1973 - Mandatory Daylight Saving Time Becomes Law

President Richard Nixon signed legislation that put most of the nation on yearround daylight saving time to save energy. The daylight saving time bill was to go into effect at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 6, continuing to October 1975. It was the first time since World War II that year-round daylight saving time had been mandated. The president also authorized the use of 2,000 Internal Revenue Service agents to enforce fuel allocation rules.

Pleas for energy conservation from the president, governor and suppliers had resulted in an area-wide decline in electricity consumption of about 12%. Although efforts to reduce lighting and other conservation measures contributed to the decrease, weather continued to be a big factor in energy consumption. October and November were very warm months compared to normal and in some instances, electricity usage actually increased because of additional air conditioning load.

The first icy blast of the new winter blew in shortly after 5 a.m. on Wednesday, plummeting temperatures from the balmy 60s to below 30 by sunup. To compound the misery, gusty winds drove the chill factor – cooling capacity of the wind – down to just over the zero mark bringing great discomfort to those accustomed to the fall-like weather. A total of .58 of an inch of rain accompanied winter’s double-barrel debut.

Four area youths were assessed fines and costs totaling $59.50 apiece in connection with charges of malicious mischief and had to pay $32 in damages. The quartet admitted entering the Round Up Hall concession building, breaking in and causing mischief at the Frisch Auf! Valley Country Club, and breaking down an aluminum gate east of the city. In addition, they took several cases of beer and a number of pitchers from the Round Up Hall, and tossed benches, flower pots and an electric clock in the Frisch Auf! pool.

The practically new brick veneer home of the Frankie Ahlschlager family in the River Colony development just east of FM 155 was destroyed by fire before 6 a.m. Friday. La Grange firefighters got the call at about 5:40 a.m., but the structure had already collapsed by the time they arrived with the booster truck. The family managed to save a washer, dryer and several pieces of furniture, plus some of their clothing. However, several of the children left the burning home without time to get their clothes. La Grange Fire Chief Rudolph Boss said the family had lived in the house for about a year. They planned to take up residence in the house on the E.G. Albers farm where they lived before moving to River Colony. The loss was said to be partially covered by insurance.

Several days earlier, a fastburning fire destroyed the former Chas. J. Tschiedel home in Rutersville shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Firefighters from La Grange and Fayetteville responded to the alarm, but the stately frame home was beyond saving when they arrived. The Roy E. Grubaughs, the present owners, had been to Austin and returned about the time the building collapsed in flames. Firefighters did manage to save a number of tools from a nearby garage which was partially burned.

Rene Batcheider, 12, a Schulenburg Junior High School student, won the beautiful artificial Scotch Pine Christmas tree and handmade ornaments made by Fayette County Sheltered Workshop trainees. The tree had been on display at all county banks before the drawing.

La Grange’s Leopard cagers dropped a pair of squeakers to the Wildcats of Weimar by the total sum of three points. The Lep jayvees of Coach Jim Story lost the lid-lifter, 43-41, although La Grange held a 16-10 advantage at the end of the first period. The varsity engagement was even closer with the Wildcats emerging with a 56-55 victory. Neal Miller hit the hoop for 17 points, Johnny Johnson meshed 11 and Steve Kovar chimed in with 10 for La Grange. Larry Henry of Weimar was the game-leader for the Wildcats with 25 points.

Sam Houston State University at Huntsville conferred the following degrees to Fayette County students: Don Louis Meiners of La Grange, photography, and Randell Gene Pietsch of Winchester, general business administration.

The U.S. Postage Service said the volume of Christmas cards and letters mailed during the two-week period ending Dec. 10 showed an increase of 15% over the same period in 1972.

Rose Marie Smith of La Grange scored in the highest 1% of Blinn College’s Vocational Nursing Class graduates. Mrs. Smith, who received her clinical training at Fayette Memorial Hospital, was a graduate of La Grange High School and the mother of four children.

The Cozy Theater welcomed 535 youngsters from the first through the sixth grades at Hermes Elementary School. They were transported downtown on four buses in two different groups. Playing was a double feature, ‘Reddy Fox and Sam Davenport,’ and a puppet show called ‘Noah’s Ark.’ This exciting outing was the annual gift from the teachers.

Funeral services were held for: Mrs. Robert Rohan, 55, of Houston; Mrs. Emilia Rerich, 81, of Weimar; and Mrs. Annie Blinka, 82, of Park.

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