davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
BIRTH RATE in
STATE DECLINES

Continued From Page ID
sons per 1000 less than the birth
rate. II the trend continues, births
and deaths In Connecticut soon will
be evenly paced. "The decrease In
the infant mortality rate" ventured
William c. yelling, who has charge
OF these vital statistics for the state,
may account In large part for the
decrease In the birth rate
Deaths Are Less
In 1915, yelling said, 101 children
out OF 1000 died In their first year
Of life. In 1885. 1873 children In
/ 1000 died, a decrease Of approxi-
/ mately 90 per cent. 1.-THE situation
regarding the birth rate" yelling
said, "is not serious. The downward
trend Is beginning TO slow up"
yelling suggested economies might
have something to do with the drop.
but Commissioner Osborn pointed
out that the birth rate cycle still
continued TO drop In the boom"
years from 1926 to 1929.
Going over figures for the past
few years, Osborn pointed out that
The birth rate hasn't fallen on as
fast as the death rate" Last year,
there was an excess OF 1880 births
over deaths. 1.-THE birth rate has
been falling all over the world"
yelling said..
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
MINERS READY TO
PRESENT TERMS

New York, Feb. 17-CUP)-The
United Mine Workers are the APP
palachian soft coal operators open
negotiations on wage and hour
scales for 100000 workers in the
bituminous fields today. John L.
Lewis, militant chairman of the
committee for industrial organiza-
ton and UNIV. president, headed
the unions policy committee which
moved into New York to meet the
operators. Fresh from his initial
battle with General Motors corp
which he considered q victory
Lewis carried demands for reduc-
ton in hours and increase in pay
which threatened to cause a strike in
the industry.
The policy committee entered ne
gotions prepared to insist on s.
day, 30-hour week and an approx
mate Is per cent increase In the
prevailing wage scale of $3.50 per
day in the north. $50 in the south.
The operators have already served
notice that they will insist on in
creasing the present 35-hour week
TO 40 without a corresponding boost
in pay. Lewis has fought unsuccess-
fully for the 5-day. 30-hour week
for 10 years. This year, 1t was said,
he Is "out to get 1t" even II It'll Is
necessary to order his 100000 mem
beers from the pits.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17

Following its custom Of recent
years, the Connecticut Power COM
pany this week will send to its $4,000
users of electricity and gas It's an
nual Report to the Customers"
supplementing the annual report to
Its stockholders made last week.
This year, however, the Report
to the Customers" for the first time
has been divided into six different
reports by the company's division
chairmen and managers, applying
specifically to their own divisions
and being sent to customers within
the territories Of each Of the six di-
visions into which the general ter
ritory was split following last years
merging operations necessitated by
the public utility holding company
act as well as by increased taxation
on inter-company transactions.
1t Is explained in the reports that,
although the several separate COM
panies have been merged into sim
gle utility under the name OF the
Connecticut Power company, the
change is entirely a matter Of cor
porate structure with unchanged
personal and with local divisional
committees of stockholders func-
tioning In the management much
after the manner Of the former
local boards Of directors.
The divisional report, all of which
include a copy Of the statement to
stockholders by Samuel Ferguson,
chairman OF the board Of directors,
and excerpts from the report to the
stockholders of Viggo E. Bird, presi-
dent Of the company, are made to
the customers as follows: for the
New London division, by Cecil W..
Brown, manager; for the Stamford
Gas and Electric division, by Alfred
w. Dater, chairman of the divisional
committee and vice chairman Of the
board OF directors; for the Middle
town division, by A. A. Packard,
manager; for the Manchester divi-
sion, by Parker Sorer, manager;
for the Housatonic division. by F. A.
Whiting, manager; for the Farming
ton Valley division, by Charles q.
Bill, chairman Of the divisional COM
mittee and vice president of the
company.
Many topics Of interest to Gus
toners are dealt with In the various
reports. Each one touches to some
extent upon the flood disaster Of last
spring, and considerable space Is de-
voted 10 the emergency work Of en-
ployes in the report of the Middle
town division which was the one
most severely affected.
All Of the reports show the In
crease in customers In the divisions
during the past ten or more years
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
Power Co. Customers
Get Special Report
Utility Follows Recent Custom of Accounting
Patrons as Well as Stockholders

