davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
Sentiment and Business

To some persons it may seem singu-
lar that so subtle and indefinable a
thing as sentiment is should have a
marked effect on the business world
which, in its nature, is far removed
from poetry or romance. Yet senti-
ment has long played part in certain
phases of commercial life, and it will
be ever so. Without attempting an
analysis or a definition suffice it to
say that sentiment and confidence are
closely related and every one knows
that confidence is the ground rock
upon which credit is built. Sentiment
and confidence, therefore, enter large
ly into our business activities and are
the silent forces that start the wheels
of industry and keep them moving.
We are seeing today an illustration
of the effect of sentiment on business.
While real factors have appeared with
in the last two weeks to improve finan-
cial and commercial conditions-bal-
ance of trade, good crop reports and
United States court decisions-the
public has been moved by sentiment
and people have been heartened by
the very atmosphere which brings
message that bright times are ahead.
Optimism is in the air and the great
majority of earnest men engaged in
business pursuits are agreed that pros
perity is steadily returning Let all
put their shoulder to the wheel and
speed it's coming.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
Biq Fruit Combine

Senator Johnston is endeavoring to
have the Senate direct the department
of commerce and labor to make in
ouirv whether the United Fruit COM
pany of New Jersey is using any re-
public to the south of us as a shield
to its monopolizing operations. 1t is
$40 900 900 concern, and 1t controls
today 80 per cent of the tropical fruit
trade of this country. Congressman
Underwood introduced a similar reso-
luton in the House early in the ses
sion.
CONGRESSMAN Underwood and Sena-
tor Johnston desire to know what kind
of a combine the United Fruit COM
pany of New Jersey is. 1t is freely
asserted that it has made the little
republics of Central America its part
ners and allies in such way that COM
petition in the production or export of
tropical fruits from those republics is
impossible except through the United
Fruit company, which has thus be-
come monopoly and a trust in re-
straint Of trade.
But if Senator Johnston and Con-
gresham Underwood propose to put
an end to all combinations that han
die articles of food they will find they
have accumulated business enough to
last them many day. 1t is far easier
to say in what necessaries of life COM
bines do not exist than to attempt
to say in what they do exist, for COM
bines manipulate nearly all Of them,
and no combine was ever formed in
the history of this world to put prices
down.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02

eeeded in inducing the Senate to vote
$4,000 wtth which to make survey
of the proposed Atlantic and Great
Western canal 1t would cost the
government vast sum, but Atlanta
sees no other way in which it can
secure water rates.
But Birmingham Las water rates
rearest az hand. A doubletrack rail
read is all it will lack afte@ 1911 to get
as good rates as Memphis enjoys TO-
day. These facts should be kept in
mind for they are facts that VIII stay
with us, Just as the water supply ques-
tion does, or the labor supply problem
When we nave procured wster "dtes
and water transportation, plenty of
labor and plenty of water, we will have
solved the three hard problems that
stand between us and greatness twen-
ty years hence
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
STORY OF "MARSEILLAlSE"

