davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
Central American Conditions Even
 More Uncertain
WASHINGTON NEGOT|ATES
Active Correspondence With Mexico, But No Statement Is Given Out. Peace Near, Says pr.
 Baltogor.

Washington, March 29.-Actfve tele- graphic correspondence has been in pro- gress between Washington officials and the diplomatic representatives in Central America and Mexico for forty-eight hours relative to the Central American im- broglo. But because decisive results have not been reached, no statement of the negotiations could be obtained for pub lication.
 Captain Fullam, commander of the gun boat Marietta, reported by cable from Puerto Cortez that everything was quiet on the north coast of Honduras, and that he was sending a long report by mail, telling of his acts under instructions to protect American interests and mitigate the seventies of warfare as far as pos sible.
 The news that Costa Riea had recog- nized the provisional government of Hon. duras lacked efficient confirmation up to the close of business today. and was ac- of the dispatch. At least sixty days will be required for the election of a presl- dent by the provisional government Tn Honduras. and the establishment of the new administration on such basis that it can command the general recognition of the world powers.
 This delay will necessarily make the conditions in Central America even more uncertain, according to Latin American diplomatsts, who have advices that Pres ident Bonilla has no thought of giving up the fight but is busily engaged reorganiz- ing his army in the hope of reversing his former defeats.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
FIRE SWEE
 HALF MIL
HALF HUNDRED RE BUSINESS HOUSE IN NEWBURY, s. c EXHAUSTED.

Laurens. S. C.. March 29 berry, s. C., a thriving 36OO population, today dest two residences, ten stoi churches, entailing a loss between $50, ,000 and $200,0 ance at about $S5, ,000.
 The confiagration started the Newberry hotel. Appea ance were telegraphed to ( to this city, but engines c sent into NeNberry on acc destruction o1 the railroad hours after the fire broke water supply was exhaustt town was left practically a of the flames.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
Stronu Gas Pressure.

Huntsville, March 29.-(Speciall-T New York-Alabama Oil compant ha struck an enormous flow Of naturt ga in well No. 13, near Huntsville. On hundred and seventy feet of cAiin, weighing TOGO pounds, was raised seer; feet. Workmen succeeded in gettiig cap on the well this afternoon andl;or trolling the flow of gas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
Roxs Killed By Engine.

Buffalo, N. r., March 29.-Four P were run down and killed by a light zine on the Pennsylvania railroad,
 the eastern city line today. They | returning from a hunting trip and | walking along the tracks
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
Bryan's Letter.

Mr. Bryan writes in part as follows
 T am in favor of both national and state regulation, and l also believe that public ownership is the ultimate solution of the railroad question. In my discus sions on this subject 1 have pointed out that because of the danger Of centraliza- ton of ownersh,p by the federal govern ment of all the lines 1 prefer @ system in which the federal government will be confined to the necessary trunk lines, and the ownership of the rest of the lines be left to the states. This. however, is not an immediate question, at least l am not sure that the people are ready to con- slider the question of public ownership, and until they are ready to consider that question the interest is centered in reg ulation. As an advocate of regulation of the strictest sort, l can say to you that there is no danger whatever that this regulation will he carried to the point of preventing a reasonable return on money invested in the railroads of the country. And 1 also assure you whenever public ownership is adopted by the states or by the nation, and stockholders may expect to receive a private list equal to the value of the physical properties of the road, but no such assurance ought to be neces- sary because the public has shown no disposition to reduce railroad earnings to a point which would deny reasonable return.
 PhysiA,l Valuation.
 ''I have contended that the present value of the roads should be ascertained by the interstate commerce commission and the commissions of the various states, in or der that the investors may know when buying stock of intrinsic value, and when tIaxr hri, a1,a tod motors are permitted to issue stock that does not represent real value there must be fluctuations in the stock market for every disclosure of bad railroad manage ment necessarily affects the value of the stock. The stockholders, therefore, who desire to purchase for legitimate invest ment should have as much interest as the patrons in reducing the railroad business to an honest basis, but the railroads have thus far prevented the passage of a law authorizing the interstate comnefce com mission to fix the value C. -he railroads.
 "When the value of the roads is ascer- tained, I am satisfied that public snti- ment will insist that the returns shall be sufficient to pay a reasonable dividend upon the money invested. What thls dividend should be 1t might be difficult to fix arbitrarily. I should say that any maximum rate fixed by the people should be a little higher than the rate fixed by competition in the purchase of stock. IT. for instance, stock which pays a per cent dividend can be sold at par, maxi- mum dividend ought to be enough above that to provide for possible fluctuations in business. If it requires a per cent dividend to make stock sell at par, then the maximum dividend contemplated by legislation should be above per cent, or say per cent"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
Bribed Te

