04 Jan 1940
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 14 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Eldora Herald Ledger
Location
Eldora, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jan 04, 1940
Page
1
The piece extols private enterprise in America, outlining its dominance in farms, plants, wells, and rails, and its share of coal, copper, power, autos, rubber, films, and cotton. It credits the nation’s rise to the American system that supports private initiative and argues that the country would fail if private enterprise died.
Editorial urges a concrete year long plan for community progress in Eldora area. It proposes a small prize to spark ideas for five point community projects, with a formal objective outline by the Community Club. Also notes American resilience and calls for nominations for the American Legion community service award, plus tax questions in Philadelphia.
Dr Sam Higginbotham, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, urges the China relief committee to awaken American Christians to China's great need. He stresses millions displaced and thousands killed, calling for generous aid and support as China could become a valuable ally in commerce and friendship.
Chronicle lists notable items from Hardin County covering sixty to ten years past. Key notes include railroad right of way filings near Gifford and Callanan, midweek retirements and new appointments, bridge construction challenges, and an upcoming courthouse meeting. Later entries note academy openings, business moves, new stores, and a torpedo invention purchase by the U.S. government. Public notices extend to incorporations, county agent appointment, and a house fire and injuries.
Des Moines post 788 resolution by the Veterans of Foreign Wars calls for the United States to buy or take control of all armaments and equipment used to manufacture them in this country. The group argues private munition production fosters wars and reflects broad public sentiment.
A reader argues against world war sentiment spread by prewar propaganda. The letter contends munitions sales fuel conflicts and human suffering. It questions allowing cash and carry sales and suggests the U S should control war goods sales to curb profits.
An editorial urges caution in hunting season noting many accidents involve friends with guns and stressing that a moment of care can prevent lifelong regret over injuries or deaths. It emphasizes firearm safety before shooting for quail or rabbits.
The piece recalls November 1939 as a milestone when neutrality law was amended and the national debt neared forty-five billion dollars. It emphasizes the per capita burden of the debt, warns of rising future debt limits, and urges citizens to cut public spending and resist further taxation and boondoggling, citing Franklin D. Roosevelt on sustaining debt limits.
The 1939 tax data show record high sales taxes and cigarette taxes, with gasoline taxes also at peak. Motor vehicle license taxes rose over 1938, while inheritance taxes dropped due to the Maytag estate’s timing. State income taxes fell versus 1938 and 1937, and liquor tax profits rose though oleomargarine tax dropped from low cow butter prices. Direct state taxes totaled about 58 million on 2.5 million filers, with indirect taxes eclipsing that amount.
A 1940 New Year column recounts an Eldora Iowa inventory from Elmer Hole of American Lumberman. It lists community gains a hospital post office library and school projects with tallied values, plus a hopeful New Year poem about leaving past sorrows behind and welcoming a brighter future. The piece reflects rural Midwestern optimism and weekly column charm.
The weekly Federated church events include the annual meeting on a Wednesday night with a committee serving refreshments at 6:50 p.m., a New Year watch party at Rev H E Afoon’s home, and a Federated Sunday school advisory meeting. Lucile Kauffman, Union native, died December 30. services held at the Biersborn home with Rev H E Moon officiating. Youth conference and various Union community notices follow, detailing officers, gatherings, and local arrivals and departures.
Mrs. Mattie Protheroe urges Eldora to relocate the city dump to protect the wooded bluffs and northern river approach. She laments ugliness near highway entrances, praises improvements of 1939, and calls for continued beautification of Eldora for prosperity in 1940.
A historical note recalls Admiral Dewey as the sole naval officer to rally the crew with a meal pennant after engaging the enemy at Manila Bay in May 1898.
A car driven by Lyle Doak of Grundy Center skidded and overturned in the ditch at the Wilbur Barnard corner Sunday evening. No injuries were reported, though the vehicle suffered heavy damage. Nearby, Shirley Hopkins resumed nursing duties in Oak Park Illinois, and Gene Hopkins planned studies in Ann Arbor. Mr. and Mrs. Ottoway and daughter of Thornton visited Ada Beate and Leland Thursday. Donna Mae Hauser and June Lamer returned to Deg Tuesday to start classes.
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