~The Dallas Post
A LIBERAL, INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY MORNING
AT THE DALLAS POST PLANT
LEHMAN AVENUE, DALLAS, PA.
BY THE DALLAS POST, INC.
HOWARD RISLEY ......c..x000 a See ae wie Sie wate «e.... General Manager
HOWELL REES ........ ie ialuivie ss wisiate Tete v winleitkee Heels td aes Managing Editor
PRUMAN STEWART... ant cians sda ses ... Mechanical Superintendent
The Dallas Post is on sale at the local news stands. Subscription price by
mail $2.00 payable in advance. Single copies five cents each.
> Entered as second-class matter at the Dallas Post Office.
- Members American Press Association: Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers’
~ Association; Circulation Audit Bureau; Wilkes-BarPfe-Wyoming Valley Cham-
ber of Commerce. X
THE DALLAS POST is a youthful weekly rural-suburban newspaper,
owned, edited and operated by young men interested in the development of the
great rural-suburban region of Luzerne County and in the attainment of the
highest ideals of journalism. THE POST is truly “more than a newspaper, it
is a community institution.” :
Congress shall make no law * * abridging the freedom of speech, or of
~ Press.—From the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
—
Subscription, $2.00 Per Year (Payable in Advance).
Subscribers who send us changes of address are requested to include both
new and old addresses when they submit their notice of change.
THE DALLAS POST PROGRAM
THE DALLAS POST will iend its support and offers the use of itu
oeolumns to all projects which will help this community and the great rurai-
suburban territory which it serves to attain the following major improve-
ments:
: 1. Construction of more sidewalks for the protection
Kingston township and Dallas.
2. A free library located in the Dallas reaion.
3. Better and adequate street lighting in
Fsrnbrook and Dallas.
4. Sanitary sewage disposat system for Dallas. ;
5. Closer co-operation between Dallas burough and surrounding townships.
6. Consolidated high schools and better co-operation between those that
now exist. : ‘
of pedestrians in
Trucksville. Shavertown,
A THOUGHT. FOR THIS WEEK . .
= To AN ATHLETE DYING YOUNG
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay ,
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.
Eyes that shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears!
: A. E. HoUSEMAN
Since death must come to all men it should be most welcome when it comes
in the manner of the fiddle string that snaps while it is playing the master
: melody. That was the way death came last Thursday
EYES THAT to Wiley Post and Will Rogers. A gay, glorious crescendo,
~ SHADY NIGHT and then . .. Crash! :
HAS SHUT Both men were famous—Post for his daring in the
air and Rogers for his sharp wit and homely philosophy.
Perhaps Rogers will be missed more, because, although there are other great
aviators, there is no American who has touched the lives of so many people
through as many different media as had the beloved Oklahoma comedian.
The memory of the man will live as newspaper readers catch themselves
looking for his daily comment boxed in the corner of their front pages, as they
listen to the entertainer who will have the difficult job of filling Will’s spot
on the Sunday night radio program, as they watch his image flickering on the |
screen . . . in a score of ways his unique hold upon the hearts and imagination
of millions will live to remind us of him.
For Wiley Post and Will Rogers there will be no slow dimming of fame’s
‘bright lights. The world will remember them as they were when death sud-
denly took them . . . brave, famous men, possessing friends in every corner of
the globe . . . not as enfeebled oldsters basking in the glow of forgotten tri-
umphs.
Perhaps, since they both were sensible men who had accepted their fame
as its face value, they would have died this way by choice. The sorrow the
nation feels today is softened somewhat by the thought.
: “Eyes that shady night has shut, cannot see the record cut, and silence
sounds no worse than cheers, after earth has stopped the ears!”
% z %
Most of us, knowingly or otherwise, take chances with fire. And that's
a game in which the player always loses. He can’t win. :
Here's a simple little question that may aid you in
CAN YOU eliminating common fire risks—and may also give you an
ANSWER inkling into the unnecessary chances you have been
“YES”? taking:
~
Have your furnace, its pipes, and other heating de-
vices and equipment been recently inspected and approved by an expert? Has
your electric wiring likewise been checked by an approved electrician—not by
an amateur? Do you make it a practice to keep your basement, attic and un-
used rooms free from accumulations of paper, rags, and other waste? Do you
keep your property free from dry grass? Do you store explosive and inflam-
mable liquids in safe places, and in approved metal containers? Do you take
constant care with matches, tobacco and smoking materials? If you have done
any building or remodeling, have you conformed to an-up-to-date building
code calling for the most approved construction and the more fire-resistive
materials? And, finally, do you take advantage of expert inspection services
~ offered by fire marshals, insurance organizations and other bodies?
