davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Commodity Prices Are Lower

The movement of commodity prices up to March 1 in February was mark edly downward. The pace or trend which was inaugurated last year was accelerated in February. Fifteen arti- cles named in Bradstreet's list were advanced in that month, while B were marked down and 54 remained un- changed. Flour, beef, eggs, pork, bacon, hams, lard, butter, milk, molasses and rye were reduced in price in the mar kets-the larger markets of the coun- try.
 Were these articles marked down by all the dealers in this section in Feb ruary? Every one cost the retailer less when he purchased-did they cost the consumer less when be bought?
 The price level in the country reached the highest level on March 1, 1907. In the year that has since elapsed 30 products are higher, 63 are lower and 13 are unchanged. The decreases include eggs, beef, pork, bacon, hams lard, butter, mackerel, codfish, coffee, molasses, salt, lemons, raisins and cur rants. Are these articles today lower in price in this part of the country than they were one year ago? If not, why not?
 Commodity prices are drifting down. ward, but the drift of year has not affected the prices of all home dealers. Prices of the necessaries of life will almost certainly go down throughout year to come, and the consumer should begin to ask himself when he is to be benefited by the trend in commodity prices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Presidential Usurpation

Senator Tillman pictured with dra- matic effect the swing of the pendulum from the days of Andrew Johnson to the days of Theodore Roosevelt In Al years the pendulum has gone from one extreme to another Presidential power touched the lowest level in the days of Johnson, and the highest in the days of Roosevelt
 Senators Bacon and Tillman are in- dignant because legislation is framed and molded at the White House to be fired in broadside special message at Congress, and to be reinforced later by appeals to public sentiment and by the free use of federal patronage.
 The recent conference at the White House over the Sherman antitrust bill, in which conference the interests" were freely represented, is what spe- cially aroused Senator Bacon and pos
 
 sibly it led to the caustic speech re- gently delivered by Senator Tillman It seems to be conceded that the Pres ident is about to fire another special message into Congress, and he is get ting ready to appeal to the public and to utilize federal patronage.
 And yet outside of measures directed against predatory wealth the President is harmless He did not succeed in abolishing the blue-back speller, and when he took the sentence Tn God we trust" off the gold coins the House of Representatives voted to put it back, the vote being 255 yeas and nays.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
St. Patrick's Celebration.

The St. Patrick's celebration given to- night at the Ensley opera house under the auspices of the Ladies Aid society of St. Anthonys church, was a decided ar tistic success. The musical programme was exceptionally fine. Each number was well received, and each artist had to re- spond to an encore. Charles J. Her bert sang a couple of songs in fine style, Mrs. H. ]. Krebs sang in her usual artis- tic and charming manner and the violin solo of Miss Regina Heinberg was rea- dered with the finish and style of mas ter and was enthusiastically applauded
 Miss Mamie Mallock, whose rich con- tralto voice was heard to advantage, had to respond to frequent encores.. B. l.. Michealsons solo was well adapted to his fine rich voice, receiving much ap- plause. Mir. Luckie sang with spirit and expression and his fine singing provoked much applause. J. w. Beddow gave a couple of recitations in his inimitable style. His little daughter Nellie also rcclted in a most charming manner Prob- ably the most pleasing musical number was Father O'F1ynn," by the Rev H. D. O'Grady, who is possessed of fine barl- tone voice, the song being particularly ap- propriate. Miss Nina Randall and Miss Abbie Murphy were accompanists.
 The speaker of the evening was Hon. Sterling A. Wood of Birmingham MT. Wood spoke eloquently, his theme being the occasion that was being celebrated He brought cut many interesting thoughts and at the conclusion of his speech re- ceived quite an ovation. The Rev. F. c. Doyle acted as chairman and acquitted himself with his usual ability. He also made an historic address, speaking lov- inslv and tanderly of the wrongs of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Birminqham's soIidity.

