davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

les Stone, Mrs Dimmock, Mrs Walter Krantz ard Mrs Douglas Cameron.
 This society Is a very active one as often they. prepare the supper for Mems club also they pack bar rels of clothing for the missionary workers, also assist in various way to help finance the church.
 Briefs.
 Masses were celebrated this morn- ing at 6, z, 8 and 9 o'clock at the St Mary Magdalene's church as it is Holy day. Confessions will be heard this afternoon and evening as tomorrow Is the first Friday of the month.
 The Oakville company is closed for the day and some parts of the shop for the remainder of the week.
 The library of the village will be closed the entire day and the school children also are enjoying a holiday.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
Labor Legislation
 In 1880 Significant
Annual Survey of American Assn for Labor Legislation
 Shows Many Big Advances Were Made

izing the collection of unemployment statistics.
 y"New York, Massachusetts and Virginia led the way in the adoption Ct liberal labor laws during 1930." says John E. Andrews, secretary of the American Association for Labor Legislation. statewide and com pulsory measures for old age relief were adopted in the first two of these states, while Virginia replaced the unsatisfactory provisions of her work mems compensation act with more adequate requirements.
 "At the same time" continues pr Andrews, "the year has witnessed a most unfortunate reluctance on the part of federal and state govern
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

New York Jan Labor legisla- ton made significant advances in .1930 in spite of the small number of regular sessions of law making bod ies, according to the annual survey just completed by the American As- sociation for Labor Legislation.
 During the year the legislatures of nine states and two insular possess sions added to their labor codes laws dealing with workmen's compensa- ton. old age pensions, safety and health. regulation of hours, regula- tion of private employment agencies, unemployment relief. or labor law administration. Congress continued the vocation rehabilitation act and made q f-hearted contribution to unemployment legislation by author
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
BY DIR c. B. JOLLIFFE Chief Engineer, Federal Radio Com mission for NEA Service and

Washington The great labora-
 tories of this country continued to
 produce their wonders in 1890, with
 out curtailment of effoit or expense
 and with no let up in the steady pro-
 gross of broadcasting developments
 and other Improvements in radio.
 Both broadcast transmission and
 rc ception made marked gains during
 the year. Many stations improved their equipment to give better quail ity and signal strength, There was a
 parallel improvement in receiver de-
 sign which made for more selectiv- ity and consequently less interfer-
 epce from stations on adjacent fre- quencies.
 This tendency was stimulated by the Federal Radio Commissions gem cral orders 91 and 97, in which it in- sisted that broadcasting stations bring the standard of their equip ment up to the present state of the radio art. The immediate effect of this tendency was a higher percent age of modulation, better frequency stability and better quality of repro- duction.
 Synchronizatlon Biggest Step The outstanding single develop ment of the year in broadcasting however, has been the experimental trials of synchronization.
 First there was the work of woe and WHO in Iowa, which stations att
 tained approximate synchronization and are now able to serve larger area together than either could serve alone Then the special exper- iments of the National Broadcasting company and the Columbia Broad casting System, both of which have shown that 1t is entirely possible to operate a group of stations on exact ly the same frequency and with the same program. The commission authorized and encouraged these experiments and observed their results. The benefit to the public is that 1t will be enabled | to hear any station at any point where proper facilities may be ere ated.
 Theoretically, there is no limit to the number of "booster stati0ns' which may be used to spread the programs broadcast on any given frequency. Thus the usefulness of the | few broadcast channels may be ex- tended many fold.
 Radio Makes Flying Safer Outside of broadcaating, the big gest development in radio in the past year was in aviation communion tions. A year ago only n few passen- ger carrying airplanes used radio. To day three major air transport routes operating across tho United States have radio in every plane car- rying passengers ard mall.
 By means of radio telephone the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
REORGANIZATION OF OHIO
 MINERS BEING PLANNED

