davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Cost of Life Insurance.

Allen H. Willett of Brown university Science Quarterly the cost of life in- surance in twenty-four American life insurance companies, and he reaches the conclusion that even with no i'm provement in methods the cost of life insurance could be reduced 20 per cent or 20 per cent, and is In every way desirable. It would prevent the accu- mutation of immense surpluses which have brought in train of evil conse- quences. MT. Willett adds:
 But to bring insurance rates down to the present cost-level Is only half enough. The cost itself ought to be low cred. It is demonstrated that some of the practices of insurance companies tend to increase their mortality loss that a higher net rate of interest could be se- cured on their investments, and that the cost of administration is often extrava- gantly high. Improvements in any of those particulars would materially lower the cost of insurance, and make possible a further reduction in premium rates, re- sulting in wider utilization of the benefits of insurance by people of small or moderate income"
 The mortality tables in use are in- correct, placing the mortality far be- yond what 1t actually is-to the extent of s20,315,69S in the year 1903. MT. Willett says the average of the tables is excessive to the extent of 20 to 30 per cent. Then, too, the reserves of the companies earn 25 per cent more than the basis of calculation used in them. The expense of administration and of procuring new business are un- reasonable when it is considered that the object of insurance is to benefit the insured, not to pile up surpluses, to pay $100,000 salaries, to outstrip a rival. The fair conclusion is that the cost of insurance to the American policy holder is too high. It is higher than 1t is in England or any other country. It means extravagance, waste and trouble, and the current scandals should result in a lower level of pre- mium rates. which would bring about reductions in other directions, and pre-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Modern Pedagogy.

'I believe in theory as the basis of prac- tice, but 1t strikes me that theory in pedagogy Is sometimes carried too far" said an old citizen.
 'I hear nowadays great deal about tho phychology of pedagogy. about psy- chic, this and that, but girls and boys arc turned out of school who are sadly deficient in handwriting and spelling. There is absolutely no excuse for poor handwriting. Our mothers and grand stylish hands. Our daughters of twenty years ago wrote both legibly and with style. Eight or ten years ago the verti- cle chirography was in vogue. It was legible, but devoid of grace. It was pos itively ugly. But the handwriting of girls who have been to school within the past three or four years is simply abominable. It Is without redeeming feature. There Is not trace of grace in it. and it is difficult to decipher.
 In my day womans s' handwriting has been supposed to be indicative of her cul- ture or lack of culture. I do not mean scholarship-simply taste and refinement. based on common sense. Today many of the high-bred girls write poor hands. and l lay the blame at the door of the mod ern system of teaching. Things too deep foi the average mind are studied and pressed at the expense of the three Rs."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Peace Throughout the World.

The keynote of the preliminary treaty between Sweden and Norway is plainly irenic. It calls in The Hague at every critical point. and zone of peace devoid of forts and other fea- lures of hostility Is to be established along the boundary line between the two countries. To some extent Nor way is disappointed, but as she gains independence at home and foreign policy of her own she will accept the action of the conference, and the two happy and intelligent countries will separate to become at least friendly Scandinavians in a war with com mon enemy" The preliminary treaty certainly looks to an alliance between the two countries as against aggres- sion from foreign source. Both riks- dag and storthing will endorse it, and thus will be settled an international controversy in accordance with the humanity and civilization of the twen- tieth century.
 The dove of peace is doing well since
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Brunswick or Savannah ;?

Sam w. Small, writing in the Bruns- wick News sees breakers ahead for that deep water port. He sees In the first place great combination. He says:
 .erhe Birmingham Belt line, which was controlled by MT. H. M. Atkinson and associates. has been sold to the Frisco and Illinois Central systems, presumably including all rights in equity with the Att lantic and Birmingham when it shall reach Birmingham. Next, the Tennessee Central has just been bought and cut in two at Nashville by the Illinois Cen tral, taking the western end and the Southern the eastern end. These move ments look toward combination between the Frisco, the Illinois Central and the Atlantic and Birmingham to cooperate in traffic arrangement which will en- able the latter to give the other two systems an Atlantic ocean outlet for the tremendous tonnages which they can bring southeastward from the west and northwest"
 But that tremendous tonnage, says MT. Small, Is to be diverted from Brunswick, which is to be bottled up for a hundred years" It appears that
 u general counsel of the Atlantic and Birmingham has procured a charter for a line from Osierfield, a station on the completed railroad from Bruns- wick, to Savannah via Broxton and Hazlehurst. This charter and the man. ner of it's procurement has alarmed Mr. Small, who proceeds to warn and w@rm up Brunswick, after the latter had granted many concessions to the road once known as the Brunswick and Birmingham.
 MT. Small sees, too, in the refusal to ca.4 the road "the Brunswick and Bir- mingham" evidence that Savannah is to be its real tidewater outlet, and Brunswick but a side issue or incident Mr. Small thinks Brunswick with it's deep water Is to be sealed up very much as Port Royal was, and that Savannah is to be the chief benef- ciary of the new railroad. But Bruns- wick's deep water advantages can not be economically ignored, and the chances are that MT. Small has over drawn the picture. Brunswick may in the long run prove to be much more than a subsidiary terminal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Panama and Costa Rica.

