davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
THAT DELAYED REPORT

The need of getting the facts upon
both slices Of a question in order that
intelligent action may be taken is
fully recognized. This IS as appli-
cable to the matter of adequate pre-
parednes3 as to national defense as
to any other of the big questions be-
1ore the country, and for that reason
much Importance attaches to the max
ing public of the report of the gen.
eral BOARD OF the navy, furnished upon
request OF the secretary of the navy
department several months ago. This
board is made UP of experts. They
are men who know what they are
talking about and for that reason
their advice was sought and it was
given without political bias
When the administration came to
make its recommendations as to what
should be done in establishing better
defenses it presented a report Of its
own and it is only now after pressure
was brought that the board report
is put forth for public consumption.
While the administration may have
felt that the report called for a naval
increase on too elaborate a scale. for
1t believes that the navy of this coun-
try should be equal to the most DOW
erful maintained by any other nation
in the world, that was not a, suffi-
clent reason for suppressing it any
more than 1t would be proper to con-
ceal the fact that others who have
expressed their opinions feel that the
present navy Is strong enough. It is
only proper that the people, and espe-
cially those who must take action upor
the question of preparedness, should
know what the general board thinks
The fact that the department differ.
Herewith and has seen fit to recon
mend something else was a poor rea
son for keeping this report under GOV
er. Others may feel as the admins
tration does, or they may not, but the,
ought to have all the facts upon which
to base their decision
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
FORD'S RETURN,

There is nothing so very surprising
in the announcement that Henry Ford
has sailed for home at this early date,
If, indeed, it is anything more than
what many of his close friends expect
ed. Though his i'll health is given as
the reason it has long been evident
and was before he departed from this
country, that his peace plan was des-
tined to failure. He lacked the proper
amount of preparedness. He set forth
on a mission which was all in the air,
He had gathered about him a lot of
enthusiasts who were longing for a
little adventure, but he lacked organ
ization and was apparently imbued
with the idea that his plan would
meet with instant success He went
without the sanction of this govern
ment and without any widespread
sympathy except in the general cause
of peace for it was recognized that
he was starting on a wild goose chase
without any more likelihood of accom-
plishfng his purpose than would be
faced by the the fellow who sought to
locate pot Of gold at the end of a
rainbow.
Mr.. Ford is unquestionably sincere
In his desire for peace and in his
"'4iiSHeSS " Ludhe SdCTlnceS ana &c
use his influence to bring it about, but
his failure to properly analyze the
conditions as they exist abroad today
which meant the brushing aside OF
the cold facts as he bowed to his
ideas and fancies, has resulted moi
only in denying him cooperation a
home, but also abroad and the colos.
sal f1zzle is only a natural result. A.
E manufacturer Mr.. Ford has made 6
tremendous success through careful
organization, but that was the very
thing which he overlooked in endea.
voring to move the powers of Europe
by a scheme which does more thar
anything else to put him in the elias.
With dreaners.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
LITTLE FUR NEEDED.

1t does not take too much fur to
make a standing collar and cuffs. One
clever woman recently arranged" an
iceal wrap coat in dark sapphire blue
blanket coat, which had a straight,
high collar and gauntlet cuffs made of
pattes d'astrakhan.
When she bought the fur she chose
a square cleverly made up of small
pieces carefully sewn together with
measured half a yard each way. From
this square she cut a straight collar
and bands for the sleeves, and the
cost of the square, in an excellent
silky quality, was only a few dollars.
The best dressmakers are making
fascinating muffs to match their wrap
coats, of the same material as the gar
ment itself. This, of course, can only
be done when soft, warm stuffs are
used, but nearly all the wrap coats of
to-day are made of some such mater
la as serge, mouf1onne, duvetyn
blanket cloth. velours de laine, and
so on.
These muffs, which as a rule are
barrel shap, are interlined with down
and lined with softest satin or bro
cade. They are trimmed with bends
of fur at either end or with a single
band down the middle, the ends be-
Ing finished off with handsome cords
and tassels.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

ing the outlying sections closer to the
bigger communities by means Of good
roads. It would not be alive TO its
own interests If 1t did not, since good
roads are vital necessity for every
commonwealth. When the grange,
however. opposed as it did the build
ing of permanent highways OF trafhc
and advocated in it's place the con-
struction of gravel roads it may have
been actuated by the expensive results
which have followed highway con-
struction where a few years use have
made it necessary to rebuild them, but
it can hardly be believed that there
would be the saving through the build
ing Of gravel highways in sections
where there is much traffic that is an
tieipated. There should be good roads
and the roads should be constructed
to meet the requirements Of all use&
! and experience shows that 1t is the
| highway which comes the nearest to
being permanent that gives the best
| results financially and otherwise.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
Stories of the War
Conditions in Servia.

