davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
FLETCHER'S CHALLENGE

A unusually large amount of propaganda
L against the Stock Exchange regulation
bill has been flooding the country from Wall
Street. That is all right Wall Street has
right to be heard. And the bill if it is as good
as think it is. should be able to stand up
against honest criticism.
But most of the criticism to date has been
Of the bugaboo variety. That will not get
anywhere. Facts regarding the failure of the
Stock Exchange to regulate itself so as to
maintain fair, free and open market have
been revealed by the efficient Pecora investi-
cation. Those facts are well known to the
public, which has had it's fingers burned so
often. Those facts can not be answered by
congratulations from opponents of the bill or
by vague promises of self-reform. Facts can
be answered only by facts.
Specifically, the public wants to know why,
if the stock market learned its lesson after the
1929 debauch, there have been repetitions of
unfair practices since. If self-regulation by
the Stock Exchange will work in the future,
as opponents of government regulation assert,
then why have not those self imposed and
much pubcized reforms worked during the
last few months? Why did they not work last
summer when spectators produced the dis
aStrous boomlet followed by the inevitable
tumble which set back national recovery again?
These questions have just been asked by
Chairman Fletcher of the senate committee
Investigating the Stock Exchange. They are
fair questions. They go to the root of the
argument over the need for enactment of the
Ill LIN
requested by President Roosevelt in his recent
special message to congress.
President Whitney of the New York Stock
Exchange is to take the stand today at the
house hearing on the bill. There he will have
a chance to answer this challenge by Senator
Fletcher.
The exchange, convicted by its own laxity
and negligence or impotence and by the i'm
proper activities of many of its members now
come forward and says that it has reformed
But on the very day last week that its reforms
were made public the senate committee heard
testimony of recent activities on the New York
Stock Exchange which those reforms would
not be adequate to eliminate.
They were not successful in preventing the
manipulations and market rigging of 1893 after
they claimed to have turned over a new leaf
and achieved complete reform. Indeed, when
the senate committee last summer asked the
Stock Exchange to investigate the collapse of
1888, the Stock Exchange authorities accord
ing to their own statement, learned of the
gross improprieties, gambling, manipulation,
rigging which took place in 1888, and which
our own agents were able to uncover without
the aid of and against the assurances to the
contrary by the Stock Exchange authorities
If their excuses are to be given credence
1t would appear that the authorities of the
exchange are a group of naive trusting and
gullible men ready to buy the first gold brick
offered to them. But they paid for these gold
bricks with the money of investors, not with
their own"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
: THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
EURoPE's PERIL

A THOUGHTFUL man, who surveyed the
n state Of Europe to- ay, almost might be
pardoned if he began to believe that the end
of all things was at hand
1t is long time since the sky has been
as dark as it is today, and<it is hard to see
how it could be very much darker. Remem-
bering what the last war did to civilization,
it is not easy to contemplate the approach of
a new one without the most profound mis-
givings
And yet-although this is the most hack
neyed remark in the world-it is just pos
sible that things are not quite as bad as they
seem; possible, that is, that what we are
looking at now is not the eve of general dis
solution, but that very dark hour which, &C
cording to tradition, comes just before the
dawn.
For if there is left in mankind any sanity
at all, the present troubles in Europe ought
to be convincing evidence that the policies of
the postwar era have been disastrously i'm
practical
The frenzied tangle of repression COMPETE
tive armament blind nationalism, disregard
Of economic law and exaltation of strong
armed dictatorship is giving all the world
complete demonstration of it's ruinous fu-
tility.
1t is enough to show the blindest, in other
words, that the nations of the world can not
go much farther along the road they have
been following without tumbling, all together.
into the pit.
And there ought to be enough common
sense in European capitals to pave the way
for some sort of new deal.
Todays situation is not like that of 1914
In that day the world not yet had had its
frightful demonstration of the catastrophe
which war brings to victor and vanquished
alike; nor was the imminence of war a mat
ter OF general knowledge, except among a
relatively small group Of statesmen
Now every one, down to the most ignorant
Peasant, knows that war is near, knows that
If it comes it will mean complete disaster
for every one involved
Is one being blind optimist in supposing
that this general awareness NAV create
pressure on the rulers of Europe that will
lead to the adoption of more sane policies?
In 1914 the world did not realize its own
peril. Today it can not help realizing it.
And the disorder the bloodshed. the men
aces which recent weeks have brought NAV.
just possibly, bring the statesmen of Eurone
to their senses.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
INDIAN CULTURE

