davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
Drastic Measures Are Being Considered h Reply to
 the President
SOME WANT TIE MATTER
 EXPUNGED FROM RECORD
Representative Tawney Says He Ia Now In the Ananas Club and Is Promoted From the Criminal
 Class By the President.

Washington, January 5.-Drastic meas- ures were being considered by the Per kins special committee of the house. an- pointed to recommend to the House action In defense of the body in reply to tho criticism made by the President in his annual message in referring to the secret service legislation of last year.
 Alter meeting of that committee today a report spread that the committee would recommend to the House that that portion or the annual message referring to the secret service be eXpunged from the rec ord. Another report was that the recent message in reply to the request of the House for more information on the sub-' 1eet would be returned to the chief ex- eeutiVe. Neither report could be con f1rmed, as members of the committee re- fused to discuss the probable action
 A report probably will be agreed upon by the committee at meeting tomor- row. but Chairman Perkins said today tnat no report would be submitted to the House tomorrow. It is believed the House will be called upon to take action Thurs day or by the end of the week at the latest.
 One of the most interesting debates of the session Is expected when the renort or the committee is brought into fha House. Friends of the President will re- sist any drastic action that may be recom- mended.
 on the other, hand Representatives Taw- ney, smith, Sherley and Fitzgerald are preparing to defend themselves against the references to themselves in the mes sage. Their remarks, however, will not be personal defense, as they niafntain that they should not be parties to any attempt to divert attention from the con- troyersy which is between Congress and the President and not between themselves and the President. 1t was for these req sons that none of the representa- atives re- ferred to would talk regarding the mat ter for publication.
 T have been elevated from the ranks of the criminal class to the Ananias club, declared Representative Tawuev. chairman of the House committee, com menting on the message
 T have nothing to say in reply to the Presidents message at this time" con tinued Mir Tawney except that he has msinterpreted my speeches to the House This controversy lies between the execl- tive and legislative branch of the gov ernment and there it should rest until set tied. The President is unwarranted in trying to make 1t an issue between him self and the appropriations committed.
 MT. Tawney was one of those upon whom the President placed responsibility in the movement to restrict the secret service MT. Tawney stated that after the special committee to which the message was referred had made It's reports he would have something to say on the floor Of the House on the secret service and the message.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
TRAGIC STORY TOLD BY
 MRS. CATHERINE BEISEl

door. He had me up against the wall be- side the bathroom door. l was braeed against the door and I tried to hold him off I gave an awful push and broke loose. He caught me again. l had the pistol and I fired. I was afraid he'd Kill my sister"
 The witness pointed as with an imagin- ary revolver as she repeated the story and then dropped back into her seat. "Every- thing grew dark after that, and don [ know what happened" she said.
 Important as throwing light on the Erb family troubles and showing something of the attitude of Captain Erh toward the accused widow were several letters put in evidence. Among these was letter from Mrs. E,rb to Mrs. Beisel, In which she wrote:
 ''This is the solution of all the trouble in my life with my husband. Before l married him I told him every secret or my soul. and this is what he goads me with until I am driven to almost destroy ing myself If it were not for the fear or he'll death would indeed be relief. I fear he will kill me when he is in drunken state"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
Report of the Disease At Mes- sina Fills Authorities With
 Fear and Apprehension
CONDITIONS NOW FAVOR DEVELOPMENT IF FEVER
Thirteen Thousand Refugees Have Arrived at NapIes-king Victor Emmanuel Is Greatly Pleased
 at American Assistance.

