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Decatur Daily in Decatur, Alabama

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This newspaper page contains 12 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.

Newspaper

Decatur Daily

Location

Decatur, Alabama, United States of America

Date

Jul 04, 1940

Page

2

Nation Ponds Billions for Defense as Independence Day Observed

On July 4 the United States marked the 164th anniversary of the Declaration with a push for a new 5 billion defense program. The plan seeks a 50,000 plane air force, mass production of artillery, and expanded army, with Congress asked to fund about half the total and the rest via additional measures. A youth national service proposal is expected to follow, while a two ocean navy bill aims to expand fleet strength and authorize a six year construction program totaling around 4 billion for ships and 15,000 planes.

Washington United States White House Roosevelt Congress Burke-Wadsworth Capitol Hill John J. Pershing James B. Conant Harvard Senate Military Committee House Walsh D-Mass Navy Poland Belgium France Marshall Associated Press Council Against America Hyde Park N. Y Franklin D. Roosevelt Washington Monument Woodrum D-Va

Decatur’s Grand Pageant Delivers Historic City Celebration

A multi-scene pageant chronicles Decatur from 1690 Native life to 1791 pioneers and 1832 banking, with later Civil War revelry and 1895 tavern gaiety. The event, directed by Richard Mahar, features hundreds of locals, parades, a Friday coronation ball, and a weekend lineup of agriculture day, aero club demonstrations, boat flotillas, fireworks, and speed boat races. Notables include Governor Frank M. Dix and TVA officials attending.

First Bank Decatur Andrew Jackson Marquis de Lafayette Old Tavern Richard Mahar Young America Decatur Model Aero Club Fort Stephen Decatur Riverside High School P. O. Davis Alabama Extension Service Devatur Blue Devils Birmingham Orioles Alabama Park Highway Bridge Tennessee Decatur Chamber of Commerce Frank M. Dixon Lilienthal and Pope Tennessee Valley Authority

Naval Battle and New Regime Shifts Across Europe

Britain reported a dramatic clash near Mars El-Kebir with French forces, as ships including Dunkerque and Strasbourg fought alongside and against Royal Navy action. Amid Paris’ armistice fallout, Petain’s regime faced upheaval while Romania shifted to a Nazi-aligned government.

Britain France Germany England Churchill Alexandria Marshal Petain Dunkerque Provence DNB Mogador Bretagne Strasbourg Mediterranean Petain Oran Gibraltar British Ministry of Information Italy French National Committee London Athough Berlin Bizerte Tunisia Brest Sqnar Mers el- Kebier Penne Romania Gheorghe Tatarescu Ion Gigurtu

World War II force comparisons and casualties report

The briefing contrasts American army sizes with Nazi divisions and outlines equipment gaps for two mechanized divisions. It notes Allied and Axis casualties, Romanian pullouts, and estimates total German and French losses since May through the latest counts, illustrating war scale and attrition.

Hamilton fox hound bench show attracts five states

Independence to discuss national defense as Hamilton Alabama hosts an annual fox hound bench show with Nat Taylor judging and Red Pope directing. Montgomery mayor Bill Gunter hosts a grandchild celebration while fireworks are taboo nationwide and safety warnings curb Fourth of July activities amid traffic risks.

Hamilton Ala Marion County Meet Nat Taylor Tennessee Garland Red) Pope Guin Montgomery Bill Gunter Gunter South Berry Street Park Frank Dixon Legisature Finis Nixon Autauga

Speake Family and Community News From Lawrence County

Lawrence County notes mention Kelsoe and family visiting a Tennessee farm, Watkins bringing a bus to Austinville for a revival, Jim Roger ill at his daughter’s home, Woodlawn pupil Billy Patterson visiting, Jewel Hogan weekend with parents, Irwin Watkins delivering cotton for mattress making, 250 mattresses to be produced. Local visitors include Clemons family and Miss Kyle McGee, with travel to Cullman and church activities noted.

Lawrence Kelsoe Milkyee Tennessee Irwin Watkins Moulton Walter Clemons Kyle McGee Guy Smith Shirley Smith Cullman Epworth League T. U Carrie Clifford Bettie Hampton J. S. Pierce Red Way Jno. R. Stephenson Eaton Stephenson Chas Evelyn Etheridge Truitt McCaghren Marvin Marvin Speake Hogan Lonnie Nelson Tt Sandlin Coc Camp

Markets Closed Across Nation On Independence Day

Markets halted nationwide as 48 states observed Independence Day. Traders sought news from Canada and England while exchanges remained closed for the holiday.