San Franciso of the grand pause was giv vestlgations. expects to con its investigate of eighteen States and
 to which, al seventeen of confessed. T ject has rest rious corpor members of | It Is the uno dictments wi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
HELD FOR KILLIN'
 GIRL IN CENIE
A Letter of Hale Against Lillie
 Muro

Bristol, T'er evidence ten liberately co. Lille Davis, died in the Wednesday, W ficers at Johns
 A letter fro against Miss l.
 "She shall nes
 Roy Hale, Ac. killed the dead ner's jury nno murder, and ta CT to the Ter intense feeling overt threats o
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
B:l
Omaha, Ne

Omaha, NC defeated Jim at the Audito the second and minutes respecti fall in 36 minut catch-ss-catch-can outclassed after u
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
ANOTHER EFFORT ID AVERT THE STRIKE Federal Officials Meet Union
 and Railroad Men BOTH SIDES STAND FIRM Railroads Declare They Have Made Concessions Enough and Unions
 Demand More-Meetings
 ts3f Today at Chicago.
BOTH SIDES STAND FIRN

Chical March 29.-Whether there is to be strike of the employees in the train service of the western railways hinges on a meeting to be held here tomorrow at Il o'clock between two federal government officials and representatives of the unions and the railroads. This meeting was brought about by the general managers of the railroads who appealed to Wash ington for a settlement of the ,.---.culty under the terms provided in the Erdmann act.
 The government will be represented by Martin A. Knapp, chairman of the inter- state commerce commission, and Charles P. Neill, commissioner of labor; c. B. Brown, chairman of the board of man. agers, will be the spokesman for the raii- roads and Grand Chief F. H. Morrissey of the Railroad Trainmens' union and Chief Conductor A. B. Garrettson of the conductors organization will look after the interests of the men. Before leaving Washington today Messrs. Knapp and Neill had the assurance of both opposing interests that everything possible would be done to prevent strike.
 The same stumbling block that pre- vented the railroads and the men from reaching a peaceable settlement still re- mains, however. The railroads declare they have conceded everything possible and the union representatives are just as firm in their declaration that further concessions will have to be made, or to- morrow's meeting will be a failure so far as preventing a strike is concerned.
 Both sides held meetings today, but nothing new developed, as it was the gen. nnthipP should he done until the government representatives had an opportunity to settle the trouble by mediation.
 The Brotherhod of Locomotive Bremen are still trying to settle their differences. Another conference was held today be- tween these interests but no agreement was reached.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
Thinks Peace Near.

Mexico City, March 2s.-Dr. Baltazar Estupinian, minister of Venezuela, ex- pressed the opinion tday that pease in Central America was near at hand
 While 1t Is natural under exisf'n' ~ l- ditions that Salvador should r' defend herself until peace wa did not believe the Sal would attack the Mica the latter would ue vador.
 "President Zelay Twill be content V duras after the CT visional governmen, adjust matters in any further bloodshe
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
Situation Pleasing.

