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This newspaper page contains 18 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 17, 1949
Page
4
The piece notes Governor Folsom's hospital birth timing, a 5 to 4 ruling on free speech, and several dissenting opinions. It mentions Gerhart Eisler’s attempted escape, Uncle Sam’s fugitive policy, Wallace’s stance on the Atlantic pact, and looming lobbying investigations with Speaker Rayburn predicting a rough summer for lobbyists.
The piece notes Speaker Rayburn expects Congress to stay in session through late summer or early fall, with no extra session likely, while Representative Andrews cites a need to curb government spending or raise revenue to avoid deficits. It also discusses graduation speeches, youth readiness, and the value of education, urging high school completion and college as keys to future success. The tone links political budgeting concerns with optimism about youth and education in the nation and Florida.
A newly formed Decatur team debuts with volunteers who will play to support the Legion financially. They aim to bring back classic baseball charm, with their first home game set for next Saturday night against the Valley’s top semi-pro team.
The piece outlines Curtis Calder of Electric Bond and Share delaying 60 days in accepting Truman's Army Secretary bid. It frames upcoming SEC hearings as pivotal to stockholder dividends and contrasts Roosevelt era financial reforms with ongoing battles by big banks and utilities. It notes figures like Douglas Pecora Henderson Landis Frank and the company’s resistance to the holding company act.
The Truman era marks a swift policy reversal as Curtis Calder, once the Roosevelt foe, becomes Secretary of the Army. Calder would oversee Army engineers influencing dam and power projects, while ties to Floyd Odlum suggest political leverage shaping appointments. Odlum’s Atlas Corp and Consolidated Aircraft ties surface as key factors in the reshuffle.
FTC records discuss shifting alignment between Harry S Truman and his mentor, highlighting how the president’s actions diverged from prior policy. The extended analysis notes principal figures, dates, and the implications for presidential messaging and regulatory stance.
A guidance note on resisting self defeat and cultivating self belief. It urges lifting self view despite setbacks, accepting imperfect effort, and maintaining faith that progress can open up. Persist with daily effort, value your power, and begin moving decisively.
A brief note expressing best wishes for success and effort, quoting a minister on the value of hard work and character, with emphasis on perseverance and the absence of shortcuts.
The piece outlines John V. Kenny rising toward Jersey City mayor amid Frank Hague’s autocratic rule. It highlights Kenny’s ties to Hague, a delayed tribute that fuels a rift, and hints Kenny’s plan to expose books and curb the corrupt machine. It frames Hague’s era as tight control with betting interests shaping power.
A long account details Dan Tobin leader of the Teamsters union and his trusted fixer Brocky Farrell in Cincinnati. It describes control tactics over locals, lavish gambles and payoffs, a Miami winter palace, and a 1940s marital dispute with Gloria Farrell seeking a $60,000 widow’s portion. The piece cites court actions, audits, and family ties in a saga of union governance and scandal.
Verse outlines Calder when head of Texas Power and Light, pioneering a propaganda push in the Southwest. It notes his push to enlist teachers to promote utilities, subsidizing professors and attempting to shape textbooks, and his talk tours praising private power and opposing municipal ownership. He rose to president of American and Foreign Power (1927-1944) then led Electric Bend and Share.
A Maine U.S. district court ordered the SEC to hold a hearing on stockholders complaints after American and Foreign Power defaulted on first and second preferred dividends and suspended common dividends since 1930. The case centers on a proposed $35 million bond issue to reorganize the firm, balked by banks and insurers and leading to renewed SEC scrutiny.
In Buck's Crossing Alabama May 17 a Citronelle well driller T. E. Glenn hit an air pocket instead of water while drilling for a farmer. The 40 foot hole spit an icy breeze. He notes a prior 90 foot well also produced air. Glenn hopes to have a geologist determine if the breath is helium or another usable gas and considers using the air as an in house cooling system.
Mrs Raymond Persall and Mr and Mrs Marvin Persall attended the decoration at Burshy Creek and Cross Road Sunday. Mrs Jewell White and Mrs Bettye Fain visited Mrs Aburey Persall. Mrs Raymond Persall met Troy Crane and Mids Mara Posey visited Melvin White. Everyone invited to Bible study at Church of Christ Saturdays at 7:30 P M.
Florence Alabama May 17 Dr Culver Ellis a Florence veterinarian was charged as the driver in the traffic death of Will Hart a 51 year old Black man Hart died from injuries sustained when struck by an auto in downtown Florence Saturday Ellis was released on a $2000 bond and is at liberty pending further proceedings
Testimony shows three on the gravy train with salaries as figures climb. A witness says Brocky spent over 1000 dollars nightly and dropped 2500 in a gambling joint while Tobin relaxes with gambling and Napoleon brandy. Another guest recalls 4800 dollars spent in two Chicago days and multiple 300 to 500 dollar slot plays. Mrs Gloria Farrel agrees to settle for 7500 dollars.
Deputy Wiley and a small party of Hartselle officers raided a still near Falkville this week. No arrests were made. Tracy W. Pratt of Huntsville, a leading member of the Tennessee River Improvement Association, believes the Ford bid for Muscle Shoals will win approval from the United States Senate. Col T. T. Ashford and his daughter Mrs Etoile Caldwell of Birmingham are at The Plantation on a fishing trip with friends. Mrs M C Whatley of Birmingham, after visiting relatives in East Tennessee, is with her son Herman Whaley for a short visit before returning home. Mrs Ingold Timberlake and children Kathryn and Ingold Jr. are staying with relatives in Stevenson. Mrs P H Sandlin is recovering well after surgery. Mrs Jon McGehee and Mrs Garner Pride hosted the Silk Stocking club Friday. Mr and Mrs Frank Poole moved to a new bungalow on 4th Avenue South. Willam E Curry of Atlanta is visiting over the weekend. Frank Baker of Birmingham plans to return tonight after a few days with his mother. Also noted are weekend specials and social invites including Annie Gardner and one guest to be guests of the Princess Theatre tonight at eight.
The text notes sunspots are not fully understood in origin but are described as conical tornadoes rising as high as 20,000 miles, illustrating the era's vivid yet speculative solar science.
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