davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
State Income Taxes

The experiments in state income taxes promise to increase in the ab- sence of a national income tax. Last year Oklahoma began to collect an in- come tax that includes all receipts from salaries, fees, professions and property upon which a general tax had not been paid in excess of s3500. The rate is as follows:
 one-half of 1 per cent on the excess over s35O0 to $5OOO; three-fourths of 1 per cent on the excess over s50O0 to $10000; 1.2 per cent on the excess over $10000 to SEQ 00O; Is per cent on the excess over s2o.oO0 to $5o,OOO; per cent on the ex- cess over s5O,00O to $1OO.OOO; IS per cent on all amounts over s10O,OO0
 The taxpayer is required to return his income. All who fail to do this may be proceeded against by tne auditor, who may summon witnesses and proceed as in a trial. The Okla homa experiment has not been tried long enough to test it's efficiency as a means of revenue.
 Wisconsin has amended her consti- tuition so that she can levy an income tax, and her legislature is engaged in considering a bill which proposes to tax all incomes in excess of $500, and to make this a substitute for all per sonal property taxes. The proposed rates are as follows:
 Incomes of s1O0O to 5000, per cent; 5000 to 5000, IF per cent; SSOOO to s4o0O, ? per cent; s4O00 to $5OOO. 21s per cent; s5OoO to $10,O00. 3 per cent; s1O,OO0 to s20,- GOO. per cent; with an additional in- crease of 1 per cent on each additional Sf0O00 up to incomes of $160,O0O when the tax becomes 20 per cent,
 If Congress decides to impose an in- come tax at the coming special session an end would speedily be put to state income taxes, for duplication would be considered burdensome. But if Congress finds needed revenue in other directions then state income taxes will no doubt be freely tested.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
The Doo Question.

The plan of Mayor Ward to muzzle all dogs in the city for 60 days is imprac- tieabe as far as safeguarding persons from innoeulation by mad dogs is con | cerned." said man whose calling ought to give him full knowledge of such mat ters.
 If the period of incubation was limited to 50 days, the muzzling order would inso- far be effective, provided the muzzle could be kept on the dog. Muzzing dogs in the territory under the control of the mayor of Birmingham will effect nothing for the reason that dogs from the suburbs and from the country cannot be reached by the order There are urgent needs for some action to minimize the danger from the terrible malady. and Mayor Ward is to be commended for his zeal and initia- tive in the matter. Only today a veter- marian was called into the suburbs to see dog that showed signs of rabies. It had a fully developed case. The dog had bitten young man. As the virus was probably caught up by his clothing, and did not likely enter the wound made by the dogs teeth, he is in no great danger. However no chances are to be taken and he will be notified of the results of the investigation. This dog jumped into the lap of it's owner, took her hand in it's mouth. but made no wound as an invest- gation with a magnifying glass showed.
 As to the question of the prevalence of rabies, there is no more now than there has been for some months. The fact is, there seems to be less just at this time than there was a few months ago. There is need, however, for some active steps to be taken beyond any question of doubt. It will not be practicable to fluzzle all dogs or to reach them. As a matter of public safety. however, dogs should not be al- lowed on the streets unless muzzled and led by some one. Every one knows that dogs running loose muzzled can remove the muzzle. And then no one can tell what dog may be affected until active symptoms arise. I suggest that a confer enee of practical men be held to consider the matter with a view to agreeing upon the best plan to protect people from hy- drophobia.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26

Alexander City, February 25.-(Special) A. P. Fuquay, a local insurance man, has sent the following letter to State Insur ance Commissioner Frank N. Julian:
 Alexander City, February 24, 1909. Hon. Frank N. Julian, Ex-Officio Insur-
 ance Commissioner. Montgomery:
 Sir-Permit me to offer your department some thoughts suggestive of legislation to prevent the growing fire waste in Ala bama and consequent increased fire insur- ance rates.
 Every cause has its resultant ills, and it would seem to one of thoughtful ob- servation that attention should be given by our legislature in the enactment of a law to prevent causes of fires rather than the much legislation to control the com panies insuring against resultant ills of which we as reckless and careless citi- zenship stand largely responsible It may not be amiss just here to preface my re- marks that they are not prompted by any company or insurance organization, neither must my purposes be miscon- strued of being antagonistic to any un- derwriters' organization.
 To any careful observer the constantly growing fire waste to improved property in Alabama is simply alarming and 1t seems to me that the legislature should have it's attention called to these ap- palllng conditions. With the records be- fore me, to bear me out in this assertion. I will quote the losses paid by fire insur- ance companies in Alabama for 10 years
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
INJUNCTION LOST
 IN SOUTHERN STEEL

