Mayor La Guardia's Address to the People of New York

February 8, 1942
Civilian Defense preparations; Formation of NYC guard patrol. Lessons learned from bombing in England regarding the citizens' needs in an air attack. A letter from an Armenian immigrant offering $25 to help with the defense effort. On war time tomorrow morning; set clocks one hour ahead. Scholarships for Central and South American students sponsored by NYC. Updates on his position as US Director of Civilian Defense, which ends next week. Registration of Italian, German, and Japanese aliens with US Department of Justice.

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Fiorello La Guardia. March 15, 1942. WNYC, New York City. The program starts with the sound of the bells ringing at city hall. "We must not become discouraged. We must be patient, for our time is coming." Mr. La Guardia concludes with, "Patience and fortitude.". Fiorello La Guardia. 25:54.

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September 2, 1942

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Fiorello La Guardia. September 20, 1942. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The mayor invites the public to attend the graduation exercises of the Police Department. A demonstration by the War Chemical Service of the army, the fuel oil situation, food prices and metal scrap collections. Fiorello La Guardia. 25:44.

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Fiorello La Guardia. April 19, 1942. WNYC, New York City. "I Am an American Day" is to be celebrated next month. The theme of the parade will be, "New York at War." An aluminum plant in New York. Fiorello La Guardia. 14:14.

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Fiorello La Guardia. May 17, 1942. WNYC, New York City. "I Am an American Day," the New York dim-outs are to be strengthened, police raids on pinball machines, helmets for the police and air raid wardens. Fiorello La Guardia. 15:22.

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Fiorello La Guardia. January 24, 1943. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." "The news from Africa in the last 24 hours sure was good" (Tripoli has just been captured from the Italians). "We still have a long way to go." The Mayor chats about various municipal topics, including new fire protection rules for apartment houses. He interviews Mrs. Kate Brooks, winner of the "National Grandmother Contest for Conservation Cooking." Grandma Brooks reveals that she uses molasses instead of sugar for her baked beans. Fiorello La Guardia, Kate Brooks. 19:33.

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Fiorello La Guardia. January 31, 1943. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." Comments about Roosevelt's meeting with Prime Minister Churchill, new air raid regulations, ceiling prices on meat and meatless days, fire safety legislation for apartment buildings, women in the Navy and Coast Guard and the March of Dimes. Fiorello La Guardia. 17:20.

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March 21, 1943
Blackmarketing. Ceiling prices on meats. Retail taxes.

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Fiorello La Guardia. July 4, 1943. WNYC, New York City. An address to the people of New York City. The program is being pre-recorded, as Mr. La Guardia will be in Canada on July 4th, on duty with "The Permanent Joint Board on Defense." A patriotic speech about American citizenship and wartime conditions in the city. La Guardia begins and ends the program with, "Patience and Fortitude.". Fiorello La Guardia. 31:02.

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Fiorello La Guardia. July 11, 1943. WNYC, New York City. Mayor La Guardia is in Fairbanks, as this presumably pre-recorded address is heard. The defense forces of the northwest United States and Canada are splendid. He discusses meat prices and availability in New York City. Fiorello La Guardia. 13:31.

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Fiorello La Guardia. August 15, 1943. WNYC, New York City. The broadcast originates from the Mayor's apartment at 5020 Goodridge Avenue, The Bronx. "Unity at home, victory abroad." Mrs. Roosevelt also is heard. She was born and lived her first 15 years in New York City. She describes her love of New York and praises Mayor La Guardia. Fiorello La Guardia, Eleanor Roosevelt. 18:04.

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Fiorello La Guardia. August 29, 1943. WNYC, New York City. An address to New Yorkers. La Guardia speaks about the current meat shortage in the city. He warns New York hotels about meat and Kosher meat in particular. "Don't get the idea that politics is going to help (hotels) at all! Got that?" The mayor's other topics: the black market, commodity shortages, Con Edison, pressure cookers, Northwest Airlines to possibly serve New York City, playgrounds, fires. He accuses the racing industry of being crooked, after reading a letter from a jockey. He rails against "tinhorns," gamblers and Dutch Schultz in particular. La Guardia is against crooked judges and for the "Fresh Air Fund." He concludes with, "Patience and Fortitude." Fiorello La Guardia. 35:05.