Negotiations between the republics of Panama and Costa Rica, looking to Lne union of the two, are said to be progressing Panama is the larger and more prosperous of the two. but each has about 350000 inhabitants. The two joined as one would make a good spot on the map, and they could with req son organize million club. The build- ing of the canal would undoubtedly carry their joint population to that round figure.
 Costa Rica Is, and ever has been friendly to the United States, and there seems to be no reason why the two countries, possessing a common language and common traditions should not be joined. Costa Rica has long been peaceful, and she has fos- tered public education. The public schools are free, and attendance in them Is compulsory. Costa Rica Is far in advance of Panama in all such mat | ters.
 But alter all the proposed union will turn upon what Theodore Roosevelt thinks of It. Uncle Sam has guaran- teed the independence of Panama and to some extent at least the mainte- nance of law and order. Whether these guarantees shall be extended to Costa Rica Is a question for the Pres ident and the Senate to decide, and upon that decision will depend the fate of the new scheme.
 If the two republics should be united San Jose will not become the capital of the new republic. Panama is the larger of the two, and the city of Pan- ana, being a worlds city, will inevtt- ably become the capital of the united republics. The canal zone and the dig ging of the canal would not be affected by the proposed union. and there Is really no reason why the mission Of Senor de la Guardia, the Panama min ister of foreign affairs. to San Jose should not be sanctioned by this coun- try and become history.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Nominations in 1908.

The Chicago Chronicle says "it would be good politics for the demo crats to choose for their standard bearer man hailing from the southern states. Such a proceeding would tend to solidify the south, which has begun to break up politically. < As north ern democrats would vote for anybody with the party label, the net advantage of the proceeding is apparent at a glance.'
 There is, it Is true, no reason in the world why southern man should not head the next democratic national ticket. Any man in any state may do that provided he can secure a sufficient support from his co-electors.
 It Is not an easy task to select from many millions the best man to carry the democratic standard in 1908. The party Is in transition state. One wing has grievances growing out of 1eO6 and 1900. and the other wing has other grievances growing out of 1904. No convention can easily pull the two wings together. No convention can start the convention of 1908 enthusi- astically and promisingly. Conventions are largely discredited, anyway, and each one Is followed by crop of ru- mors concerning cliques and combina- tions.
 Why not then start the democratic campaign of 1908 in a way that will certainly render it historic, and that may be the forerunner of success at the polls in the following November? lhe national democratic committee can do this by summoning to a grand national primary all who desire to SUD- port ticket in opposition to Privilege and big slush funds. Let a plurality decide, for in nearly all state elections that is the rule, and what is good in the states would be good in national primary.
 Such primaries are coming. They will be postponed to the latest possi- ble date in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, three boss-ruled states in which the popular will has no more opportunity than 1t has in a South American republic. But despite the three machine states the primary is marching on, and the democratic party can utilize 1t in 1908 strikingly and effectively. Wi1 1t do it?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
LIFE IN NEW YORK.

From the New York Times.
 The whiriigig of life in Gotham Is so rapid that it seems impossible to check the pace One must go with the crowd or be trampled on. To show just how people and things keep on the go the Trib- une summarizes the daily round in these short lines:
 Every 40 seconds m immigrant arrives. Every 8 minutes some one is arrested. Every minutes child is born.
 Every minutes there Is a funeral. Every 1S minutes couple get married. Every 42 minutes aew business firm starts up.
 Every AS minutes building catches fire.
 Every 4S minutes ship leaves the har- bor.
 Every 51 minutes new building Is erected.
 Every 1H hours some one is killed by accident.
 Every hours some one fails in busi- mess.
 Every s hours an attempt to kill some one Is made.
 Every s1s hours some couple Is divorced. Every 10 hours some one commits sui eide.
 Every days some one is murdered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
TIMELY REMARKS ON THE
 STRAW HATS DEPARTURE

