davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
Using Outrnoded Novels

It ought to be possible to make two good talkies out of every good novel of wide appeal First. there would be the talkie that followed the novel pretty closely. That is the version that is almost never tried now The other, and commonly made version. is suggested by what bright young man, en- gagged to search for possible picture plots in famous stories. did for "Dombey and Son" by Charles Dickens.
 The elder Dombey in the Dickens novel was cold, international business man. In the talke. he was made vigorous, roaring, two-fsted." The Dombey counting house became in the picture huge New England shipyard of the present day. The novels name. too, was changed to something more appealing to contemporary talkie audiences. Says the bright young man who made this transformation: " Dombey and Son is but one of hundreds of outmoded stories which might. with proper treatment, be poured into the modern mold and used as mama upon that story famine which is forever growing in the stomaehs of pro- dueers and public alike
 And why not3 It doesn't hurt the classics and it pleases the public. On second thought, why limit the possibilities to only two versions' Under the present Holly wood system one could make an infinite number of pictures from single out moded' novel
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
Queer Word Uses

An executive of the Western Union Tele- graph Company forbids his employes 10 use the word "contact" as verb. It IS noble effort. for which friends of the English Ian Quage will wish him success. but without much hope. With people 'contactin9 everybody and everything, the new usage seems likely 10 prevail. This al least must be said for it.. "Contsctlng" IS shorter and simpler than coming into contact with. But usually both could be avoided by use of meet. touch. or some other verb,
 Now that the Western Union has staried this sort of thing, why not tackle more fla grant errors like ibe use of the adjective "dus' as an adverb or conjunction instead Of owing 10 or because of"' Also the misuse of ''like" for "as'. Tben there IS our old friend "slibi" used continually. eyea among lawyers. as if il means any kind of exeuse or yindicslion. instead of one psnIeu- Iaf kind.
 One Of ibe worst tendencies m English as.4sdsys is fl,e use of nouns ss verbs when I;,efe are better verbs already available for ,he purposs. 'Servieing" s probably be. coming fixed in the language. and we shall i..ye io endure fl. Blt what about such leras ss "poslsioning'i Inafseiions for II.e nse Of sn office mseblse tell ii5e opsstof $ ''oo,lfion" the handle in certain way
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24

Although the state committee on the George Washington Beentennial Ceebra- ton has not had anything to say yet it is freely heard throughout the state that New town will be selected as the site for Connee- ticut's pageant in honor of Washington. It was at Newtown that Washington and Ro- ehambeau eamped on several occasions and history further reveals that 1t was here that Washington accepted the rank of eomman- der-in-chief before going to Cambridge where he was officially sworn into this position. E. J. Coffey, noted New Haven historian, has been making an extensive research into Washingtoniana in connection with the com ing bieentenna He has communicated many of his findings to Representative John Q. Tilson. Both of these men were in Newtown this week and it is believed prob able now that Newtown will be honored with the celebration. Wed like to see this. although it may go hard on Hartford which is rather claiming the center of the stage in
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
THE WIDOWS MITE

The widow gave her little mite And though 1t was so small It helped more than the rich mans
 gift
 For she had given all! The Lord smiled down upon that
 gift
 Until 1t grew and grew. And the good 1t had accomplished, Only God, in heaven knew. But the Lord has kept record Nor one item has been missed: And he will list your offerings. And, someday, show you the list! There on the other page will be The awards God has deemed your
 due. Nor can human knowledge vision The joys they'll bring to you.
 0-O.-o
 That was N. J. McDonough of Wateryiile, the Day by Day Santa Claus who always comes t0 us on chrlatmaa eve with his unusua column that brings SO much com. fort t0 readers. want to thank Mir McD0nough for his kindness again this Christmas Co fnvoring ui with his gems Of wisdom and de- liEhtfuI humOr and wit. take this opportunity of wishing him the merflest Of Merry. Christmas. And the same Co aii renders ol "Dny by Day" 0-~~O-o 0ood night.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1881
Start Cutting Expenses