Rome. January 5.-The report from Mes sina that typhoid fever has broken out there has filled the authorities with alarm and apprehension. It Is realized here that unless proper sanitary precau- tions are taken at once the disease may spread far outside the ruined districts Even though the present cases may prove to be dysentery, 1t is well known that this disease under such conditions as prevail at Messina and Reggie would be likely to prove just as fatal as typhoid
 According to well known medical au- thorities it is the disease that has been responsible for the decimation or all most whole armies in time of war and the existing cause is unwholesome water and ingestion of articles unfit for food. Almost perfect conditions prevail for It's propa gation at Messina.
 King Victor Emmanuel today received Ambassador Griscom, who presented him with the steamer Bayern, in the name of the American relief committee, repre- senting the American people. The Bayern is loaded with provisions and medical sup plies and is ready to proceed to the Straits of Messina. The King was great ly pleased and said that the Americans were always first. His majesty adVlsed the ambassador as to where the steamer should proceed and as to the best means of distributing it's supplies to the unfor- tunates.
 Thirteen thousand refugees have ar rived at Naples up to date of whom 60o0 are wounded. They are receiving the best of Scare, but many have died of their fn- 1uries and others have gone mad. More than 50 per cent of those taken out of the ruins after three days did not have strength left to survive their terrible experience.
 The United States gunboat Scorpion left Naples today carrying supplies, principal 1v of sterilized milk for distribution at Messna under the direction of the Ameri- can consulate.
 The American consul, Stuart Lupton. in answer to inquiries made by the state de- partment at Washington, telegraphs from Messina that the house of the Little Sis ters of the Poor was destroyed. Two of the sisters Natalia San Finppa and Giu- seppa Bueon Giovanni were killed
 Rear Admiral Sperry, commander of the American battleship fleet, has notified the authorities that he will be in Naples on January g, with the first division com posed of the Connecticut, Vermont, Min nesota and Kansas.
 The latest news from Reggie shows that earthquakes occurred there today, the shocks being about 20 minutes apart. One of the heavy shocks caused the collapse Of a number of broken walls and added to the terror of the few survivors who re- main there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
Red Cross HqS Donated
 S4OO, ,O0O To Italians
Official Statement Is Given Out By Miss Mabel Boardman Secretary Of the SocetyMuch Of This Money Has Been Spent In Fitting Out Steamer To Garry the
 People Away From Messina

Washington. January 5.-In order to in- form the public exactly what Americans have thus far done through the Red Cross society, Miss Mabel Boardman, the secre- tary, today issued an official statement announcing that the total amount of sub scriptions for Italian relief so far cred ited and received through the American National Red Cross is over $4oO 900. This includes today's contributions of s136,779.
 The statement adds:
 "On December 31 the remittances by the American Red Cross to that of Italy through the department of state and the American ambassador In Rome was s70,0O0 On January 2. s1OOoOO additional was tele- graphed and on January 3 $150,00O addi- tional was remitted.
 "The expense incurred in the charter. freighting and use of a large steamship contracted for by the American ambas- sador has been assumed by the American Red Cross and further remittances have
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06

Media Pa, January 5.-The story of the tragedy as related by Mrs. Catharine Beisel was the feature of the proceedings today in the trial of Mrs. Catherine Beisel and Mrs. Florence Erb, charged with the murder of the latter's husband, Capt, J., Clayton Erb, on October 6. Mrs. Beisel, who confessed that she shot Erb, resumed the story of the crime when court opened and for several hours she passed through a most trying ordeal.
 Sobbing violently, the witness stood up- right in the witness box and in voice choked with emotion exclaimed:
 q shot hm I pulled the trigger l don't know how many times-then all was dark
 Describing the struggle with Captain Erb, when it is alleged he chased Mrs. Erb. revolver in hand, on the fateful night Mrs Beise said:
 "He came toward me and as he came l sprang at him. I don't know exactly now it happened. We tussled over the hall Tor the revolver. He pushed me against the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
MOVING PICTURE
 INTERESTS MERGE

