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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 21, 1947
Page
1
The page reports mild temperatures with a coastal breeze and a high around 59 degrees in Decatur for Saturday. It notes several personal moves and hospital transports, a quarantine for Pfc. Robert D. Sittason, a Christmas-born baby, and local addresses. Police activity includes eight arrests and a Christmas dinner plan for prisoners.
Jimmy Adcock of Decatur avoids mistaken arrest after a hotel in Tennessee reports a prison escapee with the same name. Police hurry to the scene only to find Decatur resident Jimmy Adcock relaxing, unaware of the mix up. No arrest, man remains free.
About fifty thousand Western Union workers, AFL members, awaited a decision on a possible countrywide telegraph strike over wages. The union seeks a 15 cent hourly raise from an average 96 cents, while the company reports $1.23. The deadline loomed with a note to President Truman and the conciliation chief signaling a strike could start anytime before the set date.
The Highway Patrol’s North Alabama division seeks safe holidays with hopes of reporting no accidents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Decatur district gains division HQ with Captain Charlie Barrett and Lt. Roy Bradford over five districts. Inspector W. B. Little becomes sergeant. Decatur patrol to add Gordon Griffin as assistant. Barrett arrives from Mobile. Bradford joined December 1936. Both plan to relocate families to Decatur.
Jewish citizens of Decatur thank residents for giving 6000 dollars to the United Jewish Appeal. Harold Michelson, chairman, stated that pledges are sufficient to assure the full quota of six thousand dollars will be available soon.
Policeman Clarence Silva found his car tagged for illegal parking during Christmas shopping. The note was signed by Policeman John Silva, raising questions whether it reflected duty or a case of mistaken identity between brothers.
Sir William Allen an 81 year old unionist member of parliament for County Armagh since 1922 died tonight from injuries after being struck by a truck two weeks earlier in Belfast Ulster.
The Auburn Alabama conference on atomic farming explores radioactive chemistry in agriculture. Scientists say radioactive atoms enable analyses far more sensitive than ordinary chemistry, expanding agricultural science. Dr Ralph B Craughon opened the session and Dr George K Davis reminded attendees of the purple cow line, predicting he would see it tonight.
Decatur parking meter case goes before Judge Newton Powell Monday at 9 A M to determine if meter installation violates state or federal constitutional provisions. City attorney Phillip Shanks faces Norman Harris for defendants as suit seeks clear ruling on due process, taxation, and use of streets.
In Italy a national strike by 300,000 food workers sparks clashes and injuries across Naples and Sicily. Five people die in six weeks of unrest. Pope Pius XII calls for prayers to calm social tumult.
Alabama lawmakers spar over the self-starter amendment with Rep Norman Harris of Morgan county calling it a safeguard against one man government. Gov James E Folsom campaigns in Roanoke Wedowee Lineville Ashland and Rockford as debate cools. Harris cites alleged misrepresentations by Folsom and defends legislative funding and restraint. Senator Ben Glover and David A Patton join in with sharp criticism of the chief executive in Monroeville.
Decatur postal staff work hard to process Christmas mail with 40 to 45 regular employees aiding rush demand. Parcel post now delivered as it arrives to protect perishables, about 30 000 cancellations made by midweek, and mail volume up from last year. Main office and Albany station windows open Sunday 3 to 6 PM for business mailers.
Decatur's stadium fund reached $96150 in cash and pledges with 39 reserved seats still available to hit the $100000 target. J. E. McClary, drive chairman, announced bids for December 29 on the steel work. Next fall the Decatur Red Raiders will dedicate the new facility with Phillips Red Raiders of Birmingham.
Ernie Blackwell of Tennessee Valley Flight Service says 200 acres set aside for the airport are not being cultivated while adjacent land is. The surveyed site shows a north-south runway 4,639 feet by 1,088 feet and an east-west runway 4,400 feet by 1,200 feet.
Washington officials said a $75,000,000 reduction in winter aid for France Italy and Austria could curb raw material shipments though food flow should stay high. The Truman plan to fund relief was trimmed to $540,000,000 with $18,000,000 for China. Shipments likely to continue. allocations showed France 328 million Italy 211 million Austria 58 million.
Frank Wiley and Ray Roper survived a duck hunting trip on the Tennessee River after their speedboat ran aground in muddy water near the old river bank. A rescue party found them about seven hours after they failed to return, and they were later reported in good condition.
Washington reports Speaker Joseph W. Martin says the anti-inflation bill signals a broader GOP effort to lower living costs. Senator Taft notes potential later controls while Democrats warn of partisan blame if prices don’t fall. The plan allows voluntary industry agreements and extends export and transport controls beyond February.
In Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Rock House land slough area visitors collected the maximum legal game fish without rods. TVA drains swamps to curb mosquitos. 15 acres marked for drainage with pumps and ditching. Trapped waterfowl were given away and died. next summer 2000 acres more will be drained under TVA Health and Safety. State conservation will handle fish disposition.
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