davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Coolidge examiner., 1937-12-09
RAILROAD RATE INCREASE VITAL

The American people have never indicated that they
favor government ownership of the railroad industry On
various occasions important groups have shown to the
contrary, that they heartily opposed to many
reasons Not long ago inclusive poll was taken of
Chambers of Commerce and business organizations and
combined opinion overwhelmingly against socializa-
ton of our principal medium of transport
new book just published by Lewis c. Sorrel Pro
lessor of transportation at the University of Chicago
roscropicay examines the for against govern
ment ownership and to the inevitable conclusion
that it IS unnecessary in this country-and extremely
desirable.
Even SO there is real danger that government own
erShp OF railways will be forced us-because the lines
under private management have been burdened with
increased costs and stringent regulations that unless
corrective steps Immediately taken they will be un
able to operate efficiently and economically
Since 1888, railroad operating costs have risen by
about 1868 600 year Pending legislation such as
the 7O-car train limit bill, will materially add to the in
crease passed Every branch of railroad labor has been
given wage Increases Yet the lines still operating at
1888 levels The result that operating profit NEGLIGIBLE
ano that therels not enough above the bare
costs OF operation to provide for expansion and
betterment in many instances
To counteract this the railroads have applied for
general 10 per cent increase freight rates In the light
o he increased operating COSTS and the general rise
prices this Is very moderate request Granting that
increase would not necessarily them fair return
on their nvestment-butt would give them small profit
and provide the capital necessary expansion And
would go long way toward averng the calamity of gov
ernment ownership.
The Coolidge examiner., 1937-12-09
A WELL DESERVED KICK IN THE
PANTS

Public ownership advocates and sociastcaly inclin
ed power politicians received sound kick in the pants
from end of the country to the other during recent
elections when proposals for municipal
ship and operation of electric utilities to the vote of
the people Outstanding defeat in Allegheny County,
Pennsylvania, where scheme to create special county
administration to acquire and operate local utilities
rejected two to
At Reading, Pennsylvania, voters rejected by pre-
pOnderant majority proposal that the city bond itself for
S4750,000 to build municipal electric plant and dSr-
button systematic community already is competently
served by the Associated Gas Electric System Similar
proposals in Beautyve Kentucky and Irvine, Kentucky
communities that likewise served by the same system
were likewise heavily defeated
And at Redwood California, irate voters smashed
proposed bond issue of half million dollars to purchase
unit of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company while back
the nation still another public ownership scheme
was soundly beaten by the citizens of Portsmouth, Va.
Obviously the public definitely does want expan
sion of political bureaucracy into the electric business
in spite of honey-coated promises of fornothng
power
The Coolidge examiner., 1937-12-09
BILLIONS FOR SECURITY

During the first nine months of this year the Ameri-
people obtained financial security the tune of al
most S700O,OOO, ,OOOl
This the amount of life insurance that sold
in that time and it marked an increase of more than S4OO
100000 the period in 1886 Of the 1887 total
OO00 is represented by ordinary insurance;
little less than 50 by industrial insurance and
the balance about S595 OOO,OOO by group insurance
Altogether the total life insurance outstanding in this
county is well in excess of 900 600 That clossa
sum is test monal to the thrift foresight and economic
wisdom Of the American people.
The Coolidge examiner., 1937-12-09
WHAT'S AHEAD?

Records of the United States Patent Office Wash
ngton reveal that the number of patents issued yearly
steadily increasing This has been particularly true in re-
cent years industrial research laboratories have
been developed and the search for new living
has been stimulated.
The question brought to mind is what social effects
VIII come from inventions in future years. considering the
changes resulting from past industrial Inventions such
the telephone, the automobile, the airplane the motion
picture and the rado Those six major industries
were developed during the first third of the current
tury.
The Coolidge examiner., 1937-12-09
An Appeal
For Peace

