davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
BIGGEST LINER

London Correspondent New York World.
 The Standards Queenstown correspond ent states that the Hamburg American Line has placed an order for a vessel nearly twice as long as the towers of Cologne Cathedral are high" The height of the towers is 512 feet
 She will be an distorted floating palace, carrying 5dbo passengers. There would be so,0O0 horsepower, or twice the horsepower of the Titanic or Olympic.
 As there are not sufficient dock accom- mediation will be huge marble swimming bath, an exact copy of the one found at Pompeii, with mosaic pavements.
 As theer are not sufficient dock accom- modations on the American side now pre- visions will have to be made in New York or elsewhere. Montauk Point has been mentioned as suitable for new docks in place of those at Hoboken.
 A special meeting of the Cunard com pany has been called for December 19 to consider a plan for encouragement of the company; capital. The effect of the new proposal would be to increase the capital from s1O,o00,COO to $15,0O0o, GOO, this being explained as necessary for the company s developments.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15

Paris Correspondence New York Evening
 Post.
 l have passed the Christmas holidays in Paris for more years than I care to count. But there is one thing which is always new to me. It is the oldest of all the public observances of the season, ex- cepting the midnight mass in the churches on Christmas eve. It has nothing to do with the religious festivities; at least, not nowadays; but it began ages ago, when all popular fife gathered round the universal religious feasts and lasts. It is the "baraques," or trading booths, which are set up along the curbstones of the boule- wards of Paris and the main streets of cities and towns all through France for two weeks from the Saturday before Christmas. When the weather has been bad, it is one of the few privileges of the presidents wife to ask week longer for these Christmas booths to sell their wares and it is always granted.
 Americans, when their senses are not tuned to old countries, cannot understand this setting up of little wooden sheds in streets just when they are most crowded Their open side is naturally on the pave where people are passing. Their front is one display of novelties to make the pass ers-by stand and gape and gather incon- veniently for those who are always in a hurry to get farther. You cannot see the Paris boulevard by day or night without being caught up in the crowd before them; for their lamps flare far into the night, AS lOnpr D renrla in, f,r the illuminated cafes just across the walk. It is the business of a country whose people, even in gerat city, have all the time there is-and for whom time waits
 These booths are indeed survivals of the old times, when a great deal of trading was done in seasonable fairs. The suburb of Paris, and all the neighborhoods of France still have their appointed days and weeks of such fairs. The three weeks fair which in June takes possession of the two miles of the wide main avenue of Neuilly goes back to the first half of the thirteenth century, when Neuilly was village growing up al the new ferry for Parisians to lcross the Seine. It is the most famous example; but the fair of the Ternes inside the gates of Paris may be older. And in Marseille, where the sun shines warm in winter, the Christmas booths are like a fair; and there is still a theatre to give play of fair mounte- banks of the Middle Ages. with St. Jo- seph and the Virgin talking persuasive Provencal to the brgands that waylay them in their flight into Egypt with the Child.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
KING PETER IN PARIS
From the Philadelphia Public Ledger
 rrl,o Erannh raennle who are Wilf

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
 The French people, who are wildly acclaiming King Peter of Servia in
 their metropolis, because 40 years ago
 he fought in their behalf against Prus-
 sia, are discreetly silent as to the sim.
 ister event which placed Peter on the throne.
 It was on June Il, 1903, that King
 Alexander and Queen Draga of the
 rival house of Obrenovitch, were mur- dered as the result of a conspiracy of
 palace functionaries, and only four
 days later Peter, who had been in exile in Geneva, was placed on the throne. He
 had been absent from Belgrade for A years.
 Alexander, son of the reprobate Milan, had married his mothers lady waiting, a divoycee 16 years older than himself. Queen Draga was desper- ately unpopular in court circles and with the general public, but Alexander was blindly enamored and defied public opinion. One night 90 officers of the army assembled in the palace gardens.
 The servants, in the plot, admitted them to the royal apartments. With Colonel Maschin at their head, they fell upon the King and Queen and fair
 ly cut them to pieces. When Colonel
 Maschin came out on the balcony and cried to the assembled thousands. We
 have destroyed the dishonorable woman who was the Kings evil spirit" the populace gave themselves up to reverly and rejoicing, and holiday was de- clared.
 His present hosts are not permitting
 bloody recollections to obtrude them selves upon the memory of the Servian monarch. France is the only country l in Europe where he Is welcome. His | overwhelmingly cordial reception there is due to the national gratitude for the
 real service he rendered the French government in the campaign of 1S70-71, and the ominous Servian saying: He is
 the doer who benefits by the deed" has
 died away to whisper in far off Bel grade.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
American Passports in Russia

