davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-01-23
Citizens Committee
To Renew SuIes Tux Fiaht

The Citizens Committee for Fair
Taxation will resume its campaign
Of opposition to a proposed sales
tax for the District with a radio
program over VOL tonight at tbs
o'clock. Donald E. Montgomery,
consumers counsel of the A. A. A.,
will be the speaker.
The committee, representing %
labor, civic and consumer groups,
will be reorganized and enlarged
at a meeting to be held at the
Y. w. c. A. Wednesday at 8 pm,
Mrs. John Boyle, jr., president of
the group, announced today. There
will be a concerted campaign this
year for progressive income tax
instead of the proposed sales tax,
Mrs. Boyle said.
Evening star., 1939-01-23

has won for him a place in the
affection of the American sport
loving community well nigh unique
among the great figures of our ma
tional athletics. - A great figure,
deserving Of admiration"
Born in Kansas.
1t is hardly necessary to 60 into
Mr.. Johnson's background for the
full glare of publicity's great spot
light has been turned upon every
detail of his career.
The former big league star, who
moved to Alta Vista in Montgomery
County in 1925, purchased a 45o-
acre farm near Germantown, moved
there on his retirement from base
ball and has since operated his
farm successfully. He also has
served as sales manager for Wash
ington soft drink firm In recent
years.
Signal honors have been accorded
him since he left the diamond.
Several years ago he was chosen
for place In baseball's hall of
fame, while two rousing testimonial
dinners have been given him by ad-
mirers in Washington, one of which
was on the occasion of his 50tn
birthday anniversary.
His wife, the former Miss Hazel
Lee Roberts, died in 1880. He mas
five children, Walter, jr., a sandlot
pitching star who once was given q
tryout by the Philadelphia Ath-
letics; Edward, a baseball and. bas-
ketball luminary at the University
of Maryland; Robert, Barbara and
Caroline.
Mr.. johnson loves fox hunting
and raising chickens and spends a
great deal of time at both.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
Giant Rig Erected
To Drive Piles for
Jefferson Memorial
Work on Foundation at
Tidal Busin Site
Begins Tomorrow

Erection Of a giant type Of rig
new to Washington was completed
today at the Thomas Jefferson
Memorial site at the Tidal Basin in
preparation for the start of driving
nearly Z miles of cast concrete piles
beginning tomorrow.
The rig stands 100 feet high and
will permit the assembly in hori-
zontal position of the complete forms
for the piles. These forms. Of sheet
steel, will be raised to vertical posi-
ton in the new rig and driven to
bedrock, between 80 and 80 feet be-
meath ground level.
Steel cylinders for the foundation
piles have begun to arrive on the
job in large quantities and the pile
driving operation will be carried on
continuously with three shifts of
workers on the Job.
Use of the new rig is expected to
materially speed driving of the piles.
In past operations involving the
driving of sheet metal shells for
concrete piles the forms have been
driven in sections, the hammer being
raised each time to permit addition
of a new section of the form. The
use of the, new rig makes it possible
to drive d 90-foot shell in a single
operation.
The foundation work is to cost
1894 900, and is being carried on by
the Raymond Concrete Pile Co. of
New York under a contract awarded
by the National Park Service, con-
struction agency for the Federal
Government and the Thomas Jeffer-
son Memorial Commission.
Specifications now are being COM
pleted for the superstructure of the
$1,000 900 memorial and separate
contract or contracts will be awarded
in time to permit carrying on the
work above ground as soon as the
sinking of piles and caissons and
Gaping" of the foundation is COM
pleted.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
Archbishop to Speak
At Retreats Bunquet

The League Of Laymen's Retreats
will have the Most Rev. Michael j.
Curley, Archbishop of Baltimore, as
the guest Of honor tonight at q
banquet celebrating the leagues sill
yer Jubilee. The banquet opens at
the Mayfower at Z o'clock.
Senator James M. Mead, Demo-
crat, of New York, will be the chief
speaker. James B. Flynn, District
lawyer, is toastmaster. DR.. M.
DARCY Magee, president Of the
Washington section Of the league,
is chairman Of the committee ar
ranging the banquet.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
700 Legionnoires
Attend OYSTER Roust

Legionnaires from the District,
Maryland and Virginia joined yes
terday in an oyster roast and bar
becue held by the District Forty
and Eight at the Potomac Boat
Club. More than TOO attended.
There was dancing during the
afternoon, with a program of en-
tertainment by members of the
Legion fun-making organization.
c. c. Schroth, grand chef de guerre
Of the District Forty and Eight,
was master of ceremonies.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
BY JACK ALLEN.

