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fpl WORCESTER DEMOCRAT B 0* A DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPER WORCESTER DEMOCRAT EST. 1898 THE LEDGER-ENTERPRISE BBT 1880 “Chirps”^ from the Democrat’s Pen Well, Sir, I don’t know whether it was Santa Claus or not that arrived just a little bit ahead of time or not, but if it were, then somebody play ed a joke on him, and put into his bag a lot of bad luck, in the way of zero weather, frozen and burst water pipes, and general disorder in many households in and around this neck of the woods. I was wondering if he hadn’t slept osmewhere near that enemy of crea tion—Der Fuhrer—and this gentleman had exchanged some of the good will Christmas goods for some of the Devil’s own manufactured trouble makers. Anyhow, this sudden de scent of cold weather, unknown here for decades, caused lots of argument as to the fitness of that word, “Mer ry”, which seems to be inseparable from the word “Christmas.” I know this, I’ve heard some rather doubt ful exclamations when water was seen seeping through a ceiling, and form ing itself into pleasant little pools on the parlor carpet. Still, it’s a big job to smother en tirely the Christmas spirit. There is still enough left, even in the hearts and minds of those whose smile is lost when viewing the havoc of Jack , Frost to rejoice that this side of the world is stil lable to feel something J merry in this most important of all church festivals. Weather severities we experience are but trifle when compared to those which bite and chill, even unto death, quite frequently, the warring hosts treading the frozen, snow covered wastes of colossal Russia. Whether they be Soviet or Nazi, they must share one’s pity; human beings that, it may be, are totally unaware of the oause of the war, are dying by thous ands as the Christmas season is her alded, the watchword of which is “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.” What a miscarriage of the true meaning of this holiday time! True it is, that we Americans are experiencing some of the horrors of the terrible carnage; experiencing it in both a material and an immaterial way. Our resources are being drawn upon to an extent never before known. We are called upon to practice un usual sacrifices; we are placed in jeop ardy, some of us, as to our sources of material sustenance, and many a business has gone on the rocks be cause of governmental demands. In the expenditure of billions, some greed must exist, even in the face of na tional disaster; taxes which may fi nally swamp hundreds, go into the pockets of war exploters, and it may be that we shall become, in time, a people of millionaires and paupers. Then, again, what heartaches rend our souls when the call of war sum mons the fathers, brothers, sons, and sweethearts into the line of battle. Those left behind are bowed with such grief as belittles material loss; when scenes like Pearl Harbor are flashed on the screen; when transports laden with human souls become the prey of under-sea craft; when some miracu lous conqueror of the air swoops down upon surface ships sending hundreds to a watery grave—these are deeds that wrack the souls of those left behind, and make sordid losses of con crete stuff sink in insignificance. A mammoth steel and iron fighter on the seas, is cheap beside the life of the American soldier, and the spirit ual woe far outweighs the stress of war when applied to mere shot and shell. Still, there is consolation in the fact that a great political issue is teing debated in Continental Europe— Democracy against Autocracy; Free dom against Servitude; Brotherhood of Man against the Tyranny of Des pots; Christianity against Paganism; Honor and Virtue of Women against Debauchery; Peace against War, — and, withal, a world worth living in, instead of one seething with woes and turmoil. It is to be hoped that before an other Christmas season rolls around, the clouds of war will have been dis persed, the dove of peace will be perched upon the banners of the uni verse, and all nations’ can rejoice that "Peace upon Earth and Goodwill to Men” is a fact and not a myth. Sc THE COPY ZERO WEATHER STRUCK THIS VICINITY SUNDAY Cold weather, the like of which seldom visits these parts, swooped down on Sunday night and from various reports the thermometers showed zero weather, ranging from 2 to 8 below zero. Much of the Eastern seaboard was included in the cold spell. Philadel phia papers announced the