davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
THE WEATHER.

Washington. October 9.-Forecast for Aabama Partly cloudy Sunday; Monday probably showers; variable winds.
 Mississippi: Partly cloudy Sunday and Monday; not much change in tempera- ture; moderate variable winds, possibly increasing on the coast.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-10
CITY ITEMS.

N SMALL FIRES OCCUR.-The fire de- partment responded yesterday afternoon to calls to Eleventh street and Second avenue and Avenue F and Eighteenth street In both instances negro houses had caught fire Only small losses were incurred by the two fires.
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
ELECTRIC FREIGHT TRAINS.

Though the substitution of electricity for
steam on trunk lines has thus far been confined
almost exclusively to suburban passenger service.
the advantages and disadvantages Of making a
similar change in the methods Of moving freight
have received much consideration. Because of
the uncertainty yet felt concerning the wisdom
of such step, an article contributed 10 The
Popular Science Monthly for March by Pro
fessor. J. b. Whitehead OF Johns Hopkins Uni
versity, possesses unusual interest
This writer declares that the electric engine
maintains its drawing power better than steam
locomotive after train once gains headway.
Several comparisons are made to illustrate the
point one of which will suffice for present pur-
poses a typical Western freight locomotive,
weighing with its tender, 16j tons can develop
continuously a drawbar pull of 25,600 pounds
up 10 a speed of fifteen miles an hour An
electric locomotive weighing 100 tons can de
'-velop this pull up to a speed of thirty seven
miles an hour" As the electric engine does
not pound the track so badly as the other type
Of machine according 10 Professor Whitehead,
il may be driven at high speeds with greater
safety than its rival.
OF the merits here ascribed TO the electric
engine perhaps the greater output of power is
the most important 1t should make the climb
ing of grades easier than has been possible
hitherto. No doubt there would be places where
more than one engine would be needed TO haul a
heavy train, and the Baltimore expert believes
tha: in such cases il might prove advisable TO
distribute them al advantageous points between
the cars. instead of having them all at the mead
Either plan. of course, would enable motor
man TO manage them all. as in the control OF
passenger train operated by the multiple unit
system.
Economy is one of the recommendations of
electric traction, but it is chiefly ohvious where
short trains are run frequently as in suburban
traffic In the handling of freight different con
1tions prevail 1t is to be doubted whether
there would ne any saving i'll the expense
through the substitution of electricity for steam
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
MUSEUJI NEEDS MONEY.
Should Haze 50 900 900 EndO7cment
Fund. Says DR.. BumpuS.

The American Museum OF Natural History needs
money to carry on its explorations In many parts
the world Dr.. Hermou {. BUmpus the director.
said yesterday that keep pace With the rapid
growth of the city and the demands II is making
for public scientific education an endowment fund
OF 100000 was imperativeIy needed The present
endowment fund including the bequest Of the late
President Jesup is S2.O4S. .li5 81.
In every part of the world" said Dr. Bumpus.
the advance OF agriculture and commerce and the
spread OF firearms are rendering more scarce the
objects of natural history OF all kinds. including
the works Of the primitive races OF men It is
deemed vitaIly important 10 push the explorations
OF the museum in all parts of the world. while 1t
is possible 10 obtain these fast vanishing works Of
nature and OF primitive
The museums explorations at the present time
extend to the Mackenzie River and tire shores Of
Beaufort Sea, to Alaska Vancouver, Alberta and
Saskatchewan. the west coast OF Hudson Bay and
Western Labrador In the United States parties
have been spread In Wyoming. Montana. Idaho
North Dakota Nebraska. Colorado and Florida
also in Central America and in the south 10 Mica
ragua the West Indies and the Bahama islands.
We have special agents in Asia. working in
Kashuir China and Corea, and among the islands
Of the Pacific the museum Is working in the Philip
pines the Solomon Islands. Tahiti, New Zealand
the South Shetland Islands and Kerguelen Island
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12

year Such a change would remove the incon'
veniences of the present short session OF Con-
gress. But it would not insure proper weather
conditions for the inauguration pageant, and
would involve holding state elections IN the nrst
week of October, instead of the first week OF
November. Such change would De unIorIu-
nate. since October is the most suitable month
in the year for campaigning, and the first week
in November is probably the very best time ior
holding general elections It IS to be doubted,
moreover. whether so abrupt transition from
one administration to another is desirable a
President-elect needs time to think and TO ac-
custom himself to his new responsibilities, anu
the country is better off for having little leis-
ure in which to consider the meaning OF the
change. Our government is one Of checks and
balances and the time which elapses between q
Presidents election and his inauguration is a
useful check on the rash employment of newly
aC0urpd mower.
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
WEBB,S ACADEMY LOSES.
Court of appeals Upholds WH Of
BenefactOr'S WidOzC.

