davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
LOCKOUT IS SPREADING.
Men Refuse To Accept Terms From
 Employers.

stettin. August S-The lockout of 5000 chin rivetters, which is in effect at the v,lcan Shipbuilding yard here, threatens to spread throughout the country. The trouble had it's origin in the refusal of the men to accept the terms of their emnlovers relative to the payment of overtime rates and in their objection to working extra hours in the completion of contracts. The construction of sey- ar., warships has been delayed by reason ,s +be. attitude of the workmen.
 The local Iron Masters association to- day decided to reduce the output of all furnaces 60 per cent, beginning next Sat urdav in order to force the men, and shou,d this measure not induce the riv- etters to return to work, 1t is the in tention of the iron masters to lay nronosition before the German National Federation of Metal Workers to close their works throughout the empire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Oklahoma Banking Larv
 WiH Be Leading Issue
Bryan Proposes To Make Attorney General Bonaparte Ruling on Oklahoma Law Campaign Issue and
 Will Discuss It in Topeka Speech.

confidep 'n him. It was said tonight that tySS . Asons and a desire to avoid politi o 7 the factors that controlled thos csS ing objections to the election of van to membership.
 GS " of State JunlSin late today r Oso his decision in the case of the 2 of Victor Rosewater, republican
 @ al committeeman, against the plac- OH 5f the same names on the official , Q 1t for presidential electors under the
 . of democratic and peoples independ-
 t parties Secretary Junkin decides gainst the protest on the ground that the same men were named for electors by both conventions and that no pro- test having been entered by any mem Der of either party, he assumes that the action of the conventions were satisfac- tory to the voters they represented.
 MT. Bryan spoke tonight at a front lawn meeting which gathered at the home of Dr. P. L. Hall of Lincoln, to congratulate him on his election as vice chairman of the national democratic com mittee.
 MT. Bryan, accompanied by his secre- tary, went to the city from Fairview about 9 o'clock. His address was purely congratulatory in character and conta1n- ed no politics. He mixed freely with the 75 friends and neighbors of MT. Hall, who had called to extend congratulations. Dr. Hall, who is president of the Central National bank of Lincoln and the new national committeeman from Nebraska, responded briefly to MT. Bryan's ad- dress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Balloon Did Not Ascend.

Washington, August 3.-A large crowd that gathered at Fort Myer today to wit ness the first preliminary flight or capt. Thomas S. Baldwin's military dirigipie balloon. met with a disappointment. The balloon was taken to the parade ground but it did not fly. Captain Baldwin and the signal corps officers did not care to have the ballon make premature flight and run the risk of an accident, which might be construed as failure. The trial was postponed until tomorrow, when everything will be in readiness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Legislative Committee Probing the Convict System Must
 Do Something
LAWMAKERS AT SEA
 0N CONVICT MATTERS
If the Present System Is Abolished Something Must Be Done With the Convicts, and This Is
 the vexing Problem.

Atlanta, August 8.-"If the legisla- tive committee now probing the convict lease system does not complete it's la bors in time for thorough and ex- haustive report to be made at this ses- sion and acted upon before adjourn ment on August 12, I will call the legislature in extra session to dispose of the whole matter" said Governor Smith today.
 The committee, which held two ses- sions today. still has a large number of witnesses to hear and the comple- tion of it's work cannot be forecasted. The present lease system expires on April 1 next, and as the two branches of the legislature are at loggerheads over the disposition to be made of the states convicts. the outcome will prob ably depend upon the report of the in vestigating committee.
 The chief witness at this afternoons session was A. B. Coombs, superintend- ent of the state farm since 1903 who made a statement in contradiction to the eveidence submitted in criticism of his administration.
 
