The Era -- Day By Day

[LizzieMaine]

Nazi bombers attacked a British convoy today, reportedly sinking the 7,418-ton liner Pyrrhus off the west coast of England. Raids were also noted along the east coast from the mouth of the Thames to the fog-bound coast of Yorkshire. The raids came as German Air Minister Hermann Goering stated in the Nazi press that the German air armada "awaits only the word of Adolf Hitler to begin its greatest test."

Meanwhile, US Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles was told today by German foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop that there will be no peace in Europe until Britain's "stranglehold on the economic life of the world is broken." Undersecretary Welles is scheduled to confer with Adolf Hitler himself tomorrow at 11 AM Brooklyn time.

Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen, who is personally prosecuting the case against accused extortionist Dr. Abraham Ditchick, was taken by surprise this morning when he was called to the witness stand to testify for the defense. Mr. Amen faced questioning from defense counsel Milton Hertz on the matter of Dr. Louis Duke of 551 Bedford Avenue, who has been mentioned in the trial as a payer of large sums of cash to Dr. Ditchick, and who had not been called to testify by the prosecution before Mr. Amen rested his case. Mr. Hertz demanded that papers filed by Dr. Duke's lawyers seeking immunity from prosecution in exchange for being called as a state's witness in the recent corruption trial of Judge George Martin be produced as evidence, but before the line of questioning could proceed further, Amen assistant William J. Butler objected. The objection was sustained by Justice John MacCrate who asked "what does that prove?" Mr. Amen then denied under questioning from Mr. Hertz that the lawyer representing Dr. Duke and another accused abortionist, Dr. Henry Blank, was in fact a former law partner of a former Amen aide now employed by the Department of Justice.

The detective who searched the bedroom of murdered Nazi consular secretary Dr. Walter Engleberg for clues denied today that lewd photographs were found on the premises. Active Detective Lieutenant Francis Robb testified that he found lollypops in the bedroom, and bath salts on the dresser, along with two bathrobes and two pairs of slippers in different sizes, but that no indecent photographs of men were found in the house. He also stated that no women's clothing was found in the house, and that the larder was well-stocked with food, wine, and champagne. Defendent Ernest Walter Kehler, also known as Ernie Haas, remained silent and calm, taking occasional notes, thruout the testimony.

A twenty-five-year old woman from a small town in West Virginia, dressed in rags and accompanied by a six-year-old boy, arrived in Manhattan today in search of the boy's father. Lou Verna Dunn appeared today at 353 4th Avenue, which she believed to be the man's address, carrying a suitcase, a guitar, and a total of fifty-four cents in change. She sat on the sidewalk outside the house playing the guitar next to her crying son until police picked her up and brought her to the station for questioning. Miss Dunn told police that the man -- a songwriter by profession -- had fathered the boy, named Andrew, in 1933 and soon after disappeared. She had been told he lived in New York, at the 4th Street address, but police have not been able to locate the man. She related that she then married another man, who turned out to be a drunk, and she finally had him jailed. With nowhere else to turn, she decided to hitchhike her way to New York and search for her former lover. Miss Dunn is being treated for hunger and exposure, while her son has been taken to the Childrens' Society.

(Drake's Cakes beat Hostess ten days from Thursday. It's true today and it was true in 1940. So there.)

This sounds like the late Mr. Rappaport's watch, and the Mortimer Company was a high-end jeweler. Apparently it wasn't paid for. Hmmmmm.

March arrived in Brooklyn like the well-known lamb today, with temperatures in the upper thirties and just a light dusting of snow. Conditions will remain lamb-like but a bit cooler over the next few days.

(Brooklyn was once the brewing capital of the entire East Coast. Newark, home of Ballantine, Krueger, and Feigenspan "Pride Of Newark" was also in the running. Even Staten Island, home of R&H, had a player in the game.)

The 22-year-old WPA worker who was sentenced to learn to cook by a Coney Island Court magistrate in December is in trouble again. Alex White, of 1734 W. 13th Street was sued for separation on ground of abandonment by his wife, Mrs. Frances White, and has been ordered to pay her $6 a week alimony. White protested the ruling in Brooklyn Supreme Court, claiming he only earns $13 a week.

The Eagle Editorialist is amused at the formation of an organization that's all the rage in High Society. "One Husband, Inc." is a club for women who pledge to have only one husband, ever. The organization was formed in Hollywood, where "members of the Movie Colony collect husbands like some people collect postage stamps."

A survey conducted by Newsweek magazine finds that its readers deem Franklin D. Roosevelt the most qualified man in the country to be President in 1940, topping in order Cordell Hull, Arthur Vandenburg, Robert H. Jackson, Herbert Hoover, and Robert A. Taft. Mayor LaGuardia comes in eleventh on the list, and Vice President John Nance Garner doesn't show up till thirteenth place.

"Gone With The Wind" captured eight of sixteen nominations in the annual awards presentation of the Motion Picture Academy, including Best Picture, Best Director for Victor Fleming, Best Actress for Vivien Leigh's performance as Scarlett O'Hara, and Best Supporting Actress for Hattie McDaniel in the role of "Mammy." Miss McDaniel is the first Negro to receive an "Oscar" in the eleven-year history of the award. Among those *not* receiving an "Oscar" award was Clark Gable, beaten for the Best Actor honor by Robert Donat of "Goodbye Mr. Chips."

Gossip columnist Clifford Evans reports that Brooklyn football magnate Dan Topping is still trying to make Sonja Henie his Mrs., and is offering her as an incentive the leading role in a touring ice show he's planning for the chain of sports arenas he wants to build around the country.

"Hey Joe, how longzit been since we went out steppin'?" "Not long enough."

With second baseman Pete Coscarart now in camp, accompanied by his wife and baby, only obstinate first baseman Dolph Camilli remains a major absentee from the Dodger training camp in Clearwater.

The Rangers lost to the Chicago Blackhawks last night, dropping them back into an even tie for first place in the National Hockey League with the Bruins, but the rest of the league schedule favors Boston. The Rangers only have five games left to play in the campaign, while the Bruins have seven.

The president of the American Tobacco Company says he'll resign if his board of directors goes along with a stockholder plan to cut his pay. George Washington Hill opposes the proposal to reduce "extra incentive" pay by fifty percent. In 1939, Hill earned more than twice his regular salary from such incentives.

