The Era -- Day By Day

[LizzieMaine]

I am willing to bet that Wallingford and Hortynse have a daughter named Ysobel. They're those kinds of people.

And isn't Irwin some kind of really high-motivated cop there. And he looks more and more like Jiggs every day. Kay should hit him on the head with a vase, that'll get him moving.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The heaviest snowfall to hit New York in four years is over, and the city is being hampered in its efforts to dig out is being hampered by an imminent water shortage. Over seven inches of snow fell on the city, according to official Weather Bureau figures, but the howling gale-force winds piled drifts up to seven feet high in outlying sections of Brooklyn and Queens. Four people were reported dead as a result of the storm in Brooklyn and on Long Island, with a total of twenty-five fatalities reported citywide. Telephone poles were toppled, cars were immobilized, and high tides off the North Shore of Long Island flooded streets and cellars with icy water. The Sanitation Department dispatched ten thousand men into the streets for snow-removal duty overnight, with another fourteen thousand added early this morning. Mayor LaGuardia, inspecting the work, commended the sanitation crews for their "fine work," but advised Sanitation Commissioner William Carey that "not a drop of water must be used" to flush snow from the streets given the current diminished state of the city water supply.

("Go out an' help the super shovel off the stoop, Joe. He's an old man." "Not me, sister. I had enough of shovelin' snow on the WPA.")

Near the Adams Street station of the BMT elevated line, passengers shivered with cold and fear as the storm buffetted a fully-loaded train, stalled by a forty-five minute power failure to the system yesterday afternoon. Eagle reporter Katherine Flanck was one of those marooned on the train, and states that the power failed just after 5:155 pm, when the train was loaded with commuters heading home to Long Island after a day's work. The interior of the train was soaked with water with missing snow, she reports, with water running all over the floor, and the seats soaked from water running from the ventilators. Even after the power went out, she says, passengers continued to board the train expecting service to resume momentarily, and most kept their places quietly, speculating among themselves over the possible cause of the delay. When the power came back on around 6 pm there was an audible sigh from the crowd. BMT officials are investigating the cause of the outage, speculating that the third rail might have been displaced for about 300 feet by the contact shoe of a train on Hudson Street, cutting off power to the entire section.

President Roosevelt today was cryptic in his remarks concerning an upcoming sea trip, which may or may not include a conference with representatives of Britain, France, and Italy. The President acknowledged that, while his answer may offer "a kick in the pants" to reporters asking about the possibility of a conference, he did not think he could comment om the speculation.

Finland called up another class of military reservists, the second in twenty-four hours, as fierce fighting continues on the Karelian Isthmus. Men born in 1896, aged 43 and 44, were summoned to active duty today.

The Dies Committee is "determined to expose Hollywood." So stated committee chairman Rep. Martin Dies today, adding that once the picture industry has been dealt with, the Committee will turn its attention to the consumers' rights movement and "Communists in government." Rep. Dies contends that Hollywood producers are preparing a "campaign of ridicule" against the Committee, which may include a motion picture about the panel and its investigations.

A former investigator for the Medical Grievance Board testified today that Dr. Abraham Ditchick "knew in advance" what doctors and what cases were to be investigated by that panel. Philip Blau, former investigator who now sells candy in a motion picture theatre, testified that investigators for the Board routinely received "cash gifts" from doctors, and that Dr. Ditchick insisted on receiving fifty percent of these payments for himself. Blau stated that he was often informed in advance of assignments by Dr. Ditchick, and that Dr. Ditchick would advise him of what the results of his investigation were to be.

A total of twenty-four departmental charges have been filed against Police Lieutenant Cuthbert J. Behan since his acquittal on criminal charges of theft and destruction of property last month. The charges against Behan are the greatest number to be filed against a single police officer in many years, and include charges of stealing and destroying police records, failing to appear in uniform when summoned by a superior, failure to carry his service revolver at all times, and violation of a provision of the city charter requiring any city employee to waive immunity from prosecution when appearing before a grand jury. Lt. Behan, who has been suspended from duty since his original arrest in 1938, was reinstated to active duty for the three minutes it took to formally serve him with the departmental charges, and then was again suspended. Lt. Behan will appear before Special Deputy Commissioner Jeremiah T. Mahoney next Monday to plead on the charges, following which a date will be set for a departmental trial.

The American Guild of Variety Artists has signed a collective bargaining agreement with The House of Murphy, Brooklyn nightclub, marking the first successful attempt at unionizing the boro's nightclub entertainers. Guild executive secretary Hoyt Haddock says the organizing campaign comes in response to a wage-slashing drive by Brooklyn and Queens nightclub operators.

Four hundred and seven members of the New York Police Department belonged at one time or another to the Christian Front, according to a report from Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine released today by Mayor LaGuardia -- but only twenty-seven admitted to being currently-active members when filling out questionnaire cards recently distributed to all department members and civilian employees. The Mayor stated that most of those who had joined the Front did so under the impression that it was "a religious organization," and that they withdrew once they understood the true character of the group. Last summer, when Christian Front activitiy in the city was at its peak, 238 arrests were made, with 109 of these in connection with anti-Semitic incidents, and 127 connected to resistance and opposition to anti-Semitic incidents.

Helen Worth says $10 a week is a reasonable food budget for two people living on an income of $50 a week, especially if you resolve to only spend $7 of it and sock the rest away. And, she says, a young couple bringing in $50 a week is doing very, very well indeed.

The two biggest fads of 1940 so far are "Confucius Say" jokes and boogie-woogie music. Bob Howard, The Baron of Boogie-Woogie, doesn't tell "Confucious Say" jokes, but I'm willing to bet someone on this bill does.

If you can get out of the snow and head into the city, "Of Mice and Men," with Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney Jr., opens tonight at the Roxy.