 statement in reply to Senator Brock who was formerly a member of the committee and resigned In order to testify in his own behalf. Hurt sub ,i mitted documentary evidence to show that pr. Brock, while in the employ of the state as a physician, was instru- 1 mental in securing a transfer of con ! viets from one camp to another with | profit to somebody.
 Other witnesses heard today were Dr. J. B. S. Holmes and J. M. Sanford, the latter testifying to the beating of il 15-year-old boy on the bare back until he fainted.
 Dr. W. B. Hamby, said to be one of the largest lessees of convicts in the state, was the only witness at the night session.
 Asked how 1t was that he secured convicts at a low price when others were bidding double the amount he of fered and could not get them, pr. Hamby stated that in his opinion the commission was confined in its opera tions of leasing convicts to the original bidders. No matter how many others put in bids, he said the convicts to be disposed of must be held until one of the original lessees called for them.
 Dr. Hamby testified that four years ago, In company with w: M. Toomer. of Waycross, he secured ap award Of 500 convicts and later on as many as 7S0, which he sub-leased at profit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04

San Francisco, August 3-Five persons were killed and two were injured today near Burlingame, fashionable suburb, when a huge automobile, occupied by five women and two children, plunged down steep embankment as the re- suit of snapping of the brakes. The dead:
 Mrs. Thomas A. Mccormick.
 Miss Clara Mccormick, aged 1S
 Robert T. OBrien, son of Mrs. Ira G.. OBrien.
 Ira G. O'Brien. Jr., aged 8 years.
 Mrs. Ira G. O'Brien.
 The party. had been on visit to the home of Prince Poniatowsk, in the hills near Burlingame. and was returning to San Mateo, where both families have their summer homes. Coming down a steep grade near Crystal Lake, Miss Ethel Mccormick endeavored to check the speed of the car by applying the foot brake.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
SHERIFF HIKES FROM PENSACOLA

Montgomery, August 3-A special to the Advertiser from Pensacola, Fla, says:
 Fearing possible violence at the hands of residents, who are bitter over the killing and wounding of so many people Wednesday night, when mob stormed the jail Deputy Sheriff B. H. Eaton, who was wounded himself, left here today for some point In Alabama He was accompanied as far as Floma- ton by the sheriff, who had been re- quested by the deputy to give him pro- lection. The latter received a tele- phone message this afternoon from the point where the deputy went stating that he had arrived in safety.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
Page f..

 Forest fires in British Columbia cause terrible disaster. Governor Hoke Smith may call special session of legislature. Taft talks in phonograph and his wife laughs at him. Mining district should be rid of trouble makers. Oklahoma bank guaranty law will be made campaign issue by Bryan. Samuel Gompers hopes democrats will win.
 Women and children dashed to death in auto. New road opens up, but can get no traffic. New superintendent takes charge at Ensey steel plant. Bessemer city council will hold import ant meeting. Martial music heard in camp Snagboat does good work in Mississippi delta.
 Page 3. Independents want ticket Both sides close in Holland trial Barbour county returns to old road system. Selma will pave streets.
 Page 4. Editorial comment.
 Page 5. House dynamited at Brighton last night. Finance committee of council will recom- mend submitting s350,000 school bond is- sue to voters Contract let for new mineral railroad by Woodward Iron company. Internal Revenue Commissioner J. O. Thompson says no attempt is being made to enforce prohibition laws. Governor Conner returns and says he made no comments in Chattanooga on Birmingham strike situation.
 Page 6. Railroad men meet in Montgomery.
 Page 2. Social events. Dolly Dalrymple writes for women.
 Page 8. Birmingham defeats Nashville Good trotting races at Kalamazoo. State fair opens October with races as a feature.
 Page g. Stock market shows little advance. Grain markets advance sharply. Cotton advances on rain reports
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Protest From Texas.

Washington August 3.-The interstate commerce commission has received tel egram from Senator Culberson of Texas stating that he will be here on Thursday or Friday as special representative of the Texas railroad commission to protest against the enforcement of a proposed increase of rates on goods shipped into Texas. These increases by all roads entering the state will go into effect against Texas common points on the 10th instant and against the Houston, Galveston and Rio Grande crossing groups on September 1, unless the com mission intervenes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
SAMUEL GOMPERS HOPES
 DEMOCRATS WILL WIN

Washington, August 3.-(Special)-I a speech before the Central Labor Union of this city tonight Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, expressed the hope that the dem ocratic party would win in the coming election. MT. Gompers, although he did not commit himself as In favor of any one candidate, made it clear to his hear CTS that while an independent trade unonist he was in sympathy with the policies of the democratic party.
 q am not q democrat nor am l a republican," said MT. Gompers, and I have not dictated to labor how 1t shall
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Republican Campaign Plans.

