davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
The Short Ballot

The primary today presents another
strong reason for constitutional convention
which might simplify our government and
restore it to the hands of the people.
Primary ballots today are so large as TO
make an intelligent vote by citizens impos-
sible. They are confusing. They do not per-
nit the people who have desire for decency
to take charge of their government.
The fault is not in the primary system,
but in the long list of elective officers.
In an effort to make the government
democratic by electing all officials, the peo-
pie have really lost their democracy.
The primary system of nomination was
introduced as the one weapon against boss
ism. But bosses, big and little, still run
things. However, without the primary the
boss would rule even more completely.
There should be two changes in the local
government The first is reform OF the sys-
TEN of electing judges. They should be
chosen at separate election and with no
reference to party labels. Putting the courts
into politics is bad for the courts and worse
for the people.
The second should be shortening OF the
ballot. With the exception of county COM
nnissioners, most of the public offices Mould
be made appointive. If commissioner were
elected as a board of directors, and put under
the fear of a recall provision, they could
name the minor officials who now clutter up
the ballot.
The big drive for this fall must be for the
constitutional convention, the nonpartisan
election of judges and short ballot. 1t is
time for the people to again rule themselves
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Better Than Nothing

The struggle quarter century long for possession
of Boulder Dam power virtually is ended Contracts
have been signed between the government and public
and private agencies in the west If congress approves
and appropriates money an interesting experiment
in power development will begin at once.
The arrangement finally agreed upon is not what
congress has in mind when passed the Boulder Dam
bill
1t gives generous share of power to a private
power company gift not contemplated when con-
greSS provided that states and cities should have first
call on the power output from the dam. But it does
not give the private company any part in manage
ment of the project any chance to interfere with
public development
The federal government is to build and equip the
power plant and retain control its operation The
city Of Los Angeles and the Southern California Edi
son Company to lease generating units and side
by side, develop power and transmit it to their mar
ketS Then they will pay equal rentals to the govern
ment. Transmission costs will be approximately the
same. There is to be straight-out challenging test
of two methods of furnishing power.
1t is regrettable that the cities are not to receive
the power from Boulder Dam that congress intended
them to have. However confronted at first with a
contract that would have given the private compa-
MES hydro-eectric power and power also to cripple
municipal development, they chose to compromise
giving kilowatt hours in exchange for their indie
pendence.
So the Boulder Dam project is to be- essentially, a
public power project It will make distinct contri-
button to what knowledge we possess of the trouble
some utility problem
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
REASON By Ff EERBf5

OF course, the overcrowding of our prisons is de-
~ plorabe, but somehow it does not appeal to ones
packed full of poor people engaged in making an
honest living.
His conflicts with the United States senate over his
supreme court appointments should remind President
Hoover of the old days in China when he was in the
midst OF the Boxer rebellion.
a BED six feet two inches long in which Lincoln
who was six feet six inches, used to try to find
comfortable repoSe is on exhibition in Chicago
In his Springfield Office Lincoln used to lie on a
sofa, the overflow being accommodated by several
chairs and in this position he read aloud much to the
evaporation Of his partner, TIerndon
Arthur Call, an attorney of Anderson, Ind. threw
his arm out of joint while making an argument to a
jury
AS a rule, when lawyer does that he has very
poor case.
professor at the University of Chicago is in IA
yor OF giving the students Morris chairs
This doesn't go far anough our college students
should provided with beds and attendants to stroke
their bangs.
A RCHDUKE LEOPOLD of Austria has been arrest
n ed in New York. charged with grand larceny.
We are getting better, for in former years covey
OF American heiresses would have crowded around
Leopold pleading for his hand.
Two widows. each with lot of money and nothing
o DO, die IN a shooting scrape in Hollywood, while
down in Middlebro Ind John Hawkins a se-year-old
blacksmith has sharpened seventy-seven pillow shares
this spring end hopes to be busy until he is 100
Happiness is a matter of being useful
zee this plane in which the Prince of Wales flew
40. les from Khartum to Cairo. crashed on its re-
turn trip the royal house probably will renew its
eficyts 70 keep she prince on the ground.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
In Praise

