January 11: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

January 11, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle History

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ON THIS DAY IN 1923, a Brooklyn Daily Eagle editorial said, “One hundred and seventeen women and six men were arraigned yesterday in the New York Court of Special Sessions on charges of shoplifting. These cases spring from arrests made during the holiday season when the spectacle of crowded counters and the congestion of shoppers offer temptation to petty thieves. Shoplifters, especially women, have too commonly been treated in the courts as mentally diseased and as therefore immune to punishment. It is apparent from the proceedings in the Court of Special Sessions that more severe measures are to be adopted in many of these cases. Shoplifting in the majority of its manifestations is a peculiar sordid offense, committed to gratify the personal love of finery and seldom with the excuse that actual need impels to the commission of the crime. A little severity accompanied by publicity will do more than anything else to reduce the number of these offenses. The confirmed kleptomaniac may need medical care and restraint. The casual thief who steals because stealing appears to be easy and profitable needs a term in jail.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1925, the Eagle reported, “Crowds pouring out of theaters along Broadway shortly before supper last night paused to watch employees of the Broadway Branch of the Mechanics Bank transfer $4,000,000 in currency and securities to the new home of the institution at 1416 Gates Ave. The 50 men and women employed in the bank and police under the command of Capt. David Kane of the Ralph Ave. station guarded the money as it was transported in carts to an armored car at the curb. The car with its treasure was driven the 500 feet from the old building at 1363 Broadway to the new one.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1938, the Eagle reported, “ALBANY — Three bills dealing with strike situations were sent to Republican-controlled Assembly committees today after their introduction by Brooklyn members of the House. One of the measures would have the effect of curbing sympathy strikes. Assemblyman Crawford Hawkins (D., 1st A.D.) proposed an amendment to the labor law providing that if an employer is faithfully executing the terms of a contract with his own employees, the latter shall not be authorized to strike in sympathy with the workers of another employer. Meanwhile, Assemblyman Ralph Schwartz (D., 13th A.D.) presented a measure granting a jury trial, when demanded, to defendants arrested for disorderly conduct if the alleged offense arises from an act of picketing. The third measure was one sponsored by Assemblyman Frank Monaco (A.L.P., 23rd A.D.), who called upon the Assembly to repeal the statute under which 32 Jewish Hospital strikers were prosecuted and convicted for allegedly having endangered the lives of patients. Monaco, whose bill carries the backing of the American Labor Party delegation, said the law was an obsolete one and said it was resurrected to prosecute the hospital strikers. Monaco said his bill was intended to preclude use of the statute in the future.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1955, the Eagle reported, “LONDON (UP) — Highly placed diplomatic sources said today that United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold apparently has failed to win freedom for 11 American airmen jailed in Red China on espionage charges. They said Mr. Hammarskjold apparently has kept the door open for further negotiations with Red China which might bring about the release of the American fliers later. Their information apparently was based on detailed diplomatic reports received from the secretary general in Hong Kong, which he reached today on his return from Peiping. The British Foreign Office disclosed it has received a ‘full report’ on the Peiping negotiations between Hammarskjold and Red China’s Premier-Foreign Minister Chou En-lai. But the Foreign Office was close-mouthed on the contents of the report, forwarded here by Humphrey Trevelyan, British Charge D’Affaires in Peiping. Informed sources here said yesterday’s communique on the conferences in Peiping indicated that conclusive results had not been achieved. But the communique also showed that the discussions had not bogged down entirely. These sources were optimistic that future talks might win freedom for the 11 imprisoned American fliers. But they were agreed prospects were not bright for their early release and said considerably more diplomatic maneuvering was anticipated in the tension-packed case.”

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NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tony Kaye (Yes), who was born in 1945; World Golf Hall of Famer Ben Crenshaw, who was born in 1952; Bangles guitarist Vicki Peterson, who was born in 1958; stock car racing driver Brett Bodine, who was born in 1959; former N.Y. Mets coach Manny Acta, who was born in 1969; singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige, who was born in 1971; “Brockmire” star Amanda Peet, who was born in 1972; “Prison Break” star Rockmond Dunbar, who was born in 1973; former N.Y. Giants tight end Kevin Boss, who was born in 1984; WordPress developer Matt Mullenweg, who was born in 1984; and former N.Y. Jets tight end Ryan Griffin, who was born in 1990.

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IMMIGRANT SONG: Alexander Hamilton was born on this day in 1755. The American founding father, diplomat, soldier and coauthor of The Federalist papers was born in Charlestown, Nevis, British West Indies. President George Washington appointed Hamilton the first secretary of the Treasury in 1789, and in that position he established the basis for all future American fiscal policy. Hamilton was shot by Vice President Aaron Burr in a duel on July 11, 1804 and died the next day.

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A BURNING ISSUE: On this day in 1964, U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry issued the first government report saying that smoking cigarettes may be hazardous to one’s health.

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Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.

Quotable:

“Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all the power to the few, they will oppress the many.”

— U.S. founding father Alexander Hamilton, who was born on this day in 1755