davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
ETERNAL STAR
OF BETHLEHEM

The Wise Men may have been the
only ones who actually saw the Star
Of Bethlehem.
But:
According to st. Matthew, when
Herod heard that the Wise Men were
seeking the Christ Child whose star
they had seen in the east, he sum-
moned the chief priests and scribes
of the people and demanded Of them
where 1t had been predicted that the
Christ should be born.
"And they said unto him, In Beth
lehem of Judea: for thus it is writ
ten by the prophet. st. Matthew
2:5.
1t was written by the prophet
and nothing could prevent it.
And after the Wise Men had been
directed to Bethlehem by Herod:
%. 10, the star, which they had
seen in the east, went before them
till it came and stood over where
the young Child was.
"When they saw the star, they re-
joiced with exceeding great joy
Matthew 2:9-10.
Apparently, even the Wise Men
lost sight of the Star temporarily
hence they rejoiced when it returned
to their vision after they had de-
parted from Herod.
The Star of Bethlehem was nei-
ther kindled nor extinguished when
Christ was born in Judea-it was
written by the prophet, it has van
quished every despot from Herod to
Hitler and survived every tyranny
and cruelty that evil men could think
Of: and the hearts of men, turning
from foul memories and associa-
tions, have-and shall-rejoice in
the eternal light of righteousness
and peace.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07

he lays in the manger within the
cave where Christ was born.
Dramatically the procession ap-
prOaches; heralded by a single
horseman, his banner streaming
aloft. A corps of native police
mounted upon fiery Arabian horses
follows, and then another single
horseman upon a prancing black
steed carrying the cross on high;
the patriarch in his cardinal and
ermine, ilitred bishops, clergy in
embroidered vestments and white
robed acolytes-swinging golden CEN
sers-precede the jeweled pavilion
of the Holy Child.
The procession enters the Church
of the Nativity. The public is not
permitted to witness the actual plac-
ing Of the effigy, as that part of the
church--built above the Cave Of the
Nativity--is under the jurisdiction of
the Greek Orthodox church.
On Christmas Eve, members Of
all denominations assemble to sing
carols above the birthplace Of the
Holy Child before midnight mass is
solemnized in the Church Of the
Nativity.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07

dicates, but better quality lines Of
wood and cardboard playthings are
assured. Rubber toys are not ex-
pected to appear in any volume and
plastic items will be limited to the
same small quantities as last year
due to material shortages.
The brightest spot on toyland Is
the doll parade and the parlor game
sector where there are reported to
be good supplies Of many old favor
ties like Camelot and Monopoly that
children and parents can enjoy to-
gether, although cardboard and dye
cut limitations have made new items
scarce. Classic card game favorites
like Rook, Pit and Crossword Lexi-
con have been produced in large vol
ume, as they require a minimum OF
cardboard. Bonanza, combining the
technique of Michigan and rummy,
is another favorite that provides fun
for all the family. Escape-type
games that are easy to learn pre-
dominate.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
QkuMQhM " W
'|U1han la

To give variety, sprinkle little
grated cheese over top of raisin,
apple or mince pie and heat for
five minutes in a moderate oven.
Most w00len garments that be-
come stained may be cleaned safe
ly with soap and water.
Soaking clothes overnight is not
desirable, as the long soaking has
q tendency to let the dirt freed
from clothes settle back into the
fabric.
Marks caused by matches struck
ON a painted surface usually can
be removed by rubbing them with
q cut lemon.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07

The Christmas tree business IN the
United States is believed to have
started in 1851, when Mark Carr, a
woodsman Of the Catskills, sold two
sledge loads Of trees in New York.
Today, almost every region pro-
duces Christmas trees although the
largest volume comes from the Far
West. Frequently, buyers Of trees in
our cities will observe they are
tagged with a notice to the effect
that they were harvested according
to good forestry practice.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
Santa's Toy Outlook

Stuffed animals will be plentiful in
Santa's pack, but Dydee, the pre-
war favorite that drank from bot
tie and had its diapers changed,
can't be expected until 1916 for VI
Day came too late to make rubber
available for Christmas toys.
Doll furniture such as cradles.
beds and high chairs win be avail
able but in limited quantities. Doll
carriages are being manufactured
in volume but there will be only
d limited number with metal parts.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
Nations Christmas Tree
Was Dedicated i'm 1925

