davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
NEGRO SOLDIER ORGANIZED
FIRST AIR RAID DEFENSE
WHILE ON DUTY IN PARIS
DURING THE WORLD WAR

The story of Camille Mortenol, the
Negro soldier who became the father"
of air raid defense measures while sta
toned in Paris during the last war, is
told in the October issue of Opportun-
ity magazine. by Mercer Cook, profess
sor of French at Atlanta University.
Professor Cook points out that Nor
tenors achievement in Guarding Paris
against the full force of aerial attack
was tremendous one in view of the
fact that military aviation was then
new development and that the bomb
ing of civilians and the use of poison
gas were procedures that had never be-
fore been attempted on large scale.
Mortenors searchlights and sirens
crude ancestors of those that are seeing
service today-lnade the nightly visity
of the giant bombers much less devas-
tating than they might otherwise have
been according to Professor Cook.
The article reveals that Mortenol
was born in 1859 at Point-a-P -Pitre, the
largest city on the island of Guade,
loupe. After studying at Catholic
school there, he won scholarship
which enabled him to continue his ed
ucation at Bordeaux. Later he became
the first Negro to enter the Ecol'
Polytechnique. the French West Point
Graduated in 1882, he became an of
ficer in the French Navy. From l8S'
to 1886 he campaigned with the Frencl
Expenditionary forces in Madagascar
His service on this island won him tn
cross of the Legion of Honor AM
gaind for him the friendship of the eel
ebrated General Gallieni. 1t was Gallie
nj who appointed him to the all-im
portant air defense post in 1914. So ef
fective was his work there that it wo
{ him the title of Commander of tn
Legion of Honor
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
FIGHT RETURN TO PEONAGE

Chicago, Ill.-Otis Woods, 46, his
son, Dock, %, and Solomon McCan-
non, 80, won their fight against extra
dition to a Georgia plantation Friday
and were released from the county Jail
where they were held pending con-
sideration by Governor Horner of their
right to remain in Illinois. The three
charged they had been framed on a
burglary complaint to force them to
return to peonage in Georgia.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
hot MIKADO" TO TOUR
AFTER OCT. 81

New York, Oct, (CNA)-Michael
Todd announced this week that at the
request of New York Worlds Fair Of
ficials, his "Hot Mikado,' starring Bill
Robinson, will remain at the Hall of
Music at the Fair until October 81, in
stead of closing week earlier as plan
ned.
"Hot Mikado" will open for three
performances in Hartford, Conn, No
vember 3, and will play ten-day en-
gagement at the Boston Opera House
starting November E. The touring
route also included New Haven, Phila-
delphia, Baltimore, Washington, Rich
mond and Pittsburgh.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
A. F. of L. CONDEMNS
DISCRIMINATION

Cincinnati O.-Support of federal
anti-1ynching bill and condemnation OF
various forms of racial discrimination,
including discriminatory practices
against Negro employees, received a
unanimous vote of approval from the
American Federation of Labor's fifty
ninth annual convention meeting here
October g.
Both resolutions were introduced on
the convention floor by Philip Ran
dolph, president of the Brotherhood of
Sleeping Car Porters.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
DISCUSS HOUSING, JOBS AT
CHICAGO CONFERENCE

Chicago, October, (CNA)-Minority
Groups-A Test of Democracy" was the
theme of an all-day conference here
last Monday, October 10, at which the
spotlight was focused on the serious
social and economic problems OF
Chicago's 250,000 Negroes.
Called by the Chicago Urban Lea
que, the parley was held at the Emil
Hirsch Center of Sinai Temple, 4622 So
Parkway, and was addressed by both
whites and Negroes. Housing, neigh
borhood problems, employment, educa,
ton and youth activities were among
the subjects discussed.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
UNQUOTE

