davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
Politics and Personalities

Tents are being pitched and war whoops practeed, presaging tumultous and joyful 1932 The democratic victory fund" drive for S1500000 now underway is one form of preparation for battle. Another is the republican national committee get together scheduled for this December. That some of this discussion may concern the al- most perennial committee custom of busting the chairman casts few shadows over g.o.p. brows, least of all over that of the chairman, the Honorable Simeon Fess He is secure until a thoroughly satisfactory successor presents himself. which is equivalent to say ing that he is secure indefinitely.
 Another conference expected to take place shortly is that of the progressive leaders in politics. In way. 1t will be more import ant than any democratic or republican con- vention. The progressives hold the balance of power in both Houses. No legislation can be enacted without their support. They can, if they will, force through the legisla- tion they desire. It is logical to assume that their conference held before Congress meets, is for the purpose of formulating program for the next session. The question is: will they make full use of their power9 Will they force showdown on tariffs, un employment, reparations the power ques- ton, and scores of other issues that have been mishandled or allowed to drift for years3 Or will they denounee and demand, threaten and warn, and then, when the time for action arrives, scatter their ranks'
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30

Magistrate Maurice Gottlieb of New York city yesterday denounced in no uncer
 tain terms ConneeticutS so-ealled road side courts His particular outbreak came when Joseph Bonine 40, a pianist was brought before him after Connecticut au- thorities had requested his arrest. Bonine was arrested last August in the town of Brooklyn. Connecticut, charged with viola ton of the motor vehicle laws. He was ar raigned before woman justice of the peace and fined S36.50. He paid by check, but by the time he had arrived home in New York he began to think he might have been duped SO ordered payment on the check stopped at his bank His arrest by the Con- neeticut state authorities was thereupon or dered. Magistrate Gottlieb has told Bonine that he should present his case to Governor Roosevelt. We are inclined to sympathize with the New Yorker, although without more knowledge of his case than the meagre facts contained in the news item we can't agree with him that he was duped. However. we do know that roadside courts have given Connecticut bad name among out of state motorists. Generally these courts presided over by justices of the peace give
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30

Maybe some people will recall that road side courts were mentioned during the last session of the Legislature. Probably every one has forgotten the ill-fated district court bill which met with so short shrift at the hands of our republican legislators AL though endorsed by the bar of the state and personally endorsed by many of our leading justices it was defeated. The purpose was, : of course. to substitute for our police. town, borough, and other minor courts series of district courts. The idea is not new with Connecticut nor is it revolutionary. It sim ply removes completely from politics our ju dietary. It was freely admitted by the re- publican legislators that they could not tear down the present minor court system as a source of patronage for the party. The dis trict court idea would have abolished all roadside courts" All of which piles one more stone around the republican party's tomb in Connecticut.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
Not Quite Our Idea

Colonel Raymond Robins of Chicago had quite few scathing remarks to make at the opening of the drive of the Allied Cam paigners in Boston early this week. Be- fore We go any further let us add that these remarks were directed against those luckleSs individuals who have been demanding the return of legalized wines. beers. and liquors SO that our tax rates may be reduced. the mortgage of the old homesteads paid of. and a dozen other little incidentals taken care of. Although we are heartily Tn favor of legalizing the manufacture and sale of the above unmentionables we don't go so far as to bring down Colonel Robins wrath upon us.
 We realize full we'll that if there was le- galized beer the nations economic ills wouldn't vanish as if by magic. However we do not quite get Colonel Robins idea in making comparisons in l93 based on 1900 figures such as he used on several occasions For instance he claimed that for every mil lion dollars invested in the liquor traffic at the turn of the century mere S57.00O of 1t went in wages. far below the general aver age in industry. All well and good. Then says Colonel Robins Comparing brewer ies with wooden mills for the same amount of investment, beer employed 39,O00 work CTS and wool 264.000 The liquor traffic makes few immensely rich and the many degradingly poor. ." That same sit- uation holds to-day, too. doesn't it Colonelf
 Incidentally We don't hold any thought of future in liquor like that of the past. Whenever we contemplate the return of beers. wines or liquors we always entertain the idea of federal or state control. partie- ularly the latter We certainly believe that control of type to be decided upon by care ful study is to be preferred to situation which we regard as far worse than licensed saloons ever were. The day of the speakeasy will long be remembered by this generation. If we recall anything of the old saloon it was never to be compared with what now passes as it's successor The retreat from na- tional prohibition may be hard but it will be even more important to this nation than the movement towards the wartime measure of prohibition.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
To-day's Selected Poem,
INTERLIJDE

