davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
HIROSHIMA
(Hartford Courant)

Hiroshima, capital city of the pre- lecture bearing the same name, is for all practical purposes no more Only a few days ago, men, women and children walked the streets oi that, beautiful seaport town. Per- haps they admired the haze of the nearby hills; perhaps they looked across to the neighboring islet cd Itakuhima, Island of Light" dedi- cated to the great goddess Bentin, patroness of love.
 Citizens of Hiroshima were proud of their city, one of the more famous in all Japan not alone because of its military installations but because it's shrine was regarded as one of the three wonders of Japan. Per haps some, feeling vague un- easiness about the future, wandered into the chief temple. which was nearly 14OO years old. Now the temple is gone; the people are gone Where there was once a city there are now only huge crater and a mass of ashes.
 According to the Japanese them selves, and they have never been known to exaggerate their losses, all living things were literally scared to death. Yet the name of the city will probably live in history, not because of the sacred shrine. but because Hiroshima marks the first time in human history that man has used the terrible energy of released atoms to destroy city and and all who dwelt in it.
 It is for the Japanese, not for us, to decide whether Hiroshima shall be the solitary example of what can be. The decision is in their hands. It is for them to decide on unconditional surrender or na- tional suicide. No nation has ever before held such absolute power ot life and death over another. No nation has ever had to make the fateful decision that Japan must now make.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
The Presidents Speech

In his radio address Thursday night, President Tru
 man not only added to the total of our information about what place at Posdam but gave further proof of his stature a statesman and humanitarian.
 It took him less than two hundred words to dispose of the troublesome problem of holding the hard won island bases in the Pacific His fortnight admission that Eve going to maintain the military bases necessary for the complete protection of interests and ofworld peac
 dissolved the criticism aroused by his unfortunate choice of words in earlier statement on the subject made abroad.
 Accomplishment of American ambitions to assure free press in the former German satellite countries in open
 ing up the European waterways in arranging to see that Europeans properly fed and clothed during the coming Winter-these achievements contribute to the growing belief that Harry Truman is in fair way to become great president.
 His realistic approach to the inherent threat which the atomic bomb holds for future peace gratifying The worlds relief that we not enemies discovered its secret mitgated by fear of what unrestricted knowledge and widespread of the weapon might mean in horror and destruction for humanity President Trumans honest prayer for guidance in it's mercfu most reassurng
 Only his elaborate attempts to rationaze the repara tons plans which Russia is to be the chief beneficiary give for disqueude Perhaps it is fair to say with Shakespeare Methnks the lady doth protest too much But other generous that Missouri strategst easily outsmarted relieves any for worry that the interests of the other aes large and small have been too much neglected.
 The problems of still to meet less difficult solve than those of War Hearing reading President Tumans speech of Thursday night brings com pete confidence that Americas interests in good hands
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11

CuunhnSn4m N plODaDy ucuueIdUcs anu AS mutely. his defense. It's unspoken message to the jury, the press and the world is plain.
 The marshal comes into court attended by his personal physician, his nurse who is num- and his three lawyers All these sit behind him. and although he occasionally turns to speak with his lawyers. he generally ignores all fiye-and everything and eyery- body else in the place.
 His defense is that the court has no authority to try him. and that therefore he will have nothing to do with it. He is either hard of hearing, or pre- tends to be-the charge has been made both ways and when questions are hurled at him, he simply says he doesn't hear them
 Early in the trial, a juror asked the presiding justice, Judge Mongbeaux, to ask Petain how far in advance he had prepared certain list of pro- posed ministers This list had been feature of President Lebrun's testimony Judge Mongibeaux called to Petain, Accused, stand up!" Petatn who wasn't IS feet away, didn't move. nor even look at the judge. The judge then called to gendarme. Make the marshal stand up" But the gendarme either didn't hear, or didn't want to.
 At this the judge cried out in Illustration so that all the courtroom heard. T know perfectly well he hears He is putting this on."
 That would have been sufficient for Q mistrial in America. But this Is France One of Petain's at- ing, "No. he can't hear Who is better qualified to say than I9" The judge sighed and shrugged and the trial went on.
 The aged marshal ignored the proceeding after the first day, when he read long. formal statement n which he maintained that the court lacked author ity to try him and stated that therefore he would answer no questions. Under the French system, the accused makes the first speech, and the resultant "interrogatoire" can consume several days.
 Buf thc maE1aal. standing tnll and erect unloId- Cd scroll he had evidently prepared carefully and
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
By Peter Edson