In today's edition of The Examin-
er is published ballot" which the
readers of this newspaper are ask
ed to sign as a personal appeal ad
dressed to Congress- plea to
keep America out of war. With the
publication of this ballot, the Ex,
aminer is cooperating with the Vet
Grams of Foreign Wars of the Unit
ed States in a national campaign
to obtain the signatures of % mi,
lion voters to be presented to Con
gress as tangible evidence of an
overwhelming public demand for
peace. The appeal reads as follows,
81 hereby call upon Congress, and
the President of the United States
to adopt and apply policies design
ed to keep America out of war and
supported by a nationa, defense
program adequate to preserve and
support our country and its peo-
ple"
The Veterans of Foreign Wars o.
the United States has requested
II 900 newspapers and magazines
throughout the country to publish
this ballot as a means of reaching
individual citizens who may be de-
MED the opportunity of signing
petitions being circulated by local
units of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the U. S. in $500 COM
munties.
Confident that members of Con
gress will be guided by the sentl-
ments of the people on the sub
ject of war, Commander-in-Chlei
Scott P. Squyres, of oklahoma City
is directing the efforts of his or
ganization in a campaign to secure
the signatures of at least majority
OF the leSdl NOlOlo . III SeA
gressional District. These names
obtained through newspaper ballots
and by petitions, will be CLASSIFIED
bv states at national headquarters
of the V. F. w. in Kansas City, Mo.
At the close of the campaign, early
in 1888, the petitions and ballots
will be shipped to Washington, D.
c., and presented to members OF
Congress in a peace demonstration
on the steps of the Capitol.
The "Peace-for-America" program
being promoted by the V. f. w.
primarily seeks to impress Con
gress with actual proof of an or
ganized demand that America must
keep out of war simultaneously
the overeas veterans who compose
the membership of the V. r. w"
favor a strong national defense, one
that will enable the United States
to protect it's peaceful relations
with all other powers.
Believing the readers of The Elk
aminer are heartily in accord Win
any movement designed to avert
war, this ballot will be published at
intervals during the next few weeks
whenever space is available, in ord
er to give every person in this area
an opportunity to register his
personal plea for peace.
The Coolidge examiner., 1937-12-09
ECONOMIC LAW CONFLICT
(From the Detroit NewS)

Homer Martin, president of the United Automobile
Workers Union advises all the members of his Organza
ton to refuse to buy meat He tells them this will bring
prices down. Edward A. ONeil president Of the Am
erican Farm Bureau Federation wires asking Martin SIS
this invitation for American farmers to take similar
ton against products by CIO union labor?"
The Coolidge examiner., 1937-12-09

Scientists have just begun to scratch the
face in the matter of industrial fields Imagine then
the future standards of living they will be enhanced by
another halfdozen industries and the thousands Of
new jobs that will be created-within the very
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25
Gamble on Germany

Since the airplane, the submarine and the long range gun reduced Great Brl- tains so-called isolated grandeur" to a meaningless phrase, the loyal subjects ot the House of Windsor have been striving desperately to get their feet down on some good, solid continental ground. Now, at last, they seem to be making headway - so much, in fact, that their momentum may carry them irrevocably into the WeirdeSt potpourri of world pol itics ever seen.
 Britain's proposition, as officially Sug- geSted in the recently adjourned imperial conference in London, is to win German friendship and cooperation by divorcing the World War peace treaties from the League of Nations. The effect would be, the British hope, to make the league so inoffensive to Germany that she could not refuse to rejoin. Furthermore, having done this favor for the Nazis, Britain would be in line for all the trade and good will controlled by Herr Hitler.
 Britain's sincerity in seeking a rapprochement with Germany cannot be doubted, and it is praiseworthy that one nation had the courage to propose, at least, some way of bringing the Nazls back to the family council table ot nations. But it appears that the British gesture overlooks some possibilities which may bear importantly on the final out come.
 For instance, if the war treaties writ ten into the body of the league have been such thorn in Europe's side, what is to become of them if and when they are broken away from the league? However, unfair the treaties themselves may be, they are the life-givers for practically all the smaller nations of Europe. With in- ternational honesty no better now than when a scrap of paper became the torch that kept World War fires burning, these smaller nations could rightly fear for their safety.
 Then there is Germany's ambition as an exponent of Fascism in "free" DanZig and Spain and independent" Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Britain is gambling it's heavy interest in these terri tories with any deal that makes the league the free-Wheeling kind of vehicle that Germany wants.
 At best, the British imperial conference proposal seems visionary, based on the assumption that a free-Will offering and handshake are going to effect benev- olent, overnight reconstruction of Hitler's foreign policy. Strangest of all is the fact that the conference found this Solu- tion to vast problem practically in one single stroke, while proposed trade pact with the United States, promising to link @e two greatest English speaking nations H1th tangible bond of mutual benefit, nas failed, so far, to materialize because of the Hong negotiations" involved.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25
Direct and to the Point

