davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18


 Adherents of pr. Francis Town send, this army of elderly men and women are being blatantly assured that the ex-Iowa country doctors old-age pension scheme has a serious chance of enact. ment. In 8 recent press article put out by Townsend's publicity bureau the claim was flatly made that one-fourth the membership of the House and Q large number of senators are pledged to such legislation.
 The real fact of the matter is that the Townsend plan hasn't 8 ghost of chance of being pass- ed.
 Long Odds
 It is a long odds bet that 1t won't even get out of committee, to say nothing about reaching record vote on the floors of the House and Senate. Positive action on the legislation just is not in the picture at this session of Congress.
 And, privately, the Townsend leaders know that. The follow ing incident k a typical illus- tration.
 There has arrived in Washing ton a senator who owes his elec- ton largely to his advocacy of Townsendism. He stumped his state stressing his devotion, and his campaign literature contained an unequivocal endorsement of the old-age pension scheme.
 Because he would only discuss the matter "off the record" his name cannot be used. But here is what this 100 per cent Townsend ite had to say about the chances of legislation:
 "Of course, the plan won't 90 through. We know that. But it wouldn't do to say so. That would just upset lot of old folks who have their hearts set on it."
 Gold Brick
 Not all that glitters is gold!
 No. bill on the A. F. of l.. legislative calendar last session was the sh-Healey measure code standards (40-hour week and minimum wages) mandatory on all work done under govern ment contract. Conceived as 8 death-blow to sweatshops, the bill, when enacted, was acclaimed a great labor triumph.
 Three months have passed since the law became effective and labor has discovered that 1t sold itself 6 gold brick.
 Sweatshops are still getting government contracts and filI- ing them under sweatshop cOn- ditions. Only two union plants have won contracts fin the three months.
 Two causes are responsible for the futility of the act.
 First Cause
 The first is the ambiguity of its language. AS worded the law requires the payment of prevail ing wages of the locality" Net re- suit of this has been to put a premium on low-wage localities.
 Garment factories in low-pay- ing southern districts have been able to underbid competitors in higher-paying nothern sections. This under-cutting has finally created a situation where north- Qrn firms have begun trekking south so they too can get in on juicy government business.
 This is all within the law. Un- der the act 1t is the locality" that fixes the standard of pay. The fact that in one district the prevailing wage" may be far un- der that of another makes no dif- ference under the law.
 Second Cause
 The second obstacle is the La- bor Department. The act directs the department to fix the mini- mum wage rates that prevail in the various manufacturing areas. These scales were to be promul- gated on the bAsis 9 . nAEian- vide ssuAy.
 Five months have passed since the measure became law but no wage standards have yet been an-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18
FRIDAY, DECEMBER IS, 1886
A Thought for Today

nut the eyes oe the wicked shall fail. and they ahall not escape, and their hone shall De as the giving up oe the ghoSt-Job 1l:2o.
  If the mere delay of hope deferred makes the heart sick, what will the death of hope-its hnal and total disappointment despair, do to N3- VI, Neyins.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18

occupy the w hite House for the coming four years, and His Excellency Wilbur L. Cross is to rule the Con n c c u cut roost for the ne xt twenty four m 0 n t h s, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
 Successful Cam didateS should get onto its job A~A na1a Ean1k
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18
Gentlemen All

MT. huill SpcCldllZeS III DTedkulB strikes of trolley car workers, a department of the business which is known as chicken dinner" be- cause the strike breakers keep all fares collected. One-third of the take goes to the motorman, one third to the conductor, and the remainder to the barnman. MT. McDade devotes his talents to squirting live steam on strikers which explains his nickname. MT. Cohen plays no favorites and will break a strike of chambermaids as quickly and joyfully as he will pulverize walkout of hard rock drillers. Not 50 long ago Chow derhead" honored Connecticut with his presence by willing away his evenings as a $9 per day-and expenses-"night watchman dur ing the strike at the Remington Rand plant in Middletown. When not working in Pearl Bergoff's army of loyal workers" MT. Cohen does an odd job or two for the Sherwood Detective Agen- cy, another Tabor relations ad- justor" organization. Between them the LaFollette committee and the National Labor Board, dug up the information that "Chowderhead" had been arrest ed on sixteen occasions for little things like burglary, white Slav- cry, and extortion, and had done four stretches" two in Sing Sing, one in Elmira Reformatory, and one in the Federal "pen" in Atlanta. Confronted by the rec ord "Chowderhead" complained bitterly that he was being perse- cuted by the law, that he was be- ing driven "to do something wrong" and "Y0u don't gimme square deal for my wife and chill dren!"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18
Halt

