20 Dec 1937
Page 1
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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 20, 1937
Page
1
In Shanghai on December 20 general statements cite disputes over the Panay bombing and ship sinking. Japanese attache report contradicts earlier U.S. and Allied survivor accounts. Harada asserts Panay fired on shore troops and claims three planes participated.
George D. Williamson retired merchant living at 706 Ferry Street was hospitalized after being struck by an auto at the Walnut and Ferry streets intersection Saturday night. He sustained a cut over an eye and bruises to his face hands and knees and was able to be up today at home. The car, owned by Sam C. Winton and driven by a man named Ross, stopped at the scene. No official investigation has been reported.
The Supreme Court held that the 1934 Communications Act bars use of wiretap evidence in federal criminal prosecutions. Justice Roberts wrote for the majority, reversing the Second Circuit in the NY bootlegging conviction case. Justices Sutherland and McReynolds dissented. The decision contrasts with a 1928 ruling allowing such evidence in bootlegging prosecutions. The court delayed action on a California gas rate case and will issue opinions by January 3.
In Santa Claus Indiana the one room post office expects a near million pieces of mail this Christmas season under Postmaster Oscar L Philipps who forecasts a record boom. Odessa, oldest daughter of the former postmaster, helps manage the growing load as carriers and private firms handle the bulk of the business and trucks move mail to nearby railroad points.
Washington reporters note a looming North against South clash in Congress after the wage-hour bill defeat. Representatives Cannon Teigan Bernard cite Southern obstruction, Northern liberals, and Wall Street influence, calling the move damaging to the Democratic party.
Benjamin Mullen a Chicago salesman was fatally shot by Officer J C Lapinski who mistook him for a robber after Mullen was gagged and manacled by holdup men on a third floor stairpost. Police chief says Mullen’s stance resembled a robber's and justified the shooting.
Frederick Grewen of New Rochelle won 21000 dollars in a state supreme court jury verdict against Mrs. James Roosevelt mother of the President and her chauffeur Louis E. De Pew in a damages suit filed in White Plains New York.
In Cleveland on December 20, Steel magazine reports operating rates held steady for the first time since September 11, renewing industry optimism about better conditions ahead.
At Port Stanley Ontario December 20 the box like Kettle Creek cofferdam collapsed trapping eight men beneath tons of steel piling and debris. Five workers escaped injuries while five others were swept into the water from the top and rescued. Divers planned to search the wreckage as engineers considered building a new cofferdam to drain the creek.
The Decatur Rotary Club finalized Christmas charity plans directing the Lonely Child movement. The St John’s Guild House meeting drew strong attendance and welcomed three new members E B Pentecost Rev Henry Chitwood and James Ratliff. Visitors included Jack Moore Bob Lowe from Huntsville Tom McGough and Miss McGough of Birmingham J R Adams of Pascagoula Norman Harris of Decatur and John T Larkin of Miami.
Congress rushes housing bill to the senate to speed passage before adjournment. The measure aims to aid residential construction by easing small home financing, with House vote 325 23 and expectations of swift reconciliation of differences. Roosevelt principals push broader agenda on wage hour and appropriations.
Two Army Reserve fliers from the 116th Observation Squadron at Fort Benning were killed when their plane fell near Fort Mitchell Alabama. The victims were Second Lieut James E Darby of Chicago Illinois and Second Lieut Sterling B Tatum of Siluria Alabama. Both had recently arrived at Fort Benning for a three year course. Tatum had served in China as an aviation instructor before returning to the United States with his wife and baby evacuated from Shanghai.
Air corps officials at Fort Benning investigated a telephone report from Mrs. George Adams of Fort Mitchell Ala that two army fliers were killed when their plane crashed near eight miles from Columbus Ga. The caller said she saw the fall and helped locate the bodies with other citizens. Fort Benning officials confirmed the deaths.
Seventeen cases were heard in the police court session with drunkenness leading the charges. Thirteen cases charged drunkenness, one petty larceny was dismissed, one violation of the prohibition law, one drinking and disorderly conduct case was dismissed, and one defendant faced drunk and disorderly conduct charges.
Police investigate the death of 20 year old Rose Ault in a hotel room rented by four delegates to a Steel Workers organizing convention in Pittsburgh. Authorities hold two men as detectives probe mysterious actions following the death.
Attorney General Cummings criticized Judge Geiger for dismissing a Mil grand indictment against Ford Chrysler and General Motors amid alleged dealer financing ties. The judge said the justice department overstepped by discussing a consent decree during the grand jury recess. Geiger declined to comment on the letter.
The offering taken Sunday at the First Methodist church for the orphans' home totalled $420 it was announced today. A splendid Christmas pageant was presented before a large congregation last evening at the Vesper hour.
White House workers begin a busy week ahead of a Christmas Eve presidential handshake. A 20 foot tree is to be placed in the east room for guests and a smaller tree will adorn the third floor hall for the president’s family as decorations proceed before holiday events.
Decatur expects a盛, best Christmas with longer store hours and heavy trade. The Lonely Child program seeks funding and donors via telephone, while Keller Bridge shines and decorations spread citywide. Trade volumes compare well to 1936, with strong stock and buyer interest ahead of Christmas Day.
Mrs. Jessie Baldwin aged 72 died at 10 tonight at her daughter Mrs. W. T. McKee's home in Flint after pneumonia. She leaves two daughters Mrs. McKee and Mrs. Orville Starr 12 grandchildren a sister Mrs. Manny Ayers and a brother John Crow. Funeral Tuesday at 11 at Flint Baptist Church with Rev. Earl Mathews officiating. Interment Pisgah Cemetery Drinkard and Howell in charge.
Secretary Hull told Senator Smathers the United States should not withdraw ships and citizens from the far east now as conditions for keeping order and protecting nationals persist. He noted naval vessels and small land contingents exist to safeguard lives and property, decrying any notion of aggression.
The Hartselle community sing will convene Tuesday night at 7 oclock with outstanding singers on the program. The public is invited to attend.
The Michigan State football team plans to leave tonight from East Lansing for the Orange Bowl in Miami on New Year's Day. Forty one players and staff of six will entrain around 4 p.m., then join a bound train in Detroit. Coach Charley Bachman orders workouts in Gainesville Florida with daily scrimmage and two daily sessions if needed.
The Tennessee river recorded a gauge of 16 feet. Maximum temperature reached 45 degrees, minimum 30 with no rainfall. In Alabama the forecast is fair with frost in the northwest, and fair later in the south tonight. Tennessee remains partly cloudy tonight and Tuesday with cooler east portions.
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