A t
THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE
! 9tALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME"
_________ —----- - - ■ -- ^=- ■: : —
* VOL. LXXVI., NO. 11,699
JUNEAU, ALASKA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1951
MEMBER ASSOCIATED PRESS
PRICE TEN CENTS
Red Forces Are Pushing UN Troops Into Sea
PfSetE, WAGE
CONTROLS TO
- COME SOON
*
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 — Ml —
¥ President Truman said today across
the-board price and wage controls
are going to be put on wherever
necessary and possible as soon as it
can be done.
, He told a news conference the
administration is working with that
%
In view.
Mr. Truman noted that it would
* require legislation to clamp controls
on food, but said that as soon as it
» is physically possible wage-price
controls will be set wherever it is
legally possible.
Asked if he would seek to amend
a 1950 law which restricts controls
on food prices, Mr. Truman replied
by suggesting that reporters wait
* for his “State of the Union” message
next Monday.
Message In Person
Mr. Truman will deliver this
* message in person to a joint session
of the Senate and House.
It is customary for the state of
the union message to sketch in
broad outlines what the President
wants from Congress.
* The 1950 Defense Production
0 Law, which gave Mr. Truman wage
and price control powers, stipulates
* that price ceilings on farm pro
ducts must not be lower than (1)
the highest prices in the month
* before the war in Korea or (2)
“parity” prices — whichever were
higher. Parity is a standard set by
federal farm laws and declared
to be fair to both farmers and con
sumers. The parity price rises and
falls with changes in the prices of
things farmers buy.
Ceiling Restrictions
* Some labor unions have contended
^ the restrictions on ceilings for farm
prices make it impossible to have
4 effective control of food prices.
Mr. Truman remarked during his
discussion that rising costs of food
* had contributed to the rising cost
of living.
The President was pressed by
one reporter to tell why it has taken
“so long” to set up wage and price
4 controls.
This reporter asked whether Mr.
* Truman would tell the American
people why.
* Full Controls
Yes, the President said, he would
4 tell the American people, but not
here (at the news conference).
-He emphasized that eventually it
would be necessary for full, across
the-board controls.
As for rationing, he said we will
* have to cross that bridge when we
«r get to it.
He said that rationing would re
» quire control of food prices which
he said contribute so heavily to the
rise in the cost of living.
The Republican-Southern Demo
crat coalition has shown its strength
by ramming through a repeal of the
rule passed tw’o years ago that wiped
out the House Rules Committee’s
* power to pigeonhole legislation.
The vote was 244 to 179.
' The Washington
Merry-Go-Round
By DREW PEARSON
(Copyright, 1951, by Bell Syndicate, Inc.)
* Washington—it looks as if
the “Man of Letters” in the White
* House is going to make a lot of
money for the recipients of those
• letters.
Out in Denver, Dr. Neal Bishop,
who suggested to Mr. Truman that
John L. Lewis be appointed Ambas
sador to Russia, is going to auction
off his Trumanesque reply for the
* benefit of the Denver Community
• Chest.
The reply, which stated that he,
> Truman,- would not even appoint
John L. as dogcatcher, should bring
a large amount of money—though
Bishop has generously given the
letter to the Community Chest and
they will make the profit.
Meanwhile, in Washington, Paul
Hume, the Washington Post music
• critic, has turned down various of
„ fers for his letter regarding Mar
garet Truman’s singing. One offer
is reputed in five figures.
