davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Trade Conditions Discussed.

M. Well of M. Well & Brother, the well known merchants. in speaking yes terday of local trade conditions said: We have been in the clothing business in Birmingham for 24 years, and in look ing over our cash books l find that our trade in the fall of 1906 was the largest up to that time and that in the spring of 1907 we made still higher record than that of the fall previous.
 Tn the fall of 1907, owing ,toN.the panic. the prohibition agitation and political agi- tation against the railroads, business was not good. In the spring and fall of 1908 business as a matter of course was not as brisk here as 1t was in the fall of 1906 and the spring of 1907, nor was it as good anywhere else in the United States. And any merchant who says his trade was better in 1908 than it was in 1907 before the panic was simply not in the race
 Our business thus far in 1909 shows some improvement over the same period of 1908. but it is not yet altogethe.&.31 ; isfactory. I believe conditions will be better after the tariff is settled and after we learn to get along with less politics here in Alabama"
 MT. Well concluded his remarks by word of protest against Nan extra session of the legislature
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Fee Reform Lacks Organization

An unanswerable argument says the Tuscaloosa Times-Gazette, against the fee system is the fact that no busi- ness man will use it in his private busi- ness. The statement that public off cial will not do good work for salary is an insult to the county officials of Alabama, and is entirely unsupported by facts. The cities have almost all abolished the fee system, and as re- suit get better service at less cost. Down with the fee system.'
 The Times-Gazette no doubt voices the sentiment of it's readers. Nine tenths of the people of Alabama want the fee system abolished, but unless the nine-tenths make themselves felt the fee brigade controlling one-tenth of the voters will block the reform. The latter is thoroughly organized both in the counties and in the state, and it considers the joker in the con stitution, known as section 96, safe guard. It gumshoed this joker into the constitution of 1901.
 But a general bill directing the coun- ty board of each and every county to put it's officers on salaries by or be- fore a time named, no salary to exceed a given amount, would be within sec tion 96, which calls for statewide &C., tion in relation to fees, or none at all. The chief point to be kept in mind is the need for organization among the friends of reform-of action all along the line Anything short of this would leave the well-entrenched fee brigade in control free to exploit the people, especially the weak and humble, up to the extent of their respective avarice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Strides Toward Prosperity.

The industrial situation has been im- proving fast for three or four weeks past and that means that business in general Is improving" said S. F. Harrington of Chicago. The improvement has como much faster than even optimistic men had predicted earlier in the year. It was generally felt that a revival of business would be very gradual; and there are skeptieal persons today who decline to admit that the improvement is as sub stantial as it really is. But in Chicago conditions are looking wonderfully pros porous, and I found evidences of real prosperity in Cincinnati and Louisville. While other sections may not be quite so busy as the middle west yet the signs or industrial activity are seen in nearly every manufacturing center Passimists certainly have no ground to stand on. With such marked improvement before the tariff is settled and before big crops are assured, what may we not expect dur ing the coming summer when Congress adjourns and the haryests turn out to be bountiful?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27

of the bourgeoisie at least four. M. Glide has in mind not only resistance to German aggression, but resistance to the proletariat.
 The birth rate of France is to some extent a mystery, for the density per lilometre of Belgium today is 24O that of Germany 116, while that of France is but 72! And France is, all things considered. the best of the three coun- tries, agriculturally speaking. As things stand in Europe, Germany is by it's birth rate rapidly becoming the dominating power of Europe, taking the place once held by Russia and before Russia's rise, by France herself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Usinq Fly Flippers.

