The Era -- Day By Day

[LizzieMaine]

Scene of the crime -- 477 Sutter Avenue in, you guessed it, Brownsville.

How many times we gotta tell ya -- you go out to eat in Brownsville, you keep your eyes on your plate and you keep your mouth shut.

Also, note the candy store next door. I had no idea Mr Hooper had a place in Brownsville before he moved to Sesame Street. No wonder he was so tough.

 

[Fading Fast]

...The Eagle's investigation into overassessment of property values in Brooklyn reveals that properties lost to foreclosure are valued by the city at an average of 214 percent more than the prices those properties bring at foreclosure auctions...

I'd bet it would be worse if they measured it today.

Just an anecdote, but a real one: my coop apartment hasn't gone up or down in price in the real world over the past five years (other "twin" apartment in my "line" have sold to confirm this), but the tax assessed value of the building has gone up 3-5% every year in that time period. That increase, along with union contract wage increases (for the building's staff) , are stressing our building's budget, causing us to increase maintenance, which is really hurting some of the older residents in the building.

As an aside, all this "there's no inflation" talk feels otherworldly to me as, as noted above, my housing costs increase 3-5% a year while my Obamacare costs have increased at >12% every single years since it started. Those are two of the three biggest items in our family budget (and I'd bet most families' budgets) - the fact that TVs (which I buy less than once a decade) are down doesn't mean squat to me. I really question those "theres' no inflation" announcements.

...Mayor LaGuardia has decorated 29 employees of the Sanitation Department for heroic deeds performed in the line of duty. A majority of the men receiving medals serve the Department in Brooklyn and Queens. The deeds of valor so recognized included rescues of people trapped in burning buildings, capture of rampaging horses, and the rescue of a man from a submerged car....

Cool stuff - nice recognition, but I'd have lost a bet that there even were "rampaging horses" to be caught in NYC in '39.

...Sentiment is building among farmers toward another milk strike, come reports from Albany, where union leaders are lining up behind Mayor LaGuardia's denunciation of distributors who refuse to comply with minimum price contracts. Union chairman Archie Wright says the Mayor is just being polite when he calls these distributors "chiselers."....

You'd think there would have been a law-enforcement approach the farmers could have used to solve this breach of contract vs. a strike which seems like the wrong tool to use to solve it.

...A 21 year old man and a 19 year old woman are recovering from bullet wounds after an altercation in a Chinese-American restaurant at 477 Sutter Avenue erupted into gunfire. Woodrow Armstrong and Miss Sonya Mendelson were in the restaurant with a group of friends when they became involved in a quarrel with four men at an adjacent table. One of the men pulled out a revolver and fired two shots, hitting Armstrong and Mendelson. The gunman has not been identified, and fled the scene with his friends. The car taking Armstrong to Kings County Hospital collided with another vehicle en route, and a police ambulance took Armstrong the rest of the way....

See bold (by me) above: If it's not one thing, it's another.

 

[Fading Fast]

Scene of the crime -- 477 Sutter Avenue in, you guessed it, Brownsville.

View attachment 191283
How many times we gotta tell ya -- you go out to eat in Brownsville, you keep your eyes on your plate and you keep your mouth shut.

Also, note the candy store next door. I had no idea Mr Hooper had a place in Brownsville before he moved to Sesame Street. No wonder he was so tough.

To this day, there are many shoe repair shops in the city that still look pretty much like the one to the right - and many of the cobblers still wear that style of apron.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The old lady leaning on the Pepsi cooler is Sonya's mother, wanting to know why her daughter hasn't come home yet. "It's that bum, ain't it? It's that bum you been goin' out with, that Woodrow. He's no good, Sonya, I'm sayin' all the time, I'm tellin' ya! No good will come from this!"

 

[LizzieMaine]

A United States freighter which may or may not be carrying war contraband, is the focus of world controversy, with the US Lines steamer "City of Flint," captured by the German Navy, now being held at the Soviet port of Murmansk. The "City of Flint" was seized last week by the German cruiser Emden while en route from New York to Glasgow, Liverpool, and other English ports. The Germans declared that the frieghter's 5000 tons of cargo included contraband, and Secretary of State Cordell Hull acknowledged today that more than half the cargo could be considered "conditional contraband," with only a limited portion falling under the definition of "absolute contraband." The ship carried such goods as farm equipment, bulk and packaged foodstuffs, commercial chemicals, and "machinery." The right of the Germans to take the ship to a neutral port is a point of dispute, as is the status of the vessel's crew. The 23rd Article of the Hague Convention of 1907 allows "war prizes" to be held at neutral ports, but the United States, in adopting that convention specifically declined to ratify that article.

Berlin, for its part, denies all knowledge of the seizure. The Nazi government insists it has received no information concerning the ship or its crew.

