davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
DANUBE IS MUDDY.
Water of "Bue Danube" Resemble
 Those of Missouri River.

From Rev. Adolf Hult's Vienna Letter to
 the Omaha Bee.
 The "blue Danube" as well as the green Rhine," looks amazingly like our Big Muddy" this summer. It is strange how old ideas chisled into the tablet of the mind are erased, or almost so, by travel and first hand experience. Often a hill will turn out to be the mountain of your reading and study, and the blue streams rather discolored waters. Never mind, for the Danube still retains its an- cient splendors. The Rhine is the river of vine-clad, sunny hills, ruined castles on rugged crags, mediaeval history and modern glory in war and in peace, a river bright as the warble of bird in the wood.
 The Danube hills carry immense almost untouched forests higher and grander than the heights of the Rhine. In the midst of the rich, deep green verdure lonely white mountains break in on the eye. There are many wayside chapels, too, on the banks. In solemn, awesome, majestic beauty, the Danube far excells the cherry, pretty Rhine, and it must be called a pity that so few American trav- elers take tour on this indescribably superb river The boats cannot com pare with those of the Rhine. Austrian slackness instead of Prussion industry; and the easy going manner of the officers and crew indicated that you are in the realms of the, perhaps, crumblng Haps- burg dynasty, and not in forceful Kaiser Wilhelm's land.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
Iine-up of the Press,

While not familiar with Alabama pol itics I am beginning to take an inter- est in the contest over the question of putting prohibition in the constitution" said Frederick J. Haynes of Louisville
 T am not here on business trip, and am in nowiss connected with the liquor trade; am simply visiting relatives for a few days. But 1t looks to me, an out slider, as if the constitutional amend ment proposition would be defeated. On my way here I stopped day in one of the smaller towns of Northern Alabama and several men there told me that they had been prohibitionists but had made up their minds to vote against the amend ment. What impresses me. however, more than anything else Is the fact that the press of the state is largely op- posing the constitutional prohibition. I read in an afternoon paper long list of papers published outside of Birmingham and 2s of these papers were listed against the amendment and only IT for 1t.
 ''The state press is usually a most i'm portant factor in political campaigns such as the one referred to. At least 1t is so in Kentucky"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
The Peoples Opportunity

The Alabama democracy, like the national democratic party, stands pledged to local option and not to Statutory prohibition. The assump- tion by prohibition leaders that the sentiment of this state is now strong ly on the side of drastic legislation and constitutional prohibition is sure ly not well grounded.
 A tumuHuous prohibition lobby at Montgomery influenced certain timid politicians in the legislature and caus- ed them to forget the democratic plat form, but when the patriotic people Of the whole state are heard from the re- suit, it is believed, will be in accord ance with the principles laid down by the democratic convention in 1906, in- stead of the new and un-American doc Urine propagated by professional agi- tators and self-seeking politicians.
 Both of the great political parties of this country are earnestly opposed to sumptuary laws. And next November, when for the first time the voters of Alabama will cast their ballots in a general election on prohibition issue, the majority is almost certain to be OH the side of reason and tolerance.
 The question soon to be decided is simple but far reaching in it's charac- ter. Shall prohibition be incorporated in the organic law of the state? The fl eemen of Alabama are expected to rise in their might and decide this is- sue right. And the Age-Herald has faith enough in the sober thought of the liberty-loving people of Alabama to think they will do it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
Cook and the Pole

While the Wright brothers were a year ago last April preparing to add the air to mans conquests, Dr. Freder- ick A. Cook was breasting cold and hunger and all other possible discom- forts toward completing mans con quest of the earth itself, and he did reach the north pole. Captain Hob son accepts his story and so may all the rest of us. At least We can sus- pend judgment until his full story and data and observations are laid before the authorities in Copenhagen.
 Cooks success was undoubtedly due to the fact that he had studied the mistakes of preceding explorers. He went equipped with supplies of the lightest possible weight and bulk. His trip was financed by John R. Bradley of Chicago, and MT. Bradley explains how carefully and thoughtfully his preparations were made "Dr. Cooks, !" says Mr. Bradley. "was the most intel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05

ligently planned expedition that ever left for the arctic region, and his out fit was the best in the world, because 1t contained what he needed in the least possible weight and space" He was equipped with aluminium sledge ovens. Vacuum bottles kept his tea warm. His food was pemmican, which is lean meat pounded into a paste with melted fat and tightly pressed into cakes.
 But there is little use in speculating over details when Dr. Cook is either in Copenhagen or soon will be there. He carries proof enough undoubtedly to convince all impartial scientists that he once actually stood at the top of the world, where all directions are south. Men had tried for 400 years to get there, and Dr. Cooks excellent judgment and endurance enabled him to reach the goal first.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
Food Labels the Real Issue

