davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Not a Spectacle or Circus

Waterbury's well-publicized trials will start next week. City officials and others will answer charges of conspirlng to de- fraud the city. Their day in court is long overdue, but the wheels of law grind slowly. Much has been said in this city and elsewhere about the guilt of the lndl- vidualS concerned No one seems to be- lieve that there is any doubt but what every one of those indicted by the grand jury report is guilty to the nth degree of all crimes possible.
 Once the trial begins here Tuesday we may learn just what the defendants have to say for themselves We don't think that any one of them should be tried until the court has done so regardless of any and all evidence. The Democrat has tried to present the startling news of the grand jury reports and the resulting implica- tions in as impartial light as possible. We were more than pleased to note, too, that in some instances the press of the state shared this viewpoint.
 But there were also clear indications that editors had already found the de- fendants guilty of many crimes. All sorts of criticism was hurled at them, perhaps deserved, but certainly not conducive to proper formulation of public opinion. There will be considerable interest man. ifeSt in the trial and The Democrat will continue to report the same as it would any other court proceeding where so much is at stake. We propose, though, to remain as strictly impersonal as a hometown paper can be when its public officials and others are on trial charged with offenSeS of such serious nature.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Lynchings and Pogroms

Indignant criticism of recent acts of the Hitler government by Americans resulted in broadSide of vituperation from the controlled Nazi press and gov ernment officials They referred partic- ularly to American lynchings and other violent crimes of which we have occas- ionally been guilty, but which have now been greatly reduced The Nazi spokeS- men thus accuse us of being the pot that calls the kettle black, and seem to feel that they are thereby justifying their prosecutions. But it isn't so simple as that, by any means.
 An American newspaper writer, Will lam F. McDermott, clarifies the situation by reminding our Nazi critics of these facts: Imperfect as our government may be, it has never encouraged such lawlessness or based it's national policies on framework of prejudice and perSe- cution Passionate and undisciplined as our people may be, they do not attack, mistreat and terrorize great group of fellow-citizens, or plunder and destroy property, simply because they are mem- bers of the race to which they were born.
 Neither our government nor our peo- rle try to justify arson, theft, violence, hatred and brutality as symptoms of national strength and evidence of super for culture"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Good Enough" Label

Somewhat overlooked in the shuffle of political events after the recent elec- ton was the statement from Mayor Jasper McLevy of Bridgeport that the has no intention of dropping the Socialist label the next time he runs for public office. Commenting on this he said, "The Socialist party label has been good enough for me for 35 years and so far as l am concerned it is still good enough. :" The only solace that practical politicians may take from this is the fact that "the Great Jasper" won't be running on either a Democratic or Republican ticket unless he is endorsed for some office.
 Personally we don't imagine that it would have made any difference what the name of the McLevy party was this past fall. He would have received just as many votes. But had he run for governor on the Socialist ticket week from Novem- Der 8, we don't think that even this party label would have been sufficient to have Swelled his total to point far beyond 100000 votes. It only took the Connec- ticut electorate about week to realize what it had done when it voted Wilbur L. Cross out of office.
 The reaction has been setting in ever since. And it's no reflection on the merits of Governor-Elect Raymond E. Baldwin nor case of sour grapes to hold an opin- ion that many voters of those forming the protest" group are not pleased with what they contrived to produce in this state. As it turned out, however, it may be the remaking of both major political parties in the state. In the Democratic defeat there may be lesson that will prove profitable to Republicans who actu- ally won as minority party and the Democrats who lost as majority group.
 Incidentally the coming two years will show if they learned the lesson and if they didn't then the McLevy spectre in 194O will be just as foreboding as it was this past month.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Forest Fires

