davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
City Manager Arguments

Whoever wrote the current bulletin or the Citizens Good Government AsSocla- ton wrote about as strong an argu- ment against the City Manager form of government as any of its opponents might choose and showed a complete innocence on the conduct of city affairs. To criticize the fact that boards ot cltl. zens like the Aldermen and Board or Finance have deliberated and analysed the budget figures for 1889 is neither logical nor practical
 Would someone establish local dlcta- torship wherein one man, or Superman as he would have to be, should decide arbl- trarily where the taxpayers money should be spent?
 Is one man more capable than the heads of various large city departments who now submit their estimates for the coming year?
 Should not some committee of citizens, some representatives of the people, scan proposed expenditures and determine such important questions of policy as are now decided by committees?
 Should any one man be entrusted with or even asked to make, and be held re- sponsible for such far-reaching decisions as confront all municipal boards?
 Is it wise to scrap the interest and experience of board members and dis penSe with their services?
 Could a city manager do any better than Jasper Nc Levy has done in Bridge port working as he does under a set-up of boards as in Waterbury?
 There are plenty of good arguments for, as we'll as against, the City Manager form of government but the use of city boards has no more to do with the so- called Spells System than with the weather. The C.G.G.A. must advance some practical, not theoretical, argu- ments to convince the public of the mer- it's of their proposal and should have them written or edited by someone who has had some actual experience and knowledge of municipal affairs. A little service on some of our city boards would soon change many of the notions of 1n- experienced reformers, however, sincere and ardent, and would create the belief that the conduct of the affairs Of a large city is no simple matter.
 Let us have a fair and thorough dis cussion of the question, but let's talk common sense and practical argument and keep the dreamers and theorists out of it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
The Gas Terror

According to the chief of the United States chemical warfare service the gas attack is the "most humane" form of war. It doesn't have that reputation among civilians, yet the generals sta tistics seem to prove his point. During the World War gas inflicted heavy casual ties, but the percentage of deaths was low. In fact, gas was only one-tWelfth as deadly as other forms of attack. This authority does not say how many deaths since 1918 may be attributed to the after effects of poison gas experienced during the war. The popular impression is that there have been good many.
 The main object of using gas, the expert says, is to "break down the enemy's resistance" This is done by causing casualties that reduce the effectiveness of his forces and also by keeping him SO busy worrying about gas attacks and pro- lection against them that he neglects other vulnerable points.
 The American army is said to be con- centrating on gas defense rather than attack. Soldiers in the field, for example, would be equipped not only with masks but also with chemically treated uni- forms imperviouS to gas. It may be assumed that foreign governments are making similar preparations. Many of them, too, are working on gas defense for civilians on vast scale, with under ground shelters, air-conditioned and gas proof rooms, and so on. Apparently mo- body likes or trusts this "most humane" military weapon.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22

State shows that both Democrats and Re- publicans spent more than they took in.
 Here is a typical point that demands rectifying in the future. A party may plan an extensive campaign over six or eight weeks. It should limit such pro- gram to just what can be done with the amount of money anticipated in con- tributionS. There are fixed expenses which seldom vary. If these are trebled over and again by night-after-night radio speech-making, it's up to the party man. agerS to get the cash and not close their books with a deficit. This involves bene- fits or dinners or further contributions to balance all accounts.
 The Socialists in Connecticut only spent $3,442 out of $3,448 collected this past fall Look at the vote the party boiled. It may never get it again, even by doubling its contributions, but it did it once and we think the public might appreciate tendency on the part of Dem- ocratS and Republicans to tone down their campaigns with view towards providing campaign that won't seem like an effort to buy up the electorate.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
British Strength