Communist Party leader Earl Browder is out of jail today, after a night behind bars on a passport charge. Bail was posted this morning by Mrs. Hester G. Huntingdon of Manhattan, the former wife of prominent city lawyer Ellery Huntingdon. Mrs. Huntingdon, in putting up the money, told reporters that she had never met Browder, nor did she belong to the Communist Party -- but put up the bail on a matter of principle. Her ex-husband refused to discuss his ex-wife, stating that they have been divorced since 1930, and "do not see eye-to-eye" on many opinions. "I bet he's plenty upset," replied Mrs. Huntingdon.

Browder himself had little to say to reporters as he was released from custody, but his attorney, Edward Kuniz, charged that the case is a matter of "persecution, not prosecution," and that the charges are essentially a matter of technicalities.

The former New York State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, indicted last year on extortion charges, has been declared legally insane. Charles A. Hartnett has been sent to Rockland State Hospital following the adjucation based on a report from a psychiatrist at Bellevue Hospital. Hartnett was charged by Manhattan District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey with accepting a bribe of $67,000 from the Parmalee Taxi Company. The medical report concludes that Hartnett suffers from delusions of persecution and psychotic reactive depression.

A four year old cocker spaniel dog named Brownie will die after his death sentence was upheld by a Brooklyn Supreme Court justice. Brownie's owner, Mrs. Pauline Fucelli of 2910 4th Avenue, had appealed the execution order handed down by the Health Department in August after Brownie was found guilty of biting four people. Mrs. Fucelli had argued the biting was justified.

The Raymond Street Jail, unfit for human habitation, now houses 546 inmates, 76 over capacity.

Magistrate Charles Solomon last night flayed Mayor LaGuardia for his endorsement of Justice William R. Bayes for the office of Brooklyn District Attorney. Speaking in a broadcast over station WOR, the American Labor Party candidate for DA attacked Bayes as a mere front for the Republican Party machine, and stated that "no one is better suited to recognize this threadbare political device" than Mayor LaGuardia. The Magistrate charged that there is no "independent citizens' committee' behind Bayes, and that the Mayor should have known better. "No, Mr. Mayor," he declared, "twist and squirm as you may, but there is no blotting out the fact that your candidate is the tool of one of the two old party machines, between whom you have said, time without number, there isn't a single important difference."

Meanwhile, the Mayor says steps have been taken to end the Green Bus Line strike in Queens, with both parties agreeing to go before the State Mediation Board.

Why sit on broken seats? Take advantage of this special offer -- 3 piece living room set completely reconstructed, $9.50 with a four-year-guarantee. United Upholstery Company, 5009 16th Avenue. BEnsonhurst 6-2890.

The alleged czar of the Brooklyn slot machine racket is on the stand today in Albany in the ongoing State Senate hearings on the removal of Judge George Martin. Leo K. Byk, a "notorious Brooklyn character" who is described as an "intimate friend" of the Judge acknowledged that his ties to the jurist go back to 1918, and that he has on several occasions received favors from Martin, including a pardon for past crimes from Governor Alfred E. Smith -- obtained after Judge Martin intervened, describing Byk as living an exemplary life as a "jobber of mint confections."

Jackie Cooper opens today as Henry Aldrich in the screen adaptation of the stage hit "What A Life!" at the Brooklyn Fox, a production Herbert Cohn calls "good fun." Sharing the bill is the Walter Connolly prison drama "Those High Grey Walls."

Opening today at the Patio, it's Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne in "When Tomorrow Comes," with co-feature "Prison Without Bars." What's with all these prison pictures -- a special tribute to Judge Martin?

George Durst of Jamacia writes to the Editor to suggest that a city-run lottery would be a good solution to the problem of middle-aged unemployment, with the tickets to be sold by independent licensed vendors. Mr. Durst suggests a $1 ticket, with proceeds to be divided among the World's Fair and the city relief fund, with 40 percent to be paid out to winners, along with a stub good for Fair admission. Mr. Durst suggests that vendors buy the tickets at a 25 percent discount off face value and keep that quarter as their pay.

Veteran burlesque comedian William Campbell has died at the age of 76. Mr. Campbell was best known for his "Papa" act with fellow comic George Weber, and was the husband of the one-time "Queen of Burlesque" Rose Sydell, who owned the various companies with which he performed. Since his retirement 25 years ago, Mr. Campbell had been interested in the real estate business.

Famous-name dresses just 3.98 at Abraham & Straus! Wait till you see the names! Just 580 in stock, so hurry!

Chicago Bears halfback Bob MacLeod denies the rumor that he refused to sign with the Football Dodgers after he was drafted by them because he was afraid his friends would laugh at him.

The Grid Dodgers continue to shake up the roster, with Coach Potsy Clark cutting six-year-veteran Beattie Feathers and John Tosi from the squad. The Dodgers had just picked up Tosi in a trade with the football Pirates last week, and he played just one game in a Brooklyn uniform. The team takes the field against the Giants on Sunday with just 24 men on the roster.

The second-place St. Louis Cardinals drew a total of 411,000 to Sportsman's Park in the 1939 baseball season. The third place Dodgers drew over a million. Just sayin'.