with rapid growth In the average
monthly use Of electricity by the
individual customers and the sharp
decline in the price per kilowatt
hour as customer usage has adj
vanced. 1t Is shown that the price
OF electricity to small users must
be high per kilowatt hour since the
cost of testing, reading and billing
an electric meter Is about the same
for each residence and since the
fixed charges for equipment must be
apportioned among all customers re-
gardless of the amount Of electricity
consumed; but that the customer
who makes increasing use Of serv.
ice is entitled to a progressively
lower price per kilowatt hour under
the company's electric home rate
which as more and more homes en-
ploy more and more power will
doubtlessly result in general reduce
lions for al customers. Rate reduce
tions, 1t Is pointed out, do not as
a rule bring smaller electric bills
for the individual customer, since
his incentive when the cost Is lower
Is to make greater use Of service.
Reductions in rates is therefore q
joint accomplishment of customers
and company, and this Is true for
gas as well as electricity.
The reports point TO progress in
the employment Of electricity IN sew
eral directions In the recent past,
including ir-conditioning both by
electricity and gas, experimental
highway. illumination which 81 ex-
pected to lead to the general light
ing Of rural roads for greater night
time safety in motor vehicle opera
ton, improvements In home Better
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
Military Civil
Law In Clash
Continued from Page II

the recent strike settlements.
The conferees, laying the ground
work for agreements not embraced
by the recent strike settlement, were
asked by Wyndham Mortimer, first
vice president of the union, to con-
slider plan for elimination Of the
"Speedup".
Mortimer proposed to the confer
ence that a man be granted to
study the time necessary to produce
an automobile on the assembly
I lines of various manufacturers. The
union contends that a single worker
does more worl. than he did last
This man." union spokesman
year.
said, "would report his findings to
the union and the company. We do
not feel that the speed of produc-
ton should be faster in 1887 than
1t was in 1886"
The conference began as General
Motors awaited arrival of 100000
900 worth of supplies to feed Its as
sembly lines. With daily consump-
lion Of materials estimated at 49,
900 tons, more steel, iron, glass, up
holstery and other materials will be
required daily in order that the
corporation meet It's scheduled 225,-
900 unit production in March.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17

CONTINUED from Page H.
Of other newspapers Is expected to
reflect accurately the reaction OF
millions of Americans to the reform
plan.
The total reported yesterday
showed a to margin In favor of
the plan. Today's totals show that
the margin In favor Is dwindling.
and the flood Of ballots expected
In the next day or two may mater
tally change the local standing.
Everybody Is Invited
Every Democrat reader is invited
to participate in the poll. Tonight's
Democrat contains ballot which
should be filled out and mailed to
the Supreme Court Poll Editor, Wa
tcrbury Democrat.
Those taking part In the poll des-
ignate OH their ballots merely
whether they are In favor of the
plan, or against 1t. The names of
those submitting ballots will be kept
in confidence.
Congressional leaders are keeping
in close touch with the public's
feeling toward the proposal. They
are studying the mail from their
constituents and are also keeping
an eye on polls such as the one be-
Ing conducted in this city,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17

Continued from Page 10.
come out, thus:
"Da-de da-de da de doc.
"Da de da-de doo-ee.
"Da do da-de da de doc,
ia de-da da-da-doo-ee."
He began the tune at the begin
ming, trilled on through the busi-
ness Of Yankee Doodle going to
town on his little pony, and about
him sticking q feather In his cap
and calling 1t macaroni. Pete didn't
skip beat, nor render single sour
note. He sang the whole song
through, added u couple Of fanfares
and sang 1t over again.
Then he ate some more bird seed.
Pete Can Sing II All
Pete's father could sing couple
Of bars Of Yankee Doodle. Pete can
sing the whole business. His chill
dren, when as and If, ought to be
able to sing a whole opera.
That at least Is the theory Of E.
M. Jameson, who builds guns at the
navy yard by day and giles Pete
singing lessons by night. Jameson
figures that II the laws Of heredity
don't go haywire, he'll soon have a
whole house full Of canaries, sing
ing songs by note.
Jameson was just another canary
fancier. until Pete brought him
fame; another hard working citizen
who never had had his picture in
the papers until Pete's spirited rem
dition Of Yankee Doodle brought
the photographers running.
There are so canary birds in
Jameson's sun-parlor. Have been
for years. Every evening, except
when he takes Mrs. Jameson to the
movies, Jameson spends with his
birds. What does he do?
Whistles without Stop
He whistles Yankee Doodle. He
whistles and whistles and whistles
until Mrs. Jameson has to use all
her wlil-power to keep from shush-
ing him. She hasn't shushed yet, and
TO this fact Jameson attributes
much Of Pete's musical ability.
AS for Pete himself, he's a Hartz
Mountain Roller, plain canary
bird, except for the fact that he's
more white than yellow. He cost
Jameson $40. An incredulous ex-
pert. little groggy after listening
to Pete,s song the other night, Of
fered $240 for him. Other experts
have called Jameson's claims fan
tastic, but they've always backed
down after hearing Pete. They don't
believe 1t, but there 1t is, in tuneful
canaryese:
yankee Doodle went to town
"Riding on a pony,
stuck feather In his cap
And called 1t macaroni."
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
Drastic Changes In
! City Election LauUs