England has now learned it's lesson. Day by day, lately, with British rights threatened and British dignity outraged, Premier Chamberlain's attitude has stiff fened. The vigorous anti-Fascist spirit in America, doubtless reported by Anthony Eden, has worked in the same direction.
 So the world has reaG with interest this warning uttered by the prime minister in the House of Commons: "We may take it that when German statesmen = will not say the German people = reflect on the possible consequences of conflict, if ever conflict arises between the two countries, they will think not only of our armaments, but of our great financial resources, which in war of long duration might well prove the deciding factor. It is this sense which is always with us, and which is sure to be the greatest influence in preserving the peace of the world"
 The statement, while characteriStically British in it's moderate phrasing, packs wallop, and the Fascist dictators will probably get the point If Hitler persists in his folly, Britain can, and will, wear him down and put him out of business eventually, with its superior resources, as it did with Napoleon when he got too arrogant.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
A $2OO,OOO Election

The cost of the November election in this state was approximately $20O, ,0O0. Of this amount the two major political parties in Connecticut spent $176,000, ac- cording to reports just filed with the Secretary of State. Off-hand that seems like an awful lot of money to be spent in electing number of candidates to public office. And the question arises in persons mind why couldn't the same officials be elected for less money. They probably could, but in this faSt-moving age we seem to demand plenty of action and the campaign managers try to pro- vide it.
 Personally we are coming to the point where we honestly believe that legisla- ton must be affected which will place . curb on election spending and will impose definite limits on what may be collected and what may be spent for individual candidates. It may be hard to pass any such laws as this, but there have been half-hearted efforts and some progress has been made with respect to federal Iegisiaturs. Just glancing at the expense sheets furnished the Secretary ot
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22

classless society known as Socialism. The contrast between the So- cialist Labor Party and the Socialist Party can be well seen in the man. her in which their respective cam paigns were conducted. Amidst much publicity, the Mayor of Bridgeport went about the state asking people for votes on the ground that under his administra- tion honesty would be restored and the fair name of Connecticut re- deemed.
 On the other hand, the Socialist Labor Party candidates, aware that their mission was that of education, spoke to working class audiences explaining the principles of Social ist Industrial Unionsm and the framework of the new society. They told their audiences that no politi- cal party could run the political government and make it work in the interest of the working class; that the true need of society was the es- tablishment of the social ownership of the industries; and that this would mean the overthrow of the po- litical form of government, together with the capitalist system, of which the political state is an essential part. Their entire campaign was devoted to showing how this could be accomplished in a peaceful and orderly fashion and in pointing out that no other solution could settle the problems of the American peo- pie.
 The voters who signified their support of this program by voting the straight Socialist Labor Party ticket on November 8 may have the satisfaction of knowing that by vot- ing for the real interests of labor they alone made an effective use of the ballot.
 Voters interested in keeping in touch with the Socialist Labor Party throughout the winter months are invited to tune their radios to WICC every Sunday at 12:15 p. m. Station WICC broadcasts from Bridgeport on a frequency of 600 k1locycleS.
 The election of 1888 is over. But not so the campaign of the Socialist Labor Party. This win end only when the work of the Party has borne fruit in the erection of the Socialist Industrial Republic of Labor,
 JOSEPH c. BORDEN, JR.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
PreSsCOrrl1nent
FOR wEsTCHEsTER
(New York Suln)

N4NCW 4OAA 10AAI
 It was inevitable that WestcheSte1 county should some day decide to have a water supply adequate to its large population and steady growth. It has been 8 good cuS- toner of the city of New York, paying $100 for each million gallons tapped from the Catskill aqueduct. Now the city is asking $105 and the WeStchester County Water Commis- sion figures that $90 or less would be the cost under an independent system. It proposes to store the wa- terS of several creeks in Duchess and Putnam counties. A new diStri- outing system would not be required the county now being served by about fifty private water companies which would buy their supply from the county instead of from New York City.
 Even with the addition of the Delaware River development to the water service of the metropolitan zone, new demands will keep com- ing. This is not because, as the friv- olous might say, the New Deal has built SO many public swimming pools. A new and lively industrial service. air-conditioning, entails the use of water to such an extent that many American communities are finding themselves short of H2O. In the not far distant day when every high class hotel and apartment house will offer cooled rooms the consumption of water in this city will be greatly increased. With due respect for the admirable climate of Westchester, the people there will go in for air-conditioning, too.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22

