davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Judges Do Not Agree
On Election Law
Senate Approval Of New Castle
Board Members Expected


With confirmation of IL members
Of the newly-constituted Depart
ment of Elections for New Castle
County expected today at a spe-
cial session of the State Senate,
two judges of the Superior Court
revealed last Wednesday that they
have disagreed whether the law
creating the new department is
constitutional.
The law wiping out the old de-
partment and establishing the new
was one of the many passed during
the last week of the last session
of the General Assembly. Within
a few weeks it was challenged on
the ground, among others, that the
source of appointment of ten of
the eleven members was not in a
constitutionally appointed officer.
Ten of the members of the new
department were to be nominated
by the state chairman of the two
major political parties. They were
then to be appointed by the Gov
ernor. The eleventh was to be NOM
mated and appointed by the Gov
ernor. All of the appointments are
subject to confirmation by the Sen
ate.
Although the court has had the
Continued on page 15)
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Xmas Business
In This City
Best In Years
Merchants Say
Program Instituted BY
Chamber OF Commerce
Largely Responsible;
Kiddie Matinee Was
Successful.

The Christmas business to date
has been the best in years, accord
ing to the majority of the local mer-
chants. Much of the success for the
increased business is due to the
'Shop-and-Save-in-M Milford program
which was instituted by the Mil
ford Chamber of Commerce under
the direction of President Harry z.
Mayhem, chairman of the Mercan-
tile division, Garrett L. Grier, and
Chamber Secretary, Robert III.
Yerkes.
Practically all of the stores are
remaining open in the evenings and
will continue to do so until Christ
mas. Ample provisions have been
made by the far-sighted merchants
to take care of the needs of the last
minute shopper. and many persons
have been heard to say, that the
Milford stores carry stocks that
compare favorably and in many ca
ses surpass those carried in the
largest of the Metropolitan area de-
partment stores.
Christmasy atmospheres have
been achieved by the local mer-
chants, both as to the interiors and
exteriors of the stores, and the
Chamber of Commerce in coopera-
tion with the "City Fathers" went
all out this year to Iiven the busi-
ness district with thousands of
yards of Laurel and tens of thou
sands of vari-colored lights.
Santa Claus has been making
Milford his headquarters since the
first of December and to date has
heard the pleas of 7,700 youthful
admirers and has received a total
of $500 notes. Like any busy man,
Santa has Office hours which are
from one in the afternoons until 5
in the evenings and from six until
nine. His headquarters are In the
tabled Story Book House" .locaTet
on the Walnut Street bridge 6anel
Last Saturday morning over so,
lcontsnued on page %
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Cedars' Final
Cerem Onial
Big Success
Eighty-Seven New Mem
bers Joined During
Past Year; Theo. w.
Harrington Is G. T. C.

The ceremonial of Evergreen
Forest, No. 49, Tall Cedars of
Lebanon, in the Varney Auditorium,
Milford, last week, brought to a
close one of the most successful
years in the forests history. Its
membership, composed of MasOns
who reside in Kent and Sussex
counties, has complimented the re-
firing officers on the many and var
led programs during the year. At
testing the popularity of the forest
is the fact that 81 new members
joined during the past twelve
months.
L Robert Wiley, the, retiring
Grand Tall Cedar, is a man of wide
experience in fraternal affairs. AS
soon as he took over the office he
surrounded himself with a capable
and experienced advisory commits
tee which, working closely with the
forests executive committee, has
far exceeded expectations.
At the annual election of officers
held at this meeting Theodore H
Harrington, Senior Deputy, of Har-
rington, was unanimously elected
Grand Tall Cedar. Leroy H. Den
mis- of Georgetown, Junior Deputy
was advanced to the Senior Depu
tvs position.
Mayor H. Edward Maull of Lewe'
was elected Junior Deputy Tai
Cedar. Edwin P. Messick, treas
urer, of Milford, was reelected
unanimously. The office of Serb,
will be filled by Major James W
Cannon of Milford, past Crane
/ Tall Cedar who has been active il
Evergreen Forest for 25 years. Thi
important office is hard to fill an,
requires man with lots of frater
nal experience. Major Cannon wa
the unanimous choice of the forest
He reluctantly accepted the offic
under the condition that he vii
serve only until such time as a &C
ceptable member presents himsel
for the position.
CONTINUED on page q
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
X. r. Ledenha,a GiUen
Party On Birthday
Bridgeville Resident, 95,
Feted On His
Natal Day

