The Era -- Day By Day

[LizzieMaine]

The transfer of US-registered frieghters to foreign flags for purposes of circumventing the new Neutrality Act "impairs the integrity" of that act, according to Secretary of State Cordell Hull. The Secretary's comments come as United States Lines has applied for permission to transfer nine of its ships to Panamanian registry for continued transatlantic service. The Secretary delivered his interepretation of the move to the US Maritime Commission, which has not responded to his remarks.

The Queen of the Netherlands and the King of Belgium have issued a joint call on the warring nations of Europe to reach a negotiated peace "before the war in western Europe breaks out in full terror." Queen Wilhemina and King Leopold issued the statement after all-night discussions with their foreign ministers, and intended the statement as an expression of solidarity between their two nations.

The British Admiralty reports that light British ships aided by Polish destroyers warded off a German air attack in the North Sea.

The celebrations of the 22nd Anniversary of the Russian Revolution continue in Moscow, with Soviet War Commissar Klementi E. Voloshilov telling troops massed in Red Square that while the nation will not take part in the current war, it must remain prepared for war. Today marks the second day of a planned three-day celebration of the anniversary.

Turnout is reported brisk in early voting today as Brooklyn casts its ballots, with a last-minute controversy flaring up over a poster campaign seeking to annex votes for Judge Irving Lehman for the Republican ticket. Lehman is the nominee of all parties on this year's ballot, but is officially a Democrat. The posters, encountered in Brownsville and East New York, urge voters to cast their ballots for Lehman by pulling the lever for the straight Republican ticket. Magistrate Charles Solomon, ALP candidate for District Attorney, calls the GOP poster campaign "a cheap and demagogic trick."

Polls will be open until 6pm. You can tune in full coverage of the returns tonight over municipal station WNYC -- or you can hear the broadcast right here.

A dramatic new development in the ongoing dispute over city milk prices today, with Sheffield Farms, largest New York milk distributor, announcing it will phase in a new two-quart paper milk container, in which milk will be sold at a savings of 1.5 cents per quart. The paper containers, which are lighter in weight than the old-fashioned glass bottle, and which are less costly to manufacture, will be available only in a two-quart size, and will begin appearing on Brooklyn doorsteps as early as next week, with the entire city expected to have them available by February. Sheffield customers who want milk in the one-quart size will have to take it in bottles, at the higher price.

The announcement by Sheffield comes even as the company, and its biggest rival Borden, have announced an across-the-board price increase of 1/4 cent per quart, a move which drew sharp words from Mayor LaGuardia, who denounced the increase as an attempt to break the milk-drivers' union by making the cost of home delivery prohibitive without a return to the "starvation wages" of recent years. The Mayor pointed out that this is the third price hike in the past month in a half, most of it, he said, "gypped from the farmers. It seems there is a crime wave breaking out in New York City, I regret to say." The Mayor urged consumers to buy their milk from "honorable companies."

Eleven members of the Brooklyn College football team wound up in court today after a wild night of carousing and celebration led them to chop down the goalposts at their arch-rivals' field. The athletes raided the City College grounds in Manhattan around midnight, after a day filled with victory rallies and celebrations marking their weekend win over the City College team. Charges of disorderly conduct against the football players were dismissed in Washington Heights court, after they agreed to pay the costs of the damage they caused to the field, and after noting that when City College players tore down the Brooklyn College goalposts last year, there were no charges filed. The magistrate then returned the splintered remains of the goal posts to the team as trophies.

Erasmus Hall leads Manual Training 13-0 at half time in the 32nd Annual Election Day Classic, underway this afternoon at Ebbets Field before 15,000 spectators.

Dodgers kicker Ralph Kercheval, who suffered a brain concussion in last night's game against the football Pirates, received word in the hospital that his wife has given birth to a healthy baby boy. Kercheval recovered sufficiently to pass out cigars to his teammates today at the Dodger training camp in Freeport.

A key witness in the disappearance eight years ago of city Supreme Court Justice Joseph Crater may have been located in an insane asylum in Brentwood. Investigators believe that 38-year-old Mrs. Jean Covell, a patient at the Pilgrim State Hospital in Brentwood, may actually be June Bryce, Broadway showgirl with whom Crater maintained a relationship at the time of his disappearance.

The Rev. Edward Lodge Curran, Brooklyn priest, and president of the International Catholic Truth Society, blames Communists for "the Negro Problem" in America. (The good Father Curran is Father Coughlin's East Coast representative, and he blames Communists for everything, including the laundry that put too much starch in his cassock.) Other speakers at the National Catechetical Conference in Cincinnati urged white Catholics to "discard their previous pernicious assumptions against the race."

IF YOU'RE SIZE 38 TO 52 -- get the "Stylish Stout" Talon-front corset by W&B, designed to eliminate That Harnessed Feeling! $7.50 in the Second Floor Corset Department at Martin's.

A reader takes issue with Helen Worth's advice concerning etiquette for teetotalers at parties. She argues that if hosts don't want non-drinkers at their parties, they should have the nerve to come right out and say so on the invitations: "Non-Drinkers, Non-Smokers Stay Home! You Are Not Wanted!" This would, she says, make it easier on those of us who don't want to have to clean out and disinfect the car again after giving "woozy guests" a ride home.

Two steelworkers plunged to their deaths yesterday in the collapse of the Plum Creek Channel Bridge, under construction in the Sheepshead Bay section. A 75-ton girder broke loose while being swung into position and two workers who were riding on the girder, 41-year-old Daniel McDonald of 151 S. Elliot Place and 19-year-old George McCoy of 320 E 71st Street in Manhattan, fell into the channel and, encumbered by heavy clothing, were drowned.

A 46-year-old homeless woman is being held on $3000 bail by a Felony Court grand jury after she allegedly shot a 50-year-old Glendale man in the head with his own pistol. Mae Diehl is accused of seizing the gun from Tony Allgaier and shooting him with it, while Allgaier was displaying the weapon at a drinking party held at the home of a friend at 243 Moore Street on October 10th. Allgaier, who faces charges himself under the Sullivan Law for illegal possession of the pistol, was blinded in one eye and is losing his vision in the other as a result of the incident, and the magistrate ordered him remanded to the custody of the American Legion, who will send him to a veterans' hospital in an effort to save what remains of his sight.