Now that the national and state election returns are known and 1t is pretty generally accept cd that President Roosevelt iS to
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18
Daily NNa...v vco-Do,r,d Washington ...ss z -. =ss ss=.ss = TOWNSENDITES DOOMED
 WHEN CONGRESS MEETS

WASHINGTON December 18-To tens of thousands of trusting oldsters the coming session of Congress is destined to prove a bitter diSillusiQnment.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18

Yep, any 17-year old Teller who can strike out IT men in one game is great feller.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18

TODAY'S COMMON ERROR Never say, "The profits were divided evenly between the members of the company; say, "among the members of the company"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18
Test Y Q U r Knowledge

Can you answer seven of these test questions? Turn to last page for the answers.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18
Daily Almanac

Daily Almanac | Moon sets 9:24 p. m. l ezA sAses 7:l2 e. m; sets A:26 ?. A AA wslielss aust bs lighted thirty minutes
 after sunset.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-18

uals whose business 1t is to fish in troubled waters.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
A Thought for Today
Is Resentment Subsiding

It is quite noticeable how the press of the nation no longer resounds with stock phrases urging United States to with hold its athletes from competition in the Olympic games this year. No doubt having come off not even second best in the winter sports the powers that control our amateur CD sports programs are anxious to see the track and field events put different complexion on the point standing. However, events in the world cannot help but center attention on the OlympicS.
 That Germany is striving to sell itself to visiting athletes must surely be seen. It is immediately recalled that Germany did not move to reoccupy the Rhineland until the winter sports were safely ended. And figures on the games claim that Germany has spent $34,000,000 in pre- pairing for them. An invasion of more than 100000 sports fans is expected dur ing the games themselves. No nation is going to be on bad behavior for such a cosmopolitan crowd as this will be.
 The Olympic games mean lot to Ger many. Don't ever lose sight of this fact. Had the United States or any nation, whose entry list in the games was large, withheld from competition it could easily have caused international complications that might be felt for years to come. It is easy to understand then the tremend- ous influence that must have been brought to bear in this country when it seemed as if certain groups might per suade the Olympic committee to vote against participation. There will be no further hostile moves by Germany now until after the Olympic games are over. What will happen then, perhaps only Herr Hitler himself knows.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
Farmers Need Help

A quick, and probably not thorough, survey of farmlands in the Connecticut River valley reveals to trained observers that immediate financial aid must be offered if crops are to be harvested this year. Agriculturists from Massachusetts State College have been busy of recent days as the flood waters began to recede testing soil here and there. In the main they found that while conditions weren't at the worst possible stage, there was plenty of evidence that many farmers might be ruined financially, unless quick aid was forthcoming.
 The flood waters did two things. They deposited on the top of fertile soil layer of sand, silt, and debris. In some places 1t amounts to nothing; in others 1t con- Stitutes a distinct menace. Flowing deeply to turn the residue under will prove sufficient in some cases; in others more than that will have to be done. The waters have also removed top soil and eroded the land. To remedy such dam- age as this is long and tedious task in almost every instance Only by prop erly filling in can the land be returned to it's former fertile state.
 Crops that will probably suffer to some extent in 1886 are onions, tobacco, and potatoes Farmers are advised where there is some fear for productivity of their land to get in touch with farm bureaus and other agencies where proper infor- nation on care of soil that has been flooded will be available. But it is also obvious that financial aid will be of the utmost necessity if the fertility of the river valley is to be restored for the forth coming season. Will it be Uncle Sam or the states?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
Motor Governors

