davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
IN THE BRYAN DISCARD

From the Omaha Bee.
 MT. Bryan seems to think the only essential difference between Harmon and Underwood is that one is old, tho other young, and that Wall street Is veerlng it's support around to the latter on that account. Of course, both have defied MT. Bryan; therefore, both are in his discard. Should either become the democratic standard bearer the peo- pie will have only to turn to the files of the Commoner to learn that he Is the agent of predatory wealth; they will not have to take the word of the republicans for that.
 Mr. Bryan announced some months ago that he would perch himself on the watch tower and cry out the pitfalls in the line of democratic candidates as they swung in succession before his monitory review. He is keeping his word by uncovering these two of the three most conspicuous democratic can didates as Wall street tools, trust trus- tees, vested interests faithful satraps. Of course should either be nominated, it is not to be supposed that Mir. Bryan would revise his estimate of him.
 MT Bryan is not as outspoken as to his preferred candidate. He has in ferentially leaned toward Folk, Clark, Hoke Smith and Foss, all of whom, he doubtless knows, are out of serious consideration. The democratic possi- bilities for the nomination are general ly ranked thus-Harmon. Wilson, Un- derwood. MT. Bryan is silent as to Will son and violently antagonistic to the other two. Toss he lauds because he has been reelected governor of Mas sachusetts, ignoring the fact that it is by a majority one-third that of one year ago. But observation will show that MT. Bryan has seldom been fortu nate in picking a winner
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
wHITEwAsHING sAPPHo

Paris Correspondence New York Sun.
 A year ago Paul Girard attempted to rehabilitate Phryne at the annual meet ing of the Five Academies by arguing that no evidence could be found in an- cient writings to prove the immodesty attributed to her on the occasion of her famous trial before the court of the Heliasts at Athens. This year Theodore Renach follows suit by un- dertaking to whitewash Sappho of Losbos. He depicts her as a sort of Mme. de Maintenon of antiquity, who as an impoverished young widow kept a sort of pension at Lesbos for high born girls, where music. art, poetry. dancing and the art of dress were taught them. Reinach quoted some of the verses of the ancient Poetess of Passion as proof that the writer could not be an impure woman. This was especially plain, he said, since the recent discovery of an
 ode in which she prays for her brothers $ return from Egypt, where he was vast ing the money he had earned in wine trading on the Greek courtesan Rhodopis.
 M. Reinach maintained that fables had grown around Sappho, who be- longed to family which was noble enough to suffer banishment, whereas
 noted courtesans were always of the
 most humble birth or foreigners.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
STOLE A LOCOMOTIVE

From the Minneapolis Journal
 Gen. Greenville M. Dodge, president of the Society of the Army of the Tennes- see, was talking one Memorial Day in Council Bluffs about railroading.
 'The best piece of railroad work I ever heard of" he said. was performed in in great need of a locomotive, and their only hope was to capture one. So small band of men was selected from Lees army and placed under the com mand of tall Georgian, who had been foreman of a quarry and knew good deal about derricks and rigging.
 'Well, the Georgian took his men into Maryland, they tore up a section of the Baltimore and Ohio tracks, Jagged the first train. and. with nothing but rope, dragged a locomotive 57 miles up hills, across streams, through woods and swamps, till they struck a line built by the Confectionery.
 When the President of the Baltimore and Ohio heard of this feat he would not believe it. He went out and per- sonally inspected the route, and he said on his return that it was the most won derful piece of engineering that had ever been accomplished After the war he sent for the tall Georgian and, on the strength of that one exploit, made him roadmaster of the whole Baltimore and Ohio.
 Any man. MT. Garrett said, who can pick up a locomotive with fishing lines and carry it over a mountain has passed his civil service examination with me ,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
Railroads and the Square Deal