After protracted litigation the Court OF Appeals
has affirmed the decision Of the Appellate Division
and given TO the estate OF Mrs. Henrietta A Webb
widow Of William H Webb. the property oa
Broadway. between S1st and SD streets, running
through to Sixth avenue. valued at more than
100000.
Mr. Webb. one OF the old time shipbuilders ot
this city founded Webb's Academy and Home for
shpbuiIders at Fordham Heights, and endowed it
with 100000. On his death. in 1889. there was
found among his papers an agreement. executed
on the same Jay in September. between himself
and his wife. which conveyed the property 70 his
wite's brother and then back to him II Mrs.
Webb survived him. the property was 10 go 10 tbs
academy on her death There also another
instrument. executed by both him and his wife
month later. annulIng the first agreement and
providing that II Mrs. Webb outlived her husband
she should convey the property TO their son, VIII
lam L. Webb
The son. after a friendly suit. relnquishsd a
claims his mother. she making a VIII whereby
the and his wife should receive the income
from property during their joint lives, and the
property their death should go TO fifteen other
heirs or their survivors Mrs. Webb died in April
1902 and the academy at once sued TO get posses
sion OF the property. alleging that II held tits
through the deeds recorded in 1889 and that neither
Mr.. nor Mrs. Webb had any right 10 alter the e.
feet OF these papers
Carter Ledyard & NIilburn represented the
academy, and the late George s Han!n the ex-
ecutors- William II. Sage guardian ad Item
OF the interested infants. Counsel for the es1aIe
and heirs contended that as the first agreement
was never recorded Mr. Webb had right 20 -
woke IT, Ex-Judge Andrews. OF the Court of Ap-
peals. as referee. decided that the academy had
good title but the Appellate Division reversed nm
this being affirmed by the Court Of Appeals. Ins
property now wifi pass under Mrs. Webbs viii anu
be distributed the survivors OF the fifteen hers
of whom four are infants. who will receive A'
largest share of the property.
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
TFrom The tribune Bureau1

IFTOm The Tribune Bureau
WASHINGTON. March 1.-THE former Ambassador
10 Italy and Mrs. William +. Draper gave 2 dinner
tonight for the Vice-Presfdent and Mrs Sherman
inviting. among others. the German Ambassador
and Countess Won Bernstorff, Justice and Mrs HaT-
Ian the Swedish Minister and Nine de Lager
crantz Mr.. and Mrs Dryden, Mr.. and Mrs Thomas
F Walsh. Dr. and Mrs Fremont Smith. DR.. and
Mrs. Wilmer. Mrs. Nicol Ludlow, Mr. and Mrs
Henneu Jennings. Mr.. and Mrs. Woodbury. Blair
and Mr.. Staufer, OF New Orleans.
Mrs. Robert H Traver, of New York and Wash
ington invited dinner guests tonight 10 meet Cons
missioner Bingham, OF New York, and Mrs Bing-
ham. In the party Lieutenant General and
Mrs Henry 9. Corbin Mr.. and Mrs. John w Fos-
ter Mr and Mrs. John b Henderson. Mr. and Mrs.
Lansing Mrs. Stanley Matthews, Mrs. A. c. Bar
new Miss Boardman Miss Whitehead, Of New
York; Miss Frances Traver and George Warren
Smith. of New York; Frederick May Mr. Barry
and Dr. Swishe-.
Ex-Secretary ard Mrs Straus will leave here on
Tuesday for Cuba. where they will spend about two
weeks. They will then permanently close their
house here and open their home in New York.
Mrs Richard II Townsend and Miss MathHde
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
THE TALK or THE DAY.

