War news and home front notes from wartime Washington
A multi topic column covers Soviet town reopenings on the eastern front, a Pacific distance challenge for U.S. forces, and civilian resilience during WW II. It profiles Leigh Bell and Camp Bullis training, praises Churchill’s America visit, and calls for defense-driven shifts in Washington’s workforce to support the war.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Time Magazine
Camp Bullis
San Antonio
Texas
Third Army Junior Officers Training Center
Leigh Bell
U.cl. A
Lou Gardner
Washington
Defense
Patent Office
Fish and Wild Life Service
National Park Service
Indian Affairs
Railroad Retirement Board
Compensation Commission
Alien Registration
Samuel
False alarm air raid sparks taxi to Washington Square
A Chicago reader recalls two women discussing a recent air raid warning. One carries an infant while indignantly admitting she moved the baby to Washington Square to witness the supposed air raid. The line ends with the admission the alarm was false.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Christian Science Monitor
Sixth Avenue
Washington Square
Movie Fiend Private Wilkinson Watches 245rd Film
Private Kenneth Wilkinson of Fort Lewis Washington has seen his 245th feature length movie since enlisting last October. He says the films help him forget his troubles.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kenneth Wilkinson
Fort Lewis
Wash
Federal excise taxes on fuel and motor products total over two billion
The eight year sum of federal excise taxes on gasoline lubricants motor vehicles accessories and tires amounts to 2.422 billion dollars averaging 302.6 million per year.
Slang Terms in Modern English Usage in England
A brief note explains current English slang, defining phrases like a lot of slap to mean high excitement to book it as rushing or doing something quickly and Get cracking as starting promptly. It highlights usage notes and regional flavor in contemporary speech.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
By the Way Column Missing Prompts Thanks
A reader named Bob Berdo, son of Mr and Mrs Henry Berdo, noticed the absence of the By the Way column in the Evening Journal last Tuesday night. His remark prompted a note of thanks to Bob for drawing attention to the omission.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bob
Bob Berdo
Henry Berdo
Evening Journal
Iain Colloquial Contraction Debate Stirs Readers
A reader notes guidance on avoiding the contraction ain't in quotes. The letter argues for explicit phrases like I am not going and emphasizes consistent usage in reporting dialogue. The exchange reflects language norms in local journalism.
A Clumsy Divorcement Tale and Fat Man Talks
A Southern railway porter brings Mandy to a clergyman for marriage. The groom returns alone seeking a divorce after learning his wife is worse than he thought. A minister is astonished by the vow. Also a service club joke has a fat man lamenting his aching feet and humor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern
Mandy
Pakson
Sav Mystery Echoes in a Small World Chat
A man recounts a cryptic exchange about a person named Sav. The speaker recalls meeting someone who might know Sav, but confusion over the name leaves both parties unsure amid talk that the world is small.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sav
Guarded Speech and Witty Retort at Dinner Table
A brief exchange features Whait complimenting a stenographer as mighty pretty, followed by Broan quipping that politeness fades when the Mrs. is present. The dialogue showcases playful banter and social tension in a domestic setting.
Noted Combat Echo in Mae and Jerry Dialogue
Mae questions a sport page scandal while Jerry hints at a David and Goliath fight analogy. The exchange suggests a clash of formidable forces in a broader, possibly sensational, context. The line frames interest in scandal rather than athletic detail and hints at ongoing public intrigue.
Loan Agencies Seek Modern Lighting Standards
Cleveland agencies financing new property construction urge improved lighting fixtures of approved design. Efficient lighting and unattractive fixtures are seen as tangible reductions in property value.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cleveland
Lighting Upgrades Offer Modern Fixtures At Low Cost
A local lighting store promotes modern fixtures and home efficiency. They invite customers to schedule a lighting efficiency test to improve illumination and reduce costs. They emphasize a wide range of styles and affordable prices.
Press Portraits in Raleigh Portraits Row
An abstract line from a Raleigh News and Observer page hints at social tensions and gossip among locals. A speaker dismisses accusations while another remarks on managing neighbors, reflecting community pressure and conflicting claims.
Dialogue Prompt Between John and Lillian
A humorous exchange shows John claiming to have fed a cake to a dog while Lillian questions the statement. John apologizes, clarifying he did not know the dog belonged to Lillian.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John
Lillian
Son's Sax Lesson Sparks Quip Between Wilson and Jenkins
A light exchange features Wilson noting his son takes saxophone lessons and Jenkins replying that Wilson should be glad because he isn’t hearing it. The joke hinges on Wilson’s humor about the lesson being loud or long.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wilson
Jenkins
Dancing Teacher Triggers Wiggle in School
A dancing teacher recalls starting a new dance after wearing winter woolens and itching. The entire school is now attempting the so called new dance.
