davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
Riuars and Harbors

The newly-created inland waterways
commission has met and organized.
Congressman Burton naturally became
its chairman, for he has studied inc
country's rivers and harbors many
years. 1t came in his way to 90 III
because he has long been chairman Oh
the house rivers and harbors commit
tee.
The commission consists OF nine
members, all named by the president.
II is made up of eminent men, incluo-
inc our own Mr.. Bankhead-of men
who have long taken deep interest
IN some branch of the broad SUBJECT
entrusted to the commission. 1t has,
however, no recognized official stand
inc II was not created by congress,
and no appropriation is behind IT, But
IL is believed its report and sugges-
tions will be none the less valuable
on that account. 1t has decided 10
make visits of inspection along the
Mississippi river and the great lakes
II seeks. in short, solution OF the
country's transportation problems as
well as of many minor troubles.
The commission will endeayor 10
present its report to congress next
winter. and 1t hopes to formulate
plan of internal improvements that
will be comprehensive and satisfac-
tory. 1t promises to do this without
log rolling or any of the other prac-
tees that congress frequently INDUCES
in. There is promise of good work on
its bart. and it shows a Discrimination
to accept local invitations. 1t pro-
noses to steer clear of local influences,
and to deal with the great questions
before it in the broadcast and best man.
ner
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
Bio Crowds at Parks.

Large crowds felt the approaching of
the good old summer time today and
took advantage of the cool and shady
spots in various parks around Birming-
ham," said citizen who spent the day
at one of the parks.
Anticipating heavy traffic to the
parks and suburbs, the street ear COM
pany increased the number of cars on
every line in the city to handle the
crowds, and every line was well patron
lied.
Numerous special cars wore in opera
ton on the East Lake line to accommo
date the large crowd of pleasure seekers
that went to the popular park Every
outgoing car from the city during the
afternoon was filled, and crowds could
be seen on every corner in a mad rush
to get out of the city to breathe the at
mosphere of Lake Como and reach the
palmy pine ozone of other parks.
1.-THE day was ideal and nearly every
city dweller wendell his way to the parks
and suburbs, and when the day began to
wane and darkness had come there was
a fierce rush and scramble for the cars
by the crowds to get back to the city,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
Exhaustion of Theatrical Trust

The chiefs of the theatrical trust
] were indicted in New York last Janu-
airy, but mere indictments have not
sufficed to stop the commercialization
of a great popular school of instruc-
ton.
1t is true that Mr.. Belasco is still
an independent, and so are Minnie
Maddern Fiske and Henry Miller, but
the other independents have accepted
syndicate bookings, including Mrs.
Leslie-Carter, Richard Mansfield, Fran
els Wilson and Henrietta Crossman.
The merger Of the Shuberts deprives
the Independents of vaudeville houses
in the lesser cities, and, practically
speaking, the entire country outside
of it's six largest cities is at the mercy
of the theatrical trust.
AS things stand the trust will die
tate terms to local managers, and it
will shut out all companies that do
not accept its terms. Opposition has
disappeared by the merger route, and
theatrical art will hereafter be based
In this country on money. The stage
becomes a business proposition. It's
aesthetic and ethical features are to
be subordinated to commercial consid-
erations, and the work of a man with
reputation will always be preferred,
and the unknown man who writes a
meritorious play will have small op-
portunity of getting his work before
the people.
This is, however, an age of trusts,
and the playgoers will have to take
their share of medicine. 1t is not
difficult to see that good deal of that
medicine will be distasteful, and it will
be fortunate indeed if some of it is
not absolutely injurious.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
Missing Connection.

Railroads that advertise connections
with other roads should make connection
even If the train on one line has to wait
a few minutes for delayed train on an
other" said A. j. Gray of Richmond Va,
who was registered at the Hillman yes
terday.
Here is a case in point. / came to this
city on the Louisville and Nashville from
the south, due at 40 a. m. I had a
ticket for Memphis over the Frisco by
the way of Birmingham, and I was es-
pecially DESTROYS Of going through to my
destination. The Louisville and Nashville
was delayed and reached Birmingham
twenty minutes after the Frisco train left
I frequently visit Birmingham, and al
ways enjoy being here, but this time 1
had pressing business in Memphis, and
was hurrying along, not believing that
the connecting line would not wait a
while. 1 would not be unreasonable
enough to expect the connection road to
wait an hour or more, but they might
have delayed departure twenty minutes.
Had I known that the Frisco would not
wait on the Louisville and Nashville [
would have come on train ahead of the
one I did take. The railroad officials
should get together and accommodate
their passengers depending on connec-
lions"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
Features of Rlrmlnahan.

