davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
LARGER DIVIDEND
 IN STEEL STOCK Common Stock Is Placed Upon Three Per Cent Basis INCREASE IN EARNINGS Business for June Shows Large Ad- vance Over May and That Month
 Was Much Better Than
 April.
INCREASE IN EARNINGS

New York, July N.-Common stock of the United States Steel corporation was placed upon per cent per annum basis by the action of the directors here today In declaring a quarterly dividend of & of 1 per cent. The regular quarterly dividend of 1A per cent was also author ized on preferred stock. The latter divi- dend is unchanged, but the rate on the common stock Is increased one-quarter of 1 per cent over the previous quarter. It has been paying per cent per annum E per cent lower.
 Steel common closed today at TIA.
 It Is understood that the agreement re- garding the common stock was reached by compromise with directors who had divergent views as to an increase
 The net earnings for the quarter were $2S S,S2s, Ss5, as compared with s16 6os,s9o for crease of oG,e6s. s.4O5.
 The surplus for the quarter was $5,S59,- PA. as con pared with $195, 1895 for the cor responding quarter last year, an increase of $o, 69S, 64a. The untitled orders June 30 were A,057,933 an increase of s744,06S tons, as compared with the same quarter last year.
 The companys official report states the total earnings for the quarter, after Geducting operating expenses, including those for ordinary repairs and mainten- ance of plants and the interest on bonds and fixed charges of subsidiary com panies, were s2s, 4e1, an increase of s. 074,735 as compared with the same period of last year. After deducting $6017,096 for sinking funds on bonds of subsidiary com ranies and depreciation and reserve funds, there remained net earnings of $23, S223, ,395. The statement of earnings by months shows that the business was pro gressively better with each month of the quarter. Earnings by months were: April, $S,1 3,244; May, S9 ,22S; June. $11,516,019.
 The increase of one-half of 1 per cent in the stock dividend rate is regarded as a compromise between those who wanted @ 1 per cent advance and the faction which was opposed to any increase at this time. One of the most significant features of the statement Is the increase of busi- ness shown for May and the even greater increase shown for June,. although the latter month, with but fews exceptions, has always been, one of large earnings. inGs.
 officials of the exploration declined to give any intimation regarding the busi- ness for the current month. which It is believed will be in excess of that of June.
 President Corey presided at today's meeting in the absence of Chairman Gary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
LAUNDERERS FORM NEW ORGANIZATION Blinn of Birmingham Is Elect
 ed President EMBRACES THREE STATES Next Meeting Will Be Held in Chat nanooga-Yesterday Afternoon Spent at Steel Plant and in
 Seeing the City.
EMBRACES THREE STATES

The Tri-State Launderers association was formally organized yesterday morn ing at the Hotel Hillman with George A. Blinn of Birmingham as president, and adjourned after banquet last night
 Other officers of the association are: w. R. Long of Chattanooga, vice presl- dent. from Tennessee; ". U. Bearf1eld of Montgomery, vice president from Ala bama; H. B. Jenkins of Jackson vice president from Mississippi; J. J. veid of Florence, secretary-treasurer; D. o. Staff ford of Birmingham, sergeant-at-arms.
 The launderers had a merry time last night and regretfully broke up to go to their homes. Many of them left the city last right while practically all of the others will leave this morning. The as- soeiation starts off under flattering cir cumstances. having an exceptionally large membership with prospects of a healthy growth.
 Discussion of various subjects taken from ths question box was the order of the meeting for a short while after it convened yesterday morning, the commit- tee on constitution and bylaws not being quite ready at the time These discuss sions were of an interesting nature, one In particular being exceptionally so to the launderers
 This was relative to cut-rate laundries. like the Chinese laundries The sugges- tion was made that the best way to do away with the cut rate laundry was by the turning out of first-class work, and that the only manner in which this could he achieved was by the holding of ex- aminations for laundry employees.
 The constitution and bylaws was taken up article by article and adopted. This was followed by the election of officers.
 The president was also authorized to write letter to the national organiza- ton protesting against the non-appear- ance of R. c. Hall, national organizer. who, 1t was stated. was to attend this meeting.
 Chattanooga Was selected as the next meeting place, and the time for the next meeting set for the second Monday and Tuesday in November
 There was no session yesterday after noon, the convention formally adiourning at 12:39 o'clock Curing the afternoon the visitors were shown through the local laundries, the steel plant at Ensley and other places, while quite a number amused themselves at the ball game
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
ANOTHER MURDER
 WITH ARMY RIFLE
BULLET PASSES THROUGH BODY AND BURRIEs ITSELF IN HOUSE OF MAN LIVING HALF A MILE AWAY.

