davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
Ignorance Is Bliss

4 To a great many prohibitonlsts ignor-
ance is bliss They have continually proved
this by their failure to know Of what they
! speak. 1t was strikingly illustrated in
Washington this week when senate man
.ufactures subcommittee heard testimony OF
Louis J. Taber. Master of the National
! Grange Among other things that Mr. aber
/ said was that the referendum vote on the
prohibition question to be held in this state
; next November was illegal and unconsu-
tutional". That he had no grounds for
such statement was proved few minutes
! later. the speaker himself admitting that he
: wasn't sure Of his claim
Il Furthermore Mr. Taber left himself open
Ito severe criticism when he stated rather
T. openly that the National Grange opposed
, modification OF the 18th Amendment.
! Senator Bingham Informed the Master that
f. he was member Of the Grange and that
E. mo referendum had ever been taken by that
body on the subject, so he could not actually
! speak for all its members. Further question
! ing by Senator Bingham revealed the fact
that Mr. Taber opposed the Bingham pro-
sposa on the ground that it would put
Uncle Sam in the liquor business. When
: asked to explain how this would be, he
couldn't even recall the Bingham resolution,
! All Of which is proof enough 10 those
: who are interested in the early settlement of
. liquor controversy that the dry adherents are
: relying too much upon ec-timent and not
enough upon actual facts. They can still
. sway great numbers by imprisoned pleas
for sobriety and temperance but they cam
not vindcate the noble experiment they
wished upon us by any facts or figures. We
;. don't class all prohbitionsts in this fashion.
. There are any number who would not have
!. appeared before the senate subcommittee and
;. submitted to Senator Bingham's probes with
. out being possessed of a clear working
!, knowledge of what might be asked Of
!. them.
7 Mr. Taber represents one element in this
{. fight that will eventually lose it for the
temperance forces. If only more of them
can be called upon to defend the 18th
j. Amendment and to attack the proposals OF
those who seek to change or repeal it the
fight would soon be won. We don't doubt
: but what there are many members of the
+. Grange that are supporting prohibition. But
: for the Grand Master to say the Grange is
. the foe of beer is ridiculous When dry
. adherents won't even consider actual refer
. .ndums taken in bodies such as national
i've proof of their opposition to the
amendment why should the vets think the
Grange is dry when the Grand Master says
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
Weather and Traffic

Various cities have had more fatalities
than usual this winter. One traffic COM
missioner attributes the unfortunate gain to
the weather. which has been unusually fine.
Normal winter weather for most of the
northern states alternatcs snow and ice with
rain and sIusb / his winter there has been
much open. warm weather, with cry streets
and fair skies and more accidents. Why
should fine driving weather bring more &C
cdents than bad weather with its poor vsl-
bility and slippery pavementsf
The traffic commissioned gives the an
swer When driving danger is increased by
weather conditions drivers are more careful
fewer drivers take their cars out, and fewer
pedestrians 20 out In fine weather there
are many more cars and pedestrians the
streets. caution is relaxed. and the accidents
follow. The situation should be studied by
safety councils and automobile clubs and
expoundcd to drivers in general along with
other safety lessons.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
FINLAND RESTORES LIQUOR
(Hartford Times)

The referendum to which the
Finnish government submitted that
countrys twelve-years-o prohibi-
ton law has resulted in q to ]
rejection of the dry enactment. Not
only the urban population of Hels-
ingfors, known to be overwhclm~
ingly wet, but also the rural re-
giops voted for repeal by one-sided
majorities. The reports also state
that so per cent Of the woman vote
was against continuance of prohibit
tion. There was almost no interest
in the modification proposal for
light wines and beer.
As had been explained before the
referendum was held, the agitation
was strongly Influenced by the
argument that the Finnish treas
ury desperately needed the income
from an excise tax which was rec
commended by the vets as a much
better method than to permit much
wealth to leave the country through
bootleg channels. To that extent
the prohibition issue has been dis
posed of on the strength of a more
or less unrelated consideration. IL
balancing the budget should be
made the final criterion for social
legislation there would be no limit
to the type of law or license that
might be legalized.
Although Finland has decided to
restore the sale of liquor. 1t does
not follow that 1t Is on the way to
more healthful or prosperous con-
ditions on that account. Money spent
for alcoholic beverages cannot buy
food and clothing.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
WASHINGTON THE PLAYGOER
New York Herald Tribune)

