davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Where Business Ends

Every American lawyer and practically all American business men have a stake in a case now being considered by circuit court judges in Columbia, Mo. Very little has been said about this case, yet it looks like the most important development III years in defining the relationship between business and law. The case grew up somewhat in this fashion: For years, mutual insurance companies in Missouri land elSewhere) had been accustomed to have their adjuSterS and claimants to- gether fill in blanks in liability releases Lawyers watch the growth of this sim pie, mutual, uncomplicated relationship between business man and client, this settling of their affairs by mutual con- sent and without benefit of learned (and expensive) legal advice.
 Several years ago, the Bar Association of Missouri began to complain that m the filling out of such blanks and signing of such papers, the insurance companies were practicing law. Several conferences between bar association and insurance company representatives failed to decide where business left off and law began. In the spring of this year several of the companies were cited for contempt of court for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The cases are still grind ing around in the legal mills.
 To avoid continual suits for contempt, six large mutual casualty companies asked the circuit court for "declaratory Judgment" defining their rights. They wish to be sure they can continue to sign contracts, releases and settlements with their clients without being subjected to new suits by lawyers
 This is highly important precedent to every business man and every lawyer. Every business is continually adjusting disputes involving property rights with customers. It may be argued that every railroad or steamship ticket you buy is a contract. The casualty companies in the Missouri case maintain that 100000 non-lawyers are engaged in practices ot which the Missouri lawyers complain.
 Much criticism was heard in Cleveland recently when the painters union actu- ally was found to be issuing permits" allowing private citizens to paint thelr own houses. The painters argued that they had right to try to stop the taking away from union painters of work to which they were entitled.
 It is hard for layman to see why the Missouri lawyers are not doing exactly the same thing, that is, demanding the right to work which the private parties concerned were perfectly willing and able &p do to their own satisfaction. The deci- lon in this case, expected in September, Ao0ld be watched with equal anxiety by all American business men and lawyers alike.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Plenty of Work

The non-partisan citizens committee that Mayor Frank Hayes has just named to make plans for reapportioning Water bury's voting districts has it's work cut out for it. On the one hand 1t must listen to the claims of those who insist that the present districts are inadequate and should be doubled in number. On the other hand it must listen to the advice of city fathers who surely will impress on the committee the high cost of maintain ing thirty-five or forty voting districts. It involves the considerable expense of manning each district once year at the very least, for that's the way local and state elections go
 That there is need of redistricting goes without saying. Any community that has voting districts finds the need of chang ing lines every five or ten years at least. In this respect the newly-named commit tee might take leaf out of our congress sional book by providing for automatic reapportionment of the city at least once in every ten years. It need not obligate the city to make changes, but it certainly would show if there are population shifts which require moving the district lines a street or two in different direction.
 After all the idea of voting districts is to make it more convenient for all en- rolled voters to reach the polls when an election is being held. Many times dis tance or inconvenience keeps person away from the polling place. It is to rectify any such conditions as these, we presume, that the non-partisan group has been named. We feel sure that with some expert advice from the officials who have dealt with voting and voters problems for many years past some sort of a work ing agreement can be reached and changes effected. What these will be remains for the new board to decide.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Worthless Victory

General John J. Pershing made speech in France at the recent dedication of the granite shaft at Montfaucon commem- orating American soldiers who died in the Meuse-Argonne battle. Other speakers had been praising the dead for their courage and sacrifice, saying they had turned the tide of Word War conflict. Then Pershing spoke. The granite shaft, he said, is more than a morial. It is a warning to the living against future war. It is call to prevention of war.
 "The last conflict brought no profit to any one," Pershing said bluntly, but left many questions unsettled. They cannot be settled by war, yet prospects for peace do not look promising. Hatred and suspicion still exist, and armaments at enormous cost continue to grow"
 The general is no pacifist, no conscien- tious objector. He did his fighting job we'll. His statement that no profit resulted to anyone is the statement of a victor who does not want another such victory. We wish it would penerate the minds of war-makers and war-profiteers everywhere.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Polar Show Comes South

The sun spots, credited with responsi- bility for a lot of freakish and violent weather, also bring special treat to human beings who are given to occasional night sky-gazing. At their greatest intensity, the sun spots are usually ac- companied by northern lights. Thus, almost any clear night now, people in parts of the United States, in regions where the air is clear, are likely to see fine show. Northern Ohio had such a treat the other night. It lasted more than an hour, and showed unusual streamerS, some white, others green. There were long vertical threads of light, and some which went horizontally across the sky, east and west.
 It is worth a weary city dweller's while to go out a few nights watching for the Aurora Borealis show. He may be dis appointed many times, but if he is lucky enough to see one he will feel greatly rewarded. But he needn't try in the heart of city, with white way street lighting and smoking industrial chimneys. He must seek an open space, with a lot of free sky to the north. Then he will see so much beauty in the stars and the soft depth of the summer sky that he may feel rewarded even without the northern lights.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06

