New Britain herald., 1925-03-28
MOTHERS BEDTIME STORY VS. THE RADIO KIND

Bedtime stories for children by radio! Of all the worthless substi- tutcs for one of the most august privileges Of motherhood. these are the worst Imagine child hearing about witches, sleeping beauties, Cinderella and all the other fablcd characters of childhood by machin- cry!
 The only kind of bedtime story that is worth while tho telling to child or mother Is the one that is told 10 the eager-faced tot while sitting upon It's mothers knee The only kind of lullaby that is worth the trouble of singing is that which mama -- be her singing voice ever so inartistc or ever so untrue 10 pitch sings herself as the sand man makes his rounds.
 Picture the scene that you re- member: Mother said 1t was time to go 10 bed" You emitted a whine that you didn't want to go to bed but wanted to play some more. ' Mother gently took you upon her knee and began telling & story, You were all attention instantly. You looked into her loving eyes, placed your arms around her neck, and in awed silence listened to the unfold ing of the wondrous tale.
 Gone was the desire to play some more;" you asked the per tinent questions that only a child thinks of asking regarding the as- tonishing incidents of mothers story, and by the time she came tc the point where the sand mar comes around on purpose to close the eyes of all good little boys and girls, but steals all those who art not good or who won't go to sleeF on time, you were ready for bed Sometimes the delft fingers of the parent had already unbuttoned most of your clothing and slipped on the nightgown or the "sleeper' garments while you were listening And then a great willingness to re- pose upon the pillows and woo slumber by thinking of the extra ordinary incidents of the story, with pleasing memory of mothers sweet voice humming a lullaby as consciousness slowly ebbed away.
 But what do we have today Mother, or father. turns a dial; the child continues smashing the toys to the best of its ability. Listen now. here's the bedtime story" says mama. The child, accustomed tc the interminable drone, static ant ragtime roar of the outside worlc on the other end of the receiving set, fails to be interested. A strange voice tells the story, to which th' child has to be prodded into listen ing. Mother meanwhile goes abou' her work or play, cheWs anothei r;ero of chocolate or gnaws at new piece of chewing gum. Inc teIephone bell rings, and the ensu' ing conversation blends terribly with the bedtime story over thf ether Meanwhile the child hal smashed another toy
 And finally to bed. the ch'lf kicking in opposition, it's mind to- tally free from the bewitchint characters of the story, the mother minus the golden experience 0 having imparted more Of he4 motherhood and personality into the receptive mind of the child
 The loud speaker continues t' rroyl. Just as the child by malf force is placed into its bed th' r;i,dcd Palace Orchestra starts ul dance tune. Mother suggests t' father that the seductive melodle' imninged upon the blare of bras and the crash of the cymbal mgh interfere with the child's slumper hui father likes the music = may he he wishes he were where 1t being played - and keeps 1t com ing The customary bedtime argu mont ensues. Meantime the chll' innns from the little bed am starts dancing to the tune an
  mama is much perturbed. hacI into the little bed, and to sleep ac companicd by the bedtime blare o the Jazz orchestra.
 The heltime stories you remem bcr are identified with the mus ! cherished memories of your mother inc bedtime stories that come owe the radio for the edihcation of mod crn tots are forgotten as soon a the orchcetra starts.
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