davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-04-13
BY MARGARET NOVEL;.

The smell of new lumber is one Of
the most delightful odors I know
and whether it is in the lumber yard
or your own new house, it stimulates
your mind to all sorts of new plans.
Next to its odor, its color and sur
face texture are most satisfying, yet
with all this free for nothing" we
cover up its natural beauty, many
times, with paint, and wonder why
we are disappointed in the result.
Natural wood surfaces have come
into their own these last few years
apd we are all beginning to UNDER
stand the charm of the honey tones
of pine, maple and cherry in their
natural state. The trend is away
from all the tricky finishes that were
picked, rubbed, sand-blasted and
stained, and toward q carefully
smoothed, natural-appearing surface
that brings out the true character
istic of the wood.
If pine is "knotty," you would do
best in paneling a room to select
only a few boards with knots and
get as many clear" pieces with
few "whirled" ones for contrast as
possible. From all points of view
this is best. Lumber with knots is
rough, the knots often loosen and
fall out, and it is not possible to
finish the surface without making
the knots more apparent. The Joy
of a natural Wood-panelled room is
that it is such a delightful back
ground color, a foil for fabric, stone
and any other material set against
it. Its loveliest and most useful
quality is lost by exaggerating its
knots or gain.
Each type of wood has its own
quality, which should be utilized for
what it is worth. Pine is pale honey
color in tone It is nice with all the
strong colors and will blend into
the yellows and tan shades. It may
Evening star., 1940-04-13

IN color and texture. This wood also
needs light to bring out It's beauty
so that windows must be carefully
planned and carried out to bring
the necessary light into room that
is naturally darker because of so
much paneled wall space. The
bleached woods have a most indi-
vidual character and in the pale
grays and wheat tones are the
perfect foil for the highly decorative
modern wall papers and the pale
"off-shades" or muted colors that
are SO effective in the new uphol-
stery fabrics.
Evening star., 1940-04-13

age rent paid for less desirable
quarters With the profit going to the
owner.
Inevitably, as costs increase, rents
will rise correspondingly. From 1895
to 1887 they rose on an average, 8
per cent. During the last World War
they rose 68 per cent. The builder,
Evening star., 1940-04-13
WASHINGTON D. c. SATURDAY APRIL 1s lso

eral business improved rapidly. This
resulted In IL per cent price rise
In less than year. The improve
ment Of business conditions since
last summer has already started q
slight upward trend in prices.
From the beginning Of the World
War in 1914 to April, 1917, building
material prices scared on the aver
age, IS per cent. IN the following
three years they gained another SO
per cent, making the total rise 218
per cent above the average when
the war started. Materials alone,
however, are not the full basis of
Mr.. Wenzlick's belief that costs are
due to rise. Using the same typical
house as an example, he points out
that the cost Of building 1t In 1914
was $4,254. In 1920, 5000; the bot
tom Of the depression, $5O53, and
last year 1t climbed back to $6,627.
Another point he brings out is the
fact that practically no apprentices
have been trained during the de-
preston. When building volume hits
IlorHlal, aS IL appears now to be
heading for that status, a marked
shortage OF skilled labor will bring
less skilled men into the field, thus
resulting In a loss of time and ma
terials.
Financing Costs Lower.
Financing costs are lower now
than they have ever been. A de-
mand for money is starting again
which, as it increases, will bring
about rise In mortgage interest
rates. At present, 20-year F. H. A.
insured loan for as much as 80 per
cent of the cost of house may be
obtained at AZ per cent interest plus
a u per cent service charge. This
is practically equivalent to the aver
Evening star., 1940-04-13

however, will continue his payments
at the 1910 price.
Better Homes and Gardens points
out editorially that since 17o5 "there
has never been less than 10 years
nor more than 20 between booms.
Another peak should be due in the
forties."
Evening star., 1940-04-13

Government mines of the Neither
lands Indies are expected to produce
over 100000 tons of coal this year.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17
Open House

