davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
Billions For Building

Building has been quiet this year, but it is far from dead, and the outlook for the coming year is lively. National authorities predict construction amounting to $4.000,- 000,000 between now and next October. In purchasing power this represents $5.OOO.- 000.000. because building costs are down about 25 per cent Owners will get more for their money than they have got at any time since the war. The total forecast is only billion or SO below normal.
 There is every reason for genuine im- provement in this industry. A shortage of housing has developed, especially in low priced modern dwellings. There is also vast amount of remodelling and equipping of old houses waiting to be done. And what the authorities call the greatest re- serve of money ever known will be look ing for work" as new financing policies thaw banks frozen assets and provide easier credit.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
Professors English

It is strange tale that comes from Co- lumbia University. New York city. Eight outraged students joining in a formal protest in the college paper, accused 26 pro- fessors of 'murdering the English language They followed up this heinous accusation by smuggling stenographers into the guilty profs' classes to get the goods on them.
 The first attempt failed. When the tram scripts of the lectures appeared, the language was faultless Not single split infinitive or wrong pronoun or erring verb. Appar- ently, too words were used in their proper sense, and there was no shocking slang or outlandish pronunciation.
 The students concluded that the profes- sors had been tipped off by spy. and are watching like hawks for further offenses. The remarkable thing about the incident is not that college professors do, or don't. speak good English. It is that college stu dents should be seriously concerned about good English. When did this sort of thing begin3
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
25 Per Cent Of

A leading retail store merchant of Boston recently made the computation that prices of good quality women's clothing are 25 per cent below the rNiees of only one year ago. When you consider that prices year ago had fallen a good deal it will be seen that clothing costs very much less than formerly. Mems clothing is also selling much cheaper. It seems quite likely that prices will rise before long. If SO, the people who fail to buy necessary supplies now will regret it.
 The women will say they must have styl- ish goods. and they can't stock up in ad- vance. But when they buy goods of sub stantial stores like those in Waterbury they can be confident that the merchandise is not extreme, and that it will look we'll for good long time. When prices are so much reduced. it seems very good time to buy. and newspaper advertisements of bargains should be carefully watched.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
.Josephus Is Back

.Josephus Daniels, who wasn't the worst Secretary of the Navy that this country nao' in fact he was about as competent as any, has taken shot at the Navy League for its recent attack on President Hoover. Not that Mir Daniels enjoys seeing the navy cut 10 srithereens. He doesn't subscribe to this view at all, but he believes that MT Hoover is quite right in upholding the duty Of puo- lie officials to make recommendations to Congress and to call him 'abysmally ig- norant' shows the height of unwisdom. It reacts on those who use such lan- guage.
 Interviewed in the office of his news- paper, the Raleigh. N. C., News and Oo- server. Mir Daniels said. T thought the Navy League had reformed and that 1t had learned better than to slander public ottl- cials. I found it necessary when was secretary of the navy to issue an order for- bidding members or officers of the Navy League to set foot on naval vessels. Tn navy yards or in naval stations because Its omeers had issued false and defamatory statements of the secretary of the navy in time when every organization and private citizen would have been upholding the hands of the gov ernment instead of stabbing it in the back
 Tn saying this I disagree with President Hoover's method of seeking drastic cuts Tn naval efficiency, there is but one safe way 10 secure economies That is for the United States to join other nations of the world Tn securing substitute for war. If MT Hoover could induce the Senate to take the same po- sition he took in 1919, to wit. the ratitca- tion of the League of Nations covenant and let America take the vacant seat at Geneva. the cost of the navy could be cut Tn one-half at once. The same is true of the army. In a few years it could be reduced even greater with no danger to this or any other eoun-
 It might be we'll to state that when this interview was granted Mir Daniels was seat ed at his editorial desk A large picture ot Woodrow Wilson stands near the desk. We like Josephus Daniels loyalty Woodrow Wilson may not have given much to the men who surrounded him in the White House, but he certainly had their loyalty. If Josephus Daniels is still firm believer in United States participation in the League of Nations lay it to the manner in which his chief the late President Wilson inculcated it's worth in him. There is no question but what Mir Daniels is right. In 1919 President Hoover was for the League of Ma tions. To-day his position is an enigma. I've are only certain of his stand on prohibi- ton. But then in 1919 was President Hoover a republican or a democrat? That might explain everything However. 1t won't clear up the naval mess That's up to the president
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
Here, There And EDeryOhere