The famous Trapp Family Choir of Vienna captivated an audience at the Academy of Music with their unusual ability, writes music critic Miles Kastendieck, who declares that the best thing about the program was that "it was not quaint."

NYU will meet "The Dizzy Dean of Football," gabby hillbilly quarterback Paul Christman, when they take on Missouri on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

World Series checks have gone out, reports Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Yankees receiving full shares will get $5,541.89 each, Reds will get $4,193.39. The third place Dodgers earn full shares of $769.86 each.

The Football Dodgers shone under the lights last night, with Ace Parker's outstanding performance leading the Flock to a 17-13 win over the Pirates. The Dodgers are now 4-3 on the season with 1 tie, clinching at least a third place finish in the NFL Eastern Division, with three games left to play.

A scientist who claims to have invented a working death ray, Dr. Antonio Longoria, will tell his story to Gabriel Heatter tonight on "We The People." Also appearing, English Channel swimmer Gertrude Ederle, tonight at 9 on WABC.

The chief obstacle to world peace, opines Robert Quillen, is nationalism born of race prejudice.

With Uncle Boohoo crawling around stuck in the ceiling, George does the only thing he knows how to do -- he grabs a saw and starts cutting more holes. Aaaaaand a cascade of diamonds falls out. Well, that ought to cover the damage.

Murdock the Butler asks for the night off to visit "his previous master," and Leona perks right up when she hears that this worthy is "Prince Frederic of Kordja." Better known, no doubt, as Fritz.

Dan Dunn tells Irwin all about how he's going to tie the owner of the shoe to the gun that shot that guy -- remember him? -- even as Kay and Babs dine again with John Barrymore Dook. Kay is slamming Dan all over the place, causing even poor little Babs to recoil with dismay. Dook laps it all up but keeps his own counsel.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Dr Longoria and his Death Ray, from the February 1940 issue of "Popular Science."

I bet Grover Whalen is kicking himself for not signing this guy up for the World's Fair.

 

[David Conwill]

The celebrations of the 22nd Anniversary of the Russian Revolution continue in Moscow, with Soviet War Commissar Klementi E. Voloshilov telling troops massed in Red Square that while the nation will not take part in the current war, it must remain prepared for war. Today marks the second day of a planned three-day celebration of the anniversary.

On this day in 1941 the parade in Red Square will continue directly to the front, not far from Moscow, where the troops will go into action in a desperate attempt to prevent the city from falling.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Here's another glimpse of the future -- three days forward, to be exact, as Sheffield Farms unveils its new paper milk carton.

A major step toward our current throwaway society, but hey, you save three cents.

 

[Fading Fast]

...A dramatic new development in the ongoing dispute over city milk prices today, with Sheffield Farms, largest New York milk distributor, announcing it will phase in a new two-quart paper milk container, in which milk will be sold at a savings of 1.5 cents per quart. The paper containers, which are lighter in weight than the old-fashioned glass bottle, and which are less costly to manufacture, will be available only in a two-quart size, and will begin appearing on Brooklyn doorsteps as early as next week, with the entire city expected to have them available by February. Sheffield customers who want milk in the one-quart size will have to take it in bottles, at the higher price.

The announcement by Sheffield comes even as the company, and its biggest rival Borden, have announced an across-the-board price increase of 1/4 cent per quart, a move which drew sharp words from Mayor LaGuardia, who denounced the increase as an attempt to break the milk-drivers' union by making the cost of home delivery prohibitive without a return to the "starvation wages" of recent years. The Mayor pointed out that this is the third price hike in the past month in a half, most of it, he said, "gypped from the farmers. It seems there is a crime wave breaking out in New York City, I regret to say." The Mayor urged consumers to buy their milk from "honorable companies."....

I'd need to read a lot more to call balls and strikes on this one, but two things stand out. One, the 1/4 cent increase is the equivalent to 4.6 cents today (that's in 2019 dollars). I'm not dismissing that as nickels add up and, of course, as noted, this is the third increase in the past month and a half, but still, these numbers seem small.

And, two, home delivery did eventually lose out. Funny, just the other day, my girlfriend and I were talking about how in our 1928 apartment building, every apartment had a small door cut into the kitchen that went out to the stairwell so that milk could be dropped off early in the morning. You can still see the stairwell side of these doors (this is ours):

...Eleven members of the Brooklyn College football team wound up in court today after a wild night of carousing and celebration led them to chop down the goalposts at their arch-rivals' field. The athletes raided the City College grounds in Manhattan around midnight, after a day filled with victory rallies and celebrations marking their weekend win over the City College team. Charges of disorderly conduct against the football players were dismissed in Washington Heights court, after they agreed to pay the costs of the damage they caused to the field, and after noting that when City College players tore down the Brooklyn College goalposts last year, there were no charges filed. The magistrate then returned the splintered remains of the goal posts to the team as trophies....

What they should have been charged with is assault of Bert Morton - and not be given a slap on the wrist for that.

...A reader takes issue with Helen Worth's advice concerning etiquette for teetotalers at parties. She argues that if hosts don't want non-drinkers at their parties, they should have the nerve to come right out and say so on the invitations: "Non-Drinkers, Non-Smokers Stay Home! You Are Not Wanted!" This would, she says, make it easier on those of us who don't want to have to clean out and disinfect the car again after giving "woozy guests" a ride home.....

One of the not-common anti-smoking comments you see from the era.

...The famous Trapp Family Choir of Vienna captivated an audience at the Academy of Music with their unusual ability, writes music critic Miles Kastendieck, who declares that the best thing about the program was that "it was not quaint."...

Always neat when the real-world version of the famous movie family pops up.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I had one of those milk doors in the apartment I had in California -- it had been papered over on the inside with contact paper, but you could still see the opening on the outside.

