The Shadow
75 Years Ago
March 31, 1947
Truman Loses Biggest Grant Of War Power
President Truman loses at midnight the biggest single grant of power handed over to the White House during the war- the unlimited authority to ration and parcel out scarce materials. However, Congress was set to stamp its final approval during the day on two measures salvaging a vestige of the Second War Powers Act. The bulk of that measure dies at midnight, along with the six and one-half year old draft law.
Lewis orders 6-Day Mourning Period
The nation’s 400,000 soft coal miners entered the pits for the last time today before beginning a six-day work stoppage in memory of the Centralia, Ill., mine explosion victims-but industry generally appeared to face the prospect of curtailed fuel supplies with few qualms.
United Mine Workers President John L. Lewis, his shaggy locks hanging over his temples, announces at his Washington office his order to 400,000 soft coal miners to quit work from April 1 until Easter Sunday in Memory of the 111 victims of the Centralia, Ill., mine disaster.
50 Years Ago
March 31, 1972
Ireland Braces For Strife
William Whitelaw, Britain’s minister for Northern Ireland, started his new assignment today as violence escalated among Catholics, Protestants and troops before the Easter weekend. The new secretary of state arrived from London Thursday night amid tight security precautions. During the coming year, Whitelaw will try to find a solution to the strife that has thrown the one million Protestants and 500,000 Roman Catholics of the province into ferocious enmity.
Telephone Company Seeks Rate Increase
The Clifton Forge-Waynesboro Telephone Company has applied to the State Corporation Commission for its first rate increase in 18 years. If the application is approved, the new rate for local exchange service will be effective on the date authorized by the Commission.
25 Years Ago
March 31, 1997
Clinton Targets Liquor
Having waged a politically successful war on tobacco industry, President Clinton is turning up the pressure on liquor manufacturers. Two White House officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say Clinton today will ask the Federal Communications Commission to study the ramifications of the liquor industry’s 1996 decision to abandon its 50-year voluntary ban on television and radio ads. He also will ask the panel to explore whether the ads should be banned or sharply curbed.
Shenandoah’s Last Children: Of Lives Upended, Nature Repaired
Now comes the Appalachian spring. The black bears are pawing for grubs and acorns. The woodcocks are well into their mating rituals up at Big Meadows. Clouds of Canada geese are moving north. Nothing much disturbs nature in Shenandoah National Park, except for Skyline Drive, running along the backbone of the Blueridge mountains. No one has lived here for generations.
10 Years Ago
March 31, 2012
New Douthat Campground Scheduled to Open Sunday
Douthat State Park, which opened June 15, 1936, as one of Virginia’s original six state parks, is now home to the newest state park campgrounds, opening Sunday. Douthat is located in Bath and Alleghany counties. Two construction and renovation projects, totaling $2.43 million, converted the Beaver Dam Campground into an equestrian camping area and built the new 23-site Whispering Pines Campground.
Ford’s Arm, O’Conner’s Bat Help BC Stay Perfect
What a day Jessie O’Conner! First the Bath County sophomore showed off her skills with the leather, making a diving grab for the final out in the top of the seventh inning to preserve Jailyn Ford’s fourth career perfect game.