Rudy Vallee celebrates his return to the air with a special salute to his famous alumni. Among those paying tribute to the man who gave them their start on the air will be Eddie Cantor, Bob Burns, Joe Penner, Burns and Allen, and Frances Langford. The program will be heard at 10pm on WEAF. Vallee's new program for Sealtest begins on March 7th.

Still no love lost.

Just a minute, kid. How do you know kindly avuncular old Dad isn't also in league with Louie? Maybe that whole scene was staged to flush you out. Just something to think about.

"So whatcha sayin' is, it's better to be just a common punk than it is to be the big boss? We can live with that. Now hand over ya wallet, before we drill ya."

 

[LizzieMaine]

And the News is back!

The pressing issues of the day as always are carefully considered by the American people.

(The scanning quality of the comic section today is not particularly good, so we'll stick with the Tribune for those, at least until the issues are resolved.)

Keep that in mind, kid, or people will be writing in desperate letters about you next.

"Sometimes a knife is just a knife." But not this time.

Are we sure Min and Jo aren't sisters?

Wait, PAT HAS A MACHINE GUN???? Why didn't he just SHOOT OUT THE DOOR?????

Emmy's Boarding House -- Where Satisfaction Is Not Guaranteed.

John's distaste for Nick Gatt seems to be evaporating by the day.

I've never really stopped to think about Dick Tracy as a man of faith, but I imagine his god is a stern Old Testament-type figure of harsh retribution. So if the kid dies, Tracy, you're really in for it.

 

[LizzieMaine]

And twenty years ago today, on March 1, 1920 (in real world time, at least -- hard telling how long ago it was in "comic strip time",) our boy Harold met Lillums for the first time:

Most comics will see an evolution in art style over the years, and the longer they run the more drastic that change tends to be, but it's rare you see character designs that have changed as drastically as these have. But as we can see, Harold's personality hasn't changed a bit.

 

[Fading Fast]

...Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen, who is personally prosecuting the case against accused extortionist Dr. Abraham Ditchick, was taken by surprise this morning when he was called to the witness stand to testify for the defense. Mr. Amen faced questioning from defense counsel Milton Hertz on the matter of Dr. Louis Duke of 551 Bedford Avenue, who has been mentioned in the trial as a payer of large sums of cash to Dr. Ditchick, and who had not been called to testify by the prosecution before Mr. Amen rested his case. Mr. Hertz demanded that papers filed by Dr. Duke's lawyers seeking immunity from prosecution in exchange for being called as a state's witness in the recent corruption trial of Judge George Martin be produced as evidence, but before the line of questioning could proceed further, Amen assistant William J. Butler objected. The objection was sustained by Justice John MacCrate who asked "what does that prove?" Mr. Amen then denied under questioning from Mr. Hertz that the lawyer representing Dr. Duke and another accused abortionist, Dr. Henry Blank, was in fact a former law partner of a former Amen aide now employed by the Department of Justice...."

That's some TV-style drama.

...
(Drake's Cakes beat Hostess ten days from Thursday. It's true today and it was true in 1940. So there.)...

I've done my part my entire life to support the Drake's company. It is possible an autopsy will show that part of me is in actual fact a Drake's coffee cake.

...The Eagle Editorialist is amused at the formation of an organization that's all the rage in High Society. "One Husband, Inc." is a club for women who pledge to have only one husband, ever. The organization was formed in Hollywood, where "members of the Movie Colony collect husbands like some people collect postage stamps."...

The jokes write themselves.

...Gossip columnist Clifford Evans reports that Brooklyn football magnate Dan Topping is still trying to make Sonja Henie his Mrs., and is offering her as an incentive the leading role in a touring ice show he's planning for the chain of sports arenas he wants to build around the country....

Hmm, if Ms. Henie is considering being Mr. Topping's wife based on his offer to her of a leading role in a touring ice show, then she probably isn't a prime candidate for the "One Husband, Inc." club.

...
"Hey Joe, how longzit been since we went out steppin'?" "Not long enough."...

Good for Joe, he's normally on the receiving end of the barb.

...The president of the American Tobacco Company says he'll resign if his board of directors goes along with a stockholder plan to cut his pay. George Washington Hill opposes the proposal to reduce "extra incentive" pay by fifty percent. In 1939, Hill earned more than twice his regular salary from such incentives....

Evergreen argument.

... Still no love lost....

Agreed. It will be interesting to see if Tuthill builds on the Oakdale-cousin romance or if that was just a tossed-off one-time thing.

... Just a minute, kid. How do you know kindly avuncular old Dad isn't also in league with Louie? Maybe that whole scene was staged to flush you out. Just something to think about....

Maybe, but it seems a quite elaborate way to get to Leona. Who's she, really? Just shoot her when she walks out at night. Leave the gun, take the cannoli.

...

The pressing issues of the day as always are carefully considered by the American people.....

Love the passion - they wrote a note, addressed an envelope, affixed a stamp and walk to a post box just to get these thoughts out there.

...(The scanning quality of the comic section today is not particularly good, so we'll stick with the Tribune for those, at least until the issues are resolved.)....

Thank you, much appreciated.

... Keep that in mind, kid, or people will be writing in desperate letters about you next.....

It's such a silly pun that it kinda works.

...
Are we sure Min and Jo aren't sisters?....

Seriously

...
Wait, PAT HAS A MACHINE GUN???? Why didn't he just SHOOT OUT THE DOOR?????....

1. Pat to the rescue and (coming) 2. Singh-Singh's "happy" day when he discovers it's Cheery not April for his new harem addition.

... View attachment 217053
John's distaste for Nick Gatt seems to be evaporating by the day.....

Nick's got real skills in that world and, right now, Annie needs access to those skills.

... View attachment 217052
I've never really stopped to think about Dick Tracy as a man of faith, but I imagine his god is a stern Old Testament-type figure of harsh retribution. So if the kid dies, Tracy, you're really in for it.

Also, if you are appealing for sympathy and divine intervention, referring to the baby as an "it" might not be the way to go as I've heard my share of lectures that babies are not "its."

 

[LizzieMaine]

Adolf Hitler today told US Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles that the price of peace so far as Germany is concerned is unrestricted Nazi hegemony over Bohemia-Moravia, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary, territories with a total population of about 130,000,000, along with pledges from Britain and France that those nations will not "stir up" the Balkans or Scandanavia. The United Press reports that Hitler also "questioned the neutrality of the United States" in his face-to-face meeting with the Undersecretary in Berlin today.

