davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
HARD STUDY PAYS

Educational authorities remark
that more students are realizing to-
day that it is necessary to do some
what hard work on their studies. if
they expect to make good in the
world. During the easy times fol
lowing the World War, the feeling
became widespread that hard effort
and study were no longer necessary.
There seemed plenty of jobs. and
the poor students. according to the
belief of many. came out all right.
Somebody would put him to work.
It has not been SO of late. The
students have heard about the en-
ployers who come to the schools and
colleges. and ask which students had
high marks. They are looking for
those that worked hard in school.
believing that these fellows and girls
would also work hard in a business
job. The world is not yet an easy
place where we can simply hit the
high spots. and fiutter like butter
fly through the pleasant spaces of
life.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
TRADE MANNERS

Some people remark that there
has been a great improvement dur
ing recent years. in the attitude and
manners of the people employed as
sales clerks in stores. 1t is claimed
that some years ago. it was custo-
mary in many cities at least, for
store employees to be indifferent and
lacking in courtesy, particularly
where people looked as if they had
little money to spend.
Now. it is remarked. clerks in
stores are all trained to show the
utmost courtesy and consideration
to all. According to our recollec-
tion. clerks in Milford were always
polite and attentive Anyway. young
people desiring jobs as store clerks
should realize that courtesy and pa
tience are one of the essentials of
this occupation. Those who are lack
ing in those qualities would better
try something else.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
SKILLED LABOR NEEDED

A rolling mill company located in
the state of Ohio has reached the
conclusion that there is to be in
future a great demand for skilled
workers in carpenter, metal, tin. ma
chine, electric welding and other me-
chanical shops To meet this need.
they are taking on a large number
of students to learn such trades.
This seems like a far-sighted act
of business. and likely TO profit that
company literally. AS the demand
of the people for modern improve
ments increases. there will be more
and more places for skilled mechani-
cal workers. There is reported al
ready shortage of skilled workers
in many trades. The companies that
fail to train young men to do this
work may be unable to fill their or
ders before many months.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
THE ROCKEFELLER ROMANCE

The death of John D. Rockefeller,
senior, brings to a close what some
might call the most romantic career
ever written on the pages OF busi-
ness history. This story of rise from
small beginnings seems almost like
a fairy tale. Who could have thought
that that eager 16-yearold-boy who
walked the streets of Cleveland for
six weeks before he could find work.
and who started in with but $3.50 a
week, would in Al years retire from
business with a fortune which has
been estimated at s1O00,000.00O or
much higher?
Young men ask if they could in
any way initiate the amazing quail
ties which brought Mr.. Rockefeller
his almost miraculous success. His
comprehensive business genius. soar
ing over the world for new triumphs.
is far above the level of the ordi-
nary person. But the plain and sim
pie traits which gave him his start
are within the reach of all. Those
traits were the willingness to work
hard, and the disposition to save
something out of all earnings. One
can not doubt that during those first
weeks when he was toiling for $3.50,
he found a chance to lay aside some
Of that meager stipend as the start
for the capital he was determined to
create.
Aspirants for business success
should also note that Mr.. Rockefeller
thoroughly understood situation be-
fore he acted on it. He studied the
oil business for a couple of years be-
fore he began to operate in it.
When people attain great wealth,
it is in most cases because they have
benefited the public by some great
service. by doing things for the peo-
pie that needed doing. The public
has benefited by Mr.. Rockefeller's
wealth, both through reductions in
the cost of oil products, and through
the superb gifts by which he has con-
ferred imperishable blessings on the
world
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
WHO OWNS THE NORTH POLE?

The daring Russian airplane expe-
dition which landed at the North
Pole claims that territory, on the
ground that it will be the first to
maintain a permanent station there.
1t has usually been held that the
pole was discovered by the American
Admiral Robert E. Peary.
1t will not be easy to establish a
permanent station on an ocean usual
ly covered by ice. If they could do
it, at this point where many storms
and cold waves start. it is held they
could help forecast American and
European weather. 1t would help
dodge the storms, if we knew when
they were getting ready to jump oil
us. So far nobody around here mas
applied for a job IN such a station,
with balmy weather of 60 below zero
to enjoy, and polar bears and wal
ruses for society.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
ACCURACY IN BUSINESS

Many of the failures of business
are due to the lack of accurate &C
counting. Many old-fashioned con-
Germs would rarely or never take an
inventory. They might be losing all
the time when they thought they
were making money. The old-fash-
ioned factory was frequently unable
to compute its costs of production
accurately.
These methods have largely
changed today. The successful busi-
ness concern knows that it needs
accurate and complete accounting
and analysis of costs. Young people
who take any business job should
realize this necessity of complete
and absolute accuracy in every
transaction in which they take part.
Guess work is outlawed today.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
ADVISING THE GRADUATES

