davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08
Unforgivable Negligence

A few weeks ago, the people of Western
city heard the wall of fire sirens At first
they thought nothing of it. The sirens whine
every day in large cities. But this was diff
ferent. Rig after rig wheeled out of station
houses and went shrieking through the streets.
First aid cars and police sirens screamed in
the wake of the fire engines. The news spread
that school was burnng-a grade school
housing four hundred students. Foreboding and
horror clutched at thousands of hearts. Disas-
ter and tragedy were written on thousands of
faces. But fortunately, cool thinking and rigid
fire drills paid off Four hundred children
returned home safely. An entire city breathed
sigh of thankfulness.
In that narrowly averted tragedy there is a
lesson. The school was firetrap, yet lethargy
and unwillingness to add few dollars to local
tax bills kept the school in use Throughout
the nation similar schools are being used ev-
cry day.
II we are SO careless as to permit SINGLE
child to attend school in building that by
all standards of modern construction is un-
safe, what can we expect in other aspects of
fire prevention?
Thousands Of persons die in the flames of
burning buildings each year. Each year re-
sponsible authorities strive harder to drive
home the simple lesson of caution. The people
OF at least one city which nearly lost hundreds
Of its youth through unforgivable negligence.
may now realize how much ramains to be
done.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08
More Belt Tightening

Don't get ready to stuff yourself when the
war in Europe ends. Officials of the depart
ment of agriculture figure that there may
even have to be additional Tightening of the
belt when that occurs. The needs of Europe
for food are immense and every time section
is lbrated it calls for food Nobody has any
to spare or will spare it except the United
States.
Somehow, our people must have the biggest
part in the rebuilding of the world must
feed people, clothe them, send them tools,
machinery, seed; start them over again in
life. Somehow. the American people will do it.
But that's the reason it may be many months,
maybe years, before we again are on a rich
diet Of plenty Of everything.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08
BY w. G. ROGERS
Germany Between Two Wars,

germany Between Two wars, -
by Lindsey Fraser Oxford;
$3.50.
German belligerence between
the two wars, Fraser says, was
fostered by stuff and nonsense fed
to the German people by Rhine
land industrialists, East Prussian
warlords and Nazis. They pre-
tended they really hadn't been
defeated in the field, charged
that they had been cheated at
Versailles and held up for exorbi-
tant repara ations dictated by Al
lied desire for vengeance.
Fraser's book is study of
propaganda and war guilt. 1t
was intended for German con-
sumption. The more we think of
it, the more we gloat over the
stupidity of our enemies who
were taken in by such cock-and-
bull stories. But we can't gloat too
lot of us fell for exactly
the same line. Fraser swings a
doughty pen at the German, but
it is two-bladed and we suffer our
share of slashes on the rebound.
The proud German people were
Inundated by the 1918
defeat. They tried to explain it
away, and ingeniously convinced
themselves. contrary to all the
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08
Washington Calling
BY MARQUIS Childs

dustry would be binding. Two OF
the Is coal statesmen would be
executives who started as pit-boys
and worked their way to the top.
The board would have the power
to survey the whole industry.
through district boards. From a
common fund raised from the en-
tire industry, individual companies
could obtain modernization loans.
If private industry is to justify
itself, Foot says, the mines must
become the most efficient in the
world. Much space in the report
is devoted to welfare and labor
relationships. The cost of making
the changes would certainly not
be less than half billion dollars
In return for benefits under this
plan, the mine owners must &C.
cept regional price-fixing. Any
company refusing to comply With
imposed by the cen
trail board would be arbitrarily
absorbed by another company.
The Beaverbook papers, which
come nearest to taking an anti
cartel stand in Britain. Raise the
question as to whether the propos-
ed plan would promote the highest
possible production. The Daily Ex
press said editorially of the Foot
report: His proposals smack OF
the combine and cartel. He advo
Gates price-fixing in the coal in
that method of doing
business leads not to efficiency
and full production, but to inertia
and resistance to new methods -
1t is doubtful if the Foot repor1
has really solved anything. There
is still the question where the nc,
cessary capital is to come from.
Mine union leaders promptly
named a committee to consider
the Foot proposals, and it is u
foregone conclusion they will re.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08
The Literary Guidepost

