The Era -- Day By Day

[ChiTownScion]

Lizzie.... up in Maine, can't an excessive amount of sap like this be rendered into maple syrup? Asking for a friend..

 

[Harp]

^Chicago Cubs sartorial style. The strike zone, all the hell Darvish put the town through,
and Theo hired Kimbrell, a third-rate washed up closer whose top pitch was 95mph; Yellish hit him
in a ninth inning Milwaukee brew crew romp, and Baez, playing the glory hound dumb ass struck out.
Chiili Davis went out to the Mets. Joe G wasn't hired. Ross, who shoulda been bench boss ONLY.
Jake came back. Darvish is gone. Theo left. I am on sabbatical leave.

 

[Fading Fast]

I still think that what Pat did to Cheery Blaze was mean and uncalled for. Even if she did try to poison him.

View attachment 347041

I don't know, it seems like if you try to poison someone, the gloves come off and even emotional destruction is fair game then.

 

[Fading Fast]

Meanwhile I've been searching most vainly for a color shot of the infamous "yoo hoo blue" Cubs uniforms, but I did find this B&W photo -- that's Jimmie Wilson, the manager, and Dizzy Dean, who has just announced his retirement, no doubt because there's such a thing as something too clownsuit even for him.

View attachment 347042

The "yoo hoo blue" is the same shade that would become popular in the 60s and 70s as "powder blue," and would, in fact, be worn again by the Cubs and many other clubs thru the 80s. But baseball wasn't quite ready for such flamboyance in 1941.

If you're choosing powder blue for a team color, might as well make the uniforms out of terrycloth, effectively, go full bathrobe and be done with it.

 

[Harp]

I still think that what Pat did to Cheery Blaze was mean and uncalled for. Even if she did try to poison him.

View attachment 347041

"My tongue will tell the anger of my heart; or else my heart concealing it will break."

The Taming of the Shrew

Justifiable literary homicide. And this guy is definitely Irish.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Russian troops continue to balk German invasion forces in ferocious large-scale battles on the Leningrad and Moscow fronts, with a major Nazi force having been defeated in the Pskov/Porkov sector. A Soviet military communique reported that fighting continued without halt thruout the night, as the Nazis vainly attempted to restart their faltering blitzkrieg. It was also reported that, on the Kiev front, Nazi invasion troops have "paused for breath" in the face of stubborn resistance on all fronts.

A German communique finally acknowledged today that the Red Army has mounted "strong resistance" to the Nazi invasion, but stated that the Soviet counterattack has "been beaten off with teriffic losses."

For the first time since the war began, food rationing has been implemented in the city of Moscow, with the largest ration going to industrial and technical workers, who will be issued 28 ounces of bread daily, along with four pounds of cereal and generous quantities of sugar, milk, meat, and fat. Smaller rations will be issued to clerical workers, non-workers, and children. Ration cards will also be issued for fish, dry goods, and leather.

(Amen's not gonna like this. Finally he starts to get publicity again, but does he get a front page picture? No, O'Dwyer gets the picture. I ask ya.)

New York City's newly established air-raid warden service will receive its first test on August 2nd, when Staten Island will be blacked out for a training exercise. The blackout will be conducted with the cooperation of Army and Navy planes, searchlights, and plane-spotting devices, and is expected to provide valuable lessons in the protection of the outer harbor against enemy raids.

Newspapers in Paris began a campaign today to prohibit French Jews from bathing in the same waters as Aryans. The papers published editorials demanding that, under the laws passed on July 1st, Jews in France are prohibited from any contact with Aryans, and that therefore they should be forbidden access to beaches, rivers, or swimmping pools in the capital.

In Tokyo, the entire Japanese cabinet resigned today in response to the war crisis in the Far East, with the official Domei news agency reporting that the resignations will "enable the Government to strengthen its policies to cope with the domestic and international situation." Emperor Hirohito is said to be en route back to the Japanese capital from his summer villa, and has appointed Premier Prince Konyohe to administer the functions of government "until further instruction." The Japanese government has been in a state of flux since the outbreak of the Russo-German war, with disagreements over the course of action to be taken by Japan in respect to Siberia and the South Pacific.

