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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 12, 1941
Page
1
The article reports a cloudy rainy outlook with rising temperatures, notes the Tenn river at 15.75 feet, highs around 45 and a low of 40, and 0.01 inch rainfall. Cotton prices listed gritty mids and lows, plus film showings at local theaters. Community updates include Kiwanis, Elks recruiting cadets, births, sermons, and club events.
Congressional leaders announced immediate work on drafting several billion dollars in war taxes after a luncheon with Secretary Morgenthau. The plan aims to raise revenue while keeping essential production steady, avoiding reckless measures and favoring private enterprise.
Dewitt Mackenzie notes the Manila situation remains changeless for now as Japanese assaults press Luzon. He expects air land and sea reinforcements to reach the Philippines soon while MacArthur vows effort. Marines defend Wake Island. Japan claims pincers on Manila as Malaya reports infiltrations.
The writer argues Russia may enter the Pacific war against Japan, aiding the Allies and aiding Britain by forcing Japan to divert resources. It discusses potential Japanese moves toward Singapore and the strategic impact of Soviet participation on the island empire and American energy conservation.
A large explosion in the No 1 melt unit of a $60 million shell loading plant near Middletown Iowa injures and possibly kills workers. Lieut Col Keith F Adamson says the blast damaged only the one building and many were rushed to Burlington area hospitals as investigators assess cause and scope.
Commander Samuel Earl Johnson of Clanton Alabama is reported lost in action in the service of his country. Johnson joined the naval medical corps in World War I and had served continuously since.
The Southeast Air Corps Training Center in Montgomery graduates its eighth class of flying cadets. The exact number is withheld but described as in the hundreds by Major-General Walter R. Weaver. New lieutenants come from Albany Georgia Barksdale Field Louisiana and Selma Alabama with navigators from Coral Gables Florida and Albany and Bardo centers. Graduates include Craig Field Selma Alabama Rufus Jordan Eclectic Alabama Arthur Kleineder Birmingham Georgia Duke Decatur Merritt Talbert Flowers Foley Montgomery and Red Level Ohio.
Mrs. L. Depreast aged 75 Hart selle Route two died this morning at six after illness. Funeral Saturday at Johnson's Chapel at three with Rev. Toon and Rev. Yates officiating. Interment at McAfee Howell and Young in charge. Survivors include three sons Willie Depreast Moulton Route three John and Frank Depreast Hart selle Route two four daughters Ida Bolan Danville Sarah Johnson Hartselle Lela Hayes Moulton Mattie Williams Eason Hill Ga two sisters one brother 34 grandchildren 13 great grandchildren. Grandsons pallbearers granddaughters in charge of flowers.
Birmingham officials studied using Jefferson county Red Mountain mines as air raid shelters. Col. R. M. Nolan, executive director of the county defense council, proposed the idea during a defense council session.
Dr. B. F. Austin Alabama health officer calls on women to register for training as nurses aides to assist regular nurses in caring for the sick and wounded in potential wartime disaster. The program offers 80 hours of classroom study plus hospital experience and a standby role during emergencies.
Pat Colter, 5, was killed when struck by a privately owned car driven by U S Sergeant William Kuhn on a curve at high speed between Huntsville and Athens. His mother, Mrs. D A Colter, suffered a broken leg. four soldiers in the car were injured, two of whom were en route to Camp McClellan for discharge.
Washington reports a House bill to extend draft registration to men 18 through 64 and place those 19 through 44 under military training. Roosevelt cites Wake Island and rumors of Midway Guam losses, while Churchill offers three Canadian shell plants to meet shortages and a Red Cross drive is set at 50 million dollars.
A British cruiser opened a daring surprise assault punching at close range and shelling Derna on the Libyan coast, with heavy damage reported to Axis shipping and harbor installations. Roosevelt urged media to avoid full war casualty lists as Er i forces reorganize in Malaya and halt further Japanese advances.
Mayor T R Harrison says guards will be stationed around Decatur’s water reservoirs near the Tennessee River starting tonight. A proposed eight foot cyclone fence may enclose city water service properties while Delano Park standpipe remains under study. Plant capacity reaches four million gallons daily with one million gallons in storage pools. Manager George Godwin notes extensive precautions already in place and cites comparisons with nearby cities.
Report from Moscow claims several German divisions smashed on the central front with Stalinogorsk and Veney retaken. British forces drive toward Derna in Libya as Tobruk retreats. Soviet drives push through Olets and Azov region while rejecting peace feelers from Berlin. The Russian defense accuses Hitler of lying about winter conditions. Continuous front activity noted with counterattacks developing along the line.
A group of Decatur manufacturers will visit Birmingham Monday to inspect the Defense Special eight car train. The special train, organized by the Division of Contract Distribution, includes samples of defense articles for the Army Navy and Maritime Commission. It will be open to manufacturers for inspection at the L and N station in Birmingham from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.
Manila reports say American ships avoiding renewed clashes as Japan launches fresh land and air assaults on the Philippines. Admiral Hart notes limited encounters and credits Capt. Colin P. Kelly Jr. with destroying a Haruna class battleship. The Army lauds First Lieut. Boyd Wagner for a bold Aparri attack.
Reports from December note continued Japanese air and sea assaults on Luzon with War Department bulletins detailing multiple approaches from Legaspi to Zambales. Admiral Hart said Cavite air raid caused heavy civilian and naval casualties while Midway Island remained in American hands according to the Postal Telegraph. President Roosevelt praised Wake Island garrison as forces met growing Japanese pressure across the archipelago.
Five Decatur residents notified the Chamber of Commerce today of landing fields suitable for temporary use by the Southern Aviation Training School this winter. The sites include properties offered by B. E. Bates Mrs. W T Price H H Sherrod Fink By ars and Mayor T R Morrison. Fields are to be 400 by 1800 feet on level sod and rented reasonably. Officials will inspect the lands promptly and arrangements aim to avoid damage or disturbance.
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