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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Feb 05, 1942
Page
2
The rationing committee members face a hard task as tire shortages bite. With recaps scarce and ration rules rigid, civilians struggle to obtain tires while the board must serve the public good and military needs. The piece urges trust in government and suggests conserving essentials.
At a Friday Shafter Business Men's association session residents discussed excessive city speeds. Observers noted riverside stretches on James street near the post office and library and on Central avenue near the high school as high risk. Calls were made to declare a James street school zone to protect Richland and Congregational church children.
Report indicates a speed problem on Jamies Street and calls for stricter enforcement of city speed and horn laws. A future Shafter city council meeting may address broader traffic controls and officer enforcement.
In Madisonville Texas the fire department faced vehicle distraction as cars chased the fire truck. Assistant Chief Whitten rode a decoy truck to lure followers away from the blaze so firefighters could work unmolested. A future warning tied to arrest of trailing drivers was issued.
The piece argues waste paper collection sparked a surge but disposal lagged. It notes newsprint sells for about $12 a ton in Los Angeles with $2.50 shipping, other papers around $6, and reclamation plants needed to revive demand. It urges continuing saving only for usable types and directing effort through proper channels.
A column from The Shafter Press 1941 items recounts local humor and wartime notices. Jokes about patriotism and slang mix with anecdotes from Minter Field and Shafter, including a GoPardons quip, tire rationing chatter, and a flower seeding drive. The piece blends veterans’ reminiscences, community plans, and a call to recycle newspapers.
The piece notes automation workers facing unemployment during plant retooling for war, with $24.50 weekly benefits while idle, alongside Congressmen voting themselves a retirement pension. It contrasts hardships of small business people, salesmen, and others, amid wartime sentiment and air raid warnings.
Last weekend a Mojave record from H. H. H. notes listening in via an air craft detector. The report details suspected signals and the method used to monitor airborne transmissions.
The Los Angeles Times notes hospitals run nurse training schools as war drains trained staff. Entrance often requires a high school diploma, with some schools stricter. Courses typically run three years, but partial training can allow earlier responsibility and release of fully trained nurses.
A bill in Congress would relieve Americans held as prisoners of war from income tax while imprisoned. The proposal is temporary to ease tax burdens on POWs and avoid triggering further questions about the tax system.
A fragment notes Californians discuss the American home including a baby and a car. The text hints at marital happiness and consumer life with references to automobiles and tires in a domestic context.
Albert Emil Davies in San Francisco states a blackout cannot hide a city but conceals vital points. He says the enemy aims first to smash city hall and broadcasting stations, the nerve centers, then wreck water works and electric power stations.
Frank Kilsby publisher of the San Francisco Recorder remarks that the year 1942 should show notable gains for all businesses bold enough to expand. He stresses courage to invest amid wartime conditions and cautions on risk.
A batch of Shafter residents expand into poultry with J P Hansen, J B Henderson, C W Henderson each keeping 500 Leghorn chicks and A B Fox buying 400 Plymouth Rocks as dozens of hens promise egg surplus next winter. The Shafter Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion meets in the new hall to plan a Poppy Poster contest and discuss drapery purchases. Judge Irwin Owen addresses Richland P T A on youth and juvenile crime, urging accountability for supplying intoxicants to minors. In a separate incident, W B Simpson Sr loses brakes on a car near the Anderson ranch, the vehicle overturns and catches fire, causing about 1000 dollars in damage but no serious injuries.
Members of Leslie L. Robinson Post No. 213, American Legion, held their first meeting in the new hall Monday evening. Vice Commander Hubert Annis presided in Commander Terry's absence. The entertainment committee reported progress on Legion Entertainment and a large group shared a meal at White's restaurant after the session.
Judge Frank Whalen, whose car has been repaired, conducted business in his Shafter office most of the afternoon and says he feels fine. He plans to hold court in Shafter on February 26. The case concerns a damage suit for injuries to a flock of sheep brought by D Galaimena against E M Burner, a Shafter stage driver.
The Rev. K. G. Neufeld pastor of the Shafter Mennonite church returns from a two week trip to Hillsboro Kansas for the Mennonite church conference of the Pacific district. He met with Tabor college directors to preserve the high standing of the Tabor institute which annually trains many qualified teachers.
Wednesday featured garden day with speaker Mrs J R Williams from the county federation of work men clubs. A business meeting preceded reports on a family party set for February 21 at the club building and dinner plans. Afterward Mrs D H Potter Tillie Straut and Mrs Clyde Zachary sold plants roses and garden items.
More than a hundred thousand viewers last month looked at two pages of Pictorial California showing Kern County cotton fields, gins, and presses. The photos, supplied by the Kern County Chamber of Commerce, portray a new empire of King Cotton, especially in the San Joaquin Valley.
H. Moore seeks a fourth year representing Ninth Township including Shafter and Wrea districts. He declares candidacy for the state primary in August and, if nominated, will run for the November general election.
A feature of the 1930 mint planting in Shafter highlights a contest sponsored by John N. Davis. The owner of the most productive one acre plot of mint will win a $200 radio set. The test aims to show profitable mint yield per acre, with current averages paying growers about $180 to $200 gross per acre.
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