davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

be used in canned goods, catsups and
like articles. But no such guaranty IS
possible. Whenever permission is
given to use benzoate the sole safe
guard of the people Is the honesty of
the Gamer or other manufacturer. The
rottener the material he has to handle
the more benzoate he would be apt to
use. and benzoate cannot be detected
by the taste, as common salt is.
After all, Secretary Wilson is COM
mitted to the use of benzoate In food
products. and so long as he requires
the fact of its use to be stated on ev-
cry package no great harm. perhaps,
will be done. If he could do as he
wishes to do he would abolish the
statement on the package in the case
of benzoate of soda. He will not do
that at present, and after a while we
may get a Secretary of Agriculture
who is not partisan aud supporter of
benzoate of soda even "inmoderate
amounts"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
FIRST TROLLEY LINE.

From the Washington Herald.
One of the distinctions of Baltimore is
that it was the first city to have an
electric car service In the United States,
according to r. E. Faulkner Of New
York, who was seen at the Raleigh last
night.
ut seemed a freakish experiment a
quarter of a century ago. he saio, but
progressive Baltimoreans believed in the
idea, and did much to stimulate the de-
velopment of electricity as a means of
transportation in the United States. The
first cars and equipment were very
crude, indeed. I believe they had storage
batteries, or at least partially carried
their own power. They were laughed at
and declared impracticable.
Shortly after being installed at Balti-
more they were tried in Richmond, Va.
There was great interest in electric SER
vice throughout the south-more so than
in any other section of the country. L
think the records will show that the
southern cities had electric cars far
sooner than most of their northern sis
ters."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
TROUBLES OF THE GREAT.

TROUBLES OF THE GREAT.
Just think of all the hardships brought
On people who are noted;
The world must know their every
thought
Tho foods on which they've dotted.
The price they pay for underwear.
The hours that they sleep,
The kind of sports for which they care,
The sort of homes they keep.
When they go out the crowds draw near
And stare to beat the band,
Or hoist them up with rouslng cheer
To grace the speakers stand.
The spotlight beats upon their heads
And never let's them rest
And when they creep into their beds,
BY weighty cares opprest
Reporters with expectant grin
Wait by the bolted door,
While prying wights would still peep in
And question If they snore.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

writes that arrangements for the con-
vention of the American Press Humor-
lists association In Buffalo, September
to Il, have been completed. A busy
week Is in store for the various funny
fellows, as lengthy programme will
show. There will be all kinds of stunts
In and around Buffalo, generous feeds,
auto rides, a, trip to Niaraga Falls,
visit to Fra Elbertus Roycrofters, a
day at the Hamburg fair and plenty of
other fun. Each delegate is expected to
come prepared to "speak a piece" the
best he can do. Despite the fact that such
efforts In the past have been terrible
strain on those who had to listen, the
custom will be continued Quite appro-
priately, 1t has been decided to call the
last day of the meeting, which will be
Saturday, bob Durdett's Day." to show
that the humorlsts have not forgotten
the sunny philosopher and preacher who
will probably be an invalid for the rest
of his life. John d. Wells is the only
member of the association in Buffalo
and he has had q lot of hard work to
do, but he has done himself proud in
getting up a fine programme for the
jokesmiths' convention.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
IN HOTEL LOBBlES
CONGRESSMAN shsnnard of Texas.


Morris Sheppard of Texarkana. repre-
sentative in Congress from the First dis
trict of Texas. who is In Birmingham at
tending the annual meeting of the Wood
men of the World. is one of the ablest and
most popular members of the House on
the democratic side. He is sovereign
banker or national treasurer Of the Wood
men.
Mr.. Sheppard is only 81 years of age
but he has been in Congress eight years.
Al the time of his election to fill the I'M
expired term of his father, who died dur
Ing the Fifty-seventh Congress, he at
tracted attention as the youngest MEM
Der, being only a year over the consttu-
tional age, which is Is years. He is ex-
ceptionally well educated. being a grad
uate of the University of Texas. and aft
erward prize winner In the Yale law
school, He began the practice of law
in 1898. His father, who was popular In
Congress, was a native of Alabama.
THE democrats have fine opportunity
of electing a majority of the next House
of Representatives" said Mr. Sheppard.
ut has looked. indeed. as if we would
have an easy victory. Just now, how
ever, signs of party cleavage among dem
ocrats are appearing. But we should be
able to get together, and If we have
united party In control of the next House
the democracy would be greatly strength
ened for the campaign of 1872
Mr.. Sheppard in reply to questions about
Texas said that his state was gaining in
population and wealth. but the cotton
crop would fall very short. According to
Mr.. Sheppard the most serious problem in
the cotton sections of Texas was that of
negro labor. The negroes, he said. were
steadily leaving the farms and seeking
the cities.
This is my first visit to Birmingham"
remarked Mr.. Sheppard. "Of course, I
had heard great deal about Birming-
ham, and had often passed this way, but
1 had never before had occasion to stop
off here. 1t strikes me as being we'll
built and progressive. On Saturday 1 am
going to take an automobile ride through
the residence sections. wish to see as
much of the city as possible"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
Rate Case Decision In CHICAGO