WHILE the government, through its public
w works, is trying to stimulate a neT folk
art in our cities and towns, the Indian bureau
is out to halt the slow, ruthless ruin OF the
only old culture of America. This is encour
aging
In peremptory order that leaves no doubt
as to its meaning, Indian Commissioner John
Collier has instructed the services superin-
tendents that the administration will insist
on respect for the Indians culture. Henceforth
the white guardians of the red man are to
honor his religious dances and other cere-
monials, his arts and crafts mis- vital, beauti-
full and efficient native languages
1t was an arrogant thing to have tried
through generations to "Americanize" these
first Americans into rustic Rabbits. Il also
was foolish thing. Among this young coun-
trys most picturesque and valuable cultural
assets are the bits Of unspoiled native Indian
life that have survived the ages.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
SHARP EDGE OF RIDICULE

Reprint from the South Bend News-TimesI
TIA. Monkey State!"
i L And a nation gibed at Tennessee Tor
lepislating evolution from its text books;
Il will take a generation. maybe two for
that commonwealth to wear of the derlsion
it won. Ridicule is the most powerful Of all
weapons The man who said: GIVE ooe
bad name and you kill him." did not con-
fine his meaning to CANNES He was wrap
ping age-oId wisdom in pointed maxim.
In 1881 the country laughed at Virginia
for planning to celebrate Yorktown's annlVer-
sarv without the surrender Of CornWalls.
Decadent citizenry of the old dominion feared
IN offend the British lion but sensed its hu-
initiating position in time to include the
crowning glory of the revolution in the pro-
gram. And thus escaped a nations tauntS.
It is unhealthy for a state to attract ridi-
Guile. which is easy to amass. but, OH so hard
to lose.
The good old Hoosier state, glorious IN ira
dition and history, is skating on the thin ice
of the ludicrous.
It's misfortune IS personifed in Senator
Arthur Robinson, Republican. the senates
magnet for mirth, the clown of the upper
house, the butt of his colleagues, bat still,
1.-The senator from Indiana" Were the ridicule
personal to him, the state might join i'll the
ieers at his discontinue. But it is not. The
merciless gibes of mis- fellows apparently pass
beyond, through. over him and fall upon
commonwealth that has become embarrassed
by his gaucheries and keenly sensitive OF the
tNrO Indiana
For Robinson is n again!
On Jan. 8, the gentleman from Indiana"
qualified as the senate's best joke OF 1884.
He bitterly upbraided Treasury Secretary Henry
Norgenthau for hiring Earl Bailie, former en-
ploye of J. Seligman OF New York, all uncon-
scious that Bailie had resigned two days before
his speech. And The senate rocked with glee
at the miscue.
On Thursday, the senator from Indiana
locked horns with Senator Robinson Of Arkan-
sas. Democratic leader The Hoosier bitterly
attacked our President for the growing burden
of national expenditure connected with the
new deal. The man from Arkansas laughed
off the charge of the Indiana senator that the
President has attempted to gag him. but when
the Hoosier abused Mr.. Roosevelt, the Demo-
cratic leader turned mis- scorn upon him.
The senator from Indiana" he said, has
made more bad speeches than ali the other
senators of the United States combined"
And once again the staid halls rocked with
mirth at a senator from Indiana Twice in
six weeks. Robinson of Indiana had bid for
the gilded medal Of the senate's buhoon.
Louisiana would co we'll to rid itself Of
Huey Long. And Indiana can i'll afford to
compete with it as the laughing stock Of the
nation
Remember Monkey State"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
TINES is COMPLIMENTED
FOR ITS PROGRESS
By Miss Hilda Meimberg.

