davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

The friend of this column, how ever, professips to have more inside information than the reference books possess, has come to the de- fense Of Memphis, and in this gen. eral manner:
 Memphis. he declares, receives 'credit' for homicides that occur over large surrounding territory, due to the fact that it is the only city in that section of the country with good hospitals. Whenever any one gets cut up as the result Of q disagreement over a crap game within dozens of miles of Memphis he is hurried to the regions S metropolis, and when he dies the homicide goes down on the official books as having originated in Mem- phis.
 That strikes us as being an entire- ly tenable explanation. It is said that the Chamber of Commerce in Memphis is doing it's utmost to bring about q distinction between holni- cides that really occur in Memphis and those victims from elsewhere who die in that city.
 But thc same consideration should be given Chicago. To the casual reader south Chicago is the southern part of Chicago, and as it happens to be one of the head quarters of the gangstcr rackctccrs. whenever a sanguinary battle occurs thcreabouts the belief is widespread that Chicago is entitled to receive the casualty list. As a matter of fact, South Chicago is lively city that is entirely separate from Chica go and is at least as far distant from there as Hartford is from New Brit ain. The same holds good of Cicero. H., a hell hole which is not really a part of Chicago. although regard ed as a suburb by readers elsewhere.
 All cities with good hospitals suf- fer in their regulations to some eX- tent when the dying arc brought to the institutions and their deaths go down against its record of probity. That cannot very well be avoided. Memphis, we arc convinced, suffers more than most other cities from the system.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
MEMPHIS ABLY IPHOIDS
 ITS REPUTATION

X square deal for everybody, even cities, is our motto. Hence friend of these musings called our attcn- tion the other day to the peculiar state Of affairs in Memphis regard ing its homicide rate, after We had alluded to it in an editorial, we lent a ready ear.
 As everyone is aware, Memphis is rated at the top of cities in the murder league. In all the almanacs and books of reference it is so rated, Hence when a j.dge in Chicago sought to show that Chicago was was not as wicked q nurdcrers paradise as is generally believed in cludcd the homicide rate in Mcm- phis as proof of his contentious, we naturally regarded the figures as authentic.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
George QuigIcy, of All Persons, Hurlino Cream Iu1fs.

l
 Issues in the republican contest | for the mayoralty nomination arc | becoming clear cut.
 Candidate Bartlett has said that
 he realizes taxes cannot be reduced.
 Candidate Quigley declares with
 emphasis that they can not only be
 reduced but will be reduced if he is l elected mayor.
 l Candidate Bartlett points to his
 record in the common council and
 to his business history as qualifying 1 him for mayor so far as experience
 is concerned.
 Candidate Quigley pooh poohs
 these qualifications and says his op- ! poncnt lacks the experience neces-
 sary for the office.
 On one thing they are agreed that the other is a good fellow and should be supported at the polls. During the past week Messrs.
 Bartlett and Quigley have conducted a restrained campaign. differing only on two matters. Their utter anccs have been free from mud and they almost make one think of Al phonsc and Castor. This, so far, has been gentlemen campaign. A 1 few small sparks have flown but there has been little fire. Outward iy each has observed the amenities. l But under the surface, the feeling IS | becoming more tense, Make no mis- l l. ,l, |, iC no l between the Bartlett and Quiglcy
 organizations. The republican ma
 chine does not want Quigley to be
 mayor, and he knows it. Down in l his heart, Quigley wants nothing i moro than to floor the machine with
 d good right swing. Thus far he 1 has been only sparring. He has ap- preached his task diffidently. Either | he has revised his ideas of what q political campaign is, or has become ! limid And timid George Quigley l is something new.
 At rally the other night Alder man Nair, one of BartlettS mana
 gers, hit the nail near the head at 1 least when he said that the demo-
 crats are lying back laughing and | trying to egg Bartlett and Quiglel
 onto each other, hoping to profit by
 a split in the republican ranks or | election day. That is quite the i thing to do in politics. No party
 wastes effort and money trying tc ] beat down an opponent if it believes | the opponent will beat down him, self. But Alderman Nair seemed tc
 think that it was quite improper fol i the democrats to sit back and en- l joy the show. He should have re. mcmbered that the situation was
 not caused by the democratic party ] but by the republicans. It was thcil
 own choice. If the democrats gel
 any glec out of it, they cannop De | blamed for laughing.
 | In the meantime, Attorney Me, | Donough, who, it appears. will have | llo opposition in his quest for tho l democratic nomination for mayor, is
 resting on his oars. He can afford
 to drift gently along because no ob. stacle to the nomination is in his 1 pdlllN dS. but llt lS llOI Ol llc ty pt | that will remain quiescent forever
 The day approaches his friends and intimates believe, when he will un-
 timber his heavy artillery and start | firing. Until he knows where his
 target is, he seems to be saving am- munition.
 Next week should mark an in creasing livclincss in the drive for
 office.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

