davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19
Learning By Doing

The American boys urge to do things is largely responsible for the phenomenal growth of the Boy Scouts of America dur, ing the past three decades, the Natloiidl Council of the organization belleVeS. Al though adults look with favor upon Ine character building aspects ot ScouIill9, the 12-year-old is primarily interested Ill joining lively bunch of his contempot- aries who seem to spend most or CheH time hiking, camping, performing spec tacular Good Turns and playing eXclIlng games.
 Records of the past three decades nave well established the character values o1 Scouting More than half ot the RhooeS Scholars from the United States have been former Scouts. So have half the cadets at Annapolis and West Point. Prl- vate organizations who hire many young men freouently consider attainment ot Eagle Scout rank as the equivalent ot two years in college. The Army and Navy AIT Corps give special preference to high ranking former Scouts because they are nres1lmed to be seriouS-minded, reSpon- Sible and alert.
 Despite the solid basis for adult ap- Droval of Scouting, there is good reason for the enthusiasm of the boys them selves The Movements whole program is predicated on the idea of learning by doing." To promote respect for the Unit ed States Flag, a color ceremony IS part of Troop meetings, and an important part of the "Tenderfoot' requirements IS a knowledge of correct Flag usages
 Self-reliance is developed on hikes Ill the woods, where-under the eye ot Sen for Scouts and adult leaders-the! oegln- ners learn to pitch their own tents ana cook their own meals. Tracking ana pathfinding games are exciting sport, and they teach the boys to be observant. Con tests in first aid knot-tying and bridge building keep them alert and ready Tor the day when their knowledge will be or serious use to the community.
 The idea of service is kept before the boys throughout their years as Boy Scouts. The daily Good Turn is key note of the program. Advancement to higher rank requires evidence that the youngsters have lived up to the ScouI Oath and Law since joining
 Typical of the sort of Good Turn that appeals to the boys dramatic sense IS the distribution of Thanksgiving baskets, ushering at public functions, and assist ing in rescue work. Preparation for such tasks instills an eagerneSs to perform other, less exciting jobs. Active partlcl- patton in Scouting from his l2th blrth- day until he is 16 or IT often has pro- found effect on youths adulthood
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19
What To Do Now?

Football fans have something to talk about now for the rest of the season. Con- pliers of records have something to mark down in black type in their manuals. football official has admitted that de- cision he made in the course of a game was wrong. This in itself might not be much of an admission unless the clrcum- stances were such as to make such a de- cision decide the outcome of the game and perhaps with that game the trend o1 footballs mythical championships later on in the season.
 Unfortunately for "Red" Friesel he erred on most important play. Reversing hlS decision on the number of downs that Cornell was give.l to make touchdown in the closing minutes of play against Dartmouth up in Hanover late last Sat urday afternoon means lot to the foot ball world It probably means that Cor nell was not entitled to it's touchdown and that Dartmouth should have won the contest, thus providing the gridiron world with as great an upset as the VIC Sary of Iowa over Notre Dame.
 What to do in such situation as this is difficult to decide. But certainly MT. Friesel had only one course of action and that taken some forty-eight hours too late was the right one. The only thing is that such decision forty-eight hours after the game ended precipitates more controversy and makes for more argu- ments. All we know now is that Cornell got a touchdown with the aid of an of- ficial's error. Can admission of an error remove the touchdown?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

der existing laws immediate suspension of registrations can be ordered and li- cenSe plates seized.
 We don't recall any instances, though, O. where this action has been reSorted to on such a wholesale scale as would be necessary in New Haven'S case 1t is believed that what the Motor Vehicle Commission will probably do will be to refuse to issue 1941 registration to those who remain delinquent. This will give those presently delinquent several more months in which to clear up their ac- counts All of which is just about what happens every time this matter is brought up.
 We have great discussions about de- linquency in local motor taxes, but it's hard to discover any actual instances where person really suffered more than a minor inconvenience for such trans greSsion. There should be some sort of an automatic disposal of such cases af- ter the preliminarieS have been disposed of. And the same rule should apply in every one of the 169 towns of the state. It should be no easier to be excused in any small community than right here in our own city.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19
Another New High Reached