seem to rate high with the i, Michigan senatOr-why, he did not say.
 Vandenberg seemed to be in a very pessimistic mood, for he even turned thumbs down on the Na- tional Manufacturers Association for taking a conciliatory attitude toward the New Deal. After what had happened in November, the senator said he saw no reason for trying to curry the friendliness of the Roosevelt regime.
 Hoover confined his remarks to foreign affairs. His only reference to domestic matters was to echo Vandenberg's dis paragement of the Townsend scheme and Republicans who are supporting it.
 NOTE-Mr. Hoover voiced the same view to various friends dur ing his eastern stay. He was em- phatic that the COP could not traffic with the Townsend move- ment without serious consequences to the party and the nations economic stability.
 The Limit
 If he is booming Senator Ben- nett Clark's presidential candidacy Jack Garner doesn't know it. To congressional cronies he expressed amusement at such reports.
 Bennett is . nice young fel- low" allowed the vice presi- dent, ''but he will never be president. He has gone as far as he will get"
 Pigs and Whiskey
 The Patent Office and four guinea pigs are aiding experi- ments for a shortcut method of aging liquor.
 One of the problems of the liquor industry has been the four-year storage before whiskey can be properly aged and labeled bottled in bond".. Now U. s. Patent Number 2,032,818 covers an invention which substitutes one hour of chemical treatment for four years of aging.
 The process consists of pass ing a gas through the liquor to make it mild, mellow and smooth, and Knock the headache out of it." The inventor tested it with guinea pigs. He took four types of whiskey-raw, neutral, aged, and treated and gave an in- travenous injection of each to a guinea pig.
 He claims that the first three types killed the guinea pigs, but the fourth pig, which took the treated whiskey, pasesd uot for a time, then revived, nibbled grass, took 8 drink of water, and fully recovered.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22

Man has selected many spots over which to guide his blow, but nothing sounds more foolish than to talk about blowing the floor of the ocean. Yet fam tastic as it seems this process is going on regularly. All this year a British cable ship has been working across the broad Atlantic endeavoring to blow under the cables of Western Union, linking America and England. The task is not as simple as it seems or sounds, for before the vessel can blow under the cables and thus prevent breakage from trawler fleets off the Irish coast, the oceans floor has to be photographed. The cable has to pursue a fairly even course, not up and down hill. And no dry land has more ups and downs than the oceans floor. The actual blow weighs 10 tons and is lowed behind the ship by chain, 4,20O feet long.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22

Alderman Burton Walker certainly made a strenuous fight for additional fire apparatus for Chis city. He started his fight some weeks ago when he pub licly declared that the present mechan- ical equipment was inadequate and out moded It was quite job for him to get room made in the 1889 budget for new apparatus, but he seems to have carried his point and probably some day the city will thank him for his interest in this matter.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22

We like the way the extra police are doing traffic duty around the busy corn CTS of the town. The boys in blue know it's their business to keep autos and people moving smoothly. Most of the men we've seen are both courteous and efficient. They model themselves nat urally after the older patrolmen who are accustomed to the daily task of keeping streets and sidewalks free from conges- tion We don't know if this is the busiest Christmas season the city has had, but certainly the number of cars on central streets makes it necessary to maintain constant vigilance and that's what we're getting.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
In New York
BY GEORGE ROSS

