davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
HARn MORK Or THINKING

The young people of today are
said TO be far keener mentally,
brighter. wittier. and more alert
than their parents were at their age.
The school teachers will perhaps
say that some Of the youngsters. in
spite of this brightness, lack the
power to concentrate on a hard task.
That seems characteristic Of very
many people, both old and young.
The schools don't ask pupils to
Overwork. but they think if young
people will dig at a subject IL can
finally be mastered. IL they can't
understand the lesson the first or
second time they read it, they
should read it a third time and try
to think what it means. The, true
meaning will probably dawn on
them. If they cant get it then. the
patient teachers will explain it,
Many people look back TO their
school days and think of hard arith-
metic examples. There was one in
some of the old textbooks that told
the pupil TO figure precisely the
amount of wood required TO make
box Of a certain length. breadth,
and height The pupils had to figure
on what extra inches were required
when the sides, top, ends, and bot
tom Overlapped. 1t was very easy
to omit some of that overlapping, and
thus make an error. The pupil who
couldn't concentrate might say it
couldn't be done.
Some would say such an example
was not worth the time it took to
master it. because the pupil would
probably never have to make such a
box. And some would say the prac-
tice the student got in perseverance
and concentration of thought was
worth all the time IL took.
Life is like that after we quit
school. II takes heap of thinking
to see through the difficulties that
surround us. Some people seem TO
regard thinking as too hard work.
Perhaps that is one reason why
man ythings go wrong in this coun-
try.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
SOARING THE WORLD

The methods of Germany and Rus
sia have been called "the war of
nerves." In their war making eff
forts they have perhaps depended
more upon soaring people to death
than on actual fighting. That has been
Germany's war policy. Instead of
dropping cruel bombs over London.
they have simply attacked ships. and
been less destructive than was ex-
pected.
The Russians tried to play the
same game when they wanted to get
territory from Finland. They thought
they could scarce the Firms into
surrender. 1t was a terrible shock to
them when the Firms fought hard,
Russian casualties which
probably run into the hundreds of
thousands.
Some of the little nations have
seemed scared by the fates of Po-
land. Czechosovakia and Finland.
The hard fight which the Russians
had in Finland suggests that efforts
to scarce the world are probably at
least so per cent bluff.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
FUTURE OF SMALL NATIONS

The sad fate of Finland, forced to
give up some of its most valuable
territory TO the remorseless power
of Russia. is a sad reminder that lit
tie countries do not fare well in this
age. which has gone back TO the
ethics of the jungle. Does this down
fall of justice mean that all the little
countries are going to be drilled into
line and made to obey every COM
mand of nations with brutal strik-
ing power?
Perhaps Finland's sacrifice will
not have been in vain. It demon
strated that the power of the Rus
sian armies was far less than ex-
rected. They had on paper about the
best army in the world, but when It
had to face q determined little cOun-
try. those endless attacking legiOns
suffered extremely heavy losses.
Probably the little countries will
have to stand closer together. You
can snap a little stick in two by the
force of your fingers, but put dOz-
Ell of those sticks together and the
bunch will probably be unbreakable.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
APRIL FIRST

April First might be called the
kids own day. Its customs cause
joy in the youth world. The rest OF
the year the kid crowd feels its in
feriority. Its opinions are set aside
as of no account. But on that glor-
iOus first of April youth rises TO
power.
With great alarm il calls on Fa-
ther to look out the window and see
the bear on the lawn. When Father,
oppressed by many cares, fails to
reflects on the date, he hastily looks
out and sees nothing more menac-
ing than the neighbor's Old Pussy.
Great is the triumph of the children.
They feel they have demonstrated
the superiority of their wit. and
Father has to act rather humbly for
The rest of the day. Perhaps he needs
10 be taken down a peg.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
DINING nnT Ne sNlrra

