davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22

Washin gton. December 2l.--Any doubt that the whole force of the Taft administration Is to be behind the in- vestigation demanded by both sides of the so-called Ballinger- Pinch ot contro- versy was dispelled by events in and out of Congress today. There is now no question that President Taft him self is as eager for the merclless prob ing of the matter as hitherto he has been reluctant to admit the necessity for it.
 A motive much deeper than willing ness to do justice to Secretary Railing CT is ascribed to President Taft by senators, representatives and others ac- tive in politics. Men who are in a position to know the sentiments of MT. Taft declared tonight that he has at last become convinced of the truth of what his friends have been telling him for many weeks---of what he has hith- erto laughed at--that there lies be- hind the attack on MT. Ballinser a more or less definitely organized move ment to discredit the Taft administra- tion, especially. by spreading the im- pressfon that tfle so-eailed "Rooseveat policies" are in unfriendly hands; that Mir. BallinGer was made the target only on the theory that he offered for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
HIGH STANDARD
 OF PURITY IN ART

Washington. December 1.-The official standard of purity in aft k so high in Franklin Tenn. that the iigurehead of the armored cruiser Tennessee probably never win rest there. This results from the attitude taken by Mayor E. NJ. Per- kins of that city in letAr to the coln- mandant of the Bremerten navy ward. Washington. where the Tel nessee was stationed His letter read
 ''Ne have received Yog9 fsvors of October l6 and November of the pres- ont year. but as we had never made any request for the loan of the hgure- head of the good ship Tenn, ssee, and as we had no funds appropriated for the purpose of paying freight on the same. we simply remained quiet. However if the said figurehoad is that of beautiful woman. we will take good care of her. if she is sent free. But If | is something scary like mermaid or a sea serpent, We don't want her at discount even.
 Trusting this meets with your ap- prevail etc.
 The letter has been forwarded to the navy department with ,hs information that the ngurehead is not a woman, neither Is it a mermaid. rcr . seq ser- cent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
ZELA VAS FORCES UTTERLY
 DEFEATED BY INSURGENTS s
Fire Loss Al Insane
 Hospital Is $40, 900

Jacksonville, Ill., Decemner s1.-Fire to- night destroyed three wards of the north annex of the Central Illinois Hospital for the Insane here. caesing disorder among the inmates which for time threatened to become an unmanageable panic, and resulting in loss of about s40,000
 More than 1S0 women were confined in the addition which caught fire. These were all transferred in safety to other quarters but not until the advance of the fire made such a proceeding hazard ous in the extreme.
 It was feared for a time that some of the patients might have escaped in half-clad condition. but this proved untrue after a count of heads.
 The flames were not brought under control until nearly midnight.
 Most of the patients rescued from the burning section were escorted by guards and volunteers to the new south wing of the asylum
 The fire so alarmed he patients all through the asylum that the situation became threatening and citizens of Jack sonville were asked to aid in prevent ing further disorder.
 The patients wrom one elld of the asy- 1um to the other became greatly ex- cited and those who were freed from the burning section gave the guards and volunteers much concern. Several men
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
CONGRESS QUITS
 WORK TILL JAN. 4

Washington. December A.-Congress adjourned today until January 4 In the Senate important initial steps were taken toward a congressional investigation of the long existing controversy between Secretary Ballinger and Chief Forester Pinchot
 A resolution by Senator Flint calling for all of the papers bearing upon the case was adopted. Senator Jones read to the Senate letter from Secretary Ballinger, practically demanding an in- quiry, which he said he courted. and also expressing the belief that any in vestigation had should be broad enough to cover "the pernicous activity of of- ficials," fin the forestry service as well as the alleged basis for any charges against the administration of the interior department. A resolution by Senator Gore naming an Investigating commit tee of eight members each of the Sen ate and House and including on that committee several of the so-called ''in- surgent senator's was successfully side tracked by Senator Aldrcn. who had 1t referred to the committee on public lands.
 The House was In session but 10 min utes. Representative Mann, as chair man of the committee on interstate com merce, reported his bill for the suppress sion of white slave traffic. and Rep resentative Richardson of Alabama filed a minority committee report against the Mann bill for the reorganization of the government of the Isthmus of Panama
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
TAFT ADMINISTRATION
 BEHIND INVESTIGATION

