davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1952-11-02
Metropolitan Scene
lhe Battle to Enfronchise District Residents Goes On:
Big Problem at Capitals New Courthouse Is Monpower

Come Tuesday, everybody
around here who can may vote.
Around here" is right. The
counties of Maryland and Vir-
ginia around" the District.
The man in the middle is the
Washingtonian.
He is allowed to pay taxes and
to fight for his country when
necessary. But he can't vote for
the boss or for a representative
in Congress, the legislative body
which lays down the rules of his
day-to-day living. In fact. he
can't vote for anything, local
or national.
To hear the political cliche
artists, it's pretty wonderful to
be able to vote. Yet how many
who can in the nearby States
will miss their chance Tuesday
for some trivial reason? In 1948
only slightly more than half
the potential voters actually
went to the polls. In Maryland,
only about 40 per cent turned
out, and in Virginia the per-
centage was even smaller. Ap-
parently the ballot is like a
college degree-it never seems
worth much until you don't
have it.
Washingtonians lost their
democratic heritage in the Con-
stitution - the very document
that immortalizeS the rights of
their brothers and sisters in the
States. It gave national suffrage
only to citizens of the States
and, elsewhere. provided for ex-
elusive control of the District
by Congress.
Thus only by amending the
Constitution can the legal resi-
dent of the District become en-
franchised. To date this has
presented an insuperable prob
lem of selling the cause to the
three-fourths of the States that
must ratify such a change. Yet
the fight goes on, led by the
Citizens Joint Committee on
National Representation. It is
expected a joint resolution will
be proposed in the next Con-
gress similar to those in former
years, calling for the necessary
constitutional changes. A new
drive also will be opened to edu-
cate the incoming legislators to
the cause.
Yes, Tuesday will be a big day
Evening star., 1952-11-02

Thousands of the servicemen
unfortunately will be unable to
cast ballots because so many
of the States failed to provide
special facilities or legal sane
ton for them.
Books-or at least statistical
and historical documents-have
been written to show how this
or that presidential candidate,
or this or that member of Con-
greSs or Governor. or this or
that referendum proposition,
won or lost by handful of votes
or by a scant shortage in the
electoral college.
So it would take something
more than Sunday before
election. prophet to say what a
strong and perhaps decisive
voice the absentee voters of the
District could have next Tues
day in many a place-outside
of the District.
Evening star., 1952-11-02

Byrd. of course, is in no un-
tenable position even though he
remains a Democrat. He de-
clared against Stevenson, but he
declined to go whole hog and
root for Ike. AS he will be just
as much Of a Democrat as he
ever was. Byrd will most likely
keep his committee posts. In
fact. he has a good chance of
heading the tax-writing Finance
Committee before his next six
year term is ended.
But whatever the lineup in
the Senate next year, the In
dependent Republican and the
independent Democrat can be
depended on to stand four
square against each other and
against the parties whose names
they have taken.
Evening star., 1952-11-02

haven't enough manpower to
run such things as an informa-
ton desk, to operate some of
the modern and expensive COM
mInications system or even to
prevent the theft of soap dishes
from the washrooms.
From the success the two
jurists had in getting the hand
some and functional new build
ing in the first place, they may
be expected to work this one out
after Congress gets back.
incidentally, the District gov
ernment had a windfall in used
furniture when the court Offices
moved to the new structure.
Purchasing Officer Roland M.
Brennan estimated the value of
the stuff at from $1,000 to
$4,000.
Included were 80 courtroom
benches with enough chewing
gum (also used) under them to
supply a public school system.
More than half of the benches
had been assigned to the chapel
at the Blue Plains Home for the
Aged and Infirm. Some also
went to George Keneipp's De-
partment of Vehicles and Traf-
fic.
Evening star., 1952-11-02