imposed authority and intrenched super
stition. France was about to give express
sion to a new political ideal. an ideal of
more than local and national significance.
Reason and justice were about to take
their place upon the stage of human
events which had known them all tc1 in
frequently.
Fired by the fervor of ideals which had
not yet degenerated and quick with re-
sentiment that a foreign invasion might
bring the revolution to naught, the people
of the French provinces were awaiting
some such battle hymn as THE Marseil-
laise" The volunteer troops seized upon
the song. and with it upon their lips they
entered Paris on July 80. Everywhere it
was received with an enthusiasm not far
short of fanatcism. It awakened the
provinces anew. and when the army
marched to the attack upon the Tuileries
on August 10, 1872. it was to the irresis-
tible rhythm Of 'srhe Marseillaise.'
Prussia had declared war upon France,
and she was on the march. This move
ment restored power and popularity to
the Jacobins. The assembly. in self-de-
tense. took measures against the court
and the foreigners. The country was
proclaimed in danger, and $4,000 volun-
teers had been called for. The Jacopins
organized now almost openly a fresh IN
surrection to force the hand OF the as
sembly. The extravagant proclamation
with which Brunswick heralded the open
ing of his campaign added fuel to the
flames. 1.-THE Marseillaise' was his an
swer, and on August 10 the vanguard
of the attack on the constitution was IN
trusted to the men of the battalion Oh
Marseillaise 1t was this insurrection, led
by the robust Danton, that, to the notes
of 1.-THE Marseillaise,' swept over the
assembly and the monarchy and prepared
the way for the commune.
OF the author of the famous song little
is known He seems to have been one Oh
those men whom a single supreme effort
has made famous. 1t is known that he
was born at Lons-le-Saunier on May 10,
1850. and that he died at Choisy on June
2e. 1886 He was the author of various
complimentary verses Of mediocre worth
and of a sentimental prose tale in the
manner of the period.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
Good Roads Movement

Morgan county has voted to issue
bonds to the extent of 100000 with
which to build better roads. This
movement should spread from county
to county until it covers the state.
1t will invite state aid and even ma
tional aid, and both will be needed
in order to complete what local author
tiles may have begun.
Public sentiment should in every
county support the Overton constitu-
tional amendment, which aims to turn
over to the good roads movement the
earnings of all state convicts. Later
on, perhaps, Congress can be induced
to help the states that stand ready to
help themselves. The good roads
movement is moving steadily along
and IL every citizen who desires to
see better roads in Alabama will aid
the effort it will become after while
irresistible in both state and nation.
Morgan county points the way. Let
the local authorities act first, and then
the state and the nation can be trusted
to come in later to complete the big
task-a task that has a deal of devel
opment and education and comfort con
cealed in its entirety.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02

from the Chicago News.
In the South Kensington museum in
London is curious musical box. 1t was
originally the property OF Tipu Cor Tip
pool Sahib, the Tiger of Mysore," who
died in 1893, being killed during the Brit
ish assault and capture of Serlngap atam,
the capital Of Mysore. He always hated
the British, ana to show his enmity he
had this instrument constructed. Tho
box is a life-sized statuary group show
ing the symbolic tiger of India at the
throat of England represented by a Brit
.sh officer. When Tipu wished to amuse
his court, one of his attendants turned d
handle, when the tiger emitted horrible
growls and the man raised and lowered
his arms and uttered terrifying shreks.
Inside the tiger are four rows of pipes
and a set of ivory keys, which are either
Of French or British manufacture
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Notes siqns of Improvement.


Wilson Brown returned from New
York yesterday and on being asked about
conditions in the east said: There is an
Improvement in business. Indeed, the inn
proyement seems quite marked. l was in
New York a week and finaneiers and 9TH
ers with whom I talked took a decidedly
hopeful view of the business situation.
The money market has a healthy tone.
In fact, money can be had in large sums
at moderate rates of interest Six per
cent loans are now being made freely,
and in short while money will be so
plentiful that the rate will drop to per
cent. The ease in money is. of course,
sure sign of returning prosperity. Cen
eral trade was picking up every day while
| was in New York, and all in all the
business world is looking exceedingly
bright when we compare it with few
months ago."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
Mr.. HELMS GUN PLAY.

