davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
Primitive Business

In the wealthiest country in the world. which has prided itself on the greatest bus- ness efficiency and most highly developed business institutions. our business is re- verting to the primitive-"going native" We begin doing business as the Indians did before us. and as the first whites did with the Indians We turn again to barter. trading commodities and services directly for each other. instead of operating through general medium of exchange. This practice has sprung up again in scores of Ameri- can communities and seems to be sweep ing the country. In many places too, We are reverting to process only step above direct exchange of the goods themselves operating locally through scrip" or un- official token money of some kind, in- stead of the usual paper or silver dollars based on national gold reserve.
 In other words, under the stress of l widespread paralysis of industry and trade. accompanied by shortage of the circu- lating medium of exchange, we are going back to the economic bottom and start ing there to work up again. We may work up in this way. accomplishing again in a term of years what formerly required centuries. Even so. it is slow and awk ward process, useful when necessary to get people back to working for each other and thus enabling the whole group to live but not otherwise eommendable. What has become of all our planning and executing brains. in business and govern ment' A truly intelligent society in such a situation would begin at the top and work down through the whole mass
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
Arms Embargo

If it is strange, in world whose leading nations have renounced warfare as an in- strument of policy" to see Japan making war on China, it is stranger still to see sev- era of the most civilized powers selling arms to Japan and other nations It IS hoped that Congress will empower the Pres ident to declare an embargo on arms ship ments to warning countries which disregard the Kellogg Briand treaties and other peace pledges. If other ms-manufaeturlng na- tions will not withhold arms in such cases. that is no relson why we should not do so'
 The argument that any country which cannot make its own arms has right to buy them elsewhere is unsound. As for the argument that denial of arms shipments is undue interference with private enterprise, must private enterprise be allowed to inter- ferc with public policy In a genuinely civilized world there would be no manu- faeture of war munitions for private profit. In the future we shall probably handle such things better.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1883
Sorry State of Affairs

Patronage bids fair to disrupt the legis- lative program of the General Assembly this year. According to all reports from Hart ford there is little likelihood of the Legisla- ture passing any worthwhile measures such as are vitally needed to keep the state in ad- vance of the times Important bills that may be expected to die in committee or by virtue of a Senate and House deadlock are those establishing the district courts in place of our present system of minor ones; old age pension relief; prohibition repeal or mod ifieation: unemployment relief and host of others just as important relatively speak ing.
 This is the last week for bills to be in- the four legislative days. They will deal with many matters, but even the least im- portant one will be scrutinized carefully for some trace of political origin. If any is found opposition will arise in either the republican House or democratic Senate. We blame the republicans for the present state of affairs. They still regard themselves as the arbters of all that is holy and just in Connecticut. They fail to recognize the fact that in the past two state elections the democrats have invaded their strongholds.
 Connecticut today has a democratic gov- ernor serving a second term. It has Sem ate that is democratic by but one vote. but in such a small body as the Connecticut State Senate this one vote is as safe as ten. The House is strongly republican more so than in 193l. On this and the fact that the governorship is the sole democratic state office the republicans base their assumption that to them belong the spells of victory. Two years ago Governor Cross showed pronounced disposition to play fair with both political parties by giving bi-partisan repre- sentation on court benches, commissions etc. He would do the same thing today, if so permitted.
 But with the organization of the Legls- lasure there was no spirit of fair play demon stfated by the g.o.p. It grabbed everything in sight even all the stenographer's jobs for the joint legislative committees. As re- suit democrats in the Senate are prepared to reject every judicial appointment coming to them where republican appontee IS con- cerned. A deadlock. this occurring would revert to the governor for settlement under the Supreme Court ruling. We don't know how Governor Cross would act under such circumstances, but we don't believe that he would dgress from his stand on bipartisan representation. That would please the re- publeans immensely. but anger democrats. And there is the situation. an ugly one if ever there was one. And right at a time when constructive action is needed, eons,rue- tive action that can only come from complete legislative cooperation.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24

