davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12
Balancing Up

Just as the momentous utterance of
Premier Benito Mussolini that Italy was
entering the war on the side of Ger
many acted as tonic for Herr Hitler and
his Nazis, so much have Pres. Franklin
D. Roosevelt's ringing remarks of Monday
night had similar psychological effect
on the Allies. If anything was to be
gained in cause and effect by the Italian
decision, it was evenly balanced by the
bristling ramparts stand of the President
of the United States. What Italy intends
to offer in arms and men may be cop
pensated by American-made war sup
plies.
1t probably needed just some action
like that of Mussolini's, which we have
been anticipating for weeks but were hop
ing would never come to pass, to spur this
nation into action with regard to the
part we must play in the terrible struggle
In Europe. Short of actually getting into
the conflict we could not forever with
hold aid for either side. All sorts Of
through this nation to direct our course
along path of strict neutrality. 1t can't
be hewed to under conditions as they are
rapidly forming in Europe and in
America.
Few Americans, whether native-born or
naturalized want to go over to Europe to
fight either English, French, Germans or
Italians. There is widespread public dis
taste for such situation as the above.
The last World War rather sickened us
on such profuse blood-shedding for an
ethereal purpose. Defend our shores with
our blood we would willingly; lay down
our lives for our homes and our cities and
our American ideals, we would gladly;
but we hesitate on shipping millions of
American youths into the European caul-
dron. We'd rather furnish the sinews of
war where we think they should be pro-
vided to accomplish the most good in this
fight to prevent Naziism spreading
through the entire world.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12
Sober Thought

A speaker at graduation exercises held
in this state advised his small group Of
listeners to indulge in "sober and clear
thinking, tolerance and complete respect
for others rights and religious teach
ings." What a complete philosophy of life
to give impressionable young men and
women Would that all commencement
speakers might follow this same line Of
thought throughout the length and
breadth of the United States this June.
Oh, yes, it will be repeated in many places
and in many forms of expression, but
such thought as this should be uni
versal in our land.
If this world of ours could only practice
tolerance and complete respect for others
rights and religious teachings now there'd
be no war in Europe. There'd be no need
for Uncle Sam to make frenzied efforts
to arm himself and send munitions and
war supplies to nations of Europe.
There'd be no need of any OF us contem-
plating sending our own troops into the
horrible inferno that now Is France.
Americans have always been clear think
ers and sober ones, too. Let us hope they
continue to remain so when this present
warfare has drawn to it's awful con-
cluSiOn.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

The amity that has existed between
the United States and Canada along its
many miles of unguarded border is slight
ly disturbed today. In the vicinity of
Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario,
the full force of the shock is most evil
dent. The cause is Tightening OF U. S.
customs and immigration rules so that
people = both Canadians and Americans
= who have been crossing between De-
troit and Windsor for years with but per-
functory attention from officials now
find their paths blocked by much official
red-tape. After July l of this year a
passport will be demanded every time a
person seeks admission into the United
States. And Detroit merchants don't
like this one bit. They claim that their
business is going to be seriously inter-
fered with. However, Uncle Sam regards
it differently. He is scanning every alien
who enters this country now with marked
attention until satisfactory evidence OF
admissibility is produced. This is wartime
and precautions prevent disaster.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

@. What is the average cost OF
feature pictures produced In Holly
wood, and what proportion does tne
author of the story receiver
A, The average cost OF SGT feature
length Aims produced IN 1899 80, Is
estimated at approximately S2lO,ZSs'
about five per cent OF which repre-
sents story costs.
@. What Is the title OF Emile
coues popular book, and is ne sun
A. "salf-Mastery through Con.
scious Autosuggestion." Coue died
in 1925.
@. Where Is the country named
A. It is a country In central Asia:
now called Sungaria, and Is part OF
the Chinese Empire. It covers vast
territory, much of which Is unin.
habitabie. and border Mongolia, but
boundaries are ill-defined.
If YOU want copy Of the book
let, "The First World War" send 70
The Waterbury Democrats Wash-
inrton Bureau. 1913, Thirteenth
street, Washington, d. G. Enclose
ten cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12
Ii, Today's Mail