Mayor Frank Hayes was nothing if not direct in his critical resume of the pro- posed merit system plan that is being proposed for this city. In letter to John B. Goss made public to the city through the local press this week he voiced his objections to the set-up as now planned. Further than that he pointed out an obvious criticism in that considerable publicity is being given the campaign to secure signatures to petition calling on the city fathers to authorize referendum on the subject at the October polls, but little is being done to acquaint the peo- pie with what the local merit system is.
 As Mayor Hayes himself showed in his analysis there are obvious defects in the merit system statute proposed for Us. This would in the long run tend to defeat the very object of any merit system. We do not presume that the supporters ot the plan are claiming perfection for 1t, but they should be sufficiently interested in Mayor Hayes criticisms of it to either defend it as it stands or acknowledge that changes are necessary. We don't doubt but what in all sincerity the latter course of action will be adopted.
 AS the mayor said himself there is every reason why merit system should be con- sidered for a large city, but there is no reason absolutely why such system should turn the existing governmental machinery upside down as would happen in our case, unless Mayor Hayes has i1l- trepreted the several sections of the pro- posed city amendment inaccurately. And we don't think he has. He has given the Waterbury Chapter of the Connecticut Merit System Association some good advice Members may think there is question for debate on criticisms he voiced. If so, by all means let's have them. That will do one thing, which the mayor pointed out, acquaint the public with what it is being asked blindly to endorse.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25
Finally AccompIished

Democrats have been gunning the past few years now for the State Highway Department and its republican appointee, Commissioner John A. Macdonald. They seem to have achieved their objective what with the ruling of Attorney Gen. eral Edward J. Daly that the new Public Works Department will in the future con- trol the purse-strings, while MT. Mac donald's department simply does the work of building and repairing our state highways. An interpretation of the act establishing the Public Works Depart ment reveals this.
 Most of the interest in it centers around definition of "real assets" :" which the Attorney General interprets as meaning in this particular instance, all buildings. structures and sewage and other service systems permanent and fixed equipment and land, interests in land and land betterment required for or in connection with the discharge of any duties imposed upon the Depart ment of Public Works. ."
 Whether or not this is going to be for the better interests of the state remains to be Seen Naturally republicans don't think it will nor did Governor Cross for, as you may recall, at the end of the Ses- sion an effort was made to push through a healing" bill to allow the Highway Commissioner to maintain full and com plete charge of his department, includ- ing how much will be spent on highways The only loophole for Commissioner Macdonald would be where an act call ing for construction of highway con- tains specific appropriation for this purpose. At least we view it in this light
 Democrats would seem to have accom- plished something in political coup, but it's hard telling just how much good they will gain from it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25

We can just imagine the consternation that is prevailing New York city about this time as the news trickles around that society has just been formed down there to rid the metropolis of all dogs. This isn't just drive against the mon- grel type or the unlicensed pooch; it's aimed at each and every pup no matter how long his pedigree may be. The per- sons who are behind the organization declare that they are not dog-haters, but dog-lovers and it is their innate love for dogs that is causing them to band to- gether. They figure that dogs place is not in the city and certainly not in a city the size of New York. That's more or less matter of opinion, if you ask our opinion. True the big dog or the dog re- quiring considerable exercise and room is out of place in the city, but there are other types of dogs that seem to get along all right. However, the new group is not so concerned about this; it says the New York dogs are the citys worst disease distributor. We presume they have expert testimony to back this claim
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25