Congress has been asked to place a limit on campaign expenses for presidential and congressional candidates Why stop at that' Why not place limit on expenses for all public offices! Of course we doubt if Con- gress has the authority to place any limit on any election expense account, but 1t might as we'll occupy itself with such problems How ever, the idea in the main is good Why not declare moratorium on all such debts for five or ten years. Public offices are as much public trusts today as they were when Grover Cleveland declared them to be that 1t is coming to the point where high public offices are considered merely for those who can afford luxuries.
 The Nye committee which has done con- siderable investigating of congressional elee- tions of late years would limit the spending account of all presidential candidates seek ine nomination to $250,000. The success ful candidates could spend $5.0o0. 900 for election purposes. Even that sounds exoroi' tant in these trying days when a dollar IS worth every one of it's hundred cents. Wed say the Nye committee is over generous Judg- inc by the calibre of executives we are get ting down at Washington. If election ex- penses are to be curtaled, let's cut them to the bone. not merely hack away at them.
 A maximum of $50.000 for senatorial primaries and elections is allowed House members can spend only $l0,000. fur ther restriction on senatorial candidates IS an allowance of two cents for every vote cast for all candidates in the last preceding dec tion. The Nye committee summed up the situation in this conclusion. The use of such large sums is incompatible for free aad uncontrolled expression of the will of the people and with the maintenance of even a sembianee of that equality of opportunity for citizens 10 seek public office. which IS the very foundation of genuine demoe- raey.
 The orgy of spending in the United States should be over now. The day of the million dollar campaign fund IS repugnant to the man in the street It is high time that our government did something more than merely increase taxes. Why not campaign tc eliminate some of the costs of govern mentl A more thorough slashing than President Hoover declared he gave IS in order. We'd begin with that comic strip in American life prohibition. We're paying through the nose for it and getting nothing but rotten and corrupt government in return. It's time to march toward the rear.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
Here, There And EUerys0here

the proceedings in congress, no one nowadays has time to wade through the close printed pages of the Con gresgional Record. If he did he would ruin his eyesight! Why. It takes Q microscope to read the me type in which letters and quota tions are printed. Besides, the makeup is atrocious!'
 In addition to such objections as have already been noted, MT Boy. lnn suggetst that the Congressional Record should include such modern stuff as cartoons. photographs comis strips, and weekly roto- section. Much as we sympntize With MT Boylnn's plnint regarding tho stodginess of the Record we really thing that he is carrying good thing too far. It occurs to us that since MT Boylnn comes from New York he has been influenced mare than he suspects by the tabloids that flourish in that city. The Con. gresslonal Record Is already issued in tabloid form. Obviously 1t woulh be simple matter to transform It's chnste pages to conform with New York's tabloid temper. But such q prospect does not III us with en- thusiasm. As we reflect on 1t we agree once again that the Record Is often seniie, stupid, dull, unintcr:: esting, and depressing. It should remain so. Only in such lapses does 1t adequately reflect the lesis- lative bodies of congress.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
Happiness

A New York man. George Helman, claims to be the happiest man in the world" According to accounts, he is at least doing very we'll He is rich and sue- eessful in an incredible number of ways and is said to have IS vacations He is an art collector, a poet handwriting expert, a novelist. a backgammon champion, an edu- eator. an art critic, q biographer. trader in socks, bridge expert, fine tennis player He associates on easy terms with scholars and business men. with Newport society and Socialists. And he says:
 Use all your faculties. That's the @- erct. Have many interests, The trouble with so many of us is that we consider man merely a money-making machine or useful for nothing but playing golf or cards. l get equal pleasure out of eating an olive, watching beautiful sunset betting full house, making grand slam. playing the stock market and writing novel"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
REPUBLICANS PICK CHICAGO
(BrIdgeport Telegraph

