davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
Mr.. FIXIT
He Fixes Thinus

To receive sttentfon N tn. col
unn letters must give name and
address % writer Only initials
VII b published when requested.
Mr.. Fixit: What win take out
white spots ffom highly polish
ed table tops caused from hot
dishes and water from flower
vases ". :.
Get something which viii dis
solve the finish. like essence Of
peppermint. and moisten q spot
on a smooth cloth with II. Rub
that very gently over the white
spot on the table. rubbing from
the good part of the finish to-
ward the center of the stain
until you have II covered. A
little Of the dissolved finish
in that way will be carried over
the spot. After that treatment
you should 90 over the entire
surface with furniture polish.
Mr.. Fixit: My army discharge
Is lost. How do I 20 about to
get another? 1 need this very
soon. X. NJ. l..
You could write directly to
the War Department. Washing
ton, d. C, or more convent
emily. 20 TO the local office of
the American Red Cross for
advice and assistance.
Mr.. Fixit: Which IN the quick
est and nearest way TO get mar
ried without publishing the
license In the papers, How far
h. British Columbia from here:
Can you drive II In n day and
could a person get married up
there without much froublee
VI. NJ, PTYALLUP.
There isn't any way Of guar
anteeing a marriage license APP
plication will not be published.
The best thing you can do il
ask your own county auditor TO
assist you. He can, If the
reason for secrecy Is important
enough. You could drive TO
British Columbia in a little more
than four hours but II would
take you a minimum of Is days
to get married there.
MIR. Fixit: My folks are driv-
ing TO California this month.
Could we send box of apples
and pears to relatives down
there and would the fruit have
to be inspected Mt the state
border: MRS. j. u.
California IL interested most
In fruit which might carry
diseases dangerous to the citrus
and cotton crops but would in
sist upon inspecting any fruit
at the border. We personally
have seen a lemon taken into
California so you should be able
to take apples with you, If they
are healthy.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21

70 them As silly IS that proposed
b the council to the taxpayers
Absurd or not. the council
continued TO make arrangements
for the election. A few DAYS BE-
fore the date q broadside an
peared giving a dramatic picture
Of the shameful failure Of public
ownership projects in general
and electric power plants in par
ticular.
The day BEFORE election -
certain city official" was quoted
as saying that only four per
cent of municipal power plants
in cities of more than IS 900
population had been successful
and 141 miserable failures had
marked the trail Of the venture
into the realm Of private bust
ness.
Though a great deal Of noise
had been made on both sides Of
the issue, and opponents and
proponents seemed ready to fiy
ut each others threats, two
thirds Of the voting population
Of Tacoma let about one third
decide the question. The total
number of votes was 4.46I, Of
which STD were for the project
and 1.2s2 against.
A few months after the power
issue was settled Tacoma vot-
ers were given an opportunity
to express themselves on a new
charter and a commission form
of government. This question
had been debated as vociferously
as the power issue but when il
came to the show down on cleo
ton day it was again good old
George who did it.
Out of 12.146 voters, 4.5s4
took the trouble to go to the
polls: 1882 voted for the new
charter and LOOP opposed it.
Thus do free people in a
democracy exercise the privilege
of running their own affairs.
They are free to 60 to the polls
and vote on important issues or
they can stay home and shift
the responsibility onto the other
fellow.
First election after the adop-
ton of the new charter, in the
spring of 1910. put 'Fightin'
Fawcett back in the mayors
chair. The fortune of politics
enabled him to be in at the
finish of Tacoma's first electric
power project, but when the roll
IL called there will appear at
the top of the list the name OF
George p. Wright, who built on
the foundation laid by his prede-
cessor. l.. D. Campbell.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
HOROSCOPE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST Fl

