davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
Disgrace to Massachusetts.
(New York Evening Post.)

A debate in the Massachusetts, legis-
lature last week brought out sharply a
kind of question which is only too IA
miliar in other states, including our
own. The public institutions COM
mittee had reported bills for improve
ments needed at five state hospitals
for the insane, and the statement WAS
made that overcrowding in those in
situations was SO bad that in many in
stances the inmates were sleeping on
tables and in chairs.
But the ways and means committee
referred to pledges of economy, urged
the necessity of keeping the state tax
down, and pointed out that THE same
bills were vetoed last year by the
governor. AS a result, three of the
proposed bills were defeated, and one
postponed. Now, such treatment OF
such question ought to be regarded
as absolutely out of the question. II
we look the matter squarely in the
face, it simply means that the state
deliberately makes itself responsible
for gross inhumanity for the sake of
saving a certain number of dollars
number of dollars which, although 1t
is very desirable to save them, 1t is
preposterous to assert that the people
of the state cannot afford to furnish
if it is. their duty to do so. The per-
petuation of conditions like those at
Sing Sing, and many other places In
this and other wealthy states, is alb
soluttely inexcusable and to plead
poverty as an excuse for it Is disgrace
full.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
friction that makes it SO unpleasant
all around.

The Lyceum Stock company will
close it's season IN New Britain this
evening and the audience will not only
take up every available seat but the
indications are that many will stand
up so as to be present at the fare
well. Manager Lynch has not said
whether there will be stock com
pany at the Lyceum next season or
not and it is probably too early for
him to say just what he proposes to
do anyhow. Stock has been run
ming there for several seasons now
and though many predicted that the
first one would not last during the
winter 1t did and so have it's success
sors, each starting in early in the fall
and continuing until the following
spring. Many plays have been
given, some of them being the best
obtainable and large number of
people have enjoyed them immense
~. 1t has been stated that a new
crop of theatergoers appears about
every seven years, but it seems as
if it was oftener in New Britain. No
one ever thought a few years ago
that this city would support so many
theaters the majority of them giving
three performances a day. The
picture houses have an advantare
with the foreign population because
they go to see the pictures while they
do not care to attend an entertain
ment where 1t consists of spoken Ian
guage in dramatic or vaudeville parts
as they do not understand them
yet there seems to be enough for all
and it frequently happens during the
week that all the lighthouses are
packed to the doors on certain even
ings. This is much different from
what 1t used to be when a weeks
repertoire of an occasional company
at the old New Britain opera house
consisted of "Fanchon the Cricket"
The Danites' and THE Two Or
phans," good enough in their day but
not sufficiently popular now to draw
we'll enough to pay for their presen-
tatlon. The stock company at the
Lyceum has brought into prominence
large number of people who had
not been in the habit of attending
the theater. Popular prices has
enabled them to go NOW and many
of them have not missed aa-weex since
the company began its productions.
They have their likes and dislikes,
however, and it has been noted that
they prefer musical comedy for the
reason that there is more fun in them
and they prefer that to the drama
with its seriousness and heavier ma
terial. Some of the musical COM
edies have drawn packed houses dur
ing the entire week.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08

men may be as impure as the motives
of business men.
The cost of one years war to Great
Britain, according to the latest esti-
mates of Mr.. Lloyd George, will ag-
gregate about $4,000, 900, 900. This is
the price to be paid by the taxpayers
of England as a result of deals. and
negotiations about which they knew
nothing. Perhaps if the people had
known, a different story might be
told,
1t is true true that the people some
times seem to agitate for war, even
when their statesmen are pulling back,
but it is because they do not know
the whole truth. If the statesmen of
all countries were frank with their
own people, if the veil of secrecy were
lifted, those who inevitably pay the
price could be trusted to use better
Judgment, with higher and better mo-
tives, than the cliques of ambitious
statesmen who, sometimes through
envy sometimes through selfish anger
or false pride, dig the diplomatic pits
of destruction.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
licensing Clubs.
Norwich. Bulletin. }

