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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 26, 1950
Page
1
Local notices report varied daily happenings from Decatur with weather outlooks and community events. Attorney S A Lynne visits Birmingham on business while Madelyn Dees assists 4 H girls in Madison County.
A crowded Chicago street car collided with an 8 000 gallon gasoline truck near 63rd and State Street, igniting a firestorm that killed 33 and left nearly 200 homeless. Investigators probe if jammed doors trapped victims as 20 000 onlookers watched.
The Massey school Parent-Teacher Association held its last meeting in the school auditorium Friday evening. Mrs. Orbie Penn opened the gathering, Malcolm Stephenson gave the devotional, and Mrs. Penn received the Award of Merit from the Alabama Congress of Parents and Teachers for work this year. A short business session followed, then a pageant by the children of Mrs. Gilchrist and Mrs. Malcolm Stephenson entertained attendees.
A $1000 bond was set for Air Force sergeant David Davis at a preliminary hearing in yin County Court. Davis, stationed at the Selma air base, faces a seduction charge regarding a South Morgan County girl. He had been free on a $750 appearance bond. Judge W H Ian Powell presided, with Powell as attorney for the defendant and Philip Shanks representing the state.
Funeral services are set for Joe Willis Woods who died at a local clinic. The obituary notes his family and surviving relatives and reflects on his community ties and civic involvement.
James R. Aday 22 and Grover Cunningham 22 faced second degree burglary charges. Cunningham pled guilty and sought probation. Aday planned to plead guilty with a hearing set for 10 A.M. May 29. Both suspects were arrested near a burglarized Decatur store after admitting involvement.
President Truman nominated Edward Lee Norton of Birmingham Alabama to be a member of the Federal Reserve Board. Norton is an investment banker and radio station owner.
Governor Fielding Wright of Mississippi rebutted charges that the South lures industry with a low wage scale. He cited climate, resources, and location as factors behind rapid industrial expansion, noting some Southern wages are below the national average but arguing cost advantages offset this.
About 100 men returned to the massive Oak Ridge atomic plant construction after a 3,000 worker walkout halted progress. Union leaders denounced the stoppage as unauthorized while police and deputies maintained order at entrances.
Atlanta suffers major transit strike fallout as traffic deteriorates citywide. Officials report near standstill, mounting stress and delays across the 460000 population with central congestion worsening over a 12 hour span.
Three survivors of the Courtland fire, including a mother and unborn child, remain hospitalized as Decatur residents prepare to aid with Proctor Fund donations. Joe Proctor 8 in critical condition, Mary Proctor improving, and 16 year old O Neal Proctor showing gains. The 12 year old Maxine Proctor to be buried Saturday at Old Liberty cemetery after services at Old Liberty Methodist church. Donations marked Proctor Fund to The Decatur Daily.
Congress approved a 3.1205 billion foreign aid bill sending the measure to President Truman for signature. The package includes 2.8491 billion for the European recovery program plus 94 million for the China area 100 million for Korea 27.45 million for Palestine refugees 15 million for the international children's emergency fund and 35 million for the point four program. The State Department said about 60 countries and dependent areas have asked to participate.
A Decatur man identified as David Couch was killed when his Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a 1949 Pontiac driven by Oral S Head six miles west of Huntsville on Highway 72. Head, from Birmingham, is hospitalized with a fractured spine. passenger Tommy Marsh suffered a lacerated tongue. Funeral for Couch set at Round Top Church, with burial at nearby Peck Cemetery.
Central Tennessee river valley saw enlistments rise to ten this week with three youths joining. Edgar Pannell 17 of Somerville enlisted in the Air Force for three years. Vernon Riley Collins 19 of Capshaw signed for four years with the engineers. Lawrence Arnold Freeman 19 of Athens 6 joined the Airborne Infantry for three years. MSgt Judd Mason noted Air Force standards will align with Army in coming months.
Final rites for Billy Joe Engle three year old son of Mr and Mrs Hubert Engle Danville 3 will be held Saturday at 11 A M at Liberty Hill church near Phil Campbell Rev O P Bailey will officiate Interment will be in adjoining cemetery Mutual Service directing The child died yesterday afternoon after two weeks illness Surviving are parents two brothers Thomas and Walter two sisters Shirley Ann and Betty and grandmother Mrs Ruth Engle Albertsville
About ten cars filled with white robed men paraded past the home of Alabama communist leader Sam Hall last night. Hall was not at home and said he knew nothing about it. Neighbors reported the group moved slowly and did not stop.
Cullman FFA youths claimed top honors at a regional contest near Gadsden Alabama with Riverton Madison County close second. Winners include Parliamentary procedure and string band events with multiple counties earning places. Billy Walker Riverton was high point scorer with 480 of 600 points. Northwest Alabama eliminations follow in Winfield.
A former Decatur resident Charles McCutchen died of a heart attack at his Louisville Kentucky home. The body returns to Decatur Saturday for services Sunday at 2 P M at Antioch church with burial in nearby cemetery. Survivors include two daughters Mrs Jimmie Jeffries and Mrs John E Stillwell of Louisville three sons Morris of Decatur J B and William of Louisville a sister Mrs Flora Coleman Chunn of Hartselle and brothers Electric of Hartselle Roy of Birmingham He moved to Louisville about 15 years ago and worked for the Louisville and Nashville railroad.
Corp Roy Barrett replaces Sgt Gene Brewer on recruiting duty for the Air Force and Army in the Decatur area starting June 2. Brewer has served in Decatur three years and returns to field duty at the infantry school Fort Benning Georgia. Barrett previously served with Third Army Headquarters at Fort McPherson Atlanta Georgia.
Poughkeepsie May 26 Trustees of Franklin D Roosevelt trust seek refund of federal income and estate taxes for soldiers in World War II. The Roosevelt family renounces any claims if legal action shows he died as a soldier rather than a civilian. James Roosevelt joins his mother and sister in the trustees’ suit, while Basil O’Connor Henry Hackett and James Roosevelt lead the action.
Trygve Lie said the United Nations deadlock over China could break by June or July. He spoke at Lake Success after meetings with European leaders, expressing hopes for a high level Security Council gathering this summer.
In Brushton New York Mrs Liza Murray Magee 95 notes financial troubles while her husband Clarence 39 struggles with asthma and is unable to work much He slips a dime store ring on her finger on their second wedding anniversary and the couple face financial strain as Magee hunts work locally and on his horse trading.
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