The Era -- Day By Day

[Fading Fast]

...

Faced with a critical shortage of asphalt for highway repairs in Queens, Borough President James A. Burke today appealed to the people of that borough to use their furnace ashes to fill dangerous holes in the streets. Burke pointed out that the limited supply of asphalt available will have to be used for the repair of the more heavily trafficked thoroughfares, and none can be spared for the maintenance of side streets. “We must use every means to overcome the difficulties brought about by the present emergency,” Burke declared, “and the home owners of the borough can help by using their furnace ashes to fill the existing holes until there is sufficient material to do the job properly.
...

Can't they use antique Belgian paving stones?

....

The Germans may be sending some of their submarines into waters far from the North Atlantic in an effort to divert Allied escort strength from the vital convoy routes to Britain, Russia, and North Africa. That possibility was suggested today by the appearance of an enemy submarine in the Caribbean area for the first time in more than three months. A small Honduran merchant ship was sunk there earlier this month. Why a submarine should be operating in the Caribbean at a time whe the main hunting ground appears to be in the North Atlantic aroused speculation over the possibility that the enemy was making feinting thrusts.
....

"That's why it's important that we blow up as many enemy submarines as possible."

- Noted sub-sinker Sandy

...

(Good ol’ “Wasp Waisted Whit.”)
...

That's a better moniker than "baldish pitching ace."

"He's too sensitive about his hairline." - FF

"Now now Dear, everybody is sensitive about something." - Mrs. FF

...

(“It hardly suits her proportions.” MEOW)
...

The most vicious comments I've ever heard made about women have been made by other women, but in this case, Scarlett should get a pass as Hippy did try to drown her in a iced-over lake.

...

(Horsemeat? Good enough for that bunch of old nags!)
...

"Wouldn't it be a shame if America's self-proclaimed 'Number One Hero Dog' is arrested for transporting blackmarket goods."

And in the Daily News…

OPA PLOTS DEATH OF ALL. Some people shouldn’t be allowed to lay out headlines.
...

I've seen it in the industry I work in, regulators prefer a few large companies to regulate rather than a large number of small ones. I don't know if this 1943 charge is true, but the bias rings true. Plus, "regulatory capture" happens when the big firms, not the small ones, get the regulators' ear.

Rarified Sutton Place has been a hotbed of scandal lately. First a prostitution ring is found operating right out of one of its fancy buildings and now a model and an interior decorator (who is probably cranky since he's only recently been made eligible for the draft) are fighting over the payment on an oil painting. What's next, dice games in the servants' quarters?

...

Rayon stockings must dry completely before they can be worn or they explode into runs. WAR IS HELL.
...

In my life, nothing went from being something "almost everyone does" to something "almost no one does" in a shorter period of time than the wearing of stockings by women.

It seems like a switch was thrown in the late 1990s and then everyone changed her behavior at once. The reverse happened with tattoos. It was a niche market until, one day, it went mainstream.

Based on the women I dated, I think the reason stocking disappeared is that women hated buying, wearing and washing stockings, so once the Overton window opened a crack, everyone pushed through at the same time.

...

OOPS GUESS SHE COULDN’T MAKE IT OH WELL THAT’S THAT!

Joan and the priest are right there. They just have to change the first name on the license and then they're good to go.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I'm expecting tomorrow's Page Four will have something like SCORES TERRORIZED BY GHOST CAR. "Residents of multiple neighborhoods yesterday reported the disconcerting sight of a late-model Buick sedan driving at a determined pace without a visible driver. The car stopped at all stop signs and traffic lights over the course of its journey, before pulling up and neatly parking itself in front of the Swankmore House where a gathering of exiled European nobles was reported to be taking place."

 

[FOXTROT LAMONT]

Rayon stockings must dry or will run.
Last heard this hose economic comment while attendance Cambridge. A college party held at Queens' which I hadn't invite but reliable sources informed a certain young lady was presume attendee. Seeking carnal knowledge crashed the bash with a splash Old Spice, ten pounds, two or three condoms, and a copy of Synge's Riders to The Sea, which I stuffed coat pocket for read class assign. I was amidst my Camus-phase post adolescent crisis.
Smoking a bullpup briar pipe for good measure. All wrapped inside a French Army WWI greatcoat, upturned collar
with a cashmere Scottish scarf found in Glasgow. The whole package. I read the articles detailing heroics and frolics,
Terrence and even Harold, and amazed to compare my juvenile antics with their strong mature selflessness.
Particularly courage such as shown Cork, Taffy, Rouge, and of course Terrence. Humbling to say the least.