When it came to the consideration
Of the bill before the legislature rela-
tive to the licensing of clubs, the
house was not guided entirely by the
action Of the sena te,l In both. the gen
eral belief that the state should re-
ceive a license from such organiza-
tions where liquors lis dispensed pre-
walls, but while the senate considered
that $50 would be a proper amount,
1t is the idea Of the majority in the
lower body that that fee should be
500, figure which is not at all un-
reasonable, in view Of the fact that
there are 1000 such clubs in the state
today and there is no telling to what
number they will go as the result of
the increase in the amount which is to
be required in the future for the reg
ular liquor licenses.
Especially important was the action
of the house in eliminating that Sec
ton of the bill which provides for
such licenses in no license towns.
That question would appear to have
been definitely determined by the re-
spective towns and when the question
of license was voted upon. Inasmuch
as local option prevails the voice
against license should be upheld
wherever it predominates and such
is apparently the belief of the legis-
lators. It is we'll that the house saw
fit to let the judgment Of the towns
people stand as to whether it favored
liquor sold in the community or not
and not convey the power to some
other authority to override it. The
need Of placing state license upon
| such clubs has long prevailed and II
is believed that the 500 fee is a wise
one, and one that will meet with the
approval of the people.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
Erasing the Scars of War.
cleveland Plain Dealer.

Last September the German army,
driving toward Paris, advanced as far
as the Marine. Nearly every furlong
of the way was holly contested. The
advance was really one continuous
struggle and it eliminated in the vio-
lent battle along the Marine.
When the Germans retired and the
tide of war ebbed back to the Aisne,
a zone of devastation many miles in
width remained. Farmhouses were
in ruins, villages were destroyed. The
autumn fields were rutted and riven.
Throughout the winter the region was
a wilderness.
Now, little more than half a year
since its devastation, the land is turn
ing green again. The scars of war
are being obliterated. The old men
of the peasant class, assisted by wom-
en-, and young girls, have cultivated
every available square foot Of the fire
swept region. Crops are already
showing. Spring wheat, an inch or
two high, covers thousands of acres
The very trenches are filled in anu
plowed over. Temporary farm struc-
lures are being built. From the area
of devastation will come. abundance
of food, both for the soldiers further
north and east, and for the men and
women who have stayed at home to
do the necessary work.
With the exception of East Prussia
no part of Germany has actually suf-
fered from the ravages of war. Yet
Germany has set the example of utiliz-
ing every idle bit Of ground. The
railroad right Of way will bring forth
abundant crops; the hitherto waste
places by the roadsides will add their
little to the harvester's total. France
has merely been following Gern1any's
lead, but the French work is being
done on a larger scale, for. France has
her war-made desert to, work upon.
The spring of 1915 will perhaps be
remen bered as the evilest season Of
Europe's history. In such a season
the old men and girls who are aiding
Nature to erase, the marks of wars
horror make an agreeable picture, very
bright by violent contrast.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08

sumably accidents caused BY the lit-
ney will be treated the same as those
caused by automobiles that where
neglect is shown on the part of the
drivers they will be punished the same
as any chauffeur and that the license
Will be revoked where such course
Is deemed necessary for the protec-
ton Of the public. Under those con-
ditions it does not seem as If the jit-
ney can do any harm and get away
with it. The state law is broad enough
and strong enough to prevent that.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08

administration that was in the bust
ness of manufacturing positions for
men of congressional caliber would
be abe to provide, something better
than S6-a-day job, which, with an
allowance of So for expenses, is
stated to be the enormous CD
amount that will be allowed Mr.
Reilly as a matter of fact, he has
had nothing created for him. Work
tf the kind required of him in the
Connecticut district, which includes
this state and Rhode Island, is not
new. and he will be but one of forty
or more employed in it throughout
the country.-Hartford Times.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08

Someone appears to be making a
speciality of. numbering q children in
New York, and SO far has succeeded
in eluding the police. It is believed,
however, that he will be caught, and
When he is the question will be raised
as to his sanity, and there is already
sosne discussion Of that point now. #
the parents Of children in the vicinity.
of his operations get him first there
will not be much attention paid to
the matter of his sanity. His methods
are those of butcher.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
Wisconsin's BILL Factory.
milwaukee JournaI.)

The assembly judiciary committee
has unanim ously voted to kill the bill
abolishing the state legislative refer
ence library, but the state administra-
ton, it is announced, has a plan up it's
sleeve to kill this institution.
The "bilf factory has been the
object of. violent attacks which would
long ago have destroyed it, were its
merit not SO obvious. For the refer
ence library, almost more than any
branch of the government, is serving
the interests of the people. 1t is the
agency which gives the peoples repre-
sentatives the information which they
need in considering the various pieces
of legislation which come before them.
1t assists legislators to embody their
ideas on legislation in bills which
adequately cover the subject and
which are not nearly SO likely to be
upset because of technical errors or
unconstitutionality as they would be
ii inexpertly drawn. =
The bill factory has done its work
so well that twenty-eight have copied
it's organization and methods. The
national government in considering
the advisa bility of a federal bill fac
tory ctudied and commended Wis
consin's institution President Taft
consulted, with the head of the Wis
Cousins institution in regard to a ma
tional bureau. Such conservative or
ganizations as the American isAr as
ISOLATION and the national association
of chambers of commerce have urged
the national government TO adopt this
Wisconsin idea.
In fact the bill factory" has done
its work too we'll to suit the special
interests of the state It has made
possible the drafting of too many
jokerproof laws not to be menace to
the interests which get what they
want through the manipulation of
legislation. Charges have been circu-
lated that the library introduces bills,
that it has increased freak legislation
and that it has usurped the function
Of the legislator in formulating legis-
lation.
1t has done none of these things.
1t cannot cause bill to be intro
duced; it does not even draft bill
without a written request from a
legislator. 1t is not displacing the
legislator; it Is helping him to do his
work more effectively. Few legisIa-
tors are capable of drafting important
bills. The legislative reference library
gives them aid that they plainly need
and that public interests demand.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
Snake Rings for Drinks.
New York Sun.

