davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1932-01-30

soft" He places himself in the
hands of a trainer. He spends
perspiring hours in the gynnar
sium but finally emerges hard
and fit. feeling better and ready
to do a better job of living and
working.
And, similarly, during the flush
pre.depression years, American
business had become soft" It
had worried little over wastage
and overhead that were being alb
sorbed by volume and more
volume, with plenty to spare. >
But when the depression came,
such matters assumed their proper
Importance and received increas-
ing attention. Business went into
training" and began to brush up
on the old fundamentals.
In the automobile industry the
ouickening effect Of keener COM
petition for the decreased volume
of available business gradually be-
came apparent. Manufacturers
built automobiles that were more
attractive in appearance, that
were faster and more convenient
to drive-in short they gave their
products added value. In fair
ness to the automobile industry,
however, it must be admitted
that the motor car always has
rated relatively high in dollar
value. But the depression re-
vealed what actually could be ac-
complished under stress OF neces-
sity.
OF even greater significance IS
the fact that value was increased
with little or no rise in produc.
ton costs. It was achieved
largely through higher efficiency
and careful guarding of costs.
s And at the same time the auto
mobile retail organizations were
working out more efficient
methods of doing business. Deal
ers became better merchants.
Thus have Pontiac dealers won
success during the depression
months. Not only did they in
crease their profits during 1881,
but they sold more cars.
The Washington times., 1932-01-30
AUTOS INCREASE
IN GERMANY

BERLIN, Jan. 80 GN.S0.-The
motorization of Germany made
further progress in 1881, despite
the business depression. There is
now one car to every 40 Germans.
According to the latest Stats.
tics, there are 1,507,l29 motor
driven vehicles in this country.
These include 522,943 automobiles
161,072 trucks and 792.075 motor.
cycles. This represents an in.
crease over the preceding year
of 81 per cent, compared with a
II per cent increase from 1929
to 1929.
The Washington times., 1932-01-30

of the
of A
the
# dkOwnersh
The Washington times., 1932-01-30
1882 CAR VALUE
EXCEEDS ALL

Never before has the motorist
been able to get as much for his
dollar as this year. The cars
are better looking. they're faster
and more powerful. Best of all
most of them are selling at much
lower prices than last year.
The oil companies are keeping
well apace of the automobile
manufacturers, gasoline and mo-
tor fuels being lower in price
and higher in performance. That
the public really appreciates the
fine quality that it is obtaining,
is well demonstrated by the in
crease in sales of Amoco gas.
The Washington times., 1932-01-30
BY ALVAN MACAULEY
President National Automobile
Chamber of Commerce


Government bills have to be
met just the same as any other
bills. Taxes have to be levied
to meet them. There can be no
argument about that.
However. some tax levies can
be discriminatory and that is
wrong in principle. Some can
seriously affect the largest in
dustry in the country and that
is wrong economically at a time
when that industry, if unham-
pered, can be a tremendous force
in the return of the country's
prosperity.
When a proposed new and
additional tax is both discrimina-
tory and a real influence toward
slowing down business recovery
there are doubly sound reasons
why it should not be put into
effect.
The Treasury Department is
proposing that Congress levy a
5 per cent excise tax on auto
mobiles, per cent on motor
trucks and 212 per cent on
accessories, parts and tires.
If, as has been said repeat
edly by some of the Nations
business leaders, the automotive
industry can be a self starter
for the return Of prosperity. it
should not be handicapped with
this added burden. The uphill
climb for renewed employment
of 100000 persons should not
be hampered with this added
milestone.
Even without this new tax, the
automobile is the highest taxed
necessity used by the public. A
motor car owner pays 18 per cent
annually on the average value
of the vehicle during it's life
time. Gasoline, registrations,
drivers permit and other special
taxes levied against the motor
vehicle totaled more than $1,000
100000 in 1881.
The automotive industry is
willing to pay its fair portion of
the country's tax burden. It
The Washington times., 1932-01-30
AUTO BUSINESS.
FIFTH BIGGEST
IN CAPITAL
BY F. L. HALLER
President Washington AutOmOtive
Trade Association