"Those who live in Birmingham or who
visit the cit3 at frequent intervals are
and improvement as the person who
comes along only every four or FIVE
years" said Henry T. Hodges of st.
Louis. IT was in Birmingham early in
the eighties and saw what promised to be
a good sized town. [ was here every
year or two in the nineties, but my last
visit was in 1902. Wonderful progress has
been made since then. Birmingham s
streets have been paved several steel
frame buildings have been erected and
Third avenue has become handsome
shopping thoroughfare. But what strikes
me more than anything else is the large
number of elegant drug stores and soda
water parlors combined. st. Louis is a
city with a population of nearly three
quarters of a million, but I do not re-
call as many spacious and beautiful es-
adjustments where soft drinks are sold
In town as l have found here. These
places add very much to the metropolitan
character of Birmingham"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN.

From the London Chronicle.
On February IL Is celebrated in Japan
the great annual festival of Kigensetsu,
the anniversary of the foundation of the
empire by the first Emperor, Jimmu-
tenno, B. C. $50. The Japanese reckon
their present era as from this date, and
it was on February IL, 1889. that Nuts
whito, the one hundred and twenty-first
of the dynasty, promulgated the present
constitution of the empire of Japan, the
fundamental principle of which is clearly
stated in It's first article: 1.-The empire
OF Japan shall be reigned over and gov
erned by a line of emperors unbroken
from ages eternal" The organization of
a parliament took place in 1890, which,
in the Japanese reckoning, would be 255O
from Jimmus setting up his capital at
Kashiwara, in the province Of Yamato,
which is regarded by japanese historians
as the beginning of the empire.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
Earecastinu Next Years Race

Marse Henry Watterson in four
column editorial puts before his read
ers a possible republican ticket for
1908, as follows: For president,
Charles e. Hughes of New York; for
vice president, Joseph G. Cannon of
Illinois. He puts this ticket out as his
guess, and a pretty good one 1t is.
Against this guess Richmond Pear
son Hobson presents one from the
other side of the house. as follows:
For president, William Jennings Bryan
of Nebraska; for vice president, Hoke
Smith of Georgia. Here, too, is an
olner good guess.
These two guesses are perhaps as
trustworthy as any other two that can
be made at this stage Of the game.
The question therefore arises which
of the two standard bearers thus
named would be the stronger in 1908?
Mr.. Hughes lacks magnetism. He is
and that is saying good deal. He
has not removed Insurance Commits
sioner Kelsey, and his public utilities
bills hang fire. In the wild and woolly
west he is unknown. Taking the con-
test up one side and down the other,
however Hughes will be an opponent
of great strength, especially If he sue
ceeds in passing his reform measures
in New York.
The republican nominee will almost
certainly be either Taft or Hughes. 1t
is idle to talk about Roosevelt He
has made several crops of enemies,
and he is not going to face a third
term issue. All such men as Foraker,
Fairbanks and Shaw are out of the
running. The race is clearly between
Taft and Hughes, and the latter is the
probable nominee.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06

will include coal from the great fields
cast of the Mississippi, and even Ar
kansas coal may be added.
The floating of Illinois coal to New
Orleans illustrates anew the need of
this district. An Open Warrior is fast
becoming indispensable to the dis
tricts development, and the hope is
that an Open Warrior will soon or late
lead to the linking together Of the
Tennessee and Warrior valleys But
at any rate we must strive to secure
an Open Warrior by or before canal
is opened across the isthmus from sea
to sea. We must make the Warrior
an extension, in other words, OF the
Panama canal Water transportation
to and from the Pacific is what this
district needs, and 1t is what 1t Will
surely have. The development OF the
district will then go on unchecked.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
ROYAL TETOTALERS.

From Tid-Blts.
Queen Victoria of Spain does not know
the taste of alcohol. Her special "tipple"
is made from oranges-the fresh fruit
squeezed into glass, which is filled with
aerated waters. Oranges are her favorite
fruit.
For years Princess Henry Of Batten-
berg was a teetotaler, but of late she
has suffered so much from rheumatism
that she has been ordered a little whisky,
which she regards as a penance. Both
Princess Christians daughters, too, are
teetotalers.
All the children of the Prince and Prin-
cess of Wales are being brought up strict
teetotalers, and they know nothing of al
cohols. Princess Patricia of Connaught
and her married sister also abjure wine.
Another royal teetotaler is the Duchess
of Argyll and two daughters of the Prin-
cess Royal, their hlghness Alexandra and
Maud, have never in their lives touched
wine.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
Trade Through Panama Canal

