09 May 1948
Page 1
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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 09, 1948
Page
1
Sunday partly cloudy and warm with scattered thundershowers in the north in the afternoon or night. Local events note Mother's Day activities and a shopping rush. Community notices include church sermons, school visits, and health alerts about intraveneous solutions in Morgan county hospitals.
Gov. Jimmie Davis moved out of the capitol today and will remain governor until noon Tuesday when Earl K. Long is sworn in. A three hour ceremony includes a mile long parade from the capitol to LSU stadium and a public feast for visitors.
May 8 report notes nine House members organizing a last ditch fight against power trust efforts to curb growth in the Tennessee Valley. The House considers funds for 25 government corporations including TVA, after committee cut $4 million from a proposed $84 million steam plant. Rep Gore says a plan to restore money will be pursued with a Monday meeting involving Southern and Western Republicans.
Asa Rountree, Aeronautics Director, announced eight state airport projects to finish this year. Decatur will pave one runway at 108722 dollars as part of federal aid plans with tentative approval from the CAA Alabama district office and the state Department of Aeronautics. He noted Congress has not yet approved the 1948-49 airport aid appropriation but a 3,000,000 direct appropriation and 37,000,000 in contracts have been recommended.
Mrs. Alice Witty 76 known as Big Mama to her large brood is to be honored for her caregiving across four counties. She began her caring career at 16 after her father died, raising younger siblings, two of her own sons, two daughters, a niece, a nephew, two granddaughters and more. The Daily plans a feature noting her unselfish energy and big love.
Dr. Edward A. Condon head of the Bureau of Standards asks President Truman to publish an FBI loyalty letter. The move follows a March subcommittee report accusing Condon of associations with an alleged Russian spy and labeling him a weak link in atomic security.
Morgan county home demonstration club leaders were honored at a dinner hosted by Decatur chain store managers at First Ward school. Mrs. Ben Jones outlined club work while Rev. Otis Kirby gave the invocation and Mrs. O. J. Self led group singing. H. H. Higdon of J. C. Penney toasted the sponsors for boosting rural women’s efforts to improve homes and foster urban rural understanding. Mrs. Afifa Blackwell of Sears welcomed guests on behalf of the managers.
A. B. Letson Jr. 19, former Courtland resident, died after being stabbed at a Childersburg dance. Paul J. Hurt 20 is held on first degree murder charges. motive unclear. Letson’s funeral plans awaited with services likely at Black Grove cemetery near Town Creek.
Decatur residents shed raincoats for overalls to start a late Clean-up Paint-up Fix up effort. Jaycees led by Charlie Parker Sam Evans Marion Burk and Frank McLaughlin worked Johnston Street parkways with power motors from Sam Evans. G W Young of Goodyear Mills promotes landscaping excellence as the area’s premier rose garden site famed for unique rose bowl and diverse plantings.
Rev. R. T. Liston of 302 Line Street marked his 95th birthday with a quiet dinner party Saturday attended by daughters and their families. He enjoyed a shave and haircut before festivities and is regarded as the oldest living piano alumnus and a longtime member of the North Alabama Presbytery. Attendees included Judge and Mrs. W. H. Long and their sons, Robert and Needham, plus Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fleming.
In Cullman Alabama on May 8, embattled Governor James E. Folsom faced an amendment to his paternity suit. Interrogatories filed seek answers to 64 questions, many described as embarrassing, from Mrs Christine Putman Johnston and her son.
Plans are nearly complete for an American Automobile Association touring bureau to be housed in the Cornelian Court hotel lobby in Decatur. Mrs. Marie Tucker, Northern division manager, announced the setup linking Decatur to 800 AAA touring cities and offering highway condition updates.
Seoul reports communist terrorism arson and sabotage aimed at disrupting Monday’s national elections overseen by American and United Nations authorities. Moscow hints at withdrawing troops in North Korea, while skeptics call it propaganda. 8 million South Korean voters face risk as Korea remains divided under Soviet occupation in the North.
Decatur junior high will inaugurate a complete industrial arts program in 1948 49. William E Rutherford joins the staff after completing a master of arts at Pearl Body College and holding an A B from a Tennessee teachers college. He has served in the armed forces and is a major in the industrial field.
The Alabama department of the American Legion will hold its annual convention in Montgomery July 4 6 Commander James A Lane announced The executive committee chose the state capitol for central location and hotel accommodations Lt Gen Raymond S McLain and Admiral Felix B Stump are among expected speakers at the meeting.
Democrats in revolt against President Truman s civil rights program open their political reunion as delegates from about 15 states attend the states rights democratic convention. Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright says the convention will take militant action while signaling a possible walkout at the national convention to form a separate ticket. Key figures Thurmond and George loom as possible nominees with 1 200 delegates expected to sign loyalty pledges to the states rights cause.
Cullman hosts its eighth annual Strawberry Festival with Queen Joyce Leeth and King Albert Thom crowned during a two day event. Frank lin Brown and Joyce Sue Hart named junior royalty while several North Alabama residents win top strawberry exhibit prizes.
At a recent meeting the City Board of Education clarified tuition for all non resident students. Decatur schools face crowding as Somerville Road uses its auditorium for classes. The board sets a tuition fee of 36 dollars per year payable by semesters for non residents.
Union leaders say the nationwide railroad strike will go on as scheduled Tuesday after a three hour White House talks with management failed to yield an agreement. The three main unions rejected the 15 12 cent wage increase and operating changes, insisting they need more concessions. President Truman’s troubleshooter said both sides would reexamine tonight and report back tomorrow.
In Charlotte on May 8, Second Assistant Postmaster General Paul Aiken said normal letter volume should face little trouble if a rail strike takes place next Tuesday. First class mail may move by air where needed and likely be limited to one pound with possible five pound exceptions. some mail could slow. Aiken oversees railway mail and transport and spoke to Young Democrats.
Three major operating brotherhoods engineers firemen enginemen and switchmen balk at the 15 12 cent offer after other unions accept. Alvaniey Johnston warns a settlement is not reached and the strike may continue while the government potential seizure looms. Steelman coordinates talks in Chicago as joint sessions resume after April 27.
Jones was re elected president of the City Board of Education of Decatur and Dr Frank Chenault vice president at the Board s regular meeting Friday night Each officer serves one year and the election comes a year after the new Board appointment A delegation of citizens attended and discussed school improvement matters including preliminary details of a new program
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