(NeW York ld-TriDune)
In this particular year, when
throughout the country the bicen-
tennial of the birth of George
Washington Is being universally
observed, and when particular at
tention Is being called to the per-
sonal qualities and characteristics
of the many sided Father of His
Country, it Is of more than passing
interest to learn of his pronounced
taste for theatrical entertainment
and of the Colonial and republican
theater he patronized. The details
Of this circumstance are most In
terestingly rehearscd in an article
by Montrose j. Moses entitled His
Excellency General Washington" in
the current issue Of "Theater Arts
Monthly"
1t Is, of course, a matter Of COM
mon knowledge that Washington
had pronounced penchant, fire.
quently gratihed. for all forms Of
amusement, such as horse shows
and races, card games. fox hunting.
cock fighting, ball games. cricket
and shooting parties and, allied TO
this, was q keen interest In the
amateur and professional theat-
rlcalS OF the peTiOu' I've liol wv
ord of his playgoing derives from
his "Barbadoes Journal when, at
Bridgetown with his brother Law
renee, he attended a performance
of George Barnwell." "The gem
tlemen of the College," meaning
William and Mary. were frequently
aware Of his presence at their
productions Of Restoration COM
edies. Even during the campaigns
of the Revolution he often encour-
aged charades and amateur theat-
ricals among the American officers,
and after his inaugural In New
York he became one of the most
regular of the first nighters at the
John Street theater.
The record of Washington's ac-
tivities as a playgoer contributes
materially to the portrait Of the
first president as person fond OF
the good things of life and acts
materially to offset what Rupert
Hughes calls "the devastating bliz-
card of stilted eulogy" of the man.
It aids In restoring balance to our
view of the personality of a gentle
man who was not only q high
minded statesman but also an ur-
bane and polished amateur OF all
the graces of'life.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
A SEARCH FOR THE BEST MAN
Hartford Courant)

In looking for q successor TO
Oliver Wendell Holmes on the
bench of the supreme court. the
president faces task that VIII be
simplified II he restricts himself to
the consideration of no other quail
ifications than character, ability
and experience. His experience fol-
lowing his nomination of John j..
Parker Of North Carolina a year
ago should warn him against max
ing a nomination that seems 20
have been dictated even In the
slightest degree by politics. AS
events then proved, such nomina-
ton stands small chance OF being
confirmed, and 1t can olyy result In
embarrassment to all concerned.
Geographical consi r a s
should count for as little as poll
tics in the mind Of the appointing
mower. While q fair representation
Of all parts of the nation on the
bench OF the court would be graft
fying. It Is by no means essential,
and merely because one section Ii
NOT Represented" the president
should not feel obliged to make up
the lack II no qualified candidate
can be found there. Like the pres
idency, the supreme court was In
tended to represent the whole ma
ton, not the sections that comprise
It. and the effort of the president in
making appointments to 1t should
be simply to find the best qualified
man, whether he live In Boston or
In Seattle, In Minneapolis or in
San Antonio.
Finally, too much consideration
should. not BE given as to whether
q proposed appointee Is liberal"
or Is conservative" In his consti-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30

Some interesting facts were brought to
light by state supreme court decision this
week. Standing timber of sufficient growth
cannot be taxed if it has been certified by
the state forester. Such is the gist of law
that was passed by the state Legislature in
1929. Seldom is the law invoked as there
are very few people who know of it or who
take advantage of it. However. people who
own large stands Of timber can benefit by
securing the aid of the state forester. If he
inspeots the timber growth and finds the
stand mature enough to be so ranked he files
a certificate to this effect in the tax collec-
tors office in the town in which the land
is assessed. When tax valuations are set on
the land they must exempt the timber. 1t
was failure to do this in New London that
brought forth the recent supreme court de-
eison. The owner of the timber was ex-
empted from paying taxes on it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
Here, There And Everywhere