once more Chicago Is to be the scene of n republican national con yention, the national committee having decided upon Chicago after the withdrawal of all other claim ants except Atlantic City. Spokes- men for the hustling metropolis of the middle west guaranteed Sl50,- 900 for expenses and advised the committeeman that Chicago had a hall available that would seat 26,- 900 people and was "air condi- toned" throughout.
 This did not mean merely ven- tilated, the Chicago spokesman ex- plained, but cooled automatically by refrigcrating machinery so that uniform summer temperature not to exceed 70 degrees was guaran- teed inside the convention hall. Old timers on the republican national committee who remembered other conventoins in Chicago, looked re- lleved. Atlantic City, which had
 been stressing the advantage of sea breezes. as contrasted with Chi- cago's willing heat. had to with draw.
 Although nine of the last four | teen republican conventions have
 been held in Chicago. this will be the first since 1920 when group of weary leaders, meeting in a h0- tel room in the small hours of the
 morning. decided to bring about the nomination of Warren q. Hard- ing. At that same convention a comparatively unknown man
 named Calvin Coolidge was stan-
 peded into the presidency.
 something not on the regular pro
 gram, but destined to have an im-
 portant effect on the future for-
 tunes of the z. o. D.
 Chicago is undoubtedly the most
 c0nyenient of large cities for national convention, from the geo.
 graphical viewpoint. It is also con
 sldered an excelltn place for stra-
 tegical reasons. That phase or
 choosing a convention city is more
 or less dIseredlted however; sta tlstics show that the major parties
 have as often lost as won the states
 in which their conventions were
 held. Last presidential election
 tho democrats invaded tho deep
 South t0 hold their convention,
 only to receive the worst beating
 suffered by their party Co that Fes
 zion since before the Civil war.
 When a republican national con
 venli0n turns fo Chicago it is really going s'baek h0me", If was in
 rhioago that Abraham Lincoln waa
 nominated in lg9e and the Fepnb.
 llenn party achieved lie fiFzf na- ltlonai victory thereby.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
A FADING SOUTHERN FLOWER
(NnW York Tlmeal


 Tn this part of the country we do not see many natural stands of wild iris. The Iris prismatlca of the Atlantic coastal plain seeks spots remove from interference by mankind, and tho casual motorist does not run across its habitat. only botanists and hower-lovers who take the trouble to hunt for 1t know where it's shining flowers may be found. Tn the south great fields of iris have been n common sight. Acres of the white elephan- tina and the reddish vlnicolor spread over the rich bottom Hands by the streams and made the iand- scape beautiful. Botnnists have gone back year after year to col- iect root stocks and new hybridB. For the last two years they have seen these vast fields shrink. Now they nre fearful that many of the Ioveliest varieties will soon be en- tirely exterminated, and are doing everything they can to preserve In artificinl nurseries those that are nearest to total disappearance.
 At the New York Botanical gar den, which publishers m account of the destruction of the southern iris in it's December Journal, there is one plantation of q species which was only Q few years ago cele- brated in New Orleans. Within the city limits. along Frenchmen street, was marsh supporting countless numbers of Iris mira culosa. For years it wns q favorite place for gathering specimens and bouquets, and the supply never appeared to decrease despite the thousands of blooms carried away. Now the marsh is being used as n dumping ground by manufactur- CTS, and most of the glorious growth has been buried. Here and there few surviving clumps may be seen.
 Dumping new roads. draining and tho building of levees and dams have caused wholesale des- truction in the last few years. Civilization is removing the bayous so characteristic of the Southern Louisiana landscape, and dredging and filling are obliterating the iris fields. Drainage of marshes has resulted in secondary cause of danger to all the moisture-loving vegetation of the bayous. Trees and flowers native to these spots can hardly survive the drying of the humus. and when they do they almost invariably succumb to brush and forest fires. Individual and temporary attempts to rescue the vanishing iris will be futile. Per haps the city of New Orleans, the geographical centre of "one of the most spectacular iris developments known" can be persuaded to take the steps necessary for their pre- servation.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24

What queer quirks New England weather plays. Imagine the first day of winter be- ing accompanied by thunderstorm in which heavy thunder and sharp lightning played prominent parts. That's what all New Eng land and much of the eastern seaboard en- joyed Tuesday night. Winter arrived off, fieially at 2;30 in the afternoon. Habits and customs of years standing are gradually dropping from settled old New Englanders. We wonder how the farmers manage to keep up with this trick weather which is be- coming more and more common Either this is freak year Of New England is definitely out of the snow zone forever.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
A TABLOID FOR CONGRESS
(New Haven Journal Courrier) )

