08 Feb 1939
Page 1
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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Feb 08, 1939
Page
1
Mackay Radio intercepted a distress call from the freighter Maria de Larrinaga reporting she was sinking about 1200 miles east of New York. The master asked the Cunard liner Aurania to assist, position 42.15 N 46.50 W, call received at 1 p.m.
The State Department foresees a stream of royal visits including King Zog of Albania and his Hungarian bride, King Boris of Bulgaria with Queen Giovanna, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernard Leopold, plus King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. World fairs in New York and San Francisco attract many royals who may open national exhibits.
In New York a doctor removed a rusty needle from the back of an infant, Dolores Tozzo, ten months after birth. The mother, Mary Tozzo, believes the needle passed through her body during pregnancy, an event considered an extreme rarity by Dr. Edward J. D'Arata. The infant was born March 23, 1988 via Caesarean.
Miss Katherine Boswell from Decatur High School advances to the state citizenship drawing in Montgomery. The winner earns a Washington trip funded by the Daughters of the American Revolution, with Boswell accompanied by her sister-in-law Mrs W Boswell.
Governor E D Rivers urged Georgia lawmakers to adopt either a one percent gross income tax or a three percent sales tax. He said passing either tax would balance the current eight and a half million dollar deficit and fund a 26.5 million dollar annual appropriation, with exemptions of 100 dollars monthly for income tax and potential increases under sales tax to four percent. The plan aims to replace ad valorem levies and numerous small taxes.
A severe cold wave moves from the Pacific Northwest into the nation’s north, with Williston North Dakota and Minot South Dakota at 36 below zero and Des Moines recording zero. Forecaster Downs says temperatures will plunge further and stay frigid for days, with freezing readings across the Ohio Valley and toward the Atlantic Seaboard.
Indianapolis driver Wild Bill Cummings 32 died after a highway crash near Indianapolis. He fractured his skull in a fifty foot plunge into a creek while returning home. The 1934 Indianapolis 500 winner set a Diesel speed record at Daytona Beach in 1936 and is survived by his widow Leota and daughter Earlene.
Montgomery Ala February 8 The House public health committee indefinitely postponed a measure to restrict advertising by optometrists. The Senate finance and taxation committee announced an open hearing next Wednesday on a municipal utility tax. Committees separately considered a bill to create a state department of industrial relations consolidating the unemployment commission labor department and mine inspector employment service.
Alabama lawmakers push central finance department through the House by a 92 to 7 vote amid local self government objections. Senate debate on a merit system for state employes delays final action until Thursday, while committees advance numerous measures including a milk control law re enactment.
Three escapes from Draper Prison at Speigner within ten days provoked Col. W. E. Persons to demand firing of incompetent guards. Frank Roberts, 22, escaped by moving lumber and carrying a door chain, then hitchhiked north and was recaptured and returned to Kilby. Seven other convicts escaped during a January 29 breach and some were later recaptured or killed in the ensuing manhunt.
President Roosevelt asked Congress for an extra 150 million dollars for the WPA prompting calls for careful scrutiny of relief needs. Lawmakers voiced willingness to fund only with demonstrated necessity and warned against rushed action as investigations probe relief rolls and possible dismissals.
Indiana will use a $10,000 war chest in a legal fight against southern governors seeking lower freight rates. The bill providing the fund passed the Senate 45 to 1 and moved to Gov. Townsend. Townsend testified at an interstate commerce hearing in Albany last year that the southern plan would be discriminatory against northern states.
Senator Glass and Senator Byrd opposed the 72 to 9 Senate rejection of Floyd H. Roberts for a Virginia federal judgeship. President Roosevelt defended his nomination process and denied veto power, while Glass prepared a public reply and hinted at future statements.
Governor Frank Dixon signed the new 2 percent sales tax bill in Montgomery, abolishing exemptions on basic foods. The measure, replacing the 1937 statute March 1, is expected to raise about $1.5 million more than the prior law. The legislature rejected broad exemptions and municipal shares, with future separate bills planned for possible additions.
Gilbert White, secretary of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce for five years, resigns with board acceptance effective March 31 1938. Board praises his work on farm marketing facilities and farming interests. successor to focus on agricultural marketing and attracting new industry. Budget planned at $6000 with $4260 raised so far.
The Rev J H Halbrooks a Morgan County Missionary Baptist minister died at 9 am at his daughter’s home in Decatur Route 2 at age 74 after two years of ill health. Funeral at Shoal Creek 2 pm Thursday with ministers J D McClanahan B P Collier and Dewey Crow. Burial by Drinkard Howell. Survived by widow four sons J H Halbrooks J S J A W B Halbrooks, two daughters Mrs Slaten and Mrs C W Speegle 33 grandchildren 22 great grandchildren. He was ordained in 1909.
The Morgan County Medical Society will meet at 7 30 Monday night at Lelia Cantwell Seton Hall. Dr Roy Kracke professor of pathology at Emory University will discuss how drugs affect blood cells and show slides. Nearby county medical societies were invited to attend.
Health officials immunized thousands in eastern Kentucky against pneumonia influenza and typhoid as flood relief continued. Red Cross and state health department dispatched vaccine for 250000 people to 30 disaster areas while WPA assists in evacuation cleaning wells and repairing utilities. Ohio River stages at Huntington Cincinnati and Owensboro show gradual fall with varied rates.
WPA officials said their Kentucky staff operates on an emergency basis to relieve flood distress. Representative May accused the agency of failure to assist and warned he would read the riot act. Aides reported ongoing evacuations, clean water fixes, and utility repairs as flood relief continues.
New York report shows Norma Clark 43 died after leaping from a ninth floor apartment. Eleven hours later her husband William 63 died by jumping from the same window. Police list both as jumped or fell amid notes of nervous condition and financial troubles.
Spanish Premier Juan Negrin and several ministers reached a temporary French headquarters after leaving Barcelona. Negrin acknowledged his government had given up its functions in Catalonia while remaining on the move through Figueras Aguilana and Le Perthus as Franco forces advance toward Madrid and Valencia.
The Maryland House passed a half holiday proposal for Morgan county courthouse employees by a 73 to 2 vote, sending the bill to the Senate. Rep Thomas defended the measure amid Rep Collier’s opposition noting potential hardship. Senator Harris voiced support, aiding likely Senate passage. Thomas also introduced a bill to create a municipal utilities board for Decatur to oversee the new electric system.
Therman Cross of Courtland route 1 died at home after a paralysis stroke. Final rites were held at Bethel church in Lawrence county with Rev. O B Harris officiating. Burial followed in Bethel cemetery. Survived by his father Bascomb Cross one sister and five brothers.
The Tennessee river gauge stood at 203 feet with no rainfall in the past 24 hours. Temperatures reached a maximum of 61 and a low of 46. Alabama faces a cold wave with a hard freeze in the north tonight, easing to the coast by Thursday night, while Tennessee remains partly cloudy and much colder with a west cold wave and rain in the east. Winds along the coast shift to moderate northerly.
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