By Miss HiIda Weinberg.
Hats of to your paper for scoring
another victory in the Power and
Light Company expose! Thank
heaven we have one publication in
this city which makes it its business
to keep the public informed as to
what it's all about and why.
Have always admired The Times
for the fearless way it tackles sub
jects of vital interest. Aside from
this, your paper with its many novel
features stands in class by itself.
Your we Make Your Newspaper
series is a grand idea-just bike
shaking hands with each Of your
staff. If you did nothing now after
your last "Clothe a Child" cam
paign, you still would have people
asking blessings on your heads for
months to come. That "Dime-on-a-
line" was the talk CT the town.
When our family recently was
faced with the question, Why three
daily newspapers for three people in
these days Of retrenchment," you
can bet it wasn't The Times that
was checked off the list.
I could use much more ink 20 tell
you why your papers O. K, bur
what's the use? You're alive, you're
up-and-at-'em and your whole sIaI
Is swell!
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
VICTORY. AFTER NINE YEARS

THE federal water power act stands.
l. The New river case in which the act
was attacked by the Appalachian Electric
Power Company, ends after nine years with
the United States supreme court finding that
lower federal courts lacked jurisdiction.
And so the federal power commission re-
tains the right to perform real service for the
American people. to guard their water power
resources on smaller streams as well as on
the large ones, to recapture licensed projects
after fifty years time and to make sure that
power projects are not loaded down with I'M
reasonable charges.
The New river case wound in and out of
public affairs during the last decade as the
river itself winds in and out of the Virginia
and West Virginia hills. by-gone federal
power commission tried to give away the gov
ernments rights. former encouragement
gave his President an opinion favoring this
course and himself questioned the validity
Of the water power act.
When the case got into the courts On
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22

a dozen women while getting in
the subway refuse to precede
them out Of private elevators no
matter how much confusion the
fashion may cause.
I am told by girls who know
what they are talking about that
they often have to resort to f1sti-
cuffs to preserve their persons
from the armorous advances Of
their SWANS, yet these same young
men, who obviously have small
respect for women, are taught by
the code never to remain covered
in their presence.
When it comes to company
manners we are hybrids, neither
all-round modernists nor full
fedged romanticists. Our stand
ards of behavior consist Of a
smattering of Victorian rules, set
amid the glazing rudenesses of a
generation of wise cracking So
phisticateS.
Lord Chesterfield once said.
Good sense must determine good
breeding" and this definition, I
believe, explains why our modern
manners seem to emphasize our
deficiencies instead of our de-
cencies. So few of them are based
on good SenSel
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
A Woman'S Viewpoint
By MRS. WALTER FERGUSON

THIS may be heresay, but for
4 the life of me I can't see
why a man who may have been
hard at work all day should leap
across the room to light the Gig
aret of woman who has perhaps
done nothing more arduous than
primp before her mirror or pass
in a bridge game.
NRA might give some attention
to the social codes. AS they stand
they are decidedly passe and be-
long to a regime that has de-
parted forever. They coincide
awkwardly with present-day be-
havior and thought. If We ever
looked squarely at their ridicu-
Ious inconsistencies we might have
sense enough to change them.
It seems somewhat silly for a
generation which sneers so broad
" at Victorianism to ape the
mannerisms Of a period when we
relentlessly ridicule its moralities.
The boy who dashes up in his
roadster and honks for his sweetie
to join him is told that he must
stand in public restaurant if
another man comes up to ex-
change the time Of day with her.
A ND men who think nothing
IL at all of knocking down half
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
I achoHy disapprove of a0hat you sag and a0jH
defend to the death your right to sag jt-Vojtaire.