We had home milk delivery here until about 1970, with the milk dropped off in a galvanized insulated box on the back doorstep. My mother had that box out in her garage for many years after the milk company stopped deliveries, probably figuring they'd start up again once it all blew over.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The Democratic ticket swept to a landslide victory in Brooklyn, with Judge William O'Dwyer racking up an easy victory for the office of Kings County District Attorney, James Mangano re-elected as sheriff, and Democratic nominees taking easy wins for all other judicial offices. The hand-counting of paper ballots for the City Council, however, could take several weeks, but the low voter turnout will, under the proportional representation system, mean that Brooklyn will lose at least three of its seats on the Council.

Mayor LaGuardia, in pledging his support for Judge O'Dwyer as Brooklyn's top prosecutor, stated that he is "entitled to start clean without any prejudice," and suggested that O'Dwyer would agree with him that the Kings County "super-District Attorney's office" -- a reference to Assistant Attorney General Amen, currently prosecuting the removal case against Judge George Martin -- should be abolished as of January 1, 1940 at a savings to the city of $200,000 a year.

The District Attorney-elect, meanwhile, declares that crime prevention will be his top priority when he takes office, and he will surround himself with competent assistants "if I have to go to China to get them."

Pari-mutuel wagering will become legal in New York State, with voters approving a constitutional amendment by a 2 to 1 margin. Votes from the cities carried the referendum over opposition from the rural districts. The state legislature is expected to pass the enabling act necessary to begin operations at the state's racetracks when it convenes for the new session on January 3rd. The margin Brooklyn in favor of wagering was 182,842 yes against 51,516 no. The amendment passed in all five boroughs of New York City, issuing a stinging rebuke to Mayor LaGuardia, who had strongly opposed the measure.

Britain is reported to be weighing the Belgian-Dutch peace proposal issued this week, with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain reporting to the House Of Commons today that the proposal will receive careful consideration of His Majesty's government -- but that no further comment should be expected at this time.

From German quarters come a denunciation of Britain's "cynical rejection" of the peace appeal in remarks by Viscount Halifax, and a statement that those remarks make any German response unnecessary. Viscount Halifax had spoken before the text of the joint Belgian-Dutch peace plea was released.

Chancellor Adolf Hitler will speak in Munich tomorrow on the anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch.

In Paris, anti-aircraft batteries fired on two unidentified planes dropping propaganda leaflets containing excerpts of a recent speech by Soviet foreign minister Molotov.

The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that Republic Steel Corporation's illegal anti-union efforts triggered the bloody "Little Steel" strike of 1937, and has ordered the company to reinstate with back pay 5000 workers who were dismissed for their part in the strike. Republic intends to appeal the ruling to the US Supreme Court.

A new definition for "drunk driving" has been promulgated by the Brooklyn Appellate Division, specifying that a motor vehicle operator may be considered legally drunk if that driver's judgement and ability are impaired, regardless of the amount or degree of intoxication revealed by tests. The ruling comes as the court upheld the conviction of a Poughkeepsie woman now serving a sentence in the Bedford Reformatory for causing the death of the other party in an auto collision last year.

A southbound Smith Street trolley was derailed and propelled 200 feet into a vacant lot at the intersection of Tillary and Jay Streets today when it was struck by a 2 1/2 ton truck at the corner of Cathedral Place and Jay Street. The two passengers on the trolley were uninjured, but every window on the car was broken and a light pole demolished by the impact. The truck, operated by Michael Diamiante of Paterson, N. J. went out of control when the driver attempted to pass another truck, realized he didn't have room, and tried to swerve back into his lane.

500 drivers for the Cornell Taxicab Company represented by the Independent Taxi Drivers Union are on strike protesting a recent wage cut. (Clifford Odets ought to write a play about something like this. Oh wait, he did.)

The trial of German-American Bund leader Fritz Kuhn on grand larceny and forgery charges is to begin tomorrow in Manhattan, unless a last-minute motion to delay the trial is granted.

Last 3 Days! Semi-Annual Sale on Arch Retainer Shoes -- $6.75 a pair at Oppenheim-Collins. 45 Beautiful New Styles! Buy Several Pairs Now!

Police in Monmouth County, New Jersey and in Newark report that 126 cases of Polish ham have been recovered and three New Jersey men face charges of grand larceny over the theft of the ham from a warehouse in Newark last Saturday. The break in the case came when several area butchers reported they had been approached by men offering to sell them the hams at a cut rate price. The hams are valued at approximately $5000.

Three men arrested in connection with a large illegal distillery on Long Island have entered pleas of Not Guilty, and will appear for hearings on November 21st. Reports state that the still had cost $20,000 to build, and had only been in operation for three days when Federal agents raided the dairy farm where the still was located. A 2500-gallon tank truck and 12,000 gallons of fermenting sugar mash were seized in the raid.

WAKE UP YOUR LIVER BILE -- Without Calomel! And you'll jump out of bed in the morning rarin' to go! CARTER'S LITTLE LIVER PILLS. At All Drug Stores, 10 and 25 cents.

A full page ad trumpets the new Half Gallon Paper Container for Sheffield Sealect Milk, even as word comes that the Borden Farm Products Company will follow the example of its top competitor in adopting the new packaging at a discount price from bottled milk. The trend toward paper cartons is expected to lead to the extinction of the old-fashioned glass milk bottle in New York City.

Another submarine movie heads the program at Loew's Metropolitan tomorrow, with Wallace Beery as a two-fisted Navy captain battling u-boats in "Thunder Afloat." Also on the bill, Anita Louise and Dick Foran in "Hero For A Day."

"The Wizard of Oz" only got a week's run at the Patio, where you can now see Bette Davis in "The Old Maid," paired with Joel McCrea in "Espionage Agent."

Will Osborne and his Orchestra will head the new vaudeville bill starting tomorrow at the Flatbush. Other acts to be seen include the acrobatic team of Dick, Don, and Dinah, dancer Bernice Stone, and impressionist James Copp III. On the screen, see "Miracles For Sale." (This Copp is supposed to be a pretty funny guy -- they say he's got a pretty good nightclub act. Think I'll take a look.)

FUR IS EVERYWHERE IN 1940's FASHION WARDROBE! (Not for me thanks, I got enough trouble with moths as it is.)

Aw, here's a picture of Brownie, the condemned cocker spaniel. Who wouldn't want to adopt this poor sad pup?