If Mr. Hume ever does decide to
sell this coveted letter, it can make
him much more dough than he
realizes, for he will only have to
(Continued on Page Four)
JUNEAU AFFECTED
BY REGULATIONS
ON EXPLOSIVES
Basing their requests on the
premise that government regula
tions effective August 9, 1950 which
tighten the control of loading and
discharge of Class A explosives,
Dangerous Cargo Act, at Alaskan
ports, present a serious handicap
to the progress of vital construc
tion work and operations in regard
to the defense program in the ter
ritory, and because excessive costs
in transporting explosives to meet
the requirements would virtually
prohibit activities by small opera
tors in mining, logging and other
work where explosives are required,
a modification of the U.S. Coast
Guard policy in administration and
enforcement of the regulations was
urged by representatives of in
terested concerns at a conference
called at 10 o’clock this morning
in the Senate Chambers by Admiral
Joseph Greenspun, Commandant of
the 17th U.S. Coast Guard District.
Name Objections '
Objections voiced to the regula
tions hinge on the rulings for load
ings or discharge of Class A explo
sives in amounts exceeding 500
pounds, and to the use by the Coast
Guard of the American Table of
Distances in determining the re
strictions to be put on the various
ports along Alaska’s coast.
Forty persons were present at
the conference which was recessed
at noon to continue this afternoon.
Letters were read from the Talbot
Co., Inc., of Ketchikan, J. A. Talbot,
Mayor of Ketchikan, the U.S. Smelt
ing and Mining Company and the
Cordova Barge Company suggest
ing the need for modification of
i the ruling.
Represent Interests
Appearing at this morning’s ses
sion were L. A. Moore, Manager of
the Association of General Con
tractors, H. M. Strohecker, Jr..
Manager of the Explosives Division
of the du Pont Powder Company
at Seattle, Bernard Ducharme,
; Surface Foreman of the Healy River
Coal Corporation, Norman Banfieid,
attorney, representing the Juneau
i district interests, C. S. Duryea,
General Freight and Passenger
Agent in Alaska for the Alaska
Steamship Company, G. W. Thomp
son, manager of the Atlas Powder
Company, Seattle District, Col. John
R. Noyes, Commissioner of the
Alaska Rord Commission, repre
senting the Alaska Road Commis
sion and tin' Governor of Alaska.
Use Table Not Practical
Objections to the use of the
American Table of Distance as
| compiled by the Manufacturers of
Explosives obligated to use by the
Commandant of the Coast Guard
in adimistering the regulations, was
on the consideration that the in
tent in the compilation of the table
was to specify distance to be main
tained in the storing of explosives
and bears no reference to the trans
portation of explosives. It was the
general consensus of the opinion
of the interested persons that ap
plication of the Table of Distances
in administering the regulations, was
would not be practical and, in fact,
from a commercial standpoint might
prohibit the use of dynamite in a
number of instances.
Opinions expressed were in effect
that restrictions allocating only 500
pounds to certain ports to be un
loaded at one time should be modi
fied to apply safety measures and
be commercially practicable.
In a summary of the efforts to
solve the problem imposed on Alaska
by the new regulations on unload
ing and discharge of Class A ex
plosives in amounts exceeding 500
pounds. Col. Noyes said that he felt
allowances should be made if the
American Table of Distances is ap
plied in the enforcements of the
regulations. He said he felt that the
Coast Guard could allow discretion
in the 500 pound limit allocated to
be unloaded at certain ports.
The Colonel observed that if
manufacturers of explosives had
been consulted regarding the safety
rules of maintaining explosives
magazines, they should also be
consulted regarding safety rules for
movement of explosives.
Colonel Noyes said that no one
disputes the law, its purpose or ap
plication. The difficulty to be solved,
he said, is as it applies in Alaska.
Solve Problem Here
The Road Commissioner said he!
feels that every effort should be
made to solve the problem locally
and that it be referred to Washing
ton only if there be an irreconcil
able controversy.
(Continued on Page She
NO EFFECT ON
PRESIDENT BY
RULES CHANGE
WASHINGTON. Jan. 4 — (/PI —
President Truman brushed off with
no show of disappointment today
the House vote for a rules change
which gives a Republican-Southern
Democrats combination power to
block administration legislation.
Asked for comment at his news
conference, Mr. Truman said the
House makes its own rules. He
added that the administration will
try to get its program through
Congress in the usual manner.
