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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1949
Page
1
The day brings a cold outlook with frost possible across the region. Hartselle representatives return from a three week East and Canada trip. Local officials note amendments to welfare funding, building permits issued, and multiple court appearances for minor offenses. Community plans include a Christmas party replacing a Legion meeting and church services led by Dr. J. M. Rogers.
Late shopping surge boosts department store takings as 1949 aims for new record with an extra shopping day. Federal Reserve reports a week of sales 1 percent above 1948, while consumer income and liberal credit buoy purchases ahead of expected government refunds.
Samuel R. Hall 23 of Gardendale Alabama, a postman, regained memory after fainting and striking his head at Charity Hospital New Orleans. He said he had been an amnesia victim and recalled being robbed in Birmingham. Hall had been missing since Saturday. his wife confirmed by telephone. He plans to return home tomorrow night.
The Daily will publish early editions on Saturday and Monday to let employes spend more time with their families at Christmas. Sunday's edition appears Saturday and Monday's edition goes to press by noon. Copy for either edition should follow the early deadlines in QUICKIES by Ken Reynolds.
In Montgomery Alabama two black maids at the governor’s mansion convicted as slayers were granted Christmas parole by the pardon parole board. Lucendia Allison serving life for murder in Sumter County in 1934 and Anna Horton with 35 years for second degree murder in Morgan County 1941 won freedom, joining a third mansion servant paroled two weeks earlier, part of 29 convicts released to be home for the holiday.
In March 1941 Anna Horton 41 a cook received 35 years for second degree murder of roomer Helen Baker. Lily Smith 44 mother was found guilty of first degree murder and given life. Evidence showed finger marks around the throat and poisoning with a $400 policy on Baker to Smith. Trial before Judge Leybourne H. Lynne Circuit Solicitor Melvin Hutson and County Solicitor Newton B. Powell. Sherman Powell defended both defendants.
Grace Hodge, a Black maid, released on permanent parole after a 1945 second degree murder conviction in Jefferson County. The state pardon parole board announced 84 releases for December, with others on List Three including Lucendia Allison of Sumter County, Henry Anderson of Dale County, and Ed Rainer, all convicted of first degree murder in prior years.
Washington December 22 President Truman refused to intervene in the coal dispute raising the likelihood of a strike or lockout after January 1. John L Lewis mining operations would run only Tuesday and Wednesday for the next two holiday weeks. Some see a deliberate squeeze by Lewis to pressure miners and push for a 35 cent tonnage welfare royalty and a $15 daily wage for those signing contracts. Operators say the three day week erodes profits as overhead costs rise per ton. See CRISIS on Page 2.
Two railroad workers were killed and six injured when an empty passenger train collided with another at Long Island City Queens. The wreck blocked Long Island Railroad service for hours, stranding 25 000 to 30 000 commuters at Pennsylvania Station. Normal service resumed around midnight after a six hour disruption.
President Truman departed Washington in rain aboard the Independence for a three hour forty five minute flight to Kansas City and Independence Mo. He will spend Christmas with his daughter Margaret and rest at the Truman home. Weather remained warm with fair visibility as his plane crossed through snow and sleet areas on the western route. Back in Washington he plans to return December twenty eight to face the congressional opening and he spoke to reporters wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. He noted Eisenhower left the Army and praised the largely kind treatment from the newsmen.
Science editor Howard Blakeslee argues science improves Christmas by saving lives and easing disease. He notes penicillin reduced pneumonia deaths among aging grandparents and mentions arthritis relief, framing science as a gift to society beyond gadgets and explainable Santa Claus.
Postmaster R T Sheppard reminded patrons the post office will close at noon Saturday to allow postal workers time to shop. It reopen Tuesday morning at eight. Parcel post deliveries will continue Saturday afternoon and box holder service remains through the weekend.
Police Chief J B Whitmire reported three burglaries this week including the Double Cola office on Cherry Street and the Staten cafe on Sherman Street. Missing were about $200 in change and various small items. entry came by breaking front windows. A fourth burglary at the Goodyear Mills area cafe occurred between 1 and 5 A M with 80 cents in pennies and several items taken.
A Norwegian freighter suffered a midship blaze injuring one crewman while 40 crew and two stewardesses escaped in nightclothes through smoke filled passages. The captain climbed a cargo boom to safety as flames consumed the five deck superstructure. ship noted as 10 months old, 8,000 tons, from Oslo with crude rubber and tea cargo. Estimated damage ranged up to 500000 dollars with crews using water hoses to hold back the fire. Radio Operator A K Lind escaped from his door. Captain Arild Werge landed ashore after dropping from a port.
Washington issued a warning to American ship captains that entering Shanghai waters could cost lives. The State Department noted it had twice warned the skipper of Isbrant sen line's Flying Arrow, most recently from Pusan on December 20. A prior December 17 alert marked Shanghai and approaches as a danger zone due to nationalist efforts to close the port.
The Pope’s Christmas message calls Christians to unite against militant atheism and defend fundamental liberties under threat in some nations. He denounces totalitarian enslavement and questions Protestant Catholic separations, hoping for renewed church unity as the Holy Year nears. President Truman's White House release notes improved global relations but warns a few nations reject this moral path. The Pontiff invokes the Christ child’s light and blessing.
AFL leaders denounced a Cleveland transit strike as the Cleveland Federation of Labor disowned Local 268 of the AFL Transit Union. The walkout affected about 500000 riders and prompted calls to AFL President William Green to intervene and restore service.
A cold and possibly white Christmas looms for the Midwest as a widespread cold air mass spreads east to the Appalachians. Temperatures plunge to 4 below in Chicago and 21 below in Pembina with more cold ahead. Forecasters expect little relief over the weekend while some regions see light snow and others report mild coastal readings.
With less than a business week left before December 31 the Morgan tax collector reports receiving and distributing a little more than half of the expected 600000 taxes for 1948 49. To date 331436 77 has been collected. Distributions since Oct 1 include Decatur city 91444 52 Morgan county 86849 29 Alabama state 48925 50 collector and assessor fees to county 11861 85 Hartselle 8568 81 Falkville 147 45 and county schools 64142 55.
Wichita Falls Tex Dec 23 Two five year old boys Billy Rogers Vietponnie Tolton were buried by dirt and debris apparently pushed by a bulldozer while playing near the river. A dog led searchers to the bodies after about five hours, with inquest led by Justice H W Newman.
Detroit December 23 a secrecy lid was clamped on the investigation of a dynamite bomb plot against the CIO United Auto Workers auto union. FBI and city masked their efforts. bomb defects prevented explosion. Police shielded unionists and guarded Walter and Victor Reuther homes. President Truman denounced the plot as outrageous.
Gene Black, injured in a Thanksgiving day accident, shows improvement at Decatur General Hospital after a lapse. He was brought home three weeks ago and now remains ill but is progressing. His mother hopes a Christmas tree will brighten his hospital room during the holidays.
12ND Talladega Dec 23 P R Riggs Crump one of Alabama's last two surviving Confederate veterans observed his 102nd birthday today and passed quietly with his pipe and prayer, continuing his quiet talk with the Lord.
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