davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
WOrst Public Nuisances

Decent people are rapidly getting fled up" on gangsters. This is true even of the lunatic and sentimental fringes of our society that have regarded them as heroes And no wonder. Such an irci- dent as occurred in Detroit on Thanks giving eve is certainly calculated to alien- ate the gunmen's "public".
 Two of these gallant gentry entered a crowded restaurant and, seeing rival gangster standing at the bar with some of his own "mob", started shooting, re- gardless of the surrounding throng. The fellows attacked started shooting back, with the same cheerful disregard of their reighbors. The melee ended with one of these human rats killed, two more wound ed, and two innocent customers - one of them dining with his wife - seriously hurt. The executions were all to the good, so far as social benefit goes; but the way such marauders ride over and shoot up what we call our civilization is a con- tinuing scandal
 It would be wonderful if they could all be herded by themselves into an arena with solid concrete walls, and permitted to exterminate themselves in their own blithe way. Since that is impractical, for lack of their cooperation, there seems to be no effective procedure but for G. men and their local allies in the infested regions to eliminate the nuisance by copy ing their technique - but with some- what more regard for bystanders
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02

Waterbury is taking on a Christmas-y look. Garlands have been hung along the main business thoroughfares. Stores are displaying holiday goods, and merchants urging to shop early. This week the crowds in the streets seem much larger; stores seem to be busier, and it is to be hoped that shopping will encourage the mer- chant who has been somewhat cast down by the business recession. This week and next Christmas club checks will be mailed out, which will mean increased business. The slogan "do your Christ mas shopping early" is hackneyed one but also wise one.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
U. s. Can Avoid War

The first and biggest step in the pro- cess of getting country ready for war is to sell it on the idea that if war comes it can't possibly stay out. We are get ting a sizable dose of that sort of sales talk right now. It is raining in on us from all sides, and the argument runs about like this: If major war starts anywhere, the world is so much unit nowadays that its effects are felt every where. Isolation is impossible; we got tangled up in the last war and we shall inevitably get tangled up in the next one. So we might as well make up our minds to it, and cooperate with other nations now in an effort to keep the war from starting.
 Now 1t may be true that we could profitably cooperate for the sake of world peace-if any major power showed the Slightest willingness to make any sacri- fees for peace which to date none of them has done. But it is about time that some one got up in meeting and pointed out the utter absurdity of saying that we can't possibly stay out of the next war. Of course we can stay out of it. Nobody is going to be insane enough to come over here and attack us; if we just make up our minds that we aren't going to do any fighting off our home lot, and stick to it, then we stay out of war. It is as simple as that.
 Of course it might be expensive. Whole volumes have been written to show that we would have lost billions of dollars in 1917 if we had accepted the German submar- inc campaign and remained at peace. Our business boom would have collapsed, foreign trade would have stagnated, fi- nancial markets would have gone into 9 tailspin and there would have been the dickens to pay generally. But the answer to that is Simple: we lost billions of dol lars anyway, in the long run and Saddled ourselves with a mess of trouble that we still aren't entirely out from under
 From a dollars and cents viewpoint 1t would have been far cheaper If our gov ernment had bought up all the foreign orders that were outstanding in 19l7-or- ders for guns, shell, steel, cotton, wheat, oil and all the reSt-paid the sellers in hard cash, lowed the whole lot out to the middle of the ocean, and sunk 1t there. Our government paid the bills anyway, Ill the long run. By going to war 1t simply took on some billions of dollars worth of other obligations-and, just incidentally. sent about 150,000 young Americans to their deaths.
 The expenses of any course of action are relative. It is quite true that as the world is now operated it can be fear fully expensive for nation like ours to remain at pace when everybody else is fighting. But there is this to remember; that nothing possibly can be as ruin- ously expensive as war. We ought to keep that fact in mind when people start telling us how "inevitable" our participa- tion in the next war is going to be.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
BY OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON

If boy likes vicarious adventure against foreign background, s. s. Smith is his author. A gang of the besprizorni, or wild boys who roamed Russia during the early Commune, become secret agents for the OGPU in "The Spy Mys- tery" tHarcourt, Brace: $2).
 Their leader, Grisha, uncovers a plot within the government itself Through his own fine leadership, he lifts his friends out of misery and neglect and finds way to save his country.
 Any high school boy interested in modern mechanics will enjoy Portraits of the Iron Horse" by Otto Kuhler and Robert s. Henry tRand- -McNally: $2). Pictured and described in technical detail are American locomotives from the earliest to the present streamlined models.
 For the l0-to-l2-year old who wants an unusual story favored with humor and excitement, there Is "The Lost Chicken Henry" by Ned Andrews (Mororw: $2). Chappo and Bud, the same young cowboys who made their appearance in the hilarious "Jerky," find themselves possessed of gold mine, called the Chicken Henry" Trouble results, Chappo tells the story; the author understood a boys soul when he created him.
 A story as entrancing as It's title, for younger girls, is 'Moonshine in Candle Street." by Constance Savery CLongmans: $l.75), where- in a sprite of a girl who calls her. self Lady Moonshine" moves into the household of an earnest young fan maker, MT. Ned.
 Her elfin naughtiness leads neighborhood children into one scrape after another, until the burning of his fan ruins MT. Ned. Then the little lady does an about face, and by her personal sacrifice brings the fate of the people on Candle Street to happy denoue- ment. A delightful story, height ened by Reginald Birch illustra- tions.
 Two exquisite new books for very little children are about Siamese cats. Clare T. Newbery made her remarkable cat water colors known in "Mittens." Now ap- pears "Babette" (Harpers: $l.50) [, with a text about a little girl who loved the kitten down the hall so much that she got it for Christmas.
 The other book is the true story of "Sakimura" tViking: $l.50, Zhenya Gays own Siamese cat who ran away from home to find friends. Each page has full-sized Autograph in color of the stately Saki.
 Copyright, 1887, NEA Service. Inc.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02

December came in and said hello in a snappy and crisp manner. Frost glist- ened on, - well, in lieu of pumpkins, housetops, mail boxes, ash cans and what have you. December comes last in the years calendar, but with its outward characteristics of glum winter, it is first in the expression of "peace on earth" It ushers in the advent season, prepara- tory to one of the most thrilling dramas of all time the birth of Jesus Christ With its coming one makes an effort to enter into the proper spirit of the season, spir- itually as we'll as temporarily. The business recession has cramped the styles of many. The outlook hasn't been too good; and just when we seemed to be Sailing along for happier days. However, casting aside pessimlsm, and with hope full optimism we can but hope that every thing is for the best in this best of little worlds. The thing to do, we are well advised, is not to verve too much to the left or too much to the right, but to keep to a sane middle course.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
State Aid For SnOz0
Justification Seen for Cities, Towns Relying on
 State, Federal Governments for Aid
MERlDEN JOURNAL

frame of mind because the upper governmental divisions now take heavily from local citizens and they return some of the taxes when so disposed.
 Official New Haven has started something more in this direction by asking the State Highway depart ment to give hand in clearing snow off the main arteries passing through the city. There is some ground for this move in view of the action by the last legislature which provided for state maintenance of two main thoroughfares in each city. The joker in the act was that no funds were made available by which to carry out its provisions.
 It would not be surprising if the next legislature acted in earnest to allocate funds paid in by motorists to keep certain city streets in a passable condition. Motorists would probably not object in view of the miserable job that most cities make in clearing the snow from the main arteries of travel.
 Towns get service from the state snowplows and maintenance forces but few cities do. Meriden is one of the exceptions. The state takes all the care of Broad street through this city and makes a particularly good job of snow removal. Else- where in the city, 1t proceeds only to the inner limits and leaves the central thoroughfares for the streeet department to take care of. The lo- cal budgeteers hold down this eX- pense as much as possible, ever hopeful that Providence will be kind in the matter of snow, and the clearance money has to come from other sources.
 That policy tends to make the officials hesitant about jumping into snow removal as 1t should be undertaken, in some cities, and the result is clogged streets which are harmful to business and not con- ducive to cheer among the citizens. They would undoubtedly welcome state aid if 1t did not add to their tax bills.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
Current Comment