single agency with single head to promote all government housing activities Tax reductions to corporations owning housing developments. Down. ward revaluation of property for new housing De- u cities in rebuilding slum Disapproval of the rent certificate subsidy for low-income families. Re- view of the antitrust laws to eliminate monopoly and racketeerng practices of both business manage ment and labor organizations which conspire to re- strict housing productivity.
 Taft includes statements that public housing should not compete with private housing. He favors state and local government cooperation with the fed- eral government on future housing developments. Also he does not believe that public housing should be imposed on communities that do not want 1t.
 But anyone reading this report and not knowing ator Taft It is that liberal It is everything the public housing advocates have been asking for
 It would be too much to expect the Democrats would allow Taft to steal this dream-house right out of their own back yard While Taft was writing his re- port Senator Wagner in collaboration with Sen. Allen Ellender of Louisiana representing the Senate com mitte on Education and Labor. were busy preparing new housing bill. Having sat in on all the Taft sun- committee hearings, Wagner and Ellender were anie advocated by Taft and few others besides And the two Democratic senators also filed their bill on the last day the Senate was in session, providing tne aforementioned photo finish.
 The Wagner -Ellender bill gets the play because 1t is step further along-a definite proposal for legisla figure it out. The Taft report on the other nand IS only g pages long and extremely readable.
 Both are recommended reading for anyone in- terested in public housing and postwar private housng too Builders contractors realtors landlords ana puio ing trades union leaders who start reading before bed time shouldn't count getting too much sleep Tnefe things in these proposals to keep them awake ana worrying for some time to come
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
The Old Lady Of England

Should the Old Lady of Threadneede Street (Bank of England) be retained private financial monopoly or become state controlled under the SocaStic deooeS of Prime Minister Attee's Laborte government ques ton being pondered by all classes of the British people today.
 The question actually to resolve itself into the enigma of whether the Old Ladyas she is ondy called by BrtShersshould be retained concretely representa- tive of solvent England whether her denouement, by of socaization would constitute nothing more than somewhat disrespectful dethronement of grand dame
 Foremost among her assets at least those of goodwill has been her legend of inperiShabity Even the Nazl bombers couldn't knock out dent to any degree her g fortresske pile of marble and granite blocks Dating from 1793 there have been countless bank runs on her financial structure most of them engeLdered by rabble and all of them successfully counered by both eco homie means and bullets
 Her officials have been world financial leaders who have been instrumental establishing universal currency standards Her socalzaon naturalization as it also referred to- would that her capital stock held by some 5000 Englshmen would be bought by the British Treasury as a price not yet established even in theory.
 Perhaps the most acute effect resulting from such would be the symbolic one of another radical de- parure from the democratic procedure of free enterprise Such departure would be than traditional change
 Lken such move to Waterburys banks being assim- Hated by the state national government and some idea o the extent of that change be realized Most pertinent Of thought in such instance believe would be the dangers of political chcanery and monopoly entering n to such field Tradition is not always sentiment nor It just being od-fashoned in most instances It is usually predicated upon and substantated by sound principles
 Our conclusion is that the Old Lady-to paraphrase b-st is quite gal and should continue to be courted with customary dignity and aduation.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
Protect Our Children