At the third annual meeting of the manufacturers of railway equipment and supplies, held in New York last week, Governor O'Neal delivered an address in which he told great truths and explained the square deal in rail- road regulation. He explained the principles that permit the public to regulate property affected with a public use. This is the case of rail- roads. They should be controlled by the public for the common good.
 Governor O'Neal demanded for each sovereign state the full attributes of sovereignty. "If," he said, "the right to regulate intrastate rates reason ably does not reside in the state 1t resides nowhere" On this point, ad ded Governor O'Neal, there can be no compromise.
 But he went on to say that in the exercise of this sovereignty there should, on the states part, be spirit of equity, a sense of fair play-a. square deal. "Confiscatory rates made by a state," said Governor O'Neal, fare as bad as predatory rates made by railroads Alabama had taken the just and middle ground. While requiring from public service corporations just and impartial service without rebates or discrimi- nations or exactions, she offers to the railroads fair treatment and the equal protection of the law, including the opportunity to earn just and reason able compensation. The result is that a cordial feeling exists today in Ala bama between the people and the car riers, feeling that is plainly the out growth of policy of wisdom, justice and moderation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
The Utopian Idea in Cotton

'The proposition from New York bankers, said to have been made through certain representatives ostensibly or southern planters and state governments, as outlined in the press dispatches Wednesday. is almost absurd on Its faee' | and suggests that there are innocents abroad. and they are from Dixie. too' said Percy Clark.
 "In the first place, any bank In Ala bama will lend farmer $25 on an aV- craze of grade and weight bale or cot ton, and at 6 per cent per annum interest. For four months the interest would not be over 50 cents. Now, to weigh ana grade cotton costs only 20 cents per bale. But why grade cotton as far as the farm CT is concerned? He sells his cotton on sample, or average of class on the table, and really when the staple is in de- mand class cuts but a nominal figure as the buyer buys the table on the round price per bale, very often we'll over quo tatiors.
 "Of course, if there were enough hold CTS os cotton under this agreement there would be Q quick advance, and it is not improbable that 15 cents would be the March market. The proposition of nam- ing a fixed price for sales Is impracti- cable for the reason that the mills could meet this by short time
 After the distress or forced cotton is out of the way, the staple will bring a fair value, possibly 15 cents; 1t may go to 15 cents, even on the big crop, on ac- count of increased demand and the wid- ening ct the field of use of cotton.
 While it is true that there is some distress among merchants and farmers who are holding cotton, rather than sell at the present prices, yet there is no doubt but that the turn of the year will see better priees-yes very much nearer a fair value of the staple than it is now brinainnn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
Is This to Be Barren Century?

Dr. Inge, the dean of St. Paul's ca- thedral in London, has the blues when ever he contemplates the present cen tury. Science is advancing, but nothing else is. But Dr. Inge becomes the gloomiest when he compares this cen tury with the preceding one and the great Vitorians which it brought forth. When he contemplates the difference he sees signs of exhaustion. He sees stagnation in ethics, philosophy, liter ature and art. He calls aloud for men that measure up to the distinguished Victorians of the dead and gone cen tury. No Napoleon, or Tennyson, or Ruskin, or Carlisle, or Darwin, or Thackeray appears.
 But Dr. Inge is very previous, to use a little slang. This century is in It's infancy, and Dr. Inge does not know what it will be when it has reached it's last quarter, for it was in the last quarter of the nineteenth century that its greatest achieve ments came.
 The truth seems to be that this cen tury will be more devoted to eco- monies and social reforms than to philosophy, literature and art. It may not be as brilliant as the nine teenth century, but it will be more practical in it's charities. It may do more for the oppressed and depressed. It may do vastly more in bringing in political liberty and equality. The number of republics is increasing, and If China should become republic even Dr. Inge would be puzzled to find in the century he admires ar event of equal significance and hu- manity. The world will be humanized Tn the twentieth century even if nc rivals of the Victorians appear. The century is still young and pr. Inge should not judge it in its earliest days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
It Was a Grand Ovation