St Clairsville. O-(UP)-An at-
 tempt to reorganiZe 10000 miners
 in eastern Ohio into the United Mine
 Workers of America is being made
 by group headed by Frank Bender
 of Zanesville. who was designated
 president of the Ohio district by the
 anti-Lewis convention in Springfield,
 Ill., last March.
 Former members of the organiza- ton interested in the project of re- gaining control of the mines, which was lost with the ascendancy into power of John l.. Lewis, are from the Flushing, Lafferty, BarnesviIle, Fairpoint, M ynard, Crescent, Blaine, Lansing, Belaire. Shadyside, Powhatan Big Run, Adena and Smithfield districts. Arrangements have been made for an early election of officers.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
THOMASTON,

On Sunday evening at Trinity Episcopal church in Thomaston the Christ church choir of Watertown will sing the Mannder's Christmas cnntata" Bethlehem" The cantata was beautifully rendered by the choir at Christ church in Watertown last Sunday evening. The choir Is com posed of 25 voices and the choir master and organist Is Ralph D. Stumpf of Thomaston formerly or- ganist at Trinity church in town. Thomaston people should avail themselves this opportunity. to hear this contata., t ~ y @t| ds
 Scottish Club Party Big Success. The Scottish Social club annual New Years party held at the Chapel street hall last evening attracted larger crowd of members and their friends. The Christmas tree for the children was greatly enjoyed. Danc- ing followed the entertainment. Eastern Star Hold Party. Electa Chaper, Order of Eastern following it's meeting in Masonic hall on Friday evening. A grab bag and Christmas tree will be features of the party, and a social time will be enjoyed.
 Fritz Hellerick, a state dairy in- spector js spending New Years with his parents, MT and Mrs w. c. Hell lerick of Litchfeld street. Miss Ethel Haywood of Hartford is the guest of Miss Ruth Benedict at the home of her parents on North Main street.
 The Seth Thomas Clock company will resume operations at their fac. tories on Monday, Jan 5th, follow ing a ten days vacation. Mrs William Byers, who Is i'll at her home on Judson street and is under the care of a trained nurse is slightly improved.
 The Plume & Atwood Mfg Co will resume work again on Monday morning following ten days yaca- tion.
 Many New Years parties will be | held in Thomaston this evening. Several local people spent New Years Eve in Hartford and Water- bury.
 John Smithwick of New Britain Is the guest of Mir and Mrs William G.
 Johnston of High street.
 The annual meeting of the Thom-
 aston Visiting Nurse association will
 be held on Friday evening at the
 home of Mrs G. A. Lennon of Elm
 street. This will be an open meet | ing and all members are invited to | attend. Election of officers and directors will take place.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
OAKVILLE

Miss Margaret Boden of Main street entertained small card party at her home Monday afternoon. Those attending included the Mrs Clarence Yale, Mrs Loren Chase, Mrs John Engvall, Mrs William Jerman, Mrs Florence Chase, Miss Connersy of Gardner, Mass; Miss Carrie Wood- ruff and Miss Margaret Boden. High score was won by Mrs Loren Chase in bridge and Mrs William Jerman won hign score in pinochle These weekly card parties are doing a great deal for the needy as each week a basket Is filled for some one that is worthy but in need provis- ions. After the card gem White Elephan.' social was enjoyed, the way this being carried out is each attending member is supposed 10 bring something from home that Is really in the way or not wanted and then the hostess Miss Boden has each package numbered and in that way after the drawing of a number you are entitled to the package corre- spending. If you draw number to correspond to your package num- Der you are entitled to another draw iEg. After the packages are opened and great fun is enjoyed over the gifts not wanted.
 Ladies' Aid Society Meets.
 Members of the Ladies' Aid so- ciety meet at the home of Mrs Douglas Cameron Hungerford ave- nue. After the reports of the past year was read and usual routine carried out the election of the com Ing year's officers took place. Mrs Ralph Clinton was elected president; 1st vice-president. Mrs Douglas Ca'n- cron; 2nd vice. president. Mrs Eu- gene Main; secretary. Mrs Oscar Locke and treasurer, Mrs Walter Krantz.
 The members attending included tie Mrs Fred Jackson, Mrs Fl. ]. Ande, Mrs James Newell, Mrs George Smith, Mrs Ralph Clinton, Mrs Clarence Yale, Mrs Oscar Locke. Ms Watts, Mrs Eugene Main. Mrs Char
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

