davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
Still Speeding

There must be some way of impreSsing upon motorists how close to treason it is to ruin tires by speeding and needlesSly sloppy driving. Yet apparently none has been discovered. Perhaps when the Ba- rush committee reports, it's findings will shock the populace into common sense.
 A 10-state survey shows that more than half the drivers still exceed 40 miles, the speed limit recommended by the Pres ident, which still is too fast in view of the emergency we face. The most casual observation demonstrates that the jack rabbit start, the brake-slamming stop, the f6at ses e1ps trss sea n 'nT protesa 1 continue just as though we were not at war. It is all very, very discouraging to those anxious to win.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
Army And Navy Together

It seems quite appropriate that the Scovill Company, Waterbury's oldest manufacturing establishment, should be the first to receive the Army-Navy "E" for excellence in war production. It is the first such award we believe through out the Naugatuck Valley, Previously several of our local industries were hon. pred with the Navy "E' for their fine records. The Scovill presentation today is certainly fitting climax to all that have gone before.
 No one industry is more closely linked to the growth of Waterbury in so many ways than Scovill's. It has been an in- Stitution for years, company whose roots have always clung to Waterbury. People speak of Scovills as they do of the familiar places which are part of their life. Consequently, there is more than passing interest in today's event; everyone is more than just glad that the Army and Navy have seen fit to pay their respects for work we'll done at time when the utmost is being demanded in the industrial field.
 From the highest official down to the last man hired everyone at Scovill'S is deserving of the highest praise. And the rest of the city, too, will be generous in it's conferring of accolades today. The Army and Navy may present the "E', but we could add an "F" for friendliness, e" and "M'' for good management, and "W' for worthiness Honors such as these too often are omitted in the hustle and hustle of not too apprecia- tive world. All the more reason for gen. eral rejoicing at this latest honor to come Waterbury'S way.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
Universal Rationing Book

One advantage of universal rationing book has not been mentioned by the Of- flee of Price Administration, but presum- ably is close to the top of the OPA mind. So long as individual books are used for each rationed item, it is impossible to inaugurate a new program without ad- vance fanfare, because the mechanical preparations-th devising and printing of the forms-are certain to become known.
 With universal book, the presumably discreet top executives can decide, in ex- ecutive session, that at midnight of a certain day such an item shall be ra- toned. Then, so quickly that little hoard ing will be done, the order can be promul- gated and put into effect.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

ice in distant lands, to cast ballot. Local machinery can't overcome the obstacles of distance, inacceSsibility, etc.
 So, when the Senate magnanimously voted to waive certain election law re- quirements it really failed to touch the real problem in absentee voting this fall. There isn't much time left either in which to do much for the boys who are located in localities where mail usually takes six weeks to reach them and six weeks to return, if answered promptly. We're afraid that the absentee ballot will go by default in great many instances. Action a month or two ago by Congress to set up clearing house through which all such mail could be handled for points outside the continent would have been real contribution to the effort to try to give our fighting men and women a real chance to vote.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
You Can Vote, Boys!

The Senate, rather begrudgingly, passed this week bill which allows men and women serving with Uncle Sam's forces throughout the world to vote by absentee ballot this fall without the pay ment of poll taxes, or registration, cleo tion law requirements mandatory in eight states, all of them southern. The law has no practical effect on Connecticut, for we have no poll taxes and registra- tion prior to election is not required save privileges to our men and women in where the persons name is not on the lists or has been removed for some req son.
 The main point in granting absentee service, particularly those outside of the continent, is the need of providing an easy means of getting the ballots to those eligible and returning them in time to the proper civic officials. That's no easy task and only the intervention of the federal government will make it possible for ell of the eligible voters, own on serv-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
A Thought for Today
Too Many Strikes

