davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
Continental Olympics.

The year 1940 has almost run it's race. No Olympic games have been held. Flu ture records of these games, which we hope will be resumed after the current world turmoil and strife ceases, will con- tain brief note after the year 1940, say ing, cancelled on account of war. That happened once before in 1916. It's not a pleasant entry to make in these Splen- did records of athletic supremacy among nations scattered all over the face of the globe.
 Somehow or other this years Olympics were fated from the start. Originally Japan had been granted the games, but war with China forced her to ask for a transfer. Finland eagerly seized the op- portunity, to bid for them and was granted the right. But Finland was soon. torn asunder by invading Russians and all thoughts of Olympics in Helsing7 fors vanished. There can be no official OlympicS now until 1914, but there could be athletic competition on minor scale.
 Why not Pan-American athletic games such as was tentatively suggested once before this year. It's too late now to have them before 1941, but not too soon to start plans for having all the nations in North, Central, and South America compete in a series of games, modelled after the Olympic tests. It would be something for the athletes of today whose prime may be passed by 1914 to remem- Der; it would be one more tie between nations of these continents. It might serve notice on warning nations abroad that there is still sanity elsewhere if not in their lands
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
Should Be One Department

For long time efforts have been made to combine a number of state depart ments into one Bureau of Agriculture. All are more or less allied in this gen. erai field and the feeling has been that they would operate far better from one agency than as separate and distinct de- partments of the State of Connecticut There will be move made again after the first of the year to bring about such a reform. Is the incoming Legislature receptive?
 It's hard to say, but at least we know that Governor Elect Robert A. Hurley will be very much interested in such a combination for, if we are not mis- taken, his proposal of a year or so ago for state government reorganization in- cluded just such plan. In this respect he follows in the footsteps of former Governor Wilbur L. Cross who also was a supporter of this and other means of combining and simplifying various branches of the state government
 Unfortunately too many legislators are concerned with problems of patronage when they go up to Hartford. They don't always follow the recommendations of various groups and commissions that have spent weeks and months of investi- gation of problems that need legislative repair They act too often for individual and not general good. There are high hopes that the next Legislative will pause long enough to consider very seriously such reforms as are being suggested and proposed today.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
How Fares Ore Defense Effort?

Six months ago the American people came to a great decision. Reversing every historical precedent, they decided that they must build great military strength though they were at peace with all the world. They have not changed that decision. There are differences of opinion as to how we may be forced to use our strength none as to building it. How fares the effort after six months? The political campaign being over, we can look at ourselves in the mirror with out distortion and ask How're we doin'?" We believe progress has been such that no American need be ashamed. Most of the disappointments with the defense effort have come to those who expected miracles. Those who appreciated the task and faced it realistically are not dis couraged, not displeased. By next June, roughly year after the intensive pre- paredness drive began, the United States will be able to show military strength with which no power in the world will be inclined to trifle. That is not to say that we will then have the greatest existing military establishment. We won't A machine such as Germany took 10 years
 D build, sacrificing butter for guns, can not be built In six months, or a year. It takes time.
 Considering that 1t takes at least 100
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

They're doing a lot of organizing of the 1941 Legislature even before it has convened or it's members had chance to greet old friends and welcome new members. Legislators always believe it's a good idea to get preliminaries over with well before the actual session starts. Then they can go through the whole thing all over again only the second time it's for keeps. Democrats will probably make informal selections of their Sen ate leaders tonight in Hartford. There is plenty of good timber on the Demo cratic side of the Senate this time and there is weight enough to give Governor Elect Robert A. Hurley plenty support any time he wants to put controversial bill across. It's just the opposite in the House, where the Republicans will con- tinue to have things all their own way. It's too bad this situation can't be switched, because we think that once the COP grip on the lower house was loos- ened there'd be lot of reforms made in our state government, including some right in the General Assembly itself.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