One of Delaware's oldest citizens
was feted December 10, in honor
of his ninety-fifth birthday anniver-
sary when his four children held a
party at his home in Bridgeville.
The honored man was Mr.. Robert
Francis Ledenham, who was born
in 1852, and who is actively en-
gagged in managing and supervising
farms near Bridgeville.
The three FARMS, totaling 500
acres, are the same tract of land
which was conveyed to Ledenham's
ancestors by a grant from the king
of England. He was born in the
brick colonial mansion erected in
1882 by one of his ancestors, Thorn
as Ledenham, and is son of Noah
and Emily Adams Ledenham.
continued on page %
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Delawdre's Student Driving
Program Is Sonndest In u. S.

Safety Education of the National
Education Association of Washing
ton, d. c., is holding the driver ed
ucation conference on December 9th
and 10th. The purpose of this meet
ing is to consolidate the best think
ing of educators in the various
states on the whole problem OF
driving instruction.
George w. Ayars, State Director
Continued ON page %
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Defeated Cecilton So To
q, Old Timers Came
From Behind TO Top
pie Reserves 10 To IA.

The Milford Vets improved their
standings in the Mar-Del League
race by defeating Cecilton. the
"Old Timers" upset the Milford Re-
serves, and the Blue Hens evened
their seasons count with the
Georgetown girls in three games
played as part of pre-holiday tri-
pie header on the Milford High
School court the past Monday eve
ming. The occasion marked the fin
al appearance of the Milford teams
on local court until after the first
of the year.
Best game of the evening un-
doubtedly was that played between
the Milford and Georgetown girls
teams, the local girls rallying in
the closing moments of the last
quarter to exc out a 21-20 win. The
Blue Hens, who had previously
dropped a 1922 decision to George
town ,trailed Is to at the halfway
mark and 20-15 at the end of the
third quarter of Monday evenings
game. However, a spirited rally
paced by Ginny Hunt and Pear
Hunsberger, gave the Milford girls
hard-earned victory, their thirC
in four starts to date.
In the second game on the pro
gram, the experience and aggres
siveness of the "Old Timers" spell
ed defeat for the youthful Reserves
as the starts from yesteryear cam,
from behind in the last half to win
1914. Trailing 5 to after tw'
low-scoring quarters, the "Ol'
Timers" outscored the Reserves
to 5 in the third quarter and 5 t
4 to build up winning 5-poin
margin. Benny Orkin of the "Ol
Timers" carried off scoring honor
in this game with eight points, tw
more than the total made by Bill
Watson, Reserves, and Josh Ben
nett, "Old Timers" who tied 70
runner-up honors.
Continued on page ISL
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Blue Cross Groups
To Enroll january !
ReOpening Period VIII Be In Effect
Until January Is

Group Hospital Service, Incor-
porated, operators of the Delaware
Blue Cross Plan, announced today
that beginning January 1, all Blue
Cross groups will be reopened for
enrolment. This reopening per-
iod is to be in effect until January
Is.
During this two week period ev-
eryone working where there is a
Blue Cross group, will be eligible
to apply for membership in the
plan. Those who take advantage
of this reopening will have their
Blue Cross contracts which become
effective March 1, 1948. This means
that after March 1, they will be
eligible for the hospital and for
surgical benefits as provided by
their contracts.
H. v. Maybee, managing director
of the local plan, pointed out that
this general reopening has two
important features:
/. 1t automatically makes those
tcontinued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Liquor Board Has
Halted New Licenses
With 526 TaprOOms And Stores In
State Need For More NOn-Existent

Stdte Neeu EOE MOIc NVHsEAlStcnO
Following a survey of the Della
ware Liquor Commission which
showed a total of 526 licensed tap
rooms and package stores in the
state, Col. Edgar S. Slayer, liquor
commissioner, announced this
week that effective Wednesday no
further licenses will be granted
for the sale of alcoholic liquors
in such establishments during the
present license year. The license
year expires June 80.
Colonel Slayer in announcing
the decision said the result of the
survey revealed that the reason
able needs of the public are being
adequately met by existing licen-
sed establishments and, with re-
spect to the whole state, there are
sufficient number of licensed
premises for the sale of spirits al
retail, both by drink and by the
/ bottle"
The granting of additional licen'
ses at this time and in the imme
diate future is not demanded by
public interest or convenience, thu
commissioner said.
Colonel Slayer emphasized tha
the step is not to be construed al
applying to applicants for license
CONTINUED on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Vets Improved R. II. Jamison
Standing In Local Head OF
Games Monday March Of Dimes
Drive Will Open January
Is And Close On The
3Oth; MilfOrd's Quota
Is $2,25O.