A CCORDINGLY, let it be pro-
L n claimed without strings or res
ervations, that Grover WhaIen, po-
lice commissioner of New York,
handled the day annually devoted
to radical demonstrations with good
sense, good hurnor and infinite tact.
I hope that the policy which he
put into effect will remain as a
model for the department.
Naturally, the Communists are
not going to like him any better.
Courtesy is one Of the things which
Communist most abhors. It's a
dull day for the Reds when no
faithful follower is permitted to
have his head broken.
Communist oratory, like most ora
tory, is pretty dull itself. The best
way to combat the members of the
left wing is to permit and encour-
age them to perform -windedly
in public.
No speech possibly can be as in
spring as scrap. Even the harsh
est words from the rebels among us
can do little damage.
Personally, I am quite ready to be
drawn and quartered for the sake
OF such things as I favor. If any,
body brings against me the accusa-
ton that believe fervently in the
dissemination of birth control in
formation will plead guilty.
Nor would I deny a strong dis
taste for prohibition. Nor a leaning
toward a large body of legislation
and practice known as socialistic.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
NJ. E.. Tracy
# the Smoot-Haa0Iey Tariff
Bill Becomes Laa0, 1t VIII
Cause Hatred of the United
States Abroad and Increase
Unemployment.
SAYS:

MORE than 1000 economists,
-A'A representing 179 universities
scattered throughout or5y-eight
states, join in a round-robin against
the Smoot- Hawley tariff bill.
What they say is peculiarly i'm
portant, because they speak as dis
interested students of the subject
The chances are that they know
as much about it as the 531 distin-
guished gentlemen who constitute
the congress of the United States,
or the innumerable lobbyists who
have appeared in behalf of one
proposition or another.
Put in simple terms, these econo-
mists believe the tariff bill would dc
vastly more harm than good.
First, because it would increase
the cost of living;
Second, because it would benefit
only a few, at the expense of the
majority;
Third, because it would result in
reprisals by other countries;
And, fourth, because it would
create general bitterness toward the
United States.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
The Children'S CrY

For the alleged purpose of saving this country from
Bolshevism two Boston women have launched cam
paign which will come closer to defeating their own
ends than almost anything else they could have hit
upon.
They want to abolish the United States children's
bureau.
1t is socialstic, they say for department Of the
government to help provide for mothers before
babies are born and for children after they
born This work should be left to doctors whose pro-
fession it is to give health advice they insist AS to
mothers who live on isolated farms and mothers who
have no money for medical care, these two women
have very little to say.
There would be occasion to notice the
campaign of these women If it not for the fact
that the future of federal maternity and infancy
work actually is in precarious position at the pres
ent time.
The Sheppard-Towner act. providing federal aid
for state work along these lines, lapsed year ago.
Congress has taken steps to resume this work, but
without announcement from the executive branch OF
government. At the matter stands the Jones Cooper
bi similar in provisions to the earlier federal aid
measure. but reducing the annual appropriation, is
on the senate calendar waiting passage when euct.
support can be rallied.
But. meantime Representative Cooper intro
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Parker Patronage Charges

To stop for official investigation of charges that
patronage brides in the form of federal judgeshps
being offered for Parker votes proposed by Senator
Ashurst, is not necessary at the moment The senate
is ready to vote the nomination of Parker for the
supreme court and has been ready for more than
a week-indeed. ever since the Judiciary committee
rejected him, 10 to 5.
The administration has been allowed to f1libuster
and lobby long enough. Let the vote be taken.
The vote will be against Parker. If it is not it will
be because some senator's who already have declared
against him. change their votes despite the weight OF
evidence proving his unftness.
In due time the lobby investigating committee car
determine whether administration lobbying went tc
the extent of attempted patronage brides. If that &C.
Cured of course there must be thorough nvestiga-
ton, fixing of responsibility, and punishment.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Flash

