New Year's Outlook at the Outset of 1941 With War Looming

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Happy New Year dear Pelham!  As we look forward to 2018 with confidence and optimism, our Pelham ancestors had their own views of the future on New Year's Day at the outset of 1941.

Though the winds of war were blowing in Europe, as New Year's Day passed in Pelham at the beginning of 1941, no one knew that later in the same year the Japanese would attack Pearl Harbor and draw the United States into World War II.  Instead, at the beginning of the year, the local newspaper asked local merchants and village officials to provide their outlooks for local business and their thoughts about what would happen in the upcoming year.  Some of the forecasts were surprisingly astute and on point.  Others, not so much. . . . 

War was on the horizon.  A common thread among virtually all who provided their forecasts for the upcoming year was the need for national defense and a hope that peace would prevail in Europe before the United States could be drawn into the war.  

War preparations and national defense improvements had begun to lift the United States out of the dark depths of the Great Depression by 1940.  Many local businessmen noted that their businesses had done well in 1940 and that the Christmas holiday shopping season had been successful.  

Several business people expressed near certainty that the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway would resume service though Pelham under the auspices of the Port Authority in 1941.  All hoped that such a resumption of service would improve the business climate of the Village of North Pelham.  The bankrupt railroad never resumed service and the railroad line eventually was dismantled.

Local village officials were quick to note that they were not advocating consolidation of the villages but were advocating for closer cooperation among the villages to reduce duplication of efforts and expenses.  Taxes, it seems, were on the minds of Pelhamites that New Year's Day -- exactly as they are today for modern Pelhamites.  As one village official put it, "I should also like to see the Pelham villages working in closer co-operation, with a view toward eliminating duplication of effort and expense.  While I am not at this time advocating the consolidation of the villages, I do believe that it will be possible during the next year for village officials to get together on a program of combined action of certain agencies in the village governments.  Any effort of village officials to reduce expense will be welcomed by the taxpayers.  That should be a New Year Resolution for local officials."

As one would expect, Pelham business people were looking for ways to encourage Pelham residents to buy locally -- just as their counterparts today do.  One forecast the possibility that more electric lights would be installed along Fifth Avenue to encourage evening shoppers.  

All who expressed their hopes for the new year of 1941 on that day more than 75 years ago spoke with love for their Town and Villages.  The hopes of each shed interesting light on how much we Pelhamites today are like those who came so long before us.

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"1940 Good Year For Local Business; Merchants See Good Outlook For 1941
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A fairly prosperous year 1940 and hopes for an even more prosperous and happy New Year provided the keynote to the thoughts expressed by Pelham merchants interviewed by The Pelham Sun this week.  All voiced the wish that in 1941, Pelham should and undoubtedly will continue to develop into a real and thriving center of business and culture.  Following are statements of the merchants.

Willard N. Young, Manager of the Pelham Branch Bank:  'Standing at the opening of a new year, there is little firm ground on which to base a future prediction.  Even the eternal certainty of taxation is qualified by the more important consideration of unknown degree.  The most dependable probability is a continuation of rearmament activity.  The consequences of our own increasing involvement may also appear in definite form.  The coming months will furnish anxieties about the outcome of the war; about our own participation in it; about effectiveness of our own defense efforts and the like.  1941 will be a year for history.

'Local business at the bank continues to show improvement as it has in the past.  Deposits have in-

(Continued on Page Five.)

1940 Good Year For Business
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(continued from page 1)

creased a half-million dollars.  Commercial, interest, Christmas club accounts, and safe deposit boxes show a decided increase over last year.  We look forward to a better business at home in 1941.'

Mayor Dominic Amato of North Pelham:  'The world will remember the Year 1941 as one of great importance, just as it will not forget the years 1939 and 1940.  We can earnestly hope that the international situation will be cleared up this year, so that 1942 may not be viewed in the same dark international aspect.  Let us all in the United States remember that we are 100 per cent Americans, and steadfastly hold to the true tradition of Democracy, and stay out of foreign wars, yet ever be ready to defend that which is ours.