tutional views. Such labels are
generally quite misleading, as was
proved in the case of Charles
Evans Hughes. who before becom-
ing chief justice was roundly de-
nounced as conservative" and
who afterwards proved himself n
liberal Of the same cast OF
thought as Mr. Holmes. The "trans-
formation" of Mr. Hughes has
blunted the opposition Of the pro-
gresslves in the senate to any NOM
inee to the supreme court who doea
not subscribe to their vague fol-
mulae, and the president need have
no misgivings with regard to them
provided he bases his appointment
solely on merit and on no other
consideration. Politics, geography
and "leanings" should all be dis
regarded In search that should
resolve itself simply to finding the
best available talents for one of
the highest offices of the nation.
Who the best man might be is
perhaps matter Of opinion, but
were the opinion of the lawyers of
the nation sought. they probably
would unite in declaring him to be
Ben jamin Nathan CardoZi, chief
justice of the court Of appeals Of
New York, jurist who. like Mr.
Holmes, IL regarded as among the
foremost legal philosophers of the
time.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
What Shall Be Taxed?

There must be new federal taxes, and
nobody wants to contribute if he can help it.
This is true equally of individuals and cor
porations. Sales taxes are tempting to law
makers, because they would be quickly pro-
ductive and inescapablc And there are
some commodities in particular that attract
the attention of the taxing powers Auto
mobiles and radios for instance. But de-
tenders are quick and effective in their pro-
tests.
Says spokesman of the automotve in
duslry: These taxes will defer, and posi-
bly, defeat. the vitality important program OF
getting the people back to work. They are
a direct assessment on the depleted incomes
Of the American homes. A spokesman Of
the radio industry says sales tax on recelv-
ing sets as a depression tonic has the cura-
tive properties of carbolic acid A pro-
posed increase in the tax on stock transfers,
broker complains. bits heaviest the low
priced stock and the man who buys less than
100 shares.
All right But something has to be
taxed and some groups must stand it. Who
will volunteer What! No volunteers?
Then it will probably be federal tax on
gasoline That is always easy and obvious.
There is the proposed electric power tax
too, which at | cent per kilowatt- hour might
bring in nearly $1,000, 100000 year
Power companies and city consumers would
kick, but the farmers would not mind it
much
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30

State pharmacists are still hopeful that
the Capper- Kelly bill, stabiizing prices of
drugs. will be passed by Congress. The
measure is one of those hardy perennials
that finds its way into the legislative hopper
1t would provide more protection for inde-
pendent drug stores from the inroads of chain
stores which have cut into the patent medi-
cine and package trade heavily of recent
years. The bill has been before Congress
for the last sixteen years. 1t even antedates
Senator Norris lame duck resolution. That
probably will be more successful than the
druggists attempt to save themselves from
the chain store menace.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
QUOTATIONS

The capitalist system will last
long enough for me and that's all
I'm worrying about.
&c. B. Shaw.
1t Is not necessary to sing vocally
in order to sing.
Ramon Novarro. movie star.
Ether Germany shall be allow
ed to export, and then she can pay.
or II exports are prevented the
payment of political debts becomes
impossible.
Chancellor Bruening of Germany
Without government guarantee
of deposits, we shall simply have
to wait until banks quit popping
before confidence Is restored.
Professor I. N. Carver of Har-
ward.
When the law makes a foolish
pawn of American womanhood,
then the army, navy or any decent
MAXWELL, use your imagination.
Admiral II. II. Wilye, retired.
The list of American presidents
presents an almost unbroken ar
ray of British names. English
kings, on the other hand, are often
foreigners.
--Havelock Ellis, writer.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30

Governor Cross has taken up cudgels
lately in attacks on the Smoot- HaWley tariff
which was passed last year. but which in one
year has caused more upheaval than any OF
the previous high tariff walls that repub
cans had erected. OF course we all recall
how the Hoover administration stated that
the high tariff was essential to protection
Of American business. Hoo much protec-
ton it afforded can be s;<i in this last dis
astrous year. 1t has m,rely done what
critics said it would do-estrange the remain
der Of the world with which we do business.
And it will continue to do that until rates
are lowered. A program Of reclprocation
by foreign competitors doesn't help our trade
balance. We recommend that our legisla-
tors at Washington seriously consider the
proposed democratic tariff measure which the
House has already passed There seems to
be tendency in the Senate to bicker over the
measure. The sooner it is passed the sooner
we will be able to resume our normal trade
relations with our worldwide customers.
The situation more than anything else GER
tainly proves the soundness of one demo-
cratic tenet tariff for revenue only will
suffice. The Hoover administration has
almost foundered the nation with many Of
its proposals. 1t isn't too late to save it
with <ommon-sense.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
M TO-DAY So
Z WORLD WA A,
&xH qG8E
AMERICANS ON LINE

