Modern Times An overview of the decade
Including an exclusive interview with Babe Ruth!
All you need to know about radios!
And what’s going on with the economy!
Table of Contents Pg. 1 Briefing “Crime is on the Rise” Pg. 2 Letter from the Editors “The Scopes Trial” Pg. 3 Advertising #1 “Bobett Curlers” Pg. 4 Letter to the Editors “Rural vs. Urban” Pg. 5 Letter to the Editors “Religion vs. Science”
Pg. 6 Letter to the Editors “Wets” Pg. 7 Advertisement #2 “Colgate Shaving Stick” Pg. 8 “World” Article Pg. 9 Advertisement #3 “Ivory Soap” Pg. 10 “Society” Article “Prohibition”
Pg. 11 “Economy” Article Pg. 12 “Radios, Intro to the Future” Pg. 13 “The Decade for Sports” Pg. 14 “Babe Ruth Interview” Pg. 15 Bibliography
Pg. 16 Bibliography
Crime is on the Rise Fellow American Citizens: Over the past decade crime rates have risen drastically. American life has become more dangerous with “gangsters”. Along with the passing of the 18th Amendment (Or Prohibition Act, passed Nov. 8, 1918) there has been more organized crime. As alcohol has been deemed in the U.S. as illegal when people are able to get their hands on it they drink harder than they had before, making them dangerous to themselves and to others. With such a demand for alcohol the gangsters that smuggle it in make a lot of money, with which they use to buy weapons, and in some parts outgun the police force. With such horrible acts happening on our doorsteps we have a choice, join in the crime which may some day lead to anarchy, or try to reduce it? If we live in the U.S. then am I not right to believe we choose democracy over anarchy? As proud American citizens we should all decide to not take part in the violence and chaos even if our neighbors, brothers and sisters do. It is our duty to our children and our ancestors to bring this all to a stop. Also with cars, criminals have found ways to use them as getaway cars.
What you should do to avoid being pulled into the endless labyrinth of crime: ●
Lock your doors
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Stay away from alcohol
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Don’t go to speakeasies
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Don’t get involved with gangsters, some of them even outgun the police force
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Help with unification of our great nation by advising against alcohol use
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Stay away from bootlegging and bootleggers
Dion O’Banion
Al Capone
-Paige Beckner
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The Scopes Trial Does mankind come from a monkey? Of course. While others are convinced that mankind came from a god, or other religious reasons, scientists have just came out with a new theory. This theory concluded that humans evolved from another species. The ape. There is scientific evidence that man came from an earlier species of ape. There are physical relations with the human and the ape. Such as, both species have thumbs, as well as similar brains. This is new scientific proof that religion is just a myth. We have evidence that mankind came from apes and we still believe in a god? Why? The Scopes Trial is outrageous. Not only should we have freedom of speech, but freedom of religious beliefs. John Thomas Scopes shouldn’t be convicted for teaching about evolution. People should know what brought them here, what brought everyone here. Scope's theory is brilliant. People need to know what brought them here, what brought everyone here. He shouldn’t be imprisoned for wanting to teach others about evolution, everyone has their own personal beliefs.
-Jocoa Kerschen and Samir Said
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Rural vs. Urban Stay True to Your Traditions Jeff Withey, Lawrence, Kansas
Urbanism is the Near Future Frank Mason, New York, New York
Rural America remains traditional. Prohibition is abided to, and speakeasies are hard to come by. Half of the country’s population lives in rural areas. Most americans depend on agriculture to survive.
First off, the cities are far more advanced than the rural. In the cities there is much more going on too.
Farm workers/owners make a living growing and selling these crops. Unlike the cities, people here are getting work done, and are making a living out of it. While people in the cities are either going to speakeasies, and doing all sorts of illegal things. In rural america, people are more responsible, and abide the rules.
