davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
--ses--
RIPLEY RIPS THINGS.
President of Santa Fe Denies State
ments Made In MESSAGE.

Santa Barbara; Cal, January 31.-Presi-
dent E. p. Ripley of the Atchison, To-
peka and Santa Fe railroad tonight is
sued written statement absolutely deny
ing the charges contained in the letter
made public today in the special mes
sage of President Roosevelt.
Presidents Ripley's statement follows:
1.-The statement that I was party to a
secret rate is absolutely false. On the
contrary. L emphatically declined to grant
it. In this case, as in other cases, the
government has used information furn-
ished by discharged employe, making no
attempt to verify the charges or ask for
an explanation, but proceeding~to make
the charge public in ex-parte public docu-
ments.
1.-THE California case referred to has
nothing to do with interstate commerce
or with the national government. Since
the passage of the Hepburn bill, and in
fact since the passage of the Elkins bill,
this company has in no case intentionally
violated the provisions of the law. My
orders to all officers have been that the
law should be strictly observed. l have
simply defended myself and my corpora
ton from unjust attacks, as ] believe
will be amply shown in the final adj
Indication of the courts to which we
have appealed"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
The Presidents Message

President Roosevelt is nothing IL
not vigorous, but in his annual mes
sages to Congress he is in the habit
of taking up and discussing nearly
every conceivable subject under the
sun, so that his high pressure style
sometimes spends itself before the end
is reached In his special message
keyed up as well as wrought up, and
his effort from literary point of view
was thoroughly sustained.
He is after the trusts again and
especially after such corporations as
boldly evade the law. His message
was called forth by the recent decision
of the supreme court in regard to the
employers liability act, the experience
of the interstate commerce commits
sion and of the department of justice
in enforcing antitrust laws and the
'gravely significant attitude toward
the law and its administration" adopt
ed by certain heads of great corpora
tons. These matters, he says, make it
desirable that there should be addi-
tional legislation as regards certain
relations between labor and capital
and between the great corporations
and the public"
Right-minded men will agree with
the President in much that he says,
and while his passionate plea for
labor and for the oppressed has a
campaign ring it is none the less Wig
orous and pointed. The President diff
ferentiates the legitimate corporation
from the unconscionable trust and the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
Mr.. Aldrich's Amended Bill

The general control, the inner coun-
Gil of the republican party seems to
have decided that nothing more than
a patchwork currency bill shall be
passed at this session of Congress.
ut is the Aldrich bill or nothing"
according to all account from Wash
ington.
At the best it is a bill to modify and
relieve a stringency, not bill to pre-
vent a stringency or possible panic.
1t is to come in after a situation has
arisen. Its emergency circulation is
correctly named, for it presupposes an
emergency.
Bankers do not like it because it
provides for possible issue of $780,
100000 in bank notes, based on munich
pal or railroad bonds, with no strength
ening of gold reserves. Bankers think
this would in an emergency lead to the
boarding of gold and non-emergency
money.
The amended bill is no better than
the original bill. 1t may be a bill that
can command the votes of Senators
and Representatives, but it is not
bill that will give the country any
assurance against future panics. 1t is
q bill that thinkers with instead of re-
forming the bank'- and currency sys-
tens. and III Ter piece of patch
work = fficient in times
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
MAKING a Start

