davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
High Crowns Out

Whether or not it's the European in- fluence - getting rid of crowns - or some other factor we don't know, but at any rate the State Highway Depart ment continues it's experiments and practical applications to rid our road way system of the old type of high crowned thoroughfare. Remember those roads that proved such a problem to navigate, particularly when the roads were wet or icy. Built to shed water like a dromedary's back they still are being cut down wherever the department finds them extant.
 But recently stretch of roadway near Colchester was turned into laboratory where the Highway Department con- ducted experiments. The results are now being awaited. A new type of roadway was built, patterned after roads con- structed in Virginia. Crushed stone and asphalt is used in the work with wedge course of stone and bituminous material along each side of the road itself. This course is first built and then the rest of the paving filled in. It gets rid of the high crown effect and is supposed to have long life, too. Its success will determine it's extent through our road ways.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
Two Billions Begging

Among the woozy sights of this wacky world is the spectacle of two billion dol lars locked up tonight with no place to go. These are international balances owned by nations of citizens of nations now occupied by German and Russian troops. These funds are peck of very hot pota- toes. The government has taken the position that just because sodiers have overrun a country that is no reason why the invader should be able to lay claim to all possessions of that country all over the world.
 For the present, while the international situation is still so upset, this is prob ably the only possible decision. But what when Fascist France comes demanding the money that belonged to Republican France, and what when Communist Esthonia comes demanding what had be- longed to her predecessor? Then there will be new and difficult decision to make
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
Suspect Inquiries

The Chamber of Commerce of the United States has warned it's members of certain suspicious inquiries. The Pen sacola, Fla, chamber, for instance, received several letters recently asking for map locations of federal agencies, strategic transportation, water supply, bridges docks, and the like.
 This led to the suggestion that per- haps Chambers of Commerce, naturally anxious to exploit the resources of their communities, might be used as a source of easily obtaining information wanted for the worst motives. The chambers suggestion that all such inquiries that seem suspicious be turned over to the FBI is sound one. And, without slump ing into a hysterical altitude, everyone can properly think twice about matters of this kind. Just because we don't want to get all twittery there is no reason to fall fast asleep, either.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
AIRPORTS FOR NEW YORK
 (NeW York TimeS)

New York's splendid air terminal at La Guardia Field is already taxed almost to capacity. With mounting passenger loads, the city will need major additions to its air. port facilities in the near future.
 A site has been under considera- tion on the Hutchinson River, where the Bronx and the suburban areas to the north could be served. There also has been discussion of the con- struction of large terminal at &c., caucus, a site strongly recommended in the Hoover commission report of more than a decade ago. The new- est proposal is for a port to be con- structed at Caven Point. in Jersey City, directly west of the Statue of Liberty. This site would be particu- larly convenient for downtown Manhattan, and, with completion of the Battery tunnel, for Brooklyn.
 An interesting feature of this pro- posed Atlantic Airport" is the fact that 1t would be situated in the heart of an extremely busy indus trial area. Comprising 1,i00 acres, much of which would require the replacement of shoal water by i'll, it has the natural advantage of two existing deep-water channels on the north and south, where ocean-going vessels could dock adjacent to the field itself. It has the further ad- vantage of ample water area, out of the lanes of harbor trafic. for the take of and aiightias Of even the largest flying boats. Touched by many railroads. it has unusual facilities for the transfer of goods
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
A Thought for Today
When Is Imminent?

The Hartford Times doesn't like the thoughts of the United States rushing into a universal training and drafting young men all over the country. It be- lieveS that such emergencies as these should be war measure and not peace time. The Times concludes that we are a peaceful nation and are still at peace with all nations of the world, hence we should not conscript our youth until "at- tack upon the United States or invasion of this hemisphere has plainly become imminent.
 That's an understandable position and there are many Americans who will agree If next week or the week after, or even six months from now, we should become involved in the European war, or perhaps even one with Japan, how soon would 1t take us to present fighting front and a fighting force? Certainly we would not be better prepared by then unless we had taken such drastic step as con- scription. Every plan for national de- fense now is predicted on the thought that when the time comes (we hope it won't) Uncle Sam will have the trained personnel to handle this defense.
 Attack or invasion of this nation from without or within would find us woe fully incapable of proper defense. And no matter how much we discount the chances of such attack or invasion the fact remains that preceding as we are now it would take years and years to produce an army of trained men cabable of resisting the armed forces that are now regarded as potential enemies or invaders.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
NEW ROAD TO SHELTON (Bridgeport Times-Star)