What are the school and college
graduates mediating. in those heads
of theirs so packed with learning,
when the baccalaureate preacher
gives them his final words of admoni-
ton from the minister's point of
view? Their brains may be SO
whirling with the excitement and
congratulations and perhaps fears of
graduation time. that you can't per-
haps wonder if their minds wander
Yet if ever there was time in life
when young people need advice it is
at this period when their schooling
is finished, when they are about to
take the cold plunge into a hostile
world. or perhaps attend some higher
institution with bigger problems to
meet.
They say the wise man learns by
other peoples experiences, the fool
has to learn by his own The bac-
calaureate sermon speaks of lessons
that have been taught over mary
centuries. and which are worthy of
attention. even amid the thrills of
graduation.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
HOUSE CLEANING BLUES

The report from tine fathers of
the land is that the annual war for
the abilition of all dirt is on. Their
dull perceptions can't seem to see
just what is accomplished. The
room in which the wife rejoices be-
cause so "spick and spandy" clean.
looks just the same to them as it did
before.
Father should not think the women
folk engaged in this form of indeer
sport because they love it. They go
to bed at night tired and lame be-
cause of long hours with the bfoom
and the mop. II is a part of the
tradition of the good housekeeper.
who abominates dirt as if Satan had
produced It in person.
She is quite right. for if the home
is not clean. you can't tell what
germs are lurking. ready to spring
at your 'vitals. Also there is little
incentive to daughter and the boys
to come up neat and clean. unless
the home establishes those standards.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
EACH ONE HAS HIS PART

If you undertake to manufacture a
certain product. you have to appoint
one person to do each item of the
work. If one single man fails to do
his share, the product will be de
fective. In making shoe, for in
stance, it may be the job of one per
son to put in just few stitches, but
those stitches are needed to hold the
shoe together. If they are not prop
erly sewed in. the shoe may show q
vital defect in a short time
So every individual has his part
to do in the life of the community
If he fails to do his part as work
er on his job. as a citizen with the
power to vote. as the householder
responsible for the upkeep of his
place. the whole community sufferers
from his failure.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
Milford, Friday, June 4. 1897
SCHOOLS GRAND WIND.UP

It has long been customary in
schools and colleges. to appoint one
day at the close of the school yeaI
as a kind of exhibition or demon
stration of what the pupils and stu
dents have done. In the Little Red
Schoolhouse, parents used to crowd
the little structure. anxious to see
how far their offspring had climbed
up the steep slopes of the Hill OF
knowledge.
The pupils used to look somewhat
awestruck when the school commit
tee in all their dignity marched in.
and began to ask questions supposed
to test the young folks as to how
much they had learned. 1t was with
fear and trembling that the pupils
awaited these queries. Their relief
was enormous when they got through
without disgracing themselves.
Sometimes the school committee
would ask about the same questions
every year, so the demand on the
learning of the pupils was not too
severe.
The parents listened with warm
admiration and usually reached the
conclusion that their youngsters
were possessed of phenomenal pow
ers. and were destined to make wide
marks in the world.
High and grammar and consoli-
dated schools still have these clos
ing exhibitions. and parents still
throb with pride when the young
folks show fast PAGES. You can't
wonder that the old folks are sur
prised, for the young people learn
many things never taught in the old
time school.
Closing exhibitions are good time
to sell education to the people. II
some speaker tells the parents things
they need to know. it will be easier
to obtain an adequate school ap-
preparation. And if the sweet girl
graduate and the manly boy senior
dehxersessgS shswiRg intelligence
and original thought. the most OBJ
stinate kicker on modern schooling
will probably omit some of his sour
remarks.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
ENCOURAGING MARRIAGE

The Italian government is to lend
$3.50 to young people to encourage
them to, get married. When they
register the birth of child, the loan
is reduced 10 per cent.
Would this be good policy for
the United States? 1t is often COM
planned that owing to the many de-
mands of our elaborate life, young
people can't marry as early as they
should. Yet the number who marry
too early may be as great as those
who marry too late. Nature has
planted deep longings in the human
soul and body, which seem to take
care of this question. Too many are
married in a hurry because they
can't resist the fascinations of a doll
face. or the magnetic appeal Of a
masculine swagger.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
FILLTNG UP THE BARE SPOTS

Bare spots in the lawns make
many home places look neglected.
People sometimes remark that they
have sown grass seed on those bare
places again and again, and II does
not take root.
Usually the trouble is that the
ground in these spots is too hard
A grass seed is a very tiny thing.
and when it sends out its rootlets
these are extremely tender little
fibers. II they try to make their
way into the solidified surface of
hard ground, it is just like a baby
trying to batter down stone wall.
What is needed is to loosen up the
soil. so these tiny little filaments can
penetrate into the soft and yielding
earth. If they can do that. they will
probably live and flourish and re-
joice the eye by their abundant green
shoots.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
SPOms COST $1,000. .ooa. .aoo