Conditions in invaded Servia are de-
scribed to the London press by Col
Onel GOvaars of the Salvation Army
who has just completed a six months
tour Of that country in the interests
of his organization. The country he
speaks of lies in the northwest, from
which the Austrians were driven Dut
in tkeir first invasion
Gre village, which a year ago had
$500 inhabitants ard $50 houses, now
has LOO inhabitants and only Is
whole houses, according to Colonel
GcVaarS. OF the other houses 90 were
entirely destroyed and 1874 so badly
damaged as to be uninhabitable. Even
those surviving had to be considerably
patched up. This village had formerly
over a thousand draught oxen. Now
there arc two. Out OF zoo cows only
II remain, and % sheep and goats
have to make up for 1900 or moro.
There were formerly 10000 chickens
and 1900 pigs, but only a dozen or so
now take their place.
In this same community, said Col
onel Gov aars, 46 families were wiped
cut entirely, anil families formerly
consisting of 80 or 40 members ARE
| now represented bv ore OF two. The
| ColCnei met a widow who was the
| sole survive of a family # %. When
| the AusJrians occupied the place many
civilians were killed in Smelling, 9TH
| ers were taken away rs prisoners a I'D
! an epidemic swept away 3OO OF the
refugees who turned after the Aus.
| trian occupation.
When l reached the district" h
| continued, the people were living OF
| corn meal and unripe fruit, chiefly
| plums. No ether food was obtainable
I except by the few who lived near mil.
| itary posts and could depend on the
| charity of the soldiers.
I'm another village l met the cas-,
/ of a woman whose husband had beer
! killed in battle while starvation an,
| disease left her only one child out o
seven. Another woman talked witt
/ was the sole survivor of afamily of II
! 1 passed deserted houses. and when
/ asked what had become of the people
! / heard but the one answer, Died out
Miles and miles of rich land lie abso
lutely waste, covered with weeds an,
thistles. The great plum orchards o
the district were bearing fruit at tn
time of my visit, but there was no on
to pick and dry it. Formerly tn
farmers used to distill plum brandy OIL
/ their premises. but all of the coppe
stills were taken away by the invader.
| There was no labor and no means O
! transportation.
ain another village I stood on tn
ruins of a farmhouse in which 10
persons had been burned alive. Thei
bones were collected and buried in
hillside nearby. In one pit the bodie
Of 30 civilians had been thrown an
buried"
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
Defense in 1775.

Mr.. Editor: The discussion concern
ing "Defenseless America" is so
prominent that the following extract
from history may prove interesting:
At the convention Of delegates from
the several counties OF Virginia In
l776, Patrick Henry moved in point the
following resolution:
Resolved, That this colony be i'm
mediately put into state OF defense,
etc. In support of the above he made
his immortal Grafton. The resolution
was opposed by some Of the ablest men
and patriots in the convection, but was
adopted and a committee appointed.
The following is a portion OF the
recommendations of the committee
which appears to be amusing at this
day:
sist of sixty-eight rank and file, to be
commanded by one captain, two teuten-
ants one ensign four SerReantS, and
four corporals; and that they have
drummer and be furnished with
drum and colors, that every man be
provided with a good rife il to be had
or otherwise with a common firelock
bayonet and cartouch-boX, also with
a tomahawk one pound of gunpowder
and four pounds of ball at least, mt
ted to the bore Of his gun; that he
be clothed in a hunting shirt by way OF
uniform"
That each troop OF horse consist Of
thirty, exclusive of officers, that every
horseman be provided with gooc
horse. bride. saddle, with pistols and
holsters. of carblne or other short fire,
lock, with a bucket, a cutting sworS
or tomahawk, one pound Of gunpowder
four pounds of ball, at the least, and
use the utmost diligence in trainint
and accustoming his horse to stand th'
discharge of firearms. Such was th'
nucleus OF the American forces tina
faced England In the Revolution Blu
i'm those DAYS men were imbubed witt
genuine patriotism Their souls were
on fire for action.
Norwich, Dec. %, 1915
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
TULLE MUCH USED,