Returns from Massachusetts town meetings show
that all which took action under the new state
playground act voted to accept its terms. Twelve
towns having ten thousand population held meet
ings March l. Two OF them did not vote on play
grounds Tie remaining ten cast total vote or
II o64 in favor to 3537 against. These towns, which
will now De required 10 provide means for outdoor
recreation and physical education, are Attleboro
Clinton Gardner. Hyde Park Leominsterr Milford
Framinghan Wakefield, Watertown and Wey-
mouth. With the twenty-three cities that accepted
the act in December the total vote stands at $4,000
in favor to $500 against.
Tint man has done some mighty good things"
Yes: I was OF them. Louisville Courier
Journal
The .Kolnische Volkszetung," which recently
attracted unusual attention in Germany because
Of its refusal to publish pictures Of actresses IN
ballet costume has again into especial notice
at the hands OF It's neghborinz journals by print
ing or the editorial page this black -bordered death
notice Of Isabella Kaiser, whose works were issued
by that paueT.
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
SEPTI4 AND THE POWERS.

The Servian government in its latest note de-
clares that il does not wish to provoke war
nor to impair its friendly relations with Aus
tria Hungary. It abandons all claims for terri
torial or other compensatiOns from Austria
Hungary, but renews its expression Of opinion
that the legality OF her annexation of Bosnia
and Herzegovina is a question of European
Importance and should he passed upon by
the powers which were signatory to the Treaty
of Berlin This latter declaration, we are told,
is regarded at Vienna as very ridiculous
proposition
That is to say, the powers of Europe. six Or
seven in number, meeting in formal congress
To conclude peace and readjust international
relations after a great war. unanimously
adopted treaty making a certain disposition
Of the provinces in question. At n later date,
without consulting any Of the other powers,
and certainly without the assent of any, one of
these powers deliberately tears up that treaty
and throws it into the waste paper basket by
openly violating one of its most important pro-
visions And the suggestion that such action
is a matter Of which the other powers may
legitimately take cognizance is contemptuously
dismissed as very ridiculous"
Perhaps that view of the case will prevail
II so, we should have to say that Servia's atti-
tude and tone were more credltable 10 Eu-
ropean civilization and TO the spirit Of inter
national law and equity than the attitude and
tone OF the so-caed great powers.
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
from The Tribune Bureau-l


Washington. March 1.-THE President spent a
great part of the day in writing his first message
to Congress This did not, however. prevent nm
from seeing numerous visitors. including the wee
President, with whom ne discussed the House rules
warfare and some executive matters
Senator Rayner. of Maryland. and Adnnlrdi
schIey who avoided the White House in Nh
Rooseveit's administration. paid their respects 10
the President to-day and declared that no TWO OF
his visitors could be more happy at shaking his
hand"
Representative Reeder Of Kansas asked the
President to urge on Congress the need of more
adequate legislation to prosecute the trusts
Representative Watson had conference Win
regard to the rules fight, and expressed confidence
that the result would be favorable to the organza-
ton
w J. Robinson called to inform Mr. Taft OF MS
election as member Of the Optimists Club
Among the other callers were Secretary Wright,
Senators Curnnins Nelson, EIkins and Bourne,
Representatives Longworth, Underwood and Hum
phries Police Commissioner Bingham of New YORK
Andrew Carnegie, Cecil Lyon and delegation from
Alabama opposing the nomination Of oscar Il.
Hundley as judge for the Northern District OF
Alabama.
The President went riding this afternoon IN com
pany with his cid Captain Archibald w. Butt
President Taft will leave Washington next week
for New York, where he will spend the 18th ana
18th On the latter date ne will spend a few hours
in New Haven. returning to New York in time Ior
the Yale dinrer.
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
MORE METZ.

If The Brooklyn Eagle" correctly quotes
Controller Metz, he is opposed to the plan oil
Chief Engineer Lewis of the Board or bSuIlat'
and Apportionment to build only a two-track
subway in Fourth avenue Brooklyn. he Is so
we'll pleased" The Eagle" reports with the
"Interborough offer that he stands ready 10
vote for the construction of the entire Fourth
avenue route!
The city will be able TO undertake tie con
'struction if the arrangements are carried out
''for Manhattan under the InterborouSh plah
and 1 will stand for the spending Of the entire
$40 100000 that will be required for the
Fourth avenue subway
Rub your eyes. gentle reader; thus he IS
quoted Nothing less than four tracks all Ihe
wav TO Coney Island will do. The logic seems
to he: Two tracks are so well suited to Man
haitian that nothing less than four tracks VIII
serve Brooklyn What Will not Brooklyn do
when it reads that IF the arrangements are
carried out fer Manhattan under tie Inter
thorough plan the city will be able to under
take the construction of the Brooklyn line?
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
TNAUGURATTON DATES.