People who have felt there was merit in the proposal to put governors on all automobiles, to limit their speed, may not be so sure after reading some remarks on that subject by the trade journal, Automobile Topics. It would curb the highest speeds and the fastest drivers, but at what cost?
 Motorists are reminded that surplus power is often safety factor, as when it can jerk car quickly out of perilous situation suddenly developing in traffic, or pull it out of a ditch, or save it from sliding backward down a steep slope or move heavy load, or tow another car on bad road. There is something to the charge, too, that arbitrary and uniform control of power would reduce all cars to the limitations of the poorest driver and the worst road, weather and traffic con- gestion.
 Such regimentation of cars and drivers would be bitterly fought anyway. Per haps, after all's said, the best hope of safe driving lies in the education and control of the drivers themselves. Such effort seems somewhat more effective lately than it used to be.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06

New York State is continually adding to it's state park and forest holdings. The most recent acquisition is Storm King Mountain, which thus becomes an inte- gral part of the Palisades Interstate Park. The state has had title to a considerable portion of this justly-famous and historic mountain towering alongside of the Hud- son River, but it was only last week that papers were signed committing to the state 203 more acres of mountainside that round out marvellous section of park paradise. Much of the new land acquired runs down to the present Storm King Highway. The former property owners, the Pagenstecher family, have developed much of the land themselves, building paths and drives from their entrance down at Cornwall Further development by the state includes merely expansion of hiking trails and few rustic shelters throughout the area. New York thus continues it's policy of preserving intact the scenic features of the Hudson highlands
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
Aquarium Flood Victims

A curious aftermath of the recent floods in the eastern part, of the country has been disclosed by officials of the Aquar- ium in New York city. So much fresh water came down the Hudson River and flowed into the bay that the saltbalance in the tanks was upset and 45 horseshoe crabs died. Other crabs and fish may die.
 Some of the salt water used in the aquarium is brought in from far at sea and stored, but 15,000 gallons day are taken from the harbor, filtered and used in the tanks of certain fish and crabs. These are the creatures now suffering. As soon as possible water will be brought for them from point outside, but the situation is temporarily serious.
 The bay water always becomes fresher in the spring, but not to such a degree as at present. It is said that even the incoming tide, which usually restores the balance, has no effect now. If the fresh-water entering the bay has been so hard on the aquarium fish, perhaps it has also been hard on the fish still in their native sea in New York harbor and at other river mouths along the north east coast
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
Expensive Parking

It is common observation in almost every city in America that the privilege of street parking is abused. The most glaring evidence noticed recently comes from Detroit. AS a result of complaints that many streets were clogged with cars day and night, an investigation was ordered.
 The inspectors found on one street - by no means the only one of it's kind - there were 36 cars parked in the same spots day after day Further obser; ation showed that the same cars were there also night after night, in precisely the same places It developed that the cars were not in commission. The owners had chosen the street for permanent winter quarters, draining the radiators and lay ing the cars up there, to avoid garage rent.
 On another Detroit street, where park ing was formerly prohibited, and which was recently widened at considerable ex- pc to facilitate traffic, it was found that the parked cars offset the benefit of the added width so that it remained bottle-neck An official figured out that what the city had done, in effect, was to provide permanent parking space for private cars at a cost of $5,000 per car.
 By reasonable estimate 1t was costing the city $3750 month apiece for those
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06

to handle the extra water from flooding Mississippi tributaries.
 Mail Bag
 z. B., Flint, Mich.-Mrs. Huey Long does not divulge her age. The forthcoming issue of the Congressional Directory will carry her biography as Junior Senator from Louisiana. but the date of birth will be omitted. However, she is 42 years old. C. G. L., Winston Salem, N. C.-There are now six justices of the su- preme court old enough to retire on full pay-$20,000 a year. The retiring age of 70 was reached on St. Patrick's day by Irish Justice Pierce Butler. The other five septuagenarians are: Hughes, 73: Sutherland, 73; McReynolds, "A; Van Devanter, 76; Brandeis, 79 G. H. H., Nashville, Tenn. Judge Edwin R. Holmes of Mis- sissippi, whose confirmation Sen- ator Bilbo opposed unsuccessfully, is related to the late Senator John Sharp Williams by marriage. His wife was Mary Sharp Williams, daughter of the brilliant julep- drinking Mississippi senator |. N. H. B., PhiIadelphia-C Congress- man Clare Fenerty's absence from the floor of the House recently has been principally the result of his own and his mothers illness. He was careful to check on leg islation affecting his constituents.
 (COpyright, 1936, by
 United Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06

