrews appointed coach at St. Mary's High School. 29. C. E. Chapman retires after serving local railroad for 43 years, the last 35 as an employe of the Lehigh Valley Railroad . . . City police stage six raids on alleged disorderly houses. 30. Polish Women's Alliance announces that they will place the savings made over a period of years for a camp in war bonds. 31. Seven Army pursuit planes, commanded by Col. E. R. Quesada, former Wyoming Seminary football star, thrill valley for 10 minutes with maneuvers. SEPTEMBER 1. Trolley cars return to Ashley and Sugar Notch lines by order of Public Utility Commission. 2. Sgt. Thomas Driscoll, Plymouth native, first Marine from Wyoming Valley to be reported killed in action. . . . Report shows that 5,191 C gasoline ration books have been issued in county. 3. Luzerne County Medical Society reports that 54 physicians and surgeons from the county have volunteered for duty with the armed forces. . . . Fifty automobiles and 294 bicycles is county's quota for September. 4. More than 50 state, municipal police and liquor control agents stage a series of raids on establishments in Berwick . . . Several violators of August 18 blackout fined. 5. Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of Deaf closes convention in Wilkes-Barre. 6. More than 5,000 attend ceremonies of dedicating honor roll of Brookside men serving in the armed forces. 7. Rationing of gasoline and tires cuts Labor Day travel . . . Alien Bravman, Gerald Shepard and Richard Felsher, Wilkes-Barre Boy Scouts on hike, crushed to death by Lehigh Valley Railroad engine near Pine Run curve. 8. Luzerne County Law and Library Association reports that 58 members are now serving in the armed forces . . . Central City traffic lights put on a 28-second cycle . . . Inclement weather results in the closing of city swimming pools one week early. 9. Herman Wagner and R. M. Hor-lacher are elected directors of Wyoming Valley Motor Club ... Dr. Edward Howard Greggs opens institute of Wilkes-Barre City Teachers. 10. Film star Irene Dunne exceeds million mark in sale of war bonds and stamps on visit to valley . . . Students at West Pittston High School call strike when school authorities cancell football schedule . . . U. S. Court assumes jurisdiction of naturalization of aliens in Luzerne County. 11. Junior Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Naval Aviation Cadet night at Hotel Redington . . . City officials take issue with WPA on slowness of rail removal and repairing of gaps in city streets . . . Property of former Dime Bank and Trust Company sold for $28,000. 12. Rathkamp Memorial Match Book Cover Collector's Society holds convention in city . . . John J. Dempsey, former White Haven native, nominated for governor of New Mexico. 13. John P. King, 95, Wyoming Valley's last Civil War veteran, dies. . . . Large British field gun in front of Forty Fort Town Hall donated to scrap campaign. 14. Strike of students at West Pittston High School ends when authorities restore football schedule. . . . County Ration Board reports that 65,983 persons received 3,038,712 pounds of sugar for canning. 15. Initial contribution of city housewives to tin can salvage drives proves dismal failure . . . Workmen begin tearing down Pittston station of D. L. and W. Railroad. 16. Luzerne County Medical Society eliminates one of its two regular monthly meeting dates due to scarcity of tires, gasoline, speakers and number of members serving in the armed forces . . . House Ways and Means Committee passes bill for the establishment of a research laboratory in the anthracite coal field. 17. Report show a decrease of 1,285 in the enrollment of pupils in the 12 grades of city schools . . . John Calahan retires after serving 30 years as a keeper at Luzerne County prison. 18. Mayor John J. Reilly, Pittston, named chairman of Third District of the Democratic Party . . . Rev. Homer Skyles May, pastor of First Reformed Church, Wilkes-Barre, announces resignation. 19. Atlas Powder Company at Suscon announces a $300,000 addition to present plant . . . State Bureau of Mines holds state-wide first .aid contest in Artillery Park. 20. Philip Murray, president of the CIO, speaks at smoker and rally of Holy Name Society of St. Mary's Church. 