Edmund F. Steiner, Sussex Coun-
ty area chairman of the March of
Dimes, has announced the appoint
ment of r. Harwood Jamison, as
chairman of the March of Dimes
campaign for the Milford area. At
the same time, he revealed the
name of Mr.. Jamison as chairman
for the Milford area, Mr.. Steiner
announced the appointment of Mrs.
Elton Lynch chairman for Lincoln
and David Housemani for Glendale.
The Milford quota is $2,250 and
with the drive opening on the fif-
teenth of January and closing on
the Both of the month it will re-
quire rapid fire campaign if the
goal Is realized.
1t has been brought out that dur
ing the recent outbreak of polio in
this section that several cases re-
ceived unlimited aid.
One half of the funds raised will
remain in this area to combat the
dread disease while the rest will be
turned over to the National Founda-
tion.
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
High School Xmas
Assembly Dec. q
Fine Program Arranged; School
Closed December 23 To January 5


On Tuesday, December %, at
1:10 O'Clock the high school music
department, led by ]. C. Frick will
present it's annual Christmas as
sembly. The school will close at
the termination of the program, re-
opening on Monday, January 5.
The program will consist of
Christmas slides with narration
and a musical background con-
tanning:
Christmas Carols, Brass Choir.
Good Christian Men Rejoice, Male
Chorus.
Gloria from the 18th Mass, High
School Chorus.
White Christmas, High School
Chorus -
Lo, How a Rose, piano.
Away in Manger, High School
Chorus.
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,
audience.
o Holy Night, Barbara Mariner
Silent Night, Chorus and audi
ence.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
audience.
While Shepherds Watched, Choir
us and audience.
We Three Kings. Male Chorus.
Joy to the World, audience.
Hallelujah Chorus, High School
Chorus.
Good Night and Christmas Pray.
er, Girls Chorus.
The brass choir will conclude the
program with exit carols.
Narrators, Helen Furniss ant
Herbert Plummer.
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Drive For Sussex
Central Continues
Various Committees Are
Working With Sub
stantial Results

In spite of increased demands on
their time, due to the approaching
holidays, members of the various
committees soliciting funds for the
Sussex Central Hospital, Inc, are
hard at work and reports continue
to come into headquarters indicat-
ing wide support. Reports from the
Bayard- -Roxana section, under Mrs.
Harold Lynch, are beginning to
show up, with substantial results
A further list of contributions made
between September 1 and Novem-
Der 15, was released at headquar-
ters this week as follows:
Continued on page lOD
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Is "a Per Cent I'm
der 1916 And Is The
Lowest Received By
The State Since 1914,
Commission Says.

Horse racing at Delaware Park
netted the state treasury $966,536.97
this year, 1t was revealed this week
by the Delaware Racing Commits
sion in its annual report.
The amount is about "a per cent
less than the peak of $1,275.049 in
state revenue from racing turned in
last year.
This years figure not only fell
below the 1946 record, but was also
under the 1945 net of $1,050, 1877 .35,
1t exceeded, however, the 1914 net
income from racing. The present
year is the first In which the sea-
SON at Delaware Park has failed to
establish new record in state re-
venue.
Racing was legalized here in 1887
and has been conducted each year
since except 1943.
Betting, Attendance Drop
Commenting on the 1947 season
the commission said: Both wager
ing and the attendance were con.
sidered satisfactory by the Com
mission; although not as large il
either case as 1916, but in excess o
the ten-year average. The first tw,
weeks of the meeting were adverse
ly affected in the opinion of tn,
commission due to the operation o
the Atlantic City track. In the las
two weeks of our meeting there wa
a very noticeable improvement il
both wagering and attendance"
The states gross revenue from
racing this year was 1863, 9,305. IL
while the expenses of the commits
sion were $2,76S.21, leaving the ne
income of $3.50, ,536.97.
Continued on page l5)
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19