The Nations Christmas Tree
was so dedicated ON Christmas
Day, 1925.
The tree, one Of the Sequoia
gigantea, is estimated to be 267
feet tall and is located in General
Grant National park, GA miles
east of Fresno, Calf.
Appropriate and well-attended
ceremonies are held beneath the
tree each year, weather and 9TH
er conditions permitting.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
Games and Dolls
Hold First Spot in
Santa's Toyland
Busy With Var Work, He
Was Unable to Make
NetU Metal Toys.

The celebration Of WI Day didn't
come soon enough to put Santa
Claus toyland schedule to a peace
time basis. Although he will carry
more than 5000, 1000, 900 pack Of
playthings this Christmas, less than
3 per cent of the toys under Yule-
tide trees will be of metal and most
Of these will be the simplest types
Of stamped-out metal.
There will be only token
showing of wheel toys, electric
trains and mechanical toys of met
al, a survey of toyland supplies in
The midland journal., 1945-12-07

pantlng Will be de-
layed until the very
eve of Christmas if
necessary to get
through the two
CIO bills increasing
unemployment COM
pensation and the
full mploym ent
m e a sure pledging
the government an
eternal but unde-
fined spending pol
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
Vacation Fun

Jones-I had very pleasant va
cation last summer at the Crowded
Arms hotel in Atlantic City.
Smith You're lying. The Crowded
Arms hotelsis In Philly.
Jones - In Philadelphia? Why
that's why i took me so long to
walk dewn 10 he beach.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
HOLD CHRISTMAS
IN BETHLEHEM

All Bethlehem turns out on De-
cember "a for the arrival Of the Pa
triarch of Jerusalem-Cardinal of
the Holy Land - who each year
brings to Bethlehem an ancient ef-
figy of the Infant Jesus, which
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
Some Mixture

Nit-why do you call this a mid
get cocktail?
Wit-Because all you put In it Is
q little squirt of this and q little
SQUIRT Of that.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
wanted Dead or Alive

Joe-Yes, my grandpa was poll
tician all his life.
Bil-Why, never knew that. !,
joe Yes, he spent part of his time
running for Office and the rest rum
ming for cover.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
same Difference

Brown-My wife is very poetic.
She wakens me at sunrise often and
says, 80, the MORN"
Blue-Yeah, my wife does the
same thing but she says, "mow the
lawn"
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
Rough Trip
ByNeher

Jones-Have you ever been down
and out?
Smith-Sure and glad of it.
Jones-When was that?
Smith - After my first airplane
ride.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
News n }1S,1,
BEHIND, 80, 80
THEN{E||@|EIl!IS|||IE5!1 |||ElI||I5
- n.- A..>,
Released by western Newspaper unit
CONGRESS ORDERED
TO ACT ON LEGISLATION
By PAUL MALLON =

WASHINGTON. - Senate Floor
Leader Barkley came out of the
White House and announced the re-
cess for which congress had been
The midland journal., 1945-12-07

Mrs. Jones-I insured my voice
tor 81 3u0.
Mrs. Smith--An what did you do
with the money!
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
Teachers Pet

Johnny There's only one good
thing about school.
,Jimmy--W What's that2
Johnny You can't have . vaca-
ton without IL.
The midland journal., 1945-12-07
Very Pouular

Nit--Have you heard the new
Egyptian National anthem?
Wit-No, how does it gof
Nit-It's something about my
Mummy Done Toll Me-"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
By LYLE c. WILSON

Washington, March 20.-(UP)- Government admission that it can- not enforce New York City cur- few without local police aid freed Mayor F. H. LaGuardia today N keep saloons open as long as ht desires.
 LaGuardia over the weekend ex- tended the federal curfew one hour to 1 a. m, in New York. War Mobilization Director James F. Byrnes slept on it, then announced yesterday that he was powerless to compel observance. He merely warned that observance was neces- sary in the war effort and reiterated his request that places of public amusement close at midnight. The curfew is aimed primarily at saloons, with or without floor shows or reS- taurant service.
 Big town mayors lined up with Byrnes in the first 24 hours of the dispute. But sampling of congres. sional opinion indicated that New York City congressman generally
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
Criminaly y Insane
 Institution Urged