Have you seen the little square of wire gauge with handle on it that some Edison invented a year or two ago to kill flies with?' said a health seeker yesterday. Well, it is a daisy. Get one and try it. You won't miss one in fifty.
 Now, with good screens and one of these wonderful flippers. there will never be more than two or three flies in the house at time. In houses without screens every child should be given a fipper and told to go forth and slay. When we get that stable ordinance passed deaths from typhoid will be so reduced that by the time we have lost 200 or 300 more citizens from this disease, some one may be bold, enough to propose that we make screening compulsory. It would not cost more than g per room on the average.
 'I wonder some enterprising firm don't distribute these fly killers as an adver- Using medium with the name on the handle. They could be bought wholesale for about two cents each"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Broadening Business Activity

The stock market is discounting the recovery of prosperity, and general business is increasing in volume every day. Bank clearings are larger than they were three years ago when no manic was felt to be near, and railroad gross earnings are IA per cent larger thar they were one year ago.
 There is nothing in sight to check the current expansion of industry and trade. The tariff bill is nearing it's ending It is not an ideal bill, but 1t will probably be the best that can be wrung out of the republican party Au any rate the agitation over it is soon to be ended.
 Rut best of all are the improving crons. Great rains have fallen in the dry districts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. and good cotton crops in those states are now possible, likewise 
 good corn crops and pretty good wheat crop. Abundant rains have fallen also in the surplus winter wheat states. Not a discouraging report in relation to growing crops has come to hand. and fine crops are all we need to restore confidence and business ac- tivity.
 The judgment of men of experience and breadth of view-men like E. h. Gary. James J. Hill, B. H. Hartman and others-agree with Wall street in forecasting a return of prosperous times. Outside of rails the steel mills already feel this return in increased orders. The clouds are passing by' and the country as a whole is antici- pating the brightness and activity that 20 with big crops. The harvesting oi | winter wheat will be begun next week
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
To keep an adjunct to remember thee, Were to import forgetfuIness in me.
 Sonnet.
Filling the China Post

Whenever President Taft has an inn portant post t, i'll he seems to turn instinctively to New York's stock and corporation managers and manipula- tors Just at present he wants man to represent the country at Pekin. He considers China the theatre of events. He sees there is not perhaps a strife for territory-for Japan stands as the defender of Chinese entity-but he sees in that country a struggle for trade. He wants a minister who can secure and maintain the open door against either Japan or Russia or any other power or combination of powers.
 He at first offered the diplomatic post to John Hays Hammond, but Ham, mond could not accept it because he has children to educate. And now it is said he prefers to appoint William Nelson Cromwell, but he hesitates lest the Senate refuse to confirm the hero of the Panama deal and the champion of trusts in general.
 The Senate should second the nom- ination of Cromwell. He is not pro- moter of wholesome politics, and if he can be shelved in China four years the Senate should not become a stumb- ling block. For the good of the main- land let William Henry be pigeonholed four years in China, and after a while the President will perhaps ascertain that all the best men in the country do not live in one city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27

the following interview was granted to Boston newspaper man:
 Are you in town for any special pur- pose, MT. Rogers?"
 You have the finest ones in the world here"
 Has your visit anything to do with the gas case?" persisted the poor news paper man.
 T am very glad to have met you,' said MT. Rogers, extending his hand in the most polished and affable manner.
 That was the time MT. Rogers took the stand at a private hearing In the gas case, a few words concerning which would have given the newspaper man nine days glory.
 Bartholomew Taber, the proprietor of a Fairhaven paint shop, gave Rogers his start in the oil business. Charles Pratt, the New York oil refner, told Taber one day, while the latter was in New York; that he wanted New Eng land young man to enter his business.
 Look up Hen Rogers" responded Taber at once. He's out in the oil fields now and he's a comer'
 Pratt looked up Hen and embarked him upon a career almost without par allel in the romance of riches
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Black Belt Remlniscence.