Trade Association
The Importance of the automo'
bile as a means of personal and
economical transportation is uni
versally acknowledged, but the I'M
portance Of the automotive In
dustry as a contributing factor to
the general economic welfare is
completely overlooked by the aver
age individual, even by those who
pride themselves on being CONVEX
SAINT with commercial activities.
At this time, when so much Is
being said and written about or
ganizing business enterprises to
bring back prosperity, we believe
that you should know how much
the industry which we represent
an washington contributes to the
financial welfare of this city.
S5O,OOO,OOO Total
Upon sonsulting the figures
published by the Bureau OF the
Census covering retail distribu-
ton in Washington, for the last
census year we found that the
total volume of retail sales was
1891, 1,873,84 Fifteen per cent
of this or a total of $50,215, ,080.
is credited to the sale Of auto.
mobiles and their allied pro-
ducts.
Washington has total of 5,917
retail outlets of all kinds and
characters and that the group
represented by the automobile
dealer has 573 of these or almost
10 per cent of the total.
The retail outlets employ 3d.
sos people of which 1856 are
employed by the automotive
Of the total.
The payroll totals $43,694,510,
and of this the automotive group
pays $6,202,907, rising to more
than IA per cent Of the whole.
Figures Run High
Washington spent $30,780,450,
with new car dealers and $l,075,-
728 with used car dealers. New
car dealers paid out $3,233,831
for salaries and adding to this
the $183,505 paid to employees
$ by used car dealers gives us a
total of $3.417,366 paid to 1924
employees, an average of $1,776
per employe.
The automotive industry pays
to the property owners of Wash.
ington a total Of $653,051 for
rentals on premises it occupies.
Other essential expenses, not
including income taxes, cost Of
merchandise or return on invested
capital and allowing officers and
executives only the salaries of
ordinary full time employees. total
$2,790,601. We see, then, that
from the sale and servicing of
new and used cars alone that the
sum of $6,860,988 is expended
In wages. rents and other essen
t1al expenses, or more than one
fifth Of the total sales income.
The Washington times., 1932-01-30
1882 SPEEDSTER
Autos and OuUners Taxed
Enough-Aluan MacauIey

feels justified, however, in pro
testing strongly on behalf Of the
country's 26,O0O,o0O motor vehicle
owners against any further un-
fair distribution of the tax burden.
We consider it a real duty to
point out this unfairness and call
on the people of the entire coun'
try to protest strongly to their
CongresSmen.
The Washington times., 1932-01-30
HOW TO CLEAN TENDERS

Nearly all car bodies are lac
ouered these days. Not so tenders.
They are enameled. Accordingly,
it is we'll to remember that gaso-
line never should be used in
cleaning them. 1t dulls the finish.
The Washington times., 1932-01-30
STUDEBAKER SALES HIGH

December sales of Studebaker
and subsidiaries we're more than
so per cent in excess of Decem.
ber, 1929, and more than 100,
per cent in excess of December,
1880, according to A. r. ErSkine,
president of Studebaker.
The Washington times., 1932-01-30

rog SIS TO-
ward methods
Of sound, care
f u /, efficient
management.
At the start
of this two-year
period, Ameri-
can b us n e IS
m light hi av e
been compared
to the success
ful ana SllBnGIy
overweight man
who, suddenly
realizes, tn a t
he has-become
The Washington times., 1932-01-30
AUTO AIDED BY
OFF-YEAR
PERIOD =.
By w. A. BLEES
Vice President in Charge of Sales
Oakland Motor Company

In one way the dull peroid
OF 1880 and 1881 must be re-
garded as a period of progress for
American business. period of
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
CALLS THEM "AWAkE"