facts, that they hadn't been w
feated at all. From mere W.
everything done at Versailles 1 IN.
Geneva seemed to them mos
just. soo,
licked, but we were o.Sl". .,,t
about the inaccurate war;. .r.
clause, suspected we lad mis5an
died the reparatio4e plo0 t,,'
half-believed that WILSON'S ~ WI,
teen Point mad been used as Dan
to make the Germans lay ooS4
their arms and then Largely a.,
regarde in the peace seJ'leli-e ~,
Fraser indicates that Il dn'
ones conscience is still ,fou04 NV.
him on these matters he can ~.
get about it. Fraser admins " W.
were not always wise. bul il.a a+,
tains that on the whole we WV w
not vindictive, we kept our W" -,
time pledges when We naoe co,
peace, and we imposed upon W. ~.
many only reasonable, 505til'''''
penalties. I,
Not much of the ms'e-l1
new, but it's used in 4 new w.
It's good, sharp hindsigh'- 'o5c
concludes that the GetMan ~
Pile, as distinguished from ->aL W..
had "a minor share in the te'po,
sibility for the war and MAJ"
share in the war guilt.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08

LONDON - The recent severe
cold has worked great hardship
here in England. On the continent
it has caused intense suffering.
Coalless Europe is shivering
through one of the coolest winters
on record.
Stories in London papers tell OF
British founding homes in which
children blue with cold are past
the crying stage Electricity has
been arbitrarily cut off over large
urban areas because of the drain
on the fuel supply system.
1t all serves to point up the fact
that coal is the key to Britain S
industry, and the faltering coal in
dustry just now is very sick. Pro
duction has declined steadily dur
ing the war until today it is un-
der 200,000O00 tons.
Coal is the key not merely to
the current war crisis but to Brit
aims postwar industry as we'll.
The only major natural resource
which Britain has, it was an i'm
portant export to the continent be-
fore the war. When France and
Belgium fell in 1910, the market
was lost and thousands of men
were taken out of the mines for
military service.
Later it became imperative to
try to step up coal production. The
military forces would not release
the former miners, who were now
trained and experienced soldiers.
So it became necessary to resort
to conscription to get men into
the mines. All men called up un-
der the draft are subject to lot
terry under which a certain num-
Der. regardless of their wishes, 90
into mining. The result is that
aristocrats, including graduates of
Elton, are working in the pits to-
day.
They hate it. They lack expert
ence and therefore they are not
very good coal miners. Severe
penalties are imposed on those who
try to evade mining service.
But this is only a symptom of
the war. The real sickness of the
industry goes much farther back.
1t has its origins in the last war
and in the controversy over ma.
tionalization of the mines which
followed it.
Mine owners gave as their rea-
son TOR not mechanizing the mines
the fear that they would be ma.
and their investment
lost or written off. The unions con-
stantly urged naturalization.
Methods which made large scale
production possible in America
were not introduced here Miners
in some mines must walk two or
three miles underground to get
to the diggings.
To try to find a prescription to
cure this sick industry, the mine
owners some time ago named an
industrial analyst to make a !
thorough study of coal mining. The
report OF the analyst, Robert Foot. |
was recently released here and
preclpltated debate which sounds
to an American like some of the
we have in the U. S. A.
Foot told the colliery owners they
must recognize that they are a pub
nc service and set up a central
coal board of is experts whose
decisions covering the entire in
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08
Wilmington Needs Them