Most of all do you support your local volunteer fire companies? Dallas
has had its carnival but this Saturday the residents of Kingston Township will
have an opportunity to help their company by spending some money at the
Community Day celebration on the Shavertown school grounds?
If your answer to any of the questions above is “No,” you are taking
chances. You are imperiling your property and that of your neighbors—and
imperiling lives as well. Most fire hazards can be eliminated with but a small
expenditure of either time or money—and whatever investment you make will
pay big dividends in safety and security.
: % ® 0%
: Ask any business man, investor, property owner or thinking worker what
is most needed to give the nation the confidence, the spirit and the optimism
that will break depression.
You might get the same answer from each: “Tax reduction, plus a de-
_ termined policy that will balance the budget as soon as
IN possible, and gradually reduce and eventually eliminate
THE the vast national debt.”
BALANCE Real, permanent and sound recovery cannot arrive
so long as industry faces the prospect of confiscatory tax-
es that will seize whatever profits it is able to make. We cannot have a wave
of home-building so long as our citizens realize that increasing taxes may soon
make it impossible for them to keep their property. We cannot have re-em-
ployment of the jobless so long as investors are afraid to put their money into
productive enterprises—because rising taxes imperil both principal and income.
The national debt is approaching the $35,000,000,000 mark. Hundreds
of millions of dollars a year are required to meet the interest. More hundreds
of millions are required for sinking funds with which to pay off the bonds
when they fall due. Long after the money has been spent, and the things it
bought have disappeared, we and our children will be paying the bill.
The Federal government has attempted to “spend us back to prosperity.”
In the view of many unbiased commentators we would have gone a long way
farther toward recovery had spending been held down—in other words, the
government's policy, in their belief, has hindered and not helped the nation.
Yet more spending is in prospect—and more taxes.
The people want tax reduction. Business wants tax reduction. Investors
and workers want tax reduction. Unless it is achieved; the nation’s economic
future is in the balance.
THE DALLAS POST, DALLAS, PA., FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 19%.
UMANS By GENE-CARR
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oro
as \ 1800
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Ann en ina A
Maybe you are not familiar with the word *“‘chemurgic.” It is the latest
creation to stir Washington, and you will hear more about it. For it is a
coined word symbolic of the most recent effort to bring some sort of economic
equilibrium to the farmer. Much will be written about it in the next few
months.
* *.-
3%
Quietly for months an expanding effort has been going forward to form
a new economic trinity—agriculture, industry and science—dedicated to the
time-honored farm problem. Behind the movement are hard-headed business
men who prefer to deal with facts rather than fancies, who seek to help the
farmer without resorting to alluring panaceas, by appeals to Washington for
legislation or by parading glittering generalities which usually have as their
goal votes rather than real and lasting aid to the farmer. Briefly the move-
ment is intended to advance the industrial use of farm products through ap-
plied science. Farm and factory are to be hitched together, with science as
the connecting link, to make the farm something more than a food factory.
It seeks to increase farm income not by tricky schemes which always break
down in the end, but by making profitable use of surplus acreage and surplus
crops.
* x *
“Chemurgic” is a coined word from “chemistry” and “ergon,” meaning
work. When combined it literally means chemistry at work. The word was
known only to a small group of scientists until a remarkable meeting of 300
| prominent business men and industrialists who met a few weeks ago to seek
a way out for the farmer without resorting to politics. The Farm Chemurgic
Council was formed and practical business men gave themselves to the ad-
vancement of the interests of the farmer. Industrialists gave their full co-
operation to use farm products as science developed practical means.
- * *% e
The striking manner in which industry went about the task of trying to
raise the buying of the farmer with a recognition of the farmer’s problem has
made this word “chemurgic” one which you will see more and mors in the
headlines as the Council moves ahead.
* + *
The decision of President Roosevelt to open his campaign for re-election
immediately after the session of Congress closes has few, if any, parallels in
this country. Perhaps nothing is more indicative of the change in atmosphere
which the Democratic National Committee has sensed. With the president go-
ing to the country almost a year ahead of conventions, there are accumulating
evidences that the next campaign will be a humdinger.
