The Mexia Daily News from Mexia, Texas • Page 1

Dallus, 70233 Wortham Gulf station fire under control Firemen from several cities in Central Texas brought a potential holocaust under control about 9 a.rn. at the Wortham station of West Texas Gulf Pipeline Company. The blaze erupted this morning about 6:30 when a leak developed in the west area of the tank farm, located about two miles cast of Wortham. The initial leak. presumed to be the cause of the fire.

caused crude to be spilled over a wide area on the tank farm. Fires posed a threat to several storage tanks, receivers of crude from West and East Texas. Most of the oil Alexia Serving The People Of MEXIA, TEXAS THURSDAY, received at Wortham is sent to refineries on the Texas coast. An oil line exploded about 7:30. sending tremors of fear through firemen and bystanders that a tank had exploded.

The initial alarm was turned in about 6:30. Fire departments answering the call came from Mexia. Wortham. Teague. Fairfield and Corsicana.

The Mexia department was the only one which had the "Foam." the type of substance vitally needed to battle fires of this sort. A helicopter from Fort Hood came to the area to deliver chemicals to battle the blaze. The request was made by Wortham Mayor Harold Walker. The fire. which well could have had many more tragic overtones.

failed to destroy any buildings. Also. no tanks were lost to the blaze. There were no injuries reported. Blazing quartet Four blazes erupt during dangerous fire early this morning at was brought under control about 9 a.m.

(Daily News Staff the Wortham pump station of West Texas Gulf Pipeline Photo by Bob Wright) Company. Although fire threatened storage tanks, the blaze city beat By Bob Wright TITLE I SAYS WE'RE ENTITLED TO MORE The Title 1 program has notified the Mexia Independent School District the local funds should be higher for the current school year. The increase will push local funds from some $79,000 to $86,000... TRIAL RUN The Texas Chief came through this week, the forerunner of the Amtrak program through Mexia. 'The Chief was making a trial run, testing the track, WORTHWHILE DRIVE The Mexia Citizens Band Club and Disaster Corps is having: a drive for toys (new or' used) for needy children, in keeping with the Christmas season.

If you have any toys, you're requested to take them to Harrison Furniture, SeT. Bert HARRISON; or, you may telephone any one of three numbers to transport the toys562-2906, 562-5276 or 562-5882 (day or SHOPPING DAYS TO CHRISTMAS Adult classes start at Teague school TEAGUE classes for adults are meeting in the Junior High building. Basic mathematics skills are being taught, with emphasis on modern school math. Plans call for a basic reading, spelling and language class to begin soon. Adults classes are designed to provide educational opportunities for persons 21 years of age or older who have less than a -grade education.

The Adult Education Program is -funded and provided without cost to participants. MORNING STOCKS up All Rich up Coca Cola off duPont off Eastman up Exxon off Gen Elec up Great up Penney off Safeway off Groesbeck bands in concert tonight GROESBECK (Sp.) -The Groesbeck bands, under direction of Mike Williams, will present their Christmas concert tonight at 7:30. The concert will be in the Groosbeck High School cafetorium with admission prices 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children. BREATHALYZER SCHOOL FOR MIKE Mike BELL, the Mexia police officer who was temporarily fallen by a bullet, returns Friday from a five-day Beathalyzer School, staffed by Department of Public Safety personnel. Mike will then be state-qualified to test drivers suspected of being drunk behind the GOBBLERS STRUTTIN' It was nice to see and talk with Dr.

Eugene SIMS, superintendent of Cuero schools, on a stop in Mexia. Dr. Sims and his head coach were going to Waco to make arrangements for Friday night's class AAA state championship game at Baylor Stadium. The opponent is Mount Pleasant, and game time is 8. Dr.

Sims, former Limestone County school superintendent, lived at Mexia for several LAWMEN IN VEGAS Alvin MADDOX, ex-Limestone deputy and longtime friend, was in town for a brief visit Wednesday afternoon. He and wife are going soon to Las Vegas. where Alvin will make an address before the Law Enforcement Association's national convention. Just elected to the Duncanville school board, the Coolidge native is Executive Assistant to Dallas County Sheriff Clarence Jones. Peter Falk, John Wayne, Jack Webb and George Jessel are among show biz names who'll be on hand for the convention and Alvin's talk.

