davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22

At the risk of being monotonous we'd like 10 point
out a few more facts concerning the lopsided and unfair
legislative representation in Mississippi and the need for a
Constitutional amendment designed to give equitable rep
resentation on the basis of present-day county populations.
The Constitution of 1890 froze the legislative represen-
tation as it still stands today. We have previously pointed
on. that under terms of the Constitution approximately one
quarter of the states voting population is given virtually
three-quarters of the representation.
AS an example, II Delta and Northeast Mississippi
counties elect 80 state representatives. Sixteen Southeast
counties comprising the 9th Congressional District, with al
most exactly the same white population, elect Ii.
Many other Northeast and Delta counties with one
third the white population of Southeast counties, elect
double the number of representatives.
The same topheavy proportion of representation also
holds true in the state senate. For proof, let's look at the
facts:
There are 10 counties in Mississippi that elect a direct
senator to the legislature. Nine of the Is are in Northeast
Mississippi or the Delta, Four are in central Mississippi
None are in Southeast Mississippi. According to the 1910.
census, these 10 counties have a total white population of
1858, and a Negro population of 293,897.
The 16 southeast counties in the 9th Congressional Dis
trict, which includes the Coast counties, elect a total of
six and twothird senators, each represent two or more
counties. These Is counties have a white population Of
230O66 and a Negro population of 89,037.
The reason we cite the Negro populations is that the
Webster Progress, defending the present apportionment
of representation, says that the problem is involved with
the states large Negro population and that lit might be
best for all concerned to retain our legislative apportion-
ment along white folk percentages
Well, let's look at the white folk" percentages in the
the above figures.
A little simple arithmetic shows that each senator
from the Is counties referred to represents $4,000 of white
population. Each senator from the Is Southeast counties
represents a total of $4,000 white population.
Seems to us that a little Counties Rights might well go
along with our States Rights stand.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22

However, before any decision is reached by the legs-
1ature concerning such an increase, the report OF the high
way planning committee will have to be carefully and
fully studied and considered.
Vagueness as to present plans seemed to be the key
note of the meetings. Everything hinges on the in
creased tax and a full scale S60-minion road program.
That's fine. We'd love a new Highway 80 through
Jackson county. We also appreciate the fact that the
Gautier- P ascaqoula bridges are going to be repaired.
We'd also like to make tho point that the repairs are
certainly coming no sooner than they should.
But while we are waiting for that $6O-million program,
Highway 90 continues to deteriorate. Completion of a new
highway through Jackson county is at least two years OF.
What are we going to do meantime?A AS Req. Hermes Gautier
pointed out, we don't believe that effective repairs are as
big a Job as we are told. We believe the announced plans to
widen the highway two feet on each side with an asphalt
shoulder should have been carried through. In addition
we believe that the entire highway should be crowned
with asphalt as the concrete is breaking up. The more re-
pairs are neglected the more the heavy use to which the
highway is subjected will add to this breakup. AS we have
pointed on. for several years past. we need repairs now, and
not the promise of a new highway at a future date.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
Highway Meeting

If the meeting of the state highway commission at Gulf
port Wednesday with representatives of the three-county
coast area was a fair example Of other such meetings held
throughout the state, an impartial summing up proves, we
believe, that the primary object is TO create pressure for a
one-cent increase in the state gasoline tax. This would
be accomplished at the scheduled special session of the
legislature to consider a statewide road program
From a purely local viewpoint the meeting also prov
little to expect in the immediate or near future insofar as
Highway 80 is concerned,
These facts were brought out:
/. The proposed widening of sub-standard Highway 90
through Jackson county with two-foot asphalt shoulders
tentatively announced early last month"; is not in the
present plans, except for an u~nspecified stretch at Ocean
Springs.
2. The dangerous bridges between Pascagoula and
Gautier will be permanently repaired with the aid of the
federal public roads administration. A contract is schedul-
to be let within 30 to so days"
8. Jackson county can expect little beyond cursory
maintenance for Highway 80 unless the state gasoline tax is
raised.
Insofar as the increased gas tax goes, we are neither
for it nor against it at this point. Under the present tax
the commission could issue up to $3O-million in additional
road bonds. 1t is true that gas tax collections are at a peak
and a few years from now the present tax might not be
sufficient to service such an increase in road bond obliga-
tons.
II Is also true that Commissioner Smith was per
fsetIy correct In pointing out the major oil companies
fought such an increase in the l9As session OF the leqis-
lature. but since then have increased the price of gaso-
lire three times Tor a total OF two and one half cents per
rr''on. =.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
Old Settlers
Guests Of Honor
At VuncIeove

