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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jan 08, 1950
Page
1
A compact daily column records weather outlook for the state and a crowded schedule of local activity. It notes disorderly conduct trial, hospital admissions and discharges, fire department calls, and visits by residents from nearby towns. The piece also lists lodge meetings, sermons, and community social events with several names and places.
Tennis Sparkman president Morgan county singing convention said a call from Nashville confirmed the Speer family will attend the county group sing at Ebernezer today. He expects a large crowd and notes other prominent singers have promised to attend.
Highway Patrol data show Morgan Limestone Cullman and Lawrence counties recording 31 deaths in 1949 versus 19 in 1948. Injuries rose to 260 from 195, accidents to 393 from 319, and property damages climbed about 17 000 from 127 000. Cullman improved, others worsened.
Little Miss Brenda Faye Bates of Moulton 2 is only three days old after being born Thursday morning at the Hamil Clinic hospital. The baby weighed 12 pounds 12 ounces, a hospital record.
A blaze at Mercy hospital St Elizabeth's ward in Davenport Iowa killed 37 women patients with 34 bodies recovered by nightfall. Three others likely buried in debris. Fire began on East side and spread through the building trapping inmates behind barred windows. Two male escapees leaped from windows as flames roared through the second floor.
Francis M. Lemay reports that House Appropriations Chair Cannon proposes a 2.5 billion dollar reduction in government spending and an equal tax increase to balance next fiscal year's budget. He notes a projected 5 billion deficit and says tax rises may be needed if spending is not cut.
In Montgomery Alabama friends of Gov James E Folsom push to keep him from pursuing the governor s race this spring though they doubt success He has said his administration will be an issue and is ready to meet the challenge Speculation centers on Rep John Snodgrass Senator Welfare Director Brough ton Lamberth and Highway Director Ward McFarland but none seem ready to run Snodgrass must seek reelection as circuit judge and Lamberth and McFarland privately deny any candidacy Folsom s aides note past efforts to back Lamberth and worry about succession plans See FOLSOM S on Page 2
Mayor H R Summer said on Saturday he will likely announce early this week the election date for switching Decatur from mayor alderman form to a three member commission. A 417 name petition certified 167 qualified voters and the election may be set for February 7 or 14 with four weeks needed for advertising.
Pitkeville resident Paul Collier said he will qualify to run for the Morgan County Board of Revenue and Control in the first district. A lifelong farmer and road contractor over five years, he has worked in Limestone Marshall Colbert and Morgan counties. He emphasized the need to repair roads used by school buses and mail routes and cited his experience in building and repairing roads for local residents. Collier is a Priceville High School graduate and Cave Springs Baptist Church member.
Wilkins announces that more than 50 anti communist groups will join a three day mobilization in Washington from January 15 to press Congress for President Truman's civil rights measures. Participants include the American Civil Liberties Union Americans For Democratic Action American Jewish Committee Catholic Interracial Council American Veterans Committee Anti Defamation League United Automobile Workers Amalgamated Clothing Workers and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
A 32 year old Skipperville resident Dan Grantham died in Troy after an automobile wreck four miles north of the city. Wallace Reid of Montgomery, 25, was injured but not seriously hurt.
Nearly all of the 1734 dollars stolen from the Bank of Ardmore has been recovered. About 1050 dollars was found in woods near Athens after the suspects, C E Swanner Jesse Swanner and James William Wilson, directed officers to the hiding place during transport to Nashville for trial. The trio, all from Limestone county, were arrested with bond set at 10000 each.
Disabled veteran Clifford H. Odom earned the thanks of the county Board of Health for his ongoing work to boost voluntary blood donations. The board credits donors and Odom with helping save perhaps 50 lives in 1949 and notes the need for more volunteers.
Decatur Chamber of Commerce officers announce a 1950 meet at the Decatur Country club with speaker Hamilton Holt of Clark Memorials. He will discuss businessmen in government. Out of town guests from Birmingham and Montgomery are invited, including leaders from Associated Industries and Ingalls Iron Works.
The Decatur Moulton road reopened to traffic late Saturday after hours of closure when heavy rain flooded a section of the highway. State signs warned motorists on Friday and were removed Saturday at 2 pm. Officials said 11 miles from Decatur a 200 yard stretch was covered about three and a half feet deep.
A sharp cold front pushes through the midwest and into the Dakotas and Minnesota reducing flood runoff in Illinois and Indiana. Indiana braces for Wa bash river crest while Vin cennes and Terre Haute watch the swollen waters as military units prepare to assist. Nine crewmen survived a B 50 crash in Choctawhatchee Bay. two remain missing as salvage operations resume.
Blue Gray game head Champ Pickens says all Alabama gubernatorial candidates will be asked about supporting the Montgomery event before the May primary. He notes the game remains financially fragile despite wide publicity and offers to provide film of the December 31 Montgomery game to civic groups.
Farmers in Alabama’s cotton belt praise the new cotton control law but seek removal of inequities. At Belle Mina, Walter Randolph of the Alabama Farm Bureau led a roll call with Ed O’Neal and other Farm Bureau leaders noting broad support. Local voices from Blount, Colbert, Cullman, and Franklin counties discussed allocations and fairness while DeKalb and Etowah counties were not represented.
The Citizens Bank of Hartselle suffered basement fire damage with records destroyed. Vice President M. Broom said the blaze, discovered about 1:30 p.m. by players returning from a basketball game, likely began from papers being burned but did not intend to cause the damage. Firemen acted quickly, preventing broader destruction.
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