21. Five from valley enlist in WAVES, new womens' auxiliary of the Navy . . . PUG decrees that South Street Bridge reconstruction must wait until the end of the war. 22. Anthracite production this year is reported as two and one-half million tons over same period last year. . . . State Secretary of Agriculture John H. Light addresses Rotary Club. 23. Leaders of State Salvation Army hold two-day conference in city. .. . City officials report that estimated revenue falls far short of anticipations and will cause city to end year in the red . . . Radical curtailment of bus and trolley service ordered by Office of Defense Transportation. 24. An estimated 3,600 jam Public Square to witness a sham battle between two companies of Home Guard, put on as a preliminary to the special premiere of "Wake Island" at the Comerford Theater. 25. Serge Jaroff and Don Cossak Chorus play at Coughlin High School. . . . Rulison Evans named senior vice president in charge of all operations of Scranton-Spring Brook Water Company. 26. Councilman Patrick Corbertt, Duryea, fatally injured when he steps in path of automobile on Avoca Main Street . . . Anthracite production reaches 1,275,000 tons in one week. 27. Heavy rains and high winds cause considerable damage in city . . . Eight from local barracks of Pennsylvania Motor Police granted leaves to become petty officers in the U. S. Coast Guard. 28. OPA announces that they will subsidize excess cost of transporting anthracite coal to New England states. . . . City places "Victory Barrels" on street corners to receive scrap iron and rubber. 29. James Y. Humphrey appointed provisional director of Luzerne County Board of Public Assistance . . . Estimated 12,000 attend Army-Navy-War Production show in Artillery Park after witnessing a parade of tanks and Army vehicles. 30. Disabled War Veterans donate two cannon from Kirby Park to scrap drive . . . Thirty-five mile an hour speed limit goes into effect . . . Army-Navy-War Production show repeated at Hazleton. OCTOBER 1. Employes of No. 6 Colliery, Susquehanna Collieries Company, end strike . . . Navy recruiting records show that 325 Wyoming Valley natives have been accepted for duty with the Navy. 2. Knights of Columbus open two-day seven-district convention in city. . . . Central Railroad of New Jersey announces that it is enlarging its oil storage tracks at Taylor to facilitate heavy movement of tank cars. 3. Scrap collection total 1,000 tons for first week of drive . . . Glen Al-den Coal Company reports it is mining 50,000 tons per day. 4. All Catholic churches in Scranton Diocese open novena for duration of war for men in the armed forces. 5. Sgt. Thomas Coburn, Jr., Forty Fort native and gunner on a Flying Fortress, wounded in attack on German occupied Europe . . . Coffee scarce as stores and eating houses contemplate rationing. 6. City Council donates clock from old courthouse on Public Square, to scrap drive . . . County Commissioners seek to borrow $300,000 from local banks to meet current expenses. 7. United Mine Workers at national convention vote to withdraw from Congress of Industrial Organization after receiving ultimatum from John L. Lewis . . . No. 7 Colliery of Sus-quehanna Collieries Company closed by what mine union officials term a "wildcat strike". 8. Lt. Stella Salveson, recruiting officer for WAACS, visits valley and explains fields open to women in the Army . . . Miners ignore order from John L. Lewis at convention in Cincinnati to end strike at Susquehanna Collieries. 9. Strike at Susquehanna Colliery No. 7 ends . . . Howard Conrad elected president of Garden Club of Wyoming Valley at llth annual meeting . . . Heights Council of Boy Scouts to be presented with flag that flew over nation's capitol. 10. Hazard Insulated Wire Rope Works awarded coveted Army-Navy E Award Flag . . . Freeland Band leads parade of District at National Convention of United Mine Workers in Cincinnati. 11. School children of Plains Township collect 202,000 pounds of scrap . . . County Relief rolls continue downward trend with a decrease of 26 cases reported for first week of October. 