Ten longtime residents OF the
community, all over seventy-five
years old, were honorees at the
Old Settlers Reunion at Van
cleave last Friday.
Those who attended the reun-
ion were Cap Fletcher, ]. c. Yo-
cum, Abb Gill, Bill Rogers, AL
fred Roberts and Mesdames W.
H. Westfall, Mag O'Neal, Irene
Carter, Evelyn Ruble and Alfred
Roberts.
During the noon hour when a
picnic lunch was served they
were seated at a special table
which was centered with a cake
made by Mrs. Clyde Cunning
ham. A gift was presented to
the oldest lady, Mrs. O'Neal, who
is "a. Also presented a gift was
the oldest man. MI. Yocum, IS.
Mr.. and Mrs. Alfred Roberts,
the oldest couple, whose COM
bined age is 152, received a gift,
A basket of groceries was given
Mr.. Fletcher, who had the largest
family present.
Edward A. Khayat was master
of ceremonies at the program
held in the morning. Merle Pal
mer welcomed the old settlers
and the guests.
Following the invocation by the
Rev. G.. A. Broadus, Tom Harris,
state manager of the Southern
Bell Telephone company of Jack
son, made a talk in which he ex-
pressed the hope that telephones
could soon be installed in the
community.
A highlight of the program was
a concert by the Pascagoula High
school band under the direction
of G.. F. Rooney. An old-fash-
Toned wedding festival followed
and the program was concluded
by a square dance.
Guests introduced included the
county officials, N. c. Everett,
A. F. Megehee. Vertis Ramsey
and Norman Lyons, all of Pascs-
goula. L. E. Slamson of Jackson
and o. H. Lankcoy of Biloxi.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
Pogie Suit.
Continued From Page y

tSoAftAiloCa AOAAi u.s. -
handled is for the board of health
to investigate and, if they find a
nuisance, to bring suit in circuit
court, not chancery court" Mr..
Smith cited several well-known
cases and decisions to support his
argument.
Mr.. Wiesenburg argued elo-
quently that sit is a rule that a
humble citizen who has his home
invaded by a deleterious agent
caused by another, has suffered
a special injury from a public
nuisance"
Gases Not Pertinent"
This is not a suit" said Mr..
Wiesenburg, ito stop a plant
from operating, but to compel the
defendant to operate in a proper
manner. Therefore the cases cited
by counsel are not pertinent. The
bill of complaint shows a remedi-
able nuisance. A court of equity
can compel the defendant to sup
ply the remedy"
Judge Russell, in his lengthy
comment, said: "The law con-
Germs itself both with protecting
the rights of the individual and
the rights of the public at large.
"In cases where an individual
is offended by a common public
enemy, so to speak, the army
shall go, not just the captain. The
community should declare war;
fare, not the individual.
IF there are health authorities
who do not have the power to
force a remedy, they are health
authorities in name only"
OF the petition, signed by Sic
property owners of Jackson coun-
ty and filed in support of the
bill of complaint, Judge Russell
asked: What is the status of the
intervenors in this case?"
Rather Unusual"
"They intervene" he contin-
ued, "in support of the case but
they ask no damages or any re-
lief for themselves, seek no rem
edy of their own, take no liabili-
ties on themselves. 1t is rather
unusual"
Judge Russell asked attorneys
to submit briefs by Wednesday.
The bill of complaint was filed
July 6.
Harvey w. Smith, operator of
the plant, then announced that
he was closing down permanent
ly and moving his operation to
Cameron, La.
Last Friday, however, after a
petition asking him to stay was
signed by 2750 Jackson county
residents, Mr.. Smith said he
would remain and fight the in
junction bill.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22