An illustration of the bad results to be army rifles to lawless negroes was given yesterday morning at North Birmingham when Albert Gibson a negro, was shot and killed with an old style Springfield rife. The bullet, after passing through Gibson's body, continued for over half mile and buried itself in the house oc- cupied by MT. Powers, narrowly missing one of the members of his family.
 Gibson was not killed instantly, but was taken to the Hillman hospital where hs died last night. The name of his mur- derer is not known to the authorities.
 The killing grew out of the stealing of corn from the dead negro's place. It ap- pears that quite an amount of corn had been stolen from him. and also from one of his white neighbors. They happened to be up early Monday morning and were talking about the matter when a negro woman came up and remarked that she believed she knew who the thieves were. Gibson replied that he had tracked the robber twice and that each time 1t led to her house, and that he believed the guilty person was negro man living at her house.
 Out of this remark trouble arose which resulted in the negro woman swearing out warrant for Gibsons arrest before a justice of the peace at North Birming- ham, He was arrested and later made bond.
 Early yesterday morning he was work ing in a field a short distance back of the North Birmingham park when a negro came up with Springfield rifle and shot him. A negro woman, who was also working In the field, made a move toward the negro with the gun and he turned the weapon upon her. She halted and he did not fire. He made good his escape after the shooting. It is said that he was the negro man whom Gibson had accused of the theft when speaking to the woman.
 Several thousand army rifles have re- gently been sold to negroes in the Bir- mingham district, and there have been quite a number of cases in the courts growing out of their use.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
Real Estate Transfers.

Deeds of conveyance in the following transactions in real estate in which amounts of 5000 or more were involved swere filed yesterday in the office of the probate court:
 $4OOO-Frederick P. Dow to Dow Land company, the east 145 feet of lot in block 27, Phelan's addition to Birnnfng ham; being lot 10Ox145 feet at the south west corner of Fifteenth street and Eff teenth avenue, south
 s325o-James H. Patton to James Wiley, part of block 79s, Blyton Land company's survey of Birmingham; being lot 45x10o feet at the southwest corner of Avenue I and Fourteenth street. south.
 S375-J. R. Dewberry to E. M Juh- tice. part of the northeast quarter of section 1, twonship IS, range west.
 $l10o-J. w. Burkett and wife to Joe Baer, lots 5 and 6 in block 2. accord ing to the survey of North Johns.
 s16oo-Fountain Heights Land company to T. c. Herring, lot in block "B, nroparty of the Fountain Heights Land company.
 sl51s-T. U. Walter and wife to T. H. Jay. lot 60 in the survey Of Mountain Terrace.
 s1325-John Moore, ct al, to Paul Gaor- dina, lot 1 in block f--l, Ensley Lana combany's survey of Sherman Heights.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
WILL MEET HERE TO TALK GOOD ROADS
STATE CONVENTION WILL BE HELD IN BIRMINGHAM OCTOBER HAND 1eEAcH COUNTY TO BE REPRESENTED.