If Congress adjourns in time the President will open his political swing in
Milwaukee and continue through to the Coast. After a rest there, he will
swing back, possibly through the south. If this latter plan eventuates, it will
be the first time that a Democratic president has been forced to campaign in
the South. However, indicative of sentiment there is the fight being waged
against Senator Jimmy Byrnes, one of the President’s closest friends in the
Senate.
$ * *
After the President had suggested a Constitutional amendment to give the
Federal government rather than the states power to control commerce, Sena-
tor Byrnes expressed himself as believing such a course necessary. Since then
he has announced that $25,000,000 will be spent in his state of South Caro-
lina for a dam project. Which caused one local newspaper to remark: “We
would like the project. But $25,000,000 is too small a price for our glorious
heritage of State’s Rights.” It all adds up into a question mark for 1936.
* * Fe
Nowhere is the growth of harmonious relations between employees and
employers, without outside influences, better illustrated than in the steel in-
dustry where recent elections have shown 90 per cent of the workers actively
participating in employee representation plans. :
A survey by the American Iron and Steel Institute shows that of 213,806
employees available and eligible to vote, ballots were cast by 192,699. All of
the representatives elected were employees, with no outsiders able to gain a
winning margin.
+ + *
A sharp warning against Congress “‘passing the buck” to the courts when
constitutional questions are involved was given by the Presiding Judge of the
Western District of Missouri in granting an injunction to the Washburn Crosby
Company against collection by the government of processing taxes.
“Every statute enacted by the Congress and approved by the President
1s presumed to be constitutional,” the judge said, and he added:
“The chief reason for the presumption that a statute regularly enacted and
approved is constitutional is the assumption that members of Congress before
they voted for it and the chief executive before he gave it his approval care-
fully considered whether it was within the powers conferred on Congress by
the Constitution.
“Members of Congress have sworn that they will support the constitution
and the President solemnly has sworn that he will preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution. The courts have rejected as unthinkable the suggestion some
times made that the President and Congressmen might disregard their oaths,
that they might seek to shift from: their shoulders to the shoulders of the
judges the responsibility imposed thereby. Any such course is not only un-
thinkable, it would be quite as indefensible as that of a witness, sworn to tell
ceive it and disregard it.” ;
No more soundly enunciated principle has come from any source that
this statement coincident with a demand that Congress enact bills now pending
and let the courts pass upon their legality.
. 5 LH
the truth, who should commit perjury on the theory that the jury would per-!
OLTICS
The political front in Dallas is quiet. Like the lull before a big military
engagement it may mean both sides are laying in ammunition and drafting
plans for a major offensive. Few would expect less after the rancors and
deep-seated antagonisms stirred up last spring with the dismissal of Calvin
McHose as supervising principal of the borough schools. :
: Every one knows that there are two district sides in the present borough
political set-up with as clearly defined lines and as much loyalty to leaders as
any opposing armies. With two such groups eager to test their strength and
no other candidates in the field to get in their way nothing less than an in-
tensive campaign can be expected during the next few weeks. Only complete
capitulation on the part of one side or the other could prevent it, and there is
nothing in the cards like capitulation although many expected that county
leaders would take little interest in the local contests in order to further the
cause of the organization’s county candidates.
Withdrawal of Eugene Lazarus as a candidate for re-election to school
board appears to have put courage in the breasts of school leaders who handle
this end of the county organization’s campaigns and has at once set at rest
any rumors that-those leaders would put up little or no fight in the borough
Lazarus would have been a pretty problem for any leader to handle after the
furore of last spring. His withdrawal from the fight is the nearest thing to
capitulation that impartial observers have seen hereabouts. But capitulation or
not, there was enough encouragement in it to stimulate the county boys to put
an entire slate in the borough fight. Can they put it across without Lazarus?
| That's the question. Or would their chances be better without Disque—there’s
another question.
» * *
Under ordinary circumstances Grant Shaner would be the strongest man
on the slate. Everybody who knows him, likes him, but that won't make
them vote for him when he has the support of the county organization. He:
could pick almost any borough office, run for it independently and make it—
BUT not so long as he plays with the county wing and especially when it’s the
school director berth he is seeking. That will be the hottest spot in the local
campaign. Opposing him is Clyde Lapp, who ranks way up front in populari-
ty In any man’s town, and who Leader Disque is so anxious to whip that he
will hurt whatever slim chance Shaner has for the berth. As for the Demo-
Hatie candidate—he’ll never realize how few votes there are in Dallas until it’s
all over.
