USA > New York > Niagara County > Outpost of empires; a short history of Niagara County > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
How did Niagara County and the nation deal with the depression?
Depression paralyzed With the collapse of the stock market in the nation October of 1929, the wheels of industry gradually slowed down. At Pittsburgh, De-
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troit, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls, factory smokestacks reached empty into the sky. "No Help Wanted" signs hung from the front gates of silent factories. Incomes began to drop. And as they did, people had to give up the things they had bought on the magical installment plan. The depression grew deeper. Banks failed and many people saw their savings lost in the business crisis.
People unable to meet mortgage payments were forced from their homes onto the streets. Small villages grew up in the city dumps on the edges of cities. Shacks made from old wood, flattened tin, and cardboard arose from the trash heaps.
Niagara fought back The depression continued to grind its way over helpless millions. Cities and states tried to relieve some of the suffering. The $250,000 that the state gave the City of Niagara Falls in 1932 dropped into a bottomless pit of need. Everywhere social agencies increased their appeals for funds to ease the plight of the poor.
In the crisp November of 1932, the Rotary Community Clothing Bureau made direct appeals in the Gazette for shoes and blankets. Walter Grieg, Bureau official, told of people plodding through freez- ing slush without soles on their shoes, of ragged men, women, and children without adequate clothing against the cold. Rotary Club members repaired shoes and clothing donated by the public and gave them to needy families. But this help was not nearly enough to end the widespread hunger and misery in the county.
As the depression tightened its grip, local governments felt the pinch. During the Roaring Twenties they had spent money freely on schools, roads, and buildings. Heavily in debt and unable to collect taxes, local governments were unable to meet payrolls or give adequate services. Salaries of city employees were cut. School oper- ating costs in Niagara Falls were cut twenty-five percent. All but the barest necessities of city government were cut to the bone. But the Advisory Welfare Committee was able to report that the city was in better shape than many others.
In Lockport, North Tonawanda, and elsewhere in the county it was the same story. The Niagara County Economic Council care- fully checked county budgets to see if salaries, services, and other expenses could be cut in some way. Because of these steps, the county was able to avoid financial disaster. In a time when many areas of the nation were failing, this was an accomplishment.
The nation turned hopefully to F.D.R. Amid the misery and hunger of 1932, the election for president took place. The Demo- crats chose Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor of New York, to run against Republican Herbert Hoover. Hoover
promised that prosperity was "just around the corner." But the voters blamed him and his party for the depression. When the votes were counted, Franklin Roosevelt was elected.
The Federal Govern- The new president, telling the people "The ment joined the fight only thing we have to fear is fear itself,"
plunged right into the task of getting the nation back on its feet. His chief weapon against the depression was the wealth and power of the United States Government. Under the president's urging, Congress quickly passed an Emergency Relief bill to take care of those without food, clothing, and a place to live.
Then a series of "alphabet" organizations began to roll out of Washington to help the nation. The "C. C. C.," the Civilian Con- servation Corps, put many young men between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five to work at the task of saving our resources. Public parks in the county and state were built by these youths. The Works Progress Administration, better known as the W. P. A., and the Public Works Administration, the P. W. A., put more men to work in the county. The Civil Works Administration, C. W. A., gave money so that the night school program of Niagara Falls could open again in 1933.
The nation repealed the Prohibition Law In December of 1933, the prohibition ex- periment was ended by repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment. The Niagara Falls Gazette published a list of sixteen places where liquor was for sale. A carnival atmosphere filled the liquor centers as gay crowds swarmed about waiting to buy. Back came the five-cent glass of beer. But after the excitement passed, the depression was still there to be faced.
World War II ended the depression Gradually some sort of order emerged from the pieces left by the crash of 1929. By 1936, the worst of the depression had passed, although there was a sharp falling off in business again in 1937. The outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 started factories in Niagara County and elsewhere humming again. The evil of depression had been replaced by the evil of war.
How did America enter World War II?
