Sirhan

Posted on June 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

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Sirhan was a "taciturn individual who didn’t say very much; friendly, really pleasant  but hard to get to know. He was brilliant. He was studying Russian when everyone else was barely getting by in Spanish and English."  –William Spaniard, high school classmate

 1968_0604_warhol_3 June 3, 1968: Andy Warhol is wounded by Valeria Solanas, who explains: "I am a flower child. He had too much control over my life." 

At left, a terrific profile of gunman Sirhan Bishara Sirhan by Times staff writers Robert C. Toth and Dave Smith.

"In their homeland, they had been an upright Christian family, among the best educated of their class, once accustomed to financial security but uncomplaining and industrious in hard times."

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 "I saw him walking barefoot. He said it was because his father had beat him … and that he took a piece of iron, heated it on the stove and put it on the boy’s heel…"


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June 4, 1908

Posted on June 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

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Above, horses drinking from a trough at the Plaza, 1906.   
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 At left, the Humane Society expands its program to built drinking fountains for horses with an elaborate installation at Hoover and Benton, which would be about here:

One of the more popular watering troughs was at 9th Street and Main, The Times said. When Humane Society installed a new fountain there in 1910 (with an attendant) more than 300 horses were served on the first day. The fountain could accommodate six horses at a time.
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Paul Coates

Posted on June 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

June 3, 1958
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Matt Weinstock

Posted on June 3, 2008 by lmharnisch


June 3, 1958

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June 3, 1968

Posted on June 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

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Above, the cover of The Times, June 3, 1968: Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.) is leading in the State Poll, over Sen. Eugene McCarthy (D-Minn.) Perhaps the most interesting projection  is 67% turnout in the June 4 primary.

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Now playing: "Planet of the Apes" and "2001."

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An ominous contrast: A Kennedy campaign ad and a story about the somber mood of the Arab world as the first anniversary of the Six-Day War between Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Israel approaches.

It was essential to a young Christian Palestinian refugee from Jerusalem living in Pasadena, a slight young man who failed in his attempt to become a jockey at Santa Anita, that he take action against the U.S. before the June 5, 1968, anniversary.

1968_0603_rfk_page3 1968_0606_gun_2His name: Sirhan Bishara Sirhan. His target: Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. His gun: A .22-caliber Iver Johnson, above, bought for protection during the 1965 Watts riots.

At left, Kennedy and McCarthy campaign in Southern California. The televised debate led the Arbitron ratings, ahead of "Petticoat Junction" and "Mannix."

Republican California Gov. Ronald Reagan calls it "much ado about nothing."

1968_rfk_0603_ad 1968_06014_nehru The fashions of 1968. Yes, people really did wear Nehru jackets.

At left, Kennedy supporters take out an ad accusing the McCarthy campaign of distorting his statements.

67% Primary Turnout

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 67% Primary Turnout; State Poll

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Kennedy vs. Humphrey in South Dakota, Part I

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 Kennedy vs. Humphrey in South Dakota, Part II

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Above and at right, my old pal, the late Marty Rossman, takes a look at political advertising in the days before a primary.

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Dodgers vote

Posted on June 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

June 3, 1958

By Keith Thursby

Times staff writer

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As voters decide the fate of a baseball stadium for the Dodgers in Chavez Ravine, here’s a sampling of stories in The Times:

  • Walter O’Malley appeared on
    television to make a final push to support the stadium contract.
    Channel 13 aired a two-hour program that, according to a story in The
    Times, split time between supporters and opponents of Prop. B. That
    sounds downright fair after the five-hour program on Channel 11
    boosting the stadium deal.
  • The City Council had another
    explosive meeting over the stadium issue. Here’s a paragraph from the
    story, which did not carry a byline: "Blood pressures began to hit the
    ceiling as a majority faction in the council, which favors the Dodger
    contract to build a new stadium in Chavez Ravine, balked an opposition
    minority move to launch another propaganda barrage against the Dodgers
    by simply forcing an adjournment of the council." That’s propaganda?
    What about five hours on local television? 
  • Weird timing for this story
    in sports. Al Wolf reported that home runs are down in the National
    League so far in the 1958 season, so fears that the Coliseum’s short
    left field would give right-handed hitters an unfair advantage seem
    unfounded. 

keith.thursby@latimes.com


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June 3, 1968

Posted on June 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

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Just remember: The Times editorialized against suspending U.S. immigration quotas for European Jews and other refugees, March 30, 1938: "They would … reach havens as paupers either to be added to the relief rolls or compete for jobs with Americans for whom there is already a dearth."