Great quantities of tulle are being
used on evening gowns this season,
not only for fashioning the gown, but
for trimming purposes, in wisps of
draperies, scarfs, and in one gown as
train. black and gold evening
frock shows a wide piece of tul1e
caught across the back CT the frock
and held with jet bracelets to the
wrists.
Queer freaks are to be seen among
some Of the latest importations. A
midnight blue taffeta coat is lined
with blue serge. reversing the order
of things generally. In a rose and
black velvet evening coat, where the
waist portion is of the lighter shade
and the skirt portion of the other, the
lining of satin reverses the color, the
rose velvet being lined with black
and the black with rose. A Venetian
purple evening coat is lined for a
depth Of eight or nine inches with q
Powered and brocaded velvet ribbon
another proof Of the ribbon craze.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
COL. HOUSES TRIP.

Much secrecy surrounds the trip
which Col E. NJ. House is to make
to Europe, which it is announced is
for the purpose Of tuning up the dip
lonnatic representatives of this coun-
try among the belligerent nations that
they may handle the diplomatic ques-
lions now existing and others as they
may arise in a manner fully in accord
with the ideas Of the administration.
He goes as the representative of the
president and the department of state
Col House is the presidents close
personal friend and adviser and the
trip about to be made is not the first
that ne has undertaken to Europe as
special representative. Months ago he
went abroad to feel the pulse of the
warning nations as to the possibilities
of peace. He found that there was no
chance for a termination of the war
at that time and no indication of an
early opportunity for the president to
exercise his good offices in behalf of
an adjustment CT the war tangle
which he had previously offered to
do whenever desired.
1t is not improbable that he will
keep his ear close to the ground for
any and all talk about peace. 1t would
not be surprising if he visited officials
high in authority among the belliger-
ents for something more than paying
his respects even though it is en-
phatica1ly announced that his only
mission is that Of putting the nations
representatives in the right atmos-
phere with the administration. 1t is
an important task even if instructions
to the ambassadors are alone involved
for perhaps no one understands bet
ter the presidents point Of view, but
it will be only natural that he as a
sounder offs peace sentiment before
should still keep that in mind.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
GOOD ROADS.

The Maine state grange has been
holding its annual meeting at which
among the many things Of interest to
the farmers discussed was the matter
of good roads, and resolutions calling
for the abandonment Of efforts In Ger
tain directions and their extension in
others were adopted. There was gen.
eral recognition Of the value Of good
roads to those engaged in agricultural
pursuits and it can be fully appre-
ciated as the chairman of the COM
naittee on roads said in presenting his
report that well drained, heavily sur
faced roads that will allow heavy traf-
flc at all seasons Of the year, except
ing when covered with snow, will be-
come the railroads Of the future to
remote towns and villages
Maine is no different than other
states in the union when it comes to
eecognizing the importance Of bring
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Officers of the Town Not of Schools