Installation of the new parking meters here in Waterbury places this city right up in the forefront of the many that are experimenting with this type of traffic control We hope that motorists regard the use of meters purely as an effort to keep traffic moving and to prevent long time parking in those areas where the most traffic is found throughout the busy periods of the day. A good many people think that use of the meters is intended as another way of raising taxes or getting revenue. No one should hold such an idea as this, for if you do you lose sight of the real purpose and intent ot metered parking. Regard it solely as step taken to aid both driver, pedestrian, and pro- perty owner
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

opher who wrote these words: To be happy. remain hidden
 recalled how short time before I had watched a certain person make a valiant attempt to barge in- to the headlines and get a lot of free publicity about practically noth- ing a tall, and I recalled the words of the philosopher which my friend had applied to himself.
 Almost every vice is related to some virtue. Self-assurance, up to @ certain point, and seif-esteem as well, are virtues. The people who continually mistrust themselves and run like scared rabbits if anyone looks in their direction, will never get very far in life and certanly cannot claim virtue for such atti- tudes. But self -esteem and self-as- surance quickly cross the line of common decency and become vices. The people who have such self-as- surance that they despise the opin- ions of others, son find themselves heartily despised by all their asso- ciates. The big-feeling fellow who must lead every parade finds at last that everybody lets him march out in front and laughs at him behind his back.
 Samuel Johnson once wrote e poem which contained the words, ~olad to be hid and proud to be
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
Selected Poem
DECEMBER DAY

DECEMBER DAY
 (Herbert Elliott in the New York Times) The wind comes leaping from the north With pelting snow and whips The field-mouse to its burrow
 With snow-fecked fur a lone fox slips Across the stubble-ground and hinty furrow. Out of the nothingness of storm A Tapping crow blows by. The naples creaking branches Are clawing at the snowy sky, And flakes come down in windy avalanches. The storm comes pelting from the north And turns to sudden white A crisp world brown as leather. fox lopes by in misty light, And sleeping field-mice huddle close together.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

All the talk about who'll go and who won't go to Governor-Elect Robert A. Hurley's victory dinner here next Tues day evening must sound to the rest of the state like backyard ("our gang') scrap. Furthermore, we sincerely doubt whether the governor-elect gives two hurrahs who goes and who desn't go, so long as the banquet goes on as per schedule. The trouble with some of the top-hole gentry in Waterbury is that they apparently are taking the matter too serious. It's not a political powwow, as far as we can ascertain, it's testimonial and tribute to MT. Hurley They're hay ing them every day for every Tom, Dick and Harry. Why all the lather over one to Connecticut's first citizen?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

Waterbury is certainly experiencing one of the busiest Christmas seasons it has had in years. Not since booms years of the late 20's have we seen our streets and stores crowded as they have been all this month. And what's more people seem to be buying That's wonderful Every dollar spent here in Waterbury will work to the benefit of the butcher, the baker, and the store-keeper. It will work again and again to make your community prosperous.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
Views Of The Press

power are perfectly willing to let well enough alone-feeling no doubt that the way they got into power is entirely satisfactory.
 Abolishment of the straight party lever also needs the cooperation of the general public, not merely of the refornerS. There are voters who don't care much about the minor candidates, never know their names, and don't care if they are mere political henchmen: and they are more or less in hurry to get the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
Questions
 andAnswers

