davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
Seen Through New Eyes

G"When die, will tell the dead about
It," 1t was an incredulous, happy old
lady speaking - and she was talking
about America. She had been brought
from her village home in Rumania by her
son, who had lived in the United States
for some time. 1t was her first visit to
this country
The things she saw and marveied at
when she reached this shore were the
things most citizens see every day. They
were little things, most of them - but all
integral parts of land that is still COM
paratively rich and free. On a drive
through the country, she was struck by
the dairy heads on American farms
the unbelievable size of the full udderS.
Cows are not SO productive in her home
land
To this little lady, America is the most
remarkable place in the world She
couldn't get over the fact that she
could travel for several hundreds of miles,
across state lines, without once showing
a passport How often do the citizens of
this country stop to think what that
means? Americans travel thousands of
miles across the continent without once
being stopped for Identification, unless
they run afoul the traffic regulations
somewhere.
Americans don't stop often enough to
count their blessings. They accept all the
details of their lives as part of their heri-
age. Yes, they are part Of American
heritage automobiles, telephones,
electric lights, radio, healthy cattle, free
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

dom of interstate passage, opportunity
to become successful. They belong to
America, and the citizens here have be-
come used to them. They have become
so much part of the general acceptance
of things that no one ever stops to reflect
over them.
What about the houses? - there aren't
any fences around them. And where do
the watch dogs stay?" Leaving houses
unprotected while their owners slept,
seemed to her like over-reliance on the
virtue of humanity. She is learning now
that houses don't get robbed in this coun-
try - most houses don't, at least.
It might do lot of people some good
to shut their eyes for moment and open
them again - on new America, coun-
try they never saw before because they
were too close to it. Count your bless
ings, the little ones as well as the big
ones. They belong to American life to-
day, but they didn't always. They had
to be fought for. The little old lady from
Rumania knows all about these blessings,
and perhaps she will teach few veteran
Americans thing or two before she
"tellS the dead about It,"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

The allies appear to be sitting around
hopefully, waiting either for Germany to
do something or to holler uncle" If
Germany does nothing and waits long
enough, the allies are quite certain Hitler
will have to cash in his chips, or let his
people starve to death.
But look at the case of China. Since
July, 1887, the Chinese have suffered
about 100000 casualties in resisting
Japanese invasion, according to Lieuten-
ant General Wen Ying Hsing, COM
mander of China's Revenue Guards.
China has been virtually cut off from out
side economic aid. Yet, China hangs on
grimly, her leaders confident that she
will win in the end through guerilla
warfare.
Maybe most of the conditions surround
ing China can't be compared to those In
Germany. But the fact remains that the
Chinese have been on an informal ration
card system for more than two years -
and they're far from being defeated
people, at the end Of their rope. If the
allies are counting strongly on their eco
nomic blockade, they'd better keep an ace
IL the hole.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
WATERBURY, FEES
New Haven Journal oourier)

NNcW kAuVcLl VOuihal-OOWASL(
It was inevitable that there
dshoul be some criticism Of the fees
approved by the court for the work
Of States Attorney Hugh M. Alcorri,
his two assistants and former couf1-
ty detective Edward j. Hickey In the
Waterbury conspiracy investigation
and trial. 1t Is true that the Sums
approved, $4,000 for Mr.. Alcorn ana
$4,000 each for the others, are con-
siderably In excess of the salaries
for their regular positions, which
were retained throughout the course
of the trial. 1t Is also true that had
the conspiracy taken place In Hart
ford, they would all have been called
upon to carry through the investi-
cation and prosecution as part OF
their regular duties without special
pay except by express legislative
provision.
But the fact remains that when 1t
was necessary to 60 beyond the Wa
terbury Jurisdiction for thorough
sitting of the criminal charges, the
state turned to these men because
of their proved ability and exper-
fence and asked Of them unusual eff
fort and the sacrifice of much time.
The entire affair took more than a
year and half, the trial itself nine
months. Had individuals not In pub
lie office been chosen for the task.
the fees approved would be consid-
cred relatively low. The auditors who
helped In the investigation. for ex-
ample, have valued their services
at $4,000. It would be unreasonable
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

