The Era -- Day By Day

[PrivateEye]

Because I know how WWII turned out, but not how the 1942 baseball season did, the Dodgers news is the harder news to take today.

I've had to fight the urge to look, but it's more fun to let it play out day by day.

 

[LizzieMaine]

SPOILER ALERT: My crystal ball advises me that the time will come when ne'er-do-well Jack Topping, well-moneyed, will cross paths with George Jessel's former child-bride Lois Andrews. Won't Page Four like that.

 

[EngProf]

Oh, and...

View attachment 450837
Ew.

I'll never watch "Son of Frankenstein" in the same way...
The most amazing part of this whole "situation" is that the former Mrs. Douglas MacArthur (!) is directly involved.
(I thought we invented the Sexual Revolution in the 1970's. Apparently there is nothing new under the sun.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

I don't think there's anything we see in 2022 that we haven't seen at least once over the past three years on Page Four. "Coming Events Cast Their Shadows Before..."

 

[LizzieMaine]

(Parental unrest in the schools? What was that I just said about Coming Events and Shadows Before?)

The Italian high command revealed today a British assault by sea and air on the North African port of Tobruk, scene of an epic stand by British Imperial forces last year. In a communique thus far unsubstantiated by British authorities, the Italians said an unsuccessful attempt was made during the night to land parachute troops at Tobruk under the protection of naval vessels, from which amphibious landings were attempted. The communique asserted that the attempting landings were "completely repulsed" by the combined efforts of Italian and German forces, while costing the British two warships of unspecified size.

France was mobilized to work for Germany today under a decree of the Vichy government requiring all Frenchmen and Colonials between the ages of 18 and 50, and all unmarried French women from 21 to 35 to work "to facilitate any task the Government judges necessary to the superior interests of the nation." In its official explanation of the decree, the Vichy government acknowledged that the purpose is to provide workers for German war industry under an agreement which frees one French prisoner of war for every three French specialists sent to work in the Reich. Despite every effort of Vichy to promote the plan, Frenchmen have been "most reluctant to volunteer."

Allied forces are keeping the Japanese thrust toward Port Moseby bottled up in the towering Owen Stanley Mountains today, as Allied aircraft swept the seas surrounding the island bombing enemy supply ships. A report from General Douglas MacArthur's headquarters in Australia states that Hudson bombers of the Royal Air Force have sought out and attacked three Japanese cargo ships believed to be bound for New Guinea, and American Flying Fortresses have bombed a Japanese cruiser escorted by a destroyer off the southeast coast of New Britain.

(All across the city, candy store operators begin to sweat.)

Despite the fact that production of war goods has increase 350 percent since Pearl Harbor, production is "still not good enough," according to War Production Board chairman Donald L. Nelson. Speaking in a broadcast last night before a rally in Camden, New Jersey, Mr. Nelson warned that civilians can expect further reductions in manufactured goods available for their use, as well as reductions in the production of certain types of war material in favor of other goods more needed. The Director acknowledged that these shifts in production may result in layoffs of workers in certain industries.

(Ariel without Caliban -- the sound of one hand clapping.)

An Army of 13,000,000 men is expected to be the quota for 1943, as the Special House Committee on National Defense Migration resumes its investigation of manpower needs. Military authorities are already openly discussing the possibility of drafting married men with children next year in order to meet manpower needs. Major General Lewis B. Hershey, national director of Selective Service, has already warned married men without children to prepare for induction, and last night, in a speech before an American Legion convention in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Gen. Hershey further warned that there are not enough married men without children to meet the required quota. "There is no law requiring draft boards to exempt married men with children," he pointed out. "That is merely a practice." In addition to the likely conscription of married men with children, it is also probable, Gen. Hershey indicated, that defense workers will be required to work longer hours.

(No sweaters? But what if it's cold?)

(Must be Namm's -- they're much more refined at Loeser's and A&S.)

Undaunted by the wartime dimout, the annual Coney Island Mardi Gras parades step off tonight with bands, floats and confetti under the theme "The March To Victory." Parade routes will run along Surf Avenue from West 5th Street to West 19th Street, with the celebration set to make its official start at 7:45 pm. Tonight's marches will be dedicated to the Police Department, with emergency trucks and rifle squads escorted by marching patrolmen and patrolwomen to the music of the Police Department Band.

The publisher of the New York Inquirer, under indictment for conspiring to publish material harmful to the morale of the Armed Forces, has suffered a second heart attack. William Griffin collapsed as he was rising from his pew following Mass at St. Francis de Sales R. C. Church in Manhattan. Griffin was due to make another court appearance on the charges tomorrow, but his attorney stated this morning that he will seek a further postponement. The court date has already been postponed twice due to Griffin's medical problems. The publisher is reported to be resting today at his Manhattan home. A government physican had examined him upon his indictment and declared him "fit to stand trial."