The senate and house concurred
today on q bill allowing the City
Of Torrington TO issue a 100000
bond issue.
Federal Aid
Hartford. Conn.,, Feb. l7-CUP)-
The house today cleared the way
for the state to obtain federal aid
In Its $l1.000,00O building program
by Suspending the rules to pass a
bill designating the governor as the
administrative agent Of the state,
empowered to negotiate for federal
ALLEGATIONS.
The measure was transmitted to
the senate, where 1t was expected TO
become the order Of the day for
Thursday. W.
Both Have Approved
Both houses already have APP
proved a $25,OO0,000 bond issue TO
provide for the building program
and to fund $4,000, O00N short term
notes. 80
The bill, reported fab6rably by the
public welfare committee was pre-
sented by Leader Noah SwayTe, r.,
Darien.
Several weeks ago." Swayne said,
"the house and senate by passing
resolutions transferred the Connec-
ticut emergency relief commissions
affairs to the department Of welfare,
at the same time authorizing the
governor TO apply for federal aid.
Then, we thought we had adopt
ed the necessary legislation TO COM
ply with the federal and state agree
ments. Since then the governor has
informed the committee he felt that
in order to carry out the program
he must be specifically designated
as the administrative agent.
The state hopes to negotiate
grants up TO As per cent TO carry
out the building plans, mentioned
In the governors inaugural address
as Vital.
Bills Passed Today
Both houses, meeting briefly, con-
Cured In passing the following DIS:
Authorizing Willimantic TO issue
500, 900 bonds, 100000 10 be used 10
erect bridges and dams destroyed
or damaged in the March, 1885,
floods.
Authorizing Torrington to Issue
$4,000 charity, roads and city hall
Authorizing Bristol to issue $500
900 water funding bonds. -
Authorizing Stafford TO issue $780,
900 high school bonds.
The senate received the $1,746,-
567.o4 departmental deficiency bill
on a favorable report from the APP
propriations committee and tabled 1t
for printing on the calendar.
1t was understood today the COM
mittees on parks and forests would
vote a favorable report on Dill
allowing the commissioner on Tor
ests and wildlife to lease fedora!
lands for 90 years, and another call.
ing for bond issue to improve ana
expand the state forests system.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
Business and Industrial Review

sight" lighting TO prevent eye strain
and to preserve eye health, and
water heating by electricity. In the
areas hit by the floods last year,
improvements have been made to
prevent recurrence Of service inter-
ruptionS.
Answering questions frequently
asked by customers. the division
managers among other things eX-
plain that meters are periodically
tested to insure their accuracy, and
that each year out Of many thou
sands tested only four or five in each
division are found to be measuring
the flow Of electricity or gas in such
a manner that the customer is being
overcharged. In such cases. rebates
for the overcharge are made. Since
all meters cannot be read on the
same day. billing is done on differ
ent days Of the month for different
customers, but each bill covers an
equal period Of time. In handling
bills for nearly $1,000 customers
there are bound to be some mis-
takes, the managers admit, but such
errors are rectified as soon as dis
covered,
In several Of the reports, descrip-
tons are given Of the methods used
in making rapid repairs In cases Of
service interruption. Standing Or
ders enable quick mobilization OF
employees, including those of duty
at the particular time, so that the
company can bring it's entire forces
to bear at the points Of trouble
whenever natures forces wreak
havoc with power lines, transform
ers and other equipment.
All of the division managers ask
In their reports for continued con-
structive criticisms by customers.
which in the past have resulted in
many improvements to service.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
thorities not to obey the order.
Hearing Today