While we're on the subject of high
ways, I'd like to advocate an early
start on that much-talked about scenic
highway from the Gulf of Mexico to
Minnesota.
Here is project which would bring
many additional tourists to the North
west and would also benefit the many
states through which such highway
would pass.
Here's an exclusive story from your
Capitol!
The file room used by the Dies
Committee during its present investl,
CATION of un-American activities, was
broken into and prowled by intruders.
Congressman Martin Dies, the Texas
| Democrat, who is chairman OF th'
! Committee, has admitted to close as
sociates that he is much worried owe
the break-in.
1t is known that some valuable doc
uments and reports were in the file
room. and the Committee is goint
through the room with a fine-comb t.
see lust what is missing.
Meanwhile, learned today, the Fed
eral Bureau of Investigation will as
sign men to guard the room and tn
evidence which is being kept there.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
Letter to F.D.R.
St. Paul, Minn.
October a, 1899
Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt
President of United States
Washington, D. c.
Dear Mr.. President,

Dear Mr.. HreS1Qent, 81
On page 10 of the booklet, story
Behind the Telephone You Use-and
Paid For" which has been sent to you
under separate cover, is short story
exposing the practice of public officials
signing undated letters of resignation
before receiving appointment-in this
case, to an elective office. i
Not being able to meet the expose
openly, interested rumor-peddlers havs
resorting to abiding the incident by
stating that the President of United
States requires undated letters of re-
signation from his cabinet members
and other appointees.
We would appreciate information OF
the correctness of this allegation.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) E. H. Laury, ].
Executive Secrtary
Telephone Users Organizin1
Committee.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
The Forur

V. R. Dunno will speak on the sub
iect of ''War and the Trade Unions" at
the Sunday Forum on Sunday, October
p, 1889, at 800 p. m, 9l9 Marquette
Avenue, Minneapolis.
What will be the role of the trade
unions in the coming war? How will
RECOMMENDATION of industry affect the
trade unions? These and other ques-
tions will be discussed at your Sunday
Forum.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
DOROTHY MAYNER WINS
GREAT OVATION

New York, N. Y, (C)-Dorothy
Mayner, whose soprano voice created
quite a sensation this Summer again,
displayed her talent with the great Bos-
ton Symphony Orchestra, undeI its
famous conductor and her discoyerer,:
Serge Koussevitsky. This time Miss
Mayner sang duet with the protege
of Roland Hayes, Leonard Franklin,
which was accorded big ovation.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21

The Quarterly meeting of the State
Board will be held Thursday, October
10Th, 1889, at the Bethesda Baptist
Church, 111S 9Th Street South, from
e:30 A. M. to 1890 P. NJ. The Kings
Daughters will see that all are well
provided for at meal hours.
Rev. Lee W. Harris, Moderator
Mrs. A. Gordon, President of Women's
Auxiliaries.
Mrs. U. Bolts, State Director.
Rev. w. E. Wadlingtin, pastor.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
JOE LOUIS TO APPEAR WITH
FRED ALLEN

New York, N. Y, (C)-Having
cleared the fighting field of all pros
pective challengers, Joe Louis now
turns his attention to radio appear
ances. WEDNESDAY, October 10th will
have a verbal fight with the famous
comedian, Fred Allen
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
| QUOTE

The construction of highways that
would be adequate for national de-
fense would not only add to our tang
ible national wealth in full proportion
to the expenditures made, BUT will
also provide sorely needed employ
ment of diversified nature throughout
the nation.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21

Washington, Oct, (CNA) = The
Public Health Service this week stress
ed the possibility that medical science
had found an effective method of con-
luering influenza in the new drug sui
apyridine, which already is being
widely used in treating pneumonia.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
WASHINGTON
JOTTNGs

