davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28
FIREMEN ANSWER THIRTEEN ALARMS
h3igfft Brush Fires Included l ia List Yesterday; Bank
 St. Store Damaged

A total of 13 calls, eight of them for brush fires, kept firemen busy yesterday and early this morning. A fire on the property of Floriano Tedesco. at 1896 North Main street, yesterday afternoon was caused by children playing with matches who set rubbish ablaZe. Three com panies answered the alarm. Four companies responded to call to the rear yard of Mrs. Lena Cofrancesco at 10 Grove street yesterday after noon where brush fire resulted from sparks froman incinerator.
 A small fire in Tareila's store at North Leonard and Bank streets Rarly this morning was caused by hot ashes dumped on top of cardboard cartons. Sergeant John Phelan and Patrolman William O'Dea turned in an alarm, answered by four com panies. There was no damage.
 The brush fires were at: 5:03 D. m., on the Kerner estate, 101 Rail- road Hill street; SOS p. m., porperty or Arthur Baker, Ellsmere avenue; 6:12 D. m.. Pierpont estate, Pierpont road; 6:46 D. m., Chase Companies property on Walnut street extension; S:19 p. m. Scott road; 8;15 D. m, Pierpont road; 8:05 p. m, Farming ton avenue.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28

change the mode of execution to the lethal chamber, and you have a conception of the repulsion of public opinion to the death pen alty.
 The death penalty tends to bru- talize society, and lowers it's moral tone and debases public morals. As MT. John Bright said: Whenever you hang man in the face of the public under the circum- stances to which we are accustom- ed in this country, if you do in the slightest degree deter from crime by the shocking nature of the punishment, will undertake to say that you by so much-nay, by much more-Weaken that other and greater security which arises from the reverence with which human life is regarded"
 Death By Carb0nic DiOxide
 Dr. Allen McLane Hamilton once recommended that as long as State homicide, or manslaugh- ter was in operation, that the most merciful method was some kind of an agency such as carbonic diox- ide, as he was firmly convinced that death by electrocution was no more merciful than the hang mans rope.
 Said a writer of note in discus- sing this question, We have to face the fact again that on hu- manitarian grounds State homi- eide seems more barbarous and abominable than any but the most eXceptionable private murder. When death by electrocution was substituted for death by hanging, the advocates of the change rest ed their case on the premise or promise that killing by electricity was almost the same as no killing at all. They said that the ex- ecution would be performed with 8 measure of dignity and de- corum. No black mask, no show of the halter, or sound of the drop, no binding of the victim on a board like a planked shad, not even the twist of a crank to shock the spectators. In fact all there was to it, they said, was just like a man sitting in a chair to have his picture taken and a scientific gentleman, or educated electrician behind screen to push a but ton, that was all. No Writhings of agony, no smell of burning flesh, to sicken the invited guests. Noth- ing but the invisible thousand volts that operated silently upon the erring victim, putting him quickly out of his misery. Cnfor- tunately this promise has not been redeemed. The accumulated evil dence of the actual facts are only another argument for the aboli- tion of the death penalty by every state where it still fingers, relic of 8 barbarous past.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28
N. D. STUDENTS IN DRAMATIC RECITAL
Two One=Act Plays Staged Last Night; Over 50 Pu-
 pills Took Part

Two one act plays were offered by the pupils of Notre Dame Acad- emy last night as part of the annual dramatic recital. The affair was held in the auditorium of the Water bury Catholic High school, under the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth Romaine. More than fifty players performed and music was supplied by the WPA string ensemble.
 A fairy play, "The Greatest Day., was set in place called '"The King dom of KindlincsS" and showed land running over with good fairies and the incest of pleasant thoughts. It was enjoyed greatly by the per- formers and by the audience. In "A Dish of China Tea" colonial play, the action took place in the living room of the old Wynne mansion in West Virginia, at the time of the Revolution.
 All in all, the presentation of the two plays, which were given with an eye for enjoyment more than for technical perfection, was most en- joyable and the audience and per- formers shared equally in the eve ning'S entertainment. 
 London has new darts craze.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28

