davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
NOT ALWAYS BEST

ONE of the troubles with collecting an elab-
~ crate set of statistics is that half of the
time you can't figure out what they mean
after you've got them collected
A list of the sixty-fve best sellers in the
American book market since 1875 was drawn
up recently for the Institute of Arts and Sci
ences by Edward Weeks. And the longer one
scrutnizes this cross-section of the nations
literary tastes the less confident one feels of
drawing any deduction from it.
The all-time best seller, to begin with, is
the Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon's In His Steps,"
which mas sold 100000 copies. Second,
- fourth and fifth places are held by Gene
Stratton Porter's books, 'Freckles" The Girl
of the LimberloSt' and The Harvester"
That old reliable. "Ben-Hur," places third.
Mark Twains Tom Sawyer is sixth, closely
followed by Harold Bell Wright's The VIM
ming of Barbara Worth
And so it goes. That best of all western
romances, owen WiSters The Virginian," is
we'll up toward the top: but book like Mrs.
Porter's ''Laddie" is ahead of it. Mark Twain's
"Huckleberry Finn" which competent critics
have called the greatest of American novels,
ranks high with a total sale of million
copies: but it is outclassed, among others by
such book as Five Little Peppers and How
They Grew" by Margaret Sidney.
Nonfction titles are fairly we'll represented
Edward Bellamys famous Looking Back
ward" for instance, has sold 100000 copies,
and Wells Outline of History" has sold
$4,000; but "Pollyanna" has sold round
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

million and The Rosary" better than 900, 600
Trying to deduce anything from these fig
ures is difficult. Good books are on the list,
in profusion; so are unutterably bad books
and great many that are neither one nor
the other.
You could argue that America likes sugary
optimism in its books, and support your argu-
ment by citation Of titles; but such books
as All Quiet on the Western Front" and
Main Street" are there on the list to refute
you
What does it all mean, then? Nothing
much, probably The American reading pub
lie is pretty omnivorous 1t devours good
books and it devours trash.
About all one can safely say. apparently
is that the best seller lists don't mean a thing
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
POLITICS BLAMED FOR
DOWNFALL OF DILLINGER
By Indignant.

BY Indignant.
Are the United States and the
principles for which the American
flag stands to sink to the debased
conditions Of countries of eight CEN
turtles ago?
That the people should allow such
a farce as the trial at Lima, O., to
proceed passes the bounds of the
credible in the country that always
has upheld the highest ideals of
fair play. The people Of the United
States, the real citizens, the patriots
Of our country, the people who call
themselves Americans, should bow
their heads in shame if they do not
demand a new trial for the men
who were condemned before they
entered the courtroom.
am mother and once was
proud to call myself an American,
but if this trial result is allowed to
stand. I no longer shall claim that
to be an American is something to
be proud of, but something to hide
as a skeleton in the family cbset.
can not be too high in my praise
Of Governor Paul V. MCNutt, who,
although he is a Democrat and I
am Republican, has shown some
Ct the quality Of civilized human
being in the stand that ne has
taken in the Dilhnger affair If
every one else took the attitude
that A1cNutt took, Dillinger might
have been better. Society made
him what he is and the Republic
ans largely composed that society.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
OBJECTS TO CONTRIBUTIONS
TO TABERNACLE OPERATOR

By T. S. Martin
I have enjoyed reading your paper
for seventeen years. 1t is the best
and fairest paper in Indiana.
I like to join your letter writer's,
answering a letter I read from Mr..
Wilson about people buying a tab
ernacle for a man who mortgaged
it; then, after spending the money,
came back and now is taking in
$4,000 to $4,000 a year, building
fine homes and living in splendor.
I agree with Mr.. Wilson and ]
can not understand why people in
their right minds will donate money.
If we have money to give, there are
hundreds of children who need
clothes and food I'll bet that the
people who donate can't afford to
go shopping and get two pianos at
bargain" sale for S1,100
We listen to what is supposed 10
be a family prayer period" but il
is more Of an auction sale, for every
few minutes we hear how many
doors and seats there are.
1t doesn't matter to God if you
have a $4,000 organ or how many
pianos. Instead L was hungry and
you gave me meat" Does having
a $4,000 organ feed anybody? Per-
haps people will wonder just in
what way they help the Lord by
donating to a rich man.
ooh, no, there is nothing cheap
about this place" was the remark
we heard this morning.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
HAT CLEANING PRICE
WAR AND ITS RESULT
Bv Jimmy Cafouros

