davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
THE FIRST OF APRIL

Some philosopher should tell lis
the origin of the April Fool Joke.
But 1t would not be easy, since the
desire to fool people goes back to
the earliest dawn of history, and be-
fore there was any system for re-
cording the acts and customs of the
people. ..
1t may be a disagreeable trait, but
some people seem to take a kind of
barbarous delight in seeing others
do foolish things. A person of small
intelligence feels a certain satisfac-
tion in being able to work off some
humorous stunt on someone who
knows a good deal more than him
self The perpetrator of the joke
feels for once that he is more bril-
liant than his neighbors.
It shows a poor spirit to be an
noyed at such Jest. The wise men
and the philosophers have their own
way for S64 days in the year. They
may well allow the jokers to rule
on one day. But the April Fool Gus
tom seems to be largely dying out
except among the kid element.
However, an attitude of Questioning
and skepticism is much safer on
April l here in Milford.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27

(Colntued from First PageJ
MTLFORD'S NEW CHARTER BILL

whom favored the sale of the Light Water plant
and the belief gaining that the
method whereby the the might easily
should the charter before the House Representatives,
The charter provides that all matters pertaining the Light
Water Commission shall basis property vote every
taxable being entitled dollar thereof
paid in The charter change this method
handling the property that citizen has
vote The Light Water plant has value of we'll half mil
lion of dollars efficiently
blizzard Milford the towns in Delaware that
nuous electric service. If the charter bill aimed
Water then the citizens Milford should
the big majority of the Milford citizens who 100
the efficient constituted opporun-
ity to voice their disapproval
Residents of
governing body must quickly to learn what the
they change may play
Act
Legislature openminded the question
willing fair treatment to citizens
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
BUNCOING THE yETERANs

Now that a great number of
World war veterans have borrowed
money on their compensation certi-
ticates, many sharpers are figuring
how they can get some of this cash.
They have very beautiful sounding
propositions, which they are no
doubt Offering to these former sol
diers at this moment, and prOmis-
ing them big interest or other ad-
Vantages.
Veterans are generally worldly
wise persons who have seen consi-
derable of life, and not so many of
them will be easily separated from
their money. But in these days of
plausible deceptiOns, even a quite
alert person is often "stung". The
veteran with a wad of new money
in his pocket should look with sus-
picion on people who are anxious for
his welfare.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
lNGEI

ONE OF THE MOST persistent, as
well as one of the most fallacious of
misconceptions, is that it is possi-
BILE Ito tax the rich to help the poor" j"
The rich, in this sense, usually
means large corporations with i'm
posing balance sheets. 1t is very
easy to advocate increasing the tax
on a million dollar manufacturing
plant on the principle that the little
fellow will thus be relieved of pay
ing part of his contribution to the
cost of government. But it is an in
'escapable fact that any tax is pass
ed on to the consumer. If we raise
the tax on insurance, John Jones
will find that his premium will be a
little higher; if we add to the bur-
den of electric utilities, Tom Browns
monthly statement will fatten. Even
the largest of corporations have no
magical way of getting money out of
thin air.
Every business is entitled to fair
profit, and must make it if it is to
continue to exist. OvertaXing bust
ness discourages industry and en-
ployment and adds directly to the
cost of living for everyone. There is
but one way of achieving tax relief
for government to spend less
money. ~rt'
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
REDUCING PRICES

The American people are constant
ly being told that their system for
distributing merchandise from pro-
ducer to consumer is too costly. If
so, there is one sure way to improve
that system and reduce these costs.
That is to do everything possible to
back up those distributors who are
performing this service in the most
economical manner.
The business world is full of enter
prising people and concerns that are
constantly struggling to save money
on this process of getting goods to
the consumer. That is the central
thought of every wide awake retail
concern.
An enterprising store constantly
asks, can it get public support for
enterprising moves? Will the public
back it up in its effort to reduce
prices?
Let lis say that such store learns
that it can buy certain line of
goods at reduced prices. If it can
persuade the people to come in and
buy those goods within reasonable
time, it can undertake such a deal,
and make money for itself and save
money for the public. At this point,
advertising comes in. 1t gives such
a store the method by which it can
interest the public in such an enter
prising move, and be sure of enough
public support to make the deal a
success.
Such store knows well by exper-
ience, that when it adVertises special
buying opportunities, literally, the
public will respond and buy the
goods. This is what is constantly
saving money for the public, by their
shown in securing bar
gain values. Without advertising
they could not make these savings
for the public.
The public should cooperate with
these enterprising moves, by noting
these advertised offers, and backing
up the stores that serve the public
in this ambitious way.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27

