Carbon County news., 1937-07-02

and Norman-French words were
mixed into it. It was brought to
this country by English colonists
three hundred years ago and if
Capt. John Smith and Capt.
Miles Standish came back to
jamestown and Plymouth today,
they wouldn't have much difficult
ty in understanding the answers
to their questions about all the
astounding changes which have
taken place since they first Wis
tied those places
James Harvey Robinson, the
historian, in commenting on such
matters as these in. his book, "The
Human Comedy 1 says "These
are but a few Of the ways we
unconsciously perpetuate t h e
past. But they are enough to de-
preciate the stock of the one
hundred per cent American to a
point where it would have to be
reckoned in thirty-seconds Of one
per cent?
-
After reading all this, are you
beginning to have doubts about
your being 900 per cent Aneri-
can?" If so, perhaps you'll make
a better showing if you consider
yourself an 'saverage American. I"
What are the specifications for
that individual? They were laid
down 10 years ago when the
American Magazine conducted a
nationwide search for that per-
son.
First the 1920 census figures
were divided by 40 and on the
basis of population Iowa W a s
found to be nearest the average
state. Then Iowa's population
was divided by 205, (the number
of Iowa towns with a population
Of more than 10000 and Fort
Madison was found to have near
est the average population. Amer
lean census figures showed that
the average family contains 4.3
persons and out of Fort Madi-
sons 1929 citizens, Roy L.
Gray, a clothing store operator,
was chosen as the Average
American" Here are the "speci-
fications":
His family numbered four
himself, his wife, a son and a
daughter.
He is a native American born
of native American parents.
He is neither short nor tall,
thin nor fat.
His tastes are average, he likes
business, makes money, believes
in God, the soundness Of t h e
country and the virtue Of his fell
loW+nen. He sleeps late on Sun
days. He drives a car. He likes
peace, a pipe, slippers and the
newspapers. Such is the saver
age American" (for further de-
tails see the picture Of him re-
produced with this article how
closely do you resemble him?
Four years after the American
Magazine announced his selection
it started on nationwide statis-
tical search for the typical
American family" the o n e
which most nearly typiies in
every respect the 10000, 900 fam
lilies in the United States. Chosen
for that honor eventually was
the family consisting Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Merrill j. Brown Of Indian
apolis, Ind, and their two chill
dren, John, thirteen, and Louise,
fifteen. i. s>*,&::.
In this typical family the father
was forty-four and he was five
feet, eight and one-half inches
tall. His wife was five years
younger and they had been mar
ried II years. Both children at
tended the public schools. Their
nome was a detached eight-roon1
house equipped with electric
washer and ironer, au-
:omatic refrigerator, telephone
and radio. Near the house was
4 garage where they kept the au-
;onnobile in which they frequently
vent on trips together. But chiefly
heir pleasure was an evening
;ogether at home.
i Look at the picture at the top
if this article. Do you recognize
,ourself in that family group?
>%< 9 Western Newspaper Union.