He was down in these parts for a speaking engagement at the Groesbeck Lions SINGIN' TIME The Point Enterprise singing will be held tonight at the Community Building, starting at 7, says Alvie Mystery Shopper's Clue Usually shops with a companion. Emmons resigns as Fairfield principal FAIRFIELD Emmons has resigned as principal of Fairfield High School. He has held the position for the past six years; and his resignation becomes effective upon replacement being named by the board of trustees. Emmons says he is resigning so he can devote full time to his ranching interests. He began his duties as Fairfield High principal in 1967.

He is married to the former Linda Tacker of Teague. They have two children--Andy, 7 and Julee, 10 months. A 1958 graduate from Sam Houston State with 8 Bachelor of Business ministration degree, Emmons taught in Huntsville during the 1958-59 term before returning home to Fairfield, where for two years he taught math and was a junior high coach. In 1961, Don became junior high principal and remained in this post for six years. He returned for further study at Sam Houston and received his Master's of Education degree in 1964.

Weather AR about Warmer Fair 42. High tonight Friday. Friday and Low near Friday. tonight 77. Complicating firemen's work was a nearby Butane line.

located near the ruptured line. Gasoline lines also lay nearby. An assessment of the loss will probably be made soon by Gulf officials. The VOLUME 74 NUMBER Verse A Day Leviticus the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Fuel 'boss' ready to act By STAN BENJAMIN Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON AP The government's energy czar, William E.

Simon, announced today he will order: reduced lighting in" commercial and industrial buildings as soon as Congress gives him the authority to do so. Simon also placed petroleum exports under a licensing system and told all federal agencies to get rid of their big limousines by Jan. 1. The new fuel conservation measures were announced just one day after Simon's new Federal Energy Office proposed regulations to reduce U.S. gasoline production 5 per cent below 1972 levels, a move that would increase the actual anticipated gasoline shortage to about 25 per cent carly next year.

The energy office fumbled badly in issuing that proposal, at first reporting it as a cutback seemingly five times as big as really intended. Simon held a White House news conference this morning to announce a whole series of additional actions and porposals to cope with expected fuel shortages. lle proposed that all commercial and industrial buildings, including stores, factories and offices, be required to reduce their lighting to specific light levels considered "minimum but effective and safe." The proposed reductions would cut lighting to roughly one-third to one-sixth of customary levels, he said. Simon said the action, to be made mandatory once pending emergency legislation becomes law, would save some 800,000 barrels of oil daily. Simon also proposed that major highway and freeway lighting be turned off, except at interchanges and ramps where the lighting would be cut in half.

If imposed after public comment, this action could save the energy equivalent of 15,000 barrels of oil daily, Simon said. Simon also asked industry to set up energy -saving committees, asked commercial building managers and owners to turn off all but essential lighting during nonworking hours, and asked citizens to cut down voluntarily on their use of electric space heaters. Simon ordered federal agencies tu reduce their driving by 20 per cent in the first quarter of next year and to get rid of limousines and heavy sedans, returning those which are leased. Simon told agencies to use compact or subcompact cars unless a larger car was absolutely necessary. In a move to prevent excessive petroleum exports from the United States during the fuel crisis, Simon placed exports under a licensing system effective immediately.

For the time being, he announced, the system would be used to monitor exports but not to limit them. If the exports become too large, he said, limiting action would be imposed. Under the gasoline allocation program announced Wednesday, the average motorist may find himself even more than 25 per cent short of his usual needs. Daily News The Bi-Stone Area Since 1872 DECEMBER 13, 1973 Member AP and NEA 10 ('ENTS PAGES Unlucky old sun Sunlight is barely visible as car comes over the hill with lights ominous type clouds throughout area. (Daily News Staff on this morning near Wortham.

The pall of black, billowing Photo by Billy smoke from West Texas Gulf Pipeline Company's station cast 0. Ominous moments Firemen from throughout area fought mammoth fire today at Fires in photo threatened storage tanks before quelled by the Wortham station of West Texas Gulf Pipeline Company. various fire units. (Daily News Staff Photo by Bob Wright).