davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
Could Interest Us

News that the State Water Commission and State Department of Health are ex- perimenting with a new system of sew age disposal whereby wastes now being emptied in raw state into watercourseS are neutralized in seemingly easy fashion should interest any community that does not boast a disposal or modern sewer system. Waterbury often congratulateS itself on the fact that it possesses mod ern sewer system which is being extended into habitable sections of the township as rapidly as money permits. But we have our shortcomings.
 Like a good many other communities we empty raw sewage directly into the Naugatuck River thus polluting the stream. But the list of these offending cities is growing smaller and much or the pollution trouble in Connecticut IS now centered in the Naugtuck and Hous- atomic River valleys. That's probaoly why this experiment is being conducted just below Shelton in the Housatonlc River. It will be given a good try-out there below the confluX of the Naugatuck and Housatonic and at point where several industrial centers pour large volume of untreated sewage into both streams
 Waterbury's compliance with good health standards, and of recent years laws, so far as stream pollution is con- cerned, dates back more than fifty years. First mention of disposal plant to end Naugatuck River pollution was men tioned we think, in 1892 by the late Rob- ert A. Cairns. And an actual plant to treat sewage was started and partly used Tn South Waterbury for some time. As we recall the figures the city spent over $4OOOOO on this first effort to correct an evil. It still pays S2,8OO annually for continuing to empty raw sewage into the river, the courts ruling that this constl- tuted cause for damages to be awarded the Platt Brothers.
 In the light of what the federal gov ernment has done for communities seek ing to end stream pollution we fail to see why Waterbury has continued to post pone the inevitable so regularly from year to year.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
Views of The Press

tember 6 he sent to this newspaper a message from Indian Harbor, Lab- rador. sent by way of Cape Ray. Newfoundland, in these words:
 Stars and Stripes nailed to the
 north pole. Peary.
 Dr. Cook arrived in New York or September 2l and Q municipal re- cepticn was given for him-but the Mayor was conspicuously absent from the ceremonies. Soon pr. Cook was a thoroughly discredited man, the University of Copenhagen, to which his proofs" were submitted, reporting that the material he offer- ed contained no proof whatever that he had been to the pole. When Cook landed. here, public applause had turned to ridicule, the gullibil- tty of royalty was Q subject of jests in variety theaters and the dietary peculiaritles of Eskimos, to whom Cook said he had fed gumdyops, were the subject of jocular conver- sation. Cook became Doc Cook. His bubble of notorlety had been enorm- ous. but 1t had quickly burst.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
America Becomes Music Capital

America is rapidly becoming the musi- cal capital of the world Driven from country after country, musicians have been gravitating to the United States in such numbers as to assure that the in1- mediate future of music will be written here.
 Add together these names: Artur Schnabel, pianist; Ignor StravinSki, Paul Hindemith, and Kurt Weill, composers; Lotte Lehmann and Kristen Flagstad, singers, and Arturo Toscanini and Bruno Walter, conductors. It is as bright a galaxy as may be seen in the world of music All have come to the United States because of the impossible state of Europe. We hope they will stay, and that they will find such conditions in America as will produce a Towering of great music.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

The boy wanted the sovereign
 very much but he knew it involved a hazard. He thought about it for quite a while, and then said, "All right. I'll do it if you let my fa- ther hold the rope" He knew that in his fathers hand he would be safe.
 Every true Christian believes that in his Heavenly Fathers hands he is safe. Come danger or suffering, come sorrow or disap- pointment, God is able to keep us from falling. It matters not how great the danger if we know that our Father has hold of the rope.
 This is the conviction which
 makes religious people strong and equal to every circumstance, and 1t is the absence of this conviction
 which makes people anxious and fearful. If today you have some-
 thing which frets and worries you.
 something which alarms and fills you with rnisgivings, just remember
 that danger can never bring us
 harm If God has hold of the other
 end of the rope.
 All Rights Reserved-Baheon
 Newspaper Syndicate.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
The Water Rat

