davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

payment. In effect, the government has been paying the planters to turn their sharecroppers into hired hands.
 If the ,sharecropper has things hard, the hired hand has them a lot Worse-so bad that he has been falling into government hands, via the Farm Security Administration by the thousand in recent years.
 PLANTER SNOW
 IS SUSPECTED A little over a year ago, some hundreds of dispossessed shars- croppers put on dramatic hunger march" in southeastern Missouri. Besides making lot of headlines. this march greatly disturbed the planters of that area.
 Whispers were heard that the agitator of the movement was one Thad Snow, prosperous planter himself, who wrote newspaper and magazine pieces in his spare time and who said openly the planters had brought this trouble on themselves. Pretty soon it was said that Thad Snow had caused the hunger march. There was some talk of tar and feathers.
 Snow let them talk. Finally, he published an elaborate comics sion." Yes, he'd done 1t all; got the idea from Trotzky, down , in Mexico, polished it up with the aid of President Roosevelt, and Russian ambassador and Norman Thomas, and then sprung it. After while when people real ized he'd been kidding them, the furor died clown.
 TWO PLANS
 ARE DRAFTED
 Then Snow really went to work. First he sold his fellow-plant- CTS his idea: That IF it was no longer to planters financial ad- vantage to cut his croppers off the land, the croppers would stay put and misery and want wouldn't send desperate men out on the 1 highways. He even got most of the big planters in his region to support a formal plea to the Agrl- culture Department to change the system of benefit payments.
 Then he came to Washington and went to bat with the depart ment. He had hard sledding, for a long time; large bodies move slow ly, government departments don't like to admit mistakes, and big cotton planters don't get listened to very eagerly down at Agricul- ture anyway. But he sold his bill of goods.
 Two alternative amendments to the benefit law have been drafted. One would provide that in any area where a majority of the plantersr approve, the Secretary of Agriculture may direct that bene- fiji money, which ordinarily would go to the cropper, will simply be withheld if the cropper is turned into a day laborer. The other is stiffer and would make the same principle mandatory all over. One or the other will come up for action this spring.
 "I'd like to get back home" says Snow. "I'm tired. But when you start thing like this you can't run out on it until it's finished"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
In Today's Mail

patronize lending libraries LII order to satisfy their desire for popular reading matter not available at the library. Lending libraries charge from three to five cents per day. A state of affairs that should not ex- ist-but Waterbury being what it is and managed as it was by a malig- nant political spirit devoted to spells, cannot expect a speedy re- formation or increase in new read ing matter at our Public Library.
 The Bronson Library agents should be aware of fire hazards that may threaten, if not consume, vol umes of priceless value that could never be replaced. Did it ever occur to the Agents the thought of that danger? If not, they should consid- CT it.
 The genealogical section contains volumes that reach back many dec- ades on information of family lines, and State and Town history, partic- ularly of New England. All that sec tion in this relation should be housed in an annex on the north side of the library, to be absolutely fire-proof.
 The body of agents for some years have been, it appears, appointed to hold honorary positions as such. The time has arrived when men of ac- ton are wanted to consider the pol icy, welfare, and needs of Public Library. Without these aims in view it is useless to continue as in the past decade.
 The wooden shelf racks are a relic of the past, and should be replaced by sheet steel ones, thereby nin- imizing the hazard of fire. All desks tables and chairs should be replaced by those of steel construction.
 A suggestion has been made thai all succeeding members of the BoarC of Agents be constituted of publit school principals and competent teachers, who would be undoubtedly more in sympathy with the literary purposes of Public Library.
 FRANK B. PARSONS.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

purpose but is made subordinate to serve political expediency.
 Total library income for 1889, was $66, 6,648.75. The major part paid in salaries and wages of $44,881.72, ap- proximately 67 per cent, repairs and book binding, $5,835.90, g per cent. The insignificant sum of $4,471.1O. or ' per cent, was allotted to pur- chase books. The balance. $11 ,460 used for light, heat and up-keep generally.
 A library is worth little to the public without modern authors lit eature, but affords remunerative occupations for employment.
 The advancement of the Silas Bronson Public Library in meeting the needs of the reading public has for 20 years been retarded by insuf- ficient funds to purchase up-to-date books that are required to keep abreast of the times.
 The reason for the deplorable con- dition was the illegal action to serve vile political chicanery which in so doing deprived our public library of necessary appropriations for vol umes, but budgeted the required amount for the salary lists, knowing probably the personnel was inpor- tant in elections.
 For several years, many of the reading public have been onnged to
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

