davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
A New Town Proposed

We've had 169 towns in Connecticut for so long now that it's hard to conceive of another new one being created and authorized by the Legislature. But that is just what may happen next year. The village of Nichols is making strenuous efforts to have itself cut off and declared distinct from the Town of Trumbul. Geographically the residents now declare they are actually township, but other wise they are part of Trumbull and sub feet to all the laws and regulations thereof.
 Many benefits will accrue from such a separation, according to the Nichols residents who favor it. But what of the Trumbull officials? Slicing Nichols from Trumbull will certainly mean consider able to the towns grand list. We should imagine that there might be considerable arguing over this secession plan, perhaps, even within Nichols itself. But most of this will be confined to Nichols and Trum- bull, for it's remarkable how diSinterested the rest of the state can become in just such a problem as this, important as it might be to all of us.
 It will be extremely interesting to note tEe outcome of the secession meeting Nichols residents are going to hold on January 3. Regardless of what is voted on this occasion there should still be plenty of informative discussion after that. It isn't every day that Connecti- cut village wants to secede from it's town ship and set up business for itself. We learn lot just by watching how people deal with these signs of growing pains.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

travel great distances under streets and buildings without getting their feet wet, without being subjected to icy blasts or the suns burning rays, and last, but not least, without depositing a nickel in a turnstile. The most pretentious of these passage ways is probably that at S4th Street and Sixth Avenue.
 There, it is revealed in the New York press, one may wander for hours without coming into the light of day or artificial light of night. This tube is 1900 feet in length and actually extends for five city blocks. The 34th Street station even has 16 elevators to carry patrons to the surface from the track levels. Under ground New York is rapidly becoming as much of a. business center - transporta- ton - as the more varied forms of enter prise on the surface.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

Republicans of Connecticut must have established some sort of record for themselves during this past election. They spent more than $150,0O0 and still have a fair-sized balance on hand. We don't suppose that the Democratic report for the state will show any such figure as this and yet the Democrats were vic torious. All of which doesn't prove any thing beyond the fact that elections aren't always practicable nor do they necessar- fly follow any pattern of action or thought Certainly Republicans might feel entitled to victory on the amount of effort and money spent in the election But the Democrats had the winning ways and that's enough in any political contest.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
Steady Does It

Hysteria accomplisheS nothing. The United States, deep in it's urgent rush toward defensive armament, needs grim determination and relentless energy. There is not time for groundless rumors and tlin-air generalizations. Everybody knows that the danger of sabotage is great; that there are some who would stop at nothing to halt or hamper arms production. The tightest precautions must be taken against this at every point.
 But there is no good in seeing foreign agents behind' every bush, either. For instance, the nation was shocked by the Kenviel, N J., explosion September 12, in which 51 workers were killed. Wise ones nodded sagely and whispered "alien sabotage" Now after three months in- vestigation, the F. B. I. reports that while the exact cause of the explosion is not known, it is convinced that sabotage was not involved. It is one more case in which it would have been wise to suspend judgment until there is something on which to base that judgment
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
In the Midst of War, Peace

In the very heart of Italy, the tiny Re- public of San Marine with it's 38 square miles and it's 15,0OO souls basks in the Apennines at peace with all the world. Not quite all the world, though. San Marine is technically at war with Ger many. That's because it overlooked the formality of making peace after the World War
 But San Marine wants the world to know that, though surrounding Italy is at war with Great Britain, San Marine isn't. Its army of 39 officers and $50 men is snug in San Marine, and not on the snow-slopes of Greece or the sands of Egypt. If you're going to be small country in today's world, the moral seems "Be so, small they don't even notice you.''
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

Maintenance of the new Connecticut River bridge at Hartford is being discus sed now. In fact, ruling has been sought of Attorney General Francis A. Pallotti so that Hartford and the State of Connecticut will know just which one is going to be responsible for the upkeep of this new span when it is built and placed in operation. There is at present a Hartford Bridge Commission which is assuming control of the bridge both be- fore it is built and afterwards. It plans to exercise such control as will be neces- sary, but to entrust to the Highway De- partment the actual work of maintain ing the bridge. This will, of course, in- clude necessary repairs and cleaning during snowstorms. However, there is the matter of tolls What will the Bridge Commission do with the money once the bridge is paying for itself? That may be another question to be referred to the At torney-G General?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