This is the season when every living thing with the opportunity and the apti- tude likes to get into the water. It's per fectly natural, and should be encouraged But summer aquatics always bring their share of tragedy. The inadequate swim mer, the sudden cramp, the unexpected sink-hole, the tricky tide or current, take their toll of drowningS.
 Beyond sensible precautions, all too little can be done to lower this accidental toll But entirely outside the accidental falls the smart-alec ruffian who plays tricks in the water. In Cleveland young girl escaped death only by the heroic action of resuscitation squad after she had been repeatedly ducked' by hood lums as a misbegotten joke.
 The water is no place for practical jok- ing. Beach guards and all bathers will do well to keep an eye out for this par ticular sort of water-rat these days, and to correct summarily his warped sense Of humor. The water itself takes enough victims without human aid.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
DOC COOK (New York Sun)

When Dr. Frederick A. Cook an- nounced from the Shetland Islands on September l, 1909, that on April 21, 1908, he had reached the north pole, the crowd acclaimed him ana the judicious suspended judgment. Frederick VIII, the King of Den- mark, received him; the University of Copenhagen honored him before his data were examined by 1t, but The Sun said editorially on Septem- Der g.:
 If Dr. Cooks journal, dairy or scientific record, coupled with the nature and quality of his observa. tons. fails to give irrefutable vie
 tality to the detail of his claim he must take his well-earned place in the ranks of an unfor. tunately too numerous class of ex- plorers. It will then be recognized
 that the pole like Mount Mcikin- ley. Is still virgin ground.
 The Suns reference to Mount Mc- Kinley concerned Cooks assertion that he had sealed the Alaslkan peak c declaration never accepted by Ale pinists or geographers and as film. sly supported as wns his assertion that he had attained the top of the earth. Yet in its article The Bun erred, for on September s the pole was not virgin ground, Commander Robert 2. Peary, Q. g. N., had reach- ca it on Ap<u ir1l. end oo 1ep'
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
Rich Mans Bridge

The beautiful Bear Mountain Bridge is at last to be taken over by the State ot New York. On and after September 25 this great span high over the Hudson River just north of Peekskill on one side and south of West Point on the other will become publis property. The state is buying it from the corporation which has managed it's operation so success fully for the past fifteen years for a mere $2,275, 900. That's cheap as bridges go today and the span and its splendid approach highways could not be built for that today.
 Acquisition by the state, however, will not result in the bridge becoming toll free structure. The tolls will be contin- ued until the state has retired the bonds set up to buy it. But the cost will be. lower, a flat 50-centS for all vehicles crossing it, regardless of the number of passengers. Up to now it has usually cost a driver at least $1.00 to pass over the bridge, unless he were by himself in his car.
 For years New York has been talking about taking over this bridge, one of the few large privately maintained structures spanning an important waterway like the Hudson River. But state legislators hemmed and hawed on the matter every time definite action loomed. And there was the cost of acquisition to be consid- cred, too. When the bridge was built in 1925 it was the only highway structure across the Hudson below Albany. Now there are State-maintained bridges at Catskill (Rip Van Winkle) and Pough- keepsie -Hudscn), not to mention the George Washington Bridge in New York.
 There's no doubt but what the bridge will be used by many more motorists now tltat it's tolls are to be cut in half. Traf- fic will probably increase as much as 50 per cent at midsummer.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
Selected Poem
IN THE DARK WOODS

(Pearl Strachan in the Christian Science Monitor) In the middle of the dark woods one lily grows Red-yelow against black, red-yellow against green Erect and slender, and as vivid
 As a rajahs jewels on a dusky queen. In the middle of the dark woods have come to 1t New trees are sprouting where path once ran. There is no special entrance and no way marked Out of this glade. wander where no man Has wandered in long seasons. Here find Tn the middle of the woods one lily Of stirring beauty, left before unseen Save by the chipmunk and the rnged snake And creatures fluttering over it on wings Or, when the sun drops low, the shy deer Going to drink among the lush reeds, To drink the coolness of the dreaming lake. Bright as a lantern in some dim court Tall, and exotic in its tiger red As a Hindu princess in some Gothic vauit One lily rises from @ thick bed
 Of blueberry and fern and juniper, With oak and pine massed leafly behind. In the middle of the dark woods one lily Content to be, and never to be seen, VIII have hold on the remembering mind.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
Take Aim Before Firing