Coming hard upon his recent victory for Filipino independence. Senator Harry B. Hawes of Missouri has just handed in his resignation to that body. Normally his term would expire on March 4. He was not a candidate for reelection last November. But he plans to permit his successor to have a months apprenticeship to aequaint him. self with the duties of the senate. And his successor is none other than the son of a former democratic congressional leader Champ Clark. The sons name is Bennett C. Clark. It is expected that he will be named to Hawes' seat for the months interim by Governor Park of Mis- souri, Hawes is retiring after l2 years in both the House and Senate. He returns to his first love. game and fish eonserva- ton, a subject on which he was con- gressionaI authority. He will represent several national organizations at Washing ton. He should be able to do some invalh- able lobbying for them.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
Birds Or Rats and Bugs

Any prejudice dies hard. The National Association of Audubon societies is having it's troubles trying to kill the popular prejudice against all birds of prey. In spite of facts proved and made public by the Department of Agriculture showing that owls and all but two species of hawks are the farmers allies, communities continue to have hunts and contests directed against these birds. In the process, they not only kill large numbers of owls and hawks which normally devour the real pests-rats and miee---but also, in excess of zeal. they kill many insect-eating song birds.
 A few states have now extended pro- lection to hawks and owls. It is sound policy. Those birds. and others, kill more rodents and insect pests than human beings alone could cope with. Rats do more dam age to the farmers poultry and insects to his fruit and grain, than the birds ever do Instead of being pests themselves, birds keep down the numbers of the real pests.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
A Book a Day
by BRUCE CATION

The far-famed pure food law Of the United States is 50 full of loop holes as to be disturbingly ineffec- tive. Furthermore, 1t IS administer ed in such way that the profits of manufacturers arc protected much better than the health of tho consumer.
 These arc the amazing charges contained in "100.000,000 Guinea Pigs" n startling, outspoken book by Arthur Kallet and Y. J. Schlink. Easing their assertions on gorern- ment records and the flies of con- sumers, research, these authors as- sert:
 That the scandalous patent medi- cino trade is flooding the market with worthless, and frequently poi sonous, nostrums.
 That the consumer has only the poorest protection against adulter- ated foods, and that foodstuffs con- taining highly delecterous matter are extermely common.
 That all manner of popular med- icinal preparations supposedly far above tho patent medicine class arc practically worthless, and in some cases are actually dangerous.
 The authors demand complete change in policy by the food and drug administration an durge q drastic revision of tho basic law. Published by the Vanguard Press, tho book retails for $2.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
Missouri Does 1t

Missouri has just gained another honor to add to that of being the state you have to convince. It is the thrty-sxth state to ratify and thus insure of place in the con- stituton of our 10th Amendment. fami- iarly known as the lame duck amendment. By summoning its legislators to an early right to go down in the records as the state
 that made the new amendment legal. Massachusetts was in the running for this title and under normal circumstances might
 have secured it. but Missourians wanted it even at the expense of arising few hours earlier than ordinarily.
 There were other states pressing for the
 right to be known as the state to clineh the
 lame duck amendment Georgia and Utah
 were prepared to pass it today. Probably
 all three did vote favoraby on it. But
 their vote has no more effect than to make
 it unanimous in the Union. Missouri did
 the trick with her hurriedly summoned ses.
 sion yesterday morning. Meeting at Z
 o'clock yesterday afternoon Massachusetts
 legislators naturally would have an advan-
 tage on western states due to difference in
 time. This Missouri eircumvented by meet
 ing at 10 a. nl., central time, l ] o'clock our
 time. and rushing through the vote.
 The amendment does several things to . existing parts of our federal constitution. , Primarily it abolished all short sessions of . Congress by advancing the date of eonven' { ing from December to January. Had the {. amendment become effective last year the Z Congress that we elected in November l932. . would be in session now instead of the {. Congress that we elected in November. 1.1930. The inauguration of the president Z and vice. president is advanced from March to January, a business procedure that is ap. 4 proved by everybody. It also provides for q presidential succession in the event of the president-eleet dying, and untimely hap pening to which evidently our early law makers never gave thought.
 We regret that this state did not cast it's ' vote for ratification of the amendment last Z week when the proposal was conveyed 10 l, the Legislature. That action will be taken Thursday. By that time perhaps the entire fofty.eight states will have approved. There doesn't seem to be dissenting state in sight which is unusual in view of the fact that the goth amendment was only proposed to the several states in March, 1852, lees than one year ago. If all the states fatify before March 1t will be the only amendment boast
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24