MT. Hartridge was with Thaw about two hours this afternoon and upon leaving the prisoner said that the situation Is pleasing. ,,
 ..I have been with Thaw for two hours, the attorney said, "and in my opinion he is in good shape physically and mentally, and will go through the ordeal as well as he did yesterday. Of course the posi- tion is a trying one for hi,n, as 1t would be for anyone, but he has met It bravery and is greatly encouraged.
 ''I was pleased to find him in sucn good condition today, and personally am well satisfied with the case as 1t stands, ana confident of an outcome a6reeaple to Mir. Thaw and his attorneys.
 The secrecy of the commissions exam ination of Thaw was not, MT. Hartrldse said to be construed as concession 10 the defendant Necessarily matters per taining to the original case would pc brougt out at the present nearing, anu if would be manifestly unsuitable to have them made public, while the trial proper ia nending He added:
 "T am in hopes that the conclusion or tho lunacy board will be reached by Mon dav and the trial before the jury can De resumed Tuesday. Should this prove to he so think the case should go to the inrv late Thursday or Friday morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30

sent to MT. Delmas during the trial These letters and notes are the ones MT. Del mas incorporated in the affidavits he submitted to Justice Fitzgerald, contend ing that his client was sane.
 The prisoners lawyers were decidedly sanguine last night over his manner and answers at yesterdays session of the commission. They believed the commis- sion would end it's work with the eAtnl- ination of Thaw and that its finding would be that he is quite capable of con- ferring with counsel. Thaw himself was delighted when he returned to the Tombs. His counsel told him that he had un- doubtedly convinced the commission of his sanity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30

While Thaw manifested nervousness be- fore the court room was cleared of re- porters, at the direction of MT. Mcclure, he became quite cool soon after the ex- animation began, and this self-possession lasted through the whole two hours that he was in the witness chair. The ques- tions asked him were all aimed at finding out how well equipped he was mentally to consult with his lawyers when the trial began. They, therefore, had to do with the seL S of the jury and his mart in that preliminary of the trial, and tb~ meaning of the letters and notes he
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30

ciso giv lti'
 |  ito and pecti
 ninut ch-cah liter u
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30
Prosecution Confident.


 As for the prosecution it felt assured last night that notwiths landing Thaws s answers to the commissioners questions were coherent, he did not comport him self as a sane man would have done. The prosecution thinks also that Dr. Putzel is most important factor in the proceed ings, and that questions he may ask to- morrow and his scrutiny of the defend- ant will have much weight when the commission reaches its conclusions.
 Condition Fit.
 A. Russell Peabody was the first of Thaws lawyers to call at the Tombs to- day. After half an hours interview with the prisoner, MT. Peabody said:
 .'Thaw is feeling splendidly today, and seems thoroughly fit. He has recovered from whatever nervousness he may nave had regarding the first session of the com mission in lunacy and is now ready and anxious for the inquiry to- proceed. He feels entirely confident as to the out come.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-30

Immediate responsibility for the open switch was assumed by J. c. Gruessmey- CT, one of the switchmen. who admitted that he glh left the D wi't NteH s-fs
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12
Z@ ITTLEMEN ]

bands of gypsies infesting the region and
held for ransom. Mr.. and Mrs. Eldridge
were distracted, and the cook folded her
arms and wept and walled while dinner
waited.
But the nurse. who stood wringing her
hands, stopped suddenly. for she had an
idea. She ran out of the house straight
across the velvety common to the hotel
from which they had moved only few
days before. She was quite out of breath
when she reached the elevator, m aiming
to ring and question the boy. But there
was no need. for there, seated side by
side, she found Elizabeth and the cook s
little girl serenely content and chatting
away as If there were no such things as
distressed parents and cooks and sympa-
thetic neghbors.
Elizabeth looked up with a start as she
saw the nurse.
Have you come for me?" she asked.
Please. nurse, let me stay for one more
time? George has taken US up and down
seventeen times and we've had such fun. -
You're to come home at once, you
naughty child, To think of the state we've
been in" exclaimed nurse.
Elizabeth never could understand why
she was kissed and cuddled and scolded
in the same breath. But the cooks little
girl understood perfectly after the mourn
ing parent had unfolded her arms and ad-
ministered justice: for cooks little girls
are brought up in much harder school.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12
THE AMIABLE CASSOWARY,

