davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
LANE EXPRESSES
REGRET AT FIRE
Praises Fire Department
For Efforts To Keep
Flames Controlled

. Flames that consumed the Grace
Methodist church last night drew
many city notables to witness the
worst fire Wilmington has seen
in many years.
Mayor w. Ronald Lane was en-
countered in the midst Of the ac-
tivity and stated that this disaster
was ''most regrettable.'
'"The firemen have done an ex-
cellent job, considering the compli'
Gated structure of the building.
The damage has been restricted
to the church and none of the sur
rounding homes have been dam
aged" he added.
Lane appeared on the scene
about $3.50 o'clock, and immediate
ly sent for a section Of rope to
keep observers from being en-
dangered by the possible collapse
of the bell tower. By-standers
thronged the roped area, and had
to be constantly ushered back by
the police, highway patrol, and
volunteer Marines who had their
hands full with the inqusitive ob-
servers.
City Manager J. R. Benson also
arrived at the fire about $3.50 aao
his statements concerning the
event were very short. mo com
ment'' he said.
Coy S. Bullard, city fire inspec'
tor told Lane that he couldn't de-
termine the origin Of the fire, al
the time but said he would In
spect the building this morning
and have his report ready to1
Benson before II o'clock.
Chief Ludie Groom was a hare
man to talk to during the heigh
Of activity, but toward the last
he loosened up to say that hi
hadn't seen the beat Of this one IL
a long time.
The church was inspected by tn
fire department about 30 day
ago, and found, at that time, to so'
safe, according to Chief Groom.
It was noted in an inspection
after the flames had died some
what that the ceiling was com
pletely destroyed, and fallen tim
tbers and charred masses OF deori
was very much in evidence
Standing in the auditorium TN
stars could bee seen clearl.
through the skeleton-like frame
Continued On Page Two; Col. I
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22

The sap is rising in the trees.
The weatherman came through
with spring right on the dot.
The register of deeds is back at
his old stand, doing business at the
marriage license books.
Those three the trinity fused
into one - makes Dan'l Cupid. And
the little devil once again is happy
after an uneventful, dormant sea-
son during the winter months.
Register of Deeds Adrian Rhodes
books show conclusively that spring
has been on its way for the past
20 days despite the Weatherman's $
predictions of cold, rain and some
times snow.
A check yesterday revealed that
more than twice as many marriage
Licenses already have been issued
this month a. were issued in Feb
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
GRACE, METHODIST
CHURCH VICTIM
OF EARLY FIRE

The Grace Methodist church,
which was destroyed by fire early
last night, was built as the result
Of a fire which destroyed an
earlier Methodist church on Sunday
afternoon, Feb. 81, 1886.
According to Wilmington history,
river steamboat, the Bladen,
caught fire while lying in the
Cape Fear river. It drifted into
the Chestnut street dock and soon
flames were sweeping into the city.
The fire burned SO rapidly, rec.
ords show, that large portion Of
the city up to Wilmington and
Weldon railroad was consumed.
The Front Street Methodist
church, at Front and Walnut streets
was consumed. The total ross caus-
ed by the fire was estimated at
more than $1,000, 600.
Records reveal that a sort of
martial law was established in
Continued on Page Two; Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
HouseC0PTo
Keep Pledges
TO Taxpayers
sneaker Martin Pie edges S
This Following Commit
tee Okay On Cuts
ADVANCE ANSWER
Republicans Clearly Rec
ogniized Necessity OF
I,ower Income Rates.

w.sHINGTON, March 21 -W.n)-
s,eaker Joseph w. Martin, Jr.,
tsuight pledged House Republi =
' "sns 10 keep faith with the peo.
.lss . by giving 5o,000,00o income
.aynavers. cuts this year ranging
,ro5n 20 to 30 per cent.
uo said the plan, approved 16
~ Q by the House Ways and
Means committee was s. entirely
.rscticg ble" and urgently needed
Fnot only to increase the stand
.vds of American livelihood but to
emulate a high level of national
income.
uis statement which in effect
pas an advance answer to any
White House objections, hailed the
now, COP program-a liberalized
rersion of the Knutson 20 per cent
,cross.the-board tax cut bill-as
boon to low income groups "who
must have relief from crushing
t,vation ahd unbearably high
prices.
"1f the government ever took
mer the financing of business and
control Of jobs and wages - he
,sid I'VE would have Commu-
njsm or state Socialism before we
knew if. Therefore, venture capi-
tsl must have incentive tax cuts.
It is just good common sense to
DO this now before it is too
To Keep Faith
recognized for long time the
dangers of excessive taxation and
the absolute necessity for tax
cuts. We promised the nation low.
.r taxes-and we shall keep faith
with the people"
The new program makes all tax
cuts retroactive to Jan. l at an
estimated cost to the Treasury o1
1886, 600. 900 a year. Congression-
ii tax advisers figured that its 80
uer cent reduction provisions
,lone would benefit 81, ,155, 900 low
income taxpayers
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
= 8 & /<N
<%:z%51 Back
Us Plan For
PeaceRegiinle
Secretary Asks Ministers to
Authorize Provisional
Government
WARNINGS SOUNDED
Bevin Tells Molotov Brit
ain Will Not Tolerate
One Party System