Back in the dim ages Of antiauity
a famous preacher came to ireland
known as st. Patrick, He Is yener-
ated on St. Patrick's day, March II.
The most popular of the many leg
ends that attach to his name Is that
he drove the snakes out OF Ireland.
There is a mold verse which runs:
Mine hundred thousand vlpsrs blue ne
charmed with sweet discourse
ana dined ON them a. Killaloo In soups and
second courses"
Back in those days, long before
printing presses, few people did any
accurate history writing. So the
modern world is forced to guess just
what st. Patrick did TO the snakes.
Patrick was a practical man, and a
leader Of great power, and he may
have seen that the struggling and
primitive people of those DAYS suf-
fered from the bites and the fear of
deadly snakes Perhaps he organized
a movement to clean them out. which
would have been very useful pro-
ject.
II one believes this story to be
mainly imaginary, it may be that he
did figure In some snake extermi-
mating episodes. but that the story
writer's Of those days greatly magni-
fled these exploits.
Perhaps the most likely explana-
lion of the ancient legend is that it is |
ligurative and spiritual in its mean
ing. This great preacher was ex-
lremely successful in driving out
Reathen ideas and superstitions and
vices that were doing great harm TO
he people. and which could rightly
be referred TO as snakes. This expla-
nation is no doubt true. whether or
not he actually exterminated quanti-
les of actual physical snakes.
Many snakes infest modern life.
)f these war is the worst, and then
here are dishonesty. malice. hate.
ielfishness. intolerance. and vice Of
III kinds. The modern world tOler-
ties these snakes which lie conceal
ID on every hand. II greatly needs
he services of noble saints like St.
patrick who shall drive them from
,ur life.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
APRIL FOOLS DAY

The April First custom of sending
people on fake errands and playing
jokes is thousands of years old. Be-
fore the Christian era there were
days when the world set out to make
it's neighbors look foolish. Sober
minded people may say it is all fool
ish, and beneath their high dignity
to try any such jokes.
Still they should look out that they
don't pick up any purses nailed to
the sidewalks, nor call up the tele-
phone number which proves to be the
zoo and ask for Mr. Bear. Perhaps
people need a bit of horseplay to give
them practice in seeing through the
shams of life. The world is full of
attempts to April Fool us. and in
some form it confronts us about ev-
cry day in the year.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
100 YEARS OF DENTISTRY

The Tooth anniversary of the
founding in Baltimore, Md, of the
first dental college has just been Gel
ebrated. The progress made in those
100 years in the care of the teeth and
the mouth is one of the wonders of
science.
That decaying tooth from which
the old timers suffered, often with
out doing anything about it. may
have sent IFS infection all through a
human system, until i'll health or
even death resulted. Some people
used to tremble when visiting the
dentist. Today this science has gone
SO far to destroy pain that the visit
is pleasant social experience, and
il sends you home with renewed con-
fidence in your physical well being.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
COMMUNICATED


The following communication re-
oeived this week, has brought out a
new angle in the street remaining
contest. An angle that should be
investigated by property owners af-
fected by the change.
G. Marshall Townsend
Editor, Milford Chronicle
Dear MIR. Townsend:
II is my wish to have you refer
to an article that you have been run
ming in your valuable paper rela-
tive to changing the names of some
of Milford streets. There is no
doubt in my mind that there are
some advantages TO be gained by the
remaining of certain of our municipal
thoroughfares. There are also GER
tain marked disadvantages, and
feel certain that ultimately the dis
advantages will Overbalanee the ad-
vantages.
The article. or rather advertise
ment. says that the remaining of the
streets will eliminate confusion. and
in numerous news articles which
have appeared. not only in the
Chronicle, but IN the metropolitan
dailies. it has been stated that q
large percentage of the people are
willing for the change. I wonder if
1t has been carefully explained to the
people what the effect will be to the
property owners who undoubtedly
will be forced to have their deeds
changed and the pOstoffice which
will have the bother OF changing the
Il will also mean extra
work for the city office.
Mr.. Townsend. you have served as
a member of city council. You have
also been secretary of council. II is
my belief that you are as well quail
fed to give an opinion on this sub
iect as anyone in the community. II
This meets with your approval / am
sure the taxpayers would appreciate |
any suggestions you could make or
Ihe reprinting of material which you
may have in your files that is per-
-inent to this particular question.
Sincerely yours,
An Interested Taxpayer.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
ENCOURAGING AMBITION