A German freighter is being towed into Trinidad today after its capture by a British cruiser near the Pan-American neutrality zone. The German vessel Heidelberg is the second loss to the Nazi merchant fleet in two days, with the British having intercepted the German merchant vessel Troja yesterday. The crew of that ship set it on fire rather than surrender.

Finnish forces are staging a last-ditch defense of Viipuri, with Russian troops only a few miles outside the city. Reports from Moscow claim Soviet troops are already within the outskirts of the city.

Racketeer Louis "Lepke" Buchalter faces life in prison, and one of his chief lieutenants could face sentences totaling 450 years following their conviction today in General Sessions Court in Manhattan. Buchalter and co-defendant Max Silverman were found guilty of extortion charges connected to the bakery and trucking rackets after a 39-day trail. Also convicted was Silverman's son Harold, who faces a term of up to 7 1/2 years behind bars. Buchalter also faces a fourteen year sentence following his conviction on federal narcotics smuggling charges.

A paper box company that left Brooklyn last year in favor of Newark, New Jersey will return to its native borough, bringing with it fifty jobs. The Atlantic Paper Box Company has leased a two-story-and-basement factory building at the corner of Sands and Adams Streets, with company officials stating that they returned to Brooklyn in order to take full advantage of the local market for paper boxes. Company president Morris Gold says only Brooklyn workers will be hired.

A mysterious hoaxer who convinced opera star Lotte Lehman to sing to him over the telephone under the pretense of a radio broadcast has sent the bewildered soprano a magnum of champagne, a dozen roses, and a note of apology. Miss Lehman was awakened at 1:30 AM on January 30th by a telephone call from a "Mr. Crawford of NBC" who demanded to know why she was not present in the studio for "the March of Dimes Broadcast." The caller convinced Miss Lehman to sing "Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes" over the telephone, claiming that millions of people, including President Roosevelt himself, were listening in on the call, and threatening her with a "lifetime ban from the air" if she failed to perform. Miss Lehman sang, "in poor voice," the first verse of the song before her caller hung up. A subsequent check with NBC revealed no such "Mr. Crawford" with the network. The note of apology, written on the stationery of a swank hotel claimed that the stunt left its perpetrator feeling deeply ashamed of what he had done, and he begged the singer's forgiveness. The hotel also disclaimed any knowledge of a "Mr. Crawford."

With testimony concluded yesterday in the extortion trial of Dr. Abraham Ditchick, summations to the jury will begin on Monday. Yesterday's testimony concluded with Mrs. Florence Ditchick, wife of the defendant on the stand, and Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen, who is personally prosecuting the case, attempted on cross-examination to discredit her claims that the large amounts of money moving thru her husband's investment accounts did not originate as blackmail payments from abortion doctors.

A prominent cantor advises his many friends that he is, in fact, not dead -- despite rumors which have swirled around Brooklyn claiming his demise. Cantor Liebele Waldman, who is well known for his radio broadcasting work, denied the stories of his passing from his bed at Madison Park Hospital, where he is recovering from an appendectomy. The rumors appear to have begun with a radio broadcast in which the announcer mentioned that the sponsor of Cantor Waldman's broadcasts had died, causing listeners to misinterpret the statement.

(Speaking of vintage remedies, my mother fed me this stuff whenever she heard me cough. It didn't work. It's an emulsion of cod liver oil, gentian root extract, and alcohol. You might get some vitamins from it, but that assumes you can force yourself to swallow it.)

(Oh yes. This too.)

The Eagle Editorialist tries to joke about the British seizing as contraband a recent shipment of human skeletons from Germany to the US, saying that "studying Nazi skeletons" might help find a cure. In retrospect, however, it's unlikely that these were *Nazi* skeletons.

"National Whirligig" columnist Ray Tucker says he has good reason to believe that the "Draft Roosevelt For A Third Term" movement is being personally directed by President Roosevelt himself.

Gossip columnist Clifford Evans says there's a pretty good chance that Coney Island's venerable Luna Park may not reopen this year. The park, which first opened in 1903, has struggled in recent seasons.

Dodger second baseman Pete Coscarart is in camp and in uniform -- but he still hasn't signed his 1940 contract. Larry MacPhail says Pete has agreed to sign, it's now just a matter of which of two offers he'll accept.

It'll be a while before rookie Pete Reiser will be ready to take his place as a major league outfielder. In yesterday's intrasquad games, he muffed an easy fly ball and then "uncorked an ungodly wild throw."

Today's the first really big day of the 1940 racing season, with Seabiscuit putting his comeback on the line in the Santa Anita Handicap before a crowd anticipated to exceedc 70,000 persons. Hear the race described by Oscar Otis over WEAF at 7PM.

Lowell Thomas is doing fine with his three-a-week television simulcasts of his nightly radio news program -- except with women viewers, who say Thomas isn't as good looking as they'd expected.

And Peggy dies a little more inside...

And as they step out the door, a delivery truck full of slot machines pulls up...

Dan auditions a new dance act for the Club Buccaneer.

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News, scans of which are badly distorted today and required much image correction (that's what happens when you go with the low bid...)

Banjo? Accordion? Hey ocarina players, get ready, you're next.

Kids Today.

That's your "one phone call," bub.

"Stop and Frisk," 1940 style.

Ohhhhhhhh, Skeezix....

No wonder little Chester doesn't want to stay at home.

Look at the bright side, Mamie -- at least you got rid of Willie.

Well, if you ever go back to the butcher shop, maybe this guy can give you some pointers.

Ah. Sorry. Didn't hear you come in.

 

[Fading Fast]

...Racketeer Louis "Lepke" Buchalter faces life in prison, and one of his chief lieutenants could face sentences totaling 450 years following their conviction today in General Sessions Court in Manhattan. Buchalter and co-defendant Max Silverman were found guilty of extortion charges connected to the bakery and trucking rackets after a 39-day trail. Also convicted was Silverman's son Harold, who faces a term of up to 7 1/2 years behind bars. Buchalter also faces a fourteen year sentence following his conviction on federal narcotics smuggling charges.....

Same initials and lilt as Leona's gangster Louie Bonetti.