 

[LizzieMaine]

("Whassis stuff?" inquires Joe, poking hesitantly at the bright orange mass on his plate. "It's whatcha cawl 'Kraft Dinneh," sighs Sally. "Remembeh, t'ey was tawkin' 'bout it on Bing Crosby las' week? Comes in a box. Ya berla macaroni, annen'is powdeh in an'nenvelope, ya mix it in wit' a lit'l bit a milk an' a lit'l bitta butteh, an' t'eah ya go." "Izzat real cheese?" squints Joe? "It's one ration pernt woit'a real cheese, whattaya want? It's got protein innit, s'good fawrya." "Remembeh when we had brisket ev'y night?" sighs Joe. "Brisket. I wonneh if we'll eveh see ano'teh brisket." "Wawr is hell," shrugs Sally. "Lookit, Leonora likes it. Stella, get down offa t'table, it ain' f'you. You gotcha own food." "What's she eatin'?" queries Joe. "Comes in a can," Sally replies. "I dunno what's in it, fish heads a'sump'n." "Hey Stella," calls Joe. "Wanna trade?")

A posthumous charge by mobster Frank Nitti, who shot himself to death Friday night following his indictment in New York on labor racketeering charges, that he was "only the front man" for the real "lords of Chicago" is causing a flurry of excitement in underworld circles. Attorney E. Bradley Eben, who represented Nitti and the other defendants in the racketeering case, relayed that statement, acknowledging that he was the last man to see Nitti alive before the gangster "drank himself into stupefaction" and then shot himself thru the head. Eben stated that Nitti told him "I was a little guy. I was never a big shot," and claimed that his reputation as such only developed after Al Capone was sent to prison and other mobsters "began looking up to" him. Nitti denied involvement in the alleged shakedown racket involving gangster infiltration of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, declaring "I never shook down anybody." Nitti's claim to not being the "big shot" in Chicago gangland circles is receiving close attention from Federal authorities who have long believed that not even Al Capone himself excercised full authority over underworld activities in that city -- and that there was then and is now a "shadowy character" who issues orders other ganglords follow. This unknown boss is said to take the lion's share of underworld profits, while allowing his underlings to bask in the newspaper publicity surrounding their crimes.

Cornered in the snow-covered mountains of Haute-Sovoie, 6000 French patriots resisting forced labor conscription defied Axis-supported Vichy forces last night, while their rations dwindled along with their hope for Allied assistance. Swiss reports stated that the Fighting French guerillas are surviving on bread, wine, and potatoes, and could not hope to hold out much longer without more substantial food. Meanwhile, French Garde Mobiles, backed by German and Italian regulars, tightened their ring around the Savoie Mountain fortresses, but it appeared that the Vichy government was reluctant to start a pitched battle for fear that it would trigger a countrywide revolt.

300 war workers from Michigan will get a taste of Army-style discipline starting Monday, when they report to Camp Atterbury in Indiana for three days of regular military training, with no holds barred and no quarter given. Rough, tough sergeants have been speecially selected to give the workers a real taste of the difference between their jobs and those facing the ordinary American soldier fighting this war. The workers, all members of the United Auto Workers, CIO, will be participating in the training sessions at the request of union president Walter Reuther, who made the arrangements for the program under the invitation of Undersecretary of War Robert Patterson.

(Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww)

The Spring of 1943 officially arrived at 8:03 this morning, and with it comes to the temporarily-conquered nations of the world hope for their liberation by means of the long-awaited offensives of the United Nations. April and May, from Tunisia to Norway, are in general the ideal months for invasions and large-scale offensives. Around the Mareth Line in Tunisia, the rains, according to experts, should be over by April 1st, and in the Tunis-Bizerte area by April 15th. April is also the best time for an invasion of France near the Channel ports. The best invasion month for Southern Italy is May. Excellent weather for tank operations in the Balkans begins in April and prevails thruout May. The ground begins to harden in May after the spring mud in Russia. The best time to invade Japan is between now and June. Meanwhile, spring weather has already made itself felt in Brooklyn, with the temperature yesterday reaching a high of 60 degrees.

In Johnstown, Pennsylvania ten year old Leonard Colosimo Jr. has been saving the old-fashioned Liberty Head nickels with a big V on the back -- "victory nickels," as he calls them -- for over a year and a half, doing errands to around his neighborhood to earn them. Yesterday, he turned in 1500 "victory nickels" in exchange for a $100 war bond.

Customers of the Brooklyn Edison Company will soon be billed on a bimonthly basis in a move that will save the utility more than $500,000 in the cost of meter readers. The Public Service Commission approved the change from monthly billing over the objections of Locals 1 and 2 of the Brotherhood of Consolidated Edison Employees, who argued that the elimination of meter reader jobs is unfair to the men who left those jobs to go into the Armed Forces. The company has pledged to reinstate men now in the service to their former jobs upon their return --but only "if those jobs exist."

Reader Les Jordan writes in to criticize the Eagle's attitude praising Ambassador Standley's recent claims that the Russian people have been kept in the dark about the extent of Lend Lease aid, noting that reporter Henry Cassidy of the United Press, who, unlike the Eagle's editor, is actually in the Soviet Union, has reported that the Russian people were "kept fully acquainted with our Lend-Lease aid," and that another press representative in Russia, Ralph Parker, has refuted the Ambassador's remarks point by point with citations from the Soviet press. He also notes Ambassador Litvinov's statement that the "Soviet people deeply appreciate the help they have been given" by the United States, and that they are "well aware" of that aid. He suggests the Eagle would be better advised to devote its criticism toward Hitler instead of toward "our great ally the Soviet Union."