thorities not to obey the order.
Hearing Today
Judge Sraith will hold hearing
this afternoon on an application fol-
writ Of habeas corpus that would
free the men If granted. Whitcomb
by declaring the constitution non
operative, intimated that he would
disregard a habeas corpus.
After Whitcomb ordered Smiths
ruling ignored, he went TO the
judges chambers and they con-
ferred privately for some time. After
the colonel left, Smith said he
would mold the habeas corpus hear
ing today as he had planned, but
that he assumed the answer OF the
military authorities TO the writ
would be that these men are pris-
oners of the military authorities. y
He said he had not decided what
action he would take II he granted
writ only to have 1t over-ruled.
Whitcomb said he was responsible
only to Gov. M. Clifford Townsend,
his commander-in-chief.
Doesn't Know Law
Milton Siegel, union attorney who
obtained yesterdays court order and
who will argue the habeas corpus
application today, declared that
the colonel doesn't know the law
THE right to writ Of habeas cor
pus and its inviolability LIS guaran-
teed by the constitution and no
military officer can violate the con-
stitution. You can't deprive man
OF his constitutional rights by a
mere martial law declaration" he
continued.
The visitation order directed the
sheriff to permit Siegel to see the
prisoners In the presence OF the
sheriff, his deputy, or National
Guard officers" Since their arrest
on Saturday and Monday, no one
has been permitted TO see the men.
They are all members of the union,
arrested, presumably, for participant
ing in an affray in local cafe Sat-
urday morning in which two union
men we're shot and which caused
Gov. M. Clifford Townsend to de-
clare martial law. No formal charge
has been entered against the men.
The bartender, who wounded the
two men, has not been arrested. He
said he fired to protect his property
against illegal entry.
Operate Peacefully
Meanwhile, the plants Of the
Dclco-Remy and the Guide Lamp
companies, both General Motors
subsidiaries, continued to be oper-
ated peacefully by union and nom
union men and the military re-
laxed It's restrictions TO permit beer
taverns and pool rooms to be re-
opened.
Victor Reuther, union organizer,
charged that 10 union men had
been laid off at the Guide plant.
Approximately 1000 men were
working in the local plants. At the
very beginning OF the automobile
strikes. sit-down strikers occupied
The Delco-Remy plant. After they
evacuated, non-union men restored
production. Since then, there have
been a number Of fights between
the factions, eliminating In Satur-
day mornings shooting ARRAY.
Still In Convention
Detroit, Feb. 17--UP)--United
Workers representatives
today raised the controversial mat
ter Of production "speedup" in their
conference with General Motors Of
ticials In the second meeting Of the
negotiating groups selected under
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
ITALIAN SHIP IS
SUNK in CRASH

Seattle, Feb. 17.--(UP)-The Ital-
ian motorship Feltre sank In the
Columbia river near Rainier. Ore,
today after q collision with the s. 8.
Edward Luckenbach, which went
aground In a storm, coast guard
headquarters reported. 1t was be-
lieved no lives here lost.
The Feltre. which sailed from
Seattle for Trieste last Friday, car
ried q crew OF about Is men. She
was loaded with lumber and and
general cargo and was operated by
the General Steamship Corpora
ton.
First reports said about half the
members OF the Feltre's crew were
rescued by the tug Warrior. The
fate of remaining crew members and
her passengers. II any were aboard,
was not learned Immediately.
All aboard the grounded Lucen-
bach we're believed to be safe.
Visibility was poor In a rain
driven by a wind Of As To So miles
an hour when the ships collided
about 2:30 q. m.
The Feltre was reported sunk In
the main channel Of the Columbia
with her structure above her prom
enade deck showing. The bow Of
the Luckenbach was badly damaged.
Brazil farmers have wiped out
...z.t - tf,ats IatNtO
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
Democrat Senator
Refuses His State
Continued from Page u

