03 Dec 1948
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 25 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 03, 1948
Page
1
Chiang Kai-shek's government admits Suchow loss and hints at a fighting retreat into southern China if Communists seize Nanking. Smoke columns eight thousand feet high rise from Suchow, 211 miles northwest of the capital, signaling massive stores destroyed to deny them to the enemy.
Community notes highlight local events and upcoming meetings. Residents share brief updates on neighborhood initiatives, school activities, and public service announcements shaping daily life.
The Decatur Bantams face the Falkville Pee Wees at Benson Field with bantams over 100 pounds. Water outages push the game away from Decatur Stadium. Legion to hold a December 13 meeting at Bank Street Legion home. Police report several arrests for disorderly conduct and drunkenness. Various residents receive hospital and ambulance transport updates. Building permit issued for a $250 coal house at 913 Tower Ave. Several local medical updates and a few births announced. See DIARY on Page 2.
Decatur recorded 0.36 inches of rain Thursday night with a low of 48 degrees. TVA substation logged 55 degrees at noon. Morning readings climbed from 51 at 8 A.M. to 54 degrees by 11 A.M. The report notes sun struggling behind gray clouds as the day warmed.
At the UN legal committee Ernest A. Gross of the American delegation denounced the Soviet Union for denying emigration rights to Russian wives of foreigners. He cited 350 Soviet wives and 65 Soviet husbands of American citizens seeking permission to depart, including 97 wives of American veterans, and noted 826 American citizens denied exit visas by Moscow as of Jan 1, 1948.
Former Rep. Roger C. Slaughter of Missouri pleaded not guilty to violating the federal lobbying act. U S District Judge Henry A. Schweinhaut set bond at 1000 dollars and gave the defense until December 24 to file motions. Slaughter, defeated in 1946 after Truman opposed him, said the charge is politically inspired and would be fought. He faced accusations of failing to register as a Wichita grain lobbyist for Kansas City Chicago and Minneapolis, and of being paid over 43000 dollars to influence legislation for those groups.
On White House orders, the Air Force will circulate President Truman’s directive to all personnel to avoid discussing the budget’s effect on the military. Army and Navy leaders issued similar cautionary instructions as debate swirled around the $15 billion military ceiling.
On a crowded Cleveland Tennessee bus five white people were shot in a gunfire exchange between Jack Bennett of Calhoun and James A Phillips a Charleston Negro. Both suspects were arrested and charged with assault with intent to murder with bonds set at 5000. Two victims were seriously wounded Edward Thomas and Mrs Grady Duggan with others injured including D L Stansbery and Mrs J M Creaseman.
Southern newspapers have increased subscription and home delivery rates by about five cents over the past six months due to higher news print and operating costs. The rise affects Ashville North Carolina Birmingham Alabama Nashville Tennessee Sarasota Florida Little Rock Arkansas Atlanta Georgia Columbus Georgia Macon Georgia Gadsden Alabama and Richmond Virginia with some cities also lifting Sunday newsstand prices from 10 to 15 cents. Carriers share in the increases while street sale prices largely stay the same.
Madame Chiang Kai Shek visited Secretary of State Marshall at Walter Reed hospital and was reported to push a detailed plea for China aid. The State Department said a conference with Marshall would occur but gave no time or purpose.
About a quarter million government troops from Suchow head south to rescue an army group trapped at Suhsien. Communist forces show stronger leadership and fighting mettle, outnumbering Chiang Kai-shek's dispirited troops as the Peiping threat grows after other communists sever the 100 mile rail link to Kalgan. Mme Chiang flew from the scene.
L. T. Wagnon of Hartselle will be president of the Morgan County Auburn Alumni Association for the coming year. Wilson Taylor of Decatur is vice president, Robert Perry of Hartselle is secretary treasurer, with Mrs. William Duncan and Charles Winston on the executive committee. Redus Collier is an ex-officio member, as outgoing officers Briscoe Eden Kilgore McClanahan Carter are named.
