davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
Plant for Full Cr0ns.

Two things are not probable, name.
ly, that the Russo-Japanese war will
last longer than six months, and that
the Chinese ports will be closed to
cotton goods. Not even the ports of
Manchuria will be closed to us If the
movement started by Secretary Hay
in favor of the open door In China is
carried to full fruition, as it doubtless
will be.
The decreases in cotton prices had
no relation to the closing of Man
churian ports, or other ports in Korea
and China An over-strong specula-
tive movement collapsed. The COM
ing on of war may have facilitated the
collapse, but it did not originate 1t, or
even add materially to 1t. The rise in
prices had been too rapid. There had
been so much manipulation that de-
mand and supply could not get in a
word edgewise. A collapse was i'll
evitable, but cotton will not stay at
present prices. The crop is below the
needs of the world, and prices will
again be advanced. Let us hope the
rise which is coming will be slow and
gradual, dictated at every step by sup
ply and demand.
Our farmers should first pitch food
crops, and then they should plant
every possible acre with cotton. The
consumption of the world is steadily
rising, and the south has met this
rising demand with four short crops.
A twelve-million-b crop is needed,
and the farmers of the south should
plant for such crop, after first plant
ing all the corn and sweet potatoes
and oats and other food crops they
will need until succeeding crops can
be harvested.
Neither the war nor the recent fall
in prices should discourage them in the
least The war will not last long, and
it will be ended with all markets in
the Far East open to us. Every day
will confirm these propositions. There
is therefore no occasion for shortening
plans, but the Importance of planting
sufficiency Of food crops should not
be overlooked.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
Dramatic Attractions.

There is feast of goods things at the
Jefferson this week and next said a
patron yesterday. Tonight we have the
Four Cohans with one of the strongest
musical comedy companies on the road
this season. Tomorrow night the inimt-
able comedian Nat C. Goodwin will be
with us and will play in his early sue
cess The Gilded Fool Mr.. Goodwin has
played many parts capably during his
career but he has perhaps never sur
passed himself in The Gilded FOOL l
almost forgot to mention Miss Sadie
Martinez who appeared at the jefferson
Wednesday night and Rose Melville, as
Sis Hopkins who played Monday and
Tuesday. All this is a very good showing
for one week
Next week the great Mansfield will
present old Heidelberg a play well
adapted to his talents. As a hayward
prince in the old German university
town he is equally as captivating as when
he played the part of Monsieur Beau
caire The old favorite 'Florodora' will
come again next week with graceful lisa
dore Rush in the leading role. John Drew
viii also be here next week in a new play.
Taking everything into consideration.
there is decided boom in dramatic af-
fairs just at present. This is the first time
during the season that so many good at
fractions have come all together in the
space Of two weeks. This seems to be
the final rally for the season and indica-
lions point to large crowds at every per-
formance"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
Redistrictinq the Counties.

The new law requiring the division
of counties into sensible and convent
ent school districts having reference to
population instead of beat lines, is
going into operation under the watch
full and intelligent supervision of SUI
perintendent of Education Hill. But
competent and energetic as Mr.. Hill
is he cannot put the law into full op-
Grafton without the cooperation of the
county authorities. The Age-Herald
urges the county officials to give the
excellent law the fullest possible sup
port. 1t is beneficent and far-reaching.
1t means much to this state in the
next generation, and even in the pres
emit one. Let no county official prove
an obstruction to it. Fees under it are
not exorbitant, but the county official
who is not willing to serve the people
now and then at two dollars a day
should resign and let some one who
will thus serve the people for brief
time take his place.
The Importance of cutting every
county into good and convenient dis
tricts cannot be over-estimated. Be-
sides no public school moneys can be
distributed next year except to school
districts formed under the new law.
The county superintendent will not
be in the next fiscal year disbursing
officers. School funds go directly to
the districts from the state superin-
tendent.
1t is important to redistrict the state
snugly and properly, for that will lay
foundation for local option when the
legislature takes up in 1907 the sub
ject of needful constitutional amend
ments. Many are needed, and more
will be. With districts adapted to the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs
A Suggestion.