MOSCOW, March 21.-R)-Sec-
retary of State Marshall asked the
Council of Foreign ministers TO-
day to authorize the Germans to
establish Immediately a provision
al government as the first step
toward creating a federalized Ger
many.
MarshalPs request was included
in a proposed three-point plan of
procedure for setting up a Ger
man government which he said
should be started "at once so
there will be properly constituted
German authorities" to carry out
the terms of the peace settle
ment being drafted here.
British Foreign Secretary Ernest
Bevin earleir had submitted a SINH
lar proposal but in much greater
detailed, and warned Russia that
Britain would not stand for any
''one party" system in Germany.
Although not mentioning Com
munism by name, Bevin declared
that the British "do not believe
Germany should merely change
from the Nazi party to another
party, nor Nazi theology to some
other ideology."
Inference Clear
The inference was clear, since
the Russians in the Eastern zone
Of Germany insisted on, and Great
led, a one party system called the
Social Unity party by a forced
merger of the Communists aad
Socialists.
Bevin's stand took special signif-
icance in view of French Foreign
Minister Georges Bidault's dis
closure that Prime Minister Stain
in recent interview had criticized
the French stand for a federalized
and decentralized Germany and
urged a strong central administra-
| ton.
The British Foreign Secretary
said that his country felt that the
creation of a one party system
in Germany along with a decen-
tralized government which any one
Continued on Page Two; Col. ~
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22

the efforts of the fire department,
which rushed every available piece
of equipment to the scene, the fire
spread rapidly throughout the en-
tire structure.
The Rev. J. A. Russell, pastor,
said it was very difficult to e.
innate the damage, but indicated
that the minimum loss would
probably be well above 5000, 900.
The church was remodeled only
two months ago at a cost of Sl4,-
900.
Gilbert F. Morton, City Build
ing Inspector, said that in view
OF the current construction costs
around $500,0OO would be needed
to replace the half-block long
Structure.
A crowd estimated at 5000
flocked to the scene as word
spread of the fire. Police threw
a rope barrier around the spot
in an effort to keep the throngs
at a safe distance since it was
believed for a while that the tow
ering spire might collapse.
Several reasons for the sta-t
of the blaze were advanced, but
Mr.. Russell declined to attribute
the fire to any one cause. He
did say, however, that the flames
apparently started in the roof at
the rear of the building. The BE-
lief was expressed by one fire
man that faulty wiring might have
been the cause of the blaze.
Feared almost completely ruin
ed by the heat and water was
the church's $4,000 organ. The
entire interior of the building was
destroyed, as were the large
stained glass windows.
Lost also was Mr.. RusseI's per
sonal library. which was collected
during his many years in the min.
istry.
The North Carolina Woman's
Society of Christian Service had
Continued on Page Five: Col. II
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
SENATE OUTLAWS
PORTAL SUITS
COP Majority Overrides
Strong Democratic Pro-
test To Pass Bill

