davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1931-05-17

springs even under the difficult circum-
stances Of large city life. An irldepef1d-
ert store, strategically located at such q
place, dourishes In spite Of the ifroads
OF the chains.
The spirit Of local patriotism is indi-
Gated even within the chAin.store field.
There have arisen in the United states
quite a number of local chains. That
Is, there will be a chain of stores, all
located in one town or city. under Go
ownership and management, but noe
extending to other cities. Such chains
stand second in the affections of local
dwellers to the independents and be-
fore the large Nationwide chains with
one or more Stores in every town of
any purchasing power.
such local chains are enjoying trade
at the rate of 20 per cent of the total
year. Thus, with the independents
having 81 per cent Of the business and
with the local chains having 20 per
cent, local enterprises account for a to-
tai OF 80 per cent of the retail mer-
cnand1sing This leaves but 10 per cent
ror the great national institutions with
stores stretching from coast to coast.
Small Shops Have Their Place.
In view OF the widespread advertising
the cnalns enJoy--Gx0ceyy stores. drug
stores, tobacco stoFSs. candy stores.
clothing and shoe stores and q variety
OF others-the fact that they do but ia
per cent Of the retailing Is not a little
surprising to students Of business. Yet
the departments survey was made with
the utmost care and covered repre-
sentative cities. It will be realized that
In towns Of less than 10000 there are
some chain stores, but q greater num-
per OF additional Independents, so fS Il
OBVIOUS that the chains do not enjoy
TNeTs I~f&
the business OF the independents and
the local chains.
In the smaller places, from 10. 900 TO
S0,OOO, the local chains do Is per cent
OF the business, while in the cities of
100000 and over they do 29 per cent.
Another sidelight on the solidity of
the small Independents not only in the
Ilttie towns, but in the larger cities, is
report of the department to the ef-
feet that the wholesalers and f0l,bers
regard such establishments as their
pest accounts. The small ifdeper1dent
store having q business ranging froga
$4,000 to $4,000 year IL accounted
Dy many wholesalers the ideal customer.
OFTEN family shops, where soma or
daughters carry on the business OF par.
ents, these little independents continue
SOeadlly from year to year and consti-
tute. dependable channel of trade. of
service to their communities.
NO matter how much the big ma
tional chains develop, It seems . safe
conclusion that In American cities there
VIII always be found the typical little
shop where the proprietor Is known to
the neighbors and where the gossip of
the town or the neighbcrhood can Be
exchanged Most of the little stores
keep up with all modern improvements
N tne way OF essential fixtures, care of
Stock ana facilities for ciistognera hat
the traditional atmosphere Is main
tained and buyer and seller are personal
friends rather than bargainers over the
counter. '-''
In spite Of AL modernity there are
sui places in the United Etatea where
Willy can ask for two eggs worth al
darning cotton ana get it.
Evening star., 1931-05-17

step into his shoes as the first ranking
player Of the United states. Richards,
however, became involved with the ten
mis- authorities and.. As he was nearing
the peak Of his amateur career, decided
to turn professional. With Tilden still
an amateur and unable for that reason
to meet Richards In tournaments,
speculation was rife as to whether "vin-
ME" could conquer the aging veteran.
Events Of the pest few days have proved,
however, that despite the difference in
years Tilden Ia stu the superior OF
his one-ttme rival for top amateur
ho11ors.
Evening star., 1931-05-17
SHOOTING STARS.
BIZ PHnANDER JOHNSON.

An Elemental Explanation.
A simple phrase will oft express
A most important truth.
There's one which haunts US, more o
less,
Through life, from early youth.
The boy who not 20 long ago
was taking doctors stuff
Was sick because he did not know
When he had had enough.
The man Of power ana Of fame
Goes out Of date because
He eagerly attempts to claim
TOO much Of the applause.
The man who rashly undertakes
Questionable finance
In sorrow frequently awakes,
Bewailing his mischance.
In gentle terms we strive to note
Each source of human grief.
Ambition is q cause we quote.
1t seems 10 give relief.
But to a plodding mind and slow
the word sounds like a bluff
To hide 4 case Of "Didn't-know.
when-he- -had-had-enough."
Evening star., 1931-05-17
TEXT: "The sacrifices OF God