The Remsen board, chaperoned by the aged Wilson of the department of agriculture, went to the Denver con vention to advocate the use of benzo- ate of soda in articles of food. They did win by vote of 57 to AZ in favor of their contention. And now the next step is about to be sprung on the in- nocent consumer, namely, the omission from labels of food packages of any mention of the drug, especially of the amount of it contained therein. If they win in the matter of benzoate, other drugs will demand similar treat ment, and old conditions of drugged and poisoned food articles will have been fully re-established.
 Those canneFs who use fresh, clean materials use no benzoate or other drugs. The good housewife uses none when she cans the products that come to her hand. Why then, should the canners who have "pull'' be permitted to use these drugs without letting the public know what they are doing?
 The benzoate issue really goes very deep. It is an attack on the very center of the pure food law, and if the Remsenites do succeed in opening the door to a secret and shy use of ben zoate, the people who desire pure foods stand defeated and the canners are triumphant. It would be but an- other case of a victory of special in- terests, and the new tariff is full of such victories.
 The matter should be taken up by the people, for the canners are already asking that the dread word "benzoate" be taken off their labels. It is battle between pure food with no benzoate in it and all sorts of rubbish held to- gether and rendered palatable by drug that in certain quantities will confessedly undermine digestion. The battle is on, and Secretary Wilson is carrying the benzoate banner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
COLLEGE lLLlTERATEs.
Faunce Says Many Graduates Cannot
 Write Decent English.

Chautauqua Dispatch to the New York
 World
 That the American people are murder ing their mother tongue and one of the great opportunities for reform at the present time is to teach them to rever ence and prize the English language and also speak and write it decently, was the opinion expressed here Friday by President Faunce of Brown universi- ty. He did not spare the American col leges in his general arraignment, and de- clared that they tare turning out an alarming proportion of graduates who are actually illiterate.
 q would like" he said, "to see the colleges of the country join in an effort to induce the American people to write and speak the English tongue decently. The colleges are not doing it now. It is a fact that the colleges of this country are sending out illiterates. Many of our college seniors cannot write a decent bus mess letter. Large numbers of them cannot express themselves in writing so as to be understood.
 "We Americans should link our minds and hearts and hands in an effort to pre- serve this mother tongue, which is our definite intellectual heritage. We should prize English speech and English litera- ture and pass on this heritage of the past to the children of the future.'
 President Faunce said that he had been surprised and shocked recently when he mentioned the name of Professor Hux- ley to group of Brown students and no one knew whom he meant, and was more so when on asking one of his stu dents the meaning of the word "chi- meras" he was answered: '"The Chimeras are a group of small islands in the Med iterranean sea-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
A Beautiful Theatre.

We have certainly succeeded in making the Bijou more attractive from every point of view this year than it has ever been.e said Manager Semon last night. "The interior decorations are of rleh rose color, Flemish oak and gold, making a singuarly artistic effect. These decora- tions are especially pleasing under bril- liant electric lights.
 Then we have laid rich carpets on the floors and aisles. The window draperies are in keeping with the color scheme, and the drop curtains are in green with red draperies.
 The ceiling has been panelled and the decorative effect is entirely new, while there are three great subset scenes in panel effect one on either side of the stage and on the prosenium arch
 There is a new roof, a new floor and other improvements, so that as matter top to bottom, including a newly dec- orated lobby that will make an imme- diate impression on the public.
 ''This year Jake Wells has booked some $1 50 attractions which will be seen in Bir- mingham for 50 cents. We had a number of them last year and this year we will have twice as many. The public always seem to appreciate this concession made to them.
 We expect to break all records for attendance at the special Labor Day matinee and the opening night per- formance"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
 @ ROM a recent discussion in some S London newspapers we infer that a certain amount of doubt still fingers in England as to the way in which the Latin language should be pronounced There are really. of course, two ques- tions, which often seem to be confused: First, what was the pronunciation of the Romans themselves in let us say, the Au- gustan age? Secondly, what pronuncia- ton would it now be convenient and ex- pedient to use in a given modern coun- try? About the latter inquiry people may differ; the former iss no more matter of dispute than in any ordinary question of grammar.
 On the continent of Europe what Is called in England the restored pronun- ciation" of Latin has got far beyond the point of being even discussed by any one who really studies the language It has become part of the grammar, just as much as is the case government of the propositions. In the former instance as in the latter you may know the rule or you may not-you do not argue about 1t. In German schools boys. are examined on this point, and are expected to know the chief evidence for right pronunciation, as they must know the rules of syntax. A German professor would not condescend to argue with pupil as to whether the Latin was sometimes pronounced "ch." To people who imagine that the present Italianized Latin was the original way of
 
 only be said that they should get hand book and look into the matter. Mir Ad- rian Fortescue, the well known Latinist, who writes letter to the London Tablet on the question, mentions several Latin, German and English treatises. Postgate's How to Pronounce Latln," 1907, will answer the purpose.
 We may note in passing that one of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
Another Aerial Tournament

