20 Feb 1955
Page 1
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Newspaper
Charleston Gazette
Location
Charleston, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Feb 20, 1955
Page
1
Washington reports House Democrats launch a drive to cut personal income taxes by $20 for each taxpayer effective next Jan 1. The measure, attached to a larger bill, faces strong opposition from the President and is expected to trigger a heated floor debate next week as taxes would otherwise expire under current law.
Governor Marland unveiled two substitute road financing plans aimed at county control of local roads. The plan would divert one cent of the two cent gasoline tax to the state road treasury while keeping state aid aligned with county tax efforts. He cited a 20 year program cost of about 10 million annually, with $5.64 million from the gas tax, and presented charts showing county benefits under both proposals.
The Legislature voted unanimously to authorize revenue bond financing for park improvements and related state conservation projects. The measure, praised as empowering and efficient, would pledge park receipts as security for bonds to fund expansion and broader construction across state agencies.
The story recounts the death of Rogie Stevens age about six in a wooded mountainside area. His mentally troubled stepfather Freddie Stevens and the boy had been missing for about 20 hours before Rogie's body was found on damp leaves. Rogie spoke of walking all day with Freddie before he vanished, and his mother Catherine Stevens described their close bond as the family awaited transfer of Freddie to state wards.
Municipal Court Judge Joseph Thomas pledged to repeal Charleston's $2 city drivers license tax if elected mayor. He criticized the levy as inequitable and hard to collect, noting multiple drivers in single families. He urged a decisive program including off street parking.
Fragmentary text mentions a sailor, prizes, a trip to Paris, and a Brooklyn Navy Yard process. Details are unreadable, with many garbled phrases and missing context, offering little concrete information for a full summary.
State Police guarded the Senate chamber and galleries after a telephone threat to Senate President Ralph Bean. The call targeted Bean, Sen. A. Carl Carey, and Senate Clerk J. Howard Myers, prompting guards Thursday and Friday. Officials would give few details and the source of the threat remained a Charleston man seeking a Senate attaché post.
In Burlington Ontario a mother reveals four children drew straws to decide who would stay with the family when money ran short after her husband William MacFarlane, a Ford worker, was badly injured in a motor crash that also killed neighbor Walter Chizen. Doctors estimate three months further recovery.
A severe blizzard moving from the Rockies into the plains caused heavy snow, zero temperatures, and widespread road blockages across western Nebraska Colorado Montana and Wyoming. Rescue crews plowed routes to free 19 bus passengers and six wagon passengers near the Continental Divide while others were marooned in Wyoming and North Dakota area.
The Kanawha Medical Society and Auxiliary, Kanawha Welfare Council and The Gazette urge voting on four Medical Forums. Balloting ends in a week with forms on page 5 for forums scheduled March 15, March 23, April 5, and April 13.
Charleston saw its busiest bargain day since the pre Christmas rush with over 75 stores participating. The Greater Value Day drew downtown traffic amid mild spring weather as merchants praised the successful event and offered strong specials. R G Guter of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce noted the day exceeded hopes, with his Stone and Thomas store reporting strong sales.
An eastbound Trans World Airlines Martin 404 with 16 aboard vanished in fog and deep snows near the New Mexico mountains between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. State police say its likely the craft crashed on Rowe Mesa, with fires sighted and severe cold hindering search efforts.
Charleston broker Frank H Withrow donated 50000 toward a new Union Mission home for the elderly. The board will build at 414 Clendenin St within three years and raise an additional 50000 for the fund. Withrow helped acquire the existing property and is active on the Union Mission board. The gift follows the superintendent’s 48th spiritual anniversary observance.
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