davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18

buC all over
 the country there were thousands of people who still had questions that had not been solved, as far as they were concerned. So, they naturally looked to their Waterbury Democrat.
 The Washington mail carriers, who serve the building where the NEA-Demorca Bureau was housed, said that in all their experience they had never brought so much mail to any one office as they did to this bureau for more than three weeks.
 The letters came from every To- cality from Maine to California and from Minnesota to Florida. Busy men in the cities, lone cattle men on the ranches, miners in Idaho. Pennsylvania and West Virginia, fishermen in New England, farmers in the deep south, rich and poor, employed and unemployed, white and colored-all asked to have their doubts about the registration and the draft solved.
 QUESTIONS, REPLIES
 CAREFULLY CHECKED
 Every letter received by the NEA- Democrat Bureau was carefully read. Replies were carefully checked.
 These replies were in no way off, cial, but as much as was possible, they were checked with officials of the War Department.
 Many replies received were per- hapS disappointing to their recip- tents.
 Some people, for instance, set forth their business or their family circumstances. Their letters indi- cated they hoped. for a positive as-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
COURT APPROVES l
 $25 ALLOWANCE
Additional $25 Before Hawksley Trial Starts
 Sanctioned Today

An allowance of $25 was entered and an additional $25 before the trial was approved in the motion for allowance to prosecute in the case of Dorothy White Hawksley against John Allen HawkSley at a short calendar session of superior court this morning with Judge Alfred o. Baldwin presiding.
 The judgment in contempt of court in the case of Stephen De- Filio against Rachel Albert DeFilio was put over week. The motion to reopen judgment and extend law days in the case of the Waterbury Savings Bank against Francis P. Guilfoile and others was ordered to stand over.
 An answer has been filed and the motion to be placed on the ex- parte list in the case of William Samuolis against Sophie Samuolis was crossed of. The motion for bond for prosecution in the case of Char lotte M. Smith, ad1n., against Kar- rell Mamchuck and others was also
 
 crossed of.
 The unconteSted divorce action of Sarah Comardo Arena against Wal ter Arena was put over.
 The court eases of John Mckee man and John Broderick against the City of Waterbury, scheduled next Thursday, have been poStpon- ed, for the court was informed to- day that considerable medical tes- timony is to be introduced by a Long Island doctor. The case will be especially assigned later by Judge Baldwin.
 The magistrate also set Novem- Der as the jury case of Samuel Herman against the Mccarthy Freight System.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
BIG BOOM" IS
 ONLY FIRECRACKERs

Boston, Oct. IS = (UP) / loud boom" sounded in Washing ton Street Subway Station today a trainload of commuters pulled ou during the morning rush hour.
 Some one telephoned that an ex plosion had occurred, bringing 1L policemen, II ambulances, a doze cruising cars and fire apparatus.
 After Investigating, police deciot the boom" was caused by a giai firecracker tossed from the train
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
ENTERS HOSPITAL

Washington, October 18A( (UP)- Gen. John J. Pershing has entered Walter Reed hospital for routine check-up. The 80-year-old World War army chief is planning to go to Arizona soon for the winter as usual
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
Life Size Visualizer
 Now On Display At
 Fitzgerald & Platt'

A feature of the custom clothir display at Fitzgerald & Platt's todal and Saturday will be life size vis- 'ualizer. Cloth may be trapped over this visualizer and the appearance Is that of a complete tailored suit either in single breasted or double breasted models. Dan L. Quinlan tailoring expert will be on hand tc advise and his long years of experi- ence will be of great assistance in selecting material and style, or ir advising on your own material.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
ScuIy In Two Broadcasts

Reelection of Congressman J. Joseph Smith will be urged by Mayor Vincent A. ScuIly in two radio addresses tonight. The mayor will speak over station WATR at : 6:I5 and over VERY at 645.
 The brOadcasts have been ar- ranged by the Smith for Congress committee. which Is directing the c0ngressman's bid for reelection. A veteran of three terms at Wash ingtOn, Congressman Smith is a member of the important military affairs committee.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18

a meInper.
 It was tn e com pletion of the biggest and most popular volunteer job ever undertaken by a newspaper concern.
 T here had been articles in the press about t h e draft a n d the obligations to regis r. There had been radio talks on the subject.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18

urged to attend. The subject for discussion is 'The Caravan of the Yellow Silk" Officers for the new year, President, Gratia Booth; vice president. Barbara Nelson: secre- tary, Doris Lloyd; treasurer, Ardith Ferris
 7:30. Mid-week service. This will be a cooperative bible reading meeting. Each attendant being asked to report the substance ol sections of Matthews Gospel.
 Friday, October 25-8:00. Choil rehearsal.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
DIED