The national committee organized in 1901 to
facilitate the adoption Of an amendment TO the
Constitution reforming the political calendar
has been called into life again. and viii do what
il can 90 secure the passage Of joint resolution
somewhat similar to that recently introduced by
Senator Depew. II is assured Of the co-Opera-
ton of many Governors. among them Governor
Hushes The committee q its meeting in Wash
fngton on Wednesday wisely reversed the action
which il took !n 1902, when conducting the agi-
tation for an abandonment OF March + as inau-
guration day. II had originally advocated the
H0ar plan. now revived hy Mr.. Depew, of length
enng the terms OF one President and one Vice
President and OF the members OF one Congress
so as 10 push forward the date Of the installa,
ton of their successors from AIarca + 10 April
80. or TO some other day in the last week Of
April. But when an unreasonable opposition
developed in Congress the committee dropped
the idea of changing the date for the commence
ment and expiration Of the terms OF the Presi-
dent and Vice-President and OF Senators and
Representatives am tried 10 compromise on
simple postponement Of the day for holding the
outdoor Inauguration ceremonies
That compromise robbed the movement of all
national interest. and Congress naturally re-
fused 10 consider the trivial change involved III
authorizing a belated local celebration of an
event long passed No change Of the Constitu-
tion or the statutes Is required 10 permit the
city Of Washington 10 hold an afterthought in
sugural parade in May, June or October when
the President may may not be in the city and
the TWO houses Of Congress are in recess Such
q ceremony might have certain success ia the
District Of Columbia. But il would be imposSi-
bic 20 interest the rest Of the country in it or TO
secure for Il the attendance Of Governors troops
and political organizations from distant states
The country wants real Inauguration celebra-
tion or none at all. The charge from one admins
trarion TO another and The suggestions which
such change evokes give the ceremony its real
significance. Americans prefer TO expend their
enthusiasm on live ideas and events They like
10 seize tjle psychological moment They would
reject As absurd the notion of letting an lnau-
guration win ail that Il means. take effect on
March !. and then r-aitng until the end Of Apri
To- give public expression Of their feeling
about il.
Representative Crumpacker. OF Indiana. IS out
with q plan for an Inauguration on December :
making that day The beginning Of our political
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.

From The Tribune Btreaul
Washington, March 1.-THE new Mexican AM
bassador has opened the embassy In I street which
Is owned by his government. He Will remain mere
Tor a few weeks and Will then go abroad TO join
Sehora de Ia Barra and their children, and return
with them to this country.
The Chinese Legation has laid aside its official
court mourning, and next week Nine. WI and her
daughter-in-Iaw Nine, WI Chao-C'hu, will hold
their first formal recer@iOn.
The Turkish Embassy has been augmented by
two new members-Raif Bey, counsellor, and Reouf
Bey, first secretary.
The French naval attache and Nine de BIanpTe
entertained a number Of guests at dinner tonight
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
TESTING DIR. BELLS .AIRsHIp.

