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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 02, 1944
Page
1
Daily notes show cotton prices with strict midling at 20.90 and middling at 20.75 while strict low and low rest at 18.90 and 16.90. The column lists births, hospital updates, church meetings, military families, and local arrests and medical notices from Decatur, Danville, and surrounding areas.
Navy communique details American submarines sinking a Japanese light cruiser and two destroyers in enemy waters. The report lists 12 vessels sunk or damaged, including cargo ships and a large tanker, with totals of 695 Japanese vessels affected and 544 sunk.
Allied forces tighten control of Japan's Burma supply line along the Mandalay to Myitkyina route as Japanese attempts to break a blockade fail. Reports say over 1,000 Japanese dead and Stilwell’s units push toward Mogaung while others advance near Hanchow and Yingshang in China, with Dutch New Guinea mop ups listing 667 Japanese dead.
The sixth district federal reserve bank reports continued growth in deposits and money in circulation in the Southeast. Department store and retail furniture sales rise, gasoline sales up, while textile mill activity weakens and crop prospects threatened by heavy rainfall and late freezes across Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
The article notes Stalin's May Day orders signaling Allied action to push the war to Germany and strike a heavy amphibious blow. It reports a looming clash as Western Allies move against German soil while Soviet forces brace for renewed offensives, with Sevastopol and Brest Litovsk cited amid a strategic pause on the Russian front.
The city announces a scrap paper collection on Thursday May 4 with a target of at least 25 pounds per child. Pulpwood shortages and rising paper demand for overseas shipments drive the effort to gather magazines newspapers and wrapping paper to fund school supplies and equipment.
British submarines sank a Japanese destroyer south of the Andaman Islands while escorting a supply ship. Two supply ships and an escort vessel were damaged, and a submarine bombarded Port Blair. Other vessels, including a medium supply ship with motor transport and two smaller ships, were destroyed in the Malacca Strait.
The junior class of junior high school will present the three act comedy When We Were Young at River Side High School auditorium Friday at eight. Special arrangement with Samuel French. A large crowd is expected to attend the performance by young thespians.
The annual decoration will be held at Mt. Zion Sunday. Otto Winton of Decatur will preach at 11 o clock. There will be singing in the afternoon and the public is invited to attend.
American Liberators bombed German targets in Northern France as part of an 18th straight day of large scale raids. British Canadian and Italian based aircraft attacked rail yards, factories, and aircraft plants across France Belgium Italy and Germany. Lt John Nortridge praised the mission as among the best in his 13 sorties.
A Soviet communique claims about 1,500 Axis troops were slain yesterday in Romania and old Poland with 600 Germans killed north of Iasi and a battalion of 800 to 1,000 wiped out southeast of Stanislawow. The report notes fierce action near Kowel and continued fighting around Brest Litovsk and Sevastopol, with Russian attacks reportedly repelled on several fronts.
A mysterious mustard gas container found on a South Wales seashore caused the death of Christine Canton and burns to ten others. Her 16 year old brother and the parents were hospitalized after picking up the object as a souvenir. Police investigate origin and purpose of the container.
Cpl Kenneth M Markham 22 a former Decatur high athlete is prisoner of war in Germany after being listed missing in action January 30 He volunteered with the American Rangers and was captured in Italy His parents Mr and Mrs A B Markham 993 Oak Street Decatur also have another son Cpl Freddie Markham serving in Alaska.
May 2 London dispatch reports Tito's envoy mission from Marshal Tito's HQ arriving in London as speculation grows of Allied invasion of the Balkans. A Croat and a Slovene traveled to coordinate with liberation forces and Allied powers while Churchill's son reportedly tours liberated Yugoslav coast.
Rep. Jennings urged Congress to defeat McKellar amendments that would impose quarterly TVA receipts to the U S Treasury and require congressional approval, arguing TVA must stay financially independent to sustain eight-state war production and 20 dams. He warned private interests would prefer TVA crippled or destroyed.
Voter activity looked light at noon with no polling box reaching half its strength. The Daily will present local Morgan Limestone and Lawrence county returns, while statewide results are provided by Associated Press via leased wire. City polls close at six and rural stations at five.
ERNIE PYLE describes listening to the propaganda show Axis Sally from the Anzio beachhead. He notes Sally’s hourlong broadcasts and Jerry’s Front segments aimed at troops, blending music with mock news and prisoner lists to encourage surrender.
Unofficial absentee ballots from five counties show Senator Lister Hill leading James A. Simpson in the Democratic primary by nearly ten to one. Montgomery counts show Hill 1 265 to 60, with Coosa Lauderdale Chilton and one Mobile precinct totaling Hill 1 862 Simpson 191. Weather partly cloudy with possible northwest thundershowers.
In Florida and Alabama Senate primaries the Roosevelt administration faced proxy tests as Pepper and Hill defended New Deal policies against challengers. In South Dakota the GOP's Gurney campaigned on preparedness while Miller criticized too-close ties to the President. Maryland's Tydings won renomination amid lingering contrasts with Roosevelt.
A local check for 32953.23 was handed to J. W. Darrah, treasurer, by M. R. Rankin, with Morgan County also credited for a national headquarters sum and multiple county contributions. The campaign is described as one of the most successful in county history with thousands giving.
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