From the Washington Herald.
worthless negro, drunken and often
sive, deservedly drubbed and kicked from
street car by an impetuous southerner,
and a little gun play on the side, con-
stitute the latest stirring episode in Wash
ington life.
As the chief actor happens to be the
author of ''jim-crow'' bill, who happens
also to have given utterance to some
rather pronounced. If by no means ex-
elusive, convictions on the racial ques-
ton, forthwith we hear that all negroes
in the country, good bad and Indifferent,
will proceed to forget all about Browns
Vile and precipitately return to the re-
publican fold for permanent protection
and shelter
Far be it from us to commend or ex-
tenuate the course of Representative
Hef1in. Greater self-restraint on his part,
however difficult, would have been de-
cidedly more becoming in him. But at
most, this scrimmage in the street, save
that congressman was involved, was
a commonplace. perfectly understandable
affair that might easily and naturally
occur any day in the year in this proud,
cultured capital of ours. 1t is only
through the possession of a high degree
or patience and self-restraint, studously
cultivated by an afflicted populace, that
such affairs are not the rule instead of
the exception.
All negroes are not hoodlums-not
drunken, filthy, offensive creatures, unfit
for contact with decent folk-but unhap-
,.ii,
ire is all too common hereabout The
avenue episode only emphasizes a condi-
ton and directs attention to burden
that Washington bears, not uncomplain-
ingly, but patiently. 1t reveals side
of the picture of capital life of which the
country knows but little-the other and
the uglier side.
The victim of the southerner's rage-the
black victim-got only what he deserved,
whatever one may think of the spectacle
in its general perspective. As for Mr..
Hefiin--well before you make up your
verdict, if you are a washingtonian, think
a moment and you will recall time, no
doubt, when you were tempted, and had
it in your heart to do precisely the thing
he did. Therefore, let us be reasonable
and considerable, and give him a fair
deal.
AS for those republicans who would
make political capital out of the episode,
it is enough to say that they have our
CONFERENCE.-The same commiseration
unmixed with respect, that we extend to
those of a race that would make common
cause with its lowest and most worthless
member.
1t is for the luckless horse trainer who
stopped Mr.. Helms ill-directed bullet
that we drop our only tear. Up against
losing game all around, he has our sym
pathy--deep and heartfelt. He has in
deed, even If he does disapprove OF this
neMspa per anti-gaInbling crusade.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
OH, SUSANNA.

Hy Stephen C. Foster.
came from Alabama wild my banjo on
my knee.
I'm g'wan to Louisiana my true love for
to see.
II rain'd all night the day left,
The weather is was dry,
rhe sun so hot froze to death,
Susanna, don't you cry
oh. Susanna! Oh, don't you cry for ma.
rye come from Alabama wild my banjo on
my knee.
jumped aboard de telegraph and trao-
eled down de ribber
De 'lectrio fluid magnified and killed fivs
hundred niger,
De bullgine bust, de horse runs on.
really thought I'd de-
shut my eyes to hold my breath,
Susanna, don't you cry.
Oh, Susanna. Oh, don't you cry for me.
I've come from Alabama wild my banjo
on my knee.
| had dream de odder night when eb'ry
ting was STILL
thought / saw Susanna a-coming down
the hill.
De buckwheat cake war in her mouth.
LIE tear was in her eye.
Says l, I'm coming from the south,
Sdsanna, don't you cry
Oh. Susanna! Oh, don't you cry for me,
I've come from Alabama wild my banjo
on my knee.
soon will be in New Orleans,
And then I'll look all round,
And when I find Susanna
I'll fall upon the ground.
Tut II do not find her dere,
Dis darkie'll surely die
And when I'm dead and buried,
Susanna, don't you cry.
oh, Susanna! Oh. don't you cry for me. h
I've come from Alabama wild my banje On
my lsnee.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
OPENING the Warrior

The chief of government engineers
told President George Gordon Crawford
of the Tennessee company that the
Warrior river will be given six-foot
slackwater navigation the year round
to the fork of the river by 1911, always
provided Congress appropriates a mil
lion dollars more or less for two more
locks. The present Congress will I'M
doubtedly do this in the short session
of next winter. Trust CONGRESSMAN
Underwood for this. He will attend
to it.
Locust and Mulberry forks come to-
gether directly west and abreast of
this city. The distance in the airline
is just about 18 miles, and Ensley lies
In the way. Ensley is distant from
the fork about IL miles and some of
this distance is covered by rails. Null
berry fork flows through Littleton and
Warrior, while Locust fork passes
through Cordova. At no point can the
Open Warrior be brought nearer this
city unless indeed at great expense
and great delay Village creek Is to be
canalized.
1t is better to assume that the OPEN
ing of the river to the fork is Bir-
mingham's opportunity to secure water
rates. A double track independent
railroad to the fork is all that viii
be needed in 1911 to give us water
rates Atlanta Is endeavoring to get
water rates by inducing the govern
ment to build across 4 'untain ridges
a canal from the Tenn. 'see to the
and Senator Badp mas sue.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
Good Strawberry Prospects.