the present tho most vulnerable point in the administration.
 Because he was loath to believe that such a paganda was under way, Mir. Taft opposed every suggestion from MT. Ballnger or his friends that al tacks upon the land office should be met with determination to reach and expose those responsible for the at tacks upon the secretary and other of flcials of the interior department and the general land office. Though slow to decide, MT Taft Is inclined to be- lieve that the criticisms That have cropped out in many widely separated localities are part of a deliberate de . termination to make trouble which amounts practically to a conspiracy.
 The first step for a congressional in- vestigation was taken today. Senator Flint introduced a resolution In the Senate directing the Attorney General to send to the Senate all the papers in his possession that relate to the case. These papers include the report or l. R. Glavis. the dismissed special agent of the general land office, who sought to connect MT. Ballinger with the Gun min gh am coal land cases in manner srefsecting upon sis integrity These records are the ones on which the President based his exoneration of his Secretary of the Interior. j.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22

and women escaped while being trans ferred from the burning building, some of them being captured before they could reach the streets surrounding the asylum grounds and others being found in the outlying streets Of the city. Some women were found thinly clad, sitting on curb stones half a mIIe from the asylum. Ii is runored that a Humber of patients still gre In tae burned DOT ton of the asylum. These, it Is said, are women, who were in the fourth floor of the burned four-story building who are reported to have rushed into the attic. They may have rerished, but there is no certainty regarding the nun Der of patients in the building.
 The fire started in the roof of the north wing What started the fire is unknown The flames spread rapidly to the fourth floor. where several hundred women pa tients were kept Their cries created terrific din, which arouss d men and women patients throughout the entire institution.
 While the firemen were fighting the flames the police authorities received word by telephone that several women were roaming inc streets wrapped in blankets and that other wo nen patients were at large without any clothing what ever. having torn off their night dresses in their excitement
 Police and volunteers are searching for the escaped inmA6es.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
ALABAMA SOIL SURVEYS
 ARE OF GREATEST VALUE

The state of Alabama is furnishing young men who are graduates or the agricultural college at the Polytechnic in stitute, who are assisting in the prosecu- ton of the soil survey in the state and at the same time are securing valuable training in the investigation of the soils of the state.
 When the detailed soil survey work of different counties has been completed 1t is the plan of the cooperating organza- tion to prepare on a large scale soil map of the entire state of Alabama, which will show in considerable detail the soils and the agricultural resources of all the state. Alabama has been not only the first in the development of agricultural high school work, but is also taking a leading position in the investigation of her soil resources and agricultural pos abilities
 The undeveloped agricultural opportu- mites of Alabama constitute source of state wealth second to no other. and when every acre Of agricultural land In the state is occupied with the crops which are best suited to the different soils and titled by the best methods known to the agricultural authorities of the state, Ala bama will take leading place agricul- turally among all the states of the union.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
DIVIDING PROFITS
 AMONG EMPLOYES

New York; December a1.-The finance committee of the United States Steel cor poration has voted to offer the employees of the corporation the opportunity of sub scrihing to its preferred stock at $l2s . share In addition bonus of q o0O,o00 ID common and preferred shortly will be di- vided among the employees. Each employs will have the privilege of taking his share of the books in common stock at 90 or in preferred at 124, or q proportion of both. This is the highest price at which the preferred has been offered to the employees since the companys profit-sharing plan went into effect in 1903
 The subscription price last year was RIO . share. Today it closed on the stock market at u.24A.
 Since the proflt-sharing plan was insti- tuted the cruelties have subscribed in all for 15.o0o shares of common and 1ss, 498 shares of preferred. for which they have paid 7,475.000. At present prices their investment shows paper profit of $S.525, 900.
 The decision of the finance committee is of interest as refiecting the company's attitude toward the recent declaration of war against the company by the American Federation of Labor. which de- clared the Steel corporation its greatest enemy.
 were not worrying about that" said Judge Gary, chairman of the committed, today
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
DIR. COOK NO LONGER A HERO
 BUT MONUMENTAL IAIPOST OR
Speaker Can71OnS Boss
 Orders Him Home

