davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29

Washington, December 2s.--(Special.) J. Some interesting struggles between the house and senate are on the cards for the present session of Congress in the matter of appropriation bills, and mem bers of the house are going to make de- termined effort to knock into Q cooked hat the theory that eventually the Senate must have it's way. Members of the house are quite as anxious as President Taft to embark on policy bich has all the evidences of economy. with tho cx- ception of the pork barrel in the shape of an omnibus public buildings bill. That particular measure will be distributed is a manner which is intended to do good instead of harm.
 It is on the large supply bills that the contest will be centered. The house ap- propriations committee Is engaged i'll the cheerful occupation of looping millions off every bill which comes before it. The same is true of the naval, military. and agricultural committees. and John w
 Weeks, chairman of the committee on postoffices and post roads has announced that his appropriation will he prepared on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
ToDAY's AGE-HERALD.

lice gorges in the Ohio river. Zelaya declares he is still president Switchmen's strike is waiting game Taft is working on his message. House will stick to policy of economy Turkish cabinet resigns. 2cWhat ladies are doing for schools. Educators meet in conference Brolxaw has bad day on stand 3-Bessemer will build skyscraper. New baseball league is planned. One set of poles to hold all wires. 4Editorial comment.
 prosperity
 Fire losses in Birmingham for 1909
 were $229, ,059. .25.
 State committee faces some important
 work at Montgomery.
 Plans outlined for police protection of
 suburbs.
 Martin and Mccormick die of wounds Special meeting of council will be held
 tonight to pass on salary increases. Three long time convicts make escape
 from Flat Top. 6-Speculation on senatorship. McLendon case quite a problem. Truck growers getting busy. 7-Birmingham social events. Dolly Dalrymple's department. s-Julian believes cities too severe. a-Ensley pleased With taxpaying plan. 1O-vanderbilt coming Saturday. Phone merger Is being probed. 1f--Advances made in stock market New high prices in cotton
 Wheat displays some wcakness 12--General sporting news
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
The House VIII Stick
 To Policy O Economy

strictly business lines; in other words, he is for economy to the limit
 There are numerous members of the house who are facing close fights in the next congressional election. They hope to make economy their battle cry, but are fearful that the senate will upset their plans. Heretofore 1t has been the GUS tom of the senate to tack countless amendments on to appropriation bills, fight to the Last ditch when the bill goes to conference, and getaway with good ly portion of the increases. This year the house hopes to gut all end to that practice.
 Chairman Tawney of the house appro- priations committee, is leading the fight for economy. The members of his com mittee have pledged themselves to stand by him when the house conferees grap- pie with the senate amendments, and it Is certain that the house itself will stand pat on the economy programme. Tawney ia looking for 6 victory all along the line and is prepared to fight for 1t if the vari- ous conference reports delay the adjourn ment of Congress.
 In view of the fact that the senate has a faculty for getting its way the pro- gramme of the house leaders will be watched with considerable interest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
TAFT IS WORKING
 ON HIS MESSAGE Two Important gss scts Will Be Presented 2 Congress
TRUSTS WILL BE HANDLED
Some of the Leaders Have Wanted Taft to Let Trusts Alone This Time, but He Will Take Up
 the Matter at Once.