New York, January 5.-A $15,0OO,O0O mer- ger. according to an announcement made tonight. will end a moving picture war that has been in progress for many months The merger is. consolidation of the interests of moving pictures, ma terial factors and operators, and will re- suit in crowding out of the business nearly 50 per cent of the moving picture places now in existence.
 George Klein of Chicago, representing several manufacturers. is credited with bringing about the merger, which IS to be known as the Motion Picture Patents company. This company took over all tho patent rights of the Edison, Biograph Armat Jenkins, Pross, Vitagraph and Campbell companies. It is planned, 1t is stated, to do away with the sale of right of films which hereafter can only be rented from the film service association.
 Should this plan go into effect it is likely that within 30 days the number of mov- ing picture places will be reduced about one-half
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
Castro s POWer CY'1If71bIed
 Like Q House Of Cards
Details Of Bloodess Revolution In Venezuea Show That the Former President Was Mixed Up In Plot To Assass nate Vice President Gomez and the Piage Of -oras
 and Other Venezuelan Cities I<r

Caracas, January 5.-General Castros s power in Venezuela crumbled in a day like a house built of cards and not pillar has remained standing Even his own brother, Celestino, after turning over his guns and ammunition to the appointee of President Gomez, took to ignominious flight into Colombia. Not one member of Castros family has raised up his voice for him, for 1t was his custom to treat them more or less as he did the foreign diplomats and his ministers. Castro n- spired fear and nothing else in Venezuela. With his absence the fear disappeared and the reaction against his rule which be- gan on Sunday the 18th was consummated on the following Saturday. It was not only the most complete political upheaval in tue history of Venezuela, but the most popular and the most bloodless one.
 Never for a moment did General Gomez and his friends imagine that they could bow to the wishes of the masses and save the nation from it's present industrial ruin brought about by Castros disastrous domestic and foreign policies, without a struggle perhaps to the death There were dark clouds over the horizon in the shape of several barracks in Caracas filled with soldiers antagonstic to the new government, led by clique of Cas- tro's followers, with Governor Cardenas at their head. This made 1t necessary for Dr. Jose de Jesus Paul, the foreign minister, to go on Decmeber IA to the Brazilian, British and Italian ministers and tell them 1t would be we'll to cable for warships as conditions might arise at any moment which would make it impos- sible for the government to protect the lives and property of foreigners. Each of these ministers cabled this request to his government but none responded ex-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06

been made to cover the expense thereof.
 "Bayard Cutting, Jr., one of the con sular officers of the United States in Italy, and who Is personally familiar with the devastated region, Is acting as the agent of the American Red Cross. He Is supplied with the necessary funds, so that personal assistance may be ex- tended at his discretion to Americans who have been overwhelmed by the disaster.
 "Contributions are still coming in rapid ly, and it seems to be evident that the collections through the Red Cross will reach s500000.
 "Postmaster General and Mrs. Meyer to- day contributed s10OO to the earthquake sufferers through the Red Cross The Christian Herald contributed $50,00o, al ready mentioned.
 Subscriptions by states received by the American Red Cross to date for the re- lief include the co1lowing:
 New York S165S25. California $O,Ol7, llil- nois s2s,s76, Missouri s25,o52. Massachusetts $16255. Rhode Island s11 1000, Texas S6l, Georgia $35, Tennessee s25, Kentucky s21.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
Receivers May Be Named.

New York, January 5.-Ofhcers and directors of the Pittsburg Life and Trust company, or the Washington Life 1nsur- ance company, which removed it's books and assets from the state of New York on the night of December 31, must appear before Judge Erlanger in the supreme court tomorrow to show cause why tenn porary receivers should not be named to take over the business of the Washington Life Insurance company, for the protec- ton and benefit of the policyholders. The order to show cause was obtained by William Hepburn Russell, lawyer and a policyholder in the Washington Life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
SERVIAN TROUBLE
 HAS BEEN SETTLED

Vienna, January 5.-The sudden diplo- matic crisis between Austria Hungary and Servia can be considered settled :. Austria was offended by remarks that were alleged to have been made by M Milanovics, the Servian foreign minister. before the national assembly, to the eff feet that Austria had made slaves of the peoples of the annexed provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Austrian minister at Belgrade, Count Forgach, was Instructed to seek an explanation from the foreign minister who explained that he did not make use of the words at tributed to him. but had merely said that Austria had subdued the provinces, which expression is considered less offensive It is thought that this explanation will prove satisfactory to the Austro- -Hunga- rian government, and that it will be &C., cepted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
FAT "P0SSUM AND
 PAPERS" FOR TAFT