English Jews carrying English passports have no trouble at all when they visit Russia. Their passports are accepted without question. Ameri- can Jews are treated differently and their passports are questioned at least, and in many cases rejected. Russia, in other words, pays small at tention to the terms of the treaty of 1892, although it provides for the mutual entry of citizens of either na- ton into territories of the other with ''liberty to soiourn and reside in all parts whatsoever of said territories in order to attend to their affairs" :" Russia persistently violates the spirit, if not the letter, of the treaty, so far as American Jews are concerned.
 Some desire to have the treaty re- ferred by the two countries to The Hague tribunal. Some think it should be abrogated altogether. The govern has -endeavored to find a solution of the trouble in diplomacy.
 The House has, with but one dis senting vote, passed resolution directing the President to give Rus sia, immediately, the years notice necessary for the complete abroga- tion of the treaty of 1892. A similar resolution is pending in the Senate, and it's passage in that body is probable.
 The abrogation of the treaty is the better way. This country wants no treaty with a nation that refuses to honor American passports on, account of race or religion-of passports granted under the terms of treaty.
 When the treaty is abrogated the matter should stand until Russia is ready to treat American citizens as generously as it treats the subjects of King George. The abrogation of the treaty does not mean war. Russia has no navy. It means a waiting spell in which Russia will be apt to get her wits again. The next treaty should be more specific, in the matter of passports. No American citizen should be discriminated against on the ground of race or religion. Russia carried her policy one step too far when she refused to recognize the passports of American Jews.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15

will probably be Mark Smith and Henry Ashhurst. MT. Smith was president of the constitutional con- vention. The judiciary recall feature of the new constitution was striken out almost unanimously, but there is no guaranty it will stay out. If, however, the judges in Arizona be have pretty well' it may not be put back.
 New Mexico elected a few weeks ago democratic state officials, but the legislature was greatly juggled. It seems to be controlled by democrats and progressives, and no one knows what the latter propose to do. The legislature will soon meet.
 AS soon as the President approves the two constitutions and issues a proclamation, the Union will consist of AS states and the business of state making on the mainland will be ended.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
MT. Underwood on the Trusts

The speech in which Mr. Under wood discussed the trusts before the Pennsylvania society in New York was simply an application of good common sense to the problem in hand. He urged tariff revision as a prelim- mary step, because the present inde- fensible tariffs does create trusts, and then he urged that the regulation of the corporations should be conducted by all acting together. Industrial peace should be the mission, he said, of both parties and of labor and cap- ital alike.
 MT. Underwood's chief appeal in the matter of the Sherman law was for caution, and really for delay uW- til the true course can be discerned. He wants no leaps in haste in the dark. We should not tinker with the Sherman law until we definitely and clearly know what we need, and time alone will disclose that "When,' said MT. Underwood, i've have more knowledge of the scope and effect of the act, from the decisions of the courts and from the results of recent dismemberments, and more important still, as new conditions grow up un- der a fair tariff and finer public spirit shall have developed, as it is unmistakably developing, which shall condemn utterly unfair business methods, we shall learn the precise direction in which we are to go, and shall not have to drift aimlessly about exposed to grave peril under the direction of anyone who, without chart or compass or the experience which will enable him to take an ob- servation, to find our true course, is suggesting the direction of safety for us. Let our pilot be experienced and accurate knowledge and high resolve, and not party expediency or misdi- rected energy, whether proceeding from good or bad motives, and above all this let us not proceed upon a crude guess"
 It will be seen that the leader of the majority in the House does not consider a change in the Sherman law at present desirable. It may come in the long run. It cannot wisely be made at present. One great issue is enough in any campaign, and the great issue of next year is revision of the tariff to just and honest basis,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
Alabama Federal Pensioners

A full brigade of federal soldiers of the civil war live in Alabama. They number 3848. AS none of them were natives of the state, it follows that they must have drifted this way after the war and the royal climate will not let them die. The 3848 now draw $861 ,000, and if the Sherwood bill becomes law they will draw we'll nigh twice that sum.
 It is remarkable fact that nearly 50 years after the war nearly mil lion federal soldiers survive. The number on the pension rolls exceeds 100000, and in many congressional district from 5000 to 4000 of them live, and also vote. Hence the pen sion bills, and the latest one, the Sherwood bill, has passed the House and is now in the Senate. This bill is to some extent based on length of service. Those who served but 90 days are to get $15 a month, while those who served over year are to receive S30 month. The latter is the maximum allowance of the bill.
 All federal pension bills are, in the last analysis, taxes laid on the south, but if Alabama is to receive million dollars or better under the Sherwood bill she will get some of her tax back. As Alabama has one forty fifth of the population of the country, she naturally pays one forty-fifth of the pension tax, or about $3,500,000. She gets back 1,000,000, leaving her in the lurch at the rate of about $2,500,000 a year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
The County's Criminal Record

