davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

Four men who were recently standing near the highway four miles west of Portsmouth, Ohio, are sadder but wiser individuals to- day. They were members of that rapidly growing clique of thumb -jerkers. Luck was against them so they began to feel sorry for themselves In short time they were greeting the motorists who ignored them with showers of stones. Finally few bold CT motorists stopped and gave battle Sher- ifs intervened and jailed the thumb jerkers However, that won't pay for broken wind shields, lights, dented lenders, etc. Every state ought to outlaw ride beggars. Con- necticut has passed law. but it is seldom invoked
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
HARD NUT TO CRACK
- (Meridcn Journal)

It is a stroke of luck for New Haven and for Connecticut In gen eral that the great plant Of the Winchester Repeating Arms Com. pany is not to close; that 1t Will be operated by the Western Cart ridge Company of East Alton, III. The involved financial condition or Winchester's threatened a severe loss to New Haven. with employees at present numbering 1000 and the weekly payroll about $40,0OO.
 It Is only natural that city offi- cials, business men and others would agree to almost any stipula- tion to save this huge industry 10 New Haven. Such a large reduc- ton in tax assessment as $4,601,5Vo might have been expected under the circumstances. Winchester's had been paying on $8,S01,S0b
 It seems incredible that New Hayen's assessors could have been SO far wrong in their judgment, more especially when 1t IS the practice everywhere to favor in- dustries as much as possible on tax books. The conclusion, therefore, is that the New Haven public IS making a most substantial gift 10 the newcomers.
 New Haveners can hardly be blamed for their action, but they should not be surprised If some oi the established manufacturers put in bids for similar consideration Tn the way of tax relief. MonkeyinR with tax assessments is tickhsn business, but there wasn't much else New Haven could do.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
Taxes To Stay High

The sole conclusion that we could draw from the meeting of city and town exeeu- tiyes in New Britain this week was that taxes are going to remain on high plane. Cities and towns must have increased revenue in the years to come. Existing sources of taxation are meeting too many obligations to day. Newer sources must be discovered The automobile is to blame for many in- creases in expenditures It must bear the burden of increased taxes. There was no thought of reducing running expenses nor any thought given to taxes upon such for. bidden commodities as wines. beers ana liouors. We presume the Connecticut may ors, seleetmen. etc, have enough worries without introducing the prohibition ques- ton into their organization.
 We agree with Mayor Fully Of New Haven that an organization of 16o mem bers one for every town and city In the state. is going to prove unwieidy when It comes time to take action or to persuade the Legislature that it should act in this matter. However, that may be something that can be worked out at later meetings. Actual formation of the league of municipalities won't be recommended until the present committee gathers at New Haven the end of this month. In the meantime some more feasible plan of formation may be worked out for presentation.
 We earnestly believe that the burden ot taxation which now falls on the shoulders of real estate owner should be eased. But many of the schemes that have been sug- qested won't help the property owner one bit. If his property taxes are lowered he IS is apt to find that he is paying more money for operation of his automobile Gasoline taxes at their present rate of two cents per oallon are not exorbitant Most motorists do not realize they are paying them half the time. But if they should jump to five eents' for example, we might expect few pro- tests. The average driver will purchase five to ten gallons, often more If hs ear tark is large enough. The additionai twenty-five or fifty cents will be noticed.
 There are no doubt many ways in which fax reforms can be accomplished, but it must always be kept in mind that shifting taxes from real estate to personal property, gaso- line or anything else does not relieve the taxpayers burden. In the end he pays Just as much as he does now. There must be some thought given to decreasing the run ninq expenses of our cities towns and bor- oushs. We admit that growing munielpah- ties must have more money to run theif plant, but they should have increased ousi- ness to warrant expansion. We want to see careful study of the tax situation in Con- nccticut. before our mayors, selectmen, etc. begin to advise the Legislature to intervene in our tax systems.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
Mud-Splashers

