davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Town Hall Tonight

But in Waterbury it occurred last night when the Board of Aldermen played host to as many citizens and taxpayers of thls city as could squeeze their way into the aldermanic chambers of the City Hall. That wasn't many, but the overflow crowd gathered in the corridor outside and on the stairwayS. From demon stration standpoint the public hearing on WaterburyS 1889 budget was suc- cess; from a practical standpoint It doesn't appear as if anything construc- tive was accomplished
 A number of people, and not very many at that, had a chance to express tneir opinions on how the affairs of the clty are conducted There was many com plaintS, but few suggestions It was plaln to be seen that the audience was ready to applaud or laugh at all proposals that various branches of the city, notably police and fire, be slashed in both mem bership and pay Other departments, too, came in for caustic criticism. Only scant few of the speakers who sought the right of the floor, had any real meaning why the meeting was called.
 However, it may be that several such meetings as last nights would tire out those who go "just for the show" and allow the taxpayers who are really con- cerned with our financial status to have their say and to make the sensible recommendations that permit of adop- ton, Whether or not there will be any more of these meetings remains to be seen: You couldn't tell from last nights just what course of action the aldermen would take. But we'll wager that majority of members, both Republican and Democrat, will be opposed to any such proceeding along the lines of last nights session.
 If this was WaterburyS return to town meeting days, where everyone had right to his say, and the budget was the result of combined efforts, then it's going to take long time to get our 1889 budget adopted. There was no systematic effort made last night to approach the budget as it is now drawn up. Few ot those present had read or seen copies or the budget. The general idea was that ne<e was a chance to get in some digs. But that won't help draw up budget that appeals to all for 1939 And if we are con cerned with that, we must forget the wise-cracks.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Holiday Time

This is the season for holiday decora- tions. Many and varied are the schemes that communities adopt to make thelr streets and store fronts look attractive. The Christmas tree always is an 1mpor- tant part of every decorative scheme. A great many homes are made brighter ana cheerier by the presence Of tree, deco- rated with every conceivable ornament All such trees can be obtained in legiti- mate fashion. There are many persons and stores which make a regular custom of trading in the same.
 All of which is merely roundaDouC way of urging people to have consloera- ton for the property of others. Every wear there are complaints about tres nassers removing full-grown or partly grown evergreenS from private property or from parks and playgrounds. Laurel bushes are hacked to pieces often for the sake of few branches. Bushes on Whlcn red berries grow also come Tn for desecra- tion. We don't like to accuse Waterbur- ians of such tactics as these, but the past proves that many will take what doesn't rightfully belong to them.
 In Massachusetts this year the State Conservation Commission is waging a desperate campaign to prevent state for estS being raided by persons anxious to procure trees for their own use or to sell them at fancy prices due to their attrac- tiyeness. There should be double efforts made by all enforcement authorities to prevent Christmas greens being grubbed from public lands or private property. It's an outrage to perpetrate such a snatch" on anybody and we hope that every means will be taken to circumvent such efforts.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Lighted Pedestrians

The attorney general of Ontaria is searching the law for authority to re- quire pedestrians to go about at night all lit up, not with liquor but with cleo trio lights attached to vest pocket bat teries. It is safety measure which, if adopted there, may soon spread to this side of the border It wouldn't be the first time in history that pedestrians carried lights. Lanterns used to be necessary not only because there was no street lighting, but also because there were no pave nents, and the person afoot after dark had to watch out for holes, puddles and Instructions.
 Today city streets are lighted, and pedestrians have sidewalks and marked and protected crosswalks. In the small towns and on the open highway there may be more need for walking on the street at night, and consequently need for carrying or wearing something to in- dicate ones presence to motorists. But the vest pocket battery seems awkward. Colored reflectors or white capes or some other device may prove more satisfac- tory.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