& A.
National defense is always good
subject in the Capital and for weeks s
certain leaders have been discussing
ways and means of increasing our de- /!
fense forces. I
They have presented figures and
statistics showing that it's cheaper Ill
the long run to have good defense
than to get involved in any war.
That's sound argument.
And it's making an impression in
Washington.
In the last few weeks there have
been orders for much new equipment
great, modern war machinery which
will be used by our defense forces.
Today l picked up another piece OF
important news from leading officials
of the United States Army and the
War Department.
And there were strong indications
that the Administration may increase
the regular Army to full peace-time
strength of 2S0,o00 men to provide
an initial protective force of oOO0UO
men in event of an emergency.
: | also learned that doughboys in the
regular army and National Guard
soon will be supplied with the worlds
best shoulder rifle, the new Garand
NJ 70 Of AM
a day.
An S8,710,O00 order for $4,000 of the
weapons was given to the Winchester
Repeating Arms Company by the War
Department this week to supplement
the expanding output of the -arsenal~ln
Springfield, Massachusetts,.
Twenty months hence, under the
present schedules set up by the War
Department. some 10000 infantrymen
will be armed with the new rifles.
And we can be thankful for one
thing.
It's all for national defense-not fol
war!
The vast reclamation and conserva
ton projects fostered by the United
States have always surprised and III
terested visitors from other parts O
the world.
Today seven weeks intensive
study of these projects was completed
by DIR. Alice F. A. Mutton, of London
England, member Of the faculty a
London University.
And when she headed back to Grea
Britain she took with her many re
ports which will be used in surve
of Englands natural resources mex
year.
DIR. Mutton was greatly impresse
by the work the Federal Govern
ment's various agencies have done o
the land utilization program.
By a study of what has been az
complished in the Tennessee Valle
project, Boulder and Grand Cou
dams, DIR. Mutton obtained what 81
described as an idea of real progre
sive spirit.
Also studied by the distinguish
visitor were number of importa
conservation projects and soil erosit
programs sponsored by the FEEDER
Department of Agriculture.
It's nice to see that others appre'
ate what we TOO OFTEN take f
granted.
All of the Congressman in Washin
ton are watching closely the reports
sued weekly by the Bureau of Stat
tics of the Labor Department on 70
prices.
Secretary of Labor Frances Perki
came out with one today, and
showed that there had been decree
in the prices of most staple foods, w
some declining as much as IL per ce
Various states are keeping a clC
check on prices and reports are 81
to the government regularly so t
there will be no profiteering activit
in the nation.
The services of road buildi
agencies throughout the United Sta
are at the disposal of President Roc
velt and Congress for carrying out &
highway program that might be c.
sidered essential to a national defel
program.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
The White House
Washington

Dear Mr.. Laury:
This will acknowledge your letter OF
October fourth and advise you that the
rumor concerning the truth of which
you inquire is entirely without founda-
ton in fact.
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) Stephen Early,
Sec. to the President
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
Edward Corneaby

A pledge for such cooperation was
given by the American Association OF
State Highways at Richmond, Vir-
ginia, ard the officials and members
drafted a formal resolution and passed
it after discussing the possibility OF
such a program.
Said the resolution.
Twin-City herald., 1939-10-21
AFRO-AMERICAN BAPTIST
CONVENTION CLOSES s

Camden, N. J., (C)-The Afro
American Baptist onvention of New
Jersey closed its 35th Annual Session
last Sunday. Rev. c. L. Aiken was
again elected President.
Evening star., 1939-11-06

changed commodity price levels. They
emphasize that no specific provision
has been made for a generating plant
or other supply of current.
The leading advocate of municipal
power has been the County Civic
Federation. The opposition has been
directed by group called the Com
mittee Opposing Power Bond Issue.
The County Chamber of Commerce
also is among the groups opposing
the issue.
The very volume of debate is likely
to prove confusing to the voter. Re-
gardless of the choice made at the
polls, the county now is enjoying
lower rates than it did when the
agitation for municipal ownership
started about four years ago. Sub
sequent reductions have given Ar
lington cheaper power than any
other section of the State served by
the utility against which the fight is
directed. If the referendum does
carry, municipal power will become
reality within the shadow of the
National Capital, and a test on
large scale of the merits of munich
pal VS.. private power operation will
be in the offing.
Evening star., 1939-11-06
Chest Campaign BEGINS

