23 Dec 1939
Page 1
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!
This newspaper page contains 33 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Syracuse Herald Journal
Location
Syracuse, New York, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1939
Page
1
In Binghamton on December 23 the conspiracy extortion trial of Moons Charles W. Kress and Aecessed A. Bavier pauses for the Christmas holiday after a three and a half day delay. Mayor testifies as Justice McNaught adjourns till Tuesday afternoon.
John L. Sullivan a 40 year old Manchester New Hampshire lawyer becomes Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. His appointment signals a likely promotion for Herbert E. Gaston to undersecretary after John W. Hanes resigns. Sullivan currently serves as assistant to the commissioner of internal revenue and would take over duties overseeing the coast guard and customs bureau if Gaston moves up.
British report says the December 18 air engagement off Germany’s North Sea coast was the largest air battle of the war. About 80 to 100 British and German planes fought over Wilhelmshaven and 75 miles at sea as Wellington bombers joined a raid on a German port and withstood a bold Luftwaffe assault.
Coopertown mourns Ed Bowers aged 63 in New York, among notable figures listed in the death notices. The brief item highlights prominent individuals and a city obituary note from Spotswood.
Reports note Russian pushes along four fronts averaging about 2.5 to 4.5 miles daily near Serdobol Karelian Isthmus Oulu and vi cinity of Ladoga. Finnish claims of Red Army retreats and Arctic defensive moves contrast with Moscow dispatches. Stalin celebrates 60th birthday amid congratulatory messages from foreign heads. Elections set for district and city Soviets with Stalin running on Communist ticket.
Palestine plans its first calm Christmas in three years as European fighting subsides. British troops still guard the land, but the route to Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity has no guards, sandbags, or machine gun emplacements, for observances begin tomorrow.
Needy horses in Chicago were visited by Santa Claus as about 1,000 feed bags were distributed. The sacks contained mixed apples carrots cracked corn pressed oats coarse wheat flour bran and a small sack of fay in wo thems Tat.
Richard Valentine 18 confessed to wounding Edith Balcom 18 secretary to the Reading High School superintendent after a Christmas party incident in Reading Mich. He fired four shots with a borrowed 22 caliber revolver injuring Balcom in the neck and back. He is held in the Hillsdale county jail awaiting next steps as investigators weigh charges.
The United Mechanics of the Garment Industries denies accusations it conducted a stench bomb and acid throwing sabotage. Local 150 says the charges stem from employer agents seeking to disrupt union negotiations for better working conditions. Fifteen members faced conspiracy to commit violence charges from a 12 week strike. eight pleaded guilty and will be sentenced January 8.
Vatican City report notes all Rome cardinals will visit Pope Pius XII to deliver Christmas wishes. Dean Gennaro Granito Pignatelli di Belmonte, 88, will read an address, and the Pontiff is expected to respond with a year in review.
Bartley O Bryon a 77 year old recluse died while trying to rescue his valuable books from his burning home in Elmira as fire raged. He ran out to light an oil stove then re entered to save his collection despite two onlookers attempts to stop him. He was found dead by firefighters.
Raymond Hajdek, 22, of Yale, received an artificial leg for Christmas after losing a leg in an auto accident. The limb was funded by contributions from defendants in Judge John Gutknecht's Traffic Court.
Roosevelt plans to push a major defense expansion in his January state of the nation message. He estimates defense spending could rise by about 500 million over this year’s 1.5 billion. Opposing lawmakers warn of a protracted fight over big new programs amid doubts of immediate danger.
A two alarm fire in Indianapolis on December 23 sent Santa Claus speeding to a blaze. John McMahan, a truck driver at a Christmas party, jumped into action, arriving at a burning paper company storeroom, where he shed the suit for a rubber coat and helmet to help extinguish the fire.
Domei reported today the Japanese warship Hashidate was launched at Osaka with no additional details disclosed.
Wakefield, BR December 23. A Christmas star atop a gay tree shone through drawn shades, brightening the darkness of Mrs. Gladya Northup, 42, who had lived in darkness after eye surgery. A doctor said the light was possible and the moment brought hope.
At a White House Christmas party 17 month old Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr and 9 month old John Roosevelt Boettiger first saw each other and cried. Mrs Roosevelt said the reunion was not entirely successful but hopes they will meet without tears by Christmas Day.
