All-Metro Softball
25 years ago — 1993
National Commerce Bancorporation’s new chairman doesn’t intend to rely on a No. 2 executive. Thomas M. Garrott became chairman Saturday and promptly elevated three veteran bankers at Memphis’ third-largest homegrown banking company to a committee he heads known as the office of the chairman. “I think it’s a strong signal of who the top three executives will be behind me,” Garrott said. He added to the office of the chairman John S. Evans, Walter B. Howell Jr. and William R. Reed Jr.
50 years ago — 1968
WASHINGTON — A research group reports that a modern steam car would be a pollution-free competitor to internal combustion engines and not a “noisy, stinking” version of the old Stanley Steamer. A report issued by Resources for the Future said “the crippling disabilities of the early steam cars – very slow starts, great bulk, inefficiency, and exorbitant water consumption – have all been overcome.” It said there is one model of steam car capable of traveling 1,000 miles on a 10-gallon tank of water.
75 years ago — 1943
WASHINGTON — With a sweep of President Roosevelt’s pen the federal government yesterday seized control of the strike-crippled coal fields and officials prepared to clamp severe restrictions on rail travel and consumption of coal. More than 480,000 workers mining 95 percent of the nation’s coal were ordered back to work, the American Flag was ordered flown over all the coal fields and federal troops were on standby to enforce the orders if need be. United Mine Workers chief John L. Lewis refused comment.
100 years ago — 1918
Miss Margret Woodrow Wilson, daughter of the President, will sing in the Goodwyn Institute auditorium tonight to benefit the American Red Cross. She is touring the country, and last week appeared before 12,000 people in Denver. She sang in Memphis last year and critics say her voice has improved remarkably since then.
125 years ago — 1893
CHICAGO — The Electric Age was ushered in yesterday when President Grover Cleveland pushed a button to start the mighty machinery and revolving wheels of the World’s Columbian Exposition. A great shout went up from the 200,000 persons present. The biggest fair in history, it has cost 33 million dollars and taken several years of preparation by delegations from all over the world.