davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
MAKR|S DAMAGE
 SUIT DISMISSED
Plaintiff Did Not Furnish Bond as Requested By
 High Court

The $25, 5,000 civil action of Charles Makris of this city against the American Chain Company was dis missed from superior court today when Judge Frank P. McEvoy en- tered a judgment of non-suit in fa' vor of the defendants.
 Non-suit was ordered after Judge McEvoy heard arguments on the claims of the defendants that the plaintiff had failed to file a bond of $75 for prosecution, as ordered by the court. The bond was ordered January 28, and was to have been filed on or before the day of trial
 Unable To Post Bond
 It was said that the plaintiff was unable to post the bond. Makris sought 5000 damages for alleged permanent injuries sustained while on an elevator at the defendants building on State street, December 6, 1895. The elevator is said to have caught his foot between its cage and the floor of the building, causing severe injuries. He was moving furniture into the HOLC of- fices at the time he was injured. The case had been assigned for spe- cial hearing today because of the numerous witnesses brought from out-of-state. Attorneys Michael V. Blansfield and Harry Albert ap- pealed for the plaintiff, with Attor- neys Edward Mascolo and James E. Mcknight for the defense.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
SCHOOL FIRE FEAR
 IN BRIDGEPORT

Bridgeport, Conn.,, Feb. 2-(UP)- Mayor Jasper McLevy today or dered thorough investigation into a general alarm fire which swept the Beardsley elementary school last night, causing destruction of $100.0OO.
 It was the second school building to be destroyed by fire within three weeks. Another blaze was discov- cred in the Harding high school a week ago but was extinguished be- fore 1t gained headway.
 SuSpecting incendiarism, state po- lice were called in to aid local au- thorities. All of the fires were in the east side of the city, within a radius of two miles. Each occurred at night.
 In the Beardsley school blaze three firemen were injured. Two of them were taken to a hospital.
 Police were informed by Marjorie Mellish, IA, high school freshman that she saw three boys running away from the building just before the alarm was sounded. She lived opposite the school.
 Last nights fire caused an acute classroom shortage in the city About 400 pupils of the Barnum school had been transferred te Beardsley. It was estimated today accommodations would have to be found for nearly 1000 pupils by doubling up on classes in other schools.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
MASS. HAS CLAIM
 INCREEN ESTATE

New Bedford, Mass, Feb. 2-(UP) The parade of witnesses to testify in the four-state fight for 8 $6,00O,- GOO inheritance tax on the estate of the late Colonel Edward H. R. Green resumed in county court today.
 The hearing before Federal Mas ter John s. Flannery was suspended after an hour yesterday to permit the legal staffs of Massachusetts, New York and Florida to inspect Greens 45-room round hill estate at nearby South Dartmouth.
 In Greens bedroom, untouched since his death IS months ago, were 10 clocks, electric pencil Sharpener and a trick matchbox. In the wine cellar they gazed at water-soaked labels of bottles that went over- board during prohibition.
 Principal witness at opening of the local hearing yesterday was William M. Emery, historian and free-lance writer, who testified that Green gave South Dartmouth, Mass" as his residence on applica- tions for membership in the sons of the American Revolution and the society of Colonial wars.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02

Today is Ground-Hog day. The tawny little prophet is supposed to slip out of his burrow, stretch, look around for his shadow and if he sees it, thar's six weeks bad weather dead ahead. But:
 February 2nd isn't really Ground Hog day. The day is Candlemas Day, a name given to 1t early in the Christian era. In a churchly sense 1t commemorates the presentation of the Christ child in the temple and the purifcation of the mother. But somehow the day got mixed with weather forecasting. A fair day and much winter to come and vice versa.
 The ground-hog isn't 8 ground hog. He's common woodchuck and too often confused with the Euro pean hedgehog.
 The ground-hog may come out of his Information anytime before, on, or after February 2. It all de- pends on how fat he Is, how cold how hungry. or the bad air in bis
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
RADIO EDITOR IS
 STILL ACCUSING