TEXT: THE sacrifices OF God
are broken spirit. Palms, MI.
"a pain in the mind Is the prelude
10 all discovery" This Ia the statement
Of a brilliant Englishman. On first
consideration the suggestion Is repellent
to us, but when we give 1t more serious
thought we realize its deep Significance
It is in coflsonance with that other
word. Necessity is the mother of In
vefition." It is curious fact, but true
to the experience of life, that we come
to our greatest undertakings and our
largest accomplishments under the
pressure of necessity. Even the great
books that we treasure were born out
of suffering. johnson would not have
written "RasSelas" had 1t not been for
his dire need. The same thing is true
Of many of the great authors. It Is
equally true of most of the great paint
ers, sculptors and musicians. 1t would
be interesting to trace to their genesis
the inventions that have become COM
monplhce in our daily life. It Is rare
" that prosperity produces genius
and It is certainly evident that 1t seldom
produces men and women Of superior
gifts and virtues.
Yes, 1t is true to experience and OBJ
SerVAtion that q pain in the mind is
productive of large results. When we
come to analy1e our own lives, and to
take note Of those transitions where we
have seemed to emerge from q period Of
indifference and possibly Incidence, we
discover that 1t was deep-eeated dis
satisfaction, restlessness Of mind, lit
orally pain. that forced US to make q
fresh start. This Is eminently true in
those matters that concern our moral
and spiritual natures. It may be
tragic, but Is none the less true, that
our highest hopes and aspirations and
our striving for accomplishment are
associated with some of the hitterest
and most trying experiences of our
lives.
In recent conversation with a man
of large financial affairs, he said with
deep feeling that he had come to thank
Cod for the stern experience through
which he had passed and the losses he
had sustained In recent months owing
to the general economic depression, as
it had brought him face TO face with
what ne called ''the realities Of life"
It seems strange that worthy eac1i-
Evening star., 1931-05-17
News for Independent Shopkeepers
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

That curious human trait, local pride
is maintaining the single store In own
ership and operation in spite of the
growth of the chain store business In
the United states. The Department OF
Commerce, IN making an analysis Of the
salee by stores Of various types, finds
that INDEPENDENT operators Of single
stores still command 90 per cent Of the
retail trade.
the Interesting fact In the situation
Is that the smaller the community the
The small town has a consciousness OF
its own. a local patriotism. and likes to
patronize home industry in spite of the
much -heralded lure of big city things
It is found that the larger the city, the
lesser degree Of local pride Is evident
Personality is submerged in the crowd
The great community is too numerous
| for individuals to stand out in the world
OF merchandising and In such places
the chain store does better. It's service
| and wares are usually of high grade
There iS no sentiment about the busi.
| ness and patronage Is an tmpersonal
matter.
The Department Of Commerce sur
veyed stores In 485 cities. These con-
stitute approximately half of the cities
| and towns in the United States having
population Of 10000 or more. The
| small county seat with q sen1i-ruraI pom
ulation Of no more than 10000 and the
great metropolises Of 100000 and over
were included In the survey, 90 a fair
cross section OF the situation was as
sured.
That single store independents retain
30 large . percentage Of business comes
as surprise to many mefchaudisera
VINO have expressed the belief that the
day OF the independent has passed be-
cause the chain store can operate with a
lower overhead and can buy in vast
quantities at much lower unit prices
Therefore, the offlcial statement that
single stores are doing business aui
$1,000 100000 year is astonishing and
reveals a remarkable tenacity.
Where Small Businesses Flourish.
The smaller community Is the un-
questioned stronghold OF the independ-
ent. In towns ranging in population
from 10000 to 10000 Inhabitants. the
individually owned and operated stores
do 72 per cent Of the business. These
are the typical American towns where
nearly every one knows nearly every
one else, to which the farmers come to
40 their shopping ON Saturdays and
court days and where Main street q
more Of fact than q symbol. Sim Bie-
Ter has kept the grocery on the corner
OF Main and High for SO years and his
father before him at the same stand.
Inc hardware store has been in the
same hands continuously for two or
three generations. There still are coll
oreu bottles in the drug store windows
ana more drugs than miscellany are on
sale there, the soda fountain being the
principal concession to modernity'
But even in two cities Of / .9o0 .ono
ana over included In the survey. II e
found that. independent stores do s0
per cent OF the business. THE Iareer
cities are often divided up into interioT
communities. There are islands of bus
mess which develop In outlying residen.
| OF the characteristics of the sYnaiier citv
or town and q local pride Sometime
Evening star., 1931-05-17
Russian-American Trade
Figures Are Made Public
by HARDEN COLFAx.