Louis Untermeyer and Deems Taylor join John Kieran, Franklin P. Adams, and Clifton Fadiman on tonight's session of "Information Please," 8:30pm over WJZ.

George and Jo still can't figure out how to get the cat out of the wall, but they're sure he must've done the job -- until the voice of McGoinigle the Mouse rasps out a request to get rid of the cat before he has to get rough with him. Got any more bright ideas?

Mary Worth pumps Leona for information about Murdock the Butler, whom Mrs. Stockpool "brought back from Europe" last year. But Leona doesn't care about Mary's trivial problems, JUST LOOK AT THIS LETTER!

Dan Dunn continues to obsess over the piece of mud, pointing out that it came from a shoe with a worn-down rubber heel manufactured by the Ryan Shoe Company. Sheriff Nigel Bruce says only two stores in town carry that brand, and it ought to be easy since nobody, obviously, buys shoes in another town or by mail order. And here comes Irwin with another bullet! Dan can't wait to get back to the science.

 

[Fading Fast]

A United States freighter which may or may not be carrying war contraband, is the focus of world controversy, with the US Lines steamer "City of Flint," captured by the German Navy, now being held at the Soviet port of Murmansk. The "City of Flint" was seized last week by the German cruiser Emden while en route from New York to Glasgow, Liverpool, and other English ports. The Germans declared that the frieghter's 5000 tons of cargo included contraband, and Secretary of State Cordell Hull acknowledged today that more than half the cargo could be considered "conditional contraband," with only a limited portion falling under the definition of "absolute contraband." The ship carried such goods as farm equipment, bulk and packaged foodstuffs, commercial chemicals, and "machinery." The right of the Germans to take the ship to a neutral port is a point of dispute, as is the status of the vessel's crew. The 23rd Article of the Hague Convention of 1907 allows "war prizes" to be held at neutral ports, but the United States, in adopting that convention specifically declined to ratify that article

Berlin, for its part, denies all knowledge of the seizure. The Nazi government insists it has received no information concerning the ship or its crew.....

Captured by the German Navy / The Germans declared that the freighters 5000 tons of cargo...

But, Berlin, for its part, denies all knowledge of the seizure. The Nazi government insists it has received no information concerning the ship or its crew.

Not the coordinated efficiency one usually sees from the Nazis.​

...Why sit on broken seats? Take advantage of this special offer -- 3 piece living room set completely reconstructed, $9.50 with a four-year-guarantee. United Upholstery Company, 5009 16th Avenue. BEnsonhurst 6-2890....

Considering how poorly furniture from this era is viewed today, my guess is, if it was still around, it would struggle to bring $9.50 in 2019 dollars.

...Opening today at the Patio, it's Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne in "When Tomorrow Comes,".....

Haven't seen this one, but Dunne and Boyer costarred in "Love Affair" the same year - clearly they were a "hot" screen couple.

...George Durst of Jamacia writes to the Editor to suggest that a city-run lottery would be a good solution to the problem of middle-aged unemployment, with the tickets to be sold by independent licensed vendors. Mr. Durst suggests a $1 ticket, with proceeds to be divided among the World's Fair and the city relief fund, with 40 percent to be paid out to winners, along with a stub good for Fair admission. Mr. Durst suggests that vendors buy the tickets at a 25 percent discount off face value and keep that quarter as their pay.....

Eventually George got his wish and the city became a bookie, er, runs a lottery.

...The second-place St. Louis Cardinals drew a total of 411,000 to Sportsman's Park in the 1939 baseball season. The third place Dodgers drew over a million. Just sayin'.....

Which is why today we have revenue sharing in baseball.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Browns drew over 1.3 million -- in total attendance for the entire *decade* of the 1930s. In 1939, they drew about 109,000. Baseball in St. Louis took a long time to recover from the Depression, and the Browns never did.

 

[Fading Fast]

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Browns drew over 1.3 million -- in total attendance for the entire *decade* of the 1930s. In 1939, they drew about 109,000. Baseball in St. Louis took a long time to recover from the Depression, and the Browns never did.

Maybe, combined with the record of Cleveland's football team, the real lesson is to not name your sports team the "Browns"

 

[LizzieMaine]

"St. Louis -- First in Shoes, First in Booze, and Last in The American League."

 

[3fingers]

My father used to go to Browns games with his uncle. They both would have rather been at a Cardinals game, but Browns tickets were easily found for free.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Berlin is shaking its aerial sword at Britain, warning of "merciless bombing" ahead. The declaration comes in a speech by Nazi foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop, who accused Great Britain of deliberately plotting a war to destroy Germany. The newspaper National Zeitung, a paper with close ties to Marshal Hermann Goering, echoed von Ribbentrop's remarks, warning that "the moment has come when the war which Britain has wanted must rain down upon the British Isles themselves."