Oratory and the Bargain of Justice in Court
Judge Daniel recalls a lawyer who boasted of a hard won victory after a technical case. The client arrives excited and urges an immediate appeal, prompting a cautionary lesson on how rhetoric can mislead a client.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Daniel
Tam
Scott
Smithers Acknowledges Court Ruling On Monthly Support
A family friend reports Smithers appeared chagrined when the judge granted his wife $150 monthly temporary alimony. The same source notes Mrs. Smithers grinned upon hearing the court news, reflecting contrasting reactions to the ruling.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Smithers
Birth of the Blues musical heads to State Theatre with Crosby cast
The musical Birth of the Blues opens Sunday at the State Theatre led by Bing Crosby and Mary Martin with Brian Donlevy, Carolyn Lee, Rochester and Jack Teagarden. It features fifteen songs including St Louis Blues and Memphis Blues, plus a new Mercer tune The Waiter and the Porter and the Upstairs Maid.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Victor Schertzinger
Bing Crosby
St. James Infirmary
Nellie
Georgia
St. Louis
Johny Mercer
W. C. Handy
Birth of the Blues highlighted in 1940s film and arts
The feature showcases the blues with 1914 roots and popular numbers like St Louis Blues. Ruby Elzy sings the title piece while Bing Crosby Mary Martin perform many songs in Dixieland style. Jazz solos come from Jack Teagarden and Brian Donlevy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bing Crosby
Mary Martin
Bing
Brian Donlevy
Jack Teagarden
Pleasant Hill Christmas Program and Community Visits
Pleasant Hill residents enjoyed a well filled Christmas program directed by Mrs. Cannon Mrs. Gannon and Mrs. Benn Santa distributed gifts from a decorated tree later visits and oyster suppers occurred at multiple homes including Miller and Kephart households Several locals attended school exhibits and the Christmas program with family visits noted throughout the week Ronnie Heck returned home from the hospital in Iowa City and is improving.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Frank Scranton
Stanley
Howard Caldwell
Charles Anderson
Baby
Alvin Roth
Lauderman
Leslie Beenblossom
Jennie Lauderman
Chester Spangler
Karla
Rock Island
Milton Coffin
Vee
Wilmer Lauderman
Larry
Fred Kephart
Gerald
Erma
Eureka
Lee Hesseltine
Jake Shrader
Charles McCreedy
Sigourney
Howard Benn
Delia Miller
Lester Butterbaugh
Will Miller
Sam Sigafoose
L. F. Sigafoose
Frank Stewart
Pleasant Hill
Charles Cannon
John Gannon
Miller
A. K. Kephart
Washington
Betty Caldwell
Arlene Lambert
Clyde Lambert
Maxine
Clyde
Anna Lambert
Little Larry Lauderman
Lee Hesselfine
Jean
Stewart
Homer Kephart
Lawrence
Martin Telford
Ainsworth
Vincent Beliel
Pat Swift
Sadie Miller
Aletha Lambert
Edgar Eckey
C. G
Little Ronnie Heck
Iowa City
Clark
Harry Bishop
Christmas Dinners Shared Across Pilotburg Homes
In Pilotburg district, many families held Christmas dinners with relatives gathering at homes. Mrs. Mary Need ley near Kalona hosted her children and grandchildren including Albert Stransky Wayne Stranksy Larry Vodicka and daughters Marguerite and Rosetta with Honor Parents Mr and Mrs Joe Vodicka.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Albert Stransky
Wayne Stransky
Larry
Gien Chalupa
Carl Oldfield
Rene Oldfield
Ha Knotts
West Chester
Frank Stransky
Pilotburg
Mary Needley
Near Kalona
Wayne Stranksy
Joe Vodicka
Marguerite
Rosetta
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Evening Journal
the Home Daily Newspaper
Washington County
Elder, Shannon & CO
Bruce Cowden
Publishers News
United Press
Iowa
France
National
Iowa Daily Press Association
Deg Moines
God
Pacific
Germany
Moscow
Hitler
Great Britain
Russia
America
Churchill
Bell
Washington National Guard Company
Leigh
State University of Iowa
Leigh Beil
United States
Pearl Harbor
McGee
Army
Joe Palooka
Ham Fisher
AW Rights
Teather
Jerry
Brench
David
Goliath
Mae
Boulev
I. RE. S
Raleigh News and Observer
Echange
Roosevelt
Atlantic Ocean
Winston Churchill
White House
Atlantic
John R. Gbeardall
Harold Rathmel
Gordon Meeker
Donna Darbyshire
Helen Erlenbush
John Erlenbush
Santa Claus
Carl Kephart
Chive
Westphal the Jeweler
Rev. E. Caswall
Jesus Christ
Jesus
Little