A CHANGED ATTITUDE was no.
ticeable in recent state legislation for
governing automobile operation.
Apparently the lessons of the past
which have cost us thousands of
lives-have had some effect. There
is trend, not toward overly restric-
tive and hence unenforceable laws,
but toward moderate measures. The
so-called model traffic ordinance,
which does away with a stipulated
speed limit and substitutes RECKLESS
riving"-thereby giving traffic Of
ficers greater leeway in preventing
recklessness-has been adopted in a
number of states, and endorsed by
safety organizations.
Compulsory liability insurance
laws were conspicuous by their OBJ
sence. Even the financial responsi-
bility laws, by which driver is for
ced to provide evidence of his abb
lity to pay for damage he may cause
in the future after he has had one
accident, do not seem to have re-
,ceived much public support. In con-
trast, measures designed to provide
strict examination for drivers, that
would weed out the incompetent and
mentally and physically unfit, re-
ceived wide attention. Many safety
authorities are of the opinion that
the adoption of such a law in every
state would mark the greatest sin
gle step forward in automobile acci-
dent prevention.
All in all, we are justified in hav-
ing hope that the highway accident
menace is being curbed. But it
should be remembered that legisla-
tion, no matter how wise, can only
touch the surface of the problem.
The important thing is for every
driver to realize his responsibility
for the lives and property of others.
When motorists, as a body, accept |
that responsibility, the highways will |
be safe.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
@&G=l

THE ONE GREAT OBSTACLE to
fire prevention is the virtual refusal
of the individual to realize his per-
sonal responsibility in regard to the
common hazards that exist, to a
greater or lesser degree, in almost
every home and business establish
ment.
Perhaps the most tragic phase of
fire is that it is practically wholly
unnecessary. Eighty per cent or
more of fires-including many of
those which cause the greatest waste
in both life and property-could have
been prevented by the exercise of
care and the sort of knowledge that
is eXpounded during the annual Fire
Prevention Week and which can be
easily obtained from various private
organizations, or from local fire
authorities in any community.
The citizen who disregards fire
risks might be termed the "uncon-
scious arsonist", and his name is le-
gion. 1t is his home that burns, or
his factory. But the entire commu-
nifty pays for it, in the loss of taxes
on destroyed property, in higher in
surance rates, in lost employment or
business opportunity. Fire preven-
tion is largely personal matter
but fire waste is of Importance to the
entire nation. There has never been
a fire, no matter how small, that did
not do its part to prevent progress.
In certain European countries the
owner of property where fire origin
ates is responsible for damage done
to the property of others. We will
never have such a law in |
nor is it generally wanted, |,
but it would be a good thing if we !
reflected on the principle it exempli- /
fies.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
RENTED HOMES

People who own their own homes
keep them looking rather we'll in
the majority of cases, but those who
rent them from someone else are Of
ten careless about their appearance.
They are apt to say it is not their
business to improve their landlords
property. Frequently they won't
even keep it looking neat and clean.
A tenant who is willing to keep
the property he occupies in attrac-
tive conditions finds it easier to OBJ
tain the Improvements he wants.
Owners of property who permit it to
look decadent can expect that they
will have to change tenants quite
often, and their property is likely
to remain vacant much of the time.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27