Atlanta, January 5.-It was announced tonight by the committee having 1t in charge that at the banquet to be rendered President-elect Taft by the Atlanta cham her of commerce on the evening of Jan- uary 15, "possum and taters' and per sinmon beer will form part of the menu.
 From all sections of Georgia and from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennes- see, Florida and Alabama have come let ters offering fat 'possums for the banquet. A request from Worth county, Ga, that the county be permitted to furnish the 100 'possums necessary had previously been accepted by the committee and word was received today from Judge Frank Park of Sylvester, Ga, head of the Worth county possum hunters that among the catches is beyond doubt the biggest 'possum in captivity, it's weight being given as "A pounds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
VERY LITTLE CHANCE IN
 THE HUNDLEY SITUATION

Washington, January 5.--(Special) 1.-The nomination of Judge Oscar R. Hundley was reached in executive session of the Senate today, but upon the request of Senator Bacon of Georgia it was not con- sdered. The postponement was due to the absence of Senator Clarke of Wyom- ing, the chairman of the judiciary com- mittee. It will be taken up when Senator Clarke returns the latter part of this week or the first of next. The Alabama anti Hundley committee of lawyers put in a busy day at the capitol talking with mem bers of the Senate against Hundley. The committee is trying to have the nomina- ton sent back to the judiciary committee in order that more time can be taken up In hearings thereby causing less oppor- tunity for the judge to make his fight on the floor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06

cept the United States, vessel, the Dolphin arrived just C . ys after the danger was over, and Sa n days after the cable was sent. go
 If on Saturday, tF e5 n the plot to assassinate General os nez and his principal advisers been success ful, if a minor tell I5s employee had not rushed to the ent with a copy of the fatal message from Berlin which is said to have authorized the con spirators to take extreme mea sures. then the triumph of the Castro party would surely have resulted in the pillage of Caracas and especially of the foreigners, that Is to say by Castro and by his inner clique of supporters There was not a warship in La Guayra as the Dutch vessels were entirely be- yond call.
 The failure of the plot and the na- tural overthrow of the entire Castro machine resulted in a cry of thanks giving from one end of Venezuela to the other.
 President Gomez has risen to the oc casion as was expected of him and not only are the foreign disputes of Cas- tro being settled one after the oth CT with the greatest rapidty and by the initiative of President Gomez himself, but all the restrictions against trade and the odious monopolies which had been sucking the life blood of the na- tion are being abolished as rapidly as the law will allow.
 The hundreds of political prisoners with whom Castro still kept the pris- ons full after five years of peace have all been released and have been re- turned to their destitute families. Many of these had been in dungeons for eight and nine years without trials. The revolution has been completely disarmed as all motive has disappeared with the removal of Castro from Vene- zuela.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06

Several of the members of the Senate judiciary committee said today that they were personally against such a course unless the anti-Hundley committee could convince them that they had something new against the judge. The matter will be left to Senator Clarke. Both Senator Bankhead and Senator Johnston are will ing to place anything the committee has against Hundley before the Senate and have notified the Alabamians interested.
 While It is true that a number of men who recommended Hundley have with drawn their inducements it is also true that both Senators Johnston and Bank head are daily In receipt of large numbers of letters insisting upon their support of the judges confirmation. There does not seem to be any pronounced change in the Hundley situation. His friends still maintain every confidence in his ultimate confirmation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
STANDARD OIL IS
 STILL IN WOODS

