September 24: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

September 24, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle History

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ON THIS DAY IN 1918, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “References to Governor [Charles S.] Whitman’s ambitions to be the Republican presidential nominee in 1920 were injected into the campaign today by Albert Pere, chairman of the Belgian Campaign Committee for Alfred E. Smith, the Democratic nominee. Following the organization of a series of committees to work among American citizens of the races of allied countries, Mr. Pere said: ‘The American citizens from the Allied countries realize that Governor Whitman is ambitious to run for President in 1920 and that for the sake of political expediency it is natural for him to oppose the Democratic party. Therefore President [Woodrow] Wilson can best be served in his great constructive work by the support of a Democratic Governor. Alfred E. Smith is the type of man who is worthy in all respects to support the President and his policies.’”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1941, the Eagle reported, “Action of the Federal Reserve Board last night in ordering reserve requirements of member banks increased to the statutory limit was generally viewed in banking quarters here today as a ‘constructive and logical anti-inflation measure.’ The increase is small and its effect is expected to be largely psychological, however. The order becomes effective November 1 and will sop up about $1,200,000,000 of the $5,200,000,000 excess reserves which are regarded as a potential source of dangerous inflation. Banks will still have ample funds to meet the nation’s credit needs, the Board believes. Reaction to the move in security and market circles was less satisfactory. The trading community pointed out that a similar step played a part in choking off an upward move in stocks and commodities back in 1937 and that some banks undoubtedly will be forced to liquidate at least part of their current holdings of United States Government bonds. Federal bonds have been weak for some time in anticipation of the requirements’ boost.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1943, the Eagle reported, “Charles Pfizer & Co., Brooklyn company, one of the largest producers of the new drug penicillin in the country, has purchased a refrigeration plant about two blocks from its property to enlarge output of the new drug. It is planned to spend about $750,000 on the project which will be one of the largest penicillin plants in the country and it is hoped that work can be completed by the end of this year. The highest priorities have been obtained for needed equipment. It is planned to construct large new facilities for fermentation and for the recovery of the drug. The refrigeration facilities in the plant purchased will be useful because penicillin must be made under carefully controlled temperatures. Cooling towers for water and a boiler plant will be installed. Pfizer to date has been making the remarkable new drug in a laboratory plant and in a pilot plant. Output in September has shown very pronounced improvement.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1948, the Eagle reported, “The hapless Chicago White Sox made their contribution to the wild American League pennant scramble yesterday when they dumped the New York Yankees, 4 to 2, and thus prevented a three-way deadlock at the top of the standings. The Yankees, who have not been on top since the opening day of the season, tumbled a full game behind idle Cleveland and Boston with only eight games remaining on their schedule.”

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ON THIS DAY IN 1950, the Eagle reported, “Acting Mayor Vincent R. Impellitteri has fired William P. O’Brien as Police Commissioner, the Brooklyn Eagle learned last night from unimpeachable sources close to Manhattan police headquarters. The dismissal notice, issued in the midst of rumors that Commissioner O’Brien would tender his resignation, becomes effective as of Monday night and is a direct result of the uncovering by Brooklyn rackets probers of corruption in the Police Department. Present indications are that a person now in the Police Department will be elevated to the top post. The Eagle, which touched off the probe in a series of articles started last December, also learned that investigators in District Attorney Miles F. McDonald’s office feel sure that bigtime bookie Harry Gross, reputed to be the head of a $20,000,000 betting empire which paid protection to police at the rate of nearly $1,000,000 a year, is prepared to talk. They believe that Gross is ready to reverse his earlier decision to remain silent about his gifts and protection payments to the higher echelon of the police force.”

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NOTABLE PEOPLE BORN ON THIS DAY include Pro Football Hall of Famer “Mean” Joe Greene, who was born in 1946; “NYPD Blue” star Gordon Clapp, who was born in 1948; former N.Y. Mets outfielder Hubie Brooks, who was born in 1956; “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” star Kevin Sorbo, who was born in 1958; “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” star Nia Vardalos, who was born in 1962; former N.Y. Mets outfielder Bernard Gilkey, who was born in 1966; Slipknot founder Shawn “Clown” Crahan, who was born in 1969; “Dark Skies” star Megan Ward, who was born in 1969; Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL running back Eddie George, who was born in 1973; and “The Politician” star Ben Platt, who was born in 1993.

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BENCHMARK: John Marshall was born on this day in 1755. The Virginia native served in the House of Representatives and was secretary of state under President John Adams, who appointed him the fourth chief justice of the U.S. in 1801. Marshall’s court was largely responsible for defining the role of the Supreme Court and basic organizing principles of government in the early years after the Constitution was adopted. He died in 1835.

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EXCITING AND NEW: “The Love Boat” premiered on this day in 1977. Produced by Aaron Spelling, the one-hour comedy-drama series featured weekly guest stars aboard a cruise ship, the Pacific Princess. All stories had to do with finding or losing love. Gavin MacLeod played the ship’s captain, Merrill Stubing, and co-stars included Bernie Kopell, Ted Lange, Lauren Tewes and future U.S. Rep. Fred Grandy. The series ended in 1986 but special TV movies were broadcast in later years.

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

Quotable:

“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”

— author F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was born on this day in 1896