Hill = never got out. But here
 are the facts:
 A microphone was placed un- derneath the mouthpiece of telephone in Room 539 of the Old House Office building, part of a suite used by the milk investi- gating committee. The records which resulted are in the pos- session of Major Ernest Brown, District Superintendent of Police; also in the hands of Bates and Smith. They show that com mittee stenograpiler plloned to man in the milk producers asso- ciation, in Martinsburg, w. Va, 10 tip him off on committee secrets.
 MERRY-GO-ROUND
 When arrangements were being made for the Lothian funeral services, the entire diplomatic corps was invited. Only at the last minute did anyone remember that Germany and Italy were at war with England, at which point ASAs 410AAo A4ANC Colonna, the two Axis diplomats, were stricken from the list For its ultra-modern Army, the Quarterlnaster Corps actually is buying tomahawks. This is the proper catalogue term for cer- tain type of small hatchet used in the Army .. Like carrying coals to Newcastle, the Army is sending refrigerators to Alaska. New Army quarters there will be equipped with electric refrigerators, not to mention ice tongs. But the ice tongs are tiny-four inches long-and made of nickel, obvi- ously for highbalI cubes Great Britain, facing a shortage of milk, is buying condensed and powdered milk in tremendous quantities from the United States. In theh first ten months this year, we exported to Britain 71,000,00O pounds, compared with only 274,- 900 pounds last year.
 Copyright. ,1940, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Inc. )
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
Underground New York

Scientists of years to come will prob ably discover that the average New York resident or worker spent almost as much time underground as he did on the sur face. Certainly the city fathers are mak- ing it easier for the working class to spend most of the time they spend getting back and forth from their places of employ ment under the city's busy streets. The latest of the city's underground railway systems has just been put into operation. It is the 1-4-mile Sixth Avenue subway which runs from 4th to 53rd Streets. It replaces the old Sixth Avenue "El''.
 However, among other features of this latest underground railway, paralelling and simplifying the many other such sys- temS of transportation in our largest American city, are its numerous passage ways which even allow pedestrians to
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
THE BRIDGEPORT LEGEND
 (New York Sun)

Truth, nortoriously unable to catch. up with any lie, is the more outdistanced the gaudier the false hood. The city of Bridgeport, Con- necticut, seems to face a hopeless task in it's attempt to quash the tale of the factory hand who enter ed liquor store there, sad thait his wages because of the defense pro- gram were so good that he was for saking beer, and took three bottles of champagne. As an alternative is offered the man who told a collec- tor that he was going to whittle away his accumulated bills, but that now that he was getting steady pay, he intended to hold out enough to take his wife to one movie a week, and buy her a soda afterwards too. He is estimable, but he doesn't tickle the imagination like the boy after the bubbly. The American fancy is likely to take to Paul Bum van before characters out of John Bunyan.
 Bridgeport is in no mood now to
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

eeS who are up early in the morn ing asking about the highest noun tain in the vicinity and the way to reach the top. And every hotel also has people who like nothing so much as the soft chairs on the front porch and the chatter at the soda fountain.
 The sign which some unknown humorist put up along the noun tain trail might well be used to warn people. who have little relish for any achievement which involves energy and the putting aside of per- sonal comfort. Jesus said that if we are to enter into life, we must go through narrow gate and along & straitened way. Everything in life has price-tag on it. There is not an achievement, no matter how simple it may be, that does not cost something.
 Those who are not willing to pay the price are advised to finger at the soda fountain. The mountain tops are meant only for those who have plenty of push and grit.
 All Rights Reserved Babson, Newspaper Syndicate
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
Views Of The Press

think anything good of the mythi- cal or entirely typical creature who operates gun lathe by day and pops corks by night. It feels the understandable ire which caused the Bridgeport Post, to say: '"The whole effect of such transformation is to give Bridgeport a reputation as frothy as the bubbles in the cham pagne or in the mind of the radio broadcaster who originated this item" Concretely, too, publication of the yarn set wicked men and bad women hotfooting to the town until the police were overworked and there had to be extra court sessions to smash their dreams of cutting in on the champagne money. Later, however, the city may make the best of bad affair by admiring its contribution to American folklore,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
Selected Poem
COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASONS
tArthur Guiterman in the New York Times

COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASONS
 (Arthur Guiterman in the New York TiWes) Our window-corne showed happy sign, For there, uplifted for place to cling, We saw tenoried wisp of budding vine And knew it for the caling-card of Spring. Then in that self-same corner, spun with care To catch some reckless fly, some needless hummer, We saw the patient spiders filmy snare
 And knew that as the calling-card of Summer. When Summer fled, when twilight hours were brief And early morning miSts were over all, The window corner caught drifting leaf The gold -and- crimson calling -card of Fall We heard the blustery north winds trumpet blow We heard the tossing branches crack and splinter; The corner held triangle of snow,
 The ever-lovely calling-card of Winter.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

l. Which President of the United States had the longest last name?
 2. Does thunder cause milk to turn sour?
 3. Which flag or pennant can properly be displayed above the American flag in the military or naval service?
 4. Thomas Gainsborough was 8 British author, sculptor or painter?
 5. In which country did the mill itary goose step originate?
 6. What is the Japanese name for disembowelment?
 '. The word f-h in England means "exhilarated by drink" and in America it signifies "saucy, forward, presumptious"?
 8. Which of the following po- litical figures was born in Pennsyl- vania: Wendell Willkie, Ali Lan- don, Al Smith?
 9. Which area within conti- mental United States is not state?
 10. Who wrote the book "Now It Can Be Told" about the World War?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

jar, or some other container with
 a narrow mouth to lessen evap-
 oration, and add IF pints of
 water for each pound of am
 monium sulphate.
 3. While the tree is still fresh
 saw off a small part of the
 trunk at the bottom preferably
 at an oblique angle or in a V
 shape, then set tree in the solu-
 ton in cool place, away from
 direct sunlight, and leave it
 there until the solution is ab-
 Sorbed.
 The degree of fire resistance of your tree depends upon the amount of solution absorved, NSo the more absorbed the safer your tree. Also, acts to keep the tree green and pre- serve it for a longer time.
 TAPPED WIRES
 If the Senate wire-tapping con- mittee goes through with a se- cretly-considered plan to reopen the District of Columbia milk mar ket investigation, it will strike dynamite. Among other things, it will find that even Congress is not immune to the prying tear of the Wire-tapper.
 The milk probe began as the result of charge by Rep. How ard w. Smith, high-collared Vir- ginia anti-New Dealer, that boot leg" milk was being shipped into the Capital in violation of local regulations. Smith, incidentally, owns two large dairy farms near Warrentown Va, and is mem- Der of the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Association, which has a monopoly on the sale of milk in Washington.
 A charge that District police. used wire-tapping to eavesdrop on persons involved in the probe caused a furore that still an- other special investigation was launched, by Rep. Joe B. Bates of Kentucy. The sensational upshot of this probe-that the wire-tappers actually invaded the sacred precincts of Capitol
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
A BRIDGE PASSES
 (Boston Post)

From the practical standpoint, there should be jubilation that the old covered bridge over the Little Androscoggin at Oxford, Me, is to be razed and will be replaced by a steel and cement bridge. It will be more in keeping with the times.
 But there will be lot of people who will retain tender memories of the old bridge. This is not strange. It has been in service more than a century = 101 years, as matter of fact. The modern bridges are better for traffic, but somehow with the passing of the covered bridges some of the picturesque beauty of New England's rural landscape seems to fade.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