The proposed extension of the Cross-Bay Parkway thru the village of Broad Channel could force the relocation of up to 5000 residents who had built homes and busineses on land rented from the city. Many are willing to buy the property outright but with no precedent for such sales, there is no agreement on the value of the land or on how much of the land would have to be eliminated from the lots to make way for the highway extension.

Spring Training is officially underway in Clearwater, Florida as the first contingent of Dodger pitchers and catchers gathered for today for their first formal workout. About two dozen players are in camp, stretching under the not-so-warm Florida sun, with the rest of the team expected to arrive over the next week. Among non-battery players already in camp are prize rookies Harold Reese and Charley Gilbert, both of whom pitched into their exercises with zeal.

"Is There A Revolution In The Arts?" is the question for discussion in tonight's "America's Town Meeting Of The Air" broadcast, 10 pm over WJZ.

Here's half a buck, George. Run out and buy a clue.

Jeez, Bill. For someone who could get in a bomb in the back seat at any moment, you sure look jaunty.

Um, shouldn't you have on gas masks or respirators or something? And wouldn't the gas have leaked back out thru the hole in the door? And how can a dog be strong enough to push in a garage door? And why is that a pretty fair likeness of *MY HOUSE* pictured in panel one? What's going on here, Marsh?

 

[LizzieMaine]

Credit where credit is due -- "New York's Picture Newspaper" comes up with a hell of a shot. And note that the storm is a "northeaster." Not a "nor'easter." Nobody with a legitimate non-rhotic Northeastern accent ever said "Nor'easter" unless they were making fun of people who say "nor'easter."

Kids Today.

Nick won't have to tell you what to do. You'll do it.

You can tell she's trying to be nice because she's got her "Trying To Be Nice" hat on.

Hmmm.

There's actually a regular "Mullins Suite" down at the jail.

Yeah, let's see Dunn try that.

*Sigh* Gold-digging Harold Teen is like breaking open a gumball machine for the pennies. But I guess for the likes of Senga, it's not the amount, it's the principle of the thing.

 

[Fading Fast]

...Finland called up another class of military reservists, the second in twenty-four hours, as fierce fighting continues on the Karelian Isthmus. Men born in 1896, aged 43 and 44, were summoned to active duty today....

Who'd of thunk they had any reserves left at this point.

...A former investigator for the Medical Grievance Board testified today that Dr. Abraham Ditchick "knew in advance" what doctors and what cases were to be investigated by that panel. Philip Blau, former investigator who now sells candy in a motion picture theatre, testified that investigators for the Board routinely received "cash gifts" from doctors, and that Dr. Ditchick insisted on receiving fifty percent of these payments for himself. Blau stated that he was often informed in advance of assignments by Dr. Ditchick, and that Dr. Ditchick would advise him of what the results of his investigation were to be.....

Sometimes I think Dr. Ditchick belongs in "Little Orphan Annie's" complex criminal world; other times, his blatant sloppiness makes me think he belongs more in "Dan Dunn's" world of ineptitude.

...The American Guild of Variety Artists has signed a collective bargaining agreement with The House of Murphy, Brooklyn nightclub, marking the first successful attempt at unionizing the boro's nightclub entertainers. Guild executive secretary Hoyt Haddock says the organizing campaign comes in response to a wage-slashing drive by Brooklyn and Queens nightclub operators....

Based on what we know about nightclubs in this era, I believe we are seeing a meeting between the mob and the unions.

...Helen Worth says $10 a week is a reasonable food budget for two people living on an income of $50 a week, especially if you resolve to only spend $7 of it and sock the rest away. And, she says, a young couple bringing in $50 a week is doing very, very well indeed....

$10 in '40 = ~$184 in '20
$50 in '40 = ~$920 in '20

...
Jeez, Bill. For someone who could get in a bomb in the back seat at any moment, you sure look jaunty....

"My boss don't scare easy..." as you note, well, sure, when it's not necessarily he who's at risk. Also, Leona needs to start thinking a move or two ahead.

...
Kids Today.....

Early multitasking.

View attachment 213435 ... Yeah, let's see Dunn try that.....

Dunn would grab hold of the tire and, then, only realize the flaw in his plan when the car started moving.

... *Sigh* Gold-digging Harold Teen is like breaking open a gumball machine for the pennies. But I guess for the likes of Senga, it's not the amount, it's the principle of the thing.

Right now, it's as if Harold and Pat Ryan are sharing a brain (and it's not a large one at that).

 

[LizzieMaine]

I would like to know how Mr. Blau, Former Investigator, ended up selling candy in a motion picture theatre. There's got to be a story in that.

Brains are in pretty short supply around the comic pages at the moment. It seems Nick has cornered the market.

 

[Fading Fast]

I would like to know how Mr. Blau, Former Investigator, ended up selling candy in a motion picture theatre. There's got to be a story in that.....

I caught that too - that's quite a career path. Reading between the lines and guessing a bit, it seems like he might also have been on the take and maybe got fired (not charged criminally, but let go without a recommendation - a much bigger deal then) or he was honest and was pushed out of the system as a corrupt system doesn't want honest players in it (hence our whistleblower protection laws) and, in that case too, got a bad recommendation as they trumped up some reason to fire him. In either case, I can see his future job options as being quite limited; hence, his movie-theater gig. All just guesses, but something broke in his career or life.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The Red Army continues to hammer at the Mannerheim Line, with Finnish sources admitting that Russian troops have penetrated further into Finnish territory than had been previously acknowledged. A Finnish Army communique states that Soviet troops have partially occupied the town of Summa as the battle of the Karelian Isthmus moves into its 16th day, but further states that the advances have been accompanied by "heavy losses" for the Russians.