Jocoa Kerschen
Samir Said
The city has much more advancement in technology. There is an abundance of radios, which is the newest type of social media. There is also a bigger need for electricity in urban areas, thus, more electricity is present. Cities are also significantly moving at a faster pace. While small towns
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Religion vs. Science This Country was Based on Religion Jonah Johnson, Nashville, Tennessee I can’t believe the lies americans will believe these days. Not only are we breaking tradition with the horrible things women are wearing, but now, we are going against the thing our country was founded upon? Our founding fathers believed in the Bible, so we should too. Growing up we were all told the same stories about how the earth came to be. And, I plan on telling my kids and the next generations the same stories. The truth of how we all came to be, not this science rubbish.
Religious Teachings Have Gone Too Far Rudy Jones, Nashville, Tennessee The banning of of the teaching of scientific material is an outrage. This directly violates the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. I can’t have my child going to school and being taught material that has been censored and screened to promote religious beliefs in schools.
In the 19th century Charles Darwin wrote the “Origin of Species.” This introduced an idea that threatened the religious beliefs. Many people refuse to accept this idea of evolution which is their choice, however, this theory deserves to be recognized in schools just as much as religion does. The future generations deserve to be educated on everything and let them choose what they want to believe in, not us.
Katherine Carter
Aiden Crowley
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Wets Our choice, not the government Samuel Smith, Jamestown New York Prohibition? Should the sale, consumption, and production of alcohol be illegal in these fair states? The government passed a law into place forbidding any of these from happening. But the real question is why? How is this further benefiting our government or our people? The answer is, it isn’t. Those high up officials think they’re smart when in real life, they’re not. Nothing can keep U.S. citizens from getting what they want, we are determined to have this unfair amendment (The 18th Amendment) rid of. In actuality we can get alcohol anywhere: from foreign ships, bordering countries, and even illegal manufacture. There are also speakeasies that are easy to get to for any of those being withheld from our freedom of choice to drink alcohol. I mean, we don’t tell them how to brush their teeth, do we?
Paige Beckner
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WORLD ARTICLE Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov dies at 54! Vladimir Illyich Ulyanov, mainly known as Lenin, founder of the Soviet Union died on January 21, 1924. Lenin, who started off as a middle-class lawyer, started the Bolshevik revolution for workers & peasants that lost their lives because of a series of debilitating strokes. Lenin was one of 5 children. He studied in Britain, and later on become a lawyer. Lenin’s also the founder of Russian Communist Party. Lenin inspired people through his life and was a great leader in their opinion. The Soviet Union’s at its 6th year as a country now. Communist Party general secretary, Joseph Stalin, is most likely going to be in command. Lenin didn’t want this to happen because he believes that Stalin would abuse this power.
-Samir Said
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Prohibition, a Good Idea? Or a Bad One? The 18th amendment was passed recently to reduce drinking. It abolished all breweries, distilleries, winemakers, wholesale sellers, and saloons. Now, any beverage containing .5% or more alcohol is against the law. The only alcohol not illegal under this amendment is alcohol prescribed by a doctor. Doctors can still dispense alcohol as medicine. Why was prohibition passed? Prohibition was the popular vote of voters after the end of World War 1. Americans thought it would help the poor so they wouldn't spend their checks at saloons. Industry leaders voted for this amendment because they believed the alcohol decreased their workers productivity. Another group of people that strongly supported the passing of this amendment is the protestant churches. The culture of drinking was contrary to the protestant ethic. A lot of parents supported this amendment to protect american youth from alcohol and alcohol related activities like gambling and prostitution. Prohibition has been a failure. The number of arrests for intoxicated people has doubled. People have learned how to make liquor themselves. Another way people got alcohol without making it themselves is through bootleggers and moonshiners.
-Katherine Carter
Bootleggers, Moonshiners, Rumrunners and Speakies.
All these were the primary source for illegal drinking. Bootleggers illegally make, sell and transport liquor, wine, and beer. Moonshiners are the people who make your liquor in their own homemade stills. Rumrunners are the people who illegally import liquor from overseas. Speakies are private clubs, that are supposedly secret, that you can drink. To have liquor at one of these places you must show credentials so they know you aren't an officer. Usually identifying yourself with a trusted patron of the place will do the trick. Most clubs you find are very trashy and dirty, but some clubs are classy, sophisticated spots were artists, wealthy businessmans, and society ladies meet to drink.