Washington December 21.-(Special)- Speaker Cannon has been called home to Danville by his boss and left this morn- ing at 11:55, accompanied by his daugh- ter and his eldest granddaughter.
 Never heard that Uncle Joe had a boss? Pshaw, you don't know what you are talking about.
 little granddaughter out Danville way named Helen Le Seure, and they say she is peach. Anyway, she has your Uncle Joe ''buffaloed' and what she says goes with him. It's the law of the Medes and Persians and the way she makes the. old man stand around Is plumb scandalous. They say it's a sight for gods and men to see the ''czar,' the iron duke of the capitol and all that sort of thing get off his high horse when little Helen takes the floor.
 Uncle Joe tried to have Helen and her mother and father come to Wash ington for Christmas. joining her elder sister and grandpa and auntie. Miss Helen was foxy. Nope she said; there isn't any chimney in Grandpa l know he can get down our chimney, and am not taking any chances. Let them come out here for Christmas"
 That's all there is to 1t. Uncle Joe left, as stated, this morning and took the rest of the party with him.
 More than a quarter of a million dol lars will be raised this year by the sale of Red Cross Christmas stamps and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
TODAYS AGE-HERALD.

1-Dr. Cook called an imposter. Zelaya's forces badly defeated. Soldiers on guard al Magnolia. Big fire at insane hospital. Speaker Cannon's boss orders him
 home.
 Tafts administration backs investsa-
 ton
 Alabama soil surveys are valuable. Divorce suit costs money. Woman held on murder charge. 2-Dr. Cooks records are inadequate. South Alabama wants Henderson. Poultry show opens at Gadsden. 3-Ensiey watches Birmingham council. Tuscaloosa sells bonds. Mrs Pope gets new trial +Editorial comment. 5-Doc Murphy caught and charged with
 killing Myrick.
 Carl Seals may run for mayor. Force of cold wave about spent Policeman O Bryant left no funds for family.
 Salaries of police and tlremen may be
 increased
 Silver service presented to Jere c.
 King GBessemer council defers action on
 water works Birmingham social events. Dolly Dalrympie's department. S--Cooks downfall not surprising reports on Alabama fight market is uncertain. Cotton makes good gain Wheat again declines. l,-Baaketbali holding the boards.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22

Washington, December M.-tSpecial.)- The soil surveys in Alabama, carried on in cooperation between the state de- partment of agriculture and the bureau of soils of the United States department of agriculture. are just completing work in Baldwin, Chambers and Coffee coun- ties. Additional work has already been started in Dale county and in Tuscaloosa and within the next few weeks work in Pike, Clark and Mobile counties will be begun.
 Owing to the cooperation between the state and federal authorities more soil survey work has been done In Alabama than in any other state in the union. The legislature at it's last regular session made available sl0,000 annually for the conduct of soil survey work in the state. and under the administration of J. A. Wilkin- son. commissioner of agriculture co-oper- alton with the federal department of agri- culture was at once arranged. Soil sur veys have already been completed in 2s counties and other areas in the state of Alabama and at the present rate of work the complete soil survey of the state will be finished in little over two years time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
Appropriation For Statue.