Mr.. Editor: In your column of Let
tiers to the Editor in the issue OF Dec
22d appears a letter limiting that mem
bers of our town school committee may
be violating the law Csection 1868 of
general statutes) which provides that
trustee or officer Of any institution
receiving aid from the state who fur
nishes supplies to such institution (un-
less upon open competition) shall be
fined $50.
Now this is a serious matter. and IL
any of these committeeman are GRIM
inals it should be known; and. upon
the other hand, it is well to keep in
mind the observation Of one OF our
humorists that 1t IS better not to
know so much than to know so much
that isn't so. Your correspondent
makes the assertion that the schools
are an institution of the state, and
so of course these gentlemen are vio-
| lating the law.
He does not inquire Of what insi-
| tuition they are officers. They are not
officers of the schools generally,S for
there is no such officer unless 1t be the
| superintendent of schools. They are
| no more officers of the schools COL
! lectively than the selectmen are ofh-
| GERS of highways or OF the poorhouse
because they are charged with the duty
| OF caring for these. Nor are the COM
i mittee officers OF the separate schools.
| for instance of the Broadway schools
/ or the Norwich Town schools. for
| there are no such offices as commit
| tee of these schools.
| The members OF the school commit
/ tee were elected by ballot or machine
| in annual town meeting with the Sc
| lectmen, assessors and other officers.
| They are town officers (section 1904,
| general statutes) and were so returned
by the town clerk to the state authori-
ties; and the undersigned ventures the
assertion that they are not by reason
of such election trustees or officers OF
| any other organization, corporation,
| institution or thing.
The insane retreats, reform school
| and industrial school for girls are re-
| ferred to in the statutes as institu-
tons, and indicate how the word Is
used. A town is not an institution. as
the words are used in our statute, but
like a county, city or school district
is a territorial division Of the state
But, If this be otherwise. we are up e
a pretty condition of things, for al
town officers-selectmen, assessors
| treasurer collector, constables. regis
| trars and what not-are liable to b
hailed before the city court. John d
Hall, prosecutor, and John II. Barnes
Judge and mulcted in $50 damages FOL
each offense. If they have supplied 81
much as a hob nail to the town for III
schools, its poor. or its highways.
COUNTRY BOY.
Norwich, Conn, Dec. 5th, 1915.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
IN BEHALF OF THE HORSE.

At this season of the year there is
general recognition of the fact that
too much attention cannot be given to
the care of horses. 1t is a season when
much of the cruelty that exists in the
treatment of these animals can be
prevented by giving the subject proper
thought through protective measures.
This is the course that is being fol-
lowed in New York city, where friends
Of the horse are urging the adoption
of an ordinance which will require the
proper calking of horses shoes dur
ing the winter months. Icy pavements
are obstacles which the smooth -shod
horses are unable to overcome unless
such attention is given to them as is
demanded 1t is a reasonable plea
which is entirely in the interest of
horse owners for not only will it mean
the extension of relief in a direction
where it is much needed, but it will
make the horses much more valu-
able
It ought not to be necessary to i'm
pose any such provision upon the own
ers of horses, and it is not in a ma
jority of the cases, but there are those
who fail to consider the humane or the
efficiency side of the question, and it
- oeNduSe u SUCH tnal the COnLe1n-
plated action is found necessary
Those who give the proper amount OF
attention to this matter need no such
urging. They do not have to be forced
to look out for their own interests, but
there are those who do and it is with
| those in mind that regulations are
deemed advisable
The matter is one which concerns
| every community, whether it has hillH
streets or smooth pavements, anG
where negligence towards the horse
| prevails there is the place where
| compulsory measures in their behalf
| should exist.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
THE HAT WITH THE NEcKPIEcE

One of the forehand milliners saw
in the fashion for skating a chance
for a modified Dutch skating cap,
shown in the sketch. 1t is of black
velvet, made over a slender skeleton
form which has a broad, low crown
that permits the hat to cover the top
part of the head. There is no sug-
gestiOn of the monkey cap about it.
The brim is indicated and the hat is
given width by a wide band of white
fur, which leaves the hat at the back,
wtdens into a neckscarf, goes once
and half around and is finished with
heavy SNOWFALL of fur that is fast
ened to the front of the coat. Skat-
ing has already brought back all kinds
of brilliantly colored mufflers for
street wear, and many woman are
substituting them for furs
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

nett, Another incident worth notice
IS. that. for some months seventeen
OF the inmates lived In 4 farm house
p:oyed and where sscaps ~as' merely
a mater 81 breaking parole and
walking away. Sot ans even made
the attempt and thelE eorduct was
So exemplary that II caused f5E6rzbis
comment Ia the a.. fietgbhorh6d; A
new rule permits. thoss VIVID wish. 70
nowhere eise: The directors have
each contributed from their 6Sgi
pockets a suni sufficient 10 purchase a
moving picture machine for. the In
stitution, and a skating pond On the
grounds v!ii be ready By Christmas,
This brief summary gives an idea OF
how the Reformato-y Is eondacted:-
Bristol Press:
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
SERVING POTATOES.