The annual Washington Commu-
nifty Chest campaign will be launched
at a mass meeting at Constitution
Hall this evening. Federal Security
Administrator Paul V. McNutt and
| the Rev. DR.. Edmund A. Walsh, S. j.,
director of the Foreign Service
School of Georgetown University, are
to be the keynote speakers From
them, it may be expected, will come
expressions of the spirit which should
furnish the dynamic of the drive.
They will strive to put into words
the purpose of the effort, the obiec-
tive to be sought not merely in terms
OF money subscribed but, more def
nitely, the goal of human fellowship
to be achieved.
A few individuals, conceivably,
could give all that will be needed to
support the siXty-seven Chest agen-
cies during 1910; but their generosity,
supposing that it were to meet the
entire demand, would not replace the
human sympathy of the whole COM
munity. The Nations Capital is the
focal point of American democracy.
Here, if anywhere, the essential char
acter of the people of the United
States must be made manifest in
deeds of neighborliness, tolerance
and charity. At time when the
world at large contradicts the doc
trine of love, Washington is chal-
lenged to reafflrm its faith in its
practice.
Two million dollars are to be raised.
Every gift toward that sum will be
welcome not only for itself and the
good that it will do but also for the
social instinct of the giver. The
Chest is what the people make it. 1t
will prosper in the ratio of their sup
port. Surely, no man or woman can
wish to stand aside, rejecting its
appeal.
Evening star., 1939-11-06
SturChumber

Hailed to the carpet of my dark dis
pleasure,
My small sons stand before me while
measure
Rebuking phrases, threadbare platitudes
That meet evasive looks and attitudes.
My own divided mind attends in part
To unrelated promptings, as my heart
Commends to me their dear, unruly hair.
Their blouse-tails out, as usual, their
bare,
Long suffering knees. falter for a word
AS one might pause to listen who had
heard
A ghostly footstep, faint and ill-defined.
That seemed to cross the back stage Of
his mind.
Some dubious old syllables at last ring
true;
"This hurts me, dear much more than it
does you"
I founder now completely for see
The eyes of my two culprits probing me,
The imps close in upon me, laugh and
yell,
Mother is nice againl Oh, boy, how
SWELL"
1Nz BARCLAY KIRBY.
Evening star., 1939-11-06
Coal Code Prices

A legislative paradox is presented
IN the decision of Controller General
Brown holding that minimum coal
prices to be promulgated under the
Bltumlnous Coal Act will not be
binding on Government purchases.
Designed to stabilize the bituni-
nous industry by setting up code
Tor producers, the law, the Control
Ter General points out, does not in
definite language put the Govern
ment on the same footing as other
buyers, and he cannot read in such
an Interpretation, in view of the
statutory right of the Government
to negotiate contracts generally on
the best terms possible, particularly
since payment Of the minimum prices
probably would add millions of dol
lars to the Federal fuel bill.
1T is not to be assumed that the
Congress intended to vote such a
subsidy to Government coal con-
tractors, or to impose such burden
on Government finances, where that
intention is not clearly expressed, or
necessarily implied" he says. Fur
ther, the Controller General adds, it
is not the duty of purchasing officers
to determine if prices they are Of
fered are lower than the code mini
NUNS.
From a legal standpoint, Mr..
Browns ruling seems unassailable,
even though it runs contrary to the
customary New Deal practice of
making compliance with various
legislative enactments the price of
getting Government business. Even
in the Coal Act, no contract may be
negotiated with a producer who de-
MES to his employees the right of
collective bargaining.
An inadvertence, perhaps, was re-
sponsible for failure to define un-
mistakably the terms under which
the Government is to buy coal, as
the old Guffey Act prescribed ad-
herence to the regulated price struc-
ture. 1t is possible that the courts
may overrule the Controller General,
or that Congress will supply the pre-
sumed deficiency, since Secretary of
Interior Ickes, under whom the law
is administered, contends producers
will be hurt if Government pur-
cha ses are exempted.
There is no apparent reason why
the same charges should not prevail
for all customers, as they are no
moe a burden" on the public than
the private pocketbook. Discrimina-
tory prices, too, might work a fur
ther hardship where private industry
is forced to compete with some Gov
ernment venture.
Evening star., 1939-11-06
Trouble for Labor