With the coming of fall and wet weather, there is a campaign in many communities to stop motorists from splashng mud over pe- destrians It is timely movement too long postponed. Probably half the drivers on wet streets continue their course and speed without regard for the men and women at crossings or on the sidewalks Women often have their clothes ruined.
 It is curious how an ordinarily courteous human being will often behave when perched behind steering wheel, blowing through puddles and throwing showers of muddy water over everybody in the vicinity, either oblivious to what he is doing, or not caring. Here is good chance to apply the best rule ever given for good driving - the Golden Rule Motorists who will not be decent in this way should be arrested.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
Here, There And EDerywhere

Park (owned by Westport) which is also the road leading to Sher- woods Island.
 According to. the explanation given by Selectman Mansfield to the Finance board, residents in the neighborhood are disturbed by cer- tain rough characters who somc- times go down this road at night. Hence 1t is proposed to shut the road to traffic at midnight and not to open 1t again until 8 o'clock the next morning. That is the avowed purpose of the move. It's real pur- pose of course is to prevent camp ing on Sherwood's island.
 To put gate across public highway and to close 1t at midnight is a new wrinkle, even for Vest port. It would seem that if the neighboring residents are disturbed by roisterers they should call the police as any other residents would do under the circumstances. To close a highway at midnight and open 1t at 8 a. m., is an absurd per- formance from any viewpoint. But nothing is too absurd for Vest ports ruling powers if they can keep the rest of the people of the state from having access to their own property on Sherwood's island.
 The recommendation of the finance board must come before a town meeting for approval or re- lection. It will probably be ap- proved as it is backed by the town republican machine and opposed only by a few citizens who still cling to an outworn belief in the greatest good of the greatest num- Der.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
so TYING IS DEAD.
fsnringfield Republicanl


 Harvard alumni of the eighteen seventies-those who remain alive must remember James A. Tying fomaus in his day as a college pitcher. His death in New fork at the age of 76 Is now reported. What the newspaper obituaries em- phasize as notable in his career IS that the catcher's mask In base hall originated with him. Yet as a pitcher he was clever enough to be sought by big league teams or the period. He came along during the transition from ths original ..straight arm' delivery, from which the words pitching" and "nitcher'' were derived, to the unhampered throw that made the curve SO effective and introduced a revolution in the game. Tying had an outcurve, but he was not comparable in effectiveness with the first college pitching phenom- enon. Richmond of Brown Univer- sity. who was developed a lew years later.
 The 'catcher's mask. said to have originated with Tying, was aiready a crying need of baseball In the late seventies. Lew" Brown, cat cher of the old Providence Grays, a national pennant winner at one time or another in that period, ai- ways caught without either mask or gloves. and he "backstopped'' In nearly every game of the sea- son. He was Q special attraction in those primitive days because the early Hans" maryeled at hia fouRhneee and nerve,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

word of English. Probably the four out standing Romberg plays from a musical standpoint are 'Maytime Blossom Time" The Student Prince" and The Desert Song" Oddly enough Romberg was scheduled to become civil engineer. He completed three years in an engineering school, but when he arrived in this country it was his skill at the piano which kept him alive for four years until he had completed his first score and had heard his music sung and played in an American playhouse. Just little immigrant boy who knew he could succeed and did.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
A Wet House?