Those of us who live in Birmingham know that this district is solid and that there are fewer men out of employment here than in other cities, population con- sidered," remarked Albert Fasnacht, tn } well known restaurant man, but com- mercial travellers tell me that in all the southern cities of any pretensions we are being knocked hard.
 One of the most prominent drummers travelling out of New York told me this week that people in Mobile and Montgom- cry made him think that Birmingham was at standstill, If not on the down grade. This drummer said he was agree ably surprised to find on reaching the city apparently the same push and hustle as he found here before the panic. He knew, of course, that business conditions were below normal throughout the coun- try, but he said. Birmingham seemed in better shape than were large industrial centers in other sections, and that on the whole this city made the best showing of any community between the Ohio river and the gulf.
 Tt Is too bad that rival cities should, through jealousy, misrepresent facts about Birmingham. It would be inexcus- able for Atlanta people to misrepresent us, and for the people of any Alabama town to knock us is even less pardon able. l am satisfied, however, that the knockers whom my drummer friend met represented the few and not the many. I have old friends in Montgomery and Mo- bile and they are really very proud of Birmingham as the metropolis of Ala bama and the Pittsburg of the south'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
OBSOLETE RIFLES
 FOR CONFEDERATES

Washington, March 17.-(Special.)-C federate veteran camps throughout the south may be provided with obsolete rifles and equipment if a bill introduced by Representative Slayden of Texas becomes law. Slayden's bill authorizes the secre- tary of war to donate to the Albert Sid- ney Johnston camp of Confederate vet erans of San Antonio, Tex, 50 obsolete Springfield rifles. Before introducing his bill MT. Sayden discussed the proposed measure with members of the committee and understands that there will be no objection to it's passage in the House. It would form a precedent which would be used by other Confederate camps in tfe south wishing equipment.
 Senator Dillingham;, chairman of the Hundley subcommittee, said today that ne did not know when he would call a meeting of the committee to pass upon the Hundley case
 The nomination of Postmaster Barker for the Mobile postoffce has been fa- voIably reported by the Senate postoffce committed. w. s.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
cnst of Taff camnainn

The Washington correspondent of the New York World says the cost of the Taft preliminary or pre-nomina- ton campaign is unprecedented, ex- ceiling Mark Hanna's expenditures in behalf of Mckinley in 1896, and of course far outrunning those of any other preliminary race. The total ex- penditures to date have been $75O, ,OOO, every dollar of which came out of the capacious pockets of Brother Charles, who is said to be worth s25,0OO,00O.
 There is Taft organization in every state, and generous salaries are paid Money is disbursed freely. It was poured out like water in Missouri. Oklahoma and Kansas. The result is that Taft has secured IA delegates in Oklahoma, 28 in Missouri, and 16 in Kansas. He swept all three states, or rather he put his shekels in those states where they would do the most good An unknown man was sent from the Taft headquarters in St. Louis to canvass Oklahoma, and it is known his salary was 5000 a month and all ex- penses paid.
 This explains why Taft had secured at the close of last week 120 delegates against 26 for Fairbanks, for Cannon, 2 for Hughes and 6 uninstructed. Money is what makes the politician hustle and the mare go.
 The indications are that Wall street is in a mood to accept Taft as the lesser of two republican evils, and that 1t will supplement BrotheA Charles money with huge slush fund.- and the country will witness another fort to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
BRYAN ADDRESSES
 IRISH BANQUE7ERS

Chicago, March INV. J. Bryan was the principal speaker at the St. Patricks s day banquet of the Irish Fellowship club here tonight. He arrived here today and was at once escorted to DePauw univer- sity, where he delivered a short talk to the students on the value of education. From the university he proceeded to the board of trade, where an informal recep- ticn was held. MT. Bryans subject to- night was the signs of the times.'
 The things that hold us together as citi- zens are more important than those which array Us in hostile camps, he said early in his talk, and with this sentiment as a key of thought he confined himself to broad issues. He urged a union of Irish men throughout the world whether Cath ollie or Protestant.
 Love Of liberty is not the sole possess siol of any one church" he said In Mexico speech, press and religion are free. And in this country we can unite not only in defense of liberty, but in sym pathy with all who struggle for it every where"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Steel Frame BuiIdinos.