OF the wood and bind the pigment
particles together.
Copper stains on paint can be pre-
vented if leaders, cutters, screens
and all other copper used on the
exterior are given a coating OF oil,
clear Varnlsh or paint, to prevent
corrOsion. An electrical storm will
often leave spots on fresh paint,
but these will generally wear off
after month or so. If they do not,
rubbing with half-strength alcohol
will extract most of the moisture
and bring back the original color.
Mildew, caused by fungus spores
clinging to soft paint coat, has
been successfully combated around
New Orleans by the use of a large
quantity of mercurous chloride 10
finishing coats Of white paint, and
laboratory Investigations are now
being made to discover the best
method OF warding off this dis
coloration. Brushing out the paint
in thin coats for quick drying viii
form hard film that is more likely
to resist this danger. Mild discolor-
alton can sometimes be eradicatcd
by scrubbing the mildew with q
stiff brush and soapy water, Of
with steel wool.
But all these precautions and
remedies will be of no avail unless
good grade of paint has been
chosen. Inferior products may
blister or check, in spite of careful
preparation of the surface and
allowance OF the necessary length
of time for thorough drying BE-
tween coats. For outside moisturv
will gain entrance unless the paint
is waterproof, and no paint can
adequately perform this function
unless it is made of good materials
and we'll manufactured.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
GOOD CITIZENSHIP

A stream never rises higher than
its source, and a country or a town
is no better than its quality of citi-
zenship. If we want better cOmmu-
mites and a better state and nation,
we must have better citizens.
What constitutes a good citizen?
1t is term which everyone should
be proud to have applied to himself,
but it calls for something more than
it used to. Formerly if a man kept
the laws and lived at peace with his
neighbOrs, he was usually called Il
good citizen. But we are able to
see to-day that such a man may be
very Indifferent citizen.
If he takes so little interest in his
town and country, that he rarely
votes at elections, he is not much
of citizen. His community and his
state are suffering from various
mistakes and faults, yet he will not
lift finger to mark ballot to help
remove those defects.
His home town has various forms
of organizations, churches, clubs,
fraternal societies, philanthropies.
A community needs and must have
active associations of this kind, or
people will not want to live there.
People must be willing to join and
pay dues and work in them. If they
refuse without good excuse, their
citizenship is a rather negative
thing.
The success and advance of a
community depend on its physical
appearance. II it has attractive |
homes and streets, people will like
to live there. If it's exterior has
appearance, they will get |
out if they can. Good citizenship |
calls on every family to do its best
to maintain its own home in a con-
dition worthy of a fine residence
Those who fail to do
so have fallen down. on the call of
good citizenship. If we want to be
good citizens to-day here
In Delaware we need not merely to
obey the laws, but also to take an
interest in public affairs, to support
home town movements, and to keep
our share of the home town bright
and clean.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27

moisture within or upon the sur
face where the paint is applied.
Our unfortunate neighbor, the new
home builder discovered, had
known nothing about the necessity
for printing loose lumber that lay
about the yard, waiting to be in
cOrporated in his house, and the
painter had been careless about
this precaution. Had it been given
thin primer, it would have been
unaffected by the heavy rain storm
which occurred just after il was
delivered. 1t is likely, too, that the
siding was added before the rough
plaster had been allowed to dry
thoroughly. In some cases, this
necessary delay is impossible, but
in such an event the painting can
be temporarily postponed
Your problem, of course, may be
some other defect - such as the
appearance of fine interlacing lines
in the paint coat, staining from
copper cutters, or - if you live in
Southern seacoast town - dis
coloration from mildew Each one
of these troubles can be avoided.
The fine lines or cracks, which
painters call checking" when they
form small squares and alligator
ing" when they are farther apart
are usually caused by allowing
insufficient drying time between
coats. II the primer and undercOatS
are not thoroughly dry when the
finishing coat is applied, the hard
outer coat will finally crack as a
result of the uneven rate of con-
traction and expansion. Too much
oil in the undercoats will also make
Them too soft and be likely to bring
the same results. A good painter
will see that there is only enough |
oil in the primer to fill the pores
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27