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The Economy and Wall Street Getting rich on Wall Street! Or not?
Boom and Bust in Florida Real Estate
In the beginning of our great decade there were millions of Americans from all over the country who were trying to get rich off of Wall Street by buying and selling stocks. In reality most people didn’t make any money at all, in fact, about two or three people out of every hundred were actually able to take some money from Wall Street. If you wanted to get rich then you couldn’t follow the status quo.
Land in Florida in the early 1920s was thought of by many Americans a great vacation spot. In fact, some millionaires even competed with each other for Florida’s land in some aspects at the time it was considered, “America’s Last Frontier.” But, in the late 1920s a West Indian hurricane swept over Florida that lead to bank failures causing Florida’s land to lose a lot of value. The Continuous Cycle
Cars and Economy In the beginning of the decade, there were many new inventions that gave Americans more freedom or choices. One of the most successful new inventions to give Americans more freedom was the invention of the car. Due to this new invention in the 1920s about 20% of Americans had cars, much of this is credited to Henry Ford’s fordism. Cars helped the economy create jobs in factories for producing cars and also in the construction business. Music and the Economy The new sound of America, proclaimed as Jazz seemed to invade American ears and entrance them. Although it was more popular in the North, some people in the South could hear it too, thanks to radios which many Americans had at the time. People bought radios because they felt it connected them to the rest of the world better. In the North, where there were more live performances, it was more prefered to be paid for and heard in person.
-Paige Beckner
For an economy to stay strong there needs to be a low unemployment rate with higher paying jobs than other places in the world. Then when the people make money they need to be willing to spend it. And finally, the cycle needs to repeat. But eventually, since the world isn’t perfect, it will get disturbed booms can’t go on forever. Wall Street Comes Crashing Down Near the end of the 1920s on October 29, 1929 Wall Street lost all its value when investors tried to trade in around sixteen million shares for the New York Stock Exchange in one day.because on this day the United States lost an estimated twentyfive billion dollars.
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Radios- Intro to the Future Radios! Radios! Radios! The new big thing is here! From the ladies in North Dakota to the gentlemen in New York, everyone is in the radio phenomenon. This new technology is only one hundred dollars! The mysterious box has a dial for turning stations, a loud horn speaker, and a box to hold everything together. To use, all you have to do is hook up the antenna, charge the batteries, and your ready to go. The famous “Amos n’ Andy” is a huge hit. This new comedy is a fifteenminute show that merely makes fun of blacks. The two men put on black masks, and act as if they are black. The say stupid stuff and tease about the blacks. It is sure to bring a smile to your face and something to look forward to.
Now, with the radio, you don’t have to travel for sporting events. All you have to do is sit down, relax, and listen. That’s right. Radios now broadcast sports! Now you won’t have to miss another one of Babe Ruth’s home runs ever again. Bring fame to players, extend your knowledge of sports, and save some money with announced sports games. Waiting to hear the election is a drag. This is why KDKA brought experimental station 8zz to the world of radio. KDKA is a national radio station that broadcasts nationally. So they started a new station specifically for the election. On the day of the election, KDKA would announce who had won. This message would get sent all throughout the nation. This is an extreme breakthrough! Instead of waiting to hear about the election, you could now hear about it through radio that day!
-Jocoa Kerschen
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The Decade for Sports Black Sox Scandal We have received news that eight Black Sox players were bribed to “throw” the 1919 World Series. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, “Happy” Felsch, Eddie Cicotte, “Lefty” Williams, Chick Gandil, Fred McMullin, “Swede” Risberg, and “Buck” Weaver confessed to accepting the bribe. You will never see these players in baseball again. Commissioner Kenesaw Landis banned these players for life on August 3, 1921. Pro Football Professional football founded in 1922. First prominent team was the bears led by “red” Grange and George Halas. By the mid twenties the Chicago Bears drew 70,000 people to their games. In 1926 Grange made $100,000 passing Babe Ruth for being the highest paid athlete.