In some towns If people do some
progressive and ambitious thing, they
get jeered at: People say their time
and money will be wasted, and IL
almost seems as II. some of them
hoped to see these efforts fail.
1t is to be hoped there is no trace
of that feeling in Milford Whenever
any of our people try TO do some
thing new and useful, whether in
some public movement or some busi-
ness enterprise, the community
should cheer them .on and offer
friendly cooperation where that is
possible. When that spirit prevails
in a community, you can't hold back
the progress of that place.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
SPRING FEVER

About now people say they suffer
from spring fever. and they drag
through the daily routine with a
feeling of weary languor. The old
timers might say it was plain lazi-
ness. but they probably had just the
same feelings in their working days.
1t was easier then to quit and go
fishing.
After months of being cOOped up
i'll shops ana houses. people feel a
longing for the great wide open
world. They can hear the trout
jumping in the lakes, or the base
ball being knocked over the left
field fence, or they feel an itch TO lift
the golf ball over the traps onto the
Yelvety green. Unfortunately this is
a world of work, and we have to
drill up to the bench many days
when we should like to be playing
with the toys we love.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
THE MONEY ROLLING IN

Uncle Sam has had many financial
headaches of late, but perhaps the
throbbing will let up just a bit as
he reads that the income tax money
is coming in better this year. One
guess was that it might rise 80 per
cent over 1899.
Business improved in 1899, and the
tax receipts should be a good deal
higher. High as they will go, they
won't come anywhere near equalling
the sums your Uncle Samuel is pay
ing out. As Uncle was brought up
in an old fashioned home in which
it was considered good judgment to
pay your bills as you went along, his
headaches won't be completely over
so long as red ink appears so regu-
larIy on his books.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
RRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

1t is often remarked in towns that
something is needed to bring people
together. and to accustom them to
act comparatively. In many towns
the old idea was Everybody for
himself and the devil take the hind
most" That idea is not wholly dead
yet.
Organizations for pushing busi-
ness and for community improve
ment are needed in every commun-
ity. down TO the smallest village.
People get more done when they
pool their strength and organize to
get results. Some desirable end will
seem impossible IL people think what
they could do TO accomplish that end
themselves. But If all these folks
put their strength and influence and
a little Of their time and money to-
getheT in some organization, they
can accomplish things previously
considered impossible.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
DRAMA OF BASEBALL

To the inveterate baseball fan the
first ball games played in the south
ern training camps are like the first
song of the robin and the bluebird
to the nature lover. It seems as if
life had come out of a alternating
sleep, and was ready to function
again.
Soon the heroes of the diamond
will be twirling the little sphere
across the bases all over the land.
The crack of the batted ball will be
sweeter music to the fans than what
the symphonic composers create with
violins and flutes.
To the lover of baseball the league
championships are like grand con-
t:nuous drama, with a scene played
on every summer day. Here we see
human skill, agility, muscular con-
troll and physical vigor contending
with opponents of similar powers.
The whole drama is a battle of brains
and strategy.
The science of baseball deals with
something more than the physical
ability to throw and hit ball. 1t also
has to play on human temperament,
and to handle various personalities
and united them so they will work
as accurately as a clock Also it has
to so inspire them with hope and
courage that they will rise to new
skill in that last desperate inning
when the score is against them, and
two men are out.
The player needs also to be real
thinker. He should know from long
training and experience what Op-
posing players will probably do, and
how the little sphere will fly ac-
cOrding to the laws of physical mo-
ton.
There is a great deal more in a
ball game than meets the eye of the
casual observer. The persistent fan
never tires of seeing these powers
compete for the mastery. II he is
too far from the league centers to
see the game personally, he can form
a mental picture from the newspa-
pers; and use his wit to tell which is
the best team and who the best
players.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
Naval Tonnage Increase