coldest 20th of December in 57 years. The freeze-up following the drop in temperature, caused much incon venience to householders. Plumbers were in demand more than could be suplied and many pipes are still not giving up the much needed water. A two to four inch snow accom panied the spell and it looked as if this community was in for a white Christmas. At this writing, the us ual thaw has materialized and the streets are muddy slush instead of pure white element. DOMINO AND CARD PARTY IS HELD ON FRIDAY NIGHT About $50.00 Raised By Wo man’s Club Of The County, As Donation To C. Guard Over one hundred persons assemb led in the new fire engine house, on Friday evening last, to attend a domino and card party, sponsored by the Women’s Club of Worcester County, and brought to a successful issue here by local members of the club under the leadership of Mrs. Hartley Stevens, Sr. The proceeds, which amounted to about $50.00 were donated to the pro ject of a Recreation Centre for the members of the Coast Guard at Ocean City. The prizes were given by the citizens of Pocomoke, and these were supplimented by individual cash gifts. The function, which was most suc cessful, both financially and socially, was brought to a close by a prayer and benediction by Rev. H. V. Clary, rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, this city. This clergyman, a member of the American Legion and a veteran of World War I, knows the meaning of clash arms, and his in vocation was a very effective plea for the safety and support of those on the land, in the air, and on the sea, in foreign climes; and for those de fending the home fronts. The Women’s Club should be heart ily commended for their patriotic ser vices in behalf of the Coast Guard. MR. AND MRS. SCOTT’S DAUGHTER IS ENGAGED Mr. and Mrs. Dewey L. Scott, of this city, announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Frances, to Mr. Linwood Francis Stant, son of Mrs. Nias Stant, also of this city, and the late Mr. Stant. Miss Scott was a graduate of Po comoke High School this year and is employed as secretary to Dr. A. A. Parker. Mr. Stant was graduated in 1938 and has since been employed by E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Com pany, at Seaford, Delaware, until De cember 18, when he was inducted into the U. S. Army. No date has as yet been set for the marriage. Mr. Dawson Clarke was called to Dover, Del., by the death of his moth ! er, Mrs. John Clarke, who died early Wednesday morning. Funeral ser vices will be held Saturday, Decem i ber 26, from the First Baptist Church in that city. * AND THE LEDGER-ENTERPRISE POCOMOKE CITY, MD., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1942 M , f. |jfl W f' JR ShGßk GEORGE MYERS DECLINES THE APPOINTMENT Asks To Be Relieved From The Judgeship Recently Tender ed -Him By Gov. O’Conor STATES “GAS” SHORTAGE AS CAUSE FOR ACTION Governor O’Conor arranged on Tuesday to consult the Maryland Bar Association and other interested groups before naming an associate judge for the First Judicial Circuit, vacant a second time because George I H. Myers, of Princess Anne declined the post. The Governor announced that My ers, an attorney, had asked to be re lieved and said the Princess Anne lawyer had expressed the fear that gasoline rationing might work against successful discharge of the judgeship. Myers’ selection was announced on Friday of last week by O’Conor, who said he had received a telegram of acceptance from Myers shortly before making the announcement. The attorney would have taken the place of Judge T. Sangston Insley, who reached retirement age of 70 on November 18. The State Bar Association had re commended Myers for first considera tion by a unanimous vote, the Gov ernor said. O’Conor explained he would have to consult with the bar association and other interested groups before making a new appointment and added, “there is always a chance that he may change his mind and accept the com mission.” W. Laird Henry, Jr., of Cambridge was the second choice of the bar as sociation for the judicial appointment. Emerson C. Harrington, Jr., was a third aspirant to the post. Both are from Cambridge. The Rationing Board in Pocomoke City will be clos ed Christmas Day and Sat urday, December 25th and 26th. GAS SHORTAGE CAUSES RUN ON FILLING STATIONS Many Pumps Ran Dry When Messages Of Drought Came Over Air To Car Owners A small sized panic prevailed in this section and likely everywhere else in the Eastern States, when