New York, Dec. 22.-To the la- dies who have come up in the Broadway whirligig, we annually dof our hat. Three beauteous girls did more than fairly well by them- Selves in the theatrical world dur ing 1888.
 There was diIninutive Eleanor Lynn, who turned up one night in the Clifford Odets play of life and love, Rocket to the Moon" Miss Lynn came here from the film col ony where, vague reports ran, she was doing all right. But it seems that her histrionics out there were restricted to minor pictures.
 She broke loose from those to prove that she could really act behind the footlights. And when she was seen in Rocket to the Moon" the proof was in her per- formance.
 After 2 Years Hard Luck
 There was Helen Claire, the ani- mated brunette from Union Springs, Ala, who drawled her way into the show, "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" and became a belle of Broadway over- night.
 It was triumph for which Hell en had been waiting more than seven years, which is the time she spent in an effort to get somewhere on the stage. During those unsuc- cessful years, showmen had told her frankly they didn't care for her southern accent, and so she had re- linquished her drawl for Yankee talk. Then came an opportunity to mimic southern bell in "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" and she took it dropping New Yorkese for the honey Suckle speech from way be- low the Mason-Dixon line.
 The Rialto lauded her; Hollywood wants her. Union Springs, Ala. would run her for mayor if she re- turned.
 F rom Texas to Tops
 Then there was the pixie Mary Martin, cut Texan trlck, Eho sang song My Heart Belongs to Da-a-ddy" in the show "Leave It to Me" during diS-robing routine.
 Mary became one of the finds oi the year. But like most finds, she was lost in the shuttle for con siderable. while. When Broadway producers turned her down couple of years back, she tried career in pictures. The studios wouldn't hire her. So she used up hel leisure (and she had plenty) sing ing in the Trocadero, popular Hol. lywood night club.
 All the moguls thought she was cut but didn't give her a job. Ano Mary wended her way back east (via Texas) where she was discov- cred by Vinton Freedley for Leave It to Me" Now all the Hollywood moguls want her, and she has been signed to sing in the Rainbow room atop Radio City.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
Selected Poem
THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

(Charles Hanson Towne in the New York Tines) Twas the week before Christmas, when all through
 the house Every creature was stirring, more swift than 8
 mouse. The bell-hops were hopping never before, And doormen were opening and closing the door: The poStnan was whistling blithe little tune; Gle never was known to in April or JuneD The ashman was lowing and beaming with bliss; The iceman--we feared he might give us kiss! The janitor came at our first timid ring, The cook was elated-the cross patch old thing! Our maid-how she dusted each cupboard and shelf; Our waitress seemed bent on outdoing herself. The men in the lift were so sweet and polite. Good morning!" they chirruped: Good day!"
 and Good night!" Twas the week before Christmas. Oh me, and oh
 my!- Every creature was stirring-of course you know
 whyl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
A VOTE FOR MCLEvY WAS NOT A VOTE FOR THE SOCIALIST
 LABOR PARTY
South Norwalk, December q, 1898.


 December q, 1888. Editor of The Democrat:
 The huge vote for Jasper McLevy in the state election last month, al- though a protest against the Demo- cratic and Republican machines, was not 8 vote for Socialism. Neither was it a protest against the economic system which breeds the ills against which the voters for Jasper McLevy were attempting to protest.
 Jasper McLevy carefully avoided the issue of Socialism throughout his campaign. What he and his party sought were votes. They knew that the way to attract votes was to dodge the discussion of what Socialism means and instead to attack the Republicans and Dem- ocrats. When Jasper McLevy was invited to debate by the Socialist Labor Party candidate for Cover nor, he made no reply, and in so doing he virtually confessed that he used the term Socialism for some purpose other than teaching the working class how to attain the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
A Book a Day
Banners Unfurled For Our Battle
BY BRUCE CATION