T was sorry to hear of Sig Steiner's death for l knew him well in the early days" said former citizen of the Black Belt. My duties in connection with the distribution of the proceeds of the sales of cotton on two large plantations In Dallas county brought me in contact with his firm. The enormous profit under the credit-mortgage system then in vogue en- abled many merchants to acquire fortunes in a few years.
 What I particularly wished to say to their credit was that men of the Hebrew race always aligned themselves with the property owners as against the carpet baggers in the dark days.
 Tn the 7O's there were several firms that grew rich and then moved to more inviting fields. Among those whom I recall were Ernst brothers and Hrsh brothers of Uniontown, who went east and engaged in banking and manufactur- ing; H. Long of Selma, who went to New York and engaged in business, and the Steiners, who came to Birmingham"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Race Suicide In France

France is rejoicing because in the first six months of 1908 births exceeded deaths by 11,066. The balance had been the other way all through 1907, and the French people were fast be- coming Respondent. They do not as yet feel confident that the tide has turned, but they do feel that there is now room for hope.
 Human increase and decrease are not matters of education or public sentiment. Economic and social con- ditions determined such matters in ancient Rome and they will control population in France and all other modern countries. The economic pro ductive power is the test
 And Frances declining or stagnated population came just when the popu- lation of Germany was increasing. England fears the increase of Dread noughts in Germany, but France fears still more the increase in the number of Germans especially when her own population is standing still. The French economist Professor Glide, foresees the time when Germanysl population will be three times that oil France. He thinks that every family of the working class should have ad least two children. and every family
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Politics In Virginia.

Virginia is having a spirited gubef- material campaign and proh ibition Is the chief issue.' said a commercial traveller. "The majority of the counties have been dry for some time, but the Anti-S Saloon league is striving to bring about statewide prohibition.
 Prohibition is popular in the rural districts of Virginia, but I find it very unpopular among the business men of Richmond. Norfolk and two or three other cities They urge strict regula- ton of the saloons and point to the large cities of prohibition states to show that prohibition does not pro- hibit"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
SONG FOR TWILIGHT.

By Barry Cornwall. Hide me, O twilight air! Hide me from thought. from care, From all things. foul or fair,
 Until tomorrow Tonight I strive no more; No more my soul shall soar; Come, Sleep, and shut the door
 'Gainst Pain and Sorrow! If I must see through dreams, Be mine Elysian gleams, Be mine by morning streams
 To watch and wander! So may my spirit cast (Serpent-like off the past, And my free soul at last
 Have leave-to ponder. And shouldst thou 'scape control, Ponder on Love, sweet Soul, On joy-the end-the goal
 Of all endeavor But if Earth's pains will rise, GAS damps will seek the skies), Then, Night, seeal thou mine eyes
 In sleep. forever!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
TAFT ADDRESSES
 NEGRO STUDENTS

Washington, May 26-SpealSing to tho colored graduates of Howard university in this city today, President Taft de- clared that never at any time has the fu- ture of the negro as race apepared more hopeful and bright than at the pres ent day. The President impressed upon his hearers that it is for the negroes themselves to work out their own future and to make themselves valuable citizens in the communities in which they live.
 Conditions for the negro in the south. the President believed, are growing bet ter and better. Southern people of the better class are coming to look more and more upon the negro race as one of their most valuable assets, MT Taft declared, and he again urged upon the negro the importance of gaining the respect and the friendship of the white people among whom he Is to live. The task of educat- ing the negro and especially of educat- ing leaders among the race, the Presi- dent asserted was a debt owed by the government: a debt only too difficult of repayment because of the constitutional limits of the government in dealing with the individual.
 President Taft personally handed to the more than 100 candidates for degrees the parchment rolls.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
SECOND HEARING
 IN MURDER CASE

Raleigh. May 26.-News has just reached this city of a sensational killing that oc- cured last Sunday near Bellamys mill, in Halifax county. Levy Marriott was the victim and Charles Flannigan is charged witt having fired the shot that caused his death.
 Flanhigan, according to the report re- ceived here, had gone to Marriott's home, where part oe the morning was spent. Flannigan went for a drive with Mrs. Marriott and upon his return was cursed by Marriott Flannigan bore the eursing, but when Marriott told him he must leave the house. drew a revolver and fired, killing Marriott instantly. Monday hear was given Flannigan at Glenview, and he was discharged, the killing having been held iustifiable. Mrs. Marriott's testi- irony was such as to influence this judg- nent.
 Subsequently, however she stated that she had been promised by F1annigan that her husbands funeral expenses would be paid and that she would be supported for life if she would testify in F'lannigan's favor.
 D. ceeding upon her altered story of the killing, the authorities again arrested Flannlgan and another hearing is to be given him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Labor Will Be Needed.