In order to make a reading room at
traetive it must have in 1t that which its
patrons want" remarked member of the
Y. M. C. A.
THE men of this city have little time
to spare and when they drop into the
Y. M. C. A. rooms it is usually for a
glance at the latest daily. Each wants
the news and quickly. Hence one paper
is not sufficient, especially If it be al.
gish patron until read through and
through.
Recently one old gentleman held the
morning paper for over an hour by the
clock while eight young men came In at
intervals evidently for the express pur~
pose of consulting that paper. One after
another would enter locate the sheet
watch it furtively for a brief time and
then stride out in disgust. They will
think twice before they take the time
to go there again for the news.
Either the management should look
after this selfishness or provide against
it. This is done in many large reading
rooms by building desks around the wall
upon which the daily papers are fastened.
The reader must stand while consulting
the sheet and from ten to fifteen min
utes is usually sufficient Each thus OBJ
tains the main news or any special In
formation desired. and none is deprived
of his turn unless in a great hurry.
The Birmingham Y. NJ. c. A. should
either follow this plan or provide sew
eral copies of the leading papers If 1t
would make itself a mecca for the en-
ergetic young men of this city"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
THE oLp-FAsHIoNEp WINTER.

From the New York Sun
How dear to my heart is the old-fashion-
ed winter,
The kind that we thought had clean melt
ed away.
1t brings back to the days of the sleds
and the snowballs.
Before our DEFENDERS got mixed up with
May.
The street full of coasting. the park full
of skating.
The air full of jingling and musical noise
IT'S an old-fashioned winter, a health
giving winter,
A brisk, bracing winter. as when we were
boys.
The breezes are brisk in the unheated
When good. zero weather is freezing our
toes.
The children are sliding with glee on the
sidewalk,
And elderly citizens slide on their nose;
The waterpipes bursting. the coal bill as
cending,
The gas meter freezing to add to our
joys
IT'S an old-fashioned winter, a health
giving winter.
A brisk, bracing winter, as when we were
boys.
The beautiful snow rises black by the
roadside.
With new-fashioned fever germs filling
the breeze,
We merrily skate and are down with pne-
fnonia,
We go for sleigh ride and come back to
sneeze;
We slip and we slide as wesstart from the
doorstep.
We fracture our bones IL we once lose our
poise-
IT'S an old-fashioned winter a health
giving winter, $50
A brisk bracing winter, as when we were
boy2
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
integrity of China.

The United States is by no means a
disinterested looker-on in the Yellow
sea. We have heavy interests at stake,
and there IS a good deal of history be-
hind them. Not only have we treaty
rights in Mukden and Autung, two
ports in Manchuria which China has
solemnly agreed to keep open, but We
recall the fact that Commodore Perry
forty-seven years ago opened Japan to
the western nations, thus paving the
way for national career and advance
ment in the Orient unequalled in the
history of the entire world. Nor is
that all, for it was our Commodore
Shufeldt who twenty-five years ago
first opened Korea to the western ma
tons. He negotiated a commercial
treaty with Korea which was ratified
by China, and which was soon fol-
lowed by treaties in favor of other
nations.
Our pioneer work in Korea, and our
grip upon Mukden and Autung in Man
churia will be lost If Russia brushes
Japan This may be an improbable
contingency in the light of current
events, but Secretary of State Hay is
acting up to the full interests of the
country when he demands the integ-
rity of China, and Is taking steps To
secure it, No action will be asked as
to Korea, for that unfortunate PENN
sula is the natural battle-ground of the
two combatants, and its fate will turn
upon the outcome of the great struggle
for predominence in the Far East. But
Secretary Hay is asking all the powers
to cooperate in preserving the neu-
trality during war, and the integrity,
of China at all times, no matter what
the result of battles may be. This
movement will undoubtedly be success
full for none of the signatories of the
Boxer peace treaty Of 1900 can de-
Gently refuse assent, not even Russia
and Japan.
The proposition will keep the war
vessels of either combatant out Of
Chinese ports, and neither can coal in
those ports This will severely tax
the Siberian railroad as things stand,
but when nation goes to war 1000
miles away from its base 1t accepts all
difficulties relating to supplies.
Secretary Hays policy should be
warmly supported in this country. The
cotton states are deeply and directly
interested in 1t, for 1t presents the only
opportunity we have in case of Russian
success in war for the maintenance of
an open door in Manchuria, which con-
sumes coarse cotton goods, and for the
prevention of the disintegration Of
China. Give Mr.. Hay full credit for
the policy he has initiated, and urge
him to carry it to its full and logical
conclusion regardless of consequences.
We should demand our unquestionable
treaty rights, and if need be send ships
to secure them
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12

