davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
On the Straits Of MeSSjla

1t is plain that the greatest tragedy
In historic times has overtaken the
parts of Italy stretching along the mar
row Straits of Messina Reggie, a city
on the mainland, has been wholly de-
stroyed, and Messina, on the island Of
Sicily, is not much better off. The loss
of life in the two cities alone may be
found to exceed 100000.
AS in San Francisco, the chief fta-
ture of the disaster was the rapid
spreading Of fire following the eatrh-
quake. The motion of the earth lasted
but 40 seconds, but in that time build
ings were turned into finder boxes,
and fire soon added to the untold ho,-
rors of the scene. There seems to be
no way to prevent the spreading of fire
on such occasions, for water mains are
broken and all fire-fgbting apparatus
paralyzed, If not destroyed.
1t is even said that the Italian shore
Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis
were changed in the great cataclysm
of nature, and that no channel of safety
lies between them. But it is scarcely
reasonable to think that tire Homeric
features have utterly disappeared, and
no doubt seamen will yet find a chan
mel between the rocky promontories.
The civilized world is coming to the
relief Of the wounded and destitute in
Sicily and Calabria, and the italian
ambassador has appealed to his former
countrymen to subscribe to the relief
fund. All moneys will be distributed
by the Italian Red Cross society, and
contributions in this country may be
forwarded to Jacob H. Schitf, treasurer
of the New York branch of the Ameri.
s can Red Cross society.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
O call back yesterday, bid time return.
King Richard II.
Validity Of State Prohibition

Some people in Mobile propose, it IS
freely stated, to combat the state pro-
hibition bill because in its passage the
journals of the two houses do not show
that section sc of the constitution was
observed. The section in question is,
as follows:
The presiding officer of each house shall
in the presence OF the house over which
he presides sign all bills and joint resolu-
lions passed by the legislature after the
same shall have been publicly read at
length Immediately before signing, and the
fact Of reading and signing shall be en-
tered upon the journal; but the reading at
length may be dispensed with by a two
thirds vote of quorum present, which
fact shall also be entered on the journal.
1t is claimed that the journals show
no action on the part of either house
in accordance with section &C. The
truth is, the constitution of 1901 rem
ders legislation by sIovenly Legislators
impossible, and either a school for leg
islative candidates or a civil service
examination of all legislative aspirants
is needed. Unless something of this
sort be done all legislation in this state
is practically cut off by the constitu-
ton of 1901.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Outlook for Library.

ut will be gratifying to our citizens
said a we'll wisher, ito learn that the
new year opens auspiciously for the
public library movement.
Miss Frances Nimmo Greene has
been engaged to act as secretary of the
public library association and to give
her time and talents to a movement
that shall bring an adequate free
library for our city.
1.-THE Board of Education of the city
is cooperating in the movement by
offering the library as headquarters
Miss Greene is well equipped by
training and library extension work
for the task she has undertaken and,
with Birmingham for field, there can
be no question of her success. 1t
would contribute much if those per-
sons who feel enthusiasm for such a
movement would seek her or write her
and express tn cir interest in the work.
Do 1t now"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
Iron Trade for the Year.