(A grim silence hangs over the kitchen table as Joe gazes at the sports page and Sally spoons pureed beets into the unwilling Leonora. The silence is punctuated only by the slight smacking sound as Stella the Cat bathes under the stove. "Well," sighs Joe, at long last. "How 'bout 'tem Kansas City Monawchs?" "'At Satchel Paige is some pitcheh," agrees Sally in a toneless reply. "On'y went t'ree innin's, it says. Wondeh if he was feelin' awright?" "Aw, you know how it is," is Joe's mechanical reply. "Late inna season, t'ey all get wore down. Hap'ns t'evvehbody, don' it?" "Yeh," Sally concurs. "Hap'ns t'evvybody. Leonora, stop spittin' out ya beets." Leonora slaps her hands down on the tray, causing Stella to look up. "Byebum,"Leonora declares, as her parents both exhale a long, slow sigh.)

(Incidentally, the magazine piece Parrot refers to, a short story in the Saturday Evening Post, entitled "The Name of the Game," first made public the allegation that, as a Yankee rookie in 1928, Leo Durocher stole Babe Ruth's watch. Ever since the story appeared, opposing dugouts have been filled with wise guys holding up watches.)

(NOTHING SUSPCIOUS HERE)

(It's hard to get insurance on an underground lair.)

(I'M A SERIOUS DETECTIVE NOW. I HAVE NO NEED FOR COMEDY RELIEF. SORRY IRWIN.)

(That's what you get for using school paste instead of spirit gum.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

It has never been safe for women to hitchhike. Never.

The National Association of Broadcasters will no doubt have an interesting response.

"Burglary, huh? Say, listen -- let me introduce you to my little friend Driftwood..."

"YOU WON'T LET ME HAVE A GUN SO I HAD TO GET CREATIVE!"

"And would it kill you to stop wearing that YCL button?"

Awwwww, c'mon Gus, give us a peek.

Sorry kid, you're on your own.

I can't believe they're taking Wilmer and leaving this clown.

"There's this matter of a hole undermining the foundation of my bank..."

Once you've been in show business it never really leaves you.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Oh, and...

Well, this is better than the gloat we'd get if Powers was still around, and there are some good points. Leo doesn't like Dixie Walker and everybody knows it, but that shouldn't keep him from playing him. And he should have kept Reiser on the bench LONGER after the injury. You don't keep driving a car when the engine starts to bang.

 

[Fading Fast]

(Parental unrest in the schools? What was that I just said about Coming Events and Shadows Before?)
...

You're spot on Lizzie. Another way we often say it here is that very, very little is ever really new.

It is amazing that the explosions on the track of the Zephyr train didn't result in more damage or any casualties. Hopefully, we'll get some followup on this story. Still today, but even more so back then, trains were a key part of the transportation network for moving troops, supplies and weapons, to say nothing of how they supplied industry for war production.

...

(All across the city, candy store operators begin to sweat.)
...

Why that's un-American.

...

(It's hard to get insurance on an underground lair.)
...

Even if One-Eye had insured the seemingly legal water business, insurance companies are very, very good at investiging before they make big payouts and the underground lair / illegal gasoline business would void that claim. Buying insurance and collecting on it are two entirely different events, even when you are honest.

...

Awwwww, c'mon Gus, give us a peek.
...

Be careful what you wish for; images you don't want to have a way of burning themselves into your brain synapses.

Kidding aside, Edson loves to drag suspense out for several days - he does it to us all the time.

...

Sorry kid, you're on your own.
...

When the airport turns on the runway lights, you land the damn plane, kid. He's been circling the airport since we've been reading these Day by Days and the light have been turned on several times.

Oh, and...

Well, this is better than the gloat we'd get if Powers was still around, and there are some good points. Leo doesn't like Dixie Walker and everybody knows it, but that shouldn't keep him from playing him. And he should have kept Reiser on the bench LONGER after the injury. You don't keep driving a car when the engine starts to bang.

Solid arguments, but as any owner of a candy store will tell you when he's figuring the day's "receipts," the final score is the only thing that counts. Now, as someone who doesn't follow, what is is called, 'baseball," is that the game with a bat and a diamond-shaped playing field?

 

[LizzieMaine]

I might also add that I am still gaping with astonishment at the thought of stocky, lumbering Dolph Camilli, who has yet to steal more than nine bases in any season, stealing home. Has Reiser been giving lessons?