(By F. l.. Montgomery in the New York Tmes) Octobers end! leave my door ajar. Across the hearth draw her chair up near-- One would be weary who had come from far From very far-to visit with me here.
 night,
 But are as once familiar melody; When first heard them rose and made
 light
 And looked abroad but no one could see. They are not strange, those footballs faint and
 slow;
 They are as echoes memory has stirred Of song remembered that love did bestow. Heard once and then--forever after heard They echo in the beats of my own heart, Those measured footballs down years long
 and long; For from those loved we do not really part tt in hrs trta~issNa in
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
At The National Capitol
A Digest of Who's Who and What's What
 By RODNEY BUTCHER
DAILY WASHINGTON LETTER

nomination. Finally, they find that this is a bad year to raise big campaign chest.
 So any fear that can be thrown by the spectre of Smith or any hope that might possibly be stimu- lated by mention of McAdoo would be all to the good in so far as the drys are concerned. They admit privately that what worries them most of all is the problem of get ting the. real dry strength organ ized and ready to lick such a cam didate as Roosevelt.
 Smith is not nearly as big a worry in the minds of southern democratic politicians as Calvin Coolidge was in the administration camp until he announced he would not run in 1892. Quite a few re- publican politicians would be pleased to see Mir Coolidge nomi- mated but hardly any democratic politician wants to risk wfecking his party's bright 1892 chances on the rocks of another fight over re- ligiOn.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30

Washington.-The is no more bizarre development in recent poli- tical news than the effort of the organized drys to make 1t appear that the next democratic national convention may be devaoted to a return engagement between those doughty heroes of Madison Square Garden in 1924, Alfred E. Smith and William G. McAdoo.
 For many months prominent dry leaders have been asserting, either privately or publicly that a plot was afoot to nominate smith again next year and that in all Likelihood he would be the cam didate. They have not actually pre- dicted the nomination. of McAdoo perhaps because you can't well predict the nomination of two presidential candidates by the satne convention-but several of them have been raising the old hero's name again and repeatedly assur- ing the country that none but Me- Adoo could win the presidency for the democrats.
 It's hard to fathom all that, be- cause-in my humble opinion, at least-if there is anything more certain than that Smith will not be renominated by the democrats it is that McAdoo is politically as dead as a door-nail. Smith is by no no means politically dead, but the democrats are getting set to nomi- nate someone else.
 It may be that the drys have lost their political wisdom, but. as one recalls their record, that seems very hard to believe.
 Perhaps wishes begat those thoughts because the drys are sure they could defeat Smith easier than any other wet democrat. Or pos sibly they feel that If they can keep talking about Smith if 1t will help his chances of nomination.
 But what seems more like is that Smith is being raised as a boSey in the effort to organize the dry strength for a 1882 fight against the inevitable wet Democratic can didate. And that, to a lesser extent, MeAdoo's name is being used so that the old-time drys will not ac- cept the inevitable wet candidate with equanimity.
 The drys have already begun their 1882 campaign. They find that most of the dry politicians of the south and west are "sold" on Gov ernor Roosevelt of New York, who is not too wet for them and who happens to be Protestant. The drys also find that 1892 is likely to be a democratic year. not be- cause the country has turned wet but because his country is battered, and sore. They find that there ap- parently isn't enough dry strength in the democratic party to present a strong dry candidate for the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30