Today the second great aerial race meting of the year will be begun-this time at Brescia, in Italy. Large prizes are offered for the highest speed, for altitude, and for capacity in the carry ing of passengers.
 The field near Brescia is on fine plain sheltered by the Alps. This field measures five and one-half miles. Nearly all the races are open to all nationalities and all machines. Mono planes, biplanes and triplanes, includ- ing several of the Wright machines, will be there. Plenty of dirigibles will also be there, but the interest of the world Is no longer centered in gasbag flights. Glenn Curtiss will be there, and so will be Bleriot, and the Brescia meeting promises to rival in every re- spect the epochal meeting at Rheims.
 It has been stated that there will be no attempt next year to take the Cor don Bennett trophy away from this country, but no one knows what will take place in the air next year. En- tries for the Gordon Bennett race need not be made before March, 1910, and it is pretty safe to say that some American city, possibly St. Louis, will plan a great race for the trophy, to- gether with general aerial tourna- ment. The world has acquired a new art, and the development promises to be rapid
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
Coal Trade Outlook,

While the Alabama coal trade has been very dull for some time past,' said R. c. Middleton, president of the Cahaba Coal company, it is beginning to im- prove. As the railroads are the largest consumers of commerical coal the trade is naturally dull when they are suffering from business depression. The railroads in this part of the country have been going slow for more than two years, but now that they are getting busy once more the outlook for the coal operators is cor respondingly bright.
 ''The country is quite prosperous today and very soon prosperity will be In great evidence in the Birmingham district. The railroads will be big consumers of coal during the next 12 months and after and by this time next year the coal operators will it is reasonable to predict, have all they can do Yes, I regard the out look for the coal business and all other branches of business in this district as altogether satisfactory"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
KING EDWARDS CLOTHES.

Rrom the Gentleman's Journal.
 The king and queen arrived at Good wood alone in their motor car and were received by the Duke of Richmond. was very close to the King when he en- tered his reserved balcony and I after ward stood within 10 feet of him Gin the pouring rain). I also saw him turn up his own trousers, and carry his own umbrella, which, I think, were I a king, I would have someone else do for me. He is a very smart looking man, indeed, but he has a style of wearing his clothes absolutely different from anybody else His high silk hat also is distinctive to himself. He also wore a raincoat, a blue Raglan. cut very full, and he had on a bright blue scarf, with pink shirt. He wore dark red carnation in his but tonhole. He is very democratic king, indeed. I fancy. though. that he plays to the gallery a great deal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
PASSING OF TRAGEDY.

Charles Hawtrey, the English actor, in in-
 terview with the London Telegrap ph.
 The days of tragedy are over, and we shall never see another great English tragedian. For this the altered conditions of English life, revealing as they do a growing antagonism to seriousness at the playhouse are responsible. The necessity of bringing much lightness into existence as possible becomes increas- ingly apparent. This Is an age of snippits. - In the matter of en- tertainment the public prefers a number of dainty or well spiced entrees to a solid joint.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
HALL CANE AS AN ACTOR,

From the New York Morning Telegraph
 Hall Caine has taken the final step. He has broken the thin partition that sepa- rated him from universality. He has become an actor. The opportunity came to him, as it does to many, through the illness of another It took place in the Isle of Man, the country of his heart, the land he has described to humanity, the isle upon which he would have been born if he had not been born in prosaic Lancashire. The play was his own, "The Prodigal Son." He acted the part of the prodigal. It is true that he held the manuscript in his hand for several nights, but the passion. the instinct, the tact, the fire and dramatic genius, all were there. Douglas. in the Isle of Man. felt this. Hall Caine himself concurs with the opinion of Douglas. and there is no one that lives that can gainsay them both.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
Bright Prospects of This District

From week to week more furnaces are being blown in in this district. Eighteen furnaces are in blast in Jefferson county and on tomorrow there will be 19. By November the number will be increased to 22, and this number makes daily at lrast 5000 tons of iron, or enough to load about 100 cars. Fortunately a good part of this iron is retained here to be nodded and rolled into finished products.
 The indications are increasing that even before the Warrior river and the Panama canal are opened this district will be called on to make the rails needed in all the Americas to the south of us. Orders for large ton mage of rails are now booked for ex- port to South American countries. The Chamber of Commerce should do it's utmost to secure an independent line of rails to the river against the open ing of the river above Squaw Shoals. The open river and independent rails connecting every industry with 1t is the hope and ever will be the hope and basis and strength of this district. A great future based on South American orders lies before this district if an open river to tidewater be fully and speedily appreciated. The govern ment is working without ceasing in opening the river, and we should work in the same manner to gain connection with that river. There should be no waiting for vanHoose canal. An open river with six feet of water on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
BREvITlEs.