Passage of bill to permit the City council to
require the calling Of the election on the pro-
posal to extend Wilmington's city limits is I'M
der way in the lower house OF the Legislature
with third and final reading scheduled today.
This action follows the public hearing Tues
day before the committee on Counties, Cities
and Towns which gave it an unanimously favor
able report after hearing lengthy debate by
advocates and opponents of the proposal Many
interesting points were brought out in the
democratic discussion with most of them deal
.ng with material and tangible matters.
Not given the place it properly deserved in
the flow of thousands of words, pro and con,
however. was one OF. the strongest arguments
for extension we've heard. 1t was contained
in the general statement submitted by the
City Planning board. Quoted in full, it is:
wilmington needs to claim as citizens the
people to be Incorporated. For many years
progressive and outstanding residents to move
outside the limits to find new home sites.
This has deprived us of the advice and partici-
patton in municipal government of many of
our most influential business men. Our com
munity faces the most serious problems with
the termination of the war and the discon-
tinuance of military activities and war indus
tries in and around the city. We want the
help of the residents of the areas to be an
nexed in solving these problems.
1t is an obvious fact that the calber of the
people leaders as well as those in the ranks,
muntiy's advancement.
Wilmington should have the thousands of
good people, both those who have moved into
the suburbs in recent years well as many
more who have established homes there as
the result of the war, for the real contributions
they can make by taking part in its municipal
affairs.
The great majority OF them are civic mind
ed, have given their time and talents in at
tanning success for numerous community Wide
undertakings Their civic pride is comparable
to that OF citizen residing in the very heart
of the city AS an example, our Community
Chest Red Cross, and other campaigns would
fail without them They have never refused
to answer call to any task looking to civic
betterment and their loyalty has never been
questioned.
They and their spirit Of community welfare
will be the greatest assets Wilmington will
gain in extending it's limits.
So, in considering the extension question:
think more of the people than the areas Will
mington will acquire. In that light the pro-
posal means new union of abilities and eff
forts Of fine citizenship ready not only to
tackle our post war problems but carry
Wilmington toward the greatest heights it has
ever known.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08

ing soldiers feel their misery has
all been in vain.
l don't think America at home
is either unwilling or incapable OF
getting fully into the war. We need
only to be told more what to do,
and to have scarcities and grim
ness applied clear across the board.
Personally I'm 81 a d for the
Presidents proposal for national
service act. I think it will stiffen
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08
Your War; With Ernie Pyle

up the whole American nation, and
through touching almost every fam
lily, make people buckle down. That,
and the casualties that lie ahead
of us.
l believe the worst of our war
is still to come, and that before
it is over everybody in America
will really feel it. I hope so, be-
cause then the boys overseas won't
feel so lonesome.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08
Fair Enough

Editors note.-The Star accepts no re-
sponsibility for the personal views of Mr..
Pegler, and often disagrees with them as
much as many of his readers. His articles
serve the good purpose of making people
think)
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08
Germany's Youngest
General Is Killed
In Eastern Fighting

Col. Gen. Harold Won Hlrsca,
field, 80, the youngest genera
and divisional commander IN lD9
German army" mas been Kllleu
in action on the Eastern Front
Berlin broadcast reported 10 u'
owl said today.
The broadcast said Won HliScn,
field mad risen in seven years lf0u
first lieutenant in the reserve "
Colonel General.
ject the plan and argue again c. g.
naturalization of the mines, :.
the debate will go OH at Ii'4 u.
when Britain can least a1loia !"
pause, between the world Oh ~ =,
vate enterprise and the WoTlo w. =.
socialism. Vital decisions 1or H'
future must be made qulckT
Copyright 1s45 by United fes'u'
Incl
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08

A citizen claims he can balance lawn
mower on his chin while climbing up and
down ladder Well that's about all you
could do with that gadget at this season
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08

Baseball, says Zadok Dumkopf, becomes
critical industry when there are three on tW
out and the count is three and two.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08

Russia has done lot toward easing the Ger
man food situation-but we don't know whether
or not the captured Germans are enjoying
Russian grub.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08

Army life is in itself an education. If yo'
don't know beans, you soon will
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08

Grandpappy jenkins says he can't wait until
next Dec. so he can date all his letters
l2-3.A5 "
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-02-08