man of the powerful commit
tees, Morse may be wooed by
both sides.
But if one party or the other
has a majority without Morse's
help, he could be left high and
dry. He could be ousted from
his seats on the coveted Armed
Services and Labor and We'll
fare Committees and dropped
into back-seat obscurity on,
perhaps. the Post Office and the
District of Columbia Commit
tees.
There are some, however, who
still look for Morse to join the
Democrats. At least one colum-
mist has speculated that if Gov
ernor Stevenson wins Morse
might become Secretary of
Labor.
Evening star., 1952-11-02

votes throughout the country.
But three States and many of
our cities cannot claim an active
electorate of 100000.
Here are some of the signs
which already assure a record
absentee vote here and perhaps
an ultimate District showing
which will exceed the currently
great expectations:
Both the Democratic absentee
voter bureau at 1888 De Sales
street NV. and the Republican
bureau at 1925 I street NV.
have been swamped by requests
for ballot applications, assist
ance or voting information.
They have been far buster
with bigger stats and longer
hours-than in any previous
election campaign.
The nonpartisan service Of
fered by the League of Women
Voters at a counter in the lobby
of The Star Building has never
before had so many visitors.
Facilities provided for absen-
tee voting in a basement room
in the Old House Office Building
and in several Government ad-
ministrative buildings also report
unprecedented activity.
The Democratic bureau mailed
$4,000 application forms to Dis
trict residents eligible to vote
in their respective States. The
Republican bureau sent out
similar number.
Not all of those forms were
eventually turned into duly nota-
rized ballots, filled out and
mailed before the various State
headlines. But most of them
as well as additional thousands
handled at the League of
Women Voters counter and at
other places-unquestionablya are
being translated into votes that
count in hundreds of cities and
towns from coast to coast.
Women, First Time Voters
Biggest increases in the num-
ber of absentee-ballot applica-
tions here this year were, in
general. two groups-women
and first-time voters, or citizens
who intend to vote for the first
time in many years.
1T is astonishing to find how
many of the applicants were
people who said they had not
voted for as long as 20 or 80
years." said Mrs. Clarence e.
Fisher. who directs the League
of Women Voters stand.
Switchboards at both bureaus
report that the volume of tele-
phone calls has been terrific.
And the callers, they added. sell
dom asked dumb" questions
even when ignorant of the usu-
ally complicated and varied
regulations of the separate
States.
Mothers, with infants in arms
or shepherding other youngsters,
often came in. Business men
and women as well as Govern
ment employees swelled the long
lines that formed almost every
day during the noon period or
after regular office hours.
The absentee voting process
Evening star., 1952-11-02
Absentee Voters Here Could Swing Few Elections

When it comes to exercising
the franchise the Districts
legal residents are, of course.
constitutionally musclebound on
election day. Yet. by today,
at least 100000 men and women
in the District have voted for
President. It is conceivable that
some Of these voteS-on abb
sentee ballots-could swing a
State or congressional election.
This situation actually applies
every four years on the first
Tuesday after the first Monday
in November. This year. how
ever. with all-time records be-
ing broken for the number of
absentee ballots passed out to
District inhabitants. it is a more
meaningful factor for the po-
liticos to take into account.
There is nothing like it any,
where else in the Nation. Metro
politan centers such as New
York and Chicago and some of
the more populous States gen.
orally have large absentee voter
contingents., None, however, will
roll up SO huge an outgoing
vote as does the District.
Forecasts Difficult
Forecasting the size of the
absentee balloting from the
District for the forthcom-
ing election is almost as diff
cult as predicting the size of
the total national vote, or the
outcome of the presidential elec-
tion itself.
But, just as the total vote is
almost certain to be far greater
than the record of 49,820.312 in
1910. all signs indicate that many
more than the average 100000
ballots will have been mailed
from the District by November 4.
That may not seem so many
in proportion to, say. SIS million
Evening star., 1952-11-02
By Robert K. WoIsh