large the supreme court from 0 to
IS members.
AS q result Of the move to boost
+, the retirement age from 70-sug-
gested by the president - to IS
years, It appeared that the judiciary
committee meeting next Monday
might produce a strategically i'm
portant development.
Slated For Swift Action
The Summers bill was scheduled
for swift action In the Senate next
week until the bloc seeking changes
asserted that delay probably would
be necessary to permit thorough
study or revision.
Mr.. Roosevelt was described as
specifically opposed to increasing
the retirement age to IS. 1t would
permit only three Of the present
Justices to retire. II retirement at
70 were provided, six could leave
II they desired.
The maneuvering Of foes Of the
Presidents proposals in the Senate
committee conceded with other sig
nificant developments In the Judi
ciary debate throughout the nation.
L. J. Taber, master Of the nation
al grange, announced that the old
est farm organization IN the nation
doubts the wisdom OF giving the
president at any time the right to
change the size Of the court be-
cause Of Its members"
Labor Leaders Rack Plan
Major George l.. Berry John l..
Lewis and Sidney Hillman, all d.
rectors Of labor's lon-partisan
league and all prominent figures
In the labor movement, announced
nation wide campaign to draw
support to the presidents program.
The league leaders said their or
ganization would put AL Of its re-
sources" behind the campaign and
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17

would hold national convention
In Washington within three weeks
and series Of meetings in all large
cities. The American Federation Of
Labor and the Lewis committee for
industrial organization previously
had swung In behind the president.
The national radio debate con-
tinued. Sen. Frederick Van Mugs,
D., Ind, declared that mo thinking
citizen" would countenance the
placing Of the constitution on a
parity with ordinary legislative acts
and that was what the president
proposed to do.
Sen. william Gibbs McAdoo. D.,
Cal, commended that there was no
"dictatorial' intent In the pres
ident's proposals and that court
congestion warranted the changes
An argument Van Mugs denied.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17

perpetual mistrust. ! can only ex-
press my profound belief that a
packed jury. packed court and a
stacked deck of cards are all ON the
same moral plane"
His letter warned that powers to
appoint additional justices might be
abused by future presidents and
said he preferred . constitutional
amendment to attain the detectives.
I'm effect this is q request to
create a new court" Pettengill
wrote. mo such grant Of power
ever has been given to any pres
ident in the life Of this republic.
1T is more power than a good
man should want or bad man
should have. A court so CONSTITUTE
ed could and probably will redefine
the interstate commerce, general
welfare and other clauses Of the
constitution 80 as to destroy this
Indissoluble union Of indestructible
states
Foes OF President Busy
Congressional foes Of President
Roosevelt's judiciary reorganization
program threw new obstacles into
its path today by demanding
changes in a bill providing full pay
retirement for supreme court JUS
tices.
Coincident with launching Of
drives to consolidate labor and farm
sentiment, members Of the Senate
judiciary committee raised objec-
lions to the age limit in the Sum-
ners retirement bill--a less contro-
versial part Of Mt. Roosevelts pro-
posal.
The bill-passed by the House
with administration approval-gen-
orally had been regarded as pos
sible basis for compromising or
easing pressure on the plan TO en-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
RETIRED PASTOR DIES

Vest Hartford. Conn.,, Feb. IT,
CUP)-Funeral services will be held
Friday for the Rev. Adelbert Nc
Ginnis. 10, retired EPISCOPAL clergy
man, who died late yesterday at a
Hartford hospital. He was a native
OF Philmont, N. Y. and was ordain-
cd In May, 1900 at All Saints Cathe-
dral, New York city. He had served
as rector of Broad Brook Episcopal
church for 20 years and was rector
a. Westfleld, Pa, when he retired
IN 1880. A sister survives.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-17
TWO ATTEMPTED
TO ESCAPE JAIL

New Haven, Conn, Feb. l7.-UP)
Arthur Perrin, AZ, and Jerry
Redente. 20, were arraigned before
Superior Court Judge Alfred G.
Baldwin today charged with at
tempting to escape county jail last
November but their pleadings were
deferred until a later date.
They were implicated In the ex-
posure OF James McNabola, ID, In
whose cell a homemade ey was
found by deputy sheriff Nov. IL.
McNabola was sentenced late yes
terday to an additional six months
for his part In the plot
Jail authorities said the key was
fashioned by Perrin, who was as
signed TO the jail factory. It's dis
covery, they declared, prevented a
wholesale break.
To conserve supplies Germany
has forbidden use Of nickel and CO.
h.It in ornamental Mating