07 Dec 1948
Page 1
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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 07, 1948
Page
1
A compact column highlights local people places and events shaping the lake region community. It references neighborhood gatherings schools churches and volunteers helping neighbors and small businesses along with upcoming seasonal activities and civic notices.
Mostly cloudy with showers this afternoon and tonight, then southeast winds shift. Cotton prices quoted at noon: middling 31.75, strict low 30. Births, hospital moves, and ambulance calls feature local families and residents. Community events include prayer meeting, shrine gathering, and basketball games.
The mercury stood at 58 at noon today in Decatur, warmer than Monday's 52 at 3 PM. The night low was 38 with hourly readings 8 AM 45, 9 AM 49, 10 AM 52, 11 AM 55, noon 58.
Secretary of State George C. Marshall was operated on for a kidney ailment at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Officials said the operation was successful and Marshall is doing excellently with no complications anticipated. The procedure could affect whether he remains Truman’s Secretary of State.
A Morgan County suit to force Alabama electors to vote for Truman was dismissed on November 20 and will not be appealed. Circuit Clerk Harrison Hill said attorney Kenneth Griffith asked for withdrawal of the appeal notice. The case named Norman Harris and Ben Bloodworth of Decatur and sought actions for E L Drinkard of Falkville and D T Kinney of Cullman. The U S Supreme Court refused a petition seeking to compel the Alabama electors to vote for Truman.
Russell Brines reports from Tokyo on December 8 1945 as Japan remembers Pearl Harbor seven years after the attack. The piece notes mixed feelings among Japanese people about the war and references government actions and international responses.
In Burlington North Carolina a Christmas parade nearly derailed when an unidentified youth slipped under a Chamber of Commerce float and set Santa's trouser leg on fire with a match. Santa extinguished the blaze then chased the intruder as he tried to light the other leg. The youth reportedly cut a hole in Santa's shoe with a pocket knife before escaping.
In Berlin, the Western zones elected Socialist leader Reuter to finish the current mayoral term amid postwar division. The move follows a sweeping vote by the Western sector, while Russians and communists boycott in their sectors. Acting Mayor Louise Schroeder returns to deputy mayor. Bewag staff split as 800 join Western office, 400 stay in Soviet HQ, risking reprisals.
About 350 Rotarians and guests gathered at the Country Club ballroom for the annual ladies night. John White led songs, Billy Beard delivered a humorous lecture, and Dr. Frank Chenaalt was announced as outstanding physician in Morgan county and Alabama.
Leon Evans was found not guilty of carnal knowledge of a 15 year old girl after a Morgan circuit court trial. Other notes include Johnny Barnes alias Johnny Burns facing bond and a writ of re arrest, Al Metcalf pleading guilty to assault with a weapon with a $250 fine, and cases against Neal Andrews and Oscar Bradford continued. The docket closes with the second degree murder trial of Vero Anders for the fatal shooting of his brother in law, bus driver John Sparkman.
Gov. J Strom Thurmond of South Carolina praised the U S Supreme Court decision not to order Alabama's presidential electors to vote for Truman. He said Alabama voters should be proud of the electors' firm stand for the states rights penny ticket amid pressure and noted the ruling vindicated their determination.
Thirty three Air Force survivors were rescued by the USS Rendova after a 40 hour air sea search in the central Pacific. The men were pulled from two overcrowded life rafts as sharks circled them and several were exhausted or unconscious. Four others were listed as dead from the ill fated C 54 transport.
City Council discusses incorporating the Roselawn cemetery area after a request by C. E. Winton and local citizens. Watchmen J M Delmore and W V Grant rehired as merchants night watchmen at 10 dollars weekly starting December 1. Council approves ordinance banning street fairs and carnival events with penalties up to 100 dollars and six months hard labor. Traffic light to be installed at Fourth Avenue E and Johnston Street and new street lights planned on Church Street nearby.
A morning collision on Johnston Street and Fourth Avenue E left two cars heavily damaged. Drivers were W. H. Moore of TVA substation and Frances Doster of 1 apartments. No injuries were reported. Officers Kennedy and Landers investigated.
Northern communist armies moved along the Jehol to ward Peiping railway and seized two towns 40 miles from Peiping. Residents doubted the Reds aimed at the city, believing they sought to divert Nationalist forces under Gen. Fu Tso Yi. Fu's headquarters said Miyun and Huaijou were evacuated after days of fighting.
The U S Fifth Circuit reversed and remanded a $237 500 libel verdict against Crowell Collier Publishing for an editorial in Collier s magazine charging Governor Millard Caldwell with condoning a lynching. The court noted prior reviews and sent the case back for trial on privilege and malice.
Fifteen Decatur police officers, Mayor H. R. Summer, Police Chief J. B. Whitmire and Commissioner Nathan Pryor attended the opening class of an FBI training school at city hall. An FBI agent said Decatur is the first in Alabama to hold FBI training schools. The two week sessions began with remarks by FBI agent H. A. Donahoo on loyalty morale and discipline and the duties and powers of policemen.
The 38 year old movie star was arrested at Savoy Plaza in New York for third degree assault after failing to appear at a magistrate court hearing. He forfeited a $500 bail and claimed the incident was a frameup.
Justice Robert M. Jackson cast the deciding vote as the Supreme Court agreed to hear whether it can review Tokyo war crimes findings. The tie vote allowed the case to advance on issues of court power and legality of the Tokyo tribunal, with December 16 set for arguments.
A federal grand jury investigates Whitaker Chambers and Alger Hiss as the Justice Department seeks rapid indictments. Rep. Nixon claims three Hiss handwriting documents were submitted for expert review, suggesting potential links to Hiss's writings found outside State Department files.
Washington December hearings reopen in the House Un American Activities Committee investigations. Former Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles is named as a witness. Rep Mundt arrives to chair sessions with Rep Nixon and investigator Robert Stripling.
The article reports Chambers and Hiss testing before a grand jury over restricted documents allegedly given to Russian agents. Indictments may include perjury. a 100 new jurors panel is set for Dec 16 as the existing panel expires. Nixon seeks full committee authority to present evidence and a special prosecutor may be named.
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