At last Jefferson county Is making
start in good road building. After
years of public agitation the Board of
Revenue is now taking the right
course. 1t is letting contracts for
several miles of new construction, and
all this work will be done under the
direct supervision of an engineer.
Heretofore the mistake had been made
in building roads with little or no at
tention to the work as an engineering
proposition. The construction OF
county highways, especially those in
a populous and industrial county like
jefferson, demands the services of a
skilled and experienced engineer, just
as in the case in cities where street
improvements and drainage are all
essential to the well-being and prog
ress of the community.
The Board of Revenue is made up
Of honest and intelligent men, and
since those public servants have be-
come alive to the fact that the roads
have been a matter of reproach to the
county and the further fact that the
system of road making needs modern
izing as well as energizing, excellent
results may be expected.
The road building, which will be
soon under way, is to be pushed for
ward vigorously. The plans call for
high-class work, and it is believed that
the contractors will take pride in car
rying out specifications. The super
vising engineer is certain to be on his
mettle and he will, it is thought, turn
over to the county some model roads,
for now that Jefferson is about to
enter upon an era of good highways,
the public will be satisfied with moth
ing short of the best. Physical condi-
tons are exceptionally favorable and
the county has ample revenue to do
all that is needed.
The board is to be commended for
its present action, but there must be
no fiagging-no cessation of interest
ON its part. After the roads are prop
erly made they must be maintained in
perfect condition Under we'll de-
fined and progressive road policy this
can be done easily and so long as the
public continues to keep up its lively
concern in the matter there will be no
danger of falling back into old ruts.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
ESTERHAzY STILL ALIVE.
n the Detroit Free Press.

From the Detroit Free Press.
Who does not remember Maj. Marie
Charles Ferdinand Esterhazy self-con-
fessed traducer of Major Dreyfus, tool of
those higher in authority than he, writer
of the Infamous "bordereau,' the man
who, more than any other single indi-
vidual, sent an honorable brother officer
to 70 years of torture. All who followed
the famous case remember him, first as a
Mephistopheles-like shadow, lowering inn
placable over his victim finally, as an
undone perjurer and mercenary, fleeing
before the attacks of lola and Picquart,
Now through the medium of the Euro
pean news service, we are given one more
glimpse of the disgraced Frenchman. He
lives in England, an exile from his home,
a man of 50 with the weakness, deep
lines and dun eyes of the octogenarian.
His only companion is a French girl who,
for some inscrutable reason, shares his
exile; his only means of livelihood is a
little translation on work which is now
and then given him by plying diplo-
mats.
One is glad to let the curtain fall on the
picture. Nevertheless, the sceneAis valu-
able for thought. 1t gives to the world
one more proof that the reward OF the
traitor, the bearer of false witness, is IN
evitably sorrow and pain. 1t was thus
with Judas, stirred by greed; thus with
Count Julian, stirred by revenge; thus
with Benedict Arnold, stirred with envy
and hate. No less is it thus with Ester
hazy, tool of his superiors and slave OF
race prejudice.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
~------ses------
TARIFF ON WHITE PAPER.
John Sharp Williams Urges Reduction
of the Duties.

Washington, January 31.-Under license
of general debate on the Indian appro-
priation bill, the tariff question cropped
out again in the House proceedings to-
day. Mr.. Russell of Missouri, urged
reduction of duties as a means of re-
lieving the farmer from excessive taxa
ton. Mr.. Kurtermann of Wisconsin
spoke in support of his bill to remove
the duty on crude petroleum and Mr..
Adair of Indiana wanted removed the
tariff on wood pulp and everything that
enters into the manufacture of white
paper.
Their arguments prompted Mr.. Williams
of Mississippi to make a general assault
on the tariff on paper, works of art and
paintings and engravings.
He applauded President Roosevelt for
favorlng "the untaxed spread of intell-
gence among mem and added that the
President had also tried to read the re-
publicans a lesson for taxing works of
art. Mr.. Hitchcock characterized the
price of paper by the International Paper
company as an enormous robbery and
said that If the duty was to be removed,
Canadian paper would be admitted and
force a reduction of the price of the
American company
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