At last-who cares if a cigaret lighter doesn'
work?
The union times., 1945-10-27
Wagner -Ellender State Council
 BillSupportedBy Is Planned By State Painters Fire Fighters
Cities Urged To Name Com mittees To Work With
 Returning Vets

Full support for the Wagner-El- lender Housing Bill (S. 132O), now before Congress, was unanimously voted by the Connecticut State Con- ference of Painters, which met at the New Haven Temple Sunday.
 A number of important items of business were transacted by the Conference, after hearing an ad- dress by Harold V. Feinmark, sec retary-treasurer of the Connecticut Federation of Labor. Feinmark re- commended the Wagner-Ellender bill as a measure which would help to wipe out the millions of slums which still exist in this country, with Connecticut having its full share of them. He advised the dele gates, who came from practically all cities of the state, to be aware of the dangers of the Halliburton Hatch Bill, which is designed to de-
 (Continued on Page Four)
The union times., 1945-10-27
Joint Council, AFL, Issues Statement

The following statement was issued today by William Hartigan, Fire fighters Local 825, and president of the Joint Council of Municipal Elm ployes:
 The joint council of Municipal Employees has received from Harold V. Feinmark, Secretary Treasurer of the Conn. Federation of Labor, the letter from Mayor Murphy clarifying his stand on numerous problems of New Haven city employees. It notes with satisfaction the proposals dea1- ing with the solution of some prob lems affecting the employees of Po- lice and Fire Departments, and is anxiously awaiting affirmative action on the part of the New Haven city administration which will lead to inn mediate adjustments.
 The Joint Council, however, ex- presses its regret that the letter fails to indicate satisfactory solution of the grievances and program of the New Haven Teachers League and Custo- dlanS and other employees of the De- partment of Education.
 The Joint Council is solid1y behind the requests of the Teachers League. and the Board of Education Local 287, and is looking forward towards the successful working of negotiat- ing machinery that will solve the many problems of the New Haven school system for the benefit of the Community and the City employees"
The union times., 1945-10-27
AFL Demands End Of Wage Controls
Ct. Building Trades Buttons Clicking
Council Urges All Locals To Send In Wage Rates-Ass Congressmen To Help End Government
 Controls

tions for building tradesmen The text of the letter follows:
 Dear Sir"
 We are soliciting your support i'll behalf of the Building and Construc- ton Trades for relief from govern mental controls. We have been sad died with the Stabi1ization Agreement since August 1, 1941 plus numerous directives and counter directives both during the war and since VI Day.
 ''We feel that inasmuch as all war construction has been cOm- pleted or stopped, it is time for the elimination of the Stabilization Agreement and the Wage Adjust ment Board.
 s'As you we'll know, building trades mechanics have done their part by living up to all restrictions imposed upon them by these agree ments, in spite of the fact that price control had failed to hold down the cost of living to the l94l standard. We are certain that the elimination of all Governmental controls is the quickest way to re- store the mutual confidence be- tween contractors and the organ ized building trades mechanics. It will also be a green light for inves- tors, architects and planners by re- moving the uncertainty caused by ever changing directives. Thanking you for any assistance you may render in our behaIf.''
The union times., 1945-10-27

