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Newspaper
Monroe News Star
Location
Monroe, Louisiana, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1940
Page
1
Milo Thompson recounts life beneath London in wartime. Journalists escape shelters while readers get a glimpse of the Savoy’s bombproof river room and the subterranean lattice of nine floors of beds and clerks guiding weary citizens to their assigned spaces. Policies, senses, and a touch of luxury survive under siege.
The U S Supreme Court ruled a 1937 North Carolina law imposing a 250 annual privilege tax on firms displaying hotel room or rented house samples to solicit retail orders unconstitutional. Justice Reed said the tax discriminates against interstate commerce. Best and Company of New York challenged the tax and Florida copyright licensing issues were also reviewed.
The national board of review names the ten best American films of 1940 led by The Grapes of Wrath followed by The Great Dictator and Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck, once a WPA writer, authored works behind the top picks.
The War Department stated it is expanding the army by promoting about 200 non commissioned officers to bakers and cooks to act as kitchen instructors. The action aims to ensure well prepared food for the army's health and happiness.
London reports Britain's air forces striking into Manchester amid fierce bombing as part of a larger war news sweep. Churchill urges Italian leadership to change course, condemning Mussolini and warning of Italy's empire's fate if war continues. Across theaters, Greece advances in Albania and British reinforcements bolster Bardia defenses.
Officials of two local selective service boards announced a second call of about 12 white men and 13 negroes to be made in January. White men expected January 6 to 14 and negroes January 16 to 21. Board No. 1 Monroe to send five white and eight negroes. Board No. 2 Wes. Monroe to send seven white and five colored. Offices closed December 31 and January 1 for holidays.
A plea from the Good Fellows fund reports less than $1,000 raised to aid needy families before Christmas. Clothes food and toys will be distributed Tuesday night by the Salvation Army and the West Monroe Welfare League. Citizens are urged to donate to help less fortunate children enjoy the holiday.
Santa Claus Indiana faces a Christmas mail surge as Postmaster Oscar Philipps and his 18-year-old daughter Odessa run an expanded operation. With 6 000 visitors on Sunday and about half a million pieces of mail by Christmas, the team works 18 hours daily in two shifts to keep the post office open.
The United States Weather Bureau in New Orleans forecasts fair skies for Christmas Eve in the Twin Cities with a morning low near 39. Monday morning’s low was 38.2 at Selman Field. Louisiana prospects call for fair to partly cloudy skies and slightly warmer conditions in the west and north portions though a light Christmas day shower is possible nationwide.
President Murray of the CIO outlined to President Roosevelt a plan to use auto industry facilities to mass produce 500 all metal pursuit planes per day. A Reuters survey claimed auto plants operate under 50 percent capacity and could be adapted for planes and cars, with labor available. Murray said output could begin in six months and shift auto production to a year round schedule.
Senate debates a shift from the 21 to 35 lottery to annual age-based conscription. Sen Adams urges training 16 18 or 20 year olds, saying it spares workers with private jobs. Sen Vandenberg calls the idea sensible but cautions about new complications. Gurney suggests 19 year olds for one year if emergency persists. Administrative views on the lottery remain unclear.
Four West Monroe residents Clyde Pohl Bill Matthews George Hennigan and J T Powell were found safe Monday morning after about fifteen hours lost in Marshe Boeuf swamps. They left Monroe Sunday to duck hunt drove into marsh walked five miles and became lost. A rescue party led by Gene Arnold located them.
Washington December 23 President Roosevelt tentatively planned a fireside radio report to address the present emergency next Sunday night. White House press secretary Stephen Early said the time would be about 8:30 or 9 o clock CST and that the address would run about a half hour. Roosevelt planned to receive White House staff for Christmas presents later today.
London December 23. Anthony Eden becomes foreign secretary in a cabinet shift that moves Halifax to ambassador to Washington early next year. Eden’s appointment follows Halifax’s long role in appeasement and hints at a tougher, more Russia friendly diplomacy. Captain David Margesson becomes secretary of war.
Denmark's pork shipments under German occupation averaged 22 million pounds monthly in the first six months, far below the 35 million pounds a year earlier, with virtually all exports going to Germany as the British blockade tightens. Also, 15,000 Lockheed Vega aircraft funded by Britain, including a Hudson bomber, travel to Britain with Jimmie Mattern aboard after a Christmas ceremony in Burbank.
In Chicago on December 23 a gasoline scooter struck a stopped car. The rider, Mrs Paula Teutsch a 63 year old widow and seamstress, suffered a broken left wrist. She said she had ridden the scooter for three years for business and pleasure.
Reporter John F. Chandler recalls visiting a department store Santa in California with a red velvet suit and white whiskers. He describes seeing children from tidy to ragged, noting their Christmas wishes and the playful pretenses of Santa in a busy toy town scene.
Six people injured when two cars collided head on about three miles east of the city on Highway 80 before 1 p.m. Monday. Mrs. Bill Hayes of Dallas was trapped and in serious condition. her husband Bill Hayes and T W Hughes of Birmingham suffered minor injuries. W S Shamberger of Hawkins, driving a new Chevrolet, was also seriously hurt with a broken leg and internal injuries. J Pollard and Miss Ethel Pollard of Hawkins sustained leg and facial injuries. All but one driver were Texans. witnesses said the speedometer on the Shamberger car showed 55.2 miles per hour.
Washington dispatch notes major domestic issues for the new Congress to tackle starting January 3. Key questions include monetary powers under President Roosevelt, soil conservation funding beyond 1941, and the coal commission. Automatic expirations loom for devaluation authority and stabilization funds, with farm programs and executive reorganization deadlines.
London December 23 The royal cards feature the crown on King George VI and Queen Elizabeth with an unpublished photo of them inspecting Buckingham Palace bomb damage on the inside. Queen Mother Mary’s card depicts an English thatched cottage in a tranquil setting. There is a title There’ll Always Be An England.
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