GALLAGHER-In this city, Oct. IT, 1940. William H. Gallagher of 79 Niagara St. Funeral tomorrow morning at S:30 o'clock from Ber- gin funeral home, 290 East Main St. to Sacred Heart church. Burial in Calvary cemetery.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
NEAL Democrat Draft
 Bureau Ends Big Job
Answers Thousands of Letters Sent To Washington, Receives Army Praise For Public Service to Conscription
By MILTON BRONNER

Manager seIecve Service Information Buean
 the evening of Oct l6 when the last eter reply newspaper readers about the draft winch nao re- oud answers letters subscribers to the water bury than 200 leading in every state of the Union cooperating through NEA 7TT.d not he
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
ARTHUR GILBERT
 TAKEN BY DEATH
ThOnlaston Resident, 70, to Be Buried Sunday in
 NOrth6eId Cemetery

Thomaston, October 18-Arthur J. Gilbert, 70, West Hillside avenue, Thomaston, died this morning at the Waterbury hospital. He was born in Litchfield, but had lived in Thomaston many years. Until last April he was employed by the Seth Thomas Clock company. MT. Gilbert was the son of Linus and Lydia Loveland Gilbert.
 Survivors include his widow; two sons, Ellsworth and Merle of Thom- aston; one daughter, Mrs. Annie Stone of Waterbury; one sister Mrs. Charles Gillette of Morris; two brothers, Frank of Morris and William of Northfield and two grandchildren
 Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at the HotchkiSs funeral home, 46 High street Thomaston. Rev. David Gaines of- ficiating. Burial will be in North field cemetery. Friends may call al the funeral home on Saturday afternoon and evening.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
NOTICE!

Advertising hearing on application of Ellen F. Hayes to establish re- tail gasoline station at 2S Spring St., Waterbury, Conn.
 HearlnE 10 bes held Monday. Oct. gEth, i940, at l1:2O o'clock, A. M.. in the office of the Mayor. City Hall, Grand Street, Waterbury. Connecti- cut. 1O-lS-St
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18

sUTTON-A months mind mass of requiem will be celebrated Satur- day morning at o'clock, at SS. Peter aand Paul church, for the re- pose of the soul of the late Patrick Sutton.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18
MASSES

STENsON-A months mind mass of requiem will be celebrated Satur4 day morning at 7:30 o'clock, at the Sacred Heart church, for the repose of the soul Of the late James Stem son.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18

HOLLERAN = A first anniversary mass of requiem will be celebrated tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock. at the Immaculate Conception church, for the repose of the soul of the late James Holleran.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18

BABIN-A months mind mass of requiem will be celebrated tomor- row morning at o'clock, at St. Mary Magdalen's church, Oakville, for the repose of the soul of the late Miss Mae Villa Babin.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-18

on, cooperating through NEA vice, Inc, of which this paper is
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08
To Be Expected

Great Britain is not going to relax its
vigilance or maintenance of tight block
ade around Europe even to allow Amer
lean ships to bring food to Belgium or
any other country that is reported to be
facing starvation rations. Reliable
sources say that Britain is prepared to
resist any efforts at persuasion from this
nation towards letting food ships slip
through. And we don't know as we
blame her for such a stand, although
the typical American viewpoint would
naturally be one of condemnation for
such an attitude.
After all, war knows no humanity.
Whether you're an aggressor or defender
you're pretty much apt to assume the
attitude that your life depends on a dell
mite course of action. To Swerve from
this, even in the interests OF starving
nation, would perhaps mean ultimate
defeat. We don't condone war. MoSt
of them are unjustifiable. Nor do we
seek to excuse England in its endeavor
to stem the tide of Naziism by as tight
a ship blockade as it can throw up.
But we do think that our friendly ef-
forts to relieve a distressed nation IN
Europe should not be directed towards
the present combatants. We managed TO
spend millions of American dollars In
Europe during the after the World War,
for which we got scattering thanks; we'll
probably do the same thing once again.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08
"A Thought for Today
Seems Too Late

