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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jun 17, 1948
Page
1
A compact look at brief fragments from early writer notes. The readable pieces hint at ideas, habits, and themes of the period. The items show evolving language and perspective in a transient snapshot of literary craft.
Partly cloudy with possible afternoon thundershowers and light coastal winds. Cotton prices show middling at 38.75 and strict low at 37.75 as of today. Sermon and revival events feature Porter Barrington and Central Baptist Church in a big tent on 7th Avenue West. Mrs. Barrington plans to share her conversion story following Saturday night, after dancing on Broadway. Several local figures and visitors are noted, with hospital updates and church activities across Decatur, Nashville, Florence, and beyond.
President Truman, en route to Washington, again condemns Congress on price control and education aid during Missouri stops. He notes 60 talks on the trip and urges Congress to pass housing, price controls, and federal aid bills. Margaret Truman joins the journey, staying in Independence with her mother.
Georgia Secretary of State Ben Fortson said a letter from Dwight D. Eisenhower indicates the former Army Chief of Staff is available for the Presidency if drafted. Fortson expects Eisenhower to accept the Democratic nomination if named by the convention and plans to press for support from Georgia delegates.
The body of Pfc. James Howard Blevins is to be dispatched from Memphis General Hospital on Friday. Next of kin is Mrs. James H. Blevins of Decatur. Blevins served with the U S Marines and was returned from the Saipan Marianas cemetery in the 4th Marine division.
The House voted to place the draft in standby until next year. An amendment by Rep Shafer to postpone registration and induction until after January 31 passed 125 to 90 and may face a roll call. The measure exempts veterans serving a year or more, and those with 90 days to a year can be exempt if they joined the National Guard or a reserve unit. Speaker Martin said adjournment would await final action.
The House voted 297 to 102 to override President Truman for the third time since Monday. The Bulwinkle rail rate fixing exemption bill cleared Congress with Senate approval, while a security aid bill and a money bill were also enacted over the president’s objections. The override set a record for quick White House reversals in four days.
North Alabama farmers can bid on 52 registered Jersey cattle starting at 12 30 p m Saturday at the Home Oil Mill shed. The heifers were purchased in Canada during a month long tour by Walter Drake of Birmingham. County agents and farm leaders across the region mobilize buyers for the Decatur auction with Ed Teague arriving in Star to coordinate.
The Alabama Supreme Court reversed life sentences for Robert Woodard and Horace Pope of Cullman county for the July 1946 killing of Wallace Dean. The ruling cited testimony that the chief state witness admitted giving false evidence, a revelation tied to Pope's trial.
A United Airlines jet from San Diego to New York crashed near Mt Carmel Pennsylvania. Forty one people were believed killed. Pilot Captain George Warner of Chicago and stewardess Lorena Berg were aboard. Witnesses reported 35 to 40 bodies scattered around the wreckage. State police could not verify casualty numbers from the site.
Rapid progress is reported on the new educational building for the Grant Street Church of Christ. Chambers Lumber company of Athens holds the contract for about $50,000, with exterior and interior entrances and completion expected around October 1.
Voters from Georgia and Alabama reflect party lines on a motion to override President Truman's veto of the Bulwinkle bill. Alabama recorded for were Andrews Boykin Grant Manasco and Rains while Hobbs Jarman and Jones voted against.
Harold E. Stassen announced on arrival in Philadelphia that he will be third on the first Presidential nominating ballot but expects to win by the ninth ballot. He aims to lead liberal and younger Republicans despite questions about Dewey or Taft leading on roll call. A South issue arose as the platform committee debated civil rights and sub committee assignments.
Luther E. Calvert, 33, drowns while wading Ryan's Creek during a Sipsey River fishing trip about 35 miles from Cullman near Trade. His body found at 4 P M after hours of dragging. Funeral Friday 2 P M at Bowman chapel with full military burial by Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survived by wife Juana Rivers Calvert and three children plus parents and siblings.
The government and Conciliation Director Cyrus S. Ching met with John L. Lewis and soft coal operators to avert a strike as contract talks collapse. If no agreement by June 30, 18 300 production workers face a crippling walkout. Lewis offers to keep miners on after July 1 with a pension plan opposed by operators. A separate Alcoa CIO dispute and a Rubber Workers case in Akron signal rising strike threats across industries.
France approved by a slim margin the plan to establish a federel government in Western Germany with semi independence for zones. The Ruhr would be internationally controlled but part of Germany. occupation armies remain until peace. Russia opposed, protested Potsdam, and walked out of Berlin Kommandatura after long travel restrictions. Strikes spread in France. De Gasperi gains confidence in Italy. See ALLIED on page 2.
German-American bandleader Fritz Kuhn was recaptured in Munich as public safety officials disclosed his escape from Dachau on February 4. Camp director Anton Zirngibl was dismissed. Kuhn had awaited a deNazification court trial and was convicted in absentia on April 20, sentenced to 10 years hard labor as a major Nazi offender.
Morgan County shows one of the lowest bond sales in the state with a quota of 410000 and receipts of 69983 for 17.07 percent. Winston and Dale counties exceed targets while several others near completion.
Decatur attorney Marvin Eubanks will head the Crusade For Children in Morgan county funded by the United Nations and supported by the U S State Department. Citizens may donate any amount with no quota. Bayne Vaughan will be treasurer and Barrett Shelton co chair. Local leaders from Decatur groups back the effort as other service clubs offer booths and publicity through Pamphlets posters and media. The campaign aims to counter communism and human misery and is part of a worldwide effort with state headquarters in Birmingham. See CHILDREN on Page 2.
Patrol urges community help to catch two youths about 12 to 14 years old linked to a series of Decatur auto thefts. A $200 reward is offered, following a wrecked 1948 Chevrolet and the abandonment of a stolen car in Cullman County. Witnesses describe one boy as tall and slender with muddy clothing near First Avenue and Moulton Street.
In Cullman circuit court Christine Putman Johnston and Carter Putman filed motions seeking dismissal of their paternity and related suits against Governor James E. Folsom. Counsel James Douglas Folsom filed on the child’s behalf, while Kingman C. Shelburne urged appointment of a guardian ad litem. A hearing was set for July 1 with Judge James H. Crow presiding. Shelburne had no signature on the motions. Christine said the suit was politically motivated and asked for dismissal, stating she never intended to imply common law marriage with Folsom. She argued they never lived together as husband and wife and asked dismissal of the case. The court scheduled further actions as noted.
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