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Babe Ruth

Posted on June 2, 2008 by lmharnisch


Nov. 1, 1924

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Bo Diddley–RIP

Posted on June 2, 2008 by lmharnisch
July 16, 1967
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June 2, 1968

Posted on June 2, 2008 by lmharnisch
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In The Times: A Gallup Poll finds Sen. Robert F. Kennedy a distant second among the Democratic Party’s county leaders, with 16% support compared with 70% for Vice President Hubert Humphrey and 6% for Sen. Eugene McCarthy. In San Francisco, Kennedy and McCarthy meet for a debate on ABC-TV.

While Kennedy is modest and reserved, McCarthy criticizes Secretary of State Dean Rusk and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, saying he would remove them. Afterward, McCarthy calls it "a no-decision bout with three referees and 16-ounce gloves."

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Mystery photo

Posted on June 2, 2008 by lmharnisch
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Los Angeles Times file photo
Well?

  • Lily Pons? (Layne Nielson) Absolutely right. The other individual has nothing to do with the music world and should be a bit of a challenge.

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Dodgers TV marathon

Posted on June 2, 2008 by lmharnisch
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Photograph by the Los Angeles Times

From left, Danny Thomas, Walter O’Malley and Bill Frawley at the "Dodgerthon."

June 2, 1958

By Keith Thursby
Times staff writer

1958_0602_cover Now batting for the Dodgers, Ronald Reagan.

The future president and California governor certainly stood out in a long list of celebrities and politicians who took part in a five-hour TV show backing the Dodgers and Proposition B. Other familiar names included Dean Martin, Danny Thomas, George Burns and Debbie Reynolds.

So much for equal time — this was five hours on local television to promote a ballot measure on the June 3 election to endorse the city’s deal with the Dodgers for a stadium at Chavez Ravine.  The Dodgers, finishing a road trip in Chicago, would get back in town just in time.

According to a story in The Times, the program started at the Channel 11 studios, "then the bevy of entertainers and sports figures went to the airport where they met the team upon its arrival from Chicago after its 1-0 victory."

Reagan was quoted extensively in the story, which makes for fun reading since his political career isn’t too far in his future.

"Sure, Walter O’Malley got a good deal when he was offered Chavez Ravine as a site for his ballpark," Reagan said. "Any deal to be good must be fair to both sides, not just to one.

"For years we have been watching golf courses and other recreation areas destroyed to make room for subdivisions and factories. Where is a baseball stadium to go, in the suburbs, away from the freeways?"

I can’t imagine a viewer lasting five hours, even if you had nothing better to do that night. Five hours seems more fitting for the telethon of telethons, Jerry Lewis’ annual fundraiser to fight muscular dystrophy. Lewis, of course, was also part of the Dodgers’ night.

He noted that 8,000 children with muscular dystrophy had attended events at the Coliseum, and another ballpark would be a good thing for Jerry’s kids.

keith.thursby@latimes.com

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June 2, 1908

Posted on June 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

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Above, a dramatic story from Central Avenue … Mayor Harper reacts to a Times expose on illegal gambling in the city … Robert T. Hale of the Anti-Fakers Society of Los Angeles County tells county supervisors that granting exemptions to a tax on mediums and fortune tellers will enable scam artists to move outside the city limits and continue operations … Jacob Hohn, a rancher in Watts, is accused of seducing a 17-year-old girl under a promise of marriage.

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Wild record for Dodgers

Posted on June 1, 2008 by lmharnisch
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June 1, 1968

By Keith Thursby
Times staff writer

1968_0601_sports Don Drysdale’s 1968 season would never happen in 2008.

A starting pitcher allowed to finish complete game after complete game? You’ve got to be kidding. What about the high-priced closers who automatically enter a game now with their team ahead in the ninth inning? No manager would allow them to sit in the bullpen, watching a starter throw up to 150 pitches.

This was a different era. Drysdale came into the game against the Giants with four consecutive shutouts. One more shutout would set a new National League record and put him within striking distance of one of the game’s great standards, Carl Hubbell’s scoreless streak of 46 1/3 innings.

Drysdale and the Dodgers won, 3-0, to continue his streak but it was a wild ride into history thanks to an unlikely call by an umpire.

The Giants loaded the bases with no outs. Drysdale hit Dick Dietz with a 2-2 fastball, seemingly the end of the shutout streak. But umpire Harry Wendlestedt said Dietz didn’t try to get out of the way and called the pitch a ball. After Manager Herman Franks was thrown out in the ensuing and inevitable argument, Dietz hit a shot fly to left and the runners held.

Ty Cline was next and according to the game story by The Times’ Dan Hafner, first baseman Wes Parker dug out his hot smash and threw home to get a force and keep the shutout intact.  Jack Hiatt popped to Parker.

