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Show jaiERY COUNTY PROGRESS, CASTLE DALE, UTAII That Great Ame rican Institution the ALMANAC PoorRJcbarJ, 17. National Topics Interpreted by William Druckart 1. Washington. It will be remembered that prior to America's en- Almanack if if i v" vl w BAg Ik Tiift .Cut LEAP TEAK Shit AtMtBtrftWEdkaCarti r is m jut y.ir. Vherti it tntutti TV Iimi'mm, Edipfcs, Jiilemn of ite Hww, swf Trfn, riMU mm mm Mma'i Ki&if Srt. P4n) AfpAt Sua h, Lmnfcrrr. Tm f tifkWMr, r Cm iMAIUiIW Filled toihtUtliudc of Fwiy SCOTT WATSON OT the least of the reasons for re membering the man whose birthday we celebrate on January 17 Is that he gave us that veritable American Institution the almanac. Although "B. Franklin, Printer" was not the d first of his tribe to issue one of these little books in this country, his "Poor Richard's Almanack" set the style for Innumerable imitators and successors and it had a record which makes it unique Franklin started it in among such publications. 11733, published It annually for 35 years and often sold as many as 10.000 copies each year. It was the undisputed "best seller" of its time, and, according to his biographer, Bernard Fay, in "Franklin, The Apostle of Modern Times" (little, Brown and Company), it "was the pivot of his commercial success and of his popularity ;ln America." The lodge, the Junto, the library, ihad only a local influence, but the almanac was sent all over the country. Although only a very few persons owned libraries in Eighteenth-cen-,tnr- y America, every one possessed two books, the Bible and the almanac. The former told you :what to worship and what to do and the latter, 'when and how. The almanac was the guide to .both the country and the city people. Neither poor nor rich could do without it . . . "This almanac carried the name and ideas of Franklin everywhere. He had expressly written this book to present his ideas in a bold and lively manner, the same ideas he expressed at the lodge or the Junto, or slipped into all newspaper in phrases of double meaning. What Franklin didn't dare say, the good fellow, Poor Richard, said for him. His argumentative instinct, which dominated his news-ne- r, was so obvious that it would have been dangerous to publish biting criticism on institu-Uon- s and the Church, but he gave it free rein in his almrnac. . . . Here in this vulgar environ-men- t. under the cloak of joking and ribaldry, the good man could speak his mind. The international vogue of this little book cannot be attributed to any other thing." Although Franklin's is perhaps the most famous almanac the world has ever known, he as not, of course, the originator of this form f literature. Almanacs of one sort or another date back to the earliest civilization. Both the Greeks and the Romans are said to have had them and there are records of their use during ""Thirteenth and Fourteenth centuries. In 1664 a group of London wags, chief among .em Robt Herrick, the poet, issued -- Poor Rob-- s Almanack," a burlesque on the astrological almanacs, ailed with clever ridicule and some ery broad jokes. Such an almanac was an immediate hit and, although Herrick tired of it ter a few years, its publishers kept it going more than a century and a half. As will oe seen later, "Poor Robin" was to have an t"taDt bearing on American almanacs. Respite "por Robin's" popularity, it did not rially affect the fortunes of the e logical almanac and by the end of the fventeenth century there were at least a dozen uiem being published in Great Britain. One "Mer,inus Llberatus," started by John Part T' abridge in 1680, prospered for nearly 30 years. n most unusual fate overtook It In 1703 Swift, the savage satirist, wrote a solemn Prediction" that Partridge would die on August DuhiiM0 A"Kust 30 he followed this up by tZ rl 8 8 statement that, true to the predic-- 7 Partrtdge had Indeed died, en the astrologer's publishers accepted the 88 trUe In valn' PartrldSe Protested that h6nt But SwIft came back ? i88 Very much allve Wlth a lons and Poor p la"datry obituary, was 80 harassed by the task of convin artridge """mans ncnu ue ..... ,A siau uoi UICU Huu wuuiu "t'" fOntln rave . ln "ing h,s almanac that eventually he p despair and suspended Its publication ! UshmiWhile' 0ver across tne Atlantic, the Eng-a- g kiStS Were seelnS the beginnings of what to me an ,njPortant American on. t0 8ome authorities, the first almanac came from the printing press at Ha rd colege in 1639. With that Purltan-ou- g leal naturally it was a strictly seri-pl- a ground, 08 were others Issued in various NeW En8lan1 80on thereafter. They ontain a Wentir ,main,y astronomical calculations and tVgw, By ELMO N j PHf 18 Cents 1. Cover of the first issue of Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanack." 2. Frontispiece of the Pennsylvania German almanac issued in 1779 by Francis Bailey at Lancaster, Pa., which is said to contain the first reference to Washington as "The Father of His Country." 3. Cover of "The Old Farmer's Almanac," established by Robert B. Thomas in 1792, and still issued annually. ly ... old-styl- "j'ume items. ConnWfer' 'n 1687, John Tully of Saybrook, a mildly humorous almanac which 'y successful because the seriou; ni'nded Hore rmT EnS,anders doubted its usefulness. to them was the Ames Alma-B- e nac , actory d ,n 1728 Dr- - Nathaniel Ames. 