Meanwhile, Sweden has declared that it will not permit foreign troops bound for Finland to cross Swedish territory. The declaration comes in response to rumors that the Allied Powers may offer direct military aid to the Finnish forces.

Manhattan gets immediate snow removal. Brooklyn just gets snow shoved into piles. Why?

The Republican National Committee has scheduled its 1940 nominating convention for Monday, June 24th, but has not yet finalized a location for the event. Chicago is reported to be the favored site for the GOP conclave but Philadelphia is reported to be still under consideration. Democratic Party leaders are expected to schedule their convention for the following week.

Even after Dr. Abraham Ditchick learned he was under investigaton by the Amen Office, the Manhattan dentist continued to demand "protection" money from doctors. Dr. Irving B. Weinstein of 1024 Montgomery Street today testified that he had made regular $25 weekly payments to Dr. Ditchick even though he was "guilty of no wrongdoing" because Dr. Ditchick had warned him that "there would be trouble" if he failed to pay. Dr. Weinstein testified that he had told Dr. Ditchick in 1938 that he had been advised to stop the payments because of the Amen probe, but stated that Dr. Ditchick told him that he was "still in power" and that the payments had better continue. Dr. Weinstein then stated that he told Dr. Ditchick to "go to hell," but subsequently handed over a payment of $1300 after Dr. Ditchick told him it would take $3000 to keep his office open.

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce today claimed that the State Tax Commission is taking a "hands off" position on the question of overassessment in the borough. The Chamber argued that the Commission position that such matters are under the authority of city tax officials is a weak evasion of a crucial issue facing the city.

A three-alarm fire in a bedspring factory routed eight families from their homes in bitter cold and biting winds early this morning. The blaze in the two-story frame building at 529 Park Avenue forced the evacuation of adjacent buildings as firefighters battled the flames. The factory building had originally been constructed as a church, and was subsequently used as a motion picture theatre before being converted for manufacturing use. The factory suffered considerable damage, and minor damage was reported to the adjacent houses. The evacuated families were taken in by neighbors and city authorities.

Aides to the Dies Committee reportedly state that the committee is reluctant to summon Father Charles E. Coughlin to testify out of concerns that if he were to appear, Coughlin would use the commitee as a "national platform" to state views now confined to his weekly radio talks. Chairman Martin Dies had indicated that Coughlin was willing to appear voluntarily before the Committee.

As 30,000 men continue to dig out New York streets after this week's snowstorm, there are fears of a milk shortage as upstate farmers indicate roads in their territories remain impassable. Officials of Sheffield Farms and Borden's indicate that today's milk supply is sufficient to meet demand, but it is likely that tomorrow's supply will be reduced. Independent distributors have already seen their milk supply cut by 15 percent.

Radio star Kate Smith has the exclusive legal right to sell underwear under the "Kate Smith" brand. So ruled a Manhattan Supreme Court Justice today in a suit by the Kated Corporation, representing Miss Smith's interests, against the Smith Company of Manhattan, underwear firm which had marketed a line of large-size garments under the name "Kate Smith Stouts." Although Kated Corporation has no current plans to market a line of official Kate Smith underwear, it does market Kate Smith brand nightgowns, and the court ruled that the use of the "Kate Smith" name by the rival company was an infringement.

Speaking of licensed fashion...

No flies on the Boys from Marketing.

Shirley Temple tells Hollywood columnist Hy Gardner that she has definite plans for the future. "When I grow up," she declares, "I want to be a G-Man! Because G-Men are wonderful! I'm a close friend of J. Edgar Hoover -- and he told me so!"

Jimmy Cagney and Pat O'Brien star in that rousing story of the famous Irish-American World War regiment, "The Fighting 69th," opening today at the Brooklyn Paramount. Co-feature is the latest in the Higgins Family series, "Money To Burn," starring James, Lucille, and Russell Gleason.

Elaine Barrie officially replaced Doris Dudley opposite John Barrymore in "My Dear Children" on Broadway last night. No incidents were reported, and only three photographers -- a new low -- were backstage.

Who needs the Westminster Dog Show, when Brooklyn has plenty of good dogs all its own?

Leo Durocher is cracking the whip over the boys down in Clearwater. It's only the second day of Spring Training and already Lippy has slapped two of the newest Dodgers with $50 fines. High-priced free agent acquisition Roy Cullenbine was the first to feel the Durocher lash, having to peel a fifty off his $25,000 bonus bankroll for skipping a workout to play golf. And pitcher Wes Ferrell, another free-agent pickup, was fined $50 for the same offense. Ferrell, a past baseball golfing champion, received a curt wire from Leo stating "I thought you wanted a job with this ball club." Coach Charley Dressen, who spent time on the links as well, escaped what the Dodger manager called "Greens Fees."

I bet Hartford pays these people to follow him around. There's a lot of unemployed actors who'd do just about anything for $5.

SHE FINALLY HOCKED THE FUR!

"Get off my lawn!" Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Irony is not dead.

I was wondering when Confucius would show up.

And speaking of which...

Point taken.

Nick is doing OK with this underworld-godfather thing, but what he really wants to do is direct.

Mama breaks the fourth wall and tips us the wink.

The cabbie appears to be something of a self-caricature of Chester Gould himself. Which suggests an interesting insight into the creator's psychology.

Hey, Skeez -- when you get done there, can you come over and do my office?

Is this another scheme? Or did Cheery just lose it?

Translation: Cousin Elmo Dullard here is institutionalized and undergoing aversion therapy for alcoholism. Hey kids, comics!

Hey Senga, there's this guy up the page you really need to meet. Bobble's his name. Wilmer Bobble.

 

[Fading Fast]

...

Manhattan gets immediate snow removal. Brooklyn just gets snow shoved into piles. Why?...