John Griffith of Chicago, senior mem- Der of the firm of John Griffith S, Sons, the famous building contra ctors. Is in Birmingham arranging for the erection of w. H. Woodward's l6- story structure on First avenue. Hav- ing already built three skyscrapers here, MT. Griffith is a familiar figure on the streets of Birmingham and his personal friends in this district are quite numerous.
 T have been a builder since 1S73." said MT. Griffith, but when I began business as a contractor steel frame construction was unknown. The first building of that character that I put up was the Rialto, in Chicago. That was in 1884 Since that time I have constructed many mammoth buildings in various cities, among the best known being the Masonic temple in Chicago and the Wanamaker building in New York. l regard the latter as about the most elegant example of steel frame construction in this country.
 one does not have to be old to re- member when skyscrapers were curl osties. Now they number in the thousands And they will multiply fas- ter in the future Today Birmingham has four steel frame office buildings and my firm has just closed a contract to construct a 16-storY building on First avenue which will be reared by Mr. Woodward as an addition to the Brown Marx. It is safe to say that in three or four years Birmingham will have four or five additional steel frame buildings.
 "The man who worked out, for prac- tical applicatio the steel frame prob lem was the late w. l.. Jenney of Chi cago. He died recently in California. MT. Jenney was an architect and en- gneer-one of the ablest men this country has had. I would say that he was the father of steel frame de- sign. believe he originated the idea, but whether he did or not he developed it.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
JAFFAR.

Jaffar the Barmecide, the good Vizer, The poor mans hope, the friend without
 peer.
 Jaffar was dead, slain by doom unjust: And guilty Haroun, sullen with mistrust Of what the good, and cen the bad might
 say Ordain'd that no man living from that
 day
 Should dare to speak his name on pain
 of death All Arabyand Persia held their breath. All but the brave Mondeer-He, proud to
 show
 How far for love a grateful soul could And facing death for very scorn and grief (For his great heart wanted great re-
 lief),
 Stood forth in Bagdad, daily in the square Where once had stood happy house,
 and there Harangued the tremblers at the scymtar On all they. owed to l.e divine Jaffar. Bring me this man. the caliph cried;
 the man
 Was brought was gazed upon. The mutes
 began To bind his arms. welcome, brave
 cordsr' cried he; From bonds far worse Jaffar deliv'd me; . From wants, from shames, from loveleSS
 household fears; Made mans eyes friends with delicious
 tears; Restord me, loved me, put me on a par M.tn his great self. How can pay Jaf-
 far?''
 Haroun, who felt that on a soul like this The mightiest vengeance could but fall
 amiss, Now deignd to smile, as one great lordy
 of fate Might smile upon another half as great. lie said, "Let worth grow frenzied if it.
 will N The caliph's judgment shall be mastery
 still, E Go. and since gifts so move thee, ts -
 this gem, X C The richest in the Tartars diadem, N And hold the giver as thou deemest I'll "Giftsr' cried the friend. He took;
 holding 1t High toward the heavens, as though
 meet his star,
 Jaffar."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
How Thinas Are Picking Up.

Things are humming throughout the southern part of Georgia and Alabama" territory, and who is in Birmingham for a few days. Business has increased re- markedly over the business of November and December, and l sold more goods during February of this year than I have ever sold during February in my several years experience. The squeeze looks to me as though it acted as a weed ing process. Concerns dropped many men and in most cases the ones dropped were not quite up to the full calibre. Plants are rapidly resuming operation in this territory and all the idle men are return Ing to work. Prospects look good to me for excellent business in all lines"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
UNDERWOOD PAYS
 VISIT ID ENSLEY