Recent weeks have been just suc- cession of new highs. The censu.' showed a new high in population. Electric power production reaches and passes new peaks every week or so. General industrial pro- duction is at new high. Farm purchas- ing power is believed now above that ot 1929. Steel production eclipses the palmy days of the boom. Lots of things are get ting bigger and better than ever before.
 Right along with all these is the gov ernment payroll Latest report of the Civil Service Commission shows that gov ernment workers now number 1,O58,596, with monthly salaries of $160,O0O, ,OOO- more civil workers to run the regular gov ernment departments than were needed in World War days. That gives clew as to how really difficult it is going to be to slash ordinary government expendi- lures to make more room for the defense costs within the budget. Every one of those jobs is somebody's vested interest. That somebody thinks the government couldn't get along without him, and is willing to do battle to prove it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19
In Today's Mail

pie; by the worst elements of Wall street-and for the benefit of the worst clements of Wall street. Mark well the name of Frederic R. Cou- dert, the legal adviser of the British Embassy, paid hireling of John Bull.
 And associate with his name the 1914-18 propaganda; that of Thomas W. Lamont, partner of J. Pierpont Morgan; that of Henry L. Stimson. former 'I-kept them out of war politician; "that of Lewis Douglas, former president of Canadian Unt- versity; that of Frank Polk of World War fame for propaganda; that of Philip Marshall Brown.
 ITO the movement seeking to in- volve our country is added flavor of hypocricy," said the editor of The Brooklyn Tablet a Catholic Weekly Newspaper.
 Hysteria or blind devotion to other countries would involve us in this catastrophe without taking any step to protect ourselves. In this serious situation, hysteria must cease. Americans, whatever their origin, must be Americans. However much they love any other country, their duty is to their own country. How ever much they may sympathize with friends in dire trouble, they must not wildly sacrifice their bro-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

and Dr. Francis Townsend are pals once more. They split during the campaign.
 The gaunt tycoon of the old age pension movement, after wangling a letter from Senator McNary which promised nothing. but which promised nothing, but which Townsend claimed was an en- dorsement of pensions, pumped for Wendell Willkie. Whereupon Downey, who is the No. Town sendite on Capitol Hill, and who had been cool to the third term, jumped vigorously into the fray on the Presidents side.
 And the California cut a lot of ice. He not only offset the "OId DOc' among his followers. but was an antidote to Senator Hiram Johnson when he came out for Willkie. DOwney also put in some telling licks for Sena- tor Bob LaFOllette in his very uncertain battle for reelection.
 Townsend, who tries to run his movement with an iron fist, was very peeved at Downey's inde- pendence and when the Senator tried to see the "old Doc" in Chi cago during the campaign, Town send gave him the cold shoulder But the election returns changed ToWnsend'S mind.
 This was the second presidential fight in which he took a licking. In 1886 he had teamed up with Father Coughlin behind William Lemke, who wound up with a few hundred thousand votes. Also, the big Democratic congressional vic- tory was no solace to Townsend. So he hot-footed it to Washington and, hat in hand, went to Dow ney's office and made his peace.
 However, he still has to pla- cate a number of Democratic members of the pension bloc in the House. During the campaign some of them talked of replac- ing Townsend with someone more politically adept.
 Copyright, 1940, by United Feature
 Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

In it's first year the Scully administra- tion bids fair to break more than one record But certainly one of these IS the splendid manner in which Humbert Man gini's tax-collectir4g department has been functioning. There was pretty good record last year in tax collections. It was over 95 per cent. But right now the present tax-collections show practically as much as last year and there is still part of November and all of December to go All of which means that Water bury will come perilously near making perfect record for 194O in tax collections. That indeed would be a record for a municipality the size of Waterbury; It is rare in these days that the big city can complete fiscal year with perfect record of tax collections. And by the same tok- en too much credit can't be given the taxpayers of Waterbury for their fine spirit in making this record possible. Without their splendid cooperation no tax collector in the world could attain Suc- cess.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