The proposed new $500,000 high way from Shelton to join the Mer- ritt Parkwa in Trumbull wouyld &C., commodate most of the passenger traffic from the Bridgeport region to the Valley" and would there fore release the present Shelton road through Nichols to the grow ing number of commercial vehicles which constitute the real traffic problem between these two points.
 The seven mile new highway pro- posed will have to be on new road bed of its own. and consequently it will be at least year before actual paving begins. But is is good, after all these years of Bridgeport's bat tling for better communication facilities to the Valley" to have the solution in the Highway by the Governor.
 It would seem that the new high way, planned to join with the Par way, planned to join with the Park to passenger traflc, and the more we succeed in placing passenger cars on one road and truck traffic on another the nearer we are to the highway system of the future.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27

With each passing day news filters across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe of saddening tone. There will be food shortage throughout many countries during the winter of 1940-41. This may even become a famine in some regions. America will not overlook this oppor- tunity to display to the world as it has done in the past that it is unmindful Of human suffering. It should encourage us now to do our utmost to insure bum per crops this summer and early fall. We may not anticipate an over-abund- ance ourselves on account of the late spring and the wet and cold June and early July, but usually the states come through with more than enough for themselves. What we can do for less fortunate peoples of Europe should best be determined by those who are familiar with conditions. Perhaps it will be inn possible to render any aid this fall on account of the war, but at least we should be willing and prepared to do SO.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
Vanishing Indian?

Ask the average American and we bet he'll say that the Indians are a vanish ing race, whose ranks are thinning away into nothingness, something like the e. A. R. That's not true among the Arizona Indians at least, as the 1940 census-takers found There are some 5i.730 Indians now living in that state, an increase of 12,233 since 1930
 In many countries to the south, for example, fin Mexico, the Indian popula- ton is large, and the mestizo or mixed blood population is still larger. These clements take large part in the run ming of the country. Possibly if the United States Indian population con
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
Selected Poem
AT THE ESPLANADE

Al HE ESKLaNhDG By Myra P. Ellis in the Christian Science Monito watched the evening skies grow pale . And seemed lost in a fairy tale, Where little men in a great shell Made music grow and sing and swell I sat far off, and still the sound Swept over me, above around. The tones seemed tangible, of such Clear shape and substance, one could touch Each golden chord, each silver note That set the river wind afloat. Young lovers smile as if to own The night and music theirs alone; But, like moths in arrested flight White heads gleam faintly through the night. Old memries stir-old loves walk there Wakened by music on the air. On tip-toe to the melodies, Our fair flag danced upon the breeze And every star shone bright and true And every stripe, red, white and blue. O. lovely land Where man may rest Beside the rivers shining breast And hear in peace the wondrous way The little music-makers play Where cool night winds and lapguid sails Sway quietly as daylight pales.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
Views of The Press

of 2,500 seats. more than twice the size of the normal Broadway thea ter. More remarkable, they always present the same play '"The Old Homestead"
 It is only fair to explain that these rustic producers do not face the problem of maintaining a con- tinuous Broadway run. They only give three performances year, dur ing a week in July. Yet this has enabled them to lift the mortgage on the Swanzey Center Congrega- tional Church. And this year they expect to get the organ repaired and build a basketball court for the parish. "The Old Homestead" is doing pretty well.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27

Corps Area, remarked that the only people to be complimented during the entire maneuvers were the enlisted men and the lieu tenants.
 HOUSEKEEPING TROOPS
 Example No. 3 is the army vil- lage. This is one of the most iniquitous systems in the Army, and most officers agree that it should be abolished. Yet the army village remains, year after year.
 The army village is a remnant of the old blockhouse of Indian war days, usually situated in the interior, far from the scene of any possible attack from Europe or the Pacific. They are a handi- cap because a modern army, in order to be effective, must operate and maneuver in large masses, not few thousand men at time.
 The army village breaks up the army into small parts, and also re- qu1res that about 40 per cent Of the enlisted men be kept busy moving lawns, keeping books. do- ing stenography, operating a mo- tion picture show or running a company canteen. Thus the troops degenerate into bunch of housekeepers, not fighters.
 Furthermore, in training, a company commander is supposed to have about 150 men. But &C., tually he has only 40 or 50. The rest are out keeping the army village neat.
 Actually, it would pay the War Department to hire civilian labor to do these odd chores around the posts. Civilian labor usually is cheaper in the end, and the army is not operating for the purpose of civic improvement but to train fighters.
 UPSIDE-DOWN PERSONNEL
 SYSTEM v Much of the Arlny's weakness derives from Example No. 4, which
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27