Christmas greetings arrive as Franklin D Roosevelt and family prepare for the tree lighting at the White House. The 1939 card reads Christmas 1939 a Merry Christmas from the President and Mrs Roosevelt. Many cabinet members and officials are listed with their holiday plans and arrangements across homes in Detroit Boston Fishkill and New Jersey.
Berlin officials announced a Christmas amnesty for seven British women held in a Reich prison. One British boy and fifteen other British and Australian inmates were also affected, with many internees allowed holiday contact and some to return home for Christmas. Most internees remain at Würzburg Castle for the war.
A 28 year old man identified as Wayne Germaine of Sunset Boulevard Hollywood Cal was found with a bullet wound to his breast in a Waldorf Astoria Hotel room. Police tentatively ruled death a suicide noting a small caliber pistol and an ejected shell nearby. He registered Thursday and had a complete wardrobe including evening clothes.
In Waynesburg Pennsylvania on December 23 a double funeral will close the Christmas Eve activities at the home of Mr and Mrs Charles Fike. Mrs Fike died after a long illness and her husband then drowned himself in the Monongahela River less than twelve hours later. He told a niece he could not stand it any longer.
Immigration officials at Ellis Island sent the crew findings to Washington after perfunctory questioning on their identities nationality and length of residence. The island commissary prepared 577 turkey dinners for Christmas Day and thousands of cigarettes for the men and officers. After statements are approved the men will have 60 days to find another ship but German vessels are not calling at New York, creating a potential removal hurdle.
General Counsel Charles Fahy argues the Labor Relations Board shows no bias in AFL and CIO cases. He cites last year's 112 representation rulings: AFL won 51, CIO 44, both partly victorious in 13. Fahy says early committee hearings do not prove bias against AFL unions or employers.
New York dispatch reports Shepard Line investigating potential saboteurs after a fire aboard the American freighter Wind Rush, docked at Cristobal with 38 aboard including one woman. Captain Harris M. Jonas said the blaze was controlled after a day and night of effort. officials doubt fertilizer caused the fire and will assess repairs and voyage to California.
Former Kaiser Wilhelm II has contributed 300 florin for air raid precautions at Amsterdam and Doorn his retreat the Algemeen Handelsblad reported today.
December reports from Paris Berlin and Moscow note little to report on the fronts. The French and Red Army communiques say nothing important occurred, while German patrols northwest of Metz claimed two French aircraft shot down.
The Good Fellows and colleagues, six years in the effort, dedicate this year to James D. Taylor the treasurer. His son also serves as treasurer. Clarence J. Foertch is executive organizer. Pirates led by Samuel H. Cook and Joseph J. Pietrafesa and Costello's Raiders captained by H. C. Brown help on the sale day. Carnival costumes appear as others distribute coffee and doughnuts. All workers wear coat lapel badges. Receipts reported at the Onondaga Hotel after an 11:30 A M start and two hours of selling.
The Polish government in exile warned Germany that Allied victory will bring reprisals against leaders responsible for mass executions of Polish patriots. The statement, issued by the Polish Information Bureau, vows punishment for those involved in killings in western provinces annexed by the Reich.
The British cruiser Despatch sails from Valparaiso Chile for an undisclosed destination. It previously operated in Pacific waters and captured the German freighter Dusseldorf on December 15, taking her to Antofagasta as a prize. Chile allowed a 48 hour stay for engine repairs.
Coast Guard cutter Mendoza reported success in freeing the grounded 4521 ton Greek steamer Aliakmon near Cape Henry and towing her to Hampton Roads. The Aliakmon, en route from Baltimore to Galveston and Houston without cargo, ran aground 25 miles south of Cape Henry after seas drove her ashore.
In Miami on December 23 a traffic officer appears to be in the Christmas spirit as he decorates the tickets he leaves on cars with small Christmas seats.
Washington reports that House committee chaired by Howard Smith drafts amendments to split prosecution and judicial roles of the National Labor Relations Board. Smith cites Railway Labor Act as a model, while NLRB defenders contest claims of bias and merger of functions.
Auburn tailed film player Jette White and her husband Jack Melvin were jailed after police said they cashed about 2500 dollars in bad checks during Christmas shopping. White, who under the alias Eve Carlton previously won a beauty title in Palm Springs, faced multiple counts of fraud.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.