 

[LizzieMaine]

("Regardless of which team wins the National League championship." Stop gloating, Judge.)

The Civil Service Commission today assumed the power to reassign Government workers to whatever jobs it deems most useful to the war effort, and War Manpower Commission Chairman Paul V. McNutt noted that this authority may serve as a pattern for Federal control of the nation's entire civilian labor force. The power over Government employees was given to McNutt by President Roosevelt in an executive order, and McNutt then tranferred that authority to the Commission. In addition to the power to transfer Federal employees from department to department within the Government, the Commission will also have the authority to move Federal workers, where necessary, into private industry -- but only with the consent of the workers, and only under conditions of an "unpaid leave of absence." Transfers of Government workers from non-war jobs into service with war-related agencies are already taking place on a voluntary basis at a rate of 1400 per week.

Chinese troops are closing in on Kinhwa, only Chinese airbase within bombing range of Tokio to remain within Japanese hands, and have recaptured the town of Wuyi, 23 miles south of that city. A communique from Chungking reports that 500 Japanese occupation troops were killed yesterday in the battle for Wuyi, with the rest of the garrison retreating back in the direction of Kinhwa, with Chinese troops reported to be in pursuit.

Selective Service Director Maj. Gen. Louis B. Hershey disclosed today that the Army will exceed the 4,500,000 man quota set out in June by Gen. George C. Marshall by the end of this year. Gen. Hershey told the House Migraton Committee today that a new goal has been set, and while that goal has not yet been publicly disclosed, "it no longer is 4,500,000." General Hershey further stated that "we are rapidly getting to the place where what a man can do for his country transcends all other questions."

People who go to racetracks "should be placed in concentration camps," declared Magistrate Nicholas M. Pinto yesterday in Ridgewood Felony Court, in passing judgement on the case of a racing fan who claimed that he was cheated out of a winning ticket worth $182.50. In dismissing a grand jury larceny charge brought against Walter Morgan of the Bronx by Victor Bartellone of Manhattan. Barellone claimed that he had given Morgan a $50 ticket for a horse that came in fourth at Aqueduct, but when another horse was disqualified from that particular race, the ticket was worth the larger sum, and Morgan refused to give it back. Magistrate Pinto chastised both men, declaring that "this country cannot win the war if people are in such a frame of mind that they go to the race meets."

("What's to celebrate?" growls Joe. ''Sgonna be a long winteh," agrees Sally. "Leonora! Stay away f'm t'at radio." "Why ya keep puttin' it neah t'windeh?" protests Joe. "So it don't stink up t'house so much," snaps Sally.)

(If you think vaudeville is dead, you'll see it rising vigorously from the grave with that bill in "New Priorities of 1943.")

Seeking to reduce damage to auto tires, Borough President John Cashmore today urged Brooklyn schoolchildren to stop breaking bottles in the streets where cars will run over the broken glass.

Five Harlem "Nazis" were indicted today on sedition charges involving their association with the pro-Axis "Ethiopian Pacfic Movement." Five more suspects said to be involved with the group are being sought by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The five now in custody are said to be leaders of the group, which takes a pro-Japan view of the war, and encourages its members to evade the draft. "All the suspects are Negroes," save for Joseph Hartley -- identified as a member of the Christian Front who is said to be a former associate of anti-Semitic street orator Joseph McWilliams. Another suspect, identified as James Thornhill of Manhattan, is said to be a former disciple of the late Marcus A. Garvey. The "Ethiopian Pacific Movement" recruited members in Harlem by asserting that a victory for Japan will mean the establishment of "an empire for the dark races of the world."

(Well whattaya expect, it's Mineola.)

The Eagle Editorialist praises the women working as mechanics at the Navy Yard, and expresses no surprise at their excellence. "We lose sight of the fact that the machine age has has familiarized women, too, with machinery and gadgets," and asserts that with all the devices in use in the average home, from washing machines to automatic furnaces, "the average woman of 1942 has an acquaintance with machinery that far exceeds that of the average man of a couple of generations ago." The EE further predicts that the war is only the beginning of a new era that will find "feminine fingers operating levers and throttles."

(If there's one thing the funnies can't get enough of, it's middle-aged men stewing in bathtubs.)

Ration coupons representing 151,200 gallons of gasoline were stolen from the War Price and Rationing office in Perth Amboy, New Jersey during a weekend burglary. Police say the intruders broke into the office thru a skylight and removed the coupons from a locked filing cabinet, while leaving sugar rationing books untouched. Officials say no record was kept of the serial numbers of the stolen coupons.

