davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
Chance To Justify Itself

While electric power interests prepare to take the whole Tennessee Valley experi- ment to the supreme court, to see whether anything in the Constitution enables Uncle Sam to behave as he has been behaving in the vicinity of Muscle Shoals, new proposition of even greater interest is be- ing made in connection with a neighbor- ing watercourse. This one is the Monon- gahela Valley of northern West Virginia. There is already an extensive industrial development in this region-coal mines, steel mills, glass factories, and What-not- and government experts have been look ing at the possibilities for great power project there. But this time, according to reports in Washington, they are going to suggest that the job be done by private industry and not by the government.
 Many details are still to be worked out, of course. Whether the electric power which can be had so abundantly in these 10 West Virginia counties should be gen. erated by water or by coal is still an open question The precise way in which hous- ing projects, industrial organization, and power distribution systems would be or ganized has not been settled. But the interesting thing is the suggestion that this whole development be financed and controlled by private capital, with Uncle Sam doing little more than offer sugges- tions and exercise general supervision.
 With the social objects that are being sought in the Tennessee Valley no one has any quarrel Better housing, rehaEillta- tion of backward rural areas, cheaper and more abundant electric power, a regional plan which would eliminate wasted effort and give every inhabitant chance for better life-these are goals with which no one can quarrel. Objection to the pro- gram. arises because the government is doing these things, leaving little room for private initiative.
 The Monongahela proposal would be an excellent counter-balance. By this plan, priyate initiative would have chance to show whether it can provide the same so- cial reforms. If it should prove that it couId-if the ends sought in the Tennessee Valley can be made available by private eaDitai seeking profit-then our tradi- fidnal profit-motive economy would justify i'd rirft to survival in the modern world. H would De hard to think of better way If colnparing private and public projects 5f fkis kind than to set up some such un- Sertakiue ais this, with the IVA alongside it as asyardstick'
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
Better Than Nothing

Reduction of the citys tax rate by quarter of a mill may not seem like much of a saving, but if the citizens of Water bury would stop to figure out just how many dollars have to be cut off the annual budget to effect such saving there might be less cause for criticism. Waterbury can be fortunate that she did not have to ln- crease her tax rate for 1885. In these times it is hard to make savings that will result in tax rate decreases without en- forcing some radical changes in the meth ods.
 And doubtless we will hear more about this in the days to come. Once the report of the Tax Survey Commission is presented to the Legislature, we can expect to have more demands made of the individual towns and the state itself that they cut oil some services they now give the taxpayers. This is not for the purpose of crippling any form of government, but is desirable way of checking up on expenditures. Many towns could probably do without some things that were needed years ago.
 We are anxious to see what other cities
 
 rates for 1885. There won't be many of them that will be in the position that Wa terbury is right now While we can't claim that the city is without public debt or boasts the lowest tax rate in the state, still we can point with pride to the financial status of the city in the money markets. It has never been refused loan in recent years when so many other communities could not secure them. It has never de- faulted on it's public obligations.
 Our next step is to cooperate in every way possible with the plans for revising the tax system in this state to make the burden on certain classes of payers more equitable. This can only be done through legislative action Much depends on the outcome of the report of the special commission. It will be hotly debated next spring, for it has offered many moot points. But it is safe to say that Waterbury will be glad to do everything possible to make the tax burden more in keeping with the times.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