The Alabama Good Roads association, which will be composed of over 2OoO dele gates, has accepted the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce to hold its annual meeting in Birmingham on Thursday and Friday, October 14 and 15. President John Craft of the Alabama Good Roads as- sociation writes President J. D. Collins that the official call for the convention will be issued in few days and that active steps will be taken to make the convention one of the greatest meetings that has ever been held in the south for the advancement of good roads. Probate judges, county commissioners Of the N counties and 12 delegates at large rom each of the counties, mayors Of all moor porated towns and cities in the state, also delegates from all commercial oodles' Farmers union and Automobile clubs will be in attendance.
 This is regarded as one of the most im- nortant conventions that have assembled in Birmingham this year and Will draw A representative body of men.
 The Alabama Good Roads association recommended and secured the passage or the good roads amendment to the consu- tuition which the people of Alabama so overwhelmingly indorsed at the polls last November. Steps will be taken at the coming meeting to see that the next leg islature put into effect the amendment bv which the state will assist in build ing good roads.
 president Craft writes that distinguish ed sneakers of national reputation will speak on the subject of good roaas.
 The good roads committee of the Cham Der of Commerce will have charge Of en- tertaining this convention and Chairman John w. O'Neill of. this committee states that he will call the committee soon and that they will get busy toward arrang- ing to make the delegates and visitors have a good time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
PICNICKERS BACK
 FROM THE WELLS
SPECIAL TRAIN OF EIGHT COACHES CARRIED KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF HONOR OUT FOR DAY OF ENJOYMENT.

About 500 guests of the Knights and Ladies of Honor went to Ingram Wells yesterday morning for the annual all-day outing of the lodge, and when they re- turned to Birmingham last night the day was pronounced to have been one of rare enjoyment.
 The happy crowd boarded a seaboard special of eight coaches at the Terminal yesterday morning at 7:3O o'clock and at 9:30 o'clock the picnic crowd was put down at the Ingram wells and pretty soon a great number of them were shaking their feet over the floor of the dancing pavilion, while others were busily en- gagged in gathering red bugs at the rate of about 10 a second. while indulging in various pastimes available at the popular summer resort.
 Every effort was put forth to make the crowd have a good time and success was the reward. During the morning there were foot races of various sorts between ords wero broken into smithereens al- though the time was not officially re- corded. A majority of those attending the outing had dinner at about 12:30 o'clock after which a great baseball game be- tween the Fats and Leans" was played The 'Leans' won by a very close score, "A to 20 or something of that sort The dancing continued throughout the afternoon, both the round and square dances being indulged in.
 The special bearing the picnickers left the wells for home at o'clock Yester- the most successful in the history of the organization of Knights and Ladies of Honor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
Building Permits Issued.

Building permits were issued yesterdav V by the city building inspector as fol- lows:
 $o500-To Turner R. Wealxley for the erection of a two-story frame building on Linden street, south. to be used as d. residence.
 s7boo-To J. F. Rushton, two-story frame building on Cliff road.
 s50oo-To Hill Ferguson, two-story frame building on Pine street.
 $26oo-Tos J. Cary Thompson, two-story residence at 1414 Fifteenth street, south $SO00-To Caldwell Bradshaw one-story residence at 21e0 Highland avenue.
 s25oo-To Mrs. Florence May ons-story restdsnoA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
Cotton Seed for FueI.

Washington, July H.-Cotton seed probably will be added to the present sources from which fuel can De oo- tained for use by the internal comous- ton engine, if promises obtained in inn portant experiments being made in some of the British possessions in Africa by the British Cotton Growing association are fulfilled American Consul Frederick l. Bright of Huddersfeld, England, has reported these experiments to the state department for the benefit of American comm ercial interests.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
TROOP D RETURNS
 FROM EUFAULA


 Troop D returned from Eufaula last night, having broken camp there yester- day morning after eight days encamp- mont. The men were returned home two days earlier than expected on account of the appropriation for their expenses giv- ing out
 2 The men were well bronzed and present. Cd an extremely healthy appearance. They reported a splendid time and were singing the praises of Eufaula- Tt would have been impossible for any town to have entertained us any better than Eufaula did" said one of the troopers '-rhey treated us royalty and the boys s1eft the town shouting for Eufaufa- We tonly hope that we will be ordered back lhegO next year. -.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
RENDERS TWO vERDICTs.
Coroner Unable To Determine Who
 Killed Negro at East Thomas.