(Two weeks left to play, and desperation hangs heavy in the air. Hey, how bout them Montreal Royals!)

Leland Stanford MacPhail was conspicuous by his absence today as baseball executives met in Chicago with Commissioner K. M. Landis to make World Series arrangements. MacPhail refused to attend the meeting, which was also attended by Cardinals owner Sam Breadon, and appointed National League President Ford Frick to act as the Dodgers' proxy in the conference. Yankees general manager Ed Barrow was also absent, but this is customary for that club, which, given its familiarity with World Series protocol, rarely has any interest in haggling over arrangements. American League President Will Harridge represented the Yankees' interests in Barrow's absence. Among the topics considered was the distribution of Series proceeds after the deduction of the players' shares to the American Red Cross and the United Service Organizations.

Sergeant Joe Louis begins serious training today for the 22nd defense of his heavyweight title, as preparations continue for his return bout October 12th against Private Billy Conn. Sgt. Louis arrived yesterday at his Greenwood Lake traning camp, where Manny Seamon will succeed the late Jack Blackburn as the Brown Bomber's trainer. Louis weighed in at 217 pounds after undergoing cavalry training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and is expected to shed at least ten pounds of that before the fight.

(Unknown to anyone, Mary slips a handful of bennies into the soup...)

(Wait'll you see what Mr. Louis Kimmel of the Independent Gasoline Retailers Association of Brooklyn and Queens has to say about THIS!)

("And as he left I heard him mumbling "I'LL SHOW 'EM! I'll SHOW 'EM ALL!")

("Look, I'm rolling on my back! I'm the CUTEST DOG EVER! AMERICA'S #1 CUTE HERO DOG!")

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Yeah, but you'll never be Miss Rheingold!

And besides, imagine all the cartoonists who would go out of business.

See kids, it's true: "Inter arma enim silent leges."

REVENGE FROM THE DEEP!

"What could go wrong?"

You know, knobhead, you've got a kid of your own. REMEMBER?

Sorry, no more biscuits. Wage freeze, doncha know.

Jeez, Lilacs -- push a sick old man out of his chair! NO FREE SODAS FOR YOU!

Keep 'em flying, kid.

Emmy is just sore that Jemail didn't use her photo today.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Oh, and...

STOP IT! JUST STOP IT!!!!

 

[Fading Fast]

...

The Civil Service Commission today assumed the power to reassign Government workers to whatever jobs it deems most useful to the war effort, and War Manpower Commission Chairman Paul V. McNutt noted that this authority may serve as a pattern for Federal control of the nation's entire civilian labor force. The power over Government employees was given to McNutt by President Roosevelt in an executive order, and McNutt then tranferred that authority to the Commission. In addition to the power to transfer Federal employees from department to department within the Government, the Commission will also have the authority to move Federal workers, where necessary, into private industry -- but only with the consent of the workers, and only under conditions of an "unpaid leave of absence." Transfers of Government workers from non-war jobs into service with war-related agencies are already taking place on a voluntary basis at a rate of 1400 per week.
...

Like, for example, if someone, say, worked for a pickle company before the war and, then, switched to working for a company manufacturing high-tech military components once the war started.

...

People who go to racetracks "should be placed in concentration camps," declared Magistrate Nicholas M. Pinto yesterday in Ridgewood Felony Court, in passing judgement on the case of a racing fan who claimed that he was cheated out of a winning ticket worth $182.50. In dismissing a grand jury larceny charge brought against Walter Morgan of the Bronx by Victor Bartellone of Manhattan. Barellone claimed that he had given Morgan a $50 ticket for a horse that came in fourth at Aqueduct, but when another horse was disqualified from that particular race, the ticket was worth the larger sum, and Morgan refused to give it back. Magistrate Pinto chastised both men, declaring that "this country cannot win the war if people are in such a frame of mind that they go to the race meets."
...

Judges sometimes forget that they have a specific duty and it's not to play God.

...

(If you think vaudeville is dead, you'll see it rising vigorously from the grave with that bill in "New Priorities of 1943.")
...

Once you notice actor Ray Collins, you'll begin to notice that he seems to be in every third or fourth movie made in the '40s and '50s.

...

Ration coupons representing 151,200 gallons of gasoline were stolen from the War Price and Rationing office in Perth Amboy, New Jersey during a weekend burglary. Police say the intruders broke into the office thru a skylight and removed the coupons from a locked filing cabinet, while leaving sugar rationing books untouched. Officials say no record was kept of the serial numbers of the stolen coupons.
...