Steps which may lead to establishment of low housing project in this city have been taken with delegation by Mayor Hayes of William M Harris to confer with Washington officials on the matter. It is, we believe, the first action taken locally along these lines and may result in something worthwhile. While we don't believe that Waterbury will ever see any big slum clearance project launched here, for it can't be said that Waterbury con- tains anything that merits the attention being given such matters in other larger communities, still there is the problem of providing low-cost housing for those who cannot now afford the present-day level of rents. What shape 1t will take may depend to some extent on the progress that MT. Harris makes in Washington in his conferences with Connecticut sena- tors and congressman, also federal off, cials. Needless to say, though, the city welcomes any steps towards a low-cost housing plan.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06

Reminiscent of the good old days when railroads battled for rights of way across the continent is the exciting race CD now taking place on the Jersey meadows as workmen of the Central Railroad of New Jersey and the Pennsylvania Railroad maintain an even pace in parallel tracks near Linden, N. J. While both companies claim there isn't a race afoot, neverthc- less, both are striving to be the first to reach State Highway 25 so that it may be bridged and a rich industrial district serviced by freight trains. However, State Highway Commissioner E. Donald Sterner says no bridge can be built for year or so.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06

Elections will be held at the end of the Legion's convention in New York this September White House Tommy" Corcoran has be- come such a prima donna about any kind of publicity that recently he objected to publication of his photograph in Life" Ed ward J. Smythe, chairman of the National Committee against Com munism openly boasts that Fas- cism is on the march in the United States. "The average re- porter does not realize just how far Fascism has advanced in this country" he says. "There are 500 Paul Reveres of the typewriter carrying on propaganda against Communism and Jew Control, each of these having a mailing list of several hundred thousand to which propaganda goes."
 Copyright, 1897, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Answers To Questions
By Frederick M Kerby

o. How large is the collection of books for the blind in the library of congress in Washing ton, D. C., and how many persons use the books?
 A. The collection includes more than 30,000 items, in all the main branches of knowledge. About 45.- 900 volumes are circulated annually to about 4,000 blind readers.
 e. How many states have c general sales tax? A. Twenty-four.
 o. How many organic and in- organic chemical compounds are there?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06

In the meantime the Central Railroad carries on its work in more even fash ion, while the Pennsylvania line is being rushed through at fast rate, as if every minute counted. In the good old days the companies would have had to employ armed guards to protect the work done by day during the long night hours. And even armed protection couldn't always win over the tricks that were used to gain a few more miles of trackage. Rail- road history is replete with interesting stories of historic fights for new terri tory
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Current Comment

Doubtless we make many mistakes in erecting too many monuments to war heroes .. but we certainly will erect no monuments to labor leaders or cap- italists who are fighting for power and self.
 --Dr. W. W. T. Duncan. Cleveland.
 Labor is the most difficult hur- de you've got, greater thar monetary or any other problems; you'd better recognize labor.
 Sir Josiah Stamp. England.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
A Book a Day
Gem World Odyssey "Too Good to Miss"

AOO SSSN w ANAA00
 As a boy, Louis Kornitzer sorted dirty seed pearls brought from the ghettos of Poland to his fathers shop. Just few years later, this lad had learned the wiles of trading in the great gem marts of the world.
 Engaged today in diamond trad- ing in London, he is recognized as one of the most prominent jewel dealers of modern times.
 So Louis Kornitzer has spent his entire life in the pursuit of beauty and adventure and he ap- pears to have left none of his ab- sorbing story out in his splendid autobiography, "The Pearl Trad CT" Sheridan House, $3.50. Here Is a book proving autobiographies of businessmen need not invari- ably be dull.
 With the world as his oyster" Kornitzer has sought gems in iso- lated Broome, Australia; from there to Sulu and zamboanga; in Hong Kong, the Far East in gen. eral, and in many other places. Scores of good stories and anec- dotes roll out of these adventures.
 "The Pearl Trader" is in fact three books in one. The first de- tails the authors adventures as a pearl and pearl shell buyer in the Far Eastern Islands and Australia.
 The second treats of the anus ing and shrewd intricacies of the pearl and gem markets of the worlds greatest cities: Paris, Lon- don. New York.
 And finally, you hear of pearl lore itself, much of it hitherto un- published, revealing the secrets of this far-flung trade.
 "The Pearl Trader" is the Heiser odyssey" of the gem world and as such, decidedly too good to miss.-P. G. F.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Test Y o u 2 Knowledge