This is not an important day
in planetary direction, but adj
verse influences are active. The
morning is favorable to the pur-
suit of activities well started.
Depressing influences may be
prevalent. The mind should be
disciplined against fear.
Heart and Home: Women will
benefit through routine work.
Public service will engage the
energies of many girls who
should train so that they can
make the best use of their tall
ents and energies. II is a lucky
sway for romance. The stars
presage unexpected assignments
to duty and temporary separs-
ton of members of the family.
New customs and strange ex-
periences are prognosticated for
the autumn.
Business Affairs: Scientific
guidance Of trade will be helpful
In readjustments of commercial
relations with foreign countries.
Intensive work for experts in
many trades is forecast. Gen.
eral prosperity will be enjoyed
in the United States which will
drain its resources in furnishing
relief 10 war victims. The stars
presage rise in the cost of liv-
ing and the seers counsel thrift
for all persons.
National Issues: Warning is
given that partisan criticism of
government matters will prove
most unfortunate at this time
when strange events portend.
Leaders in industry will gain
power in Washington aiding the
nation. Unity of purpose and
stern Royalties will be impera-
tive in the autumn when true
democracy will be required in
readjustments Of economic con-
ditions.
International Affairs: Wise
diplomacy will have a favorable
effect in our relations with Ger
tain South American countries.
Trade pacts will involve serious
problems and one pact of i'm
portance will be wrecked by fifth
column interference. There is
an evil omen read as indicating
double-dealing on the part of a
neighboring government. The
suns entry into the sign of Ares
and the eliminating of Jupiter
at Washington are read as indi-
eating enormous growth OF our
world prestige.
Persons whose birthdate II Is
have the augury Of a year that
brings difficulties. II is wise
to avoid changes Of every sort.
Children born on this day
probably will be vigorous in
health, keen in mind and kindly
in character. They may have
talent for music or art.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
CHILDREN TAUGHT
DANGER OF MATCHES

Editor, The Times: For many
years I have been interested in
teaching children the dangerous
handling of matches. believe
training should begin in the
home at an early age. My chill
dren never played with matches.
Before my marriage nearly 40
years ago, I was a nurse and
had charge of four children of
the late Senator Bert Fellows of
Iowa and was with them for
some time. AS far as / know
they are all living and well; one
is a well-known doctor.
When I have lived near chill
dren that have played with
matches. I have a few tricks I
show them concerning the
danger of matches. One of them
is building a bed Of toothpicks,
arranging them. crossing them
or weaving them. II leaves a
spring at the corners. Then I
explain, taking toothpicks as ex-
amples for little boys and girls.
that they are put to bed One
little naughty boy gets up and
gets a match, lights it (which I
dol touches the corner of the
bed; the toothpick burns to the
spring part. Then there is
surprise. the toothpick bed and
children fly all over the room.
Some little bold or brave child
may say. Tn not afraid Of
matches" then have another
trick I show them. say a ghost
walks with matches. With a
couple Of small matches. a few
tokens or buttons that the
matches can go through. The
red-tips Of the matches show
through for eyes and the cap
from a bottle make the teeth
and with a white handkerchief
over my hands I make the ghost.
Usually that is enough when you
explain Just how the unseen
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
CONSUMPTION
NOT DEMOCRACY

Editor. The Times: I'm Just
one of the many who wish to
protest the impending Burke
Wadsworth consumption bill,
and its sister relatives. Accord
ing to a recent Gallup poll ap-
proximately 64es of the people
in this nation favor the con-
scription of men for army serv-
ice. Also approximately the
same percentage of young peo-
pie of military age favor con-
scription. Now if this is actual
~ the case and these people are
sincere in their convictions. GER
tainly an adequate army could
be raised through voluntary en-
listment. Maybe it can't be done
by voluntary enlistment. at least
Mr.. Simpson and Mr.. Knox say
that ii can't. but why in the
name of justice throw the bulk
Of the sacrifices to be made on
one group or class Of people7
If we are facing the gravest
crises in the history Of this ma
ton (eapitalism). and I question
whether the nation is facing
such crises. why not conscript
the wealth of this nation to
serve in the name Of defense +?
I'm willing TO do my part toward
defense under any reasonably
democratic set = up. but the
Burke-Wadsworth bill is Just
like the rest Of the democratic
government that we have heard
so much about lately. It's en-
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
Don Be Taken In