This is an evergreen complaint as the unpopular but true answer is that Manhattan brings in a massively outsized proportion of NYC's tax revenue owing to Manhattan's large and rich business districts including (arguably) the world's financial capital, some of the most-expensive retail shopping streets in the world and it being the headquarters of some of the country's largest corporations, as well as, extremely high rents all over and several very wealthy residential areas (with insanely high property taxes and high income taxes on its owners).

To be sure, Brooklyn's growth in popularity over the past few decades and a, in general, increase in "grass roots" pressure has forced the city to more evenly balance its services, but the (again, usually unspoken) reality is that Manhattan is the revenue cash-cow for NYC and all administrations - from both sides of the political divide - have, overall, made sure that Manhattan services are up and running quickly.

...Even after Dr. Abraham Ditchick learned he was under investigation by the Amen Office, the Manhattan dentist continued to demand "protection" money from doctors. Dr. Irving B. Weinstein of 1024 Montgomery Street today testified that he had made regular $25 weekly payments to Dr. Ditchick even though he was "guilty of no wrongdoing" because Dr. Ditchick had warned him that "there would be trouble" if he failed to pay. Dr. Weinstein testified that he had told Dr. Ditchick in 1938 that he had been advised to stop the payments because of the Amen probe, but stated that Dr. Ditchick told him that he was "still in power" and that the payments had better continue. Dr. Weinstein then stated that he told Dr. Ditchick to "go to hell," but subsequently handed over a payment of $1300 after Dr. Ditchick told him it would take $3000 to keep his office open....

Ditchick is clearly brazen, but what's missing, so far, from this story - something today's press would never miss - are details of Ditchick's lifestyle. He took in a lot of illegal money so, one assumes, he was using that money for something - either a lavish lifestyle or to stuff vault boxes full of dough. Today's press would be all over that angle of the story.


...Speaking of licensed fashion...
View attachment 213654
No flies on the Boys from Marketing....[/QUOTE]

I would image, if any survived, today, they are sought after on the collectors market. (The Planters Peanut one looks pretty neat as, I'm guessing, it just looks like a generic pattern until one stares at the material up close.)

...Elaine Barrie officially replaced Doris Dudley opposite John Barrymore in "My Dear Children" on Broadway last night. No incidents were reported, and only three photographers -- a new low -- were backstage....

That story quieted down in a hurry.

...
I bet Hartford pays these people to follow him around. There's a lot of unemployed actors who'd do just about anything for $5....

Does Jo know about this little lunch get-together?

...
SHE FINALLY HOCKED THE FUR!...

Thank freakin' God.

...
Irony is not dead.....

The Daily News headline writers were right there with you on this one as the irony all but writes itself.

...
Nick is doing OK with this underworld-godfather thing, but what he really wants to do is direct....

The cynicism and arrant corruption are stunning in a comic strip. That said, similar stories were popping up in movies at the time, but owing to the movie production code, the cops and politicians were not shown as so completely corrupt as they are here.

... Is this another scheme? Or did Cheery just lose it?....

I'm thinking her self-preservation fear overtook her hatred of, well, everyone drive and, now, she wants out/safety. Hopefully, Pat is taking her right to Singh-Singh, but I know he's too good a guy for that. Also, and I'm just gonna say it, Caniff seems to have gotten a bit lazy about drawing in background in the last three frames.

...
Hey Senga, there's this guy up the page you really need to meet. Bobble's his name. Wilmer Bobble.

Did you notice 1. the use of "bimbo" to describe a wealthy and stupid man and 2. the blatant comic strip soft-core porn (that gets more intense with each frame)?

 

[LizzieMaine]

It's not for nothing that Bim Gump is frequently called "Bimbo" to his face, seeing as he is the very dictionary definition of a wealthy and stupid man. He might even be the origin of the term as used in that sense.

I'm intrigued by these recent developments in "Harold Teen." As mentioned before, there has in the past occasionally been bits of cheesecake in this strip, especially focusing around Lillums during her high school years, but it's never been as blatant and aggressive as it is with Senga here, and more significantly there has never been a character in the strip as unabashedly unwholesome. I'm very interested to see just how far this storyline is going to go. Harold might end up losing more than money if he's not careful.

Foe of the Boys though I am, I might just wear a dress with little pictures of Mr. Peanut on it.

Roy Cullenbine was a pretty fair ballplayer -- the modern statheads point out he had a huge on-base percentage, even though people didn't pay attention to that in 1940 -- but he also had a reputation for not being someone who you really wanted on your team. It's going to be fun to see him try to get along with The Lip.

 

[Fading Fast]

It's not for nothing that Bim Gump is frequently called "Bimbo" to his face, seeing as he is the very dictionary definition of a wealthy and stupid man. He might even be the origin of the term as used in that sense.

I'm intrigued by these recent developments in "Harold Teen." As mentioned before, there has in the past occasionally been bits of cheesecake in this strip, especially focusing around Lillums during her high school years, but it's never been as blatant and aggressive as it is with Senga here, and more significantly there has never been a character in the strip as unabashedly unwholesome. I'm very interested to see just how far this storyline is going to go. Harold might end up losing more than money if he's not careful.

Foe of the Boys though I am, I might just wear a dress with little pictures of Mr. Peanut on it.

Roy Cullenbine was a pretty fair ballplayer -- the modern statheads point out he had a huge on-base percentage, even though people didn't pay attention to that in 1940 -- but he also had a reputation for not being someone who you really wanted on your team. It's going to be fun to see him try to get along with The Lip.

"Harold Teen-" agreed, it's going to be getting close to a line pretty soon. Today's illustrations were aggressive.

My girlfriend doesn't share your politics, but like most of America, she shares your general disdain of the Boys, but she'd wear a dress like that in a heartbeat.