-Aiden Crowley
The Great Bambino George Herman “Babe” Ruth is the face of baseball. He started his career in Boston as a Red Sox and set a pitching record of 29 ⅔ consecutive scoreless innings pitched in 1916. In 1919 he was converted to an outfielder and led the American League with 29 home runs and 114 runs batted in. New York Yankees bought him for $100,000 and a loan of $300,000. In 1920 “Babe” Ruth hit a record 54 home runs and 177 runs batted in. The following year he improved his stats with 59 home runs and 171 runs batted in. He lead the Yankees to American League Championships in 1921, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1927 and 1928. In 1927 he broke his own home run record with a career high 60 home runs.
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Babe Ruth Interview On Sunday, we sat down with George Herman “The Great Bambino” Ruth and asked him some questions about his life and outstanding seasons. So tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. What was life like for you growing up? I was often made fun of because my lips were bigger than most people and had a little bit darker skin than most of the white kids. I spent more time on the streets than actually going to school, and often drank when no one was around. Now to baseball, when did you start playing baseball? I always used to play street ball, but when I started going to Saint Mary’s I joined a team. I often played positions that were unusual for lefties. What do you think when you go up to the plate every time you hit? I dont, you can't think when you are up there. But one thing is, you can't let the fear of striking out get in your way. What do you think was your biggest accomplishment in your career? Being picked into the hall of fame, it is a feeling like no other. What would you like to see in the future of baseball? Seeing every boy between the ages of 6 and 16 with a glove in their hand and swinging a bat. What keeps you playing baseball? Baseball is, was and always be the best game in the world. It’s as simple as that. How was your team so successful for so many years? Because we worked well as a team, you can’t win even with the best players if they don’t work well together as a team. How do you feel when you strike out? Every strikeout brings me closer to another home run. What do you think made you so successful? Its hard to beat a person who never gives up, so I don’t give up. -Aiden Crowley
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Dion O'Banion. Digital image. Scena Criminis. N.p., n.d. Web. Crewe, Sabrina, and Michael V. Uschan. The Scopes "monkey" Trial. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Pub., 2005. Print Gordon, Lois G., Alan Gordon, and Lois G. Gordon. The Columbia Chronicles of American Life, 1910-1992. New York: Columbia UP, 1995. Print. "Hall of Fame Speech - June 12, 1939." Babe Ruth. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2014. Hanson, Erica. "Chapter 2." The 1920s. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1999. 26-34. Print. It Floats. Digital image. Duke University Libraries. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2014. Kallen, Stuart A. The Roaring Twenties. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 2002. Print. Medicinal Use of Alcohol. Digital image. Click Americana. N.p., n.d. Web. Pietrusza, David. The Roaring Twenties. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1998. Print. Radio. Digital image. Culture20s30s. N.p., n.d. Web. Radio 1920s Radio-1920s. Digital image. Imgarcade.com. N.p., n.d. Web. Scopes Trials. Digital image. Scopes Festival. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
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Bibliography Speakeasies, Moonshine and Gangsters. Digital image. BBC. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. "Stock Market Crash of 1929." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2014. Suddath-, Claire. "The Crash of 1929." Time. Time Inc., 29 Oct. 2008. Web. 07 Oct. 2014. "The U.S. Economy in the 1920s." EHnet. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2014. U.S.A. 1920s. Danbury, CT: Grolier, 2005. Print. "Wall Street Crash of 1929." - Simple English Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2014. Woman's Hair Is Still Her Crowning Glory. Digital image. Duke University Libraries. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2014. Woog, Adam, Michael V. Uschan, Erica Hanson, Petra Press, Stuart A. Kallen, Gini Holland, and Gail B. Stewart. A Cultural History of the United States: Through the Decades. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1999. Print. Yancey, Diane. Life during the Roaring Twenties. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2002. Print.
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