1946 in Michigan explained

Events from the year 1946 in Michigan included the emergence of anti-graft crusader Kim Sigler and his election as governor, a strike by the United Auto Workers, and supply-chain problems that slowed production in the automobile industry. The year's major sports stories included the 1946 Detroit Tigers finishing second in the American League with Hal Newhouser winning 26 games and finishing second in voting for the most valuable player award. Notable deaths in 1946 included former Michigan football coach Fielding H. Yost. Notable births in Michigan included comedienne and actress Gilda Radner and writer/director Paul Schrader

Top stories

The Associated Press polled editors of its member newspapers in Michigan and ranked the state's top news stories of 1946 as follows:[1]

  1. Kim Sigler. Kim Sigler began the year as special prosecutor pursuing government corruption. After 28 months in that position, he was fired in March 1946. A former Democrat, he won the Republican nomination for governor in a four-way contest. He then won the general election in November by more than 350,000 votes, the largest margin for a Michigan governor in a non-presidential year.
  2. UAW strike. In January, Chrysler and Ford settled their part in the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike of 1945–1946. The last to settle was General Motors on March 13, ending a strike by 175,000 production workers that had lasted for 113 days since November 21, 1945.
  3. Production problems in the automobile industry. Reduced production was attributed to factors including Office of Price Administration (OPA) price controls on new automobiles (which were finally lifted in November),[2] the UAW strike, and strikes against automobile parts suppliers and in the steel, coal, rail, and Great Lakes shipping industries.
  4. Tornadoes. Two large tornadoes in June 1946 struck Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, the most devastating being the 1946 Windsor–Tecumseh tornado
  5. Bank bribery scandal. On July 20, 19 men including the president of Michigan National Bank, were indicted for conspiring to block passage of Michigan's anti-branch bank bill.
  6. Jackson Prison scandal. In April, a hearing for reinstatement of the fired warden of the Jackson State Prison revealed extensive corruption at the prison, including bribes for whisky, more favorable work assignments, and visits to a house of ill fame.
  7. Frank McKay trial. Former Republican national committeeman Frank McKay and four others were tried in January and February on charges of corrupting the state liquor control commission. After a month of trial, the judge granted a directed verdict and dismissed the charges. The case had been prosecuted by Kim Sigler.
  8. Baroda school explosion. The November 13 explosion of a water tank at a school in Baroda, killing one child and endangering 260.
  9. Cardinal Mooney. On February 18, Detroit Archbishop Edward Aloysius Mooney was elevated by the pope to the status of cardinal. He was the first cardinal in Michigan.
  10. Destruction of cottages near Bay City. On March 9, strong winds from a blizzard pushed massive ice floes from Saginaw Bay onto Killarney and Ricomo Beaches near Bay City. The ice reached heights of 40 feet along a two-mile stretch of beach, crushing 100 cottages.

Other stories receiving votes but falling outside the top ten included the following:[1]

Office holders

State office holders

Mayors of major cities

Federal office holders

Companies

The following is a list of major companies based in Michigan in 1946.

Company1946 sales (millions)1946 net earnings (millions)HeadquartersCore business
General MotorsDetroitAutomobiles
Ford Motor Companynana[3] Automobiles
ChryslerAutomobiles
Studebaker Corp.Automobiles
Briggs Mfg. Co.DetroitAutomobile parts supplier
S. S. KresgeRetail
Hudson Motor Car Co.DetroitAutomobiles
Detroit EdisonElectric utility
Michigan BellTelephone utility
Kellogg'sBattle CreekBreakfast cereal
Parke-DavisDetroitPharmaceutical
REO Motor Car Co.LansingAutomobiles
Burroughs Adding MachineBusiness machines

Also in 1946, Avis Car Rental was founded by Warren Avis in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Sports

Baseball

American football

Basketball

Ice hockey

Boxing

Boat racing

Golfing

Chronology of events

January

February

March

April

May

June

Kim Sigler won the Republican gubernatorial primary by a 50,000-vote margin over Vernon J. Brown (lieutenant governor), Raymond J. Kelly (former commander of the American Legion), and Edward Jeffries (Detroit mayor). Sigler ran on his reputation as a crusader against government graft and a promise to clean house in Lansing.[63] [64]