If the navigating's . bit dizzy on the Maxwell House Show Boat on Thursday, April 30, it will only be because that old salt, Cap'n Ben Bernie, will be at the helm of the make-believe sidewheeler. The old maestro is going to be guest skipper at the broadcast over the NBC-Red network at 9 D. m., and will take charge to present his own version, of a Show Boat broadcast.
 Other guest stars aboard will be Sam Hearn, the famous "Schlep- perman" of Jack Benny's program, who will introduce a new rural character, and Walter Cassel, new NEG baritone sensation, who will sing Gypsy Trail" As for Bernie's vocal selections, he has chosen Its Lonesome Old Town" and Every thing Stops for Tea"
 Jack HyItOn and his British
 Continental Revue present a
 show that is almost as different
 from other programs to watch
 as it is to hear. HyItOn, a
 short, rather heavy-set bundle
 of nervous energy, sandy, curly
 hair and wearing light horn
 trimmed spectacles-stands on
 high podium as audience files
 into studio and merely turns to
 take a bow, dispensing with grand entrance micrODhOne
 for Hylton's private use stands
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28

Town Chairman J. Warren Up- son resigned as president of the Young Republican club last night and U. S. Commissioner Harry Krasow was elected in his place. The meeting of the group took place in Eagles hall. Attorney KFasOw was authorized to appoint . delegation of six to attend a county meeting of Young Repub- lican clubs in WallingfOrd to- night. Next month, it was decided, the local club will hold a hot dog roast.
 The club members agreed to participate in the statewide mem bership drive being made by the Young Republicans. The local group will be expected to get be- tween $50 and 1000 new members. C@Rlow Ellis of Middlet0wn was preesnt and addressed the mem beFs of the club on anti-New Deal subjects.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28

wABC-Dailey Orchestra. 12:30-WEAF-Lewis Orchestra. WJZ-Olsen Orchestra.
 WABC-Cugat Orchestra.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28

the three committees, the executive leads with a total of $16,866.
 At last nights meeting, Charles Larkin, president, and Herbert Smith, secretary, of the Y. M. c. A., urged all workers to put forth their best efforts during these last few days of the drive. One optimistic note is the fact that the drive is now about $650 ahead of the amount realized at this time last year.
 The following totals to date were announced:
 Committees: executive, John B. Goss, chairman, $16,866.50; com mercial, Captain Harry c. Post, $2,117; industrial committee, Her man Rooster, chairman, $1,660.
 Figures for the teams: Coptain Ellis P. Phelan, ,$634; Captain Arr thur P. Hickox, $1,0O895; Captain John w. Watt, $305.50; Captain William s. Curtiss, $44l; Captain Alfred F. Meyerhans, $442.50; Cap- tain John Murphy, 589.50: Captain Arthur Bowling, $504; Captain Idris Alderson, ST., $38950; Captain Frank H. Bailey, $28250; Captain William J. Latimer, $574; Captain Frank Naka, $397; Captain William H. Feeter, $326.50.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28
Excellent Progress
 In YMCA Campaign
FnI Quota of $4S5SS Expected to Be Reached Within
 Week-ScOviII's Team Maintains Lead in Drive

With c total of $26,547, about five nighths of the sum needed to make the drive a success in, listed to date, lt appears that the Y. M. c. A. drive for $4s,558 will go over the top by Thursday, the day set for the final dinner meeting report. John D. Goss, chairman of the drive, said last night that there were several large contributions that have not been heard from as pet.
 The Scovill team, headed by Cap- tain Arthur Hickcox, still leads the rest of the group with a total of 41O0S subscribed. The American Brass team is in second place and John Murphy's team is in third. Of
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28
ROYAL NEICHBORS
 CAPTURE HONORS

First prize at the benefit card party, sponsored by the committee of Girl Scout Troop 6 of Blessed Sacrament Church last night in the church hall, was won by the mem- beras of the forty-five team of the Royal Neighbors of America.
 Second prize was won by the Washington Hill team and the St. Patrick's team being tied with 31 points each. The summary of the scores follows:
 Royal Neighbors B, Middlebury 27; Washington Hills 31, Blessed Sacrement 29; St. Patrick's 3l, Irish American women 29.
 The committee for the affair, which was attended by more than
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28