ton bills, and the passage Of
the Public Housing Bill and the
European Recovery Bill. II is
nov the middle of July and an
inventory by the Administra-
ton of it's program shows:
The Taft-Hartley Bill is still
intact on the statute books.
The Brannan-plan farm pro-
gram is the subject of hot con-
troversy, and is a long way
from enactment.
The Minimum Wage Bill is
still in Committee.
The Federal educational aid
bill has passed the Senate, but
is tied up in the House Com
mittee. involved in a religious
controversy.
The most controversial of all
is. of course, the Presidents
Civil Rights Program. While
the House Administration Com
mittee has approved an anti
poll tax bill, this bill is current
" stymied in the Rules Com
mittee of the House. And, while
the Senate committees are con-
Quoting hearings on various
phases bf this controversial pro-
gram. and a subcommittee of
the Education and Labor Com
mittee of the House reported an
FEPC Bill to the full commit
tee. there is little likelihood
that any of the Civil Rights
program will be enacted at this
session of the Congress.
As to the Presidents request
for a ur-billion-dollar tax
hike, the President himself has
recalled that bill as the result
of the general countrywide OPP
position thereto.
The revised objective date
for adjournment, as now fixed
by the big Four, is Labor
Day. AS to just what portion of
the remainder of the Presidents
program will be enacted be-
tween now and that date is un-
certain. There is a feeling
among a substantial group in
the Congress that the best thing
that could happen for the coun-
try as a whole would be for the
Congress to adjourn and go
home.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
Time To Act Is Now

The reeking, open dump in the Bayou Casotte area that
Pascagoula uses for its garbage disposal is an ever present
health hazard to this entire section of the county. This is
particularly true in view Of the spreading polio in Missis-
sippi because of the huge swarms Of flies that breed and
spread from the open dump.
This condition is pointed out from two sources this
week, one a letter from H. A. Kroeze, director of sanitary
engineering for the state health department, and the other
a statement from DR.. Andrew Hedmeg concerning the dan
ger of continued open dumping of garbage.
Mr.. Krooza. whose lotter Is reprinted on this page.
says In part that the state board of health has for many
years been trying to interest city officials in the mex
pensive sanitary land fill method of garbage disposal.
This newspaper has carried editorials on the same sub
ject for the past seven years, but we still have our open
garbage dump. our flies. our rats and our vermin
spreading from 1t.
In the sanitary land fill method of disposal, a trench
is dug with a dragline, is filled with garbage, covered with
a heavy layer Of earth as another trench is dug. AS Mr..
Kroeze points out ii is one of the least expensive and most
sanitary methods of disposal in use. He adds that many
cities much smaller than P~ascagoula have greatly improved
local situations by adopting this method of disposal.
DIR. Hedmeg points out that the county health depart
ment regularly sprays the dump area in an effort to control
the breeding of flies, but that this is at best a substitute
measure, and unsatisfactory as a permanent health safe
guard.
The question of a landfill type of garbage disposal has
been brought UP ON numerous previous occasions" DR.. He'd
meg said. "by both the health department and the local
newspaper. AT one time a tentative agreement had been
reached between the board of supervisors and ~Pascagoula
city officials to provide the facilities on a cooperative basis
through which the city would furnish the land and the
county the dragline."
The agreement referred to was reached several years
ago, but was never pushed to reality because of lack of
interest on the part of both the public and officials.
DR.. Hedmeg also points out that the fly has long been
known as one of the most common and dangerous of di-
sease carriers. He adds that recent research has also
labelled it as one of the possible carriers of the dreaded polio
virus.
The county government has an obligation in help
ing the city establish a sanitary lsndfill system OF gar
bage disposal. The safeguard to health that II would
offer would not only apply to Paseagoulans but to resi-
dents of this entire area. II should BIO a relatively
simple matter for the city to obtain the necessary land,
and certainly there is no reason why the county drag
line could not be placed at the disposal of the city for
such periods as needed.
There is no excuse for the condition to continue. All
that is needed to eliminate il is a realization of the health
dangers involved and action instead of promises.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
Capital
BY
Congressman VIM. M. Colmer
Truman Program Begged
Down