payments and the heavy monthly
charges Of buying a plane on short
time.
Glider pilots Of five years ago
make up the present first-line fight
ing pilots Of the German army.
Civilian pilot owners would make a
backlog OF American pilots many
times more valuable.
My suggestion is that a finance
plan be worked out that would
reduce the down payment required
to a minimum, and that would
lengthen the time Of installment
payment To "a or 80 months. Such
a plan would enable young people
to buy and pay for light planes
costing $1,000. II private pilots
agree to become part Of the gov
eminent reserve, the government
might make mileage allowance
when planes are used for maneuver
and practice trips under National
Guard or government supervision.
The government might well agree
to subsidize up to 40% or 500 Of
the cost OF plane costing 81 1000
or less, provided the pilot Is willing
to hold himself and his plane in
readiness for further training and
subsequent military duty In case Of
war. The pilot owner would have to
pay his half plus the cost Of gaso-
line, oil and upkeep, so that In any
event he would be contributing, be-
sides his time, much more Of the
actual costs than the government.
No matter how many military
planes we produce, they must be
flown, and this requires experienced
pilots.
On a $1,000 plane with $3.50 down.
about $40 q month for "a months
would be required to liquidate the
unpaid balance, pay finance charges
and insurance. II the government
would substitute the pilot owner to
the extent Of one-half Of the down
payment. of $125, and one-half Of
! the monthly installments, $40, its
investment would amount to a little
over $500. The pilot owner would
have an equal cash outlay In, the
purchase Of the plane. insurance, ETC.,
plus $500 or $500 for fuel, oil and
incidental expenses. A more COM
pletely equipped and Instrumental
plane might cost $4,000 to 5000, but
with 3 pro rata increase IN the
down payment and monthly charges.
On this basis, proper provisions
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

could be drawn to safeguard the
governments interest.
If the cost Of acquiring a plane
were reduced to these levels, $l25
cash and $40 per month, the air.
plane market would be tremendous
ly increased. This, In turn, would
open the way for quantity produce
ton by which we might soon ind
the initial cost Of the plane re-
duced from $1,000 to 5000 or $700.
Such a plan would start us on the
way to the mass buying Of private
airplanes. It would give to the light
airplane industry a push ahead COM
parable to that given by the model
T In the early days Of the auto
mobile industry.
with planes available on this
basis Of lowered costs, the work
Of training new pilots would be
greatly facilitated. The 90 hours
required for private license are solo
hours requiring no instructor. Only
small fraction Of this time Is
dual flying with instructor. Give
these young people the equipment,
and, as with the auto and the
tractor, the skill and training Of
use will to great extent take
care Of itself.
The cost to the government Of
creating backlog Of 100000 ex-
perienced pilots. with not so hours
each but with many hundred hours
Of flying time at their own expense,
would be $50 900, 900. If the govern
ment undertook to do this job In
Its own planes without the incen-
tive Of sport and pleasure and self
interest, 1t would cost five or ten
times as much, and as matter
Of fact, the results that could be
achieved would not equal those
that would come from nationwide
release Of private initiative.
This suggestion Is based upon
years Of study and contact with
private pilots and aviation officials
throughout the United States. have
been flying myself for . number Of
years, and because Of my personal
interest In this field and as former
secretary Of the National Aeronau-
tical Association, I have studied the
development Of aviation here and
abroad and the means used In
other countries to create the backlog
OF experienced pilots 80 necessary
for national defense.
The United States has every pos
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12
PRIVATE OWN RSHIP. OF
PLANES NEEDED TO DEVELOP
MORE PILOTS

