davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
The First Gun

Democrats of Connecticut actually fire the first gun in their campaign to retain their hold on this state Wednesday night in Hartford. The State Central Commit tee is playing host to Postmaster Gen. eral James A. Farley. It is bound to be biz occasion. The mere fact that he is a member of the Presidents Cabinet alone would assure this fact, but in addition Mir. Farley is still chairman of the Demo- cratic National Committee and as such will have lot to say to Connecticut democrats about the trend of affairs this year.
 Next week the democrats hold their spring convention in New Haven, the most important business of which IS election of delegates to go to the national convention of June. Another member of the Presidents Cabinet, Attorney Gen. eral Homer s. Cummings will give the keynote address on Friday night, May 18th. Two Cabinet officers in two weeks in Connecticut. That means the national administration in Washington is taking an interest in the way that Connecticut will vote this autumn.
 Democrats who are at all interested in the welfare of the state of the nation as well as their party, will be considerably enheartened by this display of interest. It means, for one thing, that national democrats do not adhere to the oft-re- peated phrase that Connecticut is going to return to the republicans this fall. That phrase even went so far as to 1n- clude the defeat of the democratic con- gressmen from Connecticut. For some time now we have been conscious of different feeling among observers.
 It's one of doubt. The republican rout of last winter has disappeared. And by June we predict that various democratic incumbentS will be announced as positive winners next November. And by fall con- vention time thereIl be announcements of little hope of recapturing the state. By November this should have arrived at the point where President Roosevelt will be assured of carrying Connecticut. Demo- crats could do their party a service by remembering this and passing the word along.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Sense of Frontiers

Surprisingly sensible action has lately been agreed upon by Russia and Japan after a conference at Tokio between Ambassador Ureneff of Russia and For eign Minister Hachiro Arita. Two frontier commissioners are to be appointed to deal with border disputes along the east ern end of the Russian Manchurian border. One will investigate racial con flicts when they occur and settle the causes. The other will examine the dis puted boundary, fix the territorial limits of the two countries and replace bound- ary posts. The two commissions have authority to act without referring to their governments The membership will include Russians, Japanese and Man. churians. All decisions must be unani- nous.
 There is plenty of opportunity here for a slip between good intention and achievement Three-sided unanimity is difficult. But officials appear to expect success. And Japan has said that as soon as the borders have been clearly defined she will be ready to proceed to negotia- ton of a non-aggression treaty with her big neighbor. Needless to say, successful completion of these two delicate jobs would boost the worlds hope - now rather low.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05

Secretary of Agriculture Wallace wants the country to become soil conscious He proposes that instead of allowing water courses to race across valuable land coverage we make 1t walk or creep" In a recent talk he said, we have good deal to repent of and to change. The whole mental pattern of pioneering, bas- ed on the dazzling mirage of'free, rich land, with no end to 1t; and of endless mineral wealth, water power and forest resources must change. We have footed the subsoil and the underlying rock layers with careless and wasteful mining. We have polluted our streams with fac- tory waste. We have farmed rather care lessly and wastefully. Land misuse has helped to muddy our rivers, to raise their flood stages year by year, and to make work for dredges in our rivers and har- bors. . ," Roughening the surface Is the only way to prevent water run-off. It takes many years to lay down good top- soil but no time for water to remove it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05

We were surprised that the Secretary failed to mention stream pollution by domestic sewage. So far as our state is concerned, the most serious damage to our rivers is caused by communities that have not developed their sewage systems to the point where there is no pollution of the nearest watercourse. In our own case that is true, but we have high hopes that the coming years will actually wit ness the completion of civic sewage disposal plant It's on the way, but is with the present population and be ready to cope with that of 50 years hence, makes speed impossible.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Life Begins-At 70!