When the 8Ist Congress con-
vened in early January this
year, the Truman Leadership
in Congress, the so-called big
Four. Ravhurn and McCor-
mack of the House, and Bark
ley and Lucas Of the Senate,
set out with full confidence on
a goal OF the speedy enactment
of the Truman Program, and a
Congressional adjournment
date Of July LIST, This program
consisted of a number of MUST
bills such as l., the European
Economic Recovery Program;
Q, the repeal of the Taft-Hart-
ley Law; 3, the enactment of a
new farm program. 4, the pas
sage of a minimum wage law
of IS cents with additional COW
eraRe; S, the passage of the Civ
il Rights Program; 6, Public
Housing; Z, Federal aid TO edu-
cation; 3, a bill increasing taxes
four billion dollars: and o, the
usual appropriation bills for the
operation of the government.
The President and his Congress
sional leaders took the position
that they had q mandate from
the people for the enactment of
this broad program. With large
Democratic majorities in both
the House and the Senate, they
were very confident that, by
welding the big stick, they
could push the program through
and let the boys go home for
an early and long vacation, en-
joying the pladuits of the peo-
pie for a job well done.
Come July LIST, the Admins
tration found that the only por-
ton of that program completed
was the passage of a number
of the departmental appropria-
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
THIS WEEK
in Other Years

FIVE YEARS AGO THIS
WEEK, Jackson County was 5th
in the sale of "E" bonds during
the 5th War Loan drive /.
Mrs. Maude Farnsworth, well
known citizen, died at her home
-. The tire allotment for Jack
son county was increased 3.
No polio epidemic in the state
according to health officers . i.
No editorial carried.
FOUR YEARS AGO THIS
WEEK, Meat ration points were
lowered by the OPA :. ingalls,
got a dredge contract for 81
900, 900; orders on hand totalled
SAT. 100000 for long range
schedule, The first summer
workshop for teachers was OPP
ened in Pascsgoula Edito-
rial; q. OF the People, For the
People, advocated using the
right to vote.
THREE YEARS AGO THIS
WEEK, A ship load of cattle,
including 46 from Jackson
County, set sail for Greece :.
Health department head an
nounced no immediate danger
of polio epidemic here. but adj
vised precautions . The Army
destroyed poison gas on Horn
Island; area was restricted
ingalls, employees received over
100000 in back pay. due to
retroactive clause -. Editorial:
A Peek Under the Tent. COM
mented on Senate war investi-
eating committee.
TWO YEARS AGO THIS
WEEK, Moss Point voted a
$1,000 0 bond issue for i'm
provement of school buildings
School aid bill passed Con-
gress; Pascagoula and Moss
Point got federal grants A
total of 1877 gars was caught in
the first 10 days of the rodeo
sponsored by the Jackson Coun-
ty Hunting and Fishing asso-
citation: largest was six feet
long.
A YEAR AGO THIS WEEK,
Charter night of the local Lions
club was marked by a banquet
An unidentified slain man
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
-.
Continued From Page y

Continued From Page y
ard d. Dodgen, executive secre
tary of the Texas Game, Fish and
Oyster commission, was named
vice-chairman. A permanent paid
secretary will be named later.
DR.. Chapman said the state de-
partment is ready to help the
commission in any way within
its means. He cited the aid given
the Pacific states marine fisher
les commission in working out a
treaty with Mexico.
Good fishery research pro-
grams are expensive" said Dr..
Chapman. by pooling funds, ia
cilities and personnel, bigger and
more adequate research programs
can be conducted than can be by
proceeding Independently"
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
Letters
DISPOSAL
Jackson, Miss.
july ID, l949.