In the Missouri rate case the deci-
sion Of Judges Grosscup and Kohlsaat
of the United States circuit court at
Chicago relates to the rate from the
Atlantic seaboard to the Missouri
river. Because of the length of the
haul the interstate commission had
made the rate to the Missouri river a
little less than the sum of the haul to
the Mississippi river and the haul
from there to the Missouri river. Tho
court does not say that the commits.
sion could not in a general plan put
the longer haul at something less per
mile than the shorter haul. The court.
however, goes on to say:
But it does not follow that power Of
that character includes power, by the use
OF diHerentials, to artifically divide the
country into trade zones tributary to
given trade and manufacturing centers
the commission in such cases having as
a result to predetermine what the trade
and manufacturing centers shall be: for
such power, vaster than any one bodv
of men has heretofore exercised, though
wisely eXerted in specific instances, would
be putting into the hands of the COM
mission the general power of life and
death over every trade and manufactur
ing in he TTpita5 ctato.p
This is the gist of the Chicago deci-
sion, and a permanent Injunction
clinched its decision so far as a lower
rate to Missouri river points is con.
cerned 81
The effect of the Chicago decision is
plain and simple, namely, the inter-
state commission has no power to
make zones and assign rates to them.
but the railroads themselves have.
This is the long and short of the case.
The railroads, in fact, first created the
trade zones, and the effect of the Chi
cago decision would be to leave the
matter in the hands of the railroads.
where it was before rate regulation
by the government was introduced.
This would be the effect of the Chi
cago decision If 1t is to stand as the
two judges have presented 1t. The
entire case will, however, go to the SUI
preme court of the United States. and
then and not until then will we know
whether the railroads or the interstate
commission are to regulate interstate
| rates
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
Get-TOeether Day

While the board of aldermen are
taking steps to render the absorption
of the municipalities surrounding Biz
mingham feasible. just and convenient
the people are taking steps to cele-
brate the event with spirit and enthu-
siasm. On Monday next representa-
tive citizens from all parts of Greater
Birmingham will meet here to desig-
nate the day of rejoicing and to map
out a programme of public exercises.
Public sentiment seems TO favor the
selection of November as the day of
jubilee-Wednesday. November 3.
President Taft will be here, and it
will not be difficult on that day to
hold the greatest get-together meeting
in the history of Jones valley.
The proposed meeting would go far
toward removing friction and all OBJ
structions to an union of the valley.
Its get-together spirit would be con-
tagious, and every good citizen should
pull for it. The task now is to con-
solidate the valley in one municipali-
ty in all justice and in the best of
good feeling. Every part of the new
city should be treated justly and all
should be made to feel at home in
Greater Birmingham-all should be
impressed with the great underlying
fact that in it and through it lies the
greatest good to the greatest number.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
THE POPULAR VERDICT.

From the Washington Herald.
Some days ago Booker 7. washington
and Jack johnson attended a. meeting In
Chicago in the interests of the education
of the negro. According to the reports.
Jack ]. got the majority of applause,
although, before his presence was dis
covered, Mr.. washington was arousing
considerable enthusiasm.
In reading of the incident. we are In
spired to remark: what an evanescent
thing is fame How easily got (some-
times). and how easily gone!' Here is
Booker Washington, who, as far az
we knew has done great deal for the
colored race, Here is Jack Johnson.
whose claim to recognition comes from
his ability to hand out a wallop. They
meet, and Jack johnson has all the best
of the popular recognition. The question
naturally arises: Was Booker jealous of
his belligerent friend?
We imagine he was a big enough man
not to be. If, In that brief hour of
trial, he had wee desire to be, he had
only to think of many incidents very
similar to his which are furnished by the
records of history There was the in
stance of the eminent man who, on his
death bed, remarked: "I have loved
Justice and hated iniquity; therefore I
die in exile" Evidently, from the tone
of his voice, he was feeling somewhat
disguised with the rewards of virtue.
And Their are number of other ex-
amples which might be quoted, all point
ing to the general lesson, that the man
of the hour often has the inside track
over the man of the day.
After all, in such a case, 1t is the
quality of the applause that should be
taken account Of 1t is much easier TO
grow noisy over a man who steps cleV-
erIy about the ring than 1t Is to grow
noisy over his contemporary who steps
intelligently about public question. The
one is difficult to understand, and must
be digested at leisure. The other car
ries his story on the front of his shirt.
and we can express ourselves without
fear of getting on the wrong tack. Right
there is the essence of the whole thing
and II Booker Washington is feeling
at all peevish about the matter, let him
remember that Alexander Hamilton him
self never arrived at the popular recog-
milton which could have prevented his
being eclipsed for the time being by the
corner blacksmith who in a sudden
rush, saved the prettiest girl in the
village from a watery grave while Alex
ander was fussing around with none
tary problems.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
Prohibition In Mississippi.

