davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15

of s2S,5Ss,17O, which was an increase over the sums appropriated for the fiscal year 1908 of s2,S91. 6so
 The sensation created by the Presi- dents special message related to the limitations placed upon the small squad of detectives employed by the treasury department, when he knew that millions are annually appropriated to fight crime through the other de- partments. Why the President did this-why he was so violent and un- reasonable-will perhaps not be dis closed, but certainly no one can justly say Congress withholds appropriations to fight crime when it votes away for that purpose in a single year $2S,588, TO!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
Question Of Immigration

In all manufacturing districts there was a marked scarcity of labor in 1906, and in the Birmingham district labor scarcity was becoming acute when the panic of 1907 brought industrial de- pression throughout the country. With a gradual revival of industrial activity hereabouts all men who desire to work have found employment. Later in the year, when prosperity will be more in evidence, the demand for labor will be greater than the supply, and year hence the labor problem will become very serious again. ~
 In view of the potentialities of the Birmingham district, more attention should be given to the immigration question than has been given in recent years. Workmen of various nationali- ties are assimilated here with little diff ficulty, and when prosperity is in full swing once more and wages are high thousands of industrious and worthy foreigners will seek this section.
 But what is needed for building up the state, for increasing it's population with earnest toilers and for developing it's resources, agricultural as we'll as mineral, is a systematic effort to bring settlers here from the north. German Americans have come in considerable numbers from the northwest and have established fourishing colonies in south Alabama A hundred families of the class referred to are worth far more to the state than twice the num- Der of ignorant people who are gath cred at random in foreign lands.
 Few Germans emigrate now, but but with reasonable inducements Ger man-Americans can be brought here in colonies from northern points, where the severe winters make life exceed ingly hard No one in the south, per haps, is quite so familiar with the inn migration question as D. Hechinger of this city He has devoted much time to the study of southern conditions, and being native of Germany, is thoroughly familiar with the habits and feelings of the toilers of Father land. He is equally familiar with the German-American settlements in the northwest, and that being so he is, a strong believer in bringing German American families to Alabama and founding colonies for them in different agricultural sections of the state. While such colonization would not have an immediate bearing on the labor problem in the Birmingham dis trict, it would in tine be felt, especi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
Secret Service Figures

A small reduction in secret service appropriation has become the basis of not a few attacks upon Congress, when as a matter of fact this Congress did at it's long session appropriate $23,5SS,- ITO to fight crime, and frauds and dep redators. This great sum was voted to the various departments and it was $2,S31, ,660 in excess of like appropria- tions in the preceding fiscal year.
 It takes. in other words, an army of sleuths to fight an army of law break CTS, and probably no other nation in the world, not even Russia, spends so much money in the detection of wrong doers.
 The secret service division of the treasury department is much talked about, and yet it consists of 67 men only. The interior department expends S5o0, 900 a year in secret service work; the department of justice, $560,000; the
 - customs service, $200,0OO; the internal revenue service, $125,OOO. Congress- man Tawney thus sums up the matter: The aggregate amount appropriated for the fiscal year 1909 for secret service and services of that character including the S15,000 appropriated for the secret serv- fee division of the treasury department fig s7,214. .5s3.S5, being s7s2,755 in excess of the amounts appropriated for the fiscal year 1908 for the same service There was also appropriated for the fiscal year 1D0e to be used in whole of in part to prcvent frauds on and Expectations upon the several branches of the public service, to protect public lands from fraudulent entries, and to apprehend and punish othsr violators of the law. an aggregate
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
COLLEGE MEN ON THE STAGE.
Many Graduates of Recent Years To Be Found Among Players.

