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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 15, 1950
Page
1
A sparse item highlights local community notes and brief glimpses from residents. It hints at neighborhood happenings, upcoming events, and shared concerns without detailing individuals or specific dates.
Mostly cloudy this afternoon and tonight with colder temps 28 to 36. Saturday partly cloudy and colder on the coast with northerly winds. Alabama court appeal details. Pastor and choir candlelight service Sunday at First Baptist. Social Security benefits explained at Birmingham conference. Cub Scout rally tonight at 6 30 in Gordon Bibb gym. Navy recruit Dwight Ward available for assignment after training in San Diego. Rev Heidelberg to preach Sunday at Westminster Church. Florida visitors to Decatur after death in Russell family. Local hospital admissions and one court disorderly conduct case set for trial. See Diary on Page 2.
An airman from Brookley Air Force Base died and a young woman companion was seriously injured in a downtown rooming house. Dr. H S J Walker ruled accidental asphyxiation for Ernest Redell Keller Jr of Nall City California. the woman was hospitalized. Detectives said they found them half clothed, with a gas heater burning full blast and the room sealed.
The government moved to punish striking railroad yard workers. Attorney General McGrath announced contempt proceedings against the yardmen in Chicago and probably in Cleveland, after court orders were issued in Chicago, Washington and Cleveland.
The Knoxville yards of the Southern Railway were hit as the railroad strike spread. Only three of 30 yard crews reported for the morning shift with officials citing illness. No immediate impact on trunk services. Louisville and Nashville Interchange with Southern halted.
A successful contempt actionagainst the union threatens heavy fines as the strike spreads. Strikers ignore court orders and disrupt mail deliveries including parcels and express service. Railway Express Agency Inc announces an embargo affecting shipments as the tension escalates.
The jury and both sides agreed last night to sentence 28 year old Deo Sheffield to 25 years for the murder of Claude Nylon Dickson in February 1949. The state had alleged Sheffield hired Willie Spraggins to kill Dickson, while Spraggins had already received a life term.
Decatur post office announces embargo on Christmas parcels and cards bound for 11 states and two cities. Restrictions affect second, third, fourth, and heavy first class mail while medicine and medical supplies are exempt. South of the Ohio and Potomac rivers post offices will not accept restricted mail.
British Foreign Secretary Bevin told the House of Commons that the United States ignored Britain's counsel to halt the UN drive into North Korea about 100 miles north of the 38th parallel. He said MacArthur’s forces moved to the Manchurian border, prompting invasion by so called Chinese volunteers. Bevin defended the government against claims it slept on the issue and expressed hope for peace despite grim times.
Nominations in Decatur are open for the Young Man of the Year with a December 20 1950 deadline. Nomination blanks are available at local spots and must be mailed to Harry Folwell chair of the Jaycee selection committee. The winner will be announced at the January 19 banquet with Jaycees as guests.
U S marshals report 5 of 23 Mobile residents charged in a mass vote fraud conspiracy during the May 2 Alabama democratic primary were taken into custody. Names released include Peter Vincent Crouch Sr Ray Wilson Fairchild George Donoghue C J Holman and Harry Griffith. Co conspirators unnamed may be witnesses at trials set for next year.
President Truman plans a prime time address to rally Americans to greater sacrifices for the free world military buildup. Officials disclosed a Paducah Kentucky site for a 500 million atomic energy expansion and that Pace warned Congress the year’s defense funding may be insufficient. An emergency declaration and wage controls were seen as likely, with talks of a 4 million man army and defense spending near 100 billion yearly.
House Republicans call for Dean Acheson to be removed as Secretary of State and for a thorough cleaning of the State Department. A resolution sponsored by Martin of Massachusetts passed at a closed meeting and will be sent to President Truman. The vote was reported as overwhelming.
The House appropriations committee urged Congress to approve the full 16.845 billion dollars requested by President Truman to speed up national defense. It kept defense funds intact while trimming the Atomic Energy Commission, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the subversive activities control board in a 17.82 billion dollar omnibus bill.
Senate Republicans convened a 4:30 meeting to back replacing Acheson for the country’s good. The House appropriations panel approved 16.845 billion for defense, with more funding likely to follow as the military buildup accelerates.
Vernon Lemley, 14, under bond for burglary charges, was arrested by Decatur police for four recent break ins. He admitted the thefts at 1107 Fifth Avenue South 1306 Ninth Avenue East 1420 Ninth Avenue South and 100442 Olive Street, taking various personal items. Police said officers include Sgt. James Collier and C M Kennedy.
UN cease-fire committee begins Korean peace efforts inviting US delegate Ernest A. Gross to a private luncheon. Philippine Foreign Minister Romulo urges refusal to admit communist China while Red Chinese troops fire on UN soldiers. The 1950 General Assembly winds up all business except China Korea issues.
President Truman’s address faces a bleak military backdrop as U S forces in Korea endure heavy Chinese assaults and rising casualties. The report notes air superiority concerns and a potential new Soviet styled naval threat, prompting questions on Korea’s fate and possible mobilization.
Chinese forces smashed American outposts in the Hamhung Hungnam defense line in a late Friday battle aimed at destroying the U S tenth corps. Two American platoons are cut off after a day of fighting. a tank led rescue attempt failed as tankers fought Chinese infantry at close range.
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