collect and hand over to the state treas ury. As a matter of fact the state always is a bit more generous and pays back slightly more than it receives.
 However, this isn't as simple as it seems Elimination of several forms of state taxation would naturally curb state grants to cities and towns, but there wouldn't have to be so many for many services now performed by the city or town would be taken over by the state. And the city or town finding it unnec- eSSary to set tip appropriations to cover the various state taxes in annual budgets would be able to make substantial Sav- ings in the size of the budget and nat urally the ensuing tax rate.
 But the League of Municipalities points that there is vast amount of "Wastage" in the process of swapping funds back and forth between state and town. And that's where the real saving would come in. It believes that at least $146, ,O00 is spent ("wasted" is the word it uSes) in keeping up books and printing reports necessary to the several transactions. If this amount is saved it is considerable on the face, but bit small when spread over 169 towns. We can see benefits ac- cruing to many communities by elimina- tion of such state taxes as are suggested, but others would not profit thereby, for failure to take advantage of the oppor- tunity to curtal in services.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

Westchester County's first toll road will be that section of the Cross County parkway which carries the highway over Fleetwood. A viaduct is to be built at this point, where bottleneck now exists A 10-cent toll will be collec- ted here, news of this having been chron- icled in these columns some days ago. Authorization for issuing $1,80O,000 in bonds to finance the Fleetwood Viaduct has just been given by the Board of Su- pervisors of Westchester County, which means that the project will actually get underway within few months. It is ex- pected that the bonds will be amortized within six years, based on an estimated 5,0OO,OO0 cars using the viaduct. Anyone who has used the Cross County Park way will realize the need for change at Fleetwood And since this route has be- come an important link between the Hutchinson River Parkway and Henry Hudson Parkway it is getting more traf- fic than ever. t.. ,..... .
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

cerned. At a meeting of IT Demo- cratic senators-elect in Hartford the other night it was given as the opin- ion of the Democrats that the judge ship deals should be abolished and the minor court system should be reformed.
 We now have situation in which the retiring Governor Wilbur Cross has pledged himself to this plan and has used his influence repeatedly in favor of it. Before retiring he ap- pointed a committee to bring plan into the session of the legislature which begins in January. He con- suited Governor-elect Raymond Baldwin in naming the members of this committee. Governor-elec Baldwin is firmly in favor of ending the judgeship deals. Presumably he speaks for his own party in the sen- ate as well. Jasper McLevy and his two senators have campaigned on this issue and their attitude is known. There should be no opposi- tion in the senate.
 But how about the House? We are not nearly so sure about senti- ment here. There is a clear Repub- hcan majority in the House and some of the members of this major ity belong to the old hard boiled school of politicians who go on the slogan, ITO the victor belong the spells" Whether they can see their way of giving up the judgeship plums which now look so near, is an open question.
 This is going to be the real test for Governor Baldwin. He will have to use his party leadership and if necessary snap his party whip and if that doesn't do, he'll have to go right to the people and line them up behind him to force this reform through the legislature.
 We hope it won't come to that pass. We hope that all members of the legislature will have the good sense to get on the bandwagon, get behind the retiring Democratic gov- ernor and the incoming Republican governor not to mention the Social ist threat of a governor and enact this reform method partisanship.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

Edward N Allen, President of the Hart ford Chamber of Commerce, endorses the plan of the Hartford Times for speedy snow removal in Hartford streets. There is nothing new about the plan, but it does involve some little cooperation on the part of property owners. They would be required to shovel snow from sidewalks and driveways onto their own property and not out into the streets That's not peculiar to Hartford alone; it happens in every community. For years people have been shoveling the snow from their walks into the street. We really wonder how you can ever get them to change lifelong habit.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