BY Jimmy Cafouros.
There is one industry in Indian
apOlis in which there is great deal
of backbiting, window breaking and
in which all the known forms of
competition run amuck.
1t is a good industry as far as
can be seen, and apparently it is
lucrative and attractive way to earn
a living, for there are so many
people and all their relatives in it.
That is the hat-cleaning profess
sion. In that profession the first
dog bites the second dog and the
second dog bites the third dog and
then they all bite each other.
There were those-and some still
survive-Who charged IS cents to
clean a hat. Then there are others
who cater to the 50-cent mark.
Some charge as little as Is cents.
One will readily see that there is a
loose goose some place.
Let us observe and we can discern
facts about the matter.
People primarily are interested in
getting the most for the least. If
Abraham Gabrilowicz cleans hat
for 25 cents and cleans it as we'll as
Gust Papadopoulos, who charges
IS cents. the consuming public will
trade with Abraham to a man.
Abraham will do most thriving
business, cleaning all the hats in
the surrounding counties, while Gust
will hitch up his belt and feel glum.
The various shops will charge va
rying prices until thousand devils
loosed from hell could hardly raise
more hell.
Would-be organizers have had
themselves dubbed president" of
this association or secretary" of
that and officially announce an
urgent meeting of all the shops
which is attended by less than one
third.
Prices are set, goodwill is eX-
pressed, intentions are stated, and
in two days, with hammer and
tongs, with biceps and forceps, the
battle royal is carried on.
The public should recognize one
fact. Those who charge Is cents to
block a hat can't afford to pay the
hired help a decent wage. They are
the fellows Mr. Roosevelt is trying
to erase. Those that charge de-
cent price for blocking,
usually pay decent wages.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
FRIDAY. MARCH 80. 1884.
ROOSEVELT AND CONGRESS

ON two issues vital to the recovery pio-
~ gram Yesterday congress showed its desire
IN follow through with the President. This not
vitbstandtng the decisive defeat which con-
press only the day before had given Mr.. Roose-
Welt on the veterans issue-just as former
congresses have defeated other Presidents on
that issue.
This congress- like others seems to nave
lost its sense of proportion on matters con-
nected with the veterans. But it also seems
to have regained its sense Of economic values
with that issue out of the way.
Yesterday the senate passed the Bankhead
cotton control bill: the house has the recip-
rocal tariff bill. These constituted important
tests of Mr.. Roosevelts power in congress ana
his influence and popularity in the country al
large.
If ANYTHING is close to congressnen's heartS
it IS tariff making. All represent industrial or
farming areas that have been deluded IN the
mast as to the great benefits from tariffs But
Yesterday in a strong vote of confidence, the
house conferred upon the President the ire
mendous power Of tariff-making' unhampereo
either by congress or the tariff commission
They gave him authority 10 hegoOIdUe IeOlp
rocal trade agreements with foreign coun-
tries and armed him with the bargaining pow
or to reduce or increase existing tariff rates
by so per cent.
No house heretofore ever has conferred this
exact power upon a chief executive. 1t was
striking evidence of trust in Mr.. Roosevelt, his
program for national recovery, and his inten-
ton to protect American farms and indus
tries.
The Bankhead bill applies compulsion TO
the Presidents farm program for the first
time. It arms him and his secretary OF agrl-
culture with the right to force recalcitrant cot
ton growers to curb acreage for the good of
the whole cotton south and hence for the good
of the whole country. The senates favorable
action followed passage of the same bill by the
house.
And while some will protest, it seems GER
tain that the senate will likewise follow the
lead of the house in approving the tariff bill
The veterans lobby has triumphed once.
But. make no mistake. the Roosevelt new deal
is still the national program.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
AND NOW M'NUTT IS
CALLED A SWORD RATHER
Bv B. ]. Randall.

BY B. ]. Randall.
And so, Governor McNutt (ac-
cording to your news item) ''fayed
the pacifists' at the Washington
day dinner. And it is not the first
time, if I remember rightly. Is 1t
possible that the Governor has not
read the chiefs announcement at
the Wilson Gay dinner, to the ef-
feet that since governments for
centuries have made war" from now
on war by governments shall be
changed to peace by the people?"
We the common people have been
educated since the last war. The
radio, movies, books, the press, not
ably the Scripps-Howard papers.
Pastors and laymen alike have
preached the gospel of peace. 1t
won't be so easy the next time TO
make the boys tingle at the strain
Of martial music or to believe the
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
States Rights Fading?