owners who are to be punished.
 There is, though, 8 clause that aids the owner to some extent, that being that ten persons within ear shot of the dog must complain of its barking before the owner may be fined or imprisoned. That sug- gests that not . little depends upon the popularity of the owner. If he is generally regarded as a good fellow his dog may bark itself hoarse and the neighborhood will make no complaint.
 We hold no brief for dogs, either in Collingswood or elsewhere, but 1t strikes us that the ordinance is more curious than useful. If a neighborhood dog is a nuisance, its owner is likely to listen to reason if tactfully approached. If ten persons are forced to complain be- fore the owner Is willing to act, the ten had best sell their possessions and find new homes rather than to live near one so churlish.
 It must occur to many that the barking dog menace is exaggerated. In fact, we can visualize neighbor- hoods in which the average dog would have great difficulty in mak-
 ing itself heard. Are there no radios in the borough? Are there no motor vehicles moving through its streets between 8 D. m. and 6 a. m.? And, if there are how does one manage to hear the barking of dogs? The Collingswood council has added something of humor to the records of the borough, but sleep is murdered by other agencies than dogs.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
An Odious Remark

Amherst College, which has given this nation many famous men, its most promi- nent graduate probably being Calvin Cool idge, thirtieth president of the United States. just now. must feel some sense of shame at recent issue of Lord Jeff. comic mag azne issued by undergraduates. While the entire tone of the publication is akin to that which many similar college papers have adopted of resent years, when there is no faculty supervision. the particular copy ot Lord Jeff has caused an outburst among Roman Catholics of the Connecticut Valley that may have serious results.
 We almost hesitate to print the offending paragraph. but we feel that it would be far better to do so than to attack the students who perpetrated it and not offer the basis for the attack. On the first page of the is- sue in the midst of number of supposedly humorous paragraphs appears - On hill off Northampton street, just this side of Holyoke are situated, not for from one another monastery and chapter tor Nuns. We thought nothing about it until our attention was called to an orphan asylum on the same side of the street not quarter of mile away
 As if this wasn't enough the editors of the magazine carry their sense of humor to the point that they offer cartoon in which the rudest carcature of Christ that could be imagined is pictured with another figure hastening to greet him. The caption reads -"American Tourist at Oberammergau: Jesus, I'm glad to meet you" Several other items reflected the same tone of disre- spect and irreverence, a close inspection ot the issue reveals. It certainly is a sorry day when young men are permitted to direct their talents into such channels as the above If that's what their parents send them to college for. then we think they should be removed and allowed to drift to the staffs of the cheap little publications that feast on such stuff.
 We can expect some form of radicalism to crop out in the college youth. Exuber- ant spirits have habit of breaking forth in the most unaccountable forms. But when such disgustingly rude affronts to the relig- ious are given it is high time that higher authorities took hand in the supervision ot college papers. We feel sure that Amherst graduates will be chagrined to learn of this bit of islander that the comic paper has pro- duced. If there aren't grounds for legal re- taliation we are mistaken. However, no court in the land can ever repair the damage that has been done. The printed lie is a damnable thing. He who prints it can never right the wrong
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
BURLAP ROAD NEXT?
(Hartford Times)

(Hartford Times)
 The Massachusetts state highway department is experimenting with a new type of concrete construc- ton which will be watched with interest by officials of other states. The innovation is the use of a lay CT of burlap. First concrete base. then a covering of burlap on top of which another layer of concrete Is laid. A stretch of highway is be- ing built on this plan between Birmingham center and the We'll esley line on the Worcester turn pike.
 The purpose of the burlap is to serve as a sort of breaker strip, making 1t possible to peel off the upper layer of concrete when 1t has become worn or badly cracked. There is no economy in the first construction cost, but the upkeep Is supposed to be considerably cheaper. Repair will be necessary only with reference to the top dressing. as the base is not expected to show strains of the traffic for many years.
 In Connecticut the practice has DcCI lO ICouildCC NOtH NOhSLCtO highways with sheet asphalt which, however. is not altogether satis- factory in hot weather when 1t tends to float" Also the softened surface of asphalt ratards trac- tion, especially in the case of heavy trucking. On paper the con- crete resurfacing idea has much to commend 1t. as highway engineers are pretty will agreed that for the wear and tear ofmodern traffic no material is quite so resistant to strain and friction as cement.
 The Massachusetts plan does not end cracking, the result of con- struction and expansion due to changing weather and the action of the soil underneath. But here again the top layer affords a chance for repair when the cracks become so numerous as to require a new surface. The Bay state road ex- pertinent involves five and a half miles of highway for which the contract has been awerded at $646,045. This should proce an ample project to test the merit of the experiment. It would lend un- expected importance to the lowly burlap if 1t should become an im- portant factor in the serviceabil- ity of concrete highways.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
Spreading People Out