Walter Perry johnson, who pre-
fers farming to politics but is more
widely recognized as the greatest
pitcher in baseball than as either
a farmer or politician, literally was
forced into becoming a Montgom-
cry County commissioner.
He remained in Washington until
two hours before the deadline for
filing certificates of candidacy for
the fall elections, hopeful that Re-
publican leaders who for days had
trailed him with pleas that he run
for Office would finally give up and
nominate some one else for the job.
Mr.. johnson did not figure on the
perseverance or the persuasiveness
of his party chieftains. however, for
they tackled him again when he re-
turned to his farm, near German
town, Md, and this time talked him
into entering the second district
commissionership race.
He rushed to Rockville, presented
his certificate just 10 minutes before
the election supervisors Office closed,
won the primary contest from James
M. Mount and then defeated the
Democratic incumbent, Commis-
sioner Clay Plummer, in the general
election two months later.
Only Republican Elected.
That he was the lone Republican
elected In Montgomery this fall
doubtless can be traced to the tre-
mendous personal popularity he at
tanned as a major league baseball
star.
During the 81 years he pitched
for the Washington team he was
respected and admired by millions
as an outstanding athlete, gentle
man and a good citizen.
Barney" as he is better known
to fans the country over, often has
been pointed out as living ex-
ample of the spirit of loyalty and
devotion to duty, and although he
retired from competition II years
ago he still is held up as a model
of clean living, fidelity and straight
forwardness for the youth of Amer
lea to follow.
The late President Calvin Cool
idge once said of him that he was
mot only an admirable athlete, but
always a gentleman and a good
citizen. This combination Of parts
Evening star., 1939-01-23
Cafeteria Signs
Contract With Union

United Cafeteria Employees Local
No. All, q c. I. o. affiliate, has signed
contract with the Chamberlin
Cafeteria, 819 Fifteenth street NV,
Jack Mink, agent for the local, an
nounced today.
The contract, according to the
agent, provides for wage increases
for the 10 empolyes, averaging 10
per cent: a weeks vacation with pay,
paid holidays and . preferential
union shop.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
Boiler Contract Awarded

Secretary Of the Navy Swanson
awarded today y contract for OIL
fired boilers and appurtenances for
the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor.
Hawaii, to the Industrial Piping
& Engineering Co., Baltimore, Nd,
The bid was $2o7 $50.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
PIuy Set for Wednesday

The Federal Employees Playhouse.
sponsored by the Department OF
Agriculture branch of the National
Federation Of Federal Employees, will
present its next performance We'd
nesday at 8 pm. in the Agriculture
auditorium. The public Is invited.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
Judge Coyton to Speak

Judge Nathan Cayton of the Dis
trict Municipal Court will explain
the functions of the Small Claims
Court at luncheon meeting of the
Monarch Club Wednesday, at 1915
pm, at the Willard Hotel, w. H.
Hargrave, club secretary, announced.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
Civiton Club to Meet

"The First Century in Baseball"
new American League baseball hlm,,
will be shown at the weekly lunch
con meeting Of the Civitan Club by
Bill Werber, Red Sox star, tomorrow
at 12:15 In the Maydower Hotel.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
Boby Found Dead

Robert McKillen, 6-week-old son
Of Mr.. .and Mrs. H. Neil McKillen
Of 2618 Thirteenth street NV, was
found dead yesterday morning In
his crib.
Evening star., 1939-01-23
Walter Johnson, Pitching Idol,
Tried to Escape Office.
Finally Persuaded,
He Filed Minutes
Before DeudIine