An eleven per cent increase in
Naval tonnage is provided for in the
authorization bill passed by the
House March IL covering 1871 and
1912 and ultimately costing $685.
100000. The Naval Affairs Commit
tee has refused to approve a 25 per
cent increase over a five-year period
and costing s1,596.411.277 which has
been recommended by the Navy De-
partment. House leaders pointed out
that, even with the enlarged building
program. the United States would
still fall short of the 5-5-3 ratio be-
cause of the accelerated naval pro-
grams of other countries.
The new authorization when COM
pieted would provide for a total un-
der-age tonnage of 1,724,4S0 and to-
tai Of 289 ships, adding three air.
plane carriers, five cruisers and six
submarines. as well as 1911 planes
10 provide a maximum of $500. The
newly authorized vessels will be laid
down during the next two years and
will require fiye TO six years for COM
pletion. By that time, the Navy would
have in combatant types IS battle
ships aggregating 100000 tons, elev-
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
Milford, Friday, March 90, 1910
MOMEN,S BETTER HEALTH

The scientists figure that women
are healthier than men. The number
of men who die exceeds the number
of women. Figures collected by a
leading life insurance company for
the period from 1900 to 1887, for in
stance, show that the death rate of
women of age so was reduced rs per
cent in those years, while the death
rate of men of like age was reduced
cnly seven per cent.
Why are women healthier than
men? The men in moods of self pity
may say they have to worry more
about earning living. They fret
because of the bills they have to pay
next week. or for fear the shop is
going to shut down.
The women lie awake an equal
number of hours for fear Sonny is
falling behind in his studies, or be-
cause Daughter wants more new
clothes.
Women are said to have higher
moral standards than men. The So
called double standard often winks
rather tolerantly and even humor-
cusly at offenses for which the wo-
man may be put in the doghouse. If
the women pay higher social price
for offenses than the men. the man
may pay a higher price in impair
ment of health.
Men are more frequently in bad
through drunkenness or various vic
ious practices, and they commit more
crimes. The penalties imposed by
man for such offenses are not all.
The laws of God also provide penal
ties.
Poor health is usually the result
OF misfortunes for which people are
not to blame, though many have fail
ed in some way to live healthful
lives. The large number of men
who have impaired their health
, through lack of self control may
have something to do with the lower
health average of the sex.
Both men and women carry a
heavy burden of anxiety in the life
long battle against the wolf. 1t is
probably just as hard TO stay at home
and worry about the bacon, as to go
OCT and hustle for it. Anyway, the
men and women who walk the
and narrow path are usu-
ally better insurance risks.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
sAYING ZOE 4 RAINY DAY

Saving for the rainy day was once
a highly cherished principle. Chill
dren were taught 10 save money
When they saw the interest added tO
their little deposits, they felt a sense
of triumph.
Many people are saying now that
the old idea Of saving for a rainy day
is "out." The government has es-
tablished systems of social security,
they say, which are supposed to aid
people when these rainy days Of old
age and unemployment come. An
increasing number of people seem
t., think It best to spend the money
as fast as 1t comes in, trusting 20
the government to take care of them
ii they run into some disaster.
The rewards of saving are not
what they used to be. There has been
a general tendency to reduce the
rates of interest. The person who
used to rejoice to see four, five, or
six per cent added to his savings ev-
cry year, may not be able to get
more than two or three if he demands
an equal degree of safety.
What will be the result Of these
changes here in Delaware? When a
comes. or unemployment,
not. so many people are going to
have resources. Many more will be
applying for public aid. The expen-
for relief will be high. That
means more taxes. and taxes make
the cost of living rise. and they Gre
ate burdens on business. Heavily |
axed business is more likely to shut |
down and throw people out of work.
Sc the idea of abolishing rainy day |
saving seems likely to create more
'Giny days
There is at the present a surplus
If capital. and great amounts of II
lie idle. This will not always be so.
rhe energy of the American people
will rise again, and more savings
will be needed to carry on business
nd employ labor.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
Financial Statistics