As if it wasn't enough to hear the fire engine siren to know that spring is here and people are rapidly kindling bonfires and then letting them get out of control, the State Forester, Austin F. Hawes, an nounces that every fire tower in Connec- ticut is manned. These fire towers have proved their worth time and again in the past few years. Some serious fires have been checked before spreading through several townships by prompt arrival of fire-fighting crews April is always bad month for forest fires We sincerely trust that this year will prove an excep- tion. We've already had our fair share of destruction
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
Question Box

o. What is the estimate of the total carry-over of wheat as of July 1, 1936, in the U. s. and in the world?
 A. The estimated carry-over in the U. s. is about 152,000,00 bushels and about 860,000,00 in the world.
 o. Is the word "chiseller" good English?
 A. Due to the fact that Presi- dent Roosevelt used 1t twice in his radio speech of Oct. 9, 1883, the word "chiseller" as a synonym for cheat" is acceptable as collo- quialism, according to Frank H. Vizetelly, noted Photographer.
 o. Is one mile square the same as one square mile? A. One mile square means that given area is square in shape and is one mile on each side; one square mile means that given area con- tains $40 acres Gone square mile). It may be irregular in shape.
 o. When was the U. s. Govern ment Arsenal at Rock Island, H., established?
 A. By Act of Congress in 1862. Q. What sounds do camels make?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
TAKING OF LIFE TO AVENGE ONE, IS NOT CHRISTIAN
 LIKE, SAYS WRITER
Editor, Waterbury democrat:

Editor, Waterbury Democrat:
 Waterbury, Conn.
 Editor of The Democrat:
 Bruno Hauptman is dead Bruno Hauptman was burnt to death in the electric chair. The executioner who pushed the button that turned on the electric current that killed Hauptmann will be paid $150 for the job by the State of New Jersey There was not one iota of direct evidence that Hauptmann had even set eyes on the child living, or dead that he was accused, convicted o1 having murdered, and for which the state of New Jersey took his life MT. Charles J. DeBisschop is con- flrmed in the opinion that Haupt- mann never Kidnapped the Lindbergh baby, and MT. DeBisschop generally knows what he is talking about. But just the same, Bruno Hauptmann is dead, but the system that killed him guilty or innocent still lives. All the general public is interested in is not Bruno Hauptmann, but the prece- dent set by his death. What hap pened to him may happen to any man involved in any major case in lesser or greater degree. The editor ial writers say, well he's dead and soon forgotten" but that is not all of 1t. If an innocent man can be bumped off like that, there is a ser ious threat, not only to the present generation but to the next and other generations.
 It was a sage observation of Ed mund Burke that when the laws of England failed to protect the humb- lest parish on the banks of the Ganges River, the mightiest noble on the banks of the Thames might well tremble for his safety. Human rights which have had their growth through centuries of struggle, and which have been baptized in blood, cannot be ignored at this late day, by even the lawmakers, when such laws are arbitrary and against hu- manity, religion and progress.
 Just as far as the Lindbergh case is concerned the mystery of which the New Jersey police could not solve; the death of Hauptmann leaves 1t as it was the night the Lindbergh baby was kidnapped. No one knows how it was done, by whom, by one individu- al or a gang; but Hauptmann is
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
Selected Poem
THE CROCUS

THE CROCUS (Glenn Ward Dresbach in the New York Timesl Above the patchwork of the snow Left here and there, since yesterday The drifts fin silver crept away Beneath the suns insistent glow, The crocus lifts It's cup to hold little of this mornings gold. And drawn by such a lovely thing,
 Are little rainbows winking through The cups design SO fresh and new AS If this were the only Spring We saw the lifted cup and wise With love, looked in each others eyes.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
In New York
@ 1888. NEA
BY GEORGE ROSS

