davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
Diversifcation Puzzle

Among the agriculture specialists being urged to diversity their crops this year are the wheab potato, tomato. sugar beet and cucumber growers. Each group is told to cut down the acreage normally devoted to special product and to raise number of other things. Says an observer. the wheat people will now turn to potatoes. tomatoes. beets, and so on. The potato growers will probably turn few acres over to wheat and some of these other crops. And so it may go, leaving agriculture as whole about where it is now.
 It looks as if there ought to be diversifi cation dictator to tell farmers just what and how much to raise. Obviously there is more to the problem than artificial limitation of crops or haphazard diversfication. Econom cal marketing and development of bigger markets are quite as important as reducing the amount of stuff raised. The remedies suggested so far are too much like playing the old games of Stage Coach or Fruit Basket in which. at a given signal all the players leap up and change chairs, with somebody always left out because there is one chair less than enough to go around.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

The much abused Straits Turnpike! It has been tossed around by several sessions of the legislature. This year it looks as if part of it would be included in the state highway sys- tenn, but as for the Watertown-L Litchheld end of it the outlook is dubious According to an advertisement inserted in the Waterbury Dem ocrat by the three seectmen of Watertown the boundaries of the road, northerly from Watertown were lost or became uncertain Upon petition of property owner whose land adjoined the old turnpike the seectmen caused to be drawn up boundaries that coin cided as nearly as possible with the old ones It is too bad that the state does not preserve this road in its entirety. if not for entirely practical purposes then partly for historical It was built as long ago as l796. and was one of the first toll roads in the state (probably among the first hve) It is said that Benjamin Franklin laid out the road At any rate 1t joined the county seats of Litehfeld and New Haven for many years. deliberately avoiding Waterbury, then small community, but nevertheless an enterprising one. We say that for after the Old Straits Turnpike company was formed and its toll road opened Water bury merchants and fnanciers retaliated with the first toll road up the Naugatuck valley. Naugatuck being the southern terminus. There is too much history connected with the Old Straits Turnpike to allow it to become just cowpath in certain sections
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 1881
Total Abstinence

The Methodist Board of Temperance and Public Morals is launching quite campaign. It expects to enlist one million total abstainers a year until the entire nation is dry While we don't think there will be million pledge cards signed we do think the campaign will be well supported. It ought to be. Total abstin- enee is virtue and not vice. But we fully believe that the Methodist board and any other agency interested in true temperance and even abstinence would get far better results if it did not attempt to force people to abstain or to be temperate by law. That's our opinion and we intend to stick by it.
 Dr Clarence True Wilson makes some rather broad statements in his report on this gigantic campaign. We might not pick him up on them were 1t not for the fact that most of them will be accepted as gospel truth by good citizens who are on the fence as regards the prohibition issue. One little push will send them to either side. Naturally we prefer to see them enlist in the steadily growing army of those who believe that temperance must be secured not by legislation bat by. education For instance Dr Wilson says, T here was ab solutely no comfort for the vets in the Wick crsham report. Everyone of the propositions it laid down is as good as the drest of drys could have written ..
 Now that is perfectly ridiculous state- ment. as most sensible people know. Even MT Wickersham himself admitted just within the last ten days that the report his committee made on the enforcement of the prohibition laws favored the wet side more than it did the dry. He was quite excited about the crti- IL has been subjected by wet newspapers and speakers He thought that they should draw tli: most consolation from the findings. For D1 Wilson to maintain that the report was dry in the face of Mir Wiekershams s statement re- sembles nothing, but pure propaganda to us. If the Wickersham report IS to be used as csmpaign material wed advise either side to be careful of what portions of it they broad cast.
 Regarding the congressional situation the doctor was quite loquacious. We won't go into detail on what he said, but just point out that he referred to the wet representative of Massachusetts, George H. Tinkham of Boston as man of Jewish descent who represents Catholic constituency As matter ot strict accuracy Mir Tinkham's ancestors on both sides came over on the MayAower. If Dr Wilson can allow passion to overweight ac- euraey in his public statements we can't give them the attention that they might otherwise demand. We reiterate total abstinence and temperance are virtues, but that does not make the man who desires to drink wine. beer or spirituous liquors an outoast. It IS not vice to indulge, but question of taste. If total abstainers and temperance organizations can enlist support without calling upon the law to aid them. all well and good But let people with other convictions and who desire their personal rights and liberty to be untouched alone.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
Billion For Soldiers