Ensley, March 17-(Special.) )-Congress- man Oscar W. Underwood spent the en- tire day in Ensley and Wylam, and was the recipient of much attention on ths part of his many friends in this vicinity. MT. Underwood was the guest of Mayor D. F. Sugg during his visit to Ensley. A committee of citizens, consisting of Mayor Sugg, Hardeman Meade and M. H. Me Dowell, escorted the distinguished guest through the city and the various indus trial plants. They also drove out to the different suburbs of Ensley, MT. Un- derwood expressed much surprise at the growth of Ensley since his last visit about a year ago, and predicted a great future for the Steel City. In the evening he met with the Commercial club of Ensley at the club room, Avenue E, their special guest. The meeting was attended by as representative body of citizens as ever gathered together in Ensley. Every class of citizens were represent ed from the mechanic to the capitalist
 MT. Underwood made splendid speech on industrial conditions. comparing con- ditons here with the distress that pre- vails in the industrial districts of the north. He spoke at length on the pro- posed government building for Ensley, and stated that the committee on appfo- priations had reported favorably on a S6O,000 building. He also stated that were it possible for him to have brought the committee to Ensley and shown to them the splendid industrial developments, the match1ess resources and the future ma terial prosperity of Ensley, he had no doubt but that a $100000 appropriation would. be made. He referred to general conditions in the district as being as fav- orable as any in the country, and also 10 the fact that the Birmingham district was rapidly becoming the center from which prices of iron and steel were reg uated He was given marked attention, and was frequently interrupted by loud and continuous applause.
 With his usual modesty he refrained from alluding to his candidacy for Con- gress, or beyond what was necessary from speaking of the part he took in securing for Ensley the handsome appro- priation. At the conclusion of his speech he was warmly congratulated and much appreciation was expressed for the earn est efforts he had made for Ensley and it's vicinity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Pedestrians Move Slowly.

Notice how slowly the people are walk ing today said a bystander yesterday afternoon. ''The spring fever germ is getting in it's deadly work and if we don't get a touch of chilly weather all busi- ness will practically come to stand still. Look at that fellow with his hat jer<ed down over his eye and shuffling along at a one mile per day rate. He is walking about twice as fast as any body I have seen today"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Election at Anniesburg.

An election was held today at Annies- burg, a suburb of Ensley, to decide whether Anniesburg should become a part of Ensley. The election was unani- nous, the entire vote being cast for an- nexation. When the managers got through the arduous task of counting the vote it was found that six votes had been cast in favor of annexation. The terri tory taken in by the election today com prises a strip of land between Ensley and Wylam, the acquisition of which by Ensley joins the two municipalities and makes it possible to carry out the plan of Greater Ensley. The election was unique in that every voter was an official at the polls. B. F. Grant, w. D. Grant and w. S. Canterbury were the man. agers, Andy Ramage and John Thomas were the clerks, and w. c. Lewis was returning officer. The election was regu- lar, all the election laws being observed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 The only genuine joy for woman is sacrifice.
 Everybody believes in a square deal un- less it's for some one besides himself.
 A woman would like to be a duchess so she could dress up to her position.
 When man wishes he had a lot of money it's sign there wouldn't be any more for him to spend on himself if he had family.
 What a woman likes about a novel is where the heroine every third chapter sits down alone and thinks lot of things nobody can understand. By Leigh Hunt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Demand For Soft. Boiled Eqqs.

'.The soft-boiled egg business has made rapid strides in development this week said waiter in a quick lunch restau- rant last night. "Of course, there is always a pretty fair demand for this dainty dish. but during the last week or two it has simply boiled During the last 24 hours l would be willing to say we have filled no less than loo of these orders. The only thing l can attribute it to is the fact that the cold storage eggs are all out and those received now are freshly laid. Anyhow. our patrons are demanding the soft boiled article now"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
CONKLIN DEFEATS
 J.F. POGGENDURG

Chicago, March 17.-Fred Conklin of Chicago defeated J. F. Poggenburg of New York tonight in the fifth game of the National Amateur championsht tp billiard tournament by a score of 400 to 229.
 Conlslfn opened the game with run of 50. Poggenburg did not play strong ly, only reaching the double figures six times in his 25 innings.
 Conklln played steadily and at tines made several seemingly impossible shots.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
THE SUMMER GIRL