In view of the huge sums required
to operate Federal agencies and bu-
reaus. it is impressive TO turn back
to 1888 when the per capita spend
ing was $50. where as in 1899 this
per capita burden has jumped to the
staggering sum Of $145 for each man,
woman, and child in this country.
This is a difference of $55 per person
in every family, and taking the av-
erage number of five in a family,
we find that each household has $275
less to spend for the necessities of
life in 1889 than in 1888.
The United States Civil Service
Commissions recent report shows an
average of 400 persons having been
added to the Government payroll
every day from September 1. 1889 to
March 1, 1910. The official daily
treasury statement of March 6, 1910
showed our gross Federal debt as
s42, 1856, ,931 .955-each persons share
Of the debt being $326.O7. Interest on
this Federal debt is s1,050, 100000
per year.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
CHOOSING TOYS
FLoRhNrE mlnNER


Have you ever bought toy for a
child, and felt especially pleased
with your purchase, only to find It
soon thrown aside in favor of some
thing which seemed TO you far less
interesting? Before shopping for a
birthday or any other special Occa-
sion, il may be well to consider why
certain toys go into the discard SO
readily.
The most interesting games of
childhood are those which initiate
adult life. Children see that life as
active, doing something, getting re-
suits. The toys that will help them
to similar enjoyment are those
through which something may be
achieved in their play world. This
demands toys that can be manipulate
ed, those that have possibilities of
progressive activity. The child will
quickly weary Of little iron cart
lacking the capacity for being load
ed, even a red one, since it offers
nothing but to be dragged along at
the end Of string. with no objective,
The same is true of a doll with
clothes that cannot be taken OF and
put on again. The interest in a
jumping jack that knows only one
trick, or a ack-in-the-bOx that looks
the same every time he pops up, soon
pals. All such lifeless toys will soon
go into the discard.
The child demands use for his
imagination. No matter how simple
or how crude, toys that have pOssi-
bilities of activity will win out
against all One-trick ones. For this
reason blocks are early favorities
whether deliberately decorated store
ones or those picked up from the
floor of a carpenters shop. Stately
mansions, bridges, lofty towers can
be built with these, or they can be
piled Enthusiastically just for the fun of
tumbling them down. A wagon with
a fitting device for dumping a load,
just as the ones on the street do, is
far better than just a cart A doll
with a change Of clothes, like that of
a real child or grownup. will soon
become a favorite. One reason why
girls like paper dolls so we'll is that
there is no end to the number Of
lovely dresses that can be made for
them from the bright colored paper
50 abundant now. Besides, pleasing |
results are quickly obtained, and pa
tience is not overstrained, before the |
completion Of an entire costume. |
There is also much food for thought
in the familiar joke about the father
who buys a locomotive with track,
cars, and SO forth, for Johnny and
then scarcely allows the boy TO do
anything the following holiday but
watch Father play with his train.
II child shows some especial ins 1
terest, a little care will find toys |
that have possibilities for advancing
that interest. The child's imagina-
tion will furnish the motive power.
So, before starting out on a shop
ping tour for toys, study your child's
You doubtless will find
that those which offer the possibility
Of doing something with q definite
or something in the line Of
one of your child's especial inter-
ests, will show the most wear and
hence are the fayorites.
It Is important 10 give as much
thought to the selection Of a toy as
Is generally conceded should be Civ
en- TO the purchase Of book.
Milford chronicle., 1940-03-29
FROM CONGRESSMAN
GEORGE S. WILLIAMS
INVESTIGATIONS
EconomY Drive

The economy drive which received
considerable backing early in this
session is beginning TO weaken as
the political leaders stress the inn
pOrtance Of the farm vote this fall.
The Senate Appropriation Commit
tee has restored sums stricken out
for surplus commodities purchases
and farm tenancy. while $212.000,-
600 for parity payments is provided.
The House has pared appropriations
to do away with the necessity Of
adopting new tax levies or increas-
ing the legal debt limit to $4,000
100000. The Senate has shown little
desire to cooperate in any way on
economy. and the outcome of this
session is more speculation.