davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
NARROW ROADS DANGEROUS

Communities should pay more at
tention to the width of their new
roads.
1t is generally conceded that
building one-lane highways menaces
the safety of those who travel and
constitutes economic waste. Two
half highways" guilt at different
times cost a good deal more than
whole highway" built at one time.
Nowadays modern low-cost, wa
terproof, bituminous surfaces, laid
over local materials, can be secured
for a nominal figure to serve rural
districts with year-round secondary
roads. Such roads pay for them
selves again and again in a multi
tude of ways-in allowing farmers
to go to market at favorable times,
in giving farm children better Op-
portunities to attend schools, in lin
iting the hazard of fire in isolated
homes. And while we are building
them, we should build for the traf-
fic of the future that will demand
twenty-foot surfaces if the maxi
mum of efficiency and safety is to
be achieved
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
GUESTS OF OTR TOMN

One way to build up a community
as a trading center, is to show spe-
cial attention to all people who come
in from outside to do business. Such
persons should not be looked at as
strangers, but they should be re-
gaTded as friends who have a COM
mon interest with us. They should
not be greeted in any cold and i'm
personal way, but everyone who
does business with them should cul-
tivate a more personal relation.
Some folks are always so busy
attending to their own affairs, that
they can't stop to say a pleasant
word to these visitors. When peO-
pie come in from outside to do bust
ness, they like to exchange a bit of
conversation. The time is not vast
ed in exchanging these pleasantries.
The people who find time to be grac-
ious and friendly are the ones with
whom people like to do business.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
El@&E
USING THEIR "BEANS"

Caustic remarks by Edna Ferber,
famous novelist, on her recent re-
turn from Europe, have stirred up
the young folks. Miss Ferber gives
the young people of the present day
a severe talking to. She refers to
them as beautiful young idiots, the
most beautiful young creatures in
the world, but she says they act as
if they were II years old. She COM
plains that they are not interested
in serious subjects. Football talk is
the principal thing with them. Over
i'll Europe, she remarks, any French
boy of IS that you talk to has opin
ions about big political events.
The amusements and pleasures of
these times fill these young lives
very full. If there is nothing excit-
ing at home, they step on the gas
and are dancing at some club or road
house 25 miles away. Evenings spent
under the evening lamp look impos-
sible to these youngsters.
There are many young folks who
are extremely ambitious and keen
on their jobs. They are eager to
win out. They think of these sub
jects rather than about politics or
government. They are not inferior
intellectually.
The falling off in the votes cast at
elections during recent years, indi-
Gates that peoples minds are so oc-
cupied by their ambitions and
amusements, that the majority of
them, both young and old, have no
time to think about the progress of
the country. One reason why peo-
pie seemed more intelligent in for
mer years, was that so much of the
time there was nothing to do but sit
around home and read.
The young folks seem to be using
their beans" But they are absorbed
in their personal ambitions and
pleasures. They are the brightest
crow dof people the world ever turn
ed out, but they are largely devot-
ing that brightness to their own per-
sonal ends.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16

indicate that at least some of the
traditional forms have Outlived their
usefulness. A great many townships,
especially, appear to be in this stu
alton.
Among the proposals to reOrgan-
iZe rural local government" says
Doctor Nanny, "is one which sug-
gests that farmers trade towns and
the surrounding countryside, be per
mitted to incorporate and establish
one unit of local self-government
for the consolidated area. This new
unit is generally called a rural mu-
nicipality. Conceivably, a single ru-
raj municipality might consist of
several small villages and the cOun-
try lying around and between them.
In the Far West where population is
sparse, a whole county or two or
more adjoining counties or parts of
counties might incorporate as a
single rural municipality.
Proportional representation in
the chief governing policy-determin-
ing body is suggested as a means of
preventing minority control of mu-
nicipal affairs yet insuring minority
representation on the council. The
employment of municipal mama
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
@&&GZ

NINETY PER CENT of every
thing produced in the United States
is consumed in the United States,
yet on the plea that foreign trade
has been disrupted-involving, after
all, only 10 per cent of our produc-
tion-business generally has de-
creased 25 and 80 per cent.
Those figures should be pasted
above the desk and stared at in
amazement. They brand the cOun-
try as the victim of mob hysteria.
At a time when, through the prac-
tice of indiVidualism, this country
had got a corner on most of the
worlds automobiles, bathtubs, art
lists, silk stockings, and all that these
stand for, the 10 per cent foreign
market goes bad and the fingers of
distrust grip the internal trade.
What if the whole foreign market
was cut off-the whole 10 per cent
which certainly hasn't happened?
The result would be troublesome,
especially for those few industries
which specialize in foreign ship
ments, such as the lumber industry
of the Pacific Northwest; but a 10
per cent reduction of the prosperity
of 1928 should not, after all, make
any great difference in our national
life. That margin could be absorb
ed, in fact, by the practice of eff
cheney and the elimination of wastes
that crept into the system in the free
and easy times. If our own people
had. been able, psychologically to
ignore foreign trade conditions as
they were revealed in the autumn of
1929, the period of defiation would
be hardly noticeable at home.
The tragedy is that under the
present conditions with most people
who have money hiding in the finan-
cial storm cellars, much of the ad-
vantage which we won in the days
of confidence is being lost to us. We |
forged ahead of other nations |
through mass production, mechani-
cal supremacy and the strength !
given by sense of destiny But a
rover cannot test on his oars with
out those behind catching up. We
are still far ahead-what are we
waiting for?
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
A CONTRAST

