MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1994

The City Council will consider a proposal next week to create a citizens police review board with broad powers to investigate police misconduct. The ordinance, being drafted by Councilman Shep Wilbun, is already facing opposition from several quarters. Police Director Walter Winfrey and police union officials contend the board is not needed. And the council’s public safety committee chairman, Jimmy Moore, also opposes the proposal, saying it would damage police morale.

50 years ago — 1969

The Overton Park section of the often-delayed eastwest expressway faces a two- to three-week “freeze” in construction while Washington officials make up their minds about the design. But the route will not be changed because it would be “improper and impractical,” a high official of the Department of Transportation said yesterday in Washington. The controversial routing has been the subject of hearings, protests and delays for nearly 15 years, and more than 20 alternative routes were studied and rejected.

75 years ago — 1944

The contract for the manufacture of four-pound bombs by National Fireworks, Inc. at Cordova has been terminated by the Dallas Chemical Warfare Procurement District, according to an announcement by Lt. Col. H.M. Mccullough, public relations officer. The company has stated that plans are already in effect to utilize personnel on other contracts.

100 years ago — 1919

While the White Sox and the Reds are battling for world baseball supremacy on the fields in Chicago and Cincinnati, the games will be played right here in Memphis on the electric scoreboard on The Commercial Appeal building, directly opposite Court Square. Each player as he takes his turn at bat will be shown. Each ball thrown by the pitcher will be shown. If the player hits the ball it will be shown in what direction. Each advance the player makes on the bases will be shown as soon as it happens. 125 years ago — 1894

The phonograph may have a useful and labor-saving career after all. It is stated that a firm of printers is introducing it into the office for the purpose of “copy.” You speak into it, and then the compositors set up your spoken words as the machine divulges them. The thing sounds simple and looks as though it might do away with the troublesome process of writing.

THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Construction on the Hyatt Regency Hotel was moving along on Oct. 1, 1974, about one year after its start and about a year before its scheduled completion. The construction cost is about $15 million, and the hotel is expected to provide jobs for 400 persons at Poplar and Interstate 240.