The By The Way column, a collection of amusing oddities, tells us about a young man who is obsessed with untwisting twisted telephone cords. Send him around to my house.

Dodger President Larry MacPhail says it's very likely a bid will be made to pry Max West, who loves to hit balls over the wall into Bedford Avenue, away from the Boston Bees at the winter meetings next month. The only trouble is, whenever he tries to trade for anyone, the other team always says "Coscarart," and Pete isn't going anywhere.

Erasmus Hall beat Manual Training 13-6 in the annual Election Day Classic, with Allie Goldberg again shining as the blue-and-buff's star.

A new autobiography by the late sexologist Havelock Ellis, called simply "My Life," ought to make for interesting reading. To say the least.

The Bungles and Uncle Boohoo scrabble around for the diamonds, when the upstairs neighbor pokes his potato-like nose thru the hole in the ceiling and demands to be cut in. Hey, looks like George will get to punch somebody after all!

Mary Worth questions Murdock about this Prince Whoozis of Whatsis, and when Leona hears him described as THE HANDSOMEST MAN IN ALL EUROPE, that's all it takes for her to change her plans for the evening.

The slag-on-Dan-Dunn-Dinner continues with J. B. Dook sneering at him as "one of those country detectives."and Babs' eyes flaring out like big black spots of India ink.

 

[Fading Fast]

...In Paris, anti-aircraft batteries fired on two unidentified planes dropping propaganda leaflets containing excerpts of a recent speech by Soviet foreign minister Molotov....

Why were the Soviets dropping propaganda leaflets over France? Or was some other entity (Germany) dropping it?

...A southbound Smith Street trolley was derailed and propelled 200 feet into a vacant lot at the intersection of Tillary and Jay Streets today when it was struck by a 2 1/2 ton truck at the corner of Cathedral Place and Jay Street. The two passengers on the trolley were uninjured, but every window on the car was broken and a light pole demolished by the impact. The truck, operated by Michael Diamiante of Paterson, N. J. went out of control when the driver attempted to pass another truck, realized he didn't have room, and tried to swerve back into his lane.....

Were there any pictures with this story?

..."The Wizard of Oz" only got a week's run at the Patio, where you can now see Bette Davis in "The Old Maid," paired with Joel McCrea in "Espionage Agent."....

Still hard to understand how "The Wizard of Oz" wasn't a huge hit when it came out.

 

[David Conwill]

Why were the Soviets dropping propaganda leaflets over France? Or was some other entity (Germany) dropping it?

My guess would be they were German planes since Germany and the Soviet Union were still honoring the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact at this point in the war.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Nobody seems to know who was dropping those leaflets, but printing experts consulted by the French think they're probably of German origin.

No pics, alas -- but the accident occured right across from McLaughlin Park in the heart of downtown, thee blocks from where Jay Street connects to Flatbush Avenue. 98 Tillary Street, seen here, must be across the street from the vacant lot, but there is no photo of the lot in the database, since it only recorded existing buildings.

The Cathedral Place intersection with Jay Street is separated from Tillary Street by the whole length of McLaughlin Park, so it must've been quite a show for pedestrians. The Cathedral, of Cathedral Place, is accross from 223 Jay Street, and this shot is 219-221 Jay Street -- so these are the trolley tracks where the accident occurred. McLaughlin Park is directly behind you as you view the scene.

Not a lot of room for fancy passing maneuvers, Mr. Diamante.

 

[Fading Fast]

Nobody seems to know who was dropping those leaflets, but printing experts consulted by the French think they're probably of German origin.

No pics, alas -- but the accident occured right across from McLaughlin Park in the heart of downtown, thee blocks from where Jay Street connects to Flatbush Avenue. 98 Tillary Street, seen here, must be across the street from the vacant lot, but there is no photo of the lot in the database, since it only recorded existing buildings.
View attachment 194311
The Cathedral Place intersection with Jay Street is separated from Tillary Street by the whole length of McLaughlin Park, so it must've been quite a show for pedestrians. The Cathedral, of Cathedral Place, is accross from 223 Jay Street, and this shot is 219-221 Jay Street -- so these are the trolley tracks where the accident occurred. McLaughlin Park is directly behind you as you view the scene.

Not a lot of room for fancy passing maneuvers, Mr. Diamante.

That's why I asked about the pictures as I assumed it had to make quite a disruption - everything is tight and congested there. That it went into an empty lot is quite a bit of luck.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Had it gone into the park, I bet there would have been a picture -- it's just a coin flip's luck that it didn't.

Note the Sperry Gyroscope Co. factory in the background -- even as the shutter clicks, they're working out all sorts of designs for sophisticated bombsights and guidance systems. Just in case.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Seven persons are dead, but German chancellor Adolf Hitler is alive, following an attempt to assassinate the Nazi Fuehrer by bomb last night in Munich. The explosion from a time bomb detonated in the basement of the beer hall where leading Nazis were celebrating the sixteenth anniversary of their unsuccessful putsch caused extensive damage to the building considered a Nazi shrine, and occured just ten minutes after Hitler had completed his annual anniversary speech. German secret police are reported to be rounding up all known criminals and political dissdents in Munich, along with all other "potential suspects," andGerman newspapers today carry screamer headlines alleging that British secret service agents planted the explosive.

Hitler had changed his speaking schedule at the last minute, and he and members of his Party entourage had left the building and were en route to Berlin when the explosion went off. The seven victims named in German newspapers included two veterans of the 1923 putsch, three minor Nazi Party officials, a Munich office clerk, and a 30-year-old woman who worked as a beer hall cashier.

As the German press hints at possible reprisals for the attempted assassination, the British press is suggesting that the bomb was an inside job. "Doubtless the gentlemen who engineered the Reichstag fire," commented a British spokesman, "know how to do these things."

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain expects little to come out of the joint peace initiative promoted by Holland and Belgium. "The stiff-necked men who run Germany," stated the Prime Minister, "speak no language but that of force."

Increased activity between French and German forces along the western front are reported today, with the French War Ministry reporting the action especially sharp between the Moselle and Saar Rivers.

From Bergen, Norway come reports that the American freighter City Of Flint is unloading its cargo in preparation for a return to the US.