The man who fires a shotgun into thicket often hits something or other. But not always what he thought he was shooting at. Because passing laws is sometin1es a little like that, closest at- tention should be given to the Voorhis bill now pending in the Senate. It pro- vides drastic regulation for every organi- zation subject to foreign control which enpanes irl military or political activity, or which seeks to gain control of the government by force:
 The game at which this shotgun is aimed should be brought down, right snoueh. But the aim wants to be steady and dead on the buli's-cye. AS presented, 1hersseems chance tlat th's b'll might
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

It was a long time coming, but in the estimation of Townsend Scudder, retired New York Supreme Court justice, it was well worth waiting for. A year or so ago neighbors of MT. Scudder in Greenwich, where he resides, complained about the noise from his kennels. He is noted dog fancier and judge and maintains quite a kennel of cocker spaniels. Neigh bors convinced town officials that the barking of the dogs was public menace and that the ex-justice should be limited in the number of cookers he could keep on his estate But the courts didn't agree with the town and the case was carried from one court to another until just recently the Supreme Court of Errors of Connecticut ruled in favor of MT. Scud- der and said that his maintenance of kennel did not constitute public menace and he could not be restrained from keep ing large number of cookers there. In
 view of his knowledge of dogs it hardly seems as if he would try the patience of neighbors by unnecessary noise.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

ator Bob, who is up for reelection this year, and ex-Governor Phil, who since his defeat two years ago has been quiety promoting a "Fuehrer- principle" kind of or ganization which he launched in the spring of 1888 with g lot of fanfare.
 Bob LaFollette faces . tough battle. Three key voting blocs in the state are the large Ger man, Scandinavian and Polish groups. Obviously playing for the favor of the first two, Bob was very active isolationist last November during the fight over the neutrality act.
 But this stand boomeranged when Hitler invaded the unarmed Scandinavian countries. So with the Poles already down on him, the disaffection of the Scandinavi- ans was a serious blow.
 There is no question of La- Follette's personal hostility toe ward Hitler and Naxism. But two factors have operated to keep Bob from taking . strong position for aid to the British, one being the large German popu lati0n in Wisconsin. The other is brother PhiL several years younger than Bob, but the dom- inant one of the pair. It Is Bob who always bows to Phil's will.
 Bob was cold to Phil's scheme for organizing 8 new party fea- turing Fascist trappings. But Phil had his way. And today, Bob is jeopardizing his reelec- tion chances by permitting Phil to make him a tail to the dubious kite of his personal ambitions. To put it mildly, these ambitions are extraordinary.
 'FUEHRER" PHIL
 For a long time Phil LaFollette has been convinced that he Is a man of destiny.
 In the spring of 1889 he made a trip to Germany, returning with two theories: (1) that what the United States needs to make its democracy work effectively is the Nazi leadership principle. (2) that the way to bring this about is to use semi-Nazi political methods. This explains the swastika-like symbol of his or ganization.
 After his defeat for a third term for governor, Phil's move ment dropped out of sight, but not out of existence. From a small headquarters in Madison, Phil has continued flooding the country with his theology.
 Meanwhile he has branched out into a new line. He has become a director of the Fairbanks, Morse O., which has had a long record of labor troubles.
 Further, Phil has prevailed up- on Bob to turn down a secret Ad- ministration offer of an election alliance this year, under which the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