The regular-women dresses of the '30s, '40s and '50s - as opposed to the high-end stuff - were very neat and, quite often, pretty timeless. The company Boden

https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/womens-dresses? gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0_ytz5bX5wIVk5OzCh2f9QR4EAAYASAAEgJjx_D_BwE&code=4B9J&cm_mmc=Brand-_-GoogleNEWUS1BrandBodenCombinations-_-%281%29dresses%3E%282%29boden%3Eall%3E17%28camato%29-_-kwd-128887624&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI0_ytz5bX5wIVk5OzCh2f9QR4EAAYASAAEgJjx_D_BwE%3AG%3As&s_kwcid=AL%218573%213%21340137413682%21e%21%21g%21%21boden+dresses&fq_pid_min_sale_prc=%5B*+TO+100%5D

without be explicitly retro, makes a lot of not crazy expensive dresses that echo that period's dresses; hence, there are several in her closet.

 

[LizzieMaine]

British destroyers today invaded neutral waters off Norway to drive ashore a German steamer characterized as a "hell ship," killing at least four of its crew and rescuing between three and four hundred British merchant seamen being held prisoner below decks. The German naval auxiliary vessel Altmark was severely damaged by British shells after it was grounded. German authorites protested the "rape of the Altmark," claiming that British sailors "opened wild machine gun fire" on German sailors who were fleeing for cover, and Norwegian authorities lodged a protest with the British Government over the violation of its neutrality. The British Admiralty released a statement indicating that the British destroyers acted under directors of the Admirality in pursuing and attacking the Altmark. The freed prisoners were sent immediately to Scotland aboard the Cossack, the destroyer that took the lead role in the attack, and forced the Altmark aground.

The Finnish Army is evacuating women and children from Vilpuri today as Russian forces continue their advance across the Karelian Isthmus, and an official communique announced that Finnish forces have withdrawn to "new positions," at the same time hailing a "great victory" at Kuhmo at which 1500 Russians were reported killed. Meanwhile, all men born in 1898 have been summoned to report for Finnish Army service.

Two days after this week's heavy snows, the streets away from major arteries remain in "very bad condition," acknowledges Sanitation Commissioner William Carey. The Commissioner projects it will take at least a week to clear all the snow, with nearly 23,000 men working in shifts to complete the task. All of the city's snow removal equipment is in use, augmented by 450 rented trucks.

Demolition of the Fulton Street L could be underway as early as May, following the imminent absorption of the BMT by the city, according to city controller Joseph D. McGoldrick. Mayor LaGuarida indicated last night that an agreement by BMT shareholders to sell the corporation's subway and elevated lines to the city for $148,000,000 is expected to be "declared operative" by February 20th, clearing the way for the removal of the Fulton Street structures. It is expected that the city will take over the $151,000,000 IRT lines at the same time.

Democratic Brooklyn City Councilman Joseph Sharkey will introduce a resolution calling for the city's public schools to allow students to leave school to attend religious instruction classes during the school day if they choose to do so. Sharkey states that he bases this resolution on research showing that youths lacking in religious training are more likely to turn to crime. Sharkey stresses that the program, allowing the excuse of students for one hour a week, will not involve religious classes taught in the public schools themselves. The question of whether students participating in such classes would receive academic credit for them remains to be resolved.

The Democratic Party will hold its 1940 nominating convention in Philadelphia starting on July 15th. So announced Democratic Party Chairman James Farley, scheduling the conclave for more than a month after Republicans are scheduled to conclude their proceedings.

An official of the Kings County Medical Society warns Brooklyn residents against "promiscuous kissing," in the face of a wave of highly-contagious respiratory infections spreading into the borough from the South. Dr. Meyer Rabinowitz places particular attention on the danger of spreading disease by kissing babies, warning that infants are notorious vehicles for the spread of respiratory illness. Dr. Rabinowitz also warns against the "nonsense" of taking a laxative at the first sign of a cold, warning that this tends to weaken patients more than it helps them.

A sixteen-year-old "child bride" in New Martinsville, West Virginia has confessed to killing her 27 year old husband with a 12-gague shotgun. Mrs. Okey Long, who was married at the age of twelve, claimed she didn't know the gun was loaded when she shot her husband in the neck following an argument.

The proprietors of a factory in Bedford-Stuyvesant have been convicted of violating Federal wage and hour laws by underpaying their employees. Irving and Ada Rosen, owners of the Rose Manufacturing Company, 168 Walworth Street, were found guilty of paying workers an average of seven cents an hour to make shade pulls and tassels, as well as altering time records to cover up the underpayment. Federal Judge Matthew T. Abruzzo sternly lectured the Rosens from the bench, warning that "this sort of thing can't go on," stating that he wasn't just concerned for the Rosens' employees but for all people who "work hard and don't get paid for it." The couple will be sentenced on February 29th.

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

Several hundred athletes hit the track at Madison Square Garden tonight in the New York Athletic Club's annual track-and-field meet. Headline event is the "Baxter Mile," with current champion miler Chuck Fenske competing against former king Glenn Cunningham and an impressive roster of challengers.

Twenty-year-old Charley Gilbert has the inside track on the starting center-field job for the Dodgers in 1940, and he's living up to his publicity so far down in Clearwater. Tommy Holmes watched Chuck Dressen hit fungoes to Gilbert for nearly twenty minutes today, and he didn't muff a single one. "The boy runs like a thief and has the same sort of monkey- fingered hands that made Johnny Cooney a Flatbush favorite."

Roy Cullenbine is also making an impression around camp, when he isn't golfing. Tommy says the $25,000 bonus boy "whips around the premises and talks as though there isn't the slightest doubt in his mind" about his abilities. Cullenbine is looking good so far in batting practice and in pepper games, and it's hard to spot why he didn't get a regular spot in Detroit last year.