r. E. st. John of Cullman was a visitor
in Birmingham yesterday. He is a promi-
nent attorney of the strawberry county
and he brings good news to Birmingham
1.-The strawberry crop is going to be one
of the finest ever known up in the noun
tains,' he said. 1.-THE plants are in good
shape, and everything points now toward
an early April market.
Last year will be left far in the shade.
l have seen a number of the farmers re-
Gently and every one is enthusiastic over
the prospects.
Birmingham will get an abundant sup
ply of fresh berries of extraordinary size.
1t is evident that we will have no more
biting frosts and all danger seems prac-
tically passed"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
up.to-pate Telephone plant.

The new and costly equipment recently
installed in the Birmingham exchange
of the Southern Bell Telephone and Tele-
graph company is now in working order
and electrical engineers say it is model
in every respect. In fact according to
experts, there is nothing quite so mod
ern in telephone machinery or operating
devices in this country. The company
began work on its new exchange about
two years ago. 1t was not only a very
large and expensive undertaking. but it
was necessarily tedious. Most of the
work of installation had to be done by
hand and had to be done. too. by electri-
cal workers of the highest skill
Yes, our exchange is about completed"
said Manager D. F. Turnbull Here
and there a few things remain to be done
Dut the work is practically finished.
Discoveries are being made all the
while In every department of electrical
science, and in a few years telephone
engineers may find where they can i'm
prove on this equipment. but today there
is not an exchange in the United States
in the world | might say-that touches
the Birmingham exchange
Until we installed this new machinery
our company was handicapped here be-
cause of the fact that the Birmingham
district was fast outgrowing the capacity
of the original plant. We are now pre-
pared to keep right UP with any expan-
sion, no matter how great or how rapid.
Our service has been greatly improved
within the past two or three months and
now instead of receiving knocks 1 hear
compliments.
II have been in the telephone business
nine years and in that time there has
been marvellous development. The BUSH
ness centering here in Birmingham is
equal to the combined telephone traffic
of seven southern states when l started.
A few years ago dozen or fifteen oper-
ators were sufficient to handle the work
here. Now we have 100 operators for
local business, not including those EN-
ployed in our outlying exchanges, and
45 operators in our long distance serv-
ice. Birmingham will continue to grow
rapidly, which means that our working
force will have to be increased right
along. We have provided ample room
in our new building and our present OK
change facilities will be adequate for the
district. even after the population is
doubled"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
Our Iron Ore Reserve

A bulletin issued by the United
States geological survey estimates that
the red iron ore reserve Of this dis
trict is 34O,O00,OOO long tons, and
Geologist Burchard says this reserve
will last seventy-five to one hundred
years longer. The estimate in ques-
ton relates to red ore only in the dis
trict that extends from Springville on
the northeast to Vance on the south
west, from Sand mountain to the Ca
haba coal field. This district is about
75 miles long with. an average width
of six miles. Its area is about 500
square miles.
The Burchard estimate includes only
that ore workable under present con-
ditions. 1t does not include brown
or gray ores. 1t does not include
deeper seams that are at present I'M
workable Mr.. Eckel puts the red
ore reserve at a billion tons, but Mr..
Burchard deals with what he can see
and investigate only.
The facts can be studied in bulletins
Nos. 315 and $40. The latter contains
Mr.. Burchard's latest estimate. A de-
tailed report on the ores Of the Biz
mingham district has been prepared
by the geological survey, and it will
probably be published during the COM
ing summer
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
THE BLAsE MAN.


