davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
Opie Read

Opie Read was the last of a pioneer literary line. Few, if any, are lett of the old-time writers whose pens wrote words of wit, wisdom and homely philosophy. This sort of writing has been an Amerl- can tradition down through the years but you find few if any that write today in their columns and in their books ln the refreshing style of Opie Read who died this week at the age of 87. HOW to evaluate the merits of his writings, broad in scope, would be difficult. He was likewise famous as the founder of the immortal Arkansas Traveller, humor- ous paper, and author of something over fifty-tWo books. He likewise coined epi- grams, and aside from his writing he was a clever raconteur.
 Opie Read was famous during an era that produced Mark Twain, Eugene Field, James Whitcomb Riley, and others who were Americas first columnlsts, so to speak. They did not write in style that would be appreciated by those readers today who follow the snappy columns or our newspapers, but in style all their own; they went to town with flow of English and pertinent phrases ttat held the public interest.
 As delineator of southern character Read was outstanding Like many another writer he got much of his writ ing experience in newspaper work ana collected no end of fine anecdotes from tramp printers. He once said tramp printer could draw circles around col iege professor in the matter of punctua- ton.
 His novels were once best sellers, one Of them, "The Jucklins', selling over one million copies. "A Kentucky Colonel" and "A Tennessee Judge" are typical of his literary style in and just previous to the gay nineties. So the bright spinner of yarns has passed on and with his go- ing one feels that he is step farther removed from delightful literary epoch.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
Sabotage Warning

The ghost of the First World War keeps popping up in this country, even while American citizens have turned their attention to the new struggle. Over the protests of the German government, the German Mixed Claims Commission has awarded nearly $50,O0o,OOO to private Americans for two munitions explosions which occurred more than 20 years ago. before the United States entered the First World War.
 The first blast occurred on Black Tom Island, off New Jersey, in July, 1916, when two million pounds of ammunition were set off. The second was at Kings land, N. J., where half million three inch shells blew up The commission de- cided last June that both blasts were the work of German espionage agents
 The disposition of the Black Tom and KingSland cases comes as warning to this country - warning that there is another war and that the allies will again want munitions If the neutrality act is finally revised to permit export of war supplies to warning countries, the United States must expect repetitions of such sabotage acts. Wars sometimes are fought long way from the battlefields.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
Doctors Go to School

About 1000 physicians and surgeons, who believe they're never too old to learn, assembled in Chicago the other day to participate in a six-day postgraduate course. Medical men from all over the world converged on Chicago to check up on new developments in the profession during the past year. New drug com pounds, new therapeutic devices, new treatments, new antitoxins are being dis covered all the time The training pny- sicians receive in medical schools be- comes only background for deeper study. And the Chicago meeting is not pink tea affair nor hilarious vacation away from duty. It is an earnest study session.
 A few other professions might take a cut from the doctors. Instead of gather ing annually for few hours of perfume tory sessions and an endless succession of social functions, they might devote them selves to some solid days of studying the new developments in their respective fields. Keeping up with their own worlds is just as important for lawyers, accountants, engineers, bankers, and real estate men as it is for medical men. And lot of lawmakers could well take post graduate courses in economies, sociology, and political science, almost any time.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
BEAVERS WITHOUT MONEY
 (Bridgeport Telegram)

Attorney General Pallotti of Con- necticut was given a question the other day which might well stump Q Solomon. The highway department 1t seems has built a culvert; some beavers have built @ dam above the culvert and the overflow from the beaver dam threatens to inundate the highway. What to do?
 Beavers are protected but as At- torney General Rallotti rules they must carry on their own peculiar acc tivities in more fitting circumstances.
 "In the case of rational animals" l" he writes, i've know that individual rights are inferior to those of the state. Following this rule we must conclude that these animals, being irrational must also give way to the rights of the state."
 He suggests therefore that the Connecticut Wild Life commission find means to remove these beavers and transport them to more suitable quarters where they will be able to perform and exercise their natural skill and ability"
 Doubtless the Connecticut Wild Life commission would be glad to put these beavers into Q place of safety and usefulness but the last legislature in its wisdom refused to appropriate one penny for the con- tinuation of the work of this com- mission. It Is at present Q commits sion constituted by law and having legal duties but no funds with which
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
Reminiscent Ring