Lowell, Mass. Feb. 2+(UP)-In charging that Massacusetts legisla- tors could be bought for $100 down to a pound of tea," Radio Editor Leland c. Bickford believed today that he may have "overrated some of them"
 Bickford, whose graft charges led to sensational but fruitleSs state house hearings recently, addressed a crowded meeting of the Lowell Lions club last night. After as- sailing dog racing in Massachusetts, as a vicious racket" controlled by Rhode Island, New York and Chica- go racketeers, ne was asked:
 "Is senator worth pound of 8 tea?"
 q don't know" he replied. Some times I think I overrated some oi them"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
Ground Hog Disillusioned Winsted, But Skunk Didn t

day. Everybody was all excited like, and it seemed the day would never arrive. But 1t did.
 There were twenty of us. Some had cameras, others packed lunches and a few brought along their na- ture guide and pictures of the groundhog sos they'd know him when he came out. It was long hike, but determination of purpose is one of the unw-itten laws of the Puddletown Nature Lovers and Petunia club, and finally we got there. It was 8 beautiful day, and dawn was just breaking. And there before us was the hole I'd marked last fall. There was no doubt about it-that's the trouble. So we sat down and waited. Everybody had his eyes glued on the hole, but there was no sign of the grounding.
 "Well, I'd promised them . ground-hog and I wasn't going tc disappoint 'em. I got me a stick and told everybody to stand back while routed him out. And there they stood, cameras focused anC guide books opened, when he came For a minute we weren't sure-anC then we were positive. Last fal somebody told me the groundhoi was called arctomys monax. Blu what came out was a digitigade car nivorous qGHiruped of the geau mephitis-just plain skunk to you Now go away and let me finish thi job"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
WRONG DATE FOR OUR GROUND HOG Govt. Officials Say WhOs ever Picked Feb. 2 Made
 Big Mistake

Washington, Feb. 2-(UP)--Goy- ernment mammalogists solemnly de- clared today that no ground-hog has any business coming out of his hole now-least of all to look for his shadow.
 It is much too early in the year for any sensible ground-hog to end his winter nap, they said. A few ground-hog may suffer from tr- somnia and come up for breath of fresh air, they explained, but that's all.
 The experts scoffed at the super stition that when ground-hog sees his shadow Feb. 2 he goes back to bed and there will be six weeks more winter weather; that if he does not see his shadow. spring is here.
 Got His Dates Mixed
 Whoever picked February for ground-hog day must have gotten his dates mixed" the mammalogist- in-chief said. "On that day every sensible grounding is sleeping soundly in his underground burrow."
 The mammalogiStS admitted that some groundhogs may be out today, but not to look for shadows. Even if a ground-hog saw his shadow he couldn't recognize it, they said.
 The weather bureau was even more disdainful of the old supersti- tion. Officials declined to guess what the weather will be during the next six weeks and even said they didn't know where a nd-hog-if he should come out-would see his shadow and where he wouldn't. They said prospects were pretty good for shadows today in the south and east and not so good in the mid- dle west and northwest.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
Lieut.. John Leary To
 Get Ample Provision
troller Rowland Against Crippled Bremen Will Take Up Matter at Meeting This Afternoon

Fire commissioners, incensed over the treatment accorded Lieut.. John Leary by Controller Sherwood L.. Rowland, who has delayed payment even of the crippled fireman's pen sion," and the criticism given volume by the Republican organiza- ton newspapers of the Leary case as part of the smear attack on the administration, will go into action at their meeting today to settle the matter for all time, 1t was learned by The Democrat.
 May Go On Active Duty
 While Lieut.. Leary, vitally injured in line of duty on April l, 1927, has been made cause celebre by the withholding of all payments to him since the last of 1897, the fire board members are of the opinion that this may be help in the plan for readjustment of the situation. Be- cause the board is expected to have presented motion whereby Lieut.. Leary will be placed on the active list by board provision, assigned to special duties which would allow him, under the charter, full pay.
 Chairman Mccarthy Acts
 Chairman Thomas F. Mccarthy has concerned himself with the case of the injured fireman and, earlier this week, saw the corporation counsel for 8 ruling on what the board may do to provide Lieut.. Leary with the compensation which the commissioners feel he is en- titled to have, despite Controller Rowland,s first act in office which caused the fireman to join others on pensions, these yet unpaid after month has elapsed.
 May Issue Orders
 It is the plan to order Controller Rowland to pay Lieut.. Leary his full pay, retroactive to the first of the year, after the board has estab- lished the lieutenant's status as an active member of the department, assigned to special work. There is possibility that the board may
 (Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02

burrow or perhaps even on the ac- tivity of his endocrine glands.
 He may lack sugar and suffer a reduced blood count. As 8 matter of fact, science has found out that the woodchuck does not arouse himself until the later half of February, and often not un- til early March. The earliest date on record for his appearance is Feb ruary 2, and that was in North Carolina. Moreover, he may hiber- nate even in summer.
 Remove his pituitary glands and he'll sleep anytime.
 Finally, if the ground-hog were a ground-hog and he did come out February to see his shadow, you wouldn't know any more about the weather.
 So, disillusioning as it may be, if you look anywhere for weather dope today, better stick to that same lit- tie box the weatherman contributes, up in the left hand corner of this page.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
By WILLIAM D. CLARK