The tragic death of four year old Milton Smith, fol- lowing by than hours the serious injury of William Aubertn points out the necessity for strict enforce ment of local speed limits and driving regulations.
 city which is known for miles around for it's care fu handling pedestrian traffic at busy intersections we should exercise equal diligence in making our highways away from the center, safe for children.
 Waterbury teachers constantly alert to the value of stressng caution to their young pupils Children who have not been to school like the little Smith boy have not benefited from such advice Their sole dependence for safety the of the city and sate strict enforce ent those by police authorities and cautious oper ation by automobile drivers.
 Thursdays issue of The Democrat cited the achieve ment of Springfield in cutting down it's accident record Since strict speedlaw enforcement instituted there Tn April traffic accidents have dropped 56 per cent In the period drop of 34 per cent in the number of pedes tans hit by automobiles noted Not one traffic fatality has occurred since the drive began on April 1st.
 Chief Carson and his force are a credit to Waterbury They render greater service by redoubng their efforts to make streets and highways safe for pedes trians, old or young.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
By Bill Cunningham

read from it in firm voice. His hands were trem- bling ever so slightly either from advanced age or nervousness. The main points of his paper were:
 (l) That he was called to the helm by the people of France through their representatives united In national assembly July TO- l940; that 1t Is only to them that he is responsible that the High Court of Justice as 1t Is constituted, does not repre- sent the French people," and that therefore heo have nothing to co with 1t.
 (2 That the prosecutions contention ~ Snat ns plotted to seize power is ridiculous because T asked for, and desired. nothing" He inherited catasrc- phe, he said that was not of his own making and the people really responsible took refuge behind ms prestige Ito avoid the wrath of the people"
 (3) That he asked for an armistice because, m agreement with military chiefs, accomplished an act necessary and important for the safety or France" He claimed the armstice actually contrib uted to the Allied victory by maintaining the intee- rity of the French empire and the freedom of the Mediterranean. For four years. he said often dong what he didn't want to, because leach day, witn dagger at my throat, had to battle against the demands of the enemy" he prepared the way TOT liberation by conserving the elements "of sorrow full but living France. What would have been ac- complished," he asked @by liberating ruins and cemeteries?" whether not it's to be construed as a smack at Gen. de Gaue, he stressed the fact that he fought for France inside her borders while Gen de Gaule continued the battle for France outside
 The aged marshal ignored the proceedings after the first day. with an unprecedented catastrophe that his conscience was clesr and rising to quite an emotional climax, he urged the court to condemn him if 1t would but it did, make mine the last such condemnation, so that no otner rTeuCnmeu will again be arrested and punished for obeyng the orders of his legitimate chief"
 His closing words were: "You would condemn an innocent man, thinking to speak in the name of justice and it would be an innocent man, who woaa bear the full weight of such condemnation. for marshal of France asks mercy of no one. place myself in tine hands of France" That reference 70 mercy is construed to mean that he will not ask for mercy in case he Is given the death penalty.
 FranceA is still down and out. regardless Of Wnat is done with petain His conviction, or vice vcrsn, change thing in present France for the better. France needs, first of ell. to decide what sort of government she wants, then sine must elect it find
 real leader and really get down to work Te nation ncods more character lees cppoFtunism more sense and less dreaming. more reaiam end lpss chasing e rainboNs.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11

Had the project failed Roosevelt would have been the goat. The vast plants in Tennessee and washing ton state would have been scoffed at as oosevelts greatest white elephant" Political opponents could have used 1t to keep the Democratic Party out of power for decade.
 Roosevelt, however, never flinched
 Nor is 1t generally known that the man who prod ded Roosevelt hardest to undertake the atomic project was another starsazing official former Vice. Pres ident Henry Wallace. Wallace was the missionary for the project, one of the few key men in government who understood the theory of the atom and who as friend of the worlds great scientists spured General Marshall and war agency heads into speedier action.
 Note incidentally, it was Wallaces dreamy y-eyed experimentation with new type of corn that Will give the world 4o000o.ooo more bushels of corn to feed the hungry this year So perhaps the erackpot brought to Washington were worth while after all.
 President Truman's friends in Kansas City are hoping that he gets all his work J; good shape before he comes out to Missouri again; because if he tries to work in his Kansas City office, it will be hot E Trumans two-room suite on the sixth floor of the Federal Building in Kansas City happens to be one of two offices which can't be air-conditioned The buildings air conditioning system can't be hooked up
 However, one other office attachment, hitherto lacking has now been remedied-a telephone Throughout all his career as Senator frugal Harry Truman never had telephone in his office in the Federal Building Instead he stepped next door and used the phone of U s. District Judge John Caskie Collet
 Although nothing can be uone abouC tne ar-cool- ing, telephone has been installed in the Kansas City office of the President of the United States
 