12. Thirty-two volunteer for duty in Army on Columbus Day . . . Capt. John D. Mainwaring, Forty Fort native, cited for gallantry in action over New Guinea. 13. County Commissioners turn over massive bronze grilles in their office to scrap drive . . . State Liquor stores enjoy business boom when rumors of strike spreads through valley. 14. County undergoes first daytime test of air raid drill when signal is sounded for 15 minute alert at 2 p. m. 16. Aubrey Williams, national director of National Youth Administration, visits valley and inspects shops. . . . Dr. Harry Fish, Sayre, gives principal address at Kingston Lodge, F and AM dinner in honor of the lodge's Diamond Anniversary. 17. Luzerne County teachers close two-day institute by adopting resolution condemning all dismissals . . . Teenage youths crowd induction station as Congress debates on conscription of their age groups . . . Tunkhannock included in Luzerne County air raid district. 18. Walter Stump, alias Eugene Kline, an Allentown farm worker, wounds Verna M. Kline, 40, Wilkes-Barre, and then commits suicide on lonely road near Bear Creek . . . New Highway from Scott Street to clover-leaf intersection of Dupont and Bear Creek Highways, opened. 19. Strike at Prospect Colliery of Lehigh Valley Coal Company ends . . . Community War Chest Campaign gets underway ... In a series of promotions W. W. Everett is named acting general superintendent of Glen Alden Coal Company. 20. Thomas F. Leahy, native of Fitchburg, Mass., appointed director of regional OPA office in Scranton. . . . Federal Court in Scranton indicts five Luzerne County men in crusade against vice in six-state area. 21. Selective Service Appeal Board hands down decisions in 38 county cases sustaining local boards in 35 of them. 22. Regional OPA office announces that widespread investigation against the black market will begin scon . . . Youths, 18 and 19, rush to induction station to enlist in chosen branch of Army . . . Referee rules that inductee into Army on furlough before entering active service is eligible for unemployment compensation. 23. Senator A. J. Sordoni elected director of Wyoming Valley American Red Cross . . . Plains High, North and Grant Schools win awards in salvage contest conducted by Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company. 24. East End Primitive Methodist Church marks 70th anniversary of its founding . . . More than 1,500 tires turned over to government by motorists in valley. 25. Over 40 tons of coal is found when workmen remove earth and rock from county parking lot on North Kiver Street . . . Boom of large shovel knocks down electric lines and causes 50-minute blackout along Hazle Street. 26. Luzerne County joins rest of state in surprise 15-minute blackout. . . . Quarter inch of snow falls on mountain tops while valley is deluged with rain . . . Navy Secretary Knox informs Mayor Loveland that another cruiser, not yet built, will be named Wilkes-Barre in place of the one named for the city and then renamed Astoria in order to perpetuate the name of the cruiser sunk recently in the Solomons. 27. Knights of Columbus home on South Franklin Street presented to Wyoming Valley Chapter of American Red Cross by heirs of Mary G. Stegmaier . . . Federal Communications Commission reopens hearings on Atty. Robert J. Doran's tentative license to operate radio station WBAX. 28. Republican gubernatorial candidate Brig. Gen. Edward Martin and party visit valley . . . Three injured in head-on collision of two Larksville street cars. 29. Community Welfare Chest passes goal for first time in 10 years with pledges totaling 103 per cent of campaign goal . . . Republicans far ahead of Democrats in registration figures . . . F. Clair Ross, auditor general and Democratic candidate for governor speaks at Hotel Sterling. 30. Office of Defense Transportation reports that it will open an office in Wilkes-Barre to handle gasoline rationing for the 12,000 truckers in county . . . Joseph Pytle, 16-year-old Duryea youth,, awarded Carnegie Hero Medal for rescuing companion in Lackawanna River during flash-flood of May . . . Anthony Gutkowski, Buttonwood, dies in Mercy Hospital after having been hit by street car . . . Twenty homes damaged in West Pitts-ton by two mine caves. 