New Hampshire's laws regarding election dates may spell the defeat of the republican party in its effort to organize the 72nd Con- gress which eonvenes on December 7. There are seven vacancies in the House just now. Five of these will be filled next Tues day when elections are to be held in many states of the Union. A special election has been announced by Governor Winant of New Hampshire for January 5. And that seat may be the one needed to give the g.o.p. control. However, we'll know better after the other five seats are filled.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1881
Return To Your Jobs, Gentlemen

Our advice to Chairman Charles E. Hart Jr, Royal Meeker, John J. Egan, Martin E. Gormley, and William M. Citron IS to re- turn to their positions quietly and leave un- done the work that was entrusted to them by the l93l Legislature. The above gen tlemen comprise what our state manual IS proud to term the commission to investigate the subject of old age pensions. hat the legislative act creating this body and giving Governor Cross power to name Its members was without any real value has just now come to light Mir Hart, Waterburys tor mer corporation counsel maintains that to make such study as is required an appro- priation of S35.O00 will be necessary.
 Naturally the state board of finance and control (Commissoner Hall IS actually the board) can't see its way clear to providing S35,OOO for any study of old age pensions. The board is supported in this stand by the attorney general of the state. As matter of fact probably the $35,000 isn't available. We are inclined to believe that the state IS adhering as close to barest running expenses as everybody in these troublesome days. However, it does seem is if that redoubtable republican Legislature which does things on such an efficient basis might have taken bet ter care of commission that 1t vowed earnestly it wanted to see created two years ago.
 Those who are any way familiar with things legislative may recall the progress or old age legislation in l93l General Assem- bly,. It was only after considerable pressure was brought to bear that the republican ma iorities permitted creation of the old age tension commission However, it was pretty obvious that this body wouldn't be able to do very much. despite the excellent material of which it is composed. Without funds (is members serve without pay) there IS It. tls that can be done. If anybody cares to examine the reports of the Connecticut red erstion of Labor and the Connecticut Manu- lecturers association on old age pensions he or she may do SO. That's about all that is available for the old age commission
 As matters stand the republicans will win or lose whatever happens. In the event that old age pensions sweep the country by storm they can point to the fact that they were prompt to sponsor a study of the idea. They can't explain, though. their derelieton Tn 1929 when they had chance to back study of old age pensions but didn't. The very fact that Governor Cross backed the proposal to study the soundness of old age plans in his inaugural address was used by republicans against old age legislation. How ever. they found then they had to back the creation of commission to study the sup feet. That rather upset them for the time being. However commission without backing is no commission at all. There will be an end to this political triekery some day. The sooner the better for the state.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
PACIFIC Hi. ..'AY TO ALASKA
(springfield Republican,

(springfleld Republican,
 Reports are to be presented to- day at Victoria, B. C., by engi- neers who have been working on plans for the proposed Pacihc high way to Alaska under the directions of the jo mt commission represent ing the United states and Canada. Preliminary reports are said to have been very encoura glng. There is al- ready some 1250 miles of good road on the 20UG-mile stretch between seattle and Fairban nks Links to De filled include $50 miles from Hazel- ton to Atlin. 50 miles from Atlin to White Horse, 150 miles from Kluane lake to the Alaska Yukon boundary and 200 miles. in Alaska, to Valdez. connecting with the road to Fairbanks. The cost Is estimated at $lI,250,000, of which approxi- mately $5,25O.0O0 would be the share of British Columbia and $S,- 00O,000 each of Yukon territory and Alaska.
 The engineers preliminary re- ports. it Is said. indicate that the proposed construction will not pre- sent serious difficulties and that none of the mountain passes through which the route leads has an altitude exceeding 3o00 feer. That such highway will eventual ly be built is foregone conclu- sion but whether 1t will be under taken soon. as result of the pres- eht negotiations, 1t Is too early to predict. It would, of course, fur nish employment to many people, and would open up to development the regions through which 1t would pass and would be a great attrac- ton to motoring tourists. veter- ans of the Klondike gold rush would enjoy the contrast with the toilsorne travel of a generation ago.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
c. 0. NJ. and c. o. P.
(sbrIngaeld Republican