ties, with the federal government granting only snaIl dole.
 GROUP 2 wants the govern ment to take over the entire un- employment problem by providing jobs for all, instead of a portion, of the idle. This group advocates a $l,50O,0O0 900 deficiency appro- priation.
 GROUP 3 stands between the other two. It opposes Group 2 on the ground that the govern ment can't carry the entire relief load and any such attempt might upset the whole work-relief pro- gram. It also opposes Group l on the ground that state relief plus a meagre dole would have disastrous economic effects.
 The third groupers argue that if the present rate of business re- covery is to be continued into the spring, there must be a backlog of WPA expenditures. Their posi- tion is that WPA serves not only as means of taking care of job- stabilizer. If its funds are draS. tically cut, there will be Q repe- tition of the 1887 business nose dive.
 The Spring Outlook
 The dle-of-the-roaders are urging on Roosevelt a deficiency appropriation of $700, ,000, 900.
 They arrive at this figure from reports of private analysts, con- firmed by government experts, on what the economic picture Is like ly to be next spring. This picture, they predict will be as follows:
 Industrial and agricultural ac. tivity will approach that of the spring of 1887, when approximate ly 9,000,000 were unemployed and there were 2,500,000 on WPA rolls. The current relief load Is slightly over 3,000,000.
 WPA costs average $61 per month per man, divided $53 for labor, $6.50 for materials and $l.50 for administrative costs. On this basis . roll of 2,500,0O0 for four and . half months, February 15 to July 1, will re- quire $7O0,O0O,O0O.
 Roosevelt's answer to this tough problem still Is unframed. He has reached no decision.
 Merry-GO- Round
 In September, Ben M. Cher rington came to the State Depart ment from Denver as head of the new Devision of Cultural Rela- tions. His salary was $500 Cultural relations are booming; now he is getting $8,000 The President is very fond of shad roe Despite the Presi- dents boost for scrambled eggs, . recent Department of Agricul- ture release was captioned Egg prices show less than seasonal in- crease. Chickens continue low" Bill Castle, under secretary of state under Hoover, recently damned Hull's Good Neighbor poll icy as spineless and hypocritical. The speech had little effect upon USA opinion but started Latin Americans praying for a third term for Roosevelt.
 Copyright, 1898, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
"A Book a Day
Gambling History of America !


 You would expect gambling t< be something of an American in. vention, running as 1t has through our national life from Colonial days to the present. But gambler. that he is, the American has never con- ceived a single major game oi chance. The ideas have all come from the Old World.
 They've come and the United States has made the most of them Herbert ASbury, who revels in the chronicling of the nations bad habits, tells the whole expressing story in book as fast moving as the roulette wheel itself, Suckers Progress" (Odd, Mead and Co.,: $3.50).
 Gambling got its big start in America, says MT. Asbury, through the port of New Orleans. Here faro and poker and craps and the lot tery thrived, eventually to spread across, the continent with the na- ton itself.
 It spread along the Mississippi into New York and Washington westward to Chicago, into the COW towns, the mining camps, the rail- road boom towns, and into Califor- mia with the forty-miners. Out oi 1t evolved such national expressions as square deal," stool pigeon, 2 "hock" and playing both ends against the middle"
 Richard Canfield, who MT. Asbury says was the greatest gambler oi them all, amassed 13,000, 900 before he retired. Today gambling is q form of racketeering. as MT. Asbury tells it.-P. c. F. (
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Eliminate Swapping

The Connecticut League of Munich palities is convinced that no apparent good is coming of the state and it's 169 towns engaging in an annual swapfest. It, therefore, proposes that seven forms of state taxation levied on the towns be eliminated. We know. that every town will welcome this suggestion, but will every town welcome the. accompanying suggestion that the state also end it's custom of handing back to the commurli- ties just as many millions as the towns
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Selected Poem
DECEMBER NIGHT

(Ralph Friedrich in the New York Sun) When winter leans against the house And midnight sees Orion stand High at meridian, see
 The, sun above another land: "' '' Beneath the ferceness of its stare
 Ceylon lies dreamful Singapore Must shimmer in the splendid noon.
 In Burma, warm upon the floor The light must lie. But softly here
 The stars of winter cross the night, And all of earth must lie between
 The dreamer and the lands of light.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
|PressCornrnent
POPULAR MEMBER
(Boston Post)

(BoSton Post)
 The energetic Congressman Joseph w. Martin, Jr.. seems pretty well assured of being chosen minority leader in the house. A canvass of Republican members shows that 125 out of ITO have pledged their sup port to the Massachusetts member, and indications are that his chief rival, Representative James W. Wadsworth, Jr.. of New York. will not even enter the contest in the Republican caucus. Congressman Martin has come rapidly to the front in Republican affairs in Wash ington during the last few years. With solid legislative background, he is one of the leading members of the house. and will be power in his own party for years to come.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

