HOME FRONT MONTHLY BULLETIN OF THE ALABAMA STA'l".J!

l DEFENSE COUNCIL

VOLUlVIE 1. MONTGOMERY, ALA., FEBRUARY, 1945 NUMBER 9

Civilian Defense Is Highly Praised By Montgomery Officials

C. D. Police And
Firemen Rescue OUR CHAMP
Tornado Victims ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Civilian Defense played a major
role in the face of disaster when
more than 600 auxiliary firemen
and policemen of the Montgomery
County Defense Council worked he-
roically with local fire and police
organizations, State guards, Gunter
Field and Maxwell Field personnel
and the American Red Cross to res-
cue hundreds of victims of a devas-
tating tornado, which circled Mont-
gomery on the afternoon of Febru-
ary 12th.
General W. P. Screws, City Police
Commissioner and Commander of
Montgomery County Defense Corps
expressed his praise and apprecia-
tion of the cooperation of the aux-
iliary police and firemen in a state··
ment in the Montgomery, Alabama
Advertiser of February 14th declar-
ing that in less than an hour after
the storm struck, 600 Civilian De-
fense police and 75 firemen had
reported at the City Hall and were
sent out on guard and rescue duty
in various sections of the city.
Police Chief Bernard Young main-
tained that Civilian Defense police
auxiliaries had justified their con-
tinuation.
State Defense Council Director
Haygood Paterson, H. B. Andrews,
Chief of Civilian Protection, and
Carl Griffin, Chief of War Services
remained on the scene throughout
the night assisting with the rescue.
Director Paterson complimented the
fine work of the auxiliary police,
whi(:h continued zealously until the
crisis was over. Paul Fuller, Chair-
man of the Montgomery County
Defense Council, too expressed grat-
ification at the response and ac-
tivities of the C. D. volunteers.
Lt. Col. Paul R. Sheahan, Indus-
trial Protection Officer and Major
Fletcher of the Civilian Defense
Field Office LTl Atlanta, Ga., rushed
to Montgomery and accompanied by
Director Paterson visited the devas-
tated areas.
Montgomery's tornado struck first
at Meridian, Miss., cutting a swath
of destruction on two sides of the
city, then roared eastward into Ala-
bama, damaging the towns of Liv-
ingston and York, next skirting the
western and northern edges of
Montgomery.
Twenty-six people were killed in
Montgomery, 94 injured and hun-
(Turn to page 2-0'01. 4)
-Spang Dorsey Trailers
. Receive' 'E', Award
From Army-Navy
Civilian Defense (cooperating with other Montgomery agencies)
is a weary and battered champ, the tornado having proved a violent
boxer. Spang, the Montgomery Advertiser's inimitable cartoonist has
pictured the struggle in, a cartoon, more expressive than words. This
appeared in the Advertiser of Feb. 15, 1945.
Volunteers Given City Of Florala
Recognition For Honors Citizens
Recreation Work Defense Corps
The Federal Recreation Center in
Jacksonville, Alabama is celebrat-
ing its fourth birthday with fitting
ceremony on Fberuary 28th.
A feature of the birthday celebra-
tion will be the presentation of
Civilian Defense Service Award Cer-
tificates to 75 volunteer workers
who have devoted time to the rec-
reation program for servicemen.
I
The Mayor of Florala, Alabama
in recognition of the volunteer ser-
vice rendered the City by Civilian
Defense has issued to each member
of the Citizens Defense Corps a
Certificate "In grateful appreciation
of patriotic duty to. the community
in volunteering service in the pres-
ent emergency."
At an impressive ceremony held
at the Dorsey Plant in Elba, Feb.
2nd, Claude L. Dorsey, Jr., son of
the fou.llder of Dorsey Trailers was
presented with the Army and Navy
"E" Banner by Col. J. P. McIntyre
of the War Departments General
Staff in recognition of war pro-
duction. This places the Alabama
plant in the exclusive ranks of in-
dustries thus honored for "perform-
ance beyond the call of duty."
Before a large crowd of guests
gathered for the occasion, Col. Mc-
Intyre spoke of his pride in the
production record of the State of
Alabama. The war is at a critical
stage, according to the Colonel and
any slackening of effort either
among the armed forces or on the
home front will delay the end.
"Trailers," said Col. McIntyre are
indispensable in modern warfare.
(Turn to page 3-0'01. 4)
Dr. Austin Appeals
For Enrollees For
Nurses Training
Dr. B. F. Austin, State Health
Officer is appealing to women not
already engaged in essential war
work to enter nurses training both
as a patriotic duty and as a means
of preparing themselves for well
paid postwar work. Dr. Austin call-
ed attention to President Roose-
velt's recent message to Congress
and address to the Nation in which
he recommended the drafting of
nurses in order to relieve the crit-
ical lack of nursing care for thos2
in the armed forces.
If a sufficiently large number of
women enroll as student nurses,
either in the 14 nurses' schools
which are participating in the Ca-
det Nurse program or in the 6 which
are not participating, a substantial
number of nurses now on duty in
civilian hospitals can be freed for
duty with the armed forces, ac-
cording to Dr. Austin.
Women interested in making this
contribution to the war effort are
advised to write to the directors of
the nursing schol/ls of their choice
or to Mrs. B. Norton Ely, Recruit"
ment Secretary, 1020 Woodward
Building, Birmingham, Alabama.
PAGE TWO THE HOME FRONT FEBRUARY, 1945