II live in a prohibition state" said H.
j. Dashields of Columbus, Miss, "but we
will never attempt to pass any such dras-
tic laws as the legislature of Alabama
has just adopted. With us prohibition
means no saloons and a reasonable check
to the evils of intemperance. But it was
never intended to operate against social
drinking at clubs. Columbus is certainly
a wide-open town compared with Bir-
mingham, and the people seem to be very
well satisfied with the way things are
conducted"
Mr.. Dashields reports business conditions
in Columbus good. The city is prosper
Gus and will show a considerable gain
in the next census. Its population is
now about 10000.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
A BURIED VILLA.
From the Chicago News.
A-AfLnr liooavarxr T,,Aat IT,

From the Chicago News.
Another discovery of great interest was
made not long ago in Pompeii. where the
excavation work is being steadily carried
on. Under the ash deposits there was
found an extensive villa of handsome
construction and ornamented with very
fine frescos. The villa contains statues
and other works of sculpture. both Greek
and Roman, besides very rich furniture,
which is well ornamented, and also many
vases of different kinds
There were also found Golfers filled
with gold and silver money. In the base
ment are great amphorae which were
used for storage purposes and in tho trio
llnium the tables were prepared for
banquet Of 30 persons
Some Of the silver pieces seems to have
been taken out at a previous epoch for
there are traces of clandestine searches
which were made at a former date.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

through the full discharge of ten-ineh
pipe. This is a remarkable showing for
gas and oil in Alabama, and the manage
ment of the company predicts great and
early developments in this line.
THE sand in which the oil and gas
were struck is pure white in color and
Is coarse grained; and this pressure is
furnished by only ten feet of the sand
strata. Much heavier pressure of gas
and a larger flow of oil are expected in
n short while"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
Sian of a Small Town.

when l was in this part of the coun-
try last spring 1 made the prediction that
Alabama would not be a prohibition state
more than four or five years longer" said
Ellis M. Starke of st. Louis, who for
many years represented a large manufac-
turing concern but who is now retired
from active business.
From the temper Of the people L meet
now l would think 1t safe bet that the
majority in the next legislature would
favor a return to local option, provided
the prohibitionists are defeated on the
constitutional amendment proposition.
These new prohibition laws are the
most severe and intoerable that L have
ever come across. Alabama Is already
being ridculed by people in other parts
of the country. These drastic laws may
suit the small towns, although 1 very
much doubt it. Assuredly they set i'll on
Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham.
The fact is that prohibition strictly en-
forced is invariably the sign of a small
town. We never find 1t in the big cities.
True, Memphis is quite large city but
I was there a month ago and found beer
and whisky dispensed at the hotel bars
without any apparent restraint. A legend
on the wall of hotel bars read, Liquor
not legally sold here
q" How Is this? l asked.
"'Well, that's no joke; but nominate
your drink said the bartender.
IT called for what l wanted and got 1t,
and the bartender received the price. Ten
nessee may do something hysterical after
the fashion of Alabama, but the prob
ability is that her statewide prohibition
will in a few years time give place to
some sort of liquor trade regulation.
Georgia, as every one knows, is
progressive state. Its legislature from
time to time delivers itself of freak laws,
but they are soon amended or repealed,
Two years ago the Anti-Saloon league
captured Georgia politicians, but L find
the sale of beer now legalized by being
taxed as near-beer. The proverbial Geor-
gia Yankee politician did not want to see
the state bankrupt so long as beer
could be made to pay a handsome reve-
nue.
ITS Alabama going to stand very long as
the one southern state that seeks to de-
as well as those living here, of the means
of taking a social glass? I imagine not
No matter what sort of so-called tenn
perance laws may be adopted in the flu
ture, exceptions should be made in favor
of the hotel bars and orderly social clubs
Surely the people of Alabama do not
intend to allow their state to be placed
in class with unprogressive Maine. with
its constitutional prohibition Maine is
well endowed by nature, but its popula-
ton today is only little more than
third as large as Alabamas. 1t has in
creased only so per cent in 50 years. And
that is a mighty poor showing, indeed.
have not visited Maine since 1899, but I
suspect that the morals and the Christian
life of that state are not bit better than
we find In Missouri"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
The Iron Market.