vertises a baby as lottery prize ThatA
enough to make the storl1 sore on his job.
WHEN WE ALL WENT DRY.
with apologies to Riley.)
When we all went dry, when we all went
dry
A thirst was found in every throat,
tear in every eye.
People stood upon the corners and they
talked with bated breath,
Just as if ii were O. question that be-
tokened life or death.
Oh, the sun it wasn't shining as it used
to In the sky
And the world about was gloomy when
we all went dry!
When we all went dry, when we all
went dry
From the city in the valley rose a uni
Versal cry.
Topers spoke of Chattanooga as love-
ly garden spot
While their hands were all a-tremble and
their outlets burning hot.
And they groaned to see the water wagon
slowly rumble by
Oh this life was not worth living when
we all went dry!
In the days of the straight front IL
a girl looked fiat We knew she was
coming; if she didn't look flat-well, we
knew she was going.
That rustling sound you hear Is the
Georgia eolone1s of the old regime turn
ing over in their graves
A thief in New York state who stole
a dozen common chickens replaced them
with dozen blooded fowls. Well bet
the thief wasn't "cullud gemman."
A REMINDER.
Prithee, friend,
Lest you forget,
Have you paid
Your poll tax yet?
"Why Not Find Out?' is the title of an
editorial in a contemporary. That is the
motto of every woman.
No doubt you have noticed that some
automobiles make forty miles of fuss to
go only one block.
After all, success in life is largely
matter of keeping out of Jail.
scRAP1NG ACQUAINTANCE.
Rose, Rose, Rose,
You're a bloom in the garden of love.
With light in your eyes that even
outVies
The blue of the heavens aboVel
Rose, Rose, Rose,
What would / not give to possess
The street where you live, the house
where you live,
Your number, your name, your address,
A mean man in st. Louis sent his wife
to Kentucky to get fat on beans, when
every one knows it is stylish to be thin.
A Newark poet is writing verse about
appendicitis. Cut it out
PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
Eehrnarv a Political Month

The wayfarer even must see tnat
political events are moving rapidly
Eighty millions of people are thinking
rapidly and are acting up to their
thoughts in the choosing OF a ne"
President. State committees are pre-
naring to meet, and some state con-
ventions are to be held this MONTH
Mr. Fairbanks is preparing to pull OH
one in Indiana. In all states confer
ences are going on. and politicians are
fitting hither and thither like flies in
June.
The democratic party is, however,
peaceful and tranquil. 1t is also hope
.cul. All democrats now concede the
nomination by reclamation of MI.
BRYAN. and this great controlling fact
takes away all discord and all chances
for splits. Harmony reisns throughout
the great party, and all feel it is the
harmony that goes before victory.
The condition of the republican party
Is exactly the reverse. 1t is full OF
strife. Today Taft is uppermost, to-
morrow Hughes looms up, and over all
hangs the threatening third-term cloud.
The woods are full of favorite sons and
dark horses. Men like LaFollette and
Cannon are by no means out of the
running. The federal brigade is dis
tressed from day to day, and it really
does not know which bandwagon is the
more promising. Taft does not seem
to be sure of delegate east of Ohio.
If he is nominated it must be done by
Ohio and the south with some scatter
ing votes in the far west. 1t is still
anybody's race in the republican party,
and it is not a bit harmonious over
either men or platform planks. The
republican situation is not one that
promises a full vote for any one. The
magnates are lined up against the rank
and file. and both sides are insistent
and even threatening.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
Blue Laws a Hardship.

The literal enforcement of the Blue
Sunday laws would not only be an incon-
Yenience to many, but it would be an
actual hardship ON the working man."
said Sheriff Higdon yesterday afternoon.
There are great many men, especially
in small communities, who want meat for
dinner on Sunday and who do not have
refrigerators in which to keep it, and in
the summer time it is almost a necessity
that the market keep open for while on
Sunday morning. This is merely an eX-
ample, but there are many others like it.
There is no harm in operating such
places; in fact, l believe they should be
kept open, yet if people complain through
the proper course these places will have
to be closed. The law was laid down
years ago and as it stands it makes pro-
vision that only drug stores and newsboys
shall carry on business on Sunday.
Whether this shall be enforced or not is
a matter lying entirely with the public"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01