Can you answer seven of these test questions? Turn to last page for the answers. 1. Name the largest state in area in the U. s.
 2. When did the original Ku Klux Klan flourish in the U. S.? 3. Where is the island of Imbros? {. What is an incubator?
 5. Name the parents of King James I. of England.
 6. Tn which state are the Black Hills2
 2. Which is the most brilliant star in the heavens?
 8. Who was Sebastien Erards 9. How is coke made? 10. What is the name of the great vulture of the Andes?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Selected Poem

SUMMER RAIN (Iouise Darcy in the Christian Science Monitor) Great drops fall suddenly On grass and clover; Dark clouds pass over While dragon-hy and bee Ftirl tightly gossamer wings. Somewhere robin sings As suddenly clear sky Defeats the shower, And in an hour The dripping leaves are dry The setting sun shines warm On meadow wood and farm.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
TODAY'S COMMON ERROR Never say, "The apartment
 was adapted to housekeep-
 ing"; say, adapted for"

A. There are certainly tens of thousands of inorganic compounds and hundreds of thousands of known organic compounds, besides many doubtful ones. It probably would be impossible for anyone to count them. Moreover, new ones are being formed every day.
 e. How long was J. R. McCarl the comptroller general of the United States, and who is his suc- ceSsor?
 A. McCarl was appointed in 1921 for a term of fifteen years which ended June 30, 1886. Presi- dent Roosevelt has not appointed his successor, and the assistant comptroller general, Robert N. El- liott, is acting as head of the gen. eral accounting office.
 Q. Which states had the highest and lowest percentage of residents born in the state, according to the 1850 census?
 A. Kentucky's state born popu- lation was 88.4 per cent (the high est) and Arizona's was 25.4 per cent (the lowest). The balance of the populations of these states were either born in other states or were foreign born.
 e. Which movie actor and acc tress had the leading roles in the picture, Red Headed Woman?"
 A. Jean Harlow played the title role, and Chester Morris was her leading man. The other parts were played by Lewis Stone, Leila Hyams, Una Merkel, Henry Stephenson, May Robson, Charles Boyer and Harvey Clark.
 If you want 8 copy of our book let HOME REPAIRS" write The
 Waterbury Democrats Washing
 ton Bureau, 1912 Thirteenth
 Street, Northwest, Washington, D. c. Enclose 5 cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06


 Present at the conference were Speaker Bankhead, House Demo- cratic Floor Leader Sam Rayburn, and Senate Democratic Floor Leader Barkley. The President started by saying that he wanted the leaders to crack the whip and put through his entire legisla- tive program, including a crop control bill. They retorted that this could not be done, because no legislation had been formu- lated.
 Both the House and the Senate Agriculture Committee will work on the bill during the recess" one of the leaders said, land have 1t ready for action next January"
 q don't see why a bill can't be framed now," the President remarked. Congress doesn't have to rush home. It has been in session seven months and hasn't done a thing yet"
 The leaders bridled at this, par ticularly Bankhead and Rayburn.
 "Mr. President" one of them snapped, "that is not SO. The House has been working steadily and conscientiously since it convened. It has considered and passed close to 250 import ant bills and we will send you the list if you will read it." Remember Wilson,
 Roosevelt said he would be very much interested in seeing the list, as he would like to know just what the important bills" were.
 "You know, MT. President,' one of the leaders admonished, "there is no use of your getting into a fight with congress. That isn't going to do you, the party, or anyone else any gO0d-except perhaps the republicans.
 You doubtless have griev- ances, but you want to distin- guish between individual mem- bers and Congress as whole. You don't want to forget what happened to Woodrow Wilson In 1918 when he lost the House.
 Next year is a crucial period for you. If you lose the House in that election you are finished for the rest of your term.
 'If you don't like the con- duct of certain senators or con- gressmen, that is matter be- tween you and them. But be- cause you resent what they have done or are doing is no reason to get involved in a battle-r0yal with the whole Congress. You can't do that without gravely injuring the reelection chances of a lot of members who are innocent bystanders in this row." The President listened to the lecture with thoughtful attentive ness, and then went on to other things.
 New Tammany Boss
 Immediately following the an- nouncement that the Tammany district leaders had elected Rep resentative Christopher D. Sul- livan as boss of New York's fa- nous Tammany Hall, a New York press service wired its Washing ton correspondent: Rush 250 words or Sullivan's congressional record"
 The veteran newsman shot back this reply: Impossible. Sullivan has no congressional record"
 Although he has held a seat in the House continuously since 1917 and is a member of the potent Ways and Means Committee, Sul- livan probably is the most do- nothing member in Congress. Tn fact, he comes to Washington only occasionally.
 The story is told of him that following a visit to his Capitol Hill office, one of his own clerks in- quired, "Wh0 was that man who butted around here so familiarity"
 Merry GO- Round
 Add to the list of leading can- didates for National Commander of the American Legion the name of Stephen J. Chadwick of Seattle.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06