Told that Senator Taft (R-Ohio)
had criticized him for deciding to
delay delivery of his “State of the
Union” message until next Monday,
the President replied that Congress
only started yesterday. He said his
message was going up as promptly
as it ever had. He added that it
would take Congress another two
weeks to organize.
Asked for comment on the elec
tion of Senator McFarland of Ari
zona as Democratic leader of the
Senate, Mr. Truman said he is very
fond of Senator McFarland. He
added that he wrote him a letter
of congratulations yesterday.
He said he also had congratulated
Senator Lydon Johnson (D-Tex)
on his selection as assistant Demo
cratic leader. He said both had been
good friends of his.
MRS. JACK ALLMAN HERE
Mrs. Jack Allman (Ruth Coffin)
flew in from Excursion Inlet to
spend a few days with her aunt,
Mrs. Grace Wickersham. She is also
on business in connection with the
Allman’s Tongass Lodge at the In
let.
R. D. KELSEY HERE
R. D. Kelsey of the Alaska
Steamship Co., at Valdez is in Ju
neau on business. He is stopping
at the Baranof Hotel.
TO PETERSBURG
R. L. Anderson, chief of tr»e bene
fits division of the Employment
Security Commission is going to
Petersburg to straighten out insur
ance matters arising out of claims
for benefits in connection with A
strike in the shellfish industry
there.
HERBSTREITH OUTSIDE
E. N. Hcrbstreith, field auditor
for the Employment Security Com
mission, has been called to Grand
Rapids, Mich., because of his moth,
er’s sudden death. He is expected
to return about the middle of this
month. , j,
TYVOL TO WESTWARD
F. M. Tyvol, field supervisor for
the Alaska Territorial Employment
Service is in Anchorage for a week
in connection with business of the
ESC. He may go to Fairbanks be
fore returning to his Juneau head
quarters. *
BERYL JONES IN ESC
Mrs. Beryl Jones has returned to
the Employment Security Commis
sion here as senior clerk in the
benefit division to replace Irehe
Rasmussen. Miss Rasmussen Is now
clerk in the Federal court’s office.
JIMMY RUDE LEAVES
Jimmy Rude, popular Juneau
skier, was scheduled to leave today
for the states. He expects to get
in a couple of weeks skiing in Sun
Valley, Idaho before he is called
to report to the U. S. Naval Air
Station-at Pensacola, Florida.
FROM ANCHORAGE
Col. J. P. Johnson from Anchor
age and Lt. Col. James Higgins of
the Elmendorf Air Base arrived
yesterday via PNA to attend the
U. S. Coast Guard meeting here
today. They are staying at the
Baranof Hotel.
FROM SEATTLE
A. L. Blessing and M. M. Maher
of Seattle are registered at the
Baranof Hotel.
LT. THORNTON HERE
Lt. W. W. Thornton of the Alas
ka Air Command at Anchorage, is
at the Baranof Hotel.
T. P. HANSEN HERE
T. P. Hansen, Union Oil Co.,
representative from Ketchikan, is
at the Baranof Hotel.
COALITION
IN CONTROL
OF CONGRESS
May Smack Down on Tru
man's Plans-National De
fense However Paramount
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4——A
coalition of Republicans and South
ern Democrats was firmly en
trenched in control of the 82nd Con
gress today, biding its time to smack
down many of President Truman’s
"fair deal” proposals.
Its leaders promised clear sail
ing, however, for anything the co
alition considers vital to national
defense.
The tight hold the anti-Truman
group has on the new House was
demonstrated clearly on the open
ing day yesterday.
Party Division-Trouble
There was no comparable show of
strength as the Senate held a rou
tine 38-minute organization session.
But the party division there—49
Democrats and 47 Republicans —
plus the fact that administration
Democrats had previously been un
able to elect an all-out Truman sup
porter as a majority leader, indi
cated rough going for the President
there.
