davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
CONFERENCE HELD ON
 CANAL QUESTIONS
Taft Talks With Knox and
 Others On Legislation
TOLLS WILL BE FIXED
Discussion Takes Up Trade Aspect Of the Canal Rather Than the Qualifications Along
 the Isthmus

Washington, December 2S.-Immediate | formulation of Panama canal legislation was decided on at the conference at the White House tonight, participated in by President Taft. Secretary of State Knox Secretary of War Dickinson, Senator Flint of California. chairman of the Sen ate committee on interoceanic canals, and Senator Brandegee of Connecticut, also member of that committee, and Representative Mann of Illinois, chair man of the House committee on inter- state and foreign commerce.
 The conference lasted until near mid- night.
 It was generally agreed that immediate action on Panama canal questions was necessary, in order that the commercial world might be able to plan ahead. It was suggested that by having a definite understanding as to the tolls and the trade questions involved an active trade would be assured for the canal from al- most the day of its opening.
 Finding concurrence in his opinion that expeditions legislation is necessary, Pres ident Taft Is said to have concerned him self tonight principally with the trade aspect of the canal rather than fortih- cations. If the latter subject entered Into the discussion at all, 1t is believed to have been subordinated to the matter of tolls. the maintenance of dry dock and repair shop facilities and stations for the sale of coal, oil and other ship supplies
 The general opinion at the conference it was said. favored legislation empow- ering the President to fix tolls within cer- tain limits, taking into consideration dis tance, tonnage and cargo.
 The question whether the government should operate the coal yards and dry docks and whether 1t should pass its war vessels through the canal free and it's coastwise ships and possibly all of its merchant vessels at a lower rate than those of foreign countries was discussed, and tentative plans were launched for the preparation of legislation on these points. It was argued by some that the United States might not be possessed of the legal right to discriminate in favor of its own vessels.
 Suggestions for safeguarding competi- tion between the eastern and western seaboards through possible amendments of the interstate commerce laws making 1t prohibitory for railroads to own or control ships in the canal trade also were advanced, but no conclusions were reached
 Representative Mann and Senators Flint and Brandegee, whose committees will be most concerned with the legisla- tion suggested tonight, are said to con- cur with the President in his idea of immediate action by Congress particu- larly on the subject of tolls in order that interests now thinking of building vessels or otherwise entering into commerce via the canal may be sufficiently informed in advance of the conditions that probably will exist when the canal is opened on the date expected, January l, 1915.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
SERIOUS ALARMS IN
 BUSINESS SECTION
Florence Hotel and Massey Business College Brought Out the Fire
 Fighters Last Night

Two fires in the business section of the city occurred last night that might have been serious had the fire depart ment arrived a few minutes later. As 1t was the fires were extin guished with only a small damage.
 A fire in the kitchen of the Florence hotel last night caused good deal of excitement at the corner of Second ave- nue and Nineteenth street. The fire was in the ventilating shaft and was caused by an explosion of hot grease. The central station answered the call and extinguished the blaze with little trouble.
 A fire. that was harder to find broke out in the building occupied by the Massey Business college last night. The department responded to the alarm but for some minutes was unable to locate the fire. After a search of five min utes it was found in a closet under the stairs. The closet was locked The fire was caused by the Ignition of a gar bage can full of paper. Had the re- ceptacle been wood the fire might have been seroius.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
MEN CONVICTED
 OF CONSPIRACY

