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Newspaper
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Location
Bluefield, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Jun 22, 1946
Page
2
The OPA authorized soft coal price increases averaging about 40.5 cents per ton in various districts. The rise aligns with new wage agreements and six day work weeks, but may not cover higher production costs from concessions to John L. Lewis and the Mine Workers.
West Virginia cities report flour shortages and empty bread counters. Bluefield and nearby towns shutter bakeries with more closures expected as Beckley and Huntington face scarce supplies. Coal miners join appeal for relief while a Beckley slaughterer promises meats on cars and trucks. Charleston also sees bread shortages.
The national coal association reports bituminous mines produced about 12,135,000 tons in the week ended June 15, up from 11,746,000 a year earlier. Output for June 8 was 12,650,000 tons, while year-to-date production in 1946 trails the previous year by 23.3 percent.
Bluefield coal consumers will pay an average of 75 cents per ton more for their future supply after the Office of Price Administration announced new prices. District 7 and 8 increases are smaller than the national average, with costs rising due to higher production expenses and a new wage raise plus a 5 cent per ton health and welfare levy. Household buyers will see only a few extra dollars yearly, while large users such as hotels and utilities face higher annual totals.
The wage stabilization board approved the anthracite contract with John L. Lewis's union, granting 75,000 miners an 18 cent hourly raise. It ruled the 5 cent ton royalty for a health fund outside its jurisdiction, and similar rulings were noted for bituminous contracts and separate nonunion workers. The decision, 4 to 2 with labor members dissenting, affects only non represented employees awaiting bargaining agent elections.
Charleston West Virginia June 21 The liquor control commission declared its determination to deal harshly with any person attempting to cheat on the new ration regulations. Officials said that in any case where an attempt is made to obtain a ration allotment illegally the permits of both the legitimate owner and the person seeking to use it improperly will be revoked. Under the rationing husbands and wives may use their spouse s ration book but under no other circumstances can any but the rightful owner present the card.
The Senate approved a nine month extension of the broad powers to allocate and ration commodities, continuing in diffed form until March 31, 1947. The measure, already passed by the House, returns there for faction on a Senate amendment clarifying no price ceilings are granted. The authority is tied to the ongoing OPA act extension before a Senate-House committee.
Two boys discovered a cache of money tied to a bank robbery and alerted the FBI. D A Bryce, FBI chief in Oklahoma City, said the loot connected to the Morton Texas First State Bank robbery in 1945 and tied to Ollie Melton’s sister Mrs Lowther.
Ajax T. Smith of Princeton was elected president of the Mercer County Bar Association at the annual meeting at the West Virginia hotel. The session opened the day and concluded with a banquet attended by five West Virginia state supreme court judges and Judge Ben Moore. New officers include Frank L. Smoot, first vice president. Sidney J. Kwass, second vice president. L. B. Sutherland, secretary and treasurer. and council members Albert S. Kemper Jr., John R. Pendleton, Walter V. Ross, with Smith joining the council automatically. The banquet featured talks by judges Jo N. Kenna, William T. Lovins, Fred L. Fox, James B. Riley, Frank C. Haymond and remarks by Judge Moore and others, plus three young Bluefield attorneys and music by Vincent Paoliello.
John R. Steelman of Alabama was confirmed by the Senate to be director of war mobilization and reconversion, succeeding John W. Snyder who became secretary of the treasury after Fred M. Vinson’s appointment as chief justice. Steelman previously served as special assistant to President Truman.
The Interstate Commerce Commission authorized emergency freight rate boosts expected to yield about 390 million dollars in annual gross revenue. A six percent general rise applies to most commodities with a five percent hike for eastern railroads and exceptions for coal and mining products. The new rates take effect July 1 with three days notice and stay in place until a full hearing determines a possible 25 percent general increase.
The Number 1 mine of Eastern Coal Corporation at Hardy Kentucky was closed after miners refused body searches for matches and combustibles before entry, deemed necessary by state law to protect workers. The closure was reported by Laurence F Tierney Jr operating manager.
Three Black inmates from Princess Anne County were executed in the early hours at the state penitentiary in Richmond Virginia. George Cissett 33 James Hough 29 and Arthur Johnson were pronounced dead in the electric chair after waiving trial by jury for the September 21 cab driver killing.
A noon explosion at the Baker hotel in Dallas demolished the basement and first floor, killing seven and injuring 41. Rescue workers evacuated guests and staff as smoke and fumes spread, with investigators noting no fire followed the blast.
The United States proposed a four power framework to disarm Japan for 25 years with Britain and China in supportive roles while Russia's stance remained unclear. MacArthur would oversee a Tokyo led control commission with wide inspection powers to enforce postwar disarmament and civilian policing renouncement of military bases and factories. Washington also reported on CPA price ceiling reforms aimed at offsetting higher manufacturing costs with careful pass through to consumers.
Erika Krebs, 20, once with the Hitler Youth, was found guilty of murder in the shooting of Master Sergeant Robert E. Flanigan of Peoria Illinois on June 12 and sentenced to life in prison after a brief trial in Nuernberg. The court rejected the death penalty despite the prosecution’s request. Krebs cried as she was led away by military police.
A Raleigh County snake-handling group linked to the Leccony Smokeless Fuel site faced eviction after Superintendent Charles Swift ordered them to quit saying he did not approve of the practice. The group led by Mrs Effie Gilmer of Narrows held tent services for about a week, claiming the ritual is sacred and that snakes would not escape. About 200 people attended last night as crowds grew.
The Hobbs bill to subject unions to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act sailed through the Senate on a voice vote amid opposition from labor leaders. It would bar interference with interstate commerce by force or threats and references a 1942 Supreme Court ruling that exempted unions. The House previously passed a similar measure, and President Truman’s veto message cited concerns about rights of bona fide labor organizations.
After eight hours of debate the United Nations Economic and Social Council kept its four week session open through the night to finish work. Soviet and Ukrainian delegates blocked refugee organization amendments, but the draft constitution was approved 13 to 4 with Russia Ukraine Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia opposing.
New London Missouri June 21 Miss Betty Ann Lyng twenty was killed when a low flying plane piloted by her sweetheart Howard Hampshire twenty two of Hull Illinois struck her as she went to greet him at her farm home south of town. Her father Robert Lyng said she ran alongside the plane when an air pocket threw it downward and she became entangled in the undercarriage as the craft crashed.
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