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED The Waterbury Democrat Service Bureau win answer for you free, any question of fact or inf0rma- tiOn, not involving extensive rec search. Write your question clear Iy, sign name and address, enc close a three cent postage stamp. Medical or legal advice cannot De given. Address The Waterbury Democrats Washington Service Bureau, 1913 18th Street, Wash ingtOn, D. o.
 c. Does President Roosevelt at- tend church regularly?
 A. He attends regularly st. Thomas Episcopal church in Wash ington, D. C., and St. James Epis- copal church in Hyde Park, N. Ya unless prevented by an emergency or pressure of government business.
 e. How old is the film actor, Frankie DarTo?
 A. Twenty-three.
 e. Did the early American 1n- dians wear trousers?
 A. No. The costume of the In- dian male was of tanned buckskin and consisted of a shirt, breech- cloth, leggings tied to a belt or waist-strap, and low moccaSir1s.
 @. Please name the secretaries of the presidents from Wilson to the present time.
 A. Joseph P. Tumulty was secre- tary to wilson; George Christian, Jr., was Harding's; Everett Sanders was Coolidge's secretary; Hoover had three, Theodore Joslin, Lawrence Richey and Walter H.. Newton; Roosevelt has three, Stephen Early, Marvin Mcintyre and Brig. Gen. Ed- win Watson. Louis Howe was Pres ident Roosevelt's principal secretary until his death.
 @, Can a physician of a local draft board examine members of his family to determine their physical fitness to serve?
 A. The Eelective Service Regula- tions provides that "No examining physician shall examine for board any regisMant who is his first cousin, or a closer relation, either by blood or marriage, or who Is an employe or employer, or stands in the relation of superior or subordinate in con- nection with any employment, or is partner or close business associate, of the physician"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

Can you answer seven Ot these test questions? Turn to page for the answers.
 1. Isadora Duncan was singer, actress or dancer?
 2. Which famous English poet and playwright was buried in sit- ting posture?
 5. Where did the first attack oc- cur in the War Between the States?
 4. In which group of islands are Jamaica and Bermuda?
 5. Under which president was the Home Owners Loan Corpora ton established?
 6. Is the 200-inch telescope under construction in California a refrac. tor or reflector type?
 2. The most abundant metal in the earth's crust is aluminium, cop per or iron?
 8. Which State is second in the number of native sons who have be- come President of the U. S.2
 g. "Black, Friday" in the U. s. refers to war, finance, plague or church observance?
 10. Was General Sam Houston born in Texas, Tennessee or Vir- ginia?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

Other industries could be used in the same way for similar short cuts on other armament needs, but they are not. Meanwhile, de- fense output drags along. and precious weeks and months fit by. CAPITAL CHAFF
 After deliberating for several weeks, Wendell Willkie finally turned down request by friends that he wrote an answer to Her. bert Hoover's recent article in national weekly advocating the shipment of food to Nazi-occu- pied Europe Senator Fred Nuys is a bitter administration hater who has fought both its domestic and foreign policies, but that doesn't keep him from de- manding control of Indiana pa- tronage now that New Deal Sen- ator Sherman Mi.lton has been de- feated. Playing closely with Van- Nuys are Frank McHale and Bow man Elder. former bosses of the Two Per Cent Club" Minne- sota Democratic leaders. with Washington's blessing, are seek ing a coalition with the once powerful Farmer-Laborites to go after Governor Stassen's scalp in 1922. The combined Farmer-La- or-Democratic vote this year showed a gain of 146,492 over 1888. while Stassen's majority was the lowest of the state COP ticket. BRITISH PURCHASING
 MISSION
 Intentionally or otherwise, the British Purchasing Mission to the United States has established itself where it can keep an eye on the Capitol of the United States" lit- orally as well as figuratively. It has taken over the ninth floor of the Willard hotel, which overlooks historic Pennsylvania avenue.
 So strategically located are
 some of the rooms, that one
 might easily watch what is g0-
 ing on in the CapitoPs west wing
 with a good; powerful telescope,
 although there is no indication
 or reason to believe that the
 British are doing this. Actually
 the British have taken extreme
 precautions to guard their own
 privacy.
 Heavy Venetian blinds cover the windows facing the nearby Ma tional Press building. AS fur ther protection, each window con- tains a delicate framework, elec- tically connected so that any att tempt to enter would set off large alarm bell, like the general alarm aboard ship. Tn addition,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