...A mysterious hoaxer who convinced opera star Lotte Lehman to sing to him over the telephone under the pretense of a radio broadcast has sent the bewildered soprano a magnum of champagne, a dozen roses, and a note of apology. Miss Lehman was awakened at 1:30 AM on January 30th by a telephone call from a "Mr. Crawford of NBC" who demanded to know why she was not present in the studio for "the March of Dimes Broadcast." The caller convinced Miss Lehman to sing "Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes" over the telephone, claiming that millions of people, including President Roosevelt himself, were listening in on the call, and threatening her with a "lifetime ban from the air" if she failed to perform. Miss Lehman sang, "in poor voice," the first verse of the song before her caller hung up. A subsequent check with NBC revealed no such "Mr. Crawford" with the network. The note of apology, written on the stationery of a swank hotel claimed that the stunt left its perpetrator feeling deeply ashamed of what he had done, and he begged the singer's forgiveness. The hotel also disclaimed any knowledge of a "Mr. Crawford."...

Yes it's wrong, but you got to give him some serious points for creativity.

...Dodger second baseman Pete Coscarart is in camp and in uniform -- but he still hasn't signed his 1940 contract. Larry MacPhail says Pete has agreed to sign, it's now just a matter of which of two offers he'll accept....

Sign first, have lawyer confirm all is good, then, practice - never risk injury without a signed contract.

...Lowell Thomas is doing fine with his three-a-week television simulcasts of his nightly radio news program -- except with women viewers, who say Thomas isn't as good looking as they'd expected.....

Really early TV - right (not for the UK, but for the US)?

... And Peggy dies a little more inside.....

Tuthill is a masochist - first Jo, now Peggy and soon both. It's painful to watch.

... And as they step out the door, a delivery truck full of slot machines pulls up.......

And again, the lights go out in the diner; I get it now, it's to show that those two only see each other and everything else disappears for them, but still. Also, how norms have changed: today, if some guy a woman all but doesn't know offered to walk her home, it would be a danger alert.

... (that's what happens when you go with the low bid...)....

...
Banjo? Accordion? Hey ocarina players, get ready, you're next.....

1. "Now I don't know if we'll get married at all." So, you can't get married overnight, hence, you decide that this lifelong commitment isn't that important to you after all. What the heck. Clearly, not a candidate for the "One Husband, Inc." club.

2. Perhaps pater Cohen should have daughter Mary read the current storyline in "Mary Worth" to turn her off to nightclub work.

...
Kids Today.....

If what is shown on TV and in movies today and what the few younger people I know and trust tell me, then the world really, truly has changed as kids (not all, but many) are so sexually active - doing everything - and at a young age that "necking" is like talking to them about writing on a stone tablet.

...[
That's your "one phone call," bub.....

This story line is drifting into silly world.

...
"Stop and Frisk," 1940 style.....

Heck, beyond "stop and frisk" (which was darn aggressive back then), what I "love" about '30s and '40s policing is the willingness of the police to fire their guns, early, often and indiscriminately as long as some crook is nearby or thought to be nearby.

...
Ohhhhhhhh, Skeezix......

She dropped that haymaker right in there, didn't she? Nice drawing of the streetcar in the snow (thank you for the good scans).

...
No wonder little Chester doesn't want to stay at home.....

All any sane person could do would be to flee from the Gump's or Bungle's household as soon as he or she could. Run, run hard, ran far and don't look back.

...
Well, if you ever go back to the butcher shop, maybe this guy can give you some pointers.....

What? He's about to kill his putative rival, but spies meat on the table, so he stops and offers to share the food with him. Were nutballs like this more common back then?

...
Ah. Sorry. Didn't hear you come in.

All hope for rescue now falls on the slim shoulders of April.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Pete Coscarart, the Bouncing Basque, is one of my favorite players of the Era -- not only was he a fine second baseman, he was also a pioneering labor activist who helped lay much of the groundwork for baseball's pension system. And the Lords of the Game never forgave him for it -- he lived long enough to be abused on his deathbed by "Hall of Famer" Bud Selig.

Regular television programming is approaching its first anniversary as of March 1940, and there are several hundred sets in use around New York. RCA has also established a "test community" in the town of Newburgh, where sets were sold below cost to get them into as many homes as possible as a real-world test of the whole system. When "public opinion" is mentioned in such articles as this one, it's Newburgh they're talking about.

I'm especially taken by the vegetable vendor's quavering YI-I-I-I! Usually that's what evildoers say as Punjab slices their heads off with a scimitar. Fortunately for Axel, Daddy's henchmen have not yet learned of his presence.

I dunno what the deal is with Harold's knife-happy friend there, but if his pose is any indication, our boy has a real future as a professional limbo dancer.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Adolf Hitler's goal in Europe is "living space" and unlimited access to raw materials. So stated the Nazi leader to Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles in their ninety-four minute parley in Berlin yesterday. In addition to demanding full control of Bohemia-Moravia, Slovakia, and German-occupied Poland, and the withdrawal of Britain and France from any efforts to "stir up" Scandanavia or the Balkans, Hitler also demanded the return of all German colonies taken away under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The Fuehrer also told a blandly-smiling Welles that Germany is "most desirous" of an improvement in German-American relations.

Following his session with Hitler, the Undersecretary lunched with German Reichsbank president Dr. Hjalmar Schacht, met with American officials at the US Embassy, dined again with Baron Ernst von Weissacker, and attended an evening performance of "The Marriage of Figaro" at the State Opera House. Tomorrow, Welles is scheduled to confer with German Air Minister Reichsmarshal Hermann Goering and possibly also with Nazi Party secretary Rudolf Hess.

Russian sources say Soviet troops have taken control of the railroad station at Viipuri along with the southern sector of the city itself. Red Army communiques also state that two towns east Viipuri have been taken.

A dog injured in an accident at the intersection of Throop and McDonough Streets in Bedford-Stuyvesant that claimed the life of its master returned home to lead the wife of the dead man to his body. 71 year old Harry Edwards, a retired businessman living at 279 Macon Street had been out walking with the five-year-old brown shepherd dog who had acted as a guide to him since his eyesight began to fail. But both dog and master were struck down at the intersection by an auto driven by 33-year-old Edward Collier, a chauffeur, of 479 Throop Avenue. Mr. Edwards died instantly, and the dog's leg was injured. In the excitement, the dog limped away, back to the Edwards residence, and began pulling at Mrs. Edwards' clothing and stomping around the kitchen, until she followed it back to the scene of the accident. They arrived just in time for Mrs. Edwards to identify her husband's body to Detective William Flynn of the Gates Avenue station, who was searching the dead man's clothing for any marks of identification.