Mobile, December 2S.-Sentences, tenn pered with mercy, considering the mag nitude of their acts and the penalty fixed by the federal government, were passed upon Rosswald H. stapleton, George dolph Gum, William Gum and George Brooks by Federal Judge Toulmin in the
 United States district court here today. Dick Garman, who was jointly indicted with the others but turned states evf- dence, pleaded guilty and was given the lightest sentence.
 Called before the bar the first six named were arraigned. Judge Toulmin read to them the law under which they had been convicted. They were convicted by q jury, the court said, of banding together and conspiring to prevent one D. s. Com stock the right to enjoy the privileges of q citizen and upon a home bought of the
 government While the act was not re-
 garded by the court, as heinous. Judge
 Toulmin referred to 1t as one of great lawlessness. The sentences imposed were as follows:
 Rosswald and Stapleton. a fine Of $bOO and IS months Imprisonment. George Ptomey, a fine of s200 and b months imprisonment.
 George Brooks, fine of $900 and three months Imprisonment.
 Robert Robinson, me or $Ap ana three
 months imprisonment.
 William Gum. fine of Noo and 60 days in Jail.
 James Randolph fine of $100 and 10 days in jail
 The men were convicted of banding to- gether and conspiring to prevent D. 5. Comstock the right to enjoy the privileges of citizenship and upon home bought of the government. The men, accovding to the evidence, went to Comstock's home at night, disguised, and fired into the place. and under threats of being killed warned Comstock that he would have to leave the country The offense occurred on government homestead land. and the case came in the United States court. According to United States District Att torney w. H. Armbrecht. the sentences were made light because the cases were the first to come before this court-tnat of the Southern District of Alabama. MT Armbrecht said the next person to De tried for this offense would be severely
 dealt with if convicted. The maximum
 penalty is 5000 fine and 10 years i'm prisonment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
PERSONAL

B. I. Hughes, Jr. of Rome, Ga, was in the city yesterday.
 Jonathan Bryan, a prominent citizen of Richmond, Va, was in Birmingham yes- terday.
 P. E. Kemp. trainmaster of the Louis- vile and Nashville railroad, was In Bir- mingham yesterday. ti
 J. J. Gavan. superintendent of the H. linois Central at Fulton. Ky. was in Bir- mingham yesterday.
 L. P. Salter, general agent of. the Louisville and Nashville at Annistons was in the city yesterday.
 Murray Brown of Goodall. Brown & Co. returned yesterday from Nashville where he spent the holidays with relatives.
 Isadore Shapiro, the well-known young attorney, returned yesterday from Pen- sacola, where he delivered an oration Christmas Day.
 Capt. Frank M. Griffith. district pas senger agent for the Rock Island rail- road, with headquarters in Memphis, was here yesterday He was formerly with the Frisco lines here and ig vssy pcpular in Birmingham. N nseen e.le1 ssH
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
HALE IMPROVED
If No Complications Set In Wounded
 Man May Recover

The condition of Albert Hale, who was shot and seriously wounded Tuesday night at Twenty-sfxth street and Second avenue by William Elledge, was greatly improved yesterday and last night at St. Vincent's hospital, where he was car ried immediately after the shooting
 The hospital authorities state that while his condition Is yet very serious he has more chance for recovery than was at first thought. If no unexpected compli- cations set in the chance for his recovery Is good. He has greatly improved in the past 24 hours.
 Elledge is being held at the city jail without bond on charge of assault with intent to murder
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
6. ". PRATT TELLS
 OF BIG EXPLOSION
BIRMINGHAM MAN WAS ON TRAIN WHICH ARRIVED AT SCENE JUST TWELVE MINUTES AFTER NEW YORK DISASTER

G. W. Pratt, prominent real estate man of this city, returned yesterday from New York and while there escaped the awful New York Central railroad power house explosion by only 12 minutes. He was In New York on the morning of the explosion that claimed two-score lives as it's toll and remained there several days.
 He said the tr; upon which he was travelling was du in New York at 7:3o a. m, but was running late. The ex- ing and his train pulled up to the blocked street at SIP a. m. or 12 minutes after the terrible accident. In talking of the accident yesterday MT. Pratt said:
 "The entire district around the explo- sion was almost ruined. Our train ar rived there about 12 minutes after the accident and looked over all the ground to which I could get. I saw the street car which was thrown from the tracks and hit an automobile. killing four per- sons. strange thing about that was that the driver was not hurt. although his seat was torn all to pieces by the flying street car. The two cars were perfect wrecks. The explosion caused property damage amounting to at least s4,G00, 900, which will be borne by the com pany. Tn addition, there will be a world of damage suits against them on account of the accident. I saw many of the in- jured persons and was there while res- cuers were searching for others buried under the wreck. Plate glass windows were shattered for many blocks away. There were several buildings near by which were razed to the ground by the force from the explosion.
 "No one who ever saw that explosions effects will ever forget the scenes. The oldest citizens of New York cannot re- call any accident which resulted so dis astrously for people and property.
 "The cause of the accident has been misleading, according to the best version. It is said there that leak in a gas main running under the shops had been found and was known for some time. A work man was passing along with pick and The blow caused spark and this ignited the gas. The flames were communicated along the gas main and up 1t went. There Is one thing sure, I will always be willing to ride on late trains here after. For if we had not been as late as we were our train would have surely gone up in the explosion. We were de- toured around the city for several miles,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
JOSEPH ELECTED PRESIDENT Popular Man HonOred By Live Mont
 gomery Organization

