davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-11-14

day as feast day may be traced back
to ancient times. Read the Book OF
Judges in the Old Testament and
there you will find this description OF
a practice of the Canaanites. from
whom the Children of Israel derived
some Of their customs:
sand they went out into the fields
and gathered their vineyards, and
trode the grass and held festival, and
went into the house Of their god, and
did eat and drink"
This vintage or harvest festival APP
peared later among the Hebrews as an
act Of worship to Jehovah and was
called the Feast of Tabernacles. In
Deuteronomy, Moses gave specific d.
rections for its keeping.
Pagan Greece and Rome, too, had
their thanksgiving season in honor Of
the harvest deitieS. At Athens, in No
vember, this feast, called Thesmoph-
Orfa, was celebrated by married wOm-
en- only, and two wealthy and distin-
guished members Of the sex were
chosen to prepare the sacred meal,
which corresponded to the Thanksgiv-
ing dinner of today. The Romans on
October worshiped Ceres, their god
dess Of the harvest, with professions
in the fields, music, rustic sports, and
a feast at the end Of the day, which
was called Cerelia.
In the modern world. England for
centuries observed an autumnal festi-
val called the Harvest Home, which
traces its beginning back to the Sax
ons. In 1858 A. D. "solemne fasts and
general professions" were held in Eng
land and were thought to have helped
a backward harvest in that year. The
Englishman has always followed the
custom of setting aside days to COM
memorate public blessings. The dis
covery of the Gunpowder Plot was
thus observed and Guy Fawkes day
was established as day of public
thanksgiving to Almighty God" This
happened only a short time before the
Pilgrims left England for Holland, so
1t is easy to see how they later car
ried to the New world the idea Of
day for giving thanks.
Insofar as all the familiar pictures
of the first Thanksgiving day in Ply
mouth show Indians taking part in the
Pilgrim feasting, we have come to as
sociate the red man with this holiday
particularly. Few of US realize. per-
haps, that the American Indian con-
.ributed more to our Thanksgiving day
celebration. than we realize. For the
many American families which will
gather around the loaded Thanksgiv-
ing day tables this year to enjoy their
roast turkey will be observing Gus
tom that prevailed before the Pilgrims
landed on the rocky shores Of New
England
The records of the Smithsonian in
stitution in Washington. records which
bridge the gap between the abo-
riginaI civilization of thousands of
years ago and ours today. show that
the Indians of the Southwest domes-
ticated turkeys and fattened them for
the choice morsels at their ceremonial
feasts. The practice Of such feasts.
however. had been established long be-
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-11-14
BY ELMO SCOTT WATSON
Drawing by Ray Walters

IL is true
that Thanksgiving day,
which we will celebrate
on November II this
year, is "a distinctively
American institution" in
the way in which it Is
observed, our celebra-
ton Of a THANKSGIVING
day" is not unique. AS
a matter of fact, the
fundamental idea of the
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-11-14

So soon as you begin to sell books
you find what lot of people know
about books.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-11-14

Modern Mechanics
Conscience is a still, small voice.
Wife is the amplifier.-Louisville
Courier Journal.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
SIGNS IN THE CITY

City officials. the Chamber of Commerce, and others frequently tell us that the state or somebody should place more signs along the highways around New Britain to indicate how motorists not acquaint- cd with the terrain may find their way to this center of hardware eminence.
 Which is well and good. Of signs directing the unwary to New Brit ain there cannot be too many
 But what of signs within the city, especially in the outlying sections, directing motorists around the con- gested portion?
 The traffic department has don:. we'll in the downtown sections. There are signs showing how to get stranger within our gates has creak- ed his way to or near the Center.
 There are numerous routes avoid ing the Center and they should De signed up" with markers. Every important route through the outly- ing portions of the city should be properly marked. And that is the city's business, not the states.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
THE DUSTY TRAFFIC TOWER

The traffic tower in the center of the street at the intersection of Main and Church streets was originally put there to have a traffic officer in it. His business would be to watch traffic and change the lights. He could see in four directions and for time Officer Joe Kennedy used 10 pass his time in the tower,
 It came to pass, however, that the traffic department preferred to let the signs operate themselves au- tomatically, eliminating the man 'n the tower Since that time the only time Joe Kennedy or anybody else goes into the traffic tower is when the lights are turned on or off early in the morning and late at night. There being no need to operate the light switches by manual labor, there is no consequent need for an eagle-eyed official to peer through the windows of the traffic tower So these, too, have been sadly neglecte l.
 It appears to us that even Mayor Quigley would agree that the city is not so far broke that it cannot afford to have the windows of the traffic tower washed.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
GOVERNOR TRUMBULL,
 INDFPENDENT"

