davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
The Great Herpetologist

The science of herpetology, branch of zoology, was as familiar to Dr. Ray mond L. DitmarS as the A,B,C'S to the diligent child It was his life work and he had made success of it. His death earlier this week in New York will be an occasion not only for wide comment but for genuine regret, for he was known to many and respected by all. He was probably our leading authority on rep tiles and amphibianS. Certainly his was the word of authority when some ques- ton had to be decided on the same.
 But Dr. Ditmars was more than merely posSeSSor of vast scientific knowledge of reptiles and amphibians. His was the practical side. He made men conscious of the fact that snakes were something more than sliny reptiles to be avoided at all costs. He probably did more to save snakes and other reptiles from grad ual extinction by the same methods of education. His was certainly life spent with a calling that might have discoSlr- aged many a strong -willed person.
 Born in Newark, N. J., he showed the same interest in snakes and insects and amphibianS than most normal boys do at some time or another. With Dr. Ditmars the interest in the same never died and he did everything to further his knoWl- edge and to increase his skill in the handling of the same. His direction of the reptiles and mammals departments of the New York Geological Park defi- niteIy made him top-man in his field.
 He was never idle. When not out seek ing more specimens he was busy writing or featuring or studying. His choice of life work might not have been that of more than one out of hundred people, but having chosen what he wanted most to do he succeeded most admirably in is something many of us strive for, but only R few achieve
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
A Thought for Today
The Fat Years

The detailed report of the city's finances just revealed by City Controller Thomas M. Conlon is proof indeed that care and caution is being exercised by our public officials in their conduct of municipal business. For the second Suc- ceSsive year the city'S books show tre- mendousiy large surplus, not, of course, an out-and-out surplus of some $500,000 in cash, but surplus achieved by in- come in excess of expectations, eXpendi- lures less than anticipated, etc. In itself such surplus is more than it's own reward.
 But our present city officials know that good times like these can't last for ever. The day is bound to come when instead of SurpluseS there may be defi- cits, though we sincerely hope not. Still there is possibility that conditions may change and taxpayers won't be able to meet their obligations as quickly and as generally as they are today. Delinquencies may show an increase as they have in the past. When that time comes it will re- quire extra good management to carry us through safely.
 Of such facts the present administra- Sion would appear to be aware. It recog- nizeS the fact that these are good times, but that bad times can and may occur. This should not frighten anyone or cause them to become hoarder. On the con- trary normal existence is the best guard against any depression. But it does not do to get the false idea that because the city'S finances are on sound ground now and surpluses are making the balancing of the budget much easier that it will be always thus Now is the time to guard against such Self-aSsurance and to de- eide what can be done to build our re- serves for the lean years
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

pose them with equal VigoF Is be- cause since the days of Bunny mede, when the baFons wrested Magma ChaFta from King John, the Epgllsbsspeaking peoples and those who have come under theiE iDfluS eBee have been filled with the cons vlcti0n that the freedom of the lnv diylduaI, eMFtailed only by Q due sense f0F the rights Of others, cons stltutes the greatest blessing e bus man being can enjoy, IH fact, we believe thst life would have no real significance fOF us g we were de- pTlvsA of these basic freedoms,
 So in the lest anslysis the things men fight ever are tdeasi not trade routes, sources of FaW materials, or colonies, but Ideas, NeltbeF Hitler nor the Japanese generals could keep millions Of men In the front liDe Of battle unless the majority Of these men were confident inst they were fighting fef s0lllethlne of iEs llnlta value, We, on the other hand, are so confident ~ the validity eg the Ideas lying behina 0nF policies that We aFa laaTahailea t0 the ilts most oe 0llf FaeellFe0s al9N gre ready t0 stand e the lest nlan that these ldeas may prevail,
 All Ri6hks Reserved uw @abs0n
 Newspaper Syndicate,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
Overdue Reorganization

There are reports that President Roose- vet plans to overhaul Washington's pub- licity machinery. He is said to agree with those who complain that too much information is being bottled up, to which the public in a democracy is entitled and which could not be of value to our enemies. This Is good news, The stu, ation Is bad. and apparently nothing but White House intervention can correct it adequately,
 Something more is at stake than the qualification Of curiosity and the desire Of newspapers to print interesting stories, Something less important, but more pressing, Is involved than the vital right Of 6 free press to print anything which will not contribute specifically to the Axis benefit. Unnecessary news sup pEeesiOn could become one Of this nations most malignant fifth e0lumniSts. It plays directly into the hands of those who seek to deceive ug, befliddle us, discourage us. We have become G0 accustomed t0 uils fettered newspaper discussion Of every thing that We read exaggerated 6lgnlfis canoe Into that which is withheld.
 Moreover ae the FesuIt ef the sup pfaiQli 0f ng much, We arc confueed bg M aI'etINa eEa'ene1is of presumably
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