A growing philosophy of American liv- ing today seems to be that man no longer is fit for active work after 60 or 65 It is, therefore, refreshing to'consider ex. captions to the rule notably Chief Justice Hughes of the U. s. Supreme Court MT. Hughes recently celebrated his 74th birthday at his desk, and friends recalled the lecture he delivered at Colun1- bus University 10 years ago.
 Said MT. Hughes: "Under present con- ditions of living, and in view of the in- creased facility of maintaining health and vigor, the age of 70 may well be thought too early for compulsory retirement"
 Justice Hughes and most of his col- leagues on the supreme court bench cer- tainly have proved this contention. America could produce thousands in the same category - too young at 70 to re- tire. Whatever is done about mass pen sioning, these men will stand out as clas- sic examples of useful, vigorous old age.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05


 out by the mirthless groups which may be given the generic, inclu- slve term of The Society for the Suppression of Roosevelt. The customary challenge of The Sen- tinels of the Republic, the battle- cry of The Crusaders, the last warning of The Defenders of the Constitution, the mournful bleat of The Farmers Independence Council, and the pitiful plea for understanding and support from The Southern Committee to Up- hold the Constitution, landed one by ono in the waste basket. The stuff was 50 old 1t was not worth reading. Every line of 1t is 50 identical in thought and 50 sim liar in expression that the infer erce is unacceptable that the out- put comes from the safI1e pub- licity bureau. But there happened to be yesterday postal service novelty which was read with tn- terest and dlgested, I trust, with educational profit.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Conservation" in Fact

Secretary Ickes has renewed his appeal to Congress to change the name of his department from that of Anterior" to "Conservation". The secretary, an ar dent conservationist, argues that it IS time to reverse the intimation of "exploi- tation" heretofore associated with his office. After all these years, it is doubt ful if Congress will break tradition to change the title of the cabinet post, and that doesn't seem to be important, so long as the department remains on the right track.
 After all these years, it is doubtful if Congress will break tradition to change the title of the cabinet post, and that doesn't seem to be important, so long as the department remains on the right track.
 MT. Ickes is directing vast personnel toward protection of American resources. If that duty is performed well, the De- paT1ment of the Interior can lay claim to q great contribution. The name of the department doesn't mean much the vital thing Is the spirit of conservation" that prevails there.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Hat Rack

A day or two after the Smith bite Q prominent leader of the duPont's American Liberty League was quoted to the effect that if the Republicans failed to nor1- mate an acceYtable candidate and the Democratic convention refused to select another than President Roosevelt to head the ticket, the duPontecrs might be compelled to set up a new party. The question naturally arises, is The Constitu- tional Party the result of that compulsion? The only real grounds for entertaining such thought is that the invitation goes on to say:---
 Assured by experienced fund.-
 raising organizations that there
 will be "MilIiOns for Defense"
 of Constitutional Government
 # "a satisfactory leader be found
 land such leaders are available
 when organization is cOmplete)
 the Constitutional Party an-
 ticipates such wholesale dcfec-
 ton from Democratic ranks that
 the New Deap will be defeated" Any experienced fund-raising" organization knows, or should know from the exposures made by the Black committee, that Of all the financial prospects in America there are none to coin- pare with the duPonts and their associates in the League. In fact they arc the fund-givingcst givers in the wide, wide world. No one with common sense believes that among the available satisfactory leaders" will be found Alfred E. Smith. It is the general opinion that MT. Smiths sore foot will not only interfere with his candidacy on The Constitutional Partys ticket but will also render him url- able to climb aboard "the political vehicle" 1t expects to provide. There is nothing, however, to keep him from hanging his hat on the rack if of course he can do the trick standing on one leg.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Remember Your Promise

Whatever else they may be the founders of The Constitutional Party are surely an innocent lot. Witness this Illuminating adnis- sion:--
 Tt Is now conceded that the Republican party, alone, is inc capable of accomplishing this task (the defeat of the New DeaD and that . split in tho "sOlid South" and in the Demo- cratic Party, is necessary to inc sure the maintenance of the welfare and liberties of the pcO- pie under the Consultation. PO- lltIcaI history dlScloscs that whenever the party in power iS split by Q new party movement the opposing major party uSuaI- Iy wins. Although The COnstl- tutlOnal Party is going out to win .. because of shOrtnesS of time 1t may not win the pres identlal election. Should tho Republican Party bc the bene- flciary of our efforts we arc Justified in expecting to partlcl- pate in their councils"
 And why are we juStified7 Becaucs we have Q promise or what to the guileless Constitutionalists passes for 0 promise.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05