Hitler rose to power in Germany When the world bogged down in the de- pression of the Thirties, Germany, the de- feated nation of World War I, was left to shift for herself. Rising from the bitterness, confusion, and hate of defeat, Adolph Hitler promised a new Germany. Telling the Ger-
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mans they were a superior people, Hitler began arming the nation for a new struggle.
Before a disorganized and wishful world, Hitler and his Nazi party began their moves. The arming of Germany was the first step in breaking the Versailles peace treaty that had ended World War I. His next step was to occupy the Saar region. Following this, Hitler made an alliance with Italy, and took Czechoslovakia and Austria. The western nations hoped that Hitler would now be satisfied. But in September of 1939, Hitler ordered an invasion of Poland and World War II was under way.
As in World War I, America tried to steer clear of war. But gradually the situation between 1914 and 1917 was repeated, and the United States was drawn into war. The nation shipped war goods to the Allies. Later we sent destroyers to England, who desperately needed these small, fast warships. Eventually United States warships, in protecting Allied cargo- ships, began sinking German submarines. The nation was moving closer to war.
In 1940, President Roosevelt asked Congress for money to start a defense program, and for a law to draft all men twenty-one years old into the army. The slowly awakening giant of American in- dustry began to move. But the blow that sent Niagara County men to war came not from Europe, but from the Far East.
All through the Thirties, industrializing Japan had grown bolder and bolder. Invading the mainland of China, she had taken Manchuria and then struck at China. Realizing that the United States did not approve of her expansion in the Far East, Japan planned an attack on Hawaii.
On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes swooped down on the sleepy base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The base was left a shambles with the greater part of the proud American fleet sunk in the harbor. The Japanese attacked other American Pacific bases. They took the Philippines along with the small Pacific islands of Wake, Guam, and others.
FOODMA
PUBLIC SHELTER
COFFEE W PER CUSTOMER
SUGAR 2 lbs. RATION HAMPS
NO CIGARETT
BUY BONDS
During World War II, some merchandise was scarce.
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Niagara County again prepared to fight
The day after Pearl Harbor, Niagara County was an armed camp. Civilian and military forces set up machine guns at all vital points. Fearful of the sabotage of World War I, the sheriff's deputies put twenty-four hour patrols at the airport, water works, and radio station in Niagara Falls. All civilians received warnings to stay clear of these places after sunset. Within weeks, high fences and gun platforms guarded important chemical plants in Niagara Falls. United States agents made a careful check on Japanese aliens. Some were sent to prison camps, as some Germans were in World War I.
The federal government had made its presence felt during the depression. Now it spread its authority even further. Employment, food, transportation, and production, were under the eye of the national government. Like the nation, Niagara County again under- went rationing of shoes, meat, clothing, food, oil, and many other goods. People had to line up to get their ration cards. Blue stamps, red stamps, and gasoline stickers became a part of daily life.
For two years before entering the war, the The Axis Powers surrendered United States sent goods to the Allies. Now it was sending its young men and women. The story of Allied victory over the Axis Powers, Germany, Japan, and Italy, is a tale for other pages than those in this book. In the far-flung battlefields of Europe and the Pacific, the Allies slowly fought to victory. Moving from one battle to another, in Africa, in France, and in the heart of Germany, the Allies won out in May of 1945. Japan held on until August. Then, under the terrible destruc- tion of the atomic bomb, Japan surrendered.
One of the great casualties of the war was President Roosevelt himself. Worn by the cares of office, he died in April, 1945, just before Germany's surrender.
Niagara Falls received the surrender news joyously
President Truman announced the surrender at seven o'clock on August 14, 1945. Seconds after the news was broadcast, church bells, horns, and whistles shattered the quiet summer evening. Drawn by their common joy, the people of Ni-
Factories making war supplies were carefully guarded.
