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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 17, 1940
Page
1
The Decatur Daily publishes the second installment of Milo M. Thompson's war life narrative from England. Thompson, AP London bureau chief, outlines daily experiences as the conflict intensifies with more chapters forthcoming.
A luncheon at the Lyons Hotel will discuss a unified Tennessee river terminals system. The Tennessee Valley Waterways Conference, with delegates from Knoxville to Paducah, aims to develop nine terminals to spur inland traffic and boost commerce along the river.
Eighty three employees across fourteen State National Bank branches will get a five percent bonus on their annual salaries as a Christmas gift. The total bonus is about $5,200 and will be paid December 20. Board of directors approved the gesture, with president T. J. Cottingham citing a successful year and employee efforts.
Moscow reports the Soviet press urges Finland to elect a president who will guarantee friendly ties with neighbors and avoid risky foreign policy. Former president Kyosti Kallio resigned on November twenty eight due to ill health. no election date has been set.
Lord Beaverbrook warned on radio that Germany is preparing for an invasion of England by land and sea and mainly by air, with a huge air force expected early next year. He cited signs of feverish production and said tanks and dive-bombers were being readied. American planes are arriving in increasing numbers, some equal to Britain’s best.
An explosion in Raleigh Coal and Coke Corp No 4 mine near Beckley trapped roughly a dozen workers with uncertain injuries and possible fatalities. Rescue teams were dispatched as officials reported 47 men on the day shift and no communication with the tipple.
Postmaster R T Sheppard says the Decatur office expects its busiest Christmas season in years with a surge starting last Saturday and parcels delivered all day Sunday. He urges early mailing, clear addresses, and return addresses on packages for smoother service during the holiday rush. Gift packages not delivered by Christmas will be delivered on that day.
H B Hames, 52, former Decatur grocer, died Monday in Hagalin Texas after illness. Burial was in Abilene. Survived by widow, son Emory Hames of Hamlin. father J S Hames of Decatur. sister Mrs T B Hallmark of Decatur. brother W A Hames of Evansville Indiana. He previously ran a Decatur grocery and moved to Hamlin four years ago.
Secretary Hull and British officials discuss Britain's plea for financial aid to secure US war materials. Reports say England wants a line of credit tied to security assets, while American defense leaders urge faster US production and shipping of arms, planes, and other goods as a spring crisis looms.
Pat Jeffery a well known local businessman suffered a broken nose and facial cuts when his car collided with a rear end of a truck on Decatur Mooresville road. The truck driver Will Abernethy fled the scene. Jeffery was treated at Benevolent Society Hospital and discharged.
Governor Dixon will attend a banquet in Florence to celebrate the lifting of tolls on the new $886 000 Tennessee river bridge at Munkle Shoals. The bridge freeing occurs at midnight Wednesday under a constitutional amendment ratified November 5. Dixon plans visits to Birmingham and Mobile for family events and a Christmas stay at the executive mansion.
War report says Marshal Petain confronts Hitler after ousting Laval and refuses Nazi troop passage to support Mussolini. Nazi envoy Otto Abetz arrives in Vichy with guards to assess Petain’s stance and possible cooperation.
A columnist suggests Petain’s authority grows as France remains in armistice with Germany and sees Abetz as key to the regime. The piece notes Laval’s ambition and a past meeting with Hitler, hinting at a larger strategic play and the possible influence of higher powers in shaping France’s future.
Alabama to furnish about 1000 troops in January under select service. War department ordered 604 white men and state officials expect an additional 396 Negro men. National Guardsmen depart for Camp Blanding Florida joining the 117th field artillery and the 167th infantry service company. Major General John C. Persons reports rapid camp construction and seeks better highways to handle traffic.
Decatur Chamber of Commerce urged a stop for the South Wind on the Chicago to Miami run. L N and Pennsylvania officials said stops are unlikely while the schedule is tested with time constraints and comparisons to a rival line. The initial southbound run will pass Decatur at 8 52 p m Thursday.
Mobile Alabama December 17 The Mobile city commission discharged 26 policemen for neglect of duty after their acquittal in federal court on liquor conspiracy charges. The unanimous action cited conduct unbecoming an officer and followed review of the case. Ten other officers convicted remain free on bonds pending appeals.
London official Herbert Morrison said 105000 more shelter accommodations have been provided since October. He claimed the worst overcrowding in large shelters is now a thing of the past.
In Vichy France Pierre Laval, ousted vice premier and foreign minister, met Marshal Petain to discuss the general situation. In North Africa British forces pressed toward Bardia, with attempts to encircle the town as Salum and Fort Capuzzo fell. RAF bombed Mannheim as Greek forces repelled fascist counter attacks in Albania.
The United States Army Recruiting Service Mobile unit 4-2 toured eight Southeastern states and arrived in Decatur today. The trailer will be at Second Avenue and Johnston Street until 8 AM Thursday. Recruiters explain enlistment for qualified white males 18 to 35 with normal schooling, with air corps opportunities at McDill Field Florida. The vehicle drew many Christmas onlookers.
The Tennessee River gauge stood at 19.05 feet Tuesday with rising levels. Temperatures ranged from a high of 59 to a low of 33 with no rain in Alabama. East portion cooler, frost in the south, interior south at 28 to 34 tonight. Wednesday shows partly cloudy skies, cooler in places, with possible rain at night.
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