The National Association of Manu- lecturers has made a study of strikes since Pearl Harbor," covering the first six months of 1922 During that period the association learned of 21 consequen- tial walkoutS, involving from as few as l19 employees up to as many as 12,392. Most were short-liVed. They cost, in six months, 7,176,344 man-hourS, which is equivalent to 3,588 man-years.
 That does not bulk very large in our man-power economy It represents a minute decimal of per cent of the men engaged in war work. But we feel, with Mrs. Fillmore Herrick, New York regional director of the National Labor Relations Board and one of the truest friends organized labor ever had, that lone strike Tn a defense plant is one too many, even though it may have been provoked by the employer, as often happens"
 We also agree with the National Asso- ciation of Manufacturers that "the per- centage of workers involved in strikes is not important. Where the strikes oc- cured is important. One-ten thouSandth of l per cent of all workers might paralyze the production of planes or tanks, if they struck" Moreover, the figures compiled by the National Association of Manufac- turers are not truly representative of the seriousness of the labor situation today. They have to do solely with strikes, and most labor disturbances which are delaying war production are not, form ally, strikes. Eight hundred c. l. Gers in Detroit, seeking higher wages, took four-day vacation. There was no strike
 Twenty-nine c. I. Gers in Trenton closed down two departments doing Navy work by refusing to move materials, in pay dispute. There was no strike Thirty holsting engineers slowed down work in five Rochester war plants because of "ill- ness" which, their union agent said, could be cured by raising their 40-hour weekly wage from $65 to $7O. There was no strike
 These are typical items out of a few days news. They have their counter parts by the hundreds, everywhere. They are more important than the off cial strike record.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
Views Of The Press

sort of ruthlessness in thus earasing all trace of a spot that surely has much more to entitle it to preser- vation in public memory than many that are/ more prtentious. Official explanation is that the office was abolished because of lack of patron age. The last postmaster, who re- tired because of disability, received only $200 year, which constituted
 practically a sinecure. That the Post Office Department is not un- aware of Mark Twain's fame was shown when special issue of com memorative stamps was printed in 1940 and Postmaster General Far ley journeyed to Hannibal in honor of the occasion. He bought the first sheet from the postmaster. So Flor ida vanishes. If to do so would have kept. the towns name alive, we think, enough admirers of Samuel L.. Clemens would have sent letters there on any given day to have
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

It seems odd to call General Sanford H. Wadhams, director of the State Water Commission, into a row involving the tenancy of residents of a trailer colony in South Windsor, but that's just what has been done. General Wadhams also heads the State Housing Authority, but it's in his dual capacity that he's now being asked to arbitrate. The dispute arises over an order to the trailerites to vacate their premises. They have re- fused and carried their fight to Governor Robert A. Hurley. All sorts of charges are hurled at them, including possible sanitary violations. The owner of the property can't make necessary improve ments unless he can "jack'' the rents and the renting commission won't let him do this. So it looks as if General Wadhams has tough job on his hands.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

So Senator Bridges, thinking the lady might want her hair, re- turned it to her constituent.
 In the next mail, he received one of the most vituperative let ters in his long career. The lad said she had cut off her hair for the purpose of helping bomb Toyko and she wanted the hair used for that purpose. She was very indignant, and felt that the senator was definitely respon- s;ble for the loss of her hair.
 So Bridges friends tell him he should never have sent the hair back, even if the Army didn't want it. He was too honest. WOODEN ARMY TRUCKS
 How vitally the nation needs steel is illustrated by a move the army has been quietly preparing. Beginning in about week, all bodies for army trucks will be made out of wood instead of steel.
 From Sept. l to Jan. l, 194$, the Army will thus save $1,337,- 600 tons of steel = enough to make 125,O00,0OO shells for 75mm. field artillery.
 In addition, all Army cots from now on will be made of wood, thus diverting 78,100 tons of steel to other purposes.
 In contrast here are some things which the Navy and the Maritime Commission might be doing-but aren't:
 First, the Navy requires prac- tically all steel and other critical materials to be on hand before it begins building a warship. A bat tleship can't be finished for at least two, perhaps three years. But during the interim, essential materials stand waiting to be used when they might go into other immediate uses.
 Meanwhile the Maritime Com- mission is building merchant ships of the finest type, ships which will be good-if not sunk-30 years from now. However, at the pres
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