There are not too many people in the world. but there are too many in some places especially China. Japan. India and western Europe. Populations have multi piled until the residents of fertile and once prosperous regions can no longer make decent living. Thus living standards sink when. from world progress in science. in- dustry and enlightenment. they should be rising.
 This is the basis of the present trouble in Manchuria. That fertile and climatically suitable region has been flooded in recent years with the human overflow from more crowded parts of China. To this north ward movement of Chinese has been added westerly movement of Japanese. For Japan also has its human overflow which must find sustenance somewhere. Naturally the two nations clash, as for ages other nations clashed in the fertile bottom lands of Egypt and Mesopotamia.
 Americans have never half realized their bessedness in the possession of bountlful and almost inexhaustible land areas. Many other areas. especially in Africa South Amer ica and Russia, are still sparsely inhabited. with millions of square miles of fertile land. Populations must be spread out somehow. After the suppression of war, that may be the big problem of organized civilization birth control Probably both methods will operate together.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02

Coming SO soon after the public utilities commission was successfully defended against the attacks of Professor Albert Lev itt of Reading the eoroner's finding on recent fatalities at the so-called Sackett Point rail- road crossing in North Haven is reminder that there is still work to be done along the line of crossing elimination. Although the Legislature repealed the ancient statute which demanded that one crossing be elim- mated annually for every 50 miles of track. that does not excuse public utilities from continuing this work From all descrip- tions the crossing at Saekett Point is one of the most dangerous now existent in the state. Coroner James J. Corrigan of New Haven recommends that it be guarded in the future by bells, flashing lights or both. He further stipulates that lookout should be maintained on both sides of the engine when trains approach the point. That certainly should be done if the tracks are obseured on one side as the recent coroner's finding shows. There are several more unprotected crossings along this stretch of track, which due to the fact that it is a straightaway af- lords engineers a chance to make up lost time by 65 or 70 mile speed The public utilities commission might interest itself in the New Haven roads tracks from New Haven to Meriden. There are too many bad crossings.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 n

Ten years ago dentist told me unless I used milk of magnesla regularly I'd lose my teeth because of acid attacking the enamel F. J. D.
 Answer-It was an old notion There is no evidence that any acid in the saliva in the mouth affects the enamel produces cavities. Rather the faulty composition of the teeth and the acid state of the mouth are both attribut- able to poor nutrition. Poor nutrition in in- fancy and early childhood chiefly. Inadequate variety of calcium and phosphorus foods; in- sufficient vitamns: insufficient exposure of naked skin to sunlight. Send a stamped en- velope bearing your address and ask for advice about preservation of the teeth. No clipping will
 Travelling With Baby
 We plan to take a trip from Minnesota to Mississippi with our 4h mOnths' old baby. Is it safe for the baby? nurse her, but she gets
 milk too. How can I keep that so 1t won't sour? Will different drinking water hurt her? (Mrs c. N. Jr.)
 Answer-If you can buy certified milk along the way, that is the purest and safest to feed the baby. If you can't get certified milk. you had better boil any milk you do get, for five the age of four months every baby should be vaccinated against smallpox At the age of months every baby should be Schick tested and if necessary immunized against diphtheria.
 Two Bad Guessers
 When told our doctor about my year old daughters night swcats he said he didn't know what might cause that. What would you sus- or do you consider 1t condition that will pass? (E. B. O.
 Answer-I'm no better at guessing than your family doctor is. Why not take the child to the doctor for advice?
 fCnDvright John F. Dilla Col
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
Quotations

There is no more drinking amongst the members of the Le- zion than amongst ministers. General John V. Clinin
 . If they won't give it to us in wages, we must take it in taxes. Green of the A. F. L..
 
 The beginnings of human enter prises derive their significance from the service which time proves their ability to perform for hu- manity. President Hoover.
 
 We have several bankers with almost the same dictatorial powers as Stalin of Russia.
 Senator Couzens.
 
 If all the women of China would put a four-inch ruffle on the bot tom of their garments they would soon use up all the surplus cotton. Alfalfa Bilr Murray. Forty years ago artists were happy and treasured Beethoven in- stead of stocks. Fritz Kreisler.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02