New Deal would support Bob for the Senate and the Progress sives would back a Democrat against Julius the Bust" Hell, comic-opera Republican.
 Such an arrangement worked effectively in 1892 and 1886. But this year Phil, apparently bent on bringing his movement out into the open again, is against Roosevelt tieup, and Bob is docileIy falling into line. even though a three -cornered fight greatly increases the chances of his defeat.
 Inside Progressive word is that Phil proposes to declare against both Roosevelt and Willkie and to wage 8 campaign on his leader ship principle" doctrines. These schemes and tactics have alien ated a number of veteran Progress sive leaders, who are ardent Rooseveltites and favor a third term.
 Chief of these is William T. Evjue, editor of the powerful powerful Capital Times of Madi- son, who recently relinquished the editorship of The Progressive, La Toilette weekly, because of ire concilable differences with Phil. BIG SHOT AUTOS
 You don't have to crane your neck to identify the Capitals top flight officials as they breeze by in those long, black, official linn cuisines. An easier way is to look at the license tag.
 Government bigwigs have the same license number each year; so once you know the numbers you know who's in the car. For example:
 Secretary HulPs license tag is 1l2, Morgenthau's IA, Stim- sons 1l7, Jackson's 120, Farley's 123, Knox has 125, Ickes 127, Wallace 12S, Hopkins 131, Secre- tary Perkins 134. Vice President Garner, who precedes the cabi- net has Ill.
 However, Speaker Bankhead, who comes after the cabinet, has one of the lowest license numbers in Washington-17. And District Commissioner Melvin Hazen who doesn't rate at all among the big shots, has D. c. 1.
 The Presidents car, which migh be expected to have this number, has a much higher numeral. The Secret Service insists on that for his protection; also that the num- Der not be published. They are not so secretive regarding Mrs. Roosevelt. Her tag number is lO2.
 NOTE-Isolationist leader Sem ator Hiram Johnson, for many years, has carried on his car Cali fornia state license S-1.
 Copyright. 1940, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Inc.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

be used against labor unions, long-estab- lished military organizations or groups. while leaving scot-free Nazi groups whose connection with parent organizations at home could not be shown at all. It IS hard to aim shotguns like this with com plete assurance that the shot won't scat ter off the target. That's no reason for not having the shotgun, or for not firing it. Whats needed is the most careful bead that can be drawn.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
Daily Almanac

Moon sets i2:ie a. m. daylight time) Sun rises 6:66 o. m; sets 7:Se daylight tlme)
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset.
 The moon entered It's first quarter phase this morning at [ o'clock, standard time. This should result in . shift to wind and rain for the next week or SO with local conditions interfering.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

pending in Con- greSs.
 This bill Is c b T ie f amend ment to the stolen proper ty act" of 1889. It seeks to close U. s. markets to any proper ties which have been expropri- ated by a for- C 1 g n govern. ment; it has passed the Sen- ate and is up f or considera-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

ton in the House.
 Back of it IS a scrap between the Standard and Sinclair oil in- terests, arising from the fact that Sinclair settled its claim against Mexico. while Standard did not.
 Sinclair setticd for $8,500, ,000 and a contract permitting it to buy 20O0O,O00 barrels of Mexican oil over a four-year period. Com- plaint of its rivals is that this oil is coming in fast enough to de- press the U. s. market, and that much of it is in fact oil taken from the wells of the other ex- propriated companies. The pend- ing bill is supposed to block such importation.
 Sinclair officials, however, say that under their contract all the oil they get must come either from the wells they themselves formerly owned, or from wells originally owned by the Mexican government. Anyway, they argue their oil imports run to less than 14,000 barrels day, whereas total U. s. oil imports have been swinging between 100000 and 300, 0,000 barrels daily.
 The really interesting part about the scrap, though, is that it stems from Sinclair's breaking of the united front" maintained by American oil companies against Mexico; and behind the breaking of that front there is an odd little story.
 HURLEY, RICHBERG
 REPRESENTATIVES,
 In its Mexican negotiations, Sin- clair was represented by Patrick J. Hurley, former secretary of war un- der Herbert Hoover. Standard and Dutch Shell had as their negotiator Donald R. Richberg, one-time coun- sel for MIRA and an ex-inner circle New Dealer.
 Bearing the White House bless ing, Richberg went to Mexico to negotiate one settlement for all the oil companies. After a good start, he begged down. Mexico was insisting the oil companies should get paid only for plant and equipment seized and for money actually invested. The oil com panieS naturally wanted to be paid for the potential value of the properties. The gap couldn't be bridged.
 FUNNY PART
 OF IT IS-
 Harry Sinclair presently decided bird in the hand was worth two in the bush, and sent Hurley down to Mexico. Hurley found the Mex jeans had been assured that they needn't consider Sinclair, because if Standard and Shell settled Sin clair would have to follow along. He also found that in view of the Roosevelt administrations attitude, settlement would have to be made on the Mexicans' terms. So Sinclair pulled out of the united front" and accepted the settlement Hur- ley and President Cardenas worked out.
 And the funny part about it all is this: that this settlement, fol- lowing the line of the New Deals good neighbor policy. was evolved by the arch-Republican Hurley while the ex-New Dealer Rich berg failed to work out a good neighbor settlement for Standard and Shell.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