the an nouncement came over the radio that no more gasoline was to be sold af ter noon on Friday of last week. There was a rush to the “gas” pumps and the scene resembled a rush for the counters in the department stores on bargain days. Many tanks were emptied in short order and the sign “No Gas!” stared anxious “juice” seekers in the face. It is currently reported one man was being shaved when the news came to him. He jumped out of the chair, his face half scraped, and with lather giving him a rather pale complexion on one-half his face. Relief came after Sunday, but B cards are now good for only 3 gallons instead of 4; “A” cards remain the same—good for three gallons. The cause of sudden shut-down of the gas supply was a hurry call for it from Africa where the Allies are chasing Rommel out of that Continent, or, at least trying to do so. It was easier to get the gas from the Eastern sea board than from Texas. If the dry spell here can help ac complish a defeat of the Nazis, then no one will regret the temporary de privation. MISS HENDERSON’S ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED Mr. and Mrs. George H. Henderson anounce the engagement of their daughter, Margaret Anne, to Mr. John S. Hartnett, son of Mrs. Elizabeth R. Hartnett and a grandson of Mr. Sol omon W. Slaughter, of Wilmington, Delaware. No date has been set for the wed ding. CRISFIELD HAS LARGE FIRE ON TUESDAY LAST Started In Packing- Houses Bor dering Dock And Caused Heavy Dollar Lossage BLAZE THREATENED THE BOATS TIED AT WHARF A fire of large proportions in Cris field, which, at times, threatened to become larger, put more than 100 persons out of work on Tuesday, the blaze destroying a large building housing five seafood packing concerns. Damage amounting to “tens of thousands of dollars” was done, fire department officials said. The struc ture was located in the Crisfield dock section. The blaze, of undetermined origin, broke out at a time when no one was in the building, and it had gained considerable headway before it was discovered. A large amount of safood, especial ly shell stock oysters, was destroyed. Low temperatures and lack of water hampered firemen and the blaze quickly swept out of control, for a time threatening several oyster schooners tied up at a nearby slip. Oystermen got their endangered boats away from the slip only after considerable difficulty. The packing firm of L. R. Car son and Co., occupied the larger part of the building. Other seafood pack ing concerns with quarters there were Carl Tyler and Co., Tawes and Car son, and Herman Riggin and Clarence Riggin. George E. Sheriff, a fireman, said the blaze may have started from an overheated stove or a defective chim ney. It broke out just before packers reported for work yesterday. “We were afraid an oil tanker was going to catch fire for a time,” Sher iff said. “She was tied up near the blaze and because of the ice in the river, they had trouble moving her.” The Crisfield Volunteer fire depart ment fought the blaze for more than four hours, using two pumpers. Water was pulled from the river. “It was a nasty fire,” Sheriff said. $1.50 v™ CHRISTMAS DANCE ON TUESDAY NIGHT, DEC 29 The annual Christmas Dance, spon sored by Worcester Post No. 93 Amer ican Legion and Auxiliary will be held this year on Tuesday night, De cember 29th. The affair will take place in the State Armory in Pocomoke City and music will be furnished by the 111th Infantry Orchestra featuring Victor Hugo at the drums. This will be good news for those planning to at tend this annual affair as it is the finest dance music to be had. The admission price will be the same as usual $2.20 per couple which includes tax. For table reservations phone E. Farrel Bowen, Pocomoke 329-W. Don’t miss this dance. Dancing from 9:30 P. M. to 2:00 A. M. MORRIS PARSONS QUALIFIES AS A RADIO WORKER His Course Of Study Consisted Of 16 Weeks Of Intensive Training In This Dept. Morris V. Parsons, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Luther G. Parsons, Route 1, Pocomoke, Maryland, is now quali fied to become a radio operator with the U. S. Fleet as a result of his graduation December 16, from the Naval Training School for radiomen at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. His course of study consisted of 16 weeks of intensive training in the transmission and reception of radio messages in international code at a speed in excess of 25 words per min ute. He was assigned to the school after having