In response to the newly-enacted Neutrality Act, over 40 American freighters will now fly foreign flags, with the United Fruit Company the latest American concern to begin transferring ships to foreign registry.

Nazi forces in Poland have destroyed a statue of Woodrow Wilson that had stood in a park in the city of Pozan. A sign was posted on its site declaring that the sculpture by American artist Gutzon Borglum was a poorly-proportioned "artistic eyesore." The statue had been erected under the sponsorship of Polish pianist/statesman Ignace Jan Paderewski.

Both sides in the removal trial of Judge George Martin before the State Senate in Albany rested their cases today, after hearing testimony contending that Judge Martin had struck a plea deal with the brother of an "intimate friend."

Brooklyn City Councilwoman Genevieve Earle is the leading vote-getter so far in the first tabulation of local ballots for the City Council race. The Council's lone woman member, associated with the City Fusion Party, has received over 2100 first-place votes from the 48 election districts counted so far, outpacing by a substantial margin her closest competitor, Republican Abner Surpless.

One Brooklyn voter showed where his true loyalties lie by filling his entire City Council ballot with the names of Dodger players. Dodger manager Leo Durocher has so far received four write-in votes for a Council seat.

A series of explosions leveled a film-reclamation plant in Lodi, New Jersey this morning, ten minutes before the company's staff was due to report to work. The facility, which melts down nitrate motion picture film to reclaim the silver content, was completely destroyed by the blasts, creating a fireball which rose at least five hundred feet in the air. Route 2, which passes near the plant was clogged by spectators watching the fire.

A battle looms in the State Legislature over implementation of pari-mutuel wagering in the State of New York, now that voters have approved a constitutional amendment legalizing such betting. Opponents of the pari-mutuel amendment are now gathering their forces to fight against promoters of "get rich quick racetracks" which they believe will open in the wake of the new law.

A prisoner was found dead this morning in his cell at the Raymond Street Jail, having apparently fallen and hit his head on the stone floor. The population of the jail, overcrowded and unfit for human habitation, is thus reduced from 533 to 532.

The MODERN Shoe -- Enna Jettick! Sizes 1 to 12, widths from AAAA to EEEE, scientific fitting by experts assures perfect comfort! All styles $5 to $6!

Transportation troubles growing out of the construction work going on in the Atlantic Avenue area led to the arrest of three drivers for sight-seeing bus companies and a demand by civic leaders for action to remedy the crisis. The unfranchised sight-seeing bus companies have jumped into the void created by suspension of service at seven local stations of the Long Island Railroad, leading to confusion over routes, stops, and schedules, and to violations of the Sanitary Code. City officials are promising to put pressure on the legal holder of the bus franchise for the neighborhood, the Brooklyn and Queens Transit Company, to provide acceptable service to the area while rail service is suspended.

A sharp-eyed clock watcher points out that the Roman numerals on the big clock on Borough Hall are incorrect -- the symbol for 6 should be "VI" not "VII."

Not to be outdone by Sheffield Farms, the Borden people have their own full-page ad announcing their own paper half-gallon carton, coming soon to Brooklyn customers. And they even have a snazzy name for it -- the ECONO-WAY SERVICE. ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED AND FIRST PIONEERED BY BORDEN. So there. And ask your Borden man for this Econo-Way Savings Bank, a pint-size milk carton with a slot in the top for you to save that 1 1/2 cents per quart discount you'll be getting. Did you know over 40,000 Borden bottles a day are lost and broken? ECONO-WAY SERVICE does away with that old-fashioned inconvenience.

And we get a photo of yesterday's big trolley accident downtown --

I hope the truck driver is proud of himself. Ouch.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature floats and balloons based on "The Wizard Of Oz." A Macy's spokesman says the parade will help parents balance a child's need for entertainment and normal stimuli against the uglier impressions and social unrest of a war-torn world. (And of course, pick up your licensed Wizard of Oz merch at Macy's after the parade. He doesn't actually say that, but he doesn't have to.)

Smoked hams (positively not stolen from a warehouse in Jersey) are 21 cents a pound at your A&P.

Baste your Thanksgiving turkey in beer! That's the suggestion from Mrs. Mildred Blake of the F&M Schaefer Brewing Company, addressing the Brooklyn Eagle Home Guild today. "Your Thanksgiving checklist should have a double check after beer," she says. "Buy plenty of it! Serve it to your friends! Historians tell us beer was a part of the first Thanksgiving! It's healthful! It's stimulating! It builds the blood! It's not fattening! Wouldn't a cold one taste good right now?" (I made that last part up.)

"Life With Father" is a delight at the Empire Theatre, if you're heading into the City. It ought to run a good long time.

Greta Garbo's first foray into comedy, "Ninotchka," has its world premiere at Radio City Music Hall today. And James Cagney is ready to get right in your face with "The Roaring Twenties" at the New York Strand.

Starting tomorrow, a big new double feature at the Brooklyn Fox -- Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara in "Jamacia Inn," along with "The Dead End Kids on Dress Parade."

The Eagle editorialist comes out in favor of paper milk cartons, praising Sheffield, Borden, and Renken's for their contribution to the end of the glass milk bottle. (Wait, Renken's is in on this too? MILK FIGHT! MILK FIGHT!)

The Eagle also has kind words for the WPA artists' program on its fifth anniversary, praising the quality of the 63,000 works WPA artists have created in New York City. It's "a cultural force of immeasurable influence in the community."

12 Dodgers will receive cash bonuses for various accomplishments during the 1939 baseball season, including Van Mungo, whose greatest accomplishment seems to be that he showed up.

The Dodgers have their eye on Larry Howell of the San Francisco Seals, star pitcher last summer in the Pacific Coast League. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds may have the inside track on another San Francisco star, young Dominic DiMaggio -- Joe's kid brother -- who may be headed to Cincy if final arrangements can be agreed upon for players the Reds would send to the Seals along with a big bundle of cash.

The Interborough High School Chess League is in the quarter-final stage of its annual tournament. Several Brooklyn boys are performing well in the competition.

"How Will The War Affect The Unemployment Situation?" is tonight's topic on America's Town Meeting Of The Air, 10pm on WJZ.