Montgomery, December B.-(Special)-- Following almost one month upon his retirement as president of the Montgom- cry Baseball club. Edward B. Joseph. one of the city's most popular business men, has been unanimously elected president of the Business Mems league, one of the livest commercial clubs of the south In addition to MT. Joseph. officers have been elected as follows: Vice presidents,
 tres Loeb. M. c. Scott and J. c. Haas; directors, Julian Giblan. Sam
 nan. r. D. Kohn, J. T. fletcher. T. ls Lovejoy, Emmanuel Meertief, F. H. N't-r and T. J. Reynolds.
 MT. Joseph succeeds s. J. Cassels as president Of the league, MT. Cassels' term of office being near an end.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
w. NJ. Currie Arrested

w. M. Currie was arrested yesterday morning by Deputy Sheriff Ed Wilson. charged with embezElement in Muskogee, Okla. The arrest was made on informa- ton received in a telegram from Deputy Joseph Depew of Muskogee. Currie re- fused to make a statement in regard to the affair and demanded acquisition pa pers before returning to Oklahoma. It is understood that the charge grew out of some Insurance business and that the amount involved was less than 5000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Wanted For Two Crime.

Detectives Wren. Gates and Horan killed two birds with one stone when they ar rested negro burglar named John Banks In the home of J. T. Dunlap, 11O1 McCul- lom street, south, last night. The police headquarters were notified that a negro burglar had been caught in the house and that he was being held The detec- lives rushed to the scene and captured the negro. After he was brought to the office 1t was found that he was wanted for grand larceny in Montgomery. The department received a telegram from Chief Taylor yesterday asking that the negro be located.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
New Ice Company Formed

Articles of incorporation for the Wood lawn Ice company, capitalized at $40 GO. were filed yesterday in the office of the probate court. The company Is au- thorized to engage in the manufacture of ice with offices in Woodlawn, and will be- gin business with $23000 of the capital stock paid in. Officers and incorporators are w. J. Worthington, president and treasurer; R. s. Mauchline, secretary, and J. l.. Worthington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Judge I. H. Benners ReOpcns Court

Inferior Judge I. H. Benners reopened his court yesterday after adjournment dating from last Saturday Judge Ben ners will have to bear the brunt of all the inferior court litigation this week, as Judge Abernethy will not reopen his di vision until next Monday. Judge Ben ners issued great number of petty war rants yesterday, but no criminal proceed ings of importance are in sight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
ELECTION TO-DAY
Second Regiment VIII Elect Successor
 To Major E. F. Baber

An election will be held today in the Second regiment for the election of a major to succeed the late p. F. Baber.
 The candidates are Capt M. D. Smith of Company B. Birmingham; Capt. E. H. Jackson, Company A. Montgomery. and Capt. K. B. Mckenzie, Company c. Eufaula.
 The line officers will cast their votes today and forward them to the colonel by mail. It will be several days before the result will be announced.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Rev. Au.tin J. rhsmes in City

The Rev Austin J. Thames of Palmyra, Mo, is spending few days with his sis ter, Mrs. Harvard McTIenry. in West End. The Rev. MT. Thames graduated from Howard college 12 years ago and went west where he Is prominent as a Bap- tist minister. He Is well known in Ala bama and the Birmingham district. This is his first visit to Birmingham since his graduation 12 years ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
To Investigate Roberts, Death

Coroner B. L. Brasher will hold the investigation of the shooting of w. W. Roberts on the stage of the Bijou the atre last Saturday afternoon this after noon at o'clock in his office in the courthouse George L. Sherer Is being held for the killing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Theft. Reported Yesterday