Q. How many motion picture theaters in the United States are wired for sound?
 A. Out of 16,SS5 motion picture theaters in the United States prp- per, the 1884 issue of the Film Daily Year Book says that 14,3sl are wired for sound. Alaska also has IS theaters, all wired.
 0. Give the total registration of voters in the United States in 1882.
 A. 46.e65. .2sO.
 o. Which artist painted the pie ture that is reproduced on the Mothers commemorative postage stamps?
 A, It is reproduction of James Abbott McNeill Whistler's Portrait of My Mother"
 o. On what charge was Al Capone convicted and how long is his sentence?
 A. He was convicted under the income tax law and sentenced to ten years in a federal prison and to pay a fine of $50,000. He has recently been removed from Att lanta to the federal prison for dam gerous criminals at Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay.
 o. What is the difference be- tween a highball and a cocktail?
 A. Highball is a long drink of diluted spirits, usually whiskcy, served with cracked ice in a tall glass: cocktail is a short drink. iced, of spirituous liquor well
 o. What does the slang word "baloney" mean?
 A. Something that is without value.
 Q. How large is the King ranch in Texas?
 A. It contains about one and one-half million acres and has ap- proximately 125,0 head of cattle.
 o. Name some of the motion pictures in which Joe E. Brown has appeared.
 A. Crooks Can't Vim. "The Circus Kid", "The Ghost Talks My Lady's Past, "On With the Show, "Song of the West, Top Speed, Maybe Its Love, "Slt Tight, Local Boy Makes Good. !. "The Tenderfoot" "Elmer the Great, "A Very Honorable Guy, "Six Day Bike Rider. Hit of the show. "Take Me Home, Molly and Me-, Protection, Painted Faces, Hold Everything, Lot tery Bride, "Going Wild". Broad
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
THE STEAMROLLER IS
 OUTMODED
Bridgeport Times-star)

The value of the next session of the General Assembly to the State of Connecticut will depend, in the last analysis, upon the conduct of the republican members of the house of representatives.
 For many years it has been tra- ditional that the republican votes in the House should unhesitatingly follow the advice and requests of certain party leaders.
 The republican House has been the Waterloo of every progressive piece of legislation introduced.
 This year, republican members of the House have something to think about. For the third success sive time, the political machine dominated by those so-called lead CTS who have controlled the House in the past has been rebuked by the independent voters of Connecti- cut. The leaders who used to die- ate how the House should vote easi be labeled as definitely responsible for the present disrepute of their party.
 If the republican members of the House have any sincere regard for the future standing of their party in Connecticut, they will al- low no whiphand to be raised over them as they go through the ap. preaching session of the General Assembly. They will realize that only by independent voting can they restore their party to q posi-. tion of prestige in Connecticut. and that the old steamroiier which did suck valiant service for so many years is no longer the proper vehi- cle for the advancemsnt of the re. publican cause
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

As we slip into December there is an ap- preciable change in the landscape. Every thing out of doors seems to have an entirely different aspect. Or is it just ones state of mind or viewpoint? At any rate we gaze at the woods and think how like De- cember they look; while but few days pre- vious they looked like November woods. The sunsets take on a look of December; the afternoons, already short, grew short er The woods, which were bare great part of November, have colder look, and the glimpse of sky seen through the tall trees on late afternoon when the sun is quickly setting, is December sky The last remaining roadstands of November days which Haunted the late fall produce, are now empty and shabby looking; a few are decorated with Christmas greens and wreaths to tempt the passing motorist. December, we might say, despite the fact that there have been no early snow and seet storms of any import, is an estab' lished fact.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

Washington, Dec. The crack sleuthing force built up by the bureau of investigation is in sub-rosa revolt against it's chief, J. Edgar Hoover and higher-ups of the justice department.
 The basis of the revolt is that the bureaus operatives have been turned into a bunch of gunmen.
 This, they claim, is not what they were hired for. The bureau of investigation is charged with exactly what it's name implies s'investigatiOn." This requires skill, intelligence, long training, not necessarily brawn. As a re- suit, and because the depression made jobs scarce, the bureau en- listed some of the highest types of college men.
 Take the recent caualties in the bureau. Samuel Cowley, kill ed by Baby Face Nelson; W. Carter Baum, killed in the Dill finger hunt; and Francis J. Lackey wounded in the Brook Hart hunt, all were not only col lege graduates but in addition had law degrees.
 It is among these university trained operatives that the revolt is most intense. There also is re- sentiment on the part of these operatives that the work of the bureau, usually clothed in sec- recy, is attracting so much pulp licity. The effectiveness of the bureau has brought about the full glare of publicity on some of its members, notably the chief, Hoover, and Melvin H. Purvis, his Chicago aide.
 Unless conditions change, a gradual exodus of justice de- pertinent operatives is not un- likely.
 GEORGIA CORN
 Georgia's famous corn whiskey may be very fine for some of the grizzly-throated natives, but the members of the presidents party don't think so much of it.
 David Lilienthal, Tennessee valley mogul, was inquiring with a grin what the boys. at Warm Springs thought of it. They shook their heads gravely. Lili- enthal, feigning surprise, re- torted:
 "Well, the newspapermen ought to be able to stand it. As a matter of fact, this Georgia corn whiskey is very historic liquor."
 With a wry face, some one Tn the party snapped back:
 "Yes, very historic. It's the reason Sherman made his march to the sea. He was looking for water."
 CRACK DOWN
 It has been done so quietly that few know anything about it, but the president has just heaved a large sized brickbat at the motor moguls.
 Basis for it was laid on No- vembcr when he announced 90-day extension of the auto code. At that time Ee also pro- mulgated a study of the possibil- ity of changing automobile em- ployment from seasonal to an all-year-round basis.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
ChuckleCorner
MATRIMONIAL PITFALLS
By Fred Alton