in the District this year has be-
come not only a practical ex-
ample of democracy at work.
even in an otherwise voteless
community. but also a power
full reminder that every vote
can count.
In very close race. such as
this one may be. even the ma
tional election could be influ-
enced by absentee ballots. In
some States or communities it
is possible that the outcome
of a narrow election will not
be known until the absentee
ballots are in.
District residents eligible to
vote in California, for example,
must mail their ballots by No
vember 4 but they will not be
counted until November 20. Ne
Evening star., 1952-11-02

braska absentees must have
their ballots postmarked in the
District not later than Monday
so that they can be tailed by
November 13. Rhode Islanders
in the District can vote and
mail their absentee ballots only
on election day.
Absentee voting and mailing
headlines in some States, nota-
bly, New York and Ohio, have
already passed. In most other
instances the limit is Novem-
Der 4.
Soldier Vote
OF great Importance - and
speculation-this year is the
size OF the soldiers absentee
vote. About 2.5 million qualified
voters are in the military forces.
The armed services have made
extraol dinary efforts to give
them an opportunity to vote.
Evening star., 1952-11-02

BY John W. Thompson, Jr.
for those nearby. In the District
it will be business as usual.
x X y y
40-Mon Guord
Speaking of taxation without
representation and elections.
charge this one off to the Dis
trict taxpayer:
When President Truman left
last week end on his final whis-
tle-stop tour, some 40 District
police were placed on guard over
his special car at Union Station
from $3.50 pm. Sunday to 4 am.
Monday.
More Help Needed.
The real problem in the Capt.
tails brand-new courthouse is
one Of men. not of laws.
That. at least. is the way
Chief Judge Bolitha j. Laws of
U. S. District Court for the Dis
trict of Columbia sees it.
Both he and Chief Judge
Harold M. Stephens of the U. S.
Court of Appeals are keenly con-
cerned over the personnel short
age. The story is that they
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Mas. J. M. Howard
Named AS Secretary

Mrs. ]. NJ. Howard, chairman
of the Board of Trustees of the
District II Community Hospital
at Durant, was named recording
secretary of the newly formed
Woman's Auxiliary of the Missis-
sippi State Hospital Association
at meeting held in Jackson or
Thursday, April 3.
The purpose of the Auxiliary
is to organize individual auxil.
iaries into one body to develop
a more unified program through
out the entire area.
Other officers named to serve
with Mrs. Howard were: presi.
dent, Mrs. Benton w. CASTOR Of
Felix Long Memorial Hospital
Starkville; vice president, Mrs
j. K. Avent, Grenada Hospital
and corresponding secretary, Mrs
Dorothy Flynn of Jackson.
Mrs. Avent served as chairman
of the luncheon meeting which
was attended by Mrs. Howard
and Walter D. Smith, admins.
traitor of the Holmes County
Community Hospital.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Mrs. Eleanor Durham
Buried Al kbbeviIIe

Mrs. w. E. Durham and daugh-
ter Miss Shirley Durham, at
tended the funeral of Mrs. Flea
nor B. Durham held in Abbeville
Sunday afternoon. They were
accompanied by w. E. Durham,
Jr. and Claude Durham, both of
Jackson.
Mrs. Durham, widow of Vernon
Durham, native citizen of Du-
rant, died April 3rd at Doc
tors Hospital in Washington, D.
c. after a brief illness. She had
made her home there for the past
10 years where she was employed
by the government.
A wide circle of family friends
in Durant will be sorry to learn
of Mrs. Durham's death. She and
her late husband, who is buried
in Mizpah cemetery, visited here
frequently during their married
life. He died about eleven years
ago. At that time they were re-
siding in Alligator.
Mrs. Durham was laid to rest
beside her parents, the late Mr..
and Mrs. B. Bougard.
Only two brothers survive.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Mrs. J. W. Afford
Passes Al West