ton controlled by Huey's closest
friends. Thirty-one shares were
held by Jimmy Noe, former
governor. Seymour Weiss held
"a shares; the late Governor o.
X. Allen had IL shares; Earl
Christenbcrry, Huey's secretary,
one share; and Alice Lee Gros-
jean, Huey's secretary Of state.
one share. Finally, 81 shares
were held in blank for Huey
himself.
The "Win Or Lose Oil Company"
Is q highly profitable concern, and
In 1885 It's dividends were $4,000
per share. SO Huey's profit was
$4,000. Apparently, however, he
never got that money.
What the government Is now
trying to ascertain Is who did get
the money and why he didn't pay
income tax on 1t. The Justice De-
partment plans to prosecute the
recipient under the income tax
laws.
During the cornerstone laying
Of the new Roosevelt archives IL
brary at Hyde Park the other day.
a neishbor OF the Roosevelts came
up to the First Lady and said:
"Oh, when will the library be
finished? am so anxious to
come over and use It,"
II wish you'd tell that TO
Franklin" shot back Mrs. Roose-
welt. laughing, "he's the one re-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
Once More We Dream

State Highway Commissioner has
raised the hopes OF Naugatuck Valley resi-
dents once again. In recent address in
New London he told state realtors that
the condition of the highways between
Waterbury and Bridgeport demanded
serious attention. That's what we've
thought up this way for good many
years now No one finds any fault with
the department on the score of mainte-
nance, but we need more than that.
The type of road connecting Water
bury and Bridgeport, two OF the states
most important industrial centers, par
ticularly at time when war, in which
this nation might be implicated is taking
place is not sufficient for the present
day traffic that it receives. Only in
few places has the roadway really been
modernized For the most part it fol-
lows the same route that has existed
ever since the automobile became pop
ular mode of transportation. 1t is adj
mittedly curry and narrow.
Commissioner Cox gives promise of
fine highway at least as far north in the
valley as Waterbury. We've heard the
same promise before of course, but still
continue to show eager interest when
mention is made again. With the High
way Department apparently ready to
embark on wider program of highway
improvement, perhaps the valleys day OF
reckoning is at hand. Let's hope so.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

Stratford, which is one of the few
Connecticut towns Boosting of city
manager form of government is hot on
the trail of municipal collection OF gar
bage. The system has just been recon-
mended to the town fathers by Town
Manager William H. Shea who claims
that it would pay for itself in three years.
Bridgeport is cited by Mr.. Shea, as
community which found that change
from a fee system to municipal collec-
ton is economical in the long run. How
ever it doesn't work out the same way IN
every town. In Waterbury where gar
bage contracts are givei' out the system
seems to be working we'll and certainly
at no considerable cost to the city.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
. HIGHLIGHTS FROM
LATEST BOOKS
A Witch Comes
From the Woods

King Arthur's Court has always
seemed a pretty serious place, with
knights Of the Round Table out
questing for the Grail, righting
wrongs and rescuing fair damsels III
distress; but T. H. White dispels
that idea and makes the Table q
roaring circle Of fun In his latest.
hilarious account Of the ear of chiv-
airy, 1.-THE Witch In the Woods C.
p. Putnam's Sons: $3.50.
"The Witch" Is somewhat of a
sequel to Whites first rowdy picture
Of King Arthur's boyhood In 1.-THE
Sword In the Stone" but escapes the
faults that are usually found in
sequels. There are no dull moments
In this merry nixup of fact, fancy
and fun.
The lady of the title Is one
Morgause, sister of Morgan lie Fay
and Elaine. wife Of King Lot and
mother of those four Rover Boys Of
romance-Gareth, Gawaine, Agra
vaine and Gaheris. More of Nor
causes supernatural powers are de-
voted 10 making herself bewitching
than TO casting spells upon visiting
knights. Take Whites baths were
invented by magicians, not beauty
experts.
Three prize characters, King Pei
linore, Sir Grummore and a learn
ed and bewildered Saracen Sir Pal
omides, carry full share Of the fun
In this uproarious book. Reset by
Morgause's amorous demonstrating
Lot is away at war-this dizzy trio
romp through rapid succession
of adventures that send most
knights scurrying home to get
Lancelot.
In all Of his fun. White reveals
deep study Of the period Of
chivaliy and O vast understanding
Of human nature. Forgive his odd
additions OF slang and his British
style Of humor and you'll discover
1.-THE Witch" is one of the most
delightfully."- enjoyable persons ever
to come out Of wood.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