That speech of John Rings the other evening in which he advocated four-lane highways entering this city had familiar sound to it. And we were not surprised to hear him referring to the accomplish ments of Mayor Jasper McLevy of Bridge port little latter in respect to highway improvements. The Park City mayor holds an enviable record along this line. He has been able to obtain more favorS and concessions from the State Highway Department than any other executive in the state.
 Not that we blame him for his efforts along this line. We have long maintained that the large cities did not get a return from the state commensurate with the amount that is turned over in gas taxes, motor vehicle registrations, operators H. cense fees, motor vehicle fines, etc. The dirt-road fund as administered brings every one of the 169 towns of the state a meagre amount, earmarked for certain purposes. It's small fraction of what city like Waterbury pays the state through its motorists, who drive as much on city streets as they do over state high ways.
 It has been only through the efforts of men like Mayor McLevy and former State Senator Joseph H. Lawlor that definite road aid has been set up for the individ- ual towns. There are many through routes within town limits that must be maintained by the city itself Only in the last few years has the Legislature provided for state maintenance of one east-west and one north-south route entering and leaving city. Whether they should be four-lane highways is another thought. Of course the trend is in that direction all over the state. But we do think that state maintenance of important highways must not necessarily begin and end at the city limits.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
They're on Their Way

The first of what will probably be a long line of British lecturers are already in this country. Alfred Duff Cooper, former first lord of the admiralty, has just arrived, and Lord Marley, deputy speaker of the House of Lords, is in the middle of a cross-continent speaking tour.
 The wipter crop of visitors will be more impressive than any this country has feted since the days before 1917. Their missions will be beneficently to explain the clements of the war to America. The State Department has already been asked to require registration of the British speakers on the grounds that they are openly disseminating propaganda. Be- cause of their eminence, however, they may be excused from this technicality.
 The citizens of ths country may as well treat the visitors cordially. They may as well buy their tickets, be courteously attentive and then weigh carefully the speakers remarks and prejudices before leaping to any decisions.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
Views of The Press

to carry them out. The legislature even denied the commission the sale ary of It's secretary who had been its agent in purchasing land for recrea- ton, fishing, hunting and forestry purposes in Connecticut. The cofn- mission would be very glad we are sure to take up the attorney gen. erals recommendation and keep 1t on ice for two years or until another legislature is in session and then get something for the beavers. {,
 Tn the meantime the people of Connecticut might well take note of the fact that the one commission which was definitely charged with the duty of purchasing land and streams for hunting and fishing and combining this work at the same time with forestry for the benefit of the state was quietly legislated, not out of office but out of activity by refusal of the state to give 1t any money for the necessary purposes.
 The beavers have friends but no money.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04

West Haven is taking stock of the loss of one of it's important sources of income. That's Savin Rock. With the lid down on all forms of gambling Savin Rock, famous resort center of the state, just won't attract the thousands of people who an- nually throng it night after night. The Legislature has always been last means of recourse to West Haven fathers who can't see the towns profitable investment along the shore-front eliminated. And the habit will probably continue. Now first Selectman Charles F. Schall is out to do something about the loss in tax revenue occasioned by clamping the lid on Savin Rock games of chance. MT. Schall doesn't favor dog racing or horse racing, but he does believe, "You cannot legislate the American custom of taking a chance out of the people and believe that a strict law could be framed that could legally allow modified form of gambling. "If Savin Rock, why not elsewhere? That would be the cry.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
S50,ooo JOKE (New Britain Herald)

The New Haven railroad appar- ently was not greatly interested in saving the public's money when it blandly permitted the State High way department to construct a bridge over the Berkshire division of the railroad. Before the railroad line was abandoned, two years ago, the company had demanded that a bridge be built (along the Merritt Parkway without cent of expense to the railroad. It cost the state $50,000. The bridge in Trumbull was completed after the railroad line was abandoned.
 We fell less inclined to blame the state than the railroad. Or maybe it's simply e case of not caring what becomes of other peoples money, eh stockholders?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04

cent interest running from twenty- three to twenty-four years into an estimated total of $50, 900, 900 are ore dered for the claimants.
 That the echo of this sabotage of another war should be heard in the present war is due to c long cam- paign of obstruction conducted by German Government on the allega- ton that the disasters were indus trial accidents". Tn 1880 and le32 the Claims Commission rendered decisions which virtually amounted to mot proven" But Justice Rob- erts, latest of the American um- ptres, decided that the case should be reopened because of perjured tes- timony by German witnesses. Sub- sequently the German Commission. CT withdrew, and the German Gov. ernment asked our State Depart ment to quash the proceedings oi what 1t described as 0 trump ccm- mission" This the State Depart ment refused to do. The Treasury now holds reserve fund amounting to some e24,000 900, available for the payment os American claims.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04