The annual review of the iron trade by
Rogers Brown & Co. is in part as fol-
lows:
The last week of the year sees the
market quiet but strong and indications
of most encouraging character A review
of the year must at once bring to mind
teh same period u months ago and the
two months just prior to the beginning Of
the new year 190S-the aftermath of the
shock to our industrial life, the lack of
confidence in our banks and other in
stitutions and, greater than that, the
mental panic during good portion of
1908, in a gradually lessening degree, how
ever, as the months rolled on. That it
expended itself in its worst form early
and that the recovery has been sincere,
straightforward and rapid has been due
to the inherent qualities of good sense
and energy which characterize aur BUSH
ness life today. The efforts in every line
to discount undue disturbance met with
ready response and were fruitful in the
exteme.
Southern iron during 1907 at Cincinnati
went from $3.50 in May to $3.50 in De-
cember of that year. 1t continued to de-
cline to 1888 in January, 1908; February
saw it at $1625; March to s15.75, and May
to $1495, when there was a stand and
a return to some of the former feeling
and more generous buying.
Production had also improved from its
very lowest point in November of the
year before and Southern No. 2 has held
lit
that time Starting with January, with
an average price of $16.25 it ends up the
year with the same figure.
Estimate of pig iron production for 1908
can be made with the usual certainty at
this time. Conservative figuring places
it at 15,600,0O0 tons. 1t will be very near
this amount and perhaps exceed it slight
ly This total is subject to a good deal
of interesting scrutiny and deductions;
even when compared with 25,7S1.oOO tons
production of 1907 and 25, 307, 900 tons in 1905
it does not appear very impressive. The
year ends with a monthly production at
the rate of 10. 100000 tons yearly. Compar-
ing October, 1907, 2,359,0oo tons. with Octo-
Der of this year, 1.573,00 tons, shows how
far away we still are from produc-
ton which a little over a year ago
seemed to be our proper output.
Tho summarize, while those in best po-
sition to judge of conditions and figure
on prospects are conservative in their
statement of conditions as they find them
throughout the country, there is a spirit
of optimism as to the commercial and
industrial outlook. Enlargement and ex-
pansion still dominate in all industries
and at the close of the year the volume
of sales and orders continue each week
to show substantial gains.
The wise man, who consulting the past
best aids his ability to consult the fu-
ture, will now get ready so as to be pre-
pared for such activity as the basic con-
dition of the country and the prosperity
OF the agricultural interests make newt
able.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01

it, and so does Editor oliver, and so
do many other men. The machine will
probably support Oliver.
In Connecticut there is a scramble
for the seat now filled by Mr.. Brande-
gee, who is filling out the unexpired
term of Senator Plat. The two lead
ing contestants are Congressman Hill
and Senator Brandegee himself.
In Indiana the legislature is demo-
cratic, and John Worth Kern is the
leading candidate. There are many
other aspirants, including Congress
men Shively and Lamb. Mr.. Kern
will probably secure Senator Hemen-
ways seat.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
ETHEL BARRYMoRE's HOME.
Walls of Rooms In Actresses Flat Are
Lined With Books.

From the New York Times.
Three little flats all in one make up
the Barrymore home on West Fortieth
street. There is an apartment for Jack,
now in Chicago; another one for lionel
who is studying art In Paris, and adjoin-
ing these is Ethels Miss Barrymore's
own living room, where are her books
everything from Laura Jean Libbey to
Ruskin-her piano. covered with Grieg
Chopin and ragtime-favorite bits of stat
uary-everything from Dante to a
Winged Victory-is a duplicate of a typi-
cal Japanese living room. 1t is done en-
tirely in black and gold. And on all sides
are books, books, and still more books
with only photographs of Lionel, Jack
and "Uncle jack to give little human
ness to the place.
The rooms for the boys are all ready
for them should they ever drop in unex-
pectedly. Ethel Barrymore has mothered
her brothers as long as she can remem-
Der. They are her only sweethearts. She
is sure Lionel will make a great artist.
and as for Jack-'think of the rapid al
vancement he has made" She talks of
them with enthusiasm.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
January Politics

IN the first half Of this month state
legislatures will meet in Wyoming,
wisconsin, Arkansas, California, Colo
RADIO. West Virginia, Washington, Cno-
necticut, Delaware, Idaho, Utah, Texas,
Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
South Dakota, South Carolina, Rhode
island, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mon
tana, New Hampshire, Nebraska, New
Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota,
Oregon, Pennsylvania and New York.
Later in the year the legislatures of
Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma,
New Mexico and Nevada will meet.
It Is reasonably well determined that
Gtatement No. l members in the Ore
ron legislature will respect their oaths
md personal pledges by electing Gov
&fnor Chamberlain to the Senate. 1t
n al3o we'll determined that New York
\ I'd put Elihu Root in Tom Platt's
Az There are, in fact. but three warm
3htorial contests in sight, those of
Ansylvania, Connecticut and Indiana.
Pennsylvania Penrose is booked
succeed himself, but the filling of
Is uest left vacant by the transfer OF
Knox to the cabinet is warmly
stsd. Congressman Burke wants
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
DIARY OF A DOLLAR BILL.
From the Bohemian.