Many a woman has sued for di- yorce because her husband owned plenty of grounds for 1t.
 As a rule, people who warn that terrible things can be caught kissing are afflicted with married life because Of It.
 Then there is the man who ab- sent-mindedly kissed his wife when she complained that he treateo her as if she were the cook.
 Modern wives may not be true always, but lots of men are con yinced that their battle-halves are going to run true--to rorm-Ior- ever.
 Girls who admire the man I
 wed
 Must keep away or I'll behead.
 --Jane S. Mrs Henpeck remarks gloomily that the new laws regulating in futures came too late to save her.
 A veteran telling of two wounds received in enc engagement was asked by 8 tilted youth II he meant he was lass-erated.
 The West Point graduate who quit the army to get married evi. dently believes that war too should begin at home.
 PEACE AT LAST A man dying, Quietly lying Far beyond medico's skiil; Loved ones weeping, Vigil keeping ... Even wife for once is still. But he's smiling As he's willing Time until the Scytheman's knell- No more nagging! No more wagging Of the tongue that made life heii'
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

This survey has now been launched, and therein lies the cup of gall for the motor mag mates.
 The latter had moved heaven and earth to persuade Roosevelt to have the study made by board consisting of representa- tives of the commerce, interior and labor departments, with Dr Leo Wolman as chairman.
 The president turned thumbs down on this proposal.
 He put the investigation in the hands of Leon Henderson, ex- officio member of the MIRA board, and Dr Isidor Lubin, head of bureau of labor statistics, two of the most competent and lib- eral economists in the adminis- tration.
 More than that, he gave these two young men full power to pick their own assistants and to hold open hearings. h
 This last authority is somc- thing that the auto manufactur- CTS have vigorously opposed throughout the history of their code.
 Henderson and Lubin lost no time in making the most of their opportunity. AS their chief aide the man who will actually direct the study-they appointed Richard H. Lansburgh, another liberal economist, secretary of iaboi, in the first Pinchot cabinet in Pennsylvania, and a former industrial engineer in Detroit.
 The choice of Hendseron and Lubin was a bitter blow, but the enlistment of Lansburgh is, for the motor barons, adding insult to injury.
 WHITE HOUSE KEY
 Emergency Relief Administra- tor Harry Hopkins was telling some friends what great guy" he considered Chester c. Davis, administrator of the AAA.
 "Chet's a fine fellow" Hopkins said. "He and I are very good friends. Why, we even got our Phi Beta Kappa keys in the same manner"
 How was that?" one of the friends inquired. H Hopk ins grinned:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
Press Comment
MISTAKEN FOR A DEER
(New Britain Herald)

The, mistaken for a deer" form of accident is strutting its lurid and gory chronicle across the newspa- per pages and there is pause to wonder about it.
 In Vermont a farmer. married and the daddy of three small chil- dren, was busy on his place when suddenly he felt the sting of shot. He diedw that same day.
 It appears that a deer hunter from the city, scouting about his place. saw the farmer moving and thought it was a deer. In addition to the farmer the moving object might have been q COW, dog, horse or any other moving creaturet. The city man, knowing no more about woodcraft than comes with the purchase of shotgunu, let go at the first "deer" he saw moving. His killing of the we'll known farmer was purely incidental to his eager ness to kill the deer.
 There is a custom of some years that folks in the north woods dur
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
So They Say