WASHINGTON, March 81 -u.D-
The Senate overrode strong Dem.
ocratic protests today and passed
a bill 2utlawing $4,000, 900, 900 in
portal pay suits along with any
back wage and overtime claims
filed under the Wage-Hour act and
two other federal statutes.
The measure which opponents
claim would wreck existing labor
laws, now goes to the House
which recently passed more
drastic version. If it turns dow,
the Senate changes. agents OF both
chambers will have to work out
compromise.
President Truman already ha s
been put under pressure by labor,
his Congressional lieutenan!s and
Secretary of Labor Lewis B
Schwellenbach to veto the final
version. But Chairman Alexander
Wiley, R., Wis, of the Senate
Judiciary committee, said he
doesn't think Mr.. Truman will
take his advice.
The Senate would
l. Prohibit all claims for portal
pay-past, present and future.
2. Ban nearly all claims fo1
back pay and overtime under the
wage hour and the Walsh Healy
and Bason-Davis acts covering
federal workers.
3. Clamp a twoyear statute o1
limitations on the filing of future
suits under the three federal stat
utes.
One-Year Limit
The House bill provides only c
one-year limit on future suits.
Both versions would permit pay
claims only when based OH pro.
visions of contract or on the
normal practice of industry
Employers would be relieved Of
liability if their failure to make
such payments was sin good
faith,' resulting from a wage-hou1
ruling or a court decision.
| Senate approval came after the
| Continued On Page Two; Col. 8,
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
Today And Tomorrow
Rv WALTER LIPPMANN

Potsdam. We shall have to go for
ward from Potsdam.
The question is where and how,
and if as is obvious there is no
quick and easy answer to this
question we can at least, think,
turn from an endless and sterile
debate about the old texts to a
fresh consideration Of the ele-
ments Of the problem.
Preparations" is a word that
has been used so much that it is
easy to forget what it means. 1t
means the act of mending and re.
pairing damage. Now the damage
Continued On Page Three, Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
PHONE employees
FAVOR STRIKING
Preliminary Tabulat i 0 n
Shows Southern Work.
ers Ready to Walkout

ATLANTA, March 21-(PeH. F.
Tweedy, vice president OF the
Southern Federation of Telephone
workers, announced today that
preliminary tabulation of a strike
vote among members of the union
showed 21,O46 in favor OF striking
against 1,130 in oppositin.
The vote was taken in connection
with current wage negotiations be-
tween the union and the Southern
Bell Telephone and Telegraph
company. Discussions have been
in progress about five weeks.
Tweedy described the vote re-
suit as staggering" and added.
"it's clear indication that some
thing is wrong in the industry"
Southern Bell, Tweedy declared.
'has offered their employees a big,
round nothing in the way of wage
improvements"
Their proposal to continue the
present contract for one year
amounts to nothing more than
backhand slap, in the light of the
skyrocketing living costs being
faced by the workers." he said
Demands Scaled
Original demands of the union
called for wage increases ranging
from SIS to $40 per week but these
have been scaled down slightly.
The telephone company, however,
has declared itself financially I'M
able to meet the demands without
making a substantial increase in
telephone service rates.
The Southern federation, an inde-
pendent union, is affiliated with the
National Federation of Telephone
workers and covers the states Of
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ken
lucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,
North and South Carolina. and Ten
nessee.
The National federation has serv-
ed tentative notice OF general
strike for April 2.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22

The only certain prediction that
o.n he made about the debate on
reparations is that winning the
nresent argument will not solve
the problem. No doubt we nave
substantially the better OF the ar
eurnent in that an impartial trl-
bunal would almost certainly hold
that the Potsdam agreement SUI
perseded the Yalta agreement.
But if, as Mr.. Marshall put it.
Eve will not follow MIR. Molotov
in retreat from Potsdam to
Yalta." we had better recognize
as soon as we have won the de-
bate, that nobody will follow us,
including the Congress OF the
United States, if we stand still a
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
CANEY TO ACCEPT
VERDICT BY COURT
Attorneys Announce No
Appeal From 30-Year
Prison Term Planned

Attorneys Aaron Goldberg and
David Sinclair, who successfully
defended Guy Ganey on a first
dsgree murder charge during last
weeks term of Superior Court,
said yesterday that their client
would not appeal the 30-year sent
ence to the Supreme. Court.
Ganey, AZ, seagate filling sta
ton operator, was convicted of
the second degree Staying of
Julian Franklin Henderson, 27,
jacksonville drive-in attendant at
his filling station last Oct. 20.
According to testimony at the
trial, the Staying resulted from a
weekend party in which Miss
Rebecca Ganey, Mr.. and Mrs.
Earl Morton and Henderson, par
ticipated. ,,-'.
The trial consumed four days
of last weeks court.
Sinclair said that Ganey prob
ably would be carried to Raleigh
Monday to begin his sentence in
the state penitentiary at hard
Iahor
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
Whe,, Cupid Starts Firing
'7iis Sure Sign OF Spring