It's barely possible that aloofness of Democratic State Senators from any Ideals" to settle judgeships or connis- sionerships at the forthcoming session of the Legislature may leave them entire ly out of the legislative picture. If the Republican and Socialist members align themselves together, the IT Democrats will be strong minority, but minority nevertheless.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Daily Almanac
11:5a a. m,

Moon rises 11:58 8. m.
 r Sun rises 7:09 6. In,; sets 4:24 p. m.
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset.
 People speak of the slim beauty of the new moon and the splendor of the full moon, but seldom praise it when it has started to wane Monday night full 24 hours before last quarter phase occurred the moon was gor- geouS as 1t rose from behind black clouds streaking the eastern skies It looked like nothing more than a half of great golden. grapefruit R. s.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

l. What species of trees bear acorns?
 2. In architecture, what is a dor mer?
 3. Name the Secretary of War during the U. s. participation in the World War.
 4. In which state was Herbert H. Lehman reelected Governor?
 B.. What is 8 statoscope?
 6. Name the three rivers that join to form the Missouri River.
 T. What is the correct pronunci- ation of the word elite2
 8. Name the third President ot the U. s.
 9. Name the marrow water pas sage that separates Asia from North
 10. Who was the highest salaried baseball player n 1e9p9
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
In New York
BY GEORGE ROSS

New York, Dec. 14-A new auto- graph menace has descended upon Manhattan. Mere signature snatch ing has no further lure for Vincent Ii veli, Brooklyn celebrity-hun ter.
 vnicent < has too many auto. graphs of the famous folk tc deem them valuable any more So he has branched out. Now he is collecting hp-im- presSionS.
 Vincent works simply. He even frowns upon hanging around stage doors any more. What he does is to mail a strip of tissue paper to the star he is after preferably female-with a solici- tous little note enclosed. Now il the star isn't against the idea, she will 'implant a chaste kiss upor the tissue paper, making sure that the lipstick isn't kiss-proof, anc send this osculatory specimen back to Vincent who is waiting for 1t in his lair in Brooklyn.
 What lipophile u Velli will dc with these oral autographs wt don't know. Neither does he, fol that matter.
 Jimmy Gets a Tip-0ff
 Jimmy Roosevelt, by this time has moved into his new office ir Sam Goldwyn's Manhattan head. quarters and is getting hep to the routine. We went up there the other day to look around and passed a desk where one of the help was composing letter to the Presidents son. A letter of advice it turned out to be, from one of Sam Goldwyn's hirelings to another. and it runs like this:
 Dear Jimmy: ,.. ..
 Here in the east, feller, it's all pretty dull. This is the business end of the motion picture game Or didn't you think motion pic lures had a business end? The nearest you'll ever get to g glamor girl is the receptionist or the 18th floor. And as for the pictures themselves, well, they have a nice screening room where you can sit in cozy comfort anc see what Sam has been up to out west. m.
 "You1l probably like every. body you meet. in these Eastern offices, Jimmy. They may look a little tired, but never mind. There will be lots of papers showed al you to sign and you'll find your self puzzled by the figures at first But don't pay the slightest atten- ton. Nobody really knows what it's all about. Nobody is really supposed to know. The first man who finds out is dangerous char acter around the office. Just turn on that big smile and pretend you like it and after a while;, you'll find the greatest sport of all is dishing the dirt at Lindy's with the boys at lunchtime.
 Don't let them make you a ghost, Jimmy. Remember the old man."
 Night Club Eden
 Anthony Eden, Britain's hand somest (and bravest) statesman, wished to explore the night life of Manhattan with a minimum of fam fare.
 But he - and his retinue- learned that this Is the town of uninhibited press agents. Less than 24 hours after his disembarkation, half hundred places were claiming that he would be their honored wis., itor. Some of the half-hmdred were right, and they made the most of 1t.
 Anyway, the dapper and 1.-the and clear cut Briton gave new impetus to New York,s nocturnal merry ry-goAround. And to him, a visiting Engiishnan, belongs one distinction. He did not ask to see Eiarfeml
 1tl[@sl ts x, q, ~ r.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Current Comment