'had Ufic tta"n '"Quiring mind, an Interest ln scien- and 80tne 8klH ,n wr,tln8 poetry alloftt-h-Were reflected in the almanac which wag on he, and his son after him, Issued for nearly 50 years. But real almanac history in America begins with Benjamin Franklin. During his visit to he had noticed the large sale London (1724-25- ) of these little books, had enjoyed equally the wit of "Poor Robin's Almanack" and the wise maxims of "The English Apollo," a serious and literary almanac issued by a certain Richard Saunders. So when he returned to America and founded his own printing shop In Philadelphia, he had his partner, Thomas Godfrey, write an almanac which he published for three years, from 1729 to 1731. He also printed an almanac for J. Jermann and imported copies of "Poor Robin" from England to sell in his print shop, which was also a book store. "To economize on the expense of a writer-thi- rty pounds sterling was the price in general-- he decided to write one himself, thus adding the material and moral profits of an author to the In deciding upon gains of a printer," says Fay. a name for his book he "borrowed" from two . him most English almanacs which had Impressed "Poor Robin" and "Richard Saunders" and the result was a little volume which bore this pretentious title: "Poor Richard, 1793. An almanack for the first after Leap-yeayear of Christ 1733, being the wherein is contained the Lunations, Eclipses, Judgment of the Weather, Spring Sun Tides, Planets Motions and Mutual Aspects, of and Days, Length Setting, Moon's Rising and observTimes of High Water, Fairs, Courts and of forty deLatitude the to Fitted able Days. five hours West from grees and a meridian of sensible Error serve without may but London, even from Newfoundland all the adjacent places, to South Carolina. By Richard Saunders, Philom, sold by Benjamin Philadelphia. Printed and near the Franklin at the New Printing Office Market." The almanac had a promising start, for, says his verve free rein. Rude, Fay "Franklin gave in humor, his almanac rich picturesque and of the described the life and preoccupations and bold stroke colors raw in colonies American of this country It was an adequate expression economized and hard worked where the people of happenings the great where by penny, Se year were the snow in December the freezing harvests of September, weather In January, the on the mmister an occasional daring Joke turned." was back when his the success oi his venhp further guaranteed "stunt" In starting Franklin ture by a typical Into competition was entering be almanac almanac-publisher, Sh i r, SSTwho LeedT rfte had succeeded his father, Dan-- n predic-2Remembering Dean Swift's S death of unlucky John Partridge the forthcoming almanac announcing Frank! In in Gazette, included In its 7 of the Death of his Friend "the stars had made TitaJ which Leeds," vr ?n and Mr. Leeds doubt, a him beyond known krVoUeSchTrd" who w?sl9noWtar8ich and had ttmafe a had taken up the pen to issue lnts S'ction lS. D0?cZl Leeds was funous at uUs is known to lean upon Mr. Tolley but Tolley and Professor Tugwell then President do not always see eye to eye. So Woodrow Wilson there is a personnel problem that pursued an announced policy of may or may not become acute. But as regards the congressional "watchful waiting." Mr. Wilson Justified that policy on the high plane situation Mr. Tolley carries much of a love for peace and the country more water on his shoulders than does Professor Tugwell Readers supported him in that decision. We are seeing a simulation of will recall efforts made In the last that course at present although the session of congress to "strengthen" country is at peace and not at war. the agricultural adjustment act. The policy of watchful waiting, Professor Tugwell supported those adopted by President Roosevelt, has amendments and, having his head reference not to international rela- out of water, he became the target tions but to domestic affairs. To be Actually, the best information avail-bl- e is that while the voice was that, specific, it relates solely to the political situation in the new congress. of Tugwell, the band was the band The President is confronted, as ev- of Tolley. The common gossip now Is that ery one knows, with a huge bloc of extremely radical members in the Mr. Tolley is presenting, rather house and senate and be has his preparing, proposals for "strengthening' the act and that he has not hands full ln compelling the contaken Mr. Tugwell into his plans. gress to rubber stamp administraThis being true, the suggestion Is tion legislation. Recent developments. White House frequently heard that Mr. Tolley pronouncements and other straws may commit the administration In tending to show which way the certain directions toward regimenwind blows indicate definitely that tation of the farmers to an extent Mr. Roosevelt is going to avoid open which Mr. Roosevelt does not declashes as far as possible. He is not sire to go. Mr. Tolley Is said to favor inclugoing to test the mettle of the radical group too far without being sion of the fruit an berry and speciality crops under federal control." sure of his ground. This ia believed to come from his see to we may expect Therefore, considerable delay ln enactment of California background, but regardnew banking legislation and in deal- less