INcE the Baltimore fire architects
| 0J and insurance men are asking
themselves what constitutes a
nre-proof building. The Chicago confia-
grafton was not remarkable from the fact
that wooden structures fed the flames
and in fact all the great CONGREGATIONS
that have occurred in the past are easily
explained in the same way But until
recently it was boosted that fire could
not do widespread damage In our mod
ern business blocks composed of hre-proof
skyscrapers built to withstand all en-
croachments of the flames. Now the Bal
timore disaster has turned all these ideas
topsy turvy and people are beginning TO
| think that they are not so immune as
was at first supposed. While the mod
ern skyscraper is in the main absolutely
protected from incipient blazes, when
once fierce confagration gets started
it shares the fate of nearly all things
made by the hand of man. Huge build
ings of steel and stone have been known
to warp and shrivel in raging fire until
the Orders melted and the entire struc-
ture crumbled in heap Such instances
are not very consoling to the architects
who boast of their ability to erect fire.
proof buildings
! The most inhamable part of a modern
office building is the contents. Although
the materials out of which the structure
is built may be fire-proof 1t is impossible
to make the contents SO. for there are
tons of books, business papers, furniture,
curtains. and other infamable materials
that are easily consumed. Another dam
ger is the elevator shafts and stairwavs.
II the flames could be confined to one
floor they might be easily subdued but
the immense draught, caused principally
by elevator shafts and stairways, causes
the fire to be drawn up through these
openings until the top floor is reached.
Then again wind may blow the flames
billowing out from lower story Into
the windows of the story above and thus
spread the fire. Taking everything into
consideration, the modern skyscraper is
far from being absolutely fire-proof
There is now movement on foot smong
the Creek, Cherokee, Kiowa and Conan
che tribes Of Indians to. establish a repub
lie In Mexico. Although the undertaking
looks like the final rally of a doomed race,
there Is enough of the element of fascina-
ton in it to make the venture very inter-
esting. Mexico is a favorite land for NAL
contents. dreamers and others who have
an idea which they cannot develop under
| ordinary conditions and restrictions. These
tribes mentioned are considered well to
do as the world goes. and If they had
the sustained energy and perseverance
necessary they might succeed in estab-
fishing some sort of government although
at best 1t would be little more than WIS.,
ionary.
The Indian agents who have gone down
to investigate may be impressed with the
country they are planning to adopt, but
the chances are that they will be disap-
pointed. 1t is too late now for the relics
of the noble Red Man to rally The game
is too near the end. AS for the practical
obstacles to be overcome, it Is not prob
able that Uncle Sam would object very
strenuously to allowing his wards to re-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
Congressman Burnett.

Congressman John l.. Burnett of Gads-
den is at the Metropolitan. He has just
completed arrangements with j. A Lusk
who is opposing him for denomination in
the Seventh district, whereby the two will
meet in joint debate over the district dur
ing the month of March. They will speak
three times in every county in the dis
trict. Mr.. Burnett Is serving his third
term in congress and has made an ex-
celent record during his period of serv-
ice
When asked concerning the present
congress he said: Very little Is being
accomplished at this session. Politics
seem to have an upper hand on congress
on this, the eve of the national election. .
Mr.. Burnett is on three important COM
mittees in the house, the public lands
committee, the railways and canal COM
mittee, and the committee on alcoholic
liquors. Speaking of his bill relative to
the sale of government lands Mr.. Bur-
nett said: LAS a member of the public
lands committee | succeeded in getting
a favorable report on my bill providing
for the sale of 10000 acres of government
coal lands for the benefit of the public
schools of the state. The bill provides
that the lands shall either be sold or
leased, at the discretion of the governor
and the superintendent of education. The
lands are valued at and will bring, it is
thought. 100000"
Mr. Burnett speaks very enthusiastic
cally of the future of Alabama's common
schools and has done some hard fighting
for them. He feels confident of getting
his bill passed at this session. In refer
ing to the Panama canal he said: Il am
in favor of the ratification of the Panama
treaty and the building of the canal as
early as practicable.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12

