davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
As Told By WILLIAM JOSEPH
To Wills J. Bsllinosr

EDITORS NOTE;-This is the sixth of f2 exclusive stories on Thomas A. Edison as told by Major William J. Hammer, lifelong friend and scientific associate of the great inventor. As a boy, Major Hammer went to work for Edison at his McnlO Park laboratory in 1879 and rapidly grew i'm importance in the great electrical wizards Organiza- ton. He is now a consulting en. gineer and chemist in New York city.
 By
 WILLIAM JOSEPH HAMMER Lifelong Friend and Scientific Asso-
 ciate of Thomas A. Edison, as
 Told to Willis J. Ballinger (Copyright. 1881. NEA Service
 1nc.)
 One night at Menlo Park, light was born into the world--real light. Ended was the annoying typranny of the fiuttering wick and the dan ger from fire of the sputtering gas lamp. But the nativity of incandes- cence as usuable light was unat- tended by any solemn wise men. You might have thought they were collegians.
 It was in 1880. And on the mem- orable night the hands of the clock pointed somewhere between 10 and 12. A worker mounted the steps of the laboratory three at time. His name was William Joseph Hammer and in his hand he tightly clutched small lafnp: Searching out Edison on the floor he sped to his side with the momentous news. The word spread like wildffre-an incandes- cent lamp had actually burned for 1589 hours undiminished!
 Mechanics from the shops drop- ped their tools and hurried to the laboratory. Then began a triumph ant procession. At the head walked Hammer, holding aloft the mother of rays that were to light a globe. By his side marched Edison, his face radiant. In slrpentine style the marchers swept around the labora- tory tables, started downstairs, wove in and out of the buildings. They sang. They cheered. They yelled themselves hoarse. They clapped one another on the back. Instinctively they sensed drama. A religion of incandescence had been founded. Sleeping millions, count less of the unborn, were to em- brace its rayful ritual.
 The incandescent lamp was un- | Gc-1.edly Edicon's greatest brain child. But he did not regard it SO. He always maintained that his pre- mier accomplishment was his great Jumbo dynamo. And his favorite invention was the photograph.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

and cost of repairing pipes into which water had seeped.
 And then kerosene. gas, candles and the arc electric light were all liable to start a fire. Major Ham, mer made a tabulation of the number of fires in New York city before the advent of the Edison in- candescent lamp. They were nu- merous and expensive as the fol- lowing table shows.
 Fire losses in one year in New York city:
 Caused by Fires Loss Kerosene .259 ! 94.657, 7,000 Gas ......... ..110 128,174.000 Matches for gas. 35 22,570,000 Candles .:.....:. SS 3o.667.000 Arc electric light 550,000 Incandescent lamp Insignificant
 The arc electric light had insu- perable handicaps in the competi tion for a safe and luminous cleo tric light. This kind of light had always to be burned standing straight upwards. If it inclined at an angle it promptly burst into flames. If 1t were rocked a little, ignition resulted. The incandes- cent lamp of Edison could be burned at any angle. It could be shaken at will. No ignition could result.
 Now, not only were there arc electric lights in existence long be- fore Edison began work on his in- candescent lamp. but incandes- cence was nothing new. Major Hammer spent 34 years collecting the history of the. incandescent lamp. He sold his collection for $10.000 to the General Electric company, which presented 1t to the Edison Illuminating association When Edison heard about the terms of the sale he demonstrated :
 You can't sell that for $10.000. Why it's worth a good deal more than that"
 But Major Hammer had agreed to sell it and to-day experts say that this collection, consisting of four cases 10 feet long, is well worth over $1,O00,000 and getting more valuable every minute.
 The Hammer collection set a useful fashion in the technical world. When the Bell people be- held it they wondered why some- thing like that hadn't been done for the telephone. Those connect ed with the development of the telephone were along in years Soon they. would be dead. So a wonderful collection of the his tory of the telephone was made. To-day this is being done with all inventions.
 To Major Hammer was intrusted all the tests and records of the in. candescent lamp when Edison was pondering on the problem. That is why Hammer rushed upstairs the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
BY ELMER c. WALZER United Press Financial EditOr)