Our friend obviously impressed.
you don't realize the seriousness of this. under
stand there $4,000 organized German Fifth Coumnsts
in Blank City alone! he said He obviously pleased
with the sensation his words made.
But automatic brakes in our mind made us stop
We thought moment. In the town referred to- hap
pened to know that there weren't 10000 people of German
ancestry immediate enough to make any special devotion
TO Germany at all likely And among those knew
plenty to whom Naziism is Just repulsive most
Americans. The thought, the the thing
fell apart
Reckless statements like that do good. They do
definite harm They may convince unthinkng people that
they true, whereupon the said people will pass the
story along with still further exaggeraton 1t is of state
ments like that from empty heads that panic is created
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21

they were burning at the stake
a year ago.
Dies investigation records were
turned over to the FIJI for verifi-
cation and investigation two
years back, and Martin begged
for justice department coopera-
ton in vain. Uptown inner circle
liberals got the White House to
cold shoulder all Dies committee
requests.
Today. the F.BI. says private
ly that Dies was is months
ahead of his time.
Confidential surveys by top
house Democrats of November
congressional prospects show a
loss of 80 Democratic seats,
which still leaves them control
of the house, but only by pain
fully narrow margin. The pres
ent standing is 261 to ITO. II
their survey is correct it would
leave the house balance PSI to
200. which means that any is
anti-New Deal Democrats would
hold the balance of power.
What worries the surveyors
Is that if their own figures show
that much trouble, what would
the survey have shown. done by
Republican pencil? They have
not found out yet, but the an
swer is that COP. surveys claim
again of 81 seats. which would
throw the house balance their
way by 232 to 1se.
Allowing for wishful thinking
on both sides. a happy medium
of 46 seats leaves house pros
poets at virtually a standoff.
Behind the suave. wheel-whir-
ring front Of the defense COM
mission is a near-nightmsre Of
worry about one humble but
nerve-center raw material-tin.
Public fancy rates tin as i'm
portant for cans. Glass and pa
per are substitutes. there. The
really vital uses-in which II
has no substitute-are in alloys
such as solder. bronze. etc. all
indispensable to national indus
try. Army-Navy experts threa
defense commissioners back or
their heels with warnings that
II tin stocks are exhausted, cleo
trio power stops: the fleet ceases
operations; all production. trans
portauon, and industry stop.
Normal annual consumption IS
$1,000 tons: war consumption,
100000 tons. Present supply on
American metal markets is
about 5000 tons-enough for p
war days The army has about
the same quantity. bought under
the strategic material program
IN the past II months That
Is the total supply, aside from
whatever private stocks the tim
using industries may have on
hand
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
SCORES would BE"
ENGLAND DEFENDERS

Editor The Times: / would
like to offer a suggestion TO
members of the ''rockingchair
brigade" those men who adj
vance so many reasons why we
should go TO war to aid Eng
land and defeat Hitler.
Nine chances to one they are
all past the military age or hold
positions in society which would
protect them in event they were
called.
Arguments used by these peo-
pie is an insult to the intelli-
gence of Pulse" readers. And
because they know that Eng
lands past history will not bear
examination. they offer such a
flimsy remark as wv h e I h er
England through its history has
always done the ethical thing is
beside the point. We are con-
cerned with what is being done
now"
Why don't these British pa
triots mobilize themselves. pos
sibly under william Allen White,
and offer their services to Can
ada? She must resort to con-
scription to get her citizens to
fight for dear old England and
no doubt would appreciate hav-
ing a group of volunteers
dumped" in her lap. Then with
these agitators out of our midst,
the rest of us can concentrate
on defending America by mind
ing our own business.
MRS. AMY RAY.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21