Russell. the high commissioner. opposed the State Departments pressure and branded the Pan- American Airways' contract q monopoly of the most objection able character" However, 1t kept out other American competitors, and the Stae Department, Post- master Brown and the Melons were quite happy about 1t.
 In Honduras the .Honduran Congress unanimously disapproved the monopolistic features of Pan Americans contract but the state department rammed 1t through just the same.
 PAN AMERICAN FRIENDS
 Thus 1t was that Pan American Airways got It's first monopoly on American overseas air routes. It now has routes down both. coasts of South America, one across the Pacific, and one across the North Atlantic. Big question in Wash- ington now is whether 1t will get a monopoly of the North Atlantic also.
 The Melons, the Browns and the Stimsons are now out. But Pan American is not without friends in the New Deal. One of its directors (though he holds no stock) is John Hanes, under sec. retary of the treasury, while one of its former officers, Grant Mason, now sits on the Civil Aeronautics Authority. Both are conscientious, careful public servants, but the betting in Washington is that Pan American will find some way to continue Its aviation monopoly.
 Copyright. 1889, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04

haps 1t was the fact that Pan American hired some of the State Departments most influential diplomats. At any rate the company proceeded to get unheard-of concessions. SOUTH AMERICAN
 MONOPOLIES
 At that time Pan American en- joyed no monopoly in South America. It's chief competitor was the New York, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires Line, known as Trimotors. But suddenly the State Department threw all It's weight behind Pan American, helping 1t to get monopolistic concessions and landing privileges in Latin American countries.
 without landing privileges, Tri- motors could not land, and Pan Americans monopolies pushed 1t to the wall.
 In 52 cases, the State Depart ment made urgent diplomatic representations to Latin American governments on behalf of Pan- American. In at least six of these the State Department headed off other American airlines.
 In Guatemala, the State De- partment even forced the govern. ment to give Pan American a 25- year monopoly, a concession so of. fensive that the cabinet was forced to resign.
 In Nicaragua the State Depart ment supported a contract 50 pre- judicial to the interests of the country that General Feland, then commanding the U. s. Marines in Nicaragua. expressed objection to the Navy Department.
 In Haiti both the American fl. nancial adviser and General John
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
Selected Poem
DYING BIRD

DYING BIRD (Thomas Wilfred Snyder in the Poets Column
 Hartford Times) Down you came from graceful flight, and now You fiutter here beneath this oak tree,-dyng, While the sun sets beyond the purple hill And your comrades sail from sight, flying .. Wounded sore and bleeding fast oh crippled thing With glassy iris and with ruffled crest, Prismatic colors playing on your feathere breast,- An would that could mend your broken wingl Tn furnished blaze the daylight goes-alas With sagging wing you drum the groundl Your brilliant plumage droops, and you are still Up climbs the hunters moon .. your blood upon
 the grass. ..
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
BULLETS AND TOYS (Bosvon Post)

According to department of com- merce figures our export of toys in a world that Is anything but toy- minded for the first eight months of 1889 are Up IT per cent over the same period @ year ago. During the period we exported $l892, ,l40 worth of goods designed to make the lives of children better and happier.
 Of course, the total figure is not great as compared with other and more important experts. B1t 1t shows Q trend that Is reassuring. Germany and Japan once dominated the in- ternational toy market. But the same man-power and materials that go into the making of toys are need- ed by them today in the construc- ton of bullets and armament.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04

It remained for Hartford man, J. Alfred Bedlow, to precipitate what may become a national dispute. He claims that the right name for Bedloes island in New York harbor, on which rests the Statue of Liberty, is not with the final "e', but with "a final "w", as his own name is spelled. He further states that he is descendant of the Bedlows who settled in New Ann sterdam and who later acquired the is- land. Here's an interesting study for some one who likes to delve into musty history books.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04

The Savin Rock issue has been gone over so many times that we should think by now West Haven would be reconciled to its fate. And whatever happened to the plan, in which the town apparently concurred, to create beautiful park at Savin Rock Here's chance for West Haven to duplicate the efforts of New London which is starting to carve yer itable "Jones Beach out of what remained of Ocean Beach after the 1888 hurricane. A .shore-front park at Savin Rock, con- ducted along high-class lines, might prove jus as much of an investment for the town as it's commercialized resort today ic
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04