Speak of golf, Wes Ferrell got a special dispensation from Manager Durocher to compete in the National Baseball Golf Tournament in Tampa. Ferrell, the defending golf king of the major leagues, was pitted today against former teammate Jimmie Foxx of the Red Sox.

Keep guessing.

The alleged father of the six-month-old baby boy left on his doorstep by Miss Estelle Rybicki says he's "willing to marry" the mother of the child "if she will be a real wife." Leroy Pedersen of 344 80th Street, who is twenty-eight years old and unemployed, says he's not interesting in marriage "just to give the baby a name," and stresses he isn't sure that the baby is in fact his. Miss Rybicki dismisses Pedersen's statements, declaring she isn't interested in marrying him under any circumstances after the way he's treated her, and that he's known the baby is his "from the very beginning."

Gossip columnist Clifford Evans says Selena Royle, stage and radio actress, has taken up pipe smoking. And he says leaders of Brownsville's gangdom are preparing to head South, since it's getting too hot for them here. And comedian Bert Wheeler says he was given a strange hat when he called at the checkroom at a Brooklyn restaurant. "This isn't mine," he told the girl, "I came in with a bowler." Said the girl disdainfully, "I wouldn't care if you came in with a ping-pong player."

Thursday will be "Crooners' Night" on NBC beginning March 7th. Dick Powell will take over as MC for the Maxwell House Good News show, Rudy Vallee will begin his new Sealtest program, and Bing Crosby continues to hold forth for Kraft. The new lineup will mean headaches for the network's music clearance department, since all three personalities perform the same type of numbers.

"Is The United States Propaganda Proof?" That's the question debated on tonight's "People's Platform," 7 pm over WABC.

All I can say is that Sunken Heights, where the Bungles live, must be one hell of a happenin' town.

Why not call up Cousin Sue and hide out with her in Cornville till the heat's off? I'm sure Ted would be very happy to see you.

A "gone goslin?" I don't expect to encounter weird deep-South dialect in "Dan Dunn," but at least it's something new.

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

"All Leo knows about pitchin' is that he couldn't hit it."

A $14,000,000 jelly king and a one-armed pickpocket. Ah, The Era.

Min Gump is the only woman in 1940 still wearing that Louise Brooks haircut. She's gonna have to do something about that.

You know who's the most cynical one here? Annie. These people took her in, gave her a place to live, and she set this whole thing up with Nick, and had to know how it would sit with John. And she just stands there with that enigmatic little smirk. What's *her* real game? Even the dog knows it's a setup.

Speaking of inventions, how about the way that kid manifests his temperature in a cloud over his head? I bet the thermometer interests would pay big money for that.

She'd shank you in a minute, Pat, if she didn't need you. So you might want to get out of the habit of standing in front of her.

One step closer to the precipice...

Truth be told, Moon kinda likes being in jail. It's always relaxing to get away from it all.

 

[Fading Fast]

...Demolition of the Fulton Street L could be underway as early as May, following the imminent absorption of the BMT by the city, according to city controller Joseph D. McGoldrick. Mayor LaGuarida indicated last night that an agreement by BMT shareholders to sell the corporation's subway and elevated lines to the city for $148,000,000 is expected to be "declared operative" by February 20th, clearing the way for the removal of the Fulton Street structures. It is expected that the city will take over the $151,000,000 IRT lines at the same time.....

In the '80s and '90s, a meaningful subset of the population would still call subway lines by the old "IRT" or "BMT" names, but not any more. That said, once in awhile, you'll still see an old "IRT" or "BMT" sign in a corner of a subway station or, even better, in the original tile mosaic that still line many of the stations.

... Dr. Rabinowitz also warns against the "nonsense" of taking a laxative at the first sign of a cold, warning that this tends to weaken patients more than it helps them.....

That was a thing?

...The alleged father of the six-month-old baby boy left on his doorstep by Miss Estelle Rybicki says he's "willing to marry" the mother of the child "if she will be a real wife." Leroy Pedersen of 344 80th Street, who is twenty-eight years old and unemployed, says he's not interesting in marriage "just to give the baby a name," and stresses he isn't sure that the baby is in fact his. Miss Rybicki dismisses Pedersen's statements, declaring she isn't interested in marrying him under any circumstances after the way he's treated her, and that he's known the baby is his "from the very beginning."....

These two should not be married under any circumstances.

... All I can say is that Sunken Heights, where the Bungles live, must be one hell of a happenin' town.....

"Sunken Heights -" that's perfect.

... Min Gump is the only woman in 1940 still wearing that Louise Brooks haircut. She's gonna have to do something about that....

Since she's about to spend ~$5000 in 2020 dollars on a dress, she should be able to afford a good hairdresser to bring her 1920's hairdo up to date.

... She'd shank you in a minute, Pat, if she didn't need you. So you might want to get out of the habit of standing in front of her....

"You'll make a noise like a machine gun if I have to slap you on the head with drumsticks." Holy smokes, did Pat just have that line in his hip pocket? And yes, she is never, ever to be trusted for a second - although, she is sweet on Pat, still, she is who she is.

... One step closer to the precipice....

Was "Senga" a name back then?

 

[LizzieMaine]

I have a 1939-vintage BMT map on my office wall, advertising points of interest in Brooklyn and Queens, including Ebbets Field, the World's Fair, the Academy of Music, and the Botanical Gardens. Useful in plotting out the various locations we come across in these posts.

The laxative-at-the-first-sign-of-a-cold thing was one of the Boys' favorite tropes of the Era, right up there with eating yeast cakes for health. One of the prices I must pay for enjoying Fred Allen is hearing Harry Von Zell go on week after week about "Don't EVER neglect a cold! At the first sign of symptoms, get that famous two-way help when you take a glass of sparkling Sal Hepatica! Sal Hepatica reduces gastric acidity and eliminates that logy feeling that so often can accompany a cold! Sal Hepatica is that famous saline laxative that helps fight colds faster! Prompt, quick-acting Sal Hepatica -- for the Smile of Health!" (Cue the Ipana Troubadours playing the crescendo of "Pick Up Your Troubles:" -- "and SMILE! SMILE! SMILE!") PS -- it doesn't work. Bless you, Dr. Rabinowitz.