The German government, meanwhile, has acknowledged the matter of the seized US freighter City of Flint, and indicates that it is discussing the fate of the ship, its crew, and its cargo, with Soviet authorities after the vessel was taken to the neutral Soviet port of Murmansk by a German prize crew. The American Charge d'Affairs in Germany, Alexander Kirk, met with a German Foreign Office official today to discuss the ship and attempt to determine the whereabouts of the 41-man crew. The Germans so far have released no information on the crew of the ship, but state that the vessel was seized because it was "unseaworthy," and lacked certain necessary maps required for navigation thru the North and Baltic Seas. American officials are also seeking information from the Soviet government, but have received no word on the status of the crew as yet. The Germans are also inquiring of the Soviets for a report on the status of the prize crew that seized the ship.

Under maritime law, a neutral ship may be legally seized as a war prize if at least half of its cargo is "absolute contraband." US Secretary of State Cordell Hull continues to maintain that while the Flint did contain contraband, the amount of "absolute contraband" on board did not comprise half or more of the cargo.

The Dies Committee is investigating the American League for Peace and Democracy, over the objections of one of the committee members. Representative Dempsey, a New Mexico Democrat, denounced as "most damnable" and "most un-American" the Committee's act of reading out 563 names of Government employees on that League's mailing and membership list without differentiating between those who were actual members and those who merely received mailings from the group.

Wisconsin Senator Robert LaFollette of the Progressive Party is calling on Congress to require a "National Advisory Election" before any future declaration of war. The Senator's demand came as a flurry of speechmaking threatened to bog down a final vote on the proposed repeal of the Arms Embargo.

Mayor LaGuardia intends to remain at his summer headquarters in Queens, near the World's Fair, thru the end of his current term. He had been expected to return to his Manhattan office once the fair closes, and his decision to instead keep his office on 69th Road in Forest Hills is interpreted as a message of support for the Fair organization and an effort to convince 1939 exhibitors to return to the Fair next year.

Brooklyn slot-machine king Leo K. Byk says Judge George Martin wasn't the only city jurist to intervene with then-Governor Alfred E. Smith to secure a pardon for Byk from past crimes in 1926. Byk told a State Senate panel in Albany that "two or three" other judges joined with Judge Martin in intervening with the Governor on his behalf. Chief Defense Counsel Martin W. Littleton declined to ask Byk for the names of those judges, noting Byk's "peculiar position" in giving testimony.

Park Commissioner Robert Moses is revising plans for the proposed Brooklyn-Battery Bridge to reflect the War Department's objections to the original six-lane span. Army officials await the updated plans.

The overassessment of property for tax purposes, as documented in the Eagle's recent series of articles, is illegal under the new New York State constitution adopted as of January 1st of this year. The Eagle contends that strict interpretation of the relevant clause would "uproot the entire system of property assessments" and have repercussions thruout the City government.

U. S. Attorney John T. Cahill announced today that further passport investigations will follow the arrest this week of Communist Party leader Earl Browder on a 1937 violation. Browder's trial has been set for November 27th. It was also revealed that Mrs. Hester G. Huntington, who posted Browder's bail, is a sister-in-law of Robert G. Minor, a former editor of the Daily Worker.

Eddie Cantor, in town for a vaudeville engagement at Loew's Metropolitan, will broadcast tonight over station WARD at 8:45 pm on behalf of the Brooklyn Red Cross.

An Appellate Court ruled yesterday that pedestrians in the process of crossing a city street when the light changes retains the right of way. The ruling throws out a 1938 Supreme Court action dismissing a $15,000 damage claim by Rose Nazinitsky of 165 Glenmore Avenue, who was hit and injured by a taxicab lurching forward at the light change when she was in the midst of crossing Pitkin Avenue near Bristol Street. Brooklyn taxi drivers are protesting the ruling, saying that it will lead to chaos in the streets.

Mother-To-Be Necessities your Physician will endorse! Underthings designed to give support without the slightest pressure! Lane Bryant -- Brooklyn -- 15 Hanover Place -- Just Off Fulton.

A 31-year-old man pleaded guilty today to second-degree assault after firing two pistol shots thru his future mother-in-law's apartment door. George Stone of 81 St. Marks Place entered the plea yesterday in Kings County Court, explaining that she wasn't opening the door fast enough for him. Stone's attorney asked Judge Brancato for clemency, noting that Stone was soon to be married. The Judge replied sternly, "This is not open season on mothers-in-law." (Well, the judge might think it's all a big joke, but I hope the future Mrs. Stone immediately reconsiders her wedding plans. Something tells me we sadly haven't heard the last of George Stone of St. Marks Place and his pistol.)

Dramatic Furred Coats at Martin's starting at $59.50!

A Brooklyn doctor and pharmacist face criminal abortion charges in Felony Court. Dr. Herman H. Chester, of 321 Pennsylvania Avenue, and pharmacist Isidore Wolis of 630 Welton Street are being held on $2500 bail each. Dr. Chester is accused of performing an abortion on 22-year-old Mrs. Anna Gunther of Ridgewood on July 15, 1938. Wolis is charged with introducing Mrs. Gunther to Dr. Chester.