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Fiorello La Guardia. December 12, 1943. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." There is now a coal shortage. The rationing, prices and subsidies of food. The salaries of city employees and programs for "relief." The New York City Center is to open. Kids from P.A.L. speak on the program and sing, "God Bless America." Fiorello La Guardia. 25:19.

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Fiorello La Guardia. February 27, 1944. WNYC, New York City. Mayor La Guardia describes New York operas and symphonies. Fiorello La Guardia. 7:04.

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Fiorello La Guardia. March 5, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The mayor comments on current war news, a recent black-out drill, the OPA ceilings on fish. The fish industry is taking advantage of the Lenten season. About chickens: "Don't be too choosey and be willing to put your teeth to work." Fiorello La Guardia. 33:27.

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Fiorello La Guardia. March 12, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The mayor discusses air attacks on Germany and taxes. The partisans who are fighting for Tito. Children have been buying alcohol. Fiorello La Guardia. 33:25.

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Fiorello La Guardia. March 19, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." "The legislature closed yesterday with a new record. It accomplished less in less time than any of its predecessors." Gambling and loan-sharking in the city as well as ceiling prices are taxing the citizens. Fiorello La Guardia. 35:37.

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March 26, 1944

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Fiorello La Guardia. April 16, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The mayor speaks about war ballots for servicemen, the prices of various foods, the New York City War Emergency Act and the subway fares. Fiorello La Guardia. 34:18.

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Fiorello La Guardia. April 23, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." "If we work together, we can beat the black market." The prices of eggs, fish and potatoes. Grade A eggs (without cartons) will be 45 to 47 cents per dozen. "Your children can't eat the cartons." He also talks about tuberculosis and replies to letters from New Yorkers. Fiorello La Guardia. 39:08.

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June 18, 1944

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Fiorello La Guardia. June 25, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The Mayor speaks about food, the Federal Reserve Bank and the pensions of city workers. A chorus of schoolgirls sings, "Hold on to That Plow." The Mayor ends the program with a plea for 468 foster homes (while the chorus hums in the background). Fiorello La Guardia, Dorothy Bass (? soprano). 36:52.

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Fiorello La Guardia. July 9, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The mayor speaks about volunteer services that are available in New York City, news about food prices and rationing and transportation taxes. Fiorello La Guardia. 34:51.

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Fiorello La Guardia. July 16, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The Mayor reads a proclamation about ballots for servicemen overseas. La Guardia reacts to the news about the Japanese execution of captured American pilots and compares that to the American treatment of the Japanese. He urges food and water conservation and honors members of the Civil Patrol. Fiorello La Guardia. 15:25.

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Fiorello La Guardia. July 30, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The Mayor reports the latest war news, Argentina, air raid precautions and the food situation. Fiorello La Guardia. 15:24.

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Fiorello La Guardia. August 6, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." A discussion of war production in New York City. Fiorello La Guardia. 35:46.

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Thanks so much for these, Bobby. I hate to admit it, but I just found them today and I'm missing all the programs before February 27th 1944, from the Sunday the 19th post. If anyone can help me out I'd appreciate it. I'm writing Chapter Three of my Doctoral Dissertation 1938-1941 so the LaGuardia material will go into Chapter Four 1942-1945. I'm hoping to get the writing done before May and turned in and graduating in the Fall. Fingers crossed. I couldn't have done it without the help of Cobalters and the OTR Community. Thanks to all!

Fiorello La Guardia. August 13, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The Mayor discusses the challenges of the post-war period. Efforts must be made by government, industry, agriculture and wage-earners. He thanks those who helped fight the fire at Luna Park in Coney Island. Fiorello La Guardia. 23:26.

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Fiorello La Guardia. August 20, 1944. WNYC, New York City. Patience and Fortitude." The mayor discusses the city's shortage of milk, shopping in the city and the plans for Wanamaker's Department Store. Fiorello La Guardia. 20:38.

