davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
WHITE HOUSE EXPENSE
 ESTIMATED FOR THE YEAR

the appropriation should be s60.o00, to cover all contingencies.
 Under the heading maintenance of White House grounds within the iron fence the former appropriation was 5000. This was at time when the services of the entire force of gardeners and labor CTS used in the White House conserva- tories were available. As the conservato- ries have been abolished, and the force referred to is no longer available for this purpose, it is necessary to increase this estimate to $4OOO.
 "The number of lights in the house has been increased two and a half times. now numbering over 22O0; the new elec- tric motor takes two and half times the current formerly used, and there is an electric dish-warmer in the pantry which consumes considerable current. Under the new plumbing system it is necessary to run an electric pump nearly all day.
 Tn addition to all of the above. which is in the White House i.self there is the lighting of the new executive office building, of which I have not now the exact figures, but which very aterially increase the amount of the current used. The former appropriation for this serv- ice was $12,50O, instead of which SEQ, 900 will now be required.
 The item for fuel, which has hereto fore been $SO0O, will now require $s0OO, be- cause of the increased number of fires and the increased quantity of fuel re- quired to heat the new executive office, which Is a separate building"
 The sum of $3OO0 is asged for the prop agating gardens.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
New German Tariff.

As a general statement it may be said that the new German tariff, which will probably go into effect next year, doubles duties on meats and bread stuffs, but as to some articles 1t is really Dingleylike. It is prohibitive in other words. The duty on horses, for example, is increased from $4.76 to rates running from $21.42 to $S5.6S. Sausages that now pay a duty of $4.76 will be taxed $16.66. Apples that are now on the free list will pay $2.38 a barrel. Wood alcohol that is now free will pay duty of $4.76 a barrel.
 But the new tariff does not stop at meats and breadstuffs. The duty on shoes is to be doubled, and so is the duty on sewing machines, while duty of S35.70 is to be levied on each bicy- cle, which are now admitted free. Electrical machinery, machine tools, 0t1lo Ol all OOi anu dll aPhiS and telephonic instruments will be sub ject to duties when the new tariff goes into operation. Every one of these duties are intended for American arti- cles, as is the prohibitiye duty on wheat flour, which is to be $4.06 per barrel of 196 pounds. Wheat will be exported to Germany, but American flour cannot be.
 A new reichstag is to be elected in June. Before that body will come. for ratification all reciprocity treaties based on the new tariff. Much depends upon these coming elections in Ger many. Another agrarian reichstag would thoroughly establish Dingleyism ia Germany, and we would get dose of our own medicine. Altogether the Dingleyites will not have much to the new German policy will undoubt- edly be stoutly maintained and it may lead to a combination of all other na- tions against our own blessed tariff. As no nation will be able to exceed Us in erecting Chinese walls, there will be no room left for complaints on our part. We have made our Dingley bed and must lie on it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
PRATT CITY.
Epworth League Is Reorgani.ed With
 Large Membership.

Pratt City, February 4-(Special.) )-The Epworth League reorganized on Monday evening with the following officers President, R. F. Lovelady; first vice president, MT. Springfield; second vice president, Miss Clara 1 akin; third vice president, Miss Mabel Benson; secretary and treasurer, Miss Lucille Morris.
 Palmetto Camp No. 52 Woodmen of the World, has made final settlement with Mrs. J. T. Wakefield. relict of the late Judge J. T. Wakefield, for the amount of insurance which he carried in that order.
 Class No. of the Southern Methodist sunday school donated a set of chairs to the parsonage on yesterday.
 Mrs. Goode of Birmingham is the guest of Mrs. R. H. Hamrick
 Miss Hattye Edwards will entertain a lew friends at finch on Friday evening"
 MT. J. E. Strickland's Sunday school will entertain on Friday evening at the residence of MT. Strickland.
 Dr. White, who for some months has been partner of Dr. T. T. Thaxton. has removed his family from Jasper to this city. They will reside on Maple street.
 Mrs. A. A. Lyon of Woodlawn MT. c. W. Hughes of Tuscaloosa, Mrs. ]. N Cain and Mrs. J. w. Greer of Rirmine ham were the guests of Mrs. Job Going today
 Miss Etta Powers of East Birmingham is visiting in the city.
 Mrs G. w. Brown will leave in few days to visit her daughter Mrs. T F West of sunnyside. Miss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
Back in Birmingham.