Hartford, Conn, March 20-(UP) A separate institution for the treatment of the criminally insane, and appointment of a five-member administrative commission, was proposed today to the legislature by legislature council sub committee.
 The committee state there were 556 criminally insane persons now in prisons or state institutions and 26O of these required maximum se- curity and special institutional care. This number, it was said, probably would increase as an af- termath of war conditions.
 While construction of new ln- stitution was looked upon as a post war undertaking, the committee suggested steps be taken now to segregate the criminally insane from the delinquents and feeble minded, as the first step toward placing the dangerous element un- der special care.
 The commission would consist of two psychiatrists, an attorney, a member of the public welfare coun- cil and the state police commission CT.
 The committee proposed that there be at least one attendant for every six patients and that the sal ary scale of ward attendants be raised because of the difficulty of obtaining institutional help.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
Swiss Count On U. s. Aid

Washington, March 20.-(UP)- Neutral Switzerland counted on help from the Allies today to offset the troubles brought about by her econ- omic divorce from Germany.
 Switzerland's decision to cut her dealings with Germany down to mere token gestures" made it clear that she must turn to the Allies for some of the stores-fuel, raw ma- terials and foodstuffs-that she has been getting from the Nazis.
 American officials disclosed yes- terday that the Swiss had:
 l. Cut off almost all exports to Germany. This closed down Ger many's source for precision instru- ments, machine tools and other specialized products.
 2. Prohibited the Germans from shipping through Switzerland coal and other materials for Nazi forces holding out in northern Italy. This seriously weakened" German forces holding out in Italy, officials said.
 3. Shut down electric power transmission lines to German towns and factories across the Rhine. h. stead, the Swiss will sell power to electricity-short France.
 4. Root out all loot cached in Switzerland by the Nazis and their accomplices during the rape of Eu- rope.
 Britain, France and the United States agreed in turn to give the Swiss government aceSs to long-un- touched Swiss food stockpiles in Spain and Portugal.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20

believe the may or is right. There are differences of opinion, however, which almost inevitably will lead to some blasty remarks in congress. LaGuardia is not the darling of congress and especially he Is not loved by Republicans to whose party he once belonged. Some Democrats quite a few-are not his pals.
 Here is some typical congressional comment:
 Rep. Emmanuel Celler, D., N. Y.: T think LaGuardia is right. He has stolen the show. If you walk through Times Square and see the number of service men. you would understand that you can't impose a midnight curfew on recreation in New York"
 Sen. Charles w. Tobey, R., N. M.: T agree with Justice ByrneS. It would have been more commendable If Mayor LaGuardia had stuck by his guns and used his great powers of persuasion"
 Rep. Joseph c. Baldwin, R., N. Y.: T entirely approve of the mayors action. The servicemen in New York
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
Coal Contract Expiring Soon

Washington, March 20- (UP) - The government was trying to de- termine today when to entervene in the soft coal wage dispute to prevent a possible work stoppage after the present contract expires March 31.
 Informed sources expected the first government step to be an ap- peal to the producers and the United Mine Workers to agree on temporary extension of the exist ing contract pending completion of a new one. The appeal may come from Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins.
 Fuel Administrator Harold L. Ickes asked UNIV President John L. Lewis several months ago to agree to one year extension but Lewis replied that it was a matter for the joint wage conference to decide.
 The subject of contract exten- sion has not been raised by either Lewis or the operators during the past 20 days of negotiations. Some public officials and certain opera tors doubt that a new contract can be written in the remaining II days.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
Credit Probe Is Underway