The forest fire which has been raging through part of northern Minnesota and an adjacent area in Canada, and which has taken many lives, means tragedy and loss to the people there and reveals again the destructive power of such conflagra- tons. It is terrible object lesson in the need of preventing fires and improved means of detecting and fighting them.
 Tn 1886, when, because of drought, Sev- eral states suffered an unusual number of forest fires, the total loss was kept down. With one-fifth more fires than the average over five-year period, the burned area amounted to only half of the yearly average for the same period In 1887, total fire losses in national forests again were low, although there were seri- ous individual fires.
 Tn both those years great progress was made in protecting forests and the com munities in and near them. Airplanes are now used for dropping chemicals on fires. There are more emergency fire fighting units, fire trails and fire barriers isf strategic places. Fire hazards are more accurately estimated in advance. Men iii CCC camps and on WPA projects have done much of this work, to the gen.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Press Comment
STATE FINANCING (New Haven Journal Courier)

Connecticut funds heavy total of floating indebtedness arising from operations of its general treasury fund; that ordinarily, is not at all a comforting process, but 1t may be said this time that certain comforts appear. For 1t is not usual that goy- ernments proceeding to bond have prepared. already, f1rmer disciple of their financial business, That happens to be true of Connecticut. As we move into the money market to get funds making up for funds we have not collected in revenue, we are better prepared than ever to curb extravagance-gi the will
 The fiscal reorganization of the state has given us this advantage.
 As the Governor explains the is- sue, it's proceeds will be divided be- tween funding the debt and the construction program authorized by the legislature. Of course the strongest guidance will be required to keep the building program within the limits of reasonable economy. In ordinary expenditures for oper- ating and maintaining general de- partnients, the department of com- merce has just put the Connecticut figure at about $23.40 per capita as against $l6.67 in l032. Here, again, the controls provided the new bud- get system will be called into steady play. MT. Baldwin will find this among his first responsibilities.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

Why try to figure out New England
 weather? It just can't be done. Here we
 were all set for an open winter up until
 Christmas and 10 and behold we get a white Thanksgiving, something unusual in this day and age, but quite common in lures and also by the comments of those who like to talk about the good old days. Personally we don't ever recall in this cen- tury Thanksgiving that produced as heavy snowfall as that of this week. Maybe somebody else can, but this mem- ory fails to produce a single twinge that
 would indicate we wallowed in snowdrifts comparable to those that blocked most garage doors Friday morning By next Thursday the ground may be bare again. That's the way of it in southern New England One minute you're prepared for a siege of cold weather; the next zephyrs are knocking at your back door.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
In New York
BY GEORGE ROSS

New York, Nov. 26 = With little fanfare, Maestro Arturo Toscanini has found relaxation at several night clubs. He prefers the large, noisy places on Broadway where he is less likely to be conspicuous amidst the throngs. Reservations for the Macs tro are made hours in advance. Of course, menials at the racy Rialto cafes are vague about the maestro's supreme place in the mu- sic world. The other day, a damsel at Broadway cabaret took re- quest over the phone for table to be reserved. What's the name?" she mechanically inquired. 'Tosca- mini, was the reply. Arturo Tosca- mini"
 The young lady reflected over this while, "Oh, that's the band leader!" she concluded. Don't wor- ", there1l be nice table"
 Tralagram
 Silly, but anyway, Tin Pan Alley acquaintance called Western Union and asked the girl to take down a telegram. ''The message" he said, "is "Trala, trala, trala, trala, trala, trala, trala, trala, trala'," Western Union obediently took it down, read the message back and asked if it was right. That's right" the denizen of song alley said. The girl at w. U. then said that the message had nine words and the | same rate would be applied If a l.tenth were added. The man said he couldn't think of anything else. "Why not add another 'Trala'?" sug- gested w. U. "Oh, no," said the man, that would make it sound silly" Manhattan Danger
 This is the time of year when the soapbox Demosthenes of Columbus Circle clothe themselves in warmer garb and their nondescript hearers huddle in their topcoats. For the evenings have grown colder and the Circle is an, open playground for the Four Winds. But the little White Fathers of this metropolis don't trust the citizenry against the ele- ments. For on gate that fences in the fountain below the statue of Christopher Columbus is conspic- uous notice, reading: BATHING FORBIDDENl" Apparently, one never knows when New Yorker, fortified by the winter cold, will strip off his clothing, dive in and take a dip on Columbus Circle.
 Mars Boy
 If ever man made retribution for malefactions of his youth, Orson Welles is making his. That Martian night is one in his life he never will live down. Meanwhile, his corre- spondence continues to include com- plaints from listeners who claim I financial losses on his account. Financial losses incurred by long, distance calls they made to ascer- tain the exact time of the end of the world and for other minor dam. ages sustained.
 Welles at first answered these let. ters with his personal checks for the amounts they spent. He might still be doing it. Is it of any signi- 1 finance, that after that immortal broadcast, Welles raised a little moustache which prortrudes mod estly from his upper lip2
 N
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Selected Poem
BRING BACK THOSE HAPPY DAYS