The compromise CONSUMPTION bill pro-
posed by Senator Francis T. Maloney OF
Meriden in the U. S. Senate may be too
late. There are, however, features OF his
measure that well might be Incorporated
into any such bill that Congress adopteo'
But the general feature of placing enlist
ment in certain age groups on volun-
tary basis simply postpones the newt
able. If we are to have military traln-
ing as an important feature OF our ma
tional defense program then it IS OBVIOUS
that the only means of bringing our
armed strength up to figures sougnt ny
military officials is by compulslon.
Without entering into any argument
on the respective merits OF con-
scription it must be apparent TO
opponents and proponents that Vol.
untary enlistments in all branches OF
armed service in this nation are not gong
to provide us with forces capable OF an
adequate defense; let alone manning the
warships, the airplanes, the tanks, the
arnored trucks, and all the other war
paraphernalia that we're trying to collect
in a hurry. To provide trained units
in sufficient numbers we've got to nave
some sort of a system that scoops up
great numbers of young and heaithy
Americans. Compulsory conscrlptlon
seems to be the answer to this problem.
There certainly is no sense in building
great ornaments if there is no one 10
man them skillfully and intelllgently.
Men can't be trained by an overnight
mass movement. 1t requires time and
patience and the employment OF traned
men to handle the recruits. II we wall
five or six months, another year Is
wasted and our national defense program,
on which almost everyone is agreed, IS
deferred that much longer. Congress can
argue back and forth on compulsory
military service, but the fact still remains
that if you want an adequate army (no-
tice the if) you've got to go out and bring
in the recruits They won't come IN
themselves.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08

do not think of themselves as somehow
set off from other Americans tn special
category, as the term "German-Ameri-
can" seems to imply. We would guess
that the number of such people who thus
consciously set themselves apart is not
IS per cent, but IS per cent of the popu-
latfon. But suppose the fact to be as
DR.. Sligo would have it. He advances the
amazing theory that if Is per cent OF the
American people are of German descent,
then Is per cent of all public offices and
positions should be set aside for them.
That, to anyone accustomed to the
American way of thinking, is ridiculous
on it's face. An American of German
extraction has the same right to vote, the
same right to appeal to other voters as
? candidate for office, as an American OF
Polish or Greek or Italian or English or
Icelandic extraction. No more, no less.
Even a simple American who does not
dilute his Americanism with any hyphen-
ism at all has the right to be elected II
most of the voters choose him. The effort
to create synthetic minority problem"
where none genuinely exists is certainly
unwise, and possibly could have motives
which it is unpleasant to contemplate.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08
Synthetic Minorities

A particularly vicious example of think
ing that is totally alien to the American
spirit has Just come to light. There is in
Chicago a certain DR.. Walter H. Sligo. OF
him we know nothing except that he is
an optometrist, presumably OF German
extraction. In a speech to the German
American National Alliance in Chicago,
DR.. Sligo is reported to have said: 1--WE
are being perseucted here in America to-
day. Although the German-Americans
represent IS per cent of the voters, our
representation in government is far be-
low that figure"
Now this is a curious doctrine to be
publicly advocated in the American Re-
public, and it is worth examining. First,
as to the fact. Do "German-Americans"
represent rs per cent of the voters? We
are compelled to assume that by Ger
man Americans" DR.. Sligo means all
Americans with a proniunced strain OF
German ancestry. But most OF such peo-
pie are not "German-Americans" at all.
They are simply Americans to whom
their German ancestry Is either entirely
incidental or to whom 1t means simply
cultural memories and heritages. they
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08

Work has actually started on the new
highway bridge across the Connecticut
River. The State Highway Department
has small crew at work on the Hart
ford side of the structure making borings
and preliminary work for one OF the
bridge piers. This was required by War
Department regulations. 1t was year
ago preliminary approval was granted 1or
the bridge. 1t is, therefore, required,
that actual construction start within one
wear from that date. The state squeezed
in under the wire with less than "a hours
left before the stipulation ran out. The
bridge won't be used before 1912, though.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08
Are We Short of Skill?