Potato-Nose and his wife from upstairs barge into the Bungle place to start cutting in on the diamond cache. No punches yet, but the clock is ticking.

Well, the Handsomest Man in All Europe looks like the guy on the Tareyton cigarette pack after a hard night at the club -- monocle, cheesy waxed moustache, and a droopy pork-pie hat with a feather in it. You can do better, Fritz.

Dan Dunn wonders where he ought to look for the gun, but hasn't yet noticed the stove silhouetted in the background. Stop scratching your head, Sherlock, and LOOK IN THE STOVE.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The Handsomest Man In All Europe.

 

[Fading Fast]

...A battle looms in the State Legislature over implementation of pari-mutuel wagering in the State of New York, now that voters have approved a constitutional amendment legalizing such betting. Opponents of the pari-mutuel amendment are now gathering their forces to fight against promoters of "get rich quick racetracks" which they believe will open in the wake of the new law....

Well, that proved to be an unfounded fear (not that I'm even sure I know what "get rich quick racetracks" are). If you are against gambling, nothing is going to make you happy, but if we are going to have racetrack gambling, parimutuel is the fairest-for-the-gambler way to go. Of course, how big the house's (the government's today) cut is can still make it a huge ripoff for the gambler, as well as, all the other scams and cheats employed to rig a race.

...The MODERN Shoe -- Enna Jettick! Sizes 1 to 12, widths from AAAA to EEEE, scientific fitting by experts assures perfect comfort! All styles $5 to $6!....

Good luck trying to find that amount of options in men's shoes today. Not only in shoes, but in all types of men's clothing, the amount of sizes offered continues to shrink today versus, not only the Goldern Era, but even twenty years ago.

...Transportation troubles growing out of the construction work going on in the Atlantic Avenue area led to the arrest of three drivers for sight-seeing bus companies and a demand by civic leaders for action to remedy the crisis. The unfranchised sight-seeing bus companies have jumped into the void created by suspension of service at seven local stations of the Long Island Railroad, leading to confusion over routes, stops, and schedules, and to violations of the Sanitary Code. City officials are promising to put pressure on the legal holder of the bus franchise for the neighborhood, the Brooklyn and Queens Transit Company, to provide acceptable service to the area while rail service is suspended.....

This exact problem still pops up regularly today as every few years you'll read about unregulated / illegal sight-seeing bus companies being "raided," shutdown, etc.

...A sharp-eyed clock watcher points out that the Roman numerals on the big clock on Borough Hall are incorrect -- the symbol for 6 should be "VI" not "VII."....

Seriously? I don't know how "sharp-eyed" one had to be to catch that. As Ricky would say to Lucy, someone has some "splainin to do."

...Not to be outdone by Sheffield Farms, the Borden people have their own full-page ad announcing their own paper half-gallon carton, coming soon to Brooklyn customers. And they even have a snazzy name for it -- the ECONO-WAY SERVICE. ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED AND FIRST PIONEERED BY BORDEN. So there. And ask your Borden man for this Econo-Way Savings Bank, a pint-size milk carton with a slot in the top for you to save that 1 1/2 cents per quart discount you'll be getting. Did you know over 40,000 Borden bottles a day are lost and broken? ECONO-WAY SERVICE does away with that old-fashioned inconvenience.....

And today we have the kludge paper milk carton with its odd plastic screw cap punched into the near top of it. It's hard to believe that if someone started with a blank piece of paper today, that mashup would ever be the result.

And we get a photo of yesterday's big trolley accident downtown --

View attachment 194449

I hope the truck driver is proud of himself. Ouch.....

Thank you Lizzie. Man, that could have turned out much, much worse.

...The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature floats and balloons based on "The Wizard Of Oz." A Macy's spokesman says the parade will help parents balance a child's need for entertainment and normal stimuli against the uglier impressions and social unrest of a war-torn world. (And of course, pick up your licensed Wizard of Oz merch at Macy's after the parade. He doesn't actually say that, but he doesn't have to.)....

Yet, despite all the promotion, this outstanding movie was not a big hit in its day.

...Smoked hams (positively not stolen from a warehouse in Jersey) are 21 cents a pound at your A&P....

...Greta Garbo's first foray into comedy, "Ninotchka," has its world premiere at Radio City Music Hall today. And James Cagney is ready to get right in your face with "The Roaring Twenties" at the New York Strand.

Starting tomorrow, a big new double feature at the Brooklyn Fox -- Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara in "Jamacia Inn," along with "The Dead End Kids on Dress Parade."....

'39 really did have an insane amount of very good movies produced. I have no idea if it was, but "Ninotchka" feels reversed engineered to perfectly fit Greta Garbo. I know it was famous for being the "first" movie in which "Garbo Laughs!" but they weren't taking that big a chance as the movie was tailor-made for her - and she owns it.

...The Eagle editorialist comes out in favor of paper milk cartons, praising Sheffield, Borden, and Renken's for their contribution to the end of the glass milk bottle. (Wait, Renken's is in on this too? MILK FIGHT! MILK FIGHT!)....

UFB

 

[LizzieMaine]

And a rather spectacular bit of movie promotion from today's Daily News --

We probably won't get this in Brooklyn till January, but still....

Priscilla Lane? Isn't she a bit -- ah -- unsullied for this type of a picture?

 

[Farace]

And we get a photo of yesterday's big trolley accident downtown --

A Brooklyn PCC. We have the very first production PCC, from Brooklyn, at the Trolley Museum in East Haven, number 1001, which was put back into operation this summer after extensive repairs necessitated by damage from floods brought by Hurricane Sandy.

The Eagle also has kind words for the WPA artists' program on its fifth anniversary, praising the quality of the 63,000 works WPA artists have created in New York City. It's "a cultural force of immeasurable influence in the community."

One if those WPA artists was Jackson Pollock, who had studied under another WPA artist, Thomas Hart Benton. (When asked the value of having studied under Benton, Pollock replied that it gave him "something against which to react.")

 

[Fading Fast]

And a rather spectacular bit of movie promotion from today's Daily News --

View attachment 194480

We probably won't get this in Brooklyn till January, but still....