o. How old is the Waldorf-As- toria Hotel, in New York City, and for whom was it named?
 A. The original building, which opened in 1893, was razed in 1929, and the present Waldorf opened in 1881. The hotel is named for Will liam Waldorf Astor.
 o. How much money was spent for public assistance in the United States in the month of January, 1S4O, as compared with December, 1889?
 A. Total payments for public as- sistance and earnings of persons employed under Federal work pro- grams in the continental United States for January, 1940, amounted to $274,485 ,000, compared with $273,- 452 ,OOO for December, 1889.
 o. Was the cost of food in Fec ruary, 194o, higher than in F'ebruas 1929?
 A. No; according to the estima of the National Industrial Confe ence Board, the cost of food in Fe' ruary 1940, was 23.6 percent low than in February, 1929.
 If you want copy of the bool let 'Fishing Laws of the State> send to The Waterbury Demo crat's Washington Bureau. 1Ol. Thirteenth street, Washington D c. Enclose 10 cents in postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

Behind this, however, is an in teresting cleavage between what Wallace once described as the up- per one-third farmer group for whom his Agriculture Department actually has done most of its work, and the tWo-thirds of under privileged farmers who have been neglected.
 Wallace has been trying to switch more aid to the two thirds, and at this St. Paul meeting he is giving his blessing to the National Farmers Union. This is an or ganizatoin which is considered radical, if not dangerous, by the Grange and the Farm Bureau.
 These two pillars of farm con- Servatism-or at least their ex- ecutives - have split wide open with Wallace over lower interest rates for farmers. The reason remains a mystery; for this is about the first time farm leaders have shied away from the public feed trough. Ed O'Neal, head of the Farm Bureau, is vigorously opposing the Jones-Bankhead bill which would keep farm interest rates permanently at 3 per cent, instead of being boosted automa- tically on July 16 to 5 and 6 per cent.
 Noroman Tabor, head of the Grange, is also opposed - some of his critics say because he is 8 candidate for Secretary of Ag- riculture if there is Republican victory in November.
 Result is storm of protest in- side both the Grange and the Farm Bureau, many of whose members say: "Why should we pay $5 a year to these fellows to work against our interests?" There also have been many threats of resignation, and it looks like an even greater split than ever be- tween the upper one-third farm group and the lower two-thirds. NO FARMER DEWEY?
 Midwestern senators are telling about an incident which occurred after Dewey spoke in Minneapolis on his western tour. Shortly thereafter, Vandenberg spoke in twin-city St. Paul, and was visited by a group of farm leaders, who asked various questions. One was,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

Instead of passive resistence, 8 more aggressive action should have been taken by the Board of Agents in demanding adequate financial aid for the institution they control. It would have resounded to their credit.
 The total volumes on shelves of the Library in 1883 was approxi- mately 141,000; on December 31, 1887, the total was reduced to ap- proximately 137,000. presume the total for 1889 was in proportion, approximately 13O,00O. Since the opening of the Library in April: 1870, the average of nearly 2OO0 vol tunes pre- year has accumulated about 14O,O0O volumes. That Tn itself, coupled with the fact that but 50 per capita was expended for books when according to library authority $1.OO to $125 is necessary to meet borrowing demands each year. 1n- dicates the library has reached a low ebb in it's existence.
 The record of total withdrawals for 1899 being approximately 356,OOO volumes, shows each one was bor- rowed 21a times. The library pre- sumably had the same number of volumes on it's shelves thirty years ago.
 Obviously the object for which Si-
 las Bronson left $200,000 by will in ] 1867, is not accomplishing its true
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