Frequently the questions arc of such nature that the back files of the paper or reference books must be consulted. Usually in such cases the seeker for information is asked to leave his telephone number with the assurance that he or she will be called as soon as the desired data is found. When the answer to the question can not be found, the caller is usually referred to the public li brary, the Chamber of Commerce or some other source where his ques- tion may be answered.
 Most of the questions asked per tain to sports or politics. Cham pionship records are frequently wanted and the caller often ad- vances the information that he has placed bet and sometimes even tells which side he is on. In the political field the questions usually regard the majority of candidates in past elections or the duties of vari- ous national, state and local officers.
 Electrocutions, hangings and the results of court trials also provoke the curiosity of many who can not wait until the paper is on the street to satisfy their inquisitivencss. When local cases appear in the superior court this office is frequently called for information regarding the jury's verdict or the sentence passed. Often the questioncr expresses his approval or criticism of the verdict or sentence in no uncertain terms.
 Train times, trolley and bus schedules and the correct time are also eagerly sought
 Some of the questions are far from simple. A favortc variety has to do with changes in time. Whats the difference in time between New York and Paris, or, does Kcnosha. Wisconsin, have eastern standard time, are examples of this class. The distance between certain points IS also frequently asked
 Newspapers take a professional pride in answering these inquiries on the part of the public and very few duestioners are turned away without being given the information they sought.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
Newspaper Onicc Popular

How much mustard should l put in a mustard plaster?
 What is the salary of the mayor of New York?
 Who won the World series In 1925?
 These and q hundred other Qucs- tions are typical of those asked the Herald office by New Britain resi- dents. School children preparing lessons. housewives in delemma and sports fans anxious to decide a bet all turn to the Herald for the in formation they desire.
 In addition to these questions, there are frequent calls regarding the location of fires, the telephone calls arriving sometimes before the round is completed. The results of prize fights, baseball, hockey and basketball scores arc also eagerly sought.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
Mayor PaOnCSsa to Retire With City'S Best Wishes

Mayor PaoneSsa'S statement yes torday that he intended 10 give all possible impetus to the carrying out of public works, in order to provide word for the unemployed, was jolt to those who accused him of play ing politics when he first announc- cd such a program. Within d few weeks he will step out of office and le has nothing of a political nature to gain by championing the cause Of anyone.
 When Mayor paonessa surrenders his authority to his successor in April, he will depart with the best wishes of a large share of New Britain's population. During his administration he has stirred up d great deal of hostility to his pol- cics but, reviewed broadly, his tcn- Grc Of office has been generally con- structivc and conservative. He has kept d sharp eye on public cXpcnd- iturcs. has effected many improve mcnts and has forced l revision of the old idea that. because city off cials have been honest, their books need no examination. As he re- turns to private life, it is probable that nothing plcascs him more than this last achievement, which is in keeping with common sense and which will make for more efficiency in the keeping of public accounts. In respect to this, it can also be said that nothing during his admir- istration caused bittcrer rccrimina- ton.
 Could Mayor Paoncssa have been reelected if he chose 10 run again :? ! This question has occurred often to citizens who take keen interest in politics, There is little doubt that the democratic party would have i accorded him q rcnomination if he | desired it, But, tired of the bur
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
WHY CAMPAIGN PROMISES
 SOMETIMES "FIOP"

