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 20 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jul 24, 1940
Page
4
A newspaper column comments on wartime rhetoric from Speaker Bankhead and roiling British politics, noting Roosevelt's potential broad win. It contrasts calm European resolve with London plans amid air raids, and also muses on garden work being disrupted by heat and rain, urging steady gaze at events.
The piece contrasts 1928 and 1940 Dixie voting trends with Democratic defections, then pivots to a Decatur City electric department report. It details plant costs 345120 plus 45368 invested, 4200 city customers, 510168 total plant cost, 390000 indebtedness, bond terms, reserve policy, and 1940 net income 51230 with projected 75000 next year as city grows and services expand. It notes residential electricity use up 26 percent and ongoing system upgrades, staffing 17 employees and $27000 payroll.
The piece explains how U S defense contracts are negotiated with war and navy departments handling initial orders and the Knudsen commission reviewing high value contracts over 500000. Donald Nelson coordinates purchases to harmonize army and navy needs and Edward Stettinius secures steel and plant expansion when needed.
The scenario imagines the army reacting to a threatened plant strike after contract award. Sidney Hillman as labor commissioner would convene the labor policy advisory group to avert the strike. If prices were questioned, Leon Henderson would review and potentially lower the contract price.
The article explains a secret industrial mobilization plan prepared by the War Department to trigger full operation if war becomes imminent. It notes administrators lack absolute authority and that the president has only begun steps that could expand into full mobilization.
The Electric Department pays the City a tax equivalent of 3.10 per hundred based on state county and city tax rates on the total plant cost. This amounts to about 940.00 per month and is paid to the City monthly.
The article discusses summer epidemics of infantile paralysis and debates whether water contact or sewage pollution drives spread. It cites studies from Fall River Massachusetts and notes that many cases followed water exposure while highlighting doubts about cold or wet exposure as the sole cause. It also includes light jokes and anecdotes.
Wheat germ oil yields the crystal forms of Vitamin E alpha beta and gamma tocopherol. Oils from wheat rice cotton and corn leafy vegetables eggs and animal tissues all contain Vitamin E.
A public appeal extols Decatur's superior community spirit and prospects versus larger cities. It urges residents to promote local well being through neighborly actions and calls out common conversational bits from local social chatter and humorous vignettes about everyday life.
The editor notes seven pamphlets by Dr Logan Clendening available at 10 cents each. To obtain a pamphlet, send 10 cents and a self addressed stamped envelope, to Dr Logan Clendening care of this paper. Titles include Three Weeks Reducing Diet Indigestion and Constipation Reducing and Gaining Infant Feeding Instructions for the Treatment of Diabetes Feminine Hygiene and The Care of the Hair and Skin.
Lyla Myers writes a light verse observing relationships falter when money worries or fame fade. The speaker notes love should endure not hinge on wealth or renown, warning that affection often cools during financial downturns.
Overnight report notes implementation of comprehensive controls including price fixing labor transport foreign trade raw materials and finance. The item highlights centralized authority and broad regulatory reach across sectors.
Nonchalant report from New York describes 2 year old Thomas O Donohue tumbling from a third floor fire escape into a canvas beach chair in the yard below. Six year old Patrick McKeown calmly notified his mother. The child suffered scratches and bruises but was unhurt.
The column compiles noted lines from diverse authors and eras, including Hendrik Willem van Loon Louis Nizer Sydney Smith and Francis Bacon. It critiques U S policy and media response to Hitler and mentions pipelines and civil liberties amid wartime tensions.
Tallulah Bankhead and Ethel Barrymore are close friends. Bankhead questions Barrymore playing a hundred-year-old hag in White Oaks. Barrymore replies she can act and takes the part.
A humorous exchange features two boys whose mothers are famous actresses. One asks how they like their new father, and the other replies he is swell. The punchline reveals they had him last year, implying a custody or adoption twist in playful terms.
The Indianapolis Times Our Town column mocks Walter Winchell and his influence on U S foreign policy. It ridicules a tavern scene talk about show business and notes a miscredited quip. The piece mentions a Collier's eye witness piece on a Nazi attack and a Kentucky judge striking down a rest requirement as unconstitutional. References to Hitler, Radio and propaganda appear in passing.
The text condemns biased reporting that praises Hitler and accuses the U.S. press of print propaganda. It argues Berlin claims victories early, often proven false, influencing frightened nations and enabling German aggression. It urges suppressing Hitler’s messaging and neutral, factual coverage.
Walter Duranty of the Times cautions that the Reich benefits from reports by U S correspondents abroad. He says Huns push rumors from Bucharest of Soviet theft in Romania and a Soviet Turkey dispute to sow trouble for Germany. He notes some reporters fail to see Germany's game.
Officials urge vigilance as imposters posing Army Naval Intelligence officers or G men operate nationwide. The advisory notes no federal agent works without credentials or a known superior and instructs contacting the local FBI before cooperation to avoid aiding misleading strangers.
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.