(Hey, how old is McDonald, anyway? PUT HIM IN TO PLAY! "Shhhhh! Shhhhhh!" hisses poor Mr. McDonald. "DON'T GIVE THE OLD MAN ANY IDEAS.")

Old Timer Charles S. Anderson remembers the days when the neighborhood kids from Myrtle Avenue would gather around Ferdinand's Brewery to gorge themselves on "hot malt" as it was thrown away.

(C'mon, Old B&G! Let's see a smile!)

Alec Templeton, who has become so well known on the radio over the years that they no longer identify him as a "blind pianist," will appear as featured soloist with the Sperry Gyroscope Orchestra in a concert to be held at the Brooklyn Academy Music this Tuesday night. The Sperry symphonists are a group of 60 former professional musicians who are now in defense work at the three Sperry plants, at Fort Greene, Bush Terminal, and Lake Success, Long Island. Musicians featured in the orchestra played in numerous prominent symphonic and theatrical orchestras, as well as the dance bands of Paul Whiteman, Duke Ellington, Jack Jenney, and Fats Waller.

(Nothing says relaxing Sunday reading for the kiddies like brutal violence. Right on the front page, yet.)

("Bet Goering's jealous!" Oh, you.)

(Today's episode is brought to you as a public service by the Office of War Information.)

("...and one order of french fries.")

("Look," fumes Bill Biff. "I don't care if you wanna take the Sunday page in a new direction, I got a contract, an iron clad contract guarantees me at least one appearance a week. Now unless you want trouble with the union, I want to see a script by tomorrow mornin'! Remember, I turned down a guaranteed 52-week setup with Irwin Higgs to come here." And speaking of Irwin, where is he? I bet he's chained up in that house, that's where.)

("The 'unusual facts' type of cartoon feature was invented in 1918 by Robert L. Ripley!" Who? Never heard of him.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

I don't see any woolen panties.

True Fact: A lot of people in 1943 have scars on their fingers they NEVER TALK ABOUT.

"Plow? Sorry, bud, only guy who knew how to run it is in Tunisia."

In war, there are often tough decisions to be made.

An overweight, sedentary, middle-aged cigar smoker chopping firewood. Well, it's better than the intensive care unit.

All in good time.

"But I'm already a plane spotter! HOW MUCH CAN ONE MAN DO?" "Oh, is there just one man? From where I'm standing I thought it was two."

I hope somebody remembered to grab those steaks.

And don't forget to see your Civil Air Patrol recruiter today!

"Hey Juniper, did I ever tell you about the time an ancient tribe worshipped me as a god because I had a flashlight?" "Listen kid, the wild stories are MY job!"

 

[Fading Fast]

("Whassis stuff?" inquires Joe, poking hesitantly at the bright orange mass on his plate. "It's whatcha cawl 'Kraft Dinneh," sighs Sally. "Remembeh, t'ey was tawkin' 'bout it on Bing Crosby las' week? Comes in a box. Ya berla macaroni, annen'is powdeh in an'nenvelope, ya mix it in wit' a lit'l bit a milk an' a lit'l bitta butteh, an' t'eah ya go." "Izzat real cheese?" squints Joe? "It's one ration pernt woit'a real cheese, whattaya want? It's got protein innit, s'good fawrya." "Remembeh when we had brisket ev'y night?" sighs Joe. "Brisket. I wonneh if we'll eveh see ano'teh brisket." "Wawr is hell," shrugs Sally. "Lookit, Leonora likes it. Stella, get down offa t'table, it ain' f'you. You gotcha own food." "What's she eatin'?" queries Joe. "Comes in a can," Sally replies. "I dunno what's in it, fish heads a'sump'n." "Hey Stella," calls Joe. "Wanna trade?")
...

Joe is turning his nose up at one of the staples of my diet growing up (Mom didn't cook), then through college and, finally, into the years of my low-paying "entry level" jobs.

... that there was then and is now a "shadowy character" who issues orders other ganglords follow. This unknown boss is said to take the lion's share of underworld profits, while allowing his underlings to bask in the newspaper publicity surrounding their crimes.
...

...

Cornered in the snow-covered mountains of Haute-Sovoie, 6000 French patriots resisting forced labor conscription defied Axis-supported Vichy forces last night, while their rations dwindled along with their hope for Allied assistance. Swiss reports stated that the Fighting French guerillas are surviving on bread, wine, and potatoes, and could not hope to hold out much longer without more substantial food. Meanwhile, French Garde Mobiles, backed by German and Italian regulars, tightened their ring around the Savoie Mountain fortresses, but it appeared that the Vichy government was reluctant to start a pitched battle for fear that it would trigger a countrywide revolt.
...

"...Fighting French guerillas are surviving on bread, wine, and potatoes..." [Bold added] How perfectly French.

...