It is q mistake to take all cam paign statements too seriously. The wise citizen knows how to apply discount.
 One of the statements needing discounting is that any Mayor in New Britain can do ths or thst about anything; the tax rate, for instance
 If there were no Common Coun- cil to contend with, that might be the case But let a Mayor run coun- ter to the prevailing opinion in the Common Council and he has at least as sorry q time as Mr. Hoover has had with the Senate; or even worse.
 The Mayor of New Britain is said to have more powers under the city charter than any chief executive in the state. Mir. Paoncssa had these powers, along with other mayors; but what good did that do" He could not run the Council as he does his automobile; and neither can any other Mayor do it.
 The Council has been, and in als probability will continue to be, un- der the control of the local Repub- lican organization. That is to say, the majority in the Council will be so controlled. There arc precious few Insurgcnt- Republicans in the Coun- cil. On major local issues the ma jorty usually acts as one man.
 If MT. Bartlett is nominated and elected, It is quite likely that he would operate in conformity with the prevailing notions of the or ganization, he himself being an or ganization man. If MT. Quislcy were nominated and elected he in all probability would have as difficult q time with the Council as Mayor Payoncssa had-unlcss he fell ill line with the organization wishes or inc organization decided to for get the past and take him under it's wing. If Mir. McDonough is elected he might have just as much trouble with the Council as he tried to find, only it is quite likely, he happening to be of the type not looking for un- necessary friction, he might get along very nicely with the Rcpub- licans.
 CT course, there is the possibility that the Democrats might gain con- troI Of the Council as ] result of the election, but that remains a pos sibiDjty rather than a probability.
 The Mayor himself cannot reduce Ial rates; nor can he of himself do a host Of ether things he as q candl- date might be inclined 10 promise during an election campaign. He can promise to do his best 10 pursue certain policies, or initiate certain reforms, but he cannot definitely toll anyone that q certain thing will happen when and if h. is elected
 We only tender these remarks 10 clear the atmosphere q little. Let no candidate promise too much. He can "favor' all he wishes, but tha. is vastly different than pledges.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

importation of such tobacco when produced under indentured, forced or convict labor, will not bar the importation of this product to an appreciable extent.
 Labor employed in the tobacco fields of Sumatra is admittedly bad; but according to competent observ- CTS qualified to make reliable re- ports, little of it will come under the designations embodied in the tariff bill Besides, Sumatra grow CTS can, if they would retain the big American market, improve their conditions sufficiently to meet with the requirements of the American tariff law.
 Tobacco field labor nowhere, even in the United States, is an ideal method of earning a livelihood, The employment of women and children is common, and the work is season. al in character.
 The same reflections arc possible in connection with the beet sugar industry, which the Senate has seen fit to protect by voting an increased tariff on sugar.
 The great profit in both these in dustrics goes to the growers, not the help who labor in the fields.
 Nobody mindful Of the American standard of living is deliberately raising his boy or girl to be work CT in the tobacco fields or the beet sugar fields. No matter how Con- gross tinkers with the tariff these will not be definitely helped.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
Communists Hardly Ripple Placid Surface of City