Sylacauga Advances Birmingham did
herself proud last week in her reception
to Bryan
Savannah Press: Dry Birmingham finds
even Judge Harmon stimulating Then
Bryan must have been exhiarating.
sylacauga Advance: They are taking
whacEs at Birmingham in all directions.
But she is able to stand that alright.
Rome Tribune-Herald: =. is alleged
that IN Birmingham the dwindling stocks
of prohibited liquors are being kept in
safety vaults.
Columbus Enquirer-sun: From Biz
mingham comes the news that dwindling
stocks of prohibited liquids are now being
kept in safety vaults
Wilcox Banner: Governor Conner and
the big guns went off on time during
Bryan's visit to Birmingham. 1t was the
Alabama primary, and Bryan carried it,
Knoxville Journal and Tribune: Br-
mingham is doing plenty to boot-leggers
who have been arrested and convicted
They arc fined heavily and sent to prison
for long terms.
Troy Messenger: Birmingham has been
subject to many jabs since she went dry.
One papers suggests that Birmingham.
Atlanta and Knoxville are getting real
chummy in their misery
Houston Post: In view of the dispen-
sary that is located on the South Caro-
lima side, the Augusta Herald ought to
lend its biting snake to some of its con-
temporaries in Atlanta or Birmingham.
Rome Tribune-Herald: Atlanta and
Birmingham are engaged in a contest as
to which shall have the fewest prisoners
in their city jails. Admitted Atlanta
is a few laps ahead SO far, but Brming-
ham is a close second.
Montgomery Advertiser: Japan has
planted 3,0000,0 900 camphor trees since 1900,
which ought to furnish material to cure
all the headaches in the world. Atlanta
and Birmingham of course, excepted,
such thing is no longer known there.
West Alabama Breeze: Bryan's visit
to Birmingham last week was important.
1t brought together hundreds of prom
inent men from all parts of the state and
showed party harmony surprising any
thing the democrats of Alabama have seen
in many years. Seeing and hearing Mr..
Bryan they understand him better and
recognize his greatness and power. The
meeting was good for both state and ma
tional democracy.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
CAlVE GETS HAIR CUT.
Climbs Into BARRIERS Chair In Atlanta
For the Job.

Special to the New York World.
Observation-Disclosures were treated to a
mild sensation this morning when Nine
Calve left her private car at the union
station, threaded her way through sand,
rubbish and watery spots and entering
the Kimball house barber shop, climbed
into the chair of ]. v Geno, the head
barber, and gave him instructions as
to the proper method of trimming her
locks
For 20 minutes to astonished barber
worked on her hair under her directions.
doing a little trimming around the ears
and exerting all his efforts to please the
most distinguished patron that ever graced
his chair.
Many of the male patrons in the shop
had an unaccountable desire to see what
kind of weather was reigning on the out
side, all of which necessitated passing
the chair.
When the task was completed Geno's
fair customers climbed out of the chair.
carefully replaced her hat and veil, paid
80 cents and walked back to her car
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
John W. TomIinson's lust Ambition

Mr.. Tomlinson has labored long and
faithfully for Mr.. Bryan and all that he
represents. He stood by the cause in
its dark as well as in its bright days,
and now when a victorious campaign
is approaching he should be sent to
Denver as a delegate-at-large. This
will be done by and with general con-
sent. He deserves the honor. He de-
serves to be a representative of the
democracy he has faithfully and ably
served.
The Age-Herald is glad to see that
there is no opposition to the plan of
placing Mr.. Tomlinson at the head of
the state delegation. The friends Of
Mr. Bryan certainly desire to see him
honored in this manner, and the friends
of Mr.. Bryan and the democracy of
Alabama are now one solid unit. All
opposition to the Nebraskan has faded
out like the mist of the morning, and
in the bright sunlight of coming vic
tory John w. Tomlinson will stand out
a commanding figure.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Whitson In the City.