The recent discussion on the proposed change in our senatorial districts enabled many people to get in few digs" for our present legislative system It is noth- ing new, for the rotten borough sys- tenn" has been under fire as long as we can remember There is plenty of justi- fication, too, in the sharp criticism that is voiced. For some reason or other our methods are directly opposite of our na- tional house of laws. We elect represen- tatives from towns, regardless of popu- lation and senators from districts, sup posedly equal as to population. That's what puzzles now, too. It's going to be hard to create 36 senatorial districts that will be equal in population and still keep within constitutional limits.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

It's nice to see the Christmas decora- tions along our streets before Thanks giving Day. We don't think it will dwarf the festive spirit of the latter occasion, but when you forget about Christmas these days until after Thanksgiving week you leave little or no time for proper preparation in these fast-moving days This added holiday period is just enough to give us gradual but definite intro duction to our greatest of holidays.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

thers and their sons.
 A highly emotional clamor by war mongers and by innocent, misguided persons is fast leading this nation into a state of near belligerency which history proves has always led ultimately to open war. "It is clear to us who served in the World War that our former allies left no stone unturned to block the war debts which they solemnly borrowed from us and later curtly refused to pay. The Johnson Act was passed by an aroused Congress to prevent such situation happening again. We en- join all members of Congress to up- hold the Johnson Act. This Is resolution which was accepted by the American Legion, Post No. 42 in Evanston, Ill.
 What a pity that there are some who would willingly see, and actual ly some who insist, that the blood of our American boys be spilled up- on foreign shores for the purpose of saving other nations, when in truth and in fact this country is honey combed with Trojan Horses grazing everywhere and fifth columns marching, North, East, South and West.
 Yours truly,
 IAN AMERICAN"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

Furthermore, it may be that the career clique will get away with it.
 They urge that the hundred millions be advanced to Spain in order to keep Franco from coming into the war against England. They claim that if Spain has enough food, the country will re- main neutral. And it is the Bri- tish, whose fumbling in Spain was even more responsible than ours for the present danger to Gibral- tar, who now want the United States to bail them out with a hundred million dollars.
 Confidential military reports from Spain, however, indicate three things: 1st, the Spanish people are so fed up with three years of bloody civil war that they won't fight in any foreign war not Of their choosing; 2nd, Spain is so badly defended that her harbors would be easy targets for the Bri- tish fleet; 3rd, the Spanish people actually are near revolt, which is the secret reason why Franco wants the hundred million. With out food, the old Loyalist govern ment might come back again.
 In other words, it looks as if the career clique inside the State Department is still trying to keep in power the man they secretly backed during the
 Spanish civil war.
 NOTE-It is unlikely that Hitler wants Spain to come into the war--yet. Spain has been too valuable as neutral through which supplies, foreign agents, and even food could be smuggled. Much of Spain's food shortage comes because Franco used wheat to pay for arms he received from Ger many.
 Probability is that if the Bri- tish put arms in the hands of Franco's growing political op- position, they would have an army in Spain which would completely neutralize the Axis there. The Loyalists are still ready to fight, but against Franco, not for him. DIR. TOWNSEND APPEASES
 Senator Downey of California
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19
TODAY'S COMMON ERROR Do not use set for rest, stand.
 lie. etc. Instead say '"The vase stands (rests) on the mantel; the boat lies in the water"