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Fiorello La Guardia. August 27, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." Paris has been recaptured, Roumania has joined the Allies. Meat and poultry supplies are up. Eggs are being sold by weight and not by count! Retailers are warned about ceiling prices, string beans prices are still too high. "That bum who is known as Erickson, that chiseling tinhorn, admitted he lost $200,000 to a bookie" (and has sued to get his money back). Infantile Paralysis continues to increase, 597 cases have been reported this season. A message to New York children: behave in subways and buses and offer adults your seat. Fiorello La Guardia. 30:42.

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Fiorello La Guardia. September 10, 1944. WNYC, New York City. The Mayor discusses the new school year, the spread of polio and homemaking hints. Fiorello La Guardia. 8:52.

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Fiorello La Guardia. September 24, 1944. WNYC, New York City. Patience and Fortitude." The Mayor discusses the progress of the war, religious freedom and trees (he reads the poem by Joyce Kilmer). Fiorello La Guardia. 17:39.

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Fiorello La Guardia. October 22, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." "We're back in the Philippines...isn't that fine!" The mayor discusses meat availability in the city. Fiorello La Guardia. 18:00.

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Fiorello La Guardia. November 19, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The Swiss have reported that Hitler might have a clot on his brain. La Guardia says, "I don't see how that's pathologically possible. They might have found a little brain on his clot!" "I still think that there will be a blowup on top in Germany." He discusses commodity shortages, loan sharks, horse racing (he's very much against this "temptation" and "larceny"), Railway Express overcharges, health insurance. Fiorello La Guardia. 32:39.

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Fiorello La Guardia. November 26, 1944. WNYC, New York City. The program originates from Chicago, with the help of WBBM (it is not being broadcast by WBBM). The direct line to WNYC costs $107, and La Guardia asks listeners to send in a dollar to help pay for it. He's attending the International Civil Aviation Conference. The Mayor speaks about sugar rationing, children's clothing, ceiling prices, public housing, the gasoline shortage and traffic violations, child labor in bowling alleys, "tinhorn" gamblers and loan sharks, overpriced barbers, the prohibition of smoking in public places and the water shortage in the city. He praises the Visiting Nurses of Henry Street and recommends listeners to go see "The Gypsy Baron," now playing at the City Center. "Patience and Fortitude.". Fiorello La Guardia. 30:28.

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Fiorello La Guardia. December 3, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The Mayor speaks about defense production, marketing for housewives, gambling and veterans. Fiorello La Guardia. 31:35.

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Fiorello La Guardia. December 10, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." "The Nazis persist in stating that by the end of the month, they will be able to attack the Atlantic coast." The Mayor also speaks about Civil Defense, the grading of food and state medicine. Fiorello La Guardia. 40:51.

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Fiorello La Guardia. December 17, 1944. WNYC, New York City. "Patience and Fortitude." The Mayor speaks about the current food situation in the city and the grading of food. La Guardia also promotes the sale of bonds and the rabies situation. He chats with two servicemen who had been captured by the Japanese and who had escaped. Captain Bert Schwartz (a pilot taken prisoner at Bataan) describes the last few days before the surrender and how he managed to escape after two years. Corporal John McConsky describes the fighting on Corregidor. La Guardia asks him if the Japanese don't like to be called "monkeys." The Corporal replies, "I never called them that!" La Guardia then frustratingly remarks, "Some day I'll have to tell you the legend about why they don't like to be called monkeys.". Fiorello La Guardia, Bert Schwartz, John McConsky. 33:45.

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Fiorello La Guardia. December 24, 1944. WNYC, New York City. The broadcast starts with an unusual recording of "The Marine Hymn" and "Jingle Bells" being played at the same time. Melchior starts the program by singing, "O, Holy Night." The Mayor reads scripture between musical selections, and "The Prayer For Children" (written by Archbishop Francis Spellman). A good show!. Fiorello La Guardia, Lauritz Melchior, The Queens College Chamber Ensemble, Boris Schwartz (conductor), The Collegiate Chorale, Robert Shaw (conductor), Francis Spellman. 27:34.

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Just saw this today. Sorry I missed them all!

Mayor La Guardia's Address to the People of New York

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Thanks, kdmarket!!!

I missed a bunch the first time around. I need to check the Coopersmith Room more often!