C. D. Service Award President Of Pintlala Junior Red Mobile Firms Win

Is Presented To Cross Receives Award For School
Pintlala School
Again, a Montgomery County
School focused attention on its vol-
untary defense activities, when
the Pintlala School was pre-
sented a Service Award, January
26th by Haygood Paterson, State
Director of Civilian Defense in rec-
og'nition of its spirit of patriotism
exemplified through cooperation
and support of the war effort.
In presenting the award, Director
Paterson warmly praised the stu-
dent body on their exceptional rec-
ord in the sale of War Bonds and
Stamps-
"Because of your outstanding
achievement, I want you to have
this Service Award signed by the
Governor of our State," he said.
Dot Davis, President of the Junior
Red Cross Chapter, which sponsors
the school's defense activities ac-
cepted the award with a brief speech
of appreciation.
The program, which was held in
the school auditorium was opened
with patriotic songs, Miss Lottie
Ree Garrett of the faculty directing
followed by a Scripture reading by
Frank Stewart, Jr.
Dr. C. M. Dannelly, Superinten-
dent of Schools congratulated Pint-
lala School, and told briefly of the
fine contribution made by this COUl1-
ty's schools to the war effort. Prin-
cipal L. R. Scarborough presented
Mrs. Mary McLean White, Super-
visor and Sponsor of the Pintlala
Junior Red Cross.
Jean Davis, secretary of the Pint-
lala Junior Red Cross, reviewed
work done by the organization since
1942. Clothes for the Russians, toys
for blind children, wreaths, placp-
cards and filled Christmas bags for
patients of Veterans Hcspital, sale
of seals for the Montgomery Tu-
berculosis Sanitarium and stamps
for the Crippled Children's Clinic,
victory gardens, various articles
made for hospitals, participation in
all scrap drives and in the March
of Dimes collection were among the
projects to which she called atten-
tion.
Edward Cook, who with Weldon
Hall makes the bond and stamP
team, gave detailed report on bonds
(Turn to page 4--001. 4) .
Capital City Forms
Service Group
For Veterans
A Veterans Service Committee,
designed to aid returning war vet-
erans and their families and com-
posed of representatives from va-
rious government, civic, and social
welfare groups has been organized
in Montgomery.
Security Awards
PLANTS HONORED FOR EXCEP-
Director Haygood Paterson of the State Defense Council pre-
sents Dot Davis, President of the Pintlala School Junior Red Cross
with a Service Award in recognition of the outstanding pr03mm of
Civilian Defense carried out by th, student body. Principal L. R.
Scarborough, Mrs. Mary McLean White, Junior Red Cross Sponsor,
and Superintendent C. M. Dannelly view the presentation with keen
interest.
"By ~~Uv:ryR:~tu~:~~Sits 8e1'.1 DefeTnseHClouVnci;
vices and the principles for whieh
it stands, the American National
Red Cross is helping to build a
world of unity and peace and
brotherhood, recognizing no barrier
of race or creed." - Franklin D.
Roosevelt.
CIVILIAN DEFENSE POPULAR