is the complete inertia engendered by the promotion system. An army officer knows that if he is reasonably sober he will be pro-
 noted automatically, according to age, no matter what else he may do. He merely has to wait for officers ahead of him to die of. It is inconceivable that any business firm would promote its employees on the same system.
 Example of army weakness No. 5 is the starvation method of getting recruits. The men who enlist in the Army do so largely because they can get no jobs any, where else. Naturally this means that large part of the men rep resent the lowest stratum of so- ciety. Few men Of the wealthy or middle classes now go into the Army unless they enter West Point.
 Real fact Is, however, that the ROTC units in various universities have been turning out men su- perior to West Point. The latter is largely a disciplinary school, and since the tuition Is free, it gets men from families of lower economic level. Boys from the leading families all go to the large universities. Also, if they are members of the ROTC, they get 800 hours of work in field ar- tillery, while the West Point grad uate gets only 30.
 Yet the West Point graduate usually goes on to be promoted to the higher ranks, and eventual ly bosses the Army. No wonder. therefore, that many of the top generals are moribund and com- pletely incapable of bringing the U. s. Army up to date in these days of emergency.
 Copyright, 1s4o, by United Fea- ture Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27

A salvo of applause should be accorded the Water Department for it's fine work in flushing the streets of the city during the afternoon hours in this recent hot spell. For a long time it has been GUS tomary to flush the streets early in the morning before too much traffic was moving. But the second flushing was invaluable in laying dust and cooling off scorching pavements It was reminder of the days when the horse-drawn carts piled their way all over town from one end of the day to the other
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27


 and the hunting and fishing in this part of the country leave nothing to be desired"
 So there he lives in modest com- fort while the city beckons and men wonder how he can be such fool as to turn down a good thing.
 But he has good thing in fact he has the best thing any man can ever have--he has a contended heart. He never looks at his neigh bors field and thinks how green 1t 1t. He never gazes as sunset at far off windows and marvels at the fact his neighbor'S windows appear to be gold while his are dark and dull. He has found life in the little vile lage, and there he lives 1t to its full.
 He who cannot be happy where he is and with what he has, could not be happy at the ends of the earth with the riches Of Croesus. All Rights Reserved
 Babson Newspaper Syndicate
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
New England Oberammergau (New York Herald-Tribune)

No Pulitzer Prize material is 'The old Homestead" an antique drama by the late Denman Thomp- son, of Swanzey, N. H. But in hard. box once terms it has given "Abie's Irish Rose" and Tobacco Road" 6 run for their money. Thompson did pretty well with 1t while he lived. serving as his own star and touring the country in the era when two-fisted morality drama of "The Drunkard" type was ali the rage. But "The Old Homestead" haE achieved its immortality through c unique community theater.
 The town of Swanzey, where the play was written and where its action is set, is surrounded on all sides with the mighty art theaters of New England's "straw-hat cir- cult" The Swanzey thespians- local farmers and housewives--inake no artistic pretensloiis. but they do make a lot of money. They have constructed their own amphitheater
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27

Such fine work has been done in making aerial photographs of this state that a composite map of our 5,004 square miles of territory is not being used to map defensive plans against at tack All sorts of circles and "x's" dot this map showing the vital sources of defense, such as dams, reservoirs, power plants, war industries, and the like. But more than it's use in war defense these air maps are sought by local and state officials who find recourse to them aids in their special work. The Highway Department uses them most effectively, so do local engineers in planning develop ments.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
Questions
 andAnswers
BY rREDERIO nI. KERBY

BY CREDER1C a. KERBY
 RncIoss . three-cent stamp tor reply when addressing any uues. tinn of fact Ot information Co the Waterbury Democrats Service Bu. reau at Washington. Legal and medical advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be- mn. taken. Be sure sl mail b ad. dressed to The WATERBURY DEMOCRATS SERVICE BU- REAU, 1913 Thirteenth strect Washington. D. c.
 THE EDITOR
 e. For what tribe of Indians |, Sing Sing prison named?
 A. The Assinesink, shortened to Sintsink. They were g Wappingef tribe or band, inhabiting the banks of the Hudson River near the pres- ent Ossining, N. Y. The name means "at the small stone" prob ably referring to heaps of small stones which the Indians used as markers in various places.
 @. Is 1t true that person who was born and lives in the United States is not a citizen if one of his parents Is an alien?
 A. No, all persons born in thii country are citizens.
 Q. In what year was the Bostos police strike?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
Daily Almanac