300 war workers from Michigan will get a taste of Army-style discipline starting Monday, when they report to Camp Atterbury in Indiana for three days of regular military training, with no holds barred and no quarter given. Rough, tough sergeants have been speecially selected to give the workers a real taste of the difference between their jobs and those facing the ordinary American soldier fighting this war. The workers, all members of the United Auto Workers, CIO, will be participating in the training sessions at the request of union president Walter Reuther, who made the arrangements for the program under the invitation of Undersecretary of War Robert Patterson.
...

The reporter left out his or her story as there is definitely something that sparked this / something going on behind the scenes as this took some serious senior-level business and military official coordination.

...

"Plow? Sorry, bud, only guy who knew how to run it is in Tunisia."
...

This poor baby cannot catch a break.

Gould's mind really does worry me.

...

All in good time.
...

I like the way Flip covered for Terry.

Caniff needs to get the women more involved in the story again. You know what could be a neat development? Having Raven's sister, in a freakin' soccer jersey (that's never explained), show up to investigate her sister's death on behalf of the family.

 

[FOXTROT LAMONT]

I like the way Flip covered for Terry.

Caniff needs to get the women more involved in the story again. You know what could be a neat development? Having Raven's sister, in a freakin' soccer jersey (that's never explained), show up to investigate her sister's death on behalf of the family.

This pencil artist is pushing dear Rouge fairly hard Fast. I am drawn to her sensual dispassionate if you will objective third person grammar, her inner fortitude yet calm exam-not of conscience but circumstance. And then there's Taffy herself with Cork. Isn't she the shag. Back to Rouge, and didn't Lancelot execute Guinevere?

 

[LizzieMaine]

I have the sinking sense that Lt. Taffy Tucker is heading for a closer encounter with the horrors of war than she's expecting. It wouldn't be the first time Mr. Caniff introduced us to an interesting, appealing character, and then....

 

[FOXTROT LAMONT]

Mr Caniff is a cut above but I believe he also drags his cigarette blowing smoke as occasional habit.
And the times can be chaste, but with what spins world can't be ignored either. And the war is what it is.

 

[LizzieMaine]

("Y'know," says Joe, "t'is puttin' lawrd on toast 'steada butteh ain' so bad onceya get useta'wit." "T'at ain' lawrd," sighs Sally. "It's Crisco. Don' make t'at face, now, says right onna can 'it's digestible." "Oh," sighs Joe. "Well, it still ain' so bad, I guess." "Don' get useta'wit," warns Sally. "'At was t'las' can' t'ey had an' I hadda go allaway downa Roulstons' in Dykeh Beach an' step on' six utteh people t'get it. An' we gotta make it last. Gawdon'yknows when we'c'n get any moeh." "Maybe Uncle Frank..." begins Joe. "Uncle Frank's gettin' dry toast," interrupts Sally. "Ma tol' me." "Oh," nods Joe. "Well, I guess dry toast ain' so bad," concludes Joe. "Least it's sliced even. Hey, why ya got iodine on ya han'? Ya cutcha self?" "I tol' ya," shrugs Sally. "I hadda step on six utteh people t'get t'Crisco, an' a couple of'm wouldn' stay down.")

Observers believe a "strangely subdued speech" yesterday by Adolf Hitler was an open betrayal of concern over the terrific pounding his country is taking from Allied air fleets which, he acknowledged, has turned parts of Germany into a "theatre of war." Listeners also noted that the Berlin radio announcer who spoke during the broadcast referred twice to Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, who was present for Hitler's address, as "the commander in chief" of the Nazi armies. The statements lent credence to reports that Hitler had definitely given up "intuitive command" of his armed forces. "Commander in Chief" had been one of Hitler's titles. In his speech, the Nazi leader, while expressing confidence in an eventual Axis victory, spoke in a far more subdued tone than his familiar shouted boasts and past predictions. Hitler spoke, instead, in a dull monotone, and his speech, peculiarly unterrupted by applause, lasted only 14 minutes.

The War Labor Board is expected today to reject a recommendation from its members representing the American Federation of Labor that the Little Steel wage ceiling formula be scrapped amidst concern over the possibility of a bituminous coal strike beginning April 1st. John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers, is seeking a $2 a day wage increase for soft-coal miners now working under a contract that expires March 31st, but under the WLB's Little Steel formula capping wages, they are ineligible for any wage hike. Lewis has threatened to call the miners out of the pits if the demand for a raise is not met, and even pro-labor members of Congress have conceded that legislation banning strikes for the duration of the war may be rushed to consideration if such an action occurs. A survey of House members indicated that a no-strike law would have "better than an even chance of passage" if a coal strike is called.