Waterbury isn't the only community that has it's troubles over congestion of pedestrian traffic at points where busses are boarded Over in New Britain there's a bit of difficulty experienced as witness the following from a recent edition of the New Britain Herald: With busses more crowded than ever the jam of pa irons at the Church Street sidewalk terminal grows in proportion. At times it is almost impossible for pedestrians to squeeze their way through the crowd. While these conditions continue it might be possible for the First Church manage ment to do something tangible for the public and it's war effort by donating part of it's spacious lawn for the benefit of bus patrons. The iron fence might be removed - and donated to the salvage campaign; while something might be done about removing the raised part of the property alongside the building line on Church Street, thus adding to the space for sidewalk locomotion. ;. :" All of which proves that demands over here for section of the Green are mild as compared to what they seek in the Hard ware City.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

Getting that much coJton out of Egypi at tnis time meant get ting 1t practically out from under Rommel's nose. It might get sunk, 1t might never leave Egypt.
 However, the War Department demanded 1t, and Milo Perkins. head of the Bureau of Economic Warfare, arranged for its imme- diate purchase. He also wrote a directive, under his agreement with Jesse Jones, for the Re- construction Finance Corporation to put up the money.
 Will Clayton, Jesse's right arm in the REC, was away. But when he came back, he stormed to over to see Milo Perkins.
 'I'm not going to do it," Clay ton told Perkins fIatly.
 "Ycs, Aou are going to do it," Perkins shot back.
 ''It's too risky" Clayton re- piled, you can buy that cot ton with Agriculture Depart ment funds"
 "Now look, MT. CIayton," said Milo, under the Presidents order I have the power to set up a loan agency to buy things of this kind. So far I haven't set up such an agency, but have operated through you. However, if you're not going to cooperate, I'll set one up."
 And where will you get the money?" asked Clayton.
 "I'll get it from you. You for get, MT. Clayton, that it isn't your money. It's the taxpayers money and you are only the cus- todian. The War Department wants this cotton and they're going to get it."
 Finally Clayton reluctantly agreed.
 NOTE - Will Clayton is one of the most charming and likeable men in Washington. Before com ing into the government he was a partner in Anderson and Clay to, worlds biggest cotton buyers. A Democrat, he opposed Roosevelt on most things, was heavy con- tributor to the Liberty League. With the war, however, he forgot partisauship. But he has never forgotten the bookkeeping mem tality of a banker. Despite all the terrible urgencies of war, he seems always to have in the back of his mind the idea of presenting a profitable balance sheet of loans made by the REC. ~ BLONDE HAIR FOR TOKYO
 Colleagues of New Hampshire's Senator Styles Bridges say that when 1t comes to handling women constituents, he is too honest. The other day he received from a New Hampshire lady several beau- tiful locks of blonde hair. When he opened the box there was so much hair in it that at first 1t was woman's head.
 With it was a letter saying that the owner had heard that blonde hair was being used in bombsights and she was contributing her hair 10 help bomb Tokyo.
 Delighted to inelp the cause, Senator Bridges, a leading member of the Senate Military Affairs Committee, took the hair to the War Department. But he was re- buffed. The army does use blonde hair in bombsights, he was told, but one lock of hair is enough for hundreds of bombsights, and they didn't need any more.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
MARK TwAIN's BIRTHPLACE
(New york Herald-Tribune)

