davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
Seems Almost Hopeless

We have come to the conclusion, over the weekend, that it will be almost i'm possible to set up six congressional dis tricts within this state that will satisfy the incoming General Assembly. If any more proof of this was needed than the hearing before the special Election Law Commission last Friday afternoon, it certainly will be supplied when our leg iSlators start to work out on the pro- poSals that will face them next year. The two plans of congressional redistricting are already provoking sectional as we'll as political, opposition. If more plans are suggested the situation will simply become more confused until no solution is obtainable other than to leave the dis trictS alone and continue to elect sixth ongresSman-at-large
 On this same subject Senator John Sullivan of New Britain, who had con- siderable to do with the census work here in Connecticut during the past year, says that it seems inevitable that in the next ten or twenty years Connecticut may lose this additional place in the House and the state would then be obliged, positive ly, to redistrict as it certainly couldn't elect five congressman from six districts. That is certainly a sensible way to regard the situation and the New Britain legis- lator may be right in his longrange view of it.
 But no one can gainsay the right of any congressman to represent definite district and not be chosen at-large as we have been doing now for the past eight years. By rights this state should have been redistricted ten years ago after the last congressional reapportionment. Had this been done then and had the Legis- lature not ducked the issue the present somewhat difficult situation could have been eliminated. The set-up is particu- larly trying in view of the fact that fail ure to redistrict for Congress may also affect the senatorial districts, which have been in need of reapportionment for much longer period.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
Worthy of Consideration

News that the Board of Finance is giv- ing serious thought to inclusion in next years budget of sewage disposal plant construction, as well as property revalua- ton, is good to hear. The Democrat has encouraged for so many years the con- pletion of the citys sewage system that it seems almost too good to be true to learn that actually the city fathers may be able to find the necessary funds to build the disposal plant that will be practically the last step in what has been a tremendous project. Revaluation also has its enthusiastic supporters many of whom have been urging the present city administration to consider this step for some time past
 Whether or not the city can set aside funds for sewage disposal plant in the 1941 budget the fact remains that this very necessary project is not as far away now as it has seemed to have been in the last few years. Once the city has its disposal plant it will be able to cease pollution of the Naugatuck River and another step in cleaning up the valley will have been taken Waterbury'S &C., tion along this line, too, will speed up similar activities in other valley commit nities notably Naugatuck, which has purposely delayed installing such plant on the theory that so long as Waterbury polluted the stream there was no reason for the borough not doing the same.
 We sincerely hope that every effort will be made to start, at least, work on sew age disposal plant next year. We have no desire to interfere with our budget makers in setting up estimates that will be within reason, but this step is neces- Sary one too long delayed.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
They Hang Separately

Ben Franklin said mouthful at the signing of the Declaration of Independ- ence when he Tipped off those grim words: "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately" In France, certain clements refused to hang together. Today they are being hanged separately.
 The Comite des Forges included all the most grimly- ly-reactionary elements of the French steel industry, including no doubt some men who believed that little "dis- cipline would be good thing for France" The Confederation Generale du Travaile, Frances principal labor union, included many clements and leaders who leaned heavily to Syndicalism, the sit-down and general strikes.
 Neither those manufacturers nor those left-wing labor leaders really bent their backs to support the republic in its hour of need Each placed it's own group in terest above the common interest of all. So now the republic is fallen, and it's successor has broken the backs of both the organizations. Because they stub bornly refused to hang together, they now hang separately. And is there nothing there for Americans to think about?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
All Sorts of Precedents

Although most interest in the recent election, with regard to precedentS, cen tered in breaking the third-term buga- boo, there are others to go by the boards during the next four years. Among them will probably be tenure of office among cabinet officials. Records should be established here, such as a new record for Secretary of State with Cordell Hull presumably remaining for another four years. And the same also applies to Sec retary of Labor Frances Perkins, first woman cabinet member, if she remains member.
 Other than that there is the Superme Court of the United States. To this august body President Roosevelt has already had the opportunity of naming five justices through resignationS and deaths. Three more members are eligi- ble for retirement if they so choose and who of us knows what the next four years will produce. Oddly enough all of the Roosevelt appointments to the Supreme Court came during his second term. It's the third term, though, that holds prom ise of shattering records, traditions prece- dents or whatever you choose to call it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
Casualties Without Wounds

When the present war broke out in Europe, doctors predicted that a wave of influenza or some other epidemic disease would sweep over Europe and per- haps America as it did in 1917-18. Thus far it hasn't happened. But now still more terrible prospect is being held out. It is that the prolonged loss of sleep by LOndoners and Berliners may bring about lowering of their resistance to disease, nervous breakdowns, and varied psychia- trio troubles.
 The day-by-day losses, the hour-by- hour destruction is quite bad enough. To think that groundwork is being laid for a generation of neuro-psychiatric cases, not only among front soldiers. but among whole peoples, Is thought that adds one more touch of horror to modern war. To infIlct casualties without even having to infIict wounds sounds like militarIst's pipe dream, but the physicians seem to 3sel that t is dream coming true.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