(OM1tCU xECSS 0SS1A NUHECSpUAAUCASI
 Winsted, Conn, Feb. 2.-(UP)- Where there should be gladness and exhilaration today in the hearts of the sturdy members of the Puddle Town Nature Lovers and Petunia club, there smouldered the bitter fires of delusion and distrust of mankind-and the ground-hog.
 And, if 1t hadn't been for ground hog day, Zephaniah Peabody. Win sted's famous Pied Piper, might still be a member in good standing of the Puddletown Nature Lovers and Petunia club and allowed to pleas urably pursue the innoculation of his singing mice with. the swing tempo of Benny Goodman. But Zephaniah had no ear today for mice or music, nor nasal apprecia- tion of nature.
 From the other side of the locked woodshed door, where came sounds of sloshing water and an odorifer- ous hint of his occupation, he ex- plained. 'Last fall the members of the Puddletown Nature Lovers and Petunia club decided they would find out for themselves whether the groundhog really came out of his burrow every Feb. 2 to forecast the weather. Being close to nature my self, I was chosen to find the bur- row, which did. I marked 1t and reported back to the club. Well, all winter we made plans for the big
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
TWO GOVERNORS
 WILL NOT AGREE
New Hampshire, Vermont Do Not Side With Mass.
 on Flood Control

Boston, Feb. 2.-(UP)-The gov- ernors of New Hampshire and Yer mont were aligned today against Governor Charles F. Hurley of Massachusetts in his qualified ap- proval of proposed compromise with the federal government on New England's flood control compacts.
 Connecticut's governor, Wilbur Cross, remained silent on his stand.
 Governor Francis P. Murphy of New Hampshire last night added his protest to that of Governor George D. Aiken of Vermont against the Brown -McC Cormack amendment, under which the federal government would assume all expenses of the flood control projects in the Con- necticut and Merrimack river val 'leys in exchange for any water power rights.
 Must Retain Power
 Murphy and Aiken insisted that the states retain power rights, as provided in the compacts.
 'T1he concessions which New Hampshire and Vermont are now asked to make, amount practically to a relinquishing of important at- tributes of statehood" Murphy said
 Hurley'S stand for the compromise (Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
Late Neus Bulletins
BOY DROWNS

Fairfield, Conn, Feb. 2 -UP)-While on his way to school with an older brother, Leonel Bouchard, 6, was killed by a train to- day as they took a short cut across the tracks. His body was hurled into Rooster ri- yer from which place it was recovered by the train crew and taken to the railroad station.
 Leonel's brother, Rean- auld, 9, was walking a short distance behind him when the fatality occurred.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
HOT, DRY SUMMER
 IS PREDICTION

Boston, Feb. 2-(UP)-New Eng flanders will swelter through an ex- tremely hot, dry summer, Meteorol- ogist E. B. Rideout of radio station WEEI predicted today as believers in legend awaited the groundhog's appearance to tell whether winter would continue another six weeks.
 Rideout, who claims a near-per- feet record for 1ong-range forecast ing in the past 10 years, expected a hot, dry spell to continue from late June to late August.
 He forecast cooler than normal, rainy weather in April, with clear skies and warmer than normal weather beginning in mid-May. In late June, he said, extremely dry weather will begin, possibly reaching drought proportions in mid-western states.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
ITALIANS WILL HOLD PROTEST CONFAB SUNDAY One of Largest Groups of Italian Residents Angry
 at Both Newspapers JOHN DE FASTING IS
 TO TAKE LEADERSHIP Radio Broadcast Expected in Near Future as an
 Appeal to Public

The Italian Brotherhood, one of Waterbury's largest and most representative or ganization of citizens of Ital- ian descent, will hold a special meeting Sunday for the purpose of adopting reso- lutions of protest on what they claim is the "preju- diced" and openly hostile" attitude of the Waterbury American and Waterbury Re- publican toward the Italian government and indirectly the Ital- ian people. President John Sforza will preside.
 The brotherhood will be followed shortly by the influential Italian SisteIhood and later by other units of the Italian Federation.
 John DePastino in Lead
 John DePastino, president of the Italian Federation and national commander of the American World War Veterans, has been ask
 (Continued on Page 4)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
PILOT ALIVE