Under present conditions it is impossible to take a great modern orchestra to people who cannot pay for the privilege of hearing it. --Artur Rodzinski, director of the Cleveland Orchestra woman almost has to be big-headed to get along in pictures.
 Elmer Fryer, Hollywood portrait artist.
 
 can take one-half dozen of my people and put the United States even keel in 10 days if that bunch of mugwumps and crystal gazers in Washington will get out
 Senator Huey Long.
  No prudent nation can afford to be unarmed in the world today.
 -Lammont DuPont. The age of ndividualsm in economy-the age that rurtured the young repubc-is patiently drawing to close
 Prof George S. Counts of Columbia.
  After all, what have political parties got to do with our daily work? Chester H. Lang, president Advertising Fed eration of America.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

Well, now, just ask some of the boys around town how they got their keys. You can get them in college, or you can get them the way 1 did-a long time after I left college. All you got to do is have friend on the PBK committee.
 "Say," observed the friend, ''you know the president has key, and he didn't get his in col- leec."
 "oh, ah," laughed Hopkins. My error."
 PRICE WAR
 A hot price war is brewing in : the electrical appliance industry.
 General Motors subsidiary, Delco, has launched vigorous business grabbing drive against it's fellow giant competitors, General Electric and Nesting house. It is putting out Q line of reduced price goods.
 All three firms are parties to the electrical equipment code, containing price-regulating pro- visions.
 Neither GEE nor Westinghouse has as yet entered protests against Delco's policy. But a number of small manufacturers have. Whether they are acting as the front" for the two big concerns is not known.
 But NRA authorities are watching developments with keen interest.
 Some of them who favor the elimination of all price restraints in codes, privately are much pleased with Delco's bold action, hope that a similar spirit of re- volt vii spread to other indus tries.
 They predicate this desire on the contention that the only way employment can be increased is by removing production re- straints on industry.
 MERRY-GO-ROUND
 Carpets, drapes and other dirt-collecting furnishings have been banished from the new White House offices. The floors are covered with incapable fab- ric and the walls are painted. In the center of the ceiling in the presidents private office is moulded in plaster the seal or the United States. Solicitor General James Crowford Biggs says life in his post wou d really be enjoyable if there were no tax cases. He has 90 lawyers on his staff who do nothing but work on tax actions. One-third of all the cases argued by his office before the supreme court deal with tax matters. Miss Florence Kirlin, slim, youthful. newly appointed congressional secretary" of the National League of Women Voters, is dis armingly frank about her job. "The words congressional sec- retary'," she says, "are after all only a thinly-veiled euphemism for lobbyist" Arthur J. Tyrer, 64-yearold bachelor di- rector of the bureau of naviga- tion, has been in the government service 34 years, beginning as a $90O-a-year clerk and advancing to his present position through steady promotion. Repre- sentative Ham" Fish, New York socialite, when not hunting reds, hunts Currier and Ives prints, old boks on early American his- tory and rare black American glassware.
 Copyright, 1884, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Inc.)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
A Book a Day
How The Exploiters Wrecked A Culture
BY BRUCE CAPTION

s.Patterns of wolfpen" by Har- Ian Hatcher, is that rarity among modern novels-a book which real ly deserves the much-abused ad- jective. beautiful.
 It is beautiful not only because the author has good style-a fine feeling for the effect that can be created by skillfully used words-but also because he Is alive to the wistful and compelling beauty which is inherent in human life itself, if it be looked at with sympathy and understanding.
 It tells about a quiet little val ley in the Kentucky mountains. The time of the narrative is 1885; the people of this valley have had just century of isolated life, and fin that time they have built up a rich and satisfying culture.
 But the tide of American life is sweeping up the Kentucky valleys. There is timber on the slopes and coal beneath the ground; so the old, sufficient society is over whelmed by the era of exploita- ton, which destroys the forests. puts ugly coal towns where the liovely farm villages used to be, and gives the inhabitants a new and inferior set of values. MT Hatcher has described this change with rare understandlng and feeling. And he has had the arstic judgment to present his story through the eyes of a.young mountain girl whose personal for tunes, by good luck, turn out hap oily.
 Thus the tone of his book is not one of unrelieved tragedy. There is an upward lift, at the end.
 Published by Bobbs- Merrill, the hook sells for $2,50.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

