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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jan 23, 1940
Page
1
Heavy snow six inches deep blankets Decatur and North Alabama in a 23 day stretch, the heaviest in four years. Roads are slick. state crews clear Bee Line and nearby highways while schools close or dismiss due to snow and heating failures.
Wilmot H. Bradley of the United States Geological Survey predicts another ice age is thousands of years away and unrelated to current cold spells. Ocean mud cores analyzed with Dr. Charles B. Pigott show alternating dry cold and wet warm periods over millions of years, with 40 000 to 50 000 years since the last ice age ended and minor variations recorded since weather observations began. Dr. Charles G. Abbot notes a 200 year solar radiation cycle linked to weather variations.
A severe cold front chills the region with snow piles up from Louisiana to Alabama and Georgia. Dallas reports zero temperatures as the storm paralyzes travel and schools close in Atlanta. The Rio Grande citrus crop faces danger while naval forecasts warn small craft along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
The state department protested Britain's treatment of American ships in the Mediterranean and questioned Britain's legality of cargo interdictions. Britain delays US ship movements at Gibraltar, while Japan protests the seizure of 21 German sailors from the Asama Maru off Japan.
Five Scottsboro rape case convicts paroled hearings set for February 15 by the Alabama Pardon and Parole Board. Clarence Norris Andrew Wright Haywood Patterson Charles Weems and Ozzie Powell requested freedom. Powell faces assault to murder tied to a deputy sheriff injury. Four others originally charged were released in 1937.
The House approved a one year renewal of the Dies committee's investigation into un American activities after two hours of debate. Rep Dies denied links to a Christian front collaborator but House support for continuing the inquiry remained strong. The panel has received 125000 to date, with funds to be provided by a separate measure.
The White House announced President Roosevelt created a special committee to prevent conflicts in purchases of American mili tary and naval supplies by foreign governments. Chairman Captain Harry E. Collins and members Major General Henry Gibbins Rear Admiral Ray Spear were named. Also House naval Chairman Vinson urged the navy to consider a two year building plan reducing the fleet size while keeping three new aircraft carriers.
Secretary Morgenthau urged raising the federal debt limit to 50 billion dollars and balancing the budget through spending cuts and tax increases. He testified before the House Appropriations Committee, signaling possible taps on defense-related expenditures and warning there is no danger in a 50 billion limit. He also favored scrutiny of bank holding companies and noted plans to store strategic materials worth about 202 million for future war needs. Customs reported increased smuggling activity with higher seizure values.
Morgan county and state highway officials reached an agreement to pave two road strips the Hartselle Danville road of 11 miles and a 14 mile East Hartselle Pike segment planning to grade drain and lease them as funds and WPA labor allow The project hinges on Congress action and highway funding before proceeding on the Decatur Guntersville road with about 35 miles eligible for paving Morgan county has 1783 graded miles already awaiting work.
Frank Longino will head the Salvation Army effort in Decatur though offices are not set up yet. He can be reached via the Decatur Chamber of Commerce. Relief calls are being received and met as fast as possible while quarters are expected in a week at the Mueller Building on Bank Street.
Helsinki dispatches say Russian troops assaulting Finnish defenses north east of Lake Ladoga suffer severe punishment. Bombers neared Helsinki but were driven off. Gran kallla U.S. legation staff heard the raid but no bombs fell locally. Baltic Fleet reportedly took heavy damage, including destroyed ships and a damaged battleship.
John L Lewis accused Paul V McNutt federal Social Security administrator of political ambition and buying votes with a two percent bagmen group while addressing the United Mine Workers of America convention in Columbus He tied his remarks to labor oppression and troop actions in England and Indiana.
Alabama troopers said two youths arrested in Clanton confessed to abducting Mrs. W. A. Bootle of Macon Georgia and stealing her car. They gave names J. D. Newton and J. M. Taylor both of Bibb Avenue Clanton. A toy pistol was found in the car. A tourist court manager alerted officers. The men were arrested about 2 a.m.
Williams testified the man with the youth was absolved of any abduction connection. He cited the youths saying they sold tobacco worth 12 to 14 dollars during the trip and only wanted the automobile. They claimed no harm to Mrs. Bootle and released the matron on a Macon bus line. No weapon was in the car when arrested, only a toy pistol, a box of shells, and clothing.
Macon Georgia police report Alabama State Patrol agents arrested three men in Clayton Alabama after abducting Mrs W A Bootle dean Mercer University law school wife of the dean and seizing her car. The car was recovered and Mrs Bootle released several miles north of Macon after suffering shock and facial bruises. Names given included Jasper Smith Joseph Newton and James Taylor with a hitchhiker unconfirmed.
Two fires within 24 hours in Selma area cause about 40000 in damage. Orrville Drug Store and Dr L S Moore offices burned after night. Uniontown Theater fire spread to Uniontown Press offices, causing heavy equipment damage.
The Tennessee River gauge reached 17 feet as cold fronts bring snow totals and frigid temperatures. Alabama sees cloudy skies and snow in the east and north with highs 12 to 20 and 16 to 22 in the south. wind shifts noted along the coast. Tennessee reports snow through noon into tonight, turning colder Wednesday with heavier snow in the east and a cold snap into Thursday.
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