The sister of banking magnate J. P. Morgan was in a high dudgeon today when she was barred from boarding an Italian liner bound for Europe. It seems Miss Anne Morgan had forgotten both her passport and her tickets in the rush to get from her Sutton Place residence to the pier on time, and when authorities barred her from the ship without regard for her name, she exploded. When reporters gathered to investigate the situation Miss Morgan angrily directed them to "Get the hell out of here!" Miss Morgan was ready to go home fuming when a maid arrived with her misplaced papers, allowing her to board the ship just in time for its departure. (Some things never change.)

Brooklyn's famous old Crescent Athletic Club could be doomed unless it signs up at least a hundred and fifty new members. Officials of the fifty-six-year-old organization, headquartered for nearly forty of those years in a townhouse at 129 Pierrepont Street, say the costs of operation and maintenance of the club and its clubhouse now exceed the ability of the current membership to keep pace, and without a sharp increase in membership, the club will have no choice but to shut down. The club's Board of Governors has recommended that it cease operations no later than March 15th, but a special meeting will be held in the club rooms Tuesday night to consider any alternative plan that might keep the doors open.

The elderly recluse known around her Sterling Place neighborhood as "Bundles Mary" left an estate including $59,960 in cash, along with valuable antiques which will likely bring a considerable sum at auction. Administrators for the estate of Miss Katherine Powers, who was found barely alive in her trash-strewn home on January 23rd, and subsequently died of starvation at Kings County Hospital, say the cash was distributed among accounts in five different banks. In addition to the cash, quantities of stocks and bonds were unearthed from the bundles of rags and papers that littered the apartment. Administrators have determined that nine relatives, five of them living in Brooklyn and one in Queens, will share in the proceeds of the estate.

("Take a seat, toots!" says Sally. "He's mine!" "Who's yers?" says Joe. "Nevvamind," murmurs Sally.)

("Hey, what's this fell outa ya pockabook?" "IT'S NUTHIN! I BOUGHT SOME GUM! MIND YA BIZNESS!")

The Eagle Editorialist, reviewing the Academy Awards presented last week, agrees with the choice of "Gone With The Wind" for Best Picture, but notes that this should not detract from any of the other outstanding pictures released in 1939. Ye Ed predicts that the year be "a movie year long to be remembered."

The Brooklyn Music School Settlement needs a boy or girl interested in learning to play the tuba. The big bass horn is the only instrument not represented in the school orchestra, and instructor Morris Corzine is actively searching for a willing pupil to take on the challenge. Interested students may apply at the School's office at 126 St. Felix Street.

Lou Gehrig, missing his first spring training since 1924, will be Bill Stern's guest tonight on the Colgate Sports Newsreel program, heard at 9:45pm over WJZ.

"Trend's" cover boy this week wears His Father's Moustache...

Ted Shawn and his men dancers begin their farewell tour with a performance tomorrow evening at the Brooklyn Academy of Music of "Dance Of The Ages," described as "an elemental rhythsmus in four movements."

The first full-length play by Ernest Hemingway opens on Broadway on Wednesday under the auspicies of the Theatre Guild. "The Fifth Column," adapted for the stage by Benjamin Glazer, will feature Franchot Tone, Katherine Locke, Lenore Ulric, Lee J. Cobb and Arnold Moss.

Olivia deHavilland would appreciate it very much if critics and columnists would stop calling her "sweet." She believes the word implies stupidity, and she is not that.

Seabiscuit became the top money-winning horse in turf history yesterday when the once-crippled little castoff surged to a 2 minute and 1 and 1/5 second victory in the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap. With the dramatic victory, the Biscuit's total career earnings now stand at $437,730. One of the largest crowds in racing history roared with excitement as the grand old trouper came charging down the stretch with the greatest run of his seven years on the track. The win may or may not mark the end of the famous horse's racing career. Seabiscuit's owner says he'll make a decision on that question sometime next week.

Pete Coscarart's many fans will be pleased to know he signed his Dodger contract yesterday. Dolph Camilli and outfielder Dixie Walker are the last two unsigned Dodgers.

Old Timer James Stanton remembers the old days down by the Greenpoint vinegar works, to say nothing of Peter Cooper's smelly old glue factory and the enticing aroma of the National Licorice Company.

Stop whining and keep paddling!

"The very idea! I'm a married woman! Oh, wait, actually, I'm not -- and what Bill doesn't know won't hurt him. Pucker up, big boy!"

Ten minutes after completing his inspiring Crime Does Not Pay lecture, Daniel Dunn was arrested for passing a bad check for $1.73 at a candy store in Brownsville. Dunn used the name of a little-known cartoonist named Norman Marsh in signing the worthless instrument.

 

[Fading Fast]

...Seabiscuit became the top money-winning horse in turf history yesterday when the once-crippled little castoff surged to a 2 minute and 1 and 1/5 second victory in the $100,000 Santa Anita Handicap. With the dramatic victory, the Biscuit's total career earnings now stand at $437,730. One of the largest crowds in racing history roared with excitement as the grand old trouper came charging down the stretch with the greatest run of his seven years on the track. The win may or may not mark the end of the famous horse's racing career. Seabiscuit's owner says he'll make a decision on that question sometime next week.....

Has to be in the top five of most-amazing comebacks to ever happen in sports and could easily argue for the number-one spot.

...
Ten minutes after completing his inspiring Crime Does Not Pay lecture, Daniel Dunn was arrested for passing a bad check for $1.73 at a candy store in Brownsville. Dunn used the name of a little-known cartoonist named Norman Marsh in signing the worthless instrument.

How come when Tracy played him in "Boys Town" he wasn't bald?

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...
.

Mr. Geery's estate might consider National Personal Finance Co., since they won't be getting any insurance settlement on his partner.

(Nah, Doris is a fat bald guy from Elmhurst who's been divorced three times. Now, Helen Worth, on the other hand, is the real deal...)