 Some of the reasons behind the War Departments nsstence on keeping tremendous two-front Army to fight one-front war; also behind the sudden scram- ble for conscrpton have become clearer since Pots- dam.
 Brass-hat insstence on keeping veterans busy picking up cigarette butts when they have ample points to obtain discharge has been puzing members of Congress Also it's not generally realized that the Army and Navy together plan to reduce thei size by
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
MIR. HEARST SPOKE TOO SOON
 (Springfield Daily News)

These are tough times for news paper writers who have to try and keep up to the minute, with the world rushing along with lightning like speed. Pity the poor scribe, for example, who had a smashing edi- torial in the New York Hearst newspaper, Journal-American, yes- terday, demanding to know why nothing had been said at the Pots dam conference about Russia get- ting in and helping the United States and England knock u t Japan. Even while the newspaper was being read on tlse streets and in homes the announcement was forthcoming that much had been said about it at the conference and that Russia was declaring war on Japan. These are days when it is impossible for writers to keep up to date, but at least they can re- frain from complaining about some thing at a time when the news rushing in shows that they have nothing to complain about.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
TURKEY OUTLOOK
(Boston Post)

There's one bright spot in the nations future meat picture, ac- cording to Department of Agricul- ture officials. They declare that 8 1945 turkey crop of 100000 birds seems now assured and that 1t will break all records. After the mili- tary gets its share the civilian con- sumner will get better than 3.3 pounds as compared with his pre- war average consumption of 2.7 pounds. That is something to look forward to with pleasure, even though Thanksgiving may seem a long way of.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
This New England Weather

Last March we complained of weather which brought the grass up prematurey Now in mdAugust we ask our selves where the extra blankets may have been put away against the depredations of the hungry and ubiquitous moth.
 IS there no cure for this New England weather?
 Perhaps when the scientists get to harnessing the atom to peaceme needs sort of atomic thermostat can n least that when put away overcoat in May we won't need t. come August lOth
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
The Firing Line
 By D. N. T:
A FEW STATES

Animadversions Versus Texas Hit her in
 The solar plexus. Here's to the State of New Hamp-
 shire,
 And here's to the tourists who span
 it;
 I find it is true, When the rocks come in view, That everything's taken for granite, The Pine Tree State Is fair and great, But still Down East Is up-at least.
 Vermont, Vermont, Vermont, Ver-
 mont!
 She's everybody else's haunt. Massachusetts, there she stands, Berskshire Hills to Buzzard sands; If she sat, she'd take in Conn.,, Which isn't nice to dwell upon. Save in abbreviation, Have little use for Cal. and Col. Spelled out, no matter how try, I can't find rhymes for them at all.
 Mfr. Churchill was cheered as he entered the House of Commons the other day. Perhaps we'd better hasten to say by whom, rather than by what.
 After the war, the old-fashioned Pullman diner will be replaced by a "smorgasbord" car. "Smorgas- bord" is Swedish for picnic without antS."
 A jet-propolled car that can travel 500 miles an hour has been developed by a British pilot and a group of associates. The stern- faced cop of the future may blow his whistle and say: Pull over to the side of that continent, you"
 The Little Woman is really buff falOed this summer. She can't put up jam at home and she can't put up with the jam on the railroads.
 Secretary of Labor Schwellenbach indorses the suggestion that he sponsor general industrial peace conference. We must be behind the times; We didn't even know that that war was over.
 The Army is going to stick to the S5 points required for soldier dis charges. We treated even our but ter better than that.
 Senator Taft sees the seed of fu- lure war in the Declaration of Pots dam. Somehow or other, that re- minds us of the story about Senator Borah. One of his distinguished colleagues told another that he had seen MT. Borah on horseback that morning. The other replied: Don't tell me they were going the same way!"
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11