Suppose you have two factories
doing an equal amount of business
and one of them is sending sales
men out on the road while the other
just waits for business to come to
it. The latter company may say ii
is getting all the trade it wants be-
cause of it's established reputation
But customers die and go out of
business and methods change.
The chances are strong that five
years from today, the factory that is
actively soliciting new and old bus
mess, will have much more trade
than the one that is just resting on
its past. 1t is the same with retail
stores. The one that is seeking new
business by advertising is sure to
go ahead if it makes good on its
merchandise, while the other that
fails to push it's goods is probably
in danger of slipping.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
Milford, Friday, October lG, 1881

AGAIN THE HAND of death has
reached out and taken a valuable
citizen from our State Edward p
Bardo. manager of the Diamond
State Telephone Company, who died
in Philadelphia hospital on Tues
day was the victim. A resident of
Wilmington for a number of years,
Mr.. Bardo through his many con-
facts of a social, fraternal and bust
ness nature. had become one of
Delaware's outstanding citizens. His
untimely death at the age of GA
genial nature, Ed" Bardo, as he
was known to his friends, built up
a good will for the company with
which he was associated and Gre
ated a feeling of genuine friendli-
ness for the company. His sterling
worth was recognized a few months
ago when a reorganization of the
Public Safety Department in the City
of Wilmington was made. Mr. Bar
do was chosen for one of the vacan-
cies. and his appointment met with
universal approval on the part of
Wilmingtonians He was active in
Y NJ. c. A. work in Wilmington and
through his efforts very largely the
beautiful new building now housing
that organization was built. A for
mer president of the Wilmington
Rotary Club, he sponsored the Mil
ford Club and worked hard to see
it chartered. His activities were
maryland his loss is great. Della
ware has suffered a loss in his
passing.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
GETTING DOWN TO FACTS

One of Dwight Morrow's favorite
remarks, as a New York Sun writer
reminds us, was Lets get down to
facts. How much we need that
principle in these times! We hear
clamOr of theories and schemes
and projects, for reforming the
evils from which the country suf-
fers, but not many of them are based
on the well known facts of business
and experience.
Mr.. MOrrOw's remarkable success
in the business and the political
world, came from that quality of
basing his plans on facts and tual
realities. While others were shak-
ing hands, slapping people Oh the
backs, and making themselves so
cially pleasant, he was learning the
facts about business, and discover
ing the action to which those facts
pointed. That method is what the
country needs now.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
MORE LAWS. MORE CONTEMPT

"The growing contempt for law is
attributable in large measure to a
mistaken zeal for more and ever
more law" said Governor Ritchie of
Maryland short time ago.
1t is refreshing to hear this
thought echoed by a high public Of
fetal. Too few of them are suffi-
ciently candid-Or courageous-to
do so. But almost all who have
studied the crime problem have
come to the same conclusion.
We are a nation of law-breakers
largely because we are a nation of
lawmakers. We have abrogated hui
man liberties-and crime has been
increasing on a greater scale than
in any other supposedly civilized
country. We have passed laws
which have acted as boomerangs
and have in actual practice bene-
fitted the criminal class which they
were supposed to suppress-such as
the various anti-revolver bills in eff
feet in several states.
We cannot shut our eyes to the
fact that America is a lawless ma
tion. In almost every great city au-
thorities are all but powerless
against the depredations of a well
organized, we'll financed underworld.
Simpler and fewer laws, more JUS
tice and less litigation, surer pun
ishment for offenders-in that direc-
tion lies victory for society in its
war against the criminal class.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
MELTING FROZEN ASSETS

President Hoover's conference of
leaders of both political parties, to
consider a plan for liquidating So
called frozen assets" showed a
most desirable spirit of nOn-parti-
sanship. The president calls atten-
ton to the foolish alarm of many
people who have withdrawn money
from banks merely for the purpose
of boarding it. Those who sacrifice
good securities at panic prices, and
then tuck the money away in their
safe deposit vaults, are destroying
their own property, and hurting the
whole country.
The practical effect of such ac-
tion is that the banks have had to
sell large quantities of securities at
very low prices in order to provide
cash. This depresses the stock mar
ket, and spreads pessimism and de-
lays busines recovery.
The plan agreed upon by the con-
ference, for assembling banking re-
sources to supply credit where need
ed for normal business, ought to
help business right off. And as soon
as people stop throwing away prop
erty for half what it is worth, bust
ness will be better.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
RAIL EFFICIENCY