D1 01NONA1 N<1A q OAN
 A few weeks ago Hendrix Willem van Loon heard a New York crowd boo Mayor LaGuardia and cheer the name of a foreign dictator. It made him mad; and when he found that New York as a whole wasn't eSpe- cially disturbed by it he got madder than ever. So he sat down and wrote a book, currently published under the title of "Our Battle" (Simon & Schuster: SD.
 The book is MT. van Looms an- swer to Hitler's My Battle" and vehement, indignant book it is,
 Hitlerism, says MT. van Loon, represents a menace that civilized people can no longer ignore; a force which cannot indifinitely ga on existing in the same world with a free democratic society. Sooner or later democracy and Hitlerism must come to death grips.
 Yet the ohter great democracies, he continues, have already come to grips-and lost. England and France were beaten at Berchtes- gaden. They had their chance to stop Hitler, and failed. There re- mains only Uncle Sam.
 As MT. van Loon sees it, there is no escaping the challenge. In the very nature of things, he says, Hitler must seek to dominate the democracies. Unless America is alive to the danger and ready in a military sense, she will meet disaster.
 Thus MT. van Loon; and he &C., companies this exhortation with an extremely acute and penetrating analysis of Hitleris character and q resume of his rise to fame. His book is outspoken and imbas- stoned, and you will find it stim- ulating reading.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22

Hungary, but given to Rumania af- ter the World war. He is 8 Hun garian.
 o. What is the state flower of Oklahoma?
 A. Mistletoe.
 @. Is it compulsory for 6 post office to remain open for business on a legal holiday?
 A. Whether or not a post office is open for business on legal holiday is left to the discretion of the postmaster.
 @. Must a depositor have 5000 in an insured bank before his de- posit will be insured by the Fed eral Deposit Insurance corporation?
 A. Five thousand dollars is the insured limit for one depositor, but all amounts up to and including that sum are fully insured. @. Can Congress adjourn with out the approval of the Presi- dent?
 A. Yes; the constitution specifi- cally provides that a resolution to adjourn shall not be submitted to the President for approval.
 e. Please give 8 brief biography of Deanna Durbin.
 A. Born December {, 1922, in Winnepeg, Canada; parents Eng fish; introduced to the public in Eddie Cantor's broadcast in the autumn of 1886. Appeared in mo- ton pictures "Three Smart Girls, " "10O Men and Girl" Mad About Music" and "That Certain Age". Real name, Edna May Durbin. For complete biography, send stamped self addressed envelope to our Washington Service Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth street, Washington, D. C., and ask for the biography of "Deanna Durbin."
 If you want . copy of our book let, POPULAR ASTRONOMY" send to The Waterbury Democrats Wash ington Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth Street, Washington, D. c. Enclose 10 cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
Questions and
 Answers
ioasyEisht isss, FEA
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 EDITOR @. How many times has the United States Supreme Court had the case of Thomas J. Mooney un- der consideration?
 A. Four times; in 1918, 1884 and twice in 1888.
 @. Where was the author oi Triumph over Pain," Rene Fulop- Miller, born?
 A. In the Banat, then part oi
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
Daily Almanac

Moon sets 5:38 p. m.
 Sun rises 7:13 a. m.; sets 4:27 p. m.
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset.
 teresting. Not that 1t gives any idea of what the season will bring weatherwise, but you can look back at accomplishments or failures and resolve that with the change in the year something better will be done.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22


 these test questions? Turn to last page for the answers. 1. For what industry is Glasgow, Scotland, famous?
 2. On what bay is Newport, R. l.? 3. What is the title of the man who has charge of caddies at a golf club?
 4. What Is the name for a fe- male terrapin?
 5. What is q gendarine? 6. To whom was Ida Lupiflo, mo- vie actress, recently married? 2. How much Is the head tax on each alien immigrant admitted into this country?
 8. Under which government de- partment is the Bureau of Fisher ieS?
 g. Where is the island of Opara? 10. Has the U. s. ever issued g million dollar bill?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
IN TODAY'S MAIL

This newspaper responsible opinions its Anonymous communications unless accompanied with the writer's address not be accepted
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22

TODAY'S COMMON ERROR Do not say, 'T cannot come without I get well"; say, unless I get we'll"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-22
e unEw RmAnBow
aa RoBERT c AIKEN

Eden Would Quit ChomberIoin's Party If Gen. Franco Gets BeIigeront Rights; Foscists Would Win Quickly, and Duce Would Menace French in Mediterranean;
 France, U. s. Now Standing Together
 Against Britoin's Appeosenent Policy