davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
StandardiZilg Cotton Grades

A committee of cotton experts Sc
lected by Secretary Wilson of the de-
partment of agriculture is to meet
next month in Washington for the pur-
pose of defining cotton grades. These
experts will be assembled in accord
ance with provision of the last agri-
cultural appropriation act, as follows:
The Secretary of Agriculture, through
the bureau of plant industry, shall estab-
lish a standard for the different grades OF
cotton, calling to his assistance for that
purpose expert cotton classifiers, by fix
ing a standard of nine different grades to
be designated middling fair, strict good
middling, good middling, strict niddling
middling, strict low middling, low mid.
ding, strict good ordinary and good or
binary, which shall be the official stand
ard of cotton elassiications. These stand
ards are to be prepared in practical
form and furnished upon request to any
person, the cost to be paid, when deliv-
cred, by the person requesting the stand,
ard.
Professor Galloway, chief of the bu-
reau of plant industry, does not expect
the experts to do anything radical or
revolutionary, because he expects the
experts he is inviting to come together
to adopt a classification that will be
acceptable to all who handle cotton.
AS things stand now each cotton ex-
change Classics cotton grades to suit
its own notions. Uniformity in grad
ing is certainly desirable, and the
Washington movement promises to
bring that about.
1t is not claimed that Congress or
the department of agriculture has pow
.er to establish cotton grades. The
work of the cotton experts at Washing
ton and the needs of the situation will
be all the weight and influence that
the case calls for If the classification
of the cotton experts be satisfactory
the cotton exchanges can be trusted to
adopt it. 1t is case of moral suasion
only
The present heterogeneous stand.
ards perplex and afhict the cotton
trade, and the present movement is
the most promising that has been put
before those who grow and handle the
great crop. 1t is to be hoped that Sec
rotary Wilson and Professor Galloway
cotton classifiers in this and other
countries, and that their classification
will be SO satisfactory that no cotton
exchange can afford to reject it.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Haekett and His Mother.

Thomas A Mckee, special agent for
James X Hackett, arrived in the city
yesterday to conclude arrangements and
finish all the details of Mr. Hackett' S
coming engagement at the jefferson. Mr.
Hacketts business in the south has ex-
eeeded by far his expectations inasmucn
as the theatrical business throughout
the entire country is not what it used
to be. However. the theatrical patrons
of the south have proved to Mr.. Haekett
beyond all doubt that they are loyal to
him and that they remember him pleas
antly after an absence of about seven
years. His business has been enormous in
some places, records of theatres have been
broken and people have turned out en-
mass to witness his performances
Mr.. Hackett will arrive on his special
train, consisting of two baggage cars, d
day coach. a sleeper and Mr.. Hackett' s
elaborate private car, "The Iolanthe," said
to be one of the most elegant bits of
railroad rolling stock in this country Mr..
Hackett is accompanied by his mother,
to whom he is most devoted, and for
whom his car is carried, Mrs. Haekett' s
apartments being as sumptuous as could
be found in any grand hotel in the coun-
try. Mr.. Hackett entertains lavishly on
the car, his mother presiding at all So
cial functions.
Mr.. Mckee says the outlook for Mr..
Hackett's engagement in Birmingham is
particularly bright and he will no doubt
receive warm welcome at the hands
OF his many friends here.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Aerial Victories Of 1908

The old year that is nearly ended
will certainly stand out in history as
the year in which man learned how to
fly through the air unaided by gas
bag. The heavier-than-air flying ma
chine has, in the hands of the Wright
brothers, ,materialized. They are the
two kings of the air. They can fly as
the birds fly. Like the birds they are
heavier than the air they displace.
They use a motor, while the more cum
ming birds do not use any motor but
natures own. There is, however, no
rivalry between the Wright boys and
the birds, the former being glad~to be
able to fly under any circumstances.
No one claims that aviation is COM
anercial success-tnat it is practicable
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Good DAYS Work.