We like the few suggestions offered by Delmar G. Roos, chief engineer for Willy Overland Motors about gasoline conservation. If ever the American peo- pie really ought to try to help out in campaign of economy it's right now when certain sections of the country are being put on gasoline rations. Here's what Mr. Roos suggests Avoid using the choke, especially in warm weather; ac- celerate gently, pumping the accelerator wastes fuel; don't hold the car in second gear, shift into high at about 25 m.p.h:; don't exceed 40 mi h.; speed is the great est gas-eater; if your car has gone over 5000 miles, have the valves, compression, and spark settings checked by an expert serviceman; be sure the wheels are prop erly aligned, thus eliminating gas eating resistance; don't drag your brakes; don't leave the engine running when parked; keep the carburetor in top condition; keep the spark plugs clean, dirty plugs can waste 10 per cent of your gas; keep the tires inflated, car well fabricated, radi- ator filled, and get tune-up every 60 days
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

A Washington correspondent of the Christian Science Monitor threw little cold water on the hopes of Republicans for grabbing control of Congress at the November elections. According to this writer lack of a definite program for the 1922 campaign will stymy many COP candidates and enable their Democratic opponents to be returned to office. The writer also maintains that the Republi- cans are too much on the defensive in the current political scene to be able to overcome the Democratic "inS". All Of which is quite true, but you can't tell the Republicans that. They fail to realize that the great majority of Americans ap- prove the Roosevelt administrations war policy, costly as it is.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
NEW ENGE.AND's NEED
lcbEIsGisn Science AsonitsE)

lCbFisfiaD Science hSontteFD
 The war has served to bring Into nnFglstakable lleht the primary weakness ef new England Industry, st is Iaek Of fuel,
 When Slater built his cotton mil, he located down Qn the Blackstone near PaRtueket, where hte WafeF ran swiftles Other mills rose e1 toe Blackstone, uD the MeFFiI1ae, many along tho Connecticut, 6 faW 0il the Charles, wherever there Was water power, Then, about ice years aEo, steam eanle inte itS 0Wn, Today, factories still iine the streams, but the water wheels, f0f the nlost I1aft ate iaie 0g gone. Power plants havs taken their place.
 Since tbefe is % eoaI e et in Maw England, this has inevitably aleant that the regions AllangfFt hae become largely depeneent lpoD eallieFe alld taBkNFs. When tlleee gre diverted. og sunk, pHeanetigsl fealg tho pinch. AAli slipelenfs ef coal and aii aFe too enstiH to be eopteipplatea in any neFHnal eeon"
 Xhls slsmaaiom auggesis . solution, E1fFe ere fft|l EsH8fe sH NeH MNsz Ian4, fa l1Iaig o4srNEIei tF6f1al11s 'N'# MEN &Hl|N 4f W as
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

This has been one of the oldest springs Connecticut has experienced in quite a few years. Up and down the thermome- ter has ranged the mercury since the lat ter part of March. April gave great promise of an early spring and dry one; Then the days started to jump up and down cold one, warm the next. The May pattern has been somewhat similar but with emphasis on the cold side and only now turning to warmth.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
Selected Poem
ICELAND

&OE0W~g '. O., Iceland, in the New Haven JouFnal-courier They took us from the U. s, A. The good land of the free, And sent us up to Iceland,
 Which is far across the sea. They think the "JeTFles" want it, But the truth to you, I'll tell, They wouldn't have the damned place, It isn't flt for hell, The people, they don't like us But for them we save lot, We're ujldlng them a country, ID this land that lime forgot, When We go to Reykisyik, To have . little fun, They stand and stare Rt us, And wish they had gun We're living on hopes and broken dreams, or a place so far away, And hoping and praying, That we'll see the States some dsE When we see that famous skyline, of old New York faV RWey, We will Ilft 0ug voices in praise, For we'll be back t0 stay, When our detail a over, And VIC discard all our cares, We will make our final camp stie, Upon the GOLDEN STAIRS" st, Peter, ho win welcome us, And t0 ns he will yell. "c0ne iR you Iceland Pioneers, You've done your nne in hslF
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