Glancing over the names of those who were balloted upon for the Hall of Fame for Great Americans at New York Uni versity it is interesting to note how far behind the leaders were men and women whom many of us regard as worthy of such recognition In fact some of the Americans who were nominated for this honor didn't even get a single ballot from among the electors. For example down at the bottom were men like Cecilus Cal vert, one of the founders of Baltimore; John Hanson, a Continental Congress member and also an early president; General George Custer of Indian war fame; Commodore John Barry, father of our Navy. And certainly Connecticut has right to show some unlbrage over the fact that it's own John Fitch, right fully proclaimed now as the inventor of steamboat navigation, could muster only a bare four votes. Fitch deserves more credit and fame than he has received from authorities, history, etc. Some day he is bound to get it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
Views Of The Press

, deriving source of the business boom.
 Industrial leaders foresaw the stimulation of economy that would be created by the governments re- lease of borrowed billions. They also have taken note of retarding in fiuence Ill the form of greatly in- creased taxation. But there is no question about a broad expansion over wide area of the industrial front.
 A high level of production is likely to be maintained over the next two or three years in the experienced opinion of Chairman Sloan of Gen. eral Motors. who has told his stock holders they may expect this result ''aS long as the synthetic influence of the enormous amount of govern ment spending continues"
 Thus" he said, i've may expect the superficial indications of re- turned prosperity"
 There is no doubt of the returned prosperity" in many cities and towns. Even on Cape Cod, where the off-resort season is usually dull, na- tives have been enjoying employ ment and wages beyond their fond est dreams from the establishment of an army camp.
 There is an industrial joyride for the time being. The paying is com- ing later anc we shall be lucky if there is Lot an abnormal increase in general prices, according to economists. It is better to face real itieS now and make some prepara- tions to deal with them.
 In the words of MT. Sloan: "It must be recognized that the prob-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
. HlGHLIGHTS FROM
 LATEST BOOKS
Salem's Witches Come To Life In Fine Novel

There's a fascination about Esther Barstow Hammand's Road to En- dor" (Farrar and Rinehart: $2.75) that keeps the reader engrossed from the beginning of Samuel Par Tar and Rinehart: $2.75) that keeps the reader engrossed from the be- ginning of Samuel Parris's adven- lures to their final. tragic conclu- sion. His path leads inevitably to Endor, all events of his life point toward witches hill.
 Against a constantly shifting background, you follow the Puri- tan lad, devoted to the ministry, through London's plague and fire, away from 17th century England to the little colony in America, to an infant Harvard coiege, to a sugar plantation in the Indies and, finally, back to Salem, where he plays an important part in the famous Salem witchcraft trials. There is romance in Samuel's love for the girl of the great fire and his search to find her again, in his one great sin that beset him all his life. But predominant is the powerful, exacting faith of the Puri- tan battling superstition and heresy. You'll find Mrs. Hammand has spared no effort in research, and her story sheds new light on one of early Americas greatest trage- dies.
 A man with definite principles, sound reasoning powers and con- science seeks the answer to life. This is the story Hans Otto Storm tells in a quiet, never melodram- atic but inescapably interest hold ing Count Ten" Gongmans Green: $2.50).
 As a lad. Eric Marsden was taught to depend upon his reason. He spent the rest of his life completing his education. His course led from a parachute falling from damaged plane. to an airplane factory, to internment during the World War, to the lazy life Of furniture maker in Mexico. He dabbled in politics, after rising to industrial power. was defeated in campaign. framed and jailed.
 Storms keen analyslS. his un- spectacular. but convincing style marks Count Ten" as an out- standing contribution to the winter reading lists.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
MARCO POLO PASSED THIS
 WAY
(New York Times)

Lest the famous Burma Road seem too romantic to American readers MT. George Wang, travel ing over it for The United Press, cables that 1t is infested by the largest mcsquitcs he ever saw. The mosquitos hadn't stopped traffic, however, during the eight-day pe- riod ending Nov. 10 when MT. Wang made the trip from Lashio, the Burma railhead, to Running, where the road connects with the highways leading to the Chinese capital at Chungking. Nor had the Japanese blocked the route. though they had repeatedly hit the bridges over the Sakween and Mekong riv- CTS. Vast quantities of American supplies" including medicines and airplane engines, were going in; wood-oil, tungsten and tin were coming out to help pay for them.
 Marco Polo went this way, though not precisely following the line of the modern motor trucks. He makes one think of camel bells, of temple bells, of incense, of silks and spices, of faraway golden light. The mod ern Burma road is not composed of these ingredients. Next to the Japanese, mud is it's enemy and the sweat of thousands of laborers - $50 men worked simultaneously on each of its main BOT miles, accord ing to Frank Outram and G. E. Fame. writing in the National Geo. graphic Magazine-is it's corrective. Malaria lays the workers low and weakened edges may drop trucks and drivers to destruction in wild canyons.
 No. this is not perfumed romance. It is only the struggle of an ancient people. miraculously unified and re- vivified by common danger, to be and remain free.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