A. Fingal's Cave is curious cav- ern formed of basaltic columns in the island of Staffa of the west coast of Scotland. It is partially filled with sea water. The name was derived from King Fingal of Morven Con the northwest coast of Scotland), hero of the poem Fin gal" which was favorite for mary years with the Scottish people.
 Q. Of which religious faith vas Horace Greeley?
 A. He was not an orthodox churchman, and strongly denied eternal punishment. During his time he was popularly identified with some of the new "isms" then current, as Fourierism, spiritualisrn, etc.
 @. How much financial aid has the Reconstruction Finance Corpo- ration extended to the railroads?
 A. From February 2, 1892, to Feb- ruary 28, 1883. in tile Hoover Ad- ministration, the R. F. c. loaned $316, ,4O4 ,996, and from March 1, 1933 to July 31, 1940, in the Roosevelt Administration, it has loaned $454,- 514,568.
 Q. What part did Mother" Jones play in the Colorado miners strike in the winter of 1914?
 A. When Mother" Jones. then more than 30 years old, attempted to enter Trinidad, Colorado, on Jan- uary 4, 1914, during the miners strike against the Colorado mine operators, she was deported to Den- yer by the militia. Two further att tempts by her to enter Trinidad re- suited in her being held incommulli- cado, once for nine weeks at San Rafael Hospital, again for 26 days in an ''insanitary and rat-infested cell" according to Samuel Yelen in American Labor Struggles Congressman Heating of Colorado introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives for an investiga- tion because ''the constitutional rights of citizens have been tram pied upon," and on January 27 the resolution was adopted.
 c. What is the meaning of the aviation term drift?
 A. A deviation of craft from its course, caused by cross-currents of air or a cross wind.
 If you want copy of the book let "BUDGETING HOUSEHOLD ACCOUNTS" send to The Water bury Democrats Washington Bureau 1913 Thirteenth Street, Washington, D. c. Enclose ten cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

The state press is cognizant of the fact that there was sentiment for election or designation of Senator Joseph P. Cooney of Hartford as Democratic floor-leader in the State Senate for the coming legisla- tive term. He wasn't even candidate for it, but it's obvious that mod" here or there would have resulted in his nom- ination for the post instead of the per sonable "Al" Coles of Bridgeport.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
TANKER TRANSFER
 BOOSTS FUEL BILLS

0~AASANs
 Transfer of those two-dozen-od U. s. tankers to Panamanian regis try some months ago is bearing fruit now in the shape of higher fuel oil bills for the whole U. S. merchant marine on the eastern seaboard. Ultimately, it may also mean higher costs for the U. S. Navy.
 Only U. S.-hag tankerS may carry oil from the gulf area to eastern seaports like New York and Balti- more. Departure of the transferred vessels naturally reduced the coast wise fleet, and prices shot up. Before the transfer, the tanker rate on such shipments was IA cents a barrel. Now it is around 70 cents. It went considerably higher earlier in the summer, then fell to 20 cents-partly because
 German conquests made shippers anticipate heavy transfers to the U. s. flag of Dutch and Norwegian tankers, and partly the House mer- chant marine and fisheries commit tee launched closed investigation of tanker rates. The transfers didn't materialize and the investi- gation came to nothing, and then the rate went back up.
 All of this was reflected in the price of bunker fuel, which rose from 60-75 cents barrel to its pres ent level of from SIPS to $50. The navy is buying its oil under con- tract at 90 cents. so is undisturbed by the present rise. The navy will feel the effect, of course, if the price is still up when it next calls for bids.
 It also means bad times for the independent refiners along the gulf coast. Except for those who own their own tankers, the independents must not only pay much higher freight rate in order to get their product to the eastern market-but they must pay it to the big com panies like Standard, which own most of the tankers and with whom their product must compete after it gets to market.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

ain on its own hook.
 That explains the Presidents maneuvers in recent weeks. While the late Lord Lothian and sundry others proclaimed Britain needed money and needed it badly. FDR stayed very quiet He also re- trained from apply ng any behi1ld- the-scenes pressurc in the House or Senate. He did all this with such a straight face that the aid-the- British people got very worried; some of them recently have won- dered aloud if the President, nee dled by Joe Kennedy, had given up on Great Britain.
 But the whole idea is to have Congress produce the next batch of aid for Britain under its own steam.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

laws. Not for quite 8 while. anyhow.
 Administration experts figure the British have enough liquid assets in the United States to fl Il a ce pur- chases for an- o t h CT six months. Mean while, it is hoped Congress will be- gin aiding Brit
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
STRENGTH FOR THE DAY By EARL L. DOUGLASS. D. D.
FOR MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
 ONLY

