23 Dec 1956
Page 1
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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1956
Page
1
Dilimale glimpses offer a fleeting view of local life and tensions in Hecatur. The fragment hints at everyday rituals, small exchanges, and unsettled questions about community direction.
Evelyn Dinsmore earns Dean's List at Birmingham Southern College for fall quarter. Jamie Belinda Berry, born December 19 at Hamil Clinic to Mr and Mrs James C Berry. HMS Berry on Christmas leave. Carolyn Wyatt returns from Judson College for holidays. Helen J Lyle hosts Lyle and Kirkpatrick families for Christmas. Grandparents Helen Lyle and T F Kirkpatrick celebrate granddaughter Lisa Ann Lyle. Morgan County tuberculosis Christmas Seal total 6512.75. Limestone lead at 122 percent, Morgan 113, Blount 104, Pickens 102. Auburn student William F E Callahan makes fall Dean's List. Jack Anglea returns from Veterans Hospital Christmas leave. Decatur Country Club closed Christmas Eve and Day. retailers observe varied hours for Christmas. Craig Johnson of Center Colorado visiting. Phil Baugh of Nashville plans Christmas Day with Decatur family. See Diary Page 2.
A 37 year old Col Simbolon proclaimed himself head of civilian and military affairs in Central Sumatra after a bloodless coup. Premier Ali Sastroamidjojo's government ordered his suspension, while Sukarno appealed for cooperation amid fears of a broader crisis. Two American officials, Samuel Waugh and James Baird, were in Sumatra to review a fertilizer loan project.
Montgomery City Lines reports bus service returning to normal after the 381 day boycott. Manager J H Bagley says operations run smoothly with four to five times as many Negro riders compared with boycott day, as 60 drivers are recalled to service expanding into predominantly Negro neighborhoods.
A two car collision on U S Highway 31 six miles north of Cullman left two people with minor injuries. Mrs. Freda Withite Perry and her mother Mrs. C H Wilhite received bruises and possible rib injuries while J C Turner faced charges after the crash involving a 1952 Chevrolet pickup driven by Mrs. Perry and a 1952 Buick driven by Turner. Patrolman W M Brown investigated.
A Boy Scout troop on a caroling tour in Los Angeles was struck by a passing car as they pushed a stalled bus. The scoutmaster was killed and four boys sustained injuries.
A two engine Italian airliner carrying 21 people disappeared tonight on a Rome to Milan route due to fog. In Damascus Syria a court martial was ordered for 47 political figures led by former dictator Adib Shishekly and parliament member Adnan Attassi on revolt charges.
A major study for the House Foreign Affairs Committee urges reducing U S foreign aid funds. The report, prepared by Chairman Richards and staff after closed hearings in October and November, argues smaller allocations will better serve national interests in 1957 reality.
Winter storms create travel hazards across the nation as fog lifts allowing some airline resumption while freezing drizzle coats highways from the Upper Mississippi Valley to New England. Severe cold grips northern New England with 10 above zero in northern Maine and heavy snow warnings stretch from Nebraska to South Dakota.
Tallahassee mayor John Humphress urged both whites and Negroes to uphold segregation on city bus lines. The Tallahassee Intercivic Council scheduled a Sunday meeting to decide whether to resume unsegregated service or continue boycotting the bus company.
Police log shows 12 accidents Friday and Saturday with seven inside Decatur. A four year old boy suffered head injuries after being struck at 1028 4th Ave SE. no charges filed. A 22 year old woman and her two year old son were seriously injured in a rain slick crash five miles south of Decatur near Highway 31.
Rain did not deter weekend shoppers as hundreds from the four county valley flocked to Decatur stores. Merchants said sales topped last year or matched it, parking was tight, and customers bought higher quality goods. Managers predicted stronger Christmas Eve business despite rain. A Bank Street manager praised the rush and noted shoppers were late this year, making up for it now. See RAIN On Page
The Decatur Daily will publish Babson's Business and Financial Forecast for 1957 on Thursday. Babson predictions from 1956 show an 85 percent accuracy, with an 18 year average of 86 percent, marking the best record for U. S. future business forecasts.
Alabama elector W F Turner voted for Walter B Jones instead of Adlai Stevenson. The incident highlights that the Electoral College can thwart the will of voters. Abolishing the system faces long odds in Congress, with many prior efforts failing. Turner acted within his constitutional rights, prompting renewed debate on reform.
United States officials are downplaying a possible Eisenhower Tito summit to quiet domestic criticism and ease Yugoslav jitters. Secretary Dulles said the idea is under sympathetic consideration, while critics in Congress and a Catholic group protest the invitation.
Wi g Duncan Jr a prominent Decatur cotton merchant was placed on eight years probation after pleading guilty to three counts of violating the warehouse receipts act. The Alabama Bonded Warehouse, of which he was president, halted operations with liabilities over a million dollars. The judge sentenced him to six years total but granted probation after a two hour hearing with pro-Duncan testimony.
The four county district produced about 40,187 bales in 1956, over 20 million pounds less than 1955. Morgan, Lawrence, Limestone, and Cullman counties gin nedd 132,245 bales this year versus 172,432 a year ago. At 500 pounds per bale and 32 cents per pound, growers lost roughly $6,429,920 compared with 1955.
India Prime Minister Nehru said at a news conference that there can be no settlement in Asia without Communist China having a say. He stated the United States will eventually have to recognize the facts about the Chinese Communists and that China can influence outcomes whether in the United Nations or outside it.
A holiday traffic toll rises as the Christmas weekend begins with at least 163 killed in auto crashes, seven in fires, and ten in other mishaps across the nation. Foggy East and Midwest roads fueled the surge while the National Safety Council warned the toll could exceed past records. A notable crash on U S Highway 19 near Clearwater Florida left four dead and several injured. States report varied fatalities as the piece notes a grim nationwide tally.
Tennessee River reading at Keller Memorial Bridge Saturday morning was 16.03 feet up 0.04 in 24 hours. Sea level reading 550.33 feet. Temperature 60 degrees at 4 30 p.m. Forecast cloudy mild with occasional rain today and tonight. Winds southerly 8 to 15 mph. Outlook mostly fair cooler Monday and Tuesday. Waterfowl shooting times Monday 6 24 a.m. to 4 12 p.m. and Tuesday same hours.
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