Priscilla Lane? Isn't she a bit -- ah -- unsullied for this type of a picture?

Oh God yes, how can pure and wholesome - the embodiment of virginal promise - Buff Masters from "Daughters Courageous" ever stumble into the corrupt, ugly and always soiled world of James Cagney - shouldn't a black hole or something have formed?

This is what happens to casting decisions after Jean Harlow dies.

 

[LizzieMaine]

US Citizens are advised to leave the Netherlands, as the nation is reported to be reinforcing its borders in the face of a possible Nazi incursion. There is no official word from the Hague government that there has been any specific threat yet to Dutch neutrality, but it is reported that all military leaves have been cancelled and that at least ten thousand new troops have been moved to the border.

The Finnish Foreign Office reports that talks between Finland and the Soviet Union are at another impasse. Finnish Foreign Minister J. E. Erkko is reportedly studying the latest roumnd of negotiations to determine if there is any basis for further discussion.

As police in Germany continue to probe the bombing of the Munich beer hall where Chancellor Adolf Hitler had just delivered a speech, a rock was thrown thru the plate glass window in front of the shop of Heinrich Hoffman, the Fuehrer's personal photographer. It is presumed that the missile was intended to hit a large portrait of Hitler on display in the shop. Meanwhile, a Vatican representative sent the "felicitations of Pope Pius XII" congratulating Hitler for escaping the assassination attempt. The Vatican later issued a statement that "no political signficance" should be attached to the greeting.

French military sources charged today that that German bombers are violating Belgian neutrality, and it is confirmed today from Brussels that Nazi planes have been spotted crossing Belgian territory.

Leaders of the maritime labor unions expect President Roosevelt will support the transfer to Panamanian registry of eight freighters operated by the United States Lines, a move which would allow those ships to return to servicing routes traversing the European War Zone. The President has acknowledged that the move could be supported on legal grounds, but he is said to still be reviewing whether it can be supported on "human grounds" in view of the new Neutrality Act.

The prosecution of German-American Bund leader Fritz Kuhn on fraud and grand larceny charges began today in Manhattan, with the State laying out its case arguing that Kuhn embezzled $5641.24 from the Bund treasury, with at least some of the money used to buy furniture for a woman in whom Kuhn had "a sentimental interest."

A Brooklyn firm will face charges that it defrauded the state insurance fund out of more than $100,000. The Mill Basin Asphalt Company of E 54th Street and Avenue U is under investigation following the arriagnment of its bookkeeper, 52 year old Harold Carver of Manhattan, on two counts of third degree forgery.

A Queens attorney will serve up to two and a half years in Sing Sing Prison after being convicted on fraud charges. Luke G. Lynch Jr of Douglaston was found guilty of first degree grand larceny after swindling $1750 from a fat-rendering plant on Long Island on a promise that he could secure a contract for the firm to handle all restaurant refuse from the World's Fair.

A police patrolman from Brooklyn was stabbed fourteen times while intervening in a burglary this morning, but survived his injuries and captured the suspect. 42-year-old Patrolman John McGrath of 310 94th Street is recovering from his injuries in Polyclinic Hospital after arresting 25 year old Frank Seguino in a store at 239 W. 42nd Street, Manhattan. Seguino, who gave his address as the Rutgers Street Baths, declared he could not remember stabbing McGrath, but admitted that he had a knife.

A 30-year-old woman is being treated for second-degree burns after her clothes caught on fire while she was lighting a coal stove in her kitchen at 295 Stanhope Street. Frances Danna was rescued by her landlady, who heard her screams from downstairs and wrapped her in a blanket to extinguish the flames. Miss Danna is reported to be in serious condition at Wyckoff Heights Hospital.

The body of a newborn baby girl was found in a brown paper bundle in Prospect Park this morning. The body was wrapped in a bed sheet, with a silk stocking stuffed in its mouth. Police believe the child was born, and killed, last night.

Former Alderman Charles Hart is assured of a seat on the City Council as tabulation of paper ballots continues. Hart now leads the slate of Brooklyn candidates with 8273 votes, with Mrs. Genevieve Earle second at 7435 votes.

In Kingsport, Tennessee, a baby born with two heads is said to be recovering well from surgery to remove one of the heads. The second head was said to have been attached at the base of the normal head. The child was born to a family of tenant farmers on October 17th.

Both sides in the removal hearing for Kings County Judge George W. Martin will summarize their cases next week, with a final vote by the State Senate on whether Martin will keep or lose his office expected on Thursday.

Five student groups at Brooklyn College have issued pre-Armistice Day peace statements, with the largest of the groups, representing the United Students Peace Committee, condemning the European War and the Dies Committee, demanding an immediate boycott and embargo of Japan, and opposing any establishment of an ROTC program on campus.

The introduction next week of two-quart paper milk containers by Sheffield Farms and Borden will be permitted only on a trial basis according to City Market Commissioner William Fellowes Morgan Jr. Morgan notes that regulations on the filling to true measure that apply to glass bottles do not apply to paper cartons, but the experiment will be allowed as long as customers receive the promised three cents per half gallon in savings.

Looks like all those coats that didn't sell in the Election Day sale at the various department stores are now Armistice Day Sale bargains. Take your pick of Martin's, Oppenheim-Collins, Loeser's, or Lane Bryant, they're all in on it.

Meanwhile, TOYLAND is now open at Loeser's, just in time for the holiday rush. Looks like the big licensed merchandise toy craze this year will be Pinocchio, in honor of the upcoming Disney film. And don't miss the famous Loeser's 40 Foot Christmas Tree, already ablaze with lights outside the Fulton Street entrance. And even though Santa hasn't had his Thanksgiving dinner yet, he's also on hand to meet the kiddies. Ho, ho, ho.

So -- when is an ad not an ad?

There is no story accompanying this photo -- and there is no ADV'T slug line. And since the new cartons, as we have seen, don't actually hit the doorsteps until next week, it cannot be said that Mrs. Brooklyn Housewife has had any chance to form any opinion on the matter other than what she's read in the paper. And note also the "every other day" bit -- you're not going to be getting a daily delivery anymore, Mrs. B. H., and that means at least a few of your neighbors who work for Borden's or Sheffield will likely be losing their jobs. The term "fake news" hasn't been coined yet, but somewhere George Seldes is looking at his copy of the Eagle and is saying HAH!