(By Herbert Durrell Smart, Nashua, N. H, 1888,
 in the Boston Post) Bring back those happy days again,
 With the children playing round the door Of the little white cottage in the lane. Where the roses bloomed in days of yore. Let me hear that little dog of mine
 Barking meath the kitchen window sill; Let me once more see where used to be The path down by the old grist mil Gone forever are the good old days,
 Pals of long ago have passed away; The old-time hauntS are. lonely now, Gone is the gang of yesterday. Let me wander once more, ere my days are OCT, Down through memory's unforgetten dell, And in fancy live again bygone days, With boyhood pals we knew so well. Bring back those happy days again,
 With the tang of the wildwood in the air, When in fancy the vanished shadows hid, And the sunshine always fingered there. Far down the echoless aisle of time,
 Where fond and hallowed memory stays Frequented by ghosts of the past
 Are the haunts we knew in boyhood days.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Current Comment

When 1t takes a bushel of wheaA to buy two loaves of bread, it is obvious we have not solved the farm problem.
 Senator Wheeler of Montana. Many of the elements of fear that always prolong recesSionS have been removed from the world today. The European war scare seems to be the last barrier removed. HI. J. Klingler, Detroit automobile executive.
 The money was too slow com. ing. -Francis Spaulding, prospective heir to $350.000 fortune, ex~ blaming to Los Angeles judge
 why he stole $40. I guess my principal objection is that being the son of president D more of a handicap than a help. Elliott Roosevelt, expressing the
 hope that his father would nos
 seek third term.
 I'm glad it happened. It was a demonstration of what is wrong with democracy. Mrs. Adam Kunze. of New Mil- ford, N. J., at whose home 2 German American Volksbund ] meeting was broken up.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

All sorts of comment is heard about the fact that the 25-mile-per-hour speed limit failed to work in Meriden. As a matter of fact the Meriden law was diff ferent than the ones invoked in other Connecticut communities. The law con- flicted with state statutes in that costs and fines in violations weren't turned over to the state, but diverted to the city treasury. We'd like to see the statistics in a city like New Haven for the period in which the low speed law has been in force. Comparisons may not mean much, but often act as balm to ruffled feelings.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Indian LOUgrS
Ernest Thompson Seton Proposes Government Give Sioux Tribe Back Its Old Hunting Grounds in South Dakota, Nebraska,
 Montana Wyoming.
Montana, Wyoming.
New York Herald Tribune

"No Indian ever lived that loved the white men-and no white man that ever lived loved the Indian."- From the measured wisdom of Chief Sitting Bull of the Hunkpapa Sioux.
 Of course, old Sitting Bull, war rior, statesman and potent medicine man, who was cruelty betrayed and murdered, was mistaken. He may have been right in the first part of his judgment, but of the white men who love Indians we have many examples. Indeed, it appears that when a paleface, man or woman, really takes up Indians in a big way there is no love quite like it. The discovery is made that they are in every way superior to the whites physically, ethically and spiritually. They may not always
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