Japan has also filed a protest with the U. S. Government over what it deems "oppressive measures" taken against Japanese steamers on the Atlantic Coast in the wake of the seizure by US authorities of numerous Axis-flagged ships. The protest also comes as the US Navy announced that it has mined the approaches to Manila Bay and Subic Bay in the Phillippines.

A 47-year-old war veteran will serve up to two years in Sing Sing Prison for embezzling $3142.87 from a Sunset Park Veterans of Foreign Wars post where he served as quartermaster. George L. Stanger of 654 40th Street was found guilty of stealing the money from Hayes Bros. Post 686 of the VFW over a span of three years from 1936 to 1939. He also faces charges of abandonment filed by his ex-wife and his present wife.

Three quarters of a million 21-year-olds, newly registered with Selective Service, will receive their draft numbers tomorrow in another goldfish-bowl drawing in Washington. The new registrants include more than 40,000 New Yorkers, with a third of that number from Brooklyn.

(Squirrels are rats with good press agents.)

(If you can't get into the ball game tonight, there's plenty else to do. And if I could have thirty seconds backstage with Sylvia Sidney on July 16, 1941, I would say only two words: QUIT SMOKING.)

(MacPhail has been conspicuously silent. He'd better say something pretty soon, or forces will be unleashed that he cannot begin to imagine. Remember, Sally knows his phone number.)

(What, no 'General Yoo Hoo' joke? Better get on the ball, Lichty.)

("Awright, t'en," says Joe. "We'll neveh get in t'night anyways, so we save t'rainchecks f' when t'ey make up t'dubbleheada. August ten't." "Nah," says Sally. "Not August ten't. R'memba? Assa day my bru'tta gets outta -- um, gets home. Ma's gonna wanna hava suppa for'im. We can't miss'sat." "Yeah," agrees Joe. "B'sides, I owe 'im f't'em dice he gimme. Awright t'en. Septemba 7. We c'n do t'at." "Septemba 7. Poifeck. It betta not get rained out again." "Aw," says Joe. "Whassa odds? What c'n happen?")

Orson Welles is on the air with his adaptations of Shakespeare's plays -- but not in person. Station WNYC is broadcasting phonograph records recently made by the Mercury Theatre of the Bard's most famous works. The records were made for classroom use, but the municipal station has received special permission to use them for broadcasting.

(Super-strong, super-fast, and super-stupid.)

(You gotta hand it to Oakdale for one thing -- he stays in character no matter what.)

(Bill immediately rushes out and sends a telegram to Mr. Knudsen at the Office of Production Management in Washington, and the Army shows up to make this plant fall in line. Well, either that or he knocks that cigar right down the guy's throat.)

(Never mind this secret-operative jazz, why isn't Kay in the Army? And the dog too.)

 

[LizzieMaine]

This spy ring story has gathered far less than attention than you'd think it might, under the circumstances. And once they build a new Raymond Street Jail, maybe they can get some bigger police vans.

Even for a 25-year-old millionaire wastrel, this boy Dodge certainly gets around.

It's going to be a long summer, but not as long as some people want.

Aw, does this mean they'll be going off on a long honeymoon? Hey Bill, I hear Sam the Presser could use a hand in Europe about now.

"Is that a cigarette in your mouth or are you just glad to see me?"

And our new villain is -- Buster Keaton?

Funny how life works out, isn't it kid?

Somebody forgot to buy aspirin?

Awwwwwwww. Who's a sad walrus?

Who'd Ed get to pose as his model for panel one? Charlotte Greenwood?

 

[Fading Fast]

...
(Squirrels are rats with good press agents.)...

