18 May 1948
Page 1
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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 18, 1948
Page
1
Partly cloudy today through Wednesday with little temperature change and light to moderate coastal winds. Decatur reports 83 high and 58 low with cotton prices mid 38.50 and strict low 37.50.
Three non stop gamblers report a $39 000 lead on Las Vegas roulette in eight days. Jack Cortez Roy Walford and Alert Hibbs played since May 10 drawing crowds with a system based on persistent play of number one. Walford says they reduced bets to $5 per spin as part of the plan.
The State Department called Stalin's peace statement encouraging but stressed that issues listed for settlement involve more than the United States and the Soviet Union. It blamed Moscow for blocking agreement on atomic energy control and noted similar stalls on other topics, with broader international interest in the negotiations.
Two weeks from today Decatur voters will decide on issuing 1.5 million dollars in bonds to fund a new junior senior high school and a new elementary school in West Decatur. Bonds would run 30 years at under three percent interest with no new taxes. The plan calls for abandoning several old schools including Gordon Bibb Ward I and Fayette Street. No opposition has been noted due to no tax increase.
The House rejected a bid to kill a bill targeting communist activity and moved toward passage requiring the Communist Party to register and file annual financial statements with provisions to imprison advocates of a totalitarian regime from abroad. In Washington and elsewhere the issue intertwined with Dewey Stassen Wallace debates as Stalin offered a peace proposal.
Claude B McRae now holds a permit to operate a second taxi company in Decatur The City Council granted the permit after a May primary straw vote favored another cab firm Willie T Burt filed for a negro taxi operator permit but no action was taken Decatur Transit previously held the only cab franchise The council also approved buying a lawn mower for city grass cutting and enacted a street grade on Eighth Street South between 16th and 19th Avenues paving was authorized Street light placements were recommended at several locations including near Presbyterian and Saint Ann churches and along Seven Street and Seventh Avenue
The State National Bank of Decatur and associates won the 2,000,000 highway department bond bid with 138 and one half percent interest. The Montgomery syndicate Thornton Mohr offered 1 and a quarter percent. The issue is backed by state gas tax warrants and may be retired within a year. Birmingham attorneys will review legality. Ward McFarland and Bill Drinkard praised the low rate.
Walter Jackson announces contract for 1,500 additional bleacher seats at Decatur stadium to be installed in three weeks. Of these 1,250 will occupy the East side center for students and band, 250 reserved for Negro fans at the North East end, and 6,100 more on the West side for sports fans. construction is about half complete.
Rutherfordton North Carolina May 18 Coroner T E Hightower plans to seek a murder warrant against 16 year old Roy Daniels in the fatal puppy love shooting of 15 year old Henrietta Grier of Atlanta Georgia. The orphanage student died after being shot five or six times with a .22 rifle early Sunday. Daniels was found critically wounded in her room and the superintendent cited a puppy love affair as motive.
A second major auto strike looms as government conciliators press to settle CIO United Auto Workers demands for 225 000 General Motors workers while 75 000 Chrysler and 100 000 packing house workers also face strikes. Swift and Co talks falter as conciliators seek new proposals. John L Lewis faces a dissolved contempt conviction as coal wage talks begin in Washington.
Investigators probe the death of 61 year old farmer Dave Melson whose charred body was found in ashes near Moulton. State Investigator R A Troupe is en route to assist as no charges have been filed against Tom White. Funeral services were held for Melson with Emmett Byars officiating. He leaves two sons and a daughter.
Sgt. James M. McMillin of the U S Army says he will remain in Moscow as a protest against U S capitalism. The State Department notes he is AWOL from his embassy post and was allegedly influenced by a Soviet woman agent. He is the son of Col. James M. McMillin and a Boulder Colorado native.
Decatur residents join a regional push to back a four million dollar TVA steam plant at New Johnsonville Tennessee. Senior class girls from Decatur High School deliver petitions to be read before the Senate appropriations committee. Local and nearby communities in the Valley coordinate similar efforts with Alabama senators present.
In Birmingham on May 18 Rev. Frank Johnson a local evangelist said two armed men forced him into his car during a late night ride. He woke at 5 am near Tarrant City after others used his radio broadcast time and robbed him of three dollars while he was doped with white pills.
Spokesmen for the Disabled American Veterans announce a county wide fund drive to raise $6,000 for a World War Two memorial honoring all local soldiers who died or were killed in combat. Proposals include placing the monument on the county court house lawn, with county officials to discuss, while Delano park site remains under consideration. Public contributions are urged to speed final arrangements.
Joe Merriweather of 418 Grove Street is the only Morgan county resident listed as a signer for a petition to place 11 independent presidential elector candidates on Alabama’s ballot. The secretary of state verified signers county by county and forwarded names to probate judges in 36 counties to confirm voter qualifications. The move targets electors who may back Wallace if elected in November.
In Birmingham Alabama St Clair Johnson the second defendant in the $67000 Perry Jewelry Co robbery was sentenced to 10 years after changing from innocent to guilty at trial. Louis W cere and pocmeties testified. Two other men remain to be tried in the case. G B Parsons the night club operator was sentenced to 25 years last February.
Rep. Andrews warned a two year draft revival is essential to avoid national security risk. The House Armed Services chair urged the Rules Committee to clear a draft bill passed 28 to 5 by his panel. Prolonged testimony highlighted divisions over universal military training and enlistment bonuses.
Two top Republican leaders received a petition asking for action concerning the status of a congressman. The document, signed yesterday in Rankin, includes signatures from ten Republican members of the House and Senator Robert A. Taft, chairman of the GOP committee, with references to intra party concerns and links to various organizations.
Amid the Jerusalem fighting the Arab Legion announced two sections entered the Jewish quarters and held positions. Haganah claimed 4000 Arabs killed or driven back as raids hit Tel Aviv and northern Palestine. The war news notes shifting gains, bombings, and international reactions including Russia and the United States urging UN action.
Montgomery scene reports an informal reception at the Alabama Governor’s Mansion for former Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis. Leo Henson of Gov. James E Folsom’s circle and entertainer Blonde Padlo joined a piano jam with Davis, escalating into a raucous informal gathering that lasted about an hour with champagne flowing.
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