Only a few people know the de- tails of how Roosevelt approached this greatest and most fantastic weapon of international warfare. However, when he finally decided to pour $2,000, ,0O0, 900 of the na- tion's resourcer into hundreds of miles of government-owned fac- tories certain to consume the en- ergies of half a million critically needed workers at the peak of the war, he was gambling, not only the nations resources, but his own = =, ,,na avz 11aok<ss~,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11

OF mayUE WHBNEr Uy H IIUS6. 1I was a race to develop postwar housing policy.
 Sen. Wagner is, of course, the author of nearly all the New Deal legislation on housing. And, as chairman of the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, he pre- sides over the early destiny of any new housing legislation that comes up.
 Taft is a minority member of the Banking and Currency Com ,,oskk~n y,x,k I~ s~ a1cn che firm O y1
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11

ImpreSSlVeIy ufeSSeu Hid1 III I1ic room. The rest are shabby. France has known hard times. Even the judges robes look sadly in need of a good dry cleaning.
 Petain has been honored in his time more than most. In this ribbon-happy theater, it's some thing of a start to see but one ornament on his blouse. It's not just the ribbon, but the full medal of Medaille Militaire = Frances highest soldier award. That touch ir r,aoha llxr daliharafa and is
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11

of Senate Postwar Subcommittee on Housing That has made him top in the long series of hearings on postwar housing policy They began in June, 1924, and ran until February, 1945. They enabled Taft to steal the housing spotlight from Wagner natural rivalry as well as traditional political jealousy developed
 Twice during the Taft Committee hearings Wag- ner rose to announce that this only an advisory subcommittee and had authority to do anything about legislation which would have to be referred to his Wagner's, Banking and Currency Committee. later on.
 Taft went ahead, however. and took five months to prepare report which he filed the last day the Senate in session. The report is one of the most liberal and far-reaching programs for the develop ment of public housing to get before Congress Taft has reputation conservative who Is some- times called reactionary.
 He has been the Republicans number one critic of many Democratic proposals. Knowing these facts, any Washington observer will pick up the Taft re- port and read with what the Senator from Ohio proposes for g. long-range government housing program:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
Petain Dominant

PARIS, Aug 1l-By all odds Marshal Henri- Phillipe Petain is the strangest and most dominant figure in the courtroom where France is trying him for treason For one thing, he's the best and most
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
Merry-GO-R Round

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11-Though lot of people deserve credit for developing the new atomic bomb. man stood above them all the greatest single factor in its development- Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
Heat On Housing

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11-A great race between Sen. Bob Taft of Ohio and Sen Bob Wagner of New York came down the stretch on the last day Congress in session It ended in photo finish,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-08-11
Waterbury of The Past
25-Years Ago

25-Years Ago
 A Waterbury man had his wallet lifted after conversing with three charming ladies" on the Savin Rock trolley.
 Senator Charles A. Templeton was being mentioned as Republican can- didate for governor. 15-Years Ago
 The board of aldermen voted to add eight rooms to Tinker school at e cost of si15.o00.
 Rev. Charles W. Kane told Rotary club members that a worthwhile hobby was necessary in order to enjoy life.
 5-Years Ago
 Police placed warnings at city's ten most dangerous accident loca- tons.
 Rev. John V. Horgan and Rev. Francis ]. Bertihe celebrated their lirat Masses at 6t. Francis and the Blemed Sacrament churches.