MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1993
WASHINGTON — President Clinton and his advisers are turning to overhauling the health care system, hoping to complete their plan within six weeks and sell the idea as a secure and universal health insurance. White House aides and Democratic strategists in Congress say the drive for health care legislation must be more bipartisan than the budget bill, which received no Republican votes in passing. And from the start, the aides and strategists say, it must be sold to the public far more aggressively. The sales campaign is under way.
50 years ago — 1968
The proposal to consolidate the offices of county and city property assessors was bogged down in a City Council committee yesterday — where it apparently will languish for some time. Councilman Wyeth Chandler said yesterday he and other members of the council committee studying the matter have recommended to the full council that the matter be postponed for the time being. Mr. Chandler, Mrs. Gwen Awsumb and committee chairman W.T. McAdams studied the matter several weeks ago, but discovered the city could well lose more money than it would save under the consolidation measure. “Most of us ran on the idea of combining as many of these offices as we could,” Mr. Chandler said yesterday. “But simply as a matter of city income, we found it would not be a savings.”
75 years ago — 1943
“The Merry Widow,” final Memphis Open Air Theatre show of the 1943 season, starring Ethel Taylor and Hal Conklin, will be presented tonight at Overton Park Shell. Miss Taylor will play the part of Sonia, the merry widow, and Mr. Conklin will have the part of Prince Danilo. Victor Morley, MOAT stage director, will play the comedy part of Popoff.
100 years ago — 1918
British and French troops continue to sweep the Germans back eastward. The Allied forces have taken 17,000 prisoners and nearly 200 guns of heavy caliber. Tanks, armored cars and mounted cavalry are still working through the region and aeroplanes are bombing transport and troop movements far behind the lines.
125 years ago — 1893
The five social clubs of the city, to which nearly 1,000 men belong, are feeling the pinch of depressed conditions in the money market. In real danger of financial disaster are the Chickasaw, Amateur Athletic, Memphis and Casino clubs. The oldest club, the Tennessee, which was founded more than 20 years ago, is in least danger of succumbing. However, added to its $5 a month dues was a recent assessment of $50, which has caused some sharp talk among the membership. It is hoped that the feelings will be soothed by the midwinter social season.