1. On which thermometer scale h 32o the freezing point of water
 2. Which sea lies to the east Of Bugaria7
 3. Was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence named Benjamin Harrison?
 4. What place is known as the Mosquito Coastp
 5. For which new government agency do the initials TSA stand?
 6. What is @ thCodolite?
 2. What is the correct pronuncia- ton of the word modiste?
 8. Where was the ancient city of Thebes?
 9. Who was nominated by Pres. ident Roosevelt to the Supreme Court of the U. S., to fill the va- cancy created by the death of Ben- jamin N. Cardozo?
 10. Name the capital of the island of Ceylon.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04

are in notable minority.
 There is one possible exception but the toymakers regard this lone renegade as conforming to the slogan: It is kid-konstruc- ton set with materials for build. ing forts and long-range coastal guns.
 But the box is thoughtfully la- belled as being intended solely for Home Defensel
 FIFTY YEARS
 OF STEPPING
 Not many venerable performers evoke such sentiment from old- timers as Pat Rooney, the hoofer who first made his mark fifty years ago at the historic Tony Pastors. And not many veteran entertainers have remained at their jobs so continuously as the grayed but poppy Pat.
 He is in his late sixties, but au- diences would never know 1t, if they were unaware of this, his jubilee year on the stage. His fa- nous waltz clog dance bears the nimble energy of youth, his smile flashes with the same old spon- taneity and he is as dapper as he ever was in the old days.
 Oldtimers never will forget that he popularized Sweet Rosie O'Grady" and "The Sidewalks of New York;" so for half century he has been repeating these Man. haitian ditties at vociferous re. quest. All the more remarkable, for he still renders them with af- lection.
 He is a nostalgia veteran. In conversation the old days when the Bowery was Broadway" and Steve Brodie took his high dive off the Brooklyn Bridge. And he doesn't care much whether he happens to be hoofing on Broad- way or off. Only that he is not idling away the week.
 EXTERNAL
 PRIDE
 Sinclair Red" Lewis is pacing the Forties and Fifties these days gathering inspiration for that new play. He wrote his last one in conjunction with Fay Wray.
 Crosby Gaige passes this along: A friend of his was walking down Park avenue the other day and spotted on acquaintance with dog. So he banged his pal on the back with jovial, "Hya, Mackl"
 Whereupon his supposed friend turned out to be an irate stran- ger. Gaige's friend apologized and the stranger was modified.
 Although I don't know you" he said, you might be interested to know who I am. I am the father of Rudy Vallee. And this" he added proudly, lis Rudy Val. lees dog"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
Questions
 and Answers
nv FREDERIC M. KERRY

RY FREDERIC M. KERBY
 Enclose a three-cent stamp t0r ranly when addressing any ques. tiOn Of fact or informatlOn 70 sne Waterbury Democrats Service bu. reau at washington. Legal ana medical advice cannot be given nor can extended research pc m dertaken. Be sure an mali ls ad. dressed tO The WATERBURY DEMOCRATS SERVICE BU' REAU. 1913 Thirteenth Street, "' THE EDITOR
 e. What are the dimensions and composition of the rings around the planet Saturn2 ss bst
 A. There are three concentrio rings. The diameter of the outer one is l73.OOO miles and its width IS about 10000 miles. The second ring is I6.OOO miles wide, and the third ring is about Il, ,OO0 miles. The thick. ness of these rings is probably not more than 10 miles, and they are composed of millions of separate particles, each pursuing it's own in- dependent orbit around the planet, and forced by gravitation to move in flat plane like the prim oI a straw hat.
 e. Is "profferable" a proper word to use?
 A. It is not in either the New Standard or webster's International dictionaries.
 e. What were the three estates in England2
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
THE BLACK TOM" AWARDS
 (New York Times)

Chickens long overdue came home to roost yesterday when the Ger. man. American Mixed Claims Com- mission, sitting at Washington with out e German representative, de- cided that Germany must pay for damage committed during the last war in the disastrous Black Tom and Kingsland munitions explosions. Awards of e2i, i,i57.227 with s per
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
Daily Almanac
Noon rises ll:49 b. m.

Moon rises ll:49 p. m.
 Sunrises 6:25 a. m.; sets 4:46 p. m.
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset.
 The moon entered its last quarter phase this morning between and o'clock. This is apt to mean changeable weather for the next seven or eight days If the wind stays in the west rain win prevail: if the wind is from the east and it's cold enough there might be spatterings of snow. However, the nor'easter of early this week may eliminate some of the foulness ahead.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-04
Current Comment

Communists in all capitalistic countries must be Bolsheviks, even under difficulties.-D. 2. Manuilsky. secretary of the Comintern in Mos- COW.
 The Athenia was sunk at the or ders of Winston Churchill There is nc p.oof that this ship was sunk by the Germans.--Fritz Kuhn, Ger man-American Bund leader.
 
 We must avoid incidents such as got America into the last World War.-Senator Robert A. Taft Rep, Ohio.