of its root it must be admitted ing with highly controversial ques- its sponsor is making headway tions centering In section 7 (a) of with the plans. None can tell, however, until the the national recovery act Likewise, there will be hesitancy on the part details of the Tolley program are of the administration to push for- out In the open exactly what conward a program of revision for the gressional reaction will be. Suffice Agricultural Adjustment administra- it to say at this time that there are Democrats, Important tion and the policy of waiting may numerous be expected to be disclosed in some Democrats at that, who do not go other phases of legislation such as along with Tolley or with Tugwell, the unemployment Insurance scheme, and the prediction is frequently I do not mean to convey the im- made that Tolley's name may reconpression that there will be an en- ceive treatment as rough In name as did the debate some gressional of of bills them tire absence already are in the congressional of Professor Tugwell last winter, hopper dealing with these various With respect to banking legislaquestions. But definitely, It can be said at this time that the White tion radicals and conservatives likewise are at House is watching congressional deBanking each other's to how determine Just velopments this far to the radical side It must go in Legislation throats,hasonly become fight order to avoid a wide open split beand the bitter already. Governor Eccles of tween the New Deal contingent Just where the Federal Reserve board has been the conservatives will figure in this made the target of a vicious attack by Senator Glass of Virginia, recpicture Is too early to determine. ognized everywhere as the outfinancial authority among To better indicate problems con- standing Democrats at the CapitoL Senator fronting the President with respect Glass charged Governor Ecopenly to his relationship cles with exceeding his authority of with congress, it In a recent Toughest ruling requiring state ,s necessary only Question members of the to call attention banks that are notboard to reduce Reserve Federal to that most controversial of all on time and rate Interest their paid questions section 7 (a) of the redeposits. These books were covery act. This provision has had saving reached through the Federal Deposnumerous Interpretations placed upit Insurance corporation of which on it and its effect generally has they are members and with whose been to assist the international unregulations they must comply. ions ln strengthening their organThe Virginia senator holds that the isations throughout American inFederal Reserve board under the 7 in Section (a) specifies, dustry. guidance of Governor Eccles was effect, that the union In any facfor this action and he tory having the most votes speaks responsible careful In tearing off the was not for all of the employees in their bark in a letter stating his views. dealings with the plant manage- Senator Glass has forced a temment This provision Is what the order. in the halt porary American Federation of Labor derow may While the Eccles-Glas-s scribes as collective bargaining. be regarded as purely a controverThe consensus among unbiased sy between two Individuals in poobservers here seems to be that the sitions of high authority, It is mncb Federation of Labor overplayed lis more than that It presages trouband last winter in enforcing such ble on any banking legislation that a interpretation of sec- goes farther afield than has oction 7 (a) as to give the larger an- curred heretofore. ion the voice of all employees. At It Is not difficult to see why Senthat time NRA, with Donald R. ator Glass fears such policy as the Richberg guiding the policy, comInterest rate reduction, ne thinks mitted itself definitely in favor of that the Federal Deposit Insurance such a construction. Current decorporation already has been figurvelopments are generally accepted swallowed by the treasury as showing that either the NRA ad- atively and he believes that the adminisministration or union labor failed tration also desires the treasury to to look far enough into the future swallow the Federal Reserve board. to foresee the reaction that Is now The next logical step if the latter taking place. is accomplished, is for the treasAs a matter of fact, tremendous ury to seek establishment of a cenpressure Is being exerted on Indi- tral bank where the currency would vidual members of the house and be under control of politicians Insenate for a revision of this section, stead of responsive to business and something will come of it be- needs as it Is now with the twelve fore congress adjourns. Of course, regional Federal Reserve banks In when union labor acts ln concert operation. it usually turns the gizzards of politicians very white from, fear, but ln Too much attention should not the present instance, the politicians be paid, in the opinion of astute observers here, to are torn between the devil and the Radical the mass of radi-Bildeep blue sea. cal hills now flowIndustrialists, after all, are the ing through the who camcontribute to usually boys paign funds. The politicians do not routine channels of Introduction and reference to committees. Some dare Ignore that segment of politiof them, It Is true, will become the cal strength either. basis of legislation later on but house