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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 23, 1940
Page
4
The text appears to be a clipped AP rights notice about republication. It confirms exclusive use for AP dispatches and rights reserved by the paper. No specific news event or person is present to summarize.
A mosaic of wartime opinion and local observations discusses Germany’s reach, anti-aircraft defense, census notes, and economic concerns. The piece weighs national strategy, local growth, and civic questions amid war anxieties and regional pride.
Editorial notes claim reduced school needs as “the schools half” ends and criticize absentee ballots as potentially abolishable. It cites daily milk volumes near 10 000 at the Alabama Dairy Products plant, arguing further development would solidify the area as a leading dairy base in the state.
The University of Alabama cadet corps is to be trebled and Maxwell Field named a training center for army aviation. Two Alabama sites gain from rearmament while Muscle Shoals awaits a decision on nitrate or ammunition plant use. The Daily argues Shoals plants should be utilized given the wartime readiness investments.
Washington reports President Roosevelt shies from revived war industries board talk and contemplates a small defense council to direct armament expansion. Bernard Baruch considered for chief role, health issues noted, past attempts to form such an body referenced.
The piece argues Republican reticence to join Roosevelt stems from past experience. It cites a New England governor famed for liberalism who moved to the New Deal and rose to chair an international labor conference. It also notes Paul McNutt and ex-Governor Landon as examples of politicians tied to past cooperative stances.
Mrs Lucy Burch of Moulton visits her daughter and family in Landersville. Miss Mable White improves at home after several days of illness. Mr and Mrs Gully Martin and children from Decatur visited his parents Mr and Mrs J H Martin over the weekend. Rev Alfred Thompson will fill regular appointments. Sunday at Landersville Church of Christ at 11 am Mr and Mrs Paul Radford and children visited, as did Mr and Mrs Lawrence Lathan. Weather mirrors the changeable want ads.
The article contrasts tea and coffee arguing tea boosts heart strength and brain flow while coffee offers similar benefits. It mentions old tea legends, the Dutch tea introduction to Europe around 1610, and notes Americans’ coffee culture including shipboard “coffee look” and pride in American coffee over tea. It also cites Dr Clendening and a Sidney Smith quip about tea and coffee.
A quiet domestic scene contrasts with distant turmoil as a speaker notes life at home with breakfast and pets while questioning why so many men lie dead beneath the sky. A druggist promotes a flowers slogan, and a man recalls forget-me-nots sent with a bill, highlighting small personal interactions amid conflict.
The editor notes Dr Logan Clendening offers seven pamphlets at ten cents each. Readers may mail ten cents and a self addressed stamped envelope to the doctor in care of the paper to receive topics on indigestion constipation infant feeding diabetes feminine hygiene and care of hair and skin.
Residents commented that the items looked awkward and would not be worn, reflecting a shared hesitation about fashion comfort and practicality.
A collage of quick wits and zingers. a nurse jokes about aging and nerves. a doctor sparring with his daughter. a cynical political line about polling and trust. a mother daughter exchange on engagement rings. a teacher quips about English as a mother tongue.
One year ago reports note Decatur Cornice & Roofing began a brick addition to its plant on First Avenue. Weather reached 72 degrees. Banquet for Westminster Presbyterian Women hosted by Men’s Club at Masonic Temple. Abattoir prospects in Decatur valued at 10 000 to 15 000 dollars. Clyde Hendrix discussed Muscle Shoals highway right of way with officials in Tuscumbia. St Johns Guild met at Mrs. W B Edmundson’s home. Glenn Price ill with flu on Ninth Avenue West. T Cook and spouse travel to Antonio Texas for Westmoreland College graduation. Mrs W M Benners of Dallas to visit. Roland Wright welcomed a son born May 19. Traffic detoured between here and Athens due to local conditions.
Mrs Jessie Jones and Mrs Ed Evans of Athens and others visited Frank Baugh and family Friday. Visits to John Evans and family included Walter Evans and Lester Evans. Pearl Evans visited John Evans's wife and daughter. Mrs Richard Grubbs is ill. Quilting at Mrs Claud Baugh's on May 16. Rev George Brown to preach at Round Island church May 26. Everyone invited.
A historical newspaper fragment presents a domestic exchange touching on democracy, aid, and social manners. The dialogue includes a mother and father discussing self-help and respect, with junior’s mischief and a view of household roles implied.
Mr Goss asks if his daughter is ready for marriage. Mrs Chatter counters she is since she has had four prior engagements.
New York Heartbeat column notes socialites like Geo Washington Kavanaugh Miriam Hopkins Ward Morehouse and Margie Hart at venues around town. Mentions Edwin Arnold Teddy Powell Rose Moyniham Rose Moyniham at The Ziegfeld Follies and various showbiz anecdotes, plus a police incident on 58th Street and a drive by at A Harriman party with a public fisticuff rumor.
Mrs. Frank McClung and Miss Grace Hooie are mentioned in visits to neighbors Miss Lovice, Sarah Evans, and Misses Etta McClung and Kyle Hooie. The McGregor and Evans families hosted gatherings at Hays Mill and Athens with friends from the area.
A collage of city entertainment notes highlights Johnny McGee and Syracuse cornetists at 7 p.m. via WiZing, Trent Paterson’s band at Chateau Moderne, Jarrow the magician idle, Consuelo Flowerton’s piano at the Queen Mary, M. Todds’ Gay New Orleans at The Fair, and radio and theater chatter across Manhattan including traffic warnings and a Radio City travel update.
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