From the bohemian.
June Paid out by bank cashier to
Irishman. Was crisp and clean.
June crested in stocking of Irishman' $
wife all day long.
June still in stocking. Getting rather
warm.
June 4-Handed over to milkman.
June 5-Given to bartender by milkman
for a glass of beer.
June 6-Remained in cash drawer all
day.
June 7-Got wet while being transferred
across bar to chauffeur! There is lot of
dirt on me.
June Uncomfortable all day in watch
pocket.
June 9-Gven to millionaire by chauf-
feur in changing larger bill
June 10-Rolled up among other green
backs of larger denominations.
June 11-Given to waiter as tip. Million
aire didn't seem to consider me of much
value.
June 12-Turned over to walters wife.
June 13-Handed to jeweler with a lot
of other bills by walters wife for a mag
nificent diamond.
June 14-Another dreary day in hot lit
tile compartment of the jewelers. large
iron vault.
June 15-Paid over in change to young
man who bought pretty solitaire ring.
June 16-Resting in young mans pocket
when thin and scrawny hand suddenly
seized me- Heard former owner yell,
my pockets have been picked!'
June 17-Turned over to greasy pro-
prietor of grog shop.
June 1S-Exchanged for plug of tobacco.
June 19-Dropped into contribution box
of church by owner of tobacco store.
June 20-Minister held me all day in his
fingers, frequently examining me closely.
June 21-Paid out to farmer by preach
ers wife for three pounds of butter.
June 22-Carried about 20 miles over
country road in farmers pocket Con-
siderably shaken up.
June 23-Placed in wooden sock.
June 24-Farmer sewed up end of sock
holding me and other money and put 1t
in an old tin can.
June 25-Can buried in farmers cellar.
Guess he thinks I am dead one"
June 3O-Still buried in cellar ] suppose
I will spend the rest of my life here.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
CRUSADE AGAINST AssINTHE.

From the Springfield Union.
The efforts of DIR. Wiley, head of the
bureau OF chemistry of the department
of agriculture, to arouse Congress to a
sense of the necessity of passing laws
against the importation of absinthe into
this country have met with some encour-
agement and are deserving of success.
Switzerland has adopted law prohibiting
the manufacture of the drug in that coun-
try, and there is a severe penalty for
anyone caught selling it. France also
has restricted its use, especially prohibit
ing the consumption of absinthe in the
army or navy, and is planning to tax it
out of the reach of the common people.
The greater part of the worlds supply of
absinthe has been manufactured in
France and Switzerland. and with the
home market cut off or curtaled 1t is OBJ
vious that the manufacturers will use
every means at their command to in
crease the consumption abroad.
Absinthe was introduced into France
about so years ago, and it's use has be-
come so general that the decadence Of
the French people is largely attributed to
this cause. 1t is a product Of worm
wood, distilled in alcohol and made pleas
ant to the taste by the addition of anise
oil. Physicians say that its first effect Is
an exhilarated intoxication, but its con-
slant use causes arrangement of the d.
gestive organs, Authorizations of sight,
loss of brain power and idiocy. DR.. Wiley
has furnished the ways and means COM
mittee of Congress with data showing the
increase in the use of absinthe in this
country, and with the opinions of eminent
physicians on the harmful effects of ex-
cessive Indulgence in it, If he does not
succeed in having its importation abso-
lutely prohibited, it is to be hoped that
he will prevail upon Congress to so regu-
late its sale that it will be impossible to
purchase it in quantities for use as a reg
lar beverage
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
When Did Year End?

did you notice how the hands of the
postoffice clock were pointing when the
whistles all over town were ushering
in the New Year?" asked a man few
minutes after the whistling had sub
sided 1.-THE whistling must have lasted
for fully five minutes and after all had
grown quiet I happened to notice the
postoffice clock and 1t showed Bir-
mingham to be still three minutes be-
hind in 1908. Which was wrong-the
hundreds of railroad whistles. blown by
men who are compelled to. have accu-
rate watches. or the big public clock
which tells the time to thousands of
Birmingham residents?"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
Mr.. Taft's Antitrust Plan

