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This newspaper page contains 26 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 31, 1939
Page
4
A local newspaper column blends a Bible verse with civic questions on income tax amendments and state plans. It cites Montgomery Advertiser on Alabama’s wartime stance with Japan and hints at a "Draft Roosevelt" movement amid heated Alabama political discourse.
The Daily notes a Montgomery debate over legal fees paid during the Graves administration. A committee is expected to decide how far to push the investigation and then conclude public discussion.
The fair faces criticism as exhibits were not ready on opening day and managers report labor trouble. Dr. A L Crabb of Peabody College delivered the commencement address, praising brevity for speakers. The National and American League pennants drive interest as a few hundred watched a late game.
A fragment argues Roosevelt has no third term ambitions unless war occurs. The piece suggests war is unlikely and shifts focus to removing tax burdens on American business to aid the country.
The article notes farmers express frustration amid ongoing rain and urge readers to raise the issue with their Congressman. It highlights agricultural woes and calls for political attention to support farming needs.
The piece urges Decatur to grow with concrete goals including an airport docks new schools a farm market debt reduction and a fairer ad valorem tax. It frames development as a collective effort to shape a progressive city.
The piece argues Congress will push amendments to the Wagner Act and Labor Relations Board after session ends. It claims the administration has harmed justice, urging stronger changes and even dumping the board. It warns manufacturers face uncertainty about running or flying.
The Daily previews Alabama state plans to plant 20 000 mulberry trees to start silk production while Walter Jones foresees oil finds in the state within four years. The piece also urges strategies to boost cotton sales and pitches cotton bagging as superior to jute, urging a strong advertising push to persuade southern farmers.
Local Boy Scouts in Decatur will survey properties to identify mosquito breeding sites. Residents Honest John Citizen and Mrs Citizen urged to cooperate with the Health Department and report findings on cans, barrels, buckets, gutters, tires, pools, bird baths, and other potential breeding spots.
A May 31 Washington summary discusses a tax reform bargain tied to taxing tax exempt securities and reducing the top surtax from 75 to 60 percent. It notes congressional resistance, Ickes' possible dual roles, and Aubrey Williams rumored for national youth administrator, with Roosevelt possibly nominating him if confirmed.
Admiral Land backs a limited hire plan through shipping commissioners with lists from the union CIO on the east and AFI on the west coast. The compromise, shaped with J Monroe Johnson, is being pitched to AFL Pacific Coast chairman Lundberg under pressure.
Agriculture Secretary Wallace quietly pushes for a public works capital financing bank. He has urged several senators to act, but passage seems unlikely without a public push from President Roosevelt as Congress nears adjournment.
The CIO will crew three new ships bound for the Pacific Orients route, with rail fare paid back home for the crews, then AFL crews will operate the vessels on the west coast. The odd arrangement stems from CIO control of east coast hiring and AFL control on the west coast.
The health of the community is not so good at this writing. Mrs George Griffin is somewhat improved. Dick Robinson is on the sick list. Gladys Dorothy and Beatrice Vinson were guests of Mrs J M Smith and Mrs Zerg Smith. Carl Clark and his daughter Delia Francis from Indiana are visiting relatives. J M Smith and Audra Pepper visited New Market.
Walter Winchell reports on Broadway gossip including Mrs F D Roosevelt Jr ill in a sanitarium, Laurence Olivier and Jill Esmond divorce, Vivien Leigh linked, legal moves on naturalizations, celebrities at the Sherry Netherland, barred bookmakers in New Jersey, and Paris Hollywood chatter. Headlines mix politics, crime, and society as May nears.
Mrs. Raymond Massey travels to Reno to permit a marriage to Dorothy Whitney. Vivi Fairchild’s romance with Frank Farrell ends as she returns his ring leaving him glum. Atlantic Beach Club reopens June 20 after a hurricane repair. Claire Dodd’s marriage falters as Welch Harris, a North Carolina millionaire, becomes her new partner. Sudden thought prompts caution about careless critics.
Judge Manton asks prominent figures to appear as character witnesses. Paul Robeson, back from Russia, comments on Moscow’s atmosphere. Jimmy Donahe allegedly damaged a photographer’s camera while pursuing Barbara Hutton’s photo. Barbara Wanamaker Munn and Clemente Ballen reportedly marrying in Europe this summer. Garner campaign faces backlash over U S funds and spending.
A morning discussion references John D. M. Hamilton of the Nat's Comm. and his stance against Democrats. The writer notes a broader picture amid an era of hysteria, suggesting sources of fear are unclear and may rise from varied origins.
Griffin Sunday guests include Mrs. Zera Smith and two small children and Mrs. Lewis Worthy with children. Mrs. Audra Pepper and children visited her mother Mrs. M. Smith. Miss Gladys Vinson stayed with home folks. Miss Marie Dungy visited sister Mrs. Cecil Black. Mrs. Yeu Atkins of Hartselle is spending a few days with relatives.
The Marquis de Villermont and Huguett Clark likely will wed this summer. He is expected to take a post with the French Diplomatic Service as details circulate about their engagement.
In a Feb 27 column details emerge about James Wheeler Hill, a Russo-born Nazi Bund executive in New York, and his tense feud with Fritz Kuhn over cash backstage at the Garden. The piece questions Hill’s legal status and claims of a San Francisco birth certificate, while asking why Kuhn’s bail was cut from $30,000 to $5,000 and noting Hill’s alleged quiet talks with the Dewey staff.
Old line Democratic leaders race for the Presidential bandwagon reporting to the White House. Ex Mrs Stallings attends altar with author of Picking America's Pockets. Pauline Kaye of the Music Halls Rockets to Mrs Wm Police. Toscanini’s outfit links Elliott Roosevelt as publisher of a new magazine Every Woman. Drew Pearson plans a Potomac retreat called Pearson's Bluff. Edith Kingdon Gould and John Mitchell Jr. stir social circles. Fielding H Yost to resign as U of Mich athletics director next year.
John Johnston and Al Bohall fought as welterweights at the men's reformatory athletic field in Anamosa Iowa. Johnston and Bohall were knocked out in 1:16 of the second round before about one thousand inmates. Referee Alex Fidler of Cedar Rapids spent five minutes reviving both fighters.
Reader question explores shingles by Dr Logan Clendening. He explains shingles causes nerve pain first with an eruption later and notes it is not dangerous though long lasting aftercare includes infrared or x ray therapy. He discusses herpes zoster and herpes labialis, infection likelihood, and that one attack typically prevents recurrence. The piece closes with a note offering seven pamphlets for ten cents each.
People mentioned include Frank Lide in Sheffield on business Blanche Buchanan visiting Huntsville John Wyker ill at Canal street Mrs J W Sandlin indisposed Munsey McGlathery recently ill The Alabama Junior Chamber of Commerce may meet here in 1923 Sunrise marks a new era for Central Methodist church with a sunrise service and groundbreaking for a 40000 educational unit Mayor James A Nelson leaves for Anniston for Alabama Mayors Association meetings Thursday and Friday
In Selma Alabama on May 31 18 year old J B Bridges poured gasoline into a running tractor causing an explosion. His father grabbed him and threw him into a well to extinguish flames. Neighbors freed him soaking wet but with only slight burns.
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