have almost aged our old friend the Providence Journal.
 Hereabouts the persecution of the straw hat on September 15 is become a harmless amusement of the exchanges and the "curb." Weather permitting, it Is current all September; nor does Octo- Der necessarily withdraw it from circu- lation. Just as the season of sojourn in the country has heightened until it takes in a good half or more of the year, so the reign of the straw hat is lengthen- ing. Every April and early May we well come few bold pioneers with their early "straws." Every fall we salute the linz gering and venerable remains of those guests of summer.
 The beauty of the straw hat Is some what evanescent. It fades early, though art can make it "as good as new" over and over again. By September 1t has passed It's prime. The real reason why most of us buy, "derbies'' in September is a mixture of immemorial habit, dis trust of the old straw" domestic discip- line and obedience to female suggestion, providence as of the ant and kindness to the matters. The part of the. equinox in the process Is obscure. Many scien- tific men hold that straw hats should be retained at least until the falling leayoo show that Nature seconds the motion.
 The fall derby hat has an extensively glossy and new appearance, but 1t must be borne like the prosperity of one's friends. Yet the man who looks upon that form of modern ugliness as binding and sacred Is imperfectly civilized
 So as to duck trousers. People at a Lenox hotel or anywhere else who jeer at an appropriate. comfortable garment and begin their dress parade at break fast are easily classed socially. They get their ideas of social procedure from an swers to correspondents in haberdashers- journals and their dress from the col ored pictures in tailors shops. God made them and let them pass for men; but why should they bother any rational per- son in these incompatible September days?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Women Cashiers.

"The woman cashier" said a merchant yesterdayi has come to stay. She does not embezzle. She does not bet on the races, nor even on a baseball game. She lives within her salary. She is check on the tricks and dishonesty of as- sociate male employees who do not live within their salaries.
 In Chicago last week woman cashier was brought into court charged with embezzlement Such cases are extremely rare, and the Chicago case. like the few that went before 1t, was due to a desire to help man of her acquaintance. In other words, in such cases there is all ways man at the bottom. As a class women cashiers are honest and mer- chants and other business men are trust Ing them more and more every year."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Pasturaue for Bees.

''The head of family" said Colonel Johns yesterday, "does not go far enough when he confines the bees to gum trees. The best bee pasturage Is found in the alfalfa meadows, from which bees can collect honey from four or five crops. or from April to October, possibly through out November.
 We need in this state more alfalfa fields anyway. If we would raise alfalfa enough to drive western-grow hay out Of the state the bees would have abund- ance pasturage, and much Alabama money would be kept at home.
 Between the gum trees and the fields of alfalfa no bee would lack opportun- ity to store up honey He would store enough to meet his own needs in the cold season, and also enough to meet the honied needs of two million Alabam- ians."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
The Morris Cafe.

The cafe of the Hotel Morris will be reopened today after having been closed for several weeks while decorators were at work.
 The spacious dining apartment presents a handsome appearance. Cox of New Orleans, one of the most famous scenic painters fin the country has executed a number of beautiful pictures for the Nor ris. They are painted on canvas with slight suggestion of tapestry effect. A large picture on the east wall Is ma rine scene In a high key. On the oppo- site wall Is a Dutch all drinking scene, rich in color and true to life in the Neth- erlands two centuries and more ago. It is a genre work of rare value.
 There are five or six large canvas paintings in all, and each of them has artistic merit.
 The ceiling of the cafe Is symphony in color and the most refined taste has heeS displayed from one end of the room to the other MT. Clifford, the proprie- tor of the Morris, has long been noted for the excellence of his table service and in his newly decorated and newly furnished cafe will be eagerly sought by good flyers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
LOUISVILLE AND NASHVILLE.
Gross Traffic of the Road Is Rapidly
 Increasing.

From the Wall Street Journal.
 Those best acquainted with the business conditions in the south and the rapid de- velopment of that section say that the present position of the stock from a mar ket point of view. Is particularly strong The gross and net returns continue 70 expand, while the compahy is not carry ing on any extensive plans calculated to absorb large sums from earnings.
 This fiscal year will be the best the company has ever had. It will earn rom 12 to 15 per cent on the stock and 1t will not be necessary to divert more than the ordinary percentage for the various pur- poses of the management.
 Last fiscal year Louisville and Nash vile earned 11.55 per cent on It's s6Oooo, . OOO of capital stock, with gross business of s3s. .517, ,O71, as against sS694S, 79S In 19o4 and $50. T2,2 ,257 in 1902. The road has been steadily forging ahead practically with out a setback. At present the traffic out look Is fine. Business for the coming six months at least will be exceptionally heavy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
ROMANCE.