The Rybicki baby would be my mother's age if he's still with us. I hope things turned out OK for him.

"Senga" is an old Scottish name. "Senga La Fleur," however, is an old Minsky's name.

 

[LizzieMaine]

At least three hundred, and possibly as many as four hundred British merchant sailors rescued from a Nazi prison ship landed safely in Scotland, even as the German government condemned the attack by British destroyers on the steamer Altmark as "an act of piracy." The rescued men, landed today at Leith, Scotland, told stories of torture and "heartless treatment" aboard the "filthy ship," and claimed that the captain of the vessel had threatened to blow it up if captured. A time bomb was reportedly found aboard the ship.

Meanwhile, about a hundred Germans remain on the Altmark, run aground on a Norwegian fjord, and the German government is accusing Norway of failing to protect the ship while it operated in Norwegian territorial waters. Calling the attack by the British destroyers, acting under instructions of the Admiralty, a case of "piracy, murder, and gangsterism," the Nazi minister to Oslo demanded reparations from the Norwegian government, and warned that "serious consequences" may follow.

Finnish authorities claimed a "smashing victory" over Russian ski troops on the eastern front near Kuhmo, even as they were forced to acknowledge further Russian gains along the Karelian Isthmus. Field Marshal Gustav Mannerheim, in command of all Finnish forces, assured his troops that foreign assistance has been received, and more is forthcoming, as he urged them to fight on in defense of the Mannerheim Line.

President Roosevelt has revealed the purpose behind his "mystery ocean trip," stating that he will make a personal inspection tour of defenses on the eastern side of the Panama Canal. The President, traveling aboard the cruiser Tuscaloosa, was reportedly moving thru Nicaraguan waters today en route to his destination.

A 97-year-old Union Army veteran will serve as Grand Marshal of Brooklyn's 1940 Memorial Day Parade. Commander Robert Sommers is one of only two Grand Army of the Republic members in the borough still able to attend and participate in GAR activities. Born on Staten Island in 1842, Sommers joined the 139th New York State Volunteers in 1862, and served continuously to the end of the war in 186 as part of the First Brigade, 3rd Division, 24th Army Corps, and was serving as a non-commissioned officer when his regiment participated in the capture of the Confederate capital at Richmond. For more than fifty years after the war, Sommers operated a music store at Fulton Street and Bedford Avenue, retiring about ten years ago after acknowledging the inroads the radio had made on his business.

Going to Russek's for one of those clearance furs? Free snow shovel with every purchase of $100!

"Hey Sal! What happened, you walk into a door?" "No, that's my poker-chip blue eye shadow.""Huh. Poker chip blue. Tell ya the truth, I'da folded."

Last month's fire at the Flatbush YMCA gutted the club rooms of the Flatbush Association of Model Railroad Engineers, but the miniature-train enthusiasts are at work rebuilding their layout. The group had boasted of the largest freightyard layout in the country before the fire, larger even than the one on display at the World's Fair, and members promise the rebuilt layout will be three times better. The original layout took three years to construct in the YMCA's attic, and materials alone were valued at over $1500.

A Midwood printing salesman boasts the world's largest collection of stereoscopes and stereoscopic slides. Robert N. Dennis of 1107 E. 2nd Street began his collection on a whim about five years ago when he bought a cabinet-model "graphoscope" in a Fulton Street junk shop. Since then he has accumulated more than 100,000 slides and over a hundred different viewers, and corresponds with fellow collectors all over the world. Mr. Dennis is married with two children.

Columnist Ray Tucker reports from Washington that the Federal Communications Commission is puzzled about what to do concerning the NBC "Pot O' Gold" radio program. Public complaints that the broadcast, in which listeners at home are called by telephone to compete for cash prizes, constitutes an illegal lottery have been received, but the radio commissars are stuck on the question of whether simply staying at home to listen to the program constitutes "paying a consideration" to participate. Attorneys for the Columbia Broadcasting System have also lodged complaints about the program, which has cut severely into the CBS audience during its time period.

Clark Gable gets the business from Charlie McCarthy on the Chase & Sanborn program, tonight at 8pm on WEAF.

Trend's cover boy gave out with the Quote Of The Week...

Just because it says "George Abbott Presents" on the program doesn't mean it's a George Abbott production. So observes Arthur Pollock after "The Unconquered" closed last night after six performances. "But he'll get over it," states Mr. Pollock.

A new Clifford Odets play opens Thursday night at the Broadhurst. "Night Music" features Elia Kazan, Jane Wyatt, and Morris Karnovsky.

Remember Sally O'Neil, of Bayonne, N. J. and the silent screen? She's out of the movies now, and is giving the stage a try. You'll see her in a saucy role in J. B. Priestley's comedy "When We Are Married," now at the Lyceum.

Christopher Morley's "Kitty Foyle" now tops the fiction best-seller list, followed by "The Nazarene" and "The Grapes of Wrath."

Now at the Patio, it's Joan Bennett and Adolphe Menjou in "The Housekeeper's Daughter," along with "Blondie Brings Up Baby."

Rookie sensation Harold "Peewee" Reese may be the front runner for the Dodger shortstop job in 1940, but Leo Durocher isn't ready to be a bench manager just yet. Tommy Holmes reports that Lippy is taking strengh training from Professor Artie McGovern to get himself in shape to play in the coming season. Peewee, meanwhile, has yet to report to Clearwater, giving Leo plenty of time to limber up. Leo also took batting practice yesterday, wrapped up in a sweatshirt and a rubber undershirt, and his appearance at the plate caused Hugh Casey to bear down, keeping Leo swinging futilely for three or four minutes before he was able to connect.