his M. Carroll, secretary, and John Beschle, vice-president of Local 10 were present on behalf of the local union. President Zaritsky and Ex- ecutive Vice-President Marx Lewis participated on behalf of the In- ternational Union.
 President Zaritsky, who opened the conference, pointed out that with the return to normal conditions, the hat ters, like the workers in other indus tries, would be likely to find their earnings reduced because of the elim- ination of overtime and other fac tors. To prevent impairment in their earning power, he stated, and so that the workers may maintain their liv- ing standards even if work should be less steady, the union was seeking a general wage increase.
 He also pointed out that for the past two years the International Union has been introducing health funds in various parts of the cOun- try where its members are em- plOyed. Such funds, he said, have been adopted throughout the cap industry, in some parts of the mems hat industry, where agree ments have come up for renewal during this period, and would soon be introduced also in the millinery industry, where new agreements are to be considered shortly.
 LEGITIMATE CHARGE
 In all cases, the plans are financed exclusively by the employers, he added, because the union considers the protection of the workers and their families during periods when the workers are incapacitated because ot illness or accident a legitimate charge upon industry.
 The local officers, and Lewis, touched upon various phases of the unions request. They also pointed out that relations between the un- ion and the employers in Danbury have been maintained on a high level of amity during the past few years, in spite of the existence of conditions which in other indus tries and in other sections of the
 Continued on Page Four)
The union times., 1945-10-27
Danbury ! Hatters Gain Wage
 Boost Health Insurance Fund

Negotiations for renewal ot the agreements between Hat Makers Local 10, of Danbury and the employers have been brought to a successful conclu- sion. The improvements just achieved mark an importance ad- vance in the steady progress the Danbury matters have made toward better working condi- tions, higher earnings, and a greater degree of security than they had ever known before.
 One improvement is a general 10 per cent wage increase, which the members of the local have already begun to receive. The other is the establishment of a life and health insurance fund to be paid for by the employers. Danbury thus becomes the first of the larger mems hat manu- featuring centers to achieve this sort of insurance.
 These gains, the result of pro- lOnged negotiations, in which the local officers and the International Officers participated, were report ed, amid general rejoicing, at a recent general membership meet ing of the local. The enthusiasm of the members was reflected in the unanimous approval which was given to the officers reports.
 PEACEFUL VICTORY
 Thus the matters, by process of negotiation, and without the work in- terruptions, stoppages, and recrimina- tions which characterized the nego- tiations for the renewal of agree ments in the Danbury district in years gone by, have by single stroke i'm proved their earning power, which has been maintained and extended during the war, and also secured the protection for themselves and their families in the form of life insurance and group health insurance, under which they will receive medical care, sickness benefits, when unable to
The union times., 1945-10-27
Kill Poll-Tax, Is
 Councils Request

Complying with request received from William Green, the New Haven Central Labor Council unanimously voted to urge U, s. Senators Thomas Hart and Brien McMahon to vote for the passage of TIR7, now before the Senate, the bill which would eliminate the poll tax.
 As result, Secretary John Red mon this week sent the following let ter to the two Senators:
 Dear Sir,
 The New Haven Central Labor Council, at its meeting Thursday, un- animously ly voted its support of H.R. /, which would abolish the poll-tax re- quirement for voting, and instructed me to write you urging you to sup port this measure.
 The organized labor movement be- 1ieveS that 1t is undemocratic and un- American for citizens to have to pay a fee before they may exercise their franchise, which is the basis of our democratic form of government. We further believe that when all of the people are able to vote, those states which now have the po1l-tax will re- place their reactionary representatives in Congress with men and women who will represent all of the people.
 Sincerely yours,
 John Redmond, Secretary.
The union times., 1945-10-27
Eight Unions Meet In New Haven-Hear Feinmark,
 Lehan, Ranen

Harold V. Feinmark, secretary treasurer of the Connecticut Fede- ration of Labor, was the chief speaker at the organizing meeting of the Connecticut State Associa- ton of Fire Fighters Union, held Monday at the Hotel Taft. The eight local unions of the Interna- tiOnal Association of Fire Fighters in this state elected temporary off, ficers, and decided to meet again at the New Haven Labor Temple, COffe and Webster Streets, on Sat urday, Dec. l, at l PM.
 The temporary officers elected are John Speers, acting president; and Robert Carlson, acting secretary. Speers is president of Fire Fighters No. 825, New Haven; and Carlson is secretary of Fire Fighters No. 834, Bridgeport.
 Locals of the Fire Fighters are now being formed in virtually every city i'll the state, according to Joseph Lehan, international representative of the Fire Fighters Association, who also addressed the meeting. A fine be-
 Continued on Page Three)