When I started on Wall St. in the '80s, AT&T was one of the most widely held stock by the general public. It was considered safe and sat in the accounts of many not-at-all-wealthy shareholders and many, many, many retirees'. Times obviously changed, but for a long time, AT&T was considered one of the "safest" investment on Wall St. And, as a legal and regulated monopoly, it was until it wasn't.

... (If you can't get into the ball game tonight, there's plenty else to do. And if I could have thirty seconds backstage with Sylvia Sidney on July 16, 1941, I would say only two words: QUIT SMOKING.)...

Despite all the movie theaters highlighting their air-conditioning, when the Daily News asked people how they stayed cool in the summer, as we noted then, not one mentioned going to the movies. Odd.

...
("Awright, t'en," says Joe. "We'll neveh get in t'night anyways, so we save t'rainchecks f' when t'ey make up t'dubbleheada. August ten't." "Nah," says Sally. "Not August ten't. R'memba? Assa day my bru'tta gets outta -- um, gets home. Ma's gonna wanna hava suppa for'im. We can't miss'sat." "Yeah," agrees Joe. "B'sides, I owe 'im f't'em dice he gimme. Awright t'en. Septemba 7. We c'n do t'at." "Septemba 7. Poifeck. It betta not get rained out again." "Aw," says Joe. "Whassa odds? What c'n happen?")...

"Assa day my bru'tta gets outta -- um, gets home." Wonderful.

Neat stuff about Whirlaway and his jockeys (I bet a track guy like @Harp would appreciate it).

...
(Never mind this secret-operative jazz, why isn't Kay in the Army? And the dog too.)

Kay's awesome. It's pretty amazing, in '41, Marsh has not only put his title character aside for weeks (over a month?), but he has a female agent doing a better job than all the men and with much less fussing. Very cool.

This spy ring story has gathered far less than attention than you'd think it might, under the circumstances. And once they build a new Raymond Street Jail, maybe they can get some bigger police vans....

Re extending the draftee service past a year, I say this with no mirth, the fine print always has to be read. One of this most common lies told about legislation, contracts, etc. is "oh, we just put that language in there, but we never intent to use it." J'accuse!

... Even for a 25-year-old millionaire wastrel, this boy Dodge certainly gets around....

That is the singularly most-Page-Four story we've had this year hands down. It was hard to keep up with all the awesome details: It starts with bigamy and the new "marriage was not consummated" says the groom, "oh yes it was" says the bride, who was served annulment papers in bed while, less than two weeks in, both sides have lawyered up and the bride, who performs at The Hawaiian Room as Princes Kukulie (abbreviated from Leah Kewlie so that it could fit on the marquee) is really Thelma Buchanan of Scott-Hawaiian ancestry, meanwhile the groom has his lawyers working double time as he is still trying too wiggle out of his earlier marriage. Phew!

This one is so good it's crazy. I can't wait for the pictures.

... Aw, does this mean they'll be going off on a long honeymoon? Hey Bill, I hear Sam the Presser could use a hand in Europe about now....

Maybe if we all sent Gray $1 asking him to kill off Bill Slagg he'd do it. I'll put my buck in the mail today as this has got to stop.

... "Is that a cigarette in your mouth or are you just glad to see me?"...

Where's Pat to complete our "love" quadrangle?

 

[Harp]

Neat stuff about Whirlaway and his jockeys (I bet a track guy like @Harp would appreciate it).

Re extending the draftee service past a year, I say this with no mirth, the fine print always has to be read. One of this most common lies told about legislation, contracts, etc. is "oh, we just put that language in there, but we never intent to use it." J'accuse!

That is the singularly most-Page-Four story we've had this year hands down. It was hard to keep up with all the awesome details: It starts with bigamy and the new "marriage was not consummated" says the groom, "oh yes it was" says the bride, who was served annulment papers in bed while, less than two weeks in, both sides have lawyered up and the bride....


Where's Pat to complete our "love" quadrangle?

Rombauer struck such a haymaker intuitive right cross (which I walked into the night before the Preakness)
I have stayed away from the track for several weeks. Et je m'accuse. My own damn fault, no excuse
for being tired, worn out after a tough week. ...And, I saw Burma at the track. Can't get her out of mind
either....