Henry Black, a negro at our Coal
mont mnes made new high record for
digging coal last Wednesday" said G..
NJ. Bowers, secretary and treasurer of the
Cahaba Coal company. people who
think miners cannot earn good money do
not know what they are talking about
This negro loaded q tram cars of coal
each averaging 5000 pounds. In other
words loaded S11s tons of coal for which
he received 55 cents a ton or $17.s5 In
addition to this he was through his days
work and was out of the mine shortly
after o'clock in the afternoon.
Last Wednesday was payday at our
mines and Black came to me and drew
his money for the month before o'clock.
He drew over 500 in cash for the month.
This of course was in addition to his sup
plies of powder and his commissary &C.
count for the month
Miners can make money in the Ala
bama field if they want to.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Looks Good to Him.

81 have been travelling through tn e
south every year for the past ten the
atrical seasons and on every trip 1
have had the pleasure of visiting Biz
mingham," said an advance agent for
one of the shows which will be at
the jefferson soon, 'and 1 am certainly
impressed with this town.
'I think that If I ever get good
chance 1 will blow down south for
good. The c9untry's great, and this
weather? Immense!
Il was in Birmingham ten years ago
for the first time and she was love-
ly burg then. But it beats me how
the place has grown. This time a
year ago / was here and don't be-
lieve you have lost a thing except
your saloons. BY the way, how does
this prohibition gag work?
Great building up on the next cor
ner." he said, referring to the Brown
Marx structure, "a credit to any town.
Lots of building elsewhere, too.
Say, can't I get a cold one
around here anywhere? Never mind.
come join us, here comes fellow who
can deliver. Well, goodbye. Coming
around to the show, are you? Hope to
see you"
1.-The agent said all that is quoted
and about three times as much more
in a space of time about as big as
four times Is seconds and a minute
after he was introduced he was off, on
his way down Second avenue, toward
the theatre.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
COL. NJ CLURE Is
COMING IN SPRING

letter to Secretary J. B. Babb of
the Commercial club, from Senator
Joseph F. Johnston, gives the news of
the approaching visit to Birmingh am
of one of the city's greatest and
staunchest friends, Col. A. K. Mcclure
of Philadelphia, who has written and
advertised the Magic City probably
as no other one man. He will be
here in March and will probably be
extensively entertained. The letter fol-
lows:
Mr.. J. B. Babb:
I am told that Col. A. K. Mcclure
will pass through Birmingham stop
ping for a day some time in Febru-
airy or March, / am writing this to
advise you so that steps may be taken
to show the high esteem Birmingham
has for a friend of long standing-the
man who did more to advertise her
resources and predict her future than
any other not a citizen. A reception
and banquet, the latter not over two
hours, would probably be the proper
thing. If l am here / will be glad
to be present as a charter member
and If not, to contribute. Yours. truly,
JOSEPH F. JOHNSTON.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
GREEN BE THE TURF ABOVE

(Written on the death of Joseph Rodman
Drake)
BY Fitz-Greene Halleck.
Green be the turf above thee,
Friend Of my better days,
None knew thee but to love thee,
None named thee but to praise.
Tears fell when thou vert dying
From eyes unused to weep,
And long, where thou art lying,
VIII tears the cold turf keep.
When hearts whose truth was proven
Like thine, are laid in earth
Then should a wreath be woven
To tell the world their worth.
And 1. who woke each morrow
To clasp thy hand in mine,
Who shared thy joy and sorrow,
Whose veal and woe were thine
1t should be mine to braid it
Around thy faded brow;
But I've in vain essayed it,
And feel / can not now.
While memory bids me weep thee,
Nor thoughts nor words are free.
The grief is fixed too deeply
That mourns man like thee.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Woodmen Elect Officers.

Admission, December 29-(Special.)-At
the meeting of the Admission Household
No. 7, Columbian Woodmen, last night
the following officers were elected for
the ensuing year: Counsel, ]. G. McI&in-
ney; viceroy, T. A. Hill; cardinal, II. II.
Mcclure; clerk, c. W. Nixon; banker, S.
L. Galbraith; counsellor, S. w. Tate;
physicians, Drs. Moore and VIM; pilot,
III. Bowles; herald, ]. A. DuBose; picket.
C. A. Graham; guardsman E. c. Hous-
ton; reporter, j. A. Robertson.
All of the above officers will be in
stalled at the next meeting, except Clerk
Nixon, as Clerk Langford's term of Of
flee does not expire until March l.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
the New York Press.