Quite frankly, we can't tell you
whether or not there is a shortage of
skilled labor. We wish we could. But
somebody ought to find out. General
statements come out frequently from
manufacturers and their organizations
indicating that such shortage is acute
or soon will be. Counter-statements then
issue Immediately from unions like the
machinists', or from National Defense
Commissioner Sidney Hillman, denying
any such shortage.
The federal government has an elabor-
ate system of employment agencies. Here
is a case for coordination if there ever
was one. Those who find shortage in
skilled labor should be put directly in
touch with those who say there is none.
The jobs will then either be filled or left
untitled. Then the answer will be def
mite, and we shall know what to do about
it,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08

The case that came up in the Water
town court this week is an interesting
one in many respects. 1t involved exhi-
bition of horse with "set" tail. Under
Connecticut law this is forbidden, pro-
vided such setting" has taken place
since July /, 1885. That's the date the
present statute went into effect. The
purpose of the law is to prevent docking
of horses tails for show purposes. Years
ago it was quite customary to have
horse that was intended for show pur-
poses primarily with a bob-tail. But
humane groups started to pry into the
operation. necessary and locked tails
were fewer as a result. Then "set" tails
appeared on show horses and few were
the riding or driving horses that didn't
have it's tail "Set". But once again hui
name agencies investigated and ulti-
mately got Massachusetts, to pass a law
forbidding it. Connecticut and New York
did the same. Today you may see few
older horses with "set" tails, but not the
younger ones. It is claimed that one
such was shown recently and thereby
hangs the present case, an interesting
test of Connecticut law seldom invoked
and not often heard of.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08
Daily Almanac

Moon sets 1855 p. m. daylight time).
Sun rises 5:54 a. m: sets 500 p. m tday-
Light time).
AL vehicles must be hg' ed thirty minutes
after sunset.
II anyone cared TO make check on II he
or she might ascertain that old wives tale
or superstition that II may be. 81. swithin's
Day with Its fair portent for 1910 has run
pretty true 10 form up 10 date There has
bean scarcity OF rain since July 70.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08

The 15Oth birthday of the U. S. Coast
Guard passed by quietly and without any
great enthusiasm over such an import
ant event. When you figure it out that
this branch of service dates back to 1890
you realize how many others it outranks.
Right now our Coast Guard is probably at
it's peak of service. The Coast Guard
stems from the Treasury Department, but
in the event of war would be under the
Jurisdiction of the u S. Navy. Its work
each year in the saving of lives and pre-
vention of loss of valuable merchant
marine vessels is incalculable The next
time YOU see one of the Coast Guard boats
plying the waters nearby just salute a
trustworthy arm of our government.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08

John G. Foster, first secretary;
successful young barrister who left
a highly lucrative practice in Lon
don to serve in Washington.
Michael HI. Huxley, first secre-
tary, in charge of press relations;
cousin of famed scientist Julian
Huxley and famed novelist AL
dous Huxley. ,-....
A. d. Maris, first secretary, for
merly attached to the Ministry Of
Economic Warfare.
Redvers Opie, second secretary,
former Don of Economics at Mag
dalene College, Oxford, and lee
turer at Harvard; his American
wife is daughter Of Harvard's
economist Frenk w. Taussig.
Richard F. Heathcoat Amory,
third secretary, successful young
stockbroker, who spends most of
his time with Americans in WASH
ington. He represents the Min
istry Of Economic Warfarfare.
p. C. Hill, third secretary, who
married a Miss Borden of Chi
cago, and also represents the
Ministry of Economic Warfare.
william Gray Elmslie, attache,
longtime resident of Colorado,
whose late wife was a Pulitzer.
ALIEN EMPLOYEES
Chief job of the Census Bureau
is to tabulate the population of
the United Sttaes. But in these
days of national defense, it Is
also acting as clearing house
regarding aliens, citizenship and
other kindred questions.
Since the enactment of the
various alien registration and
anti-fifth column laws, Census
officials have been receiving on
an average of 5000 inquiries a
week from individuals seeking to
establish their American citizen
ship, and from employers
anxious to find out If they have
any undesirable aliens on their
rolls.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08
NO AMATEUR SPY-CATCHERs
(Hartford Courant)