J This Is one OF a--series OF
sketches on netDly elected Off,
ctdls OF nearby Maryland and
Virginia. Another toiu appear
tomorrow.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26
White Seeking Assessment Reduction Charges Culhan

them, and then Tell audiences 81
foreign nationality that people win
be deprived Of their votes under
the city manager plan because
there Is provision In that charter
which safeguards honest yotefN
from having doaters vote Tor
them:
II am referring to the provision
which says that, in case Of doubt
Of the identity of q voter, he ar
she may be required to sign e
card, which would be compared
with card previously signed BY
the voter in the registrars ONCE.
You and I know,-and all the cifi-
zens know,-that this Is mighty
good thing to have in the charter.
for we can all remember the dis
closures made Just about q year
ago in regard to how many dead
persons, and persons from vacant
lots, and other ineligibleS were on
the voters lists!
"You remember how corrupt our
elections were with respect to re-
peaters at the polls, and ghost vOt-
ing! 1t was an insult to q respect
able Lithuanian audience to tell
them that some of them might be
deprived of their vote under the
city manager plan because Of this
provision,-but that has been the
tactics Of the opposition speakers
all through the campaigni
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26
DAVIS ATTACKS.
PLAN OPPONENTS.
Scovill Statistician Com
ducts Open Forum at
YMCA

Opponents of the city manager
charter were attacked last night by
Edward H. Davis, statistician for the
Sccvill Mfg. Co., in a talk at the
YMCA under the sponsorship Of the
Citizens Good Government associa-
ton.
The talk was followed by ques-
ton and answer period, directed by
Roy Walch, member Of the faculty
Of Crosby high school. I
Mr.. Davis said that the argu-
ments of some of those opposing the
charter showed that they had not
read the charter text.
'They have revealed themselves, T"
he said, "far more completely than
anybody else could have described
them, as regards their ideals, their
ambitions, their intellect, and their
honesty. They have painted a vivid
picture of what kind of people they
would be if they were to have charge
of our city government"
Burke to Speak
"You-Your Vote Under Proper
tional Representation" will be the
subject of radio talk tonight by
William F. Burke, prominent men,
Der of the Citizens Good Govern
men association and the Waterbury
chapter Of the Connecticut Merit
System association.
Sunday Meeting
The city manager charter will be
the subject of a talk by Edward H.
Davis at a meeting of the Water
bury Youth Council Sunday after
noon. The meeting will be held at
3 o'clock at the First Congregational
church.
Rev. Alan Fairbank, pastor of the
Bunker Hill Congregational church,
is advisor to the youth organization.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26

the highest tax rate in the State
of Connecticut;
Under which factories won't
settle here because of exorbitant
taxes;
Under which convicted office
holders can't be removed from
their positions;
Under which pay-cuts have to
be imposed on city employees to
make up for excuses of top OFF,
Gals;
Under which the Waterbury
conspiracy had a four or five
year start before such astute citi-
zens as Senator Culhane knew
there was anything wrong;
Under which offices in the city
hall are clubrooms for machine
politicians, and authority is so di-
vided that buck-passing, bicker-
ing, trading and political skull
duggery runs wild;
Under which debt is piled upon
debt, taxes on taxes, good money
after bad money, and such things
as an athletic field of modest
proportions costing more than the
famous Pasadena Rose Bowl.
THAT'S OUR PRE- SENT
CHARTER, GENTLEMEN,-THE
CHARTER WHICH YOU ARE
ASKING THE PEOPLE TO SUP
PORT IN PLACE OF THE CITY
MANAGER PLAN! DON'T YOU
HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT
WATER Blu RY NEEDS A
CHANGE?
The people can't be fooled by
such smoke screens as yours,
Messrs. -Culhane, Udelowitz, Zap
pone, Errichetti and DeBisschop.
Your Glowing may make you
laugh,-and it's making the peo-
pie laugh too!
Yours sincerely,
CITIZENS GOOD GOVERN
MENT ASSOCIATION.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26
CHARTER CHANGE
BENEFITSLABOR
Egan Justifes Demand for
Signatures of Voters for
Identification

Labor would benefit by adoption OF
the city manager charter declared
Paul G. Egan in a radio speech last
night sponsored by the Citizens
Good Government associat ton. He
declared that high taxes In Water
bury kept new industries from COM
ing here and made heavy burdens
for property owners and rent pay
erS.
Mr.. Egan attacked Senator George
T. Culhane for statements made at
a rally in Brooklyn Friday night.
He said:
Ever since last January the
Citizens Good Government associa-
ton has been telling the public
about the city manager charter,
and has been pointing out weak
nesses in the present system. They
have made out a good case, be-
cause they are offering good
charter to the people. They have
published pamphlets, newspaper
articles, etc., and have made
speeches on the radio and before
audiences. Their campaign is digni-
fled, and appeals to the intelligence
Of the people of Waterbury. But
the opponents of the city manager
plan have not even published to
the public all of the provisions OF
the present city charter; Sixty-five
amendments to it are still a deep
secret in Waterbury, and will
kept a secret until after the
election. They have distorted facts
about the city manager plan, and
then have gone off the reservation
entirely by talking about COWBOYS
from Montana" They get brass
bands and sing the National An
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26