BY a Native Hoosier.
Westbrook Pegler was close to
the mark when he suggested a
sanity test for our public officers
and representatives. The truth
of the matter is that much of the
work done by legislators is through
leadership and persuasion and
not by elaboration and thorough
study Of the proposed law.
To prove that statement, wish
to call attention to the fact that
the following dangerous PROPOSE
ton has been Endorsed by several
state legislatures:
e.. The operation of state laws
shall be suspended to the extent
necessary to give effect to legisla-
ton enacted by the congress.
I claim that this amounts to
complete abrogation of states
rights.
To give a clearer conception Of
the full import Of this bill which
the legislators of this state will
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

stuff-what will be the outcome?
Not only the newspapers, but
moving picture producers want to
cash in on the name of "Dillinger."
It is a blow to the mentality of the
American people.
In recent issues of the Indiana
papers I couldn't help but notice
the amount of space commanded by
Dillinger in comparison to that Of
President Roosevelt (even as I write
I have to look up the name Of Mr..
Roosevelt to see how to spell it, but
not so with Dillinger).
I can't help but wonder, would it
be better to get a gun or try and
find a job. I've been out of work
a long time.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
PAY UP, FIRST!

II is hard to see how any one can quarrel
with the new administration policy by
which American loans will not be advanced
to foreign debtor nations which are wholly
or partially in default on previous loans.
law embodying this policy is in process
of being passed by congress; without waiting
for its passage, Treasury Secretary Morgen-
THAI has made it effective in advance by
proclamation.
1t may be that all the arguments of the
war debt cancellationists are sound Per-
haps our insistence that the debts be paid is
delaying world recovery; perhaps we have
no moral right to ask that they be repaid
Maybe so.
But at least the country is quite within it's
rights in insisting that no good money is
going to go after the bad
We loaned money and we didn't get it
back; We can hardly be blamed for concluding
that the defaulting borrowers are bad risks.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

be called upon to consider, I will
rearrange the wording Of the law
so as to present it in the light of
its true Interpretation. The
congress shall have the power to
go" suspend the operation of
state laws to the extent necessary
to give effect to legislation en-
acted by the congress"
This law would give congress
the power to suspend the opera
ton of state laws whenever it
desires to pass any law to which
the state objects as an intrusion
on state rights.
1t will pay the people of this
state to investigate this proposed
law and let their representatives
know how they feel about its
adoption.
If somebody can prove that this
is not a complete abrogation Of
states rights, I would be glad to
see you do it in the Message
Center Of The Times.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
POSTAL EMPLOYEES SUFFER
WHEN PRESIDENT SPEAKS

BY Forgotten Man.
The following is a paragraph
taken from an editorial appearing
in the Kansas City Star recently:
mo substitute mail carrier is
guaranteed Sc a week, no substitute
is guaranteed anything, if he does
not work, he does not eat. That is
why the substitute mail carrier who
may be delivering your mail looks
undernourished. He looks much
worried. too, for his rent is long
overdue, and his uniform may be
shabby. indeed, rather unbecoming
for a government employe to be
seen in, but he can't help it, he has
no guarantee"
The subcarrier is required to pay
his bond, buy his uniform and cap.
He even has to pay for his cap num-
Der and must report every morning
at Sis.
The next time your mail man is
off. ask the substitute in his place
chow much did you make last
month";" Some of these subs drew
less than $40 in February.
Why does the government expect
everybody else to pay SIS week
and yet allow such deplorable con-
ditions as these to exist among their
own employees?
Why is it that every time Presi-
dent Roosevelt makes a speech urg-
ing employers to raise wages that
postal employees get another cut?
Instead of the blue eagle flying at
the postofice, would suggest they
fly the buzzard, so he won't have
far to go when we crop off.
P. S-Just this week President
Roosevelt asked for shorter hours
and higher wages and gave postal
employees another cut.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
SHE SEEKS TO JOIN
CWA EDUCATION CLASSES

By Miss B. L. Hall.
In the Message Center the other
day I noticed where some one had
written in commencing the CWA
adult educational classes. I did not
know about such classes before and
if one may still enroll I'd like to if
Is isn't too old.
Will you please tell me where I
may go to enroll, and when? Thank
you.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
HE CAN SPELL DILLINGER'
But NOT ROOSEVELT
By X.