The Chamber of Commerce banquet to Oscar w. Underwood at the Coun- try club last night was as brilliant and joyous as it was representative. It was a splendid affair, indeed, and took the form of an ovation to Ala bama's foremost citizen. While it was not intended as the launching of Congressman Underwood's candidacy for the democratic presidential nomi- nation, it was plainly seen that Ala bama stands ready to urge his cause, and to support him with whole hearted unanimity first, last and all the time.
 One of the striking features of the Underwood movement which Is spreading over the country Is its spontaneity. In years past states men of both parties aspiring to the presidency have organized and set in motion the machinery to aid them in the attainment of the great political prize which they sought. But in MT. Underwood's case all this hearty ral- ly to him comes without any sort of organization or any word from him.
 Larger banquets have been held than the one last night, but none was was ever quite so significant. AL though it was non-partisan, it was, in a large sense, epoch making. It will certainly pass into Alabama's annals as one of, the most notable of many notable events.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
RECORD OF TELEPHONE TALK

fTOHl tHe NeW foFK WOflQ.
 You had better be very careful what you say over the telephone after this. X machine has been invented which makes an exact duplicating record of every word spoken into the telephone.
 One objection which has often been raised against the telephone in the past is that it lecyes no trace whatever of the conversation transmitted. Thus. a tele- phone conversation can never figure in a lawsuit. It is not surprising, therefore. that for some time past efforts have oeen made to devise an apparatus by means of which permanent record can be kept of the words spoken over the telephone, and the photograph has often been thought of in this connection.
 According to a note reproduced. from La Nature from l. 'Eletricista, Prof r. Perortti has just scored a success in this direction. The telephone receiver is com posed of two loud speaking telephones; one of these is furnished with the usual mouthpiece; the other is connected with the vibrating membrane of Pathe phon- ograph. The nt4.required for this telephone is a little greater than for o,di- nary installations The phonograph rec ord can be made to reproduce the speech in the usual manner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24

From Judge.
 The ever beautiful Lillian Russell should live at Butte, Mont.
 The osculatory Richmond P. Hobson should take up his abode at Mt. Kissco, N. Y.
 The talkative Senator LaFollette should t,v a season at Chatty-nooga, Tenn.
 The members of the cabinet should flourish at Council Bluffs, Ia.
 The motorlst auto try Mobile.
 The bicyclst should do the same with Wheeling.
 The average coal dealer might profit from a season at Fulton, N. Y.
 The surgeon out of a job might settle at Lansing, Mich.
 A Bcstonan in exile might find comfort at Lima, O.
 As between Lockport and Freeport, the average jaiibird would probably prefer the latter.
 A bill collector might find the climate of Dunlsirk, N. Y, more or less saiu- brious.
 The unappreciated old maid might stand a better chance if she moved to Man chester.
 The Emperor of Germany sent into eX- ile might settle at Williamsburg.
 Under the same circumstances the King of England might go to Georgetown, al. though his illustrious grandmother would have been happier at Vicksburg.
 A Romeo under sentence. given choice of penitentiaries, might choose Joliet.
 Madam Bernhardt might spend the last years of her life in Saratoga.
 A chronic knocller might find relief from d season oa the Kickapooh reservation
 A first class home for an amateur Wal ton ought to be found at Fishkill, N. r.. If you want to start puppy farm why not try Youngsters, N. Y.? Retired Tammany leaders should enjoy the breezos of BosS-ton. For stenographer, Carbon-dale ought to prove a good field of endeavor For an opera singer, there should be few places like Sing Sing or anywhere on the high or deep seas. For the author of thing like this well. Tombstone would seem more ap- propriate than Yuma.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24