Just as we anticipated and almost pre-
dicted, the war over where the first-day
sales of the new Famous American
stamps will take place has started So
far as we know it was the designation
of Tarrytown, N. Y, as the town in which
the Washington Irving one-cent stamp
will first be sold that started the row.
Irvington which is close by Tarrytown is
doing the complaining. Irvingtonn,
through its mayor, Hon. William A.
Murphy, maintains that 1rving's nome IS
still to be seen in that town and that
many of the descendants of the famous
American writer are living there. He
has made an appeal to Senator James
M. Mead to intervene with the Post Office
Department before the stamps are
printed and put on sale. And we don't
doubt but what similar protests will be
heard from now on about first-day sales
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
WANTED: A WORD
christian Science Monitor)

Has Florida's citrus commission
yet found a solution for the prob
lem created by the fact that grape
fruit sales are practically nil In the
region around Shamokin, Pa? Po-
lish residents, II seems. have no
adequate descriptive word for this
product.
II may hearten Florida's orchard
lists To know that their problem was
once Americas and that there was
a time when the grapefruit, for lack
Of O more felicitious designation, was
known as the Shaddock, bearing the
name Of the sea captain who first
carried 1t from China and Japan to
the West indies.
II the Floridians will bring to bear
on this problem somewhat OF the
zeal they are accustomed to employ
in describing the many advantages
of their delightful Safe, the linguis-
tic gap will soon be bridged. Or, per.
haps, 1t would be better to distribute
samples among Polish prospects In
Pennsylvania and let the grapefruit
speak for itself.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

The Siegfried Line, If 1t is broken,
will not be broken by oratory.
Senator Tom Connally (Dem.,
Tex.
Romania Is threatened by no one
and no one has formulated demands
against our territorial integrity.
Alexander Radian, Romanian
propaganda minister.
When they call in the President Of
the United States they must be
speaking. to some degree at least, of
an honorable peace.
Senator e. G. johnson (Dem.,
Colo.).
More than ever is 1t necessary
that the breech dividing labor be
healed and that there be one organ
ization Of workers In the United
States.
Daniel J. Tobin, A. r. L. labor
leader.
The world must be freed from
the continual threat of war.
Gen. Wladislas Sikorski. new
Polish premier.
This will not be a war on the
front. 1t will be a war on women
and children. Erich Maria Remar-
que, expatriated German author.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
OvERCROWDED INSANE
HOSPITALS.
(Bridgeport Telegraml

More than one person has been
puzzled and perhaps a little bit wor-
ried by the sudden surge Of applica-
tons for committal to our state In
sane hospitals.
In fact, despite the building Of the
Newtown hospital our institutions
are oyercrowded and threatened
with worse overcrowding ct the mo-
merlt. One might wonder under
the circumstances If the strain Of
living in modern times Is breaking
down our human resistance and our
population Is gradually moving over
into the insane level.
Now comes a more reassuring ex-
PLANTATION. At q meeting between
Governor Baldwin and the superin-
tendents Of the hospitals 1t was
brought out that the overcrowding Of
our state insane hospitals Is due to a
growing habit Of committing elderly
people to these institutions when
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
10000 CENSUS JOBS
New Britain Herald


The headquarters census office in
washington Is under civil service.
But the temporary staff which will
do the field work Is not. This will
consist Of 10000 persons. All new
jobs, to be had for the asking and
some political pull.
The nation has been divided into
1903 census areas, which are further
divided into a total Of $50 districts.
The district supervisors will choose
the 100000 enumerators.
congressman have a vital interest
In this matter. Some OF these gen.
try will suffer pains and aches. They
will be pestered nightly TO rap
pointments.
The more complicated the census
becomes the larger the field force
required. Already there Is a goodly
mixture OF politics in the business.
Let there be too many impairment
questions asked by enumerators and
we are bound to blame the national
administration.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
sponsible for putting this library
In our front yard"
BRYAN'S BROTHER