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agara Falls poured into the downtown areas. So many crammed aboard buses that the drivers gave up trying to collect fares. Crowds poured off the sidewalks into the streets, bringing traffic to a halt. People hugged each other, crying "The war's over." Again and again they shouted these words as if trying to make sure it was true. Some people stood quietly in doorways watching their neighbors celebrate. Others knelt in churches saying prayers of thanks for the war's end.
A period of adjust- ment followed the war
The war would not really be over for the families with men overseas until their men came marching home. Families learned then about the point system. This provided that the men with longest service and the most time in combat would be first to return.
Industry had to wait for the change to peacetime production as well. Now that guns, tanks, and planes were no longer needed, it was necessary to shift to making refrigerators, autos, toasters, and washing machines. All those items so long absent from stores were now in great demand. The demand was so great that long waiting lists resulted. For some, with more money than patience, a few hundred dollars "under the counter" jumped them to the head of the waiting list. Some dealers began to ask almost any price they wished for goods. Gradually the supply of these goods caught up with the demand, and illegal buying practices stopped.
The year 1948 saw the first post-war national election. New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, the Republican candidate, was picked to win over President Truman. But the Republicans received a bigger shock in 1948 than they had back in 1892 when Grover Cleveland defeated Benjamin Harrison. Niagara Falls, following the nation, gave Truman 6200 more votes than Dewey.
Why were the Fifties an uneasy decade?
Scandals, Commun- ism, and war shook America The 1950's saw many of the same things as the 1920's, which was also a post-war period. Scandals once again rocked the na- tion. This time the Democrats were on the receiving end of charges of wrong-doing by public officials. Russia emerged as one of the leading world powers. Communism, as in the 1920's, was again under attack. The great demand for all kinds of goods produced a period of prosperity like that of the Twenties.
But there were important differences too. A war without arms was conducted between the former allies in the war. Russia faced the West in a battle of nerves. This struggle, called the "Cold War,"
pushed other news from the front pages. It broke out into open conflict in the Korean War. And again Niagara County men went to war.
Niagara County helped elect Eisenhower
In 1952, the Republicans ran a war hero, Dwight D. Eisenhower, for president. He campaigned on Democratic scandals and the results of twenty years of a Democratic stranglehold on big business. The Republicans defeated the Demo- cratic candidate, Adlai Stevenson. An unusual number of Niagara County voters turned out in the 1952 election. The county went Republican, although Niagara Falls gave Stevenson more votes than Eisenhower.
The economy grew in spurts
The biggest factor in the 1950's, as in the 1920's, was economic growth. New York was the scene of the two great building projects. One was the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the other was the Niagara Power project at Niagara Falls and Lewiston. The New York State Power Authority became a big name in the news. It moved houses, streets, and power lines to make way for its great project.
RATION BOOK
Gasoline was one of the rationed products during World War II.
108
MILK COWS
NO.
1,072 16,046
CHICKENS
NO.
SWEET CHERRIES
LB.
140,494
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
SOMERSET
APPLES
BU
346,454
SOUR CHERRIES
LB
579,296
PEACHES
BU
48,12 /
PEARS
BU
7,131
GRAPES
LB.
59,375
NEWFANE
MILK COWS
NO.
874
CHICKENS
NO.
39,637
MILK COWS
NO
1,356
CHICKENS
NO.
38,673
SWEET CHERRIES
LB
385,347
APPLES
BU
275,773
MILK COWS
NO
756
CHICKENS
NO.
25,902
SWEET CHERRIES
LB 135,760
SOUR CHERRIES
LB
663,584
PEACHES
BU
61,903
SOUR CHERRIES
LB 494,562
PEARS
BU
5,088
PEACHES
BU 128,768
GRAPES
LB
1,039,345
GRAPES
LB 583, 687
NO
MILK COWS
1,066
CHICKENS
LB.29,357
SWEET
CHERRIES
130,903
LOCKPORT
MILK COWS
NO.
1,297
CHICKENS
NO.