Washington, December 2S.-President Taft discussed with members of his cab met today the details of the special mes sages he will send to Congress next week dealing with proposed amendments to the interstate commerce and Sherman anti trust laws. MT. Taft began work on the important document today.
 At one time 1t was thought that the President might in this, the first of his series of special messages to Congress, deal only with the interstate commerce act, leaving his proposed discussion of the antitrust law to some future date. He has decided, however that as the two subjects are so closely related he will ad here to his original intention of making his recommendations for changes in the two acts in one communication to the Senate and House.
 In this message he also will submit his recommendations for the issue of federal licenses to corporations.
 It has been currently reported for some time that President Taft might delay his antitrust recommendations until the su- preme court had finally passed upon the recent Standard Oil decision. Those to whom the President has talked within the past day or two say however, that he has decided to go forward with his executive programme regardless of the pending de- cision.
 There has been a disposition among some of the leaders of the Senate and House during the past two days to urge the President not to send in his anti trust message just now. They argued that pending a decision in the Standard oil case on proceedings brought under the sherman act. the President in recem- mending changes in the statutes might be put by his political opponents in the light or granting a respite or a favor to the corporations, especially in regard to the federal charters or license.
 MT Taft is said to feel, nevertheless. that his views on the entire subject have been so fully expressed in the past and so generally understood as refiecting his at titude that he can go ahead with his rec concentrations upon lines decided upon early in the fall.
 The Presidents message will be ready for reading in the two houses of Congress on Wednesday, January 5. Congress re- assemblies January 4, but will immediately adjourn out of respect to the late Senator McLaurin of Mississippi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
WARTIME HERO IS
 DEAD IN ATLANTA

Atlanta, December 2S-Anthony Murphy, age SO pioneer citizen of the south and one of the two men who pursued and captured the famous engine, General" when the latter had been seized and car ried off from Marietta by federal raiders during the civil war, died near here to- day.
 Murphy was born in Ireland and came to this country when 20 years old. He became one of the constructors of the Western and Atlantic railroad, but when ate service and because of his skill in mechanics, was assigned by Governor Brown father of the present governor, to assemble men to make guns.
 On April 12 1862. the federal secret ser vice arranged to seize train at Marietta, cut off the engine, run it from Big Shanty, Ga, to Chattanooga, burning bridges and cutting wires between the two places, and thus cutting the Confed- crate lines of communication The plan was carried out almost successfully. The federal officers boarded the train at Ma rietta, Ga, and while the passengers and crew were at breakfast at Big Shanty, seven miles north of Marietta, cut off
 
 destruction.
 The action of the federal party, who posed as southern refugees anxious to join the Confederate army, aroused the suspicion of MT. Murphy, who was then foreman of the Western and Atlantic roundhouse at Big Shanty. When the General started on it's wild race, Mur- phy and two others started on foot in pursuit, seized a handcar later, ran it to Etowah, Ga, where the engine Texas was impressed For 51 miles the race continued to Ringold, Ga, where the General was captured. as the men in charge attempted to burn bridge. Sev- eral of the federal officers were sum marily executed. But the plan of the union forces to cut the Confederate com munication was defeated
 Although the engines were of crude type, most of the race was made at the rate of 60 miles an hour.
 Murphy was the engineer and Jeff Cain, the train engineer, and Captain Fuller, the conductor, fired for him.
 The war left Murphy penniless. but he set to work again cheerfully, and when he died had amassed a fortune of $500000 in the sawmill and lumber business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
SENATOR GORDON'S
 WAR EXPERIENCE

Memphis, December 2S-A special 10 the News-s scimitar from Jackson, Miss. says:
 Sought at one time by the federal authorities under a $10,000 reward for his capture, dead or alive, for alleged conspiracy in the murder of Presi- dent of the United States, and now ap- pointed as 6 member of the legis- latfve body of that country, is the strange experience of Col James GoT- don of Okolona. who has been named late A. J. McLaurin.
 Colonel Gordon was one of the sev- eral Confederate leaders suspected of being in 8 conspiracy with J. Wilkes Booth to kill President Abraham Lin coin. He escaped arrest and proba ble death only through the intervention 1t is stated, of Yankee colonel, with whom he had crossed swords in a fight in Virginia.
 During the earlier years of the war Colonel Gordon had formed an intimate friendship with Booth, ard after the assassination of President Lincoln the reward of $10.000 was offered for his capture. Colonel Gordon went to Canada and 1t was several months aft CT the close of hostilities before he found 1t safe to return home. During one of the campaigns in Virginia, Coll onel Gordon had crossed swords with the colonel of a New York cavalry regiment. Both were wounded in the conflict, but they afterward became fast friends.
 Colonel Gordon wrote letter to this New Yorker, denying that he had any part in the Lincoln conspiracy, and stating that he desired to return home. The former foe took the matter up with General Dick. then in command of the army forces in New York, and the latter sent him passport and an invitation to come to New York, and surrender. which he did. He afterward satisfied General Dick that he knew nothing of the Lincoln conspiracy. He took the oath of allegiance and returned to his home in Chickasaw county. where he has since resided.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
TURKISH GRAND VlZEIR
 AND CABINET RESIGN