New York, Oct 2S.-(UP)-An- other furry in wheat on the up- side helped arrest selling on the stock exchange. Near the end of the fourth hour the whole list was rising from the lows.
 U. S. Steel which had touched 64 3-4 came back to 66 IA to lead the industrials upward. Penn sylvania turned about after touch ing a record low just before di- rectors reduced the annual divi- dend from $3 to $2.
 Declaration of the regular quar- terly dividend by Delaware & Hud- son aided to some extent in the recovery in the carrier shares. Be- fore the market turned, new rec ord lows were made by Illinois Central and New York Central, the latter brought down on its poor September showing, and Illinois Central by omission of the divi- dend yesterday.
 The grain market Jagged for a time in the early trading on de- niais by Chairman Stone of the farm board of knowledge Qf French negotiations for 20,000,0oo bushels of the farm board hoard. However, the tTdueTS ItHiShiUSiS So that Stone made similar denial when the German government was making negotiations and discount CT his statement.
 Deferred deliveries of wheat scared to new highs for the sea- son. May advanced more than 3 cents a bushel above the early low. At the highs Chicago wheat was up 13 3-8 to 16 cents bushel from the seasons lows. Selling came into the market on the bulge but 1t was readily absorbed.
 Trading in stocks was more &C., tive than yesterday in the first two hours when sales totaled 100000 shares, against 100000 shares in the preceding session. However, volume slowed up between IF and 1880 D. m. with sales of 300,00O shares exactly the same as the corresponding period yesterday. .
 Around the end of the fourth hour steel common was around S6 off 1 IA net; Allied Chemical S3 1-2 off 1-S; U. s. Industrial AL
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
FIRES KEEP DEPARTMENT BUSY
Eight Calls Up To Noon Hour;
 Avalon Threatened
Two Companies Answer Alarm and Battle Flames Forest Guards Aid in Distinguishing Serious Blaze -Heitman Appeals for Safety

Fire apparatus raced to all sec tions of the city today responding to anxious calls for help In ex- tinguishing brush fires. Up to noon eight calls had been received indicating that today would be the busiest thus far this season.
 One of the most threatening or the seven reported yesterday oc- cured near Avalon Circle on up. per Cooke street. A fire started near the upper Waterville road and made its way to the summit or Cooke street. Volunteer workers. finding that the flames were ad- vancing notwithstanding their defensive efforts, called out two companies of fire apparatus.
 The smoke and flames at times became so noticeable that a look out stationed on the state forests off Thomaston road observed them and relayed call. Armed with picks, shovels, chemical tanks and their usual fire-fighting apparatus
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
WATERBURY PRODUCE
 MARKET
Furnished by Connecticut De- partment of Agriculture. B. P.
 StorrS local agenD.

Furnished by Connecticut De-
 partment of Agriculture. B. P.
 Storrs, local agent).
 There was little new in the egg and poultry situation locally since the opening of the week. Supplies of fresh native eggs continued mod crate to light while demand re- mained active and prices un- changed. Live poultry in good con- dition was not overabundant and was selling at prices mostly un- changed. Undergrade stock was making up a larger proportion of the live fowl on sale than earlier in the month due to more show ing or less moult. Medium weight spring chickens were meeting with heavy stock among live stock ere a better demand than light or tailers.
 The rapid advance of best marks of fresh eggs at New York early in the month has since been followed by some reaction, the earlier price upswing evidently be- ing too sharp and carried too far. Leading grades of large fresh have shown a price loss to 8 cents per dozen since the middle of the month. This decline has not been reflected locally where the price advance early in the month was more moderate than the New York advance at the same time. Unless otherwise stated quota- tions are based on sales of good merchantable products to retailers at farmers markets or by whole salers).
 FRUITS: Apples, fancy McIn- tosh 2.2S.2.5O bu., delicious and N. Spies 1.0O-2.25 bu., No. Me- Intosh 1.75-2.O0 bu., delicious and M, Spies 1.5O-1.75 bu., Baldwins l.25. 1.SO bu., others 1.25-1.5O bu.; i Utility Mcintosh 125-1.75 bu.l others .75-1.25 bu.
 | VEGETABLES: Beans, lima 2.7S-3.25 bu., snap 2.75-3.60 bu. beets, cut, .75-1.0O bu.. cabbage | .6O-.7S box; carrots, washed, .SO' 1.2O bu.; caulifiower .75-1.50 dOz.i celery, flats 1,5O-1.75 dOz, hearts .sO-1. 10 doz., rounds .5O-f.O0 doz. lettuce, iceberg 3.25-3.75 crate parsnips, washed 1.OO-1.SO bu. onions i.25-1.5O bu; peppers .35. .75 bu.; potatoes, native .75-75 bu. Maine 1.O5-1.2O cwt.; squash and pumpkins .O2-.O3 ID; spinach 40. 50 bu.; tomatoes, native .7S-1.Ot 1a bu.; turnips .65-1.O0 bu.
 POULTRY PRODUCTS: Conn eggs per dog; Newlaid fancy .S2; spc. cial .48-5O; extra .47-.4S; gathered .42-.47; ncwlaid mediums AZ; me. diums .3S..4O; bullets .28-.32 western, first-cxtra .25-.S5; live fowl .1S-.2S ID; chickens .1S-.25 Ib dressed, fowl .27-.S0 ID; chickens l .35-.4O m.
 LIVESTOCK AND MEAT: But. cher stock, cows .O2-.O4 ID; calves .1O-.12 ID; meats, beef .11-.f7 ID veal .11-.17 ID, lamb .14-.f7 ID pork, loins .5..2O ID. pork, local dressed .10-.13 ID.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
Parents Paid $1,56O
 For Sons Death
l4=Year-Old Lad Lost Life While Collecting for
 Newspapers

