Monopoly risks from mechanization in coal industry
The bituminous coal commission, once an administrative body now a research arm, investigates how mine mechanization affects labor and the coal trade. It fears a move toward monopoly as big operators buy machines, absorb weaker properties, and dominate production, with independent miners struggling to compete. The pattern mirrors oil industry consolidations, suggesting a future trend toward consolidation across coal regions like Smokeless Coal, though consequences remain unclear.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bituminous Coal Commission
NRA
Commission
West Virginia
Prison reform program proposed by Judge Ralph H. Smith
Pittsburgh youth judge Ralph H. Smith outlines six recommendations to reform criminals rather than condemn them. Proposals include behavior clinics fingerprinting first offenders segregation into camps abolition of unanimous verdicts in most jury cases and auditing aldermen and justices books.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ralph H. Smith
Pittsburgh
Allegheny County
Criminal Court
Pennsylvania
Smith
Women pledge to speak briefly in politics
An NY reporter gathered prominent women politicians who vow to limit speeches this year to short, clear remarks. Helen Varick Boswell, 68, dean of Republican women, emphasizes brevity, while Mary Dawson, Democratic campaign head, echoes the idea with the line no soul is saved after 20 minutes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York
Helen Varick Boswell
Mary Dawson
Think of the Embarrassment Editorial Suggestions Sent In
A mail daily prints letters and policy prompts aimed at shaping campaigns. The Southern States Industrial Council offers fillers titled Industrial facts for use, asking how candidates would answer if pressed on reading the Constitution and the oath of office.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mail Daily
Southern States Industrial Council
United States
John E. Edgerton
Embarrassment in interpreting the Constitution and the court
The passage questions Mr. John E. Edgerton about reading twenty thousand pages of Supreme Court opinions and the reliance on nine justices for five to four decisions. It highlights potential embarrassment if a single replacement shifts the Court, especially regarding the National Labor Relations Board and the Bill of Rights in southern cotton fields and mills.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John E. Edgerton
Supreme Court of the United States
National Labor Relations Board
New Deal
Southern States Industrial Council
Supreme Court
Mr. Edgerton
Radio commentators and political sponsorship in 1936
The piece argues that Republican and Democratic national committees may hire radio news commentators for campaign messaging, with networks paid for airtime and possibly newspaper space. It questions editorial independence, noting columnist protests and urging clear disclosure if commentators are for hire, lest listeners doubt their impartiality on major issues.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Republican National Committee
Democratic National Committee
Dear Public
Radio News
Sampson
G.O.P
Danzig
A. F. of S
O.A.R.P
Roosters, elections, and stray notices in a July column
A lively town column contrasts a loud rooster with election bravado and fickle politics. It jokes about Indian land, quotes Harry Adam Stansbury on Cleaned marsh work, and notes a new sidewalk at Prince and Fayette. It closes with a quip on July ending and changing months.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Christian Church
Prince and Fayette
Weather Directives and Shutter Reflections
A nostalgic musing on weather guidance and the decline of shutters. The piece recalls shutters as siege era relics used as discreet loopholes for defense, noting they disappeared to invite flies inside, while spider webs once blocked them. The tone blends domestic detail with playful critique of change.
Party chairs shape 1936 races in rival campaigns
Byron Price outlines how Democratic Chairman James A Farley and Republican Chairman John D M Hamilton face unprecedented duties in 1936. Farley directs detailed campaign organization and keeps key urban machines in line, while Hamilton drives partisan mobilization and supports Landon with aggressive speeches. Both aim to translate organization into victory.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James A. Farley
John D. M. Hamilton
Landon
Hamilton
Public Forum Letter on Party Affiliation and Support
O H Mills of Crab Orchard West Virginia declares his personal political stance noting his first word was Democratic and states his support for Judge Ward this fall. He denies placing the letter as an advertisement and seeks public explanation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Judge Ward
Veterans pensions linger despite quiet campaign
A Washington Daybook reflects on how the bonus issue faded after conventions as both parties promised general care for veterans. James Cannon Jr notes past opposition to Al Smith and questions how future elections may revive pension debates, with officials warning that war pensions linger across eras and wars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cannon
Smith
Bsr
James Cannon, JR
Richmond
Timese
al Smith
Philadelphia
Bishop Cannon
North Carolina
Congress
Veterans’ Administration
Secretary of the Treasury
Talks to Parents Henry the model child turned cipher
A piece on Henry a compliant well behaved boy seen as a problem child in later life. It argues goodness without assertiveness leads to a colorless existence and suggests encouraging rebellion to break routine and foster resilience.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Henry
Logan to vote on school bonds
Logan county voters will decide a $176,077 school bond at a special election on September 15. The board said PWA will provide $144,063 toward a $320,140 school construction program.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Logan
Logan County
PWA
West Virginia fire chiefs back liquor profits rebate plan
The West Virginia Fire Chiefs Association backs a 15 percent rebate of state liquor sales profits for municipalities to aid fire departments and supports a 2 percent tax on foreign fire insurance sold in the state. Greg Marsh of Weston was reelected president. Ralph Doolittle of Fairmont and Roy B. Listen of Nutter Fort were named vice president and secretary treasurer. State Fire Marshal Fred B. Watkins will address tonight's closing session.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Morgantown
West Virginia Fire Chiefs Association
Greg Marsh
Weston
Ralph Doolittle
Fairmont
Roy B. Listen
Nutter Fort
Screen Life In Hollywood and Ruth Chatterton on independence
Ruth Chatterton rejects being “first lady of the screen” as she pursues a Broadway return in a new role she deems her best. She values independence, plans cabaret scenes, air races, and foreign trips, and notes studios reworking old scripts for new twists to save costs. Also reported: Mercer county to receive 17 new school buses this week and Miss Jacquelyn Richardson of Houston wins 30 dollars in a horse race while drilling for an oil lease and producing 432 barrels daily.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ollywood
Ruth Chatterton
Frank “Dodsworth
Gregory Gaye
Fritz Lang
Spencer Tracy
Miss Chatterton
Lang
Fran
Chatterton
Spain
Jacquelyn Richardson
Houston
Tex
Also Mentioned on This Page
The
Raleigh Register
NEWS
Chambrleen
Mytalian
Thio
Harold M. Riffe
Alway
Manhattan Islands
Harry Adam Stansbury
W P. A
Coal River
Harry Adam
Mr. Stansbury
Popeye
Mr. L. A. Mauck
Virginia
Harrisonburg
Byron Price
Washington
Roosevelt
Farley
Tammany Organization
Hague Organization
New Jersey
Landon Best
Mong
Kansas
John D . Gamilton
James A. Fariey
the Register
Crouse
Mills
O. H. Mills
Crab Orchard
W. Va
By Preston Grover
Ashington
Tient
Brooke Peters Church
Fire Association
Screen Life In
Hollywood
By Robbin Coons
China
Bluefield
Mercer County Board of Education
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!