Mr. Gould is having proportion problems today. Junior would have to be at least four feet tall to stand at the level he's standing at outside the cell door, but Dick would have to be seven or eight feet tall or have freakishly short arms for panel six to make sense. Of course, "proportion" and "Dick Tracy" seldom go well together anyway...

"Gluck?"

If these kids had "chile and ice cream" before supper, I suspect that the atmosphere at the table is about to become even more highly charged.

And here's April. And the grinning fellow in the last panel appears to be none other than George Webster Confucius -- "Connie" -- who is Pat's interpreter and general majordomo. How he got embedded with the Invader Army we don't know -- but his presence suggests that Terry and The Dragon Lady must be very close by.

It didn't take Kayo's missing dog long to find a new home.

"Don't Lose Your Power As A God!" What a great slogan for Ray-O-Vac. Boys, get on it.

 

[Fading Fast]

... Mr. Gould is having proportion problems today. Junior would have to be at least four feet tall to stand at the level he's standing at outside the cell door, but Dick would have to be seven or eight feet tall or have freakishly short arms for panel six to make sense. Of course, "proportion" and "Dick Tracy" seldom go well together anyway......

The storyline is equally off kilter right now. If it was a TV show, we'd say it jumped the shark.

...
"Gluck?"...

Haven't looked in recent years and say what we (all) will about The Boys, but certainly into the '00s, Chiclets was still rocking' that awkward package. For whatever reason, that was the gum my mom always bought for herself. I find it either quirky or I don't like it (depends on the day), but she loves it even deep into her eighth decade.

... And here's April. And the grinning fellow in the last panel appears to be none other than George Webster Confucius -- "Connie" -- who is Pat's interpreter and general majordomo. How he got embedded with the Invader Army we don't know -- but his presence suggests that Terry and The Dragon Lady must be very close by....

Agreed - April's been MIA too long - I was hoping she was going to be the savior. Thank you for the color on Connie; otherwise, I'd have been lost; I thought maybe Twiddle-wit was the one responsible for the blanks.

 

[LizzieMaine]

On looking at that panel again, I'm not sure it is Connie -- he has bigger ears, although it's kind of hard to tell the way the scene is shadowed. If it *is* Twiddle-wit, that's a real twist -- a triple agent, possibly affiliated with the Dragon Lady.

The other question that comes to mind is -- the third person being shot there was supposed to be Cue-Ball. How did April get in there? And where's Cue-Ball? Is he a multi-agent too? Or did April knock him over the head with a blackjack and steal his clothes?

I'M CONFUSED.

I had no idea that was a "television package," but yes, it's the one I remember too. I always preferred the fruit flavored Chiclets, but was annoyed the box never had enough of the orange ones. Must've been a channel we didn't get well.

 

[Fading Fast]

On looking at that panel again, I'm not sure it is Connie -- he has bigger ears, although it's kind of hard to tell the way the scene is shadowed. If it *is* Twiddle-wit, that's a real twist -- a triple agent, possibly affiliated with the Dragon Lady.

The other question that comes to mind is -- the third person being shot there was supposed to be Cue-Ball. How did April get in there? And where's Cue-Ball? Is he a multi-agent too? Or did April knock him over the head with a blackjack and steal his clothes?

I'M CONFUSED.

I had no idea that was a "television package," but yes, it's the one I remember too. I always preferred the fruit flavored Chiclets, but was annoyed the box never had enough of the orange ones. Must've been a channel we didn't get well.

"T&TP" is simply confusing right now - much to untangle.

I had no idea either about the "television package," but as noted, I grew up with that gum alway in my mom's pocket/pocket book or nearby.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Democratic City Council Vice Chairman John Cashmore will be elected this afternoon as Brooklyn's 12th Borough President, to serve until a borough-wide special election this November, where he is expected to run for a full term. Cashmore, who also serves as the Council's majority leader, emerged as the leading candidate after Councilman Joseph T. Sharkey withdrew his name from consideration and endorsed Cashmore for the office. Sharkey is expected to succeed Cashmore as Council Vice Chairman and Majority leader.

Cashmore will be sworn in at Borough Hall at 5pm today by Supreme Court Justice Francis D. McGarey, who had served alongside the new Borough President on the now-defunct Board of Aldermen. Cashmore succeeds Raymond V. Ingersoll, Fusionist, who died nine days ago. Brooklyn Fusionist Councilwoman Genevieve Earle, a longtime ally of Ingersoll, rose from her sickbed, where she is recovering from a throat infection, to oppose Cashmore's election, but was outvoted by the Democratic majority on the Brooklyn council delegation.

Three poorly-dressed bandits held up the downtown Hotel Bossert today, escaping with $150 in cash and $400 in checks sent over the weekend to the Finnish Relief Committee, which has its headquarters at the hotel. In their haste to escape, the robbers overlooked $2500 in cash in an unlocked office safe. The three men entered thru the front revolving door in the lobby of the Montague Street establishment around 4 AM, and with hands held menacingly in their pockets, ordered the night clerk to put up his hands. The clerk, along with the night porter and the hotel switchboard operator, were shoved into the telephone room and guarded by one of the men while the other two rifled the front desk. The men, described as between 25 and 30 years of age escaped thru the front exit before police could be summoned.

A storm that could rival the hurricane of 1938 in destructive power raged along the Eastern Seaboard today with driving freezing rain and a 40-mile-an-hour northeast wind pounding the coastline and covering large portions of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New England with ice. New York City escaped serious damage, with the worst effects of the storm reported in Queens and the Bronx, where ice knocked about a thousand fire-alarm call boxes out of commission.

The defense attorney for Dr. Abraham Ditchick, accused extortionist, summed up his case today before a blue-ribbon jury in Brooklyn Supreme Court by charging that the case against his client was a "buildup" for Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen. Defense counsel Milton Hertz accused "someone" in the Amen Office of tampering with certain pieces of evidence to support the case against his client, "in order to perpetuate themselves in office at the expense of taxpayers."

(It isn't much fun for the minks.)

The body of a man clad in a black bathing suit was found today in the flooded basement of a one-story brick building in Sunnyside, Queens, following a three-alarm fire that swept thru the structure the morning. Police identified the dead man as 45-year-old George Nodine of Manhattan, who was reported to be a handyman who tended who tended furnaces and did odd jobs in the neighborhood. The building, on Queens Boulevard between 41st and 42nd Streets, burned out ten stores in the building before it was brought under control before 8AM. Police theorize that Nodine fell asleep while tending the furnace, and was overcome by smoke before he could awaken and get to safety.