On Jan 80, 1918, Americans
were reported for the first time to
be. in the front line trenches. The
next day Germans made raid on
the American lines killing two
Americans and wounding four
others. One was reported missing.
Announcement was made on
this day that since Feb !. 1917,
when Germany launched her cam
paign of Unrestricted warfare, 50
American ships, totalling 17l,O6l
tons, had been drowned.
To offset this, 107 German and
Austrian ships. having a gross ton
mage of 6S6.494, were seized and
added to the American merchant
marine.
The All-Rusian Congress of
Workmens and Soldiers Delegates
adopted the constitution of the
Russian Socialistic Soviet Re-
pIibljc"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
NEA Service Writer

| NIIA oSTVlSC WEieST
Washington.-The Reconstruc-
ton Finance corporation Is gener-
ally expected to save certain
threatened banks, railroads and
other corpora tons whose collapse
would be likely to plunge the coun-
try deeper into depression.
Whether, by causing release OF
frozen credits and boarded funds,
1t will actually give the general
bituation the flip required to
place the bottom of the slump
definitely behind is a matter Of de-
bate between the optimists and the
pegsimists. There seems to be a
real chance that 1t may.
| Throwing the government into
| business as 1t never was before,
the administration and congress
have adopted the most drastic of
several measures yet used to meet
the crisis. Although designed for
both its psychological and material
effect as were the 800, 100000 tax
reduction, the moratorium and the
| Hoover-sponsored National Credit
corporation-none OF which halt
ed, even if they retarded. the
downward trend--it has greater
possibilities than any of them.
1t is called a. billion dollar
corporation because it will have
$500, 100000 from the treasury for
emergency loans to banks rail-
roads, insurance companies and
other corporations and may raise
| 1900, 900 900 more for the same
purpose by issuing its own bonds or
debentures.
Many banks, congress found,
were not in a position to liquidatc
their holdings or take care of their
depositors. Last year 1890 banks
failed, with deposits of $1,759,00b.-
900 on which it is believed the aver
age depositor's loss will be about
SO per cent. Surviving banks
threatened by frozen assets may
now turn to the corporation for
| loans.
The corporation will thus serve
as place of refuge and, In a
sense, as guarantee Of deposits.
The fact that 1t has stop-gap mon
ey available Is expected to give
the business and credit structure,
as we'll as deposltors, the conf
dence they so badly need. No one
expects that the whole of the two
billions will ever be borrowed, but
the measures sponsors think 1t
should peg the defation process
and end most of the uncertainty
about how much worse things may
get in certain directions.
Railroads have had serious DIFF
liculty i'm financing themselves since
the security market went tobog-
gaming and their earnings sank UNI
der the general business decline.
They have $70,000.O00 in obliga-
tons maturing in the first quarter
Of this year and in the six months
ending with April will have re.
quired from $S5,000,000 to $685.
0O0,0 900 above their available cash
and receipts in sight. Some roads
have been faced with obvious dis
aster, but now, when they can't get
loans from banking channels or the
public they can depend on the fed
eral government. The theory IL
that the new bulwark will inspire
confidence in new railroad re-
financing so that the roads can get
most of the needed money else
| where.
| Insurance companies have had to
sell securities at q loss In order 10
meet unprecedented demands for
loans to policyholders and their
position will likewise be strength
ened. although 1t has not been as
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
RITCHIE AND HIS HAT
New Britain Herald.)

Governor Richie of Maryland
has sizeable hat to throw into
the presidential ring. He IL a pop
ular fellow. He has been elected SO
many times in his home state that
1t has become q custom and his
successes have attracted national
attention.
With customary straightfor-
wardness he addressed the throng
at a Jackson day dinner, and blast
ed the national administration for
It's 'evasion. inaction and blunder-
ing"
And with further straightfor-
ward enunciation of his thoughts.
he admitted he would relish being
the presidential candidate.
Some candidates suffer from too
much modesty to make such an
assertion, though by their actions
they indicate conclusively that they
are after the nomination. Richie
says his thoughts on this subject
because II is contrary TO his nature
to evade and beat about the bush,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
At The National Capitol
DAILY WASHINGTON LETTER
A Digest of Who's Who and What's What
BY RODNEY BUTCHER
DAILY WASHINGTON LETT