The varmint known as a Mexican
blue snake, which came from Texas
in a perforated box as a present to
Raymond Hitchcock a few days ago
is not making much of a hit around
the house with the star-eyed Arme-.
Man known to theatergoers as Miss
Flora Zabelle and to the home folk
as Mrs Raymond Hitchcock, nor does
Miss zabelle's sister, Miss Christine
Mangasarian, try to teach Ermentrude
(Ermentrude is the seven-foot snake)
to follow her about the house either.
But when Ermentrude and her mas
ter are away from home-which means
when in the Lambs club-Ermentrude
makes a terrific hit with Mr. Hitch
cock While everybody scatters wild
ly Ermentrude is brought to a table
by her boss and dumped out upon the
furniture Step by step the Lambs
are induced by the softly voluminous
voice Of Raymond Hitchcock to come
nearer.
AS soon as good spender has over
come his fear sufficiently to approach
to the table next to the one wholly oc-
cupied by, Ermentrude the snake darts
like a flash OF blue lightning at the
bell on the spender's table and taps
the bell smartly with her snout.
The best part Of the stunt is that
Mr.. Hitchcock has trained Ermentrude
to dart right back into her box after
tapping the bell Therefore by the
time the waiter answers the bell Err
mentrude is locked out Of sight, the
waiter takes the order and the spender,
picking himself off the shoulder blade
he landed on when Erm entrude shot
her beady eyes toward his table, ad-
mits that his bell was the one that
was tapped, and. therefore, buys.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
COMMENT Of LONDON
PAPERS ON DISASTER
Action Of United States Eagerly
Awaited by Great Britain.

London May s, 2:24 a. m.--Most of
the morning newspapers print edito-
rails today concerning the sinking of
the Lusitania.
The Times" says it is not for Great
Britain to speculate upon the course
to be adopted by the United States
government, now that they are con-
fronted with a situation which con-
Germs that country as closely as it does
Great Britain.
U. S. Vas Responsibility.
"The members of Mr.. Wilson's min
istry," says the Times" ARE the
guardians of their national honor nd
the lives of their own people. Upon
them restts j Ieavy responsibility
which we shall not seek to accentu-
ate; but the destruction of the Lusi-
tania must assuredly hasten the day
when every civilized power will feel
constrained to join us.
The Times" adds that il no life
had been lost the character of the
Smiling of the Lusitania and the in
tentions which prompted it would
have remained unaltered The ship
received no special naval protection
because of the principles that APP
parently have been laid down that
when so many large passenger steam
ers are constantly approaching or
leaving the coast of Great Britain,
no single steamer can be singled out
for exceptional protection unless ma
tional interests make such step inn
perative.
Details Must BE Awaited.
This, however" the "Times' con-
cludes. lis a subject upon which fur
ther enlightenment must be awaited.
For the moment, attention is concen-
trated with horror upon the appalling
nature of the deed thus wrought after
due advertisement"
The Graphic" says that the exact
details of the Lusitania in one sense
are unimportant, but the broad fact
is that a ship containing two thusand
non-combatants and neutrals was sent
to her destruction with every prospect
Of an appalling loss of life.
Affront to NeutraIs.
The Daily Telegraph" declares that
the sinking of this floating hotel'' af-
fects mot only ourselves, but the
English thinking people on the other
side of the Atlantic" ~
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
D. MCMILLAN
1se-eo1-2oa MAIN STREET