June 10, 1910.
TO Editor, waterbury Democrat:
The United States has a desperate
need OF trained civilian pilots-of
young men with a maximum Of air
experience who could be turned into
military pilots with minimum Of
additional training.
The present plan giving go hours
In the air at government expense
Is not enough. Six months or a year
after these pilots are abandoned and
they must have more instruction be-
fore they can again take a plane
In the air alone.
It takes many hundreds Of hours
for pilot to gain real air expert
ence. He must have flown under
various weather conditions over
varying terrain. He must be able
to navigate from point to point and
be able to pick out good emergency
landing fields from bad He must
have considerable knowledge Of
map reading, mechanics, and mete-
orology.
To give really large numbers OF
civilian pilots this training, using
governmental ships in the Ma
tional Guard or in the Regular
Army wholly at government ex-
pense, would be a tremendous adj
dition to our already staggering ma
tional debt.
II we really want valuable back
log of pilots, the quickest method
the one least costly to the govern
ment, will be to help make 1t possible
for individual pilots 70 own their
own planes. It is to the eager sports
manship, the initiative and the in
dividual resources Of the youth Of
America that we must turn. Every
young man and many young women
long for the adventure and free
dom that only flying can give. We
might have scores Of thousands Of
privately-owned small planes flying
on every clear Weekend or holiday
Upkeep and maintenance OF Q light
plane Is less than that Of car
The obstacle Is the fact that the
youth 10 whom flying appeals has
not yet established It's income on
high enough levels 10 make 1t pos-
sible 10 meet the substantial down
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

When you order a glass of beer in your
favorite tavern henceforth the bartender
will draw it through tap on which will be
the name of the brew. That's the new
law as laid down by the State Liquor Com
mission. Many establishments have
labeled their taps always, but every tap
and faucet in the future has to bear the
brand or trade name. There was lot
of fuss about this at the last session OF
the Legislature.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

Horton discreetly cleared his
throat.
Knudsen responded, but not as
the startled press man expected.
Without looking up, Knudsen de-
manded, Can you make tanks?"
"Er /. No I'm - slut
tered Horton.
Then sec me some other
time" rumbled Knudsen, still
not looking up. "I'm looking for
tank makers. As you 60 out,
please tell the next man to come
In"
WAR NOTES
Real fact about the so-called
Weygand Line Is that 1t Is not
a fortified line, but a hastily
thrown up series Of gun enplace-
ments. There are no pill-boXeS,
for the simple reason that you
cannot construct concrete pill
boxes In so short a time
French machine-gun nests are
made of sand-bags and branches,
carefully camouflaged. The artil-
lery emplacements are similar I.
Reason Hitler has not used gas
during his bli,zkrieg is that his
troops have been moving too fast;
they would catch up with their
own gas. Also gas would probably
permeate Nazi tanks Gas Is
used In the slower type OF sta
tionary warfare, and II 1t settles
down to this on the Western Front
you can expect 10 see gas used
almost any day.
THE PRESIDENT WORKS
How does the President stand
the tremendous strain Of the war
crisis? Here is the answer, as CIV
en- by Miss Marguerite ("Missy')
LELAND. his private secretary.
1.-THE President Is working much
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

longer hours. He used to swim
In the White House pool every
day, but now it's cut down to three
times week.
"He would like TO 60 TO Hyde
Park, but he has 10 stay close
TO base. He does get away for
an occasional cruise down the
Potomac, but In one case, when
he had planned to stay away
until bedtime Sunday evening.
he told Captain Callahan to turn
back early 80 he could get some
work done.
1.-THE cruises refresh him re-
nlarkably. After a hard week, If
he can get single nights rest
on the water--a good long rest
he comes back looking like new
man. AS long as he has this ca
pacity for quick comeback,
there seems to be no limit to his
endurance.
"Hc works later In the even
ings now, with bedtime more Of
ten at midnight, where II used 10
be eleven o'clock. But he has
been greatly relieved In one way.
Pcopc don't demand his per-
sonAl signature, and he Is
spared a lot Of minor matters"
Miss LeHand's office opens d.
rectly off the Presidents. AS she
spoke a chorus Of laughter came
from 1t. The President was con-
ferring with the Defense Commit
tee and the wise-crack was prob
ably his own.
CHICAGO LINE UPS
Speaker Bill Bankhead Is In q
direful predicarneilt.
It's q White House secret, but
the courtly-mannered and able
Alabama is the Presidents per-
sonal choice for keynoter at the
Democratic convention - a high
honor much sought after by a
number Of big shot party lead
ers. At east half a dozen are
pulling every possible wire 70
land 1t.
But Bankhead, who can have
II ON q silver platter, doesn't
know whether he wants u or
not.
Reason for his dilemma Is a
virulent case Of vice-presidentitis.
Bankhead feels he Is strong
second place possibility and that
the keynote speech customarily
Is made by a dignitary who Is
not a candidate. For him to &C
cept the role, therefore, would be
an admission that he was out Of
the running. And Bankhead Is
anything but that. He Is very
much In the vice-presidential race.
Roosevelt picked DEnkhead be-
cause he liked the Speakers
witty speeches at the last two
jackson Day banquets. But while
fiattered, the Speaker Is still UNI
decided whether to accept the
Presidents offer.
NOTE-Roosevelt's choice for
permanent chairman Of the con-
vention Ii Senate Floor Leader AL
ben Barley, 1885 keynoter and
also q vice presidential hopeful,
though not very hot-and-
bothered one. The Presidents
choice for his floor manager Is
b.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12
Selected Poem
TO A GROVE