On September l construction of an aerial tramway to the top of Cannon Mountain at Franconia Notch, New Hampshire, will start. It is on Cannon Mountain that the famous natural won- der, the Old Man of the Mountain, is located and it is to permit sightseers to get good look at his profile that the cable-car line is being built. The state has authorized $25O,O00 bond issue to take care of the cost. There was much agitation against the proposal at first for fear that the railway would destroy much natural beauty, but the job is to be done so skillfully that no harm will be done and nothing out of the ordinary, save the cables, detected
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25

is very serious for the wage-hour bill, on which the administration will need every ounce of good will it can muster. Mrs. Norton will be no help; in fact, she may be distinct liability.
 Democratic bosses of the House made a strenuous under cover effort to prevail on her to remain as head of the District Committee. But she insisted on taking advantage of her senior ity rights as ranking member of the Labor Committee to assume the vacant chairmanship.
 Mrs. Norton was very anxious to grab the job; first because the committee is much more import ant than the district body; sec- ond, because her lack oi success on the latter was becoming em- barrasing.
 Merry-GO-Round
 Correction: In the column of May 18 the statement was made that Blair Coan was sent to Mon- tana by Attorney General Hary Daugherty to "get" Senator Bur- ton K. Wheeler. Coan was not employed by Daugherty. He went to Montana for the Republican National Committee to collect material for a series of articles on Wheeler. He also obtained affidavits concerning Wheeler which the National Committee sent to Daugherty's Justice De- partment Few senators make as much money outside their official salary as the quiet little prohibitionist from Texas, Sera- tor Morris Sheppard. In addition to his $1O000 salary as senator, he receives $6,000 as an officer in the Woodmen of the World.
 Copyright, 1887, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25
Answers To Questions
By Frederick M. Kerby

o. What is the meaning of the Latin motto "Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri?"
 A. Pledged to swear by the words of no particular master" It is from the EpiStles of Horace.
 Q. Where can get 8 copy of the new WPA guide to the city of Washington, and how much does it cost?
 A. Washington, City and Capi- tal," the new guide which has been compiled and edited by the Federal Writers Projects of the Works Progress Administration, is for sale by the superintendent of documents, government printing office, Wash ington, D. c. The price is $500.
 o. What queen of a foreign country married an American citi- zen?
 A. Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii married John O. Dominis, native of Boston.
 o. What combination mixture is suggested by the American Rose society for all rose insects and blight?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25

Will somebody smash this myth about February and March babies being super men and those born in June and July just their opposite. There must be plenty of statistics to show that men and women born during the summer months have achieved as much greatness and length of life as those born just when winter was declining the issue. Dr. Ellsworth Hunt ington of Yale is the latest to support the theory that better children are born in March.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25
A Book a Day
First of a Series on Americas Rivers
By BRUCE CATION

One of the brightest ideas that has come to an American publish ing house in mapy a day was the one which inspired Farrar and Rinehart, Inc, to launch 8 series of books under the general head ing, "The Rivers of America" In view of the way in which our his- tory is tied up with our great rivers, this seems like one of the finest possible ways of retelling the Am erican epic.
 The publishers have entrusted the editing of this series to Con- stance Lindsay Skinner, which was another fine idea; and now the first book in the series has been pulp lished-"Kennebec Cradle of Am ericans." The writing of it was as- signed to Robert P. Tristram Coffin, which was perhaps the finest idea of all.
 The Kennebec, says Mr. Coffin in his State-of Maine way, is quite river. To which it can only be added that MT. Coffin has written quite book about it; quite a fine book, lit with a true love for the Maine countryside, a true under standing of its people and its his tory, and a fine eye for the color and drama of the Kennebecs story
 What c1ama there is in the Ken nebec's storyl A century and a half of bitter Indian wars: brief gem eration in which Kennebec-built and Kennebec ships went to all the ports of the earth; long decades of independent, self-reliant living, of the evolution of a rugged in- dividualism" which still has it hints for the solution of harassed na- tion,s problems.
 Altogether, "Kennebec" is book you will not want to miss. Its price, as I forEot to mention. is &250.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25