The look back at History, the United States was so ill prepared for war; so holding trained men
beyond one year to form a nucleus cadre was absolutely necessary for the start, not just the finish.

So, the marriage was not, never, no two ways about it, consumated?
Sufficient basis for annulment.

I think this existing isosceles Circle is a caldron enflamed and stirred but counter-clockwise.
Nice knife removal from Dude Ranch. Sky King and Raven are so obviously in love.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Dude and Raven should have been a movie couple. Put prosthetic eyebrows on Tracy and dye Hepburn blonde, and you've just about got it.

Meanwhile, I call your attention the fact that Fred Fitzsimmons and Cookie Lavagetto now have rival Dodger bowling teams. What I wouldn't give to see Fitz's form on the lanes.

 

[Fading Fast]

Dude and Raven should have been a movie couple. Put prosthetic eyebrows on Tracy and dye Hepburn blonde, and you've just about got it.

Meanwhile, I call your attention the fact that Fred Fitzsimmons and Cookie Lavagetto now have rival Dodger bowling teams. What I wouldn't give to see Fitz's form on the lanes.

Fitz is just ever grateful that Irwin has been taking the brunt of the fat jokes.

@Harp The knife-out-of-my-back was definitely the money line today.

I cannot believe how good the scion-Hawaiian story is. The Page Four editor had to be giddy when he saw it.

I've had money managers tell me, "oh, we just put that stuff in the prospectus, but we'd never use it," ditto real estate brokers. What BS!

 

[Harp]

@Harp The knife-out-of-my-back was definitely the money line today.

I cannot believe how good the scion-Hawaiian story is. The Page Four editor had to be giddy when he saw it.

I stopped by the bank this morning and the New York Stock Exchange tote board showed all green go lights.
(I am a Chicagoan-south sider no less but so hopelessly in love with New York my conscience nags)

Took another gander at the story and big Kahuna was married? This invalidates the beach wahinie luau.

With Sky King and Raven, I'm thinking the old Ted-Spread instead of any triangular apparatus.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Declaring that the national interest has been in peril for the past two months, General George C. Marshall today appeared before the Senate Military Affairs Committee to call for authorization of a draft Army of unlimited size. The General endorsed the call for extension of service of selectees, National Guardsmen, and reservists on an indefinite basis, beyond the year's duration and draft limit of 900,000 men now authorized under the conscription law. Hinting that the Army believes that Spain, Portugal, and their possessions in Africa will officially join the Axis, the General suggested that America faces a real danger of invasion by a foreign foe, but stopped short of calling for the formation of a new American Expeditionary Force.

An authorized German military spokesman reported last night that Nazi and Soviet forces are engaged in "a vast battle along the entire eastern front that will probably decide the Soviet-German War." The statement came as German reports claimed the capture of the cities of Smolensk and Chisinau, important milestones on the Moscow and Bessarabian fronts. It was also stated that German infantry dynamiters, shrouded by heavy fog, had succeeded in blasting the last Soviet defenders from the heavy bunkers protecting the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.

A Russian war communique reported today that Soviet forces are maintaining the defense of Leningrad despite full-powered German efforts to break thru the Pskov/Porkhov front. Violent and large-scale fighting is reported thru the night in that sector, but Soviet sources stress that the lines are holding.

(That's what you get for shopping at Davega.)

With William O'Dwyer set as the Democratic candidate for mayor in the fall election, an wide-open battle is raging for the Republican candidacy, with the party's conservative wing intending to appoint former Municipal Court Justice John R. Davies of Manhattan as its candidate in the primaries, in an effort to block Republican renomination of Mayor LaGuardia. Meanwhile, in the LaGuardia camp, leaders of the City Fusion Party met with organizers of a new anti-Tammany group called "Roosevelt Democrats for LaGuardia" to plot strategy for the coming campaign. Raymond M. Schwartz, chief organizer for the latter group promised that the insurgent Democrats will do everything possible to oppose the O'Dwyer candidacy.