The summary dismissal from the service of a Connecticut Army Air Corps lieutenant has led to a demand for a full-scale investigation by the House Military Affairs Committee. 2nd Lt. Aaron G. Olmstead of Olmstead Manor, Somers, Connecticut, was stripped of his commission and expelled from the Army after charges of cowardice were brought against him by a fellow officer. Those charges were made after Olmstead returned to this country from a hospital in Trinidad, where he had been treated for sunstroke and tropical dysentery while on his way with an AAF combat unit to a location somewhere on the fighting front. The charges, leveled by 1st Lt. Malcom Bailey, alleged that Olmstead was a "gun shy coward" who associated with enlisted men to their detriment, thereby injuring morale. Olmstead, the only son of a prominent and wealthy Connecticut family, has been supported in the case by Governor Raymond E. Baldwin, Representative Claire Boothe Luce, and other prominent Connecticut officials, leading Representative William J. MIller (R-Conn.) to demand a full investigation of the charges, and it was indicated that the matter, by means of an Olmstead "relative now in Washington" had been brought directly to the attention of the President himself. Representative Miller called the Army's conduct in the case an example of "the insufferable and stupid dictatorial methods of the Army high command," a comment made after Rep. Miller was turned away from the office of General Joseph T. McNarney, chief aide to Gen. George C. Marshall, who told him that all doors that might lead to a reopening of the Olmstead case have been "slammed shut, bolted, and triple-locked."

(So stick that up your "kinder, kuche, kurche!")

A 39-year-old former nurse from Brookhaven, Long Island is the first person in Suffolk County since the 1890s to be convicted of driving a horse and buggy while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Miss Sadie McHue was arrested Saturday night after residents of Carroll Avenue found her screaming while bent over a fallen horse, twisted up in a harness connected to a buggy. After questioning the woman, Brookhaven police took her into custody on a charge of public intoxication, and after spending the night in Patchogue Jail, she was fined $10 by a Justice of the Peace Harold Sorensen, and sent home. It was learned that the horse and buggy belonged to a relative.

The "sweater question" will end up in the predominantly male laps of the Labor Department's conciliation service in Washington, after extensive debate over the proper garb of women war workers stemming from disciplinary action taken against women working in a Stanford, Connecticut aircraft plant. Those workers were sent home to change their clothes when they were found to be wearing sweaters, and filed a complaint over the incident with their union, the United Automobile Workers CIO. Discussions between the union and the Chance-Vought Division of United Aircraft Corporation broke off on Friday after reaching an impasse. An unnamed official of the Labor Department voiced enthusiasm over the prospect of receiving the case, declaring "I'm going to hold out until the girls all march to Washington in a body, all wearing sweaters! Boy oh boy!"

The tremendous increase in sales of cheese at local markets is seen as a sign of cheese hoarding before rationing of that food sets in. Hoarders should bear in mind that not all cheese is to be rationed -- only hard cheeses. Soft and perishable cheese, including cream cheese, cottage cheese, and cheese spread, will be as free of ration points as ever. The primary need for cheese rationing is that fifty percent of all hard cheese produced in the United States, most of it of the Cheddar variety, is going to the armed forces, and purchasers should bear that in mind before they insist on hoarding more than their fair share.

(Mr. Lichty is having a hard time coming to terms with the meat shortage.)

Reader John L. Schuchter writes in to defend the nickel subway fare as essential to New York City's continued growth. "The five cent fare made New York great," he insists, and warns that a fare increase, whatever the reason, will decrease the population of the city. "Good and cheap transportation pays" he maintains, "by creating taxable property!"

(ED HEAD! ED HEAD! ED HEAD! Ahhhhh, just getting into shape for the season.)

(A Christian Science lecture or "Star and Garter? New York truly has something for everyone.)

(If they want you to visit Sutton Place, SAY NO!)

(Hey, it's wartime, and the pickings are slim.)

("New Orleans?? That's gonna cost ya, bud!")

(Giddyup.)

(Well now! A surprise "Hugh Striver"/"Bo" crossover? Get Dunn in on it too, and I'll really be impressed.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

"Intermission lasted 11 minutes instead of six." Gawdblessya, Miss Louise Leonard.

"What *kind* of soup?" "It's substantial. That's all you need to know."

Now THAT's a beard.

Beets? Don't even try it.

Really should have asked for that ski parka for Christmas, huh?

If all pilots are dawgs, Terry might as well wash out now.

Sunshine wanted action, huh?

"Mulish" is one word for it.

Moon must have a really vital, highly skilled job to, as a single man, get a II-B exemption. I wonder if his draft board knows what he does in his spare time.

"I get my fee regardless," frowns Reverend Dismal.

 

[PrivateEye]

I have the sinking sense that Lt. Taffy Tucker is heading for a closer encounter with the horrors of war than she's expecting. It wouldn't be the first time Mr. Caniff introduced us to an interesting, appealing character, and then....

I wish there was a "Dislike" button...I don't want that to happen again.

 

[FOXTROT LAMONT]

Mr Caniff I see has a lead pencil.