Friends who arc not 50 close tell the story of Senator McNary of oregon meeting Senator Jim Couzens of Michigan in the Tee publican cloak room last winter and remarking "Jlm Vandenberg tells mo he iS not in the nOmln- alton race"
 "Humph," they say COuNens- replied, Tho one else d0es elther."
 But despite these denials and disparagements, Vandcnberg is Q very definite and important face tor in the E. o. D. scramble. He is Dark Horse Number One.
 Should the onrushing Landon steamroller slip a cog in the h0me- stretch, should Borah and Knox roll enough rocks in it's path, then the big pouter-pigeo shaped edi- tor from Michigan is the first on the list as compromise candidate. Smittcn
 And no one knows this better than Vandenberg. Which explains why, despite his persistent denials, Arthur is displaying all the symp- toms of that most contagious Of all political diseases Presidentitis.
 The three most virulent symp- toms in Vandenberg's case arc:
 1. Sudden and dauntless bravery in attacking the New
 Deal.
 2. Extreme cautiousness in sticking to tho middle of the
 road on everything except the
 New Deal.
 ,. Buttering up all the other nominees.
 No other candidate in the field is on such good terms with all the rest, and Vandenberg is deter mined that they remain so. Borah and Hoover, who didn't like each other, both like him. Knox was as- sociated with him in the news paper game. Landon doesn't know him, but at least has nothing against him. In fact, Vandenberg is the enc man who, in a drama tic deadlock, they can all turn to. PrO-New Deal
 The present role of ardent en- cmy of the administration is a new one for Arthur. There was a day when he spoke sweetly and gently about Mir. Roosevelt and those around him. So much 90, in fact,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05

that 2. o. D. die-hards threw up their hands in disgust.
 That was during the dark days of 1884 when Arthur was up for reelection, and when few could speak Ill of tho New Deal in Michigan and live politically to tell the story.
 The campaign was one of the hottest in Michigan history with the senator conducting himself as more Of . gentleman than most candidates have found ad- visable.
 Tn the end, he squeaked through to victory chiefly because of MT. Roosevelt-though Mir. Roosevelt certainly didn't mean to help him squeak.
 Sneaked In
 What Roosevelt did was to re- new the NFsA automobile code just three days before election. One of the most reactionary of all Blue Eagle creations its renewal aroused anti-New Deal bitterness among Michigan's great group of automo- bile workers.
 In retaliation against Roosevelt, thousands of them stayed away from the polls. This saved Van- denberg.
 On election morning he told friends that he was licked. That night, as he sat at home, gloom spread over the household. There was no doubt in their minds that the senator was defeated. Then, at 10 ?. m., the tide turned.
 When the votes were counted, ,he was wriggled through by the skin of his teeth.
 MiddIe-Of.the-R Road
 The miidle-o -the-road which the senator is now playing is not Q new one for him. Most of his senatorial career has been Q fifty fifty proposition. Vandenberg was still senate rookie when, during the early days of MT. Hoover, he led a rec volt of other Junior z. 0. ?. sem atOrs against their veteran floor leaders. The move sounded im- posing and important but when pressed for explicit ideas. they had none to offer.
 Finally 1t leaked out that Mir. Hoover had planted the house. cleaning germ. He suspected (with sound reason) the loyalty of sem ate republican leaders and wanted to shelve them.
 When the old-timers ferreted out the "putsch", they raked it fore and aft. dubbed the revolters "YOung Turks, and Arthur the "Kemal Pash". The rebels retired to their back seats, and that was the end of that.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Vandenberg Mcrry.GO-ROund