The summer girl is budding, She'll soon burst into bloom And smile away our troubles And laugh away our gloom. The summer girls a winner,
 If ever there was one, So frolicsome and dainty,
 So blithe, so full of fun. She has a breezy manner,
 She has a taking way. More charming every morning, More fetching every day. She's always cool and happy At least she so appears. On stilly, moonlight evenings Her loveliness endears. She sings the latest "coon' songs And reads the latest books, She wanders on the hill side.
 She dabbles in the brooks. She makes this life more pleasant, She sets all hearts awhirl- Our duties to her highness,
 The darling summer girl!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

buy presidential election. This was foreseen when the republicans in Con gross refused to pass an immediate and efficient publicity bill This is what the refusal meant. This is what is in store for an unhappy republic,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Flora Winston Out on Bail.

New York, March 17.-Flora Winston. the young woman who was arrested yes terday on a charge of perjury after she had testified in the trial of Raymond Hitchcock, was released on s5000 bail to- day. The testimony of the Winston girl which was a complete refutation of a story she had told before the grand jury which indicted Hitchcock, resulted in a verdict of acquittal for Hitchcock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Military Funeral.

Havana, March 1.-The late Gen. Ser nabe Boza. chief of staff to Maxine Go meg, and member of the last Cuban Con- gress. was buried with military honors today. hundred carriages followed the cavalcade of two regiments which escort ed the body to the cemetery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

A record price for real estate in Bir- mingham was made in the sale of the site for the new office building, which is about s11 go per square foot. No one can say that Birmingham is not four ishing regardless of prohibition and hard times. This is probably the rec ord price of real estate in any southern city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

The St. Louis Times thinks the reason that we don't get Speaker Can non's exact remarks in reply to Hob son is found in the fact that telegraph wires are not coated with asbestos
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

that orderly lynching in Texas is still attracting the attention of para graphers, who cannot be made to see that it is an improvement upon the old sort.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Father DoyIe's Panegyric.

q have heard many elegant speeches but I never listened to a more eloquent or more masterful panegyric on St. Pat rick than that delivered in St. Catherine's church at Pratt City by the Rev. Father Doyle of Ensley," said Capt. Frank F. OBrien last night. 'The matter of his discourse was scholarly and in delivery Father Doyle even surpassed himself. It was indeed a splendid effort
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

This summer-like weather makes vegetables in the back yard hum and homegrown peas will be on the table a month ahead of time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
BooTLEss.

BOUIIESS. Behold the spotlight, how it plays Upon the wicked crew Of grafters, while bold Teddy f1ays The trusts for what they do. Behold how fearlessly reform Moves OCT the weakened land, Intent to crush the rascal swarm With unrelenting hand. Behold the noise reformers make, Pursuing all the while. Yet, the pursued don't seem to quake In fact, they wear a smilei
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
About Persons.

F. F. Andrews, general yardmaster for the Illinois Central railroad at Birming- ham, left for Memphis last night. MT. Andrews will return to Birmingham with in the next few days and will take charge of the terminals of the Illinois Central at Birmingham.
 A. B. Demoville of Boligee is at the New Morris.
 I. Keller of Gadsden Is at the New Mor- ris.
 A. T. Titus of Ashley is at the New Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

The Roosevelt boom exists as a sub- conscious manifestation only. It has to exist. for it is to be Taft or l"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

Columbiana Peoples Advocate: The Birmingham district is beginning to op- crate furnaces again, and 1t won't be many months before every industry in that district will be in operation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

The crops are all right except in Kentucky, where the night riders are blighting the hurley plants.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18
Reduction In Wares.

Dover. N. H., March 17.-Notices were posted at the Cocheco Manufacturing companys cotton mill at noon today of a 10 per cent average reduction in the wages of lts 2200 operatives after March 30.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

The Kentucky night riders should be conscripted into our depleted cavalry regiments, in. which they could freely indulge in their love for riding.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

The American child considers the fire drill a good piece of amusement only. And yet it may prevent disaster.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-18

The tackles on the battlef1eet should brace up against joyous tour up along our own coast