Coroner B. I. Brasher yesterday con ducted official investigation into the deaths of Sam Lane. the negro whose body was found in the creek near Pratt City Sunday morning, and Peter Johnson, who died from a gunshot wound near his home at East Thomas Monday morning.
 In the Sam Lane case the coroners 8 fury returned verdict that the negro came to his death from unknown causes, although indications were that he died from alcoholism.
 In the Peter Johnson case the same yer dict was returned While the case was clearly one of murder and suspicion pointed to two different persons, there was not sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest and the Jury's verdict was that Johnson came to his death at the hands of unknown pArties.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
Marriage Licenses Issued.

The following marriage licenses were issued yesterday, from the office of the probate court:
 Samuel J. speer of Birmingham to Miss Elizabeth M. Cooper
 W. c. Jones of Birmingham to Miss Mamie Lorraine Elliott.
 Harry c. Gilbert of Birmingham to Miss M Dessie McCabe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
War Weapons of Future.

Paris, July 27-General Brun. the new French minister of war commenting to- day on Louis Bleriot's feat in flying across the English channel last Sum- day, says he regards the aeroplane and the submarine as the war instruments of the future. ''The aeroplane," declared the war minister, lis less vulnerable and more rapid and cheaper than the dir igible. and as soon as it is' perfect the French army will be provided with & swarm of these wasps." fs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28

Alderman Walter Moore, upon being asked his opinion of the proposed com mission form of government. said:
 T am very much opposed to the propo- sition, as l don't believe it is a good thing for Birmingham. l have seen a draft of the proposed bill. which I under stand has been modified since in some particulars. It gives to the governor the authority to appoint commissioners for cities the size of Birmingham, Mont gomery and Mobile pending a regular municipal election. This is, in my opin- ion, too much power to be placed in the hands of the governor or any other man. It strikes me that the people of Mont gomery, Mobile and Birmingham are more capable of electing their own officials than any one man, be ne governor or not
 Another thing about the proposed law Is that 1t provides for a multiplicity of elections on referendums. One can be held every six months on any number of sub jects. My opinion is that the people are sick and tired of the frequency of cleo tions. We are hardly out of one political contest before another one Is started up with all of its attendant distraction, dis cord and turmoil. The people are en- titled to a rest, and 1t seems to me un- wise that the present status should be disturbed.
 "I am opposed very much to that sec- tion of the proposed law providing for a non-partisan board and rendering it un- lawful for the democratic party to nom- mate candidates for the offices. This Is up to this time, as far as I know an un- heard of suggestion. The idea of making 1t unlawful to hold primary elections for party candidates strikes me as absurd. It Is destructive of party discipline, in dependent action on the part of voters and, in fact, the way the clause reads it amounts to doing away with the privi- lege of peaceful assembly and free speech. It would be well before our citizens rush headlong into this thing that they should study this proposed law very carefully There are features of 1t which suggest a 'nigger in the wood pile With the an- nounced purpose of taking municipal af-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
DEATHS AND FUNERALS.
Annie Belle Thomas.

Annie Belle Thomas, the 3-weeks-old daughter of MT. and Mrs M. c. Thomas, is dead at the family residence, 1908 First avenue West End. Funeral services will be held at the residence this afternoon at o'clock and interment will be In Elmwood cemetery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
j. c. Morse

J. c. Morse. aged 3s years. died yester- day at 2116 Fifth avenue. The remains are being held at Shaw & Sons undertake ing establishment pending the receipt of advices from relatives in Hattiesburg. Miss. and New Orleans. The father of the deceased Is E. H. Morse of Buffalo. Missouri.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
Andrew J. Kent.

