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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 22, 1946
Page
1
Frost and near freezing in parts of the state with warmer afternoon relief. Local births, illnesses, travel plans, hospital stays, and holiday railroad delays thread through a Decatur diary noting names, addresses, and community events.
Decatur churches plan pageants musical programs and vesper services in the Christmas tradition. Central Methodist holds a White Christmas pageant at 5 pm directed by Miss Mary Augusta Bibb with readers, priests, shepherds, and wise men. choirs participate with music by Mary Allen Spencer and a trombone solo by Ray Morris. Also tonight at 7:45 pm a Christmas story by Rev G M Davenport and carols led by Elaine Gardner and others. First Methodist hosts a 5 pm White Christmas program with Henry Fleming directing and Mrs. W. E. Curry at the organ. Memorial Drive Methodist presents a 7 pm pageant with readers Nenne Parker and Letha Nan Parker and six angels. See On Page 14.
Britain recalled Ambassador Sir Victor Mallet from Madrid in a swift diplomatic snub to General Franco just six days after the United Nations General Assembly urged all members to withdraw missions from Spain. Norman Armour, the American envoy, had already left Madrid before the UN action.
Rev Carl Roberts, brother of Rev Paul Roberts of Central Baptist, accepted a call to lead Southside church in Decatur. He is to assume the post on the first Sunday in January.
The Alabama Education Association released a eight-point program for Gov-Elect James E. Folsom and the 1947 legislature. It calls for average teacher salaries of 1800 dollars yearly, earmarking state income tax for education, aligning fiscal year to July 1, and funding education without local control, plus study and reform of selecting state and county superintendents.
Ex Marine Bill Henson, a 23 year old Memphis department store Santa and Memphis State student, spends beyond his $22 weekly pay to buy toys and clothes for needy children. He is set to appear on a 200 station coast to coast broadcast to share his experiences as a veteran Santa. The store he works for will protect him from losses as donors send checks to aid his charitable giving. He notes he has bought a winter coat for a boy and a dress for a girl in need and helped other kids with shoes.
Checks totaling about four thousand dollars and one thousand dollars in cash were stolen from the Monarch Food Store on East Moulton Street Friday night and later recovered by Rudolph Stevenson near the Woco-Pop station. Decatur police continued the probe with no arrests by Saturday night.
Theo Putnam, linked with Pat's Grocery on upper Second Avenue, announced a new grocery at Grant Street after Civilian Administration approval. The $15,000, one story building will sit on a 50 foot lot east of the Mutual Funeral Home, extending 120 feet, with foundations starting next week and completion by June 1.
Rex Thomas reports Montgomery braces for the January 20 inauguration of Alabama Governor-elect Folsom. Two veterans plan the event, seating 350 on the rostrum with officials, judges, senators, and congressmen attending. a crowded, high profile ceremony looms amid meticulous planning and jitters.
In Peiping on December 21 government and communist leaders signaled imminent all-out civil war. General Li Tsung Jen warned of renewed offensives if the November 11 cease-fire order is ignored, while Li Shao Chi and Chou En Lai vowed strong resistance and a six month strategic offensive if troops stay beyond January 13 positions.
The Associated Press reports that suits seeking more than 375 million dollars have been filed or planned by CIO and AFL unions across cities after the Mt. Clemens decision on hours. Predictions point to billions in claims against Detroit area employers and others including Ford.
Petitioners qualified voters in Limestone county will determine if liquor sales become an issue on January 28, the same day a special election to elect Judge Robert E Jones to Congress is slated. The petition list filed in Athens probate office will be checked after Christmas by two designated staff.
The 1343rd combat engineer battalion is being organized in Decatur with headquarters at the Decatur armory under Lt. Col. Paul J. Wolfer who will command. Lt. Cecil Chandler and Lt. Albert Clapton are the first officers named. federal recognition will be sought in January. Eligible joiners are ages 18 to 35 in good condition, with prior military service earning comparable rank. non veterans start at veteran pay. Weekly drills begin January 2 at 7 p.m. at the Decatur armory with a minimum of 48 trainings per year and no two week summer camp planned under current rules.
Two people died in a two truck crash near Cullman on Friday. Mrs. Luther Hyde and Jessie Willard Burgess were killed. five deaths in North Alabama this week. Others injured include Riley Pugh and Junior Lackey. Burgess dies at Cullman Hospital. Funeral set at Bethesda Christian church near Arkadelphia.
Eugene Talmadge, 62, Georgia political figure and proponent of white supremacy, died at 7 a.m. after a long political career. Governor Ellis Arnall ordered the capitol closed and announced a state funeral viewing, with Talmadge to lie in state Sunday and be buried Monday at his Sugar Creek farm near McRae.
A recall of Georgia Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge's death highlights Wisconsin's 1942 succession case. Walter S. Goodland, then 49, became acting governor after Orland Loomis died weeks before taking office. Goodland later won the governorship and served into 1944 and beyond.
A physician cited Tal madge's death due to cirrhosis and hemolytic jaundice with stomach hemorrhages starting October 3. The death triggers an unprecedented legal battle over succession as Arnall faces questions of eligibility and constitutional rules on serving until a successor is chosen and qualified.
President J A Keller of Florence State Teachers College, injured in a crash, was released from hospital. Dr C B Collier, dean of the faculty, was killed when his Packard collided with a truck on the Joe Wheeler Highway. Keller and Prof R C Fuller were injured. funeral services for Collier were held in Florence.
Disaster reports describe six tidal waves up to ten feet high sweeping across southern Honshu and Shikoku after a powerful quake. At least 500 killed, 612 injured, 43 missing, with rail and telecommunication disruption hampering relief, as crews race to reach isolated communities.
The Decatur Alabama Highway Patrol lists too much speed as the top cause of 177 highway crashes in Morgan, Lawrence, and Limestone counties since January 1, 1946. Forty deaths and 134 hospitalizations reflect the toll. Inspector H L Thornton provided figures noting many accidents were investigated by the patrol. In Morgan County there were TK accidents with 46 injured and seven killed, while Limestone reported 68 accidents with 64 injuries and 23 deaths, plus property damage totaling $33,200. See SPEED On Page 2.
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