We'd like to find out some time what Congress really intends to do about com memorative coins. A few years ago when there was such a run on them and they were being turned out for every occasion imaginable, Congress decided that it was time to stop issuing them. And some sort of a law or regulation was pro- claimed. There weren't going to be any more no matter how important an occas- ion might arise. But still there are demands for the coins and still Congress accedes to these demands and orders the Treasury Department to issue a new one: The latest is for the 3O0th anniversary ot the founding of Greenwich.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

"What do you think of the prob lem of the flax surplus?"
 Vandenberg replied, Flax sur- plus? What do you mean? We produce less than half of our re- quirement in flax, so how can there be a surplus problem?"
 You're right, senator" the farmers answered. "We just wanted to see how much you knew about it. When Dewey was here, we asked him the same question, and he said, T regard the flax surplus as 8 very seri- OuS problem, and something should be done about it,"
 SOUTHERN COP DELEGATES Chairman Guy Gillette's an- nouncement that his Senate Cam paign Fund Investigating Commit tee is quietly checking up on out lays in Midwestern states is only part of the story. What he didn't reveal was that his committee is also examining COP "wooing" of delegates in the South.
 Inner political circles have buzzed for weeks with stories about brisk undercover activity in this section. All the reports are simi- lar on one point: that the Taft camp has the majority of the southern delegates. Dewey has some, but only a scattering.
 Southern generalissimo of the Taft campaign is West Vir- ginia's John Marshall, experi- enced delegate wangler who helped perform the same job for Hoover in 1928. Marshall's chief lieutenant is Perry How ard, Negro National Committee man from Mississippi, who also is an old hand at rounding up southern delegates. He was in dicted some years ago on poli- tical charges, but acquitted.
 Taft managers admit extensive holdings of Southern delegates but insist they were secured on the up-and-up, without slush funds.
 NOTE-Chief objects of the Sem ate committees scrutiny are Me- braska, where it is reported Dewey forces spent large sum, and Wis consin. where Garnerites are al- legged to have dished out plenty.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
Questions
 and Answers
BY FREDERIC M. KERRY

BY FREDERIC M. kEKBY
 Enclose 9 three e-cent stamp for reply when addressing any ques- ton of fact or information to the Waterbury Democrats Service Bu- reau at Washington. Legal and medical advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be un- taken. Be sure all mail is ad- dressed to The WATERBURY DEMOCRATS SERVICE BU- REAU, 1913 Thirteenth Street. Washington, D. c.
 THE EDITOR. O. What does the name SebaS- tian mean?
 A. "Reverenced," from the Greek. @. Is it possible for a man, who has lived in the United States for eighteen years, to become an Amer ican citizen although he entered this country illegally?
 A. Aliens who entered the United States illegally before July l, 1924 may apply for a record of registry which will cost 5000 and when that has been received, they can apply for first papers provided the alien is of the white or black race.
 o. Who composed the song, Russian Nightingale?
 A1avander Ala ahieff
 o. Where is the Dyche Museum? A. At the University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
BASS DRUM SHEARER


 These are great days for Will liam Baldwin Shearer, the man who boasts that he broke LID the Geneva Naval Conference ten years ago, thereby exploding naval disarmament.
 Shearer is still going around town, calling himself the "big bass drum," and the other evening he secured as his dance partner Mrs. Lewis Compton, wife of the as- Sistant secretary of the Navy. Mrs. Compton had been tipped off by her husband regarding Shearer, but she pretended not to know who he was.
 Shearer seemed distressed. "But surely you know who I am," he said. "I'm William Shearer, the man who broke up the Geneva Naval Conference"
 Mrs. Compton turned her pretty face to him, registering a Dumb Dora expression.
 Don't you remember" he persisted. "Why, my picture was on the front page of every pa per in the cOuntry!"
 "Oh," said Mrs. Compton in nOcently, that explains it. You see, I only read the funnies." CENSUS CHANGES CONGRESS
 The new censups ishrdlu hrdll The new census is bound to cause some changes in Congress. Some state will lose congressman, some will gain, all as result of the new reapportionment law. Here is an advance forecast of the states which will win, and those which will lose congress men:
 States gaining one new Con- gressman: North Carolina, Flor ida, Alabama, Texas Tennessee New Jersey, Kentucky, Missouri and California.
 States losing one Congressman: Michigan. Kansas and Louisiana.
 States losing two Congressmen: New York, Ohio and Illinois.
 The House always balks at en- bCGl1lS 1LCdDpOI U1O1nllCIlG UCCduoC members fear losing their seats. Chief credit for putting thru this act belongs to North Carolina's quiet Rep. Lindsay Warren. CAPITAL CHAFF
 White House intimates are pre- dieting that able Judge Bert Fish of Florida, now U. S. Minister to Egypt, will get an ambassadorship soon. Judge Fish is one of the few Christians ever permitted to enter Mecca, Mohammedan holy city. He was the guest of King Ibn Saud of Arabia Wiry, popular Senator Arthur Capper of Kansas receives such huge daily flood of mail that he keeps six stenographers busy answering it. The bulk of the letters come from Midwest farmers In contrast to Navy brasshats who seldom use planes, General George o. Mar shall is a constant air traveller In his seven months as Army boss he has flown more than 30,00O miles, including round-trip across the Pacific.
 Copyright, 1940, by United Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

