davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
THE LAST CONGRESS.

The sixty-third congress is at an end. Credited as it is with three ses- sions and marking as it does a record breaking legislative period, the record concerns its longevity rather than the value of the legislation enacted. Though several matters of importance were acted upon favorahly moro at tention is attracted by that which has shown poor results or that which was attempted but failed The revision of tho tariff has failed to produce the promised changes despite the income tax and the revenue from the addition al federal tax. Legislation which was expected to reduce the cost of living has failed in its mission and the much touted economy plan of the party which started out in full control of congress suffered seriously from neg hgence. The credit for the keeping down of the expenditures, which still make it q record breaking body, be- longs to the minority. Just where the appropriations would have gone to but for the calling of congress to it's senses by republicans of much experience can- not be estimated.
 Congress acted wisely in the repeal ing of the free toll provision for the Panama canal and it carried out a well started program fin tine passage of the federal reserve act, but it is probable that it has done more harm than good by it's tinkering with the Sherman antitrust law. Wisely did it act in the consolida ton of the life saving and revenue cutter service as the coast guard, but unjust was it's stand upon the proposed immigration bill To the credit of President Will son was the veto which he applied thereto though he failed to take sim liar action in the matter of the sea- mems bill,
 Perhaps no more attention was di- rected to any measure than to the ship purchase bill, a matter upon which the president threw his whole weight and lost It was the rock upon which his control went tospieces and disclosed the most serious trouble since the eIec- ton of the previous fall. The defeat of the bill, as well as the doub1e-faced Philippine bill must, however, win na- tional approval.
 Perhaps one of the greatest regrets In the ending of the congressional ses- sion lies Tn the fact that it terminates the membership in congress of several of the country's ablest men whose ser vices have been of the greatest value in the guidance of legislative action and therefore of inestinaable benefit to ~Aa country
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
Relief in Belgium.

Everywhere I went there was d cry of More. more,'" said James M. Ben nett, of Roanoke. Va, who has just ar rived in London after a, motor tour through Belgium to see for himself the manner in which the American Relief was being rendered.
 Don't think the poor Belgians are ungrateful,'' he said. We flew a lit tie Stars and Stripes on our motor and hundreds of women came up and kissed il. Little children fingered it lovingly. In Brussels they are talking of putting up a monument to mark the gratitude of Belgium to America. They are already at work on the design.
 T saw box after box containing thousands of little letters waiting to 80 to American children. All of them were quaintly pathetic expressions of thanks from Belgian girls and boys for the Christmas presents sent in the Jason. The children in Antwerp have printed an artistic card which reads: With the cordial thanks of the poor children of Antwerp to their kind for their nice Christmas presents. underneath are the scrawling little signatures of Waifs who have seen war
 Tn Liege I saw a trainioad of sev- enteen cars bring in relief supplies all the way from Virginia. I saw these same supplies given out in the bread line, and I was proud and glad to be a Nirginian.
 ''The Germans are not taking a sion is sending in. So far as I could see, the Germans are honestly helping The work of the Commission is won derful. It's simply cIockworll. didn't dream that anything like it could be set going in so short a time. 2
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

seen the light shining from the win dow. "A spy couldn't possibly slip through our line of pickets,'' the of- Gcer insisted.
 The following morning the woman asked the officer to take particular mo- tice of the stairs leading to the garrett In thin coating of ashes that sine had spread over the steps a mans foot prints were unmistakably outlined. we'll see about that tonight" said the captain.
 Instead of returning to the French lines after completing their days ob- serVations the detachment concealed itself in bushes around the house and watched the garret window. At Il ?. m. though they had seen no one enter the building, lights appeared in the window and the captain ordered a rush upon the stairway. At the same time a heavy body dropped to the ground on the other side
 The Germans had tolerated the use of the house by the French during the day in order to utilize it themselves at night. A complete signalling appar- atus WaS found but the spy, who knew the place better than the French seem ingly, had made good his escape.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
ONLY ONE HAS MERIT

