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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 02, 1940
Page
1
At Atlantic City the general conference urged President Roosevelt to recall Myron C. Taylor as envoy to the Vatican. The vote passed with most delegates approving a statement that his appointment stirs unease and discord and hampers united action.
The second day of May brought a wide snow cover to Michigan Wisconsin and northern Illinois Indiana with two thirds of Michigan and much of the region under snow. Temperatures fell as much as 22 degrees from yesterday producing frigid readings from Detroit to Chicago while southern states saw clearing skies after severe storms.
The Decatur Chamber of Commerce reports 491 residents still not counted in the 1940 census and urges any uncounted individuals to notify the chamber office by phone. Enumerators and Boy Scouts assist in verifying counts, but many remain missed.
Mrs Olen Deatherage was near death after being thrown from her car in a collision with Marshall Matthews. The vehicle rolled in reverse, backing over her as she lay on the pavement, police reconstructing the accident.
Governor Dixon announced a $30,000 tuberculosis hospital to be built at Wetumpka for state convicts. He condemned the Kilby prison semi completed building as utterly unfit and said Kilby’s structure will be repurposed for inmate assembly and housing trustees working outside Kilby walls, with a 250 prisoner capacity.
A telegraphic offer to add one thousand dollars to the reward for Adolf Hitler’s capture was dispatched by A L Henson former Georgia American Legion commander to Samuel Harden Church of the Carnegie Institute. Pittsburgh donors have offered one million dollars for Hitler’s delivery to the League of Nations before May 31. Henson and associates plan to add one thousand dollars to the fund as it grows.
The first Austinville High School annual, The Black and White Review, is now distributed. Published by the senior class, it features Kodak pasted photos, typewritten cut lines, and a staff including Garland Burt editor and Margaret Ann Kitchens associate editor.
Relatives report the death of S. P. Sullivan 74 former Decatur resident killed in an automobile crash on April 23 Burial occurred April 24 in Senatobia Mississippi Details of the accident were not provided
War correspondent Dewitt Mackenzie reports the Norway campaign remains active with potential for renewed Allied effort. Stockholm notes a new British naval air offensive aimed at halting German reinforcements while Norwegian sources say German withdrawals suggest disrupted Nazi lines between Oslo and Trondheim. The Allies face a choice to mount a major offensive or risk continued setbacks.
The piece discusses whether Allies will push into southern and central Norway or withdraw to Narvik, preserving a force in the Arctic port. It notes Narvik ships Swedish iron ore fueling German factories and argues Trondheim would be a key siege if Nazis hold that railhead, warning of the risks of a major operation.
Washington May 2 Roosevelt leads with 305 pledged delegates including Alaska Georgia Hawaii Maine New Hampshire Wisconsin Illinois Nebraska New York Pennsylvania and more. Farley pledged Massachusetts Puerto Rico 6 and unpledged groups remain. Dewey leads Republican with 92 New York 92 pledged while unbinding Wisconsin primary noted. Taft contingent includes Pennsylvania 72 and other states.
In Houston on May 2 the Downie Brothers Circus was auctioned after failing to secure funds for hay and fuel. Elephants sold for 3300 dollars and two camels for 160 each, with the sale dissolving the once large truck show. The crowd watched as tents chairs and horses were sold until nothing remained of the circus.
A. J. Monroe Johnson assistant secretary of commerce since 1935 was nominated by President Roosevelt to the Interstate Commerce Commission. The Marion native will fill the unexpired term of M. M. Caskie Alabama, ending December 31 1941. Southern senators praised the choice as favorable to lower freight rates and South transportation interests.
Montgomery May 2 Governor Dixon of Alabama chairs the commodities freight rate committee for the thern Governors Conference and notes discussion continues on Cage Two.
Gainesville Ga May 2 A government case against Rep B Frank Whelchel D Ga ends with testimony of 4048 unaccounted income over 1936 38 plus irregular checks cited by IRS agent Hodges Postal Inspector Greer recounts two 1100 checks deposited cash to Whelchel without endorsement. Witnesses describe box and memorandum book ties to a loan business totaling over 36000.
With the deadline for absentee ballot applications reached, 523 voters requested ballots and 251 had been returned by noon. Absentees have until May 7 election day to submit ballots, which must be received by polls close that day.
Britain raids German bases in Norway and Denmark while Greece prepares for possible southeast spread. Italy may delay entry, and Mussolini reportedly remains non belligerent for ten days. German reports claim Norwegian setbacks and a Norwegian guerrilla push as fronts shift toward Dombas and Oslo Trondheim corridors.
Decatur Lions Club members are urged to meet tonight at 7 30 in the Earl Glenn office on Grant street. The call comes from Gene Morrow who asks all members to attend and assist in welcoming new residents to the city.
Decatur City Council faces a daylight saving decision at tonight's meeting. A noon poll by The Decatur Daily and Decatur Chamber of Commerce shows 283 for DST and 546 against. Industrial plants show opposition, though ballots favor DST by about five to ten. Citizens await outcome influenced by peer cities and industrial impact.
Claude Landers, employee of the Decatur store of E B Forbes and Sons Piano, is hospitalized in Birmingham with serious injuries after being trapped in an elevator shaft four stories up. Fire department rescue took 15 minutes while onlookers gathered, and doctors report no major fractures though hips and legs are severely injured. Landers, who had come to Birmingham to deliver merchandise, was freed when workers and firemen freed him from the wall above the shaft opening. He resides at Sherman street and Somerv ille road.
The 1940 class of Benevolent Society Hospital will graduate Sunday night at Central Baptist church starting at 1 30. Seven will receive diplomas including Cathleen Mitchell Elizabeth Newman Virginia Runion Ruby Sandlin Pau line Wilkes Pauline English and Bonnie Leo Andrews. The alumnae Association will host a supper tonight on Trinity Mountain.
Prime Minister Chamberlain announced the withdrawal of British troops from the Andalsnes area, abandoning the attempt to seize Trondheim from the south. He said Britain would keep fighting Germany in Norway and avoid dispersing forces to keep strength in the Mediterranean.
The Tennessee river measured 21.6 feet on Thursday with rising levels. Temperatures ranged from 43 to 65 degrees with no rainfall. Alabama coped with fair skies and cooling tonight edging toward warmth inland with light to moderate northwest winds. Tennessee noted fair and warmer conditions in the northwest portion tonight with light winds.
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