From the Washington Post.
 Few people realize that the number or college men who adopt the stage as their life work increases each year. Yale, in fact. sends one or more of her graduates into the ranks of the profession every year. The president of the Yale Dramatic association in 1907, MT. Charles Hopkins, Is now with the John Drew company. The morning after his performance or the Bishop in "The Pretenders," which the Yale Dramatic association gave in New York In 1906, nearly every critic in New York spoke, it may be recalled, or his finished acting in unqualified terms or praise.
 Jefferson Crane, ex-19o9, is also mem- Der of MT. Drew's company. Franklin Johnston, manager of the association In 1903 has been manager of the Ben Greet company since being graduated. Willard D. Howe, president of the association in 19e1, has been on the stage ever since his graduation, and had prominent part last year in ''Brewster's Millions" Charles T. Terry, who was prominent in the as- sociation a few years ago, is now Mrs. Fiske's assistant stage manager. Grant Mitchell, of the class of 'e5, has been a member of Miss Maxine Elliotts com pany this season, and Frederick Trues- dell of the same class is leading man for Miss Mary Mannering
 After the performance of 'Revisor" last year. Daniel Frohman offered Thomas Achelis, the president of the association, the part of Fernand in "The Thief" MT. Frohman declared young MT. Achelis' work the best he had ever seen on the amateur stage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
For Safeauardlng Life.

Several months ago attention was caiieo to the Belt Line crossing at Twenty-nrst street and Avenue E, and since then or ders were issued by General Manager A. n. Lightner to have all trains stop and member of the crew precede the tram with the proper signals over the crossing for the protection of vehicles and pedes- trians. These orders have been rigidiy observed ever since
 .-rhe movement of our trains along the streets of Birmingham" said MT. Light ner yesterday lis limited to 10 miles an hour, and the average Is nearer SIX or eight. And the knowledge that our move ments over any of our trackage Is limited to three or four times day does not excuse the drivers of vehicles from using the same reasonable precaution that they would in attempting to cross heaVy trunk line or a street car line wlth schedule of car every few minutes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
SEVEN GODS OF BLISS.

From the New York World.
 pr. Paul Carus writes in his Open Court Magazine that Japan is happy country because its people are more contented with the simple life they lead. He lays stress on the influence of the Seven Gods of Bliss, "a jolly and peaceful set of fellows" whose festal days 'are cele- brated by publications"
 The Japanese Seven do not make a fighting cabinet. There is no rampant Thor, Jupiter or Mars in their number, although Bishamon is god of the warrior IS well as of the merchant prince. After Bishamon is Daikoku, of the farms. When he shakes his mallet. money drops down." Then comes Ebisu, whom the traders worship and who carries a fish, fresh caught.
 Benzaiten, corresponding to Venus, is goddess of love, beauty and everything that adorns life After her there remain Fukurokuju and Jurojin, who promote length of days, and Hotel, the god of mirth. The first of these. with his long forehead, is evidently an intellectual classic for American "high-brow." Hotel is pictured as a deity surrounded by chill dren, and we may assume that he Is the patron not only of laughter but of anti race suicide.
 To Dr. Carus the fact that the Japa- nese have proved their ability to steer straight and shoot straight is of less im- portance than some matters of queter praise Commerce, the land, industry, love, long life, the family and laughter these are things to reckon with And the Seven Gods? We" says the doctor, ''haye also our superstitions."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
HAM GRAVY.

From the Memphis News-Scmitar.
 The editor of the Washington Herald has evidently been remembered by some of his subscribers. Nothing that the cafes and hasheries of the District of Columbia turn loose to hungry inhabitants could have stirred to estasy the enthusiastic pen of even so brilliant a wielder. Listen to him:
 '"The one real, all-sufficient, universal, ever -the-job gravy in this world, how ever, is plain, old-fashioned, time-honored and anciently approved ham gravy! Just as it is, without one plea-it knocks the spots off any turkey gravy, with 'yolks of eggs, giblets.' mushrooms, truffes, or whatnot ever concocted anywhere. or conceived in the minds of mortal You can't beat itl It is known from the hum blest hovel to the lordliest palace, and everybody truthfully inclined will agree without comment"
 The ham that our contemporary gravy came from could not have been unjointed from North Carolina porker. They raise only razor-backs in that state of tar heels and fieet-footed coons. It couldn't have been produced in Texas, for the hogs of Texas are about on par with the 'possums of Tennessee, and though these make pertty fair gravy to soften sweet potatoes against, Texas Is clearly out of 1t. Virginia has rather fair hams, but only when they are disguised in sugar and a world of spices. The ham which set the poesy of the Wash ingtonian to bubbling came from nowhere but Tennessee, where all well-bred hogs have hams that make the gravy which the immortal gods on Olympus used to discuss with theid zrews and call nectar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
WHEN U. s. GRANT PROPOSED.
Ludicrous Attire Dla Not Deter Young
 Lover From His Purpose.

