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This newspaper page contains 31 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Location
Bluefield, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1940
Page
4
A fragment from Numbers 35 31 juxtaposes capital punishment with the warning against personal revenge. The text contrasts strict judicial killing with the futility of private vengeance, leaving a plain message about state rather than personal justice.
The speech by President Roosevelt Sunday night clarifies the administration's stance on the world war. He and advisers possess more information, and critics should withhold judgment until they are sure. Citizens are urged to study the address carefully and form convictions on U.S. actions.
The new West Virginia governor Senator Neely will be inducted into office and has 30 000 applications for state payroll jobs. The piece argues public office attracts wage seekers, noting that many prefer being their own boss and that some public employees fail to later work in private industry.
The author argues that thousands have applied to Governor Neely, with likely few landing jobs. He charges many applicants lack qualifications, warn that inefficient leaders will complain loudly when rejected, and hints that being governor carries burdens hidden behind the honor.
The Christmas holiday toll of violent deaths is reported near four hundred with hundreds more seriously injured. Last year had 678 traffic fatalities nationwide due to a three day Christmas weekend. New York and Chicago had no deaths. states like New York 41, Ohio 29, Illinois 28, Pennsylvania 24, California 24, Texas 22. West Virginia logged only one fatality. Holiday traffic deaths rise with congestion and reckless behavior.
A congressman asks whether an army officer must consult the musicians' union before issuing a bugle call. The piece questions the practicality of overtime pay and opposes the appointment of Hillman, a Russian born communist tainted, to a top defense post, noting broader concerns about Americanism.
William Allen White, chairman of the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies, refuses Verne Marshall’s challenge from Cedar Rapids to debate. The outcome spares time and space, a relief noted nationwide and by the press.
A witty line notes the challenge of youth staying up late as much as rising early. The author observes the paradox of modern behavior and routines in a concise, period voice.
Ottmar Mergenthaler the linotype inventor was a watchmaker by training not a printer. He never set a line of type and may not have operated a linotype. The piece likens this to Rousseau and cites rumors he died in an insane hospital after failures with the linotype.
A WW II era report notes Westminster Abbey badly damaged by German bombing. The poem-like text reflects on the enduring glory of the sacred site despite the air raid and falling stones over London.
A first person poem traces a Christmas tree from cherished centerpiece to discarded burden. It recalls holiday joy, family warmth, and public awe, then laments rising messiness and electric bills as the tree faces removal by the ashman and a public dump.
Elmer Twitchell ponders whether Italy will join the war and notes defense programs, while Senator Narcelino Soule from South America brings a horse as a gift to President Roosevelt. He fears the lease of war supplies to England may leave the country with only a mortgage on smoke screens.
The fragment notes a humorous comparison of a public notice about Martin Ragaway with a holiday mailman and a magician, remarking on presentation as released by The Associated Newspaper.
Traveler Wells Carveth Wells writes about his return to Japan and the Ainu culture. He notes a baby crying practice where the infant is hoisted to the hut ceiling until crying stops, and he describes a public bath scene with locals using baths in privacy.
A missionary explains Americans do not bathe with women, prompting a Japanese response about not minding bathing with women. The exchange reflects cultural assumptions and humor in a miscommunication.
Hollywood notes Burgess Meredith known as Buzz plans bigger stay in town. His career moves from Winterset and Of Mice and Men to Second Chorus and That Uncertain Feeling mark a dramatic switch from tragedy to comedy. He argues stage and screen feed each other and both benefit from varied material.
A voice extols work as life’s true elixir. Hard persistent effort yields achievement across arts. Perfection is unattainable and chasing it leads to decline. The speaker urges continual imagination and effort beyond years of striving.
A Hollywood style column recalls Broadway figures from a restless night club operator to a charity act delivering food to families. It contrasts shifting friendships with success and details a hospital beating, a no-sue stance, and a hatchet burying party for Jack Benny and Fred Allen amid satire and social notes.
A bridge hand shows that with two eight card suits in the partnership, a 4-4 split is usually preferable to a 5-3 split. South is the dealer and neither side is vulnerable.
Bridge puzzle discussion outlines a hand where South must choose between a spade or heart slam. Analysis shows six spades lead and how South can force a small slam, while six hearts fails with correct defense. The column quizzes readers on the right bid given the stated hands and partner responses.
The piece recalls the Queen and a monthly bath while noting early U S tub history. It cites 1842 Cincinnati as a curiosity exhibition and discusses opposition in Philadelphia Virginia and Boston with laws on bathing and medical permission, framing 19th century attitudes toward hygiene.
Charleston report lists 46 new influenza cases for the week ending December 28. Summers County accounts for 22 new cases and Jefferson Resort for 17 while Pendleton County records poliomyelitis. Measles total 41, whooping cough 7, chicken pox 2, and typhoid 2. other diseases also noted.
Washington reports Leon, a price controller, cut strategic zinc by about 20 percent after a confidential probe by the New York Commodity Exchange. Investigators found bad bookkeeping and unregistered warehouse releases rather than Japanese buying. Futures fell to 7–8 cents, demonstrating what coordinated action can achieve in a defense emergency.
Three unnamed American officials from different departments urge Britain to provide accounting of its shipping, arguing U S ships could replace British vessels to free lifeline routes. They note many British ships operate under foreign charters and traffic extends from New York to Asia and South America. Four Canadian ships still trade with Hong Kong and Australia.
Verne Marshall, Cedar Rapids publisher, spearheaded a new no foreign war committee in New York. He left his business and mobilized support nationwide, facing many refusals before declaring the group formed without any outside funding. His wife served as secretary as he promoted the movement across the country.
Pred G Richardson of Water Town Massachusetts challenges others to name common items as he catalogs odd postmarks. He receives postcards from places like Ace Texas King North Carolina Queen Pennsylvania Jack Alabama and Joker West Virginia and creates phrases from combinations such as Ima and Nutt in New Mexico Just in North Carolina and Sweet Sixteen in Montana.
The newspaper notes juke boxes feature Silent Night performed by moaning crooners. It questions whether this marks a decline from classical renditions and hints at future miscasting of Messiah solos by Dorothy Lamour and Connie Bagwell.
The Twentieth Century club staged a dance at Bluefield Inn marking an anniversary. James McDowell Jr returned from a visit to Shawsville. A charter was issued to the Williamstown railroad.
Thirty years ago today Judge J Frank Maynard came back from a trip to the Pacific coast. The annual meeting of the N and W railway telegraphers opened at the Matz hotel.
Twenty years ago today the Bluefield Rotary club hosted a Father and Son gathering at the Church of God. Professor H. Marashieian spoke on Love and Friendship.
Ten years ago a man was arrested here and held in connection with a robbery of the Roanoke Railway and trice. The home of A Burgess, Wythe and Albemarle was damaged by fire. Wannie Scott, 18, of Wyoming county, was killed in an auto accident.
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