Young Mr. Reese, meanwhile, will face a bright spotlight when he does report to camp. He's the most highly-touted minor league prospect of the season, having led the American Association in triples and stolen bases last year, and is considered the fastest man to come out of that circuit in many seasons.

Eddie Shore returns to action tonight for the Americans against the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden. Eddie might be losing his hair, but he's still the Iron Man of the Ice after fourteen grueling seasons.

Old-Timer Alfred L. Preston reminisces about the Greenpoint he knew way back in the spring of 1862, a time when everyone owned their own home, and had to walk five miles to Brooklyn City Hall to pay their taxes.

Uh-oh Red! Watch out for poison gas!

"Now where's Leona? I'm gonna go beat up that Louie Bonetti!"

"Aw, gee whiz, Dan, you get to dress up in disguises 'n stuff, so why can' t I?"

In this Dante-esque suburban hellscape, George Bungle deserves such neighbors. And such neighbors deserve George Bungle.

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

"Margin For Error," huh? How sadly appropriate.

And eighty years later, he's still on the job.

(Eating a box of Milk Duds as I read this...)

Nice work, Tracy -- that's a real Dunn Move.

Don't waste the batteries, kids. It's not like you can run down to the Rexall for more.

"He gotta da russ biff!"

Back when all was innocent and pure, and all Harold had to worry about was getting slugged by Joseph Stalin.

Look, Pat, if you get out of this, why not give up the whole "globetrotting adventurer" deal. There's a job waiting for you at NBC. You could be the guy that tips over Fibber McGee's closet.

And for that matter, what is Mr. District Attorney John Tecum doing? Practicing?

 

[Fading Fast]

...A 97-year-old Union Army veteran will serve as Grand Marshal of Brooklyn's 1940 Memorial Day Parade. Commander Robert Sommers is one of only two Grand Army of the Republic members in the borough still able to attend and participate in GAR activities. Born on Staten Island in 1842, Sommers joined the 139th New York State Volunteers in 1862, and served continuously to the end of the war in 186 as part of the First Brigade, 3rd Division, 24th Army Corps, and was serving as a non-commissioned officer when his regiment participated in the capture of the Confederate capital at Richmond. For more than fifty years after the war, Sommers operated a music store at Fulton Street and Bedford Avenue, retiring about ten years ago after acknowledging the inroads the radio had made on his business.....

What a fantastic link to the past. He had to be born at just the right time to be old enough to serve in the Civil War but young enough that, by living to 97, he touched WWII. Also, that darn new technology - the radio - "killed" the music business: Joseph Schumpeter's "creative-destruction" is alway at work.

...Last month's fire at the Flatbush YMCA gutted the club rooms of the Flatbush Association of Model Railroad Engineers, but the miniature-train enthusiasts are at work rebuilding their layout. The group had boasted of the largest freightyard layout in the country before the fire, larger even than the one on display at the World's Fair, and members promise the rebuilt layout will be three times better. The original layout took three years to construct in the YMCA's attic, and materials alone were valued at over $1500....

That's about $28,000 worth of model train equipment in 2020 dollars: hopefully, they were insured.

...Christopher Morley's "Kitty Foyle" now tops the fiction best-seller list, followed by "The Nazarene" and "The Grapes of Wrath."....

"Kitty Foyle" the movie staring Ginger Rogers in a best-actress-wining performance was release in 1940 - they turned that book (published in '39) into a movie in very quickly.

... View attachment 214245 "Now where's Leona? I'm gonna go beat up that Louie Bonetti!"

View attachment 214246 "Aw, gee whiz, Dan, you get to dress up in disguises 'n stuff, so why can' t I?"

View attachment 214247 In this Dante-esque suburban hellscape, George Bungle deserves such neighbors. And such neighbors deserve George Bungle.

I am formally issuing a protest against the comic strips' break in their storylines on Sunday - it's very disconcerting.

...
And eighty years later, he's still on the job....

Another neat connect to the past. Several years back, I saw him walking around (no crowds, one person with him) in Central Park - and that is it for my Dalai Lama story.

... (Eating a box of Milk Duds as I read this...)...

Filler about filler.

...
Look, Pat, if you get out of this, why not give up the whole "globetrotting adventurer" deal. There's a job waiting for you at NBC. You could be the guy that tips over Fibber McGee's closet....

Kudos to "Terry and the Pirates" for not breaking its storyline on Sundays. Also, have to note the Butterfingers ad: in a small space, it got in a tout to eat it every day, promoted its "good" sugar and had a little quiz - not bad.

... And for that matter, what is Mr. District Attorney John Tecum doing? Practicing?

Tecum's got to make a decision here - either be Gatt's toady or stand up and fight him, this tortured-soul thing is weak.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Mr. Summers looks pretty spry for 97, and that he worked till he was 87 is also pretty impressive. I hope he makes it to Memorial Day. Here he is in action a couple years back...

Corporal Summers even met Lincoln in person when the President made an inspection tour. "President Lincoln looked me square in the eye and smiled."

Mary and the Bungles have never kept continuity in the Sunday pages, but Dan Dunn did, such as it was, up until last week. It couldn't have been *that* much effort.

Even to this day some strips don't follow continuity on Sundays. "The Phantom" even runs two entirely different stories, one in the dailies and one in the Sundays, sort of the way "The Gumps" does it. Except the Phantom doesn't often get mistaken for an Inca god.

 

[NattyLud]

These pieces by W. E. Hill are just fantastic studies in expression, thanks for sharing. Although, I must protest--there is no such thing as "too much" chocolate cream pie.