Although Connecticut industry is sup
posed TO be playing "Open House" this
weekend, so far as can be noticed Wa
terbury Is not figuring too prominently
in the proceedings. About 100 Of our
industrial plants scattered through 80
cities and towns are participating In this
movement which Is sponsored, It seems,
with the idea OF making us Connecticut
conscious. That Waterbury holds aloof
from the movement Is not proof that we
don't approve. Credit this GOODNESS, per-
haps, TO the war.
Waterbury Is town Of numerous and
diversified manufacturers. Brass pro-
duction still dominates the field. It would
have been certainly fine contribution
10 this Open House celebration TO have
had our large and small plants thrown
open for public inspection by those who
are not familiar with the way the wheels
Of industry whir. But these are war
times for many Waterbury factories
Orders for our own government are being
handled and are covered by definite
restrictions The visitor Is taboo.
Other than that, though, there might
have been some response from the local
industries which turn out many notable
products. Perhaps next year II the idea
is continued the entire Naugatuck Valley
will be a willing participant In this "Open
House" movement.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17
Suitable Honor Roll

II Is high time that the city had war
memorial on which could be inscribed the
names Of each and every Waterbury man
and woman who contributed his or her
share TO the World War. A recent at
tempt to clean up and brighten the old
honor roll that has been familiar land
mark In Library Park for good many
years revealed that most Of the names
OF the boys who served In our armed
forces In 1918 were slowly being
erased by natural elements
Some time ago 1t was proposed that q
war memorial be erected on the small
plot OF land facing the railroad station.
Local veterans organizations expressed
interest and enthusiasm for this plan.
It might be simple matter TO combine
the two ideas. A World War memorial
here could certainly be such, so as to In
clude the names OF those whom 1t Is
intended TO honor. Civic and military
officials might we'll consider the advisa-
bility Of combining their respective ideas
and plans on the subject.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17

A few years ago there spread widely
over England, especially among young
men, a movement whose adherents took
oath never TO shoulder gun In any war.
So popular was this movement that
many believed that any British attempt
to raise an army would face serious diff
culties.
Many did stand firm on their convic-
lions, and the conscientious directors
have had dignifed and considerable hear
ings as they were called to service and
stood on their principles. But In the lat
est call OF 1892 men OF age 20, only
1888 listed themselves as conscientious
directors, about 1923 per cent Thus the
force Of circumstances has beaten down
the conscientious principles OF many,
who realize now that only II German
youth were In position to take the same
attitude could their principles set up an
effective barrier against war.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17

Increased building activity throughout
the city Is necessitating expansion OF the
citys water mains More and more dis
triets are being opened up with the con-
sequent demand by residents for all the
comforts to which they were accustomed
In other localities. Street lights, sewers,
water mains all 30 with the growing pains
that a community suffers and which are
manifest In the throwing out OF long
tentacles OF inhabited regions once
sparsely settled. Water Is not serious
problem In this city, for we have plen-
tiful supply Of 1t stored away up In the
Morris hills. But 1t isn't always easy to
get 1t to the consumer because OF the
,city's physical layout. Our numerous
hills and valleys call for pumping sta
tons to get sufficient pressure into the
lines 10 satisfy the hilltop dwellers or
those who may chance to live away out
near the dead-end Of a pipe line. Any
program OF water main expansion Is a
good sign for community growth.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17
. HIGHLlGHTS FROM
LATEST BOOKS
Theater Was No Place
For Lady In Those Days

For Lady In Those Days
Somebody should have written II q
long time ago, but the story's de-
cidedIy worth waiting for as Eos.
ter Rhea Dulles tells II in "Amer.
len Learns ito Play" Appleton
Century; ~. This NJ q history Of
popular recreation and public fun
In America (16O7 TO 104O) from the
tavern 70 the thcater, the city TO
the c0wtOwn, with o lot Of other
sideIight thrown In. You haven't
learned half OF your American
history I'LL you've read II. It's gay,
Iusty and scholarly by turns, but
always entertaining. Told here
are two incidents which wildly
reflect the changing American
scene:
One OF the earliest records Of
horse-racing, which was 10 become
Virginia's most popular sport, has
this undemocratic note. A tailor was
fined In 1874 for having made
race for his mare TO run with a
horse belonging to Mr.. Mathew
Slader for two thousand pounds OF
tobacco and cash. 1t being contrary
TO law for Labourer to make a
race, being a sport for Gentlemen"
(But by 1900 the country was
more democratic; democracy at
least had come to the theater, may
be too much democracy.
There were really no comfortable
seats anywhere In the house. The
boxes were "like pens Of beasts"
reads a contemporary description of
the Park. The pit was far worse
than the boxes. Women were not
generally allowed in this section.
What Is now considered the choicest
part of the theater would be crowd
ed with a conglomerate mass Of
men who left on their hats, took of
their coats, and made themselves at
home with complete disregard of
the more polite amenities.
The habit Of standing on the
benches and splitting into the boxes
or on the stage was deprecated,
writer In the New York Herald sat-
irically approving the custom at
Niblo's, where a gentleman could
place his hat on the floor and have
1t serve "as a spittoon for three
men behind him, who ingeniously
spit over each others shoulders"
THE place was pervaded by evil
SMELLS" the description Of the Park
states, "and not uncommonly In the
midst OF performance, rats ran
out Of the holes In the floor and
across into the orchestra"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17