V .l
win Carman, in F'reeport, June 80
last. Her testimony was almost iden-
teal with that related by her at the
first trial last fall. which resulted In
a disagreement.
On direct examination, Mrs. Car
man denied everything to which Celia
Coleman. her former engro maid had
testified She denied that she had
ever used any firearm, but admitted
that there was pistol in her room
at the time of the shooting. A small
automatic pistol was produced by her
counsel, and placed in evidence. The
bullet that killed Mrs. Bailey was of
larger caliber.
Only once did Mrs. Carman appear
confused during her cross-examin-
alton and that was when District At
torney Lewis j. Smith produced an
outline OF the Carman house and
asked her to point out which window
she raped on when Mrs. Variance, a
nurse, was in the doctors Office.
Which time p asked Mrs Carman.
You know which time Mrs. Car
man." snapped Mr.. Smith. Did you
go more than once"
No she replied, and then quickly
recovered her composure and said:
You asked me which window; be-
lieve me, IL had done it (mcaning
the shooting) I wouldn't have gone
to the same window
After her cross-exami=@tion Mrs
Carman returned TO her seat at the
counsel table and burst into tears
Counsel for both sides believed that
the case would go to the jury this ar
ternoon.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08

It looks as if China will accede to
the demands of Japan and that there
will be no war in the far east. I'm
der the circumstances, however, -. it
must be bitter dose for China. When
it gets into condition for war and it
will some time it will probably take
up this matter with Japan again when
an agreement may not be so easily
and SO peacefully reached.
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
EY ACCIDENTS

dents are beginning to
Hartford and New Hav-
have caused 50 much
the latter city that there
of enacting q city ordin-
bate the operating of the
4 seems as If such action
larry to the state law be-
the legislature was fix
{se fee for the jitneys It
bod that they would be
h state law in regard to
Ind to no other. It would.
er, however, II the jitneys
to local equations be-
I would be possible to
EDITIONS in the particular
they are being operated
nd there would be more
n criticism. The accidents
hey are simply an exten-
3 caused by the autOm o.
might be expected
Ind to attract some atten-
y from that of the auto
3 reason for that is the
y run with less regard for
has an automobile he will
ordinary citizen, while Il
|nto a jitney it will be for
more passengers he car
later will be his revenue.
conditions he will SO
freets with greater speed
viii naturally be greater
cdestrians. That Is q mat
loud be regulated and To-
ies can handle the situa
|.tter than the state. Pre-
New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
TOWN Talk.
-

~s....- that meat and fruits
were being sold on the streets. and
from stands in front of stores under
such conditions as rendered them un-
fit for use. The fruit in many in
stances was in the last stages of de-
cay while meats and vegetables were
exposed to dust and germs that caused
them to be unfit for consumption use.
There was not SO much talk of i'm
pure milk at the time, that coming
later. The discussion occupied a long
period of time before the council
agreed to the appointment Of an in
spector, great deal of extraneous
matter having been introduced into
the debate and while it was q pretty
thoroughly understood as to the need
of some such official there was a nat
ural hesitancy about making an ap-
pointment because it was new. The
late Samuel Bassett was then mayor
and there was considerable talk Of
consolidation. The council finally de-
cided that an official should be ap-
pointed, the motion being made by
E. N. Humphrey, who was then an
alderman. The first appointment was
made by Mayor Bassett and it was
DIR. Crowley who was named, the
appointment being confirmed by the
common council. The appointment
was made annually by the mayor and
confirmed by the council until last
year when as result of charter
amendments the power was vested in
the board of health without any de-
finite term being specified. The Of
nee has had an interesting history
and some very interesting debates
n q va h0n 1n< -. ~.
Gil in the city building on CONNER
cial street on the work, none of it
was in criticism of the occupant Of
the ONCE but as to the extent of the
work which the council thought
should be done. The Office was
named milk inspector at first,
then the word food, was added and
finally the word meat" was included
and the official had a great deal to do.
He started with a salary of 5000, after
year or so another hundred dollars
was added to 1t and later it was
raised to $500 from that to $500 and
nnally to $1,000, the present figures.
A peculiar feature about the Office
was that the doctor was obliged to
furnish@his own apparatus up to two
years ago when the city paid for
some few articles and he is now left
with all this property on his hands.
he mas also been obliged to pay for
all the chemicals used and for the mo-
1--WE power employed in making his
tests The work done by this official
mas been of great Importance to the
city and to the purchasers of milk
Before the office was instituted milk
OF every kind and description was
sold and it. was most difficult task
TO induce the peddlers and those who
dealt in milk to understand that GER
tain rules, had to- he observed and
that the milk had to be purer and
cleaner In the light Of developments
1t is interesting to contrast the con-
ditions existing eleven years ago and
the present Milk sold today is of
the best and it is clean. Meat is not
suspended outside of markets and
sold with dirt upon it as it used to
be. These improvements have been
worth great deal to the people of
this community -