demonstrated special ap tiudes in this type of work, while in recruit training. While sationed in Madison, he was quartered in a University dormitory and taught by members of the Uni versity faculty. Two other schools, one for diesel engineers, and anoth er, a radio school for WAVES, also are in operation on the campus. MISS M. L LINTON’S EN GAGEMENT ANNOUNCED Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Linton, of this city, announce the engagement of their daughter, Margaret Lea Linton, to Mr. William Buchanan, of Wilming ton, Delaware. No date has been set for the wedding. Miss Linton is a graduate of the Pocomoke City High School, of the class of 1942, and at present is sec retary to the Wilmington Jobbing Company. Mr. Buchanan is a graduate of the Wilmington, Del., high school and holds a position with the Jones, Pusey Company of that city. DRAMATICS AT THE POCOMOKE HI SCHOOL On Wednesday afternoon, in the Po comoke High School auditorium, a play titled “A Sign Unto You” was held by the S. A. D. C. (Sophomore A Dramatic Club). This play fol lowed the processional. Those taking part in it were: Edward Brimer, Eu gene Young, Emma Krabell, Virginia Marshall, Jeanne Wessells, Eleanor Yaggi, Francis Heilig. It took about one-half houtr to present the play. The pupils and visiting parents enjoyed it very much and stated that it was very well pre sented. This club (the S. A. D. C.) was just formed this year by the II A English class and is directed by Miss Minnie Warren. JRE SERVICE VOLUME 62 NO. 52 STREET LIGHTS BEING PAINTED FOR DIM-OUT Col. Barrett Reports Dim-Out Conditions On Three Coun ties “Excellent” EVERY OTHER LAMP IN BUSINESS SECTION OUT Work on the ornamental Btreet lamps in this city, began this week to make the dim-out conform to the requirements of those in charge of Civilian Defense. The painting of the globes would have been finished on Monday night; but, due to the rigors of winter, workmen appointed could not get to this section. Every other lamp in the business section is put out entirely. The fact that the street lights have been in full flare, has caused many households, business and public build ings to be somewhat negligent of interior lighting. Now, that the street will be darkened, it may prove a little dangerous for residents to be careless about their homes. In the “Sun” on Tuesday morning the following account appeared rela tive to the conditions on the Shore, and in particular to the three lower counties. It read as follows: Col. Henry S. Barrett, State Air Raid Precautions Director, announced Monday that the observance of dim out regulations in Wicomico, Worces (Continued on Page 8) LIST OF REGISTRANTS SELECTED BY BOARD The following list of white regis trants who have been accepted at in duction station, is furnished by Local Board No. 1: Lloyd Lee Warren, Berlin; George Emory Powell, Berlin; Theodore Stev ans Hadder, Jr., Berlin; Joseph Pres ton Smack, Pocomoke City; Joseph Littleton, W1 leyville; Earnest Clif ton Hudson, bishop; William Norman Lank, Berlin; Linwood Francis Stant, Pocomoke City; Robert Aaron Sher key, Snow Hill; Sylvanus Parker Bak er, Jr., Whaleyville; Preston Lee El liott, Berlin; William R. McCabe, Berlin; Asher Phillip Day, Showell; Joshua Miles Thompson, Jr., Poco moke City; Horace James Cropper, Berlin. NEWIOORS AT PUBLIC LIBRARY IN POCOMOKE Good Reading For Both Adults And Children Now Newly- Arrived For Patrons Patrons are advised that a number of new books have been ordered for the Pocomoke Public Library and quite a few of them have been re ceived and placed in circulation. The others will arrive shortly. Among the adult books are: “The Robe”—Lloyd Douglas; “The Lieu tenants Lady”—Bess Streeter Aid rich; “The Day Must Dawn”—Turn bull; “Crescent Carnival” Keyes; (Continued on Page 8) CULLEN-DeKOYER WED- , DING ON JANUARY IST Invitations have been issued to the marriage of Miss Catherine De Koyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob De Koyer, of Wallington, New Jersey, to Mr. John B. Cullen, Staff Sgt., U. S. A., son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Cul len, and grandson of Mr W. S. Schoolfield, of this city, and the late Mrs. Nan Polk Schoolfield. The marriage will take place Friday evening, January first, at 6 o’clock at the Wallington Presbyterian Church in Wallington, N. J. Staff Sgt. Cullen is at present at tending an officers training schoc’ at Red Banks. N. J., and will complete his course around December 30th.