Little has been heard OF recent days Of
how successfully the motor test lane here
In Waterbury Is operating. But glance
up Thomaston Avenue one day this week
convinced the writer that either most OF
this citys cars had been tested or that
there wasn't too much interest being
displayed by the slow-moving owners.
There wasn't single car all along the
street In the lane reserved for those who
want to have their motor vehicles tested.
The same Is probably true elsewhere,
too. We haven't heard many, or for that
matter any complaints about the con-
duct of the lanes. Personally we think
a fine job is being done and results will
continue to show up in motor accidents.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17
"Springing to Arms''-What Arms?

Write 1t In large letters - courage Is not
enough. The days are past when the
United States could afford to listen to a
Bryan with his confidence that, when
they were needed, "a million men would
leap to arms overnight" what arms?"
asks the American Of 1910, his eyes appre-
hensively on Europe, and especially on
the countries which trusted in non
aggression pacts, in meticulous neutral
ity, in patriotic spirit.
In the days when the United States
rebeled against the British crown,
"embatted farmers" could crouch behind
the stone fences of Concord with muskets
hastily snatched from above the fireplace,
secure in confidence that they were not
conspicuously worse armed than the Brit
ish regulars. That is over All men
skilled in military affairs have known it
for years. Now it is written across the
face of Norway, and Holland and Poland
for all to read: Courage is not enough"
The British should have had their
lesson in 1915, when the great Kitchener
felt sure that two machine guns to a bat
talon were more than sufficient" and
that the tank was "a pretty mechanical
toy" Yet they have allowed Germany
to outbuild them in planes and mechan-
lied equipment We also had some object
lessons in 1918, when our army in
France, more than a year after our
declaration of war, was still using Euro
pean-built artillery, machine guns and
airplanes because we were not even then
able to build our own and deliver them
to the fighting front.
At last the Garand rifle is being deliv-
cred in slow driblets, replacing the 1903
Springfield. The air forces have not been
neglected, yet were it not for European
orders, the rate of production would still
be very slow. Pilot-training, almost more
important than plane-building, lags.
There is no anti-aircraft artillery worth
the name, and virtually no munitions
industry.
All this is no cause for hysteria, but for
sober thought, careful planning, and wise
foresight. We need to calculate carefully
lust what our military needs are TO de-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17
The War Comes Home

Americans have been congratulating
themselves for months on the fact that
this nation was far removed from
Europe's battlehelds. President Franklin
D. Roosevelt brought home the fact yes
terday that we are but few hours
removed from the horrors from which
we turn away with shudders His plea
for a national defense, such as we have
never known before, surely awakened US
to the reality that we are on the brink OF
war.
There are two ways OF looking at the
situation. But both Of them lead to the
inevitable conclusion that we must arm
ourselves thoroughly and rapidly. The
war may not be carried into American
waters nor onto American soil, but there
Is every indication that In some form or
another II will be-. II certain American
principles are TO be maintained, then the
United States Is expected to play the lead
ing part In repelling any invader, whether
1t be on our own soil or that OF neigh
boring American country.
The millions that the President would
have us spend are not necessarily pre-
Jude to war We all hope that we may
avoid any conflict In which, no matter
the outcome, thousands OF American SOL
diers would be sacrificed for no common
good But far better TO be prepared TO
defend these shores against foreign ag-
erosion than TO see the land overrun
through our inability TO cope with
mechanical forces on the ground,
superior forces In the air and on the sea.
Let US be prepared at any cost!
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17
Selected Poem
A HOUSE FOR SALE
Myrtle A. Pierre in the Poets Column,
Hartford CouranU