China can hold out against Japan for five years if necessary. -Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.
  We've traced the genealogy to 1892, and I'm the only one ever to be arrested. William R. Parmele, Toledo failed on check charges. Leaders come and go. but the people remain.
 Josef Stalin, Soviet dictator.
  So prevalent is propaganda that diplomacy has become almost sym onymous with deceit. -The Rev. Dr. R. w. Sockman, New York city.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02

been invited to be around. The inference is obvious.
 Wage.HOur Fishing
 The President has still another ui1announced mission on his Southern trip.
 On return, he plans to do some quiet proselyting for the Wage- Hour bill among the eight gov- ernors of the Southeastern Gov- ernors Conference during his stop- over in Gainesville, Ga, where he will dedicate a park.
 Undercover, the Conference has been sharpshooting at the Wage. Hour measure, and ROOse. welt will try to persuade the governors to lay off. As they have favors to ask of him, he may be able to make . trade.
 NOTE: Definitely not slated for benediction is Georgia's rabidly anti-New Deal Senator Walter George, who also comes up for rec election next year.
 Sol's Founding Fathers
 To see Sol Bloom show off the rare exhibit of portraits of the Founding Fathers now on display in Washington's Corcoran Art Gallery, one might think he was their grandfather.
 The owners of the pictures, Sol explains, were very generous. In assembling the collection, he en- countered trouble only with gov- ernment officials.
 "West Point," Sol complained, "l,as a fine portrait of Jefferson, but they wouldn't let us have 1t. I appealed to the secretary of war, but 1t did no good.
 "Then Senator Lodge has some nlce things, but he wouldn't lend them to us. Neither would Senator Gerry"
 The man who gave Sol the greatest pain, however, was Mayor wilson of Philadelphia, who rec fused to lend some of the por- traits from Independence Hall.
 "Other Philadelphlans," said Sol, "who are descendants of the slgners, let us have their pictures. But not Wilson. What was 1t to him? He hasn't any ancestors"
 NOTE: The pictures exhibited here are specially insured for three million dollars. They were brought to Washington by van, with an extra van ahead and another behind, for protection.
 Merry-G Round
 Asked why, if he favored pas sage of the Wage-Hour bill, he didn't sign the discharge petition that would bring 1t to the House floor for a vote, Chairman John O'Connor of the Rules Commit- tee replied, q can recognize demogoguery when I see 1t. In fact, indulge in 1t myself at times, but I never vote to fire myself". Labor's Non-par- tisan League has quietly begun or- ganizing state campaign commit tees in preparation for the 1888 primaries Latest publica- ton to make it's appearance on congressional desks is NeWs.Let- ter Magazine, devoted to social security legislation of all kinds.
 Copyright, 1887, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
Buy and Use the Seals!

An item which ought to be on every Christmas list is the Christmas Seal. All over the country the annual sale of anti tuberculosis seals has already begun. A penny for single stamp or dollar for Sheet of 100 stamps - it doesn't matter whether you can afford only few or a great many, just so you buy some.
 Once bought, the seals should be used Their purpose is twofold. The money raised is used to pay for tuberculosis treatment or preventive work in the local community. The stamps themselves, stuck on letters and the backs of Christ mas packages, perform an educational service, carrying everywhere the good word that something can be done and is being done to stamp out the white plague
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02

London has just experienced one of its worst fogs; as pea-soupy, we read, or denser than those described by the es- timable Charles Dickens London has always at intervals, appreciated heavy fogs, and bad as each one is, there is al- ways a worse one to come. Just fancy standing on street corner and not being able to see your hand in front Of you, your feet under you or the electric light at your shoulder.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
|PressCOmment
THE TROUBLESOME LETTER
 "R"
(New York Herald-Tribune)

