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Newspaper
Grafton Sentinel
Location
Grafton, West Virginia, United States of America
Date
May 19, 1939
Page
4
In wartime talk, it is warned that while regiments can be improvised, battleships require years to build. The plan would force the navy to place elderly and infirm officers in command of major fleets during war, reducing effectiveness and exposing weaknesses in readiness.
A Wheeling Intelligencer editorial weighs a Senate Labor Committee hearing on a new mediation board. It argues for public safety over broad labor dispute control, noting the Railway Labor Act as a model for essential industries like coal, rail, and food, to prevent stoppages from harming the public welfare.
Legislation proposed to raise the average age of navy officers in higher commands. Secretary Woodring seeks to place younger men in command, noting navy and army prefer older officers. aging leaders under strain, with limited expansion to create future jobs for middle aged and elderly.
Report describes Jewish protests and a 24 hour strike against Britain’s plan for Palestine. Calls to boycott British goods and tax resistance. Jews urged to influence municipal councils and fund Jewish resistance while many youths clash with police on Jaffa road leaving a constable dead and many injured.
Tax Smile Chairman Pat Harrison of the Senate Finance Committee leaves a White House conference with the President discussing business tax reforms. He advocates repeal of the undistributed profits tax and a flat corporation tax. By 9:30 p.m. order largely restored after power cuts. Ancient Jaffa road litters debris from disturbances.
The mayor says efforts to dispose of leftover stock precede a new state law on May 26 and that firecrackers have been prevalent. City hall reports numerous complaints and authorities will arrest offenders and enforce penalties under the ordinance. Past July 4th lax enforcement spurred a bill by a local senator to tighten controls. The piece cites Longines Wittnauer as a brand mention.
A New York legislative committee proposes a $31 million budget cut plan with graduated salary reductions above $2,000. They warn federal income tax on public salaries burdens states, complicates budget revision, and harms morale, amid recent Supreme Court decisions.
The piece chronicles the 1853-1857 growth of Grafton now Taylor County tied to the Baltimore and Ohio and North West Virginia railroads. It notes land buyers, Rosby Carr’s supervision, the Christmas spike ceremony, key figures like Thomas McGraw and James Holmes, church and hotel development, and shifts from stagecoaches to rail travel.
Fragmentary OCR reads joke laden statements on politics power and domestic life and odd musings about radio comedians and a bee. It mentions Egyptian hieroglyphs and misattributed quoted lines about wives, medals, and a stylized straw hat. The piece shows scattered opinions rather than a single narrative.
Eleanor Parrish endures a tense postparty day filled with restless worry. She searches for Phil’s note and a manuscript, then takes her daughter Jessica to the park while fearing a phone call will bring news. At dusk Phil returns grave, hints at trouble, and they seek solace in a quiet drink before facing an uncertain night.
A fragmented World’s Fair recap notes the Midwest’s exclusion and high travel costs. It jokes on education’s role in understanding words, comments on leaders with or without glasses, and mentions the Texas telescope, New York exhibit plans, and stock market mood as light amusement at the fair.
Citizens who contributed last year are urged to meet or exceed that amount for 1938. Campaign headquarters will be on West Main Street opposite First National Bank, where contributions can be left. The slogan is give until it hurts.
A vast blaze at the Pittsburgh Gray-Iron Foundry on the North Side drew about 5,000 spectators. General Manager R F Holt estimated losses at 1.25 million dollars, with patterns worth a further million owned by 85 firms damaged or ruined. Three firemen were overcome by smoke and two others cut hands. the fire, four alarms, likely started in packing boxes outside the plant.
In Princeton on May 19, Blanche Jarrell was awarded a $750 jury verdict against Bluefield Cab Company and Inland Mutual Insurance for injuries after a cab stopped suddenly.
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