Paris, Feb. 2-(UP)- The seaplane pilOted by Ma rio Stoppani, Italian avia- tor returning from Brazil on a round trip flight from Italy, crashed in the South Atlantic today, radio mes sages picked up here said.
 A German seaplane from the air mail catapult steam CT Westfalen reported it had found the Stoppani plane in flames and that only StOppani was alive of it's crew of three.
 Previous messages were received from Stoppani re- porting engine trouble and asking urgently for help. He reported he was turn ing back to Brazil.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
No Johnston Checks Found In Rowlands Office
J. Francis Smith Being Doomed
 For Lieut.. Gov. In Hartford Report

Hartford Conn, Feb 2-(UP-State capitol reported today the of Francis Smith, Waterbury chairman of the Democratic state central committee being mentioned
 connection with the nomination elections Gov T. Frank Hayes Waterbury mayo becoming owing revelations regarding conduct of the city controllers office during the administration sa the choice would be made from the Waterbury because political geographical conditions
 Smith, member of the wing controlling the Democratic party in Connecticut never has held political office He brother of Smith allied with Francis Maloney National Committeeman Fitzgerald Smith had the favor of Senator aoney for the nomination Gov Wilbur L. Cross did not enOmnatiOn The understood fifth this
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
MRS. HERRICH
 DENIES CHARGE

Washington, Feb. 2 - (UP) = Mrs. Fillmore M. Herrick, New York regional director of the National Labor Relations Board, appeared be- fore the Senate commerce commit tee today to deny charges of collab- orating with Communists and falSi- flying labor board elections.
 Mrs. Herrick requested permission to appear before the committee, which is Investigating maritime labor conditions to answer accusa- tions made last week by Paul Schar- renbberg, secretary of the Interna- tional Seamen's Union, an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
HOOVER ADDED
 TO COMMITTEE
Asked to Be Honorary Chairman He Declined
 to Accept Offer

Washington, Feb. 2.-(UP)-The Republican national committee add ed former President Herbert Hoover to its recently formed committee on program today and announced the names of 72 other new members.
 Mir, Hoover had been asked to serve as honorary chairman but in a telegram to the committee Jan. 5 he said he preferred to be merely a member. At the same time Ali M. Landon, 1886 G. O. P. standard bearer rsplied that he would be unable to serve in any capacity. Landon's running mate, Frank Knox, of Chicago, also declined the honorary chairmanship, explaining that as 8 newspaper editor he would be actively discussing the sub- jects which would be before the committee. On the list published today was the name Of Charles G. Dawes, former vice-president, who had declined the chairmanShip in preference to a place as 8 delegate from Illinois.
 Committee Member
 Members of the committee, head ed by Dr. Glenn Frank, former president of the University of Wis consin, not previously announced include: Charles E. Adams, Boston; Miss Sibyl H. Holmes, Brookline. Mass: Mrs. Herman M. Hubbard, Old Lyme, Conn; Everett Kimball, Northampton, Mass; James Lukens McConaughy, Middletown, Conn; Daniel MacLean, Jamaica Plains. Mass; Ralph Mahar, Orange, Mass. Joseph s. Mitchell, Boston: Miss Rachel Morse, Taunton, Mass; Miss Katherine Vose Parker, South Lan- caster, Mass; Mrs. Niles~C. Pink ham, Fort Kent Omea; Roscoe Pound, Watertown, Mass. F. Ardine Richardson, Strong, Me; Charles F. Sprague, Lynn, Mass; John w.. Sweeney, West Kingston, R. I.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
Spain, Not Italy,
 Used Submarine

Berlin, Feb. D. UP)-The newspaper Voelkischer Beo- bachter, organ of the Nazi party, attributed to the lOyalist Spanish government today the sinking of the British mer- chantman Endymion by a sub marine off the east coast of Spain.
 Red Spanish Pirates Again Active" said the headline over an article which asserted: "The Spanish bolshevistS have has, tened to create the impression that the torpedo attack on the Endymion was perpetrated by the nationalists. The London Press, as in earlier cases, has uncritically adopted this ver- Sion."
 The Tageblatt described charges of the Spanish em- bassy at London that Italy was aiding the nationalistS as "im- pudent" and added: Com ments lately published in the press of western countries seem to have encouraged the Valen- clans (loyalists) again to try a game by which they have al- ready caused the gravest ten sion in Europe"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02

