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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 19, 1945
Page
1
Irkmak offers a brief community glimpse highlighting local events and concerns. Readers learn about neighborhood plans, meetings, and upcoming opportunities to engage with leaders and neighbors.
The state’s forecast calls for most cloudy and colder conditions this afternoon and tonight with lows from 12 to 18 degrees in the far north, 20 to 26 central, and 26 to 30 in the far south. Thursday will be partly cloudy and still cold with moderate to fresh northerly winds along the coast. the bureau reported a high of 36 degrees and a low around the upper teens or near 20 in some areas.
Fare ACOM Edward Meadows of the Navy visits Virginia homefolks while Pfe. Grady Willingham enjoys discharge and family time in Decatur. Several locals including Coxswain Charles Rice and Pfc William Day receive discharges after years of service with battle stars and ribbons. Sunday prayers and missions offerings anchor weekend events at Central Methodist and Westside Presbyterian churches. Christmas vacation for county schools starts Friday, with local officials noting plan details.
Army war plans in June 1940 warned Hawaii attack not unlikely and possible sabotage in Panama Canal. Testimony cited persistent concerns from War Department and Chief of Staff Marshall as the Pearl Harbor inquiry weighed extending its five week mandate.
David E. Lilienthal chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority selected as man of the year in service to Southern agriculture by Progress Farmer. AP dispatch notes TVA era progress across Tennessee Valley states and lists prior winners from 1937 to 1944 including Dr. C. H. Herty Dr. A. J. Pieters Edward A. O Neal H. A. Morgan Oscar Johnston Dr. George W. Carver D. M. Clements and Hugh M. Bennett.
President Truman calls for unification of the Army Navy and air forces into a single national defense department with a civilian headed leadership forming a three-branch structure. The plan includes a departmental chief of staff and separate commanders for Army Navy and air, with direct access to policy and budget matters.
Corporal Harold Pruitt age 27 was killed when a sling broke and a crate fell on him while unloading crates at an Army warehouse in St Mellons South Wales on November 30. A memorial service was held at First Methodist Church. He was a 1938 Decatur High School graduate and was to return to the United States in January. Surviving are his mother four brothers and four sisters and extended relatives.
A Southern Railway freight train collided with the rear of the Piedmont Limited about 12:30 pm seven miles north of Gainesville Georgia. Initial reports said several injured and possible deaths of passengers and crew. Funeral home ambulances rushed to the scene as dispatchers in Greenville South Carolina confirmed the accident and signal failures were noted.
In Moscow on December 19 observers report the Big Three foreign ministers pursue the atomic problem while discussing control of Japan and the Iranian issue. Molotov adviser Malik attended. Byrnes met with Vincent and Conant as Bevin and Hakimi pressed to withdraw troops. Three sessions covered procedure, document filing, and issue exploration.
Miss Dorothy Shaver, first vice-president since 1937, elected president of Lord & Taylor, the $32 million Fifth Avenue store. She becomes the first woman to head a department store of such size, succeeding Walter Hoving who resigns after a decade at the helm. Hoving plans a nationwide retail amalgamation.
Lawrence surpassed the county super overall war bond quota by reaching 630000 against 485000 set, with E bonds at 149393 toward a 185000 goal. Courtland exceeded its 27500 E bond quota, while Town Creek lagged at 2000 of 12000. County War Finance Chair W G Burch urged finishing the drive.
Allied headquarters in Tokyo ordered the Japanese government to impose stiff fines and jail terms for selling trading or manufacturing any liquor or food containing methyl alcohol or other poisons. The directive aims to curb blindness and illness among American soldiers from poisoned drink. Penalties include a 2000 to 10000 yen fine or up to 1 years imprisonment.
A fragmented report from London discusses the privatization of a historic bank dating back 250 years. The piece notes financial implications and public reaction as officials weigh structural changes and long term effects on the economy.
Nationwide labor actions loom as AFL Western Union Commercial Telegraphers plan a January 7 strike for 25 percent wage increases affecting 48 000 Western Union workers. Other CIO and AFL groups schedule walkouts in January amid broader wage disputes.
J O Pate of 1104 Fourth Avenue East was slightly hurt at 5 30 PM Tuesday when struck by a car while crossing Gordon Drive East at Fourth Avenue. He suffered a scalp cut, a cut above the left eye, and a possible right ankle injury. The driver was not found as police report no description. Pate said he was walking south on the east side of Fourth Avenue. the car was heading east on Gordon Drive. He could not identify the vehicle.
At 6 30 p m Tuesday evening a Monarch Food Store delivery truck a 1941 Ford driven by Jack Jones Decatur collided with Carl Nash s 1934 Plymouth sedan in Shelbyville Tennessee no injuries reported minor damage noted by City Policemen Carter and Moore the right rear fender area was struck two vehicles involved in minor crash near town
The White House announced that Winston Churchill will travel to the United States in mid January 1946. He will sail to New York aboard a ship from England and spend a month or more in a warm climate for rest. Churchill is to address world affairs at Westminster College in Fulton Missouri on March 5, introduced by President Truman, with the President’s backing.
At Nuremberg prosecutors detail SA violence including burning 35 synagogues over two days, seeking war crimes convictions for major Nazi groups. Col. Storey outlines SA aims to terrorize opponents and aid Germany's armed forces. Prosecutors push automatic guilt for members of several organizations, with 30 000+ applications for individuals to appear.
A frigid air mass moves from the Midwest toward the Southeast with temperatures plunging across the East. Forecasts predict a 10 to 15 degree drop for many stations and up to eight inches of snow from Western Pennsylvania to Virginia, with New England also expecting snow before dusk.
Washington announces further reductions in release requirements effective December 31. About 600,000 personnel become eligible for separation as point scores drop to 50 for enlisted and 70 for officers. Length of service now counts for Wacs, with enlisted Wacs needing 2 years 6 months and officers 3 years 3 months. Reduction of service points, age criteria for medical and dental officers, and adjusted scores for certain medical corps remain, while sanitary and nursing roles keep current factors. The army will discharge nonessential personnel even if not meeting overseas duty criteria.
Joe N Poole Alabama commissioner of agriculture addressed the Decatur Civitan club outlining the department functions and Alabama agriculture’s economic role. He noted the department’s surplus fund rising from 90000 to 395000, reported cost reductions, a 75000 grant to hatcherymen with the U S department of agriculture, and support for artificial insemination to boost dairy. He cited seed analysis rising from 250 to 1000 samples monthly and plans to expand seed laboratory assistance. he touched on farm progress amid a crisis in the native county.
In Washington on December 19 President Truman urged uniting the Army and Navy, while his chief of staff Admiral William D. Leahy testified at congressional hearings opposing the plan. Leahy called a single defense agency radical and revolutionary and warned it would reduce naval efficiency.
President Truman argues for unification with officers drawn from all services and rotation of the chief of staff post among services. He notes Navy opposition but pledges full congressional support for unification and universal military training amid concerns over world peace and national security.
A veteran named Meredith Woodall lists A & Employment Service phone 167 for interviews. Born February 5, married, completed 2 years 9 months service with the WA C ending December 11, 1945. While with WA C he was a section chief in the personnel division, oversaw correspondence and supervised three workers.
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