The President sounded a timely
word Of warning in his message to
the law enforcement committee now
meeting in Washington to consider
new problems created by the ma
tional defense program. Os he
said, the running down Of spies is
matter for trained professionals.
1.-THE unframed policeman is as in
effective as the unframed soldier.
The amateur detective soon be-
comes fussy and malicious busy
body. We must be vigilant. always
on guard and swift to act. But we
must also be wise and cooEheaded
and must not express our activities
in the cruel stupidities Of the vigil
lante."
How great is the need for such q
warning our past history as well as
our present experience demon
strates. No one doubts that there
are foreign spies at work In this
country or that what we have come
to call fifth column activities" are
going on. But as we learned In the
last war, the amateur usually does
more harm than good when he en-
tiers the field Of spy detection.
Usually his suspect Is Q perfectly IN
nocent individual who may be
forced to undergo serious hardship
because Of the spy-catcher's activ-
tiles. One recalls merchant In q
neighboring city who was forced
into bankruptcy In 1917 because
laundering volunteers spread the
word that he was q spy. II the sis-
pect Is actually q spy, the amateur
may. by interfering. break up an
elaborate trap that has been laid 70
catch him.
The best plan Is 10 leave the busi-
ness Of catching spies entirely 70
the authorities, who ere quite com.
petent 10 deal with the matter. y
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08

SGd4lOAllS do w CAAC LIZ DVUSA6S8
wage they will receive, save the
assurance that he will do the right
thing by them. When the time comes
to pay the workmen, each receives
a shilling; the men who have work.
ed one hour as well as those who
have worked twelve. ~
The parable is not intended to
be treatise on economics but a
parable illustrating the nature of
the Kingdom. 1t warns us not to
bargain with God, but to trust His
goodness. If we bargain with Him,
we get what we bargain for and no
more If we trust Him, there will
be no limit set upon His generous
treatment of US, save what His love
and wisdom dictate.
The world says, Bargain and get
all you can; but the good Word
of the Kingdom is, Trust God and
He will astound you with His gen.
crosby.
All Rights decentralization News
paper Syndicate.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08
ENFIELD AND THE RIVER
(Hartford Times)

N@N@SN SA~~A - AAAAS1/
Since the town of Entitled was
willing to undertake $3O6, 900 WPA
project for a sewage disposal plant,
1t is quite apparent that the COM
munity has no desire to continue to
pollute the Connecticut River, into
which its drains have emptied from
time immemorial. The, plant built
to end the nuisance has lain idle
because the various taxing districts
Of the town coul dnot agree as to
the payment Of the cost of opera
ton. The State has stepped in, not
to compel a town to do something
against its will. but to force an
agreement on operating details.
1t Is understandable that resi-
dents of outlying sections of town,
who are not benefited by a costly
improvement, should object to being
taxed to pay for or operate it. Such
feeling often arises. In Thompson
vile Is the populous center, refused
to vote money for trial operation Of
the plant.
That controversy win now be set
tied. The State Water Commission
has full power to order a town,
corporation or individual to cease
polluting q stream with sewage or
other waste. Enfield, Thompsonville
and the various districts affected
win soon adjust themselves to the
situation. In few months the flur-
ry will blow over.
When that occurs Connecticut
will have abolished the last import.
ant source Of pollution Of ten Con.
necticut within its borders. with
similar improvements already under
way In Massachusetts,. there Is rea-
son to hope the time Is not far dis
tant when the Connecticut win have
become q comparatively clean
stream, far better asset 10 New Eng
land than 1t has been In the last
half century.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08
What Your l. O.?
Can you answer seven Of these
test questions? Turn 10 back
page for the answers.

1. Name the most eastern city Of
the United States.
2. Does self employment bar one
from benefits under the Social Sc
curity program?
3. Was John Paul Jones, David
Farragut or John Barry the first
naval officer to become an admiral
In the U. S. Navy?
4. How many square yards are
in one acre?
S. Who was Archimedes?
6. What is the English name for
gasoline?
z. Brass Is an alloy Of copper
and tin, or copper and zinc?
8. What is the postage required
for a special delivery letter?
8. From what musical comedy is
the song, ''In My Sweet Little Alice
Blue Gown"
10. How many dozens Of eggs are
in case?