With the State Department Study
Ing" the problem Of American Russian
relations and the Russian commercial
representatives in this country announc-
ing that 1t has become better business"
to deal with some European countries
than with America; figures of Russian
American trade, made available last
week by the Department of Commerce,
have become particularly interesting.
American business men supply the
Soviet government with agricultural
implements, industrial machinery and
technical advice. 1t is true America
sends the Soviet some crude metals and
alloys from time to time and a few
motor cars. Since, however, the Soviet
government. which Is the sole purchaser
OF goods for the union, is making every
effort to produce everything It's people
need at home, foreign trade is restricted
as much as possible.
X =
Shipments Of American goods to
Soviet Russia are made UP principally
OF tractors and other agricultural ma
chinery, with . large variety Of indus
trial equipment, including machine
tools, structursl steel and electrical ap-
paratus.
During the year 1880 American
manufacturers sent just over $42, 900, 900
worth Of agricultural implements to
Soviet Russia. Figures furnished by the
Department of Commerce show that
this represented an increase Of more
-
was tractors and harvesting machinery.
In fact, Russian purchases Of these
made up 30 per cent of all such ship
fnents from the United states during
the year. The is to 80 horsepower
model was the most popular among the
tractors, and America sent more than
14,000 Of such machines to Russia.
More than 1900 Scombines" also went
Evening star., 1931-05-17

to the Soviet Union, with a s,hsta ,+,s, /,
number Of threshefs and track -Iavir.,
tractors. During the first 0llarter ~
the present year So, 2,000, 900 worth Of
tractors. parts, combines and other
agricultural machinery was shipped to
Russia. A"~ v"
There was an exceptional gain also
in sales Of Industrial machinery ia F2,,s.
sia. In fact, that country almost frebled
its purchases Of the preceding wear
Russia displaced the United KINGDOM
as the second principal individual mar
ket Tor American machinery. The total
value OF exports Of this machinery was
JUST unuer $4,000, 900. The items
nearly one hundred in number-were
chiefly Diesel engines, various milling
and mining machinery, excavators and
shovels. lathes, grinding, forging and
foundry equipment, paper and pulp
making machinery and tools.
The technical advice which the
United States Is sending to Soviet Rus
STA Is part of the "seryice' which
American business regards as an essen
tial item in its operations. During 1880
according to Russian figures, the num-
Der OF American firms in the United
States doing business with the Soviet
Union was nearly 2,000-some so COM
panles and many more individuals.
+ 4 X X
1t Is long list of things Al,at the
American technicians are hired to do
IN Russia. They are expected Do help
IN the construction Of plants AOr all
sorts or Industrial and Misunderstanding
enterprises, In reclamation Schemes. ia
exploiting coal and other mineral re-
sources and to aid generally In develop
ing numerous phases of modern indus
trial life. One firm has been retained
for. assistance in designing q series OF
buildings and to render general con-
sultatioh services to the Supreme Eco
noflic Council as architects on indus
trial construction" The Russians have
even retained Chicago city planning
expert TO help them improve Moscow
as place to live In.
It Is reported that, during the present
year, the Soviet government will "im-
port" more than $4,000 new foreign
skilled workers In order to carry out its
construction schedule. In this list are
numbered not only Americans, but
Germans, Englishmen and experts Of
other Municipalities.
A few days ago q public statement
was made By Amt5rg. commercial
agency Of the ssussian government in
New York, to the effect that the de-
cline In Russian purchases from the
United States during the last few
months must be aacr1bed to q conlbi-
nation Of factors, Of which the lack of
Improvement in financing facilities on
Soviet orders here (meaning the United
Statesl IL one of the most important"
(Copyright. lsS1)
Evening star., 1931-05-17

A Chicago woman asks for q divorce
because her husband has not spoken
to her for four years but once, and
then to swear at her for letting q fsh
wrikgle of her hook. It will be inter
esting to know whether meanwhile she
has kept up the average OF conversa-
ton,
Evening star., 1931-05-17

Protests against the great military
AIR circus" mAneuvers are not prompt
ed by the thought that . country ought
to keep It's defensive preparedness
under cover lest q possible enemy may
discover something.
Evening star., 1931-05-17

A financial adviser" for the Holly
wood film people is now on trial on
thirty-three counts Of theft. This sort
of talent is always active wherever
there is plenty Of foolish money.
Evening star., 1931-05-17

A female hound dog is raising litter
Of fox puppies. However, it will not be
long until there ID re-enActed that fine
old ballad entitled, "A Mother Was
Chasing Her Son Round The Room"
Evening star., 1931-05-17

Complaint that Al Capone's beer bar
rels give short measure should really
be carried TO court in Chicago to de-
termine whether the Law Is applicable
to Illicit trAffic As well d 10 legitimate.
Evening star., 1931-05-17
'fias he taken uD the sameY"
aofnethihk Of 4 Strain.