mittee very properly decided to ask Mr. Rockefeller if he wished to appear, and a like invitation was, extended to the Rev. F. D. Gates, who was a per sonal friend of the oil magnate. Both are to have an opportunity to be heard.
 It is to be hoped both will appear before the committee. When they have testified the essential facts in chapter of American industrial his tory will be disclosed, and people will read and discuss it freely. It will not, however, have much, if any, bearing on the present control of the ore sup ply of the country and the cost of moving that ore to the furnaces.
 It is an old story that the Merritts have disclosed. They had discovered a valuable deposit of iron ore-valua- ble beyond even their widest dreams, but they had no money and could bor- row none, and so their holdings were lost to themselves. Those holdings went to swell the vast wealth of the oil king, who had an abundance of free capital. All this is twice-told tale, and it means little to the general public, however interesting it may be to the newspaper reader and to the man who is seeking a new sensation.
 MT. Rockefeller's testimony, in case he appears before the committee, will be read with interest and that will close an incident full of dramatic fea- lures, The story will not be complete until the sage of the Pocantico Hills appears before the committee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
No Roosevelt Platform Possible

When the average man is oppressed by the high cost of living he will be far more apt to attribute high prices to a high tariff than to defects in the Sherman antitrust law. In other words, it will not be feasible to change the great issue of 1912. Col onel Roosevelt demands federal commission or bureau to take charge of all interstate business other than railroads, and President Taft will perhaps in his annual message recom- mend the adoption of a federal incor- poration act, but on the eve of a presidential election no one need ex pect any material changes in. the antitrust act. The trust problem will go over to new Congress and new administration, and the eXactions of the tariff will continue to be the controlling issue of the coming cam paign.
 All will see this as soon as Chair man Underwood arrives in Washing ton and begins to revise one schedule after another. Each revised schedule will be lesson in the prices of liv- ing-a national lesson that millions will eagerly heed and appreciate. Let us hope every one of the IA schedules will be revised before the long session adiourns, for then the democratic party will have full platform to go to the country on. No doubt the trust problem will receive some con- sideration, but to the average man the system of protection for profits will appeal much more cogently and persuasively.
 When all know that an exorbitant tariff rate was imposed in order to let the beneficiaries of it exploit home consumers, it is not strange that tar if revision will naturally and inevi- tably remain the foremost issue of the coming campaign. In the light of Col onel Roosevelt's brilliant article ii may have seemed otherwise, but when the needs of the average man are given due consideration it is seen that the chief issue of the campaign rests in the hands of the well equipped floor leader and chairman of the ways and means committee
 Upon his shoulders rests the formu. lation of the chief issue of the com ing campaign, and neither Colone Roosevelt nor MT. Taft can turn ths thoughts of the people from it to ths general trust question.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
A SLICK SCHEME

From the Chicago Post.
 How do you manage to sell so many motor cars?" was asked of the salesman who wears diamonds and silk hat, and smokes 50 cent cigars
 'I don't mind telling you if you treat. it confidentially,' he replied. You know, nest people judge q machine by the speed. it can make. Well. there's quite little stretch of road about 10 miles out of the city. I get the prospect to take a ride in the machine I want him to buy. When. we reach that stretch of road I let her out for all she's worth-generaily about 30 miles an hour. Pretty soon my part. ner disguised as constable, stops up and asserts vehemently that he has timed us and we were going S5 miles an hour. After some wrangling I manage to buy him off, and on the way home l close the deal with the prospect"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
Presidential Possibilities

"The feeling with regard to politics sometimes changes easify, and in recent weeks 1 think the change has been in
 favor of the republicans,' said Jere N. Cullington of Chicago. Three months ago it looked as though the republican party was doomed to defeat in 1912 but in the past two or three weeks there has been a more buoyant feeling among re- publicans. and a get together spirit is now manifested I vote the republican ticket and would be willing to make d wager that President Taft would be renomi- mated. If the democrats nominate . strong man for President the republicans will be put to it. It is too far ahead to bet as to which party would win Many of my democratic friends think that Har- mon will be nominated, but hear good deal of talk about Congressman Under wood and his chances for the nomination
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
As to Tipsy Men

