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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jan 19, 1940
Page
4
A mixed item notes a Bible verse from Isaiah and comments on world affairs, local politics, and public sentiment. It mentions Senator Borah’s health, John Peach’s continued tenure, and Decatur civic hopes including support for buying local through the new women’s Chamber of Commerce.
The passage notes a rising challenge to the Long machine after twelve years of dominance. It highlights public discredit due to repeated scandals and implies February primaries could shift power, signaling a potential clean-up as a warning to other Southern dictators.
A report cited that over ten years public funds aided persons rose from one in a hundred to one in six in the United States raising questions about whether the conference should be devoted to all in a democracy.
The Deputy Chamber of Commerce launches a drive for 500 memberships, about $6000, to fund city improvements in Decatur Alabama. The notice appeals both new and existing members to participate, comparing Decatur with Birmingham Mobile and Montgomery and stressing neighborly cooperation for future growth.
The article urges action to support Coulter Shoals Dam as essential to a full river system from Paducah to Knoxville and to push Congress for TVA reconstruction plans. It stresses long term vision, complete facilities, and continued public pressure to avoid a half measure in valley development.
Washington reports outline ideas to aid South America including an all American bank with capitalization around 100 million dollars. FRB and treasury draft by laws to prevent US dominance while funding Latin industrialization. Mexico proposes loans for Pan American highway and a West Coast port as well as a Mexican silver agreement and oil preferences.
A special check of Senate attitude on the Roosevelt tax increase was requested by the president and urged by Senator Jimmie Byrnes of South Carolina. The Senate committee announced there is little chance of passage, but the recommendation may not be dead as House leader Sam Rayburn has spoken in favor on his side.
North Alabama residents face colder weather but no urgent cold wave. The Decatur district will see a new state highway project on the Decatur to Hartselle route, announced by highways director Woolsey Finnegill. Central Baptist Church members approve continued building plans. The Alabama Ice Cream Manufacturers Association holds its 1929 meeting in Decatur. Mrs E de Rushing hosts the Wednesday gathering at her Church Street apartment. The Vanity Bridge Club plans a Friday meeting with Miss Marie Ballas. Endorsement for another pastor at the Community Chest-pian group noted.
Walter Winchell comments on the Broadway season noting how gossip, star systems and producer decisions affect plays. He cites Geo Kaufman, star turmoil with Al Woolcott and Monty Wooley, and changes that reduce audiences. The piece discusses the decline of ingénues and shifting theater dynamics across the season.
The review of George White's new edition of Scandals ends with critics unhappy over off color content. Buddy De Sylva's DuBarry follows with similar disapproval from critics, while audiences push for tickets despite the controversy.
The hookworm which affects all the characters of Tobacco Road apparently infected the management, for it was three months before it tumbled it had beaten Abie's Irish Rose for Broadway's long run record.
Fred Lonsdale, once criticized for a formulaic comedy, again drew fire for a recent work titled Foreigners which critics say veered from his usual style. The reviewer notes the audience pushback, suggesting the writer learned the customer remains hard to please.
J B Prisetley clowns with the future and his shows are slugged by critics in a straightaway comedy attempt titled When We Are Married. The production receives a hammering suggesting Priestley’s forte may be limited to certain kinds of plays.
Noel Langley penned a grisly tale about Boers and ghosts but Ethel Barftymore’s playful starring turn made the show read as a comedy. Mayor LaGuardia seeks to aid theatres by linking with nearby movie houses while Hollywood resists. The West.
Today Rev E N Hart reports Miss Ethel Mae Hatchett out after a several day illness Clyde Crawford engineer at the power house L N shops hospital said improved this afternoon Mrs E B Peden has returned from a several weeks visit to St Tomie Master Russell Johnson ill at home on Sixth Avenue Little Muriel Thomas recovering from a recent illness Mr and Mrs John Lee Robinson of Greensboro NC are spending several days here
The piece praises press agent R Maney for promoting Swingin the Dream and Maurice Evans Hamlet in full. As he extolled Shakespeare unedited, he interjected praise for Benny Goodman Louis Armstrong and other brass and woodwind players who supposedly improved the old author. Swingin the Dream collapsed during a piccolo solo and the 17th Century show was swept away.