marjorie Leichner In the Poets Column,
Hartford Courant)
o, pleasant little wooded copse,
Whose green-leaved branches pierce the sky
o, swaying, rustling, tall tree-topS,
Where starlings nest before they fly!
Each summer return to you,
o lost sequestered private grove,
Just as ship Is wont to do,
Returning to peace-tilled cove
But time has made its changes here.
A lumber mill Is taking toll
And how dismayed, year after year.
Am I, who knew you full and whole.
Each year destroys part OF the glen,
Removes another clump of trees
MY calm retreat is changed again:
Soon all will be just memories.
o yon minimizing axe-armed crew,
When you have made this place cherish
A barren field and empty too.
part OF me will also perish.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12


To date there are only 25,250
British soldiers fighting on French
soil plus $50 planes, and Daladier
was convinced that not much more
would be Forthcoming. Under the
circumstances he was opposed to
France holding the bag and pro-
posed a separate peace which he
thought could be favorable TO
France.
The reply Of the French cabinet
was Daladier's resignation as
Minister of Foreign Affairs
NOTE-After the French defeat
in the Prussian War in 1870 and
the fall Of Napoleon III. the En-
press Eugene gave some cogent
advice to M. Derdier, Minister Of
Foreign Affairs IN the new Re-
publican government. She said
she did not care what form of
government France followed, pro-
vided 1t did one thing-namely
never wage war with Germany
again without allies.
Today. many F'renchmen feel
poignantly that this advice has
been spurned; that they face a
Germany twice as strong In man
power, far better equipped, and
are surrounded by Germany, Italy
and Spain, without any material
help from their one ally.
DEEENDER KNIJDSEN
When william Knudsen, national
defense coordinator, concentrates
on a problem, he concentrates.
The other day Bob Horton, U. s.
Maritime Commission press chief
who has been lent to the Defense
Committee, entered Knudscn's Of
flee to confer with him about q
matter. The powerfully built Gen.
eral Motors head was deeply
engrossed In a mass OF papers.
After few minutes Of waiting,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12
Daily Almanac

sun rises 5:l9 a. m; sets 1924 p. m. day
light time).
All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes
after sunset
The moon enters its first quarter phase to-
night minute before 9 o'clock. standard
time, which Is approximately the same hour
of tke last change. So the weather should
follow much the same pattern OF the last ten
days-rain If the wind is from the south or
southwest
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

brainy little Sen. Jimmy Byrnes.
assisted by Senators Minton q
Ind. Pepper Of Fla. Lister HI
Of Ala, and Mayor Ed Kelly Of
Chicago.
CAPITAL CHAFF ...
Summer heat has come 10
washington, but not the new
fiscal year. Result: no electric
fans for the State Department.
The building has Just had Its wiz.
ing changed from direct to alter
mating current, but the money
for new fans Is not available I'M
til the new fiscal year, beginning
July / White House press
conferences are drawing between
$50 and 200 newsmen these days.
A friend tried to draw out
Miss Marguerite LELAND, private
secretary to the President, on the
third term. Pointing to the White
House rose gardens outside her
window, he asked: do you expect
to see the roses bloom again
next year," Miss Leland replied:
Somewhere, yes"
Copyright, 1910, by United
Feature Syndicate, Inc.)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

eran conciliators
to keep in touch
with labor mat
tiers in key U. s.
industries.
The cours e
tn S e concilia-
tors will follow
h as not yet
been mapped, in
detail. Probable
ity Is, however,
that each man
will assume re-
sponsibiity for
harmonious re-
lations in his
industry a n d
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