The political method generally
called the "spoils system" was said
to cost the American people $1,000
100000 annually. according to an
address by Robert L. Johnson, presi-
dent of the National Civil Service
Reform League.
Under the socalled spoils system,
it is more or less customary In poll
tics to give appointments and dis
tribute jobs and other favofs to peo-
pie who have done political work
or have some political influence.
Politicians frequently say that these
methods are unavoidable, with hu-
man nature as it is. that to get out
the vote. you must give party workers
and adherents some hope of reward.
and that the party that repudiated
that idea would lose about every
election. The spoils system is in part
limited by civil service laws provid-
ing examinations for jobs.
When it is charged that jobs are
given out as the result of politics.
the claim is usually made that such
favors are granted only to those en-
titled or qualified to have them. This
is true in a great many cases. Yet
taking the country as a whole. one
must feel that government work
would be done much better IL politi-
cal considerations were all cut out. |
and appointments and jobs made to
depend solely on qualifications and |
merit. Perhaps that is too ideal a
to be hoped for in our
time.
Some time the American people
will probably say that a factory
would never prosper if politics was
allowed to interfere with its opera
tons. and that the same principle ap-
plies to government work. Business
IS usually managed more efficiently
han politics. and one reason is that
"a getting jobs. people never have
% tell how they vote.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
NEW NEUTRALITY ACT SIGNED

The other day an army plane wing
bearing a document that finally
reached the President at sea, was
quickly signed by him. This was
the new neutrality act, hurried
through House and Senate by con-
gressmen with an anxious eye on
the turbid European war situation.
The act is a compromise between
the advocates of mandatory neutral
ity and discretionary neutrality
that is, law which forces the Presi-
dent 10 forbid trade with belligerent
nations. and one which permits him
to use his judgment in the light of
circumstances.
The new act is not perfect-but It
is regarded as being about as good
as could be had, and great hopes for
keeping America out of war are
bound up In it. II places an embargo
on arms shipments to fighting ma
tions. And, in the event Of war. II
gives the President discretionary
power to list goods that cannot be
exported to belligerents; to deny bel
ligerents use of our ports. etc. I'm
portant provision extends this au-
thority to civil as well as inter-
nation wars.
War in Europe this summer, per-
haps; this fall. sure" is being talked
by some. But there has been much
talk of that kind for several years.
and no general war has broken out
yet. II looks as II the powers are
uncertain of their relative strengths.
are doing a considerable amount Of
blustery .lbluffing.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
GREAT EVENT IN BOY WORLD

The Boy Scouts National Jamboree,
to be held in Washington June 29
to July 3. is thrilling the hearts of
countless youngsters. Don't wonder
if $4,000 boys who are to take this
trip, forget where next days lesson
is, of if they can't think to hang up
their hats when they get home. They
have great thoughts buzzing through
their heads.
Thousands of others hear with
longing about these doings. The way
for them to satisfy such longlngs is
to join or form Boy Scout troop
and be prepared for the future good
times in store. The journey to
Washington will be an incentive to
the boys to go out and do things. so
they can see more of the world.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
OPPORTUNITY DOOR OPEN

William S. Knudsen, the new presi-
dent of the General Motors Corpora
ton, began life as an assembly work
er in an automobile plant in Copen-
hagen, Denmark. In his early life
in this country. he at one time work
ed as a riveter for s1.75 day.
There are many such men at the
head of great American industries.
They know from personal experience
the feelings of the worker at the
bench. And many others, who
never had just that same experience.
wish to be kind and helpful. The
rise of such a man as Mr.. Knudsen
from humble life. shows that the
door of opportunity is still open.
Many who say it is closed never
knocked hard enough so anyone
could hear.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
KEY UNDER THE MAT

News items are often noted telling
how some thief gained access to a
home because the key was left under
the door mat. II anyone desires a
visit from a burglar. his chances of
obtaining that honor would seem
largely increased. IL he would use
this traditional hiding place.
Countless housewives have felt
this was the safe and secure way to
fasten the home when they wanted
to leave the key where some other
members of the family could get 1t.
Perhaps the cade of instructions for
the training of young burglars tells
them to look under the door mat
first. The thief studies peoples
habits as the fisherman observes the
ways OF the fish.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
THIS FAST MOVING WORLD