"I told you this was going to be easier than trafficking in illegal gasoline."
"That's why you're the boss One-Eye."
"Next time, we grab the sugar books too."
"Did you notice a frizzle-haired woman watching us as we drove away?"
"No, and why worry about a woman anyway."

...

("And as he left I heard him mumbling "I'LL SHOW 'EM! I'll SHOW 'EM ALL!")
...

Nah, can't be a disgruntled Irwin, his shot would never have come that close to hitting Dan.

...

("Look, I'm rolling on my back! I'm the CUTEST DOG EVER! AMERICA'S #1 CUTE HERO DOG!")

"Maybe cute, but exposing one's soft underbelly isn't what a dog looking to join the fight would do as it gives your enemy an easy way to eliminate you. A dog must be tough in these times."

"How 'bout a nice belly rub, Sandy old boy."
"Great, let me just roll over on my back."
"It's General Eisenhower on the phone for you, war dog."
"Shut up!"

...

And besides, imagine all the cartoonists who would go out of business.
...

So, Mrs. Arnold Finkelstein, you take exception to the use of the word "nag," but are fine with "harp." Just wondering, how many hours after December 7th did it take for your husband to enlist?

...

"What could go wrong?"
...

My father would have invented a gasoline substitute, on the fly, if he needed it to get my mother's family to leave.

...

Keep 'em flying, kid.
...

I believe the expression that ends in "with a fistful of pardons in a women's prison" was invented for Terry.

Oh, and...

STOP IT! JUST STOP IT!!!!

And in the irony of ironies world, if the Yankees do hang on this year to win the pennant and, then, by miracle make it to the Series, the Dodgers are going to go through them like a hot knife through butter.

 

[LizzieMaine]

(Calling a family the "Tobacco Road Haights" is not a compliment -- "Tobacco Road" is a play that many felt reveled a bit too much in the degeneracy of its characters.)

Coupon rationing of fuel oil used for home heating will begin in 30 Eastern and Midwestern states on September 30th, the Office of Price Administration announced today. Due to the acute transportation shortage in the East, it is anticipated that the consumption of fuel oil will be reduced under the rationing program by as much as 23 percent over last year. Fuel deliveries in the Eastern states where gasoline rationing is already in force have already been curtailed, but the extension of the new fuel oil rationing order into 13 Midwestern states marks the first time a fuel product has been rationed in that part of the country. The War Production Board, in the meantime, has authorized all homeowners to fill their tanks, not to exceed a capacity of 275 gallons per home, between now and the start of the rationing program. Industrial users, and owners of apartment buildings of more than four-family size, are authorized to fill their tanks to 50 percent of capacity. The previous limitation order banning all fuel oil deliveries in the Eastern zone expires today. War Production Board chairman Donald M. Nelson warned that home owners who were able to convert their oil burning furnaces to burn coal but did not do so will not be entitled to receive any supplemental oil ration, even in the event of winter hardship.

An East Rockaway couple has received a personal letter from General George C. Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, informing them that their 20-year-old son is missing in action in the Pacific. Corporal Richard K. Pastor, a graduate of East Rockaway High School, enlisted in the Army Air Corps two years ago, and after basic training at Hickam Field in Honolulu, was stationed in Australia. The letter from General Marshall to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pastor, 252 Ocean Avenue in East Rockaway, expresses "deep personal sympathy" for Corporal Pastor's loss. Mrs. Pastor states that her son, during a meeting between General Marshall and enlisted men in Hawaii for the purpose of "airing of grievances," had told the General that his superiors were refusing him admission to aerial photographer's school, despite the fact that he had been promised that training when he joined the Army. General Marshall promised the youth that he would get his chance, and expedited matters to admit him to the program.

(If you want something done right...)

Coney Island's lights violated dimout regulations by 9 minutes last night, continuing to burn until 8:15 pm after the 8:06 deadline as a crowd of a quarter of a million participated in the second night of Mardi Gras festivities at the seaside resort. Mardi Gras queen Violette Weems rode on a U. S. Merchant Marine float as a snappy platoon of 38 cadets from the Merchant Marine Academy at Great Neck led the fourteen-block parade along Surf Avenue in celebration of Merchant Marine Night. The four lions from Luna Park also rode by, smacking their lips in their cages, apparently hungrier than ever for a bite at Hitler.

("Huh!" huhs Joe. "How much f'a buggy t'at DON'T fold?" "BYE BUX!" interjects Leonora. "Smawrt kid, ain' she?" grins Sally.)

The Eagle Editorialist, ever a man of Brooklyn faith, declares that it's all well and good for Commissioner Landis to have declared September 30th opening day of the World Series -- but *where* that game will be played, as in Ebbets Field, is far more important.