The following small thefts were reported to the police station yesterday: Flora walker, one lot of bed clothing and linen; Frank S. White, one automobile; c. H. Hudson, one bucket, $40 worth of type. number of furniture blocks. two type sticks; Lizzie Hendricks, one pair of shoes, S4.75 in cash; Clifford Grocery com pany. one overcoat. one dress coat, one revolver.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Adiustment Company Incorporated

The Acme Adjustment company, which will conduct an agency for the collection of old debts, was yesterday incorporated, application for. charter being filed in the office of the probate court The officers and incorporators of the company are Hugh c. Crane, president; N. K Crane, vice president; NJ. Dyer, secretary; L. E. Crane and J. J. Crane.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Senator Turner Ill

Mobile, December 28.-(Special. .)-State Senator B. D. Turner of Washington county is a patient in Providence infirm- ary, this city, to which he was taken to- day as a result of sudden attack of ill., ness. It is not thought that his condition is serious, however. and 1t is believed that he will be able to take his seat when the legislature meets next month.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
No Relatives FOuud

Chattanooga. December 2S.-(Spe- cial.)-The local police have been un- able to discover any living relatives of Mrs. c. A. Hill, an aged white woman, who was found dead in rooming house at Market Square last night. The woman formerly lived in Montgomery, Ala iss
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Americans Entertained

Admiral Thomas B. Howard, commander of the Fourth division of the United States Atlantic fleet. and the other offi- cers of the warships were entertained today at the residence of the mayor on the occasion of their farewell visit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Mount Etnn stiIl Smoky

Catania. Sicily, December 28.-Mount Et- na continues to emit flames and smoke, but no lava. The people who for a time were wrought up over the possibility of disaster are nov tranquil and 1t is believed the volcano will soon supsiJ1s.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
THE TOUGH or THE
 ARTIST

There Is character to every malfr work. either crude or artistic. Jas. IT. Finders eye-glass work shows the touch of the artist that 1t is dimcult to- equal. Call on him for perfect eye glass ed5uetment 3os N. Ninsteenth
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Review By the Iron Age

New York, December 2S.-tSpecial.)- The Iron Age will say tomorrow:
 Actual iron market developments of the closing week of the year relate to the basic departments of the industry rather than finished material. In the coke trade a number of contracts are reported. in cluding one for 1900 tons and one for 12OOO tons a month for the first half of next year and one for 15.000 tons month for the entire year.
 There is better feeling among coke producers and the very low prices re- gently quoted have been withdrawn. Con- tract Connellsville coke Is now more gen. orally on a 1.75 basis.
 The Lake Superior ore situation has assumed importance in view Of recent meeting in connection with the proposal to maintain the 1910 prices throughout 1911. In 1908 1t will be recalled that the high ore prices of 1907 were held for awhile, in line with the general price maintenance policy, but in May, under actual buying, declined 50 cents ton.
 The pig iron market has grown even quieter in the past week.
 Tn the Chicago district local foundry iron interests have made fresh conces- sions to move accumulated iron. South ern iron must be sold below S11 Birming- ham to compete now in the northwest. Tn finished lines buyers are awaiting the outcome of the present uncertainty re- garding prices and that attitude may con- tinue for some time. A dinner confer ence of steel manufacturers, on the in vitation of Chairman Gary, will be held in New York January Il.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
Bur.ed By Roman Candle

John Mccoy, the popular deputy clerk of the circuit court, iS suffering with a badly burned and lacerated hand as a re- suit of the explosion of a roman candle in his hand Monday night MT. Mccoy is doing two handa's work. however. si@t !.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-29
FAIR RECORD MADE
 IN IRON BUSINESS
Creeping Paralysis Has Affect
 ed Trade This Year
STARTED WITH SPURT
Iron and steel Industries Began the Year With Activity and Promise But the Trade Soon
 Stacked Up

