1943 Wilkes-Barre Record Almanac Page 34 - 35 Luzerne County in 1942 The war-with its various issues-held the spotlight in Luzerne County during 1942, but at the same time officials took steps to improve government financing and save lives by improving highways and work continued to prevent the Susquehanna River from ever again flooding its shores. As the year closed it appeared a certainty that a one-bill tax plan for Luzerne County and Wilkes-Barre City would be adopted. This plan would mean one bill for county, institution, city and school taxes and, discussions disclosed, was aimed to reduce the cost required to send out multiple bills. Work would be done in the new mechanized tax agency of the county which sounded a death-knell for hand transcription and human copying errors in 1941. County commissioners laid down an ”economy plan” early in 1942 with the result that 91 jobs were eliminated or unfilled at the organization meeting. The commissioners in November pointed to the effectiveness of the plan by wiping out a million dollar tax anticipation loan for 30 days before it was due and saving $535 in interest. The commissioners said the slashing of $360,000 from the 1942 budget insured Luzerne County of ending the year out of the red. Properties Taken Over The county went into the real estate business in a big way by taking over more than 10,000 properties that had been sold at treasurer delinquent tax sales two years previous. The real estate bureau reported that during 1942 redemptions of properties brought the county a total of $140,000. About 4,000 properties will go in the block on January 7, 1943, bringing the total of properties controlled by the county to about 7,500, the bureau reported. The air-minded suffered a severe blow during the year when the giant airport scheduled for construction at Avoca failed to materialize. However, November and December saw increased interest in affairs of Wyoming Valley Airport, with the city and county approving plans for the erection of a new hanger and Wyoming, Swoyerville and Forty Fort Boroughs passing ordinances that paved the way for a flood control and enlargement project for the port. Big things were anticipated at the valley airport for 1943, officials held, in pointing to the huge air training program adopted by the Government and the ideal location of the local airport outside of the restricted coastal area laid down by the War Department. Changes in the county government operation went into effect during the year with the opening of Courthouse Annex on Water Street. This building houses the registration and engineering departments, formally in the basement of the crowded Courthouse. Also situated at the Annex is the headquarters of Luzerne County Agricultural Extension Association. Work towards controlling the Susquehanna River during flood periods went on during the year with efforts being rushed to complete dike constructions and pumping stations at Hanover Township and Plymouth. Work on the Edwardsville dike was completed during the year. The dike system for this area will be completed with the finish of work in Plymouth and Hanover Township, engineers said. Although nearly every family in the county felt the nearness of the war with the enlistment and induction of parents, children, relatives or friends, the people at home “dug in” in a splendid manner and brought about the development of what is considered the second best Council of Defense in the State. Col. Thomas H. Atherton, chief of Luzerne County Council of Defense, commenting on numerous tests-day and night-held during the year, said the defense machine was near a state of perfection. However, the Protective Service, headed by Warden William B. Healey, was given the tough assignment of correcting the one big fault in the air raid system, improper audible signals to sound alarms. Early in December a survey for installation of electric sirens was started and as the year faded away the Protective Service was taking steps to get cooperation of all municipalities in the matter of erection of air raid signals that would be controlled from one point. Similar Sirens Sought The fire, colliery and industrial whistles authorized to sound alarms were found to be inadequate because of delays in notifying these varied whistle positions and the diversified tones of the signals. The aim is to get sirens that will be used only for air raids and not fire, work, lunch or quitting time purposes. County commissioners greatly aided in defense activities by loaning personnel and cutting red tape as to the purchase of essential equipment, in addition to supplying funds. Late in December the commissioners purchased $7,000 worth of stretchers, cots, surgical instruments, medical supplies and medications for civilian defense units for the establishment of field and temporary hospitals in time of need. The county held its own in highway improvement with many hazards being eliminated. Dangerous Hairpin Curve on East End Boulevard was eliminated as work was completed on the New York, Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre Highway. The new highway between Plymouth and West Nanticoke was practically completed as the year ended and work was being pushed as the Ashley By-Pass, connecting Wilkes-Barre-Hazelton Highway and East End Boulevard. The By-Pass will run from Ashley through Wilkes-Barre Township and Wilkes-Barre. Work was completed on the scenic Dallas to Tunkhannock Highway and with the return of peace and the end of rationing motorists will enjoy the straight and express-like highway completed between Dallas and Harvey’s Lake. The latter highway eliminated a dangerous old route. Rationing occupied everyone with its many rules and regulations, but cooperation among county persons was splendid, officials said. Consolidation of rationing boards was ordered by the OPA, with the result that the New Year will find Wilkes-Barre and Kingston ration business handled by a consolidated board known as 40-3. This consolidated board will be made up of the four city boards and the one Kingston board. Members will be retained, serving as panel members and each panel will have jurisdiction over the rationing of controlled items, such as coffee and sugar, tires, gasoline, general rubber goods, food and clothing. As to purchase of War Bonds and Stamps, the county was a stop on bond promotion tours. Such bond salesmen as Abbott and Costello, Irene Dunn and other stars of stage and screen visited the county to spur sales. In each instance, drives went over the top and numerous groups received commendation from Treasury Department for 10 per cent pledges of members or employees. Typed by Karen McGurk