Jackson, Miss.
July Ia, 1949.
Editor Chronicle Star
Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Dear Sir:
l have just seen a copy of the
editorial contained in your Fri
day, July 8. issue entitled, "A
Necessary Health Precaution."
l wish to compliment you on
this editorial and the position
you have taken with reference
to the matter of garbage dis
posal.
The State Board of Health
has for a number of years at
tempted to interest the city
health officials of Pascagoula in
the sanitary land fill method
OF garbage disposal. This was
advocated early in the war
when Pascagoula began to
grow rapidly and when typhus
fever was somewhat prevalent
in Pascagoula. You perhaps e
member the hearing held by
Senator Pepper in Pascagoula
during the war to determine
the needs of the community as
a result of the war effort. I
personally testified at that
hearing that one of the things
Pascagoula needed was a more
sanitary method of garbage dis
posal and suggested the ad-
vancement of Lanham Act
funds to help this community
buy the necessary equipment.
Since that time, the State
Board of Health has c~ooperated
with Pascagoula and Jackson
County in carrying out a typhus
control program, and since such
a program must be directed
against the rat, we have con
stantly advocated improvement
of garbage collection and dis
posal methods in Pascagoula
as an aid in controlling typhus
fever.
The State Board of Health
has for a number of years been
advocating the use of the scan
itary land fill method of gar
bage disposal since it is one of
the most economical and salts
factory methods of disposing of
this material. We have been
successful in inducing quite a
number of cities in the State to
institute this method and we
have some cities much smaller
than Pascagoula that have
greatly improved the local sit
uation in this way.
AS indicated above, l appre-
ciate the position you have TAX
en- on this matter and hope that
you will continue to give pub
licity to the need for better gar
bage disposal. I am sure that
DR.. Hedmeg will do anything
he can to promote the idea, and
the advisory services of the
State Board of Health are al
ways available to any commu-
nifty in this respect.
Very truly yours,
H. A. KROEZE, Director
Sanitary Engineering.
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
Hinton
Continued From Page y

Continued From Page y
Mrs. Zudy Richardson, Mobile.
another sister, said her brother
told her his daughter got
ruined" and that he was 'nerv-
Gus, upset and cried at times"
Doesn't Remember"
Taking the stand in his own
defense, Hinton denied any recol-
lection of killing anyone but his
wife, Matte, and said he shot her
in a scuffle over the gun he had
brought into the house wrapped
in Christmas paper, the shot
striking her in the leg. He de-
MED that he shot her again. He
claimed no memory of shooting
the infant in its crib or the sher-
iff as he alighted from his auto
mobile after being summoned by
Gloria to investigate the disturb
ance at the Hinton home.
He also claimed ignorance of
having shot Gloria in the car and
then driven off in Nelson's auto
mobile with the body of his
daughter in the back seat.
Mississippi State Highway Pa
troll Inspector W. G. Bud" Gray,
formerly stationed at Pascagoula,
told the court Hinton described
killing the four.
j. F. Taylor, a neighbor of
Hinton's, testified Tuesday that
Hinton told him he was worried
about his family; that ga man
had kept his wife seven years."
and that his 18-year1old daugh-
ter, Gloria Jean. was pregnant.
Taylor said he had been told
Gloria Jean was married, but he
never cen her husband and did
not know who he was.
The same day, Thomas Martin,
a state highway patrolman, testi-
fled that at the time of his arrest
Hinton said he killed Sheriff Mel
son because he was tired of the
officer arresting him.
Evidence introduced by the
prosecution showed Hinton had
been arrested on various charges
during the months preceding the
quadruple Staying.
Gift Wraps" Gun
Before the trial, Sheriff J. Guy
Krebs said Hinton told officers
he carried a shotgun wrapped
like a Christmas present to Mrs.
Hinton's home. He said he used
it for the killings.
Storekeeper Svend Larsen tes-
titled Tuesday that Hinton bought
a box of shotgun shells and asked
him to wrap them in Christmas
paper. He added that Hinton
also got al extra supply of red
crepe paper, saying it was to
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22
STITCH CLUB wIENIE ROAST

In Difference to the Lake Gar
den club which met at the same
hour and day that the Stitch club
assemblies, the latter postponed
its session Wednesday until later
in the evening when it took the
form of a wienie roast on til
beach.
Mrs. Bill Beach, a former men,
Der. and young son. Billy. Jr. of
Columbus, O.. were special guests
The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1949-07-22

wrap another Christmas pre-
sent" Larsen said Hinton appear
ed perfectly normal at the time.
The special jury venir of so
called for the trial was exhausted
Monday and had to be filled by
members of the panel summon
ed for the regular summer term
of court. All IL of their chal-
lenges were used by Defense At
torney Bidwell Adams and Dis
trict Attorney Luther Naples.