The round-trip flight completed be-
tween New York and Londan by Dick
Merrill and Jack Lambie. in about
four and a half days. tells story of
wonderful scientific progress. 1t was
just less than ten years before that
Col. Lindbergh completed his won
derful fight from New York to
Paris.
Col. Lindbergh's flight was hailed
as one of the grand achievements of
scientific history. Merrill and Lam
bic performed a wonderful feat with
great ability, but the world in ten
years has grown used to spectacu
lar stunts, and does not thrill as it
did. This raises the question. what
mighty deeds will have been per-
formed in ten years mare? Will May
1947 see airplanes thick in the sky
like automobiles on the road?
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
IMPROVEMENTS AND
REPUTATION

People sometimes fail to realize
how far their reputation in their
local community is affected by the
way in which they keep their home
places. The man whose home
grounds and dwelling look shabby
and disorderly may be very good
fellow, but the poor appearance of
his place is a drawback to his sue
cess. People may ask if his slipshod
ways at home do not indicate that
he would be careless in his job.
If he decides to change these ways
his standing would improve did
you notice how Mr.. X has frightened
up his place." would be the remark
OF many. 1t would help anybody to
make friends and win more success.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
NUISANCE TAXES

President Roosevelt has asked that
the socalled nuisance taxes" be con-
tinued in force. A bill has been in
troduced in Congress continuing
them for two years more. This will
not be popular move. for no taxa
ton measure is ever liked, and tax
payers are apt to call all taxes a
nuisance.
With the government paying out
billions for its new social enterprises.
with enormous bills to pay for in
terest on the public debt. the nuis-
ance taxes are likely to continue
with us. and probably much more
than two years. The people might
as well learn to grin and bear It.
for paying taxes produces less grief
than bankruptcy.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
IMPORTING CORN

The American people have always
been proud of their corn fields. the
finest in the world. Yet as result
of shortage of corn, large amounts
of foreign corn are being imported.
A short time ago. as one instance, 40
carloads of corn were shipped from
the port of Boston to Chicago, the
heart of the corn belt.
Drought and government crop re-
strictions are called the causes of
this shortage. Droughts can't be
helped. but the government should
have care how it holds down the
production of the absolute necessi-
ties of life. The ways of the weather
can't be predicted in advance. Ma
Nature may come along with her
droughts and her pests and turn all
plans upside-down.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
SOCIAL SECURITY PROBLEMS

! The interests of 26,000.000 wage
earners and 2,7O0,OOO employers were
at stake on the great issue of social
security, when the U. S. Supreme
Court declared valid the law which
provides old age and unemployment
insurance. And within a few days
plans were announced which would
bring 4,500,000 more aged and unem-
ployed persons under its benefits.
The amount of clerical and other
labor called for under this act, rep
resents perhaps the greatest amount
OF work ever included in any one job.
If all the workers employed on this
proposition were to form a street
parade. how many miles would that
grand procession cover?
The job of organizing all this vast
system of preventing duplication of
effort of securing efficiency in that
great army of workers. of avoiding
and correcting mistakes. calls for a
stupendous task of organization
work.
This work is attempted in period
when fraud is prevalent. Probably
crooked people are already evolving
plans by which to obtain allowances
to which they are not entitled. 1t
will take a powerful and efficient
system for detecting such attempts
at dishonesty.
1t would seem as if endless con-
fusion would be caused by difficulty
IN identifying people having the
same name. Big corporations might
nave 100 such folks whose addresses
would be the same or very similar.
All problems can be solved by pa
ience and efficiency. The people
lsk that this system be kept free
rom political influences. and any
hing that will make it less effective.
They hope it accomplishes its aim
O make life easier for old folks and ,
,ut -of-works.
Milford chronicle., 1937-06-04
WHERE BUSINESS LAGs

Some kinds of business are very
active, and even ahead of business
in the boom times. Other trades are
tagging far behind. What is the
trouble with these lines that can't
pull their share of the load?
For instance. the shoe production
of the first quarter of 1887 was 3S
per cent above the production of the
first quarter of 1929, which was
called the top of the boom. The
people aren't travelling so much in
automobiles that they fail to use up
footwear. Gasoline consumption for
the same period was As per cent
above the similar period of 1929. The
people have money to spend for cars
and shoes.
The durable goods" and capital
goods" industries still lag far be-
hind. Building in the public utility
field, for instance. is % per cent less
than for the similar period in 1929.
The construction of houses is so per
cent below the similar period of
1929. and the construction of fac
tories is 81 per cent below 1929.
It is the failure of trades like
these to revive which constitutes the
main reason why millions of people
are still out of work.
In the public utility field. the gov
ernment has been building great |
power systems, and seems disposed |
70 encourage cities to build them.
Even if one considers this a wise
policy. it creates uncertainty for this
industry. and discourages the use of
,apital and the employment of labor
n such construction.
In residence. factory. and other
high taxes and high con-
truction costs are probably the
principal reason why building lags.
{ something could be done to get
osts and taxes down. much idle
abor would be put to work.