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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jan 15, 1948
Page
1
Partly cloudy and warmer this afternoon and tonight with colder north areas. Decatur Cotton market quotes middling at 35.75 cents and strict low 34.75. Local residents share visits and health updates while church events, enlistments, and concerts announce in town. Marine recruiters visit. rural church Sunday noted. various sermons and musical offerings listed.
J E Mc Clary drive chairman says 13 tickets remain to meet the 100 000 goal. 987 of 1 000 reserved seats sold. $1300 more needed to complete pledge. Also notes hospital transfers and local arrestee report, church sermon and diary feature.
Washington reports two top defense chiefs told Congress that replacing the European recovery plan with a strong U S military force would be an armed armistice and risk drafting men. Forrestal warned such a shift would fail to meet economic goals and cost about 17 billion annually, while the Army Secretary urged acceptance of the aid plan to avoid selective service. Ball predicted a sizable cut in the requested 6.8 billion for the first 15 months.
Josephus Daniels, longtime Raleigh publisher and former Navy Secretary under Wilson, died at 85 after bronchitis and pneumonia. He served as Ambassador to Mexico in 1933 and was last surviving member of Wilson's war cabinet. His four sons and other relatives were at his bedside. He remained active in his Methodist faith despite illness.
Thomas M. Spence sues Joe Hardie for 400 damages in circuit court over a June 14 1947 collision one mile south of Decatur on the Bee Line highway. Spence claims Hardie negligent operation caused the crash. attorney is Boring Dyworth.
Washington January 15 Republicans push a file and forget tag on President Truman’s cost of living tax cut with a new excess profits levy on corporations. Rep Knutson Minnesota introduces a bill to cut income taxes by 5.6 billion dollars a year backed by a 75 percent excess profits tax on corporations to recoup lost revenue. The Ways and Means Committee, led by Knutson, will consider the measure with Treasury Secretary Sayer testifying as the first witness.
Anthony J. Drexel 34, heir to the Drexel Morgan and Co. firm, died at his Oakley South Carolina plantation when a German pistol he was examining fired, striking an artery in his right shoulder. A wartime captain with the Seventh Army, he leaves a widow Helen Howard Drexel and three children.
Morgan County launches the annual March of Dimes drive seeking 10 cents per resident to fund infantile paralysis treatment and research. Each local dime yields five cents locally for braces shoes or X rays while the remaining nickel supports national efforts.
In Atlanta a Kilby prison escapee Earl Crawford, 20, was detained after stepping from a Greyhound bus. Police Sgt. Taylor questioned him about rolled-up sleeves before Crawford claimed he fled a Kilby prison work camp and faced a two year burglary term. He was booked at the city jail awaiting return to Alabama.
Jan 15 Jerusalem dispatch reports a Jewish-piloted plane fired on an RAF reconnaissance craft over Kfar Etzion as 50 people died in 24 hours of fighting. British forces moved in with planes tanks and artillery. Haifa saw deadly clashes with 11 dead and 37 wounded.
Montgomery attorney Marion Rushton announced in Montgomery on January 15 that he will run to succeed himself as Alabama's national Democratic committeeman in the May primary. He will be opposed by State Senator Boothe Lamberth of Tallapoosa County, who plans to seek the committee chairmanship.
Morgan County Superintendent H R Leeman urged a three quarters of one percent ad valorem tax hike to fund expanded school facilities in Hartselle. He cited overcrowded basements and stages at two schools and noted fires previously diverted funds from the county. If approved, new classrooms could open next year. mayor M Nelson presided at the mass meeting and votes are anticipated January 20.
The Louisville and Nashville Hummingbird passenger train crashed into a freight rear at 11:40 P. M. on a detour near Pulaski Tennessee derailing five cars but injuring only one passenger, R. R. Robinson of Wilsonville Alabama, with a dislocated shoulder treated in Nashville.
Merrill Bowen a former Decatur resident and relative of local families served as fireman on the Hummingbird last night and escaped unharmed. Mr and Mrs Frank Richardson Jr missed the wreck as they were in Nashville en route to Chicago.
Schneider said 80 passengers were shuttled to Columbia by bus and then sent by train 75 miles north to Nashville. They boarded LyN's Northbound No. 8 this morning on an alternate route via Columbia due to a frozen central traffic control system.
The 1947 officers and board of directors of State National Bank will serve another year after re election at the annual stockholders meeting. Directors were re elected at Morgan County National Bank stockholders meeting. Officers for 1948 include Cottingham as president Adams as vice president Wyatt as cashier and Cottingham as assistant cashier. Re elected directors listed for both banks reflect ongoing leadership and activity.
A Montgomery circuit court postpones the hearing on West Boylston Manufacturing's refund claim of 2960 in unemployment taxes. Judge Walter B. Jones will oversee the case with a writ of mandamus against State Industrial Relations Director Fleetwood Darnley to compel action.
In the course of A Russian Journal the writer and photographer discuss Russian views of Americans. The piece questions preconceptions as Steinbeck and Robert Capa offer observations from living in Russia and contrasting impressions with American life.
Radiomarine said it received an SOS from the Adrian Victory, a 7,606 gross ton freighter listing after cargo shifted. The ship, owned by the Maritime Commission and chartered to American-Hawaiian, left Port Tampa January 9 for Bremen with Army supplies, crew of 53. The distress location was about 100 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras.
Washington January hearings on extending rent controls expiring February 29 were announced by Senate banking subcommittee chair Senator Cain. Witnesses include Rent Administrator Woods and Secretary of Commerce Harriman, with Senator Myers and Senator Maybank offering sharp critique of price controls. Cain emphasized evenhanded, practical consideration to craft a reasonable law amid inflation concerns.
The Norris estate dispute moves toward a circuit court equity hearing to decide who will be general administrator. Proceeds hinge on a potential agreement between Mrs. W. L. Eubanks and T. A. Jester as competing applicants. Special administrator James N. Bloodworth oversees perishable property and interim custody.
Mrs Martha Glenn is recommended to the Post Office Department for appointment as postmaster at Walhermoso Springs. The nomination comes from Congressman Robert E Glenn and she is wife of Rev Robert Glenn former pastor at the First Christian Church and current pastor at Valhermoso Springs.
The deep south endures record cold with fuel shortages forcing school closures in Miami and surrounding areas. Georgia Alabama and Mississippi ration gas as utilities struggle, while Atlanta ramps up propane to meet emergency needs and major plants pause operations.
The article notes a late winter sweep into Decatur with a 10 degree low, a 31 degree high, and an Associated Press dispatch marking 10 above as the coldest in the Southern frost belt. Greensboro and Birmingham reported 10 and 16 while Atlanta logged 12. Calm winds tempered the chill as yesterday’s snow vanished, leaving visible ice on city streets.
As fuel oil and kerosene run short, coal yards report heavy demand and delays. The Macon Natural Gas Company plans to shut off gas to industries, offices, and hotels until service can be restored. The Macon hospital runs wood fires and Red Cross sets up emergency stations for hot food and warmth.
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