AN INDIVIDUALS success is de-
termined not so much by what he
earns as by what he saves, and a
community's progress is determined
not so much by the amount of mon
ey it makes, as by the amount that
it keeps at home.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27

TT is just a little more than a
year since my neighbor next
Il door moved into the new house,
but already the paint is beginning
to blister and peel. He is much dis
gusted, since he was assured that
the work would probably present
a good appearance for at least five
years. And it did appear to be
good job - the weather was clear
and dry and the painters seemed
to be good workmen. | watched
them from my dining room win
dow, noticing how neatly and care
fully they brushed on the paint.
But it is obvious now that some
thing was wrong at the start, either
with the paint itself or with the
condition of the house when ii was
applied.
My interest in the situation was
purely altruistic, for the paint on
my own dwelling is still in good
condition after three years expos
ure, but the owner of an unfinished
residence across the way was more
psi oOlidllJ NOllINl liCQ. bClllS q
friend of my next door neighbor's,
he knew how recently that house
had been painted, so he investi-
rated the possible causes of the
trouble in order that he might
avoid it himself. Having a scien-
tifc turn of mind, he went into the
matter thoroughly, discussing it
with a reputable painter and read
ing everything on the subject that
he could get hold of. What he
found out he passed on to the
whole neighborhood, translated in
to everyday terms, understand
able to the average home owner
and very valuable to him.
Simply stated, blistering is gen
rrallv caused by the presence of
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
ElN&E[l

PEOPLE become afflicted with
poverty when they spend more than
they earn, and communities also be-
come poor when they buy more from
the outside than they sell to it.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
0>&S-1

A MAN who keeps a disorderly
looking home place, is not likely to
convince people that he is capable of
doing work an orderly and system
attic way.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
Milford, Friday, March %, 1881
Make No Mistake
In MilfOrd's Charter

In MilfOrd's Charter
In the Legislature there is a bill
pending which provides for very
radical changes in the Charter Oi
Milford. Up to the present time, the
people OF Milford have not been
informed as to what changes are
made, or what radical forms are
provided. All response to requests
that the bill be printed, has been re.
fused by Senator Latchum, who in
trOduced the bill In the Senate,
where it was passed last Monday af-
ter the Senator stated that there is
no objection to the bill, and that the
only important changes provide
that the Receiver of Taxes shall be
appointed by the Town Council, in
stead of elected by the people.
The facts are not bearing out Sem
atOr Latchum's explanation Of the
bill on the floor of the Senate.
In its original form the bill pro-
Vided for certain powers as to plac-
ing of poles and wires, and trans
pOrtatiOn rules, and of course these
were eliminated to meet the satis-
faction of the public utility cOrpOr-
atiOns operating, or which would be
affected through any town Ordi-
nanee7sA &s As
But there are other provisions,
which will make very radical
changes in public service commits
siOns, in Milford; especially the
Light and Water Commission, which
has been a bone of contention in the
past, and is now a very attractive
going business for public service in.
tereStS, who have dangled tentative
offers to buy the plant from the peO-
pie of Milford. This has been over
whelmingly turned down by refer
endum elections in very recent
years. This especial bill needs to be |
printed and distributed among all !
the people, that they may know the
truth as to a very profitable part Of
their towns property.
Much in the bill is needed IegiSla-
tiOn and should be enacted into law,
as the old charter is obsolete and
not operative to the best interests Of
the present day customs. The bill is
now in the House for action, but be.
fore that is done, the bill should be
printed and distributed to the people
Of Milford that they may know ex-
lctly what is proposed by this new
charter.
A very capable lawyer was em-
1lOyed to draw the bill, and it is well {
lone, but as il now stands, there
would in all probability be a long
egal contest in the courts of Dela-
ware at least. II
There are ways TO circumTent, or
It least cause bitter contests, before L
he law could be in operation. Play Il
air, give the people opportunity to d
Understand exactly what the object
nd purpose is before making a false v
tep, which would cost the people p
lany thousands of dollars after the t.
Olicy it permits is in effect. !.
We have respect for members OF n
he Legislature and believe they de- II
Ire to act for the best welfare OF q
II in making laws for the people. i,
rObably not all the wisdom Of bus II
less, or foresight OF the future well "
re of our cities or towns, is con- W "
ned to that body. Refusal to have o
le bill printed is a cause for sus. b.
ciOn that there is not intention to
fair to all the people.
Hold the bill, have it printed, and p'
the people finally approve its c(
lOptiOn, then let the people say 50. tn
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27