Washington. December q A bill ap- propriating s50U for the purpose of pro yiding a replica of the American statue of Baron Steuben for presentation to Emperor William and the German nation was offered in the House today by Repre- sentative Bartholdo of Missouri. Con gress appropriated $5o,ooo for the crec- tion of the original statue in lafayette Square some years ago Rad the statue is nearly completed The replica is in tended as q return gift for the statue of Frederick the Great which Emperor William presented to this country and which lately was erected in this city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
SEPARATION SUIT COSTS
 A LOT IN HIGH LIFE

Mir. Brokaw did not take the stand in his own defense today, though he was prepared for it. Buffers, maids and more of the many physicis ns employed to tune the tangled nerves of the alienated couple. testified for the husband and de- fendant.
 Mrs Brokaw was out of countenance today For one thing, her mother, Mrs. James A. Blair, Is i'll of pneumonia at Westchester. her health undetermined by the publicity of the trial. For another. the continued mention )f cigarets and cocktails in the evidence plainly irritated the plaintiff.
 pr. Robert Pou testified that he had heard Mrs. Broknw tell her husband to go to - -" and that she had ap- piled to him one of the epsthets which she complained in her testimony he had applied to her, "a - liar"
 During this testimony Mrs. Brokaws face was completely hidden and one small handkerchief succeeded another in jour neys from her nun to her eyes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
WOMAN HELD ON CHARGE
 OF MURDERING HUSBAND


 The Harris girl, who has told the po- lice that Mrs. Armstrong poisoned her husband, is held in the House of the Good Shepherd in Louisville, across the Ohio river from this city in Indiana
 Under the long and rigid questioning of the prosecutor the girl held to her narra- tive that she knew her aunt intended to rid herself of her husband so that she "could have a better time," and added that after making him i'll by dosing him with calomel and vinegar. she had given him in the guise of medicine a rat poison in capsules, which also contained car bolic acid.
 Finally an hour before death, she de- clared, she administered a quantity of strychnine,
 Urfter the direction of the coroner the stomach of the dead man was removed and sent to the laboratory of chemistry of Indiana University at Bloomington, and an analysis of it is under way
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22

Now Albany, Ind, December M--At the close of an investigation today of the death of George Armstrong, for whose alleged murder his wife Pearl Armstrong, Is being held. Prosecuting Attorney Wal Ter Built gave out the information that the story that Myrtle Harris, girl who resided at the Armstrong homo, had testi- fled that Mrs. Armstrong had told her it was her purpose to put her husband out of the way because of her love for another, was erroneous
 Prosecutor Built refused to divulge the name of . man with whom the woman Is said to have been infatuated.
 Mrs Armstrong was unable to appear at the investigation as she is ill in the hospital at tho county Jail. Today she became hysterical and 1t was announced that unless her condition becomes fm- proved by tomorrow morning she will be placed in another hospital.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
C0REAN CABINET
 MEMBER STABBED

Seoul, Corea, December 22.-Premier VI, the head of the Corean cabinet, was sta bbed and fatally wounded today by & Corean Vie Chain Yong. Premier VI was formerly minister of education in the Corean cabinet. He be- came prime minister in May, 1907. when a reconstruction of the cabinet followed five-hour audience which Marquis Ito, the Japanese resident general, had with the Emperor. VI was regarded as a firm and competent officer. but his ef- forts to carry out the policy of the new administration met with continual and determined opposition from his political adversaries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22

and Col J. E Carter of Selma are in charge of the situation here. They do not expect any trouble tonight. If trou- ble should break out 1t would come from an attack by negroes. but 1t is not be- lieved such an attack will he made,
 Montgomery, December 21-(Special.) J. Seventy-fve men under command of Lieut. Col. J. E. Carter of the Second regiment, sent out from Selma at D. m, reached Lamison, Wilcox coun- ty, at 4:30 and proceeded at once to the scene of race disturbance at Magnolia, six miles away. in wagons.
 A large crowd of white men gathered at Lamson went along t0. Magnolia an ticlpating trouble. A. J. Lamson at Lamison stated over the phone that there was every evidence of trouble as teacher. had sent word 10 the whites teacher had sent word to the whites that the burning of Cfpt Montgomery on yesterday would be avenged On such intimation the whites had armed them selves and were ready for an outbreak which Mr. Lamison felt sure was i'm nlinent.
 Sheriff Grant, who was called up at Magnolia. stated that he had no re- ports to be given out for the papers. He did not look for trouble and ex- plained the presence of the large num- Der of white men in the statement that they were there from curiosity. He knew nothing about soldiers coming in the face of the fact that when he was talking the forces of the National Guard were marching toward his place as hard as horses and mules could carry them. sent on his order.
 The chase for Will Montgomery, the fourth negro charged with the murder of Alsernon Lewis. is still on, though 1t was said that he had been located ana would be captured HIS arrest is sure to mean lynchng in the temper Of the whites, which may be the Ire to set on the roting that all expect
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
Farewell Dinner To o,connor.