Funeral services for Mrs. j. w.
Afford of West, were held Tues
day, April 8, at her residence. The
Rev. Curtis Ellis and DR.. A. L.
Goodrich officiated. Lee Funer-
al Home was in charge of ar
engagements.
Mrs. Afford was born IN Holm
eS county on March /, 1869. She
was member of the West Bap-
fist Church and had wide circle
of friends throughout the county.
Surviving are her husband, j.
w. Afford, two daughters, Mrs.
A. l. Campbell of West, and Mrs.
w. T. Hand of Durant; two bro
theirs, L. L. Afford of Indianola
and Clyde L. Afford of West. She
is also survived by one sister,
Mrs. Etha Thompson, and one
brother, c. E. White, both OF
West.
Pallbearers were Howard Tru-
lit, Audrey Hathcock, A. c. Au-
trey, Conlery Wilkens, John Ed
wards and B. o. Fowlkes.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Medical Auxiliary
Meets At Winono

The North Central Medical
Auxiliary whose membership ID
made up of wives of doctors in
this area met at Winona on
Wednesday, April 9, for a lunch
con at Hotel Stratton.
Following the luncheon a bu-
siness meeting was held in the
home of Mrs. w. c. O'Cain.
The president of the state aux
iliary, Mrs. George Owen of
jackson, was present and address
sed the group.
During the business session Of
ficers were elected as followy
president, Mrs. M. S. Riddell OF
Winona; first vice president, Mrs.
Roy l.. Smith of Durant; second
VP, Mrs. O'Cain, the hostess:
third VP, Mrs. Sam Carruthers
of Grenada; secretary-t treasurer,
Mrs. A. A. Derrick, Jr. of Du-
rant; 'Today's Health" chair
man, Mrs. P. B. Brumby of Lex
ington; Doctors Day chairman.
Mrs. c. H. Holeman, Carrollton:
nurse recruiting, Mrs. H. r. Pow
er, Walden, preventorium, Mrs. H.
K. Curry, Eupora; press and pub
licity, Mrs. H. L. Howard, WI
mona.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Eight Arrests Made
BY Durant Officers

Arrests made during the latter
part of March by Durant law en-
forcement officers, Constable Au-
dis Hathcock, city officers May
field Howard, S. c.. Mcbride and
Willie Durham, were as follows:
Bill Sharon of Mendenhall
was arrested at Mayo's Service
Station near West and 81 gallons
of moonShine whiskey were seiz-
ed. He was fined $3.50. and costs
in JP E. B. Guess court and was
fined 500 and costs on the charge
of driving without a license.
Ray Brister paid $500 fine in
Mayor r. E. McNeer's court for
public drunkenness.
Cooper Brooks of Kosciusko
was arrested for drunken driving
but the charge was reduced to
reckless driving in Mayors Court
and he was fined $500.
Joe Smith of Sails paid an
$500 fine in Mayors Court for
public drunkenness.
Jack Harrington paid $500 for
reckless driving and $1,000 for
speeding in Mayors court.
w. c. Rachel of Ethel was ar
rested for drunken driving and
made a bond of $3.50.
Mabry Vinson was fined $500
for public drunkenness.
Bobby Higgins paid an $500
fine for public drunkenness.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
IS Cases Disposed OF
In Holmes County
Circuit Court
Light Civil Docket
Slated This Week;
Recess Until Monduy