tSUItuEuEN
 Further publication of Queen yictor!a's letters discioses that when MT Gladstone became prime minister for the fourth time. tho queen wrote to one of her corrc- spondents: "The c. O. M. at S2 .s d very ala rming outlook"--''alar.l- ing outlook" being uuderscored in the queens typical manner. As Queen Victoria disliked and ils- trusted Gladstone. her use of the popular abbreviation of grand old man" has caused some amusement among English commentators.
 Though the queen did not share in the tribute of affection implied by the term. her use of 1t involv- ed no serious inconsistency. Almnst anybody may use popular nick name without adopting the emo tional attitude. whether friendly pr unfriendly, that it was originally meant to convey.
 In America we have no grand old man." but we have a grand old party" If everybody who used the term 70. O. P" or read 1t in print considered it as ritualistic declaration of loyalty, there would be less uncertainty about the out come of elections than there is now. 70 F." is loved for It's brevity by headline writers. and :he whole country accepts the term in cartoons, humorous verse and poll ticRl reporting as a convenient shorthand designation for "Repub- i'can party"
 Some years ago q southern democrat did take pains tC declare that the grand old party" WIS neither grand" nor "oid." But
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
Musical America

Tn almost no other country of the world writes Professor Erich Kleiber of Berlin, now conducting concerts in New York, have I found such an astonishing susceptibility to modern music as have in the United States. was stunned at the tre mendous popularity of the good music of all nations in America
 Thanks for these kind words Foreign musicians, especially German musicians. used to regard us as musical barbarians. We have the three great requisites that make good music possible. he says - religion, pa triotism and love.
 We know we are patriotic. We haven't considered ourselves particularly religious, but possibly we are. compared with Europe. And there is plenty of love here, of course, though the Herr Professor can hardly find it represented with musical adequacy in the standardized Tin Pan Alley walls that radio erooners are always waiting into the air In this field we are going backward.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
"TANTaNTARA. THING. BOOM"
( Hartford Courant)


 Though the navy's construction plans for the coming year have been knocked into a cooked hat by the presidents naval economy or der. the navy's musicians will con- tinue to tootle unumolested by the winds of economy. Some 5000 shipyard employees are slated for discharge, but the trumpets will continue to blow and the brasses to bang, The president has ex- plaincd that he does not want ito take the jo yout of life" Doubtless, the shipwrights will be permitted 10 listen to the bands between periods of looking for work.
 Six of the navy's paper destroy CTS have been spurlos versenkt in an effort to reduce the budget by some s60,000,000, hut all criticisnl of the administrators ideas of economy will be drowned out by the brazen notes of the massed bands playing Hall to the Chief" Fleet operations will be curtailed. but what of 1t? The Second Trom- bone's day of glory WI be longer than ever. what with fewer days at sea and more shore parades. The fish ration for the ships cat may be cut in half, but will the band have to sacrifice so much as single player of the symbals? It will not That might take the joy out of someone's life.
 By all means. let this idea of joyous economy be carried to its ultimate limit. Why not Navy composed of nothing but musici- ans? Let Mir Leopold Stowowski be placed in command-that is. if he will consent to hide his aureate head under a regulation cap---and let Mir John Philip Sousa be placed in charge of operations. Order every enlisted man In the navy to take up the study of some musi- cal instrument. be 1t jews-harp. oc- tarina or musical saw. And then. when the enemy heaves in high of our shores let the massed bands assemble on the shore and drown him in flood of sound. Or. bet- ter yet, let the administration read Mir William s. Qllbert's "Pinafore" and find more ideas for keeping up the spirits of the navy.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
CLvELAND's "xo"
(springfield Republicanl