q hear more talk now about Jefferson countys homicides and other crimes than ever before, which indicates that the peo- pie are becoming aroused to the frightful conditions confronting us," said an old citizen.
 T had not examined criminal statistics, but l saw 10 years ago that the murder record was higher here than in any other county with which I was familiar, and l have lived in several states. But as bad as it was at the beginning of the last de- cade, the record is far worse now.
 "The last grand jury did a most impor- tant thing when it brought out facts relating to crime hereabouts. Its report was simply appalling. The pastors have taken up the matter, and the public gen. erally will be ready, believe, to respond to any movement looking to a minimizing of crime.
 "As some one remarked the other day, there are too few hangings in Jefferson county. Not in my day here has white man resident in Jefferson suffered the death penalty for murder, and there have been hundreds of murders"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
MY LADY RAIN

Archibald Sullivan, in the Smart Set There is a woman in the rain;
 Here are her tears upon the leaves, I saw her move on ashen feet
 Between the gold dust of the sheaves She flung dim circles in the stream And on the path where peoples blow; She left for mirror to the stars
 A little looking glass of woe. Oh, would bind her brows with sun, And smooth her cheek with burnished
 days,
 And spread a carpet amber clear,
 That she might walk brocaded ways; And that is why I keep the sun
 Upon my window sill, and why wait in red roofed maple town;
 My Lady Rain may pass me by. September's gold has long been spent;
 The days are dark, the winds are chill; No more the peoples pitch their tents
 In scarlet splendor on the hill.,al Lord Autufnns hosts are everywhere;
 Their crimson shields float down the
 stream,
 And withered bullrushes are but
 The gallant lances of dream. Yet in a sad pavilion, ' Beneath the tattered beggar trees, Clad in her gray and luted to
 By one half hearted little breeze, My lady sits all crowned with tears; Embroidered sorrow decks her train; But on my lips her kisses fall; f. am beloved of Lady Rain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
Real Christmas Giving

The giving that calls for return gift may be commercially or socially sane, but any giving that is to be in the spirit of Christmas must be with out expectation of return. Giving to children is peculiarly feature of the day on which the Christian world celebrates the birth of the infant Jesus, and in this city we have insti- tutions full of homeless children. These children should be remembered, and so should the neglected children in every neighborhood.
 These gifts do not call for other gifts, but such gifts bring to the giver a wealth of the Christmas spirit and this is the proper return of true Christmas gift.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
EARNEST SMOKERS
From the Boston Herald.
 Tho cha m piop pipar er,1 1olxa, i,, ID

From the Boston Herald.
 The champion cigar smoker in Paris re- gently kept a cigar alight for hours and 17 minutes. Nothing is said as to the length of the cigar. It was California miner who wagered that he would smoke six cigars, six cigarettes and six pipes of strong tobacco within an hour. He ac- complished the task, was seized with an attack of heart failure immediately after ward and never smoked again. The tenor, Mario, smoked from 25 to 30 ordinary sized cigars a day, and in Italy, when he could not obtain Havanas, he used to smoke daily 100 Cavours. They say that Edwin Booth smoked 25 cigars a day. Mark Twain ran him close, and MT. Edison Is a good second.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
In tI,e West and south

Birmingham looks very prosperous, said W. H. Heine, assistant manager of the World Color Printing company of st. Louis. q was here a little more than year ago. Birmingham impressed me favorably then and am even more favorably impressed now. This is a substantial and progressive town and it undoubtedly has a great future. Its population will increase rapidly and in comparatively short time it will be one of the great big cities of the Unit ed States.
 Since my last visit to Birmingham have travelled extensively in the west and l have visited quite recently Texas and Oklahoma. l have found business conditions very satisfactory in many of the western cities. Los Angeles Is highly prosperous and San Francisco is improving steadily. I found Seattle dull, but Portland was booming. When was in Denver there was a good deal of complaint of dullness, although Dem yer, generally speaking, is one of the best business towns in the country. Oklahoma City, which was in the spot light a year or so ago as a city of phenomenal growth, is extremely dull now. There has been very much of a slump there this year. In Texas bus mess is good in spots, but in some parts crop failures have depressed bus iness.'
 MT. Heine remarked that he had heard a good deal of political talk on his travels. "President Taft may be renominated." said MT. Heine, but l am inclined to think that Roosevelt will head the republican ticket next year. I found strong Roosevelt senti- ment all through the west. AS for the democratic candidates, Champ Clark and Harmon seemed to be more talked about than any of the candidates when I was in the west. Clark seemed to be particularly strong in Kansas. Con- gressman Underwood did not come into national prominence until he had dep- onstrated his ability as leader in the extra session and that was after had made my western trip. I hear him now much talked about in the south and I understand that his name is dis cussed very prominently throughout the country in connection with the democratic nomination."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
WRONG KIND OF JUICE

