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This newspaper page contains 21 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 19, 1939
Page
4
A collage of opinions contrasts wartime prudence with holiday optimism. References span Finnish credit, reparations for the Graf Spee, WPA funding, taxation fears, Decatur football plans, and praise of American resolve in historic battles.
Vice President Garner officially enters the presidential race and states he will not seek to control any delegates. The Alabama scene shows broad support for Speaker Bankhead but rejection of delegating control to Bankhead Hill Steagall or anyone else. The issue centers on opposing the unit rule for state delegation to the convention.
A columnist denounces Alabama's constitution for failing treasury duties and reapportionment rules. He argues state law is manipulated by legislators and cites a Supreme Court ruling that mocks constitutional intent, urging a return to genuine constitutional governance in Montgomery.
The text contends that Southern mills will start newsprint production around year’s start to gain control of the market. It argues publishers face ongoing price pressure and suggests readers can trade everyday items for matinees, noting a rise in matinee offerings with charitable aims this year.
A Newscom survey of 481 U.S. newspaper editors finds 41 percent believe Roosevelt will run again, 6 percent oppose, 11 percent support, and 3 percent undecided.
A reader argues against renaming the Bee Line highway to Blue and Gray saying maps use numbers and the change would lose advertising value. The piece urges focusing on road improvements rather than rebranding and notes the name has been public for years.
The Dothan Eagle reports Decatur begins a Salvation Army charity experiment to relieve deserving cases and remove undesirables. Citizens are urged to cooperate or risk a reputation as a handout town, with a tale from Dothan illustrating dangers of lax generosity and lettered cafe schemes.
Washington says Britain has revised the North Sea blockade, withdrawing ships to new bases on Scotland and England and redefining the line to Iceland. The shift follows German air raids on Scapa and aims to constrain merchant traffic while keeping a reduced home fleet.
Twelve World War destroyers, decommissioned in 1922, were put back in service today in the neutrality patrol. Twenty six others have been recommissioned here since the outbreak of the European war.
A nurse in training asks about mottled enamel caused by fluorides in drinking water. The article notes widespread endemic areas across several states, outlines progressive tooth damage, and compares mottled enamel to goiter as an endemic condition.
A high school superintendent notes frequent inquiries about cracking joints. He explains the sound comes from roughened joint surfaces and decreasing lubricating fluid with age, often heard during sudden movements, and states there is no danger linked to the symptom.
A fragmentary humorous piece by Junius titled Office Cat Rage Mark Fog. The text also includes festive greetings and a short dialogue involving an impatient gentleman and a waitress. The passage ends with a casual remark about a Decatur woman and her husband, described as a regular fire eater.
W V asks what causes a runny nose and frequent sneezing beyond a cold. Answer cites chronic sinus disease hay fever and vasomotor rhinitis from dust. J G asks about iron rich foods for anemia. Answer lists green vegetables spinach raisins eggs meats with milk and dairy low in iron.
Readers may obtain seven health pamphlets by sending 10 cents for each to Logan Clendening in care of this newspaper. Titles include Three Weeks Diet, Indigestion and Constipation, Reducing and Gaining, Infant Feeding, Instructions for the New Diabetes, Feminine Hygiene, and Care of the Hair and Skin.
A fragmented dialogue paragraph mentions Decatur and rural life with a joke about cream and onions. It then moves to a scene with eight year olds Wilbur and Margie discussing love, a line about luck, and a joke about Mrs. O'Dooley who had twins.
From The Daily Dec 19 1927 Dr James Allen Smith will arrive in Decatur at midnight Wednesday to preach his initial sermon at Central Baptist church. Floyd Elkins of the fire department was confined to bed after smoke exposure fighting a blaze at Mrs Sara Jeffries home 620 Canal Street. Morgan County courthouse will close Saturday for Christmas. Local residents and visitors mark holiday gatherings as cold weather continues. James Norwood Jr celebrated his fifth birthday with friends in a day party. Tracy Knight and Frank Dix of Berea College expect holidays. Mrs Percy Jones of Florence visiting sister Mrs E B Tillery for Christmas. Nell Lawhorn to visit Parkville friends. Irene Cox to spend holidays in Morris Alabama. Mrs W A Bailey hosting Bennie Malone Tuesday evening.
Walter Winchell On Broadway column highlights tangled celebrity romances and social snubs. It notes Mrs Jock Whitney seeking freedom and $3 million plus a title, Lucille Batl-It's may be a boy for Melvin Purvis, and connections involving Miriam Hopkins, Betty Grable, Gale Page, and Irene Bordoni. Mentions include Mayor LaGuardia clashing with Jim Kieran and references to Hoover Roosevelt and FDR era politics.
A jumble of gossip and betting notes spans Hollywood rumors about Orson Welles and monied backers, a Detroit hospital operation, Life magazine criticism, and a Bronx casino address by Wilbur Keegan. Amid it all, stock tips and race previews hint at bets on Fenelon and Bradney’s Bimelech as Derby contenders.
Little Miss Edie Mae Schimmel is ill at the home of her parents. Listed as a family matter, the item notes the child’s condition without detailing medical specifics.
Anna Cornell’s cousin John plans a wedding to Phyllis Langner of the Theater Guild Langners on the 22nd. Susan Hayward credits roses to Harlan Hobbs while H. H. hints Howard Hughes. Tommy Manville may join the Club Ball in Miami with Elinor Troy as star and boss. The Roney Plaza Cabana Club nears New York. Hedy’s ex groom Fritz Handl ties to Roy Sanitarium amid calamity chatter. Jean Harlow screen tests list multiple hopefuls. Christmas wishes turn lighter as stockings and gloves drift in from over there. Santa, please deliver an ocean for Christmas.
Mrs Rudyard Kipling widow of the author and poet died at her home in Sussex after an extended illness. She would have turned 74 on December 31.
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