'For the Pelhams I have high hopes of continued progress.  It is practically certain that the New York, Westchester & Boston Railroad will be operated again under Port of New York Authority supervision, which will provide through train service to the 180th street terminal of the subway.  This will be a decided boon to North Pelham and to other communities which have been at a standstill since the train service was discontinued.  This single project will be the biggest contribution toward progress that can be made during the next year.

'I should also like to see the Pelham villages working in closer co-operation, with a view toward eliminating duplication of effort and expense.  While I am not at this time advocating the consolidation of the villages, I do believe that it will be possible during the next year for village officials to get together on a program of combined action of certain agencies in the village governments.  Any effort of village officials to reduce expense will be welcomed by the taxpayers.  That should be a New Year Resolution for local officials.'

Mayor Edmund C. Gause of Pelham Manor:  'I look forward to a prosperous year 1941 for the residents of Pelham Manor.  The municipal house of the village is in excellent order, and during 1941 the taxpayers may be assured that the program of efficient management will be continued, with a view toward economies which will permit the present reasonable tax rate to be maintained, and if possible reduced.

The officials and employees of the village of Pelham Manor extend to all citizens, their very best wishes for happiness and success during 1941.

'I hope that we in Pelham, in this country, and in the world will take our time to think and make social, economic, and political adjustments to the best advantage of all.  I feel that we must be prepared for any eventuality but at the same time, keep our noses out of any business that is not concerned in our behalf.'  --  John House, prop. of the Pelham Stationers, 89 Wolf's Lane.

'Business has been generally good, and I think we can look forward to the new year with optimism.  During 1940 many people who live in Pelham started to realize that they can purchase in Pelham what they need, just as conveniently and sometimes cheaper than they could have elsewhere.'  --  Albert Wise, Wise Hardware Store, 129 Fifth avenue.

'For a town of this size with the existing population, we had an excellent business year and holiday shopping period.  I would like to suggest for the New Year, that the merchants of Pelham get together and strive to put up more electric street lights on Fifth avenue and Wolf's Lane.  This would establish Pelham as more of a shopping center to both residents and those who pass through the town.  I think the extra lights would make Pelham more attractive in the minds of prospective dwellers, too.'  -- Joseph Klein, Klein's Pharmacy, Fifth avenue.

'In comparison with past years, 1940 proved to be a good business year.  Christmas shopping was good, and I just hope 1941 will end up as well.'  --  Freeman York, Florist, 211 Wolf's Lane.

'I would like Pelham to develop as a place of business even more during the new year, and would also welcome the building of a few more apartments in the town in 1941.  We were satisfied with out business record of 1940 and hope we do as well this year.'  --  Irving J. Wallach, Carolina Markets, 217 Wolf's Lane and 304 Fifth avenue.

'Our old year business and Christmas shopping was good, and we hope for the same in 1941.  We wish every one a Happy New Year.'  --  Clarence Russell, Pelham Pharmacy, 1 Fifth avenue.

'We had a good Christmas shopping and general business throughout the year and hope for a similar increase next year.  In 1941, I'd like to see the Boston & Westchester Railroad in service again for Pelham's benefit.  Of course, we all pray for a lasting peace abroad during the new year.'  --  Herman Glasser, Pelham Paint & Hardware Co., 311 Fifth avenue.

'To the people of Pelham, I wish health and wealth for the new year.  For the world in general, I'd like a universal and lasting peace to be ushered in with 1941.'  --  Samuel Dreyer, Dreyer's Pharmacy, 85 Wolf's Lane.

'I've been in Pelham now for 15 years and during the next 15 years I hope I see as much or even more business development in the town.  All the years I've spent here have been good business years, but more growth will bring better business for everyone in the town.  As a real New Year's wish, I'd like to come to work some morning and see in the headlines that peace had been declared in Europe.  The sooner the better.'  --  Dave Campion, stationer, 5 Fifth avenue.

'With the national defense program rapidly swinging into full operation, Pelham real estate may now look forward to its share of the resulting prosperity.  Pelham being one of the more attractive suburban residential communities, is in an excellent position to take full advantage of the many opportunities now afforded it.'  --  Hubert M. Finnerty, Fourth street and Sixth avenue."

Source:  1940 Good Year For Local Business; Merchants See Good Outlook For 1941, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 3, 1941, Vol. 30, No. 40, p. 1, cols. 2-3 & p. 5, cols. 5-8.

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