Sarah M. Frank writes in to thank the Eagle for its crusade against overassessment. She says she bought a ten-room house at the height of the boom period in 1923, and it's assessed at $7600, even though similar properties sell regularly for less than $5000.

The president of the city's largest milk distributor seems to agree with Mayor LaGuardia that the price requirements of the current agreement with farmers ought to be met and says it's the Federal Government's fault that his company isn't toeing the line. The Mayor today released a telegram sent to an upstate newspaper by the president of Sheffield Farms claiming that his firm has paid in more than enough to the milk pool to cover the $2.15/hundredweight price required under the contract, but blames the Federal Marketing Administrator for this district for determining the price Sheffield is actually paying to producers. Meanwhile, the Mayor released an additional list of nine small distributors that are in compliance with the contract, bringing the total to 37.

Nearly 2000 homebound, handicapped children in Brooklyn are for the first time receiving the same lessons as their friends who can attend public school. Thanks to the efforts of Brooklyn City Councilman Joseph T. Sharkey, the Board of Education is supplying home teachers for these pupils and the necessary materials to allow them to keep up with classwork.

Today's your last chance to see Eddie Cantor and his big radio stage revue at the Metropolitan. Tomorrow, see an all-female cast in MGM's "The Women," with co-feature "The Challenge," starring Robert Douglas and John Gardner.

Excitement is building for the Dodger-Giant pro football tilt at Ebbets Field this Sunday. The Giants struggled against the Bears last week, while the Dodgers breezed to an easy win over Philadelphia, and Coach Potsy Clark says his is clearly the better team. The Giants lead the NFL Eastern Division. The Dodgers stand in third place.

King of the Aquacade Billy Rose joins Fred Allen tonight at 9pm over WEAF. Eagle critic Jo Ranson thinks the "New Fred Allen Show" is ragged and disorganized, and hopes it'll return soon to its former pattern.

George cuts a hole in the living room wall to let the cat out, only to be told by McGoinigle the Mouse that the cat went out for a walk. Might be back in five or ten minutes. Maybe. Ready to see a psychiatrist yet?

Leona is simply FURIOUS that her "poor, plain and dull" cousin Sue has written a letter advising that she'll be visiting soon. She works as a WAITRESS for TOURISTS. She's probably accepted TIPS from some of my own FRIENDS! Wait, you have friends?

"These two bullets were fired from the same gun!" declares Dan Dunn, and orders Irwin to send a wire off to headquarters right away. Sherrif Nigel Bruce reports those shoes are big sellers in the area, and might be high-topped hunting boots! That ought to be easy to narrow down OUT HERE IN THE WOODS.

 

[Fading Fast]

...Park Commissioner Robert Moses is revising plans for the proposed Brooklyn-Battery Bridge to reflect the War Department's objections to the original six-lane span. Army officials await the updated plans....

Ugh, don't even like seeing his name.

...The overassessment of property for tax purposes, as documented in the Eagle's recent series of articles, is illegal under the new New York State constitution adopted as of January 1st of this year. The Eagle contends that strict interpretation of the relevant clause would "uproot the entire system of property assessments" and have repercussions thruout the City government....

As noted in an earlier post in this thread, it's no better today.

...An Appellate Court ruled yesterday that pedestrians in the process of crossing a city street when the light changes retains the right of way. The ruling throws out a 1938 Supreme Court action dismissing a $15,000 damage claim by Rose Nazinitsky of 165 Glenmore Avenue, who was hit and injured by a taxicab lurching forward at the light change when she was in the midst of crossing Pitkin Avenue near Bristol Street. Brooklyn taxi drivers are protesting the ruling, saying that it will lead to chaos in the streets.....

Nothing's changed - there's still chaos in the street. Crossing streets in NYC is a bloodsport.

...A 31-year-old man pleaded guilty today to second-degree assault after firing two pistol shots thru his future mother-in-law's apartment door. George Stone of 81 St. Marks Place entered the plea yesterday in Kings County Court, explaining that she wasn't opening the door fast enough for him. Stone's attorney asked Judge Brancato for clemency, noting that Stone was soon to be married. The Judge replied sternly, "This is not open season on mothers-in-law." (Well, the judge might think it's all a big joke, but I hope the future Mrs. Stone immediately reconsiders her wedding plans. Something tells me we sadly haven't heard the last of George Stone of St. Marks Place and his pistol.)....

I'm with you, what in God's name would prevent the future Mrs. Stone from running from this guy. Run, run fast, run far - run!

...Sarah M. Frank writes in to thank the Eagle for its crusade against overassessment. She says she bought a ten-room house at the height of the boom period in 1923, and it's assessed at $7600, even though similar properties sell regularly for less than $5000.....

As noted above, nothing has changed today - it's still all insanely over-assessed. The gov't doesn't want to give up the tax revenue, so it hates to admits that property prices have fallen.