Murray Van Wagoner, who previously served as governor (1941-1943), easily won the Democratic gubernatorial primary by a three-to-one margin over William J. Cody (Wayne County circuit court commissioner).[65]

July

August

September

October

November

In the 1946 Michigan gubernatorial election, Republican Kim Sigler was elected with 60.28% of the vote, defeating Democrat Murray Van Wagoner.[95]

In the 1946 United States Senate election in Michigan, Republican Arthur Vandenberg was reelected with 67.06% of the vote, defeating Democrat James H. Lee.[95]

In the 1946 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, Republicans won 14 of 17 races, flipping three seats previously held by Democrats.

December

Births

Deaths

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Sigler Tops News List. The Lansing State Journal. December 29, 1946. 2. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Wilson Cites Wage-Price Policy: U.S. Blamed for Production Lag. Detroit Free Press. September 5, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  3. Ford was a privately held company until 1956. Accordingly, its financial results for 1946 were not made public.
  4. Web site: 1946 Detroit Tigers Statistics. Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com. November 16, 2022.
  5. News: Hal Runs Second to Williams in 'Valuable' Race. Detroit Free Press. November 15, 1946. 22. Newspapers.com.
  6. Web site: 2012 University of Michigan Baseball Record Book. University of Michigan. 2012. August 9, 2017. 22, 71. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120456/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/bsb-recordbook-2012.pdf. dead.
  7. 2012 Record Book, p. 13.
  8. Web site: 1946 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players. Sports Reference LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. July 9, 2017.
  9. Web site: 1946 Football Team . Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. July 10, 2017.
  10. Web site: 1946 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Results. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. June 16, 2017.
  11. Web site: 1946 Detroit Mercy Titans Schedule and Results. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. November 23, 2015.
  12. Web site: Central Michigan 2015 Football Media Guide. Central Michigan University. July 20, 2016. 100, 109. 2015. October 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161026171041/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cmu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2015-Football-Media-Guide.pdf. dead.
  13. Web site: Football Records: Year-By-Year Results - 1940 - 49. Western Michigan University. July 5, 2016.
  14. Book: The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. W.J. Bingham. 1947. 195.
  15. Web site: 2015 Eastern Michigan Football Digital Media Guide. Eastern Michigan University Football. June 30, 2016. 162, 170.
  16. Book: The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. W.J. Bingham. 1947. 125 .
  17. News: . MIAA Playoff Appears Improbable Despite Tie . . . November 11, 1946 . 19 . May 21, 2020 . .
  18. Web site: University of Michigan Basketball Record Book. University of Michigan. 29. 2013-08-27. 2018-10-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20181026080859/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/bkm-through-the-years.pdf. dead.
  19. Web site: 1945-46 Detroit Red Wings Roster and Statistics. Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. November 15, 2022.
  20. News: Mauriello Counted Out After 2:09. Detroit Free Press. September 19, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  21. News: Gold Cup Won by Lomardo. Detroit Free Press. September 3, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  22. News: 1946 Classic Proves 225s Don't Belong in Gold Cup. Detroit Free Press. September 4, 1946. 18. Newspapers.com.
  23. News: Kocsis Credits Wife with His Victory in Michigan Open. Detroit Free Press. August 5, 1946. 14. Newspapers.com.
  24. News: Auto Pay Pacts OK'd. Detroit Free Press. January 27, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  25. News: Judge Frees Frank M'Kay and 4 Associates: No Criminal Offense Proved, Jurist Rules. The Battle Creek Enquirer and News. February 14, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  26. News: 32 Cardinals Don Purple in Rome. Detroit Free Press. Clem Lane. February 19, 1946. 1, 4. Newspapers.com.