Mrs. Emma Dent Casey in January Circle
 Magazine.
 When young Grant reached the banks of the Graviose he found 1t a mad, muddy torrent, which had torn trees and bridges from its banks and was carrying them with a roar of waters through the valley to the river. But what was that to daunt a lovers ardor Like the hero of the legend, he spurred his steed and plunged in" But he plunged in over his head, with his horse under him.
 It was a bedraggled swain that stood in the presence of his lady love a few mo- ments afterward. Lieutenant Grant took 1t all good humoredly enough, but there was a sturdy seriousness in his usually twinkling eyes that must have suggested, perhaps, to Julia that he had come on more serious business, for the teasing did not last long. John carried him off to find some dry clothes. and when he re- turned the usually natty soldier looked scarcely more like himself than he had when he came out of his bath
 Of course, this reused more laughter, which the soldier took ia the same good part, but those rosy telltale checks of his reddened, as usual with him when the in ward state of his feelings did not agree with his outward composure.
 l think it shows something of the char acter of the man that Lieutenant Grant should not have allowed his rather outre appearance at the house of his sweetheart that night to have unsteadied his purpose in coming there. When he left the bar racks he had it in his mind to offer the lady his hand and heart. He offered it Nothing in the world could have pre- vented him, probably, since he had once had it in mind. It was characteristic of the man, as his campaign of after years showed. Grant was often most slow and hesitating in his efforts to come to a de- cision, but when that decision was once made 1t was irrevocable and acted upon immediately.
 It is, perhaps, not necessary to say that when Lieutenant Grant rode away from White Haven the morning after he took with him what he had gone after.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
BIRMINGHAM AND THE TARIFF.

From the Montgomery Journal.
 After a while, perhaps, we will begin to believe that "half the democrats of the state were pleased at Taft's election, v sure enough, for apparently more than half the democrats of Birmingham are getting ready to join the republican party. They seem to forget that there has never been a national democratic convention held that did not declare for a tariff for revenue, and that the real, true Jeffersonian idea of tariff, was for revenue to meet the necessary ex- penses of government wisely and economically administered"
 That is democracy and anything that smacks of protection for protection's s sake, is in line with republican principles and is undemocratic.
 The Commercial club of Birmingham has declared for continuance of the high protective tariff on coal, iron and lumber which it must know has been condemned by the democratic platform and which have been recommended to be placed on the free list. Representative Underwood comes in for censure in favoring the democratic idea and advo- eating a reduction of the tariff to a revenue basis" That is the language of the last democratic platform and upon 1t MT. Underwood Is bravely and cour- ageously standing. In the club proceed ings we find these remarks
 "W. P. G. Harding then brought up the matter of the proposed tariff reduction. He suggested that the club ought to pass on the matter and that this district, with a representative on the congress sional committee, ought to be able to se- cure favorable legislation.
 Guy R. Johnson then spoke on the subject. Birmingham has been asleep This district depending almost entirely on it's coal and iron is handicapped by a high freight rate. There has been a mistaken idea that iron can be made here cheaper than in any other place In the world. There are several places in Ger many where iron can be produced much cheaper than 1t can here. There it can be made for $7.75 ton in places. We are now almost on the point of importing iron from England. Our representative in Congress, in his action on the question WIT gress, is hurting himself He should wake up. It costs $1O ton to make pig iron here; add $4 for handling and freight; that makes the price $14, and add s3 for profit and the price of iron is ST. England can send iron to this coun- try cheaper than that. And 8 is only a small profit. for it costs s75o,oOo to build furnace. This furnace will only pake about 75O,0oO tons of iron during its life. It has to be renewed every 10 years, so 8 is not a good profit on the investment. I think we should present an urgent resolution requesting Congressman Un- derwood to represent his district and not free trade democracy"
 MT. Underwood accords allegieance to the free trade democracy and in obey ing the commands of his party will win the plaudits of the country and of his own people. These men must amend their tariff views or get out of the dem- ocratic party. They can't read MT. Un- derwood out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
BOOK FAvoRiTEs OF CLASSROOM