According to reliable reports sitting out of Washington these days the chances Of Connecticut landing a cabinet post are ex' tremely slim. If anybody from this state IS to be named to such high position it will be Homer s. Cummings these same reports state. However the very latest information is to the effect that Connecticut won't be SO honored. There seems to be remote possibility that National Committeeman Archibald McNeil may find place in the Roosevelt little cabinet" made up of de- partment under secretaries. IL may be re- called that the Bridgeport democrat was in conference with President-elect Roosevelt last week. But whether it was to discuss
 a place for himself or some angle of fed eral patronage in this state no one seems to know. Of course strictly speaking distribution of patronage in the state will rest with Senator Lonergan primarily and secondarily with Representatives Kopple' man and Maloney in their respective dis. tricts. But it is being whispered around that Mir MeNeil may have something to say with regard to some of the positions for which Senator-eleet Lonefgan would nor nally suggest the appointeesY However' there should not be any quarrellng about this point. The civil service commission
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
MIR. MAcKENzrHs STATUS
(Hartford 1'lmes)

Representative Mclius of War ren, q republican, arose In tho house yesterday to let 1t bo known that he Is 50 far from satisfied with his assignments to committees by tho speaker that he has re- signed from tho places given him. In protesting he followed tho ox- ample of another republican rep- resentativo who voiced similar ob' jection last week.
 Representative Melius alluded by name to Harry E. Mackenzie Of Bethel, who has como in recent years to bG regarded as the reptfb- ican boss in legislative matters. Tn his watchfulness over the legiSla- tive sessions MT Mackenzie follows tho example set by Mir Roraback who for q long period of years was always present on legislative days in order that members might profit from his benign influence.
 MT MclIus raised the question as to whether his resignation should be submitted to tho house or to MT Mackenzie.
 We sympathize with tho repre- sentative in his objection to outside lHIIuCHCO III COHLTUl OI icBlbIutiVc matters. The Times has been ob- jecting to that for q great many years.
 We objected quite pronouncodly two years ago to, the spectacle of MT Mackenzie being included among leaders of the general as- sembly, in c conference with Gov ernor Cross when legislative mat ters were being considered. We should have been grateful if Gov ernor Cross had shown tho un0f- dlcial gentleman from Bethel tho door instead of taking him into the discussion.
 If there are to be conferences between republican legislative lead CTS and Governor Cross with refer. ence to matters before tho general assembly at this session, we trust tho state will Do spared the spec. tacle of boss, or wpuld-bo boss, who holds no official position, be- ing included in tho conference.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
Bridgeport Telegraph