Judge and John H. Goss fire.
quently. He must hold their in
telligence very lightly - for if
they, as finance commissioners
have control of the city as Sen
ator Culhane's fellow-battlers
strongly urge, why would they try
a new means of getting their con-
troll?
And, more pertinent yet, just
which members of our board of
managers are the stooges, Senator
Culhane? Or which members of
our recently published sponsors
list" are the stooges? Do you allege
for example, that the manufact-
urers control Joseph E. Nelly, Mrs.
j. H. Root, Earl H. Segur. Mrs. w.
F. Burke, or Theodore Mum? We
name just few. How about some
of the others, like Michael Hy-
land, Robert w. Lowell, William
eager and Edmund j. DAILY, ST.?
Let's see, Senator Culhane and
friends Udelowitz, DeBisschop,
Errichetti and zappone, where we
all stand. This association took up
a collection from honest, non
office holding, independent men,
bers to finance a campaign to
give Waterbury clean, up-to-
date, economical government. We
wanted to get it out of the hands
of politicians like you so that we
could cut our taxes down. We have
had very sad experience in Wa
terbury, and we don't want to
keep a form of government which
brought it about, and under which
it could be repeated, So our men,
bers Clipped in. No assessments
were levied. against them, as is
done to city employees every elec-
ton year. We raised a voluntary
campaign fund, and why not! 1t
costs the taxpayers nothing at all,
but it is for their benefit. We like
Waterbury, and we want to see it
prosper. We want industries to
expand-not draw into their shells
and crawl away to a place where
the taxes are not confiscatory. To
that extent, we are certainly play
ing into the hands of the manu-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26
City Manager Plan
To Dominate Labor
AutOcratic Rule to Be Imposed Declares Secretary Of
Local Communist Party-C 6. G. A. Is StOoge

1.-THE city manager plan threatens
autocratic rule over labor, declares
the Communist party of Waterbury
today in beginning what is an
nounced as q strong campaign
against adoption Of the proposed
new charter at the referendum a
week from today. Michael Russo,
party secretary, said that more
than 10000 booklets summarizing
objections to the plan are being dis
tributed.
ut is the Republicans, the man.
ufacturers, the bankers, the utilities,
who want the plan in spite Of efforts
to conceal their identity as its
supporters" says the booklet, adding
that the Good Government Asso-
citation is a "stooge" for this group.
The Communists charge that the
plans spokesman is William j. Pape,
local publisher and Republican
leader, and that the aim is to bring
about reduced public services,
lower wages, less relief, reduced
taxes for themselves and additional
taxes for the people"
1t is declared that the city man
ager plan is undemocratic, that the
proportional representation method
of voting is "trick", and that the
plan would forever shut the door
upon progressive and democratic
government"
Some excerpts from the Com
munist party booklet follow:
The Manager Plan does not end
corruption. The city manager plan
is no solution to the problem of
honesty in government. Neither is
1t any guarantee against graft. The
experiences of Cleveland and Kan
sas City show that cities run by the
manager plan can be even more
corrupt and mismanaged than our
own city of Waterbury.
Plan is undemocratic. The entire
framework of the city manager plan
is undemocratic and dictatorial. It
gives complete administrative power
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26
Protests Against Plan
Called Smoke Screen
Citizens Good Govrnment Group Addresses "Open
Letter" to Critics Of City Manager Charter

The Citizens Good Government
association, in another open letter
to opponents of the city manager
charter, denies that it is serving as
front" for group of local manu-
facturers and denies that the mem
bers of its board of managers are
"stooges."
Names Of Senator George T. Gull
hane, Charles j.. DeBisschop, Nj
cholas zappone, Edward Udelowitz.
and Armand Errichetti, who have
all spoken against the charter, are
cited in the open letter, with the
comment that the association wants
to get the city government "out of
the hands of politicians like you"
Sarcastic reference is made to
Mr.. DeBisschop, veteran Republican
who has been one of the most
vehement opponents of the propos-
ed new form of government for
Waterbury.
Objections to provisions of the
new charter are labelled in the
letter as Smoke screens" The CAM
paign against the charter, it is stat
ed, sis making the people laugh"
The open letter to opponents reads
as follows:
Gentlemen:
Some of your number, notably
Senator Culhane, accuse this as
ISOLATION of being the front" for
manufacturers trying to wrest
control of the city government
through the adoption of char
ter which is fervently hated by
spoils politicians everywhere and
hated equally fervently by cliques
who seek to control governmental
subdivisions.
We are held up as the pawns
of these sinister manufacturers.
Now this association has some
1000 members, so we can't all be
stooges. Therefore, we suppose you
mean that our board of managers
Is made up of stooges.
We ask you to name these
manufacturers who are supposed
to be pulling the strings? Sen
ator Culhane mentions Major w.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26