There is greater demand for veterans loans than was expected when the privilege was given by congress. Almost everywhere there has been rush to take advantage of it. Frank T. Hines, veterans administrator esti- mates that 75 Der cent of the men will apply, and the granting of their demands will re- quire Sl 0.000,O00.
 Even those who regarded the legislation as unwise are not disposed to eritieise the bene- ficiaries now. Many of them plainly need help very much. It is merely unfortunate that so large part of the men feel obliged to bor- row money which, like most other insurance loans will never be paid back. When the policies come due, there will not be much left. Thus they will not havs served their original purpose.
 The United States Treasury is standing the ordeal very well. No difficulty has been found in doing the necessary financing. And Uncle Sam. as far as this particular deal in itself is concerned, is making money. In thus meeting his obligations to the soldiers prematurely, he is borrowing at 1 l-2 and per cent and charging l-2 per cent.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
The Wheel of Prosperity

The future is reasonably clear to John McHugh. head of the largest bank in the world. From his 40 years of banking he admits that he derives "a certain steadness of vision and ability to look beyond the imme- diate present. And what does Mir MeHugh see when he looks? This: We shall re- cover and then go on to still better business. Unless all signs fail, we shall go into another period of speculation and get into trouble again just as we have in the past
 The immediate outlook is reassuring. what ever may be our reaction to his long range forecast. Apparently prosperity is wheel of fortune It keeps right on turning. First we gain what we have lost, then we lose what we have gained probably getting ahead just little in the long run. but never so rapidly as we imag inc when we're on an up.
 Any of us can add another little prophecy. When we're at the top of the next imitation wave, we'll say again that we've abolished the business cycle" and then when we start sliding down the slope we'll say again that the cycle is inevitable, thereby casing our conscience and salving our pride. Is this cyclic movement of business really in the na- ture of things, law that we can do nothing about? Nonsense! Economic law is not q natural law like gravity It is merely state ment of the way human beings act. And human beings. having intelligence and will. can act differently if they want to. Humanity by using intelligence and mastering greed, could beat the cycle.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
Few Defenders Left

When the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America announced last week that 1t approved of birth control by contraceptlon it left few organizations combating this mod ernistc and materialstic doctrine. As far as we know the Roman Catholic church is the only religious society warning against birth control and the numerous legislative measures that are annually being proposed to legalize the use and knowledge of contraceptive methods We feel free to state that the Roman Catholic church will never dgress from its present stand. The sanctity of we'd lock and the chastity of the home will never lack defender.
 There must have been great deal of hesitancy before the Federal Council declared its present stand. It can be read between the lines of its report. For instance mi nority report included with the major advo cates Abstinence as an ideal but doesn't be- lieve that abstinence can be practiced gener ally. Naturally it can't if those who are to practice 1t are advised to use contraceptve methods But here is what amuses us. The Federal Council admits that the widespread knowledge and use of contraceptives may place in the hands of young people or unmarried couples dangerous information. It surely must know that knowledge of control of sex relations is widely spread and actually pra- ticed to-day. It is one evil that the Ro- man Catholic church wars against with un- failing vigilance. The Pope's recent encycli- cal bears witness to that.
 We are told that birth control is essential to the future welfare ot the nation. Over population is hinted at in an undertone. Large families cannot subsist to-day as they could 25 or 50 years ago. We are perfectly willing to believe that there are many birth control ad- vocates who think that this underlies their entire argument. But we can't help but think that they are in the minority The use of eontraeeptives defeats the natural ends for which men were created and no mortal being is omnipotent or can set aside divine decree. The trouble with most of us is we shirk our responsibilities as members of the human family We allow passion to overrule the will. When bodily desires call the spirit follows. We believe in confluence. but we .urn our back on it. That's for those who VOW themselves to celebaey We are entitled to sexual qualifications. But since we don't
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
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first heard about it recently from Leon Belasco, who operates band for Morton Downey, radios popular whispering tenor" Belasco in- formed me that this tune was first heard around Paris. He heard it there and liked 1t. Making inquiries, he found the words were in German, but that the music had been com posed by a ussian. At the moment, 1t was being sung in France. They were dancing to 1t at the swanky Delmonico night club and, unless rearranged or rewritten, Is going to be used by Jolson.
 Which makes it somewhat inter- national.
 Nor can one overlook the possibil- ity of cowboy songs coming back in a big way. Several sets of wild west gents have already been humming their way to good contracts here abouts.
 In the Theater Guilds most re- cent product, Green Grow the Li- lacs," troupe of 10-gallon hated performers burst into western bal lads at the slightest provocation. Other buckaroo balladeers have met with considerable success on the radio, screen and way points.
 Some of them-so 1t seems to this old cowband-might brush up a Nt. tie on Get Along Little Doggies" and Cowboys Lament" and Bury Me Not on the Lone Praire" and few others that we chanted when I was a younger lad.
 Speaking of musical matters re- minds me that a note on my desk says that Lew Reisman, the band leader, threatens to take out tnsur- ance on his famous hair It seems that Reisman has habit Of falnnB asleep in barber chairs and twice has narrowly escaped the shears og barbers who thought he needed haircut. For which you can't blame them. GILBERT SWAN.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