For months the weary statesman frets
In conscientious service;
Now, who shall blame him II he gets
Irascible and nervous?
Evening star., 1931-05-17

Base ball pennants are not won in
May. but base ball cellar champion
ships are sometimes pretty effectually
established then.
Evening star., 1931-05-17

ever had duty to perform. when that
is done there viii be no talk OF erecting
o new Executive Mansion on account OF
the unhealthy situation of the present
building. II one Is required, 1t will be
On account Of other ana minor consid-
erations.''
Evening star., 1931-05-17

AN other States ana Canada.


The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
TO the use for republication of all news dis
patches eredited to It or not otherwise cred
itedssln this paper and also the local news
published herein. All rights Of publication Of
special dispatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star., 1931-05-17

"Gettin' even VIII an enemy" said
Uncle Eben, "Aint Eineter do no mo-
dan ADA de waste Of = whole lot Of
valuable time an energy to de harm ne
has already done YOU"
Evening star., 1931-05-17

The Spaniards ought to save some of
those churches and 1nonastefies for
cold nights next Winter
Evening star., 1931-05-17

- The man who used to sit UP with q
blck friend now attends an extra -infing
night base ball game.
Evening star., 1931-05-17
Juvenile Privilege.

A man who wants to yell with slee
Must pay the base ball game a fee.
Much happier q boy must be,
Since he can always l1uller free.
Evening star., 1931-05-17
Catching the PUse.

II guess that boy Josh o. mine will
make Q reglar golf player one o these
days"
HAS he taken up the gamer"
Not yet. But I've watched him at
work an I've noticed that whenever hes
specially interested in sonnethin' he jes
naturally stands pieeon-toed."
Evening star., 1931-05-17
AvOidinx shock.

'It must be hard to refuse the re-
quests Of some of your constituents"
II never positively refused 'em any
thing" replied Senator Sorghum. The
art Of politics is to keep 'em hoping" :"
Jud Tunkins says many q man who
gets q political position spends a large
portion Of his time wondering what he
wanted with 1t.
Evening star., 1931-05-17
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National S0o0.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-27
Here S One of
Those Younger
Married : SET
Stories Which
Husbands VIII
Especially Ap-
breciate.

get this money, although you said the car
was in the shop.
You owe $1,000 to various shops down
town that have supplied you with merchant
disc. Your salary is not 5000 week as you
have claimed, but only $50. You are spending
too much money, but you do not know how
to avoid doing otherwise"
Again silence. It could have been cut with
knife. Madge was sobbing quietly.
Hamid was speaking some more.
Mr.. Andrew Whelan. you have overdrawn
your salary $500 and you will be discharged
at the end of this month if you do not pay it
back. Your employer Is annoyed by waiting
You also owe large bills at stores"
\ AADGE was again on her feet "Sit down."
~ growled Andy Whelan.
''Mr Bragg" 1t was the terrible Hindu
again, you win lose your automobile, your
furniture and your home this month unless
you can raise $4,000 You did not lose $1,000
on the stock market as you have claimed.
Mr.. Conrad, you had seven collectors at
your door yesterday asking for their money,
but you have money. You gave a check
to Mr. Milburn to pay poker debt that was
refused at the bank"
Joe jumped up. This has gone far
enough" he exclaimed. ST can't allow any
more. don't know what this all means I
didn't tell Hamtd about your check, Bill and
I'm sorry. But"
Bill interrupted. ct told him, joe"
You told him?"
YES" admitted Bill
$50 did l." declared Bragg
ME, too" said Whelan.
few minutes later, with AaI Hamid gone
the gathering again took up its executive
session" Six men, sitting on the edges OF
their chairs, were eager to talk. Six women
fought desperately to keep back tears.
Tom Bragg got the floor.
I'VE fellows have all been in the same
boat, and we might as well stick together
I've got an idea to offer. From now on wen
use some common sense. Well go home at
IL o'clock, so Wen feel like working the next
day. Well serve nothing but coffee, and wen
play no more cards for money.
Wen stop kidding ourselves, and begin
kidding the old world a bit. Maybe, during
the next few months we can scare a few
growing wolves away from our artistic front
doors. What say?"
"Atta boy!" The idea carried unanimously.
1t was late that night when five happy
male guests departed from the Milburn home
leading five strangely silent women. This
affair that was ending so satisfactorily for
the men, had been nightmare for their
wives.
or course they were going to be good sports
about 1t all. However, there didn't seem to be
any very great cause for hilarious rejoicing.
They hadn't just been freed from bondage.
because they hadn't been in bondage. Perhaps,
they now had a bunch they were going to
get their turn in the bondage stuff.
been overlooked. He held it high toward
Madge. Here's a toast old dear. To the
end of the Rubber Check Era. All rieht?"
ooh, come on to bed" and Madge started
up the stairs.
Copyright, sssI0
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-27