New York August 3.-The management of the New York headquarters of the republican national committee, in the ab- sence of Chairman Frank H. Hitchcock, will be in the hands of Victor l.. Mason of Pasaic, N J., who was appointed to- day assistant secretary of the commit tee. MT. Hitchcock intends to direct the work in all parts of the country, but will name vice chairman later who will be in charge at Chicago when MT. Hitch- cock Is not there. The headquarters of Secretary Elmer Dover also will be in Chicago.
 It was late today when Chairman Hitch cock returned from his Sunday night ex- cursion into New Jersey, which was taken mainly for the purpose of calling on Cornelius N Bliss, former treasurer of the committee, at his home at Sea- bright
 Because of the wreck of freight train at Railway, N. J., the national chairman was unable to get to Seabright and the conference with MT. Bliss has been post poned. Instead of going to Seabright, MT. Hitchcock went to Atlantic City where he conferred with H. Coleman Dupont. member of the committee from Delaware. MT. Dupont is a member of the executive committee which is advisory to the chair man and has been urged to take charge or the speakers bureau. This is regarded as one of the most important positions in the campaign and an announcement of an appointment may be expected, within few days.
 Col w. R. Andrews. chairman of the Pennsylvania republican state committee. met Mir Hitchcock at Philadelphia and conferred with him regarding the situ- ation in the Keystone state This state will furnish a number of speakers who will discuss the issues with a view of reaching the labor vote.
 When MT. Hitchcock returned here he conferred with William L. Ward. the member of the committee from New York, but the national chairman refused to be drawn into an expression of opin- ion concerning the nomination that should be made for the governorship of this state.
 The general impression is that the fed l. eral administration would be opposed ta the turning down of Governor Hughes for second terms and that MT. Hitchcock holds the same view, but he has re- fused to discuss the question.
 Senator Crane of Massachusetts snent some time with MT. Hitchcock tonigb, The conference was sought by MT Hitch. cock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
GEORGE PETTIBONE
 IS DEAD IN DENVER

Denver Col, August 3.-George Petti- bone, for years prominent in the councils of the Western Federation of Miners and charged, with President Mover and form CT Secretary Haywood, with complicity in the murder of former Governor Stuen- enberg of Idaho, died at St Joseph hos pital tonight from the effects of an opera ton for cancer.
 MT. Pettibone had been i'll practically ever since his confinement in the Idaho penitentiary. which began more than a year previods to the famous trials at Boise. Pettihone was never formally fried, but was discharged after the ac- oujttai of Haywood and Mover. He leaves fl widow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
CUBAN ELECTIONS
 STILL DOUBTFUL

Havana. August 3.-Two days after the closing of the polls In the provincial and municipal elections the results still are doubtful. The indications now point to- ward the tendency of fusion of the Zay- istas and Miguelistas as the only hope of successfully opposing the conservative vote in the presidential election in De- cember.
 Santiago city probably is conservative, but the province of Oriente is doubtful. The conservatives claim Camaguey. Santa Clara is probably Miguelista. Matanzas also Is doubtful. but probably has been won by the conservatives.
 In Havana province Gen. Asbert Zayista probably has been elected governor but Julio de Cardenas apparently has been elected mayor of Havana City by a small majority.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Warship for Turkey.