From the New York Press.
The basis Of a womans faith in any
body is how much unhappier she would
be without 1t.
The man who becomes famous usually
does so through the efforts of others to
prove that he isn't.
A woman can generally manage to gel
furs for a Christmas present If she has
to give them to herself.
One of the meanest tricks you can play
on man is to act as If he's too respect
able to be invited to come along with yot
and enjoy himself.
There's hardly a man who doesn1
like to pretend when he goes to restau
rant that he's so well known there the,
always try to do something special fol
him.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Railroad MEETING Announced.

New Haven, Conn, December 29.-In
regard to the dispute of the trunk lines
with the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad company over the Ca
madam differential rate westward on
its freight it is stated here that the
meeting of the trunk line executive com-
mittee will be held at New York January
s. Involved in &the controversy are
southern steamship lines that include the
Old Dominion, Mallory, Clyde Steamship
company and Savannah and Morgan
lines which have heretofore enjoyed the
differentials.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
About Persons.

DR.. c. C. Brown of Odenville, one of
the substantial citizens of st. Clair
county, is at the Florence.
Miss Julia Tutwiler of Livingston
PASSED through Birming CHAM yesterday
en- route to Atlanta, where she will at
tend the educational conference of the
south. Miss Tutwiler is one of the
best known women of the south.
DR.. Joseph Leland of Tuscaloosa, a
prominent young attorney, is at the
Hillman.
Joel F. Webb of Montgomery, one
of the well known Alabam1ans, is reg
istered at the Morris.
Ray Fern is spending the holidays
in Birmingham, the guest of M. G,
Helms.
q. M. Crane, secretary to G. G. Craw-
ford, president of the Tennessee Coal
Iron and Railroad company, has re-
turned after a visit to Nashville.
Joseph w. Ellison, one of the best
known statesmen for the Stacy-Adams
Shoe company of Boston, is in Birming-
ham. He reports business good.
w. E. Skegg, prominent citizen OF
Decatur is at the Hillman.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
CASTRO IS SLAVE
TO HONOR AND DUTY

eBrlin, December 29.-Senor Castro left
the hospital and returned to the Espla-
made hotel this afternoon. He granted
an interview to the Associated Press
correspondent tonight. The former presi-
dent was asked if there was any truth
In the statement published in various
newspapers to the effect that he left
Venezuela knowing what was going to
happen.
Senior Castro, who was already greatly
irritated over unfounded press reports
concerning his movements and affairs, at
first refused to discuss the matter and
then calmly made the following reply:
No, for If I had ever suspected such
thing l would have remained in Vene-
zuela, even had my life been imperlled
through i'll health, because [ have al
ways been and am now the slave to
honor and duty The only fear 1 have
is the fear of Cod
'It is rumored that the Venezuelan gov
eminent will request your extradition
from Germany in order to indict your"
Castro was informed.
II do not consider that possible" re-
Piled Castro, "since no such covenant is
in existence between Venezuela and Ger
many. The only convention between the
two countries relates to trade marks and
Ia dated 1882. Extradition treaties ex-
list only with Belgium, Spain and Bolivia.
But even supposng such convention ex-
lists, only the slightest hint is necessary
and 1 am willing to go to Venezuela and
prove my political honor. I believe L
would be the gamer from this in pubic
opinion. In regard to international az
fairs, concerning the foreign policy OF
Venezuela, would suggest that an inter-
national tribunal should judge me to prove
that Venezuela was right and reasonable,
provided that If such right should be
proven, justice might be accorded to
Venezuela and to me-
Senior Castro declined for the present to
give any further statement, but he dis
oussed the events in Venezuela since the
change in government, expressing pleas
ure that there had been SO little blood
shed there. He thought that his brother,
Gen. Celestino Castro, had acted correct
ly in obeying orders to submit and give
I'D the arms and ammunition in his
charge, thus avoiding a conflict.
Concerning the intention of President
Gomez to settle the outstanding foreign
questions, Castro believed that Gomez
was acting as he thought best, but
declares that the action of Venezuela
| hitherto was justified. He did not in
| tend, however, to interfere In the pro-
gress of events and had not communi-
Gated with Venezuela In any way
| Castro is still under the care of Dr.
Israel, who consented to his return to
| the hotel as the hospital surroundings
| and confinement were adversely af-
fecting his patient Senior Castro goes
| out daily in an automobile. He lives
quietly and is strictly following the
regime laid out for him. DR.. Israel
| says that an operation will not be
necessary, his patients ailment is pain
| full but not at all dangerous.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Friendly Relations Resumed.