A similar informal GOP-Dixie
coalition bottled up or rejected
much of Mr. Truman’s domestic
program in the last Congress. Be
cause of increased Republican
strength in the new Congress, it
promised to be even more potent
in the next two critical years.
Strangle-Hold
This was pointed up in the House
when the coalition, by a lopsided
244 to 179 vote, again vested in the
Rules Committee a virtual strangle
hold on the legislative program.
The Rules committee is domi
nated by a coalition of four Repub
licans and four Southern Demo
crats, the minority actually being
four Northern Democrats. It is the
Rules Committee’s function to de
cide when—if ever—bills are to be
acted upon in the House.
Rayuum Reelected
Except for this House squabble,
I the opening session was fairly har
| monious and more than usually
* coloi ful, thanks to the newly-re
decorated Senate and House Cham
bers. Galleries were filled.
The House re-elected Speaker
Sam Rayburn of Texas for a sixth
term. He defeated the GOP candi
date, Rep. Joe Martin of Massa
chusetts, as everyone knew he
Would.
After the brief Senate session,
GOP Senators re-elected their top
leaders and then got into a discus
sion about who will get some choice
j committee assignments resulting
from their increased ranks. No de
cision was reached.
The Senate quit until Friday. The
House called a meeting today but
had no business scheduled.
MRS. VANCE RETURNS
Mrs. Howe Vance returned on the
Princess Norah and is back at her
desk with the Veterans Administra
tion. She and Dr. Vance have en
joyed a vacation trip in the states
I and he is remaining a short time
longer to visit with relatives in
California.
returns westward
G. E. Krause left on the Baranof
enroute to his home in Anchorage.
Krause, former Juneau resident and
owner of the Hillcrest Apartments
came here last month to spend the
j Christmas holidays with his son-in
l law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs.
Marlin Feero and his little grand
son, Stanley.
UPR FILM AVAILABLE
The Canadian Pacific Railway si
lent color film, "Radiant Rockies,”
on the Canadian Rockies is avail
able to organizations for showing
until February 6, according to Wil
liam MacFarland, CPR agent.
RETURNS TO GLEN ALLEN
Ingvald Vamess with the McKin
ley Electric Co of Juneau, left on
the Pacific Northern Airlines plane
yesterday for Anchorage enroute to
Glen Allen where he is engaged on
a contract job for his firm. He came
to Juneau on leave to spend the
Christmas holidays with Mrs. Var
ness and their little son.
Big Union
Change Is
In Making
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 — Ml —
Joseph M. Curran, head of the CIO
National Maritime Union, said today
that two ships crews of more than
450 men had urged his union to
take over the Marine Cooks and
Stewards Union, which was ousted
by the CIO on charges of pro
Communist leanings.
Curran is here for maritime con
ferences with government officials.
He said his union and the CIO were
giving intensive study "to the pleas
of the crew members.”
"Our answer will be ready in
the very near future,” Curran told
reporters in the presence of Orga
nizing Director Allan S. Haywood.
Curran said he meant that some
thing would be done in the next
couple of weeks.
Haywood and Curran estimated
there were about 7,000 members of
the Marine Cooks and Stewards, led
by Hugh Bryson, a close associate
of Harry Bridges, left wing presi
dent of the Longshoremen’s and
Warehousemen’s Union.
The Marine Cooks and Stewards,
the Fishermen and Allied Workers,
and the Longshoremen's Union
were among 11 tossed out by the
CIO last year after trial on charges
of following Communist rather than
CIO policy.
The fishermen merged with
Bridges’ union in the meantime, but
Haywood commented today:
"We never recognized that mer
ger, which was phony.”
He said the CIO already has ab
sorbed several fishermen’s units
i and would intensify efforts to bring
them back into the CIO in the near
future.
NEW CC PRESIDENi
TAKES OVER; GOV.