The President-elect knows that trusts
will continue to nullify and to be more
or less vicious, and he has, it appears,
determined to ask Congress to change
the interstate commerce commission
law so that his plan will become FEAST
BILE. He sees that the interstate COM
mission is overworked, and he proposes
to make the bureau of corporations the
investigating body, while the inter-
state commission will act in judicial
capacity, trying the trusts reported to
it by the bureau of corporations. The
commission will regulate some trusts,
while other trusts will be turned over
to the Attorney General for more dras-
tic punishment.
Perhaps 1t would be better to con-
slider the bureau of corporations under
the Taft plan the public prosecutor
and collector of evidence, the inter-
state commission the grand jury, and
the Attorney General the avenger of
all wrongs committed by trusts.
The plan is broad 1t looks to a
growth of the country and an increase
of trusts. 1t also looks to more vigor-
Gus prosecution of the bad trusts.
However, it would be better to Judge
the tree by its fruits rather than by
its promises.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
THE END OF THE PLAY.

By William Makepeace Thackeray.
Inc play Is done-the curtain drops
Slow falling to the prompter's bell;
A moment yet the actor stops
And looks around, to say farewell
1t Is an irksome word and task;
And when he's laughd and said his
say,
He shows, as he removes the mask,
A face that's anything but gay
One word, ere the evening ends;
Let's close it with parting rhyme
And pledge a hand to all young friends
AS fits the merry Christmas time;
On life's wide scene you, too, have parts,
That fate ere long shall bid you play;
Good night! with honest, gentle hearts
A kindly greeting go Away!
Good night!-rd say the griefs, the joys,
Just limited in this mimic page,
The triumphs and defeats of boys,
Are but repeated in our age;
I'd say your woes were not less keen,
Your hopes more vain, than those of
men,
Your pangs or pleasures of fifteen
At forty-five played DER again.
I'd say we suffer and we strive
Not less nor more as men than boys,
With grizzled boards at forty-five,
AS erst at twelve in corduroys,
And if, in time of sacred youth,
We learn'd at home to love and pray,
Pray heaven that early love and truth
May never wholly pass away.
And in the world, as in the school,
I'd say how fate may change and shift,
Tho prize be sometimes with the fool,
The race not always to the swift;
The strong may yield, the good may
fall,
The great man be a vulgar clown,
The knave be lifted over all,
The kind cast pitilessly down.
Come wealth or want, come good or ILL.,
Let young and old accept their part,
And bow before the awful will,
And bear it with an honest heart.
Who misses or who wins the prize
Go, lose or conquer as you can;
But IL you fall, or II you rise,
Be each. pray God. gentleman.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
Trading Stamps Are Evil.

"The trading stamp proposition is
one Of the worst evils which can come
upon the merchants of a town." said
Frank G.. Fuller, who was connected
with trading stamp company for sew
erals years in the persuading of mer-
cab nts to use the stamps. IF one mer-
chant uses them 1t is a question of
only a few days when every merchant
in town will be using them In self
defense. Then no one profits by it but
the trading stamp company. 1t means
extra expense to the merchant and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
CLAYTON'S HARD JOB.

From the Springfield Union.
Representative Henry D. Clayton of Ala
bama, chairman of the democratic eau
Gus of the House of Representatives, has
cut out big job for himself and his as
sociates. He wants a democratic tariff
bill, covering everything from agates to
znc,' and he is prepared to fight, bleed
and die for it, ii necessary. This is he
roic, but it is wonder that it doesn't
occur to Mr. Clayton that it is also a
waste Of time and energy, and in a way
is reflection on the capacity of Champ
Clark and his democratic associates on the
ways and means committee?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
THE LITTLE MOTHER OF A CITY.