Several cases were disposed OF
and a number of cases continued
until next week on the civil
docket of Circuit Court, with
Judge Arthur Jordan presiding
Circuit Clerk, Miss Minnie Jor.
dan, Court Reporter Miss Pearl
Mcclellan and Sheriff r. F. Byrd
were in their respective places
of responsibility with Deputy
Sheriff Ellis E Wynn and Miss
Myrtle Jordan assisting.
Those disposed Of were:
Fay Warren, a minor, VS. James
Mcbride. Dismissed at defend
ants cost.
Commercial Credit Corp. VS.
John T. Hathcock, dismissed al
plaintiffs cost.
Southern Wholesalers, Inc. VS.
c.. w. Ray, dismissed at plain
tifrs cost.
Mrs. Charlie Screen Cant VS.
Mr. and Mrs. Lola Green, dis
missed at plaintiffs cost.
J. c. Allen VS. w. R. Thomas
dismissed at plaintiffs cost.
jays Industries, Inc. VS. o. M
Powell, judgment against o. M
Powell.
Gwin-Lail Co. VS. E. o. Moore
default judgment.
Leflore Flying Service VS. W.
K. James, default judgment.
w. M. Ray VS. Vernon Rogers,
dismissed at plaintiffs cost.
H. l.. Phillips VS. w. j. Bufkin,
default judgment.
Mrs. Mabel Woodall VS. J. w.
Sowell, Mrs. ]. w. Sowell and
Billy Binegar - case settled and
costs paid.
Mike Kirkland VS. L. F. Heard,
dismissed.
Delta Air Lines, Inc, VS. w. K.
James. Judgment for $1,242,15.
The court has been recessed
until Monday morning.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Duront Youth Engaged
In Texas Muneuvers

Fit. Hood Texas (SpeciaD Pvt
William S. Kicks, Jr., whose par.
ents live at 307 N. Jackson, St.
Durant, is participating in Elk.
ercise Long Horn in central Texas
with the aggressor 82nd Airborne
Division.
The latest in atomic warfare
strategy is being used in the ma.
neuver, the largest to be held in
the United States since World
War II. More than $4,000 men
and 1900 planes are involved in
the l7-day test of armor and air
borne tactics.
A rifleman with Company c
in the 325th Airborne Infantry
Regiment, Private Kicks received
the Parachutist Badge upon COM
pletion of airborne training al
Fort Benning, Georgia.
During World War II he served
in the European Theatre, parti-
cipating in three major cam
paigns and was awarded the Bel
ginm Croix De Guerre. He has
$50 won the Bronze Star Medal
snd the Combat Infantrymar
Badge.
The recipient of the Good Con-
duct Medal, he served with the
occupation forces in Europe.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10

Since the foregoing was
written Governor Hugh White
has found a flaw in the word
ing of the above bill. Its au-
thors failed to specify any
period of time under which
tax payments would be made
which means that as soon a
any county collected as much
as $4,000 in refunds that
would be the end of the tax
refunds. This would apply to
the smaller counties, too. Even
tually they would hit the
$4,000 mark.
Well, it's funny that the
bill passed all those lawyers
in the legislature and it took
a non-lawyer, Governor White
to catch its error.
During the debate on the
bill one of the legislators from
one of the counties to be rob
bed was trying to speak
against the bill - and one OF
the authors of the measure
said to him on the House
floor, BE still little fish were
not goinc = hurt YOU much
we're just going to gut you"
Guess the next time he
starts to cutting someone he'll
be sure his knife is really
sharp.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Protest Petitions Presented To Holmes
County Supervisors On Bond Issues;
Board Orders Election On Issue Nays
$4,000 Bond Issue Is Dropped;
Voters Will Decide S400,00O Issue

Acting upon petitions of pro-
test signed by 1900 Holmes coun-
ty citizens the Board of Super
visors on Monday ordered that
an election be held to decide
whether or not 100000 of the
2ounty's bonds should be issued
to construct, reconstruct, and re-
pair the county bridges and to
acquire land for rights-of-way
therefor.
The election was set for Tues
day, May 9th, and three-fifths
Of those persons casting votes at
the election must vote favorably
in order for the issue to pass.
At the March meeting of the
Supervisors resolutions had been
passed declaring the intention of
the Board to issue and sell
100000 bonds for bridge pur-
poses and an additional $4,000
for the purpose or repairing, re-
modelling and enlarging the
chancery clerks office and &C.
quiring equipment therefor, un-
less petitions of protast signed
by 20 per cent of the qualified
voters were presented the Board
by April 7th.
The Supervisors at the April
meeting dropped the $4,000 is
sue - thus Holmes electors will
vote only upon the 100000 bond
issue to be used for bridge~pur-
poses.
At Mondays Board meeting
the petitions were presented by
Edwin T. Nelson and Henri p.
Watson.
The protest petition on the
$4,000 bond issue was signed
by 1891 Holmes citizens and the
one for the 100000 issue was
signed by 1900 citizens.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
pS Commission Sets
Public Hearing
At Durunt 18th