Delaware has the soundest pro-
gram OF student driving training of
any state, according to statement
made by DR.. Robert w. Eaves, Ex-
ecutive Secretary of the National
Commission on Safety Education.
In his statement he invited repre-
sentatives of the State Department
of Public Instruction to participate
in a Driver Education Conference.
The National Commission on
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Robt. K. Jester
Is Elected
NJ ster Ut
Local Grange
Installation Ceremony To
Be Held IN The Milford
Hall On Saturday Eve
ming, January 8; No
Meeting This Saturday

Milford Grange elected the fol-
lowing officers for the year 1948:
Master, Robert X. Jester; overseer,
JOHN Longb0tham; lecturer, Helen
Beswick; steward, Preston Kenton; /;
assistant steward. Douglas Fry;
chaplain, Mary Lemex; treasurer,
r. Davis Watson; secretary, Ellen
3. Watson: gate keeper, George
Marvel; Ceres, Ida Mae Jester;
Pomona. Anna Longbotham; Flora,
Georganna Jester; lady assistant,
Marjorie Fry; executive commit
tee. F. Davis Watson and Robert
X. Jester.
Worthy r. X. Jester and Mrs.
Jester with several other members
attended the two-day session OF
Delaware State Grange held in
Newark on December 10 and IL.
Twenty patrons from Milford
Grange attended the banquet or
Tuesday evening. Mr.. Holden. the
Master of Maryland State Grange
and the newly-elected national lee
turer. were the guest speakers
Mrs. Holden was also guest.
MIR. and Mrs. Jester gave a very
interesting report of the state ses
sion.
Mrs. Paris Kirby made very
attractive publicity scrap book fol
which the grange received a casi
award.
A very good program was pre-
sented by the lecturer on Saturday
evening, consisting of Christmal
carols and the story of the fourth
wise man.
There will be no meeting on De
cember 20. On December %, th'
annual Christmas party with ex
change of gifts; gifts not to eos
over 30 cents. Mr.. and Mrs. Johl
Longbotham, chairman.
On January 3, the installation Q
officers. preceded by coveres
dish dinner. Mrs. Georgeanna Jes
ter, chairman.
- Keep these dates in mind an
come out and enjoy the meetings.
Make z94S a banner year for Nil
ford Grange.
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Surrey ShOuUs Vets
Prefer Older Homes
Outnumber New Home
Purchases BY Two
To One

Previously occupied homes bought
by Delaware veterans with the aid
of CT loans outnumber by more
than two-to-one the newly built
houses they have purchased, the
loan guaranty division of the Veter-
ans Administration regional office
announced this week.
Old houses on which loans with
VA guarantees have been made to-
tai 1884, compared to 534 new
structures, a survey indicated.
For all types of houses in the
program. veterans have paid an
average price of $S,400 each in
New Castle county. and $1,000 each
in the state as a whole.
Continued on page ID
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Racing Revenue OF
$966,536 Is Listed
NEXT ISSUE OF THE
MILFORD CHRONICLE
WILL BE DAY LATE

In order that the employ
ees of the Milford Chronicle
Publishing Company may
spend Christmas Eve with
their families, the Chronicle
will not be placed in the
mails until Friday, Decem-
Der 26. Correspondents and
advertisers, however, are
kindly requested to send in
news items or advertise
ments as soon in the week
as possible in order that
there may be no hold-up.
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
State Breeders Are Seeking
National Poultry Title

From the hundreds of poultry
men in A states who participated
in two years of state and regional
trials, the National Chicken-of-To-
morrow Committee today named
the 40 finalists who will compete
for the grand championship prize of
$4,000 and runner-up awards offeS-
ed by A & p Food Stores to en-
Continued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Night Mental Health
Units To Be Set Up
Meeting VIII Be Held At George
town Camp Today

An organization meeting of all
farmers who have signed up COWS
in the Artificial Breeding Program
in Sussex County will be held in
the Georgetown Labor Camp, z
miles south of Georgetown, on to-
day, (Friday), December 10Th, 1947,
at 500 p. m. Mr.. Raymond Lank, OF
Milton, Temporary Chairman, ur-
ges all members and contract US
ers to attend this meeting. 1t is i'm
portant for them to formally or
ganize the Sussex Unit by electing
a Board of Directors in order to
transact the business of the unit
and start service to the members
and users by January 1st, 1948.
Mr.. Lank also point out that Mr.
Continued on page ~
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19