...The president of the city's largest milk distributor seems to agree with Mayor LaGuardia that the price requirements of the current agreement with farmers ought to be met and says it's the Federal Government's fault that his company isn't toeing the line. The Mayor today released a telegram sent to an upstate newspaper by the president of Sheffield Farms claiming that his firm has paid in more than enough to the milk pool to cover the $2.15/hundredweight price required under the contract, but blames the Federal Marketing Administrator for this district for determining the price Sheffield is actually paying to producers. Meanwhile, the Mayor released an additional list of nine small distributors that are in compliance with the contract, bringing the total to 37....

Just from the few small updates you've provided, part of the problem is this entire construct is a Rube Goldberg machine.

...Excitement is building for the Dodger-Giant pro football tilt at Ebbets Field this Sunday. The Giants struggled against the Bears last week, while the Dodgers breezed to an easy win over Philadelphia, and Coach Potsy Clark says his is clearly the better team. The Giants lead the NFL Eastern Division. The Dodgers stand in third place....

I'm glad there is no longer a football team named the Dodgers, my mind isn't adjusting.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Here's the Football Dodgers in action in their September 24th game against the Lions in Detroit. The Dodgers wear the red jerseys, which is also disturbing and incongruous. Compared to pro football today, this game appears to be being played by elves, sprites and pixies.

The Football Dodgers will eventually change their name to the Brooklyn Tigers, before merging in 1945 with the Boston Yanks. Yes, the "Boston Yanks," if you really want to mess your head up.

 

[Fading Fast]

Here's the Football Dodgers in action in their September 24th game against the Lions in Detroit. The Dodgers wear the red jerseys, which is also disturbing and incongruous. Compared to pro football today, this game appears to be being played by elves, sprites and pixies.

The Football Dodgers will eventually change their name to the Brooklyn Tigers, before merging in 1945 with the Boston Yanks. Yes, the "Boston Yanks," if you really want to mess your head up.

As you note, they look tiny compared to the giants that play the game today.

I like the simpler uniforms - without all the patches, etc. - and I really like that they are, for the most part, uniform - everything tucked the same way, at the same height and they all have the same shoes.

That seems to be the point of a uniform, but as you've noted elsewhere, it's all about "branding" and selling today - so the variation helps the bottom line.

As to the "Boston Yanks," (with hands over his ears) na na na na - I can't hear you.

 

[vitanola]

You got the best results from grouping around the set from a fairly close range -- and it was also recommended you dim the lights in the viewing room. The tube was long but it was relatively dim compared to the sets of the postwar era.

These early sets were also dangerous for Joe Doityourself to fool around with -- they had a high-voltage power supply that worked directly off a transformer, turning out 7500 volts of brute-force DC for the picture tube. Stick your hand in the back with the power on and there's a good chance you won't pull it out.

I have spent a couple of evenings watching a TRK-12 over at a friend’s house. Miss Maine is about right. It is comfortable viewing for a group sitting from ten to fifteen feet from the set. Much more satisfactory as entertainment than any of my friends smaller sets (which at one time included both the 1932 and 1936 RCA Field Test sets). The Pre-war sets are both too modern and too expensive for me, but I do have a 12” Sparton 4940, the most easily found of the mirror-in-lid sets. It is really quite pleasant to watch. It is very nice that the set is not two and a half feet deep!

 

[Farace]

Just so you know, after having mentioned tidbits from several of the past days, my partner has now started to ask me to read the newspaper summary aloud to her.

 

[vitanola]

Just so you know, after having mentioned tidbits from several of the past days, my partner has now started to ask me to read the newspaper summary aloud to her.

Since Miss Maine’s initial posting in this thread I have been reading the Examiner myself from time to time. Miss Maine’s summaries (re-writes,almost) add greatly to the interest of the paper. I believe that she could re-write the assembly and operation manual for a packaged sewer treatment plant and make it into something informative,trenchant,and witty.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The US is demanding the release of the freighter City of Flint, its crew, and its cargo. Secretary of State Cordell Hull today announced that the US Ambassador to the Soviet Union made the formal demand, based on the American interpretation of international law, but has as yet received no reply. The Secretary cited as his authority Article 21 of the Hague Convention of 1907, which indicates that a ship claimed as a war prize can only be put into a neutral harbor under emergency conditions. There is still no detailed explanation as to the status of the crew.

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax today both defended the Soviet occupation of part of Poland as a necessary defensive move against future German aggression. The remarks come as Britain is looking to increase trade with Russia on a barter basis.

The US Senate rejected today by nearly a twenty-vote a proposal to ban the sale of poison gas and flame-throwers to belligerent nations, and also voted to penalize foreign nationals sailing ships under the American flag as a ruse to avoid submarine attacks. The votes came as the body plunges thru a long list of amendments to the proposed new neutrality bill.

Contradictions today in Judge George Martin's claims concerning a 1930 real-estate purchase at issue in his ongoing corruption hearings in Albany. The embattled Kings County justice told the committee that he paid cash in making a $3000 down payment on a house on Bainbridge Street, but two bank clerks and the former owner of the property all testified that Martin made the payment with a series of checks. Martin has testified under oath that he has had no bank accounts over the past ten years.