The Government has moved once
more against the jurisdictional
strike evil, and William L. Hutcheson,
president of the carpenters union
and a power in the American Fed
Grafton of Labor, is under indictment
with three associates on the charge
of causing an unlawful interference
with the building industry by work
stoppages.
The case grows out of a twenty
fve-year-old fight between carpen-
ters' and machinists' unions over the
installation of certain types of ma
chinery in the Anheuser- Busch
Brewery, in st. Louis, which in the
present instance has tied up a $780,
900 plant-expansion project.
The indictment, brought in St.
Louis under the Sherman Anti
Trust Act, is drawn on the same lines
as that returned in District Court
against the teamsters' union, alleg-
ing that a conspiracy to produce the
industrial tie-up was committed,
not to obtain higher wages, shorter
hours of labor or any other legiti-
mate object of a labor union, but
only with the unlawful and wrong
full object and purpose of inducing
and coercing an employer to violate
a contract with one group of en-
ployes and to replace them with an
other group"
The Government is employing the
Sherman Act for the first time in
these prosecutions which are based
on the broad grounds that the
strikes Illegally burden commerce,
and as the American Federation of
Labor is setting up vigorous de-
tense, contending they are legiti-
mate, it is evident that the final an
swer will be written in the Supreme
Court. But whether jurisdictional
strikes meet the test of legality or
not, they have no place in industry.
AS the st. Louis indictment was
returned, Roscoe Steffen, Special As
sistant to the Attorney General, de-
clared the dispute there could be
settled in an hour if the leadership
of the union (carpenters) had the
interest of the public and the well
fare of labor at heart" Measured by
the speed with which a plan for set
tlement was devised by an impartial
committee here for the dispute be-
tween teamsters and operating en-
gineers, that is no exaggeration.
1t is time for this principle of con-
ciliation to get wider application,
for the indictments undoubtedly are
straws that show the way the wind
is blowing, and 1t is a wind that pre-
sages no good for labor.
Evening star., 1939-11-06
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trace1peH.

name hereabouts, mostly shortened to
white-throat, but it has many more COM
mon names.
Some of these are Peabody bird cherry
bird, Canada bird, white -throated crown
sparrow, nightingale, Canada sparrow
and Peverly bird.
Both Peabody and Peverly are names
OF legendary persons, used to distinguish
the song of this bird.
Peabody, we believe, was a teacher,
and the bird is supposed to be calling
him.
Peverly was farmer. While debating
with himself whether to SOW late wheat,
small bird, like a messenger from
Heaven, flew down and sang, Sow
wheat-Peverly, Peverly, Peverly!"
At least, that was what it seemed to
be saying to Mr.. Peverly, who told of
the incident and the birds message
with great relish later.
1t is easy to see how the sounds ut
tered by the little bird could be so con-
strued by any one in the emotional
frame OF mind to find these words neces-
sary.
Actually, of course, this bird, no more
than any other bird, really says" any
thing.
The white-throats song is rather a
lament than anything else, but the
Wholesomeness of the outdoors prevents
1t from having any tinge of sadness.
1t consists Of tuo y,ooio <L,or,a,
usually uttered twice. If we think of
the song as written in six-eight time, in
the Key OF two sharps, we have, in
theme l, quarter note, D on the staff.
lolloWed by A above the staff, of the
same length; followed by a series of
eighth notes, A, of about nine notes
either the third or fourth held slightly.
Inc second theme, in the same sigma
ture and time, has quarter note, G above
the staff. with jump up to B. a quarter
note, followed by series on A, as before,
lhe Whlte-throated sparrow is one of
our most helpful birds, being an in
Veterate eater of weed seeds of all kinds.
He is one of the birds which likes
w oei oteh All uIy ledFeS, ana often can
be recognized by this habit.
1t can be understood how this bird,
though on its way to Florida or Texas,
Is willing to remain hereabouts, since
the temperatures here, in the main, are
very moderate when compared with
those of Canada.
II II fnds plenty to eat, it will be glad
to llnger while, maybe all winter. Its
singing is confined mostly to migration
time, either going north or flying south
II Will not sing much hereafter, but
1t Will be an ornament to any yard.
1t likes various Wild-bird mixtures
usually containing wheat rice, millet.
cracked corn, hemp, vetch, sunfower,
rye, oats, buckwheat. peanut hearts,
rape, all or some of these.