Mrs. R. didn't tell was how the ma jor got back in such a hurry, which is a story in itself, and 1t might as well be told since-(a), the flight of one major hardly constitutes a troop movement; (b), the news of his arrival was given out by a rec- ognized White House spokesman and authority; (c), the information can't possibly be of any aid or com fort to the enemy.
 Major Roosevelt came back from Africa in 8 flying boat that was travelling exceedingly Nght-just a few other passengers. The route waS-well, maybe the route Is mili- tary information. But it was a route not ordinarily flown and 1t is believed the flight broke all records for speed in passage between Af- rica and the United States. A fly- ing boat of the type used on this trans oceanic service was observed in Washington waters on the day before and the day Mrs. Roosevelt announced the majors return, though Washington is not regu- lar port of call for this type of ship.
 Mrs. Roosevelt's column ended with a statement to the effect she was afraid Elliott would have to spend some time in hospital, for he had picked up some kind of 8 germ.
 If you will put together the pieces of this story, you can make out of 1t whatever you can make out of it. Maj. Elliott Roosevelt was taken sick in Africa - but not too sick to fly 6000 miles, or so. He was rushed home by special flight. flown under emergency orders, nec- essary because of the variation from the courses usually followed by the FerTying Command.
 In spite of all the extra authority granted to the President under the emergency war powers acts, there is one type of law he cannot set aside-any law passed by one o1 the 48 states.
 There is, at present, only one way in which state laws interfering with the war production effort can be circumvented. That is through the Army which, in an emergency, can declare an area as zone of mili- tary operations. Military regula- tions then take over and whatever the commanding general of the area says, goes.
 Imitation made the cost of the last war $15 billion higher than it would have been without imitation, but thus far in this war it is im- possible to tell what the extra in- flationary cost has been or will be, says Budget Director Harold D. Smith. One reason is that costs of war production have to be con- stantly recalculated. As manufac- turers perfect their processes for doing things they never did before, their contracts are being renegoti- ated downward, thus reducing the cost of the war.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

@. What are Australia's chief in.' ports from and exports to the Uni- ted States?
 A. Leading imports from the United States are automobile chas- sis and parts, petroleum products, unmanufactured tobacco, motive- power machinery, electrical ms- chinery and appliances printing machinery, sulfur, films, and office machines and appliances. The prin- cipal exports to the United States are gold, wool hides and skins, min eral concentrates, pearl shell, a..d sausage castings.
 @. What is the policy of the United States regarding pay to cap- tured enemy officers?
 A. Our government follows the rule laid down in the Hague Con- vention of 1929, and will pay every captured enemy officer $25 a month.
 e. How does a sleeve-valve dif- fer from other types?
 A. The only difference from oths CT four-cycle engines is in its method of admitting and exhaust4 ing the gas. Instead of raising and lowering poppet valves, there are twd sleeves with ports or slots in theml At certain times, these ports on the same side of the cylinder come ir1 line, which opens the way for add mission of expulsion of the gas. Tho openings occur at the proper timel in a manner similar to the opera { ton of any other valves. The exS haust opens once, and the inlef once, during the four piston strokes The sliding sleeves on each cylindeT have relatively short strokes, about inch, and usually are driven by two short connecting rods or sideS arms working off a lay crankshaft or eccentric shaft, the cranks havs ing Q very small throw.
 @. Did the 1886 Census of Rel ligious Bodies show a falling of o contributions to the church over the 1926 figure?
 A. Church contributions for 19Se were $5l8,953,571, as against $8l7, 214,52S in 1926. The "depressionH was blamed for the decline.
 EDITORS NOTE-If you are' desirOus of securing this weeks
 booklet, GROWING ROSES, ad-
 dress F. M. Kirby, Department 8-
 100, Waterbury Democrat Seryice'
 Bureau, 1913 Thirteenth Street.
 Washington, D. C., with IS cents to
 cover postage.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
Views Of The Press

of the case for Passamaquoddy is in order. What would we not give for the incalculable kilowatts of those 3O.foot Fundy tides now2
 It may not be the time now to expand power facilities for other than war industries, but after rhe war, t0day's lesson should be re- membeFed. New Epgiand's industrial development should be freed from the margins imposed by imported fuel, It is Q project that can De included ip the regions "peace aims"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
Presto, Change