c. Was Douglas Fairbanks the first or second husband of Mary Pickford?
 A. Her first husband was Owen Moore, from whom she was divorced, and Douglas Fairbanks was her second. She divorced him in 1885, and is now married to Charles (Buddy) Rogers.
 o. What price was paid to the Indians for Governors Island in New York Harbor?
 A. Wouter Van Twiller, a gover- nor of New Netherlands, and his Council purchased the island in l637 for $l65. It then consisted of about 100 acres.
 c. Is it necessary to send a model when applying for a patent on an invention?
 A. Only when the primary exam finer in the Patent Office finds it necessary or useful in understand ing the invention, otherwise models are not accepted. The applicant will be notified if model is required.
 If you want copy of the book let "20th CENTURY WORLD HISTO-G GRAPH" send to the Waterbury Democrats Washington Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth Street, Washington, D. c. Enclose twenty cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19
ONCE MORE AMERICA IS BEING THROWN TO THE DOGS OF
 WAR BY INSIDIOUS GROUP
Waterbury, Conn, November IT, 1940.

November IT, 1940. Editor of The Democrat:
 The name of Frederic R. Coudert is unknown to the majority of Amer jeans. Seldom has it appeared in press reports. Like thieves who op- crate under cover of night, there are in our midst those who operate be- heath the protested auspices to steal our liberty, our peace and our au- tonomy. Frederic R. Coudert is one of these.
 "The Committee to Defend Amer ica by Aiding the Allies" is high name composed of high-handed gentlemen who are leaving no stone unturned to throw everything pre- cious to an American to the dogs of war.
 FREDERIC R. COUDERT organ ized this committee. Sneakingly, Sub- versively, n-Americanly hiding be- hind a sanctimonious stuffed shirt named William Allen White, these men form the most dangerous fifth column that ever set foot upon neu- tral soil. They are the Queslings of America. They are the Judas Iscar- iots within the apostolic college of our nation.
 They are gold-protected, Govern ment protected. foreign protected snakes in the grass who dare not stand upright and speak like men face to face.
 Eighteen prominent bankers met secretly on the 20th day of April in New York to set up this commit tee. They were called together by Frederic R. Coudert, the legal ad- wiser of the British Embassy. and one who helped lead us into the last World War.
 Til1s war is being fought by those who control the private banking sys- tenn; by those who control the peo-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

be permitted to exhibit these relics to a grateful and appreciative pub lie, and will give satisfactory bonds of half a million dollars for their safe-eeping and return.
 These precious trophies. of which all your friends are so proud would be placed before the eyes of your millions of admirers in a manner and style at once pleasing to your self and satisfactory to the best ele. ments Of the entire community I trust you will. in the honorable manner proposed. gratify the public and thus inculcate the lesson of honesty. perseverance and true pa- triotism SO admirably illustrated in your career.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19
Cutting Down Accidents

New Ravens safe-motoring record ought to experience sudden jump if Tax Collector Bernard J. McGrath of the Elm City gets any sort of support from the State Motor Vehicle Department with regard to license suspensions The Tax Collector has just handed over to the Mo tor Vehicle Department list of 5000 motor-car owners who have failed to pay their local tax on their automobiles. Un-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

Act which would greatly broa den the old-age pen- sion system.
 What is likely to come out of it is a pension plan remarkably lik e the m O. d e rnized version of the Townsend Plan.
 Studies of ways to extend and amplify the old- age assis tance section of the So- cial Security Act are now beinp
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19
Selected Poem
CAPTAINS WEATHERVANE

Virginia Grilley in the Christian Science Monitor You gallop North, you gallop South, And sometimes East and West; The ridgepole is your hitching- post Which never gives you rest. But when the town is lost in fog That's like a mermaids veil, Your noStrils sniff the easty spray, You switch your fluted tail. For on ship long moons ago sailor dreamed and planned Your Sprightly mane and merry hoots With steady, craftsman hand And though you're roof-bound gallant steed, The wind blows salty, free; It whispers of the long green swell For you have known the seal
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