For . pair of elderly ArlEansas storekeepers, Lsun and Abner are doing some fast stepping these dayH. While in Indianapolis for Q stage appearance Sunday, April 19, they visited the famed Speedway and each of them was taken for Q spin around the track by Babe Stapp. noted race driver, at Q speed which at times reach 136 m.p.h.
 Add Amos 'n' Andy TWlnss
 Two moro sets of twins, one in
 Pennsylvania and one fin Wis-
 cOnsin, recently were named
 Amos m Andy, in addition to
 the hundred-Odd other pairs ale
 ready so named. Gosden and
 COrrelI also frequently receive
 pictures of Amos m Andy twins
 at various ages.
 Sam (Schlepperman) Hearn's debut as a violinist on a recent Jack Benny program-he really played the fiddle himself brings to mind the remarkable parallel between the careers of the NEG comedian and his dialectic stooge. Both started their climbs up the ladder of show business as serious violinists. The war marked the turning point for both of them. When hostilit.es were concluded, they emerged as com- ics. As a result of radio, both of them became picture stars.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28
SUIT FILED

,. Frank Sharp, of Ogdensburg, N. K., today filed suit in common pleas eourt here against Clarence Sprague of Briar Hill, N. Y. Damages of $500 are sought.
 The suit is brought in the local court because the defendant owns property in Wolcott.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28

300, was assisted by several women of the parish. Mrs. Francis P. McEvoy. chairman of the commit tee, was assisted by Mrs. Mary ORourke, Mrs. Edward Real Mrs. Robert Moran, Mrs. Sadie Guill- foile and Miss Anna Moran. Rob- ert Haskin won the door prize.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-28

menG Alec TempletOns
 famed blind pianist, sits at the
 fOOt of HyItOn's stand and the
 latter pats him afHectiOnately on
 the hack with his baton when
 Alec's turn comes show
 draws smoothly to . close, timed
 to Q split second.
 Dusolina Giannini, noted Amer ican soprano who made her Metro politan Opera debut in February will be the guest soloist with thu Ford Symphony Orchestra anC Chorus directed by Victor Kolal over the compelte coast-to-coas WABC- Columbia network on Sun day, May 3, from 300 to 1000 p. m. EDST. The broadcast will be Mis- Giannini's farewell to American music-lovers for the season. Sh' sails for Europe a few days late. to fulfill engagements at the Pari Opera and the Salzburg Festival.
 Jimmy Wilkinson, NEG bari-
 tone, whose family dates back
 to the General James Wilkinson
 who commanded the Continent
 al Army before WashingtOn's
 ascent, has just been presented
 with the seal ring of that fa-
 nous soldier by the Washington
 Museum of History. The ring
 is engraved with the family crest "a rampant lion and shield.
 The motto, "Je Pense," is below.
Evening star., 1936-10-28
JUSTICE PROCTOR
9vERRULES SELF.
Grants Mistrial in White
Slave Case After Refusal
to QuaSh Warrant.

Holding that he had wrongly per-
mitted evidence seized in raid to be
displayed before the jury, Justice
James M. Proctor today declared a
mistrial in the hearing of white
slave conspiracy charge against four
persons arrested two months ago after
police discovered the alleged head
quarters of the ring in the l400 block
of Belmont street.
The defendants were Mary Sherman,
alias Mary Nipple; Joseph Sherman,
Joseph Marback and Jean Gordon, A
fifth defendant, Ida Elizabeth Jack
son, pleaded guilty at the beginning
of the trial yesterday.
The four were charged with con-
spiracy in the transportation of a
young woman to Washington from
West Virginia for immoral purposes.
Before the jury was impaneled yes
terday, Attorneys Myron G.. Enrich
and F. Joseph Donohue, representing
the defendants, moved to quash the
warrant used in the raid and to sup
press the evidence. At that time,
Justice Proctor overruled both mo-
tions, and the case proceeded.
This morning, after almost a day
and a half of trial, Justice Proctor
announced he had changed his mind
concerning the sufficiency Of the
warrant under which the evidence
was seized, and ordered the evidence
suppressed. Since much of 1t already
had been presented to the jury, he
granted a defense motion for mis-
trial, and set November as the date
for a new trial.
Evening star., 1936-10-28
BALLOTS
TOBE CAST HERE
Survey of Absentee Votes
Reveals Total Will Ex-
ceed That of 1882.