From the New York World.
 In list of 48 books most popular among the children of 11,00O elementary class rooms in New York city, Louisa M. Al cott's Little Women stands at the head and Hawthorne's Wonder Book at the foot In the first 25 books on the list are five of Miss Alcott's works, including .srhe Old-Fashioned Girl" and Little Men" Robinson Crusoe'' is No. and Alice in Wonderland is Mo- and Burnetts Sara Crewe' is close to the leader.
 Classics one usually considers as food for older minds are scattered through the Iist-such books as John Halifax. "'Eyangeline," "Ivanhoe' and Merchant of Venice Tales of Dickens are named, and of course the perennially
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
Returnino Gradually.

Prosperity is returning gradually, said S. F. Foley of Cincinnati. "Busi- ness is as active as conservative men thought it would be. but not so good as some optimists predicted
 "A few weeks ago many optimistic men had an idea that immediately after new year everything would boom. Confidence has been restored and I believe that by the early spring business will be much more active than it is now; but we had a violent panic in 1907 and we cannot expect business conditions to become normal in a hurry. When the railroads begin to rush orders for new equipment then we will have high prosperity again and not till then. In the meantime the country Is in excellent shape and better times are sure to come"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
Growing Cities.

"In the World Almanac for l90s one or inc interesting features is the list Of clties having upward of 5o0Oo population said a statistician, "but Birmingham IS con- spicuous by its absence. According to lhe recent school census taken after AVon- dale and East Birmingham were ahneAeu' Birminghams population was about 'o'o'o' There were 18,000 children of school age and the full population is ascertained oy multiplying the number of children by four. It was an oversight in the authorl- ties not furnishing the World Almanac with the data for its table of municlpaii- ties. If the King bill is re-enacted at snecial session of the legislature Bir- minghams population in 1910 will be about 120,000.
 "rhe estimates furnished just In ad- vance of the government census are usu- ally exaggerated, but this year they seem less exaggerated than in the former oe- cade. New York city, including the Great CT New York boroughs, is given at 4'a47'- GOO. Chicago is estimated at 2572,SSS' Phil adelphia comes third with 1,4sl,lol' st' Louis is credited with 7o4,0oo.
 "The large cities of the south are enti- mated as follows: New Orleans, S'o'VoV' Mobile. 65,oO0; Dallas, 5000; Houston 9o'- 600. Little Rock, 6O,0Oo; Memphis, 176OOo; Nashville, 135,ooO, Chattanooga, S4"o; AL 1anta 15o.oOo; Savannah, 5000; Charleston s2 1000; Richmond. 114,ooo. and JacksonViiie' Fla, 62, ,OOo
 Among the most rapidly growing cities in the country are Seattle and Los An peles Each Is credited with SOoooO. Louis vile gains steadily, and has now pop ulation of about 27o,ooo"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
THE MYSTERY.
By Percy Bysshe Shelley.