Miss Katharine Lenroot, just appointed by President Roosevelt as head of the Chil- drens Welfare Bureau in Washington, D. C., should be fortunate choice since she has had many years as acting chief in this branch of work Waterburians will re- member her visit to this city few years ago as guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Waterbury Council of Catholic Wo- men and the Diocesan Bureau of Social Service.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

Ninded", "Fireman Save Me Child "You Said a Mouthfur, "Son or 8 Sailor" and "Circus Clown"
 O. Do the American winners or Irish Sweepstakes prizes have 10 pay tax on what they won?
 A. Their winnings are taxable as income received in the year 1934.
 O. What is the total population of the world?
 A. The international Statistical Institute of the League of Nations, estimated approximately two bile lion in 1890.
 O. What is the author of the maxim: Many hands make lignt work"? ,
 A. It is a quotation from Will liam Patten's Expeditions into Scotland, published ina1547, which he, however, paraphrased from Homer.
 If you want a copy of our bQl. letin MEANINGS OF BIBLE NAMES, write to The Waterbury Democrat, Washington Bureau, enclosing five cents in postage stamps.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
Selected Poem
BLIND MAN

BLIND MAN (Eleanor Alletta Chaffee in The New York Sun) To see the world; To again The blighted leaves, The eyes dark pain: To know a stranger As he goes In one brief instant . But he knows The face of darkness And none other. Even Death
 Will he a brother Touching shoulder With the steel Some may But he must feel.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
Daily Almanac

Moon rises 447 a.
 Sun rises 7:O0 a. m.; sets 4:24 p. m. All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset
 New moon, Dec 6, 12:17 p. m.: first quarter Dec IS, 5:44 a. h.; full moon Dec 20, S:45 D. m. last quarter, Dec 2S, 800 D. m.
 Morning stars, Mercury, Mars Jupiter; evenings stars, Venus, Saturn.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

The Christmas spirit is now quite mani fest. It should be remembered just now that ones joy in gift giving and receiving should be confined not only to ones family and kin but to the unfortunate who may be reached through local charitable organiza- tions.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

DECEMBER 5
 This is a good morning to push all business matters or to deal in business which requires activity or enterprise. The late morning is good for all forms of clerical work and travelling. Make up your ac- counts and study. The afternoon does not look important.
 Birthdate
 You should easily become a good orator and may be adept at satire. Get plenty of rest so that you do not get yourself in fog from June 8 through August 26. 1885.
 Danger of fire, accident or rash conduct from october through 6, 1885.
 Socially favorable June IS through 20. 1885.
 Answer letters and do literary work on December 1S, 14 and l5, 1884.
 Readers desiring additional in- formation regardilg their horo- scopes are invited to cOmmuni- cate with Octavine in care of this newspaper. Enclose a Scent stamped self-addressed envelope.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

The Prince George-P Princess Marina nup- tials now over ane quickly forgets the height of the wedding cake, the length of the brides train, the quantity and quality of her trousseau, and the staggering num- Der of presents received by the happy couple.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04
Questions And Answers
 by The Democrats Washington information Bureau
YOup cUNsTiONs ANswDRBD

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-04

ing the deer hunting season should wear red coats. Sue hred coats no doubt have saved many ahuman life, But farmers busy at or near their places are not going to be put to this trouble and expense. Nine times out of ten hunters are not supposed to be on their land any way.
 We were going to ginid up this editorial with a notation that more care by hunters is desirable. But what's the use? If we owner a farm in Maine, New Hampshire or Yer mont, we'd waste our life and money in the gaudy cities during the deer hunting season.