decision finds that the youth was in the employ of Russ and was receiving a weekly sum as a salary. On the day in question, the pa- pers state, the boy was on his way to collect on his newspaper route when he was struck by the car.
 Commissioner Williams finds the claim to be a true one and awards the parents to be paid $5 weekly for 312 weeks and also a burial fee of $200.
 In another compensation court stipulation, Frank Kirchberger of Bethlehem will receive S2,000 from Walter F. Bios of Bethlehem. The award follows a fractured pelvis suffered by the claimant in the course of his employment for the respondent. In a third award approved, Joseph Marchette of Oakville will receive $122.33 from the Watertown Manufacturing Go for hand injury which has be- come partly disabled.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

the state guards gave a willing hand in extinguishing the flames.
 The fire approached so close to the home of Prosecuting Attorney Emil Hummell that it was found advisable to remove an automobile from the garage that was endan- gered and to liberate a flock or valuable pigeons, owned by Mir Hummell. Two lines of hose used by members of the cit yfire de- partment proved very effective in turning back the flames. It was the biggest fire scare that the resi- dents of upper Cooke street have experienced in months.
 Chief Henry H. Heitman has issued an appeal to all property owners to exercise the greatest of care in igniting brush or refuse.
 This is the season for brush fires. Twenty or thirty calls day will be nothing before winter
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

was not until 1880 that the real product was turned out. The lamp of 1879 burned only 40 hours. It stood only a feeble candlepower charge. It contained platinum and that metal was more costly than gold. Edison had to discover how to extend the life of bulb many fold longer, how to substi- tute for platinum in the conduct ing of the current and how to in- crease the candlepower so that more light could be given off.
 Up to the first commercial lamp of Edison, the world had relied on kerosene, candles. gas, whale oil and arc lights. All were hope lessly inefficient as compared with the incandescent light. Many of them. moreover, highly danger ous. Gas was particularly SO. There was the danger of suffoca- ton. There was the inconvenience of leaks in the pipe. the blacken- ing of the ceiling and walls, pipes freezing in winter, the annoyance
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
Rev Thomas F. Conlon National Director of Holy Name
 Society and Native Waterburian, HOnored

permit Pilgrims on this cruise to cross the ocean and to be housed while in Dublin on the s. s. "De Grasse" which has been designated as the official ship.
 Cardinal Hayes will be the honor guest on this ship. The "De Grasse" will serve as a floating hotel dur ing the congress.
 Father Conlon has arranged for post-congress tours going through Ireland and, later, to England, Paris. Lourdes, Nice, Genoa, Rome, Venice, Switzerland and other places of interest. Information may be obtained frol.- Father Con- lon at Al East 65th street New York. N. Y
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
Jack Dempsey And Sharkey May Battle
 In June At Chicago

Bostor Oct 2S- CUP)-A bout between Jack Dempsey and Jack Sharkey, to be held in Chicago next June, is in prospect, it was announced today.
 The announcement followed a conference between Jimmy John- ston, Madison Square Garden matchmaker, and Johnny Buckley, Sharkey's manager.
 A return fight between Sharkey and Champion Max Schmeling in New York in September will be staged if Sharkey disposes of Dempsey, said the announcement.
 Negotiations for Sharkey-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

Parents of a 14-year old boy who met his death while collecting for newspapers are awarded $1,- 560 decision handed down in the compensation court today. by Com missioner Frederic M. Williams. The boy, Boleslaw Laisczk of Sey- mour was on the covered bridge of Seymour riding his bicycle when he was struck by an automobile. He died a few hours later at the Griffin hospital in Derby.
 The parents, MT and Mrs Valen- tine Laisczk, put in claim for on the grounds that their son was in the employ of George H. Kuss,. who conducted a stationery business in Seymour at the time of the fatal accident. The
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