Constantinople December 2s-The whole Turkish cabinet resigned this evening" following the resignation of Hilmi Pasha, the grand vizier, who withdrew from the ministry earlier in the day.
 It is reported that serious conflicts have occurred at Bagdad, but this is not con firmed officially.
 The immediate cause of the resignations is not known, but more than once recent ly there have been attempts made in the chamber to overturn the ministry.
 It is believed that the committee of union and progress have decided upon a change in the ministry because they have arrived at the conclusion that the accusa- tons against the former grand vizier, Kiamil Pasha, which caused his resigna- ton, was unjust. It is understood that the committee favors the appointment of Tewfik Pasha, the present ambassador at London. as grand vizier.
 Hilmi Pasha was appointed grand vizier
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
SCIENTISTS TAKE
 UP BIG PROBLEMS

Boston, December 2S.-The discussion of subjects of importance to the scientific world was continued today by the Amer ican Association for the Advancement of Science The meeting of the American Chemical society. the largest organiza- tion of it's kind in the world, the most important affiliated body of the associa- tion, was begun today. The remainder of the scientists were divided up into sections. which hold meetings in differ ent parts of the city.
 Neon, newly discovered gas is the cause of the aurora borealis. according to statement made today by Dr. w. L. Dudley head of the department Of chem istry at Vanderbilt university at Nash vile, Tenn, before the division of physi- cal and inorganic chemists
 pr. Dudley showed what he claimed to be the only sample of neon in this coun- try. It requires over lo0 tons of air to get a pint of neon Dr. Dudley has dis covered ka the friction If neon against mercury Crookes tuoe produces a yellow yell wi, II an, and when he'd Inca, near wire gas
 pr. Dudley's conclusions are that at the magnetic poles of the earth. neon under high pressure because of the cold is act ed upon by magnetic currents, thus pro ducing the aurorai borealis. a phenomen- on which has always puzzled scientists,
 Before the Society of American Bac- teriologists, Prof. C. r. A Winslow and G. T. Palmer declared as the result of their investigations. that,the type of bac- cili in horse. COW and man were differ ent. Whether flower animals can give tuberculosis to Fl man they said was not definitely settled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29

by the Sultan on the resignation of Kia- mil Pasha February IA, the present year, and the new cabinet was constituted May 5. Soon after its formation the chamber of deputies and the senate, with scarcely a dissenting voice voted confidence In the ministry, after the governments policy was explained. This policy included the enforcing of economies to meet the fnan- cial deficit and the eradication of the cause which led to the Adana outbreaks.
 The committee of union and progress. which was the moving spirit in the over throw of Sultan Abdul Hamid, has. since the change in administration, retained firm grip on the governmental machin- cry, and there have been rumors since the early part of September that the cab met would resign or be forced out of of flee. More recently the committee de- manded the resignation of the minister of public works, and this demand was com piled with. There has been much active opposition in the chamber to the grand vizier whose programme did not satisfy the wishes of the Young Turks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
FAREWELL DINNER
 TO JUDGE LURTON

Nashville. December 2S.--Nashv1 took formal farewell tonight of Asso- cate Justice Horace H. Lurton of the United States supreme court, whe leaves Friday for Washington to take the oath of office. The occasion was an elaborate banquet at the Maxwell house. rendered by the board of trade of Nashville. More than 200 covers were laid. and the list of guests inc cluded some of the most prominent mon of the state.
 Walter Stokes of the Nashville bar was toastmaster. Among the speakeru Judge w K. McAllister of the state supreme bench Judge l.. T. sanford of the United States district court ter middle Tennessee, and United Statos Senator James R. Frazier.
 Judge Lurton closed the programme with a few well oh osen remarks, or pressing his appreciation and eay1ng keed-hrA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
COLLECTOR LOEB'S
 ANNUAL REPORT

