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Newspaper
Raleigh Register
Location
Beckley, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Mar 25, 1945
Page
2
The Register argues Beckley must become a center for beauty recreation and good living, not just commerce. It urges planners churches and schools to unite with residents, noting returning veterans and visitors deserve a town with culture and spirituality beyond money making.
Dean C R Orton of West Virginia University warns that water is the top problem for both the state and nation. As chairs of the State Planning Board he stresses insecure supplies and calls for slowed development, soil organic matter, more trees, and small dams to conserve water in Beckley’s upland watershed.
Orton warns thirst of animals and river flood risk threaten the Beckley hills urging water conservation. He proposes trees and small dams to hold moisture, prevent valley flooding, and enrich storage, noting mining has damaged groundwater and suggesting a law to plant a tree for every tree cut.
Miners prepare to vote Wednesday on striking under the Smith Connally law while production continues. John L Lewis guides UMW positions in labor matters, with loyalty strong in union affairs but mixed public reaction to his wartime political confrontations. Observers note record coal output during wartime with fewer workers.
Private Willie Midkiff has arrived in India with the Army, wife Mrs. Jerne Midkiff and daughter of Oak Hill report. He trained with the first cavalry at Fort Riley and before the army was employed by Beckley Yellow Cab. The article also notes WACs in Italy, several other servicemen with ties to West Virginia towns, and mentions outfits, training, and family details.
Opal Garretson writes a long Public Forum letter to Raleigh Register criticizing Strip Mine coverage and urging support for coal families, road repairs, taxes, and wartime morale. She defends miners, cites taxes paid, references personal service, and urges civic unity, liquor-control concerns, and postwar citizen duty. The piece blends local traffic issues with wartime patriotism and social commentary.
Pvt Andy Hajash, son of Steve Hajash of East Beckley, was slightly wounded on March 2 in Germany, becoming the first in his family wounded. Brothers Joachin and George have exited military service, with Joachin at a Brunswick shipyard and George having fought at Guadalcanal with Imperial Ice Cream. Present servicemen include Martin in the South Pacific Navy, Steve Jr in the Coast Guard, John on army furlough, and Nick in the army. Cobalt usage and limited US production noted.
Ernie Pyle writes aboard a Western Pacific carrier about a massive welcome cake baked for him by Ray Conner, a Baker Second Class from LeGrande Oregon. The cake sits center table and sparks jokes as Ray explains he baked it during a lull before the ship’s 8000th carrier landing by Lieut Edward VanVranken of Stockton California. VanVranken, a veteran with about 200 carrier landings, jokes about photographers and invites Pyle to Stockton after the war. Eight thousand landings are noted as modest next to carrier totals, and the crew jokes about flour limits for future cakes.
Randolph Norton reflects on West Virginia's coal country and the enduring ties between Beckley’s Smokeless coal counties and Summers Greenbrier Monroe farming counties. He recalls meeting neighbors, the cross-county economic web, and the shared prosperity linking Raleigh Fayette Wyoming with Greenbrier Summers and Monroe communities.
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