The statement of Secretary Taft that
he expects the Panama canal to pc
finished in eight years or less ought
to set the people of this district busy
making preparations to take advan-
tage of the new conditions which are
oartain to arise in trade relations with
the western coast of the American con-
tinent.
Coal is one of the scarcest and dear
est commodities on the western coast.
It sells for $12 or SIS ton in San
Francisco and Portland, Ore, and the
supply is mainly drawn from New
castle. New South Wales. We have
millions of tons Of coal lying a few
feet beneath the surface, and in few
wears more we should be able to de-
liver it in California or Chile with a
good profit after meeting with the
competition of Australia.
The control of the Pacific will neces-
state the establishment of coaling
stations at several points along the
western coast, and to this trade we
are heirs If we are able and ready to
secure It. Two things are necessary
10 be done, and as 1t will take some
time to do them a start should be
made Immediately. We must have
river communication with the gulf
through Mobile and we must have the
vessels to carry the coal from Mobile
to its destination.
With the building of ships, which Is
matter of private enterprise, the gov
eminent can not be expected to render
any assistance, but our representatives
in congress should increasingly urge
the Improvement of the waterways.
Locks and dams should be built at
such places as will preserve enough
water to make navigation possible at
all times during the year. Unless such
action as this be taken it will be found
out later on that the United States
built a canal which merely became a
short cut for other countries to mar
kets that properly belong to ourselves.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
A CONTRAST IN cRIMlNAL'TRIALs

From the New York World.
On April 90 Anisia Louise De Massey was
put on trial in the criminal branch of the
supreme court for the murder of Gustav
Simon on November 10 last. The work of
securing a jury, begun in the morning,
was completed before the adjournment OF
court in the afternoon. At o'clock in
the afternoon of May 2 the case was
given to the jury and less than nine hours
later a verdict was returned
That is to say, in a murder case differ
ing In sensationalsm only In degree from
the Thaw case but ten days were required
to accomplish what had not been effected
after ten weeks of abortive effort in the
Thaw trial. The facts in the De Massey
case were not so we'll established. The
task confronting the prosecution was
more difficult one.
Yet by the use of common-sense court
room methods the trial was made to pro-
coed rapidly and without interruption.
There was no rhetorical fustian or brain
storm foolishness. Counsel were held to
their proper functions in accordance with
Justice Blanchard's preliminary warn
ing that he would not allow the court
time to be wasted. The indlscreet zeal
of a Juror was not permitted to nullify
the work of weeks OF preparation.
While the verdict of the jury may be
omen to criticism as being either too len
lent or too severe, the trial itself was
pretty much everything the Thaw trial
was not. 1t shows conclusively that it
is possible to conduct a sensational Grim
the proceedings the subject of general
deriSfou
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
HOW 1T COSTS TO LIVE.
Hiqh-water Mark for Seventeen-year
Period in 1906.

washinoton Cor New York Evening Post
The bureau of labor has taken another
look into the cost of living, and it finds
1t is still Increasing. Its latest examina-
ton had to do with wholesale prices
only. 1t is now making a study OF re-
tail prices. The investigation just COM
pleted shows that wholesale prices, con-
sidering 255 commodities as whole
reached a higher level in 9oo than at any
other time during the seventeen-year
period covered. The average for the year
1905 was So per cent higher than for
leo5; sos per cent higher than for 9e7
the year of lowest, prices during the
seventeen-year period. and 22.4 per cent
higher than the average for the ten years
from 1890 to 1899. Prices reached their
highest point during the seventeen-year
period in December, 9o6, the average
for that month being a. per cent higher
than the average for the year 1906, and
6.3 per cent higher than the average for
December, 9o5.
The study of the bureau was extended
to farm products. foods, clothes, and
clothing, fuel and lighting, metals and
implements, lumber and building mate
rldlS, drugs anu cHeiiAcdiS, HOuse-AufnlSn-
ing goods, and miscellaneous commodi-
ties. Only two of the nine groups showed
a decrease in price compared with 9O5
farm products and drugs and chamicals
Seven groups showed an increase in price,
this increase reaching 1914 per cent in the
case of metals and implements, and 90
per cent in the case of lumber and build
ing materials.
The average price for eo6 of farm
products, taken as whole, differs but
little from that of I9o5, decrease Of
only one-half of per cent being shown
Foods as a whole increased 3.6 per cent
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
OPEN SESAM e!
From IIarper's Weekly.