Y
Ships in question are aged and
small type; their "anti-aircraft
batteries" are mere machine guns
of limited range, incapable of
worrying high-altitude bombers
and fighters; the four-inch deck
guns have no shelter for crews,
against air strafeing; boilers are
in fair condition. but are 20 years
old; all require new carriage and
handling machinery for ammu-
milton.
Inasmuch as destroyers have
no deck or side armor. and de-
pend on speed. maneuverability
and strike-back ability for pro-
lection. practical navy men say
they would be virtually useless
in channel operations in their
present condition.
But pro-sale admirals say they
could be substituted Immediately
for present British destroyers for
conveying ships at remote Brit
ish isles ports. releasing fully
equipped British destroyers now
in service there for heavier Chan
mel operations.
Opponents cock their hat
plumes skeptically and recall
Papa Joffre's 1917 plea to send
"just one regiment" of dough-
boys through the Arc de Tri-
omphe to bolster French morale.
Later he boosted. Il knew II I
got one regiment, we'd get plenty
more"
Factually. the British admiral
" has modern anti-sircraft guns
and carriage machinery ready,
installable in two weeks. Train
ing of British crews to take the
ships across the Atlantic would
require a minimum of Is to 20
DAYS: the crossing would take
five to seven days more. With
no allowance for intermediate
delays. that means six weeks be-
tween time of transfer to Britain
here and final readiness for
convoy service on the other side
II Attorney General Bob Jack
son finds some legal loophole
permitting the president to au-
thorize immediate sales. they
might be delivered in time to be
useful. Otherwise. the only solu-
ton is specific authorization by
congress. and s5 per cent of con-
gress SHES at that like a skittish
colt. A senatorial trial balloon
speech by Oklahoma Josh Lee
found no takers in debate for his
pro-sale side.
II proponents try TO force the
issue. non interventionists viii
filibuster indefinitely.
FBI reports on fifth columning.
espionage. foreign intelligence
operations and un-Americanism
IN general are giving New Deal
insiders a new respect for clown
ing Texan Martin Dies. whom
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
DIRT PAINTER

Claiming a new note in soft
ness of coloring, Mrs. Lura Eva
Pursell. California, paints" with
ordinary dirt. First covering her
canvas with a special adhesive,
she sprinkles the dirt in place
with a tin spoon. She uses more
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
SO THEY SAY

A small nation sacrifices none
Of its honor when it places itself
under the protection of a really
great people and a great Reich.
DR.. Alfred Rosenberg. German
propaganda.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
An Inside Picture of Finon-
Ii u II i ciol ond Political America

WASHINGTON = Despite White House friendiness to
General Pershngs proposal for destroyer sales to Great
Britain for channel defense against Hitler general stat
fers divided the policy with margin against
it. Supporters the Hteroverthere argument and
opponents say we need the destroyers ourselves
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21

These days when every calls himself liberal
Wendell Wilie Commonwealth and Southern president
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21

This flower was named be-
cause it seemed to typify the
Passion, or last sufferings of
Christ The corona of the bios
som was imagined to represent
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
PULSE OF THE PUBLIC

tirely too democratic to digest.
If it's up to every young man
between the age of 21-31 to give
one year of his hfe-in order
for him to appreciate the price
of liberty, then why isn't it
equally fair for the rest of the
population to make equal sacri-
fices? 1t certainly ought to be
worth as much to serve in the
front lines as it is to stay at
home and make the laws, or
work in industry or anything
else. shouldn't it?
Mr.. Roosevelt is indispensable
to this nation-but he hasn't Of
fered to work for $50 per month
in order to save it from destruc-
ton. The Democratic conven-
ton is an excellent example of
the type of democracy that Mr..
Roosevelt has to offer. We have
lived under that type of democ-
racy too long already. Let's
have fewer men in Washington
of the type represented by Mr..
Roosevelt, Burke, Wadsworth.
Pepper. and the rest of them.
We need more humanitarians
and fewer demagogues in WASH
ington.
V. w. OvERsTREET,
Mossyrock, Wash.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
Power Plant issue
Reaches Showdown
Then We Pass the Buck
To George
But That's q Privilege OF
Democratic Government

But mat s . frivIle9e Vt
Democratic Government
Persistent opposition Of The
anti-municipal ownership ele-
ment in Tacoma robbed George
Wright of the credit of actually
establishing a municipal power
plant. but the ground which he
so well cultivated produced
abundantly in the next admins
tration. John Linck. who sue
ceeded Wright. had been in Of
flee only a few months when the
power plant proponents again
began to agitate the issue. Judge
T. L. Styles. city attorney, dug
up the old ordinance and went
to see Judge Ellis.
1--WE been looking over this
power plant ordinance Of yours
said he. ~and IL seems TO be
about what we want. Do YOU
mind going over II with me ?"
"Giad to-" replied Judge Ellis.
81 thought 1t was q good
ordinance when ! prepared II
for n Democratic adminisfra-
ton and I think 1t viii work
Just rs well under a Republican
administration"
The two attorneys. Republic
can and Democrat, went over
the ordinance. With the excep-
ton of a few minor changes it
was submitted lust as it was
proposed during the Wright adj
ministration. After several
months maneuvering and a
thorough discussion of the issue
the city council passed the
ordinance and on Dec. 16, 1908.
ordered a special election TO be
held on the second day of the
following January.
Immediately the anti-munici-
pal ownership forces opened fire
with their heaviest artillery. II
a member of the council ex-
pressed the thought that II was
a serious undertaking and great
care should be exercised In es-
tablishing the project, 1t was
Immediately exaggerated into an
avowal Of bitter opposition.
II certainly was absurd TO ask
the taxpayers to approve such
a hair-brained scheme. What
would the stockholders of
corporation think II the direc-
tors should submit a proposition
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
by John Hix