mot sufficient funds" explained the man.
And all day long, Joe Mulburn sat there &C
his desk, buried in gloomy thought. He cursed
Heminway, Conrad and Bragg for cheap pikers.
but inwardly, he knew he was in the same boat.
What If he had lost q couple hundred dollars
last night? wouldn't he have given the same
kind Of check? So why blame the other fell
lows? The whole scheme Of things was wrong.
BY evening his face was brighter, but not
happier. He had plan, peculiar plan. which
inspired certain amount Of gruesome enthu-
siasm in him He was going to wage battle
against the notorious rubber check!
1--WE been thinking things over, dear" he
told Madge. I've acted like an old Scrooge.
From now on, we're going to be happy. tell
you what, you can have Aah Hamid for your
party, If you like"
Really? And you'll see him and make ar
rangements?"
TN see him tomorrow. I'm sure he'll come
II ask him."
Madge rushed to her telephone and called
the girls" Wasn't it just the most glorious
news in the world! oh, dearl Oh, dear!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-27
Pheiir

T $50 the party began to show signs
of breaking up. Louise Whelan
brought out her prizes, explaining
that she was ashamed Of them.
They were so tiny. A dozen silk
scarves for the high man, and Q
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-27

"WEDNESDAY evening at 10 O'Clock the
w IL members of the Sleepy Court crowd
were sitting In Madges front room, nervously
breathing the atmosphere Of the Orient. They
were. in fact, waiting for the arrival Of Aah
Hamid who of course, couldn't come until he
had done his turn at the Albee Theater.
The lights were low, and crescents and what
nots from the Far East were draped about on
the walls. Over in the corner by the stairway
was throne big chair having been luxuri-
ously covered with heavy red velvet. Madge
had created a perfect background for her
feature"
The front door bell rang Justify. Everybody
Jumped. Joe went to the door, Madge hur-
ried after him.
ooh help us ALI" whispered Stella Heminway
to the others
"I'm afraid I'll scream" said Nita Conrad.
Then Joe returned and took his place. More
quiet. And almost before any one realized 1t,
Madge stood in the doorway with the great
Aau Hamid at her side. She spoke few
words of introduction, and the great man TOOK
his seat
Hamid seemed to be studying his audience.
clock on the mantel licked like sledge ham
mer Then Hands voice. Il am now ready
to tell facts about any individual here who
wishes me to do So"
All eyes were on the mystic. They saw him
make few strange motions over the crystal
that had mysteriously appeared on his lap.
1T wish you to know my friends, that I read
only what see in the glass. say the things
that appear and nothing else Now, Mr..
Milburn-"
"Go ahead, Aali, and do your worst" Joe
replied.
Every WELL" said Hamid. "You had to pay
1914 to the bank this week.
mo! Mol" cried Madge, jumping to her
feet. Joe, you mustn't let him say
"Sit down." snapped Joe. "Sit down and
keen still. We asked Aali Hamid here and
we are obliged to listen. He is going to tell
nothing but the truth. Proceed, Aah, and
let's get it over with"
The guests had hunched forward on their
chairs their eyes wide.
"You had to pay $614 to the bank this
week to prevent your home being taken away
from you," droned Hamid. But you didn't
have the money. You sold your motor car TO