Manpower Mobilizer McNutt says we shall need 10,50O,O0O more war workers plus 100000 more recruits to the armed forces this year. In Februry, there were 100000 unemployed in the United States.
 The problem is to get 12,5oO,OOO for the war out of 100000 available, without major overtime and without knocking the spots out of civilian production. Try and do it.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

Capital are roofing for him st sincerely.
 NOTE = Because he felt it his duty to remain on his job in the Senate, McNary did not go back to Oregon to campaign and has made no speeches in his own be- half.
 RUSSIAN SUPPLY LINES
 Latest news from diplomatic sources indicates Germany is eager to pinch off the supply line to Russia, both in the north and in the south.
 At present. the principal port of entry for supplies from the United States and England is Murmansk, on the Arctic ocean. ArchangeI still is ice-bIOcked. From bases in northern Norway the Germans are attacking Mur- mansk reIentIessIy and cOn- tinuOusIy. Allied losses have been heavier than generally realized.
 The quantity of material mov- ing in from the south, by the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea is small - principally planes which are assembled on shore and flown into Russia.
 The German plan for an attack on Syria includes drive to cut this line of supply, so that the Russians would lose contact both by the north and the south.
 This would make the Russians suffer severely, since they now have the major cities in their hands, with the responsibility of feeding the people, yet the major agricultural areas (such as the Ukraine) are in German hands.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

Thus, there will still be a bal- ance-after rationing, and after increasing the efficiency of existing facilities = of 100000 barrels day to be provided for.
 Thus the new pipe line advocat- ed by Secretary Ickes nine months ago but vetoed by the OPM seems the only answer. If that pipe line had gone through, the east '>ern Seaboard now would have plenty of oil while the south west would not be worried over constantly accommodating supplies of gasoline.
 Meanwhile, some existing pipe lines operating with an East to West flow will be reversed.
 Meanwhile also, diversion of tank cars to serve the Atlantic seaboard probably will result in some degree of rationing in Mid- west and Southwest.
 AN EARLY AMERICAN
 The people of New Mexico trace their ancestry back to the days of the Spanish Conquista- dors, and some of them back to the Pueblo Indians who lived there even before that.
 At a party at the Venezuelan Embassy, Senator Dennis Chavez of New Mexico was introduced to Mrs. w. D. Whittemore. Neither caught the others name.
 To remove all doubts, Mrs. Whittemore declared, "My hus- band is vice president of the Ex- port Import Bank. He lends money to everybody but me-"
 Then she looked up from her strawberry ice cream and said to swarthy Chavez, "What national ity are you"
 "Amefican." declared Senator Chavez, American, since before Plymouth Rock"
 CHARLES McNARY
 If it were up to the Senate, Re- publican Floor Leader Charles McNary would be renominated unanimously in the Oregon pri- mary tomorrow.
 That's the way his colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, feel about him, McNaFy is the most popular man in the ehaM- beF--a unique record for a man serving 24 years who never pulled hts punches as party leader,
 Enthusiasm for MeNaFy is not limited to the Senate; 1t Is shared by the White House,
 No enc holds him in higher esteem and warmer personal ags gReflAD thea Franklin Roosevelt, Despite the fact that MeNaFy 6 She lesislatlye leader ef the aDS position paFtY, he is ere Of the pFestaeDPs most trusted saVls' aFh, 9t.
 only insiders knoW t, but Rease- welt eonsplts MehaPy E0Fe fires glently than eeFtalD Democratic leaders,
 There ere three reasons for thisi ln MeMRFy ls without peer as Q political and legislative stEatesistI lN he is stFalghtsfQFWaFd and above board with foes as well as frlsndsi laD be acts on principle and net fef partisan reasons,
 A characteristic eKAmplA 0f this Wag MeNaFYs stand in tAe bitter cattle last week ever tho sDltaS amendment offered by HanatOg Kenneth MeksllaF, persistent Teps alesaee pefE0DagesRFahhAF, t0 haRlNtEing IVA by depFiElng t 0e eontEel 0f lts funds, Mast 0f tae coz senators supported Nee KAllaFa scheme, 4s
 Dnt M0NaFy did not. fIe not eRiy voted against It, but folaglat against v ea the floor, all0lslaNFs iosshealleef Bith hanaloF oanFee MoPFie. afalheF 0g TVAw, Massine enc ef hia rare speeches, Me1IaFr aenolneed the eGhenio in aoaiehs fnR tasilg and bhRllv Beha.4o0 ellag foe epenAaFAns 'k
 xhali fhs hlnk al staiessu
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
SIGN OF THE TIMES
New York Sun