New York, April 6-An may be quiet on the western front where musical talkies are made, but here in New York the Song War is no- where near a truce. We will be in the trenches until next Christmas, if need be- said one of the generals "Even longer, perhaps"
 Entrenched in three camps are these combatants: The Warner Brothers, the American Society of Composers and Publishers (known in the music world as ASCAP) and the big broadcasting compan- les. And until an armistice is reached, radio fans will be denied the privilege of hearing as many as 26,O0O songs, all of which are included in the music catalogues that the Freres Warner control.
 These being war times on Tin Pan Alley, Paul Whiteman has given up his theme song from Rhapsody in Blue" and substi- tuted 8 signature tune composed hastily by his assistant. Adolph Deutsch. Fred Allen now croons Smile Darn You Smile," instead of Smiles"
 Campaign Notes
 The ballad boys have been in the trenches since January l. War was then declared by the Warner Freres. Just before that day, the Warmers seeded from ASCAP, withdrew all their songs from the radio. with the complaint that broadcasters were not paying enough royalty. Since ASCAP is the official royalty collec- tor for songWriters and publishers, Warmers resigned to demand higher fees of the broadcasters and nego- tiate their own deals. But all-poWer- full radio chiefs refused to negoti- ate with the "rebel", and overnight Warmers banned all it's music from the major networks.
 That explains why "The Lost Chord" has drifted into your par Tor 50 often since the first of the year and why you have heard so much of Sweet Rosie O'Grady,' various Sinfonettas and "Margie.' That also explains why Warmers hires a staff of 130 people to listen to radio programs all over the land morning, noon and night, in order to trap stations that infringe upon their copyrights; and why a major network in New York employs 125 men and women to SCOUT the music catalogues and check against their own programs, in order to prevent the playing of Warner tunes and subsequent lawsuits.
 Causi BeIii
 To understand these articles of war, go back 8 few years. Warmers were making numerous musical talkies, and therefore employed a large staff of composers and lyri- cists. After songs achieved natural popularity all over the country there was demand for photograph records and sheet music. And radio stations clamored for use of the tunes. This was lucrative sideline movies had given little consideration to and one that led them to dream enthusiastically of its possibilities.
 And 50 the Warmers bought out a music publishing firm as sub- sidiary outlet of their movie-mak- ing industry. Then they bought two. Then, they purchased a third, finally a fourth and found themselves with a ten million dol lar investment on. their hands They were in the music publish ing business to stay, with 260O( songs listed in their inventory. A a matter of course, they joined ASCAP and as noted above, found ASCAP too generous in the low prices they submitted to radio mo- 0illg
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
Current Comments

This is tougher than pitching to the Giants.
 --"Daffy" Dean, St. Louis Card inal pitcher, filling out income tax return.
  l never saw Irish stew or corncd beef and cabbage in Ireland. u. S. Representative John J. McGrath. California, native born Irishman.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06

1. What is the official name of Argentina?
 2. On what river is the Russian city of ATchangel?
 3. What is a directional antcnna? {. Who wrote the novel, Put Yourself in His Place?"
 6. On which peninsula arc Spain and Portugal2
 6. Who was Rene Descartes? 2. Tn which country is the seaport town of Africa?
 Q. For whom were the Philippine Islands named?
 Q. Who was Jakob Stainer?
 70. What is an academic educa- ton?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06

For some unknown reason you'll still find old-timers who insist that the only time to plant your sWeet-peas is Good Friday. Therefore, those who adhere to the old customs had better be prepared to go to work this week. We don't know how this belief can be reconciled with the way that Good Friday jumps from March to April, but at any rate you probably won't be wrong in following it out this year.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-06
Horoscope
BY OCTAVINE

For persons who believe that human destiny is guided by the planet, the daily horoscope is out lined by a noted astrologer. In addition to information of gem eral interest, 1t outlines infOrma- ton of special interest to persons born on the designated dates.