'In 1908 labor scarcity was the cry in this district and 1t will be the cry again when industrial conditions re- turn to normal, which will probably be in less than a year from now" said furnace superintendent.
 within the next three or four months there will be pressing demand for common labor. for few if any plants hereabouts will be idle; and by next spring at the latest, we are almost sure to have prosperity equal to that of 1906. Employers of labor will do well, there fore, to arrange in advance of their ac- tua1 needs to secure wage workers. It should be made clear to the men who are now here at any rate that it will be to their interest to remain in order to participate in the higher wages that will naturally be the rule when pros perity strikes a new high record"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
ROSE STALL CHASED WITH
 BERNHARDT.
From the Chicago Examiner.

From the Chicago Examiner.
 London.-Rose Stahl in '"The Chorus Lady" at the Vaudeville theatre, is not playing to crowded houses. Clement Shorter, the famous critic. in a letter to the newspapers, pleads with the public to visit the Vaudeville and see Miss Stahl. He says of the work:
 "It is the finest piece of character act ing the London stage has seen tn many years. England should be saved from the national disgrace of coldness and in- difference to such remarkable talent, and from the suggestion that our coldness and indifference are due to disinclination to recognize genius that comes from the United States. have seen four incom- parable actresses-Duse, Ellen Terry, Bernhardt and Rehan. With these, with her glorious voice and subtle charm, I do not hesitate to rank Miss Stahl."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Five Years In Panama

In May, 1904, the United States took possession of the Panama canal, and the work of digging it has been going on under this government five full years. But progress was slow in the first two years. The control of the task at the isthmus was largely tenta- tive, and it was not until the army en- gineers took hold of the undertaking that dirt throwing was begun in earnest. In June, 1906, locked canal was determined upon and down to that time the chief accomplishment had been in the direction of making the canal zone healthful and habitable. Up to February last the expenditures on the canal proper aggregated $93,- 915,OO0.
 The Culebra cut is a huge but not difficult task. The Gatum dam and the locks at Gatun are both huge and difficult. Much has been accomplished towards the construction of the dam and locks, but very much more re. mains to be done. The prospect is still good, however, that ships will steam through the canal by January 1, 1915. This gives five and one-half years for the completion of the world s greatest enterprise, and the engineers in charge of the canal are confident the canal will be opened on or before the day named.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
ERNEST HOGAN.
6TFfNI0E FTOSTffNs From the Kansas City Star.

From the Kansas City Star.
 Whether or not Ernest Hogan, the ne- gro song writer, who died in New York yesterday, was the father of ragtime," he contributed much, and early, to the popularity of this kind of music Aside from all considerations of the crowdng effect of this class of music, for time, on legitimate composition, the fact must be recognized that the vogue it achieved was remarkable To think that this vogue was caused in large degree by a negro who had been deprived of education, whose boyhood was spent in blacking boots and selling papers on the streets of Kansas City, is to marvel at the strange compensations of society-just as one oft- en marvels at its ironies. Ernest Hogan became one of the best known men of his race, and one of the most prosperous. If his career does not typify what oth- CTS of his people may do, it at least re- flutes the too readily accepted theories of negro limitations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
CAPT. HoesoN,s HOME CAMPAIGN.