33,382
CHICKENS
NO
25,645
SWEET CHERRIES
LB
147,099
SWEET CHERRIES
LB
2/3,945
APPLES
BU
237
APPLES
Bu
114, 483
SOUR CHERRIES
LB
773,997
SOUR CHERRIES LB
441, 42 9
PEACHES
BU
19,422
PEARS
BU
3,977
PEARS
Bu
3,557
PEACHES
BU
20,429
GRAPES
LB
28,702
MILK COWS
NO.
850
PENDLETON
CHICKENS
NO.
21,196
NIAGARA
SWEET CHERRIES
7,478
MILK COWS
NO.
653
CHICKENS
NO.
15,503
SWEET CHERRIES LB
10,524
APPLES
BU
4,371
SOUR CHERRIES LB 24,004
PEACHES
BU
1,017
PEARS
BU
3,185
GRAPES
LA 342,289
MILK COWS
NO.
135
CHICKENS
NO.
SWEET CHERRIES
LB
APPLES
BU
SOUR CHERRIES
LB 209,325
PEACHES
BU
128,768
PEACHES
BU
.
PEARS
BU
823
PEARS
Bu
29
GRAPES
LO
GRAPES
LB
31,116
ROYALTON
MILK COWS
NO.
725
CHICKENS
NO
17,373
SWEET CHERRIES
LB
406 879
APPLES
BU
87,149
SOUR CHERRIES
LB
362,772
PEACHES
BU
32,262
PEARS
BU
5,587
GRAPES
LB 2,721,892
PEARS
BU.
4,689
GRAPES
230,8/3
GRAPES LB. 2,/98,8/7
HARTLAND
MILK COWS NO.
1,45/
PEARS
BU.
5,890
GRAPES
LB.
14,253
SWEET CHERRIES
LB.
385,347
APPLES
BU.
123,987
SOUR CHERRIES
LB
800,483
APPLES
BU 349,524
PEACHES
BU.
10,565
PEARS
BU.
1,210
GRAPES
LB
56,855
PEARS
Bu 26,64/
SWEET CHERRIES LB. 545, 896
APPLES
BU. 431,369
SOUR CHERRIES
LB. 1, 279,367
PEACHES
BU. 154,423
CHICKENS
NO.
39,587
WILSON
LEWISTON
MILK COWS
NO.
1,747
CAMBRIA
APPLES
BU. 61,279
SOUR
CHERRIES LB 465,89/
PEACHES BU. 9,530
APPLES Bu
12,756
WHEATFIELD
Tb
. DATA NOT AVAILABLE
SOUR CHERRIES
LB
109
SCOURCE 1954 CENSUS
PORTER
Following the pattern of the Twenties there was a boom in other types of building in the city of Niagara Falls and in the county. Nearly every community could point to new schools and industries that were built during the 1950's. Home building pushed beyond the city and village limits into the countryside. Industries also expanded and the stock market reflected this boom. It reached record heights. A sharp, though temporary, setback hit the nation in 1957-58. This recession hit the Niagara Falls area hard. There was a sharp increase in the number of unemployed. Such industries as the Bell Aircraft Company were especially hard hit.
By early summer of 1959, things were on their way up again. Even the Cold War seemed to be easing. Vice-President Nixon visited Russia. Another high point was the visit of Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev to the United States. The year closed with President Eisenhower visiting the countries of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and India. The year 1960 dawned with people looking hopefully to a future of peace and prosperity. But by the summer of 1960 the Cold War was going strong and tensions among nations rising.
In this chapter we have tried to show how Niagara County history was a part of national history and how Niagara County and the nation became so closely united that national problems were Niagara's problems. But so far in the last few chapters, we have said little of industry, power, and business. These important topics make up the subject of the following chapters.