(New York Herald -Tribune)
 Official notice is issued that the little Missouri hamlet of Florida has passed from the list of United States postoffices, large and small. and that its imprint will no longer appear on first or second class mail. This disappearance from the map of a tiny cluster of houses is Of Iitle moment, except that there, was born Samuel L. Clemens, later to be the bearer of one of the great names in American literature. His parents left Florida in his infancy and removed to Hannibal. which gave the future author a somewhat wider window on the world. His wanderings and his accumulation of the extraordinary stock of fact and philosophy that marked his works probably owed little to his early years spent at his birthplace.
 But there seems, nevertheless, .
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

ent rate of sinking, they are more likely to last few months to a year, rather than 30 years.
 The trouble with thorough-go- ing Admiral Land is that he is building up merchant marine for the future, whereas we need to win the war today. Therefore, some naval architects figure that by sealing down the size of steel plate, and other steel used in the ships, nothing is lost in the strength of the ship, and it will be just as good 20 years from now.
 For instance, by scaling down the scantlings 20 per cent, it
 would be possible to save a mill
 lion tons of steel on the pres- ent Liberty ship program. This, in turn, would build 4,0OO vital- ly needed sub-chaserS.
 NOTE-Even though the Hig- gins Shipbuilding company had not finished building its shipyards, the Maritime Commission has sent it great quantities of anchors, an- chor chains, and even porcelain toilet bowls to remain stacked up in piles waiting till the ships were completed.
 CAPITAL CHAFF
 Before the American Labor Party finally selected its candi- date for the governorship of New York, it offered the nomination to Mayor LaGuardia, who, after some hesitation, declined '. The Labor Party also offered the nom- ination to Wendell Willkie, who said he would accept if he had the official backing of the White House. The White House made no reply and Willkie went ahead with plans for his trip to Russia. Roosevelt henchmen at the Brooklyn convention complained that it was impossible to get the President by telephone. He gave his orders regarding Mead, and after that was inaccessible.
 Copyright, 1942, by United
 Feature Syndicate, Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

because 1t needs to be done or even because 1t ought to be done but because somebody we love asks us to do 1t for them, the appeal takes on new significance. France gladly remitted taxes to the people living in a certain part of the country because the Maid of Orleans, who had served France so well, had dweIt there centuries before.
 The most potent appeal wa can
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
SOLDIER GIFTS
(Boston Post)


 The many New England families who are planning to send Christmas bundles to boys abroad in the fight ing forces should study well the postal regulations governing the dis patch of such gifts, for they include strict limitations. Perishables and items of clothing must be omitted and all bundles are limited in size. Likewise, all must be in the mails befor the end of October or it can- not be guaranteed that the soldiers, sailors ard marines will receive them for Christmas. To insure that every boy is remembered, all rela- tives and friends of those fighting across the seas should tend to this part of their Christmas shopping within the next few weeks.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
Selected Poem
WILD SWANS AT TWILIGHT

WILD SWANS AT TWILIGHT
 (Kathleen Millay in the New York Times) There's mystery on the star-lit waters, A tragedy to blur the sight. Across the lagoon the rushes Grow shadowy with approaching night. And the tall swamp grasses tremble- Where flock of blue herons light. When quickly from the star-t trimmed heavens, Two wild swans with fiuttering wings, Come tumbling through the rusheS- And one so strangely sings; While his mate in silent pity
 Closely to him clings. Two wild swans from out of nowhere Coming back home to dwell. Obeying an ancient summons
 So old-too young-for farewell: And the crimson blades cross over
 In Ritual they'll never tell.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

The Fine Arts Federation of New York doesn't give up It has just announced a winner of it's contest to pick suitable design for New York's new Battery Park. The design includes the present Aquarium which Park Commissioner Moses says must go. The Aquarium would be re- stored to its onetime outlines as Fort Clinton. But what does MT. Moses say?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

make to God is to ask for some thing in the name of Christ. We may plead that it is something which every consideration of duty and sound judgment indicates should be done, but the appeal which means most to Almighty God is the appeal that He do 1t for the sake of Christ. Our Lord declared that if we ask anything in His name He would do 1t.
 When we sincerely make our re- quests after this fashion, they have the utmost spiritual potency.
 All Rights Reserved
 Babson Newspaper Syndicate
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