In the course of its consideration
of the railroads application for a IL
per cent increase in freight rates
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion is to investigate standards OF
efficiency within the industry.
What the Commission will find re-
mains to be seen. But, as railroad
executive recently said: "The state
ment will, l am sure, remain un-
challenged that, regardless of all
shortcomings which may be pointed
out, there are no more efficiently
operated railroad systems in exist
ence than in the United States"
The American railroads have led
the world, not only in improving
service, but in providing service at
lowrates. Car shortages have been
0utlawed, train loadings and speeds
have been increased new territory
has been developed; schedules or
operation have been adehred to
more exactly; the safety of both
passengers and employees has been
advanced. All this and more has
been done while, at the same time,
cost of operation has been lowered.
The present difficulty arises from
the fact that receipts have gone
down even faster than have operat-
ing costs, and taxes have steadily
risen.
The railroads, through their pur-
chases, are of vast aid in building
general business prosperity. This
year their purchases of supplies have
been more than 25 per cent below
the equivalent period last year, be-
cause of lowered earnings. The fl
nancial plight of the lines is of the
very gravest Importance to us ALL
a fact that should not be clOuded by
charges and countercharges, and
arguments over technicalities of
regulation and rate making.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
TO INVESTIGATE UNEMPLOYMENT

A special senatorial committee ap-
pointed to investigate unemploy-
ment, begins its work October Is.
The principal plans for relieving un-
employment might be summarized as
follows:
l. Staggering" employment. Many
concerns are doing this by putting
all their people on short time, so
that all have some work to do. This
plan prevents extreme destitution,
and is one of the most practical
methods yet devised.
2. Shorter working weeks. The
success of this plan depends on
whether production costs are much
increased. If the work people are
given six days pay, but they only
do five days work, then it will cost
more to produce goods, consumption
will be cut down, and more people
will be thrown out of work
8. Unemployment insurance. Such
government insurance is likely to
give people the idea that the gov
ernment owes them a living. Eng
land has tried this plan, and it has
led people to just lie down and let
the government support them. I'm
employment insurance by the indus
tries for their own workpeOple may
be more practical.
4. Starting public works. This is
a practical plan to a reasonable eX-
tent, provided money is not wasted,
and provided it does ont take too
long for slow government processes
to start the jobs going. But such
plans may impose too heavy a bur-
den on the taxpayers.
5. Accumulation of reserves
against unemployment in good
times. This is possibly the most
practical plan of all. 1t would per-
nit manufacturing concerns to keep
running their plants at cost for quite
time while continuing wages and
dividends.
6. Self protection against unem-
ployment by personal thrift. Many |
people who are now asking for help,
wasted their money when they had |
it.
Unemployment is menace to our
business and political system, and |
everything possible must be done to |
avert it.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
HAT STYLE STARTS TRADE

A New York milliner tells a mil
.linerya convention that as usual, the
new millinery styles are having a
marked effect to start up business.
He thinks that the new Princess Eu-
genie hats are encouraging the wo-
emn folks to spend money and thus
starting up trade.
The women folks may feel deter
mined to hold on to their money, but
when they pass the millinery win
dows and see the fascinating new
creations that these artists have
concocted, it takes more than ordi-
nary feminine resolution to say No.
The lady with the new fall hat
feels a consciousness of fashion and
good looks that covers many de-
fects, and she faces the world with
new curageo.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
CHANGES IN LOCAL
GOVERNMENT NEEDED
IN MANY RURAL AREAS

I'm a successful democracy some
opportunity to participate in the
actual workings of government
should be made available to as many
people as possible through local
government, provided the local peo-
pie want to use this privilege and
are willing to participate in a real
local democracy" said DR.. r. B.
Nanny, of the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture in an address
before the Fourteenth Annual Amer
lean Country Life Conference at
Ithaca, New York on Tugust 19. "a
good many proposals for the re-or-
ganization of local government in
rural areas seem to overlook the i'm
portance of providing this expert
ence of doing democracy But the
widespread evidence that many ex-
isting units of government in rural
areas are not giving satisfaction in
their present functioning seems to
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
ROADS VERSUS DOLES