A we'll known New Yorker who spends
good part of his time in Paris relates
how he once met a fellow countryman
who invariably sported a huge red badge
bearing the legend of the national republic
can committee.
After a time the New Workers. curiosi-
ty got the better of him, and he asked
his fellow countryman why he was dis
playing such an emblem to the foreigners.
Its just this way cheerfully ex-
planned the other "One day, at one of
the big hotels, I noticed a number of
chaps who got the best of me at all times.
| bethought me that 1t would be a good
idea to consult one of the walters as to
the reason. incidentally, tipped him.
"a great light burst upon me when 1
was politely informed by the waiter that
one of the gentlemen indicated wore the
Legion of Honor, that the other sported
India, and that the third was the proud
possessor of the Order of st. Michael and
st. George. Gentlemen wearing these and
other orders, added the waiter, were in
variably given the utmost consideration.
ut didn't take me long to drop In line.
l dug down into my trunk and pulled out
the badge you now see adjoining my man
" chest. l put 1t on and have worn 1t
ever since. OF course none of our French
friends has the least idea what it repre-
sents, but It's decoration, and that goes
with them! Since 1 donned it nothing has
been too good for me-"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
SMITHS LARGE FORTUNE

From the New York Times.
I was said yesterday, apparently on the
best authority, that the late James
Henry Smith left an estate valued at
So, 00o,000 He had made a will prior to
his marriage in favor of Mrs. Rhinelander
Stewart, but Immediately after his mar
riage he made a second will, which will
undoubtedly be admitted to probate with
out a legal contest.
It Is understood that through the Sec
ond will Mr.. Smiths widow will inherit
about 100000, thus disposing of the re-
port that she had been forgotten by her
husband. Mr. Smiths sister Lady Mary
Smith Cooper, will get about $2,OO0,00O
It Is now declared that a favorite
nephew will get the bulk of the estate
after provision has been made for every
one of the other Smith relatives. The
smallest legacy that any of the nehpews
would receive, it was said yesterday,
would be $4,000
It is believed that the Chicago hospital
will come in for $685. 900, and that at least
$500 600 more will go to charity. There
were four trust funds established under
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06

! the will for the benefit of relatives of
Smith, but just what they amounted to
or who was to benefit by them was not
made public yesterday
George and William Mason, sons of Mr..
Smiths sister. are named as executors of
the estate under the last WILL together
with Sir George Cooper, Smiths brother
in-law his private secretary and conf
Dental man. Herman LIE Roy, and George
Eddy, a distant relative None of the ex-
eeutors would discuss the contents of the
will yesterday, although they did not deny
that generous provisions had been made
for all of Mr. Smiths relatives.
Smiths brother. John Yule Smith, who
was heralded as a new heir from Valpa-
raise, is still in South America. 1t was
said yesterday that he would share in the
estate, the same as the others of Smiths
relatives, and that the fact of his exist
enee was not news by any means, as he
had frequently correspondent with his
brother James before in the last ten
years.
There is a nephew in Philadelphia who.
will also come in for a share of the
estate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
IN HOTEL LoBBIES
Summer Concerts.

II was hoping that the agitation for
free summer concerts in Birmingham
would result in something definite said
a music lover, but as the heated term is
almost here, I fear 1t is too late to raise
the money. In this I may be mistaken.
If the Commercial club or some public
spirited citizen would, even now, appeal
for subscriptions it might be that an
amount sufficient to employ a band of
twenty musicians would be donated.
There is hardly city of any consid-
erable size that does not have summer
concerts. In some cases the music is
paid for by the city council; in others by
private subscription. Birmingham is not
able at this time to appropriate money for
concerts, but 1t will be able two or three
years hence. In the meantime hundreds
of citizens would be glad to give some
thing. An organized movement along this
line should be successful"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
The Rev William B. Farrell, pastor of
the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Lor-
etto at Hampstead, returned Friday night
aboard the White Star liner Cretio from
a visit to italy. Father Farrell said that
the italian government was much con-
cerned about the effiux of its sturdiest
peasants to America. In southern Italy
villages had been depopulated by visions
OF wealth to be found in the United
States. Nobody was left to till the soil
The peasants had sold everything they
had, getting small prices, and departed
for the New World. In some places all
the houses were closed and there was not
a soul left except the village officials
The Cretic brought 200 italian immi-
grants, mostly from southern Italy.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-05-06
Cotton Outlook.

Charles A. Patterson of Selma, who
represents a large firm of cotton buyers,
and who holds the office of exalted ruler
Of Selma Lodge No. 167. Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, spent yesterday
in Birmingham His town was for time
a stronghold of Elkdom, and while the
lodge is not quite so large in numbers
as formerly, 1t is active and progressive,
and does It's share of the benevolent work
of the community.
Regarding cotton, Mr.. Patterson said:
"The crop outlook is not encouraging.
There was large planting but the unsea-
sonable weather has damaged the young
plants, and a great deal of the acreage
will have to be replanted. This of course
will make the crop late. Another serious
trouble is the scarcity of seed. The
prospects in the black belt are poor in
deed