New York. December 21.w. Bourke Cochran and Justice Martin J. Keogh of the state supreme court gave farewell dinner at the Lotus club tonight to T. F. O'Connor, the Irish leader and member of the British parliament, who will re- turn to England tomorrow after visit to this country in the interest of home rule for Ireland
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
pone Lono neappolnted

Washington, December M.-(Spscial.)- The President today reappointed Pope Long United States marshal of the Bir- minEham district. Long had practl- cally no opposition to succeed himseV He was indorsed by the organization and had good record to back him up
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
Money for shoaIs Canal.

Washington, December M.--(Special.>- >- The House today passed the bill ah- thorixing the expenditure of $15.000 for work on the Colbert and Bee Tree shoals canal. The bill was introduced by Chairman Alexander of the rivers and harbors committee at tho request of Representative Richardson of Ala hama
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22
cuIlman Has New Bank.

Washington, December 21.-(Special. )-- The Leeth National bank of Cullman has been authorized to begin busi- ness with s26o0O capital. G. S. Leeth is president, Y, ]. Callahan. vice president O. NJ Fisher. cssher.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22

postal cards. Sales throughout the coun- try have exceeded all expectations.
 Miss Mabel T. Boardman estimates that the fund that will be turned ove' or use in the eradication of tuberculos~ :. be about $S00,0O0. This is nearlIS& .e as much as was collected last ye0 .S
 In spite of the setback caus, the trouble with foreign postal rities the sales have gone forws09 .eadily from the time they began fyr, few days the effect of postal lglement checked the flood of IT a into the coffers of the Red Gro, cn the halt was only temporary. oS
 Associate Justice { of the su- preme court is busy h. {, regardless of his more than T1 years. The absence of two justices from the supreme court makes the duties Of the court unusually heavy. Moreover, Justice Brewer Is con- stantly in demand for speeches and makes a great many. But besides his work on the bench he will deliver a series of lectures at Yale this winter that will require no little time and prepara- ton and he has been obliged to decline some invitations to speak on this &C., count.
 'Possums are coming to the White House for the delectation of the Presi- dent.
 MT. Taft has announced to friends that since he first caused 1t to be known that he liked 'possum meat he has been sup piled with so many of the little sleep ers that he had had a surfeit of them, but notwithstanding that they continue to come.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22

New York, December A.-"What it costs to defend a separation suit in high lfe,v is the title of statement given out at Mineola, l.. l., today by counsel for W. Gould Brokaw. whose wife is suing him for separation with alimony of s60,000 R year.
 The tabulated items follow:
 Stenogra phers' minutes, $3000
 Attendance of witnesses, car fare and board $4000.
 Plaintiff's counsel by order of court SsO00.
 Preparation and investigation of case, s50oo.
 Counsel for defendant s30,00o.
 Total, s50,00o.
 'I will show" added John R. Me Intyre Brokaw's lawyer, that MT. Bro kaws income Is not s30,0o0 year. He has been a generous spender, a prince of hosts: he has never engaged in any regular business and his income has dwindled greatly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-22

More than a quarter of a million dol lars will be raised this year by the sale of Red Cross Christmas stamps and