TALKS WATER POWER
Retiring Juneau Chamber of
Commerce President Robert Booch
ever turned the gavel over to the '
newly elected President Herbert
Rowland today at a regular lunch
eon meeting of the Chamber at
the Baranof Hotel.
Rowland expressed thanks on the
part of the Chamber to Boo.'.hever
and to Chris Wyler, retiring board
member for progress made during
the past year. Board members pre
sent were introduced: First Vice
President O. F. Benecke, Second
Vice President Henry Green, Secre- ■
tary F. O. Eastaugh, and ooard
member Alva Blackerby. The retir
ing president automatically becomes
a member of the board.
Gov. Ernest Gruening spoke
briefly regarding the development
of electrical energy from Alaska’s
vast power resources, mentioning
especially the possible project at
Dyea and what such a development
would mean to Alaska economy. He
suggested that the Chamber take
the matter over for study and ac
tion.
Guests included nine visiting of
ficials of various companies and
agencies attending the U.S. Coast
Guard conference being held here
In regard to transportation and
handling of explosives. They were:
Capt. Harry Stinchcombe. USCG,
Washington, D.C.; Larry Moore,
manager of the Alaska Chapter of
Associated General Contractors,
Anchorage: G. S. Duryea, general
traffic agent of the Alaska Steam
ship Company, Ketchikan: Lt. Col.
J. W. Higgins. Assistant Transpor
tation. Officer for the U.S. Army,
Anchorage; G. W. Thompson of the
Atlas Powder Co., Seattle; S. M.
Strohecker, Jr., of the E. I. du Pont
de Nemours Co., Seattle; Col. J. P.
Johnson, General Manager of the
Alaska Railroad, Anchorage; B. H.
Parkinson, Executive Vice Presi
dent and Harold M. Kel’y. Vice
President, of the Coastwise Line,
San Francisco.
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Beavers of
Sitka are staying at the Baranof
Hotel.
tTEAMFR MOVEMENTS
Denali scheduled to sail from Se
attle Friday.
Princess Norah scheduled to ar
rive at 10 a.m. Friday and sails
south one hour later at 11 a.m.
Baranof scheduled to arrive from
westward at 10 aun. Sunday south
bound.
BOMBING
OF CHINA
UP TO UN
President Expresses Hope
that Third World War
Can Be Avoided
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 — <i<P» —
President Truman said today that
United States forces will not bomb
China without United Nations sanc
tion.
He made this clear at a news
conference in which he again ex
pressed hope that a third world war
can be avoided this year.
He also said, in response to ques
tions as to what point would have
to be reached before he would have
to consult Congress on a declaration
of war, that if the proper time ar
rived, the proper action would be
taken.
He hopes the time will never
come when he would have to ask
for a declaration of war, he said,
adding that the time has not come
yet.
He said the action in Korea is pro
ceeding under the direction of the
United Nations and this country is
always willing to negotiate.
But, as to the Russian reply to a
proposal for a Big Four Foreign
Ministers conference, he said he
would stand by Secretary of State
Acheson’s statement yesterday that
further clarification is needed to
restate the Soviet position that the
Ministers should meet to discuss
German questions.
Mr. Truman emphasized that the
United States is not formally at
war. We are carrying out our ob
ligations to the United Nations.
At the Pentagon, Secretary of De
fense Marshall said the situation in
Korea is developing “almost exactly
as anticipated and that U.N. forces
have been deployed to meet this an
ticipation.”
Marshall also said that the U.N.
force in Korea had in many in
stances been fighting against “al
most incredible” manpower superi
ority of Communism.
BARTLETT LEAVES
TODAY FOR ALASKA
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 — <rP) —
Delegate Bartlett of Alaska will
leave for the territory today to at
tend a meeting of the Alaskan
statehood committee.
He said he will reintroduce legis
lation to grant statehood to Alaska
when he returns to Washington,
probably about the end of next
week.