Democrats on their Repubh- can allies at their c min g out party of the SwiGhel ticket held in Temple
 Hall. As Q re- suit of said W hizZer the c o m ing city c ction will prob b a bly, re-
 solve itself into
 a life-and- II d.
 death struggle
 on the part of
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Daily Almanac

Sun rises 5:52 e. m.; sets SOP p. m. (day- light time)
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty min- uteg after sunset
 High tide at Milford Saturday, Aug. ', i:so q. m.; low tide. 6:46 p. m daylight time).
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
FDR Was Warned Against
 Open Break With Congress
" DREW PEAR00M
amd ROngRr A ALLEN

WASHINGTON, August G. There was some unusu- ally plain talking when the President called in his gressiona leaders to discuss the remainder of the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06

It must be better than usual in Ber- muda this summer. They say club house was set on fire by spontaneous combustion of birds nest on the roof.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
A Thought for Today

Therefore shall man leave his father and hiS mother and shall Cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one Hesh.-Geness BRA
 
 chose my wife, as she did her wedding gown, for qualities that would wear wen.-Goldsnlth
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
BY WAY of NO HARM.
 --by = James William FitzPatrick

opinions and conclusions spyDQrng oeleW those Uk the writer alone They not neDar ta ef he editors THE DEAEOCRAT they construed invariably
 . reflection Of their viewp0ntl.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06

contempt they exhibited toward the faithful of the past. During the debate in the national Sen- ate on President Roosevelt,s court proposals one of the Democratic objectors was twitted with his i1l- gratitude to the man on whose coat tails he had ridden into office. "Gratitude?" he snOrted. There is no such thing in pole itics." I think there should be, even if there is not. It seems to me that long and faithful service to any party deserves reward at best and remembrance at least. That is why I for one was sur- prised that faithful Republicans like Aldermen wilhelm and Loef- fer were given the burn's rush by whenever is running their party at the moment. They were sound men both as Republicans and cit- izens and office holders. It might be mentioned right here that there was no split with the so-called In- dependent Democrats on the ale dermanic slate. MT. Upson man. aged to wangle out of his allies the concession that ALL the nom- inees for the Board of Aldermen are Republicans. And, it might also be mentioned right here that the Board of Aldermen Is the legls- Iative body of Waterbury with power to over ride any veto put upon it's acts by the mayor. Per- haps the realization of that fact prompted the so-called Indepen- dent Democrats to give MT. Upson "the business" when 1t came to naming a candidate for registrar of voters. Maybe MT. Upson is not so dumb as his allies imagine. Maybe my sympathy for him is wasted.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Sweeter Still

SWeeCer SC1u
 Having fined the girl two months pay and then taken her back to work the Bridgeport Civil Service Commission is proceeding onward and upward to better things. Report cards on the be- havior of city employees are to be issued and filled in by the em- ployees immediate superior or de- partment head. Tn some cases three executives will check be- havior of city employees" the Bridgeport Post discloses. Tardi- ness, neatness of dress, industry, drinking habits," will be noted. The report cards will be filed with the Civil Service Commission and the statements of department heads will be with symbols so that the identity of the reporting of- cial will be unknown. It would seem that this is about the lowest form of labor espionage as well as putting Q premium on ofice rat- ting. And it can happen here!
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
Sweet, Eh?

There is no need to dilate upon the scurvy treatment she received. The fact that she Is permitted to return to her job after two months lay-of without pay shows she was neither incompetent or insubor- dinate. But what Is interesting Is the attitude of the president of the board of Purchases which soaked her two months pay. He criticised "the impractical meth ods of the Civil Service Commis- sion in conducting the hearings on the case" He wanted, if I read English at all, the other employees in the department where the girl worked, to be questioned about her work, actions, etc. In other words her associates should have been invited to tattle on her. All. no doubt in the interest of the taxpayers and the preservation Of office morale.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06
A Whizzer

One of the niftiest whizzers ever put across in local political circles was the darby turned loose by the so-called Independent
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-06

The Sentence
 A short time ago called atten- ton to the trial of a young wo- man in Bridgeport by the Civil Service Commission there for in- subordination, incompetence and what have you. Her boss in the Department of Public Purchases fired her for writing notes, whis- pering to the other girls, using the telephone for social calls, scream ing in public, and God only knows what else detrimental to the pub- lie service and the preservation of offlce morals. I wrote about 1t to show up the possibilities of the so-called Merit System which 1t IS sought to impose on Waterbury and under which Bridgeport suf- fers. We'll, the verdict Is in. The young woman is suspended for two months without pay and will be permitted to return to work next week. She was without pay, I dare venture, from the time she was fired until she was tried so that all in all her experience has been a mostly expensive one.