Birmingham pig iron for early 1910 de-
livery is beginning to be contracted Tor
at s14 on a No. 2 basis. One of the large
companies has been making few small
tonnage sales for 1910 at $14, and this
week another large company came into
the market for a limited amount OF
business for the new year.
The Sloss-Sheffield has not yet begun
70 ouote for 1870 but it is selling right
o,onp for the last quarter of this year at
s13 20 on a No. 2 basis.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
man gets to be conceited by thinking
he isn't.
The reason a girl likes to hesitate over
a marriage proposal is she is sure she is
going to accept.
Some men will find fault with their
wives II they don't save more out of
their allowance than it amounts to.
An unlucky thing about being lucky at
making money Is all the people you have
to do something FOR with it.
No wonder girl never worries about
not having brains when she sees all she
can do lin men who think they are full
of them.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
Natural Gas and Oil.

"The Providence Oil and Gas company
has just struck in Fayette county what
is perhaps the largest flow of gas, accom-
panied by petroleum ever discovered In
this state" said a man who has been
working for the company
THE gas burns with great pressure ten
feet above the surface of the ground.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
JUST AN OBSERVATION.

'Lenox, Mass. boasts of the richest
choir In the world"
"Tll bet the singing of that choir
doesn't sound any sweeter in heaven
than the singing of little choir way out
in the country somewhere"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

There is peace in Boston, but not
in pure food circles, where benzoate
of soda is a disturbing issue, nor in
the Ballinger-Pinchot neighborhood
where forestry and water powers are
under consideration.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
THE MODERN WAY.

when a compliment Is paid nowadays
It is no longer customary for the recipient
to say Spare my bushes
Nor"
Instead. he says, Thanks: you voice
my sentiments exactly"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
A CHEEKY SOUL.

He wasn't very wealthy and he wasn't
very wise,
But could make the laughter sparkle in
a little fellows eyes
And he had a way of talking that would
make you soon forget
That there was ever in this world a good
excuse to fretl
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

Some people are denouncing the cor
poration tax just to spread the impress
sion that they have an income from
corporations that earn more than
$4,000 a yea
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
THE HARD LUCK PEOPLE.

He set his cap for Happiness
And sang the graoes of her,
In ell the world around. I guess
Was no more constant lover.
But all his pains they came to naught,
He plighted troth with Sorrow,
For some must lose the goal long sought
And some must trouble borrow.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

The results of the war in and about
Boston will not be determined until
the late days of September Boston is
tranquil and safe.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

Greece has sent a letter that salts
fies Turkey, and yet the Turks know
that it Is insincere from beginning to
ending.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

A pension list based on sore feet
will follow the alleged sanguinary bat
ties about Boston.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

14Every hand is against the mosquito,
which is getting many additional slaps
this year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

An Etruscan tomb develops the fact
that high-class dentistry was practiced
5000 years ago. The bill for 1t was
not in the tomb.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

In obedience to an unwritten law
the oyster keeps mum as September
approaches.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

A noiseless hotel would be a GUS
tomless one. 1t is loud persons who
persist in living in hotels.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

The United States of Africa also in
dulges in a grandfather clause in its
fundamental law.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
NOT LIKE GATES.

What sort Of a millionaire is he?"
THE common or garden variety"
What kind is that?'
He wouldn't bet million on dog
fight"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

Senator Tillman Is seeking the rest
and pocket cure on the chautauqua
circuit.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

Aeroplanes seek cover when the
wind blows, but they love soft, wet
grounds.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

King Edward plays croquet, but not
the barefoot sort. His nerves are all
right.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

The revolt against the Cannon-Al-
drich regime is widespread and deter
mined.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

When Mr.. Taft attempts to defend
the new tariff in the middle west he
will have the task of his life.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

The press agent who says the sing
err he serves has had her throat in
sured for $4,000 has a nerve that
should be insured also.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

Our immigration laws are to be
strained to let in Suffragette Pank-
hurst, whose jail record is ample.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

Fortunately for the pole, Wellman's
balloon did not explode over it.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

Cardinal Merry del Val now has
the Popes automobile and he can have
as many joy rides as his name war
rants.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28
A VAIN PETITION.

VAIN IIIIIIUNa
My dreams. my dreams, come back to me
From out the misty past;
The years lie heavy on my heart,
LIES sands are ebbing fast.
Come back, o dreams OF yesterday,
OF bird and bee and song
And hills of blue and smiling fields.
With butterflies athrong.
And bring the barefoot, freckled boys
And lisping little maids,
And tangled walks through woodlands
wild
And vine inclustered glades.
No answer thrills across the years.
IT'S all in vain to sigh
He learns life's lesson passing well
Who learns to say Goodbye"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-28

Irrigation in the stock market
should be minimized, while we can
not have too much of it on the western
plains