TUST before the instant Of total
. ity, however, there is just a
narrow silver of sun visible. Since
this is the outer edge of the sun,
it consists Of solar atmosphere or
| chromosphere.
In other words, at that time, the
philosophers is cut off from view by
the disc of the moon, but an edge
of chromosphere still is exposed to
view.
The same thing also is true Just
after the phase of totality has ended
and the sun again is coming into
view.
Now if spectroscope is focused
on the edge of the sun at the in
slant just before or after totality,
it is possible to get spectrum of
the chromosphere. That is a spec
trum consisting of radiation arising
in the chromosphere itself.
The ordinary dark line spectrum
Of the sun, it will be recalled, con-
sists of radiation arising in the
photosphere and passing through
the chromosphere.
When the spectrum of the
chromosphere is obtained, it is found
to be bright line spectrum. Since
this spectrum Of bright lines flashes
out only for an instant before or
after totally, astronomers have
christened it the flash spectrum"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
1T SEEMS TO ME By HR RyC2%
a S enc who has attacked Grover

a S che who has attacked Grover
IN WhaIen on many occasions and
hopes to find opportunity to do so
again I must admit, in all fairness,
that he did an excellent job in
handling New York's May day.
His scheme was just to all con-
cerned and the original plan was
carried out to the letter. This was
one Of the worst days the local
Communists ever have had. 1t
might be said that the theory Of al
lowing steam to escape rather than
combining it is SO simple that it
should be recognized by all men.
The fact remains that many stilf
are convinced that minority opinion
can best be handled with clubs and
curses.
Whalen is a late convert to the
cause of civil liberty. Almost as his
reign draws to close, he accepts
the notion that speech should be
free, because, like a running stream,
it purifies itself when no dams are
placed in the way. But it would be
silly to harp at a convert simply
because he happens to be a tardy
one.
There is excellent support for the
tradition that even those who come
at the eleventh hour should receive
their penny'S worth of praise.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Farmers Needed Relief

4 NY intelligent person who has
L a given the matter thought will
find it easy to see the force of such
reasoning.
The very season of prosperity
about which Republicans Dragged
so much in the last election
amounted to nothing if not sound
argument that the tariff should be
let alone.
But the farmers asked for relief,
and justly so, because even the then
existing tariff placed them in dis
advantageous position as compared
to that of industry.
The ffA'mers didn't ask for a tariff
to protect their own products, except
in few cases, because they are
exporters, and suffer very little from
foreign competition at home.
What they wanted was legislation
that would enable them to get credit
on the one hand, and relieve them
from manipulators on the other.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
A Word for the Ambitious

New York remains the goal now as always for
thousands of ambitious young people in all parts of
the country But the Welfare Council of New York
City has word of warning for young women who
plan to go to the metropolis to seek their fortunes
Stay away from New York." says the councils
most recent bulletin, unless you are assured of an
income OF at least $25 week." The bulletin adds:
Young women throughout America apparently still
are OF the opinion that it is easy for girl to get work
in New York City and that it is possible for her to
live on as little here in her home town. The day
to day experience of our room regstries show that
there is little Justification for either of these aSsump-
tons.
We are convinced that it is impossible for young
woman, new to New York, to live comfortably and
independently for less than $25 week."
Youngsters who have the New York notion in their
head would do well to heed that warning very atten-
lively.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
%ZZEtXSS
H7d oAVF ls1T]t1e
ANNIVERSARY
ROBEsPIERRE's BIRTH
May 8.