Bart'ett criticized the action
taken by the House yesterday
authorizing the Rules Committee
to hold up legislation as a ‘'distinct
threat to statehood."
WHITE TO REPRESENT
KIMBALL, VETS BOARD
Albert White, Juneau attorney,
will represent Ross Kimball of
Fairbanks at the Veterans Board
meeting in Juneau. Kimball claims
irregular treatment by the board in
reference to process of a veterans
loan. He was the Democratic can
didate for commissioner of labor
and now publishes a monthly news
paper at Fairbanks.
• •
• WEATHER REPORT •
• Temperatures for 24-Hour Period •
• ending 9:20 o’clock thli morning •
• In Juneau—Maximum, 25; •
• minimum, 18. •
• At Airport—Maximum, 25; •
• minimum, 10. •
• •
• FORECAST •
• (Juneau and Vlelnltrl •
• Mostly cloudy with light •
• snow flurries tonight and •
• Friday. Lowest temperature •
• tonight about 20. Highest •
• Friday near 24. •
• •
• PRECIPITATION •
• (Pact 24 hours ending 7:30 a.m. today •
• City of Juneau — None; •
• since Jan. 1 — 0.25 Inches; •
• since July 1—38.24 inches. •
• At Airport — None; •
• since Jan. 1 — 0.16 inches; •
• since July 1—26.54 Inches. •
Defenders
Of Inchon
Withdraw
—
Leave on Ships While Ap
proaching Communists
Pounded, Naval Guns
(By the Associated Press)
United Nations forces defending
Inchon, the port of Seoul, withdrew
by sea from the harbor city today
while naval guns pounded ap
proaching Communists.
Hordes of Chinese Reds who had
selated abandoned Seoul and its
nearby airfield Klmpo were pushing
towards Inchon as Allied men and
equipment boarded evacuation ships.
Army demolition experts set off
thunderous charges destroying
docks and railyards. The city was
aflame. Nothing of any military
value was left to the enemy.
Troops Evacuated
The troops evacuated were mostly
those whose Job it was to keep the
port operating in supplying Allied
forces.
United Nations troops all along
the 150-mile defense line were
withdrawing southward to escape
encirclement.
In Washington, Secretary of De
fense George C. Marshall said the j
situation in Korea is developing;
"almost exactly as anticipated and
U.N. forces have been deployed to
meet this anticipation.”
Action Directed by U.N.
At his news conference President
Truman said that action in Korea
is proceeding under the direction
of the United Nations and America
is always filling to negotiate. He
declared U. S. forces would not
bomb China without U.N. sanction
and no such request for sanction
was being considered at this time.
Preparing to leave Washington
for his new post as commander of
Western European forces, Gen.
Dwight D. Eisenhower said “if every
sacrifice by America is not matched
by equal sacrifices of the European
Democracies,” the European de
fense effort will be fruitless.
Rear Adm. L. A. Thackery, com
manding U.N. naval forces at In
chon said: "Our Job so far has been
carried out smoothly and efficiently,
and if all goes well we will have all
the men and equipment safely out
of here before the night is over."
A.P. Correspondent Tom Stone
said more than 10,000 have already
been moved out of Inchon but the
rescue Job was still on.
TEN MILLION
DOLLAR FIRE
IN INDIANA
EVANSVILLE. Ind., Jan. 4—tjfl—
Fire swept by a stiff wind roared
through eight buildings in the cen
ter of the business district early
today. Damage was estimated ai
more than $10,000,000.
Three firemen were burned
slightly while fighting the fire.
Fire Chief Clarence Bassemier
estimated the damage soon after the
fire was brought under control. He
explained that it had swept
through some of the largest build
ings in the down town area and
had destroyed some expensive mer
chandise.
