September 20: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

September 20, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle History

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ON THIS DAY IN 1912, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “ALBANY — New York State officials say they have no authority to police oyster beds with a view to preventing their contamination by sewage. The jurisdiction rests with the New York City authorities. The declaration of the Federal Department of Agriculture that Jamaica Bay, Long Island, is polluted with typhoid germs, and the suggestion that the State government should police oyster beds, brought from Chairman George E. Van Kennen of the State Conservation Commission this statement today: ‘Shortly after the commission was created we began an investigation of the shellfish waters of Jamaica Bay, with a view of determining their sanitary condition. During the investigation we advised with the Government officials at Washington having charge of that branch of work. While at that time we had jurisdiction over a portion of these waters by reason of outstanding leases of shellfish lands, the last Legislature passed an act giving New York City entire jurisdiction and control of Jamaica Bay and the lands under its waters owned by the State. After this law passed we discontinued further investigation of the Jamaica Bay waters.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1924, the Eagle reported, “SYOSSET, L.I. — According to a rumor which appears to be well founded, the Prince of Wales is still planning to make his departure from Long Island unobtrusive, and will slip away tonight after the polo match at Meadow Brook Field instead of tomorrow night, as announced by his staff. This is the second time it has been rumored that the Prince would leave earlier than the date announced.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1936, the Eagle reported, “This is an unfortunate year for the marijuana crop on Long Island. The loss is estimated at nearly $2,000,000. Climatic conditions were all right, the plants got a fine start for seasonal growth and the dope sellers and users were counting on gathering a great crop of the leaves and seeds; enough to supply local undercover trade until the next growing season. One can only imagine what they are thinking and saying about it. They find not only their dreams for a bumper crop did not come true, but also that the big cash sales cannot ever materialize. ‘No sale’ is the sign on the cash register. Why? Because the New York City police have been active. The Narcotic Bureau of the City Police Department believes prevention is better than correction of crime. It classifies unauthorized use or possession of narcotics and crime together.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1939, the Eagle reported, “ROME (U.P.) — The Nazi swastika and the Communist hammer and sickle dipped in mutual salute when German and Russian forces met in the Polish Ukraine, according to dispatches from Italian war correspondents in Poland. Several correspondents described the German-Soviet meeting having been unexpected. The German officer recognized an advancing Soviet tank by its star just as his men were about to fire on it, thinking it Polish. The German officer fired his revolver to attract attention, the reports said, and a Russian officer jumped from the tank and shook hands with the Germans.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1940, the Eagle reported, “Because of the war and demoralized shipping, the Immigration Bureau faces a serious deportation problem, it was revealed today. Although figures were not available, it was indicated that there are hundreds of aliens in the country, some of them criminals, and some insane who cannot be deported. In addition to the difficulties in obtaining passage for deportees, the authorities are faced with the fact that some countries, such as Russia, Germany, Italy and Poland, have raised absolute bars against aliens subject to deportation from the United States. The deportation volume from the New York district alone has decreased 75 percent since the beginning of the war.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1949, the Eagle reported, “(U.P.) — Federal intervention appeared the only hope today of settling labor disputes in coal, steel and auto industries which would idle more than 2,000,000 workers in three weeks. The strike by John L. Lewis’ 480,000 United Mine Workers forced railroads to announce lay-offs for 26,424 employees. Steel mills began banking their furnaces to let them cool slowly in the face of the statement of Philip Murray, C.I.O. president, that his 1,000,000 steel workers would strike at midnight Saturday unless the firms acceded to his demands. Throughout the land a slow freeze hit production as firms put out stop orders while assessing their supplies of fuel and raw materials in the light of actual or threatened strikes. Walter Reuther’s United Auto Workers notified the Ford Company that 115,000 workers would walk out Sept. 29. About 2,200 employees at the Edgewater, N.J., plant had already quit.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1954, the Eagle reported, “Casey Stengel, if he so chose, could do a bit of personal celebrating today, even though his runner-up Yankees won’t be seen in the World Series this Fall. When Casey’s Yankees defeated the Athletics, 4-2, yesterday in Philadelphia, it marked the first time in 29 years with a major league club (14 as a player and 15 as a manager) that Stengel was part of a 100-game winner. The Yanks tied an American League record for most victories by a second place club. Detroit won 100 in 1915 when Boston won with 101. It was also the first time that a Yankee club reached the 100 mark since 1942 when it won 103. The dethroned Yankees announced today that a ‘Salute to the Champions’ tribute would be paid on Saturday night to team members who were on the five world title clubs. The Yankee management announced that personalized plaques will be presented to the members of the five world title teams at the Night of Champions. The plaques will be presented to manager Casey Stengel, Allie Reynolds, Phil Rizzuto, Gene Woodling, Hank Bauer, Joe Collins, Yogi Berra, Charlie Silvera, Jerry Coleman, Eddie Lopat, Frank Crosetti, Bill Dickey, Jim Turner, Ralph Houk and trainer Gus Mauch, a total of 15. Each fan attending the game will receive a memento. Brochures will be given the patrons. The centerfold will have a picture of all five teams. The front page will be a view of the Stadium. The back cover will have a facsimile of the plaque given the players.”

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George R. R. Martin
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Oscar-winning actress Sophia Loren, who was born in 1934; “A Song of Ice and Fire” author George R. R. Martin, who was born in 1948; Styx co-founder Chuck Panozzo, who was born in 1948; “Office Space” star Gary Cole, who was born in 1956; Thompson Twins co-founder Alannah Currie, who was born in 1957; TV journalist Deborah Roberts, who was born in 1960; Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, who was born in 1966; “3rd Rock from the Sun” star Kristen Johnston, who was born in 1967; Soundgarden bassist Ben Shepherd, who was born in 1969; “Blade” star N’Bushe Wright, who was born in Brooklyn in 1969; former N.Y. Mets outfielder Jason Bay, who was born in 1978; former NFL return specialist Dante Hall, who was born in 1978; “American Idol” champion Phillip Phillips, who was born in 1990; former N.Y. Islanders captain John Tavares, who was born in 1990; and “Yellowjackets” star Sammi Hanratty, who was born in 1995.