icensing and regulating fee charging
 employment agencies. New York atI 7 thorized a study of the States public
 employment offices. Porto Rico insti-
 tuted q dismissal wage and created
 an employment service in New York.
 Other new unemployment legislation
 included the public works measures of New Jersey and Massachusetts, q study of the "deadline" at 45 author-
 izen by Massachusetts and the fed7 eral unemployment statistics law. k1.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
Stocks Shrank 40
 Per Cent After Crash

| The decline in commodity values has had its counterpart on the se- curity markets. The greatest bull market in stocks of all time culm- mated in 1929. At the peak of this market in September of that year the total value of stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange was | $89, ,66S, 100000.
 At the beginning of December, 1880, the value of these stocks was $53,311, 100000, shrinkage of 40 per cent.
 | Also at the peak in 1929 stock brokers were borrowing $S,549, 000,- 900 with which to carry the stocks for people who had purchased them on margin. These loans are now about $2,000, 100000, the lowest ever recorded.
 The Dow-Jones average of 30 in- dustrial common stocks was at asa
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
Those Who Can Buy And Won't, Blamed

Those who are enjoying un-
 interrupted incomes, but are re-
 Training from normal purchases
 through fear of the future, are
 contributing to the postpone
 ment of recovery.
 Disturbed economic conditions are world wide. America was one of the last to feel the depression and the rest of the worl dis looking to Amer ican enterprise to lead the way out.
 Summing up, it may be said that business enters 1881 with these fa- vorable factors for the outlook:
 l. With over 16 months of trade decline behind us, the depression has already persisted for the aver age duration of major crises.
 2. Production during the past year has been below consumption in many important lines. resulting in low inventories and large deferred demands.
 3. Prices of commodities have been drastically defiated and some stability and greater steadiness are now appearing.
 4. Speculative excesses have ceas- ed and people now are facing real ities, working harder, saving more and building up buying power.
 5. The credit situa ton. which was strained one year ago, Is once more healthy.
 While there continues consider- able disturbing tension in certain foreign countries, the world situa- ton as a whole fig far less dark than it appeared in 1921, when recovery got under way.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

recovery. This trade is responsive to the buying ability and moods of the public. It's power to stimulate or retard other industries is great. Just now the motor car com panies are producing at an an- nual rate of about 100000 pas senger cars and trucks. If this rate were to be maintained it would provide for about one-half the esti- mated replacement demand of over 3.O00,O00 cars annually. to say noth- ing of new buying.
 In 1923 the industry's production reached 100000 cars for the first time in history. This was seven years ago, or the average life of a car. Most of the 1923 vintage is ready for replacement.
 In 1880 production has declined more rapidly than registrations and in the last few months more cars were registered than were made. Stocks of used and new cars are re- duced. A great deferred demand ex- ists for automobiles.
 Many people are asking what will lift business out of the present de- precision.
 In 1921 it was the building boom growing out of the war shortage of housing. Moreover, the great ex-
 panson in the automobile industry was at hand.
 But at the bottom of things in 1921 few visualized the constructive forces even then at work.
 Many New Products
 To Aid Industry
 Such forces are at work to-day. America is not only accommodating q
 demand for many ordinary neces- saries and comforts of life, but there are 1900 laboratories in the country engaged in developing new products and new processes. More patents
 have bene applied for in this coun- try than in any other year in history. Industry moreover, is adjusting itself to new conditions and lower price levels. But other means than wage cuts industry is devotins it's genius to the discovery of more efli- cient methods of production. Unemployment is serious factor in the current situation. but many
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
Gradual Improvement y~q... Is. Seen for 1881. r~,,