Connecticut is now divided into flvo congressional districts with one congressman elected at large. Tn order to provide for tho sixth con-
 gresgman, q redlstrlcting bill has
 becn introduced into tho iegisla-
 lure.
 By tho terms of this measure the towns of Fairfield county which
 now comprise ono congregational district (the Tourth) would Do
 scattered into three different dis trlcts. respectively dominated by
 the cities of Bridgeport. Now Ha- ven and Waterbury. Whatever else may be said about the division (and it may be admitted that coun- ty lines arc of little signiflcnnce) 1t suffers from tho fact that the new congressional districts will Do
 made of gcattored units in an
 amazing hodge podge of towns. 'The throe districts dividing tho towns of Fhirhold county under tho
 now dispcnsation would bo as fol- lows: Third district. New Haven, ches- hire. Wolcott, Prospect, Naugatuck.
 Bethany. Woodbridge, West Haven Orange, Milford. stratford, shelton, Monroe. Ncwtown, Trumbull, Eas- ton. Weston. Wegtport. Fairfield. Four district. Bridgeport, Wilton,
 Now Canaan, Norwaik, Darien.
 Stamford, Greenwich.
 Fifth district, Waterbury, ail of
 Litchheld county, Ansonia, Derby.
 sherman, New Fairfield. Brook
 fold. Danbury. Bethel, Ridgeheld, Middlebury, Southbury. oxford,
 Beacon Fails and Seymour. The abgurdity of such an ar-
 rangoment is apparent at q glance.
 Thus Bridgeport would Do. in the Fourth congressional district, but every adjoining town lTairheid,
 IIaston. Trumbuii and stratford)
 would be in the Third. Westport. Weston, Easton and Fairfield would Do in turn girdled by towns divided between the | Fourth and Fifth districts.
 It Is hard to believe that the leg isIature will permit any. such hodge podge division. Ignoring county lines, 1t should Dc possible to divide | the stato into six equal divisions, made up of adjoining towns, ao 1, that each congregational district will Do q unity and not q collection of Dcattered parts.
 T'he most that can be said for the bill which has been introduced ig that it provides q basis for dis- cussion. 1t is not above the eus- kplcion that its authors have made l It as bad ns possible, for tbe pur. l pose of discohraRlng, rather than furthorlng the redistrictins of the ' et4tes
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
To-day's Selected Poem
THE DEVILS GARDEN. (Ncar Palm Springs, CaL)

Mary Slegrist in The New York Tmos) Heather, rcd B1ge and yucca--ncres untold Of beauty Towering out of drought and pain; Tall blooming cactus that for months had lain Barren and parchcd, wearing only the old spincd garment of dearth: No dovips garden.
 this
 But one for the sons Of light! Hero wounds
 have made Wine for great flowers. Here death has laid Tn vain his finger. Here is only bliss Of life winning through. These cactl long had
 passed Beneath n searching sun. But always they
 dreamed Of bud and blossom. uIi one day what Beomod SpInes and a prlcking had become at last Flowers that wear for towelod ornament The heart-of-pain. This path the angels wentl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
MORE LINES
All the worlds q stage, Through which each life must
 flif

All the worlds stage, Through which each life must A stagc with movies done in sound. Stead of the old "icgi".
 o---O--o
 There's nothing now under tho sun. Those whito collars the girls have been wearing are the iden- tlfying marks of dear old Eton.
 O-.O--o
 T0chnocratB are called mad men. John Brown WAS called q mad man. Yet his was the spark that started the war to free the blacks in America
 o--O--o
 The now cnrs seem decidedly feminine. whnt with skirted fen- dcrs and the like.
 When beer returns the Bron- son library may have to stock up again on copies Of "Ten Nights in q Bar Room"
 o--O--0
 Many q man washes his hands of responsibiiities rather than shoulder them.
 This concludes our regular Tues- day evening program. It was broad- cast by DBD and came to you through the courtesy of the Water bury Evening Democrat, pioneer in fhie tyne of newspaper work. Wo arc signing off at this time, to be back on tho air again tomorrow evening at tho usual hour. O--O--0
 Good night. o--O--o 0ood night.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
Our Daily Washington Letter
 Does Congress Know Its Own Schedule?
BY RODNEY BUTCHER