Carson c. Whitson. a prominent citizen
of Talladega, connected with the state
democratic executive committee, and often
mentioned by his friends as a probable
member of Congress from his district.
was visitor in Birmingham yesterday.
Mr.. Whitson was chairman of the proh-
hition campaign committee in Talladega
county during the recent election, when
prohibition won such a signal victory,
When told of the results of prohibi-
ton on the criminal record of Birming-
ham, Mr.. Whitson stated that it was
just as good in Talladega. Our Mayor is
cleaning out the town over there. and we
hear very little of whisky sales. A few
scattering blind tigers have been cap
tured, but not half so many as you have
convicted here in Birmingham.
1T seems that Alabama and all the
states will instruct for Bryan continued
Mr.. Whitson, although he did not express
himself as very confident of victory for
the third-time candidate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
WEARING OLD CLOTHES

more than 20 gallons. Put down beer
and each of them could have approx
mately is glasses a week. Reduce that
only to two day, and the margin of saw
ing is over $50, 100000.
1t would, of course, be a simple matter
to carry the calculation through every de-
partment of production. The figures do
not constitute in themselves an argument
for saving. That is to say, no one is
likely to deny himself pickles, for ex-
ample, merely because it has been shown
to him that, if every one else did the
same, enough money would be saved to
build a cathedral every five years. Such
an argument, however, is at the bottom of
most pleas for the simple life. If its APP
peal is stronger now than usual, there is
probably no better reason for 1t than the
fact that it is easier to be economical
when others are economical than when
they are lavish. Most people, we fancy,
are retrenching because they feel that
they must. But even in the hardest times
we have to deal with prodigious totals of
production and consumption. In the pres
ent they are units which have increased
of late far faster than the corresponding
totals of population This ought to mean,
if the figures are not misleading, that the
margin above bare necessities is larger
now than formerly, and that a given
amount of retrenchment involves relative
ly less actual hardship. Be that as it
may, it is cold comfort at best. But a
nation forced for the time being into a
policy of cheese pairing is entitled to such
satisfaction as it can get from contem-
plating the vastness of the cheese.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
Saws Letter Was Stolen.

Los Angeles, January 31.-Auditor w. J.
Healey of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa
Fe railway company is quoted today as
saying that the letter from Assistant
General Traffic Manager Edward Cham
bers to Former Auditor c. A. David
son, which President Roosevelt incor-
porated in his message to Congress to-
day was stolen from the railroad offices.
THAT letter was stolen from our office,
declared Auditor w. ]. Heasley today.
81 have heard of it, and I cannot deny
that the letter was written, but l have
never seen 1t. I do not know who stole
it or how it got into the possession of
Heney."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
The Iron Market.

There is more iron being bought these
days than might appear on the surface"
say Matthew Addy & Co. 1T is true
that there is no wild rush of purchasers
to the bargain counter, but there is none
the less steady buying in small lots
that really amounts to a great deal in
the aggregate. Business is enlivened by
the constant effort of consumers to beat
down the prices of sellers. There are
many meters of iron who have made
offers considerably under the views of the
furnacemen and the subsequent negotia-
lions add a touch of color to the situa-
ton. Another thing that has marked
the week is the ordering of iron forward
on hold-over contracts from 1907.
There is no doubt that iron is cheap
at present. And by cheap We do not
mean that it is SO in comparison with
the prices ruling six months ago, but
it is cheap because it can now be pur
chased at just about the cost of manu-
featuring. In fact, scores of furnaces
in all sections are shut down simply be-
cause they cannot possibly get a new
dollar back for an old one. 1t is not
alone the lack of demand that has put
furnaces out of blast, but the shrinkage
in price has left them facing a heavy
loss. There may be some exceptionally
favored furnaces in the country that can
afford to make and sell iron at today's
prices or even less, but there are not
enough of them TO supply the demand
even of slack times. 1t is certain that
a brisk demand for iron in less than
week would develop a great shortage in
SunnlV.'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-01
sYLvANus coBs,s TABLE.

From the Norway (Me) Advertiser.
John A. Woodman, of the Beaps hotel,
is having the table on which Slyvanus
Cobb wrote his famous stories while
living in Norway repaired to save it
from destruction. The table had become
little weak in the legs and it had to
be strengthened. Mr.. Woodman also has
the cabinet, with pigeon-holes and a
door to close it up all tight and snug,
where Slyvanus Cobb kept his manu-
scripts and notes in the different stages
of the stories. This table and cabinet
look very humble when one thinks of the
stories written thereon that made to
great extent the great New York Ledger
and the fortune of its owner Robert
Bonner