A reader of the Askov American in
the southern part of the state in send
ing his subscription renewal and ex-
tending the seasons greetings to the
force writes: THE people of Pine
county are awake. They do some
thinking of their own as indicated by
the letters in your paper under 'Opin-
ions of Others. 1t goes to show there
are some folks besides university
graduates who can express their Opin-
lens in manner that shows they
have given the questions some
thought. And until the common man
gets out and makes his voice heard
in that he is dissatisfied with condi-
lions as they are, we cannot expect
any relief" The reader also express
SeS appreciation of the Askov Amer
lean in general, saying lit is a pro-
gressive paper which expOunds the
sentiments of the forgotten man'-the
farmer and wage earner-the people
who create the wealth of this country
and who do not share enough of the
benefits
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
A VOICE FROM THE PAST

published
Said the little red
What's become of all those fat a to
The old black hen who heard him didn't
She had through
So she flew the her.
AS she said wasn't worms to
She picked and undug harda firm
The little red ground no place for
The old black Free
Il the she said to
The vainly the ways
Where fat had
When nghta found him rough
I'm hungry fowl be. Conditions areto
He turned the old worse with you
For you're only hungry be tired too
rested while watched for |
how Without that work."
The old black hoped perch
And murmured
full happy, long and we'll
as ad to dig
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
NOT ALL ROSES
(Olivia TimeS)

The country newspaperman today
faces poser that hasn't faced the
average office for the past % years.
1t is how to publish a newspaper
that doesn't cost him more money
than he takes in, and yet to keep it
up to a standard that is creditable.
The average country newspaper has
seen its advertising volume cut in
two twice. To provide news matter
or editorial for this increased white
space is a task that the average shop
force isn't geared up to. A few have
solved the problem by reducing the
number of pages. Custom DEGREES a
four page paper, or a six or eight
page paper, but no one can print
three pages. But no matter what the
editor or publisher does, he cannot
get away from the fact that he is
likely to lose money on each and
every issue that he prints.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29

let the surface water run off in the
spring. and also take the frost out
of the edge the same time as the
center of the road. | am glad to
notice that some maintenance men
have both the nerve and sense to dis
regard his orders in this respect, and
they have the best roads.
AS a taxpayer | most strenuOusly
object to rehiring our present engi-
neer, and now is the time to make
objection; not wait until after he is
hired. | would like to hear from
others who feel the same way; also
from anyone who has nerve enough to
put up a defense. Let us all meet in
Pine City when the hiring is to be
done, at the commissioners regular
January meeting and decide whether
we should have men working for the
best interest of the taxpayers of Pine
county, or somebody not paying a
single cent tax in the county, but an
nually drawing thousands of dollars
out of the county
Yours for more reform in Pine
county
A. p. JENSEN.
Askov, Mimi.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29

AT the present time we have no
state agency to deal with this ques-
tion; there is no tribunal from which
to obtain any information. However,
the United States geological survey
is authority for the statement that
hydro plants in this state have a COM
bined capacity of 2S7.289 horsepower
OF course a small percentage of this
amount is generated by municipal
plants which, Us | have said, should
be exempt from taxation.
We have heard a great deal about
tax reduction and Legislators and 9TH
ers have offered plans to provide
additional revenue. With the eXcep-
ton of a sales tax (Which is unthink-
able) or an income tax, a hydro tax
would produce more revenue than
anything suggested.
H. w. DART.
Proctor Mimi, Dec. 26, 1882.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
SUGGESTS HYDRO TAX
Editor Askov American:

Editor AskOv American:
issues of the American it appears that
your readers are rapidly coming to a
realization that the power question is
live issue, and statements such as
made by Mr. Wilkinson are not taken
seriously by those who have taken the
trouble to inform themselves on the
subject.
That we'll managed municipal
power plant is valuable asset to any
municipality is accepted by practi-
cally every one who has no private
axe to grind However, under pres
ent conditions it would be difficult or
impossible for many municipalities
to erect power plants, and the only
alternative is to submit themselves
to the tender mercies of the power
only charging exhorbitant rates but.
from considerable study of the stu
alton. believe are paying but a
fraction of the taxes they should.
We are committed to the principle
that natural resources should pay a
higher tax than other property. This
is eXemplified by the classification of
iron ore property as well as other
taxes on iron ore.
Numerous courts, both federal and
state. have decreed that the flowing
water belongs to the people of the
state, and the state has the power to
tax the users thereof. Is there any
reason why the power interests should
reap the profit accruing from hydro
development without reimbursing the
state other than by a property tax?
South Carolina taxes hydro energy
at One-half mill per kilOwatt hour.
This is in addition to all other taxes.
Idaho has similar legislation but !
have been Informed that it is being
tested by the federal court because Of
a clause relating to interstate sales.
believe a bill of this kind should
exempt municipalities, also safeguard
the consumer by making it impossible
to pass the tax on to him.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29