Charles A. Lindbergh offered today to submit to a Presidential investigation of accusations he claims to have been made by Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes, charging him with "being connected with the interests of a foreign government." Lindbergh accuses Ickes of trailing him with such accusations ever since the aviator accepted a decoration from the Nazi government of Germany in 1938.

The U. S. Army Command today closed the book on the Yoo-Hoo affair, approving "a punishment" for Lt. Gen. Ben Lear on the grounds that the officer meted out unfair discipline to members of the 110th Quartermaster Batallion based at Memphis, Tennessee. General Lear kicked off a national uproar when he caused his men to march fifteen miles with full packs after they "yoo-hooed" at a group of young women golfers wearing shorts. The Army states that "the case is closed," but declined to release details of disciplinary action taken against Gen. Lear.

Borough President John Cashmore wants your aluminum, announcing a campaign to draft housewares for the National Defense effort. Aluminum saucepans, coffee pots, tea kettles and similar goods will be collected door-to-door starting July 21st as part of a nationwide Aluminum Collection Week. The metal items will be melted down to be transformed into airplane, battleship and tank parts, fuzes, and bombs.

A 32-year-old barge captain from Flatbush was stabbed to death in his bed this morning by his wife. Howard Gaderberg of 3914 Church Avenue, an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad, died shortly after 8 AM when his 27-year-old wife Muriel plunged a bread knife into his stomach. Mrs. Gaderberg told police that she was fed up with his drinking, and his refusal to give it up despite repeated promises to do so, and that after a final quarrel, in which Gaderberg threatened to leave her and the couple's ten year old son, she seized the knife and thrust it into her husband's abdomen.

(Joe and Sally exchange a look of alarm.)

("Lick the platter clean!" It's the refined table manners that make 1941 such a special time.)

(The Albee? In those outfits, shouldn't they be playing the Eltinge?)

The Eagle Editorialist congratulates the Democratic Party for its nomination of William O'Dwyer for the upcoming mayoral election, calling the Brooklyn DA "a man of unassailable character with a fine record in public office." He has broken up the Murder For Money Gang, has solved eighty-five murders. "When he took office, conditions were insufferable. Mr. O'Dwyer has cleaned them up."

("John!" says Mrs. Amen. "John! You know what the doctor said about your blood pressure! JOHN! Here's the Daily News! Why not see what Little Orphan Annie is up to!")

(Hey, I bet this salesman gets his toupees from that same wig-and-disguise shop as Chigger!)

In Huntington, Long Island a Baltimore man arrested on a charge of public intoxication after annoying shopkeepers with sidewalk solos on the musical washboard was released on his promise not to annoy them anymore. Before his release, 47-year-old Daniel Daffney broke out his washboard and thimbles for a rendition of "There's No Place Like Home," accompanied by an obbligato played on a tin horn held in his mouth.

(It's hard to "look on the bright side" after losing a night game. And Phelps is clearly experiencing some form of mental illness, and the Dodgers need to be more sensitive to that. Remember Willard Hershberger.)

Fights from Ebbets Field will be broadcast over NBC under a new broadcasting contract signed with the network by the Brooklyn Boxing Association. First card to air will feature Red Burman vs. Battling Mario Bettina, next Tuesday night at 10PM over WJZ, with Sam Taub and Bill Stern at the microphone.

Bertrand Russell, the man CCNY didn't want, will broadcast next Thursday as a feature of the "Speaking of Liberty" program over WEAF. Mr. Russell will be interviewed by author Rex Stout on the question of what liberties must be given up in wartime versus those which must remain inviolate.

(Seriously, Doc, you need to shine your ray on his brain.)

("Oh you've threatened the police lots of times." I'd love to see George's FBI file.)

("Yeah," says Bill. "But I need a job. How bout ya loan me a hundred bucks?")

(NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT! FACE EATING DOG! FACE EATING DOG! FACE EATING DOG!)