From the New York World.
DR.. Garrett Anderson, the newly elect
ed mayor of Alderburgh, in England is
woman, a widow and apparently not
suffragette. She has just presided at
her first official banquet
81 shall try all can," she said in eff
sion, "a motherly sort of housekeeper,"
keeper to this town, of which we have
every right to be proud"
There is something about this express
sion, motherly sort of housekeeper,"
pleasantly suggestive of orderly and eco
nomical processes.
The Doctors words lend grace to the
Aldeburgh example of the elective petit
coat. How would it fare with New York
city If it had little faithful mothering?
Certainly the little fathering it has re-
ceived leaves a great deal to be desired.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01

higher prices for the customers. One
trading stamp company started on $500
a few years ago, and now it has mil
lions of dollars, all made out of this
business. When one merchant signs
up with the company he is given the
exclusive contract for some particular
line of goods. The same man that
signed up the contract with him
though can organize the entire town
through hundred different ways, and
the merchant not be aware that he is
the man doing it,"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press
A woman wants to get into society sc
as to help to keep the rest out.
Where woman has real brains Is to be
able to fool all men without them.
The reason the average man stays Sc
long in the bathroom Is to keep the rest
of the family from 1t.
An optimist is such a poor guessel
that he can think he's sailing a flying
machine when he is tumbling out Of it.
A man always imagines you mean to in.
suit him when you don't take a deep In
terest in how he's trying to get rid of 9
cold.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
RIPPIES.

RlPPBES.
There is no reason to believe that Cas-
tro was homesick during Christmas week.
The hammers now being used on Captain
Hobson are hardly larger than tack ham,
mers.
At the hour of going to press Edna
Goodrich and Nat Goodwin were still mar
ried
An Omaha judge let woman try her
husband. No doubt, she had tried the
poor man great many times before.
who knows how to fumgatee cow"
asks an exchange. Blest If we even know
how to milk onel
A Hoboken astrologer says President
Roosevelt will meet great danger in Afrf-
ca. Evidently the astrologer is very anx-
ious for Mr.. Roosevelt to visit Africa.
If Mr.. Johnson were to fight all the
pugiists who want to fight him he would
be fighting for a hundred years to come.
Hell is no worse than Chicago" de-
clares preacher. The impression has
heretofore prevailed that hell wasn't as
bad as Chicago.
Everybody admires man who puts a
big price on himself, but the cheap CRATER
cannot be tolerated by smart people.
misplaced switch wrecked train
in Virginia. A misplaced switch has
made many a woman late
PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
New LIcences for Sportsman.

"The probate court Offices in the diff
ferent counties throughout the state
will be rushed with hunters securing
new licenses during the next few
days." said an old hunter last night
1.-THE hunters licenses run from Janu-
airy 1 to December 81, and the real
sportsman won't let himself be without
one long. The state license costs 49,
which allows hunting in every county
in the state, while 81 is charged for
the county license"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
JUST A MOTHER.

From the Delneator.
A friend who belonged to a number Of
societies and organizations often left her
little boy with his grandmother. He was
lonely without his mother, and one day as
she was about to leave him he exclaimed
"Oh, don't go! Don't be a clubber any
more-just be mammal
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01

The special interests have informed
John Dalzell that he is needed in his
present office, and they will permit
no change. John has therefore with
drawn from the senatorial race.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01

Missouri is to have four years of
Hadley as governor, and then she
proposes to hand him over to the fed
eral government for use in the White
House.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
WHEN THE LICKING CAME.

From the Denver Post
Johnny, 1 married your father because
he saved me from drowning"
"Tll bet that's why pops always tellin'
me not to go swimmin'."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01

No one, it is said, can write shorter
sentence containing all the letters of
the alphabet than this, Pack my box
with five dozen liquor jugs"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01

New York has 800 moving picture
shows, and the authorities think they
should be reduced in number and up
lifted in quality.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01

venezuela is having an "0ld Home
week" and her her political home
comeis are not asking for return
tickets.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01

Mark Twain has outlived all his con-
temporary humorists, and now he has
been incorporated to keep his reputa.
ton in the family after he is gone.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-01-01
About Peraons.

John Witherspoon DuBose of Mont
gomery, one of the best known men of
the state, writer of great ability, and
a splendid historian, is spending a few
days in Birmingham with friends and
relatives.