Reader M. M. M. writes in to argue that rubber and gasoline rationing make it clear that "our good old trolley cars" need to return to their former prominence. "No one wanted buses except our Mayor," the writer argues, "and he doesn't have to ride on them." M. M. M. further suggests that perhaps Mr. Bernard Baruch should order a return to the trolleys.

Reader William G. Clark-Duff writes in to express his concern about the "war spirit" to be inculcated in school children by order of the city Superintendant of Schools, warning that a determination to make pupils "gun, tank, and plane conscious" threatens to bring dangerous consequences much in the same manner of Germany's "substitution of the swastika for the eternal flame of truth."

(Easy, just enforce the "No Loitering" laws.)

The widow of the late Edward J. McKeever, partner in the operation of the Brooklyn Dodgers and in the construction of Ebbets Field, has died at her Lincoln Road home after a brief illness. Mrs. Jennie Murphy McKeever was an ardent follower of the team, and had attended every game played at Ebbets Field up thru last Friday's contest with the Cardinals, lost by the Dodgers 3-0. She was the sister of the late Esther E. Murphy, who was also a daily patron at the Flatbush ballpark. Mrs. McKeever was left a 25 percent interest in the Dodgers by her husband, who died in 1925 after contracting a cold while attending the funeral of his late partner Charles H. Ebbets. Those shares will now pass to her nieces and nephews.

In Newark, New Jersey, all persons arrested for running policy numbers will have their gasoline ration books revoked by order of the city's Public Safety Director John H. Keenan. The seized books will be turned over to the local ration board with a recommendation that the violators' gasoline allotments be permanently cancelled.

(I'm sorry, but "waiting for your worst rival to go into a slump" is not the kind of winning strategy we expect from the Dodgers. What the hell, Leo? Does Germano have to jump out of the stands and slap you around? And Pete Reiser has not "been ill." Pete Reiser has been playing the last month and a half with a fractured skull and a separated shoulder. There's a difference between "never say die willing spirit" and "insane self-destructiveness.")

Members of the Brooklyn Technical High School football team are up in arms over the school administration's decision to suspend its football program for the duration of the war. Team members plan to protest before the school Athletic Committee to urge reinstatement of football on the grounds that, as a body contact sport, the game offers training useful for boys going into military service. School administrators made the decision this week after concluding that the lack of available practice fields makes continuation of football impossible under current conditions. Several members of the squad argue that the suspension of the football program will cost them their only opportunity to attend college.

(Those Junior Commandos really get around!)

(HAH! Mary ALWAYS suspects a thing!)

(Oh yeah? Wait'll the Registered Rest Room inspector shows up! He'll knock those feet off that desk!)

(Quick, Larry! Sign this guy up!)

(Adolphe Menjou? Never heard of him.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Actually, I'd think it'd be very interesting to have a mother who was an ice-skating harp-playing ballet dancer who made $25,000 a year.

If you've ever wanted to meet Pulitzer-Prize winning Daily News editorial cartoonist C. D. Batcheler, just visit the back room of any midtown candy store.

"Waw!" is the new "Seeza Maboiks!"

Aw, Driftwood's missing out on all the fun.

That never came up in basic training...

"And besides, this book is old. What's the Ottoman Empire?"

And if you didn't hang around a soda shop so much, maybe you wouldn't have been left back twice.

Somewhere, Burma is going "HMPH."

"OK! NOW WHAT?"

"Oh, and he knows some guys in Perth Amboy with gas ration books."

 

[Fading Fast]

...

Reader M. M. M. writes in to argue that rubber and gasoline rationing make it clear that "our good old trolley cars" need to return to their former prominence. "No one wanted buses except our Mayor," the writer argues, "and he doesn't have to ride on them." M. M. M. further suggests that perhaps Mr. Bernard Baruch should order a return to the trolleys.
...

"No one wanted buses except our Mayor," the writer argues, "and he doesn't have to ride on them."

This very sound criticism is evergreen as, even today, chauffeur-driven (often with police escorts clearing the traffic for them) bureaucrats constantly make policies trying to force New Yorkers out of cars and onto mass transit. Some version of that exact comment pops up regularly in NYC.

I am a mass-transit user who doesn't own a car, but it's still obnoxious to have politicians, who never ride on the buses or subways, make virtue-signaling policies that force others to do so.

The latest we-hate-cars gambit in the city is "congestion pricing." I bet, though, it exempts "city officials conducting government business" or some such BS exemption like that.

...