Of course we find no fault with the selection of Stephen Collins Foster to the Hall of Fame. It is small recognition after all these years. And only in the last few years, too, has Fosters music received anything like the acclaim that it should. This acclaim comes not by word of mouth, but through the repeated per formance of his songs, among the best T"pa ees sGos to tne beng ~e nd played on every side Why it has gone so far that the modern dance orchestras give q Dream of Ginny'' in swing-time.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

One of these days, we presume, Water burians will wake up to find brand new set of parking meters scattered through the central streets. The test of meters in Waterbury will be an interesting one
 We have had restricted parking for so long that the advent of the meters should meet with much success. However, in many places where they were tried out with great hopes the opposite came true
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

man - once,' Goodbye, JOhn." Privately UMW chiefs are worried that the smouidering revolt may adversely affect the crucial nego- tiationS for a new wage contract with the coal operators next April. Also, they are worried about their own scalps.
 Van A. Bittner, square-jawed head of the West Virginia UNIV, expressed this bluntly to Lewis when John L. tried to bludgeon him into deserting Roosevelt.
 "All my captains are dcserting me-" Lewis parked bitterly.
 "I wouldn't put 1t that way, JOhn." shot back Bittner. "We've fought side by side for many years and now suddenly you are out of step with the rest of us. I'm for Roosevelt and I'm going to stay for him. And I'll tell you something else. If I tried to tell the miners in West Vir- ginia to vote against the Presi- dent, that would mean the end  of our organization in the state. They'd rip our leadership to pieces"
 CRACK IN THE SOUTH
 The Sold South was cracked in the recent election. but not by Republican. It was the work of a Nashville, Tenn, Democrat, in the only hard-fought congressional battle in The entire South.
 Hero of the saga was J. Percy Priest, crack newsman of The Nashville Tennessean. who, run ming as an Independent, mseat- ed two-term Representative Jo- seph w. Byrns, Jr.. son of the late Speaker of the House.
 Priest defeated Byrns although
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
Daily Almanac

Moon rises 7:46 D. m.
 Sun rises 6:42 a. m.: sets 4:32 p. m.
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty min- utes after sunset.
 Traditional Thanksgiving may come the last Thursday of the month for Connecti- cut as well as other states. but concession to the Presidents proclamation for Q Nov. 2i Thanksgiving k seen ln the bank hoii- day" 4 few more years Will find this state in line.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

the district hadn't elected any one but a regular Democrat since the Civil War, and al- though he committed the faux pax of failing to register so he could vote.
 Priest, however, had other strong advantages on his side. For many years he has been his papers good will" reporter, att tending barbecues, fairs, gradua- tions and civic gatherings. Prac- tically everybody in the district knows Pierce" Priest personally. Also, Byrns, first elected as a New Dealer, had chalked up near perfect anti-RooseVelt record.
 Priest also made much of the fact that Byrns' speech against the draft bill had won thunderous applause from the Republicans. Nashville generally is strong for national defense and FDR. So while Byrns won renomination, he found a real fight on his hands when Priest threw his hat into the ring as an Independent.
 Byrns sent out frantic sos to House colleagues and Repre- sentative Sam Hobbs dashed up from Alabama to stump for him. But it was no go. Byrns was defeated in the Onsy Democratic upset in the entire South.
 NOTE-Priest's constituency is known as the Hermitage Dis trict." because it was the home of President Andrew Jackson, patron saint of the Democratic Party. The new congressman is 40 and unmarried.
 Copyright, 1940. by United Fea-
 ture Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
Selected Poem
"A CERTAIN MAN HAD TWO SONS

(NIabel Hatton Marks in the New York Sum I wonder why he did not run Just once, to greet With warm embrace, his elder And say, My boy, think it meet That call in The household staff, The neghbors and our kin For festival: We'll kill the fatted calf And you shall wear the best robe and the ring This shall do for thee And henceforth, everything Of mine is thine Who through the years Have served me faithfully Nor ever dimmed my eyes with tears Nor caused anxiety" How beautiful. Had he said this Unto his faithful son And given him a fathers kiss Kept for the wayward one, The well-beoved Prodgall
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

