17 May 1937
Page 1
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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 17, 1937
Page
1
Senator Logan of Kentucky announced plans to offer compromises to the Roosevelt court bill. He predicted Senate Judiciary Committee would reach agreement on appointing one justice per year and proposed retirement at 75 plus limiting new appointments, though he expected the committee to reject these compromises.
Senators opposed to the Roosevelt court bill meet to decide whether to reject all modification proposals or craft an alternative program. The senate judiciary committee nears its final vote as leaders focus on supreme court proceedings and a possible ruling on the Social Security Act. A ruling against the government could boost support for the president's measure.
Mayor R N Harris announces George C Earl a noted New Orleans sewerage engineer has been hired to inspect Decatur sewers for the source of excess storm water entering the interceptor. Pumps run after rains use extra power. TVA agreed to cover normal power while city pays any surplus. If fixes work, city would save costs.
Emanuel Anderson a 35 year old Black man arrested in Chicago confessed to police he killed three women in Memphis Tennessee. He said he stabbed Clara Sorondilas wife of a Memphis restaurant owner with an ice pick after she struck him for money on November 5 1934 and he also admitted shooting two other Black women. He denied one additional killing and said he attacked another Black woman.
New York May 17 Wen dell L Willkie president of Commonwealth Southern Corp reports to stockholders protesting unregulated governmental competition in the production and sale of electricity by the Tennessee Valley Authority The annual report confirms 13 cents a common share earnings and outlines four proposals to meet the TVA threat with no acceptable solution noted for now.
The Supreme CourtRule upholds a 1934 Louisiana statute that imposes a graduated license tax on chain stores based on nationwide units. The A and P and 12 others challenged the levy, taxes ranged from 10 to 550 dollars. A and P reported 106 Louisiana stores paying 550 dollars each. competitor H G Hill with 87 stores paid 30 dollars per store.
Grimsley Grain Company will reopen in the building at the corner of Second Avenue and Lee Street within the next ten days. Machinery is being installed and the interior of the building remodelled. The former plant on Holly Street was destroyed by fire several weeks ago.
Moscow reports a Kremlin decree creating all powerful military councils to oversee Soviet military affairs and combat enemies. The move follows last week’s demotion of Marshal M. N. Tukhachevsky, former first deputy war commissar, tied to the January Trotskyist trial.
Lieut. Gov. Thomas E. Knight Jr. is reported to be in worse condition at St. Margaret's Hospital in Montgomery as doctors fear only hours remain. He has been hospitalized since last Wednesday with a liver and kidney ailment amid the Scottsboro case affair.
Washington May 17 The Supreme Court did not decide constitutionality of the federal social security act today. Opinions in nine cases were announced before adjournment until next Monday. The social security decision will be delivered next Monday or Tuesday June 1 when the court adjourns for the summer.
Miss Martha Ellen House age 12 of Falkville route 2 won the junior county wide 4 H health test for girls at the Morgan county health department offices. Forty four girls clubs members were examined and the senior winner will be chosen next Saturday from five finalists.
Betty McGehee will appear on the Athens College concert program Saturday night. Frank M. Church, director of fine arts, says she will play a Haydn Sonata movement and Mendelssohn Nocturne from A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the organ. Program starts at 8 o’clock with a balanced mix of old and newer standard pieces.
The Daily published editorials prompt Senator Hugo Black to explain his stance on a veterans hospital for Alabama. He states he has not advocated any particular site and supports locating the hospital where veterans benefit most, including Alabama. He notes hearings, protests over Tennessee site and his push for an Alabama hospital.
Funeral services were held for Abner Etheridge 33 and Leon Etheridge age 39 after their deaths when their boat capsized in a Tennessee river wind squall. Boots Brackin was later recovered and to be buried. coroner J H Highsmith announced an inquest into the deaths continuing. The brothers were members of the Okalona Baptist church and are survived by parents, five brothers, three sisters, and a son and four children among them. Services for Abner were conducted today in Lawrence county with interment at Black Ground cemetery.
John White, a Negro, was held uncharged in city jail after an altercation at the Harris home on Somerville Road. Clara Sweeney, the Harris cook, suffered a head injury from a flat iron. Harris fired five times, wounding White in the hip. White was captured and to be turned over to county authorities with charges pending.
Eighteen grand jurors who served in February term are ordered to report at 8:30 a.m. Monday June 7 at the courthouse, instead of the previously announced June 14. A four week term of circuit court will begin May 31 with Judge W. W. Callahan presiding.
In a Hudson county courtroom, 17 year old Gladys MacKnight and her 18 year old boyfriend Donald Wightman faced trial today for the alleged hatchet killing of the girl's mother.
Bill Curtis shot 36 on the front and 34 on the back nine for a 70 total at Valley Country Club, finishing two under par. He birdied five six and seven in the second round and beat Old Man Par who finally took it on the chin. Teammates Bailey Wyker Wilmer Hall Sam Brown and Ben Britnell watched Curtis surge to victory in a memorable Sunday show.
Judge Johnson formerly of Florence and now in Washington was boomed for national commander of the American Legion at the area meeting Sunday. Johnson is currently a national vice commander.
Hollywood stars ratify a ten year contract with twelve studios while a seven day craftsmen strike disrupts work. machinists push for 100 percent union shop and no personnel changes. leaders include Robert Montgomery with Leslie Howard, Joan Crawford and James Cagney among attendees.
Hans Fruend, sole survivor among the dirigibels riggers, testifies before the Commerce department board in Lakehurst New Jersey. He says a gas cell started the disaster and describes rapid, warningless destruction as flames enveloped him near the stern while he tried to deploy a steel landing cable.
A building permit was issued to Mrs. Margaret C. Broadus for a brick veneer dwelling at 300 block B Lafayette Street Athens Lumber Company of Athens will act as contractor. The project is expected to take about 90 days with an approximate cost of $5,000.
The Northern area American Legion session in Florence heard reports and nominated officers for the coming year. Commander Taylor Boyd urged Alabama pride, educational strength, and con tinued service as ex soldiers run the Legion’s future. He praised J. Johnson of Florence as a rising candidate for national commander and highlighted the Legion’s extensive youth programs and community leadership.
Gaston Scott president of the Alabama Highway Commission announced a statewide paving program funded by a $1,750,000 gasoline tax warrant sale on May 7. Several counties have pledged local funds to supplement state and federal aid while projects are planned as counties cooperate. He noted expected $150,000,000 from Congress for highway and grade crossing work and a House committee endorsement to remove matching requirements.
New York authorities say Helen Tiernan 28 admitted killing her seven year old daughter Helen and wounding her five year old son James in Brookhaven woods. A suitor was brought to a police station as officials pursued the love motive cited in the confession.
An explosion aboard a Japanese launch owned by Osaka Shosen Kaisha ripped through the Hongkong waterfront killing perhaps 50 people and scattering bodies over 200 yards to a quarter mile. All crew aboard were killed and many Chinese boatmen and passersby were among the dead. Debris and wreckage damaged nearby structures.
Dr M E Lazenby presiding elder of the Decatur district will preach at 11 o clock Sunday morning at the First on church during his official visit for the third quarter. A business session will follow later. Pastor Dr L D Patterson will lead the evening service.
The Tennessee River stood at 20.7 feet with a high of 83 and a low of 58 over the past 24 hours. No rainfall reported. Weather forecasts for Alabama and northwest Florida call for fair tonight and partly cloudy conditions by Tuesday with increasing clouds later. Temperature changes noted.
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