By Robert Louis Stevenson. I will make you brooches and toys for
 your delight Of bird-song at morning and star-shine
 at night. I will make palace fit for you and me Of green days In forests and blue days
 at sea. will make my kitchen, and you shall
 keep your room, Where white flows the river and bright
 blows the broom And you shall wash your linen and keep
 your body white In rainfall at morning and duefall at
 night. And this shall be for music when no one
 else Is near. The fine song for singing, the rare song
 to hear! That onIy remember, that only you ad-
 mire, Of the broad road that stretches and the
 roadside ire
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27

and l am told murderer rarely gets away.
 My mission in Birmingham is to get a prisoner, and I congratulate the local de- teetive and police force for it's efficiency l recall the killing of Policeman Mnllin about two years ago by a negro named King, and I had every policeman in Som erset on the case for several weeks, thinking the negro might have fled in that direction.
 T am stranger to new Birmingham. but remember the city well as it appear cd fifteen years ago. l am surprised to know that Scratch Ankle Pigeon Roost, Buzzards' Roost.' and The Bowery.' are improving and are no longer centers of crime. I attribute the decrease in the number of arrests to the good work of the police force under Chief Wier. I think that Birmingham should have at least one hundred men on the force"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
 @R ROM the Berkshire paradise W brave comeouter and rsouSant ant against convention sends his plea and protest:
 ..To the Editor of the Sun-Sir: l read with pleasurable interest your editorial today on Guest and Patron Your amia- ble decision suggests that you might set tie my peace of mind either by uphold ing my independence in a certain matter or else by telling me I had better abide by the foolish convention.
 When l appeared at oreaKrast thls morning in the hotel dining room l was observed with ridicule by number of smarties,' simply because l had on pair of duck trousers, and subsequently on the veranda there was some attempt to make sport of my straw hat, and all because 1t was after the 10th of the month. when l was supposed to adjust a proper fitting derby to my caput
 Now. why should I not wear straw hat and duck trousers up here in the soft azure haze and luminous mists. where the sun Is summery In spite of the fact that the roadways are full of scarlet runners and the forests are being flooded with gold and crimson patches?
 What has the 18th got to do with 1t, anyway?
 why should women have all the privi- leges? They go on wearing ducks, in an- other shape without ridicule, and one girl today, her shirt waist full of little peek holes, had on but few ounces of cloth ing Why should I have to be swathed in several thicknesses of wool and wear a derby, and thus become martyr 10 the customs of New York clubmen ana hatmen7 D. w.
 'Lenox, Mass, September FL
 The superstitution about September 10 as doomsday for. .'straws" is pretty we'll exploded To be sure. great many Americans are meek, unable to assert their individuality. crouching slaves Of custom. We have seen an Engiishman wear straw hat stolidly in the Strand in December, and nobody paid any att tention to him. It was his business to wear what hat he pleased. It was the business of other people to mind their own. It often seems as if Americans were less tolerant. more self-conscious. more obedient to erroneous petty rules and authorities than they should be. Since the frock coat reached them, for instance, they find a commanding virtue in 1t, and their antics with that curious garment sometimes called Tuxedo"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27

she left Portsmouth. France and Ger many have come to an understanding over Morocco, and in November con- ference will be held in Algeria that will, let Us hope settle all differences, and enable France to bring peace and prosperity and good government to Morocco, which is still in a medieval condition.
 Greece and Roumania have severed diplomatic relations, but they do not adjoin each other, and their fleets can not meet, for Roumania is on the Black sea and Greece on the Mediterranean, and the Bosphorus-the impassaeie Bosphorus-lies between. After the two countries have had their quarrel, good sense will assert itself, and friendly relations will be resumed. At any rate there will be no war.
 Just at present trouble Is brewing ard President Castro of Venezuela is defying France. War will nos grow out of either, and the entire world may therefore be said to be at peace. The fearfully sanguine and exnensive war in the Far East seems to have taught all the nations the wisdom of consult ing the dove of peace rather than the dogs of war
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Cotton Outlook.

"The cotton yield in the west will be much larger than was at first expected" !" said G. w. Allen. a well known travelling man of Austin, Tex, at the Morris last night. ''rhe continued dry weather of the past few weeks has been very favor able to the top crop and the indications are that this part of the yield alone will amount to over 100000 bales.
 ''The farmers have experienced consid- erable trouble in getting the cotton pick ed, notwithstanding the splendid wealth. CT. The price of picking has gradually advanced and in some parts of the state the farmers are paying over 75 cents per hundred pounds to the pickers."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 great Many people never yield to temptation If they are not tempted.
 It Is never worth while to make love to girl If she is sure you mean it.
 The real reason men like to go fishing Is because women folk never want to go along.
 If woman couldn't cry there would be lots of pleasure in the world that she couldn't enjoy.
 When man doesn't like to have the baby play with his watch 1t is sign that his wife fears he Is cold to his own children.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-27
Oysters Are Served.

'T see that oysters on the half shell are being served in Birmingham already" said Mobile man yesterday. Tt is a little early for oysters, as I have always found 1t good idea not to eat them un- til after the 1st of October. Many people make it a rule not to eat oysters until after frost falls, and 1t is pretty good rule. However, 1t Is pretty hard for the people who are fond of oysters to adhere to this rule.
 ''The arrival of oysters this week will make many people happy, as they enjoy them for lunch and dinner. During the busy season I should say that one hun dred barrels of oysters are consumed daily in Birmingham