The line aimed at the Nazis drew hoots as some labeled the Hitler envoy murder improbable. In the pause, an official named Hemnie in Brooklyn was struck, ending the taunt and halting further remarks.
The piece notes a critic may be tried by peers for a sharp remark about Folies Bergere. It likens the case to Heywood Broun and implies a potential rich sourcing of quotes for reporters.
The Playwrights' Theatre began last season with three successes but was plagued by misfortune. Sidney Howard died in an accident, a tour show failed when George M. Cohen withdrew, and Harold Johnsrud died in a fire shortly after opening the play Key Largo.
Rehearsal bragging by Thurber about playwriting as easy money sparked warnings but the show proved a success as the first hit of 1940. The Philadelphia Story, aging in weeks, stirs exhibitors with Hepburn controversy and reports of a sale price plus a film job for her.
The Life With Father success sidelines Oscar Serlin a cinema producer whose early career was marked by solvent woes and obscurity. He struggled with his script and funding until his present venture drew attention, comparisons drawn to Jed Harris and the Broadway era as the Lind say-Crouse project gained audience.
A Christmas Eve performance drew shock and laughter as a theatrical childbirth scene played out on stage. The excerpt reflects a quaint and unusual understanding of entertainment in the local scene.
A verse piece presents a speaker who denies conventional beauty while acknowledging others desire it. The speaker notes differences between skin hair and eyes and contemplates how others perceive loveliness despite self doubt.
A brief Florida beach scene drew crowds when a girl bather appeared, prompting onlookers to notice her presence and triggering local chatter about safety and public decency regulations on coastal shores.
A baby died after a brief illness with a weekend death noted in a local family tragedy. Officials have not released further medical details.
Predictions last September said the show shop would have its best year since 1929 but by midyear the Road outdid it. Sell-out stars H. Hayes K. Cornell M. Evans R. Massey Gax ton Moore trek the route while J Barrymore drew profits in Chicago for nine months.
Theater staff race to fix ticket gaps after seven shows sell out early. Managers meet on a Saturday to craft a plan, arguing public protection is essential, likening the need to Joe Louis.
In this old column Dr. Clendening details winter insects like bedbugs roaches fleas and lice. He explains life cycles how they invade homes and methods such as fumigation with sugber or gasoline to eradicate them. Editorial note lists pamphlets for readers including Indigestion and Constipation and Feminine Hygiene.
A narrative vignette describes a boy and his mother near a dentist display. A small boy jokes about needing no teeth, while adults counsel politeness. A bride and groom banter about looks and work, and neighbors overhear a family quarrel affecting acoustics across the street.
A local quip describes a dramatic clash between a strikingly attractive woman and a stubborn bachelor. A Decatur man reportedly lost nearly everything except his wife, who remains his most valuable possession in a witty, darkly humorous observation of town life.
A nurse notes a patient repeatedly mentions a girl named Elea nor and a Betty amid unclear remarks about Eleanor. The exchange hints at memory or communication issues without clear context or outcome.
A reflective line notes how aging perception differs from actual years and mood, hinting at a broader theme of youth versus time in daily life. The sentence implies a quiet social observation without asserting changes or events.
A reflective piece on how American homes influence youth as they grow into adults, carrying the values and lessons learned at home into the wider world. It emphasizes the role of stable households in preparing children for a better future.
The scene shows a proprietor and foreman discussing a blast after Jake allegedly struck a match in the mixing room. The dialogue mocks the idea of fate and questions blame while noting the dangerous setup and careless actions leading to the explosion.
A curious observer notes a small bright bird appearing when a photographer focuses on the scene. The moment is described as a charming interruption in an otherwise ordinary day.
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