While repeal of the 18th Amendment IS moi seriously anticipated in the 72nd Con- press some of the more optimistic members claim that the 73rd session will witness the end of the noble experiment.. Representa-. tive J. Charles Linthoum of Maryland maintains that We believe we will be able to bring the issue to vote in the House at the coming session. When the 73rd Con- oress meets we will have enough strength to vote the repeal of the Eighteenth Amend ment. :" The elections of last week Tn five congressional districts resulted in over wbelming wins for wet candidates, both democratic and republican, so that explains in part the jubilaton of the House wet oloc'
 Another thing which must be taken into consideration is the fact that whether the democrats or republicans control the House the Speaker will be opposed to prohibition If the republicans organize and elect Repre- sentative John Q. Tilson of New Haven he will be wet In fact. the entire Conneeu- cut delegation IS in sympathy With efforts to repeal or modify the liquor laws. If the democrats do the organizing they will elect Representative John Garner of Texas and he is also opposed to the 18th Amendment although coming from dry state. In the event of modification or repeal legislation coming before the House at the coming session the Speaker would certainly not hin der it in any way.
 Incidentally Representative Linthicum will be among the many legislators to introduce beer bills in Congress His bill would au- thorize manufacture and sale of per cent beer by weight. Three of Conneeticut's states, men also plan to introduce similar measures. Senator Bingham will reintroduce in the Senate his per cent beer bill, while Con- gressman Goss of this city will introduce a companion bill in the House Representative William L. Tierney of Greenwich, who is making his debut in December also plans to introduce a wet measure He was the last member of the Connecticut congressional delegation to declare himself as opposed to the prohibition amendment. although his campaign for election revealed that quite clearly.
 It would require 200 or more representa- tives to swing through a wet measure at the coming congressional session and We doubt very much if the wet delegation today totals more than l50 or l60. although there are probably many more who would join n putting through constructive legislation that weald end present chaotic conditions. the produst entirely of our lqusr laws Suffice it to say that as soon as such legislation as sss be termed smefssney is transacted Con-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
Quotations

Everybody lets part of the bill run over. W. s. Lucas. Kansas City finan- cier.
 We are fortunate in having a navy with long. high-spirited tradi- tions. President Hoover.
 s s
 Much in Russia that we shudder at is merely Russian, or merely human.
 -Professor Frank Jewili Mather. of Princeton.
 Is there not danger in q govern ment to which We are taught to look for stock market tips? James Truslow Adams, historian IF7TV fIs What keeps the stars shining' is far from being fully answered. -Professor Henry Norris Russell, astronomer and author
 There's no friendship in busi- ness. John w. Arlington. oreenviile (s. c.) manufacturer.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
At The National Capitol
 DAILY WASHINGTON LETTER
 A Digest of Who's Who and Whats What By RODNEY BUTCHER
NEA Service Writer
DAILY WASHINGTON LETTER


 Wash;ngton.-The dole, irrespon- .,ibIe politicians to the contrary, is one of Americas old and estab- lished institutions.
 Europe hasn't any dole system. It's unemployed are kept alive by various unemployment insurance systems, to which most of the money is contributed by employers and employees just as one pays premiums on any insurance policy. In some countries the government also contributes and in other 1t does not.
 A dole is a distribution of charity and it is by distribution of charity, rather than federal ap- propriations, that this government hopes to get though the winter without starvation among the un- employed. There is no national unemployment insurance system, of course, in the United States. But it may be argued that any direct federal appropriation for relief becomes a dole and if the term SO used is properly applied ] 1t appears that our government has been in the dole business for many decades. An, official of the interior de- partment sprung that one on your correspondent. He says the Am erican Indians were the original recipients of the dole that they are still receiving a federal dole and that this dofe has been more harmful to them than anything else.
 Indians have been getting ra- ticns for a hundred years and an- nually money has been appropriat- ed for their care-about $25,OOO,- 900 a year at present. Of course they were driven into reservations and deprived of the chance to live off the land as they had, but they went on the dole when their new masters began to drive in herds of cattle for them and shipped in carloads of provisions. | About 20 years ago the govern ment began to eliminate its ra-
 tioning policy and rations are now theoretically restricted to the old and the sick. Otherwise their dole" now consists of free edu-
 cational and medical facilities,
 farm machinery, seed and simi-
 lar items.
 Thanks to the old dole system.
 one is told, a couple of hun
 dred thousand Indians are now | living in squalor and misery,
 eking out bare existence. raising
 meager crops. eating horse car
 casses occasionally getting odd
 jobs but utterly lacking in inde-
 pendence, initiative and oppor- tunity.
 whether or not this is good material for an argument about doles, it is obvious that before the Indian was subjected to a dole
 he was robbed of his land and
 means of livelihood. In other
 words. he lost his job and became unemployed-by compulsion.
 Oficial interior department the
 ory, under Secretary Wilbur, is not that the Indian has been shab-
 billy treated. as widely believed.
 or that he has been too well
 treated, as nobody believes. It is that the Indians should have been
 assjmilated as other races have
 been assimilated and that the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