 

[LizzieMaine]

And in the Daily News...

The "Love Kidnapping" reads like an old "Harold Teen" storyline gone horribly wrong.

"OK Bohack -- let's see ya top THIS!"

God help ya, kid.

Well at least it's something new.

Dogs running around loose, figures dropping down from the window sill -- is there ANY hospital in the funnies that has security?

Jeeeeez, Raven. Lighten up.

True story: I used to know a guy, when I lived in California, who was horseshoe bald in his early twenties. He developed the habit of eating in Mexican restaurants and ordering all the most spicy dishes, especially red-hot salsas. His gleaming scalp would turn dark purple as he did this -- and wonder of wonders, after a few months of this, he started to regrow hair. No doubt that pan of stew has similar stimulating properties.

And just imagine what'll be waiting for you when you get back.

Well, with Spanky McFarland now thirteen years old, "Our Gang" will soon need some fresh talent.

Chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmp.

 

[Fading Fast]

...
(Joe and Sally exchange a look of alarm.)...

Deferred? You'd think he'd have enlisted and requested overseas duty.

...("John!" says Mrs. Amen. "John! You know what the doctor said about your blood pressure! JOHN! Here's the Daily News! Why not see what Little Orphan Annie is up to!")...

...
(It's hard to "look on the bright side" after losing a night game. And Phelps is clearly experiencing some form of mental illness, and the Dodgers need to be more sensitive to that. Remember Willard Hershberger.)...

Sure, sometimes in a 162 game season, a loss can be educational or provide a needed jolt, but in general, a loss is a loss is a loss and a win would be better.

...Bertrand Russell, the man CCNY didn't want, will broadcast next Thursday as a feature of the "Speaking of Liberty" program over WEAF. Mr. Russell will be interviewed by author Rex Stout on the question of what liberties must be given up in wartime versus those which must remain inviolate.
...

Pretty heady stuff. Yes, '41 radio had a lot of junk on air, but still, it also put out broadcasts like this one or the chilling Cagney "Johnny Got His Gun" anti-war one, which has stayed with me ever since I heard it.

... ("Oh you've threatened the police lots of times." I'd love to see George's FBI file.)...

Other than oddballs like himself, it's hard to see George having any true pals.

Now that they're living in an upscale rental, the building's staff fixes the panty door. Jo hasn't fully adjusted yet to renting in a fancy building.

...[ (NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT! FACE EATING DOG! FACE EATING DOG! FACE EATING DOG!)

"It doesn't matter what the budget is, we need to bring in a true specialist for this kid, she's got a real obsession problem with face-eating dogs."

"Well, what did the consult from Bellevue say?"

"He said we need to bring in a specialist, now!"

"Hmm, let's check her address, maybe we can get the kid transferred before the school year starts up." [Muttering to himself] "'Face-eating dogs,' where do these kids even get this stuff?" [A copy of the News sits on his desk, coincidentally, open to the comicstrips, but the principal only reads "Terry and the Pirates," "Gasoline Alley" and "Harold Teen."]

...[ The "Love Kidnapping" reads like an old "Harold Teen" storyline gone horribly wrong...

It's the true-crime editor's day in charge of Page 4. I'll give 'em a day, but I want follow-up to and pics of the scion-bigamist-hula-dancer story. I can read about longshoreman rackets and abortion-clinic raids in the rest of the paper, but darn it, Page Four has a job to do and I expect it to do it.

... "OK Bohack -- let's see ya top THIS!"...

Sure, some of the terminology and perspective is different, but this feels closer to 2021 than 1941 in many ways.

...[
God help ya, kid....

Veronica grabs her purse and heads out the door thinking something that should never be thought, "let's see mom fit into one of these."

... Well at least it's something new....

Is it really?

.... Jeeeeez, Raven. Lighten up....

Raven's always been that odd rich girl with a chip on her shoulder. But, more importantly, Burma will now be living with her. Just asking, how many beds do you think Raven has in her apartment?