serious as that in which certain
banks and railroads have found
themselves.
Credit, vitality essential to MAIN
tenance of business enterprise, hus
been dried up and a dominant fac
tor, experts agree, has been fear.
Not the weak fearing the strong,
but the strong fearing the weak, ="
according to Governor Eugene
Meyer of the Federal Reserve
board. Strong banks fear the eff
fects of failure of weak banks and
restrict credit. If that fear can be
dissipated by federal support of the
weaker banks return to normal
credit operations becomes likely.
strengthened credit structure
and increased confidence, 1t Is
hoped. will be accompanied by a
return to circulation of money
now boarded,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
Personal Health Service
(By William Brady, NJ. d.

Signed letters pertaining TO personal
health and hygiene, not disease diagnosis or
treatment, will be answered by DR. Brady.
Address him. care OF the Democrat, sending
stamp and addressed envelope.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
SO 1T GOES

Their married life was stormy,
Marked by brawl on brawl.
Which proves that into every life
A hit OF ruin must fall.
O--O-O
Capone apparently made tho
last gangster picture, both on and
off the screen.
o-O-O
Opportunity knocks-but In
different way than all the
other knockers.
o-O-o
Many a man starts out to do
a town up red. only to discover he's
color blind.
The electric rocking chair exhibit
at the c. L. &c r. is okay with one
exception. A politician should be
seated In the rocking chair.
600
No guests are ever permit
ted at a tire blowout.
600
The Hurricane automobile is
making its appearance. That
would be an ideal car In which
to go over the Storm King high
way.
600
Good night.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30

il is without even a referendum to back up
his claim1
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30

Sweden has advanced to fifth
among shipbuilding nations, pass
ing Germany In this respect.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30

There were 50.510 members of the
A. E. F. killed in action and died of wounds
in the months of our participation.
There were 1864 members wounded, not
MORALLY, in the same period. Terrible, isn't
it, But listen to this. In the 8 months
ending December 81. 1881, there were
$3.50 men, women, and children killed in
auto accidents in the u. S. A. In that same
time there were 1,576,840 people injured,
not fatally. After all the battlefield isn't SO
much worse than cur highways and streets.
I'VE have l65 slaves apiece" says an
economist. SO why do we work." And the
answer seems to be that we don't.
Gangs may lose their glamor when we
stop giving gangsters pet names.
All vehicles must be lighted not later than
5:35 o'clock tonight.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
Good evening.
600
AND WHY NOT
"a SMILES THE THING"

WV
AND WHY NOT
When you play the game of life,
Play II square,
IL matters not, the toll or strife,
Play IL square,
For when all Is said and done,
Life must have its share Of fun,
Tears dry up, smiles just run,
Play II square.
The song, "Now's the Time to
Fall in Love-" must have been
written especially for leap year.
600
The grocer may know his
onions but 1t takes an expert
to know his scallions.
600
Monday used to be wash day.
Now it's the day that the laundry
man calls.
o--O-o
SO IT GOES
She sprang at him,
Anger In her fling,
Nature students know full well,
A "boiling spring."
o-O--o
Be still sad heart, why do you
pine, leap year may bring, your
valentine.
O-O--O
Cars creased, one dollar.
Politicians greased-well how
much am l worth?
o-O-O
We've entered the period of re-
construction. And may the depres-
sion never be reconstructed In
years to come.
600
Time, tide and the elevator
wait for no man--or woman
for that matter.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-01-30
O--O--C
POME

Four college students,
They scorncd a big sedan,
But when rumble scat came on,
They tumblcd to a man.
o-O-o
The way to q mans heart is
very often through chiffon stock
ings.
O--O--O
They sell eggs now by size.
But IL bad egg is Il bad egg,
irrespective of physical dlmcn-
Sions.
O---O-o
When race Is decided by a
neck, consider the possibilities of
"a giraffe.
The woman who likes to
talk scandal Is never q lady.
O-O-O
TO the hungry, half q loaf Is
better than u couple Of cinnamon
buns.
O-O-o
When the neighborhood dis
covers one of its female resi-
dents wears a wig, then the
old game of wig -wagging be-
gins in earnest.
O--O-o
Nowadays a girl fills the bill
If her leg fills a stocking to per-
lection.