About 17,800 civilian defense coun-
cils have been organized in the U.
S. with an estimated 10,743,000 vol-
unteer workers, serving about 81
per cent of the population.
I Am said that in each presenta-
I
I ization for the whole-hearted and
I received from the organization.
0 eP e -,erans
The Alabama State Defense
Council is cooperating with Cham-
bers of Commerce and other or-
ganizations throughout Alabama in-
terested in training discharged war
veterans for peace duties.
carl Griffin, Chief of War Ser-
vices has been contacting organi-
zations both by correspondence and
in person in the interest of' such storm wrecked areas.
veterans. Mr. Griffi.. is appealing during his training period to notify
to persons and corporations, who the Alabama State Defense Coun-
can employ a discharged veteran cil.
TIONAL WAR SERVICE
Signal recognition from the na-
tional and state Office of Civilian
Defense has been given six Mobile
firms who are recipients of the Na-
tional Security Award, it was an-
nounced Saturday by Fred Arn, ex-
ecutive director of the Mobile Coun-
ty' Council of Defense.
The firms selected for the honor
are: The National Gypsum Co., J.
Colon Brown, manager; Alabama
Power Co., A. D. Quackenbush, vice-
president; Aluminum Ore Co., Dun-
can C. Smith, superintendent; Ala-
bama State Docks & Terminals, Ed
Sauls, director; International Paper
Company Mill, Maj J. H. Friend,
vice-president; and Hollingsworth
& Whitney Co., D. E. Cbusins, mill
manager.
SIGNED BY GENERAL
The National Security Award
which is a certificate of striking
artistic merit, bears the personal
signatures of Gen. William N. Has-
kell, director of tbe U. S. office of
Civilian Defense; Chauncey Sparks,
governor and chairman of the Ala-
bama State Defense Council and
Haygood Paterson, state director of
Civilian Defense.
The only previous recipient of the
national security' award in this area
is the Mobile Gas Service Corp.
SERVICE AWARDS
In presenting the awards to the
firm representatives, Arn said it
was given for exceptional services
rendered by the plant and person-
nel of the companies in providing
for protection of this community
and its essential facilities and in-
dustries in the event of enemy at-
tack.
tion he took the occasion to express
the appreciation of the local organ-
efficient cooperation the office had
The firm so honored must pass
several inspections and have its
public service approved by both
state and national defense councils.
-Mobile Press Register, Feb. 5, 1945.
G. D. POLICE AND-
(Continued from page 1)
dreds of homes damaged, some
practically demolished, property
damage running into the millions.
All lighting and telephone service
was disrupted. Every ambulance in
the city and those at Maxwell and
Gunter Fields were required to move
the dead and injured.
Reports from LiVingston and
York, Alabama advised that Civil-
ian Defense volunteers were among
the first on the scene and cooper-
ated with local officials in assisting
FEBRUARY, 1945 THE HOME FRONT PAGE THREE
i