Cleveland, December 2S.-(Special.) 1.-The Iron Trade Review tomorrow will say:
 The year 1909 will long be remebered on account of the wonderful recovery from profound depression to great prosperity which took place without the violent fluctuations in prices which characterized other periods. The year closing will be re- called on account of the wholly unex- pected and steady decline which followed g few weeks of the great activity and splendid promise.
 It has been a year of creeping paralysis Of trade. The decrease in business was not, however, so sudden as to, prevent many companies from making good showing on the total business of the year.
 In fact. a surprisingly large number of the manufacturers report that 1910 has been a record year with them. In the absence of all business of importance In the way of new orders much attention Is being given 10 the question of prices and in some centers there seems to be grow ing sentiment that definite action should be taken at an early date upon prices of finished steel and ore.
 On the other hand the opinion is held by many that 1t would do absolutely no good and might even cause further de- pression to reduce prices at the present time. AS to what will be done nobody knows.
 Export business continues good. pos sibly due to the fact that some other countries-notahly Great Britain are now enjoying prosperity.
 The month has been a light one for structural contracts. the total being about e0 600 tons. of which about 25,0Oo went 10 the American Bridge company. The ma- terial for the Bon Marche store. Seattle, 1I50 tons, will be fabricated by the Vul- can Iron Works of that city. Some of the steel may be imported.
 Stone & Webster, Boston. are in the market for 15,OOO tons steel for pipe line near Seattle.
 In the city of Vancouver, B. C., build ings to be erected in the spring will re- ouire about 5000 tons. Bids have been submitted on S50Oo tons for a bridge across the Willamette river at Portland, Oregon.
 The long expected meeting of iron and steel manufacturers to consider prices and other matters has been called.
 There will be a dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, Wednesday. January Il, and probably number of meetings will be held during the same week.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-05-28
OHIO AVIATORS TO
TRY FOR Big Prize
Dixon and KnabenShue Ready
II CurtiSS Falls.

Columbus, O., May 2S.-If Glenn II.
Curtiss fails in his attempt to fly
from Albany to New York for a prize
of $4,000, Cromwell Dixon, the
daring boy aeronaut of this city, will
attempt to capture the big prize. Roy
Knabenshue of Toledo is also at Al
bany and will make try for the
prize.
The distance by rail is 143 miles,
but by the aerial route 1t is estimat-
ed the navigators will be obliged to
fly at least $50 miles. They are per-
mitted by the rules to make two
stops. The route will be down the
historic Hudson and the landing at
Battery Park.
Cromwell Dixon is well known all
over the United States. In an airship
made by himself and propelled by a
bicycle gearing, worked by leg pow
er, he has made several ascensions in
Columbus.
In one he was blown far out of his
course and the thousands who saw
the figure Of the boy against a threat
ening and storm-driven cloud bank
thought his end had come. He has
appeared before the st. Louis Aero
club and has the nerve to try and
break the worlds record in case
Glenn Curtiss fails. He Is at Albany
and eager to make the attempt.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-05-28
ADMITS Hf WAS BUMPED
Patten Explains Why He Unloaded
September Wheat at Loss.

Chicago May 2S.-While admitting
that he bad sold practically all his
wheat, and explaining why he had
done so, reports were received from
New York that James A. Patten was
unloading his cotton holdings. Mean
time wheat in Chicago continued in
its slump September wheat, In which
Patten was said to be most deeply
interested dropped from closing
price of 98 cents to 9lh cents.
In explaining why he had closed
out his wheat, Patten admitted he
had received a hard pounding. But
my holdings and losses have been
exaggerated" he declared. while
still believe | was right, and that
anyone who accumulaes a line of
wheat before the 1911 crop appears
will make money, | saw 1t was no
use for mo to continue holding the
sack with everyone pounding me.
Wall street is anxious to see the for.
eign markets open for our bread
stuffs so as to bring stream of gold
TO this country. But believe there
will not be more than enough to go
around In home consumption"
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-05-28
James 3. Heard From.

Boston, May 2S.-James B. Connoi
ly, a writer of sea stories. has In
structed lawyers in Washington tc
bring suit for damages against AS.
sistant Attorney General Lawler Of
the department of the interior Mr..
Connolly bases his claim for dam.
ages on the statement made by Mr..
Lawler at one of the Ballinger hear.
ings recently, that one of the gum
shoe men who had been on his trail
was "writer of sea stories, Connol.
ly, the same man who trampled over
the bodies of women and children to
reach the boats on sinking steam.
err" The amount of damages is not
known here, but is believed to be
$4,000.