STOCK QUOTATIONS
NSW YORK, Jan. 4 — Closing
quotation of Alaska Juneau mine
stock today is 2%, American Can
96%, American Tel. and Tel. 151%
Anaconda 41%, General Electric 30,
General Motors 47%, Goodyear 66 % .
Kennecott 76%, Libby McNeill and
Libby 9, Northern Pacific 32%,
Standard Oil of California 92%.
Twentieth Century Fox 21%, U S.
Steel 44%, Pound $2.80%, Canadian
Exchange 95.40%.
Sales today were 3,390,000 shares.
Averages today are as follows: in
dustrials 240.86, rails 79.03, utilities
41.75.
SEATTLE VISITOR
Capt. William Austerman of Seat
tle is registered at the Baranof
Hotel.
TERRIFIC
FIGHT IN
PROGRESS
Blazing Seoul Recaptured
by Commies-Warships
Are Standing By
(By the Associated Press)
Great hordes of Chinese Com
munists pushed past blazing Seoul
today in an attempt to trap re
treating Allied forces and drive
them into the sea.
For the second time in seven
months the capital of South Korea
was in Communist hands. The Reds
also seized Kimpo airfield, one of
the most valuable in Korea.
General MacArtliur's headquar
ters called attention to the dan
gerous breakthrough in central
Korea where an estimated 180,000
Chinese and Korean Reds were driv
ing towards Wonju, 55 miles south
east of Seoul.
Is Mark Day
It was a black day for United Na
tions arms.
If the Communists capture Wonju
they will be in a position to cut off
the western flank of the U.S. Eighth
Army and menace the main route
to Pusan, old beachhead supply
port in southeast Korea.
If this main central artery is cut,
Allied forces west of Seoul could be
forced to withdraw by sea at In
chon, Seoul’s port where MacArthur
staged his brilliant amphibious
landing and clinched a major Allied
victory a few months ago. At that
time the Korean war seemed in its
final stages.
Evacuation Fleet
But notr a United Nations flecf
stood off the west coast ready to
evacuate U.N. forces south and west
of Seoul.
U.S. Eighth Army headquarter
said the Communists were across
the Han River one and two miles
west of Seoul. It is 18 miles from
Seoul to Inchon.
Two Allied roadblocks were under
attack. Their locations were not
given. The laconic Eighth Army re
port said the enemy was very ag
gressive.
Terrific Battle
The Korean Red radio at Pyong
yang said the Communists were
engaged in a terrific battle to an
nihilate “the enemy along the en
tire length of the 38th parallel.”
Allied reports on the movement
of battle were vague. The Eighth
Army said Wednesday a general
withdrawal was in process along
the entire 150-mile line stretching
across the peninsula.
Raging Battle
MacArthur reported a raging
battle in Central Korea, southwest
of Kapyong. The Communists have
pushed past Kapyong and Chun
chon in their forceful drive to split
the entire Eighth Army and drive
its left flank into the Yellow Sea.
Evacuation from Inchon would be
a difficult operation because of
enemy pressure and a 28-foot nor
mal tide. A fleet under Adin. L. A.
Thacjcrey was ready to meet such
an emergency. Allied warships
pounded the Communists pushing
down the west coast towards In
chon.
WITHDRAW TO SEA
INCHON, Korea, Jan. 4 — —
United Nations forces protecting
this supply port west of Seoul with
drew by sea tonight while naval
guns shelled the path of the ap
proaching Reds.
EXTENSION DRAFT
LAW TO BE URGED
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 — —
Congress will be asked to extend
from 21 to 27 months the time to be
served by draftees, Chairman Vin
son (D-Ga) of the House Armed
Services Committee, said today.
Vinson told reporters he expects
the Department of Defense to send
up to Congress an overall universal
military service measure within the
next few days. His committee will
begin hearings on Jan. 18i
B. DLRCHARME HERE
B. Durcharme of the Healy River
Coal Co., at Suntrana is in Juneau
on business. He is stopping at the
Buranof Hotel.