  27. News: Mooney Gets Biretta from Pope Pius. Detroit Free Press. February 21, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  28. News: Hank Greenberg Weds Gimbel Heiress. Detroit Free Press. February 19, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  29. News: 17 UAW Units Boom Reuther: Drive Starts to Replace R.J. Thomas. Detroit Free Press. March 10, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  30. News: Reuther Announces Candidacy: Thomas Sees Plot in UAW. Detroit Free Press. March 24, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  31. News: Thomas Accuses Reuther of GM Bungling. Detroit Free Press. March 25, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  32. News: Reuther Shows Power in Test Vote. Detroit Free Press. March 26, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  33. News: Thomas to Accept Communist Help: Reuther to Fight UAW Reds. Detroit Free Press. March 22, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  34. News: UAW Elects Reuther by 125-Vote Margin. Detroit Free Press. March 28, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  35. News: Hands Off: Free Union Is Pledged by Reuther: Reds Are Warned Not to Tamper. Detroit Free Press. March 31, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  36. News: Reuther Loses Board Fight. Detroit Free Press. March 30, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  37. News: Ice Crawls Out of Lake to Crush 100 Cottages. Detroit Free Press. March 10, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  38. News: Coash Fires Sigler, Names Ex-Prosecutor To Grand Jury Post. Lansing State Journal. March 13, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  39. News: Sigler Wants High Court to Oust Coash. Detroit Free Press. March 7, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  40. News: Back We Go! Agreements Green Light To Production. The News-Palladium. March 14, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  41. News: Strike Settled for 18-1/2 Cents: GM Workers Await Call Back To Jobs. Detroit Free Press. March 14, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  42. News: Ex-Warden Opens Fight: Jackson Loses Skirmishes As First Civil Service Hearing Starts. Lansing State Journal. April 8, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  43. News: Convict Tells Of Purchasing Favors. Lansing State Journal. April 10, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  44. News: Felon Tells Liquor Board of Trips to O'Larry's Bar: Says He Delivered Whisky to Ex-Warden; Owner on Stand. Detroit Free Press. April 17, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  45. News: Jackson Bungled in Job as Warden, Heyns Says. Detroit Free Press. April 24, 1946. 1. Newspapers.co.
  46. News: Hank's Homer Wins Opener, 2-1. Detroit Free Press. April 17, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  47. News: Lobaido Found Guilty by Jury in 12 Minutes. Detroit Free Press. Warren Stromberg. April 26, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  48. News: Lobaido Jury Sees Alleged Attack Site. Detroit Free Press. April 13, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  49. News: Lobaido Accuser Testifies. Detroit Free Press. April 12, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  50. News: Girl, 7, Mutilated; Nab Store Clerk. Detroit Free Press. January 28, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  51. News: Teamsters Rule Detroit's Wheels: Hoffa Holds reins on City Lifeline; Driers Are Estimated at 30,000. Detroit Free Press. May 4, 1946. 1, 4. Newspapers.com.
  52. News: Record Crowd of 58,480 Cheers as Tigers Split Pair with Boston. Detroit Free Press. May 20, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  53. News: Detroit to Relive 50 Golden Years. Detroit Free Press. May 26, 1946 . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  54. News: World to Get Full Picture of Jubilee. Detroit Free Press. May 28, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  55. News: Theatricals Next on Jubilee Card. Detroit Free Press. May 31, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  56. News: Jubilee Festivities Move to Convention Hall. Detroit Free Press. June 3, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  57. News: Jubilee Grandstand Falls; Score Injured. Detroit Free Press. May 30, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  58. News: Jubilee Pays Homage to 14 Auto Pioneers. Detroit Free Press. June 1, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  59. News: 750,000 See Jubiee Parade. Detroit Free Press. June 2, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  60. News: Wilson over Sloan in GM Shake-Up. Detroit Free Press. June 4, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  61. News: Tornado Cuts Swath Near City: 20 Killed. Detroit Free Press. June 18, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  62. News: 13 Die in Tornado. The Detroit News (Windsor Star edition). June 18, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  63. News: Sigler Victor By 37,000. The News-Palladium. June 19, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  64. News: Sigler Given a Plurality of 50,000 in GOP Race. Detroit Free Press. Hub M. George. June 20, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  65. News: Sigler Wins G.O.P. Race; To Face Van Wagoner. Lansing State Journal. June 19, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  66. News: Second Tornado in 10 Days Hits City Near Downtown. Detroit Free Press. June 28, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  67. News: 28 Indicted in Lansing Plot. Detroit Free Press. July 21, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  68. News: Bribery Plot Case Opens Today: 24 Ordered to Court by Judge Coash. Detroit Free Press. July 22, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  69. News: 10 of 11 Deny Bribery to Block Bank Bill. Detroit Free Press. July 23, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  70. News: $40,000 Bank Check 'Fee' Allege. Detroit Free Press. September 12, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  71. News: Wilkowski Bares Bribe by Hemans. Detroit Free Press. September 13, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  72. News: Ultimatum To Hemans: Grand Jury Tells Witness to Return. Detroit Free Press. September 10, 1946. 1.
  73. News: Hemans' Indictment Sought. Detroit Free Press. September 14, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  74. News: Hemans Jailed; Eludes Jury. Detroit Free Press. October 2, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  75. News: Hemans Set to Appeal 4-Year Term. Detroit Free Press. December 11, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  76. News: Horse Runs Wild at Fairgrounds; 7 Hurt. Detroit Free Press. July 23, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  77. News: L.A. Gives the Count to Detroit. Detroit Free Press. July 28, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  78. News: Detroit Area Shipping Is Paralyzed. Detroit Free Press. August 15, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  79. News: Ship Pickets Routed in City Dock Clash. Detroit Free Press. August 16, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  80. News: New Clashes Mark Lake Strike: LCA Agents Beaten in raid on Hall. Detroit Free Press. August 18, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  81. News: Ship Strikers OK Pact for 48-Hr. Week. Detroit Free Press. August 23, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  82. News: NMU Frees 17 Ships in Lake Strike. Detroit Free Press. August 24, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  83. News: Teamster Chiefs Indicted by Jury as Extortionists. Detroit Free Press. August 18, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  84. News: Teamsters' Arraignment Due Today: 18 Indicted Officials to hear charges. Detroit Free Press. August 19, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  85. News: Plea of Not Guilty Made for Teamsters. Detroit Free Press. August 20, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  86. News: Fielding H. Yost Succumbs at 75: Noted Coach Led U. of M.'s Golden Era. Detroit Free Press. Lyall Smith. August 21, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  87. News: 'Hurry Up' Yost Leaves U. of M. Rich Athletic Heritage. Detroit Free Press. August 21, 1946. 16. Newspapers.com.
  88. News: Murphy Indicts DeMass, Hoffa. Detroit Free Press. September 8, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  89. News: Jury Moves Kept Secret: Detroit Witnesses Guarded In Aftermath to Hoffa's Alleged Threat. Lansing State Journal. September 26, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  90. News: 2,050 Strike in Auto Plants; 50,000 Idled. Detroit Free Press. September 18, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  91. News: Strike Idle Total More Than 50,000. Detroit Free Press. September 19, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  92. News: Strike at Briggs Settled. Detroit Free Press. September 22, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  93. News: Prujansky Jailed by Grand Jury. Detroit Free Press. October 23, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  94. News: Army Beats Michigan: 87,993 Watch Cadets Score 20-13 Triumph: Glenn Davis' Speed Balks Wolverines. Chicago Tribune. October 13, 1946. Wilfrid Smith. 2-1.
  95. Book: Michigan . 1947 . Michigan manual. 1947-48. . . en . 274.
  96. News: Probe School Explosion: Hot Water Tank Blew Up, Inspector Says. The Herald-Press. November 14, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  97. News: School Board Issues Thanks: Blame For Baroda Blast Officially Laid To Faulty Valve. The Herald-Press. November 21, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  98. News: Ford Losses for Year Put at 33 Million. Detroit Free Press. November 15, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  99. News: Vandenberg Is Chosen President of Senate: Leader's Post Goes to White. Detroit Free Press. December 30, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  100. News: Frank Cody Dies; Funeral Thursday. Detroit Free Press. April 9, 1946. 1.
  101. Web site: Legislator Details - Samuel Odell. . April 28, 2023.
  102. News: Wurtsmith Found Dead. Detroit Free Press. September 16, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.
  103. News: Brief Illness Is Fatal to Ex-Slave, 107. Detroit Free Press. November 29, 1946. 1. Newspapers.com.