NNGW 4O&h 3AG& StAA- AbtAASf
 Professor Robert J. Menner, of Yale, writing In the current issue of American Speech" presents Q novel explanation of why so many people (chiefly in Brooklyn, accord- ing to popular belief) say "erl" for "oil." The professors theory-and he seems pretty sure about all this is that people who "erl" do SO be- cause they are trying very hard, too hard, to pronounce the word cor rectly. That is to say, they have been suffering over the knowledge that they say "boid" for "bird," and this results in a reaction against the 'oil" sound. Likewise, the pro- lessor suggests, Connecticut people may say "carm" for "calm" because they are trying to get over their old habit of saying "fahm" for farm, and overdo the effort.
 These theories sound plausible enough, but we suspect that the de- sires of such mispronouncers tc correct themselves lie rather deeply in the subconscious. We say this fol the simple reason that the tradi- tional Brooklynite does not know he is saying "boid" or "erl." He be- lieves in his heart, and will fight fol his belief, that he is really saying bird" and oil" He also think! he is saying flaw" and "jaw" wher actually he is saying 'lawr" ant "jawr." This is true in parts of botf Brooklyn and Staten Island, a cir cumstance which is perpetual pug gle to visitors. We suggest tha Professor Menner and his colleague pursue this research further. Wha we particularly want todEnow is thi4 Why do so many people from tn Carolinas say "gyarden" for "gar den"? What are they correcting?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
Selected Poem
SMALL DREAM

(Frances Frost in the New York Times) And down the other side of dream and up this side of heaven, I smelled hoarse and hilly stream and grass that grew uneven. And up the farther side of hill and down into the hollow,
 I heard the small gray whippoorwill flick feather toward his fellow. And over back the nearest ridge tasted moonlight burning, and saw the smoke rise from the edge of restless mountains turning. And lying prone upon the grass I touched the dewy thistle, and rose and let the midnight pass without a ghost of whistle.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
Daily Almanac

Sun rises 6:58 a. m.; sets 4:24 p. m.
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset.
 November was unreasonable, generally speaking. It produced more rain and warm weather than is customary for this prelude to winter. Rainfall exceeded that of previous years with temperatures also rising above the mean. Three of the four Saturdays were wet, one of @hem snowy. There was e heat wave around 70 degrees and a cold wave down below 2O
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
TODAY'S COMMON ERROR Never pronounce industry-in-
 dus'-trl; say, in'-dus-tri.

nal of the Andes, or an imitation of 1t made from fine merino wool. The vicuna is allied to the domesticated llama and alpaca.
 e. How should the name Firpo be pronounced?
 A. Feer-po.
 e. Did Dick Grace, famous stunt flyer, serve in the United States air forces during the World war?
 A. He served in the U. s. naval air service from September, 1917, to May, 1919, and was with the north- ern bombing group in France and with the naval detachment in Bol- sena, Italy.
 c. Are mushrooms chased as a vegetable?
 A. Botanically they may be classed as fruit, but on the market they are listed under vegetables.
 o. Where are the highest and lowest points in the State of Ohio? A. The highest Is Campbell Hill, in Logan county, 1850 feet above sea level; the lowest is the Ohio river in Hamilton county, 426 feet above sea level. e. How many persons are em- ployed on the staffs of prisons and reformatories in the United States9 A. The total number in 1885, in- cluding wardens, superintendents physicians, teachers, keepers, cleri- cal, and miscellaneous employees was 14,394.
 e. Do debtors or creditors bene- fit most by currency inflationP
 A. Debtors and all those who have contracted to pay specified sums of money gain at the expense of all creditors.
 O. What is the average cost-per. mile on ccmpany-owned fleets oi automobiles in the lower price classi
 A. The reported average cost per-mile is primarily 3.61 cents.
 o. What language is spoken il Iraq?
 A. Arabic.
 c. When and where was the frs Hassam cement-bound macadan pavement laid. and when was 1 used first in the United States?
 A. The first one was built a Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1872 and l still in service. This method of high way construction was used first il the United States in 1906, in Lynn Mass. Modern American practice however, dates only from 1882.
 a. What do the figures on tn N. R. A. stamp represent?
 A. A farmer, business man, in dustrial worker and woman em ployee.
 ER you want Q copy of our book les CANDY MAKING," write th waterbury Democrats Washington Bureau. 1913 Thirteenth Street Washington, D. c. Enclose le cent in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02