America has come .hrof,sh many previous depressions. During each of such periods the foundations were laid for recovery which lifted business to a higher degree of pros- perity and living standards to bet ter levels There isievery reason to believe similar constructive forces are at work now.
 One of the evidences of the turn after depression is when general sentiment is at it's lowest ebb. Re- vival starts when it is least sus- pected. There are many indications that business has been in the turn ing stage during the closing weeks of 1880. a, @4
 The prospects for 1881 are that business recovery shortly will be- come more definitely apparent and that the course of trade will be one of gradual advance toward normal times during the year.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

sumption. The result is that goods are being used up and worn out at faster rate than they are being produced. Requirements are being deferred as long as possible, caus- ling an accumulated demand which sooner or later must stimulate re- covery.
 At the same time debts are being paid off and savings built up. Pur- chasing power reserves are mount ing.
 Among the great barometric in- dustries where production is ab. normally low, are steel and automo- piles. As these industries go, so goes general business.
 In 193O the output of steel in- gots declined to 4OO0O,O0O tons, compared with 54,000,000 tons in 1929. This was q drop of 27 per cent and it compared with a decline of 52 per cent in 1921 compared with 1920. The average output for the last 10 years was Al 1000, 900 tons.
 Early in December the production of steel ingots dropped to level which if continued for full year would mean an output of about 25,- 0O0,000 tons. This was so far below the indicated normal requirements of the country that recovery seems probable soon.
 In December the output of steel was below 40 per cent of capacity, and whenever this has happened in the past it has signalled revival. Steel is recognized as a reliable measure of living standards and steel production in 1890 was about 700 pounds per capita compared with 400 in 1921.
 This indicates that generally speaking people have been better off in this depression than in the last previous one.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

72 cents a bushel through the governments efforts. Copper Is flrmer. Steel prices have ad- vanced $1 a ton and the average of all wholesale prices has been
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

EDITORS NOTE: Allard Smith, who prepared this article especial. ly for NEA Service and the Demo. crat Ia one of the nations lead. ing business experts. He Is execu. tive vice president of the Union Trust company of Cleveland, fOr.. mcr. manager of the Ohio Bell Telephone company and former president of the Cleveland Cham. her of Commerce.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

secret of distributing buying power to the masses of people to degree never before witnessed in any coun- try in any age. This has been ac-
 com plished by mass production and high wages. During the last 25 years wages in many great industries, such as steel mad building. advanced by about 125 per cent. far overlapping the rise of prices.
 The great problem confronting the nation at this moment Is the preservation of the public buying
 power. For this reason 1t is an inn portant factor in the outlook, that
 employers in many industries have
 maintained policy of holding
 wages at unreduced levels. This
 should operate as 0 stimulant to re- covery when the tide of business turns because 1t is q major protec- ton for national purchasing power. But buying power is being re- couped in another way. This is through the decline of commodity prices which means that the dol-
 lars value in exchange for goods
 is greater.
 Wholesale Prices Now
 Lowest in 10 Years
 Wholesale prices have dropped about 20 per cent since 1929. They
 are now at the lowest point in de-
 cade. Many commodities, including
 wheat, have not been so low in a generation.
 The decline of retail prices, of
 about 10 per cent in a year. has
 been less swift, as usual. than that of wholesale values This slower decline of retail prices Is bringing
 commodities more nearly within the ! reach of incomes that have been re-
 duced and thus constitutes a factor
 making for renewed buying. One the whole from present indi-
 cations prices of raw materials arc
 now attained q degree of stabiliza-
 tion:
 This is a sign that the busi- ness recession has reached the bottom of the ladder. Late in the year wheat was halted in l it's downward plunge at about
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
Many Autos Must Soon Be Replaced