be very bright, according to our standards, and it is still a good idea to keep them away from firewater, but that mysterious, breeding wis., dom, that otherworldness, that deep something which defies analysis, that impenetrable stoicisn, that sense of quiet power, that learning which does not come from books, that kinship with the birds and the beasts! Not love Indiansss Why, America is full of persons who dote on Indians. They range from bur- eaucrats in Washington to such able women as Mabel Dodge Luhan, of Taos, who has spoken in dithyram- bic prose of her monumental Tony, in whom she discovered marvellous traits not readily discernible to the casual observer.
 Now comes MT. Ernest Thompson Seton, the seventy-eight-year old Indian fan, with the suggestion that the government give back to- the Sioux tribe its old buffalo hunting grounds, consisting of South Dako- ta, Nebraska and the eastern parts of Montana and Wyoming.
 Other tribes, such as the Chey- enneS and the Mandans, and pos- Sibly the remaining Blackfeet and Crow, might be allowed to come in. MT. Seton is right when he say; the farmers have not been doing so well in that area. He would put fences about the larger cities, es- pecially Omaha, to keep the bison from roaming the streets. He says that the other Indians, particular ly the desert Indians, who have be- come expert in weaving, pottery and other crafts, are able to support themselves on reservations, but thta the problam of the plains Indian is different.
 And yet it is extremely doubtful that even the noble Sioux, descend ants of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Gall, Touchy Loins, Old Bull and that long list of tribal heroes; would take kindly to a program which would have them cavorting over the limitleSs plains after the buffalo. They are already pretty far gone ir- the ways of the white man, and l is rather late to turn the clock al the way back. Moreover. in a sens, they are not doing so badly.
 Their birth rate is higher than that of any other population group in the country, and there are more Indians in the United States today that there were in 1900. And why give them buffalo, except to pro- vide picturesqueness Good Here. ford steers furnish better meat.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

tiOn between Shanghai and Nagasaki.
 "The Japanese army cannot live without supplies. Chiang Kai-shek is putting up an ex- celIent fight. Within three months at the most, probably even two, Japan will be broken economically.
 we tell the Japanese, We are going to blockade you until you get out ee China. I can guarantee that we will not lose more than two ships"
 State Department Caution
 Admiral Leahy's strategy car- ried weight with the President; also with the British. They act- ually sent word that 16 ships were ready to sail. But it did not car- ry with the State Department. Public opinion would be critical, its officials argued. The United States should wait until newspa- per sentiment crystalized in favor of more drastic action in the Far East.
 we must wait for the next incident" one high State De- partment official told 8 cOnfi- dential board of strategy.
 "DO yOu think the Japanese are fools enough to give you an- other incident?" snapped one of the Admirals.
 The Japanese were not. They presented an apology which fell far short of Roosevelt's demand for a guarantee from the Emper- or. It was accepted, and in the eyes of Europe Japan came out victorious.
 Odds Against U. s.
 Japan needed no more incidents at that time, and today an inci- dent would find the United States in Q difficult position. For no longer can we blockade Japan. Today Japan is the conqueror of one of the richest nations in the world, has at her disposal untold raw materials. A blockade is ef- fective only if access to essential supplies can be curtailed. Today Japan has those supplies.
 TODAY, furthermore, the Chin- csc army is fighting with its back to the wall, could give little sup- port to the United States. Today the British Empire is afraid of its own shadow when it comes to the dictators of Europe.
 TODAY, finally, naval strate- gists admit that the American fleet would be up against great odds should it come anywhere near Japanese waters.
 So historians of the future may chalk up the hesitation over the Panay as one of the most impor- tant milestones in Japan's con- test.
 Chinese cotton produc- ton in North China, despite war, more than doubled this year un- der the Japanese plan of making herself independent of American cotton.
 Copyright, 1888. by United Fea-
 ture Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

The Metropolitan District of Hartford has decided to name it's big new dam up in the Barkhamstead hills Saville Dam in honor of Caleb M Saville. He is head of the Metropolitan Districts water board and has been most active in the creation of this great reservoir. Work on the dam is progressing rapidly and pistures show much accomplished. Inci- dentally the dam will be the largest in the state.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Questions and
 Answers
By Frederick M. Kerby