The legislature has received an unfsvor- able report on bill that would allow motor ists to afix license plates for the new year on their automobiles as early as December l6. The law now forbids new plates to be dis played earlier than the last day of the year. There is no leeway for old plates. They must be removed promptly at midnight December 3l. or the car owner is liable to arrest and fine. It has often been proposed that new license plates be issued several weeks in ad- vance of the first day of the new year. Other states have laws governing this provision. Why not Connecticut? The argument against the bill in. the house was that it would be too confusing. We should think 1t would be just the opposite. If motorists knew they could put the new plates on their cars ahead of time more of them would get them earlier and thus do away with the last minute rush for licenses.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
TO-DAY'S SELECTED POEM
NIGHT-BLoOMING CIRRUS

NIGHT-BLUOMING CEREUS (By Anderson M Scruggs in the New York
 Tmes). Here is flower that will not bloom by sun, Though all her sisters of the countryside. Like brazen wantons, fling their petals wide For every vagrant being to tread upon. Here is flower whose lips tightly sealed Against the hot breath of the summer day, While buttercups and daisies blush and sway Tn noontide's drunken arms in every field. Once and once only does she yield her heart: Upon the chaste still midnight, in an hour When lewd eyes may not see. beneath the
 bower
 Of alabaster stars she spreads apart Her petals like white hands. Then, if no moth In the swift moment of her one desire. She will not seek again another's troth. For if upon the curtained bed of night None seeks the snowy temples of her thighs She folds her virgin petals round he tight And. with the coming of the daybreak, dies.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

New York.-Is was something like a year ago that the nasal, jerky- toned "hill-billy" ballads, accom- panied by fiddles, ocarinas, jews harps and such, came floating down to Manhattan from assorted noun tains and valleys.
 To-day an entertainment vogue Is threatened. Launched by the radio, the theaters. night clubs and honky- tonks, the hill-billy is no longer a lonely, obscure product of the south ern hills. He's "everybody's meat" Almost anyone who can drawl out a given set of words, sing through his nose or whine the dirge of old Lem Loco is almost certain to get hand. At the moment one important music revue is featuring three "hill- billy sisters. Two eminently suc- cessful night resorts have Mandy, Si and someone else, once identified as "rube" entertainers, have adopted the new formula, and do 1t very well.
 A memorandum reminds me that Mons Coles "Mountainers' have signed up new air contract for something more than a hundred thousand year. And the Crocketts fiddle, dance and sing over another network. Three or four soloists on whose numbers I have recently tun- ed in found it advisable to break into one of the sentimental, drawl- ed-out ditties which rapidly become so familiar-and. seemingly, popu- lar.
 The next good bet, unless miss my guess. will be tinkly music-box tunes of the Germanic type; the sort of thing that can trace its ancestry to the Tyrol and Vienna. Al Jolson has one such in his new show, "The Wonder Bar" which is likely to help set off this vogue. AL ready, however, 1t has been started in small way.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

According to all reports from the metropol- itan newspapers the literary folk of New York are all agog. Theodore Dreiser. well known novelist, is said to have slapped the face of Sinclair Lewis. who was recently awarded the Nobel prize for literature. The incident is be- lieved to have been caused by certain remarks made by Lewis at dinner held in New York in honor of Boris Pilnyak, Russian writer. Lewis charged one of the guests with having stolen part of his wife's book. The dig was obvious to the literary folk. Later in the smoking room Dreiser and Lewis met face to face and the former is alleged to have struck the latter twice on the cheek. All of which is good material for story or play.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
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HENRy,S SpEE,H
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HENRY'S SPEECH
 On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry famous American orator and states man. reused the Virginia delegates to the provincial convention with a speech that has come down to us as the greatest piece of oratory of the colonial ere.
 It was delivered in defense of the resolutions which Henry himself in- troduced, to organize militia and to put the colony in an attitude of defense. It's most stirring passage was:
 There is no retreat but in sub mission and slavery. Our chains are already forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston. The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring the clash of re- sounding arms. Our brethren are al- ready on the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentle anen wish? What would they have? IS life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid 1t, Al- mighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
 The resolutions were passed unan- imOusly
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
Good evening.
 MARCH WINDS

Always blowing. blowing through Sweeping down from out the
 blue, Rushing, oh what speed and haste. Never has much time to waste, Swirling on, riot dim. Just chock full of pep and vim, We who watch its antics wild, Think of March wind as child. Just child, destructive bent, Hurtling on, wherever sent, Tearing this and that to shreds, Tramping feet, perhaps shod with
 keds, You just seem to breeze along, With your never ending song, Like meteor in the sky, Rushing past and doomed to die. Always blowing, blowing thruogh, Sweeping down from out the blue, Rushing, oh what speed and haste. Never has much time to waste, Another week and you will pass, Then dear friend, alaek. alas, We must wait year or so. Ere again. you'll blow and blow.
 O-O-o
 All a lot of people get for their pains is bottle of lini- ment.
 O-O-O
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