The Dodgers celebrated and talked about the call.

"I never saw the play called before, but then this is the first time I ever saw anyone deliberately get hit by a ball," Manager Walter Alston said.

Catcher Jeff Torborg said the umpire "showed real guts" then added, "Come to think of it, Dietz had guts too. He stuck his elbow in the way of a fastball."

Hafner’s story included pregame notes that serve as a time capsule. Sen. Eugene McCarthy was campaigning in California and played some catch before the game with pitcher Mudcat Grant. Hafner noted that Grant was a supporter of Sen. Robert Kennedy.

As for Drysdale, his next start would be at Dodger Stadium against the Pirates on June 4, election night in California.

keith.thursby@latimes.com

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June 1, 1968

Posted on June 1, 2008 by lmharnisch

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1968_hhh_detailJohnson’s announcement throws the spotlight on Democratic Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Humphrey avoids the nation’s primaries, leaving them to Sens. Eugene McCarthy (D-Minn.), a vocal critic of the war who was the first to announce his candidacy, and Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.), the former attorney general under brother President John F. Kennedy who entered the campaign after McCarthy’s strong showing against Johnson in New Hampshire (42% to 48% for the president).


 

 1968_columbia_sds_2 Background: On March 31, 1968, his popularity battered by the Vietnam War, the surrender of the Navy spy ship Pueblo to the North Koreans, unrest on college campuses and a poor showing in the March 13 New Hampshire primary, President Lyndon Johnson stuns the nation in a televised address: "I shall not seek and will not accept the nomination of my party for a second term as your president."

1968_rfk_button In The Times pages below, three days before the June 4, 1968, California primary, Kennedy campaigns against McCarthy in San Francisco. Kennedy criticizes President Johnson’s approach to peace negotiations with the North Vietnamese, which Kennedy says erroneously depends on "a naive faith in our military power" to bring the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong to their knees. Kennedy advocates pulling U.S. forces back to South Vietnam’s population centers.

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May 31, 1958

Posted on May 31, 2008 by lmharnisch
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At left, Marshal Dillon and Miss Kitty! But wait, there’s roller derby: the San Francisco Bay Bombers vs. the Los Angeles Braves!

Talk about mind-rotting nostalgia: "Heckle and Jeckle," "Mighty Mouse" and "Howdy Doody."

And, hmm…. "Bowling Time" or "Topper"? Oh, I think I’ll watch "Topper."

Tough choice at 8 p.m.: Gale Storm, Perry Como or Spade Cooley.

On second thought, I’ll wait until 8:30 p.m. for "Have Gun, Will Travel."

Best of all: "Perry Mason."
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May 31, 1938

Posted on May 31, 2008 by lmharnisch
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1938_0531_roberts Floyd Roberts of Van Nuys, who gained much of his experience on the dirt track at Ascot, wins the Indianapolis 500.

Roberts averaged 117.2 mph in a four-cylinder car (at left) built and owned by Lou Moore and designed by Harry Miller, both of Los Angeles.

In Oakland, Earl Ortman of Los Angeles sets a record in closed-course speed flying, 265.539 mph.

James Bailey Cash Jr., 5, is kidnapped from his bed in Princeton, Fla. The FBI searches for clues in the abduction and killing of 12-year-old Peter Levine of New Rochelle, N.Y., as the boy’s mutilated body is cremated. (Franklin Pierce McCall is convicted of killing the Cash child and executed in the electric chair. The Levine kidnapping was never solved.)

And rumors spread in Vienna as the Nazis round up hundreds — perhaps thousands — of Jews, according to incomplete reports.

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May 31, 1908

Posted on May 31, 2008 by lmharnisch
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Above and at left, the "white and many-pillared mansion of commerce" opens at Broadway and 8th in Los Angeles.

According to The Times, Hamburger’s Department Store was the largest building on the West Coast and had California’s first escalator.
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In 1923, Hamburger’s was sold to the May Co., which renovated the building in 1924.

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May 30,1958: ‘Crisis in Morals’

Posted on May 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

May 30, 1958: Movie ads for Vertigo and King Solomon's Mines

The Times runs a 12-part series titled “Crisis in Morals.” The author, Howard Whitman, is identified as a “noted writer and commentator.” After filing stories from wartime London in 1944 and the D-day invasion, Whitman returned to such fare as “Smoldering Youth” (1946), “Sex Education Grows Up” (1948) and “What Makes Good Girls Bad?” (1949).

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May 30, 1908: Snake Stops Traffic

Posted on May 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

May 30, 1908: A large gopher snake causes a frenzy in downtown Los Angeles.

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