Washington, December 29.-Dfs-
patches from w. I. Buchanan, the spe-
cial commissioner to Venezuela, re-
ceived at the state department today
indicate that he has taken steps to
get in direct communication with the
officials of that government with
view to taking UP the work with which
he is entrusted. He is expected to
discuss freely with the new govern
ment established there various mat
tiers of importance between the two
countries and on the character of his
report the future attitude of the state
department in dealing with Venezuela
will be based. The United States, hav-
ing resumed friendly relations with
Venezuela, with the understanding
that she is now willing to settle pend
ing international questions, a discus
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
SIGNS of Vanity.

"Have you noticed the little evidence
of vanity that prompts nearly every
man to glance into the little mirrors
on the street car as he alights?' asked
an observer. 1.-THE little mirrors were
nut there at such an angle that the
motorman can glance into them and
see whether anyone is getting on or
off the rear end of the car. The
angle, however, is just right for man
to glance into the glass just as ne
goes to alight from the car. Men are
accustomed to have little fun at the
expense of the fairer sex because they
glance into every mirror in sight, but
the sterner sex has its own weak
nesses as anyone can observe If he
VIII watch the men leaving the plat
forms of the street cars"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Maurice untermyer Dead.

New York, December 29-Maurice
Untermyer, a member of the law firm
of Untermyer, Guggenheimer & Mar
shall, the personal counsel of several
of the largest brokers in Wall street,
died today of heart disease. Mr.. I'm
termyer was 48 years old and wac
born in Lynchburg, Va
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Who wins no popularity?
The nrnal rn1
THE BRIGHTER SIDE.

Il understand that the entire edition of
your book was left on your hands" said
a thoughtless friend of the author.
80 it was" answered the author, cheer
fully, but it solved the problem of
Christmas presents beautifully. l sent ev-
erybody 1 knew copy of my book"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

Don't get the impression that Castro
had not observed the buzzsaw of Ven
ezuelan public opinion before he start
ed to consult Dr. Israels in Berlin. He
knew when to have his liver adjusted
in peace.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Commission for Austin.

Austin, Tex, December 29.-The
city of Austin at popular election to-
day decided to place its municipal af-
fairs in the hands of commission
for government by a majority of 500
votes out of 2160 cast. The charter
will be submitted to the legislature in
January for enactment into law.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
was on his last dollar. =
A TROUBLE SONG.

A TROUBLE SONG.
Hand in hand with trouble,
Down the paths of pain,
Never any hills to climb,
Any prize to gain;
Never any sunlight
Flashing cross the blue,
Never any distant goal,
Bravely sought and true.
Hand in hand with trouble,
Signing life away;
Never any dream to dream
OF a better day.
Skies are overloaded,
Hearts are filled with rue
And no golden ray of hope
Gilds the forward view.
Hand in hand with trouble
Foolish thralls are We
So to plod when we might trip
Blithe of heart and free.
Why should they remember
Who may soon forget?
Still tomorrow wears smile
Life's worth living yet!
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

The Pittsburgers offer rewards for
a photograph of one of their council
men refusing an offer of bride money
and thus far no contestants have ap-
peared.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

The Roosevelts are drawing the col.
or line, and in Africa at that! They
propose to hunt white rhinoceroses
and white elephants. There are no
white tigers in Africa.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

The Standard Oil desired to be
shown wherein it was a monopoly, and
Missouri was, of course, where the
showing took place..
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

Mark Twain, Incorporated" pro-
poses to outrun the copyright law. As
legal proposition 1t may not prove
feasible.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
Wabash Dividend Declared

New York, December 29.-Directors OF
the Wabash Railroad company today de-
clared a semi-annual dividend of per
cent on it's debenture A. bonds, and of /
per cent on it's debenture B. bonds.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

The Pittsburg grafters in the city
council were bid in at bargain counter
rates. They had no proper apprecia-
ton of the value of their own votes.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
PROVING HIS WORTH.