 

[Fading Fast]

("Y'know," says Joe, "t'is puttin' lawrd on toast 'steada butteh ain' so bad onceya get useta'wit." "T'at ain' lawrd," sighs Sally. "It's Crisco. Don' make t'at face, now, says right onna can 'it's digestible." "Oh," sighs Joe. "Well, it still ain' so bad, I guess." "Don' get useta'wit," warns Sally. "'At was t'las' can' t'ey had an' I hadda go allaway downa Roulstons' in Dykeh Beach an' step on' six utteh people t'get it. An' we gotta make it last. Gawdon'yknows when we'c'n get any moeh." "Maybe Uncle Frank..." begins Joe. "Uncle Frank's gettin' dry toast," interrupts Sally. "Ma tol' me." "Oh," nods Joe. "Well, I guess dry toast ain' so bad," concludes Joe. "Least it's sliced even. Hey, why ya got iodine on ya han'? Ya cutcha self?" "I tol' ya," shrugs Sally. "I hadda step on six utteh people t'get t'Crisco, an' a couple of'm wouldn' stay down.")
...

Sally was born to shop in a war-rationed market. Joe is lucky.

"...council to outlaw war", The definition of "words on a piece of paper." The post-war equivalent of "Peace for our time."

...

The summary dismissal from the service of a Connecticut Army Air Corps lieutenant has led to a demand for a full-scale investigation by the House Military Affairs Committee. 2nd Lt. Aaron G. Olmstead of Olmstead Manor, Somers, Connecticut, was stripped of his commission and expelled from the Army after charges of cowardice were brought against him by a fellow officer. Those charges were made after Olmstead returned to this country from a hospital in Trinidad, where he had been treated for sunstroke and tropical dysentery while on his way with an AAF combat unit to a location somewhere on the fighting front. The charges, leveled by 1st Lt. Malcom Bailey, alleged that Olmstead was a "gun shy coward" who associated with enlisted men to their detriment, thereby injuring morale. Olmstead, the only son of a prominent and wealthy Connecticut family, has been supported in the case by Governor Raymond E. Baldwin, Representative Claire Boothe Luce, and other prominent Connecticut officials, leading Representative William J. MIller (R-Conn.) to demand a full investigation of the charges, and it was indicated that the matter, by means of an Olmstead "relative now in Washington" had been brought directly to the attention of the President himself. Representative Miller called the Army's conduct in the case an example of "the insufferable and stupid dictatorial methods of the Army high command," a comment made after Rep. Miller was turned away from the office of General Joseph T. McNarney, chief aide to Gen. George C. Marshall, who told him that all doors that might lead to a reopening of the Olmstead case have been "slammed shut, bolted, and triple-locked."
...

I wonder if we'll be hearing more about this.

...

A 39-year-old former nurse from Brookhaven, Long Island is the first person in Suffolk County since the 1890s to be convicted of driving a horse and buggy while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Miss Sadie McHue was arrested Saturday night after residents of Carroll Avenue found her screaming while bent over a fallen horse, twisted up in a harness connected to a buggy. After questioning the woman, Brookhaven police took her into custody on a charge of public intoxication, and after spending the night in Patchogue Jail, she was fined $10 by a Justice of the Peace Harold Sorensen, and sent home. It was learned that the horse and buggy belonged to a relative.
...

She's 39 not 19-years-old. I'm expecting a Page Four picture of her tangled up in the harness.

...

Reader John L. Schuchter writes in to defend the nickel subway fare as essential to New York City's continued growth. "The five cent fare made New York great," he insists, and warns that a fare increase, whatever the reason, will decrease the population of the city. "Good and cheap transportation pays" he maintains, "by creating taxable property!"
...

This is, as always, just a "robbing Peter to pay Paul" political calculation. To this day, this same battle is pitched every time a fare hike comes up.

...

(A Christian Science lecture or "Star and Garter? New York truly has something for everyone.)
...

Less so today, but until the coming of the internet, it was only a bit of a stretch to say that you could get or see everything in NYC.

The article about the use of explosives in movies is interesting.

Hey, who switched the order of the sports and entertainment pages? Now I don't know when to move on from my coffee to my muffin. It's all kittywampus.

...

(If they want you to visit Sutton Place, SAY NO!)
...

Let's not be hasty. At $50 a, umm, "turn," she'd need to do sixty "turns" to pay back grandpa and secure his millions in the will. Unpleasant, sure, but eye on the prize. If we figure five "turns" on an average night, the entire business can be done with in less than two weeks.

...

(Giddyup.)
...

And so we learn why, one day soon, Bo will be pleading the Fifth.

...

Really should have asked for that ski parka for Christmas, huh?
...

Ironically, the Chief had bought a parka for Tracy for Christmas, but in a fit of pique over the luggage he never got, the Chief kept the parka for himself.

...

"I get my fee regardless," frowns Reverend Dismal.

What was that I said before? Oh yeah, I remember now, Joan! Joan! Joan! Joan! Joan! Joan! Joan! Joan!