From the New York Times.
IN interesting illustration of the
WI immediate and vigorous steps
= taken by the newspaper proprie-
tors of. Baltimore to resume business
when they found their plants completely
destroyed by the confiagration is found
in the experience of Charles H. Grasty,
the publisher of the Baltimore News and
a director of the Associated Press
With the Baltimore News building in
ruins, Mr.. Grasty promptly arranged with
the Washington Post to continue his pub
LEGATION temporarily. Then he jumped
on the midnight train for New York, ar
irving here early yesterday morning. In
the meantime he had the good fortune to
secure an option on large vacant build
ing in Baltimore Upon reaching here,
the first thing he did was to find a tel
ephone and call up Adolph S. Ochs at his
residence. Then a conversation was held
substantially as follows:
Hello. Is this Mr. ochs?"
Eyes. Who is it?"
"Grasty-the Baltimore News
Where are your"
I'm in New York.
lawfully sorry to hear of your loss"
Everything has been destroyed in Bal
timore How about that Philadelphia
Times plant?'
THAT plant is at your service"
whats the price?"
go and take it, and If you and I can't
agree upon price later. why wen leave
it to third party
Thanks. That's satisfactory. I'll take
it."
And thus a $4,000 newspaper establish
ment was secured for the use of The
Baltimore News in less time than 1t takes
to tell it. The plant is thoroughly modern
and complete in every detail, it being
that with which The Philadelphia Times,
popularity regarded as model typo
graphical art. has heretofore been pro-
duced. and including Hoe presses. an up
to-date sterotyping and engraving equip
ment, a first-class composing room out
fit, and a complete library, together with
office furniture and fixtures.
Within ten minutes afterward arrange
ments had been made for all the ma
chinery and accessories of The Philadel-
phia Times plant to be packed, and be-
fore now small army of men has been
employed for this purpose, and a special
train engaged to transfer the property
to Baltimore. Within a few days, prob
ably before the end of this week. Mr..
Grasty expects to have his new publish
ing house in full operation and to be able.
with the superior facilities at hand, to
materially assist any of his Baltimore
contemporaries who may require aid.
Mr.. Grasty later arranged with Hoe &
Co. to secure a large press which was in
course of construction at their works. He
also communicated with the Mergenthaler
Linotype company and the American
Type Foundry, obtaining from them ma
chimes and material for use in his new
plant Herman Ridder. of the Stats
Zeitung, offered to take down one of his
presses and lend it to The Baltimore
News. and similar proposition was made
by the publisher of The Philadelphia
Public Ledger.
Mr.. Grady left. for Baltimore in the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
MATTERS OF THE WORLD