The voteless District will cast $4,000
ballots in this years presidential elec-
ton. a survey today indicated. This
is a marked increase over 1882.
Absentee votes daily fatten the mails,
and some $4,000 citizens are expected
to return home over the week end to
go to the polls on Tuesday.
The 14-room suite of the Democratic
Absentee Voters Bureau, District
Bank Building, 1406 G street, is banked
with votes. The agency has handled
21.341 ballots to date and expects
$4,000 by Tuesday.
They are rolling in." Mrs. S. Jen-
nings Asbury, in charge, said. They'll
soon be overf1owing into the alley.
What we need is more room. We had
982 ballots for New York alone yeSter-
day."
The New York voters get special
attention from a staff headed by Mrs.
Eva o. Steiner and Mrs. Fred C.
Wright. The whole bureau is stated
by $50 volunteer workers.
The Republicans have set up two
headquarters to care for the absentee
voters-1413 H street and Scott Circle.
They have handled already $4,000
ballots. Diller B. Croft and Edgar G.
Snyder, who are managing the two
polling places, are sending them out
at a rate of 1000 day. F1fty-nve
workers are handling the work.
Ten thousand rersons are expected
to take special trains Saturday, sum
day, Monday and Tuesday for PENN
sYlVania and Kentucky,
Evening star., 1936-10-28

more, Cruickshank refused to discuss
the incident, after consultation WIN
his superior there. A Baltimore po-
lice lieutenant said he gave some OF
the license numbers to CruicksnanK
during a meeting nine days ago ad-
dressed by Earl Browder, COMMUNIST
candidate for President.
Hoover said there was mot a sem
tilla of truth" in published reports
that several of his agents had ATTENDED
the meeting or obtained automoolie u
cense numbers of washington or any
other cars parked near the COM
munist meeting place.
II haven't the slightest ioea Wnat
use could be made of such informa-
tion, If it were obtained" ne aeciaIeo.
He ordered an investigation OF tne
reports several days ago. His agents
learned that q man had appeared az
the ticket window Of the han ana
represented himself to be Govern
ment man." This man, according TO
the ticket seller, wanted to know VINO
had rented the hall for the raily.
Treasury officials are checking on
the incident ftlrtheSs 1t u unoerstooo.
Evening star., 1936-10-28
BUDGET DEFENSE
ORDEREDFOR D. c.
Department Heads to Go
Before Fiscal Relations
ProberS.

Heads of the principal departments
of the District government were or.
dered today by the Commissioners
to prepare to defend the cost of the
operation of their respective depart
ments before President Roosevelt's
special fiscal relations investigating
committee.
Instructions were given the depart
ment heads at a conference with the
Commissioners and Maj. Daniel j.
Donovan. District audit and budget
officer The conference was called as
an aftermath of the public hearing
Friday and Saturday before the fiscal
relations committee, at which one OF
the members, Clarence A. Dykstra,
city manager of Cincinnati. indicated
he believed the cost Of operating the
District government is excessive.
Direct Study Of Costs.
The Commissioners directed the
department heads to make study
of the operating costs of their re-
spective departments and check this
information with similar departments
in cities comparable in size with
Washington. A special committee
was created to gather the data that
will be used in the survey.
Edward r. Pierce, battalion chief
in the Fire Department, was ap-
pointed chairman of this fact-flnding
committee. He will be assisted by
Capt. Herbert c. Whitehurst, di-
rector of highways, and DR.. Edgar A.
Bocock, superintendent of Gallinger
Hospital.
Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen ex-
planned that it is not known definitely
whether the Presidents committee
proposes to call on District officials
to defend their operating expenses.
but the Commissioners want them to
be prepared in such an event.
See Stumbling Block.
Commissioner Hazen indicated that
District officials fear the question of
administrative expenses raised at the
hearing before the Presidents Com
mittee may prove a stumbling block
in the determination of an equitable
fiscal relations formula unless it Is
answered satisfactorily.
Departments represented at the con-
ference included police, fire, highways,
street cleaning. public schools, sewer.
public welfare and tax assessors office.
Robert L. Haycock, assistant superin-
tendent Of schools, represented the
school system; Maj. Ernest L. Brown,
superintendent of police, the Police
Department; Pierce and John Car
rington, acting fire chief, the Fire De-
partment; Capt. Whitehurst, the High
way Department; Elwood Street, direc-
tor of public welfare, the various well
fare agencies, and Fred Allen, tax as
SCISSOR, the tax assessors Office.
Evening star., 1936-10-28
Hooper Denies Agents Listed
DC. Cars at Communist Rally
Federal Bureau of Investigation Makes
Inquiry as Baltimore Police Name
Customs Service Employe.