 

[LizzieMaine]

("Now whasSIS stuff?" moans Joe, annoyed after spending much of the morning huddled in the basement waiting for the all-clear, and now poking at a gummy, greyish mass on his plate. "Chip beef on toast," sighs Sally. "BEEF? exclaims Joe. "Ya kidd'n." "Nope, issat kin' comes in a glass jawr," explains Sally. "Pieces all rolled up, an' ya take'm out an' rinse off t'sawlt, an' ya got lit'l slices 'a beef." "What kin'a beef?" puzzles Joe. "I mean, what pawrta t' cow ya cawl it?" "Awl pawrts'a t' cow," Sally continues. "Ya got ya plate an' ya flank an' ya rump an' ya whateveh else. It's liket' Awl-Star Game, 'cept wit' meat." "I t'ought you coudln' get no meat." "Ma gottit," Sally shrugs. "She says she wen' out t'tat giant groc'ry stoeh awla way out t' Woodhaven, t'at King Kullen's, an' t'ey hadda few jawrs'a t'is stuff." "How many jawrs is a few?" squints Joe. "Well, twenny-foueh," shrugs Sally. "How she manage t'at?" interrogates Joe. "Well, it was kin'a heavy, but, you know, JImmy Leary drove 'eh out t'eah, an'nee carried it out t't cawr. Jimmy's one'a Uncle Frank's boys." "T'one t'ey cawl "t' Neck?" "No, t'at's Danny. Jimmy's t'one'ney cawl ''t Chest." "Ah," nods Joe, gazing at his plate. "I s'pose'is don' look too bad.")

A big force of British four-engine bombers, roaring back into action after a weather-enforced nine-night rest, rocked St. Nazaire, one of Germany's biggest U-Boat bases on the French Atlantic coast with hundreds of tons of bombs last night. The raid followed by only a few hours an American aerial assault on Wilhelmshaven, naval base and submarine building and repair center in northwestern Germany. The American raid was described as the largest and most concentrated yet undertaken by the 8th Air Force. Although the British Air Ministry described the raid on St. Nazaire as "heavy," only one plane was reported lost.

Soviet forces have captured nearly fifty additional towns and hamlets over the past twenty four hours as fierce hand-to-hand fighting continues in sectors east and northeast of Smolensk. The German counter-offensive in the region showed signs of subsiding in the face of ferocious Red Army opposition. At the same time, the Soviets met a new German thrust north of Zhizdra, 38 miles north-northeast of Bryansk, with massed artillery and mine throwers. In one sector of that battle alone, 5000 German officers and men were reported killed over three days of futile attempts to break thru the Red lines.

The Northern Appalachian Negotiation Subcommittee will vote later today on two resolutions connected to President Roosevelt's message to the committee last night urging a continuance of the existing wage contract for soft coal miners until new terms can be negotiated. The existing contract with the United Mine Workers expires on April 1st. Earlier today, UMW President John L. Lewis suggested that a temporary Appalachian agreement to extend the present contract for thirty days past the deadline may be achieved, but mine operators refused to consider such an arrangement unless the extension was made "indefinite." President Roosevelt then suggested a third alternative, an extension of the present wage structure until a new agreement is reached. Lewis had previously warned that the miners would not work past March 31st unless a new contract incorporating a $2 per day wage increase was adopted. The UMW president's proposed thirty-day extension includes a clause that would make any improvement in wages or working conditions contained in a new contract retroactive to April 1st.

(Clip and Save.)

Failure of the city administration to back the efforts of social service agencies in handling child problems, and failure of parents to institute proper respect for constituted authority in their childre, along with "unprecedented situations" brought about by the present war, were blamed in part for juvenile delinquency at an open meeting yesterday of the Brooklyn Council for Social Planning. Meeting at the Church of the Saviour, 121 Pierrepont Street, members of the organization heard from officials of local social organizations and a representatitve of the Juvenile Aid Bureau of the Police Department, who agreed that the "unsettled lives" led by many families since the war began have caused a breakdown in parental guidance, and community and civic agencies have not adequately filled that void. A suggestion was made that a mass rally be held in the near future to call the attention of parents to the current problem -- and possible solutions involving public agencies.

There will be no bus or railroad travel permitted for those hoping to attend the Kentucky Derby on May 1st. The Office of Defense Transportation today issued an order restricting attendance at that race only to persons who can prove that they are residents of the Louisville area, and railroad and bus lines have been ordered to accept no ticket reservations for travel to Louisville between April 26 and May 1, and no reservations for travel out of Louisville on May 1, 2, or 3.

(After the Marx Bros' contract with MGM fizzled out, Chico tried to repay his ongoing file of gambling debts by touring with a dance band. It was actually a pretty good band with a pretty good boy singer, this Torme kid.)

Looking for a way to make your butter supply last until the freeze is lifted? Make "butter whip" by adding, to 1/2 pound of butter 3/4 cup of whole milk and salt to taste. Whip with an egg beater until smooth and then chill in a refrigerator tray. This will extend your half pound to 3/4 of a pound.

("Always shooting off his mouth!")

Reader Cyril Meinke writes in to suggest that the best solution to the eternal conflict between the interests of New York City and the rest of New York State should be for the city to, itself, become the 49th state. "New York is too big a community to be subject to the whims of folks who live in rural communities, who are unprogressive politically," he declares, "and who are anxious to get the most out of the big city for the smallest possible return."