Myrtle A. Pierre in the Poets Column,
Hartford CouranU
I've lettered the sign with particular care
In letters quite large and quite bold
And I've nailed 1t tight to the garden wall
For the paSsers-by to behold.
Now sit In my rocker, my knitting In hand
My face is determined though pale
And justly wonder what neighbors will say
When they learn that my house is tor sale.
I've lived on this homestead for twenty-five years.
AS bride I had walked through the door.
Rugs / had braided and quilts had patched
With my babes at my feet on the floor.
Susan's diploma still hangs on the wall
Though she's married, mother-to-be;
And Jimmie, my baby, is somewhere in France
So that left just Hiram and me.
We were happy, we two, in this house by ourselves
But that happiness just couldn't last
Hiram was called to his heavenly home
And I've lived alone In the past.
But just can't go on, so I've lettered the sign
They will see it, I'm sure, without fail
Yet they never will know that broken heart
Was the cause OF "a house for sale"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17
In Today's Mail

renee, Wall street mouthpiece, says
that "the inevitability OF American
participation Gin the war; In some
form has seized public opinion.
This Is not the case. The Ameri-
can people are not suckers; they
want none Of this war. IT Is this
"inevitakdlity" however, TO which
Wall street wants public opinion TO
surrender.
American mothers and fathers
make yourself felt. Write or wire
President Roosevelt and your con-
gressinen. Your sons lives are worth
the cost Of thousands Of letters and
wires. Let the voice Of the people
be. heard In a mighty chorus: "This
Is not our war. We want none Of II.
We want our sons TO live and not to
die for the profits Of Wall street."
Let this be your answer to the war
nongering Horace Tafts.
MICHAEL RUSSO,
Secretary, Communist Party.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17

KELLAND OF ARIZONA
(New York Herald-Tribune)

NNeW xOrk Herald 1TlDune)
It is good news for the Republic
can party that Clarence Burlington
Kelland, the writer, has consented
to be q candidate for Republican
National Committeeman from Ar
iona. The party leaders Of Mari
copa County, where the hard-riding
Kelland has his hacienda (compelte
with ierds and saddle horses),
probably will present Mr.. Kelland's
name to the Arizona State Conven-
ton on May 10. bud" Kelland
would fit easily into the national
political scene. He was for years well
known in New York and Long ISL
and not merely as q genial citizen
and a successful author put also as
q homely philosopher and probably
the ablest survivor Of the fast-van-
inshing breed of genuinely great
toastmasters. Around Phoenix he Is
regarded already as one Of the old
settlers. Discriminating Arizonians,
like the New Workers before them,
recognize the lean and hard-bitten
bud" Kelland as the genuine arti-
cle--a fortunate blend OF horse
sense, rare native wit and a tongue
that can sting like the tarantula.
He says he regards the coming ma
tional campaign as holy crusade"
When he really gets steamed up he
should be highly effective. Ride EN-.
cowboyl -
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17
DON'T BE A SUCKER AND SEND
YOUR BOY OFF no WAR!
Editor, Waterbury Democrat;

Editor, waterbury Democrat;
Death is having o hioeous Roman
holiday In Europe. Each day more
OF the flower OF Europe's youth Is
thrown into Its bone crushing jaws.
In a mere FIVE days 100000 Dutch
young men have been killed. With
them thousands Of German and Bel
gian boys, mangled into burnt
stumps Of humanity.
They were thrown TO their death
mercilessly, by Anglo-French and
Hitlerite imperialism-in their wing
TO get there first In the rape and
ravaging OF small neutral nations.
Mothers and fathers, bring home
to yourself what this means. Look
at your own son this morning. What
pain and brooding care have been
spent In bringing him to young
manhood.
The mothers and fathers Of those
100000 who are now dead forever,
and Of those other thousands who
were slain, look out on world Of
bitterness and bleakness this day.
What tears they shed statistics can
not tell.
Why did these young men die?
They died to fatten the monopo-
lists Of London, Paris and Berlin.
They died In order that the lash Of
the slave master may be heard the
louder over the backs Of the black
man In Africa and the brown man
In Borneo.
There were almost TEN MILLION
LIVES snuffed out brutally In the
World war Of 19l4-1918. How were
the people then persuaded to die?
They were filled with falsehoods
about "the war for democracy"
about "the war to end wars" The
same false cries are being employed
today to drag our young men into
slaughter. American people, do not
permit your lives to be ruined
through such pirate propaganda.
Wall street-those gangster ene-
mics of the people, the Morgans and
Rockefellers-want our boys to be
sentenced likewise to this horrifying
death. They are Fundamentally Civ
ing their support to the war policy
of the Roosevelt administration.
They even want him to run for q
third term now.
Arthur Krock Of the Times reports
that washington officials say that
our front line OF defense Is the Low
Countries In Europe" David 1. Law
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17