 and Answers
RY gRRnERlO al. KERBR

Eneloss three cent stnmp Cor reply when addressing any ques- ti0n oR fact 0r information O the Waterbury UemocFat's 'erVice Bu. reau as Washington Legal and medical advice cannot be given nor can extended research % um. taken Be sure an mail c a. dressed to The WATERBURY DEMOCRATS SERVICE BUe REAU. 1O13 Thirteenth Street. Washington. D. C.
 THB EDITOR
 Q. Why was James Roosevelt appointed to the rank of Lieutenan Colonel in the Organized Marin Reserves and why did he request de. motion to Captain?
 A. He was appointed in Novem' Der, 1886 when he accompanied hi father as aide in his South Amer ican tour, and needed that rank h maintain 8 place close to the Pres. ident, under diplomatic usage. H1 requested demotion later, on tho ground that the rank was too high for his age and experience.
 @. What are the primary pigment colors?
 A. Yellow, blue and red, and any pigment color may be fairly matchI ed in hue, though not in purity, by proper mixtures of these colors. To them white and black must be add ed to tighten or darken the hues to be produced.
 @. How many times did Winctes- ter, Va, change hands during the War Between the States?
 A. Sixty-eight times from the beginning to the end fthe con- fiict the town was taken or ocuppied by one of the armies only to be lost or abandoned later to the other.
 Q. When did Lincoln make his famous Gettysburg address, and where can copy of it be obtained? A. The address was made on November 19, 1863, For a free copy, send a self-addressed, stamped en- velop to The Waterbury Democrats Service Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth St., Washington, D. c.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19
Daily Almanac

Moon rises 8:44 D. m.
 Sun rises 6:43 a. m: sets 4:3i p. m.
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty min utes after sunset.
 November has few days left in which to produce lt. but there should be one last mild spell left in this dreary month. To date it has been typically Noyemberish-eold. raw. rainy. dark. The remaining ten days may reverse this type.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-19

made under supervision of Federal Security Administrator Paul V. McNutt, in line with President Roosevelt's campaign pledge that better pension system would be in- troduced.
 These studies have not yet been finished, but it is possible to get fairly good line on the program. A good guess is that it will call for the elimination of the means test by local boards are empowered to decide whether or not an assistance eligible is actually in need-the ex- tension of pensions to all retired citizens past 65, and government payments starting from a minimum of-probably-$25 a month, to which the individual states could add further sums if they chose. CLOSE TO
 TOWNSEND PLAN
 This means, of course, that the present actuarial basis" would go out the window. It would no longer be necessary to estimate what per- centage of persons will be in need, since pensions would go to all. Re- liance on payroll taxes as a means of footing the bill would probably be abandoned too.
 The annual cost of a pension system such as has just been out lined Is figured to be around $2,- 00,000,000 a year. Best suggestion so far is that some form of gross income tax would have to be levied to support it.
 What comes out of all of this is something tolerably close to the Townsend Plan.
 There is now pending in the Sem ate a bill introduced by Senator Downey of California, generally recognized as the chief spokesman for the Townsend idea in the upper house. Downey's bill, which bears Townsend'S endorsement, would levey a 2 per cent gross income tax and pay pensions to all retired citizens past 60. Downey figures this would mean pensions of $40 a month at the start. The bill carries a $2OO maximum, which admittedly would be reached about half mile this side of Utopia.
 PRESIDENT.
 WILLING
 By all of this there hangs tale.
 Dr. Townsend came out for Will kie in the last campaign. Downey, on the other hand, stumped for Roosevelt. Late in August, Downey had long conference with Roose welt in the White House. The Presi- dent remarked that he was deeply disappointed" with the old-age pen sion phases of the Social Security Law and was convinced something much better was needed. He added he would recommended to the next Congress an extensive revision of the law, looking toward higher pen sions and more pensioners.
 Downey replied he himself had a bill in the Senate-the above mentioned Townsend bill-but that a lot of senators were afraid of it on the ground it might get vetoed if passed. FDR said that, on the contrary, he would cooperate for the passage of the best possible pension legislation.
 It was about 10 days after that the President made his address before the convention of the Team sters' Union in which he called for bigger and better pensions, with payments given in a manner which will respect the dignity of the life of service which our aged citizens have given to the nation.'