Yale University is rapidly becoming the cradle of Connecticut politics. Outstanding are the governor of this state and its senior United States senator. Both of them were Yale professors before their graduation into political ranks. Governor Cross held the high honor of dean of the Yale Graduate School. while Senator Bingham was pro- lessor at the university before being elected lieutenant governor. Of course there are many more Yale graduates holding office. whether it be national state or local. This week Professor Walter J. Couper of Yale was appointed to the state labor commis- sioners staff in Hartford. His official ca paeity will be that of statistieian and eeono- mist He is considered an expert in social science work When the Legislature was in session the name of prominent professor in the Yale Law School. J. Richard Smith. was heard on every side. He was Governor Gross appointee to the public utilities com mission. but his name was rejected by the Legislature after considerable wrangling. He is one of the best-informed men in this country on public utilities law and his fail ure to be placed on the important eomms- sion was regretted by both democrats and re- publieans.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
THE THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
(Hartford ,Courant)

Listing the good things for which the citizens of Connecticut may be duly thankful, Governor Cross in his modesty does not call for thanksgiving for a chief executive who can write supple and gracious prose. To call attention to the phrasing of a gubernatorial procla- nation is sometimes dangerous. as the editor of the New York Times discovered last year when. after praising the magnificent diction of Governor Roosevelt's thanksgiving proclamation he was informed that 1t was taken almost bodily from the Book of Common Prayer. No similar danger threatens with re- gard to the proclamation just is- sued by Governor Cross. With the exception of a single phrase, which is carefully quoted, the proclama- tion, rounded and compact, is un- occasionally the fruit of his own meditations.
 While the proclamation departs from the form prescribed by tradl- ton, it is all the better for 1t. The humping "whereases'' and "there- fores" of an elder day made 1t seem a civic duty to be thankful. The I177-word sentence of Governor Cross proclamation implies state of grace. It suggests no dour pen- alties for him who cannot find 1t in his heart to be grateful for his blessings, but it should persuade even the gloomiest among lis that. despite diversity. we have much for which we should give thanks. Gentle and suasIve. rather than harsh and mandatory, it is pitched in just the right. one for the days in which we now live.
 | One sizeable group may not join him in rendering thanka.-the m. happy teachers Of rhetoric who have drilled Into their classes the belief that the short sentence ls ai'
 ways the best sentence. But per. haps tho spirit of the month will soften even their hearts and enable them Co join the rest of ns iB giv' ing thanks for what we have, no matter hOW small the portion, Now hb seldom befoFe, is tho time Co muster those quailfiee ef fnifR of hope and of charity fhal ihe g0vefnor ukees on ias,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
m TODAY @ e;s
 / WORLD WAR \. ANNIVERSARY GS8 ofG&E-
sTART "WAR BREAD"

SIhtkI WEAs 0AsA|<A'
 On Nov F, 1917, President VII son issued a proclamation putting the baking industry under license and starting the making of war bread"
 Steps were taken by the Food Administrator to organize ma chinery for the enforcement or all regulations.
 All bakeries consuming 10 bar rels of flour or more Q month were brought under these regulations and were requested to apply for information so that they might adjust their plants to the use of standard weights and formula for "war bread"
 The "war bread was made of unmixed wheat four, skinned milk, and less sugar and lard.
 President Wilson's proclamation also covered the baking of cake, crackers, biscuits, pastries.
 Bakers were informed that vio- lation of the provisions of their licenses would be punishable by a fine of $5,o00 or two years in prison.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

