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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Aug 31, 1949
Page
1
Partly cloudy this afternoon tonight and Thursday with scattered thundershowers mainly in the afternoon. Gentle to moderate variable winds on the coast. Prayer meeting Wednesday at 7 30 at Oral Methodist church followed by showing of The Lost Sheep. Local residents travel and church notices with several visits and sermons noted.
Maj. Gen. Harry H. Vaughan told senators the FBI investigated a report that he took a $10,000 bribe to fix an income tax case but found it groundless. He said a campaign contribution from a lawyer seeking a pardon in a liquor case was separate and not linked to Gould’s parole. He named William H. Neblett and Cincinnati businessman Robert Gould as involved in related matters, and noted a press-driven probe preceded by criticism from columnist Drew Pearson.
Congressman Bob Jones, announcing from Washington, will be in his district for a few days and at the Bank Street post office on September 8 and 9. He says he will be glad to meet and discuss matters of interest with local friends in the county.
A small tropical disturbance east of Barbados, about 135 miles southeast, is moving westward at 6 to 8 mph with winds near 35 mph. If it continues, it will pass south of Barbados late today, with advisories urging caution for small craft in the Windward area. The storm lies over 1,500 miles east-southeast of Miami.
The Decatur Transfer and Storage Company filed an appeal in Morgan circuit court challenging the Alabama Public Service Commission denial of irregular petroleum shipment schedules. The firm sought approval to haul petroleum from Sheffield Decatur and Guntersville to North Alabama, with Robins Transfer Company of Birmingham protesting at the March 8 1949 hearing.
John Shelton Jr. two year old son of Mr and Mrs John Shelton Sr of Falkville was admitted as an emergency patient to Decatur General hospital last night. He allegedly pulled a utility cabinet over on himself but was not seriously injured and was dismissed this morning.
John L. Thomas, 24, of Decatur, was released from Morgan jail on a $750 appearance bond. He was arrested Monday night by Sheriff C B Humphrey’s office on a charge of transporting untaxed whiskey.
Little Rock Aug 31 Another mass break at the Arkansas girls training school followed escapees smashing two dormitory doors. Eight girls fled last night none yet found by state police. Six of the escapees were tied to the Aug 14 disorder that led to a grand jury probe and indictments of two former officials for mistreatment. Names include Haney Pettigrew Northhurst Watt Mullins Pickens. Some have been paroled or returned to confinement as authorities pursue all escapes.
Sir Stafford Cripps and Foreign Secretary Bevin sail for Washington to present a 20 000 word case for the British banked sterling area at the September talks. Bevin calls the mission crucial to solving postwar economic problems and foundation of world peace. Proposals include cutting spending and boosting output, US tariff reductions, and securing a dollar market for raw materials with fixed prices.
Rep. Boykin of Alabama said he will seek re election to the House rather than run for U S senator or Alabama governor. He stressed his intent to continue serving in the first district as long as constituents want him and that he has unfinished work in Congress.
Washington Aug 31 Senate leaders pressed for a nightfall vote on a wage bill raising the minimum to 75 cents an hour from 40 cents for covered workers. Debates centered on Ellender’s 65 cent proposal to 1950, then adjust to living costs. An amendment by Holland exempting many small retailers from the wage hour law was approved 50 to 23, and newsboys were exempted from provisions.
Associated Press reports freak storms across Alabama caused thousands in damage. Birmingham saw a record 2.59 inches in 40 minutes flooding downtown and basements. A nearby tornado near Montgomery destroyed at least one home as storms lingered. Water reached 10 feet in some basements and power cuts affected half the city.
A B-45 jet bomber from Barksdale Air Force Base crashed on a cotton plantation 16 miles north of Shreveport Louisiana killing two men K L McCoy of Bossier City and Jerald Slack cotton dusters. The right engine burned as the plane passed about 300 yards in front of witnesses. Wreckage covered about 300 yards. Names were withheld pending next of kin notification.
Aug 31 update reports the capitol lunchroom reducing prices again after a year. Officials of the state employees social club announced the second cut, aiming to ease costs for workers.
Secretary of State Acheson condemned Russia for holding two American students in the Soviet zone of Eastern Germany. He said the youths wandered into the zone illegally, but they were not harming anyone and should be released promptly.
Rufus Underwood longtime pastor of the Grant Street Church of Christ has resigned to lead the ae Church of Christ in Huntsville. He began ministry at Central church in Huntsville and served in Decatur and Shreveport before returning to Grant Street for a second term. His resignation becomes effective November 1. Also noted are missing youths Peter Sellers and Warren Oelsner, ages 18 and 21, from Radnor Pennsylvania and Oyster Bay New York.
Lawrence County unofficial ballot shows 1 077 for and 417 against a four mill ad valorem tax to finance a 495000 hospital program. First payments start October 1950 with a 40 bed hospital at Moulton and a small clinic at Courtland funded by state federal and county aid.
Alabama veterans received assurance that National Service Life Insurance dividends will not be taxed by the state. E A Erwin, head of the income tax division, found no grounds for state taxation. Dividends, payable in 1950, will be based on premiums paid.
An accident on Moulton Street and Fourth Avenue South at 10 45 PM Tuesday left no injuries and medium damage to two vehicles. The 1986 Chevrolet was driven by Vera Clanton of 914 College Avenue and the 1949 Plymouth was owned by James Campbell of 402 Sixth Avenue North. Investigating officers were Landers and Hyde.
Paul Robeson declared the offensive would continue and vowed to return to Peekskill, N Y, amid a riot sparked by veterans groups outside a concert grove. The Harlem rally drew about 3 000 supporters with 1 000 outside. Officials investigate the disturbance on orders from Gov. Dewey as local leaders condemn violence and pledge protection.
A fire destroyed Landersville elementary, discovered around 7 p.m. Neighbors called Moulton firemen who could not stop the blaze due to poor water supply. The two decade building valued at about 16,000 with equipment lost. 4,000 needed for replacement. Fourteen students will summer session relocations, with classes moving to local churches in late October. This is the second County fire in under a year following Courtland’s 56,000 loss on October 25, 1948.
A powerful typhoon battered Yokohama and Tokyo with 80 mph winds and heavy seas. Reports said a 50 passenger steamer was lost near Chiba coast and over 200 fishing boats swept away off Sagami bay. Odawara saw deaths, four injuries, and 40 homes destroyed as 600 flooded. Local U S forces reported damaged barracks but no injuries.
In Morgan County equity court County Solicitor Phillip Shanks Jr filed condemnation actions against two vehicles owned by James M. McCaghren and Dennis Crowden. McCaghren’s car was seized by Sheriff C B Humphrey on August 22 and Crowden’s vehicle on August . initial pleadings were filed in Bryan McAfee’s office.
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