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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1948
Page
1
A reader titled column offers brief glimpses into local life and shared experiences within the community. It presents simple observations and reflections on everyday neighborhoods and mutual interests.
Weather outlook reports a warm weekend with frost tonight and cool highs. Local notes cover hospital transfers from Decatur General to Florence, Birmingham trips, and family visits. Church services, sermons, Christmas and New Year events are listed with pastors and times. Community updates include naval service returns and calendar entries.
The Albany station will relocate to 213 Johnston Street this New Year’s weekend from its longtime site at First Avenue and Moulton Street. Postmaster R T Sheppard said Decatur Transit handles the move with minimal service interruption and old equipment will buffer the transition before replacement by Post Office Department gear. Box service will resume as soon as possible with normal service expected no later than Monday.
The Tennessee Valley Authority reports progress since 1933 with flood control saving millions, a 630 mile navigation channel moving vast ton miles, and power sales returning over 17 million in net income on a 405 million investment. Distributors serve 850000 customers as 12,000 miles of rural lines reach 71000 new homes.
Senator McKellar of Tennessee defeated Senator Tydings of Maryland 27 to 25 in a Democratic caucus vote to name officers for the new Senate. The slate includes Barkley as majority leader, Lucas as next majority leader, Myers as whip, and Sparkman named to a key post. The result leaves McKellar with the honorary pro tempore role and a ceremonial limousine accord.
Burlington Wis December 31 a narrative of a big blow in Al the annual contest of the Burlington Liars Club Inc L W Tupper of Patricia Alberta is the champion liar of the world for 1948 by reason of his tale of 2000 post holes and a Northwester Up here in Alberta we really have some wind storms Last summer a rancher had just finished digging 2000 post holes when along came a Northwester and blew every of those post holes out of tar ground and out of located them miles away but they were a total loss
Fred W. Abbey, a Cleveland barber at 4785 Memphis Avenue, reports constant harassment by callers and strangers delivering goods he did not order. Neighbors like Jim Belson share the concern as coalmen, dry cleaners, and others intrude with unwanted deliveries and even mistaken death notices. Abbey seeks relief from the puzzling, ongoing pranks and hopes for a peaceful New Year.
Seapeer R. T. Sheppard today called attention of patrons to the increase in rates on some postal services. Rates on air mail will be in from unknown sources and dates.
Rain swollen rivers prompted massive evacuations across New England New York and New Jersey as bridges roads and rail lines shut down. Mass casualties reported one death while about 500 residents fled in New Jersey and towns Manville South Bound Brook and Bradley Gardens faced isolation. National Guardsmen aided by Center Berlin upstate New York and multiple communities mobilized to move residents to safety.
Florida braces for the winter’s severest cold wave, expected to arrive early tomorrow. Temperatures may dip to 27 degrees in extreme northern areas with near freezing readings reaching the Everglades.
Rain swells six inches with rivers cresting The Hudson floods Albany and Troy while ice jams raise danger Train lines including Boston and Maine and Boston and Albany suffer floods Authorities mobilize state police and highway workers Red Cross alerts active as See MANY on Page 2.
Mercury fell to a season low of 24 tonight in Decatur as snow flurries dusted streets. By 8 am residents faced 25 degree cold, coats pulled tight and mufflers in use. Daylight brought a climb to 34 with high 35 expected. hourly readings noted 8 am 25 9 am 27 10 am 30 11 am 33 noon 34.
Two Tennessee Valley Authority lands in northern Alabama will be deeded to the state. Little Mountain state park is given free. Wheeler dam reservation of 408 acres and 1,800 acres at First and Second creeks will be transferred for $60,000. The First Creek area will include many homes and facilities and one area will be developed for a Negro state park.
President Truman held a strategy huddle with top lieutenants at the White House to shape the New Deal agenda for the 81st Congress. Domestic matters and foreign policy were on the table as Barkley Rayburn Lucas McCormack and others joined the discussion amid plans for the state of the union message next week. Barkley arrived and prepared to report on Europe observations.
Economists predict 1949 will be a good year for Americans with easier budgets and a returning buyers market. Consumers may see relief from shortages, low-cost housing stays tight, and incomes stay high as prices dip. Merchants must work harder to capture spending amid a continued prosperous tone.
Engineer Carol Smith Sr. advances plans to pave a new municipal airport runway. The 150 by 5,000 foot class 3 runway will be lighted and usable in summer with $107,000 cost shared by Decatur Athens Morgan and Limestone counties. Federal $54,000 coverage and one third state share fund the project.
Rail road spokesmen said the embargo on movement of cotton to warehouses East of the Mississippi would end at midnight Sunday with West of the river lifted later. District manager T and M Healy cited crowded warehouses and a 4 million bale carryover plus a 15 million bale new crop and 6 million in government loan as factors.
The Alabama Courier in Limestone County offers a $50 reward for information on a Christmas Eve night vandalism incident at the Courier office. A rock smashed two plate glass windows during Christmas Eve, with the break discovered on Christmas Day.
The 80th Congress adjourned at 1 28 pm EST as the Senate met for the last time under GOP control. Speaker Martin and Rep Halleck and Rayburn notified President Truman by telephone that the House was ready to adjourn. The Senate approved an adjournment resolution and committee to notify the President.
Marvin Rankin, president of the Morgan County Tuberculosis Association, said only 25 percent of the 6,600 Christmas seal letters sent to Morgan County residents have been paid. The total contributed is $3,486.13, with 82 percent staying in county for tuberculosis work and 18 percent sent to the Alabama Tuberculosis Association in Birmingham. Rankin urged prompt contributions from those who have not yet paid.
The Bank Street postoffice and Albany station will be closed Saturday in observance of the New Year's holiday. Postmaster R. T. Sheppard announced all residential area windows at the two stations will be closed.
Chiang Kai-Shek said China would discuss ending the war with communists only if it preserves independence sovereignty and constitutionalism and guards living standards. He warned the Nanking Shanghai region to expect a decisive battle if peace talks fail and stressed the nation’s perilous military state.
Decatur officials inaugurate sworn license applications for 1949. Mayor H R Summer says merchants must file sworn statements valuing stock before license assessment. License fees based on stock value. Previously merchants only reported verbally to the city clerk. City Council voted unanimously for the forms' use.
In The Daily a correction states the drowned man in Elk River was Wallace Garrett, not Lias Waddell Hardaway, with Garner noted as the other missing man. The error occurred in last week’s report from Athens Alabama.
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