Governor Cross continues to regard pres ent conditions as not demanding special session of the Legislature. We agree with him. If President Hoover did not deem it wise to summon Congress to special session this year we see no reason for our legislators to gather in Hartford for display of party differences We think that's what it would amount to with both sides seeking to claim all the praise for whatever might be accom- plished.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

Sgmund Romberg. one of the most fa- milar names in musical comedy circles in the United States has just produced his 56th musical show in the 22 years that he has spent in this country. Rombers music is well known to thsater-lovers. It possssse' a quality that is not squaisd by many of his eontemporafiss. It is All the faos remark able. the reputation the Austrian composer achieved. when it is known that upon bis arrival in America he could not speak q
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
GATES ON A HIGHWAY
(Bridgeport Tolegram)

wsstport'. "powsrs-that. t.be" are apparently determined te leave no stone unturned to keep the general public of Sherwood Island State. owned park. The latest move is auite In accord with the mosquito ditch that was dug last year 70 that motor cars could net Do driven etis to the park from tho mainland. Af ihe last meeting Of WeAtDQfL'n [ board of finance the sum Of tvTb was recommended for the building Of fence and gate right nofDA. fhs roaA lashiBe Co bnrlsl biil
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
reservation and dole policy have left them in terrible shape.

"We have doled things out to
 them all along and they never went out and scratched for themselves, /" one hears. They don't even have to take care of their own chill dren. even now or pay their own
 doctor bills. An Indian runs to the agency superintendent every time he has a row with his wife. The race has been nursed into an attitude of complete dependence. In general the Indians have just sat down and gone to the dogs. Often when they get any land
 they lose it for taxes which they never pay or mortgage it and new CT pay interest. We give them
 vocational school training in farm inc and a lot of trades such as carpentering, plumbing, bricklay- ing and painting. But when
 they're out of school they haven't any place to go but back to the
 reservation. They have no way to get started out in the white world"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

Alrplane companies operatlng Qn regular schedules are using sv.gvv.. GOO gallons of gasoline and sbo.ovo knllOns Of oil year, hppf0x.mate' iy q 90 ts3 per cent increase evet last year. reports United AT Llnes' the largest Individual sir The een' Humer of petroleum products in tha industry.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
Personal Health Service (By William Brady, M. D.)

Signed letters pertaining to personal health and hygiene, not disease diagnosis or treatment. will be answered by Dr Brady Address him. care of the Democrat. sending stamp and addressed envelope. ~
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

eress will take upon itself the task of threshing out the prohibition question. With presidential election in the offing We an- ticipate some sharply drawn political lines.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12
Good evening. BUT HOW ABOUT THE DEUCE RUNNING WILD!,
"A SMILES THE THING"

DEONE NOfNNlINS WALA'+ Life is like game of cards. Some one deals hand your way. You go looking for an ace,
 Or a king to hold at bay. Then you watch with bated
 breath,
 As each card goes on the spot. Comes the thrill of thrills to you When your arms pull in pot. Luck is with you for a time. Breaks are falling to your lot, Heavy hands are yours to hold. An. here comes another pot. Then the tide just seems to change, Lady Luck deserts your chair. And the pots that you have won. Slide to some one over there. Life is like game of cards, Some one deals a hand your way, You go looking for an ace. Or king to hold bay. It's a test that comes to all, And your bid for earthly fame, Comes, not with the pots you win. But the way you played the
 game.
 O-O-0 The door has been taking the rap for years and seems to enjoy the custom.
 o@O-O
 Years ago you could tell drummer by his gold teeth. Now it's the smoking car stories he tells.
 o-O-O
 The annual roll call of the American Red Cross opened yes- terday in Waterbury. "Day by Day" pays tribute to the Red Cross nurse in these lines:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

Why worry about the insect menace, asks radio fan when the world s real prob lem is crooning tenors'
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

Amateur speculators have learned their lesson so well from the stock disaster two years ago that they're getting ready to bor- row money and recoup their losses.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-12

All vehicles must be lighted not later than 5.07 tonight.