New York Canada England

Decatur Residents Have Varied Visits and Local News

F P Long of Clebourn Texas arrived for a visit with Mrs Corinne Long Griffin and relatives. Jimmy Tillery of the United States Army is home on fur lough after duty at Panama. Mrs Ernest Taft returned from Huntsville after attending Mrs F S Thompson’s funeral. Jeane Berryhill of Muscle Shoals expects to visit. Mr and Mrs Tennis Gdom and son returned from New Orleans Lafayette and Baton Rouge. Mrs Jeddy Ryan of Florence underwent an operation. A L Ferguson rests after an operation at Baugh’s Infirmary. Doyle Buckles and family attend Tuscaloosa celebration. Dr Richard Foster not available for Decatur’s invitation. Joe Gurry of Hartselle reports an auto accident. Motion to dismiss eight suits by Tennessee Coal Iron and seven other firms for 301874 in capital stock taxes heard by Judge Murphree in Birmingham.

Doyle Buckles Tuscaloosa Buckles Richard Foster University of Alabama Foster Decatur Birmingham Ala T. A. Murphree Tennessee Coal,Iron & Railroad Co

Warrior River rises after 2.26 inch overnight rain

In Tuscaloosa Alabama on July 4 the Warrior River swelled following an overnight rainfall of 2.26 inches. Local authorities cautioned on potential flooding and monitored river levels. embankments held as residents prepared for rising waters.

Warrior Tuscaloosa Ala

Reading hits 45 feet July flood peak since 1916

Observers noted the 45 foot July flood stage record here, one foot below flood level, indicating likely widespread damage to uncultivated lowland corn. The high stage, the cause of concern, underscores ongoing flood risk in the area.

Rainy Weekend Spreads Cheer in Lawrence County

Lawrence County residents enjoyed Friday rain as many families shared visits and social rounds. Mrs. Mattie Roberts and daughters visited Mrs. A. A. Bowling. A. J. Bryant stayed with Mrs. Shelton. Ruth Shelton visited with Melvine and Lorene Daniel. Grover Brown and children joined Joe Brown. Sherman Hampton from Five Points visited his sister Mrs. W. F. NeSmith. Esley Shelton and Ben Compton were in Moulton. Oliver Bowling visited A. A. Bowling. Virgil Compton spent a night with his mother Mrs. W. T. NeSmith. Marie and Dorothy Hampton visited Aunt Mrs. Esley Shelton. Mrs. A. J. Shelton stayed with her daughter Mrs. Grady Waters. Grover Gillespie and children were in Moulton.

Mattie Roberts Mattie Bert Shelton A. A. Bowling A. J. Bryant A. J. Shelton Ruth Shelton Melvine Lorene Daniel Grover Brown Joe Brown Sherman Hampton Five Points W. F. NeSmith Esley Shelton Ben Compton Moulton Oliver Bowling Virgil Compton W. T. NeSmith Marie Dorothy Hampton Grady Waters Grover Gillespie

Local Residents Reach Weekend Visits and Travel

Miss Emma Sue Lynn and Patsy Sample from Cotaco spent Saturday night in Decatur. Mrs. R. L. Roberson visited her daughter Mrs. Henry Knoblock in Decatur. Almon Roberson left for OCC after a stay with his parents. Marian Huskey of Union Hill visited Thursday evening. Luther Parl Robertson of Athens stays with sister Mable Gatlin. Ray Richards and Luther Earl Robertson attended Woodland Mill Monday. Henry Knoblock and son from Decatur visited R. L. Robertson’s family last week. Glene Ralph of Woodland Mills was in the community Sunday.

Emma Sue Lynn Patsy Sample Cotaco Decatur R. L. Roberson Henry Knoblock Bula Gorrie Almon Roberson OCC Marian Huskey Union Hill Luther Parl Robertson Athens Mable Gatlin Ray Richards Luther Earl Robertson Woodland Mill Henry Knoblock and Son R. L. Robertson Glene Ralph Woodland Mills

Also Mentioned on This Page

Phea Obren Aun Henry Rhodes Rhodes Ferry Decatur Land Company Amos Hardin NAVAL Paul M. Bennett Missouri Delano Park Chicago Rev. Bennett Russia Balkan Hitler Holland Luxembourg Lawrence County Decatur’s F. P. Long Clebourn, Texas Corinne Long Griffin Jimmy Tillery United States Army Panama Bee Line Benevolent Society Hospital Jeane Berryhill Muscle Shoals Tennis Gdom and Son New Orleanns Lafayette Baton Rouge Jeddy Ryan Florence Baugh’s Infirmary A. L. Ferguson Baugh's Infirmary Joe Gurry Hartselle Gene Aker Lan Conway Morgan County Lynn Town J. R. Daniels Insurance and Financing Walnut St Decsiur Mrrankin
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