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Your History Workshop
Words and terms you should know
reform liberalism
Nazi Party
Cold War
trusts
recession Bull Moose party
civil rights
normalcy
tow-path
stock market
alien
prejudice indictment
inflation
16. Why did people fear trusts? Who was the "trust buster"?
17. How was Niagara's "Good Old Cow Campaign" connected with reform?
18. Explain the term "Roaring Twenties."
19. What were some evils of the "Red Scare" in the 1920's?
20. Cite examples of 1920 prosperity in Niagara Falls.
21. How did Niagara County and the nation fight the depression?
22. Why were the Fifties an uneasy decade?
Activities to help you understand Part IV
1. Complete the following chart
Presidential Political
Candidates Year Parties
Major Issues Winner
Rutherford
Repub.
Hayes
1876
Dishonesty of
Hayes
Samuel
Dem. Reps. in office
Tilden
2. Draw an organization chart of Niagara County government. Search your school and public library for sources of informa- tion.
3. Imagine that you are a member of your city council or town board. With some classmates hold a meeting to show this group in operation.
4. What is the basis of local political party organization? To explore this, get a map of your city or town from the city or town hall which shows the voting districts and polling places. Next find out the names and political parties of the committee- men (or councilmen` representing the districts (wards) . Print neatly the names and parties in the appropriate districts. Then arrange for an interview with your district committeeman which covers these questions :
a. How did he win office?
b. What is the job of a committeeman?
c. What is his responsibility to his party?
d. What is his relationship to the county party? the state party?
e. How important is patronage to his party?
Part 4a
Asia
Russia
Poland
Japan
Appomattox
Cedar Mountain
Who's Who in history? De Witt Clinton
Adolph Hitler
William Morgan
Robert E. Lee
Benjamin Rathbun
Ulysses Grant
William Mackenzie
John J. Pershing
Washington Hunt
Nikita Khrushchev
Colonel Peter A. Porter
Leon Czolgosz
Peter A. Porter Jr.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Zimmerman
How carefully did you read?
1. Why did feelings against the Masons develop?
2. What new political practice was started by the Anti-Mason Party?
3. What was the source of the 1832 cholera epidemic?
4. How does the Caroline figure in Niagara County history?
5. What was the platform of the Know-Nothing party? Name some important men who supported the party and some who opposed it.
6. Explain the purpose and operation of the Underground Rail- road.
7. What were the two most famous Niagara fighting units to take part in the Civil War? In what action did each engage? Name the commanders of each unit.
8. What was the purpose of the Fenian invasion?
9. How did Rutherford Hayes earn the name "Old 8 to 7"?
10. Who were the "Big Four"? How did they control county politics ?
11. Why was the stevedore system the source of labor trouble in North Tonawanda during the 1890's?
12. The chief election issue in 1892 was the tariff. Explain.
13. How did Niagara County vote in 1896, Democratic or Re- publican ?
14. What great event opened in Buffalo in 1901?
15. What was the importance of the muckrakers in the reform movement during the turn of the century?
party platform
Where is it on the map?
Europe South America
Pearl Harbor
Cold Harbor
Germany
Shenandoah Valley
bootlegger
f. How would a citizen become an active party member?
g. How does one begin to run for office?
5. Write a letter to a friend describing your city's government.
6. Choose a particularly interesting event of the period studied and paint or sketch a picture to represent it. (The burning of the Caroline, for example.)
7. Make a model of one of the barges used on the Erie Canal.
8. Write a short biographical sketch of a favorite personality in Part IV.
9. On an outline map of Europe color in the countries represent- ing the Central Powers, and in contrasting color, the Allied Nations of Europe. Then locate these decisive battles : Chateau- Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Argonne Forest. Select a title for the map.
10. On an outline map of the world color in nations of the Axis Powers, and in contrasting colors, the Allied Nations. Label this map "World War II Foes."
11. Continue with your collection of costume pictures and draw- ings. Do not forget to add the uniforms worn by women in World War II (WACS, WAVES, etc.).
12. Arrange the following events in the order in which they hap- pened and then place them on the class time line: Fort Sumter and the dates when both World Wars began and ended. When your group has decided upon other important events in na- tional and local history, discuss them with your teacher before adding any to the timeline.
