Today is Friday, July 18, the 199th day of 2003. There are 166 days left in the year. On this date

Today is Friday, July 18, the 199th day of 2003. There are 166 days left in the year. On this date in 1947, President Truman signs the Presidential Succession Act, which places the speaker of the House and the Senate president pro tempore next in the line of succession after the vice president.
In 1927, Ty Cobb hits safely for the 4,000th time in his career. In 1932, the United States and Canada sign a treaty to develop the St. Lawrence Seaway. In 1936, the Spanish Civil War begins. In 1940, the Democratic national convention in Chicago nominates President Roosevelt for an unprecedented third term in office. In 1944, Hideki Tojo is removed as Japanese premier and war minister because of setbacks suffered by his country in World War II. In 1969, a car driven by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., plunges off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island near Martha's Vineyard; passenger Mary Jo Kopechne died. In 1984, a gunman opens fire at a McDonald's fast food restaurant in San Ysidro, Calif., killing 21 people before being shot dead by police. In 1984, Walter F. Mondale wins the Democratic presidential nomination in San Francisco.
July 18, 1978: The State Controlling Board clears the way for nearly $700,000 in improvements to promote economic development in Campbell, Struthers and Lowellville. The money will be allocated through CASTLO.
The Department of Health Education and Welfare awards a grant of $150,000 to Youngstown Public Schools and Youngstown State University to provide training for new teachers who will be working with low-income students.
Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees is suspended indefinitely without pay after attempting to bunt after Manager Billy Martin gave him a signal to swing away in the 10th inning of what became a 9-7 loss to Kansas City.
July 18, 1963: Appearing at Idora Park, the fabulous Four Freshmen with the Paul Campbell Orchestra for dancing. Admission, $2 per person.
Parella Construction Co. of Youngstown submits low bids on five contracts and tied on a sixth in a $1.3 million federal-aid sidewalk improvement program.
A Salem man and his son die in an explosion in the cellar of the family home at 1093 Jennings Ave. The explosion occurred while Dickson M. Van Schoik, 37, and Thomas, 10, were painting the basement with lacquer when the fumes ignited. The father and two older sons escaped, but Van Schoik went back for Thomas, and both suffered fatal burns.
July 18, 1953: The Democratic majority in Youngstown City Council is prepared to consider passage of legislation to hire engineers to plan the city's $10 million sewage disposal project. Council and Mayor Charles Henderson have been at loggerheads over the project.
A 30-year-old South Side man who burned his car rather than repair it is in county jail awaiting arson charges brought by state arson investigator Michael J. Melillo, who obtained a confession from the man with the aid of State Highway Patrolman Robert Chalk and Sheriff Paul J. Langley.
Private David D. Douds, 22, of Pasadena Ave., is reported wounded in Korea by exploding shrapnel in a mined area while on a reconnaissance patrol with six other men. He is being treated in an army hospital in Osaka, Japan.
July 18, 1928: The Rt. Rev. Msgr. John W. Klute, pastor of St. Joseph Church and dean of Catholic priests in the Youngstown deanery, dies in St. Elizabeth Hospital after a prolonged illness.
Although $4.9 million in taxes remains to be collected by July 31, there will not be any extension of the collection date, says Deputy County Treasurer Robert Giles.
A contract for grading Landsdowne Airport is awarded to James W. Groom, whose bid of $4,932 was the lowest received by the city board of control. Steam shovels will be put to work at the field at once.