Washington-The seems to be a marked difference between the Japanese scheme of government and our own.
 One of the most startling revela- tions that followed the invasion of Manchuria, from our point of view, was that the Japanese ministers of war and navy could wage little wars of their own without heed of the views of the premier and the rest of the cabinet.
 For many days the state depart ment here found itself completely added by the fact that Premier Wakatsuki and Foreign Minister Shidehara were being constantly overridden by the military. The premier and the foreign minister, regarded her as men of peace. made promises that were broken by the Japanese war office.
 United 5tates officials had a bad time trying to determine who &C., had to deal with the Japanese for tually was in control at Tokio. They eign office, of course, and it began to appear that very often commun- icauons from Shidehara simply didn't mean anything.
 The contrast between what can happen in the Japanese administra- tion and Americas was plainly demonstrated when President Hoover recently publicly scored the "big navy" group in the navy de- partment for objecting to reduced budgets. The poor admirals weren't even permitted what has always been with them most sacred pre- rogative-the right to cry for more money and more ships. The secre- tary of the navy could only look embarrassed, keep quiet and yearn for peace.
 Japan, 1t is believed, has the only government in the world in which the military members of the cabi- net can ignore the policies of the civilian members. The emperor, 1t appears, is the only one who can exercise any control over them.
 Of course, no one in Japan ad- mitted that there was a real war on. What Japanese soldiers were doing in Chinese territory was de- scribed as troop movements" minor protective measures" or something like that.
 In the early days of the Man churian trouble the failure of the state department to invoke the Kellogg treaty was widely com mented upon, for at the time of the Russo Chinese Manchurian row two years ago. Secretary Stimson had demanded that China withdraw her troops from the Chinese East ern railway before negotiations be- gan. The only official explanation was that any American declaration might then hamper the efforts of Baron Shidehara and the peace group in the Japanese government. Recent policy, disclosed when this government refused to join the members of the League of Nations council in a stiff note to Japan, ap- pears to have been dictated by a desire not to embarrass anyone at
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
A PLEA FOR CAUTION
(Hartford Courant)


 Two girls. II and IA years old. living in Agawam. Mass. were se- verely wounded by birdshot fired by youthful hunter. That one of the children has not lost the sight of one eye is surprising.
 Clearly the open season has arr rived, and hunters. duly licensed, are. seeking what they may kill. In this state, there is now an open season on quail, one of our more beautiful native birds. It is so small that 1t Is almost negligible as food; yet hunters seek 1t. As 1t has not attained the sagacity of the crow. hunting had been barred for time in the hope that the birds might become more numer- ous. Perhaps they have, since an open season has been declared. Many enjoy hunting. not because they are in need of the food but for the pleasure of bagging 1t, pleasure inherited from remote an- cestors who were forced to hunt or die. The hunters and the hunted were on about the same footing in that far off time. but man, hav- ing sought out many inventions, has devised weapons whereby he can kill at e distance. This is sat- isfactory to the man who hunts, but. we are sure, not altogether so to the hunted. The situation might be relieved, not for the birds and animals. but for humans as well, if the hunters would realize that there is always chance that man. woman or child may be within range of their firearms. It may be a difficult thing to recall if one sees a squirrel or grouse within range of his gun, but we are sure that the youthful hunter in Agawam would now be in much better spirits if he had given thought to 1t.
 In southern New England, rifles and shot guns should be used with caution. As yet. so far as we know, the law has not looked at the mat ter from this angle. It provides that hunters shall be licensed. but 1t does not as yet seek to ascer- tain whether they have the men, tai capacity to use fire arms with, out danger to themselves or to others. If the state regards the hunter as source of revenue, should it not also consider the safety of the public?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
At The National Capitol
A Digest of Who's Who and Whats What
 By RODNEY BUTCHER
DAILY WASHINGTON LETTER

all. especially the state department. Fear that the Japanese might re- fure to cooperate at the February disarmament conference If their feelings were hurt has been an in- fiuential factor.
 Japanese military and naval off, cials are in most cases descendants of the old feudal caste and have a large popular following. The late Premier Hara found how danger ous it was to oppose the military in such situations as the present one. When Japanese troops were in Si- beria he promised that they would be withdrawn, only to be defied by the military group. which kept them there. A young Japanese, im- bued with what he considered pa triotism, assassinated Hara on the theory that he was a traitor to his country.
 Baron Shidehara, the present foreign minister, has always pub ward China, and the state depart licly urged a conciliatory note to- ment has had faith in his motives as well as those of Japanese Am bassador Debuchi.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02
& TODAY P2,A.4 eS
 WORLD WAR \ ANNIVERSARY &G@ ofHSE
TWO SHIPS TORPEDOED


 On November 9, 1917, the trans port Finland and the steamer Rochester were torpedoed, killing 26 men.
 The Rochester sank, but the Finland managed to limp into port. Seventeen men, including two enlisted men acting as armed guards, went down on the Roches- ter. The survivors suffered terri ble hardships before reaching land.
 Three naval gunners. four mer- chant seamen, and two enlisted army men lost their lives on the Finland.
 General Won Berrer, command ing the WurtemDerg armies on the northeast front, was shot dead while visiting the trenches near Riga.
 The Italians abandoned the east ern bank of the Tagliamento river from the Fella valley to the Adri- attic sea after fighting on the mid dle and lower sectors of the river.
 Meantime the Germans retreat ed from the hilly sections of Chemin des Danes on the west ern front.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-02

street so that they might use an electrical detector to find out if there was a pipe line from the HensIer Brewery. a permit cereal beverage plant, to a nearby garage which was recently raided. The deteetor aids in locating buried metal but so far results have been futile. That reminds us that some place in New York there is still beer pipe line which still has legal status and cannot be removed. However. we don't imagine there is anything flowing through it. though you never can tell.