... And just imagine what'll be waiting for you when you get back....

There's a reason the surveys always show many people don't take all their vacation days.

 

[Harp]

This room mate arrangement no doubt has Sky King inside the proverbial dog house.

 

[LizzieMaine]

And for those who would like to hear what Bertrand Russell has to say, tune in tonight's "Speaking Of Liberty" broadcast here.

 

[Fading Fast]

And for those who would like to hear what Bertrand Russell has to say, tune in tonight's "Speaking Of Liberty" broadcast here.

It is interesting and, stylistically, very different than today, but didn't go as deep as I thought it would on each topic. Instead, he whipped through a lot of topics in 15 minutes. Sad to see how hopeful people were back then for a UN type of organization.

 

[Harp]

And for those who would like to hear what Bertrand Russell has to say, tune in tonight's "Speaking Of Liberty" broadcast here.

Russell quavered between agnosticism and atheism, though I should listen for his rational discourse
but what I would not give on another occasion is to listen to his 1948 BBC debate with Frederick Copleston.

I had Copleston's complete History of Philosophy until recently, until my sister absconded with most
of my library since my book strewn apartment mess needed to be cleaned.
Russell's gone too.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Reports circulating in London state that Adolf Hitler has dispatched an SOS to Tokyo appealing for the immediate opening of an eastern front against the Soviet Union in Siberia, the result of "the unexpected degree of Soviet resistance" to the Nazi invasion of Russia. Responsible British sources which, up to the present, have assumed Japan's next move will be a strike against French Indo-China, now take the the view that a Japanese assault against Vladivostok is now more probable.

The Soviet High Command today indicated that the Red Army for the fourth day continues to hold off a "decisive German attack" in the Smolensk sector, resisting Nazi troops attempting to break open a route to Moscow. It is believed that Soviet troops remain entrenched at their original positions, and have fought back all German attempts to dislodge them.

Nazi spokesmen claimed tonight that German troops have "fought into the Leningrad region," and at other points along the Russian front have advanced up to sixty miles beyond the fortifications of the Stalin Line. Official German reports told of a fierce tank battle southeast of Smolensk in which German tanks were said to have been attacked by more than 300 Soviet tanks, most of them big 52-tonners, 210 of which were claimed to have been destroyed. The Nazis say Soviet forces left behind the German spearheads are "facing annihilation."

President Roosevelt today emphasized that the U. S. Navy has direct orders from him, as Commander in Chief, to keep the sea lanes between the United States and Iceland open and protected against attack and fear of attack. In discussing the occupation by Iceland by U. S. troops, the President told a press conference today, in a direct quote, "I am certainly not going to tell you about the movement of troops. I'm not going to pull a Wheeler." The President in his comment made reference to Sen. Burton K. Wheeler (D-Montana) who was strongly criticized for making an advance prediction that the United States will seize Iceland as a strategically-important sub-Arctic outpost.

Kings County Republican leader John R. Crews today scotched rumors that the GOP will form a coalition with the American Labor Party in an effort to block Democratic mayoral nominee William O'Dwyer in the fall election. Mr. Crews emphasized that he has had no contact whatever with ALP leaders in Brooklyn, and that despite the ALP's endorsement of Mayor LaGuardia for reelection, it is still uncertain that the Mayor himself intends to run for a third term.

Three women and four men pleaded guilty as Nazi spies today in Brooklyn Federal Court, bringing to eight the total to admit guilt since a grand jury indictment handed up last week charged a total of thirty-three persons with conspiracy in acting as unregistered agents of the German government, and in accumulating and transmitting American defense information to the Axis. All who pleaded guilty were remanded for sentencing on September 5th.

Local holders of Draft No. 196, the first number drawn in yesterday's Selective Service lottery for new 21-year-old registrants, say they're ready to do their share in building the nation's defense. Typical of the "Class of 196" is young Abraham Best of 635 E. 96th Street in Brownsville, a vacuum cleaner salesman who expects soon to exchange his sweeper for a rifle. "I'm ready when they want me," declared Mr. Best, despite his status as his parents' only son.