From the Washington Star.
 Although the next congressional cleo tions will not take place for IS months November, 191O-Captain IIobson of the Sixth Alabama district is already sur veying the ground at home Opposition is announced and if he succeeds himself it will be only after real wrestle.
 Captain Hobson entered politics with fly ing colors It was a remarkable achieve nent for a man of his years and inexpe- rience to defeat a veteran like MT. Bankhead, whose services in the House to his people had been of a practical and substantial character. But defeat him he did for the nomination, and then on the regular election day the poll stood S30S for Hobson, democrat, and l for Ignatius Green republican. Why, in the circum- stances, Ignatius was green enough to run is not explained in the Congressional Directory. Now however, the captain Is challenged by two democrats who want his seat, and it is agreed that he must hustle to hold it.
 The trouble does not grow. as many night suppose, out of Captain Hobson's war with Japan. That sanguinary con 1ict seems not to have attracted much attention in Alabama. Or it may be that in commissioning him as their represen- tative in Congress his constituents tacit- ly agreed to support him in any war he might declare on a foreign power At any rate, there is no quarrel with the captain at home on account of what he said in the House or on the Chautauqua circuit in advocacy of teaching Japan her place and making her keep 1t.
 The issue, in a sense, Is local. That is to say, it is our old race issue When the Brownsville bill was before the House, giving the members of the discharged negro battalion an opportunity to appear before a tribunal and stand an examina- tion with respect to re-entering the serv- ice. Captain Hobson supported 1t. He did so, as many did, on the ground that their dismissal had been nasty, that the records of many of them were good and that even a black man was entitled to a chance for his white alley. Incidentally he paid a tribute to the negro as a soldier, and generally, expressed himself in terms worthy of man of his position and ante cedents.
 But politics Is politics. and a couple of ambitious politicians in Captain Hobson's s district fancy they see in that speech the key to his destruction And so he must defend himself for a brave and sen- sible act, after having passed muster for some of the widest deliverances on an- other subject that ever issued from the mouth of a public man. The Alabamans | of the Sixth district should wipe their spectacles and take new look around
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
rom the New York Press

From the New OrK PTess.
 When a man wins a bet on horse race he acts as if he did the riding and running, too.
 The reason woman can suspect a mans intentions are not honorable Is she knows they are
 The average man who swears off thinks he does well enough if he staws on the water wagon between drinks.
 When a girl rejects man she be- lieves he is going off to die of broken heart when she knows it's to play poker.
 There are two kinds of people in the whole world--those who are trying to get fat and those who are trying to get thin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
THE MORNING AFTER.

From the New York Press.
 One of the best things for an acute one- night debahch is to take a hot bath, as hot as can be stood, and until the skin all over is reddened, which takes about minute. Then drink about a pint of scalding hot coffee, made from Brazil ian new crop. Now, Brazilians all know that new coffee has an acrid principle which purges delightfully."-. After coffee eat an orange. and then take a light breakfast.
 Old tipplers of the middle west take trip to Hot Springs every year, where they boil themselves out, form of hot water cure which seems to give them new lease on life.
 6twrm, ..km ,vbgkqj vbgkq vbgkq-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Distribution of Wealth.

Columbia, Tenn, May 26-Mrs Mort Hodge this morning received a registered letter in which there was check for $1O,- GOO from her uncle, Col. John Taylor of Marion county, Kentuncky. Colonel Tay- Tor has distributed IA such checks among his nephews and nieces, making a total of s140000. This is only preliminary to the distribution of his estate, which is valued at $1,OOOyoo. Among the heirs are Mrs. Mort Hodge. Columbia; Mrs. George D. Hodge, Nashville; J. c. Taylor and the heirs of Sam Taylor of Columbia.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27
Gotch Meets Jenkins.

Des Moines, Ia, May 26.-Articles were signed today for a finish wrest- ling match between Champion Frank Gotch and Tom Jenkins, wrestling in- structor at West Point. The match will take place at the stock pavilion at the fair grounds, Des Moines, June 12. It will be the fifth bout between the champion and Jenkins, each having won two.