Indian River Poultry Farm of
Ocean View, and Townsend's, Inc,
of Millsboro, will represent Della
ware in the 1948 finals of the ma
tional Chicken Of Tomorrow con-
test. The final competition, schedul-
ed for next spring, will conclude a
three-year search by the poultry
industry for a superior breed of
meat-type chicken.
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Newcastle Disease
Precautions Cited
Isolate Fowl Helps Eliminate Dis
sease, GOrdy Says

keeping visitors out of chicken
houses, feed rooms and off poultry
ranges is always desirable prac-
tice, but with rather widespread
presence of Newcastle disease, it
should become a strict rule without
exceptions" says ]. Frank Gordy,
extension poultryman. While other
ways are known to spread this dis
ease, every poultryman should see
to it that this one way is avoided.
The first case of Newcastle dis
ease in Delaware was diagnosed by
virus isolation in December of
1945, according to H. r. Baker,
poultry pathologist, State Board OF
Agriculture. Since that time the dis
ease has increased both in incidence
and severity until today Newcastle
is found in all three counties of
our State.
Continued on page 81
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Crop Improvement
Show january 8-9-10
3afh Annual Afiair VIII Be Held In
Caesar Rodney School

The 30th annual show of the
Delaware Crop Improvement Assoc
ciation will be held in the Caesar
Rodney School on January 8, 3 and
10, according to William H. Hender-
son, county agent.
The premium list includes the
following classes:
Glass A-Hybrid Corn Tin COM
petition with Sussex county only
so ear samples.
Awards-1st, $500; end. $500;
3rd. $500; 4th to 9Th, $1.0O eeach
7th to 10th. ribbons.
Glass B-Corn Estate competi-
toni 10-ear sample.
Gcontinued on page ~
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Santa viii Visit
Fourth Ward Sunday
Treat Is Being Sponsored By
Young COlOred Mems G. o. p. Club

Santa Claus, the patron saint of
young and old, will be present this
coming Sunday, December 21, to
distribute special treat to the
youngsters of the Fourth Ward.
Santa's visit is being sponsored by
the Young Colored Mems Republi-
can Club, of which w. Marshall
Bell is president; Percy Powell
treasurer, and Zack Johnson, Sec
retary.
On Christmas Day Old Kris will
return with a fully laden pack, this
time he will minister to the needs
of the old folks of the Fourth Ward
Both visits are being sponsored by
the club, who for the past several
years have furnished Christmas
cheer to the colored residents, both
young and old, of the Fourth Ward
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Mrs. Preston Burris
Food Contest Winner
Clayton Woman's Conservation
Suggestion Featured On Radio

Delaware's food saving champion
for the week of Dec. 5-12, is Mrs.
Preston Burris. Clayton. Her con-
servation suggestion, which the
judges voted the best of the week
during the current Wheat and
Meat Savers" contest on the Della
ware Farm and Home Hour broad
cast, was featured On the Friday
homemakers program on Dec. IL.
Mrs. Burris entered suggestion
for an ice box stew" which she
describes as follows:
Every so often / find in my re-
frigerator small amounts of differ
ent vegetables such as peas, green
limas, string beans, carrots. turnips
and others. II ! also have small
amounts of roast beef, veal or lamt
and the gravy of these meats,
make what call ice box stew. put
Continued on page 1el
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Weather Report
For Past Week
Mercury Dipped To is Degrees On
Monday Morning

Local Weather Recorder c. Ed
gar Wood submits the following re-
port for the period beginning Fri
day, December IL, and ending We'd
nesday, December II:
Milford chronicle., 1947-12-19
Temperature

Rainfall for the period was SO
inches.
The prevailing wind was north
and northwest.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-04-08
Status OF Court Star
To Be Decided TODAY

NEW YORK, April = U.H -
The U. S. Law Tennis Association
announced today it will reach a
decision late tomorrow on the anna
teur status of Pauline Betz, queen
of the tennis world, whose name
has been linked with a profess
sional tour.
The four-time U. S. women's
singles champion from L o S
Angeles, in Monte Carlo on a
European tour, already has been
instructed not to accept further
expense money from tournament
managers until her position is
clarified by the U.S.L.T.A.
The investigation began when a
letter was circulated soliciting
professional engagements for Miss
Betz and. Sarah Palfrey Cooke,
another former women's singles
titleholder.
Under the tennis associations
rules the act of negotiating to turn
professional, regardless of whether
the negotiations are successful,
could be regarded as profession
alism.
A spokesman for the assocla-
ton said the U.S.L.T.A. natural
ly was concerned" when a star
who had won three major champ
ionships in eight months was men
toned in plans for a pro tour.