On the trail Of one of the Adiron- dack mountains is a sign which reads, Let none that falter enter here. Back there is the soda-foun- tain"
 In other words, unless you are willing to put forth bit of energy
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
A Thought for Today

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be plotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the LOrd.-ActS 3:19.
 You cannot repent too soon, because you do not know how soon it may be too late.-Fuller.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

the fizz water factory hand, at the same time continuing thankful that its population is more truly repre- sented by the man who uses his prosperity to erase the debts of ad- verse days, reserving less than 8 tithe to take his wife out for show and a soda.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
Daily Almanac

Moon rises 9:48 p. m.
 Sun rises 7:12 a. m; sets 4:26 p. III.
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset. than it did week ago. It may not be no- ticeable, but your evenings will begin to lengthen out slowly but surely throughout December and January
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

dIlN AldhS SOH1c sacrifice, don't engage in the strenuous sport of noun t a i Il climbing. T Il e soda fountain at ev cry summer resort is t h e symbol of relax
 atioll and ease.
 E very summer hotel has it's strenuous deVOt-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
TWO OTHER ANGLES

Even if this fails to work, the administration has two other things to try before asking repeal of the Johnson act or the neutrality laws.
 It will suggest that the British liquidate their South American holdings before asking for U. s. cash, for one thing. Much more important, it is prepared to sug- geSt that Britain transfer to the United States Cor agree to share with the U. S) military and naval bases on all British possessions in the Atlantic and Pacific which are readily accessible to the new world
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
National
 Spotlight
BY BRUCE CAPTION Waterbury Democrat Washington
 Correspondent

Washington, Dec. 19.-President Roosevelt is not going to come out for repeal of the Johnson act, nor is he going to exert any pressure on Congress to relax the neutrality
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
Washington Merry-Go-Round
"Croquet Clique" Induced Hull To Favor Franco Loan;
 Clveden Set Worked on U s. Envoy-But FDR Stopped
DREW FEARS ON
 ROBERT S. ALLEN

 put the credit to Fascist Spain indicates the strength of the Coden "Cdn set
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

TODAY's COMMON ERROR Do not say, "Who do you mean" because whom is the, object of the verb.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
Questions
 and Answers

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED The Waterbury Democrat Service Bureau will answer for y0u free, any question of fact or lnfornna- tion, not involving extensive rec search. Write your question clear Iy, sign name and address, en- close a three cent postage stamp. Medical or legal advice cannot be given. Address The Waterbury Democrats Washington Service Bureau, 1913 18th Street, Wash ingtOn, D. 0.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19
Whats Your I. O.?

Can you answer seven of these test questions? Turn to back page for the answers.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

Q. What was the name of Pres ident Franklin D. Roosevelt's fath- CT, and when did he die?
 A. The Presidents father wax James Roosevelt, who died Decem- Der 8, 1900.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

o. How is the sound effect of screeching, skidding auto tires, pro- duced over the radio?
 A. Like most of the other radio sound effects, it is produced with photograph records. The records are running during the entire pro- gram but without volume until the part of the program is reached which calls for the particular sound or sounds.
 @. Is there cave named Ffngaps Cave, and if so, where is it and how did it get the name?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

If you want a copy of the book let "BUDGETING HOUSEHOLD ACCOUNTS" send to The Water bury Democrats Washington Bureau 1913 Thirteenth Street, Washington, D. c. Enclose ten cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-19

Copyright. 194O. by United Feature Syndicate, Inc. )