The advantage of One Big Worry
is that it eliminates a multitude of
little worries.
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
JUST A HUNGER FOR
NEWS FROM DELAWARE

Many letters come to the business
office of the Milford Chronicle that
are appreciated, and should receive
more than passing attention. With
this fact as a basis the following
which came to personal attention OF
the writer, are printed that we may
show appreciation of the kind
thoughts expressed and that their
friendly spirit is appreciated. Here's
one from Philadelphia to start with:
Dear Colonel Townsend:
Have hungered for sometime for
some Delaware news, so know of no
better medium of getting it, than
through your interesting paper.
see a copy of it occasionally at the
home of a friend. The Chronicle
was always an interesting paper, Eut
it seems to have grown doubly so in
the past few years; SO 1 am enclos-
ing money order for $1.50 for a
years subscription, beginning with
this weeks issue if you please.
am very truly,
Elizabeth r. Workman
k40A AnpOrD Tarraca
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27

Here's another from the great
midwestern State of Iowa:
Atlantic, Iowa, March Q, 1881
Friend Theo:-
! am enclosing draft for subscrip-
tion to the Chronicle. l have sub
scribed for your paper, the Milford
Chronicle for many years, and You
and are very near the same age.
hope in the near future to visit my
old home town, Milford. l am as
ever, J. Walter Cuykendall. Atlantic,
Iowa. (Mr. Cuykendall wrote some
interesting facts about the business
conditions of Iowa, which he re-
quests that it be not published at
presently
Milford chronicle., 1931-03-27
Elizabeth r. Workman
5404 AngOra Terrace

Then here is another from old
friends near by that is personal as
well as appreciative:
Houston, Del. March l6, 1881
Col. Theo. Townsend:
Dear Friend-I am enclosing Il
poem to prove to you that you are
not growing old. | want to thank
you for your good paper. You have
through it advocated good schools,
good roads, good homes, good prohi-
bition and everything that is good.
May you live long to continue your
good work.
Sincerely yours,
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. c. Wharton
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-16
mo-" said Peter. "And she isn't go

mo-" said Peter. "And she isn't go
ing"
"She is-unless she comes through"
said Benny. The threat In his voice was
the ugliest thing Peter had ever heard.
'NOh, I don't mind telling you'll You
think you know 1t all, and you don't.
You don't know anything. You know
about the fight at the Fatamas Club?
Yes? Well-do you know that she got
Thayer Gained down by promisin' to
meet him at home at 2:30? That's
why he went home-alone?"
Il hear you say So" said Peter.
Some one elsell hear it If you and
she don't watch your step-and that's
Connolly" said Benny. And I'll tell
you something else he'll hear, too-and
that's where he can find the gun that
killed Thayer. Ask her where that is.
She can tell you-if she will! And
then try and get it-with Connolly S
bulls on the job on that roofI
you're lying" said Peter, quietly.
They've searched every inch of that
roof for the gum
Benny laughed.
ooh, sure; I know that. It's there
just the same. They haven't found it
yet. But they can keep any one else
from getting it. The bulls are dumb
but they amt so dumb that they'd let
any one get away with that gat nowl"
Peter considered Benny for mo-
ment without speaking. The Italians
eyes shifted. But his voice, when he
went on, was as menacingly sure as
ever.
Connolly knows how Thayer was
killed" he said. HE knows who did
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-16
INSTALMENT XXI.

r KNOW the papers have made a
| mystery of Mrs. Thayer's where
abouts," Zahn said. Il merely
A drew a natural inference from