(Easy, just enforce the "No Loitering" laws.)
...

Or do what one of our, ahem, Northern States does: set up high-fine speed traps where you only ticket cars with out-of-state plates.

...

(Oh yeah? Wait'll the Registered Rest Room inspector shows up! He'll knock those feet off that desk!)
...

A discreet $10 or $20 will probably take care of the Registered Rest Room inspector.

...

"Waw!" is the new "Seeza Maboiks!"
...

The kid should graduate college in about 1964. If you wanted to give a kid an incredible door-opening degree to carry around for the next forty or so years after graduation and the ultima thule of personal networks for his life, at that time in the country's history, go with Harvard or Yale.

...

Somewhere, Burma is going "HMPH."
...

Or she's supine yelling, "NOT YET! NOT YET!" It is Burma after all.

 

[LizzieMaine]

(Far be it from me to sound mean, but why would anyone want to shell Staten Island?)

American forces have delivered new setbacks to the Japanese at both ends of the far-flung Pacific battle line, slowing the drive to recapture the Solomon Islands, and inflicting shattering blows on ships, planes, shore facilities, and men in the Aleutian Islands. Eight enemy ships were blasted by American planes at the Aleutian island of Kiska, with two having been sunk. From Guadalcanal came news that Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers damaged two Japanese cruisers, while Marines are not only holding their positions on the main American base in the Solomons, but have diminished the initial ferocity of Japanese counterattacks which began last Saturday.

French Premier Pierre Laval has struck back at the Catholic church for opposing the persecution of Jews in France, by ordering the internment of one of its leaders and by warning the clergy to "handle religiion -- I'll handle the government." It was learned that Laval had ordered the arrest of a Father Challet, a member of the staff of the Archbishop of Lyons, and his internment in "fixed residence" at Pravas. Father Challet is described as president of the "Christian Army" group, which preaches tolerance for "depressed groups" in Europe. The Vatican, in a garbled broadcast monitored by the BBC in London, appeared to make a strong attack on French Jewish policy, warning that those responsible for such abuses would receive "judgement on those disloyal to Christianity." But Laval, addressing German and other foreign journalists at Vichy over the weekend announced that nothing would stop his "determination to rid France of foreign Jews and send them back where they came from." But Laval claimed that he has "obtained a promise" from German authorities in Paris to "stop separating Jewish children from their parents" before deportation.

The War Production Board has ordered Hollywood to reduce its use of 35mm motion picture stock by from 10 to 24 percent effective October 1st. The order means an end to the practice by some actors of stretching out kissing scenes and deliberately ruining takes so that they might continue the kissing. It was stated that any actor guilty of this practice would be liable to disciplinary action by the Screen Actors Guild. The WPB also ordered an end to snowfall scenes using dyed cornflakes to simulate snowfall -- in addition to wasting film it was stated that this practice also wastes cornflakes, which, for the duration, are reserved for eating purposes only.

(So B-B Eyes got away after all!)

Despite flat opposition by the House Military Affairs Committee, Senator Chan Gurney (R-South Dakota) pledged today to press for immediate action on his bill proposing the conscription of 18 and 19 year olds. The committee yesterday refused to take up the bill pending the receipt of a report on the issue by the War Department, a report which, Democratic senators stated confidentially, would not be released until the Administration gives its green light. Senator Gurney scoffed at that rumor, declaring "Hitler and the Japs aren't waiting for the election."

("Izzat how ya win a pennant?" roars Joe. "I ASK YA!" "Hmph," hmphs Sally. "Atsa most hittin' t'ey done all mont'!")

Gypsy Rose Lee, headliner in "Star and Garter," has joined the cast of Brooklyn's Million Dollar War Bond Show, coming to the stage of Loew's Metropolitan at midnight, Friday September 25th. Miss Lee joins fellow Broadway favorites Ray Bolger, Benay Venuta, and Constance Moore of "By Jupiter," Clifton Webb and Peggy Wood of "Blithe Spirit," and Vincent Price of "Angel Street" at the top of the gala bill, along with Horace Heidt and his orchestra, veteran minstrel man Benny Fields, and songstresses Connie Boswell and Mitzi Green. Ticket sales under the supervision of Major William O'Dwyer, chairman of the campaign, are reported to be brisk.

(How can a movie be creepy and funny at the same time? "The Major and the Minor" can.)

(Your Dollar a Year goes a long way.)

("Now, see," insists Sally, "Petey's got the right idea. He goes two f' five, don' get in no fights wit' nobody. If he'da been t'ere he'da broke up t'whole t'ing. He's a peacemakin' kinda guy." "Din' he get fined las' yeah," recalls Joe, "f' cawlin'nat Magehkoit' a bum or sumpn'?" "You cant find fawlt witta man," declares Sally, "f'statin' a fact."