A reader under the name of "Heights Citizen" writes in to speak up in behalf of Bob The Spitz, the other Brooklyn dog besides Brownie who is sitting on death row pending an appeal of his case. It appears that H. C. knows Bob personally and vouches for his character, pointing out that he is a cripple, and it is unfair to be keeping him isolated in a cage away from his beloved mistress.

Herbert Cohn went into The City yesterday to see the premiere of "Ninotchka" at the Music Hall, and he loves it: "a personal triumph (for Garbo) and a masterstroke for Ernst Lubitsch."

At the Patio, it's Hedy Lamaar in "Lady of the Tropics," paired with Edward G. Robinson in "Blackmail." Now that's a couple I'd like to see in a picture together.

Hy Gardner reports that it looks like Rudy Vallee is picking up where he left off with Dorothy Lamour. (Does J. Edgar know?)

The New York Americans got off to a bad start in the National Hockey League campaign, falling to the undefeated Montreal Canadiens, 2-0.

Five brothers with baseball talent have roused Dodger attention as the team's nationwide tryout campaign continues out west. Three of the "Martensen boys" are under contract already, and two others may also be signed.

Injured Football Dodgers kicker Ralph Kercheval, hit in the head during last week's game against Pittsburgh will be used sparingly when the Flock takes on Washington this Sunday at Ebbets Field.

Rumors have Hank Greenberg headed for the Washington Senators -- but the Tiger first baseman says all he knows about it is what he reads in the papers.

Brooklyn's own Glenda Farrell is Kate Smith's guest tonight on WABC at 8pm.

As the Bungles and their pushy upstairs neighbors fight passive-aggressively over the diamonds, Uncle Boohoo butts in to remind everybody who actually found them.

The Handsomest Man in all Europe encounters Miss Leona on horseback, and kisses her hand like all good phony counts do.

Dan Dunn is frantically searching the cabin for the gun -- I told you to look in the stove, you meathead -- when the cabin's owner walks in. Yes, it's none other than John Barrymore Dook in person!

 

[Fading Fast]

...As police in Germany continue to probe the bombing of the Munich beer hall where Chancellor Adolf Hitler had just delivered a speech, a rock was thrown thru the plate glass window in front of the shop of Heinrich Hoffman, the Fuehrer's personal photographer. It is presumed that the missile was intended to hit a large portrait of Hitler on display in the shop. Meanwhile, a Vatican representative sent the "felicitations of Pope Pius XII" congratulating Hitler for escaping the assassination attempt. The Vatican later issued a statement that "no political signficance" should be attached to the greeting....

"The Vatican later issued a statement that "no political signficance" should be attached to the greeting"

Good to see that the ability to say, with a straight face, the opposite of what you mean is not a new skill for mankind.

...The prosecution of German-American Bund leader Fritz Kuhn on fraud and grand larceny charges began today in Manhattan, with the State laying out its case arguing that Kuhn embezzled $5641.24 from the Bund treasury, with at least some of the money used to buy furniture for a woman in whom Kuhn had "a sentimental interest."....

As with the coffee table some political contributor bought for Hillary (years ago), when someone other than your immediate family buys you furniture, something is usually afoot.

...A Brooklyn firm will face charges that it defrauded the state insurance fund out of more than $100,000. The Mill Basin Asphalt Company of E 54th Street and Avenue U is under investigation following the arriagnment of its bookkeeper, 52 year old Harold Carver of Manhattan, on two counts of third degree forgery....

"Bookkeeper" (my mother was one) is a term that has all but disappeared as they all seem to have become "accountants."

Before that, the distinction was that a bookkeeper, well, kept a business' books - kept track of the entries on the income and balance sheets (at a high level) and, usually, dealt with the day-to-day issues related to accounts receivable and payable. Some, like my mom, who worked for a small local biz, was a blend of a secretary, bookkeeper and general office manager; whereas, an accountant prepared taxes and provided tax guidance. Small companies usually had bookkeepers on their staffs, but only used the services of an accountant when needed.

...A police patrolman from Brooklyn was stabbed fourteen times while intervening in a burglary this morning, but survived his injuries and captured the suspect. 42-year-old Patrolman John McGrath of 310 94th Street is recovering from his injuries in Polyclinic Hospital after arresting 25 year old Frank Seguino in a store at 239 W. 42nd Street, Manhattan. Seguino, who gave his address as the Rutgers Street Baths, declared he could not remember stabbing McGrath, but admitted that he had a knife....

How do you stab someone 14 times - presumably during a struggle - and not hit something important enough to allow you to get away?

...Meanwhile, TOYLAND is now open at Loeser's, just in time for the holiday rush. Looks like the big licensed merchandise toy craze this year will be Pinocchio, in honor of the upcoming Disney film. And don't miss the famous Loeser's 40 Foot Christmas Tree, already ablaze with lights outside the Fulton Street entrance. And even though Santa hasn't had his Thanksgiving dinner yet, he's also on hand to meet the kiddies. Ho, ho, ho....

Christmas marketing always started too early.

...So -- when is an ad not an ad?

[/ATTACH]

There is no story accompanying this photo -- and there is no ADV'T slug line. And since the new cartons, as we have seen, don't actually hit the doorsteps until next week, it cannot be said that Mrs. Brooklyn Housewife has had any chance to form any opinion on the matter other than what she's read in the paper. And note also the "every other day" bit -- you're not going to be getting a daily delivery anymore, Mrs. B. H., and that means at least a few of your neighbors who work for Borden's or Sheffield will likely be losing their jobs. The term "fake news" hasn't been coined yet, but somewhere George Seldes is looking at his copy of the Eagle and is saying HAH!....

Nice sleuthing. So did the "Eagle" take money for this or was it subtler - it would run some "free" friendly stories and pics as a way to garner more legit advertising dollars?

...Hy Gardner reports that it looks like Rudy Vallee is picking up where he left off with Dorothy Lamour. (Does J. Edgar know?)....

Now Lizzie. Despite the rumors, wasn't she, well, not really his type?