was taking bath and he was
killed almost instantly.
It was rather surprising to me
to know how few people realize the
danger of electrical apparatus in
bath rooms and it occurs to me that
if more people were made aCquaint-
| ed with a few simple rules regard
ing this danger, it might save con-
siderable trouble. The three most
important things to remember I
would class as follows:
1. Never under any circumstances,
while in a tub or shower, reach out
to turn of or on an electric switch
or in any way touch any electric ap-
paratus.
2. 1t is advisable to have all switch
plates and receptacles in bath
room made Of a conductive ma
teriaI, and avoid having metal chain
pull sockets over Iavatory.
3. ii electric heaters, sun lamps.
fans or any other electric appliance
must be taken into the bath room,
be positive that they are located
securely and far enough removed
from the tub so that they could not
possibly fall into the tub.
The falling Of any Of these cleo
/ trio appliances into the tub most
! assuredly would cause death.
lam writing this with the thought
that perhaps you may find space
in your paper to print it and it
may be the means Of saving some
other family the terrible tragedy
that we have had.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
RELIEF SYSTEM BRANDED
AS GREED CREATOR

By 'Dnem."
During the panic of 1907, Presi-
dent Theodore Roosevelt said, AL
other questions sink into in
significance when the stability of
The family is at stake
In 1888, President Franklin D.
Roosevelt tells us the same thing,
only in more high-f.oWered language.
In the era from 1904 to 1884 the
Republicans and Democrats both
have had the opportunity to answer
this question, and both have failed.
For the elderly man who has a
family, head Of gray hair is no
longer a crown of honor, but an in
dustrial handicap. Sometimes, how
ever, they will hire his children at
starvation wages which keeps them
from having homes of their own.
The burden of keeping the old folks
is getting heavier and heavier on
the children.
The young man who is starting
out in life for himself is forced
through economic necessity, to apply
for admitttance to a CCC camp.
There he is to be convinced that $50
a month is big money, and that the
training is worth something. Dur
ing all Of their schooling they we're
taught that man was self-support-
ing; and upon graduation, they
found this right denied them. No
wonder some of the younger gen.
grafton are inclined to radicaliSm.
How long can the government
continue the spending of money on
PWR, CWA, CCC and the XYZ's,
which basically are nonproductive?
One Of the causes of the break
down of the present system is that
the actual producer is carrying too
many nOnproducers on his back.
Now, the government is adding
more. The competitive profit system
is doomed, and the die-hard con-
sentative parties do not realize it.
If it we're proposed to invent some
social system in which greed would
be fostered deliberately and intensi-
fled in human nature, what system
could be devised which would excel
our own for this purpose?
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22

of. 4 cent in order to quash the
proposed rate proceedings.
In 1882, I believe, there was an
agitation started to get reduced
rates, which, by the way, the News
supported. However, the consumers
were sold out. Libel deleted). The
officers and attorneys of the COM
pany advanced the plea that an
investigation into their values and
certain other matters would do the
company and its investors a great
injury. Did the News make any
remonstrance? Not that I ever saw
The News also says in it's ediro-
rial: ct (the utility knew that
no audit had been made by the
commission (and I may say that no
audit of accounts of this company
has been made since the utility law
came into force in 1919 or anything
else that could not have been pre-
pared from public record by rea-
sonably active bookkeeper with
few weeks at his disposal"
wen, all can say Is CIldC am
not a bookkeeper and never have
kept books of any sort, not even for
a peanut stand though I did take a
few weeks course in high school
more than thirty years ago
The News won't agree with
smaller cuts to large consumers"
The utility earned a gross income
approximately of II per cent on the
value of its property, instead Of 6
per cent at most.
1t does not require a bookkeeper
or a so-called expert writer on util-
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
THURSDAY. FEB. u. 1884.
WASHINGTON'S CHARACTER
al sCRIPPs. HoWARD NEWsPAPERl

