In 1949, construction of the Rodgers Theatre is indefinitely halted due to a labor dispute. 25 years later a different dispute is resolving — an agreement between independent truckers and the federal government is poised to end 1974’s strike.
__Feb. 7, 1924__
• The State Public Welfare Department is embarking on a massive undertaking: providing medical care to all disabled children in Missouri. A survey of schools and families is now underway. Children whose parents can’t afford a doctor will be treated for free.
• Judge Almon Ing is recessing the circuit court until Feb. 20, just three days before the end of the January term. He explained the move is, “To cut down some of these expenses.”
The cases judged most important have already been cleared from the docket.
__Feb. 7 1949__
• Construction of the Rodgers Theatre in Poplar Bluff is halted by a labor dispute: plasterers have objected because carpenters are installing a celotex ceiling. Theater management said work was closing indefinitely. Union representatives and theater officials will meet tomorrow.
• A Frisco engine and seven passenger cars derail outside Cape Girardeau this morning, but no cars overturned and no one is injured. Passengers have been transferred to buses for the remainder of the trip, and Frisco officials estimate the wreck will take at least 10 hours to clear. The cause of the derailment is unknown.
__Feb. 7, 1974__
• The Federal Energy Office and leaders of the truckers’ strike reach a tentative agreement after eight days of nationwide shortages, industry layoffs and sporadic violence: the government will release an extra 76,000 barrels of diesel daily, allocated to truckers’ fuel needs, and the Interstate Commerce Commission will approve a temporary freight rate hike.
Negotiators for the independent drivers said it may take 48 or more for all drivers to act on the agreement.
In the meantime, three strike-related arrests were made in Butler County, and the circuit court issued 11 more restraining orders protecting company trucks from protesters.
Drivers Olen Sheppard of Arkansas and Virgil Reynolds of Tennessee were arrested in separate incidences after strikers claimed they flourished handguns while driving. Both denied this and claimed they had waved or pointed their fingers. They were each released on $1,000 bond.
Poplar Bluff resident Claudie Hill, 36, was arrested on misdemeanor charges after driving 30 mph in front of a tractor trailer and refusing to let it pass. Hill was freed on $100 bond.
Over the past week, Circuit Judge Rex. Henson granted a total of 19 restraining orders protecting companies’ trucks from interference. The most recent of these successfully broke up truck tie-ups in Cape Girardeau, where striking truckers used their rigs to block company vehicles, but officers reported many company drivers refused to return to the road once the way was clear.
• Thieves, presumably hungry ones, stole 430 lbs. of frozen pork and beef from a residence in Puxico last night (Feb. 6). Three guns were also taken.
• Authorities investigate an arson case at the Dexter IGA Foodliner market. The fire was discovered at 8 p.m. last night by an employee. The shed was attached to the southeast corner of the building and contained empty cardboard boxes. Firemen confined the blaze to the outbuilding, but smoke caused about $3,000 worth of damage to store merchandise.