The number OF exiled kings and queens
ia Europe mounts every day. Seldom
does the sun set over Europe's rudy
aelds today but what some monarchy
finds itself deprived of its reigning head.
The list is an impressive one. It Is an
almost make-believe story 10 check over
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12
What's Your !. O.?
Can you answer seven Of these
test questions? Turn TO last
mage for the answers.

Can you answer seven Of these
test questions? Turn to last
mage for the answers.
/. What was the letter rate OF
postage in this country before the
World war?
2, Did Dionysius or Damocles SIT
beneath sword suspended by
single hair?
8. What is the correct pronunci-
alton Of Pail Mall?
a. Name the author who recent
" turned down the 1000 Pulitzer
drama prize for his play, the
Time of Your Life"
s. who wrote lode to the West
Wi1d?"
6. Who Is the American ambassa-
dor to Italy?
4. What Is the official name OF
the executive mansion IN wash
ington, D. c.? ~
9. Name the last emperor OF
Mexico?
0. Who cut Samson's hair?
10. What Is the capital Of Kan
sas?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-12

~
will try to anticipate sore spots be-
fore they develop.
1t is apparent that, while the
United States may have to follow
the British lead later on, the
Roosevelt administration has no
intention of doing so under pres
ent conditions.
STRIKES
FALLING OFF
John r. Steelman, head Of the
Cancellation service, Is optimistic
about the prospects.
Since the defense program was
announced" he says, "there has
been a noticeable tendency on the
part Of the unions to try to settle
their troubles without resort to
strikes. I'm convinced there'll be in
creasing efforts by both sides to
avoid any stoppages Of production.
III his voluntary machinery will
work, we won't have to go to the
British extreme which, incident
ally, regiments the employer as well
as the employee"
This policy Of trying to prevent
strikes before they start Is not new.
It has been the keynote Of Steel
mans policy since he took Office two
years ago. Its fruits may be judged
by the fact that If present trends
continue, 1910 will be the most
peaceful year (from a labor rela-
tions standpoinD In 10 years.
LABOR BETTER
OFF THAN IN 1917
Steelman recently pointed out to
the Presidents business advisory
council the sharp contrast between
the labor picture Of today and that
Of 1917.
In 1917 organized labor the
A. F.. L., the railway brotherhoods,
and the independent unions -
spoke for about 3 million workers.
Today between 10 and ~ million
workers are represented by labor
organizations. (There aren't that
many dues-payers, but the bargain
ers speak for that number In all)
Wages were low when the U. S.
went to war in 1917 Today they are
relatively high.
Hours Of work were long In
1917. e., Throughout the war, labor
fought for the 8-hour day and the
48-hour week. Today 1t has a
better standard guaranteed by law.
Union recognition was hard to
get in 1917, and the demand for
recognition was the chief cause of
strikes. Today recognition Is, In
effect, guaranteed by law.
A union contract In industry
was a rarity in 1917. Today there
are between 10000 and $4,000 Of
them.
Living prices were going sky
high In 1917, and labor was con-
stantly trying frantically to make
wages go UP accordingly. Today
living costs are not going up--in
some cities, In fact, they've fallen
in the last year and 1t Is be-
lieved the government has con-
trolls to keep them from going UP
In case Of war or war boom.
NOT MUCH CAUSE
FOR TROUBLE NOW
The moral, as Steelman drew 1t,
was that there shouldn't be nearly
as much labor trouble now and
that the government is infinitely
better equipped to handle any that
does develop.
And the appointment Of these
conciliators for the seven-key In.
dustries, with more to follow, Is
a first step toward insuring that
| a pood situation stavS pood.