If Thursday nights heckling of the police by communist speakers is a fair sample of their stock in trade, they would do well to save their breath and their efforts for activities in other places.
 These super patriots who, they never miss an opportunity to cN- plain, spend hours of anguish cogi- tating on the so-Called plight of the Workingman, came to town with trumpets blaring and by spectacu- lar methods advertised q mass meeting Their object. they assured everyone who would listen to them was to strike off the shacklcs which are supposed 10 keep the toilcr iT economic captivity. They were go- ing to lead a movement, so they as serted in their handbills, Whicl would lift the load which men Whc work with their hands are reported 10 carry on their shoulders.
 Instead of a serious discussion Oi economic qualities, their audience heard them to descend to mean and petty measures to stir up the re- sentiment of policemen who were il the hall. The greater part of thciI diatribes were aimed at the officers of the law with the hope, no doubt of tantalizing them beyond contro and starting scene which would result in the arrest of the speakers To the credit of the policemen, il can be said that they retained theil compoSure even when the tcmpta- ton to stop the, meeting must have been strong. It is not difficult tc imagine the chagrin of the orators at their failure to be locked up and pose as martyrs in the eyes Of thcil associates.
 1njusticcs and inequalities do exist and will continue to exist as long aS human nature is what it is. The millennium is as far off as ever. But personal millennium is accessible even thought it is denied to stht mass. Men who own factories anC prosperous businesses today were wage earners yesterday. Men whc tti U " ttSt Ctll Iiti D tOitiS NIll lJt 'tt tory owners and business men to- morrow. The mills continue tC grind but opportunity to improve his condition is denied 10 no man The communists have the mistakeI idea that extreme wealth brings happiness when, if the truth were known, it is more likely that there is more happiness in q humble homo than in a palace. Happiness is G state of mind, not a state of pock- ctbook. It is everywhere and car bc found.
 Thus far the communists have had nothing 10 offer that has beer worth the taking. Several boy speakers who should be spanked and put to bed without supper, have amused their listeners with thcir views on what ails this old world but their graduation into adulthooG must have bccn,so recent that thcil opinions arc worth no more than q puff of air.
 Communism has :. long way to go to reach it's goal unless more con vin@ing and constructive ideas thar those heard here arc offered.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
THE OBSER VER- Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People
Enters Diner, Thinking He Is In Trolley Car

Iic Is In Trolley Car
 Rumors picked up on Church street during the last week have an element of humor to them which are giving the boys a laugh along the Fleet Street. of New Britain. The first one has to do with young man who had been to a celebration of some sort, and was on his way home to Berlin at q rather late hour He went into the Plaza Diner on Chestnut street, plunkcd dime Gown on the counter with the re- quest that he be let off at Berlin. Now they call him "Ding, Ding"
 Another centers around the school board which is very hard to check up, but then it doesn't make any difference. Dame Rumor hath 1t that a certain young man coming from overseas had the desire to at tend night school but he didn't like to go alone. His lawyer friend went with him, so things were Go- ing along fine until the teacher thought the lawyer was pretty good in his A. B. C.'s, spelling "cat'', etc, and told him that he might go to higher class. All the lawyer could do was to confess and tell about ac- companying his friend. The teacher told the school board about it, and so the story goes, the lawyer isn't going to get his dip" if Doc. Martin X Co.,, have anything to say about it.
 An automobilist. from Maine, called at the Herald office the other day, and, remarked in the course of the conversation that Church street was the best street he ever was on, because everybody was so friendly. About an hour before he had driven against the one way traffic, and he estimated that fully 20 people waved to him, and seem- ingly yelled q greeting. When he was informed by d reporter that he was going against traffic, he saw through things right quickly.
 James Spinctta, the grocer re- cently had his picture taken with string of 20 brook trout which is far too many for a single catch. especially at this time of year. He has been showing it around with a great deal of pride. Rumors about him violating the law began pouring in to willing cars, until one stickler for facts took the matter up with Jim, and retired in confusion when he was informed that the trout were bought from q large fish house in Maryland and they were for sale. The rumor developed into free ad- vertsing for Spinetta's fish business.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

Florida has sood reason in agreeing to return Connecticut con- victs after finding them guilty of murder and sentencing them. Flor ida believes in doing everything pos sibIe to keep down the tax rate. and the sansatcrs may live long time.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
AN NSTlBIE TEMPERAMENT
 IS FINALLY CHAINED