Between the two bills before the leg islature relative to the change in tax atfon of automobiles little time should be required in reaching q decision as to which is intended for the interest of the state and which is Calculated to take care of the auto owners. Some measures are proposed, or suggestions made at Hartford as if the taxpayers of Connecticut had little direct con- cern in the financial affairs of the state, or as if the shifting oT the eI- penses from one to the other or the remova: of taxable property from one in favor of the other solved the prob lem of making both ends meet
 Any such proposition as removing automobiles from taxation in the towns where they are owned that there may be a slight increase in the tax which is paid to the state ought to get but very slight consideration from the com nittee. It may be that 1t will look with no nore favor upon the plan to increase the state license fec without interfering with the town taxa tax which by the way is asse ssei on a far different basis than most property but of the two that alone possesses merit r is based upon the contention that good roads have brought rn the large proportion of the state indebt- edness that the greatest benefit is ob- tained therefrom and the greatest harm done thereto by the automobile traffic and that it is but right that the automobilists should meet 8 larger share of the cost of construction and maintenance.
 The joys of automobilinS depend upon good roads and it is only req son. able to suppose, as many au-o1sts have declared, that such benefits are worth in pleasure and comfort all and more than the extra tax would mean in dol lars and cents.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
Reaafnina Ancient paeis.

The Rcumanian statesmen who an nounce that they are to demand from Austria Hungary vast territories, comprising the province of Bulowina, Southern Pennsylvania. the districts of Marmaros- Sziget and Erischana, and the Banat of TemesYaf'' might pro- gessedly be giving complete list of the Ha,psburg territories which formed part of ancient pacia- If Roumania gets all these territories, in addition to the territory she already has, she will lack nothing of Dacia except the southern half of Bessarabia.-Pall Mall Gazette.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
Stories of the War
Why One Farm House Stood So Long.

Why One Farm House Stood So Long.
 The mystery of a lone farmhouse which stood for months undamaged on a conspicuous knoll in the very heart of the battle zone near Rove, with nothing but ruins all about it. has just been cleared up by a French in- fantry captain.
 From this building the French watched the operations of the Ger mans in their trenches a quarter of a mile distant. They expected every day to become the target for the German artillery which played all around and even demolished the hut of an old peasant woman only a hundred yards away. Every morning at dawn, they crept up to the place from the rear and took their observations. A peas ant farther back of the lines suggested that the owner of the farm had paid tic Germans a round sum to spare his property, and this explanation pre- vailed for some time
 One morning as the French ap- preached the place they were met by the peasant women whose hut had been demolished and who had taken refuge in the cellar of the farm house
 A spy came last night into the gar Hret of the farm house. she declared F"and he made illuminated signals to the Germans from the window" The French officers could not believe it.
 The, next day and the next the old peasant declared positively that she had again seen tie man come and had
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
SENSIBLE SUPPORT.

The attitude of neutrality which has been manifested by this country since the opening of the European war and it's determination to keep entirely out of it, was the one logical course at the time of it's adoption. No other course was consistent with the Amer ican policy and there are the best of reasons for maintaining it. Thus there was good grounds for the passage of the resolution in the closing hours of congress giving to the president full authority for preventing any infringe mentS
 Neutrality means more than simply refraining from active participation with any of the belligerents. It means the prevention Of violations by beIIi- gerent enlissaries of the country's neu- trality. Evidence has been produced to the effect that certain ports have been used as bases of supplies for ships of nations engaged in the war This means that this country has been imposed upon through the issuance of clearance papers which were falsely obtained, or obtained upon inforrna- tfon which was calculated to mislead. That there should be 8. means of nut ting an effective Stop to such infringe ments can be readily understood and such is provided by the authority which has been given the president to withhold clearance where it is be- lieved the obligations of the United States are going to be violated.
 In the maintenance of neutrality a safe policy has been followed by the president and there is no reason to believe that the extra authority given him will he ofherJFise usoS ua l,, r been determined to keep out of the trouble from the very first and there has been no indication of a. change It is sensible support which is given him. ---~s
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
Dumas'a Rapid Writing.

For rapidity of composition the elder Dumas probably bears off the palm from any modern author. A story illustrating his methods is told by Arthur F. Davidson. A friend re- solved to put his powers to the test. Dumas had at that time in his head the plan of the 'Chevalier de Maison Rouge of which he had not yet writ ten a word, and he now made q. bet of a hundred louis with his sceptical friend that he would write the first volume of the novel in seventy two hours Gncluding the time for meals and sleep). The volume was to be formed by seventy-five large fooiscap
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