13. Find in an American History textbook, or other source, a chart tracing the development of American political parties since Revolutionary times. Copy this chart onto the blackboard. Ask the class to identify those parties mentioned in Part IV of Outpost of Empires. Perhaps you would also like to put a time line on the board, and as the class identifies the parties, fill in on the line the names of the parties and the dates they came into being.
14. Make a list of the parties and depressions mentioned in the unit. Then construct a line graph (your teacher will show you how) to show the periods of depression and prosperity. Use the library for information.
15. Debate : Resolved, that the Know-Nothings were not justified in their fears.
16. Write a "Who am I" riddle of a person mentioned in the part IV. Present it to the class for solution.
17. Let a panel consider the question, "What conditions in Niagara County helped create the American party?" The discussion
should involve specific examples.
18. Plan a "You Are There" program. Dramatize one of the fol- lowing :
a. Opening of the Erie Canal, 1825.
b. Opening of the Pan-American Exposition, 1901.
c. The Anti-Mason party Convention, 1832.
19. Compare the causes of the First and Second World wars. Rule a piece of notebook paper vertically into two parts so the causes can be listed side by side. Other history books besides Outpost of Empires will explain why world war came about. Perhaps you will want to check them against the causes listed in your book to come up with the common ones. In any case, be pre- pared to point out similarities between World War I causes and those of World War II.
Books with exciting stories
Adams, Samuel, Banner by the Wayside. 1947. Grades 6-9.
Angelo, Valenti, The Bells of Bleeker Street. 1949. Grades 6-9.
Eastman, E. R.,and Ladd, C. E., Growing Up in the Horse and Buggy Days. 1942. Grades 9-12.
Enright, Elizabeth, The Saturdays. 1941. Grades 6-9.
Kerr, Laura, Doctor Elizabeth. 1946. Grades 6-9.
Swift, Hildegard H., The Railroads to Freedom: A story of the Civil War. 1938. Grades 7-12.
Further information on local communities can be found in the series Occasional Publications of the Niagara County Historical Society. Boyce, Anson A., Selections from a Narrative along Three-fourths of a Century. 1952.
Kaiser, Mrs. Charles A., Streets of Lockport. 1949.
Kimball, Helen, A Homely Approach to Lewiston. 1954.
Lacy, Mrs. Elbert O., Dusty Lockport Pages. 1952.
Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin L., History of Youngstown, N.Y. 1951.
Newell, Roy A., History of Newfane. 1950.
Nichols, Henry M., Recollections of the Pan-American Exposition. 1951. Recollections of the Pan-American Exposition. 1952. The Twilight Years of My Native Town. 1956.
Pechuman, L. L., Niagara County and Its Towns. 1958.
Porter, Ruth B., The Story of Somerset. 1960.
Spaulding, Lyman A., Recollections of the War of 1812 and Early Life in Western New York. 1949.
Winner, Julia Hull, Yesterday in Royalton. 1957.
Yates, Raymond F., The Old Lockport and Niagara Falls Strap Railroad. 1950.
Part 4b
Part V
FARMING AND INDUSTRY MAKE NIAGARA STRONG
12. Agriculture helps build a strong county
13. Invention and skill provide power to start new industry
14. Industrial Niagara gains strength
15. Man finds new ways to increase Niagara's power output
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12. Agriculture helps build a strong county
Farming has always been an important way of making a living in the region we call Niagara County. In this chapter we trace the changes that take place in the life of the farmer. This can be told in three stages. The first stage is "subsistence farming" - the farmer himself used nearly all of the products he grew on his farm. From about the beginning of the nineteenth century until about 1825, the farmer sold only a small part of his produce. In the second stage, from 1825 until 1850, farmers changed from subsistence agriculture to commercial farming - the farmer sold more and more of his products to the city dwellers. In the third stage, from about 1900 to the present, "market agriculture" became the most important way of farming. During this last period, the farmer sold more and more of his products to the city merchant. In turn, the farmer himself became more and more dependent upon the city merchant for goods.
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