Charles W. Bryan Of Lincoln,
Nebraska. 72-year cid brother of
the late Williams Jennings Bryan
and veteran Of innumerable poll
tical battles, tells friends he is
thinking of trying a comeback
next year by running either for
governor or for congress. II he
enters the lists, this will be the
third or fourth comeback Of his
long career
Bryan has been a candidate for
practically every office from coun-
Gilman To vice president. In 1924
he was the running mate Of John
w. Davis OH the Democratic ticket
swamped by Calvin Coolidge. He
has been mayor Of Lincoln twice.
governor Of Nebraska three times
and ran unsuccessfuliy for the
Senate In 1884. The present gov
ernor. Roy Cochran. was Bryan's
State Highway Engineer and ran
for the office with his Blessing
Cochran has announced he will
60 after the seat OF Senator Ed
Burke. anti-New Deal Democrat,
and with the Democrats lacking
an outstanding gubernatorial as
pirant, Bryan thinks he might
have a good chance to win.
Copyright. 1899. by United
Feature Syndicate, 1nc.)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

they really DO not need this type OF
institutional care or confinement.
They are not dangerously or patho-
logically insane but only senile and
need nursing. A
In homes where they cannot get
attention or where people are I'm
willing to give 1t to them, 1t ts be-
coming q sort OF dodge to commit
these elderly persons to state insti-
buttons where they viii be cared for
at the expense Of the state. This
overcrowds the institutions and
leaves a serious problem.
When we have to deal with O gen
uine case of pathological insanity,
where the patient needs constant
watchfulness and care lest he harm
others or harm himself the hospitals
are suited for the purpose. To make
them merely rest rooms for the aged
or senile Is really perversion OF
their purpose. Doctors who are max
ing commitments on this basis ought
to be reprimanded for an abuse Of
their professional privilege.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
Selected Poem
GEESE

(Charles Winks in the New York Times
As swans are lovely, so are naughty geese
White in greensward, dreaming on a stream
Disdainfu and remote as lilies seem.
have seen geese in proud procession CLEAN
Bright in homeward file, like wnd-bown fleece
Or crested seas white as the soft increase.
OF transquil snowfall, and as filled with peace;
Their beauty like to beauty in dream
And have seen them, when the wind brings rain
In driving gusts stand with their heads held high,
AS if to meet the challenge of the sky:
And ! have seen them when the sun again
Shines on their dazzling whteness and they strain
tmpelled by some wild ecstasy, TO fly!
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24


Tiger. "Tammany Hall Is finish
ed" Its foes chortled, consumed
in the burning wrath Of long,
suffering citizenry."
Burned by that wrath, Tam
many undoubtedly was. But
hardly consumed" For today,
like a phoenix arising from the
ashes, Tammany Is on the march
again, and Mayor LaGuardia, no
longer In control Of the City
Council, Is worried about the re.
forms he has fought for.
There Is only one fly In the
Tammany ointment - Alfred e.
Smith-but "the boys" hope that
the former governor will not be
too harsh.
SMART TIGER
STOLE A MARCH
All this happened at the re.
cent election. Guessing wise
ly that its enemies might relax
In an off-year election, Tammany
sent Its thousands of workers out
from house to house, dragging
the voters down to register and
then to cast their ballots.
The results were even more
startling than Tammany had
hoped. OF the 81 seats in the
City council, fourteen, more than
enough to override q mayoral
veto, went to party standbys.
Alfred E. Smith, Jr., was elect
ed, too after his noted father had
engaged in q wordy battle over
the close count between his son
and Louis De Salvio, whose
father is Jimmy Kelly, political
leader and night club proprietor.
The elder Smith won and Tam
many interpreted his close inter-
est as meaning that he will die
tate his sons action, perhaps even
TO introducing reform legislation.
LOOK FOR
MIGHTY BATTLE
Next year Is a presidential
year and Tammany may be
singing another tune completely.
but In the meantime district lead
ers are marching In the front
door of Tammany Hall instead of
Sinking around the side, and the
Tammany office-holders are sing
ing a new version of the parable
OF the seven fat years following
the seven lean years.
Tammany thinks It can riyet
its hold on the city treasury "a
$650,000,000 affair - again this
year. The Little Flewer thinks
not The clash promises to shake
the city.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

The subject of the Waterbury's 1910
budget is a complex one right at the pre-
sent time. 1t is bit unfortunate that
the financial set-up for the next year will
be created, mainly, by men who will not
be connected with the city government in
the next two years. 1t is to be hoped that
the recently-elected officials will take the
opportunity to sit in on some DELHI
erationS
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
Views of The Press

to penal.ze Mr.. Alcorn and the 9TH
ers merely because they also held
offices In another county.
Judge Inglis, 1t should be noted,
has approved the fees and Judge
Inglis is not only believer In econ
omy, but also the one best fitted "
evaluate the work done. The Wa
terbury case has been an expensive
lesson for Connecticut-the trial
costs alone now approach 100000,
But II that lesson Is we'll learned and
we'll remembered, 1t will be easily
worth the price.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