Now Edison was not the inven- tor of the incandescent lamp. Many people have claimed that he was. But Edison himself never acknowl- edged it. In fact he told Major Hammer more than once that he was not. What he did was to make the first incandescent lamp usable for commercial purposes. He was the father of the commercial incan- descent lamp.
 Many people put the origin of the Edison incandescent lamp on October 21. 1879. But that was not the lamp. That lamp could never have been used for com mercial purposes. Edison had merely made a few improvements on early efforts in that lamp. It
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

The Rev Thomas F. Conlon, O.P., national director of the Holy Name society, and native of this city, son of MT and Mrs Thomas Conlon of Clinton street, has been appointed chaplain of the Pilgrimage to the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, June 1892. This Pilgrimage is un- der the auspices of the national headquarters of the Holy Name society and sponsored by the Dominican Fathers.
 It Is expected that the Euchar- istic Congress celebrated in Dublin. June 22d-26th, 1892, will attract a record attendance. The hous- ing problem in Dublin will be quite serious and arrangements have been made by Father Conlon to
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
$50, ,0OO Libel Suit Of Nan Britton Has
 Some Sensations

P. Killets formally barred the child. "She knows the truth. She is able to discount a good deal of the un- truth she will hear and to distin- guish between truth and false hood"
 The reference was made to as- sertions of A. c. Hunks counsel that Miss Britton's claims that former President Warren G. Hard ing was the father of her child, as written in her "The Presidents s Daughter" would be disproven in the current trial.
 Judge Killits ordered Elizabeth Ann kept from the courtroom be- cause This is no place for a child of her age" The girl is 12.
 The morning session was devoted to settlement of legal questions.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
TWO ARRESTS IN LAWRENCE MESS

Lawrence, Mass, Oct 2S.-(UPl Two arrests were made to-day in connection with the Lawrence tex tile strike. now in it's fourth week, which involves some 10000 opera lives.
 Those held described themselves as Noe Maggepti. 28. of 1891 South Rosewood street. Philadelphia. and Sam Reed of Boston. Both were charged with lettering and Reed also was charged with vagrancy.
 An unusually small number Of pickets appeared at the gates of the closed woolep mills to-day. .
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
Trolley Employees
 Postpone Vote
Ironing Out Process Necessary Before Men Go on
 Record as to Program of Working Days

at which time it will be decided as to when the voting will take place.
 The decision has to do with the question as to whether the men should take four days off per month. If this were put into ef- feet, the older men in service who are getting seven days per week work would b obliged to take time off and the younger men would therefore benefit.
 The voting last night was post poned after it was evident that an ironing out" process would have to be made before the men would approach the polls to vote.
 The meeting was held in the Building Trade Council hall last evening.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
Wheat Furry Sent Stocks Rising Out
 Of An Earlier Drop
Whole List Began to Leave the Low Marks to Which
 They Had Been Driven in Morning Trading

cohol 30 1-4 up 1 IA; American Commercial Alcohol 8 S-4 up 3-4; Du Pont 57 3-8 up 1-8 and Wool worth 55 IA off 3-8. Utilities rose fractions to points from their lows and were unchanged to ? points down late in the day. Penn sylvania Railroad made up all its early loss after the dividend re- duction and other carrier issues rose from the lows.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
PAPERS FILED IN
 THREE DIVORCE CASES

F Three divorce actions were start. ed in the superior court to-day by Waterbury plaintiffs. Christy Doomi asks a decree from Ar senoi Pany Doomi on grounds of desertion. They were married on September 23, 1923. Twenty-eight days later the defendant deserted the plaintiff, the papers allege. Joseph Ashe seeks divorce from Alice King Ashe- on grounds of misconduct and cruelty. They were married on July 1s, 1924. The last action is brought by against Jannette Pearson of Liver pool. England. on grounds of de- sertion. They were married on August 20. 1913.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
YOUTHS INJURED
 BY TAIL SPIN
High Wind Swept Their Plane Down and They Land in Field

Weymouth. Mass, Oct 2S-(UP) Two youths were injured when heavy wind sent their airplane into tailspin as they made a forced landing on a potato field yesterday. Albert Whitman, 23, of Hingham. the pilot, suffered severe head and chest injuries. and was taken to Weymouth hospital. His name was not placed on the dan ger list, however. and his condi- tion was described as good to-day.
 Harold Deyine of South Wey- mouth escaped with minor in- juries.
 The planes tail hit first and then the nose rocked forward.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