The X-ray will reveal the inside of an Egyptian mummy 5000 years old without disturbing the outer wrappings and reveal that a great Pharaoh suffered from pyorrhea. -Col. O. N. Solbert, assistant to
 the vice president. Eastman Ko-
 dak Company.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
THE EDITOR

o. Why is it dangerous to use quinine without supervision by a physician?
 A. Because toxic doses produce depression of the heart and res- piration, and collapse. Such doses may produce more or less complete amblyopia, terminating in perma- nent loss of sight. Self medication
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Questions and
 Answers
ce0riaAl issa. Nl
By Frederick M. Kerby

Enclose 8 three-cent stamp for reply when addressing any ques- ton of fact or information to the Waterbury Democrats Service Bu- reau at Washington. Legal and medical advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be un- dertaken. Be sure all mail is ad. dressed to the WATERBURY DEMOCRATS SERVICE BU- REAU, 1913 Thirteenth Street, Washington, D. c.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
] NO FUN Ar ALL.

A kissless bride held prisoner by her groom in an automobile trailer is the role played by Lucille BaIl in RKO Radios Next Time Marry, 2 in which she teams with James, ,Elll- son.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

Men are said to be taking up costume jewelry" and may yet be toting ten-dollar gold pieces on their watch chains again
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Minor Court Reform House May Prove Stumbling Block to What Now Appears to Be Highly Favored Legis-
 lative Move - Will Be Baldwin's
Real Test
BRIDGEPORT TELEGRAM

Determination to end the tiresome judgeship deals which have marked sessions of the Connecticut legisla- ture in the past, seems to be unani- nous as far as the senate is con-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
A Thought for Today

Now therefore fear ye not: will nOurish you' and your little Ones And he cOmtOrted them' and spake kindly unto them.-Genesis SO:@A.
 
 The kindness of some is too much like the echo returning the counterpart of what 1t re- ceives not more, and sometimes iess.-BowerS.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

WASHINGTON December IA. - Friends of Harry Hopkins claim they have uncovered the real source of the hotly disputed remark attributed to him. we will
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
Daily Washington
anA ROBERT c AExm
By DREW FEARsON

Spend and Spend" Remork Troced 10 Boruch by Friends of Harry Hopkins; FDR Advisors Split on WPA Program;
 Some Won't Appropriation Up, Others
 Down; Middle Group Predict Recovery
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

If you want a copy of our booklet, MIXED DRINKS AND WINES" The Waterbury Democrats Wash ington Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth Street. Washington, D. c. Enclose 10 cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
TODAY'S COMMON ERROR Museum is pronounced mu-se-'
 um: not fnu'-se-um.

is never advisable for the average person who knows little or noth- ing about drugs.
 e. What is the source of the score term love-" in sennis and other games?
 A. From an early English idiom, playing for love-" that is, for the mere pleasure of the sport.
 @. Do tobacco buyers understand the chant of the auctioneers2
 A. Yes. To everyone except ex- perienced buyers 1t may sound like jabberwocky, but if spoken slowly, it would break down into something like this: 4-34-35-39-44 Ca mere reci- tation of bids), and "ditty-ditty-do ditty-ditty-do," meaning ditto.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14
T st Y O ur Knowledge

Can you answer seven of these test questions? Turn to last page for the answers. #
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

o. What was the occasion for the first Thanksgiving celebration in New England, and how was it cele- brated?
 A. The first New England Thanksgiving was a day of thanks for the harvest, celebrated in the autumn of 1921 by order of Cover nor Bradford. The colonists went into the forests and shot 8 number of turkeys and took them to the set- clement to be cooked for the din- ner. A number of Indians heard of the celebration and entered the set- clement carrying with them several deer. Indians and settlers feasted together.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-14

Q. Which New Jersey Judge rendered an opinion against Mayor Hague's attempt to suppress fret speech in Jersey City?
 A. The opinion was rendered by Judge William Clark of the United States District Court Of New Jersey