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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Mar 17, 1939
Page
4
A collection of brief items including a Bible thought for today and snippets on British policy, 4-H clubs, Auburn football, and Tennessee Alabama politics. Mentions Alabama lawmakers, gubernatorial actions, and debates over tax and reapportionment amid national relief discussions.
The Tuscaloosa News reports growing talk of Frank Dixon’s poll tax amendment heading to the legislature and possibly the people. The Decatur Daily notes the Dixon administration’s actions meet sharp criticism from The Montgomery Journal, a dissenting voice among Alabama papers. Pro-admin papers have targeted the proposal with strong attacks, while some papers praise or challenge the approach as the issue moves forward.
Fragmentary remarks hail Julian Hall of the Pogie region as a boastful editor in Alabama. The message notes a town named Dothan as tranquil yet not refreshing and hints at local press culture.
In Decatur a thriving mix of 39 manufacturing concerns operates at capacity with strong wages. Officials promise continued industrial and agricultural expansion, despite some civic growth gaps to be addressed through coordinated efforts. The town aims to be Alabama’s most attractive and balanced in farming and industry.
Birmingham imposes two cent per pack cigarette tax and ten percent tax on cigars prompting criticism that such levies burden consumers and push shoppers to suburbs while federal and state taxes also press on tobacco. The Montgomery Journal opinion notes rising tax burden and calls for relief.
A Washington analysis suggests Hitler plans to rewrite Mein Kampf and push into Ukraine via Hungary and Romania, with Ruthenia routes south through Romania and Romania’s grain security noted. The piece also covers labor draft conflict in Congress over CIO led disbarment provisions and the stalled Barley amendment amid defense needs.
The piece describes Bankhead and Rayburn pressuring fiscal Chairman Taylor to push relief money through by March 24. Woodrum refused to steamroll, prompting Taylor to take over. The episode affects Roosevelt's relief bill and shows the power dynamics among House leaders.
Internal Revenue Collector Almon G. Rasquin seeks to meet a Brooklyn man who sent a $10 check and a note stating he hadn’t earned enough to be taxed but enclosed $5 from himself and $5 from his wife to support Uncle Sam. The letter reflects patriotic tax sentiment.
Dr Logan Clendening notes mixed advice for heart patients flying. He cites low altitude limits, argues flying is often safe for well compensated hearts, and warns about emotional and altitude related discomfort. Sedative effects at altitude remain uncertain.
The sermon urges that lasting security comes not from human effort but from God. It notes life’s uncertainty, the futility of worldly changes, and the need to acknowledge love and obey God’s eternal laws to find true restraint and steadiness amid flux.
A medical Q and A notes yellow mercuric oxide ointment in two percent strength as an antiseptic for eye infections but not to stimulate lash growth. It also covers toilet disinfection using chlorinated lime, soap and water scrubbing, and cautions about fabric bleaching.
Editor notes seven Dr Clendening pamphlets available for ten cents each plus a three cent stamp for return postage. Titles include Three Weeks Reducing digestion and Constipation Gaining Justee Feeding constructions for the Treatment of Diabetes Feminine Hygiene and The Care of the Hair and Skin.
The text contrasts impermanent human works with the enduring nature of God. It notes pyramids in Egypt as lasting yet eventually crumbling and vanishing. It references scripture claiming God existed before mountains or the earth and will endure from everlasting to everlasting.
Actress Ina Claire, a three time bride, married William R. Wallace Jr., a San Francisco attorney, in Salt Lake City after meeting in 1917 when he was Harvard student and she was with the Zeigfeld Follies. She plans to learn cooking.
Reader, decide what you want to sell through Want Ads. Contact 46 for placing a listing and reaching buyers. Include item, price, condition, and contact method for quickest response.
Mrs Lelia Grubbs Hall returns from Shelbyville Tennessee. Mrs C W Matheny ill at Seventh Avenue West. Mrs E T Rushing hosts twelve this week. Maurice Shipper and wife of Florence visit relatives here. Minneapolis Millers were to meet Nashville Vols at Malone Park tomorrow. John Wilks assistant city clerk sworn in as special officer to aid crowds at the baseball park.
Edward Wimbush and Joe Lee Kennedy, both negroes, were executed in the Kilby prison electric chair shortly after midnight. Wimbush was condemned for the holdup murder of J. L. Hall, a Birmingham street-car conductor, while Kennedy was executed for the fatal shooting of Leo Johnson.
Charles J. Brunson was ill and bedridden when his New Bern house caught fire on March 17. Fire trucks and an ambulance responded, but Brunson refused to move from his bed as flames engulfed his dwelling.
A brisk Walter Winchell column sketches two refugee torture anecdotes and a mix of Broadway witticisms. It notes humor about Hitler era politics and a glamorous hotel resident who refuses work until her salary stops, with quips from Sid Silvers and a booker.
At a social gathering Oscar Levant the musical director for The American Way theater show faced a flirting guest who threatened to leave if he did not play the piano. Levant replied with a witty line describing the offer as tempting.
Wolcott Gibbs and St Clair McKelway of The New Yorker were briefly blocked by doorman Joe Lopez at the Stork Club after leaving work. Gibbs tipped out gracefully, McKelway enjoyed the moment, and a columnist intervened to free them inside the velvet rope setting.
A man started a fish supper but was interrupted as firemen arrived and extinguished the flames before he could finish eating. No injuries reported.
The letter questions the wit in a Sunday column about Kitty Carlisle. It notes a Chilean quake aid misstep with tents counted as duty due on arrival and reports on actors jokes about the WPA and a society girl scandal rumor involving Eileen Herrick on Fifth Avenue.
Two versions surface on how Madison Square Garden will handle the Bund meeting amid contract violations. One option bars future meetings at MSG, the other proposes mediation by Mike Jacobs allowing rent free Americanism meetings whenever antisemitic groups convene there.
George Kelly of the Yacht Club Boys recounts a quip about a man who taunts another to visit the race track instead of corners. The responder admits poverty but jokes about making mind bets and losing one's mind.
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