(New Haven Journal -courrier)
 The Congressional Record has been subjected to numerous at- tacks In the past. It is almost un- necessary to say that the great mass of American citizens have never looked within it's depressing covers. The attacks have come rather from political scientists. from essayists. from newspapers and from others whose various callings compel them to blow through It's unin- viting prose. If memory does not fail us it was H. l.. Meneken who once took occasion 70 point out It's duilneas in an eHsay that aboun- ded in verbal slashes in that frits er's best manner.
 it remained for Representative John !. Boyinn of New York. how ever, to introduce resolution in congress which provides for the reiuvenntion or the Record. "Peo' ple." Mir Boylan says, "don't have lime t0 read speeches. Maybe they he'd some 60 years ago, but tbif in ng age when we must get our information ln capsule form if Me are fo get it ell. And no matter how interested a pernon may Dc %
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
Fly RODNEY BUTCHER NEA Service Writer

| Washington - White House formal rece ptions: Four each win ter--dipiomatic, cabinet, Judicial congressional. The dip- iomatic, smallest, gaudiest, most exclusive, had 1,500 guests. Am: bngsndors, ministers, attaches and 1 wives. State department people, high officials, society folk, others who contact with diplomats. |. You get three cards: CD En- graved, goid-em bossed invite from the Hoovers for 2 D. m. @ Ad:. mission ticket. CO Windshield card to get your car through the gate. If diplomatic or very spe- cial, you're directed to south en- trance. Otherwise the east. {. Check your wraps in the down. White House staff, with 25 extra cops and q squad of coat-checkers. Oh--what splendour! Am. bnssadors and minister's in court uniform, fiashy honorary military get-ups in every brilliant color. decorated in silver, gold or fur. Jewels blaze--diamond pendants, stomnchers, necklaces. tiaras. A sweli- elegant collection of expen- sive gowns. Hundreds of medals. spread in rows across male breasts. order crosses dangling on white. shirt fronts. Roses, car nations, nuns, ferns and palms strewn all about. You think, blasphemously: Wouldn't it bc droii If the 1,500 hunger marchers
 hanged places with the 1,b00 guests, without changing clothes! Just for fun.
 Tho Marine Band. in gold trimmed scarlet, suddenly blares into Hail to the Chief" Down from the second floor parade tne Hoovers, Vice President Curtis and Mrs Gam, all cabinet members and their wives. The Hoovers smile be- highly. Crossing into the Blue room, they get set. Diplomats are lined up. meanwhile. at tnc head of q line running back into the East room where the crowd is, led by Ambassador Martino Of Italy, head of the corps. Two by two, male and female. Tho huge, towering ambassador in Royal Scots K Lindsay of Eng land. The little round. brown ono in occidental court dress is Dc- buchi of Japan. And SO on. . Elm bassy and legation staffs follow nIong. Colonel Campbell Hodges and Captain Charles R. Train, mili- tnry and naval aides. take turns in introducing. The diplomats pass on into roped off East room scc- ton. Rank and file guests como | through. Someone WhjBDerB for your name. which is then announce cd 10 the Hoovers--sometlmes wrong. The Hoovers shakc hands with everyone. Not too hard. With 1,500 handshakes they can't afford to. And don't you be sap enough, to be too hearty about fl, either Handshakes over they go off upstairs. Ropes are lowered.
 The reception spreads over the first floor. The band plays jazz Dancing starts. Diplomats go home. Hundreds stay to dance or promenade. mostly Americans. No food. Just plenty of ice water | No smoking. Several bare backs. You look at three or four of the debutantes. wish you'd been born rich. handsome, grace ful or something. Young mili- tary and naval aides wear two pound epaulets of gilt. Ed ward Everett Gam gabs with Sen ator Fess. Mrs Gam is elsewhere George W. Wickersham stands back in q corner. watching danc- CTS. Mrs Senator Dave Reeds
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
QUOTATIONS

I know when to keep my mouth shut.
 -Major General s;modley D. Butler try to keep my name clean and not get into any scandal. --Charles tBuddy) Rogers. movie actor.
 The "hogs that hogged Hog Island" which the republicans whined so much about during the war, were peanut vendors com. pared with the Hogs Who Hogged the Hog Tariff. ---Josephua Daniels. war-time sec- rotary of tho navy.
 We in this country have more to lose from the fRussian) Five Year Program than all of the other nations put together. Hamilton Fish. Jr, congressman
 from New York
 What this country naeds--in . alnglng president l ask y0u---ean Coolidge or Hoover cr00n1 ---i1ddla Cantor, stage comedian.
 