You know the chap [ have in mind
A triple plated bore,
The sort you'd like to leave behind
And meier see any more.
He's always telling where he's been
And what he chose TO say
To certain very famous men
Upon certain day.
He loafed at Monte Carlo till
He hates to name the place,
The thought of Paris makes him i'll.
And Picadilly Place.
he spent while in Florence, yet
He didn't like the town.
And Venice is farce. you bet.
In spite of its renown.
At Rome he had the fever, SO
He'll never go again,
And Cairo held the crowds, you know,
Which give him such pain.
He heard about the Scottish lakes
And paid a visit there.
In ireland he went to wakes
And found the country bare.
He knows the great celebrities
And all the beaten paths.
You'll hear him talking at his ease
OF tonbs and eptaphs.
But nothing interests him now,
Nor stirs him any more.
He tells you with clouded brow
He's seen it all before.
INTERRUPTED.
fam would pipe a cheerful lay
About the merry spring,
But some one knocks and says Good
day"
Each time I try to sing.
GREAT Is LOWE.
Mighty empires rent in twain.
All for love.
Armies fight with might and main,
All for love.
Some bewaiI their evil stars,
Others dive beneath the cars,
Many tipple at the bars
All for Lowell
WHo2
"a. Who wouldn't be
= gutter, Bill,
When what he quits
Has made him i'll?
RIPPLES.
1t is lucky that poetic license doesn't
cost anything.
GOOD evening, coal dealers" says the
Syracuse Herald. What's the use of
being polite to coal dealers at this time
of year?
A Connecticut man has been poisoned
by handling tainted money. 1t is awful to
see the risks some people take
The movement to put more prominent
citizens in Jail is not meeting with favor
among the prominent citizens.
PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-04-02
PROBATION FACTS AND FIGURES

from the New York Times
We wish 1t were possible for the little
pamphlet prepared by Justices olmsted
end Duell of the court of special sessions
en- the experience of this borough with
probation to be placed In the hands
OF every head of a family able to read 1t.
1t is very plain, direct, simple account
of what has been actually done in the
application of the principle during the
last seven days.
AS the justices very properly remark,
probation is a new name for the exer-
else Of an ancient power Of the courts,
the power of suspending judgment In
cases Of offenders for such reasons as
seem adequate. But only recently has
probation work taken on concrete
form" and been provided with appro-
pirate machinery and organization to
secure the best results. Essentially 'it
Is test or trial of character, a proving
of a convicted offender under suspen-
sion of judgment in order that court
may determine if he be At to retain his
place as helpful member of society.
or. being unfit, must be deprived of his
freedom as menace to society" The
process has been used in the court of
special sessions with regard both to
adults and to children the former since
1860, the latter since 1902. 1t sis applied
only to such cases as offer reasonable
ground for the inference that, the next
step in the course of the offender will be
for better or for worse. And it has been
found that in fully four cases out of five
the process secures permanent reform.
AS vividly stated by the justices in their
report:
at has already effected a salvage to the
state of thousands of lives of future use
fulness and. from the standpoint of
financial economy, present saving to
The municipality of hundreds of thousands
of dollars-a future saving of millions,
when it is remembered that the careers
that were changed had started in the
roads that terminate in almshouses, re-
forma tories, asylums and prisons
The benefcient effects Of the wise and
firm use of this new process of rescue
are by no means confined TO the offend
ers rescued. They extend directly, in
many cases. TO the parents of children
tnus helped. Beyond this it is to be re-
membered that nearly every child Or
youth of either sex who is once entangled
in lawlessness or criminalty becomes n
center of evil influence that affects numer-
ols associates. The checking of that in
huence at the start means the prevention
of an indefinite, but surely great, amount
of further evil.