q beg to differ with the citizen who criticized the police for arresting men who were only slightly tipsy, said q business man. Tn the recent election voted for the saloon. While I am not a drinking man myself, I believe that every large city ought to have a limited num- Der of high licensed saloons. One reason why I am against prohibition is that am in favor of personal liberty for every man so long as he does not infringe upon the rights of his neighbor. But in taking the side of the saloon I am In favor of the very strictest regulation. It is all right for men to drink in moderation, but when a man drinks enough to make him tipsy he should not be allowed to walk the streets. I think the discipline of arrest is wholesome in itself. When man is groggy, arrest him ana lock him up is my advice to the police. If such an in- dividual has any self respect he will not violate the rules of sobriety again. The citizen who criticized the police for being eager to make arrests said men of promi- hence had been drunk on the streets and had been taken home by officers instead oi lo tue iochuP' anu 'iie iiieihioiioi "aS made that the rich and Influential man escaped arrest while the poor man was humiliated by being haled to the police court.
 Everyone who patronlzes a drinking place should be extreme.y careful not tc do anything that would bring the saloon in disrepute again. There is no reason why Birmingham should not have mode saloons, and one way to help the saloon situation is for the police to enforce the law rigidlY."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
BAyARD TAYLOR WORKED HARD

w. D. Howells, Literary Friends and
 Acquaintances."
 He was a tireess worker, was Bayard Taylor. and at last his health failed un- der his labors at the newspaper desk, benoatl, the midnight gas, when he should long have rested from such labors. l be- lieve he was obliged to do them through one of those business fortuities which de- form and embitter all our lives; but he was not the man to spare himself in any case. He was always attempting new things, and he never ceased endeav- bring, to make his scholarship reparaton for the want of earlier opportunity and training l remember that I met him once in Q Cambridge street with book in his hand which he let me take in mine It was a Greek author, and he said he was just beginning to read the language at 50--a patriarchal age to me of the early thirties! I suppose I int- mated the surprise I felt at his taking it up so late in the day, for he said, with charming seriousness, "Oh, but you kfnow, I expect to use it in the other world" Yes, that made it worth while, know, expect to use it in the other world? "As sure as I am of this" he said and I have always kept the i'm pressIon of the young faith which spoke In his voice. and was more than his words.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
Another Story of Iron

The story told by Alfred and Leon ldas Merritt of Duluth concerning their loss to John D. Rockefeller of ore interests in the Lake Superior re- zion is full of human interest, but it has small relation to the subject of ore supply that the Stanley commit tee was appointed to investigate. Aft q the Merritts had testified the com
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-24
old Ways and New

T have not dabbled in sociology. but have taken some degree of interest in political economy and a great deal of in- terest in domestic economy said man of family. What must strike any cas- ual observer is the lack of ordinary econ- omy in families of small means. Twenty years ago Sl5OO would maintain family in comfort and something could be saved out of that amount. Today most fami- lies limited to an income of s15oO year barely make beth ends meet. Many run in debt on $150O year. One reason is the habit children have of spending nickels every day for ice cream, soft drinks and other stuff altogether unnecessary. When I was small boy I was fond of sweet things. My father was rich, and he was also indulgent with his family, but if got 10 cents week to spend for trash thought I was doing well. Children were taught not to be spendthrifts.
 T know family in my block that Is somewhat poverty stricken, but it is safe to say that the children in that family spend at least 25 cents day at a soft drink stand. We have heard a great deal of bowling about the economic waste which the liquor habit causes, but I be- lieve there is just as much of an economic waste from indulgence in soft drikns. It is a pity for anyone to cultivate the strong drink habit. Beer and wine, and even whisky occasionally, can be indulged in, I suppose, without injury to the in- divdual, and so can limeade and coca cola, but it is certainly a great waste to spend much money on connections that do nothing to nourish the body or brace the nervous system. What is needed, it seems 10 me, is more rigid domestic econ- omy in the childrens department