 There has never been q social war in Washington. --Vies Presidsnt Charles Curtis.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
At The National Capitol
Digest of Who's Who and What's What
DAILY WASHINGTON LETTER
By RODNEY BUTCHER

hair gets tangled in a high potted palm. Kostn Boris, Hoover's valet, stands aloof in full dress and looks 'em over. Congressman Sol Bloom, who goes in for diplomats in big way, daBhes to and fro. !. Dancing stops nt II. A con asks how do the old danes do it who've been coming for 60 or GO years. Your colored coat check man has averaged one tip for every six guests whose clothing he has handled. The east car- rlage porch is packed. Numbers are shouted. in response to which chauffours in big cars drive ul from the darkness. You count. nearby, 13 stovepipe hats, two dcrbles. one gray, one brown. Women's heads: Nine gray, three blond, three back, two brown. j. White House and grounds, which have been all llt up, become dark long before midnight.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
NORWAY's MARINE LOSS


 On Dec 24., 1917, the Norwegian ship Ingrld II was sunk by either German submarine or mine. This sinking set the toll Of Nor wegian merchant ships at near. iy one.third of the entire fleet Of the nation. Only four members of the crew were saved.
 Italian forces were being hard pushed in the Asiago sector Tn the region of Buso Valbella, the Teu.. tons having pushed past forward positions of the Italian army. In ssauitlng rear positions, however, the enemy was stopped. italy's vnl- innt army pushed back the Aus trinns from their foothold on the Piave Vecchio, south of Gradeni' go. . of the Ukraininn government, Boi- sheviyts release q the Ukrainian revolutionary staff which had been held on suspicion of being. Tn plot to give General Knledine Red Cross supplies.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24

|
 Dear Christy:--
 Betsy tells me I must write you a few lines for your Christmai kolm, and, one word from Betsy (you know) and I do just as please (when Betsy ain't around). I know you must be wondering about my new address as shown at top of this letter. Well, Christy, the truth of the matter is--my old home was getting SO crowded. and was SO continuously being dis turbed at my labors, getting behind with my Christmas gifts on acc count of 1t. that ; decided I should move.
 The North Pole is getting too darn popular. DO you know, Christy, that there has been at least three airypianes and two or three of them hot-dogs--oh, no! not "hot- -dogs" sausages--that's 1t. snusages, flying over the place in tho last year?
 Well. there has, by lightning, there has, and 50 I've moved. Yes siri I've hired me workshop down here from old Blubber Grubber, king of the Gnomes and he hes agreed to keep out all tourists tes- pecially Yankee tourlsts) for the next two thousand years, so, by gosh, I'm going to have q few mln- utes I can call my own, yes sir-e' eel Course, Christy, anytime you want to come down just let mo know and I'll send you 0 pass.
 Kinda interesting down here, in n way. Lots of gold and silver (and what you folks call "precl- ous" stones) but, shucks, they don't bother with such junk here'
 Why, old King Biubber Grubber's crown is just a plain iron band with four little spears sticking up on IL, representing the four cardinal points, not much to look at, but, oh boy! What he cnn do when no wears that crown? z If you are interested you can find out all about it in the Book tof Jade" which you will find Tn the library of the Whiz-Muggln 5000 centuries beyond the herc- after.
 Can 1t be possible that another year has sped since wrote you be- fore And my work appears to be only just started, which means must get busy, 50 with my very best best wishes to you and all Day by Day readers for n peaceful and Happy and Successful Year to come, remain as ever
 SANTA CLAUS.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24

What a catastrophe was the collapse of the Vatican Library in Rome this week. It is to be hoped that the early reports stating the loss of priceless old documents and man. useripts is exaggerated. It was fortunate. too. that the disaster occurred at a late hour. Had it been earlier scores of people would have undoubtedly been killed.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24
Personal Health Service (By William Brady, M. D.

signed letters pertaining to pensonal health and hygiene, not disease diagnosis or treatment. will Dc answered by Dr Brady. Address him. care of the Democrat sending stamp and addressed envelope.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-24

this respect of recent months. It seems the wise move to hold such an important cele- bration at some point removed from eenters of population.