May 6.
I'm May 6. 1853, Maximilien
" Robespierre, a leader of the
French Revolution, was born at
Arras.
After gaining distinction as a
lawyer, Robespierre was appointed
a criminal judge. He resigned
shortly afterward rather than pro-
nounce a death penalty. From law
he turned to politics, and at the
age of 81, entered the states-gen-
eral, a governing body composed OF
members elected by the nobility,
clergy and commons.
Always adopting the radical
view, Robespierre gained prom
inence by pronouncing a discourse
in favor Of the abolition OF the
death penalty.
Most of his activity was confined
to the Jacobin Club, a radical or
ganization, in which he ultimately
became the leader. Because Of his
position there he set about making
himself the acknowledged leader
also of the people of Paris.
After he was elected the first
deputy from Paris in the new ma
tional convention, Robespierre was
instrumental in causing the execu-
ton of King Louis.
In 1888 he had executed the chief
members of the Girondists, oppon-
ents of the Jacobins, because they
were not in sympathy with his plans
for instruction. A period of ter
ror followed and thousands Of per-
sons we're sent to the guillotine.
Finally. a conspiracy was organ
lied against ''the Tyrant," Robes
pierre was later called, and he was
executed in July. 17eA
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Danger of Lead Poisoning Lessened

rate today is from one-half to one
third what it used to be.
In the meantime, new industries
develop with new lead hazards, such
as occurred for example when terra
ethyl lead gasoline was first intro
duced into trade.
However, modern industry has
learned the value Of investigating
hazards in the research laboratory
before undertaking practical appli-
cation or use of any new device,
substance, or method in modern
life.
1t is reasonable to believe that
the number of cases of poisoning
and death from lead will continue
to decrease in the future.
Obviously the chief point of at
tack must be in relationship to the
manufacture of paints and protec-
ton of the painter.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Blindness Astounding

NNE is astounded not only at the
" blindness certain congressman
have displayed with regard to this
bill and it's obvious effects, but at
the way in which some of our
brainiest business men have per-
mitted themselves to be nisled by
purely selfish interests.
Taxing the American consumers to
the tune Of $1,000,000,000, out of
which the government gets only
$75, 100000, is but an incident in the
show, though typical of the curious,
narrow philosophy out Of which it
grew.
AS a matter of fact, the Smoot-
Hawley tariff bill puts the govern
ment of the United States in po-
sition of thumbing its nose at the
whole world to give some prepos-
terously solvent business institutions
bigger profit.
No wonder European statesmen
visualize the possibility of form
ing Europe into an anti-American
economic coalition.
They could ask for no stronger
argument than this tariff bill af-
fordS.
The Smoot- Hawley tariff bill is
not so bad because of any partic-
ular provision, but per Sc.
The present is no time for a
general upward revision.
American industry has been
tuned up to a point far beyond
domestic consumption.
It's only hope lies in an increased
foreign trade, and incidentally
there is where the hope for in
creased employment lies.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
DAILY HEALTH SERVICE

It is obvious therefore that the
painting industry leads all others
as hazardous occupation in rela-
tionship to lead poisoning. More
than half of those concerned were
painters.
The small number of deaths
among electric storage battery
makers was surprising and is taken
to indicate that death from lead
poisoning in this industry is rare,
where some absorption of lead is
common.
Formerly the pottery industry was
one of those most seriously con-
cerned with lead poisoning, but re-
forms introduced into the trade
have reduced the hazard to prac-
tically nothing.
1t should be possible to lower still
more the number of deaths from
lead poisoning in all industries. The
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Hello, Russia
ID ECOGNITION does not imply

u ECOGNITION does not imply
IN complete acceptance on our part
of all the actions of foreign gov
eminent. At least I hope not. We
have recognized regimes employing
policies for which we should have
by no means given moral sanction.
But we didn't.
1t is not within the proper scope
of our concern to pass Judgment
upon the internal conduct of alien
states. We can be against Fascist
governments and Soviet ones and
recognize them both.
Recognition means no more than
common sense acceptance OF the
fact that, whether we ike 1t or
not certain form Of government is
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Questions and
AnS1CeYS