New York, February 25.-An application for permanent injunction restraining the reorganization committee of the Southern Steel company from carrying out It's plan for the reorganization of that company was denied today by Judge Moves of the United States circuit court. George H. Schuler. a minority stockholder of the company, had applied for the injunction on the ground of inequality.
 The Southern Steel company has proper ties in Alabama and other southern states. Its affairs have been in process of liquida- tion for some time and recently it was announced that the reorganization com nittee has completed plans to take over the properties at a sale to be had within a few weeks.
 Judge Moves in his decision said that as the properties of the Southern Steel com pany were to be put up at public sale by the trustees in bankruptcy 1t must be presumed that the bankruptcy court will take steps to obtain a fair price and distribute the proceeds among the cred itors and stockholders He added that fraud was not indicated by the fact that the stockholders who advance new funds will receive far more in new securities than those who advance nothing.
 The court ruled that MT. Schuler should have the right to renew his application if the reorganization committee should carry out it's present intention to purchase the properties at a judicial sale. MT. Schuler also was granted the right to institute such proceedings in the district court of Alabama as he might deem expedient.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
Signs of Improvement

Commercial failures, are gradually decreasing, indicating that credit and confidence are being gradually estab- lished on a firm basis in all parts of the country. Business is being con- ducted on safe and satisfactory lines.
 Conservatism still characterizes op- erations in many markets, but employ ment in mills and factories is steadily maintained. There is no disposiIIom anywhere to cut wages, and there are few labor troubles in any part of the country. Mercantile collections are satisfactory and settlements through the banks are nearly as large as they were in 1906.
 The signs of improvement all along the line are satisfactory, and the furry in the stock and metal markets created by the action of the Steel corporation in affording consumers an open mar ket has subsided, leaving no scars and no apprehension. The effects of the panic of 1907 are wearing away, and the country will be on the way to prosperous times if the crop reports continue to be satisfactory. Good crops next fall will bring us volume of general business well up to that of the years preceding the panic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
DAYS RECORD IN
 COUNTY COURTS

In the first division of the criminal court yesterday the bribery cases growing out of Sheriff Higdon's graft fund were set for trial, and the case of Wade Moth ershed was taken up. Interest was cen tered on this division of the court and there was but little of interest elsewhere
 In Judge Lanes division of the circuit court only one case was disposed of yes terday, being that of B. c. Williams vs Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad com pany, in which a verdict for the defend- ant was returned by the jury.
 Both Judge Lane and Judge Coleman court. and it is not likely that there will be much doing in these divisions during the remander of the week.
 In the chancery court yesterday final decrees were rendered in the cases of J. w. Farrior vs. Cato & McGee, J. E. Dug ger George Liebacher N. w. Howell, j.. J. Walters and C. B. Franklin, six differ ent cases. The decrees were orders quiet ing the titles to certain real estate.
 In the first division of the city court the case of Neal Wood vs. Andrew Pinck- ard ct al. is on trial. A judgment for the plaintiff was rendered in the case of the Central Land company vs J. w.. Farmer In the case of the Roberts, John son & Rand Shoe company Vs. Birmng ham Ore and Mining company a judg- ment for the defendant was rendered.
 In the second division of the city court the jury in the case of F. J. Glenn vs Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, returned verdict for the plain tiff. awarding him $50 damages. In the case of Frank Williams vs. Louisville and Nashville Railroad company a consent judgment for $50 was rendered.
 The case of F., J. Beck vs. Western Union Telegraph company is on trial in the third division of the city court The jury in the case of Isaac Barber vs. Bir- mingham Railway, Light and Power company returned a verdict for the plain tiff, awarding him $500 damages. A consent judgment for BIO was rendered in the case of Laura Johnson vs. Birmins- ham Railway, Light and Power com pany
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
The Steel Mereqr.

"The agitation in the Senate over the absorption of the Tennessee company by the United States Steel corporation is so obviously political that it will make little impression on the public mind," said a professional man. "The majority re- port of the judiciary committees sub committee against the merger may or may not be adopted by the full commit tee; but should an adverse report reach the Senate that would be the last of it..
 AS has been pointed out time and again the Steel corporation is not a trust in the usually accepted meaning of that term. A trust is a monopoly and that the so-called steel trust is not, When the Steel corporation acquired the Tennessee company it did a great thing for the Birmingham district in an industrial way and a great thing for the business world in checking the panic. The United States Steel has already spent millions of dol lars here in developing it's property and it has planned new work which will ne- cessitate the expenditure of many mill lions more within the next two years. V
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
as follows i:
In round numbers =. .sl2, ,ooo, ,oOo