NO one can appreciate the strides that Birmingham is making so well as the man who once lived here and comes back and sees it after an absence of ten years" remarked C. w. MacPherson, the we'll known commercial traveller. This was my home up to 1893. but I left in that year and since then my headquarters have been in Houston, Tex. I am now in Birmingham for month or more and l hope to be able to settle here perma- nenty again
 Houston is a solid and attractive city It has population of nearly a hundred thousand and few cities in the south have a larger agricultural trade. It will grow more rapidly than ever after 1t is con- nected by a canal, now in course of con struction, with deep water But no city comes up to Birmingham in my estima- tion. The progress of this city has been indeed wonderful within the past ten years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 STIMATEs of the cost of main On) taining the remodeled White
 - House, prepared by Col. Theodore A. Bingham have been forwarded to con- gress by Secretary Root. In an explana- tory statement Colonel Bingham says that, in view of the fact that work on the White House has not yet been com pleted, 1t is impossible to give accurate estimates, but that 1t is apparent that a larger sum than originally asked Is neces- sary. The amount he estimates for main tenance during the year is $110,264
 The rough" estimate made by Colonel Bingham is itemized in the following statement:
 "One assistant electrician at s6O q month, one plumber at 5000 a year, one head fireman at s65 month, two assist ant fremen at $50 a month two extra house servants at $50 a month each, two extra laborers in laundry at s25 month each, hauling and handling flowers and plants, 5000; for extra labor sundries of all kinds for the large functions in win ter and for increased entertainments in the White House throughout the year, s5OOO; for the purchase of extra flowers beyond what can be supplied from the propagating gardens. $l50O.
 Tt is impossible to make this estimate complete, but. as will be seen, the above amounts to about $15,OO0, which, added to the sS5,000 found necessary during the past year, makes a total of $50,0O0, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
UNITED STATES PREPARED.
American Army on Better War Foot.
 ing Now Than Ever Before.


 Washington, February fit was brought out in the house recently that this coun- try is prepared for an unwished-for emer- gency such as the Venezuelan situation may lead to as 1t has never been prepared before.
 Should the tripartite alliance insist on throwing down the gauntlet to the United States and tramplng on the Monroe doc Urine there would be immediately avail able for military duty although morgan ized. 1O,s5s396 men.
 This number is greated than the com bined organized forces of Europe
 Military experts say that the American recruits could be drilled into a high state of efficiency in much quicker time than during the Spanish war. and that the allies armies would be no match for them and the regulars and state militia. The facts regarding the nations war mitted to the house by Adjutant General Corbin, as requested.
 The general reports that besides the 10, S53, 396 unorganized men available, there are 11S,259 state militiamen in the country and the following numbers In the various branches of the regular army service Engineers 1045, cavalry 1851, artillery (heavy) 2S2S, light batteries 47O7. machine gun batteries g, infantry 1O1 ,5s7 signal corps s34, hospital corps 1206.
 No activity like that of the present has been seen at the navy yard and arsenal since the Spanish war. Already nigh, forces have been put to work preparine vessels and guns and ordnance for imme- diate service
 Photographic inquiries have been sent in all directions to learn exactly what the efficiency of the forces is.
 The administration wants it understoo, that these preparations are not intended as war measure. They are taken rather With view to preserving the peace
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
IN HOTEL LoBBIES.
Hillman Hospital.

