Most knew it was just a matter of time before the United States would be involved with the overseas wars in 1941.
Many were preparing locally for “over there” during April.
Readers of The Oneonta Star of April 2, 1941 found out, with a dateline of Fort McClellan, Alabama, “Lieut. Byron Markle has been appointed commander of Co. G of Oneonta, federalized National Guard unit in training here with the 27th Division.
“Third in command of the Oneonta company when it left that city last October, Lieut. Markle will succeed Capt. Franklin C. Davis, who has been transferred to Headquarters Division Quartermaster Co. as regimental supply officer.
“Trainees assigned to the company have fired the record course. Seven qualified as sharpshooters and 41 as marksmen. This was the highest number of recruits in the regiment.”
While these men were drilling, others were getting started as The Star of April 3 reported, “Comprising the eighth quota from Board 404, 16 vicinity men will receive final medical examinations before being inducted into the Army. The group will meet at headquarters in the Federal building this morning at 8,” which is today’s City Hall.
In an accompanying story that day it was reported, “Over 450 workers and unemployed men of various skills and training have been registered at the state Employment service here under the federal registration program to classify skilled workers for defense jobs.”
For these workers, as The Star of April 11 reported, “Work started yesterday, preliminary to the erection of a 40 by 80 foot machine shop between the High and Junior High schools,” then found on Academy Steet. “To be erected by NYA labor, with materials furnished by the board of education, the shop will be used for instruction of workers in national defense industries, and for vocational education. Skilled labor will be provided where necessary.
“It will be a one-story, two-room structure. One room will be used for the machine shop classes, and the other for auto mechanics, electrical, and metal work.”
Also in the edition came news, “A 100-foot extension, which will provide an additional 5,000 square feet of floor space, has been started by the Linn Corp., formerly the Linn Trailer Co., West End and is scheduled for completion within a month, Ursil A. Beach, an official of the corporation, announced yesterday.” The former factory is known today as 3200 Chestnut St., or Commerce Plaza.
“This addition is being erected at the rear of the present building, extending along the tracks of the Southern New York railway. Concrete work has begun, and steel arrived for the job yesterday.
“An expansion program which includes experimental work for the United State Army made the additional space necessary, Mr. Beach said. Upon completion of the extension, new machinery and equipment will be added.”
Helping to pay for the eventual entry into the war was necessary, and as the Star of April 15 reported, “The first consignment of the new defense saving stamps, going on sale all over the United States May 1, are expected to arrive here within a few days, Postmaster Chester A. Miller announced yesterday. The stamps are in denominations of from ten cents to $5.”
With the eventual war entry came the draft, to which some wanted no part of. Star readers of April 19 learned, “Conscientious objectors to the selective service act are expected to be assigned to the Friends’ work camp at Cooperstown, C. Mervin Palmer, director, announced yesterday.
“Mr. Palmer…said 20 young men and women are now participating in the volunteer work program organized by the American Friends’ service committee.
“Registrants at the camp, formerly the Orlo Johnston residence, are assisting in the work of the Otsego County Forest products Cooperative association, and in the work of the Northeastern forest service, a government project which acts as research headquarters for the cooperative. In addition, residents are assisting in the government reforestation program in the Cooperstown section.
“Mr. Palmer revealed that the 20 workers at the camp are residents of 12 different states. ‘Some are members of wealthy families, and it certainly is a new experience for them to spend a few hours as kitchen police.’ The quota is soon to be extended to 35.”
On Tuesday, the area education beat in April 1986.