children that we still will have bet
ter schools and we will feel we'll re-
paid for the efforts we have made.
You people of any district elect the
board. The board then hires the
teacher, they in their judgment hired
the one they thought best fitted to fiji
the bill for eight or nine months Oc-
casionally the board makes a mistake
and gets teacher that is not what
they expected he or she to be, but
these cases are rare Should such be
the case the only thing to do is to
visit school; talk with the teachers,
cooperate with them and help them
And | am sure when all is said and
done and the school term is out, most
of us will say we had a good school
last year. Let's make it still better
next year. Whatever we do, let's all
cooperate, boards. teachers, parents.
children and all. United we stand,
divided we fall
BEN NELSON.
GrOningen, MINI.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
PRAISES TEACHERS
A Skov, Mimi.
Editor AskOv American:

Editor AskOv Americana:
| am not politician, so will not
write on that issue, nor will | write
Oh the tax question, or the 18th
amendment, but | wish to voice my
opinion and views on a subject which
is of the utmost Importance to all of
us--Our schools.
What state has a better school sys-
tenn than Minnesota? And who has
made our schools as up-to-the-minute
as they are? have a word of praise
for our State Board of Education; our
county superintendent. and school
boards throughout the state and cOun-
ties, but what could be done without
a staff of good teachers, and we sure
have very good teachers. What the
school boards and parents expect of
a teacher is much, indeed, and l am
sure that if the boards and parents
would visit school real often and talk
things over and cooperate with the
teacher it would be much easier and
pleasanter.
We know fault finding is so easy,
but have we parents no faults? | have
mine, and | know we all have. We
have often heard said that the teacher
spends too much time from the reg
ular studies training her school chill
dren for the various programs
throughout the year. This is one
thing | do not consider that there is
any time wasted on. should a little
time be lost preparing for these pro-
grams, from the regular studies.
Don't the children learn anything
while studying and training for these
programs? How many of us could get
up before an audience and do half as
we'll as they? l dare say most of us,
should we be called on to get up and
speak, would get red in the face: our
knees would shake until the bones
would rattle and finally we would sit
down after mumbling few words
that were just above a whisper You
know how embarrassed you would feel
You parents don't want your chill
dren to feel that way when a little
training will overcome this and no
one is in a better position to do this
than our teachers. So let us. the
school boards, and parents, help along
in any way we can by visiting school
and encouraging both teachers and
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
PROGRESSIVE LEADER
GRATIFIED

Editor Henry G. Teigan OF the
Farmer-Labor Leader who resides In
Minneapolis and was elected to the
state Senate there last week to fill
the unexpired term of the late Sem
ator Lewis Duemke, issued a state
ment following his election. Coming
from a man who has taken an ac-
tive leadership In the progressive
movement of the state for twenty
years or more it is of interest to citi-
zens out over the state. Mr.. Teigans
statement follows:
| Il am naturally quite gratified a.
the outcome of the election. 1t is par
ticularly satisfying to become the first
Farmer-LabOrite to serve in the state
| senate from the Twenty ninth legisla-
tive district.
1.-The victory for our cause was won
| without misrepresentation of issues
involved and without appeal to local
or other prejudices. And that makes
the victory dOubly gratifying not only
to me but to the Farmer-Labor asso-
| citation, the Young Voters Liberal
league and to other independent pro-
gressives supporting my candidacy.
my membership in the senate
means the strengthening of the voting
power of the supporters of Governor
Olson's administration In the upper
house. | trust too that my election
may have the effect of influencing
other senators. especially those COM
ing from districts which gave plural
| tiles to the Farmer-Labor ticket in the
election on November last, into sup
porting the governors program and
policies.
ITO the fine loyal workers of the
Farmer-Labor association, the Young
Voters Liberal league and other pro-
gressives who fought to make victory
possible, | want to say thank YOU l
want to assure them that their con-
| fidence in me has not been mis-
placed
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
CRITICIZES COUNTY ENGINEER
Editor ASkOv American:

ELuIIOT AShoN AIu6TlcdH.
At the taxpayers meeting Feb. 4,
last winter at Pine City, some Objec-
ton was made to the county engi-
neer's salary, and at that time | for
one felt that his salary could well be
cut to some extent, but | have since
reversed my opinion. The longer
look at his road work the more dis
gusted | get with it. In my opinion
if he is hired for the coming year
without salary, he would still be too
high priced, as he is wasting more
money annually than what his salary
amounts to. | may be from Missouri,
but | have yet to be shown any road
that he has built the last few years
that has not cost from one-third to
one-half more money than there is
any reason for, and why? There may
be several reasons. but lack of super
vision is the main reason. | also
would like to be shown the road he
has built that has proper grade. a
grade that will drain the surface
water off.
road he is still worse. AS long as
he insists on leaving a six to twelve
inch high grassy edge along the road
over winter. just SO long are we going
to have impossible roads in the
spring.
In dry season there may be some
reason for leaving some edge during
summer, but every fall this grassy
edge should be taken away. If it
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29

steel trust country Is heard so much
at this time.
Norton Is as cunning as he is cap
able. After the cyclone of November
Sth. in which the Old Guard and
special privilege were almost ami
Inflated, he began to look around for
a candidate for speaker who would
be entirely amenable to his plans. II
it had not been for the massacre OF
November Sth, he might have rested
his finger of destiny upon Hitchcock
Dunn or Sweitzer or some other
faithful" but this he knew could
never be. So with characteristic
shrewdness he chose the only man
within his own organization who
might be able to ensnare some un-
suspecting progressives-Andrew Fin
stuen of Kenyon, the man who sat on
his Rules committee in 1891 and
would rather be speaker than right
But the honest progressives knew An
drew Finstuen. They recalled his po-
sitiOn in the 1891 session when he
turned a deaf ear to his progressive
colleagues and sold his soul for a
place on the Rules committee and the
craftsmanship Of Highways in the
Norton organization.
In 1929 Andrew Finstuen was a free
man and was held in high esteem by
his House associates. In 1891 he
strayed from the straight and narrow
and joined the flesh-pot brigade led
by Boss Norton. Today he is Norton S
candidate for speaker.
Norton never smiles his favor upon
any man unless he is his man. And,
FinStuen is Norton'S man-bCdy and
soul. That is why the sincere pro-
gressives frown upon his candidacy:
that is why his claim for speakership
honors is ignored by the forward look
ing members-elect to the House who
have turned to Charles Mum, Oss co
farmer. whose loyalty to the progress
Sive cause has never been questioned.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
| AM THE FARMER

Wright County Journal-PresS, Buff
falO, Mimi
| am the Provider for all mankind.
Upon me every human being con-
stantly depends.
A world itself is built upon my toll,
my products, my honesty.
Because of my industry. America,
my country, leads the world: Her
prosperity is maintained by me: her
great commerce is the work of my
good hands; her balance of trade
springs from the burrows of my farm.
Continued on Page 81
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29
OPINIONS OF OTHERS

(Short timely letters on topics
of public interest are welcome.
whether or not the writer's opin-
ions conform with those of the
American. All letters must he
signed with the writer's name for
our information. Signed articles al
ways are more effective. but if the
writer does not wish to have his
name used. it will be withheld)
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29

Jordan Independent: Money and
lands you may lose, may have taken
from you; but education. learning and
wisdom, obtained in schools, colleges
or other media of instruction. cannot
be taken from you by anyone but
yourself.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29

Robbers in Berlin. Germany, OBJ
tanned $4,000 on the same day that
robbers in Marion. Ohio, obtained
$4,000, affOrding each nation an op-
portunity to say something about law
and order in the other.-New York
Sun.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29

food expert says a glass of orange
juice is a good supplanter of buck
wheat cakes. But how could you get
three butter cubes and half pint of
maple syrup to mingle with a glass
of orange juice?-LOuisville Times.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-12-29

Italy has shelved its only two bat
tleships. MussOlini will probably take
the place of both of them.-Wichita
Eagle.