By Percy Bysshe Shelley. That awful shadow of some unseen
 Power
 Floats tho unseen amongst us-vsiting This various world with it's inconstant
 wing
 AS summer winds that creep from flower to flower; Like moonbeams that behind some piny
 mountain shower, It visits with inconstant glance Each human heart and countenance. Like hues and harmonies of evening" Like clouds in starlight widely spread Like memory of music fled.
 Like aught that for It's grace may be Dear, and yet dearer for It's mystery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
From the Philadelphia Ledg


 @ HE efforts of the wife of promi- 9 nsnt steel nasast. to be received <,
 in what is known as society in New York. recall the title of George Ade's amusing volume of pointed and pregnant satirical sketches. The steel king, &C., cording to report. is bound that his wife shall be everywhere received, and the vaulting ambition of the former Casino favorite in this regard exceeds his own. Meanwhile society," continues to pass by on the other side, for though in the past it may have been wilfully and the fitfully Ienient to the parvenu and the nouveau riche, in the present instance, with strangely tenacious memory, it recalls discreditable episode. We cannot forget that the head of the Steel trust put away his welded wife-the woman who had helped him rise from poverty and ignor- ance to affuence-in order that he might be free to marry the actress who now bears his name.
 The tirades and diatribes directed against the members of the so-called smart set" are often justified by egregious exhibitions of inanity and folly. ''rhey do
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
rrebls clef Club Appreciated.

"The music lovers of Birmingham are coming more and more to appreciate the excellent work of the Treble Ger club" said J. F. Shelby. president of the Music Festival assoclation' last night
 "The concert which the Treble Ger gave at the Jefferson theatre, with Madame Julie RiveKing as piano so- loist, was one of the delightful events of the season, and it was most gratity- ing to see such a large and enthusiastic audience present. The chorus was Tn fine form and the programme was thoroughly enjoyed from beginning 10 end"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

FTUlI IIlt 4NtW IOIh T lVSo'
 Some men aren't home enough to get acquainted with their family.
 There's nothing can make woman madder with the weather than chapped knees
 Women like to read all the divorce cases In the newspapers so they can say they never do.
 Men can find such excuses for their weaknesses that they are afraid it would seem miserly not to smoke and drink.
 It's remarkable what a lot of discussion we can have over proving the people we are discussing aren't worth the slightest attention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
prominent Secret Orders.

"In the statistics of secret and fraternal orders reported for last year, the odd Fellows lead" said man who belongs to several societies.
 'In the United States and Canada the membership of the Independent order of Odd Fellows is stated at 1,396,Sls. The Masons come next with a total mem- bersbin in the United States and British America of 1,2SS,562.
 'The Modern Woodmen of America re- ported s2O,0OO; the Knights of Pythias, 6sS, ,5se; Woodmen of the World, 52sooo; Improved Order of Red Men. 41,661; Order of Eagles, 311 159; Elks, 2S4321; Ancient Order of Hibernians. A7,0o0, and Knights of Columbus 210,O7S"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
Major EchoIs RetIres.

Huntsville, January 14.-(Special.) Maj.
 w. H. Echols, for the last dozen years president of the First National bank of this city, has retired from the head of that institution in favor of his son, State Senator Robert E. Spragins, who was elected to the presidency by the directors at their annual meeting yesterday after noon. Major Echols was elected vice president and Oliver B. Patton, who has been cashier many years, was reelected.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
Addition To Relief Fund.

Washington, January 14.-Secretary and General Manager Kindall of the Citrus Protective League of California, accom- panied by Representative Smith of that bassador and presented to him s1o,65l, which. with funds already telegraphed, makes up a total of $14,012 raised by the sale of lemons in various cities by the association for the Italian relief fund.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15

ally if colonies were established within a radius of 50 miles of Birmingham.
 In many families young men would be found seeking employment in the mines and at the furnaces and in an- other generation thousands of German Americans of brawn and brain would be on the payrolls of the district. If MT. Hechinger were to receive the sup port of commercial bodies and indus trial corporations, he might turn out to be great factor in the development of this section. Certain it is that the im- portance of the immigration question cannot be overestimated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-15
Hebrew Congregations.

The Rev. Dr. Newfield left last night for Philadelphia to attend the biennial meeting of the Union of American He- brew congreg ga tions. He was accom- panied by S. Spiro, who goes to the union as a lay delegate from Temple Emanuel. Dr. Newfield will be absent from Birmingham about 10 days. Ills pulpit will be filled tonight by pr Kaplan of Selma, who is now visiting the city.