Vandenberg began life as . newsboy His great hero is Alexander Hamilton who also started from the bottom of the ladder. Vandenberg has written three books about him: "The Greatest American" "If Hamilton Were Here Today" and "T'he Trail of a Tradition The Michi- gan senator is proud of his liter- ary style, both written and oral. He loves to coin pet phrases and use ornate metaphors But, dee spite his facility with words, be is not one of the senate's most effec- tive speakers His declamatlons savouF too much of the long, dry editorials which he wrote for his paper before coming to the senate e. Ills son, Arthur JT. once worked for Colonel Knox on the Chicago Daily News, nov works as VandenbeTg's secretary HIS daughter Barbara fMra. John KnlghtD ls one Of the llandsomsSt young dlv0reees in Washington. fCopvTlelt, fo3e. by United Fea-
 fllFa Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
T ct Y o a Knowledge

Can you answer seven of these test questions? Turn to last page for the answers.
 1. What is the name of the is- lands off the coast of Arabia be- longing to Britain, and forming dependency of Alden?
 2. What caused the Titanic tc sink?
 3. Tn architecture, what is draft ed masonry?
 1. Who was Gavin Douglas? 5. Which city is the trade cen ter of the large zinc and lead fields of southwestern Missouri?
 6. What is a dragon?
 2. Name the capital of Illinois. 8. What is a carnivorous animal? 9. From which airport did Col Lindbergh take off: for his famous solo flight to Paris?
 10. Tn which state is the city Of Dothan?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05

We recommend to all who are inter- ested in public recreational areas the new pamphlet of the Connecticut Park and Forest Association - Outdoor Recrea- tional Guide. It's up to date and is just what is needed to set you right on state parks, forests, picnic areas, etc. The cost may seem little high, but when you stop to consider the amount of work necessary to prepare such a manual, it's not too much.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05

munlcaLlonb III" cluding come- on advertise Inents for hair les, cata- logues of nan- order houses, and a five page booklet ex- plaining how to starVc GU t moths during the su m m c I months. Also the innumer- able letters, pamphlets, and s..-..,... 1.a a.Akkasa
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Current Comments

Bullllghting is Q very nice pros fesslon for Q girl. It's like love: you never know how it's. going 70 turn out. ---portla PoFtaF. girl toreadoF.
 ee
 It is a mistake to think that ehii- dren Ilecesaarily like those whom they play with: often tnsy gre ter" Flhly lcalous. --AfFs. Marie nelloc LowndaA @ng- lish novelist
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
@. How Is radium storedp

Q. How is radiun stored9
 A. Tn lead containers of various sizes, depending on the quantity, For small quantities 1t may be Q glass tube three inches or 50 In diameter Larger amounts are kept in cubes of lead: holes are bored in the lead and into these the radium is put still larger quantities may be kept in containers having walls lined with lead. Radlum does not readily penetrate substances of high atomic weight, such as lead.
 e. Does Sweden use tho metric system of weights and measures? A. Yes.
 c. When did spring begin this year2
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Round Robin

The Constitutional Party places its confidence in what Col. Theo- dore Roosevelt, President of the National Republican Club, twas recently quoted in the press as saying:--
 To-day there are hundreds of thousands of Democrats who think as we do. Let us make common cause with them, let us invite them to fight side by side with us for the democracy we love, let us assure them not merely that we will welcome their aid but that when we trl- umph we will invite them to Q seat at the council board" What more could The Constitu- tional Party ask? When, as, and if the Republican party wins (which we have already seen they are incapable" of doing) Col. Roosevelt. who will have about as much say-so as you will, IS going ito invite them to 8 seat at the council board"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Horoscope
BY OCTAVINE

For persons who believe that human destiny is guided by Che planet. ahe daily horoscope is out lined by a noted astrOlOger. In addition to information of gener- al interest, It outlines inform alton of special interest to per- sons born on the designated dates.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Selected Poem
CLEAR SPRING