Governor Trumbull started to make out a good case for himself when he stated that never in his three terms did J. Henry Rorabacl attempt to dictate policies or ap- pointments. Knowing the Governor to be an upstanding good fellow, we do not doubt his word. But the Governor added that he frequently asked Mir. Roraback's advice in vari- ous matters, and got it. This, t seems, pleased both MT. Roraback and Governor Trumbull.
 The fact probably is that with the years MT. Roraback's methods of control have become more subtle. For the state chairman to issue or ders to a Governor as if the latter were an office boy would scarcely do; and anyone knowing MT. Trum- bull even by reputation would real ize he is no man to be handled in that manner. If the Governor con- ferred with Mir, Roraback, we are thus to realize, it was only after the Governor sought the interview. This having been the case, what more could Mir, Roraback expect?
 The Governors explanation of ap- pointments lent an insight in mat ters political, and coming at the present time should give the faith full more faith and the Roraback- ians more thought that all is well in Nutmegia. The fact details were thought necessary to give out, how ever, indicates that the party is somewhat on the defensive and is eager to prove to I've voters" that all the Democrats and Insurgents are saying is not quite true.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
Observations On He Weather

Washington. Sept. 20 P-South- ern New England: Increasing cloud : mess Saturday, possibly followed by light local showers Saturday alter noon or night; Sunday fair and cooler.
 Eastern New York: Increasing cloudiness Saturday, possibly light local showers Saturday afternoon or night; Sunday fair and cooler.
 The northeastern disturbance is now central east of Newfoundland Pressure remains high from the Appalachian region eastward over the western Atlantic Ocean and pressure is high and rising over the north of Hudson Straits.
 The temperature has risen slight ly from Illinois and Michigan east ward to the Atlantic coast
 The indications are for cloudy weather with some proba bilty of light local showers Saturday and generally fair weather Sunday in the middle Atlantic and North Atlantic states.
 Cooler weather will overspread d the north Atlantic states by or dur ing Saturday.
 Winds: North of Sandy Hook: Gentle to moderate southerly winds and fair weather Saturday.
 Sandy Hook to Hattcras: Gentle 10 moderate southerly winds over north portion and gentle variable over south portion and mostly over cast weather possibly light local showers Saturday.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
TREK TO THE CITIES MAKES ITSELF FELT

The recent population census again indicated that millions of peo- pie have left the farms for the cities During periods of prosperity the in- flow into the cities is fairly we'll talk en care of; but it is during periods of the inevitable slumps that un- healthy economic conditions ma terialize.
 Why do people leave the farms and crowd into the cities? The lure for higher wages is the compelling factor; but few pause to consider the difference between gross income and relative wages after all expenses are paid.
 The expense of living in the cities is much higher than in the country. What is earned in city is what is left over after all expenses are paid, not the sum total of money that slips through the fingers.
 But there is less work to be done on the farms. Labor saving farm machinery has enabled farm pro- prietors to do work with machinery and a few men which formerly re- quired dozens of farm hands. The excess labor not needed naturally goes elsewhere-usually to the near est town.
 With all this labor at their com- mand, and improved machinery also, industrialists in the city freely ad = nit they can produce much more than the nation can consume in manufactured goods. Thus, in the cities as well as in the rural districts, there is a sur | plus of population unable to join the army of producers; and because of their hard luck, they are minimum consumers.
 That is the economic problem fac ing a good part of what we know as modern civilization, with it's high speed producing machinery.
 If this problem continues long enough the conservatives in the cities will grit their teeth while contemplating the means suggested to solve this modern problem. That | 1t must be solved in some way there can be no doubt.
 While constructive thought is in process of being applied, a system | of relief" in the form of doles-- regardless Of the fancier name ap- | piled in this country-will be ex- | tended
 Dolcs, however. are not construct i've; they merely alleviate while not | changing the underlying conditions | making them necessary,
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
LEVITT AND THE DRYS

The other day we inclined to the thought that Messrs. Levitt and Pape, after having been unceremoni- ously pushed aside in the late Re publican state convention. should have announced their intention Of starting a third rartv as a means of punishing their detractors in the regular Republican ranks. l Instead of that they declared they would do nothing to embarrass the grandoldparty during the election campaign, for they wished to be known as good Republicans"
 As if anybody in this state could be good Republican" if he did not like the control Of Mir. Rora- back
 Someone has asked us how Messrs. Levitt and Pape could start the third party without financial backing tt was recalled trat Theodore Roose- welt in 1912 could not have gotten very far with his third party with out the financial backing of George D, Perkins, Frank A. Munsey and other well-to-do gentlemen who be- | lieved in MT. Roosevelt as the Moses 10 lead the people to the promised land.
 Messrs levitt and Pape are dry, The Democratic platform is wet anl the Republican platform is no con- solation to the drys.
 | Perhaps Messrs Levitt and Pape could easily have obtained dry | backing for an out-and- out dry par ty in the state, should the drys in the two major parties, especially in the Republican party, conclude that there is too much moisture in poli- tics this year to if their tastes.
 Dry candidates in opposition Q existing moisture are finding it not very troublesome to obtain dry
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
25 Years Ago Today