From the Chicago News
 The other day number of people who were taking walk on the slopes of Knockscalbert Hill, Scotland. were sur prised to see on the grass a large num- Der of very small fishes. They appeared to be the young of the herring and their presence on the hill in considerable num- bers created much speculation. In Au- gust 1904, a shower of herring fry was experienced at the head of Longrow. They fell from above on the hats and cloth ing of several men and at the time a small black cloud of great density was directly overhead.
 Germany has a firm of match manu- facturers which has hit on a means whereby the public will pay only half the present heavy statutory tax on matches. The method is to have the com- bustible properties at each end of the match, by which device one box goes as far as two.
 The Russkoye Slovo of Moscow reports that the military court of Vladivostok has just sentenced to death a peasant, aged 124 years, for killing village elder. The court has decided to petition for a reprieve.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
ARIsTocRATIc DEBUTANTE.
rom the Boston Post

From the Boston Post.
 Mrs. Philip L. Saltonstall will bring out the eldest of her three daughters, Frances, named for her mother, who. I suppose you remember. was Frances Sherwood. Just think how quickly time flies when these matrons whom we re- member in their girlhood days are pre- senting their children!
 Frances Saltonstall Is a great favorite in her set, and the saltonstall estate, ''In- tervale," at Hyde Park is a popular cen- ter with the scores of society people who have country homes near by. There are two younger daughters. Katherine and Rose, to be interested in their sisters debutante gayeties and to look forward with joyous expectation to the season when similar dignities await them. The Saltonstall connection is one of the best and most influential hereabouts, and there will unquestionably be an incessant round of entertaining for this latest bud on the family stalk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
WHAT THE TIPS" CAME TO.

From the Springfield CMass.) Republican.
 To illustrate the evils of the tipping system in vogue, the following extract from letter written by a lady who is chaperoning two young friends on trip to Europe may prove interesting: Our tickets for two connecting staterooms for three persons on the liner cost 5000 for the round trip. Before landing at Liver pool we distributed $65 as follows: To our steward, $14; to the stewardess, $12.5o; to the head steward, s10; to the porters. $3.50; head waiter, $1; "boots," s1, and the balance to bell boys and mis- cellaneous calls" On the return trip the tips" will probably amount to the same, thus aggregating $1So for service, which should be included in the $2,00O paid for ten days transportation. Surely this is the limit of this form of graft!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
Political Campaigns.

'T am tired of political campaigns" said member of the Chamber of Com- merce, "but am never too tired to vote The campaign now being launched at a heavy expense to the taxpayers will be, in the nature of things, exceedingly bitter and exceedingly disquieting to the com mercial world. So long as the adminis- tration and the administrations advisers insisted on submitting a constitutional amendment to the people, the voting should have been postponed until the next state election. which takes place in 1910. The taxpayers, at any rate, would have been saved useless expense; and the public at large would have had q little rest from political turmoil.
 Those who say that the best way to get prohibition out of politics is to put 1t in the constitution make litle use of ob- servation or experience. If the constitu-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
WlLLOWWOO
By D. G. Rossetti

sat with love upon woodside well, Leaning across the water, I and he; Nor ever did he speak nor look'd at me, But touched his lute. wherein was audible The certain secret thing he had to tell; Only our mirror'd eyeS met silently, In the low wave; and that sound came
 to be The passionate voice I knew; and my
 tears fell And at their fall his eyes beneath drew
 hers; And with his foot and with his wing
 feathers
 He swept the spring that water'd my
 hearts drouth. Then the dark ripples spread to waving
 hair, And as I stoop'd her own lips. rising there Bubbled with brimming kisses at my
 mouu
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-05
Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale in thrifty mind
 Merchant of Venice.
Southern Farmers and Their Cotton

The department of agriculture marks down the condition of the cotton crop on August 25 to 63 TT, or just about 10 points below the average of the last ten years. The crop in Texas and Ok lahoma is rated low, and in Alabama and Mississippi it is not much better. Current estimates of the growing crop swing around 100000 bales, while the worlds consumption is readily 13,- 100000 bales.
 Whether the governments figures are true or untrue need not greatly concern the south, provided it gets ready to market the crop advantage ously. The crop should not be hur- ried to market, especially if the crop should prove to be but Il, 100000 bales.
 The Farmers union meets in this city on Tuesday to consider this great question-how best to market the new crop. There is no problem before the southern people so important as this. It is a large problem, but a baled prod uct that is not subject to decay cer- tainly can be handled advantageously if peaches and California fruits can be- The Farmers union has the prob- lem we'll in hand, and the hope is that they will yet work out satisfactory solution of it.