The women canvassers for the Hillman hospital fund of s25,O0O, which the man agement has set out to raise by the time the new building is completed, are max ing very good progress. Monday ana Tuesday were indictment days, but III spite of the weather the good women succeeded in raising over S14oO, including $500 contributed by .ne Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company and on yesterday the fund was largely h- creased.
 The Hiilman hospital is to be one or the most elegant and modern institutions of it's kind in the south. and will not only be monument to the philantrephy of our citizens and the zeal of the nos pital association but 1t will be notapie ornament to Birmingham.
 The finishing work IS now being done on the structure and some time this spring the building will be ready for oc- cupancy. The hospital has cost about s5ooOO, but large amount is needed for furnishing and starting off the institu- tion.
 Hundreds of people have contributed liberally to the Hillman in the past and hundreds will contribute again to the S2o'- 900 fund. Every professional man, every merchant and every clerk should give something, and the canvassers appeal to the corporations for large donations. Nc appeal should be unheeded.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
Last Days of Congress.

Only twenty-four working days re- main of the session, and none of the important bills have been acted on. The much-talked-of antitrust bills have not been acted on in either house, and reciprocity with Cuba is hung up in the senate. There is the isthmian ca nal business, the military bills, and the statehood bill, besides the regular ap- propriation bills. All these measures are to be acted on, if at all, in twenty four working days. President Roose- velt Is said to be very anxious as to action upon the trust problem. He desires the passage of law providing for publicity, also one forbiddings the , payment of rebates by railroads, anu an appropriation that will enable At torney General Knox to employ special. attorneys in the prosecution of the trusts.
 Beyond a doubt an extra session is becoming probable, even imminent. The statehood bill blocks the way i'll the senate, only appropriation bills be- ing considered superior to it, and Sen ator Quay shows no signs of retreat. He leads clear majority of the sen ate in every test vote, and he does not propose to surrender to the faction led by Senator Beveridge.
 The Washington Star is conside-~- almost the mouthpiece of the admin istration, and it openly advocates an extra session. It goes on to say that ?n t,xtfa session of the Fifty-eighth congress would cause no uneasiness in the business world, anu there is really no reason why congress should not be called together in extra session. It seems to anticipate an extra session as an( ending of the Quay hold-up in the Senate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

dict that he and Mrs. Hilton had done no real wrong. MT. Bowens newspaper, though shorn of its pristine glory and power is still running, and the profits from it's publication yielded a fortune. Woodruff and Clafiin, the women who kicked the props from under, went to En- gland and there married rank of very re- spectable degree and wealth far beyond their earlier dreams of avarice.
 But to get back to the newly returned United States minister to Venezuela.
 He was brought up among those who were constantly in the public eye, and of course he had every advantage that could be gained through constant asso- ciation with men of affairs as well as the training of the schools. After shis grad uation, and at his own instance. he was put into the way of diplomatic career He was first heard of by the world in Barcelona, Spain, in 1898, at the begin ming of the Spanish war, when he dis tinguished himself by his personal brav- cry in protecting the lives and property of American citizens there. After his recall from Barcelona, on account of the war, he was made minister to Persia and after that was sent to Venezuela In Persia he was succeeded by Lloyd C. Griscom, son of Clement A. Griscom of Philadelphia, founder of the American line of steamers whose St. Louis was an unusually long time making her most recent westward voyage.
 Young Griscom Che Is under. 40 years, though already full-fedged diplomatisp belongs to the same class as MT. Bowen, who Is somewhat older. Both are emi- nent sons of successful men, and both are younger sons, who, by reason of not being first born, were estopped from sue eeeding their fathers in the conduct of the family business. Thus an older brother inherited the Independent as the most precious Bowen asset and assumed it's publication, and liEe wise it is Clem- ent A. Griscom, the eldest son of Clem- ent A., who represents his father in the active manc-ement of the American line. will be the family representative in the great merged steamship organization got together by MT. Morgan and of which the American line is an important part,
 The younger son has a much better chance in America than in Europe. Both Bowen, the present publisher, and Gris- com, the present steamship man, are bound to be men of importance for years to come, but their younger brothers are sure to outshine them in the public es- timation, at least, if their present bril- liant prospects are fulfilled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
The Train Dispatcher.