31. Estimates place reduction in coffee for county residents at four pounds per person . . . State Liquor stores experience biggest rush of business since opening by persons buying to beat new federal taxes effective at midnight. NOVEMBER 1. Rev. Enoch Hughes, pastor of Edwards Memorial Congregational Church, Edwardsville, resigns to accept pastorate at Palmer, Mass. . . . Fred Swanson replaces Ira C. Stevenson as chief of Harvey's Lake Police Department . . . George and John An-tanitis, brothers, killed by D. and H. pusher engine at Laflin. 2. Chief Petty Officer Frank Mal-lin, Navy recruiter in city, transferred to new post in Maryland . . . Three Luzerne County natives fatally injured in bus crash at Alford, Susque-sanna County . . . Holiday called at West Pittston Iron Works in dispute over laying off workers without regard to seniority. 3. Entire Republican slate wins in county when more than 50 per cent of registered voters go to polls to vote. . . . Baicker Paint and Wallpaper Store, East Main Street, Plymouth, destroyed by $10,000 fire ... J. Franklin Smith, Wyoming native, and wife reported held by Japanese at Santo Tomas University, Manila. 4. Three-day holiday at West Pittston Iron Works ends . . . State office of Civilian Defense notifies local headquarters that several thousand stirrup pumps, for use in industrial areas where bombings may occur, has been alloted this county . . . Serve-Your-City Club takes over recruiting work of WAACS. 5. Anthracite Committee of 12 announce they will carry plea to OPA for time and half pay after 35 hours work in six-day week if price ceilings are raised on coal . . . Joseph M. Walsh named CIO regional organizer with offices in Wilkes-Barre. 6. David S. Davis named cashier of Wilkes-Barre Deposit and Savings Bank to replace M. H. Callender who resigned to accept a position with Federal Reserve Bank at Philadelphia. Anne Bernatitus, Exeter, Navy nurse, first to receive new Legion of Merit award . . . Lt. Col. B. F. Evans, State director of Selective and Wilkes-Barre native, recalled by Army . . . Official count produces no change in Republican majorities. 7. War Labor Board opens field office in Federal Building . . . Fire in triple frame dwelling on High Street routs four families and badly guts building. 8. Thousands ignore rain to line sidewalks and view two-hour long Unity and Armistice parade . . . Irvin F. Shrode, head of Immigration Department at local Federal Building, resigns to join Army. 9. Unidentified man holds up rationing board clerk at White haven and escapes with gasoline rationing coupons . . . Federal Communications Commission rejects bid to shift hearing on WBAX transfer to city.... Wyoming Valley Industrial Development Fund, Inc. launches dollar subscription plan to bring plants to valley. 10. Workers at Buttonwood and South Main Street plants of Vulcan Iron Works leave jobs in protest over failure to receive granted wage boosts. . . . City Treasurer Fred Goeringer proposes a one-bill tax system for city. 11. City quietly but sincerely observes Armistice Day . . . Bond Brothers, men's garment manufacturing concern, takes over Ambrose West Knitting Mill building in Plymouth and announces production will start by January 1 ... Dr. Herman Rausch-ning, former confidante of Adolf Hitler, speaks at National Dinner Club meeting . . . Work stoppage at Vulcan Plant ends. 12. Stull Brothers store, Union Street, Kingston, destroyed by $150,000 fire ... Guy A. Smith and Clinton A. Long named co-chairmen of Wyoming Valley Industrial Development Fund dollar drive. 13. Counting of 285 soldier votes leave election results unchanged . . . Prof. Paul Gies appointed director of Concordia Singing Society to succeed late Adolf Hansen . . . John E. Piatt elected president of Northeastern District, Pennsylvania Education Association Association at convention at Stroudsburg. 14. Mercury drops to 17.6 as piercing winds bring coldest weather so far this season . . . Miss Dorothy James becomes bride of Frank A. Sinon at ceremony in Harrisburg Grace Methodist Church. 