j. Edgar Hoover, director of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, today
denied reports that some of his agents
had secured license numbers of Dis
trict of Columbia automobiles parked
at a recent Communist rally in Balti-
more, following an inquiry to deter
mine if some one had impersonated
his men.
simultaneously, Baltimore police are
reported to have announced, after an
independent investigation, that the
numbers were obtained by w. ].
Cruickshank, described as an investi-
gator for the Customs Service.
Oficials Of the Treasury, which has
supervision Of the Customs Service,
said today there is a customs agent
of that name in Baltimore, but they
denied emphatically that he had been
authorized to make any such investi-
cation as reported by the Baltimore
press. A spokesman for the Treasury
said no orders for such a license num-
Der check-up had been given to any
of the several Treasury investigative
agencies.
Interviewed by reporters in Balti-
Evening star., 1936-10-28
TRANSIT OFFICIAL
WILL ASK ACTION
ONNEW CARPLAN
Merrill Promises to Present
Program for Systematic
Replacement.
SAYS POSSIBILITIES"
NOW BEING STUDIED
Commission Chairman Urged so
New Vehicles Be Added
Each Year.
BY DON S. WARREN.

Promise that directors of the Cap
ital Transit Co. would be requested to
act soon on the proposal of Chair
man Riley E. Elgen of the Public
Utilities Commission for adoption of
systematic program for replacing all
old street cars was made today by E.
D. Merrill, vice president and general
manager of the company.
Studies of the possibility of work.
ing out such plan already are being
made, Merrill said in a letter to the
commission, but he made no forecast
of how fast the old cars could be re-
placed and warned the amount of net
revenue would be controlling fac
tor"
Commission experts promptly de-
clared the amount of net revenue at
any given time was not the sole fac
tor. and regarded Merrilfs letter as
an acceptance of the fundamental
argument that there must be sys-
tematic plan for replacement of worn
out and obsolet cars.
Suggested Requirements.
Elgen last week wrote the company
suggesting replacement of not less
than so cars per year, the first to be
available by the middle of 1887. Fred
A. Sager, commission chief engineer,
now is completing a technical physi-
cal examination of all cars in service.
His findings are expected to serve as
a guide to commission action as to
the number.
In making his proposal. Elgen told
the company it could afford to re-
place cars Systematically and sug-
gested new cars could be bought on
equipment trust notes, if cash were
not available.
Prior to Elgen's statement the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations had
gone on record demanding the pur-
chase of 800 new cars Immediately.
Merrill's letter TO the commission
said, "A tentative four-year track
maintenance program was forwarded
to the commission August 81, which,
I understand, is being submitted to
officers of the District responsible for
repaving work in order to coordinate
the plan with that branch of the Dis
trict government.
Regarding replacement Of cars,
consideration already has been given
to the possibility of working out plan
covering a period of years. The
amount of revenue to be received over
Oh hn ~
expense is the controlling factor in
our ability to provide new equipment,
and we are anxious, as far as possible,
to clear up such uncertainties before
making definite plans for the future"
To Present Problem"
Promising to present the problem to
the company's board of directors at
the earliest possible moment" Mer-
rill said it may be several weeks"
before a definite reply could be made.
For the first eight months of this
year company reports show a net in
come loss of some $4,000, but commits
| sion accountants explained that dur
| ing the same period the company had
/ put into its depreciation reserve S667.-
900, a sum taken from operating reve-
nues.
Commission experts also said the
company had liquid assets at the end
of 1885 totaling S1,739000 and put
into depreciation reserves during 1885
S783,00 Both sums were available
for use in improving the company'S
plant, it was said.