PROVING HIS WORTH.
You never can tell
From the way man talks,
And the pose he assumes
And the gait that he walks,
II he's all true blue
Or a great big bluff,
But strike him for a loan
And you'll learn soon enough
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

Castro was Venezuelas vermiform
appendix, and Venezuela is herself
again now that her appendix has been
cut off.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
A PAIR OF CUTTERS.

You'll never see him standing in the
gilded hall of fame
Who's ever ready with SNUG excuse;
Posterity will never breathe the accents
of his name
user"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

The water wagon will be over
crowded for few days, but the new
corners will not be permitted to crowd
the Kaiser and Mr. Taft out of the
front seat.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

Champion Johnson, the heavyweight
pugilist, is as black as the ace of
spades, but he is American born.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30

The Caxtons are the best sellers in
the book world. J. P. Morgan recently
paid 100000 for 10 of them.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-30
IN THE RAILROAD WORLD

OF the recent road inspection of the
Alabama Great Southern Horace Baker,
general manager of the Alabama Great
Southern, has issued the following, MAX
ing known the winners of prizes:
Best division between Cincinnati and
Meridian, Chattanooga division, Cincin-
natl, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Rail
road company, M. J. Connerly. roadmas-
ter, honorable mention.
BEST district between Cincinnati and
Meridian, Oakdale to Chattanooga, Chat
tanooga division, T. L. Waters, road
master, SIS in gold.
Cincinnati division, best section, j.
Baker, foreman Burgin, Ky, $50 in gold.
Second best section, E. Massey, foreman,
Danville, KY, s25 in gold.
Chattanooga division, best section, J.
McCabe, foreman, Spring City, Tenn, $50
in gold. Second best section, ]. Mitchell,
forcement, Oneida, Tenn, $25 in gold.
Alabama Great Southern, best section,
M. Dyer, foreman, Springville, Ala, $50
in gold. Second best section, E. II. Wright,
foreman, Valley Head, Ala, $25 in gold.
Additional prizes-Best section between
Cincinnati and Meridian, Miss, S. NJ
Dyer, foreman, Springville, Ala, $40 in
gold. III. BAKER"
General Manager
r. s. Lovett, general counsel for the
Southern and Union Pacific lines, passed
through Birmingham yesterday en- route
to Cincinnati from which place he will
go to New York his headquarters.
Mr.. Lovett remained in Birmingham but
an hour, but was met at the station by
officials of several of the roads entering
Birmingham. He is on a pleasure trip,
he stated, and is completing tour from
New York to California to New Orleans to
Birmingham to Cincinnati to Washington
| to New York. He is travelling in a pri-
vate car.
| The board of control of the Terminal
| Station held a routine meeting yesterday
presided over by II. M. Waite, super
| intendent of the Seaboard. Among other
! things space rights in the new terminal
buildings were discussed.
! r. l.. Dubbs, superintendent of the Illi-
nois Central, with headquarters in Cor
NTH, was in Birmingham yesterday.
| III. E.. Hutchens, general superintendent
of the Southern, left yesterday for the
purpose of making a complete inspection
| of the western district of the Southern.
| H. w. Enrich, for many years an
employee of the Birmingham Belt, was on
yesterday promoted to the superintend-
| ency of that line. He will also have
charge of the power and maintenance OF
way. He will report to A. D. Lightner,
| general agent of the Frisco.
Superintendent Lorton of the Frisco left
yesterday for Springfield, Mo-, to which
place he was called by General Superin-
tendent Tyler. Today in Springfield there
| will occur a meeting of the superintend-
ents of the Frisco and Rock Island
w. ]. Long, general yardmaster of the
Texas Pacific, with headquarters in Long
view, Tex, after visit to his mother
Mrs. G. p. Long, returned to his home
over the Frisco yesterday.
B. j. Gigelow, a car inspector of the
lSouthern, was taken desperately Ill while
at work yesterday. His trouble is, pre-
lsumably, ptomaine poisoning.