'"rhe way trains are managed Is q won derful thing to sec" said man who had just visited the dispatcher's office.
 'fThe dispatchers sit there with their charts before them and watch the exact movements of every train, freight and passenger, and handle them just as if they were playing game of checkers No train can move from one point to an- other without an order from the dis patcher. He must know perfectly every switch, every side track and every spur of his whole line. The slightest error might allow two trains to meet between stations and cause a disastrous wreck
 .'When he is at his desk the whole line is under his direction. His authority Is supreme. It is greater for the time being than that of the general manager. A pri- vate train of the president of the road cannot move from one point to another without orders from the dispatcher at each station. He can hold a train in one place for hours If he thinks 1t necessary.
 ''The work Is, of course nervous strain on man and requires strong constitution to stand 1t. In the dis patcher's office of the Louisville and Nashville the men work eight-nour shifts. and in this office there are twenty-two people employed. So systematically is the work arranged that any man can take the place of another at any time and carry on his wcrk'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
MILITIA STRENGTH.
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama
 470,00o Men.

Washington. February 3.--The strength of the organized militia of Louisiana, Mis- sissppi and Alabama, as reported by the secretary of war to the congress today is given as follows:
 Louisana-Commisslo officers, gen. eral l. general staff, [; regimental field and staff, 32; companies 1O4 Total, IA. Enlisted men, non-commissioned officers, 40, musicians, 69; privates, 1540 Total, 2OI9. Aggregate, 222S; men available for service, 135, GOO.
 Mississippi officers. gen. erals, ?; general stan. 26: regimental field and staff, 37; companies, 96. Total, 161 Non-commissioned officers musicians, 42; privates, 12So. Total, 1922 Aggregate. 14S3; number men available, 265, 900.
 Alabama-General 1; general staff, 2s: regimental field and stan, 5o companies, 153; non-commissioned officers 6O6; pri- yates, 2O6O Total 2666. Aggregate, 2ss3: available for service, 7O000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
THE SINGER OF ONE SONG.

by ProfesSor Beers. He sang one sopg and died--no more
 than that; A single song and carelessly complete. He would not bind and thresh his chance
 grown wheat, Nor bring his wild fruit to the common
 vat, To store the acid rinsings thin and fiat. Squeezed from the press or trodden un-
 der feet. A few slow beads blood-red and honey
 sweet. oozed from the grape. which burst and
 spilled its fat. But Time, who soonest drops the heavi-
 est things That weight his pack will carry dia-
 monds long. So through the poets orchestra, which
 weaves One music from thousand stops and
 strings, Pierces the note of that immortal song: High over all the lonely bugle erieves-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

week. MT. flight Is a newspaper man of ability and holds a position on the edi- torial stan of leading paper in San Jose, Mo. He is an Alabamian and while visiting friends here became i'll.
 R. G. Ragan, postmaster at Oxford, spent yesterday in Birmingham.
 Judge J. P. Stiles returned yesterday from Montgomery, where he attended a meeting of probate judges and the Ala bama good roads convention.
 Capt. Ed Smith has returned from Washington, where he had been for sev- eral days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
About Persons.

J.R. Ryan of Patton is at the Hill man.
 w. L. Durban of Chicago is stopping at the Morris.
 R. E. Davis of Belle Ellen is at the Metropolitan.
 c. E. Stewart of Attalla is registered at the Hillman.
 H. Weddle, Dr. J. D. Richards, Charles B. Clover, J. R. Goldsmith and c. Stem son of New York are registered at the Morris.
 H. J. Bowen of St. Joseph, Mo-, is at the Metropolitan.
 w. A Wolff of Montgomery is stopping at the Morris.
 The dinner at the Hillman hotel Tues day night rendered to George P. Cronk, grand exalted ruler of the Elks. was given by number of the Elks of the Birmingham lodge.
 
 Milton B. Ochs. inspector of agents of the Equitable LifeiInsurance company, IS at the Hillman.
 Frank Flight, who has been at St. Vim cents hospital for the past three weeks. is steadily improving in health. He ex- poets to be able t, return to Missouri this
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
MISS ALICE ROOSEVELT.