"A Free Soul" writes to Helen Worth to chide her for her recent advice against religiously-mixed marriages, noting that she is a Jewish woman who has been married to a Catholic for 33 years -- and he is, in fact, her second Gentile husband. She declares that she has always been respectful of her husbands' beliefs and her husbands have been respectful of hers. She also suggests that if there were more such marriages, the world would be a more tolerant place. Helen commends "Free Soul" for her adherence to the real principles of Americanism.

A motion to dismiss three departmental charges against Police Lieutenant Cuthbert Behan on the grounds that he was acquitted on those charges in criminal court was itself dismissed today by Special Deputy Police Commissioner Jeremiah T. Mahoney. Lieutenant Behan is to be tried on a total of thirty charges over the course the departmental trial, most relating to incidents connected to the Brooklyn bail bond racket.

Representatives of the boxing world took the stand today in the murder trial of Ernest Walter Kehler, amateur prizefighter also known as Ernie Haas, who is accused in the December beating death of German consular secretary Dr. Walter Engelberg. Boxer Philip Mitchell told the court he saw Kehler and the Nazi official together in the lobby of the Knights of Columbus Club in Manhattan on November 14th, three weeks before the murder.

Now at the Patio, it's Allan Jones and Mary Martin in "The Great Victor Herbert," paired with Lew Ayers and Lionel Barrymore in "The Secret of Dr. Kildare."

Modern dentistry celebrates its centennial this year, with modern American dental education having begun in 1840, and Brooklyn's dentists are planning to celebrate the anniversary with a dinner at the Bossert Hotel on March 11th. Did you know that Brooklyn dentist Rodriguez Ottolengui was a pioneer who made important advances in the science of root canal therapy -- and he also pioneered the publication of dental periodicals in this country?

"Atom smashing therapy" is a new technique with promising benefits in the treatment of cancer. Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a technique using "smashed bits of atoms" to pulverize cancer cells and prevent their spread in the body. The procedure is said to be five times as effective against cancer as X-ray therapy.

The Dodgers are still a few days away from their first Grapefruit League game of the spring, but Leo Durocher has already decided that Joe Vosmik will be his starting left fielder. The newly-acquired Vosmik, picked up for cash from the Boston Red Sox last month, has shown sufficient promise to oust Ernie Koy from the lineup, at least for the spring. Ironically, Koy was the one outfielder to turn in a consistent performance for the Dodgers in 1939.

Although the Americans are still thirty-one points out of first place in the National Hockey League, they still have a chance to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs, with their 3-0 win over Montreal giving them a six-point lead over the last place Canadiens.

Seabiscuit might run in the $50,000 Hollywood Gold Cup race this summer. Owner Charles Howard and Trainer Tom Smith hint that the winner of the Santa Anita Handicap looks to be in better health than ever, never fitter or more "full of run."

Book critic Arthur Rhodes is very impressed with "Native Son" by Richard Wright, a "noisy, sizzling, compassionate psychological novel" that is "the greatest novel ever written by an American Negro author."

WOR will introduce a new "All-Negro" radio program on Wednesday, March 13th. Hosted by noted Harlem impresario Richard Huey, and produced by Geraldine Garrick, "The Sheep and Goats Hour" will combine "sheep-like" preachers, choirs, and spiritual singers with "goat-like" boogie-woogie musicians, blues singers and assorted "Harlem Hi-De-Ho" artists.

One of the notable characteristics of the Bungles is that they never hear a word you say.

"Um, I notice how much you seem to enjoy doing dishes -- and -- well, it's like this. I need a housekeeper. I'll pay eighteen dollars a week, with Tuesdays off..."

From the expression on the kindly Reverend's face there, he just wants Dan to take his kids and leave, so he can get back to the sacramental wine.

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Isn't there some immigration quota they can impose on seedy European royalty?

I dunno, have you seen Goering lately?

Pat auditions to be the new face on the sign at Steeplechase Park.

I bet Pat just loves it that the Invader knows him as "The Handsome American."

There used to be an ad campaign, "Be Nonchalant, Light a Murad." John is disappointed that campaign is over.

On the condition you'll use part of it to get a better haircut.

"Hmmm.. swords, daggers, scimitars -- you don't happen to have any meat cleavers, do you? I'm pretty good with those."

Ahhhh, this'll be fun.

An alcoholic, a bum, and a smart-mouthed six-year-old. WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

 

[Fading Fast]

...Three poorly-dressed bandits held up the downtown Hotel Bossert today, escaping with $150 in cash and $400 in checks sent over the weekend to the Finnish Relief Committee, which has its headquarters at the hotel. In their haste to escape, the robbers overlooked $2500 in cash in an unlocked office safe. The three men entered thru the front revolving door in the lobby of the Montague Street establishment around 4 AM, and with hands held menacingly in their pockets, ordered the night clerk to put up his hands. The clerk, along with the night porter and the hotel switchboard operator, were shoved into the telephone room and guarded by one of the men while the other two rifled the front desk. The men, described as between 25 and 30 years of age escaped thru the front exit before police could be summoned.....

"Three poorly dressed..." Really, that was the one salient part of the description?

Also, they stole $400 in checks. How exactly does that work as banks don't just randomly cash what would have to be presented as third-party checks to, well, poorly dressed (kidding aside) customers they don't know and trust?

...The defense attorney for Dr. Abraham Ditchick, accused extortionist, summed up his case today before a blue-ribbon jury in Brooklyn Supreme Court by charging that the case against his client was a "buildup" for Assistant Attorney General John H. Amen. Defense counsel Milton Hertz accused "someone" in the Amen Office of tampering with certain pieces of evidence to support the case against his client, "in order to perpetuate themselves in office at the expense of taxpayers."....

This guy seems guilty as can be, but it wasn't clear from the newspaper reports that the prosecutor did a good job; whereas, the defense seemed spirited despite the compelling evidence against its client. As we await the verdict, it's time to bring out Kermit again.

...
(It isn't much fun for the minks.)....

Thinking the same thing. To make the "expense free" experience more real, why don't they show them clubbing the minks to death.