@. How long has the plastic in- dustry been in existence?
 A. The beginnings of plastics can be traced back to the 1830s when cellulose nitrate was discov- cred. In 1869, I. w. Hyatt produced the first practical celluloid; and the second important plastic, casein, was produced in Germany in the 1890's. In 1909, Dr. Leo Baekeland gave the industry its most impor- tant boost with the creation of phenol- ol-formaldehyde resin, Bake lite" Cellulose acetate, another plasS tic material, was made commercially available in 1927. The variety and improvement of plastic materials has increased tremendously since 1927 until at the present time there are at least twelve major classes, each of which contains many sub- groups.
 @. Were many workmen killed during the construction of the Golden Gate and San Francisco Oakland Bay bridges at San Fran- cisco?
 A. Thirty-five lost their lives eleven on Golden Gate Bridge con- struction, and twenty-four on the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge.
 @. What Is a palimpsest? A. A manuscript on which the original writing was erased, so it could be used again. In ancient times, when parchment was scarce. it was thus used two or three times. By chemical processes modern sci- entists are able to bring out the original writing.
 o. Where is "The Daily Worker" newspaper published? A. This Communist party organ is published at 50 East 18th St., New York, N. Y.
 o. When was Michigan first set- tied, and when was 1t admitted into the Union?
 A. The first settlement in Mich- igan was by Marquette at Sault Ste. Marie in 1868. Michigan became a territory in 1905, and it's boundaries were greatly enlarged in 1913 and 1884; the state was admitted into the Union with its present bound- aries on January 26, 1887.
 EDITORS NOTE-If you are desirOus of securing this weeks
 booklet. RACES OF MANKIND,
 address F. M. Kirby, Department 2-1OO, Waterbury Democrat Serv- ice Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth Street,
 Washington, D. C., with 15 cents tot cover postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

than the relation
 s hip of Gloria s W a n sons and Constance B en- nett's present and
 ex-husbands. It is a good bit like an old-time Hat fl e l d = M Coy mountain fe ud. Who is mad a t whom, whom IS aiding who and what for, have b e e n somewhat lost sight of, but one thing is cer-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

the tax records are written the words. Free for the Maids sake"
 DO 1t for me-" This is the most powerful appeal that friend can make to friend, parent to child, husband and wife to each other. When we d o cnY1n nfhiY10 inf inst
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
ToDAY's COMMON ERROR

TODAY'S COMMON ERROR Reverend and Honorable Gs titles, should be preceded by the and should never be fOl- lowed immediately by a sur- name. Instead of saying Reverend Temple called" or Honorable Jones spoke; say The Reverend Dr. Temple; or "The Honorable MT. tor JOhn) Jones'"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

caused a perceptible bulge in postal receipts. It might have possibly in dicated enough public interest k warrant small marker telling oi the day on which Twain was born, even if there was TO prospect of monetary return.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

test qucStlONSs AuEn tV U@CA paBO for the answers.
 1. Name the commander-in n-chiet of the Japanese Navy.
 ?. An amphibian airplane is de- signed to take of from land oI Water2
 3. What important metal is ob. tained from bauxite?
 4. The names of which two sigDS of the Zodiac begin with A?
 5. vitamin c is important in pre- vertion of scurvy; true or false?
 6. Who wrote "The Blessed Damo- ze"?
 2. Are holidays in the U. s. ob- served under national or state, laws? 8. Who was the Immortal Bard?
 g. Complete the quotation, 'The pen is mightier than the -"
 10. What does the name mus tang" mean?
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
STRENGTH FOR THE DAY
By EARL L. DOUGLASS D. D.

FOR THE NAMES SAKE
 In the Department of Domremy in France, taxes are remitted the people because of the service which Joan of Arc performed centuries ago in behalf of the nation. Across
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27

WASHINGTON August 27 Here is inside story on how different U S.
  quickly
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-27
Daily Almanac

Daily Almanac Moon rises 8:36 p. m. (war time). Sun rises 6:13 a. m; sets 7:o4 p. m (war time). All vehicles must be lighted thirty minutes after sunset.