Washington, March 20-(UP)-All key commodity credit corporation officials especially those handling money or responsible for goods and inventories, are being investigated, it was revealed today.
 Frank Hancock, CCC president, informed the House Agriculture Committee of the investigations in recent testimony which was made public today. It followed charges of irregularities and lnefficiency in the eco.
 Hancock's testimony also disclosed the names of two CCC employees with old criminal records.
 One was identified as Edmund G.. Benser, former acting deputy di- rector of the office of supply, who has since resigned upon the "ad- vice" of Hancock.
 Benser was charged twice with bigamy and three times with embez- clement, according to department of justice records. He was given one years probation May 4, 1884 10: em- bezzlement
 The second employe was identified only as MT. Hatch" who was trans ferred to the office of supply after the office of distribution was abolished last Dec. 31. There is no testimony as to whether Hatch re- signed.
 Eldon Richardson, eco consultant and simultaneously an employe of Lever Bros, soap company, also was disclosed as having resigned fol- lowing recommendation of his dis missal from It. Col. Ralph w. Olm- stead, eco vice chairman.
 Richardson headed the shipping and storage branch which was re- sponsible for the storage of 100000 900 pounds of lard, bought under the WFA's price support program and sold to soap manufacturers after it had spoiled.
 Olmstead listed Lever Bros. as one of the five soap companies which bought the lard under arrangements
 (HontinIled m Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20

must have some place to go for rec. reation that's legal"
 Senator Harlan J. Bushfield, R., s. D.: I'm all for Byrnes. New York isn't entitled to any more than Chicago or Cincinnati"
 Representative Berkeley Bunker, D., Nev.: I am definitely opposed to the curfew and 1 approve Mayor LaGuardia's action. It reflects pub lie opinion"
 Senator Edwin c. Johnson, D., Colo: "Byrnes could enforce that curfew if he had backed the Sem ate manpower bill. He could go ur to New York and place ceilings on anything he wanted to, to conserve labor. But Jimmy Byrnes never did anything for the senate manpower bill - except kill it."
 Representative Sol Bloom, D., N. Y.: T don't say that LaGuardia is right and Byrnes is wrong. But io think that New York is unique and cannot be judged by the same standards as Chicago, Philadelphia or any other city"
 Byrnes said the curfew must be
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
City Aims To FIout Bonds
(NEA Telephoto)

Revised and rewonded. the city bill seeking authorization to issue bonds will be presented to the Leg islative hopper" today by Water bury's representatives. Withdrawal of the original bill, which called for greater bond issuance than the current bill, has been effected.
 It is also expected that representa- tives of the office of the state tax commissioner will appear before the hearing to present what is expected to be favorable report on the city's financial condition in so far as its ability to support further bond is- Suance,
 AS reported in the Democrat last week the city is seeking permission under the revised bill to issue $1,- 450,000 in bonds to defray costs of proposed airport at a cost of $750,- 900 and similar amount for con- struction of a sewerage system. The original request sought $2,300, ,000.
 The total reduction of $850,000 is comprised of 8 withdrawal for is- suance of $750,000 for proposed fi- nancing of a sewage disposal inter- ceptor line to Naugatuck, financing of which will be undertaken at 9. future date, and the withdrawal of $150,000 in bonds for construction and paving of streets and $150,000 for storm water drainage. Although this total makes a reduction of $1, ,050 GOO this in turn was reduced by the addition of $200,O0O to the proposed bond issuance for financ- ing a proposed airport. The latter sum originally was $500,000 as the city'S share.
 Also as reported in The Democrat story last week, Waterbury'S bor- rowing ability could be increased by four or five millions, it was learned after study of local bond authori- zations granted by the General As sembly during the past twenty years. The Democrat also learned that a recent survey made of city finance by the State Tax Depart ment will reflect this increased bor- rowing ability when presented to the Legislature this month.
 According to the figures obtained by The Democrat at least 5000, 900 in bonds issued by the City of Wa terbury might be considered as ex- empt from the five per cent bond
 (Continued on Page A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
Rev. Mccarthy Freed After 30 Months As Jap Prisoner

Daily the expectation of Japanese fury was becoming more marked. The danger of death at the points of Jap bayonets was a growing pos sibility". had lost 40 pounds and was becoming so weak that I would have to soon spend the entire day in bed" "A period of star vation had set in. small quantities of rice daily and a few weeds. T am grateful to Almighty God for the blessings now at hand" would like to enter the Army as chap lain
 These graphic excerpts describing life in a Jap prison camp, are taken direct from the first letter received by the family of Rev. William (Rance) Mccarthy, local Maryknoll Missioner who after 30 months of
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
GERMAN ESCAPE ROADS BL0CkE ! Reds Dent tCzech0sI0vakian Border Area
TANKS CLOSE
 IN FOR KILL
 AT TRIANGLE
BY BRUCE W. MUNN