...A motion to dismiss three departmental charges against Police Lieutenant Cuthbert Behan on the grounds that he was acquitted on those charges in criminal court was itself dismissed today by Special Deputy Police Commissioner Jeremiah T. Mahoney. Lieutenant Behan is to be tried on a total of thirty charges over the course the departmental trial, most relating to incidents connected to the Brooklyn bail bond racket....

This is why a scorecard for Behan is necessary - today's development could be captured with a small notation.

...Modern dentistry celebrates its centennial this year, with modern American dental education having begun in 1840, and Brooklyn's dentists are planning to celebrate the anniversary with a dinner at the Bossert Hotel on March 11th. Did you know that Brooklyn dentist Rodriguez Ottolengui was a pioneer who made important advances in the science of root canal therapy -- and he also pioneered the publication of dental periodicals in this country?....

Like every sentient being on earth, I dislike going to the dentist, but also consider modern dentistry one of civilization's / the industrial revolution's greatest gift to man. My 87 year-old mother has all her teeth for three reason, 1. good genes (luck), 2. good dental hygiene (her effort) and 3. modern dentistry (she's had her share of work done to save a tooth now and then that employed skills/technology/knowledge that didn't even exist when she was born or, in one case, only a few decades ago).

... One of the notable characteristics of the Bungles is that they never hear a word you say.....

That is the only way they could live together and not kill each other.

... "Um, I notice how much you seem to enjoy doing dishes -- and -- well, it's like this. I need a housekeeper. I'll pay eighteen dollars a week, with Tuesdays off..."....

That would be the perfect knee to the groin.

I didn't like b*tch Leona, but this wet noodle, Voltaire version isn't much better - she needs get back in the game and start throwing some punches. Life will knock you down and keep you down if you don't fight back.

... From the expression on the kindly Reverend's face there, he just wants Dan to take his kids and leave, so he can get back to the sacramental wine.

Again, he looked much more kindly and spiritual, but with enough gumption to corral teenage boys, when Spencer Tracy played him in "Boys Town."

...
Isn't there some immigration quota they can impose on seedy European royalty?...

Is it really incognito when your incognito name is listed in the newspaper?

And, based on his getup, it is just possible that Otto is really here to audition for any role that Errol Flynn turns down.

...
I dunno, have you seen Goering lately?...

...
I bet Pat just loves it that the Invader knows him as "The Handsome American."...

I caught that too. I'm thinking Captain Invader there took a quick pic of "The Handsome American" for his backpack - it can get lonely at night on maneuvers.

...
There used to be an ad campaign, "Be Nonchalant, Light a Murad." John is disappointed that campaign is over....

"...somebody with dough and a heart..." This kid is street-smart mature well beyond her years.

...
"Hmmm.. swords, daggers, scimitars -- you don't happen to have any meat cleavers, do you? I'm pretty good with those."...

It's possible Carl Ed had a mini stroke right before he created the character of Igor.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I imagine what really happened at the Bossert was that these guys were just trying to get in out of the cold, only to discover that fine hotels frown on poorly-dressed men just loafing around the lobby. They had to do *something* to justify their presence, and sticking up the joint sounded like a reasonable thing to do at the time. There were actually rackets that paid something like fifty cents on the dollar for hot checks, so at least they should be able to get some small return on their efforts...

I figured it'd be open and shut for Ditchick, but this Hertz guy seems to be on the ball. What's that they say about Amen, he never gets the convictions?

Leona, to me, has all the symptoms of someone still living in a state of shock. It's only been a couple of months since she lost her parents and her entire way of life, and ever since then she's been walking around in a state of semi-consciouness, making impulsive decisions, displaying occasional bits of mania -- she's as out of it as Harold Teen.

Speaking of whom, his expression in those first two panels made me laugh out loud. Even he can't fathom what the deal is with this guy. Covina was never like this.

Prince Otto, if he doesn't catch on in Hollywood, could probably get a gig posing for Dutch Masters cigar ads.

 

[Fading Fast]

I imagine what really happened at the Bossert was that these guys were just trying to get in out of the cold, only to discover that fine hotels frown on poorly-dressed men just loafing around the lobby. They had to do *something* to justify their presence, and sticking up the joint sounded like a reasonable thing to do at the time. There were actually rackets that paid something like fifty cents on the dollar for hot checks, so at least they should be able to get some small return on their efforts...

I figured it'd be open and shut for Ditchick, but this Hertz guy seems to be on the ball. What's that they say about Amen, he never gets the convictions?

Leona, to me, has all the symptoms of someone still living in a state of shock. It's only been a couple of months since she lost her parents and her entire way of life, and ever since then she's been walking around in a state of semi-consciouness, making impulsive decisions, displaying occasional bits of mania -- she's as out of it as Harold Teen.

Speaking of whom, his expression in those first two panels made me laugh out loud. Even he can't fathom what the deal is with this guy. Covina was never like this.

Prince Otto, if he doesn't catch on in Hollywood, could probably get a gig posing for Dutch Masters cigar ads.

It would be interesting to learn how the rackets were able to turn those checks into actual dollars - the banking system is good at protecting its money. Clearly, they had an angle or they wouldn't have paid for the checks. I could see (off the top of my head) the rackets putting some people on the inside of banks, having them cash them and, then, quit / get fired - pure guess.

From the reports in the paper, it sounds as if the defense was beating the prosecution despite the prosecution seemingly having the stronger case. Hopefully, Amen will get a rare win / Doctor Scumbag belongs in jail.

Good point on Leona - in that context, her behavior makes more sense.

I'm still seeing Otto as the B-movie Flynn, but nothing says he couldn't make some money on the side promoting Dutch Master cigars (I remember the ads - or at least I've seen them somewhere).

 

[Fading Fast]

I imagine what really happened at the Bossert was that these guys were just trying to get in out of the cold, only to discover that fine hotels frown on poorly-dressed men just loafing around the lobby. They had to do *something* to justify their presence, and sticking up the joint sounded like a reasonable thing to do at the time. ....

I don't know - it's a pretty big step from let's get in out of the cold even if we aren't wanted here to, well, they don't want us here, so let's rob the place. I get that it happens - we've seen, even recently, some oddly "spur of the moment" crimes, so maybe - but still it's a leap. That said, the shoddiness of the job does argue it was unplanned.