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March of Time
Trouble Abroad 1937-39 Part 2
Junk and WarTensions Increase 1937 3:47 American steel is in high demand because of the war. Countries including Japan and Italy demand steel in all forms, especially scraps. England's D.O.R.A. 4:49 Although British have enjoyed common law throughout history, D.O.R.A. (war-time regulations) now imposes rules such as bar closings at 10 p.m. The legislations interferes with shopkeepers' business, but there is no speculation yet as to when it will end. Fiorello LaGuardia 10:18 LaGuardia, the first non-Tammany major of New York in decades, has reestablished and reorganized the government. His work includes restoring the city's credit (by taking a pay cut himself) as well as social reforms. U.S. Secret Service 5:14 Each year, $500,000 in circulation is counterfeit. This segment depicts the work of the Secret Service to track and catch counterfeiters, including William Watts, who eluded the Service for over four years. "Amoskeag" - Success Story 6:19 While textile mills relocated en masse to the South, Manchester, New Hampshire kept its Amoskeag mill which supported most of the town for four generations. When Amoskeag faced bankruptcy, much of the town left, but local businessmen and former mayor Arthur Murrow banded together to buy it back; they raised $5 million with the help of the entire state. Over the next year, they diversified the industry to prevent another collapse, making Manchester "the ghost city that returned to life." Crisis in Algeria 7:00 Benito Mussolini is threatening to create a strong force around the Mediterranean and especially in Algeria, which France owns. Algeria is now strategically important as European powers begin factioning into two primary sides. Britain's Gambling Fever 5:05 More popular than the sport of "football" (soccer, to Americans) in Britain are the betting pools surrounding the sport. Depression in London ensured the success of gambling, even though the odds of winning are much less than in most casino games. The British government is debating whether to outlaw gambling or to control it and tax it. The Human Heart 6:38 Heart disease is now the leading cause of death in the United States, increasing over the last 25 years. Doctors rationalize the trend by pointing out that people live longer because of cures for other disease, making them more susceptible to a weak heart later in life. Despite the increase in disease, knowledge surrounding the heart and heart disease has also increased, making it possible to avoid untimely death. Alaska's Salmon War 7:33 Alaska, which has become of strategic importance to the United States now that it can be reached by plane, thrives on fishing, especially of salmon. Japanese ships now threaten to deplete their livelihood by entering both their waters and their markets, as there are no laws preventing it. Americans will try to use moral suasion to deter the Japanese, but its effectiveness is doubtful. Finland's 20th Birthday 6:00 Finland, which achieved its independence 20 years ago, has proved itself to be a successful nation. It has industrialized, increased economic relations with the United States, and most importantly to some, paid all of its debts. The Laugh Industry 4:59 New York is the center of entertainment, and radio is king. Comedians must spend countless hours each week preparing jokes, and although gag specialists have libraries of humor, it is comedians like Jack Benny who gets the laughs, sometimes 75 in a 30-minute period. Ships-Strikes-Seamen 7:16 Joseph Kennedy heads a committee to determine the problem and possible solutions abroad merchant marine ships, which are consistently unruly. The U.S. Maritime Survey was the result of Kennedy's work, which recommends new ships, routes, and training schools to restore discipline. Although the Maritime Union saw it as the first step in a series of legislation against them, nothing was done to appease them. |