Washington, January 1.-The statement was made today on authority that not withstanding the refusal of the United States supreme court to grant writ of certiorari in the Standard oil case yes- terday the department of justice will at once proceed with the trial of the num- erous other cases pending in different dis tricts against the Standard for receiv- ing rebates or against the railroads for granting them to the Standard, involving the same questions and which have been awaiting the action of the supreme court on the application for the writ. These include the cases in the Northern district of Illinois and suits in the Western dis trict of Tennessee, the Southern district of California and the Western district of New York.
 It is stated that since the supreme court gives no reasons for it's denial of an application for certiorari, it is impossible to surmise what reasons were in the minds of the court. and 1t is well under stood that the denial of a writ is not to be taken as indicating any impression or the court on the merits of the case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
0RVILLE WRIGHT
 TALKS ON FLYING

New York, January 5.-Orville Wright the aeroplahist, accompanied by his sis ter, Miss Katherine Wright. sailed today for France, where he will join his brother, Wilbur.
 q do not believe the aeroplane will ever take the place of trains or steam ships for the carrying of passengers, said Mir. Wright, just before sailing. My brother and have never figured on build ing ger-carrying machines. Our idea has always been to get one that will carry two or three or even five persons, but this has been the limit of our endeavors. 1 be- lieve ultimately the aeroplane may be put to special uses in the carrying of passen- gers, but never in excess of 15 or 20 per- sons."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
PLANS MADE FOR
 MONSTER WARSHIP

Washington, January 5.-Plans have been outlined by the bureau of construc- tion of the navy for great battleship of S0oo tons, designed to carry eight 14-nch guns No indications have yet been given that such a ship will be au- thorized. but that there is in the minds of officials of the department the pos sibility of asking for such an appropria- tion for a larger type than the Dread- naught is attracting attention among members of Congress.
 The sped of the new design of battle ship would be from 20A to 20ia knots under trial conditions. according to Ad- miral Capps, chief constructor. There are four ships in course of construction of the 20,000 ton class. which are the largest ever authorized for the American navy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06

Messina. January 5.--The work or res cue is being pushed indefatigably by night as well as by day, and even now persons alive are occasionally dug out from the ruins. An old woman was released from the wreclkage of the church of San Fran cisco yesterday evening. She did not seem to realize that she had been buried for so many days. She explained that she thought she was entombed in the church after having died natural death and that she was living in the hereafter.
 Efforts to release the living will be con tinued for two days more in cases where there is reason to believe that success will be met with. Those who have lost relatives and friends still continue to hope against hope and no argument suitices 10
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
LIVING HUMAN BEINGS
 STILL FOUND IN RUINS

oonvinoe them that further search is use- less.
 Some of the survivors seem today to be quite incapable of helping themselves n even the most elementary manner A cor respondent met a family consisting or father. mother and five children standing practically naked in a small open square. The rain was coming down in torrents.
 For the love of God help us to get out of this inferno said the father or the family.
 .That is easy enough" was the reply. "Go down to the harbor and you will find boats ready to take you away.
 How can we get there?" was the next question
 .'On your two legs was the answer. But the family refused to move, the father explaining that they had no um- brellas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-06
INDEX OF ToDAY'S NEWS

Page 1. Secret service is sore subject. Red Cross donates $4o0,000. Taft talks to preachers. Costro's power crumbled. Typhoid fever at Messina. No change in Hundley case. Rainey pleased with what he found out about the Panama canal. Tragic story told by Mrs. Catherine Beisel. Living human beings found in ruins.
 Page 2. Mass meeting in Ensley for sufferers J. B. Houston elected city clerk in Bes- semer.
 Page 3. Scott will take office at once. Smith could not stand troubles Negro boy kills old grandfather.
 Page q. Editorial comment. Board of Trade names committee to work for Greater Birmingham, "even if extra session is necessary. City Council will meet in regular session tonight, Merchants hold mass meeting to con tinue fight on trading stamps Relief fund has reached nearly 5000.
 Page 2. Birmingham society. Feminine Fancies, by Dolly Dalrymple.
 Page 8. Testimony is bad for Thornton Hains
 Page g. Cotton market is about the same. Stock market is weaker. Wheat declines under selling.
 Page 10. Minor baseball leagues are sacrificed.