! lieve him of the trouble of taking care
of them while the Indians are about as
respectable as the peon class in Mexico,
and President Diaz would hardly object to
receiving them as citizens. But there Is
little prospect that an Indian republic will
ever be established in any part of this
world.
At the head Of the first editorial column
of the Columbia. S. c., State Is a plain
box" in which is printed IN G. Con-
zales. 1s5s-1sOs" This simple legend COM
memorates one of the most sensational
affairs in American life or recent years
when Editor Gonzales of The State was
shot and killed by Lieutenant Governor
Tillman of South Carolina Before his
tragic death his paper was little known IN
the United States. but now Gonzales
name and The State are familiar to every
one.
The old discussion of docking horses
tails has again been revived. Questions
of convenience, sanitation and utility are
banded back and forth, but the fact re-
mains that the custom is brutal one, and
one that should be abolished. Besides the
torture to which animals are subjected by
being deprived of their natural fly brush,
it is we'll known that docking is often so
close as to be painful. Just why anyone
can think that a horse without tall is
better to look at than horse with a tail
is rather hard to understand The flowing
name and tail of a morse are natures
chief adornments, and the more of both
he possesses the better horse appears. AT
bottom it is largely matter of style, and
probably saves drivers and grooms a little
trouble. If many owners of horses were
courageous enough to follow their own
convictions they would not dock their
horses tails, and if the fashion were to
die out no one would be the wiser. It Is
we'll known that President Roosevelt )
opposed to the docking of horses tails.
and bill has been passed through the
house of representatives to prohibit the
practice in the District OF Columbia. The
homely mule can congratulate himself
that he is not good looking, for at least
he is permitted to retain the caudal APP
him by obliging Dame Nature with which
to feck the flies and also the gnats in
calm serenity.
Because the king of England has 200
suits of clothes captious persons are in
clined to call him fop. 1t must be re-
membered that a man occupying such a
lofty position is called upon to wear a
great number of costumes, by the die
tates of court etiquette, in addition to the
garments a man who likes to dress well
may choose. Since the king is generally
considered to be the glass of fashion and
the mould of form, and has been noted all
his life for his ability to clothe his person
becomingly, it is not surprising that he
has large number of suits "ailors point
out that 1t is impossible for the average
society man to get along without at least
fifty suits, although a great many of them
do, and a king must necessarily have
twice or four times that number in order
to preserve his dignity. But King Ed
ward has proven a capable ruler as we'll
as a good dresser. p. C.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12

school population. and with local tax
alton to support them and to make
people feel that the public school is
their own, there is hope in educational
work In Alabama. and there is there
fore confidence in Alabamas prosper
ity In the future
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12

C. J. Graves of Alexander City is stop
ping at the Metropolitan.
w. J. Burke Of Louisville is at the Nor
ris.
S. M. Dolan of Selma is at the Hillman.
G. A. stevenson of Jacksonville is stop
ping at the Metropolitan.
]. B. Norman of Florence is registered
at the Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
ALABAMA NEWS.

Fox hunting still survives in Pike coun-
ty and sportsmen about Troy are enjoy
ing some exciting chases.
The report of Chief of Police II. c.
White of Gadsden shows that there were
12l arrests made during the month of
January.
1t is reported that the Nicaragua and
United States Shipping company may
transfer headquarters from New Orleans
to Mobile.
At meeting of the stockholders of the
Long Life Remedy company of Admission
the capital stock was increased from IS,
900 to $4,000.
Two railroad employees had a fight at
the Mobile and Ohio railroad shops at
Whistler and Edward Gambriel was Sc
verely injured.
Mayor Mclean of Mobile has written to
the chief of police requesting that steps
be taken to preserve order during the
Mardi Gras festival.
Emanuel Eichold, a retired merchant of
wealth. committed suicide in Mobile Tues
Gay night. He was well known in the
state and first began in business at Sell
ma.
Henry Walker, the negro charged with
assaulting and numbering Mrs Dickinson
at Cordova, is again to be placed on trial
for his life, and an Indictment from the
grand jury is expected at an early date
Justin Turner collector for the firm of
Friedman & Rosenau of Tuscaloosa, went
to present a bill to a negro preacher
Wednesday morning and was struck by
Ratchet welded by the colored divine
Turner was not seriously injured.
Several chorus girls belonging to 1.-THE
Runaways" company went out for lark
in Selma and were arrested by the chief
of police for riding astraddle on horse
back. After receiving a curtain lecture
the mischievous maidens were allowed to
depart.
Mayor Vandiver of Talladega has order
ed the manager Of the local opera house
to tear down gaily colored Autographs
advertising the figures of the Duncan
Clark Female Minstrels, which are billed
to appear in the town The mayor con-
sidered the posters too vulgar for the
public eye