ing to support it. If the charter
is beaten, the Bronsons and the
Bakers might get indignant
enough to vote the Socialist ticket
in the Waterbury municipal cleo
ton just to get even.
That is what the Socialists are
playing for.
No One Read 1t!
Not one member of the last
State Senate could truthfully say
that he read the Waterbury City
manager charter. 1t was a meas
ure demanded by the Citizens
Good Government League and
had its inspiration in the consnir-
acy trial involving Mayor Hayes
and his associates. 1t was loaded
with trick phrases.
But Senator Secor, as Socialist
chairman of the Cities and Bor-
oughs committee, was determined
to ram it down Senator Culhane's
throat since the Waterbury Sen
ator was so active in blocking
Mayor McLevy's school board leg
iSlation. Senator Culhane, how
ever, had more than political
interest in this legislation. His
sister is school teacher in the
Bridgeport system.
Senator Culhane is leading the
fight against the charter. He
added a touch of dramatics to the
mass meeting the other night. AS
he arose to speak the band played
1.-The Star Spangled Banner"
whereupon the Senator called
attention to the fact that if
the charter prevails Waterbury
will mo longer be the land of the
free" The Senator took a page
from George M. Conan who
never failed to produce an Amer
lean flag from his pocket when it
appeared that the audience was
about to doze. In the theater, as
in politics, the flag and The Star
Spangled Banner are sure-fire
gags.
It's class war in Waterbury
with no holds barred. Anybody
caught using the Marquis of
Queensbury rules will be barred.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26
Class War Here!

Frank J. Quinlan, Veteran Legislative Reporter
Gives Inside Story of Camouaaged City Man
ager Charter Socialists Playing Shrewd Game
in Present Campaign.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-26

facturers. as you say-but it is for
the benefit of the people as a
whole.
But where, oh where, does
YOUR campaign money come
from? Did you chip in to it, Sen
ator? Did the Culhane-for- Mayor
club himself chip in? Are you
financing the anti-manager cam
paign fund, Mr.. Udelowitz? Or
you, Mr.. DeBisschop? Or you, Mr..
Zappone? Or you, Mr.. Erichetti?
If not. who is financing your cam
paign?
We could charge, as easily as
you charge us, that the manufac-
turers are financing you. Or we
could charge, Senator Culhane,
the the brokers and the bankers
are financing your campaign. We
could charge that you are the tool
of Wall Street, because you hap
pen to be a broker. By the way,
Mr.. Errichetti, you are employed
by a manufacturing concern. Why
don't we accuse you OF being
tool of the manufacturers? You
even tried to get our president to
help put you on the council, and
when he told you he wouldn't sup
port you, you got mad and turned
to the other side. You gathered
around you a dozen of Senator
Culhane's friends and called
yourselves "The Young Voters
Protective Alliance, and barred
city manager supporters from
membership. That, of course, was
your privilege. The public is en-
titled to hear both sides,-the side
of the spoils politicians and the
side of good government. If you
spoilS politicians can convince the
people that they ought to keep
you feeding at the public trough,
We'll accept the decision.
Just a word to Mr.. DeBisschop,
the expert" on wood.
You claim to have been called
a crooked politician. You know
that you weren't, because we don't
think you are crooked. We never
did think so; there is even some
doubt as to your being a politi-
clan.
You are simply misguided,
that's all.
Those who are so loud-voiced
against the city manager charter
want to keep the present charter.
In other words, you want to keep
a charter under which:
Friends of administrations-in-
power have been favored sellers
Of goods and services at high
price for years; under which IA
vorites of the politicians have
been kept in soft high-salaried
jobs at the public's expense:
Under which Waterbury bays