From the Youngstown Telegram.
 When a young southside couple tried to start their automobile for q trip through Mill Creek park Monday eevning they were greatly puzzled when the machine refused to make any signs of action
 What's the matter with the thing?'' cried the husband. q just filled it with gasoline last night"
 That's odd," replied the wife. 1T no- ticed the can untouched in the cellar a few minutes ago."
 ''In the cellar?' retorted the husband. why, I got this in the kitchen
 "No wonder the machine will not run, hysterically laughed the young woman; you have filled the car with maple sirup.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
Practical Politics

"The democrats can win next year If those who control the national conven- tion use ordinary common sense," said an old-timer.
 'In 1896, when Bryan was nominated on an untried issue-free silver-no one was prophet enough to say at the start that he had no chance of being elected. He was nominated with tumultuous en. thusiasm, and up to within a few weeks of the election many experienced politi- clans thought he was going to win. But when the returns were in William Me Kinley had a large majority of the cleo toral votes-271 against Bryan's 176. The democrats tried Bryan again in 1900, but the Nebraskan carried even fewer states, his electoral total being only 155 as against McKinley's 292. The democrats skipped Bryan in 1904, but tried him for third time in 1908. Bryan, with his radical issues had hoodooed the party.
 ''The democrats, I believe, have learned some sense. l believe they will adopt a conservative platform and nominate a conservative statesman for President in 1912 Since I have been a voter 1t has
 
 politics to reckon especially with New York and Indiana. It is anything but good politics for the democrats to adopt wild isms' advocated by western dem- ocrats, for the republican party always carries the western states. In 1896 Bryan. with all his western popularity, failed to carry a single western state. He lost even Missouri, which had previously belonged to the democratic party. The last time Bryan ran he did carry Ne vada with it's three electoral votes, but failed to carry certain border states that used to belong to the solid south. If the party leaders make the inex- cusable mistake of listening to the so called progressive element for the sake of pleasing the vest the democracy will be showed under, and 1t will deserve to be. It makes me tired to find demo- crats paying attention to what this or that western state is doing in the way of initiative and referendum. What we want is practical platform that will appeal tc New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Indiana"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
UNDERWOOD


 From the Savannah Press.
 The emphatic announcement from Oscar w. Underwood that he is not a candi- date for the presidency and is not going to be, made a soothing and refreshing sound in our ears and impresses us over again with the mans level headedness and strength. Here at least is states man whose first thoughts are for his party and his country and who is able to put personal ambition aside. He is con- tent to serve his party in the capacity he is now filling so ably and is able to recognize that his personal glorification Is smaller thing than the triumph of the principles he is championing. It is an encouraging thing to find a public man who in all sincerity belongs more to the public than to himself. Perhaps our en- thusiasm might be less exclamatofy, though scarcely less sincere, were 1t not for the lamentable fact that the ability to see things clearly and proportionately deserts even the most brilliant of states men when their own ego becomes injected into the issues. Evidently MT. Underwood is imbued with conscientious sense or his responsibilities and feels that in con tinuing to saw wood in Congress he IS in a position to render his country an in- estimable service. It would indeed be harder to find the man to fill the place he is now filling than to find the man to lead the democratic party to victory. Per haps MT. Underwood who stands pre- emirently for cohesion and unity in his party, realizes also that these repeated demonstrations in his favor were likely to have the effect of drawing off strength from the logical candidate and keeping the party forces scattered and unfocussed.
 That these demonstrations must have been seductive in the extreme can scarce ly be doubted. Coming as they have as ar expression of approval based on actual achievement and overriding the strong sectional prejudice which has ex- isted for so many years they have been peculiarly fattering. and, best of all, they have been deserved.
 It is certainly something to realize that there are men whose heads cannot be turned by the magnetic power of per- suasion and fattery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-15
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 The baby can't even have the collie with out its being in a wonderfully smart way.
 Every time anybody wants to do a good act something comes along to make it look more like a jail offense.
 A girl has two great amhitions-first to get her hair up as d finality, and then to get 6 beau as a starter.
 A boy gets through having his mother pack him off to school only to become a man and have his wife drag him off to church.
 If man hasn't any money for people to take away from him they will take away his reputation. 50 as to make some sort of score.