a heavy wire screen has been set up at the end of the corri- dor leading to the offices.
 There is just one flaw in this otherwise perfect system of isola- ton = t,,e stage entrance to the ballroom on the tenth floor of the Willard originates in one of the rooms of the British suite. So it is necessary for performers in the Gridiron Club to pass through to make their entrance At such times a stony-faced guard, wear ing a plain brass badge marked British Purchasing Mission" 1" stands watch, so that no one peeps" into the office of MT. Child or MT. Norris or any other commissioner.
 FOOD STAMP
 INVESTIGATION
 With the rapid extension of the food stamp plan, the Department of Agriculture is getting all sorts of reports of violations or near violations from various parts of the country. For instance:
 In Southern city, craps-play- ing co-ored man won a fistful of the blue stamps issued by Sur plus Marketing Administration. He went to grocery store and tried to cash them in.
 In g Nebraska town, reliefer saved up lot of blue stamps, came to a grocer who had whole live pig and bought the pig. Pork is one of the foods properly sold as surplus in Nebraska, but the question troubling Washing ton officials is whether live pig is pork? They are inclined to think not.
 In San Francisco, an investiga- tor walked into g. grocery store which had been cited for viola tions, and posing as a reliefer, he presented blue stamps and asked for tobacco, which Is forbidden. The grocer pulled a gun from under the counter and drove the investigator out of the store.
 In another West Coast city, armed bandits raided an office where blue stamps are dispensed, and stole $250 worth.
 Cases like this are cropping up all over the country, with .150,000 to 100000 stores now participating in the stamp plan. To tighten up on Investigation, a new chief of the Washington unit ha9 been named Frank J. Brechenser, formerly an agent of FBI.
 Copyright. 1940, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
SIDEWALK MOOCHERs"
(BoSton Past)

The Boston Better Business Bu- reau sounds sensible warning for Christmas shoppers in urging them to avoid purchases of toys and other novelties from sidewalk Salesmen of fering cheap bargains calculated to catch the eye of the unwary and unsuspecting. Most often the "bar- gains" are priced higher than for articles of far better quality obtain able in legitimate stores.
 The customer who gets home to find the mechanical toy, purchased from the salesman of the sidewalk. is defective has no redress.
 These so-called sidewalk mooch- CTS" annually harvest a good crop of nickels, dimes and quarters. Their victims rarely have anything to show for their purchases within 8 few minutes after they have made them.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

cause of con- hicting purposes within the ad- ninistration.
 Harnpered by lack of men and money, Arnold's antitrust divi- sion is not going to be able to put the food cost probe into effect on a scale com- parable, say, to its recent study
 f L,,sIs1s..~ ~-4.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
STRAIGHT PARTY LEVER
(Meriden Journal)

A campaign has been started in this state for the abolition of the straight party lever on voting ma chimes. Voters then would be com pelled to vote for each candidate separately. That would compel them to take greater scare in making choices, and prevent weak minor candidates from rolling into ofiice on the coat tails of the major can- didates. The system would, how ever. be opposed by the professional politicog who whenever they get into
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER II, 194
A Thought for Today

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptatiOn, the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.-Matthew 26:H.
 To pray against temptations, and yet to rush into occasions is to thrust your fingers into the fire and then pray they might not be ournt'- Seeker.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

ana gone ultO what might al- most be called seclusion, in or der to do a crea- tive type of work which he could not do under the glare of public ity. In a letter
 I received from him recently he said, T have learned to re- spect the wisdom
 oR AIaak ,@i~SIa1
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
Daily Almanac
tS 3:50 @. m.

Moon sets 3:50 Q. m.
 Sun rises 7:06 6. m.; sets 4:24 p. m.
 All vehicles must be lighetd thirty minutes after sunset.
 There have been some quick and noticeable shifts in temperature readings since Decem- Der started. The thermometer has dropped very low and has climbed high. Even in the short space of 24 hours 1t has shown wide variance.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
ToDAY's COMMON ERROR Never say, ''He was some better today; say, somewhat tor a littIe) better"