CWritten Specially for The Bulletin.)
 In spite of the multiplicity of or ganizations in this country, strangely enough, there is need of one more!
 Throughout the days of any Autumn, thousands of barrels and bushels of fruit and vegetables will be permitted to go to loss, in New England in par ticular, which would furnish 8, win ters supply to needy city families.
 As soon as the farmers have har- vested all fae crops which they have room to store, they become too busy ting and other chores to care for the waste.
 Benevolent individuals who might burn with desire to get these Vslu- able supplies cityward, are discour- aged, first by the thought of e2pen- sive express or parcel post rates, sec ondly, by the impossibility of any such sieaning after the gleaners, unless 1t could be done on large scale and with systematic co-opera ton.
 Again, in the matter of fuel
 City dweliers realize what a serious item of expenditure 1t is; but even In suburban towns, surrounded as many of them are by New Eng1and's 8 wooded hills, cut wood brought in sells at an average of six dollars 2. cord.
 In the kitchen of fine old farnt- house in the suburbs of 8, prosperous manufacturing town,-a, farm too, with it's own tall tress in plenty-the good man was heard rebuking a new maid for using wood instead of coal, because it is so much dearer," he explained.
 Now, trolley or automobile ride in nearly any direction from that city would disclose, within the radius of a few miles, absolute cords Of good fire
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
nd neradventure tlle N

Beyond peradventure the War has brought home to all with open minds, and a desire to weigh facts, the in controv vertable reality that this coun- try is unprepared to back it's position on international affairs or domestic rights with proper weight. - New Haven Union.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

Secretary Garrison seeks to know the details about the American Legion. If we remember right he has main tained for some time that something more should be done for the adequate protection Of the national defense.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

As might be expected Major General Wood declares that he has not pro- noted the American Legion There can be little doubt that right down deep in his heart, however, he favors such reserve.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

pages, each page containing forty-five lines and each line fifty letters. In sixty-siX hours Dumas had done the work-ST5 Iines-in his fair flowing hand. disfigured by no erasions-ard the bet was won with six hours to spare.'' London Chronicle.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

It would have been an unusual sit- uation had not the issuance of the annual report concerning the progress made on reducing the death rate in coal mines been followed by shock ing underground disaster
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

The removal of so much of what is now, in rural phrase, merely "littcr", would aid, too, in the work toward cities beautiful, about which so much is written and said, but for which so could best aid the movement.
 Despise not the day of small things, used to be the text ill particular, of old-time thrifty New England; but that text has grown obsolete.
 Where a. Japanese farmer would not let even dead leaf go to loss, there is lementable waste and negligence, even among the best and most scientific of our farmers.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

As a first class instance of dan gerous legislation. that effort to have congress pass a law to aid those who may find themselves in such a pre- dicament as Harry Tf1aw takes the cake
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The new fashion edict for high necks is coming into effect just in time for hot weather.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

There are some congressman, or ex- congressman, who will experience but little change now that congress has adjourned except possibly the absence of an occasional trip to 7Washington.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

The suggestion that the maintenance of hospitals. schools and county homes should fall upon the towns furnishes an argument in behalf of home rule by cities.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

It is reported that Turkey is short of big gun ammunition, but it must appear to the Turks even that they are getting tlle short end of most every thing
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

That boy who drank a, quart of wf1is- key and died differed from some others only in that he made his exit In one plunge instead of an inch at a. time.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

According to the latest interpreta- tion of the new federal narcotic law it has no bearing upon baseball and po- litical dope.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

No solicitor is ever sure whether the fellow who goes down in his pock- ct quickly does so cheerfu1ly or just as a time saving move,
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

The man on the corner says: The most unreasonable neutral is the fel- low who gets angry trying to keep out of a war discussion.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

The business men of Washington are perhaps the only ones who can see no benefit in the adjournment of congress
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

The talk persists that Former Con- gressrnan Maf1an will be postmaster Of New London. But what in the world will that city do for mayor in that case? -
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

It will soon be possible to discern whether the grass has decided upon a new color scheme for the shooting season
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

Contributors we'll understand before this that their help has gone to the Belgian fund, not fun.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

It is about time for the sun to cross the line, but it is a. race in which Rumania and Italy are also competing.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

Have you noticed that man usually has an exaggerated opinion of himself, but indulges in no exaggeration ir his opinion of others. This is doubtless the reason he is rated as unreliable in his judgement. Since a man is with himself all the time he should be bet ter acquainted with himself than with any one else. and perhaps he is, but he never seems to be capable of putting a correct value upon his own merits. A human being is a masked soul at best, and what any man is must be judged by his acts rather than his looks. Some reputably good men sadly need a new rating because they are greedieR for their own salvation than for the salvation of others. There can be greed for other things than money, and se11shness is pictured as repre- senting a dwarfed love but a giant evil. A mans opinion of himself is always at a discount while his ac- cusations of his neignbor are usually accepted at par.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