Why are nails referred to as 2
penny and penny nails?
The word penny originally re-
ferred to the weight Of the nail, that
is a 2 penny nail originally weighed
2 pennyweight. However, the COM
mon nails at the present time are
considerably heavier than the
designated weights. These terms are
now used to designate the length of
the nail.
Was the Royal Geographical So
ciety the first society devoted ex-
clusively to geographical discovery?
When was it established?
The first society devoted ex-
clusively to geographical discovery
was the African Association, founded
in London in 1788 1t passed on it's
functions to the Royal Geographical
Society, which was established in
1880, with a worldwide outlook. It
had roll of 5000 fellows in 1928.
What does the expression Born
with a gold spoon in his mouth"
signify?
1t is a common expression used
in referring to persons whose parents
are wealthy.
Why do some United States coins
have n1illed edges?
United States gold and silver
coins have milled edges to protect
them from wear. The metal in five
and one cent pieces, being of less
value, this protection is not deemed
necessary.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Now WeNDOBu
[HnOwGMRR?
FIVE QUESTIONS a DA('
on FAMILIAR ASSAOES


1. On what food did John the
Baptist live in the wilderness?
2. Complete the verse: Nov faith
is the substance of things hoped
for -
8. What great geenral of the Old
Testament had a name meaning
Jesus"
4. Who was the heather god of
flies?
S. Who used the words, salt of
the earth?"
Answers to Yesterdays Queries
/. When they Knocked Elisha for
his badness; II Kings 2:24.
2. Even Christ" Romans 1873.
8. The Ten Comman d m e n S.
Exodus 20.
4. Ecclesiastes ga.
5. Job 37:1:14.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
The Verdict

TURIES should take their time in
- rendering verdicts upon the
events of history. A fair opinion
can be rendered only after lapse of
time. Even in the case of our own
executives there have been reyersals
of opinion.
Today's villain may be tomorrow'S
saint and hero. Some Of the preSl-
dents, much deSpiSed in their own
time, have taken on glamor after
death when it was possible to survey
complete picture of the man, his
circumstances, and the background
against which he worked.
Possibly I have erred in this col
umn in venturing to be dogmatic
about certain economic theories In
which have no belief.
I shall continue to fight things
which seem to me mistaken or
wrong headed, but Of course, 1
would like to reserve the right to re-
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06

in being and functioning." Nobody
who knows anything about Russia
sees possibility of the overturn of
the groups now in authority. And
We should not even desire it.
Russia is performing laboratory
work for the whole world. Even if
its schemes fail utterly we shall be
in some way her debtor for then we
can say, well, that's one expert
ment that we don't have to try.
Somebody else has spent the blood
and suffering to prove the faults of
this particular theory"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-06
Light

TINE light of the sun which
Il originates in the photosphere
has to make its way through the
other layers of the suns outer re-
gion before it reaches the earth.
In this fact lies the explanation
of the ordinary spectrum OF the sun
with its dark Fraunhofer lines.
When gas is heated to lurni-
Mostly and the light from it ex-
amined with a spectroscope-the
spectroscope is essentially a prism
the resulting rainbow of spectrum
consists of series of isolated bright
lines.
But if the light from some source
is made to pass through a layer of
cooler gas Of the same sort, the
bright lines are changed to dark
lines. These lines sometimes are
called ABSORPTION lines, on the theory
that a mass of cool gas absorbs the
wavelengths of light which it would
emit when luminous.
The dark lines in the solar spec
trum, therefore, are the result of
absorption by the suns atmosphere
Of wavelengths arising in the photo
sphere
Now during an eclipse of the sun,
the disc of the moon gradually
creeps across the face of the sun,
shutting off the bright light of the
photosphere. That is why during
the instant of totality, the suns
halo OF corona becomes visible. The
corona always is there, but it is lost
at all other times in the bright glare
of the suns light.
AT the moment of totality, the
solar pronlinences rising from the
chromoSphere and some of the
chromosphere itself can also be seen.
At that time, these features appear
bright red in color.