ANAAU CO O4UCACA 4SoASA O4A4R V
 The lanky Missourian has sent letters to a number of prominent republicans urging that they unite with him in a demand that Lan- don step out and make way for Hoover. Hydes letters caustically arraign the current leadership of the party, and declare that it's sad state, lacking program and CO., hesion, is due entirley to Landon and National Chairman John Hamilton.
 Only one man has the pres- tige, vigOr and vision to revive and revitalize the g. O. D., Hyde asserts, and that man is Hoover.
 Hydes undercover drive follows on the heels of a recent secret meeting between him and the ex- president. It lends credibility to inside reports that Hoover is chaf- ing at the bit over the silence of republican leaders on the Supreme Court and other Administration issues.
 Ready to Fight
 He is said to favor ar aggressive policy, and to feel that Landon lacks the verve and calibre to carry 1t out.
 Hoover did issue blast against the court bill when it was first offered, but republican leaders in congress pointedly sent him word to pipe down. They headed off Landon before he broke into print. Their strategy is to keep in the background and let the democra- tic opposition make the open fight against the President.
 HOOVER CONSIDERS THIS A DEFEATIST ATTITUDE.
 Between Hoover and Landon there is no love lost. During his presidential campaign the Kan san repeatedly shied away from Hoover. Their one meeting in Topeka was at Hoover's' instiga- ton not Landon'S. Since the dis astrous election their relations have been cold and distant. NOTE: MiSsouri's caustic- -tongued ex-Senator Jim Reed once re- ferred to Hyde as "the steam whistle on fertilizer plant" The LOWdOWn
 several neWsmen were trying to pump Chairman Henry Ashurst of the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding prospective develop ments in the Supreme Court fight. The courtly Arizonian was friend ly but absolutely uncommunica- tive. Finally, one of the reporters asked:
 Well, senator, when do you think congress will adjOurn?"
 Yes, indeed" Ashurst. replied with bow and smile, and walked away.
 Madame Chairman
 The installation of Mrs. Mary T. Norton of Jersey City, N. J., as successor to the late Chair man William Connery of the House Labor Committee, adds one more handicap to the many al- ready facing the Presidents wage hour regulation bill.
 Connery was wholeheartedly for the legislation, as well as an able and popular parliament tarian. The Administration count ed heavily on his strength to help 1t weather the storm facing the measure in the House.
 Mrs. N0rton's attitude on the issue is unknown. She is a pO- litical henchman of BOSS FRANK HAGUE, who has dis played little c0rdiaIity tO liberal labor measures or organizations. Further, she has had no experi- ence in handling major Iegisla- tiOn and her record as chair man of the District of COIum- bia Committee Is not very en- cOuraging.
 The committee repeatedly took the bit in its teeth and refused to follow her leadership. and the House also delighted in kicking over the traces when she was in charge.
 This parliamentary inadeouacy
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25

ness myself so I know, in view of the consequences, the danger in- volved. There is the classic ex- ample of the man who was hurried into signing a petition and did not discover until the firing squad ar- rived that he had put down in black and white his approval of his own execution. All of this is a warning to those who are being in- dustriously solicited to sign a peti- tion to be submitted to the Board of Aldermen asking that an amendment to the city charter be submitted to the voters of the city at the October election. The amendment proposes the estab- lishment of a so-called civil ser vice in this city. If the Board of Aldermen rejects the proposal and a sufficient number of signatures have been affixed to the petition the amendment must go on the ballot anyway.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-25

dIC 0u0cCA ADAAAb to. Petitions in D a ti c u l a r. Someone starts the thing of and 1t is no trouble to get others to follow suit. We are either too bored or too bothered or too busy to look at what
 we are putting our John Han cocks. I have
 been guilty of cIInn corelays.