Andrew J. Kent, aged 30 years, is dead at the residence of his brother, pr. T. J. Kent. He was resident of sylacau- ga and was visiting his brother at the time of his death. A widow survives him. Funeral arrangements will be an- nounced later.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
First Bale at Savannah.

Savannah, Ga., July H.-The first bale of cotton of the present season reached Savannah from Albany, Ga, today. It was sold at auction for 20 cents a pound and graded full middling. It will be shipped to Bremen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
Harriman's Stay Limited.

Gastfin, Austria. July 2-E. Fl. liar rimap will finish the cure in August His two daughters have arrived here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
Brouqhton's Reply.
Protest from cIgarmzksrs.

Boston, July 27-The Boston Cigar makers union today sent the following telegram to President Taft: Two thous- and cigarmakers of Boston respectfully petition against the admission of 150- O00,0O0 ci' 's from the Philippines free
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
THE WEATHER.

Washington, July H.-Forecast: Ala bama-Partly cloudy with local showers Wednesday and Thursday; light to mod crate variable winds, mostly south.
 Mississippi fair Wednesday and Thursday, except showers near the coast; light to moderate south winds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28

One diamond stud, 1 1-8k. Good color. Left with us to be sold. Worth $20s for $137. 50. JAFFE JEWELRY CO.,,
 2000 Second Ave.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28

J. V Allen. formerly of Sheffield, where he served in the city council and term as mayor. but who is now well known citizen of Birmingham and secretary. of the Alabama Coal Operators association, is opposed to a commission form of government.
 q have had sufficient experience in politics." said MT. Allen, Ito know that. a municipal administrative commission appointed by the governor, as provided in MT. Urquharts bill for the creation of the first commission would be able to entrench itself so strongly in office as to be there practically for life. No matter how satisfactory the commission plan Is in the few cities now trying it, I believe 1t will turn out to be un- popular and a failure in the long run.
 "The city council is a thoroughly rep resentative body and is in accordance with American principles If it does Tot serve the people right then the peo- pie have only themselves to blame should they fail to act and replace bad mem hers by good men Commissioners would be but human, and no matter how ex- emplary they might be as individuals they would, in time, with their auto cratic prerogatives. become more or less tyrannical At any rate I will never approve a measure which provides for Vesting great power in a few hands.
 "ln my opinion Birmingham will be much better off by adhering to it's pres ent form of government, and I believe that many of those who are DOW talk ing in favor of a commission would not vote Tor 1t after thoroughly informing themselves"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28

Dr. W. T. Masterson, republican candi- date for mayor of Birmingham in the last municipal election, said:
 "The commission form of municipal gov ernment is practically and theoretically the best, the easiest and the most logical solution of the problem of city govern ment It goes without saying that 40 men employed in a legislative or exeeu- tive capacity by the city can accomplish less than three or five paid men of real business ability. Birmingham could save thousands of dollars yearly if it's sys- tenn of government were placed upon a sound business basis, such as may be obtained through the adoption of this most excellent plan. It is needless to say that machine and boss politics and the shameful practice of ward heeling' will be eliminated entirely from our politics in the event Birmingham is So fortunate as to obtain the commission system. The present condition of our city politics, certainly consider too bad to put up with longer The administration of three or five sane commissioners in place of the present regime will be a real blessing to this city and I certainly hope that the plan will be adopted as speedily as pos- sible."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-28
WeH KnoAvn Nen Express
 Opinions Or (0mmisSiOn

fairs out of politics, the advocates of the commission plan may be uneonsciously making more politics than we have ever had before. l say unconseiously although if the plan l have seen is scrutinized carefully I believe all will admit that under it's operation 1t will be an impos- sibilty to prevent an increase in local political activities D