The Public Service Commits
sion of Mississippi has set April
18th as the date of the special
hearing of"the case of the Com
mission versus the Illinois Cen
trail Railroad on the matter of
stopping the les crack stream
liner, the Panama Limited, at
Durant.
The hearing will be conducted
in the Durant City Hall at 900
am. and is open to the public.
Anyone interested is invited to
be present.
A number of Holmes county ci-
tizens are expected to testify at
the hearing on the ACCESSIBILITY
or practically of Durant being
made regular stop for the PAN
anna Limited, according to Alton
Massey.
Railroad officials also will be
present.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Herrin Brothers Thank
Public For Favor

Sidney and Carl Herrin, Jr.,
Dodge-Plymouth dealers for
Holmes county, said today they
were highly pleased with their
formal opening held Saturday
April 5, at their show rooms in
Lexington.
About $50 people from all over
the county came in to see the
new 1852 models on display and
to extend good wishes.
The Messrs. Herrin said they
wished to express their deepest
appreciation for the cordial well
come extended them in this area
I'D to once again pledge the
highest standards of service pos
sible in their line.
About $50 ladies' attended the
opening and received beautiful
red carnations as favors. Many
beautiful gift flowers from frien-
DIS were on display as well.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Circuit Court Jurors
Listed For Week

The new Holmes county grand
jury which was sworn in by
Judge Arthur Jordan Monday,
as well as the two petit juries
also formed, are made up almost
exclusively of farmers. Many
were excused from jury duty be-
cause of their work as farmers
and with extensive blowing and
planting underway throughout
the area. 1t was necessary for
oepUties to 60 forth in town and
round up prospects to complete
he final four needed for the Sec
nd jury. 1t was not completed
until Tuesday.
The grand jury is composed OF
J. M. Kimbrough, foreman; R
S. Henley, Howard Grantham,
Harry Spencer, A. B. Archer,
Jr., o. M. Byrd, Vardaman FL
lington, R. c. Spencer, ]. A.
Samuelson, Jr, James Kille-
brew, Walter Kuhn, Walter
Baughn, Fred Taylor, Aubrey
Lee Killebrew, Lutte S. Ellison,
Herman Griffin, E. L. Brown, P.
A. Jones, G. c. Musselwhite and
Walter Trigleth.
Petit Jury No. / is composed
of j. c. Dickard, P. F. Martin,
E. E. Shaw, Otto Wallis, Jesse
Riddle, w. W. Winstead, Harold
Hammett, R. A. Chisolm, ]. P.
TidweH, Otto Morris, Mack E.
Grantham and H. M. Cobbins.
Petit jury No. 2 - w. H.
Byrd, j. A. Cox, Renshaw Thorn
as, H. c. Baughn, M. G. Brough,
R. R. Truitt, H. S. Malone, ST.,
N. Schur, Singleton Williamson,
Joe Stern, Waiter Murtagh and
Irby Rainey.
The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1952-04-10
Mrs. Betty Robinson
Buried On tuesday

Funeral services for Mrs. Bet
ty Robinson, 80, of Alfalfa coun-
ty, who died in the home of her
son, John w. Robinson near Sal
lis Monday were held Tuesday at
1000 am. at Pleasant Ridge
Church. The Rev. Lumas offici-
ated with burial in Pleasant Ridge
cemetery. Southern was in
charge.
She is survived by two sons. A.
l.. Robinson of Durant and John
w. Robinson of Sails and one
sister, Mrs. Anna Wrenn of Men,
phis. She also leaves six grand
children and seven great grand
children.
Pallbearers were Durward
Robinson, Irby Melton, HORACE
Bouchillon, James Wheat, Kyle
Mcclellan and M. A. Hudgins.