BY n.
Conditions are pretty bad when a
supposedly intelligent people make
national hero of a criminal. 1t
seems as though this depression and
the bringing to light the actions Of
some crooked bankers, politicians,
ETC., have mentally unbalanced the
whole country.
The printing Of such things as
this Dillinger mess should be sup
pressed. With millions of young
men out of work and the news
papers continually printing such
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
'AnnScray'
BY FRANCESC

I'll always adore you-Im funny
that way
But I know what a big sap am
To still mess around you, after you
say,
Darling, oh, why don't you
scram?"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
DAILY THOUGHTS

Ye shall have one manner Of law,
as well for the stranger, as for one
OF your own country: for I am the
Lord your God.-Leyiticus 24:22.
THERE is but one law for all;
l. namely, that law which gov
erns all law-the law of our crea-
tor, the law Of humanity, equity;
the law OF nature and Of nations.
Burke.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
HE'S WAITING FOR
OLD AGE PENSION
By a Times Reader.

BY a Times Reader.
What is the matter with that old
age pension payment which I
thought was to be Jan. 1? Here it
is Feb. 10, and not one word from
the county commissioners as to the
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
The Message Center

(Times readers are nuited to cypress
their Ute'0s in these columns. Make your
letters short, so all can hare chance.
Limit them to ESQ 1oords or IesS.J
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

A New York woman has shaved her head
and will wear colored wigs to match her
gowns. Now other women won't get much
satisfaction out of saying her hair is false
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

Scientists announce a new Chemical
formula to recover gold from the sea. The
gold has been sailed away long enough.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

Chicago teachers still waiting for their
pay. have received another cut. That leaves
them owing the city
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

Fifteen thousand. out of more than ten
million, voted against Mussolini's candidates in
his recent plebiscite. They Immediately went
into hiding.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

payment. 1t is not much, but the
old saying is. half loaf is better
than none at all.
Let me know through columns Of
your paper when these aged people
can expect pay on it.
The law became effective Jan. 1.
Payment is expected in May.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

Information on this subject can
be obtained by calling Lincoln
2431.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30
PACE ID
PAGE "a
The Indianapolis Times
"a sCRIPPs-HoWARD NEWsPAPERl

Give Li1ht and the
People WIN Find
Their OiCn Way
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-30

Editors Note-Ths is the first of two articles b.
Harry Elmer Barnes, Phi. D., the need for com
nonsense and realism in facing the crisis tn
recovery efforts
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1934-11-09
CdH 10 National Unemployment Insurance COnqress

standard and lead to necessary redistribution of
wealth that is withheld from circulation.
Compensation must be at least equal to the
average wages which workers could earn il
permitted to work in their normal occupation
and localities 1t must in no case be permitted
to fall below fixed minimum health and de.
cency level.
Such compensation can and must be provid-
ed by and only at the expense Of the govern
ment and employers. No contribution in any
form should be levied upon workers and other
lowincome groups.
All workers, regardless of age, occupati
race, color sex, nationality citizenship religious
or political belief, must be assured such com.
pensation for all time lost because OF involun-
unemployment old age, industrial accident or
or sickness, and maternity.
Representatives directly elected by the
workers should administer the social insurance
system so that it would be operated in &C.
cordance with their conditions, interests and
needs.
These principles have already been endorsed
by thousands of organizations representing many
millions of workers, farmers, professionals and
Others whose wellbeing depends upon a compre-
hensive system of social insurance. More than
24OO locals, and the regular conventions of five
International and six State bodies of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor; practically every known
unemployed organization; thousands of railroad
and other independent union local and central
youth. women's and church groups have express
ed their readiness to support these principles by
endorsing the Workers Unemployment and
Social Insurance Bill which embOdes these prin-
ciples and was introduced in the 73rd Congress
of the United States HR 1898. Under pressure
of constantly growing demand for such a
system of unemployment and social insurance,
municipal and county governmental bodies of
seventy cities, towns and counties have likewise
endorsed the Workers Bill and memorialized Con-
gress for its enactment.
Reaffirming endorsement of these prin-
ciples. we also declare our opposition to the many
proposals and measures that have been brought
forward as substitutes for genuine unemployment
and social insurance. The Wagner-Lewis Bill the
Wisconsin Unemployment Compensation Act, the
Townsend Plan and many similar measures fail to
make any of the necessary provisions required of
genuine social insurance system These measures
serve only to deceive and divide those who aspire
to a greater measure of social security.
As against the forces that oppose and seek to
mislead. confuse and divide the growing move
ment for unemployment and social insurance we
must now present the united forces of all who
need and all who favor immediate enactment of a
sound, comprehensive system that will embody all
the essential provisions for adequate social insur.