From the Selma Times.
 Miss Roosevelt will attend the Mardi Gras at New Orleans and society down there is talking about how to receive her She is a lady and should be received as such. She should not be sighted or treat ed rudely on account of MT. Roosevelts s attitude toward the negro. This young girl has nothing to do with the political crankiness of her father, and it would be a shame on New Orleans if any act of rudeness toward her is countenanced
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From tfs New York Press.
 A prett.' face for sweetheart. pure one for a wife.
 Bags of gold make steady ballast for theoretic philanthropy.
 The longer a man reflects over getting married the surer he is to go and do something perfectly idiotic when he final ly does it.
 When man is poor he has a large sense of his responsibility to his fellow men; when not. of the responsibility of his fellowmen to him.
 There is such a curious twist to wo- mans mind that she can make herself believe one of her fibs Is the truth when she can't make anybody else believe 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
A National Theatre.

From time to time agitation is start ed in favor of q national theatre, but do not believe that congress will ever carry out any project of that kind" said a lover of the drama
 "A play house on the plan of the Thea tre Francaise in Paris or one even of a wider scope, should be fostered by our government, but too many congressman have constituents that would enter violent protest against a theatrical en- terprise. Heinrich Conreid, who is q well-known student of the drama, and a conscientious manager, says that a na- tional theatre would do more good than a thousand sermons. That assertion is extreme, but there could be no question on the part of fair minded people about the educational and elevating effect of a clean stage. Q
 Tt must be obvious to every observing person that a great deal of money is spent on objects far less deserving than would be a national theatre, even if it failed to realize the ideals of the scholarly dream CTS. We have libraries and universities galore. and MT. Carnegie threatens to spend the bulk of his great fortune on more libraries, while it is presumable that MT. Rockefeller will lavish yet more mill lions on an already rich university. "A national theatre could do no harm. It would do an enormous amount of good. It certainly would if it set a standard of pronunciation of our poly glot language, as suggested by Mir Con reid At any rate, it presents an oppor- tunity for dramatic angel built on the largest scale that the most imaginative thespian has ever dreamed of."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
Let the Boers trek to Alabama.
LESS THAN wHoLEsALE RATES.

We are informed that some school From the Gadsden Evening Journal.
 books that are used in Alabama can be bought in Tennessee at retail for a less figure than dealers In Alabama can buy them at wholesale, still there are many who will contend that trusts make prices lower. The book trust needs the attention of our legislature. And some vigorous legislation should be enacted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05
Tennessee River Rising.

Decatur. February 4-(Special)-A heavy wind and rain storm visited this section last night. A number of shade trees and signs were blown down. but no serious damage was done. All the creeks are badly swollen as a result of the heavy rains and the Tennessee river is rising rapidly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

Apostle Shoot is glib public speaker, and when he encounters the good women of the country he will need his entire outfit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

Lieutenant Colonel Du Paty de Clam reappears in the Humbert case. It is difficult to keep a good man down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

When a gambler in stocks or wheat makes million there are no victims of course who lost that much money.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

The blessed tariffites cannot under stand why consumers should grumble at high prices when those prices en- rich the producers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

The ancient buildings in New York iclude the Astor house and the Fifth Avenue hotel. It is town weak in ancient structures.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

There are some who would make the Presidential salary so large that even Standard Oil prince would seek it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

When General Miles sleeps at Wind sor alongside King Edward, he will consider his life well rounded out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

The wireless may get accustomed to the Italian tongue and refuse to recognize any other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

Baron Speck is popular partly on account of his name and partly on account of his American wife.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

No true patriot will refuse the Presi- dential office because the salary is less than MT. Schwab's.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

It will not be necessary to double the Presidential salary in order to get good men to stand for it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

The President is not the head of a trust and his salary does not belong in the Schwab class.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

Uncle Sam is simply taking the pre- caution of being ready if trouble does come over the Monroe doctrine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-05

The Pittsburg Dispatch says Captain Hobson has Merrimacked himself.