New Britain herald., 1918-01-05
70Wn Topics


 ] throughout the entire country People l are advised to be thrifty in their use 1 money and to buy government thrift ! stamps to this end; they arc advised to De economical in their use of coal ana to use wood when possible: they are adVicd to be thrifty in their use 0f sugar, fats, meats and other neceS- sites as well as luXuries. To many this is Q startling necessity. It is a fact which they always looked upon "S a delightful theory which "the other half should practice But new and perchance radical as this recom- mended thrift in snlall things may seem to some, the philosophy is as old as that of the American people. It is really tradition handed down to us from our great forofathers who fought bled and died that the thirteen orig inal colonies might be freed of the yoke of oppression, just as the pres ent-day Americans will fight and bleed and die that the world may be freed Of autocracy and brutal "kultured" milltarism. The present-day small thrift philosophy being taught is mo- thing but the smalI thrift philosophy preached and eXpounded by that great American of more than a century ago --BenJamin Franklin
 One of the classics of the early Am er1can days is -Franklin's Poor Rich ards Almanac lln07y,l by name, at least to every boy Or girl, man or woman, who ever attended an Ameri- can school. It is indeed interesting at this particular period of national thrift to review some of the philos- ophical sayings as expressed by Franklin in Poor Richard's S Almanac" concerning these very things. Under tho head of Necessary Hints to Those That Would Be Rich" Franklin says: For six pounds a year you may have the use of 100 pounds, pro- vided you are a man of known pru- dence and honesty" meaning that a man with credit could borrow about $500 for s3 Ointerest. Today a man with good credit seldom has to worry about getting a loan and with nations the same is true. Tn proof thereof we have the Liberty Loans. Again, in line with the practice of present-day efficiency in business. Franklin says: He that idly loses five shillings' worth of time loses five shillings and might as prudently throw five shillings into the sea-
 Today those in charge of the des- tines of the nation urge economy in all luXureS and necessities.
 "You're fred Get outadis store da both O you! "a. couple O lazy loaf CTS Out" roared Herman Schlie- mann, proprietor of "Schliemann's Fine Delicatessen Store" waving his srm wildly to the door.
 Two young men slowly took off their white aprons and reached for their street coats with disdainful looks at their former employer. They took their wages, which Schliemann hand ed to them, without a word and walked out.
 Outside, one turned to the other and remarked, Well, I'm glad I'm through working for that old crab. I'd certainly not be proud of the fact that I'd ever worked there. How about you, Bill v
 Me, too," said Bill. "I'H tell you what Pete, let's enlist in the army We'll get better treatment anyway in the army and we can work with some purpose there."
 It's @ go,' said Pete.
 
 A week later a gentleman buying some goods in Herman's store said: 'I see, Herman, you're a patriot That
 
 shows that"
 "Ah, yes!" replied Herman. all smiles. "They was two good hard working boys. They do me credit" HcadIine: Suffragists get good supporters. DO tell!
 Prohibition-How goes it? MT. Tremens-Down. Heard Over the Phone Reporter---Any deaths today? Undertaker-No.
 Reporter--rhat's too bad; so-long. Another Reporter-Hello, there isn't anything doing, is there? Voice at other end of wire-No, I guess not, eXcept---
 Repocter-Awright bye. Although the subject has been dis cussed at length on numerous occa- SiOnS nevertheless the municipal po- tatO crop is an item of no little i'm portancc to the pubic at large. Last spring the committee, acting as the instrume ent of the common council, entered upon the potato raising plan in order to insure for the people of New Britain an adequate supply of this food stuff, then very scarce, at reasonable prices. The history of the enterprise is too well known to review Suffice it to relate that to date the committee has sold only approximately 900 bushels of potatoes The storage secured for certain parts of the sup ply is not the best for winter storage and although this was understood when the potatoes were harvested the committee felt that before the real severe weather came that portion of the potatoes would have been sold. But unexpected severe weather coupled with the storm of adverse criticism