Avua amacho IS more than simply an elab ora te goodwill gesture toward Mexico.
 It foreshadows a new role for Wallace himself that of the New Deals chief good will emissary for Latin = A m e rica generally.
 If the cards fall as they are now s h u ffl ed, the South Americans
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

 and Answers
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 Enclose three cent seamp eos reply when addressing any Que8s tion Of fact e Information Co tho Waterbury DeuaocTnt's service Bu. reau at Washington. Legal and medical advice cannot be given. nor can extended cesearch b0 un. taken. Be sure a1 aaail c a4e dressed to The WATERBURY DEMOCRATS SERVICE BUe REAU, 1918 Thirteenth Street. Washington. Q. c.
 O. Where may I obtain 8 copy od the new infantry drill regulations?
 A. Training Manual 22-6, cone taining infantry drill regulations, may be purchased from the Superin- tendentS of Documents, Government Printing Offlce, Washington, D. O., for twenty-five cents. Postage stamps are not accepted.
 e. Is Stepin Fetchit the real name of the Negro actor? Where was he born?
 A. His name is Lincoln Theodore Peary, and he was born in Key West, Fla.
 O. What wars was England en. gagged in at the time of the American Revolution?
 A. War with France, 1778-i7SS: with Spain, 1779-1783; with Holland, l780-1783; with the American Col onies, 1775-1783.
 o. Was any president of the United States minister of 8 church? A. No ordained minister of the gospel has ever been president, but James A. Garfield, twentieth presi- dent, was a lay preacher in the de- nomination known as Campbellites or the Disciples of Christ. He was successively a student, teacher and principal of the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (later called Hiram college) which was the chief Camp bellite institution of higher lear11- ing.
 o. How long is the adult life of May flies?
 A. Some live only six hours in the adult stage. They belong to the class of insects known as Ephemera, which begin and end in one day. The same sun that sees them transformed from the final pupa stage into per- feet insects sees them die before 1t sets. Although their adult lives are short, their larva and pupa stages may extend over Q period of weeks, months or even years.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

1. How many yards are in a mileP
 2. Did Abraham Lincoln, George Washington or Ulysses s. Grant, say, with malice toward none, with charity for all?"
 3. "Mein KampT" IS the auto biography of -?
 4. The capitol of Alabama is Bir- mingham, Montgomery or Mobile?
 5. Is the Pyramid of the Sun in Egypt or Mexico?
 6. Is this expression correct2 "He won't leave me come in."
 '. Who was the first childless president of the United States?
 8. What is the aorta? 0 Name a famous living Irish playwright, whose home is in Eng land, and whose first name is George.
 10. How many cabinet ofices are there?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
RETURNED PROSPERITY
CMerlden JournaD

over in Waterbury. citing only one of the busiest cities. factory pay rolls have set an all-tlme record. There are some 10000 persons on various payrOils, thanks 10 govern ment contracts, which are the un-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
A Thought for Today

good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of ones blrth.-ECclesiastes 7:L
 Virtuous name is the precious only good, for which queens and peasants wives must contest together-Schiller.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

lems that have beset industry for so many years still remain unsolved and are far too greatly unappre- ciated. They may be counted on to reassert their influence when the present emergency is over."
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

Wa~"S S~ may see abOuC as much of Wallace this winter as will the U. s. Senate, over which as vice president he is due to preside. Con- templated is a sort of rowing com- mission which would have the new vice president concerning himself much more with the Latin- -Ameri- can problem than with the Senate's deliberations.
 This role would fit Wallace for three reasons.
 First, he's an expert. on the farm angle of the trade problem be- tween the U. s. and South Amer ica--and the farm angle is huge
 parS of it.. Second, no New Dealer is more convinced than Wallace
 that it is vital for th.s country to
 cement good relations, both trade
 and cultural. with the southern
 continent. Third, he speaks Span- ish.
 Wallace isn't hopeful that America's old export markets in | Europe will ever be substantially regained. He forsees a postwar
 world in which no matter who
 wins-Uncle Sam is likely to find himself trading against one or
 more big combines. The big chance to meet these combines on
 something like an even footing is 1 as he sees it, wrapped up in the LatiE- American market. l Wallace could devote a lot of
 time to this job because no one
 eyer misses vice president no
 matter where he goes. Also, the
 title would mean something in
 South America, So you can lock
 for him to do considerable travel ! ing.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18
National Spotlight
BY BRUCE CATION Waterbury Democrat Washington
 COrrespOndent

Washington, Nov. 18-Henry Wall lace's forthcoming trip to Mexico as FDR's personal envoy at the inaug- uration of PreSident-elect Manuel
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

TODAY's COMMON ERROR Never Say, "wiIl you set down in this chair" say, "sit in this chair.' Remember that set means 'to cause to sit" as, 'WiIl you set the book on the table"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-11-18

If you want a copy of the book let "20th CENTURY WORLD HISTO- GRAPH send to the Waterbury Democrats Washington Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth Street, Washington, D. c. Enclose twenty cents in postage.