City officials have got the habit now of looking to the state and fed- eral governments to make improve ments and perform services for the cities that the municipalities always used to take care of themselves. There is some justification for this
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02

l.. What is the tympanic mem. brane of the human ear commonly called?
 9. Name the prospective bride of Prince Paul, heir apparent to the throne of Greece.
 3. What do the initials N1RB stand for?
 4. At e dinner dance, should a man ask his hostess or his dinner partner for the first dancer
 s. How many grains are In an ounce of pure goldp
 6. Tn which state are the Finger Lakes?
 '. what is the name of the Philip Morris page boy?
 8. Tn Freudian psychology, what IS an oedipus complex?
 9. Who signs the acts that are passed over the veto of the Pres ident?
 10. Name the Qeneralissiino and head of the Chinese government.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
Answers To Questions
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
By Frederick M. Kerby


 Enclose Q three cent stamp for reply when addressing any ques- ton of fact or information to the Waterbury Democrats Service Bu- reau ct Washington. Legal and medical advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be un. dertaken. Be sure all mail is ad- dressed tO tie WATERBURY DEMOCRATS SERVICE BU. REAU, 1913 Thirteenth Street, Washington, D. c.
 THE EDITOR. e. When President Lincoln first took office, how many former presi- dents were living2
 A. Five: Van Buren, Tyler, Fill more, Pierce, and Buchanan. ,o.. O. How much is the federal sur- tax on $150,000?
 A. $59,0oo.
 @. What is vicuna cloth? A. It is made from the wool of the vicuna, a small cameloid mann
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
HOUSEWIVES BEST FIREMEN

Cleveland, (UP)-When firemen of suburban Euclid reached the burning home of I. A. Brandt they found that neighboring housewives had organized their own garden hose brigade and had the flames under control.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
A Thought for Today

There is nothing from without man, that entering into him can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are they that de- file the man.-Mark 7:15.
  Such as thy words are, such will thy affections be esteemed; and such will thy deeds as thy affections, and such thy life as thy deeds.- Socrates.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02

Ely and Josephine Culbertson come to the marital parting of the ways. They will remain, however, bridge partners. We pass.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
Vinson Blocks Senate Drive For Tax Revision This Session;
 FDR Angles for Fish and Pepper;
 Wage-Hour Proselytizing Later
' n00@1 6 ARaa@
iR nagw RAnO0u

WASHINGTON December 2. = The trouble with the congressional drive for immediate aputation of the capital gains and undstrbuted profits taxes is that while it has plenty of will. it lacks a way.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
A Book a Day
Stirring Boyhood Adventure
 Against Foreign Background

Periodically Bruce Cations B0ok-a-Day column Is turned over to Olive Roberts Barton, noted child training authority. Here Is her latest review of books suitable for children.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02
T est Y o U 2 Knowledge

Can you answer seven of these test questions? Turn to last page for the answers.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02

Ie you want Q copy of our book let CANDY MAKING" write the Waterbury Democrats Washington Bureau. 1913 Thirteenth Street. Washington, D. c. Enclose le cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-02

e. What do the figures on the N. R. A. stamp represent?
 A. A farmer, business man, il1- dustrial worker and woman enn- ployee.
Imperial Valley press., 1937-07-04

This psychologist believes that an otherwise
brilliant mind can sometimes be equally inn
prisoned by what are known as good habits
one of which may be an over-emphasis on
sauimg money. Efficient parents may SO thor
oughly instruct their children in industry, pune
tuality, neatness, politeness proper posture, and
the value of money, that the young peoples
lives become a routine of duties rather than
free expression of their natural tendencies
''It is frequently better to be little extrava-
CANT about money" say several famous psy-
chiatrists, than to dwell too long over its loss.
A few dollars less over period of
time can make but little real difference to the
individual-but brooding upon loss has def
nitely negative influence upon mental health"
In ancient times money was far more difficult
to carry about than it is today, and therefore
less was lost. The Spartans for short period
used only iron coins, which resembled large
metal doughnuts- -trundled around in rude carts