Serve potatoes plain boiled only
when they are new.
With roast meat serve potatoes
mashed or roasted in the pan with the
meat.
With fricassed meats serve baked
potatoes.
With fricassed meats serve baked
potatoes with a crisp fried vegetable
like eggplant.
With roast pork serve baked pota =
toes, green vegetable and a sour ap-
pie sauce.
With roast chicken serve mashed
potatoes, onions and a sour Jelly.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

The small trunks devised for short
motor trips have been taken up by
others in addition to the motor wo-
man and have led into the launching
of a large variety of over Sunday box
es, cleverly fitted up to take into
small compass all one may need for
the over Sunday visit. Some of these
have handles and at a pinch a man
could carry one as hand baggage in
stead of checking it.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
NEEDLEWoRK NOTES.

Porch chair covers knitted or GRO
cheted from a heavy cotton and made
III tubular form, like pillow slips, are
washable, durable and pretty. For
those who like to crochet, such COW
ers are not hard to make. They should
just fit the chair, so they may be slip
ped on easily. yet stay on. A close
design should be chosen, with no great
open spaces to catch buttons. A fringe
or the lower edge makes a handsome
finish.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
CHfLD'S COAT.

A child's coat that combines COM
fort with style is made of dark brown
zibeline. The lower section hangs
full from a shallow yoke and a double
belt defines the low waist line. A
broad turned down collar edged with
beaver finishes the neck line and this
can be buttoned snugly about the
throat If desired. Wide cuffs, cor
responding with the collar, give a
smart finish to the sleeves. Large
buttons of brown horn are used to
fasten the coat
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

Sew a coarse flannel over the bowl
of broken goblet. Wet the flannel
and sprinkle as much flaxseed or can
airy seed as will stick. Set this in a
glass dish of water in a warm room.
AS the water soaks into the flannel
add more. In two weeks you will have
a beautiful center ornament for the
table.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
WHEN SERVING HOT PASTRY.

Always heat the plates on which
you serve hot breads or hot pastry of
any kind. The most delicious rolls or
cakes or pies will become heavy and
soggy If they are put onto a cold
plate while they are still warm.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

Now that Secretary Garrison de.
cIares that Col. Roosevelt was respop-
sible while in Office for the reduction
of the army he must be planning to
get into that gradually increasing
hated" class.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

The postponement Of the peace
meeting at Berne until spring indi-
Gates that the peace advocates are get
ting prepared for another drive as
soon as the war opens again.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

Does the absence Of aerial attacks
on English towns for the past several
weeks indicate that Germany has re-
formed or that England is better pre-
pared to resist them? Anyway it is
welcome relief.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
There is no small art in restin

There is no small art in resting sue
cessfully, if the benefit of every one
of those precious minutes is to be full
II derived. A book or paper will
sometimes act as a better sedative
with a definite object will prevent the
mind from barking back to worries
and all kinds of petty cares likely to
counteract the peace of the actual
surroundings.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
The War a Year Ago Today
Dec. 81. 1914.

Germans pushed preparations for
the. defense of Antwerp.
British cruisers and seaplanes
Cuxhaven.
Commander of the German cruz
ser York sentenced to two
ears imprisonment for losing his
essei.
German spy disguised as Moor
eized while trying to enter Glib
altar.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

With the increased rates allowed by
the interstate commerce commission
and business gaining, the railroads in
the west should be able to show i'm
proved reports.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

Because his wife moved thirty-nin,
times in ten years, E T. Turner o.
Camden. N. J.. is asking for di'
vOrCe.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

Statistics show that a spinstel
lives longer than a married woman
and that business women outlive bus
mess men.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

With revolutions breaking out in
China, that country with it's change
in government appears to be resum-
ing its old habits speedily.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27
A BIT OF ECONOMY.

Water in which macaroni has been
boiled makes a nice thin starch for
lingerie garments. Also gives a pref
ty gloss to colored Bingham.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

The, talk is now that Villa will make
his way to Cuba and then to Brazil.
Those depending upon revolutions for
living will have cause to worry.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-27

Women eat less than men becaus
they have a smaller proportion of &C
tive tissue that men Of the sam
weight