Moon rises 1927 a. m. daylight time)
 Sun rises 5:43 a. m; sets 8:l3 p. m tdaylsh time)
 All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset.
 The last quarter phase of the moon occur red this morning between G and o'clock, standard time It's as bad an outlook as we had at the full moon phase and we'll prob ably not get out Of this disagreeable weather for another week.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27

0OlllC yCoAo d6o an ou ts t anding dentist in a large city offered him $25, ,000 a year if he would come to the city and be associated wit h him.
 The villa g e dentist laughed ana said, Why should I move to the city for any 8 m o u n t of money? The folks I love live in this 1itA1a fnIx,S1 and
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27

resign in order to campaign for the vice presi- dency, there are N e v D e a ] strategists who are hoping the secretary W 1 l ] step down.
 They see two things to be g a i n e d that way; some of the disgruntled party brethren could be ap- D e a s e d, and f a r m e r s who ln.a,A Nil- &aa
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
CLIPPERS TO CALL AT BOSTON

Boston CUP)-Transatlantic clip- per planes on flights between New York and Portugal will call at Bos- ton during their summer runs for refueling purposes. according to Mayor Maurice ]. Tobin.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27

tinues to grow larger, it too will take a larger part in the life of the country. At present the very smallneSS of the groups tends to isolate them from the rest of the population.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
Whats Your l. O.?
Can you answer seven of these test questions? Turn to back page for the answers.

1. Name the famous queen who visited King solomon.
 2. Which is the most brilliant star as distinguished from planets in the heavens?
 3. Which state has the nick name Cracker State?"
 1. Why are the edges of United States silver coins milled?
 5. Can an electric transformer be operated on direct current?
 6. To which party was the term Grand Old Party first applied?
 2. Can a letter be recalled by the writer after it has been mailed?
 8. Who was called the Iron Chancellor?
 9. Which is the largest cathedral in the U. S.?
 10. What is the plural of tempo?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
STRENGTH FOR THE DAY
By EARL L. DOUGLASS. D. D.

STRENGTH FOR THE DAY
 In certain country village lives dentist, known among his pro- fessicnal colleagues as one Of the best dentists in that great state.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27

A. On September g, 1919, follow. ing discharge of nineteen policemen for activities connected with theil afihation with the A. F. of L., the Boston policemen went on strike to enforce the recognition of their newly formed union. Governor Cal- win Coolidge declared their posi- tionS vacant and . new body wal formed. This was the first polict strike in the United States and rais- ed the issue of whether public serv- ants have the right to strike.
 @. What was the vote in the Up S. House of Representatives on tn" bill for the deportation of Harr Bridges, Pacific Coast labor leader
 A. The House passed the bill by : vote of 330 to 42.
 e. Where is the 1941 conventio.. of the American Medical associatioss scheduled to be held?
 A. In Cleveland, Ohio.
 @. The varnished wood of my porch windows has turned very dark and is unsightly. Is there anything besides paint that can use to im- prove their appearance.
 A. Use a solution of 90 per cent sodium metaSilicate and 10 per cent sodium perborate, at the rate of 1 pound to 1 gallon of boiling water. This is a continuation paint and varnish remover and wood bleach. Mop or brush on, and allow to stand 20 to 30 minutes. Rub it of and rinse well with water and, when dry, the wood may be recoated with varnish.
 Q. What is meant by penny saver" envelop?
 A. It is an envelop that cannot be sealed entirely and is used to transmit printed letters or circulars at third class postage rates. The contents may be inspected by postal authorities. No typewriter or writ tetn matter Is permitted in such third class mail.
 If you want copy of the book let CITIZENSHIP AND NATUR- ALIZATION" send to The Water.
 bury Democrats Washington
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
between surface and air-borne car-

between surface and air-borne car- rierS.
 Many students of aviation are convinced that the principal reve- nues of civil flying will be derived eventually from air express and freight, rather than from the car- riage of passengers and mail. The proposal for a Glass airport n Jersey City merits the careful ex- animation of the Civil Aeronautics Board.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
National Spotlight
BY BRUCE CAPTION Waterbury Democrat Washington
 Correspondent

Washington, July 27 = Although President Roosevelt has said pub licly he assumes" Secretary of Ag- riculture Henry Wallace won't
The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-27
Washington Merry Go-Round
DREW PIE A B 6 o N
 ROBERT s. ALLEN

 Nations Capital settling