Dempsey bout began after Sharxey defeated Primo Camera a few weeks ago, it was stated, with George Getz of the Illinois Athletic commission seeking the bout for Chicago.
 Sharkey has agreed to the fight, the announcement said, adding that the matter of signing Dempsey was "only a question of how much money the former champion will receive"
 The bout would be promoted by the Madison Square Garden Cor poration of Illinois.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
PONzI ! MUST SERVE TIME

Boston. Oct 2S.-(UP)-Charles Ponzi. the "get-rich-quick" schem- CT to whom investors lost millions back in 1920. apparently has lost his fight for release from state prison.
 Ponzi is serving a seven-to- -nine- year sentence as a common and notorious thief.
 Governor Ely has announced h , win nst grant the prisoner hear- ing on his appeal from a decision from the state parole board. which recently ruled Ponxi must serve hls minimum sentence of seven years
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
MADE LOVE WITH
 THE MONOGRAPH

Milwaukee. Oct 28- UP) - When Robert P. Melius found that he couldn't express his sentiments warmly enough in writing. he made photograph records for his sweetheart, Genevieve Kelley. in London. Ont.
 Gee. but I'm lucky to have a girl like you to love me-" he said in one record. How happy I am to know that all your kisses will be mine alone" Miss Kelley now Is suing Melius for $10.00O be- cause, she charges, he changed his mind and refused to marry her. She kept the records and will play them in court.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
OLD WARRIORSAT
 NAVAL COLLEGE
Marshal Petain and Gen. eral Pershing Honor Guests of the Day

Newport, R. l., Oct 28.-(UP)-- Marshal Henri Philippe Petain and General John J. Pershing, French and American World War heroes. to-day visited the Naval War coi- lege.
 They came from New York yes- terday and were honor guests at exercises commemorating the ar- rival in Newport 151 years ago of General Rochambeau and 500 French troops to aid the Colonists in the War of Independence. Later to-day Marshal Petain was sched- uled to sail for France aboard a French cruiser.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

Toledo. Oct 2S.-(UP)-Eliza- beth Ann Britton was barred from her mothers libel suit trial here to- day despite the eloquent protests of Nan Britton.
 The child was missing from this mornings session of court which is hearing Miss Britton's $50,000 libel suit against a Marion. Ohio hotel keeper who distributed copies of book. allegedly defaming the plain- tiff.
 Elizabeth Ann knows what has happened" her mother asserted shortly before Federal Judge John
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
HUGE AIRSHIP
 NOW ENLISTED

Lakehurst. N. J.. Oct 2s-(UP) The dirigible Akron. largest craft ever to leave the ground. was in the navy to-day. after for mal commissioning at the naval air station here last night.
 While John Philip Sousa's fa- nous band played" The Stars and Stripes Forever" and "The Ride of the Valkyries" over the radio from New York. Captain H. E. Shoe- maker, commandant of the station. turned the huge airship over to It's commanding officer, Lieut. Comm. R. E. Rosendahl.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

Due to several disagreements among the trolleymen last evening. 1t was voted to postpone the bal loting on the question of the num- Der of days off duty per month. The regular meeting of the trolley mems union is due next Monday
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
BRITISH TROOPS SHOOT
 AT ANIMATED PICTURES

Animated painting in steel pic ture frames are now being used to train British troops in markham ship. Miniature soldiers. represent ing an enemy army. move along the bottom of the frame and up an incline across the picture. while sharpshooters try to pick them off, says Popular Science Monthly. For this form of practice the distance making a spacious rife range un- necessary.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
FUNERAL OF BoYDEN.

Beverly. Mass, Oct 28-(UP)- Funeral services for Roland w.. Boydcn. attorney and expert on international finance, were held to- day :. t It Parish Unitarian church, where he died of a heart attack while attending Sunday ser- vices.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28
SHOW MOVIE ON CLOUDS

Soon Berlin crowds may see movies upon the cluods at night. Dr. Manfred Manufacturer. German inventor, Is perfecting a huge pro ' jector capable of throwing an ani- mated cartoon film upon a low hanging cloud bank. Cartoons would be stenciled upon q special film made of thin metal. Popular Science Monthly says.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

New Haven. Conn. Oct 2s--(UPl Arthur Avitablle, 90. died at Grace hospital late yesterday of q bullet wound received when he ac cidentaily shot himself at hts home here.