A 21-year-old "Negro youth" is hospitalized in critical condition after he was shot by police in Manhattan yesterday. Walter Wilkinson of 148 W. 141st Street was wounded by shots fired by Patrolman Donato Iannano of the E 51st Street Station as he was running down the steps of the Lexington Avenue subway station. Police claim Wilkinson was escaping after stealing a coat from a car parked in front of 330 Park Avenue. After two detectives pursuing Wilkinson fired a warning shot in the air, the patrolman emptied his revolver into the young man's stomach.

A man hanging by his hands from a ledge on the side of a burning building in Manhattan was rescued by a 22-year-old salesman who heard his cries for help. 24-year-old Matthew Cregan, a resident of the YMCA Sloane House at 335 W 34th Street, had fallen asleep smoking a cigarette, and awoke to find his room in flames. Escaping out the window, he dangled from the ledge until he caught the notice of John Drislane, a Consolidated Edison employee who lives in a room across the court. Drislane raced to an adjacent room, threw open the window, hooked his foot under the radiator, and leaned out. Taking Cregan's hand, Drislane managed to pull him to safety, by which time firemen had extingushed the fire in Cregan's room.

Two thugs got away with a $1460 payroll today after robbing a building contractor in front of his home at 1435 East 8th Street. Joseph Ranieri was leaving his home with pay envelopes for his employees when he was held up by two men brandishing concealed guns in their coat pockets. The men escaped in a car, and police found no trace of them.

Demolition of Manhattan's old Hippodrome Theatre hit a hitch today when one of the walls fell the wrong way, showering the corner of 6th Avenue and W 44th Street with bricks and debris. The mishap also shattered a water main, leaving the nearby Algonquin Hotel without water for several hours.

A house at 532 West 4th Street was demolished last month as unsafe -- but it's still on the tax rolls, and its owners, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Yerbury are refusing to pay any further taxes on the now-nonexistant structure. Mrs. Grace Yerbury, a noted Brooklyn organist with a bedridden husband, thought it was funny at first -- but when she got her latest tax bill she stopped laughing. The Yerburys vacated the house at the end of May, but a tax bill arrived on September 18th for $162.25. Demolition of the house had, by then, already been completed. Mrs. Yerbury says the city told her the house was condemned due to sinking sub-soil conditions, a problem the Yerburys say they didn't know about when they bought the property.

1,500,000 Nazi troops are reportedly poised for attack on the Western Front. French reconnaissance planes reported the concentration of men and equipment, but there have been no major movements since the Germans moved into the Saarland ten days ago.

An unauthoritative source in Finland says negotiations between the Finnish Government and the Soviet Union have stalled over points upon which the Finns are unwilling to give ground.

Black! Boxy! Furless! The Coat of Matchless Chic -- $18 at Lane Bryant Brooklyn.

Divorce court looms for Mr. and Mrs. Al Jolson, as wife Ruby Keeler has left the disconsolate stage and screen star after 11 years of marriage. Jolson, who is 21 years older than his screen star wife, is said to be heartbroken over the failure of the marriage, and contends that there is no "other woman" or "other man" involved. "You can't argue with a woman," Jolson says.

The 59-year-old grandmother held in the murder of granddaughter Elaine Joan Morris last month will receive a new hearing. Mrs. Stephanie Straus of 2108 Avenue J was termed insane after examination by psychiatrists at Bellevue Hospital, but will appear in Felony Court on Monday on a homicide charge. 4-year-old Elaine was found strangled to death on a rooftop in Flatbush on September 23rd.

Pick the winner before the game -- and before the game, enjoy a picnic lunch featuring a few bottles or cans of Ruppert's Old Knickerbocker Beer! It's the Beer That Made The Old Days Good!

Helen Worth says men don't want "languid sophisticates." Are you listening, Leona Stockpool?

You'll wonder why someone didn't think of this before! Shopping advisor Dorothy Coburn reports on a "girdle suspender," a clip-on strap arrangement designed to keep the top of your girdle from rolling down. It's a new idea, made by Kleinert.

The New York chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is denouncing the formation by the sherrifs of Kings and Queens Counties of "vigilante patrols" intended to prevent espionage at the neighborhood level. The ACLU calls such patrols of "sheriff snoopers" an American S. S.

The Old Maestro and All The Lads are in Brooklyn this week, heading the vaudeville bill at the Flatbush Theatre. Ben Bernie and his Orchestra, with his complete radio company, headline a big new revue featuring 6 great acts, opening at noon today. On the screen: "Undercover Doctor."

An anonymous letter-writer complains to the Eagle about all the rocks and stones in Prospect Park. Somebody could trip and turn an ankle! Isn't it great that we have the veil of anonymity to protect such controversial opinions.