(Sprlngneld RepubIcan)
 The story of Grover Cleveland's refusal to buy the support of Tam many hall for the presidency is being injured, like too many other stories, by telling it in too many words. The episode did not call for long speeches on Cieveland's part. If at the climax he was emphati-- cally and profanely brief. 1t was profanity that was ligely to be for given.
 According to the lonk-remem- bered version of an old warehouse who looked as if he took his whiEkey as he told his stories straight--it was Honest Johny Kelly and not Lieut-G Eheehan who made known to Cleveland that he could count on Tammany if he would promise Tammany the con- trol of federal patronage in New York. Cleveland listened in silence. Finally he spoke, but made no long statement, and simply restated in a blunt sentence Kelly's proposition to make sure that he had heard it correctly. Kelly agreed that he had.
 There was again q long silence. Cleveland reached for his hat and damned 1t angrily on his head. 'I'll be - damned if do it," he said. and without another word left the room. It was Kelly's turn to be silent. Finally he spoke: Boys. the old mans right"
 As compared with current ver- sion representing Cleveland as making a long-winded threat of retiring from the ticket and "noss' Croker as interposing, in faussless English, his ''agreementss with "Mr Cleveland,) this version has the ~fm~ @A @s.As ~mstasA&.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
Quotations


 Education is what remains after you have forgotten all you have learned-Dr Charles E. Beury. president of Temple U.
 It Is an American fault to think that after conference the mille- nium should be left with the morning milk.-Rev s. Parkes Cadman.
 Stop talking depression and be- gin practicing prosperity and then we'll have it.-Carl Laemmle.
 am as strong for politics in partisan sense keeping out of the utilities as I am for the utilities keeping out of politics.-Governor Albert c. Ritchie.
 We can carry our present ex- penditures without jeopardy to na- tional stability. We can carry no more without grave crisis.--Pres- ident Hoover.
 The only race I ever lost came when my son slipped one of my teddy bear mascots to an opponent. Gar Wood.
 The victory of the republicans In 1928 saved American from q period of hard times compared with which the depression through which we are passing would have seemed like riotous living--Mrs Edward Everett Gam.
 A man has better chance of life In this country with her ban- dits than he has in Britaln with her brewers.--Evangeiine Booth.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30

Maybe this isn't problem in your every day existence but it is in postmaster day. Those officials in western Massachusetts are protesting vigorously substitution of cotton Sounds like an economy measure, but if it is we hope it won't be as disastrous as the one they tried in Wilson's administration. They tried to win the war with cotton twine, but only provoked considerable swearing and a return to the jute twine.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
TODAY IS THEA ANNIVERSARY
 leKA
LOAN TO FRANCE

On Oct 30, 1917, the United States advanced to France . loan of $10,000. .000.
 Italy formed new cabinet. with Professor Vittorio Orlando as pre- mier. With this, Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo turned over to the Italian government an addi- ton credit of s2s0,000,po0:
 Ledebour, Independent Socialist, speaking before the Reiehstag, said: i've have 1,s0o.000 dead. 5000, ,0OO or 4,00o.0 wounded, of whom 500,00O are crippled for life, and 1000, 900 absolutely invai- ided. That makes altogether 5000. 900 men lost during three years
 Fire destroyed s5,000,000 worth of war material on the water front at Baltimore, Md. This ma, terial WIS intended for General Pershing's troops in France.
 The fire was declared to have been started by German spies.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
DEER oUTsTAREs WOMAN

The Dalies, Ore.-so common are deer In Oregon that hunters occa- sionally gaze at a fine buck forget ting that 1t K to be shot. It 10 happened to Mir R. Slate, when she found big buck looking her over. Each stared. the buck turned. Mrs Starr remained. loaded gun in hand. knraetfui.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
Here, There And EDeryUhere

mon even among democrats. They are content that the republi- cen party shall be the "G. Q. P. Queen Victoria evidently employed the term 70 0. M." with the same personal reservations as to it's lit- l. an. er.., ai lignificance.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-30
Pigeonholes May Be Useful

The dusty piseonholes in which Con yress is supposed to lay away bills in which ! b not specially interested. are often spoken sf. Many thousands of propositions are premnted to the national legislature at each session. and only zmaII proporticn of them