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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1946
Page
1
Cloudy with rain or sleet in parts this afternoon and tonight, colder with 26 to 32 degrees in the north. Wednesday brings more unsettled weather and northeast winds along the coast. Cotton markets closed early for New Year’s Eve. Decatur middling at 32.25 and strict low at 31.25. No market on New Year’s Day. Local banks closed for New Year’s Day holiday.
Two teenage boys died in Cullman County incidents Monday afternoon and night. Hanceville 16 year old Van Austin Brown was struck by a southbound train No 3 near Cullman. Julius Bahr 8 year old senior faced reckless driving charges following a taxi collision that killed Joseph E Turner 19 in Cullman. Coroner Grady Moss labeled Brown death accidental and said railroad officials would be consulted. Turner died after a 1939 Chevrolet taxi collided with Bahr 1938 Plymouth on First Avenue near the C A Stiefelmeyer department store. Turner died instantly and Brown’s body was mangled.
Chairman Ellender and two Democratic colleagues said the special committee will report that Theodore Bilbo should be seated in the Senate. Ellender indicated support, while Republicans plan a minority report as the panel mulls Bilbo’s seat. The panel prepares its majority plan ahead of Friday Senate convening.
The Big Four senators Taft Vandenberg White and Millikin assume control of GOP operations as the first Republican Senate in 14 years begins organizing. Taft elected chairman of the Republican steering committee and votes loom on Bilbo’s third term while Halleck looks to win the GOP floorership with backing from Dewey.
The Times-Herald reports Gen Dwight D Eisenhower ready to run if the people want him. He told friends during a Miami holiday fishing trip that he would run if urged by the nation. The note follows speculation from both major parties about his candidacy. Eisenhower, then Army Chief of Staff, is cited as not indicating party preference. He was in Miami for a medical checkup and later to the Everglades City fishing trip.
Edwin Nichols, a 43 year old taxi driver in Cincinnati, will keep year old Gail Elizabeth for six months after the child was left with him by a passenger who could not pay a 1.25 fare. The county welfare board allowed the custody because his two teenage daughters and wife supported making the child a legal member of the family. If the mother is not found in six months, Nichols may pursue adoption.
Edith Thomson Graves 65 died suddenly Monday at her home 321 North Street from a heart attack. She served as organist at St John’s Episcopal Church for 25 years. Burial in city cemetery after funeral at St John’s led by Rev E M Chapman. Survived by husband E E Graves two daughters Mrs Stanley Wyatt and Mrs Myrtle Graves Williamson a son Eugene A Graves of Vicksburg Miss three grandchildren. She moved to Decatur in 1889 with her parents and was active in city musical and church circles.
Mrs Marjorie, owner of the econ auto, plans to reopen the business as soon as possible after a fire last Saturday. She will maintain an office on American Building Street for payment of bills.
Steel is on the ground for the new McRae Motors garage on Lee Street Clyde. A contract has been let to W L Clanton to build a steel and concrete structure 36 feet by 138 feet. Three mill? is required for the project.
The national cold spell pushes temperatures to 35 below in parts of Minnesota and subzero readings eastward to Maine New Hampshire and Iowa. Snow and sleet affect Texas Mississippi and Arkansas while a light snow falls at Fort Worth. Forecasters predict fair gulf and Pacific coast weather with rain in Oregon and Washington and snow in the Great Lakes Ohio Valley and Midwest holiday outlook remains frigid.
James L Rankin president presents a handsome bag to John M Nelson retiring secretary as he leaves on Thursday aboard the Tennessean for Hot Springs Ark to take a Chamber of Commerce post. Rankin thanks Nelson for six years of service to Decatur development.
Mrs. Etta McCullum 52 died at Moulton hospital Monday morning. Funeral services conduct today at Town Creek with burial at Town Creek cemetery near Landersville. Survived by husband two daughters Myrlene Parker Maylynn Copeland and two brothers. Pallbearers to be chosen by friends. Brown directing.
President Truman's proclamation ends hostilities and trims wartime excise taxes by mid 1947. Liquor drops from 9 to 6 per proof gallon. furs luggage jewelry and toilet items fall 20 to 10 percent. admissions and other levies compactly reduced. Savings in second half of 1947 reach about 700 million while overall excise yield remains around 1.4 billion annually.
J M Sutton and A Z Jones are jailed in Morgan county charged with stealing eight bales from Ralph Johnson farm near Talucah. Jones confessed to hauling bales in a truck on December 26 and burying bale tags later at Chinn Gin Valdermosa. Cotton, recovered, was sold at Guntersville. three bales belonged to Johnson and five to tenant Jim Darnell. Bond not set.
The Finley Island area on Joe Wheeler Highway sees power reach 25 families as electricity goes live for the first time. Clyde McRae says the line was energized Monday and locals previously relied on kerosene lamps and makeshift plants. The area is served by Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation.
Atlanta dispatch reports Herman Talmadge plans a broad radio blitz through early January to win public support as his advisers fear a legislators only victory could backfire if voters do not back him. They warn even a pledged legislative majority may not secure the governorship without public backing.
Friends of Lt Gov Thompson claim support rising as an Associated Press poll shows 59 votes for Thompson and 37 for Herman Talmadge in the Georgia General Assembly with 28 undecided and four for a special election. Talmadge says he has 164 pledges to assure his election and argues his win would carry out his late father's legislative program.
The piece notes that lawyers may argue for either a legislature chosen election or lieutenant governor succession. Thompson backers plan to publicize constitutional uncertainties while Talmadge allies call it a political coup. John Beasley urges Herman to distance from a political circle opposing the people's will. See TALMADGE on Page 2.
TVA reports expanded facilities and wartime power gains. In 1946 the system produced more electricity than any comparable grid, estimated flood crests averted, and record freight ton miles on the Tennessee River. Revenues from power operations reached over 35 million dollars.
President Truman declared the period of hostilities ended at noon and revoked or sunsetted 18 emergency laws while setting 33 more to expire automatically later. He stressed many powers remain for the government and that only those tied to the emergency or war duration are affected.
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