Service Corps Gives Alabama Presents Check For $750,000.00 'To

Magic City \Vomen National War Fund As Third War Chest Quota
Merited Awards
The Citizens Service Corps of th~ 61-36
Jefferson County Defense Council
has chalked up many hours of credit
for fine volunteer work and as a t~f •
THe FIRST NATIONAl" BANK
OF MONTGOMERY
No.--401L
result. the folloWing have been pre-
sented with hour award bars dur-
ing the months of November, De-
I i T'IOm'GOMERY. ,,\1•.\.., - ~ft" ;Y'1--"k~k
A _ _ 194-£
cember, and January:
Mrs, Etta B. Smith leading with .~ PAY TO TOE ORD'" 0./11., Tt ON ilL ~ ~ £N L,. lJ. $j-£0' Q~
7,283 hours; Mrs. A, E. Westerfield,
5,000 hours; Mrs, F, M. McGauley,
4,000 hours; Miss Sara Hart, 3,000
hours; Mrs. C. C, Kelley, 2,000
I~
e....::s:
SEliE: &I"rAJt£~_kT),_;;luDU-S-'liY./) ~ 0
ALAB,Uf,\ WAH (,HEST. liW'.
..<2-C>_ _ DOLLARS

,--~ --=e==-_II_'.:::==~=~~'R--'-'('TO-R--
hours; Mrs, J. W. Bracknell, 2,000
hours; Mrs. Cecile Wilson, 2,000
hours; Mrs. Joel Appleby, 2,000 _ _-,--__-_-_-
hours; Mrs. Charles Smith, 2,000
hours, Alabama for the third time measured up to her responsibilities as evidenced by the check for $750,-
Among those receiving the 1,000 000,00, which was sent by President Haygood Paterson to the National War Fund, as Alabama's quota
hour bar are: Mrs. Y. P. Lewis, Mrs, for the Third War Chest, The check was signed by E. C, Lackey, Executive Director of the Alabama
Beach Chenoweth, Mrs. Joe Res- War Chest and countersigned by W. C, Bowman, Presiden~ of the First National Bank of Montgomery.
nick, Mrs, John D. Sheehy, Mrs, AlaQama:s quota, which was raised in record time was $1,100,368,40,
Charles Goodrich, Mrs, Mary Good-
win, Mrs, Cora Black, Mrs. Paul
THE SERVICEMAN'S RED CROSS
Ford, Mrs, Leon Vedell, Mrs. A, H. Governor Declares Plant Your Victory
Hoyle, Mrs, A, E. Holladay, Miss
Katherine Smith, Mrs. Kate Mc- Alabama Must Garden In Febr'y There is no question as to how
servicemen overseas and at home
Ginnis, Mrs. C, R. Porter, Mrs, L, Conserve Coal
E. Foster, Mrs. Don Whitcomb, Mrs. Four hundred thousand Victory feel about the Red Cross. Aside
W. F. Bierley, Mrs. W. M, Vrada- Gardens for Alabama for 1945! from the comfort and entertainment
man, Miss Frances Frazer, Mrs. C, This is the goal set by the National features it offers, the absolute mir-
T. Moore, Mrs. W, R. Bodden, Mrs. Coal must be conserved in Ala- Garden Council. These should be acle which has been performed by
A. T. Hutchins, and Mrs. R. L. Peck. bama and all over the Nation if the divided equally between rural and blood' plasma, in all the combat the-
supply is to last out the Winter and aters, with blood collected under
Awards for 500 hours of faithful necessary war plants are kept run- urban families, Red Cross supervision, is one of the
service were presented to: Miss ning, according to a statement issu- The Month of February is the outstanding life-saving features of
Merle Tamblyn, Mrs. M. D. Wells, ed by Governor Sparks who has time to start your garden. Good the war. It is one which has en-
Mrs, P. D. Liddell, Mrs. E. A. Mc- been made familiar with the na- seed of varieties that are known deared the organization to every
Coleb, Mrs, R. P. Phillips, Mrs. tional situation, Over 16,000,000 to be adapted to Alabama condi- one.
Georga Felix, Mrs. S, G, Coin, Mrs. more tons of coal were consumed tions are very important. It is also
R. A. Boswell, Mrs. R. V. Webb, Mrs. in the United States in December essential that the garden be given
John Steele, Mrs. D. B. Blacketor, than were mined. a thorough cleaning; that it be ad- "Lets us have faith that rig'ht
Mrs, Wm. Oberhelman, Mrs. Gust equately fertilized; and that the soil makes might·; and in that faith let
Magnuson, Mrs. J. E. Magnuson, Governor ehauncey Sparks has be ploughed or spaded to a depth us to the end, dare to do our duty