CINCE the depression has stripped our So
- ciety bare Of its false fronts and shown up
so many Of its business and political leaders,
the seIhess character Of George Washington
stands out in even holder relief.
The great American, born 2O2 years ago.
faced postwar tasks in many ways similar to
ours. Domestic and foreign debts lay heavily
on the young republics shoulders. Initiation
had reached a point where things Of no value
were declared to be not worth a continental"
Veterans clamored for money. The CONT
mental congress wrangled on. The states we're
strong. but lacked unity Foreign trade was
disrupted and a network of thirteen tariff walls
blocked commerce at home.
The times called for strong leadership:
many were urging Washington to assume the
role of dictator One Colonel Nicoe wrote
suggesting that he need not shy the title Of
king" Washington's reply, viewing the idea
with abhorrence," is classic in righteous po-
ltical wrath. He accepted extraordinary
powers from the peoples congress, but always
he returned them intact.
There have been greater generals in the
field and statesmen in the cabinet in our own
and other nations" writes James TrusloW
Adams. There has been no greater char
acter."
We have yet to find a substitute for char
acter in public and private affairs. The new
America we are seeking to build may be ever
so fine a mansion But unless its corner stone
is integrity. it. too, will fall
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22

answer filed by government attorneys citing
data obtained by the federal trade commission
as to bookkeeping practices of the power
company was borrowed" by power company
attorney and successfully kept out of the
record.
Utility companies doubtless will find ways
of renewing the attack on federal regulation
But victory for the public in the New river
case is an important milestone on the road
to the sort of regulation which is the only
alternative to public ownership.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
Br0un and the NRA

By Ernest Greenwich.
Haywood Broun'S recent article
appeals to me in more than one
way. I have been employed in
the restaurant industry since 1907.
have heard many arguments on
the subject, but never in all my
life have I heard the situation eX-
planned as Broun has explained it.
The tipping has made panhand-
lers out of all Of us. Some of the
houses in indianapolis have made
thieves out Of us. There are
places in the city that pay wait
ers no salary, and 1 truthfully can
say that tips are few and far
between. And some houses even
make the employees split their tips
Broun says the restaurant as
ISOLATION refers to the union as
left wing" I know that there
are as many proprietors who COM
plain about the association as
about the union. There are sew
eral houses in indianapolis that
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22

ity matters to figure this out. Let
me suggest that the News staff take
a course in craftsmanship, also
training in the use Of brains with
which the Almighty supplied them.
II am afraid however, that the
Deity passed them by.
I heard a rup1or on the street to-
day that petition has been filed
with the P, S. c. for a reduction Of
rates, so I called the News several
times; but, up to late this afternoon
(3:45 p. M, the editorial Office
states they know nothing about it,
Then at p m. they informed me
a petition was filed Wednesday. I
later confirmed it in the Star morn
ing edition of Jan. 8. I guess they
think this is not a matter Of public
interest, unless they can beat the
other papers to it. Another thing,
the writer Of the editorial evidently
judges the ability of a bookkeeper
by his proves as an athlete.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-22
The Ultimate
BY EUGENE RTCHART

BY EUGENE RICHART
This is what life consists Of: the
sharp, swift, pain
Born of the union Of lips, Of the
touch of hands.
Do you demand Of the moon that
it shall not wane?
After tonight it will shine on other
lands.
This one brief hour is absolute,
it is complete.
Do not say that our love will last
beyond
This night that goes on such re-
lentless feet.
When am dead. never can re-
spond
To any kiss of yours, or any touch.
This moon will die, as even we two
must.
And you. think, will not remember
much
OF these proud lips you took. when,
the lips are dust.
I do not want love after his depth
less eyes
Learn the tired patience of the cid
and wise.