4 huge automobile e-eaFrying trail. CT truck will start Fulnbling through the New Hampshire countryside ih Q few days, Instead of hauling shiny new cars to dealers lt will Dc gathering discarded auto bodies from the fields end sgrayeyards. 2 The gargagltuan vehicle itself Was about to go to the scrap heap when someone realized tt would solve the problem of collecting the Fustine ears that are scattered fer end wide So, thanks to Yankee Fes0HTceflls ness, New Hampshire Will gain 2 tidy landscape while helping the e9eFap f0F Vlet0Fgv eampalgn.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

Thus it is vital for the Allies to protect Murmansk-not only the port itself, but the railroad leading south from there, which is under constant bombardment, with consequent interruption, of service.
 This is one factor which leads d0psters to believe the British will open a second front in NOr- way, for the double purpose of driving the Germans out of the strategic northern bases, also of providing a, means of attacking German territory. In anticipa- tiOn of this possibility, the Ger mans recently have increased their troops in Norway.
 MERRY-GO-ROUND
 Former Governor Phil LaFollette of Wis, 8 militant American Firster, is training to be cap- tain at an Army Military Police school .. George T. Davis, young San Francisco attorney, counsel for the late Tom Mooney, has thrown his hat into the California political ring as a candidate for attorney general The Marine Corps has quietly abandoned its high-powered drive to recruit star athletes. Reason: Many of them didn't measure up to the high physical standards required of ma rines; had flat feet, bad knees, enlarged hearts The U. s. Supreme Court will wind up its term this year on June 1, after which Justice Frankfurter can de- vote all his time to advising the White House.
 Copyright, 1922. by United
 Feature Syndicate. Incl
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
piled for his ration card.

piled for his ration card, :.
 Now the whole family IS trouble, They cannot get ecaEd uFl til the IbyO00 pounds Is disposed el but Mrs, Budesa only has tW pounds in the house, The ebvlou solution, cs course, would be to "A the surplus, but that unfoFtunatel Is stored in hundred pound bagl part Of it tn . warehouse and paI Of tt IH e grocery store, and lt ag useless t0 the DudeEas as the sel water was tO GoieFidge's mariners.
 But the pFedicanent of the bnde as Is not entirely Q sorry cFe, WE would not have given much goF sif privilege Of seeing the sugar regis tFaFs expFeeainnf
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
BAM POUNDS
GHagtford courent)

ebagtf0fo courep1
 ColeFldges d0g.eared lines, Wa ter, wateR everywhere, but not Q 9Fep to dFink," spply to the Rudesa family Of NeW Jersey, Two years ago. MP, Budesa was out Of work and, thinking he mighs start . sugar and spice business, took his savings and purchased IbQ00 pounds 0g sugar, Then came & j0b with the Bethlehem Steel Company, and the sugar was stored away end f0Fg0tS taD-that is, BntiI Ag, bndesa aps
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14
What's Your l. O.
Can you answer seven Oi these test questions? Turn tG hack maze fNn, fIaA answers.

Can you answer seven of
 these test questions? Turn to
 back page for the answers.
 1. Name the first film actor sen to a conscientious objectors' camp; 2. Who was recently appointed. ' s. co-0rdinater for rubber? 3. Which member of the presi dents cabinet was charged with tn duty of accommodating siOckpiiss i imported strategic materials2
 (. The carotid artery is in tll arm, neck, or thigh?
 s. Where is the hamps Elysees2 c, Which country is our closes tin-AmeFican neighbor? ', Which is greater, the polar q equatorial circumference of ti earth2 8. Which Navy rank correspond to second lieutenant ip the Army Q, What does LISP, on the laDs Of Q medicinal product mean2 70. Eacchagin is Q coal-ta product; true or false2
The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-14

to hopeless and tragic death is beceuse for gen. erations they have been train ed to believe that such action is noble, neces. saFy. and filled with the prom ise Of reward,
 T HVev Feesosl why we, on the Ak.laaR hand nn-