1t is generally believed in America
that the only feasible cure for the
unemployment problem is to provide
iobs-and not doles. The experience
of England, riddled with debt largely
because of it's Out-of-work pensions
has not been missed by thinking
citizens of this country.
Stimulated public works on the
part of the states is being advocated
on all sides. Foremost among such
activities is the builing of roads. In
many cases eighty cents of the road
dollar goes to labor, which most
needs it, and building materials are
extremely cheap at the present time.
AS a consequence, number of
states are planning intensive road
programs for the winter. Few To-
calities have sufficient improved
road mileage. We have developed
great trunk highways between main
centers of population-while, for the
most part, five or ten miles away, in
farming areas, roads are subject to
the vagaries of weather and the sea-
sons.
1t may be that more good feeder
roads will be prime factor in allie
waiting the nee for an American
ole. And every dollar we spend on
them now will produce many dollars
in the form of more efficient trans
port, easier isposal of farm pro-
duce and similar benefits.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16

ger, probably a part time position in
smaller units, is suggested in place
of popularity elected mayor"
The speaker also pointe1 out that
this proposal does not compel any
areas to incorporate but provides a
more adequate basis of tOwn-coun-
try cooperation in localities where
the will to work together is present
For unincorporated areas, especially
those in which the people seem to
have little sense of civic pride or re-
sponsibility, larger, thoroughly re-
organized county, serving almost en-
tirely as an area for the convenient
administration of state-determined
policies, is suggested as the most
suitable and efficient way of provid
ing what limited governmental SER
vices, the State feels should be rem
dered to these areas
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
WHAT HOLDS BACK BUSINESS!

According to the financial experts
the process of defiatiOn of the bust
ness conditions created by the spec
ulatiOn and extravaganza of previous
years, is very well completed, as far
as the purely American situation is
concerned. About the only thing
that delays industrial revival, is un-
certainty concerning conditions in
foreign lands. Some people are
afraid that more countries will go
over to bOlshevism, and the fear
that certain foreign nations may de-
fault on the bonds they have sold to
American investors, also tends to
destroy confidence.
The United States could be fairly
prosperous, even if it sold no goods
at all in foreign lands. Still, the ma
tions are so closely tied together,
that bad conditions affect America
intimately. First, because they cut
down our export trade, and second,
because of the sentimental effect.
Both hope and fear are contagious.
If foreign peoples are fearful and
anxious, that sentiment spreads to
America.
1t is up to the United States gov
ernment then to do everything it
reasonably can to assist foreign ma
tions toward recovery. Our people
have already done very much. Our
investors and the government have
loaned them vast sums of money,
perhaps too literally in some cases.
AS respects the debts due to the
United States government, these
debtors must be treated just as a
debtor is treated in business life. If
a debtor can't pay, and if his credit
ors watn him to continue in bust
ness, they have to scale down his
debts, much as they hate to take the
loss.
1t is up to the United States gov
ernment to find out what these peo-
pie really can pay. If they can pay
their debts, they should do so. If
they really can't pay in full, it is
like squeezing blood out of a turnip
to try to get it out of them, and the
only effect is to delay business re-
coveTy.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
OLD DOLLAR BILL

The American dollar is at the top
Of the world. Up to the World War,
the English pound was the Standard
of value, by which all currencies
were measured. But now old Dollar
Bill is on top, while proud Mr.. Eng
lish Pound is laid up in the hospital
for repairs.
Dollar Bill's pre-eminence is not
due wholly to his own merit. 1t is
partly the result of good fortune,
that the people who employ him are
protected by 5000 miles of ocean
from the worst of Europe's turmoils,
so they were not so crushed by the
losses of the war. Now it is up to
Dollar Bill not to get too cocky over
his superior position, but to give 100
cents worth of work to everyone who
gives him job.
Milford chronicle., 1931-10-16
NOT A SAVING

Recently, in a southern state, fire
insurance companies found that GER
tain risks were Improbable. There
upon they applied to the Insurance
Commission of the state for rate in
creases to make the risks pay their
own way. The application was de-
MED.
On first glance it will seem that
the commission has saved the public
money. And so it has-in premiums.
But these small savings may be
wiped out hundreds of times over by
fire For the insurance companies
will simply stop writing the unde-
sirable risks, and the property own
ers will have to be self-insurers. AS
the Insurance Field says, Insurance
companies can always avoid losses
by avoiding dangerous risks, but the
State and the people composing it
cannot avoid owning the very risks
that wise companies refuse to in
sure"
Here is a fact that should be thor
oughly understood. An insurance
company, like any other business,
must make a profit. If it continued
to handle a great many risks at
loss it would eventually find itself in
bankruptcy. So, unless it is given
rates commensurate with the risk, it
is forced to discontinue policies.
The average owner of uninsured
property cannot replace it when it
destroyed by fire. The work of a
lifetime may be wiped out over
night. Jobs and business are lost,
and the State suffers through loss !
of taxes. The dollars that are saved
in insurance premiums cannot com
pensate for the ever-present danger
that those property owners face.