How many people know where the actual southern boundary of Connecticut is? It isn't the shoreline of Long Island Sound as might be imagined, but a line passing through Long Island Sound, considerable distance off shore. The line cuts sharply inside of Fishers Island off the southeastern corner of Connecticut, thus giving New York ownership of this spot. You might look for the boundary line the next time you're floating in Long Island Sound.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

want house full of children we'll IegaIize birth control and have the former but not the latter. That will never establish health. happiness and holiness in the homes where they belong
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
Personal Health Service (By William Brady, M. D.

Signed letters pertaining to pers"na' '.eaiti, and hygiene. not disease dingn's's of treatment. will be answered by Dr Brady. A"' dress him, care Of the Democrat. sending sta nm and addressed envelope.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

They say Europe is standing the hard times better than we are. That's natural. She more used to it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

Business is picking up little. Fatherd better get the kitchen painted for Mother be- fore somebody offers him steady job again.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

All vehicles must be lighted not later than 636 tonight.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
At 7he National Capitol DAILY WASHINGTON LETTER Digest of Who's Who and What's What
 By RODNEY BUTCHER
DAILY WASHINGTON LETTE

He became more and more closely acquainted with Hoover, so the en- tree has been maintained in the last two years.
 Joslin likes people and, one of his friends says, always had great faculty of ingratiating himself with public men," Off the job, his main hobby is gardening.
 Naturally, he is an admirer of Hoover and has much the same po- litical outlook. One reads in his dispatches of early this year that the senate is about to reconvene and continue ranting and raving," that the Nye campaign funds committee is smelling committee" and that Senator Norris of Nebraska is a renegade republican"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23

The seeds of the Russian steppe grass are thrust into the ground by the plant itself. The plant forms a coil of fiber and one wet days the fiber twists and works it's way into the ground. On hot days the fiber untwilsts, but remains in fixed position by means of barb at the end holding it firmly. under the soil.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
QUESTION AND .GNJIUER SERIES DO You KNOW CONNECTICUT? csnsid H TIE CONNECTICUT cnAfiBER or cofniERcx lae

I 4soAs srsssF | O. How much did Connecticut spend for highways in 1929? A. total of $l4.600.249; $1el477S for construction
 and $2,685.471 for maintenance. o. How far back do Connecticut aviation laws date! A. lol when the secretary of charged
 with enforcing the o. How has forest land been acquired! A. Approximately s5 per purchased; l4
 the and 74 acquired through exchange. O. How much does the collect through the sales tax sasolneF Q. When did brass manufacturing in Connecticut O. many Connecticut
 (Answers these questions will be published in
 Mondays Waterbury Democrat)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-23
DING, DING.

Careless Carrie married, She's wed to Sloppy Sam, And when the ncighbOrs come to
 call,
 The house is in a jam.
 o-O-o The vets point to the changing of water to wine as an argument in their favor. But perhaps it was sewer water.
 Don't tell a hard working coal miner that natures grand.
 O-O--o Some girls feel so comfortable on an arm that they can go to sleep on the arm of a chair
 o-O-o
 The trouble with the world to-day is due to the simple fact that there's too much trouble.
 o-O--o The party spirit is that generated by gin at modern party.
 o-O-o
 The man who gets to the top of the heap probably worked a heap harder than those on the bottom.
 
 The woman who is fond of having something up her sleeve should find plenty of space in the new mutton effects that are quite the fashion this spring.
 Dark circles under the eyes are caused by playing too long in the dark hours of the night
 o-O-o ''The verse is yet to come," sighed the poet. scratching his head for an idea or two.
 oHMIGosH. Here lies the body,
 Of Valentine Blink, He had Q fight over a laundry Check with a chink.
 o-O-o Words of wisdom the wise men forgot: The coward who lives in fear of himself hasn't much to be afraid of. o-O-o The man who goes around with a chip on his shoulder is going to meet an antagonist some day who will delight in kuOcklnB IL OIL .o-O-o If the ship of state happened to spring leak, the heroes" who have been hollering their heads off for the country would be the first to leave. o-O-o AND so IT GOES Mary cut her wisdom tooth, But now, good lands galore, Though she cut her wisdom tooth She's dulnber than before. O-O--O This concludes our regular Mon. day evening program. broadcast by DBD, Waterbury's pioneer station owned and operated by the Evening Democrat. We are signing off a this time, to be back on the all agai otnm-rorowvegaentn again tomorrow evening at thu usual hour. o-o--o Good night.