15. Honor rolls dedicated in 1st and 14th Wards . . . Interior of newly redecorated Liberty National Bank, Pittston, gutted by fire. 16. Wyoming Valley has morning air raid alert . . . Office of Price Administration freezes rents in Berwick area as of March 1 ... Only seven men of the 18 from county who took mine inspectors tests in September certified by Anthracite Mine Inspectors' Board. 17. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Martin O'Con-nor appointed auxiliary bishop of Scranton Diocese of Roman Catholic Church . . . Capt. Joseph Kruzel, Wilkes-Barre Township, holder of the Silver Star, two oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart, home on furlough from Southwest Pacific. 18. Herbert H. Foster, New York public relations man, advocates creating an authority to purchase Scranton-Spring Brook Water Company . . . General Aviation Company, Ashley, receives final approval of Pennsylvania Apprenticeship Council. 19. Henry Graham, executive director of Family Service Association, commissioned a lieutenant, junior grade, in U. S. Naval Reserve . . . 30,000 idle passenger tires bought by Government are being stored in the valley. 20. Auxiliary Bishop-elect M. J. O'Connor assigned to St. Mary's Church, city, effective on February 10. ... 800 workers call "holiday" at Vulcan Iron Works when union and company differ on WLB's control over Arbitrator's award. 21. Warehouse and bakery workers and drivers call strike at American Stores Warehouse . . . Members of rationing boards spend busy week end with rationing problems. 22. Charles Weissman, founder of Hebrew Loan Society, honored by that organization at a dinner . . . Dr. Thomas E. Larkin, Anthracite Concilliation Board umpire, named to Advisory Council, Philadelphia area, WLB. 23. Edward H. Kent, broker, resigns as member of Green, Ellis and Anderson to live on his farm at Edge-field, S. C. . . . Work stoppage at Vulcan ends . . . Navy Department takes over Pocono Manor Inn as a rest and recreation center . . . Luzerne County Council of Defense charges 27 towns in county with defense apathy. 24. Mrs. Nell Ransavage, wife of Army doctor, and mother of three children, killed in automobile crash near Charlottesville, Va., when enroute to visit husband at Camp Butner, N. C. . . . Firemen's Ball draws big crowd despite cold rain. 25. J. Andrew Boyd, editor emeritus of the Wilkes-Barre Record, celebrates his 87th birthday anniversary. . . . Brookside Mission work suspended for the duration of the war . . . John N, Conyngham X-ray Department at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital formally opened . . . Two killed in separate accidents on D L and W Railroad trestle over Toby's Creek, Edwardsville. 26, Transportation for holiday is brisk . . . Governor James commutes prison terms of Joseph Rushkowski, Jr., and Daniel W. Sweeny . . . Five more nurses at Mercy Hospital enlist in the Army. 27. Private nurses at General Hospital and on duty at homes inaugurate the 12-hour day after working years on a 24-hour-a-day basis . . . 200 Pittston homes are damaged or menaced by mine subsidence which also cuts off water and gas in area affected . . . OPA announces it is probing eight cent coffee and cut in beer glass size. 28. Railway Express Agency reports 70,000 tires are stored in six warehouses in the valley . . . Ensign Scovel B. Swan, Kingston native, fatally burned in Cocoanut Grove Night Club fire at Boston . . . New mine subsidence at Pittston damages 10 properties and stops Laurel Line. 29. First Baptist Church celebrates 100th anniversary . . . PFC Stanley Szwast, Swoyerville native, first reported valley casualty in African second front campaign. 30. Deadline to register tires moved back until December 12 ... Hearings reopen in Washington on the WBAX case . . . Albert Glahn elected president of Wyoming Valley Building and Loan Association . . . Manor Farms Dairy Company consolidated with Woodlawn Farm Dairy Company. Typed by Patty Matthews ( Pa. ), April 2003 Donated by the Yahoo Group: The Courthouse Gang of Luzerne County