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Newspaper
Whitewright Sun
Location
Whitewright, Texas, United States of America
Date
Dec 25, 1941
Page
1
President Roosevelt declared New Year's Day 1942 a day of prayer urging national devotion to country and freedom. He stressed seeking forgiveness for past shortcomings, consecration to present tasks, and asking God's help for days to come.
A chief petty officer from an Asiatic fleet submarine speaks amid Manila air raids. He recalls 11 days at sea chasing Japanese ships, warns of danger ashore, and prefers returning to his vessel to avoid enemy air attacks.
The government froze sugar prices on Saturday with emergency ceilings on primary and wholesale forms of refined and other direct consumption sugar. Price Administrator Leon Henderson said the move removes any likelihood of higher retail sugar prices, ensuring housewives pay no more than before the Pearl Harbor attack.
Christmas day events list notable moments across history. From Charlemagne’s imperial coronation in Rome to Vermont’s 1777 independence declaration, with births of Isaac Newton and Clara Barton, and Zachary Taylor’s Florida Seminole victory.
Claude Strickland of Savoy was nominated for postmaster here Monday. He has served as acting postmaster since April 1 after the death of W. P. Carter. A 30 year Savoy resident born in Bells Grayson County he attended local schools and North Texas State Teachers College. He is a Mason and funeral business associate with Glen Earnheart.
Two Christmas pageants were presented Sunday night at the Methodist Church and Central Christian Church. The Methodist program The Light of the World ran at 6 pm with Sunday school children, directed by Mrs. Kilgree, Mrs. Childress, and Mrs. Adcock. The White Pearl at Central Christian ran at 7 and 8 pm directed by Miss Ray. A tableau and candle-light procession accompanied the events. Offerings and gifts supported the Juliet Fowler home in Dallas, with Methodist homes in Waco and other churches receiving offerings for related shelters.
Dallas reports the Office of Price Administration will restrict new tire sales to essential users after the January 5 plan takes effect. Only those for public safety health and certain essential services will qualify. Retreaded tires and retreading also face controls as the rationing order is issued with strong legal backing.
Washington estimates show US funds authorized for war reach 74.44 billion dollars through congressional appropriations contracts and Reconstruction Finance Corporation commitments. The OPM production division expects 1942 construction needs to rise by about 1 billion dollars and total defense related construction for next year to roughly 10.4 billion, up from 11 billion in 1941.
The Commerce Department reports state and local government debt fell by 42 million to 20.183 billion in the year ending June 30 while the federal deficit pushed total public debt to a new high of 89.162 billion. The federal debt stood at 48.979 billion on that date and has since risen to 57.251 billion. Aggregate public debt reached 521 per person, up 41 in the year.
J. H. Philley and Miss Ruth How ard of the Community Public Service Company display a trophy for top performance in the district. The Whitewright office posted no delinquent light bills or installment payments during the 11 month contest. The trophy, a desk set with two fountain pens and an electric clock, honors gains in KWH usage, merchandise sales, and bill collections.
Washington reports growing sentiment in the House Ways and Means Committee for a general sales tax as a wartime funding measure. Lawmakers say it would be less burdensome than a withholding tax. hearings begin January 15. Chairman Robert L. Coughton, a longtime proponent, says the idea will be proposed but declines to forecast its fate.
Major J. D. O leary announces a new Marine Corps sub station in the Denison Post Office Building with Sergt Carl Seaberg in charge and Sergt Joseph Bloesch as assistant. The Denison office joins four other Texas stations under Dallas listed as Fort Worth Tyler Abilene and Waco. Young men 17 to 30 who are unmarried with no dependents and parental consent if under 21 are given preliminary exams locally and then sent to Dallas for final testing and to San Diego for basic training.
The Rev E J Holifield pastor of the Methodist Church at Bells has been called for induction as an Army chaplain after volunteering for service.
Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox told the nation that U S forces have sunk or damaged at least fourteen submarines in the Atlantic and several in the Pacific. He urged caution in interpreting anti shipping reports and promised periodic summaries of submarine losses. A separate Navy report noted three lifeboats from the S S Emido were shelled after the tanker was sunk off California.
Robert Hoyt Bradley, a 19 year old Longview orphan, used a guardian to obtain consent and pass the enlistment hurdle. District Judge Earl Roberts and County Judge Merritt Gibson coordinated with Longview Bar Association members to untangle red tape. Bradley then went to the recruiting office with his guardian and was accepted as a volunteer.
Horace A Parrish 68 owner of Parrish Printing Company died Saturday night at his Sherman home from a heart attack. A native of Sherman he learned printing with the Sherman Daily Register and was a charter member of the Sherman Typographical Union joining in 1902. He had run his own shop about 15 years.
Whitewright residents will receive Christmas baskets containing food and toys delivered on Christmas Eve. The Boy Scout troop sponsored a Palace theatre benefit last Thursday with admissions in kind. Donations from civic clubs and individuals filled the baskets and delivery was coordinated from the city offices. The program notes that need is down this year due to better conditions and lower unemployment.
The article traces origins of familiar holiday practices. It notes Christmas cards credit to Sir Henry Cole in 1846 with J. C. Horsley, the rise of mass delivery by 1860, Santa Claus linked to St. Nicholas, Dutch New York observances, and gift exchanges from Roman and heathen customs evolving into Christmas presents shared in England Germany Italy the United States.
SAN ANTONIO area OPM official P E Locke warns against buying blackout cloth and says no official blackout cloth exists. He proposes using discarded home textiles and other materials to block light and urges people to search for unused flashlights for blackout readiness.
Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson announced in Washington that the Army will suspend all voluntary enlistments as soon as the current rush of patriotism subsides. All further manpower, including Air Corps personnel, will come through Selective Service to minimize disruption to industrial and economic life.
President Roosevelt signed a bill expanding the selective service system to enroll men 18 to 64 with 20 to 44 liable for active service. Senate moves to raise Navy strength to 500000 and Marine Corps to 104000 as war mobilization accelerates. Senator Hill lauded the draft while Stimson says volunteers end when patriotic rush wanes. Pepper urges reaching 6000000 troops as two ocean war escalates.
Washington reports a wartime pension increase for widows of Pearl Harbor casualties. Six months' pay plus lifelong pensions rise from 22–56 dollars monthly to 30–83 dollars, with amounts varying by widow age and number of children.
Austin man J M Milsap, 83, on an $23 monthly pension, urges Texas pensioners to contribute $1 a month for defense stamps. He says 160,000 pensioners could supply $160,000 monthly to support the war effort and save money.
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