The milk battle continues, with the Dairy Farmers Union expected to announce a formal boycott of Sheffield Farms and the Dairymen's League, after a meeting yesterday with representatives of those two large distributors and the Borden Company. Borden is not included in the boycott, with the farmers refusing to sell their milk to the other two firms until they are in full compliance with city price contracts. Responding to claims from Sheffield and the Dairymen's League that they had paid sufficiently into the milk pool to cover the $2.15 per hundredweight price, union president Archie Wright contends they took the money right out again in the form of excessive service charges.

Dodger president Larry MacPhail plans to raise a big fuss at the winter meetings in December when he unveils a proposal to supplement the World Series with additional series involving all other teams. MacPhail proposes matching the second place teams of each league in their own series, the third place teams in theirs, and so on right down to a matchup between the two eighth place clubs. Other owners offer a range of opinions -- Cleveland's Alva Bradley, who's been trying to get interleague regular season play off the ground, thinks it's worth considering, but Washington's Clark Griffith says "MacPhail is nuts."

The New York Giants will play night baseball next year. Lights will be installed at the Polo Grounds, and the Giants will also agree to play night games when visiting other parks. The Giants were the last team to refuse to play night ball on the road.

Metropolitan Opera star Kirsten Flagstad and movie favorites Brian Ahern and Sterling Holloway will join Bing Crosby on the Kraft Music Hall tonight at 10pm on WEAF. Cheese king J. L. Kraft will also appear, awarding trophies to national 4-H scholarship winners.

How utterly dumb George was to put that cat in the wall, sniffs Jo -- even as McGoinigle the Mouse says there are now kittens! And so George's mental breakdown progresses. I'm getting tired of this storyline -- it's been 21 days, three whole weeks, since George punched anybody.

As Mary awaits Cousin Sue's arrival on the bus from Cornville, Leona puts on makeup in anticipation of a visit from Ted -- and she's determined to keep him from meeting Sue. "I'd DIE OF MORTIFICATION!"

Dan and Irwin fly the Crime Lab Plane back to the city to report their findings, but they appear to be approaching the airport at a dangerously sharp angle. That'd be a spectacular plot twist, but I think it's just bad art.

 

[LizzieMaine]

The Yerbury place, 532 West 4th Street.

The foolish man built his house upon the sand.

 

[Fading Fast]

The US is demanding the release of the freighter City of Flint, its crew, and its cargo. Secretary of State Cordell Hull today announced that the US Ambassador to the Soviet Union made the formal demand, based on the American interpretation of international law, but has as yet received no reply. The Secretary cited as his authority Article 21 of the Hague Convention of 1907, which indicates that a ship claimed as a war prize can only be put into a neutral harbor under emergency conditions. There is still no detailed explanation as to the status of the crew.

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax today both defended the Soviet occupation of part of Poland as a necessary defensive move against future German aggression. The remarks come as Britain is looking to increase trade with Russia on a barter basis....

Knowing what we now know, it's interesting to think that all these German-Russia-British-US machinations happened while the German-Russian nonaggression pact was in place (and Germany had, yet, violated it).

...A man hanging by his hands from a ledge on the side of a burning building in Manhattan was rescued by a 22-year-old salesman who heard his cries for help. 24-year-old Matthew Cregan, a resident of the YMCA Sloane House at 335 W 34th Street, had fallen asleep smoking a cigarette, and awoke to find his room in flames. Escaping out the window, he dangled from the ledge until he caught the notice of John Drislane, a Consolidated Edison employee who lives in a room across the court. Drislane raced to an adjacent room, threw open the window, hooked his foot under the radiator, and leaned out. Taking Cregan's hand, Drislane managed to pull him to safety, by which time firemen had extingushed the fire in Cregan's room....

Holy cow, that's quite a rescue effort. Kudos.

...Demolition of Manhattan's old Hippodrome Theatre hit a hitch today when one of the walls fell the wrong way, showering the corner of 6th Avenue and W 44th Street with bricks and debris. The mishap also shattered a water main, leaving the nearby Algonquin Hotel without water for several hours....

Oops. Well at least it was past the era of Dorothy Parker and Algonquin roundtable.

An interior shot of the Algonquin in the '30s:

...1,500,000 Nazi troops are reportedly poised for attack on the Western Front. French reconnaissance planes reported the concentration of men and equipment, but there have been no major movements since the Germans moved into the Saarland ten days ago.....

1,500,000 - that's a troop number that will get your attention.

...Helen Worth says men don't want "languid sophisticates." Are you listening, Leona Stockpool?....

Who knew "languid sophisticates" were a thing?

...Metropolitan Opera star Kirsten Flagstad and movie favorites Brian Ahern and Sterling Holloway will join Bing Crosby on the Kraft Music Hall tonight at 10pm on WEAF. Cheese king J. L. Kraft will also appear, awarding trophies to national 4-H scholarship winners.....

Brian Ahern is one of those stars who was in movies for decades - you absolute know who he is when you see him - but it's still hard to put a face with his name and vice versa.