Automobile production bears out this conclusion. In 1880 it totalcd about $500, ,000. or double { he num- Der turned out in 1921.
 It is upon the automobile indus try that the attention of the business world is now focused for signs of
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

years and sounds an optimistic note by showing that depressiOns arc nearly always followed by business rooms. During the past half century there have been IS periods of busi- ness dcpressiOn-eight of them, in.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

cluding this one, having been major dcprcssiOns. The black silhouette
 represents the monthly fluctatiOns oi
 industrial and transportation activ- ity, being constructed from series line tends to represent amounts
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

This striking chart, prepared by Colonel Leonard F. Ayres. noted business expert of the Cleveland Trust company, enables the reader to visualizec the periods of prosper. ity and depression fin the past 50
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
BY ALLARD SMITH Executive vicc President, Tn Union Trust Co, Cleveland, OhiO.)


 Nineteen hundred and thirty was a year of economic shocks and dis appointments. It brought sweeping declines in commodity prices, in the financial markets, in industrial ac. tivity and in employment-in short, n major depression, from which the country had come to believe itself immune.
 From the peak in 1929 general business has declined approximately /. 35 per cent and the depression takes rank as one of the most severe in half a century.
 Not one cause, but many complex and eliminating influences were re- sponsible. Some of the most impor- tant of these adverse forces which in their effects were as follows: 1. The increase of output of cotton,
 wheat, copper. sugar, oil and other basic commodities as well as many industrial products be- yond the ability of the worlds power to purchase. 2. The failure of various plans for the artificial stabilization of commodity prices such as for copper, coffee and others. 3. The decline in the price of silver to the lowest level in the re- corded history of man. 1. The wild fling of speculation chiefly in American securities eliminating in 1929 which in- Hated values, lured millions of people into the chase of "easy" wealth and dislocated the world s credit structure.
 It is not easy to distinguish be- tween cause and effect for most of these adverse factors. Nor is 1t pos- sible to determine which was of most importance in the final bal. ance.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01
Undcr-C Consumption and Ovcr.PrOtiuctiOn Blamed

Forces making for under-con- sumption have been equally out standing with those making for over-production. "
 One great development causing reduced consumption of the worlds goods was the collapse of silver. When this happened, largely due to the recent adoption of the gold monetary standard by India. there was a great reduction in the buy. ing power of about 20 per cent Of the worlds population as represent ed by China and other populouss countries where silver is standard of exchange.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

of monthly figures representing such busic activities as the production of iron and steel, the output of textile activity in building construction, the movement of freight on the railroads and the like. The merely seasonal
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

plans have been made for alleviatfng this condition through public-spirit- ed efforts and the protection of pub- lie works.
 Of the approximately 45,000,000. people normally employed at wages and salaries in this country the major portion are working full or part time.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

holding at a fairly even level in recent months.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

Some lines of production have fallen far below the level of con
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-01

Buying Power in U. s. Is Widely Distributed
 America's greatest contribution to the modern world has been the
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-06-19
New Officers.

Election of officers of the Social Service
League for the year 1882 was held at a
meeting of the board of the league in
Rockville on Tuesday afternoon.
DR.. J. W. Bird. of Sandy Spring, was re-
elected president. The following are the
incoming officers Vice-president, Walter
B. Armstrong. of Cabin John Park; Sec
ond ce-president, Geo. w. Davis. of Silver
Spring treasurer, Mrs. Milton H. Bancroft
of Sandy Spring. secretary; Mrs. L. L. Book
hoff, of Chevy Chase.
The standing committee for next year
is made up of the following: Miss Estelle
Moore. Sandy Spring, chairman of the home
welfare committee; Edwin W. Broome,
Rockville, chairman of the junior social
service; Thomas C. Kelley. Jamestown,
chairman of publicity; Walter B. Arm
strong. Cabin John Park, chairman OF
finance.
A new committee is to be inaugurated
this year. 1t will have charge of all new
policies of the league. Mr.. Armstrong
heads the committee as chairman. Others
are Mrs. Bancroft, Mr.. Kelley, Miss Willie
Green Day, Mrs. Darby Bowman and Fred
erick P. Lee.