* + +
The contests for council present another picture, Warden Kunkle, who is
seeking re-election and James Ayre who is seeking the position for the first
time, look like outstanding candidates. Kunkle has made a fine record on coun-
cil and the borough can point with pride to many improvements that have come
about since his tenure of office. James Ayre is thoroughly liked throughout
the community’ and is the type citizen who should be seen more often entering
into the management of community affairs. John Durbin and William Davis,
running mates of Kunkle and Ayre, are apt to be strong candidates, although
neither are as well known generally throughout the town as many of their
running mates and opponents. . That, however, can be an advantage some-
times. Durbin has learned a lot about garnering votes since the time he ran
for school director and he has also made a lot of new friends who will be
thoroughly loyal to him but who did not know him at the time he last ran.
William Davis will be expected to poll a good vote on the Heights and with
the assistance of Leonard O’Kane should carry that district. In the other dis-
trict, stronghold of the borough faction, he should have no difficulty in mak-
ing a good showing. f
* * *
Opposing these men for council are J. Robert Moore, Harvey D. Mc-
Carthy, Donald Frantz, and Thomas Him. Robert Moore is the surprise can
didate of the lot and the strongest. Differences have evidently been patched
up between him and Chairman Disque or he would nevr have appeared in the
line-up. Disque supplanted him as local leader some time ago. Moore has
good political sense and has a way of accomplishing his objectives without
losing the friendship of the entire community. Bob doesn’t have to depend
on organization votes alone. He can garner in a lot of votes on his personal
ends that ordinarily would be dead-set against any organization candi-
ate.
* * +
The other three candidates on the organization slate appear to be of
about equal strength. Independently they would have difficulty in capturing
any of the offices they seek. With the organization back of them any one of
them may have a chance, but all three never. Even at this early date it hard-
ly looks as though the organization can muster enough strength to put any of
them across the finish line a winner. The strong organization candidates in
this fight will be the men who have a strong personal following capable of
electing them without organization support.
% * *
J In the contest for Overseer of the Poor it looks like a toss up with Wil-
liam Baker and Mrs. Harry Garrahan having slight advantages.
* * *
Justice of the Peace might just as well take office now. Here it is Jack :
Jeter and Ira Cooke.
*
* oe
Leonard O’Kane with plenty of votes to spare wills be the next con-
stable with Clarence Esser and David Jenkins on the ballot.
#* # # :
It looks like Joseph Jewell will take care of the dead dogs after the vil-
lage election with maybe Scott Van Horn looking after the cats.
* * »
On no other basis than as a sharp and calculated rebuke to the New Deal
can the trend of The Post’s straw vote be regarded. The issue has been clear
cut: For the Roosevelt policies, or against them.
Both Republicans and Democrats in the county are watching the straw
vote here as an unofficial test. True, one swallow does not make a summer,
but in another sense one swallow can leave a prodigiously bad taste in the
mouth.
%
&* +
We are a little bit surprised this week during a conversation with a coun-
ty candidate who seems to have a Republican nomination cinched to hear
that he is very much worried about the General Election. - He seems honestly
afraid that the strength of the Democratic party in Luzerne County has been
under-stated and expects, even of he gains a Republican nomination, to have
a hard battle in November.
Undoubtedly the force of the advantages the Democrats have in the Fed-
eral and State governments has strengthened their position in Luzerne Coun-
ty. Many pessimistic Republicans say that you cannot defeat an administra,
tion with four billions to spend. :
Maybe you can! At least those Rhode Island voters showed their
“Santa Claus” scant reverence.
%
+ *
Personally, we cannot see how George E. Gwilliam can be defeated, but,
win or lose, he will succeed in having his campaign remembered as one of the
cleanest, fairest, most friendly campaigns this county has seen in years.
Dallas and its vicinity will give Mr. Gwilliam an overwhelning majority
because, although he is a life-long resident of Plymouth, Mr./Gwilliam has
spent many summers at Harvey's Lake and during these vacaton periods has
made friends of thousands of men and women throughout tke Back Mountain
Section. It is surprising to see how many men who disasee on other candi-
dates, unite behind Mr. Gwilliam.
If we were to pick the second choice of Back Mgntain voters for the
Commissioner candidate we would guess that it will bglohn MacGuffie, who
also has a number of loyal friends working for him ’
’