When man starts out ill life he has a definite destination. The pure infant is a child of God starting on the way to his Fathers mansions. His course is
 laid for him although it is always ex- pected he will have a stempestuous voyage because of cross-currents and opposing winds. A modern writer re- viewing. the situation makes the claim that man cannot reform, bur that he
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

II the present legislature does not do away with the billboard there will be one soon that will and in the end these things will be absolutely forbidden in the state as they should be- We hope that this question will not be passed over this session but that a vote will be taken.-Merider Journal.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

In other words, the country needs an Anti Waste Guild!
 Fruit vegetables, ungathered fuel, let al might be collected and shipped by the carload to regularly appointed city agents. who would know to just what families and bcucy- olences the supplies should go.
 In case farmers were too busy to aid in collecting the vast heaps of pro duce left to decay, the idlers on the street corners might be tempted by the proffer of wages, or coerced by the law, into gathering the supplies. Up in Windlam County, the prison CTS from the jail are given exercise and are made to earn their keep by cut Eting ice in winter, doing having on the farms, planting, harvesting, making roads, etc.
 There might be d suggestion ill this for the systematic employment of such burdens, in the proposed gathering up of the waste crops, which, promptly transported, would mean So much in the tenement districts of the cities and would help solve for many q worthy strltggIer the worrisome problem of the high cost of living.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

can simply return to his original course. If he has lost his bearings and is off his course he must return to it; if he has not read his chart alright, or has lost his longitude and latitude, he must correct his errors and return to the true course. There are mael- stroms and gulf streams and tidal waves and shoals along the voyage of life; and every craft is confronted with a Charybdis and Scylla soon or late: and the navigator must keep his relation to the Son correct, as upon this the following of the true course depends. He must return and then all will be well.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

Busting tools, tumble down old wagons, decayed gate posts, trees killed by the San Jose scale, are not one whit more blameworthy than is this eyer-present waste of food pro- ducts, fuel, etc, which would mean so much to somebody, if only there were proper system in making supply and demand meet Tn other words, if there were a National Waste Guild, with branches ramifying every state and county and city and town and borough and village, so that not one atom would be permitted to go to loss.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

It is good time now to consider the tax laid upon woman in life. Some men of weak conceptions and blurred perception say woman goes scott free when we come to taxes. Let us see:
 If there are ten million men under arms ready to be called into the con- dIct today there must be at least five millions wives and mothers who are suffering the most intense anxiety con- cerning their welfare; if there have been one million men slain and crip- pied i'll the past six months there are doubtless three-fourths of a million women upon whose lives there has been laid a, deep sorrow and whose fu- ture has been made uncertain. Must we not admit the mother who has tenderiy watched over a human soul from infancy to young manhood, and prayed and hoped for good only for him, is heavily taxed when he is con- pelled to take up arms and face the peril of being wounded and forever 1ncapacitated-a peril worse than death. What greater tax is laid upoE any citizen than the tax of taking care of the wounded which falls to the woman, hundreds of thousands of whom today are acting the part of angels of mercy to help the wounded recover and a large per cent dying that, others may live. Don't we feel cheap. now to deny to woman the praise and the freedom and the priv ileges to. which she has a rightful claim.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

As a; first step in preparedness the formation of the American Legion planned by officers of the United States army and navy and endorsed be ex- President Theodore Roosevelt, General Leonard Wood, and many leading Ameri1anz- iz excellent and 'tilrisl1-
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06

Some people think the power of Billy. Sunday lies in his eccentric man ner and vulgar methods, when its real source is his fervid presentation of divine truth. his fearless assault upon the enemy He doesn't soft-pedal He doesn't have to. for he has no organ ized committee involved and governed by selfish interests to advise or check him. Many a good minister has been handicapped by InongreI board back of him which may be well designated as half maltese and half not maltese. His responsibility is to God and he tells the old old story as though he believed it with all his heart, and he serves it hot not luke-Wa Billy Sunday tells the people the devil goes to church regularly every Sunday and that he gets into every good work and like any hog gets both feet in the trough. This blow which the is strik- ing at hypocrisy in all holy places is needed. The people know it is needed, and they not only applaud, but are drawn towaFd~hinI, for divine truth is 8 magnet. When he told the cowboys they were wandering in the wilderness and it was time they struck the trail, they struck it: and when he tells the ball players if they expect to score they should make the horne-run, they make it. The eccentricity of Billy Billy Sundays methods consists in making the light of truth shine right on the varying paths of men.
Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-06
OTHER VIEW POINTS

New England ought to start cam paign for the restoration of the Irish potato, which is such an important native product, to it's proper rank among the ordinary foods of the human faInily.-Waterbury Republi- can,