Now, for every $10O of insurance paid we find an average of $50 fire waste upon insured property Then add this unin- sured fire waste of sS,oOO,0Oo to the above S12,O0o,0o0 and we have $1s,O00,00O of fire waste to account for in 10 years. But this is not all. In my observation of 14 years as an underwater l find that an ex- tra 90 per cent fire waste has prevailed upon " hicn no insurance applied what ever. Add this 30 per cent to the $ls,oO0- GOO and we feel our mind stagger in it's effort to grasp the frightful sum of $24, 00,000, and all in one decade.
 If shermans army were scheduled to encamp in Alabama every tenth year with it's whitening hand of destruction of A years ago, it coald not possibly outdo the records of our own sweat peace.
 What are the remedies? First, I will say there are three causes on which 96 per cent of the fires originate, viz: Faulty construction, carelensness and incendiar. ism These three ills should have ram edies.
 As remedy for the first i'll, faulty con- strdction. it appears to me building construction law should be enacted in which the rians, the material of stove and chimney fues and all heating equip meat shaujd he made to conform to an accepted standard.
 As remedy for the second ill., care lessness with fire, l am of the opinion that the same law which forbids man from the reckless and careless use of ire arms, importing the lives and property or his neighbors should be made to apply 10 men who wilfuuy and carelessly imperii the lives and property of his neighbors py his own needless acts with fire.
 As remedy for the third i'll, incendiar- ism every fire claim should come under the scrutiny of a state fire warden or marshal, and no fire should be perhit,eu of settlement before the warden or ms deputy warden shall have reported the facts and cause of fire, and if incendiar- ism or carelessness, or failure to comply with the construction laws be found to exist inc marshal should be made to ap- ply the penalties of the lew. It should be a further duty of the fire warden to instruct every citizen of the requirements of the building construction act and of serving them with reasonable time in which every stove fiue. chimney and heat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
The Iron Market.

Sales of pig iron in the Birmingham district during the present month make small tonnage. One of the large fur tracts for February thus far at less than 300 tons. An improvement in the pig metal trade is looked for in March Rog- CTS, Brown & Co.'S Cincinnati report says:
 The week has seen considerable agita- ton in the steel market but pig iron con- tinues quiet and so far practically un- affected by any outside influences. Prices are somewhat more irregular. The reduc- tion in price on steel products has so far produced slight results. There has been an active inquiry. but it is considered as being mainly for information
 It is too soon for consumers to feel they can judge conditions satisfactorily It is thought by many that the present status of affairs and results from it dur ing the next few weeks will only Serve to clear up the atmosphere, readjust pres ent conditions on better basis and pave the way for a quicker resumption of nor maj activity. It is hoped that such result will transpire without undue injury and as rapidly as possible.
 There is no let up to the improvement recently reported by some consumers, not ably the machine toolmakers and agricul- tural implement manufacturers. The gen. eral foundry trade is quiet but are melt ing at about the same ratio they have maintained for several weeks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
Chicago As a BaSilg Point

The Iron Trade Review says the present confusion in the iron and steel markets "is probably due as much to the tendency to abandon Pittsburg as the sole basing point as it is to changes in prices. The time-honored custom of naming prices f. 0. b. Pitts burg plus freight to other parts of the country is doomed, because of the rela- lively decreased importance of Pitts burg as a manufacturing center. Mills will more and more take advantage of their location in making prices, but it seems probable that the Chicago and eastern quotations will, to large ex- tent, be based on Pittsburg prices, with a part of the freight from Pittsburg added. During the past few days many mills have made quotations at their own plants, but more definite policy will probably be adopted at an early date"
 The Iron Age says that one of the most significant developments of the week lis the announcement from Chi cago that that city will hereafter be passing point in naming prices on such products as are turned out by the mills of the United States Steel corporation in that district
 The Steel corporation will certainly act justly toward the south in this matter, for Birmingham is not more deeply interested in becoming passing point than is the entire south in get ting prices free from northern freight rates. In it's own time the Steel cor poration will no doubt make Birming-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
Mr. Taft and the Referee System

The record of trade at St. Angus. tine, Fla, has formally asked the Pres ident-elect to abolish the referee" system. This attack upon professional politicians in the south promises to be seconded by other commercial or ganizations through the south, thus bringing the issue directly before MT. Taft soon after inauguration day The St Louis Globe-Democrat, a republi- can newspaper, is inclined to favor the movement. It says:
 In some of the gulf states, where there is virtually no republican organization, many of the republican politicians are of a rather low type of men. Their interest, as they view the situation, lies in not attempting to build up republican party but in keeping it small enough to allow the offices to go round. The pernicious activity of southern federal officeholders at state and national conventions Is well known. It has often been condemned hv yepubliohn paners all bver the coun-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26