e. In how many years between 194O and 2000 A. D., will Friday fall on the 18th of the month three times?
 A. Nine; 1942; 1853; 1859; 1868; 1881; 1887; 1906 and 1898.
 e. How many turkeys were con- sumed in the United States in i939?
 A. The Bureau of Agricultural Economies estimates the number at 30,2l6,000
 e. What was the main purpose of the ancient Roman poet Lucretius, when he wrote the poem "De Rerum Natura?"
 A. It is a long materialistic poem. aimed against the superstitions of the popular mythology, with the pur- pose of freeing people from the fear of death which Lucretius thought was bound up with those religious benefits. The poet committed suicide in his 44th year.
 @. What was the site of the tirst railroad station in Washington, D. C.?
 A. The old Baltimore and Ohio Station at Pennsylvania Avenue and Second Street, N. w., was the first It was opened in August, 1885.
 If you want . copy of the book. let CANDY MAKING" send to The Waterbury Democrats Wash- ington Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth n Ewnn1A~A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
Washington Merry-G Go-Round
WASHINGTON, December m. :
DREW PEAR 8 o N
 ROBERT s. ALLEN

 the of the defense the rate of production this
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

forgot" There is truth here worth pondering.
 All Rights Reserved - Bahson
 Newspaper Syndicate.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

unless it gets an increase in funds.
 Congress might vote the money next January. It will do so only if there is an unmistakable public demand for it. Meanwhile, the President could allocate the money from the emergency fund at his dis posal. But the defense commission is cold to the whole investigation, the Department of Agriculture is not much warmer, and there is so far no sign that any allocation of funds is in prospect.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11

voting over with. These probably would prefer to retain the party lever.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
BROAD DRIVE FOR SUCCESS

bkOAD DRIVE
 FOR SUCCESS
 The antitrust division kept around 100 men busy on its build ing costs probe. So far it has been able to muster fewer than a flint of that force for its food costs study. It is working at present on IS food cases, some of which can get only part-time attention from the men who are handling them. It has at least 100 more cases which need in- vestigation, and more are turning up every week.
 And the point of the whole thing, according to MT. Arnold, is that any investigation of this kind-to be ucceSsful-needs to go ahead on a broad front. The building costs drive got results, not merely be- cause the division was working in eight or ten cities at once, but be- cause it was widely known that there was going to be action all over the country.
 In many a city where antitrust investigators had not even gone to work, practices which tended to keep building costs up were aban- doned simply because people "got religion" when trey saw how sweep ing the whole thing was. An in- vestigation that limps and goes slowly is effective only on the spe- i cific cases that are actually taken into court.
 So far, public reaction to the in- vestigation of food costs has been favorable, judging by letters and other communications received in the antitrust division. Farmers, in particular, are displaying a keen interest. But unless somebody digs up some money, all of this won't help much.
 AGRICULTURE
 DEPARTMENT LEERY
 The defense commission is quite as interested as anyone in keeping food prices at reasonable levels. The commissions consumer division, un- der Miss Harriet Elliott, has al- ready sounded of on the subject. Yet the commission hasn't got en- thusiastic over the anti-trust divi- sion's investigation. On the con- trary, Miss Elliott's group inclines toward some sort of effort to keep food prices in line by consultation and agreement among the process ors, handlers, shippers, etc. At the same time the Agricul- ture Department is leery-largely because of the fear that antitrust
 action might upset some of the departments arrangements to get fair prices for the farmer, especial ly in the field of milk.
 Chief trouble in Washington is a difference in the basic philoso- phies of the Agriculture and Jus tice Department Existing milk price structure has fluid milk, a necessity. carrying practically all of the overhead, while surplus milk
 (used in ice cream, cheese, etc.) carries practically none of 1t. Justice Department would like to see that situation reversed. Agriculture &C., cepts it, but works to make sure that the farmer doesn't get the low surplus-milk price for his whole production.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
National Spotlight
BY BRUCE CAPTION Waterbury Democrat Washington
 CorresnOndent

Washington, Dec. 11.-Thurman Arnold's investigation of food costs is in danger of getting stranded be-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
STRENGTH FOR THE DAY
By EARL L. DOUGLASS. D. D.

A friend of mine who formerly was very much in the limelight has retired from place of prominence
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-11
Whats Your l. O.?

Can you answer seven of these test questions? Turn to page for the answers.