Sudden termination of the Brophy case, due to the fact that the youth agreed to plead guilty to second dc gree murder rather than risk his neck in fighting the charge of first degree murder, yields this foolish young man d lifetime in prison. 1n all probability he will have d long time for bitter P grct and relentless remorsc.
 He had inherited m unstabl, temperament physicians declared; and their report made the state willing to accept th, Tighter" plea.
 What IS uor. important than what he inherited however, would be a study of t04 environment in which h. was ru.,I. l. i- curious that states hu,o TO social study agencies to tru" ue rarN lives O criminals and 10 uaag public their findings so that nor. determined effort might bo madu to nip thc de- velopmeut of criminals al the source.
 An unstable temperament, Bro phys early training might have been fair on the surface, but he preferred the company Of street loafers to the company Of cleau-mouthed lads who went to bed at d reasonable hour. It is safe 10 conclude h. caIr- fully avoided bolonein. to boys or ganizations that tend 70 upHtt wI make m.a of quality.
 An uustab, temperament. That must mean, among other things, h"
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

Even "ci,y work to aid the job less" costs money and helps to af- feet the precious tax rate the poli- ticians talk about. But not one of them will publicly declare agains. such city work, seeing that most of the jobless have votes.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

As we understand it, Chief Noble is nobly efficient in fighting fires and is happy and contcnted until somebody sends in q false alarm or telephones about q fire and fails to give the fires location before hang ing up the receiver.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

A million words so far have been spoken at the prohibition hearings in Washington. Which must suit the Administration perfectly, consider ing that those who discuss prohibit ness conditions.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

Spring is here,@ remarked a Main street philosopher. Which, in terpreted intos practicalities, means that from now on the aspiring poli- ticians will have less time to love one another,
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

So long as the candidate who makes the most astounding state mcnts gets the biggest display type on page one so long will there Dc astounding statements. But these do not necessarily win elections.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

Nothing displcascs the Adminis- tration so much as to read about committees Investigating uncnlploy- mcnt and making reports that do not conorm with the optimistic government statistics.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

New York. March o1.-A distinct the first night theatrical audience in New York. For years it was as standardized as the seventh inning stretch. The same bored regulars driftcd down lislcs to the same pc"s night after night.
 Today about the only constant regulars are first run critics and the aged and dappcr corset mana fHcturcr invariably in his aisle selt ir the first row. Dyed wool play dorotccs now wait for a show tc be ironcd out and become set" They arc fed up with annoying asin- mites.
 The initial performance developed | into a parade ground for show offs who not only wanted to be sc1n l ut heard. They seemed to imagine that q patient audience came to sec them and what they were wearing instead of the play.
 Despite advertised warnings Ht prompt curtains, first night con- tlnues 10 be from 20 minutes 10 9 half hour late. I have attended in Inumerablc openings where moi mo- q than dozen would be seated, des- pite the agonizing wait, when thc curtain was lifted
 Instead they would be in hul Glc back of the rail indulGinG q gaD- | ole so noisy that often players would be forced to halt in their line. i until silence was restored. All dur ing the first act they would saunt. r tc seats, whispering and waving al aCQuamtanccs.
 There Was, too, invariably q sprinklinG Of those crminc-coatc l chattcr-boXcs who pop out of thcis seats at intervals to gallop up and down the aisle greeting this new ar rival and that. It was the worst a city of bad manners.
 At intermissions the same contu sions were repeated. Almost the en- | tire audience moved out to prom. enade in the lobby and on the side walk. The curtain time bell WIS completely ignored and again thr> l filtered back while players struggled
 for attention. And most of them arc l admitted on passes.
 An excellent first night rcbuhr
 was administered by Keats Spe H some years ago. He was seated D.,
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

Mr. Nair thinks the Democrats are encouraging q schism in the G. 0. P. Not only do they encourage it. but they arc praying for it, with q good chance of seeing their pray CTS answered.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22

If Professor Irving Fisher as- sumed as much about economics as he does about prohibition it is prob able he would not wear q mantle of distinction.
New Britain herald., 1930-03-22
JUST ONE MORE GOLD BRICK

An impartial observer Is inclined io agree with those senators-in- oluiing Senator Waicott-who hold 'hpt tho paragraph which WAS slip pod mjo rhr tariff bIll relating to tAo importation ot Sumatra wrapper tobacco, and which would prcvcn,