ruary and the month has another
week to run.
In February only eight couples
bowed to the arrow Of Dan'l Cupid.
During the q days Of March -
at the close Of business yesterday
- II couples had bought licenses
to marry. The 18th couple this
month was Karl F. Trefzer, "a, Of
Knoxville, Tenn, and Miss Francis
L. Smith, 20, Of Wilmington.
Business is getting better every
day." the girls in the register Of
deeds office said. "But we aren't
expecting the windfall this year
that was the case when the boys
were stationed at Camp Davis"
To which the girls in A. L. Mey-
lands office quip: "Our business
also is getting better every day.
tDan'l Cupid Or ~ Dan'1 ciaDA'
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
CITIZENS LEAGUE
"AFTER" COUNCIL
Veterans Group Plans
Campaign To Effect A
Change In Personnel

The Progressive Citizens League
- for the present composed Of vet
erans, young and old - is out to
effect change in the city council.
They made no bones about it at
last nights meeting in the court
room of the New Hanover county
courthouse.
This was the third meeting OF
the veterans, in as many weeks,
and they will meet again next Fri
day night at 8 o'clock in the same
place. Last nights meeting was nc
different from the others, insofar
as their purposes are concerned. :
However, last night they get
down to the business of stating
their aims and purposes, defining
them, and naming full slate Of
officers 'for at least so days OF
until after the primary"
And despite the fact that there
was a fire - the burning OF the
Grace Methodist church and the
Jaycee minstrel the meeting
attracted some 10 veterans IRON
World War II back to the Spanish
American War.
Officers elected last night were:
Chairman, C. L. Myers, Jr., vice
chairman, Harry Latimer, Jr.;
secretary, Mrs. Evelyn Macdonald
and treasurer, Marcus Goldsteln.
Executive committee:
Chairman, George E. Kidder, M
r. Craig, J. B. Hines, Solomon
sternberger, L. M. Snow, Jimm,
Holden. William Rhodes, l. B
Granger, and Col. Royce S. Nc
Clelland.
Organization Aims
1.-THE purpose Of this organiza
tion,' the memorandum said, "shai
be to stimulate an enlightened in
terest in governmental affairs o
<~x:,os IN pa 90 Two. Col. 81
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
DELEGATES CLOSE
STATE WSCS MEET
Resolu tions Expressing
Thanks To City Read
AT Final Session

Delegates to the North Carolina
Woman's Society of Christian Serv-
ice conference were yesterday af-
ternoon returning to their homes
following the closing session of the
three-day meet in Grace Methodist
church yesterday morning. In less
than 8 hours the scene of the state
wide convention, was destroyed by
fire.
During the meet. presided over
by Mrs. Gurney P. Hood, Raleigh,
conference president. representa-
tives of the societies over the east
ern part of the state heard talks
by DR.. Gloria Wysner of the Meth.
Continued on Page Two; Col. II
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
CAB WILL GRANT
AIR FARE RAISE
Sixteen Lines To Get 10
Per Cent Boost For
Ninety-Day Period

WASHINGTON, March 21. -UH
The Civil Aeronautics board an
hunced today that it was prepar-
ed to grant 16 domestic airlines a
N-day, 10 per cent boost in pas
'enger fares to combat increased
operating costs.
1t said it expected to receive a
formal request for the increase by
April l. Existing airline income, it
added, IS unreasonably low in re-
lation to operating costs despite
an upward trend in passenger miles
flown.
After the boost is granted and
put into effect, the CAB will un-
dertake a study to determine wheth-
eF it should be made permanent.
The board also announced that
as soon as formal papers are fill
Cd it will approve a small. tenn
porary hike in fares charged on
Consultations and DC-6 types OF
aircraft operating from the United
States to foreign countries.
No Announcement
1t made no announcement or
What it planned to do with an an
aclpated request from domestic
slflineS for an increase in mail
carrying rates.
The following airlines had pre-
VlouSly agreed among themselves
10 the 10 per cent increase:
American Airlines. Inc, Branif1
hlrways, Inc, Chicago & Southern
Ar Lines, Inc, Colonial Air Lines,
me-, Delta Air Lines, Inc, Eastern
AT Lines, Inc, Inland Air Lines.
me-, Mid-Continental Airlines, Inc,
National Airlines, Inc, Northeast
hfllnes, Inc, Northwest Airlines
me-, Pennsylvania.Central Airlines
corp, Transcontinental & Western
Aif' Inc, United Air Lines, Inc.
slld Western Air Lines Inc.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
And So To Bed

While the volunteer fire de-
partment at q nearby resort
was going through its practice
PAGES some distance from the
fire station yesterday after
noon, fire struck at the fire
station itself.
A water heater located at the
side of the building was at
tributed as the cause Of the
blaze.
The alarm was sounded but
the wind was against the volun-
teers and the siren was not
heard.
Upon their return TO the
headquarters, they found
neighbors had axtnGaiahoA -
MAn1e ~
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
Gray Gets Cargo
WASHINGTON. March .