Paris, March 20. = (UP)- American ground and air forces blocked the main Ger man escape roads from the Saar-P -Palatinate pocket today and closed in for the kill on the thousands of Nazis flee- ing for the Rhine.
 Between 10000 and 50,0O0 of the 80,000 Germans orig finally spotted in the triangle formed by the Saar, Moselle and Rhine rivers were be- lieved to have been killed or captured during the week long American offensive.
 The enemy's main escape road through Kaiserslautern, at the cen- ter of the collapsing pocket, was within almost point-blank artillery range of U. s. Third Army tank columns, and its fall was expected soon.
 Headquarters of the American First Tactical Air Force announced that Yank flyers had sealed off the secondary escape roads branch ing out to the east and southeast from KaiSerslautern to LudwlgShaf- en and Karlsruhe.
 Resistance on both Hanks of the German pocket appeared to have collapsed. Even the Siegfried Line defenses on the southern rim of the Saar where the NaziS had been fighting a delaying action were crumbling.
 Upwards of 30,OoO captives al- ready were inside the Third Army's cages. The Seventh Army, where the prisoner count Jagged by sev- eral days, reported more than A. 900 taken. Between 15,000 and 20.- GOO of the Third Arny's prisoners were bagged yesterday, indicating the extent of the enemy collapse on that sector.
 Thousands more - their number still uncounted = were killed by the converging Armies and Ameri- can aerial attacks.
 It. Gen. George E. Patton's Third Army tank columns were barely four miles northwest of Kaiserslautern early today. There they were only 20 miles from a juncture with Seventh Army troops advancing northward through the preached Siegfried line forts near Pirmasens.
 A second major German commun- icationS center of Neunkirchen, 27
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
LaGuardia Free To Keep Saloons Open Long
 As He Pleases As Gouernn,ent Admits Defeat

uniform throughout the country, meaning he would grant no excep- tions to New York. But he said also, that the curfew could not be en- forced without the assistance of To- cal officials, meaning Mayor La Guardia's police in this instance.
 '1n those instances" Byrnes con- tinued "in which local officials re- port violations, the government will apply those sanctions (penalties) which are available for the pur- pose"
 But Byrnes said the government would not attempt to build up a federal enforcement agency. So it looks like the mayor of New York will keep his town open as late as he pleases. Byrnes had one happy thought.
 He said he was confident that after the defeat of Germany many existing shortages would be relieved, but this time had not yet come. He thought, also, that customers would not go into New York saloons open after midnight curfew hours.
 That's what he thought.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
Loneshoremen Vote To Wind Up Strike

Boston, March 20 - (UP)-Six hundred AFL Longshoremen voted today to end a one-day strike at the Boston army base and return to leading supplies destined to va rious theaterS of war.
 After brief discussion with Daniel J. Donovan, their local rep- resentative, the members of the International Longshoremen's As- sociation (AFL) agreed to accept solution to their dispute and start work at l p. m. (etw0
 Under the plan proposed by Brig Gen. Calvin De Witt, the army agreed to discontinue a plan Of tractor and trailer operation In which three men instead of four were used.
 In predicting an end to the strike, the army said in 8 state ment last night that Gen. De Wltt would borrow sufficient fork-like trucks to resume operations which were acceptable to the strikers However, he reserved the right to submit the loading problem to ar bitration.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-03-20
British Seize Fort Dufferin

Calcutta, March 20-(UP)-Brit- ish Imperial troops captured Fort Dufferin today, the main Japanese center of resistance inside Manda- lay.
 A front dispatch said the Japa- nese abandoned the Fort after a week-long fight adn that Indian troops of the British 18th Division occupied 1t early today.
 Other British forces were rapidly cutting off the main Japanese es- cape routes on all sides of Manda- lay. o large enemy force faced en. velopment in the jungles north of h6andalay.