try. Southern federal officials who had no electoral votes to give to their party have had a powerful voice in more than one convention in naming republican presidential candidates. Their activity at Minneapolis in 1892 was so open and of fensive that it was condemned in the convention. as well as by many republi- can newspapers in states which gave elee- toral votes 10 the party. By angering fair-minded republicans everywhere they did something toward defeating the Min neapolis ticket Though in a somewhat less obtrusve and obnoxious way south ern federal officeholders were busy at the Chicago convention of 1908.
 If MT. Taft really desires to improve the federal service in the south he may heed the petition from St. Augustine, but the friction of four years in office and the approach of the national con vention may change his views, and the referees may continue to hand out patronage to their personal friends and supporters.
 A referee is not a boss in the fullest sense, for there is no real republican party in the south to boss. The Globe Democrat perhaps defines the office best when it says it's duties consist in keeping the party small enough to allow the offices to go around"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
4 Deserved Promotion

W. T. Gentry of Atlanta, for several years vice president and general man. ager of the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph company, has been ad- Yanced to the presidency of that great public service corporation. His elec- ton took place at a meeting of the board of directors held in New York ing example of a man rising on his merits. MT. Gentry was born in small Virginia town, and when the telephone business was in it's infancy he was in charge of the exchange at Alexandria, Va. He was transferred to Atlanta 25 years ago and his home has been there ever since.
 MT Gentry has from the start dis played exceptional administrative abil- ity and the recent expansion of the Southern Bells plants has taken place under his management and chiefly as the result of his foresight Capaciry and faithful service have constituted his capital and his achievement in reaching the top will prove an inspira- tion to all young men who are starting out in life on their own resources.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
DisraeIi's Epigram.

Juggling with statistics is not peculiar to our present time, said citizen. Dis raeli once remarked, There are three kinds of lies-les, d-n lies and sta tistics.'
 That epigrammatic statement was true in his day and there will be more or less confusion about statistics for long time to come The trouble is too many of us are superficial in our mental pro cesses and fail to weigh the relations of things. Statistics are of great value when accurately assembled and scientifically applied, but they are uttesly worthless when loosely or ignoranuy used.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
About Parsons.

Massey Wilson, former attorney gen eral and now a leading attorney of Mont gomery, spent yesterday in Birming- ham.
 Dr. w. II. Wilder. division surgeon or the Illinois Central railroad left yester- day for Memphis, where he will attend a gathering of the surgeons of the south eastern division
 q. J. Wllett, ono of the most prom inent attorneys of Anniston, passed through Birmingham yesterday en route home after visit to Chicago. In Chi cago MT. Willett delivered an address on the occasion of George NYashiDgtons birthday He did not discuss the mat ter of the fight against the confrma- ton of Judge Hundley.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
LOST DAYS.

By Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The lost days of my life until today, what were they, could I see them on
 the street Lie as they fell? Would they be ears
 of wheat Sown once for food, but trodden into
 clay? Or golden coins squandered and still to
 pay? Or drops of blood dabbling the gull
 ty feet? Or such split water as in dreams must
 cheat, The undying threats of hell, athirst al-
 way? I do not see them here; but after death God knows I know the faces l shall
 see, Each one murdered self with low last
 breath. q am thyself-what has thou done to
 me?' "And Land I-thyself' do! each one
 saith), "And thou thysslf to all eternty!''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 One place a woman can't conceal her temper is under red hair.
 Happiness is largely imagination, but unhappiness is the real thing.
 You can invariably count upon a woman to be devoted to a husband who doesn't deserve it.
 man may frighten girl almost to death by the way he makes love to her and she'll be all the prouder of 1t.
 No man ever has a good enough mem- ory to recall all the silly things he said to his wife when they were engaged and thought they were wise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
Attractive Programme.

An exceptionally beautiful musical pro- gramme will be rendered by brilliant local tayent at the high school auditorium to- night for the benefit of the Martin School Improvement association and-as the tick cts are only 25 cents the house should be filled.
 The opening number will be the last movement of Haydn's G Major trio for piano, violin and violoncello-Mr. Dow, MT. Gussen and MT Klenk. Mrs All drieh will play three plano pieces, MT. Gussen will paly two violin solos, Mrs. Chandler and Mrs. ONeil will sing and the programme~-will close with an in 4 strumental trio by Widor.
 The concert will begin at o'clock
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-26
Home Is Burned.

Annston, February 25.-(SpeciaI )---A special from Edwardsville states that it is believed incendiaries set fire to the home of J. o. Robison, which was de- stroyed near that place last night about IF o'clock. The inmates had a narrow es- cape and all of the furniture was de- stroyed, causing loss of about s2oo with no insurance. The home was owned by Judge A. A. Hurst of Edwardsville.