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Newspaper
Bath Independent
Location
Bath, Maine, United States of America
Date
Jan 21, 1954
Page
2
The piece surveys 1953 strength and 1954 outlook, noting high production and profits across industries, strong consumer finances, and a shift to aggressive selling. It cites mutual savings deposits at 24 billion, a car ownership rise since 1948, and expectations of tougher competition and price discipline in the year ahead.
Famous cartoonist J. D. Darling warns that beefsteak and potatoes roast duck ham and eggs and bread are washing down rivers as farm topsoil erodes. He says the nation must curb soil loss to feed a growing population and protect agricultural acreage.
The article emphasizes that soil conservation is primarily the farmer’s responsibility, supported by neighbors and various government and education groups. It notes helpful aids from agricultural colleges, the soil and forest services, equipment makers, and bureaus, with modern machinery enabling cost effective work. Each conserved acre strengthens the nation.
Bath teens from the Teen Age 4-H club led by Mrs. Granville Colby collected 372.20 dollars for the 1954 March of Dimes over Friday and Saturday. More than 200 hours were donated as volunteers sold tags, distributed posters with plastic test tubes, and manned city hall as headquarters. Top collectors included Alan Hunt and Carol Young, with prizes from local stores. many others from third graders to seniors participated, continuing the club’s civic effort each year.
63 year old Loring J Brown of 498 High Street narrowly escaped serious injury when a roof section at 97 Green Street collapsed during demolition. Clarence J Lane of 151 Lincoln Street helped lift debris with a heavy timber, freeing Brown as he cried out on the second floor. Brown was uninjured.
Lieut Joseph Swanton son of Mr and Mrs Car B Swanton of 390 Front Street completed his Masters work in bacteriology on January 20 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill He and his family have resided there for the last two years He has been assigned to Camp Detri ch Frederick Maryland in a chemical and biological warfare laboratory He is a Morse High Bowdoin College graduate and has taken special courses at the University of Tennessee and UNC. Cleveland Curtis of Bowdoinham was a business visitor in Bath Monday and called on friends.
Morse High School fought Lewiston to a 63 61 defeat as late foul shots decided the outcome. Johnny Trafton and Arsenault led Morse while Miclon and Obermeyer paced Lewiston in a tight, high tempo contest before a near capacity Armory crowd.
The Home and School Association held a safety program at Haskell Memorial School led by Mrs. Buelah Farley. Mrs. Mildred Westermeyer urged safe home premises for curious preschoolers, while Mrs. Alice Colby reviewed pedestrian and cyclist rules. Dr. Ronald Bettle urged teen driver training and high school auto courses, noting parental role in modeling highway safety. The group meets the second Wednesday monthly and invites parents and friends.
West Bath residents at a crowded town meeting authorized the selectmen to borrow 6000 dollars to settle outstanding bills and balance the year's books. Moderator Courtney E. Stover presided. the single item was approved unanimously.
Four Bath boys joined the military last week. Three entered the U S Air Force with ranks of A B E 1 and one joined the Army, to report to Fort Dix New Jersey. Names include James S Baker Arthur W Richardson Sr and Charles E Howson.
Ballot drawing for the February 8 municipal election completed in the city clerk’s office. Results list top candidates for Board of Education, Ward Education, and seven council wards, with positions assigned and second choices noted. Elizabeth D. Moffatt drew the ward clerk spot over Malcolm Witham in Ward One.
Judge Gardiner R. Deering presided in Municipal Court as three cases were heard. A Woolwich boy was discharged after a charge of failing to keep right was filed upon payment of 6.50 in costs. Elwood Toothaker of Bath, 45, pleaded guilty and paid 10 fine plus 5.70 costs. One intoxication case resulted in a guilty plea with a 10 fine and 6.60 costs or 30 days in jail.
Three cars collided Saturday at about 11 45 at Oak and Washington. No one was injured. A 1950 Chevrolet driven by Robert A Jackson Noble avenue headed north on Washington. A 1951 Plymouth driven by Harry L Thompson Woolwich headed west on Oak and crossing Washington. A car driven by Harry A Berry Union Street Wis casset traveled south on Washington. Police valued Thompson car damage 300 to 400 dollars. Other two cars had mainly fender and door damage with Jackson’s car worst of the two.
Carroll Butler of 103 Center Street narrowly escaped death when he slipped while crossing the Center Street grade crossing as an eastbound Maine Central train approached. The engineer blew the whistle prompting Butler to stumble. emergency brakes halted the train before contact. Crossing signals were said to be functioning.
The city advertises for bids on the idle 1931 G M C fire truck stored at Marshall Street No 1 engine house. Also for sale is a hay rake from the Plummer Home for the Aged property. West Bath fire dept may bid, aiming to acquire the old vehicle.
Lynn Massachusetts resident sent five dollars to Bath treasury to settle a conscience burden. Eva L. Kingsbury City Treasurer received an unsigned note from a local claiming youth vandalism included destroying city property. The writer now seeks to clear the matter by paying for past acts.
Mack Zimmerman was elected president of the Bath Little League for 1954 at a City Hall meeting Sunday. Secretaries, treasurers and a slate of managers were named including Underwood, Stanton, Sarkis, Paisley, McLaughlin, Bachelder and De Wick, with affiliations to unions and clubs.
Scoutmaster William Hanson and James Haley led Troop 52 through first aid Morse Code signaling and camping tasks. Four Scouts prepared for First Class signaling while others built foot stools for a merit badge in basketry at Mitchell school and Scoutland cabin activities.
The Bobolink Brownies, 28 members strong, met at Dike school on Wednesday. Dues totaled $2, each patrol recorded attendance. A Brownie Circle was formed and the Promise given. Martha Rea reviewed last week’s meeting. Patrol activities included a play, embroidery, knitting, and paper crafts. Weather led to an early closing with good-byes.
Peter Pan Brownies Troop 11 met at Grace church parish house with guests Mary Re dennett and Mrs James L Grant. President Joan Crocker led the meeting as Judy Reed and Sue Higgins became bearers and Be in and Susan Annis served as color guards. Candice Lee was invested as a Brownie and welcomed. The group, emphasizing health, discussed general practices and began a health scrapbook with each Brownie handling a page. The session closed with the Good Night Circle and Taps.
Six boys from Corliss Street church troop 52 visited Bowdoin College pool Thursday evening for first class test prep. Robert Legard passed all requirements. Friday evening troop camping planned.
A prettily appointed pre nuptial shower honored Miss Winona Savage of Portland at Mrs. William Woerter’s Woolwich home. Hostess Esther Vaughan helped host. Guests, gifts, a buffet lunch, and a shower cake framed the surprise event for Savage and her upcoming marriage to Richard Woerter of Woolwich, stationed with the Coast Guard aboard the Cutter Yankton in South Portland.
A report notes that the Greenland whale can bear blubber as thick as twenty inches, indicating exceptional fat reserves. The observation highlights the whale's robust adipose layer and potential implications for understanding its biology.
A Sunday page features a six by five crossword with clues spanning from Short haircut to Marshy meadow and a daily cryptoquote puzzle using a shifting letter mapping. The section includes an answer key, a few extra wordplay hints, and a note on puzzle rules.
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