member or senator every At the same time, the President idea drafts It Into the an with a some has consequence form of a bill and presents It In orproblem of on his hands in that at some time or other his Another the AAA. Chester der name may be attached to the legProblem Davis, the admin- islation. But it must be rememistrator, is gener- bered that with the radical strength ally regarded among Washington in both houses of congress observers as a man with both feet existing some of these bills may get further on the ground. Such Is not their the legislative mill than view, however, with respect to some through would reach. This ordinarily they of the other individuals in the defact apparently Justifies Mr. Roosepartment velt's waiting policy. But at the Take H. R. Tolley, for example. same time, I hear, It is subjecting Mr. Tolley has the title of director the administration to a fresh outof planning for the Agricultural burst of criticism among that segAdjustment administration. His re- ment of the population which lationship with Mr. Davis Is almost would like to know what the ad Identical with that between Under-secre''- y ministration policy is. Rexford Guy Tugwell and & Western Newspaper Union-- Watchful Waiting FtfcTcsrofQui(t esome prophecy and, much to Franklin's delight, played into his rival's hands by answering him. It was the best sort of advertising for the new venture and Franklin took care to keep the controversy alive. It lasted for eight years and ended only when Leeds did finally die. But by that time "Poor Richard's Almanac" was well started on the road to the amazing success which it for the next quarter of a century. booklet and sold at three Begun as a e shillings, per dozen (seven cents a copy), after 1747 it was Increased to 30 pages, decorated with pretty wood-cutgiven a "more and more elegant tone" and called "Poor Richard's Improved." Since the price was not Increased even with these improvements, Franklin's little book defied all competition and it is not to be wondered at that it sold as many as 10,000 copies annually. Of course, it had plenty of Imitators a veritable host of "Poor Joseph's," "Poor Will's, "Poor Tom's," "Poor Job's," ''Poor Roger's" and "Poor Thomas's." One almanac publisher of Philadelphia called his book "Abraham Weather-wise- " and a New York printer brought out a book called "Copernicus Weatherguesser." Ona of these early almanacs deserves lasting fame if for no other reason than that It was thi first publication to give currency to Washington's title of "The Father of His Country." In 1779 an almanac, published in German and issued by Francis Bailey in Lancaster, Pa., appeared with a frontispiece printed from a crude wood-eat- , in which were depicted several symbolic flgurea d In the upper corner of the drawing was shown Fame as an angel, bearing ln one hand a medallion of Washington with a laurel wreath upon his head and in the other a trumpet from which comes the words "Des Landes Vater" (The Father of His Country). Although almanacs increased ln number during the early days of the republic, many of them passed out of existence after a brief career because better educational facilities and a more widespread scientific knowledge made the common people less dependent upon the almanac as a source of information. But there is one survivor of the colonial tradition which has had an unbroken existence of more than 140 years and which is today the nearest approach we have to "Poor Richard's Almanac." That is "the Old Farmer's Almanac," established in 1792 by Robert Bailey Thomas, who was said to have resembled Franklin in "the profession and practice of a certain homely philosophy of life. . . . Franklin, to be sure, was a genius and Thomas was simply a man of talent who knew how to make the most of the talents he had." "The Farmer's Almanac" was the first to exclude from its pages "the man of signs," or "the moon's man," the figure of anatomy that hitherto adorned all almanacs. Each sign of the zodiac "governed" an organ or part of the body, and in selecting a day to treat any ailment, or to let blood, it was necessary to know whether or not the moon was in that sign. As time went on, the theory of the close relation between man's body and the signs of the zodiac fell into disrepute, and the anatomy became a laughingstock. Still the people demanded their monstrosity and almanac-makers (until the Farmer's appeared) continued to include the "moon's man," but often with apology. Published in Boston, "The Old Farmer's Almanac" is still a "family Bible" in many a New England home (It has a clculatlon of more than 250,000) where the coming of the little yellow-backe- d book at the beginning of each year is an event to be looked forward to. The cover design has remained but little changed through the years. It bears the portrait of Its founder, Robert Thomas, displayed in an arabesque opposite that of Benjamin Franklin, similarly exhibited, and the familiar pictures of plowing, haying, harvesting and watering the stock at a frozen watering trough, are shown in th rners to represent the four seasons, Just as they have for generations. en-Joy- 24-pa- left-han- time-honore- 6 by Westers Newspaper Union. into the Secretary Wallace of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Davis ultra-radica- trance World war, the ls ..,. ls |