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 17 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jan 05, 1940
Page
4
A column critiques political figures and policies with references to religion and patriotism. It notes President Roosevelt proposing new taxes for defense despite election year politics, while commenting on Congress and leaders Garner Bankhead and others.
The Alabama farm extension chief warns that ten degrees or lower can kill hibernating boll weevils, signaling a prolonged cool spell. Editors Grover Hall Harry Ayers Cash Stanley and Victor Hanson, once trusted for editorial judgment, have agreed to serve as judges in a Montgomery beauty contest, a role some view as risky to their personal well being.
Dr Samuel J. Hocking spoke recently before a civic club on the international situation. He argued Germany is being swept from the seas as Britain blocks its merchant marine and predicted Hitler might fall from power within the year. He also suggested a possible alliance with Russia to halt the conflict.
Washington reports that the Dies committee will be organized soon and authorized to investigate American activities for a third year. The committee has unearthed valuable information for supporters of American institutions, though its procedures have faced critique.
The Decatur Chamber of Commerce sets its annual session for next Monday evening January 6 to review last year’s groundwork and plan the coming year. The Daily urges all members to attend to receive reports and discuss future programs. It notes steady progress and that industry efforts begun a year ago are likely to bear fruit with continued persistence.
The piece urges direct action to diversify Alabama agriculture beyond cotton. It argues local capital and citizen effort must fund cheese and livestock ventures to expand payrolls, grow Decatur, and stop endless talk. It warns that income declines risk community living standards without concrete investment.
Washington January broadcasts suggest President Roosevelt contemplates further moves beyond the current embargo and moral pressure against Germany Japan and Russia. Officials debate whether actions will stay within isolation limits while possible naval steps and trade shifts are weighed against congressional resistance and Johnson Act constraints.
An experienced Republican senator offers the best interpretation of the president's remarks. He says the president aimed to signal that the country would not allow Germany or Russia to win, but had not yet decided actions or the depth of public commitment.
The message damages three Republicans Borah Bricker and Dewey while denouncing defeatism and federal aid claims. It frames the White House platform for a Democratic 1940 campaign, with or without FDR.
A nostalgic portrait recalls a notorious gambler known as the Boy Wonder who vanished after a run of six figure wins and a loaded dice ruse. The feature sketches Broadway characters from a rich aging society, a stage door chanteuse, and a fading actor chasing mature roles amid personal losses and romance across New York’s nightlife.
A wayward heir with a fortune squandered his youth in nightlife and lawsuits. After his father’s death the family fortune vanished, and his mother, who once relied on her customer status, took a job to support him. He claimed to reform and pursue a business course needing 500, prompting her to borrow from a bank secured by her salary.
A piece from a historical page notes a performer on stage in New York who felt compelled to respond to a call during a notable city scene. The fragment hints at a strong link between the actress and the metropolitan audience.
Four British cruisers linger off Montevideo sparking talk of another raider search after the Graf Spee. Ajax and Achilles, with Exeter, pressed the Graf Spee before her scuttling, as Cumberland and Shropshire were sighted offshore and Ajax sailed out to sea.
Low visibility caused a plane crash near the New Orleans airport last night injuring State Senator Arthur F.58 of Flemington New Jersey wealthy industrialist and father of actor Dick Foran and two others Lt Karl W Es telle 41 pilot said he was trying to stay under a low ceiling when the New Jersey National Guard plane went down in a swamp.
A socialite shopped at a Fifth Avenue store and bought $500 worth of goods charged to twelve married men. One slip vanished, the clerk feared loss, and the store sent one bill to all twelve husbands. Eleven balked but all twelve eventually paid.
In the Dry Creek area T H Mattocks enjoys skating as temperatures rise from nine degrees. Central Baptist Church votes $75 000 to finance a new auditorium and pastorium. Other notes report hospital graduate Sally Bell Watson, Judge Locke bond talk at Riverside high, illness and family updates including Mrs Huntington Morrow Frances Blackwell J P a measles and pneumonia William Goidel visitations Nelmadean Sheats sickness and local commemoration.
The Social Security Board reports private industry job placements through public employment offices fell in November due to seasonality but exceeded any prior November in the history of the employment service.
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.