(ED HEAD! ED HEAD! ED HEAD! Ooooh yeah. And do you get the feeling Mr. Rickey and old Bobo are not friends?)

Tune in on Milton Berle's program over WABC tomorrow night to hear Lippy Leo Durocher's first radio appearance of the spring training season.

The illness of Lou Costello has caused the sudden termination of the Abbott and Costello cigarette program on WEAF, and the sponsor has prepared a new package, pairing glib young Garry Moore, formerly of "Club Matinee," with veteran comic Jimmy Durante. Singer Georgia Gibbs will also be featured on the program, with music by Xavier Cugat's rhumba-rumblers. NBC's tallest announcer, the towering Howard Petrie, will handle the spieling.

("Oh? Have you considered modeling? It's great fun!")

(Seriously, though, what other good *is* a count?)

("Hey, what if we throw her off the back of a speeding truck!")

(THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS, AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE HERO DOG IS KNOWN AND LOVED BY ALL. Except this mutt, of course.)

("Currency of the helm?" The only thing worse than a dirty MEATLEGGER is an ILLITERATE dirty meatlegger.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

If you are asked "What entertainment personality did more than any other celebrity to entertain the troops during World War II?" and you answer with any name other than that of Kay Kyser, you'd be wrong. He has done, as of 1943, and without conspicuously calling attention to himself for doing so -- more camp shows and USO tours than any other entertainer. "Come on, chillun! Yet's dance!"

Didn't Dick Tracy arrest this guy a couple years back? RECIDIVISM!

"Ha! Not THOSE guys." Somewhere, Nick Gatt is smiling.

Wear a flower in your lapel, Andy, so she can tell you apart.

I'm just going to sit here for a bit and admire this strip.

"I do get tired, though, of hearing him talk about THAT MAN." "Ha! That's so 1937!"

APPEAL DENIED.

Do you have any idea where you're going?

Smith and Dale say "HEY, STOP STEALING OUR STUFF!"

Well, kid, there goes your marriage, your job, and your draft exemption!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Oh, and...

"Hey, whattaya want I should do with all these old Kenny Baker records?" "Oh, just throw 'em in a barrel and send 'em off for reprocessin'. No, wait, I got a better idea..."

 

[Fading Fast]

...

Looking for a way to make your butter supply last until the freeze is lifted? Make "butter whip" by adding, to 1/2 pound of butter 3/4 cup of whole milk and salt to taste. Whip with an egg beater until smooth and then chill in a refrigerator tray. This will extend your half pound to 3/4 of a pound.
...

For one of the many family "austerity" budget instituted during my childhood, which usually followed a short pointed speech about how we were spending too much (on what God only knows since there was never any fluff in the budget to start), my mother bought whipped butter. As far as I could tell, all that happened is you used more to get the same butter taste, so there was no net gain. But lean times call for trying everything.

...

Reader Cyril Meinke writes in to suggest that the best solution to the eternal conflict between the interests of New York City and the rest of New York State should be for the city to, itself, become the 49th state. "New York is too big a community to be subject to the whims of folks who live in rural communities, who are unprogressive politically," he declares, "and who are anxious to get the most out of the big city for the smallest possible return."
...

Up through the 1990s, there was still an up-state New York conservative voice, but like much of the country in the 2000s, the state chose a direction and is now almost all blue politically. Almost all the political fights in the state today are between the left and far left.

...

("Oh? Have you considered modeling? It's great fun!")
...

"I'm looking for a job...any kind of job."

Well, we talked about this yesterday, the Sutton Place "position" offers an attractive compensation package.

...

("Hey, what if we throw her off the back of a speeding truck!")
...

Still too soon.

And in the Daily News...

If you are asked "What entertainment personality did more than any other celebrity to entertain the troops during World War II?" and you answer with any name other than that of Kay Kyser, you'd be wrong. He has done, as of 1943, and without conspicuously calling attention to himself for doing so -- more camp shows and USO tours than any other entertainer. "Come on, chillun! Yet's dance!"
...

Seems a little tone-deaf for two populist politicians to be discussing coffee recipes right now.

"Ha! Not THOSE guys." Somewhere, Nick Gatt is smiling.
...

As you noted, the kid is stone-cold brutal, but boy did she ever benefit from her "education" under Nick.

"Glad I could help. I always liked that kid."

 

[PrivateEye]

If you are asked "What entertainment personality did more than any other celebrity to entertain the troops during World War II?" and you answer with any name other than that of Kay Kyser, you'd be wrong. He has done, as of 1943, and without conspicuously calling attention to himself for doing so -- more camp shows and USO tours than any other entertainer. "Come on, chillun! Yet's dance!"

For anyone who hasn't read it I highly recommend Joe E. Brown's book "Your Kids and Mine", his story of his travels with the USO to perform for the sailors and soldiers during the war.

 

[FOXTROT LAMONT]

Today's Terrence lacks even a tad gallows humour. To gibbet goes Rouge. Obviously quite the profiteer strumpet.
She isn't craven. Cork is cold ice. I've been 'left dangling' whether she'll escape the rope.