Enclose 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 Q. Did Edith Fellows sing in the recent picture, Little Miss Roughneck," or was 8 double used for the voice?
 A. She sang.
 Q. What is the average amount of schooling that youths in the Civilian Conservation Corps have had before they enlisted?
 A. A survey in 1897 showed that 84 per cent had not completed high school and A per cent had not com- pleted grammar school.
 @. I have some business to trans act with the Railroad Retirement Board in Washington. During what hours is the office open?
 A. Week days, except Saturday. 9 a. m. to 4:30 p. rn.; Saturdays, g 8. m. to l p. m.
 @. Which make of automobile was first equipped with four wheel brakes?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

1. Name the softest and most malleable of the common metals.
 3. What instrument accurately records altitude flights of aircraft? 3. Where is the u-Darya river? {. Name the chairman of the National Foreign Trade Council.
 5. Tn liquid measure. how many fluid drams are in one pint?
 6. Where is Old Faithful Geyser? T. What is the name of the small reptile that can change its color?
 8. Who was Johannes Brahms?
 g. In what year was the Panama Canal officially opened for corl- merce?
 10. Name the capital of the Sul- tanate of Morocco.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
TODAY'S COMMON ERROR Metamorphosis is pronounced met-a-mor'- -fo-sis; not met amor fO'-SiS.

A. The Italian Isotta Fraschini in 1909. The first American car was the Duesenberg in 1920. @. Does the President have authority to close the New York Stock Exchange? A. Under the terms of the Se- curities Exchange Act, the Securi- ties and Exchange Commission may, with the approval of the President, close any registered stock exchange for a period of not more than 90 days.
 o. Which three cities in the U. S., have the largest foreign-born Czechoslovak population? A. The figures in the last census (193O are: Chicago, 48,814: New York, 35,318: Cleveland, 34,695.
 Q. Who composed the song, I'm Tying the Leaves So They Won't Come Down? A. It is a minstrel song, by Hunt ington, Roden and Helf, and was published in 1907. e. Did Don Castle, who played the role of Frank Thayer" in "Rich Man, Poor Girl". also appear in Love Finds Andy Hardy2" A. Yes: he played the role of Dennis Hunt.
 If you want 2 copy of our booklet, CANDY MAKING" write to The Waterbury Democrats Washington Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth Street, Washington, D. c. Enclose 10 cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
Daily Almanac

Moon sets 8:42 p. m.
 Sun rises 6:52 a. m; sets 4:27 p. m.
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset. landscape Drab hillsides sparkle and gleam with their new blankets Winters garb is a simple one, but in its first coat 1t is magnii- gently beautiful.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

Christmas will be here before you know it. Once Thanksgiving is past, the great season is only step away. And then the first of a new year and the long pull to spring. From January to April = always seemed the longest period of the year to this writer. Of course with all our modern attractions and conveniences the seasons roll along pretty rapidly today.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

eral public benefit. Probably we can never entirely eliminate forest fires, but their severity can be reduced, their extent controlled, their destruction held down to
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

If Japan won't stand for the open door in China, how about a revolving door?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

The first pick-a-back airplaning was big sister riding the baby around.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
A Thought for Today

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from yOu.-James 4:7.
 
 Strength alone knows conflict: weakness is below even defeat, and is born vanquished.-- Swetchine.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

Yes, incomes look pretty small in the South, until you look east and west across the sea.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26

WASHINGTON, November 26 - Now that Japan has swept down the entire length of China in her drive to annex empire, significant piece of hitherto untold history can be written.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-11-26
u. s. Missed Chonce to Stop Jopon's Conquest When Ponoy Was Attacked; Now Knew in Advance Incident" Was Planned to Test Public Opinion;
 British Were Ready to Force Blockade,
 But Japan Won Diplomatic Victory
BY DREW RRAReQll
am4 k0D 8E & ALAkN

EDITORs article in the special series foreign affairs by Drew Pearson and Robert S. Amen