Mr.. Cassowary now has a home In
Bronx Park. where he and Mrs. Casso-
wary enjoy life and love In a cottage and
| take daily exercise in their front yard.
Mr.. Cassowary. however. Is not a native
American. He and his ancestors have all
ways lived in the islands of the Malay
archipelago, especially the Moluccas and
the Isle of Papus. While Mr.. Cassowary
does not entirely approve of American
| ways, he seems 20 be trying to cultivate
cheerful and amiable spirit under all
conditions.
Mr.. Cassowary Is rot handsome. He has
| rather short thick legs. body like very
o'g black sheep with long wool, for his
feathers resemble long smooth strips Of
wool as much as anything. He has no
tail feathers. and his wings are very
small He has long neck. and his head
IS really quite handsome. His eyes are
Dig. brown and sparkling, his nose is
sharp, and on his head he wears an i'm
pressive horny crest. He also wears
handsome necklace of red and blue bead
Ike wattles, and he seems very proud of
this
The other day as we were passing by
his front yard he seemed in an especially
gay and festive mood, and he danced
about with step that would have won
him a prize In any cakewalk. He posed
on one leg, and executed a Highland fling.
and then went gayly dancing across the
yard and back again in high glee. A fam
ny OF peacocks occupy the cottage
next to the Cassowarys. and while Mr..
Cassowary was dancing so merrily one
or the young peacocks lifted his voice and
sang dtrge. If you have ever heard a
peacock sing. you win wonder that it did
not take all the spirit out of Mr.. Casso-
wary. But it didn't. He gave one bright
land scornful glance at Mr.. Peacock and
went on dancing a. joyouslY as ever.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12

Polly won't. Polly WON'T Polly won'tw
just as fast as she could say 1t.
There was another thing about Polly
that Ethel noticed. Polly learned in a
minute all the bad things that Ethel
said, and didn't care anything about the
nice things. II Ethel said, ~ won't"
Polly repeated II over and over after
her time after time. LIZ Ethel ever was
angry and scolded, Polly Knocked her
until Ethel was so ashamed she would
run far, far away from the sound of
Polly's hooking voice. Once she heard
Ethel call nurse mean old thing"
and after that Polly always called nurse
MEAN old thing"
Polly learned to sing. Her favorite song
was Yankee Doodle" One day she was
out on the piazza, and an Italian, who
had been doing some work about the
place, went by. Polly had been singing
Yankee Doodle" and when she got to
the line, And called 1t macaroni,'' she
sang it through and repeated "macaroni'
many times at the top OF her voice. The
Italian heard her, and thought she was
calling him names, for the rude boys OF,
the streets often shouted 'macaroni'' after
him. He was very angry, indeed, and
stopped ana began to scold, but Polly still
kept on with her saucy "macarOni" until
the Italian was gone.
Fairy and Imp and Betsy Bobbett never
grew to like Polly, nor she to like them.
Ethel did all she could to make them
friendly, but she never succeeded. One
day a little cripple boy came to visit, and
Polly seemed to take a great fancy to him.
She talked prettiest to him, and sang all
her that Ethel gave her to him to take
home
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12