Helen searcy Pulse in the New York TimeS) And now the months; the turn of road. the door, The glove. the little bowl. the slant of sun To bring back hours we shared but you no more. Not once again your laughter; 1t is done. And now the years. O gallant heart. even now I know how you wil sharpen all my daysl Clear spring, you break from that dark rock. you
 flow;
 Not even death has cEoked your shining ways.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Only the Select Few


 ent at e meeting of The Consti- tutional Party and because of it's content leads me to the thought that some jokester ha5 been add- cd to the number of those pur- chasing postage stamps. The date of the meeting is unspecifled ex- ccpt that 1t should be within a fortnight. The place where 1t is to be held is unnamed and the time Of assemblage is unfixed. There Is, Ito permit full consid- eration and accomplish the most effective results", to be a dinner. Tho cost of the dinner is left to the calm consideration of the in- vited but is, Ito cost not over $------". Whether 1t is.to be held in some automat or dog wagon or at the Mayhower Hotel in Washington is Q secret known only to the runners of The Con- stitutional Party. It all depends on the way tho recipients of the invitation react but the promise iS held forth that "the time and place will be announced when the number of responses is known" From this announcement 1t IS evident that if no one accepts the invitation the bid is off. Other- wise the rallying point will be the nearest telephone booth, barber shop, or street corner. No con tract for the use of the Yankee Stadium has yet been made. The meeting will not "bc open to the public" So if the readers of these columns have an idea that they can sneak in to get an ear- sful they may reconcile themselves to disappointment. It is to be Q select gathering and only those suffering from goose pimples be- cause of the danger the Constitu" ton Is running will be admitted.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Question Box
@i iSN, NIsA

e. Who was the postmaster gen. eral of the United States under Pres- ident Benjamin Harrison?
 A. John Wanamaker, who served from 1889 to 1893.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05

A. March 20, at 1:68 p. m. East- crn Standard Time.
 e. When did the United States recognize the government of Soviet Russia?
 A. November 10, 1883.
 If you want . copy of our book let HOUSEHOLD PAINTING" write to the Waterbury Democrats, Washington Bureau 1913 Thirteenth st., Northwest, Washington, ID. O. Enclose 10 cents, for postage and handling.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
Butter No Parsnips

Here is an example of political generosity without parallel in the history of the United States. All The Constitutional Party has to do is to make common cause with the Republican party, fight side by side with 1t, split the solid South, defeat the New Deal, and make impossible MT. Roosevelt's re- election. It is not to be expected that all this will be undertaken flor the democracy we love-. In the hour of triumph is Col. Roose- welt flushed with victory, going to fcrget the side-by-side fighters, the solid South Fplitters, and the common causers? Are they to go unrewarded? Not much. They are going to get an invitation to Q seat at the council board? Whose seat, what seat, and where placed need not be asked. The colonel might have taken a leaf from The Con- stitutional Party's book and made the invitation to a dinner ito cost not over -. Time and place to be announced later" It looks to me as if the political novices who are going to save the Con- stitution never heard the old sAy- ing: Promises butter no parsnips" nor the older, TWO good fellows at night never made one in the morning" Much less can they be informed of the ninth Beatttude. "Blessed Is he who expects noth" ing for he will not be disappoint" cd" Col. Roosevelt's seat at the council table Is sure to be nothing more than . ticket to the waiting line outside looking in.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05

One of these days builder will put wheels on house and install motor, instead of a furnace, and then wherell we be.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
The Mail Bag

The Monday morning mall bag has just been emptied end It's con- tents sorted out. As usual 1t contained all sorts of weird corn-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05

There's nothing so annoying as Con- gress that doesn't do anything, except a Congress that does everything.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-05
A Thought for Today

For Che great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?-RevelatiOn e:17.
 Foolish men imagine that because Judg- ment for an evil thing is delayed, there is no justice, but only accident here below Judgment for an evil thing is many times delayed some day or two, some century or two, but 1t is sure as life, 1t is sure as deathi-Carlyle.