New York, December 2S-An increase of s4S 500, ,502 in customs receipts in 1909 over 1908 is shown in Collector Loebs an- nual report issued today The total duties collected at the port of New York for 1909 amount to $217520,S97.
 Gold imports for tr,e year show a de- crease of approximately $S,ooO0oo. They were sl9,29ll l52. compared with $21 2A in 1908. Exports of domestic gold, on the other hand. were $l3S.0So,554 in 1N9 and s96 3O3 in 1908. Exports of foreign gold for 1909 were $3.s61 TAI and sl.6S0,310 during the previous year.
 Total imports of merchandise in 1909 were $SS6 002,775 compared with $650,2 ,201,- 732 in 1908.
 Domestic merchandise exported amount ed to $612,S9S,647 decrease of about Sl2,- OO0000 from he figures in 1908.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
AMERICANS MUST
 KNOW MORE MUSIC

Chicago. December 2S--"The American people are musical bnrbarians and the function of the American musician is to civiize the people,
 This declaration by President Abram w. Harris. of Northwestern university, was the keynote of the thirty-frst annual convention of the Music Teachers Ma tional association. which met here today Two hunded delegates were present.
 ''lt is a regretrb bc fact that music plays such little part in the education of the people, said President Harris, "and it is a shame that college graduates know so little of the sublime works of music A young man who goes into the world with out any idea and appreciation of music is poorly equipped for his life work, for he is forever barred from the uplifting qualities 10 be derived from great musi- cal compositions. Education is too cold and it would be materially improved by the addition of musical studies in con nection with other college courses
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
SOUTHERN PACIFIC
 AMENDS CHARTER

Louisville, December 2S.-The Southern Pacific company filed an amendment to It's charter here today in the county clerks office. certifying that of the 76,- 00o.000 of the preferred capital stock of the company heretofore authorized to be issued, and consisting of 760.000 shares of the par value of $100 eacN, 744,51s shares have been converted into like number of shares of the common capital stock of the company, and the remainder of the 1seue has been redeemed pr cancelled.
 The document says further:
 The total authorized capital stock of the Southern Pacific company now con- sists of s,7As1S shares of common stock of the par value of $100 each of which 2726.477 are now outstanding"
 The paper Is signed by Robert s. Low ett. Clarence H. Mackay, Morris A. Pea body. F. A. vanderlip. Jacob H. Schiff, Henry L.. I.eforeet, W. $. Thorne. Wil- isakr 1oakAfaiier and R. W. Gceiet-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
Mxsterx Is Cleared Up.

Portland. Me, December 2S.--The mystery about the movements of the Rev. Frank Sandford. head of the Holy Ghost and United States socie- ties at Shiloh, Me, was cleared up to- day when cablegram was received from him dated at Gibraltar. It stated that he was on the yacht Kingdoh, with SC passengers and crew on their way to Jerusalem after pleasaI> voyage across. all on board being well.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
Strike May Be Called.

Duluth, Minn., December 2S.--'Tt is my personal opinion that if Mr. Perham ac- complishes nothing at Washington, a sympathetic strike involving 1000 to 5000 men in the northwest will be called early next week. was the significant state ment made today by President G. B. Howey of the Minnesota Federation of Labor. who was in Duluth today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
Neqro Convict Returns.

Melville, La, December 2s.-Declaring that he thought it was about time for him to get back to work. Freeman Harrison, a negro. serving a life sentence for mur- der. returned without guard to a con vict camp near here last night. Harr'son, who was recently bitten by nadN >e, had been taken temporarily from l., ann for treatment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
location Eunds Are cone.