The now-famous Pennsylvania Turn pike that is being built between Pitts burgh and Harrisburg may eventually be extended all the way to Philadelphia. Between the first two cities the route follows an old abandoned rallroad right of way, even tunneling right through a couple of mountains From Harrisburg east, however, the route will either 1ol- low present one or an entire new right of way. One of the fine features ot thls latest suggestion is a bypass around Philadelphia, long needed.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

A trip around the state these days proves how much is being done in the way of institutional expansion. There are signs of building activity wherever you go You don't have to travel far from Waterbury to see this. And over near Danbury the federal government is busy finishing up work on it's new peni- tentiary. Such work is healthy sign and citizens all should take pride in what our officials are doing in our state for institutional growth.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

a b out is the fact that the A A A benefit program helped put tn e big squeeze on him
 Benefit pay ments are sup posed to go
 partly 10 the s h arec ropper The catch is that if the land lord gets rid of all his croppers and then hires them at straight day labor, he keeps the whole
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
Daily Almanac
l rises 11:26 p. m.

Moon rises 11:26 p. m.
 Sun rises 4:58 a. m; sets SAP p. m.
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset.
 There was a lunar phenomenon last Sun- day night when the full moon phase oc- cured but in this latitude it was not visible. Called an eclipse this phenomenon is not truly such, but technically is known as an appulse. The full moon passes into that por- ton of the earth's shadow called the penum- bra or outer shade.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
National Spotlight
BY BRUCE CATION Waterbury Democrat Washington
 Correspondent

Washington, April 26-The De- partment of Agriculture is finally trying to get a help-the-sharecrop- per amendment ln the law govern ing AAA cotton benefit payments. And thereby hangs an unusual tale.
 The sharecroppers woes have been talked about for years. Less talked
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

1. Is there a highway connecting North and South America?
 2. Are eggs with brown shells more nutritious than eggs with light shells or vice versa?
 3. What is the difference be- tween aught and naught?
 4. What famous Negro school was founded by Booker T. Wash ington. 5. Would body at the exact center of the earth have any weight?
 6. Which organization is often called the Invisible Empire?
 '. With which sport was Barney Ross associated?
 8. Whichc expression, smiling or frowning, brings into play the larg- est number of facial muscles?
 g. Who composed Moonlight Sonata?"
 10. The Tai Mahal is in India, Turkey or Iran Persia)?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
Selected Poem
SEA OATS

SEA OATS ohn Richard Moreland in the New York Times) Near to the ocean The sea oats are growing, Fragile and friendly With SedgeS and grasses; Trembling and blowing With each wind that passes. Lovely when dawn is new, And when the noon is blue They gleam like malachite RuSset at set of sun, Silver at night Close to the ocean The sea oats are bending, Broken and lonely, Trembling and blending With shadow and spindrift: Dreams of my youthful years, Lost joys and useless tears Make them akin to pain. Blowing in moonmlst, Bent with the rain.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
Mir. Parsons Sees Need of Many Changes At The
 Bronson Library and More Active Board of Agents
Waterbury, Conn. April 25, 194O.