Of the Syrian colony in this city today started movement to present Turkey with a modern battleship. The money to build the vessel Is to be raised among all the Syrans in the New World, their number being estimated at upward of 2Do,0o0 and the gift not only is to commem- crate the granting of a constitution to the people of Turkey but also to express the confidence felt by the Syrians and young Turks in this hemisphere in the genuineress of the reforms. It is planned that the warship be built In the United States anG be named the Syria.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
TAFTS WIFE HAS
 LAUGH ON HIM  Nominee Talks Into Monograph
 Just Like Bryan SPEECHES FOR CAMPAIGN Taft Receives Committee From Vr- ginia Bar Association-He Will Ad-
 dress Them on Thursday
 and Attend Banquet.
SPEECHES FOR CAMPAIGN

Hot Springs, Va, August 3-Canddate Taft has consented to make several short speeches into talking machines for re- production. As the process of making d photographic record is somewhat diff ferent from making a campaign speech from the back of a car platform or from a front porch, MT. Taft today found Mrs. Taft laughing at him as he was doing a bit of rehearsing for the real records. Several experimental talks were made and reproduced with varying degrees of satisfaction. The speeches which a sim gle record will hold average about 200 words in length. The topics to be dis cussed for repetition in this way have not as yet been decided upon. As sam pie of what the machine can do the can didate was treated to reproduction of record made by William J. Bryan.
 MT. Taft today fixed August 21 as the date for the rally of Virginia republicans here. He will make a political address from the porch of the club house ad- jacent to the hotel. The date was fixed at an interview with Representative Slemp and Sheriff Brown.
 With the homestead comfortably filled with the legal fraternity of Virginia and their families, and with a prevailing de- sire to meet Judge Taft, his spare mo- ments today were few. MT Taft's mail continues to increase and each letter re- ceives his personal attention.
 A committee of the Bar association, which begins it's twentieth annual meet ing here tomorrow, was received this morning by Judge and Mrs. Taft. While many of the members of the Virginia bar differ with Judge Taft in politics, he found many personal acquaintances and friends in the delegation, and an inter- change of felicitations took piace MT. Taft was complimented on his evidences of good health
 MT Taft will address the association Thursday and he has been asked to at- tend the banquet Thursday night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Clearinq Away Ruins.

Bernie B. C., August 3.-Amd the smoking embers of their homes and of fees, with the great forest fire still roar ing in the distance, the plucky men of Fernie are clearing away the ruins, pitch ing tents, checking up the missing and an- nouncing plans to build new and better town where the hot ashes of old Fernie lie today. village of canvas-a village with many men, but few women and rhIdren-will be in evidence before the sun sets today.
 The great wave of fire is still rolling eastward through the forest, following the lines of the Canadian Pacific railroad. In some places its path is but a mile wide, in others three miles. Nothing can stop it, apparently, till the rain falls, and that may be days or weeks.
 Michael, 20 miles from Fernie, is the town in greatest danger now, but that town still stands, and as the wind has fallen it has a good chance of escape. Fifteen box cars loaded with women and children have been taken from Michael to Coleman, Blarmere and other points. The men have stayed to fight for their homes. The town of Hosmer, between Fernie and Michael, was in great danger yesterday, some dwellings having been burned. but the main part of the town was saved and will probably escape, un- less stronger wind arises.
 While the number of dead at Fernie may not be definitely known for days. 1t is not believed to be so great as was at first feared. Up to p. m. Sunday only four bodies had been found in the town, those victims having been smoth- cred by the dense smoke Considering the fact that at times 1t was impossible for . man to outrun the flames it is believed the loss of life was remarkably small.
 Such was the force of the fiery tornado that one frame building 70 feet long. was picked up, carried across several lots and dropped into the middle of the main street. s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Miss Lindsav Is Better.

Washington. August 3.-(Special )--Miss Lillian Lindsay of Birmingham. who has been i'll at the emergency hospital, has about recovered and will leave for At lantic City on Wednesday morning. Miss Lindsay was taken III while on her way to the seaside resort and was removed to the hospital for treatment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04

vote at the coming election or who 1t shall support. I am not politician and owe utilization to no party. I have no personal ambition in this matter and am simply Keeping in time with the demands of labor and of the people of the coun- try when l say to all laboring men of the country take advantage of the pres ent crisis and be true to yourselves"
 The president of the American Fed eration of Labor in closing criticised the treatment received at the hands of the republican convention as insulting"
 Following MT. Gompers' speech the Central body adopted resolutions indors- ing Bryan for the presidency.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04