pigeon-holed by Secretary swan
son.
A bill Is now before Congress
authorizing the construction OF
u 10 10 airshipS, oil small, non.
rigid blimps, TO be used for obser.
walton purposes. But even II the
bill passes, Congress probably will
not appropriate any money at this
session.
TAFT AND WAGNER
Serious minded Senator Bob
Taft was attending O meeting OF
the Senate Banking Committee,
where he made an extended state
inent on q financial measure ul-
der consideration.
Later, aS they were leaving,
Committee Chairman Bob Wag-
iler joshed Taft: "That was quite
o campaign speech you made this
morning, Bob"
"And you would have been
right In there making one y0ur-
SELF" grlnned back Taft, ~ you
hadn't been born abroad"
NOTE Able, working
Wagner 10 constitutionaily barred
from the presidency because he
was born IN Germany. He was
brought to this country as q child
by his immigrant parents.
POLITICAL CHATF
Taft managers privately are sore
at Governor Bricker. They sus-
pect the Ohioian Of making secret
overtures 10 Pennsylvania boss Joe
Pew TO undermine Taft strength.
Socialist Norman Thomas,
comments on young Tom Dewey's
position on foreign affairs: dewey
asks himself, what about Europe?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17
Questions
and Answers

Bx gHkDBRAO VI. AhkDx
Enclose q threo.cent stamp Cor
reply when addressing any Ques.
zion Of fact Or information % The
Waterbury Democrats Service Bu-
reau at Washington. Legal and
medical advice cannot Be given,
nor can extended research bo IN.
taken. BE sure ell mail 10 ad-
dressed 10 The WATERBURY
DEMOCRATS SERVICE RUs
REAU, 1913 Thirteenth Street.
Washington. q. G.
THE EDITOR.
Q. Which states comprise the
Solid South?
A. Politically they are: - Vir.
glnia, North Carolina, South Car.
DINA, Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Arkansas and Texas. Maryland,
Kentucky and Missouri are classed
as Border States and they are re-
garded as doubtful politically.
Sometimes oil the former slave
States, those which remained n the
Union as well as those which Joined
the Confederacy, are classified a.
the Solid South.
q. Is II possible 10 make q spark
when using brass and copper tools
in the presence OF explosive gases?
A. Under ordinary conditions Of
use, sparks are not obtained from
brass and copper tools and their use
Is desirable n explosive atmos-
phereS.
q. Who said, Damn the torpe-
does, 90 ahead"9
A. Admiral David FNrragut at
the Battle Of Mobile Bay, August 8,
1884.
@. What was the population OF
Alaska In 1880, 1900, and 1902
A. 1890 33,426; 1900 - 6S,5o2;
io20-55, 0Se. Today II Is about 76,-
600.
q. Which city has more hotels,
New York or Chicago9
A, Chicago.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-17

DO we or don't we?' And the an
swer always IN Dewey" -.
Kenneth Crawford, washington
correspondent OF the new York
newspaper PM, will not run for
recollection as head OF the News
paper Guild. Crawford won the
Guild presidency without opposi-
ton after the death OF Haywood
Broun; now no advocates O full
time, paid president, with the
national offices removed from
Manhattan TO some other city >.
In O personal letter to press friends
explaining why no accepted the
presidential nomination OF the new
Prohibition Party, financial page
sage Roger Babson declared, II
have nothing TO offer American
people except the privilege Of sac
rificlng themselves for the com.
mon good-but this applies both
20 employers and workers, 10
'playb0ys' M well % those on re-
lief' The Army has 10 So
called foreign language students,
that Is, officers studying foreign
languages abroad. The officer
learning Chinese Is stationed In
China and the ono learning Jap.
anese Is located In Japan. But
the officer studying Russian Is sta
toned In New York city -.
Many members OF Congress depend
on ghose-writers, usually their
secretaries, 10 write speeches. But
not Arizona's erudite Senator
Henry Ashurst. A gifted gram
marian, no not on:y writes his
own speeches, but helps colleagues
with theirs.
Copyright, 1910, by United
Feature Syndicate, Inc.)