WASHINGTON, March 2l-(P
The Netherlands government
mas agreed to let the American
merchant ship Martin Behrman
sail from Batavia with a dupli-
cate OF the cargo she previously
was forced to unload, the State
department said tonight.
The settlement also provides
fair compensation to the Is
orandtsen company, the ships
operators, and reimbursement
for the delay.
The Martin Behrman's cargo
OF sugar and other commodities
from 1ndonesian-held territor-
in Java was seized by Neither
lands authorities. The ship was
taken under naval escourt from
Cheribon, Java, to Batavia and
the cargo unloaded there.
The Martin Behrman is COM
manded by Capt. Rudy Gray OF
Southport.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
GRACE METHODIST CHURCH. SUNDAY SCHOOL;
Damage To Edifce
Exceeds $500! 600
Scene Of Three-Day State Convention Swept
BY Blaze; Thousands Witness Fire
men Battle CONFEDERATION

Wllmngtons historic and towering Grace Metho-
dist church, located at the of Fourth and Grace
streets, almost completely destroyed by fire of an
determined origin early last night
The blaze discovered shortly after seven o'clock by
troop of Boy Scouts and the alarm sounded but despte
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
The w e ather

FORECAST:
North Carolina Partly cloudy and
not much change in temperature Satur-
day and Saturday night. Sunday fair
and warmer.
(Ry U. 8. Weather BureaD
Meteorological data for the "a hours
ending z 80 p. M yesterday.
TEMPERATURES
1880 a. m. A; 7:30 a. m. AZ; 1870 >. m.
81. 80 p. m. 56; Maximum s.; Mini
mum Al; Mean So; Normal 54
HUMIDITY
80 a. m. Sc; 1880 a. m. "a; 1870 p.
m. "a; 7:30 p. m. 81.
PRECIPITATION
Total for "a hours ending 1880 p. m.
inches
Total since the first of the month 479
inches.
TIDES FOR TODAY
From the Tide Tables published by U.
S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.
HIGH Low
Wilmington ------------- 9:42a 4:25a
9:57p 4:44p
Masonboro -------- 7:27a 1:21a
1882 1:43p
Sunrise 6:13; Sunset 6:25; Moonrise
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22

Sunrise 6:13; Sunset 6:25; Moonrise
6:30a; Moonset 6:34p.
River stage at Fayetteville, N. c. at
A. M Friday 14.4 feet.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-22
FORECASTS:

wilmington and vicinity Partly
cloudy and not much change III tempers-
ture today and tonight; Sunday fair and
cloudy.
Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1939-195?, 1947-11-06

congress, summoned Dy
President Truman, will con-
vene in special session atnoon,
November II, to deal with:
1. "The alarming and continu-
ing" high prices at home and,
2. The pressing need for rap
id-fire emergency need abroad.
President Humans summoning
of congress a month and half be-
fore it normally would have re-
convened marked a definite climax
in U. S. domestic events for 1947.
Although doubt existed for a long
time as to whether a special ses-
sion would be called to meet the
two problems which have been
screaming with urgency all year, it
was the only really logical step to
take.
Mr.. Truman took it decisively. He
conferred with his cabinet, and he
conferred with key congressional
leaders of both parties. He did not
ask their advice on special ses-
sion; he informed them simply that
he was calling one.
''It is urgently necessary" he
said, "for the congress to take leg
islative action designed to put an end
to the continued rise in prices {.
and to meet the crisis in Western
Europe!"
Concerning prices, the President
would not ask for consumer con-
trolls, but for authority for alloca-
ton of certain materials. European
relief, scheduled to be given pri-
GRITTY over the price muddle in con-
gressional action, was highlighted
by the growing desperation in
France and Italy.
One other fact came out. The $50
million dollars previously cited by
Mr.. Truman as the amount needed
for emergency aid to Europe before
the Marshall plan could go into eff
feet next March had been revised
upward. Emergency dollar relief
now was being considered in terms
of from 800 million to billion dol
lars.