I. Name the first Chief Justice
Of the U. 8. Supreme Court.
2. Where Is the city Of Cannes
8. Which State Is represented III
the U. 8. Senate by Lewis B. schwel
lenbach !?
4. In which country Is Bernhard
Rust the Minister Of Education?
5. In which river are the Lachine
Rapids?
9. What does status quo mean?
Z, Are the three 0uianas In South
America republics?
8. What Is the name for the en-
ployment Of song for magical pur-
poses?
0. What Is the correct pronuncia-
ton OF the word obligatory?
10. Which city In Alabama has
the largest population
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

One item that hasn't received much
mention yet from the city's budget
makers is that of snow removal. For
few years 1t amounted to considerable
item, so much so that the city welcomed
with open arms federal aid. Last year
and the one before snow removal was a
minor item. Sanding of streets is more
of a problem here in view Of the more
open winters we have been having.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
HARDY STOCK
(n6ston Postl

Two spry old New Englanders have
proven that while life may begin at
40 It can be going strong at 30 plus.
When q retired Newburyport sea
captain recently observed his e3d
birthday 1t was diseased that he had
peeled seven-aiid -one-half tons OF
potatoes during the SUMMER. Nov
Myron Reed OF East Middlebury, VT.
at the youthful age Of 81. slaughter
and butchers a 20O-pouno pi8 u Z
minutes. These old gentlemen sti.
can give the young folks . rum 70
their money.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24

A. During the fiscal year lgS!.S8
nearly 10000 persons In the United
states were physically rehabilitated
and trained when necessary, and
placed In retnunerative employment.
AT the close Of the year there were
48.O0O persons In process Of rehabili.
tation, During the year the total
expenditure OF federal funds Tor
states for vocational rehabilitation
was $l,7so,S42.42.
@. What is a "long pig?
A. The human victim OF cam
nibal feast.
@. How Is the Irish surname
Meagher pronounced?
A. Mah'hair. The first syllable
rhymes with rah
@. How many teachers are EN-
ployed In elementary schools IN tie
united States?
A, More than $4,000.
@. Has any study been made OF
foreign barn prisoners in the United
foreign born prisoners in the United
A. The total number OF prisonern
received from state and federal
courts in the United States In 1885
was e5,723. OF this number ze,S8H
were white and were classified az
As. 17o native born and 3,403 foreign
born. Among the total prisoners
is ,3e2 were Negroes and ITO were
other races. OF the foreign born
prisoners, Mexico led witr 765. Italy
had $50, Canada had 36e. Russia
24s, Poland 238, Germany 1872 and
Austria l24. Other nationalities
listed had less than a hundred. No
statistics are available showing the
nationally OF all the prisoners IN all
the prisons in the United States.
O. Give the name Of the Negro
who established o parachute Jump
record last March.
A. Willie Suicide Jones Of Chi
cage.
a. How thick are the hides OF
elephants?
A. The Taxidermy Division of The
u. 8. National Museum says that
they vary from one-half TO one inch
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
Daily Almanac

Moon sets 4:l9 a. m.
Sun rises $40 a. m; sets 4:28 p. m.
All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes
after sunset
The first Thanksgiving has passed and
none Of the beautiful white" TO color the
browning landscape. 1t remains for next
weeks Thanksgiving to produce snow or else
the season will be minus New England
touch.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-24
Questions
and Answers

BIZ EwEDEHAC VI. AERBx
Enclose 3 three.cent stamp Tor
renly when addressing any queB.
tiOm os TACT OF Information 20 the
waterbury Democrats Service Bu.
reau &c Warrington. Legal and
medical advice cannot be given
nor can extended research Be Tn,
iestaken. BE sure all mall Q ed.
dressed 20 The WATERBURY
DEMOCRATS SERVICE BU.
REAU, 1913 Thirteenth street.
THE EDITOR.
@. was Edmond Dantes who Is,
portrayed In 1.-THE Count Of Monte
Cristo," q real persona
A. He Is a fictional character.
created by Alexander Dumas the
author.
q. What proportion Of the gold
reserve Of the world Is IN the United
States?
A. sixty-seven percent.
q. Can o person who Is q native
born citizen Of the United states be
deported to a foreign country
A. No.
q. How much does the Federal
Government spend annually Tor vo-
cational rehabilitation, and how
many persons are being helped IN
this way?