The second of three escaped prisoners from a Birmingham jail was recaptured early today. Charlie Joe Chestnutt, 18, was arrested at Paros by Sheriff’s Deputy T. M. Alexander. Sam Smith, 17, was previously caught in Birmingham. A search continued for the third escapee, Robert Nolan, 32, as they were all serving minor charges on a work detail when they knocked down guard Gordon Eddins, took his pistol and fled.
OSHKOSH Wisconsin December 3 Six young children perished when a house owned by Mr and Mrs Arnold Carpenter burned overnight The fire started in the kitchen from an oil heater as the Carpenters slept in a different area The home had only one exterior entrance and the bedroom door was locked for winter The victims Rose Mary 7 Charlotte 5 Russell 4 Kenneth 3 Barbara 2 and Sandra 4 months were burned or suffocated Police said Carpenter suffered burns and Mrs Carpenter was hospitalized with shock The tragedy stunned a small Wisconsin community.
Representative Celler of New York proposes a full investigation by the house judiciary committee into insurance firms. He warns they pose a menace to the economy and calls for curbs, noting five large New York area firms have vast incomes and own major assets. He cited Metropolitan and four others, including New York Life New York Equitable Mutual and Prudential.
In Mobile a circuit judge annulled a dead man's divorce on a widow's petition. Arthur D. Owens, a disabled World War I veteran, obtained the divorce in 1943 while estranged from his wife who learned of it later. The widow seeks the set aside to gain civil service preference for legal widows of disabled veterans. The couple had four children.
The Inter American treaty signed at noon EST by 19 nations pledges mutual defense in the Western Hemisphere. It calls for immediate military aid if a member is attacked and authorizes cease fire orders through foreign ministers, with consultations among signatories if aggression occurs.
Henry Swopes alias Henry Swoopes, 60, of Trinity 1 ne gro, is jailed in Morgan county accused of manslaughter in the October shooting death of his step-son Freddy McMillan. The revolver fired as Swopes claimed an accidental discharge while removing it from his pocket. the coroner found no safety catch.
Decatur meters will accept coins or tickets on Thursday afternoons as stores are closed. The Thursday half holiday for meters has ended while merchants stay open. Police warn drivers to still feed meters in metered areas after noon.
Alabama Governor James E. Folsom seeks a Supreme Court injunction to force his state's 11 electors to vote for Truman rather than Thurmond. Folsom hopes for emergency action before December 13, arguing lack of jurisdiction by Judge Kennamer and procedural delays in appeals.
The Red Fleet editorial charges Japan's Yokosuka base is being rebuilt and modernized by U S authorities to resurrect militarism and threaten Asia and the Soviet Union. It cites U S occupation aims to expand police and reconstitute an army while the State Department and Captain Deck er deny any buildup, noting only cleanup.
Ray Acker an escaped convict from Tattnall prison was found dead by suffocation in a Tifton tourist cabin. Anealine Anderson of Gadsden Alabama, unconscious but recovering, identified as a fellow escapee. The car tied to the incident was reported stolen in Clearwater Florida and owned by Howard Squires of Ohio.
In Berlin Western and Soviet sectors brace for Sunday elections as communists push a boycott. Soviet backed regime claims legal authority and vows to dominate city government while Western leaders warn of manipulation. Street clashes and propaganda heighten tensions ahead of the four power vote.
Roscoe Murphy Jr. of Cloverdale was injured when a car collided with a three quartan truck at W Church Street and Sycamore Street. He received treatment for a cut over the eye and broken front teeth. Officer investigation named Murphy and Willis as involved parties.
Fullerton Calif December 3. Fliers Dick Riedel and Bill Barris have been aloft for 300 hours as of 3 22 a.m. in a bid to break the world endurance record. The current mark stands at 726 hours set in 1939 by Wes Carroll and Clyde Schleiper of Long Beach.
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