Washington.---Durlng the discus- sion of two extremely important bills, once in the senate and once in tho house, members recently have risen to assert that no ono in the chamber knew anything about the pending measure.
 And each time there was some truth in the charge. This congress, by the magnitude and intricacy of the problems before 1t, was con- demned to wallow in ignorance. Tho next congress, with third of its members quite green, will be in even worse befuddlement.
 The general nature. of Q prob- lem is usually known, at least to q few. Tho committees study them carefully, call for the best advice and report q bill. The other mem- bers have to take the committees word and usually do, although the committee probably has based it's Judgment on what someone else has told 1t. If anyone tried to keep well-grounded on half the prob- lems now arising he would lose his mind. Only few know all about even a few things.
 The real and perhaps unavoid- able ignorance in congress-, how overland elsewhere as well--is as to whether medicines proposed will kill, cure or make no difference. T have listened to the debate on this bill from both sides," said Congressman Shannon of Missouri in reference to the domestic allot- ment plan for farm relief which became the "parity plan" over- night, land I am convinced that nobody here knows what 1t is all about"
 You can't search the brains of 425 congressman, of co1urse. But they were voting to "help tho farmer" and it's still anybody's guess whether tho plan will save the farmer while soaking the con- sumer or simply ruin them both.
 So did Huey Long speak much truth when he said no one in the senate knew anything about tho Glass banking bill. Senator Glass and Senator Buckley of ohio knew all about 1t, but the mass of gen. eral senatorial ignorance wos pain fully thick.
 Should we have imitation, and if so, what kind and how will 1t work out? What war debt policy is most likely to help us out of tho depression? Would tariff revision help or hurt us most? Or would q fve-billion dollar bond issue for public works start business hum ming again? Some members pre- tend to be sure of their answers, but most of them just guess. You can't deride congress. It re- ceives constant and voluminous advice from economists, bankers. industrials. business men and its
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
constituents. Tho trouble is that
 the advice conflicts.

constituents. Tho trouble is that the advice conflicts.
 What becomes of Speaker Jack Garner after he assumes the vice presidency? Reports from good sources are that Roosevelt intends to use his long legislative experi- ence by pulling him into cabinet meetings and relying on him as sort of q liaison officer not only with tho senate but also between the senate and the house, where he has spent 30 years.
 Garner will surely continue to have influence in the House; he knows it as well as any man and some of it's strong members arc his most intimate friends. But he prob- ably would exert great, if hidden, power there should his protege, John McDuffie of Alabama, become speaker. McDiffle couldn't reach that high post without Gamers support.
 Jack denies taking any part in the speakership fight and certain ly is taking no open part, but he knows as well as anyone that he wouldn't get along as smoothly with Byrns of Tennessee or Rainey of Illinois, the other two serious candidates, as with McDiffie.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
Here, There And EveryuOhere

waters of its "luminary home" in the sea.
 In it's modest but swift course 1t once recalled 4n its very name H queen, for the "Rapidan" was christened tho Rapid Anne" in honor of Queen Anne. who often "laid down tho sp1endor of tho court. 1t is an even higher dis- tinction that 1t will carry hence- forth us giving site and name to the camp home of President Hoo- vcr, who in most generous act has given 1t to the state of Virginia, whose 1t was once. to have and hold for the thousands of years when, as the old adage has 1t, tho river will still be running to the sea. ono hopes that the littlo mountain school .noar by will still bo kept in memory of his interest in the children of American and the world.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24

State Tax Commissioner Blodgett is still endeavoring to get cities and towns to make their fiscal years conform with their tax years. In report issued last week he stressed the need of making the dates of both start simultaneously. Such procedure would obviate the necessity of municipali- ties borrowing in anticipation of taxes. Such financial procedure has imposed a heavy burden in the form of interest, upon most cities. This in turn has increased tax rates Nobody should question this state- ment. It's as true as the gospel. It's one civic reform upon which legislators should agree.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24
"sTATE"f'OR "AGRICUITURAI,'
 (Hnrtford Times)

The committee on change of name for tho present Connecticut Agricultural college, recommends to tho legislature that the new name be Connecticut state college. Its reasoning in favor of q more exactly descriptive name is con- vincing. The similarity of the pro- posed designation with the namo of tho Connecticut College for Women is not so complete as to cause any great confusion. Perhaps 1t will make necessary using the full name of the institution nt New London more consistently than is now. done. The flor Women" phrase is ag- suredly . significant part of the title and should not Do loppcd off merely as . matter of convenience even if confusion with another ifi- stltution were not involved.
 The committee correctly points
The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-24

ing such record. As matter of record no amendment of recent years has been unan- imously adopted by the entire forty-sight states. All of which indicates the fact that the nation is desirous of killing off the 'lame-duek'.