l. Controller Rowland was asked for all records showing payments to MT. Johnston.
 2. MT. Purcell remarked that ths reporter from The Democrat should know that these records are miss ing"
 3. Asked where the information" derived for the publicity attack featuring these items, MT. Purcell said: I don't know where they (the Republican American newspapers get them"
 4. The controller backed up the contention of MT. Purcell that "a1l checks drawn to Edward G. Levy" were produced for scrutiny by The Democrat reporter. (There was one check, showing a payment of $8,631 in June, 1932). 5. As in the Levy matter, proof of the charges made concerning payments to MT. Johnston was not (Continued on Page D
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02

Willimantic, Conn, Feb. 2.-CUP) Funeral services will be held Thursday for Fred Hennin, 53, we'll known retired actor, who died late yesterday at Windham Community hospital. Henning appeared with Blanche Bates in 'The Girl of the Golden West" and with Mrs. Leslie Garter in "Zaza" and "Dubarry."
 Born at Aastoria, L. l., he leaves his widow and son.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
United States Not To Join Foreign Pouers
Admiral William D. Leahy Makes It Very Clear; Appropriations Asked for Increased Navy
 Are for Home Defenses Alone
By JOHN R. REAL United Press Staff Correspondent)

United Press Stan COrrespondent)
 Washington, Feb. 2(UP)-Ad- miral William D. Leahy, chief of naval operations, said today that the U. s. navy has no plans to join any foreign power in the event of war.
 Leahy, submitting to questioning for the third day before the house naval affairs committee in connec- ton with the VinSon bill increasing the navy's potential fighting strength 20 per cent, was led into 8 series of statements bearing on charges made in the senate yesterday rela- tive to American foreign policy.
 No Policing of World
 'Is there any intention" asked Chairman Carl Vinson, Democrat, Georgia, ito join the British and French navies in policing the world?"
 '"rhat is incorrect" replied Leahy. This program is justified by the need to provide naval strength in approximately the same proportion as in the London naval treaty the so-called 5-5-3 ratio"
 Joins No Foreign Power
 The same question was repeated soon afterward by Rep. Melvin J.
 (Continued on Page 4
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
OVERSTUDY IS
 CAUSE OF DEATH

Cambridge. Mass, Feb. 2-(UP)- OverStudy was blamed by police to- day for the suicide of John T. Hig- gins, 26, graduate student at Har- yard Law School and son of for mer governor of Rhode Island.
 Higgins body was found hanging by a necktie from wall bed in his Ambassador Apartment Hotel room by a chambermaid yesterday. His father, the late James Higgins, who became governor at 29 and served 1907-1909, was Rhode Islands youngest chief executive.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
EXPLOSION CAUSED FIRE

Boston, Feb. 2E(UP) Two ex- plosions followed by fire in the Eliot Hardware Company's dock . square store caused $2O,O0O damage and threatened the market district early today. Bremen responding to three alarms prevented the flames from spreading to other stores and off ces in the f1re-story brick building,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
JAP EXHIBITS BANNED

Pittsfield, Mass, Feb. 2CUP)-- Japanese exhibits were banned to- day at the Berkshire Museum. In announcing the ban, Director Laura M. Gragg said she has joined a committee for a boycott against the Japanese aggression and has dis carded her silk stockings.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
Purcell Admits. Such Records
 Were Missing
Asked Where Publicity Attackers Got News; He Didn't Know; Rowland
 Backs Democrat on Levy

Payments to John J. Johnston of New York, charged by the publicity staff of Controller Sherwood L. Rowland amounting to $8 0O0 in four year failed of proof to- day in the office of the controller After conferrng with Controller Rowland Purcell accountant, informed The Democrat that "there checks showing pay ments." The reporter from The Democrat had sought to the public records yesterday afternoon but was requested to return today Here's what happened
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02
TREASURY BALANCE

Washington, Feb. 2-(UP)-Gov- ernment expenses and receipts for the current fiscal year through Jan. 31st, compared with a year ago: This Year Expenses Last Year $4,3S8,643,312.67 $4,1S7, 7,S90.S71.31s
 Receipts $S,510,s22,7S3.12 $2,442,1s1,s ,ss2.s4
 Deficit
 $S77.72o.52s.55 EMBARRASSMENT s2,s4s.5sO.o .oss.ss si.S25.725.sss.ss
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-02

(Continued on Page A