The goth annual Berlin fair open ed today with promises of a record attendance throughout the week.
 Suits amounting to sS,5e0 have been brought against the city be- cause of defective sidewalks.
 The latest list published by the registrars of voters show that there are now 6259 voters in the city. The sixth ward leads with 1902 with the fourth ward second with HOP.
 Many residents are claiming that there is no city in the entire state that has such poor streets as New Britain.
 City Clerk Thompson will leave Monday for Atlantic City where he will attend the national convention of the P. o. S. of A. of which he IS a former state president.
 A gang fight between a large number of Poles and Italians last evening resulted in one man being stabbed. The men escaped before the police learned of the fracas.
 The state police will be at the fair today to close up any concessions that attempt to secure money through false pretenses.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20

would enable Connecticut to catch up more speedily with the needs of it's humanitarian institutions than d strict adherence to the pay-as-you- go policy would permit. (The gover- nor yesterday denied MT. Roraback prevented the ond issue)
 And when President Hoover wanted to appoint States Attorney Alcorn to the post of assistant attor- ney general in charge of prohibition cases. but did not do so because Senator Bingham objected and be- cause 1t was assumed that he had the support of the Republican state chairman .-..'
 The Hartford editorial discussion, although a bitter contest of words, has been conducted in gentleman ly manner and there has been no mud singing and verbal brickbats. Both papers are to be commended.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
Lethargy in Government Reflected in P. Q. Delay

heIlecteu III r. U. Delay
 An example of red tape in gov- ernment is offered by the yawning site of the post office addition on South High street.
 For months the location was un- der consideration for the construc- ton of a new federal building. Pre- liminaries were disposed of at a tur- tie pace and finally the authorities got down to brass tacks and decided to put the building on the spot. Dur ing the consideration of the pre- liminares, it was explained that delay was based on a desire to be cautious. The procedure was held by the necessity of court action, 1t must be admitted in the interest of truth, but that was only one of the incidentals. The site is now ready and, according 10 all reports, con- struction will not begin for some time to come.
 If the average man attempted to
 do business in a manner in which Uncle Sam conducts his affairs, he would never open the door to GUS toners.
 The administration has urged cor porations to extend a helping hand to workingmen during the period of depression. Why doesn't it set a good example by throwing itself into high gear and getting into action?
 In some respects at least. Uncle Sam initiates a man who likes 10 sit with his feet on the desk and chew on a straw.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20

makes Representative Richard P. Freeman, of New London, chairman of the all-important committee on rivers and harbors of the house of representatives. This change is promised on the supposition that Congressman Freeman will be elected and the republicans retain power in the house.
 Although both Freeman and Dempsey entered the house on the same day, March 4, 1915. the New York congressman was the first ap- pointed to membership on the com mittee on rivers and harbors and consequently ranked his colleague from Connecticut.
 Chairmanship of the rivers and harbors committee is considered one of the most important in the house for the reason that it pre- pares all the legislation authorizing immense appropriations for the work of improving the rivers and harbors of the country.
 Connecticut's small delegation in the House has been favored in the allotment of appointments. Repre- sentative John Q. Tilson, of New Haven, is the republican floor lead er while Representative F. Hart Fenn, is chairman of the committee on the census, and second in com- mand of the committee on educa- ton, while Schuyler Merritt, rep resentatve from Stamford, is a high ranking member of the con- mittee on interstate and foreign commerce. The fifth membership in the delegation has been vacant since the death of Congressman James P. Glynn, of Winsted.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
OBSER VER- Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People
Seymour Probable Nominee

