The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1949-12-29
Editors Name
Medina Man
OfThe Year


Medina. who presided at the year
long trial o. n top u. S. Com
{ munlzts, was Man Of the Year
ioF 1919 He has been so named
~ vote Of Associated Press news
paper editors
the courts drama started Janu
-agy y, and did not end until al
defendants were sentenced DC
toiNsr ~. Defense attorneys help,
ed make headlines by their dis
ruptive tactics. They kept the
caart IN an uproar day after day
sFefiised 20 heed warnings from
the bench and. in the end. won
iaii sentences for contempt.
Judge Medina won headlines
eariF II the trial for his patience
In dealing with the lawyers. But
In one hectic session he had to
cell q recess and retire to his
chambers for q few minutes to
calm his nerves.
u was not patience alone that
cot attention for the judge. It
yes also his firmness in insist
ing that no one. defendant or
attorney. would be permitted to
benefit from disorder. Warn
inaa we're followed by action.
inappropriate testimony was
cot eff. Side remarks were.
stricken from the record.
Before the trial, Medina had
ben. widely known. When he
came o. the federal bench in
i9sT. be gave up a 500, 000-a-
year practice for the $4,000 job.
lie was known as a lawyers law
ser and had written Is books on
federal law.
When the editors voted for the
leading men in special categories,
they found that President Harry
8 Truman was first IN politics;
Dean Aches0n, u. S. Secretary of
State, led in foreign affairs;
Philip Murray was top man in
labor Henry Ford II in industry;
Vannevar Bush. president of Car
neaie Institution. was the leader
in science. In literature, Thomas
Merton. q trappist monk and au-
thor Of tao best-selling books,
was chosen. Ezio Pima, opera
ilassa turned musical comedy.
stu. got the nod in entertain
.ment.
. Aa head Of the Democratic
party President Truman water
ed Il zhew new strength in the
isfs elections. He had to deal
with no spectacular political
problems during the year. But
he did face some turbulent dis
puis8 baiwenn factions. Many
observers noted that the presi-
dent -sat en- the lid without
msioF Political disruptions.
Geese a 4 4
ACHEs0N promoted more
frankness in dealing with Russia
curing the year. Sharp comments
un MASTERS In the Russian sphere
and "a the cold war were COM
mon.
a. took office as secretary of
state in January. The Berlin
tilurkads ended IN May. The year
also SIS the Atlantic treaty COM
Fieted This gave the United
Hfafes q defensive alliance with
kalfapean countries and later
CunNres voted arms aid for Eu-
rps
ulHlug The year. the State De-
partmeni issued a white paper"
aiFnE the background Of the fail
aIe ~ ihp y S approved Ma
unraiisis in China. Also in the
taif stage are plans for U. 8. aid
tH hatkaaFd lands
a 4
MURRAY won his vote as head
"A hafh the Go and the steel
aWhefs ln steel be led the strike
ffal eun company paid pensions
CO fhe men in the clio Murray
tl the 0aslor ~ left wing unions.
De- slsa started a drive to replace
ufm y lih groups farther TO the
fHht
ThH Ysar the Scotland born
faFmeF mtncr was again named
trsf al ihe CO. which he has led
sHff 1910
a 4 a
FNHu Fas forced 90 shut down
De- nlauts briefly during the year
ehrn thc uniun struck because il
SGD lir company had speeded up
aarfnbiY lines Bat when the
tnf came to talk over a new con-
tfaft Ford hccame the first big
rmpiaFoI to agree % a company
naad panaion plan Il was a sim
iaf plan that vas won by the
asnl aaa4kcrs after q strike.
fura touk over family indus
ual empire in i945. His father
F1ssI died suddenly in l943 and
fs grandfather. Henry, resumed
foF $50 wears while Henry II wa
nslily trained 90 command.
Tgst yWing man had not proved
brilliant IN college, Nor had hs
aiaan his grandfather's mechani
sai eensus Bat be found sociology
o. 50 lkinr Tie followed tina
dee through reOrganizing th'
lana 81 Command IN the business
ana working for closer relations
afh the union. His success II
thrse projects has been praised.
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