1. The oldest living things today are considered to be Sequoias. tur- ties or whales?
 2. Quicksilver is another name for what metal?
 3. What river drains the Great Lakes into the Atlantic?
 4. Who wrote the biography of Benjamin Franklin that won the Pulitzer prize in 1939?
 5. To what government depart ment do the G-Men belong?
 6. What is the highest denom- ination United States postage stamp?
 T. What does "Et tu, Brute" mean?
 8. Cockroaches are nocturnal or diurnal in habits?
 g. How many players comprise a polo team?
 10. What is the name of the British Royal Family?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

A. Thermoplastic plastics are per- manently fusible and alternately melt or soften when heated and harden when cooled. Thermosetting plastics, on the other hand, may be made permanently infusible. c. How did the month of August get its name?
 A. It was named for Augustus Caesar, who was jealous because his uncle, Julius Caesar, had the month July named for him.
 o. Who wrote the poem entitled '"The Man in the Mirror?"
 A. Franz Werfel It is contained in Contemporary German Poetry" by Babette Deutsch and A,rahm Yarmolinsky.
 o. Which church in Rome con- tains the portraits of all the Popes? A. The Basilica di s. Paolo fuori le mura.
 @. Is more than one camera used in filming a motion picture scene?
 A. Usually only one camera takes a scene. More than one can be used in taking long shots, and this is sometimes done to get shots from different angles, but in scenes taken at close range, lights have to be placed at exactly the correct dis tance and angle from the camera, and if two cameras were used, the lights would not be suitable for both. e. Do fish feel pain? A. They suffer little if any pain when they are hooked. because they have very few sensory nerves about the jaw. Some trout have been known to be hooked two or three times in the same day, the fishermen using the same type of bait. Fish doubtless have a sensation of dis comfort, but not as great as that of the higher animals.
 @. Does the Federal Government issue licenses to hunt buried treas ure?
 | A. No
 o. What color is liquid oxygen?
 A. Pale, steel blue, and trans parent in considerable masses.
 If you want copy of the book
 let Dog and Cat Book" send to
 The Waterbury Democrats Wash.
 ington Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth
 street, Washington, D. 0. Enclose l Rn,.v nA~nfa a,,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
GRETNA VISIT .FuLFILLs WISH

0retna Green. Eng.-(uPl-Ar- thur Crow. 2s-year-old Canadian soldier, fulfilled a wish made by his father before he left home when he visited 0retna and saw the old blacksmith Ghcp where his father and mother were married 80 yeafs eso.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
BOUNTY PUT ON RAGwEED

Marblehead. Mas. - lUPl-En- couraged by-a M-cent increase oyer last year. children are collecting ragweed ct a cent Q poend as part ol this towns third annual ragUcc1 eHlnzuInaI'cu campaign.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

unaccuStomed to mountain climb ing, could not reach. He, there fore, offered 8 small boy a sov- ereign If he would allow him. self to be let down by a rope where he could secure this spe- cimen and then be drawn up again tO safety.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

Apparently the open season on candi- dacies and political campaigns is about to break out in a rash here in Waterbury. We've had quite few candidates an- rlounced to-date, all of them good ones, too. They augur well for the calibre of the successful entrant in the final race of the parties next November. Waterbury is expected to stage its customary vigor- ous fampagn a art ana ]aagng ny tions have been working quietly in the background of late there can be expected a real fight to swing this city into line. Odds still remain on it going Democratic.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10

The suggestion from Street Superin- tendent Scott-Smith that motorists avoid travelling over Watertown Avenue as much as possible while construction is going on there is good one. We hope that as many motorists as can conveniently do so will follow his recommendation and take a roundabout way even if it is longer. The street work will be finished sooner if the traffic doesn't impede progress
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-10
Washington Merry Go-Round
DREW PEAR s o N
 ROBERT S. ALLEN

WASHINGTON August lo has been done quietly that only few officials almost carefully President