This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 25 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 11, 1939
Page
3
A Cedar Rapids reader urges bicycle right of way to curb crashes and ease traffic while highlighting a housing shortage. The letter notes scarce rentals, modest costs, Roosevelt era construction slowdowns, and calls for more affordable homes and cyclist rights.
Britain would enter a general war if Danzig's status were forced and Polish independence threatened. Chamberlain told 90,000 Conservative women that Germany must not pursue naval or political aggression, reaffirming Britain’s resolve to resist dictators and seek cautious negotiations.
Premier Daladier told the chamber that France has conducted specific military alliances to prevent violations and to align with states wishing to live honorably. The report notes continuation on page 2.
Dr. Eduard Benes former president of Czechoslovakia accepted an invitation to lecture in sociology at the University of London starting next January. He has taught at the University of Chicago since last February on Democracy in Europe and will sail with Mrs. Benes for London around mid July.
A brief, fragmented line suggests many people lack professed knowledge distinguishing a Rembrandt from a Remington, illustrating a common ignorance of fine art versus everyday items.
Moscow papers reject Britain's security proposals as unacceptable and call for a united front of mutual assistance by Britain France Russia and Poland. Izvestia argues Britain and France must pledge to fight for the USSR, not merely invite aid. It notes lack of reciprocity undermines true collaboration, yet stops short of closing talks.
The board of inquiry reports two German air force officers died in a crash near Besancon military base. Engine trouble in fog caused the accident. both flyers wore civilian clothes. Wreckage yielded two smashed machine guns for examination.
Des Moines AP Polk County supervisors will consider a new ordinance to regulate beer taverns and night clubs outside Des Moines. The proposal would require these venues to close by 1 am on weeknights and midnight on Saturdays.
Multiple capitals report tense moves before world war era talks. Moscow demands a three to four power mutual aid front while London hints at war risk over Danzig. Paris vows resolve to back rights with strength as Daladier cites alliances. Bucharest and London seal a trade credit for Romanian purchases, and Rome notes signs of diplomacy with Hungary under Italian guidance.
Dr. John R. Steelman said the coal deadlock is over for the public as UMW miners seek separate contracts with operators beyond the Appalachian zone. The move aims to restart bituminous coal production after 460000 miners were idled since the March 31 contract expiration and a last blanket Appalachian agreement was planned.
The Roosevelt administration pressed for immediate operation under individual contracts with Appalachian operators after the 24 hour deadline, saying a blanket formula is not feasible. Dr John Steelman announced the plan as miners rejected a last minute compromise. The move follows fuel shortages and reduced subway and rail service in the East.
Senator Gillette of Iowa introduced a new simplified neutrality bill in the Senate on Thursday. It revokes all restrictions on shipment of arms and other commodities to belligerents and instead defines war zones in case of foreign conflict.
General Smedley D Butler criticized U S foreign policy as tomfoolery and a damned racket in a speech at the Knife and Fork club. He vowed to defend the homeland if invaded, attacked efforts to aid France and England, and satirically traced America’s World War entry, urging focus on home.
Thick fog halted the Empress of Australia as it sails toward Quebec with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth aboard. Vice Admiral Sir Dudley North advised delaying propellers while the convoy, including Southampton and Glasgow cruisers, maintains formation. The royal party, dressed for the Atlantic chill, watched Walt Disney’s Polar Trappers aboard the dining salon as the ship advanced 350 miles from Cape Race toward Monday arrival.
Cedar Rapids and Linn county operators hosting pinball machines were warned by County Attorney G K Thompson that the devices are illegal under the attorney general's opinion. The warning states the office will enforce the law and act accordingly.
Authorities of the international settlement and the French concession warned that Chinese engaging in patriotic activities could be denied entry to the foreign area. The move is viewed as a gesture toward Japan amid repeated complaints of anti-Japanese actions by Chinese in the district.
A diplomat said Germany and Italy rejected Pope Pius XII's proposal for a conference on the Polish German dispute. Hitler and Mussolini advised the Vatican that the matter was not serious enough to threaten European peace. Vatican diplomats welcomed the news as assurance that war would not be precipitated.
Vatican sources say papal nuncios advised the Pontiff that Europe could stay peaceful in the coming weeks. He reportedly worried over the Polish German situation and suggested a conference might help. The Lateran Treaty limits Vatican action without direct appeal from involved parties.
An old want ad describes a kitchen sink sold after twelve prospective buyers answered the listing. The notice notes brisk interest and quick sale dynamics in a local classifieds page.
A narrator recalls a heated exchange about sensibility and foolishness. An older man urges calm, while a youth vexes parents and teachers. The piece muses on dueling, censorship, and war ending by absurdity, citing Cervantes and Jesus.
A new national church took authority over 7,856,000 members, 91,687 ministers, 46,255 congregations, 45,432 church buildings and 22,898 parsonages. The merged body, called simply the Methodist Church, ends three previous denominations in a century‑long consolidation that unites Wesleyan followers across the United States.
The Laymen's Organization for the Preservation of the Methodist Episcopal Church South says the United Methodist merger plan is illegal and impossible to carry out. They expect court actions across four southern states to set aside the merger while a two week conference considers the reunion. The new church would own property over 650 million dollars, including churches, hospitals, schools, and missions worldwide, with annual expenses around 90 million. The local action aims to rename all Methodist churches The Methodist Church and merge congregations, while preserving bishops' authority. The Methodist Protestant faithful, 196,985 members, accept episcopal oversight after leaving in 1828 over opposition to church autocracy.
A massive dust explosion and fire at Rosenbaum Grain in Chicago's South Side destroyed five elevators. Eight workers from Chicago perished, firemen and others were injured, and losses surpassed 1,000,000 dollars with 800,000 bushels of grain damaged. Municipal services mobilized as fires burned for hours.
Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr said on Thursday he would like to see any deterrents to business in the tax structure removed, reinforcing a pro growth stance.
In this column Arthur Bugs Back argues that postwar Europe’s confusion demands a new peace conference to settle who bears blame. He explains terms like status quo and laissez faire and asserts the need to identify legitimate business opportunities amid upheaval.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.