Miss Margaret McPherson, Mrs. C, issued the following statement: of 6 or 8 inches. A 4-10-7 fertilizer as we understand it," - Abraham
B. Hoglan, Mrs. Nettie DeShazQ, "I earnestly appeal tCl the citizens is ideal for most vegetables, apply- Lincoln.
Mrs. Holland Folkerth, Mrs. B. S. of Alabama to support in every way ing 10 pounds on each 100 ft. row.
Gilbert, Mrs. B. O. Robertson, Mrs the Fuel Conservation Program. In Planting schedule for February DORSEY TRAILERS-
W, E. Siefgried, Mrs: Floyd Taylor,' the face of a coal shortage we must and detailed information may be
and Mrs. H. L, Rocker. s'we to assure the coal essential for secured by writing W. A. Ruffin, (Continued from page 1)
war purposes.
Extension Horticulturist, Alabam" "All fronts depend on them. The
"The authorities at Washington Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, Ala- absence of a war worker from his
Army Furloughs lVlen have called upon the Nation to take bama. job for a single day can cause a
To Work In Mills every step essential to save coal
They have suggested maximum
County Defense Councils are urg- temporary shortage on the battle-
ed to stimulate interest in produc- field." In conclusion he pleaded
The vital importance of home temperature for home and office tion of more and better Victory that the record established be a
production was emphasized recently buildings and have ordered a brown- Gardens for 1945. challenge to greater efforts.
when the Army furloughed soldiers out of display lighting to save thou· Lt. Comdr. W, W, Hearther, who
with experience as textile workers sands 'of tons cf coal so much need- represented the Navy read the ci-
to work in mills to help relieve the ed to produce munitions. "To be prepared for war is one tation of meritorious service and
critical shortage of cotton duck so 'The Solid Fuels Administration of the most effectual means of pre- pinned the "E" emblem button on
badly needed by our fighters both in Washington warns that coal sup· serving peace," - George Washing- J. W. Wright, Sales Manager of
in Europe and the Pacific. plies for this winter are approach. ton. Dorsey Trailers, Mr. Wright ex-
An interesting picture appeared ing a dangerous low. I therefore pressed the determination of the
in a recent issue of the Montgom- urge every patriotic Alabamian to plant to increase its efforts.
ery, Alabama Advertiser shOWing save coal in every way possibb." and banking at least 2 hours be- James C, Dixon, principal of the
furloughed. soldier-workers in a Solid Fuels Conservator Haygood fore retiring. Elba High Schools acted as master
plant of the Tallassee Mills, East Paterson commenting on the Gov- 'Shut off radiators in rooms not of ceremonies, introducing the
Tallassee, Sgt. Lester Hughes, a ernor's appeal made the following used regularly. speakers. The Assembly and AAR
veterans of overseas service from suggestions for coal saving: Keep doors and windows closed. Band of Napier Field provided mar-
Anderson, S. C" is shown' weaving; Do not allow the temperature of Weatherstrip doors and windows. tial music. The ceremony was fol-
Pvt. John M. Rybka from Rhode your· room to rise above 68 degrees. Customary domestic coals are lowed by a barbecue luncheon for
Island and Technician 5th Class Each degree less that you heat your now exceedingly hard to find on the guests,
Earl V. Henderson a North Carolin- home saves 3% of your coal. bill. the market, Consult your coal H. Burton Andrews, Director of
ian are doffing; while Cpl. Harold Use less coal in your furnace by dealer, Give him advance notice the States War Inspection Service
Gibson, another South Carolinian, keeping furnace in good condition; concerning your needs and accept represented the Alabama State De-
is carding. employing correct firing methods; whatever he has to offer. I fense Council at the presentation.