Seymour Probable Nominee
 for Congressional Post
 Col Clarence w. Seymour of Hartford stands, in a fair way, to win the Republican nomination for congressman. If the Colonel gets there, he will have realized life long ambition which has tempered his life since boy. He went to the Mexico border with old troop "B," composed of Hartford and New Britain boys. He was captain in the World War covering himself with glory in the lines. Many officers higher up criticised him for not be- ing military enough" but away back in his mind was congress and to be too strict with the boys wouldn't augar we'll with the po- tential voters when he got back to Hartford county. He was popular with the men under him, which helped him out of many a scrape, politically, when he was elected the state commander of the American Legion. His legal training came in for exercise when he fought and won the state fund fight for the Legionnaires. For a time, it seemed as though his political fate was blasted, especially after his fam bouyant remarks in the state senate attacking things he didn't like with a flow of oratory which upset the feelings of the 'old timers"
 Time mellowed the old fights and Seymour bobbed up in the low CT house in the legislature taking lis come down from Senator very gracefully. It wasn't long before Seymou,'s name was frequently heard around the lobby more fre- quently than any of the other rep resentatives or senators.
 When the time came to search around for a logical man to succeed E. Hart Fenn, the name of Sey- mour. who is now a colonel in the reserves, came to the minds of powers that were in control; it couldn't have been otherwise
 In the meantime the Quigley con- gressional boom which for a short time burgeoned in the minds of his admirers seems to be suffering from a blight. It has gone as flat as a tire which has run over a million pieces of broken windshield.
 Quigley put his money on the wrong horse-Congressman Fenn - and the horse went lame. It didn't even limp past the wire but quit running at a point between the third and fourth furlong posts. True. Mayor Quigley never announced that he would be a candidate for the nomination but the itch was there and he was regarded as a possible candidate in the event of long drawn contest between Sey- mour and Fenn. Fenn's withdrawal sounded the death knell of Quig- ley's hopes. He is left as high and dry as Mir. Gilroy's famous kita
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20
End of Bible Class Brings Regret of Many Residents

The passing of Everyman's Bible class-if indeed it has passed-wlll be genuinely regretted by hundreds of men who, in it's heyday, depended on the organization for religious stimulus and inspiration.
 Not so long ago, seats at Trinity church, where the Bible class met on Sunday mornings, were at premium. The edifce was thronged long before the beginning of the services and groups of men were seen approaching from all direc- tions, all bent on being present. But conditions have changed and the at tendance has dwindled until the di- rectors, at a meeting this week, voted to postpone indefinitely the program for the winter. It is said by men who are qualified to speak on the subject that this is an indi- rect way of admitting that the days of the Bible class are numbered.
 Rev. Dr. John l.. Davis, now of New York city, was the first leader of the class and under his aegis it hourished. He was and is a speaker who appeals particularly to men, a virile, hard hitting preacher who seems to know how to stir up an audience and install a spirit of en- thusiasm into his associates. His sermon here came straight from the shoulder. They were discussed for days afterward and read by thou sands of newspaper subscribers who did not attend meetings of the class. Many men who made q practice of back sliding" prior to the founding of the class. made it a point to get to Trinity church every Sunday to hear John L." strafe the devil
 Since the first leader left for a broader field, the Bible class has been gradually languishing. Others have taken up his task and many laymen have striven to keep the or ganization intact but the absence of that vital spark which the Rev. Dr. Davis provided was fatal. Today in terest is at a low point. Unless a miracle worker appears on the scene, Everyman's Bible class will probably pass into history, in spite of all ef- forts to keep the fires of interest burning.
New Britain herald., 1930-09-20

aid staff
 For more than 10 years he has | labored ill the news fields in this city, reaping rich harvest and con- tributing it to the hungry presses that have roared for more and more fodder.
 | Just about a decade ago, slen- der young fellow with a courteous approach confided to the- manage ment of the Herald that he would like to be a reporter. Well, that's story every newspaper management | hears every day. A great many young men want to be reporters 1 but the task calls for a special sense which has been described as a nose for news" plus several other things including determina- ton, persistence, tireless energy Tn the pursuit of news and the ability tn write Interestingly. The manage ment thought the young applicant might possess these attributes, and he went to work.
 Today the young mans name is written on the list of stalwarts in New Britain's newspaper history. It is up there for every one to see - Jim Butler, In every city there are a few outstanding newspaper men who leave their mark on the profession. New Britain has had her share of the immortals whose per- scnalities will be recalled when the cubs of today are assembled as full fledged newspapermen of tomorrow to discuss the time when these im- mortals trod this part of the earth in search of news stories. Bob Vance. Joe Mullen, John O'Neil, Jack Gleason. Minott Saunder. Jack McDermott, Jack Daily, Ned Lewis, Ted Wallen are a few whose names occur. Some have been called by the Maker, others are continuing to forge ahead in their chosen line of work. But their names will never be forgotten as long as two newspaper men get together and start flaming over the "old days"
 And now Jim Butler, who has brought glory to the profession, is about to depart to try his luck in another field-the profession Of law. Those who have been intimate ly acquainted with him are confi- dent that world which is ever ready to recognize talent will ap- pleciate his worth.
 So long, Jim.
 And good luck