y renewal of experiments with Professor Al
exander Graham Bells tetrahedra kite at his
home in Nova Scotia, after interruption Of
fifteen months, will be particularly gratifying TO
those who are watching aeronautic progress
Though differing greatly in appearance from the
neropanes Of Langley the Wrights ard Mr.
Curdy, OF which the last is also having a trial
at Baddeck Just now, DR.. Bells device works on
the same principle It is sustained in air by its
forward motion only. The inventor believes,
however, that instead Of relying on a few large
surfaces, nearly horizontal, he can secure better
results by using large number of dminutive
ones bent into the form of the letter " These
are 70 assembled that they seem to constitute a
colossal honeycomb set up on edge. In flight the
fabric meets the resisting atmosphere very much
rs a boys kite does with a nearly vertical front
For the string which pulls the latter an engine
and screw propeller are substituted IN the for
mPr.
With Cygnet !, tested in December, 1907, two
things were demonstrated. The tetrahelral kite
can easily lift man weighing 1GS pounds. IF
the late Lieutenant Selfridge, who made short
voyage with it, was not mistaken It also showed
that its equilibrium could not easily he disturbed
by a gust of wind. Or. Bells belief mat his air
ship possesses a degree of stability which rem
ders 1t superior TO other aeroplanes may need
further corrOboTation, but there is good deal
of evidence already to indicate that the opinion
is well founded. Hence interest will now centre
mainly in the speed, endurance and facility In
manpuvrng Of this novel type Of aerOplane 1t
is TO be hoped that the experiments resumed
this week will be continued long enough TO throw
light on these characteristics and also upon the
tetrahedral kites susceptibility to damage Cyg-
net IL is larger than its immediate predecessor
and Is equipped with a more powerful engine
II ought to give a good account Of itself.
As the present tests are conducted from the
frozen surface of lake or river. the only pro-
vision made for launching is a pair of light sled
runners. These support the airship and At the
same time minimize the friction with the ice
How DR.. Bell would effect a start in summer
from land does not yet appear, but there Is no
need of hurry in settling the question He can
adopt bicycle wheels, If his inventive genius
does not suggest something better, when the
time comes.
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
PROGRESS IN POLITICS.

The Philadelphia Record" chides us for say
ing the other day that blind partisanship has
disappeared at the North" 1t holds that par
tisanship is as perverse and unreasOning in some
parts of the North as the partsanship Of the
South. Yet election figures seem to prove the
contrary. We were arguing that the people OF
the Far South had not got beyond the point Of
voting for candida tes classified as democratic.
whether or not they approved the ideas for
which those candidates stood In nearly every
Northern state nowadays there is a marked ten
dency toward independence Of judgment Re
publican states have elected Democratic Gov
ernors time and again. Five states which sup
ported Mr. Taft il 1903 chose Democratic Gov
ernors-Minnesota, Indiana. Ohio, Montana and
North Dakota. Even Pennsylvania elects a
Democratic Governor now and then.
Our Philadelphia contemporary should cheer
up Power is passing from the hands Of the
political managers into the hands of the people
and the party label is in itself no longer an un-
assailable claim on the support Of intelligent
partisanS.
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
About People and Social Incidents

Townsend have gone to New York to spend sewers,
days.
Mrs John c. Phillips entertained a large nur,,.-
Of young people. including bachelors OF the dinf,
matte corps, at musical to- light
Mrs Robert Bacon. Mrs Joseph Audenreid a.
Ex-Governor and Mrs. William r. Merriam w.
among those entertaining dinner parties to-nisbf
Mr.. and Mrs Franklin Ellis entertained at dfn,.
tonight about forty guests. including the sa~-.
tary Of the Navy. the Italian Ambassador and Pa
oness Mayor des Planches, the Belgian Minis...
and Baroness Mcncheur. Justice Moody. ex-secra
tary and Mrs. Newberry, Mr.. and Mrs Iarz An
dersOn, Senator and Mrs Aldrich. Represents,,v.
and Mrs. LOngworth, Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick Kaa,
Mr.. Glover and Miss WetmOre
New-York tribune., 1909-03-12
HADLEY WILL ALLOWED FOR PROBATE
Two Nephews Receive $4,000, Instead o.
$4,000. by Agreement

Cambridge Mass. March 1.-THE VIII OF p
jamin Hadley the aged SOmervilie recluse' W
left an estate valued at more than half nllii-1-
dollars was allowed for probate by Judge Ge'ls
T. Lawton in the NItddlesex County Probate CO1-
late TODAY. after il had been amended by com
promise agreement Several alleged Wills el .
Hadley appeared after his death. some OF them
England and one of the English wills atuas'
attention by it's provision that $4,000 snouiu
To the President of the United States
When the matter came up in the Probate COli.
all the Wills were thrown out with the exceptS,, 4,
of one found at Mr. HadIey's home This VIZ
left the bulk of the estate TO nephew Va
Hadley. of Somervile, and other relatives !,
tested il the ground that Mr. Hadley was =
unsound mind when he made .--e Will 2!
agreement finally reached two other nepAer
George and Clarence Hadley. will receive w." -
OF $500 instead OF s5.OOO as the will orisHs =.
provided. while most Of the remainder OF -
estate will so to Walter Hadley.