Washington. December 2S.-Frederick Faulkner of Kentucky, who until re- gently was connected in clerical ca pacity with the United States legation in Pekin. China. is reported to have ab- seconded with legation funds. The amount ia not stated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
Murderer ls Captured.

Toledo. O.. December 2s.-Joseph Mack eley. aged B, who killed 1s-year-old Caro- line Hunt and shot her parents Stephen Hunt and wife. last night, was captured tonight by police at an obscure hotel near the business section. where he oc- cupied a room.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
All River Traffic Is Stopped and Danger Threatens From
 the Ice Foes
BRIDGES MAY BE LOST
 WHEN ICE JAMS THEM
Ten Million Bushels of Coal Have Been Diverted From the River cad Will Be Shipped South
 by Rail.

Pittsburg December 2S.-With tons on tons of ice piled high against the piers of the bridges spanning tss Ohio river here. and at points below Pittsburg. river traffic has been aban- doned
 An estimated 10,00o,000 bushels of coal has been diverted from it's usual river transportation to southern points. and cars are being requested from railroads by coal operators to offset the delay before coal fleets can be moved down the Ohio
 At Pttsburg river navigation ceased Christmas day. A packet from Wheel ing. W. Va, managed to get into the harbor by beating her way through ice foes for miles. Yesterday the situa- ton became a worry to the owners Of the two bridges that span the Ohio river here. The Pennsylvania connct- ing bridge piers we're piled high with Ice chunks five feet square.
 The point bridge. while not in danger of collapse, is in poor condition to withstand an ice gorge long as it is not completed and the pier 'abutrnents are fresh laid and liable to give way.
 Packet stations below Pittsburg re- port unprecedented ice gorges. At East Liverpool O., ice has damned against the stone abutments of the old county wooden bridge. and the au- thorities are arranging to break the pack with dynamite. At Steubenville, O., the Pennsylvania railroad cantilever bridge. in course of construction, is be ing watched day and night.
 At Wheeling, w. Va, precautions have been taken to avoid loss of prom erty along the water front. where many packets and empty coal fleets lie tied up.
 i From Wheeling to New MartinsviHe, W. Va, s5 miles, solid sheet of ice marks the course of the Ohio river Weather conditions at all points do not indicate any marked change in tie ! weather.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
Perham Is in Chicago.

Chicago. December 8.-H E. Perham of the Railway Photographers, who repre- sented allied workmen in the strike con ference at St. Paul. arrived here late to- day and will confer tomorrow with Vice Presidents Connors and Heblinger of the Switchmens union before leaving for Washington to seek federal intervention in the northwest labor controversy
 A statement issued tonight by the Gen eral Managers association of the rail roads said relating to the situation:
 Concerning the efforts of Mr. Perham to have the interstate commerce commits sion investigate as to whether or not the railroads are moving the traffic, this is wholly unnecessary, as the railroads themselves will save anyone the trouble of going to Washington for this purpose if they care to make their own investiga- ton.
 We at no time have feared nor do we now fear, a spread of the strike, because it Is not at all likely that the American Federation of Labor Is wiling to give official sarction to an Illegal strike as this one has been.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-29
Ohio Is choked With Ice.

Louisville, December 2s.-The Ohio river from Madison, Ind, south con- tinues to fall steadily and is almost choked with floating ice from Pitts burg to Carlo. Fears are entertained by Louisville rivermen that the present conditions which have effectually stopped navigation will continue for most of the week. A fear is expressed when the next rise comes the gorges will break up and may result in dam age to coal barges. Coal men and tug crews are preparing for the general break up expected after the solid freeze
 Above the poiEts about Madison the river is frozen from shore to shore. An ice gorge several miles long and block ing the channel of the Ohio river aas formed near Three Mile Island. between Evansville and Newburgh Ind
 All wharf boats at Evansville have been lowed to Green river, nine miles away where all descriptions of craft are placed in the harbors. At Leayenworth, Ind people are crossing to Kentucky on the ice for the first time in many years.
 The Wabash river is reported gorged in many places.