Editor of The Waterbury Democrat:
 public library important institution of learning and compares with modern Public High Schools To o1 by denying sufficient funds to maintain the maximum of necessary volumes for the reading public is blot and stigma received through conspiracy heritage
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

WARTIME FARMING AT NIGHT
 Lincolnshire, Eng, (UP) - The farmers of Lincolnshire are working day and night, in 12 hour shifts, blowing up the extra acres which are to be put under cultivation to grow war supplies of feeding sutffs. Al through the night, by the light of the stars and their own masked headlamps, tracyk laying tractors draw 2-furrow blows.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
Washington Merry -Go-Round
ROBERT s. ALLEN DREW PEA R $ O N

 months scheduled for St. Paul tomorrow ud Officially its purpose to
  abOl farmers on
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
A Thought for Today

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature Mark 16:15.
 I search in vain in history to find the similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can ap- proach' the gospel-Napoleon.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
Current Comment

To the glory which was Ger many's, Jews have made glorious contribution. In the shame which is Germany's, they have no part. Judge Irving Lehman. New York court of appeals.
 
 By adhering to strict neutrality we mt only serve our own national interest. but mack ourselves most servicaable to the allies. -Representative Bruce Barton
 (Rep. N. Y)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26

TODAY'S COMMON ERROR
 Do not say, q kind of felt my way at first;" say, "I felt my way, after a fashion, at first"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
Whats Your l. O.?

Can you answer seven of these test questions? Turn to last page for the answers.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-26
WARTIME FARMING AT NIGHT

Copyright, 194o, by United Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-10-18
PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that an an nual meeting of the Unemployment Compensation Commission of Alaska will be held on the eleventh t11th day of November, l940, at the offices of the Unemployment Compensation Commission, Territorial Building. Juneau, Alaska At that time, the Unemployment Compensation Com mission will hear benefit claims ap- peals, any objections to any general or special rules or regulations per- taining to the payment of unemploy- ment compensation benefits. Any rules or regulations may be adopted, amended or rescinded by the Con- mission at this meeting and such other routine or special matters as may be brought to their attention at that time
 PLOYMENT COMPENSA- TON COMMISSION OF ALASKA By R. E. HARDCASTLE, Chairman. First publication. Oct. II, l94O.
 Last publication, Nov I, 1910.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-10-18
INDIAN AFFAIRS SHIPS TO BE AT
 0ppOSITE p0lES
North Star Scheduled for Antarctic Boxer 10
 Winter al Bethel

The two ships of the Office oi Indian Affairs Alaska service will be almost at opposite ends of the earth this winter.
 The North Star. after one more trip into Alaska waters, will leave Seattle sometime around Decem- Der l for the Antarctic with new supplies for the Byrd expedition.
 The Boxer, which lost a blade from her propeller near Bethel on the Kusaokwim, will freeze in. The officers and crew. with the eXcep- ton of Chief Engineer John Will son, will fly to Anchorage to re- turn to Seattle by steamer.
 !. A new wheel will be flown to Bethel, where Wilson will enlist a couple of assistants to install 1t. Then, after breakup, the crew will return to bring out the Boxer
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-10-18
Hollywood Sighh find Sound5
-5Y aose.s Coo~s.

HOLLYWOOD. Cal. Oct 18People like Alexander korda Hollywood prophets Not only Koda but he's todays offender.
 use pretty well convinced, and said so that spectacular spurge movies were finished by Hollywood going to have to content itself with doing didn't have old market I'm not saying we were wrong dead right because that's how it
 
 But Public and his wife Aunt Minnie spoke pieces. Aunt Minnie said heyd this retrenchment talk. They said they their bigger and better and fooln They're Colng when they from the They weren't foong when they bought the big pictures and let the others pretty well alone
 Hollywood changed mind and decided that nothing good for Uncle J. and Aunt M And filming of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, movie barometer
 Korda has Vven Leigh and Laurence Olivier in the historic spending big tank" He has the floor polhers they very unofficial index of the way things
 They don't worry about the floors much minor-budge