ten minutes to steady yourself" he re-
marked Your nose is red"
TT don't matter out here on the rocks. "
But you're not going to stay here;
you're going to show grit. though you
can't do it with red nose"
And no boats"
There's mine said Jim Evans.
Mia jumped. If there was a boat bet
ter than the Brownie it was Jim's Swan.
She c.asped her hands. but looked at
him in doubt.
i'm nodded. and pointed to where the
pretty thing lay hugglng the shore.
Il wouldn't trust her to every one,
he said. but / won't see you done out
of this race. Perhaps the water will
help It," he added. pointing to the Of
Tending nose.
Nita laughed as she ran down to the
shore. There she made a sponge of her
handkerchief and dabbed and dabbed
until jim announced that the nose had
faded to the palest pink.
Now" he said. step in and pull of.
I'll bet on the Swan against dozen
Brownies" and not waiting to be thanked
he STROBE away into the woods.
They were lining up for the start Just
as Mia came in sight, flushed and hap
py. A moment after she had taken hen
place, the word was given, and the boats
darted out like slender. Swimming birds.
The lake was smooth and clear; there
was not even a wind to pull against.
and the Swan soon outstripped even
the feet Brownie. Adelaide looked hot
and angry as Nita passed her on the
home stretch.
II thought you were out OF the race
she called.
81 thought so. too" Nita called back
as the Swan shot ahead.
AS she touched goal shout went up
and few minutes later the Swan Gid
ed into midstrean floating a blue and
silver pennant of victory. while the other
boats crowded around to admire and con-
graduate.
Adelaide rowed to the dock in a very
bad humor.
ANY one could win a race with g
/ boat like the Swan. I don't think Nfta
deserves so much credit" she declared
as she sank breathless into a hammock.
II do" said Mrs. Powell quietly, fol
she was proud of her little daughter II
| more ways than one.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12
COTTON.

This product Is called the king of the
southern states, because 1t Is 80 impor-
tant an item in that section of the coun-
try American cotton constitutes the
great part of the worlds supply. In
India and China this plant has been cul-
tivated for ages, and history points 10
The people had a gin to separate the
seed from the fiber. a.so a very clumsy
wheel, the foreruner of the wheels our
great grandmothers used.
The soil Of a cotton country Is pre-
pared for the-reception of seed by plow-
ing during the winter months. The SOW
ing takes place in March, April and
May, according to countries and locali-
ties. Great care must be taken to avoid
the exposure Of the young plants to the
late frosts, which are fatal. 1t Is neces-
sary sometimes to replant the whole
field. Grsat caro- and labor are required
in the fields until the picking season.
which commences in the latter part of
July and lasts until the frost kills the
plant.
The picking season Is busy time on
a cotton plantation. Everybody turns
in-men, women and children. even the
toddling tots-for the quality of the
crop depends on its being quickly
gathered after the bolls have opened
Should it be left on the plant long after
opening 1t Is liable to be injured by the
heat of the sun. which overdries 1t; or
by the rains. which stain 1t: or by the
winds. which load it with sand or dust
and dirt
Each picker is provided with a bag
tied around his body, and a large bas-
ket which he leaves at the end of the
section allotted to him. He puts the
cotton in his bag as fast as he picks
it. When he reaches the end of his Sec
ton he empties the contents of his bag
into the basket, and starts again. Pick
ing requires experiences and skill; the
picker has to seize with the first effort
the whole of the cotton Of each boil
taking care to bring 1t out quite free
The average amount picked by each
laborer Is about a hundred pounds 9
day. though many go over that amount
1t seems s'~ange that. up to the pres
ent tl,ue. dchine has been invented
for gatheI.-g the crop. Several at
tempts have been made. but have
proved unsuccessful. The southern cot
ton fields present a quaint and pretty
picture Of the pickers, old and young
bending from morning till night over
their work, the midsummer air stirring
softly as a grooming accompaniment to
their toll.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12

grown rock she knew of. Here she
threw herself down, and buried her face
in n hands. not needing the swish or
oars in the water below.
steps behind her made her raise her
tear-stained face to encounter the glance
Of a shy, awkward boy, who stood look
ing at her in amazement. This was
jim Evans, who was called by the young
PEOPLE the deaf and dumb boy from
the fact that he had never been known
to make a remark and never seemed to
heed what was going on about him. Even
fri ndly Nita had failed to drag from
him more than a monosyllable at time
Now. she sat and stared at him and for
once her tongue was tied.
"Helo." said JIM what's the mat
ter? Did you walk here? Where's your
boat? He fired the questions as II they
were gunshot, but the mention of her
boat sent poor Nita off again.
The Brownies g-gone,' she sobbed
Broke loose? Whereabouts? 1t s
time you were at the starting point"
I'm out of-of-the race. Adelaide s
come She's-she' cousin, and
and" Mia could go no further.
"Oh, I say'-Jim grasped the situation:
then he looked at his watch-"you Va