(Out in Sunken Heights, Mrs. Josephine Bungle unfolds her copy of the Eagle, and explodes triumphantly. "OAKDALE! THAT BOLD FAKER! I KNEW IT! GEORGE! SEE! NOW YOU'LL ADMIT I WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG! SEE?")

A 24-year-old Midwood woman frightened off an assailant by screaming, as she was grabbed from behind while walking along Avenue L, near Nostrand Avenue, around 3 this morning. Mrs. Sophie Copl, of 1159 E. 29th Street, told police at the Vanderveer Park precinct that she had just alighted from a Nostrand Avenue trolley car when the man grabbed her, and she began screaming. The man knocked her to the sidewalk and fled. Mrs. Copl was treated for minor injuries at Kings County Hospital and sent home. She was able to give police only a meagre description of her assailant.

(Ina Ray Hutton is not the sister of screen comedienne Betty Hutton, nor of Glenn Miller's vocalist Marion Hutton, although Betty and Marion are sisters to each other. Ina Ray is the sister of June Hutton, who sings with Charlie Spivak's band, but their real name is actually Cowan and they are no relation to film character actor Jerome Cowan. Got that? Oh, and Ina Ray also doesn't conduct her band wearing a nightgown. That's just them publicists.)

Jo Ranson notes that the "Truth Or Consequences" program has done everything to its contestants but make them drop a raw egg into an electric fan, and that's probably coming soon. Last week, one contestant was sentenced to be dropped into a pool of water -- but he resisted, and ended up taking master-of-ceremonies Ralph Edwards into the water with him. "So this is what Marconi, deForest, and Hertz made possible when they developed their electronic theories."

Aaaaaaaackshully, Doc, too much Vitamin D can cause nausea, vomiting, and calcification of the blood, leading to kidney stones, which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. But hey, you gotta hand it to the Doctor -- when he's "just shooting off his mouth," at least he admits it.

(Mr. Lichty here gives us a fine example of The Comedy of Anticipation. I still see people trying to park like this, and it never ceases to be funny, unless, of course, you own one of the other cars.)

The nineteen-year-old girl rescued from an inner tube floating off Raritan Bay in New Jersey will make a tour of Pentecostal churches to describe her story as one of divine retribution for the sin of being seen in public in a bathing suit. Miss Eleanore Maldonado, daughter of Pentecostal minister Rev. Louis Maldonado, will begin her preaching tour in her father's Brooklyn church. Miss Maldonado told reporters the last time she ventured to go swimming was in 1937, and having thus been rebuked, she has vowed never to do so again. Asked by reporters if she would pose for a photo in the sinful bathing suit, her mother Theresa Maldonado abruptly terminated the interview. "That," she declared with finality, "would be indecent."

("Huh!" snorts Joe. "Well, 'at's 'at t'en. Wonna if 'at Rizzuta's streak's still goin'? Howcum ain'nutt'n 'bouttat?" "Y'know," says Sally, "I bettat Frankie Gustine's a helluva jittabug. Lookit'tat aerial!")

Oscar Charleston's hard-hitting, hard-throwing Philadelphia Stars surge into Dexter Park tonight for an arc tilt with the Bushwicks. The two clubs stand even on the season so far, since splitting a twinbill in May, but the Stars are on a rampage in the Negro National League, having recently drubbed the league-leading Homestead Grays. Bots Nekola will probably pitch for the Bushwicks, while the Stars will send Chet Brewer, "Cream" McHenry, or Jesse Walker, who topped the Woodhaven squad in a complete-game victory when last they met. Sunday the Bushwicks will face the Baltimore Elite Giants in a twinbill.

(She should have asked Slappy to relay the message. We know he'd have no problem with it.)

("I swear, Jo, it was all perfectly innocent...")

(Oh Tom, you're so cute when you're naive...)

(As far as I'm concerned, this storyline can go on forever.)