(John? Never mind John. SEND FOR LEONA!)

("Hey, One Eye. There's a funny little guy out here wearin' a sombrero, drivin' a tricked up car with a flashin' light on the top. Says his name's Lagoddio or somethin'.")

("I'M TOO MAD TO TIP! IRWIN, TAKE CARE OF IT!")

("Hey pop, how come you know so much about fake moustaches? What's that smell anyway, glue or something? WAIT YOU'RE NOT MY POP AT ALL! BO! HELP ME!" "Just a minute, I'm on the phone with my agent. We've got a movie deal cooking, and we're negotiating the meal rider.")

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

Keep 'em flying, Lieutenant!

"Well how was I to know she'd be insulted!" gawps the Macy's press agent, holding a cold hamburger, in lieu of a steak, to his swollen eye. "All I asked was did she want to endorse these underpants!"

Andy's a proud Gump too, because every family tree needs its sap.

C'mon Skeez, you literally grew up surrounded by old men playing out back with their cars. Give the poor guy a break.

Judging from the angle of that pistol shot, that "YI!" came out a perfect high-C.

Well, you wouldn't be getting any oil anyway.

HEY MA EVER HEARD OF THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OF 1938?

Keep your powder dry!

"A trim Bim?" Kid, you've been away from the States too long.

"He says we'll be working with some stupid bird or something. What does 'seeza maboiks' mean?"

 

[LizzieMaine]

Oh, and...

Where's Camilli? Oh, he saved his hits for the game.

 

[Fading Fast]

(Far be it from me to sound mean, but why would anyone want to shell Staten Island?)
...

I just assumed it was firing on itself as a mercy killing - no?

Didn't something else happen recently at the Edison Hotel? I remember the name, but not the event.

...

French Premier Pierre Laval has struck back at the Catholic church for opposing the persecution of Jews in France, by ordering the internment of one of its leaders and by warning the clergy to "handle religiion -- I'll handle the government." It was learned that Laval had ordered the arrest of a Father Challet, a member of the staff of the Archbishop of Lyons, and his internment in "fixed residence" at Pravas. Father Challet is described as president of the "Christian Army" group, which preaches tolerance for "depressed groups" in Europe. The Vatican, in a garbled broadcast monitored by the BBC in London, appeared to make a strong attack on French Jewish policy, warning that those responsible for such abuses would receive "judgement on those disloyal to Christianity." But Laval, addressing German and other foreign journalists at Vichy over the weekend announced that nothing would stop his "determination to rid France of foreign Jews and send them back where they came from." But Laval claimed that he has "obtained a promise" from German authorities in Paris to "stop separating Jewish children from their parents" before deportation.
...

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/a192cbe2-2b5b-42e4-ae50-517294364d20

...

The War Production Board has ordered Hollywood to reduce its use of 35mm motion picture stock by from 10 to 24 percent effective October 1st. The order means an end to the practice by some actors of stretching out kissing scenes and deliberately ruining takes so that they might continue the kissing. It was stated that any actor guilty of this practice would be liable to disciplinary action by the Screen Actors Guild. The WPB also ordered an end to snowfall scenes using dyed cornflakes to simulate snowfall -- in addition to wasting film it was stated that this practice also wastes cornflakes, which, for the duration, are reserved for eating purposes only.
...

"Mr. Grant, you kissed Ingrid Bergman too long, that will be a fine."
"No problem, just let me get my checkbook and, while I'm doing that, tell me how much for the next kiss?"

...
(How can a movie be creepy and funny at the same time? "The Major and the Minor" can.)
...

Yes.

...

(Your Dollar a Year goes a long way.)
...

It is a fact that there are jobs in NYC buildings where only one person can physically do the work owning to the tight space or type of work, but if the union contract calls for four workers for that category of job, then the other three will sit nearby and collect pay for it. I have witnessed this several times in NYC office buildings and I'm not assuming as the union guys (almost all very nice guys) will tell you that is exactly what is going on.

...

(John? Never mind John. SEND FOR LEONA!)
...

Yup. Never send a boy to do a man's job.

..,.

HEY MA EVER HEARD OF THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OF 1938?
...

Even by the 1970s, my father hadn't heard of it as he believed no labor laws applied to one's own child.

...

"A trim Bim?" Kid, you've been away from the States too long.
...

For the love of God just sleep with her. You owe it to all the frustrated teenage boys in the world.