New Britain herald., 1924-11-22
THE OBSER VER- Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

consistently called to tho attention of several companies the necessity Of increasing their supplies and also for protecting them by filtration and disinfection. Most of the com panies have recognized the wisdom Of being prepared. Some few have preferred to take n chance and trust to rain coming at the eleventh hour to relieve their distress.
 There is still hope that before freezing weather sets in, rains sufficient to All the streams will have fallen, but there is no assur- ance Of this. While the continuity or the present dry spell Is not du- plicated in any previous records there have been other years when the months of November and Dc. cember had very low rainfall no- ticeably in 1890. 1899, 1902, 1906, 1908, The fact that the average rainfall for November and Decem- per Tor the past 50 years is only 8 ana '3-lOo and 8 and 9l-100 inches respectively, does not warrant too much optimism that the present de- fclency will be made up before the end of the year.
 A year ago last Thursday A strange air creature swan over New Britain while thousands of men women and children gaped and en- loyed every minute Of their first view of a dirigible. The creature was the Shenandoah, Daughter of the Stars" on Its first flight over New England.
 From early morn until the shin made It's appearance, all minds were expectantly turned on its arrival thousands of telephone calls were lnquirers who could restrain from inquiries who could restrain their impatience no longer and who had to know when the Shenandoah would arrive or burst.
 When 1t was learned that the silver ship had left Springfield, homes and business places were de- serted. A few minutes later the Shenandoah hove into view, floating ma1estically through a slight haze and into full view of the assembled multitudes. Gracefully 1t glided over the city, stole past the moon and disappeared. It was a thrill that comes once in a lifetime.
 Since the memorable visit of the Shenandoah, it has been to the Paci- f'c coast and back, adding another chapter to Americas conquest of the air. But nothing it will ever do will quite equal for impressiveness and awesomeness it's quiet journey across that section of the sky as we stood like atoms thousands of feet below.
 When is the Star Spangled Ban- ner not the national anthem? The editor, or functionary who has that title, on the E. B. c. News raised an interesting question when he wrote about the members of the so- called Blue Army" of the Every mans Bible class rising when the anthem was played as the tail-piece of medley of popular folk songs at recent banquet.
 His editorial highness reasoned that the class had no business ris- ling when the national anthem was played during a medley; and tha, anyway the orchestra had no busi- ness in mixing up the national an- them In medley.
 It is as easy to get balled up in considering patriotic rules as it is to slip off the proverbial log; but one can't err on the side of patrio- tism. It is better to rise unneces- sarly at such a time than to take chances of remaining seated at the wrong time. New Britain's audiences will continue to rise when the na- tional anthem is played, whether il is during a medley or otherwise.
 Riding on a Connecticut company car: It's the so-called rush" hour crowded conditions prevail. Folk! are standing up; but that doesn' rrevent some customers from keep irg space between themselves and the other parties on each side oi the seats which parallel the sides of the car. They must hate to sci close together.
 Car stops at every intersectinl street and some white poles in be tween. Nearly everybody buys tokens and some hand the cashier operator" dollar bills, Speed is nc great consideration. as the cashier has to take time in counting change
 Woman gets aboard with three bundles and baby. Operator grabs baby and carries the child in