New Orleans, August s.--With its en- tire system in running order after ten years of work and the required rolling stock on hand, the public belt railroad. owned by the city of New Orleans, is at a standstilI on the day of it's opening. The trouble lies between the belt road and the interstate commerce commits sion. which several days ago informed the public belt railroad commission that In order to be recognized the belt road would have to file its tariffs 30 days be- fore commencing operations. This was impossible in time for the opening, Wnich was set for today, but the commission announced that 1t would open anyhow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
NEW ROAD OPENS UP BUT
 CAN OBTAIN NO TRAFFIC

The opening came off all right. There was the mayor, the city engineer and number of others to ride around the road, which touches all of the principal manufacturing plants, railroad terminals and fwharves, but this was the only kind of freight that was carried, for the rail- roads declined to turn over single car to the belt. The big trunk systems which enter the city based their refusal on the ground that they could be held to account by the interstate commerce com mission, even If the belt road could not, and they wanted to be on the safe side.
 Attorneys for the railroad and the city conferred on the matter tonight and ad- journed until tomorrow afternoon with out coming to any definite decision.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Conflicting Reports.

Nelson, B. C., August 3.-It is estimated that the number of known dead as the result of the great fires will reach 125 and the property loss Is placed at $5,000,0O0. The exact number of fatalities may never be known, and there seems no way In the meantime of procuring an accurate list Reports are conflicting. The latest news received at Michael places the num- Der of dead at Fernie at 102, with GA others burned in logging camp at Elk river. An unofficial statement. said to have come from Fernie, places the off cial list of dead at Fernie and surround ing camps at 173, with the property loss at $S, 100000.
 Supplies of food and clothing are being rushed to the stricken region from Van couver, Nelson. Cranbrook and Michael. The fires near Hosmer, Michael and Cran- brook. which threatened each of these towns, have apparently been checked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Steamer Is EIoated.

steamer Chippewa. Captain Macbeth, which went ashore on Montauk Point June "A, while on a voyage from Jack sonville and Charleston for Boston, has been hoated by wreckers and was brought to New York today for repairs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Mississippi Crops Damaoed.

Utica. Miss, August 3.-Rain has fallen in this vicinity in such proportions dur ing the past two days as to cause the inundation of large area of farm lands destroying crops and washing away con siderable live stock and small buildings Railroad traffic is practically at stand still because of washouts and damage to bridges. only one northbound train hay- ing passed this point since Friday. Sev- eral of the larger streams are out of their banks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
Vancouver Sends Relief.

Vancouver, B, C., August S.-Vancou- yer today awoke to a full sense of the situation around Fernie. According to one report the loss will exceed $10,0O0o GOO and the death list total will never be known It is now believed here that at least 200 persons perished.
 Vancouver wired 5000 for relief yes terday and sent trainload of supplies today. A special dispatch from Winni- peg declares that the deaths will reach 4O0..
 When the flames were consuming Fer nie all the prisoners with the exception of five backhand suspects were released. Later they were recaptured and sent to Nelson.
 telegram from Editor Sampson of the Cranbrook Herald says:
 All help needed quickly or worse will follow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-04
People Are Choked By Smoke and Roasted to Death
 By Scores
THOUSANDS LOSE ALL
 IN SETTING FLAMES
Relief Is Already Being Sent to the Wretched People Who Live In Brit sh Columbia, But Trains
 Move Slowly.

Winnipeg Man, August S.-The late reports from the forest fires raging in and around Fernie, B. C., tonight place the number of fatalities at 125 persons and the property loss at about SS,00o,ooo From 5000 to 1000 men, women and chil- dren driven from the fame-swept region of Crows Nest territory are camped In Cranbrook and the surrounding hills
 The situation tonight at Michael Is critical Numerous fires started in the town this afternoon which were only ex- tinguished by heroic exertions. Fires are raging on all sides and it only remains for high winds to arise and continue the destruction.
 Hopes are faint for the safety of the place, for should the fire jump across the river it will be impossible to save the town. Not alone the new town, but the coal companys buildings and the entire old town will be doomed.