the crown Of thorns. other parts
the nails or wounds. while the
sepals and petals were taken
to symbolic the ten apostles
the two omitted being Peter. who
denied. and Judas. who betrayed.
Tomorrow: Six knockouts in
one night
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
OPPOSED TO DRAFT"


Fulton J. Lewis. ir., over the
radio interviewed Sen. Pepper,
who is of the "innermost New
Deal circle" about the charges
of dictatorship, which are
being hurled in the senate over
the draft" bill. Sen. Pepper
admitted he and the New Deal
leaders believed the president
should be made a temporary
dictator. in charge of all de-
Tense labor and business. Hours.
wages and where you worked
would be determined by the
government.
Business would be ruined and
millions wastefully spent. l wish
everyone could have heard this.
The New Deal didn't want this
brought up but Sen. Pepper
made statements at the demo-
cratic convention and when in
terviewed had to admit them.
Write your congressman and
oppose the draft"
HELEN I. NORMAN.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21

ghost looks and how a ghost and
matches walk side by side.
Bandaging dolls to show how
they would have to be done il
they received burns is a simple
lesson to teach small children.
I don't believe in talking to chill
dren or scolding about matches
as hearing 1t too much may be
harmful as they might disregard
the serious part. I have seen
burns prove fatal. all the more
tragic because they could have
been prevented by the proper
early teaching in the handling
of matches.
Children to me are so pre-
cious: we here in America need
every one of them. Let US, in
this country, protect them to
the utmost of our ability and not
let them be destroyed like some
countries are doing.
NELLIE c. MILLER,
Auburn Wash.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21

Editor The Times: Radio may
carry the noise and color of a po-
litical meeting. but the newspaper,
after all. carries facts and records.
Listeners. receiving a certain,
fleeing impression of what &C.
CURED as they play bridge or en-
gage in other domestic enterprises,
must consult the pages of their
newspapers for the actual facts.
RAY F. ROBERTS.
615 So. 18th St
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
AN APPRECIATION

AN APPRECIATION
Editor, The Times: I wish to
express my appreciation and
that of the coast guard to you
for your assistance in giving
publicity to the 150th annivers-
airy celebration of the coast
guard. The cooperation of the
newspaper was largely re-
sponsible for the success of the
celebration.
w. c. HOGAN,
Lieutenant, u. S. Coast Guard.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
PASSION FLOWER

than $50 different hues in her
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21
PAPER FAVORED

Lieutenant, U. S. Coast Guard.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-08-21

FBI reports on fifth columning.
espionage. foreign intelligence
operations and un-AmericaniSm
IN general are giving New Deal
insiders a new respect for clown
ing Texan Martin Dies, whom
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-06-15
IRENE DUNNE SIARS WITH FRED M'MURRAY
 IN COLISEUM DRAMA

For the first time since he ap- peared two years ago in the Para mount newspaper drama, "Exclus i've" with Fred MacMurray, come dian Charlie Ruggles plays another straight, dramatic role. He appears with MacMurray again in Invita- ton to Happiness" which opens Sunday at the Coliseum Theatre.
 Charlie is cast as Fred's trainer and manager Fred is an up-and- coming fighter But they need two thousand dollars to Fred can be properly groomed for big fights. Charlie finally decides to sell half an interest in Fred in order to raise the necessary funds. T h e fighter is opposed to the idea be- cause he would rather make the grade the hard way, but Charlie prevails.
 Ruggles sells his half interest to an old friend, William Collier ST, who is forever investing in all sorts of wildcat schemes. The deal comes to a fizzle because the prospects